Debut Novel “Killer Potential” Gains Early Acclaim
When acclaimed psychological thriller author Paula Hawkins, known for “The Girl on the Train” (2015), endorses your first novel with a comparison to “Thelma & Louise” for today’s readers, it signals a promising start to your writing career.
Relentless Pacing and Intriguing Narrative
This is precisely the case for Hannah Deitch’s debut, “Killer Potential.” The book launches with rapid momentum and maintains a brisk pace for approximately 200 pages. The story is narrated by Evie Gordon, an alumnus of a costly liberal arts college, currently working as an SAT tutor in affluent California communities. Her opening line immediately captivates: “I was once a famous murderess.” The ensuing narrative unravels the circumstances that earned her this dramatic title and the crucial qualifier, “once.”
A Gruesome Discovery
The initial scene unfolds at “The Victor House,” meticulously described by Evie. Details include a “live-edge table fashioned from Portuguese wood,” “De Gournay hand-painted silk wallpaper,” and “aquamarine Moroccan tile in the bathroom.” It is here that Evie encounters the lifeless bodies of Dinah and Peter Victor: the mother with fatal head trauma and the father submerged in a koi pond. As Evie attempts to flee, a cry for help leads her to rescue a woman concealed behind a basement door. She then confronts Serena, her tutoring student. Mistaking Evie and her companion as fleeing perpetrators, Serena attacks with a lamp. The confrontation culminates with Evie striking Serena with a vase before escaping with the rescued woman in her vehicle.
Partnership and Escalating Crimes
The subsequent chapters, filled with suspense, depict Evie’s developing relationship with her new accomplice. Initially silent, suffering from trauma experienced within the house, the woman eventually reveals her name: Jae. Together, they embark on a series of escalating crimes, ranging from minor offenses like shoplifting and car theft to more serious acts including assault and gunfire aimed at individuals who recognize them from media reports. Evie’s internal reflections maintain reader engagement, as she contemplates the parallels between the vocabulary of courtship (chase, pursue, stalk) and the language of hunting. An undeniable attraction develops between Evie and Jae, and when their inhibitions finally dissipate, the novel adopts an intense and authentic tone, reflective of two fugitives relying solely on each other and their primal instincts for survival.
Twists and Turns
True to form, a Paula Hawkins endorsement implies a significant plot twist, and “Killer Potential” delivers. The final portion of the novel is particularly compelling as Deitch skillfully resolves unanswered questions using diverse storytelling techniques. Revealing further details would diminish the reader’s experience, but “Killer Potential” firmly establishes Deitch as a noteworthy debut novelist.
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