Book Title: The Registration (a Novel) by Madison Lawson
Category: Adult Fiction (18 +), 320 pages
Genre: Thriller
Publisher: CamCat Books
Release date: September 2022
Content Rating: PG-13 + M. There is violence, including a torture scene, and some language, as well as mention of domestic violence, abuse, murder, and abortions.
You can’t outrun the Registration.
Imagine it’s legal to commit one murder in your lifetime⎯if you Register the victim and accomplish the kill within fourteen days. So when Lynell Mize stands in line to Register the man who abused her as a child, she’s shocked to hear a stranger Register her to be killed. Why would anyone who doesn’t know her squander his one legal murder on her? Desperate to survive the next two weeks, she must find out who wants to kill her⎯and why.
Easier said than done as Lynell soon discovers that multiple strangers have used their Registration on her. Along the way, she reunites with her estranged husband who is determined to dig up a past Lynell prefers to keep buried. With only days left to live, Lynell fights to uncover the truth and survive a destiny not of her choosing.
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Author Madison Lawson writes speculative fiction novels full of suspense, social commentary, and complex relationships. She has published a dozen short stories, many of which won awards such as the Koresh Award and the Gordone Award. She received her B.A. in English from Texas A&M University and is currently earning her M.A. in English at North Carolina State University. Born and raised in a small Texas town, Madison began escaping through reading and writing as soon as she could.
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Guest Post by Author Madison Lawson: Creating Character Backgrounds
As both a reader and a writer, I prefer books that are character driven. I like falling in love with a character, getting to know them, and rooting for them in whatever situation they’re in. One of the reasons I love the Will Trent series by Karin Slaughter is that I adore Will himself. Yes, the writing is good, the mysteries are complex, and the genre is my favorite, but if Will wasn’t the main character, I wouldn’t love the books as much as I do.
So, why are some characters better than others? I would argue that a major reason is how much the author knows about them. A multidimensional character has a background. They have a childhood and trauma and fears and hopes and dreams. They have a personality type and a family. They have strengths and weaknesses. These things don’t need to be in the book, but if the author knows them, it’ll show.
Creating my characters is a long process full of information that is often never told to the readers. Rather than explaining the process, I’m going to share (part) of the character chart I created for Lynell, the protagonist of The Registration.
Character’s full name: Lynell Ellie Mize
Character’s nickname: Lyn
Birth date: January 21st
Age: 24
Height: 5’5
Body type: Triangle
Eye color: dark brown
Skin tone: light/ivory
Hair: Deep brown, slightly wavy hair
Enneagram type: 8
Astrology sign (based on personality, not actual birthday): Sagittarius
Good personality traits: self-reliant, resilient, strong
Bad personality traits: not trusting, impulsive, runs when scared
Sense of humor: dry and sarcastic
Biggest fear: abandonment
Biggest joy: simplicity
Biggest hope/dream: Having a simple/fulfilled life and being satisfied/happy (specifically with Daniel in a small house outside of the city)
If granted one wish, it would be: Everyone she ever met forgot her so she could start over
Biggest regret/secret: omitted for spoilers
Hometown: South Dallas
Religion: None
Education: Highschool diploma
Finances: low/medium income
Current location: apartment in Dallas
{Relationship/family section omitted for spoilers}
Favorite color: Blue
Favorite music: Indie Rock
Favorite animal: Chimpanzee
Hobbies: Reading, biking, puzzles, shooting range
Optimist or pessimist? Pessimist
Introvert or extrovert? Introvert
Best friend? Sarah (really only friend)
As you can see, the character chart for Lynell is pretty detailed, but I really only make these for the main characters. Secondary characters get shorter charts, and, honestly, sometimes, a character doesn’t get one at all. But I’ve found when I fail to look into the character’s background myself; it shows in the book. They become one-dimensional and unimportant.
I’m not saying all of the information here is something you’ll find in the novel. Nowhere do readers learn Lynell’s hobbies or favorite animal, or favorite music, but the fact that the information exists somewhere makes Lynell more of a person rather than a fictional idea made for a story.
If the writer knows who the character is outside of the story, then the readers will care about the character inside of the story.
Why Should You Read This?
The Registration by Madison Lawson is a gripping and thought-provoking thriller that explores the consequences of a world where committing one legal murder is allowed, provided it is registered and accomplished within fourteen days. The book takes readers on a thrilling journey through the life of Lynell Mize, who is shocked to find that she has been registered by multiple strangers to be killed.
The concept of the book is both fascinating and chilling, as it raises questions about the morality of such a law and the consequences of granting people the power to take a life. Madison Lawson has crafted a unique and complex world where murder is legal, and the characters are forced to navigate through the consequences of this law.
The protagonist, Lynell Mize, is a well-developed character who is both vulnerable and strong-willed. Her past trauma is sensitively portrayed, and the reader can empathize with her as she tries to unravel the mystery of who wants her dead. Her estranged husband also adds an intriguing layer to the story, and their complicated relationship adds to the tension of the plot.
The book is fast-paced and filled with unexpected twists and turns, keeping the reader engaged throughout. The writing style is concise and clear, which allows the story to flow smoothly, and the tension to build at the right moments.
However, it should be noted that the book deals with dark topics such as abuse, trauma, and murder. Readers who are sensitive to these topics should approach the book with caution.
Overall, The Registration is an excellent novel by Madison Lawson that is sure to leave readers on the edge of their seats. With a unique concept, well-developed characters, and a fast-paced plot, this book is a must-read for fans of the thriller genre.
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