When Tilly Turner signed up for an introductory pole-dancing class, she was looking for a distraction. Reeling from her mother’s passing, and with her career as a stand-up comedian in ruins, Tilly has just moved back to the Idaho hometown she was desperate to leave, with her twin daughters in tow.
But Tilly gets more than she bargained for after a night out with her new pole-dancing pals. She wakes to a raging hangover, no memory of the evening before, and a dead body in the trunk of her car.
Who was the dead man? And more importantly, who killed him? Tilly has no alibi and needs answers. But investigating a murder is complicated, especially with an old frenemy circling, childcare plans falling through, and pole-dancing classes to attend. And don’t even mention the sexy ATF agent who she’s trying (and failing) to keep at arm’s length.
As Tilly races to solve the mystery before the police come knocking, she finds herself implicated in a larger plot that includes political subterfuge and arms dealing. But who knows—maybe busting a criminal enterprise will be just the shake-up she needs.
If you enjoy satirical murder mystery thrillers with unhinged female protagonists, look no further! This book is fast-paced and has a highly original story that includes a chaotic murder investigation, dark humor, a romantic subplot, and an unconventional but heartfelt found-family vibe. And who doesn’t love a pole-dancing troupe at the center of a murder mystery to make everything campier and funnier!?
Told entirely in Tilly’s first person, you get fully immersed in her sarcasm, dark humor, impulsiveness, and increasingly unhinged behavior that’s incredibly entertaining to follow. As she tries to retrace her steps to figure out if she killed the man in her trunk—or what actually happened to him—she gets entangled with her new friend Lena, her high school frenemy Miranda, and members of the pole dancing crew whose hilarious stage names make everything even more confusing. At the same time, she’s juggling motherhood as a single mom to twins and trying to keep herself out of jail at all costs—so expect plenty of comedic chaos as she throws herself into dangerous and absurd situations! On top of all that, there’s a romantic subplot with federal agent Nate Duran that’s more chaotic and over-the-top than swoony, but their chemistry does sizzle in certain scenes!
One of the major strengths is the pacing. The short chapters and constant shifts between the night of Tilly’s blackout and the present-day investigation keep the momentum moving. I found the twists and turns quite unpredictable, mainly because I was so wrapped up in all the chaotic and hilarious dialogue—especially when Tilly’s forced to make quick decisions or text people from the dead man’s phone while pretending to be him! The climax mixes pole dancing, stand-up comedy, and high-stakes thrills in a very entertaining way, and the ending resolves the main mystery while leaving you with a hopeful, yet chaotic sense of what’s next for Tilly! And all you audiobook listeners are in for a treat—Helen Laser fully embodies Tilly and brings all the comedy and chaos to life, and you’ll be laughing out loud throughout!
Narrator Performance
The audiobook of Last Night Was Killer is narrated by award-winning narrator Helen Laser.
At the start, when protagonist Tilly Turner wakes up disoriented and discovers a dead man in her trunk, Laser gives her a voice that’s a perfect mix of shock, confusion, and sarcasm that immediately pulls you in. As the story unfolds and Tilly shifts into full investigative mode, Laser subtly shifts her performance to give Tilly a sharper, more determined tone that sounds frantic and unhinged during chaotic scenes. Tilly’s internal monologues are a highlight—Laser makes them sarcastic, self-aware, and hilariously over-the-top!
With such a large cast of characters—members of the pole dancing class, officers, Tilly’s twin daughters, locals, and voices on the dead man’s phone—Laser gives each a distinct voice and personality, making everything easy to follow and making it feel like a full-cast production. Another highlight is the delivery of the dynamic between Tilly and federal agent Nate Duran—Laser captures their sizzling chemistry while making Tilly’s mistrust and absurd suspicions about him create a very chaotic vibe that’s so funny to listen to!
In the climactic scenes, Laser ramps up the intensity with faster pacing and more tension while showcasing Tilly’s talent as a comedian in a high-stakes situation—not an easy feat for any narrator, and it’s wildly entertaining! If you’re considering this book or it sounds like something you might enjoy, the audiobook is the best way to experience it—don’t hesitate!
Narrator Performance
The audiobook of Last Night Was Killer is narrated by award-winning narrator Helen Laser.
At the start, when protagonist Tilly Turner wakes up disoriented and discovers a dead man in her trunk, Laser gives her a voice that’s a perfect mix of shock, confusion, and sarcasm that immediately pulls you in. As the story unfolds and Tilly shifts into full investigative mode, Laser subtly shifts her performance to give Tilly a sharper, more determined tone that sounds frantic and unhinged during chaotic scenes. Tilly’s internal monologues are a highlight—Laser makes them sarcastic, self-aware, and hilariously over-the-top!
With such a large cast of characters—members of the pole dancing class, officers, Tilly’s twin daughters, locals, and voices on the dead man’s phone—Laser gives each a distinct voice and personality, making everything easy to follow and making it feel like a full-cast production. Another highlight is the delivery of the dynamic between Tilly and federal agent Nate Duran—Laser captures their sizzling chemistry while making Tilly’s mistrust and absurd suspicions about him create a very chaotic vibe that’s so funny to listen to!
In the climactic scenes, Laser ramps up the intensity with faster pacing and more tension while showcasing Tilly’s talent as a comedian in a high-stakes situation—not an easy feat for any narrator, and it’s wildly entertaining! If you’re considering this book or it sounds like something you might enjoy, the audiobook is the best way to experience it—don’t hesitate!
The audiobook of Last Night Was Killer is narrated by award-winning narrator Helen Laser.
At the start, when protagonist Tilly Turner wakes up disoriented and discovers a dead man in her trunk, Laser gives her a voice that’s a perfect mix of shock, confusion, and sarcasm that immediately pulls you in. As the story unfolds and Tilly shifts into full investigative mode, Laser subtly shifts her performance to give Tilly a sharper, more determined tone that sounds frantic and unhinged during chaotic scenes. Tilly’s internal monologues are a highlight—Laser makes them sarcastic, self-aware, and hilariously over-the-top!
With such a large cast of characters—members of the pole dancing class, officers, Tilly’s twin daughters, locals, and voices on the dead man’s phone—Laser gives each a distinct voice and personality, making everything easy to follow and making it feel like a full-cast production. Another highlight is the delivery of the dynamic between Tilly and federal agent Nate Duran—Laser captures their sizzling chemistry while making Tilly’s mistrust and absurd suspicions about him create a very chaotic vibe that’s so funny to listen to!
In the climactic scenes, Laser ramps up the intensity with faster pacing and more tension while showcasing Tilly’s talent as a comedian in a high-stakes situation—not an easy feat for any narrator, and it’s wildly entertaining! If you’re considering this book or it sounds like something you might enjoy, the audiobook is the best way to experience it—don’t hesitate!
