A Deadly Vigilante Crime Thriller (Affair with Murder Book 1)

Stopped reading halfway through. The narrator was so corny and the entire scene with the geek in the library was hokey! Why the hell would you ask a complete stranger for murder sites in a library? Why is she so dumbstruck with computers in this day-in-age? It's not believable. Don't waste your money.

I was lucky to receive an advanced copy of Killing Katie by B A Spangler. Why lucky, well now I can add an author to my "favorite author list".

Killing Katie was full of twists and turns. I judge a book by how many OMG's I say while reading a novel. Trust me, that is why Killing Katie has earned a 5 star review

Interesting concept as a suburban mom goes off the deep end to become an antihero murderer, this Kindle Scout story was pretty interesting. I like stories like this, and Spangler has some great control over story, plot, and execution of the elements of story... For me, the major issue was that there were a lot of proofreading and editing errors that simply stood in the way of the communication of the piece. I don't think that this matters to many readers as much as it did for me, so I would definitely suggest you give it a shot for a great story.

In Killing Katie Brian Spangler has started what may well be the next great series. The protagonist is presented with all of her flaws as well as her strengths, though it may sometimes be difficult to know whether something is a flaw or a strength, or perhaps both.

The twists are unexpected for the most part with only a few minor ones being potentially expected. I did feel the story started a little slow but I also think it was necessary to set up the premise, especially being the first book in (I hope) a long series.

The idea of pulling for a murderer is just foreign enough to make reading the story a partially guilty pleasure. I think, though, by the end of the book we understand better how she came to be who she is and thus find it easier to pull for her.

I would highly recommend this to anyone who likes character driven mysteries or thrillers. For those who like a wide range of genres I think this book will also be appealing. Quick, read this book so you can be ready for book 2!

Reviewed from a copy made available via LibraryThing.

Wow! Once again Brian Spangler doesn't disappoint. This new book is a killer. (Pun intended!) This book engaged me from start to finish. It is different from his previous books - it is dark. A psychologist could spend years with the main character, Amy! Characters are developed - and I suspect further in the series they will continue to evolve even more deeply. As always, the story moves quickly. His writing lets me feel what the characters feel; only really good writers can achieve that. Great read!! Hope you enjoy it as much as I did. (And check out Superman's Cape (a tale of magic in the real world), Coffee and Tears (mystery and friendship where the good guys win!) and the Gray Skies books ( SciFi and an amazing premise!)). I love his writing!

I really enjoyed this book. It was really different and am only sorry I waited so long to read it. There are a couple twists I did not quite see coming which made it even better! I felt this story was well written and cannot wait for the next in the series, I felt the family dynamics and other relationships were very real world. The story reads as if everything in it can actually happen I didn't feel any thing was too far fetched or outlandish which makes it even better to me. It was very thought provoking for myself, however there were a couple scenes that I was a bit squeamish while reading. I just loved he book, I am not going to explain what the book is about you can read that for yourself in the description. I read and listen too many books and sometimes more than one at a time and this is a story that will stay with me and captures my interest. If you get this book you wont be disappointed it is very well written and a great beginning to a series.

Killing Katie (ebook)
By: B.A. Spangler
Published By: Kindle Press
Copy Courtesy of Librarything Member Giveaway
Reviewed By: tk

In this intense thriller you will meet a wonderful mother of two, and beautiful wife named Amy Sholes. She loves her family and her life, but something is missing. Through the years Amy has fantasized about killing her best friend. She has made all the intricate details to compliment her wanting to commit murder. She would never carry out the dirty deed, after all its her best friend. So if she won’t kill her best friend…who would she kill to finally fulfill her hearts desire. Did I mention her husband is a police officer?

A spectacular jaw dropping novel. I had many moments that a plot twist would throw me in another direction and leave me in awe of this imaginative author. Brian Spangler weaves a tale that is easy to follow and yet adds so many interesting surprises along the way you wonder how could one person possible bring so many variables in one story.

I agree with the age restrictions of 14 years old and up. This is a thriller in every sense.
A great addition to any library.

5/5

Sometimes, it's easy to think about the fantasy killing someone, but most people won't act on it. Amy's different; she even draws designs about killing her best friend, not that she ever would do that. However, the lust of killing seems a part of who she is. Will she or won't she actually live her fantasy?

I loved this book. The writing is good and has some nice poetic prose. It's easy to sympathize with Amy wanting to rid the world of evil people. It has some things I came to expect, but also others that were "ah ha" moments.

This book stands alone, but there's also a sequel.

The story begins slowly, with just enough rope to keep reeling you in, and then SNAP! You realize all the dominos are falling in all the wrong directions, that every action has a reaction and the results are gut-wrenching. It's a story that Hitchcock would have gleefully made into a movie, and someone should.

Sometimes, it's easy to think about the fantasy killing someone, but most people won't act on it. Amy's different; she even draws designs about killing her best friend, not that she ever would do that. However, the lust of killing seems a part of who she is. Will she or won't she actually live her fantasy?

I loved this book. The writing is good and has some nice poetic prose. It's easy to sympathize with Amy wanting to rid the world of evil people. It has some things I came to expect, but also others that were "ah ha" moments.

This book stands alone, but there's also a sequel.

The story begins slowly, with just enough rope to keep reeling you in, and then SNAP! You realize all the dominos are falling in all the wrong directions, that every action has a reaction and the results are gut-wrenching. It's a story that Hitchcock would have gleefully made into a movie, and someone should.

I was skeptical about the main character, a suburban mom intrigued with murderous thoughts and ambition. However twisted the plot is, the book is very engaging; I wanted more! Spangler’s writing style is so relatable—and natural “especially being male” (Please, no offense, it’s a compliment) I’m a fan. I just purchased the second ebook; the Painful Truth. I’m excited to continue the series.

I was more than a little disappointed with this book. It lacked the depth, suspense, and attention grabbing content that it promised. The plot idea is great and this could have been a masterpiece but I feel like it robbed me of hours of my life I can't get back. It started out promising then feels like the author's mind just wandered off somewhere along with the rest of this book. I'm considering giving a chance to the second book in this series, hoping the writer learned from this mistake.

Thoroughly shocking, murderously chilling and superbly written, Spangler's introduction to Amy Sholes is likely to make you not want to meet her . . . ever again. The bad woman married to good cop dynamic works immediately, whilst the imaginative addition of Amy's best friend, Katie, to the mix is an extra hook, should one be needed. I for one will not be attempting to wriggle free of Killing Katie until she's done.

Killing Katie: An Affair With Murder will be the definitive best-selling novel of the year! You won't be able to put this book down, so set aside some time to sit and enjoy your " Affair With Murder ".
Amy has learned a lot in her life and not always by choice. Now she'll have the opportunity to use those lessons to do what needs to be done. She's becoming the Robin Hood of justice for those to whom legal justice has been denied. I never thought I'd find Murder to be so satisfying!
I hate to think I might have missed out on this book, but I was fortunate enough to have B. A. Spangler ask me to read and review Killing Katie. I absolutely loved it and so will you!! I can't wait to read A Painful Truth: An Affair With Murder, Book #2.

I think we all have a fascination with murder, don't we? Look at the shows we love and watch. Criminal Minds, CSI, People vs. O.J. I read somewhere that juries are getting smarter by watching these shows. Killing Katie was a great book. What would happen if we acted on our instincts and committed murder? Would we go ahead with it? Would we love it? Would it ruin our lives? Loved this book. Totally fun and thought provoking at the same time. Recommend it.

I was interested in this book from the first page. The characters are great and the story keeps moving so there isn't a moment to stop. There is something about killer books that really keeps my attention. Suburban house wife/serial killer is a fascinating character to read by. I recommend this to you if you like things like Dexter.

Gifted copy for honest review.

I really enjoyed reading Killing Katie. This is the story about Amy and how she fantasizes about murder. Her husband is a police officer. The characters and story were great and full of surprises.

I found Killing Katie to be a refreshing twist on the murder mystery. The story is from the perspective of someone who wants to kill. I found Amy's motive to be believable, but I found her past situation with her mother to be a bit unbelievable and over-the-top. Also, i found the ending unsatisfying. Overall, I enjoyed the book and it offered a few surprising twists that kept me wanting to read!

Overall this was an enjoyable read, whilst seeming straightforward did throw several curveballs at me and kept me on my toes while it went, which helped keep the book fresh and made me look forward to picking it up each time I had an opportunity.

I did have some issues with it that probably dropped it a star though.

Primarily I spent most of the book finding the lead character's motives unbelievable. I just couldn't get behind the idea of a happily married, middle-class woman and mother of two harbouring secret desires to become a murderer for no discernible reason. It constantly pulled me out of the story. I am usually one to be able to suspend my disbelief, which you really have to to get the most out of lots of media, but I just couldn't find the ability to do so here, and it hampered my enjoyment quite a bit.

Also I felt it took too long to get going - although when it did I was totally hooked. The majority of the second half was fantastic as her plans come together and then inevitably start to unwind in a way she (or I) couldn't possibly imagine. Which was great.

Finally, it was clear that this was going to be part of a series, so it made the ending a tad unfulfilled. Things were either tied up into very neat (perhaps too conveniently neat) bows, or left as loose ends that I imagine will be cleared up in the next book in the series, which left me with a lot of questions. But I guess that's part of the territory when starting off a series rather than a self-contained vision.

But aside from these issues, I really enjoyed it. It was well written, the characters (aside from my reservations mentioned) were very believable and well formed, and the plot took some very unexpected and delightful turns along the way.

If you can suspend your disbelief as to the motives for this killer then this is a great thriller to go for. I shall be picking up the sequel to see where this goes next.

(Note: I was given this book in exchange for an honest review).

I was completely captivated by this book from start to finish. This is not the normal genre I read, and I was a little skeptical at first, but I decided to give it a shot because of the other great reviews. I love that Amy tells the story in this book. It really heightened the thrill and anticipation of what was coming next. I definitely recommend you give it a read.

Story was too farfetched. When all is finally brought together in end, it is too impossible to swallow. Spoiler - The "dark" mother in the background is controlling young ones in a very diabolic way. I was not impressed; in fact, several times I almost stopped reading since I could not "feel" for any of the characters. I was not drawn in as other authors do when I am reading.
Sorry, but I will not be reading Book 2 in the series.

Good read, but does anyone else see the similarity here? Seems very similar to and almost ripped off from Dexter-which by the way is the best show EVER! The secret urges, the "only kill those who deserve it", the inside track by being a cop's wife, etc.-all the same premise as the Showtime series Dexter. A little disappointed by that as it made the plot seem less original.

I was more than a little disappointed with this book. It lacked the depth, suspense, and attention grabbing content that it promised. The plot idea is great and this could have been a masterpiece but I feel like it robbed me of hours of my life I can't get back. It started out promising then feels like the author's mind just wandered off somewhere along with the rest of this book. I'm considering giving a chance to the second book in this series, hoping the writer learned from this mistake.