In recent years, there has been a surge in narratives featuring female serial killers, and this particular story, while not entirely groundbreaking, proves to be a strong contender in the dark yet humorous sub-genre.

The prevalence of gender-based violence worldwide adds weight to the deliberate choice in these stories to emphasize the absurdity of events rather than dwelling on the realistic likelihood of such murders occurring. This reflects the disturbing global reality of violence against women.

Following peculiar dating experiences, Millie takes the initiative to create a service aiding women in safely navigating uncomfortable post-date situations. Whether it's dealing with persistent individuals in a bar, a stalker, or a threatening ex, the concept resonates universally, offering a valuable service appreciated by virtually every woman.

This book, a blend of darkness and thrills, surprisingly injects relatable humor into its exploration of serious themes. With its entertaining and gripping narrative, it proves to be an engaging choice, especially for those seeking a mix of cathartic vengeance, a sense of being wronged, or just a good laugh.

Thank you kindly to NetGalley and Avon Books UK, Avon for the gifted eARC to read and review.

The best thing about this book was the opening line. I was super excited to get into it, but it got off to a slow start and never recovered.

Between the tattoo/piercing body shaming and the self-righteousness of the main MC, I had enough and DNF’d at 40%. Don’t even get me started on the various iterations of the word flicker (14 as my DNF point). What’s with the repetition of this word in every book lately? FIND ANOTHER WORD PEOPLE.

I went in thinking this one would be great for fans of Finley Donovan, but it turned out to be much more cynical than it is comedic. It didn’t work for me…

I loved this book. It was dark, it was funny. A female serial killer? Sign me up. I could not put it down. You will not be bored for a single moment reading this book

Thank you NetGalley for a free e-galley of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Eve Kellman's "How to Kill a Guy in Ten Ways" is a wickedly entertaining blend of humor, mystery, and thriller, delivering a narrative that's as darkly funny as it is thought-provoking. At the heart of this novel is Millie Masters, a character whose complexity and moral ambiguity will captivate readers from the first page. Kellman skillfully crafts a storyline that's not just about revenge, but also a commentary on the perils women face and the lengths they might go to protect themselves and others.

The concept of a hotline for women feeling unsafe, which evolves into a much darker endeavor, sets the stage for a story that is both fantastical and eerily reflective of real-world issues. Kellman's writing shines in its ability to balance the grim subject matter with sharp wit and satirical undertones, reminiscent of works by Bella Mackie and Oyinkan Braithwaite. Readers will find themselves in a moral quandary, simultaneously rooting for Millie while grappling with the implications of her actions.

The novel's pacing is brisk, with twists and turns that keep the pages turning. Kellman doesn't shy away from the darker aspects of her narrative, yet manages to infuse a sense of empowerment and catharsis throughout. The supporting characters add depth and perspective to the story, creating a rich tapestry that explores themes of justice, vengeance, and the complexities of female agency in a world that often feels threatening.

"How to Kill a Guy in Ten Ways" is a must-read for those who enjoy their thrillers with a side of social commentary and dark humor. It's a bold, unapologetic book that's not afraid to push boundaries and make readers question their own sense of right and wrong. Kellman has delivered a novel that is both entertaining and thought-provoking, making it a perfect recommendation for fans of unconventional thrillers and contemporary social narratives.

A woman killing to avenge her sister's rape.
I wasn't really sure how that was going to be anything but heartbreaking but the author made it work incredibly.

The real star of the book was the author's incredibly incisive writing on support available when one is in crisis, and the beauty of a bond between loved ones.

This book is both light hearted and heartwarming and dark and sad, much like reality

I would recommend this to anyone who would like something a little heartwarming with a real take on the failure to help women in this world.

I was sent this ARC by netgalley in return for an honest review.

‘How To Kill A Guy In Ten Ways’ by Eve Kellman is a gripping, shocking, darkly hilarious read for fans of Katie Brent and Bella Mackie. Righteous protector / serial-killer extraordinaire Millie Masters is the main character and Kellman has created a woman who is likeable and relatable despite her less-than-ideal hobby… Millie’s motivations - to avenge her sister and protect the women who contact her hotline - are always clear and her greyish moral code allows for some feelings of guilt when problems go awry.

I loved Millie’s best friend Nina, who really comes into her own later in the story. The pacing of the tale was perfect - I wished my commute was longer as I did NOT want to put down my kindle as I reached my destination! I could not stop thinking about all of the examples throughout the novel of how women have to stay alert and protect themselves - texting a friend a hook up’s address, being careful on running apps, using Millie’s “Dial M” hotline - desperately sad but depressingly true!

I wasn’t a huge fan of the ending, and there were a few frustrating times where I felt that the magnitude of evidence Millie hadn’t even considered was overwhelming (example: if stalkers can track your Strava, the police should be able to also), but that didn’t really detract from the overall brilliance of this novel… a little suspension of disbelief never hurt anyone.

Giving this 4.5 stars (and rounding up!) I’d definitely recommend this book, which releases on 28 March 2024.

I received a free review copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest feedback. Thanks NetGalley and Avon Books!

Oh Boy!

Buckle up for a twisty ride into this woman's murderous thoughts and actions. I am new to this author, but the synopsis and description peaked my interest, and was pleased when I received a free ARC from Netgalley. Fortunately/unfortunately, I was unprepared for the journey Millie was on, to right some wrongs.

This is an interesting tale of the depths one sister will drop into, to avenge the other's misfortune and abuse. Initially, I was on board with Millie's retribution and the ways she went about her "mission". Deeper into the book, it became a very dark read, with this woman, clearly battling her own demons, as well as others. By that point, I was to wrapped up in the storyline to stop reading. Nina (Millie's best friend) ended up surprising me, and I am a bit conflicted about that. There were many part of this read that were uncomfortable, and I do think a sensitive reader may have some issues with this one, but I enjoyed it.

The suspenseful nature of the events, and the creative measures Millie took to evade detection, was very entertaining and easy to read and enjoy. And - James! I really like him, but I get why things worked out the way they did! IYKYK. :)

Overall, I recommend this read, and am satisfied with the ending. I voluntarily leave my review.

How to Kill a Guy in Ten Ways is a remarkable read. I genuinely couldn't believe that it's Eve Kellman's debut novel. It's captivating right from the first sentence. Only one chapter in I'd given up on going to sleep. The female serial killer genre is one I never knew I needed until now.

After her sister suffers a traumatic experience, Millie starts a hotline to help women who feel unsafe on a night out. But it turns into a vigilante gig and then spirals wildly out of control.

Kellman is a hilarious writer. I love the main character's voice. I love how real Millie is. I could see us sitting in a kitchen with a glass of wine moaning about men. She's my inner hater, but out loud. She got a bit frustrating and stupid but her (questionable) moral compass makes it so easy to root for her through it all.

Just one thing; quite a few typos. I know, those stubborn ones that manage to evade multiple rounds of editing.

All round, though, a beautiful read. I truly enjoyed this.

Thanks NetGalley for my ARC.

I don’t think my jaw has ever dropped while reading as much as it did in this book. This book was like watching a train wreck that just got worse and worse (but in the best way). I have to appreciate the author’s writing style and humour because honestly I think British and Australian humour are one and the same.

I genuinely could not put this book down, the concept is so intriguing and it draws you in so easily. In my opinion, Millie the main girl is a **little** insufferable at times and on occasion had me thinking that she could potentially be the stupidest serial killer alive. Some of her choices and moments really made me want to reach into the book and smack her.

Overall very very enjoyable but make sure to check trigger warnings as it doesn’t shy away from heavy stuff.

The title just draws you in and cover is bright and fun. But you stay for the brilliant dark humour. I absolutely loved it! I couldn’t put it down. Millie writing it as her daily was so different it felt so easy to read, i adored Millie and find it hard to see the wrong she does a female serial killer I would still want as a friend. This really is a breath of fresh air in uniqueness. I would definitely recommend! It’s fun light brilliant humour a little murder with a strong female character what more could you want.

4 stars

Loved it. The dark humor was rich in this one. It was also pretty fresh and not just a rewrite of the same old lady serial killer story I’ve been reading.

Voicey and violent, this is a delight. A recommended purchase for collections where crime and thrillers are popular.

Having read a number of women serial killer books of late i wondered if this would be another one jumping on the band wagon. Oh how wrong i was, an engaging story with well constructed characters and just a fabulous read. My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my copy. Read this five star read far to quickly.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC.
Once I got into this book, I absolutely ate it up! I often found myself reading too fast and had to keep going back to get the details. Thankfully this was an eBook otherwise the temptation of looking ahead would have been too great. A very interesting title initially drew me in, and it did not disappoint. The book just kept getting better as it went on. All I could think towards the end was that I hope Millie isn’t girl bossing too close to the sun!

Something happened to Millie Masters sister. As a result she is determined to find the culprit.
Millie is running a hotline called M. Anyone feeling in threat or danger can call her up of an evening and she will come to their rescue. Millie is aware that there are many men out there who just wont take NO for an answer. It is during one of her rescue missions that something happens. This starts her on the path she takes.

Although you really shouldn't like Millie you can't help but feel for her flawed character. You also come to realise that there's more to her history that's put her on the path to murder.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to see an ARC

Funny, engaging story that still offers a fair amount of social commentary. A few aspects offer more than the usual difficulty in suspending disbelief. All-in-all, a fun poolside read.

If your job is what pays the bills then Millie is a picture framer, but if your job is what you define yourself by then Millie runs a phone line for women who feel unsafe on a night out. Women like Millie's sister, Katie, who hasn't been the same ever since she was attacked nine months ago. When Millie first sets out to find the man who attacked her little sister, she only wants to help, but between hunting down Katie's attacker and running her phone line, Millie starts to think that the only way things will change is if someone does something to change them. Someone like Millie.

I am loving the recent trend for books about women who go on killing sprees, and I could not resist this one's title. I enjoyed that we get to see the start of Millie's killing spree, to understand what triggers it and how it happens, and I also enjoyed that we got details of who Millie's victims are and how she kills them. This genre is always going to be a little exaggerated, but How to Kill a Guy in Ten Ways strikes a good balance between enough realism that we can see how Millie ends up in the situation she does, and enough fantasy that we get an entertaining story with a happy ending. And I am thrilled about that happy ending. On the realistic side, there is obviously a lot of material to work with in terms of the men Millie considers worth killing - and this is a heavy topic, although hopefully that happy ending will help - but I also enjoyed the realism of the characters more broadly, the little details that made them feel like people you've met.

As well as satisfying on the female-serial-killer front, How to Kill a Guy in Ten Ways also satisfied on the black-humour front. Millie is an amusing narrator, and I enjoyed her sarcastic observations and asides, as well as her relatable inner monologue. I was on Millie's side from the very beginning, and I couldn't wait to see how her story ended. This is a solid addition to a fun new genre.

Don’t you just want to grab this, switch off the phone and curl up on the sofa
By far one of my favourite books I've read this year… I loved every minute…

I honestly wasn’t too sure about this book at first. I had never read anything in the female serial killer genre but the title and the description drew me in.

Millie has started a hotline for women called Message M. Text this number at anytime and she’ll get you a safe ride home. Obviously, things take a dramatic turn and the book lives up to its title.

For most of the book, I was feeling entertained but I just didn’t really care about the story. But there was a point towards the end of the book where my jaw dropped and I just couldn’t put it down.

The last couple of years have seen a mini-boom in the trope of female serial killers. Interestingly, the vast majority of these stories are dark, but funny.

Given the persistent (im)balance wrt the direction of gender based violence statistics to date, it's probably not an accident that these stories do tend to play on the absurdity of events described, rather than the likelihood of such murders actually taking place. Because one of the few things that holds true globally, if to slightly differing degrees, is the disturbing prevalence of violence against women.

Be that as it may, and absurdity notwithstanding, this is a good addition to the genre.

After a number of strange dating experiences, Millie decides to set up a service for women to help them get home safely after a date that hasn't really gone the way it was planned. Or when some random creepiness emerges in the form of a man in a bar who will not take no for an answer, or a stalker, or a threatening ex, and so on and so on.

To be honest, I cannot think of a single woman who will not appreciate the idea of a service like this! I seem to remember many years ago that students at my University in London were told about a service called Lady Cabs that was recommended for this very reason. Though what Millie offers is a decidedly upgraded version...

Nevertheless, very soon things go off- track due to the persistence of a certain type of particularly creepy individual, and the fact that one specific incident hits too close to home for Millie. The rest, as they say is history (herstory?)!

This is a dark, thrilling and very entertaining book. And considering the subject material, there is a surprising amount of very relatable humour on offer. If you are feeling a little vengeful, or ill-used, or just in need of a good laugh, then this is probably a good choice for you.