Iain McGilp's Making a Killing is among the most original crime capers I've read in quite some time. From the opening chapter, I was hooked by his sharp, engaging prose. Literary and classical references are woven seamlessly into the narrative, enriching the story without ever feeling forced, while the dry, witty humour and the author's distinctive voice ensure even the quieter moments are a pleasure to read.

While a large cast is introduced early on, it's well worth sticking with. As the story unfolds, each character develops a distinct personality, and the ensemble becomes one of the novel's real highlights. My favourite was PC Derek Primrose, whose kindness, curiosity, and understated humour made him impossible not to root for. The banter between the characters is consistently excellent and gives the novel so much warmth.

The car chase has to be one of the most inventive and genuinely funny I've ever read.

Clever, inventive, and full of heart, Making a Killing is a wonderfully entertaining crime caper with memorable characters and a voice entirely its own. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a crime caper that's genuinely unlike anything else out there.

My sincere thanks to Iain McGilp, The Book Guild, and NetGalley for providing an advance review copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

Making a Killing is the kind of thriller that hooked me right away with its premise. It moves at a brisk pace, balancing mystery, dark humor, and mounting tension without ever feeling like it's trying too hard to surprise you.
What I liked most was how entertaining it was. The twists kept me engaged, but the characters are what really carried the story. Everyone has something to hide, and watching it all unravel made this a really fun, bingeable read.
Read if you like: dark thrillers, morally gray characters, twisty mysteries, and fast-paced stories that keep you guessing.

This book is out of the realm of what I would normally read; the twists and turns from using local terms, and yes, in some cases I thought they were typos. Only to realise he was trying to put across their accent (well done for confusing me hehe)

I was not expecting drunk Morris dancers either, and seeing the landlord walk home in the rain oh my, how I felt bad for him. This book is one I had added to my wishlist as I would like to revisit it, as it was so charming to read. A large cast is introduced early on, but stick with it—every character earns their place. PC Derek Primrose as a character is warm and charming and everything a policeman should be. Very empathetic and full of humour

And that car chase? One of the most inventive and I felt it could have been a fever dream it is one of the best I've ever read.

Clever, original, and full of heart, this is a crime novel with a wonderfully distinctive voice.

Thank you The Book Guild and NetGalley, for the copy

Making a Killing had a premise that immediately caught my attention, and I went into it expecting a tense, gripping thriller. Unfortunately, it just didn't fully work for me.

I never really connected with the characters, and I found myself waiting for the story to pick up. There were moments that hinted at something exciting, but the pacing felt uneven and the suspense never quite reached the level I was hoping for. By the time the twists arrived, they didn't have the impact I'd expected.

That said, I can definitely see why other readers might enjoy this one. The concept is intriguing, and there are some clever ideas throughout the story. It just wasn't the right fit for my reading taste.

Overall, while I don't regret reading it, it's not one I'll be thinking about for long. A decent read, but not one of my favourites.