Killing Me by Michelle Gagnon is a humorous take on a serial killer mystery, which may seem like an impossible feat but I assure you, this unique tale achieves it: This is a one of its’ kind mystery with a fascinating group of characters that provide a story of haphazard grace & grit against unimaginable odds.,

This book takes the reader on a messy adventure following Amber as she is evading,not one, but two serial killers on her path. Through her rollercoaster of a ride, she stumbles upon an eclectic band of allies that create a found family of sorts. Buckle up your seats because it’s a wild ride!

I loved the fact that the main characters all had very unique backgrounds chalked full of handing life’s most difficult challenges. There’s mistakes, mayhem, growth & healing. I loved that the cast of characters was delightfully imperfect, which made them feel very authentic to me!

This was a phenomenally unique mystery of mischief, mystery, murder & even humor-filled,l heartfelt moments.


Massive thanks to NetGalley & G.P. Putnam & Sons for the free arc, which I voluntarily read & reviewed.


Trigger Warnings: This book mentions &/or contains kidnapping, violence, murder, gun violence, drugs & addiction.

For a thrilling mystery about a woman who is immediately kidnapped by a serial killer, this story had me laughing from the first page. The main character's sarcasm and humor completely matches my own. The author did an amazing job in her writing, allowing the reader to fully integrate into the story. I found that I truly lost track of time while reading and laughed out loud so many times. The writing was awash with its creative plot, characters, and theme - losing oneself in the descriptions and actions was easy to do. The flow of the story had me so intregued while I was cheering on the characters in their quest for truth. I truly had no idea how it would end, which was a nice surprise. Such a fun twist on a murder mystery and I completely enjoyed every moment.

I highly recommend this, and wait with hope of a possible series. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book! I cannot wait to read more from this author.

I loved this book. It’s hilarious, thrilling and full of classic noir vibes. The Vegas setting is fantastic and adds to the atmosphere. I really appreciated Amber and her backstory. She was constantly making me laugh. This is a serial killer story done in such a unique way. I recommend it for those who love serial killer stories, female friendships and quirky characters.

I'll repeat what another reviewer wrote. "What did I just read?"

Full disclosure. I read mysteries. 95% cozy mysteries. When I requested "killing me" from netgalley, it was after I read the book blurb that it was a laugh out loud thriller. I knew it was not a cozy. I knew it was a thriller. I didn't know it would keep my on the edge of my seat anxious to know what happens and not miss any details by jumping ahead. The blurb said laugh out loud. I don't recall actually doing that while reading. But I did enjoy the sarcastic humor of the main character/ victim/heroine. Definitely a modern thriller that takes you from a woman trying to turn her life around for the better. Into the mind of the victim of a serial killer. To a family drama. A satisfying ending & standalone read. Loved all the characters .

I recommend this book for an exciting read of female heroism. Please be aware of triggers for kidnapping, abuse, murder, & sexual references. This is not meant to turn anyone away. I did not find it to be gory or overly explicit. But take the thriller murder part seriously. I'm going to pick up a comfort read for recovery. But thank you for the thrilling ride #netgalley #michellegagnon #putnamssons

This book was an adventure from the opening sentence where we find Amber being rescued from certain death by a serial killer. The novel unwinds through the trials and capers Amber undergoes as she attempts to escape her death and assist her savior in catching the real serial killer. Grace, the serial killers sister, begrudgingly works with Amber in setting a plan for catching her brother and stopping him from killing anyone else. This novel was a quick, energetic and spastic read that was engrossing.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC of this novel. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

This story revolves around a girl who narrowly escapes a kidnapping by a serial killer and then goes on the manhunt for another. Sounds like a thriller, but it’s a satire comedy.
Overall I liked the story but would have liked a bigger twist at the end.
Regardless, I’m thankful to Netgalley and Penguin Group Putnam for this advanced copy. So if you’re a fan of The Finlay Donovan series or Dial A For Aunties this would be up your alley and you should check it out when released May 16.

My Thoughts

I am like others before me that have read this particular brand of crazy mixed with seriousness, amazed at how quickly it addicted me to keep turning pages.

Not having read more than 1 book by the author since 2010 I was delighted to get invited by publisher to read this story and delighted again once I got into it!

For me this character Amber Jamison has got to be one of either the luckiest fictional people I have ever encountered or the unluckiest depending on one’s point of view.

The setup and plot twists kept me entertained from start to finish as did all the eclectic, and or eccentric characters themselves.

The story flew because could barely stop reading it.
[EArc from Netgalley]
On every book read as soon as it is done and written up for review it is posted on Goodreads and Netgalley, once released then posted on Amazon, Barnes and Nobles as well.

A pretty good book told in a unique way. Its worth reading for sure. An easy read with several moments where you wont want to put it down.

Extremely well written! I didn't want to put this book down it was so good. Definitely a must read!!

Thank you Netgalley and the wonderful publishers for giving me the opportunity to read and review this novel. I’ve read a bunch of thrillers before but this was so much different. I loved the concept of this story. The characters were written so well, they felt real. 5 stars for this masterpiece.

This book was a total surprise for me. Something intrigued me when I saw it on Netgalley. I'm so glad I was able to read this advance reader copy. What a ride! It grabbed me from the first page and never let go. I believe I read it in 24 hours. Filled with wonderful, quirky characters that you want to embrace in your own life. I mean, we all need friends like these! Use caution if you're squeamish- there are several brutal murders. I imagine there will be an LGBTQ+ label put on this at some point but I hope that doesn't narrow the potential readership. It read like the best of the suspense genre. That all aside, it is effing hilarious.

This is a different take on the captured by a serial killer theme, a humorous one. A sarcastic heroine, a former con artist, find herself captured and then sets out to protect herself and the group of women she cares about. The first part of the book was my favorite. As she set about trying to catch a second killer who was after her, it lost a little of the sparkle but was still a good fun read.

An author new to me with a ‘laugh out loud’ serial killer adult mystery. Incongruous as it seems, it works brilliantly. A distinct and original genre I didn’t know I needed.
I’ve always enjoyed books with actual chapter titles, not just numbers, and this one has some very catchy noir references. The story is surprisingly fresh and witty. The settings are scattered as we follow Amber (hint: not her name) from Tennessee to Vegas and LA. A serial killer has been at work for years, unknown and nonexistent to authorities. Only one person even knows what he’s doing, none of the murders have ever been connected, minimally investigated.
Amber is attempting to better herself, escape her unconventional upbringing when she’s kidnapped by the killer. Thus begins non-stop action, road trips, sleazy hotels, new friends, allies and one determined killer. The attempt to stop him involves outlandishly sophisticated traps, disguises and maneuvers. Some of the antics are over the top (this is fiction folks!), all are entertaining, edge of your seat tension.
Amber’s life has been one elaborate con game, but who’s fooling who now? There’s a whole new level of deception, secret pasts and bold lies here. There are a few romantic encounters, vivid scenes of purposeful infliction of pain and suffering, hysterical banter, snide silent monologues and lots of fun reading. My favorite character is hotel owner Dot, a persona to adore and remember. I haven’t enjoyed or laughed so much reading about a serial killer ... like ever! I can only hope the author doesn’t have to endure another pandemic to follow this up.
The advance reader copy of “Killing Me” by Michelle Gagnon, published by Penguin Random House, G.P. Putnam Son’s was provided to me by NetGalley. It is expected to be published May 16, 2023. These are all my own honest personal thoughts and opinions given voluntarily without compensation.

I started “Killing Me” by Michelle Gagnon around midnight and was still up at 3:30 AM before I finally decided that although this book was funny, engaging, and so enjoyable - that I’d better get a few hours sleep before re-engaging with this book. From the beginning with a serial killer nicknamed “the Pikachu Killer” and the fall out from that … then going cross-country and the fall out from that - this was a roller coaster of a ride. This book has a sarcastic main character, who cannot exactly be trusted (and she doesn’t trust others), but is entertaining as heck to read about. The secondary characters are also wonderful and everyone works well together (in some shape and form). And the twist near the end - perfection. I’m glad there’s going to be, per the author, a sequel - but this book is a great stand-alone. I cannot wait to pick up that upcoming sequel!

Killing Me was a super bizarre romp that completely departs from reality in so many ways, but yet sucks you in and keeps you turning pages well past your bedtime. I keep trying to formulate thoughts on it and... Guys this book is just so random, you really have to read it to understand. Amber is just a MESS. In fact, most of the characters are messy - and some of the most unique and quirky individuals you could dream up. And the romp to Vegas is just 100% on brand. Seriously. I can't explain this, but I loved it.

Killing Me is quite the thrilling, laugh-out-loud adventure. The main character Amber is a force to be reckoned with, and her journey from murder victim escapee to kind of a hero will have you on the edge of your seat. The mix of suspense, humor, and originality make this book stand out from the crowd. The supporting characters are just as captivating, from the mysterious savior to the seedy hotel staff, each character adds to the overall madness that is this wild ride. Overall, I highly recommend Killing Me for anyone looking for a thrilling, entertaining, and unforgettable journey. I can't wait to read more from Michelle Gagnon.

Thanks to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for this arc!

A playful, quippy, light read, Killing Me follows a young woman named Amber or Emily- depending on her I.D. -and a collection of newfound compatriots as she ducks serial killers and her convoluted past. There’s a manic, scattershot energy to the book, which is sometimes effective, and sometimes exhausting. Deus ex machinas and macguffins abound, but are fleshed out enough to avoid falling into the trap of being transparently so. Deb is one such character, who as a Las Vegas lifer, has accumulated seemingly endless goodwill from everyone who lives there, and can call in favors that test the bounds of credulity, but is also given some room to be more than just a literary device. Amber/Emily’s internal monologue and the book’s tone on the whole is pithy and self-aware, a generally satisfying blend of shop-worn and self-aware, though at times digressive. The book doesn’t dwell on any particular plot point or at times conflicting thematic observation for more than a moment lending it the distinct feeling of a sugar rush: satisfying in the moment, but at its core, mostly empty calories. I imagine this book providing wide ranges of satisfaction, depending the the reader’s tolerance for candy.

This is SO FUN. I mean, okay, it kicks off with our main character about to get murdered by a serial killer, but it was somehow lighthearted? Once she gets reluctantly rescued (not a spoiler) we head to the seediest side of Vegas to meet a cast of neon-colorful characters. Things ramp up when our protagonist is targeted by a NEW serial killer while she's busy scamming people, trying to make friends, and basically just trying to keep her head. All our main characters (even the murdery ones) are spunky, intelligent, intriguing, messy, and/or badass.

I had no idea I needed this book in my life. This dark comedy gets an easy five stars from me.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Just what I needed. This is a “fun” read about chasing a serial killer. I loved Amber’s humor and the dialogue. If you like Stephanie Plum you’ll love the ladies in Killing Me.

Multiple serial killers. Quirky characters. Twisty plot. This thriller kept my interest throughout, and the characters were weirdly intriguing. My biggest issue with this read was that there was almost too much going on–it seemed to be trying too hard to be different. Like it didn’t know exactly what it wanted to be. Sometimes light-hearted and funny and downright tragic at others. It was hard to know how to feel…and maybe that unsettling sense was what made it so engaging.

Recounting the plot sounds almost silly: the protagonist Amber is rescued from a serial killer at the last moment by a masked avenger only to be stalked by an entirely different serial killer for the rest of the book. Along the way, a cast of mostly endearing secondary characters help Amber stay alive through a series of often implausible events. The last twists and turns are largely foreseeable, but that doesn’t detract from the mostly exhilarating ride. At the end, I was left a bit breathless and, frankly, puzzled.

Thank you to Penguin Group Putnam and Netgalley for the ARC.