๐ peek insideNotes on an Execution
by Danya Kukafka
Ansel Packer is scheduled to die in twelve hours. While he knows what he has done, he wants to be understood. However, this is not his story; it is the story of the women whose lives he disrupted. Through the perspectives of his mother, his wife's sister, and the detective who hunted him, the novel deconstructs the trope of the serial killer. It is a haunting, lyrical examination of systemic failures, the ripple effects of violence, and the lives left in the wake of tragedy.
A popular book with millions of readers worldwide.
Notable Quotes
"You don't need to have it all. You only need to figure out how much is enough."
"She had known from a young age that everyone had darkness inside-some just controlled it better than others. Very few people believed that they were bad, and this was the scariest part. Human nature could be so hideous, but it persisted in this ugliness by insisting it was good."
"Grief was a hole. A portal to nothing. Grief was a walk so long Hazel forgot her own legs. It was a shock of blinding sun. A burst of remembering: sandals on pavement, a sleepy back seat, nails painted on the bathroom floor. Greif was a loneliness that felt like a planet."
You might also enjoy
I Have Some Questions for You
by Rebecca Makkai
A podcaster returns to her boarding school to investigate a past murder. A slow, immersive, and intense mystery.
Long Bright River
by Liz Moore
A cop searches for her addicted sister during a string of murders. A slow, beautifully written, intense mystery.
Where the Crawdads Sing
by Delia Owens
A beautifully written coming-of-age story wrapped in a gripping murder mystery. Slow-paced, atmospheric, and deeply immersive.
My Dark Vanessa
by Kate Elizabeth Russell
A woman reevaluates her past relationship with a high school teacher. A slow, intensely gripping psychological deep dive.
Ask Again, Yes
by Mary Beth Keane
A tragic event links two neighboring families for decades. A beautifully slow, intense exploration of trauma and forgiveness.
The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels
by India Holton
Proper Victorian ladies fly battle-houses and steal treasure. A wonderfully quirky, hilarious, and fast-paced historical fantasy adventure.