Getting Rid of Ian by Penelope James

“It would not be a mortal sin,” and Aunt Carlota chews her words to make them sound important, “if someone mur-der-ed that man.” From postwar England to 1950s Mexico City, an exuberant memoir about adult misconduct, craziness, and how two young girls turn the tables on their crazy stepfather. Pennie, the knowing child. Dreams up schemes to do away with Ian using homemade poison, pills, witchcraft, and voodoo. Anne, younger sister. Hates Ian, and will do whatever it takes to get rid of him. Mummy. Beautiful, desperate, plane crash survivor. Defies the Catholic Church, her family and society to marry Ian. Daddy. Retired Royal Navy Commander, turned inventor of “things.” Ian. Pill-popping stepfather, war hero, household tyrant, losing his marbles. “Once the idea is in my head to get rid of Ian, it sticks there. The thought follows me around, reminding me we can do it and get away with it.”