“I was once a famous murderess.”
Here are reasons to read the Thriller book:

Tutor - When Evie arrived for a tutoring session
Deaths - she finds the parents of her tutee dead
Run - And after finding someone tied up in a closet, the 2 of them are on the run to escape the blame

This book intrigued me because it was kind of described like Thelma and Louise. The thing about this book was that there was a lot of exposition of the main character which made the story feel kind of slow. And the twist of what actually occurred was not as surprising as I wanted to be. However, I did listen to this book in one day so it did at least keep my attention. Definitely a book if you want a road trip read for the summer.

Thanks to William Morrow for gifted access to this ARC via NetGalley. All opinions below my own.

This one is sort of a Bonnie and Clyde type escape from a murder scene, however, the ‘Bonnie’ has no idea what has really happened. One day when Evie arrives to tutor, as usual, she discovers the family has been murdered. In the wake of the carnage, she finds a girl bound up, the two escape so as not to be blamed for the murders. And of course they are, and are then on the run. Evie does exactly what no one would do and just asks zero questions of her new companion. Most of the story is them creatively, escaping, thieving, and ultimately slipping into violence as they try to escape the law.

While I enjoyed the cleverness of their journey, I found it completely implausible that they would not have tried to clear the air if they were actually innocent. I also don’t believe that two strangers would just pair up like that without any truths. The ending made sense, but should have happened at the beginning, therefore avoiding the middle. LOL

It was definitely the right read to get you wondering what you would do in that situation. With my answer being none of what she did!

So so so many bad decisions! Evie, who has never lived up to her potential, stumbles upon the bodies of the Victors, parents of Serena, the teen she tutors and then as she's trying to get out of the house finds a woman who is locked in a closet. Oh and then Serena turns up and there's a fight, a lamp, and is Serena dead? Evie and the mute woman from the closet flee and thus we're on a Thelma and Louise sort of thing. They make their way around the US, stealing cars and food even as the search for them amps up. And they make more bad decisions. When Jae finally speaks, she tells a story to explain why she was there and as she talks, Evie falls for her. This is a sleigh ride that will have you shaking your head and turning the pages. And there's a big twist. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. No spoilers from me but know that this did surprise me.

Highly educated, unemployed Evie Gordon is working as an SAT tutor. When she arrives at the house of her latest student, she discovers that the parents have both been murdered. Not only that, there is a woman tied up in a room under the stairs. At the same time, her student, Selena, walks down the stairs and thinks the two of them are trying to burglarize the house and swings a lamp at Evie. In self defense Evie throws a vase at Selena, knocking her out, or maybe killing her. Thus begins Evie and Jae's journey around the country trying to outrun the law. They not only must be resourceful but deal with feelings that they may be developing for each other.

I love that this book puts you immediately into the action, and keeps strong momentum throughout. Very addictive pace, but it takes a while for you to get more information about why this is all happening in the first place. Despite the ambiguity, there's enough to enjoy about the journey along the way; and it has a handful of lyrical spins of prose that lend the story an existential and meditative depth beyond your typical mystery page-turner.

Evie walks into Victors’ home for an SAT tutoring session to find the family murdered. Then she finds a woman tied up in the closet. The two women escape and Evie and the other woman are now the focus of a nationwide manhunt.
Overall, this was a good book. I found the plot to be unique compared to other books I’ve read. I enjoyed the writing and first person narrative. I found myself rooting for Evie, hoping for a positive outcome as she tried to evade the authorities. However, I found the middle of the book to be a bit slow, but it picked back up at the end. Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for this arc!

An unhinged, twisting and turning psychological thriller. IF you're a fan of Gillian McAllister or Gillian Flynn this will be right up your alley.

My actual rating is a 3.5!

What to Expect:
⭐ VERY Thelma + Louise
⭐ Tutor turned murder suspect
⭐ Twisty/turning plot line
⭐ Cat + Mouse game of being on the run

My Thoughts:
Okay I almost gave up on this. I REALLY struggled with the storyline at the beginning. It didn't feel believable and was very predictable. There were just decisions I didn't think an almost 30 year old would make or consider especially when she comes across the scene at the house. The biggest pet peeve for me was the VERY delayed swapping of POV. A story told with dual POVs should happen right out the gate. Instead the long drawn out we got here. Especially with how willing Evie is to have a girl she doesn't know hop in the car, give the keys too and trust her within minutes of meeting.

I actually found some of the voice for Evie and her counterpart in the mess (Jae) a bit annoying. The not speaking for several chapters just irked me. Listening at times to Evies monologue seemed almost immature for someone who is a full blown adult.

All that to say, as a debut novel it was still a thorough plot, with proper action sequences and filling of gaps. It just truly wasn't for me. The bond that happens between Evie and Jae is beautiful of itself and hang in for the big twist at the end.

The Synopsis:
A scholarship kid with straight As and big dreams, Evie Gordon always thought she was special, that she’d be someone. But after graduating from an elite university, she finds herself drowning in debt and working as an SAT tutor for the super-rich of Los Angeles.

Everything changes one Sunday, when she arrives for her weekly lesson at the Victors’ Beverly Hills estate and, in lieu of a bored teenager, finds the bloody remains of the parents strewn through their beautiful back garden, and a woman crying for help within a closet. As Evie works to free her, the two are spotted—and within moments, they go from bystanders to suspects to fugitives.

Suddenly at the heart of a manhunt and accompanied by a mysterious woman who refuses to speak, Evie knows the only way to clear her name is to find the real killer. But first she’ll have to break down the barriers of her companion, who is quickly becoming the most important person in Evie’s upside-down life. Their breathless spree takes them across the U.S. as developments in the case shock the nation and the press runs wild with Evie’s a gifted kid turned killer. She's now on the cover of every magazine and newspaper—anointed the new Charles Manson, a bloodthirsty ninety-nine percenter looking to start a class war. Evie is finally someone.

By turns cuttingly hilarious and deeply insightful, Killer Potential is a strikingly original debut. A literary novel with the page-turning intensity of a thriller that asks timely questions about our belief in the romance of social mobility, and how the stories we’re sold about our potential can shape the course of our lives.

This book was a great time. The voice was witty and sharp which matched perfectly with the fast-paced, twisty story. I was hooked from the first page. Deitch did a good job of keeping pace and balancing the themes. There was humor, horror, mystery, and spice. The characters felt raw in the best way. I really enjoyed it!

Thanks for the opportunity to review this title!

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5 stars)
**Intriguing but Inconsistent**

*Killer Potential* by Hanna Deitch is a suspenseful read with a strong premise and plenty of psychological tension. The exploration of morality and what drives someone to the edge is fascinating, and Deitch does a great job building suspense. However, the pacing can be uneven, and some character decisions feel a bit forced. While the twists are engaging, a few are predictable, making the story slightly less impactful. That said, it’s an enjoyable read for fans of psychological thrillers who don’t mind a few rough edges along the way.

Killer Potential
by Hannah Deitch
Pub Date: Mar 18 2025

"Killer Potential" starts out with a murder, Evie a SAT tutor stumbles upon accidentally, and fears she'll be charged for. As she moves to flee the scene, she discovers another tragedy-a woman in a dark room, kept prisoner. The two flee together, and the novel turns into a roadtrip across the country, both desperate to evade the police until the real killer is discovered. If you were a fan of Thelma and Louise you will love this book!

An unusual story with lots of action scenes, surprises and ending I did not see coming. A funny Thelma and Louise love story!

Many thanks to #KillerPotential #NetGalley and #WilliamMorrow for providing me with an E-ARC of this book.

I really enjoyed this book. I loved the way the author used two unreliable narratives to tell the story. The beginning had me thinking she was a serial killer just like the American public in the book. The snap judgements from quick news and press. The journey both characters take is crazy filled with lots of self discovery while trying to remain hidden. Hannah Deitch does a great job with descriptions and the characters thought processes. I really enjoyed this quick and enthralling read. Thanks to netgalley for the arc.

I loved this book! As a lover of true crime, I was hooked and wanted it to end to have all the loose ends tied up while simultaneously wanting it to slow down so I could savor the read. I didn't see the ending coming and pulled for Evie every step of the way. The character development, the storyline and the chase left me wanting more. Highly recommend and look forward to future books from this author!

Thank you to #NetGalley #WilliamMorrow and #HannahDeitch for an ARC!
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A lesbian Thelma and Louise story. SAT tutor Evie Gordon goes on the run after finding the bodies of her employers strewn across their immaculate yard. In self-defense, she throws a lamp at her student, thinking she's killed her. She escapes with a woman she found bound under a hidden closet under the stairs of the house. The woman won't speak to Evie so it's up to her to find the real culprit and clear her name.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Willam Morrow for this digital e-arc.*

This was such a fun thriller! I'm sure avid readers of thrillers won't be surprised by the twist but since I'm newer to the genre I enjoyed it. I was at the edge of my seat waiting to figure out what would happen next. I really enjoyed the conversations about how society responds to women who commit crimes. I was also interested in the way narratives are created for us and affect how we are viewed regardless of how accurate they are. I will say this book felt like it bit off more than it could chew with the philosophical elements. I enjoyed the thought experiments but I wanted some conclusion about the questions that kept getting brought up but we never really got that. Overall the story was a bit unresolved for me. The characters are very morally gray which I loved. We didn't get a lot of closure in the ending though. The story ends in an open way and I wanted more of a definitive resolution. The plot still kept me engaged and I really enjoyed the twists and turns the story took. If you love stories about characters on the run trying to clear their name then this is a great thriller for you.

Hannah Deitch's "Killer Potential" is an electrifying novel that deftly combines suspense, dark humor, and sharp social commentary.

The protagonist, Evie Gordon, is a scholarship student with immense promise, who ventures into morally ambiguous territory. The plot is gripping from the start, with each chapter drawing readers deeper into Evie's high-stakes journey—a journey that explores ambition, identity, and the unseen costs of societal pressure. Deitch keeps the intrigue alive with a seamless interplay between crime elements and biting satire, creating a narrative that is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining.

One of the novel's strongest features is its exceptional characterization. Evie emerges as a richly layered protagonist, grappling with choices that are as complex as they are compelling. Her internal struggles are vividly portrayed, making her both relatable and deeply engaging. The supporting cast further enriches the story, each character contributing to its multifaceted exploration of morality and ambition. These relationships provide additional depth, creating a dynamic interplay that mirrors the broader societal issues the novel examines.

The pacing is masterful, maintaining a brisk yet deliberate rhythm that keeps readers hooked without sacrificing depth or nuance. Deitch’s writing shines with sharp wit and evocative detail, blending moments of dark humor with incisive commentary on the structures that shape modern life. "Killer Potential" is an exhilarating read and a profound reflection on the complexities of human ambition. Deitch’s original and compelling storytelling mark this novel as a standout in contemporary fiction.

This is shift from my normal fare, but it sounded interesting enough I picked it up. Unfortunately, it was a bit of slog through read. It took me about 100 pages to get used to some of the odd phrasing the author used, but it never really bothered me, just felt choppy and too try-hard for my liking.

My other issue was the characters. Evie was a really dumb smart person. Regardless of how Jae reacted, if anyone was in the same situation they’d get away from the house and call the police or stop immediately and call the police. Not run off on a country-wide road trip with a woman you found tied up in a house. It just made no sense to me.

The twist was solid, but I’d figured it out within the first 100 pages. I was glad to be right, but the post-twist was just kind of middling. Not much happened, but a lot of time passed.

This had potential but ultimately fell very flat. What was the point? At the very beginning, had the character just left and called the cops. story over. This was not the least bit plausible. Also, how does the character fall in love with her partner in crime after two weeks when they don't speak for 13 of the 14 days?

Talk about wrong place wrong time! This was an exciting twisty story! I was captivated and stayed interested through the entire story. I’ve never heard of Hannah Deitch before now but I will be on the lookout for more!

Evie walks into the open front door of her SAT tutoring client’s home to find two dead bodies and one woman tied up in a closet. In the moments that follow, suspicion turns onto her, and a series of bad decisions sends her on the run with the woman she rescued from the closet.

What I liked most about this was the perspective - we have a protagonist who is also a villain, a hero who is also a victim. Evie starts out trying to do the right thing and ends up making a lot of bad decisions. We’re on the run with her, not back in California watching the fallout from the murders. We get that part of the story only when Evie sees it in the news.

At times the prose was meandering, often just sounding like it was trying to be quotable rather than actually saying anything. There was some suspension of disbelief required on the part of the reader, but that is always the case with these books and if you’re complaining about that you’re reading the wrong genre. I enjoyed seeing the story play out from a different perspective, so I would recommend this one to switch it up.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy, in exchange for an honest review.

This book was a wild ride following a woman in a serious case of alleged wrong place wrong time. I was immediately gripped by the story and even though it’s literary in writing it still felt very fast paced. It was a nice blend of mystery/crime plot and literary writing. Evie was an interesting MC that felt fully realized, flaws and all. The twist caught me by surprise as well, which is always appreciated in a mystery.