I love it when books are willing to gamble on a a female narrator who is NOT a psychopath. They're just so fascinating and Julie Tudor is one of the best I've read.

Well, that was disturbing.

Have you ever wanted to get into a psychopath's brain? Prepare to be in Julie Tudor's mind, totally calm on the inside as chaos, death, and judgement swim around in the outside world.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebook Landmarks for this ARC read in exchange for my honest review.

An excellent read for any and all readers! Author comes at you with both barrels and knocks you out of your shoes! Great job fleshing out all the characters. I give this book FIVE stars! Definitely recommend!

Julie Tudor is Not a Psychopath by Jennifer Holdich is a brilliant, darkly comedic twist on the female serial killer trope, and I couldn’t put it down. Julie’s inner dialogue is absolutely hilarious—her wit, sarcasm, and dry humor make her a character that feels alive and refreshingly real. As a reader, I couldn’t help but laugh out loud at her hilarious and often brutally honest observations, even when the situations she finds herself in are anything but funny.

While the female serial killer trope is definitely trending right now, it can sometimes feel overdone. However, Holdich completely knocks it out of the park with this novel. Julie isn’t just a “typical” villainous character; she’s complex, flawed, and entirely unique. The book balances dark humor with moments of unexpected tenderness, making Julie’s character all the more compelling.

Holdich’s sharp writing and ability to blend suspense with humor create a book that’s both engaging and thought-provoking. The storyline itself is packed with twists and turns, keeping you hooked until the very end. If you’re looking for a story with a unique perspective, witty inner monologue, and a fresh take on a popular genre, Julie Tudor is Not a Psychopath is a must-read.

Julie, Julie, Julie! This book goes through different times in her life, all ending in almost the same way. This book was fun to read and easy to paint a picture of! I really enjoyed all the characters and the storyline. Is Julie a psychopath or not? Highly recommend reading to find out!!!

Julie Tudor Is Not a Psychopath by Jennifer Holdich is a darkly funny, refreshingly sharp read that had me hooked from page one. Julie’s blunt, no-nonsense take on life—paired with a murder mystery she can’t seem to avoid—makes for an addictive story filled with wit, intrigue, and unexpected heart. If you love quirky protagonists, sharp humor, and a dash of crime, this one’s a must-read!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Absolutely loved it!

Unfortunately i did dnf this book. I did not enjoy the story or the characters. I felt like I didnt connect to either of them.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

THIS WAS INSANE. Hollllyyyt shit that was so stressful and crazy. Julie is truly terrifying.

I’ve never been afraid of stalkers before but Jesus Christ, I am now

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for providing this book, with my honest review below.

Welp, don’t consider it anything shocking to say Julie Tudor is most definitely a psychopath, that much is clear from the first few pages. But that is also the reason this book is so entertaining - getting to follow Julie’s thought process and learning about her past was basically a constant ‘wait is this for real’ thought bubble over my head. Julie is obsessed with the love of her life (right now) Sean, and I had to feel for both her and the poor guy. Julie’s journey with Sean, her life up to this point (cannot be believed, and (let’s face it) naming her guinea pigs after her neighbors were just a few delightfully bonkers things you’ll read about.

I’ve seen other readers comment on how funny this is, and while the whole premise and Julie’s delusions are guilty fun, Julie is dead serious. This is not a cold blooded genius, make no mistake. The story was a little choppy at parts but the premise and turns of events are insane enough that this story will stand out for you, and probably have you hoping every psychopath who goes off the deep end was Julie, if only because you may feel a little safer as long as her sights are not set on you.

My Rating: 1⭐️ this was no good from start to finish…super let down!!

Julie Tudor is Not a Psychopath.

Julie Tudor is 49 and has it a fantastic job (well-maintained spreadsheets are the lynchpin of an efficient office), a beautiful house (some may wonder how she got the money for it, but nothing has been proved) and the man of her dreams.

Julie Tudor is Not a Stalker.

Sean is 25 and the love of Julie's life. The only problem is, he thinks he's in love with someone else.

And Julie Tudor is definitely, definitely not a serial killer.

But Julie has found herself in a similar situation before. And if there's one thing Julie knows, it's how to get rid of the competition...

After all, what's a little murder in the name of true love?

WOW, what a mega massive letdown this was… I am of course an outlier with this one… probably the only 1star at the moment.. but I actually really disliked this book.

This is a classic unreliable narrator which is fine.. i expected that … but this was so boring. It was ultra repetitive, basically every timeline we meet Julie in she is doing the exact same thing for hundreds and hundreds of words .. its a never ending stream of the same over and again.

I really disliked Julie, but thats ok normally I can find someone I like.. but in this book there was literally no one to root for. This was just a story … about a mega lonely weirdo who is quite clearly deranged… gets into wild scenarios, kills people, gets away with it and then moves on. It does eventually come to a head… but by the time we get there after all the repetition the ending is super rushed and such a let down.

I was hoping for something witty and funny and wild… but all I got was more and more of the same boring nonsense. The writing was average… it was easy enough to read but also I found myself skipping whole paragraphs by the end and nothing I missed made me feel like I missed the story.

I should have quit this at 20% I nearly did but I was tired and I though meh Ill keep going … and then the night after that I did the same and basically my behaviour with this book became exactly like the book itself the same over and again until it was over. I was disappointed and I wish I didn’t waste my time.

Overall, such a no from me… I don’t recommend this to any of my friends and if you do read it and love it then I am glad.. but I don’t really understand the early high ratings. It is mind numbing so maybe that’s why. I am going to cut myself off cause I have nothing else to add that will assist anyone to make up their mind. I am regretful in my rating but its definitely a no from me!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark and the author for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. Sorry I didn’t vibe with this one.

Uncomfortable and darkly funny, this book was a weird read for me. I didn't want to like Julie, but it was hard not to! She just kind of grows on you.

I absolutely loved this debut novel from Jennifer Holdich. What a wild and crazy ride! Julie Tudor is the craziest of crazies but I still loved every little bit of this book. It had a great mix of humor and insanity. This was so different than every other book that I've read and the story will stay with me for a while. 5 stars!!

Once Julie Tudor has her eyes set on a man he better watch out. Julie is willing to go to great lengths to have the man of her dreams. Is she confident or maybe just delusional? Either way I fell in love with Julie and her craziness. Holdich did a great job making Julie likable even though what she’s doing is completely unhinged. This is such a strong debut novel. It’s on my top 5 books read this year. The writing reminds me of Frederik Backman. I can’t wait to read other novels by this author in the future!

3.5 ⭐️- I liked this one! I’ve never read a book with such an unreliable narrator, so I almost wish I got chapters from other characters’ POVs so I could truly see who Julie Tudor was in real life.

This book is a dark comedy, which is one of my favorite genres. It falls into that cozy mystery genre with a little more murder. I also think that a lot of ‘stalker’ stories are from a woman’s perspective with a man, so this was a unique take on a stalking experience.

I feel like I just scratched the surface with Julie Tudor, and I just wanted *more* from this book. Overall, a quick, enjoyable read.

Thanks so much to Sourcebooks for sending me a digital copy prior to release. Pub Date: 7/8/2025

Oh wow, this book was a ride. Julie Tudor is... a lot. She’s got the spreadsheets, the dream house, and a serious case of main character energy when it comes to love. The problem? The guy of her dreams doesn’t know they’re meant to be together. Minor detail.

Watching Julie unravel is both hilarious and mildly terrifying. One minute you’re laughing at her delusions, the next you’re questioning if maybe—just maybe—she’s done this before. The story jumps between timelines, giving us glimpses of her past questionable behavior, and let’s just say... the woman is consistent.

If you love an unhinged narrator, dark humor, and a story that keeps you flipping pages like your life depends on it, you’ll eat this up. Four stars because the ending didn’t totally hit for me, but overall, such a wild, fun read.

Huge thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts!

Jennifer Holdich’s *Julie Tudor Is Not a Psychopath* is a wickedly funny thriller that mixes satire and suspense in a way that keeps you hooked. If you loved *Killing Eve* or *You*, you’ll get a kick out of Julie Tudor—a seemingly proper woman who has a knack for spreadsheets, a cozy house (we won’t dig into how she got it), and maybe a taste for murder.

At 49, Julie seems to have it all together—an organized life, a dream home, and a fierce determination to find love. The only problem? The guy she wants, Sean, is 25 and head over heels for someone else. But hey, Julie’s not one to back down, and a little competition isn’t going to stand in her way.

Holdich nails it with a main character who’s both creepy and relatable. Julie's deadpan thoughts are packed with justifications that make you both cringe and root for her. The storytelling keeps you guessing about how much of her perspective is real, and whether it’s okay to enjoy her wild antics.

With sharp humor, plenty of tension, and a plot that keeps you turning pages at night, *Julie Tudor Is Not a Psychopath* is a darkly funny ride that doesn’t follow the rules. It’s a must-read for anyone who likes their thrillers with a twist and an unforgettable anti-heroine.

This was such a fun read! Julie Tudor is the kinda character you can’t help but fall in love. Thank you NetGalley and publisher for early arc of this copy! I loved it!

As soon as I read the title of this book, I was intrigued. Julie is, in fact, a psychopath. It was so interesting to be inside Julie's mind. I absolutely loved how she switched a situation in her head to fit her narrative. I also liked the flashbacks although you had a hard time believing her tale of events although I really enjoyed reading them. Julie was clever but also naïve. She was complex but also simple. I found myself rooting for her although I know I shouldn't especially with the homeless man who squatted in her house! This was a great read. Once I started reading, I couldn't but the book down. I will be thinking about this for awhile to come. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

Julie Tudor is 49 and has it a fantastic job (well-maintained spreadsheets are the lynchpin of an efficient office), a beautiful house (some may wonder how she got the money for it, but nothing has been proved) and the man of her dreams.

Jennifer Holdich's character doesn't slip in her convictions one bit througout the book - she doesn't think there is anything wrong with a single thing she does to prove that she and Sean are perfect for each other.

I really didn't enjoy this book solely for the fact that Julie made me so uncomfortable that I caught myself moving around a lot to try and get rid of the unease I felt while reading the book. I didn't get the dark humor part, I think that part of my sense of humor is missing. Julie was just horrid for me. It was written well - probably TOO well - the characters were very fleshed out.

I think if you enjoy dark comedy and humor you'll enjoy this, I just didn't and kept thinking the whole time of the people she was destroying.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

I knew this would be a good one from the prologue. It gave me just enough information to know things were about to get crazy and to make me NEED to know the story! It pulled me in immediately.

This book reminded me in a lot of ways of the shows Baby Reindeer and You on Netflix - delusions of grandeur, her confidence in knowing exactly what she wanted and her willingness to do whatever she had to in order to obtain those things. If you like those shows, definitely give this book a read!

It was hard to know how to feel when reading this because at times it was funny and I would laugh at the ridiculousness of her fantasies, but then I would think “holy cow, Julie Tudor is the definition of mental illness,” and then I wondered if maybe I shouldn’t be giggling! Whoops. She could turn literally any situation, remark, glance, etc. into whatever she wanted it to mean. For example - someone accepting her request on Facebook meant they were in love because it clearly ‘meant a lot to him.’ She didn’t need logic in any circumstance because she’d created her own world in her brain.

I think this book is brilliant because it’s written in a way that you obviously know she’s got some issues going on and she’s completely wrong about everything, but somehow you want to believe her and root for her a little. You feel bad for her and see that she doesn’t have any real friends or family and it makes you wonder how she got to this point. We got to see a bit of background in her teenage years, but I would have loved to take it back even a little further to see what her childhood was like, and if she’d always been this way!

I would have also really enjoyed a chapter from the perspective of Sean, seeing how crazy she was from someone else’s eyes would have been wild!

Julie Tudor is Not a Psychopath is exceptional in its uniqueness and unlike anything I’ve ever read, and I’d love to read more by Jennifer Holdich!

Thank you to Jennifer Holdich, SOURCEBOOKS Landmark & NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book early! Publish date: July 8, 2025.

PS… I stayed up way past my bedtime to find out how this ended.

My rating: 17+ - murder, sexual situations, alcohol, language
Spice 🌶️ - 2/5
TW: hints to alcoholism, mental illness, statutory rape