When I Kill You
- Judith D Collins
- Jan 29
- 6 min read
By: B.A. Paris
Narrator: Georgia Maguire
ISBN: 978-1250289445
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication Date: 02/17/2026
Format: Other
My Rating: 5 Stars (ARC) (ALC)
The multimillion-copy and New York Times bestseller B. A. Paris returns with a triumphant, unsettling new suspense novel.
Who is watching Nell Masters?
Nell Masters is certain someone is following her. The hairs on the back of her neck rise when she travels to and from work, there are silent calls to her office, and a huge bouquet of flowers arrives without a card. And Nell has a reason to be looking over her shoulder, because she has a secret that she’s hiding from everyone in her life, including her new partner, Alex. But Alex also has secrets of his own.
Fourteen years earlier, when Nell went by the name Elle Nugent, she witnessed a student, Bryony Sanders, getting into a stranger’s car. When Bryony was found murdered, Elle became obsessed with finding the person responsible. She was convinced she knew who it was and her fixation with Brett Parker, the man she accused, led her down a dangerous path . . .
Now, Nell tries to convince herself that this unnerving feeling of being watched is all in her mind. Has someone from her past discovered her new identity? Has the stalker become the stalked? Or is there something even more deadly at play?
My Review
WHEN I KILL YOU by B. A. Paris is a deeply layered and gripping psychological thriller that immerses readers in the unsettling world of Nell Masters. As she grapples with the shadows of her past, Nell finds herself the target of a relentless stalker, threatening the fragile peace she has built in her new life.
Fourteen years have passed since she was a witness to the brutal murder of a fellow student whom she saw getting into a car with a stranger earlier. She was a witness to the traumatic event that ignited an all-consuming obsession with the enigmatic suspect.
As this fixation resurfaces, it endangers not only her newfound stability but also her cherished relationship with Alex, forcing Nell to confront the haunting echoes of her history while navigating the perilous present.
The tension mounts as her past and present collide in a chilling narrative that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.
Highlights....
Dual Timelines:
The story alternates between the present-day stalking of Nell and the past, where she was known as Elle and obsessed over a murder suspect.
The Stalker's Perspective:
Interspersed with the main narrative are notes from an unknown person who is following Nell and planning to kill her.
A Secret Past:
Nell has hidden her identity and past actions from everyone, including her new partner, Alex, who also has secrets.
Escalating Tension:
Nell faces silent phone calls, strange occurrences, and receives unexpected, large bouquets, suggesting the danger is closing in.
Unreliable Narrator:
The story heavily features psychological manipulation, making it unclear if Nell is genuinely in danger or experiencing paranoia.
My thoughts...
As a dedicated, long-time admirer of Paris and a fervent reader of her captivating works, I have delved into every one of her novels and even showcased her on my blog through the #AuthorElevatorSeries. She excels in crafting unsettling narratives filled with unreliable characters and masterful misdirection.
The atmosphere she creates is thick with tension, immersing readers in the deeply unsettling experience of the protagonist, Nell, who increasingly feels the chilling sensation of being watched. The themes of distrust and paranoia permeate the pages, building an overwhelming sense of fear that grips the reader's heart. The claustrophobic nature of Nell's reality is magnified by the stalker's eerie notebook entries, which evoke a spine-tingling dread, compelling you to turn the pages with bated breath as the story spirals ever deeper into darkness.
The story is cleverly told through three distinct lenses:
~Nell (Present): Her descent into paranoia and fear for her life.
~Elle (Past): Her obsessive and self-destructive investigation into Bryony's murder.
~The Stalker: Chilling notebook entries from the person watching Nell, each ending with the phrase "When I kill you".
The novel centers on the idea that the stalker has become the stalked, with the narrative exploring whether her past has finally caught up with her. Built on a dual-timeline structure that explores themes of obsession, guilt, and stalking.
Secrets and suspicions abound, with both Nell and Alex hiding dark secrets from one another. Suspicion also falls on Alex when it is revealed that his two previous girlfriends died under mysterious circumstances, which adds to the list of suspects.
The unexpected plot shifts in both the past and present timelines with multi-layered elements that gradually uncovers how past obsession connects to its current reality. The slow-burning simmers with tension, keeping readers racing toward the ending.
WHEN I KILL YOU explores themes of paranoia, past trauma, and hidden identities, with the narrative heavily utilizing dual timelines.
B.A. Paris explores her signature brand of psychological unease, focusing on how a single traumatic event can ripple through a person's life for decades.
Themes:
~The Weight of the Past
~Obsession and Its Consequences
~Identity and Reinvention
~The Fragility of Trust
~Paranoia vs. Reality
~Social Media and True-Crime Culture
The title is deeply literal, serving as the "creepy punctuation" that drives the novel's psychological suspense, taken directly from a series of ominous notebook entries interspersed throughout the novel. The entries provide a third perspective from the person watching the protagonist, and every single one chillingly ends with the phrase "When I kill you".
The title signifies the predator's absolute certainty. It isn't a vague threat; it’s a countdown to an inevitable event, building a sense of inescapable dread for the reader. I enjoyed the inspiration behind the book (People Magazine feature).
The audiobook...
The audiobook experience was truly delightful. I had the pleasure of diving into the story and listening to the audiobook, masterfully narrated by the incredibly talented Georgia Maguire, which elevated it to another level. Her voice wove a spell around the narrative, infusing it with a rich tapestry of emotions that resonated deeply. Every inflection and cadence in her performance skillfully unveiled the intricate layers of suspense and nuance, holding my attention with a magnetic pull. It was a truly captivating listening journey that transcended the ordinary!
Recs...
Readers who enjoy B.A. Paris's style, characterized by psychological suspense, domestic settings, and unexpected twists, would enjoy books by Shari Lapena, Lisa Jewell, Liv Constantine, Mary Kubica, Alice Feeney, and Freida McFadden.
If you enjoyed the long-held secrets, escalating paranoia, and shocking betrayal in B.A. Paris's "When I Kill You," you will enjoy these similar psychological thrillers known for their twists and domestic suspense.
~Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris (a must-read)
~The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine
~My Lovely Wife by Samantha Downing
~The Couple Next Door, Shari Lapena
~The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
~And Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell
Special thanks to Macmillan Audio, St Martin's Press, and NetGalley for graciously sharing an advanced listening and reading copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Feb 17, 2026
My Rating: 5 Stars
Praise
A February 2026 LibraryReads Pick (Hall of Fame)
One of Woman’s World’s “Books Everyone Will Be Talking About in 2026”
“Unexpected plot twists, in both the past and the present, keep the tension high and the pages turning.”
―Kirkus Reviews
“This satisfyingly creepy novel is a solid addition to Paris’s collection of nail-biters, including Behind Closed Doors and The Guest.”
―Library Journal
“Nell’s flawed relatability will pull readers into her fight for resolution and survival as Paris seamlessly weaves dual timelines of Nell’s past obsession and current threats with her stalker’s chilling commentary.”
―Booklist
About the Author
B.A. Paris is the New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author of seven novels including the word-of-mouth hit, Behind Closed Doors, and her latest thriller, The Guest.
Over 7 million editions of her work have been sold worldwide and her books have been translated into 41 languages. Her novel, The Breakdown, has been adapted for film under the title Blackwater Lane and her thriller, The Therapist, is currently in development for the big screen.
Before becoming an author, B.A. Paris, who spent most of her adult life living in France, worked in finance as a trader before retraining as an English teacher. She and her husband then ran a language school together whilst bringing up their five daughters. Today, she writes from her cottage in Hampshire, England.
Sign up to her newsletter or follow B.A. on social media @baparisauthor
