Consequences..
A truly shocking crime and its aftermath are explored in depth in this incredibly well researched, harrowing and detailed expose, An account not simply of a murder and its consequences but of empathy, mercy, forgiveness, redemption and of human compassion as well as the scrutinisation of a justice system under the microscope. Often difficult to digest but written with poignancy and due empathy by the author.

This purports to be about a child murderer but actually it is so much more. There is a core story of the American courts sentencing a ‘child’ to death. But the whole narrative is about capital punishment, forgiveness, and the impact of political voting in legal decisions and justice.

The initial crime is a brutal murder of a much loved grandmother by a group of teenagers. Paula is 15 and sentenced to death. The grandson of the victim steps into the debate and eventually the death penalty is reduced to imprisonment.

We are then taken through the justice system and how it affects an angry kid from a dysfunctional home who is lost and has no chance of bettering herself. Until she finds some kind of purpose. Along the way we learn about the grass roots anti death penalty organisations which help families of murderers and the families of victims. There is much that challenges here. I hadn’t really thought about the impact of a murder conviction on siblings.

This is not an easy read and there are times when I had to put it down. It certainly made me think and it also strengthened my personal conviction that the death penalty is never an answer.

Paula and Bill are strong characters but only a small part of the overall picture. There are families, lawyers, journalists and many, many, well meaning, committed people. The need for reelection should never be able to influence a legal decision but it happens every day in America.

This is not a typical true crime read but it certainly gets you thinking.

I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for this book's ARC.

dnf at 14%*

Yet another one I really struggled with. I really did and enjoy what I read but I don't find myself reaching to go back and finish. I have read shorter books and crimes spanning a longer period of time, and for me it just felt like too much. If I finished I would probably end up skim reading and that just not me when I read books in my downtime. I did eventually skim read another 20% but I just can't find myself finishing this.

However, this book was incredibly well researched and it tells a really interesting true crime story in an almost fiction-esq way, which is very unique. There is an incredible deep dive into all parties concern and compassion for all those involved as well. However there is a real emphasis on religion, which is just not it for me.

I'm sad to say this book just wasn't for me, I just couldn't seem to full immerse myself in it hence when I am dnfing it, I amy possibly come back to this at a later date in the new year to finish it off, but I currently will not be picking it back up. From what I did read however I would rate it 3/5.