Elle Mitchell (1)

I never thought I would say this but the world needs more books about disabled serial killers! There it is, I said it and Elle Mitchell is the writer who convinced me. Her protagonist suffers a chronic form of Ehlers–Danlos syndrome and despite of the crippling pain and joint issues that go with it she decides to become a serial killer. So often in fiction disabled people are used as ciphers for either very good, almost saintly characters or evil monsters but not our Elizabeth. Our show more Elizabeth is not as very nice person but she is not a monster. Our Elizabeth has a life and motivations that we get to srr and understand and while we are at it we get to understand just what living with chronic pain and a largely invisible condition really means in 21st century society and that is not very pretty either.

Congratulation to Elle Mitchell for breaking a couple of moulds and doing it with a style and aplomb that is leavened witha heaped spoonful of humour to make her medicine go down show less

Elle Mitchell's "Another Elizabeth" is a gripping and thought-provoking literary psychological horror novel that pushes the boundaries of fiction. With a unique blend of dark humor, complex characters, and a chilling exploration of the human psyche, Mitchell invites readers into the mind of a deeply flawed and disabled woman driven by a dangerous desire.

The story revolves around Elizabeth, a woman facing a multitude of challenges in her life. Juggling multiple jobs, a devoted boyfriend, show more and a recent diagnosis of Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Elizabeth finds herself unraveling at the seams. Amidst her struggle, she becomes fixated on a promise she made to her younger self: to kill without getting caught. As her body betrays her, she embarks on a dark journey to satiate her urges while desperately maintaining a façade of normalcy. But can she control her desires and limit herself to just one victim?
Elle Mitchell delves deep into the psyche of Elizabeth, presenting readers with a complex and deeply flawed protagonist. Elizabeth's character is captivatingly portrayed, challenging conventional notions of likability and morality. Mitchell skillfully navigates the portrayal of disability, weaving it into the narrative in a way that adds depth and authenticity to Elizabeth's struggles. The exploration of her desires, fears, and the conflict between her outward appearance and inner turmoil creates a compelling and unsettling reading experience.
The dark and graphic nature of "Another Elizabeth" sets it apart from traditional psychological thrillers. Mitchell fearlessly delves into the disturbing aspects of the human psyche without resorting to sexual assault, rape, or animal cruelty, offering readers a chilling story that doesn't rely on gratuitous violence. The author's ability to create tension and suspense through psychological manipulation and Elizabeth's internal struggle is commendable.
The writing style in "Another Elizabeth" is engaging and evocative. Mitchell's vivid descriptions and attention to detail immerse readers in Elizabeth's disturbing world. The pacing is well-crafted, gradually building suspense and allowing readers to unravel the layers of Elizabeth's psyche. The incorporation of dark humor adds a unique flavor to the narrative, creating moments of unexpected levity amidst the darkness.
While "Another Elizabeth" offers a compelling and unsettling reading experience, it may not be suitable for all readers. The dark and graphic nature of the novel, combined with the exploration of a disturbed mind, can be challenging and disturbing for some. Readers should approach this book with an open mind and a willingness to engage with its unsettling themes.
In "Another Elizabeth," Elle Mitchell delivers a captivating and unsettling exploration of the human psyche. With a deeply flawed and complex protagonist, the novel challenges readers' perceptions of morality, normalcy, and the boundaries of human desires. Fans of dark psychological fiction will be engrossed in this thought-provoking and chilling journey.
Prepare to be captivated by the mind of Another Elizabeth—a character whose twisted desires and unraveling facade will leave you questioning the depths of the human psyche long after you turn the final page. show less

Ok, so this is dark stuff. I'm surprised by how well-written this collection of short stories/vignettes was. Sadly, most of it just wasn't for me. Many of the stories went in a way I did not enjoy at all. The writing made me feel icky and uncomfortable, but not in a good way, unfortunately. It reached a point I struggled to pick this book up again.
I also did not care for the miniatures.
This is a 'me thing', though. As I mentioned before, the stories are strongly written. Elle Mitchell is show more certainly a talented writer. Her words in the acknowledgements hit me hard and made me regret even more that this wasn't 'my thing'.
If you like dark, different stuff and can handle dystopian visions full of cannibalism, you might want to check this one out.

I received this free eARC via Librarything's Early Reviewers' program - thanks, LT and author! - in exchange for an honest review. All viewpoints are entirely my own. show less

I didn't really enjoy this book. Each story/poem was incredibly short, and I was not particularly prepared for that. There are sixty-two stories in under 250 pages. I did appreciate that the book was organized by genre. However, I think the author would have benefitted from picking three or four of the ideas from each genre and then expanding on them. I started several of the stories only to feel unsatisfied when they just ended. The speculative and dark fiction sections especially had some show more really interesting ideas that I think could have been expanded into some really fun stories. Instead, I felt like the book was the contents of someone's warm-up journal from a creative writing class that had been lightly edited and rearranged to make some sense. None of the prompts/ideas were really fleshed out. I liked the idea of the miniatures, but in practice they didn't seem particularly successful. I could only see them in black and white, which may have taken away from the intended impact, but I wish the author had spent more effort on fleshing out the stories than on creating and photographing the miniatures. show less