Darling Death

by Adam Southward, Pippa Bennett-Warner (Narrator)

By day, she defends the innocent. By night, she hunts the guilty.

Mae Darling has it a glittering career as a top London barrister, a Chelsea townhouse, and a wardrobe full of Dior. But beneath the silks and sophistication lies a darker truth—Mae Darling is a killer, slaying the predators who slip through the fingers of lady justice.

When her work brings her face to face with the man responsible for her father’s death, Mae realises that the long arm of the law isn’t long enough.

Balancing her intellect against her impulses, Mae sets off in pursuit of a spiralling conspiracy that will take her to the upper echelons of British power and the darkest depths of human depravity, where the lines between justice and revenge becomes perilously blurred.

Cold, calculating, and deliciously dark, Mae Darling must venture into the shadows to stop herself from becoming the very thing she hunts.

Narrated by Pippa Bennett-Warner (star of GANGS OF LONDON and MOONFLOWER MURDERS) DARLING DEATH is perfect for fans of KILLING EVE and DEXTER.

Genres: Audiobook, Fiction, Suspense, Mystery

Audible Audio

Published May 14, 2026

Reviews

[katie T · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bordering on the side of ridiculous and yet a great distracting read for entertainment's sake. To me this was a pallet cleanser after an emotional roller coaster from my last book with action scenes that kept rolling. A fun thriller that was trying to be 007 like but didn't quite sell the full narrative. Nonetheless, a good book for escapism.

[Sapphira · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the premise of this more than the actual book, unfortunately. I liked the vigilante justice, but somehow, despite taking out truly evil men, the main character was still a bit unlikable? I felt like she was a snob, honestly. Plus a bit one-dimensional - dare I say because she was written by a male author? Or perhaps because the book itself needed more depth, who knows. The plot was fine, if a bit far-fetched (especially with some of her methods being a bit obvious).

[Sandra Leivesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This freebie from the Audible Plus catalogue an absolute delight to listen to. You do need to suspend disbelief, but if you do, you’ll be taken on a thrilling ride as Darling Death, a vigilante lawyer, serves up her own brand of justice. I loved every aspect of this book—it’s fast-paced glamorous, and packed with fashion designer name-drops. It’s dark and not for the faint-hearted, with a few sex scenes that might not be for everyone, but I adored it.

The narration by Pippa Bennett-Warner was brilliant.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Variety is the spice of death”
Lady Justice! Mae Darling is the kind of heroine you can't look away from – sharp as a razor, deadlier than her Dior stilettos. I’ve had this in my library for quite some time. What took me so long? Adam Southward’s “Darling Death” is a deliciously dark thrill ride through London's posh underbelly, where justice is a game only the most lethal play. Pippa Bennett-Warner? She slays this narration – her voice is the exquisite blend of sophistication and menace; I’ll be seeking more very soon. Mae Darling is a complex and intriguing womman, living a double life as a top London barrister by day and a ruthless vigilante by night. With her impeccable style and sharp intellect, she seems to have it all – an opulent Chelsea townhouse and a designer wardrobe. However, beneath the surface lies a dark past and a burning desire for revenge. Torn between her duty as a barrister and her own personal vendetta, Mae embarks on a perilous journey into the underbelly of British power, where the lines between justice and revenge are blurred. Her morals are as flexible as her killer instincts. Anticipating I was at the ending, oh, I was wrong. There’s more intrigue and danger waiting and Mae is ready. I found “Darling Death” lurking in Audible Plus – grab it before Mae’s secrets kill you. Recommended? Indeed!

💥🎙️✍️🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟✍️🎙️💥

[Evelyn Wambui · Rating 4 out of 5]

A single POV that kept me hooked from beginning to end!

Mae Darling! Defends the innocent by day…hunts the guilty by night - judge, jury and executioner!

I loved that, by day, she was a suave and respected barrister who took over from her father and by night , was a sleek and deadly hit woman - hunting down the ‘beasts’ who escaped the rule of law.

Her final act of executing her father’s killer was beautiful to follow - bringing with it some moral ambiguity but still…

It was sad that she had to lose Jack in the process…

Good thriller!

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a decent book. The plot is all over the place and the MC, Mae Darling, is conceited and snobbish. The book is packed with action, a bit of romance, and some twisted humor thrown in the mix. I feel like the barrister role is tossed to the side and we don't hear about it anymore after we learn Mae is a vigilante. Like, why even say she's a barrister and she's only in court at the beginning, and then she's running off killing bad guys? She's constantly out of the office and court to even have clients. Just make her a secret agent or hitman.

[Norma · Rating 3 out of 5]

( Format : Audiobook )
"Make them like you."

Her face to the world is the exceptionally successful lawyer, daughter of another very wealthy, now dead, lawyer from whom she'd inherited even greater wealth and support.. But behind her public appearance was a stone cold Demster style killer outgrowth Beast. Oh, yes, she also has frequent and passionate sex with a police detective. It is all very two dimensional rubbish
But it's a free Audible Original.

[Sooz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite being somewhat laughable and absurd at times, I very much enjoyed this book. Beautifully narrated by Pippa Bennett-Warner who brought Mae Darling to life and brought to mind a female James Bond. 4.5 stars would be more accurate for me but 4 stars is too little. I’d now like to read the book to see if I will enjoy it as much as I did listening it to it.

[Leah Long · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lawyer/ vigilante dating a cop, I know lots going on, but I loved it. This was fun and thrilling. It has tons of action, a fantastic revenge seeking plot, and even a love interest. My tiny little complaint was the sex but nothing to be bothered about and don’t mind me and my Pearl clutching. This was entertaining from page 1 to the end.

[Noor 🎀 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I couldn’t put my finger on why listening to this book felt like mentally wading through treacle… then I came on here and realised it was a female protagonist written by a man. Makes sense.. such a bizarre and unrelatable character. Every stereo type going, I cringed every time he mentioned her “designer” clothes and every interaction with her boyfriend. CRINGE

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d give this 3.5 stars but rounded up as 3 stars felt a bit unfair. I really enjoyed the idea behind this - vigilante justice, evil men getting what they deserve and a calculating, strong female main character who isn’t afraid to lean into her own femininity.

[Angel Chiou · Rating 2 out of 5]

The longer it went on, the worse it gets. I've had enough with the female protagonist's pompous attitude and endless description of branded clothing. For me she is not a strong and attractive female character, but more like a caricature of one. I got incredibly bored towards the end.

[Mallory · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars….. Such an easy listen! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and even chuckled out loud a few times. I took half a star away for the ending not ending how I wanted it to 😑😭🙄 I’ll have to look for more from this author.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well it started out great and then kinda got annoying.
How pretentious can one woman be?? Very is the answer. What a self centered, egotistical rich snob.
Just couldn't like her even if she had a good reason for what she was doing.
I felt sorry for Jack.

[Shalini Raakendra · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gets two stars only because I’ve read worse. The plot was entertaining enough but the excessive use of brand names got plainly annoying. The internal dialogue felt cumbersome to put up with. Apparently not for me.

[Elle David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good! I like the ending! Not what I expected, but really good.
Not sure the “love surpasses all” trope works in a book like this, which made the ending even better!!

[Nicola · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite entertaining. Strong female lead that held my attention through some improbable situations. Enjoyed the vigilante theme.

[Sheridan Miles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book.

[Shelly Huie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good narration.

[Ashleigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the idea of this one, just didn't hold my attention like I had hoped.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up for entertainment value :)

Mae Darling is a top London barrister, but if she doesn't win justice she takes it with her own hands.
I love the revenge vibes!

[Kerrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.76

[Emily Mize · Rating 4 out of 5]

This felt like a black and white noir film turned crime novella

[Amy Caplehorne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audible
+ liked the concept
+ short chapters
- had to remember who all the characters were linked

[Sarahjalaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I went back and forth with this one. I really enjoyed the banter between May and Jack but didn't care as much about the rest and the last quarter or so was a bit much for me.

[Ilia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rich, apparently genius and overachieving, vigilante barrister with a need for revenge and haute couture! Over the top but very entertaining.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Silly little vigilantly.
Narration was good, listened on Audible.

[KATHY Dorris · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m rich. I like fine things. I’m smart. I hate beasts. I’m rich.
This book felt repetitive. It was an interesting premise but ultimately it fell a little flat.

[J.B. Draper · Rating 1 out of 5]

If Dexter was a privileged Mary Sue - DNF

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

bruh the ending?? like all that for that note so dumb!! but fun plot