Somebody Worth Killing

 

Mommy tracked.

By her assassin agency.

An assassin who only kills bad guys AND is a devoted mom? I was sold on page one. In Somebody Worth Killing by Jessica Payne, Nadia Davis is a devoted mom, loving wife, and a hired assassin who only takes out certified bad guys.  She’s got a code, a handler, and a school pickup schedule to juggle.

When Nadia discovers she’s been sidelined for bigger jobs because she’s a mom, she pushes back and demands a real assignment. What she gets is a mark she never saw coming. It's her own husband. 

The premise alone had me in. It delivered. Nadia is a genuinely great character. She's a devoted, loving mom who also happens to be a psychopath, and she knows it. The humor is woven in naturally, and the pacing builds steadily without feeling rushed.

My one complaint: the early chapters repeat Nadia’s backstory a few too many times. Once the plot really kicks in, though, I was hooked and didn’t want to put it down.

This is the perfect popcorn thriller. It's light on the darkness, heavy on the fun. Think Finlay Donovan vibes with a dash of Dexter. If you want something entertaining without needing a true crime recovery period after, this is your book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to Berkley Publishing for the gifted ARC! Somebody Worth Killing publishes June 16th.

If you enjoyed this review, you may be interested in A Sociopath's Guide to Murder.

About the Author

Jessica Payne lives in Washington State with her daughter and husband and an internet search history that would raise eyebrows. A firm believer in strong coffee and stronger women, she writes about mothers who know how to handle a sniper rifle and a carpool schedule with equal precision. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her trail running through the forests of the Pacific Northwest as she plots her next fictional murder. She is the creator of the Substack community One Tired Mother.