Let’s be honest here— Cordelia was a really bad serial killer. She roped too many outsiders into it, displayed her bloody paintings for anyone to see, and had her workshop in a literal storage facility. Girl! The people who work there have skeleton keys! She caused almost all of her own problems and it eventually became very frustrating to read. Her particular brand of millennial girlbossery is also not a character trait I care to read about.

I could not tell if the smoke was supposed to be a metaphor or if she actually had some kind of Shining thing going on. I also felt the reveal that Joanie was her past self that she had “killed” did not have the impact on me that the author intended. It unfortunately ended up seeming corny instead of seeming like a big plot twist.

Finally, the author trying to have her My Year of Rest and Relaxation 9/11 moment at the end with a thinly veiled Brock Turner reference left a very bad taste in my mouth. It felt extremely disrespectful to use a real woman’s trauma in order to wrap up Cordelia’s character arc.

This was not a book for me whatsoever, but I imagine book clubs will really enjoy it a few years in the future.

This was a super fun page turner about a female Dexter killer, who rids the world of bad men who do bad things. But what does she do when such a man is her best friend's boyfriend? Well... you can guess. (Spoiler alert: his head may end up in her freezer. And who among us hasn't wanted to but her best friends a-hole boyfriend's head in the freezer?)

This was a creative, fun, funny romp that basically turned its own pages until I could find out how in the world our heroine would get away with this. I loved this author's voice as well as her plotting and concept, with a feminist tone and a hilarious and humorous bent. I will be eagerly awaiting Emma Wellls's next novel (and btw, I'd love a sequel!)

This one captured my attention right away but it was short lived. I thought the main character was always stating how “organized” she was or how she never missed any details but kept continually missing something. As a popcorn thriller, it was fine but if this one is trying to market anything other than that, I would say it misses the mark completely. I think the book could use a good edit scrub before it gets published as well. But I appreciate the gifted copy!

Cordelia Black is a doting godmother to her best friend’s daughter, a successful pharmaceutical rep, and an artist. She’s also a serial killer, purging Baton Rouge of unpunished men who have committed atrocious crimes. This Girl’s A Killer is a total blast from start to finish! Having a female protagonist who’s also a prolific killer is rare enough in this genre, but having one so likable is even rarer. And that’s why this debut novel works so well, as the reader can’t help but fall in love with Cordelia, as well as her goddaughter Samantha, and the dialogue when the two of them are together is priceless. When the man Cordelia’s BFF is dating gives off bad vibes, her carefully constructed hidden life starts to unravel and everything that could possibly go wrong does, and the reader is along for a harrowing ride, filled with suspense, tension, and more than a few laughs. This was a completely enjoyable read, and can’t wait for this author’s next novel. Five stars! I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC

Looking for another "Good for her" novel? Well, look no further! I love these kinds of books and I really enjoyed this one. It takes talent to make you root for an unlikable serial killer, but boy did I find our main character amusing. She's strong and badass, but a killer all the less. It's a gripping and suspenseful story which I highly recommend.

I really enjoyed the story. I had a few “omg” while I was reading. Overall great story. I felt like it ended pretty quick but really am looking to see what happens.

Talk about twists and turns. This book kept me reading simply to find out how Cordelia(Joan) got herself out of the self inflicted messes of her life. Very rare for "serial killer books" to have so much humor in them. Besides the devil neighbor dog, packing a corpse in kitty litter was hysterical. I am sure anyone loving Dexter will relish this

Cordelia Black is a stylish business woman and devoted friend and godmother. Oh…and a killer of bad men. She is meticulous and patient in all areas of her life, until she hits a few snags, things get messy, and she is forced to stray from her routines. Will everything smooth over or will she get caught with blood on her hands?

Thoughts: I enjoyed the little twists and turns in this debut novel. We got to know the characters and their stories well, with details sprinkled throughout to keep it interesting. Some parts were a little repetitive and I got a bit sick of the Joanie references toward the end, but otherwise enjoyed the story and the ending.

I have really been enjoying all of the female serial killer books that have been released lately and this one was no exception.

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

This Girl's a Killer by Emma C. Wells is a first person-POV thriller following Cordelia, a woman who would do anything to protect her best friend and goddaughter and does just that by murdering predators in her area. When her friend, Diane, starts dating Simon, Cordelia is convinced something is wrong with him but can't find any evidence. At least, not until he follows her home one night after witnessing her dispose of a body.

Cordelia reminds me of a female Dexter, a serial killer who is very methodical and has a very specific code in who they will and will not harm. Despite her annoyance with a neighbor’s dog, she refuses to inflict harm on animals and even eyes her neighbor when she suspects something is wrong. Cordelia mainly goes after pedophiles and men who commit sexual assault and won't do anything about Simon until he shows her that he's also a danger to Diane and Samantha, Diane’s daughter and Cordelia's goddaughter.

Cordelia's POV is mostly defined by her relationships with Diane and Samantha. We open with her driving all the way to Samantha's school to deliver birthday cupcakes when Diane was busy at work and stating that she would do anything for the two. The three of them are a family and it appears that Diane’s family is largely out of the picture and Cordelia has no contact at all with her mother.

Even when Cordelia is veering into the territory of being unlikeable, it's hard for me to actually fault her for her thinking because she sees predators at work, in her community, and saw them in her childhood and in her and Diane's college days. There's a lot to unpack in how she's a pharmaceutical sales rep who forges documents to keep supplies of the drug for herself so she can knock out her victims, particularly in the current climate of doctors over-prescribing oxycodone. It makes her more morally gray and an anti-hero, especially when paired with her taking the blood of her victims and making paintings she hangs in her house. Momentos of what she has done.

Content warning for mentions of CSA, abuse, sexual assault, and torture

I would recommend this to fans of books with anti-heroes, readers looking for a Dexter-esque lead, and those looking for a female lead who commits crimes but is hard to completely condemn

A friend recommented THIS GIRL'S A KILLER. The "girl" n the title is Cordelia Black, a best friend, a businesswoman, and, in her spare time, a killer of bad men. It's a funny, feminist thriller about friendship and murder.

This book started out really strong, and had me hooked from the beginning. I liked the premise behind it, and the main character was likeable. Cordelia Black is a pharma rep by day and killer of 'bad men' at night. She has a strong attachment to her 'found family', Diane and her daughter Samantha, and is very protective. I did like the aspect of Cordelia's artistic flair for making art with her victims blood, but that was really it as far as the suspense went.

Once I was halfway in, parts became repetitive (the relationship between the main character and her bestie didn't need to be constantly explained) and sort of fell flat for me. There was a lot of time spent on a situation that I won't go into for fear of spoilers, but it took too many pages, and could have been wrapped up a little better. Also, Mango's story just sort of ended up being 'neat' and I wasn't sure if Cordelia ended up having anything to do with it or was it truly an accident?

Additionally, Christopher, the guy Cordelia began dating (a cop, no less) was a missed opportunity for a good twist at the end, perhaps? And he basically just disappeared towards the end of the book. After their run-in at the hospital, there was no follow up or explanation.

I did like the book's cover art. It was attention grabbing.

I support women's rights and women's wrongs.

This book gave big Dexter vibes and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Cordelia Black was a great main character and someone you could really root for the entire time. The book went at a good pace and helped me stay interested the entire time. I would definitely read a sequel if one ever comes out.

Thank you Netgalley, Emma C. Wells, and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC.

Definitely worth the read. And definitely worth recommending to others! Thrillers are one if my favorite genre’s and this one did not disappoint. I loved the themes of chosen family as well as a unique code of honor.

From the moment Cordelia Black enters the scene, it’s clear that she’s a force to be reckoned with. Fiercely devoted and tirelessly driven, she is relentless in her pursuit of justice. Her version of justice, however, means taking matters into her own hands, eliminating those who threaten the innocent with a cold, calculated determination.

In This Girl's A Killer, Cordelia leads a double life: by day, she’s a successful pharmaceutical rep, but by night, she’s a vigilante hunting down dangerous men who escape justice. She’s fiercely devoted to her best friend Diane and her goddaughter, and her carefully curated image includes a top-notch hairdresser. But when she becomes the focus of a media frenzy as a suspected serial killer and Diane starts dating a man Cordelia mistrusts, her carefully controlled world begins to unravel, leading to intense personal and moral conflicts.

Cordelia is a likable main character. She's someone you want on your side. And I'm not saying that because of her penchant for retribution. Her unrelenting love for her best friend and her goddaughter reveals a deeply compassionate side that balances her darker tendencies. That's not to say she isn't flawed. Her impulsive decisions and occasional lapses in judgment often lead her into complicated and dangerous situations, making her all the more human and relatable.

If you were a fan of the show Dexter or the Finlay Donovan book series, you'll eat this book up!

I loved this book! Cordelia was a great character that was so interesting to read about. I felt the pacing of this book was perfect and the plot was unique. I found the book to be very entertaining and well written. I definitely recommend other readers pick this book up once it is published.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for the ARC.

This book took a little bit to get into, but once I did - I was completely hooked! Cordelia is a sassy, fearless female. Told from her POV, the reader gets to experience a deliciously dark and completely hilarious insight into the mind of a woman who’s no longer OK with evil men being allowed to roam freely. It gives off female Dexter vibes but with much more dark humor

4 stars rounded down to 3.5

Highly successful pharmaceutical representative by day and vigilante by night, Cordelia Black is fierce and loyal to her best friend, Diane, and her Goddaughter Sugar Bug. She has pulled herself out of the gutter, so to speak, and has left her terrible unfortunate past behind. Cordelia only stalks and kills bad men. Men that hurt women. She's always cool and calculated... until she's not one night.

The twists were for real. I never knew what was going to happen in the next breath. I was surprised to find out this is the author's debut title. I can't wait to see what else Emma C. Wells has instore for the future. Maybe more Cordelia Black books? Or new characters? Either way, I'm excited to follow her along in her journey. Gives this author a try, you won't regret it!!

Cordelia Black is the hero you never knew you needed! She is smart, loving and driven. Her life is dedicated to her best friend and goddaughter and one other interest - Cordelia likes to eliminate bad mend.

Living in Louisiana, Cordelia dons, different disguises to locate the men that she needs to "address." No one knows any better until the local news begins to mention potential "serial killer." Cordelia is stuck with a policeman in her life and a horrible man that her bestie is dating. What should she do? Fun and unique, here's to a great heroine and book 2!

#poisonedpenpress #thisgirlsakiller #emmacwells

Cordelia Black is our new Dexter and you want her on your side! Thanks to Net Galley for the advance copy. Cordelia is fierce, smart, loyal, hilarious and creepy all at the same time. If you are in her circle, she will (truly) kill for you. Cordelia is out to right the very wrong things in our world and I look forward to going along with her on her next mission.