A review by ristretto
Killer Potential by Hannah Deitch

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

A straight A scholarship student, they told Evie that she was gifted, that she was destined for great things. But after graduating from a top university with a ton of debt Evie’s stuck as an SAT tutor for LA’s ultra wealthy. What starts out as a normal day ends with the unexpected murder of her student’s parents and the discovery of a woman tied up under the stairs. One thing leads to another and sets up circumstances that has the two women on the run. What exactly happened that day? If they figure out who the real killer is can they be exonerated or will they be forever on the run?

Killer Potential is adventurous and fast paced. Think of Thelma and Louise or Bonnie and Clyde but sapphic. The majority of the novel is fast paced and humorous and I really enjoyed the relationship between the two main characters. As Evie and her mysterious companion flee across the country and try to find out what exactly happened that day the tension and chances of being apprehended made it impossible to put down. But the last third slams the break on the pace that was established. And while that slower more reflective and poignant pace and tone was effective and brought an emotional weight, it really threw off the momentum. I thought the elements of falling through the cracks living on the fringe of society and the exploration of class were explored in an interesting way. The wistful and bittersweet feeling of those final chapters very much stayed with me. Despite some issues with pace I really enjoyed this debut novel and am eagerly anticipating what Hannah Deitch writes next. 

Thank you very much to NetGalley and the publisher. I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.