The Kill Clause
- Judith D Collins
- Dec 1
- 4 min read
A SHORT STORY
By: Lisa Unger
Narrator: Vivienne Leheny
Amazon Original Stories
ISBN: 978-1662526954
Publisher: Audible Originals
Publication Date: 12/01/2025
Format: audio & e-book
My Rating: 5 Stars
A hired killer finds herself caught between her conscience and her contract over the holidays in this riveting short thriller from New York Times bestselling author Lisa Unger.
A hit woman’s work doesn’t stop for the holidays. As the advent calendar winds down, Paige slips into a palatial house, ignoring a blizzard of texts from her ex-husband. No surprise—Julian always gets maudlin this time of year. The real shock comes when the target is not alone. His young daughter is there too.
Risking the wrath of her organization, Paige retreats. There are some lines that, for personal reasons, she just won’t cross. But when she returns on Christmas Eve to finish the job, the girl is still there…along with someone even more startling. As the ghosts of her past gather—to haunt or to help, it’s unclear—Paige must confront old traumas and outwit her superiors to make it to Christmas morning alive.
My Review
In Lisa Unger's captivating and suspenseful holiday thriller short story, THE KILL CLAUSE, the narrative unfolds around a woman who grapples with her own stringent moral code—a "kill clause" she has lived by until a fateful encounter changes everything.
About...
Santa & I have a lot in common.
~Breaking & entering.
~Special skills
~A list... Naughty or nice?
~We know when you are sleeping or awake.
BUT Santa comes to GIVE. I TAKE.
—Paige, hired assassin
As a hired assassin, Paige is about to eliminate her target, her assignment, when she is taken aback to find his four-year-old daughter present. The sight of the innocent child unearths painful echoes of her own traumatic past, compelling her to make a choice that defies her training and allegiance.
Job aborted. When she goes back to try again, thinking the daughter would be away with her mother on Christmas Eve, she remains.
As the story progresses, Paige finds herself not only on the run from her shadowy organization but also from the ghosts of her memories. What happens next is jaw-dropping and unexpected for Paige and readers. Each step away from danger intertwines with a desperate race against time, as she strives to reach the safety and survival of Christmas morning.
My thoughts...
Once again, Lisa Unger delivers a tantalizing holiday murder thriller that is both twisty and engaging, weaving a narrative rich with depth and emotion. In this compelling story, you find yourself not only sympathizing with the killer but also cheering for her unique moral code, which adds layers of complexity to the plot. The dialogue is laced with Unger's signature snark and wit, bringing a lively energy to the interactions between characters.
But the stakes are high, and Paige's journey is fraught with peril: a relentless blizzard rages around her, mirroring the turmoil within as she grapples with unresolved trauma and the betrayal at the heart of her relationship with Nora, her once-trusted boss, her ex-husband, and her current lover.
With uncertainty clouding her path, Paige must navigate a landscape riddled with unexpected challenges, maneuvering through a web of loyalty, fear, and the flickering hope for redemption.
I found myself completely captivated by the story, particularly Paige's poignant backstory. Her journey was deeply moving, filled with moments of vulnerability that highlighted her strength. At the same time, I felt a strong disdain for those who exploited her during her most fragile times, turning her struggles into their own advantage. A great ending.
The audiobook...
I recently indulged in the delightful experience of both the book and immersing myself in the audiobook, beautifully narrated by the exceptionally talented Vivienne Leheny. It was truly a captivating and entertaining escape, perfect for the holiday season!
I acquired both the e-book and the audiobook, and I owe a heartfelt thanks to Amazon Originals for providing me with an advanced reader copy through NetGalley in exchange for my honest reflections.
Recs..
If you enjoyed THE KILL CLAUSE, check out Lisa's Christmas Presents (I loved it) and own a hardcover copy (perfect for gift-giving). Be sure and add Lisa's upcoming thriller, Served Him Right (Mar 10, 2026) to your TBR list. (also 5 STARS).
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: Dec 01, 2025
From the Publisher
This is that special time of year when we sit back and wonder, “How am I going to make it through the holidays?” Of course, the stakes are a bit higher in bestselling author Lisa Unger’s dark and delightful holiday mini-thriller. Paige may be a hired killer, but she has her reasons for not finishing this particular job. Now she’s on the run, trying to survive until Christmas morning. If you’re looking for a great escape this holiday season, come ride along with Paige.
—Kjersti Egerdahl, Editor
About the Author
Photo Credit: Brian James
Lisa Unger is the New York Times bestselling author of The New Couple in 5B, Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six, Confessions on the 7:45, and many other novels. Her short fiction has won the ITW Thriller Award and appeared in the Best American Mystery and Suspense. Her nonfiction has appeared in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Travel + Leisure, as well as on NPR. WEBSITE
