She’s playing a risky game

Cordelia Black had a rough life growing up and has worked hard to become the person she is today. She is highly successful in her career as a pharmaceutical salesperson in Baton Rouge, wears great clothes and is always impeccably groomed. Her “family” is her best friend Diane and Diane’s daughter Samantha (aka Sugar-Bug), whom she adores. Her life is carefully planned and highly organized, and she likes it that way…in part because she has an unusual second calling that requires that same precision. She cannot abide men who prey upon the weak and vulnerable, especially those who seem to escape judgement, and has taken it upon herself to hunt these abusers down and kill them. She doesn’t consider herself a killer; she has a code that she follows to make sure that the men she targets are without question deserving of the fate she delivers. The media has started throwing around the term “serial killer” as they report on the growing number of men who have seemingly gone missing (Cordelia’s plans ensure that the bodies aren’t turning up), but Cordelia disagrees with that assessment. Then things start to spin out of control….first, the main pharmaceutical product that Cordelia sells (and uses to incapacitate her victims) is being yanked from the market, with rumors of deadly side effects that the manufacturer covered up during trials. Then Diane introduces her to Simon, the new love in her life, to whom Cordelia and Sugar have taken an immediate and intense dislike….he may not have all the hallmarks of Cordelia’s victims, but there is definitely something off about him in Cordelia’s opinion. When the police arrest the person who has been buying Cordelia’s victims’ bodies, she is sure that her arrest (and the horror with which Diane and Sugar will surely regard her) is imminent. Can Cordelia remove Simon from Diane’s life, cover up the evidence that she has been stealing samples of the drug she reps for her own purposes (and thus save her career and reputation), get rid of the latest victim’s body which is currently in her bathroom, all while fending off the intrusions of her neighbor’s poodle and using her wiles on her latest date (a police officer) to keep ahead of the investigation?
Is it wrong to find yourself rooting for a self-appointed killer of bad men? With a character like Cordelia Black, who is ferociously protective of those she loves and whose background certainly explains if not justifies why she feels compelled to take out men who really do seem to deserve it, its pretty hard not to find yourself on her side. She’s smart, she’s kind of cranky when things aren’t going her way, and she knows the value of an excellent hair stylist…when she’s not killing, she’s really kind of fun. Her friendship with Diane and her path towards avengerhood intersected years ago, and her role in Sugar’s life brings joy and balance to them both. The male characters aren’t quite as well-developed as are the females, but it is an entertaining and fast-paced albeit somewhat bloody thriller that had me hooked from beginning to end. Fans of Julie Mae Cohen, Jeff Lindsay and Layne Fargo should definitely pick up a copy of This Girl’s A Killer. My thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for allowing me early access to a copy of this dark but funny mystery.

This book just wasn’t for me. It’ felt a little reparative and the main character had me wanting to not continue reading.

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley for my gifted copy.

This Girl’s a Killer has claimed a spot in my top reads of 2024. This book has a dark comedy vibe that had me laughing often, while the thriller aspect kept me on the edge of my seat and thoroughly engaged. If you’re looking to combine your reading loves of comedy and thriller, this book is a must read!

I absolutely loved the main character of this book. Her personality and internal dialogue are captivating. Her growth is relatable.

Emma C. Wells has stolen my heart, and if ever she needs a CP or Beta, I’m here for it. I’m also here for reading all her books!

Thank you NetGalley, and Poisoned Pen Press for this advanced copy.

𝐒𝐨 𝐥𝐞𝐭 𝐦𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟𝐟 𝐛𝐲 𝐬𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐀𝐃𝐃𝐈𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆. 𝐈 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝟐𝟒 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐭 𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬. 𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫/𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐞 𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐛𝐲 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐞 𝐊𝐚𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐞? 𝐀𝐬 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐬 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐭, 𝐈 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫.

𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝑮𝒊𝒓𝒍’𝒔 𝑨 𝑲𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒓 𝐢𝐬 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐛𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐥𝐲 𝐚 𝐯𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲—𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚 𝐟𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐰𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧. 𝐈𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐭𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐮𝐩 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐯𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐈 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐫. 𝐈 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐲𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐣𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝, 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐮𝐧𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐥𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬!

𝒯𝒽𝒶𝓃𝓀 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓉𝑜 𝐸𝓂𝓂𝒶 𝒞. 𝒲𝑒𝓁𝓁𝓈, 𝒫𝑜𝒾𝓈𝑜𝓃𝑒𝒹 𝒫𝑒𝓃 𝒫𝓇𝑒𝓈𝓈, 𝒟𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓂𝓈𝒸𝒶𝓅𝑒 𝑀𝑒𝒹𝒾𝒶, & 𝒩𝑒𝓉𝒢𝒶𝓁𝓁𝑒𝓎 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒜𝑅𝒞! 𝒜𝓁𝓁 𝑜𝓅𝒾𝓃𝒾𝑜𝓃𝓈 𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝓂𝓎 𝑜𝓌𝓃.

Cordelia Black loves three things: her expensive hair dresser, her chosen family, and killing bad men.

I love female vigilante killer stories and this was a fun, but gory one. Death may be taken lightly in this story, but the victims deserve it and that’s what makes this story light despite the gore. Cordelia is fun to root for, especially as she grows to love her neighbors annoying dog. The story takes place over only a few days, so it’s just one issue she’s dealing with, but the author still manages over 400 pages that never get dull.

“If you’re going to kill bad men and get away with it, you have to be great, because being merely good leads to - well - nowhere good.”

This Girl’s a Killer came out 10/29 and is available now.

This was a cutesy, vigilante-murderess in a spiral of undoing story. In Dexter fashion, Cordelia Black hunts and murders bad men. She is meticulous, we are told, but mistake after mistake pile up putting Cordelia in a precarious position. If she doesn’t get it together, she could be caught or worse, her best friend might hate her. As she unravels, the reader gets a small glimpse into Cordelia’s alter ego (her meek, prior life), but Cordelia is not going to let her old self take over.

Reminiscent of Dexter and You, but flipping the gender stereotype a la Butcher and Blackbird (without the steamy romance). It was a cute story really about strong female friendship - taking care of your ride or die friends.

We are told from the get go of Cordelia’s skill, carefulness, and success in her murdery “calling”, but from the beginning we see the spiral of uncontrolled chaos begin. She spends a lot of time repeating that she doesn’t make mistakes, but all we see are mistakes. I think some buildup of things going really well at the onset, even briefly, wouldve set the tone without the need to repeat it often. There were a few holes in the story - but one stuck out: after murdering one guy who has a job at a hospital, no one reports him missing when he doesn’t show up for work. I was able to look past them for the sake of the story not being convoluted with extraneous detail, but given Cordelia’s best friend worked with him and kept saying he ghosted her, this doesn’t make sense.

The ending was great. That name change at the end was so minor I had to look up the real guy!

Thank you to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Format:
~📱 Ebook

Overall rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.4

TW: Murder, gory body parts, animal abuse, mentions sexual assault & pedophilia

This Girl's a Killer is a story about Cordelia Black, who serves vigilante justice to bad men. 'Nuff said. 💪🏼

✴️ World building: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
From a cupcake mess to forging signatures, it's off to an adventurous start in the first few chapters and the shenanigans continue throughout the rest of the book!

✴️ Writing style/ flow: ⭐⭐⭐
The writing is humorous! However, it was surprisingly slower paced than I thought it would be.

✴️ Character development: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I truly enjoyed the FMC Cordelia Black! She made references to Joanie while fighting for control of her own life, but I would love for this former self to have been expanded upon to help the reader understand the motivation of the character. I also enjoyed the side characters, especially the friendship with Diane & her daughter.

✴️ Plot: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
< SPOILER ALERT> I mean, what could go wrong with a hand in a handbag and a head in a refrigerator? 🤣

✴️ Enjoyment: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I absolutely loved this story! I would describe it as bad *ss Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets a quirky mess like Weekend At Bernie's!

✴️ Final thoughts:
What an absolutely amazing debut by author Emma C. Wells! 🫶🏼

The ending was *chef's kiss* 💋 As a sexual abuse survivor advocate, references to an infamous predator touched on a personal note. Cordelia Black - you're my f*cking hero! 🏆

*** Thank you Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley for allowing me the opportunity to review. All opinions are my own

3*

Cordelia Black has been killing bad men for years. By day, she works as a successful pharmaceutical rep and enjoys spending time with her found family-her best friend, Diane, and her goddaughter. At night, she stalks men who have been doing bad things. She has a code that she follows: she has to be able to see the smoke in their eyes as it's a clue that what they are doing is bad. Since she's doing it for the greater good, she doesn't consider herself a serial killer. But when Diane gets a new boyfriend who Cordelia is sure isn't a good person, her grip on her control starts to slip and she might finally get caught.

This was fine enough but didn't really blow me away. I appreciate a Dexter-like serial killer who kills men who are monsters and how far Cordelia would go to keep her found family safe. I also appreciate the way Cordelia worked so hard to cover her tracks. But her complacency and how reckless she was made the story hard to believe. A wig and a little make up doesn't change the fact that you're dating a cop and you have artwork on your walls painted in blood. It just seemed wild to me that this woman killed so many men over so many years when she did so many careless things to deal with Diane's new boyfriend.

There were also several plot lines in this that didn't feel fully fleshed out. I understand the audit of the Cordelia's pharmaceutical sales account was used as a way to show how she was losing control, but it was wrapped up way too easily. Also, Cordelia's past growing up in the trailer park as the kid of a drug addict was mentioned in her internal monologue a lot but really didn't play into the story. I'm also confused as to how the blossoming relationship with Chris ended so quickly after their first, rushed kiss was last luster. They had so much chemistry and gave up way too easily.

Thank you Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing this ARC to me!

I love a strong, morally grey female lead, and *This Girl's a Killer* nails it. From the first chapter, I was swept into the storm of Cordelia's world, unable to stop until I reached the end. The relationship she shares is deep and heartwarming, showing how they’re there for each other no matter what. Cordelia might make questionable choices, but she’s driven by good intentions—even as her life unravels because of them. One plotline around the pharmaceutical company she works for remains open, so fingers crossed we’ll get another book to see what unfolds there!

Amazon review pending approval.

Instagram, Facebook & blog scheduled for 11/2/24.

What a fun read! When I say I could not put this book down, there is no exaggeration whatsoever. This book gave me Dexter Mogan vibes and I was totally down for it!

The author did an amazing job keeping me engaged and needing to know what Cordelia will get into next. I throughly enjoyed Cordelias love and devotion to her forever BFF Diane and her daughter Samantha. Their bond is truly unbreakable and their friendship will be pushed to thr limit.

Another aspect I found intriguing was Cordelias need to make bad men pay for their sins. I couldn't help but root her on in her quest to serve some type of justice, even if it's unconventional.

This was a sold 4.5 star read for me!

I read a description of this that said it was for readers of the Finlay Donovan books and Bandit Queens, both of which I loved, and I would have to agree. It is different from those books but shares some sensibilities with them. Here we follow Cordelia Black, pharmaceutical sales rep and serial killer of very bad men. She has things figured out until her bestie starts dating a guy who sure seems bad to Cordelia. Now she has to figure out her best move. I really loved this and am thrilled to see the door open at the end for a second book. I have no idea if a series is planned, but I’m in if it is!

I liked all the tension of this book. A lot of things going sideways so you spend a lot of time on edge wondering if she’s going to get caught. And a small part of me wanted her to.

I was expecting more of a begrudging, “just doing what I have to” narrator. But she’s a little like Dexter in that she likes it. So it’s a little hard to root for a psychopath, even if they’re directing their urges to bad people.

I think I’d have liked more of her backstory to flesh out why she is the way she is. To see the before.

But I think it was an interesting choice, one I respect, to not do that. It’s very unapologetic about what’s happening. It made me uncomfortable but I appreciated it anyway.

Cordelia Black is a successful pharmaceutical rep with a little hobby of killing deplorable men on the side.

The story was so incredibly captivating, with just the perfect ratio of humor and drama to constantly keep me coming back. I absolutely loved Cordelia as a character, and she was so fun to follow along and get to know. It was a slow start, but once we fully got into the story I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. The tension was so incredibly built all throughout the story as Cordelia slowly loses the grip on her oh so carefully planned steps.

Many thanks to Poisoned Pen Press & NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

I loved this book! I was hooked from the beginning! If you're in the mood for a female "Dexter," this book is for you! The characters and plot are great. All around satisfying thriller. Thank you, NetGalley!

Cordelia and Diane are lifelong friends and Cordelia will do anything to protect her best friend. Cordelia presents herself as a successful woman, donning designer clothes and the finest in self care routine. Behind her perfectly curated facade is a dark secret! Cordelia kills bad men and has gotten away with it but when she makes an unplanned kill, her well-orchestrated double live risks exposure! I enjoyed this crime-thriller with a cozy mystery feel. I loved the witty banter and the bond between these friends.

Book Review: "This Girl's a Killer" by Emma C. Wells

Emma C. Wells’ This Girl’s a Killer is a darkly thrilling, sardonic romp that delivers on every promise of its genre: it’s witty, edgy, and beautifully ruthless. This debut novel introduces readers to Cordelia Black, a meticulously polished antiheroine who embodies the fierce autonomy and moral ambiguity at the heart of the “Good for Her” genre. Wells dives deep into the psyche of a woman who, by day, blends seamlessly into high-society southern life, and by night, ruthlessly pursues her personal brand of justice. This novel isn’t just a thriller; it’s a cleverly crafted exploration of moral ambiguity, feminism, and vengeance, wrapped in an unapologetically entertaining package. For readers who delight in female antiheroes who operate in the shadows of society’s morals, Cordelia Black is a refreshing and complex new icon.

Plot Summary
At first glance, Cordelia Black leads the life of a well-dressed, successful woman in the South Louisiana pharmaceutical scene, projecting the polished image of a rising professional. Her life is structured and spotless; her looks immaculate. But behind her sleek exterior is a carefully hidden double life. Cordelia is also a vigilante serial killer, targeting men who have evaded justice and wreaked havoc on others’ lives. She operates with an intense sense of purpose and a nearly religious commitment to “cleansing” her community of morally corrupt men. Cordelia’s world begins to unravel, however, when her best friend starts dating a man who, despite a charming veneer, raises red flags for Cordelia. Suddenly, her tightly controlled system of retribution is threatened, pushing her to confront the fine line between vengeance and self-destruction.

The Antiheroine We’ve Been Waiting For
Cordelia Black is not your average protagonist; she’s an intricately developed antiheroine whose perspective on justice challenges readers’ assumptions. Wells gives her a razor-sharp wit and a morally gray, but utterly compelling, outlook that resonates with the fierce feminist vibe reminiscent of Layne Fargo’s They Never Learn and Elle Cosimano’s Finlay Donovan Is Killing It. Cordelia isn’t motivated by pure hatred, nor is she simply psychopathic; she believes in being “karma” for men who have escaped the consequences of their actions. In Cordelia, Wells has created a character whose appeal lies in her audacity to live by her own code. She embodies a “girls’ girl” mentality in the most literal, albeit twisted, sense, standing up for women in ways society often can’t—or won’t.

Themes: Justice, Control, and Sisterhood
This Girl’s a Killer is not only a story about revenge but also a rich exploration of justice, control, and sisterhood. Cordelia’s choice to exact her own form of punishment on those who “have it coming” begs the question: What is justice? Wells doesn’t provide easy answers but instead allows readers to sit with the discomfort of her heroine’s choices. Additionally, Cordelia’s obsession with control—over her life, her appearance, her victims, and even her friendships—adds another dimension to her character. This fixation is tested when her friend’s new relationship threatens to disrupt the orderly boundaries she’s constructed, compelling her to examine the personal cost of her double life.

The feminist themes run deep, as Cordelia’s actions are rooted in a twisted but heartfelt loyalty to the women in her life. She is fiercely protective of her “chosen family” and willing to risk everything to preserve it. Wells juxtaposes Cordelia’s empowerment with vulnerability, depicting how her actions, while liberating, also bind her. There’s a poignancy in Cordelia’s journey that acknowledges the complexity of moral judgment, especially when layered with trauma, loyalty, and love.

A Taut Thriller with Sharp Humor
One of the most remarkable aspects of Wells’ writing is her ability to balance tension and humor. Cordelia’s dry wit and sardonic perspective on life, love, and death provide a refreshing contrast to the dark nature of her actions. Wells infuses the novel with sharp, satirical humor that is as biting as it is entertaining. The book’s pacing is relentless, filled with just enough humor to lighten the darker themes without undermining them. The dialogue is whip-smart and snappy, adding another layer of enjoyment for readers who appreciate a bit of sass in their thrillers.

The “Good for Her” Genre Revisited
This novel is the latest addition to the “Good for Her” genre—a subgenre dedicated to morally ambiguous female protagonists whose actions challenge traditional views of femininity, justice, and morality. Cordelia fits comfortably alongside characters like Fargo’s Dr. Scarlett Clark and Sutanto’s Vera Wong. Yet, Wells brings something uniquely raw and unapologetic to her antiheroine, making Cordelia not just “good” but something much more complex and, ultimately, more satisfying. Cordelia Black is a woman who takes the reins in a society that often leaves women powerless, and while her methods are extreme, they’re also cathartic. Her quest for justice and her unwillingness to apologize for her choices make her a captivating character who will leave readers both horrified and rooting for her.

Final Thoughts
Emma C. Wells’ This Girl’s a Killer is more than a thriller; it’s a fearless exploration of the lengths one woman is willing to go to protect those she loves. Wells skillfully avoids the pitfalls of glamorizing violence or falling into stereotypes, instead creating a layered narrative that both entertains and provokes thought. Cordelia Black is a heroine who will undoubtedly divide readers but leave an indelible impression on all of them. She is flawed, fierce, and entirely unforgettable.

For those looking for a thriller that is smart, provocative, and wickedly satisfying, This Girl’s a Killer is an absolute must-read.

While the stories are different, I feel that if you like the movie American Mary you will also enjoy this book. While the main plot revolves around Cordelia trying to cover up her murders it felt more about a story of trying to maintain control when everything starts to go wrong both at work and in her personal life.
The speed of the book was paced really well for me and I kept wanting to read the next chapter and I finished it surprisingly quickly given the length of the book.
Given that this is the authors debut, I can't wait to read more of her writing.

Holy crap, this was fun! A story about friendships, and the lengths we will go to keep loved ones safe. A story of protecting others from going through trauma that one has suffered themselves. All told through the quirky voice of Cordelia Black, a character as witty and charming as she is vengeful and tough. There is some repetitiveness in some small details but aside from that, this was so great!

I received an arc via NetGalley. The opinions and rating are my own.

Cordelia is a serial killer. In her mind it’s just a hobby and since she only goes for bad men it’s fine. This Girl’s a Killer actually reminded me a little of Butcher and Blackbird but only one serial killer and no spice. Definitely have a little bit of “what did I just read?!”

If you can get past the fact that Cordelia has got quite a bit of a crazy streak the story overall holds interest.

This book starts just as Cordelia Black's life begins to tailspin. We learn who she is as a professional when her job and professional relationships are on the brink of collapse. We meet her adopted family just as her best friend's new boyfriend threatens to distance them by emotional and physical miles. We learn of her creative and artistic side as she laments the loss of time to create her artwork. It is her hobby, however, that actually defines who she is as a person at her core. We only learn of her past and her metamorphosis into the avenger that she has become as she scrambles to hold onto the life she has made. Wells has blurred right and wrong and has revealed the acceptable levels of grey. Cordelia is no killer; she tells you this multiple times throughout the book. What Cordelia is, instead, is a phoenix, a protector, an investigator, judge and avenger. And Cordelia is a survivor. Cordelia takes back her life as she kills and buries her past, transforms into the person she wants to be and doesn't look back. Despite everything falling apart, piece by piece, she refuses to give up on the life she has made. Cordelia is the superhero we all want to be, being our best self and protecting our family no matter the cost! This story intrigues you right from the start; once hooked, you just can't put the book down until the final body disposal! Wonderfully written to be edge-of-your-seat exciting and therapeutic and funny even though it touches on some heavy social issues.