A review by ruthie_the_librarian
Bad Men by Julie Mae Cohen

adventurous dark funny mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I devoured this book!  It is just deliciously readable, with a sharp, smart, sociopathic female lead, a wonky kind of dog, and a crime-solving male hero podcaster.  There are bits of bodies in bin bags, several severed heads, and did I mention the dog?  Saffy makes for a complicated female lead, because you love her and are terrified of her at the same time!  She is uber-rich, sitting on boards of charities, and with a hugely disposable income that allows her to engineer whatever murdery situations she needs in order to rid the world of the bad men who have the misfortune to cross paths with her.   Her back story is sad, and helps go some way towards the liking her side of things.  But still, she is scary.  And funny.  But also scary!
I found Jon endearing, and I enjoyed all the other side characters who come in and out of the story, including some of the victims, and Saffy's little sister Susie.
There was one huge gasp out loud moment for me as I read, and I was completely gripped.  Hoping there will be more to come about Saffy at some point...

With thanks to Net Galley for my copy.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings