Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! In a spoiler free setting, as always, we are going to be discussing a highly disturbing and difficult to read thriller by Nora Murphy called Ours Is A Tale Of Murder. I read this book in one sitting on my return flight home from Italy and we will dive right into my vacation adventures tomorrow. I didn’t want to forget anything about this book to write the review which is why we’re chatting about it now! Before we begin, I will be placing a massive trigger warning on Ours Is A Tale Of Murder for child abuse, domestic violence, miscarriages, stalking, sexual violence, and cruelty to animals. This is NOT a book for the faint of heart and I advise you to read at your own discretion. You ready? Let’s do this:
Klara is a woman in her mid thirties who is more than happy to be married to her job as a personal injury lawyer. She has her heart set on making partner at her firm this year and that is what she will be focusing all of her time and effort on. Klara recently got out of a long term relationship and the last thing she has on her mind is dating – especially because she is firm on not wanting children. That all changes when she meets Troy at a networking event for other lawyers in the area. Troy has had his sights set on Klara for a long time, she just doesn’t know it and their meeting was anything but a chance encounter. Initially, Klara shrugs Troy’s advances off but, hey, she is single and very lonely and why not date the charming, wealthy man who is trying to woo her?
After their first date, Klara and Troy are inseparable and a whirlwind romance ensues. To Troy, this is exactly what he planned. To Klara, she is feeling smothered but also realizes this might be as good as it gets. Little by little, Troy takes away her life. First it’s her home when he moves in almost immediately. Next goes her friends as he isolates her to the point where she only can depend on him. Finally, comes marriage, the house in the suburbs, and a baby? Yes, Klara is pregnant and she has no idea how it could have possibly happened as she is religious about her birth control routine.
In the suburbs, Klara is pregnant and alone. She no longer works because Troy insisted she doesn’t and spends her days cooped up inside. Sometimes she’ll run an occasional errand or garden in her yard. More often that not, however, she is completely by herself in an empty house. She’s not alone, though, not really. Henry, her odd neighbor is always watching. He knows her routine, he knows when she comes and goes, and most importantly: He knows that Klara is not happy. He could make her happy, though. He’s sure of it. All it will take is removing Troy from the equation and Klara will be all his. She just doesn’t know it yet. There are two men who have made it their mission to have Klara all to themselves. How will she possibly break free from this impossible situation? Read Ours Is A Tale Of Murder to find out!
Okay, let me first start by saying that Ours Is A Tale Of Murder was jacked TF up. It was one of the most difficult and upsetting books I have read in recent memory and there were several parts where I truly didn’t think I could take anymore. Of course, I never start a book without finishing it and here I am now talking to all of you about it. While this book shook me to my absolute core, I genuinely couldn’t have abandoned Klara even though she is an entirely made up character. What she was going through, however, felt so incredibly real – especially as we are living in the increasing times of incel culture and violence against women. And what’s the main rule when you are with a friend? Never, ever leave them.
Ours Is A Tale Of Murder featured a twist that I would have never saw coming from a mile away and I did like that. It also ended on a note that I was more than satisfied with and that was great too. The question is – Was it worth the read? Was it worth the mental anguish with every page? Yes and no. I say “yes” because the plot points felt all too relevant and sometimes you just have to look evil in the eye. I also say “no” because I can wholeheartedly understand why this book causes pain on a cellular level because I experienced it firsthand. This is not me pushing this book one way or the other, I just can’t advise enough to proceed with caution. If anything said in this review would cause you pain to read it then please, please don’t. If you do read it – we will have a lot to discuss together!
Overall, I am going to rate Ours Is A Tale Of Murder with a four out of ten stars. The four stars go to the excellent writing of Nora Murphy, a holy shit twist, and the creation of a character that you want to protect. It was all A LOT, though, even for me and I can’t in good conscience rate it any higher.
Who is your favorite author? What did you think if you read this book? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah
