Like a really good Lifetime movie

This book was almost a 3 star review for me, but the ending redeemed it. I got to the last few chapters thinking, “Oh come ON”, and then the author makes a pretty bold choice that I think worked out beautifully.

Grace Bradshaw has been on death row for 17 years for murdering her infant son. She has maintained her innocence, but her trial painted the picture of a mom driven by a relentless need for attention, and she was convicted of poisoning him. Her older daughter, Sophie, visited Grace for a few years but cut ties at 18 and has not seen or spoken to Grace since. And Grace’s beloved husband fought to his end to prove her innocence — until he died of a heart attack at the kitchen table.

Now, Grace’s execution date looms closer and she’s desperate to make contact with Sophie. Meanwhile, Sophie has completely reinvented herself — she claims both of her parents have died, she’s married a wealthy doctor and she’s living a dream life in the suburbs. But she’s spent her whole life trying to reconcile her memories of her wonderful, caring mother with the evil murderess from the trial — and the cracks are beginning to show. When her mother’s lawyer finally contacts her, she gets dragged back into her mother’s trial while trying to maintain the illusion of the perfect housewife.

Parts of this book definitely verge on the sappy — in addition to Grace’s journaling to her daughter, there’s also a subplot where Sophie wants to adopt a special needs child (we get it — Sophie’s not a bad person for lying!). But the legal stuff is interesting, and I was propelled on by the desire to know what actually happened. I also really liked the character of the lawyer — he was one of the best parts of the novel.