A dark romantic comedy set in a generic American office buiilding. Whilst I did not dislike the characters, the story was unappealing and I seemed to have read similar over the last couple of years.

Twisted, filled with dark humour. This book was addictive. Its easy to read, its fun the characters are unusual. They keep you interested, I never knew what was gonna happen next which is so refreshing. I loved each twist and turn. This is a book that I won't give too much plot away talking about. Its about two people who work in an office and suspect the other is a serial killer. That's all you are getting from me. What I will say is pick this book up now! If you love dark humour your will love it. This is an amazing debut from Kate Posey and I cannot wait to read everything they write after this.

how is this book smart, witty,whippy, charming and sexy all at the same time as being deep and meaningful.
i chuckled at the premise. in that "this is mad" but somehow charming kind of way. and as soon as i started reading i was in. i was in for the plot and for the characters. it was so much more than a chuckle and dark but humorous book. it was emotional and about life,love death and finding that true person who gets you.
in this book we have Dolores the office worker who has a fascination with spotting serial killers. you know, as you do, in the wild. no such luck until Jake enters the building. hes a smooth and sharp new office temp. and there is something lingering about him. not least those gloves. has she gone and done it? has she gone and found the killer in the wild?
what she isnt expecting or reading for is the killer connection between the pair. there is the danger at play as well is this somehow found connection and sexy, playful banter. but is the danger simmering between them ever a good thing?
as a character and the reader it has you on your toes. it has you questioning everything. what is this story? where is it going? who are these two? and is it ok to both laugh and feel uneasy?
is its playful or is there a real danger to these two or for these two?
its hard to feel for these characters but at the same time feel unsure. are they conning you, killers are good at that? making you fall for it, that vulnerability? or is it in these two a true soft layering.
is this a love story or toxic cat and mouse play.
basically i had no idea but i had to find out. so this kept me on my edges reading until the author told me just what was going on!
loved it.

Have you ever started a book thinking you knew exactly where it was going... only to realize, halfway through, you were completely lost?
That was me with Serial Killer Games — and honestly, it was amazing.
At 50%, at 80%, I was still clinging to a story that simply didn’t exist. I thought I was diving into a dark, twisted romcom... and instead, I ended up wiping away tears, absolutely wrecked.
The beginning was slow, and I almost gave up — I almost missed out on something truly special.
Because this book... this book sneaks up on you. It wraps themes like grief and loneliness in a story that feels like a dangerous, beautiful game — and before I knew it, I was all in, heart and soul.
If you asked me at 20%, I would’ve hesitated. But now? Now I’m here, shouting from the rooftops: 5 glowing stars.
Don’t walk away from this one. Let it break you a little. It’s worth it.

So I went into this one blind, I had no idea on the plot or what to expect - to be honest, I had it confused with another book and thought it was a thriller. To my absolute delight, it was in fact a romance! Well, a romance with a twist.

Dolores is certain their new office temp is a serial killer - charming, good looks, strangler gloves and fields of unmarked graves. And to top it off, he’s called Jake Ripper!
Jake finds Dolores interesting - combative and enigmatic, she’s grasped his attention. But when this curiosity develops into flirtation she wonders whether he’s finally found someone who sees the ‘real him’. Well…until she asks him to help dispose of a body.

Serial Killer Games is a “morbidly funny and emotionally resonant novel about the ways life-and love-can sneak up on us (no matter how much pepper spray we carry).”

This was such a unique book - Posey toes the line between the thriller and romance genres, intertwining dark humour with tension and suspense. Are we meant to root for them?
Will the flirtatious banter end badly for her or will they get a HEA?

I was on the edge of my seat and really enjoyed this! Their banter and the way in which they quipped with each other was perfectly done - there was so much tension.

There’s so many twists and turns in this book - it definitely kept me guessing. Such a rollercoaster ride - a perfect balance between confusing and entertaining. I felt like I was never on solid ground with this book - every few pages there was a new reveal that turned everything on its head. It’s almost like it was multiple books in one. I already want to reread to see if what I missed first time round.

This was so well written I went to add the author’s backlist to my TBR and was very surprised to find this is a debut novel! The way in which she crafted the characters was so expertly done I’d assumed this was a seasoned author. I’ll definitely be watching out for more of their work in the future!

ARC copy provided by Corvus & NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Well, that definitely took a different turn than what I was expecting but I really liked this book. The intro of the two main characters, each putting off what I would consider "serial killer vibes", mysterious, moody, suspicious, and drawn to death. I loved Dodi's and Jake's banter and little games they play trying to figure out each other. I love the twist and it had lots of laugh out loud parts (maybe I am a bit morbid myself). Yes, there are dead bodies and murderers and also the dismantling of a body as a sort of first date. It also has lots of sweet moments about found family and how it doesn't matter if there is no relation by blood. The characters feel nicely real, if a bit twisted but honestly that kind of applies to most humans. They were easy to like (most of them anyways) and helped make the story full.

I would say this book does a great job of balancing seriousness, darkness, humor, and touching scenes to make up one fun and funny story that I really enjoyed reading! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to enjoy this book and I will definitely watch out for any more that Kate Posey writes because I love that dark sense of humor!

I love this book. I laughed so much during this. The story, the characters ,and the humor was spot on. I adored Dolores and Jack they had the best chemistry and one of the creepiest relationship I have ever read. But I loved it. I think a lot of people will really enjoy this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Atlantic books for this ARC

That first chapter just hooked me in, I instantly knew I would love this book. Filled with deliciously, dark humour, it captivates you with clever writing and morbidly loveable characters.

Slowly, we get to know the characters through dual narrative. You feel like you're inside their head, but they don't give up all their secrets at once. Those are slowly teased out at the right time to keep you guessing.

It starts as a hilariously fun game of wits but develops in to so much more than I was expecting. Although I was crying laughing, there are serious points in the book which brings you back to real life.

The playful, flirty banter between the MCs is quick, witty and dark. A slow burn that just keeps teasing us.

It will keep you on your toes all the way to the end. I definitely had a lot of "wait, whattt?" Moments reading this where I was completely blindsided.

The side characters were fantastic, giving depth to the main characters personalities through their interactions.

After reading this I will now be looking at everyone in the office differently.

Thank you to Corvus, Atlantic Books for the ARC.

Thank you to Book Rambler PR, NetGalley and Atlantic Books for the ARC, it has not affected my honest review.

Release date: 8th May 2025 (UK)

TW: death, violence, true crime, terminal illness, murder, abuse, grief

Dolores de la Cruz has one passion: true crime. She is obsessed with serial killers and determined to spot one in the wild, even when she’s at work. So far, she’s not seen anyone who might fit the bill- until the new temp, a handsome man with leather gloves, a disturbing smile and calculated charm, sets off her alarm bells instantly. Jake Ripper lives an intentionally dull and lacking life, determined not to attract any attention and to drive everyone away. He has little to be happy about but when Dolores starts focusing on him, he takes a dark joy in messing with her, even as their initial hatred turns into something more violently flirtatious. As things escalate from a simple work rivalry and into feelings territory, Jake begins to wonder if he’s finally found someone who might see him entirely for who he is. A little terrified but determined to discover the truth, Dolores goes all in but things aren’t as they seem- and then Dolores asks Jake to help her dispose of a body.


I’m not really one for romance but when I got the chance to read this, I had to because it sounds so original. This is so much more than a novel about a true crime fanatic and a potential serial killer, it’s about love and grief, acceptance and illness, connection and the future- mixed with incredibly dark humour and a relationship full of banter and tension. I couldn’t stop reading once I started, especially as Dolores and Jake clash and eventually bond through their office (I especially loved a scavenger hunt for Barbie parts) and into their real lives. The scenes in Las Vegas are deeply poignant and I felt like I could see them happening in front of me. You genuinely can’t predict where this book is going to go, it has so many twists and turns from the first page. I never expected to like this so much, it’s so unique and an incredible debut novel, and I’m super glad I read it.

Thank you so much to Atlantic Books via NetGalley for the e-arc of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

4.5⭐️
Wow! What a book. Thoroughly enjoyed this from start to finish, I couldn't wait to read more whenever I stopped. The language and descriptive scenes throughout were fantastic - the thrill and suspense kept you coming back for more.
I loved following the love story between the two main characters, and I didn't see the plot twists coming as they revealed themselves.
This is the first book from the author Kate Posey, and I already can't wait for more. I really connected with the writing, language style and the characters inner dialog. Would highly recommend! Such a fun read.

This is a debut book by Kate Posey and for me it felt like I was reading the serial killer version of The Hating Games. I have mixed feelings about this book because of a lots of jumps here and there and the fact that there was a lack of back story. I even felt that the romance was lacking but the Banter?? I enjoyed it!!! Its perfect for people who look something witty without spice.

4.5 Stars


I received this book in return for a honest review.

There was not a single moment where I knew where this book was going. It's written in a very deliberate, vague language to keep you guessing. You think you're halfway down one path, and it turns out you're in a different town altogether.

I think there was 1 twist - that gets revealed at the very end - that I correctly guessed. Everything else, just had me guessing throughout.

It was a really enjoyable read, and not what I was expecting in the best way possible. This book features really good wit, an intriguing story, and really lovable characters. It's written to keep you guessing, and there's a little bit of trick the reader, but not in an annoying way.
I was constantly at the edge of my seat, determined to find the next twist.


Thank you atlantic books and Kate Posey for providing me a copy of this book

I’m really not having much luck with NetGalley books lately… This book felt so methodical so I was getting no sense of who the characters were, outside of their fascination with serial killers. Then all of a sudden they’re kissing and there has been no build up or attraction that would make that make sense! I just felt so distant from these characters and this story.

Dolores dela Cruz has been dying to spot a serial killer in the wild, and when she meets Jake, the mysterious new temp, she is convinced she’s finally found a real one.

This book immediately piqued my interest, and it did keep me hooked for a while, but I found myself losing interest halfway through. The story took a turn I wasn't really expecting, and I was just very confused with where it was going, and I found it hard to care. I think it's partly because I was very confused, and partly because the pacing felt a little weird.

That said, I did find both the characters to be very interesting, and I liked their banter, even though I wasn't completely sold on the romance for some reason. Most of the supporting cast was very fascinating too, and they added a very fun layer to the overall plot. The writing was also very captivating, and it does an incredible job of mixing together all the elements of the genres. Some bits and pieces here and there did drag me back into the story and catch my attention again for a while, but I think it just wasn't for me.

Many thanks to Atlantic Books & NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

First of all I would like to say thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I requested this book purely based on the title as I was so intrigued for what I was going to get myself into. I was gripped in the first half and then it kind of slowed down and I struggled to push myself through to the end. I did power through and was gripped again but felt the ending left me with a lot of unanswered questions. Regardless of this it was still an interesting and enjoyable book.

I don’t know what I would class this book as, it is part romance and part dark thriller so it could interest a diverse audience.

I’ll be looking out for more books by Kate Posey.

DNF at 50%

I was so excited to read this arc because of the title and its description, unfortunately it didn't meet my expectations.
The first chapters were so promising and I'm going to be honest, I just felt that the story didn't match what was written in the blurb. The chapters were rushed and sometimes they ended in a very anti-climatic way?!

I actually rate this book 3.5 stars but have no way to do that so have rounded down to 3 stars as it wasn’t a 4 star read for me.
This was an arc that I was given to read on NetGalley by Atlantic Books. I appreciate the opportunity to read and give my honest review.

This book was good at a lot of things: it was sharp and witty, filled with dark humour, resplendent with serial killer puns, poignant and sweet. But that was also the problem. For me it was just trying to be too many things. I also don’t think it was marketed properly.

The way it’s marketed I was expecting a Mr & Mrs Smith type action, thriller with a splash of romance. This was more squiggy romance with a bit of found family and a few jokes about serial killers. Also there were basically no serial killers?!! I think….except one….i think?

And that’s the other big problem. Though the writing is at times sharp and funny at other times it becomes too clever and ends up obscuring what should be clear. It was difficult to work out when they were joking and when it was actually a serial killer thing (I’m still not totally sure but I think it’s mostly joking). The family relationship reveals at the end are so obscured by cutesy puns and writing that I’m still a little confused about who everyone is related to or what happened in the past. I think I eventually worked it out but there’s still at least one character that I’m unsure who he’s connected to in the story.

I think if you went in expecting a darkly funny, slow burn, found family romance you’d enjoy this more than if you think there’s actually a book about serial killers falling in love which this most certainly is not.

I'm about 32% of the way through and I would categorize this as romantic suspense. At first I thought the cover was misleading, because the blurb kind of gave Butcher and Blackbird vibes, and the cover reminded me more of You'd Look Good In A Coffin. And so far I'd say that the cover is a pretty good assessment, it's similar to YLGIAC, with a tad more suspense due to the the humor the characters use, but also with more romance.

I don't actually know what this book is about though. This may be MINOR SPOILERS or it may not, who knows.. not me. They're both clearly going through something, and I think are a little mentally unwell. I'm too autistic for all the reading between the lines this necessitates. I *think* he has some kind of disease that's going to kill him, and he doesn't want anybody to feel that pain, so he distances himself from everyone. She's already lost a partner or at least a loved one, probably due to a traumatic violent death, and is dealing with the grief by being super duper dark. I can't tell where this is going though. Will it be a mystery and they track down an actual serial killer? Will they finally commit to the bit? Or is it just a romance?

I was really struggling with this, so I decided to take a break and come back to it later. Unfortunately, over the past month, every time I tried I just really really didn't want to continue it. I just don't think the book was for me, and that's ok.

So I haven't rated it and I've shelved it as DNF at 33%. I may come back in the future and but that's it for now.

Unfortunately, this book did not work for me. I DNF at 50%.
From the title and the blurb, I was expecting something completely different to what the plot actually is. I thought the writing was really clever af the beginning, especially in respect to the ambiguity around the true nature of the characters. However, half way through the book, it wore thin for me and I just became disengaged with the characters and plot.
Though it wasn’t for me, I would recommend it to fans of dark romance and books that are a little different. Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a chance to review an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

This book is sharp and has a great premise. Unfortunately, I struggled with the writing - it jarred with me and I found finishing a struggle. It's a shame as the twists were fantastic and some of the humour was spot on. I really wish I'd enjoyed it more!

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review