Killing Me was a unique thriller. It has the regular serial killer and small time sleuths but this one has something more. Gagnon has a sense of humor and spins a yarn that entertains and keeps you guessing, right down to that final question...who actually IS the serial killer? You've gotta read this one to find out! Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC.

"Killing Me" by Michelle Gagnon was a RIDE; but it was definitely a fun one! Our main character, Amber, escapes from a serial killer, only to find herself in the midst of a game of chase between another serial killer and the woman who rescued her. The characters are all very entertaining and even a bit heartwarming. I sped through this one because I could NOT put it down! I will definitely be recommending it to anyone who wants a good fiction book that's entertaining but not a romance.

Overall, I really liked this book. There’s found families, humor, excitement and suspense. But…it was in no possible way realistic. If that’s something you can get past, read away! If you need a book that is grounded in the real world, maybe this isn’t for you.

Amber was kidnapped by a serial killer, and believe it or not, that’s not the worst or weirdest thing that has happened to her lately. A mysterious woman showed up just in the nick of time to save her – or rather, to stop the serial killer, as the woman seems pretty indifferent towards Amber. After Amber’s escape she phones in an anonymous tip and tries to go back to life as normal – but soon the FBI is sniffing around wanting to ask her questions, and the last thing she wants is the feds digging into her extremely questionable past. So Amber goes on the run, landing in Vegas – and somehow, getting tangled up with another, even more dangerous serial killer, which puts her new friends (A sex worker and the wannabe-amateur-sleuth owner of a sleazy motel) in the crosshairs. Now, it’s up to Amber and the disagreeable vigilante who saved her life to take out a psychopathic mass murderer before he gets them first.

This book is hilarious - I loved Amber’s clever, humorous, and distinct narrative voice - but it’s also a hell of a thriller. There were some plot twists I didn’t see coming. All in all it’s a fun read (if you’re okay mixing fun and serial murder.)

Representation: Lesbian main character and other queer characters, POC characters

TW: classism and racism, and (obviously) torture and murder

Most of my reading fare is quite earnest, but every once in a while – when I’m in the right mood – I sit down for something a little snarky. I grew up in Florida reading Carl Hiaasen and Dave Barry, so crime and comedy have always seemed connected. So I was pretty excited to get a preview of Killing Me by Michelle Gagnon. (Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin for the gift copy!)
Killing Me promises a novel full of twists and turns and Plotting. The story literally opens with our protagonist, Amber, sitting in the back of a serial killer’s van, and it only amps up from there. Somehow (I’m trying not to spoil, at least this early) she ends up in Vegas, hunting down a dangerous criminal. Along the way, she befriends a variety of women who support her quest (with differing levels of enthusiasm). We’re promised a funny, fast-paced adventure – so what does Gagnon deliver?
Women helping women
Killing Me features a motley crew of women pitching in to take down a serial killer. We’ve got Amber, our wily con artist who narrowly escaped a serial killer at the start of the novel. There’s her savior – who turns out to be more prickly and complex than might be expected. And then there’s Dot and Jessie and Marcella, the ragtag group of motel workers and sex workers who Amber befriends in Las Vegas.
Each of these women brings their own sets of skills and stories and connections to the table. And, strikingly, each volunteers her support – they don’t need a deal or a bargain to help out another woman in need. Contrast this to more traditional ensemble casts, which often require some form of monetary remuneration. It’s not that there’s no money involved – but that each instance seems driven primarily by the goal of support, not wealth. The women in Killing Me can rely on each others’ goodwill to help them through tight situations. Out of the crew, I found Dot and Jessie the most intriguing – their strength lies in their soft skills and connections, not merely their intellect or hard power. It’s refreshing to see a spotlight on feminine power in a dark comedy context.
A question of identity
Killing Me uses these women and their complex backstories to explore the importance of identity – in self-understanding and in forging relationships with others. Each character has layers to unravel, which inform how much they can (and should) trust each other. I’ll avoid spoilers here, but not all the trust given is fully warranted. It’s nice to see Gagnon exploring this in a way that can have real consequences for characters, and it better fits the tone of the novel. (It would feel off, somehow, for the core message of a dark comedy to be “always trust random strangers”.)
It’s certainly an interesting topic, and one that goes under-explored. We’ve known through literal scientific research that women form social connections differently for a long time, so it’s nice to see it portrayed as positive here. (Amber’s asides throughout the novel referencing her psych degree seem to similarly explain intuition that many women develop to fit social norms.) It’s a stance that subtly champions the power of women, without drawing attention from the plot.
That said, I’m not sure Gagnon fully builds out her characters to the depth needed to support this theme. It actually felt a little strange even framing the theme as “identity” – because while we know what different characters can do (and to some extent, why), we know little else about them. This means that we learn a ton more about the “useful” characters (Dot, Jessie, Amber, the mysterious savior) than others. Marcella is particularly underserved for someone described as almost magnetic. We’re told she’s charming, but have no idea why, or how, people learn to like her. Even with Dot and Jessie – we learn enough to trust them, but not necessarily enough to understand them.
Thinking about comedy
Beyond these ideas of identity and trust, the story didn’t have a core theme. It’s not that I need my comedy to have a moral…But so much dark comedy has A Point (think Promising Young Woman or Parasite). The best comedy roots its humor in highlighting uncomfortable truths about society and really exploring its ramifications. By forcing characters to voice the strange norms we often take for granted, great comedy shines a light on the contradictory and even unfair elements of society.
But Killing Me isn’t really set up for level of introspection. Instead, Gagnon draws humor from surprise and absurdity. A serial killer who paints his victims like Pokémon, or the reflections of a motel owner on running a motel. By necessity, the humor drops off when the plot gets going. As things get personal, there’s no room to drop in surprising tone shifts. Instead, any laughs come from the sheer shock / surprise of violence or other plot elements. This isn’t inherently bad – it’s just not my flavor of humor preference. I like my humor with a side of thinking, and this just wasn’t it for me.
Reader’s notes & rating (⭐⭐⭐✨)
This is a bit different from my usual fare – darker and more tense, but with more moments of surprise. While reading, I found myself glued to the page – I really wanted to see what would happen next. But once I finished, I personally felt the story was a little shallow in parts that I, personally value – particularly the character relationships. Even if I don’t read it again, I would probably recommend it to someone else for what it is – a fast-paced read with a heap of absurdity thrown in. 3.5 stars.
Read this if…
You appreciate female-centric dark comedy
You enjoy stories featuring complex / orchestrated plans
You’re in the mood for the absurd / surprising
Skip this if…
You would be turned off by descriptions of kidnapping and / or violence
You like stories with clear-cut stances on their characters
You most often read books for deep characterization and character relationships
Killing Me will be published on May 16, 2023.

I was a little surprised how much I could be amused while reading the inner monologue of someone who’s been kidnapped by a serial killer. This story quickly pulled me in. I was itching to find out exactly who Amber was & how she ended up in her situation. As facts of her past slowly emerge, I really came to appreciate how honed her survival skills were. I couldn’t help rooting for her. Even if she played a little loose with the law. The characters Amber meets are bizarre & interesting, the coincidences keep piling up, & more questions are raised than answered. Who should she trust? The blurb isn’t kidding when it says things got worse after her escape. Even after it’s revealed who the killer is, I couldn’t imagine how they’d escape, let alone stop the murders. There are some great twists. What a ride!

Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read & review an advance copy of the book.

Killing Me by Michelle Gagnon grabs you on the first page and doesn't let go. The inner monologue when Amber finds herself kidnapped by a serial killer is so sassy and also totally relatable. Being rescued and then dumped by "ski mask" girl is just the start of the adventure in this almost all-female cast story. We get to learn about her background as the story progresses which explains her reactions to the situations she keeps finding herself in. Nonstop action and serious girl-power vibes keeps you reading to the end. I was so happy to read that Ms. Gagnon plans to write a sequel. I'm ready!
Thank you @netgalley for the eARC for my honest review.

Humor & serial killers (yes, that’s plural) are not two things I often see combined, but this book pulled it off well!
Short chapters
Snarky banter between Amber and “Ski Mask”
Colorful & lovely side characters, especially Dot
The only downside was Amber was a bit of an idiot lol
Don’t take this book seriously - it’s not that kind of story
If this gets a sequel, I’ll gladly read it

Thank you to @Netgalley and @Putnambooks for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

FOR NETGALLEY ONLY:
Posted to Instagram: April 18, 2023
Posted to Goodreads: April 21, 2023

🔪 REVIEW: Killing Me 🔪

SUMMARY: When Amber Jamison is rescued from the den of a serial killer by a masked vigilante, she assumes her troubles are over. But a conversation with the FBI prompts her to skip town, hole up at a seedy Las Vegas motel, and hide out from the unknown person who seems to be tailing her.

This book is BONKERS in the best possible way. The writing is great, the characters are interesting, and the hijinks are funny and wildly unpredictable.

It has the same murder + comedy energy as the Stephanie Plum series or Finlay Donovan is Killing It, but instead of your typical heterosexual lady turned crime solver, the main character is a queer former con artist in her early 20s just trying to make it out alive.

Also, the cast of characters is 90% female, and all I could think while reading it is @hellosunshine — Reese Witherspoon’s production company known for backing this type of thing — needs to GET ON IT. It has “all-star ensemble cast” written all over it.

This book comes out May 16, and all y’all are going to want it in your beach bag this summer.

Thank you to @netgalley @putnambooks and the author for an arc in exchange for an honest review!

⭐⭐⭐⭐.25

It sounds weird to say, but this serial killer thriller is at times laugh out loud funny. That’s due to the snappy sarcasm found throughout. There’s a cast of colorful characters, and some creepy ones, too. I’m wishfully hoping this could be the beginning of a series. Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy.

This story sucked me in immediately! Killing Me features a unique premise, hilarious main character, and compelling storyline. I never thought I would read a book featuring multiple serial killers and a team of vigilantes that would make me laugh out loud.

I received an advanced copy via Net Halley but I plan to purchase this to read it again!

4 stars!

KILLING ME begins with MC Amber, minutes after being abducted by a serial killer. Her inner monologue here is absolutely hilarious. While scared, she is PISSED. And man, is it entertaining.

After escaping The Pikachu Killer (you need to read the book to figure out why he's called that - I don't want to spoil it) with the help of an unknown female, Amber finds herself in the middle of the police investigation, which she simply can't have. She has spent the last several years running away from her past and she cannot afford to be caught now. So, off she runs again.

Amber ends up in Vegas, merely a pitstop on her way to California, but here she meets an incredible cast of characters that don't make her so eager to leave. But nothing good lasts forever, and she ends up intertwined with another serial killer who has been adding to his body count for years without the police even catching a whiff. Amber has no choice but to pair up with someone she 1. cannot trust and 2. cannot stand to stop him before anyone else dies.

Let the chaos begin.

This book was FUN. Right from the beginning I was cracking up while simultaneously intrigued. Gagnon found a way to weave humor into suspense, almost effortlessly. While I did absolutely love this amazing cat-and-mouse game, it wasn't my favorite part of the novel - it was the chemistry between Amber and her Vegas friends. Everything seemed so genuine, so authentic, and of course, so hilarious. I have my fingers crossed in hopes for a sequel where we can meet this wild crew again.

I've never read a book like this before and if you love a good mystery with a heavy dose of humor, this one is for you. If you set a cozy mystery in the wild land of Las Vegas, KILLING ME is what you get. Highly recommend this read!


Thank you so much to NetGalley & Penguin Group for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I can honestly say that I have never read a thriller quite like this one, and I still can’t decide if that’s a good or bad thing. This story follows Amber, a former con artist turned college student who is almost killed by a serial killer but is saved by a random woman. Soon after she leaves two and drives states away just to end up on ANOTHER serial killers radar who is connected to the strange savior woman. While staying in Vegas, amber becomes friends with a hotel owner and sex worker who somehow assist her with finding the second serial killer.

This book was chalked full of sarcasm, which I must say I enjoyed the banter between two of the main characters, and unbelievable events. There really wasn’t a twist aside from one or two things along the way, that were predictable or didn’t hold up. However, I went into this knowing it wouldn’t be a full blown thriller, but I was still skeptical after the first few chapters. The pacing seemed a bit off too.

Overall I didn’t hate the book, but I also didn’t love it, which is okay because it really just not be my style of writing! I’m still thankful to NetGalley and the authors team for allowing me early access in exchange for an honest review.

Killing Me by Michelle Gagnon had me on the edge of my seat till they very end. I did not want to put this book down at all, and when I did, I couldn’t stop thinking about the book, and what could possibly happen next. I truly loved this book, and I’m pretty sure this is my first five star rating for a book this year. Thank you so much to Michelle, for creating characters such as Amber, and Grace. I saw a little bit of myself in the both of them. Last thing before I finish this review, THAT ENDING!!

Book Title: Killing Me
Author: Michele Gagnon
Publisher: Penguin Group Putnam - GP Putman’s Sons
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Pub Date: May 16, 2023
My Rating: 3 Stars

I am a big psychological thriller fan but also like any mystery including stories for Middle Schoolers, YA S/Teen and actually love a good Cozy Mystery. So when I read the following blub for “Killing Me”. I thought it would be a fun read.
Utterly original and wildly entertaining, with a protagonist whose life is a total
mess, Killing Me is the laugh-out-loud funny thriller we never knew we needed.

Amber Jamison, our protagonist described as having a ‘life that is a total mess’ is a twenty-four year old street smart, con-artist running from her past. She is abducted by a man and wakes up in a basement naked, shaved, and painted blue ~ she realizes that she is the sixth and latest victim of the Pikachu serial killer.
Amber is saved by a mysterious person whom she named, "Ski Mask".
However she turns on her rescuer as the rescuer is someone who hunts down serial killers. When the FBI shows up trying to question Amber, she goes on the run again this time Vegas. But somehow is caught by another serial killer who has killed hundreds of his victims.
(Remember this is supposed to be a humorous story)
This story is entertaining However, I did not laugh out loud but did roll my eyes several time – - - does that count?
Later when I read ‘About the Author’ it described her latest adult novel as. . . .’ a neo-noir thriller about unlikely heroines who hunt serial killers’
Yikes! I don’t even know what that means!
I had to look it up. This is what I found - dark and usually contains more graphic depictions of violence and sexuality.
Anyone who knows me knows this probably wasn’t going to work for me.
I do know that there are plenty of readers who will love this story!!!

I always like to read the authors notes and/or acknowledgements. In this case, [ author: Michele Gagnon] tells us that the idea for the book came as she was mulling over the striking similarities between authors, therapists and con artists, in that they all earn a living off an ability to read people.
So she then decided to write a story about psych major/former grafter who was trapped in the back of a serials killer’s van.

I did like the titles of the chapters and know it took a lot more thought than Chapter One etc.
Okay I am laughing at that!

Want to thank NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam –GP Putnam’s Sons for this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for May 16, 2023

A former grifter finds herself the latest victim of a serial killer - until a mysterious woman shows up and saves her, which also has the unintended consequence of sending her on the lam and straight into the crosshairs of another serial killer she must outwit with only her smarts, a citizen detective motelier, an overly invested vigilante and a network of Vegas connections.

Doesn’t that sound like delicious fun? It is.

Like a sleeve of Thin Mints, this is the kind of story best consumed in one sitting, pausing for breath only when completely necessary.

Read if you like: Poker Face, laughing at serial killers, Vigilante Shit

we need a new genre: dark thriller comedy? Comedic Thriller? Dark ass comedy?

this was great. felt so incredibly fresh and new and not overdone like EVERY other thriller on the market!

Killing Me - a witty, fast-paced thriller that kept me on my toes!

Amber Jamison is the luckiest con artist there is - she escapes a serial killer with the help of a good samaritan in a ski mask. With her sense of safety and security compromised, and to avoid law enforcement, Amber follows the signs to start her life over again in Las Vegas. She befriends Dot, a noir-loving motel owner, and Marcella, a prostitute, who try to help her start her life over. The only issue - Amber's escape from the first serial killer landed her in the middle of a carefully planned deadly game by another one.

Although this book has dark elements, i.e., kidnapping, serial killers, murder, etc., this is the funniest thriller I've read so far. Gagnon made it very easy to get into Amber's mind. She's witty, quick on her feet, and although she's done some questionable things, she has a good heart. Amber was unapologetically herself from start to finish. I enjoyed getting into every character introduced. I felt like I was part of the Fatal Femmes and life in Vegas. I wanted to know more about who Dot knew and how, so I'm hoping there's a novella about Dot and her life.

I really enjoyed the interludes. They made me feel as if I was watching a TV show and seeing what everyone else was doing during the last part of the book. I haven't read a thriller that looped me into what else was happening, and it paid off well.

While I really enjoyed this book, I didn't love it. I loved the fast-paced nature, dialogue, and relationships, but I felt like I was waiting for a lot of things to happen. I loved the dialogue, but some parts weren't fleshed out or confused me about why it was included. I think Marcella should have had a bigger part, and towards the end of the book, I was really just annoyed she was there. I also don't feel like there was big character development for any of them, but what can you really do when you're in a situation like Amber's? I think I was expecting more from this book and was slightly let down, but I'd absolutely pick this book up again when I need a good laugh.

This was a fun read with truly likeable characters. It's been awhile since I've read something that had a whole cast of characters like this, and while the main character got on my nerves a bit, I didn't *not* like her. The supporting cast was my favorite, though, and I hope we see Dot in the future.

The story was great and pretty fast-paced. I enjoyed the little mind bend near the end where the author taunts you with some confusion.

Amber finds herself strapped to a table, about to become the latest victim of a ridiculous serial killer dressed in a leather apron and Pikachu mask. She's just resigned herself to this fate when a black-clad woman bursts in, wielding a cattle prod and murdering the murderer. What is going on?! Suddenly freed, Amber decides to avoid the police based on her history with them, taking off for Vegas when an FBI agent starts sniffing at her door. Somehow, Amber finds herself in the crosshairs of yet ANOTHER serial killer. Forming an unlilkey alliance with a sex worker, a seedy motel manager, a slightly-less-seedy motel manager, and a techie ice queen, Amber comes up with a wacky plot to take him down.

This book was SO FUN and I binged it in the car on a roadtrip, despite some pretty advanced nausea near the end. I just couldn't put it down! It's wacky and comical most of the time, despite dealing with some pretty heavy issues, and the pace is lightning fast. The characters are vivid as only Vegas characters can be, and I loved them all, Dot being a particular favorite.

Is the plot super realistic? No, and it works perfectly with the writing style. This isn't meant to be a gritty thriller, it's a sort of dark cozy mystery with a hefty dose of comedy. It's an excellent slump buster and was a breath of fresh air for me, having read several heavy reads before this. I absolutely loved it and highly recommend it!

Thank you to Michelle Gagnon, G.P. Putnam's Sons, and NetGalley for my advance digital copy.