Serial Killer Games promises a thrilling, fast-paced dive into the world of crime, but unfortunately, it fails to live up to its potential. The premise, which follows a group of people caught up in a deadly game with a serial killer, has the makings of a suspenseful story. However, the execution leaves much to be desired.

The book struggles with pacing issues, with sections dragging on too long without substantial character development or plot progression. The characters themselves feel underdeveloped and one-dimensional, making it difficult for readers to feel invested in their fates. Additionally, some of the dialogue is clunky, and the interactions between the characters lack the depth needed to create genuine tension.

While there are moments where Posey’s writing shines—particularly in describing the ominous atmosphere and the dark twists of the plot—the book overall feels more like a series of tropes rather than a unique take on the genre. The stakes don’t feel as high as they should, and the narrative lacks the emotional depth that could have elevated it into something more than just another predictable crime thriller.

For readers who enjoy light, fast-paced mysteries without much character depth or complexity, Serial Killer Games may still offer some entertainment. But for those looking for a gripping, well-crafted psychological thriller, this one might leave you disappointed.

4.5⭐️ rounded up.

Wow! This is a morbidly hilarious romp, with a substantial dose of romance thrown in. What a delightfully original premise. It was right up my sick and twisted alley.

The characters were well rounded and the banter between FMC and MMC was witty and oh so amusing. I loved every second of it! Their relationship progressed at a pace that seemed to fit them and their idiosyncrasies superbly.

There were a few times I was confused in the book, but overall the serial killer/true crime aspect was written excellently. The prose was approachable, and not too heavy-handed. The multi-POV was done exceptionally well, and the transitions were smooth. And the twists…the twists surprised me.

This was a fantastic first outing for this author, and can’t wait to read more from them.

Thank you to Kate Posey, NetGalley, and Berkley Publishing for this arc of Serial Killer Games, out April 29, 2025!

📜Quick Summary: Dolores gets by with her confidence and ability to keep her face looking, well, unfriendly to say the least. She doesn’t want anyone in the office to say hi or stop her for a chat or a question, when she’s on a mission to constantly keep moving. She wants to find a serial killer in the wild…she’s been trying to spot one for awhile. In comes Jake Ripper, the new office temp, and she’s got her eyes on him. His demeanor and outfit-all grey of course- tips her off. Could she be right? Will flirtation help them become something more than just office mates?

❣️Initial Feels: The witty banter and laugh out loud moments are making me want to devour this book! The romance bit seems to be fun too!

👀Trigger Warnings: death of spouse, life threatening illness, too many laughs

📖Read if you want: romance, a touch of mystery, dark and twisted humor

🙋🏼‍♀️Moving Character: Jake seems to have stolen my heart in this upcoming novel! At first, he was fun and flirty and living to take care of others. His layers slowly opened and he realized he wasn’t happy…and now he needs to learn how to find it. The depth of this specific character was my favorite to watch grow.

💡Final Sentiments: Overall, this was a fun read! The author did a great job of not only writing a typical rom com, but she threw in a lot of character development in there as well. The side characters also had a strong presence, and that’s felt throughout the novel. My impression going into this book was that there would be a lot more “serial killer killing” going on based on the title…but that’s not really what this book is about. If you are looking for a typical mystery and thriller, this is NOT it. If you’re looking for a fun read that connects two characters around weird deaths and death fetishes, then you hit the jackpot! The way the story weaves in and out of keeping me engaged, and waiting for something to happen, to slowing down and questioning the plot all over again. If you read this book, go into it knowing it’s more of a romance novel, rather than the thriller it’s described as.

🌟Overall Rating: 3.75 stars

This novel was provided by the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.

📣 a super surprising book about killers (?) egging each other on for fun

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.

📖 what’s the last book that surprised you?

What did I just read?!!! I mean that in the best possible way.

Serial Killer Games by Kate Posey kept me on my TIPPY TOES. My mind was repeatedly blown & the twists & turns my brain & heart took were wild.

The book starts off with two dark weird-os (said affectionately) being dark & weird with each other. I had no idea how dark Jacob & Dolores actually were, if they were killers, how far they might go.

& then they have this fantastic, vaguely antagonistic but not really, series of power play moves in their office setting that had me internally giggling.

Serial Killer Games is twisted & fun & dark & morbid but then it becomes very sweet too (how did that happen?!!!) & my heart was so engaged.

I can’t describe this book bc the reader’s experience is such a big part of it. You’re supposed to go on this big guessing game, I think, & it’s unsettling & fun & surprising.

The best combo I can think of is this book is Addams Family with dashes of Miss Congeniality 🤣🤣🤣.

4.5 ⭐️, out 04/29.

CWs: sexual predation, murder, genetic neurological disease, loss of spouse, assisted death

[ID: Jess holds the ebook over a series of footprints in the snow.]

Kate Posey's "Serial Killer" is a wickedly clever and darkly humorous take on the romance between a woman obsessed with true crime and an actual serial killer. The premise is instantly captivating: Dolores dela Cruz, a woman yearning to spot a serial killer in the flesh, believes she's finally found her man in the charming, yet unsettling, new office temp, Jake Ripper. The irony is brilliantly laid on thick, creating a foundation for a story that is both uncomfortable and irresistibly addictive.
Posey perfectly captures Dolores's morbid fascination. She's not just a naive bystander; she's actively seeking out the darkness, practically salivating over the potential signs of a killer. Jake, on the other hand, is a master of manipulation, his charm a carefully constructed facade that hides a chilling truth. The story succeeds in keeping the reader guessing about Jake’s true feelings – is he truly interested in Dolores, or is she just another potential victim? Posey skillfully blurs the line between genuine connection and predatory behavior, adding layers of tension to their interactions.
The romantic “flirtation” is anything but conventional. It's a dance on the edge, a darkly comedic courtship where the stakes are literally life and death. The internal monologues of both characters are hilarious and insightful, offering a glimpse into their twisted minds and adding to the overall darkly comedic tone. The transition from intrigued co-workers to dangerously involved individuals is expertly paced, with the tension steadily building towards the climax.
The moment Dolores asks Jake for help disposing of a body is a significant turning point. It throws the entire relationship dynamic into chaos and raises the stakes to a whole new level. This twist is handled with a perfect blend of horror and humor. If you enjoy stories that push boundaries, explore the macabre, and offer a touch of twisted romance, this book is definitely worth picking up. It's a compelling and unusual story that will leave you thinking about the darkness that lurks beneath the surface of everyday life, and leave you with a morbid chuckle. I highly recommend it for fans of dark comedies, thrillers, and unique romance stories.

Thank you NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

This was an interesting book, and something I didn’t expect to like as I continued on. It took me a while to get into it, and then I enjoyed it after about 30%. Lots of things happened that I didn’t see coming and that made it exciting. The interactions between the characters were funny, but the MMC was awkward.

The background on Dodi was intriguing and after knowing more about her, I started to like her. I didn’t like how she kept pushing Jake away, but I knew that wouldn’t last forever.

Dolores deal Cruz and Jake Ripper are the protagonists in this story of love, suspense, horror at times and occasional comedy. It can be confusing yet appears to be simple. Dolores and Jake tell the story from their perspective taking turns relaying a specific event. At times it is confusing and one does not know where the story line is going. Characters come and go within the story which at times is interesting and other times confusing. There is a heart wrenching storyline about Jake’s youth which could actually be a separate novel with its own storyline. Overall the story kept my interest and ongoing discussion after publication would be interesting.

An unexpected treat but avoid reading reviews.

SPOILER FREE REVIEW...

Dolores dela Cruz knows that something is off with the new temp. Jake Ripper—is that his real name?—walks around the office with his fake smile and his blend-into-the-background, bland corporate wear.  Dolores is watching him and see that he is always watching everyone and making notes.

Dolores is almost certain he is a serial killer. She listens to enough true crime podcasts that she can certainly recognize a killer when he skulking the halls of her workplace.   Everything about Jake screams that he is a predictor stalking prey among the office sheep.

What she doesn’t realize is that Jake is watching Dolores as well and trying to determine if true crime podcasts are just an obsession with Dolores or is more a list of what not to do so she doesn’t get caught.

Who is the killer here:  Dolores?  Jake?  Or maybe, they both are.

Thoughts:
Let’s see if I can do this without giving away anything important. The author leads us through this story, lulling us into the false sense of knowing where the story is going, only to realize we weren’t picking up on the right clues time and  time again.

The best part of a story like this is not knowing anything about the twists and turns since on more than one occasion I found myself following the flow of the story only to hit those moments with a “Wait, wait, wait. What just happened?  What did you say?” Then mentally going back and connecting dots from the false trail of crumbs the author duped me into following

I love a story that keeps surprising me.

Dolores and Jake were cute in their odd “are you a killer” flirting.  I did fear that once we got past the mystery and learned exactly what secrets each were hiding, and found out that maybe they were just boring people, would we lose interest in the story and the characters? But as the story plays outs and kept up with those “didn’t see that coming, did ya”  plot points, this story really kept me engaged.

Under all the questions about murders, this also is a simple story of two very lonely people who wonder if they finally found someone who might understand them, who might be their person, but who don’t know how to take that leap of faith.

If there was anything unsatisfying about this story is that many times the romance seemed to take one step forward and two jumps back, and if things were coming too close to feelings, the defaulted back to killer flirting.  Fun, yes.  Romantic, not so much.

I would highly recommend this story but I would also highly recommend you stop reading reviews about this books right here. If this was a movie, I would tell you to avoid all trailers, any articles and any reviews until you have enjoy this yourself. I could do a hidden spoiler review but I don’t want to be responsible for someone stumbling onto the good stuff and ruining their own enjoyment.

I am going to post a follow up review for a week or so after the release so we can talk about this more.

🔪✨ Dark, Twisted, and Utterly Captivating: Serial Killer Games by Kate Posey ✨🔪

What happens when the new office temp seems just too good at his job… of possibly hiding bodies?

🩸 Meet Dolores & Jake:
• Dolores dela Cruz is on high alert. The charming new temp at her office? He checks all the boxes of a textbook serial killer: mysterious charm, strangler gloves, and looks that could kill—literally. Dolores can’t help but be suspicious... and intrigued.
• Jake Ripper is used to blending in and hiding his secrets, but Dolores isn’t like anyone he’s ever met. Her cleverness and fiery spirit have him hooked, but when things take a dark turn, Jake wonders if she’s really met his skeletons—and if he’s met his match.

🔍 Why You’ll Be Hooked:
• A Killer Premise: Is Dolores onto something, or is she spinning a dangerous fantasy?
• Dark Humor & Chemistry: Dolores and Jake’s banter crackles with sharp wit, while their twisted connection has a simmering tension that’s impossible to resist.
• Morbidly Fun Mystery: Things get real when Dolores needs help with something very suspicious... and Jake’s not sure whether to be horrified or impressed.
• Themes of Love & Secrets: At its core, this is a story about seeing—and accepting—someone for who they really are, skeletons and all.

📖 For Fans Of:
• Dexter meets The Love Hypothesis vibes.
• Darkly funny rom-coms with a touch of murder.
• Stories that balance edge-of-your-seat suspense with surprising emotional depth.

💬 Would you call the cops… or grab a shovel? Let’s discuss!

🖤 #SerialKillerGames #DarkRomance #MorbidHumor #TwistedLove #KatePosey #SuspensefulReads #DarkRomCom #WhatAreTheyHiding #BookishAddict #MustReadRomance #BookRecOfTheDay #BerkleyPublishing

Serial Killer Games is a darkly comedic and surprisingly tender blend of romance and suspense that flips expectations at every turn. Dolores dela Cruz’s obsession with spotting serial killers meets its match when Jake Ripper, the mysterious and charming new temp, enters her life. Their chemistry crackles with witty banter and a macabre flirtation that keeps you guessing about who’s hiding what. Posey’s sharp writing masterfully balances humor, tension, and heart, weaving a narrative that’s as unexpected as it is engrossing. With a fresh twist on corporate satire, unconventional romance, and a sprinkle of true crime homage, this debut novel is perfect for readers who love their love stories with a dark, quirky edge.

A quirky romance. I had a bit of trouble figuring these two characters out at first, but the premise was intriguing enough to keep me going. There were a lot of surprises along the way to the expected happy ending.

I loved this book. It is so witty, full of dark humor and puns. The story is intricate and unwraps like a present. I fell in love with the characters and writing and couldn’t put it down. This fast-paced, rom-com about two people with a morbid sense of humor instilled by lots of trauma was a true delight to read. Cannot wait to read what this author writes next!

Thank you book browse for the ARC!

Thank you netgalley and Berkeley for the e-arc. All thoughts are my own. I liked the story it was funny, witty, and have you literally saying " I didn't see this happening at all!" Once you get to all the plot twists. I didn't get much thriller vibes but still overall a nice read.

This book was fantastic and I loved everything about it! It is snarky and sweet and humorously macabre. This is one of those books that I'm always trying to find but rarely do and I was just so enamored with this one. If you like dark humor, witty characters and wacky scenarios this book will be right up your alley.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

How I loved this book. The title is so wonderfully true and misleading at the same time - but you'd have to read the book to fully understand what my cryptic comment means.
Dolores dela Cruz wants nothing but to be left alone. She finds a hidden away office in her large mega-corporation and accomplishes her goal until Jack Ripper shows up. Dolores is a little odd in that she is fascinated by serial killers and is always looking to spot one "in the wild". Jack is her number one candidate and high jinks ensue. Turns out Jack has his own quirks and interesting sense of humor and before you know it, he and Dolores are disposing of a body together (it's not what you think, you really need to read the book).
Full of humor, poignancy and a rollicking good read. Everyone would enjoy this one.

Maybe 3.5⭐️s
I’m not entirely sure what it is about this book.
This took me a bit to get into and I got a little lost at what happened.
It was enjoyable but I felt like it was missing something.

a page-turner
Serial Killer Games grabbed my attention immediately and kept me turning pages to the end. From the beginning, there’s a suspicion that a series of deaths in the business center of the city might be the work of a serial killer. When the two protagonists meet, that suspicion is quickly embedded in their flirtation. Their first interaction and all that follow are suggestive and just weird enough that I wondered if he was the serial killer—or was she?

The weirdness grew to the point that I was beginning to think it was becoming weirder than I was up for. Then, at about the 40 point, the tone shifted abruptly when the protagonists began to open up to each other. The sudden shift felt like slamming on the brakes after a one minute 0-80 acceleration. From there, the story was a fairly normal romance, with all the misunderstandings and bad assumptions that implies, as the author proceeded to work in nearly every trope of the genre.

One odd point that bugged me was the location. In the second half, a reference to a relative “in the States” made it clear that it wasn’t in the US (Canada? England?). But it wasn’t until the characters flew to Las Vegas in just a few hours that the setting appeared to be Canada, probably Vancouver. A (much) later reference to the Canadian legal system cemented the country, but not the city. It’s a small point, but one I found annoying.

Overall, I enjoyed the novel. After all, I stayed up to 5 AM to finish it.

This book completely surprised me. I went in blind (as I usually do), but I obviously had some assumptions based on the cover & title. It started out in one direction and then flipped the script, but I so enjoyed it. I couldn't put it down.

4.25-4.5 stars

You go into this story thinking it’s one thing and it goes in a completely different twisty direction. I’ve never read a book go about serial killers the way this one did. It was entirely unique and charming. Almost wholesome, which is not something I thought I would say about a book with “serial killer” in the title. Kate Posey is a talented writer with a unique voice and I can’t wait to see what she has brewing for the future.

"Serial Killer Games" by Kate Posey is a darkly comedic romance with a thriller twist that begins with a fascinating premise: Dolores dela Cruz, a quirky and suspicious office worker, becomes convinced that her dashing new coworker, Jake Ripper, fits the mold of a serial killer. Strangler gloves? Check. Calculated charm? Check. Dark allure that could conceal a sinister past? Definitely. Their flirtatious banter and twisted chemistry add an edge to the story as they each harbor secrets waiting to be uncovered.

The book starts off strong with a creative and intriguing concept. Dolores and Jake’s witty repartee and the underlying tension kept me hooked through the first quarter. However, as the plot unfolded, the story’s momentum slowed, and I felt the quirky humor couldn’t sustain the weight of the predictable twists and scattered character development. The secrets revealed midway through the book lacked the impact I was hoping for, and the pacing in the second half made it tempting to DNF.

While the premise is undeniably clever and the dark humor shines at times, the execution fell short of my high expectations. It’s a unique blend of romance and thriller, but the novel struggles to balance its tones, and the payoff didn’t quite match the promising start. For readers drawn to unconventional romances with a macabre twist, this could be worth a read—but be prepared for a slower, less satisfying second act.