Leah is a world renowned concert pianist. So, what does she do in her spare time? Hunt down serial killers and kill them. Can’t argue with the reasons, but Leah certainly leads a complicated life!
Liam is an FBI agent assigned to finding out who killed one of Leah’s victims. Liam interviews Leah early in his investigation with no idea what she has done. There’s just something about her that puts his Spidey sense on high alert. Will he figure out who is killing killers, or will Leah slip away into the night to hunt again?
I never really warmed up to Leah, but the way she is wired, without any real emotion would’ve made that rather hard. On the other hand, Liam was a straightforward character, and I found myself rooting for him to figure out this baffling mystery. Weird right. On one hand I understood Leah’s motivation so I didn’t really want her to be caught. On the other hand, I wanted Liam to figure out what Leah was doing. Anyway, I enjoyed most of the story and didn’t realize it was a debut when I started. I’m definitely interested in what the author writes next!

This crime thriller is near perfection for what a crime thriller should be. This book has all the boxes checked for a highly recommended psychological thriller read with insane twists. I can't rave enough about this book. When you want a page turner, this is it.

I love reading a police procedural book like this where you get more than just the detective side of the story. The main side, the "I Kill Killers" main character, Leah, is such a delicate badass. Yes, I said delicate because even though she struggles with feeling any sort of remorse or emotional reactions, her character is actually much deeper than she comes off. This is one of those books where you see the trails of the detective figuring out the crime, but you as the reader already know what happened. You read through the unfolding and it's truly entertaining.

This book is complex and it's not a typical run-of-the-mill thriller. I couldn't put this book down; devouring page after page. The climatic events were so worth the leading up-to and I emphasize this: get this book immediately and read it! You won't be disappointed.

Thank you to NetGalley and S.T. Ashman for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Pub Date: October 10, 2023

This story isn't anything that I thought it would be. It has the usual cast of characters--good and evil, but it's 'the mix' that really grabbed my attention, All I can say, is the sequel better really be beyond good, going to be hard to top this one! I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

Thank you to #NetGalley, #Ashman Books and S. T. Ashman for the opportunity to read an advance copy of I KILL KILLERS, to be published 10 October 2023. 5/5 Stars for this suspenseful novel about a woman who kills serial killers in her spare time! She’s a world renown concert pianist who one Special Agent of the FBI seeks out as the murderer. The characters were well developed and the protagonist was a paragon of justice but not law! Fast-paced. Great Read. #NetGalley #AsmanBooks #S.T.Ashman #IKillKillers

Wow, wow, wow! This book was right up my street. A cleverly plotted, dark, twisted tale of killing serial killers. A moral dilemma? Maybe - but I know where I stand. I loved Leah who is Uber cool and seems to have everything except the ability to feel true emotion whilst I fell a little bit in love with Liam, the honourable FBI agent. I understand this is the first in what could be a whole new exciting series of I Kill Killer books, which I am so excited to discover. Netflix will surely be knocking soon on this talented author’s door.

3.75 stars

You can pretty much infer what this book is about based on the title. Leah is a serial killer of serial killers, a la Dexter. Liam is the member of the FBI's BAU who's on her trail. As a huge fan of horror and also Criminal Minds, I was here for this crossover. 

I found Leah and her methods really interesting---the book opens with a brutal and highly entertaining torture/murder scene, so my expectations were high for the rest of the book. It shifted into the more familiar story arc of a crime procedual after that, which was entertaining, but I didn't connect with Liam as much as I'd hoped, so found myself nitpicking the FBI details more than I likely would have otherwise. He wasn't a bad character by any means, just a lot of the usual Good Guy Investigator archetype, which was not as fun as Leah.
 
I really enjoyed the writing style of this book, it was tight and engaging, and the plot was twisty and fun. I've read books before that alternated POV type (Liam's chapters were 3rd person, Leah's were 1st) and didn't love it, but it worked for me here and was a unique addition. I predicted a few of the big reveals, which I'm always torn on---I want to be able to in theory so that the events make sense, but I still like to be surprised! I did find the ending intruiging enough that I'd check out a book 2 if there is one, and am curious to read more this author's work. 

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers, & the author for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

I Kill Killers by ST Ashman
Out October 10th October
@booksbyashman and @booksbyashman
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It's absolutely one of the best serial killer books I've read. Actually, it's one of the best books I've ever read, I didn't want it to end. Leah is a serial killer, but she only stalks, kills, and mutilates really bad guys. Think of a female Dexter Morgan. This book is brilliant from start to finish. And yes, it's disturbing and dark, so be prepared. I'd happily read another book featuring these characters. Please, @booksbyashman, can we have a sequel, please?

A novel take on a serial killer book. You learn the identity of the killer almost immediately, but then you learn motive and background. I liked the interactions between them and the fbi and the moral struggle Liam faced at the end. I wasn't sure I liked the very end though, but I won't spoil it by saying more.

"When I was eight years old, I stabbed a boy"
When a book starts out with that sentence, you know it's gonna be a good ride. The plot and characters were great, and I was only gonna
give the book 4 stars 1/2 way through, but the last 1/3 sealed a 5 star rating. Oh yeah, this was a debut novel by S. T. Ashman and she literally killed it. With that said, I pray for a follow up, cause I'm on the cliff; hangin!
Thanks to NetGalley and Ashman Books for this ARC. I highly recommend reading this book.

A genius concert pianist searches for serial killers. Oh my word! Such a gruesome killing!

This debut novel combines several aspects I like in thrillers: serial killers, a FBI agent in the BAU, and someone on the spectrum. The book doesn’t end with a cliffhanger. I hate cliffhangers. It ends with a hint of what is to come in the next book. Whets my appetite.

I had an issue with “I Kill Killers” …. the names of the characters: Leah, Liam, Larsen, Luca, Lucas, Luigi, Leanne. Amazing I could keep track of all these L’s. As this was from Netgalley, perhaps the final publication will change a name or two.

Eager to read Ashman’s next book!

I Kill Killers is a psychological thriller told from the point of view of a serial killer that kills serial killers, and a FBI agent from the BAU that will not accept answers that seem too neat. So begins a mystery steeped in violence, intrigue, and a bloody game of cat and mouse.

There was so much to love about this book. The dual POV was handled spectacularly. Leah's chapters are told in first person, which really lets you see things through her eyes and mind. Agent Richter's chapters are told from third person, which offers a certain detachment while letting the reader see a little more of the world at large. This book is twisted in all the right ways. There is minimal gore, complicated characters with even more complicated motives, and layers upon layers of deceit from the shadows. This book seems straight forward, but it is anything but. You will be holding on to the edge of your seat, unable to turn the pages fast enough on what is one of the best thrillers of the year.

A huge thanks to NetGalley and Ashman Books for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily and all views expressed are my own.

I've seen a lot of glowing early reviews for this so was eager to give it a try.

A world famous pianist who hunts serial k*llers in her spare time?

OK. Sounds interesting.

I've read a lot of anti-hero k*ller / vigilante fiction, from Sweet Pea, Pretty Evil, Dexter, Killing Evil and Tunny to name a few of the more memorable ones. I'm not just reeling off names of books for fun...Reading this book mainly reminded of other books that have done elements of this better.

It was just a bit flat, no threat, no tension, not much humour or depth of character. The cover and the blurb promised shocks but it was relatively mild overall.

Sorry to say it wasn't one for me.

Thanks to Netgalley and Ashman Books

I loved the main character and the suspense was tightened throughout the book. A good crime thriller.

When I read this book description, I instantly thought of 'The Mindfck Series' (which I absolutely loved & devoured). So, I went into it with high expectations set already & it did not disappoint. In this book we get two POV's; the killer & the FBI agent investigating the killings.

Our killer is a bad ass female who basically goes about hunting down & murdering serial killers - we love a revenge plot! Through her POV's we get some gruesome scenes of her making her targets pay for their sadistic killings, whilst also seeing snippets of her daily life (how she stays undetected, her day job, home life, etc.). It's one of those, alike the mf series, where you end up rooting for the killer & are on the edge of your seat when the FBI are hot on her trail.

Our other POV is the FBI agent, Liam, who we see following these lines of murders & putting all the evidence together - whilst also being very suspicious of what's really going on. I absolutely loved his POV's; from exploring crime scenes, to his internal debates & dialogue, to theorising with his co-workers. The whole moral debate between whether our serial killer should be pursued was really interesting to see unfold.

Overall, I really enjoyed this read. I did have a few teething problems with the structure at first, with it switching between first & third person frequently, but, once I adjusted to it, I was fine. I loved seeing the two POV's & how their paths crossed over - the whole cat & mouse, back & forth of it was such a fun time. There was quite a few "OMG" moments aswell that left me shook, which is always great in a thriller. Highly, highly recommend!

Wow. This was a killer novel (see what I did there). The prologue had me hooked instantly and I found myself having a hard time putting this book down. I love a strong female serial killer who, ironically, hunts serial killers. Leah was such a great FMC. I loved how smart and thought out she was about covering her tracks. Her methods are super gruesome, and I won’t lie I found it to be satisfying given the nature of the serial killer’s crimes. Is there really anything better than a morally grey vigilante who gives bad guys a taste of their own medicine? I Kill Killers was a really fast paced read. I felt like I never had a moment to catch my breath, which I enjoy in novels such as this. I recommend this to anyone looking for a gory book with a female version of Dexter. I will definitely be checking out more of this author’s works in the future!

Thank you to Ashman Books for providing an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

If you are a fan of Dexter, I think you will absolutely love this book as I did! My heart was racing waiting to get through the last couple of chapters wondering what would happen next, I couldn’t stop! The ending of the epilogue threw me through one last loop and I’m undecided if I’m a fan of how that ended yet. I do love that you get both sides of this story, I don’t think many thrillers and mysteries have a killers and a FBI agents pov and it was an interesting take I really enjoyed.

The book started off a bit gruesome for my taste, however, it didn’t take long for me to pick it up to read whenever I had a few minutes. Will absolutely read more from this author. Can’t wait for the second book!

I am absolutely in awe that this was a debut novel. I am generally someone who can see twists coming from a mile away, especially in crime novels given my education, but this one floored me. I devoured this book in one sitting and could not look away. S. T. Ashman is 100% an author to watch and I can’t wait to see what else she creates. I’ll be waiting with bated breath for the sequel. Absolutely stunning.

*I was given this book to read and review from NetGalley. Thank you to the author and publishers for allowing me this opportunity—review is 100% my opinion. My review will be posted on Goodreads and Amazon if the option is available.*
First I'll start by saying WOW! I really enjoyed reading this book and I am so excited to see what happens next in book two! The characters were top tier and the story line was amazingly written. Some of it is a slow burn but it still has you turning the pages left and right and itching to know what happens next. If you like The Mindf*ck Series by ST Abby then you'll also really enjoy this one because they both have a women heroine in it killing off monsters who deserve it.

Morality blurs, serial killers become saviors, and one character will haunt your thoughts long after you've finished the last page…..

Book Information

“I Kill Killers” by S.T. Ashman, is a 321-page mystery/thriller scheduled to be published on October 10, 2023. This is Ashman’s debut novel. Thank you to Victory Editing for providing me with an advance reader copy of this book for review.

Summary

Leah, a brilliant pianist leading a secret life as a serial killer tracker, finds herself unexpectedly connected to her latest victim, plunging her into a chilling whirlpool of events. As she joins a high-stakes chase alongside the determined FBI agent Special Agent Liam Richter, she simultaneously confronts a lethal adversary whose cunning rivals her own.

My Thoughts

"I Kill Killers" by S.T. Ashman is a brilliant debut novel that should be shortlisted for any fan of gripping and intense psychological thrillers. The book delivers a riveting plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat, with Leah standing out as a well-written character, dark and twisty in all the right ways. This psychological thriller isn't just a page-turner; it's a mind-bender that'll leave you gasping for breath with each plot twist.

If you're a lover of thrillers and crime mysteries, "I Kill Killers" is an absolute must-read. It not only has a decent ending, a rarity in many books but also raises thought-provoking questions about the thin line between hero and villain. When a serial killer saves others and targets fellow serial killers, where does morality lie? The shades of grey explored in this book add depth to the narrative.

Leah, the central character, is an intriguing figure and her character is exceptionally well-developed. If I were to have a favorite serial killer—she would surely be my pick. The pacing of the story is spot-on, ensuring that the suspense never wanes, and the prose is both tight and descriptive, adding to the overall tension.

The story is packed with suspense and plot curveballs that will keep you guessing. The writing is outstanding, employing a dual point of view with Leah and FBI agent Liam, creating a dynamic narrative filled with action and short chapters from various perspectives.

This is an easy-to-read book that avoids unnecessary complexity. While it contains some fairly graphic violence and explicit content, it’s not over the top and the author issues a fair warning for those sensitive to such elements. Additionally, I am always pleased to see a character with a disability featured prominently, even though some stereotypes are present – the author handles this aspect well.

Recommendation

"I Kill Killers" comes highly recommended, especially for readers who enjoy crime fiction with a twisty psychological dimension. This novel excels in delivering an enthralling plot, well-crafted characters, and relentless suspense, making it a standout addition to the genre. S.T. Ashman serves up a gripping psychological thriller that's poised to infect the literary world like a viral sensation. Preorder a copy now—you won’t regret it.

Rating

5 Favorite Serial Killer Stars