It was dark, but good! Dexter-vibes for this book about Cordelia who kills male predators. But suddenly one comes close to home and put everything in jeopardy!

I received an early copy through Netgalley, but all opinions are my own.

First thoughts about this book is that the premise is very similar to the Mindf*ck series by S.T. Abby. They are both about a woman getting revenge for childhood trauma by killing dangerous men. However, this is kind of where the similarities end. The Mindf*ck series is much more focused on the romance between the serial killer and the FBI agent, and the people she kills were all involved in the trauma she endured when she was younger. In This Girl's a Killer it is much more focused on the platonic/familial relationships and love instead of romantic. We get this great little found family between Cordelia, Diane, and Sugar that has a lot of heart and informs almost all of Cordelia's actions throughout the book. At this point, she has pretty much come to terms with what happened with her as a child, and is now just killing all these men to help protect the ones she loves.
However I did think it was kind of weird to add in the whole Christopher (the cop Cordelia has a short fling with) storyline just for it not to pan out or develop into anything more. When he's first introduced I really thought we were going the Mindf*ck route, but they never really develop into anything. Cordelia uses him for information a few times but it's not much. Also, the way Cordelia was talking about Diane throughout the whole book, I really thought she was in love with her and just hadn't realized it. While I do love stories about wholesome female friendships, I think I honestly would have liked it more if Cordelia had confessed her love to Diane at the end. This could've made a lot of sense because Cordelia doesn't let anyone close to her except Diane and Diane has been desperately searching for love her whole life, so it would have been sweet for her to realize that it was actually right in front of her the whole time. Keeping the relationship platonic definitely works, but it could've added so much more emotion to the story if they confessed their love for each other by the end.
And honestly, I think that's the biggest flaw about this book. The premise is great and the writing is really good, but there's just a lack of emotion throughout the whole story. I never really cared too much about the characters and what they were going through because I never really was given an opportunity to connect with them. We're told multiple times that Cordelia had a really rough childhood and went through some horrible things, but we're not really told what happened. It's kind of alluded to, and I don't think it would have necessarily been a good idea to go into the gory details, but I think we needed to see more to really care about her as a person. Of course the men she kills did horrible things, and they deserved their fates, but we spend so little time actually talking about these men that it's not as satisfying when she eventually kills them as it could be. Overall, it was a very entertaining read but I think there was just something missing that made me really love this book.

This book was made for me. A complex female protagonist who is also a serial killer? Yes, please.

While the first half was a bit slower than I anticipated, the second half was so incredibly twisty and well executed and kept me on the edge of my seat until the very last page. I can’t wait to recommend this to everyone I know and am eager for more works by this author.

I loved how all the loose ends tied together so neatly in the end — the perfectionist in me really loved how satisfying that was. Overall, 4.5 stars.

This was extremely well written its hard to believe this is a debut, a female dexter anyone? Character driven, fast paced and at times witty, throughly enjoyed this dark thriller

This is one of those creepy-good books I adore as I found myself drawn to the main character, Cordelia even as she admits immediately that she is a killer of "monsters.." So when her best friend, Diane begins dating Simon, she knows she must keep a literal "eye" on him as she sees "smoke" in the eyes of truly evil men no matter how they try to disguise it. And Samantha ("Sugar" to her godmother Cordelia) is young and impressionable so Cordelia knows she will do anything to protect her. And then she begins dating "McSmiley" who turns out to be a cop so she becomes a little paranoid and must figure out a way to keep him away from her secrets. It's one of those fascinating "I can't look away from this" novels that kept me reading long after I should have! Do see the author's trigger warnings at the beginning if you are at all squeamish though!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

This book includes one of my favorite tropes which is female’s putting a stop to predatory behavior. Cordelia Black, the protagonist, is meticulously portrayed, balancing her professional success with her secret role as a predator-killing vigilante. The book revolves around her relationships with her best friend Diane and goddaughter Samantha, as Cordelia grapples with her moral code when a potentially dangerous man enters their lives. Cordelia's complexity and relatable moments, such as her interactions with a neighbor's dog, add depth to her character. Themes of revenge, female empowerment, and the fear of loved ones encountering danger resonate throughout the story. Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the early access.

𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒅𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉--𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒐 𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒎. 𝑺𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒐 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒍.

One of the easiest five star reviews I've ever given out. I will never tire of the female vigilante trope, and that has a lot to do with the reality we live in. I am so tired of predatory men and all the ways that women are supposed to protect themselves, so it's cathartic to read about a fictional character who is cleaning up the streets.

Everything about Cordelia Black has been carefully cultivated, from her job as a successful pharmaceutical rep and all of her designer clothes and accessories to her signature blonde mane that's kept in pristine shape by her outrageously expensive hairdresser. Glimpses into her past and who she was before come in bits and pieces, but the plot centers around her relationship with her best friend Diane and goddaughter Samantha. Oh, and the fact that Cordelia kills men who are predators.

It would be easy to compare Cordelia to a female Dexter, but she's her own unique character. When a new man comes into Diane's life, she doesn't like the vibe he's giving off; he is possessive of Diane and too familiar with Samantha. Cordelia is conflicted because there is a code she lives by, and while he hasn't harmed anyone yet, she feels certain that it's only a matter of when.

Cordelia's character is so complex and multifaceted that the reader totally buys in to the 'work' she's doing and roots for her to go unpunished. There is a tender, vulnerable side to her that we see in small ways, like how she interacts with her cranky neighbor's Houdini of a dog, who always dashes into her house to beg for sliced cheese.

The themes are plentiful; of course there's the revenge trope, the female power thing and all that, but at the heart of this book lies so much more--the abject terror of letting the ones you love walk freely in a world where monsters in human disguise walk beside them. I truly hope this is the start of a series because I need more of Cordelia in my life. Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the early read. This title will publish September 10, 2024.

This new to me author nailed it right from the start. The heroine is not good people, but I could connect with her character immediatedly. I loved how protective she was for her loved ones. I loved her snarky attitude, her will to clean the country of dirt.
This book has everything and more I like in a good story.
Friendship, family, drama, trauma. Be aware some scenes may be triggering, there is graphic scenes.
I loved how Cordelia, Diane, Samantha and last but not least Christopher get their story.
I recommend the book, 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press and Emma C. Wells for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

“This Girl’s a Killer” by Emma C. Wells (coming out September 10th, 2024!) lets us into the life of Cordelia Black, a woman with an intriguing double life. By day, she’s a successful pharma representative, impeccably dressed, stylish hair, bright white smile, and maintains a flawless reputation. But when night falls, Cordelia transforms into a vigilante, targeting predatory men in South Louisiana.

Cordelia’s system for dispensing justice is meticulous, until she discovers a flaw that threatens everything she’s built. As her best friend enters a questionable relationship, Cordelia faces a moral dilemma that could unravel her carefully constructed world.

This book was a great debut by the author, and I grew very attached to Cordelia. I found myself rooting for her the whole time, and can see this character's life expanding into more books. What a safe world we would live in if Cordelia is in town :)

I can't wait to read what else this author writes!

I don’t know, it wasn’t a clean kill kind of book, more the vibe of a psycho killer. I would have preferred a tough woman who takes revenge, than a psychotic woman who paints afterwards with the blood, was a bit much to find redeemed qualities in her behavior. All in all it was not a romance, that is for sure. If you like Dexter than that is your book. Not bad, just not what I expected.

Something about women killing bad men will pretty much always get me to pick up a book. This Girl’s a Killer was no different. I simply loved this book. I really felt the stress and anxiety Cordelia was feeling and from about 50% of the way through I literally couldn’t put the book down. Absolutely lovely read!

I really enjoyed this title. I received the ARC from NetGalley in exchange for review.
This was a really light but heavy take on the female serial killer. She's a loving auntie, blond, polished, and out for blood. I enjoyed exploring how she sees the world, from seeing smoke in the men's eyes that she's about to kill, to how she's dealing with a series of increasingly frustrating events. Her look into the mind is also great. I'm rating how I do because it was such a light and easy read, but it was both entertaining and stressful.

True Rating: 3.5 Stars, rounded down.

My God.

There is something truly mind-boggling with reading a novel where the main character, Cordelia, is a serial killer. Reminiscent of They Never Learn by Layne Fargo (one of my favourite books), our main character offs predators. This is one of the books you definitely read in a single seating, and yet, it's fairly straightforward.

One thing I did enjoy were the characters. Cordelia is (shockingly) not one-dimensional-- we see hints of the different aspects of her life until they merge into a mess she can just barely get out of... if she's careful. I loved her relationship with her best friend and her goddaughter.

The only reason I didn't round the rating up to 4 stars is that there was SOMETHING missing that made it memorable. I guess it's because there was no major reveal scene. We knew the whole time the main character was a serial killer, we knew the whole time that her best friend's boyfriend was trouble, etc.. It just felt like I was waiting for some major twist that never came.

All said and done, though, I did enjoy this book! I would recommend the book to those who enjoy thrillers, especially those who enjoy the crime part rather than the solving part (which actually could be a problem I had with it given I usually prefer seeing the crime being solved rather than committed).

This book is a novel of mystery and intrigue. I could not gat into the story but others might. The voices of the characters were somewhat confusing. This author is talented at writing suspense. Netgalley

I was approved for this book yesterday and from the time I started I couldn’t put it down. Cordelia Black is my favorite type character to read and the story kept a good pace. She sees predators and isn’t afraid to protect others. The story was so twisty and intriguing. I loved following along as she put out one fire after another. Her friend came across as way too naive and was the worst part of the book. I was surprised Cordelia didn’t get tired of her. The bond between Cordelia, Diane and Sugar felt authentic and I loved it. It made Cordelia’s need to protect them make sense. I like that everything wasn’t always easy for Cordelia and found myself glued to the story. I was almost sad it ended but I can’t wait for the next one.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

Thank you @netgalley and @poisonedpenink for the eARC of This Girl’s A Killer in exchange for an honest review!

📖📖 Book Review 📖📖 Cordelia Black is a whole different kind of strong woman and definitely not one for the faint of heart. Bold and beautifully written, gripping and gritty, and an absolutely thrilling read! This Girl’s A Killer is a powerful piece of fiction that makes a poignant message about the reality of trauma and horrors that exist in this world…and Cordelia Black’s unapologetic attitude is one that resonates deeply. A unputdownable must-read to add to your list!

Review is posted on Goodreads and will be on Instagram well ahead of publication!

This masterpiece deserves 5 stars and more! I can't believe it's a debut book and I'm totally obsessed with it!

Meet Cordelia Black who is not your average leading lady, oh definitively not! By day, she's owning it in her career as a pharma rep, but when night falls, she transforms into this badass avenger, taking down the bad guys with style and finesse. I It's like she's got a double life, and it's absolutely fascinating!

I absolutely adore Cordelia and want to be her bff! She's such a complex, multi-dimensional character. She's got flaws, she's got depth, and she's so real you feel like you could reach out and touch her. But it's not just Cordelia who shines in this story. The whole cast of characters is just so well-drawn, so relatable. And the plot twists? They kept me guessing until the very end. I love it when a book can still surprise me!

So, if you're into strong, complex characters, gripping plots, and a good dose of suspense, "This Girl's a Killer" is definitely worth your time. Emma C. Wells is a rising star in the literary world, and this book proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that she's here to stay. Highly, highly recommended!

Engaging and entertaining. A recommended purchase for collections where crime and thrillers are popular.

Cordelia Black is successful pharmaceutical rep with an impeccable designer wardrobe and a best friend who, along with her daughter, are more like family. But Cordelia lives a secret life after dark, when she hunts down and disposes of predatory men. Cordelia has perfected her skills and is very organized, which is why she has never been caught. But one day her best friend finds a new boyfriend – one that sets off all Cordelia’s alarm bells. Cordelia is determined to protect her friend from this threat, although she is rattled by a run of bad luck and talk of a serial killer in town that is causing men to disappear. Is Cordelia’s secret life about to be discovered?

This was such a fun read! It would have been extremely easy for the character of Cordelia Black to become very one-dimensional and cartoonish, but the author does a wonderful job of giving hints and brief glimpses of difficult childhood experiences which make Cordelia vulnerable and real. Cordelia sees the killing and disposal of predatory men not as murder, but as a public service. She treats it almost as a calling or vocation, even though she relishes the entire process. This contrasts with her endless compassion and devotion to her friend Diane and daughter Samantha, who are her chosen family, and her tenderness for the devil-dog Mango. The fact that she has this depth to her character means that the reader is definitely aligned with Cordelia and wants her to come out on top. There are also moments of humour and fun sprinkled throughout the novel which keep the tone light despite the dark subject matter. This is a fantastic debut and a uniquely enjoyable thriller. Enthusiastically recommended.

From ‘broken girl’ to the dealer of retribution, Cordelia Black is a strong and smart woman who lives a thoughtful life. Her goal is to rid the world of monsters and give herself purpose and ummm an unheard of art medium.
This is an ‘I can’t sleep until I’ve finished’ thriller for those looking for femme fatale that you are not likely to forget