A Killer App

by Linda Lovely

Someone called “The Chameleon” is out to do evil using Artificial Intelligence (AI). Through The Chameleon’s voice we get insight into the creative mind of this computer expert: “My app lets ordinary folks channel their anger and frustration into make-believe violence, thereby obtaining relief and staying out of jail.” But will The Chameleon be satisfied with this goal or take it a step further to actual violence? In the first chapter we become aware of this AI persona, but in subsequent chapters, the reader is gradually introduced to the person behind The Chameleon.

The point of view of the various chapters bounces back and forth between Kylee, a security consultant and retired U.S. Coast Guard officer, The Chameleon, and Grant, the teenage son of Ted Welch who owns Welch HOA Management Company. The whole series is based on real estate properties in South Carolina’s Lowcountry.

As written, the reader gets to see the deranged thinking process in The Chameleon’s mind as well as the way The Chameleon’s actions are interpreted by Kylee and Grant who are actively trying to figure out the crazy things going on in the communities.

Not a fan of AI, I found the first part of the book somewhat confusing, but I think the author did that on purpose so the reader could experience the mystery in the same way the characters did. Although not a funny book, there are lighter moments where the author shares family gatherings and glimpses into some romances. There are humorous quips as well as very dangerous moments, especially for Kylee and Grant.

A Killer App is a decent mystery. It showcases some of the advances in AI (e.g. deepfake) which have the potential to control the minds of those susceptible to manipulation through realistic audio and video.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Rating: 4/5

Category: Mystery

Notes: 1. #3 in An HOA Mystery Series. It could be read as a standalone because there is a helpful list of characters and Homeowner Associations at the beginning of the book and the author introduces them within the text as they appear.
2. Includes a short section of definitions of some AI terms.
3. There is some swearing.

Publication: November 7, 2023—Level Best Books

Memorable Lines:

I’m always shocked by such ugliness in a community where well-off residents have so little to complain about. These people must be successful to afford their homes. Yet they squabble and name-call like kindergarteners.

Grandma’s sort of like Mighty Mouse. She may be tiny enough for a big wind to blow her away, but you better watch out when she blows her stack.

“I never cease to be amazed at how cruel gossips can be—especially when they don’t have to look whoever they’re abusing in the eye.”

This book wasn’t for me. It took me forever to get through and I didn’t even wanna finish it. From the first page to the last I was bored

I couldnt get into the story. Was it cause it’s not my type? Was it cause I was in a reading slump? I don’t know. I’m sure it has great potential, but I just couldn’t get into it

Die Story zeigt ganz klar auf, dass viele noch zu unbedarft mit der Cybersicherheit umgehen. Die Geschichte streift nur, was heute schon alles möglich ist. Das fand ich am spannendsten.

This novel is a thrilling installment to the HOA series. Rich in detail, the story combines AI with crime as Kylee investigates a series of mysterious deaths within an HOA. The plot was clever and the reader is immersed in lowcountry life.
Many thanks to Level Best Books and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Wonderful story, great character development, great writing! Highly recommend this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it

Although I reac through this quickly and found myself not wanting to pit it down, I am really confused with AI and found it quite confusing to get a grip on at points

A Killer App is written by by Linda Lovely. This book is fast paced and will keep you reading until it's done. Kylee Kane, a security consultant for Welch HOA Management, finds the Chameleon's first victim, Andy Fyke, crumpled at the bottom of a flight of stairs. The Chameleion is an Artificial Intelligence expert. Kylee suspects the fall's no accident and is tied to Andy's campaign to prohibit rentals in his Hilton Head Island community. Then another Lowcountry HOA retiree dies in a hit-and-run boat tragedy. Are the incidents linked? Kylee thinks so.

I enjoyed getting to know Kylee and her family and friends. She is an ex Coast Guard security member. Her friends and family make a fun cast of characters as they try to uncover who the Chameleon is - before he misuses the AI technology.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read a copy of this book - all thoughts are my own.

Lovely creates entertaining and unique plots. That a person could convince another to kill through fake videos and anonymous texts is chilling. This novel certainly draws attention to the possibility of technology being used to influence others to do evil. We get snippets of the villain's thinking early on so we know who it is. We readers see how Kylee uncovers the villain.

There is quite a bit about community life as Kylee is part of a housing management team. Who knew people could get so aggravated over proposed changes in the covenants of a home owners' association the result could be deadly!

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

Kylee Kane returns in another HOA mystery. She’s an ex-Coast Guard security person and currently working security for a company that works for several HOA’s in the low country. An out-of-work AI professor is living in her mother’s home. She’s working on the perfect app but gets sidelined creating AI texts and videos to take out the people she has issues with. Why do the dirty work when you can get someone else to do it for you? An interesting story with a pretty scary premise. You definity should read this.

Book 3 of An HOA mystery is a well written and very terrifying story about Artificial Intelligence and how it can be deadly.
I thought Ms. Lovely created a great book , having not read the previous books in the series was not necessary. I could not put it down . I look forward to the next installment in the series.

I just reviewed A Killer App by Linda Lovely. #AKillerApp #NetGalley

A Killer App, the latest installment in the HOA mystery series by Linda Lovely, deals with a timely subject: artificial intelligence. The author demonstrates how easily unsuspecting people can be manipulated by deep fakes showing others—living or dead—doing or saying things they never did or said. Unfortunately, this danger is eerily real.
The protagonist is Kylee Kane, retired from the U.S. Coast Guard, who works as a security consultant for the Welch HOA Management Company owned by her boyfriend, Ted Welch. When she shows up for a meeting at one of the properties, she finds a badly injured elderly resident at the bottom of the staircase. Poking around the scene, Kylee suspects his fall was not an accident, but no witnesses come forward. Although the man survives, he has no memory of what happened.
Several days later, another HOA member is attacked—and this time, killed. Though the incidents and circumstances seem totally unrelated, Kylee senses there’s a connection.
The story is told from rotating first-person viewpoints: Kylee, Ted’s son Grant, and the antagonist, identified only as “Anonymous.” About a third of the way through the book, the reader learns the identity of “Anonymous,” a vindictive homeowner who manipulates other people to commit these crimes, but Kylee is still unaware. The rest of the book plays like an episode of Columbo, where we watch Kylee slowly put the clues together, with some timely, key information from Grant.
I liked Kylee as a heroine. She’s a strong, independent woman, yet she’s loyal and connected to her family. In her fifties, she has plenty of life experience, and she unapologetically lets her hair go white. She couldn’t care less about dressing to impress.
As I mentioned, this book is part of a series. Although I enjoyed it as a stand-alone, it might have been easier to keep track of the relationships and the HOA management structure had I read the other novels first. I’m not sure about the other books, but this one is a bit dark for readers looking for a fluffy, pun-filled, cozy mystery. That said, it’s a good read.

I didn't like the writing style, but the story is super good and original!! It was very interesting and a good thriller!

Sadly I didn't really enjoy this book but i will say it's a good book and it's written really good. I will say parts of this book did grab my attention and did keep me hooked. They are some good characters. The Story plot was intriguing and interesting. A little more than my normal cozy but oh how nice! I will recommend this book as more people need to read it xx

I love this series and am a big fan of Linda Lovely. I was fortunate to meet her in person at a ladies' luncheon while house sitting in her neighborhood. I am definitely looking forward to more HRA books!!!

Artificial intelligence. This book grabbed my attention and I was hooked. Awesome characters. Story plot was intriguing. A little more than my normal cozy but oh how nice! I enjoyed this read! Thanks#Netgalley and #LevelBestBooks for the eARC in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are mine.

A cold-blooded plan was orchestrated and executed with precision. A manipulative killer who had others do their dirty work. It was intriguing and captivating.

I liked this book but I just couldn't get into the story. I didn't like the writing style but overall the story was good.

Such a topical book as it explores the impact of AI on potential criminal activity. It’s a clever premise and well executed. It is pitched as a cozy mystery but it’s actually quite dark - highly recommend!

Someone is out to keep certain rules at the 55 and over Rand Creek community. There are some likely suspects but would they use violence to get what they want? Something isn't fitting, and Kylee is determined to find out the truth, but at what cost? A lot of AI - artificial intelligence talk in this story. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.