Book Review: Notes on an Execution by Danya Kukafka
Every so often, a novel comes along that challenges the conventions of its genre—and Notes on an Execution does just that. I picked this up expecting a tense psychological thriller focused on a man awaiting his execution. What I got instead was something quieter, more reflective, and far more emotionally layered than I anticipated.
Ansel Packer, the man at the centre of this story, is counting down the final twelve hours of his life. But this isn’t his story—not really. Danya Kukafka turns the lens on three women: Lavender, Hazel, and Saffy. Their lives intersected with Ansel’s long before his final day, and their voices shape the real narrative.
Lavender’s sections were especially moving for me—there’s something deeply raw and tender in the way Kukafka captures her pain. Hazel and Saffy bring a different kind of weight to the story, each offering a distinct lens through which to view Ansel’s legacy.
The writing is sharp and lyrical, often beautiful, and Kukafka excels at building an atmosphere of quiet dread. That said, the novel’s deliberate pacing may not be for everyone. At times, I found myself wishing for more urgency or clarity around certain turning points. But perhaps that’s part of the point: this isn’t a thriller built on twists—it’s a slow unraveling of impact.
What sets Notes on an Execution apart is its refusal to centre the killer. Kukafka questions why we so often look to understand men like Ansel, and instead amplifies the voices of those he hurt or shaped. It’s thoughtful, intelligent, and offers a refreshingly humane alternative to the usual crime narrative.
It didn’t completely blow me away, but it did linger. And for that alone, it’s well worth the read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Four reflective, quietly powerful stars)
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Kelly Lacey & Love Books Tours 
Excellent review.
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Wow, thank you xx
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