NOT THE KILLING KIND centers around Boots Marez who is seeking to clear her adopted son’s name after he is charged with murder. Although I enjoyed the pacing of the story, for the most part I didn’t really connect to anything.

I listened to the audio format and enjoyed the narration performance by Cynthia Farrell.

*many thanks to Crooked Lane, Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review

Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read an early copy of this book. Book was fine, really good if you like the genre! I would read more from this author.

A twisty, suspenseful and intense debut;
a story that will make you question how far would you go to save your family.

I’d rate Not the Killing Kind 3 out of 5 stars. The story follows Boots Marez, a determined mother trying to clear her adoptive son’s name after he’s charged with the murder of his friend. Despite having no experience as an investigator, Boots dives headfirst into unraveling the mystery, driven by her unwavering belief in her son’s innocence.

The twists throughout the book kept the plot engaging, and the suspense builds steadily as Boots uncovers piece after piece of the puzzle. The ending was well-crafted and satisfying, providing a solid conclusion to the mystery.

However, while the story had its moments, it lacked a certain depth or pacing that could have elevated it further. Overall, it’s an enjoyable read with an intriguing plot, especially for fans of twisty mysteries and strong, determined protagonists.

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

Maria Kelson’s Not the Killing Kind is a sharp, fast-paced mystery that blends suspense with unexpected humor. With a strong, complex protagonist and a plot full of twists, Kelson keeps readers hooked from the first page. This cleverly written thriller explores the gray areas between right and wrong, making for a compelling, thought-provoking read.

Perfect for fans of gripping crime dramas with depth.

This is a nerve wracking thriller! I was immediately intrigued by the found family aspect and definitely was increasingly despairing just like the main character as the evidence kept mounting up that her adopted son was guilty.. At times, I wasn’t sure how this was going to lead to a satisfying conclusion, but the author does a really nice job of wrapping things up in a way that makes sense and provides closure.

Ok ok… so Not the Killing Kind was like… totally not my kind of story.

First off, can we talk about the main character’s name?? Boots?? Like, excuse me, you work at this super fancy school, and that’s what you go by?? Major unprofessional vibes, girl. Idk why but it just got on my nerves.

The narration was actually pretty good, and you could tell different characters apart from each other by the narrator using different voices….. but honestly, the story itself was way too far-fetched for me. I mean, i know it’s fiction but come on.
I had no clue who the killer was (which, yay, I guess?) but the whole reveal felt so thrown together. It was giving me last-minute project panic. I just couldn’t get into it and found myself so not excited to keep listening. Three stars, but mostly for the narration.

Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for providing me with an ALC in exchange for an honest review.

This book should have been strong - the story of a mother trying to protect her son from an unjust system while simultaneously unearthing many other issues in her community - but most of it came across flat.

Boots was somehow simultaneously a badass but also a complete imbecile, who made questionable decisions at every turn and then brushed them off by saying 'its what a mother does'. Much of the language used also felt forced, though I can't quite pick up on what it was that made it feel this way.

It's a fine story, but really its nothing special and, mostly, its confusing. Topics such as adoption and immigration are brought up and while the author clearly thinks they're tackling them head on, it comes across as glossing over very heavy issues.

Not the Killing Kind by Maria Kelson

Just a mother trying to prove her sons innocence in the face of mounting evidence. What she finds is more than she ever thought possible.

I felt this one was trying too hard to tick all the political boxes. Adopts a child of another race, teaches undocumented people. It felt like it was laying it on super thick. There was a lot of unbelievable stuff going on in the book but I actually didn’t mind it and if you can set that part of it aside, there is a lot of really good action in this book.

Boots (yep that’s her name) went toe to toe with the POPO to prove that her son didn’t commit the crimes they are laying at his feet. It doesn’t look good but she cracks the case against all the odds. I actually enjoyed it but I am a sucker for really crazy books like this.

The ending was really solid, I felt the pace was good and the book set a tone and never waived.

4 stars - I will follow this series.

This book left me with many frustrations, most of which stem from the writing style. The frequent use of mundane explanations made the story feel dull, while the disjointed plot and lack of flow added to the overall disconnect. Although the narrator had a pleasant voice, the over-pronunciation at times became irritating. The book touched on significant themes—immigration, adoption, government, and queerness—but it failed to deliver a strong or cohesive message on any of them.

I would first of all like to thank Net Galley for an ARC of this title.

I never really related to any of the characters in the book and the story was missing something, but I just can’t put my finger on it. I was bored from the very first chapter and did not finish it.

Thank you NetGalley for this audiobook ARC! This story was definitely different. I appreciated the inclusion of racial elements and sexual orientation elements. I think the plot lost me a few times, not sure I would have finished if it was a physical book.

Not the Killing Kind by Maria Kelson. I love a good thriller and I am completely fine with books being a bit out there BUT this book was REALLY out there. I really enjoyed the first 50 percent of the book but the ending took a very weird turn. The book was exciting and I wanted to find out what happened but this book was a bit too out there for me. I did enjoy the narrator.

Where do I start?! Not the killing kind follows a mother who is trying to prove her son’s innocence, and there is nothing she won’t do to prove it. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time while this story unraveled! Highly recommend

Not the Killing Kind by Maria Kelson is a fast-paced, on-the-edge-of-my-seat drama that grabbed my attention and would not let me go.

Nope. This one was not for me. I did finish it only because I wanted to know who the murderer was- whether it was actually Jaral or someone else. I guess it gets some credit, as I was never sure who the killer was. <spoiler> though the killer wasn't really introduced until like 2/3 in, so there was no way to know. </spoiler>

So why didn't I like it? 0% of this book is even remotely believable. Like, it is fiction, I know, but it is so ridiculous, it belongs in a subgenre. Tall tales or something, lol.

Also, the names. Who goes by Boots professionally? And Jaral called her Moms. With an s. It grated on me.

Cynthia Farrell narrates the audiobook. Her narration was fine.

I received an advance audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books and Dreamscape Media for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the debut thriller by Maria Kelson, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by Cynthia Ferrell.. All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 4 stars!

Boots is a Latina single mom to 18-year-old Jaral, whom she adopted 6 years ago. She runs a school that helps undocumented people in her politically divided town in Northern California. Boots’ world is turned upside down when Jaral is arrested for the murder of one of her former students. Plus, the school board is trying to get rid of her for some of her unpopular actions. Just how far will Boots go to protect her child?

This was a good thriller that will make you think about very relevant topics. But at the heart of it, it’s about what one mother will do for her child. Even when that child has been keeping secrets. Boots puts herself in very dangerous positions to save Jaral and others. Full of action, some of it over the top, but intriguing. The audiobook narration was wonderful!

DNF at 20%. I just wasn’t interested in what was happening. I didn’t care to see how it ended. Narration was cool.

Thank you, Netgalley, Maria Kelson, and Dreamscape Media for the audiobook. A great listen narrated by Cynthia Farrell. This story line had you gripped from the very beginning. Not sure how I'd react or what I'd do if my son or stepson was thought to have committed a heinous crime. This outlines the depths a mother will go through to help their child.