Six Weeks to Live by Catherine McKenzie

☆☆☆☆☆
.ePUB, 283 pages
Expected Publication: June 1st 2021 by Atria Books

About the Book:
Jennifer Barnes never expected the shocking news she received at a routine doctor’s appointment: she has a terminal brain tumor—and only six weeks left to live. While stunned by the diagnosis, the forty-eight-year-old mother decides to spend what little time she has left with her family—her adult triplets and twin grandsons—close by her side. But when she realizes she was possibly poisoned a year earlier, she’s determined to discover who might have tried to get rid of her before she’s gone for good. Separated from her husband and with a contentious divorce in progress, Jennifer focuses her suspicions on her soon-to-be ex. Meanwhile, her daughters are each processing the news differently. Calm medical student Emily is there for whatever Jennifer needs. Moody scientist Aline, who keeps her mother at arm’s length, nonetheless agrees to help with the investigation. Even imprudent Miranda, who has recently had to move back home, is being unusually solicitous. But with her daughters doubting her campaign against their father, Jennifer can’t help but wonder if the poisoning is all in her head—or if there’s someone else who wanted her dead.

My Review:

This is my third book by Catherine McKenzie she never disappoints but this is my favourite so far. This novel comes from a writer who is at the very top of her game. A magnificent book, and it is an excellent example of how to develop a character. And I am proud she is a fellow Canadian. 

I had to force myself to slow down and really savour this. The story, based around a sad, lonely and possibly quite mentally unstable woman called Jennifer. It grows with a slow, steady pace as tense as a stretched wire. McKenzie touches on motherhood, abuse, mental health and fear but the tone is never preachy. The author has an absolute gift for making her characters spring off the page at you.

All of her books have this. She is so clever you feel a connection with some characters even though you are getting quite worried they might be evil. This is what enables her to explore complicated issues in a thoughtful way as she so humanises her characters. Every one of her novels has this lovely sympathy for her characters, despite their flaws. Catherine McKenzie always find their humanity so your response to them is always multi-layered. With every book I read I find She really does seem to just get better and better. Can’t wait for the next one.

Disclosure:
Thank you NetGalley, Catherine McKenzie and Atria Books for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an impartial review; all opinions are my own.

#NetGalley