The Murders of Lillian Ross by Sirena Van Schaik – Review by Hansini Wasalamudalige

The Murders of Lillian Ross by Sirena Van Schaik
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

‘The Murders of Lillian Ross’ by Sirena Van Schaik tells the story of true crime author Allison McKinnon and the web of lies and deception she begins to unravel when given the unprecedented opportunity to write about the mysterious events surrounding the murders committed by Lillian Ross, who has been mum about the deaths until now. If you are faint of heart then this book isn’t for you- it delves into dark and gritty themes and is a visceral encapsulation of the many shades that abuse and violence can take. But that’s not to say that this is a bad thing- quite ironically what might drive readers away from the book is what makes it so great. Van Schaik doesn’t shy away from the horrors of physical, mental and sexual violence and the sombre reality of homelessness, powerlessness, rigid gender roles and our misogynistic society and political structures through her vivid descriptions and exploration into the everlasting and ruining consequences that can flow from such things. The story allows readers to gain perspectives they may not have considered before or may relate to readers who have been in the situations depicted. This examination of confronting subject matter, while provocative and intense, is never exploitative and is levelled with a layer of respect and consideration for anyone who may have undergone similar experiences.

The structure and format adopted by ‘The Murders of Lillian Ross’ is undeniably one of its major strengths. With every chapter opening with a piece of evidence from the murder case and the subsequent trial, Van Schaik gives the audience the tools to piece together what really occurred the night the killings took place and to make inferences in relation to the various players. Through the way that these documents are laid out and written, it is evident that thorough research has been done to give the feel that you are actually reading real police documents or witness testimonies- adding yet another tier of realism to an already authentic story. Furthermore, the book makes expert use of dual timelines and the narrative flows from third person perspective to first person and back again throughout to provide for a deeper insight into the characters and their feelings at certain moments and to give greater context to the characters’ actions and demeanour in the present.

The highlight of ‘The Murders of Lillian Ross’ by far, however, are the rich and fleshed-out characters that Van Schaik has moulded with a finely-tuned chisel and an adept, steady hand. On their own, Allison McKinnon, our resident gutsy and brave true crime author of a protagonist, is a treat to read about and Lillian Ross is a sympathetic, strong and compelling woman whose past is riddled with hardship and anguish. It is their interactions together, however, that really spark the book’s magic. One incarcerated and the other with all the freedom afforded to her, and yet Van Schaik manages to bridge this dichotomy and craft the two women to serve as mirror images of each other- as two sides of the same coin- with how their experiences coincide and intersect. Lillian’s pain and Allison’s ache both leap off the page and cut you to the core when their backgrounds are slowly unearthed with each word read. The book truly is a study that brushes on the universal experiences of women and the frameworks designed to facilitate such occurrences.

Overall, ‘The Murders of Lillian Ross’ is a profound scrutiny of the upper echelons of society and is a gripping story from start to finish that will leave you wanting more.

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