Member Reviews

I Kill Killers is just what I needed to read to kick off Spooktober!

The story is compulsively readable. It’s fast-paced and easy to read, but not at the expense of tension and setting the scene. The book is a little gory in the very beginning, but after that scene the author tones it down and the book becomes a thriller, not a horror. That said, the book is on the dark side–as any book about a serial killer would be!


I absolutely love books about female serial killers, and this book is told primarily from two points of view–one of them being that of a female serial killer! Just like Dexter Morgan in the titular TV show (and just like the title of the book tells you haha), she kills killers. Her scenes are told in first person POV, and we also get the third-person POV of Agent Liam Richter, an FBI agent who notices something off about his latest crime scene…

The first person POV of a serial killer can be hard to pull off, but Ashman does it well with Leah Nachtnebel. Our killer isn’t exactly relatable, but she’s a compelling protagonist, and it’s quite interesting to follow her journey, and to figure out what makes her tick and why she does what she does. Her backstory isn’t entirely fleshed out in this book–but that’s what sequels are for!

This novel reminds me a lot of one of my all-time favourite book series – the Mindf*ck series by S. T. Abby–except it’s a thriller with romantic elements, instead of a dark romance with a thriller backbone. If you enjoyed that other wildly popular series (it’s been trending on TikTok again recently), you definitely have to check out this one!

This is the first in a series, and while it wraps up the core plotline (arguably it could be a standalone if you don’t read the epilogue!), I’m beyond excited to read the next one.

I recommend this book to those who enjoy a cat-and-mouse style investigation involving a serial killer, like the TV show Hannibal or the Dexter book/TV series.

Was this review helpful?

Oh my this book!
I do enjoy me a good killer book, and this is no let down!
From the start it pulled me in and I couldn't stop reading.
Follows a killer of killers as twists unfold around her.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to the publisher for my copy, all opinions are my own.

This book absolutely shocked me with how much I loved it, and I have most definitely found one of my top thriller reads of the year here.

Give me a plot about a killer who targets deranged killers any day. I love the morally grey area of the story and the characters in this one are SO intense, so interesting, dynamic, manipulative, intelligent and flawed that you cannot help but be fully drawn into the cat and mouse game being played. You never think you are going to be rooting for a killer to get away with killing, but HERE WE ARE.

The pacing is spot on, the horror and gore is just gruesome enough, the serial killers being hunted down are just dark enough to be terrifying. Truly the pieces to this one fall so wonderfully into place together that I devoured this entire book on a flight home one day, and then I spent the next week thinking about it again and again.

No hints of spoilers in this one, you really should go in completely blind and enjoy this ride. But I will say that I CANNOT WAIT to see if there is a sequel here (and lord I hope there is!!), and I have my fingers crossed for an on-screen adaptation because I would watch the hell out of this show.

A MUST MUST MUST for thriller lovers, mystery lovers and anyone who enjoys a good serial killer book.

Was this review helpful?

Loved this book! Anything to do with vigilante killers of BAD people who have done BAD things is a must for me!!! Throw in a female character who is really classy, famous and darkly quirky and its even better!! Although there is some pretty dark and gory scenes, there is something about the storyline that draws you into liking the characters and desperate to read just what they will do next. There is also something about the relationship between Leah and Agent Richter, which leaves you hoping there will be a sequel to learn how this might develop. It certainly seems like there is a potential for this to be the case. There is something about this book which leaves you wanting more and yet very satisfied!!! A fab debut and I look forward to more from this author!!!

Was this review helpful?

I Kill Killers by S.T. Ashman is a book I would request for our library to purchase. The book was wrote in such a way that it read like a fiction book. The story keeps you on the edge of your seat and waiting to see what happens next.

Was this review helpful?

4.5 stars

I Kill Killers by S.T. Ashman is a psychological thriller, and the first in a series.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Ashman Books and of course the author (who may be the same person as the publisher), for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.


My Synopsis:    (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Leah Nachtnebel is a world-renowned concert pianist.  On the side, Leah kills monsters.  Serial killers do not deserve to live, and Leah is good at taking care of them.

Special Agent Liam Richter is from the FBI Behavioural Science Unit, and most of his job involves tracking down monsters.  He prefers to lock them up. 

When Greg Harris's mutilated corpse is found in the woods, things don't add up, and Liam starts investigating.  It looks like a drug deal gone wrong.  A lady in red was seen leaving the scene and disappearing inside the Boston Symphony Hall.   Liam is hot on the trail, but when he starts wondering about Leah's involvement, his boss calls him off.

But Liam is determined to get some answers.



My Opinions:
For a debut novel, this was wonderful!  It had the right mix of mystery, thrill, and violence to keep me turning those pages.  I loved Leah, and cheered her on. Okay, not everyone cheers for killers, but this one had a certain appeal.

The book is told from different perspectives, and this worked really well to see the thought processes of the different characters.

The book is basically about good vs evil, and the different ways that evil can be fought. Heads up, that there is a bit of sex, a bit of violence and some gore, but nothing that bothered me (but then, it takes a lot to bother me).

The characters were all quite intriguing, and no matter which side of the fight they were on, each had merit (although Cowboy's merit was hard to find).

The plot really made me think, and the twists were marvelous.  It was a really fast and entertaining read, and it wasn't until the end that I realized that there would be a second book.  I truly cannot wait!

Was this review helpful?

The story kicks off with a gruesome murder, and an FBI agent refuses to let it go, suspecting it's linked to a serial killer. The twist? The prime suspect is a famous pianist who might be a serial killer herself.

This book keeps you hooked from start to finish with short, punchy chapters and mind-bending twists. Leah, the anti-hero vigilante, is a standout character, adding depth to the story. It's not your run-of-the-mill thriller, offering a fresh take on crime-solving. While you might guess some plot twists, the ending sets up the potential for an exciting sequel.

Was this review helpful?

I requested this one because the description reminded me so much of the mindf*ck series, I just had to find out. I think if you are a fan of that series you will enjoy this one too, but it is definitely alot different. There were a bunch of twists and turns that I enjoyed but no romance. I had so many questions about the end so I hope we get another book!

Was this review helpful?

While this book was bingeable and tense and I finished it, I did have a lot of issues with it.

Firstly with Leah. In the very beginning of the book it is mentioned that she has autism and severe alexithymia which makes it hard for her to recognize emotions, HOWEVER it was mentioned in the beginning and then not again in the book. I do not know a lot about autism as I know no one with autism so I was really expecting to learn something so I could related to Leah and understand her and that didn’t happen at all.

Liam was written way too perfectly. The man needs a flaw. He’s the perfect father, the divorce isn’t his fault, he’s the white knight of the FBI etc. he needs a flaw.

Even though the book is about Leah, Liam’s view ended up being a bigger part of the book was I was expecting the FBI procedural to be better. As someone who loves police procedurals whether it’s book or tv shows, I was left wanting more out of that. If you are someone who is very new to the genre, you would probably still like it.

Was this review helpful?

Holy debut novel! This was such a memorable book that will stay with me forever, mostly because it had everything a thriller lover loves but can never find. The writing and creepiness reminded me of authors like Karin Slaughter or Sam Holland.

A man is found dead with tape wrapped around his head and a tree to keep his face from falling apart. His mouth has been drilled to pieces with heroin needles strewn around the crime scene making his murder look like a drug deal gone wrong, but something doesn’t add up. The way this man was killed almost mimics the murder of a young woman in another state.

When evidence comes back that the man was a serial killer who filmed himself murdering young women, the case is closed because justice was served, but one determined FBI agent wants to nail the killer that’s responsible.

The FBI agent has exhausted all leads, except one. His evidence points towards The Great Symphony Hall where a genius pianist may be living a secret life. Could she be a serial killer that hunts down other serial killers?

I will read anything S.T. Ashman writes and I can’t wait for volume 2 of I Kill Killers to come out next year!

Was this review helpful?

This book was perfection!! A Morally grey and strong female character make for an incredible story. I could not put it down and need the sequel right this moment! We all have those moments where we question what is wrong and what is right but this book takes it to a whole new level and I find myself rooting for the “villain” page after page. This is definitely a new 5 star favorite!

Was this review helpful?

I haven’t been this excited by a female serial killer since the Mindf*ck series! Leah is a world renowned pianist who’s concerts are sold out two years in advance. But she has a dark side…hunting monsters who prey on the innocent and making the world safe again in her own way, on her own terms. She’s like Batman! Agent Richtner is an FBI agent tasked with bringing the most heinous serial killers to justice and he takes his oath seriously. These two have the same agenda but very different codes of ethics and their worlds will collide. But who will survive in the end? This was so smartly written, tightly plotted with characters that jumped off the page. I cannot wait to read this author’s next book! Thank you Netgalley, Ashman Books and the author for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. This book will be available for purchase on October 10, 2023

Was this review helpful?

Thanks to Netgalley and Ashman Books for this Arc in exchange for my honest review.

Wow! This book was right up my alley. If you're a fan of serial killer thrillers, this is the book for you. The story stars Leah, a gifted pianist who is also very famous and wealthy - and a serial killer. This book had me hooked from the beginning and there was never a dull moment. It has short chapters, which I love. The reveals and twists blew my mind.

I am totally stunned after finishing this outstanding debut book by author S.T. Ashman. This is another five-star review for me this year so far, and I can't wait for the release of Book 2 in September 2024.

Was this review helpful?

Oh my gods.
This book yall.
FREAKING READ IT.
I was glued to this book! It's freaking amazing. It gives slight mindf*ck book vibes and I'm so here for it. That ending though 😭💔 why. Just why do you have to go and do that to me. I'm so sad it's over and the release date for book two is set for September of 2024, I can not wait that long. I already feel a huge book hangover coming on after finishing this. All I can say is if the blurb is your vibe, read it asap.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and S.T. for allowing me to arc read for you. It was a wild ride and I loved every second. ❤️

My review is also posted on storygraph, goodreads, books a million, and barnes and noble. It will be posted to Amazon on release day.

Was this review helpful?

I'm sorry but I'm not the right audience for this. I'm DNFing early because it's very graphic and gruesome. I thought it was a crime thriller but not leaning on horror and graphic. I do apologise and thank you so much for the opportunity to read and review this book. I won't leave a review on my socials as it wouldn't be fair.

Was this review helpful?

As others have said, wow! This book is gripping from the start. An anti-hero vigilante crosses paths with a morally obsessed FBI Agent intent on doing what's right while investigating the most gruesome crime scene to date. While evidence and his superior discouraged further investigating, Agent Richter couldn't let the case go, despite a horrible serial killer now off the streets.
This book was fast-paced and delivered on the shocking twists. The ending left me baffled and hoping there will be a sequel.

Thank you NetGalley and Ashman Books for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC. It was a phenomenal read.

Was this review helpful?

Kill Killers is going down as one of my FAVE reads of 2023!

🩸Serial killer huntress
🩸Dual POVs with an FBI agent
🩸Jaw-dropping moments
🩸Cliffhanger
🩸First sentence HOOKS you

When I saw the cover, blurb, and name of this book I knew I immediately had to read it.

This has jaw-dropping moments, characters you love (and some you love to hate), and an ending that had me RUNNING to find an update for book 2!

This goes back and forth between a 1st person pov, Leah, and a 3rd person pov, Liam and it was written so well! I loved the different POV’s and how they intertwined.

There was a bit of spice that felt random and unnecessary that I would’ve preferred not be included, but I’m wondering if why that was added will make more sense in the second book. However, I loved this book so much, I couldn’t dock it any stars for that.

HIGHLY recommend this one, y’all!

Was this review helpful?

Wow!! This is the best thriller I’ve ever read! This was such an interesting plot with interesting characters and the banter was amazing! Wow I really don’t have a bad thing to say! Thank you for allowing me to read this incredibly well written novel!

Was this review helpful?

When a genius pianist turned hunter of serial killers finds herself linked to her latest victim by a startling coincidence, her life enters a chilling vortex. Caught up in a high-risk chase with a determined FBI agent, she also finds herself in a life-threatening face-off with a shadowy enemy whose lethal cunning could rival her own.

Very suspenseful. Kept me on the edge of my seat.

Was this review helpful?

This book certainly opens with a bang with its first line which is “When I was eight years old, I stabbed a boy.”
I love a dark thriller and some parts of this certainly made me shudder and cringe… but that to me makes it even better!
This book has some great characters that you can fully get to grips with, but I particularly loved the coolness of Leah (especially with everything her character is involved in).
The way this book ends feels to me like there’s more to come and I would definitely be reading the next one if there is.

Was this review helpful?