Stella’s brother has been missing for 6 years, after he vanished from a beach party. Determined to stop at nothing until she knows what happened to her brother, Stella realizes there is a lot of uncertainty in her life and that could be what caused her brother to vanish.

THIS WAS SO GOOD!!!! I didn’t want this book to end. It was my first by Hannah McKinnon but it won’t be the last! Everything about this is amazing, the plot, the characters, the suspense, the twists. 100000 stars. One of my favorite reads. I need to grab a physical copy

I love thrillers for their quick chapters, fast paces and plots that keep you guessing until the end. A Killer Motive did an amazing job meeting all of these requirements.

This story follows, Stella, the host of a true crime podcast, 6 years after her brother Max vanished from a party she took him to. Stella begins receiving anonymous communication after her brothers best friend vanishes from someone claiming to be who took Kenji and also says they have information on her brothers disappearance as well.

This thriller had me suspecting so many different characters. The author did an amazing job building suspicion of so many different characters, while leaving the real villain in plain sight. I was shocked to find out who it was and would never of even suspected them.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Publishing and Mira for my ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Stella Dixon has never stopped blaming herself for her brother Max’s disappearance after a beach party six years ago, pouring her energy into her true crime podcast to help other families find answers. When a taunting invitation arrives promising clues about Max in exchange for playing a dangerous game, Stella realizes someone knows far more than they should. As people around her begin to vanish, she’s forced into a race against a ruthless opponent who always seems one step ahead. I really enjoyed this book. I loved the characters, the chilling coastal setting, and the gripping premise. It’s a suspenseful, addictive read that kept me hooked the whole way through!

Stella Dixon has a podcast called a Killer Motive where she investigates cold cases. Six years ago, her brother disappeared and it has torn her family apart. Stella still blames herself so now she is committed to helping other families find closure. When a killer reaches out to her a dangerous game begins and Stella is the only one that can save the killers next victim.

Hannah Mary McKinnon, with her brilliant writing style kept me guessing right to the end of the book. The characters were so well written and I could feel the suspense and Stella’s anxiety come right off the pages. The plot was brilliant and I could hardly put the book down. Thank you to the author, Harlequin Publishing and Netgalley for my advanced readers copy that I voluntarily read and reviewed. Grab a tea and a blanket and cozy up for a great mystery.

The Review

This was one of the most compelling thrillers I’ve read this year so far. The intrigue and chilling cat-and-mouse game between the protagonist Stella and the mysterious antagonist toying with her will stay with readers long after the book ends. The author did a fantastic job of creating characters that felt real and tangible, allowing readers to see themselves in many of these characters and their actions. The determination and steel with which the author writes Stella really stood out, especially when showcasing the lengths Stella would go to to find her brother, touching on both the guilt of losing him and the need to see justice done.

The richly developed themes of this novel and the harrowing atmosphere were what really sold this story. The exploration of the true crime podcast genre and the business side of it also highlighted people’s growing need for answers, the truth, and the power people have to search for answers they themselves have been waiting for. The pacing was really impressive as well, with the author peeling back layer after layer of this mystery and each new revelation bringing a shocking new suspect that readers will be floored by.

The Verdict

A thrilling, twisted, and entertaining new crime thriller and mystery, author Hannah Mary McKinnon’s “A Killer's Motive” is a must-read novel and a 2025 Best of contender for my site! The twists and turns this story takes, the shocking final chapters that shed new light on this case, and the powerful commentary these revelations make will be something readers discuss for a long time to come.

A Killer Motive was a chilling, twisty ride I could not put down. Six years after her brother vanished, Stella Dixon is still haunted by guilt and clings to her true crime podcast as a way to help other families find answers.
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But when she’s dared into a dangerous game that promises the truth about Max, the past collides with the present in a relentless cat-and-mouse chase.
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This book was everything I want in a thriller- fast-paced, packed with red herrings, layered with secrets, and full of suspects I was sure were guilty… until I wasn’t.
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Stella is a flawed but compelling heroine, and the tension builds until the explosive ending that left me completely breathless.
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Dark, sinister, and unpredictable, this one solidifies McKinnon as an auto-read author. If you love thrillers that make you second-guess everyone and everything, A Killer Motive belongs at the top of your TBR.

Six years ago, Stella's brother disappeared from a beach party that she snuck him out to attend. Now, Stella has a podcast and is determined to find out what happened to Max. When she starts receiving letters from someone who seems to know way too much about Max to be an outsider, the "game" is really on.

This was an interesting story with some good twists. I enjoyed it.

My feelings on this book are all over the place. I absolutely love Hannah Mary Mckinnon!! I have read and loved all of her books and was over the moon to receive an advance copy of A Killer Motive. Well, sadly I could not connect with Stella. At first. The culprit was SO obvious, I was really worried I might be right. At first. The plot just seemed ridiculous. At first. All of a sudden, a few things happened and WOW!!!! I could not put this book down!!! And of course, absolutely nothing that I was so sure was going to happen, happened. This story is insanely ridiculous, but in all the right ways! Hannah Mary McKinnon is still most definitely at the top of her game with this one! And I am embarrassed that I even entertained the thought, however briefly that she could ever write a stinker!! Now I have to live with the disappointment that since I read an advance copy, I have that much longer to wait until another new book comes out. BOOOO!!!!

Thank you to Hannah Mary McKinnon, #NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA for this much appreciated ARC! All opinions are my own.

I will post my review to Barnes and Noble, Amazon, Instagram and other retail and social media sites upon publication day of September 9, 2025.

In a small coastal town in Maine, where the tight-knit community watches your every move, Stella Dixon has lived with guilt ever since her brother Max disappeared six years ago. Now hosting a true-crime podcast, she hopes to finally uncover the truth. When a mysterious invitation promises information about Max—but comes with deadly consequences if she tells anyone—Stella finds herself caught in a high-stakes game full of secrets, clues, and risks where one wrong move could be deadly.

My Thoughts:
Hannah Mary McKinnon always keeps me guessing, and A Killer Motive is no exception. The killer here is diabolical and completely unexpected, which is exactly what I love about her writing. The pacing starts off a little slow, but it works as a build-up, pulling me in more with each chapter. By the time the game begins, the tension never lets go.

Her style is engaging and smooth, and she always gives life to even the secondary characters. The small-town Maine setting makes everything feel personal and intense—the disappearance, the secrets, the whispers in the community. A smart, twisty thriller with a premise I couldn’t resist.

Read this if you like:
• Duo POVs that give multiple perspectives and deepen the suspense
• True-crime podcast intrigue mixed with psychology and mystery
• A villain you never see coming
• Slow-burn guilt turning into high-stakes tension
• Twisty, unpredictable villains and moral ambiguity
• Characters who are flawed, haunted, driven to redemption
• Puzzles, red herrings, and revelations that make you second-guess
• Cat-and-mouse style thriller with tension at every turn
• Wow! Ending – Very Satisfying
• Themes of manipulation, trust, guilt, and redemption
• Exploration of family dynamics and the impact of trauma
• Small-town Maine atmosphere that heightens suspense and tension

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing/MIRA for this eARC that will be published September 9, 2025.

Holy smokes!!! I am speechless at this one!!! Never would I have guessed that twist!!! I had so many suspicions, second-guessing every character in this book.. This is a must add to your TBR!!!

Thank you Harlequin and Netgalley for this advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

This author always delivers a good thriller. This one is her latest and it's so good. This book was a true edge of your seat thriller.

There are five female narrators and one male. They all did a good job of bringing this book to life but the females, with the exception of Charlene's pov, sounded the same to me. I honestly could not tell them apart. The male was just ok. I felt he dragged out his part a bit to much. He did pull you into the scenes though. Just took his time about it.

When Stella Dixon's younger brother goes missing she blames herself. She let him sneak out for a night of partying on the beach. She dedicated herself to finding out what happened to him. Stella and her best friend started a podcast that involves helping people find loved ones. It's Stella's goal to find out what happened to Max through this podcast. Finding clues and possibly help.

Stella and her husband have been married five years. After Max disappeared they got married. Before that fateful night they were dating. There are a few secrets between them. There marriage becomes strained when Stella starts getting emails from someone claiming to have knowledge about Max. Also Max's best friend has gone missing. If Stella doesn't do as she's told Kenji will suffer great harm. Possibly death. But is Kenji truly still alive? Is Max alive after all this time? Will Stella find one or both? Will she survive this. Can her marriage survive?

This book is well done. Well written and keeps you guessing. I did guess who the serial killer was. It just seemed obvious to me. I was hoping I was wrong.

The story takes you through the mind of a serial killer and the woman they decide to destroy. What could have happened to stop this person before now? Probably nothing....

Thank you Harlequin Books and Harlequin Audio for the arc.

4.25 stars...

A Killer Motive is a gripping, addicting and thrilling psychological thriller that absolutely had me hooked. Hannah truly delivered something darkly delicious and twisted with this novel. It was fast, easy and super bingeable, very hard to put down. The pace was great and constantly kept me on the edge of my seat. Secrets being uncovered at each turn, twists that surprised me entirely. So well written and so engaging.

I really loved the storyline and how the plot unfolded. It was full of red herrings, always something to uncover to ensure it never became boring. The suspense was constantly building and the sense of unease could be felt through the pages. The podcast aspect is always a win for me and I really loved how McKinnon approached it. Stella is such a great character, she was well developed, easy to root for and highly determined. The ending was perfect and left me hoping for a sequel maybe ? Hopefully ?

Overall, this was a really well done thriller. Layered, twisty, unpredictable and with a great storyline to follow. Hannah never disappoints !

✨ ️ Thank you to @thrillerbookloversthepulse, @netgalley, @mira & @hannahmarymckinnon for my gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.

“Better than average understanding about crime, criminals and the inner workings of the justice system.”

Stella Dixon has been grappling with the unresolved mystery of her brother Max’s disappearance for six long years. The guilt gnaws at her as she recalls the night he vanished, the night she helped him sneak out of the house for a beach party.

Stella and her business partner, a formidable duo, host a popular podcast called A Killer Motive. Their podcast has been instrumental in solving crimes, and Stella’s appearance on a radio show that could bring her bigger opportunities presents a chance to finally find closure. However, her hopes are shattered when she receives a call from an aggressive caller. Could this caller be the key to bringing Max home?

The call Stella received at the radio show is just the beginning of a series of unsettling encounters. The caller remains anonymous, determined to torment Stella and keep her on edge. Their game escalates, creating a rift between Stella and her husband, Jeff, and others around her. Stella is torn between her obsession with the case and her growing sense of dread. Each call is more stressful than the last, leaving her trapped in a web of fear and uncertainty.

A Killer Motive is a gripping and suspenseful novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat. With its relentless pace and Stella’s vulnerability, the story unfolds at a breakneck speed. Hannah Mary McKinnon’s exceptional writing skills shine through in this thrilling tale, showcasing her ability to craft compelling and suspenseful narratives.

Many thanks to MIRA and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Well! This book is intense. It may be a bit far fetched in my opinion. But, I have to say the intensity is spot on!

To Stella Dixon, sneaking her teenage brother out of their parents’ house for a beach party was harmless fun—until Max disappeared without a trace. Six years later, Stella’s family is still broken, and she can’t let go of her guilt. The only thing that keeps her going is helping other families find closure through A Killer Motive, her true crime podcast.

This story starts off strong and keeps you on the edge of your seat (cliché, I know! But it is true). When Max goes missing at the beginning of this tale…you are hooked.

There are a lot of moving parts in this tale. Stella and her husband, Stella and her mom, Stella’s dad, Stella and her best friend…just to name a few. And no, Stella is not necessarily the problem. You will need to read this to find out.

This is narrated by a wonderful team: Amy Hall, Mel Benjamin, Nick Thurston, Bernadette Dunne, Carol Schneider. Talk about amazing…this group nailed everything about this book.

Need a fast paced thriller to get your blood pumping…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

A Killer Motive by Hannah Mary McKinnon.

A Killer Motive was a fast paced roller coaster ride with lots of twists and turns, and a few red herrings thrown in. And, I loved every minute of it. To the point that I read most of it in one sitting.

Stella’s brother Max disappeared 6 years ago during a beach party he had been forbidden to attend. A party she took him to. Stella has never forgiven herself since she helped him sneak out to attend the party; and she has never given up searching for him.

Now married to her then boyfriend Jeff, and estranged from her parents, Stella has started a true crime podcast. She has been instrumental in solving a few cold cases, but has had no luck with Max’s disappearance.

During an appearance on a local radio show to promote her podcast, a caller brings up her brother’s case, which unsettles Stella. Then she starts receiving emails from someone who calls himself AL, taunting her and causing her to spiral further. The final straw is the suspicious disappearance of her brother’s best friend Kenji, and the seeming disinterest of the local police.

Stella is convinced that both cases are connected. Can she find Kenji and Max? Are either of them still alive?

I give A Killer Motive a solid 4 out of 5 stars. It grabbed me from the start and held me captive throughout the story.

thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc. This was a fast paced thriller! I couldn't put it down, it had my heart racing and I really enjoyed it! A quality thriller

A Killer Motive by Hannah Mary McKinnon
✨ Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
💃🏼 Vibes: Big cat-and-mouse energy.
📕 If you like ______, you’ll like this: Just Another Missing Person; They Never Learn
📖/🎧 Read Type: ARC (thank you to @netgalley, Hannah Mary McKinnon, and Harlequin Trade Publishing!)

HAPPY PUB DAY! 📆

This novel follows Stella Dixon, a woman haunted by the disappearance of her teenage brother, Max, six years prior. Still finding ways to cope with her guilt, she hosts a popular true-crime podcast. After a radio appearance, Stella receives a cryptic e-mail inviting her to play a twisted game that promises information about Max's disappearance. However, when Max's best friend vanishes, Stella realizes the game is a dangerous trap and she will be forced to confront an invisible enemy who seems to know her every move.

I could not put this book down. A Killer Motive is my third five-star read from Hannah Mary McKinnon, so I think our next step is a buying a ring and picking out land. The way she builds and holds the tension is just next-level. The cat-and-mouse game between Stella and “the bad guy” is nerve-wracking in the best way. The ending was perfect and gave me the right amount of closure. No notes. If you're looking for a psychological thriller that will consume your soul, here she is, you’re receiving her.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

This book definitely took me out of my reading slump!

Right away, the book opens up with some action. Stella and her boyfriend, Jeff, sneak her little brother Max out to go to a party. Max disappears at some point of the night, and Stella makes it a point to never give up searching for him. Fast forward 6 years later, Stella has a true crime podcast and finds out her brother’s best friend is now missing.

She starts to receive mysterious phone calls regarding the missing boys and that’s when this story really picks up! I was hooked. The book was extremely fast paced and thrilling. It has so many twists at the end, and there is one particular moment where I gasped out loud ( I couldn’t believe it). I love the multiple POV and the podcast element to the book. I think the podcast element could feel over done, but to me it worked just right!

There are a couple of times where you will get frustrated, but it’s worth it! If you want a fast paced thriller, check this one out. It comes out today!

Thanks to @htp_hive and @netgalley for an advanced copy!

A Killer Motive- Hannah Mary McKinnon @readmirabooks
A family tragedy leads the way for this story and the way this story progresses left me twisted and turned. I never knew what was going to happen and that’s just how I like it. I love the podcast element and that it wasn’t too overpowering. This is a psychological thriller that doesn’t disappoint.