Release date: September 9, 2025
Publisher: MIRA
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Synopsis:
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…
Review:
A Killer Motive by Hannah Mary McKinnon is a gripping cat and mouse thriller that will keep you hooked from start to finish. The story follows Stella, a true crime podcast host whose life has been defined by the disappearance of her brother six years ago. Blaming herself for his vanishing, she has channeled her grief into her podcast, exploring unsolved cases—but nothing prepares her for the chilling turn her own life takes when an unknown figure claims to have information about her brother.
The novel builds slowly at first, immersing you in Stella’s world and her emotional weight, but once the second half kicks in, the pace accelerates, and the tension becomes almost unbearable. McKinnon’s plotting is masterful, with reveals both big and small that keep you guessing. The suspense is perfectly balanced with Stella’s personal grief, making her journey feel both thrilling and heartbreakingly human.
I found myself biting my nails and racing through the pages, desperate to see what would happen next. A Killer Motive is addictive, compelling, and perfect for fans of true crime, psychological thrillers, and edge of your seat suspense. Highly recommended if you love a story that combines emotional depth with relentless tension.
Overall rating: 5/5
Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.
Novelgossip 