I felt this one was soooo long and a bit of a slog if I’m honest. It just didn’t grab me and I was a little bit bored at times. It moved at such a slow pace and only really got going for the last 1/4 of the listen. It felt like it jumped around a lot but maybe that’s due to me not being fully engaged. The characters are well developed and somewhat interesting. I did really like the references to the different places Paris is known for. Yet again I seem to be in the minority with this one but it just wasn’t for me.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bolinda Audio for the opportunity to listen and review #TheKillingSense

I'll admit I enjoyed the plot more than I did the execution of this mystery thriller book.
Even though the first chapter pulled me in - it starts with a bang - the rest of the book didn't have the same effect.
I quite liked that we follow 3 POVs, from unrelated people that, eventually, get their stories connected together. However, the whole mystery envolving those 3 characters didn't speak to me. I actually thought all of it was very clichéd and some actions were very predictable.
The perfume lessons chapters, in my opinion, were something different, fresh but at the same time not really useful to the main plot.
I'd say very experienced, hardcore thrillers readers might not be surprised with the twists in this book.
I di think it is worh the read if you like the main plot, though.
On the other hand, I would easily recommend the audiobook. Fenella Woolgar is a narrator that I'd never heard of before, and I think she is amazing. She does different voices and accents in a very believable way. I'll dare say if it weren't for this audiobook, I would probably have DNFed this book. This audiobook is 5 stars for me.
I'll certainly keep my eye on her from now on.

Thank you, NetGalley and Bolinda Audio, for allowing me to listen to an advanced and free audio copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Oh my goodness, a masterful spider-web of story strands, with each thread so well woven you'll find it almost impossible to untangle the truth from the misdirection. An thoroughly enjoyable listen.

“The Killing Sense” is a crime thriller set in Paris. Kate escaped an abusive marriage and after winning a five-day trip to learn about perfume, she goes to Paris. But she feels like someone is watching her and then discovers that there is a killer in the city.

On her way to Paris Kate met Daniel in the train and then befriended Agathe in a cafe. The characters’s stories get tangled as the investigation of the killings develops.
The pace of the book is pretty fast and the story kept me interested. There is mystery and tension, while the story unravels through different perspectives, including the killer’s.
The audiobook is narrated by Fenella Woolgar that managed to capture all the accents. Even if the story has multiple POVs, the narrator managed to differentiate the characters well and add tension to the plot.

I received a digital copy of the book from Bolinda Audio and Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Publication date: 9 Jan 2025

Kate is in Paris, living it up and attending a perfumery course. When she gets wind that her abusive ex is in the same city, she knows she is in danger. Can she evade him and get to safety? I listened to the audiobook of this one and wow, did it keep me intrigued! It was gory, it was dark, it was entertaining and it was twisty. With multiple POVs and a classic Parisian setting, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

✨ Read if you enjoy: self-discovery, unique friendships, non-explicit murders
✨ Don’t read if you loathe: cozy crime, multiple POV’s, detailed descriptions of Paris

Remember in Total Recall, where you can ‘experience’ your fantasy adventure? Your dream place with your dream person? This is like that for single mum Kate Wilde - after winning a competition Kate doesn’t remember entering, she travels to Paris to attend a perfume making class.

Meanwhile, in the sewers of Paris, a severed head is discovered, hinting at a potential serial killer

This reads like a love letter to Paris, detailing the city and its beauty. Kate’s fantasy visit, continues along side the suspenseful and sinister serial killing situation.

The writing perfectly balances the stories, the multiple POV’s and storylines. It was easy to follow, though I did struggle with the French names at first.

I listened to the audiobook at 1.75x but had to slow right down to catch those French names. The narrator captured all the accents perfectly and I especially liked her performance as Daniel’s aunt.

Depending on the POV of the chapter, the vibe alternated between Kate’s self discovery, Daniel’s love story and Agate’s crime investigation. The sub genre mashup added layers and dimension to the characters and the plot.

There’s a ‘whodunnit’ element (for me the reveal was ‘meh’) but no twist, so be aware of that.

Big fan of the epilogue which concluded the story and left a hopeful impression. An enjoyable thriller with an elegant, cozy vibe.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bolinda Audio for access to this audiobook ARC in exchange for my honest review

Right up my ruelle!

My goodness The Killing Sense had me riveted, which in itself is astounding as my heads full of fluff.

A brilliant crime thriller executed to perfection. We meet single mum Kate as she’s embarking on a dream trip to Paris to take a 5 day course studying perfume, even better is that she won the trip in a Facebook competition. Kate’s not had it easy. She’s fled an extremely abusive marriage, obtained a restraining order against her ex husband and has began to rebuild a life with her daughter Hannah. This trip is the perfect, well deserved treat - or is it?

Almost immediately she arrives in Paris she discovers her ex husband is also in the city. She can feel him watching and when she walks into the cafe where Agathe works and breaks down the pair strike up a bond. Agathe’s roommate is missing, and to add to the tension for the pair it seems there is a serial killer hunting readheads in the city. Being a redhead, does Kate have more to fear than her ex?!

As the story unwinds and gruesome discoveries are made You’ll be hooked. Jammed with twists and turns, a few little red herrings to throw you off the scent (sorry) the story flows brilliantly to a fabulous end. I particularly enjoyed the epilogue, it added a whole human connection that can sometimes be hard to get to in a thriller.

You’ll definitely want this on your 2025 list. They say the devil is in the detail and the detail in this title is fantastic, from the descriptions of the city, to the work in the perfumery,the knowledge of the underground waterways and sewage system, loads of fun readhead facts, the way the art speaks to you is second to none. There are references to Perfume-Story of a Murderer and the way the author has leaned in to the similarity while making it entirely its own story was quite astonishing.

Psychic threads indeed Sam Blake 😂 in the past week I’ve been yapping on about Perfume - story of a Murderer despite not having read it in about 20 years, I’ve spent ages pouring over a different Dalí, in a different city, and lots of other little crossovers that may spoiler. Bizarre.

The audio narration by Fenella Woolgar was fantastic, she flipped between accents with such ease, she added tension and anxiety to the story and complimented the writing beautifully.

All the stars 🌟
#Jorecommends

Huge thanks to Bolinda Audio via NetGalley for this ALC 🎧