Good book, it was pretty different, with a great lead character. Well worth a read. I would read more by this author.it was well paced, and enjoyable to read.

I really enjoyed this book. I’d describe it as a dark comedy/mystery which continues to move at a decent pace, whilst keeping the reader guessing until the end. Our heroine is a murderer but surprisingly likeable, and I found myself hoping she wouldn’t be arrested before the end of the book. It was nice seeing Saffy’s background also as it helped the reader understand why she did what she did. For anyone with a dark sense of humour, you’ll love this book. If you’re at all squeamish, avoid, and just envy your friends who are able to read it.

"My name is Saffy Huntley-Oliver, and I kill bad men."

Meet Saffy; Heiress, Cover girl, Philanthropist, Serial killer. When she isn’t doing charity in the conventional sense, she does her own brand - by killing bad men and making the world a little bit safer.

She’s never had a problem with men - until Jon. The only problem is she doesn’t want to kill him, she wants to date him. But inserting herself into the life of a disgraced true-crime podcaster who investigates serial killers isn’t quite as simple as she’d hoped - especially when they both find themselves caught in a murder investigation with a chance to catch a new kind of bad man…

"You can call me many things, many of them punishable by life imprisonment and/or death: I am a killer, a stalker, a blackmailer, a desecrator of corpses, a burglar, a thief, a liar, a narcissist, a sociopath and I have a low-ley shopping addiction that is harmful to planet Earth, but I have never in my life done two things: dyed my hair out of a box or been disloyal."

A devilish, dark and delightfully bloodthirsty story that invokes feminine rage in a chaotic revenge fantasy that allows us a glimpse into a woman who decided equality isn’t enough and demands payback.

Saffy was the perfect anti-hero — she was messy and chaotic, privileged and superficial, vindictive and spiteful but still undeniably charming and endearing. She blurs the lines of villains and victims an undeniable way and I adored it.

We move between Saffy and her current lifestyle and the days gone by, letting us into her life and seeing the little moments that may seem insignificant but slowly merge together to create something explosive. As we delve into her past, we see pain and suffering that no girl should have to endure and find ourselves supporting her murderous crusade completely.

Hearing from our love interest and fellow crime enthusiast Jonathan was a disturbing dramatic irony, making us wait with bated breath as we wait and see how up close and personal he’s going to get with this murderess as he sees it from the other side. He also brings an uncomfortable discourse on the thin line between morbid interest … and exploitative, unhealthy interest in death.

The story moves steadily, always racing on but lingering on little details and moments, the little snapshots that our own Jon would describe as “boring and anxious, routine and terrifying”. It’s building up the tension and an unsettling scene of suspicious calm and glamour from the get-go so that the entire book is like a pressure cooker just waiting to blow. It’s compulsive and obsessive, a dark thriller mixed with some wickedly clever humour and dry wit. But that’s exactly what I’d expect from a story that explores a serial killer whose current conflict is having a crush on a troubled and brooding true-crime podcaster and vigilante investigator.

If you have a gap left in your life after reading How To Kill Men and Get Away with it or After Dark — this book is exactly what you need to let you live out your violent fantasies to your dark little hearts content.

"Bad Men" by Julie Mae Cohen is a thrilling and darkly humorous novel that delves into the complex psyche of its protagonist, Saffy Huntley-Oliver. Cohen skilfully blends elements of suspense, romance, and moral ambiguity to create a unique and captivating story.

At the centre of the narrative is Saffy, a seemingly ordinary woman harbouring a chilling secret—she is a serial killer. However, what sets her apart from other fictional murderers is her twisted moral code. Saffy justifies her actions by targeting only those she perceives as "bad men," believing she is making the world a better place. Cohen masterfully explores Saffy's mindset, forcing readers to grapple with their own moral compass as they navigate her journey.

While Saffy's dark side is the book's primary focus, Cohen also weaves in an unexpected element—Saffy's struggle with her own messy and uncontrollable crush. This secret crush adds an intriguing layer of complexity to her character, as she must balance her murderous tendencies with the desire for a more conventional relationship. The exploration of this internal conflict lends depth and relatability to Saffy's character, making her simultaneously unsettling and oddly sympathetic.

One of the strengths of "Bad Men" lies in Cohen's skilful writing style, which seamlessly blends suspense and humour. Despite the dark subject matter, the author injects a witty and sardonic tone that lightens the narrative, providing moments of comic relief amidst the tension. This juxtaposition creates a unique reading experience that keeps the pages turning and maintains a sense of unpredictability throughout the story.

Cohen's portrayal of Saffy's quest to find a boyfriend amidst her murderous endeavours is both hilarious and poignant. Saffy's unconventional methods and awkward attempts at romance result in a series of comical and often disastrous situations. These moments of levity serve as a reminder of Saffy's humanity, even as her actions paint a different picture.

While "Bad Men" is undeniably entertaining, it may not be suitable for all readers due to its dark and morally ambiguous subject matter. Cohen unflinchingly explores the depths of Saffy's psyche and the consequences of her actions, which may unsettle or disturb some readers. However, those who appreciate dark humour, intricate character development, and thought-provoking narratives will find this book to be a compelling read.

In conclusion, "Bad Men" by Julie Mae Cohen is a gripping and provocative novel that defies traditional genre boundaries. It skilfully blends elements of suspense, romance, and dark humour to create a memorable and morally complex tale. Cohen's exploration of Saffy Huntley-Oliver's character and her struggle to balance her murderous tendencies with her desire for a more conventional life make for a compelling and thought-provoking read.

I devoured this book! It is just deliciously readable, with a sharp, smart, sociopathic female lead, a wonky kind of dog, and a crime-solving male hero podcaster. There are bits of bodies in bin bags, several severed heads, and did I mention the dog? Saffy makes for a complicated female lead, because you love her and are terrified of her at the same time! She is uber-rich, sitting on boards of charities, and with a hugely disposable income that allows her to engineer whatever murdery situations she needs in order to rid the world of the bad men who have the misfortune to cross paths with her. Her back story is sad, and helps go some way towards the liking her side of things. But still, she is scary. And funny. But also scary!
I found Jon endearing, and I enjoyed all the other side characters who come in and out of the story, including some of the victims, and Saffy's little sister Susie.
There was one huge gasp out loud moment for me as I read, and I was completely gripped. Hoping there will be more to come about Saffy at some point...

This was the best of combo reads for me - part serial killer thriller, part social satire, and it hit all the right notes! There is even a cute love story thrown in, which makes the book even more exciting!

Fantastic read! All of us have had a book where the minute you start reading you know you're going to love it well this was definitely for me.
Great characters, dark (well she was a killer) but at the same time so funny.
Please can we have a Bad Men Two Julie Mae Cohen?
My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my copy.
This was right up my street, so sad i finished it so quickly.

Rating: 3.3/5

Ever since Luke Jennings's creation, Villanelle, found an approving wider audience through the tv series "Killing Eve" there seems to have been an increase in the number of books featuring a strong female character with a penchant for killing people - particularly men. Julie Mae Cohen is the latest author to tread this path with her leading lady Saffy Huntley-Oliver, a beautiful, charismatic and very wealthy socialite residing in an exclusive part of London after having spent the early years of her life in the USA. Experiences in that earlier existence have led to Saffy developing a hidden, dark side to her life - she kills bad men.

The story is told from two alternating perspectives: that of Saffy and also from the viewpoint of Jonathan (Jon) Desrosiers, a podcaster whose investigations have led to the successful unveiling of a number of notorious serial killers. Julie Mae Cohen's background is in penning romantic fiction (as Julie Cohen) and the slight change in writing credit is to distinguish this venture into a darker side of fiction from her previous work. In spite of that stated intention, there are aspects of the plot that are clear giveaways about the genre that she usually writes. You may be familiar with C.J. Skuse's "Sweetpea" or Katy Brent's "How to Kill Men and Get Away With It" which also have female serial killers at the heart of the story. If so, then you are likely to find this quite tame by comparison ... something of a "Sweetpea-lite", perhaps. However, even though "Bad Men" may not have quite so much in the way of highly entertaining dark and acerbic humour as those two other books I have referenced, it is still entertainingly written and enjoyable.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review.