Notes on an ExecutionNotes on an Execution
What it's about
Ansel Packer is on death row in Texas for murder, with twelve hours left to live. He's planning to escape. As his final hours tick by, the novel tells his life through the women around it: his young mother, who fled; a girl he grew up with in foster care who became a detective; and the twin sister of his wife.
Why it's worth reading
It won the Edgar Award for best mystery novel and was a Goodreads Choice finalist. It turns the serial-killer story around, putting the victims and survivors at the center.
You'll love it if you liked
The Executioner's Song
A Lesson Before Dying
All the Colors of the DarkGood to know
It's literary rather than a thriller. There's violence against women and children, though not graphic.
By the numbers
- Readers38 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics49 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller24 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz37 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #211 of the 555 mysteries and thrillers we rank
- #252 of the 481 new books we rank
- #1440 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Gripping
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Quick answers
Is Notes on an Execution worth reading?
Yes. It won the Edgar Award for best mystery novel and was a Goodreads Choice finalist. It ranks #1,440 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 68.8 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Notes on an Execution about?
Ansel Packer is on death row in Texas for murder, with twelve hours left to live. He's planning to escape. As his final hours tick by, the novel tells his life through the women around it: his young mother, who fled; a girl he grew up with in foster care who became a detective; and the twin sister of his wife.
How long does it take to read Notes on an Execution?
About 8 hours (306 pages), or about 2 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What awards has Notes on an Execution won?
Edgar Award winner (2023).
What should I read after Notes on an Execution?
If you liked it, try The Executioner's Song by Norman Mailer, A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines or All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker.