Half-Inch

by McCarty Griffin

On a lovely spring day in April, he finally pushes her just that tiny bit too far and she snaps. Deep within her, a cold, cruel voice she barely recognizes as her own pronounces those fateful words, “I’m going to kill you, Bobby Hilts.” Ride the crazy train along with Pammy as she gleefully plots her soon-to-be ex’s bizarre demise and devises the diabolical means that ensure his body will never be found. Soon, Pammy will be free of him forever. Or will she?

184 pages, Paperback

First published October 14, 2010

About the author

McCarty Griffin lives in the Pacific Northwest, at the foot of the Cascades, with her husband, two children and several nonhuman family members. She is a transplanted hillbilly, born in Texas, but raised in the hollows and hills of West Virginia, where most of her works are set. She does not limit her creative efforts to any particular genre, although she does have a special love for horror, which she traces back to a childhood of Saturday nights eating Chef Boyardee pizza and watching Chiller Theatre with her mother. Before beginning her second life with her current husband, and settling in to raise her daughter and son, she served in the United States Army, went home to earn her undergraduate and law degrees, and then practiced criminal defense law for more than ten years. After half a lifetime spent doing everything but what she truly wanted to do, she finally just sat down and started writing, and she hasn’t stopped since.

Reviews

[Red Haircrow · Rating 2 out of 5]

A good intro sentence that catches immediate interest is always an asset, and Half-Inch had one. The story is built upon a woman who has fantasized of killing her abusive husband for years, and finally comes up with a plan to do so. Although I am aware of the psychological hold abusers can have over their victims, simply giving me fact after fact of what Bobby did, and what Pammy allowed or was forced to endure didn't gain my empathy, so she never became a sympathetic character. When she begins meticulously detailing her plans to murder Bobby, it actually seemed a kind of overkill to me, and I questioned her sanity and some of the other people around her. But maybe that was the point of the story, the improbability of it all, because otherwise the premise didn't seem realistic to me, and Pammy's mentality seemed very immature and conscienceless. I can deal with having no remorse or feeling, but I have to experience a connection with a character to make it an "allowable" and justifiable act.

Other details just didn't work for me either, the outstanding though perhaps minor one was of Pammy slamming into the steering wheel during a car crash. I broke several ribs in a similar accident and know that you cannot scream, you can't take a breath, because you have none to exhale. Also, if you've slammed into a steering wheel as described in the accident, you will not be up doing the things Pammy did immediately following, nor even five days later appear to be perfectly fine.

Half-inch read like a newspaper article detailing the inside or back story of a convicted murderer and their rationalization of their crime, and in somewhat the same tone. I know it's fiction, but it all seemed improbable to me, law enforcement right there and absolutely nothing being done, no suspicion or anything else. I think it's a good story idea, but with a different level of characterization it would have had greater impact to me.

For all reviews/interviews available, please visit "Flying With Red Haircrow", a site/book blog specializing in indie authors.

[Charlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars
Author McCarty Griffin gives an authentic voice to main character, Pammy, a woman conflicted about killing her abusive ex-husband. This is more than a tale about a woman wronged. Half-inch is a short work exploring the complexity behind feeling trapped and setting yourself free. It examines what it means to be caged by another person's actions and also by our own. It is debatable and worth discussing if Pammy's solution brings her any true freedom or peace -- or does she simply transfer from one inescapable circumstance into another? Every action and decision has a consequence. Do we make choices based on what is best, or what is less worse? Do we only think in terms of what is tolerable verses intolerable? Sometimes morality is separated by a half-inch and it is the unforeseeable that exists in this space that determines the direction our future takes.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I admit that when the author McCarty Griffin approached me to read and honestly review Half-Inch I was at first going to say no because I was afraid there would be detailed accounts of Bobby abusing Pammy and while there were some details they were not that graphic or distracting from the main plot in any way...
In a single sitting this book grabbed my attention and held it until I was going you are kidding me at the ending! This was truly a pleasant surprise in thriller reading that I am glad I took a chance on...
Author McCarty Griffin has very sensitively and honestly portrayed a story of one young woman's ordeal in a tale that will take the reader through some tough decisions made by the main character that will either have you shaking your head as to why it took so long or nodding in approval when Pammy finally grows a backbone !

A short read but one that will absolutely put you right there with Pammy and Bobby cheering her on and hoping against hope that her plan to rid herself of her ex works...

My advice is to buy a copy of this tale and see for yourself what lengths a woman will take to be free of a man who made her 12 years of marriage Hell on Earth ! The ending will surprise you but I applaud the author's choice as sometimes revenge can come back to bite you when you are not looking!

The book is available from Smashwords and < a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004YDM2I2&q... to buy in ebook formats for any e-reader...

I must disclose that author McCarty Griffin sent me an e-arc copy of Half-Inch to read for an honest review. I have received no other compensation from the author or publisher other than the pleasure of reading the book!

[Jamie Kline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't wait to read this book based on the synopsis, but at just under 70 pages I was worried I wouldn't connect with the main character well enough. I shouldn't have worried because that definitely wasn't an issue here. It was impossible not to form a connection with Pammy, who goes from timid abused housewife to calculating killer in a relatively short time.
Pammy has been beat down by her husband Bobby for over a decade and she knows there's nothing she can do to stop it. Or is there? Bobby surprises her by filing for divorce, but deep down she knows that she'll never be truly rid of him. The courts may grant them a divorce, however the fact of the matter is he would probably still come around and harass her, generally making her life a living hell. The only permanent way to make sure he's out of her life for good is to make sure he never takes another breath and thanks to watching hours of forensics shows she knows a lot about what to do and what not to do. Will she pull off the perfect revenge or will Bobby still win?
I was rooting for Pammy the whole way. I've never been physically abused so I can't even imagine what that would be like, especially for so many years. Bobby is your typical abusive husband, treats his wife like dirt and thinks she's dumb, but that's the way he likes his women because they're easy to control. Unfortunately for Bobby he severely underestimated Pammy and so of course he never suspected she was planning on killing him. I felt no compassion for Bobby what-so-ever and couldn't wait to see how Pammy's murder plan unfolded. I honestly don't want to give too much away, this is a pretty short book so if I can't go into as much detail without giving away main plot points.
I can say this though, I really enjoyed the author's writing style. The whole story flowed very nicely and her way with words kept me wanting to read more. I finished this book in about an hour and was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. The last part of the book is extremely intense and rushes toward an ending you won't see coming. Don't let it's short nature stop you from reading it; it may be small but it packs a wallop!

[Shelleyrae at Book'd Out · Rating 4 out of 5]

After suffering for years in an abusive marriage, Pammy is nothing but relieved her husband has finally moved out. Her freedom is an illusion however, as her husband continues to intimidate her, and Pammy knows she will never escape his brutality. Pushed beyond her limits, Pammy decides that only his death will allow her to live and devises an elaborate plan to rid herself of him once and for all.

It's a challenge in stories of novella length to establish a character that the reader to connect to but Griffin achieves that easily. My allegiance immediately lay with Pammy as she described her life as a victim of domestic violence. Her situation is inherently sympathetic but it is to Griffin's credit that, even as Pammy schemes to murder her husband, I continued to support her. Pammy's husband has no redeeming qualities so I had real concerns about his impending demise, though it would never be something I would condone in real life, but I did experience a twinge of regret when Pammy decides he should not go to his grave alone. I was intrigued by the moral ambiguity that Griffin provoked with her characterisation and thought provoking plot.

While the premise of the story is quite simple, it has a surprising moral and ethical complexity. Griffin deconstructs the development of Pammy's relationship with her husband, illustrating the warning signs of an abusive relationship Pammy had ignored. While the blame for violence rests squarely on the abuser, Griffin doesn't excuse the contribution Pammy made in making herself a victim. It's a subtle yet thought provoking undercurrent that I did not expect in a story described as Chick Lit Noir by the author. Similarly, Pammy's choice to murder her husband, has unexpected consequences which I thought was a very clever twist to the story and was a satisfying and balanced conclusion.

A tale of revenge and it's consequences, Half-Inch is a well crafted novella that I thought entertaining and clever. Short, yet sharp, I'm happy to recommend it.

[Grace Krispy · Rating 3 out of 5]

With some surprising twists and an intriguing plot, this story is compelling and engaging. It's just the right length to tell the tale, but even in a book this short, the character development would benefit from a bit more work. Pammy is timid and plays a victim who becomes an avenger, but the story focuses on telling me about her role as victim and doesn't let me really feel her as the victim. Bobby is a typical abusive spouse who plays perfectly into Pammy's murderous plan. I would have loved to have heard more from "Other Pammy," and I think the emergence of that side of her offered plenty of opportunity to really explore Pammy's character. We do see growth in her character, and I liked the way her perception of Dwayne changed to match her character's metamorphosis in a capable, take-charge woman.

The storyline is generally well crafted, but there are a few flaws in Pammy's plot. Some of the details seemed a little unexpected for someone who had been planning out this perfect crime in her head over the course of years. The undefined jumping around in the beginning left me slightly disconcerted, but otherwise the progression of the storyline was good. I really enjoyed the clever twist thrown in at the end, but I think it went a step too far. I think the ending would have been stronger and much more interesting had the story stopped at the point where Pammy realizes the implications of what Dwayne has told her. I would have liked it left up to the reader to realize the irony of Pammy's situation, and I think leaving on that tone would have been very fitting to the story.

Overall, I really enjoyed this tale, especially Pammy's dilemma at the end. The author chose the perfect story length to showcase the tale, and the story has intermittent doses of humor that make the book even more entertaining. Worth the read!

3.5 stars- full review @ GraceKrispy's MotherLode blog

[Soleil · Rating 3 out of 5]

At 67 pages, Half-Inch is a great little afternoon read filled with murderous plots and spouses! Now you would think the page length would make it difficult to give an in-depth review but actually, I have a lot I want to discuss.

My only real criticism is that I don’t feel that the book cover meshes with the over all tone of the book. The cover impresses upon me that I should expect to be afraid but…actually I found myself gleefully chuckling right along as Pammy plots out her husbands demise.

Huh. I’m not sure if that says something entirely inappropriate about me as a person, like having an incredibly bleak and warped sense of humor. Since I’m not yet ready to admit I’m insane, I’ll chalk it up to the author’s skill at making Pammy both a sympathetic protagonist and fun- if slightly insane-villain.Pammy’s transformation from cowering waif to murder mastermind was dealt with a subtle and frighteningly realistic hand. (Or maybe I just watched too many Snapped episodes?) I feel McCarthy was very thorough in making Pammy sympathetic on a basic human level, while also not giving justification for her actions.

What brought the story home for me- without spoiling anything- is that Pammy never really escapes being a victim, even in deciding to take things into her own hands. I fount it a very intriguing character study, one that I think can be interpreted multiple ways.

While I never really agreed with the character’s decisions on a moral level, there was one part of her plan involving a character you’ll come to know as “Miss Big Tits” that didn’t sit well with me at first. After careful consideration though, I realize Pammy did what she thought was necessary in order to ensure she’d get away Scott-free. Which she may or may not have done. Why are you still here? Go read the book.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up thinking it was going to be a fun, gory diversion and it was. But it was also an oddly poignant look at a woman who is trying to break free of a life that has beaten her down and made her a pale shadow of herself. Honestly, I was in it for the blood and guts and I ended up with SO MUCH MORE!

Now, I'm not saying that I hear voices or anything (no, really. I don't.) but who hasn't planned out the perfect murder in their head? Mine involves a frozen leg of lamb and a pack of wild dogs. And that's all I'm going to say about that. Moving on. When the little voice in Pammy's head tells her she's going to kill Bobby, she's at the end of her rope and this little thought takes root and begins to grow into a intricate and nicely thought out plan.

Pammy is almost frighteningly clear headed as she begins to prepare things for her big moment. When unexpected news comes her way she adjusts her plan accordingly and she ultimately pulls it off beautifully. The wrench in her plan comes after the fact when she is given a tiny piece of information that she never expected.

Unexpected and surprisingly blood free, this book was one where you were rooting for the soon-to-be killer from the start because her life is just so awful that you want her to find a way out of it. I always like it when the underdog takes a stand and comes up a winner.

-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Half-Inch is a rather thought-provoking story of a woman who has been pushed to the limits by her abusive husband. Despite their impending divorce, Pammy has realized that she will never be free of him and his abusive ways. For years, obsessed with crime drama TV, she has fantasized about being rid of him,... permanently. The story follows Pammy, as she she is struggling to get out from Bobby's control. Years of abuse have left her scared and meek, but with a hidden strength even she didn't know she possesed.

There is a lot going on in this story, deep emotions, and complicated situations. I had doubts as to whether or not a novella of this length could adequately show those things. But it definately did. I felt as if I knew Pammy, her frustration, her desperation, her fears. Despite the fact that she was planning a murder, it was impossible for me not to feel for her and root for her. I am not really big on murder as a solution in real life, but in the context of the story, it was empowering for Pammy even to just think and plan for it. And it wasn't at all difficult to intensely dislike her overbearing and cruel husband! There were several twists and turns in the story, as well as unexpected bits of humor here and there. The biggest twist came at the end of the book, which I won't share for fear of spoiling a great and interesting ending!

[Lainy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Blurb from Goodreads

Pammy has had enough of Bobby, her abusive drunk of a husband. One lovely spring day, she decides to kill him, despite the fact that they will soon be divorced and he will, at least in the eyes of the law, be out of her life for good. Indulging in homicidal daydreams for years has led her to devise her own perfect and completely bizarre plan.

My review

For over a decade(and then some) Pammy has been married to Bobby, a violent nasty little thug who has done nothing but use and abuse her practically since they dated. Bobby has decided he is going to divorce Pammy and take everything he can get, she hasn't stood up to him before and he knows "Pammy Whammy" wont stand up to him now. But he is wrong! Bobby unwittingly goes too far and awakens in his wife a side neither of them knew existed and this side has had enough. Divorce won't cut it, she wants him dead and after years of Pammy fantasizing about it it is about to come true.

With her sassy confident lawyer Pammy takes up her part in the divorce and starts enjoying life as she has never known it before. Able to watch tv and drink as much soda as she wants without any repercussions from her husband.

Really easy to read and I think anyone who has been touched by domestic violence will be able to relate to Pammy. I quite enjoyed it and wish it had been a bit longer 3/5

[L.E.Olteano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally posted at Butterfly-o-Meter Books on Jul 30 2011:

Ahh…this one was actually sort of fun, in a dark, morbid sort of way.
Half-Inch makes use of some stereotypes we’ve talked about earlier, in a much similar clever way. They just work wonderfully with a criminal twist, what can I say?

The strange and interesting mix of crime and chick-lit with a pinch of humor is quite memorable, the story quite engrossing. I was totally into it from the first page.

The thought processes of Pammy were very fun to follow; of course, there were moments when I felt like strangling Bobby myself, and I will be honest, what happens to him in the end isn’t lawfully justified by any means, but in the deep, dark part of my little black heart, I sort of felt like he kind of deserved it…a bit

What I found most amusing was the irony of it all; Pammy tries to set herself free, and ends up being “captive” of her own doings. Poetic justice goes a long way, I guess.

If you don’t mind a bit of a violent end to a bit of a violent story, then you should give this a try. I’m sure you won’t regret it.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is powerfully emotional short story. Anyone who's been in an abusive relationship is sure to recognize Pammy's feelings and self-doubts. It is understandable that she would fantasize about escaping any way she can.

This would make a great book for discussion. I can easily think of several questions that could lead to intense discussions and debates, such as: Such Pammy be punished for her actions, or has she already been punished enough? How much pre-planning does it take for a murder to be considered to be done in cold blood? Is there such a thing as a perfect crime?

I think this is a very intense story. Well packed into a very short space (50 pages). Not a single word is wasted or missing. I was very surprised at what a punch the story packed.

One thing I would love to see changed is the cover. It doesn't match at all. The cover made me think it was a horror story, possibly with lots of gore. This is totally not the case. What would be better? I'm not sure. I also don't really get the significance of the title, but it's the cover that kills me.

This is definitely a story to check out. Just be prepared to have a strong reaction to it. You will either root for Pammy whole-heartedly or hate her for what she did. I'm fully in Pammy's boat on this one.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Half-Inch "The rule of thumb is that if someone is able to be verbally or physically abusive, he or she is able to understand that the behavior is wrong."-- Edward T. WelchI read this short story in just a few hours one afternoon. The book was well written and very detailed. Some individuals can relate to Pammy's dilemma with the abuse, and some can not. I can certainly see people watching true crime stories on the TV and trying to outsmart the perpetrator/law officials so as not to get caught themselves. I myself enjoy watching these types of crime scene/forensic shows, but I keep in the back of my mind that since it's on TV it didn't work out to well for them.That being said, this short story was well written and articulate throughout. It captured my attention throughout the entire story and I wanted to know how it ended. By all accounts, throughout the book, you would interpret that Pammy got away with the dirty deed. Wait until you read the ending. Things aren't always what they seem.

[Vivian · Rating 3 out of 5]

How far is too far seems to be the question raised in Half-Inch by McCarty Griffin. Pammy Hilts is an abused wife. Her husband, Bobby, has moved out and filed for divorce. Pammy has put up with 12 years of physical, emotional, mental and verbal abuse. She has been cut off from all of her friends and has no skills. All that's left are her dreams and she is beginning to dream of revenge.

Pammy knows that Bobby isn't going to leave her alone even after a divorce. Although Bobby has moved out and apparently has a new love interest, she knows the abuse will continue. What's a girl to do other than get rid of the problem permanently? Pammy has obvious problems with the notion of taking a life, no matter the circumstances, and most of this short tale deals with this conflict. At first glance Pammy may seem to be a poor, downtrodden and ignorant woman, but she proves otherwise. At times sad and other times funny (tongue-in-cheek), Half-Inch is a story about survival. This is a quick read that is perhaps perfect for a lunch break or a lazy afternoon.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short story of a woman who is at the end of her rope because of her abusive, alcoholic husband. But she has a plan and she’s going to off him and bury him, truck and all in a hole that she has dug. She has this plan figured out down to the “T.” The problem? Murphy’s Law strikes and it doesn’t quite go as she wanted so she has to quickly start relying on Plan B, and maybe even Plan C. It’s an interesting, nail biting, well written story but, I’m not quite sure of one thing. Why? There’s no moral to the story or bad ending or good ending. It just ends and it left me wondering if I was missing the purpose to this book.

What I liked: Once the “murder” was happening, things moved quickly and with a great deal of excitement. There was a good amount of build up and intrigue. Lots of holding your breath type moments.

What I disliked: I think this is one of those books where the story is good, but highly improbable and as I said, I am still wondering what the purpose of the story even was.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I'm gonna fix you, Bobby Hilts! Just you see if I don't." (pg.15)

This particular line from Half-Inch sets you up for the enthralling pages you will become immersed in. Pammy is a woman on the edge; she may just take a leap that many wouldn’t dare to even attempt. I found myself glued to every word and thought Pammy had or felt as if this was a true life situation. In fact, is feels as though the plot was pulled from a nightly news broadcast. As a lover of horror and crime dramas, this is right up my alley and I would love, yes, love to see this amazing short story become a full length novel. In 67 pages, I was truly amazed at the quality, depth, and extreme emotion it contained. If you haven’t had a chance to read this fabulous story, you should.

[Stacey Herrera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pammy has been abused and tormented by her soon-to-be ex-husband Bobby for a very long time. Deep down she knows that divorce will not stop the abuse, although the divorce was his idea and he has even found someone knew. There is no way she is going to live out the rest of her days trapped under the thumb of this abusive man. Pammy has a plan that will get Bobby out of her life forever.

Half Inch is a very well written novella. It has just enough details to allow the reader to understand what Pammy has gone through. I sympathized with her, I felt her pain, and I wanted her freedom.

For anyone who has known anyone or experienced domestic violence this book will strike a cord. Short but descriptive. A short but sweet read.

[Susan M (MomBlogger) · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you like murder, psychotic mean men, domestic violence, cheating, and revenge killings - then you might like this book! The main character, Pammy, has had it with her abusive soon-to-be ex-husband and his girlfriend(s) and decides to take revenge. She psych's herself up, talks herself into it, makes a plan and executes it; though not flawlessly of course.
Although I personally did not care for this book (remember, my personal opinion is different than yours), I think it definitely would be interesting for others to read.
You should read it for yourself to determine whether "Half-Inch" is a worthy book to read or not.

[Al · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read of novella length, Half-Inch is a story of revenge. Griffin does an excellent job with his characterization, with Bobby, the abusive husband, coming off as someone who is easy to hate, yet not unlike people who actually exist. We also pull for his wife Pammy to find a happy ending. Even the minor characters are well drawn, fleshed out just enough to serve their purpose. The twist ending should be acceptable to most, whether you approve of taking the ultimate revenge or not.

**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **

[Brandy Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this novella. I especially liked how the main character manages to get both her soon to be ex and his mistress at the same time. And without getting caught.

I would have given this another star, but she doesn't make a completely clean getaway. You'll have to read it to find out.

[Albert · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great read perfect for an afternoon relaxing in the backyard. The author does a great job of detailing the story and providing entertainment in a short read. So go ahead and dream of revenge with Pammy.

[Jeanette · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quick read for a rainy day. Thin plot, overuse of stereotypical characters from West Virginia. Pammy could have been developed as a much deeper character with less emphasis on her 'plans' and more on her questionable sanity for trying to pull off this murder!

[Keryl Raist · Rating 4 out of 5]

See the full review at: http://topublishornotto.blogspot.com/...

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay for a short story......

[Marjie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fair story

Woman imagines killing her abusive husband, comes up with a murder plot. Story has grammatical/editing/spelling errors but not too bad.