Lady Killer by Katherine Wood is a suspenseful and thrilling novel that will keep readers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end. The story follows Gia and Abby, two childhood friends who are forever bonded by a tragic event that took place in Greece when they were eighteen. Now, ten years later, Gia is a wealthy heiress married to a charming but mysterious man, while Abby is a hardworking attorney. When Gia invites Abby on a lavish trip to Sweden to celebrate her birthday, Abby is thrilled to reconnect with her old friend. However, things take a sinister turn when Abby receives an ominous email threatening to reveal secrets from her past. Upon arriving in Sweden, Abby and Gia's brother, Benny, discover that Gia has disappeared, leaving behind a manuscript that chronicles the events leading up to her disappearance. As Abby and Benny delve deeper into Gia's narrative, they uncover a web of dark secrets, scandalous affairs, and shocking revelations about Gia's new husband and the guests at her beachfront estate. The novel is a masterfully crafted blend of mystery, suspense, and psychological thriller. Wood skillfully weaves together multiple timelines and perspectives, keeping readers guessing until the very end. The characters are well-developed and complex, with Gia being a particularly intriguing protagonist. Readers will find themselves sympathizing with her, while also questioning her motives and actions. The writing is sharp and engaging, with Wood using vivid imagery and descriptive language to create a vivid and atmospheric setting. The pacing is excellent, with the story moving at a rapid pace that never lets up. The plot twists are well-executed and unexpected, leaving readers constantly surprised and eager to learn more. Overall, Lady Killer is a highly recommended read for fans of suspenseful thrillers. Katherine Wood has crafted a gripping and thought-provoking novel that will leave readers breathless. With its complex characters, intricate plot, and shocking twists, Lady Killer is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good mystery.

I was so excited to read a book that was based in Greece! the way the author describes the scenery, food and beaches have me wishing I could visit right now!
I thought Abby was personable and likable throughout the book and I preferred reading her point of view over Gia’s, as I didn’t find her to be a good historian of events. Which continues to be on par for her character in the book.
This book took me a little longer to get into. I thought the first half of the book was a bit slow and parts of Gia’s story were longer than necessary. I felt once Benny and Abby arrived in Greece that the story really picked up and got me interested. I believe the author had a lot of opportunities for more twists throughout the book as I could predict what happened next often. Overall I enjoyed Ladykiller but wish there was more of a conclusion.
This book reminded me a lot of “A Simple Favor” with the ambiguous ending that leaves readers wondering what is next.

'Ladykiller' was a challenge to get into, but well worth the effort. The first chapter suffered from info dumping, in the form of a paparazzi posted at a funeral, spouting off names and family ties that were overwhelming and meaningless at that point. Soon enough, the book moves on to the heart of the story, the tragic tale of two best friends, a stalker who upturned their lives, and the aftermath that had deep consequences for everyone involved.

Abby is a no-nonsense girl with a crazy, but mostly lovable best friend. She likes being in Gia's shadow and is mostly grateful for their friendship considering her mother was the chef for Gia's rich family. Abby is vividly aware of the privilege that she doesn't possess and seeks stability while letting her friend shine.

"She was always divisive, beautiful and brash, unable to keep her opinions to herself, while I was the mild, diplomatic one, negotiating our way out of whatever messes she got us into." - Abby

Gia is outgoing, wild, and evasive. It's mostly through her writing that readers get to know her and the events in Greece that led up to her disappearance. But this isn't the first time Gia has written a memoir and it becomes clearer as the story goes on that Gia may have her reasons for recording things the way she did. History is written by the winners after all.

"Gia wasn't a person who lived in black and white; she thrived in full color, and I knew from experience that the truth was hidden between the lines of her books. " - Abby

Once things start to pick up, and more characters are introduced, the pacing becomes faster as more secrets are uncovered about everyone staying in Greece with Gia and her mysterious new husband Garrett. Though it's clear there is deception happening on multiple fronts, it's a guess as to how everything is connected and what can be considered truth considering the source. Much like Gia herself, recollections are embellished and purposefully designed to deceive all in the name of someone else's end goal.

In the end, I was left wondering with more questions than answers. It seems the truth is relative, and as with most thriller novels these days, it's up to the reader to decide what to believe. Perhaps all of the characters held some truths, and maybe some of them believed in their own lies enough they became real.

"Was I wrong about her? The question often keeps me up at night." - Abby

This thriller was a fun read that will keep you questioning what actually happened long after you put it down. I'd highly recommend 'Ladykiller' to anyone who likes enigmatic endings and even their innocent characters morally grey.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine and NetGalley for this advanced copy, all thoughts in this book review are my own.

Y’all, this book had more twists and turns, then the guardians of the galaxy ride at Walt Disney World. I could not have predicted any thing that happened. while at the same time, thinking I knew everything. now that I am finished, I still don’t know if I know everything.
If you like a book called verity by a pretty, darn famous author, you will definitely like the vibe of this book.
I’m not sure why I requested this book from NetGalley because it’s not my typical read, but I am so glad that I did.
So thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange, for my honest review.

This was an interesting books about relationships between wealthy family members and the family's staff and children who are treated like family. I wish the background between the characters would have been better explained as well as the situation that lead to the secrets kept for many years - all of which were, in my opinion, much to vague and made the reader assume things that were incorrect. I also do not care for books that flip between characters with every new chapter. Over all, an interesting read about the world-traveling wealthy that fell flat at the end.

Gia and Abby are best friends along with Benny (Gias brother). They don’t keep secrets from each other. They meet a guy named Noah one summer. Gia smashes him in the head with a lamp defending Abby. Gia marries a stranger named Garret that her best friend said was a bad idea. So many twists and turns I could not guess the ending.

I was so impressed by the writing and twisty nature of this thriller! I enjoyed the dual POV and spent the entire book trying to figure things out, who was lying. Some of the surprises fell a little flat and I'm not sure I enjoyed the open ending entirely - I was hoping for a huuuuuggggeeee reveal that never came. That being said, the ending could spark some great bookclub conversations!

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC. I absolutely loved it!! Highly recommend this read!
I didn’t want to put it down.

Ladykiller follows the story of carefree and wild heiress Gia. While readying her family’s Greece isle home for sale with her suspicious new husband, Gia goes missing. Her brother Benny and best friend Abby hurry to find her and figure out what has happened, while also dealing with some shared traumatic history. Real time chapters narrated by Abby are intermixed with chapters of a manuscript Gia had been working on during her time in Greece.

I enjoyed this book, especially the “is she bad or isn’t she” of Gia’s character. It was fun to wonder how much of her manuscript was to be believed. It’s thriller + mystery + a rich people behaving badly trope, all of which made a good read for me. Thank you to Random House for the invitation to read this early.

I'll be honest, the cover of this book hooked me! It is gorgeous! And then I was pleasantly surprised to find such a fun & intriguing story in beyond that!
Gia & Abby are childhood best friends and now Gia is newly married but Abby isn't thrilled. Gia invites Abby to a resort but then there is no sign of her.
It's told from Gia & Abby's point of view, which I love! Full of mystery, twists & turns you won't see coming!
Such a fun read! Thank you so much!

I’m obsessed with Gia, she’s like the perfect character for me. A great mix of suspense and thriller, this story kept me on my edge of my seat til the end. Thank you for the ARC!

I liked this one but the ending really left me wanting more! I loved the characters, pacing, plot - all of it. But the ending left me very unsettled! I wish the author had more clearly indicated or suggested who did what at the end. But overall I still enjoyed this! A solid 4 stars! Thank you to the author publisher and NetGalley!

WOW!
This thriller left me guessing everything.

Did Gia have a mental break? Did Gia tell the truth? Who is the main character?

The author did a great job of weaving together Gia's manuscript and Abbys real life.

I kept guessing what was going on in the story, and nothing that I thought was going to happen, actually turned out.

I loved the writing and even in the end, I still have my doubts about what happened.

It was a great thriller book.

Thank you for this advance copy. I really enjoyed this book. It kept me up all night reading, I just could not stop!

Escape to Greece for a minute with an interesting cast of characters! This story is told in dual POV - real time from Abby, and about a month earlier with Gia (via her manuscript).

Abby and Gia have been friends for ages, bonded even more after a tragedy that happened in Greece when they were 18. Gia monetized her trauma while Abby immersed herself in trying to good in the world by becoming a lawyer. They have a bit of a falling out when Gia decides to marry Garrett after knowing him for a month, disregarding Abby's trepidation. When Gia extends an olive branch by inviting her brother Benny and Abby to see the northern lights in Sweden, everyone drops everything to join her.

But she doesn't show. Abby and Benny race to Greece to check up on her, where they find her manuscript. But how much of her manuscript is fabricated? Where is Gia? What happened to her husband, and the guests that were staying with them in Greece?

There were a number of times I thought I had this figured out..but I was pleasantly surprised with the constant twists. This is a an engaging summer read, definitely check it out.

Thank you Random House and NetGalley for the advanced copy!

Ladykiller is a very cunning novel that keeps you on your toes. Not only is there an unreliable narrator, but what character can you believe? I would categorize this as a mystery mixed with thriller with a dash of self discovery.



This is a book about three people who were once close friends, coming together for a weekend in a beautiful hotel to see the northern lights. One of them does not show up, so it is up to the other two to figure out what happened to her. In the process they discover more about their relationship with each other and uncover secrets from the past that kept them apart for so long.

★ ★ ★ ¾
I was beyond excited when I got the email to be an early reader for this book!! Lions Den and Katherine Wood are some of the best of the best!! This book had everything I love in a thriller: amazing location, moneyyyyy & such a good mystery! I was sucked in from the get go & was really unsure who to trust up until the very end…but sadly the ending fell a little flat for me. I am not sure I can put my finger on what specifically but it was just this incredible build up to a rushed & flat ending. Overall, I REALLY enjoyed this book but I wanted to be “wowed” the entire time but the last 20% or so was not my favorite!
Still so excited for this to come out and for everyone to get more from Katherine Wood!!

This book captured me in the beginning! I love trying to guess what would happen and definitely some of the characters were predictable and frustratingly annoying about mid way. Then it started its twists and turns that I didn’t really see coming. The ending though, is where I was disappointed. I didn’t like it. I was left with more to be desired. I either needed more explanation or more of an “tied up in a little bow” ending, but you must read this to see what you prefer.

There’s always great story telling from the author!

OMG!! This book was an easy 5 stars…..until the ending. My rating dropped to a 4. I hadn’t read anything by this author before, didn’t even request this book. BUT a publishing house sent me the ARC, based on my previous requests & I’m so glad she did! I could not put this book down! Our protagonist, Abby, was wonderfully relatable. A good person, yet flawed. Aren’t we all? Or at least we try to be, right? I raced through this book but just wasn’t a fan of the conclusion…..or lack thereof, actually. But again, otherwise this was def 5 stars, packed full of suspense! 💯loved!!

Ladykillers

This will be a great summer read for summer 2024 when this book is released! I think a lot of people will enjoy reading it by the lake or pool or specifically the beach.

This thriller took a moment to speed up but once it got going it was definitely a page turner!

On a personal note it has a bit to much smut in there that seemed unnecessary but it was sprinkled and not the main focus so can still be enjoyed by people even if romance isn’t your thing.

I loved multiple characters in this book and even tho it has a pretty cleaned up ending there was enough left I could definitely see the author doing a sequel and I think that would be awesome!

-Kat S