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Creative Kills: Things can turn deadly when you’re dying to be in the movies
Book three of the Darke Deeds mystery-thriller series.
True-crime podcasters, Angie and Violet Darke, investigate their darkest case yet.
A killer, known as The Director, recreates creative kills from iconic horror movies. The victims are linked to the film industry.
Screenwriter and director, Alfred Ace Carpenter, is renowned for plagiarising horror films. His punishment? The murders are centred on him.
The Director is writing a fatal script. Can the Darke Deeds duo nail the killer before the final scene?
Things can turn deadly when you’re dying to be in the movies.
True-crime podcasters, Angie and Violet Darke, investigate their darkest case yet.
A killer, known as The Director, recreates creative kills from iconic horror movies. The victims are linked to the film industry.
Screenwriter and director, Alfred Ace Carpenter, is renowned for plagiarising horror films. His punishment? The murders are centred on him.
The Director is writing a fatal script. Can the Darke Deeds duo nail the killer before the final scene?
Things can turn deadly when you’re dying to be in the movies.
265 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 31, 2026
1 person want to read
About the author
Lisa Sell
12 books90 followersPsychological thrillers and mystery-thrillers author.
All books are on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited.
https://viewauthor.at/LisaSellAmazonPage
Find out more about Lisa and her books in the following places:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/lisasellwriter/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/lisasellauthor/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lisasell.author
All books are on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited.
https://viewauthor.at/LisaSellAmazonPage
Find out more about Lisa and her books in the following places:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/lisasellwriter/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/lisasellauthor/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lisasell.author
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
The 3rd installment in the Darke Deeds series and this one is my favourite so far. The killer is copying horror movies and the darke duo are asked to investigate by Alfred Ace Carpenter, a horror movie director, who has been accused of plagiarism. As with the other novels the duo broadcast their podcast.
Despite the dark subject matter there are moments of humour. The characters all have a great relationship with each other
Despite the dark subject matter there are moments of humour. The characters all have a great relationship with each other
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Release date: March 31, 2026
Creative Kills (Darke Deeds #3) by Lisa Sell
Trigger warning? Yeah. Basically: if your comfort zone includes soft blankets, happy endings, and emotional stability… this is not your book. This one drags you by the throat through murder, trauma, manipulation, and the kind of darkness that doesn’t politely knock before entering. Consider yourself warned.
Now that we’ve filtered out the Disney crowd—
Lisa, thank you for the ARC. Again. At this point stepping back into the Darke and The Animals family feels less like reading a book and more like coming home… which is mildly concerning for my mental health, but here we are.
I’m just going to say it: this is my favorite one so far. No hesitation.
There’s something deeply messed up (complimentary) about a story that revolves around copying a copycat killer. It’s layered, it’s twisted, and it scratches that part of my brain that clearly didn’t develop “normal taste.” And listen—if you grew up on slasher movies like I did, especially that Scream-era obsession where you start recognizing patterns before the characters do? Yeah… this hits that exact nerve. I saw things coming just seconds before they landed, and instead of ruining it, it made it worse—in the best way.
Also… can we talk about the chaos level? Because surprisingly, this one felt more controlled. Still unhinged, don’t get me wrong—but sharper. More focused. Like the story knew exactly where to stab and didn’t waste time swinging blindly.
The podcast elements? Finally balanced. Not screaming for attention, just slipping in when needed. For once, I wasn’t mentally begging for them to end. Growth.
And the characters… god, the characters.
No one feels safe. No one is safe. You can feel the secrets crawling under their skin, and it gives you that constant low-level anxiety where you start distrusting everyone—including yourself for trusting anyone in the first place. Violet and Angie know it. You know it. And still, you walk straight into it.
And somehow, in the middle of all that brutality, there’s… connection. Twisted, fragile, but real. Violet and Angie, Eagle being the emotional backbone we don’t deserve, Kayden quietly existing as this prodigy you want to protect but know you probably can’t. It’s like found family… if that family was built in the middle of a crime scene.
The reveal? Sharp. Not completely unpredictable, but honestly—that didn’t matter. This isn’t about shock value alone. It’s about the ride. The tension. The slow realization that you’re enjoying something you probably shouldn’t be enjoying this much.
So yeah.
Five stars. Five screams. Five “what is wrong with me for loving this” moments.
I came for the horror. Stayed for the mind games.
And left slightly more unhinged than I started.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Release date: March 31, 2026
Creative Kills (Darke Deeds #3) by Lisa Sell
Trigger warning? Yeah. Basically: if your comfort zone includes soft blankets, happy endings, and emotional stability… this is not your book. This one drags you by the throat through murder, trauma, manipulation, and the kind of darkness that doesn’t politely knock before entering. Consider yourself warned.
Now that we’ve filtered out the Disney crowd—
Lisa, thank you for the ARC. Again. At this point stepping back into the Darke and The Animals family feels less like reading a book and more like coming home… which is mildly concerning for my mental health, but here we are.
I’m just going to say it: this is my favorite one so far. No hesitation.
There’s something deeply messed up (complimentary) about a story that revolves around copying a copycat killer. It’s layered, it’s twisted, and it scratches that part of my brain that clearly didn’t develop “normal taste.” And listen—if you grew up on slasher movies like I did, especially that Scream-era obsession where you start recognizing patterns before the characters do? Yeah… this hits that exact nerve. I saw things coming just seconds before they landed, and instead of ruining it, it made it worse—in the best way.
Also… can we talk about the chaos level? Because surprisingly, this one felt more controlled. Still unhinged, don’t get me wrong—but sharper. More focused. Like the story knew exactly where to stab and didn’t waste time swinging blindly.
The podcast elements? Finally balanced. Not screaming for attention, just slipping in when needed. For once, I wasn’t mentally begging for them to end. Growth.
And the characters… god, the characters.
No one feels safe. No one is safe. You can feel the secrets crawling under their skin, and it gives you that constant low-level anxiety where you start distrusting everyone—including yourself for trusting anyone in the first place. Violet and Angie know it. You know it. And still, you walk straight into it.
And somehow, in the middle of all that brutality, there’s… connection. Twisted, fragile, but real. Violet and Angie, Eagle being the emotional backbone we don’t deserve, Kayden quietly existing as this prodigy you want to protect but know you probably can’t. It’s like found family… if that family was built in the middle of a crime scene.
The reveal? Sharp. Not completely unpredictable, but honestly—that didn’t matter. This isn’t about shock value alone. It’s about the ride. The tension. The slow realization that you’re enjoying something you probably shouldn’t be enjoying this much.
So yeah.
Five stars. Five screams. Five “what is wrong with me for loving this” moments.
I came for the horror. Stayed for the mind games.
And left slightly more unhinged than I started.
March 31, 2026
I grew up on a diet of crime capers and horror movies, so Creative Kills by Lisa Sell, the latest in her fabulously witty Darke Deeds series hit all of the right notes for me. This series, for the uninitiated, features sisters-in-law Angie and Violent Darke, presenters of the Darke Deeds podcast and part time amatuer sleuths. They have a knack for finding trouble - typically of the deadly variety - but, even by their standards, their latest case is an absolute doozy. There is someone out there murdering people by methods that might cause more than a flicker of déjà vu for any lovers of horror movies. From the very beginning of the book it is clear that this is one gruesome and evil minded killer, but the reason for their homage to horror is not as simple as it may first appear.
The story finds Angie and Violet being hired by horror director, Alfred Ace Carpenter, a man who has himself stood accuse of more than a touch of plagiarism of movie plots over the years. His concern is less for the victims, more that the killer might be trying to point suspicion in his direction. With an oddball and eclectic mix of suspicious characters inhabiting Carpenter's world, there are no shortage of potential suspects on hand, and it is one heck of a big ask for Angie and Violet to get to the bottom of it all without, once again, finding themselves in the firing line.
I love the wonderful blend of classic crime fiction with the very down to earth humour of this fabulous pair of sleuths. Much of the dialogue is crafted around good old fashioned British sense of humour, and the banter between the two, and their podcast 'guest' Edward - aka Eagle from the The Animals, the old biker gang that used to be led by Angie's father, Wolfe - just makes me laugh and smile every single time. It is so realistic, it's the kind of conversation I can picture having with my own sister - warts and all kind of stuff where nothing is kept private. And this time around they are accompanied by a young wannabe podcaster on works experience from school - Kayden - who fits the team perfectly, but gives them all the occasional headache as they try to balance not exposing him to the darker side of the investigation with their, and his, enthusiasm for getting to the bottom of the case.
It really is an ensemble series, and Lisa Sell has created a brilliant cast of characters I love spending time with. From The Animals, to Violet's family, Angie's partner and even those who fall under suspicion of the darkest of doings, they all have a believability about them, even where some personalities are larger than life. I love the wit, the banter and the very real emotion that underpins some of the story. It's not all high jinx and murder and there are some very sensitive topics covered in this novel too. The aftermath of their previous investigation casts a long shadow and whilst it is easy for us readers to spot the warning signs in front of us, the way in which it manifests in the teams life, the missed signals, are easy to understand.
But for me, the one thing that really made this such an enjoyable book - as much as murder ever can be - was the homage to horror. The what would now be called 'classic' films of my younger years - and yes, I really did watch Halloween every year from a very tender age - to the more modern films of recent times, guessing the 'source material' was nearly as much fun as uncovering the killer. We are spared the worst of the actual offences for the most part, but understanding the nature of the aftermath is dark enough, and whilst the results may garner more of a 15 certificate than an 18, there is plenty to make true horror fans chuckle and nod in appreciation.
All in all a really fun, if somewhat grisly, addition to a series that I am absolutely loving. Angie and Violet are my kind of ladies and the humour, the mystery, the characters and, in this case, the horror, make this my favourite in the series so far.
The story finds Angie and Violet being hired by horror director, Alfred Ace Carpenter, a man who has himself stood accuse of more than a touch of plagiarism of movie plots over the years. His concern is less for the victims, more that the killer might be trying to point suspicion in his direction. With an oddball and eclectic mix of suspicious characters inhabiting Carpenter's world, there are no shortage of potential suspects on hand, and it is one heck of a big ask for Angie and Violet to get to the bottom of it all without, once again, finding themselves in the firing line.
I love the wonderful blend of classic crime fiction with the very down to earth humour of this fabulous pair of sleuths. Much of the dialogue is crafted around good old fashioned British sense of humour, and the banter between the two, and their podcast 'guest' Edward - aka Eagle from the The Animals, the old biker gang that used to be led by Angie's father, Wolfe - just makes me laugh and smile every single time. It is so realistic, it's the kind of conversation I can picture having with my own sister - warts and all kind of stuff where nothing is kept private. And this time around they are accompanied by a young wannabe podcaster on works experience from school - Kayden - who fits the team perfectly, but gives them all the occasional headache as they try to balance not exposing him to the darker side of the investigation with their, and his, enthusiasm for getting to the bottom of the case.
It really is an ensemble series, and Lisa Sell has created a brilliant cast of characters I love spending time with. From The Animals, to Violet's family, Angie's partner and even those who fall under suspicion of the darkest of doings, they all have a believability about them, even where some personalities are larger than life. I love the wit, the banter and the very real emotion that underpins some of the story. It's not all high jinx and murder and there are some very sensitive topics covered in this novel too. The aftermath of their previous investigation casts a long shadow and whilst it is easy for us readers to spot the warning signs in front of us, the way in which it manifests in the teams life, the missed signals, are easy to understand.
But for me, the one thing that really made this such an enjoyable book - as much as murder ever can be - was the homage to horror. The what would now be called 'classic' films of my younger years - and yes, I really did watch Halloween every year from a very tender age - to the more modern films of recent times, guessing the 'source material' was nearly as much fun as uncovering the killer. We are spared the worst of the actual offences for the most part, but understanding the nature of the aftermath is dark enough, and whilst the results may garner more of a 15 certificate than an 18, there is plenty to make true horror fans chuckle and nod in appreciation.
All in all a really fun, if somewhat grisly, addition to a series that I am absolutely loving. Angie and Violet are my kind of ladies and the humour, the mystery, the characters and, in this case, the horror, make this my favourite in the series so far.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Creative Kills is the third book in the Darke Deeds mystery thriller series and I loved it just as much as the first two! Angie and Violet are the Darke sisters-in-law and best friends that host a true crime podcast. They have grit, determination, intelligence and are quite hilarious! They set out to solve murders that the police can’t seem to solve. In this book, we meet a new character- a 16 year-old named Kayden. I really liked him and hope that he will continue to assist and investigate for the Darke Deeds podcast. This story is twisty and curvy and I was on the edge of my seat reading as quickly as I possibly could. I had to know who was responsible for the horrific murders that seemed to mirror killings from iconic horror films. If you are a fan of murder mysteries with humor and sarcasm sprinkled in and very likable, authentic characters, then Creative Kills is for you. This book can be read as a standalone but I recommend you read them in order to fully appreciate the characters. The first two are so good you definitely don’t want to miss them! Many thanks to Lisa Sell for the advance reader copy. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is the third in the series and it's probably my favourite so far. The discovery of a dead couple at a wedding that Angie and Violet are attending becomes the topic of their podcast. The murder method is based on a movie plagiarised by Alfred Ace Carpenter. Further murders occur, all linked to this director and all the victims also have a connection to the movies.
This was quite a page-turner. Apart from the constant humour that I have come to expect from this duo and all their surrounding characters, the imaginative way of the kills certainly wowed me. I loved the teenage boy that constantly tagging along with the duo. The interactions between him and Angie in particular were hilarious. It wasn't all gore and humour though. There's some personal stuff going on for Violet to deal with. I thought this was very sensitively handled.
Overall, this was a fantastic read and I look forward to whatever comes next in the series.
This was quite a page-turner. Apart from the constant humour that I have come to expect from this duo and all their surrounding characters, the imaginative way of the kills certainly wowed me. I loved the teenage boy that constantly tagging along with the duo. The interactions between him and Angie in particular were hilarious. It wasn't all gore and humour though. There's some personal stuff going on for Violet to deal with. I thought this was very sensitively handled.
Overall, this was a fantastic read and I look forward to whatever comes next in the series.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Darke sisters-in-law are back! This is the third book in the Darke Deeds series, and I was pleased to return to Angie and Violet, true crime podcasters who are about to investigate their darkest case, up to now anyway! I don't doubt Lisa Sell has darker still up her sleeve!
I never hesitate to read a Lisa Sell book; she ticks every box I have! Creative Kills is darker than the previous books, but I always say, the darker the better! If you read Chris Carter, you get me! The duo investigates a killer known as The Director, who recreates scenes from iconic horror movies. This was such a trip down memory lane, just that fact alone made this my favourite read from the series, up to now anyway.
The characters are so well developed that I now feel like I know them so well! Especially the Darke duo! Their humour just lifts this twisted and dark story. I was intrigued and dying to know everything! The author knows how to keep a reader gripped! I was -literally gripping my Kindle while I read!
An absolute belter of a book and an amazing series! I am missing Violet and Angie already! I finished reading and then regretted reading it so fast. Now, to wait on the next book!
I never hesitate to read a Lisa Sell book; she ticks every box I have! Creative Kills is darker than the previous books, but I always say, the darker the better! If you read Chris Carter, you get me! The duo investigates a killer known as The Director, who recreates scenes from iconic horror movies. This was such a trip down memory lane, just that fact alone made this my favourite read from the series, up to now anyway.
The characters are so well developed that I now feel like I know them so well! Especially the Darke duo! Their humour just lifts this twisted and dark story. I was intrigued and dying to know everything! The author knows how to keep a reader gripped! I was -literally gripping my Kindle while I read!
An absolute belter of a book and an amazing series! I am missing Violet and Angie already! I finished reading and then regretted reading it so fast. Now, to wait on the next book!
March 31, 2026
I've been a fan of this series from the beginning. This book feels like Lisa has really found her stride with the characters. What a genius idea for a story too. One of those I wish I'd thought of. I recognised some (ok two) of the horror movie scenes.
Violet and Angie have 16 year old Kayden doing work experience. A young lad with self confidence issues, a baffling vocabulary for someone over 40, and a cheeky never say die attitude. I loved him. He brought a lot of funny moments.
Leo and Patrick were both awful, and it was impossible to tell who the killer was.
I like that Lisa still mentions the loss from the previous book, and that life does move on, but the person isnt forgotten. I dont find this happens nearly often enough in fiction.
I think this is my favourite of the series yet. Despite the whole murder and dark side its an absolute joy to read, and I could read it fast enough. Love the Darke's and I will be very eagerly awaiting book 4.
Violet and Angie have 16 year old Kayden doing work experience. A young lad with self confidence issues, a baffling vocabulary for someone over 40, and a cheeky never say die attitude. I loved him. He brought a lot of funny moments.
Leo and Patrick were both awful, and it was impossible to tell who the killer was.
I like that Lisa still mentions the loss from the previous book, and that life does move on, but the person isnt forgotten. I dont find this happens nearly often enough in fiction.
I think this is my favourite of the series yet. Despite the whole murder and dark side its an absolute joy to read, and I could read it fast enough. Love the Darke's and I will be very eagerly awaiting book 4.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is the third installment in the “Darke Deeds” series about Angie and Violet Darke, sisters-in-law and true crime podcasters.
This one involves a killer (dubbed The Director) recreating scenes from horror movies such as Saw, Scream and Halloween. However, the scenes being recreated are from plagiarized movies directed by Alfred Ace Carpenter. He has now hired Angie and Violet to investigate, and they come up with several plausible suspects.
The pace of the book is quick, and the characters are all engaging. There are some you love and some you hate. The podcast “scenes” are witty and engaging. The banter between Angie and Violet (and Edward, aka Eagle) is comical. I am really enjoying this series…hope that there are more in the future
This one involves a killer (dubbed The Director) recreating scenes from horror movies such as Saw, Scream and Halloween. However, the scenes being recreated are from plagiarized movies directed by Alfred Ace Carpenter. He has now hired Angie and Violet to investigate, and they come up with several plausible suspects.
The pace of the book is quick, and the characters are all engaging. There are some you love and some you hate. The podcast “scenes” are witty and engaging. The banter between Angie and Violet (and Edward, aka Eagle) is comical. I am really enjoying this series…hope that there are more in the future
March 31, 2026
LOVED THIS ONE EVEN MORE
I finished reading this a couple of days ago. It’s stayed in my mind since I’ve read it. For me Lisa Sell, Author did not fail me. I absolutely loved this book. It’s dark and also funny. How can a murder story be funny we ask but it truly is. I feel I’ve become part of the characters family in these books and so want a fourth one as soon as possible. I did actually guess who the murderer was but didn’t guess the added twist. I loved how this booked kept me avidly reading it every minute to find out what happened next. The murders were well thought out and the planning behind them was macarb but brilliant. I would thoroughly recommend this book as I’ve recommended the two previous books. Now I’m eager for a fourth.
I finished reading this a couple of days ago. It’s stayed in my mind since I’ve read it. For me Lisa Sell, Author did not fail me. I absolutely loved this book. It’s dark and also funny. How can a murder story be funny we ask but it truly is. I feel I’ve become part of the characters family in these books and so want a fourth one as soon as possible. I did actually guess who the murderer was but didn’t guess the added twist. I loved how this booked kept me avidly reading it every minute to find out what happened next. The murders were well thought out and the planning behind them was macarb but brilliant. I would thoroughly recommend this book as I’ve recommended the two previous books. Now I’m eager for a fourth.
April 17, 2026
I'm really enjoying this latest series from Lisa Sell. The Darke Deeds duo are again embroiled in a murder mystery to solve, and there are plenty of twists to keep the plot grabbing your attention to the end!
Other characters have been given more space in this third book, which adds depth and quirkiness to the story. There are some genuine laugh-out-loud moments, and other more tense situations. I love the relationships between the characters, and how each one fits perfectly into the overall energy of the book.
The podcast chapters are entertaining, giving further insight into the characters' personalities. If you're looking for a murder mystery series that won't disappoint, give this one a try! Highly recommend.
Other characters have been given more space in this third book, which adds depth and quirkiness to the story. There are some genuine laugh-out-loud moments, and other more tense situations. I love the relationships between the characters, and how each one fits perfectly into the overall energy of the book.
The podcast chapters are entertaining, giving further insight into the characters' personalities. If you're looking for a murder mystery series that won't disappoint, give this one a try! Highly recommend.
April 1, 2026
Murder, mayhem, mystery and merriment are all major components in this story. Book 3 in the series which is the best one yet. The "Darke " sister in laws are caught up in crime yet again - this time at a wedding and what sets this series apart is their podcasts in between everything else going on. I'm not a podcast fan however I would definitely listen to theirs !! Plenty of suspects throughout the tale which keeps the reader page turning . And if you haven't already, then I would recommend reading the first 2 books as well.
Thanks to the author for the ARC to review
Thanks to the author for the ARC to review
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is the third installment of Darke Deeds. You can read this without the others, but I would definitely suggest reading the other 2 first. I just love Angie and Violet, they are funny and sarcastic. I also loved the addition of Kayden is this book and I hope we see more of him in the future. There are plenty of twists and turns as they investigate a killer who is copying murders from horror movies. Definitely recommend!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Darke Deeds have done it again. I feel like I am one of them. I can sympathize with Violet. Middle age and the craziness of family, work and their podcast. I also enjoyed a character with my name. Another mystery that had me guessing until the end. Can't wait for more.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I really enjoyed this third book in the Darke series… it explores the darker side of creativity and the focus on horror movies was fun. The story moves at a good pace, keeping the tension high and keeping the pages turning.
Aside from the usual main characters, I loved the introduction to a new person on the podcast team… what a great addition and hoping this character is developed further in the future books.
While a few moments felt slightly predictable and some side characters could have been developed more, overall this was an entertaining and thought-provoking thriller. Definitely worth 4 stars!
Aside from the usual main characters, I loved the introduction to a new person on the podcast team… what a great addition and hoping this character is developed further in the future books.
While a few moments felt slightly predictable and some side characters could have been developed more, overall this was an entertaining and thought-provoking thriller. Definitely worth 4 stars!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews