Grab this twisty darkly hilarious office romance that has some surprising depth for a fun summer read. Are they or aren’t they serial killers? The slow reveal of who Delores and Jake are keeps you riveted. Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for an advanced copy for an honest review.

What a strange yet thoroughly enjoyable read! I’m not even sure where to begin. Serial Killer Games is a dark comedy wrapped in nearly every romance trope, creating something refreshingly unique.

Delores is convinced her new coworker, Jake Ripper (yes, really), is a serial killer. Meanwhile, Jake is more focused on getting to know his sharp, suspicious office rival. As their relationship unfolds, the story explores how much of ourselves we hide—and how rewarding it can be when we finally let someone in.

At first, many elements seem bizarre, but Kate Posey ties them together with clever, rational explanations. Add in some unexpected twists I absolutely didn’t see coming, and I was hooked. I love when an author keeps me guessing!

This is Posey's debut novel, and if this is any indication, she’s a writer to watch. Serial Killer Games is a wild, surprising ride—and I’m so glad I was along for it.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

What a fun read!! I really loved the premise of this book and thought the characters were very likable! And their chemistry?! Love that!!

Thank you to Berkley and Book Sparks for the free book and to PRH Audio for the complimentary audiobook. These opinions are my own.

This is such a unique story. I don't even know what to call it. It's a bit romance, a bit twisty suspense, and a lot funny. This book is for all those who have a sense of humor that's a little dark. Especially if you're feeling the need for a bit of an escape right now, this could be for you.

Dolores and Jake work together at an office job. And they both side eye each other frequently. They're sure the other is up to something nefarious. In her case, she's pretty sure that he is a serial killer. Neither of them is particularly likeable. And that's absolutely intentional.

The twists and turns in this novel took me for quite the ride. I could not believe where the story went. And yet, the conclusion brought everything together in a way that made perfect sense and was so satisfying. I recommend reading this when you're looking for a genre bending book that plays with literally everything and doesn't take itself too seriously.

Rounded up to 4 stars

Thank you to Berkley for the eARC.

Serial Killer Games is hard to describe. It’s a bit of a thriller, bit of a romance, bit of a emotional coming-of-age/acceptance kind of novel.

It’s just different, quirky, and weird.

All that being said, I couldn’t stop reading. I just needed to know what would happen. Was Jake really the serial killer Dolores suspects him to be? Why was Dodi (aka Dolores) so hostile? Is the serial killer podcast she listens to real and can I download it?

It feels weird to say how heartwarming this book is…this book called Serial Killer Games. And yet, there’s a found family feel that is undeniable.

A strange and wonderful read.

This book completely surprised me in all of the way. From reading the description, I expected a fun murder mystery book with jabs and office humor. Instead, I got a heart-felt, emotional story of two people struggling with where life has left them and trying to figure out a way of continuing with what's left. I got a story with dark humor, with grit, and with a lovely story that had me captivated from the beginning. To say this book was what I had originally expected would be completely false. This book was not what I expected and I am much better for it. Highly recommend. It's difficult to give a thorough summary of this book simply because it's a story about the way that life can throw things at you and if you aren't prepared to catch them and work with what you have, it could explode in your face. But there's always a change of things going well.

Jake and Dolores are two characters that I won't soon forget, nor our interesting cast of side characters who were integral in their own ways. A beautiful story that had me a the point of tears at least once or twice from the emotion of it. I expected to be disappointed as I realized that this story wasn't what I had expected, but I found that I was in the right mental state for it. I will warn that this is not the typical cozy mystery story and I think it would be a mistake to compare it to the such. 4.5 out of 5.

I will be rounding my review up to 2.5.

The blurb for Serial Killer Games does a great job of drawing readers in with an intriguing premise, but I feel the execution didn't quite meet its potential.

At times, the pacing throughout felt sluggish, making it difficult for me to stay engaged. There were moments when I considered setting my Kindle aside and not finishing. But I will say, I did enjoy certain aspects of the story, particularly the digs at corporate life and the inclusion of some darkly humorous moments.

I thought at times that maybe this author might have lost sight of the plot at certain points because I was a whole lot confused at certain moments, which is a little disappointing because there’s much potential in the story.

All and all, Serial Killer Games didn't meet my needs, but if you like dark romcoms (even though imo, the romance lacked) then this would be right up your alley.

*Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read and review.

This is a Gothic novel that I devoured in one sitting!!!!!!!!! Thoroughly enjoyed this book & recommend it to all thriller, Gothic, satire loversz

“Serial Killer Games” is a funny, twisty, and unpredictable story that’s best enjoyed without knowing too much going in.

The main characters, Dolores and Jake, are total weirdos, completely unreliable narrators, and I loved them for it. Their banter is great and their relationship chaotic in the best way. I adored how Jake was head over heels for Dolores. They were such a strange, perfect match and I really rooted for them from the beginning on.

The plot was full of surprises and kept me guessing for large parts of the story. There were a bunch of twists, especially in the first half of the book, so I never got bored and finished most the book in one sitting.

If you like books that are a little strange with messy main characters, definitely give this one a try. Just go in with as little information as possible and enjoy the ride.

Dolores works in an office and Jake is hired as a temp. She has an interesting talent/obsession, spotting serial killers. Guess who she is super focused on now. Yep Jake, who she is sure fits her profile. Somehow the banter between them takes on a flirty edge and their relationship kept me flipping pages. I was 100% sure that Jake was innocent. I mean, how could someone with an innate serial killer radar fall for one? You will need to pick up a copy to see if I was right. It fell under the potential romance with an underlying hint of killer potential, for me at least.
This was such a unique way to mix genres. I wasn’t sure where it was going in the beginning, but the direction worked and delivered a story that made me laugh, kept me turning pages, and made me unsure how it would end.
Oh, one more thing. I rarely read romance, unless it’s hidden between the pages of a good mystery or a thriller. But the description made me say, go ahead, take a chance, and I just kept reading. Twisted, dark, funny, with some quirky characters made me glad my inner book radar told me to read Serial Killer Games.

From start to finish, I couldn't put this down! I loved the dark and twisty humor, and how Delores and Jake kind of circled each other, trying to see what each of them is hiding.

I loved the writing and how effortlessly Kate Posey was able to weave this mystery surrounding these two characters. I had no idea where this story was going or how it was going to end, and it didn't matter one bit.

There is so much more I loved about the story, but I don't want to spoil anything, so I'll just say this was a great debut and Ill definitely be picking up whatever Kate Posey writes next.

Rating 3.5⭐️

I really had a hard time trying to decide how to rate this book. Did I enjoy it? I did! But it wasn’t at all what I was expecting and I think they need to work on how it is described and marketed. It says it’s a romance and a thriller but it wasn’t super heavy on either of those things in my opinion. It was a very interesting story with lots of twist and turns. Both main characters were super fun to read and I loved their banter.

The writing could use a little bit of clean up- it was overly wordy at times and it is set in America but non-American terms were used. But I think the author definitely has a talent for story telling and I would definitely recommend this story. I look forward to more of their writing in the future. Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Berkley Publishing for the opportunity to read it!

ARC Review

Releases April 29, 2025

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶/5

Thank you to Kate Posey, Berkley Publishing Group, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I don't know how to sum up my feelings about this book. It was odd and I liked it! This book does not fit in one genre. It is somehow both romance and mystery while not fully committing to either. I say this not to deter readers but to encourage them to try it out because it works!

There were twists that I didn't see coming and twists that I did! I was also highly suspicious of both main characters for much of the book!

By the end of this book, I fully bought in to this weird love story!

Two coworkers, possible serial killers... and even more impossible: possibly falling in love with each other. Dolores dela Cruz and Jake Ripper meet on the day a coworker dies... and when they talk to one another... they see something familiar in the other.... that they both might be serial killers. So begins a game between the two coworkers... a game to see who will succumb first and who will take the other one out... whether that be permanently... or on a date because for some reason what started out as a game soon becomes something more... yet when the truths. behind both of them are revealed... will they still want one another? Heres the thing, I came into this book expecting one thing and this is nothing at all like what I expected or wanted. I thought I was getting a Mr and Mrs Smith kind of cat and mouse, I thought I was getting a Killing Eve vibe kind of dynamic... but what this turned out to be was not that. In fact the way this book kind of advertises itself kind of sets itself up for disappointment. I wish it committed to what it was presenting rather than what we got because in the end I was left disappointed and yearning for what I wish I was going to read. It's not for me unfortunately and I do think if you prefer very emotional stories and more of the "we act edgy to cover up our own real pains" kind of vibe then this is for you.

*They are not killers, Jake just gets rid of his roommates blow up dolls but makes a game out of it like he's a killer. He thinks he has a genetic disease that is killing him and he knows that Dolores helped her previous husband die ( like assisted suicide) and he's hoping she'll help him. The entire time Dolores thinks Jake is a killer but also she's mourning her husband and sort of taking care of her daughter. In the end its revealed Jake never had a disease, and they begin dating one another.*

Release Date: April 29, 2025

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Just finished Serial Killer Games by Kate Posey and WOW. Think office drama meets murder mystery with a dark twist. It’s fast, fun, and totally unhinged in the best way. If you liked You or The Flight Attendant, add this to your TBR.

I was so excited for this based on the premise but it ended up being nothing like I thought it would be. The beginning was great and I was loving the darker “Hating Game” vibes until things suddenly changed and it felt like it became a completely different story. There are some secrets slowly revealed that help it make sense but I wish the synopsis had been clearer on what to expect as I went into this expecting a romance involving a possible serial killer with some mystery thrown in.

I was enjoying the dark humor and witty exchanges between Dolores and Jake in the office and was hoping that would’ve continued longer than it did.
The pacing felt like it was all over the place and I started losing interest about halfway through BUT as I neared the end, it caught my attention again. The beginning and ending definitely made it worth a read.

Serial Killer Games is unlike any book I have read before and it’s definitely not what I expected. But I was very intrigued and couldn’t wait to see what would occur next! The characters are quirky and I enjoyed learning about their pasts.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced digital copy of this book.

Well, THIS was a surprise!! I had a hard time getting started - the characters did not immediately engage me and I wandered off to another book, but then came back and suddenly I couldn't put it down! It is certainly original - and a little weird, but I really liked it.

Dolores dela Cruz and Jake Ripper are immediately interested in each other - but not romantically AT ALL. Each one thinks the other is slightly "off" and in intrigued to find out how and why. As they get to know each other, without either of them realizing it, they forge a strong attraction and neither can quite figure out why. But when they go on a business trip to Las Vegas, some of the truths start coming out, and from there on there is no going back.

Dolores is a widow with a cat, or so Jake thinks, and Jake is an orphan with a big secret. Slowly, slowly they become something in each other's lives and soon realize they have more in common than they thought. When they assemble a hodgepodge of a family, it is ALMOST a "happily ever after" ending.

Meet Delores, she is obsessed with spotting a serial killer in the wild. Delores thinks that her new temp coworker, Jake, is a serial killer. Thus w s a deliciously dark and twisted take on thd serial killer genre. The atmosphere and intensity of Jake and Delores is off the charts. Posety is able to weave all the emotions into this store. It will keep you guessing until the final pages.

4 stars

Thank you to Berkley Publishing for the ARC.

Have you ever felt alone in the world? Like a shadow no one sees, or understanding what makes you different from everyone else?

That’s how Jake has always felt. With his atypical hobbies and genetic disposition he was destined for a solo life. That is until Dolores crossed his path!

As Jake and Dolores, (Doti) gauge each other’s thoughts on murder, a twisted, yet beautiful sort of friendship develops. Is it kismet? Could there be more in their future for these two ? Not unless they both let their guard down, and we know that’s NEVER going to happen.

Can one person breathe new life into you?

What started off as a twisted read with plenty of dark humor, blossomed into something so much deeper. It’s a story of life, death, family, friendship and trust. This book took me in both directions of laughing out loud and even misting up at one point.

This is a debut for author Kate Posey and I can’t wait to see what her twisted mind (and I mean that in the best possible way Kate🥰) comes up with next!

Thank you to Berkley Publishing via NetGalley