This was a WILD ride that had me on edge nearly from start to finish. The events and legal case kept me wondering if the defendant actually might have done it, or if there really was some other explanation. The inclusion of research about an aggressive, so-called “murder gene” was compelling and emotionally taxing all at once. I felt so deeply for the young defendant and his family, and at times could feel my skin crawling with discomfort at some of the things being suggested ever so subtly by the writing. But nothing, and I mean NOTHING could have prepared me for the last hour of this book. The story is structured as a testimony in a grand jury proceeding which, if you’re familiar with the law, forced me to ponder the reasoning for some things, and led me to suspect there would be some kind of twist. I even thought I had the twist figured out, as I’m usually able to sus things out. But boy was I wrong! My only complaint here is the rampant fatphobia and misogyny. I thought surely the inclusion of those things was to cast a certain character in a negative light, to arouse suspicion that he’s just not a good person. But no, it’s just a straight white author doing straight white author things in 2012. Every single woman or girl in this book was described explicitly as fat, disgusting, having a muffin top, too pudgy, etc. Except for his wife, who was haggard, aged, and not as attractive as she used to be. It was a bit much, to the point that it took me out of the story some. Which is a shame in a book that is otherwise excellent in craft.

Character (4/5)
Plot & Pacing (5/5)
Setting & Surroundings (5/5)
Dialogue & Diction (4.5/5)
Craft & Voice (3/5)
Reading Experience (4/5)

Final Rating:
4.25/5