I’m not a thriller reader, so I’m not sure how this book compares to other thrillers. I thought it was an interesting exciting book with a lot of tension. I enjoyed Evie as a main character, and Jae as her partner in crime. However, I agree with a lot of the other reviews that this book requires a lot of suspension of disbelief. I also felt like the novel tiptoes around the themes of class without actually engaging. That sort of commentary would’ve been great to see worked into the novel.

This gave such a fun Thelma and Louise vibe and I had a good time with that. The queer twist was absolutely delicious and I wanted more of that! Although I thought the vibes were fun, I felt like the ending was underwhelming and that there were too many pieces that were too unrealistic for me. But overall, this is a good, quick thriller!

At first, I wasn't too sure. But this was a very interesting and imaginative read! I ended up really, really liking it! It contains elements of Thelma & Louise, with some mystery and even romance! If anyone is looking for a fresh and fun debut, this is it!

I had a hard time with my rating of this book, but in the end I rated it 2.5⭐️ rounding up to 3 for GR.

The overall premise behind this story intrigued me and had so much promise. However, it really fell flat in terms of a thriller/mystery. It lacked a big twist or wow moment, as I had it figured out from the very beginning. For a mystery, that just doesn't work for me. Additionally, I felt like Evie was written in a way that made her either very stupid or naive. I can't say more than that, or I would potentially give something away.

All that said, I liked the writing style, overall idea, and unlikeable characters. The ending as also fairly satisfying! As this was a debut for the author, I would definitely check out her next book.

What do you get when you mesh a love story with a lit thriller? Killer Potential by Hann Deitch. This was such a fun read. It was easy to get through and actually was not as predicable as I expected it to be. Would love to read more from Hannah!

honestly, i loved the 'be gay, do crimes' vibes of this and it was compulsively readable but <i>something</i> was missing for me. it's been almost a month since i read this and it hasn't really stuck in my memory. i definitely still recommend it for people who love thrillers (especially gay ones).

This book was not what I expected, and I loved it so much. It kept me on the edge of my seat. The twists were interesting and disturbingly realistic. One involving one of my biggest fears (no spoilers, though)! It was paced perfectly and I can’t wait to read more by the author. Thank you NetGalley for the arc.

This book had such a genuinely interesting premise. And I enjoyed it! I loved the Thelma and Louise vibe without feeling too close to the source. I fell in love with the characters and loved the plot. My only critique is I feel like the book over-explains itself to the point of affecting the pacing, including through the “action”. I still finished it in a couple of sittings, but felt it could’ve kept its pace.

I really liked this! Are you a litfic girly who is never satisfied with thrillers, but is always looking to read a good thriller??? Then this is perfect! I will say, if you are an actual thriller girly, this might not scratch that for you!

I think my biggest issue was the amount of unbelievable crap that was happening in the book lol suspension of disbelief was at a whole other level, which I guess is common in a thriller. However, not being an avid thriller reader, I found it hard to ignore all the highly improbable events that were occurring. I have one other issue, but I can’t share it because it’s a spoiler.

Aside from that, it had really good character development, and a lot of commentary about our school system, job market, society and class, the American Dream, etc.

Definitely not a hollow book. I had a blast reading this, and went and purchased a copy to have on my shelf. I will absolutely read Deitch’s next book, no questions asked!

I loved this book so much! It is interesting and unique, and it drew me in pretty quickly. I had a minor gripe with how often the main character talked about going to her parents for help. At the beginning of the book, I thought she was in high school, not 29 yrs old. But other than that, this was an amazing book. Thank you, Netgalley for the eARC!

This was a really fun, often thought provoking, read that definitely delivered on its sapphic Thelma and Louise premise; it was a 5 star read by the end, but I struggled with giving it that rating for several reasons. But first--

What worked for me:
-the writing on a line level is incredible. Evocative and yet terse at the same time, it reminded me a lot of Otessa Moshfegh mixed with Capote, and this blend worked very well for me. Especially in the last third of the book, Deitch's writing had me glued to the page
-I genuinely liked Evie as a character, in the sense of: she's insufferable because she's MEANT to be insufferable, and it's the mark of a good writer to portray a complex character like Evie so well
-to some extend, I also liked her roadtrip partner/partner in crime/lover Jae
-the last third of the book was truly phenomenal. Changing up the POV as Deitch did was an excellent move, and I felt she truly stuck the ending. I loved the complexity of Evie and Jae's relationship as well

What didn't:
-as other reviewers have noted, the first chapter involves a LOT of suspension of disbelief. Evie's decision to assault Serena, the Victors' daughter, and flee with Jae makes relatively little sense for a woman who's supposed to be a former gifted and talented student. As a former gifted child myself, I can attest to having absolutely zero common sense BUT Evie's portrayed as rather sensible all things considered throughout the rest of the novel.
-compared to other litfic I've read recently, the themes did not come together as well as I'd hoped. The social commentary often felt meandering relative to the main plot, and relatively superficial until, as noted, the last third of the book
-the twist is rather obvious, though the WHY behind the killer's rationale is less obvious. I'm not sure whether the obviousness is the point, but again--we've got a main character who's supposed to be smart.
-the middle sort of meanders. Going from locale to locale while fleeing the law got old rather fast; I felt this book may have been more propulsive as a novella

Many thanks to NetGalley, William Morrow, and Hannah Deitch for gifting me this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review! Even though I have my gripes with this debut, Deitch is a promising writer and I can't wait to see where she goes next!

There are only two characters in KILLER POTENTIAL that matter and are well developed: Evie Gordon, an overeducated and underemployed SAT tutor; and Jae Park, an enigmatic and silent woman rescued from captivity by Evie. The book begins with Evie arriving at the house of one of her students, finding a dead body or two as well as a woman calling for help, and making an impulse decision that has the pair running from the authorities. The initial feel of the book, with Evie narrating her story, is very self-satirizing and cynical. Once Evie and Jae meet up and the real action begins, that tone drops away in favor of a much more declarative structure. Short sentences and phrases, as well as short chapters, move the plot forward.

As the two find themselves on a desperate road trip to evade capture after Jae’s rescue, their characters, motivations, values, strengths and weaknesses are developed. Their actions as much as their words bring the complexity of their characters to life. All other characters serve mainly as foils for Evie and Jae.

Undergirding the fast paced plot, the book analyzes, from a variety of perspectives, the question of how an individual is seen both by others and by themselves. Deitch deals with the way that suffering can become a commodity through social media, ownership of the power to decide a person’s value, how poverty and privilege define the boundaries of one’s consciousness, and the means by which one’s self can become defined by others’ portrayal. The many aspects of this theme appear again and again, mainly in Evie’s narration of the two women’s motives for their actions.

Despite the thematic and character development, the plot screams along, told in short chapters that engage the reader. There is a breathlessness to the action. Evie and Jae’s development as characters does not suffer from the fast pace since both their ruminations (particularly Evie’s) and actions propel the book. However, the descriptions of setting are less than transformative thanks to a road trip that allows little chance of taking in the sights.

I didn’t enjoy the ironic tone of the beginning of the book, but it did fit with all of the reflection upon personal vs. societal influences on a sense of self that permeated the book. Once the book’s road trip-based plot took off, the theme remained without the irony and I found it much more enjoyable. The plot moved so quickly that it veered a step away from plausibility. This was only apparent in retrospect, however, as the somewhat hazy detail of the road trip kept the focus pinpointed on Evie and Jae’s isolated state. Their self-contained world makes sense while the reader is immersed in that world.

Deitch did a good job with unreliability, so that when the twist came it made complete sense and fueled the book’s resolution, such as it was. I do not love endings that tie things up with a neat bow, and I respected the way that this book resolved some issues and left others open. KILLER POTENTIAL was so well written that it is hard to believe it is a debut! I will be watching for Deitch’s sophomore outing.

This one started great but slowed down for a bit as we learned the characters and background. I was not expecting the steam, so that was a plus. I enjoyed the Bonnie and Clyde type plot it had going.

So...not my favorite read.

It started out okay, though I didn't like Evie. I was interested in the crime and her situation and what promised to be a fascinating crime spree/road trip/getaway novel.

But...it changed. It became a story about the RELATIONSHIP (and, yes, all caps) and sex on the run and way too much blather.

Eventually, as things started coming to a head, I got interested again only to have the author throw in a bit of a twist that I simply didn't like.

I ended it not liking any of our characters (except maybe Evie's parents who were largely non-entities, but pleasant) and really not enjoying the interminable loose end wrap up.

Readable, but not really for me.

Many thanks to Netgalley for the e-arc!

I really enjoyed this book! I liked the narration, I thought Evie narration really helped keep me interested in the book. Can't wait to read other books from this author.

Killer Potential is a literary thriller that will draw you in with both the plot and beautiful sentences. Hannah Deitch writes a compelling story with sentence after sentence of thought provoking gold that will leave you contemplating your own views on both small and big moments of your life.

This story is raw and emotional, following two women as they flea from the law and become the most wanted people in the US.

If you love a thriller and are looking for a story that’s elevated to literary fiction status, this is it. And for those who approach literary novels with caution (like me), this book will leave you satisfied with character growth and some resolution.

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for this advanced reader’s copy.

What a ride this book was! I was completely captivated from the beginning. I thought the story was engrossing, and I could not wait to figure out what happened. Did I have to suspend a little belief? Yes, but that’s the fun of the story! I don’t read books just to believe everything that happens, and this book was a true escape. The cover blurb is completely right, this is a Thelma and Louise of our generation and I truly had a blast reading it. I thought it was whip-smart, and I had a hard time putting it down. The only thing that I had issue with was the ending felt a bit rushed, but I truly loved how it ended quite ambiguously. Overall, it was a very fun fast read that should be added to your TBR, especially if you like girls on the run from the police and all the chaos that ensues. 4.25/5 stars!

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for an advanced reading copy of this book. All opinions within this review are my own.

The main character of Killer Potential, Evie Gordon, is written in such a relatable way. From growing up believing she had to be something bigger, better, or more important, to going on the run and trying to get her life back on track. Turn back time and undo it all while continuing to run. She continued to make me laugh with her inner dialogue, while also trying to puzzle how the heck this could end. Surely there’s no way this has a happy ending right?
But I can’t really comment on that without spoiling things. I will say that as the story went on, I just wanted Evie and her “accomplice” to find a way out. There were slower sections and questionable choices, but I think that’s just called being human. Evie isn’t a professional. She’s not perfect or known for her skills at outrunning the law. Of course she’ll make mistakes. This isn’t some action movie where Evie shoots her way out of situations and doesn’t care who dies in the crossfire. This is a woman who went to tutor her client and found a crime scene. What would you do?
The chemistry between Evie and her accomplice was so well done. I can’t comment anymore on the plot other than to say you’ll have to check it out. I rooted for Evie until the very end, and I do wish it wrapped up a tad bit more, However, I think the story was about more than just resolving issues and instead about dealing with uncertainties.

Killer Potential is a darkly clever, high-octane debut that follows Evie Gordon—a scholarship kid with a spotless record and nowhere to go but up—until she ends up broke, invisible, and stuck tutoring LA’s ultra-privileged teens. But everything flips when she stumbles on a brutal double murder at a client’s mansion and winds up a fugitive alongside a mysterious woman who won’t speak.

What follows is a wild, cross-country manhunt tangled with media obsession, twisted ambition, and the haunting question of who we become when the future we were promised never shows up. Both a razor-sharp social satire and a thriller that refuses to let go, this one asks: what happens when you’re finally somebody—for all the wrong reasons?

WOW, what a read for me, I was so absorbed into this story.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced digital book in exchange for my honest review.

KILLER POTENTIAL by Hannah Deitch is a debut that offers up a bit of romance, a bit of hilarity and a whodunnit of high order. What a wild ride!

Evie Gordon hoped that she would lead a charmed life. A scholarship student in art history, she’s now a SAT tutor for rich kids and gets to see how the one percenters live. She shows up for her session with Serena Victors only to find Serena‘s parents, Peter and Dinah dead in the garden. As she’s fleeing the house she comes across a mute woman being held in a room under the stairs. Why was she locked away and what does she know? As she and the woman are fleeing the scene, they are seen by a witness and become prime suspects in the killings. With their faces splashed all over the media, Evie and the woman can do nothing but run, all the while hoping to clear their names somehow. As it seems like everyone in the country is looking for them, Evie and the woman are hiding out in motel rooms, truck stops, etc. Will they be able to clear their names and get back to their lives or will they be caught and convicted before that? And what really happened at the Victors’s house that day?

This one was a thrill ride from start to finish. The comical parts were interspersed throughout which kept the book on the light side. The writing was clear and concise and led to an enjoyable read. I was surprised to see that this was a debut as it seemed to come from a much more seasoned writer. Hannah Deitch will be a name I add to my list of authors to watch. I can’t wait to see where she takes me next.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for this ARC opportunity. All opinions are my own and given voluntarily.