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Pretty Killer
Revenge is served...
Twelve people bound by a secret arrive for an exclusive dinner only to find that the other guests are familiar in the most troubling of ways.
Ella Boyer isn’t looking forward to attending the Bayshore alumni dinner with her husband, Noah. There aren’t enough pills in the world to numb her fears of seeing her classmates again … especially after what she did all those years ago.
Her sorority sister Heidi Blanchard, equally guilty, will be at the same exclusive restaurant that night. In the aftermath of their secret shame, Heidi’s turned lying into a sport and has lost her compass for truth. She’s there for a job … or so she thinks.
Bindi Bridges, former guidance counselor at Bayshore, has no idea about the alumni dinner or Heidi’s job offer. She’s at Crave to learn who her husband’s been sleeping with, tipped by an unknown source.
Mason Pace is there to meet a headhunter. His life is about to turn around — a relief, after the horror that happened eleven years ago.
Seven others -- each seeking their own redemption and hiding their own sordid sins -- are just as ignorant of the sinister purpose behind this elegant event.
Their host? A Hollywood star with glamour to spare and all the money in the world to spend on that most useful of revenge and the extraction of secrets.
The only guest not in attendance is the one who deserves to be there Casey Davis.
What happened to Casey? And who’s to blame?
★★★★★ "Really enjoyed reading this one. Many twists and turns. I think it would make a great movie, if it was done right. Will be on my list to read again at a future date." -- PapaJim
★★★★★ "This book had secrets, revelations, journeys into the past, crazy twists and turns! It kept me wondering what was going to happen next. I loved the writing style with past and present viewed from different characters in different ways. This could make a really good movie!" -- Michele
★★★★★ "This is a great book. Fresh, well written, lots of realistic characters, some who may remind you of people you know, a sad story, unfortunate events, and a refreshing way of telling a mystery. Bad choices, dirty secrets, old friends and frenemies, awkward interactions.... a thoroughly thought provoking read." -- The Swamp Thing
Pretty Killer is Agatha Christie for the modern age. It’s Truant & King at their duplicitous best, weaving a tale with more layers than stratified ground in which a murderer digs a stone cold grave … proving that revenge isn’t always best when it’s cold — and sizzles when it’s piping hot. Pretty Killer is a tense psychological thriller that includes adult language and situations. While it is all within the context of the story, some readers may find this content offensive. Intended for mature audiences.
Twelve people bound by a secret arrive for an exclusive dinner only to find that the other guests are familiar in the most troubling of ways.
Ella Boyer isn’t looking forward to attending the Bayshore alumni dinner with her husband, Noah. There aren’t enough pills in the world to numb her fears of seeing her classmates again … especially after what she did all those years ago.
Her sorority sister Heidi Blanchard, equally guilty, will be at the same exclusive restaurant that night. In the aftermath of their secret shame, Heidi’s turned lying into a sport and has lost her compass for truth. She’s there for a job … or so she thinks.
Bindi Bridges, former guidance counselor at Bayshore, has no idea about the alumni dinner or Heidi’s job offer. She’s at Crave to learn who her husband’s been sleeping with, tipped by an unknown source.
Mason Pace is there to meet a headhunter. His life is about to turn around — a relief, after the horror that happened eleven years ago.
Seven others -- each seeking their own redemption and hiding their own sordid sins -- are just as ignorant of the sinister purpose behind this elegant event.
Their host? A Hollywood star with glamour to spare and all the money in the world to spend on that most useful of revenge and the extraction of secrets.
The only guest not in attendance is the one who deserves to be there Casey Davis.
What happened to Casey? And who’s to blame?
★★★★★ "Really enjoyed reading this one. Many twists and turns. I think it would make a great movie, if it was done right. Will be on my list to read again at a future date." -- PapaJim
★★★★★ "This book had secrets, revelations, journeys into the past, crazy twists and turns! It kept me wondering what was going to happen next. I loved the writing style with past and present viewed from different characters in different ways. This could make a really good movie!" -- Michele
★★★★★ "This is a great book. Fresh, well written, lots of realistic characters, some who may remind you of people you know, a sad story, unfortunate events, and a refreshing way of telling a mystery. Bad choices, dirty secrets, old friends and frenemies, awkward interactions.... a thoroughly thought provoking read." -- The Swamp Thing
Pretty Killer is Agatha Christie for the modern age. It’s Truant & King at their duplicitous best, weaving a tale with more layers than stratified ground in which a murderer digs a stone cold grave … proving that revenge isn’t always best when it’s cold — and sizzles when it’s piping hot. Pretty Killer is a tense psychological thriller that includes adult language and situations. While it is all within the context of the story, some readers may find this content offensive. Intended for mature audiences.
546 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 14, 2019
1326 people are currently reading
956 people want to read
About the author
Johnny B. Truant
193 books693 followersJohnny B. Truant is an author, blogger, and podcaster who, like the Ramones, was long denied induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame despite having a large cult following. He makes his online home at JohnnyBTruant.com and is the author of the Unicorn Western series, the Fat Vampire series, The Bialy Pimps, and a handful of other properties and growing every week.
You can connect with Johnny on Twitter at @JohnnyBTruant, and you should totally send him an email from JohnnyBTruant.com if the mood strikes you.
You can connect with Johnny on Twitter at @JohnnyBTruant, and you should totally send him an email from JohnnyBTruant.com if the mood strikes you.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
September 4, 2022
I have read Pretty Killer by Johnny B. Truant and Nolon King on the Kindle apps.
On Goodreads reviews, I saw a comment that it was a modern-day Agatha Christie.
I purchased this book for free on Amazon.
To my eye, it is not a modern-day Agatha. It is modern because it speaks true to the timeline and future, which captivates your attention to this read. At the beginning of the book, there was a lot of dirt on every person who attended the alumni dinner. There is a lot of dirt about everyone who participated.
On Goodreads reviews, I saw a comment that it was a modern-day Agatha Christie.
I purchased this book for free on Amazon.
To my eye, it is not a modern-day Agatha. It is modern because it speaks true to the timeline and future, which captivates your attention to this read. At the beginning of the book, there was a lot of dirt on every person who attended the alumni dinner. There is a lot of dirt about everyone who participated.
October 20, 2023
Psychopath are not easy to find especially since they are able to cover from a look that they only want their friends to see.
When I first picked up this book, I thought it might be a slightly fun spin-off of an old Agatha Christie book that I've always enjoyed reading. Nope, it's a lot more than what I expected. This is a fast-paced read that gets you thinking about what you've read. l
The plot is put together well and the writing is tight. I found myself reading too fast at times and didn't catch all of the author's clues. However, when I went back over the skipped material, it all was there. Most enjoyable!
This book takes you back to your time of youth and dumb mistakes, but what if a mistake you made took away from someone else?
How do make your wrong right if your mistake is irreversible? Do you keep quiet if you know? Getting an invite to the amazing place called Crave was exciting, how quickly things change. Open this book and be prepared to read it one setting cause you just gotta know what happens next!
From the first page to the last you don't want to put it down. Well written with believable characters and plots that keeps your attention and interest until the end. Would recommend it to anyone who loves a great thriller.
When I first picked up this book, I thought it might be a slightly fun spin-off of an old Agatha Christie book that I've always enjoyed reading. Nope, it's a lot more than what I expected. This is a fast-paced read that gets you thinking about what you've read. l
The plot is put together well and the writing is tight. I found myself reading too fast at times and didn't catch all of the author's clues. However, when I went back over the skipped material, it all was there. Most enjoyable!
This book takes you back to your time of youth and dumb mistakes, but what if a mistake you made took away from someone else?
How do make your wrong right if your mistake is irreversible? Do you keep quiet if you know? Getting an invite to the amazing place called Crave was exciting, how quickly things change. Open this book and be prepared to read it one setting cause you just gotta know what happens next!
From the first page to the last you don't want to put it down. Well written with believable characters and plots that keeps your attention and interest until the end. Would recommend it to anyone who loves a great thriller.
August 31, 2020
Another book I just can't get on with. I like to try out new authors but sometimes wish I'd stuck with tried and true ones as it can be a bit demoralising !!
This sounded a good idea, though very similar to Agatha Christie-type tales, I think. A lot of characters introduced and then it started jumping back 'n' forth in time and I sort of glazed over then. I had to keep searching a character's name to remind myself who was doing what in future times and who they were married to or whatever.
Then he referred to something called Contract Confessions a couple of times like it was something we should be aware of and it was just too much like hard work for me then as it was losing me.
I read 72 pages and saw no mistakes, though, so that is to be commended. Great cover as well. I think it might appeal more to a younger audience than me in my mid-50s, perhaps, though.
This sounded a good idea, though very similar to Agatha Christie-type tales, I think. A lot of characters introduced and then it started jumping back 'n' forth in time and I sort of glazed over then. I had to keep searching a character's name to remind myself who was doing what in future times and who they were married to or whatever.
Then he referred to something called Contract Confessions a couple of times like it was something we should be aware of and it was just too much like hard work for me then as it was losing me.
I read 72 pages and saw no mistakes, though, so that is to be commended. Great cover as well. I think it might appeal more to a younger audience than me in my mid-50s, perhaps, though.
January 20, 2020
A new twist on a who done it.
This is a great book. Fresh, well written, lots of realistic characters, some who may remind you of people you know, a sad story, unfortunate events, and a refreshing way of telling a mystery. Bad choices, dirty secrets, old friends and frenemies, awkward interactions.... a thoroughly thought provoking read.
This is a great book. Fresh, well written, lots of realistic characters, some who may remind you of people you know, a sad story, unfortunate events, and a refreshing way of telling a mystery. Bad choices, dirty secrets, old friends and frenemies, awkward interactions.... a thoroughly thought provoking read.
July 2, 2020
Great read it gave me the chills and I was constantly thinking about the truths wrapped in edgy mysterious steps. A real page turner I couldn't put it down from page one the lively setting and characters were so compelling. Nolan King's vibe "Right on the edge of fear was where trust could grow" that saying comes to mind here.
December 30, 2019
Pretty Long Killer
Not bad for an intricate Hitchcockian drama. It takes a while to get all the asshole players straight as they gather for the “one-way” dinner. Like Hotel California you can check in but you can never leave.
The entire entourage were a bunch of sleaze balls. This added interest to the story and the weave of the tale leading to the end was superb.
At times the book was laborious but overall a fine mystery tale.
Not bad for an intricate Hitchcockian drama. It takes a while to get all the asshole players straight as they gather for the “one-way” dinner. Like Hotel California you can check in but you can never leave.
The entire entourage were a bunch of sleaze balls. This added interest to the story and the weave of the tale leading to the end was superb.
At times the book was laborious but overall a fine mystery tale.
August 5, 2020
Plodded through this book because I always finish a book, like it or not. This was a complete disaster, too many characters to follow, very confusing with time jumps, all and all a complete mess with gross sexual language and descriptions. Really disliked it a lot, I don't use the "hate" word. It was a waste of my valuable time.
August 29, 2025
It was wholesome.
-Wendy
-Wendy
August 6, 2020
I feel the book was an extremely slow start but, since I always finish a book I have started, I plugged along. The truth of the matter is I liked the book BUT felt it was very confusing bouncing back and forth between the characters, the "past" and the "present". I don't understand why it was set in the future then going back and forth to present time. The ending I felt was anticlimactic...a big build up to the "whodunit" and then the book ended with no real resolution or closure. I feel as if I have to read it again.
July 28, 2020
I was half way through and didn’t want to finish but I always finish books. It was vulgar and immaturely written and only slightly better towards the end.
December 22, 2021
Different for sure with an end reveal I never saw coming.
January 9, 2022
4.5 stars....I loved the different POVs and the pace....it was fast pace and the author knew just when to change the POV. I also enjoyed the layered ending!
August 29, 2025
Fun and entertaining read! Lots of surprises and complex background of characters and their connections.. the end really brought things full circle!
April 12, 2024
Well, that was definitely interesting, I loved every minute of it, all the accusations, all the finger pointing. This is a true "who done it" mystery. I was second-guessing myself all the way through exactly what the author intended 😆 . Highly recommended this one
July 10, 2020
I was hooked right away. Great concept! Lots of intrigue! Lots of POV and timeline shifts! What a mystery! I was sold up until I reached 85%.
It's the ending of this book that was hard to chew and swallow. There was a great narrative doing, then the rug is pulled from us. It's no longer a narrative but a series of documents to tell the story. One of the main characters (the host) is MIA with no wrap-up to my satisfaction. Now, I understand the importance of pulling the rug out: what you think you know is probably not the truth. There are always hidden secrets even if you think they have all been revealed. I get that theme. I feel like the ending weakened the overall concept of the book.
In addition to the missing host, there were a few other plot holes that were left. A new secret was formed, but no follow up discussion or mention of it in the ensuing chapters. Readers may also notice a few seasonal incongruities like football and wearing jackets in May in southern CA.
It's overall a good read and interesting. The ending left a bad taste in my mouth.
It's the ending of this book that was hard to chew and swallow. There was a great narrative doing, then the rug is pulled from us. It's no longer a narrative but a series of documents to tell the story. One of the main characters (the host) is MIA with no wrap-up to my satisfaction. Now, I understand the importance of pulling the rug out: what you think you know is probably not the truth. There are always hidden secrets even if you think they have all been revealed. I get that theme. I feel like the ending weakened the overall concept of the book.
In addition to the missing host, there were a few other plot holes that were left. A new secret was formed, but no follow up discussion or mention of it in the ensuing chapters. Readers may also notice a few seasonal incongruities like football and wearing jackets in May in southern CA.
It's overall a good read and interesting. The ending left a bad taste in my mouth.
August 19, 2020
I enjoyed this book as it was crime book that kept me guessing which everyone knows I love. I did guess the final 2 little surprises but that was very close to the end.
I like a crime book which is not straight forward and very easy to guess.
To be honest the downside of the book was it took me a while to get into and I was a little worried that the introductions would be most of the book. But it was a long book so it was ok. It also didn't end when I thought it was going to so it was little a bit extra bit at the end. Once I got into it was a page turner and I couldn't put it down. I t was one of those '1 more chapter' books.
The way the book was written I got a good feel of each character and how they looked, sounded and acted which I feel brings you into the book more.
The book did go back and forth but it was needed. The book wouldn't of worked without it. It didn't hurt the flow or confuse the reader.
I really felt for Casey and could see why Harper was doing this and why she was going to do to herself what she wanted to do (don't want to spoil the book). I felt anger towards each character in turn. Some more than others.
I haven't read or watched anything similar to this. It was a very well thought out and written book.
This is a book I would read again and most crime books I don't as I know the ending.
The book exceeded the blurb. And definitely a book I'm so glad I decided to read.
I would definitely read other books by this author and would highly recommend to other people.
I like a crime book which is not straight forward and very easy to guess.
To be honest the downside of the book was it took me a while to get into and I was a little worried that the introductions would be most of the book. But it was a long book so it was ok. It also didn't end when I thought it was going to so it was little a bit extra bit at the end. Once I got into it was a page turner and I couldn't put it down. I t was one of those '1 more chapter' books.
The way the book was written I got a good feel of each character and how they looked, sounded and acted which I feel brings you into the book more.
The book did go back and forth but it was needed. The book wouldn't of worked without it. It didn't hurt the flow or confuse the reader.
I really felt for Casey and could see why Harper was doing this and why she was going to do to herself what she wanted to do (don't want to spoil the book). I felt anger towards each character in turn. Some more than others.
I haven't read or watched anything similar to this. It was a very well thought out and written book.
This is a book I would read again and most crime books I don't as I know the ending.
The book exceeded the blurb. And definitely a book I'm so glad I decided to read.
I would definitely read other books by this author and would highly recommend to other people.
July 16, 2020
Pretty Killer was a highly enjoyable modern-day version of 12 Little Indians by Agatha Christie.
A group of former school friends find themselves all arriving for different reasons at an exclusive restaurant. As the night rolls by, secrets are uncovered and the death of an old friend 11 years previously by suicide is put under the microscope.
I found the book difficult to get into. Not because of the writing style, the author weaves an intricate and complex tale of deceit, betrayal and revenge. My problem was the introduction of so many characters. It took about 20% of the book (give or take) for the story to get underway, and I still had trouble figuring out who was who throughout the story.
I also thought the last 10% or so was filler. While there was important information there, I found myself wading through pages of stuff that meant nothing.
Pretty Killer is an excellent novel and one I could barely put down. I highly recommend it.
A group of former school friends find themselves all arriving for different reasons at an exclusive restaurant. As the night rolls by, secrets are uncovered and the death of an old friend 11 years previously by suicide is put under the microscope.
I found the book difficult to get into. Not because of the writing style, the author weaves an intricate and complex tale of deceit, betrayal and revenge. My problem was the introduction of so many characters. It took about 20% of the book (give or take) for the story to get underway, and I still had trouble figuring out who was who throughout the story.
I also thought the last 10% or so was filler. While there was important information there, I found myself wading through pages of stuff that meant nothing.
Pretty Killer is an excellent novel and one I could barely put down. I highly recommend it.
July 18, 2020
Tried, but couldn't finish it. The characters are shallow and weak, the plot is non-existent and, overall, the book is boring. I don't even care who the villain is (although I have a good idea) anymore.
Didn't realize until just now that this was by the author of Fat Vampire, which I loved. So sad.
Didn't realize until just now that this was by the author of Fat Vampire, which I loved. So sad.
October 29, 2020
▪︎𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰▪︎
ᴘʀᴇᴛᴛʏ ᴋɪʟʟᴇʀ
ʙʏ ᴛʀᴀᴜɴᴛ & ᴋɪɴɢ
ᴘᴜʙ ᴅᴀᴛᴇ: ᴅᴇᴄᴇᴍʙᴇʀ 𝟷𝟺ᴛʜ 𝟸𝟶𝟷𝟿
ɢᴇɴʀᴇ: ᴍʏsᴛᴇʀʏ
Revenge is served.🔪
Twelve people bound by a secret arrive for an exclusive dinner only to find that the other guests are familiar in the most troubling of ways.
💄🔪
So I have been dying to find a book similar to the Pretty Killer! A story about secrets & revenge!
I'm not going to lie.... at first trying to keep up with all all the characters was a challenge for me. I would have to go back & see who this person was & who they were with!
But other than that----
This is a classic whodunnit!
The writing, that plot.... and holy cow that ENDING! Fantastic!
The characters in this book each have their own secrets since high school & college. That they have carried with them for 10 year's.
Well those secrets finally catch up to them!
And now they have to pay the price.
💄🔪
Pretty Killer does have hard to talk about topics:
Hazing, rape, pill popping individuals.
☆☆☆☆\5
ᴘʀᴇᴛᴛʏ ᴋɪʟʟᴇʀ
ʙʏ ᴛʀᴀᴜɴᴛ & ᴋɪɴɢ
ᴘᴜʙ ᴅᴀᴛᴇ: ᴅᴇᴄᴇᴍʙᴇʀ 𝟷𝟺ᴛʜ 𝟸𝟶𝟷𝟿
ɢᴇɴʀᴇ: ᴍʏsᴛᴇʀʏ
Revenge is served.🔪
Twelve people bound by a secret arrive for an exclusive dinner only to find that the other guests are familiar in the most troubling of ways.
💄🔪
So I have been dying to find a book similar to the Pretty Killer! A story about secrets & revenge!
I'm not going to lie.... at first trying to keep up with all all the characters was a challenge for me. I would have to go back & see who this person was & who they were with!
But other than that----
This is a classic whodunnit!
The writing, that plot.... and holy cow that ENDING! Fantastic!
The characters in this book each have their own secrets since high school & college. That they have carried with them for 10 year's.
Well those secrets finally catch up to them!
And now they have to pay the price.
💄🔪
Pretty Killer does have hard to talk about topics:
Hazing, rape, pill popping individuals.
☆☆☆☆\5
July 15, 2020
I liked Pretty Killer, though I was a little doubtful after reading what it was about. But I decided to start it and it was a surprise. I did enjoy it, but gave it 3 stars because the book is too long for what it has to say. I found pages and pages of frankly inane, childish and nothing to do with the story, conversations and interchange of significantly poor ideas and thoughts. Fillers, I think they are called. Five hundred plus pages proves it, at least for me. Recommend it? Yes, I do recommend it, but be armed with some patience, it's needed. In fact, the ten - twelve last pages had me yawning and wishing for THE END!!. Will probably read another work by the author and see what happens.
July 17, 2020
11 years prior to the start of the book, Casey Davis committed suicide after a scandalous video of her goes viral online. In present day, 11 people that she was somehow connected with are all arriving at an exclusive restaurant for various reasons...but are they various reasons or is something bigger happening? All of the people there have secrets they're hiding. Did Casey even commit suicide, or did something more happen? The book jumps from character to character which could be confusing as there were so many characters and also goes from past to present day. Over all, this was an interesting book but was definitely confusing at the beginning just because of how many characters there were. Good twists though and little clues littered through out that were neat if you caught them!
August 5, 2020
I loved this book
This book was very reminiscent of a true Agatha Christie classic. You know early in the storyline who the “victim” is but the rest of the story is like peeling open the many layers of a sweet onion. Everyone ... and I do mean EVERYONE, has at least one secret they don’t want to come to light but that’s just part of the story.
I honestly did not like the majority of the characters in this story and found myself rooting for them all to be guilty. Secrets can not only kill, they can also alter the course of your entire life and erode your sense of self.
This is one of those books that you’ll want to read again, and maybe again ...just like the classics. Two thumbs up to Johnny and Nolan!
This book was very reminiscent of a true Agatha Christie classic. You know early in the storyline who the “victim” is but the rest of the story is like peeling open the many layers of a sweet onion. Everyone ... and I do mean EVERYONE, has at least one secret they don’t want to come to light but that’s just part of the story.
I honestly did not like the majority of the characters in this story and found myself rooting for them all to be guilty. Secrets can not only kill, they can also alter the course of your entire life and erode your sense of self.
This is one of those books that you’ll want to read again, and maybe again ...just like the classics. Two thumbs up to Johnny and Nolan!
December 4, 2021
Brilliant\spoilers&trigger warning
SPOILERS(Kinda).this book was a complete page Turner from beginning to end.I loved it so much I intend to read others from both authors.I feel I woulda liked to have had a TRIGGER WARNING.This book contains Issues of rape&suicidal \depressive thinking,self harm&addiction passages.I do believe these were essential to the plot&characters.In no way were any of these issues glorified.However I did find myself having to take a break from it when things got too dark.Luckily these passages were brief&to the point.Fantastic book
SPOILERS(Kinda).this book was a complete page Turner from beginning to end.I loved it so much I intend to read others from both authors.I feel I woulda liked to have had a TRIGGER WARNING.This book contains Issues of rape&suicidal \depressive thinking,self harm&addiction passages.I do believe these were essential to the plot&characters.In no way were any of these issues glorified.However I did find myself having to take a break from it when things got too dark.Luckily these passages were brief&to the point.Fantastic book
July 10, 2020
This one will have you shaking your head, holding your breath, and sitting on the edge of your seat. Twelve people are gathered for a very memorable night. What secrets will be revealed? and whose life will be forever changed? This book is about a dinner party and the people who are forever linked together one way or another. There are a lot of twists and turns and unspoken words. If you like a good suspenseful story with a lot of bends then you are in for a treat! Very well written.
July 12, 2020
Holy Smokes!!
I love mysteries and psychological thrillers. This, however, I'd THE BEST ONE I'VE EVER READ!!! The foreshadowing is so subtle, but so perfect! The work that had to have gone into this book. . . wow! This is an outstanding, collaborative piece of fiction you won't want to miss. The characters are so well thought out, and revieled so subtly, that you can't put this book down. Don't miss this amazing read!!
I love mysteries and psychological thrillers. This, however, I'd THE BEST ONE I'VE EVER READ!!! The foreshadowing is so subtle, but so perfect! The work that had to have gone into this book. . . wow! This is an outstanding, collaborative piece of fiction you won't want to miss. The characters are so well thought out, and revieled so subtly, that you can't put this book down. Don't miss this amazing read!!
August 9, 2020
Having read thousands of books over the years, this was the WORST one ever. I have no problem with so called obscene language or the "cute" f-bomb; in fact that even swings me to purchasing the book as in the real world people do speak that way. However, this language was so disgusting, and beyond the pale, and was probably used to try and show the age of young teenagers. Not only did it NOT do that but it also was used instead of filling out the personalities of the characters so they ended up indistinguishable from one another and one had to keep flipping back to remember who was who. A long, book that was barely any plot but just these pointless bits of junk. They were cardboard and had no characteristics that differentiated them aside from the disgusting, pointless remarks they made. It started out interestingly enough but within pages became just a page flipper to see how it ended.I hardly ever write comments but could not let this pass. If the author had to explain at the end what the story was about and what was meant, Wow that explains how bad the book was. No spoilers because the entire book was obvious who and why and the worst waste of time even being self-quarantined . Read it twice, HAH, once was punishment enough.
July 9, 2020
This is essentially a mashup of Agatha Christie's iconic Then There Were None and thew teen drama Thirteen Reasons Why. A group of self-centred, obnoxious people are invited to dinner at an exclusive restaurant. Each eas promised something" a job opportunity, position on a board, the identity of the person committing adultery with one of the guests spouse. But the real reason for the gathering is to determine the truth about the suicide of one of the guests' friends and classmates. Revenge, it seems is a gourmet meal served with venom.
I am actually mixed about this book. for people of wealth and exclusivity, they are pretty foul...in language, lifestyle and morals. The story is fairly predictable. After a slow start, it picks up once the dinner starts. There is a fairly large cast and unfortunately, there is not a lot of distinction between characters especially the pill-popping, therapist dependent females. Forensically it is weak and would have been available even if the cause of death seems obvious. Not bad if you can stomach the inane characters. 2.5 stars
I am actually mixed about this book. for people of wealth and exclusivity, they are pretty foul...in language, lifestyle and morals. The story is fairly predictable. After a slow start, it picks up once the dinner starts. There is a fairly large cast and unfortunately, there is not a lot of distinction between characters especially the pill-popping, therapist dependent females. Forensically it is weak and would have been available even if the cause of death seems obvious. Not bad if you can stomach the inane characters. 2.5 stars
September 16, 2020
Confusing, constantly changing POVs, undeveloped characters, weird and unbelievable premise; frankly, just dumb. The idea sounded interesting but, at least for me, it did not live up to its promise. I kept slogging through and at the end, I was filled with the feeling of "what???" I don't particularly like being harsh about a book as I realize much effort went into writing it, but "Pretty Killer" has little to recommend it. What was the point of being set in the future? The author(s) wrote quite an afterword, explaining the way the book was written, but the last thing on my mind was re-reading this book, and the alleged clarifications didn't make sense at all. I couldn't wait to be done with it, but am cursed with having to know how a book ends. As I finished "Pretty Killer" (and the title comes from the last line in the book???), I heard myself saying aloud, "what a stupid book." And frankly, "Pretty Killer" is way, way, way too long.
September 7, 2020
I'm really on the fence about this one. I didn't hate it, but there was no real love there, either.
While some readers mentioned that the language was harsh and perhaps difficult to deal with, I found that the actions and motivations of some characters to be even worse. Additionally, the introduction of the characters took an inordinate amount of time. At least two were superfluous and due to the multitude of the cast, not one developed their personality to a point past caricature.
It wasn't all bad, however. The plot was intricate and clearly much time had been spent planning out the reasons for absolutely everything in the book. I'd love to see the story tightened - even at the expense of detail.
While some readers mentioned that the language was harsh and perhaps difficult to deal with, I found that the actions and motivations of some characters to be even worse. Additionally, the introduction of the characters took an inordinate amount of time. At least two were superfluous and due to the multitude of the cast, not one developed their personality to a point past caricature.
It wasn't all bad, however. The plot was intricate and clearly much time had been spent planning out the reasons for absolutely everything in the book. I'd love to see the story tightened - even at the expense of detail.
December 7, 2021
This book had an interesting concept- I think it was a bargain book from an email. I don't think it was the worst thing I have read but it wasn't my absolute favorite either.
A group of people are brought together in an exclusive LA restaurant under different pretenses due to a shared past. Each person is forced to face their secrets and bring them out into the light in order to get to the bottom of "what happened to Casey Davis".
The book is set in 2029 and about a bunch of people who graduated high school in 2018- so that made me feel elderly. But also the authors decided we use "Doodads" instead of cell phones and everyone is on "LiveLyfe" instead of Facebook- It annoyed me every time I read those two things.
The twisty ending is what saved a star for me.
A group of people are brought together in an exclusive LA restaurant under different pretenses due to a shared past. Each person is forced to face their secrets and bring them out into the light in order to get to the bottom of "what happened to Casey Davis".
The book is set in 2029 and about a bunch of people who graduated high school in 2018- so that made me feel elderly. But also the authors decided we use "Doodads" instead of cell phones and everyone is on "LiveLyfe" instead of Facebook- It annoyed me every time I read those two things.
The twisty ending is what saved a star for me.
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