After solving an attempted murder in Emily Schultz’s Sleeping with Friends, book editor Agnes Nielsen is learning to navigate her newfound fame as a minor celebrity. She moves into an upscale condo building in Brooklyn and forms a quick friendship with her neighbor, the magnetic heiress Charlotte Bond. While attending a party at Charlotte’s, Agnes meets some of New York City’s biggest movers and shakers—and is possibly drugged by another guest. Agnes leaves the party, unsure why she was targeted, and within hours, Charlotte suffers a fatal fall from their shared building. The police investigation rules her death as accidental, but Agnes suspects the heiress was murdered. Though her memories of that night are hazy, Agnes leans into her recent success as a detective and launches her own investigation to find justice for Charlotte.

Brooklyn Kills Me is a sharp and original cozy mystery. It’s easy to root for Agnes: She’s still figuring out her life, but she’s also deeply committed to finding out what happened to Charlotte. She’s levelheaded and quick on her feet, even when dealing with powerful members of the New York City elite. Agnes’ investigation is aided by her friend Ethan Sharp, and the novel is better for it. Agnes and Ethan have a long and complicated friendship, but both care about each other and are integral to solving the murder. The duo is also genuinely funny, and Schultz expertly threads their humor through the novel, elevating it beyond a by-the-numbers cozy.

The central case is fast-paced and clever, with an exciting midpoint twist that deepens the mystery and reveals that Agnes may be in more danger than she realizes. A fun, fresh cozy with an engaging puzzle at its core, this second installment in Schultz’s series starring Agnes can be read as a standalone, with one caveat: The ending of Sleeping with Friends is revealed in this book, so readers be warned!

“A single woman in New York with some fame and money and too many people declaring themselves her BFF. AKA: She’s a needy, walking disaster. Then there’s the messy dating life. That increases the pool of suspects exponentially. And that’s only if they even think it’s a murder, and this plan is really good about obscuring that.”

Who killed heiress Charlotte Bond??
Charlotte is an NYC socialite, art dealer and heiress. After a confrontation and catfight at a party she hosted, Charlotte was found dead just a few hours later. Police report was filed as suspected suicide. Was Charlotte’s death about money, jealousy or anger?
Agnes, the MC, works as a book editor and is Charlotte's new neighbor and friend. Just a year after resolving her best friend's attempted murder, Agnes did not expect that it'd go viral and she'd be hired to investigate Charlotte's suspicious death. This time, it's going to be a hell lot of a challenge. A lot of people in 'who done it list' since everyone at the party is a suspect.
I like this slightly better than the first book, Sleeping with Friends. I had to read both back to back in a day and it's better that I did, as this one contains major spoiler on who is the suspect in book 1. I like Agnes's character development but I find some of the new characters added in this installment a struggle to keep track of, not that compelling / poorly developed.

Happy publication day! (October 15, 2024)
Thank you Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for this digital arc in exchange for my honest review. 🖤

3✨

Brooklyn Kills Me is book two in the Friends and Enemies series by Emily Schultz.
This is an intriguing and suspenseful novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

I loved Sleeping With Friends so I was very excited for this book and I also loved this one. It felt just as gripping, exciting complete with great twists that kept me hooked.

“Brooklyn Kills Me” by Emily Schultz is the second book in a series. This could be read as a stand alone book. In the first book “Sleeping with Friends” we meet Agnes Nielsen.

Agnes, an amateur detective meets Charlotte Bond who lives in her new building and Charlotte takes Agnes under her wings. Charlotte invites Agnes into her circle and to her Salon. Charlotte mentions she wants to hire Agnes. Charlotte, an heiress ends up dead and Agnes has to piece together the night to find the murderer.

Honestly I didn’t love the first book but figured I’d give the second one an honest go. I enjoyed this book more. It was a faster read. I enjoyed the story though I found it a slow progression and too many characters to keep track of. It was a good, quick whodunit read.

Thank you Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for this digital arc in exchange for my honest review.

I would recommend this book for fans of the show Only Murders in the Building. Very similar vibes and atmosphere (New York, fancy people, fancy people, eccentric people, you get the drill...).

I did find this book to be a bit slow going at the beginning, but at the end (where I, personally, think it really matters for this genre), it really picks up.

I did find that some parts were a bit predictable, but I do find that to be a common issue with this type of genre (if you consume a lot of mystery/thriller books, tv shows or movies, you tend to have all of the possible formula options memorized at a certain point). So I don't find that to be a massive deal-breaker or anything.

Some characters did feel a bit two-dimensional to me, but again, that's another common issue I tend to have with this type of genre. The plot and mystery is more important than the characters, and I totally get that, I just prefer to get really invested in the characters I read about. And if you don't give me enough to get invested in, it can make the whole story fall a tad flat for me. But that really does vary person-to-person.

I am in my mystery/thriller girlie era!

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! My Goodreads review is up and my TikTok (Zoe_Lipman) review will be up at the end of the month with my monthly reading wrap-up.

This book was gripping and hard to put down. It didn't feel like everything else you see out there, it felt very fresh. I really enjoyed this book!

Loved this book. Its the second instalment in a series, although can be read standalone. Funny, raw, real and highly addictive mystery set in the dark underbelly of Brooklyn. Highly recommended xx

I love the premise and setting of this book. I liked the main lead and how she figures out herself post fame as a detective. While a slow burn it kept me hooked. Overall an enjoyable read for people who enjoy mysteries.

Thank you Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for this e-arc in exchange of my unbiased review.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

In this sequel to “Sleeping with Friends,” Emily Schultz returns us to the streets of Brooklyn. Detective Agnes Morales reluctantly investigates a suspicious death—the kind that leaves a bitter aftertaste at the party where it occurred. But in a neighborhood where secrets are currency and loyalties are tested, Agnes discovers that everyone has something to hide.

Schultz’s writing is as vivid as the graffiti on a subway wall, capturing the pulse of Brooklyn—the late-night diners, the brownstone stoops, and the simmering tension between old friends. The characters are complex, flawed, and achingly real. Agnes, haunted by her past, navigates the labyrinthine relationships with a mix of determination and vulnerability. Zoey, the enigmatic artist, harbors secrets that threaten to unravel her carefully constructed facade. And Mia, the victim, is more than just a casualty; she’s a mirror reflecting the fractured lives around her.

The pacing is relentless, pulling you deeper into the mystery. Schultz masterfully weaves together threads of betrayal, ambition, and desire, leaving you guessing until the final pages. Is it Agnes, driven by unspoken resentments? Or Zoey, who covets everything Mia has? The answers lie in the shadows of Brooklyn, where loyalty is tested, and the truth is a double-edged blade.

“Brooklyn Kills Me” is a noir-infused thriller that pulses with authenticity. Schultz’s prose is sharp, her characters unforgettable, and her portrayal of Brooklyn—both its beauty and its darkness—will linger. Whether you’re a seasoned detective fiction enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, this sequel is a must-read.

Emily Schultz’s latest novel is a gripping addition to the Friends and Enemies series. If you enjoyed the first book, “Sleeping with Friends,” you won’t want to miss this sequel. Dive into the heart of Brooklyn, where danger lurks in the shadows, and every secret has consequences. 🌆🔍📖

This book was slow going for me. There was some good twists but too many suspects. It seemed long winded and painfully slow getting into it. I just didn’t love it.

A murder mystery set in NYC.
Who killed the heiress, Charlotte? Agnes intends to find out. The who done it list is a long one because, everyone at the party that night is suspect. Through her interview process, she finds out there’s a murder club - a secret social circle.

The story started out just fine, but then it became very long winded. Too strung out for my taste. I became bored. The story became a struggle to get through.

This is the second book in a series and I thought I had read the first but apparently, I confused two books. I would recommend reading in order but I was able to follow along fine. Brooklyn Kills Me was a slow burn with an end I did not see coming! Looking forward to more books by Emily Schultz!

Thank you so much to netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I picked this book up because I have the first one on my kindle so I planned to read them back to back. Unfortunately, that was a mistake. I did not like the first book and I DNFed that one. I still decided to pick this one up to see if I liked it better but I did not. I just didn't vibe with the writing style or any of the characters. I would not have picked this one up if I tried the first book before this one.

This book was not for me but I hope others love it. I think people who liked the first book will probably enjoy this one more than me.

If you’re in the mood for a gripping tale that combines suspense with dark humor, “Brooklyn Kills Me” by Emily Schultz is a must-read. This sharp sequel to “Sleeping With Friends” follows book editor Agnes Nielson as she delves into the mysterious death of an heiress, against the glittering backdrop of New York society. Schultz’s storytelling is compelling, weaving a narrative that is as much about the secrets we keep as it is about the facades we present to the world. With twists that will keep you guessing and prose that will keep you engaged, this book is perfect for fans of Janet Evanovich and Harlan Coben who enjoy a side of wit with their mystery. Dive into “Brooklyn Kills Me” for a story that’s sure to entertain and intrigue

It was a nice and enterteining read. The writing dtyle was good and the main character has some depth, which I liked. I enjoyed the New York setting and also the rich people drama. Although it’s not something mindblowing for a thriller reader, all the pieces wrapped nicely at the end and it was a weel crafted mystery!

I was a fan of the first book in this series and could not wait to pick this one up. I loved the slow build up that turns into a twisty, unexpected story.

I think I may have liked this one better than the first! The details all seemed intentional, the writing really flowed, and the mystery seemed original. The ending also gave me pause where I went "Well, that wasn't how I thought this was going!" I definitely really enjoyed it.

I had high hopes for the second book in this series after thoroughly enjoying the first. I love characters who aren’t your typical doctors, lawyers, or soccer moms but rather folks who are piecing their lives together in unique ways. The dynamic of long-time friends sticking around even when you might not choose them today adds a relatable touch. However, this book didn't quite hit the mark for me. The plot shift to include a whole new cast of characters living in the main character's building felt forced and disconnected. Suddenly, we’re introduced to a bunch of new faces who are friends with each other but not with our protagonist, making it hard to care about them or keep them straight.

While I understand the series' theme of "friends and enemies" and see the potential for future books to explore different groups, the new characters in this installment weren’t compelling. They all had similar, irritating personalities, making it easy to mix them up and hard to root for any of them. The main character’s relationship with Ethan and her dating life remained the strongest aspects, and I found myself wanting more of that and less of the poorly developed new characters. The author seemed out of her depth with this new direction, and the story felt lackluster. Though the book wasn’t terrible, it seemed like the author herself didn't fully believe in these new additions, making it a less enjoyable read overall.

Brooklyn Kills Me by E. Schultz, published byThomas & Mercer, is the anticipated sequel to Friends and Enemies, Sleeping With Friends.
For best reading experience I recommend to read the books in order.
Agnes never dreamed that becoming a celebrity by solving the attempted murder of her best friend. And heiress Charlotte takes Agnes under her wing.
But suffers a fatal fall, that the police dismisses as accident. Agnes investigates on her own and soon she's tangled up with danger and intrigue.
The story has a slow build up to thrilling, twisty and unexpected turns that had me in suspense till the last page.