YAY!!! This book was so fun and original and I am totally hoping that the author is considering a sequel! In the meantime, I'll have to check out her backlist because sadly for me, I have yet to read any of this wonderfully creative author's books.

Amber, the MC, was born into a life with grifters for parents and lived accordingly, until she was involved in an incident that basically guilted her straight. She left that life behind and was well on her way to a normal life until some psycho tried to kill her.

Lucky for Amber, a woman had been tracking him and interupted before any permanent damage was done. Unlucky for Amber, she can't afford to be questioned by the police and thus, her adventure begins.

This was such a well rounded book. The characters were loveable; I was especially fond of Los Vegas native and motel owner, Dot. The plot was fast-paced. And there was laugh out loud humor. What more can a girl ask for (besides a sequel) ?

There was one moody character that I wished would lighten up a little bit, but considering her background and high-stess lifestyle, I do understand why she wasn't Suzy Sunshine. Maybe if there was a book two, she would come to love the merry band of misfits that she came to know in Book 1 as much as I do.

Did I already say I'm craving a sequel? Well, it was worth saying twice.. or 3 or 4 times.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Michelle Gagnon and G.P. Putnam's Sons (Penguin Random House) for the advanced readers copy! Review to be posted on Goodreads, Bookstagram, Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Wow, this was such a fun book! It was a thriller that doesn't take itself too seriously. The main character escapes from a serial killer with the help of a stranger, and that starts an adventure full of fun characters and a few twists. I loved the irreverent writing style and personality of the main character. I'd highly recommend this book!

What a ride! Amber survives a serial killer and then things start to get weird. Amber decides to leave Tennessee and head out to Vegas where her life does not get any better. What’s not to love about this book? Yes, it’s about a woman surviving a serial killer but it has comedy and characters you can’t help loving!

Amber almost died. Hold that thought. She almost got straight up murdered by a serial killer. On the slab, a mysterious woman saves her, and Amber goes back to her seemingly normal life. But when the police want her in for questioning, Amber freaks and bolts because she’s got a record herself. She soon finds out, though, that there isn’t just one person who wants her dead.

This book was a wild goose chase, I tell you. The raw wacky adventures that Amber gets herself is reminiscent of film noir, and it somehow works. (In the acknowledgements that’s exactly what Gagnon said she was going for.) I will say that there were times that my eyes rolled so far back into my head, and several times where I was literally saying “WTF.” But this book also made me laugh (a lot - no small feat I tell you).

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC. I enjoyed this book.

What are the chances of being rescued in the nick of time from the clutches of a serial killer only to be stalked across country by another psychotic killer? Amber Jamison, a street wise con-artist, cannot believe that she let herself be abducted by a serial killer. Then, before she is killed, she is rescued by a mysterious woman who claims she is hunting a serial killer, just not the one that almost killed Amber. Unfortunately, Amber soon finds out that she is being stalked by another killer. Is it the one the mysterious woman is hunting? What follows is a madcap, fast-paced thriller, full of quirky supporting characters, set in Las Vegas, the quirky capital of the U.S. With equal parts humor and horror, Michelle Gagnon has written a very entertaining story with an engaging, if somewhat flawed protagonist. This book made me think of what would happen if Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum met Jeff Lindsay’s Dexter Morgan. I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher, Penguin Group Putnam, for providing me with an advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Amber was born to drifter parents and she’s finally (almost) getting her life together. Except then she’s kidnapped by the Pikachu killer, saved by a random lady with a cattle prod, and then skips town when FBI agent Cabot starts sniffing around her apartment. All in all, starting a new life isn’t easy and definitely not what she was expecting to have to do again. What better place though to start a new life, or at least lay the groundwork for one than Las Vegas, Nevada?

As Amber finally takes time to take in what’s happened to her in the past few days, the woman who saved her life starts sending her cryptic messages. When that woman ends up half dead in front of her hotel room, Amber realizes she maybe in more danger than she originally thought.

Character wise, I loved the characters in this book. Amber is street smart, witty, and overall, a likable character that even has some self-awareness of her current predicament. Meaning, she knows what’s going on is crazy, and isn’t afraid to mention that to the reader. Our supporting cast of characters is fabulous. Marcella and Dot are completely engaging, and I love how they end up taking care of Amber. Grace is a little prickly, but she has her appeal.

The pacing of the story is really what took this down to 3 stars for me. I felt there were a few areas that dragged on and make this 322-page story feel longer than it was. But the sass and banter between the characters, the absurdness of the situation, and the writing still make this a fun read.

I went in expecting Finlay Donovan vibes, and while I got those, it was darker and not quite as funny as I anticipated. Filled with plenty of sarcasm and definitely a unique take on the serial killer theme, this was a fairly enjoyable read. Was the ending a bit predictable? Yes. Was it perfect? No. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4. It’s a fun read and I’d definitely read more from Gagnon in the future.


Killing Me comes out May 16, 2023. Huge thank you to G.P. Putnam’s Sons for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion. If you liked this review please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my instagram @speakingof.books.

Killing Me is a fun, fresh take on a serial killer suspense novel. It has vibrant, loveable characters and an inventive plot. The backdrop of Las Vegas adds to the excitement. The author did a great job of somehow keeping it light at times (quite a feat when dealing with a serial killer!) without being corny. I hope this story gets a sequel because I would love to follow Amber on her next wild adventure. I also would love to know more about Gunnar and Grace and their early family life. Thank you to G.P. Putnam’s Sons and NetGalley for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. It was great!

I enjoyed this one a lot! It’s a bit of a wild goose chase but that added to its charm. The main character, Amber, was very relatable and funny and I always found myself rooting for her. Also, THE CHEMISTRY!! The chemistry between everyone was undeniable, whether platonic or not. Michelle Gagnon did a wonderful job of making the audience feel attached to these characters. Everyone, for the most part, was living in their own shade of gray world. She made them feel like real people, which made me care about all of them that much more.

Overall this was a psychological thriller that didn’t take itself too seriously. It was witty and sarcastic and just an overall fun ride. I hope this isn’t the last we see of these characters because with great writing and story building, I know a sequel would be a hit!

This book was truly an original
I laughed and the twist at the end was great.
A good book. I thought it could have been a little better. It dragged a little bit. Overall, though very original and was worth the read

Have you watched that Natasha Lyonne show, Poker Face, yet? Because Killing Me, a new thriller(ish), has strong Poker Face vibes. From the exciting premise, eclectic characters, con-men, Vegas-set story, and bizarro killers that will have you looking over your shoulder, it reminded me a lot of the Peacock show, which I loved. Alas, in the end, this novel fell a bit flat for me.

I had a tough time getting into this one, despite it immediately tossing you into the action, and that’s mostly due to the tone. We’re dealing with serial killers, violent deaths, nationwide conspiracies, and more, but it all feels a bit . . . silly? Killing Me leans so far into its slapstick elements and jokey dialogue that none of the threats to the characters ever feel genuinely dangerous. (For book that does nail that tonal balance: Killers of a Certain Age.)

The main character, Amber, was also a hurdle for me. Her very pointedly quirky and jokey narration got realllllll tired, realllll fast. I never quite understood why the author chose her as our portal into this story, when it seems like things would’ve been 1000% more compelling coming from Grace’s perspective. Or, at least an even split between them with dueling POV chapters. Grace’s backstory is introduced far too late, which is a bummer (and genuinely confusing?!) considering how integral she is to the novel.

Overall this book wasn’t for me, but there’s still some cool, fun stuff in it if you’re looking for an entertaining thriller with a unique plot.

Thanks to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Really good. The first part of the book is a little rough (hence the 4 stars) but once it gets going, it gets going. I do have to say the backstory on one of the characters (mysterious woman) in the book. We get an infodump about what happens next, but I rather we had flashbacks on that or something, it just didn't work. All in all, the book was very interesting, funny, and sad.

When there was a Pokémon reference in the beginning of the book I became completely uninterested in the story line, however by mid-book the pot kept me wanting to read more. The twists and turns weren’t jaw dropping but good writing, and nothing was dragged out.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC

We meet “Amber” as she’s berating herself for getting taken by a serial killer and is waiting for her assumed death. But then a rescuer comes out of nowhere and saves her. That should be the end, yet it seems the FBI is after her for questions now and she has a past that she doesn’t want dragged up. Amber leaves town and, once again, this should be the end, but a series of cryptic texts, postcards on her car leading her to Las Vegas, and finally some unsettling police reports get her sucked into a serial killer manhunt.
I got sucked into the story pretty quickly. The plot was fun and unpredictable. I also love Gagnon’s characters, highlighting strong, smart, independent females that are stronger because of their friendship with each other. I felt the plot’s momentum losing steam in the middle (probably just for character development but I could have lived without it personally) but then it got going strong again. The ending had me going with a twist as well so I loved the finish.
Thank you NetGalley for providing the ARC of this title!

Well…this is it. Amber is about to be the newest victim of the Pikachu serial killer. When she gets saved at the last minute, she is shocked but the girl who saved her completely disappears. When the FBI calls though, Amber knows she needs to run. Her past needs to stay a secret.

I didn’t really know what to expect going into this one. I think I expected a little bit more Finlay Donovan vibes, but this one was much more mysterious and edge of your seat. I loved the crazy cast of quirky characters, including Amber! This is one that has you wondering what’s going to happen, but also has you laughing out loud at some of the hijinks this crew gets up to. Overall this was a bit thriller, bit mysterious, and bit fun read!

In spite of the generally dark subject matter, this book was so much fun. It kept me turning pages and I loved the characters so much. This is the perfect summer read.

What a fast-paced fun book about serial killers!

Amber is a couple months away from getting her college degree in psychology (that comes in handy) when she is kidnapped and thrown into a white van by a serial killer. Amber definitely thought she was too street smart for this but when she wakes up naked, shaved and painted blue she has no doubt that she is the latest victim of the Pikachu killer.

Right before she is killed, the man in the the Pokemon mask is cattle prodded by a woman in a ski mask. She saves Amber and promptly plans to take off, only Amber has questions...so many questions. Amber, the daughter of con artists who herself made a living on cons had no desire to go to the police. When the FBI came to her apartment, she took off across the country.

Landing in Las Vegas, Amber made friends for the first time in years, and they are an interesting bunch. She is reunited with the woman in the ski mask and drawn into a whole other world of a serial killer. This is certainly not a world that I have any connection to, but Amber uses her skills as a con artist and her psych knowledge to navigate.

I really enjoyed the pace of the book and the dark humor throughout. Amber is a character who I could root for all though I wasn't too sure about "ski mask" woman for much of the book!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Suspenseful right to the end! I never knew where this book was taking me, This was a fun, easy read. The characters are likable, especially Dot. This is not a serious Murder mystery, this has some humor and quirky characters, just an enjoyable entertaining book.

A hard-boiled tone is set right from the get-go, with our protagonist, Amber Jamison, having just been grabbed off the sidewalk and thrown into the back of a windowless white van, feeling furious for having let herself be kidnapped by what is must be the area serial killer. Sure, she’s terrified too, but she’s a young woman with plenty of street smarts from being raised by grifters, and feels like she should never have fallen into this trap.

Instead of being gruesomely dispatched, Amber is rescued by a tight-lipped woman. Amber doesn’t want to involve law enforcement because of her checkered past, and mystery rescuer doesn’t either, so they make their separate ways out of town. Amber heads for Las Vegas, the perfect place for someone with a grifter past to make enough money to get a new identity and move on. But it seems that deadly trouble has followed Amber to Sin City.

Amber surprisingly makes new—and unusual—friends among the fringe characters of Las Vegas, and this longtime loner will have to learn to lean on her new friends and play a team game if she has a chance of escaping with her life.

It seems weird to describe a serial-killer novel as a fun ride, but this one is. Amber’s internal monolog is relentlessly caustic, and the women she meets in Las Vegas are the kinds of permanent residents you might see on the show Poker Face: knocked around by life, but not knocked out, cynical, but willing to take a chance on somebody who needs their help. It was thrilling to see this group of women band together devise a clever—though dangerous—plan to put an end to a relentless killer.

In her Acknowledgements, Gagnon writes: “See you in the sequel.” I hope so.

Killing Me is perfect for when you need a big dose of quirky humor along with your thriller.
Amber Jamison is about to be the sixth victim of the Pikachu killer. But then she’s saved by a mysterious woman. Amber has a past, one that she’s trying desperately to hide. So when the FBI call her she takes off, fleeing Tennessee even when she’s only two months away from graduating college.
She ends up in Vegas, drawn there by ads left on her windshield. Turns out, LV has its own serial killer. And she’s ended up in his cross hairs as well. But Amber isn’t about to give up easily. With the addition of some new friends she’s made, she decides to fight back.
This is great entertainment. No, it’s not at all believable. And the pacing is a tad uneven. But it’s still well thought out. Amber is a great MC - as a former con artist, she’s smart and cynical, but she’s also got her own moral code. And her new friends, Marcella and Dot, are equally engaging. Even Grace has her appeal. The book had a fun finish with a nice twist that caught me off guard.
I loved that Gagnon wrote that the idea for the book came from “the striking similarities between authors, therapists and con artists, in that they all earn a living off an ability to read people.” In her Notes, she also hints at a sequel.
My thanks to Netgalley and Putnam Books for an advance copy of this book.

Holy moly this book was quite the wild ride. What an unusual story! Really enjoyed it and the quirky characters.