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.

Sometimes, the strongest bonds between best friends are forged by a shared experience. That’s exactly what happened with Gia and Abby. When they were 18, a tragic event struck them while they were in Greece. Now, as Gia tries to help her family sell their father’s estate in Sweden, she invites Abby to celebrate her birthday. This invitation sets off a series of exciting events.

Eager to reconnect with Gia, despite the unfortunate events that transpired years ago, Abby and Gia’s brother, Benny, arrive at the resort with the expectation of finding her there. However, their hopes are dashed when they discover a cryptic email received by Abby and the lingering mystery surrounding Gia’s abrupt disappearance. Where is she? Her absence from the estate in Sweden prompts their suspicions to lead them to Greece.

Interestingly, this book shifts from what Benny and Abby are hoping to find to a manuscript that Gia was in the process of writing. Could what is in that manuscript lead them to locating Gia? The manuscript is often salacious and raises more questions than answers. While the story was engaging throughout, but the ending left me with questions, something that frustrates me.

Many thanks to Bantam and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Ladykiller is an interesting story, with an unreliable narrator. The pacing was a bit slow and the plot was a bit convoluted and I found myself wanting to skip ahead. There was potential for this one but it just fell a little flat.
Thank you to Netgalley and Randomhouse / Ballantine / Bantam for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book was a thrilling ride from start to finish! The story is split between two timelines and two narrators, and the dual perspective is handled so well. I love an unreliable narrator, and this book nails it, with each character's voice bringing something new to the mystery. The setting is so vividly described it practically transports you there—I found myself wishing I could actually visit!

The plot is full of twists that had me guessing the whole time. Gia’s obliviousness to the intentions of those around her added a constant feeling of unease, and I loved the way that suspense built as the story went on. Abby and Gia’s complicated friendship, rooted in tragedy and mystery, created even more tension, especially when an all-expenses-paid trip to Sweden takes a dark turn. The fact that Gia goes missing, leaving behind a manuscript filled with clues about her troubled marriage and secrets of her guests, was brilliant and creepy. You’re constantly wondering who’s being honest and what’s real.

The book's claustrophobic atmosphere and attention to detail made me feel like I was in those tight spaces right along with the characters. As more and more clues—and bodies—start piling up, the paranoia and suspense are relentless. While the technical dive jargon might be a bit heavy for some readers, I thought it added realism to the tense, hyperbaric chamber setting.

My only gripe is the ending, which felt too vague. I enjoy a bit of mystery, but this one left a few too many unanswered questions. Still, if you’re looking for a suspenseful mystery with unreliable narrators, dark secrets, and twists that keep you on your toes, this book is definitely worth the read.

Thank you, NetGalley and Ballantine, for this ARC!

I loved that this thriller had a bit of a sexier vibe — there was definitely some spice but no romance (no complaints here lol). The Greek setting was amazing, and now I’m seriously regretting not reading this during summer. The mystery was super intriguing and I enjoyed the silly “rich people problems” trope. All that said, I like my thrillers to have a clear, satisfying wrap-up, so the ambiguous ending didn’t quite do it for me. Still, it was a great pick for a little escapism much needed at the moment! Thank you to the author and publisher for the opportunity to review this eARC. 3.5 stars.

Ladykiller by Katherine Wood
Rating: 3.75/5 stars

Ladykiller is a mystery thriller that grips you right from the start. Katherine Wood’s writing style drew me in, and the characters were well-crafted and memorable. I particularly loved the Greek setting, which added a vivid and atmospheric backdrop to the story. The plot revolves around a missing heiress and a toxic friendship that spirals into darker territory, with cryptic clues sprinkled throughout that kept me guessing and constantly shifting my suspicions.

However, as the story reached its climax, I found the ending somewhat underwhelming. It lacked the impact I had hoped for after such a strong build-up. Despite this, Ladykiller was an engaging read, and I’m looking forward to exploring more of Katherine Wood’s work.

Many thanks to #NetGalley, #Ladykiller, Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine, and the author for the e-arc. All opinions are my own and freely expressed.

#BookReview #Ladykiller #MysteryThriller #ThrillerBooks #BooksSetInGreece #NetGalleyReviewer #MustReadThriller #AmReading #Bookstagram #SuspenseReads #BookishCommunity #EArcReview #BookRecommendations #ThrillerFans

What a great book!! So much doubt, mistrust, and unease while reading this twisty domestic thriller!

I cannot wait to read more from Katherine Wood!

Thank you to Bantam and PRH Audio for the copies to review.

I was excited to read this one, but unfortunately it did not work for me. The pacing was very slow and the plot took a long time to get to where it needed to go, and as such I found myself wanting to skip ahead. The ending was too open ended for me, and could have been better. There was potential for this one but it just fell a little flat. The audio was great and I enjoyed the narrators, they did help with this story so I want to make that note.

This was so much fun! I always enjoy an unreliable narrator, and the dual timeline was done very well. The setting of this book was so vividly captured that I truly wished I was there.

I was hooked on this book from the beginning with its thrilling plot and twists that I didn't see coming. Gia seemed so oblivious to the intentions of those around her, and that created a feeling of extreme unease. It was wonderfully suspenseful all the way through.

The ending, though, was a little too vague for my liking. I don't mind lingering questions, but this one left way too many unanswered.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I love a book that makes me do a good "WTF?!" at the end. Gia and Abby are childhood friends who reconnect as adults for Gia's birthday on a trip to Sweden. Except Gia doesn't show, and Abby and Gia's brother are also forced to reconnect to solve this mystery. Overall this book was entertaining and had me flipping pages to see what happens.

Thank you to Netgalley and Randomhouse / Ballantine / Bantam for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to receive this book for an honest review.

I had such high hopes regarding this book. The description drew me in and it started off good but then I lost interest and found it boring
It was very difficult to finish.

A great escapist read! Just enough to keep you entertained but not so much that you have to expel a lot of brain power. A popcorn thriller with a beautiful setting!

Gia and Abby have been friends since childhood. They bonded by a tragedy that happened in Greece. ,Gia is back in Greece with her new husband, entertaining guests with champagne. Abby is working fourteen-hour days as an attorney. When Gia invites Abby on an all-expenses-paid trip to Sweden to celebrate her birthday, Abby’s thrilled to go and see her. However on the day of her flight, Abby gets an email that threatens to unearth the skeletons from her past. What could they be? Abby and Gia’s brother connect in Sweden. Gia isn’t there. They wait for her before deciding to go to Gia’s beachfront estate. They find no one there. Their only clue is her manuscript giving the events leading up to her disappearance. It also tells the dark truth about her marriage and dirty secrets of her guests. The manuscript ended abruptly leaving more questions than answers. How much of Gia’s story is true? Where is she now? Will Abby find her before it’s too late?

Wood writes about the later years when the three are getting back together. It is a novel from two viewpoints. One viewpoint is Abby’s as she prepares to see Gia again. The second viewpoint is through Gia’s as she experiences issues with her husband told through her new book’s manuscript. I liked seeing through their eyes as the story continued. The novel is a suspenseful mystery.

A low 2 stars for a lot of wasted potential.

I LOVED the prologue of this book! The writing in it was so great. But it quickly went downhill from there! Gone is the fun and snarky tone. The rest of the novel is written in a completely different style and is quite frankly boring.

This book is very repetitive and I didn’t really care what happened to anyone. Also, the ending made me mad! Don’t read this book if you don’t like open endings that give no answers or explanations.