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The Killing Sense
'A riveting, textured, glamorous crime thriller set in contemporary Paris - magnifique!' ANDREA MARA
Danger is closer than you think...
Single Mum Kate Wilde has escaped an abusive marriage and hasn't had a holiday in years, so when she wins a five-day trip to Paris to learn about perfume - in a competition she can't remember entering - it's a dream come true. Or is it?
Almost as soon as she arrives, Kate's ex texts with evidence that he's in Paris too. Kate can feel she's being watched, and she's sure someone has been in her apartment. Then she discovers that there's a killer in the city focusing on red headed women like her. And his kill count is rising.
Who should she fear the most?
All Kate's senses are on alert. But can her instincts keep her safe?
Praise for Sam
'Griptastic' Liz Nugent
'A high-octane thrill ride' Catherine Ryan Howard
'Packed with twists' Woman's Own
Danger is closer than you think...
Single Mum Kate Wilde has escaped an abusive marriage and hasn't had a holiday in years, so when she wins a five-day trip to Paris to learn about perfume - in a competition she can't remember entering - it's a dream come true. Or is it?
Almost as soon as she arrives, Kate's ex texts with evidence that he's in Paris too. Kate can feel she's being watched, and she's sure someone has been in her apartment. Then she discovers that there's a killer in the city focusing on red headed women like her. And his kill count is rising.
Who should she fear the most?
All Kate's senses are on alert. But can her instincts keep her safe?
Praise for Sam
'Griptastic' Liz Nugent
'A high-octane thrill ride' Catherine Ryan Howard
'Packed with twists' Woman's Own
375 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 2, 2025
136 people are currently reading
409 people want to read
About the author
Sam Blake
12 books341 followersJoin Sam's Readers’ Club and get a free e-copy of her addictive thriller ‘High Pressure’! Info at www.samblakebooks.com
Sam Blake has been writing fiction since 1999 when her husband went sailing across the Atlantic for 8 weeks and she had an idea for a book.
Her debut novel 'Little Bones' (Bonnier 2016) was a runaway bestseller. Across all her books Sam has been an Eason No 1 bestseller an Irish Times No 1 and shortlisted for the Irish Book Awards (in the crime or teen categories) five times. 2023 saw her multiple award shortlisted YA debut Something Terrible Happened Last Night hit the shelves. In 2024 Something's About to Blow Up won Irish Teen/YA Book of the Year.
Moving away from police procedurals, now writing 'deliciously twisted' (Daily Mail) bestselling psychological thrillers, Sam's focus is on strong female characters and 'creating genuine page turners with metronomic timing.' (Sunday Business Post).
Sam is originally from St. Albans in Hertfordshire but has lived at the foot of the Wicklow mountains, for more years than she lived in the UK. Follow her on social @samblakebooks.
Visit www.samblakebooks.com for more!
Sam Blake has been writing fiction since 1999 when her husband went sailing across the Atlantic for 8 weeks and she had an idea for a book.
Her debut novel 'Little Bones' (Bonnier 2016) was a runaway bestseller. Across all her books Sam has been an Eason No 1 bestseller an Irish Times No 1 and shortlisted for the Irish Book Awards (in the crime or teen categories) five times. 2023 saw her multiple award shortlisted YA debut Something Terrible Happened Last Night hit the shelves. In 2024 Something's About to Blow Up won Irish Teen/YA Book of the Year.
Moving away from police procedurals, now writing 'deliciously twisted' (Daily Mail) bestselling psychological thrillers, Sam's focus is on strong female characters and 'creating genuine page turners with metronomic timing.' (Sunday Business Post).
Sam is originally from St. Albans in Hertfordshire but has lived at the foot of the Wicklow mountains, for more years than she lived in the UK. Follow her on social @samblakebooks.
Visit www.samblakebooks.com for more!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
February 21, 2025
2.5 stars
I love Sam Blake and read everything she writes but this one did not do it for me.
Illogical decisions by main characters drive me nuts. There were some redeeming qualities in this novel but overall I was underwhelmed.
I love Sam Blake and read everything she writes but this one did not do it for me.
Illogical decisions by main characters drive me nuts. There were some redeeming qualities in this novel but overall I was underwhelmed.
January 9, 2025
Happy publication day 🎉🍾🥳
Right up my ruelle!
My goodness The Killing Sense had me riveted, which in itself is astounding as my heads full of fluff.
A brilliant crime thriller executed to perfection. We meet single mum Kate as she’s embarking on a dream trip to Paris to take a 5 day course studying perfume, even better is that she won the trip in a Facebook competition. Kate’s not had it easy. She’s fled an extremely abusive marriage, obtained a restraining order against her ex husband and has began to rebuild a life with her daughter Hannah. This trip is the perfect, well deserved treat - or is it?
Almost immediately she arrives in Paris she discovers her ex husband is also in the city. She can feel him watching and when she walks into the cafe where Agathe works and breaks down the pair strike up a bond. Agathe’s roommate is missing, and to add to the tension for the pair it seems there is a serial killer hunting readheads in the city. Being a redhead, does Kate have more to fear than her ex?!
As the story unwinds and gruesome discoveries are made You’ll be hooked. Jammed with twists and turns, a few little red herrings to throw you off the scent (sorry) the story flows brilliantly to a fabulous end. I particularly enjoyed the epilogue, it added a whole human connection that can sometimes be hard to get to in a thriller.
You’ll definitely want this on your 2025 list. They say the devil is in the detail and the detail in this title is fantastic, from the descriptions of the city, to the work in the perfumery,the knowledge of the underground waterways and sewage system, loads of fun readhead facts, the way the art speaks to you is second to none. There are references to Perfume-Story of a Murderer and the way the author has leaned in to the similarity while making it entirely its own story was quite astonishing.
Psychic threads indeed Sam Blake 😂 in the past week I’ve been yapping on about Perfume - story of a Murderer despite not having read it in about 20 years, I’ve spent ages pouring over a different Dalí, in a different city, and lots of other little crossovers that may spoiler. Bizarre.
The audio narration by Fenella Woolgar was fantastic, she flipped between accents with such ease, she added tension and anxiety to the story and complimented the writing beautifully.
All the stars 🌟
#Jorecommends
Huge thanks to Bolinda Audio via NetGalley for this ALC 🎧
Right up my ruelle!
My goodness The Killing Sense had me riveted, which in itself is astounding as my heads full of fluff.
A brilliant crime thriller executed to perfection. We meet single mum Kate as she’s embarking on a dream trip to Paris to take a 5 day course studying perfume, even better is that she won the trip in a Facebook competition. Kate’s not had it easy. She’s fled an extremely abusive marriage, obtained a restraining order against her ex husband and has began to rebuild a life with her daughter Hannah. This trip is the perfect, well deserved treat - or is it?
Almost immediately she arrives in Paris she discovers her ex husband is also in the city. She can feel him watching and when she walks into the cafe where Agathe works and breaks down the pair strike up a bond. Agathe’s roommate is missing, and to add to the tension for the pair it seems there is a serial killer hunting readheads in the city. Being a redhead, does Kate have more to fear than her ex?!
As the story unwinds and gruesome discoveries are made You’ll be hooked. Jammed with twists and turns, a few little red herrings to throw you off the scent (sorry) the story flows brilliantly to a fabulous end. I particularly enjoyed the epilogue, it added a whole human connection that can sometimes be hard to get to in a thriller.
You’ll definitely want this on your 2025 list. They say the devil is in the detail and the detail in this title is fantastic, from the descriptions of the city, to the work in the perfumery,the knowledge of the underground waterways and sewage system, loads of fun readhead facts, the way the art speaks to you is second to none. There are references to Perfume-Story of a Murderer and the way the author has leaned in to the similarity while making it entirely its own story was quite astonishing.
Psychic threads indeed Sam Blake 😂 in the past week I’ve been yapping on about Perfume - story of a Murderer despite not having read it in about 20 years, I’ve spent ages pouring over a different Dalí, in a different city, and lots of other little crossovers that may spoiler. Bizarre.
The audio narration by Fenella Woolgar was fantastic, she flipped between accents with such ease, she added tension and anxiety to the story and complimented the writing beautifully.
All the stars 🌟
#Jorecommends
Huge thanks to Bolinda Audio via NetGalley for this ALC 🎧
Read
January 2, 2025The Killing Sense is the brand new psychological thriller from bestselling author Sam Blake. I loved starting out the new year in 2023 taking my wintery walks and listening to her last book, Three Little Birds, and I’ve felt the exact same this year.
The Killing Sense is another gripping read, and apart from my nerves being shot, I’ve really enjoyed it 😅 It also works really well on audio, the narrator is great.
Single mum Kate lives a quiet life after escaping an abusive marriage. When she wins an all-expenses paid trip to Paris to take part in a perfumery course however, she jumps at the chance.
The only problem is she can’t actually remember entering the competition, and when she arrives in the City of Lights she can’t shake the feeling she’s being watched.
Did her ex-husband follow her over? Or is it someone even more sinister?
While there, Kate befriends a young waitress; Agathe, who is herself on edge after her housemate has disappeared.
Soon it becomes clear that a serial killer is targeting red-headed women in Paris, and Titian-haired Kate may be at risk of more than a terrifying run-in with her ex.
This is such a well-plotted thriller, it’s super creepy and the tension ratchets up well. By the end I was glued to the audiobook, I stayed up late to finish it, and if you know how much I value my sleep then you’ll understand the significance of that 😅
I was genuinely fearful for Kate, and all the red flags (no pun intended!) she naturally kept dismissing along the way. I also loved the descriptions of Paris, one of my favourite cities, and I felt completely immersed in Kate’s surroundings with her.
I enjoyed the Three Little Birds Easter egg too 🙌☺️
If you love a good thriller, especially one you can snuggle up with over Winter, this is the book for you!
Available to buy on the 9th of January. With many thanks @netgalley and @bolindaaudio @gillhessltd @corvusbooks for my early copy, all opinions are my own, as always. #TheKillingSense
The Killing Sense is another gripping read, and apart from my nerves being shot, I’ve really enjoyed it 😅 It also works really well on audio, the narrator is great.
Single mum Kate lives a quiet life after escaping an abusive marriage. When she wins an all-expenses paid trip to Paris to take part in a perfumery course however, she jumps at the chance.
The only problem is she can’t actually remember entering the competition, and when she arrives in the City of Lights she can’t shake the feeling she’s being watched.
Did her ex-husband follow her over? Or is it someone even more sinister?
While there, Kate befriends a young waitress; Agathe, who is herself on edge after her housemate has disappeared.
Soon it becomes clear that a serial killer is targeting red-headed women in Paris, and Titian-haired Kate may be at risk of more than a terrifying run-in with her ex.
This is such a well-plotted thriller, it’s super creepy and the tension ratchets up well. By the end I was glued to the audiobook, I stayed up late to finish it, and if you know how much I value my sleep then you’ll understand the significance of that 😅
I was genuinely fearful for Kate, and all the red flags (no pun intended!) she naturally kept dismissing along the way. I also loved the descriptions of Paris, one of my favourite cities, and I felt completely immersed in Kate’s surroundings with her.
I enjoyed the Three Little Birds Easter egg too 🙌☺️
If you love a good thriller, especially one you can snuggle up with over Winter, this is the book for you!
Available to buy on the 9th of January. With many thanks @netgalley and @bolindaaudio @gillhessltd @corvusbooks for my early copy, all opinions are my own, as always. #TheKillingSense
February 28, 2025
1.5⭐️this book started out so well. I had high hopes. Kate won a perfume making competition online that she can’t remember entering. The competition is in Paris and after leaving an abusive relationship years before, single mum Kate hasn’t done anything for herself and jumps at the opportunity. Human remains have been discovered in the French sewers and maybe now is not the best time to visit Paris.
Where do I begin with this book. I’d so many issues with it. I know it’s fictional, however what naive person accepts a competition you don’t remember entering in a city where your ex that you have a restraining order resides. Were no alarm bells going off in this woman’s head???
I hated the ease and convenience at which Kate makes friends in a few days with people connected to murders. People open up to her at the drop of a hat, and she’s no problem giving out here phone number to strangers. Despite being in a city alone and feeling followed for her duration, things being moved in her apartment, knowing her violent ex lives there, Kate remains in Paris. I found the story ridiculous and it had so much potential as I love any book set in Paris. It was unbelievable & predictable at the same time. I finished it just to move on. Only redeeming quality was I enjoyed the small education on perfume.
The story about her friend Trish was also irrelevant and brought nothing to the book but additional waffle. The book is so repetitive and long it could have been cut down by 50 pages honestly. Sorry to be so harsh.
Where do I begin with this book. I’d so many issues with it. I know it’s fictional, however what naive person accepts a competition you don’t remember entering in a city where your ex that you have a restraining order resides. Were no alarm bells going off in this woman’s head???
I hated the ease and convenience at which Kate makes friends in a few days with people connected to murders. People open up to her at the drop of a hat, and she’s no problem giving out here phone number to strangers. Despite being in a city alone and feeling followed for her duration, things being moved in her apartment, knowing her violent ex lives there, Kate remains in Paris. I found the story ridiculous and it had so much potential as I love any book set in Paris. It was unbelievable & predictable at the same time. I finished it just to move on. Only redeeming quality was I enjoyed the small education on perfume.
The story about her friend Trish was also irrelevant and brought nothing to the book but additional waffle. The book is so repetitive and long it could have been cut down by 50 pages honestly. Sorry to be so harsh.
March 9, 2025
It’s… not great. Built on a bedrock of really illogical decisions, it’s a story of remarkable convenience in which the city of Paris contains about five people who all miraculously know each other and are intimately connected to crime and the press.
The reveal of who the killer is doesn’t land with much of a surprise because there aren’t very many candidates, but it’s so mundanely executed and easily discovered that I kept expecting another twist that never came. There are a couple of decent details and the setting is nice, but there really isn’t a great deal going on here beyond that.
The reveal of who the killer is doesn’t land with much of a surprise because there aren’t very many candidates, but it’s so mundanely executed and easily discovered that I kept expecting another twist that never came. There are a couple of decent details and the setting is nice, but there really isn’t a great deal going on here beyond that.
December 28, 2024
Remember in Total Recall, where you can ‘experience’ your fantasy adventure? Your dream place with your dream person? This is like that for single mum Kate Wilde - after winning a competition she doesn’t even remember entering, Kate heads to Paris for a perfume-making class—a dream come true.
But while Kate is soaking up the magic of Paris, a severed head is discovered in the sewers, hinting at a possible serial killer.
This book feels like a love letter to Paris, beautifully capturing the city’s charm and elegance. Kate’s dreamy visit runs parallel to the darker, suspenseful serial killer storyline, and the writing strikes a great balance between the two.
The multiple POVs and storylines are well-handled and easy to follow, though I did trip up on the French names at first. (Pro tip: I listened to the audiobook at 1.75x but had to slow down for those tricky names!) The narrator nailed the accents, and I especially loved her portrayal of Daniel’s aunt—such a standout performance.
The vibe of the chapters shifts depending on whose POV you’re in. Kate’s chapters feel like a cozy self-discovery story, Daniel’s lean into romance, and Agate’s are all about the gritty crime investigation. The mix of genres adds depth to both the characters and the plot.
There’s a classic “whodunnit” element, though I found the reveal a bit underwhelming. Also, heads up—there’s no big twist here, so don’t go in expecting one.
I have to say, I loved the epilogue. It wraps everything up in a way that’s satisfying and leaves you with a sense of hope. Overall, this is an enjoyable thriller with a touch of elegance and a cozy vibe.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bolinda Audio for access to this audiobook ARC in exchange for my honest review
But while Kate is soaking up the magic of Paris, a severed head is discovered in the sewers, hinting at a possible serial killer.
This book feels like a love letter to Paris, beautifully capturing the city’s charm and elegance. Kate’s dreamy visit runs parallel to the darker, suspenseful serial killer storyline, and the writing strikes a great balance between the two.
The multiple POVs and storylines are well-handled and easy to follow, though I did trip up on the French names at first. (Pro tip: I listened to the audiobook at 1.75x but had to slow down for those tricky names!) The narrator nailed the accents, and I especially loved her portrayal of Daniel’s aunt—such a standout performance.
The vibe of the chapters shifts depending on whose POV you’re in. Kate’s chapters feel like a cozy self-discovery story, Daniel’s lean into romance, and Agate’s are all about the gritty crime investigation. The mix of genres adds depth to both the characters and the plot.
There’s a classic “whodunnit” element, though I found the reveal a bit underwhelming. Also, heads up—there’s no big twist here, so don’t go in expecting one.
I have to say, I loved the epilogue. It wraps everything up in a way that’s satisfying and leaves you with a sense of hope. Overall, this is an enjoyable thriller with a touch of elegance and a cozy vibe.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bolinda Audio for access to this audiobook ARC in exchange for my honest review
January 12, 2025
Intriguing plot if not slightly unbelievable (who is going to accept a holiday they can't remember entering the draw for in this day and age?) and I felt the characters lacked depth enough for me to really get invested. I felt it was dragged out a bit and repetitive at times and I found I couldn't read more than a couple of chapters or two at a time as it wasn't grabbing me. Worth a read if you're into the genre.
December 8, 2024
Kate is in Paris, living it up and attending a perfumery course. When she gets wind that her abusive ex is in the same city, she knows she is in danger. Can she evade him and get to safety? I listened to the audiobook of this one and wow, did it keep me intrigued! It was gory, it was dark, it was entertaining and it was twisty. With multiple POVs and a classic Parisian setting, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
July 16, 2025
Disappointing read. Would bet money that Blake wrote this after bingeing Emily in Paris. Insufferable and delusional main character. Hot tip: If someone breaks into your rented apartment on multiple occasions, maybe don’t continue staying there for the duration of your trip?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 29, 2025
This book lost me when this woman goes on a trip that she won in a competition she doesn't remember entering. She has an extremely dangerous ex-husband who lives in the city she is visiting and doesn't see ANY danger regarding this??
December 20, 2024
My Rating 4.5*
The Killing Sense by Sam Blake publishes with Corvus (Atlantic Books) January 2nd and is described as ‘a brilliantly unputdownable twisty thriller set in Paris‘.
When Sam Blake approaches the research for her books she takes a very thorough approach. With The Killing Sense, she visited Paris, absorbing the atmosphere, taking perfume classes and even doing a tour of the famous Parisian sewers – now that’s dedication! The exactness of descriptions throughout the plot of all her novels adds a very authentic element to her writing that shines through every single time.
In The Killing Sense Kate Wilde receives news of an unexpected win of a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Paris. Kate has been through the wringer and is encouraged by her sister, Orna, to hop on the Eurostar and embrace this adventure. After checking the authenticity of the prize, Kate packs her bags, leaving her young daughter in the care of Orna. Kate has no recollection of entering this competition but the prize is outrageously luxurious and too good an opportunity to miss out on. Kate has had to deal with a violent ex in an abusive marriage for many years and now this breath of fresh air in a different country might just put a little magic back in her life.
On arrival into the centre of the city, Kate sets off in search of her accommodation and is soon overwhelmed by the sheer beauty and style of the apartment that has been booked for her. Kate settles into her holiday with nervous enthusiasm and when she begins the complimentary perfume course that is part of the prize, she finally feels that this is her time. But Paris has other plans for Kate that she is totally unaware of.
The prologue of the book sets a very different scene as Sam Blake takes us down into the sewers under the Parisian streets, where a grim discovery has been made. The smell permeates off the pages of the rot and decay, establishing an immediate threat. As Kate embarks on her journey, she meets Daniel Langton, a wealthy British ex-soldier, on the Eurostar. Their brief encounter triggers unanticipated feelings within Daniel leaving him with a peculiar need to protect her.
In a nearby café, Agathe Delevingne, a student, works part-time, but she is distracted. Her friend, Sandrine, hasn’t been seen for a few days and Agathe is concerned for her wellbeing. Her uncle is a journalist and she asks for his assistance but initially it is assumed that Sandrine is a grown woman and will show up in due course.
Agathe and Daniel are part of a whole diverse ensemble of characters that, with Kate, make up this layered tale. As their paths intersect, threads get connected and a sinister element really begins to take hold. With intricately referenced details and very visual descriptions, Sam Blake takes the reader on an extraordinary journey through the streets of Paris. Although a dark and twisted mystery, I couldn’t help getting itchy feet about a future trip back to this glorious city. So very atmospheric on every page, Sam Blake captures the beauty of The City of Lights but also takes the reader into the dark and malevolent thoughts of a stranger, as Kate starts to feel exposed and watched.
The Killing Sense, is a threatening thriller that is both compelling and disconcerting in equal measure. The authenticity of the setting adds to the overall atmospheric nature of this novel that will have you up way past your bedtime as you, almost voyeuristically, follow Kate as she fears for her life and that of others. With vivid depictions of Parisian landmarks and culture, The Killing Sense highlights the city’s beauty while also revealing how beneath its glamorous surface a chilling darkness lurks. This ominous undercurrent filters through the chapters as Kate’s dream trip takes a very disturbing twist and soon becomes her worst nightmare. The Killing Sense is a sophisticated and intelligent tale, a superbly researched, taut, contemporary thriller with a strong Parisian flair, another cracker from Sam Blake.
The Killing Sense by Sam Blake publishes with Corvus (Atlantic Books) January 2nd and is described as ‘a brilliantly unputdownable twisty thriller set in Paris‘.
When Sam Blake approaches the research for her books she takes a very thorough approach. With The Killing Sense, she visited Paris, absorbing the atmosphere, taking perfume classes and even doing a tour of the famous Parisian sewers – now that’s dedication! The exactness of descriptions throughout the plot of all her novels adds a very authentic element to her writing that shines through every single time.
In The Killing Sense Kate Wilde receives news of an unexpected win of a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Paris. Kate has been through the wringer and is encouraged by her sister, Orna, to hop on the Eurostar and embrace this adventure. After checking the authenticity of the prize, Kate packs her bags, leaving her young daughter in the care of Orna. Kate has no recollection of entering this competition but the prize is outrageously luxurious and too good an opportunity to miss out on. Kate has had to deal with a violent ex in an abusive marriage for many years and now this breath of fresh air in a different country might just put a little magic back in her life.
On arrival into the centre of the city, Kate sets off in search of her accommodation and is soon overwhelmed by the sheer beauty and style of the apartment that has been booked for her. Kate settles into her holiday with nervous enthusiasm and when she begins the complimentary perfume course that is part of the prize, she finally feels that this is her time. But Paris has other plans for Kate that she is totally unaware of.
The prologue of the book sets a very different scene as Sam Blake takes us down into the sewers under the Parisian streets, where a grim discovery has been made. The smell permeates off the pages of the rot and decay, establishing an immediate threat. As Kate embarks on her journey, she meets Daniel Langton, a wealthy British ex-soldier, on the Eurostar. Their brief encounter triggers unanticipated feelings within Daniel leaving him with a peculiar need to protect her.
In a nearby café, Agathe Delevingne, a student, works part-time, but she is distracted. Her friend, Sandrine, hasn’t been seen for a few days and Agathe is concerned for her wellbeing. Her uncle is a journalist and she asks for his assistance but initially it is assumed that Sandrine is a grown woman and will show up in due course.
Agathe and Daniel are part of a whole diverse ensemble of characters that, with Kate, make up this layered tale. As their paths intersect, threads get connected and a sinister element really begins to take hold. With intricately referenced details and very visual descriptions, Sam Blake takes the reader on an extraordinary journey through the streets of Paris. Although a dark and twisted mystery, I couldn’t help getting itchy feet about a future trip back to this glorious city. So very atmospheric on every page, Sam Blake captures the beauty of The City of Lights but also takes the reader into the dark and malevolent thoughts of a stranger, as Kate starts to feel exposed and watched.
The Killing Sense, is a threatening thriller that is both compelling and disconcerting in equal measure. The authenticity of the setting adds to the overall atmospheric nature of this novel that will have you up way past your bedtime as you, almost voyeuristically, follow Kate as she fears for her life and that of others. With vivid depictions of Parisian landmarks and culture, The Killing Sense highlights the city’s beauty while also revealing how beneath its glamorous surface a chilling darkness lurks. This ominous undercurrent filters through the chapters as Kate’s dream trip takes a very disturbing twist and soon becomes her worst nightmare. The Killing Sense is a sophisticated and intelligent tale, a superbly researched, taut, contemporary thriller with a strong Parisian flair, another cracker from Sam Blake.
January 10, 2025
#netgalley
In this gripping thriller, we meet the captivating Kate Wilde, a redhead and single mother from Galway, now battling to build a new life in London after escaping a suffocating and abusive marriage. Her world revolves around her daughter, Hanna, but everything is about to change when she unexpectedly wins a luxurious five-day trip to Paris—a prize she doesn’t even remember entering. Red flag alert! Her sister Orna persuades her to cast aside her concerns and embrace this golden opportunity to recharge and reconnect with herself in the city of love.
The journey kicks off with a chance encounter on the Eurostar, where Kate crosses paths with the enigmatic Daniel Langton, a wealthy ex-soldier. They leave quite the impression on each other!
Upon her arrival, Kate finds herself enchanted by the stunning apartment she will call home for the next five days. As she dives headfirst into the complimentary perfumery course, she experiences a resurgence of joy and freedom—this feels like her moment. But Paris is a city of secrets, and danger lurks just beneath the surface.
The prologue thrusts us into the shadowy depths of the Parisian sewers, where a chilling discovery sets the tone for the chaos to come. A café scene introduces us to Agathe Delevingne, who anxiously searches for her missing friend Sandrine, enlisting help from her distinguished journalist uncle.
As Agathe, Daniel, and Kate’s lives converge, a web of intrigue is woven, pulsing with tension and uncertainty. Sam Blake masterfully amplifies the suspense with intricate details, guiding us through an electrifying journey across the City of Lights.
The Killing Sense is a riotous page-turner that will grip heart and mind as we witness Kate’s harrowing struggle for survival in a thrilling dance between beauty and horror. With vivid portrayals of iconic Parisian landmarks intertwined with an undercurrent of dread, this novel reveals the sinister side of a city as beautiful as it is dangerous. Prepare for another sensational story from Sam Blake, infused with an irresistible Parisian twist.
Many thanks to the publisher for the chance to read via NetGalley; as always, this is an honest review.
In this gripping thriller, we meet the captivating Kate Wilde, a redhead and single mother from Galway, now battling to build a new life in London after escaping a suffocating and abusive marriage. Her world revolves around her daughter, Hanna, but everything is about to change when she unexpectedly wins a luxurious five-day trip to Paris—a prize she doesn’t even remember entering. Red flag alert! Her sister Orna persuades her to cast aside her concerns and embrace this golden opportunity to recharge and reconnect with herself in the city of love.
The journey kicks off with a chance encounter on the Eurostar, where Kate crosses paths with the enigmatic Daniel Langton, a wealthy ex-soldier. They leave quite the impression on each other!
Upon her arrival, Kate finds herself enchanted by the stunning apartment she will call home for the next five days. As she dives headfirst into the complimentary perfumery course, she experiences a resurgence of joy and freedom—this feels like her moment. But Paris is a city of secrets, and danger lurks just beneath the surface.
The prologue thrusts us into the shadowy depths of the Parisian sewers, where a chilling discovery sets the tone for the chaos to come. A café scene introduces us to Agathe Delevingne, who anxiously searches for her missing friend Sandrine, enlisting help from her distinguished journalist uncle.
As Agathe, Daniel, and Kate’s lives converge, a web of intrigue is woven, pulsing with tension and uncertainty. Sam Blake masterfully amplifies the suspense with intricate details, guiding us through an electrifying journey across the City of Lights.
The Killing Sense is a riotous page-turner that will grip heart and mind as we witness Kate’s harrowing struggle for survival in a thrilling dance between beauty and horror. With vivid portrayals of iconic Parisian landmarks intertwined with an undercurrent of dread, this novel reveals the sinister side of a city as beautiful as it is dangerous. Prepare for another sensational story from Sam Blake, infused with an irresistible Parisian twist.
Many thanks to the publisher for the chance to read via NetGalley; as always, this is an honest review.
January 30, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Killing Sense by Sam Blake is a new thriller by this excellent author.
This gripping book will have you captivated from the first chapter. Its starts with Kate Wilde a redhead, single mother who's just won her dream trip to Paris to study perfume. When she arrives in Paris, after receiving weird texts from her abusive ex, she thinks that maybe he's in Paris too and has a thought to go home. But no she wont let him get in the way of an experience of a life time.
However when Kate checks into her apartment she has this weird feeling she's been watched. With a killer on the loose in Paris, obsessed with red haired woman, she can't help but think she might have made the wrong decision.
This will have you sitting on the edge of your seat throughout, I couldn't put it down.
I listened to this book on Borrowbox, through my local library.
The Killing Sense by Sam Blake is a new thriller by this excellent author.
This gripping book will have you captivated from the first chapter. Its starts with Kate Wilde a redhead, single mother who's just won her dream trip to Paris to study perfume. When she arrives in Paris, after receiving weird texts from her abusive ex, she thinks that maybe he's in Paris too and has a thought to go home. But no she wont let him get in the way of an experience of a life time.
However when Kate checks into her apartment she has this weird feeling she's been watched. With a killer on the loose in Paris, obsessed with red haired woman, she can't help but think she might have made the wrong decision.
This will have you sitting on the edge of your seat throughout, I couldn't put it down.
I listened to this book on Borrowbox, through my local library.
dnf
April 10, 2025Dnf @30%
March 24, 2025
I wanted to love this book more than I did , but I really struggled to get through it. I used to have an acronym I used when reviewing cozy mysteries, TSTL, ( too stupid to live ) but it definitely applies to the main character Kate, I mean who goes on a vacation they supposedly won when they don’t remember entering the contest? There were red flags all over the place screaming danger danger and she is just gallivanting all over Paris like woohoo I won this trip, seriously TSTL.. I have enjoyed Blake’s other books but this one was a disappointment.
Two stars because I am a sucker for a Paris setting and I enjoyed the perfume class.
October 25, 2024
Kate is delighted to have won a trip to Paris in a competition she doesn’t remember entering. She thinks that her luck has changed for the better.
The police and trying to find a killer of young red headed women and Kate feels that someone may be following her.
A thriller with plenty of twist and turns.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atlantic Books for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
The police and trying to find a killer of young red headed women and Kate feels that someone may be following her.
A thriller with plenty of twist and turns.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atlantic Books for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
November 26, 2024
I have spent a wet and windy weekend curled up on the settee with The Killing Sense, it has been a perfect couple of days to explore this twisty tale of mystery suspense in the wonderful setting of modern-day Paris. It is not a short novel, but the writing grips so well that I found myself flying through the pages, desperate to find out just what was in store for the characters next.
Kate Wilde is a single parent, her marriage was filled with violence and threats. She has a restraining order out against her ex-husband Erik and she and her small daughter Hanna are making a new life together, with the help of Kate's loyal sister Orna.
Kate is on her way to Paris. It's the first time that she's left Hanna in the care of Orna, and whilst she is excited to have won a Facebook competition that involves a whole week in Paris, along with a course in perfume-making, she is still deeply worried about her daughter. Especially as Erik continues to send threatening texts, he wants to see his daughter.
Meanwhile, the reader is privy to information that very few people are aware of. Workers in the sewers below the streets of Paris have discovered a severed head. The head of a woman with red hair.
It is that titan hair that sets the scene for the entire novel. Readers are not aware of why red-heads will be targeted until the very end reveal, but it's terrifying. Kate has red hair.
Blake introduces a vast and colourful cast of characters to her readers. Kate's apartment for the week is situated in a beautiful old building and the woman in charge of the residence is elegant and self assured. Around the corner is a cafe. Agathe works in the cafe when she's not studying, and she and Kate soon hit it off. However, Agathe's flat mate Sandrine has recently disappeared. Sandrine also had red hair.
Whilst travelling to Paris, Kate was seated opposite a man named Daniel. Daniel is British, ex-military and very friendly. He's on a mission to track down an antique perfume bottle on behalf of his elderly aunt. Kate and Daniel meet again whilst in Paris and their relationship develops, he feels protective of her, she's unsure, but Daniel seems like a good, kind man. Someone she can rely on, especially as she suspects that someone, maybe Erik has been entering her apartment when she's not there. Things have moved, bottles of expensive perfumes and lotions have been left there, someone has cleaned her hair brush. Kate is very uneasy, but feels unable to do anything about it.
This is a very cleverly plotted novel, with characters who at first, seem totally disconnected to one another, but as the story emerges, the reader begins to make the links, it is subtle and expertly executed.
I was on the edge of my seat, especially towards the end of the story as everything begins to tie together and we realise just how much danger Kate is in. I was totally thrown by events that are revealed, it almost creeps up on the reader, taking them by surprise.
Perfectly created characters in a setting that will entrance the reader, this is a gripping and tension filled novel that will chill readers to the bone. Highly recommended.
Kate Wilde is a single parent, her marriage was filled with violence and threats. She has a restraining order out against her ex-husband Erik and she and her small daughter Hanna are making a new life together, with the help of Kate's loyal sister Orna.
Kate is on her way to Paris. It's the first time that she's left Hanna in the care of Orna, and whilst she is excited to have won a Facebook competition that involves a whole week in Paris, along with a course in perfume-making, she is still deeply worried about her daughter. Especially as Erik continues to send threatening texts, he wants to see his daughter.
Meanwhile, the reader is privy to information that very few people are aware of. Workers in the sewers below the streets of Paris have discovered a severed head. The head of a woman with red hair.
It is that titan hair that sets the scene for the entire novel. Readers are not aware of why red-heads will be targeted until the very end reveal, but it's terrifying. Kate has red hair.
Blake introduces a vast and colourful cast of characters to her readers. Kate's apartment for the week is situated in a beautiful old building and the woman in charge of the residence is elegant and self assured. Around the corner is a cafe. Agathe works in the cafe when she's not studying, and she and Kate soon hit it off. However, Agathe's flat mate Sandrine has recently disappeared. Sandrine also had red hair.
Whilst travelling to Paris, Kate was seated opposite a man named Daniel. Daniel is British, ex-military and very friendly. He's on a mission to track down an antique perfume bottle on behalf of his elderly aunt. Kate and Daniel meet again whilst in Paris and their relationship develops, he feels protective of her, she's unsure, but Daniel seems like a good, kind man. Someone she can rely on, especially as she suspects that someone, maybe Erik has been entering her apartment when she's not there. Things have moved, bottles of expensive perfumes and lotions have been left there, someone has cleaned her hair brush. Kate is very uneasy, but feels unable to do anything about it.
This is a very cleverly plotted novel, with characters who at first, seem totally disconnected to one another, but as the story emerges, the reader begins to make the links, it is subtle and expertly executed.
I was on the edge of my seat, especially towards the end of the story as everything begins to tie together and we realise just how much danger Kate is in. I was totally thrown by events that are revealed, it almost creeps up on the reader, taking them by surprise.
Perfectly created characters in a setting that will entrance the reader, this is a gripping and tension filled novel that will chill readers to the bone. Highly recommended.
April 10, 2025
Kate Wilde has won a trip to Paris! It includes the travel, a place to stay and a perfume course. It’s just what she and her friend Trish had talked and dreamt about so many years before. She has had a rough time but finally things seem to be changing for the better. This trip is the perfect way of saying ‘hello’ to her bright new future. With her daughter, Hanna, being safely left with her sister, Orna, Kate is looking forward to seeing Paris and taking part in the perfumery class.
The setting in Paris is a wonderful part of this story it made me recall my only visit there and made me want to go back, so much has changed since then, to see all the places I remember and all the places mentioned in the book.
I loved the storytelling of perfume and the parts of the book that took place on the course were fascinating and I really enjoyed them.
On the journey over Kate is seated across from Daniel who strikes up a conversation with her. He’s in Paris to buy a perfume bottle at auction for his aunt Lillian who wants it as a wedding gift for Daniel’s niece. Is this the beginnings of a friendship or maybe just two strangers passing a journey convivially together?
Once Kate is in Paris her joy of being there enjoying the sights and treasures that Paris offers is tempered by text messages she starts to receive from Erik, her ex. Her fears are raising up but she is determined that she won’t give in to them.
Agathe is a young woman living in Paris along with Sandrine and Roland. Agathe is worried when Sandrine goes missing. Not sure what to do she turns to her Uncle Gabriel, at the Paris Heure, who sets Agathe to work researching into missing women. Although the link of red hair is tenuous, yes, Agathe finds more connections – the time of year and where the women had gone missing – he sets her to work with his crime editor Max. He has been working on a more recent story, they may be linked and then Sandrine! Now Gabriel wants them to find out if there is not only a kidnapper but a murderer at work and has been for twenty years!
We have another commentator through the story which brings a mysterious and chilling edge to the story.
As the threads of this story are pulled together will Kate survive this intricately staged plot that has brought her to Paris for a reason she would never have imagined? Can Agathe and Max uncover the truth in time? And, if they can, who will help them stop this heinous criminal from getting at least one more victim?
Sam Blake weaves a wonderful story bringing various elements together in a tense finale that is both thrilling and shocking.
I can’t resist a good crime fiction story and Sam Blake writes really good ones. The Killing Sense is a wonderful book with terrific characters, a beautiful setting with great plotting and a compelling narrative. It’s an absolutely fantastic book.
I’d love to read more of these characters whether that’s likely I don’t know but Sam Blake is most definitely an author I look forward to reading more of.
Janet - LoveBooks, ReadBooks logo
Book: Purchased
The setting in Paris is a wonderful part of this story it made me recall my only visit there and made me want to go back, so much has changed since then, to see all the places I remember and all the places mentioned in the book.
I loved the storytelling of perfume and the parts of the book that took place on the course were fascinating and I really enjoyed them.
On the journey over Kate is seated across from Daniel who strikes up a conversation with her. He’s in Paris to buy a perfume bottle at auction for his aunt Lillian who wants it as a wedding gift for Daniel’s niece. Is this the beginnings of a friendship or maybe just two strangers passing a journey convivially together?
Once Kate is in Paris her joy of being there enjoying the sights and treasures that Paris offers is tempered by text messages she starts to receive from Erik, her ex. Her fears are raising up but she is determined that she won’t give in to them.
Agathe is a young woman living in Paris along with Sandrine and Roland. Agathe is worried when Sandrine goes missing. Not sure what to do she turns to her Uncle Gabriel, at the Paris Heure, who sets Agathe to work researching into missing women. Although the link of red hair is tenuous, yes, Agathe finds more connections – the time of year and where the women had gone missing – he sets her to work with his crime editor Max. He has been working on a more recent story, they may be linked and then Sandrine! Now Gabriel wants them to find out if there is not only a kidnapper but a murderer at work and has been for twenty years!
We have another commentator through the story which brings a mysterious and chilling edge to the story.
As the threads of this story are pulled together will Kate survive this intricately staged plot that has brought her to Paris for a reason she would never have imagined? Can Agathe and Max uncover the truth in time? And, if they can, who will help them stop this heinous criminal from getting at least one more victim?
Sam Blake weaves a wonderful story bringing various elements together in a tense finale that is both thrilling and shocking.
I can’t resist a good crime fiction story and Sam Blake writes really good ones. The Killing Sense is a wonderful book with terrific characters, a beautiful setting with great plotting and a compelling narrative. It’s an absolutely fantastic book.
I’d love to read more of these characters whether that’s likely I don’t know but Sam Blake is most definitely an author I look forward to reading more of.
Janet - LoveBooks, ReadBooks logo
Book: Purchased
March 31, 2025
I bought this book from an Irish bookseller and had it sent to my address in the US. I have been in writer's courses with "Sam Blake" and have enjoyed most of her books very much. And then I forgot about it for a few months while I worked on my reading backlog. Once I'd begun reading it however I finished it within two days despite the book being 500 pages! The type in my edition is slightly larger so perhaps that's why I read it so fast or perhaps it was because, despite my cynicism about the story being a bit "glossy" and quite unbelievable (but, with thrillers, there is always so much unbelievability to make it work--as in, how many people actually take the chances that characters in the thriller take, how many coincidences, etc...), I quickly became quite enthralled.
What do I mean by glossy? Well, the main character, Kate Wilde, despite being described as a poor victim of spousal abuse, still manages to be beautiful, have a wealthy sister and is gifted a week's vacation, via Eurostar, in a beautiful, very glossy magazine style apartment with a weeklong upscale "perfume course" in Paris thrown in for good measure. Hmmm... But her wealthy sister "researches" the award and convinces Kate it's on the up and up. Then, on the Eurostar on her way to Paris she meets an attractive man with money. That was another strange thing for me. The man's description, with the cleft lip and prosthetic leg, former military man with loads of connections, strongly reminded me of the actor Tom Burke in Cormoran Strike in the TV Series "Strike". Hmmm, prosethetic leg maybe. But prosthetic leg AND a cleft lip? Wonder if Blake was watching TV while she was writing and somehow she was inspired. No big deal that, it's not like the plot of the novel resembles any Strike plots as far as I know.
Still, the writing is so good. Very tight, action flows from one character to the next very quickly. At the same time as Kate is heading for Paris, the reader learns that the head of a young woman, with red hair, has been discovered in the Paris sewers. Kate has red hair. Hmmm.... Another young woman, whose red-haired flatmate disappears, becomes convinced a serial killer is on the loose. She's the niece of a famous tabloid owner, and so the story gets picked up and researched. Kate's happy journey around Paris--we are treated to descriptions of the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower and the Musee d'Orsay as well as glimpses of gilded hotels and restaurants that I've never made it to nor probably ever well--intersects with the young woman's, Agathe's. And the reader's curiosity is ever sharpened as more characters also intersect. Blake never gives the whole game away until the last 50 pages and even after that, I was on pins and needles to know how it was all going to be resolved.
It's a great, fast, thriller read but I can't help wondering if anyone else made a connection with the character of Daniel Langton and Cormoran Strike in the TV series....
What do I mean by glossy? Well, the main character, Kate Wilde, despite being described as a poor victim of spousal abuse, still manages to be beautiful, have a wealthy sister and is gifted a week's vacation, via Eurostar, in a beautiful, very glossy magazine style apartment with a weeklong upscale "perfume course" in Paris thrown in for good measure. Hmmm... But her wealthy sister "researches" the award and convinces Kate it's on the up and up. Then, on the Eurostar on her way to Paris she meets an attractive man with money. That was another strange thing for me. The man's description, with the cleft lip and prosthetic leg, former military man with loads of connections, strongly reminded me of the actor Tom Burke in Cormoran Strike in the TV Series "Strike". Hmmm, prosethetic leg maybe. But prosthetic leg AND a cleft lip? Wonder if Blake was watching TV while she was writing and somehow she was inspired. No big deal that, it's not like the plot of the novel resembles any Strike plots as far as I know.
Still, the writing is so good. Very tight, action flows from one character to the next very quickly. At the same time as Kate is heading for Paris, the reader learns that the head of a young woman, with red hair, has been discovered in the Paris sewers. Kate has red hair. Hmmm.... Another young woman, whose red-haired flatmate disappears, becomes convinced a serial killer is on the loose. She's the niece of a famous tabloid owner, and so the story gets picked up and researched. Kate's happy journey around Paris--we are treated to descriptions of the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower and the Musee d'Orsay as well as glimpses of gilded hotels and restaurants that I've never made it to nor probably ever well--intersects with the young woman's, Agathe's. And the reader's curiosity is ever sharpened as more characters also intersect. Blake never gives the whole game away until the last 50 pages and even after that, I was on pins and needles to know how it was all going to be resolved.
It's a great, fast, thriller read but I can't help wondering if anyone else made a connection with the character of Daniel Langton and Cormoran Strike in the TV series....
December 19, 2024
This is not my first read by this author so I knew that I was going to be in for a great time as soon as I spotted this new release!
This was a bit of a different read from Sam - or certainly the books I've read so far - which are usually set in Ireland.
This sees Kate, an Irish single mum, heading to Paris to attend a perfumery course which she won online.
As we read, we learn of Kate's background and her escape from an abusive husband - so when she starts to feel skittish, this puts us on edge straight away.
As Kate was arriving in Paris, the discovery of a severed head is found in a sewer and the investigation follows.
For a while, it appears that the two storylines will run completely separately but as the two become linked through acquaintance the tension really ramps up as we try and piece together what is happening and whether the events are indeed connected.
I loved how complex this case was and that there were a number of viable suspects for all of the different events.
I made quite a few theories and actually happened to get pretty close quite early on through the book - but how wrong I was! As twist upon twist had me rethinking everything again! With the final twists and reveals still shocking me.
It was so easy to relate to Kate - being already a bit apprehensive, given her past, I couldn't help but feel for her as she navigated a strange city and new people.
I was literally on edge each time she went outside.
I loved the friendship that she and (Agate) formed and I just loved everything about Daniel's involvement - great character!
The writing as ever, was fast-paced and exciting.
For a fairly long book, I didn't lose focus once and couldn't stop thinking about it everytime I put it down to work!
A brilliant thriller, packed with intrigue and twists which I just couldn't put down!
Can't wait for my next read by Sam!
This was a bit of a different read from Sam - or certainly the books I've read so far - which are usually set in Ireland.
This sees Kate, an Irish single mum, heading to Paris to attend a perfumery course which she won online.
As we read, we learn of Kate's background and her escape from an abusive husband - so when she starts to feel skittish, this puts us on edge straight away.
As Kate was arriving in Paris, the discovery of a severed head is found in a sewer and the investigation follows.
For a while, it appears that the two storylines will run completely separately but as the two become linked through acquaintance the tension really ramps up as we try and piece together what is happening and whether the events are indeed connected.
I loved how complex this case was and that there were a number of viable suspects for all of the different events.
I made quite a few theories and actually happened to get pretty close quite early on through the book - but how wrong I was! As twist upon twist had me rethinking everything again! With the final twists and reveals still shocking me.
It was so easy to relate to Kate - being already a bit apprehensive, given her past, I couldn't help but feel for her as she navigated a strange city and new people.
I was literally on edge each time she went outside.
I loved the friendship that she and (Agate) formed and I just loved everything about Daniel's involvement - great character!
The writing as ever, was fast-paced and exciting.
For a fairly long book, I didn't lose focus once and couldn't stop thinking about it everytime I put it down to work!
A brilliant thriller, packed with intrigue and twists which I just couldn't put down!
Can't wait for my next read by Sam!
January 29, 2025
The Killing Sense by Sam Blake
Kate is on a train to Paris for a five-day perfume course after winning a competition she doesn’t remember entering. She is a single mother who has just escaped an extremely abusive marriage and is looking forward to finally having a breakaway.
However, when she gets to Paris she discovers this wonderful trip is too good to be true. The feeling of being watched takes over and she is convinced someone has been in her apartment and moved her belongings. This is made all the more real when she receives a text from her ex-husband Eric, telling her he is in Paris and would like to talk.
She meets Agathe in a cafe and the two strike up a friendship immediately. Agathe’s flatmate Sandrine has gone missing and after some digging, they discover there is a serial killer on the loose in Paris targeting redheads. The tension in the air increases tenfold because Kate's hair is red.
This a solid thriller that delivers a decent amount of intrigue, but it doesn't quite live up to the hype for me. The pacing is steady but the plot offers few engaging twists, the characters were flat and uninteresting and the ending felt a bit predictable to me.
Sam Blake's writing is sharp however, some parts of the narrative, especially in the middle, felt a bit drawn out, and the emotional depth of the characters could have been explored more.
Overall, it’s a good read for fans of psychological thrillers, though it might not stand out in such a competitive genre. This has never been my favourite genre so I might not be the best person to give a review on this crime thriller. I wanted to feel lost and engaged in the pages especially since the author is now an Irish gal but I’m afraid I struggled to get to the end and it just didn’t grip me in any way I imagined.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3.5 / 5
Kate is on a train to Paris for a five-day perfume course after winning a competition she doesn’t remember entering. She is a single mother who has just escaped an extremely abusive marriage and is looking forward to finally having a breakaway.
However, when she gets to Paris she discovers this wonderful trip is too good to be true. The feeling of being watched takes over and she is convinced someone has been in her apartment and moved her belongings. This is made all the more real when she receives a text from her ex-husband Eric, telling her he is in Paris and would like to talk.
She meets Agathe in a cafe and the two strike up a friendship immediately. Agathe’s flatmate Sandrine has gone missing and after some digging, they discover there is a serial killer on the loose in Paris targeting redheads. The tension in the air increases tenfold because Kate's hair is red.
This a solid thriller that delivers a decent amount of intrigue, but it doesn't quite live up to the hype for me. The pacing is steady but the plot offers few engaging twists, the characters were flat and uninteresting and the ending felt a bit predictable to me.
Sam Blake's writing is sharp however, some parts of the narrative, especially in the middle, felt a bit drawn out, and the emotional depth of the characters could have been explored more.
Overall, it’s a good read for fans of psychological thrillers, though it might not stand out in such a competitive genre. This has never been my favourite genre so I might not be the best person to give a review on this crime thriller. I wanted to feel lost and engaged in the pages especially since the author is now an Irish gal but I’m afraid I struggled to get to the end and it just didn’t grip me in any way I imagined.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3.5 / 5
February 9, 2025
The Killing Sense / Sam Blake
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~ Why did women always try and put a brave face on situations like this, when they all knew that it was so easy for something awful to have happened? … ~
Oh my nerves, I said it last year, a February can’t pass by without me revisiting Sam Blake, and her newest one at that? Sign me up! All of my previous Blake’s were on audio, so to actually have the physical book this time round made a massive difference.
We are off to Paris for this one. This is a very cleverly plotted novel, with characters who at first, seem totally disconnected to one another, but as the story emerges, you begin to make the links, it is subtle and expertly executed. Shout out for acknowledging Perfume, it was clearly a big inspiration.
I was on the edge of my seat, especially towards the end of the story as everything begins to tie together and we realise just how much danger Kate is in. I was totally thrown by events that are revealed, it almost creeps up on the reader, taking them by surprise.
Was Kate a bit naïve? Maybe, but her background allowed it and not realise what amount of danger she was in. The troubles of a modern world. I enjoyed all the characters in this, none of the POV chapters seemed like they were overwritten either. Loved the little nod to Carla Steele in it too!
Fantastic outing, looking forward to the next SB!
Picked up from the TBR Pile: Graiguenamanagh, Co. Kilkenny
Bought from: @bookstationireland, Carlow - 12/01/24
* Read: 07/02/25 - 09/02/25
* Release Date: 04/01/25
* ISBN: 9781805460152
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~ Why did women always try and put a brave face on situations like this, when they all knew that it was so easy for something awful to have happened? … ~
Oh my nerves, I said it last year, a February can’t pass by without me revisiting Sam Blake, and her newest one at that? Sign me up! All of my previous Blake’s were on audio, so to actually have the physical book this time round made a massive difference.
We are off to Paris for this one. This is a very cleverly plotted novel, with characters who at first, seem totally disconnected to one another, but as the story emerges, you begin to make the links, it is subtle and expertly executed. Shout out for acknowledging Perfume, it was clearly a big inspiration.
I was on the edge of my seat, especially towards the end of the story as everything begins to tie together and we realise just how much danger Kate is in. I was totally thrown by events that are revealed, it almost creeps up on the reader, taking them by surprise.
Was Kate a bit naïve? Maybe, but her background allowed it and not realise what amount of danger she was in. The troubles of a modern world. I enjoyed all the characters in this, none of the POV chapters seemed like they were overwritten either. Loved the little nod to Carla Steele in it too!
Fantastic outing, looking forward to the next SB!
Picked up from the TBR Pile: Graiguenamanagh, Co. Kilkenny
Bought from: @bookstationireland, Carlow - 12/01/24
* Read: 07/02/25 - 09/02/25
* Release Date: 04/01/25
* ISBN: 9781805460152
November 12, 2024
Kate, a single mum who has escaped an abusive marriage, rarely puts herself first. So when she wins a Facebook competition for an all-expenses-paid trip to Paris to attend a perfume-making course, her sister insists she go. The only problem? Kate doesn’t remember entering the competition. But everything checks out — there’s even a Eurostar ticket in her name — so off she goes.
Upon arriving in Paris, Kate realises her ex is also there. Even more troubling, a serial killer is on the loose, targeting red-haired women. Women like Kate.
Though this book is on the longer side, I absolutely flew through it. The characters are introduced gradually and fleshed out well. I did figure out most of what was happening, but the story gives you just enough clues to make that satisfying and there are a few twists on the details. The Parisian setting adds both charm and tension — the details about the city’s tourist spots and art of perfume-making will make you feel like you’re right there.
I loved the epilogue; it was a really nice touch. The relationships and friendships in the book are wonderfully portrayed. When The Killing Sense releases next year, you’ll uncover a cast of likeable characters you’ll be rooting for from start to finish.
Thanks to Corvus for providing proofs to The Book Party where I picked up an ARC for free.
Upon arriving in Paris, Kate realises her ex is also there. Even more troubling, a serial killer is on the loose, targeting red-haired women. Women like Kate.
Though this book is on the longer side, I absolutely flew through it. The characters are introduced gradually and fleshed out well. I did figure out most of what was happening, but the story gives you just enough clues to make that satisfying and there are a few twists on the details. The Parisian setting adds both charm and tension — the details about the city’s tourist spots and art of perfume-making will make you feel like you’re right there.
I loved the epilogue; it was a really nice touch. The relationships and friendships in the book are wonderfully portrayed. When The Killing Sense releases next year, you’ll uncover a cast of likeable characters you’ll be rooting for from start to finish.
Thanks to Corvus for providing proofs to The Book Party where I picked up an ARC for free.
January 23, 2025
The Killing Sense by Sam Blake and narrated by Fenella Woolgar was so good I ended up listening to this all day and I love it. It was a brilliant crime thriller that will have you gripped from the beginning till the very end! It is full of twists and turns throughout that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat.
Single mum Kate has finally escaped her abusive marriage........She has won a 5 day trip to Paris, to learn about perfume - in a competition she can't remember entering.
It's a dream come true. Or is it?
This is just what she needed and she has not been on holiday for years...........So exciting!
As soon as Kate arrives in Paris. she feels she's being watched, and she is sure someone has been in her apartment. Kate's ex texts her telling her he in in Paris as well. So she wasn't going mad! But, why is he in Paris as well?
Kate then discovers that there's a killer in the city focusing on red headed women like her. And his kill count is rising.
Who should she fear the most?
Her ex husband or the Killer who is killing red headed women?
Now all Kate's senses are on alert. But can her instincts keep her safe?
WoW this audio book was so good.
Fenella Woolgar was excellent as she flipped between accents with such ease especially as she added tension and anxiety throughout and made this audiobook come alive.
Single mum Kate has finally escaped her abusive marriage........She has won a 5 day trip to Paris, to learn about perfume - in a competition she can't remember entering.
It's a dream come true. Or is it?
This is just what she needed and she has not been on holiday for years...........So exciting!
As soon as Kate arrives in Paris. she feels she's being watched, and she is sure someone has been in her apartment. Kate's ex texts her telling her he in in Paris as well. So she wasn't going mad! But, why is he in Paris as well?
Kate then discovers that there's a killer in the city focusing on red headed women like her. And his kill count is rising.
Who should she fear the most?
Her ex husband or the Killer who is killing red headed women?
Now all Kate's senses are on alert. But can her instincts keep her safe?
WoW this audio book was so good.
Fenella Woolgar was excellent as she flipped between accents with such ease especially as she added tension and anxiety throughout and made this audiobook come alive.
February 2, 2025
This is a really interesting thriller that piqued my interest as someone who loves to enter competitions. The Killing Sense follows a red-haired woman (that fact is important!) named Kate Wilde who wins a Facebook competition for a place on a perfume course in Paris, with all expenses paid. However she cannot remember entering it.
Kate has a daughter called Hanna and has a restraining order out on her violent ex-husband. But when she arrives in Paris she gets the feeling that she is being watched. She knows her ex-husband Erik has links to the city. Could it be him, wanting access to his daughter?
The plot of this novel stems from the fact that perfume reacts differently on redheads and alongside Kate's story, body parts have been found in the city. A young girl named Agathe is worried for her friend after her disappearance and asks her uncle who runs a newspaper to look into it. They soon discover a link to a cold case where a redheaded woman's remains had been found.
Agathe's friend had just recently had her hair dyed red. And what about Kate and the fact she thinks she is being watched? Could she be the next victim?
I really enjoyed this thriller and the setting of Paris. I honestly didn't guess where it was going and felt myself wanting to go back a bit and reanalyse certain characters behaviours. It is an interesting premise and not one I've read about before.
Kate has a daughter called Hanna and has a restraining order out on her violent ex-husband. But when she arrives in Paris she gets the feeling that she is being watched. She knows her ex-husband Erik has links to the city. Could it be him, wanting access to his daughter?
The plot of this novel stems from the fact that perfume reacts differently on redheads and alongside Kate's story, body parts have been found in the city. A young girl named Agathe is worried for her friend after her disappearance and asks her uncle who runs a newspaper to look into it. They soon discover a link to a cold case where a redheaded woman's remains had been found.
Agathe's friend had just recently had her hair dyed red. And what about Kate and the fact she thinks she is being watched? Could she be the next victim?
I really enjoyed this thriller and the setting of Paris. I honestly didn't guess where it was going and felt myself wanting to go back a bit and reanalyse certain characters behaviours. It is an interesting premise and not one I've read about before.
January 5, 2026
The Killing Sense opens with a genuinely compelling setup. Kate Wilde, a single mother rebuilding her life after an abusive marriage, wins a dream trip to Paris to attend a perfume course — a premise that feels fresh and atmospheric from the start. That sense of escape is quickly undercut by unease: her violent ex-husband resurfaces, someone appears to have accessed her apartment, and news breaks of red-haired women being murdered in Paris. The opening chapters create a strong sense of threat and vulnerability, pulling the reader in with both psychological tension and a vivid setting.
However, once the story moves beyond this initial hook, the pacing begins to drag. The investigation and Kate’s growing fears unfold slowly, with repeated scenes of anxiety and decision-making that don’t always push the plot forward. While the danger is ever-present, the tension often feels stretched rather than escalated, and some developments are telegraphed well in advance, softening their impact.
There are still things to admire — the Paris backdrop is evocative, the perfume theme is unusual, and Blake handles trauma and control with sensitivity. Overall, this is a solid thriller with a strong beginning and an intriguing concept, but one that struggles to maintain momentum and fully deliver on its early promise.
However, once the story moves beyond this initial hook, the pacing begins to drag. The investigation and Kate’s growing fears unfold slowly, with repeated scenes of anxiety and decision-making that don’t always push the plot forward. While the danger is ever-present, the tension often feels stretched rather than escalated, and some developments are telegraphed well in advance, softening their impact.
There are still things to admire — the Paris backdrop is evocative, the perfume theme is unusual, and Blake handles trauma and control with sensitivity. Overall, this is a solid thriller with a strong beginning and an intriguing concept, but one that struggles to maintain momentum and fully deliver on its early promise.
December 30, 2024
This is the first book I have come across from Sam Blake, and it was the audio version I have the pleasure of reviewing.
The story was deliciously set in Paris, a British woman, Kate, has won a competition that see's her in Paris on an all expenses paid perfumery course. We are told early on that Kate is a red head, and in a crossover storyline we learn of a murder victim found in the sewer ... . also a redhead. We also learn of a missing Parisian woman, the welfare of whom increasingly concerns her flatmate.
Kate meets a stranger on the train and a connection is formed, though Kate is reluctant to pursue it as she is traumatised from an abusive ex. This is a story of cat and mouse, a police drama and a thriller in a delicious location all rolled into one,
I loved the clever crossover of characters, it felt slick and well thought out,
The narrator took on all the accents required to tell the story seemingly effortlessly, and her French accent was (to my untrained ears) tres bien!
All in all I found this to be a quality piece of work,... and an excellent piece of entertainment!
My thanks to Netgalley, author and publisher for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an advance copy.
The story was deliciously set in Paris, a British woman, Kate, has won a competition that see's her in Paris on an all expenses paid perfumery course. We are told early on that Kate is a red head, and in a crossover storyline we learn of a murder victim found in the sewer ... . also a redhead. We also learn of a missing Parisian woman, the welfare of whom increasingly concerns her flatmate.
Kate meets a stranger on the train and a connection is formed, though Kate is reluctant to pursue it as she is traumatised from an abusive ex. This is a story of cat and mouse, a police drama and a thriller in a delicious location all rolled into one,
I loved the clever crossover of characters, it felt slick and well thought out,
The narrator took on all the accents required to tell the story seemingly effortlessly, and her French accent was (to my untrained ears) tres bien!
All in all I found this to be a quality piece of work,... and an excellent piece of entertainment!
My thanks to Netgalley, author and publisher for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an advance copy.
January 23, 2025
The Killing Sense was a real “grip your seat with tension” kind of book!!! The concentration on who was the baddie was on my mind all of the time!!! It took over my life for the short amount of time it took me to get through this story! Nothing else mattered!
Kate won a trip to Paris, to take part in a perfume making course but also see the sights of Paris. She doesn’t remember taking part in it, but takes the trip all the same. Her sister tells her to be careful, take care and she looks after her niece for her sister to go . When she arrives, she finds she’s staying in a beautiful apartment just around the corner from where she needs to go!. She befriends a handsome English man who’s kind and attentive, but she’s been burned by her ex husband who was a very nasty man. It’s made her very wary and distrustful, but Daniel seems like a good guy.
You know by now that I don’t like to tell you too much of the story, so I will tell you that this book is action packed and quite creepy!! All the things I like!!
Many thanks to Atlantic Books for the opportunity to read this arc copy via Netgalley. My opinion is my own.
#Netgalley. #AtlanticBooks, #SamBlakeBooks.
Kate won a trip to Paris, to take part in a perfume making course but also see the sights of Paris. She doesn’t remember taking part in it, but takes the trip all the same. Her sister tells her to be careful, take care and she looks after her niece for her sister to go . When she arrives, she finds she’s staying in a beautiful apartment just around the corner from where she needs to go!. She befriends a handsome English man who’s kind and attentive, but she’s been burned by her ex husband who was a very nasty man. It’s made her very wary and distrustful, but Daniel seems like a good guy.
You know by now that I don’t like to tell you too much of the story, so I will tell you that this book is action packed and quite creepy!! All the things I like!!
Many thanks to Atlantic Books for the opportunity to read this arc copy via Netgalley. My opinion is my own.
#Netgalley. #AtlanticBooks, #SamBlakeBooks.
November 26, 2024
After the head of a woman is found in the sewers of Paris, the disappearance of several women spanning decades are linked due to the colour of their hair.
Fellow redhead Kate Wilde travels to Paris after winning a competition she can’t remember entering. Kate meets Daniel in the Eurostar into Paris and Agathe in a cafe near her appartment, both of whom end up tangled into the investigation of the missing women.
Kate starts to feel she is being followed but is she being targeted by the killer or by her abusive ex.
Loved the plot and the way in unfolded and the ending came as a surprise. The story is told from several different POV’s but all had a distinct voice so were easy to tell apart and kept a track of.
The setting of Paris was well written and I felt as if I was there. It also gave it a different take to lots of other thrillers making it stand out.
Would highly recommend.
Thanks to NetGalley and Corvus for the advanced copy.
Fellow redhead Kate Wilde travels to Paris after winning a competition she can’t remember entering. Kate meets Daniel in the Eurostar into Paris and Agathe in a cafe near her appartment, both of whom end up tangled into the investigation of the missing women.
Kate starts to feel she is being followed but is she being targeted by the killer or by her abusive ex.
Loved the plot and the way in unfolded and the ending came as a surprise. The story is told from several different POV’s but all had a distinct voice so were easy to tell apart and kept a track of.
The setting of Paris was well written and I felt as if I was there. It also gave it a different take to lots of other thrillers making it stand out.
Would highly recommend.
Thanks to NetGalley and Corvus for the advanced copy.
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