Holy shit, what a ride! ( )

This is the second novel in the Villanelle series, on which the Killing Eve TV series is based. The novel opens up with Eve closing in on a colleague of Villanelle's in the UK and Villanelle being despatched to deal with it. The two women have a confrontation in the street, which furthers the obsession that each has with the other. As Eve hunts her killer, Villanelle taunts her and sets about furthering her murderous career.

I found this book a bit odd because it jars with the TV series. The plot is similar, but not the same, and departs from the TV show in significant area. There are many different characters. There is sufficient difference here to make this worth the read even if you've seen the show. However, to me, this resulted in the novel being neither fish nor fowl and it felt dissatisfying overall. It will be interesting to see what Jennings does with this in future. I think he should walk away from the constraints of the TV series entirely and pursue his own plot and characters.

( )

The espionage part and that involving the sociopathic hitwoman was very good and kept my interest but I hated too much sex, and most of it sickening and gratuitous for thrill's sake. Breathlessly paced. ( )

THAT didn't end as I expected. As usual, the books are better. ( )

'Speedboats, made-up aristocratic titles, exploding dildos . . . You’re not living in a fucking TV series, Villanelle.’

Goddamnit, I'm hooked. My only complaint is that this 'trilogy' could have been one novel - reading each instalment only takes a few hours - but apart from that I love Villanelle and her weird relationship with Eve. Great characters, high drama, dark humour! ( )