The Woman I Want Dead: A cat and mouse serial killer thriller

by Sara Kate

Years have passed since Ellie unmasked a local serial killer, yet the terror reemerges when she starts receiving unsettling text messages.

“Thought I’d be caught by now?”

Now as a private investigator specializing in missing persons, Ellie begins working on a new case when a client asks for help in finding his brother.

"You thought wrong."

While investigating his disappearance, the text messages continue to taunt her, and Ellie faces an agonizing situation; reuniting a family together while ensuring her own family’s safety.

This cat and mouse game won’t end until Ellie ends it herself. And the only way to outwit a killer is to think like one.

254 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 18, 2024

About the author

Sara Kate (with a K) writes fast-paced psychological and survival thriller books with storm settings. She resides in South Florida where she travels in her RV full-time. Aside from writing, she enjoys rollerblading, photography, painting, and anything thriller/mystery related.

Reviews

[Jessica Huntley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been eagerly looking forward to this sequel ever since it was announced. The first book is The Woman I Befriended and I do recommend reading that first to get the whole story.

This is a super fast-paced, cat-and-mouse-style thriller. Ellie is determined to catch the illusive serial killer that evaded her last time. She begins to receives new text messages, threatening not only her, but the people around her too.

I really enjoyed reading this short and snappy thriller. While there were parts that were a bit too descriptive, I liked the plot and it kept up the pace until the very end. The main reason it didn't get five stars was I was hoping for a big twist at the end, but that's just me. I like my big twists! Also, the ending wrapped up very fast and I felt there could have been more exploration of the aftermath.

I'm hoping for a third book!!!

Recommended for those who enjoy fast-paced thrillers with serial killers.

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a follow on from "The Woman I Befriended" and although you probably could read "The Woman I Want Dead" as a standalone, I do recommend following the series from the beginning though!

The chapters are short and snappy and entise you to read more! It's pretty fast paced while still providing enough character development and side plot. I particularly enjoyed Ben and Cameron! That was interesting. Especially seeing Ellie in her new role. She is the perfect candidate for that sort of thing!

I felt on edge reading this one. Always worried Ellie would come back to the safety of her home and be tackled by a killer. This book and the previous one, I always felt a concern for Noah! He seemed like the most vulnerable person in this. The killer does have an ideal victim after all.

The ending was a showdown!! I really liked how it all played out. I'm not sure if there will be a third or not! I think it finalised everything well... However I'd love to see Ellie do more of her private investigations and attend a certain date in her diary! (no spoilers here!)

Sara deffo knows how to write a thriller and keep you there!

[Eric Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Fun Cat-And-Mouse Thriller

The sequel to The Woman I Befriended gave off a different aura than the original, as former journalist turned private investigator Ellie is no longer snooping around trying to determine if her neighbor is a serial killer. Now she is snooping around trying to find the serial killer who has now targeted her because she thwarted her plans and forced her to go on the run. The majority of the book centers on the cat-and-mouse game between the killer (Tiffany) and Ellie who refuses to tell the police that she has been receiving threatening text messages. This is the kind of behavior we’ve come to expect from Ellie, which is one thing I enjoyed about this book. When you can write a sequel and keep your characters’ personalities and quirks, you have a well-written story. Add in Ellie’s husband as a target of the killer, and the intensity level rises that much more. Unlike the first book in the series, this sequel is more psychological in nature as opposed to being a straight up whodunit mystery. We know the killer’s identity, so there is likely not going to be a major twist or reveal this time around. I did hope to see more action, as we mostly get Ellie trying to catch Tiffany while Tiffany easily evades her (and is almost toying with her). The ending was exciting, although the book does end a little abruptly. Not to give any spoilers, but it is left open for a third part, should the author want to return one more time.

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

The Woman I Want Dead is Sara Kate's sequel to The Woman I Befriended. Book one ended in a way that totally allowed a sequel, and I was overjoyed to learn about the new book.

It was great returning to the characters from the first book years later. It has been years since Ellie unmasked a local serial killer, and now the cat and mouse starts again! This dual POV between Ellie and Tiffany keeps you engaged and flipping those pages. The story is fast-paced while still keeping your attention. I enjoyed the development and plot. I enjoyed the creepy text messages!

I enjoyed Ellie’s character more than I did in the first book, and I was happy to see that she was still relentless and tossed caution to the wind. I would recommend reading The Woman I Befriended first before reading this one, but it’s not completely necessary.

Thank you to Sara Kate for gifting me an eARC of The Woman I Want Dead. I am leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Riveting and Relentless

Years after exposing a local serial killer, Ellie hoped the nightmare was behind her. Now a private investigator specializing in missing persons, she’s thrust back into danger when chilling text messages resurrect the past: “Thought I’d be caught by now?” What begins as a routine case—helping a man locate his missing brother—quickly spirals into something far more sinister. The messages grow more personal, and Ellie realizes she’s not just chasing a mystery—she’s being hunted.

This suspenseful thriller keeps tension high and pages turning. Ellie is a strong, complex protagonist, balancing the weight of her past with her relentless drive to protect her loved ones. The pacing is sharp, the twists hit hard, and the psychological mind games are top-notch.

One star knocked off for a few predictable turns, but overall, this is a gritty, gripping read that fans of cat-and-mouse thrillers will devour. Ellie knows the only way to survive is to become what she fears—and it’s a hell of a ride watching her get there.

[Lindzanne1_bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

To catch a serial killer, you must think like one! 👀👀👀

This is the sequel to The Woman I Befriended and I would highly recommend reading it before diving into this one! I loved it just as much as the first book! It’s very engaging and I loved how it’s told in first person. The creepy text messages added so much to the story and had me on edge. I also really liked how you get to follow along with Ellie as a private investigator. It made me feel like I was reading two stories in one! I can’t even imagine being stalked by a serial killer. Things quickly escalate and I was so anxious for resolution!

Thank you so much Sara for the arc!

[Jamie Fry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved The Woman I Befriended and hoped for a sequel. So, as you can imagine, I was excited when Sara Kate announced this book! I eagerly looked forward to getting my hands on it, and it did not disappoint. I loved the short chapters and the quick pace. The storyline was enjoyable, and I was excited to see how everything played out. I appreciated the well-thought-out ending and wouldn’t mind if the series continued. I would definitely keep reading if there were more books in the series!

[Kim Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good follow up to The Woman I Befriended. I had to read this one straight away, I couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen next. The suspense carried on from the first one and throughout this book. Tiffany and Ellie trying to outdo each other, Tiffany with her stalking skills and Ellie her private detective experience. A good tense cat and mouse style build up throughout, but who is the cat and who is the mouse? I don't want to give anything away so I would recommend giving these books a read.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the first book and was really excited to get the chance to be part of the ARC team for this one. I enjoyed the dual POV and thought it added loads to the story and had me hooked. I was obsessed with trying to figure out what Tiffany was going to reveal next. It was great coming back to these characters and seeing how everything Carrier on after the events of The Woman I Befriended. Tha k you Sara for involving me in this again, I loved the second a little bit more than the first!

[Brianna North · Rating 5 out of 5]

After loving "The Woman I Befriended" I had to pick this one up, and it was impossible to put down! I especially loved how we got to see Tiffany's POV throughout, as it really kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I wanted her dead too haha! It was refreshing to see Ellie put her investigative skills to good use once again, but even better this time around as it's now her full-time career. She's definitely one tough character whose development through both books was spectacular. Another 5 easy stars!

[Gina Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cat and mouse story that picks it almost right up where book number one ends and drags you right back in.
This time, the story is told from two angles, Ellie and Tiffany's.
The text messages added some extra to the story.

A fast paste thriller, and I really recommend both books.

[Christina Matheis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing book. Full of suspense, I definitely enjoyed this book. I’m glad it all went the way it did. Ellie was smart thankfully she knew things.

[Christina Mages · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing book. Full of suspense, I definitely enjoyed this book. I'm glad it all went the way it did. Ellie was smart thankfully she knew things.

[Jon Naumchik · Rating 5 out of 5]

what a great book. I hope there is a 3rd book.

[Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read!

Intense, gripping, and completely addictive. Sara kate delivers twists, tension, and unforgettable characters. I couldn’t put it down and didn't want it to end.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The sequel to The Woman I Befriended. I really liked how different this was from book 2. While the characters were the same, the story line took a new twist. The character development was really interesting and I loved the cat and mouse aspect of this story. Another fast paced story and great sequel!