How to Make A Killing by Kate Weston
“The women of Harrington Estates don’t just sell homes, they sell dreams. And founder Amanda Harrington isn’t just a woman – she’s a brand. A star of the real estate and mumfluencer world, she expects only the best from her team. But behind the perfect facade, cracks are beginning to show…
New arrival Bella is causing tension with her constant success, including securing the listing of the coveted £50 million mansion from dishy developer Tom – and she’s been stepping on toes in her Louboutins to get there.
No-nonsense Hannah is determined to get back on top and reclaim her title as listing queen. Her long-suffering ‘work wife’ Olivia wants to buy her dream home and settle down with her husband – if only she could afford it in the rapidly gentrifying town. And then there’s poor Claire, who has lost more keys than she’s sold properties, and is desperate for literally anyone’s approval – and she’s willing to wield her power over the stationary cupboard to get it.
When Bella is found dead at the open house of the £50 mil mansion, everyone is a suspect. Can Hannah find out who the killer is – and achieve the sale of the century too?”
It’s not surprising to me that Kate Weston is an ex-stand-up comedian, who else could write their murder victim died at the hands of a sculpture of their own Vulva, and get away with it! This book is funny, witty, sarcastic, and dark all at the same time. The characters are so well developed, you’re kept guessing ‘who-done-it’ until the very end, with a cast of more skeletons in the closet than mortuary. Could it be the highly successful mumfluencer Amanda with her perfect children and rich, successful husband, or is it all for the ‘gram? Could it be Hannah, cool, calm, devoid of emotion, it seems, but not enough to be heartbroken when things between her and her ‘work wife’ Olivia become tense. Or maybe it could be Olivia, devoted wife to Mark, even if she feels he is not as devoted to her? And finally, there’s Claire, the one everyone forgets exists, the loyal lapdog to Bella but is secretly lusting after her boyfriend Brick (he’s the creator of the aforementioned vulva art).
One thing’s for sure: they all had a motive to want Bella dead!
This book will keep you reading on, with a fine balance of humour and darkness, you can’t help but root for every flawed character – except Bella – she’s a bitch.
She would walk on anyone’s grandmother to get what she wanted, just this time round, she walked on the wrong nana!
Kate’s witty, quick dialogue and prose make for an enthralling and compulsive read, perfect for the summer holidays or long evenings. This is Kate’s second adult novel; her first, You May Now Kill The Bride debuted in 2024, one I will surely circle back to read! She also has four YA mysteries for my teen reader to get stuck into.
Overall, a thoroughly enjoyable read!
(c) Margaret Williams-Muldoon
Order your copy of Kate Weston’s How to Make a Killing online here.
And read more reviews from Margaret Williams-Muldoon on Writing.ie here. and here.
