I enjoyed a few things from this book: the flashbacks, the writing, the story line, the relationship between the main characters. I struggled with the pacing of the story but overall I enjoyed figuring out who was responsible for the deaths!

Easy read that I didn’t want to put down. Some of it was predictable but there were still parts that surprised me. I understand there needed to be a setup for the whole Thelma and Louise road-trip, but Evie fleeing the crime scene made zero sense to me. She only looked like a suspect because she made herself appear as one. This made it hard for me to empathize with Evie. Despite this, I still wanted to know what was going to happen next. And even though I didn’t care for Evie, I appreciate that she had a backstory. Characters in thrillers are usually one-note. At least here we know what Evie’s life was before.

I really wanted to love this book but it was a bit of a trainwreck, meaning that it started off interesting but then kind of fell off. I don't know, I was expecting something else.

4.5/5 ⭐️
“This thrill ride follows two unlikely fugitives-an SAT tutor who finds her rich employers brutally murdered and the bound woman she frees from their mansion.”

Killer Potential follow Evie and Jae on their escape from LA and to solve a mystery of who killed Evies employers. This book was entertaining and had more emotion to it than a typical thriller/mystery. I might be one of the few but i didn’t predict the twist 😅 Overall a good fast paced book where i wanted to know the ending - which was kind of disappointing but makes sense.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book was truly unlike anything else I’ve ever read. A thriller with heart and strangely enough, strong philosophical moments.

I really wanted to like this book, I really really did! BUT I am unable to finish it because oh my god I am so annoyed. HOW is this second character NOT SPEAKING for DAYS?? Like I'm getting so frustrated that Evie is just going along with this, and really annoyed at the writer for writing a character like this. I can't keep reading and had to put the book down. I'm not sure why the woman not speaking is so frustrating to me but it's just not a book I want to spend my time reading.

A Deviously Twisted Take on Murder and the Fine Art of Escape

Evie Gordon is skating through life using the massive reservoir of brainpower she was born with. “Ingenious”, “problem-solving”, and even “mongoose-like cunning” describe the smarts now being used to teach students how to crush the SAT. While in college she had higher expectations than being a tutor, earning a paycheck isn’t half-bad—not even when a fair amount of her students possess the intellectual prowess of a cicada. But it’s nothing Evie can’t handle, or so she believes, and it’s that erroneous faith in the goodness of life that allows disaster to sneak up on cloven hooves and steal her innocence away. Thus she has no idea what awaits when she arrives at the home of her last student of the day, and the sight of the slaughtered family leaves its indelible mark. But there’s another surprise, and it’s the discovery of a tortured, half-starved woman held prisoner in a closet. What to do? What to do? Panic ensues when Evie realizes that she’s traipsed blood all over the crime scene in the manner of a drunken baby deer. That evidence alone will get her arrested but maybe … just maybe … the chained prisoner can fill in the gaps as to who really committed the murders. It’s her only hope … as is crossing the Canadian border without anyone noticing.

This is the premise of KILLER POTENTIAL, a wickedly entertaining, chiller-diller of a murder mystery. The story artfully arranged between freshly-cut slices of commentary on the mores of individuals as they relate to society, it’s here that the beautifully cynical eye of author Hannah Deitch shines. Skewering hypocrite and non-hypocrite alike, she even includes a how-to manual on how the media creates celebrity villains for villagers with lighted torches to hunt down.

The pacing of the novel is variable depending on whether Evie is thinking again … and getting herself and her fellow fugitive into a deeper mess than they’re already in. And it’s no joke that, each and every time the pair do encounter trouble, the repercussions worsen. I should add here that these episodes of barroom brawl type heroics really make for good reading. No doubt Ms. Deitch goes the extra mile in describing each blow, its impact, and the price of living through the aftermath of what I would call a “fistfest”. This author doesn’t so much write about what occurs as perform an MRI to ensure every nuance is captured. It’s a clever touch that adds immensely to the atmosphere and understanding the predicament. Personally, I loved sinking into the feral nature of two women fighting for their lives.

The set-up of the novel works beautifully. The chapters are interspersed and divided into two basic themes. The first falls under the heading of “the Driving Evie”. It includes everything that takes place in the tutor’s inner world while driving cross-country. For example, concentrating on the mental gymnastics needed to elude capture is one such topic. Trying like hell to figure out the enigmatic traveling companion who doesn’t speak much is another. But Evie’s not complaining about her better half. Seems the woman is a world champion at hotwiring a car, and jumpstarting a car is way more priceless in this situation than someone flapping their gums—which brings us to the second heading. It’s the one that documents and records what’s going on in the outside world. Aptly called “Reality,” this is when the alleged murderess’ hands are off the steering wheel and Evie’s fertile brain is attempting to explain just how far her butt is up the river—and without a paddle.

All-in-all it’s a seamless work that deals with the world we know—and the one we don’t. The enviably-written character studies amp up the tension and give the novel its own unique personality, while the underlying mystery that never fails to trigger unforeseen events is solid and works exceptionally well. Both are used to the highest advantage in solidifying and fleshing out the two lead characters that are both full of secrets and enigmas due to their anathema of confessing all. Note to self: Never accept “piecemeal”.

So if you’re into well-written mysteries that leave plenty of room for surprises and suspense, but also leave a unique fingerprint, then KILLER POTENTIAL is for you. Hannah Deitch has done an outstanding job in offering a one-of-a-kind, knuckle-clenching tale with intrigue used as its supersauce. I highly recommend and am interested in where this author is going in the years ahead. I would also like to thank NetGalley and HarperCollins for giving me the opportunity to receive an ARC copy.

A woman is on the run with a stranger after discovering the wealthy family of the teenager she tutors is dead in their backyard. This is definitely a book that is rooted in reality, but also feels like you have to suspend your disbelief for plot twists and turns and character development pretty frequently. If that frustrates you in your reads, this will not be the novel for you. If you’re fine with it, this is a fun time. I really liked the author’s writing style - I was surprised to see this was her debut, because the writing feels so assured. I also felt like the ending was predictable, but I don’t consider that a negative, because this doesn’t feel like a mystery that’s trying to shock you. Or, possibly, I read way too many mysteries. I’m glad I read this; it was a page-turner with depth to it.

As many times as I guessed where this story would go, I was always wrong. Evie and Jae were completely enthralling main characters. I liked how the author approached the differing POV chapters. Even though they weren’t labeled, each character had such a distinct voice they were easy to decipher.

The ending was great. The audience gets just enough answers yet there is a sense of mystery still lingering, as there still is with our characters.

I was highly impressed by this story!

This book was okay. It fell short of what I had built it up to in my brain, but I still enjoyed it enough to finish.

First, I want to say that I think lots of people will love this book. It just wasn't me. I know I'm an outlier here, and I didn't hate it.

From the very beginning, I felt like it had a very "Gone, Girl" type of vibe, and lo and behold, toward the end, it makes some very Gone. Girl types of moves. The blurb, which tells you too much, calls it "darkly funny." I did not find this funny at all, but I think it tries to be casually dark, which was reminiscent of Gone, Girl It also has a Thelma & Louise thing going on. So if you enjoyed those two, you'll probably like this.

It's a debut work, and while the writing was punchy and compelling, I did feel like it was a bit over the top, in a debut kind of way. It's well set up, keeping you turning the pages to figure out what in world is going on.

However, some parts are just so disturbing or cringey that I had to skim. The protagonist does so many dumb things, for a really smart girl, that it was hard to read. The main characters are just so unlikeable. That's definitely what's meant to be felt, but I like rooting for the protagonist, and you can't really.

It also has a fair amount of spice and bad language, which isn't my style, and I had to skim some parts of that, too.

I didn't see an LBGTQ label, but there should be, for people who care either way. It's very prominent in the story. Pretty much every woman here seems to be in that world.

Finally, the big twist at the end just fell flat for me, and nothing happened in the follow up.

Thank you to NetGalley, William Morrow, and Hannah Deitch for an advanced copy for review.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Hannah Deitch’s debut novel, Killer Potential, is a masterful blend of dark humor, gripping suspense, and sharp social commentary; I LOVED it.This novel is a rollercoaster ride of a read.

The story follows Evie Gordon, a scholarship kid with big dreams who finds herself working as an SAT tutor for the wealthy elite of Los Angeles. Her life takes a dramatic turn when she arrives at the Victors’ mansion for a tutoring session, only to discover the gruesome murder of her employers and a bound woman in desperate need of help. As Evie frees the woman, they are spotted, and their lives spiral into chaos as they become fugitives.

Evie is a compelling protagonist, torn between her aspirations and the harsh realities of her situation. Her journey from a hopeful graduate to a fugitive is both heart-wrenching and exhilarating. The mysterious woman she rescues adds an intriguing layer to the story, her silence and enigmatic presence creating a palpable tension throughout their journey.

Killer Potential delves into themes of social mobility, the pressures of societal expectations, and the dark side of the American Dream. Deitch’s portrayal of Evie’s transformation from a promising student to a media sensation accused of murder is both cuttingly hilarious and deeply insightful. The novel raises important questions about the narratives we are sold and how they shape our lives.

Deitch’s writing is sharp and witty, with a knack for blending humor and suspense. The dialogue is crisp, and the pacing is relentless, making it difficult to put the book down. The novel’s darkly comic tone adds a unique flavor, setting it apart from typical thrillers.

Killer Potential is a strikingly original debut that combines the intensity of a thriller with the depth of a literary novel. It’s perfect for fans of The Guest and My Sister, the Serial Killer. Deitch has crafted a story that is both entertaining and thought-provoking, making it a must-read for anyone looking for a fresh and engaging thriller.

Hannah Deitch has announced herself as a formidable new voice in fiction. Killer Potential is a testament to her storytelling prowess, and I eagerly await her next work. This novel is a thrilling exploration of ambition, identity, and the lengths we go to achieve our dreams.

This book was so good. It had me from the first chapter. This book gave me the babysitter vibes, its a movie where the babysitter is marked and she kills people. This is a great who did it mystery where you never wanted to stop turning the page until we found out what happened. Then when you did know, there is a twist! Great first novel.

This was fun. Definitely didn’t pan out how I expected it to in the beginning. It reminded me of Lucky which was a Reese Witherspoon pick a few years ago.

This one took me a little bit to get into, but around the 10-15% mark I was definitely drawn into the story. As the story progressed, I found the pace picking up a lot and I was rapidly turning pages by the end. This is definitely a book that falls into a few different genres; literary fiction, thriller, romance. If you are someone who needs a heroine who you root for 24/7 then this might not be for you. I personally love an unreliable and often unlikeable lead, so this was perfect. I was genuinely shocked by the plot twist!

I thought this was going to be better than it was, based on the description. Our main character was annoying and acted immature. It somehow felt both unbelievable and boring at the same time.

Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

'Darkly funny and provocative, this edge-of-your-seat thrill ride follows two unlikely fugitives—an SAT tutor who finds her rich employers brutally murdered and the bound woman she frees from their mansion—an irresistible debut novel perfect for fans of The Guest and My Sister, the Serial Killer’

A respectable and thoroughly twisted debut!

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for this arc in exchange for review.

Pub date: 3.18.2025.

Killer Potential is such an interesting book because rather than a typical thriller, it's more about the experience of being on the run and having to live your life in the margins.

Killer Potential opens with an SAT tutor in LA, Evie Gordon, stumbling upon a horrific murder scene at one of her client's homes. She's panicking over what to do, discovers an unknown woman bound under a staircase, and then they flee after they not only seriously injure the student who walks in on the scene and assumes they're the killers, but then her boyfriend walks in and assumes everyone has been killed by Evie and this woman.

The remainder of the book follows Evie and this woman (who we eventually learn is named Jae) as they zigzag across the country in a variety of stolen vehicles trying to outrun law enforcement as what happened at the house in LA is now a major national news story.

The plot was a mix of both Thelma and Louise and Parasite. In the beginning of the book Jae is mute, however when she eventually begins to speak, in conversations with each other Jae and Evie address the vast wealth disparity in LA and the myth that if you do well in school you will do well in life. Both of them ended up as SAT tutors after graduating into a horrific job market and in Jae's case, also having grown up in poverty. The exploitation of immigrants in this country is addressed as well.

They don't just have conversations however, there is action as Evie and Jae descend further into actual criminality as they continue to evade police. The plot takes a sudden turn when the student Evie tutored wakes up and shares the truth about what happened that day Evie found all of them. I was very surprised actually and did not guess what would happen whatsoever as there are red herrings throughout the book as information comes out about the family's hidden life.

The last third of the book dragged a little as it just felt like a summary of what happened to Evie in the aftermath of all this. It also seemed a little fantastical including chapters that are told from Jae's perspective. Without sharing spoilers, the resolution also felt very derivative. That said, it was still intriguing and horrifying to think about as a concept.

This book made me think a lot about what it would actually be like to have to be on the run like this. I appreciated the vivid writing that made me truly feel sympathy for them, particularly Evie.

Many thanks to William Morrow and to NetGalley for this ARC to review. This review is my honest opinion,

I didn’t love this one. The premise was good, but the whole thing felt implausible and somewhat ridiculous. Both main characters were somewhat laughable. First, if a grown and intelligent adult walks in on a murder scene, they wouldn’t taint evidence, leave their DNA, and flee. That started the descent of the book.

I didn’t like Evie and her thought-rambling. Jae’s silence was irritating, and the love affair felt very forced. Their ability to stay on the run for so long with no cash or credit cards could never happen with law enforcement everywhere looking for them. Jae could just come up with everything they needed right when they needed it. I just couldn’t buy any of it. Also, the secret tunnels in the house that no one could find. It just didn’t work unless this is really a story about magic.

Her writing was okay. I feel like another editor should take a look to remove some of the silly metaphors and check for continuity. This book doesn’t feel finished.

I'm not sure how I feel about the ending (although as the book went on, it was harder and harder to imagine a GOOD ending. And I have a LOT of questions about the road trip itself. Sure, time passed and there were time skips, but the characters seem to launch from one side of the country to the other with little or no effort, only to immediately/constantly get in trouble as soon as they reached wherever they were going. There was a lot of bonding time alone on the road that got left on the cutting room floor, and it made the story feel a bit too over-trimmed.