This was such a fast paced thriller that kept me guessing the entire time. Stella was such a layered protagonist. She was driven, vulnerable, and relatable, and I couldn’t stop rooting for her even as the threats escalated. Everyone around her seemed suspicious and I kept shifting my theories with every new secret revealed. Her tormenter felt all knowing, which kept the tension high, and the final reveal of their identity was a genuine shock.

After finishing, I knew I had to read the rest of Hannah Mary McKinnon’s books. She might just be a new auto-read author for me.

I always seem to enjoy Hannah Mary McKinnon's writing, and I knew that I wanted to read her newest story even before I realized the plot had a true crime podcast angle. This only made me even more excited to start reading A Killer Motive... And I have to say that this might just be my favorite Hannah Mary McKinnon to date. What a story! I literally stayed up until the early hours, unable to put the story down as I simply HAD to know how it would all end.

I'm going to keep this review short, because A Killer Motive is one of those books where it's best to go in blind. It is also very hard to talk about especially the second half without giving away spoilers... Which I don't want to do. Anyhow, if you enjoy tense and highly engaging psychological thrillers that aren't afraid to go dark, you are in for an absolute treat with this book. One of my favorite elements is the true crime podcast element of course, which is something I always enjoy and I could appreciate how it was incorporated into the plot here.

The story is mainly told from Stella's POV, who is the host of the true crime podcast A Killer Motive. There is a lot of focus on the fact that her brother Max went missing six years ago (in fact, the book starts with the night he disappeared), and Stella has never stopped looking for him. I felt invested from the very beginning, but once the mysterious invitation to 'play' appears and Anwir enters the picture, the plot is taken to the next level and it is impossible to stop reading. The short chapters from Anwir's POV were a fantastic addition to the plot, but then again I always have a weak spot for POVs from a twisted mind.

There is a lot going in the plot with a focus on Stella's personal life, her search for her missing brother and Anwir's twisted game, but somehow everything just fits together flawlessly. Could Stella get a bit frustrating, and especially with how she handles things with her husband? Most definitely. But somehow her flawed character only made me root for her even more. And while I had some suspicions about where the story would go, I never did guess the full truth about it all... Which is always a bonus.

In short, I ended up having a fantastic time reading A Killer Motive, and I cannot recommend this book enough if you enjoy intense and suspenseful psychological thrillers. Especially the second half will have you on the edge of your seat!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by Hannah Mary McKinnon. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Stella Dixon snuck her teenaged brother out to attend a party; then he disappeared. Six years later, their family is fractured and Stella can't let go of her guilt. She now helps families find closure through her podcast, A Killer Motive. Stella goes on a local radio show and is taunted by an unknown caller. Let the cat-and-mouse games begin!

McKinnon has done it again! This was such a twisty thriller - perfectly plotted and written to keep you engaged and wanting to read one more chapter. Stella is a great character, even though she makes some questionable decisions, and you feel her guilt and desperation to find out what happened to her brother. This book was so entertaining and I always like the addition of a podcast in a story. I kept thinking I knew where it was going, but of course I was wrong. Don't miss this one!

A Killer Motive by Hannah Mary McKinnon isn’t the first book I’ve read by the author, but it is my favorite so far. With a title like that, you know I had to get my hands on it. I was excited to receive an advance copy of this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
______

Since the day her brother was born, Stella has promised to always keep Max safe. When a series of unfortunate decisions leads to Max disappearing without a trace, Stella and her family are left with more questions than answers.

Six years later, the case is still unsolved. Stella hosts the true crime podcast A Killer Motive, in hopes of helping others find the closure she never received. But when Max’s best friend also disappears and she begins to receive threatening emails, she dives headfirst into the investigation. Believing that recent events are connected to her brother’s disappearance, Stella won’t stop until she discovers the truth of what happened to him.
______

If you like thrillers like me, this is a great one to pick up. I couldn’t wait to see what happened and had a hard time putting it down. This book is fast-paced and twisty as well as well-written.

The big twist is definitely one that I think would surprise some people, but maybe not. I did guess it as one of my potential explanations for all that was going on, though it isn’t so obvious that I knew that that was who was behind everything.

Overall, I feel like the concept of a true crime podcaster being at the center of a book like this is a bit trite at this point. But I enjoyed it nonetheless.

A Killer Motive hits shelves on September 9, 2025!

Absolutely loved A Killer Motive by Hannah Mary McKinnon! It wasn’t perfect and I feel like a few things were left unfinished but the plot had me hooked from start to finish. Loved the podcast element as well.

Thank you to NetGalley and Killer Crime Club for a copy of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.

This book was absolutely stunning, a masterclass in suspense and psychological tension. Hannah Mary McKinnon knows exactly how to pull a reader in and refuse to let go. From the first chapter I was completely hooked, my head still spinning from the whiplash of shocking twists and revelations. I gasped, I yelled, and yes I even found myself grinning with glee at the sheer cleverness of how everything was woven together.

At the heart of the story is Stella, a woman whose fateful choice years ago left her burdened with guilt and regret. Six years later, she’s reinvented herselfmarried to Jeff and co-hosting the successful true crime podcast Killer Motive. Just when she thinks she’s buried her past, eerie emails begin to appear, pulling her back into a chilling and twisted game. The way McKinnon builds Stella’s fear, desperation, and resolve is brilliant, and every page drips with tension.

What makes this thriller stand out is the balance between raw emotion and breakneck suspense. Stella is such a layered character, and watching her navigate the web of lies, secrets, and guilt made the stakes feel intensely personal. The cold case element added even more depth, and the shocking turns kept me reeling. By the end, I was left stunned, satisfied, and already wanting more.

This is Hannah Mary McKinnon at her finest sharp, gripping, and relentless. A brilliant thriller that fans of psychological suspense will devour.

Thank you NetGalley and Mira for the ARC of this breathtaking book.

4.5 rounded up

I can not believe this is my first book by this author!😲 I do own THE REVENGE LIST and will definitely be moving it up on my TBR!

Stella Dixon hosts a true crime podcast called A Killer Motive. In order to gain more sponsorships, she goes on a local radio show. They weren't supposed to ask about her brother Max, but when a caller comes through, she ends up talking about him. She says if she only had one clue, she'd be able to figure out what happened to him. Someone seems to take it as a challenge. She soon receives an invitation to play a game. If she wins, she'll get information about Max. She thinks it's a joke until Max's best friend goes missing and she is told if she says anything to anybody, he'll die. Six years ago, Stella's brother Max disappeared without a trace from a beach party that she brought him to. He wasn't even supposed to be out that night. She blames herself for his disappearance, and it seems her mom does too. What really happened to Max that night? Can she play the game and finally bring closure to her family, or will others end up dead?

This was such a great psychological thriller! It had an intriguing mystery, it was full of suspense, and I seriously had no idea where the story was going. The ending was a total shock! Although Stella's POV was the main one, there were also chapters from the person who was taunting her. It was such a great addition. I really had no clue who it was or what happened to Max. This book was full of tension and had twist after twist. The writing was captivating, and I just loved the setting of Portland, ME. This was a thrilling read that I really enjoyed and would highly recommend it.🩷

I was completely hooked by the thrilling ride this book took me on! The integration of the podcast theme into the storyline was done seamlessly and added a fresh unseeable twist. That said, I did find myself repeatedly questioning why Stella, as a podcaster, never recorded the mysterious phone calls she was receiving. Especially since they could have served as crucial evidence for the police or compelling content for her show. The audiobook was incredibly narrated, but I do think the chapters from AL's perspective could have been even more impactful with a more distorted or encrypted vocal effect to heighten the sense of menace and tension.
Then there’s Chapter 46… wow that was intense! And the twist was absolutely insane and took the story to a whole new direction I didn't see coming. A gripping and unforgettable read!


*Thank you to Hannah Mary Mckinnon Harlequin Audio, Harlequin Trade Publishing and Netgalley for the digital copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

This book is so filled with chills and thrills that I am absolutely sure my heart pounded loudly enough to awaken my husband in the other room! Seriously, the surprises and revelations kept coming, and I wasn’t ready for so many twists. As a long-time fan of the author, I should have seen some of them coming, but nope! She wrapped the surprised in ordinary days with regular characters and they hit me upside my head before I knew what was coming. I loved that about this book! I couldn’t figure out who the bad guy was, and I loved that, too. The clues were numerous, the suspects were plentiful and the story was amazing! Stella’s determination to find out what happened to her younger brother gets her into deep trouble with a mastermind of psychological games. Part of a team doing a podcast about true crime, Stella uses all of her sleuthing skills to try to find the villain who may have taken Max and now has taken his best friend Kenji. There are secrets, subterfuge and non-stop, fast-paced action. I kept guessing and turning the pages as fast as I could and just when I thought I had figured something out, a new clue was added that made me change my mind. The characters were realistically portrayed, so much so that I mentally yelled at them to go a different way or try something else. They were relatable, and I especially felt bad for Stella who feels guilty about Max’s disappearance since she took him to the beach party where he disappeared. But there are so many undercurrents of people trying to thwart Stella that many of the characters that I trusted at first proved untrustworthy. Again, that was part of the surprise packages that await the readers of this addictive and gripping story. This is a book not to be missed for those who are fans of true crime, teasingly revealed details and sharp writing.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

This book was so good! It had me reading past my bedtime quite a few nights! It was riveting and suspenseful, and I was a little bit obsessed with it! Highly recommend!

I grabbed this based on the really high GR ratings and positive IG reviews, but it was not the right book for me. I was excited about the podcast elements, but they didn't play as much a part of the story as I hoped. Overall the story just didn't grab me in the way that I wanted.

Sad that I didn't agree with the majority but since I'm the black sheep here, don't let me stop you from trying it!

Thanks so much for MIRA for letting me try this.

I was drawn into A Killer Motive by Hannah Mary McKinnon with the mysterious disappearance of Stella’s brother, Max. I wanted to know what happened to him and who was behind the disappearance. I enjoy following the case, picking up clues, and piecing them together. There was quite a bit going on in the middle of the book (it is a little chaotic). There are twists, red herrings, and multiple suspects. I liked the cat and mouse game between Stella and the guilty party. I had narrowed in on one person and I was eager to see if I had guessed correctly (I love solving whodunits). I have a feeling the reveal will take many readers by surprise. I had not read a book with a true crime podcast before, and I found it interesting (as you can guess, I sought out some to listen to). A Killer Motive is a psychological thriller that will take you on a roller coaster ride.

This was a non-stop thrill ride! When Stella sneaks her brother to a beach party so has no idea the trouble this will cause. First her brother is reported missing and it spirals from there. Fast forward 6 years later and Max is still missing Stella has married her high school sweetheart, Jeff, and is hosting A Killer Motive podcast with her best friend. When Max's best friend goes missing Stella is bound and determined to find both guys. This is my first book by Hannah but will not be my last!

Thank you HTP Hive, HTP Books, Mira Books for my #gifted copy of A Killer Motive! #HTPHive #htpbooks #mirabooks #AKillerMotive #hannahmarymckinnon

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐀 𝐊𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐚𝐡 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐌𝐜𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐧
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟗, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

𝟰.𝟱★

I have read a few of Hannah Mary McKinnon’s thrillers and I’ve also read her rom-coms under the pen name Holly Cassidy. I love how she can write across genres so effortlessly! This book was good! Stella, a true-crime podcaster, is such a layered character who is driven by the unsolved mystery and disappearance of her brother, Max. Looking for answers becomes far more dangerous than she ever expected when an invitation to play a game arrives, with promises about what happened to Max if she wins. The only problem is, it’s not all fun and games…

Fast-paced and so bingeable, this is the type of book that you cannot predict and you do NOT see the ending coming at all! I loved the multiple POVs and thought the author did a great job building up the suspense and tension.

❓Multiple POV
❓Missing Person
❓Podcast
❓Cat and Mouse
❓Unpredictable
❓Full of Twists

Posted on Goodreads on September 8, 2025: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/144922955?ref=nav_profile_l
**Posted on Instagram - Full Review- on or around September 8, 2025: http://www.instagram.com/nobookmark_noproblem
**Posted on Amazon on September 9, 2025
**-will post on designated date

Really enjoyed this book! Loved the characters and the plot of the book. Lots of layers and I really enjoyed the way the book flowed!

A KILLER MOTIVE is the latest diabolical thriller from Hannah Mary McKinnon. I have read and loved all of this author’s books but this one is my new favorite! Stella Dixon is the host of a true crime podcast called A Killer Motive. Six years ago, Stella snuck her brother Max out of the house to attend a beach party along with her boyfriend. It seemed like harmless fun until Max disappeared without a trace from the beach that night. Riddled with grief and guilt, Stella uses the podcast as a way to help other families find closure even while her own family remains shattered. While Stella is on air for a local radio show to help find new sponsors for the podcast, she receives a chilling invitation – play a dangerous game with a manipulative stranger and she will be rewarded with clues as to what happened to Max. She thinks it could be just a sick joke until Max’s best friend also disappears. Desperate to learn the truth, Stella is forced to play the game, not knowing if there is anyone she can trust. As the creepy game unfolds, the suspense builds to a fever pitch. With unexpected twists and turns on every page, I couldn’t put this book down until I reached the shocking conclusion. Hannah Mary McKinnon has another winner on her hands, for sure! Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read and review an early copy.

ᴬ ᴷᴵᴸᴸᴱᴿ ᴹᴼᵀᴵᵛᴱ
ᴮᵞ ᴴᴬᴺᴺᴬᴴ ᴹᴬᴿᵞ ᴹᶜᴷᴵᴺᴺᴼᴺ
𝘙𝘌𝘓𝘌𝘈𝘚𝘌 𝘋𝘈𝘛𝘌 09/09/2025

This book will evoke a thousand emotions, including sadness, anger, grief, relief, disbelief, and more.
Be prepared to sit in one spot and not move for several hours.
Stella and her boyfriend, Jeff, helped sneak her younger brother, Max, out to a beach party one night, even though he was grounded. This happened just weeks before his 18th birthday, and unfortunately, Max went missing, leaving the case cold for six years. During that time, their family grieved deeply, and Stella was consumed by guilt.
Six years later, Stella is married to Jeff and hosts a podcast with her best friend called **THE KILLER MOTIVE**, where they solve cold cases with the help of their listeners and extensive research.
During an appearance on a local show, a caller provocatively asks why she isn't investigating her own brother's cold case, forcing Stella to confront a painful chapter of her past that she never intended to discuss.
Follow Stella as she deep dives into what happened to her brother as well as new truths to her life she never believed possible.
5 ✨✨✨✨✨S̤̈T̤̈Ä̤R̤̈S̤̈

#netgalley #pageturner #htpinfluencer #mirabooks #mirapublishing #harlequinbooks #hannahmarymckinnon #thekillermotive #thrillmemore #bookstagrammer

Six years ago, Stella Dixon's younger brother, Max, vanished. She holds herself responsible because she helped Max sneak out of the house to attend a beach party with her and her boyfriend, Jeff. Although Stella hasn't discovered what happened to Max, she has been able to assist other families in finding closure through her podcast, A Killer Motive, which she runs with her friend Vivien. After appearing on a local radio show, Stella is contacted by a mysterious and sadistic person who claims to have information about Max and might be involved in the recent disappearance of Max's friend, Kenji. This antagonist, using the name Anwir, challenges Stella to a dangerous cat-and-mouse game.

Hannah Mary McKinnon has created an exceptionally suspenseful ride in A Killer Motive, packed with unexpected twists and turns. Stella is willing to go to great lengths to uncover information about Max, even if it means lying and keeping secrets from the people she cares about the most. (And some of them might be keeping secrets from her as well.) I've read many books centered around true crime podcasts, and this one is unlike any I've read to date.  The pace is brisk, and the suspense never ends. This book will keep you reading through the night.

4.25 stars.

There is a sense of foreboding from the very beginning of this book when Stella Dixon agrees to help her younger brother, Max, sneak out of the house to go to a beach party. This becomes a defining moment in Stella's life when Max disappears from the party. The book then jumps ahead six years and Stella is helping other families with her cold case podcast, but has never given up on finding her brother.

Stella has a lot of stressful things going on in her life and she is both keeping secrets and discovers others are withholding things from her. While dealing with everything else going on in her life, she becomes involved in a cat and mouse game with someone who claims to have information about Max. This person issues threats if Stella tells anyone about their communications, which further complicates Stella's life and has her constantly on edge. There is a lot going on in this suspenseful story, with several people acting suspiciously, but I'm happy with the way things come together in the end. I also enjoyed the discussion questions and author's note at the end of the book.

I received an advance copy of this ebook for review consideration from HTP Books, HTP Hive, and NetGalley. My review is voluntary and unbiased.

Thank you Netgalley, Killer Crime Club, and Harlequin Trade Publishing/Mira for the ARC.

You never know who’s listening.

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.

In a bid to find new sponsors and keep making episodes, Stella goes on a local radio show. But when she says on air that if she had just one clue, she’d find Max and bring whoever hurt him to justice, someone takes it as a challenge.

A mysterious invitation to play a game arrives, with the promise that if Stella wins, she’ll get information about what happened to Max. Stella thinks it’s a sick joke…until Max’s best friend vanishes. And she’s given new instructions: tell nobody or people will die.

Desperate and unable to trust anyone, Stella agrees. But beating a twisted, invisible enemy seems impossible when they make all the rules…

I am a big fan of Hannah Mary McKinnon. I've looked forward to reading this book for a while now. I must admit I was kot disappointed. The story drew me in from the beginning It kept me guessing for a majority of the book. Definitely worth reading! 4 out of 5 ⭐️