Oh Netgalley, how I missed you !!!

Did anyone else have a slight (major) panic attack when netgalley went down for 24 hours?

It’s not that I don’t have 100 unread books in my house buttt I had been wanting to read THIS one!

Killing Me

I had seen this book take bookstagram by the gears and pump into overdrive. I just had to know what everyone was so hyped up about .

Well, this book delivers and once again bookstagram has slayed with providing another fabulous book rec.

This book is jam packed with twists and turns you will not be able to anticipate . There was strong character development and it never once dragged .

I have the attention span of a squirrel so I need that instant attachment or I will put the book down. The likelihood of me picking it back up is slim to none .

I definitely did not put this one down! I could not flip the pages fast enough .

Due out May 16, 2023, you do not want to miss this one

Teaser :

Amber Jamison can’t believe she’s about to become the latest victim of a serial killer. She’s savvy and street smart, so when she gets pushed into, of all things, a white windowless van, she is more angry than afraid. Things get even weirder when she’s miraculously saved by a mysterious woman . . . who promptly disappears. Who was she? And why is she hunting serial killers?

You’d think escaping one psychopath would be enough, but Amber’s problems are just beginning. Her close call has law enforcement circling a past she’s tried to outrun. She’s forced to flee across the country, ending up at a seedy motel in Las Vegas with a noir-obsessed manager and a sex worker as her unlikely companions . . . and danger right behind. She’s landed in the cross hairs of the world’s most prolific killer, caught up in a deadly game that’s been going on for years. To survive, she is forced to dust off her old playbook and partner with someone she can’t trust. The odds are against her, but sometimes you just have to roll the dice.

Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons for the gifted eARC!

This was an absolute treat! A breath of fresh air. A comedic thriller? Sign. Me. Up.

The sarcastic undertone drew me in from page one and held me captive all the way to the end. If you enjoyed the Finley Donovan series, definitely pick this one up! You won’t be let down!

𝗞𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗲 hits shelves May 16, 2023!

Have you ever watched a serial killer documentary?

I will admit that I usually have some Netflix serial killer show on when I wake up each morning. There’s just so many fascinating things that have happened. With that in mind, I read the description of this book and knew it would be a good fit for me.

Amber escaped a serial killer…then things got weird. We meet Amber as she is being abducted, and then just as she is about to be murdered, she is saved by a woman in a ski mask. When the woman disappears, Amber has no clue what has just happened. When she starts getting odd text messages, she flees across the country and ends up in Las Vegas Nevada. Before long, Amber realizes that she is smack dab in the middle of one of the world’s most prolific killers. As she is forced to survive her past comes back to help, and so do her new friends. Will she survive, or will she be the latest victim…again?

I knew I was going to enjoy this book by the time the first chapter was up. It was crazy good in the best possible way. I really loved Amber’s character. Even though she was so flawed, you couldn’t help but root for her. The writing style on this one was unique, I’d never quite had a book done this way, and I really enjoyed it. The pacing started out lightning fast and did slow a little as the book went on. I loved that this book was set it Vegas, it was just the perfect setting for everything that happened. I loved all the aspects that were intertwined with this book – it was just done fantastically. What a fantastic thriller.

If you want a laugh out loud serial killer thriller then check this one out May 16th.


Thank you to the publisher Penguin Group – Putnam, @putnambooks, @penguinrandomhouse, and Netgalley, @netgalley, for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

“Killing Me” is a fun ride, fueled by dark humor, witty banter, and likable characters, with some nice little twists along the way. The opener hooked me immediately, putting the reader right in the middle of the action. I found myself constantly wanting to know what comes next and often laughing out loud at some of the dialogue. I would have liked a little more time with some of the characters and some higher stakes throughout the story to up the drama, but that could have been hard to balance with the more comedic tone. All in all, this was an entertaining read with a satisfying ending, what more can you ask for?

Thank you to Penguin Group Putnam Books and NetGalley for this ARC.

Amber is having the worst day of her life- she’s been abducted by a serial killer into the back of a van. Just when escape seems impossible, help arrives in the most unlikely form. Amber’s rescuer isn’t interested in being a hero, and Amber is now worried about her past being exposed and ending up in jail. To escape the FBI, she heads to Las Vegas. Things get even more strange when she gets there and finds herself in the path of a different serial killer.

I really enjoyed this unique and suspenseful thriller. The main character is hilarious and the book is filled with more laughs and levity than I’d expect from a thriller. I liked the anti hero main characters and found their back stories to be just as interesting as the present that was unfolding. I thought I’d figured out a twist, only to be quickly proven wrong. The end was filled with action packed plot twists.

Thank you to Michelle Gagnon, GP Putnam’s Sons, and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

This book came out of nowhere and now I'm completely obsessed with it! If you are a fan of the Finlay Donovan series, you will want to pick this one up when it releases on May 16th.

I absolutely loved all the strong, badass female characters in this book! Dot was my favorite, but all the characters had serious Taylor Swift Bad Blood energy about them. It seemed like the author wrote them so that each one could shine in their own way, even if they weren't the main character.

I will admit, the red herring totally got me, and I may have pulled an Andy Dwyer surprise face when all was revealed at the end. I loved the ending and really, I just loved everything about this one!

Seriously, do yourself a favor and read this book! I give it a solid 5/5 stars!

My first Michelle Gagnon novel but won’t be my last! Such a thrill ride with the most unlikely yet lovable characters. I was hooked early on and honestly disappointed when I turned the last page. Fun, fresh take with an inventive approach.
Don’t miss this one.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rating: 5/5 Stars
Publishing: May 16, 2023
Series: NA
Pages: 336

Michelle Gagnon…can’t say that I’ve read anything by this author, however, suffice to say this won’t be my last time doing so. “Killing Me” by this new author to this reader was just a wonderful thriller that I truly enjoyed. I was a little skeptical from the description trying to figure out how humor can be intwined into a mystery thriller, but it worked for the author. I could not put it down as I enjoyed the plot and the writing. Amber enters the story being kidnapped and locked away by a serial killer and mentally telling herself beating herself up on why she did not do all the things she’s been taught by self-defense classes. Amber has spunk and attitude that she had to learned since her parents abandoned her to take care of herself. Then there is an unidentified woman who has been tracking serial killers coming to her rescue and even keeping tabs on her. Amber goes from being a victim to joining in the hunt for other dangerous serial killers. This story makes you laugh out loud at times with all the shenanigans and craziness. This story keeps you engaged to the very end. Truly enjoyed every bit of it.

I loved this!
as someone who is not usually a character-driven reader, the characters were absolutely my favorite part. pls give me a sequel about the Fatal Femmes. also really enjoyed the setting of the kinda seedy, rundown Vegas motel. I thought this balanced the humor really well with the darker elements. and it's sapphic!!!

"The worst part was that I felt stupid.

Well, that’s not entirely true. The real worst part was that I was tied up in the back of a van with a hood over my head, and based on recent news reports, something truly horrific was about to happen.

But feeling stupid was definitely second worst."

I was really excited when I started this book, I love black humor. But the comedy in this was kind of lacking and the mystery never completely grabbed me. There were some good moments sprinkled in but then I would be bored for huge chunks of the story.

It just wasn't for me, unfortunately.

Thank you netgalley and penguin group Dutton for giving me an advanced review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Fun thriller about a young woman who is rescued from a serial killer's clutches and then things get weird.

This was so addictive. I couldn't put this page turner down. Well written and great pace.
I just reviewed Killing Me by Michelle Gagnon. #KillingMe #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]

OMG! What a book! I Couldn't put it down. This book gripped me from beginning to the absolute last word. It is well-written and easy to read. I loved it. Amber's courage and her vivid delivery was outstanding. The storyline will take you to the most darned places (can't guarantee they won't stay with you) and there is action, suspense, drama and more. Get your copy and read this great story 👏

What an absolutely fun book.

This is definitely neo-noir mixed with humor and such a fun cast of characters. Amber and Grace are thrown together after Grace accidentally rescues Amber from a serial killer.

Which is literally the first chapter. After that, madness and romping ensue. And I could not stop reading.

The book never took itself seriously. It was ridiculous and unbelievable from start to finish, but it made me question: do books really need to be believable to be fun?

It reminded me in so many ways of the Finlay Donovan series, but where this one shines is the main character Amber and the way the story is told.

There were a few hiccups like pacing and things making sense at places (such as Marcella and the whole plot around her. She was quite insufferable and I’d have liked to see better sex worker representation than her.

Also the Jessie storyline that I felt wasn’t perfect and didn’t make sense in an even insanely nonsensical noir book.)

Overall, this book was atmospheric and fun. And I hope among hope after reading the acknowledgements that we will be revisiting Grace and Amber with a sequel. I hope in that the author tightens up some of the little issues with this, but I’ll definitely be back for a second romp.

Thank you so much Netgalley and Penguin Random House for the advanced e-copy in exchange for my honest review.

I really liked the beginning of this book and thought the concept of the book was cool. The beginning of the book included some comedy and twists. However, I felt like it took a while to actually understand the characters. The storyline slowed down towards the middle of the book.

Thank you to Penguin Group Putnam and NetGalley for the ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley, Michelle Gagnon & Penguin Group Putnam for an arc of Killing Me in exchange for an honest review. This review is wholly my own & may not be reproduced.

“Amber Jamison cannot believe she’s about to become the latest victim of a serial killer—she’s savvy and street smart, so when she gets pushed into, of all things, a white windowless van, she's more angry than afraid. Things get even weirder when she’s miraculously saved by a mysterious woman…who promptly disappears. Who was she? And why is she hunting serial killers? You’d think escaping one psychopath would be enough, but Amber’s problems are just beginning. Her close call has law enforcement circling a past she’s tried to outrun. So she’s forced to flee across the country, ending up at a seedy motel in Las Vegas with a noir-obsessed manager and a sex worker as her unlikely companions...and danger right behind. She’s landed in the crosshairs of the world’s most prolific killer, caught up in a deadly game that’s been going on for years. To survive, she's forced to dust off her old playbook and partner with someone she can’t trust. The odds are against her, but sometimes you just have to roll the dice.”

So my immediate thought when I read this description was a cross between Finlay Donovan and Swamp Story. I loved both of those, so I thought Killing Me was a pretty good bet!

I was not disappointed. The cast of oddball characters and their respective antics made this story hilarious. A book about a serial killer is hilarious – yep, you read that right!

The book was a teeny bit slow to start, but once it picked up, it REALLY picked up and made it hard to put down. The writing by Gagnon was superb and so sharp and witty. This book was a breath of fresh air. It wasn’t what I was expecting go in. It was BETTER! Definitely add this one to the top of your TBR list!

5/5 Stars

What a great book! This has some humor spiced in, I would have liked more but it was a good amount. The characters developed well and some were likable and some less likable for sure. I liked the twists throughout the book and it definitely kept me wanting to read.

This book grabs you from the very first sentence. The narrator is Amber Jamison, and she's just been kidnapped by a serial killer. Her first thought is that she feels stupid for getting into that predicament. I'd probably be thinking the same thing! Her feelings quickly turn to terror as her escape attempts don't pan out.

Things turn her way, however, when a mysterious woman rescues her from her fate. Amber is intrigued by the mystery woman but for her own reasons must flee from her life. She makes her way to Las Vegas. Once there, she returns to some of her old ways but ends up making her first real friends in the process.These characters are well-written and flawed, but lovable.

The mystery woman reappears in Amber's life and she soon discovers that there is another serial killer in her midst. Is he targeting Amber or is it just a coincidence? Can her luck really be that bad?

This book starts a little slow but builds momentum as it goes on. The backstory about the mystery woman is a bit cut and dried as opposed to Amber's colorful past but it's not boring. This book is perfect to read on a weekend or a beach vacation. You wouldn't think a thriller about a serial killer could be humorous but this one manages to be, and it works.

Highly recommended read. I thoroughly enjoyed the humor and the well-written characters.

Oh, and I read the acknowledgements. The author hints at a sequel!

Many thanks to Penguin Group Putnam and NetGalley for the ARC they provided in exchange for my review.

what a fun read! the first four chapters really reeled me in, I could tell where this was going but I’m a good way.

amber has just survived a local serial killer, rescued by a woman named grace. the catch, grace stumbled only upon amber’s serial killer while hunting down her own serial killer who’s watching them both. graces act of saving amber unknowingly put a target on her back and only made the “game” that much more exciting for her serial killer. amber, becomes a pawn in this game of cat and mouse, and must pair up with grace to catch him and stay alive.

by the end, I was unsure if this would end in a predictable manner… with a familiar and expected twist. luckily, it doesn’t and I wasn’t disappointed.

thank you Putnam Books for this ARC, courtesy of Netgalley. Publication date for “Killing Me” is May 16, 2023.

I enjoyed this book a lot. The opening especially caught my attention. I loved the "interludes" we got where we were able to see into the pasts of some of the characters. I also really enjoyed the writing style, and I feel like it suits this genre very well. The language isn't too complex, which allows you to focus on the story. It's reminiscent of a lot of my favorite thrillers while managing to be entirely its own thing. Overall, if you like thrillers, I'd definitely give this one a shot.