3.5 stars, rounded up

This is a fun, unique book that kept me invested and entertained throughout.

College student Amber Jamison has been abducted by a serial killer. She has almost resigned herself to the fact that there's no way out of this situation when out of nowhere, a woman wearing a ski mask appears and kills her abductor. Against all odds, Amber is freed by this mystery woman and warned to keep silent about what happened. After a strange visit from a man claiming to be an FBI agent, Amber knows that she needs to disappear fast. 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. She heads to Las Vegas for new ID and to lay low, and discovers that the ski mask woman seems to be following her. Why?

This book definitely requires some suspension of disbelief, but overall it's such a wild ride that it's easy to do. Amber is a likable character and is surrounded by a cast of supporting characters that the reader can root for and hate if the situation calls for it. There's a large amount of sarcasm and humor, and the pacing is on point. The book never slows down so that the reader gets too bored. However there are times that the fast pacing is a detriment, because we never really get a good feel for the backstory leading to the whole ordeal.

That said, this is a fast, fun, snarky read that thoroughly entertains.

Completely wild book! Our MC is kidnapped and it looks like she will be assaulted and killed… but she’s not. A mysterious woman saves her, and is kinda rude about it. Our MC is on the run because she doesn’t want to be questioned by the FBI. This is just the very beginning!

This book is truly a wild ride, where you never know what to expect. You certainly will not see what is coming next!

Michelle Gagnon strikes just the right balance between quirky humor and creepy serial killer thriller in her new book, Killing Me. For it to work, the characters must be likable despite their quirks - at least for me. Gagnon gets it right with Amber. Her back story is perfectly rendered and makes her current situation make sense. My only complaint is the number of times Amber pukes - all.the.time. Enough already. It's so hard to balance thriller-level suspense with humor. Many authors try, and few succeed. I don't know how to describe that magic, but I know it when I read it.

The broader cast of characters (quite a few) in this novel is engaging and fun (except the serial killer, of course - they are total creepo). I read an ebook version and had to search names a few times to remind me who was who - but I often do that with books.

Most of the story takes place in Las Vegas, and Gagnon captures the seedy and opulent elements well. I enjoy novels with a strong sense of place, and Killing Me gets bonus points for making me feel that Las Vegas vibe.

If you enjoy funny thrillers, try Killing Me. Keep going if you connect with the story in the first few chapters. The tone and pace are consistent throughout, so you'll know fast if this one is for you or not.

I'm looking forward to the sequel (which the author sort of promises at the end of the book).

Thanks to NetGally for an electrinc ARC in exchanfe for a review.

The author Michelle Gagnon is a new author to me.I read the description and thought,"why not" I love serial killer books. Well hang on to your hats folks because this book turned out to be so much more than I expected.

Amber Jamison is abducted by a serial killer on her way to back to her apartment. The thrill ride begins there when she wakes up in the back of a van, tied up and berating herself for being "so stupid" like all the other girls who get killed by a serial killer. Soon she realizes that the Pikachu killer has her, but she ends up by getting rescued by an unknown vigilante. The story takes on a cat and mouse kind of plot where she is being pursued by another serial killer with her rescuer. Resorting to old school tactics with secrets of her own the adventure takes twists and turns with a comedic element that surprised but delighted me. An original take on a thriller genre that was just perfect for the broken heroin that I always seek.

Michelle Gagnon did an awesome job with an excellent plot and colorful characters that made me want to read more. I hope this author considers a sequel because I would so read it in a heartbeat. Kudos on an awesome read!I would highly recommend this book to anyone who like a lighthearted killer story with heart.
#NetGalley
#KillingME
#PenguinGroupPutnumBooks

Laugh out loud moments AND serial killers?? Yes, please!!

The girls are hilarious and witty and find themselves in many situations.

This book is fast paced and full of action so definitely do not skip this one!

Thank you NetGalley for a chance to read and review.

Amber Jamison, a "retired" con artist is about to become the latest victim of a serial killer. That is until she is rescued by a mysterious woman who disappears as quickly as she appeared to save Amber. Amber then goes on the run (with 2 months left of college) to avoid answering any questions about her shady past. She heads to Vegas where she befriends Dot, a noir-obsessed hotel manager, and Marcella, a hooker with a bit of a drug problem. Unfortunately, it seems like she narrowly escaped one serial killer for a more prolific one and Amber is caught up in a deadly game of cat and mouse. She stretches her old con artist muscles and pairs up w/ mysterious woman who saved her in order to survive.
OMG, was this ever amazing and so funny! And it seems this may be the start of a series. At least I'm hoping it is because I could not get enough of this book. Hated to put it down!

*Special thanks to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for this e-arc.*

Thank you Netgalley and Putnam for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

This book hooked me from the beginning, a woman who escaped a serial killer seconds from being murdered runs away without a scratch on her besides being painted blue and her head shaved. Before people could start asking questions she runs away to start over. Planning to go to California for a fresh start, Amber ends up in Vegas and somehow teams up with a mysterious woman, a hooker, and a hotel owner along with half the strip of Vegas to hunt another serial killer!

I honestly haven’t read anything like it. A thriller that is also a comedy? I was sucked in from the first chapter and it had a fast pace to it however, in the middle it started becoming more of a slow burn. It started off strong with the faced pace and there were twists you don’t see coming, and it is definitely a one of a kind story!

I think the Vegas Strip was a perfect setting for this story, it was unpredictable and brought the most unlikely people together. I felt that there were some spots it kind of dragged on, and there were some parts that didn’t really fit in and got away from the plot. But overall it was a quick read and it was enjoyable!

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced digital copy of this book.

It isn't bad enough that Amber Jamison has been kidnapped by a serial killer and is about to become his sixth victim. No, she gets rescued by a strange woman who accidentally kills the serial killer and then instructs Amber to disappear and not mention her to the police, if they should question her. Then the woman vanishes.

A few days later, the FBI want to talk to Amber, but she has a complicated past and can't face them, so she, too, vanishes. Then she starts getting text messages from her rescuer. And then things get REALLY weird.

She finally ends up in Las Vegas, where women have been being killed by a supposed serial killer, too. Is she living in some kind of alternate universe? Does she just attract serial killers?

With the help of some new-found friends, Amber and her mystery woman finally end the latest killer's spree.

You don't often find humor in thrillers but Michelle Gagnon gives us both! Amber should be the 6th victim of a serial killer but is saved by a mysterious woman instead. After fleeing to Las Vegas to hide from her past, she finds herself in harms way of yet another serial killer. Amber must fight to survive and Gagnon adds a twist at the end that I didn't see coming. Another book is on the way as well.

A fresh, quirky, fast-paced story with interesting, snarky, original characters; I was hooked from page one. Amber Jamison is abducted by a serial killer but saved "in the nick of time" by a mysterious young woman who then disappears, not wanting thanks or credit. When the FBI shows up looking for Amber, she is worried her dark past has caught up with her and she takes off across the country, ending up in Las Vegas, on the radar of another serial killer. Amber realizes she won't be safe until the killer is stopped and finds herself working with the mystery woman and a crew of unique Vegas women to bring him down. Great combination of humor and action, I couldn't put this book down.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Putnam for this advance reader copy - this one is due in stores in just a few days, this Tuesday 5/16!

Wait until you READ this opening - holy moly does this one start out strong and drag you in. If you’re a thriller lover like me, I look for a few elements - a few giant twists, a fast moving plot and a unique storyline. This one starts off really strong, but then does develop a bit more of a slow burn….despite that, I still found it enjoyable. This one doesn’t have any huge reveals, but when Amber, our main character, helps Grace figure out what’s going on with the killer, it’s a very unique reveal. I was going to land on three stars, but upgrading it because I can honestly say, this storyline was so different than anything I’ve ever read before. It was a lot of thrillers, but this one was super unique, and I did enjoy it! In the acknowledgements, the author mentions we’re getting a sequel! I’d definitely see that. This also does have some LGBTQA+ representation, which is always great to see in storylines.

Thank you again NetGalley and Putnam for this ARC - go pick a copy up this week!

24-year-old Amber Jamison just wants to put her past behind her. Live life on the straight and narrow, finish her final papers and earn that college degree, maybe even meet a nice girl and get that white picket fence.

Instead she wakes to find herself bound, completely shaved, and painted blue, the latest victim of the bizarre Pikachu Killer, a serial killer inspired by Pokémon Go. The child of grifters, someone who’s been working marks her entire life, she should have been smarter than this.

Lady Luck is on her side, however, when a mysterious masked woman arrives, killing the man and saving Amber, only to vanish into the night, leaving a bald and blue Amber behind with far more questions than answers.

In an attempt to avoid the FBI (giving a report of her run-in with Pikachu would only result in some unsavory details of her life coming to light), Amber makes a break for it — a postcard on her windshield (possibly left by the woman in the mask?) brings her to Las Vegas and she soon realizes she can’t outrun her past. At least not quite yet, and to make it out alive she’ll need every trick in her con playbook.

KILLING ME was an absolute blast!! It gave serious Finlay Donovan vibes and was truly a page-turner, the pace was out-of-this-world fast — before I knew it I was finished and what a shame that was! Thankfully there will be a sequel and when I tell you it’s not a want, it’s a NEED.

KILLING ME would make for a perfect poolside read, it’s wildly entertaining, legit funny, and features a fantastic cast of characters. Something about it hit all my buttons, checked every check, and I wholeheartedly loved it…as in, a it’s a serious contender for my Top Reads of the year list. It was *that* fun. This one comes out on Tuesday and trust me, you’ll want to run, not walk, to grab a copy!!

Killing Me by Michelle Gagnon is a quirky, fast-paced, comedy/thriller that includes cons, chaos, and a serial killer. This original novel has a cast of madcap characters that become an unexpected and odd assortment of alliances. Gagnon takes you through the Las Vegas Strip both the good and the ugly on a chase to catch a serial killer. Gagnon covers it all in an entertainingly conversational tone...serial killer, kidnapper, savior, victim, and unanticipated friendships.
#ThankyouNETGALLEYforthisgreatread! #ThrillerwithatwistofDramathatticcklesyourfunnybone!

When I started this book I immediately thought, "oh no, I've made a mistake". I hate books that slander small towns (and 60,000 isn't small. C'mon) and I loathe campy books that think they're funny but aren't. However, this one turned around pretty quickly and I devoured it in two days! I loved the way the layers were exposed and we learned more about Amber! I felt her unease at dipping into her old life, and yet, pride that she still had skills. After reading the acknowledgements, I'm really excited about the possibility of more storytime with Amber and Grace because I think they're such fascinating characters! The side characters are so unique and bring such entertainment to the story. Dot and Marcella helped to give us a glimpse into Vegas life and it's such a colorful setting to support this story. Fantastic!

I absolutely LOVED this book! It is the perfect blend of fun and intrigue and there are hilarious moments sprinkled throughout that caught me off guard. The characters are fascinating onions and each layer contains new qualities and back story. It's rare for a story to really trick me with its twist but I found myself questioning my ideas over and over again. If I had to compare it to another book, I would say a darker and twistier Finlay Donovan and that is a high compliment! I can't recommend this one enough!

This is not my cup of tea. I DNFed at around the 15% mark. The first chapter was gruesome and scarring but after that, it didn't make me wanna keep reading it.

Noir books and films never try to convince you there's going to be a happy ending. When the MC is a grifter who's just been rescued from the clutches of a serial killer and ends up in Vegas, you settle in for the ride.

Amber was born a grifter, but was trying to go straight after a disastrous con that left her girlfriend dead. She flees from Tennessee to Vegas after her rescue, forced to go back to her cons since she has no money.

In Vegas, luck is a lady - Amber falls in with her motel landlord, neighbor and sex worker, and, strangely enough, the mysterious woman who rescued her from the serial killer.

Tracking ANOTHER serial killer down while evading him, because after all, he's trying to kill Amber, the women are wicked smart, funny, and self-reliant.

This is the buddy book you've been waiting for!

4.4/5

4.5 ⭐️

Okay I knew I was going to love this book from the first chapter. I love a book that has me laughing out LOUD. Amber is absolutely HILARIOUS. I am her and she is me- OK? It’s the “fuck it” attitude and turning the wildest situations into something a tad bit lighter by cracking a joke. It’s a coping mechanism apparently

One of my biggest fears is getting kidnapped and ironically that is basically how the book starts. Since it wasn’t me getting kidnapped, it was easier on me to read 😂 but I just look how this book made me feel the entire time. Constant “omg” and gasps 😩

This book is about a motel owner, a con, a hooker, and half the town of Las Vegas (not literally) getting together to track down a serial killer. I mean… does it even get any better than that?

It really shook me up in the end when he was trying to flip the script on Grace though… I was like HOLD UP 😂 never the less,Michelle Gagnon did a fantastic job writing this book. It is my first novel by her and I do plan on adding her to my library.

A thriller and a comedy combined, this book feels a little like a YA novel covering adults. It started out SO strong, with the main character getting kidnapped by a serial killer and being rescued by a mysterious figure in a ski mask…. However the book failed to keep that high intensity throughout. Lots of good twists and turns but a lot of unnecessary Vegas stuff in between and side plots that make no sense. Unfortunately this one wasn’t for me, but I can see this being a great light summer thriller!

✨Book Review - Killing Me by Michelle Gagnon✨

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ STARS

Pub Date: May 16, 2023

REVIEW: Amber is a bit of a mess, but she’s entertaining and fun, chaos seems to follow her and I was all for it. The friendships Amber develops with a motel owner, a prostitute, and a computer whiz was a clever move because it was unexpected and I found it endearing.

Something I found really interesting was that the beginning of the book took place in Johnson City, TN and I know some people that live there! I immediately texted a friend saying the city was mentioned and it was just fun to read about it, even though the story quickly moved on to Vegas. Does it matter that I’ve never been there myself? Nope. But, it was a small connection I had.

If you are a Finlay Donovan fan, you might enjoy this one too. It gave me similar quirky, disorganized mayhem vibes. There was a bit of a lull in the middle, but otherwise it was a solid thriller!

SYNOPSIS: Raised by grifters and turned con artist herself, Amber is now going straight. That is until she gets kidnapped by the Pikachu Killer, only to escape one serial killer and then become a target of yet another serial killer. Determined to save her life and others, Amber teams up with some unlikely characters to take down one of the most prolific killers before they all are killed.

Thank you to NetGalley & Penguin Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.