if there’s one thing about thrillers I love, it’s those with a female 🥣 killer!!! they’re always so intriguing and fun!!

cordelia black is a mysterious woman who only cares about her job, her best friend, and her goddaughter. everyone else better watch out 😤 but she sticks to a code and finds the worst men out there to make sure justice is served…

the pacing in this one was the biggest issue for me. the plot itself moved glacier slow to the point where I was waiting for shit to hit the fan at any moment, and then when it did, everything wrapped up quickly in the remaining 10% of the book. and it was so neat and tidy and happily ever after vibes that I kind of forgot what genre I was reading 🤔

for such a high stake, high risk plot, there were absolutely no consequences at the end 🤠

and there were also a ton of characters introduced that just… didn’t have an ending either? I really enjoyed the cat and mouse-esque chase up until that point…

thank you to netgalley and poisoned pen press and sourcebooks for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

rating: 3 stars
wine pairing: australian malbec

This was brilliant! The humor was spot on and definitely needed in the dark moments. The characters were beyond relatable and I found myself wanting more.

This one started off really strong and I was really enjoying learning more about Cordelia and her crazy serial killer antics … then it just kinds of felt like it was dragging a bit in the middle …. But I did enjoy the last few chapters and the ending …. It did feel like there might a second book at some point …


My rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Move over Dexter Morgan, there’s a new woman in town. Cordelia Black is a pharmaceutical Sales rep by day and by night she is a secret avenger that removes wicked men from the world. You would never know about her secret life based off her polished looks and her incredible bond with her best friend and her god daughter Sugar. Her life begins to fall off its perfect trajectory when her best friend introduces her to her new shady boyfriend. Next thing you know the drug she represents is recalled and faces lawsuits, the media is throwing around the word “serial killer” and her blind date happens to be a police officer. Now Cordelia must fight with everything she has to fix what’s wrong with her life or she risks losing it all. This book delivers on the tension with the perfect amount of wit and humor thrown in to make it fun to read. There are frustrating elements to Cordelia’s personality, but who doesn’t love a morally grey protagonist who appears to be having a bad time. The story is twisty and “OMG” inducing, but it will have you hooked till the end. Fans of thrillers that are on the humorous side should definitely pick up this book, but I also think fans of rom coms that want something a little darker for spooky season should add this to their TBR.

This Girl's a Killer is about Cordelia Black who loves exactly three things; her chosen family that is composed of her best friend Diana, but also her goddaughter, hairdresser and killing bad men. The book was a debut book and I am looking foward to more books by the author. It was written so well and with so much suspense. I was captivated by this one and kept turning pages until the very end. All of the characters in the book were so good and Cordelia was such a good killer. Overall this was an amazing read that I loved. I highly recommend this to any reader but especially to those who love a good thriller. Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the ARC of this killer thriller in exchange of my honest review of This Girl's a Killer by Emma C. Wells.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the free e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is a fantastic first book by a new author! Serial killer, suspense, and mystery...all the boxes were checked for me!

Cordelia Black has three things in her life: her chosen family, her hairdresser and killing very bad men. Cordelia comes from foster care and abuse which explains her need to kill abusive, child mollester, rapist and/or general degenerates. She has a method and does not mess with it. Yet this latest kill goes completely off the rails and creates one train wreck after another. Will Cordelia finally get caught?

I absolutely loved this!!! Its well written, sarcastic and very fast paced! I could not put this one down and literally read it in a day. I am now a huge fan of Emma Wells!!!

Highly recommend!!!

Overall this book did keep me entertained and it was a fast read. I enjoyed the "dexter like" premise which is what drew me to requesting this in the first place. Cordelia was a pretty bad ass main female character, but I really thought that her best friend was going to turn her in when she had found out that Cordelia killed Simon. I thought it was a bit much that Cordelia kept Simon's head in her freezer for so long. I was surprised when Diane offered to not only NOT turn Cordelia in, but to help her dispose of the body. I almost feel like the author left the book open so that there could be a sequel.

🔪𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐆𝐈𝐑𝐋'𝐒 𝐀 𝐊𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐑🔪
𝔱𝔥𝔯𝔦𝔩𝔩𝔢𝔯
𝙿𝚞𝚋 🗓️ : 𝙾𝚌𝚝𝚘𝚋𝚎𝚛 𝟸𝟿, 𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟺
𝕄𝕪 𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘: 𝟜.𝟝 𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕤! ★★★★✮
ʳᵒᵘⁿᵈⁱⁿᵍ ᵘᵖ ᶠᵒʳ ᴳᴿ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴺᴳ

🤏𝚃𝚎𝚎𝚗𝚢 𝚝𝚒𝚍𝚋𝚒𝚝...
“She’s not a killer. She’s karma” Cordelia Black..a best friend, a business woman, and in her spare time a killer of men.

🩸𝚆𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝙸 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚜𝚊𝚢...PLEASE go into this one as blind as possible! Holy hell..what a blast!! 🥳It is no surprise to anyone that my all time fav show is Dexter so this Cordelia being a vigilante killer like ol Dex had me oh so giddy! 😁It’s only like Dexter in that one way (they have a code & kill bad people..well, just men in this one), but this book is hella unique so don’t go thinking it’s just like the show. 🤩You get so much more than just a bad ass woman killing bad guys too…found family, friendships, snarky humor…oh & palpitations. 😆You will def feel the anxiety when reading this one! 😳 I also had no clue this one was so chonky…I read on my kindle & not once did I wonder how long it was so when I saw it was over 400 pages later I couldn’t believe it! Have I sold it yet?!? 🙃 Pleasssseeeee read this one & go in blind! 🖤

An interesting serial killer book written from the female prospective. The book did a great job showing how a person is complex with many emotions. I found it to be a quick paced read.

Emma C. Wells created a strong, loyal, confident, strong character that also shows weakness, fear, and apprehension. For lovers of Dexter - this book is well written - funny, creepy, thrilling. Loved it!

So fun! This was like the female version of Dexter. Cordelia Black is a pharmacist by day, vigilante serial killer by night! She’s funny, a little quirky, and loves her bff Diane and her daughter Sugar. That relationship was the best part of the story for me, giving Cordelia a caring side. Overall a wicked fun read that kept me turning the pages. Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

First let me start by saying, I LOVED getting into the mind of a female serial killer. I was on the edge of my seat thru most of this book. Just when you thought you knew what Cordelia Black was going to do, WAM, think again. I wasn’t expecting the comedy I found throughout the book either, but it worked to make Cordelia relatable. Cordelia is sassy, well dressed and well spoken, and deadly (literally). This was a quick read and a definite page turner! The only part I was not a fan of was the very ending, it seemed a bit too easy. Otherwise This Girl’s a Killer is a total hit! Thank you to Wells, Poisoned Pen Press, and Netgalley for the ARC of this novel!

4.5 stars rounded up to 5

The publishing world has seen an uptick in books about female “avengers”/serial killers going after “bad men” and I am so here for it! The title of This Girl’s a Killer says it all - welcome to the land of Cordelia whose side hustle is finding men doing scary & violent things to others and going unpunished. And then punishing them! Permanently!

Let me start by saying that this book is so anxiety inducing! In the best way. I was on the edge of my seat, rooting for Cordelia and trying to figure out how she’s going to avoid getting caught. When the author has you rooting for the morally grey main character, you know you’re going to enjoy that read! (Hope I’m not the only one 😂)

Cordelia’s love for her single mom best friend Diane & her goddaughter Sugar and her willingness to go to any length to protect them was at the heart of the story! And the grumpy neighbor’s troublemaker puppy stole quite a bit of the show for me!

Grab this one when you’re in the mood for “women fight back” vibes combined with sarcasm & an occasional surprisingly funny moment!

A huge thank you to @poisonedpen & @netgalley for my ARC in exchange for an honest review!

3.5 ⭐️ rounded up

I enjoyed living inside this female serial killer’s mind. There was enough comedic relief to prevent this fast-paced thriller from veering toward dark, it was, dare I say it - cozy? I loved the found family connection she had with her best friend and goddaughter which ultimately humanized Cordelia and allowed me as a reader to support and empathize with her character. The way Wells described the paranoia and anxiety around her crimes and the fear of being caught was so well done it made me feel like I was experiencing the same feelings right along with Cordelia. If you ever had the question, what would Dexter have been like if he were a snarky, Prada-wearing murderess, you should definitely pick this one up.

Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the early review copy.

This Girl's a Killer is a stellar female serial killer thriller that packs snark, female rage, found family and endless suspense into one brilliant page-turner of a novel.

I think it's best to go into this one as blindly as possible, so here are the main things you need to know:

Cordelia Black has created a perfectly controlled life with her lucrative job as a pharmaceutical saleswoman, and her found family with her BFF Diane and Diane's daughter Samantha. When she's not kicking ass at work or hanging with her favorite people, she's performing her truest calling, killing evil monsters (men). When the local police start to suspect a serial killer in town, Cordelia's rigidly controlled life starts to fall apart one piece at a time. Can she keep Diane and Samantha safe and continue to evade law enforcement?

When I say this book is like Dexter, it's not just that it's a main character that's a serial killer with somewhat of a moral code, it's also Cordelia's snarky, voicey monologue that moves the plot forward. This book is actually what made me realize Dexter was a snark queen himself. Between the heartwarming relationship between Coredlia and Diane, Cordelia's sardonic tone, and the ever-ratcheting suspense, I never wanted to put this book down! It reminded me how much I love sharp-witted anit-heroines and bloody but upbeat serial killer thrillers.

Fans of Dexter, They Never Learn, Blood Sugar and The Lady Upstairs will devour this book!

I absolutely loved this. Cordelia Black is exactly the type of character I like to read about. If you looking for well thought out characters, a strong plot and a unique story, this is for you! The writing was easy to follow, leaving me fulfilled with information and yet wanting more. Emma Wells has a very promising writing career ahead and I cant wait to watch this journey!

This Girl’s a Killer is a gripping and fast-paced thriller that keeps you hooked from start to finish. Emma C. Wells delivers an intense and clever plot with unexpected twists that will leave you on the edge of your seat. The protagonist is a strong, complex character whose journey is as thrilling as it is emotional, making her easy to root for. With sharp writing and a suspenseful storyline, this book is a must-read for anyone who loves a good mystery with a fierce female lead. Perfect for fans of action-packed thrillers!

Ok, another DNF for me. I read a little over a third of it and wondered why I read that much.

Premise: There are bad men out there and Cordelia finds it satisfying to kill them and create art from the experience.

Enough said about the plot. I didn't like the characters except Samantha. Didn't like the plot so I did not finish.

Thanks NetGalley for an advance copy. Honest opinions expressed here are my own and are freely given.

𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:
The fact that this is a debut is in itself very impressive! Cordelia Black is quite the extraordinary lady-her full time day job as pharmaceutical rep by day doesn’t quite satisfy her needs, so by night she lets out her alter ego of being a bad ass female who takes down the bad and corrupt men. Her double life and her personality are what make her character so intriguing, interesting, and fascinating! I adore Cordelia and her sass-her character is so fun, yet complex. Cordelia’s character has many flaws, which makes her so real and relatable. I love when I am reading a great book and can connect with the MC, and that is exactly what happened here. There are also a few other amazing characters throughout this fun and entertaining book, and they all won me over. Aside from the amazing characters, this book is fun with a good amount of humor, drama, action, and suspense and mystery to keep you entertained throughout. If you enjoy a badass female lead who is also a serial killer🔪🩸 then pick this one up!


𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗜𝗳 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗘𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆:
✦A strong, badass female lead who leads a double life💊🔪🩸
✦A mix of humor, drama, suspense, mystery, and action.
✦Fun and relatable, yet flawed characters that you can connect with.
✦An outstanding debut, with a book 2 possibly in the works!

𝐌𝐲 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️4/5

United States Publication: October 29, 2024

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this advanced reader's copy. In exchange, I am providing an honest review.

Cordelia Black is a successful pharmaceutical rep who loves what she does, both by day and by night. Oh, at night? At night, she's meting justice to those evading the law. Men who think they have the right to hurt others without any consequences. Scum men meet Cordelia Black, your consequence. Her best friend Diana and goddaughter Sugar have no idea what Cordelia's nightlife consists of. They only know her as the most devoted friend and godmother to grace the planet, and Cordelia means to keep it that way. Until Diana introduces Cordelia to her new boyfriend. Cordelia gets the vibe right away. He is giving off the creeper vibe, and Cordelia isn't sure what to do. She can't just kill him like the others and expect nobody will miss him. Diana would miss him. It's a conundrum. All of a sudden, her carefully controlled nighttime habit is coming apart at the seams, and it's elevated by a blind date with a detective and the news picking up on the missing men in her city and throwing around the words "serial killer." What's a girl with a proclivity for justice to do?

Right away, I think, "Oh, it's a female Dexter." And I'm not wrong, but that doesn't mean this wasn't worth reading. Cordelia is much more engaged in life and its emotions than Dexter, so there's that difference. Cordelia's character is layered with complexities, most of them born of the traumatic childhood she endured. But she recognized it in young adulthood and decided to honor her gut instincts about the ones who escape established justice. She also chose to lock certain parts of herself up so Diana and Sugar wouldn't be accused as accomplices should she ever get caught. This was a fast and enjoyable read. Cordelia's successes and failures made for an engaging read, and her relationship with Diana and Sugar provided her motivation, as misguided and illegal as it may be.