***Trigger warning- abuse, murder, contentious political opinions

Dawson’s Guillotine follows fashion designer hopeful Dez, who’s playing would-be beau Patrick Ruskin in order to meet his mother. Marie Caulfield-Ruskin is editor-in-chief of the prestigious Nouveau magazine, and Dez desperately wants an internship. But an invitation to the Island, the ancestral home of Patrick’s family becomes a crucible for Dez, bringing her face to face with a horrifying secret and a most satisfying retribution.

Reading Guillotine was quite a visceral experience. I’m not normally all for the gore in horror, preferring subtle psychological horror. In the case of the Ruskins though, oh I can make an exception. As I learned about each of the Ruskins’ horrid deeds and the even worse secret the Island harbors, I was actually cheering the servants (slaves) on. They were definitely going for vengeance, not justice, but sometimes vengeance is warranted… Especially if the people who committed the crimes in question are unlikely to even admit to doing anything wrong.

These people raped, molested, abused, murdered and more, thinking it their right, thinking they are uber privileged. Given the chance to do some introspection and self-exploration, to face the crimes they committed and apologize with true sincerity, each Ruskin tried to instead bribe or bully their way free. It really was so satisfying to see the realization they could not avoid comeuppance.

Given the current political BS in the US, as well as the death of the UnitedHealth CEO, this read was extra satisfying. I’m usually a quite forgiving person. Or was, anyway. The first Rump years, the COVID pandemic, and the looming second Rump term have soured this philosopher on humanity. Three things could, technically, garner the death penalty – treason, murder… and rape. (The latter no longer does of course, not since 1977.) If you knowingly cause or assist in causing the deaths of hundreds or thousands of people, that makes you a mass murderer in my eyes. It does not matter how many steps removed in the process you are.

The author mentioned in the forward, about the story being cathartic to write, regarding abuse. For flavours of abuse, neglect, violence, and the entitled behaviour of the rich, both directly and indirectly experienced, reading Guillotine was cathartic to read as well. Highly recommended.

***Many thanks to Netgalley & Titan Books for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.