Atanaria
My Murder by Katie Williams is an intriguing psychological thriller with a unique premise, but like The Deliverance on Netflix, it struggles to balance its big ideas with its execution. The novel follows Lou, a woman who has been murdered but is brought back to life as part of a government cloning project. While Williams sets up a fascinating exploration of identity, trauma, and societal expectations, the book doesn’t fully deliver on its potential.
Much like The Deliverance’s attempt to blend supernatural horror with social commentary, My Murder juggles weighty themes like gender, autonomy, and the ethics of cloning. However, these themes often feel underdeveloped, as if they are only brushed upon without deep examination. The premise holds so much promise—a woman confronting her own death and the circumstances surrounding it—but the novel meanders without finding a clear narrative focus. The result is a story that feels like it could have been a more incisive commentary but ultimately falls short of its ambition.
One of the strengths of My Murder is Lou herself. Similar to Andra Day’s performance in The Deliverance, Lou is a compelling protagonist trying to navigate her complicated second chance at life. Williams does well to highlight the emotional nuances of Lou’s situation, as she grapples with being a clone, her murder, and the reality of returning to a family that has already mourned her loss. Yet, as with Day’s character, Lou’s depth and emotional complexity can’t entirely save the book from its structural and thematic flaws.
Where The Deliverance relied on horror tropes that felt unoriginal, My Murder occasionally falls into predictable patterns within its psychological and domestic thriller elements. The twists and turns, while entertaining, are not particularly surprising, and the suspense doesn’t quite build the tension needed to make it truly gripping. Like The Deliverance’s disappointing horror sequences, the thriller aspects here feel rushed and lack the intensity that could have elevated the story.
Overall, My Murder is a novel with a lot of potential that doesn’t fully land. Much like The Deliverance, it aims to be thought-provoking but ends up feeling more like a missed opportunity. While it’s still an interesting read for fans of speculative fiction and psychological thrillers, it might leave some readers wishing for a more focused and emotionally resonant story.
