This was a fun little serial killer book if there is such a thing! The MC reminds me of Stephanie Plum or Finlay Donovan except younger and likes pretty women! It's a quick read and made for a nice break from some longer deeper books.

Thank you, Net Galley, for this ARC!

This one wasn’t for me. But as a millennial I can really appreciate the humor involved but some of the themes were uncomfortable for me to continue with it.

Another ARC finished courtesy of Netgalley.

This was a great book and an easy read. There were quite a few storylines at play throughout and a few red herrings. I was convinced for about 70% of the book that the serial killer was someone else, so that's definitely a plus. It wasn't blatantly obvious who the culprit was.

The book will take you on a bit of a rollercoaster, starting off immediately with an abduction. You'll follow witty Amber, who has a rough past that still haunts her even when facing a serial killer (or 2). The book wraps up rather nicely with a happyish ending which isn't always the case with a murder mystery. The other alludes to a sequal in the acknowledgements which leaves me wondering if maybe just maybe one of the characters isn't what they seem.. 🤔

My only complaint: there was a lot of build up throughout the story that made me ready for the big twist and then it never came. I did get some verity vibes (iykyk) for a bit where I was thoroughly confused and had no idea which story was reality which is a compliment. 👏

Overall, 8.5/10.
Release date: May 16, 2023

Quirky and fun don’t usually go together with a serial killer, but in this book it does! A fast-paced book perfect to break you out of a book slump.

Killing Me by Michelle Gagnon

Amber Jamison can’t believe she’s about to become the latest victim of a serial killer. She’s savvy and street smart, so when she gets pushed into, of all things, a white windowless van, she is more angry than afraid. Things get even weirder when she’s miraculously saved by a mysterious woman . . . who promptly disappears. Who was she? And why is she hunting serial killers?

You’d think escaping one psychopath would be enough, but Amber’s problems are just beginning. Her close call has law enforcement circling a past she’s tried to outrun. She’s forced to flee across the country, ending up at a seedy motel in Las Vegas with a noir-obsessed manager and a sex worker as her unlikely companions . . . and danger right behind. She’s landed in the crosshairs of the world’s most prolific killer, caught up in a deadly game that’s been going on for years. To survive, she is forced to dust off her old playbook and partner with someone she can’t trust. The odds are against her, but sometimes you just have to roll the dice.

Out on May 16.

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. A cross between a psychological thriller and a cozy mystery with some laughs. Who expected a serial killer to be in Johnson City, TN? Not Amber, or whatever name she used for the moment. Since Amber had dealings with the law before, she decided to not report her abduction and this starts a cross-country escapade where more untrustworthy people become involved. 3/5 Stars. #NetGalley #PenguinGroup-Putnam #MichelleGagnon. #KillingMe

Amber Jamison is saved from being a serial killer’s latest victim by a mysterious woman who quickly disappears. Amber doesn’t want attention on her especially from the police, so she quickly leaves town. Amber ends up in Vegas and is quickly befriend by Marcela, a friendly sex worker, and Dot, a noir obsessed vigilante hotel manager. Somehow Amber ends up in the crosshairs of another serial killer. Amber’s erstwhile mysterious rescuer also turns up in Vegas on a new personal mission. Can Amber and her new pals catch the serial killer before becoming victims themselves?

Killing Me is fun read. I know it’s kind of weird to use the word fun to describe a book about a brutal serial killer, but it that’s the best way I can describe it. At times it’s absurdly funny, irreverent, tragic, and touching. I enjoyed the main characters especially Amber. She’s a smart, funny, sexy lgbt main character. The plot had enough twists and turns to keep me guessing and chucking. There’s something for everyone here- quirky characters, a lot of snark, a dash of romance, and an intriguing mystery. This book will appeal to fans Finlay Donovan and Stephanie Plum. It’s a great mix of murder, friendship, romance, and humor. Looking forward to more!

Thank you to putnambooks and NetGalley for the digital review copy. Killing Me publishes on May 16th.

Do you want to read an offbeat story between a cozy mystery and your typical mystery/thriller, with a dash of humor and craziness? This may be your book.

Amber Jamison knows there’s a serial killer terrorizing Johnson City, Tennessee, but she never expects to end up in his clutches. So when she wakes up in his basement naked, shaved head, and painted blue, there is no doubt she is being held hostage by the serial killer who paints his victims to look like Pokémon characters.

But who would have guessed that a woman wearing a ski mask and carrying a cattle prod would come to her rescue?

And off we go into a wild story of escaping the serial killer and dealing with the masked, cattle-prod-carrying lady. But going to the police isn’t possible since Amber has a past she’s hiding from.

Thus begins a chase of cat and mouse across the country.

If you’re ready for quirky humor and an original, off-beat story, this is likely something you’ll enjoy. For me, it was enjoyable, but I had some concerns.

My Concerns

I wasn’t sure where this writing style was going since it didn’t feel consistent. It was somewhat funny, then not. A cozy mystery, yet gruesome in places. The MC was very limited in expressing her emotions.

And for a person who can’t usually guess endings, this one was fairly predictable, yet a twist did occur

Final Thoughts

If you like the Finlay Donovan series, this will be a book you’ll want to take a look at. If Finlay’s not your cuppa tea, it’s unlikely this will work for you. However, Killing Me is an unusual mix, so you still might want to give it a try.

On the positive side, I love the book cover and the fact that the first chapter quickly wrapped me up in the story. Though the writing lacked a little, if you’re looking for a fast, somewhat light read, you might want to pick this book up.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ability to read an ARC of this book.

If you remember reading the first Stephanie Plum book, you'll remember how her character was just so crazy, down to earth and totally relatable, that you laughed yourself through the whole book, then this is your new read!

Amber may have some issues, but like Stephanie, she's a character that quickly warms her way into your heart, and you're reading just to see what the adventure lies ahead for her. The savvy reader will have an idea what may be going on, but not really. The author has enough red herrings, that you could think a battleship in! And that's a good thing! Because it keeps the reader on their toes and rapidly turning pages. I started reading this book intending to read three chapters, but at 3:00 a.m. I finished reading the whole book, cause I just couldn't stop!! And then I wondered when the next book in the series would come out! Although technically the book winds up its tale, you can see many adventures ahead for Amber, and you just want to keep reading them. Do not miss this one!

“Killing Me” by Michelle Gagnon was an action packed story that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
Amber is rescued from a situation that she finds herself in. Grace is the one that has rescued her. This one act binds these two together although they don’t know why. As Amber tries to find new footing trouble ensues which brings Grace back into her life. These two will need to work together to save them both.
Highly recommend to anyone that likes a good thriller.

This book is a bit weird and a bit funny! Escaping a serial killer, only to be chased by a serial killer / across the country, but mostly in Las Vegas. Along with a ragtag group of Vegas characters our protagonist fights and runs for her life - and the life of her newly made friends. A story of the underdogs, friendship, and unbelievable luck - I flew through this book!
Spoiler
I fell for the twist at the end, as did our protagonist - maybe I’m just gullible!
I really enjoyed this read - it was easy, fast, and entertaining.

This is one of the twistiest, most unexpected books I've read in quite a while. Out FMC, Amber, is not what she seems...and neither is anyone else she encounters. With the vivid backdrop of Las Vegas and an entire cast of unpredictable characters, Killing Me was a fun ride from start to finish.

Thank you to Penguin Group, Michelle Gagnon, and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was a super fast read. Even tough the storyline is gruesome, it was funny. The narrator was believable as were the other characters. I would highly recommend this book if you like thrillers.

I really wanted to like this one! The premise is so good and the marketing description made me want to pick it up right away. For a book described as a “laugh-out-loud thriller” I did not laugh as much as I expected. There were absolutely funny moments and a few times I laughed out loud, but it wasn’t enough for me to agree with how much that was highlighted in the book promotion.

The main character, Amber, is fun and messy. Being in her head as she gets nabbed by a serial killer was entertaining instead of scary. The story is kind of like a caper with some hijinks thrown in so it’s a bit far-fetched and unbelievable. On the flip side it’s also unputdownable. I had to know how this book would end.

Amber finds unlikely family while she’s on the run from her past and more danger after her narrow escape from a serial killer. The many female characters she encounters along the way were strong and flawed which are the best kind. The found family element was a strong plot point that I really enjoyed.

There are a few twists I didn’t see coming, and the author managed to make me rethink what I thought I knew about a few characters only to spin me right back to where I was before in a way that was very clever. The dark humor that is threaded throughout was a highlight, but overall, this book didn’t live up to the hype for me. I do recommend it to those who like a thriller with an unusual side of fun and humor to balance the danger and violence. The cover is great and I'm glad I gave this one a try.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam/ G.P. Putnam’s Sons for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Who knew that reading a book about a serial killer could be so FUN? Killing Me is a refreshing twist on the serious thrillers out there. Amber is a flawed and funny con artist who suddenly gets swept up in terrifying life-threatening scenarios. Her journey became especially interesting when she made it to Vegas. Plus, her newfound friend Dot was so fabulous that I want her to have a book of her own (and I wanted her wardrobe.) I happily didn’t pick up on any of the twists and just enjoyed the ride. Quirky and campy but not preciously so. All of the characters hold true to themselves and really step up in the face of danger. Highly recommend! It will absolutely be a super fun summer read.
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Penguin Group Putnam, and the author for the opportunity to provide an honest review for this ARC.

YAY!!! This book was so fun and original and I am totally hoping that the author is considering a sequel! In the meantime, I'll have to check out her backlist because sadly for me, I have yet to read any of this wonderfully creative author's books.

Amber, the MC, was born into a life with grifters for parents and lived accordingly, until she was involved in an incident that basically guilted her straight. She left that life behind and was well on her way to a normal life until some psycho tried to kill her.

Lucky for Amber, a woman had been tracking him and interupted before any permanent damage was done. Unlucky for Amber, she can't afford to be questioned by the police and thus, her adventure begins.

This was such a well rounded book. The characters were loveable; I was especially fond of Los Vegas native and motel owner, Dot. The plot was fast-paced. And there was laugh out loud humor. What more can a girl ask for (besides a sequel) ?

There was one moody character that I wished would lighten up a little bit, but considering her background and high-stess lifestyle, I do understand why she wasn't Suzy Sunshine. Maybe if there was a book two, she would come to love the merry band of misfits that she came to know in Book 1 as much as I do.

Did I already say I'm craving a sequel? Well, it was worth saying twice.. or 3 or 4 times.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Michelle Gagnon and G.P. Putnam's Sons (Penguin Random House) for the advanced readers copy! Review to be posted on Goodreads, Bookstagram, Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Wow, this was such a fun book! It was a thriller that doesn't take itself too seriously. The main character escapes from a serial killer with the help of a stranger, and that starts an adventure full of fun characters and a few twists. I loved the irreverent writing style and personality of the main character. I'd highly recommend this book!

What a ride! Amber survives a serial killer and then things start to get weird. Amber decides to leave Tennessee and head out to Vegas where her life does not get any better. What’s not to love about this book? Yes, it’s about a woman surviving a serial killer but it has comedy and characters you can’t help loving!

Amber almost died. Hold that thought. She almost got straight up murdered by a serial killer. On the slab, a mysterious woman saves her, and Amber goes back to her seemingly normal life. But when the police want her in for questioning, Amber freaks and bolts because she’s got a record herself. She soon finds out, though, that there isn’t just one person who wants her dead.

This book was a wild goose chase, I tell you. The raw wacky adventures that Amber gets herself is reminiscent of film noir, and it somehow works. (In the acknowledgements that’s exactly what Gagnon said she was going for.) I will say that there were times that my eyes rolled so far back into my head, and several times where I was literally saying “WTF.” But this book also made me laugh (a lot - no small feat I tell you).

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC. I enjoyed this book.

What are the chances of being rescued in the nick of time from the clutches of a serial killer only to be stalked across country by another psychotic killer? Amber Jamison, a street wise con-artist, cannot believe that she let herself be abducted by a serial killer. Then, before she is killed, she is rescued by a mysterious woman who claims she is hunting a serial killer, just not the one that almost killed Amber. Unfortunately, Amber soon finds out that she is being stalked by another killer. Is it the one the mysterious woman is hunting? What follows is a madcap, fast-paced thriller, full of quirky supporting characters, set in Las Vegas, the quirky capital of the U.S. With equal parts humor and horror, Michelle Gagnon has written a very entertaining story with an engaging, if somewhat flawed protagonist. This book made me think of what would happen if Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum met Jeff Lindsay’s Dexter Morgan. I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher, Penguin Group Putnam, for providing me with an advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Amber was born to drifter parents and she’s finally (almost) getting her life together. Except then she’s kidnapped by the Pikachu killer, saved by a random lady with a cattle prod, and then skips town when FBI agent Cabot starts sniffing around her apartment. All in all, starting a new life isn’t easy and definitely not what she was expecting to have to do again. What better place though to start a new life, or at least lay the groundwork for one than Las Vegas, Nevada?

As Amber finally takes time to take in what’s happened to her in the past few days, the woman who saved her life starts sending her cryptic messages. When that woman ends up half dead in front of her hotel room, Amber realizes she maybe in more danger than she originally thought.

Character wise, I loved the characters in this book. Amber is street smart, witty, and overall, a likable character that even has some self-awareness of her current predicament. Meaning, she knows what’s going on is crazy, and isn’t afraid to mention that to the reader. Our supporting cast of characters is fabulous. Marcella and Dot are completely engaging, and I love how they end up taking care of Amber. Grace is a little prickly, but she has her appeal.

The pacing of the story is really what took this down to 3 stars for me. I felt there were a few areas that dragged on and make this 322-page story feel longer than it was. But the sass and banter between the characters, the absurdness of the situation, and the writing still make this a fun read.

I went in expecting Finlay Donovan vibes, and while I got those, it was darker and not quite as funny as I anticipated. Filled with plenty of sarcasm and definitely a unique take on the serial killer theme, this was a fairly enjoyable read. Was the ending a bit predictable? Yes. Was it perfect? No. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4. It’s a fun read and I’d definitely read more from Gagnon in the future.


Killing Me comes out May 16, 2023. Huge thank you to G.P. Putnam’s Sons for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion. If you liked this review please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my instagram @speakingof.books.