Notes on an Execution by Danya Kukafka - 4 stars

[Ellen]

Ansel Packer has 12 hours to live. The executioner's needle waits just 15 feet away from his cell. As he contemplates the 46 years of his life and what led him to this moment in time 3 women are remembering just exactly what he did.
Lavender, Ansel's mother, was only 17 when she gave birth. Thinking she had found the perfect life with Johnny, the farm and this beautiful child, she was soon to see that she had settled into hell on earth. It started slowly: a pinch, a soft slap, eventually full on beatings at the hand of a man Lavender had loved. He began to starve her and Ansel. After giving birth to a second child, Lavender knew she had to leave. She abandoned her children to the foster system.
Saffron met Ansel at Mrs. Gemma's foster care house. She was fascinated by the handsome young boy until she caught him doing something so despicable she would never forget it. Saffy is now a police detective investigating the murder of 3 young women whose bodies were found in a shallow grave in the forest. Instinct tells her that Ansel put them there.
Hazel is Jenny's twin and Jenny was married to Ansel. Hazel never felt comfortable around Ansel and watched helplessly as Jenny's marriage caused her constant anguish. Although Jenny finally found the courage to leave, Hazel feared for her beloved twin's life.
Ansel counts down the hours to his life will end, a broken man whose personal philosophy made him feel robbed of greatness and adulation.
The tension in this book is quite interesting. I feel no pity for Ansel except for the horrible start he had in life. The women in the book are the strong characters that hold the story together.

[Peacejanz]

You are so right. The women make this book real. Good review. peace, janz

[Jen K]

Great review! Did you also read the author's note as to how she wanted the focus to be on the victims rather than the celebrity given to violent men? I really appreciated how she gave the full picture through the women. Definitely no pity for Ansel.

[Ellen]

Yes, the author definitely wanted to tell women's stories and she did a fabulous job. I honestly did not believe that I would like this book as much as I did, considering the subject matter.

[Jen K]

Ellen wrote: "Yes, the author definitely wanted to tell women's stories and she did a fabulous job. I honestly did not believe that I would like this book as much as I did, considering the subject matter."

Agreed! I read it a year ago and it has stuck with me. It was just such a different approach. Glad you enjoyed it too!