Slaying You is the much anticipated sequel to Killing Me, which was one of the most entertaining and enjoyable books I read last year. I had high expectations for this one. While it didn't have as interesting of a plot as the first book, it was still enjoyable. This book has the same lovable and intriguing characters, with a few new additions. The first part of the book starts slow, but then around the 30% mark things start to pick up and get more interesting. I would highly recommend reading the first book before diving into this one. As much as I would love more of Amber, Grace, and entourage...it seems from the author's note this may be the last we hear of them. Fingers crossed for more!

Thanks to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

4.5 rounded up!

I was a huge fan of Book 1 (Killing Me) loving everything about it from the characters of various walks of life (a retired grifter, a Las Vegas native who's seen it ALL, a sex worker and a tech expert who's also the sister of a serial killer) to the author's ability to make mayhem funny. I was sooooo hoping for a sequel but now that my wish came true... well, now I'm hoping that someday we'll see a third because I truly can't get enough of Dot, Amber, Grace and Marcella.

In addition to having all the danger and fun plotting we enjoyed from Killing Me, in Slaying You, we also see a lot of character growth and heart!

I love that our MC Amber is not perfect and she's not a pushover. Her reaction to her pi$$ed off girlfriend was priceless and totally something I would do!

Amber also reminds us that when blood fails us, love is all we need to make our own family.

This book publishes 5/13/25 so if you haven't read Killing Me yet, you have time!! Bump it up to the top of your TBR so you'll be ready for Slaying You!

Thank you so much for the ARC!!

3.5 stars

Compulsively readable and morbidly funny, Slaying You is a worthy follow-up to Gagnon's 2023 novel Killing Me. While the first book really focused on delivering and thrills, this book shifts its lens to the relationships between its colorful characters as they all reunite for a Las Vegas wedding to remember. Considering this shift, I did find myself wishing we had more explicit reflection by the characters; much of their development is driven by external circumstances that they are forced to put off thinking about because of the many plot beats that they have to take care of. That being said, Gagnon has created such a deliciously cynical character in Amber that I can honestly overlook the minor issues that I had with this installment. I'm excited to see where Gagnon takes her Fatal Femmes next!

Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review!

When will book three be published? I loved Slaying You just as much as the first book in the series! Bring on more of Amber and her friends!

Another absolutely amazing book by Michelle Gagnon! I read Killing Me a few years ago and have been anxiously awaiting this book. Slaying You gripped me right from the start, with the prison bus and the wildfire. She painted such a vivid picture, you felt like you were right there, on the bus, feeling the suffocating air. The multiple storylines that followed were great transitions into what the main storyline was going to be and it was so awesome to be visiting these characters again. Amber, Dot, Marcella and Grace- I freaking love them. This story is Grace centric and watching her character development throughout the book was awesome. I like how she let go of some of the control she held on so tight to and trusted Amber when she needed to the most. The ending I hope leads to more books about these babes, because I already want to read the next one.
If you like Finlay Donovan- you’re going to love Amber Jamison!


Also- the epigraph…. So fitting.

An excellent read for any and all readers! Author comes at you with both barrels and knocks you out of your shoes! Great job fleshing out all the characters. I give this book FIVE stars! Definitely recommend!

Absolutely loved this book. I struggled at the beginning because I forgot all the characters' names, but got into it very quickly after a skimmed refresher of the first book. There was a point about three quarters through where I thought, "Wow this book is great." I remember thinking the first would make a great film and I feel the same about this one. I didn't see how the first could have a sequel, and the way Gagnon conceptualized a sequel that doesn't feel forced is impressive. This one was clearly opened at the ending for more adventures, and I'll be ready for them. I'm so glad the first was recommended to me by Netgalley. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

The first book in this series "Killing You" was a quirky, fun, humorous read and I was expecting the same from this one. While we do get some of the same feel as the first book, this one moved a bit slower and I found myself struggling to get into it as quickly as the first. I enjoyed this story overall and it was still entertaining but I preferred the first book to this one.

Fans of the Finlay Donovan series will find these books to be similar in humor if a tad bit darker.

Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed the first book in this series but somehow this one didn't work for me. It felt forced to me, trying to be humorous and ironic rather than it being more intrinsic to the characters and story. It was still a fun fast read. I would read others by her but was disappointed in this one. Humorous thrillers are a hit or miss for me in general, not my favorite,so this is my bias

Thanks to NetGalley and Putnam Books for sending me an ARC of Slaying You in exchange for an honest review.

The gang from Killing Me is back in Las Vegas, six months after that book, this time for Dot’s wedding. Amber, a two-time serial killer survivor, has her new girlfriend Kat with her, so it’s fine—just fine—that Marcella also has a new girlfriend. Grace is there too, not just to celebrate but also to help Dot and the Fatal Femmes catch a man who is drugging and shaving the heads of women on the Strip. But when Amber’s grifter parents show up unexpectedly, Amber’s simple trip spins out of control and, eventually, puts her in the path of yet another serial killer.

As with Killing Me, Slaying You is going for both laughs and thrills. The serial killer mystery is pretty straightforward and predictable (though the climax is solid and funny), but the mysteries involving Amber’s parents are more subtle and unexpected. Amber and Grace continue to have their cynical, sarcastic relationship, but there’s more warmth as each helps the other with some parental drama. And Amber and Marcella continue their slow build towards each other. Perhaps things will work out for them in the next book. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4. Recommended.

It has been nearly a year since I read Killing Me, the first Amber Jamison novel, so my memory may have forgotten a few details or characters. Regardless, I enjoyed it so thoroughly and tried to convince many of my friends to read it. I was so excited to receive a copy of Slaying You (which also happens to be releasing on my birthday) and I was not disappointed.

Slaying You picks back up with Amber in San Francisco, where she seems to have matured and is in a new relationship. Then the drama begins. She is returning to Vegas for a wedding where we get to meet up with several of the campy characters we grew to love in Killing Me. Murders take place, sex workers seem to be targeted and Grace and Amber are back at it with their usual crew.

These books and characters are such a breath of fresh air and I will forever recommend them to anyone who loves a fun kitschy read with a bit of murder/crime solving/conning. I'd compare it to Butcher and the Blackbird minus the spice and fewer trigger warnings and with a bit more humor. I can't wait for the next one. I'm a Michelle Gagnon convert.

Thank you to Net Galley and Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of Slaying You.

I enjoyed the first book in the series so I was pleased my request was approved.

Grace and Amber are back...to celebrate a friend's wedding in Las Vegas.

But the festivities takes a back burner when the duo discover a new serial killer is on the prowl...and this time it's personal.

The second book in the series offers more insight into Amber and Grace's background, namely family drama is the focus.

I wasn't sold on the family drama and the trouble their appearances kicked off; we all have drama but I was hoping for a more straightforward serial killer hunt like in the first book.

I like Amber, but I still haven't warmed up to Grace. I don't dislike her, but I wouldn't want to hang out with her in real life.

I understand she had a tumultuous upbringing and it's clearly reflected in her personality. I respect that.

I figured out who Kat was early on and all the family drama involving Grace and Amber was too coincidental for me to suspend disbelief for. It dragged the pacing and suspense was lacking in the narrative.

I wasn't a fan of the silly love triangle and found this subplot distracting and unnecessary filler.

I love Dot; she's loyal, kind, warm, friendly, and supportive and always ready to get her hands dirty (pun intended).

I love the ending; don't you just love it when bad people get their just desserts, especially when they're 'family.'

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the free eARC!

First off, I totally overlooked that this was the second part of a series. Didn’t realize it until I had already started this. Haha. Luckily, Michelle Gagnon does some solid recapping throughout the story.

I really enjoyed this! The dialog was very snappy and witty, and it definitely carried the story along. Tons of eccentric and quirky characters abound in this story that takes place in one of the most eccentric and quirky places around…Las Vegas.

Definitely check this one! I’m going to go back and read the first book in the series soon, and I love forward to seeing these characters again in the future!

Slaying You is the sequel to Killing Me, which was one of the most entertaining books I’ve read, so anticipation was high for the second book featuring Amber and her serial-killer killing friend Grace. Both woman find themselves back in Las Vegas for the wedding of their friend, and quickly become enmeshed in a hunt for an escaped killer with ties to Grace. The old crew reunites, along with some new characters, and they all pick up where they left off without missing a beat. The first half of the book moves a little slow, but there’s still that welcome banter between the girls until the plot picks up steam. That first book was a tough act to follow, and the plot here isn’t as interesting, but this is still a fun read with hilarious characters and dialogue. Although it can be read a standalone, I highly recommend you read the first book (you won’t be disappointed) so you’re up to speed. Hope to see more with this duo. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I haven't met a Michelle Gagnon book I didn't love and read from cover to cover in one sitting. It's just that good! And Slaying You was no exception. I re-read Killy You right before diving into this one and that made a huge difference. There were little clues and things that I'd forgotten since reading the first book in the series. Just like the first book, Amber was amazing and can't wait to read about her in a 3rd book - if there is one in the series.

I liked this book! It was interesting, entertaining, and not expected! i loved the concept of this story. It was unique and entertained me the whole read through. I liked the writing style and the characters.

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

This was a good follow up to the first novel Killing Me! I was happy to see the original group back together for another suspenseful set of events. However, there was 3 particular characters that were so irritating that it put a damper on the whole story whenever they were in it. I get they were supposed to be annoying but I feel like the story would have been much more entertaining without them in it at all. Overall, I enjoyed this book, I just wish the action picked up a bit faster than it did!

I enjoyed this sequel very much. Vegas is a great setting, and Gagnon strikes just the right balance of humor, heart, and creepiness. While many serial killer books are very grim, this one has more of a lighthearted touch while not making light of the seriousness of the crimes being portrayed. I love Amber, and root for her, and hope to read more with this character in the future.

Michelle Gagnon’s *Slaying You* is an exhilarating second installment that delivers all the suspense, wit, and dark charm you’d hope for after *Killing Me*. Grace and Amber’s reunion is anything but ordinary—just like their friendship—and this book takes their dynamic to new heights with a fresh, high-stakes mystery.

What makes this sequel so enjoyable is how Gagnon dives deeper into Grace and Amber’s complicated personalities. Neither of them has truly settled into “normal” life after surviving a serial killer, and their pull toward danger feels authentic and compelling. Their bond is one of the highlights of the series—equal parts sharp banter and unshakable loyalty—and it’s fun to watch them team up again, especially against the backdrop of a Vegas wedding gone horribly wrong.

The pacing is tight, the stakes are higher, and the new killer is even more menacing than the last. Gagnon expertly blends dark humor with edge-of-your-seat tension, making this a page-turner from start to finish. The setting adds a glitzy-yet-gritty vibe that perfectly matches the book’s tone, and the twists kept me guessing.

As a second installment, *Slaying You* builds on everything I loved about the first book while adding new layers to Grace and Amber’s story. Whether you’re here for the thrills, the humor, or the dynamic duo at the center of it all, this book delivers. It’s a fantastic follow-up that has me excited to see where their next adventure takes them!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for an advanced copy to honestly review.

These books are like popcorn You cannot stop with them. I hope there are more in this series though I hate to wait! There's a lot I want to see these characters (with new characters) do.
Yes, this second book in the series isn't as strong as the first but that's no reason to skip it. Plenty is going on to keep you amused and the Grand Finale is pretty impressive. I guessed a big plot reveal (which means it is VERY obvious), but that didn't distract from the overall arc. I think the second in a series can feel rushed, especially when more are coming (which I do not know). That may be the case with SLAYING YOU but I love the characters and humor too much to not look forward to more (if there is indeed more to come).
#NetGalley