Review: A Killer Motive by Hannah Mary McKinnon

A Killer Motive

by Hannah Mary McKinnon

Release Date: September 9, 2025

2025 MIRA

Ebook ARC; 400 Pages

ISBN: 978-0778387671

ASIN: B0DR5YGPGQ

Audiobook: B0DSLTR533

Genre: Fiction / Mystery / Thriller

Source: Review copy from publisher

 

4 / 5 Stars

 

Summary

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.

My Thoughts

A Killer Motive was a fun book to read and I enjoyed it quite a bit. I was drawn into this book because of the high level of tension and suspense that just kept you turning the pages, plus I really liked the true crime podcast idea. I will admit that Stella's personality really grated on my nerves at the beginning with her demanding and entitled attitude, but she did grow on me somewhat as the story progressed. However, it was definitely the story itself that kept me engrossed, not the character development.

 

The plot itself was taughtly written with mention of criminality including thoughts behind why people may commit such crimes, nature versus nurture, behaviour disorders, mental and physical abuse, and countless other themes. All of these elements were blended into the story so you didn't feel like you were reading a psychology textbook. The tension builds quite steadily and things happen quickly so you barely have time to catch your breath before something else happens. Although not necessarily realistic, it does work well in this book and I just went along with it.  I did find the pacing somewhat uneven at the beginning of the book, but the tension more than made up for it and once the game commenced, I was hooked.  But I am a horror reader so I like that kind of thing. Bring it on! Best part of the book.

 

The book was definitely plot heavy, so I did feel like some of the character development fell flat. I wasn't overly crazy about Stella at the beginning as I thought she came across as entitled and demanding, especially when dealing about anything with regards to her brother. And the way she treated her hubby? Well, I wasn't sympathetic at all. Why can't two adults simply have a conversation about things in books? And honestly, I wasn't a fan of how the secondary characters were treated in this book to make Stella look like the better person. Everyone had secrets, including Stella, and I was often frustrated with her choices simply because they were so selfish. 

 

Verdict

A Killer Motive was interesting and the plot certainly moved along rather quickly with plenty of twists and turns. It was plot heavy which sacrificed the character development in my opinion and I wasn't impressed with how some of the characters were used for twists and turns. That being said, the game was fun and it was what kept me turning the pages and I really wished Stella had been pushed even further than what happened in the book as I think the author played it safe. I do recommend this book if you are looking for a twisty book that is compulsively readable and full of tension.