Reviews

The Killing Game by Kate Bold

toodled_o's review against another edition

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adventurous dark hopeful mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Nothing that special but it was fast paced and easy to understand. I agree with some of the reviews here that it can quiet get very repeating and was kind of predictinlem but maybe that's what's so special about it. We the readers expect a plot twist but we didn't get that this jot predictible. I just enjoyed the part of getting to the end other than the end cause you'll eventually have some idea of the ending but not a lot of times on how they get there. 

curbycris's review against another edition

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dark tense fast-paced

3.0

I started with Spotify audiobook. The male narration with the female lead character didn’t mix well for me. Switched over to reading and it flowed much better. Just seemed like an unrealistic book. I needed to finish the book though so it does keep you hooked.

nixerix's review against another edition

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4.0

3.5 stars (rounded up to 4). This is my first read from Kate Bold and I was impressed by how fast paced and action packed this was. Not to mention that I think Deputy Marshal Alexa Chase is a welcomed addition to a genre that can sometimes be oversaturated with very bland characters. I love her partnership with FBI agent Stuart Barrett who compliments her character well. I find it refreshing that a man and a woman can simply have a good working relationship without it automatically turning into romance.

I love that there's very little filler or time wasted and that it's an adventure from start to finish. Switching POVs between Alexa and the killer was done well and I always enjoy when a killer's POV is included. There is little suspense or guesswork here as it is more of an action detective novel, but I was still engaged throughout as I tried to keep up with the action. This is a fairly quick read and I devoured it!

My interest is piqued enough that I'm going to continue on with this series. I would definitely recommend this if you are a fan of detective novels with strong leads and plenty of action.

eloquentbirb's review against another edition

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mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I like the concept but the execution was lackluster. I never really felt the villain's alleged obsession with the main character, it was just something repeatedly told.

The main character's darker side is intriguing, but unfortunately I'm not sold on the series.

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cmhknitz's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

2.0

naomijc's review against another edition

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3.0

Listening to "The Killing Game" by Kate Bold as an audiobook turned out to be a less-than-ideal experience for me, primarily due to the characterization of the voices, which I found mismatched. The voices, despite being a woman's, were described as too manly, creating a dissonance that detracted from the overall enjoyment of the narrative.

However, looking beyond the audiobook experience, the story itself presented a compelling narrative. The protagonist, a strong-willed woman determined to prove herself despite societal expectations, added depth and relatability to the plot. Her journey to assert her capabilities against external skepticism formed a solid foundation for the narrative.

One aspect I wished the story delved deeper into was the exploration of the protagonist's previous cases. A more detailed exploration of how she immersed herself in the minds of antagonists, throwing herself wholeheartedly into the psychological aspects of criminal profiling, could have added an intriguing layer to the character and the overall plot. Learning more about her experiences and the challenges she faced in embodying the mindset of those she sought to capture could have provided valuable insights into her character development.

In summary, while the audiobook experience may have presented challenges with character voices, the underlying storyline of "The Killing Game" showcased a resilient and determined protagonist. Exploring the protagonist's past cases in greater detail could have enriched the narrative, offering readers a more comprehensive understanding of her skills and the complexities of her role in criminal profiling.

debyik's review against another edition

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4.0

A fast-paced psychological thriller following U.S. Marshall Alexa Chase. There are multiple POVs (Alexa, Stuart, the FBI Agent she is working with, and the Serial Killer) and I love that we get to see the perspective from the antagonist's point of view as that is not typical. A lot of the characters seemed on the extreme side of their stereotype but it wasn’t too over the top and I was able to get past it as the story progressed.

The ending was a bit rushed. Everything that happened was great and fit well with the story, it just felt like it got wrapped up a little too quickly. I guess that is better than having it drag out.

It was very entertaining and a nice break from some of the romance and fantasy books I have been reading.

Rounded up from 3.5 stars

hannahtaj's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

i was looking for a book to listen to to opt out of listening to a podcast. i stumbled across this book and saw it was around 6-7 hours long (also shout out to spotify premium audiobooks). it was overall a good listen and good book overall. i wish i would have known that it was listed as a free read under prime reading because i would have read it instead. i would have enjoyed it more probably reading than listening. 

if you’re looking for a quick listen, and are looking for some suspense, this is a good one. 

shannonlar's review

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Terrible writing and narrator. Not at all engaging. 

thereadrose's review against another edition

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2.0

Honestly, I’ve already forgotten this book.