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A review by tessa_talks_books
Daughter by Kate McLaughlin
5.0
Daughter by Kate McLaughlin is a gripping, haunting, and absolutely mesmerizing story of a teenage girl who learns she is the daughter of an incarcerated serial killer. He is dying from cancer and wants to see her before he passes, promising to give the names and locations of his victims yet to be discovered if she comes. This is a story that I just loved. I think it captures all the nuances of this horrific scenario to perfection. I also loved that the author's inspiration was imagining a life for Ted Bundy's daughter by his wife, Carol Anne Boone. That fact adds realism to an unimaginable story. The premise and the interaction between Scarlet and her father reminded me a little of Prodigal Son, the tv series, but only faintly in the way she stood up to the monster that's her father.
I lastly loved the story's messages, which are very hopeful and inspiring. Scarlet overcomes her debilitating anxiety through the meetings with her father. The strength it took to see him and be in his vicinity made her realize how strong she actually was. Also, the realization that the killer gets more attention than the victims and how that should be reversed provides a strong thread throughout the tale.
The only thing that gave me some niggles is the everybody’s-doing-it attitude toward the teens' behavior in the story. Every teen is not taking part in drinking, drugs, and sex as cavalierly as presented. But aside from this, the story is one that kept me focused and on my toes from start to finish. It's told in first person from Scarlet's POV and is incredibly fast-paced. If you are looking for a compelling story that will haunt you long after you finish, Daughter by Kate McLaughlin is just the novel you want to read next.
I lastly loved the story's messages, which are very hopeful and inspiring. Scarlet overcomes her debilitating anxiety through the meetings with her father. The strength it took to see him and be in his vicinity made her realize how strong she actually was. Also, the realization that the killer gets more attention than the victims and how that should be reversed provides a strong thread throughout the tale.
The only thing that gave me some niggles is the everybody’s-doing-it attitude toward the teens' behavior in the story. Every teen is not taking part in drinking, drugs, and sex as cavalierly as presented. But aside from this, the story is one that kept me focused and on my toes from start to finish. It's told in first person from Scarlet's POV and is incredibly fast-paced. If you are looking for a compelling story that will haunt you long after you finish, Daughter by Kate McLaughlin is just the novel you want to read next.