wow, what a thriller, this was such a fun and unique thriller you're thrown right into the action with ambers kidnap, and her kicking herself for getting kidnapped. I don't think a thriller has ever made me so tense and laugh so hard, the characters were snarky and sarcastic a bit annoying at times but I think that is what made me love them. and I loved the Pokemon reference it was small but I loved it.

Amber, Killing Me's protagonist, can't catch a break. She comes face-to-face with not one, but two serial killers, and a past that she can't seem to shake. Michelle Gagnon crafts a cross-country narrative as a group of misfits tries to track down a serial killer.

The characters in Michelle Gagnon's Killing Me were trope heavy--a "not like other murder victims" protagonist, a sex worker with a heart of gold, and an "it's personal" vigilante--make up the core of the crew. These characters' backstories are revealed in a way that feels perfunctory. Killing Me starts at a breakneck pace and that's exactly how it ends, but getting there is a little slow. There are some twists that are almost immediately untwisted. By the end, I was pretty sure if Amber puked one more time, so would I.

There is so much in the book that is smart and interesting, particularly for such a quick read. I'm definitely interested in reading more from Gagnon because there's definitely something there!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

This was a book that started off strong but faltered a bit by overcorrecting. It's a dark comedy thriller and that shines well in the first half but as we get closer to the story, the comedic tone falls away a bit which makes it feel a little dull (in comparison). Had they not had the comedy in the first half, I think the second half would have been perfectly fine. Overall I enjoyed the MC and the plot but I wish the story felt more balanced.

Ordinarily, I feel like this story would be told from the perspective of the brilliant, badass, detached serial killer hunter whose plan is derailed when the zany girl she saves decides to team up with her, teaching her that teamwork makes the dreamwork and it's okay to have emotions and friends. But! "Killing Me" flips the narrative, following the girl who was saved from a serial killer and how her life is turned upside-down by her almost-demise.

This is a fun, female-driven read full of noir elements, true crime devotees, and lovable Vegas locals. The story is a bit convoluted, which kept me on my toes – and the second I thought I had it figured out, Michelle Gagnon flipped the script yet again and had me wondering if maybe I'm not as good of an armchair detective as I tend to think I am.

I will say that because of the humor here (which is so welcome and fun), the stakes never felt all that high to me in this – but that was okay! Because sometimes we all just need a sort-of cozy, low-stakes thriller that'll keep you on your toes – but not awake at night.

lots of twists and turns in a deadly game of serial killer and psychopath, complex characters and an intense story make this a page turner and a must read!

Thank you to Penguin Group Putnum for the advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.
Amber Jamison is almost the next victim of a serial killer until an unexpected woman saves her. That is where the story takes a turn into a campy thriller.
We follow along as Amber goes on the run and meets a raucous cast of side characters.
The story was unique enough and fast-paced to keep me engaged. This story gives off the same vibes as Finlay Donovan. If you are a fan of that story, I would give this a try.
The ending of this book sets it up for a possible sequel. Killing Me is a fun ride worth your time.

Despite her seedy past, Amber is trying to live a “normal” life when she gets abducted by a serial killer. Before she can become his next victim, she’s rescued by a mysterious woman who seems to be some sort of vigilante killer hunter. Before she can get any more information, the woman disappears. When the FBI starts circling the case, Amber is forced to run from her past in a desperate attempt to hide who she really is. She lands in Vegas and when it seems like she’s become the target for yet another serial killer, she inadvertently teams up with a quirky motel manager and a sex worker. Who can she really trust and will her street smarts help her survive?

This was such a FUN and unique read. Every chapter had action and development that kept you wanting to flip the pages. The main character is eccentric and a total mess and parts of this book were laugh out loud funny. There were so many twists and turns at the end. I thought I knew what was going on but I was pleasantly surprised.

This was close to a 5 star read for me, but I took off a star because there were parts of the book where the pacing felt uneven and like it started to lose it’s grip on my attention.

I received this free ARC from netgalley for my honest opinion.

Happy Pub Day to Killing Me!

I had so much fun reading this book and it made me feel the same way I did when I read the first Finlay Donovan book by Elle Cosimano. The book opens with the same level of absurdity - A+ originality for the Pikachu murderer - and from there on it was the perfect blend of over the top ridiculous/campy fun that I could not put it down.

While this was a solid thriller/mystery, the characters are what made this truly a special book. Dot was everything and I loved seeing rule over Vegas as she cashed in favor after favor. Despite being polar opposites, Grace and Amber made a great team and I loved seeing them strategize to take down the bad guy.

I really hope the author writes more books following these characters! This is a great summer read and if you're looking for a darkly funny thriller definitely check out Killing Me.

Thank you NetGalley & Putnam for a review copy.

Happy Publication Day! Let me start by saying that there is absolutely nothing believable about this story. It requires full engagement of your suspension of disbelief. Let me follow-up by saying that I.did.not.care. - because it was such a fun ride! I wouldn't go so far as to say the MCs were likeable, but they weren't meant to be. They were well-drawn, snarky, stubborn, at times combative, and yet - funny. Likeability was found in spades in the supporting characters. All were well-written, and the chemistry between the characters, big and small, was palpable. The story sped by, and in the end I hated to leave Michelle Gagnon's quirky little world.

Other words that come to mind when thinking back on this story include sassy, fast-paced, twisty, quirky and - dare I say - a bit heart-warming. Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the opportunity to read an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. I look forward to more from Michelle Gagnon.

Such an entertaining read! This story had it all - plot twists, humor, seedy Vegas motels, murder, a prostitute, and a bald girl named Amber.
I got some serious Carl Hiaasen vibes from this one and was completely hooked. 4.5/5 ⭐️

Killing Me by Michelle Gagnon ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

A big thank you to @netgalley and @putnambooks for the ARC. Today is pub day for this book! 🎉

The description for this one claimed it was “utterly original and wildly entertaining [while being] laugh-out-loud funny.” I have to agree. This was a very original take on the thriller category, and I was entertained the entire time. I must also say that I chuckled quite a bit along the way.

The characters were the definition of a motley crew. Only in Vegas would this group of eclectic people find themselves tangled up, so I found the setting brilliant. I wanted a bit more from the characterization because I felt they could have been pushed further.

As for the plot itself, it was predictable. However, I didn’t think that detracted from the enjoyment as I was much more interested in what the characters were going to do next. It was also highly unrealistic, but maybe that’s also the magic of Vegas.

All in all, if you’re looking for a thriller that focuses more on laughs than twists, give this one a try.

I could not help laughing at Amber's outrage and exasperation while faced with a life or death situation. This book will appeal to readers who enjoy thrillers, yet it is also just enough quirky to appeal to cozy mystery readers and those who enjoy a good chuckle in their reads. Fans of the Finlay Donovan series by Elle Cosimano will enjoy this one.

Can a thriller be funny? Yes, it can and I'm enjoying this trend. Michelle Gagnon does it well in Killing Me. Fun read!

My thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnum for the digital ARC of this title!

Amber Jamison has finally escaped her past to create the life she has dreamed of when she is kidnapped by a serial killer. As she lies in the back of the Pikachu killer’s white van, she realizes she isn’t scared. She’s angry. However, rage will only burn so long against a tranquilizer and determination doesn't get you very far when you are restrained. When Amber is rescued by a mysterious woman wielding a cattle prod, she thinks her problems are over...and that's when the FBI shows up. Amber flees to Las Vegas where she crosses paths with a noir-loving motel owner, a sex worker, and another, far more dangerous serial killer.

This comedic thriller was such a delight and perfect for fans of the Finlay Donovan series. The characters were lovable, the plot kept me turning the pages, and the humor was laugh out loud funny. I did feel the humor slightly ebbed from the novel's opening, the pacing seemed off in a few places, and some characters could have been developed further, but this was a solid read and will make a fantastic edition to your beach bag.

Thank you to Netgalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for providing this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I did not know I needed a comedic thriller in my life but oh man did I love this one! Killing Me is a fun, quirky, fast-paced thriller that really leaves you guessing throughout the whole thing. I loved all the characters and what they brought to the plot. The MC, Amber, is a bit daft at times and while I wanted to be annoyed with her for it I couldn’t help but love her. You do need to be able to suspend reality while reading this one since the things that happen are a bit out there but this is still a fantastic read! Highly recommend picking this one up!

The first chapter let’s you know exactly what you’re getting into. This is a book where you leave logic at the door before you proceed. The story starts with a campy, satirical tone and with an immediate action scene to capture intrigue. Pace is fast moving for the most part. There were a few moments where it seemed to lose it footing with a tone change in the third quarter. It was if remembering that a thriller should be happening instead of just mystery and be serious but it didn’t really work. It became a little awkward.

My absolute favorite part of the whole book is the relationship between Dot and Jess. I’m sucker for best friends who talk trash to each other but have each others back no matter what. Plus, they were amateur sleuths in the…older community? (lol) and it spoke to my Murder She Wrote and Diagnosis Murder-loving heart. I wish there was a harder and longer focus on it.

When it comes to Amber, I didn’t really like her that much. I don’t know if this will make sense but she reminds me of the fMC from the Kissing Booth movies if you took out her co-dependency on boys. 😂 🤷🏾♀️ She’s supposed to be a street smart with a long history of doing cons but some of her decisions went against that. Quite frankly, she was a bit of an idiot for the first 80%. I’m not going to spoil the last 20% but just know that, in regards to her, I had to go back to my logic door and make sure it was double bolted close. lol Other than that, it was entertaining. It’s not the best thing I’ve read but I could see the whole thing playing out in my head as I read. It could definitely be a comedy movie for streaming.


Thank you NetGalley and G.P. Putnam’s Sons for providing a copy for an honest review.

Michelle Gagnon's Killing Me is a suspenseful thriller with a bit of humor added in to make sure the story doesn't get too bogged down with darkness. The story begins in Johnson City, Tennessee with Amber Jamison being kidnapped by a serial killer. Amber, which isn't her real name, has a rather colorful past that she is trying to hide from. She's a con-artist who made a bad mistake which led to her arriving in Tennessee hoping to change her future. So, for Amber to be taken in broad light by the so called Pikachu Killer is just the perfect ending to a rather messed up life of mistakes.

Then the curious happens. After being shaved of all her hair, and painted blue, a woman wearing a mask shows up out of nowhere and saves her from becoming just another victim. Apparently, the woman was tracking the killer and arrived just in the nick of time to save Amber. Because Amber isn't as innocent as she seems, she has long history running cons--first with her parents and then on her own, until it ends in tragedy, Amber decides to pack her things and run away when an FBI agent comes sniffing around her door.

A short time later, Amber ends up in Las Vegas, drawn there by ads left on her windshield, where there has been 3 victims so far, and Amber hopes she didn't make the biggest mistake of her life. Upon arrival, Amber befriends a woman named Dot who is part of a group known as Fatal Femmes. They are citizen sleuths trying to solve a series of murders. When Amber receives a warning, along with an envelope with her name on it, it seems as though yet another serial killer has taken an interest in her. An interest that might collect the women who she quickly becomes friends with, including Grace Grimes whose father was a serial killer

Killing Me is propelled by the push-pull relationship between its two compelling female protagonists whose father was a serial killer. This story can be compared to Hustlers meets Killing Eve. Morally ambiguous women are more popular than ever, and readers will love the wary friendship at the center of the read. Strong characters, including our protagonist, Amber and vigilante, Grace, drive a distinctive and quirky plot. The chemistry slowly builds between these two women, making the book even better.

*Note* The overall story is interesting, and twisted, but it is time to walk away from authors who push personal feelings and politics into their stories.

The premise of this book is what drew me in- a thriller with a comedic edge? I had to see if the author could pull that off. Honestly, I didn’t really think so.

All the quirky humor happened in the first bit of the book and then fell off, which made the book feel a little disjointed. That was pretty disappointing to me because the first part really drew me in and had me excited for where the story would go.

I felt that the characters were one dimensional. I read this over the course of two days and on day two when I was finishing it up I couldn’t remember who one of the characters was AT ALL.

I really did not like the romance. It seemed like an afterthought and was I couldn’t for the life of me figure out why they were together. The fact that Marcella drugged Amber at one point and that didn’t end things on the spot is just not okay. I’m not sure if we were really supposed to root for them.

Overall, this wasn’t for me.

I received an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

From the very first sentence of Killing Me by Michelle Gagnon, I was laughing. This mystery thriller is highly entertaining and hilarious. I loved the over the top shenanigans of Amber, Grace and these characters of Las Vegas. Thanks to NetGalley, Penguin Random House/ G.P. Putnam’s Sons for the ARC.

This was fun and zany, and I enjoyed it. I would be interested in reading more if it became a series.

After surviving being kidnapped by a serial killer, Amber leaves Tennessee. When she arrives in Las Vegas, weird things start to happen and the person who rescued her shows up. Amber then realizes that she is in the hairs of another serial killer and needs to find a way to stay alive.
Opinion
Within the first few chapters, I was talking to my friends suggesting they buy this book. I was so captured by the plot that I literally cold not keep the story from flowing out of my mouth to anyone who would listen. Like any great book, this one has a great twist at the end that I did not see coming. This has the potential to become a book that I read again and again looking for clues that I missed.
This book is definitely going on my favorites list of 2023.
Many thanks to Net Galley and to Penguin Group for providing me with an ARC of this book.