I am obsessed with this book. It is such a refreshing and fun thriller that I devoured it in two sittings! All of the plot twists kept me on the edge of my seat. Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC!

When I read the description of this book, I was intrigued but had no idea what to expect. I knew an abduction and a serial killer were coming, but I was shocked that they popped up so early in the book. Even with hints about what was to follow, I couldn't have predicted the rest of the book. It's also hard to classify - there are some horror elements, some mystery, some comedy - it's got a bit of everything.

The author creates characters, settings, and plotlines that sometimes seem outlandish, but are always totally believable. The personalities of the main characters play off of each other in ways that are sometimes funny, sometimes combative, but always with an underlying chemistry. The pacing was great and had me sneaking to read a page or two at a time any chance I could.

The story and characters were so unique I won't forget this one for a long time. Thank you to the author and publisher for the ARC via Net Galley.

This is a great mystery for anyone who likes likes when everyday people are in extraordinary situations. The dialog is funny and realistic. I laughed a handful of times at things said or thought, appreciating the way it developed each character. I can’t really compare it to another mystery I’ve read but think it’s perfect for people who love serial killers, hunting a killer, etc. It has great characters- I loved everyone in Vegas. It’s an easy,quick, and enjoyable read. LGBTQ representation.

I really liked this book! It had good banter and reminded me of the show Castle or Lucifer where it’s a serious murder but with hints of romance and comedy intertwined.
I am born and raised in Las Vegas and I loved all the spot on details!
I loved that we had background of amber/Emily and also background of grace and Gunnar and why they are all the way they are!
I loved the twist and I honestly was convinced that maybe it WAS Grace. It totally could have been and I would have been just as satisfied!

I saw the acknowledgment said there would be a sequel. I would love to read that! Maybe amber would be bored with regular life and track down grace and they could hunt together. So excited to see what’s next !

Killing Me
by Michelle Gagnon.
I enjoyed this book very much. Mystery /thriller and humor. Thank you, NetGalley for this ARC. I was up all night and just say, KUDOS for helping me make it thru the night.

Ok so I really haven't read a ton of mystery/thriller books so I wasn't sure what to expect going into this one but...it was so much fun! (Is that weird to say about a book about a serial killer?) There were parts of this book where I actually did laugh out loud, which is rare for me and seems even more rare for a book like this.

This book had so much going for it- murder mystery/thriller/Vegas con artist / a quirky group of friends that helped along the way. I actually really loved the friends Amber makes in this book and honestly I don't care if a lot of it was believable or not, I was invested.

I mean the book starts out with Amber, the main character, being abducted by a serial killer and just goes on an all out sprint from there. The dialogue felt believable, the characters didn't feel rushed or underdeveloped. I couldn't put this down. Honestly, this was such a fun read!

**Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.**

I very much appreciate this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher, Penguin Group – Putnam, in exchange for an honest review. Since I’m required to give it stars, I’ll give it 2, but it was simply not my kind of book nor anything that I would recommend to my readers. I’m sure it will have wild appeal to the younger and WOKE crowd just not to us Seniors or traditionalists.

Best wishes to the author, Michelle Gagnon.

This was a fabulous and oh-so-fun read! Gagnon has created a protagonist who is a hot mess but in a delicious and entertaining way. The snappy, snarky dialogue stays in lockstep with the whip-crack pace to deliver an engaging and high octane tale that was a perfect vacation read. Sign me up for her next book straightaway!

What an unexpected surprise! Killing Me is a fun read, filled with unexpected kindness, lots of twists and turns. I laughed out loud, truly unexpected in a serial murder story. Michelle Gagnon has done a fantastic job.

Killing Me is a campy serial killer story that doesn't take itself too seriously. This one came at a good time for me as it was more fun than horrifying. Amber comes from a family of grifters and has somehow managed to find herself abducted by a serial killer. She is rescued by a woman in a ski mask and then the game begins. Who is this woman and how did she know to save Amber? After being rescued, Amber is reluctant to go to the FBI because of her criminal past, so she tries to disappear. The problem with that is someone is following her. This is a fast moving, unique and funny story.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an early copy of Killing Me. This is my unbiased review.

Amber is abducted by a serial killer and then saved at the last minute by a masked woman. Then it gets strange when she thinks the FBI is after her and flees her life. Killing Me is the first book I’ve read by Michelle Gagnon. The plot is a little convoluted and I had a hard time getting into it for quite a while. Very unique storyline that you won’t find elsewhere. Twists and turns kept me guessing the whole way through. In the end, I enjoyed Amber and her collection of misfits.

*ARC provided by NetGalley for an honest review.

In the first chapter of this book our main character gets kidnapped by a serial killer. This madman is killing women and painting them like Pokémon characters and leaving them for the police to find alike some sick Pokémon Go game. And that is the most boring part of the book. When our narrator/main character survives the attack, her story gets even more crazy. Amber is likeable and believable and I rooted for her the entire time. She gets drawn into another dangerous cat and mouse game that kept me glued to the page. I literally could not stop reading this book. I didn't want it to end. The writing is engaging and dynamic. The main characters are complicated and intriguing. Although a couple of the side characters are cliches, they add to the story. This story is a rollercoaster and I enjoyed every page of it. Thank you NetGalley, Penguin Group Putnam, and Michelle Gagnon for the arc.

This was my first read by Michelle Gagnon and it was thoroughly enjoyable! It starts off fast paced and the action never stops! It was full of twist and turns that really kept me engaged.

Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This latest thriller by Michelle Gagnon is my very first book by this author. This was something a little different than other thrillers I have read. This one had humor and I found myself laughing out loud several times. Amber is kidnapped but actually escapes the psychopath who took her and is saved by a mystery woman. Then things start to heat up. She is no stranger to law enforcement either and has a long list of things she has done in her life. A lot of this story takes place in Las Vegas and the author did a great job making me feel like I was on this chase with them!! I enjoyed this book and I know a lot of others will too. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review. To be published May 2023.

This book was phenomenal! I’ve been in a bit of a book slump lately and this pulled me straight out of it. The pacing was perfect, I never felt bored and each scene was so well-written. Every character was enjoyable and the plot left me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I thoroughly enjoyed this one and can’t recommend it enough! If you enjoy murder/thrillers, this one has it all in one package, tied up with a pretty bow.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of Killing Me.

I admit I was pretty stoked to read this. It's got everything I look for in a novel; a plucky heroine, a serial killer, assorted quirky characters.

Count me in!

Was this entertaining? Yup.
Were the characters, including Amber, personable and likable? Sure.
Was the story just as unique as the characters? Ditto.

This was a female driven story led by Amber, an almost victim of a serial killer, saved by the sister of a serial killer, her own twin brother. Their own father was a notorious serial killer as well.

With me so far?

Yeah, you have to read it to get it.

Was it an exciting read? You betcha.

Was it far fetched with plenty of moments of disbelief? Oh yeahhh.

You'll need to check your disbelief suspension at the door.

Were there familiar tropes and lucky breaks? Of course!

Like how Gunnar is a hottie serial killer and has killed hundreds and evaded authorities for this long.
The twins are trust fund babies (how fortunate) because how else can Grace fund her investigation?
Dot knows everyone in Vegas and can hook up copter rides and stays at motels and find people to stalk Gunnar like she's running her personal undercover operation.
Amber was raised by con artist parents and her quick mind is a result of her unorthodox upbringing

Was this still fun to read? Definitely.

I liked the writing style, the tone, Amber and Carrie, Dot and Marcella, and everyone involved, including Dot's man.

It was great to read a narrative that revolved around strong, independent, resourceful women who didn't need a man or was fighting over a man or getting revenge on a man who had wronged them.

This was just a fun (I can't believe that happened but I'll run with it) kind of read.

Just enjoy it for what it is.

The good guys win, the bad guys don't, and all is right with the world (for most of the characters, at least).

This was an entertaining read and the perspective throughout was a lot of fun. How can you not enjoy the panicky thoughts of someone who is constantly finding themselves in more difficult situations and mentally kicking herself? The pacing was a bit weird at moments and some of the character development seemed a little forced. A fun ride overall and escapism at its best.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

WHAT A RIDE. This book started off so fast paced and barely stopped until the very end. The twist, turns, and events had my head spinning. I found myself questioning every single person’s actions and motives to try and figure out what was happening. I am so excited for the sequel!
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC!

ARC REVIEW

Killing Me by Michelle Gagnon
Release date May 16, 2023

My Review

Killing Me starts with immediate action as the main character is captured by a serial killer outside her college apartment. Amber wakes up later to a mysterious woman rescuing her, and our adventure with a crew of unique characters is off and running.

Amber finds herself a little further from Johnson City, TN with no idea who rescued her and the realization that she must leave before cops start asking questions.

Soon enough, Amber is in Las Vegas meeting a ragtag cast of new friends in the motel scene. But the mysterious stranger who saved her keeps sending texts and Amber will demand answers. The endearing characters end up working as an unlikely team to catch a prolific serial killer in this funny novel perfect for fans of the Finlay Donovan series.

I liked this one from the first page. My favorite parts included the rich cast of characters that society tends to ignore, the distinct personalities they each had, and the easy to consume writing style. I was less of a fan of the pacing around the middle, but I think that story building may pay off in the sequel- which I will definitely pick up!

⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book had good potential to me but it just pushed my willing suspension of disbelief a bit too far. It kept me reading and engaged but I found the characters hard to connect with.