I was immediately grabbed by the title and cover and was so pleased to have been able to download it straight away. Within a couple of pages, I was hooked and read this in two sittings. It is written in a clever way, partly as the story progresses but also with podcast episodes, chats and the honest truth from Daphne St Clair.
Daphne has just called the police and confessed to being a serial killer, a woman with many identities and a life of crime spanning decades. The truth and timeline of her life and these murders is shared via podcast with Ruth. Ruth doesn’t know just what this will cost her but she is engrossed in the story and the traction her podcast is gaining. People are obsessed with Daphne and while some rightly view her as a murderer, others are more sympathetic to her tough start in life and her ability to fend for herself, especially when it is discovered that her first two victims were horrible, wife beaters. Perhaps she was right to rid the world of their terror.
Regardless, as the story of Daphne’s life continues, there is so much depth to her and so much she does for her children and their futures.
Ruth is also hiding a secret, that slowly emerges as she spends more time with Daphne. Their stories cross paths and Ruth is awaiting the moment when Daphne admits to a secret murder…but what will the outcome be?
Threats, stalkers, bold police behaviour and sleepless nights rock Ruth’s world and she is torn between finding the truth and being deemed sympathetic to a serial killer.
This was an intense story and one that I absolutely adored. Daphne is a formidable character and her life through the decades is incredible, so too are how and why she murdered so many!
Not quite cosy crime but I was certainly hooked and needed to discover more! Absolutely brilliant!

I devoured in one sitting The Six Murders of Daphne St Clair by MacKenzie Common.

I loved everything about this book. The artwork on the book cover commanded my attention - the stylish 1950s red twin-set, elegant white gloves with just a splash of blood. The title itself had me hooked - I wanted to know more about Daphne St Clair!

The book opens boldly with 90 year Daphne St Clair confessing to killing her beau in her care home. Not only did she murder him, but she admits to being a serial killer.

The police don’t really know what to do with Daphne, they need to investigate, but they also need to find a facility suitable to her needs. So, she is placed under house arrest. During her confinement, she enlists Ruth Robinson, a down at heel journalist, to create a podcast on her life and murders.

The story moves along at pace covering Daphne’s life through the Great Depression, World War II, the stylish 1950s, the swinging 1960s, the disco-era 1970s, the 1980s and through to the present day. She survived life in the Dustbowl in the Depression and learned at a young age that you have to do what you have to do to stay alive.

The format of the book is interview transcripts from Ruth’s interviews with Daphne, as well as from the point of view of Daphne and Ruth - both of whom are holding back truths. It also features social media posts as the news of Daphne and the success of the podcast grow - and in the age of social media everyone has an opinion on Daphne.

I devoured the story in one sitting - I just had to understand why Daphne at 90 years of age confesses. She was a survivalist who evolved into a successful serial killer, in that she hadn’t got caught. Why would a successful serial killer confess? I just had to know why.

This book will keep you on the edge of your seat.

I can’t wait to read more books by MacKenzie Common!

Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Headline, for making this e-ARC available to me in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Anyone with a grandmother should read this book.
The writing is sharp, the structure inventive, and the story had me questioning my own morals more than once.
Daphne’s character arc is flawlessly executed, and Ruth ties everything together in a way that feels both powerful and personal. I adored the subtle nods to fashion and evolving womanhood across generations.
It’s realistic, resonant, and I’m still thinking about the core message long after turning the last page.

I loved this book.. It is both dark and delicious and really is an interesting read.

Daphne confesses to being a serial killer and Ruth, podcaster is the one to tell Daphnes story.

I loved the modernity of this book and the two women wer great characters. I loved that Daphne was too old to really be worried about confessing and the story unfolded beautifully

It's the biography of Daphne St Clair aged ninety. It's like a historical drama reflecting how times and attitudes to women have changed over the decades. I found it interesting and enjoyable.

Excellent read, when a Ninety year old confesses to murders of several men in her life well there is a story to tell and Ruth gets the task, well to listen and report. Plus why confess now?

So Ruth does she have her own secrets she certainly has troubles but she gets the chance of her live to change everything or does she. The podcast is a hit and the story we read is fantastically well put together. The history of Daphne is Intense and well the start is one thing the unfolding may not be what you expect well it would be boring if it was and this is not boring I highly recommend this.

There are a lot of characters those from Daphnes life and several from Ruth that add spice and suspense to this tale. So all I can add is why not get it I think you'll be pleased you did.

Daphne St Clair is 90, and lives in a care home.

Ruth Robinson wants to be a true crime podcaster.

And Ruth is the person Daphne chooses to bring her story to the outside world...

Daphne is a killer...

But is she telling the truth? And is what Ruth is presenting the truth?

Excellent