A review by minimicropup
The Devil and Mrs. Davenport by Paulette Kennedy

challenging dark emotional sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

🇺🇸 Set in the 1950s Ozarks, USA
POV: We follow the turbulent life of Loretta Davenport, who seems to be grappling with a chronic illness in a time rife with societal pressures on women and mothers along with medical misogyny. 
 
Mood Reading Match Up:
-Historical fiction with 1950s true crime and relationship dynamics that still resonate today
-Experience of chronic illness with magical realism and supernatural elements intertwined
-Themes of escape, domestic abuse, toxic gender roles, true love and support, hypocrisy, redemption, systemic oppression of women and the societal expectations placed on men
 
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🐺 Growls, Howls, and Tail Wags 🐕
✏️ Writing: The third person narration was clear and engaging, effectively conveying the emotions of claustrophobia, confusion, and anger. The narrative captured the oppressive atmosphere of the era and the personal struggles of the characters.
 
🫥 Characters: Initially distant, the characters, especially Loretta, grew on me. Her plight was heart-wrenching yet believable, showcasing strength even in moments of despair. The book avoided the ‘all men are jerks’ trope, presenting a range of male characters, some of whom defied the misogynistic norms of their time.
 
🗺️ Worldbuilding: The 1950s setting was vividly rendered through detailed descriptions seen through Loretta’s eyes. It offered an immersive experience without feeling like a history lesson.
 
🔥 Fuel: The story’s tension revolved around Loretta’s fate and her family’s dynamics, interwoven with the mystery of a predator targeting young women. The narrative kept me guessing about outcomes and character developments, even after I predicted the perpetrator.
 
🐢 Pacing: While more on the plot-driven than character-driven side, the book had a slow-burn feel. It required an emotional investment in Loretta to fully engage with the unfolding events and I found I often had to take breaks because it was so sad and heavy of a story. 
 
🎬 Scenes: Though some scenes are predictable, they resonated emotionally and often remained relevant today (sadly), highlighting the societal and legal constraints of the 1950s that parallel contemporary issues.
 
🤔  Random Thoughts: I thought this would be more of a paranormal story where we are wondering if we can believe our main character (i.e., is she possessed or unhinged?). Although the story shows us irl terrors, it is more of a historical fiction, so you may be disappointed or find it slow if you picked it up for possession or demonic horror elements.
 
Overall, I thought the it was a poignant and thought-provoking novel that transported me to a different era while holding up a mirror to ongoing societal issues. It’s a story of suffering, resilience, and the quest for freedom in the face of daunting odds. 
 
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Content Heads-Up: Medical (psychosomatic accusations, nausea and vomiting, chronic fatigue, hallucinations). Misogyny. Relationship violence. Mental and emotional abuse (from spouse). Murdered and missing women. 
Rep: Primarily features White American characters.
 
Format: Digital advanced reader copy from Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley
 
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