My Murder by Katie Williams

My Murder

by Katie Williams

SOMETIMES THE ONLY PERSON WHO CAN SOLVE YOUR MURDER IS YOU.

'Startling and original, My Murder is a gripping speculative twist on the crime novel.' - Paula Hawkins

'Completely absorbing. A smart, speculative twist on domestic suspense.' - Ashley Audrain


'One of the most original, smart, funny and thought-provoking books you'll read this year' - Daily Mail


Lou has been murdered.


She was the fifth victim of the serial killer Edward Early. A young wife and new mother, Lou's death outraged a public breathlessly following the story of the serial murders.

Lou has been cloned.

Along with Early's other four victims, Lou has been brought back to life by the government-funded replication commission. The women gather at a weekly support group, helping each other to navigate a society obsessed with their very existence.

Lou has been lied to.

But when Lou agrees to help fellow murder victim Fern secure a visit with Edward Early, a shocking revelation causes Lou to investigate the events around her death and question everything she thought she knew about her murder.

Can she finally uncover the truth?

Praise for Katie Williams:

"Like an extended episode of 'Black Mirror' ... Williams offers a master class in not losing sight of the human element... the kind of story that - in the subtlest of ways - can instruct us, and nourish us, and make us want to live and love a little better."-Matt Haig, New York Times Book Review

"[A] vivid, clever debut." -O, the Oprah Magazine

"Allow me to introduce you to your new favorite writer." -James Hannaham, award-winning author of DELICIOUS FOODS: A Novel

"Delightfully weird and humorous...a fascinating exploration of our increasing reliance on technology and our obsession with finding a quick fix for everything." -Shondaland

"A sharp and moving novel." -Publishers Weekly

"With its clever, compelling vision of the future, deeply human characters, and delightfully unpredictable story, this novel is itself a receipe for contentment." -Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"My prescription for happiness is: 'Sit still, read a book that can't be classified by genre, and tell everyone.' I'm telling you, Katie Williams delivers." -Helen Ellis, New York Times-bestselling author of AMERICAN HOUSEWIFE

Reviewed by Kim Deister on

3.5 of 5 stars

Share

The book is set in the (perhaps) near future, a time which has advanced technology. Lou, our FMC, is part of a unique survivors’ group. Each of the women was murdered by the same serial killer and brought back to life via cloning. As a result, none of them remember the events leading up to their murders. But while they are experiencing short-term memory issues, they do know that they are clones. The support group is designed to help them adjust to their new realities.

I loved the world-building throughout the book, enough of our own current world to make it all seem possible. The women dealt with their new situation differently, which was thoroughly absorbing. For example, one of the women actually collabs on a project that makes entertainment of what happened to the women. Another considers her former life not really hers but an entirely different person. Another dives deep into the world of cold cases. And that is where the fun begins as questions begin to arise as to what the truth of their serial murders really is.

I couldn’t stop turning the pages, I was so invested. Then we come to the ending when all of the lingering questions are addressed.

And that’s where it took a deep dive for me. I loved 99% of the book, but the ending ruined it for me. I was left feeling that I, as a reader, had been pulled this way and that, only to have the rug pulled out from under me. There was so much going on over the course of the story, twists and turns galore. The stakes were high. And then the conclusion gave answers that felt too easy, too neat, too disconnected from everything that made this book great. I loved so much of the book, but this just felt like a letdown.

Last modified on

Reading updates

  • 4 August, 2023: Started reading
  • 8 August, 2023: Finished reading
  • 8 September, 2023: Reviewed