3 stars

Overall, I enjoyed this book. I didn’t like it as much as New American Best Friend, but it was still a good collection.

The variety of poems is wonderful in their length, style, and topic. Gatwood has a truly remarkable way of seeing the world and expressing this perspective in the written word. She shares experiences and thoughts that are sure to leave their mark on the reader.

My only real issue with the book was the repeated topic of serial killers, true crime, dead women, etc. I understand Gatwood’s motivation to bring up and call out such terrible things, but I think after a while it’s difficult to put a line between criticism and disgusted admiration. The repetition bordered on the latter at times. Again, I understand what she was trying to do, I just think the execution was a bit wanting at times. Moments in this collection felt like memorials to the beauty of dead women, which I don’t think had a place in this collection.

Overall, a good read. A bit problematic at times, but the reader could see her intentions.

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