I liked Little Deaths and what it sets out to do. Ruth Malone is a mother and our introduction to her in the start of the book perhaps does not present her in the best light, and in some ways sets the tone of the book: should we be so quick to judge based on what we think we know from appearance and lifestyle?
She is abrupt with her kids, dresses provocatively and lives a life of largesse, visiting clubs and staying out late. She likes a drink. She does not fit the mould of what a mother “should” be. But does this mean that she’s a bad mother and does this mean that she would harm her children?
When her son and daughter disappear, Ruth is immediately under suspicion. When they are found dead, this is heightened as her unorthodox lifestyle makes her an easy target. Divorced, her husband, Eddie, is a solid provider, steady and ordinary, who loves his children and was, before their disappearance, vying for their custody. We learn of Ruth’s tricky relationship with her own mother, their bearing and attitude to life very different, Ruth appearing to be rebellious and disproving of her mother’s ways and vice versa. Ruth has had multiple lovers and is attractive, having an allure that men find difficult to resist, this shown most plainly in the obsession that Pete Wonicke, a reporter, develops when investigating the story.
The lack of evidence leads nowhere conclusive, as the book is set in 1965 where there would be less forensic input. Despite this, the police, especially a cop called Devlin, are gunning for her, his pursuit of her conviction relentless. Pete, in contrast, is convinced of her innocence but as he harbours feelings for her himself, is he unbiased in his assumption that she didn’t do it?
The narrative has an intensity to it throughout. Ruth is never really known and her ability to enthrall men comes from her need to be wanted. There is a sense that she does not want to be alone. I found Wonicke’s obsession did not, to me, feel fully realised in the book: its depiction lacked a believability for me and I think was disappointing and created a disengagement from the text.
However, this character study and the way that Flint pokes at our perceptions is interesting. You don’t like Ruth but is she a killer?
Scuffed Granny 