Penitence by Kristin Koval Summary
In "Penitence," former attorney Kristin Koval delivers 2025's most anticipated thriller exploring whether we're defined by our worst actions. This Barnes & Noble Discover Pick examines juvenile justice with such chilling nuance that editor Gabrielle Viner calls it a story that "compels you to believe in forgiveness."
About the author
Kristin Koval is the debut author of Penitence, a literary thriller exploring forgiveness, family tragedy, and moral complexity. A former corporate and trust-and-estates lawyer with degrees from Georgetown University and Columbia Law School, Koval brings deep insight into human nature and the legal system to her fiction. Her background working intimately with families informs the novel's nuanced portrayal of grief and redemption.
Penitence follows a 13-year-old girl who fatally shoots her brother, examining whether we are defined by our worst acts. The book's genre blends literary fiction with suspenseful storytelling, drawing comparisons to Ann Patchett and Celeste Ng. Koval is an alumna of Sewanee Writers' Conference and Aspen Summer Words, and completed Catapult Publishing's novel generator program.
The novel quickly became a Barnes & Noble Discover Pick, People Magazine Best Book of the Week, and earned recognition as a Goodreads Hottest Debut of 2025, establishing Koval as a powerful new voice in contemporary fiction.
FAQs About This Book
Penitence by Kristin Koval follows thirteen-year-old Nora Sheehan, who kills her terminally ill brother Nico and turns herself in. Her devastated parents hire small-town lawyer Martine Dumont, who recruits her son Julian—a successful NYC criminal defense attorney and Angie's former love—to help defend Nora. Through dual timelines spanning from rural Colorado to pre-9/11 New York City, the novel explores guilt, forgiveness, and long-buried secrets as two families navigate tragedy and an unforgiving justice system.
Penitence is ideal for readers who enjoy literary domestic thrillers similar to Ann Patchett and Celeste Ng. This book appeals to fans of character-driven family dramas that explore complex moral questions, particularly those interested in criminal justice reform and juvenile law. It's perfect for book clubs seeking discussion-worthy material about guilt, redemption, and forgiveness. Readers who appreciate dual timelines, emotional depth, and nuanced characterization over traditional plot-driven mysteries will find this debut compelling.
Penitence is a gripping debut that delivers both emotional depth and page-turning suspense. Reviewers praise Kristin Koval's ability to create fully realized characters, seamlessly weave dual timelines, and tackle important themes like juvenile justice reform. The Washington Post called it "gripping and propulsive," while readers describe it as heart-wrenching and impossible to put down. However, some find the ending too open-ended and feel the backstory overwhelms the present-day narrative. Overall, it's highly recommended for those seeking thought-provoking domestic suspense.
Kristin Koval is a former lawyer who completed her debut novel Penitence through a twelve-month novel generator class at Catapult Publishing. She's an alumna of Sewanee Writers' Conference and Aspen Summer Words, with her short story "Inheritance" named a finalist in the Salamander 2022 Fiction Contest. Koval attended Phillips Exeter Academy, Georgetown University, and Columbia Law School. She lives in Boulder, Colorado and Park City, Utah with her husband, two sons, and two Great Danes, drawing on her legal background to critique the criminal justice system in her fiction.
Penitence explores forgiveness, guilt, blame, and redemption across two interconnected families. The novel examines whether people are defined by their worst actions and how families navigate unspeakable tragedy. Kristin Koval sharply critiques the juvenile justice system, particularly the practice of charging children as adults, highlighting inequities and the system's failure to prioritize rehabilitation over punishment. Additional themes include familial loyalty, grief, unresolved trauma, and the long-term consequences of past mistakes. The book questions how forgiveness operates both personally and within legal systems.
Yes, Penitence unfolds through dual timelines that alternate between past and present. The present-day storyline follows Nora's murder case, her time in juvenile detention, and the
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"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
12108"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
25417"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
964.5K"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
20116"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
37483"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
12117"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
12108"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
25417"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
964.5K"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
20116"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
37483"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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