Kelli Amari is utterly obsessed with psychopaths, to the point where she questions whether she might be one herself… or hopes she is. As a reporter, she’s on a mission to write a book centered around a serial killer, The White Widower Dick Monroe. But when a new killer emerges and pulls Kelli into their twisted game, she becomes determined to uncover their identity. Haunted by the creeping suspicion that the person responsible might be much closer to her than she realizes.

I found myself struggling with Kelli’s character. At times, she came across as immature and more self-absorbed than psychopathic. Her reactions felt inconsistent. At times Kel would seem emotionally detached from certain victims, only to show concern or distress over others in later chapters. The shifts in her emotional responses didn’t quite align with the psychological profile the book seemed to be building. Perhaps this was intentional on Barnett’s part, meant to create a more relatable protagonist. But for me, it fell flat. I just couldn’t connect with her on a deeper level.

That said, I did really enjoy the premise of a character so immersed in true crime that it begins to emerge with their everyday experiences, feeding anxiety and fear that they could become a victim themselves. It’s a compelling and intriguing concept that adds a unique edge to the narrative. 

*Thank you to Tam Barnett, Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the audio copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.