Dear Killer
Author: Katherine Ewell (Young Adult Fiction)
Dear Killer, the debut novel of 18 year old Katherine Ewell, taunts its way past the critics as Ewell dwells on the life of teenage Kit, her protagonist. Kit’s mother has trained her from birth to kill based on the idea that there is no morality and right or wrong does not exist. As an emotional tempest of teenage angst, anger, and morality, Ewell has done a magnificent job.
Kit’s first kill is at 9 years old, with her mother’s guidance. As Ewell follows Kit from her secret mailbox, where fans put in their written requests for murders that they want Kit under her aka The Perfect Killer to perform, to her high school halls, and back to her mother’s influence at home, Kit’s reputation in London grows. No clues are left behind, no one can catch her. She is indeed the Perfect Killer.
Kit’s mother invites the policeman in charge of the investigation home for dinner. His name is Alex, and Kit befriends him, leaving him tantalizing hints on how the Perfect Killer kills. Kit also befriends a girl named Maggie, who she also plans to kill, as someone has requested Maggie’s murder. The Perfect Killer always leaves the letter requesting the death of the victim on the corpse. It is her calling card. As Kit and Maggie get close, and Kit finds she has feelings for Alex, the plot twists into a surprise ending.
Dear Killer has some great moments, some not so great moments, and yet, all in all, we empathize with and admire Kit at the end of this first novel from one very talented young author. Ewell writes in a way that allows the reader to realize and believe in her characters as she slowly builds the foundation of Kit’s family and puts them in place flawlessly. We believe in Kit and her teenage life, as well as her doubts and struggles. Full of the emotional drama that teenagers live with, Dear Killer provides a protagonist who is believable and human. As Kit learns that she is not the killer that she has been brought up to be, Ewell expands the novel and its redemption point: morality is authentic and we all bear the consequences of our acts.
Well done, Ms. Ewell~!
Ratings are based on a 5-star scale
Overall: 3.5
Review by Broad “A” – Ava
We received a copy of this title for our book review. All opinions are our own
Dear Killer
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