Odds are you have read a book or watched a movie about a male serial killer who attacks young, beautiful women. This month’s book club pick, Notes on an Execution, takes that story and turns it on its head. The story follows Ansel, a convicted serial killer awaiting execution, his birth mother, his wife’s twin sister, and a detective who is obsessed with solving the case. The novel is a page turner that challenges our cultural interest in violent crime stories and their common tropes. We talked to author Danya Kukafka about her powerful, compassionate new novel.

If you’re reading along with us this month, we want to hear your thoughts! Record yourself on your smartphone and send the file to nerdettepodcast@gmail.com. We can’t wait to hear from you!