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The Six Murders of Daphne St Clair
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'Thrilling and darkly entertaining . . . kept me captivated from beginning to end.' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'I have LOVED this book!!!! I was hooked from the first page' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'A wildly original debut . . . I couldn't put it down' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'I really enjoyed the dark humour of our care home granny' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Meet Daphne St glamorous ninety-year-old grandmother, care home resident, and your new favourite serial killer.
Meet Ruth aspiring true crime podcaster, hunting for a killer story.
Who are YOU going to trust?
When Daphne confesses to killing a number of men throughout her lifetime, she chooses Ruth to produce the podcast reporting her story. Each episode charts Daphne's humble beginnings from the Dust Bowl in Canada to her glittering life in 70s New York - and a string of murders in her wake.
Daphne tells her story. Ruth listens. And edits it.
The public are hooked. Is she a feminist icon taking revenge on bad men? Or just a ruthless criminal? Then, as the podcast finale approaches, it becomes clear that neither woman has been entirely honest with the other. Who has been controlling the narrative?
After all, the truth doesn't always make for the best story...
A darkly witty thriller, sparking conversations around true crime and female serial killers, for fans of Janice Hallett, Bella Mackie and Katy Brent.
393 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 19, 2025
20 people are currently reading
511 people want to read
About the author
MacKenzie Common
2 books29 followersMacKenzie Common is a Canadian author who was born in Newfoundland, spent most of her childhood in North Bay, Ontario and then at 21 moved to the UK where she lived for twelve years. She has a PhD in Law and worked as an expert on human rights issues in social media content moderation. MacKenzie loves swimming, travelling, paddleboarding, good chocolate, bad TV, Mexican food and comedy. As a child, she was frequently called morbid but she seems to have found a market for that. She currently lives in Alberta, Canada with her partner, two children, and one very spoiled pug.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews
August 7, 2025
ultrageously funny,
with an engaging witty
unreliable main character
and surprisingly deep takes
on true crime and female rage. ♡
with an engaging witty
unreliable main character
and surprisingly deep takes
on true crime and female rage. ♡
June 15, 2025
Well this novel does exactly what it says on the tin. It's about a nonegenarian who, after the death of her aged boyfriend (Warren) at the care home they resided at, decides to confess to his murder - and she doesn't stop there.
But once she's confessed to Police she finds herself the target of true crime podcasters who all want her story. She picks Ruth Robinson amd begins to tell her story but Ruth isn't all she appears to be. She has her own agenda but will Daphne provide the answers she craves?
This book was heading for five stars - it was witty and fun to begin with and Daphne (despite her serial killer tendencies) is an engaging character. The thing that palled for me was the endless saga of Ruth not getting to what she wanted to know and the narrative felt a little circuitous in places.
Otherwise, it's a good story with some nice little twists at the end. A serial killer with a difference. Daphne is a great character with an interesting history. Ruth did get on my nerves a bit, but thankfully Daphne's story is the star of the show.
The main body of the narrative is the podcast and Daphne's sole recollections, which are not aired, but there are some bits where the fans have their say and the odd part regarding fashion which seemed to have no bearing on the plot at all. Good apart from the odd minor niggle and I'd definitely recommend it.
Thankyou to Netgalley and Headline for the advance review copy.
But once she's confessed to Police she finds herself the target of true crime podcasters who all want her story. She picks Ruth Robinson amd begins to tell her story but Ruth isn't all she appears to be. She has her own agenda but will Daphne provide the answers she craves?
This book was heading for five stars - it was witty and fun to begin with and Daphne (despite her serial killer tendencies) is an engaging character. The thing that palled for me was the endless saga of Ruth not getting to what she wanted to know and the narrative felt a little circuitous in places.
Otherwise, it's a good story with some nice little twists at the end. A serial killer with a difference. Daphne is a great character with an interesting history. Ruth did get on my nerves a bit, but thankfully Daphne's story is the star of the show.
The main body of the narrative is the podcast and Daphne's sole recollections, which are not aired, but there are some bits where the fans have their say and the odd part regarding fashion which seemed to have no bearing on the plot at all. Good apart from the odd minor niggle and I'd definitely recommend it.
Thankyou to Netgalley and Headline for the advance review copy.
April 23, 2025
This sounded an interesting premise, and while it does live up to the title (in that we do learn about the six murders Daphne carried out), I kept waiting for something a bit more - I don’t know, engrossing? Surprising? A twist? Sadly that didn’t come. There’s a bit of vague mystery about what Ruth is trying to get answers on, but I spotted who was likely the killer there with my eyes closed. There’s little mystery regarding Daphne, who tells us (via Ruth) about the men she killed. There are some Reddit comments which don’t really add much, and some haute history filler periodically where some unknown character describes outfits they’d suggest for recreating each historical period of Daphne’s life - pure filler as they do nothing to advance the story along and then it even peters out when the character says they probably shouldn’t glamorise a serial killer (bit late for that, by then!).
Overall it’s OK, but not particularly mysterious and not helped by none of the characters being very likeable either!
I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.
Overall it’s OK, but not particularly mysterious and not helped by none of the characters being very likeable either!
I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.
December 19, 2025
Crime / Mystery / Historical Fiction
* Glamorous Daphne St Clair, a ninety-year-old grandmother, has just confessed to murdering her partner, a beloved resident of her nursing home. The catch is that he wasn't her first, or even her second victim, because Daphne is a serial killer. And now she wants to come clean. And in order to do that, someone needs to tell her story. Enter Ruth Robinson, a young, aspiring true crime podcaster who's managed to convince Daphne to tell her life story through the podcast. However, why is Ruth so hellbend in quizzing Daphne about her past? Could she have an ulterior motive?
* Oh man alive, this one was just fun! Plain and simple. I was definitely getting "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo" vibes from this book because we delve into Daphne's past and are told all about her previous relationships and husbands. The difference here is that Daphne didn't just divorce these men, she murdered them.
* Daphne is such a wonderful character, and it didn't take me long to really bond with her. I loved her sarcasm, her quick comments and and I found her pretty funny as well. And learning about all her victims and the ways in which she ended their lives was just fascinating. I was totally gripped throughout this novel, and it was pure entertianment from start to finish. The author tells Daphne's story in various ways, and the podcast element was great, as well as the use of mixed media. It really moved the story along.
* My only slight criticism is that I wasn't all that keen on Ruth, and the mystery around her desire for wanting to interview Daphne seemed to drag a tad. But overall, wow, this was such a great story. I loved every minute of it.
* Glamorous Daphne St Clair, a ninety-year-old grandmother, has just confessed to murdering her partner, a beloved resident of her nursing home. The catch is that he wasn't her first, or even her second victim, because Daphne is a serial killer. And now she wants to come clean. And in order to do that, someone needs to tell her story. Enter Ruth Robinson, a young, aspiring true crime podcaster who's managed to convince Daphne to tell her life story through the podcast. However, why is Ruth so hellbend in quizzing Daphne about her past? Could she have an ulterior motive?
* Oh man alive, this one was just fun! Plain and simple. I was definitely getting "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo" vibes from this book because we delve into Daphne's past and are told all about her previous relationships and husbands. The difference here is that Daphne didn't just divorce these men, she murdered them.
* Daphne is such a wonderful character, and it didn't take me long to really bond with her. I loved her sarcasm, her quick comments and and I found her pretty funny as well. And learning about all her victims and the ways in which she ended their lives was just fascinating. I was totally gripped throughout this novel, and it was pure entertianment from start to finish. The author tells Daphne's story in various ways, and the podcast element was great, as well as the use of mixed media. It really moved the story along.
* My only slight criticism is that I wasn't all that keen on Ruth, and the mystery around her desire for wanting to interview Daphne seemed to drag a tad. But overall, wow, this was such a great story. I loved every minute of it.
December 28, 2025
A real page turner, reminds me of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo with a splash (okay more than a splash) of murder.
I expected a bigger twist at the end for Ruth though.
I expected a bigger twist at the end for Ruth though.
May 13, 2025
The Six Murders of Daphne St Clair - Mackenzie Common - out 19 June.
Genre: Crime/Thriller
Brief Blurb: Daphne St Clair: glamorous ninety-year-old grandmother, care home resident, and your new favourite serial killer. Ruth Robinson: broke, depressed, aspiring true crime podcaster.
The Six Murders of Daphne St Clair popped up on my radar as soon as I saw the blurb; a 90 year old grandmother living in a care home and confessing to being a serial killer – what’s not to love about that?
There are 2 main characters in this story; Glamorous Daphne St Clair who has just confessed to murdering a beloved resident of her nursing home and admitting he wasn’t the first.. or even the second or third victim. She has actually been murdering men for over 50 years and finally wants to come clean. Ruth Robinson is a young, aspiring true crime podcaster. She’s broke, depressed and has somehow managed to convince Daphne to tell her life story through the podcast. However it soon becomes clear that Ruth has an ulterior motive which could affect her own life quite severely.
It did take me a couple of chapters to warm to the characters and at first I wasn’t sure if I was enjoying the book or not, however it didn’t take long before I fell head over heels in love with Daphne and literally couldn’t put this book down.
Daphne is such a brilliant character. Her sarcasm and wit is so funny and the cutting remarks and criticism is so quick and clever I had a constant smile on my face.
Now obviously I am not condoning mass murder or the behaviour of a serial killer and there are several situations when Daphne explains about her victims and why she killed them, which are heartbreakingly sad and quite disturbing.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this story and if you enjoyed The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid you will love this. 4.5 stars.
Genre: Crime/Thriller
Brief Blurb: Daphne St Clair: glamorous ninety-year-old grandmother, care home resident, and your new favourite serial killer. Ruth Robinson: broke, depressed, aspiring true crime podcaster.
The Six Murders of Daphne St Clair popped up on my radar as soon as I saw the blurb; a 90 year old grandmother living in a care home and confessing to being a serial killer – what’s not to love about that?
There are 2 main characters in this story; Glamorous Daphne St Clair who has just confessed to murdering a beloved resident of her nursing home and admitting he wasn’t the first.. or even the second or third victim. She has actually been murdering men for over 50 years and finally wants to come clean. Ruth Robinson is a young, aspiring true crime podcaster. She’s broke, depressed and has somehow managed to convince Daphne to tell her life story through the podcast. However it soon becomes clear that Ruth has an ulterior motive which could affect her own life quite severely.
It did take me a couple of chapters to warm to the characters and at first I wasn’t sure if I was enjoying the book or not, however it didn’t take long before I fell head over heels in love with Daphne and literally couldn’t put this book down.
Daphne is such a brilliant character. Her sarcasm and wit is so funny and the cutting remarks and criticism is so quick and clever I had a constant smile on my face.
Now obviously I am not condoning mass murder or the behaviour of a serial killer and there are several situations when Daphne explains about her victims and why she killed them, which are heartbreakingly sad and quite disturbing.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this story and if you enjoyed The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid you will love this. 4.5 stars.
May 12, 2025
So let’s star with the pros. (I feel like this book needs a list rather than a review!
- [ ] Novel concept, elderly lady wants to confess to many murders, that’s pretty interesting.
Oh dear, I seem to have run out of pros. Let’s move on to the cons then shall we?
- [ ] I think this would just fall under literature, there’s no mystery or psychological aspect to it at all.
- [ ] A lot of luck sprinkled throughout this book to get the characters where the author needed them to be.
- [ ] Awful characters - all of them.
- [ ] Maybe a little too much creative license taken to be believable?
And that’s my review really. Basically, I wouldn’t recommend it. I’m sorry to the author for being so blunt.
Thank you to NetGalley and publisher to the ARC.
- [ ] Novel concept, elderly lady wants to confess to many murders, that’s pretty interesting.
Oh dear, I seem to have run out of pros. Let’s move on to the cons then shall we?
- [ ] I think this would just fall under literature, there’s no mystery or psychological aspect to it at all.
- [ ] A lot of luck sprinkled throughout this book to get the characters where the author needed them to be.
- [ ] Awful characters - all of them.
- [ ] Maybe a little too much creative license taken to be believable?
And that’s my review really. Basically, I wouldn’t recommend it. I’m sorry to the author for being so blunt.
Thank you to NetGalley and publisher to the ARC.
July 21, 2025
All my reviews can be found at damppebbles.com
Daphne St Clair has a new boyfriend. Or she did have, until she killed him. Ninety-year-old Daphne is a resident of the Coconut Grove Care Home in Florida. Her days are full of the same mundane things, so she decides to liven things up by confessing to Warren Ackerman’s murder. What’s even more surprising is that Warren wasn’t the first man Daphne claims to have killed. Or the second. Or the third…. Thrust into the spotlight thanks to her wild claims, Daphne becomes a news sensation. Which brings out the podcasters in droves! Making a bid to broadcast Daphne’s story is Ruth Robinson. She’s the least experienced, the least polished and that, more than anything else, appeals to Daphne. The listening public is immediately hooked. But as the finale approaches, it becomes clear to both women that neither of them has been one hundred per cent honest with the other…
Why, oh why, oh why would you confess to multiple murder as you approach the end of your life, having gotten away with it for many, many years? That’s the question everyone is asking as they listen to Daphne’s story unfold. What does she have to gain from her sudden confession? The Six Murders of Daphne St Clair (what a title!) is a highly compulsive, intriguing book. As Daphne starts to relay her story, from her desperate, humble beginnings to her multiple marriages, moving up in society and becoming steadily wealthier, we start to see exactly who Daphne St Clair is. Or do we? Is Daphne trustworthy in what she says?
Would I recommend this book? I would, yes. The Six Murders of Daphne St Clair was an entertaining read from start to finish. I found Daphne a very interesting character. At first, I felt she was killing the men in her life to save her own skin. It was either her or her victim. But over time, that changes and things become a little fuzzy around the edges. Ruth is quite a different person from Daphne, and I liked the dynamic between the two. There is an edge of unease there throughout their discussions. Doubt is sprinkled by both characters, and it was interesting to watch their chats play out. With that in mind, if you’re a fan of the unreliable narrator, please give this book a go. I enjoyed the format of the book with the podcast element. Despite this being a fairly common approach in literature these days, it still makes me smile. I enjoyed the humour, the characters (despite many of them being highly unlikeable), the relationship between Daphne and her granddaughter and the overall presentation of the novel. But, of course, it’s not all light and little old ladies! There is darkness here, with a particularly unsettling scene near the start of Daphne’s story where she suffers abuse at the hands of a man in a position of power. I found this scene, in particular, really affected me. All in all, The Six Murders of Daphne St Clair was an enjoyable, fun read with touches of darkness throughout. Fascinating characters, an intriguing storyline and quite possibly my favourite cover of the year! Recommended.
Daphne St Clair has a new boyfriend. Or she did have, until she killed him. Ninety-year-old Daphne is a resident of the Coconut Grove Care Home in Florida. Her days are full of the same mundane things, so she decides to liven things up by confessing to Warren Ackerman’s murder. What’s even more surprising is that Warren wasn’t the first man Daphne claims to have killed. Or the second. Or the third…. Thrust into the spotlight thanks to her wild claims, Daphne becomes a news sensation. Which brings out the podcasters in droves! Making a bid to broadcast Daphne’s story is Ruth Robinson. She’s the least experienced, the least polished and that, more than anything else, appeals to Daphne. The listening public is immediately hooked. But as the finale approaches, it becomes clear to both women that neither of them has been one hundred per cent honest with the other…
Why, oh why, oh why would you confess to multiple murder as you approach the end of your life, having gotten away with it for many, many years? That’s the question everyone is asking as they listen to Daphne’s story unfold. What does she have to gain from her sudden confession? The Six Murders of Daphne St Clair (what a title!) is a highly compulsive, intriguing book. As Daphne starts to relay her story, from her desperate, humble beginnings to her multiple marriages, moving up in society and becoming steadily wealthier, we start to see exactly who Daphne St Clair is. Or do we? Is Daphne trustworthy in what she says?
Would I recommend this book? I would, yes. The Six Murders of Daphne St Clair was an entertaining read from start to finish. I found Daphne a very interesting character. At first, I felt she was killing the men in her life to save her own skin. It was either her or her victim. But over time, that changes and things become a little fuzzy around the edges. Ruth is quite a different person from Daphne, and I liked the dynamic between the two. There is an edge of unease there throughout their discussions. Doubt is sprinkled by both characters, and it was interesting to watch their chats play out. With that in mind, if you’re a fan of the unreliable narrator, please give this book a go. I enjoyed the format of the book with the podcast element. Despite this being a fairly common approach in literature these days, it still makes me smile. I enjoyed the humour, the characters (despite many of them being highly unlikeable), the relationship between Daphne and her granddaughter and the overall presentation of the novel. But, of course, it’s not all light and little old ladies! There is darkness here, with a particularly unsettling scene near the start of Daphne’s story where she suffers abuse at the hands of a man in a position of power. I found this scene, in particular, really affected me. All in all, The Six Murders of Daphne St Clair was an enjoyable, fun read with touches of darkness throughout. Fascinating characters, an intriguing storyline and quite possibly my favourite cover of the year! Recommended.
May 19, 2025
I truly enjoyed this book, particularly how swiftly we are plunged into Daphne's confession, setting an intense tone right from the start.
I must admit, I didn't really connect with either of the main characters. Daphne, in particular, struck me as a sociopath. As the narrative unfolds and we peel back the layers of her motivations for murdering several men, I find myself oddly slipping into her mindset. I understood her motivation and could almost empathise with her. I also loved Daphne for her quick wit, sharp sarcasm, and her unapologetic “screw you” attitude towards everyone around her. However, as her story progressed, her motivations shifted, which ultimately made her character feel more authentic and unlikable at the same time. She doesn’t shy away from admitting that she began to relish the thrill of the kills or that her boredom often drove her actions. This brings to the forefront the age-old debate of nature versus nurture, making her a complex figure rather than just a one-dimensional villain. Paradoxically, my inability to like her only heightened my appreciation for the overall story. The complexity added to her character is what made her feel genuinely human.
On the other hand, Ruth felt disappointingly bland. Despite the substantial mystery surrounding her character and her unwavering drive to extract a confession from Daphne regarding a murder she believes she committed, I found it hard to warm up to her. From the moment we learn about Ruth's background, the identity of the murderer appears fairly obvious, diminishing any suspense and making her quest seem somewhat futile.
I particularly enjoyed delving into Daphne's character more deeply, and I appreciated the inclusion of online forums that added a modern twist and cleverly complemented the podcast element woven throughout the story. However, I feel the segments focused on fashion TikTok could have been omitted without detracting from the overall narrative. Those parts felt out of place, and I could have easily bypassed them without losing any enjoyment of the story.
Overall, the book presents a clever premise and exudes a vibe reminiscent of "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo," with its intricate character explorations and compelling storytelling.
I want to thank the Author, publishers and Netgalley for the ARC of this book. This review is my own.
I must admit, I didn't really connect with either of the main characters. Daphne, in particular, struck me as a sociopath. As the narrative unfolds and we peel back the layers of her motivations for murdering several men, I find myself oddly slipping into her mindset. I understood her motivation and could almost empathise with her. I also loved Daphne for her quick wit, sharp sarcasm, and her unapologetic “screw you” attitude towards everyone around her. However, as her story progressed, her motivations shifted, which ultimately made her character feel more authentic and unlikable at the same time. She doesn’t shy away from admitting that she began to relish the thrill of the kills or that her boredom often drove her actions. This brings to the forefront the age-old debate of nature versus nurture, making her a complex figure rather than just a one-dimensional villain. Paradoxically, my inability to like her only heightened my appreciation for the overall story. The complexity added to her character is what made her feel genuinely human.
On the other hand, Ruth felt disappointingly bland. Despite the substantial mystery surrounding her character and her unwavering drive to extract a confession from Daphne regarding a murder she believes she committed, I found it hard to warm up to her. From the moment we learn about Ruth's background, the identity of the murderer appears fairly obvious, diminishing any suspense and making her quest seem somewhat futile.
I particularly enjoyed delving into Daphne's character more deeply, and I appreciated the inclusion of online forums that added a modern twist and cleverly complemented the podcast element woven throughout the story. However, I feel the segments focused on fashion TikTok could have been omitted without detracting from the overall narrative. Those parts felt out of place, and I could have easily bypassed them without losing any enjoyment of the story.
Overall, the book presents a clever premise and exudes a vibe reminiscent of "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo," with its intricate character explorations and compelling storytelling.
I want to thank the Author, publishers and Netgalley for the ARC of this book. This review is my own.
August 19, 2025
This is an extremely delayed ARC review of this book, but in all honesty, I am extremely relieved that this is the case! I opted to listen to this book in audio and pleasantly surprised to hear that this was set in a podcast style, which I did enjoy! 🥰 this very much follows the story of a woman who has just confessed to six murders (all her partners, ruled as natural causes in the past) and we go back to the tale of how it happened. I have to say that I did like the main character, and she is very well written, however, I do feel that cosy mystery style books are not for me at the moment (I am definitely more within my gory crime era!!) so I did struggle at times!
That being said, I will still recommend this, for those lovers of mixed media and of a mystery style book!
That being said, I will still recommend this, for those lovers of mixed media and of a mystery style book!
April 9, 2025
This was a really great read. The story is very well written, the author has a really clever way of writing that ends up with you changing your mind about Daphne in more ways than one, this happened repeatedly throughout the story for me ( which personally doesn’t tend to happen to me).
So the story had a roller coaster feel so I thoroughly enjoyed it, the only downside was the message board points, (personally not a fan of these) .
Great read and I will definitely look out for more from this author.
So the story had a roller coaster feel so I thoroughly enjoyed it, the only downside was the message board points, (personally not a fan of these) .
Great read and I will definitely look out for more from this author.
August 4, 2025
I'm not sure even what I would classify this book as, but I sure did enjoy it.
Ruth decides to start a podcast by interviewing an old lady, Daphne, who has just confessed to murdering her boyfriend. Over the course of the podcast episodes, more secrets are revealed.
This is part feminist revenge story, part murder mystery, and it was super interesting to read at which point people started to turn against Daphne, if at all.
I liked Ruth as a character, but I felt myself drawn to Daphne. I'm not sure what that says about me, but she was just so likeable.
Ruth decides to start a podcast by interviewing an old lady, Daphne, who has just confessed to murdering her boyfriend. Over the course of the podcast episodes, more secrets are revealed.
This is part feminist revenge story, part murder mystery, and it was super interesting to read at which point people started to turn against Daphne, if at all.
I liked Ruth as a character, but I felt myself drawn to Daphne. I'm not sure what that says about me, but she was just so likeable.
March 25, 2025
Anyone with a grandmother should read this book.
The writing is sharp, the structure inventive, and the story had me questioning my own morals more than once.
Daphne’s character arc is flawlessly executed, and Ruth ties everything together in a way that feels both powerful and personal. I adored the subtle nods to fashion and evolving womanhood across generations.
It’s realistic, resonant, and I’m still thinking about the core message long after turning the last page.
The writing is sharp, the structure inventive, and the story had me questioning my own morals more than once.
Daphne’s character arc is flawlessly executed, and Ruth ties everything together in a way that feels both powerful and personal. I adored the subtle nods to fashion and evolving womanhood across generations.
It’s realistic, resonant, and I’m still thinking about the core message long after turning the last page.
July 23, 2025
Un giallo che attira l’attenzione 🍸
Se anche per voi estate 🤝🏻 mystery, allora questa lettura frizzante, coinvolgente e giusto con un pizzico di dark humor fa al caso vostro!
«È un talento necessario, per un serial killer, saper cancellare la gente dalla memoria.»
L’idea di base è originale e intrigante: interviste per un podcast, commenti sui social, ricordi rievocati da un'arzilla novantenne che ha il vizio di far fuori i suoi mariti o uomini violenti.
🗝️ Il mistero da risolvere è la stessa Daphne St Clair: è una giustiziera femminista? Una criminale narcisista? Un’arrampicatrice sociale alla ricerca del brivido, della fama? Quanti altri delitti nasconde? Perché ha confessato spontaneamente solo adesso quando poteva portarsi questo segreto nella tomba?
» Daphne è una novantenne ricoverata in una lussuosa casa di riposo in Florida e, con la dipartita del suo attuale fidanzato, sceglie di confessare una serie di delitti alla polizia. Una notizia che fa scalpore, che scuote gli Stati Uniti, che attira l’attenzione dei media. Daphne dà una possibilità al podcast di Ruth, un’aspirante giornalista dal passato travagliato. Dall’infanzia in una cittadina sperduta del Canada alla sua attuale ricchezza, ripercorrendo un delitto dopo l’altro 🔍
All’inizio è quasi inevitabile provare compassione e un senso di empatia per Daphne: gli accenni agli abusi subiti in famiglia e ad una sorta di prostituzione per sopravvivere a New York, gli uomini violenti che finiscono sulla sua strada (che siano suoi amanti o vicini di casa) hanno il destino scritto ⚰️ Legittima difesa, giustiziera, icona femminista - finché non oltrepassa un confine e i motivi dietro agli omicidi diventano sempre più futili. Il lettore stesso ragiona, segue i suoi racconti, decifra la psicologia di Daphne, cerca di cogliere le menzogne e le incongruenze. In più si aggiungono i segreti di Ruth…
Ho apprezzato lo stile e l’intervista come mezzo di narrazione per alcuni capitoli, anche se le sezioni dei commenti e dei social spezzavano la narrazione. Spero anche in un seguito/capitolo bonus/spin-off perché il finale è volutamente vago (quasi ad interpretazione del lettore), gli accenni ad una “seconda stagione del podcast” fanno ben sperare 👀
«La menzogna l'avrebbe resa libera. La verità avrebbe salvato la sua anima. Cos'era meglio, una vita felice o una vita morale?»
Un giallo interessante che sa tenere sulle spine!
«Forse, quando il mondo avesse smesso di pretendere tanto dalle donne, rinunciando a tenerle in riga con un carosello infinito di violenza, e giudizio, e distorsioni cognitive, allora non ci sarebbe più stato bisogno di donne come Daphne St. Clair.»
Se anche per voi estate 🤝🏻 mystery, allora questa lettura frizzante, coinvolgente e giusto con un pizzico di dark humor fa al caso vostro!
«È un talento necessario, per un serial killer, saper cancellare la gente dalla memoria.»
L’idea di base è originale e intrigante: interviste per un podcast, commenti sui social, ricordi rievocati da un'arzilla novantenne che ha il vizio di far fuori i suoi mariti o uomini violenti.
🗝️ Il mistero da risolvere è la stessa Daphne St Clair: è una giustiziera femminista? Una criminale narcisista? Un’arrampicatrice sociale alla ricerca del brivido, della fama? Quanti altri delitti nasconde? Perché ha confessato spontaneamente solo adesso quando poteva portarsi questo segreto nella tomba?
» Daphne è una novantenne ricoverata in una lussuosa casa di riposo in Florida e, con la dipartita del suo attuale fidanzato, sceglie di confessare una serie di delitti alla polizia. Una notizia che fa scalpore, che scuote gli Stati Uniti, che attira l’attenzione dei media. Daphne dà una possibilità al podcast di Ruth, un’aspirante giornalista dal passato travagliato. Dall’infanzia in una cittadina sperduta del Canada alla sua attuale ricchezza, ripercorrendo un delitto dopo l’altro 🔍
All’inizio è quasi inevitabile provare compassione e un senso di empatia per Daphne: gli accenni agli abusi subiti in famiglia e ad una sorta di prostituzione per sopravvivere a New York, gli uomini violenti che finiscono sulla sua strada (che siano suoi amanti o vicini di casa) hanno il destino scritto ⚰️ Legittima difesa, giustiziera, icona femminista - finché non oltrepassa un confine e i motivi dietro agli omicidi diventano sempre più futili. Il lettore stesso ragiona, segue i suoi racconti, decifra la psicologia di Daphne, cerca di cogliere le menzogne e le incongruenze. In più si aggiungono i segreti di Ruth…
Ho apprezzato lo stile e l’intervista come mezzo di narrazione per alcuni capitoli, anche se le sezioni dei commenti e dei social spezzavano la narrazione. Spero anche in un seguito/capitolo bonus/spin-off perché il finale è volutamente vago (quasi ad interpretazione del lettore), gli accenni ad una “seconda stagione del podcast” fanno ben sperare 👀
«La menzogna l'avrebbe resa libera. La verità avrebbe salvato la sua anima. Cos'era meglio, una vita felice o una vita morale?»
Un giallo interessante che sa tenere sulle spine!
«Forse, quando il mondo avesse smesso di pretendere tanto dalle donne, rinunciando a tenerle in riga con un carosello infinito di violenza, e giudizio, e distorsioni cognitive, allora non ci sarebbe più stato bisogno di donne come Daphne St. Clair.»
April 19, 2025
Love the idea of this. The podcast & TikTok sections are niche.
I found most of the book quite slow.
I wanted to love Daphne but just hated her! Her character was portrayed well by the author.
I didn’t massively love Ruth either.
I think the ending was really well done and tied the book together nicely.
I found most of the book quite slow.
I wanted to love Daphne but just hated her! Her character was portrayed well by the author.
I didn’t massively love Ruth either.
I think the ending was really well done and tied the book together nicely.
August 6, 2025
Daphne St Clair is a ninety-year-old grandmother in poor health who lives at Coconut Grove Senior Home in Florida. Probably not anyone’s idea of a typical serial killer, but when another elderly resident is found dead in the home, Daphne calls the police and confesses to not only this murder but several more, spanning four states, two countries and seven decades. The police, Daphne’s family and the public are both shocked and intrigued – what could have made Daphne want to kill so many people? And why has she chosen to confess now, at this late stage of her life?
When the news of Daphne’s confession begins to spread, she is contacted by journalists and reporters wanting to be first to tell her story, but she turns them all down – except one. Ruth Robinson hopes to start a podcast about Daphne’s life and even has a title ready for it – The Murders of Daphne St Clair. Something draws Daphne to the younger woman and she agrees to be interviewed for the podcast, but as her story unfolds she begins to discover that there’s more to Ruth than meets the eye. Who is Ruth Robinson and what’s the real reason for the podcast?
I had never heard of MacKenzie Common (it seems she has previously written a YA mystery novel, although this is her first book for adults), but I was attracted by the elegant, eye-catching cover and the premise of a ninety-year-old serial killer who had spent her whole life literally getting away with murder! I did enjoy the book, with a few reservations which I’ll mention later in this review, but overall it was quite an entertaining read.
Daphne’s tale begins in Canada in the 1930s, where she grew up on a farm near a small town in Saskatchewan. After a difficult childhood, Daphne runs away from home at the age of sixteen and makes her way to Winnipeg, where she meets the man who will become her first victim. He’s an unpleasant, violent man and his death is more of an accident than a murder, so at this stage of the book, Daphne seems a sympathetic character. This quickly changes as Daphne’s actions become more senseless and inexcusable and she shows no repentance for what she has done. I disliked her more and more as the novel progressed, but at the same time, she’s a clever, witty narrator and her story is engaging.
The structure of the book was a problem for me. Daphne’s narrative is broken into short sections, some of which are written in her own first person perspective and some in the form of dialogue for the podcast. These are then interspersed with chapters from Ruth’s perspective as she carries out some investigations of her own into Daphne’s background and one particular murder that is of special interest to her. I felt that the switches from one character to the other happened too quickly and too often, which stopped the story from flowing as well as it could have done. On top of this, there are also frequent interruptions from true crime fans discussing the show on Reddit and speculating on who Daphne is going to kill next, and a fashion blogger on TikTok who imagines outfits Daphne may have worn at key moments in her life. I could have done without these as well, but they do illustrate the moral issues of treating criminals like celebrities.
The ending of the novel leaves an important question unanswered; we can decide for ourselves what happened (or what we would have liked to have happened) but I would have preferred to know for certain! This wasn’t a perfect book, then, but not many are and there were definitely more things I liked than disliked.
When the news of Daphne’s confession begins to spread, she is contacted by journalists and reporters wanting to be first to tell her story, but she turns them all down – except one. Ruth Robinson hopes to start a podcast about Daphne’s life and even has a title ready for it – The Murders of Daphne St Clair. Something draws Daphne to the younger woman and she agrees to be interviewed for the podcast, but as her story unfolds she begins to discover that there’s more to Ruth than meets the eye. Who is Ruth Robinson and what’s the real reason for the podcast?
I had never heard of MacKenzie Common (it seems she has previously written a YA mystery novel, although this is her first book for adults), but I was attracted by the elegant, eye-catching cover and the premise of a ninety-year-old serial killer who had spent her whole life literally getting away with murder! I did enjoy the book, with a few reservations which I’ll mention later in this review, but overall it was quite an entertaining read.
Daphne’s tale begins in Canada in the 1930s, where she grew up on a farm near a small town in Saskatchewan. After a difficult childhood, Daphne runs away from home at the age of sixteen and makes her way to Winnipeg, where she meets the man who will become her first victim. He’s an unpleasant, violent man and his death is more of an accident than a murder, so at this stage of the book, Daphne seems a sympathetic character. This quickly changes as Daphne’s actions become more senseless and inexcusable and she shows no repentance for what she has done. I disliked her more and more as the novel progressed, but at the same time, she’s a clever, witty narrator and her story is engaging.
The structure of the book was a problem for me. Daphne’s narrative is broken into short sections, some of which are written in her own first person perspective and some in the form of dialogue for the podcast. These are then interspersed with chapters from Ruth’s perspective as she carries out some investigations of her own into Daphne’s background and one particular murder that is of special interest to her. I felt that the switches from one character to the other happened too quickly and too often, which stopped the story from flowing as well as it could have done. On top of this, there are also frequent interruptions from true crime fans discussing the show on Reddit and speculating on who Daphne is going to kill next, and a fashion blogger on TikTok who imagines outfits Daphne may have worn at key moments in her life. I could have done without these as well, but they do illustrate the moral issues of treating criminals like celebrities.
The ending of the novel leaves an important question unanswered; we can decide for ourselves what happened (or what we would have liked to have happened) but I would have preferred to know for certain! This wasn’t a perfect book, then, but not many are and there were definitely more things I liked than disliked.
December 6, 2025
Terrible.
The idea was good. The writing was woeful. The TikTok segments and Reddit comments killed me inside. Don’t authors realise this shit is so cringey? And it adds nothing to the story.
Moreover, the story itself grew dull. There’s no mystery in a woman killing people, there was no secret reason why - she’s just a serial killer psychopath. And all the murders were kinda in the same fashion. There’s only so many times you can hear about an abusive man and then she poisoned him. It was a repetitive story, move around, rich husband, death, move, change name, rich husband, death etc. And I’m sorry but this woman was not subtle so the fact she got away with it is laughable.
On this note too, why did the police never question Daphne? There was no police involvement at all. Considering she confessed she’s a serial killer the police never asked ok list all the victims etc. Plot holes galore. Just insane.
However the podcaster was so thick. How did she never suspect the sister would kill her father when she knew the sister was losing half her inheritance? Jesus Christ. And why does she call her mother by her first name? Why’s she knocking on people’s doors saying hi can I talk to you, a man was murdered here, thoughts? So dumb and tone deaf. So cringey.
Plus the weird feminism moments which contrasted with murders? The random bit about hating the police because of racism? People don’t actually speak how this author was writing. This was also noticeable with a 90 year old woman who could’ve been 25, there were zero signs the character was old, she did not come across like an elderly woman in a care home. At least try make some elements of this realistic.
Overall felt like reality tv in a book. Just awful.
The idea was good. The writing was woeful. The TikTok segments and Reddit comments killed me inside. Don’t authors realise this shit is so cringey? And it adds nothing to the story.
Moreover, the story itself grew dull. There’s no mystery in a woman killing people, there was no secret reason why - she’s just a serial killer psychopath. And all the murders were kinda in the same fashion. There’s only so many times you can hear about an abusive man and then she poisoned him. It was a repetitive story, move around, rich husband, death, move, change name, rich husband, death etc. And I’m sorry but this woman was not subtle so the fact she got away with it is laughable.
On this note too, why did the police never question Daphne? There was no police involvement at all. Considering she confessed she’s a serial killer the police never asked ok list all the victims etc. Plot holes galore. Just insane.
However the podcaster was so thick. How did she never suspect the sister would kill her father when she knew the sister was losing half her inheritance? Jesus Christ. And why does she call her mother by her first name? Why’s she knocking on people’s doors saying hi can I talk to you, a man was murdered here, thoughts? So dumb and tone deaf. So cringey.
Plus the weird feminism moments which contrasted with murders? The random bit about hating the police because of racism? People don’t actually speak how this author was writing. This was also noticeable with a 90 year old woman who could’ve been 25, there were zero signs the character was old, she did not come across like an elderly woman in a care home. At least try make some elements of this realistic.
Overall felt like reality tv in a book. Just awful.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 19, 2025
Utterly brilliant!!! 4.5*
A laugh out loud read. Took a while to warm to Daphne and Ruth, the podcaster she’s decided to confess all to, but once I got into it, soon became unputdownable!!!
A laugh out loud read. Took a while to warm to Daphne and Ruth, the podcaster she’s decided to confess all to, but once I got into it, soon became unputdownable!!!
June 19, 2025
REVIEW
cw: murder, mentions of alcoholism, DV, child abuse, rape, misogyny, queerphobia
When ninety-year-old grandmother Daphne confesses to killing a number of men throughout her lifetime, she chooses struggling journalist Ruth Robinson to produce the podcast charting Daphne's humble beginnings from the Dust Bowl in Canada to her glittering life in 70s New York - and leaving a string of murders in her wake.
The public is hooked. Is she a feminist icon taking revenge on bad men? Or just a ruthless criminal? As the podcast finale approaches, it becomes clear that neither woman has been entirely honest with the other. Who has been controlling the narrative?
I was intrigued by the premise of this book as soon as I saw it on NetGalley, and it did not disappoint. The prologue hooked me immediately, and I loved the story's format, which combined podcast transcripts, conversations, social media posts, and the introspective musings of Ruth and Daphne.
Daphne was such a complex character, and the author did an admirable job of showing her duality. At times, I could empathise with her, especially when she was showing her fragile side, but then we'd get her vain and selfish characteristics. I won’t go into detail about each murder, but I will say I could see what drove her to some of them. However, the fourth murder felt cruel, and changed my overall perception of her, and the 'freebie' was hard to read, especially as we only ever had her version of the events.
Daphne was full of biting wit and irreverent humour, but you could also feel her mean side bubbling under the surface. The story of how Daphne's son, James, became estranged was well-told, and my heart broke for him on several occasions. Her twin daughters, Diane and Rose, were awful at the beginning, but by the end, I found it difficult not to have some sympathy for how much upheaval they went through in their childhood.
Ruth was interesting in her own way, though the big secret behind her involvement meant that she felt less well-developed early on. Around a third of the way, we started to get the first hints about how Ruth and Daphne's lives were intertwined, and I thought Ruth's secrets were woven well into the storyline. I felt for her when she described the way Ruth's father's family treated her.
My heart ached for both Daphne and Ruth at different points in the book, but especially when they each recounted their difficult childhoods and the way they were perceived by their peers.
The Reddit threads felt hilariously authentic and added much-needed levity, especially after some of Daphne's early recollections. HauteHistoire's posts were also on the nose, especially when they saw the tide turning and pivoted to another egregious trend, and there was an interesting critique of the morality of consuming true crime media.
I won't spoil anything, but the various subplots and supporting characters added to the intrigue, and I think the author did a great job at developing the claustrophobic atmosphere as Ruth grew more and more paranoid about threats to her safety from various angles. While the final third worked well at tying up all of the loose ends, I had guessed a couple of the identities quite early on. Still, I loved the ending.
The Six Murders of Daphne St Clair was an engaging read, and I will definitely read more from this author.
Overall Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️.5
*Thanks to the publisher for an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. The Six Murders of Daphne St Clair is published on the 19th June in the UK*
Favourite Quotes:
Jeez, you kill one old man and suddenly no one wants to sit at your lunch table.
Her husband was a senator, just another boy who was born on third base and thought he’d hit a triple.
I had a doctor in New York once tell me that he could see scars in my lungs from all the dirt I breathed in as a child. He had trained in Oklahoma and said he could spot a Duster from a mile away. I never went back to that doctor. I hated the idea that my body was giving up my secrets.
Some women were scared of riding the subways by themselves in the Sixties, but I knew that every train I was riding already had a murderer on it. And if anyone did threaten me, I already knew how effective a subway could be as a murder weapon.
Rose’s face remained neutral as her husband talked about sending her mother to the electric chair.
Guess I was off the Christmas card list.
I always found it suspicious how much conservative men liked to talk about families. It always seemed to be the ones who were later found face-down in a pile of cocaine.
"I was proud of getting away with it, but it’s no fun if no one knows that you’ve won.”
Women were so much more than how the world saw them, their secret lives so much more complicated and frustrating than the lives of men, because they had to constantly wrestle with the fact that they had more power than they thought but less power than they deserved.
Was it better to have a happy life or a moral one?
cw: murder, mentions of alcoholism, DV, child abuse, rape, misogyny, queerphobia
When ninety-year-old grandmother Daphne confesses to killing a number of men throughout her lifetime, she chooses struggling journalist Ruth Robinson to produce the podcast charting Daphne's humble beginnings from the Dust Bowl in Canada to her glittering life in 70s New York - and leaving a string of murders in her wake.
The public is hooked. Is she a feminist icon taking revenge on bad men? Or just a ruthless criminal? As the podcast finale approaches, it becomes clear that neither woman has been entirely honest with the other. Who has been controlling the narrative?
I was intrigued by the premise of this book as soon as I saw it on NetGalley, and it did not disappoint. The prologue hooked me immediately, and I loved the story's format, which combined podcast transcripts, conversations, social media posts, and the introspective musings of Ruth and Daphne.
Daphne was such a complex character, and the author did an admirable job of showing her duality. At times, I could empathise with her, especially when she was showing her fragile side, but then we'd get her vain and selfish characteristics. I won’t go into detail about each murder, but I will say I could see what drove her to some of them. However, the fourth murder felt cruel, and changed my overall perception of her, and the 'freebie' was hard to read, especially as we only ever had her version of the events.
Daphne was full of biting wit and irreverent humour, but you could also feel her mean side bubbling under the surface. The story of how Daphne's son, James, became estranged was well-told, and my heart broke for him on several occasions. Her twin daughters, Diane and Rose, were awful at the beginning, but by the end, I found it difficult not to have some sympathy for how much upheaval they went through in their childhood.
Ruth was interesting in her own way, though the big secret behind her involvement meant that she felt less well-developed early on. Around a third of the way, we started to get the first hints about how Ruth and Daphne's lives were intertwined, and I thought Ruth's secrets were woven well into the storyline. I felt for her when she described the way Ruth's father's family treated her.
My heart ached for both Daphne and Ruth at different points in the book, but especially when they each recounted their difficult childhoods and the way they were perceived by their peers.
The Reddit threads felt hilariously authentic and added much-needed levity, especially after some of Daphne's early recollections. HauteHistoire's posts were also on the nose, especially when they saw the tide turning and pivoted to another egregious trend, and there was an interesting critique of the morality of consuming true crime media.
I won't spoil anything, but the various subplots and supporting characters added to the intrigue, and I think the author did a great job at developing the claustrophobic atmosphere as Ruth grew more and more paranoid about threats to her safety from various angles. While the final third worked well at tying up all of the loose ends, I had guessed a couple of the identities quite early on. Still, I loved the ending.
The Six Murders of Daphne St Clair was an engaging read, and I will definitely read more from this author.
Overall Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️.5
*Thanks to the publisher for an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. The Six Murders of Daphne St Clair is published on the 19th June in the UK*
Favourite Quotes:
Jeez, you kill one old man and suddenly no one wants to sit at your lunch table.
Her husband was a senator, just another boy who was born on third base and thought he’d hit a triple.
I had a doctor in New York once tell me that he could see scars in my lungs from all the dirt I breathed in as a child. He had trained in Oklahoma and said he could spot a Duster from a mile away. I never went back to that doctor. I hated the idea that my body was giving up my secrets.
Some women were scared of riding the subways by themselves in the Sixties, but I knew that every train I was riding already had a murderer on it. And if anyone did threaten me, I already knew how effective a subway could be as a murder weapon.
Rose’s face remained neutral as her husband talked about sending her mother to the electric chair.
Guess I was off the Christmas card list.
I always found it suspicious how much conservative men liked to talk about families. It always seemed to be the ones who were later found face-down in a pile of cocaine.
"I was proud of getting away with it, but it’s no fun if no one knows that you’ve won.”
Women were so much more than how the world saw them, their secret lives so much more complicated and frustrating than the lives of men, because they had to constantly wrestle with the fact that they had more power than they thought but less power than they deserved.
Was it better to have a happy life or a moral one?
June 8, 2025
The Six Murders of Daphne St Clair
There’s been a not entirely unexpected death at a Florida senior home, Coconut Grove. A resident, Warren Ackerman, has died from apparently natural causes. But no one is surprised given his age and health. Amongst the largely female residents there is sadness at a possibly eligible man gone.
Until another resident, 90 year old Daphne St Clair, his girlfriend, calls the local police station and confesses to his murder by poison. Rose and Diane, her two twin daughters were embarrassed that she had a ‘boyfriend’ at her age’ and are about to be even more mortified at Daphne’s next revelation. Fasten your seat belts, girls, it’s going to be a bumpy ride!
She confesses to 5 more murders over 4 states, 2 countries over 7 decades and soon she is charged with first degree murder and placed under house arrest at Coconut Grove. She is shunned and ostracised by the staff and other residents but she’s tough, tougher than they think. As she puts it:
‘Jeez, you kill an old man and suddenly no one wants to sit at your lunch table.’
And her family have very mixed reactions, all of them negative. Rose thinks of the scandal as her husband is a senator while Harper, Daphne’s favourite grandchild, is excited at having a soon to be famous serial killer as a grandma. James, Daphne’s son, has apparently vanished and she has no idea where he is.
Daphne wants to tell her story her way and selects Ruth Robinson as an interviewer and publicist. She is a rookie podcaster and their interviews together begin. And so Daphne starts to publicly recount her life from her decision to run away from a harsh and dangerous home life in a small Canadian town to the well heeled ‘cushy’ life at Coconut Grove. She is unrepentant at her actions. She achieved all that she wanted; a life in New York, rich husbands, wealth but there’s always an itch nagging her. She kills from desperation, expediency and just because she wants to when her life wasn’t what she wanted at times and she missed the thrill of killing.
However, Daphne has no idea that Ruth and her might have a connection and that she has an ulterior motive in working with Daphne. Ruth was raised by a single mum and managed to find her father who acknowledge her existence and tried to bring her into his family before dying a mysterious death. Was he one of Daphne’s victims?
In the meantime, Daphne’s notoriety grows as online commentators weigh in and on TikTok Haute Historie begins to post carefully curated high fashion outfits inspired by Daphne. Dressed to Kill perhaps? She has become one of the most famous and reviled women in America – what will happen next?
This is such an assured debut novel. I liked Daphne. Although she wasn’t one of the most likeable of character, she was honest. She was also a survivor and had a lot of interesting, relatable and pithy comments to make on the ageing process and how it affects women and why she committed the murders. She had a definite voice and as I read her story I could visualise her so well as a cross between Iris Apfel and Judge Ruth. Daphne was determined not to go quietly into that good night or at least face it on her terms.
I really enjoyed the excerpts from Haute Histoire as I could imagine it happening only too well. Although the online commentators didn’t add much to the story they were entertaining.
Ruth is from the wrong side of the tracks and she’s been trying to get a writing career off the starting blocks for some years. This could be her stepping stone. But she has to keep changing the title of the podcast as another murder is revealed. She was a more muted character compared to Daphne who leaves her with a warning and the reader doesn’t know is Ruth heeds it or not.
I’ll be very interested to see what the author writes next and it’s perfect for a movie or mini series. Great cover too.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC.
There’s been a not entirely unexpected death at a Florida senior home, Coconut Grove. A resident, Warren Ackerman, has died from apparently natural causes. But no one is surprised given his age and health. Amongst the largely female residents there is sadness at a possibly eligible man gone.
Until another resident, 90 year old Daphne St Clair, his girlfriend, calls the local police station and confesses to his murder by poison. Rose and Diane, her two twin daughters were embarrassed that she had a ‘boyfriend’ at her age’ and are about to be even more mortified at Daphne’s next revelation. Fasten your seat belts, girls, it’s going to be a bumpy ride!
She confesses to 5 more murders over 4 states, 2 countries over 7 decades and soon she is charged with first degree murder and placed under house arrest at Coconut Grove. She is shunned and ostracised by the staff and other residents but she’s tough, tougher than they think. As she puts it:
‘Jeez, you kill an old man and suddenly no one wants to sit at your lunch table.’
And her family have very mixed reactions, all of them negative. Rose thinks of the scandal as her husband is a senator while Harper, Daphne’s favourite grandchild, is excited at having a soon to be famous serial killer as a grandma. James, Daphne’s son, has apparently vanished and she has no idea where he is.
Daphne wants to tell her story her way and selects Ruth Robinson as an interviewer and publicist. She is a rookie podcaster and their interviews together begin. And so Daphne starts to publicly recount her life from her decision to run away from a harsh and dangerous home life in a small Canadian town to the well heeled ‘cushy’ life at Coconut Grove. She is unrepentant at her actions. She achieved all that she wanted; a life in New York, rich husbands, wealth but there’s always an itch nagging her. She kills from desperation, expediency and just because she wants to when her life wasn’t what she wanted at times and she missed the thrill of killing.
However, Daphne has no idea that Ruth and her might have a connection and that she has an ulterior motive in working with Daphne. Ruth was raised by a single mum and managed to find her father who acknowledge her existence and tried to bring her into his family before dying a mysterious death. Was he one of Daphne’s victims?
In the meantime, Daphne’s notoriety grows as online commentators weigh in and on TikTok Haute Historie begins to post carefully curated high fashion outfits inspired by Daphne. Dressed to Kill perhaps? She has become one of the most famous and reviled women in America – what will happen next?
This is such an assured debut novel. I liked Daphne. Although she wasn’t one of the most likeable of character, she was honest. She was also a survivor and had a lot of interesting, relatable and pithy comments to make on the ageing process and how it affects women and why she committed the murders. She had a definite voice and as I read her story I could visualise her so well as a cross between Iris Apfel and Judge Ruth. Daphne was determined not to go quietly into that good night or at least face it on her terms.
I really enjoyed the excerpts from Haute Histoire as I could imagine it happening only too well. Although the online commentators didn’t add much to the story they were entertaining.
Ruth is from the wrong side of the tracks and she’s been trying to get a writing career off the starting blocks for some years. This could be her stepping stone. But she has to keep changing the title of the podcast as another murder is revealed. She was a more muted character compared to Daphne who leaves her with a warning and the reader doesn’t know is Ruth heeds it or not.
I’ll be very interested to see what the author writes next and it’s perfect for a movie or mini series. Great cover too.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC.
June 11, 2025
When Warren Ackerman dies at a senior living facility no one is surprised, until his elderly girlfriend Daphne confesses to his murder. The country is shocked when she declares that Warren wasn't the first man she'd murdered.
Female serial killer novels are a very popular genre at the moment and most of them are firmly tongue-in-cheek and filled with dark humour. With a tagline of "Meet Daphne St Clair: glamorous ninety-year-old grandmother, care home resident, and your new favourite serial killer" I fully expected The Six Murders Of Daphne St Clair by MacKenzie Common to be in the same vein. What transpired was something much more sobering and mysterious.
Word of Daphne's crime, and her admission that she has killed before, spreads quickly around her local area. Encouraged by her granddaughter Daphne agrees to tell her story for a podcast, a podcast that proves to be extremely popular, Most of the listeners have the same question. Why would a ninety-year-old, having gotten away with numerous murders, suddenly confess?
In charge of the podcast is Ruth, a struggling local journalist. As Daphne recounts her story we quickly learn that both Daphne and Ruth are unreliable narrators. Daphne's start in life was bleak. I found the details of the Dust Bowl in 1930s Canada informative and distressing. Considering her early life of desperation and abuse, Daphne's first two murders are almost understandable. By her fourth we learn that she relishes the sense of power she has, deciding who lives and who dies. In her heyday she was beautiful, clever, flirtatious and inscrutable, all of which made her attractive to rich men. However, she could be mean, malevolent and greedy, her only concern in life being her own well-being. The information she is prepared to share with Ruth, and the general public, is carefully curated.
Ruth's involvement initially seems obvious, she's desperate to enhance her flagging career. As Ruth delves deeper into Daphne's past it soon becomes clear that she has an ulterior motive.
I enjoyed the way in which the popularity of the podcast, and Daphne's crimes, were discussed on message boards, with ridiculous theories and desperation to know where Daphne lived. We also see some of the more bizarre behaviours on social media with Daphne merchandise becoming popular and even an influencer giving advice on how to dress like Daphne during the time period in which she committed each murder.
The overarching question remains though, what is the motive behind each woman's actions? The mystery surrounding Ruth eventually clears but what she hopes to achieve is still vague. As for Daphne's motive, you'll just have to read the book yourself to find out.
If you enjoyed my review please check out my book blog, Reading For Leisure
https://readingforleisure.blogspot.com/
or follow me on Twitter; @Debbie_Hart_UK
or on Bluesky; @debbiehartuk.bsky.social
Female serial killer novels are a very popular genre at the moment and most of them are firmly tongue-in-cheek and filled with dark humour. With a tagline of "Meet Daphne St Clair: glamorous ninety-year-old grandmother, care home resident, and your new favourite serial killer" I fully expected The Six Murders Of Daphne St Clair by MacKenzie Common to be in the same vein. What transpired was something much more sobering and mysterious.
Word of Daphne's crime, and her admission that she has killed before, spreads quickly around her local area. Encouraged by her granddaughter Daphne agrees to tell her story for a podcast, a podcast that proves to be extremely popular, Most of the listeners have the same question. Why would a ninety-year-old, having gotten away with numerous murders, suddenly confess?
In charge of the podcast is Ruth, a struggling local journalist. As Daphne recounts her story we quickly learn that both Daphne and Ruth are unreliable narrators. Daphne's start in life was bleak. I found the details of the Dust Bowl in 1930s Canada informative and distressing. Considering her early life of desperation and abuse, Daphne's first two murders are almost understandable. By her fourth we learn that she relishes the sense of power she has, deciding who lives and who dies. In her heyday she was beautiful, clever, flirtatious and inscrutable, all of which made her attractive to rich men. However, she could be mean, malevolent and greedy, her only concern in life being her own well-being. The information she is prepared to share with Ruth, and the general public, is carefully curated.
Ruth's involvement initially seems obvious, she's desperate to enhance her flagging career. As Ruth delves deeper into Daphne's past it soon becomes clear that she has an ulterior motive.
I enjoyed the way in which the popularity of the podcast, and Daphne's crimes, were discussed on message boards, with ridiculous theories and desperation to know where Daphne lived. We also see some of the more bizarre behaviours on social media with Daphne merchandise becoming popular and even an influencer giving advice on how to dress like Daphne during the time period in which she committed each murder.
The overarching question remains though, what is the motive behind each woman's actions? The mystery surrounding Ruth eventually clears but what she hopes to achieve is still vague. As for Daphne's motive, you'll just have to read the book yourself to find out.
If you enjoyed my review please check out my book blog, Reading For Leisure
https://readingforleisure.blogspot.com/
or follow me on Twitter; @Debbie_Hart_UK
or on Bluesky; @debbiehartuk.bsky.social
July 10, 2025
When I read the synopsis for this book I just had to read it. I work in a care home setting and I am glad we don't have anyone like Daphne St Clair living there!
When I started this book I thought it was fun, especially when I read how she had poisoned her partner of a couple of years, who also happened to live in the same care home. If she had not said anything then this death would have been put down to natural causes, but Daphne decided to phone the police and admit to murdering him and that it was not the first time she had done it.
So, here was me thinking it would be a fun and lighthearted book and for a little while it was, but as I read further I realised it wasn't a fun book in fact it was more serious. While Daphne was happy to murder whoever she was with at the time and move on, what she didn't factor into the equation was how it would affect her three children.
Daphne tells her story to a podcaster, Ruth does not have a large following but with her being the only one that Daphne will speak to, she soon gathers more followers. While Ruth thinks that Daphne is not always completely honest with her as she relates her life and each murder, can the same be said for Ruth?
I really enjoyed this book and the way that the author used the character of Daphne to show how women were treated and seen in the past. the story tells of how Daphne was raised on a small farm, destitute, in the dust bowl-era, with not enough food, clothing or privacy. How she made a break for freedom and ended up in America and began her life again, but on her terms this time.
The author creates a compelling account told via Daphne, with asides from Ruth, and also because the interview is part of a podcast, there are comments from followers. Along with this there is also some reflection from the both the main characters and also a sense of danger for Ruth, but why? Well I'll you to find that out yourself. As much as this story is about murder, it is also a look back through the life of a woman who has lived through different decades, has done her thing to provide for her children. By the end of the book you will get a larger picture and as much as Daphne tries to justify what she has done, she knows what she is looking at in the future.
This is an interesting story that is a mix of crime and mystery, of family and society and also historical fiction and one I would be happy to recommend.
When I started this book I thought it was fun, especially when I read how she had poisoned her partner of a couple of years, who also happened to live in the same care home. If she had not said anything then this death would have been put down to natural causes, but Daphne decided to phone the police and admit to murdering him and that it was not the first time she had done it.
So, here was me thinking it would be a fun and lighthearted book and for a little while it was, but as I read further I realised it wasn't a fun book in fact it was more serious. While Daphne was happy to murder whoever she was with at the time and move on, what she didn't factor into the equation was how it would affect her three children.
Daphne tells her story to a podcaster, Ruth does not have a large following but with her being the only one that Daphne will speak to, she soon gathers more followers. While Ruth thinks that Daphne is not always completely honest with her as she relates her life and each murder, can the same be said for Ruth?
I really enjoyed this book and the way that the author used the character of Daphne to show how women were treated and seen in the past. the story tells of how Daphne was raised on a small farm, destitute, in the dust bowl-era, with not enough food, clothing or privacy. How she made a break for freedom and ended up in America and began her life again, but on her terms this time.
The author creates a compelling account told via Daphne, with asides from Ruth, and also because the interview is part of a podcast, there are comments from followers. Along with this there is also some reflection from the both the main characters and also a sense of danger for Ruth, but why? Well I'll you to find that out yourself. As much as this story is about murder, it is also a look back through the life of a woman who has lived through different decades, has done her thing to provide for her children. By the end of the book you will get a larger picture and as much as Daphne tries to justify what she has done, she knows what she is looking at in the future.
This is an interesting story that is a mix of crime and mystery, of family and society and also historical fiction and one I would be happy to recommend.
March 23, 2025
I devoured in one sitting The Six Murders of Daphne St Clair by MacKenzie Common.
I loved everything about this book. The artwork on the book cover commanded my attention - the stylish 1950s red twin-set, elegant white gloves with just a splash of blood. The title itself had me hooked - I wanted to know more about Daphne St Clair!
The book opens boldly with 90 year Daphne St Clair confessing to killing her beau in her care home. Not only did she murder him, but she admits to being a serial killer.
The police don’t really know what to do with Daphne, they need to investigate, but they also need to find a facility suitable to her needs. So, she is placed under house arrest. During her confinement, she enlists Ruth Robinson, a down at heel journalist, to create a podcast on her life and murders.
The story moves along at pace covering Daphne’s life through the Great Depression, World War II, the stylish 1950s, the swinging 1960s, the disco-era 1970s, the 1980s and through to the present day. She survived life in the Dustbowl in the Depression and learned at a young age that you have to do what you have to do to stay alive.
The format of the book is interview transcripts from Ruth’s interviews with Daphne, as well as from the point of view of Daphne and Ruth - both of whom are holding back truths. It also features social media posts as the news of Daphne and the success of the podcast grow - and in the age of social media everyone has an opinion on Daphne.
I devoured the story in one sitting - I just had to understand why Daphne at 90 years of age confesses. She was a survivalist who evolved into a successful serial killer, in that she hadn’t got caught. Why would a successful serial killer confess? I just had to know why.
This book will keep you on the edge of your seat.
I can’t wait to read more books by MacKenzie Common!
Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Headline, for making this e-ARC available to me in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I loved everything about this book. The artwork on the book cover commanded my attention - the stylish 1950s red twin-set, elegant white gloves with just a splash of blood. The title itself had me hooked - I wanted to know more about Daphne St Clair!
The book opens boldly with 90 year Daphne St Clair confessing to killing her beau in her care home. Not only did she murder him, but she admits to being a serial killer.
The police don’t really know what to do with Daphne, they need to investigate, but they also need to find a facility suitable to her needs. So, she is placed under house arrest. During her confinement, she enlists Ruth Robinson, a down at heel journalist, to create a podcast on her life and murders.
The story moves along at pace covering Daphne’s life through the Great Depression, World War II, the stylish 1950s, the swinging 1960s, the disco-era 1970s, the 1980s and through to the present day. She survived life in the Dustbowl in the Depression and learned at a young age that you have to do what you have to do to stay alive.
The format of the book is interview transcripts from Ruth’s interviews with Daphne, as well as from the point of view of Daphne and Ruth - both of whom are holding back truths. It also features social media posts as the news of Daphne and the success of the podcast grow - and in the age of social media everyone has an opinion on Daphne.
I devoured the story in one sitting - I just had to understand why Daphne at 90 years of age confesses. She was a survivalist who evolved into a successful serial killer, in that she hadn’t got caught. Why would a successful serial killer confess? I just had to know why.
This book will keep you on the edge of your seat.
I can’t wait to read more books by MacKenzie Common!
Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Headline, for making this e-ARC available to me in exchange for a fair and honest review.
May 5, 2025
Daphne is 90 years old grandma and lives in a care home for the elderly. An old man dies in the home who Daphne was supposed to be courting”. Daphne decides just after this to confess to murdering people throughout her lifetime. Why is the obvious question. Ruth who is a podcaster and broke is “chosen” by Daphne to tell the story of her 90 years. They are an interesting pair and butt heads on many occasions during their talks. Ruth is relatively mild mannered and just wants to get the story out there whereas Daphne leads her along and can be very cutting in her remarks. Ruth sometimes wonders what she has got herself into but she has a hidden agenda herself which comes out in the book. Daphne tells her story and throughout does not really see that she has done anything wrong as the people she killed on the whole deserved it. They were either not nice people i.e a man who beat up his wife and children or Daphne became disillusioned with the particular man she married mainly for the money and lifetime they afforded her and which she felt she was entitled to after a very poor childhood. One of the things that drives Daphne is that she wants her children to have everything she did not have and will do anything to make that happen. As the story continues Ruth finds it difficult to understand the reasoning behind Daphne’s life and the Police certainly are struggling with what to do with a 90 year old serial killer especially as the crimes which she is confessing to are difficult to prove. Obviously a story spanning so many years takes her through many eras of time and Daphne loved it all other than her young life was the most difficult for her living, as she did, in Canada through the Depression on a farm with nothing hence why she ran away to find her riches. The story is gripping and also sets out her relationship with her children, not quite estranged but almost. A story well worth reading
May 1, 2025
In The Six Murders of Daphne St Clair, MacKenzie Common offers a moody, layered narrative that attempts to blend celebrity intrigue with a dark mystery—territory that will no doubt invite comparisons to The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. While it's perhaps inevitable that readers will come to this novel hoping for a similar experience, it's important to approach Common’s work on its own terms. This is not Jenkins Reid, and expecting that level of polish or emotional complexity is setting the book up for unfair scrutiny.
That said, Daphne St Clair has a compelling pulse of its own. The premise is ripe with potential, and Common shows flashes of brilliance in atmosphere and character exploration. However, the writing doesn’t always live up to its ambitions. Certain elements, particularly the inclusion of internet sleuths, feel undercooked and at times insult the reader's intelligence, pulling away from the gravitas the story seems to be striving for.
Yes, the twists are largely predictable, and the "big reveals" lack the shock value that the genre often trades in. But strangely, that doesn’t diminish the book's appeal. Common manages to maintain a narrative grip that keeps the pages turning, and the emotional undercurrent—though not subtle—is effective enough to make the journey worthwhile.
In short, this is a novel that may ride the coattails of a more successful predecessor, but it still stands as an entertaining, if imperfect, mystery which I really enjoyed. For all its flaws, The Six Murders of Daphne St Clair is a book I thoroughly enjoyed, and I suspect many others will too—so long as they know what they’re getting into.
Such a big thank you to NetGalley and Headline for the ARC.
That said, Daphne St Clair has a compelling pulse of its own. The premise is ripe with potential, and Common shows flashes of brilliance in atmosphere and character exploration. However, the writing doesn’t always live up to its ambitions. Certain elements, particularly the inclusion of internet sleuths, feel undercooked and at times insult the reader's intelligence, pulling away from the gravitas the story seems to be striving for.
Yes, the twists are largely predictable, and the "big reveals" lack the shock value that the genre often trades in. But strangely, that doesn’t diminish the book's appeal. Common manages to maintain a narrative grip that keeps the pages turning, and the emotional undercurrent—though not subtle—is effective enough to make the journey worthwhile.
In short, this is a novel that may ride the coattails of a more successful predecessor, but it still stands as an entertaining, if imperfect, mystery which I really enjoyed. For all its flaws, The Six Murders of Daphne St Clair is a book I thoroughly enjoyed, and I suspect many others will too—so long as they know what they’re getting into.
Such a big thank you to NetGalley and Headline for the ARC.
July 13, 2025
"I killed six men in my life" says 90‑year‑old Daphne St Clair, a glamorous, sharp‑witted woman in a care home. And with that confession, I was hooked.
Daphne recruits Ruth Robinson, a struggling true‑crime podcaster, to record the narrative of her crimes as podcast episodes.
As Daphne recounts her journey, from her dusty Canadian childhood to dazzling decades in 1970s New York, the reader is drawn into a complex tapestry of seduction, power, revenge and media spectacle.
Dark, witty and original. The Six Murders of Daphne St Clair blends murder mystery with sharp satire of the true crime genre. The story cleverly critiques our obsession with crime and female villains.
Daphne is a fantastic character, cunning and totally unapologetic. She makes a morally gray narrator and her voice is so compelling that I could have listened to her recount her entire life even without the murders. Ruth is a quieter but equally interesting counterpoint. She's vulnerable, morally conflicted and a reminder of how easy it is to get swept up in someone else's narrative.
Some minor quibbles: it is a bit slow in parts and there is no grand twist. The fashion commentary didn't advance the narrative and sometimes detracted from the pacing.
If you're drawn to dark domestic thrillers with biting satire, flawed protagonists and a subversive take on public fascination with crime, you’ll find The Six Murders of Daphne St Clair compelling. Daphne is unforgettable, the format is inventive and the book makes you think about how stories, especially about women and violence, are constructed and consumed.
I’m giving it 4.5 stars: addictive, smart and subversive.
Thank you to NetGalley and Headline for an advanced copy in exchange for my review.
Daphne recruits Ruth Robinson, a struggling true‑crime podcaster, to record the narrative of her crimes as podcast episodes.
As Daphne recounts her journey, from her dusty Canadian childhood to dazzling decades in 1970s New York, the reader is drawn into a complex tapestry of seduction, power, revenge and media spectacle.
Dark, witty and original. The Six Murders of Daphne St Clair blends murder mystery with sharp satire of the true crime genre. The story cleverly critiques our obsession with crime and female villains.
Daphne is a fantastic character, cunning and totally unapologetic. She makes a morally gray narrator and her voice is so compelling that I could have listened to her recount her entire life even without the murders. Ruth is a quieter but equally interesting counterpoint. She's vulnerable, morally conflicted and a reminder of how easy it is to get swept up in someone else's narrative.
Some minor quibbles: it is a bit slow in parts and there is no grand twist. The fashion commentary didn't advance the narrative and sometimes detracted from the pacing.
If you're drawn to dark domestic thrillers with biting satire, flawed protagonists and a subversive take on public fascination with crime, you’ll find The Six Murders of Daphne St Clair compelling. Daphne is unforgettable, the format is inventive and the book makes you think about how stories, especially about women and violence, are constructed and consumed.
I’m giving it 4.5 stars: addictive, smart and subversive.
Thank you to NetGalley and Headline for an advanced copy in exchange for my review.
June 15, 2025
The Six Murders of Daphne St Clair is the debut by Mackenzie Common. Daphne isn’t your average 90 year old living in a nursing home. She is razor sharp, glamorous, has a boyfriend and plenty of money. The most extraordinary trait, is that she is a serial killer, a fact that she decides to inexplicably confess one day, by calling the local police.
Ruth Robinson is trying to make a name for herself as a journalist, unsuccessfully. Her small hometown is proving to be very inhospitable to her privately, as well as in her work life. Can she get the scoop of the decade? Interviewing Daphne, to find the answer to the question on everyone’s lips. Why did Daphne confess?
Bizarrely, despite Daphne’s actions, you can’t help but like her, though I’m obviously not condoning her behaviour and actions. She has an acidic wit, dripping with sarcasm, a sharp but selective memory of her long, and eyebrow raising life. Her relationship with her youngest granddaughter is lovely. She is a complex character, who undoubtedly was shaped by her formative years.
All the way through the book, while following Daphne’s story, there is an undertone bubbling away. We know there is something that Ruth has hidden away, but it is frustratingly out of reach to the reader.
Daphne St Clair is a great debut. It is darkly entertaining, but conversely light at the same time. I read the book, but I can see that it would work really well on audio, the podcast element lends itself really well to that format. I think fans of Sweetpea, and None of This Is True will thoroughly enjoy the book. 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me.
Ruth Robinson is trying to make a name for herself as a journalist, unsuccessfully. Her small hometown is proving to be very inhospitable to her privately, as well as in her work life. Can she get the scoop of the decade? Interviewing Daphne, to find the answer to the question on everyone’s lips. Why did Daphne confess?
Bizarrely, despite Daphne’s actions, you can’t help but like her, though I’m obviously not condoning her behaviour and actions. She has an acidic wit, dripping with sarcasm, a sharp but selective memory of her long, and eyebrow raising life. Her relationship with her youngest granddaughter is lovely. She is a complex character, who undoubtedly was shaped by her formative years.
All the way through the book, while following Daphne’s story, there is an undertone bubbling away. We know there is something that Ruth has hidden away, but it is frustratingly out of reach to the reader.
Daphne St Clair is a great debut. It is darkly entertaining, but conversely light at the same time. I read the book, but I can see that it would work really well on audio, the podcast element lends itself really well to that format. I think fans of Sweetpea, and None of This Is True will thoroughly enjoy the book. 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me.
July 8, 2025
What a brilliant book this was! I loved it, and found it so hard to put down when I had to.
In it we meet Daphne, a 90-year-old care home resident, and Ruth, a struggling journalist on a mission. The story begins with Daphne confessing to having murdered a number of people in her lifetime, and Ruth is chosen to record a podcast of her story.
I loved the layout of this story, and the use of different fonts. There are parts where Daphne is relating what happened in her past; there are questions and answers recorded in a podcast style; there are comments which appear online once the podcast has been played; and some narrative from Ruth’s past and present life too.
You soon realise that Ruth is hiding something but it takes a while to work out what her agenda is. I wasn’t drawn to her as a character at all. I’m not sure what it was but I wasn’t really bothered whether she got what she wanted at the end or not.
On the other hand, Daphne was a fantastic character. I felt such a range of emotions as I read about her life and the people she had killed. From disbelief, to sympathy, to shock and horror: this is one bad-ass lady you wouldn’t want to mess with.
She’s an enigma and I don’t think we ever get to see the true Daphne. She’s too adept at pulling the wool over people’s eyes and just loves to play with others’ feelings. She is very, very clever; like a bored housewife with praying mantis tendencies.
It’s a book that’s well worth reading in order to ‘meet’ Daphne and find out what she’s been up to!
I was sent a copy by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
In it we meet Daphne, a 90-year-old care home resident, and Ruth, a struggling journalist on a mission. The story begins with Daphne confessing to having murdered a number of people in her lifetime, and Ruth is chosen to record a podcast of her story.
I loved the layout of this story, and the use of different fonts. There are parts where Daphne is relating what happened in her past; there are questions and answers recorded in a podcast style; there are comments which appear online once the podcast has been played; and some narrative from Ruth’s past and present life too.
You soon realise that Ruth is hiding something but it takes a while to work out what her agenda is. I wasn’t drawn to her as a character at all. I’m not sure what it was but I wasn’t really bothered whether she got what she wanted at the end or not.
On the other hand, Daphne was a fantastic character. I felt such a range of emotions as I read about her life and the people she had killed. From disbelief, to sympathy, to shock and horror: this is one bad-ass lady you wouldn’t want to mess with.
She’s an enigma and I don’t think we ever get to see the true Daphne. She’s too adept at pulling the wool over people’s eyes and just loves to play with others’ feelings. She is very, very clever; like a bored housewife with praying mantis tendencies.
It’s a book that’s well worth reading in order to ‘meet’ Daphne and find out what she’s been up to!
I was sent a copy by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
June 17, 2025
This had a really interesting premise, a podcast about a 90 year old woman who has just confessed to being a serial killer even though she has gotten away with it for 70 years.
I loved the format of this book, it had three parts to it. There was the podcast element that went out and the replies from commenters, these replies seemed really random at the start but it became apparent there was something about them. Then there was the dialogue between Daphne and Ruth (the podcaster), their interactions were really strained at times, this kept me hooked as someone independent of the murders shouldn't have reacted like that. Lastly, there were the memory scenes, I wasn't 100 percent sure if these were included in the podcast released or not, or if these were just for the reader. There was only one bit that made me feel one way over the other over halfway through.
At some points I wasn't sure whether the POV was Daphne or Ruth, only reading a few sentences down did it become clear. While it wasn't long until it was clear to me, reading the first part was jarring and disturbed the flow for me a bit.
I figured out Ruth's story about halfway through as soon as the timing of a death and what was about to happen was given to us, it seemed obvious to me but it had to be spelled out to Ruth in the last few chapters. Maybe the author thought the readers wouldn't have worked it out and needed it spelling out? Apart from this though, how it worked out for Daphne was a very bitter sweet moment, she got what she wanted and she paid for it.
I loved the format of this book, it had three parts to it. There was the podcast element that went out and the replies from commenters, these replies seemed really random at the start but it became apparent there was something about them. Then there was the dialogue between Daphne and Ruth (the podcaster), their interactions were really strained at times, this kept me hooked as someone independent of the murders shouldn't have reacted like that. Lastly, there were the memory scenes, I wasn't 100 percent sure if these were included in the podcast released or not, or if these were just for the reader. There was only one bit that made me feel one way over the other over halfway through.
At some points I wasn't sure whether the POV was Daphne or Ruth, only reading a few sentences down did it become clear. While it wasn't long until it was clear to me, reading the first part was jarring and disturbed the flow for me a bit.
I figured out Ruth's story about halfway through as soon as the timing of a death and what was about to happen was given to us, it seemed obvious to me but it had to be spelled out to Ruth in the last few chapters. Maybe the author thought the readers wouldn't have worked it out and needed it spelling out? Apart from this though, how it worked out for Daphne was a very bitter sweet moment, she got what she wanted and she paid for it.
July 3, 2025
The Six Murders of Daphne St Clair by MacKenzie Common is a mystery novel that tells the story of an old woman who after getting away with murder all her life decides to confess after committing one last murder.
While a majority of the novel is done as an interview for a podcast this is used to the storytelling advantage as there are a number of occasions that sections of the interview which are shown to the readers would not be in the final version.
This is not the usual ums and ahs that are taken out but little bits of the interview which begins to show that while Daphne may have an ulterior motive for the confession, this may also be the case for the podcaster Ruth,
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
In addition to the podcast there are a number of extracts from social media comment sections as well as influencers making money out of the podcast. Almost making the novel a criticism of the true crime genre.
The other major sections of the novel is the life beyond the two main characters while Daphne's section is how her life changes once she confesses the murders.
While the owner of the podcast Ruth shows that there may be more than just failure that has stopped her from being a success in her chosen field.
While The Six Murders of Daphne St Clair by MacKenzieis an intriguing read that is both intriguing and well written the ending may leave readers with a lot of questions
Although this is definitely an issue with the novel it is still worth reading for the right reader.
While a majority of the novel is done as an interview for a podcast this is used to the storytelling advantage as there are a number of occasions that sections of the interview which are shown to the readers would not be in the final version.
This is not the usual ums and ahs that are taken out but little bits of the interview which begins to show that while Daphne may have an ulterior motive for the confession, this may also be the case for the podcaster Ruth,
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
In addition to the podcast there are a number of extracts from social media comment sections as well as influencers making money out of the podcast. Almost making the novel a criticism of the true crime genre.
The other major sections of the novel is the life beyond the two main characters while Daphne's section is how her life changes once she confesses the murders.
While the owner of the podcast Ruth shows that there may be more than just failure that has stopped her from being a success in her chosen field.
While The Six Murders of Daphne St Clair by MacKenzieis an intriguing read that is both intriguing and well written the ending may leave readers with a lot of questions
Although this is definitely an issue with the novel it is still worth reading for the right reader.
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