Zee David does a fantastic job in writing this book, it had that element that I was hoping for and enjoyed from this type of book. The characters were everything that I was hoping for and enjoyed in this type of book. I was invested in what was happening in the world and the characters.

I hadn't heard of this author before seeing this book on NetGalley, so I wasn't too sure of what to expect of their work.
Going in with no expectations always makes it easier to be pleasantly surprised. And that I was.

The pacing of the book was great. There were SOME slower moments / chapters, but that is to be expected with any book.
The storyline was fairly unique to me.
The character development was good.
And there were some twists I didn't see coming, which is what I'd hope for with this genre.

Would definitely read others by this author!

dnf about 30% through. writing was very juvenile and things moved on too quickly. there was never enough tone setting. Characters didn’t seem realistic.

Good thriller definitely has some twist and turns. Some I did see coming and some I did not! Great read!

A quick read, but just fell flat. It had so much potential and for me it, it lacked development. I'm all for a fast paced thriller, but this would've benefited from more of the story and characters to create more of an atmosphere for the plot.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC!

Emma has just relocated to start anew with her ailing mother and has taken on an intriguing project as a ghostwriter. She’s working on a book that serves as a diary of a serial killer, written for Nick, a doctor from England. However, things take a dark turn when the murder of Emma’s sister starts to intertwine with the narrative. What is real, and what is simply fiction?
This novel is a twisty, dark mystery that takes readers on an exhilarating journey! With its shifting narratives and timelines, you’ll find yourself questioning the truth right up until the very last page. Despite its brevity, the story is packed with plot.

If you enjoy thrillers and mysteries, this book is definitely worth checking out. However, be warned: it has a dark tone, and the characters are somewhat unlikable. While there's not an abundance of gore, the descriptions are vivid and emotionally charged. If that’s not your cup of tea, you might want to skip this one.
I particularly appreciated the convoluted nature of the story and how the timelines and perspectives shifted throughout. This added significant depth to the plot. I enjoyed both the beginning and the conclusion, and I’ll definitely be recommending this to my fellow thriller and mystery enthusiasts!

The Killer She Knew is everything that is advertised, but also so much more murdery and dark!

Emma has just moved to start fresh with her sick mother, and as a ghost writer started a new and exciting project. A book that is a diary of a serial killer which she is writing for Nick, a doctor from England. But things start to go off the rails when Emma's sisters murder starts to become pertinent to the story. What is fact and what is merely fiction?

This was a twisty, turny dark mystery that takes you on an absolute journey! Bouncing between narratives and timelines, you question the truth right up until the very end. For such a short novel there was so much plot!

If you enjoy thrillers and mystery then you should really check out this story. It is dark though and the characters are slightly abhorrent. While there is not a lot of gore, it is descriptive and emotional. So if you do not like this type of story then I suggest you do not pick this one up because you will not enjoy it.

I really liked how convuluted this story was and how the timeline and POVs skipped around. There was a lot of depth to the plot because of it. I enjoyed how the story started and how it ended. I will definitely be telling my thriller and mystery lovers about this one!

This was unexpectly very great, It grips me from the start, and I did not see the end coming at all..

Would recommend to my friends.

This was a DNF. There was potential but I just never felt connected to the story. Plot lines felt a little rushed, just too many twists by the end.

I really enjoyed this book. Zee David did an excellent job with the characters and laying out the plot. I couldn't put it down from the first page. I think it was well written, and I can't wait for more from this author. I highly recommend this one.

Thank you Net Galley ARC and Victory Editing.

When I first started The Killer She Knew, I thought I was diving into a straightforward thriller, but what I found was a deeply layered story that combines suspense, psychological drama, and emotional depth. The novel follows Emma, a ghostwriter grappling with the loss of her sister Zoe, whose tragic death has left unresolved grief and tension in Emma's relationship with her ailing mother.

Emma’s life takes a chilling turn when she begins working with Nicholas, an enigmatic writer whose story of a serial killer seems disturbingly tied to Emma’s own past. As Emma digs deeper, the line between fiction and reality blurs, unraveling secrets that force her to confront truths she’s tried to bury.

The suspense is palpable throughout, with unexpected twists that kept me hooked. Emma's inner turmoil and her quest for closure add a poignant dimension, making this more than just a typical mystery. Nicholas, with his cryptic personality, is equally compelling, keeping you constantly questioning his intentions. The supporting characters, particularly Mia, offer moments of lightness and balance that contrast the darker undertones.

Zee David’s writing style is sharp and immersive, seamlessly blending psychological tension with intricate character dynamics. The pacing is well-executed, though at times the plot jumps between events a bit abruptly. Despite this, the narrative’s twists and turns kept me guessing until the very end.

For fans of psychological thrillers with emotional depth and plenty of surprises, The Killer She Knew is an excellent pick. It’s a gripping debut that will leave you eagerly awaiting Zee David’s next work. Highly recommended!

2.5/5 rounded up.

I found this so lackluster and it had such potential to be so nail-bitingly suspenseful and good.

This story follows a ghostwriter who is dealing with murder of her sister. But at the same time, another writer moves into her house (and that just sounds suspicious to me). Do you see how much potential is here?? So much!

But this was so lackluster. I think part of the problem was how short this is, there's not enough time for much development to happen or for suspense to properly build up. And the ending was not satisfying. When I had finished it I just thought "okay." And that is not how a mystery/thriller should have you feeling by the end.

Thanks to NetGallry for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! My Goodreads review is up and my TikTok (Zoe_Lipman) review will be up at the end of the month with my monthly reading wrap-up.

The Killer She Knew by Zee David is a suspenseful and gripping mystery that kept me hooked from start to finish. The story follows Emma, a ghostwriter seeking a fresh start while caring for her ailing mother, as she becomes enmeshed in the chilling mystery of her sister’s murder. The narrative takes an intriguing turn when Emma begins ghostwriting a fictional novel based on the diary of a serial killer, blurring the lines between fiction and reality.

The twists in this book are expertly crafted. While I guessed parts of the ending midway, there were still plenty of surprises that kept me on my toes. Zee David weaves a complex tale of secrets, lies, and unexpected alliances, making this more than just a standard whodunit.

Emma’s character is compelling—her determination to uncover the truth while facing her own past is both relatable and admirable. Nick’s mysterious presence adds another layer of intrigue, as his connection to the project unfolds.
With its eerie atmosphere, unpredictable twists, and engaging characters, The Killer She Knew is a good-read for fans of psychological thrillers. I enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone looking for a thought-provoking, suspense-filled mystery.

I enjoyed the story. The title drew me in. I enjoyed the twists and was engaged in the plot. The characters fell a little flat at times but I enjoyed the story.

i hate giving one star reviews to arcs but this was such a frustrating read as a thriller fan.

predictability is truly the death of a thriller book and the writer made it so that everything was drawn out at the start so you could guess what would happen and then started adding twist after twist which were all just incredibly ridiculous and badly written and not even fully fleshed out.

i also had trouble connecting with all of the characters, none of them seemed realistic to me + their character plotlines were all so rushed and there was no real chance to properly understand them and the sudden dual pov's just seemed unnecessary.

overall it was just quite tropey and a dull read that could have been good but lacked the effort needed for that.

thank you netgalley for the arc.

This novel grabs you from the start with a tragedy that sets a suspenseful tone. The introduction of a mysterious and eccentric writer adds to the intrigue.

While the plot raises several questions that kept me curious, it occasionally jumped too quickly from one event to another, making it hard to keep track of everything.

About halfway through, a shocking twist had me wondering what was happening—this is what I love about a good story. In part two, we revisit the past, and the character’s perspective feels authentic and consistent. I wish there were more chapters focused on him.

The chapters about Zoe and Emma could have been moved earlier to build suspense, while Mia’s point of view felt unexpected, and Kathy seemed inconsistent later on. I enjoyed Mia's humor, although it felt a bit out of place given the serious context.

The author’s character descriptions were concise yet effective. Overall, the final chapters were tense and full of surprises, keeping me guessing until the end!

A quick and easy read that hooked me right in and didn't let me go until I finished a couple of hours later. I really enjoyed it and was on the edge of my seat at times

Ghostwriter Emma has moved to Jope Town after inheriting a house from her father. Her unwell mother, who Emma has a fractured relationship with, also lives with her and she has a carer Mia. We learn from the off of the murder of Emma’s sister Zoe ten years earlier. Nick is the author Emma is going to be writing for, his story he calls ‘A Diary Of Murders’ about a murderer who got away with gruesomely killing three women. Emma has invited Nick to stay in the house while they work on the book, but she begins to question the lines between reality and fiction.

This was a relatively short book (170 pages) so ideal for a quick read. It definitely pulls you in from the start however I found parts confusing and not so easy to follow. I would definitely be interested reading more from this author.