I hated our characters and really liked the book!

Okay, I didn’t hate all the characters. I liked the himbo. But ALL of the other characters sucked.

The first quarter or so of the book, I actually contemplated DNF’ing. Like, who wants to torture themselves with horrible people? But before I knew it, I was hooked. I still hated all but our himbo, but I needed to know what the truth of everything was! From that point forward, I was hooked. The mystery of everything ended up being twisty and compelling and the ended packed a nice little punch.

Everyone but the himbo still sucked, but I ended up really enjoying the book!

• ARC via Publisher

Ladykiller was RIVETING. I could not put this book down and it kept me guessing at every turn! I kept thinking I had “figured it out” only to have another twist thrown my way. I enjoyed all the characters and their unique personalities. Wood also did a great job with the little bits of sexy spice weaved throughout. I truly enjoyed every page, and the final line of Gia’s Manuscript in the epilogue was genius. Can’t wait to read more by this author!

I really loved this book and how the story unfolded through a manuscript within the story! Such a very cool, inception-like vibe of a story within a story. I really liked the mystery in this book as well as the twists and turns, but I did find myself wanting the story to be a little quicker at times. Overall, this was a great read that kept my interest all the way until the end and without spoiling, I’m really hoping for more books!

Wow! That ending! Definitely left me with more questions! I loved how fast paced this was! I think this was the first book I’ve ever read that did flash backs instead of different chapters to go back in time, which was definitely a nice change! So much going on and very entertaining so had me glued to pages wanting to know what happens next! Can’t wait to read the next book she releases!

Wow...I don't even know where to start with this one. For starters, I absolutely LOVED Abby - she's a strong, independent lead actively trying to spearhead her way into the law world. The story goes back and forth between her perspective and a writing piece that her best friend, Gia, is working on. While engaging, this book was pretty long and read as a slow burn rather than your typical, fast-paced thriller. To be honest, I think I would have preferred if they were two companion novels rather than in the same back. Regardless, this story was packed with plenty to think about and would be a great book club discussion pick - plenty of twists that leave you wondering who to trust. Thanks for this ARC!

Ladykillers by Katherine Wood is a two stories in one book that ultimately come together in a mysterious (do I smell a possible sequel?) conclusion. On one side, you meet Abby, who even though she is laser focused on making partner at the law firm she works for, agrees to meet up with her best friend, Gia, and Gia’s brother, Benny, in Sweden to mark seeing the Northern Lights off their bucket list. Abby and Benny make it to the tucked away resort with the glass igloo to best view the phenomenon of the Aurora Borealis. The problem: Gia never shows and beyond a few texts, has no contact with anyone.

The other story is told through a manuscript that Gia is writing that she hopes to publish after being off the writing radar for ten years. Gia is living at an estate on a Greek island with her husband, Garrett, that they are renovating in preparation for selling it to one of her deceased father’s wives. Married just a few months after only knowing each other a month before wedding, Garrett is shrouded in mystery. He has asked Gia for money under the guise of saving his shipping company, but when Gia’s accountant looks into the information she shares with him, he comes back to her with more questions than answers.

I liked the flow of the book. I found myself thinking that Gia’s manuscript could honestly be a standalone book of its own, as well as a book just focused on Benny and Abby’s story. You find yourself sucked into the intricate web of deception that is threaded throughout the book. Wood places you in the hot Greek sun, the feel of the sand between your toes and the water cooling your sun kissed skin. I found myself trying to figure out the mystery right up until the end, because you still find yourself trying to determine what the truth really is. That is brilliant storytelling if you keep the reader guessing even after the last page is read, not because of the loose ends, but because there are so many angles to what might’ve happened.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bantam for the advanced copy. Opinions expressed are my own. This book is set for publication on July 9, 2024. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#netgalley #arc #bookstagram #KatherineWood #Ladykiller #Bantam #PenguinRandomHouse

“Ladykiller” is a highly entertaining novel of mystery and suspense. Set mostly on a gorgeous Greek island, with side trips to Switzerland, Sweden, and London, it’s a story about rich people behaving badly and those who seek to take advantage of them. It’s also a story filled with sensuality, seduction, sex, and surprise.

The promotional materials and many reviewers have more than adequately summarized the plot, so I won’t duplicate their efforts, especially since doing so might inadvertently spoil some of it for readers. Suffice it to say, this is a long but well-written tale filled with interesting characters: some rich and powerful, others parasites or grifters, and still others trying to do the right thing despite past mistakes. Many of the characters can charm. Few are truly likable, much less admirable.

The Greek Island setting is rendered so well that readers should be able to see the white beaches and aqua waters, feel the heat of the day reflected off the town’s white walls, hear the cicadas and jangle of goat bells, and taste the ouzo and moussaka. And the Torres family home author Katherine Wood builds—where much of the novel takes place—is a treat.

The plotting is complex, relies on a number of past secrets, and is filled with twists and turns designed to keep readers guessing. The ending is ambiguous enough to allow them to come to their own conclusions as to what really happened.

My thanks to NetGalley, author Katherine Woods, and publisher Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Bantam for providing me with a complementary ARC. The foregoing is my independent opinion.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher. This book hooked me from the beginning. The epilogue was so engrossing and then I really enjoyed the story as well.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Abby is excited to visit her best friend. When she arrives at the destination her friend has disappeared. This book grabbed my attention from the first page

Who doesn’t love a thriller that begins and ends with a mystery that just might be a secret, or is it? When best friends use money and influence to make a murder seem like something it’s not you wonder how long will the past stay silent until it catches up with them.
Also which friend is lying or embellishing their story to sell copies of a book? Or are they now hiding behind the law to right the wrongs of their past. Follow to best friends down a twisted path of the past that unravels in a new way now to make you question who’s the liar!

Abby and Gia have been friends for ages, bonded after a tragedy that happened in Greece when they were 18. Gia monetized her trauma while Abby immersed herself in trying to good in the world by becoming a lawyer. They have a bit of a falling out when Gia decides to marry Garrett after knowing him for a month. When Gia extends an olive branch by inviting her brother Benny and Abby to see the northern lights in Sweden, everyone drops everything to join her.
The book is told from two perspectives and timelines -- from Gia and Abby her childhood friend. These two points of view eventually converge into the present tense.
I think the characters were really not relatable - we have clueless Gia and realistic Abby - both of which were interesting characters. However, this was an ambiguous read - and I was really hoping we’d get more things tied up. The ending was not my favorite but If you like rich people doing bad things, so shocking you question everything, you'll love this.
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine and NetGalley for this advanced copy, all thoughts in this book review are my own.

Ladykiller had me intrigued right from the beginning. The cover is gorgeous and the title enticing. I really enjoyed the dual point of views and I feel that this really added to the story. My favorite part was reading the "Chapters" they were very well done and kept the story moving at a fast pace.

Oh my god, did I love this! First, the setting was gorgeous. The characters were Beautiful People With Lots of Flaws - and so many twists and turns! I could not wait to read this book each night and I can't for others to be able to read it. Very Patricia Highsmith/Ripley.

HIGHLY recommend!

Thanks to Netgalley for the arc to review.

It's always so difficult to review a mystery without giving anything away! But let me just say this is the kind of book where I got anxious because I didn't trust most of the characters. I couldn't quite piece together why that was, but I knew not everything was as it appeared.

The book is told from two perspectives and timelines -- from Gia a wealthy young woman who is conveying information via an unpublished manuscript and Abby her childhood friend. These two points of view eventually converge into the present tense. And tense it is!

I really enjoyed this book. And would definitely recommend it I you like mysteries and psychological drama.

Lady Killer by Katherine Wood is a suspenseful and thrilling novel that will keep readers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end. The story follows Gia and Abby, two childhood friends who are forever bonded by a tragic event that took place in Greece when they were eighteen. Now, ten years later, Gia is a wealthy heiress married to a charming but mysterious man, while Abby is a hardworking attorney. When Gia invites Abby on a lavish trip to Sweden to celebrate her birthday, Abby is thrilled to reconnect with her old friend. However, things take a sinister turn when Abby receives an ominous email threatening to reveal secrets from her past. Upon arriving in Sweden, Abby and Gia's brother, Benny, discover that Gia has disappeared, leaving behind a manuscript that chronicles the events leading up to her disappearance. As Abby and Benny delve deeper into Gia's narrative, they uncover a web of dark secrets, scandalous affairs, and shocking revelations about Gia's new husband and the guests at her beachfront estate. The novel is a masterfully crafted blend of mystery, suspense, and psychological thriller. Wood skillfully weaves together multiple timelines and perspectives, keeping readers guessing until the very end. The characters are well-developed and complex, with Gia being a particularly intriguing protagonist. Readers will find themselves sympathizing with her, while also questioning her motives and actions. The writing is sharp and engaging, with Wood using vivid imagery and descriptive language to create a vivid and atmospheric setting. The pacing is excellent, with the story moving at a rapid pace that never lets up. The plot twists are well-executed and unexpected, leaving readers constantly surprised and eager to learn more. Overall, Lady Killer is a highly recommended read for fans of suspenseful thrillers. Katherine Wood has crafted a gripping and thought-provoking novel that will leave readers breathless. With its complex characters, intricate plot, and shocking twists, Lady Killer is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good mystery.

I was so excited to read a book that was based in Greece! the way the author describes the scenery, food and beaches have me wishing I could visit right now!
I thought Abby was personable and likable throughout the book and I preferred reading her point of view over Gia’s, as I didn’t find her to be a good historian of events. Which continues to be on par for her character in the book.
This book took me a little longer to get into. I thought the first half of the book was a bit slow and parts of Gia’s story were longer than necessary. I felt once Benny and Abby arrived in Greece that the story really picked up and got me interested. I believe the author had a lot of opportunities for more twists throughout the book as I could predict what happened next often. Overall I enjoyed Ladykiller but wish there was more of a conclusion.
This book reminded me a lot of “A Simple Favor” with the ambiguous ending that leaves readers wondering what is next.

'Ladykiller' was a challenge to get into, but well worth the effort. The first chapter suffered from info dumping, in the form of a paparazzi posted at a funeral, spouting off names and family ties that were overwhelming and meaningless at that point. Soon enough, the book moves on to the heart of the story, the tragic tale of two best friends, a stalker who upturned their lives, and the aftermath that had deep consequences for everyone involved.

Abby is a no-nonsense girl with a crazy, but mostly lovable best friend. She likes being in Gia's shadow and is mostly grateful for their friendship considering her mother was the chef for Gia's rich family. Abby is vividly aware of the privilege that she doesn't possess and seeks stability while letting her friend shine.

"She was always divisive, beautiful and brash, unable to keep her opinions to herself, while I was the mild, diplomatic one, negotiating our way out of whatever messes she got us into." - Abby

Gia is outgoing, wild, and evasive. It's mostly through her writing that readers get to know her and the events in Greece that led up to her disappearance. But this isn't the first time Gia has written a memoir and it becomes clearer as the story goes on that Gia may have her reasons for recording things the way she did. History is written by the winners after all.

"Gia wasn't a person who lived in black and white; she thrived in full color, and I knew from experience that the truth was hidden between the lines of her books. " - Abby

Once things start to pick up, and more characters are introduced, the pacing becomes faster as more secrets are uncovered about everyone staying in Greece with Gia and her mysterious new husband Garrett. Though it's clear there is deception happening on multiple fronts, it's a guess as to how everything is connected and what can be considered truth considering the source. Much like Gia herself, recollections are embellished and purposefully designed to deceive all in the name of someone else's end goal.

In the end, I was left wondering with more questions than answers. It seems the truth is relative, and as with most thriller novels these days, it's up to the reader to decide what to believe. Perhaps all of the characters held some truths, and maybe some of them believed in their own lies enough they became real.

"Was I wrong about her? The question often keeps me up at night." - Abby

This thriller was a fun read that will keep you questioning what actually happened long after you put it down. I'd highly recommend 'Ladykiller' to anyone who likes enigmatic endings and even their innocent characters morally grey.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine and NetGalley for this advanced copy, all thoughts in this book review are my own.

Y’all, this book had more twists and turns, then the guardians of the galaxy ride at Walt Disney World. I could not have predicted any thing that happened. while at the same time, thinking I knew everything. now that I am finished, I still don’t know if I know everything.
If you like a book called verity by a pretty, darn famous author, you will definitely like the vibe of this book.
I’m not sure why I requested this book from NetGalley because it’s not my typical read, but I am so glad that I did.
So thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange, for my honest review.

This was an interesting books about relationships between wealthy family members and the family's staff and children who are treated like family. I wish the background between the characters would have been better explained as well as the situation that lead to the secrets kept for many years - all of which were, in my opinion, much to vague and made the reader assume things that were incorrect. I also do not care for books that flip between characters with every new chapter. Over all, an interesting read about the world-traveling wealthy that fell flat at the end.

Gia and Abby are best friends along with Benny (Gias brother). They don’t keep secrets from each other. They meet a guy named Noah one summer. Gia smashes him in the head with a lamp defending Abby. Gia marries a stranger named Garret that her best friend said was a bad idea. So many twists and turns I could not guess the ending.