This may be a masterpiece, will have to read it all to know for sure. There's a harshness the it that is very much in place.

I utterly loved this short extract. It immediately sucked the reader in given context and background whilst also leaving the reader hungry for more.

I felt like the story did an interesting job of creating intrigue whilst also commenting on the dehumanising and voyeuristic nature of the True Crime obssession.

From this extract, I was reminded of True Crime Story by Joseph Knox and the way that narratives didn't always align and all of the components worked together to slowly create a picture of what actually happened.

Clark has a captivating way of writing and I am excited for this book to be released so I can devour the rest of the book.

can't wait for this - seems electric, thrilling, and upsetting. boy parts is a hard debut to live up to, but high hopes!

Colour me hooked!
I've not read Boy Parts, so I've nothing to compare this extract to in terms of writing style. But on the strength of this extract alone, I 100% want to read the rest of the book. This was compelling and intriguing; I really want to see where it takes us.

i got to read an excerpt from this and it has made me the most impatient person ever i need to read this book SO BAD PLEASE

Non-fiction is not my usual go-to, but when I saw Eliza Clark, I knew I was in for something good.

I was not disappointed. Despite knowing the details of the murder - I remember talking about it in class, I was the victim’s age at the time - I was enraptured from the offset. Clark made old information feel new, and harrowing as ever.

I tend to avoid true crime, I find it unsavoury. Insensitive. But Clark’s commentary reassures me that what follows will be nuanced, and incredibly written at that.

I am very much looking forward to reading it.

Loved this! Penance is so engrossing so far and I am very much looking forward to reading the whole novel!

I read Boy Parts last year, and though it wasn’t a hit for me, I respected Clark’s skillful writing and commitment to the horrific. This extract of Penance is a surprise in subject, but not in tone. Clark’s debut also did not shy from the grisly, gory, and frightening. These elements were my favourite in Boy Parts, and part of the reason I still enjoyed it, despite struggling with the narrative voice and main character. However, I am surprised but the true crime journalistic approach to the story, despite the alluded twist that our narrator cannot be trusted. The hook of our main character having nothing to lose, and all the more to gain from putting together a compelling and sickening story about the murder of Joan Wilson from an unexplored, uniquely suited perspective sounds like the perfect setup for a terrifying, twisty read. I am definitely curious about what Penance has in store, and more than a bit apprehensive - which I think is just how Clark wants us to feel.

Yes! Loved this extract! Very dark and eight up my street. Can't wait to read the full story when it's out!

Exactly the kind of dark, compelling excerpt I would expect from Eliza Clark. I can't resist a true crime pastiche novel, and I cannot WAIT to read Penance in full.

I loved this extract--it's smart, compelling, and visceral. Looking forward to reading the whole book.

I haven't read Boy Parts (yet), so I don't know how this new novel compares to it. But this extract was very promising and compelling indeed! I'm looking forward to the reading the whole book!

I got the chance to read a preview of Penance and it instantly captured me. I’m a big fan of a strong narrator’s voice and although it’s a dark and disturbing start, I can tell it’s going to be right up my street. Looking forward to the publication in July to read the rest!

This was one of the best opening samplers I have read, wasted no time in grabbing my attention and holding it throughout. Even though this was just a short section I could immediately get a feel for the style and the story. It pulls no punches, this was a grim crime indeed but of course I want to know more about Girls A, B and C as well as Joni. Cannot wait for the full story!

I love the narrator’s voice. It’s reminiscent of the narrator in Matt Wesolowski’s Six Stories series which I love. The fictional true crime angle is brilliant and I will definitely be buying Penance when it comes out. Will be looking up Eliza Clark’s other books too

So excited to get into this properly, the premise sounds fantastic and the extract only made me more desperate for the full book!

Consider me super intrigued! I loved Boy Parts and I cannot wait to get my hands on a copy of Penance!

Eliza Clark has a distinct and addictive voice, and since I read her piece in the latest Granta I've been keen to explore more of her work. After reading this excerpt, I eagerly anticipate the full version (and Boy Parts). Thank you to NetGalley for this advance except, given in exchange for an honest review.

Wahhh!! This has got me so excited to read the entire book...hooked straight away and itching to read more....
I think this book is going to be so hugely popular, I love the writing, and the story has tempted me to get this as soon as I can lay my hands on it in full

This extract starts by outlining a very shocking, upsetting and grisly story with an apparently unsympathetic journalist who only wants to revive his career as a true crime writer. I am generally uneasy with true crime, especially when survivors and families are still alive so it would be interesting to see if the book addresses such issues.

At first I thought I would not like a book like this but I do think I would read on after this extract to try to understand what would make these girls do what they did.

it is hard to give a rating on just a short extract but I will go in the middle with a 3.