This book had a lot of secrets going on in it which I did not expect. The book focused more on Angie and her relationships with David and Julian and the parents of both. I wish there had been more written about Nora. I felt like the book was slow and not quite what I expected after reading the synopsis. Overall I the book was good. Does one bad think define us? Can we right our wrongs? Sometimes yes and sometimes no. I give this a 3.5.

This novel is about the burden of secrets and their ability to either bind or rend families. It's told through a devastating killing in a small town as well as a death from a generation earlier. There is heart-wrenching detail about a child going through the criminal justice system. The author's background as an attorney grounds this in reality. It's a well-told story about complicated questions of fault with no easy answers. 4.5 rounded up.
My thanks to the author, publisher, @MacmillanAudio, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook of #Penitence for review purposes. Publication date: Jan. 28, 2025.

This book has been placed in the “mystery” genre but it certainly isn’t a murder mystery. We know very quickly who died in each of the two timelines and who is responsible for the deaths so the mystery is “why” and “how”. This story is very complex and there are so many facets that seem designed to make the reader think about them even after finishing the book. Both timelines offer completely different but engaging stories and there’s a lot to unpack in both. This debut novel is very well written and offers aspects of mystery, complicated family of origin relationships, impossible romance situations, legal drama, ethical dilemma and so much more. So much going on in a fairly short and fast paced novel. I certainly wasn’t bored! I also enjoyed that the story doesn’t have a happy ending - situations like these characters deal with aren’t realistically wrapped up neatly and I appreciate this style of writing. I look forward to future books by this talented author. I listened to the audio version of the book and the narrator was very good - engaging to listen to.

This was an interesting book. A small town murder, the accused is a teenage girl.

The blurb describes it as ‘a poignant exploration of love and forgiveness’. The murder and the trial is downplayed while the story goes deep into the lives, loves and relationships of the characters.

The characters are extremely well developed, thoughts, feelings and memories. There’s a tendency to flit through time so you need to pay attention. There are plenty of characters, and making a list or a family tree wouldn’t hurt.

While the murder / trial / life in juvenile detention aspects were initially the most appealing I did get into the larger story. Yes, it dragged a little in places but there are plenty of captivating moments and it all ties together really well.

Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio

A 13-year-old girl steals her father's gun and intentionally shoots and kills her 13-year-old brother.

The brother, BTW, was recently diagnosed with Huntington's Disease and his prognosis was grim.

A small-town lawyer/family friend is hired to defend the young female protagonist.

What's there not to like?

1) Pacing.
Waaaay too slow.

2) Flowery text.
Not a fan of flowery text.

Although the book's "forgiveness and letting go" premise was ultra-compelling, the book did not work for me.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Thérèse Plummer, one of my favorite narrators.

Even with a Thérèse Plummer narration, I struggled to keep my eyes open.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

2.5 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC in audiobook format.

Penitence

Writing was solid, the storyline followed two deaths, one a deliberate murder, one (years before the other) due to an accident with hidden and transformative implications.

Narration was merely okay. I am a stickler for details and nothing pulls me from a story as when an audiobook narrator makes mistakes in pronunciation, that and pacing IS their JOB. The narrator who was the voice of Anna obviously does not understand the difference between winded (pronounced "wine ded" as in wrapped around), and winded (pronounced "wind ed" as in out of wind) as she used the latter pronunciation incorrectly in the story when the circumstances demanded use of the former. Hopefully this will be corrected prior to general release.

Regarding this story, it was engaging and the legal aspects were well researched, although it was more general fiction than mystery.