I was immediately captivated by the characters, plot, and location. Loved it straight through to almost the end. The ending fell a bit flat, but I’d still highly recommend reading this!


Thanks to #NetGalley and the publisher for access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

As I've spent the better part of 2024 cleaning out neglected mystery/suspense ARCs from my Kindle, I have managed to learn one thing: I really need to stop getting sucked in by promotional NetGalley emails. Lady Killer by Katherine Wood is one of those debut novels that's not really a debut - the author having published three previous books under the name Katherine St. John. It came out in July, has a cover and blurb that screams beach read, and I'm nothing if not predictable. Of course I downloaded it, only to curse my one-click finger the minute I finished the final page.
Gia and Abby have been BFFs since childhood. Gia, a poor little rich girl with a distant father and mentally ill mother and Abby, the daughter of the cook. Gia's father, seeing the good influence that Abby could have on his impulsive daughter, pays for her schooling - an opportunity that Abby does not take for granted as it wasn't until this particular job that she and her mother were able to crawl their way out of poverty. Further bonding Gia and Abby together is a tragedy that occurred on a tiny Greek island (Gia's father owns a villa there - because of course he does) when they were 18, when a young man ends up dead. The incident was deemed as justifiable homicide and of course Gia goes on to publish a pseudo-memoir about the incident that gained her some notoriety, which has since faded into Where Are They Now? territory.

Then, Gia's father dies and ultimately leaves the bulk of his fortune to charity. Abby is a fledgling new attorney working 16-hour days while Gia continues to drift through her life until she falls head over heels in love with Garrett. They marry just a few short months after meeting and when Abby doesn't drop her life to fly to Europe to attend the quickie nuptials but also has the gall to say to Gia that she might want to slow down just a wee bit - the friends don't speak again for months. That is until Gia talks her into going on a bucket-list vacation to see the northern lights in Sweden. Abby is all set to say no again (work, work, work) until she finds out Gia's brother, Benny, is also coming. Naturally there's unrequited, complicated feelings there, but Abby shuffles some things around at work, digs out her passport, and hops a flight to Sweden. Except once she and Benny arrive, there's no Gia. Benny was in Greece a month ago visiting Gia, Garrett and some new friends staying with them. Between the weird scene that Benny experienced on his visit and the fact they can't get ahold of Gia now? Yeah, they change plans to fly to Greece to find out what's going on. Where is Gia?

The book is told in alternating points of view - Abby's and through a series of manuscript pages written by Gia that details her life in Greece with Garrett. They're staying in the family villa for a few months, getting some renovations done, in preparation for selling the place to Gia's stepmother. Gia doesn't want to sell but she needs the money - apparently so does Garrett, who is in more financial trouble than he's letting on to his new wife. These manuscript pages eventually become the main clue in helping Benny and Abby find out what happened to Gia.

Rich people behaving badly, Greece, and a load of secrets - this sounds like a perfect beach read. Except, unfortunately, it is not. It's really slow to get moving along. It takes about half the book to really cook and by then you just want to scream at Gia for being such a trusting dumb bunny. You'd kind of expect Abby to be the moral center to take up the slack, except you'd be wrong. That incident that happened on the island when they were both 18 and a guy ends up dead? Yeah, let's just Abby doesn't come off looking real good there and I'll leave it at that.

But things do eventually heat up and Lord helped me I got sucked in once it's clear that Gia is missing. Unfortunately the whole thing is undone by my least favorite plot device in suspense novels and thrillers.

That's right folks, we have a "you as the reader decide" ambiguous ending.

Like a "romance novel" without a happy ending - these need to be lit on fire and shot into the sun afterward for good measure.

What did our "bad guy" know and when did they know it? Is our "bad guy" Machiavellian or just a delusional narcissist? Did our "bad guy" have intent?

No idea. Couldn't tell you. It's an ending without being an ending and I hate everyone here thanks for asking.

There's a reason I read genre fiction folks and ambiguous endings ain't it. If it wanted this kind of shit I'd spend a lot more of my leisure time reading general fiction.

So a book I wasn't madly in love with but was easily a "it's OK, YMMV may vary" ends up sinking like a stone with that ending. Oh well, one more off my catch-up pile I guess?

Final Grade = D

Thank you Bantam and NetGalley for the eARC of Ladykiller! All opinions in this review are my own.

I always look forward to a new Katherine Wood novel and Ladykiller did not disappoint! This thriller is full of twists and turns so you never know what to expect next. My only complaint is that the synopsis gives a little too much away. It's not surprising that the two storylines eventually connect, but I was waiting for the event that is mentioned so it felt like it took a long time for them to do so. Overall, this is an excellent, twisty thriller that you are never sure who you can trust!

Ladykiller is a dark, psychological crime thriller that explores themes of identity, trust, and the blurred lines between victim and perpetrator. Katherine Wood’s writing is tense and atmospheric, drawing readers into a story full of twists and intrigue. The complex characterization of Alexandra keeps the narrative engaging, as readers are kept guessing about her true nature. With its fast pace, gripping suspense, and unexpected turns, Ladykiller is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers and crime fiction. AMAZING! 5/5 STARS!

Wood masterfully builds tension as Alexandra’s story unfolds. The writing is sharp and immersive, with a relentless pace that mirrors the protagonist’s own descent into confusion, paranoia, and despair. The novel explores themes of trust, betrayal, and the nature of violence, with Alexandra’s mental state often called into question. Is she the murderer, or is she being manipulated by someone else? The twists and turns are skillfully executed, and readers will find themselves questioning everything they think they know about Alexandra’s character.

The novel’s strength lies in its psychological depth and the complexity of its central character. Wood crafts Alexandra as a multi-dimensional figure, someone who is both sympathetic and deeply unsettling. This ambiguity creates a sense of unease throughout the book, leaving readers to grapple with their own judgments and assumptions. The suspense and unpredictable twists keep the tension high, making it a compelling read for fans of psychological thrillers.
Huge thank you to Katherine Wood, NetGalley, and RandomHouse publishing for this advanced copy.

Enjoyed this book, it left me on the edge of my seat thinking I had everything figured out and boom I didn’t not at all! it was a great read, and would recommend to everyone!

Ladykiller by Katherine Wood was a lovely mystery set in the world of the rich and elite. I am still not one hundred percent sure who the bad guy is. I call that a five star book.

Ladykiller offers an intriguing premise with its dual POV structure, alternating between Abby’s perspective and the explosive manuscript written by her best friend Gia. The story starts strong, with Gia's mysterious disappearance and the tension surrounding her glamorous life, leading Abby and Gia’s brother Benny on a race to uncover dark secrets from their past. The atmospheric setting in Greece and the Northern Lights creates an enticing backdrop, while the manuscript teases a web of betrayal and intrigue that promises to keep readers hooked.
For me the story lost momentum midway with unrealistic twists and a slow pace, especially in the final hundred pages, which felt drawn-out and anticlimactic. The characters were hard to connect with, and the open-ended conclusion leaves the story feeling unresolved.

I agree with other reviewers - the ending was not for me. Other than that, it was a decent book. The characters were interesting and I enjoyed the multiple POV’s.

I loved this book up until the last 20 percent or so, it felt so predictable and unsatisfying. I enjoyed the characters and writing it was fast paced and engaging. I really enjoyed the two POVs the manuscript was salacious and felt like a bad reality tv show and the Abby perspective was more down to earth but the ending was just meh. This was my first book from this author and would pick up more from her in the future. I would like to thank net galley and the publishers for a chance to read this book for an honest review.

I'm not quite sure what I was expecting, because this wasn't it. But... it also wasn't bad? In fact, it was still pretty enjoyable! Just not what I imagined at all.

I didn't really care for either Gia or Abby, and while I'm normally all for supporting women's rights AND wrongs, Gia PMO wayyyy too often for me to want her and Abby to rekindle their friendship.

The plot was decent, and there was a bit of a mystery/thriller aspect to it, but not enough that I would classify it as such. This book was a bit of an enigma for me to wrap my head around. I'm still not sure how I feel about it, which is why I'm giving it 3 stars. Would I recommend it? Maybe - I'd say just be open to it.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of this book.
I appreciated having the opportunity to read and review a book by a female writer about a villainous protagonist.

Loved the Greece setting! So well described-you almost felt like you were there. This is a very twisty story, with lots of suspense that keeps you reading. Loved the characters development, too. However, the ending left me hanging. I do not like endings like that, so it brought the book down for me. If you like twisty books, and you don't mind unclosed endings, you will probably like this one!

The book had a good premise and the story was interesting enough, but I felt there was a lot of background in the beginning and it made the story drag a bit for me. If you are someone who likes books with overly detailed background you may feel differently about this, I just feel like it was a bit slow for my liking at the beginning, which caused me to struggle to get into it. The story finished up good and picked up about halfway through for me. I would recommend giving it a try!

Thank you @netgalley for the Advanced Reader Copy of Ladykiller by Katherine Wood. Gia and Abby have been friends since they were kids, when Abby’s mother came to be the live in cook for Gia’s wealthy family. Gia’s family takes an interest in Abby, and pays for her education, and changes her life. Now Gia is married to someone she has known for only a short time, and Abby is a corporate lawyer. Gia is on the family estate on a small Greek island, when strange things start to happen, and a death from their teenage years comes to the surface. Abby and Gia’s brother start to get worried, and decide that they need to investigate. There is a lot of mystery and suspense, all in a beautiful setting. Good mystery, lots of action, lots of bad decisions. #ladykiller #katherinewood #netgalley #bookstagram #thriller #mystery #greekisland #takeapagefrommybook #readingisfun #readersofinstagram

I'd give this 3.5 stars, rounded down. Kept my interest and kept reading, but was too long and a little slow. And no spoilers, but I felt the ending was a let down. Did combo of audio and reading.

The book Ladykiller is set on a small island in Greece, which immediately attracted me to read the book. Gia is an heiress and has inherited an estate on the island. She is recently married to Garrett, of questionable background. A mysterious couple join them in their house, with unknown intentions. When Gia disappears, her old friend Abby and Gia's brother Benny come to find her.

This book is told from two perspectives, Gia's manuscript she's written of recent events and present day with Abby. My take was a bit different than some reviewers, who thought it had a strong beginning and weaker ending. I felt like there was a lot more of Gia's story the first half of the book, and I didn't enjoy it as much, but maybe because Gia seems like such a clueless character. Abby, who grew up without money, seems a much more grounded character. While the author very skillfully set the indulgent, hedonistic scene for Gia and Garrett and their two guests, I grew a bit tired of it. For me, the story picked up when Abby became the dominant voice about halfway through the book.

The author refers to "The Talented Mr. Ripley" and the book definitely gives those vibes in its final quarter. The ending is ambiguous, and while that seemed to bother many, I thought it was kind of a cool ending. If you had asked me halfway into the book to rate it I would give it a three, and at the end I would give it a five, so I will settle for an overall four. Those who like exotic locales, sexual chemistry, and brooding mystery will find much to enjoy.

Thank you to NetGalley, Katherine Wood, and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5. I enjoyed the motif of "unexplained murders in Greece"--the setting is richly described, and Katherine Wood creates a solid sense of place. The actual mystery intrigued me for the first half of the novel, but it devolved into chaos in the second half. The ending is also ambiguous and leaves many threads untied, which isn't my preferred style of mystery, but if you don't mind that then I'd give this a try.

The cover is what really drew me to request this as an ARC but the characters are what kept me glued to this thriller. The cover art gives a White Lotus vibe and the plot is even more so along those lines. I loved how this story unfolded by eventually going back to the past to explain why the events of the current were happening. I did think the ending was a bit lackluster and anticlimactic after the rest of the book, which is what takes a star away for me. Otherwise I thought this was really well done. It was fast paced and really kept you on the edge of your seat waiting to see how the characters would behave. I did think the ending got a bit overly complicated as well but it did all tie itself together in the end. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was an okay thriller. I know that women marry men who turn out to be monsters all the time, all over the world... but it's a tired plot line and nothing about this book broke any molds. As a result, it was utterly predictable from beginning to end and I was bored. The ending felt unfinished to me, which didn't help. We get two perspectives: Abby in the current day and Gia's manuscript. Their relationship was, disappointingly, exactly what I expected it to be. This wasn't a bad thriller, per se, but it lacked enough uniqueness and impact to be memorable for me.

A huge thank you to the author and the publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

LOVED this one! It kept me engaged and it was a nice fast read for me. I really loved the back and forth on who was a trustworthy narrator or not, what the history was with friends Gia and Abby, and if Gia's husband was who he seemed to be. This one was super fun.