Dexter meets Killing Eve in this sapphic psychological suspense when a woman contemplating suicide posts an online ad for a serial killer.
Being a killer comes easy to Dani. So easy it’s getting boring, in fact. But this girl isn’t taking orders from anybody, not even fate. If she’s going to keep up with the stab-and-shovel work, she’s going to create her own code for who deserves a medal or a bullet. When she happens across a Help Wanted ad that would allow her to do just that…she’s intrigued.
Jeika wants to die. Preferably, before the cops who are on her tail find the evidence to prove what she did. Except the only one who can help her do that is also the one who’s starting to make her life interesting again.
The last thing Dani expects is to fall for her next victim through the secret emails they share. But before they can decide if their new love is enough to change their very opposite fates, a twisted vigilante starts stalking them both.
They may not be ready to fight for themselves, but how far will they go to save each other?
With heart-pounding twists and deadpan snark, Serial Killer Wanted is a breathless binge-read for fans of They Never Learn and Butcher and Blackbird.
The plottwist and the turn the ending took WAS SO MUCH FUN!
I expected this story to go a bit differently when I read about it , I was so pleasantly surprised by the contents inside . The story was compelling , the characters were both interesting, and the emails were fun too!
The end of the climax went a little off the rails but the way it tied up was so nice and refreshingly new !
What an intriguing premise, brimming with dark humor and a sense of desperation that would put Dexter in the corner! Not a bad effort for a debut in a new genre! I was thoroughly entertained!
The story unfolds through several points of view, primarily from Dani and Jeika, with emails exchanged between them adding depth to the narrative. What do you do when you feel you've committed a terrible act and wish to escape it all? Naturally, you post an ad online! The best way to go about this seems to be hiring a serial killer. After all, you'll get what you want, and the killer gets their fix, right? But what happens when two killers respond? Do you interview them? How do you make your decision? Doesn’t that sound fascinating?
Dani and Jeika are flawed characters, harboring secrets that slowly surface, ultimately drawing them closer together. I found both characters enjoyable; despite their ambiguity, you can’t help but root for them. Dani is clever—she leaves nothing to chance and adheres to her moral code even when it comes to killing. Jeika, on the other hand, is desperate to escape before the law catches up to her, willing to involve a third-party killer to achieve her goal.
The author’s writing feels confident, and I enjoyed how she weaves a touch of romance and a hint of a happy ending into such a dark scenario. I believe this will satisfy many readers, especially those looking to dip their toes into the thriller genre while sticking to their favorite author. You always know what’s happening; there are no hidden surprises, but the way it all unravels keeps you hooked, and the ending was definitely unexpected. What a great conclusion to this debut!
This was a moderately paced, light, and entertaining read that kept me engaged until the last page. If you enjoy flawed characters with complicated pasts and current dilemmas, clever minds, and a story that makes you both laugh and sit on the edge of your seat, then this is for you. You know me, I don’t usually read blurbs, so I was pleasantly surprised. This could easily turn into a fun series. I’d love to find out what the two of them get up to next! Now, if you’ll excuse me, it’s time to take my pups out, all while keeping Cooper in mind! Ha!
Thank you, Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley, for the DRC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
"No matter how hard you try in life, you can't control everything your actions will set in motion." Human behavior is a mystery many thinkers have wondered how to crack. In opposition to Newton's law of motion, the source of our thoughts was never quite determined. Whether it was our sense of belonging, or death, or a pathetic attempt at taking any sign as a threshold a friend in our darkness to lead us through. This book carries the story of great grief. What it means to be a survivor, and what the cost was and will always be an incredible debt to repay. We see family lines blur, and friendship links grow. We see the representation of what it means to finally take a look around and see that our greatest burdens might be the blessings we never saw. We see Dany and Jeika learn what it costs to take a life. Whether it was a conscious decision or a panicked reaction, we see the ever-growing guilt eat at both of them. They portray how similar events might lead to different outcomes. One grows a huge desire to disappear, while the other strives to numb it to make it a small, manageable detail. We see them grow together and apart, based on each one's separate journey. We see Dany learn that not every mean soul is a monster an experience learned firsthand. On the other hand, Jeika learns to reflect some of the same empathy she gives to others, back onto herself. Both these women learn incredible lessons each what they needed most. The pace throughout the story was what the story needed. We got the push and pull loved by all readers, while still preserving a climax and a wonderful resolution. The plot wasn't unpredictable, but at the same time, it wasn't cliché. Could it have had a different ending that would have been deemed more engaging? Sure. But I don't believe that's the essence of this story. Every person has a story worth telling. But what we mostly miss is that their value is never about the number of events or perturbations lived but the version of ourselves that we reach at the end. And I believe that's where this book achieves the most. This book would be great for someone looking for reconciliation to hold a mirror to their darkest thoughts and still reach the other side. It will be worth it if you're a more character-oriented reader, where what matters most is the journey and not the ending. It was a well-crafted story, and we carry something from each story through our lives. I think what will be memorable is the metamorphosis of Dani, the one who pulled them all from their darkness into the shadows of life. Thank you to the author and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Happy reading ◉‿◉
Serial Killer Wanted Novel by Nika Grace Pub Date Oct 27 2026 Crooked Lane Books General Fiction (Adult) | Mystery & Thrillers | Romance
I picked up this book without even reading the blurb. The title caught my attention, the cover sealed the deal, and I jumped in completely blind.
And girls... WHAT WAS THIS BOOK?!
A suicidal woman posts an ad looking for a serial killer to end her life.
A serial killer who can kill on a whim answers her ad... but instead of killing her immediately, she wants to know why.
Then there's another killer lurking in the shadows, creating a dangerous game of cat and mouse that keeps everyone looking over their shoulder.
I loved how the story unfolded through emails while also showing the characters' pasts and present-day struggles. It made everything feel so personal and intimate.
DANI ABSOLUTELY STOLE THIS BOOK FOR ME.
She isn't one of those conveniently justified killers who only targets terrible people. She's unpredictable, morally gray, terrifying, funny, and somehow incredibly lovable all at once.
SHE'D KILL FOR YOU... BUT SHE MIGHT ALSO KILL YOU.
And yet beneath all of that rage is a woman carrying so much pain and trauma. Watching her journey unfold was fascinating. I loved how Nika Grace slowly peeled back the layers of her character. Dani's growth felt authentic, emotional, and earned. She is easily one of my favorite female characters I've read in a long time.
Jeika frustrated me so much at times. She can be stubborn, impulsive, and honestly a little bitchy. But the more I learned about her past, her mistakes, and the weight she carries, the more my heart broke for her. Her struggle with wanting to die felt painfully real. Not dramatic. Not romanticized. Just exhausting, lonely, and heartbreaking.
The found family aspect completely won me over. These are messy, damaged misfits trying to protect one another while carrying scars of their own. I loved every interaction between them.
And let's talk about the father...
That man had me stressed every time he appeared on the page.
This book is dark. It deals with murder, suicide, trauma, guilt, and grief. But it also has sharp humor, hope, healing, loyalty, and unexpected connections. Somehow Nika Grace balanced all of those elements perfectly.
FOR A STORY ABOUT KILLERS, THIS BOOK HAD AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF HEART.
This was my first queer read, and I absolutely loved it. The relationships felt natural, the characters felt real, and the emotional impact hit me far harder than I expected.
Nika Grace wrote a story that completely consumed me. I laughed, stressed, worried, and got emotionally attached to people I never wanted to let go of.
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVED THIS BOOK.
And Dani? I'll be thinking about her for a very long time.
This is one of those rare thrillers that manages to hold two completely opposing things at once: grief… and something almost dangerously fun.
At its core, this story is about loss, connection, and the messy, complicated ways people try to make sense of both. But instead of weighing the narrative down, it somehow carries a surprising lightness…an energy that keeps you engaged even as it explores darker, more complex themes.
The characters are where this book really shines. They’re flawed, raw, and deeply human — the kind that don’t just exist on the page, but linger long after you’ve put the book down. You understand them, even when you shouldn’t. Maybe especially then.
There’s a real emotional undercurrent running through every decision they make. You can feel the grief, the anger, the need for connection and the way those things blur the line between right and wrong.
The writing is vivid and immersive, pulling you straight into the chaos of it all. It’s fast-paced, action-driven, and incredibly easy to get swept up in. The kind of book where you tell yourself “just one more chapter”… and suddenly you’re at the end, wondering how it went by so quickly.
And at the heart of it all is this sharp, compelling edge of vigilante justice — wrapped in a story that feels both entertaining and a little bit dangerous.
If you’re looking for something that balances emotion with momentum, and darkness with just enough bite to keep it fun you’re going to want to pick this one up.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity and the ARC!
This one had me immediately with the premise—like, say less. A woman posts an ad for someone to kill her, and a serial killer answers it? I was all in.
And honestly… I liked it, but I didn’t love it.
This leans way more character-driven than I expected. You’ve got Dani, who’s a killer but almost bored with it at this point, trying to create her own moral code. Then there’s Jeika, who’s spiraling and convinced her story only ends one way. Their connection builds through emails, and that part was actually my favorite. It’s tense, a little chaotic, and you can feel something shifting between them even when you know it shouldn’t.
The emotional side of this book really worked for me. It digs into grief, guilt, depression, and that stuck feeling where you don’t know how to move forward. That part felt real, even when the plot itself got a little out there.
But as a thriller, I wanted more. More tension, more edge, more of that can’t-put-it-down feeling. It had moments, but it didn’t fully sustain it. The pacing felt uneven, and there were parts where I found myself losing momentum.
Also, the characters aren’t exactly likable—which I get, that’s kind of the point—but it did make it harder to fully connect. I was curious enough to keep going, but not completely invested.
Overall, this is definitely a darker, more unconventional read with a really strong concept. It just didn’t hit as hard as I wanted it to.
📱📖 Read on Kindle 📃 320 pages ⏱ 4 hours 🏷️ Crooked Lane Books | Publishing October 27, 2026 ARC provided via NetGalley
I went in for the “Dexter meets Killing Eve” pitch and the promise of a morally messy, sapphic cat-and-mouse. And to be fair, the central dynamic delivers: Dani and Jeika fit together in a way that’s both unsettling and oddly tender. One needs to kill, the other wants to die, and somewhere in those late-night emails, the book finds its emotional hook. That push-pull between purpose and connection is the strongest thread here, and it kept me turning pages even when I wasn’t fully convinced.
Where it wobbled for me was the added chaos agent. The extra psycho, clearly there to spike the suspense, felt more like a narrative shortcut than an organic escalation. Instead of deepening the tension, it diluted the intimacy of Dani and Jeika’s story, which is where the book actually shines. I found myself speed-reading the back half, less because I was breathless and more because I wanted to get to the end of their arc. The voice is sharp, the concept is sticky, but the execution leans a bit too hard on external danger when the internal stakes were already doing the heavy lifting.
Would I Recommend It? If you're here for the sapphic dark romance energy and the delicious weirdness of two morally complicated women falling for each other in the most chaotic circumstances imaginable, there's something here for you. The premise is genuinely clever and the central relationship lands. It just gets cluttered with a thriller element that competes with its own best instincts.
When I read the blurb, I was convinced this would be exactly my kind of book. The premise sounded intense and intriguing — Dani, a killer, responding to an ad from Jeika, who wants to die. That alone set my expectations high.
The chapters from Dani’s perspective were by far the strongest for me. Her internal dialogue was fascinating, unsettling, and incredibly insightful. Those moments really pulled me into her mind and helped me understand her reasoning and motivations.
Jeika’s chapters, however, didn’t work as well for me. Being inside her head felt long-winded, and her thought process didn’t manage to hold my interest. Those sections dragged a bit and slowed down the pacing.
The love story also felt somewhat weak. It was present, but it lacked depth — I would’ve liked to see it explored more fully.
What the author did do very well were the twists. Some of them were so well‑built and tense that I genuinely found myself on the edge of my seat. Those moments made the book hard to put down.
But then the ending… It felt abrupt and confusing, as if something was missing or the story wrapped up too quickly.
Overall: it’s an engaging and original read with strong suspense and a compelling main character. But because of the less captivating chapters from Jeika, the shallow love story, and the sudden ending, it didn’t fully live up to my expectations
I'm so glad I had the chance to read an early copy of this book, the first I've read by this author. I was immediately intrigued by the premise (sapphic serial killer!), and then held fast by the rich characters and the thoughtful progression of growth and connection that felt genuine at every turn. It was balanced so nicely with the tension and danger that kept me reading 'just one more chapter' until I'd read them all.
Nika Grace writes so vividly, I feel like I've just been tearing across the deserts of Arizona in a sturdy old Chevelle. I've fallen in love with Dani, who is just so real and flawed and fierce. I loved getting to know both of these uniquely scarred women with unexpected common ground, and really appreciated the way the author handled the characters' grief. There is heavy subject matter here, but this is not trauma porn. It's a beautiful exploration of what gives life value that is both heartbreaking and hopeful, and the light that continually shines through is still on my mind now.
A woman named Jeika posts an online ad searching for a serial killer. When Dani responds, she quickly realizes Jeika isn’t looking for someone to hurt another person…she wants someone to kill her. Haunted by a dark past, Jeika believes death is the only way to escape her guilt.
This book had such an interesting premise, and I was genuinely excited going into it, but unfortunately it fell flat for me. The pacing felt slow, and I found myself bored through most of the story.
Dani constantly talks about being this skilled serial killer, but her actions never really matched that reputation. Instead of feeling calculated and methodical, she came across as sloppy, uncertain, and inconsistent, which made it hard for me to fully buy into her character.
The twist also didn’t land the way I hoped it would. I had already guessed where the story was heading about halfway through, so the ending lacked the shock factor the book seemed to be building toward.
Overall, Serial Killer Wanted had a strong concept but the execution just didn’t work for me.
Don’t get me wrong. I had a good time reading this book. But it didn’t really feel like a thriller to me. There were thrilling moments for sure and suspense, but overall the book was just much more focused on the like personal emotional journey of the characters and the thrill of it all fell to the side while the characters were ruminating on their own life choices. I know that's not necessarily a bad thing, but it's just not really what I want or expect from a Thriller. I don't mind a little introspective, but not when I'm expecting to be on the edge of my seat and I have to sacrifice one thing for the other. I read it very quickly, that’s usually a good sign for me, but by the end I felt like the original intentions of the author had gotten lost among the pages. Also, but this is just a matter of personal taste, I wish the Romance had found a more satisfying ending. I’m not someone who needs a big confession scene or anything but it just felt very anti-climactic and that kinda bummed me out.
This book was kinda weird. It is about two young women going through existential crisis, but like on steroids. One is a killer that believes that's her calling, and the other believes she's supposed to be dead. When they meet and start to get to know each other, their beliefs start being challenged. Will the killer kill the willing victim or there is another outcome they couldn't have predicted?
The feelings explored in this book were the best thing for me. The guilt, hopelessness, despair, depression and the feeling of being trapped. I think every, or at least most of the people go through some of them and I loved how well written and real they felt, even though the plot wasn't so realistic. The story wasn't so gripping as I expected, and not dramatic or suspenseful enough, but I was still curious to learn what will happen in the end. And I was happy that everyone got what they deserved.
Many thank to NetGalley, Nika Grace and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC!
This premise had me immediately. A woman posts an ad looking for someone to kill her… and a serial killer answers? Yes, I’m reading that.
I liked this one, but I wanted to love it.
It ended up being much more character-driven than the thriller I expected. The emails between Dani and Jeika were my favorite part — dark, messy, and weirdly compelling as their connection grew. The book does a good job exploring grief, guilt, and what happens when people feel completely stuck.
That part worked for me.
But as a thriller? I needed more. More suspense, more tension, more “I have to know what happens next.” The pacing dragged in places, and with characters you aren’t really meant to like, it was hard to stay fully invested.
Amazing concept, just didn’t quite deliver the punch I was hoping for.
Life is crazy—go enjoy some fiction.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy of Serial Killer Wanted. #SerialKillerWanted #NetGalley
The premise is catchy, and the story really delivered on a bunch of plot twists! It always felt unexpected but made perfect sense with the narrative and characters, which kept me on the edge of my seat.
I thought the author took full advantage of this slightly nuts idea to explore much deeper themes of loss, purpose and love. The internal dialogue, especially Dani's, was visceral and rang true. Dani was a strong and unusual protagonist, and I enjoyed her chapters most.
I personally feel like the epilogue was unnecessary. It was an awkward shift in tone from the rest of the book. I understand it's a tough story to close, but this wasn't a satisfying ending for me. Overall, this was a great debut!
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the arc!
Dani is killing it, but quite bored when it comes to doing so- and she seems to give herself a ton of anxiety and mental anguish when it comes to who deserves it and doesn't. When she comes across a Craigslist of sorts ad seeking out someone to take an individual out, she is intrigued and takes the stranger up on her offer. Another serial killer gets thrown into the mix somehow, and chaos ensues. I LOVE the wacky premise of this, and could not wait to see it all unravel. In some spots the buildup was worth it, and not so much in others. The snarky tone displayed in serial killer books lately was certainly shown here, and done quite well at that. The cat and mouse aspect was cute, but unfortunately some got muddled to me in the process. Thanks so much to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the eARC. All opinions are entirely my own.
I went into this book completely blind, drawn in by the cover alone, and I'm so glad I gave it a chance. From the very beginning, the story grabbed my attention with its unique premise. I mean, who places an ad in the newspaper looking for a serial killer? That immediately hooked me and made me want to see where the story would go. What stood out most was how original and refreshing the concept felt. The author took an unusual idea and turned it into an engaging read that kept me invested throughout. If you're looking for something different from the typical thriller, this book is definitely worth checking out. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed it and will be recommending it to my friends and fellow readers. Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
2⭐️ I was really hopeful that I would love this book after reading the premise and it started strong. I was really into it and then I felt like it took a weird turn and just didn’t feel like the same book anymore. I felt like it strayed so far from that main serial killer for hire storyline for a lot of the book. I didn’t really like either of the main characters as well. One who was supposed to have no feelings and be snarky and then days later she all of sudden cares way too much to even function and willing to die for someone. And the other who is constantly throwing a pity party for herself and thinks if she just ignores the police they’ll just forgot about her and go away…and they do. Just way too far into the unbelievable especially the ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Dani’s a serial killer with a muddy moral code, Jeika wants to die but can’t do it herself.
Serial Killer Wanted follows two women with a tragic past that brought them both to where they are today.
Jeika puts up an ad looking for someone to end her life, Dani answers but isn’t so sure this is what Jeika really needs. Peter also answers Jeika’s ad but has his own motive.
The premise of this book really pulled me in and while the characters are generally likeable it just didn’t fully do it for me. I did enjoy the read but I think Peter’s part pulled away from watching J & D’s characters develop further.
I did mostly enjoy the ending! Loved Jane’s little part in everything.
Nika Grace delivers a brilliantly twisted psychological suspense novel in Serial Killer Wanted. She effortlessly mashes dark humor, suspense and romance into a fast paced, can’t put down thriller. The chemistry between the characters Dani and Jeika is absolute magic. I loved how Dani’s character evolved from being detached, bored and unapologetic, to a fiercely protective partner willing to rewrite her entire identity.I can't believe how quickly I went from hating Dani,to loving her. I love how Grace wove a wonderful “found family” dynamic into the mix, who somehow end up saving each other, making you realize that everyone has "a family”.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane for this ARC.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the arc!
This was a pretty easy read and I can see a lot of people liking this, but it wasn't my cup of tea. I'm not sure if there is a version of the Bechdel test where two female characters talk to each other and don't only make it about another outside character but I don't think this book passes that. I got to the end of the book with its hopecore speech and thought,, I don't really understand how we got here? I was searching for some more internal conflict or some growing and sharing (non trauma/killing) btw the two main characters and it didn't get there for me. Also was a bit insta-love.
4.75 stars - I had such a fun time with this. A female serial answers an online ad posted by a suicidal person looking for someone to end their life - what a premise! Fast paced, high stakes, enjoyed the twists and turns. There was also some emotional heft to it as well - and my 0.25 stars off was because maybe it got a smidge too Hallmark/Lifetime Movie in a couple spots, but overall - recommend!
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ARC for this book from NetGalley for free.
The energy the author's writing gave in the beginning was very much “I’m not like other girls. I have a deep black heart and I KILL people. Watch out.” Just way too edgy. I also found a lot of the characters' actions and choices frustrating. This slowly won me over the longer I kept reading and in the end I didn’t mind this, but this is far from my favorite reads of the year.
Overall this is certainly a book with words on a page. Enough said.
Jeika places an ad for someone to end her life. Dani responds as ending peoples lives is a skill she has has. They start exchanging e-mails. These two are raw, flawed characters each having a past that troubles them. They each let down their guard and share their secrets with the other and see each other for their authentic self. Jeika puts both their lives in jeopardy as she responds to Peter who also answers the ad. He is on the hunt to end them both.
An intense read about love, loss, family and finding your way.
Dani is a serial killer that is having second thoughts about life and thinking about using her skills in a new career. Until she responds to an ad from Jeika who is after a serial killer to end her life. Dani ends up second guessing her code of who gets to live or die. The last things Dani expects is to fall for her next victim.
It was a good thriller with touches of romance but the ending felt slightly rushed and the epilogue was slightly confusing.
Thank you to the author and Netgally for access to the ARC.
If it's any indication, I read this book from an advance copy a while ago and I still think about it at least once a week. Absolutely phenomenal writing, character development, a plot that pulls the rug out from under you when you least expect it and leave you reeling -- I will ALWAYS recommend this book and I can't wait to own a copy or three of my own!
This book had all the twists, the feels, the voice, and the HOLY SHIT WAIT WHAT? The premise alone made me want to read the book, but it was the emotional core wrapped up in dark humor that made me stay. I was rooting for these weirdo humans the whole way through and I was all in from page one. If you like Killing Eve, this is your jam.
The book really drew me in at first, and I was so excited to see what all would happen. Unfortunately though, the further I got into the book the less interested I became. It isn’t a bad book, just not really what I was expecting. There were some intense and dark moments, but I guess I was wanting more.
The premise was genuinely interesting and felt like a great setup for a darker, more memorable story. It kept me engaged enough to finish it, but overall it was just… fine. Nothing about it really stood out after I was done reading, and it’s not something I’d ever pick up again. Not bad, not amazing.. just an okay read with a strong idea behind it.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of Serial Killer Wanted by Nika Grace.
Dark, twisty and completely addictive this thriller was such a fun binge read. The messy characters, sharp humour and constant tension kept me hooked, with plenty of twists along the way. Perfect for readers who love morally grey characters and chaotic thriller energy.