Robbie McNeil's Hit List

by Brianna Heath

For this hitwoman, curiosity may be killer.

Contract killer Robbie McNeil never asks questions. Her mission is simple. Do the job. Get paid. Get back to running the karaoke bar she co-owns with her queerplatonic partner and fellow contract killer, Dee. And it works... Until their ambitious new theatrical venture breaks the bank.

When a mysterious new client hires Robbie for a hit, she takes the job, even though it's sketchy as hell he won't tell her anything but the target's name. But hey, she didn't build her reputation by being curious, and she desperately needs the cash.

Except something about this new target doesn't add up. When he disappears with no record he ever existed, she chucks her no-questions-asked policy out the window, determined to figure out who this target really is. But the price for asking questions is high and might just cost Robbie everything she holds dear.

Genres: Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Queer, Thriller, Adult, LGBT, Fiction

368 pages, Paperback

Expected publication March 24, 2026

About the author

Brianna Heath is queer, neurodivergent author who writes books that can be broadly described as “Be Gay, Do Crime.” She aims to put stories out in the world that reflect the lives and experiences of people who often do not see themselves represented in media.

Brianna lives in Northern California with Beau, her rescued border collie/gremlin, who, like her, has absolutely no chill. She can be found on IG as @briannahwrites.

Reviews

[✧*⁠.⁠✧ Jiya ✧*.⁠✧ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Net Galley and the author for giving me this ARC!!

Be gay and do crime is the best genre of books, and add in some singing and musicals, amazing read.

This book wasn't quite what I expected in the best way possible! The differences in the way Robbie and Dee go about their hits and their own specific reason to do it that way was so nice. I just wished that we got to know a bit more about Dee and his backstory. Also Robbie's was only really mentioned in passing which meant we got to know about some reasons but a lot of it is definitely unknown.

I loved the dynamic between Robbie and Dee because it's just such a perfect description of friendship. And they both complement each other however are not perfect characters, making them so easy to relate to. The best part is definitely both of them singing together and just that cozyness of them sharing a house together.
Can we also please talk about all the aro rep in this??!!! LOVE LOVE LOVEEE!!

Overall, an amazing book which perfectly blended comedy and just the hit person genre.

[Maddy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing an eARC of this book!

Unfortunately, this was really just not for me. The pacing was all over the place, and the story felt like it was just doing… way too much, with every plot and every character. Unnecessary details were expanded on to the point of tedium and… I can’t believe I’m saying this, but it felt like… too much representation? In the way that the book felt sort of straight out of 2015 Tumblr posts - a spiritual successor to the mythic “All or Nothing” TV sit-com.

And also to the point where the characters sort of seemed to be built upon their sexuality and gender, rather than being whole unique individuals where their identities are only part of who they are.

And, I dunno, some parts of it just felt sort of tone-deaf in the current climate. Where the multi-millionaire politician who got his start with insider trading and turned to politics later in life is actually a kind gentle ally who loves the arts! No, no, he’s one of the GOOD absurdly rich men! He likes gay people and theatre!!!!!!

I dunno. This one took me a long time to push my way through. I don’t believe this was advertised as being a YA novel; but in a lot of ways I think it’s better suited to being that. I think some adjustments and editing would need to be made to suit that, but it might help make a more suited novel.

[Sam]

Let’s start with the things I liked. I like the characters, they are diverse and have some interesting jobs. I like the queer platonic relationship, great representation. I like how dyslexia is discussed.

Now what I didn’t like so much.
The story is flat and takes too long to get going. For something to say mystery on the cover, I need to feel that more. I was just waiting and waiting for things to happen in this story. The resolution was rather anticlimactic if you’d ask me.

While I see the potential it all just fell a bit too flat for me. It’s a nice change from the fairly standard love stories in the LGBTQ+ books, so I’ll give it extra points on that. (For those looking for a traditional love story, this isn’t your book)

[Lisa Hurt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robbie, along with her queer-platonic partner Dee, are contract killers. It's really simple; do the job, don't ask questions, and don't get messy.
Robbie and Dee were originally hired by James as contract killers who decided to go solo. They are now co-owners of a queer karaoke bar and working on their first musical.
Robbie is hired to kill Xavier, and for the first time, she gets curious about the subject.
For contract killers, Robbie and Dee keep that separate from their everyday lives. They are both clever. Throw some twists and keep you guessing what's coming next.
This book is great for anyone who likes cozy crime and mystery novels.
Thank you, NetGalley Poisoned Pen Press and Breanna Heath, for providing this book for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[alex]

DNF @ 22%

This book was not for me for a variety of reasons, namely that the side ventures the characters had going on were things I really don’t like personally (karaoke and especially musical theatre) so it felt tedious to read about them managing those aspects, but that’s obviously just my preference.
Another main issue I had was that the way their jobs as contact killers were handled (or moreso, not addressed in any depth at all, just declaring that Robbie was so good at her job because she “doesn’t ask questions”) was disappointing to me. I expected more moral examination and dialogue around the idea of killing someone simply because a person with enough money has requested it, regardless of if the target did anything to warrant it. Instead, what I got was somehow this book trying to just look past this or ignore it completely, if not play it down, and that was not what I personally wanted from the story.

[Makayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was such a fun and unique concept, a contract killer who co-owns a karaoke bar with her queerplatonic partner? Immediately yes. I loved how different this felt from a typical mystery.

Robbie is sharp, morally complicated, and easy to root for in a chaotic way. The dynamic between her and Dee was honestly one of my favorite parts of the book. Their bond added warmth and heart to a story that could have easily leaned too cold or gritty. The representation and character dynamics really shine here.

That said, the pacing felt uneven at times. There were moments where I wanted the tension to build more, especially around the actual hit and the mystery behind it. Some parts felt slower than they needed to be, while others wrapped up a bit too quickly. I also found myself wanting more depth in the moral stakes with a premise like this, I expected a little more emotional punch.

Overall, this was an entertaining and creative read that didn’t fully hit thriller-level intensity for me, but it absolutely delivered on charm and originality. A solid 3-star read if you’re looking for queer-driven crime with humor and heart.

[Jessica Austin · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I first started this book it was hard to get my attention and captivate me. But by chapter 7 I was fully committed. The biggest downside of this book was I had the story figured out by chapter 13. I kinda knew where it was headed before that but I had it totally figured out and was dead set on my prediction. I ended up right which I didn’t love. There’s 29 chapters 30 of you count CODA at the end. So that was a bit of a let down to know the ending before I actually made it there. It was a good story though with a good happy ending. A good pro LGBTQ mystery. I just wish the cliffhangers were a bit more exciting with some deeper twists and turns.

[Pattyh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you for the opportunity to preview Robbie Mcneils Hit List. Two women who are partners in several ventures including being Hit “women”. They also run a bar and are close friends.
Taking on hits is no big deal. It’s a job. But things go south when a hit does t go as planned and to get to the bottom of this they get more than they bargained for and more!
There is a mix of humor but not much suspense. Good novel but not one I expected to read. 3 stars.

[Amelia Tisk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the author for providing me with an eARC of this book!!

I absolutely loved this book! All aspects of the story were so intriguing and fit so well together in unexpected ways. I would’ve never thought queer contract killers running a queer karaoke bar while also staging a full-blown musical would uncover such a mystery through their work. And the ways everything tied together in the end was just brilliant in my opinion. I was kept guessing throughout the story and felt satisfied in the ending even though I wasn’t sure how things were going to end up. I also really enjoyed how the author wrote their queer characters by not making their core personality trait their sexuality, and writing full fledged well rounded characters. I also feel the author wrote about addition, mental illness, and disabilities in a respectful and realistic way that further helped develop these characters.

As a fun side note, I feel like this book was written for me. My parents run their own karaoke business, I am a queer person who loves musicals, and although I’m not a contract killer, I do have an interest in true crime and I’m studying forensic psychology, so I just thought it was really cool to see all these aspects come together in one story!

[Vish · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Robbie McNeil’s Hitlist* by Brianna Heath was a ride that definitely had me hooked at points. As the mystery unraveled, I found myself sitting on the edge of my seat, eager to see where it was all headed. The tension and reveals were strong enough to keep me invested, and as a thriller/mystery fan, I appreciated the dark tone and the twists scattered throughout.

That said, the pacing didn’t always land for me. Certain sections dragged on longer than needed, while other moments that could’ve used more detail felt rushed past too quickly. Because of this, some of the suspense lost its punch, and I wasn’t as gripped in the middle as I hoped to be.

Still, despite those flaws, I did enjoy my time with the book. It’s not a perfect thriller, but it delivered enough intrigue to keep me reading through to the end. Definitely worth checking out if you enjoy fast, twisty mysteries and don’t mind some uneven pacing along the way.

overall a fun read to pass time.

[Florence Chien · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full disclosure: Brianna is good friend of mine and I'm in the acknowledgement of this book. That's reason enough for you to think I'm inflating my review because, after all, who wants to piss off a friend? But no, truly, Robbie McNeil's Hit List is among my top 3 reads this year and I really want this book to reach its target audience, so here are my honest thoughts and candid breakdown of what you should expect and why I loved it.

Characters: 10/10. The characters are the highlight. More specifically, the relationships between the characters. The main duo, Robbie and Dee, are queerplatonic partners. Translated into normie speak: They're best buds and literal roommates. They care deeply for each other as good friends should, there's nothing dysfunctional between them, and their relationship doesn't break down over the course of the story as a plot device.

Robbie and Dee's rapport for each other is genuinely heartwarming, especially in this day and age when we're all drowning in toxic positivity and social acceptance anxieties. The duo is an exemplary showcase of what a wholesome friendship should be, one that's built upon trust, respect, mutual care, and a truly unbreakable bond. And the best part? A resounding reminder that, yes, we are capable of finding joy in genuine human relationships that doesn't end in sex. Truly, if you don't come out of this book feeling that Robbie and Dee's friendship is a role model which we should all strive for, then idk, I guess maybe you should consider not having friends. 🤷

Prose: 10/10. Super accessibly written. The prose never gets in the way of the storytelling and the narrator's voice, which makes the book super easy to immerse in.

Style: 10/10. Halfway through the book, I said to Brianna somewhat jokingly that if I were to blurb this book, it would say: "Robbie's zero fucks given attitude is perfect for people who has zero fucks left to give." I still stand by it, though I suppose that joke is somewhat inaccurate. Robbie has, in fact, a lot of fucks to give (and that's kinda the cause of all her problems, actually), but those fucks are given very bluntly. This book is intentionally light-hearted and humorous, but the style is very specific. Robbie is sarcastic and deadpan, and all her quips are pointblank and dry-wit. Basically, she's an American character in an American setting delivering some very British humour. If you're like me and that sort of comedy is your cup of tea (pun intended), then you'll have a great time here.

Plot: 9/10. Yes, it's a mystery. Yes, it's a thriller. But no, do not expect Agatha Christie type of piecing clues together, and do not expect Mission Impossible style of seat-edge suspense. Expect a medium-pace, slice-of-life story of a contract killer juggling the ordinary logistical problems of her unique profession, rather than a "bigger than life" hit person plunged into a Hollywood plotline.

I can't stress this enough. This is a lighthearted story about how ordinary a contract killer's life can be. Yes, Robbie is hired to take out a hit. Yes, she runs into high-stake problems. Yes, fucking up will put in jeopardy everything she's ever cared about, but Robbie isn't meant to be John Wick. Contract killing is her profession the same way as your 9-to-5, and she approaches her problems in the manner of an ordinary person--with logic, learned experience, wishful thinking, spiraling, emotional support, and a good amount of trial-and-error. If you came here looking for a hardcore noir, you ain't gonna get it. But if you're into a down-to-earth story of contract killing being approached as a profession like any other and a set of characters who could all be someone you know, who face relatable problems and solve them in ways you can easily resonate with, then you'll be in for a fun and happy ride.

I think the realism and intersectionality is the book's strong suit, but, having read some of the other reviews, it's clearly not up everyone's alley. There is nothing inherently wrong with the plotlines, it's in fact very well executed and concluded, but you need to decide first whether you are the target audience, and whether your expectations align with what the book really is.

There are two plotlines: Robbie's contracted hit going wrong, and the musical Robbie's trying to stage being thrown into limbo. Robbie is just a person like you and I with multiple roles and obligations, other hobbies, and several social circles. None of us are defined solely by our day jobs, and neither is Robbie. So, yes, the contract killing parts are inseparably intertwined with the musical theatre and karaoke bar owner parts of Robbie's life. The plotlines converge toward the climax and are resolved in a satisfying manner that leaves nothing wanting, but whether you'll enjoy the overall structure will depend heavily on this: Are you looking for a borderline inhuman character who has literally nothing in their life outside of contract killing? Or are you interested in a story about a relatable woman with a normal person's life and problems similar to yours and mine, who just happen to also be a contract killer instead of working a deskbound 9-to-5?

(But why did I deduct a point for the plot? Because I like my books to go at 9000mph, but that's an entirely personal preference and not an objective issue with the book.)

In conclusion, should you read this?
Yes, if you value genuine friendships that don't need to end in coitus.
Yes, if you're into sarcastic, deadpan humour.
Yes, if you find enjoyment in unique characters who are also ordinary enough to be just like you and I.
Yes, if you're into nerdy technical details, punk/rock bands, and/or musical theatre.
Yes, if you're looking for a light-hearted, cozy, joyful read.

A kind thank you to Brianna, Sourcebooks, and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Sanchia · Rating 3 out of 5]

🌟3🌟 For a debut novel, I thought this was quite good…for a Mystery/Thriller, however, this fell a bit short for me.

Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC!

Generally, I thought the representation in this book was a great inclusion. From various gender identities/expressions to sexualities to disabilities, I thought the author did a nice job at including various people that I feel aren’t seen very often in contemporary literature.

A main gripe of mine is the pacing of the book. The narrative, for me, was generally quite slow paced which was at odds with the content of the book - being a literal book about murder and the high stakes that inherently come with being a hitperson (whether that be a hit being successfully carried out on the hitperson themselves or their life being at least gravely endangered). Given what takes place in the book, it felt like the book would have read better if it was slightly faster paced, though it could be that the slow pace of the book is intended to reflect the fact that the events of the book take place over the course of a month (which can be a long time for some). With that being said, some portions of the narrative felt like they got glossed over very quickly while others annoyingly dragged due to information being over-explained unnecessarily.

Additionally, I felt as though tension was dropped in jarring places. There were a few instances where Robbie (and Dee) would concoct a plan as to what to do next to find out more about Xavier or to find the connection between Xavier/Cassie to “Mr. Clark”, and in the subsequent chapter we’d be reading about Robbie’s musical rehearsals or financial trouble she was in due to the musical…which certainly broke the tension and anticipation for further developments in the Xavier/Cassie-Mr. Clark case at hand. It’s possible that the placement of the musical rehearsal chapters was intended to build up more anticipation for what was to come, but unfortunately this just didn’t work for me.

Overall, this wasn’t a bad read and I am interested in reading whatever Brianna Heath writes next!

(P.S. I would have loved to know how Alexandria/Cassie/Xavier/X personally identifies in terms of gender. If that’s something they’re still figuring out then that’s perfectly fine, but knowing definitively how they identify (if they themselves even know) would have been nice to have a better understanding of them - I pray this overall sentiment doesn’t at all sound entitled of me.)

TW: Murder, Death, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of Parent (?), Stalking, (Minor Mentions of:) Deadnaming; Injury/Injury Detail; Medical Content

[Elinore Judd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Robbie McNeil’s Hit List was, overall, not the best for me. It started off rocky by being set in the general area of my hometown. There is only one lesbian-owned bar in the entire state of Indiana, and the town it is in is nothing like what is described. Much of the town that is described, as well as its surrounding neighborhoods, is much more central Indiana, complete with luxe art museum, at least one wealthy estate, as well as “the wrong side of the tracks.” I love southern Indiana, so don’t get me wrong, but the entire area is the wrong side of the tracks. There is methamphetamine, horse racing, and corn. That’s about it.

The plot feels very disjointed, with contract killers, a musical, and a mysterious character’s identity all being plots inter-weaving together. Unfortunately, they only come together at the very end, but they don’t do so well. I feel like this was a lot of subplots in a trenchcoat trying to be recognized as a cohesive story, but it’s missing the cohesion.

The characters, while diverse on paper, fall very flat. One is an aromantic lesbian with dyslexia and ADHD, and the other is a Latino trans-masculine lesbian. Both of these are compelling stories worthy of telling, but I don’t feel as though these identities were given any sense of purpose. I feel they were made this way as if any representation were better than none. I do love how many side characters were described as being people of color, but they were all described as “brown,” which led me to have trouble telling them apart.Robbie, the character with ADHD, goes off on random tangents and is described as zoning out a lot, which seemed to detract from the story. I also have ADHD, but I know when my internal monologue is relevant and when it isn’t. If I’m telling a story, I try and leave those asides out because people tend to get annoyed at how hard I am to follow.

Another issue I had was with Robbie’s knowledge base. She referred to the word “thereof” as “pretentious,” and said the Ingram estate would be best described as a “neo-whatever revival,” but she goes on to describe the gables on the building and knows innately that the furnishings make it worth obscene amounts of money. I don’t know how you’d know so much and so little about architecture at the same time?

Overall, this was a miss for me. It wasn’t painful, but it wasn’t enjoyable, either, so I’m giving it a middle of the road 3-star review.

[Vince · Rating 3 out of 5]

Robbie McNeil did not kill a single person for the first eighteen years of her life. After that, available records weren’t quite as clear, but all in all, she appeared to have lived a relatively murder-free life.

Robbie and Dee live in a small apartment above the queer karaoke bar they co-own…and are both professional contract killers. Oh, and they’re also producing a musical. What a killer concept! Reading the synopsis alone, I knew I’d follow this book to its final page, which I did…though I do have some notes.

Business owners. Creatives. Killers. They really did look picture-perfect—if you ignored that last part.

First and foremost, I loved Robbie’s character and adored her and Dee’s friendship. Though Robbie reads and writes poorly and counts on her fingers, she’s frighteningly intelligent. Her speciality as a killer is staging accidents—studying a target and setting them up for an unfortunate ending—and it is a craft she has mastered thoroughly.
Dee is an excellent sniper, a wonderful singer, and Robbie’s better half. Though platonically, he is her soulmate, and I’ll go great lengths to read such a heart-warming friendship.

He could make a damn good soufflé, and he could hit a target at one thousand yards. Easy.

Heath had an amazing premise and great characters, the pacing, however, was lacking. Though well-crafted plot twists were sprinkled throughout, the tension often dropped, allowing my attention to waver. For a book on contract killers, there was little action, and I would have enjoyed more focus on crime and mystery and less on the process of their musical.

In a shocking turn of events, Monday was followed by Tuesday, which was followed by Wednesday.

On the other hand, Robbie is sarcastic to the core, setting the tone with cynical humour that made me chuckle. I loved Heath’s writing voice and Robbie’s remarks throughout the narrative.

Robbie opened her mouth to say at least someone cared about Cassie enough to kill her, which was better than no one caring at all, but somehow, she didn’t think Cassie would be cheered by that.

Though it could use some polishing, this book is a humorous mystery with killer characters. I’d love to read more from Heath in the future.
A quick thanks to Netgally, the publisher, and the author for the ARC. I enjoyed it a lot.

[Ali · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actually 3.25
I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I feel like for this book, I had some expectations that when I started reading, I was a bit confused about how it developed. At first, the B-plot of the play was so random, but then I got why it was integral to the story. Still, I think it took a lot of book time that I think it could have been used for other things. For example, for developing more Robbie's hit person persona. In the book, it is always mentioned how good she was, but the two times we see her work, she kind of makes a bit messy, of course, one of the times it is passed as part of the situation she is going through the book, but maybe include a previous work in the overture would have been good.
It was a very slow start for me, I struggled a lot to advance the story because it felt like it was dragging a lot. But then, the moment it picked up the pace, it was really hard to stop reading.
I enjoyed the way this book used queer characters in an original way for the plot. Be gay do crimes y'all. Also, I loved thay don't have a secondary plot of coming out scenes. I truly loved Dee and Robbie's relationship in the book. The way they supported each other in the good and the bad. Also, Robbie's reading and writing disabilities were so nicely done.
The plot twist of this mystery was so crazy that I was surprised how close and yet how far I was with my theory. I also believe that letting that question hanging in the air was a good idea for the story.

[Lisa Ahlstedt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Robbie McNeil has pretty much retired from the professional assassin business. Or at least cut back a lot. She really doesn't have a lot of time for it anymore since she's busy running a lesbian karaoke bar with her bestie and queerplatonic friend Dee. She's also stressed because just as her play is nearly ready for production, the venue becomes unavailable. Needing money for these two ventures, she reluctantly takes on another hit from a shady man who provides her with little information about the intended target. Still, Robbie is a professional, so she soon has the victim in sight. She begins following him in order to decide the best way to stage an "accidental" death. Just as she's ready to strike, the victim disappears. This is bad news because Robbie has already accepted (and spent) half of the fee. How will she locate the target while avoiding becoming a target herself from the angry client? And how can the play go on with no stage? Luckily, Robbie is resourceful and with Dee as a backup, nothing is impossible.

I enjoyed reading about Robbie's adventures. While she's extremely pragmatic about the whole killing thing (mostly due to never asking unnecessary questions or becoming acquainted with the victims), the backstory of how she came to be in this line of work is quite interesting. I enjoyed all of the characters and in-fighting that happened while trying to put together a play!

I received a copy of this book from a GoodReads giveaway.

[Kay Hertz · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't put my finger on exactly why, but this just couldn't hold my interest for long reading sessions.

There seemed to be a lot of "OBTWs" thrown in. Character traits that check current trend boxes but don't actually make sense to the character or even contradict earlier statements describing said character. Random toss in information that wasn't needed and didn't add to the story or plot.

The mystery; I kept losing interest... Maybe it was the large gaps in the plot line; we jump back and forth between her 'newest'/first in the book hit, to a side project, to a second hit on the list, to the next shiny side quest thing. Yes, I get in real life folks have ADD (*raises hand*) but that's not how I want to read a book. My mind is usually chaos enough already ( Where did I leave my keys this time? Oh right, the fridge.) I don't want to have to reread a page or a chapter more than once to keep up with the plot of what is marketed as a straight forward fun, romp.

Overall, I had to really push through this one to finish. I really wanted to like this one. I loved the premise, the concept of the plot, but I just couldn't connect with it.

I still want to give my heartfelt thank you to Ms. Heath, Poisoned Pen Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. I genuinely hope it connects better with you than it did me.
All opinions are my own.

[Katie Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Robbie McNeil’s Hit List was a good read, I love these characters so much, the bond between Robbie and Dee is my absolute favorite part about this whole book. These two truly have the best platonic soulmates type of vibe going on and I love it so much. Their friendship was written beautifully and right from the start you can tell that these two genuinely care for one another on such a deep level. I loved the level of positivity, care, understanding, and just the ride or die vibes that these two gave each other. It was truly one of the best friendships that I’ve read in a long, long while.

Plot wise, I was hoping the story would focus more on the hit person/contract killer kind of stuff and while some of that is seen the main bit of feels taken up by the therater stuff, I didn’t mind it though and still found it to be enjoyable. I wasn’t particularly invested much in the mystery but I still found the story to have plenty of the more thrilling and suspenseful elements. I liked how things had played out and I’m pleased with how the story had wrapped up. I really enjoyed the writing and characters in Robbie McNeil’s Hit List, Brianna Heath did an amazing job of writing a platonic soulmates friendship. I can see the bond between Robbie and Dee sticking with me for a long time, I’m excited to see more from this author. Thank you to the publisher for giving me a complimentary early release review copy.

[ObscureVi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I won't lie, when I was starting this one, I was hyped, because what do you mean I got a chance to read an LGBTQ+ mystery, where our main character is a contracted killer and on top of everything owns a gay bar? Those first few chapters, it had me completely hooked and I couldn't put it down, Robbie's humor making it perfect, until things started to break.

I feel like we ended up with a bit chaotic setting, where pacing was all over the place and we constantly kept jumping (between past and present), not really focusing on one thing. The sort of way, where you just did something, but forget immediately after and try to remember what you were doing and why.

The mystery part itself, I feel like we got too little of it and on top of that, once we get to a certain part of the book, there's a very high chance that you will guess how the whole book will end and you're not even in the middle of it yet.

I wish we focused more on Robbie's past in the military, since I'm sure it would give us some more insight into her character and we only got a tiny speck, that in my opinion was worth exploring.

Robbie's and Dee's dynamic, on the other hand was something (beside the humor part) I really enjoyed and it was one of the best bits in the whole book for me.

[Nanasbookreviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC Review

Robbie McNeil’s Hit List by Brianna Heath

Robbie McNeil is a hitperson who also co-owns a karaoke bar with her best friend, Dee. On top of that, they decide to create a musical, a passion project that quickly starts draining their finances. So when Robbie is offered a job to kill someone, she accepts, even though the request feels a little bizarre.

At first, everything seems normal. But something about the target intrigues her, and Robbie does something she has never done before: she tries to get to know them. From there, everything spirals. The deeper she digs, the stranger the situation becomes, until she’s forced to choose between completing the job or uncovering the truth behind the mystery.

This book is a bit different from the mysteries I usually read. The plot has a slow, steady build that never feels rushed, with just enough action to keep things moving. The main focus is the strange target and the mystery surrounding them, while a strong side storyline explores the passion the characters share for their musical.

I especially loved the friendship between Robbie and Dee, which added warmth and heart to the story. The mystery itself is what truly kept me turning the pages, and the ending genuinely surprised me.

If you’re looking for something fun, unusual, and a little offbeat, this is definitely a book to check out.

[Chloe MacDonald · Rating 1 out of 5]

I finished this book about 2 weeks ago now and to be honest I’ve been putting off writing my review because I don’t want to be mean about the book, but I just did not enjoy it at all.

The premise was promising to me- LGBTQ+, mystery, karaoke and a theatre production? Sign me up. I sadly think the execution fell short. Too many “storylines” which just didn’t fit together. This easily could been three different books depending on which chapter you are reading. The main “murder for hire” plot became totally lost in the rabble of everything else going on round about it. We are also set up to believe that we’re following a top-notch professional hitperson with a military background, only to quickly realise there’s nothing top-notch or professional about how they operate. The military background is just a tidbit and not explored in any way, shape or form.

I agree with another reviewer who states there’s almost an “over-representation” here. Representation in literature is SO important and I love any novel which strives to set itself apart by doing just that. Unfortunately for me, this felt like the author had a checklist of sexual orientations, genders, neurodivergence and disabilities to tick off once it had been covered. Once they had run out of characters to apply these identifies to, it’s as if they started from the top again and began stacking them. This totally took me out of the story as I felt like it genuinely was a tickbox exercise as opposed to true, organic representation. It then takes all these wonderfully diverse and inclusive characters and then puts them at the mercy of a straight, white and privileged male whilst failing to acknowledge the oxymoron there.

I’m sure there’s a target audience for this book out there, and I’m sad it wasn’t me as it did really sound like something I should’ve enjoyed.

Thank you to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press and Brianna Heath for granting access to this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw the cover and blurb of this debut novel and was intrigued by the overview. I'm happy I gave this "be gay, do crime" a shot, and I would recommend it to readers who enjoy the subgenre and general thriller fans alike.

Robbie and Dee are friends who own a lesbian karaoke bar in the Midwest, and they are producing an original musical together. Also, they are both accomplished contract killers. After taking some time off from the assassin business to focus on writing the play, Robbie has a new contract that will help fund both the bar's operations and the musical production. On top of that, Robbie's former contract handler has reached out to her for another hit. Robbie complicates matters by being too curious about one of her targets.

Robbie is an interesting main character and is a lot of fun to spend time with as she goes through the plotting of her hits and as she reflects upon her life circumstances. Her queerplatonic relationship with Dee is wonderful to witness. The jobs she takes on are well planned and watching the process progress makes far a great read!

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing a review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Karaoke. Broadway. Queers. Murder. What’s not to love?

I had such a fun time reading this. On one hand, I was imagining Deadpool’s bar (where folks come to place bets on other assassins/unsavory folks), and on the other, the latest drag brunch. Mix those two together, and you get Coda. I’m not a songwriter (or reader), so I wasn’t inspired by the name, but I appreciate how the author explained the rationale. It would’ve been fun to have an image of the logo somewhere in the book.

I enjoyed both Robbie and Dee. I didn’t love the “queerplatonic relationship” bit—they’re (best) friends. We don’t need to overcomplicate things with a label. I found the nonjudgmental way they live their lives and support each other’s wrongs compelling.

As for the plot itself, it was quite obvious, and I was able to guess what was going on fairly early (although I did appreciate the red herring attempt). Even with its predictability, I enjoyed the wild ride we went on—and how we were still left wondering at the end.

I look forward to reading more from this author!

[Joy Pitcairn · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun, jazz-hands-worthy read!

Robbie McNeil's Hit List is a really sharp, entertaining mystery, and the blend of murder and music really worked for me.
Robbie and Dee are the loveliest contract killers I've ever met, and I enjoyed the chemistry the characters brought to the page. I loved Brianna Heath's wry, insightful voice, and I actually underlined several standout lines that made me laugh (which isn't something I typically do!). The reveals were fun and well earned, and I walked away from this story smiling. I can't wait to put this on my shelf!

One small thing that surprised me: there was less murder in the story than I expected, and the story had a lighter tone overall than many mysteries/thrillers I read. That said, I liked the change of pace, and I was truly impressed with how well Heath orchestrated the "let's-put-on-a-musical" and "contract-killers-r-us" plot mashup.

I'll definitely be picking up Heath's next project when it comes around!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

[Kim Tozzi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC read!

At first, Robbie McNeil’s Hit List started out as a bit of a slow burn for me. I wasn’t immediately hooked in the opening chapters. But once I got a few chapters in, I realized Brianna Heath was simply laying the groundwork for something much bigger. And once it took off, it really took off.

The pacing picked up quickly, and I found myself turning pages just to see what the next twist would bring. Every time I thought I had it all figured out every time I was sure I had nailed the ending or uncovered the truth. I was wrong. And honestly, that’s one of the best feelings as a reader: when an author can outsmart you and keep you second-guessing right up until the last page.

What stood out most to me was how cleverly the tension was built, layer by layer. The story never felt predictable once it hit its stride, and I appreciated the way Heath kept shifting the narrative just enough to keep me engaged and on edge.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the advanced review copy.

To start with, I adore this book. Assassins, queer people, show tunes, mysteries, and even a play list. Perfection!

Robbie McNeil and her queer platonic partner are killers for higher. If you're looking for an in depth look at the morality of murder for hire, you won't find it here. Murder is mostly incidental. They also co-own a lesbian karaoke bar and are putting on a musical.

If there's such a thing as cozy assassins, this is it. The protagonist and her partner are downright hilarious and adorable in equal measure.

This murder for hire book comes with a side of a mystery to be solved, with clues sprinkled all around.

I recommend this book to those who enjoy queer protagonists, cozy crime, musical theater, and mystery novels.

This is the author's debut novel, and I'm looking forward to seeing more from her in the near future.

[Charlotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Robbie McNeil’s Hit List just didn’t land for me. It took me a lot longer to get through than my usual reads, and I struggled to stay invested. The pacing dragged in places, and while there were moments of intrigue early on, the suspense never really built in a satisfying way.

The initial mystery had potential, but the outcome became obvious far too soon, which left the later twists feeling flat. The characters also never felt fully developed, so I didn’t feel much connection to them, and the humour often felt crowbarred in rather than natural. For something billed as a thriller, it didn’t deliver the level of tension or surprise I was hoping for.

Overall, this wasn’t a terrible read, but it wasn’t gripping either. I wanted more depth in the characters, a tighter pace, and twists that weren’t so easy to see coming.

Overall 2.5 stars rounded up.

[Lenn ♡ | anatomyofabooknerd (IG) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you so much to the publisher and author for providing me an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A contract killer who co-owns a lesbian karaoke bar? Say less.

This was a fun, unexpected genre mashup—mystery, humor, found family, and queer joy all in one. The real standout for me was Robbie and Dee’s queerplatonic partnership. Their dynamic felt refreshing, grounded, and genuinely caring, and it gave the story so much heart.

That said, the pacing was a bit uneven, and the book could’ve been shorter. Some side plots (especially the musical theater elements) pulled attention away from the central mystery, and a few twists were easier to predict than I hoped. If you’re expecting a gritty, high-stakes thriller, this definitely leans more cozy and character-driven.

Still, it’s charming, witty, and confidently doing its own thing. Not perfect, but memorable—and I’d happily read more in this world.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ rounded up. This book was a fun time. I loved all the representation in this book. My first impression while reading was that there were way too many subplots going on in this book. We have Robbie who is a hitman that is hired to take out a mysterious person. She thinks it will be an easy job, but it actually ends up being a tricky job. At the same time, there’s a lot of focus on her and her best friend running a lesbian karaoke bar while also trying to produce a musical. For a lot of the book I kept thinking how does this all tie together because it felt like it was going in too many directions and all over the place. It all eventually tied in together at the very end, but the journey there is a little all over the place. This is really good for a debut, and I had fun reading it. It just took a little longer to get going and come together than I would have preferred. Thank you Poisoned Pen Press for the arc copy.

[Luma · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book wasn't for me. I underestimated the role musical theatre would play in the story, and the constant switch from one to the other gave me whiplash. I'm not a fan of musicals, so the choice to have a pair of contract killers also be fabulous musical artists wasn't something I particularly enjoyed. It was mostly jarring and far off the thrilling atmosphere I expected from a novel where the main character is a hit person.

Despite that, the writing is fluid. While the beginning was slow, the story picks up from the midpoint, and I finished the second half in an afternoon. The ending was the most exciting part, though it left me with some questions.

As a fellow fan of "Be Gay, Do Crime!", I really wish I'd enjoyed this book more. I'm sure the right audience will enjoy the balance of elements in the story.

Thank you Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the arc!