A queer and feminist dark comedy about a serial killer and the girl that escaped him Turing the tables to hunt him down? Sign me up!

Amber thought she was a goner… strapped down to a table, completely shaved and painted to look like Pikachu, she’s pissed that she’s about to die despite her street smarts. But when a mysterious stranger saves her and then disappears she’s more confused than pissed off. With secrets of her own, she doesn’t stick around to get mixed up with the police, she heads to Vegas on a seemingly innocuous series of hints. Upon arrival, she’s struck with the sense she’s stumbled into something she shouldn’t have in the town that never sleeps…. with another serial killer on the loose, and the unexpected arrival of her strange savior, Amber falls in with a Motley Crue of sex workers, motel managers and all the people that make Vegas work, all trying to solve a string of murders and hunt a serial killer. Laugh-out-loud funny, razor sharp with plenty of twists this book is wholly original and entertaining.

3.5 stars. This is not your average murder mystery/thriller/serial killer type book. This was alot quirky, a little bit of dark comedy, and graphic at times. What I felt was missing from the book was more character development. I think if I was invested in the characters more, I would have enjoyed this more.

Killing Me is a funny, quirky thriller about a queer college student who gets kidnapped by a serial killer, freed by a vigilante, and runs into a motley cast of Las Vegas characters along the way. This was a fun, fast-paced read and I hope there's a sequel. Definitely recommend! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for this arc!

🎰 Thriller
🎰 Hunt for a Serial Killer
🎰 Humor
🎰 LGBTQ Rep

Amber finds herself kidnapped by a prolific serial killer but is able to escape with the aid of a mysterious woman she calls “Ski Mask.” She decides to abruptly leave her town before the police can learn about her past and she finds herself in Las Vegas. While in Sin City, she realizes a different serial killer is hunting her and she enlists the help of a bunch of ragtag Las Vegans and Ski Mask.

I actually really enjoyed this book! Amber somehow finds herself hunted by not one but two different serial killers in this book. Things get a little wild and weird from there and you can’t help but think she just has terrible luck! This book had some twists and turns that I definitely was not expecting and kept me hooked! The book moved pretty fast and I was engrossed in the plot the whole time. I loved all of the Las Vegas characters, and would honestly love a book from Dot and the rest of the Fatal Femmes! She just fascinated me!

Fantastic mystery romp as you follow the misadventures of Amber, a former con artist who just wants a chance at a second chance to have a “normal “ life. She goes from being kidnapped victim of the dreaded Pikachu killer even dealing with his having shaved her completely and painted her blue lol. Her rescuer is a mystery woman who really doesn’t care about her but through no fault of either woman’s they are now stuck with each other. The book is a fun read and it was a hard one to put down once I dove in. If you’re interested in noir, Vegas (where the story ends up), and chasing serial killers this book is a must read for you.

This was an absolute joy to read! The story was funny cleaver and full of badass women. This isn't your typical murder mystery/hunt it is so different from the normal perspectives and I loved it. I would recommend this to anyone who like cozy mysteries and powerful women.

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for the gifted copy. This book is out now and I suggest you run out and read it for yourself!

Killing Me is the story of Amber who is kidnapped by a serial killer and rescued by a serial killer hunter. This turns into a partnership to take a down another serial killer. Not only is Amber running from a serial killer but also from her past and finds friendship in the most unlikely places. This novel is thrilling, it keeps you guessing and took an interesting spin on the serial killer sub genre. It’s also full of heart and humor which makes the story feel less dark.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.

I voluntarily read an advanced copy of Killing Me by Michelle Gagnon. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for this ARC.

The opening chapter of this book was so unexpected, and it really sucked me into the story. Amber's journey then went in a different direction, and I am not sure I was as engaged as I was in that first chapter. All around, it was a unique story, and I would recommend it. I give Killing Me 3.5/5 stars.

Thanks to Penguin/Putnam and NetGalley for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This ... was an interesting read. Definitely not your run of the mill mystery, and not exactly "funny," but definitely fast-paced. Grown up child of somewhat untalented grifter parents, Amber is already on her first fake name when she is captured by a serial killer, and then saved by a badass blonde. Great start, but things begin to get crazy-silly-difficult to believe after that. I will forgive a book that is not realistic if the story is really good, but this was just OK.

After her salvation, Amber gets texts from the badass blonde and ends up in Las Vegas. There, she embarks on an ill-advised romance with a sex worker (seemingly just because she's hot and also lesbian?) and ends up embroiled in another serial killer mess, as the blonde is the sister of a SK who has been on a rampage since his teens (but never caught, ofc) and since blonde saved Amber, now Amber and her new Las Vegas friends (who would go to any length for her after just a week or two) are targets of the brother SK. Um, OK!

<spoiler>Add to that the fact that their dad was also a SK and the brother's murders follow a specific pattern, spelling out the names of flowers planted over where the dad buried his victims in the yard. Oh, except when he's revenge killing people who actually mean nothing/very little to his sister.</spoiler>

It's quite readable, and it wasn't a total waste of my time, but it needs a LOT more going on (or possibly less lol) to be a worthwhile read. 2.5 stars rounded up

The book is light and funny, with a great setup. It felt like more of a screenplay than a book. The characters did not have much depth and mostly served to move the story forward. I would have appreciated more chemistry between Amber and Grace in the Odd Couple tradition. But still it was a good summer beach read.

Fast paced, exciting mystery. I love mysteries and this book did not disappoint. Just when you think things are settled and safe — guess again - one more thing happens. This book will keep you looking over your shoulder.

What a unique thriller! I’ve never read a thriller that was both funny and gripping in the way this one was. After being saved from a serial killer, Amber is placed in danger by a different serial killer. She enlists help from the killer’s twin, a motel owner, and a sex worker.

Killing Me is a solid thriller mixed in with a good dose of quirky thriller. It's an enjoyable ride with a twist ending that caught me off guard.

Amber, as she is known, is in the grasp of a serial killer. When a stranger arrives and sets her free, she turns to the road and on the run. Amber has a past. Despite being the victim, she is on the run hoping her history doesn't catch up with her. She's smart, tenacious and cunning, but most of all she is a survivor. What I enjoyed the most about her is her observations, her reactions, and her morally grey outlook. When her run from the law eventually leads her to Vegas, she ends up on the track of the city's own serial killer.

Overall, this was wonderfully entertaining read. The characters are interesting, robust, and fun. The story is delightful and very enjoyable. Gagnon does an amazing job of blending humor and thrills. There is plenty of mystery and laughs, with a wonderful cast of characters worth rooting for.

I read this book in one sitting. It was entertaining and surprisingly light for a serial killer book.

I appreciate the chance to read this book! I love to read books I wouldn't normally gravitate toward and I actually enjoyed the plot of this one. I wasn't expecting a good friendship, spice, and comedy and it was much appreciated!

This cute cover and interesting synopsis had me intrigued. The story started odd, it's a little silly in the beginning for such a serious encounter. But I rolled with it and really liked the set up. The game set up and the connections had me wondering where the story would go next. I liked the Vegas setting and the planning and set up. The middle did hit a slow part and I struggled a bit but in the end, I'm glad I pulled through. I didn't find the story funny, per say, but I did find it light for a murder mystery with a serial killer. I liked the twists at the end and how it all concluded.

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book. This book was a great surprise. The storyline was dark but humourous at times. Compelling read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the honor of reading and reviewing this book. A fun, suspenseful and fast-paced thriller that surprised me. The characters are interesting and complicating and the story felt original. I enjoyed the writing and would recommend the book to friends.

Thank you NetGalley for recommending this book. I was skeptical but turns out it was a thoroughly good read, Serial kidnapping, friendship with a little heat & comedy relief thrown in. If I were going to imagine the underbelly of Las Vegas I'd say the author nailed it. I really like an epilogue so thanks for that too!

Delicious, dark, & funny. This story follows a former con turned turner psych major about to graduate when a serial killer abducts her. And it only gets crazier from there! Filled with fantastically funny characters, and a few twisted dark ones too, I loved this mystery set in Vegas with nods to noir, cinema, and a whole lot of queer hijinks. This was a treat! If you are looking for a funny, dark, queer, buddy trip of a book with nods to noir, cinema, Pikachu, and serial killers—this is for you! Can't wait for the next one!