This cat and mouse thriller will keep you guessing and on the edge of your seat until the last page. Stella's feelings of guilt for her brother's disappearance propels the story in so many ways. The twists and turns will blow your mind!

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: Sept. 9, 2025
Six years ago, Stella Dixon helped her brother, Max, sneak out of the house to attend a beach party and he never came home. Riddled with guilt, and inspired by her brother’s disappearance and the police’s apparent lack of interest, Stella starts a true crime podcast with her best friend, “A Killer Motive”. Using her podcast, Stella investigates cold cases and helps find missing people hoping to reunite families while also desperate to find out what happened to her brother that night. After appearing on a radio show, Stella starts to receive haunting messages from a stranger, someone who knows personal details about her brother and what happened that night. When Max’s best friend disappears, Stella risks everything- her podcast, her marriage, even her life- to find answers before someone else gets hurt.
Hannah Mary McKinnon’s hot new release, “A Killer Motive” dips into the world of investigative podcasting, highlighting how far a sister will go to uncover the truth about what happened to her brother. Podcasting is very hot right now, appearing everywhere in the suspense genre, so it isn’t surprising that McKinnon decided to build her novel with this modern spin.
Stella is the protagonist, although there are small chapters interspersed throughout where we hear from the unnamed, unidentified suspect who is taunting Stella. The twists and turns in this novel are epic, and there are just enough suspicious characters sprinkled about to leave readers guessing. When it came to the ending, I was eventually able to guess the “who”, but I thoroughly enjoyed trying to uncover the “why”.
McKinnon is a masterful suspense writer, and “Motive” definitely provides tension in spades. Her creative, well-developed plot had me hooked and Stella was relatable and likable. “Motive” is immersive, with descriptive settings that haunt readers, making this novel a delectable page-turner.
The actual suspect was not revealed until the final few pages, but McKinnon ensured that all of the ending’s plotlines had been sufficiently tied off. Without giving too much away, I wanted more from the suspect as to their motivations (although that’s more on me then it is any fault of McKinnon’s), and McKinnon has enough on the suspect to create an entire novel from their standpoint alone (if McKinnon wrote this novel, I’d line up to read it!). I love the psychological components of this novel and the darkness of the plot, combined with McKinnon’s talent and sympathetic protagonist, “Motive” is sharp, stellar and endlessly suspenseful.

‘ A Killer Motive’ is a fast-paced, twisty thriller that completely pulled me in from the very first chapter. Hannah Mary McKinnon does a fantastic job layering suspense with emotion, creating a story that’s not only heartbreaking, but also so very bingeable!

One of my favorite aspects of this novel is the true crime podcast woven into the narrative; I’m a sucker for them. It fit in really well with Stella, our female main character’s, background and enhanced the tension, giving the story an edge.

This book is full of fun twists and turns. My brain is always trying to work out who is guilty as I read thrillers, but McKinnon threw many curveballs that had me constantly rethinking everything. The pacing never lets up, and the stakes keep rising, making it impossible to put down.

And that ending? Completely unexpected! It’s rare for a thriller to genuinely shock me, but this one did. McKinnon pulled off a jaw-dropping conclusion. If you enjoy smart, suspenseful reads with lots of twists, add this one to your TBR immediately!

A Killer Motive hooked me right away—I’m such a sucker for any thriller with a fictional podcast. This author is always an auto-buy for me, especially because her endings are never predictable. I love that she avoids tidy bows and leans into open-ended twists that keep me thinking long after I finish. This one kept me guessing the whole way through, with several suspects I was sure were guilty—until they weren’t. Thank you NetGalley for my ARC!

A Killer Motive by Hannah Mary McKinnon was everything I want in a thriller: fast, suspenseful, twisty, and just the right amount of unsettling.

I was instantly hooked by the true crime podcast trope. It’s used sparingly here, which I loved, because it added atmosphere without hijacking the entire narrative. Instead, it acted like a clever thread that kept pulling me deeper into Stella’s story.

Speaking of Stella—at first, she and the rest of the cast felt relatable, like people I might actually know. But the more the story unfolded, the more I realized…I didn’t like any of them anymore. Normally, that would be a dealbreaker. But in this case, it was brilliant. Every character revealed layers—shades of selfishness, guilt, ambition, and desperation—that made them feel real and human, flaws and all. By the end, I trusted no one, and that’s exactly what I want in a thriller.

The pacing was nonstop from beginning to end, and the tension never let up. I kept telling myself “just one more chapter” and then three chapters later, I was still glued to the page. And the ending? Nothing like what I had predicted. In fact, my own theories were way more complicated than what actually happened—but the truth was so sharp, surprising, and satisfying that I couldn’t help but love it.

Hannah Mary McKinnon has proven time and again that she knows exactly how to deliver a perfectly crafted thriller, and A Killer Motive is no exception. I know when I pick up one of her books, I can sit back and enjoy the ride—and this one kept me guessing until the very last page.

Thriller fans, add this to your list immediately.

When Stella's brother disappeared, her and her parents' whole lives were upended. Stella's career choice was even based on trying to find her brother. Six years after her brother's disappearance, life hasn't stabilized as the search has hit a lull for a few years. Until an interview with a radio station triggers clues that can't be ignored for long.

Thank you Killer Crime Club and Netgalley for the ARC of A Killer Motive by Hannah Mary McKinnon. This story centers around Stella, a true crime podcaster whose brother disappeared six years prior. Stella has a complicated relationship with herself and her mother after her brother's disappearance. She has a supportive husband with whom she doesnt share some of her deepest secrets. But he may be hiding some of his own too. I went back and forth on my suspect list for this story. I have to say that I didn't expect the end. All in all, I enjoyed this read.

I am such a sucker for podcast/documentary themed thriller books, as well as missing person cases that are still open. So of course I knew I was going to devour this book. At times things seemed to drag and become repetitive but there was enough shocks and unpredictable additions to the storyline that made me like this book more and more. Especially after the 50% mark things started getting really dark, twisted and goooooood. 🎧🎙️🔪

A Killer Motive is a cat and mouse style thriller between a sister who is still searching for her brother after he went missing 6 years ago and his possible abductor who spins webs of lies, deceit and games all for their enjoyment. Legit everyone in this book has secrets and guilt from the night Stella’s brother went missing and one person is willing to expose them all - except their own of course in this brand new book by Hannah Mary McKinnon releasing Sept 9th!!

Stella has channeled her guilt about the disappearance of her younger brother Max into A Killer Motive, her true crime podcast meant to bring resolution for other families. She's married, she's got a best friend, but she's still grieving. She also did not expect to be taunted by a villain when she appeared on a radio broadcast. Now she's caught in a game and other lives are at risk. This is nicely twisty and the pacing is good. I liked Stella and appreciated her quandary even if I didn't agree with all of her decisions. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. No spoilers from me!

The story follows Stella Dixon, whose younger brother Max disappeared six years ago after a beach party. To channel her grief, she launches a true-crime podcast, A Killer Motive, helping other families find justice. But when Max’s best friend suddenly goes missing too, Stella is dragged into a dangerous game of cryptic clues—one she’s warned not to share with the police.

This book has everything I love in a thriller: a tense, fast pace, layered characters, and a plot that keeps twisting when you least expect it. Stella is a compelling protagonist, and while I enjoyed following her journey, I have to admit some of her decisions were frustrating and hard to stand behind. Still, her desperation and grief made those choices feel raw and real.

The ending is sharp, surprising, and so satisfying—it’s the kind of reveal that makes you sit back and think about it long after you’ve closed the book.

Honestly, Hannah Mary McKinnon is such an underrated author. She consistently delivers gripping, emotionally charged thrillers, and she deserves way more hype in the thriller community than she’s getting. A Killer Motive is proof of that—it’s suspenseful, heartfelt, and impossible to put down.

If you’re a fan of true-crime podcasts or love thrillers that pack an emotional punch, mark your calendar for September 9, 2025. This one’s worth the buzz.

What a wild, five-star ride! A Killer Motive by Hannah Mary McKinnon kept me on the edge from start to finish, with a twist I didn't see coming until its reveal. Truly worth the read, and highly recommended for fans of suspense. Finished in one sitting!

wooweee. Miss Hannah Mary McKinnon can write a good Thriller.
This is my second read by her and loved it.

A cold case, podcaster, lairs all around. What is going on in there gals life! It keeps you guessing.

This was so good! I was absolutely hooked! I hated having to go to sleep last night and picked it up again this morning immediately. So twisty, and fun, and dark, and just everything I want in a thriller.

If you enjoy thrillers (psychological & mysterious), read this book. It was fast-paced and I never wanted to put it down. I was constantly coming up with theories about who the bad guy was (and I am happy to say that I did, at one point guess who it would be, but to be honest, I think at some point I guessed almost every character!). I found this to be twisty, with lots of secrets that kept me guessing and turning the pages.

A KILLER MOTIVE by HANNAH MARY McKINNON

Stella's brother, Max, disappeared from a beach party without a trace six years ago. Frustrated with how poorly the investigation appears to be going and willing to do anything to find out what happened to him, Stella starts a true crime podcast, inspired by her brother, but bringing light to other cases.

After appearing as a guest on another show, Stella starts receiving mysterious messages with very specific information about her family along with an invitation to play a game. The stakes - Play the game according to the callers rules to save another missing person and find out what happened to Max. Part of the rules - Stella can tell no one and the caller is always listening.

As Stella works to uncover the caller and what happened to Max and the other missing guy, secrets unravel and Stella doesn't know who she can trust.

Thank you to NetGalley and Mira for the ARC of A Killer Motive!

This was a good popcorn thriller book, although I wasn't a huge fan of the main character Stella, but wanted to see what had happened with her brother Max!

Thanks ahain!

A Killer Motive by Hannah Mary McKinnon is a very highly recommended tension-packed thriller. Once this thriller takes off it is impossible to put down.

Six years ago Stella Dixon's almost eighteen-year-old brother Max slipped out of the house and went with her and her boyfriend Jeff to a beach party. Then Max disappeared without a trace. Now Stella and Jeff are married and she has a true crime podcast, A Killer Motive. When she is interviewed on a local radio someone calls in and asks why she isn't looking for her brother Max, Stella says if she had just one more clue she'd find Max. Someone took this seriously and starts a dangerous game where they make the rules.

This well-written, lightning-fast-paced psychological thriller gets better and more intense as the plot unfolds. Once the deadly game initiated by someone using the code-name Anwir starts, Stella knows that she can't tell anyone or people will die. Whoever Anwir is, they know everything Stella says or does. When you start reading the tension and stress ramp up very quickly and explodes as it heads toward the shocking ending.

Stella is a believable, fully realized, intelligent character with strengths and weaknesses. She is also a sympathetic character and you will want her to get through this and find closure. All the other characters are portrayed as realistic individuals with flaws. Everyone is a suspect, you'll get whiplash considering which character is responsible.

Readers will be very well rewarded if they set some disbelief aside and go with the plot. Admittedly, very early on when Stella receives the first two anonymous emails from AL and subsequently deletes everything, I questioned her actions and wondered why she didn't immediately go directly to the police to at least have it on record. Of course, this action would have changed the entire novel. The last half of the novel makes up for any initial doubts I had.

A Killer Motive would be an excellent choice for anyone who enjoys fast-paced psychological thrillers. Thanks to MIRA for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The review will be published on Edelweiss, Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

A masterclass in psychological suspense, this read will keep you guessing right up to its final, shocking pages. This is a domestic thriller with a sharp edge, expertly crafted to create an atmosphere of paranoia and distrust that permeates every scene.

The story introduces us to a seemingly perfect family, but McKinnon wastes no time in peeling back the layers to reveal a tangled web of secrets and lies. The characters are brilliantly developed, each with their own murky motivations that make it impossible to know who to trust.

As the tension mounts, the plot twists and turns in ways you simply won't see coming. McKinnon's pacing is flawless, building a relentless sense of dread that will have you flying through the chapters just to find out what happens next.

For fans of thrillers that truly deliver on their promise of shocking reveals and unforgettable suspense, this is a must-read.

Thank you to NetGalley, MIRA, and Harlequin Trade Publishing for a temporary e-ARC!

I was really interested at the beginning but it dwindled the longer the book went on. There were a few times I felt like skipping ahead because nothing was happening, Stella was just thinking about all the possibilities of what happened to her brother/by who/why so the suspense that had been building fizzled out.

Canadian author Hannah Mary McKinnon is back with A Killer Motive, a story about a True Crime podcaster who has been searching for her missing brother for years.

Six years ago, Stella Dixon's brother Max went missing from a party, a party she helped him sneak out of the house for. The loss of her brother and her guilt at her involvement in his disappearance continues to plague Stella who now has a successful True Crime podcast called A Killer Motive. When Max's best friend suddenly goes missing, Stella finds herself taunted by a mysterious and sinister person who pulls her into a dark and dangerous game of cat and mouse.

I admit that I had to suspend disbelief over some of Stella's choices, but they provided great opportunities to propel this well-paced story that is filled with red herrings galore, building tension, short chapters and an ending that I didn't see coming.

Disclaimer: Thanks to the publisher for the complimentary digital copy of this book which was given in exchange for my honest review.

Six years ago, Stella snuck her younger brother Max out to a party—and he vanished without a trace. Now, she runs a true-crime podcast, helping other families find closure while still haunted by her own loss. When she publicly claims she could solve Max’s case with just one clue, a mysterious stranger challenges her to play a dangerous game that might finally reveal the truth. But as people close to her start disappearing, Stella realizes she may be up against someone who knows all her secrets—and isn’t afraid to kill.

I liked it but didn’t love it. As a mystery, it was fine. I didn’t really guess who did it, but the reveal felt a little out there and forced. Stella gave me so much anxiety, and the constant lying, red herrings, and blame made the story feel a bit unnatural at times. I normally love podcast-style thrillers (especially when the format is included), but this one skipped that element, and the extra POV from the “Suspect” just felt overly dramatic.

I still enjoy McKinnon’s books, but this one dragged in places, and honestly, everything big happens in the last two chapters. Overall, it’s a fine mystery but with zero likable characters, and it left me more stressed than entertained.

A Killer Motive comes out September 9, 2025. Huge thanks to Saga Press for my copy in return for my honest review. If you liked this review please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my Instagram @speakingof.books or on Tiktok @speakingof.books