A Killer Motive
- Judith D Collins
- Sep 9
- 7 min read
Narrators: Amy Hall, Mel Benjamin, Nick Thurston, Bernadette Dunne, Carol Schneider Harlequin Audio
ISBN: 9780778387671
Publisher: MIRA
Publication Date: 09/09/2025
Format: Other
My Rating: 5 Stars (ARC)
You never know who’s listening.
To Stella Dixon, sneaking her teenage brother out of their parents’ house for a beach party was harmless fun—until Max disappeared without a trace.
Six years later, Stella’s family is still broken, and she can’t let go of her guilt. The only thing that keeps her going is helping other families find closure through A Killer Motive, her true crime podcast.
In a bid to find new sponsors and keep making episodes, Stella goes on a local radio show. But when she says on air that if she had just one clue, she’d find Max and bring whoever hurt him to justice, someone takes it as a challenge.
A mysterious invitation to play a game arrives, with the promise that if Stella wins, she’ll get information about what happened to Max. Stella thinks it’s a sick joke…until Max’s best friend vanishes. And she’s given new instructions: tell nobody or people will die.
Desperate and unable to trust anyone, Stella agrees. But beating a twisted, invisible enemy seems impossible when they make all the rules…
My Review
Top Thrillers of 2025!
The queen of twisty plots and international bestselling author, Hannah Mary McKinnon, a beloved favorite among readers (myself at the top of the list), returns with her most gripping thriller to date, A KILLER MOTIVE.
This electrifying tale unfolds around a missing brother, a determined sister, relentless in her pursuit of the truth, and a chilling cold case crime podcast that pulls them deeper into a web of intrigue. At the heart of it all is a cunning villain who thrives on psychological manipulation and mind games.
This dynamic and enthralling thriller escalates with a tension that grips you and doesn't let go, propelling your heart into overdrive as you race through the pages, eager to uncover the identity of the mastermind behind it all.
Prepare yourself for a WILD roller coaster ride filled with unexpected twists, heart-stopping turns, and jaw-dropping shocks that will leave you reeling. Buckle up for a reading experience that will keep you awake long into the night!
What's it about...
Stella Dixon thought she was doing her younger brother Max a favor by sneaking him out of her strict parents' home for a beach party as he prepares to go off to college. There was a lot of drinking, and more. Max goes missing.
But now, six years later, her family is still grieving over a son and brother who has never been found. Stella is guilt-ridden and never stops looking.
She is using her crime podcast, A KILLER MOTIVE, to solve cold cases like her brother's. In an effort to continue the podcast with her best friend and find new sponsors, she is on a radio show, and a call-in guest challenges her after she says on air that if she only had one clue, she could find Max and bring whoever hurt him to justice.
The clues are spine-chilling, and the anonymous, creepy voice of Anwir. But when she begins to unravel the events of the night and Max's friend goes missing, she may be closer to finding her brother and the person behind the taunting voice if she can remain alive long enough. What are the connections? The motive?
Let the wicked twisty games begin.
My thoughts...
McKinnon masterfully cranks up the heat and tension in this intricately woven psychological thriller, a multi-layered game of cat and mouse that keeps you guessing at every turn.
The narrative is razor-sharp, filled with richly developed characters and vibrant descriptions that breathe life into an atmospheric setting, leaving you immersed in its depth. The enigmatic narrator skillfully toys with your perceptions, instilling an unsettling sense of suspicion and doubt regarding each character. In this world, trust is a luxury you can’t afford.
The podcast enhances the suspense and mystery, bringing an electrifying energy to the back-and-forth exchanges. The narrator’s provocative voice keeps you on edge as it raises chilling questions: Are the victims truly held captive? What drives the motives behind such dark deeds? And who is the mastermind pulling the strings in this treacherous game?
Themes of betrayal, guilt, and deep-seated secrets intertwine with the bonds of sisterhood and family, all swirling in a storm of lies and the survival instinct. It poses a haunting question: what constitutes the perfect murder? Is it one that the perpetrator escapes without a trace, or one that is meticulously crafted to frame another, leading the authorities to close the file on a once-cold case?
As a long-time, devoted admirer of the author, whose works I have eagerly devoured, I found myself utterly captivated by this brilliantly woven thriller. In this enthralling narrative, Hannah masterfully intertwines the past and present, creating a gripping tale that draws readers in with every turn of the page.
At the heart of it all is the mesmerizing character of Stella, who captures not only the essence of the story but also the hearts of those fortunate enough to journey with her. Her challenges and triumphs spark an intense connection, evoking a fierce loyalty that leaves us longing for more. One can only hope that a sequel is on the horizon!
Other...
I truly appreciated the Author's Note, as it provided valuable insights into the creative process behind the book. Additionally, the supplementary reading resources offer a wealth of information that will deepen your understanding and discussion. The Reading Group Guide is particularly engaging, featuring thought-provoking questions that will elevate any book club experience and foster rich conversations about the themes and characters. This selection is sure to spark curiosity, as you delve into its layers!
My Recs...
A KILLER MOTIVE is an engaging title for fans of the author and those who appreciate well-crafted psychological thrillers within the crime genre. It is particularly suited for fans of established authors such as Chevy Stevens, Lisa Unger,Ruth Ware, Mary Kubica, Kate Alice Marshall, Ashley Elston, Lisa Jewell, Samantha Downing, Robyn Harding, and Stacy Willingham, as it embodies narrative elements and thematic characteristics that resonate with this audience and true crime fans.
Special thanks to the author, MIRA, and NetGalley for providing an advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Sept 9, 2025
My Rating: 5 Stars +
Top Thrillers of 2025
Praise
“Hannah Mary McKinnon is back with A Killer Motive, a whip smart cat-and-mouse game, where good and bad are turned inside out. This one has everything, the characters, plot, and pacing are all on point. I dare you to put it down!”
—Samantha Downing, internationally bestselling author of My Lovely Wife
“A world-class whodunit that has everything a thriller lover is looking for: a killer premise, an earth-shattering crime, a true-crime podcaster with everything to lose, a cast of shady characters, and twists around every corner. My fingers are singed from flying through the pages. Readers are in for a spine-tingling treat!”
—Heather Gudenkauf, New York Times bestselling author of The Overnight Guest and The Perfect Hosts
“A deliciously thrilling page-turner about a podcast host's dark past and the disappearance of her brother. A Killer Motive is sharp, fast-paced, and kept me reading long into the night.”
—Lauren Ling Brown, USA Today Bestselling author of Society of Lies
“Reminiscent of Ruth Ware and Lucy Foley, A Killer Motive pulls true crime podcaster Stella Dixon—and the reader right alongside—into a deadly game orchestrated by a manipulative stranger with chilling answers about her missing brother. A twisty, compulsive, heart-pounding read!”
—Daniel Kalla, bestselling author of High Society
“A Killer Motive is a deadly cat and mouse thriller with a singularly cruel villain and layers of secrets. Hannah Mary McKinnon’s latest is a twisted page-tuner that will keep readers guessing.” —Robyn Harding, internationally bestselling author of The Drowning Woman
“A Killer Motive is my kind of book: harrowing, believable, and steeped in emotion. This is more than just an entertaining thriller; this is a thought-provoking story that will force you to question how far you’d go to discover the truth.”
—Carter Wilson, USA Today bestselling author of Tell Me What You Did
“A Killer Motive kept my heart pounding page after page. Gripping, twisty, and unpredictable, it is undoubtedly her best book yet. If you want a stay-up-all-night thriller, read this book.”
—Sydney Leigh, author of Peril in Pink
“With A Killer Motive, Hannah Mary McKinnon delivers a tightly paced thriller and clever mystery that will keep you guessing until the end. Shifting points of view keep reader tensions high, and McKinnon doesn’t waste a beat in her engrossing plot. The perfect novel for true-crime fans!”
—Laurah Norton, author of Lay Them to Rest and host of The Fall Line: True Crime and One Strange Thing
“Gripping from the get-go, A Killer Motive takes you hostage. Expertly weaving intrigue and suspense, Hannah Mary McKinnon plunges the reader into a story of guilt and redemption; unrelenting with heart-pounding tension and emotional depth. A must-read psychological thriller.”
—Rick Mofina, USA TODAY, Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, bestselling author
"Packed full of twists and tension, A Killer Motive consumed me until I'd turned the last page. The ending packs a wallop, and you won't see it coming!"
—Sarah Pekkanen, #1 New York Times bestselling author
“Reminiscent of Ruth Ware and Lucy Foley, A Killer Motive pulls true crime podcaster Stella Dixon—and the reader right alongside—into a deadly game… A twisty, compulsive, heart-pounding read!”
—Daniel Kalla, bestselling author of High Society
About the Author
Internationally bestselling author Hannah Mary McKinnon was born in the UK, grew up in Switzerland and moved to Canada in 2010. Her seven suspense novels include NEVER COMING HOME, THE REVENGE LIST, and ONLY ONE SURVIVES, and her work has been optioned for the screen. She also writes holiday romantic comedies as Holly Cassidy. Hannah Mary lives in Oakville, Ontario, Canada with her husband and three sons. You’ll find her on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Threads as @hannahmarymckinnon, and please visit www.hannahmarymckinnon.com for more.
