Notes on an Execution: An Edgar Award Winner

In the tradition of Long Bright River and The Mars Room, a gripping and atmospheric work of literary suspense that deconstructs the story of a serial killer on death row, told primarily through the eyes of the women in his life—from the bestselling author of Girl in Snow.

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336 pages

Average rating: 7.24

347 RATINGS

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15 REVIEWS

Community Reviews

kbeers22
Mar 21, 2024
7/10 stars
While you are made to feel bad about Ansel and his humble beginnings, you can’t help but want to root for him to become something more. I enjoyed seeing his story unfold through the eyes of the woman that knew him best and also barely at all. I very much liked this book and the themes throughout. It really made you think about life, death, and the choices you make that can affect your life from beginning to end. What it truly means to be a good p...read more
Anonymous
Mar 13, 2024
10/10 stars
The prose is beautiful. Kukafka is able to make you see and smell the people, objects, and scenery in the novel. The subject matter is heavy. The political commentary is not subtle. I would not have chosen to walk through the last hours of a serial killer’s life before being executed for fun. But it turns out I would do it for the Book Eaters Podcast. I was not fond of most of the POV’s, except Saffy’s. She was interesting and compelling. I ...read more
JessicaJe
Jan 12, 2024
8/10 stars
Intense …. Good read
CeLynasings
Dec 31, 2023
10/10 stars
I never thought that I could possibly see through a serial killer’s perspective, but this book allowed you to see how one’s path could change many outcomes in one’s life.
JShrestha
Oct 02, 2023
8/10 stars
This book was an interesting read, definitely not what I expected. Given from the background and current day of four people: Ansel (the accused), Lavender (his mother), Hazel (his wife's twin sister), and Saffy (the police detective). I don't think the author was clever enough to drive all the conversations that others seem to derive about the death penalty nor good vs. evil. The character clearly does not show remorse and even discusses the awar...read more

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