wow! this book pulled me out of a deep reading slump, I couldn’t wait to pick it back up every time I had to stop reading.

this was a badass story about feminine rage, and the lengths that you can go to for revenge and playing the long game.

I really related to Cordelia, especially wanting to reinvent yourself from the version of yourself in childhood.

the ending reallllllly stressed me out, but i’m so glad she was able to explain things and didn’t lose Diane.

Simon gave me the creeps SO BAD, and unfortunately I think we can all picture someone like him that we have met or been around in our lives.

this definitely shows the spiral that becoming a serial killer throws you down, but it was a fun way to vicariously see what a bad ass woman with a fierce plan can get away with for retribution.

Wow, what a debut by Emma C. Wells! This is IT friends, this book is so fun, a very fast read (even though it’s 400+ pages, trust me, you're going to fly through it) and incredibly suspenseful.

My quick synopsis, think Dexter but make it a woman pharmaceutical rep with high fashion taste and fierce loyalty to her chosen family, her ride or die BFF and goddaughter. I’ve fallen for our fmc, Cordelia Black, who kills by a code and things start to go very sideways. I was rooting for her until the very end. It may be similar to something we’ve all read before but I for one can’t wait to (hopefully) read more in a follow up... series perhaps?! If not, I’ll take a consolation prize of reading anything Emma C. Wells choses to put out next.

Definitely read this if you are a fan of Dexter, love a good revenge story, and have a fondness for strong female friendships. This was a lot of fun.

Also, the author does a great job in keeping the trigger warnings pretty spoiler free but this is a book that deals with murder. It is a lot less gory than others I’ve read (re: Butcher and Blackbird) and it does not glorify any of the violent crimes her monsters are guilty of.. which is fantastic in my eyes. All that said, be aware of what you’re reading.

Thank you Poisoned Pen Press, Emma C. Wells and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

This was such an intriguing read, Cordelia Black seems to have it all. Good luck, a successful career, her best friend Diana, always at her side, a great wardrobe, and killer shoes. Ahhhh, but the shoes are not the only killer in her house. Cordelia is a pharmaceutical sales rep by day, and a serial killer at night.
But her victims are all bad men and ridding the world of them makes everyone safer. She might have to keep her true nature hidden, but it’s a small price to pay knowing that the people she loves, especially Diane and her daughter Sugar are safe. She has everything perfectly planned, until she doesn’t. Suddenly, her job is in jeopardy, Diane is dating a man she doesn’t like or trust, and her nosy neighbor’s dog stumbles across an impulsive kill.
Can Cordelia figure out how to clean up the mess (and the dog) her life has become? You’ll want to read this laugh out loud debut to find out. Every time Cordelia seemed to be up to her neck in blood, I just kept flipping the pages to see if she could find a way to regain control. Wait until you see how she incorporates her ‘monsters’ into her art. Cordelia will never forget how she has made the world a better place.
There are so many moments I could mention, but I’d have to tiptoe through blood to avoid spoilers. Is it wrong that I was rooting for Cordelia to not get caught.

"Once upon a time, I’d been a broken girl, unable to protect herself from the scary things. Now, I was the scary thing."

The premise of this book immediately caught my eye and I was drawn into the plot from page 1! Readers meet Cordelia, on the outside she has it all, a fancy job, designer wardrobe, she is the kind of women who people envy and admire. But beneath her perfect exterior, lurks a secret. She is a serial killer, picking off men one by one, men who hurt women and children, men who she decides deserve to die.

When her best friend starts dating a new guy, things get complicated in her double life. While some of the details in this book were a tad hard to believe, I understand why it was written the way it was, more for shock and entertainment value, which it delivered tenfold! Was the story a 100% believable? No, but it was intriguing the entire way through. I loved the frantic, rushed pace of the plot as Cordelia scrambles to keep her perfect life together, I myself felt the frantic feelings that she was.

This would have been a perfect 5 stars for me if not for a few minor plot holes, but overall this book was highly entertaining and will stick with me for a long time!

Finlay Donovan meets Dexter and n this whirlwind book! What a fun story. I really enjoyed Cordelia and the storyline.

This totally gave me female Dexter vibes. We love a vigilante female killer. I love Cordelia's character. This was a fun and quick ride!
This was a really solid debut novel and I was genuinely really impressed. Fantastic female revenge story and Cordelia is just so likable and Emma made it easy to connect with Cordelia and understand why she does what she does.

This Girl's a Killer by Emma C. Wells.
Ask Cordelia Black why she did it. The answer will always be: He had it coming. Cordelia Black loves exactly three things: Her chosen family, her hairdresser (worth every penny plus tip), and killing bad men. By day she's an ambitious pharma rep with a flawless reputation and designer wardrobe. By night, she culls South Louisiana of unscrupulous men—monsters who think they've evaded justice, until they meet her. Sure, the evening news may have started throwing around phrases like "serial killer," but Cordelia knows that's absurd. She's not a killer, she is simply karma. And being karma requires complete and utter control. But when Cordelia discovers a flaw in her perfectly designed system for eliminating monsters, pressure heightens. And it only intensifies when her best friend starts dating a man Cordelia isn't sure is a good person. Someone who might just unravel everything she has worked for. Soon enough Cordelia has to come face to face with the choices she's made. The good, the bad, and the murderous. Both her family, and her freedom, depend on it.-
I really did enjoy this book. I did like the cover. That's what drew me to this book. It was different. Thats what drew me to this book. It was twisty and gripping and fast paced and tense page Turner. I don't know how I felt about Cordelia. She did sound crazy with the handyman. I did like Diane. I did not expect that. I did like the ending and I really hope there is more to come. 4*.

☆☆☆☆

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

I had so much fun with this one. Cordelia Black is kills very bad men, monsters that go under the radar and continue hurting people. All she wants in life is to protect her best friend and goddaughter, and she will do anything to keep them safe.

This novel follows in the vein of a story like Promising Young Woman. Its quick and delicious and Cordelia is a killer you root for. Emma C. Wells also does an amazing job not glorifying anything, not the violence and horrible acts these men commit, but also not the killing of them either. Its very much Cordelia's story. Especially as it's in first person, we get a long, hard look into her mind and her motivations, how the pain and hurt that she's suffered has molded her into who she is now, how it informs her justice and art.

I really enjoyed This Girl's a Killer. Keep an eye out for it when it hits stores 🔪

4.5 Star for me !

WOWZA! I cannot believe this masterpiece is a debut novel.

Cordelia Black is a pharma rep, doting godmother & BFF by day, stalker and badass, vigilante killer by night. Cordelia is cool, stylish, calculated & I want her as my BFF!
I loved the humor, the drama, the action. I can always get behind a serial killer with a big heart and good intentions.
I adored Cordelia, she is a multi-dimensional character with depth, flaws & all, you will fall in love with her and all of the characters in this book.

This was a fast-paced and highly entertaining read. It had all the feel-good vibes you could ask for, and was the perfect female revenge story. This is my first book by this author, and I can't wait to read more.
I'm recommending this book to everyone, and looking forward to more from this author. Thank you, Poisoned Pen Press, Netgalley & Emma C Wells for the opportunity to review and give my honest review.

I have read several books lately about women serial killers and I must say that "This Girl's a Killer" is among my favorites. I really enjoy the show "Dexter," and I think Cordelia is a female version of Dexter, complete with her own "Code".

The book had just the right amount of humor. Sometimes authors can take the dark humor too far, but Emma balanced all the elements well. She managed to keep a good mix between the humor, the actual killing, and how Cordelia is trying to balance everything.

The writing style was enjoyable, and there was just enough of all aspects of Cordelia's life. Emma balanced everything well, which kept me from getting bored. Sometimes an author will focus too long on one thing, but Emma kept the story moving at a good pace.

This book was a very fast read for me. I kept wanting to come back and see what would happen next.

Cordelia was put together, but she was also a complete mess. I really enjoyed seeing her thoughts, and that she had rules (like Dexter) and that she did truly care about people. She’s not a complete sociopath, just a little bit, lol.

I hope Emma writes more about Cordelia. I’d love to see what she does next.

i loved the cover, the characters, the development of the story, the writing style, the relationship, everything!

Cordelia is a young woman trying to balance many things in her busy life. Her job as a drug rep for a drug that may be responsible for many terrible side effects, her best friend who is getting seriously involved with a bad man, and being a vigilante serial killer. As all these things start to implode at the same time,Cordelia finds her delicate balance slipping quickly. Fun, fast paced smart thriller.

Part of the latest post-Killing Eve literary trend, This Girl's a Killer is a smart take on the 'killer but for a good reason' protagonist of recent years. While it's certainly not the most original, This Girl's a Killer is laced with a dark streak of humour and razor sharp kills, perfect for anyone looking for their next serial killer fic fix.

Cordelia Black is a pharma rep and amazing godmother and BFF by day, stalker and vigilante killer by night. Cordelia is cool, calm, calculated.

Cordelia does not like her BFF Diane's new boyfriend Simon. He gives off a bad vibe she can't put her finger on. And now (thanks for Diane insisting she go on blind dates) Cordelia is set up with a cop, Christopher aka "McSmiley".

But things start to fall apart as Simon shows up to her house unexpectedly, her body-disposal system is gone, there's a class action lawsuit looming over her pharma career, and a salon mishap has her long blonde hair a bobbed brown.

I really enjoyed this debut. It had dark humor, suspense, dead bad guys, and found family. The humor was reminiscent of Santa Clarita Diet or Finlay Donovan and I LOLd a few times.

I received an advanced review e-copy from PoisonPenPress via Netgalley. I'm leaving an honest review voluntarily.

This book gives 'Dexter' but female. I loved this. I was hooked by the synopsis and was enraptured by the story until the very end. 4 stars.

I enjoyed this! As soon as I read the synopsis, I knew that I would love it and I was right - thanks me! This felt like the vigilante version of criminal minds, where the hero is actually the killer serving justice. The one thing I wished this book would've done was give the reader a little more backstory on Cordelia. It was there, but I wanted more, personally. For example, Tim. He's mentioned leaving Cordelia's mom because of her addiction, but what happened? Also, I felt like it took me way too long to realize that Joanie and Cordelia were the same person. I moved on from the mentions of her past asking, "Wait, what happened with Joanie?", "Why the name change?", "What happened to her mom?", etc.

Regardless though, I loved everything else. Cordelia Black was sophisticated and also a mess. It was wild to see her unravel because we find her so put together at the beginning of the book and little by little, every single thing starts going wrong and falling apart. HOWEVER, she does not falter. Cordelia Black remains strong and figures it out and I loved that. Women can surely do anything and everything ;) There is a lot that happens in this book, so props to the author for writing it all so well. I was never lost or confused on the plot, it all flowed smoothly and was easy to keep up with. There were quite a few moments I actually LOL'd, which is always nice with a heavy, bit gruesome and disturbing read like this. I highly suggest looking up the content warnings on Emma's website because there are some things that can be tough for some readers to handle, but if you can withstand it, I think this is a really fun and dark read to add to your collection!

The theme song to this book truly is "Cell Block Tango" from Chicago the Musical.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the opportunity to read an advance copy for a honest review.

Ok. Right out of the gate Emma C. Wells, I hope you are ready for a huge amount of buzz because I truly think that this is going to be one of the top reads of 2024. This is one hell of a debut.

This brilliant, twisted, dark humored, well written thriller had me by the throat and I finished it in one sitting. I tried putting it down but gave in every single time because I absolutely had to know what Mrs. Cordelia Black was up to next. I loved her.

I found the character development to me amazing as well as all the attention to small details. I could also easily see this being adapted to a movie.

Completely and utterly fantastic!

Are you ready to dive into the world of Cordelia Black, a woman who’s as fierce as she is mysterious? Emma C. Wells’ “This Girl’s a Killer” is a gripping thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.Cordelia Black is not your typical protagonist. By day, she’s a successful pharma rep, but by night, she takes matters into her own hands, eliminating the bad men who roam South Louisiana. With a meticulous plan and unwavering determination, Cordelia sees herself not as a killer, but as karma personified. And she’s not afraid to get her hands dirty to deliver justice.

Wells crafts a complex and compelling character in Cordelia. Despite her morally ambiguous actions, you can’t help but root for her as she navigates the murky waters of vigilante justice. The tension mounts as Cordelia’s carefully constructed world begins to unravel, forcing her to confront the consequences of her actions.

One of the highlights of “This Girl’s a Killer” is Wells’ skillful blend of suspense and dark humor. Cordelia’s dry wit and razor-sharp observations add depth to the narrative, keeping readers hooked until the very end. And just when you think you have it all figured out, Wells throws in a twist that will leave you gasping for breath.But beyond the thrills and chills, “This Girl’s a Killer” also explores themes of morality, justice, and the lengths we’ll go to protect the ones we love. It’s a thought-provoking read that will linger in your mind long after you’ve turned the final page.

In conclusion, “This Girl’s a Killer” is a must-read for fans of dark and twisty thrillers. With its compelling protagonist, gripping plot, and thought-provoking themes, Emma C. Wells’ latest novel is sure to leave a lasting impression. So grab a copy, buckle up, and prepare for a wild ride through the mind of Cordelia Black. You won’t be disappointed.

this was so good. i really enjoyed it and could not put it down at all. i was interested the entire time to see where it was going to go! if you love thrillers, i highly recommend this one when it comes out! definitely an author i can see myself reading more of!

“This girls a killer” was SUCH A FANTASTIC read!! 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ all around absolutely loved it! An absolute must read…

The plot follows the life of Cordelia (or many lives), by day she is an entrepreneur, business woman in the pharmaceutical industry as well as her strong connection with her best friend and god daughter. On the side she likes to dabble in her own kind of fun foreplay - desposing of evil bad men.

This book is giving butcher and blackbird vibes, minus the butcher. We don’t need a lovey romance here; we have all the feel goods between her and her bestie/mini bestie. Although at one point I did suspect a certain LI connection between her bestie and McSmiley, perhaps a book 2?

I love her god daughter, she is hilarious and sassy and definitely takes too much after her godmother. I also love the best friend dynamic which shows women that friendships can be enough to fulfil and sustain you without the qualms of messy romantic entanglements.

Everything is going swimmingly for Cordelia, she has her lifestyle organized to the last second and the system works well for her. That is until a wrench is thrown in the mix and things start going from bad to worse. On top of that her bestie seems to be dating a questionably slimy man who may cause even more trouble for her.

I loved the humour, the drama, the action. I can always get behind a serial killer with a big heart and good intentions. This book gave me so much anxiety!! 🤣🤣 To say when things start to go bad, everything that can possibly go wrong.. goes wrong!!! Between all the chaos, drama, running around and endless lines of people turning up to her home at the LEAST convenient of times, my frail heart could barely handle the tension 🤣🤣🤣

This book was fast paced, highly entertaining and had all the feel good 5⭐️ vibes you could ask for.

This is my first book by the author and I can’t wait to read more.

Thank you to Emma C Wells, Poisened Pen Press and NetGalley for the EARC.

Publish date, September 10th