Kate Weston’s How to Make a Killing is a brilliantly chaotic comedy that had me hooked from the first page. The story centers around what’s meant to be a close-knit team, but it quickly becomes clear that dysfunction runs deep and that’s where the fun begins.

Weston’s writing is razor-sharp and genuinely laugh-out-loud funny. The characters are outrageous in the best way, and the constant twists kept me guessing (and grinning) the whole way through. The mix of dark humour, tension, and unpredictability makes for an irresistible read.

Darkly funny, sharp, and wickedly entertaining ☠️💷. How to Make a Killing is a bold, satirical thriller packed with clever twists, flawed characters, and razor-sharp humour. Kate Weston delivers an addictive, page-turning plot that keeps you guessing while exposing the messy side of ambition. I adored the biting wit and fast-paced drama. Perfect for fans of dark comedies with edge.

A group of five deeply unlikeable female estate agents are in fierce competition with each other. Soon the competition switches from who can sell the most luxury properties to who can live the longest when one of their number dies at an open house event. With lots of twists and turns, this book keeps you guessing. Even though the women are not nice people you end up rooting for some of them! I am so glad I’m not an estate agent, but I did enjoy trying to figure out the groups secrets & whodunnit. Would recommend to anyone who likes a bit of dark humour, murder & office scandal.

How to make a killing is a brilliant book! We all know that estate agents get a bad press and from this you can absolutely tell why! Harrington estates team will literally kill to make a sale!!! Loved it.

This was rather a dark but in places humorous tale of women estate agents. It started with the close knit women working hard for their boss, Amanda. Almost licking her expensive shoes every time she spoke, Bella, Olivia, Hannah and Claire were all determined to be the best employee possible. Of course, this was all a lie as women do not always get along and will do anything for praise from the boss, especially at their colleagues expense. When a huge mansion owned by a very good looking man is potentially to be sold, they almost fall over themselves to be in line for the credit for the sale. However, at an open house event, Bella is found dead in a fountain in the garden. Is it murder? Who was so desperate to remove her from the proceedings to actually kill her? The story becomes more and more bizarre and eventually unravels itself. I personally found it all a bit too ridiculous and I only really laughed at Amanda’s husband’s fetish. The artwork was also something to behold. A lighthearted book albeit full of murder, crime and backstabbing. It’s an easy read that proves that some women are not powerful and tight knit but just out for themselves.

“Meet the women of Harrington Estates. They're one big happy family. At least, that's what they all say...”

How to Make a Killing is a dark comedic thriller/murder mystery following the employees of Harrington Estate Agents when Bella, their co-worker, is found dead at an open house. Amanda, Hannah, Olivia and Claire all have secrets they want to protect - but would they kill for them? When suspicions are cast, and they all have motive to kill, no-one is safe. Everyone knows the real estate business is cut-throat, but when there’s an actual murderer on the prowl, will they make it to their next sale?

I really enjoyed this book! I love a thriller that has a comedic element to it, and I thought this one did dark humour so well. I liked how we swapped POVs continuously throughout and the way they meshed together added to the comedic value.

It was fast paced and flowed really well, keeping us guessing to the last page with plenty of twists and turns.

I found the characters really interesting, and whilst they were kinda unlikable they fit the tone of the book perfectly and really added to the overall feel of the book.

I’d definitely recommend this one if you’re looking for a fast paced mystery with comedy and selling sunset vibes (only there’s murder).

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

This was a fun unique darkly comic murder mystery.

That being said : I really hate pretty much every character in this book. With a passion. I’m also really glad Bella died because I would consider homicide myself if I had to work with her, reading about her was bad enough. It got better in the middle then towards the end I wanted to read my hair out, I hate them all so much.

It did feel like there was too many perspectives going on and it slowed the story down.

However, the dark comedy is witty and I love that each and every one of the characters has secrets that start to unravel.

Lots of dark humour, a brilliant whodunnit! Really enjoyed this one, thank you for the opportunity to read this prior to release

I would recommend this book to anyone who has, either worked in an office environment, or in sales, or preferable both at the same time. It highlights how bitchy the environment can get and how 'literally; cut throat. Some great characterisation and a brilliant whodunnit storyline with some great 'tongue in cheek' dark humour. A nice little twist too. Great fun and a light hearted read even if it is about a murder.

When over-ambitious new girl Bella is found murdered, her only friend Claire is left trying to fit in with a toxic office clique that clearly doesn’t want her. Olivia and Hannah are inseparable and never miss a chance to moan about Bella—or Claire. Then there’s Amanda, the boss with a glossy Instagram life built on “female empowerment” and picture-perfect motherhood. But not everything is as it seems, and in this office, everyone has something to hide.

Kate Weston delivers a brilliantly entertaining read with How to Make a Killing. Equal parts murder mystery and sharp-witted comedy, it’s a wickedly funny, sharply written story that blends mayhem with a hefty dose of sass. Totally addictive and laugh-out-loud funny!

How To Make a Killing is a must-read murder mystery - Weston rules the roost in this darkly comic gem.

Every character here is deeply unlikeable and out for themselves, putting a new spin on the world of estate agents. Aspects of it seem glamorous but the truth is a constant dogfight of office politics where everyone pretends to love one another. Parts of this are recognisable in most office culture, but Weston dials it up to eleven here. The snippy, cutting tone of most narration sits under your skin perfectly. You get drawn into these people’s lives, their secrets and starting to unpick exactly what makes them tick. It is so juicy and scandalous, especially as the chapters keep flowing and more truths are revealed. There is such skill in making you root for these pretty unpleasant people but Weston pulls it off by showing their messiness and their humanity that shines through at times.

Comedy is so hard to get right - particularly in writing. So much of live comedy can riff on physicality, visual cues, atmosphere and audience reaction. When it’s distilled down to the page, it’s just the words and the reader and somehow the author coaxes a laugh. Weston absolutely nails it here with this naughty, knowing murder mystery like no other. It takes this competitive industry, hiding knives behind fake smiles and adding in a deadly twist. It is incredibly engaging and the humour elevates it. You can recognise these types of people and see their behaviour get more and more outlandish. It is just brilliant. Weston’s writing is slick and stylish, never missing the opportunity to make you smirk or shiver in equal measure. It is a wicked tale with plenty of fiendish twists and turns. All in all, I was astounded with the balance of humour and mystery.

How To Make A Killing highlights Weston’s incredible strengths in comedy, characterisation and compelling plots. Do not miss it.

For those of you who think Estate Agents are a dodgy breed, this will only confirm your suspicions. The characters here are all hilariously unlikeable and murder with a vulva sculpture is certainly unusual. A light hearted read with a good mystery at the centre.

A good whodunnit and given that pretty much every character was hugely unlikeable, there were many candidates. It kept me gripped. I'm new to the author but would read more based on this one.

I have loved Kate's other books so I was very excited for this one. This was a sharp and darkly funny read that had great twists.

A whodunnit with great humour throughout. I never knew the world of property marketing could be so cut throat. Lots of fun, great characters and intrigue that will keep you going to the end.

Quite enjoyable but the characters were all pretty vile! Lots of twists and wickedly funny at times, its a good take on the funny murder tropes that are popular at the moment,

An ideal holiday read. Suspend belief and you discover an all female estate agent team and their all male rivals. Each female estate agent is out for themselves, but one Bella excels in finding out all the dirt on the others and ensuring they meet their downfall. As the body count rises, you're left guessing just who is responsible for Bella and other's deaths.

A whodunnit set in a small estate agency, this dark and dangerous murder mystery features unlikeable characters who all have secrets to hide and perhaps reasons to kill. The back story of each of the estate agents emerge gradually but the final reveal of who is behind a spate of grisly murders still comes as a bit of a surprise.

A whodunnit set in the world of real estate. I’ll be honest I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I was expecting too, I found all of the characters annoying and it impacted how much I enjoyed it for sure. Other than that it was an okay read with a good storyline.

HOW TO MAKE A KILLING is a compelling murder mystery at an all female estate agents.

When I think about estate agents, I don't think "fodder for a murder mystery" but this book takes that world and makes it into one of rivalries and motives. It's a lesson in good plotting and engaging characters, making you the reader invest in a world you've probably never thought very interesting.

And they all have so many secrets, even timid (and somewhat useless) Claire. She really comes out of the woodwork as a threat and more complex the further into her POV you get (though I still really didn't like her! It was a really interesting use of a character archetype that society looks down on.)

Many of the characters are unlikeable, selfish and petty and very, very two faced. If you like unlikeable female characters (but who you also want to keep reading about because they make the plot so much more fun) this is a book for you.

The microcosm of the agency is a great look at performative feminism and how structural problems in society lead to competition between women to succeed at each other's expense.