How To Kill A Guy In Ten Ways is the first novel by British author, Eve Kellman. Millie Masters wonders if working her helpline, Message M, might be her way doing penance for failing to protect her younger sister, Katie, who was raped on New Year’s Eve. That awful act transformed the outgoing young woman with a place at Durham Uni into a cringing introvert who has spent the last nine months hiding in her bedroom.

By day, Millie is a framer at Picture This; by night, she’s a vigilante, rescuing young women from dates gone wrong or sleazy bothersome men. She can’t reverse what happened to Katie but she can try to stop it happening to others.

When, during one of these rescues, she ends up (sort of accidentally) killing the guy, she’s shocked and a little sickened, but is eventually able to rationalise removing this scum, caught degrading a young woman he had drugged, from the earth. She covers her tracks well and finds she’s apparently gotten away with it. The next two or three are a bit easier: they, too, deserved it.

But dating the dishy guy who has come in for some framing, when she learns he’s a homicide detective, is probably not the smartest thing, although it might give her the opportunity to subtly check if her activities are on the police radar.

As Katie’s mental and physical health deteriorates, Millie comes to believe only one thing will help her: Millie will have to track down the man who attacked her sister, and take him out. And her best friend, Nina’s new boyfriend could also use some attention. She’s getting quite obsessed, and the late nights are having a deleterious effect on her daytime job: her employer loses his patience.

Then she makes a huge mistake. Does it slow her down? Not really. With a bit of mental gymnastics, she can justify what she’s done. But with her body count at five, then six and seven, she’s bound to attract some notice…

Even when it takes a rather dark turn, Kellman’s debut is often blackly funny. And the resolution? She may get her man, but not all the innocent will come away unscathed. More from this author will be eagerly anticipated.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Avon Books UK.

Did I solely request this book based on its title, yes. Did I absolutely love it as much as How to lose a guy in 10 days? Also yes. This book was everything I was hoping for and more. A must read humorous murderous novel.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review an advanced copy of this novel. I highly enjoyed it and will be recommending it to others.

this wasn't terrible, but I was so hyper-fixated on how terrible our killer was. I can enjoy reading from a bad criminal who's bumbling their way along (a la Finlay Donovan) but having your character continuously bring up how smart they are and how much they're improving then having them say they "have never thought about CCTV before".
the character progression also felt unnatural and oddly fast.

A woman who provides rides for women trying to get away from creepy men finds herself getting even more vengeance with murder.

I liked the premise here, but I just took a long time to get into. Part of it was that the writing seemed weird like maybe would go into somewhat stream of consciousness? I am not sure exactly how to describe it, but it took me out of the story.

I am thoroughly enjoying the latest trend in female/feminist serial killer novels, à la Killing Eve. With their gallows humour, and deplorable men getting their comeuppance in myriad painful ways… what’s not to love?

So I was delighted to read How to Kill a Guy in Ten Ways. And there were a lot of things I liked about it. First, the hotline for women to help keep them safe is a wonderful idea (variations on this idea actually exist and it’s a pity that nobody has yet set up more formal/better structures for women’s protection, but that’s a whole nother rant…). It’s great to see this as a central theme in a novel.

I’m not sure why I didn’t warm to this novel as I have to many others like it. It didn’t help that the protagonist, Millie, is not particularly likeable: that’s not a problem as such (good novels don’t have to have likeable characters), but it is compounded by flaws in the novel itself, in terms of character building, suspension of disbelief and plot development. Millie’s decisions and actions don’t make much sense sometimes and while they advance the story they don’t always add up to a cohesive character. These sorts of flaws are easy to dismiss if you like the main character and are immersed in the story, but they matter if they cause you to become disengaged and critical while reading.

In terms of tone, How to Kill a Guy in Ten Ways is dark. But while it starts out dark-funny, it becomes increasingly dark-sad, as Millie morphs from protector to vigilante to really quite unhinged. The ending is rather abrupt. Overall it left me with a feeling that there are the makings of a really good book in there, but it’s not quite fully realised and could have benefited from tighter editing. The aspects I enjoyed push this up to just a 3* rating, but as a debut novel, this is a solid start.

With all that said, I’m perhaps overly critical, and perhaps a bit jaded having already read quite a few books in this [relatively new] genre. Other readers have thoroughly enjoyed it, and so might you!

Thank you to @NetGalley_UK, @AvonBooksUK and the author for the ARC. All my reviews are 100% honest and unbiased, regardless of how I acquire the book.

HowtoKillaGuyinTenWays #NetGalley #bookreview #evekellmanauthor

"How to Kill a Guy in Ten Ways" by Eve Kellman is a darkly comedic and suspenseful novel that plays with the tropes of the thriller genre while delivering a unique twist on the classic revenge story. The title suggests a plot that is both irreverent and clever, likely following a protagonist who is either plotting a humorous or satirical take on revenge, or perhaps caught in a series of escalating events that lead them down an unexpected and dangerous path.

Kellman’s writing is likely sharp, witty, and filled with fast-paced dialogue and intriguing plot twists. The novel might blend elements of mystery, humor, and a bit of noir, creating a story that keeps readers on the edge of their seats while also offering plenty of laughs. The characters are expected to be vivid and well-developed, each contributing to the protagonist's journey in surprising ways.

"How to Kill a Guy in Ten Ways" is perfect for readers who enjoy thrillers with a humorous edge, or anyone looking for a book that subverts expectations while delivering an entertaining and engaging story. It’s a novel that balances suspense with satire, making for a fun and unpredictable read.

Feminist serial killer books have become hugely popular in recent years and Eve Kellman has added another to the pile with How to Kill a Guy in Ten Ways.

As with many others in this genre HTKAGITW centres around a deplorable yet somehow likeable female lead character who takes pleasure in killing not so wholesome men.

Does it work? Yes and no. It has plenty of those deeply dark yet hilarious gallows humour moments however it does run away with itself leading to a few eye rolls at the end.

Overall, an enjoyable pacey book which was let down slightly by its ending.

A revenge thriller? A female serial killer? All the things I love! Through the premise was not new, I liked the spin on the story. However, I could not stand the main character. She was completely irrational in how she decided on her victims, the justifications didn't make sense. The ending the was ridiculous and felt on the rails but not in a good way.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

3.5 stars
This definitely has Promising Young Woman vibes and the blurb had me going into it expecting something akin to How To Kill Your Family by Bella Mackie. But I'm not sure that it really lived up to either.
It did have some nice pacing and kept my attention but some parts just felt so out of place.
I also found Millie to be really unlikeable. I have a feeling I would have been much more engaged and rooting for her had she even just been that little bit more likeable.
However, the ending is what really saved this for me and probably the last quarter of it more generally. This is when it really picks up.
It was definitely an interesting take on the subject of female rage and I would be interested in reading more from Eve Kellman in the future.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book is one of my top 10 of the year! Revenge serial killer! Yes it was absolutely superb. I couldn't get enough of this. It was absolutely one of the best books of the year. The dark humor, the rage and the amazing banter. It is perfect murder mystery book! 6 stars if I could. I will be buying a hard copy to place on my to keep shelf.

Thanks, Netgalley, for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for a review. So firstly, I love a feminist killer who is out to show men the consequences of their behaviour. In fact, I've read quite a few books with this trope. And while this one did keep me reading, it had me laughing in places and rolling my eyes in others it just didn't fully live up to the premise. The last part of the book let it down for me it was a bit too neat for me

I really liked the premise of this book - women standing up for women and protecting each other - but this book has some heavy undertones and themes. Overall, I enjoyed the book, except for the subplot with Millie's boyfriend. I felt like their relationship and opposing careers had so much potential with how the story played out and resolved, but it fell flat for me. It was a fun read!

Such a funny and unique take on a rom com. If you are even the little bit interesting in true crime, youll love this.

A funny and feminist thriller that keeps you on your toes throughout!
I love our FMC’s relationship with Nina, ride or die friends make stories like these!

Let me start by saying, this is the first book I've read from a female serial killer's POV, and I am not mad about it. In fact, I found myself shamelessly rooting for our anti-heroine time and time again, especially when it came to Hugh (total trash, by the way)! Nina, for the most part, had an impeccable read on the opposite sex and, in her own twisted way, saved countless women without them ever knowing.

Now, let's talk about our girl Nina. She is a whirlwind of righteous fury and deadly precision, a vigilante with a vendetta against the worst of men. She’s like a dark avenger, dishing out her own brand of justice in a world that desperately needs it. Her assessments of men were so on point that I often found myself nodding along, thinking, "You tell 'em, girl!" However, I won’t lie, there were moments when her recklessness made me want to shake her. If you're going to be a Dexter-style killer, I expect Dexter-level detail. Come on, Nina, tighten up!

Kellman's writing was gripping, and this being my first foray into her work, color me intrigued. I’ll definitely be diving into her back catalog to see what other deliciously dark tales she has up her sleeve. However, I have to throw a little shade at the ending. It felt too rushed and wrapped up too perfectly with a neat little bow. Real life is messy, and I wanted a bit more chaos in the conclusion. Some blowback, some consequences to really drive home the high stakes she was playing with. But hey, Nina did say our justice system is a hot mess, and she’s not wrong.

Overall, this book was a wild ride through the psyche of a woman who took matters into her own hands in the most extreme way possible. It’s sassy, it’s dark, and it’s unapologetically bold. Here’s to more tales of fierce women who refuse to play by the rules!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC and I gave it 3 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK | Avon for this ARC! "How to Kill a Guy in Ten Ways" by Eve Kellman is a darkly humorous and cleverly plotted thriller that keeps readers hooked from start to finish. The story follows protagonist Ellie, a woman with a unique job: she helps clients get rid of their problems—permanently. With a sharp wit and an eye for detail, Kellman crafts a narrative filled with suspense, unexpected twists, and a touch of sardonic humor. The characters are well-developed, especially Ellie, whose blend of cunning and charm makes her a fascinating lead. The book’s pacing is brisk, ensuring there's never a dull moment. Kellman’s writing is crisp and engaging, making "How to Kill a Guy in Ten Ways" a thrilling, enjoyable read for fans of dark comedies and suspenseful mysteries.

a lot a bit psycho but a little bit fun? the british and dark humor in this book helped, but overall it was a pretty harsh read. it toed the fine line between quirky, vigilante-justice motives and some REALLY DIFFICULT and HEAVY topics. Please please please read trigger warnings prior to opening this book. If you like true crime told first person, this one is for you. If you don't like that, don't read it!

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!

"the first man i ever killed was my father. but we're not there yet. that's not really even a part of this story. all you need to know about that, is that a) it was sort of an accident and b) he deserved it."

I picked this up through Netgalley, with thanks to Eve Kellman and Avon Books from Harper Collins for gifting me this e-ARC

on a night out and a guy giving you the creeps? a first date with someone who isn't all they appeared to be? feel unsafe and need to find a way out? contact Message M.

rating: ⭐⭐⭐

my thoughts: honestly? i'm not sure if i can even rate this book 3 stars. unhinged. absolutely and utterly unhinged. as someone who has been SA'd before in the past, seeing Millie's complete and utter delusion. the blurb talks about murder, and yes the title of the book is how to kill a guy in 10 ways, and was recommended to be similar to how to kill your family, but the killing spree?

the ending chapters? its just total recklessness with no regard for anything at all or anywhere near believeable. i absolutely loved the message m stuff, as someone who hates that this has become our society and provides such a reflection on everything that we go through as women.

but as someone who is meant to be providing that service, as message m, how is it that she is a complete victim blamer half of the time? she hates everyone, comments on how what people wear and they look like - as a book meant to be about saving women from situations that aren't their fault, how is it possible to be both?

definitely, definitely check the trigger warnings for this, it is extremely extremely dark and something i wouldn't be even surprised to see on an episode of criminal minds because of the themes!

Ich weiß ehrlich gesagt nicht, wie ich dieses Buch bewerten soll, da ich es aufgrund relativ kurzer Ausleihdauer (ohne Verlängerung) nicht lesen konnte.