Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because Amy K. Green's "Haven't Killed in Years" is the kind of book that'll have you snorting your morning coffee one minute and side-eyeing your neighbors the next. Imagine being the spawn of a serial killer – talk about baggage! Our hero, Gwen Tanner (née Marin Haggerty, a surname she'd rather forget), has spent two decades painstakingly constructing a beige normal life, complete with a soul-sucking office job and an Instagram presence that will shout "I'm as dangerous as a basket of kittens."

But just when Gwen thinks she's succeeded in burying her past under a mountain of spreadsheets and avocado toast, life delivers a severed arm her way. Literally. And all of a sudden, her well-constructed world is crumbling faster than a gluten-free cookie, and Gwen finds herself dragged back into the ghoulish world of her father's fame.

What makes this thriller stand out is Gwen's narration. It's like your funniest, most sarcastic friend has decided to narrate a true-crime documentary – all snarky commentaries, sarcastic remarks, and a generous amount of "can you even believe this is my life?" Green effortlessly intertwines this black humor with genuine suspense, creating the reading process laugh-out-loud funny and nail-biting tense.

The book also satirically takes on and interacts with the true-crime mania that has consumed our culture. Gwen's interior monologue is frequently an echo of the voyeuristic fascination and amateur sleuthing that so many of us engage in, which makes her unexpectedly sympathetic even as she finds herself in extremely unusual circumstances. Seeing her ride through this world, having to deal not only with a new murderer but also with her long-repressed trauma, is a wild and self-reflexive trip.

Naturally, there is not Uber Eats delivery done in blistering time, and "Haven't Killed in Years" does dip beneath speed twice in the course of events. And sure, one or two plot twists may well have been experienced before, if you've been playing the thriller for a long time now. These, however, are nits to be picked within otherwise succulent and tense storytelling. Think of it like a best friend who sometimes flakes but always catches up with a perfectly crafted latte and some great gossip.

If your bookshelf is lined with the works of Gillian Flynn and your podcast queue is stocked with true-crime deep dives, then make "Haven't Killed in Years" your next book addiction. It's a darkly comedic, page-turning, and surprisingly insightful plunge into identity, trauma, and the inescapable grip of the past. Just perhaps double-check your doorstep before you settle in to read. You know, just in case.

Amy K. Green’s Haven’t Killed in Years is a gripping thriller that delves into the complexities of identity, legacy, and the shadows cast by a notorious past. 

The story follows Gwen Tanner, formerly Marin Haggerty, who has spent two decades under a new identity after her father, serial killer Abel Haggerty, was apprehended. Gwen leads a secluded life, keeping others at arm’s length to protect her secret. However, when she begins receiving gruesome packages and messages indicating someone knows her true identity, Gwen is thrust into a perilous quest to unmask the stalker and confront the demons of her past. 

Green masterfully intertwines suspense with psychological depth, exploring Gwen’s internal struggles and the external threats she faces. The narrative is enriched by its commentary on true crime fandom and the societal fascination with serial killers, adding layers to the central mystery. 

While some characters could have been more fleshed out, and certain plot points felt slightly rushed, the novel’s tension and emotional resonance kept me engaged throughout.

Haven’t Killed in Years is a compelling read for fans of psychological thrillers that challenge the boundaries between past and present, identity and anonymity.

Haven’t Killed in Years by Amy K. Green is dark and disturbing a way that reminds me of a Karin Slaughter book (a total compliment!). Gwen, formerly Marin, has rebuilt her life after her parents going to prison for being a serial killer/serial killer’s accomplice but it isn’t much of a life until body parts start showing up at her apartment. The true crime community is involved in the case, with her serial killer father being interviewed for a book and things from her past coming back to haunt her. It is really, really well-written and dark. Every chapter leaves you on edge and wanting to know what happens.

Haven’t Killed in Years by Amy K. Green is a unique thriller, centered around a serial killer’s daughter who’s forced to confront her real identity when body parts start showing up at her door. I loved the irreverent voice and dark humor. If you spend any amount of time in the true crime world, this is an interesting look into that world. I’m always on the lookout for thrillers that have more character development—this delivered.

I’ll be honest. I was a little nervous to read this book because I wrote a shockingly similar manuscript a few years ago. When I started Haven’t Killed in Years, I told my husband, “This is the direction my book should have gone.” While our two takes on this concept quickly diverged, I found it extremely interesting to see the direction that Green took with this concept. I’ve spent lots of time with serial killers’ daughters at this point.

It follows a pretty tight story structure and pace, and provides the twists you expect with a thriller. I also enjoyed the main character’s internal struggles with herself and her family. But I have a few issues with POV/structure; I’ll talk about this under the spoiler zone.

I’m left wanting a bit more, though. I’m not sure what it is. More with her father other than quick jail meetups. More connection with the characters. I would’ve liked more romance, but I know that’s a personal preference. After the climax, it feels like a quiet end even though the resolution wraps up the loose ends. I enjoyed it and was always looking forward to reading it that night, but I’m not sure it will stick with me for months/years. That’s always a tall order to fill with thrillers, but necessary for me to give it five stars instead of four.

All in all, if you like thrillers, this is a good one. There’s a serial killer, but he’s not the focus, and most of the murders are off-page. I would definitely read more from this author.

⚠️ Content Warnings ⚠️
Spice level: None, light kissing
Warnings: Murder (violence, blood), death of a child, death of a parent

⚠️ SPOILER ZONE, skip until you’ve read it ⚠️
I don’t love how Natalie was handled. It’s super interesting that someone from Marin’s past was masquerading as her. But when we were supposed to realize it was Natalie, I had to search the book and she was only mentioned once before. I get that if we would’ve had too much of the buildup/history with them, it would’ve taken away from the reveal. But it felt random and a bit odd to mention her once, and then so late in the book, have her be such a major part of the past and present. Let alone having a POV. I always struggle with extra POVs that are added to communicate information to the reader that the primary POV character doesn’t know. I definitely think this should’ve been third person with the multiple POVs.

I enjoyed several of the twists surrounding our real antagonist. They were well set up so they were surprising, but then made sense.

I’m afraid I’m still thinking about Elyse. I wondered if I was imagining the romantic tension there. Then we got a bit but (maybe it’s just me) I wanted more.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for a free ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for allowing me to read Haven't Killed in Years by Amy K. Green before the book has released!

This was my first book by this author. While I did find the first third of the book to be rather slow, it definitely picked up afterwards. The premise is dark (just like I like it), and it centers around the daughter of a notorious serial killer who is now all grown up under an alias and finds herself facing her dark past. The author did a great job of exploring the complex emotions and challenges of all of the characters while navigating the dark and mysterious plot. I found myself really empathizing with the main character, Gwen aka Marin, even when she may have made some questionable choices. The ending felt a little rushed, but overall the plot was compelling. The twists and turns were never-ending and definitely were not able to be guessed or figured out. Def worth the read.

If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to be the daughter of a notorious serial killer, only to reinvent yourself as a snarky office worker with a penchant for dark humor and a deep-seated fear of being discovered, then Haven’t Killed in Years is certainly the book for you.

This psychological thriller is a total vibe, blending dark humor, twisty suspense, and a protagonist so snarky I want to be her bestie. Grab your latte, babes.

Gwen Tanner, formerly Marin Haggerty, is the daughter of a notorious serial killer, now living her best (or, like, moderately okay) life as a sarcastic office worker who’s 🤏 this close to starring in her own true-crime podcast. She’s spent twenty years dodging her dad’s creepy legacy, perfecting her “I’m just a normal everyday girl” facade, complete with a carefully curated Insta that screams “nothing to see here!” But then... plot twist! someone starts leaving her severed arms outside her apartment. Yes, actual human bits. Talk about a Monday from hell. Suddenly, Gwen’s past is crashing her party, and I was living for every chaotic second.

Green’s writing? Sharper than my favorite butterfly knife and twice as fun. Gwen’s voice is like if your wittiest friend started hosting a true-crime TikTok, dropping one-liners that had me snorting into my coffee.

What’s got me fangirling? The way Green dives into true-crime fandom. It’s half satire, half love letter, roasting the obsession (guilty!) while making you feel seen. Gwen’s journey through this world, chasing a killer and her own demons, is equal parts thrilling and introspective. The vibes and shady side characters feel so real I could’ve sworn I met them at a family reunion.

The pacing drags in a few spots, like when you’re waiting for your Uber Eats and it’s stuck in traffic. I was like, “Come on, Amy, let’s move this along!” And some plot points? A tad predictable, like spotting the red flags in your friend’s new situationship. But these gripes are small potatoes—the story’s so juicy I forgave it, like when your bestie flakes but shows up with iced coffee.

If you’re obsessed with Gillian Flynn’s snark or binged Your Favorite Murder, this is your next bookish crush. It’s got suspense, it’s got sass, and it’s got twists that’ll leave you shook.

This is one of those books I wish I could read again for the first time. I I enjoyed Gwen‘s journey and watching her grow into a decent human being after having a father, such as she had. This book is so full of twists and turns you never know where you’re going to end up or what new character will show up and throw you for a loop. I look forward to reading more books from this author as she is engaging and a wonderful writer.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing this book, with my honest review below.

Haven’t Killed in Years is a surprising take on the daughter of a serial killer, leading the reader to question if the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree and if the past can ever be escaped.

Gwen is all grown up and distanced from her past as Marin, daughter of Abel, a jailed serial killer. When her mother’s release from prison coincides with limbs from people who helped her create that distance popping up on her doorstep, she knows she’s been found out. After painstakingly creating her isolated bubble from anyone and anything that could get too close Gwen is cornered with no clue as to who is behind this - just sure it’s related to her father.

The ride here is seeing Gwen letting so many in and then wondering if they’re the culprit while also teasing out her own role in the past and how her upbringing shaped who she is. The middle of this book lags a bit with some murkiness, but it’s hard to anticipate what will happen next and any theories will likely be disproven. Fascinating and unique, if you’re interested in serial killers you will no doubt enjoy this.

A highly entertaining and twisted story! From start to end I was kept guessing and eager to find out the big reveal. Gwen was at times a morally grey character, but the author was able to still keep her likeable and fun to read about. The overall plot was fantastic and I had such a great time with this one! A very satisfying read.

This was such a good, easy read!

How would you live your life if you were the daughter of infamous serial killer parents? Were you destined to follow in their footstep? What if the life you built surrounded the idea that you were just like your father? These are issues that Gwen Tanner grapples with throughout this book.

This was a fun, well paced thriller with a handful of surprises that I honestly didn’t see coming!

Gripping, dark, and full of twists, Haven’t Killed in Years is a propulsive thriller that mixes mystery, suspense, and a sharp-witted narrator. Gwen’s journey to uncover the killer stalking her is tense and thrilling, all while she grapples with her dark family legacy. Green's standout voice and clever commentary on true crime fandom add depth to the fast-paced plot. A bit of a slow start, but once it picks up, it's a rollercoaster of secrets and revelations.

Wow, having read a lot of subpar thrillers recently this one actually stood out.

Gwen, the daughter of a serial killer, is leading a somewhat normal adult life until body parts start arriving on her doorstep plunging her into the past. Now she has to figure out who has uncovered her true identity and face her demons before it’s too late.

This novel started out strong, lagged a bit in the middle, and finished strong. I didn’t see the twist so overall it was a satisfying thriller in my opinion. Gwen was an unlikable character and full of flaws but the author did a good job of holding your interest in the story despite this.

Gwen Tanner is the daughter of infamous serial killer Abel Haggarty. She lives a quiet introverted life to not draw attention to herself, and is given a new identity. She disappears into her new life and keeps to herself. Twenty years later she starts receiving anonymous packages to her home containing body parts. She is terrified at the thought of someone knowing who she is. Gwen is determined to keep her new life and decides to hunt down this killer. She is forced to confront her past trauma, childhood, and learns a lot about what she is capable of.

I absolutely loved this thriller, the unique way it was written with the FMC having dry humor and satirical thoughts was so much fun to read. It really stands out in the huge world of Truecrime, that just keeps growing. It’s not unusual for thrillers to have dark family ties with multiple killers in a family- but this book was the first I’ve read that really deep dives into the FMC’s past and why she turned out the way she did. This really adds to her character depth and connects the reader.

I would definitely recommend this fast paced thriller to anyone and everyone.

Fast, fun read

This was a cute, but slightly gory, read. Marin is the daughter of s serial killer, a man who killed many people right in front of her just for the sake of killing. He was caught after slaying the family of a classmate and Marin, now called Gwen, grew up in a residential home far away from him and her complicit mother. Many years later, soon after her mother is released from prison, Gwen finds a severed arm in front of her home. She knows that it somehow has to do with her father. When another is found, Gwen knows she needs to find out who is behind the killings.

I really enjoyed this, It is light despite the subject matter. I read it in two days.

Gwen Tanner has a secret, and it's one that could get her killed, if not instantly reviled. Her father is infamous serial killer Abel Haggerty, a man who was arrested and put in prison when Gwen was young, along with her mother who was seen as his unwitting accomplice. When Gwen (formerly Marin) begins receiving ominous messages, not to mention real human body parts, she knows she has to act to stop the killings. Will she, and her sanity, survive?

I absolutely devoured this book! With a great plot and well written, interesting and often idiosyncratic characters I couldn't put Haven't Killed in Years down. The pacing was fantastic and the twists kept right on coming until the very end. I wholeheartedly recommend this book. 5 stars, it's a ride you won't forget.

I received this advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Thank you for the arc!
A tense, gripping thriller that explores identity, trauma, and survival. Gwen Tanner’s quiet life unravels when body parts start appearing at her door, threatening to expose her true identity—Marin Haggerty, daughter of a notorious serial killer.

Told through dual timelines, the story masterfully teases out dark secrets and explores whether you can ever truly escape your past. Just when you think you’ve pieced it all together, the plot takes a sharp, satisfying twist. Compelling, unsettling, and impossible to put down.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐡𝐢𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐲 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝. 𝐈'𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐮𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐚𝐬𝐧'𝐭. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐈 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧'𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐢𝐭 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐤𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐡𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐦𝐲𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥.

Can you ever really escape your past? No one is supposed to know that Gwen Tanner is all a persona to hide the fact that she's the daughter of notorious serial killer Abel Haggerty. But years of living under an assumed name won't be enough protection for someone determined to flesh out her true identity of Marin Haggerty.

Gwen's world is pretty lackluster, but it's safe. That is, until body parts start showing up at her door with taunting notes. Her father is safely behind bars, and she can't think of who would be doing this to her now, at this stage in her life. Told in alternating timelines, then and now, there is much more to young Marin than I initially thought. I wanted a deeper dive into her childhood and what she was subjected to, but this was ultimately a satisfying read that explores the darkest parts of human nature. Many thanks to Berkley Publishing for the early copy. This title is expected to publish November 18, 2025.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC!

This was a dark, gripping read. Most of the characters aren’t particularly likable—many are hiding secrets, some with disturbing depths—but I was fully invested in seeing how it would all unfold.

The story tackles the question of nature vs. nurture: Can you ever truly escape your past, or is it always part of you?

It reminded me of the show Prodigal Son—a smart, intense thriller that ended too soon.

Marin has lived a quiet, forgettable life since her parents—serial killers—were arrested. But when body parts start appearing at her door, it’s clear someone knows who she really is. To protect her secret, she sets out to find the killer herself, diving into the eerie world of true crime fandom and confronting the identity she’s long tried to bury.

She might be capable of connection after all—but she’s not the only one with secrets. Will opening up help her stop the killer, or prove she was right to keep her guard up?

Twisty, tense, and hard to put down—this is a thriller worth sinking into.

A really great read. I enjoyed the characters as well as the twists involved in the story. I really thought I knew where the story was going, but I was pleasantly surprised when I was proven wrong.