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IKK Crime Series #1

by S.T. Ashman, ס.ט. אשמן (Author's Hebrew Name)

מה אם הרוצח הסדרתי המסוכן ביותר הוא כזה שרוצח את בני מינו? או רוצחת...

ביום, ליאה נאכטנֶבֶל היא אחת הפסנתרניות הגדולות של זמננו. בלילה היא הופכת לרוצחת חסרת מעצורים, המשתמשת במוח המבריק שלה כדי לצוד את אלה שבטוחים שהם יכולים לחמוק מטחנות הצדק.

אבל כשמתגלה קשר מובהק בין המטרה הבאה שלה לבין עברה האפל, ליאה מוצאת את עצמה בקו האש בין שני כוחות בלתי מתפשרים: סוכן אף-בי-איי שנחוש לגלות את סודותיה ורוצח סדרתי סדיסט שלא רואה בה רק בוגדת – הוא רואה בה עוד קורבן שהוא חייב לצרף לרשימת הקורבנות שלו.

במגרש המשחקים של הרוצחים הסדרתיים קיים רק חוק אחד: לנצח ולחיות או להפסיד ולמות.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Dark, Crime, Dark Romance, Fiction

Paperback

First published October 10, 2023

About the author

S. T. Ashman is a German-American writer born and raised in Germany, now calling the beautiful U.S. Seacoast home. She once delved into the criminal justice system as a psychotherapist, a role that gifted her with a unique insight into the human psyche—both the beautiful and the deeply shadowed. In another life, she’d be a trench coat-wearing, mystery-solving female Columbo. Her mother’s lineage traces back thousands of years to the Frisians, a fierce Germanic tribe from the north. A history lover to the core, she explores not only her own ancestry but also Indigenous cultures around the world. She weaves history and cultural awareness into action-packed fiction that keeps readers turning pages late into the night.

Reviews

[Merry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book started off so good! I love an action heroine, and would you call her a savant? The story grabbed me and held me. The first big surprise was at the 30% I love when I don't see something coming and wham! 5* so far. The middle slowed down a bit for me, but the ending picked up. The planning the twists were great. There are similarities to Dexter but If you read this book know that it is about serial killers and the abuse they commit. Some descriptions but not overly graphic. Rate the book at 4.5* and rounded up. Off to download the next one now.

[John (LHBC) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Morality blurs, serial killers become saviors, and one character will haunt your thoughts long after you've finished the last page…..

Book Information

“I Kill Killers” by S.T. Ashman, is a 321-page mystery/thriller scheduled to be published on October 10, 2023. This is Ashman’s debut novel. Thank you to Victory Editing for providing me with an advance reader copy of this book for review.

Summary

Leah, a brilliant pianist leading a secret life as a serial killer tracker, finds herself unexpectedly connected to her latest victim, plunging her into a chilling whirlpool of events. As she joins a high-stakes chase alongside the determined FBI agent Special Agent Liam Richter, she simultaneously confronts a lethal adversary whose cunning rivals her own.

My Thoughts

"I Kill Killers" by S.T. Ashman is a brilliant debut novel that should be shortlisted for any fan of gripping and intense psychological thrillers. The book delivers a riveting plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat, with Leah standing out as a well-written character, dark and twisty in all the right ways. This psychological thriller isn't just a page-turner; it's a mind-bender that'll leave you gasping for breath with each plot twist.

If you're a lover of thrillers and crime mysteries, "I Kill Killers" is an absolute must-read. It not only has a decent ending, a rarity in many books but also raises thought-provoking questions about the thin line between hero and villain. When a serial killer saves others and targets fellow serial killers, where does morality lie? The shades of grey explored in this book add depth to the narrative.

Leah, the central character, is an intriguing figure and her character is exceptionally well-developed. If I were to have a favorite serial killer—she would surely be my pick. The pacing of the story is spot-on, ensuring that the suspense never wanes, and the prose is both tight and descriptive, adding to the overall tension.

The story is packed with suspense and plot curveballs that will keep you guessing. The writing is outstanding, employing a dual point of view with Leah and FBI agent Liam, creating a dynamic narrative filled with action and short chapters from various perspectives.

This is an easy-to-read book that avoids unnecessary complexity. While it contains some fairly graphic violence and explicit content, it’s not over the top and the author issues a fair warning for those sensitive to such elements. Additionally, I am always pleased to see a character with a disability featured prominently, even though some stereotypes are present – the author handles this aspect well.


Recommendation

I highly recommend "I Kill Killers", especially for readers who enjoy crime fiction with a twisty psychological dimension. This novel delivers an enthralling plot, well-crafted characters, and relentless suspense, making it a standout addition to the genre. S.T. Ashman serves up a gripping psychological thriller that's poised to infect the literary world like a viral sensation. Preorder a copy now—you won’t regret it.

Rating

5 Favorite Serial Killer Stars

[Nikki Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fans of Dexter, this one’s for you! Dexter is my all time favorite show, so I knew this was going to be a fun ride 😜.

Leah is a master pianist with a hidden secret. She’s quite the vigilante. She takes out the trash. The monsters. She kills killers.

Liam is the FBI agent who is out to get her. In a hunting cat and mouse game, who will be the last one standing?

I think this was definitely a fun ride. I just love it when it’s a woman as the vigilante. Spices things up a bit. Like I said, if you’re a fan of Dexter…… this one’s for you.
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Nina (ninjasbooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fresh premise that works really well. The main character is really interesting and I love the cat and mouse game she’s playing with the detectives. Of course one gets Dexter vibes, but it works.

[Maxine (Booklover Catlady) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly let me say what a great book cover this has! I love it. I absolutely powered through this book. I was still reading at 3 a.m. to get to the end. I am very impressed by S. T. Ashman, she is definitely an Author to watch. One of my favourite books this year so far. One of those books where the first chapter kicks into high gear immediately so no slow burn here. Straight into the action. It’s a very good first novel, it reads like a well seasoned crime writer.

I could see this being made into a TV drama or movie easily. I’m really hopeful there will be a series following this book. It’s crying out for more. It doesn’t end on a cliffhanger so easily read as a stand alone.

If you love crime you’ll love this. I am picky with crime fiction as I have read so much of it. The plot is great, what’s not to like about a killer who kills serial killers? What are the ethics around that? Is it okay to kill those who kill to rid the world of those that kill others and will keep on killing if not stopped? Does that make you just as disturbed and evil? I read reviews that say this has gory kill scenes but it doesn’t. The first one is a bit but don’t worry if you think these reviews make it sound super bloody and gory. It isn’t.

The characters just pop, each one is very interesting and individual, even the outside players. Our two main characters I loved. I can’t give much away but the killer killing killers is intelligent and very unique for a crime novel. I loved the tenacious FBI Agent from the famous BAU (Behavioural Analysis Unit) also. This real department was set up to profile and find the worst killers back in the 70’s. The two characters dance around each other in a game of cat and mouse.

There are plenty of great twists and from the opening chapter I was pulled in as immediately the Author shows you that something different is in this book.

Like all good crime books there are flawed and damaged characters. There are lies and deception and red herrings. Then there are the good guys and bad guys. Don’t get me wrong, there are indeed some violent scenes but nothing to be overwhelmed by. There is also a couple of very short but steamy sex scenes that I though were written so well the Author might branch into Erotica at some point? Just kidding! I found them well done that’s all. They are few and short and not so sweet however, no sickening instant love at first sight here.

Our determined FBI Agent sees the killings differently to others and despite indications that the case should be closed he refuses. I read this over a few hours and literally loved every page. It’s easy to read, not overly complex and as an avid crime reader I’m very impressed. Definitely watch this space for this Author. I read about her background in psychology and it shows in the book.

Who is the killer who kills serial killers? That is the best part of the book. I’m not telling as it’s a major spoiler but the way the Author weaves double lives into the book is really well done and intriguing. There are a few unusual aspects to this vigilante prodigy.

A thrilling read with some great scenes to rememberer and a book you can whizz through. If you are looking for something to break a reading drought this would fit the bill. This is definitely perfectly set up for at least a sequel and what I hope may be a whole series featuring the two main characters.

The ending blew me away. Really well done! I found the writing really good, in particular the dialogue is done very well, so realistic and it flows like you are listening to real conversations. I could picture each scene like watching it on screen. I could also picture each character clearly too, both in appearance and personality. I can’t recall reading anything in the last 12 months like this.

Highly recommended if you like crime or books with a twisty psychological aspect, if you like both you’ll really love it. Five stars. I wish I had a sequel to jump straight into.

A big thanks to Ashman Books, via NetGalley for my ARC, look out for the sequel or even better the rest of the series.

Thanks so much for reading my review of this book. Join me as a friend or follower and feel free to browse my shelves for your next great book! I love to connect with other readers.

[bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

Fast paced, easy read. Reminded me of MindF*ck series but without the romance.

[I’m a book mom · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been desperately wanting to find a book with similar vibes to The Mindf*ck Series for a while now and I am so happy I stumbled across this one! It was like a cross between Dexter and Criminal Minds, but with a FMC. The Mindf*ck Series minus the romance. I only put this book down because my schedule didn’t warrant me enough time to read it in one sitting and I needed to be disciplined. But it was fast-paced and kept me itching to know more the entire time. I loved all the twists and turns, and I love that the author left the reader questioning what was truly right and wrong and what was true justice. I highly recommend this book if you like cat/mouse, suspense, and evil people getting what they deserve. I’ve already purchased the next book in the series, and I cannot wait to read it!

[Garci’s.BooksHaven · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really thought I would like this book especially because it has everything I would want in a book.

A women serial killer killer, who kills serials. Like come on.

So why didn’t I like it??

Well…

I feel as though the only reason it got the rating it did instead of a 1⭐️ was because of its entertainment value for the moment and then when it got closer to the end it got out of wack and then it came back together in the end.

And there was things that bothered me and I just couldn’t get past it. The police officer I know he was just doing his job but the stuff he did and going against his higher up like that and not getting reprimanded was just crazy to me.

And the further the book went on it just got tedious and with Leah being so obvious in getting caught by said officer was ridiculous. It just threw away my respect in her badassery

I really felt like this book could’ve been way better than it was. Even Leah was mediocre as a killer. “More like a spoiled brat who did what she wanted because she’s smarter than everyone.”

No character had depth, and as you can tell even the main characters. And even the writing made it hard to fall into this book.

I saw so much potential for this book and i’m sad it wasn’t delivered.

Thank you, 😭💋

P.s. lets mourn for what this book could’ve been.

[Miranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was PERFECTION. A serial killer who kills killers being pursued/investigated by an FBI officer by chance- I mean can this plot get any better? I had full criminal minds vibes with this book and I lived for it. I absolutely adored this wild ride of cat and mouse, and was fully engaged from the first page to the last. Firstly I loved the use of the dual POV. Leah’s POV being in the first person was so effective and allowed the reader to truly experience what was going on in her twisted head. I am generally not a fan of first person narrated books but when it is done as good as this I can’t complain. Liam the FBI officer POV was third person (my usual preference for books) and this worked so well alongside Leah’s POV. The pacing of this book was perfect I never really wanted to put it down and the ending?! I’m thrilled the author is writing a sequel because 1. I have so many questions and 2. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE ENDING. I cannot stress this enough if you’d like to enjoy a wild ride of a book I cannot recommend this enough. I have been in thriller burnout for a while but oh man this scratched the itch and allowed me to enjoy thrillers like I used to!

Thank you Netgalley, Ashman Books and S.T. Ashman for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I Kill Killers will be published on October 10, 2023.

[Iris Bicho · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5✨
Não sei o que é que acabei de ler mas este livro foi genial
Gostei imenso
Quero os próximos para ontem

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast-paced game of cat and mouse.

This opens with heart thumping action and turns violent and gory. I almost stopped reading. I like my violence, gore, and horror on the light side, preferably with a side of humor. But my curiosity pushed me to keep reading and, thankfully, the worst of the descriptions were upfront, so I settled in for an enticing game of cat and mouse.

The narrative is told from mainly two viewpoints that build suspense throughout. As the mystery elements began to tie together, I couldn’t put it down. The ending was a surprise and fueled my need to read book two, We Kill Killers. No cliffhangers though.

I Kill Killers firmly explores moral ambiguity of justice served.

My only caveat: I wish more had been explained about how the pianist developed her skillset, where her parents are now, how she became the musical prodigy. Perhaps that will be revealed later in the trilogy.

I plan to continue the series for psychological drama, character development, and storytelling, unless it turns too violent/gory for me.

[bee 🍉 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not ashamed to admit that I enjoy reading about a female character roaming around killing horrible and evil men. I think we should see more of that in books actually because I am 100% supportive of it, I don't know what anyone says.

I loved how suspenseful this was and how I didn't want to put the book down because I felt like I just had to find out what was going to happen. The twists and turns that left me guessing and gasping until the very last page.

This was such an easy, quick read and I highly recommend it for anyone who wants to attempt to get into the Thriller genre.

Thank you to Netgalley and Ashman Books for providing me with this ARC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wild wild ride!!

Leah is a genius pianist and she is also a killer, hunting down serial killers, as the title suggests. But when she finds herself linked to one of her targets, she meets a tenacious FBI Agent filled with suspicion of her and one that just won't put his suspicions aside. To make matters more complicated, Leah's most recent pursuit is her most dangerous yet.

This was an exhilarating read and I found I had been holding my breath towards the end! A book about serial killers is always a win for me, so this was already a hit before it began. The author's writing was fabulous and I found it hard to believe it was a debut. Did I have to suspend disbelief? Yes, but that is expected in most serial killer novels. My only minor downfall for the novel were a couple of chapters towards the end that finished on cliffhangers, after which the explanation was not forthcoming in the immediate chapters after. Aside from that it was just brilliant. 4.5*

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Ashman Books for the gifted review copy.

[Kaelyn*☾･ﾟ❀⋆*✿ :⋆ · Rating 1 out of 5]

Some things were super cheesy and unnecessary. She’s a serial killer, and also happens to be a pianist so talented that she’s referred to as “the next Bach”. This is nothing like Dexter, this was really poorly executed. There were also a lot of similarities to the Mindfuck series by S. T. Abby (which I LOVED). The references to the colour red, (which might seem mundane but it) irked me. The main character in this book is “Leah (formerly) Miller” which felt really similar to “Lana Meyers”. The love interest in this book is “Liam” and in the Mindfuck series its “Logan”- both are FBI agents. Even this author’s name (S. T. Ashman) is a reworked version of the original. I can’t find any discourse on this online, so that is speculative on my part, but come on. Too many similarities. In any case, this book does not deserve its 4.whatever⭐️ rating. Not only was this unoriginal, it suuuuuucked. Cannot believe this author has a master’s degree and this is being developed into a T.V. series, what is wrong with the world?

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome cat-and-mouse novel, and I loved Leah's character! (I wish we had a bit more of Leah and a bit less of Liam actually.)

Especially well done for a debut novel! When I finished this book I immediately signed up for the author's newsletter, Facebook reader's group, and followed her Instagram page, because I definitely want to read more from her!

I can't wait for the next book!

[Danielle-Gemma💜 · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s been said before but I’ll say it again….. if you like Dexter sign yourself up for this series ASAP!

Really interesting and unusual read, pacy, twisty and kept me wanting to know more. I did not see the twist coming at the end and I can’t wait to read the second book!

[scrivspo · Rating 3 out of 5]

whatever genre this and mindf*ck is I want more????

[Chlo (Taylor's Version) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was this book probably one of the most aggravating, pointless, stupid, cringe, and dare I say offensive book ever? Yes. Am I going to read the whole series? Also yes.

[Elisabete · Rating 4 out of 5]

Devorado numa tarde/noite de Domingo.
Ritmo rápido apesar dos capítulos não serem propriamente curtos mas é impossível não ficar agarrada com aquele inicio.
Óptimo para quem gosta de thrillers de investigação de crimes, com crimes sangrentos, personagens com uma moralidade muito questionável e aquela dúvida existencial do Bem e do Mal, "olho por olho"? Sim, sff
Venham os próximos

[Mandy White (mandylovestoread) · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good!! Why did I wait so long to read this. Have downloaded book 2 already.

[Lena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Es hat mich am Anfang stark an die Mindfuck Series erinnert, aber dann ist es doch in einer andere Richtung gegangen. Man kam bei dem Buch schnell in den Leseflow und ich konnte es nur schwer aus der Hand legen.
Ich brauche unbedingt den zweiten Teil👀

[The Book Review Café · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a big crime thriller reader, there’s nothing I enjoy more than reading about serial killers. As the title suggests, I Kill Killers is about a serial killer who kills yes, you guessed it serial killers! So there was no way I was going to miss out on reading this book. Did I mention the crime scenes are very gory, brutal and violent? Well, they are! So this book is definitely not one for those of a nervous disposition.

Leah is a celebrated concert pianist who sees herself as judge, jury and executioner of those who have committed the most awful crimes. Liam is the FBI agent who is determined to catch her. The rights and wrongs of Leah’s actions are explored. Is she a heroine or villain? What sets her apart from the killers she hunts? Leah is a complex character. She’s cold, calculating, methodical in her execution of her victims. And lacks remorse for the crimes she commits, but she’s absolutely fascinating.

Ashman’s pacing is spot on and at no point does the suspense waver thanks to a gripping game of cat and mouse. I liked the fact the story feels original compared to other serial killer thrillers, and let’s be honest, that’s something that’s hard to find in this genre. I Kill Killers has so many masterfully constructed twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end. Prepare to be seriously disturbed. A deliciously dark serial killer thriller.

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[NomadicReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

The world would relish this macabre tale: a monster slain by another monster, truly an eye for an eye. (p124)

Part thriller.
Part horror.
Part police procedural.

Leah is a world-renowned pianist on the spectrum and...

She kills killers.

Liam is an FBI agent, one of the best. But this latest murder is gruesome and confusing. Nothing at the scene seems to make sense, and he can not let it go.
He is determined to find the woman in the read dress. He knows she's connected.
In the process of the investigation, Liam meets Leah, and he can not figure out what it is about her that is off. He is willing to risk his life and job to prove it.

This book has a jaw-dropping ending you don't want to miss!

I loved this book! I devoured it! I loved the witty, snappy writing, and the storyline was unlike any I have ever read. I can't wait for part 2!

[Claudio Silva · Rating 4 out of 5]

O jogo começou. Gato e rato. Dois predadores a medir forças… mas quem é o verdadeiro caçador?

“Eu Mato Assassinos” não é só um thriller psicológico; é uma guerra silenciosa entre justiça e vingança. De um lado, uma assassina fria e calculista, que caça outros assassinos com uma lógica quase impessoal… mas até que ponto é justiça?

Do outro, um agente do FBI determinado, movido por ideais que o obrigam a enfrentar os próprios limites e os da lei.

Cada capítulo é um passo no tabuleiro, um jogo de xadrez onde moralidade e sobrevivência colidem. Quando pensas saber quem é o gato e quem é o rato… tudo muda.

Com uma vibe que mistura Dexter, CSI e Mentes Criminosas, este livro é viciante, cheio de reviravoltas, dilemas éticos e tensão pura. O climax deixou-me completamente rendido.

Mas no fim, fica a pergunta: quem caça quem?

[Fatima Rezigui · Rating 4 out of 5]

The mindfuck series but less darkness!! I enjoyed this book, the writing and the main characters! A woman who kills serial killers and a profiler who is the only one that suspects her!

Liam is sooo righteous and just! It is annoying sometimes but it shows how determined and good he really is! I like his character and the way he is going to be next book!

Leah is interesting!! So, she is a masterpiece pianist, a pretty woman, and a serial killer who murders other serial killers! I like her, the way she talks and thinks are fascinating to me, especially the way she talks about how Liam is making her feel things!

The killers in this book were brutal! It made my moral compass turn black and not just gray! Anyway, I can't wait for some romance to start between the two in the next book!

[Inês ☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5*

Gostava que a Leah tivesse sido mais explorada e as relações entre todos os personagens. Tudo acontece e corre bem quase magicamente.

Ainda assim foi uma leitura rápida e que me deixou ansiosa para saber o que realmente estava a acontecer, apesar de estar à espera de muito mais - um croissant com pouco chocolate 🥐

Potencial para ser muito melhor 👍🏻

[michaelagombalova · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Lēros, láska moja." 💔
Toto bolo taaaaaaak veľmi dobré 🔥

[Abbey Lavinia ꕥ · Rating 3 out of 5]

kinda gives mindf*uck by st abby vibes

[Corey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was absolutely glued to this book! It does have MindF series by S.T. Abby vibes. There are so many layers to the storyline that made this so enjoyable to read. Trying to guess the ending and failing miserably like usual. I thought the train track killer storyline was very interesting and a genius way of slaying people. I also really loved the epilogue. It definitely threw a wrench into what we thought happened and left some serious questions on the table. Thank goodness book two is already out and on KU! I gotta what happens next!

[Ⓢ Ⓨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!

Leah Nachtnebel, not a monster but the dark hero that kills them. The anti hero we’ve all been waiting for. Dark, mysterious, composed and ruthless vs Liam, FBI agent, determined, dedicated and disciplined.
Who will be victorious?

This gripping page turner keeps you guessing the whole way through and the last 10% is utterly jaw dropping.

Loved it!

Thank you to NetGalley and Ashman Books for my advanced copy. Will 100% read from this author again.