Scan barcode
A review by ahomelibrary
Six Weeks to Live by Catherine McKenzie
Book & Audiobook Review — Six Weeks to Live by Catherine McKenzie (2021) @[email protected]. I received an ARC of the audiobook from Simon & Schuster, and I read a physical copy on my own. Thank you to the publisher and author/narrators for the opportunity to review a copy in exchange for honest feedback.
Summary: A gripping psychological suspense novel about a woman diagnosed with cancer who sets out to discover if someone tried to poison her before her time is up. Multiple POV. Thriller/suspense.
Jennifer Barnes never expected the shocking news she received at a routine doctor’s appointment: she has a terminal brain tumor—and only six weeks left to live.
While stunned by the diagnosis, the forty-eight-year-old mother decides to spend what little time she has left with her family—her adult triplets and twin grandsons—close by her side. But when she realizes she was possibly poisoned a year earlier, she’s determined to discover who might have tried to get rid of her before she’s gone for good.
Separated from her husband and with a contentious divorce in progress, Jennifer focuses her suspicions on her soon-to-be ex. Meanwhile, her daughters are each processing the news differently. Calm medical student Emily is there for whatever Jennifer needs. Moody scientist Aline, who keeps her mother at arm’s length, nonetheless agrees to help with the investigation. Even imprudent Miranda, who has recently had to move back home, is being unusually solicitous.
But with her daughters doubting her campaign against their father, Jennifer can’t help but wonder if the poisoning is all in her head—or if there’s someone else who wanted her dead.
Average Rating on Goodreads: 3.8
My Thoughts ⤵️
This novel follows Jennifer, a mother of triplets who was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer and given six weeks to live. This diagnosis rocks through her family, which was once close; however, a looming split/divorce and the tides of aging for everyone has loosened family ties. Despite this, Jennifer wants to bring her family (triplets and her mother, Bea) together and enjoy her last few weeks. Then she discovers abnormal test results indicating she may have been victim of a poisoning, which leads her to believe her demise was handcrafted by someone — she just doesn’t know who. She highly suspects her husband, the cheating narcissist. She spends the time left trying to figure out answers.
Review (mild spoilers)
The audiobook was an ARC received from @simon.audio and I enjoyed the narration and pace. It is a clear delivery which helped me keep up with the novel during downtime and when I was sick earlier this week! I highly recommend trying the audio version if you can find it.
Something that strikes me as a strength for this story is the internal dialogue and external behaviors of someone who knows their time is limited. It is a harrowing thought. The writing in this area is chilling. I will say though that if you feel personally unable or unwilling to grapple with talk of cancer or terminal illness, this book may best be avoided.
Otherwise, this story offers a set of twists that reveal the inner workings of a family unit — sometimes you just never really know what goes on inside someone’s heart or head. Lies and secrets usually come out it seems. Not for the faint of heart this one.
All in all, I give it a 2.5-3 because I thought the pace was very slow in crucial parts of the book which made me feel kind of bored and restless (like skip a few pages of dialogue type). I read that the author has other excellent books, so I will check them out sometime. I recommend to those who are okay with the content warnings I gave and want a domestic suspense. Highly recommend trying the audiobook from @simon.audio if possible.
Summary: A gripping psychological suspense novel about a woman diagnosed with cancer who sets out to discover if someone tried to poison her before her time is up. Multiple POV. Thriller/suspense.
Jennifer Barnes never expected the shocking news she received at a routine doctor’s appointment: she has a terminal brain tumor—and only six weeks left to live.
While stunned by the diagnosis, the forty-eight-year-old mother decides to spend what little time she has left with her family—her adult triplets and twin grandsons—close by her side. But when she realizes she was possibly poisoned a year earlier, she’s determined to discover who might have tried to get rid of her before she’s gone for good.
Separated from her husband and with a contentious divorce in progress, Jennifer focuses her suspicions on her soon-to-be ex. Meanwhile, her daughters are each processing the news differently. Calm medical student Emily is there for whatever Jennifer needs. Moody scientist Aline, who keeps her mother at arm’s length, nonetheless agrees to help with the investigation. Even imprudent Miranda, who has recently had to move back home, is being unusually solicitous.
But with her daughters doubting her campaign against their father, Jennifer can’t help but wonder if the poisoning is all in her head—or if there’s someone else who wanted her dead.
Average Rating on Goodreads: 3.8
My Thoughts ⤵️
This novel follows Jennifer, a mother of triplets who was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer and given six weeks to live. This diagnosis rocks through her family, which was once close; however, a looming split/divorce and the tides of aging for everyone has loosened family ties. Despite this, Jennifer wants to bring her family (triplets and her mother, Bea) together and enjoy her last few weeks. Then she discovers abnormal test results indicating she may have been victim of a poisoning, which leads her to believe her demise was handcrafted by someone — she just doesn’t know who. She highly suspects her husband, the cheating narcissist. She spends the time left trying to figure out answers.
Review (mild spoilers)
The audiobook was an ARC received from @simon.audio and I enjoyed the narration and pace. It is a clear delivery which helped me keep up with the novel during downtime and when I was sick earlier this week! I highly recommend trying the audio version if you can find it.
Something that strikes me as a strength for this story is the internal dialogue and external behaviors of someone who knows their time is limited. It is a harrowing thought. The writing in this area is chilling. I will say though that if you feel personally unable or unwilling to grapple with talk of cancer or terminal illness, this book may best be avoided.
Otherwise, this story offers a set of twists that reveal the inner workings of a family unit — sometimes you just never really know what goes on inside someone’s heart or head. Lies and secrets usually come out it seems. Not for the faint of heart this one.
All in all, I give it a 2.5-3 because I thought the pace was very slow in crucial parts of the book which made me feel kind of bored and restless (like skip a few pages of dialogue type). I read that the author has other excellent books, so I will check them out sometime. I recommend to those who are okay with the content warnings I gave and want a domestic suspense. Highly recommend trying the audiobook from @simon.audio if possible.