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Notes on an Execution

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Notes on an Execution

By: Danya Kukafka
Narrated by: Jim Meskimen, Mozhan Marnò
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About this listen

Ansel Packer is scheduled to die in twelve hours. But this is not his story.

Ansel doesn't want to die; he wants to be celebrated, understood. Yet now he awaits the same fate he forced on those girls, years ago.

This is the story of the women who survive.

As the clock ticks down, three women—a mother, a sister, a detective—reckon with the choices that culminate in tragedy, the impact on those in its wake, and the possibility of redemption.

WINNER OF THE MWA EDGAR AWARD FOR BEST NOVEL 2023

©2022 Danya Kukafka (P)2022 Phoenix Crime Crime Thrillers Fiction Genre Fiction Psychological Thriller Thriller & Suspense Suspense
All stars
Most relevant
While initially sceptical about reading a serial killer story, I was won over instantly by the variety of story lines. All roads led to why what happened actually happened, rather than dwelling on the acts themselves. The women's voices were powerful and plausible. Highly recommended.

I have another of this author's books to read . . . and I can't wait.

Complete and satisfying

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An extraordinary story bought to life so well by the voice actors. The best audio book experience I think I’ve ever had

Brilliant

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This was an original, captivating, clever novel. The performances were terrific. I’ll be hunting down other writing by this author.

A fabulous experience.

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In depth characters and a gripping plot line, showing the linebetween good and evil is not black and white. Brilliantly narrated too!

Brilliantly written

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This book has a strong premise, that we see both sides of unspeakable acts performed by someone who is wounded and monstrous. But I felt so much that the sympathy for Ansel was too readily from his own perspective and the overall tone of the book to be blamed on the women around him, that if his childhood hadn't happened as it had, his mother hadn't done what she did, that the women hadn't done things so minor (compared to the way he reacted), he wouldn't have become the person he became. Negating that he had a lifetime to change, introspectively and intentionally, and that he is largely portrayed to be a victim of circumstances he was at no strength to alter, despite multiple chances to do so. The voice acting was brilliant, narrative tone was weighted and tonally appropriate for the themes of the book, but the story felt apologetic for someone who didn't need sympathy or understanding as the book had tried to imply a reader should.

Brilliant intention, but didn't hit the mark

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I enjoyed the story and performance.
Kept me intrigued throughout. Will check out other books from this author.

A great listen

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I couldn’t put it down (metaphoric since it was an audio). The thoughts and feelings of the sociopathic Packer are credible and insightful. The author casts a mirror on our potential dark side. The 3rd person narrative for most of the characters casts them in normal status while Ansell speaks in 2nd person casting him as a troubled, evil and pathetic character. Although at some level you feel sorry for him, his troubled past, and his feeble attempts at redemption. Highly recommended.

I loved this book

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Loved it. So wonderfully weaved between characters with perfectly explored internal lives. Stunning descriptive phrases.

Beautifully written

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This book was beautifully written . Parts almost poetic. Tender … harsh… exquisite … brutal . What a wonderful journey it was and the narration was outstanding

Breathtaking

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