Two women

Susan McNamara never had an easy life. Born into an extremely violent family, her childhood was marked by brutal beatings. Despised by her mother, she was a constant victim of her father, who abused her. At 13, Susan met Barry Dalston, a tough boy who was very popular among the students at St. Jude's School. From that moment on, she would never be the same. Like many girls her age, she wasn't exactly pretty. In fact, except for her smile, her face was unattractive. But Barry Dalston became interested in the plain girl when he learned she was the daughter of Joey McNamara—a violent and respected mobster. After all, all the boy wanted was power and status—at any cost. Marriage to Barry resurrected childhood ghosts. Susan became easy prey for her husband's violence. As if in a terrible nightmare, she saw her husband as a perfect replica of her father. Until, in an extreme act of desperation, Susan attacks him—152 hammer blows, which land her behind bars. Even in death, Barry Dalston continues to be her tormentor. When she is imprisoned alongside Matilda Enderby, Susan realizes that their destinies are forever linked. And no one—not even the two women—could have guessed the consequences... "Fiction with style and vigor." THE TIMES