Reviews

I have to admire the reader for coming up and committing to juggling 2 POVs at once (Pamela’s POV is more retroactive with both past and future mentioned while Ruth’s unfolds events as she experiences them) because the juxtaposition of the narrator helps bring a comprehensive view. Through completely polar opposite lenses created by differences in background, personality, and stages in life, it also makes the story more dynamic and dimensional, with each character either or both of them encountered in life being showcased with layers and depths.

Setting/Theme: 10

The book depicts the journey of victims reclaiming their voices woven with criticisms of both then-and-now society, about the way certain people have other personal motives with these crime cases and thus choose to act selfishly instead of helping others seeking justice. The writer also did a commendable job of posing all the struggles women must face throughout history: the stigmas, the expected norms and standards, the silenced voices, etc. It’s hard to underline every theme discovered through 390 pages because there are simply too many but it did successfully provide me with a lot of intellectual nourishment to chew on.

Writing Style: 10

Just as the title suggests, the author focused solely and entirely on the brilliance and resilience of the women instead of portraying them solely as helpless victims or giving the suspect any limelight. She’s also unafraid to expose the sugarcoat carefully crafted illusion of those “celebrity killers” down to the bone and constantly remind us that they’re just pathetic losers who don’t deserve any flowers like how the media tried to manipulate us.

Plot: 10

The book doesn’t follow a chronological timeline but is constructed in a way that slowly reveals the bigger picture. (Which unintentionally makes the readers step into Pamela’s shoes to uncover the mystery hidden behind). Also, the author knows how to keep up the suspense by ending each chapter on a hanging note and constantly switching the POV/year while still not overcomplicating things. The ending is also a surprise for me because I anticipated a huge blowout since there’s not really a designed climax anywhere but I was still delighted in the subtle and hopeful approach she took.

Logic: 10

Despite the nonlinear narratives, the events are still strongly connected and support each other without being puzzled or odd, which is further proof of how masterfully the writing was done.

Intrigue/Enjoyment: 10

Due to the nature of the book, there are times when it makes me a bit uneasy and distressing. But for the most part, this book captivated me from beginning to end and I’m glad it had become one of my new favorites.