Half-Inch

by McCarty Griffin

[Kim Deister]

Half-Inch is a rather thought-provoking story of a woman who has been pushed to the limits by her abusive husband. Despite their impending divorce, Pammy has realized that she will never be free of him and his abusive ways. For years, obsessed with crime drama TV, she has fantasized about being rid of him,... permanently. The story follows Pammy, as she she is struggling to get out from Bobby's control. Years of abuse have left her scared and meek, but with a hidden strength even she didn't know she possesed.

There is a lot going on in this story, deep emotions, and complicated situations. I had doubts as to whether or not a novella of this length could adequately show those things. But it definately did. I felt as if I knew Pammy, her frustration, her desperation, her fears. Despite the fact that she was planning a murder, it was impossible for me not to feel for her and root for her. I am not really big on murder as a solution in real life, but in the context of the story, it was empowering for Pammy even to just think and plan for it. And it wasn't at all difficult to intensely dislike her overbearing and cruel husband! There were several twists and turns in the story, as well as unexpected bits of humor here and there. The biggest twist came at the end of the book, which I won't share for fear of spoiling a great and interesting ending!