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House of Killers #3
Kill a Spy
Killing Eve meets Jason Bourne in the third thrilling addition to your new favourite spy series…
The house of killers always had one to train a class of warriors that would elevate the Network from the national to the international – the amateur to the elite. It was the perfect poison… Radicalisation by virtue of not knowing any different.
They never expected their most notorious child to claw his way back to the beating heart of MI5. Consumed by hurt and rage, Michael Kensington has his own Neva.
But as the body count rises like a tide that will sweep them all into oblivion, Neva will stop at nothing to make him understand that everything is at stake.
Because there’s only one way to push back against the tide… Together.
Kill a Spy is the third jaw-dropping instalment in The House of Killers series, a captivating spy thriller perfect for fans of Caroline Kepnes and Alex Gerlis.
The house of killers always had one to train a class of warriors that would elevate the Network from the national to the international – the amateur to the elite. It was the perfect poison… Radicalisation by virtue of not knowing any different.
They never expected their most notorious child to claw his way back to the beating heart of MI5. Consumed by hurt and rage, Michael Kensington has his own Neva.
But as the body count rises like a tide that will sweep them all into oblivion, Neva will stop at nothing to make him understand that everything is at stake.
Because there’s only one way to push back against the tide… Together.
Kill a Spy is the third jaw-dropping instalment in The House of Killers series, a captivating spy thriller perfect for fans of Caroline Kepnes and Alex Gerlis.
428 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 23, 2021
6 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
About the author
Samantha Lee Howe
14 books99 followersMULTI-AWARD WINNING SCREENWRITER AND
USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR.
Samantha Lee Howe began her professional writing career in 2007 and has been working as a freelance writer for small, medium and large publishers ever since. She is a multi-award winning screenwriter and a USA Today! Bestselling author.
Samantha’s breakaway debut psychological thriller, 'The Stranger In Our Bed', was released in February 2020 with HarperCollins imprint, One More Chapter. The book rapidly became a USA TODAY bestseller.
In June 2020, Samantha signed a three-book deal with One More Chapter for her explosive spy thriller trilogy, 'The House of Killers' (Book 1), 'Kill Or Die' (Book 2) and 'Kill A Spy' (Book 3) were all released in 2021. Pitched as 'Killing Eve' meets Jason Bourne this is a nerve shredding, enemies to lovers tale that is simmering with obsession and espionage.
In August 2020, Samantha signed a deal with production company Buffalo Dragon for the option and screenplay for 'The Stranger in Our Bed'. The feature film went into production in November 2020 and premiered on Showtime in the USA on 1 July 2022. The film has been sold to USA, Canada, China, and various countries in Europe and was released on British TV channels on 5th September 2022.
To date, Samantha has written 27 novels, 4 novellas, 4 collections, over 60 short stories, an audio drama, a 'Doctor Who' spin-off (White Witch of Devil’s End) that went to DVD, as well as the screenplay for 'The Stranger in our Bed'.
'The Stranger In Our Bed' film was nominated and then won BEST THRILLER for the NATIONAL FILM AWARDS which was announced at the prestigious televised awards on 3rd July 2023. Since then, Samantha has won several more Film Festival Awards which include: Jio De Janiero World Film Festival: BEST WRITER. Milan Filmmaker Awards: BEST SCRIPT. And Paris Lady Movie Maker Awards: BEST SCRIPT WRITER and BEST FEMALE FEATURE FILM WRITER, Austin International Arts Festival: BEST SCRIPT IN A FEATURE FILM and Hollywood Best Indie Film Awards: BEST THRILLER SCREENPLAY.
As well as writing thrillers and crimes, Samantha’s extensive backlist includes horror, fantasy and SF novels.
A former high school English and Drama teacher, Samantha has a BA (Hons) in English and Writing for Performance, an MA in Creative Writing and a PGCE in English.
An ardent supporter of charities, Samantha is Patron of advocacy charity POhWER and Survivor Ambassador for domestic abuse charity IDAS (Independent Domestic Abuse Services) which is based in Yorkshire.
She also supports Anna Kennedy Online as sponsor, judge and presenter for the AUTISM HERO AWARDS and also AUTISM’S GOT TALENT.
Samantha lives in South Yorkshire with her husband, Historian, Writer and publisher, David J Howe and their cat Skye. She is the proud mother of a lovely daughter called Linzi.
Samantha’s next novel, 'The Soul Thief', a supernatural horror thriller will be released by One More Chapter in Winter 2024.
For further information please visit www.samanthaleehowe.co.uk
Follow Samantha on social Media:
https://www.facebook.com/samanthaleeh...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samanthalee...
Threads: samanthaleehowe
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@samanthaleehowe
USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR.
Samantha Lee Howe began her professional writing career in 2007 and has been working as a freelance writer for small, medium and large publishers ever since. She is a multi-award winning screenwriter and a USA Today! Bestselling author.
Samantha’s breakaway debut psychological thriller, 'The Stranger In Our Bed', was released in February 2020 with HarperCollins imprint, One More Chapter. The book rapidly became a USA TODAY bestseller.
In June 2020, Samantha signed a three-book deal with One More Chapter for her explosive spy thriller trilogy, 'The House of Killers' (Book 1), 'Kill Or Die' (Book 2) and 'Kill A Spy' (Book 3) were all released in 2021. Pitched as 'Killing Eve' meets Jason Bourne this is a nerve shredding, enemies to lovers tale that is simmering with obsession and espionage.
In August 2020, Samantha signed a deal with production company Buffalo Dragon for the option and screenplay for 'The Stranger in Our Bed'. The feature film went into production in November 2020 and premiered on Showtime in the USA on 1 July 2022. The film has been sold to USA, Canada, China, and various countries in Europe and was released on British TV channels on 5th September 2022.
To date, Samantha has written 27 novels, 4 novellas, 4 collections, over 60 short stories, an audio drama, a 'Doctor Who' spin-off (White Witch of Devil’s End) that went to DVD, as well as the screenplay for 'The Stranger in our Bed'.
'The Stranger In Our Bed' film was nominated and then won BEST THRILLER for the NATIONAL FILM AWARDS which was announced at the prestigious televised awards on 3rd July 2023. Since then, Samantha has won several more Film Festival Awards which include: Jio De Janiero World Film Festival: BEST WRITER. Milan Filmmaker Awards: BEST SCRIPT. And Paris Lady Movie Maker Awards: BEST SCRIPT WRITER and BEST FEMALE FEATURE FILM WRITER, Austin International Arts Festival: BEST SCRIPT IN A FEATURE FILM and Hollywood Best Indie Film Awards: BEST THRILLER SCREENPLAY.
As well as writing thrillers and crimes, Samantha’s extensive backlist includes horror, fantasy and SF novels.
A former high school English and Drama teacher, Samantha has a BA (Hons) in English and Writing for Performance, an MA in Creative Writing and a PGCE in English.
An ardent supporter of charities, Samantha is Patron of advocacy charity POhWER and Survivor Ambassador for domestic abuse charity IDAS (Independent Domestic Abuse Services) which is based in Yorkshire.
She also supports Anna Kennedy Online as sponsor, judge and presenter for the AUTISM HERO AWARDS and also AUTISM’S GOT TALENT.
Samantha lives in South Yorkshire with her husband, Historian, Writer and publisher, David J Howe and their cat Skye. She is the proud mother of a lovely daughter called Linzi.
Samantha’s next novel, 'The Soul Thief', a supernatural horror thriller will be released by One More Chapter in Winter 2024.
For further information please visit www.samanthaleehowe.co.uk
Follow Samantha on social Media:
https://www.facebook.com/samanthaleeh...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samanthalee...
Threads: samanthaleehowe
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@samanthaleehowe
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
June 19, 2021
Secret Agent Man!
And women.
And children.
If you like spying, double agents, moles, and espionage, this final book as a three part series may be for you. I loved wondering if I was viewing all the pieces correctly and how they fit together.
Dead bodies (as you would expect in a hit-woman’s story) abound with the killings being a bit more graphic than in the first two books.
The third leg of the triangle involving a romance between the main characters was the only aspect I wasn’t totally on board with. It may be just me, but too much sentiment in a book about assassins reads as incongruous and detracts from the sharpness.
I delight in saboteur and counterspy plots and I happily discovered the underlying stories behind hit-woman Neva and government agent Micheal’s upbringings. The conclusions were satisfying, but I’ll miss reading about them.
I would suggest reading the three books in quick succession because of multiple double personas and associations. With a time lapse between books, the links may be forgotten.
Thank you to Samantha Lee Howe, Harper Collins UK, and NetGalley for my electronic copy.
And women.
And children.
If you like spying, double agents, moles, and espionage, this final book as a three part series may be for you. I loved wondering if I was viewing all the pieces correctly and how they fit together.
Dead bodies (as you would expect in a hit-woman’s story) abound with the killings being a bit more graphic than in the first two books.
The third leg of the triangle involving a romance between the main characters was the only aspect I wasn’t totally on board with. It may be just me, but too much sentiment in a book about assassins reads as incongruous and detracts from the sharpness.
I delight in saboteur and counterspy plots and I happily discovered the underlying stories behind hit-woman Neva and government agent Micheal’s upbringings. The conclusions were satisfying, but I’ll miss reading about them.
I would suggest reading the three books in quick succession because of multiple double personas and associations. With a time lapse between books, the links may be forgotten.
Thank you to Samantha Lee Howe, Harper Collins UK, and NetGalley for my electronic copy.
July 23, 2021
i received an advance copy from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Kill a spy is the third part of the trilogy. which follows Neva, a female assassin, a ruthless cold assassin, with no past, who goes rogue against her own organisation who trained her to kill anybody, no questions asked. The other main character is Michael, a loner with his own issues, who works for Archive a highly secretive part of MI5. Can’t expand on either of them too much without spoiling book one and two.
Each chapter is once again told by a different character, this works well in moving the story along at quite a pace. Each chapter helps to both answer some of the questions raised, but at the same time makes you want more information.
Since I first started this trilogy I have been gripped by its premise, non-stop action, underlying spying and counter spying. This book seamlessly fills in the background stories created earlier, which is great to see if you were right about certain people. I will say that the the death toll in this one seems to be higher and more graphic than the first 2 books.
I strongly recommend reading all 3, preferably in one binge read, as lack of a recap between books has been the one downside. Although it may have detracted from the pace. This has been the best spy series ever, if I have a complaint, it is that although almost all the loose ends wer tied up, I am left wanting more. I will miss these characters. A really big thank you to Samantha Lee Howe, I shall be looking forward to reading more of her stories.
Kill a spy is the third part of the trilogy. which follows Neva, a female assassin, a ruthless cold assassin, with no past, who goes rogue against her own organisation who trained her to kill anybody, no questions asked. The other main character is Michael, a loner with his own issues, who works for Archive a highly secretive part of MI5. Can’t expand on either of them too much without spoiling book one and two.
Each chapter is once again told by a different character, this works well in moving the story along at quite a pace. Each chapter helps to both answer some of the questions raised, but at the same time makes you want more information.
Since I first started this trilogy I have been gripped by its premise, non-stop action, underlying spying and counter spying. This book seamlessly fills in the background stories created earlier, which is great to see if you were right about certain people. I will say that the the death toll in this one seems to be higher and more graphic than the first 2 books.
I strongly recommend reading all 3, preferably in one binge read, as lack of a recap between books has been the one downside. Although it may have detracted from the pace. This has been the best spy series ever, if I have a complaint, it is that although almost all the loose ends wer tied up, I am left wanting more. I will miss these characters. A really big thank you to Samantha Lee Howe, I shall be looking forward to reading more of her stories.
July 19, 2021
Book 3 in the fab ‘House of Killers’ trilogy and first off I would say 100% you need to read Book 1 and Book 2 before this one, there is back story but, for me, the book/experience will not be the same if you haven’t
We meet all the characters again and catch up on where they are and what done and at times I had to stop and remind myself who was who and who had done what and why they were doing what they were doing, it is an intricate story with lots of layers and lots going on with the occasional spying on spies who are spying!
This book was the rawest and most violent of all 3 but the story telling continued in the same easy to read vein
It has been a brilliant trilogy, I would suggest a binge read of all 3 tbh to keep the story, characters and momentum going once started
8/10
4 Stars ( as a trilogy overall it’s a 5/5 )
We meet all the characters again and catch up on where they are and what done and at times I had to stop and remind myself who was who and who had done what and why they were doing what they were doing, it is an intricate story with lots of layers and lots going on with the occasional spying on spies who are spying!
This book was the rawest and most violent of all 3 but the story telling continued in the same easy to read vein
It has been a brilliant trilogy, I would suggest a binge read of all 3 tbh to keep the story, characters and momentum going once started
8/10
4 Stars ( as a trilogy overall it’s a 5/5 )
July 21, 2021
House Of Killers Book 3
The house of killers has always had one objective: to train class warriors that would elevate the Network from national to the international - the amateur to the elite. It was the perfect poison.... Radicalisation by virtue of not knowing any different. They never expected their most notorious child to claw his way back to the beating heart of MI5. Consumed with hurt and rage Michael Kensington has his own objective: Neva. But as the body count rises like a tide that will sweep them all to oblivion, Neva will stop at nothing to make him understand that everything is at stake.
Once I started reading this book, I found it really hard to put down. This is the third and final book in this series. Filled with deceit, lies and where no one can be trusted. This is a very well written story but I don't want to say too much about as I don't want to spoil it for potential readers. It also has multi-layers. I do recommend that you read the first two books in this series first, so that you get the background story and don't miss out on anything.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #HarperCollinsUk #OneMoreChapter and the author #SamanthaLeeHowe for my ARC of #KillASpy in exchange for an honest review.
The house of killers has always had one objective: to train class warriors that would elevate the Network from national to the international - the amateur to the elite. It was the perfect poison.... Radicalisation by virtue of not knowing any different. They never expected their most notorious child to claw his way back to the beating heart of MI5. Consumed with hurt and rage Michael Kensington has his own objective: Neva. But as the body count rises like a tide that will sweep them all to oblivion, Neva will stop at nothing to make him understand that everything is at stake.
Once I started reading this book, I found it really hard to put down. This is the third and final book in this series. Filled with deceit, lies and where no one can be trusted. This is a very well written story but I don't want to say too much about as I don't want to spoil it for potential readers. It also has multi-layers. I do recommend that you read the first two books in this series first, so that you get the background story and don't miss out on anything.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #HarperCollinsUk #OneMoreChapter and the author #SamanthaLeeHowe for my ARC of #KillASpy in exchange for an honest review.
July 26, 2021
Review published in: https://diagnosisbookaholic.blogspot....
Kill a spy is the third and last installment in “The House of Killers” trilogy and OMG, what a finale! Michael and Neva’s story got a perfect closing but also left the door open to maybe meet them back in a few years. I would love to know how their lives are going!
This is not the kind of series where you can read each book as a stand-alone. Here is imperative to read them all in order, and if you read them close in time even better, as it’s a really intricate story with lots of details and plots being referenced throughout the three books that you won’t be able to truly appreciate unless you read the whole series. It’s a tremendously entertaining spy story so it would make for some great binge reading.
I love spy stories where you know you can’t trust anyone cause everyone could be a mole or a double agent and when that results in some OMG moments once they’re revealed.
The story picks up right where book 2 finished so it starts already on a high and the pace doesn’t slow down at all until the very end. I became so engrossed I read it almost in one sitting (and that’s quite a feat for me especially because I read it while on vacation and I barely have time to read then).
I loved all the glimpses into the past that helped us understand the current events and, most of all, Neva’s past and present. We already knew about Michael but she was still a bit of an enigma.
There were some graphic descriptions so maybe proceed with caution those faint of heart.
All in all, a fantastic trilogy where you can see the story play out in your mind as if you were watching a movie.
After a domestic suspense and a spy story I can’t wait to see what Samantha Lee Howe comes out with next.
Thanks to NetGalley and One More Chapter for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Kill a spy is the third and last installment in “The House of Killers” trilogy and OMG, what a finale! Michael and Neva’s story got a perfect closing but also left the door open to maybe meet them back in a few years. I would love to know how their lives are going!
This is not the kind of series where you can read each book as a stand-alone. Here is imperative to read them all in order, and if you read them close in time even better, as it’s a really intricate story with lots of details and plots being referenced throughout the three books that you won’t be able to truly appreciate unless you read the whole series. It’s a tremendously entertaining spy story so it would make for some great binge reading.
I love spy stories where you know you can’t trust anyone cause everyone could be a mole or a double agent and when that results in some OMG moments once they’re revealed.
The story picks up right where book 2 finished so it starts already on a high and the pace doesn’t slow down at all until the very end. I became so engrossed I read it almost in one sitting (and that’s quite a feat for me especially because I read it while on vacation and I barely have time to read then).
I loved all the glimpses into the past that helped us understand the current events and, most of all, Neva’s past and present. We already knew about Michael but she was still a bit of an enigma.
There were some graphic descriptions so maybe proceed with caution those faint of heart.
All in all, a fantastic trilogy where you can see the story play out in your mind as if you were watching a movie.
After a domestic suspense and a spy story I can’t wait to see what Samantha Lee Howe comes out with next.
Thanks to NetGalley and One More Chapter for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 19, 2021
Kill a Spy completes the House of Killers trilogy, about a beautiful female assassin who has broken away from the nefarious organisation that trained her from childhood, and the MI5 agent tasked with catching her. You definitely need to read these books in order, and close together, as there is minimal recap and all the seeds planted in the first book come to fruition here. I was ambivalent about reading this, as the present tense narration drove me to distraction (literally) in the last book, but I did want to know the end of the story before I forgot too much of it, so a timely invitation from the publisher to download an ARC was the nudge I needed. NB this review may contain spoilers for the previous books and mild spoilers for this one.
Michael has fully returned to the Archive after what he perceives is Neva’s betrayal. He is tasked with investigating a series of increasingly gruesome murders, and notices that the victims all have the same strawberry blonde hair as Neva. Annalise has now taken over the Network, and plans to further increase her power with a new generation of future assassins. Beth and Mia are both trying to recover from their recent kidnappings, and Neva is lying low while she plots to take down her mother, and the Network, once and for all. There’s murder, betrayal, and revelations of the past as the consequences of turning tiny children into ruthless killers play out - can Michael and Neva ever overcome their conditioning and be together?
A lot of people really enjoyed the first two parts of this trilogy, and I want to make it clear that my 3 star rating is more about my preferences and prejudices. This one manages to include all the tropes I’m utterly sick of - and thought that I would avoid by reading a spy series rather than another psychological thriller - amnesia, missing children, twins, duplicitous partners, and yes, a serial killer! (It’s like authors can’t help themselves these days, they have to insert them into every story.) Describing the murders of that many innocents in such gratuitous detail felt unnecessary. I did however like the flashback scenes which go some way to explaining the characters’ motivations, and some events from the previous books. They have repeatedly been described as like Killing Eve, but unfortunately they lack the black humour that made the TV show so brilliant.
Then there’s the sheer unbelievability of the plot, however well constructed, much of it hinging on the idea that human minds, memories & personalities can be switched on and off through simple phrases - such nonsense - cue endless eye-rolling from me. Also that highly trained spies would fail to notice behaviours, coincidences and resemblances right under their noses - the twists - unexpected in the first book, were so contrived that I saw them all coming - except for the somewhat disappointing ending. I had hoped for more of an explanation of what the actual point of the Network was, when it seems it was just about creating more assassins, with no real political or business goals. Minor characters like Ray, Beth and Mia are left in rather unsatisfying limbo, and the baddies are dispatched a bit too easily.
I’m rounding this up from 2.5 because I did like the first book and am glad it is just a trilogy, so I can leave it there. I suspect many readers would enjoy this more than I did, so if you liked the first two, don’t let me put you off reading it.
I received a free ARC through NetGalley and am posting this review voluntarily.
Kill a Spy is published on July 23rd.
Michael has fully returned to the Archive after what he perceives is Neva’s betrayal. He is tasked with investigating a series of increasingly gruesome murders, and notices that the victims all have the same strawberry blonde hair as Neva. Annalise has now taken over the Network, and plans to further increase her power with a new generation of future assassins. Beth and Mia are both trying to recover from their recent kidnappings, and Neva is lying low while she plots to take down her mother, and the Network, once and for all. There’s murder, betrayal, and revelations of the past as the consequences of turning tiny children into ruthless killers play out - can Michael and Neva ever overcome their conditioning and be together?
A lot of people really enjoyed the first two parts of this trilogy, and I want to make it clear that my 3 star rating is more about my preferences and prejudices. This one manages to include all the tropes I’m utterly sick of - and thought that I would avoid by reading a spy series rather than another psychological thriller - amnesia, missing children, twins, duplicitous partners, and yes, a serial killer! (It’s like authors can’t help themselves these days, they have to insert them into every story.) Describing the murders of that many innocents in such gratuitous detail felt unnecessary. I did however like the flashback scenes which go some way to explaining the characters’ motivations, and some events from the previous books. They have repeatedly been described as like Killing Eve, but unfortunately they lack the black humour that made the TV show so brilliant.
Then there’s the sheer unbelievability of the plot, however well constructed, much of it hinging on the idea that human minds, memories & personalities can be switched on and off through simple phrases - such nonsense - cue endless eye-rolling from me. Also that highly trained spies would fail to notice behaviours, coincidences and resemblances right under their noses - the twists - unexpected in the first book, were so contrived that I saw them all coming - except for the somewhat disappointing ending. I had hoped for more of an explanation of what the actual point of the Network was, when it seems it was just about creating more assassins, with no real political or business goals. Minor characters like Ray, Beth and Mia are left in rather unsatisfying limbo, and the baddies are dispatched a bit too easily.
I’m rounding this up from 2.5 because I did like the first book and am glad it is just a trilogy, so I can leave it there. I suspect many readers would enjoy this more than I did, so if you liked the first two, don’t let me put you off reading it.
I received a free ARC through NetGalley and am posting this review voluntarily.
Kill a Spy is published on July 23rd.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 23, 2021
Kill a Spy is the third and final instalment in The House of Killers series and it's an altogether terrific and satisfying finale. Neva is a beautiful female assassin who was trained from an early age to be cold, devoid of emotion and ruthlessly efficient but also to stringently maintain a lack of attachment bonds to other humans so she is the only one she herself relies upon. However, the time has come, and she has officially gone rogue and turned her back on the Machiavellian company that put her through intense, gruelling training since childhood and MI5 agent and lone wolf Michael Kensington is the one tasked with locating her. He has returned to the Archive, a clandestine unit of MI5, and has tried his utmost to forget about Neva, to push her to the back of his mind since he feels she betrayed him spectacularly. He knows she cannot be trusted, but Neva wonders why she cannot remember anything that happened after fleeing Michael and the spooks including the incident she has been accused of perpetrating. The mission he is set is to conduct an under-the-radar investigation into a series of increasingly horrific murders where each victim appears to have been chosen to look as close to Neva’s description as possible especially the unique and beautiful strawberry blonde locks she sports.
Elsewhere, within the Network, Annalise is now the one giving orders and is looking to consolidate her power at any given opportunity. She hopes to have a huge influence over future assassins at the firm and exactly how they decide to shape them for dangerous real-world action. Will she be able to build her empire unimpeded? Not if Beth and Mia have anything to do with it. With Neva and Michael reuniting for the final time, will those who wish to see the Network burn get their desire? This is a compulsive, exciting and action-packed spy thriller with never a dull moment and a great way to close out the series. Howe ramps up the tension, drama, peril and body count from the previous instalments and makes sure it is a conclusion to remember. Featuring betrayal, murder, espionage and counter-espionage, the children who were conditioned to act a certain way to be adopted as an asset are seeking revenge for the erasing of their past and their inability to cope with life outside of what they have been taught. Laden with lies, violence, deception, duplicity and people who simply can not be trusted, it moves at rapid-fire pace, and although Michael and Neva are so far removed from our world, Howe manages to make them both relatable and respectable. Highly recommended.
Elsewhere, within the Network, Annalise is now the one giving orders and is looking to consolidate her power at any given opportunity. She hopes to have a huge influence over future assassins at the firm and exactly how they decide to shape them for dangerous real-world action. Will she be able to build her empire unimpeded? Not if Beth and Mia have anything to do with it. With Neva and Michael reuniting for the final time, will those who wish to see the Network burn get their desire? This is a compulsive, exciting and action-packed spy thriller with never a dull moment and a great way to close out the series. Howe ramps up the tension, drama, peril and body count from the previous instalments and makes sure it is a conclusion to remember. Featuring betrayal, murder, espionage and counter-espionage, the children who were conditioned to act a certain way to be adopted as an asset are seeking revenge for the erasing of their past and their inability to cope with life outside of what they have been taught. Laden with lies, violence, deception, duplicity and people who simply can not be trusted, it moves at rapid-fire pace, and although Michael and Neva are so far removed from our world, Howe manages to make them both relatable and respectable. Highly recommended.
July 30, 2021
What a stunning Finale…
'Kill a Spy' is the last in the trilogy ‘House of Killers’ by Samantha Lee Howe.
It is "Gripping, relentless, and ferocious", Samantha Lee Howe demonstrates once again why she is called a USA Today bestselling author, her prose exact, her narrative tightly controlled.
The author has a real talent for balancing suspense and propels her characters on a heart-stopping, daring race with unexpected outcomes.
'Kill a Spy' is a whopping addictive page-turner of a book. Its one of those Crime spy mysteries you cannot lay aside until the last page. For me it surpassed even the first two books.
I absolutely enjoyed it and can highly recommend it.
'Kill a Spy' is the last in the trilogy ‘House of Killers’ by Samantha Lee Howe.
It is "Gripping, relentless, and ferocious", Samantha Lee Howe demonstrates once again why she is called a USA Today bestselling author, her prose exact, her narrative tightly controlled.
The author has a real talent for balancing suspense and propels her characters on a heart-stopping, daring race with unexpected outcomes.
'Kill a Spy' is a whopping addictive page-turner of a book. Its one of those Crime spy mysteries you cannot lay aside until the last page. For me it surpassed even the first two books.
I absolutely enjoyed it and can highly recommend it.
May 18, 2022
This series was certainly different from what I thought I was getting, but it was a really good kind of different. It's not your typical kind of mystery. I would call it a mystery / thriller. I guess it's not listed as a thriller since it's not always a fast pace shoot'em up story.
It did have me wondering what was going to happen next though. Just as the first two book did. I would recommend this series to anyone who is searching for something that's not your run of the mill spy story.
It did have me wondering what was going to happen next though. Just as the first two book did. I would recommend this series to anyone who is searching for something that's not your run of the mill spy story.
July 30, 2021
Neva and Michael oh how I love these two! Book three in the series.
We are a few weeks on from book two Kill or Die and we are now following a serial killer who is believed to have links to the network. The biggest link is the similar look of each victim. If Michael can spot it surely others can, they all resemble Neva! The question is why would the network kill people who look like Neva instead of just killing her?
So first off it sounds like this is the last book in this spy series and I am absolutely deverstated the killing eve and Jason Bourne on steroids this series is advertised as doesn't even do it justice. I went into the house of killers hesitantly and that book preformed and if its even possible each book has gotten better. I am not ready to say bye to this series!
So if you've read books 1 and 2 you already know the key is to assume everyone is a spy until proven otherwise and trust absolutely no one. So that's exactly how I entered book 3 and when I tell you I was right on the money with the killer and others even I was surprised how my suspicious mind had nailed it! Yet I wasn't even the slightest disappointed that I had got it so right. Because once all the "twists" are made apparent there are some lightening bulb moments that happen and if we read properly the author had told us these things ages ago. U will know when u get there. So buckle up because this book will blow your mind!!
Michael ofcourse is working for MI5 and is working the profile for the serial killer. He is also struggling with his feelings for Neva after she was exposed to be lying at the end of book 2. He hasn't heard from her and yet as he sees each murdered victim all he sees is Neva.
Neva is in deep cover but she I'd left with a moral dilemma as she is certain that Mia is in danger of being activated and is struggling with the decision of whether or not to warn Michael as doing so will expose her.
The great thing about book 3 is we get to hear more about Nevas past and we get to be part of the first time she rebelled against the network. I really enjoyed this side story and loved the journey that storyline enthralled. It was interesting to see the fall circle play out and how that one indecision lead her down this path of "self discovery".
We also spend more time with Beth who I've always secretly loved! Get ready for that whirlwind of emotions!
Plus we get to know a bit more about Neva's German spy mother. Who I hated on principle but I must say I grew to really like her!
All in all a lot of death a lot of spy's and a lot of twists!
I happily recommend this book along with book 1 house of killers and book 2 kill or die. This is one of the best spy series I've ever read and I love the fact its English spies also. The writing is done so cleverly that you find yourself sympathising and humanising assassin's!! Every character detail has been written to perfection. Not one word is irrelevant and that's what makes Samantha Lee Howe a very talented author. EASY 5 STARS
Thank you netgalley, Harper Collins publishers and Samantha Lee Howe for the digital advance reviewer copy (due to a download issue I purchased hence late review) in exchange for my fair and honest opinions.
We are a few weeks on from book two Kill or Die and we are now following a serial killer who is believed to have links to the network. The biggest link is the similar look of each victim. If Michael can spot it surely others can, they all resemble Neva! The question is why would the network kill people who look like Neva instead of just killing her?
So first off it sounds like this is the last book in this spy series and I am absolutely deverstated the killing eve and Jason Bourne on steroids this series is advertised as doesn't even do it justice. I went into the house of killers hesitantly and that book preformed and if its even possible each book has gotten better. I am not ready to say bye to this series!
So if you've read books 1 and 2 you already know the key is to assume everyone is a spy until proven otherwise and trust absolutely no one. So that's exactly how I entered book 3 and when I tell you I was right on the money with the killer and others even I was surprised how my suspicious mind had nailed it! Yet I wasn't even the slightest disappointed that I had got it so right. Because once all the "twists" are made apparent there are some lightening bulb moments that happen and if we read properly the author had told us these things ages ago. U will know when u get there. So buckle up because this book will blow your mind!!
Michael ofcourse is working for MI5 and is working the profile for the serial killer. He is also struggling with his feelings for Neva after she was exposed to be lying at the end of book 2. He hasn't heard from her and yet as he sees each murdered victim all he sees is Neva.
Neva is in deep cover but she I'd left with a moral dilemma as she is certain that Mia is in danger of being activated and is struggling with the decision of whether or not to warn Michael as doing so will expose her.
The great thing about book 3 is we get to hear more about Nevas past and we get to be part of the first time she rebelled against the network. I really enjoyed this side story and loved the journey that storyline enthralled. It was interesting to see the fall circle play out and how that one indecision lead her down this path of "self discovery".
We also spend more time with Beth who I've always secretly loved! Get ready for that whirlwind of emotions!
Plus we get to know a bit more about Neva's German spy mother. Who I hated on principle but I must say I grew to really like her!
All in all a lot of death a lot of spy's and a lot of twists!
I happily recommend this book along with book 1 house of killers and book 2 kill or die. This is one of the best spy series I've ever read and I love the fact its English spies also. The writing is done so cleverly that you find yourself sympathising and humanising assassin's!! Every character detail has been written to perfection. Not one word is irrelevant and that's what makes Samantha Lee Howe a very talented author. EASY 5 STARS
Thank you netgalley, Harper Collins publishers and Samantha Lee Howe for the digital advance reviewer copy (due to a download issue I purchased hence late review) in exchange for my fair and honest opinions.
June 24, 2021
This series gripped me from the start, and I was eagerly anticipating book three. I devoured it when it arrived - and it did not disappoint. A web of lies, deceit, where no one, and nothing can be trusted, all controlled by a Network creating world class killers controlled to do their every bidding.
All Michael wants is his life back, his job at the MI5 to return to normal, his sister to be able to leave protective custody, and just some sense of normality. He wants nothing to do with the Network. With his upbringing, his dark past, part of him knows this can never be. Plus, the Network wants him. When ex Network assassin Neva comes back into his life, all thoughts of making her pay for all his hurt and pain flee. Michael suddenly has another objective. Suddenly more is at stake than he could have ever fathomed. Michael has to make a final decision about what direction he is going to take.
I loved every moment of this book, it kept the same pace as the previous ones in the series, jumping you from action, to intrigue, and never a moment to breathe. I don’t often use the word unputdownable. But I will make an exception in this case. I did not want to stop until I finished this one. Then I still wanted more. One of the best spy series I have ever read, my only complaint - don’t leave us hanging with that ending!!
*I received this book from NetGalley for review but all opinions are my own.
All Michael wants is his life back, his job at the MI5 to return to normal, his sister to be able to leave protective custody, and just some sense of normality. He wants nothing to do with the Network. With his upbringing, his dark past, part of him knows this can never be. Plus, the Network wants him. When ex Network assassin Neva comes back into his life, all thoughts of making her pay for all his hurt and pain flee. Michael suddenly has another objective. Suddenly more is at stake than he could have ever fathomed. Michael has to make a final decision about what direction he is going to take.
I loved every moment of this book, it kept the same pace as the previous ones in the series, jumping you from action, to intrigue, and never a moment to breathe. I don’t often use the word unputdownable. But I will make an exception in this case. I did not want to stop until I finished this one. Then I still wanted more. One of the best spy series I have ever read, my only complaint - don’t leave us hanging with that ending!!
*I received this book from NetGalley for review but all opinions are my own.
July 22, 2021
Kill A Spy is the third instalment in the House of Killers series and it’s just as gripping as the first two. You are thrown straight into the action from the start, it’s tense and gripping with a massive body count that will keep you turning the pages. Thank you to NetGalley, One More Chapter and the author for the chance to review.
August 12, 2021
Great series and nice to see it wrapped up so well. Still could be interesting to see a sequel to find out Neva and Michael manage the Network
July 16, 2021
Kill a Spy by Samantha Lee Howe
Publication Date: July 23, 2021
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Description from NetGalley…
“The house of killers always had one objective: to train a class of warriors that would elevate the Network from the national to the international – the amateur to the elite. It was the perfect poison… Radicalisation by virtue of not knowing any different.
They never expected their most notorious child to claw his way back to the beating heart of MI5. Consumed by hurt and rage, Michael Kensington has his own objective: Neva.
But as the body count rises like a tide that will sweep them all into oblivion, Neva will stop at nothing to make him understand that everything is at stake. Because there’s only one way to push back against the tide… Together.”
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Thank you to @netgalley @harpercollinsuk @onemorechapterhc for the digital ARC in return for my honest review.
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My thoughts…
Satisfying. This was a thoroughly satisfying ending to the spy thriller, The House of Killers, trilogy. It kept with the plot similar to Jason Bourne and Killing Eve, with a kick-ass woman-assassin. It had everything I enjoy in an espionage thriller: double agents/counterspies, moles, and deadly assassins. I didn’t even mind the romance because this third installment was just as bloody, deadly, fast-paced and if not, more violent than the first two. Entertaining!
Publication Date: July 23, 2021
.
Description from NetGalley…
“The house of killers always had one objective: to train a class of warriors that would elevate the Network from the national to the international – the amateur to the elite. It was the perfect poison… Radicalisation by virtue of not knowing any different.
They never expected their most notorious child to claw his way back to the beating heart of MI5. Consumed by hurt and rage, Michael Kensington has his own objective: Neva.
But as the body count rises like a tide that will sweep them all into oblivion, Neva will stop at nothing to make him understand that everything is at stake. Because there’s only one way to push back against the tide… Together.”
.
Thank you to @netgalley @harpercollinsuk @onemorechapterhc for the digital ARC in return for my honest review.
.
My thoughts…
Satisfying. This was a thoroughly satisfying ending to the spy thriller, The House of Killers, trilogy. It kept with the plot similar to Jason Bourne and Killing Eve, with a kick-ass woman-assassin. It had everything I enjoy in an espionage thriller: double agents/counterspies, moles, and deadly assassins. I didn’t even mind the romance because this third installment was just as bloody, deadly, fast-paced and if not, more violent than the first two. Entertaining!
July 22, 2021
***I received an ARC from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review
In the third House of Killers book, the body count is rising as women who look similar to Neva are being brutally murdered. Neva is still in hiding while looking for a way to clear her name, while also taking out the rest of the Network. Ben & Mia have gone into hiding from the Network, but it may be too late. Before it all went down in the previous book, Neva had warned Michael that there was a mole in M15 and the Network was planning to activate Mia. Ufortunately, no one took Neva seriously........now is it too late?
I love these books. They are addictive. If you have ever watched Killing Eve, that is what I imagine when I see it all unfold. The author does such an excellent job with her writing that I feel like I can really see it all play out. You definitely want to start with book one, so you aren't lost, but once you read one you will be hooked just like I am. If you love a good thriller, then this series is perfect for you. I highly recommend it!
In the third House of Killers book, the body count is rising as women who look similar to Neva are being brutally murdered. Neva is still in hiding while looking for a way to clear her name, while also taking out the rest of the Network. Ben & Mia have gone into hiding from the Network, but it may be too late. Before it all went down in the previous book, Neva had warned Michael that there was a mole in M15 and the Network was planning to activate Mia. Ufortunately, no one took Neva seriously........now is it too late?
I love these books. They are addictive. If you have ever watched Killing Eve, that is what I imagine when I see it all unfold. The author does such an excellent job with her writing that I feel like I can really see it all play out. You definitely want to start with book one, so you aren't lost, but once you read one you will be hooked just like I am. If you love a good thriller, then this series is perfect for you. I highly recommend it!
August 9, 2021
This book was received as an ARC from HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.
Being a fan of the Bourne series and in the mood for a mystery thrill-ride, I jumped at the chance to read Kill a Spy. My heart was racing, my jaw was dropping, and my adrenaline spiked to the highest level while reading this book. The job Michael Kensington had as an MI5 agent and how it was up to him to disclose this elite secret group of agents trying to take over the world and all will be lost if Michael fails. With twists, and turns like no other, the book kept my interest peaked and it is definitely a book you can read in one sitting (at least that is what I did). We are looking to build our mystery collection at our library and I am super stoked to add this title to our collection and recommend it to our library community.
We will consider adding this title to our Mystery collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.
Being a fan of the Bourne series and in the mood for a mystery thrill-ride, I jumped at the chance to read Kill a Spy. My heart was racing, my jaw was dropping, and my adrenaline spiked to the highest level while reading this book. The job Michael Kensington had as an MI5 agent and how it was up to him to disclose this elite secret group of agents trying to take over the world and all will be lost if Michael fails. With twists, and turns like no other, the book kept my interest peaked and it is definitely a book you can read in one sitting (at least that is what I did). We are looking to build our mystery collection at our library and I am super stoked to add this title to our collection and recommend it to our library community.
We will consider adding this title to our Mystery collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.
July 28, 2021
This is not a stand alone novel at least it wasn't for this reader and review. It was hard to understand all the different characters and the romance didn't really make any since. That being said Samantha Lee Howe is a must read author. The authors ability to story to tell a spy story will have fan of Jason Borne, and James Bond head over heel in love with her.
The story moves along quickly meeting characters from other books who are in the spy and double spy world. Each chapter is told though a different character in the book which will take some times getting used (at least for this reader).
Kill A spy kills in back story that will fill in any questions readers have. The author is at the top of the game with her writing, story telling I can't wait to read book 1 and 2 of the House of Killers series.
Thank you to Netgalley for the advance copy of Samantha Lee Howe Kill A Spy
The story moves along quickly meeting characters from other books who are in the spy and double spy world. Each chapter is told though a different character in the book which will take some times getting used (at least for this reader).
Kill A spy kills in back story that will fill in any questions readers have. The author is at the top of the game with her writing, story telling I can't wait to read book 1 and 2 of the House of Killers series.
Thank you to Netgalley for the advance copy of Samantha Lee Howe Kill A Spy
November 21, 2021
#killaspy #samathaleehowe this is the third and final book in this series. I always get sad when I’ve requested a book in a series and don’t realize it 😂🙈 I like to read them all and in order. #bookproblems it is a whirlwind of spies, assassins, and violent murders. It is a Jason Bourne book on steroids. It is definitely a mail bitting adventure. #netgalley #bookstagram #reading #netgalleyarc #bookrecommendations #readersofinstagram
June 1, 2022
Deary, deary me. If anyone can make sense of this, well done. It is told in such a simplistic, disjointed manner, and with a plot that is utterly confusing as you try to work out who's who and where on earth it's all leading, that I ended up skipping chunks before reading the ending 'first'. After the first book in the series really drew me in, this was a thoroughly unsatisfactory conclusion which I did not enjoy very much.
July 20, 2021
Should have read the earlier books, but got into this one pretty quickly as the action and characters grab you from the start. Hard to put down as the action is non-stop. I received an advanced digital copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher and voluntarily provided an honest review.
July 22, 2021
Book three in an absolutely brilliant trio! So much going on, so much explained, so much left unanswered. This is truly an exceptional series that I wish could go on forever. Thrilling, suspenseful, fun and a spectacular body count.
June 24, 2021
This is the third and last book in the series and although I could not remember all the details of the first two in the series I could remember the premise and the horror that had me reeling. Unfortunately I cannot say the same about this book. This may be due to the fact that I could not remember all the details and the back stories of the various characters. Whatever the reason, this episode left me cold; I was not enthralled by the love story and I was not convinced about the action.
My only recommendation about this book is to make sure you are familiar with the action that took place earlier in this trilogy.
Thank you to the author, publishers and NetGalley for providing an ARC via my Kindle in return for an honest review.
My only recommendation about this book is to make sure you are familiar with the action that took place earlier in this trilogy.
Thank you to the author, publishers and NetGalley for providing an ARC via my Kindle in return for an honest review.
May 18, 2025
Um, that ending was wack af, not particularly satisfying and abrupt.
I don't understand the arc with Elliot and Beth, where was it going with that?
What even is the point of the Network or the Almunazama? What is their agenda? why do they assassinate people? Are they trying to take over the world?
I thought the third book would tie everything together and give me closure but that was not it 🤷♀️
I don't understand the arc with Elliot and Beth, where was it going with that?
What even is the point of the Network or the Almunazama? What is their agenda? why do they assassinate people? Are they trying to take over the world?
I thought the third book would tie everything together and give me closure but that was not it 🤷♀️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
April 9, 2023Amazing read
Suspenseful, thrilling and hard to put down. Amazing and wonderfully written with each page turn keeping you on your toes wondering what's next.
Suspenseful, thrilling and hard to put down. Amazing and wonderfully written with each page turn keeping you on your toes wondering what's next.
July 19, 2021
Kill a Spy, third in the series of House of Killers is non stop action.
The bodies pile up, the murders are gruesome.
Michael and Neva are estranged but neither can forget the other.
Just who can you trust?
Some will find out the hard way.
I loved the series but I will say this my favourite of the 3 and I could not put it down.
No spoilers here but don't miss out on this series.
Samantha Lee Howe, you have outdone yourself with the third book.
Merged review:
Kill a Spy, third in the series of House of Killers is non stop action.
The bodies pile up, the murders are gruesome.
Michael and Neva are estranged but neither can forget the other.
Just who can you trust?
Some will find out the hard way.
I loved the series but I will say this my favourite of the 3 and I could not put it down.
No spoilers here but don't miss out on this series.
Samantha Lee Howe, you have outdone yourself with the third book.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK , One More Chapter for a twisted and hold your breath read.
The bodies pile up, the murders are gruesome.
Michael and Neva are estranged but neither can forget the other.
Just who can you trust?
Some will find out the hard way.
I loved the series but I will say this my favourite of the 3 and I could not put it down.
No spoilers here but don't miss out on this series.
Samantha Lee Howe, you have outdone yourself with the third book.
Merged review:
Kill a Spy, third in the series of House of Killers is non stop action.
The bodies pile up, the murders are gruesome.
Michael and Neva are estranged but neither can forget the other.
Just who can you trust?
Some will find out the hard way.
I loved the series but I will say this my favourite of the 3 and I could not put it down.
No spoilers here but don't miss out on this series.
Samantha Lee Howe, you have outdone yourself with the third book.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK , One More Chapter for a twisted and hold your breath read.
August 9, 2021
The book is a total page-turner and mind-blower. After the first chapter, I knew, that I have to reserve the evening for this one!
The story is not so simple - the world of the killers is not just black and white, so is relations. Do not know how to trust, what can be said, how not be uncover the true identity and the main aim.
The plot is so complicated that it really requires focusing on what is happening and what are the relationships between the characters. The world of shadow, secrets, and hiding has its own rules to follow.
I shouldn't started from the last book in the series, because I feel that I'm in the middle of something that I do not really understand, so, please PLEASE don't do it like me. Just start from the very beginning and then we can discuss it and get into this world.
I have to read the previous ones, cause the writer is doing such a great job if we talk about the tension, keeping readres' attention and create a nice story to discover.
Definitely good one for a long evenings.
The story is not so simple - the world of the killers is not just black and white, so is relations. Do not know how to trust, what can be said, how not be uncover the true identity and the main aim.
The plot is so complicated that it really requires focusing on what is happening and what are the relationships between the characters. The world of shadow, secrets, and hiding has its own rules to follow.
I shouldn't started from the last book in the series, because I feel that I'm in the middle of something that I do not really understand, so, please PLEASE don't do it like me. Just start from the very beginning and then we can discuss it and get into this world.
I have to read the previous ones, cause the writer is doing such a great job if we talk about the tension, keeping readres' attention and create a nice story to discover.
Definitely good one for a long evenings.
December 23, 2023
This is the 3rd book in the House of Killers trilogy. The book could be read and enjoyed as a stand alone but it's much better if you plan a binge weekend and read all three. You will not be disappointed. The main characters have been trained to conduct assasinations upon demand, and they are good at it. As the chapters progress, you are pulled into the heart of their newest assignment and it's a tense story that pulls you along at a breakneck speed. This trilogy is definitely on my recommendations list as a must read.
December 24, 2021
Fantastic end to the trilogy….
Or is it? Read the 3rd book in a day. Couldn’t put it down. Well written and intriguing with lots of twists.
Or is it? Read the 3rd book in a day. Couldn’t put it down. Well written and intriguing with lots of twists.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews