Notes on an Execution

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In the tradition of Long Bright River and The Mars Room, this gripping literary suspense work deconstructs the story of a serial killer on death row, primarily through the perspectives of the women in his life. Ansel Packer awaits execution, fully aware of the horrors he inflicted on his victims. Yet, he yearns for understanding and recognition, wishing for a different ending. Through a kaleidoscope of women—his mother Lavender, his sister-in-law Hazel, and homicide detective Saffy—we uncover Ansel's life story. Lavender, a desperate teenager, faces the challenges of motherhood; Hazel, inseparable from her twin sister, watches helplessly as her sister's relationship with Ansel spirals into darkness. Meanwhile, Saffy, dedicated to bringing justice to victims, grapples with her own life’s clarity. As the execution countdown begins, these women reflect on the choices that led to tragedy, revealing the deep fissures left in the aftermath. Blending suspense with empathy, this narrative offers a chilling portrait of womanhood while unraveling the familiar tale of the American serial killer, challenging readers to reconsider the search for meaning in the minds of violent men and the implications of our justice system.