Kate Posey’s debut novel Serial Killer Games delivers a wickedly entertaining blend of dark humor, office romance, and psychological intrigue that keeps readers guessing until the final page. With razor-sharp dialogue and characters who are equal parts compelling and disturbing, Posey creates a world where the line between flirtation and danger becomes delightfully blurred.
The Plot: A Deadly Dance of Suspicion and Attraction
In downtown’s corporate jungle, Dolores dela Cruz and Jake Ripper engage in a cat-and-mouse game that begins with mutual suspicion and evolves into something far more complex. Dolores, a sharp-tongued woman keeping her head down at a job she’s not supposed to have, immediately pegs the new office temp as a serial killer. Jake, with his strangler gloves, calculated demeanor, and unnerving ability to blend into corporate wallpaper, certainly fits the profile.
What starts as antagonistic workplace interactions—sabotaged coffee cups, computer tampering, and cutting remarks—transforms into a darkly romantic flirtation as each recognizes something familiar in the other: two predators recognizing their own kind. Their verbal sparring creates an electric tension that propels the narrative forward with irresistible momentum.
When Jake reveals he needs help disposing of a body, the story takes a surprising turn that upends everything we thought we knew about these characters. Through a series of increasingly bizarre adventures—from dismembering a sex doll to an impromptu wedding in Las Vegas—Posey crafts a story that’s as touching as it is twisted.
Character Analysis: Predators with a Soft Underbelly
The novel’s greatest strength lies in its deeply flawed yet captivating protagonists:
- Dolores dela Cruz (Dodi): Initially presented as a calculating Black Widow figure, Dodi reveals layers of vulnerability beneath her defensive armor. A widow raising her creepy-but-adorable daughter Cat alone, she’s constructed elaborate walls to protect herself after tragedy. Her addiction to true crime podcasts and fascination with serial killers serves as both an escape and a way to process her own complicated past.
- Jake Ripper: The perfect office temp—forgettable, efficient, and unnervingly observant. His habit of cataloging coworkers for termination initially reads as sinister, but gradually reveals itself as something more complex. Jake’s struggle with what he believes is a terminal illness adds poignancy to his detached persona, making his eventual emotional awakening all the more satisfying.
- The Supporting Cast: From Jake’s dysfunctional roommate Grant with his collection of sex dolls to Dodi’s unnervingly mature daughter Cat, the peripheral characters add depth and humor to the narrative. Laura (Jake’s aunt) and Bill (his grandfather) provide emotional anchors, while the menacing figures of Andrew and Cynthia create genuine tension as the story builds to its rooftop climax.
Themes: The Masks We Wear
Through its darkly comedic lens, Serial Killer Games explores several compelling themes:
- Isolation in Plain Sight: Both protagonists exist as “ghosts” in their environments—Dodi as an employee who slipped through bureaucratic cracks, Jake as the forgettable temp who observes without being seen.
- Defenses Against Vulnerability: The serial killer personas both characters adopt serve as metaphors for how people shield themselves from emotional risk after trauma.
- Found Family: The novel beautifully illustrates how family can be chosen rather than inherited, culminating in an unconventional but heartwarming arrangement.
- Workplace Predators: Through Jake’s “Terminate” list and Cynthia’s vengeful crusade, Posey offers a clever commentary on actual corporate predators who terrorize workplaces.
Writing Style: Sardonic and Surgical
Posey’s prose is a revelation—sharp, sardonic, and surprisingly poetic in its brutality. The alternating perspectives between Jake and Dodi create a satisfying rhythm while building dramatic irony as readers glimpse what each character misunderstands about the other.
The dialogue crackles with wit and tension. Consider this exchange during their first meeting:
“What would your MO be? Would you push someone off a roof?”
“I’m a straight razor kind of girl. Small, portable, quick. Wouldn’t require much physical exertion. And there’s a certain retro classiness to it, don’t you think?”
“Very Sweeney Todd.”
This verbal fencing establishes the novel’s darkly playful tone while subtly revealing character. Posey has a gift for finding the macabre humor in everyday situations, whether it’s an office coffee ritual or a disastrous family dinner.
Strengths and Weaknesses
What Works Brilliantly:
- The Office Setting: Posey captures corporate absurdity with pinpoint accuracy, from meaningless jargon to the petty politics that define workplace hierarchies.
- Sexual Tension: The slow-burn romance between Jake and Dodi is masterfully executed, with their mutual fascination serving as both attraction and threat.
- Structural Surprises: The novel consistently upends expectations, particularly in its handling of the “body disposal” plot line and the revelations about Jake’s illness.
- Balanced Tone: Despite its dark subject matter, the novel maintains a perfect balance between cynicism and genuine emotional investment.
Where It Sometimes Falters:
- Pacing Issues: The middle section occasionally meanders, particularly during the Christmas sequences, which could have been tightened for greater impact.
- Coincidental Connections: Some of the character connections strain credulity, particularly the revelation about Jake’s parentage and Cynthia’s involvement in his mother’s past.
- Unresolved Questions: The Paper Pusher subplot remains somewhat ambiguous, which may frustrate readers looking for complete closure.
- Ethical Ambiguity: The ending leaves some moral questions dangling about the characters’ actions that some readers might find unsettling rather than satisfying.
Who Will Love This Book?
Serial Killer Games will resonate with fans of:
- Dark workplace comedies like Severance or The Office
- Unconventional romances with sharp-edged protagonists
- The morbid humor of true crime podcasts
- Psychological thrillers that prioritize character development over shock value
Readers who appreciate authors like Ottessa Moshfegh, Riley Sager, or Caroline Kepnes will find much to enjoy in Posey’s distinctive voice and unflinching exploration of human darkness.
Final Verdict: A Killer Debut
As a debut novel, Serial Killer Games announces Kate Posey as a formidable new talent with a distinctive voice and unflinching eye for the darker aspects of human connection. The novel’s greatest triumph is how it makes readers root for characters we might cross the street to avoid in real life, finding the beating heart beneath their carefully constructed personas.
Despite minor flaws, this darkly romantic thriller succeeds brilliantly on its own terms, delivering a story that’s equal parts disturbing and heartwarming—often in the same paragraph. Posey navigates this tonal tightrope with impressive confidence, creating a reading experience that’s impossible to forget.
Similar Reads If You Enjoyed This Book
If you devoured Serial Killer Games and are hungry for more darkly amusing thrillers with complex characters:
- My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
- You by Caroline Kepnes
- The Kind Worth Killing by Peter Swanson
- Finlay Donovan Is Killing It by Elle Cosimano
Each of these novels shares Posey’s gift for finding the perfect balance between darkness and wit, creating characters who fascinate despite (or because of) their dangerous qualities.
Serial Killer Games is a twisted delight that will make you laugh, gasp, and reconsider your workplace relationships—all while delivering a surprisingly touching meditation on connection, family, and the masks we wear to protect ourselves from hurt. Just be careful who you discuss it with around the office coffee machine.