3.5 stars.

This is one of the oddest books I’ve read in a while, but that’s okay because overall, it works.

When I started this book, I kept expecting certain events to take place and the author kept throwing twists in. About a third of the way through, I started to figure out and anticipate the twists, which actually made the reading experience really fun.

This book was not at all what I expected it to be. I didn’t enjoy the sort of weird insta-love between Dodi and Jake, but I ended up really loving their found family. I also really liked the Paper Pusher storyline.

If you’re looking for a unique love story, probably unlike anything you’ve read before, full of dark humor, this is the book for you! It releases on 29 April 2025.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Berkeley for a free eARC in exchange for my honest review.

4.5 stars
I was expecting a light hearted rom-com and I got this emotional funny story that I loved. It was so good, please pick this one up when it comes out!

Kate Posey’s debut novel had me hooked from the start and desperate to know what would happen next; subsequently I read the entire book in less than 24 hours.

Jake Ripper (yes, that is his name) is a new temp employee at Dolores de la Cruz’s job and from their very first encounter they are both fascinated with and wary of each other. They try to resist, but soon begin a tantalizing game of cat and mouse full of ridiculous misunderstandings (which were for once not frustrating), inappropriate pranks, and flirtatious banter.

Serial Killer Games is a dark romance, but it’s also a book about grief, yearning for human connections, and love. It made me laugh out loud and tear up. It was macabre at times yet heartwarming. It was unlike anything I’ve read before and I loved it.

"The entire premise of dating as a straight woman is being alone with men who are potential murderers." "That's very insulting. Potential?"

This was not what I thought it would be, but I'm not upset about it! I think the only reason this isn't rated higher from me is truly a me problem, because I went in thinking it would give Buther & Blackbird vibes, and that was the wrong way to go. It's the perfect mix of fluffy and dark rom-com. I was literally laughing out loud so many times. The shower scene was perfection. IYKYK.

"What do you think of my tattoos?" "You're going to make a very gaudy lampshade."

Dolores and Jack are a pair made in f*cked up heaven. Their dark and morbid senses of humor and ways of communicating with each other was so fun to read. Definitely a nice change of pace from most romance tropes out there. Give me more couples talking casually about murder with each other, please. And cinnamon roll domesticated men who give a girl a haunted Barbie dream house and leave Christmas wrapped Ken doll parts hidden in plain sight as a "gift."

"A true serial killer has the good manners to keep it personal. A good firm stranglehold and then eye contact till the end." "Don't threaten me with a good time."

I will say, I feel like the story kind of lost me halfway through when things were being revealed, and it seemed like the story really took a 180. I absolutely adored the ending, though. Cat and Laura are so cute I could picture them in my head so clearly. Honestly, this book would make a great movie. True 'cult classic' potential. This being a debut novel is so promising, and I will definitely be keeping an eye out for more from this author in the future!

Just finished *Serial Killer Games* by Kate Posey, and WOW – what a ride! 😱 If you loved the Butcher and Blackbird series, this one is definitely for you. I dove into this one without any expectations, and it did not disappoint. I read it in one sitting because I *had* to know what happened next. The twists and turns kept me on edge, and I was constantly questioning who was “good” and who was “evil.” The serial killer angle was intense, but it had me hooked the entire time.

The book felt like two stories in one: one part was the budding, teased at romance between Dodi and Jake, with a slow-burn “will they or won’t they?” vibe. The second part dives into themes of found family, grief, and- of course- murder.

That being said, the pace did feel a bit slower at times, and there were moments where I wasn’t sure what the plot was building toward. It almost felt like I was watching the characters just live their lives, without a clear direction toward a big moment. While everything definitely comes together by the end, this isn’t a heavy, emotional read—it’s more of a steady journey with a solid payoff.

There were a few side characters who didn’t quite fit into the main story, and I kept wondering why they were included. But honestly, it didn’t take away from the overall plot, just left me a little confused at times.

Definitely check the trigger warnings before diving in, and if you're not a fan of dark humor, this might not be the one for you.

Oh, and did I mention Kate Posey is Canadian? 🇨🇦 Love supporting homegrown talent!

Not quite sure how I feel about this one...
Thank you to NetGalley, Kate Posey, and Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley for a free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Plot:
Dolores and Jake both work in the same office. Dolores has a sneaking suspicion that Jake is actually a serial killer. Meanwhile, Jake thinks Dolores is the most interesting "vampire" he's ever met.

My Thoughts:
I kept the plot so short because it was difficult for me to summarize what is happening in this book. I think the actual summary is a bit misleading. I thought this book would be more of a comedy between two killers like the popular Butcher and Blackbird series, but this was not even close. Was it a romance? Maybe? Was it a comedy? Kind of. Was it a book about serial killers at all? Barely.

The writing in the book was great. The author creates great tone and immersion and I did read through this book pretty quick even though I had no idea what was going on most of the time. She gave just enough information to keep me reading to see what was going to happen next.

I found the FMC to be unlikable as the story progressed and I leaned more toward the FMC, but I still couldn't get a read on either of them until the last five chapters.

I think this author would do great with a thriller or mystery. I didn't see any of the twists or turns coming, but I am so glad they did. The last five chapters of this book are what brought in those last few puzzle pieces.

Overall, great writing, great potential. It just took too long for me to understand what this book was actually trying to be.

4.5⭐ rounding up

A surprise filled debut! The cover and title fit the content after reading, but prior to picking this up, glancing at it brought up a thousand possibilities and nothing my mind turned over was even close to the plot. I loved being along for the ride!

Dolores dela Cruz works in an office, but her guilty pleasure is tuning in to true crime podcasts. She often gazes around at her fellow office drones and wonders if she could spot a serial killer trying to blend in.

Meanwhile, Dolores has her own reasons for flying under the radar.

Jake Ripper (could he have a better name) is a temp always on the move from job to job and compiling lists. When Dolores crosses his path, she grabs his attention with her direct argumentative manner.

Are those leather gloves he's so fond of wearing a clue to his extracurricular activities?

The story is told in dual POVs which was a great move. I liked both of these characters and getting to understand their personal lives outside of their interactions with each other added to the overall experience. The layout seems simple. Right? Wrong. The road to a relationship is riddled with unusual detours. So much so that the romance seemed secondary to the big picture which I liked because like it or not, life is a million unique working parts.

It would've been so simple to use a tried-and-true template for a romance and instead the author went in another direction giving readers a refreshing take. My favorite aspect was the uncommon turns the plot threads took. I also enjoyed that the tropes didn't feel "tropey" they felt like a natural progression in the story.

I would recommend this to those who appreciate dark humor with enough heart to balance it without becoming sickly sweet.

Kudos on this debut, Kate Posey!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for providing an Advanced Reading Copy for review. All opinions are my own.

This was a quirky, sometimes twisted, dark rom-com with a splash of thriller. I was originally expecting more of a thriller simply because of the title but I didn’t mind the romance! The banter was fun and there ended up being some deep emotions expressed from both MC’s that I wasn’t expecting but that warmed my heart nonetheless. Jake and Dolores had a lot of chemistry for two people who think the other could be a serial killer 🤣 I’d almost (lightly) describe this as if Dexter had been a rom-com and Dexter had actually been able to feel any emotions (which we know he couldn’t if you watched the show)
Overall entertaining and unexpected read!

Dolores is concerned that the temp in her office is acting like a serial killer in Kate Posey's Serial Killer Games. Jake's bland good looks, sketchy behavior and interest in Delores strays from her desire to remain anonymous at her job. His name even fits the part: Jake Ripper. What follows is a game of cat and mouse, tit-for-tat, a mild (albeit with a twisted bent) flirtation and a dash of romance.

The story drew me in as did Posey's evocative, melodious prose. While the book does seem to change genres a bit halfway through it still holds up its charm. There was a bit of dragging in the middle, but nevertheless I really enjoyed the characters of Dolores and Jake and the twisted bond that grew between them. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

I received this advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review and feedback.

This book is darkly, richly, and sweetly delicious. What a gem! I think if you read the blurb and are intrigued then you need to snatch this one up and make plans for an excellent reading experience. This will keep you intrigued and laughing and and holding your breath and addicted to turning the pages until you reach the satisfying conclusion. It is especially fabulous if you go in not knowing details beyond the book blurb. I loved this book.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

I think dark romcoms are my new favourite subgenre. I love dark humour, and boy, did this book deliver on that front and satisfy my inner goth.

Serial Killer Games is everything that I wanted from Love in the Time of Serial Killers. This book is what I imagine an office romcom featuring a (slightly more normal) adult Wednesday Addams and Dexter Morgan would be like.

Jake Ripper (yes, that's actually his name LOL) is a mysterious temp who makes it his business to lurk in the shadows and observe everyone around him. He immediately takes notice of another mysterious office worker who appears to be a lot like him – someone who remains unnoticed around the office and is similarly interested in the news about the local serial killer, “the Paper Pusher”. Meanwhile, Dolores de la Cruz, a Filipina true-crime fanatic who’s been keeping a low-profile at work, does not appreciate being noticed and is fully convinced that Jake is a serial killer.

This romcom was wickedly unhinged and morbidly funny. I was completely hooked from the first chapter, and if the excerpt below (from the first chapter) isn’t enough to convince you to read this, I don’t know what will.

"You’re following me."
“No. This is my car.” I lean against the car next to hers.
She considers the sleek car and weighs it against my temp uniform. "That’s definitely not your car."
"It is."
"Prove it. Open up the trunk and show me your latest strangle victim."
I don’t move.
She twists sinuously on the spot and flicks her eyes up and down from my head to my toes. "You’re a creep," she says, and I can’t tell if it’s an insult or praise. She hops in her car and I watch as she drives off. She flips me the bird as she vanishes around a cement pillar.
I stare after her, my thoughts twisting this way and that. There was something about how she looked at me and really saw me – the faceless office temp who no one normally sees, who no one is supposed to notice. It feels risky, and exhilarating.
I fish out my keys out of my pocket and pop the trunk. There’s a rolled-up rug inside, blond hair spilling out one end.
I could have shown her. Wouldn’t that have been hilarious.


I adored the dark, witty and flirty banter between Dolores and Jake (I mean, who knew half joking about serial killers could have such flirty undertones?!). Their slow-burn chemistry was off the charts and I was rooting for them to get together from the get go. Although told in alternating first person POVs, both characters maintain an air of mystery leaving me scrambling to read the next chapter to learn more about whatever secrets they may be hiding.

I absolutely loved Jake and Dolores. They’re both sharp-witted and lethally funny loners who are weirdly perfect for each other and who get each other on a deeper level #relationshipgoals.

I also loved that there were many unexpected and delightful twists that I didn’t see coming. This book appropriately balanced humour with slightly heavier and more emotional themes of mortality, family, and love. I was also pleasantly surprised that nearly everything that happened in this book still fell within the realm of possibility and wasn’t too wild or farfetched (unlike other thriller romcoms such as Finlay Donovan). What I loved the most though, was the story of two individuals with strangely unique interests and an odd sense of humour finding each other.

Finally, this phenomenal debut novel features a long list of my favourite tropes (which I won’t list so as not to spoil the book). I will say that I am a sucker for the found family trope, which was the cherry on top of the cake and really cemented my love for this book.

This book was not for me. I thought it would be more humorous, instead it depressed me. I couldn’t like either character, but especially Dodi. I had some trouble following the beginning, wondering what the book was trying to do. At some points the story dragged and I just wanted it to end. Unfortunately, everything about this book missed the mark for me.

Got it! Let's revise that to better reflect the tone and genre of the book. Here's a more fitting review:

---

*Serial Killer Games* wasn’t quite what I was expecting. Despite the title, it’s not a dark psychological thriller or crime story—far from it. Instead, this is a romance that plays with the idea of danger and mystery but in a way that feels more playful than perilous. It’s a book for those who like to think of themselves as a bit "troubled" without actually stepping into truly dark territory.

For the first 40% or so, I was left feeling confused. The author seems to deliberately withhold information from the reader, but the approach felt more like teasing a secret that was never fully explained. Hints and clues were scattered throughout, but they didn’t quite add up, leaving me unsure of what was happening. Once the story shifted into its romantic rhythm, though, I started to let go of any expectations of serial killer intrigue and just accepted it as a quirky love story.

The title is misleading in that sense, and it wasn’t until later in the book that the author makes an attempt to explain the connection. But by then, it didn’t quite land the way I think it was meant to. The twists and reveals didn’t have much impact—they were fairly predictable and didn’t add much excitement to the plot.

As for the characters, they felt like they were trying to be edgy and unlikable, but never quite hit the mark. They were meant to feel complex, but in the end, they didn’t evoke the emotional response I was hoping for.

If you’re looking for a unique romance with a bit of edge—something that flirts with danger but never quite goes there—then *Serial Killer Games* might be worth checking out. It’s a different take on the genre, but don’t go in expecting a psychological thriller or intense mystery. It’s all about the romance, albeit with a slightly twisted angle.

"𝘼 𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙠𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙪𝙣𝙩 𝙢𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙄'𝙙 𝙗𝙚 𝙝𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙝𝙞𝙢."

𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚛𝚞𝚗𝚍𝚘𝚠𝚗:
Jake Ripper enjoys being invisible at his corporate temp job. Until he spots her: Dolores de la Cruz, the mystery woman who captivates his attention. Could she be the serial killer who is pushing execs off the building? But when Dolores turns her attention back on Jake, the hunter becomes the hunted.

𝙼𝚢 𝚝𝚊𝚔𝚎:
I’m going to be honest here, I have absolutely no clue how to rate this one because I truly have no clue what I just read. But I enjoyed it? I liked it? So I guess thats what my rating is based on!

I will say that I think this book’s success lies in going blind. Don’t have expectations. Honestly the entire time I had no idea what was going on. I literally screeched, “WHAT THE HECK?!” so many times - & it made this book SO fun to read!

I have never read a book like this before, and while I may have struggled to grasp exactly what was going on at times, the writing was fabulous and the dialogue was snarky and weird and borderline twisted.

But this books isn’t just all fun & serial killer games. There’s plenty of emotion tucked into the story, which allowed for real heartfelt moments throughout the twisted humor.

“𝘐 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘸𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘢 𝘣𝘢𝘣𝘺’𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘦 -𝘴𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘤𝘶𝘣𝘦, 𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘭𝘦𝘧𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩. 𝘐𝘧 𝘸𝘦’𝘳𝘦 𝘭𝘶𝘤𝘬𝘺, 𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘦’𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘦 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘮𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵.”

I thought this was a great debut, and I’m definitely interested to see what this author writes next!

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗴𝗲𝘁:
🖤twisted romcom
🖤opposites attract
🖤plenty of WTF moments
🖤dark humor
🖤marriage of convenience
🖤true crime fascination
🖤found family

*Thank you to Berkley & NetGalley for this ARC. All opinions are my own*

This was a fun mix of dark comedy, romance, and thriller. Dolores, a true crime-obsessed office worker, suspects the new temp, Jake Ripper, might be a serial killer. Their dynamic is full of banter and tension, making for an entertaining read.

I enjoyed the humor and unique premise, but the book leaned more into romance than thriller, which wasn’t quite what I expected. The pacing felt uneven at times, but overall, it’s a clever, unconventional story that fans of dark humor and quirky relationships will enjoy!

Liked it . Due to health issues cannot not but will write a proper review at a later time
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Many thanks to Berkley | Penguin Random House for a chance to read this book in advance!

Serial Killer Games is like Dexter in the form of a Rom-Com. Kate Posey is an author who will be one to watch in the future. Her debut novel is delightfully unpredictable and morbidly sarcastic. As she states in her author’s note, she wrote each of the tropes she wanted to read herself; albeit in one twisty, turny novel! There’s forced proximity, a found family, enemies to lovers, and friends to lovers — to name a few. The quippy lines had me cackling: “Are these your Boomers?”

Serial Killer Games is full of macabre misunderstandings between Dolores and Jake, but will warm even the blackest hearts by the end. This is a literary launch to make Wednesday Addams proud. Undoubtedly a five-star favorite!

Jake Ripper leads a mysterious life, when he comes across Dolores dela Cruz at his new job. They share dark, secretive lives, and could one of them be a serial killer?

I really wanted to like this book. I was excited after reading the synposis. As a lover of contemporary romance and true crime podcasts, this book, at the surface, checked off all those boxes. However, it lacked in execution. I felt that the story felt scattered and the pacing was off. I struggled to finish it.

I will say, if you loved Butcher and Blackbird, you might like this book, but I did not.

Thank you to NetGalley and Publishers for an advance copy in exchange for my unbiased review.

Serial Killer Games by Kate Posey is a light fun read.

We all have that coworker that can get away with murder, but what if they actually were?

Dolores Dela Cruz believes the new office temp is a serial killer. Jake ripper is the new temp with a very fitting name. This book is a morbidly funny take on how our society is obsessed with serial killers. When we see serial killers in the news, we would like to believe we would be able to pick them out of a crowd. So when a potential killer appears at Dolores work, she observes him. As evidence starts to stack up she wonders if she will be next.

Special thank you to Kate Posey and Berkeley Publishing for working with NetGalley. I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion and review.

This book will be published April 29 2025

This book was unique, and I was here for every twisted, hilarious, and strangely romantic moment. From the very first page, you have absolutely no idea what to expect, and honestly? That’s what makes it so damn fun. This book leans into my fascination of serial killer psychology, but in a way that feels more like a cat-and-mouse game than your typical thriller. Dolores is convinced the new temp is a killer, and instead of running, she’s… intrigued. I think I might have been too....not gonna lie. The narrative style pulls you in, even when you’re not entirely sure where you are or what’s going on. And somehow, despite the dark premise, it’s weirdly addictive. It’s equal parts unsettling and hilarious, making it impossible to put down.

The dynamic between these two is something else. Their flirtation is dark, their chemistry is electric, and the way their relationship unfolds keeps you constantly on edge. Just when you think you know where it’s going—nope, think again. This book is like nothing I’ve read before. It’s a morbidly funny, totally offbeat take on romance, mystery, and obsession. If you love dark humor, unconventional love stories, and a dash of true crime energy, Serial Killer Games is definitely one to check out.