I received an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher and this is my honest review. As a true crime lover, I knew this one would be a super fun and interesting read. I absolutely loved it. It had twists and turns and every weird thing I loved about true crime, while still having great character development and plot points. This was the first book I've read by Michelle Gagnon, but based on this, I'll be looking for others! If you're a true crime lover looking for a fun piece of fiction, this book is for you.

What a fun read! I really enjoyed this one! It had the right dose of humor and true crime to make it something really unique. The writing style made it a breeze to read.

Amber Jamison finds herself in the unfortunate situation of almost becoming the sixth victim of a serial killer. When she is saved by a mysterious woman the adventure really begins. Amber has a past that she is trying to outrun which sets her on a road trip across the country to get away from the FBI who is trying to track her down.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for the ARC!

Amber is street smart. That’s why she’s shocked when she ends up in the back of a serial killer’s van. When a woman frees her and then mysteriously disappears, Ambers life starts to get even odder.

There’s nothing to life the mood like a good, dark comedy. I loved the humor in this one. You don’t often get humor in a serial killer book, but this one is full of it. You will get a taste for it immediately. It starts with a bang and doesn’t let go until the end.

“Johnson City, Tennessee, wasn’t the kind of place where anything of significance ever happened and then - whammo! It was the hunting groups for a serial killer.”

Killing Me comes out 5/16.

Killing Me by Michelle Gagnon #twentysixthbookof2023 #arc

CW: serial killers, torture, kidnapping, death, murder, sex work, gaslighting

This is the story of Amber, who escapes a serial killer with the help of a mysterious stranger, but her troubles only get worse from there. Trying to outrun her past, she ends up in Vegas where she makes unlikely friends and plots to outwit, believe it or not, a second serial killer. What terrible luck!

Sounds dark, and it is, but it’s also fast paced and funny, and sort of light despite the subject matter. It felt like a romp to me. It was very plot driven, which I prefer to a lot of introspection. Very action packed and propulsive. This was right in my wheelhouse. I would gladly read more by this author.

Thank you to @netgalley and G.P. Putnam’s Sons @penguinrandomhouse for the advance copy. (Pub date 5/16/23)

This book is WILD and I mean that in a good way! I literally felt like I went on a wild chase by the time I finished this book.

Amber survives a serial killer (barely) just to be in the crosshairs of another! If that doesn’t draw you in, I don’t know what will. I was hooked from the beginning! This is a fast-paced thriller that just keeps you turning those pages.

This book was so full of twists and turns, it had me second guessing everything I thought was right! I never thought I would say a book about serial killers was fun but this one was unpredictable. It had you laughing one minute and then pulling at your heartstrings a few pages later.

I loved all the characters, they were quirky, sassy, and didn’t take crap from anyone. They were all very unique and they all carried their own flaws.

I honestly don’t think I’ve ever read a book like this before. I just need everyone to go pre-order it and read it once it’s out! I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

Thank you NetGalley and Putnam books for this digital ARC, in exchange for a honest review.

This was a first read for me by Michelle Gagnon. I was really impressed with her writing . Killing Me is perfect for when you need a big dose of quirky humor along with your thriller. This is great entertainment. No, it’s not at all believable. And the pacing is a tad uneven. But it’s still well thought out. I would definitely recommend this book.



Thank you NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons for allowing me to read this ARC in advance for my honest opinion.

I received this ARC from Netgalley and the publishers in exchange for an honest review. What a great book! I found it entertaining, humorous, action-packed, with plenty of twists to keep you reading. We meet Amber as a serial killer pushes her into a white van. She then wakes up in a room shackled down, naked, and painted blue. She knows that she is about to die when a masked stranger, the serial killer, releases Amber. Amber calls 911 anonymously, returns to her apartment, and continues on with her life. But that isn’t easy, especially when an FBI agent arrives at her apartment. Amber decides to pack up everything and leave because she has been in trouble before with the authorities. Amber lands in Las Vegas and books into a room, and then tries to start her life over again. Well, she finds out that another serial killer is after her, and then is when her life becomes weird. You will need to pick up a copy of Killing Me to find out what happens to Amber, and to the great friends that she meets, and how her life is changed because of it.

Thank you to #NetGalley, Penguin Group-Putnam Publishers and Michelle Gagnon for the opportunity to read an advance copy of KILLING ME, to be published 16 May 2023.

KILLING ME by Michelle Gagnon was a fabulously intense read with not one, but a couple of serial killers.
You are grabbed in the opening paragraph and the book won't let go until the final page!
Fast-paced with great writing, it's easy to get lost in the story and lose track of time. It's definitely not a traditional serial killer book though.
This story was unique, witty, and laugh out loud funny at moments. Strong characters. Amber and vigilante, Grace, drive a distinctive and quirky plot. The chemistry slowly builds between these two women, making the book even better. But my favorite character by far was hotel owner, Dot!

Great read overall highly recommend it!!!

What an unusual story. It pulled me in and didn't let go. I finished it quickly, All the characters Amber meets and the emotion behind them were heart-touching. Each character had a sad back story and a sweetness of their character. The main character Amber has a history of her own, one she wanted to forget. When Amber is kidnapped by a serial killer she needs to call on that past to survive. Jane is a self-driven hunter of serial killers, is a loner and is dedicated to her search. The dynamic between them is strange and fun.
I enjoyed the crazy tangle of this story and there was just enough humor to keep you from being scared or freaked out. I do recommend this book by Michelle Gagnon. Thank you, NetGalley and Penguin Group Putman for the opportunity to read and review this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the opportunity to read Killing Me by Michelle Gagnon in exchange for my honest review.

Killing Me is the story of Amber Jamison who escapes a serial killer only to get caught up with an even worse one.

Very intriguing premise if you ask me. Amber Jamison may not be who we think she is and she may be hiding some serious secrets about her past but does she deserve to be kidnapped and almost killed by a serial killer?

The story really begins when Amber escapes becoming the sixth victim of the Pikachu killer. Is it fate stepping in or just her lucky day? It would be interesting to ask Amber herself because shortly after narrowly escaping death she finds herself being followed across the country by a suspicious person who’s playing games with her. Her goal is to get as far away from the media and police talking about the serial killer so California is the obvious choice.

Amber was a tough character to care about at the beginning of the story, but I couldn’t pinpoint why. I saw some people mentioned a lot of comedy at the beginning which goes away as you get into the book. I didn’t find a lot of comedy overall, although there are comedic moments. It took me a while to really get into this story.

On the road to California, Amber stops in Vegas where she puts some old habits and skills to use, to earn cash. Along the way, Amber meets and makes friends with a variety of characters that, in my opinion, really brought the story to life. Amber, Marcella, and Dot make a great trio and then you have the addition of Grace, is she a friend or an enemy?

I found the story overall a bit predictable, but it does have a few twists and turns that suck you back in. It could be interesting to see if Gagnon could grow these characters into a series now that I know more about Amber, I’m interested in learning more.

Something to note for anyone looking for an LGBTQ character, Amber grew on me and I think could be a favorite for others. Overall I enjoyed the adventure and the chance to follow Amber through the rollercoaster.

Wow. This book is just wow. It starts off with a bang and completely lures you into the story. I was very invested in Amber’s story and what was happening. What I enjoyed the most about this book is that there were a lot of strong female characters. They are strong, smart, funny, and caring (shh, don’t tell them). Gagnon does a great job of keeping moments in the book lighthearted with the characters having a good sense of humor. This made the book fresh – like something that I had never read before. A little bit towards the middle it starts to drag, but towards the end it really picked up. There were a few twists throughout that really got me! And I was definitely fooled toward the end!! I know the author mentioned that this may be turned into a series. I would definitely read a follow up book to this one!

Funny, sarcastic and smart, Amber is not your typical serial killer victim. When she’s saved by a mysterious woman she’s not content to let things end, but goes in search of the killer. Helped by some unlikely, shall I say ‘interesting’ characters, this book was a fun spin on serial killer books. I hope there’s a sequel in the works!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy, I was happy to recommend it to my fellow mystery lovers at book club.

She gets kidnapped by a serial killer and has the best humor about it.

She ends up going on the lam after she escapes from a serial killer.

This book has major Thelma and Louise vibes.

There’s so many twists and turns it’ll leave you gasping!

I really enjoyed this book and had to rate it 5 stars! :)

Can you say that a book with a serial killer could be fun? If so, this would be the book. Our protagonist is unique, funny and smart and trying to hide a sordid past from the cops which isn't easy when you are the target of a serial killer - or two. The darkly comedic book is filled with twists and turns and you will be rooting for our MC while laughing at her antics. I really enjoyed this surprising thriller and will look for more books by this author. Thanks to Netgalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

This is described as a "laugh out loud thriller". Well, maybe not "out loud" but it is certainly entertaining. If you are looking for sarcastic humor with a bit of mystery, Killing Me is the book for you. It won't make my Top 5 for the year but it made for some good chuckles.

Wow! There were so many great aspects to this book. We have the sarcastic and savvy Amber that gathers a whole group of unexpected friends. The feel is more 'Ocean's 8' except to hunt down serial killers. I would have preferred more character development mixed with the snark, but after reading the authors note that she will see us in the sequel, I can see why she held off in certain areas.

Wow - what a uniquely original story! I’ve read a lot of books about con artists/grifters, but this was a favorite!

The beginning pages of Killing Me had me hooked. You instantly feel connected to Amber, and her commentary during her abduction is hilarious and really relatable.

Amber is abducted one day (not a spoiler, this happens on page 1!), and with some “help” escapes her would-be death by a serial killer - but not before being shaved and painted blue. She goes on the run, when her past threatens to catch up with the life she’s created for herself.

She heads to Vegas, the land of the easy score. She ends up connecting with some extremely likable characters. You can’t help but root for Amber here, as she refuses to be the target of yet another serial killer.

What a fun read. One of the most witty thrillers I’ve read (I would consider this a fluffy thriller, with a fun little twist at the end!)

I read this in 5 hours, and literally had a hard time walking away from it to feed my family 😅a must- read for this summer!!

Not your average serial killer thriller/mystery.

Just when Amber was about to become the next victim of a strange Pokémon loving serial killer, she finds herself saved by a young woman. However, this near brush with death sends her on the run from her past, to avoid prying questions from the police.

She finds herself in Vegas and quickly makes friends with a few locals before stumbling into the young woman, Grace, who saved her from being murdered.

From here things get weird, and Amber finds out Grace is a serial killer hunter with superb expertise because, hold up, her brother is one of the most infamous serial killers of all time! And he’s never been caught. Now Grace is afraid Amber will end up on her brothers hit list, so they team up to take him down!

Overall this book was unique. The ending was lackluster though and left me wanting more, especially with such an unexpected plot. I would recommend this to crime/mystery readers.

Thank you Netgalley for a copy in return for my review!

Such a refreshingly original, laugh out loud funny, cat and mouse, serial killer vs con artist thriller. I loved every second of this tables turned, feminist murder mystery that kept me on my toes the whole time. Great on audio narrated by (new to me) Jaime Lamchick. Many thanks to @prhaudio for the complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review! Highly recommended for fans of books like Never saw me coming or Killing Eve.

This was great. I needed a funny fast paced read after a few heavier ones. I loved the characters and the location. I loved the banter and it was funny and quirky. I would so love to see this as a movie. I will eagerly await a sequel. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy in exchange for an honest opinion.
4⭐️