THE KILLER’S COUSIN BY NANCY WERLIN

  The novel that I have chosen to speak is The Killer’s Cousin which is authored by Nancy Werlin. This story is set around a seventeen-year-old teenage boy David Bernard Yaffe. He is forced to stand trial for his girlfriend’s death and is send to live with his aunt and uncle and their youngest daughter, Lily, to avoid media frenzy. But all is not well at his relatives’ house. His aunt and uncle are not speaking to each other, and Lily seems dead set on making David’s life a torment. In addition to that there’s the issue of their older daughter, Kathy who died in a mysterious circumstances a number of year ago.

The Novel 'The Killer's Cousin'

  There are a few good values that can be taken as example and to be followed in life. The first moral value is persistence and determination in facing challenges. For example David Yaffe is very determined in solving the mystery of Kathy’s death to make sure that he’s aunt does not blame him for the misfortune that has been occurring upon that family. The original killer of Kathy is none other than her own sister Lily. David also went through many obstacles in proving his innocence. He was charged for murdering his beloved girlfriend Julia Kent. Finally, he successfully proved that he is not guilty and the incident was an accident.

  The next moral value is family members should stick together. The Stuart family which consist of Victor, Susan and Lily often fight and Lily always is the mediator between them. This should not happen in any household as it can lead to bigger problems and eventually divorce. Where else the Yaffe family always stick together in any kind of situation. The Stuart family especially Aunt Susan is always showing hatred towards her nephew, sister-in-law and brother-in-law. She often scolds David for no reasons or for the mistakes done by Lily. She even accused David to be insane when David suggested that Lily needs counselling. In the end, Susan asks for forgiveness from David for being rude and showing unnecessary hatred towards him.

  Other than that, the moral value that I find interesting is we should accept the reality and move on in our life. As we can see in the novel Killer’s Cousin, The main character David accepts the reality that his girlfriend is dead and tries to move on in his life. Unlike his uncle’s family who is still buried deep in the pit of sadness of their eldest daughter Kathy’s dead. We should try to move on because thinking of the past can cause depression. Aunt Susan is very much stressed and almost lost her mind in the process of forgetting Kathy. Never think of the past as it may bring tears; never think of the future as it brings anxiety; always think of the present as its very precious that is why it’s called the present.

Nancy Werlin

  As a conclusion there are many moral values that can be taken as example from this novel. we should not only read but practice in our lives.

By, 

Priiya Paramasivam
4 Cergas
12 March 2014