The Murders of Lillian Ross by Sirena Van Schaik – Review by Angela Hayes

The Murders of Lillian Ross by Sirena Van Schaik
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5 Stars

“Why do you have to write this?” He had emphasized the last word.
Allison had given no answer. How could she when she didn`t know herself? She’d been writing since she was a child, but after college, she’d focused on true crime. She wasn’t sure why the stories that actually destroyed lives were the ones she longed to put on paper. In the end, she supposed, it was unanswerable. That was her muse and she never felt settled unless she was pursuing a case.
Allison arched her back to remove the knot slowly building in her shoulders, before finding a more comfortable position in the metal chair. She knew who she was going to meet, who she was getting ready to interview, but she still didn’t understand why she’d agreed.
That was the source of her stress. Not the fact that she was going face to face with a criminal. Since launching her true crime career a decade earlier, she had waited in similar rooms for sociopaths and murderers many times. It wasn’t the criminal who made her nervous; it was the fact that this one had sought her out… had begged her to write the story behind her.
A loud click pulled Allison from her thoughts and the door swung open to reveal the guard and her prisoner.
Lillian Ross.
The name seemed ordinary enough; refined even. Yet this was a killer who had coldly murdered two men. Two men who had loved her. Allison wasn’t naive. She was positive the two men had committed sins of their own, but there was nothing that could condone the way Lillian had butchered them.”

The Murders of Lillian Ross by Sirena Van Schaik is a riveting crime story that had me flipping the pages to find out what was going to happen. It is an unexpected little gem of a story- one I am still thinking about long after finishing the final page. This is really well woven- with intensity, complexity, layers, intrigue, a psychological aspect, and so much more.
I am so glad I took a chance on this story, as it really did surprise me in the best possible way! I have also found another author to add to my ‘must read’ list. Having not read an of her work before taking a chance on this book, I am looking forward to stalking her, oops, I mean exploring her catalogue of work, as well as going on a one-click spree.
Allison McKinnon is a well-known true crime writer who has been contacted by a prisoner, Lillian Ross, who was placed on death row for the shocking murders she committed. Normally Allison writes from the victims’ perspective- so this will be the first time she writes from the criminals’ perspective. Lillian has never told her story before, with much speculation and rumours surrounding her case, getting Lillian’s account could make for quite a sensational story. As the interviews unfold, a bigger picture begins to develop, and Allison realises that she shares a lot in common with Lillian. We get a front row seat to it all as the story unravels- and let me tell you, it makes for a fantastic read!
Sirena Van Schaik doesn’t shy away from exploring the darker side of life- and some of the subject matter might trigger some readers (trauma, violence, abuse, murder).
Highly recommended reading!

Thank you, Sirena Van Schaik!

Reviewed by @angelahayes

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