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Marie
Marie has always been a violent girl. She has no remorse for those she kills. Once she takes out her husband, she will have everything she has ever wanted. That is until the pool boy gets in her way. After she kills him, something strange happens. Psychopaths aren't supposed to feel guilt. She doesn't care about anyone. So why is her latest victim haunting her dreams?
Marie is the story of a stunning young woman who is forced to face her own heartlessness.
Marie is the story of a stunning young woman who is forced to face her own heartlessness.
60 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 30, 2020
2 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
May 2, 2020
I really enjoyed Marie. Told from the point of view of a killer (which I love!), this is a fascinating look at a female killer who is used to getting her own way! I found many of her observations to be darkly humorous and I enjoyed the journey this character went on in the book, I felt it was fresh and unpredictable! I found this book beautifully dark, and an interesting take on the serial killer thriller with a perfect ending! Nice one, Sara!
July 5, 2020
Indie author Sara Flower Kjeldsen has regaled us with a story of a femme fatale named Marie. Beautiful, intelligent, empty inside, and deadly beyond all reckoning, this is a character with whom you would not normally bond with.
The characterization is much more chilling since the story plays out in first person. We see Marie’s thoughts and lack of emotion from a formative event in her youth right up to her thirties.
The most telling quote in this novella is —My heart isn’t cold, it’s empty— defines the character and makes her journey compelling.
With a hint of Edgar Allan Poe‘s The Telltale Heart, readers will not only consume this story in one sitting, they might just learn to love Marie on their way.
The characterization is much more chilling since the story plays out in first person. We see Marie’s thoughts and lack of emotion from a formative event in her youth right up to her thirties.
The most telling quote in this novella is —My heart isn’t cold, it’s empty— defines the character and makes her journey compelling.
With a hint of Edgar Allan Poe‘s The Telltale Heart, readers will not only consume this story in one sitting, they might just learn to love Marie on their way.
August 2, 2020
Spine Tingling From The Start
The hairs on the back of my neck were rising as early as the fourth sentence. And by the 12th sentence I knew that Sara Kjeldsen would be taking us on a violent and brutal ride seen through the eyes of her titular character, Marie.
And what a ride it is, as Marie's merciless nature unfolds from that first insight into her love of inflicting pain, when she's just four-years-old.
Fast forward to now, when she's 30. We witness the plight of a baby bunny at her hands while she's sitting by her swimming pool And somehow it comes as no surprise when this beautiful, but psychotic lady turns her attention to a young boy at least eight years her junior.
Sadism and cruelty play a large part in this short story/novella (I'm not really sure which category this tale falls into). Mix that with a considerable amount of dark humour, and you think you know where this story's going.
But, just as Marie goes for the kill with her victims, I somehow got the imnpression that Sara Kjeldsen was toying with us...her willing victims who choose to read this excellent product of her imagination (at least, I hope it's her imagination, and that she's not writing about something she knows about from first hand!)...before delivering the coup de grace.
Without giving spoilers away, all I'll say here about plot development, is that unexpected but perfectly believable events mean that Marie is forced to face her sadistic nature.
The concept, story and character really deserve five stars, but I'm dropping a star for a number of passages which tell what's happening, rather than showing. That technique isn't necessarily taboo if done as part of a plot device. But, I'd have preferred to see these particular events unfold before my eyes instead of being put in my brain. However, that's just my personal opinion. Other readers may disagree.
Overall, though, a thoroughly enjoyable book, and one which I recommend for some harmless escapism.
The hairs on the back of my neck were rising as early as the fourth sentence. And by the 12th sentence I knew that Sara Kjeldsen would be taking us on a violent and brutal ride seen through the eyes of her titular character, Marie.
And what a ride it is, as Marie's merciless nature unfolds from that first insight into her love of inflicting pain, when she's just four-years-old.
Fast forward to now, when she's 30. We witness the plight of a baby bunny at her hands while she's sitting by her swimming pool And somehow it comes as no surprise when this beautiful, but psychotic lady turns her attention to a young boy at least eight years her junior.
Sadism and cruelty play a large part in this short story/novella (I'm not really sure which category this tale falls into). Mix that with a considerable amount of dark humour, and you think you know where this story's going.
But, just as Marie goes for the kill with her victims, I somehow got the imnpression that Sara Kjeldsen was toying with us...her willing victims who choose to read this excellent product of her imagination (at least, I hope it's her imagination, and that she's not writing about something she knows about from first hand!)...before delivering the coup de grace.
Without giving spoilers away, all I'll say here about plot development, is that unexpected but perfectly believable events mean that Marie is forced to face her sadistic nature.
The concept, story and character really deserve five stars, but I'm dropping a star for a number of passages which tell what's happening, rather than showing. That technique isn't necessarily taboo if done as part of a plot device. But, I'd have preferred to see these particular events unfold before my eyes instead of being put in my brain. However, that's just my personal opinion. Other readers may disagree.
Overall, though, a thoroughly enjoyable book, and one which I recommend for some harmless escapism.
July 8, 2020
i really enjoyed this book! told from the pov of the serial killer herself, this was such an interesting read!
May 9, 2020
This was a great short read on a sunny afternoon! I really enjoyed Marie's observations and I liked the overall darkness and tone of the book!
August 3, 2020
2.5 stars
The writing was all right, but I feel this book would have benefited first from a bit more editing, and second--a bit more story.
I really didn't like Marie as a character (for reasons that should be obvious to anyone who reads the story) and so I didn't find her growth to be particularly meaningful or well-executed. She was vain, cruel, and self-serving all the way through; a complete sociopath. So when she suddenly starts caring about other people and things, it felt stilted and abrupt. Perhaps, had this been more novel-length, this might have been a stronger read for me.
Sadly, it wasn't, but I give the author points for effort.
The writing was all right, but I feel this book would have benefited first from a bit more editing, and second--a bit more story.
I really didn't like Marie as a character (for reasons that should be obvious to anyone who reads the story) and so I didn't find her growth to be particularly meaningful or well-executed. She was vain, cruel, and self-serving all the way through; a complete sociopath. So when she suddenly starts caring about other people and things, it felt stilted and abrupt. Perhaps, had this been more novel-length, this might have been a stronger read for me.
Sadly, it wasn't, but I give the author points for effort.
August 3, 2020
I'll be honest...I didnt like this book in the slightest. Only because it was short did I power through it and even then...I hated Marie too much, found far too little to sympathize with her on, in order to root for her.
I suppose this just wasn't for me. Dont know if I'll ever read anything by this author again, but we'll see.
I suppose this just wasn't for me. Dont know if I'll ever read anything by this author again, but we'll see.
June 21, 2020
A short, sharp literary shock
Sara Kjeldsen delivers again, this time in the form of the beautiful, psychotic Marie. I read this in one day. An excellent offering from a stylish and always innovative author.
Sara Kjeldsen delivers again, this time in the form of the beautiful, psychotic Marie. I read this in one day. An excellent offering from a stylish and always innovative author.
January 8, 2021
One of the finest novellas I have ever read.
'Marie' sees Sara Kjeldsen effectively redefine the femme fatale. This quick read is filled with darkness, deliciousness and an unexpected depth of character which, quite frankly, is one of the take away highlights of 'Marie'.
Following the titular character from a first-person perspective, the reader is taken on a journey through a turbulent period in Marie's life.
We start with a cold, calculating Marie: 'I can't be a true queen until I kill the king.' She is the archetypal femme fatale. 'The darkness is where I feel most comfortable. I am home there.'
But through her actions, which I won't reveal (you'll have to read it yourself!), things start to change in the way Marie sees the world. 'There is something very wrong with me, but it doesn't feel half bad.'
Ultimately, the events described in the story lead to Marie questioning herself: 'I wonder why I was born to be so different.'
The result is stark, surprising and quite superbly written.
Sara Kjeldsen has done something very, very special here.
I cannot recommend this book enough. If I could give it six stars, I would.
'Marie' sees Sara Kjeldsen effectively redefine the femme fatale. This quick read is filled with darkness, deliciousness and an unexpected depth of character which, quite frankly, is one of the take away highlights of 'Marie'.
Following the titular character from a first-person perspective, the reader is taken on a journey through a turbulent period in Marie's life.
We start with a cold, calculating Marie: 'I can't be a true queen until I kill the king.' She is the archetypal femme fatale. 'The darkness is where I feel most comfortable. I am home there.'
But through her actions, which I won't reveal (you'll have to read it yourself!), things start to change in the way Marie sees the world. 'There is something very wrong with me, but it doesn't feel half bad.'
Ultimately, the events described in the story lead to Marie questioning herself: 'I wonder why I was born to be so different.'
The result is stark, surprising and quite superbly written.
Sara Kjeldsen has done something very, very special here.
I cannot recommend this book enough. If I could give it six stars, I would.
November 11, 2021
Marie is a stunning killer, classy, smart, and determined. If you look from her point of view, she killed an intruder who disturbed her peace. She feels trapped in a golden cage and her problems with rage affect her mind. Visiting a mental hospital, she is aware of this, but she will not give up on her aim, to kill her husband.
The author wrote in a way to make the reader feels like in the movie, talking in the first person, she tries to wake up empathy for Marie even she is a cruel and heartless killer.
I read this book in one breath and I will read more from this author.
The author wrote in a way to make the reader feels like in the movie, talking in the first person, she tries to wake up empathy for Marie even she is a cruel and heartless killer.
I read this book in one breath and I will read more from this author.
August 8, 2021
I found this novella to be a gripping read.
Marie was definitely a character that I felt mixed emotions for, in the beginning she was an entitled so and so without an ounce of empathy and yet somehow I felt drawn to her, she soon became a character that I liked in a love hate kind of way.
I liked the unpredictability of the story and I loved it that hero was the one to bring out human emotions.
I really enjoyed the book and would highly recommend.
Marie was definitely a character that I felt mixed emotions for, in the beginning she was an entitled so and so without an ounce of empathy and yet somehow I felt drawn to her, she soon became a character that I liked in a love hate kind of way.
I liked the unpredictability of the story and I loved it that hero was the one to bring out human emotions.
I really enjoyed the book and would highly recommend.
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July 6, 2023This was a good book, but I wish it was longer and gave me more details about why Marie wanted or became a killer.
July 30, 2025
Such an interesting twist on the serial killer story. It’s worth reading! Check it out 😊 Perfect for any fans of horror tropes with a great, unique twist on them
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews