Gia kind of annoyed me with how unaware she was that her husband was swindling her for money. I really pushed through because I wanted to know how it ended & the truth about the whole thing. Some of the reveals were predictable. Overall, not terrible.

An enticing "who-dunnit" that keeps the reader guessing throughout the story and beyond. The story gets told through the perspectives of two lifelong friends - Gia and Abby. A twist is that Gia's tells her story through the manuscript that she is writing. Gia comes from a very rich family who has " sponsored" Abby for many years through the generosity of Gia's father Hugo. Their friendship has endured - but changed when a tragic "something" happened to the girls on Gia's island home.... which adds to the mysteries unfolding in the story in finding out just what happened? Gia has now married a man that Abby does not approve of and the friction between them has grown. Gia plans a short trip to Sweden to include her brother Benny and Abby to rekindle their friendship, leaving husband Garrett home with two rather questionable houseguests. However, Abby doesn't show up and cannot be contacted. To find Gia, Benny and Abby read her manuscript to try to unravel the story she is telling ....what is true and what isn't? The truth seems to start with the past.....but again ..... what is the truth and what are lies? The twists keep piling up as the storylines unfold, which can sometimes be very complex and unreliable. Gia is found - but where are her husband and the houseguests that were at the home....were they involved in a scam to get Gia's money....and what happened to them? This is a pretty quick read as the reader keeps the pages turning to discover what is really going on in this story?? And will the ending be what everyone expects? hank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballentine for the opportunity to read and review this advance reader copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #NetGalley #LadyKiller

This is exactly what I've come to expect from Katherine Wood's books! Her other thrillers are high on my list for some of my favorite books, and this was no different. She does SUCH a good job of describing the location in her books that it makes you feel like you're really there with the characters. This one instantly made me want to book a trip to Greece! I also loved the way this story was set up- getting Gia's side of the story through her manuscript was so unique and really makes you question what's real and what's not. This just solidified the fact that she will be an auto buy author for a long time for me!

Title: A Talent for Murder by Peter Swanson
Publication Date- 06/11/24
Publisher- William Morrow
Overall Rating- DNF at 65 percent

Review: Review copy given to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Ugh. I don’t think I have a lot to say in this review. This isn’t a bad book. The writing is good, especially for a thriller. The voices and characters are strong, the plot is engaging…. at the start. Then at about 40 percent in, it starts to feel repetitive and lose track of where I thought it was going. Now, this may be a me problem but I just felt like we were going round in circles about the same thing and the tensions died down.

This would be good for you if you don’t need a fast paced thriller. Which typically I don’t. Again maybe this was a me problem but even the character development didn’t feel meaningful. I will say, this is a good book for the summer, it has a solid vacation vibe. Ladykiller also has aspects of greek mythology intertwined. Lastly, if you don’t like sexually explicit content, skip this one. I thought it added to the story and was more interesting than some of the other elements but if you are a closed door person, you may not enjoy those aspects.

- 3 star rating as nothing is wrong with the book.

This one was a little slow to start. I put it down several times but once I was about a third in I was completely immersed in the story. The characters are interesting. The mystery full of twists. And I admit, my jaw literally dropped at the reveal. This was my first time reading this author and it won't be my last.

Thank you to the publisher for a free copy of this upcoming new release.

Katherine Wood spun quite the story here. Gia and Abby have been friends since they were teenagers. Abby's mom worked for Gia's dad, but supported Abby in her raising After a traumatic event when they are 18, Gia and Abby's friendship changes. Years later, Gia wants Abby to fly to Sweden for her birthday. However, when she gets there Gia is not.

Told in alternating perspectives- Abby's and Gia's through a manuscript she is writing-- we slowly find out what happened to Gia during recent events. I found Gia's manuscript to be a tad more interesting than Abby's perspective. I enjoyed the plot overall, and liked the ending for the most part.

Definitely recommend this fast paced suspense novel.

Thank you so much to Randomhouse for the ARC!

First of all- WHAT A COVER!

This book took 'rich people behaving badly' to the NEXT level and a little too far for me a lot of times. This book was VERY sexual which I typically don't prefer in my thrillers.

As far as the plot itself, it was interesting enough at the beginning but started dragging for me around the 40-50% point and seemed like all it became was rich people having sex with each other. I wish it was more of a true thriller.

I did love how the book was told between Abby's perspective and Gia's Manuscript.

I am sure there is definitely an audience for this book, but I don't think it's me.

This will be out July 9th!

Thank you, NetGalley and Bantam, for my free E-book for review.

Initially, this book started a bit slow for my liking. But as I progressed through the story, I found myself warming up to it. The narrative is told from two different points of view and in a non-linear timeline, allowing us to follow the lives of two best friends, the secrets they kept, and the lies they were willing to tell themselves.

Gia, in particular, is quite an unlikable character. Yet it's her edge that gives this story its compelling nature. As an unreliable narrator, she had me constantly questioning who was telling the truth.

On the other hand, Abby represents the underprivileged who managed to catch a lucky break and become the lawyer she is today. Her sense of gratitude and loyalty to their friendship muddled the decisions she made when she was just 18 years old. While Abby adds a softer, more sympathetic side to this thriller, she effectively balances out the notoriety of Gia.

Overall, this was a gripping read, especially as suspicion is continually cast on Gia's actions. The ambiguous ending left me unsure of who to believe - Gia or Abby. But at the end of the day, I still thoroughly enjoyed the journey.

The cover for this book screams "the perfect summer thriller." It was atmospheric and I felt like I was transported to the cliffs of Greece.

I absolutely loved the way this book was set up. Dual POV with one POV being Gia's manuscript. The premise for this book is what kept me so intrigued. Where was Gia's story going? How was Abby going to figure out what happened?

I enjoyed everything about this story - what's real? what's not? who's telling the truth? I think we know now but... do we? I mean... did we get closure? It reminds me a little of the ending of Verity. It has me questioning SO MUCH.

I would absolutely recommend this one for all thriller readers!!

A very compelling read, I read this in a day trying to figure out whodunnit.
The ending was a little more ambiguous than I’m used to in a thriller but I can definitely see readers giving this the Verity treatment.

Ladykiller is the perfect beach read! I loved Wood's descriptions of a Greek island, making the reader feel the sun and water. The story goes back and forth between Gia's manuscript and her best friend Abby as Gia goes missing at the start of vacation. I felt on the edge of my seat the whole time as Wood builds tension in the two stories before they intertwine. Thrillers such as these are my favorite to read in summer and who doesn't love to hear about the rich behaing badly! I need to go back and read her other two summer thrillers that I haven't read yet under her previous name as Katherine St. John! Highly recommend for those looking for that page turning book to read under the sun, sand, and surf!

Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for so graciously providing me qirh this e-ARC! I am very thankful and once read will update this review placeholder with my thoughts and also review on my Social medias.

3.5 stars, actually.

Despite an abundant supply of truly unlikable, mostly unrelatable characters, this story grabbed me from the beginning and enticed me to hang in there right to the end - if only to see which of them finally got their comeuppance. Then I got to the end, and well, that didn't exactly happen - quickly deflating my bubble of anticipation.

But let's back up: Central to the story are Abby and Gia, who became best friends as children at Gia's family home in Greece. When they were mostly grown, some kind of tragedy occurred during the summer before college that resulted in a bit of a rift between them. Abby ended up in Atlanta after finishing law school, but the two haven't been close in recent years. Abby is surprised, then, to be invited to a fancy resort in Sweden to help Gia celebrate her 30th birthday and see her younger brother Benny and, most important, her new husband, Garrett. Given Gia's custom of going off the rails whenever and wherever she is, Abby is taken aback - but not surprised - to learn they married within a scandalously short time after meeting each other.

Besides the party, Gia is preparing to sell the family home - mostly out of financial necessity; she's still rolling in dough, but the inheritance left by her late father is meager is comparison to the amount he gave away so it won't last forever. Amid all this, Gia says she's decided to write another memoir (her first book was a modest success). The manuscript, which reflects major events in Gia's life, then becomes chapters in this book that are interspersed with snippets from Abby's perspective. Soon, it becomes clear that much of the plot hinges on what awful thing happened that summer more than a decade ago mingled with the awful goings on in Gia's newly married life. And for sure, there's a lot - including a mysterious couple and an abundance of fairly graphic sex scenes (I offer this as a warning to those who don't like to read about such things).

Gia's birthday party, meantime, takes a surprising turn; when Abby and Benny arrive, in fact, Gia isn't there. They get no response at first to text messages and calls to Gia in Greece, followed by messages from Gia that don't quite ring true. Something's gone wrong for sure, so Abby and Benny head for Greece in hopes of setting matters straight - with Abby continuing to hope her friends never find out what really happened in that summer long ago. As an aside, I'll note that readers learn the truth - which in my opinion turned out to be much ado about nothing.

Of course, the story is more complicated than that - but you'll have to read it for yourself to find out the details. There are several interesting and, dare I say, dangerous twists, though most didn't come as a big surprise to me. What WAS surprising is how gullible an otherwise worldly grown woman can be. Then came that ending, which I eagerly approached thinking all the loose ends would be tied up. But that was not to be, leaving me disappointed (but with a vague thought that perhaps there's a sequel in the works).

Still, there's plenty to like here, so overall I'm happy for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy (for which I thank the publisher, via NetGalley).

This is a great book for readers who love stories about rich people behaving badly, and for those who enjoy thrillers with ambiguity. Unfortunately, I'm not a huge fan of either of those types of stories, so this was a bit of a miss for me, despite good writing and an intriguing plot. Definitely a case of "It's not you, it's me." The book alternates between two storylines. In the present, Abby is traveling to Sweden for a vacation with her rich childhood best friend, Gia, and Gia's brother Benny. When Gia doesn't show up, Abby and Benny travel to her holiday home in Greece to find out what has happened to her. Interspersed were entries from Gia's diary in Greece in the months before her disappearance. As with all thrillers, it's best to go in with as little foreknowledge as possible. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Bantam for a digital review copy.

Summer is the time I reach for suspense/thriller books… and obviously Ladykiller’s cover had me adding it quickly to my summer TBR.

I started this one on my kindle… which I only read at night but because I’m a huge scaredy cat… the audio during the day was the route I needed to go! Thank you PRH Audio!

This is a fast paced… summer drama/thriller. You will soak up the atmosphere… located on a tiny island in Greece… and entertaining guests at a beachfront estate on the Mediterranean while the sun is warm and the drinks and food are plenty.

TBH that’s all I needed to know before diving in. Told through the POV of two friends… Abby, the attorney… and the later is Gia, which you will see is told through manuscripts. Gia is an heiress as well as author and is writing her 2nd novel… both girls together have a past which you see unfolding throughout the story.

Reading the synopsis now it really sets you up for what happens deeper into the pages. I really enjoyed this one the characters you never knew who to trust… and you could feel the stakes and sunshine abundantly.

Thank you Bantam & PRH Audio
Releases 7/9/24

This sounded like a promising book, and although it didn't meet my expectations, it was good.

Gia comes from a privileged background, but when her father dies and leaves his fortune to charity, she unexpectedly needs money. To solve her problems, Gia decides to sell the one thing of value: a villa on a Greek Island. Newly married, Gia and her husband are at odds about what improvements need to be made to sell the house. Tension develops in the newlywed's relationship. Gia's best friend, Abby, whose mother worked for Gia's family, is working hard to become a partner at her law firm. When Gia, decides to celebrate her birthday in Switzerland with just her brother Benny and Abby, Abby drops everything to go to Switzerland. Gia fails to show up, so Abby and Benny head to Greece, only to find Gia has vanished.

The book started quickly but slowed down just as fast. I found the descriptions of the characters lusting after each other and the sex descriptions distracting. They didn't move the story along, and I wondered why so many romantic scenes were needed. The mystery surrounding Gia was good, and there were some twists, but overall, this falls short of being a thriller. 3/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Bantam, for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is July 9, 2024.

I was immediately drawn to this book from the description and cover. I feel though that for me it didn’t quite measure up. The setting and characters were good but the story and ending were not really what I was expecting. Thanks to NetGalley for the privilege to read and review this book.

Ladykiller Katherine Wood is a highly recommended debut mystery that has strong melodramatic soap opera sensibilities.

Gia and Abby became friends as children, along with Gia's younger brother Benny, because Abby's mother worked for Gia's very wealthy family. The family accepted Abby as one of their own, paid for her schooling including college, and opened up new experiences and opportunities for her. The two became even more bonded together after a tragic incident that happened when they were 18 on the family's beachfront estate on a Greek island. Gia's father, Hugo Torres, recently passed away, and left the Greek island estate to Gia.

Abby and Gia have become estranged recently, when Gia, undeterred by Abby's suggestion of caution, married Garrett after knowing him for just three months. Gia and Garrett are living on the island estate now, preparing it for sale. Abby is working fourteen-hour days as an attorney. When Gia invites Abby and Benny on an all-expenses-paid trip to Sweden to see the Northern lights and celebrate her 30th birthday, the two arrive, but Gia doesn't, texting excuses that leave them suspicious. The two set off to Greece to find Gia.

The narrative unfolds in alternating chapters that present the perspectives of both Abby and Gia. Abby's perspective is told through chapters set in the present and past. Gia's story is presented through a manuscript she is writing which purportedly describes events on the island estate leading up to her disappearance. Gia's story is of an entitled heiress living a lascivious life style. The real question becomes clear early on: Is Gia, as depicted in her manuscript, a trustworthy character or reliable narrator?

Ladykiller is a well-written debut novel that held my attention throughout. There are plenty of secrets and scandals unfolding throughout the plot. Expect some twists that may stretch credibility but should not deter you from reading. The ending, which doesn't offer a complete conclusion, will either offer readers an entertaining opportunity to form their own opinions, or, alternately, slightly disappoint those who like closure. That, in itself, could start a lively book club discussion. Thanks to Bantam Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The review will be published on Edelweiss, X, Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

Thank you Bantam Books and Netgalley for a copy.

🖤Atmospheric setting in Greece
🖤Drama!!
🖤Missing Person/ Murder
🖤Twists
🖤Spice🔥

Gia and Abby have been best friends since childhood. Gia comes from a rich family and Abby’s mom worked as their cook.
After a traumatic event struck both of them at the age of 18, things were a little different going forward.
Gia disappears from her family’s Greece mansion and leaves behind “Gia’s Manuscript”. Which is from her typewriter and tells a story of her life and new husband troubles leading up to her disappearance.
Abby and Gia’s brother, Benny, are on a journey to discover where she is and what happened for her to vanish.
Who is telling the truth??
A thrilling summer novel that will pull you in.

3 stars

This book has a fantastic title and cover. The contents are good but, unfortunately, for me, they did not live up to the external messaging.

Gia and Abby are best friends, and while Gia is a wealthy heiress, Abby comes from a different background altogether. When Gia goes missing, Abby puts herself on the case.

While there are promising plot points and scenery that is tailor made for a light summer read, I struggled with the pacing and the interjections of Gia's manuscript. I also found the descriptions of various amorous thoughts and actions more awkward than intriguing. This became a strange mix of losing track of the storyline and feeling jarred by these aforementioned moments. The mystery and thrills were overshadowed by these challenges.

I'd give this author another shot, but this was not as big of a thrill as I anticipated.