Reviewed by Kristin
*Please
note that this is not an instruction manual.
Grace Bernard’s father is a real jerk. He’s married, but not
to Grace’s mother, Marie. He’s rich, but couldn’t be bothered to contribute
financially or to take Grace in when Marie asked as she lay dying. Grace is a
perfectly lovely person, but let’s just say that she doesn’t forgive. Or
forget. She is ready to make her father rue the day that he rejected his
mistress and daughter.
After Marie’s death, teenage Grace is taken in by the parents
of a friend. They are do-gooders and fairly well-off, so caring for the poor
little orphan just makes them feel better about themselves. They have no idea
that she is plotting the misery and murder of her remaining biological
relatives.
Grace begins her story while in a London jail for murder. However,
not for one of the six murders she actually committed. She is rather indignant
to have been blamed for the other death. But a claim of innocence stating “I
wouldn’t have been nearly so careless if I wanted to murder her” is not likely
to be taken well, so Grace didn’t bother saying it at all.
Grace is smart, organized, and probably a psychopath. She is a
clever antihero who I find rather likeable, (as long as I remember that this is
fiction and I’m not cheering on an actual person to make her father pay dearly
for his heartlessness.) The end has a bit of a twist with another voice adding
to Grace’s story. Not everything went according to plan. But, close enough.
Others have called this debut novel “compulsively readable”
and I definitely agree. It’s darkly funny and an enjoyable ride. I look forward
to more from Bella Mackie.
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