Kill for Me Kill for You

Kill for Me, Kill for You by Steve Cavanagh is the kind of thriller that makes you want to keep reading way into the night. The premise is unique and clever. It starts with two strangers who meet by chance and end up agreeing to kill someone for the other, no connection, no evidence. What could possibly go wrong?

This book is twisty in the best way. Every time I thought I had it figured out, it threw me in a completely different direction. It's dark, fast-paced, and a little bit addictive. If you like thrillers that keep you guessing, give this one a try.

Two ordinary women make a deadly pact to take revenge for each other after being pushed to the brink in this "unguessable and unputdownable" (Alex Michaelides, #1 New York Times bestselling author) psychological thriller, perfect for fans of Gillian Flynn and Alfred Hitchcock.

One dark evening on New York City's Upper West Side, two strangers meet by chance. Over drinks, Amanda and Wendy realize they have much in common, including an intense desire for revenge against the men who destroyed their families. As they talk into the night, they come up with the perfect plan: if you kill for me, I'll kill for you.

In another part of the city, Ruth is home alone when the beautiful brownstone she shares with her husband, Scott, is invaded. She's attacked by a man with piercing blue eyes, who disappears into the night. Will she ever be able to feel safe again while the blue-eyed stranger is out there?

From the publisher

Simon & Schuster/Atria Books | Jan 7, 2025 | 352 pages | ISBN:9781668049358 | Psychological Thriller

1. Amanda's one thing for revenge after losing her family. Do you think that seeking revenge makes her stronger, or does it prevent her from healing? If you were in Amanda's position, would you make the same choice? Would you choose a different path?

2. Amanda receives special treatment from the police due to her losses, similar to how Crone benefits from his power and money. Should we make exceptions for people in the justice system based on their situations, or must the law always be fair and equal for everyone?

3. Ruth survives a frightening attack but eventually becomes a killer. Is it possible to understand or forgive her actions due to her trauma, or should she be held entirely accountable for what she does?

4. Ruth and others believe violent criminals can't change, but the story shows how trauma can affect regular people, too. Do you believe people who commit violence can change? What makes you feel that way?

5. Scott wants to protect; his actions sometimes become violent. Do you view his behavior as loving and brave, or as dangerous and selfish? Should people go to great lengths for those they care about, or are there limits to what they should do?

6. Detective Farrow really takes his cases to heart-you can tell he carries the pain of the victims and their families with him. It makes him a better detective in some ways, but it also makes you wonder... can caring too much cloud your judgment? Should detectives keep some emotional distance, or is it actually better when they're fully invested?

7. The book really makes them about how the justice system seems to work better for the wealthy-Crone pretty much walks away without facing any real consequences. Is the story right to call that out, or is there more to why the system works the way it does? And if it really is that unfair, should regular people ever take justice into their own hands?

8. The relationship between Amanda and Wendy/Naomi is rooted in their shared grief and a quest for revenge. Do you think their bond was a true friendship, or was it more of a manipulative arrangement? How did your perspective on their connection shift as the story unfolded and more about Wendy's character was revealed?

9. The "murder swap" refers to the main agreement between Amanda and Wendy. Why do you think Amanda agreed to such an extreme and immoral plan? What does this show about her deep feelings of grief? On the other hand, what does Wendy's role in planning this from the beginning reveal about her true motives and character?

10. Which character did you find most compelling, and why?

11. How does the novel explore themes of revenge, grief, and the lengths people will go to for justice?

12. What are your thoughts on the ending? Did it satisfy you, or did you find it ambiguous or unsettling?

Book Club Talking Points:
Kill for Me, Kill for You would be an excellent pick for a book club because there's so much to talk about. It's got twists you won't see coming, characters you're not sure you can trust, and big questions about justice and what's right or wrong. Everyone's going to have their own take on who did the right thing and whether the ending was fair, so it's one of those books that could spark a really lively discussion.

"A deeply twisted, totally brilliant Hitchcockian thriller. Unguessable and unputdownable, Kill for Me, Kill for You is one of the most ingenuous thrillers I've read in a long time."-Alex Michaelides , #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Silent Patient

"From a master storyteller comes an explosive revenge tale that's never less than first class. Kill For Me, Kill For You by Steve Cavanagh is smart, stylish and fearless-the ultimate treat for crime fiction fans. Expect an intriguing cast and a plot full of surprises as it leaves Strangers on a Train trembling in its wake. Five breathless stars." -Janice Hallett, internationally bestselling author of The Appeal

"Steve Cavanagh's twists hit you between the eyes. You never see them coming." -Anthony Horowitz, New York Times bestselling author of Magpie Murders

"A sophisticated, emotionally complex thriller for the discerning suspense reader, with characters who drive you across 350 hold-your-breath pages and into a showstopping finale." -A.J. Finn, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Woman in the Window

"Explosive, game-changing reveals that, combined with an uncommon attunement to the central characters' emotional arcs, make for a wild, deliciously satisfying ride." -Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

"Fresh and original." -Booklist

"A brilliant, twisty, ingeniously constructed puzzle of a book. Steve Cavanagh pulls off an enviable premise with panache."-Ruth Ware, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"Wickedly clever."-New York Times Book Review

"For readers drawn to white-knuckle plots and unpredictable twists, this one won't disappoint." -Harper's Bazaar

"Twisty...full of surprises." -The New York Times