The Thrill of It (Mandy Beaumont, Hachette)

The Thrill of It is the latest crime novel by Mandy Beaumont, author of the Stella Prize–longlisted The Furies. The story follows Emmerson Kerr, whose grandmother was brutally murdered in 1977, and an unnamed man with a driving desire to humiliate and kill older women. The novel fictionalises a spate of murders that took place in Sydney in 1980, committed by a serial killer known as ‘The Granny Killer’. Beaumont takes readers into the mind of a killer whose intense misogyny is complicated by a deep-seated mother complex. The reader is drawn into his dark thoughts, desires, anger and distorted expectations of women and the world. The chapters alternate between Emmerson and the killer, and while their thoughts and actions differ, their tones are surprisingly similar. The other characters also feel somewhat underdeveloped. While we’re told, for example, that Emmerson’s grandmother isn’t who she appeared to be, or that the detective on the case is old-fashioned, these traits aren’t fully explored or carried through in the story. What Beaumont does well is exploring themes of misogyny, sexism, violence against older women, and the importance of trusting your gut. As a writer, she demonstrates a smooth, efficient style that makes The Thrill of It a fast-paced and entertaining read. Fans of Laura Elizabeth Woollett’s Beautiful Revolutionary and Australian crime authors such as Garry Disher and Tom Baragwanath will appreciate this novel.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Danielle Bagnato is a book reviewer and marketing and communications professional. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

Books+Publishing pre-publication reviews are supported by the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund.

Category: Friday Unlocked reviews Reviews