Living With B

When body parts start arriving at Gwen Tanner’s door, it’s clear someone knows her real identity: Marin Haggerty, daughter of a notorious serial killer. Forced to confront the past she’s spent two decades hiding from, Gwen must navigate the dark world of true crime fandom to find the new killer—before her secrets destroy her for good.

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My Thoughts

As mentioned in my last ARC review, they can really be hit or miss for me. ‘How to Commit a Postcolonial Murder‘, although short, was a miss. But ‘Haven’t Killed in Years’? Oh, this one was such a hit! I took my time reading this because I wanted to soak in every single word!

The plot is so compelling! After Gwen’s father is arrested, she is placed in protective services, given a new identity, and enrolled in a boarding school for troubled children. She has every building block to follow in her father’s footsteps, and the tension comes from how hard she works not to. That’s what makes her character so interesting—she knows, the instincts, even the urges, but she fights them every step of the way. She builds a small, tightly knit group of friends whom she genuinely cares about, and that emotional core adds a lot of heart.

The story kicks off just before severed arms begin turning up, and through Act I, I had no clue who was behind it—which is exactly what I want in a mystery thriller! I was throwing out theories: Maybe her father has an accomplice on the outside? Maybe someone knows who Gwen is (aka Marin Haggerty)? Either way, I was hooked.

Act II focuses more on Natalie Shae, a volatile girl with anger issues who forms a close bond with Gwen. At first, it’s hard to believe she could ever hurt Gwen—she’s damaged, yes, but not heartless. Then we’re introduced to Wesley, a journalist in town who ends up knowing Gwen’s true identity. That twist got me. Poor Natalie is just trying to protect Gwen, even as everything spirals out of control.

Act III—the ending—was so satisfying. They manage to arrest Cody (or Wesley… or Jake??), and then he dies in jail, which left me with one last “Wait, WHAT?!” moment in the best way. Gwen’s friendships with Porter and Dominic are still hanging in there, though understandably strained. Meanwhile, a surprising new connection with Elyse begins to grow. After discovering Elyse’s hatred of Marin Haggerty, it’s touching to see her and Gwen begin to bridge that emotional gap. Gwen’s empathy, especially when she tells Elyse that none of what happened was her fault, really got me.

Do I Recommend ‘Haven’t Killed in Years‘

One hundred and ten percent yes. This is hands-down one of the best books I’ve read all year, and I will be putting it on my shelf the second it’s published. I’ve been recommending it left and right and am so grateful I got to read it early!

Huge thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Random House for this Advanced Reader Copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own!

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‘Haven’t Killed in Years’ will be published on November 18, 2025.