Dark comedy thriller with a posh southern belle female killer protecting her found family. Dragged a bit for me to gain another star but an entertaining read. Thanks to NetGalley and Poison Pen Press for an advanced copy for a honest review.

This review is hard to write because there were some parts of this book that I found really compelling (4 stars!), but others that I really didn’t care for (2 stars). The writing was pretty simple and straightforward, which makes it totally bingable. But the main character, Cordelia? She. Is. Unhinged. I think her vigilantism was meant to make her understandable, if not straight up likable, but girlfriend’s a psychopath. I also found the depictions of violence pushed this book into the horror genre (which I enjoy from time to time, but wasn’t looking for when I picked this up). Ultimately, I probably wouldn’t have finished this if I hadn’t gotten it through netgalley– not because it was bad, but because it wasn’t just the book for me.

If you like the Finley Donovan books (also wasn’t for me) and don’t mind more violence/gore, you’d probably like This Girl’s A Killer.

I thought this book was pretty good. I enjoyed the vigilante character of Cordelia. It took me a few times to get into this but I ended up enjoying it

This was a fun book for a thriller! I love a good vigilante story and Cordelia black was such a fun character to follow along with! The twist at the end definitely kept me on my toes!!

This is a fun vigilante story – bloody and gory but hey, they deserved it, just ask Cordelia!

This is one of those times when I did, indeed, root for the morally grey character – Cordelia is a badass with a heart of gold. Suspenseful and messy, just how I like my female rage novels!

Thank you Poisoned Pen Press for this gifted DRC!

"This Girl’s a Killer" had a promising start, and I was ready for a wild, morally complex ride. But instead of a morally gray antihero, we got a full-blown psychopath—no shades of gray, just straight-up unhinged. The main character's obsession with her best friend wasn’t just intense; it was downright toxic. She framed her actions as "protection" and justified her bloodthirsty ways as making the world a better place. But the book gave me almost no real insight into why she was like this, which made it hard to feel anything for her beyond frustration.

I found myself skimming through large chunks because it felt like listening to someone endlessly justify their bad behavior—convincing themselves that their trauma gave them a free pass to be a ruthless killer. And yet, I kept reading. Why? Because I’m a sucker for thrillers and mysteries. No matter how much I wanted to DNF, my curiosity won out—I had to see how it all wrapped up. Spoiler: it wasn’t worth it.

There was no lesson, no real theme, no consequences—just chaos, messes she made, and a finale where she slithered out of it all, lies and all, with zero accountability. It felt less like a thriller and more like watching someone dodge karma in real time. Disappointing.

Thank you to NetGallery for the opportunity to read this novel. I have really loved that this is new type of genre/play on looking at what we would normally see as the antagonist as the protagonist of the story. I loved the wit, banter, and thrill of this debut novel. I am excited to see what Wells publishes next.

Review for This Girl's a Killer by Emma C. Wells ”

1. Plot Uniqueness : 4/5
2. Pacing and Coherence :4/5
3. Emotional and intellectual Engagement : 4/5
4. Twists and turns : 3.5/5
5. Protagonists Character Development : 4/5
6. support character development : 3.5/5
7. Setting and atmosphere : 3.5/5
8. Chapter Organization : 4/5
9. Conclusion and tied loose ends : 4/5
10. Overall rating of book : 4/5

This Girl's a Killer by Emma C. Wells is a captivating blend of suspense and dark humor. The story follows a seemingly ordinary woman with an extraordinary secret—she's been responsible for several deaths of bad men. We follow her as she navigates her double life. Her charming demeanor hides her chilling reality but some circumstances are getting in her way. Wells' writing is sharp and witty, keeping readers on the edge of their seats with a mix of suspenseful twists and moments of dark comedy.

Wells masterfully balances her complex character, making her both likable (most of the time) and terrifying. The plot is fast-paced and full of unexpected developments, keeping you hooked until the very end. This Girl's a Killer is perfect for readers who enjoy thrilling, character-driven stories with a touch of wit. The blend of suspense, dark humor, and well-developed characters make this an unforgettable read.

Very interesting read. Was fun, the characters were well written. Very much enjoyed reading this one

This was such a fun book with a Dexter-like female character. Would love for it to be a tv series or movie!

"This Girl's a Killer" by Emma C. Wells is one rollercoaster of a thriller! If you're up for a wild ride and don't mind suspending disbelief a bit, this book delivers. It's the kind of read that grabs you from the start and keeps you guessing till the very end. The plot twists are like sharp turns on a dark highway—you never see them coming! Wells really knows how to keep the suspense going. It's not just about the whodunit but also the whydunit that keeps you hooked. Overall, if you're in the mood for a gripping page-turner that doesn't take itself too seriously, this one's a winner.

Hmmmm... I seem to be in the minority on this one, but this didn't work overly well for me. It was a quick read, which I appreciated, but I feel like the author was going for a female Dexter. However, I didn't believe it. Cordelia is supposed to be this meticulous serial killer who has gotten away with countless murders easily. But in this story, she is not careful or detail-oriented or even very smart. She makes bad decision after bad decision and mistake after mistake. So even though the author tells us she's good, that isn't what is shown. I didn't understand the whole "smoke in their eyes" thing either. That seems a bit... contrived and unexplained fully. Plus, with the premise, I honestly thought we'd get more about her process of finding, luring, and killing her victims. There was little of that and more of her whining about her everyday life - most of the problems she brought upon herself.
I honestly didn't really care overly much about Cordelia - she's not very likable. And the parts with her bff and her boyfriend were repetitive. I also didn't believe the relationship or attraction between Cordelia and Mr. Smiley. What was even the point of that relationship? She didn't actually learn that much from that connection and the relationship basically went a whole lot of nowhere. Seemed unnecessary.
I don't think I'll remember much about the plot details after a few months. If you want a morally gray serial killer who only goes after bad people, read/watch Dexter instead.
2.5 rounded up.

The fact that this is a debut is mind blowing! I LOVED this one! I have to say I would actually recommend this on audio. The narrator is fantastic on there! This is filled with a ton of dark humor and I laughed a lot! It was cheeky and funny yet at the same time somehow dealt with terrible subject matter. I loved the friendship between Cordelia & Diane. I'm so looking forward to this author's next book! I would definitely recommend!

Thank you NetGalley for the arc of this book. I liked this in concept more than execution. I think there was a ton of repetition. The spiraling was done well however I think there were more satisfying and realistic ways to go with the ending.

This book is for readers who love a mystery thriller, but deserve more strong female characters in their reading of the genre. Cordelia Black, is a successful businesswoman, best friend, and, in her spare time, a killer. And her reason?
He had it coming.
But when her method of murder becomes compromised, and her best friend begins dating a questionable man, Cordelia comes face to face with reality, and the consequences of her actions.
I enjoyed this book, and Cordelia as a FMC. Each time we learn more about her character and her desires, I was reminded of the Chicago musical song, and the motives everyday women have for feeling disgruntled with men (though most of us do not act like Cordelia).

"This Girl's A Killer" offers a unique blend of dark humor and thrilling intrigue, following the life of Cordelia Black, a strikingly ambitious pharma rep by day and a vigilante by night. The premise is intriguing: a woman who believes she is executing justice by eliminating bad men in her community. The narrative is lively, and Wells's writing is both engaging and sharp, filled with clever wit that keeps the reader entertained.

Cordelia's character is fascinating, embodying a mix of empowerment and moral ambiguity. Her love for her chosen family and her dedication to her "work" create a compelling central conflict, especially when her best friend becomes involved with a man Cordelia mistrusts. This tension propels the plot, leading to moments of suspense that maintain a brisk pace throughout.

However, while the initial concept is compelling, the story sometimes feels uneven. At times, the humor and dark themes clash; moments that could carry emotional weight are undercut by the tone. Additionally, some character developments lack depth, leaving a few motivations feeling surface-level rather than fully explored.

Overall, "This Girl's A Killer" delivers an entertaining read with an interesting premise, yet it occasionally misses the mark in balancing its darker themes with the comedic elements. Fans of quirky thrillers may enjoy Cordelia's wild journey, but those seeking a more profound exploration of morality may find it leaves something to be desired.

I have not read either of the books to which the description of this story compares. However, I will say, that this is giving female Dexter vibes, but with a bit more style. Cordelia is a pharmaceutical rep with a traumatic upbringing, she loves designer labels, looking good, and sticking to her schedule. She also loves to kill the bad men she comes across. Not just your general cheat or scumbag, but men who are SA who haven't been caught, murderers, and the like. The true scumbags of the world. Everything is going great for Cordelia until everything in her life starts falling apart. Her best friend starts dating a guy that Cordelia just knows is a bad man, Cordelia's job is at risk, and there is a rumor of a serial killer out offing the men in the Baton Rouge area. If something goes wrong it will.

Cordelia is a fun character, I don't know how much I actually like her, but I do like her loyalty to her best friend and goddaughter, and also to the moral code that she has set up for herself. For someone as meticulous and controlled as she makes herself seem, she seems more like a barely controlled chaos. There were some threads that I would like to have trimmed up. Like Cordelia's art, in the beginning, her art pieces were pivotal, something that helped calm and soothe her, but also part of a routine. We see this mentioned a few times, then it is all but forgotten. I would have also liked to see the loose end of Cordelia's, "Mc Smiley". They kissed and then never talked again? He was also a character that seemed as if he'd be important. That seemed like a lot of negative. It really is all the negative there is in the story, if you even see that as bad. There was so much situational humor, and stress where you just know that Cordelia is going to get caught in her schemes, where you know that she is going to snap. Every situation just amps up the stakes and throw in a rambunctious poodle and a nosy neighbor and the stakes just go a bit higher. With that being said, the overall story was compelling, entertaining, and full of humor with a little bit of gore thrown in. A perfect cozy thriller!

I wanted to love this one, but it turns out a serial killer FMC isn't for me. This is totally my mistake and has noting to do with the book itself.

Unfortunately, I had to DNF.

This book is so square in my dark and delicious wheelhouse & I loved everything about it.

Cordelia Black isn’t a killer. She’s karma. There are three things that matter to her — her best friend Diane, her goddaughter Sugar and ridding the world of monstrous men. She’s part female Dexter and absolutely the friend you call when you need help burying a body.

Add in dark humor, plenty of blood, dead bodies, hijinks, a cop dubbed McSmiley, a grumpy neighbor, bad men + a she-devil of dog that will win over just about everyone and you have the makings of a great book.

The writing is sharp and witty. The strength of the friendship between Cordelia and Diane is everything. There’s so much relatability to their bond and really nothing like a ride-or-die female friendship.

The book is the perfect mix of humor + darkness and I couldn’t recommend it enough. But make no mistake this book does go dark. Check out EMMA C. WELLS website for a full list of trigger warnings.

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press/Sourcebooks & NetGalley for the ARC.

👇🏻QUICK SYNOPSIS

By day she's an ambitious pharma rep with a flawless reputation and designer wardrobe. By night, she culls South Louisiana of unscrupulous men―monsters who think they've evaded justice, until they meet her. Sure, the evening news may have started throwing around phrases like "serial killer," but Cordelia knows that's absurd. She's not a killer, she is simply karma. And being karma requires complete and utter control.

But when Cordelia discovers a flaw in her perfectly designed system for eliminating monsters, pressure heightens. And when someone crashes her perfect world, they just might be the one to unravel everything she has worked for.