Killer Potential is such a smart, addictive debut. Hannah Deitch has a knack for sharp dialogue, layered characters, and just the right amount of dark humor to keep things fun without losing the tension. The pacing is tight, the twists land well, and the story kept me guessing in all the best ways.

What really stood out to me was how character-driven it was. It’s not just about the mystery (though that’s great), but also about ambition, identity, and the lines people are willing to cross. If you’re into thrillers with brains and bite, definitely give this one a read. I’ll be watching for whatever Deitch does next.

***I was given an eARC of this book but all thoughts are my own and based upon a pre-published version of this book.***

Killer Potential is an intriguing blend of suspense and dark humor, with a protagonist whose sharp wit makes the story engaging. The plotting is tight, and the pacing keeps you hooked, though some twists could be more surprising.

I struggled with this book at times because I found my mind drifting as I was reading. At times the book was very witty and made me laugh and other times I was just ready for it to be over. I’m going to give it three starts because it kept me interested enough to finish it. I would be open to reading more from this author.

I really did not like this book. It is trying to be very high brow, but there is no warning of this.

Thank you for the Arc of this book! I was hesitant before starting the book as its not my usual genre. The description of the book intrigued me, giving me high hopes for this debut. I liked Evie and the situation that she found herself in, but i want a big fan of the relationship and sex scenes. I felt that there was a shift from the crime/thrill aspect and it turned more into a romance book. I do think that the book was well written and the characters seemed real/relatable. In the end I liked the book but didn't love and have really thought about it since finishing.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of Killer Potential! The story started out really strong — a compelling main character (though not very likeable) thrust into a shocking murder scene, choosing to go on the run with a mysterious and silent companion. I was really invested through the first half, anticipating the unfolding of the truth. Unfortunately, that anticipation devolved into boredom for the majority of the last half. While I appreciated the ending and some depth added to our mysterious companion, it ultimately didn’t hold my excitement or interest through to the end. That being said, I think Deitch has plenty of potential to craft a killer read.

If you’re a big fan of thrillers or love a good road trip story, this book may be for you. However, I unfortunately found this book slow to get into and didn’t make up for the twist, which I found fairly predictable. The concept itself was actually pretty interesting and had potential. I almost feel this might have been in the wrong format and could have been successful as a horror film if developed a little more.

Thank you to NetGalley, William Morrow and Hannah Deitch for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Shout out to both William Morrow for publishing, and NetGalley for providing the ARC.

First I've got to say; that I wanted to love this book so badly - but what goes up must come down.
The opening hooked me - but I wasn't able to suspend disbelief long enough to really get into it.
The story was advertised as an intriguing, page-turning, high stakes crime-thriller but it was, unfortunately, not at all what was delivered. Instead the focus shifted onto the relationships of the characters entirely, and the "crime" aspect became a sub-plot.

This book could have been half as long - and would have been much better for it.

Not impressed. This one won't be memorable unfortunately. I don't like open ended endings and this one had just that. It was entertaining at times but there were things that felt yuck to me.

I wish I liked it more, it did have *potential* (pun intended) but I guessed the ending right away. I do read a lot of mysteries, so do with that what you will, but this book didn’t stand out to me

Thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc of this one in exchange for an honest review!

This book had a lot of potential (lol no pun intended) and I really love the cover. However, it didn’t work for me.

It all felt way too unrealistic to me. The whole time i felt like rolling my eyes because it just didn’t sound right to me.

I hope others love this one but it wasn’t for me.

I really loved Hannah Deitch’s writing in her debut novel “Killer Potential.” I found her style to be really sharp and there were some great insights into what it truly means to be “without.”

Our main character Evie walks into a mansion for her weekly SAT tutoring gig to find the mother and father of her student murdered. She heard a woman calling for help and helps her escape after she’s discovered having been tied up and beaten.

This starts an international manhunt for them as they are assumed to be the killers while Evie maintains her innocence. I liked that the end of the book told stories from Jae’s point of view, the other woman on the run with Evie. I wish this dual POV would have been throughout the book. I’d like to have been “in on” the overall picture instead of fed at the end with Evie. I also found that there were a few too many side stories about Evie’s childhood and would have loved even more action in the plot. Overall I really enjoyed this book! Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for this eARC!

This thriller was truly a wild ride! It is giving the vibes of Thelma and Louise, and follows two women on the run from the FBI. I lost count of the number of twists in this book, and I could never have guessed the biggest one! The subplot of romance in this was also crazy but somehow felt genuine at the same time! I really enjoyed this book, and would definitely recommend. These women were both so messed up, but so interesting to read about!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. This was a twisty thriller that I totally went into blind... which I kinda am happy I did. It's told between dual prospectives.

Really loved this one! Twisty and sexy at the same time!

(Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.)

Killer Potential by Hannah Deitch was well written and the idea sounded great but the actual plot was just not my for me. It felt like a lot of the decisions the main character made were absolutely insane. She feels responsible for someone and runs away from the scene of the crime rather than just calling the police. I could not get over the initial plot line to enjoy the book. While it had "killer potential" it was just not for me. I think that if you are able to get past the terrible decision making this book might be for you!

Thank you to NetGalley, William Morrow, and Hannah Deitch for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

When I first saw Killer Potential described as a Gen Z, queer Thelma & Louise, I was immediately intrigued. That pitch alone had me ready to dive in—and I’m so glad I did. I was genuinely surprised to learn this was Hannah Deitch’s debut, because the writing is polished, sharp, and deeply readable. It pulled me in from the very first page.

We meet Evie, a gifted kid turned burned-out adult, who’s stuck tutoring rich teenagers and grappling with the relatable ennui of being someone who was always told she had “so much potential.” Then, in a weirdly engaging turn of events, she stumbles upon a murder scene, discovers a starved woman hidden behind a wall, and finds herself attacked by the victim’s daughter. What follows is a wild, tense, and strangely intimate journey with Evie and the mysterious woman she helps escape.

Evie is not what I’d call likable, but she is for sure interesting. She’s messy, sarcastic, horny, and constantly questioning the choices that led her here—and I appreciated that complexity. Her fugitive partner is even more interesting but I don't want to give any spoilers! The book plays with themes like social mobility, burnout, and how the American Dream can turn dark fast. It’s a story about women on the edge, about reinvention and identity, and about the stories we tell ourselves just to keep going.

The pacing is tight, the dialogue is sharp, and the tone balances dark humor with genuine emotional weight. I especially loved how the tension between the two women never fully resolves—it stays uncomfortable in a way that feels intentional and real.

This is a smart, fast-paced thriller that manages to say something bigger while still keeping you turning the pages. If you’re into thrillers with morally gray characters and an undercurrent of social critique, definitely give this one a try.



Vibe check:
🎓 Former gifted kid burnout
🔪 Feral feminist thriller
📺 True crime meets late-stage capitalism
🌪️ Complicated women making worse choices, beautifully

Rating: 4.5/5 emotional breakdowns in stolen car

Thank you to Hannah Deitch and William Morrow for providing this ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

I found this book to be very strange. A young woman, Evie, is a SAT tutor. Upon arriving at the Victor home, she doesn't see anyone. She wanders around, and then sees the owners dead. She hears a voice and finds a woman tied up in a closet. Her student appears and accuses them of killing her parents. The two women go on the run, believing they will be found guilty of murder. If this first few chapters of mayhem isn't bizarre enough, the story gets crazier from there!
A bit of obsession, lies, and gore are present in this debut.

I think I needed a little more hint to motive and an earlier hook. Overall, 3.5 stars. Thank you for the advanced reader copy.

What an awesome debut from Hannah Deitch! This book hooked me right away and I was on the edge of my seat until the very end. Twisty, tense, and fast-paced. I loved it!