Review of The Six Murders of Daphne St Clair by Alicia Thompson
From the moment I stumbled upon The Six Murders of Daphne St Clair, I was captivated—not just by the tantalizing title, but by the hollow promise of uncovering darker truths about life, femininity, and morality. Alicia Thompson’s debut novel masterfully intertwines the lives of an enigmatic nonagenarian and a struggling journalist, all within a tapestry of truly gripping storytelling. As someone who loves exploring complex characters, Daphne and Ruth’s journey hooked me right from the first page.
At the heart of this story is Daphne, who confesses to killing several men throughout her life in a lonely podcast form, prompting us to question: Is she a feminist icon or a cold-blooded murderer? The juxtaposition of her fragile vulnerability against her ruthlessly cunning nature creates a character as multi-layered as the plot itself. It was fascinating to oscillate between empathy for her past traumas and discomfort with her actions. For instance, the revelation of her fourth murder altered my perception of her entirely; it showed a darker side of vengeance.
Daphne’s biting wit and sharp humor provide a delightful contrast to the somber backdrop of her life’s experiences, some of which are brutally outlined in the narrative. Engaging with her struggles—particularly her estrangement from her son James—made my heart ache in ways I didn’t expect, and her twin daughters, Diane and Rose, evolve into figures of sympathy as well, tangled in the web of their mother’s legacy.
Ruth, our narrator, is equally intriguing, though perhaps a bit less fleshed out at times. The slow reveal of her connection with Daphne creates a gripping tension that kept me eager to turn pages. As her own tumultuous past is woven into the storyline, I felt her struggles resonated deeply with the overarching themes of identity and perception.
Thompson’s writing style is a breath of fresh air, especially with the use of multi-format storytelling, incorporating podcast transcripts, social media threads, and insightful musings from both main characters. The Reddit threads popped with authenticity, adding humor to otherwise heavy themes, while the HauteHistoire posts skillfully critiqued the morality of true crime consumption—a topic that had me reflecting more profoundly than I anticipated.
One of my favorite moments came when Daphne quipped, “Jeez, you kill one old man and suddenly no one wants to sit at your lunch table.” This line epitomizes the humor that runs through the novel and exemplifies Thompson’s sharp commentary on societal expectations of women.
In conclusion, The Six Murders of Daphne St Clair is a must-read for anyone who enjoys intricate character studies wrapped in dark humor and social commentary. Whether you’re drawn to true crime, complex female narratives, or simply a well-crafted story, Thompson’s debut is one you won’t want to miss. My reading experience was as riveting as it was unsettling, leaving me to ponder long after I turned the final page.
Overall Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️.5 (and I’m ready for more from this author!)
Thanks to the publisher for an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. The Six Murders of Daphne St Clair is published on June 19 in the UK.
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