The Revenge List by Hannah Mary McKinnon

Welcome, or Welcome back! My name is Amanda and this is where I share spoiler-free book reviews and other bookish things. Not every book is my cup of tea – and that’s ok. Even if I didn’t like it, I attempt to find readers that would. Thanks for visiting. Let’s get Smitten For Fiction.

I read Sister Dear in 2020 and gave it three stars. I then read You Will Remember Me in 2021 and gave it four stars. The Revenge List is my third read by McKinnon. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a digital advance copy.

“The Revenge List checks all the boxes of what a thriller should be. Brilliant premise? Check. Mounting tension? Check. Jaw-dropping twist? Double-check. I couldn’t put it down!” — Riley Sager, New York Times bestselling author of The House Across the Lake

About The Book 📚

Title: The Revenge List

Author: Hannah Mary McKinnon

Publication Date: May 23, 2023

Publisher: MIRA

Genre: Mystery

Pages: 368

Content Warnings: sexual assault, death of a loved one, grief, addiction, alcoholism, stalking, car accident, death of a parent, murder, gaslighting, cancer, emotional abuse, infertility, infidelity, misogyny, medical content, fire

PG-13 Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

About The Author

Also publishes books under the name Holly Cassidy
Born in the UK, grew up in Switzerland, and moved to Canada in 2010
First novel: Time After Time
www.HannahMaryMcKinnon.com
www.twitter.com/HannahMMcKinnon
Instagram – www.instagram.com/HannahMaryMcKinnon
Facebook – ww.facebook.com/hannahmarymckinnon

My Review

› The Revenge List begins with Frankie trapped in a vehicle with a man, flying through the air off a cliff. Just before they slam into the ground, the story flashes back to ten days ago.

› It’s October in Portland, Maine. Frankie is a thirty-three-year-old, Construction Project Manager, and crime novel fan with a horrible temper. She is selfish and treats everyone around her like crap, including her father, Finn, who is her boss. Frankie’s mother died almost twenty years ago. Her brother Rico is gay and married to Noa. They have a daughter named Azumi. After losing her temper at work yet again, Finn convinces Frankie to attend anger management sessions. At the first session, she was asked to make a “forgiveness list”.

Frankie’s Forgiveness List:

– The bastard who killed my mother
– Finn Morgan (Frankie’s father)
– Edith Bryant (nosy neighbour)
– Chelsea Fischer (school bully)
– Adrian Costas (high school boyfriend)
– Tyler Vance (college colleague)
– Trina Smith (former work colleague)
– Patrick Davies (slimeball)
– Shay Callan (unknown)
– Geraldina (anger management counsellor)
– Frankie Morgan (past self is who she hated most)

› At this first session, she meets a cute guy. They bail on the session early to go for a coffee. After Frankie catches him going through her purse, she leaves and takes an Uber home where she discovers she lost her notebook with her Forgiveness List.

› Horrible accidents start happening to the people on Frankie’s list. Her Forgiveness List has become a Revenge List.

› I rate reviews based on the CAWPILE method
0-3 Really bad
4-6 Mediocre
7-9 Really good
10 Outstanding

› Characters: 4
I don’t feel like Frankie’s actions are justified. I didn’t like any of the characters. They are all selfish and immature. The characters needed more development.

› Atmosphere: 4
Good description, but I didn’t feel anything.

› Writing Style: 4
Many instances of repetitiveness, and unrealistic dialogue.

› Plot: 4
Ridiculous. I really did not like the ending. It was convenient and lacked closure.

› Intrigue: 4

› Logic: 5

› Enjoyment: 5

Average 4.3

1.1-2.2 = ★
2.3-4.5 = ★★
4.6-6.9 = ★★★
7-8.9 = ★★★★
9-10 = ★★★★★

My Rating ★★

› Final Thoughts
• Filled with spite, secrets, and lies, The Revenge List is a dark, twisted, bizarre anger management exercise gone awry. I think fans of the Finlay Donovan series will enjoy this one.