Bookmarked by Reese’s Book Club

The Mysteries Behind the February Reese's Book Club Pick with Author Philippa Malicka

Host: Danielle Robay
Guest: Philippa Malicka, author of In Her Defense
Date: February 24, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode features a deep dive into In Her Defense, the debut psychological thriller by Philippa Malicka, Reese’s Book Club’s February pick. Host Danielle Robay and Malicka explore the book’s tangled web of truth, memory, mother-daughter relationships, and the psychological underpinnings that make it a “scary place within our own minds.” They discuss Malicka’s writing journey, craft insights, the book’s ambiguous characters, and literary inspirations, while offering personal reflections and behind-the-scenes stories.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Malicka’s Journey to Authorship

• Origins in Academia:
  Malicka began writing In Her Defense during her master’s in prose fiction, seeking structure and validation through an MA after being rejected her first year.
  Quote:
  “You know that thing when you want something so much, you’re kind of deaf to people saying no.” (03:55, Philippa)

• The Role of Experimentation:
  The book’s initial chapters were written as part of her dissertation, with much time spent experimenting with narrative voice before settling on Gus as the central perspective.
  (04:35-05:06)

• Mentorship Impact:
  Ian Rankin mentored Malicka, encouraging her to embrace ambiguity in her characters and resist making family dynamics “perfect.”
  Quote:
  “He said, you know, it's got to be ambiguous whether this girl is better off with Jean or ... should she be back with her family? Don’t make the family... perfect.” (06:16, Philippa)

Writing Process & Craft

• Character-Driven Plot:
  Malicka’s process is rooted in character authenticity: plot arises from understanding "what they're searching for... what they're trying to heal."
  Quote:
  “If it’s not true for the character, then the plot doesn’t feel true and then it all starts to tumble down like a house of cards.” (08:01, Philippa)

• Character Building Techniques:
  She employs self-interrogation through long documents, detailed Q&A, and forces herself to answer even mundane questions about her characters to foster authenticity.
  (08:59-09:35)

• Stamina and Surprises:
  Writing In Her Defense required stamina, especially as she worked full time. Her characters, particularly Gus, often surprised her, leading to significant rewrites, especially in the ending.
  (09:48-10:38)

Reader Reactions & Character Complexity

• Releasing Characters into the World:
  Malicka finds it liberating to have readers interpret her characters, accepting their contradictions or flaws.
  Quote:
  “You can’t control what your readers are going to think... I just hope that they don’t get too frustrated with them when they don’t maybe act as straightforwardly as the reader might like.” (10:57-11:53)

• Ambiguity in Motives:
  Characters like Gussie (Gus) and Anna can be read through multiple lenses—malicious, lonely, grieving, or simply flawed, leading to varied and intimate interpretations among readers.
  (11:53-12:39)

Literary Influences & Epigraphs

• Epigraphs as Thematic Breadcrumbs:
  Malicka chose evocative quotes from Anne Carson, Kafka, and Emily Berry.
  Quote:
  “I almost think of them as breadcrumbs for the reader... Thematically, they're bigger than breadcrumbs – they’re probably like big sourdough loaves of bread.” (16:10-18:49, Philippa)

• Mother-Daughter Resonance:
  The mother-daughter motif from Carson’s The Glass Essay profoundly resonated with both Malicka and Robay, prompting reflections on their own maternal relationships and the theme of self-removal or estrangement.
  (20:42-21:17)

• Approach to Therapy in Fiction:
  Malicka discusses how therapy is often misunderstood by parents, and how her book subverts expectations—where therapy can both heal and harm, depending on the practitioner (Jean as the villainous therapist).
  (21:17-21:54)

Psychological Narratives & Memory

• Thrill From Unstable Memory:
  Rather than physical danger, In Her Defense draws psychological terror from unreliable memory and the ease with which false narratives can be implanted.
  Quote:
  “They are very, very… prone to contamination. Slippery like eels, you know… our sense of self is really flawed and in the wrong hands we can be led to believe totally different things about ourselves.” (22:17-23:44, Philippa)

Female Characters & Moral Complexity

• No True Villain or Heroine:
  Most major characters are flawed women—no one is fully heroic or likable, by design, embracing authenticity over likability.
  (24:10-25:43)

• Victim and Villain Duality:
  Everyone sees themselves as doing the right thing—even the antagonist Jean.
  Quote:
  “Jean, even though she's a villain, she's got a messiah complex. She honestly thinks that she's helping...” (26:42-27:28, Philippa)

• Pressure for Redemption:
  There was editorial pressure to make some characters warmer (notably Mary), but Malicka resisted “perfect victim” tropes.
  (25:49-26:19)

Authorial Self-Reflection & Thematic Resonances

• Personal Connections:
  Malicka admits parts of herself are in every character, especially Gus, whose “deep loneliness and desire to be seen” mirrors the author’s own creative frustrations.
  (27:50-29:17)

• Being Seen vs. Being Known:
  A central theme explores the difference between superficial visibility and deep understanding—a motif both in her novel and in the author’s and host’s personal lives.
  Quote:
  “Being known is being seen in three dimensions and accepted and actually loved for your flaws... these characters are yearning to be known.” (30:12-31:19, Philippa)

• Writing as Fear Antidote:
  Both host and guest reflect on creative ambition as a response to fear and loneliness—writing becomes a way of regaining control and spinning meaning from anxiety or trauma.
  (33:52-35:24)

Motherhood & Future Perspectives

• Changing Landscape:
  As an expectant mother, Malicka relates to the identity shift and ambiguity of parenting. She may have infused Anna with greater complexity had she written post-pregnancy.
  (39:42-42:48)

• Scorecards & Imperfection:
  The fear of children “scoring” their parents, and the continual process of learning as a parent, resonates with both the book’s themes and the author’s current stage of life.
  (41:12-42:18)

Endings, Afterlives & Speculation

• The Cliffhanger:
  The book’s open-ended conclusion invites speculation. Malicka envisions Mary forging tentative independence, Anna continuing her public performance, and Gus seeking healing—while Jean remains a perennial manipulator.
  (44:49-47:21)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “He wore this, like, brilliant black T-shirt… a bit like Hamlet, you know. He was just brilliant in these classes.” (05:59, Philippa on Ian Rankin)
• “The more I read about false memory syndrome… our sense of self is really flawed and in the wrong hands we can be led to believe totally different things about ourselves.” (22:17, Philippa)
• “Male British writers who use the word panties. I’m blushing.” (47:52, Philippa’s rapid-fire ‘ban forever’ answer)
• “I remain fascinated by where you go as a woman once you are a mother, and if you ever come back.” (39:42, Malicka quoting Rachel Cusk)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Intro & Book Overview — [02:11]
• Malicka’s Writing Journey — [03:33–06:45]
• Mentorship with Ian Rankin — [05:59–06:45]
• Character Development Discussion — [08:01–09:35]
• On Surprises & Endings — [09:48–10:38]
• Reader Reactions & Interpretation — [10:57–12:25]
• Epigraphs Explained — [16:06–18:49]
• Therapy and Mother-Daughter Themes — [20:42–21:54]
• On Memory & Psychological Thrills — [22:17–23:44]
• Flawed Women, No Heroines — [24:10–25:43]
• Victim/Villain Duality — [43:15–44:49]
• Personal Parallels & Being Known — [30:12–32:21]
• Motherhood, Identity, and Fear — [39:42–42:48]
• Speculation on Characters’ Futures — [44:49–47:21]
• Speed Read (Rapid Fire Q&A) — [47:21–50:20]

"Speed Read" Rapid Fire Q&A Highlights ([47:21–50:20])

• Literary trope to ban: “Male British writers who use the word panties.” (47:52, Philippa)
• Trope to defend: “The kind of shadowy person that comes into your life and tells you truths about it.” (48:07, Philippa)
• Book she'd give her son: Dogger by Shirley Hughes, linking to childhood trauma over losing a beloved toy. (49:20, Philippa)
• Book shaping her worldview: The Secret History by Donna Tartt for its pioneering dark academia genre. (49:42, Philippa)
• Favorite love story: Birthday Letters by Ted Hughes, poems about Sylvia Plath. (50:05, Philippa)

Tone and Style

The conversation is candid, literary, and at times deeply personal. Both Danielle and Philippa embrace vulnerability and wit, balancing craft talk with philosophical questions about self, memory, and motherhood. The rapport is animated and inviting, with moments of laughter, thoughtful pauses, and emotional resonance.

For Listeners Who Haven't Read the Book

This episode provides rich insight into the creation of In Her Defense, the creative motivations behind its ambiguities, and an exploration of themes like psychological manipulation, female complexity, unreliable memory, and the desire to be both seen and known. Even without reading the novel, listeners gain a nuanced understanding of modern literary thriller craft – and inspiration for self-inquiry about truth, relationships, and the stories we tell ourselves.