Robbie McNeil's Hit List

by Brianna Heath

For this hitwoman, curiosity may be killer.

Contract killer Robbie McNeil never asks questions. Her mission is simple. Do the job. Get paid. Get back to running the karaoke bar she co-owns with her queerplatonic partner and fellow contract killer, Dee. And it works... Until their ambitious new theatrical venture breaks the bank.

When a mysterious new client hires Robbie for a hit, she takes the job, even though it's sketchy as hell he won't tell her anything but the target's name. But hey, she didn't build her reputation by being curious, and she desperately needs the cash.

Except something about this new target doesn't add up. When he disappears with no record he ever existed, she chucks her no-questions-asked policy out the window, determined to figure out who this target really is. But the price for asking questions is high and might just cost Robbie everything she holds dear.

Genres: Mystery Thriller, Mystery, LGBT, Queer, Fiction, Thriller, Adult

368 pages, Paperback

Expected publication March 24, 2026

About the author

Brianna Heath is queer, neurodivergent author who writes books that can be broadly described as “Be Gay, Do Crime.” She aims to put stories out in the world that reflect the lives and experiences of people who often do not see themselves represented in media.

Brianna lives in Northern California with Beau, her rescued border collie/gremlin, who, like her, has absolutely no chill. She can be found on IG as @briannahwrites.

Reviews

[Linzie (suspenseisthrillingme) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Take a bit of karaoke, musical theater, and two ride-or-die contract-killing besties, and you’ve got the genre-bending mashup that is Robbie McNeil’s Hit List. An eyebrow-raising mix of TJ Klune and Assassins Anonymous, it was a hard book to pin down. That being said, I’ll give it a try. A quirky tale about an enviable queerplatonic relationship, it also had quite the side helping of murder and intrigue. Yup. You read that right. Despite how this book was billed, it focused more on the found-family vibe than the contract killing plot line. Darkly comedic and yet also heartwarming at the same time, it was a brand-new take on the mystery/thriller genre. After all, in addition to the unforgettable antiheroine, this fun, wild ride was the embodiment of “be gay, do crimes!”

As much as everything above delivered in spades, though, thanks to the high-octane promises made in the synopsis, I ultimately felt somewhat let down by the time I reached the last page. On top of that, with uneven pacing, a lack of true thriller-level tension, and twists that I easily predicted, it just didn’t deliver what I was hoping it would in terms of thrills, murder, and action. That being said, the sweet friendships, authentic characters, and laugh-out-loud banter was an absolute win. I mean, who wouldn’t love a lighthearted story focusing on thought-provoking themes such as love, friendship, and gender fluidity? So if you’re looking for a cozy mystery with heart, you can go ahead and stop looking. This original debut had all of that and more. Rating of 3.5 stars (upgraded).

SYNOPSIS:

Contract killer Robbie McNeil never asks questions. Her mission is simple. Do the job. Get paid. Get back to running the karaoke bar she co-owns with her queerplatonic partner and fellow contract killer, Dee. And it works... Until their ambitious new theatrical venture breaks the bank.

When a mysterious new client hires Robbie for a hit, she takes the job, even though it's sketchy as hell he won't tell her anything but the target's name. But hey, she didn't build her reputation by being curious, and she desperately needs the cash.

Except something about this new target doesn't add up. When he disappears with no record he ever existed, she chucks her no-questions-asked policy out the window, determined to figure out who this target really is. But the price for asking questions is high and might just cost Robbie everything she holds dear.

Thank you Brianna Heath and Poisoned Pen Press for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

PUB DATE: March 24, 2026

Content warning: death, stalking, kidnapping, murder, death of a parent, deadnaming

[Maddy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing an eARC of this book!

Unfortunately, this was really just not for me. The pacing was all over the place, and the story felt like it was just doing… way too much, with every plot and every character. Unnecessary details were expanded on to the point of tedium and… I can’t believe I’m saying this, but it felt like… too much representation? In the way that the book felt sort of straight out of 2015 Tumblr posts - a spiritual successor to the mythic “All or Nothing” TV sit-com.

And also to the point where the characters sort of seemed to be built upon their sexuality and gender, rather than being whole unique individuals where their identities are only part of who they are.

And, I dunno, some parts of it just felt sort of tone-deaf in the current climate. Where the multi-millionaire politician who got his start with insider trading and turned to politics later in life is actually a kind gentle ally who loves the arts! No, no, he’s one of the GOOD absurdly rich men! He likes gay people and theatre!!!!!!

I dunno. This one took me a long time to push my way through. I don’t believe this was advertised as being a YA novel; but in a lot of ways I think it’s better suited to being that. I think some adjustments and editing would need to be made to suit that, but it might help make a more suited novel.

[✧*⁠.⁠✧ Jiya ✧*.⁠✧ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Net Galley and the author for giving me this ARC!!

Be gay and do crime is the best genre of books, and add in some singing and musicals, amazing read.

This book wasn't quite what I expected in the best way possible! The differences in the way Robbie and Dee go about their hits and their own specific reason to do it that way was so nice. I just wished that we got to know a bit more about Dee and his backstory. Also Robbie's was only really mentioned in passing which meant we got to know about some reasons but a lot of it is definitely unknown.

I loved the dynamic between Robbie and Dee because it's just such a perfect description of friendship. And they both complement each other however are not perfect characters, making them so easy to relate to. The best part is definitely both of them singing together and just that cozyness of them sharing a house together.
Can we also please talk about all the aro rep in this??!!! LOVE LOVE LOVEEE!!

Overall, an amazing book which perfectly blended comedy and just the hit person genre.

[Sam]

Let’s start with the things I liked. I like the characters, they are diverse and have some interesting jobs. I like the queer platonic relationship, great representation. I like how dyslexia is discussed.

Now what I didn’t like so much.
The story is flat and takes too long to get going. For something to say mystery on the cover, I need to feel that more. I was just waiting and waiting for things to happen in this story. The resolution was rather anticlimactic if you’d ask me.

While I see the potential it all just fell a bit too flat for me. It’s a nice change from the fairly standard love stories in the LGBTQ+ books, so I’ll give it extra points on that. (For those looking for a traditional love story, this isn’t your book)

[Michaela | bumblebeeslibrary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Robbie McNeil's Hit list was not a bad story, it just wasn't what I felt was "advertised" thus why I gave it 3 stars.

There were things I did enjoy about the story: I loved the main characters, as well as the mysterious side character that is Robbie's "hit gone wrong."

What I didn't enjoy so much, is the lack of "hit list" or hit woman aspects of the story. While this book is advertised as Robbie investigating a target, to me it felt a little more like Robbie and her room mate Dee who are working on opening a play, who also are investigating a hit target on the side. This was my biggest issue with the story, the blurb gives a very short sentence mentioning Dee and Robbie's "theatrical adventures" so I didn't anticipate that the majority of the story would be about that. And yes, there is an aspect of Robbie and Dee doing contract hits, and investigating the particular target that makes the story, but that felt more side story to the play itself. I think if the blurb had touched more on how large of a part the play, plays in the story, readers would have had different expectations.

I did enjoy both Robbie and Dee's characters. I loved that they own a lesbian karaoke bar, Coda it sounds like such a fun place! I love their relationship, while not romantic, one that works perfectly for them. Robbie and Dee perfectly balance each other.

When Robbie takes out a contract from a mysterious man one evening, she is on alert from the get go, but really needs the cash. When she asks for some details about the hit, the client is extremely vague, more so than Robbie is used to. So she goes with the little bit of information she has, and tracks down the hit. With the uneasy feeling never fully going away, Robbie goes down quite the rabbit hole of figuring out who this person is. Dee also gets involved later on, and they both investigate while also running Coda, and working on their play.

I enjoyed the character that Robbie is trying to actually kill. The more we learn about them, the more intriguing the backstory gets. The ending has quite the bombshell, and leaves you still wondering about the true identity of this person. Robbie and Dee also work diligently on their theatrical play throughout this story, the reason Robbie needs the money from this hit to begin with. The story leans pretty heavily into the rehearsing for and seemingly unending issues that go on with the play itself, while Robbie is doing her investigating on the mystery contract.

Thank you so much to the author, Poisoned Pen Press, and Netgalley for a copy of this book.

Some fav quotes:
"Code was home: neon lights and drunk lesbians, enthusiastic bad singing and Dee."

"The one talent they shared equally was what had brought them together in the first place: They were both quite proficient at killing people."

"The two of them made their actual living killing people. They did it exceedingly well, but it most certainly was not about joy."

"Her core process for hits was essentially the same for everyone. Observe, plan, act."

"God bless the internet. How did hit people function before it?"

"How anyone ran a successful small business without also killing people on the side was beyond Robbie."

"Robbie cranked up the playlist she maintained for when she was on the job, which she hadn't been able to resist calling her Hit list."

[Lisa Hurt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robbie, along with her queer-platonic partner Dee, are contract killers. It's really simple; do the job, don't ask questions, and don't get messy.
Robbie and Dee were originally hired by James as contract killers who decided to go solo. They are now co-owners of a queer karaoke bar and working on their first musical.
Robbie is hired to kill Xavier, and for the first time, she gets curious about the subject.
For contract killers, Robbie and Dee keep that separate from their everyday lives. They are both clever. Throw some twists and keep you guessing what's coming next.
This book is great for anyone who likes cozy crime and mystery novels.
Thank you, NetGalley Poisoned Pen Press and Breanna Heath, for providing this book for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Corinne’s Chapter Chatter · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to love this one… but it just didn’t quite come together for me.

The overarching concept? Genuinely strong—especially within the current contract killer/serial killer trend that’s everywhere right now. It had the bones of something I should have absolutely devoured. But unfortunately, the execution in the finer details is where things started to unravel.

I read the eARC, and the pacing really struggled. The story didn’t flow as smoothly as I’d hoped, largely due to a lot of extraneous information that didn’t feel essential to the plot. Instead of adding depth, it pulled me out of the story and had me checking out more often than I wanted to.

Another big sticking point for me was the representation. I’m usually thrilled to see marginalized rep included, but here it came across as more performative than organic. Rather than feeling naturally woven into the story, it leaned into heavy-handed info dumping that felt more like being told than shown. And when that happens, it can come off as inauthentic instead of impactful. I saw another reviewer describe it as “too much representation,” and I have to agree—it ends up diluting the authenticity rather than strengthening it.

It also tries to blend in musical theatre elements—something I should have loved—but combined with everything else, it just felt like too many ideas competing in the same space instead of working together cohesively.

All of this made it hard for me to fully reconnect with the parts I did enjoy. That said, I do want to highlight Robbie—our titular character—who is messy, quirky, and genuinely endearing. She’s easy to root for, and I can absolutely see her being the reason this works for other readers.

Overall, while this didn’t fully land for me, the concept itself is one of the more interesting takes in this subgenre—and with a tighter execution, it could have been a standout.

I am thankful to have received a complimentary eARC from Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley, which gave me the opportunity to share my voluntary thoughts.

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review

Robbie McNeil’s Hit List ended up being such a delight. Robbie is an army veteran, killer for hire, lesbian karaoke bar owner, aspiring musical writer and aromantic lesbian working with business partner and queerplatonic soul mate Dee in small town Indiana. They’ve been shuffling money from the karaoke bar to pay for the musical they’re writing and producing and taking contract hits to help balance the budget. But everything goes sideways when Robbie accepts a local job and… the mark disappears before the can complete the job.

This was a little slow to start for me, but once I hit the 30% mark, I flew through it. The plotting is reminiscent of a hard boiled PI mystery, but it’s told from the POV of a snarky assassin. I love a smart, sarcastic, strategic and sometimes self-deprecating main character. Robbie has it all in spades. She’s sharp and witty and her observations about the people in her world are tinged with her humor. Her relationship with platonic life partner Dee is absolutely beautiful. And the way she navigates the world of contract killers and uses her smarts to triumph made me gleeful.

The queer rep in this book is outstanding. It’s not performative or a source of tension. I’d call it a queer normative world, but it’s set in the real world and we’re still not there. It’s a queer normative version of the real world?

I got a huge kick out of the musical subplot. I’d love to know more about the production!

Thanks so much to Poisoned Pen Press for the free book.

[Katelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since leaving the military, Robbie McNeil has spent her days as a contract killer. By night, however, she’s the co-owner of a queer karaoke bar. A mysterious new client seeks her out at the bar one night, arranging for a hit with minimal information. Robbie is used to the secretive nature of these assignments, but something isn’t adding up. As she gets further into planning her execution, the more curious she becomes. Instead of following her normal pattern, she’s taken almost an entire month to carry off this hit. Her life, her night-job, and reputation are all on the line. Not to mention she’s currently in the middle of planning the debut of her musical. Robbie McNeil may be next on the hit list if her curiosity continues.

This was a super fun read! I did figure out some of the twists, but that didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the book. I thought the premise was unique; who doesn’t want to read about a karaoke bar owning contract killer? I also loved how the reader saw an insight into Robbie’s life and how her own vulnerabilities shape her work (both areas). It’s a very fast-paced read and perfect for your upcoming beach days! I will definitely be on the lookout for future releases from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley, Brianna Heath, and Poisoned Pen Press for a copy of this book. I received this ARC for free and am leaving a review voluntarily.

[alex]

DNF @ 22%

This book was not for me for a variety of reasons, namely that the side ventures the characters had going on were things I really don’t like personally (karaoke and especially musical theatre) so it felt tedious to read about them managing those aspects, but that’s obviously just my preference.
Another main issue I had was that the way their jobs as contact killers were handled (or moreso, not addressed in any depth at all, just declaring that Robbie was so good at her job because she “doesn’t ask questions”) was disappointing to me. I expected more moral examination and dialogue around the idea of killing someone simply because a person with enough money has requested it, regardless of if the target did anything to warrant it. Instead, what I got was somehow this book trying to just look past this or ignore it completely, if not play it down, and that was not what I personally wanted from the story.

[Makayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was such a fun and unique concept, a contract killer who co-owns a karaoke bar with her queerplatonic partner? Immediately yes. I loved how different this felt from a typical mystery.

Robbie is sharp, morally complicated, and easy to root for in a chaotic way. The dynamic between her and Dee was honestly one of my favorite parts of the book. Their bond added warmth and heart to a story that could have easily leaned too cold or gritty. The representation and character dynamics really shine here.

That said, the pacing felt uneven at times. There were moments where I wanted the tension to build more, especially around the actual hit and the mystery behind it. Some parts felt slower than they needed to be, while others wrapped up a bit too quickly. I also found myself wanting more depth in the moral stakes with a premise like this, I expected a little more emotional punch.

Overall, this was an entertaining and creative read that didn’t fully hit thriller-level intensity for me, but it absolutely delivered on charm and originality. A solid 3-star read if you’re looking for queer-driven crime with humor and heart.

[Jessica Austin · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I first started this book it was hard to get my attention and captivate me. But by chapter 7 I was fully committed. The biggest downside of this book was I had the story figured out by chapter 13. I kinda knew where it was headed before that but I had it totally figured out and was dead set on my prediction. I ended up right which I didn’t love. There’s 29 chapters 30 of you count CODA at the end. So that was a bit of a let down to know the ending before I actually made it there. It was a good story though with a good happy ending. A good pro LGBTQ mystery. I just wish the cliffhangers were a bit more exciting with some deeper twists and turns.

[Pattyh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you for the opportunity to preview Robbie Mcneils Hit List. Two women who are partners in several ventures including being Hit “women”. They also run a bar and are close friends.
Taking on hits is no big deal. It’s a job. But things go south when a hit does t go as planned and to get to the bottom of this they get more than they bargained for and more!
There is a mix of humor but not much suspense. Good novel but not one I expected to read. 3 stars.

[Maddie Weeks · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Read for a book tour, below is my honest review**

I knew I had to read this book when I saw the tag line ‘be gay, do crime’ I mean HELLO!?

This was an enjoyable read but I struggled with the pacing, it felt a lot slow than I think it should be. I also feel like the ‘hitwoman’ element was lacking and could have been focused on more.

I think the representation in it is great. It explores different sexuality’s and gender identities which I think is really important and I love to see it. I also really like the relationship between Robbie and Dee, very well written.

For a debut novel, I think this is a good book with a solid premise and I would read more from this author.

If you have any content triggers, I advise you to read any trigger warnings beforehand.

I recommend this to anyone who enjoys a mystery read with LGBTQ elements.

Thank you Novel Tours for letting me be a part of this tour!

I give this 3.5 stars (rounded up to 4 on Goodreads and Amazon)

[Amelia Tisk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the author for providing me with an eARC of this book!!

I absolutely loved this book! All aspects of the story were so intriguing and fit so well together in unexpected ways. I would’ve never thought queer contract killers running a queer karaoke bar while also staging a full-blown musical would uncover such a mystery through their work. And the ways everything tied together in the end was just brilliant in my opinion. I was kept guessing throughout the story and felt satisfied in the ending even though I wasn’t sure how things were going to end up. I also really enjoyed how the author wrote their queer characters by not making their core personality trait their sexuality, and writing full fledged well rounded characters. I also feel the author wrote about addition, mental illness, and disabilities in a respectful and realistic way that further helped develop these characters.

As a fun side note, I feel like this book was written for me. My parents run their own karaoke business, I am a queer person who loves musicals, and although I’m not a contract killer, I do have an interest in true crime and I’m studying forensic psychology, so I just thought it was really cool to see all these aspects come together in one story!

[Vish · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Robbie McNeil’s Hitlist* by Brianna Heath was a ride that definitely had me hooked at points. As the mystery unraveled, I found myself sitting on the edge of my seat, eager to see where it was all headed. The tension and reveals were strong enough to keep me invested, and as a thriller/mystery fan, I appreciated the dark tone and the twists scattered throughout.

That said, the pacing didn’t always land for me. Certain sections dragged on longer than needed, while other moments that could’ve used more detail felt rushed past too quickly. Because of this, some of the suspense lost its punch, and I wasn’t as gripped in the middle as I hoped to be.

Still, despite those flaws, I did enjoy my time with the book. It’s not a perfect thriller, but it delivered enough intrigue to keep me reading through to the end. Definitely worth checking out if you enjoy fast, twisty mysteries and don’t mind some uneven pacing along the way.

overall a fun read to pass time.

[Florence Chien · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full disclosure: Brianna is good friend of mine and I'm in the acknowledgement of this book. That's reason enough for you to think I'm inflating my review because, after all, who wants to piss off a friend? But no, truly, Robbie McNeil's Hit List is among my top 3 reads this year and I really want this book to reach its target audience, so here are my honest thoughts and candid breakdown of what you should expect and why I loved it.

Characters: 10/10. The characters are the highlight. More specifically, the relationships between the characters. The main duo, Robbie and Dee, are queerplatonic partners. Translated into normie speak: They're best buds and literal roommates. They care deeply for each other as good friends should, there's nothing dysfunctional between them, and their relationship doesn't break down over the course of the story as a plot device.

Robbie and Dee's rapport for each other is genuinely heartwarming, especially in this day and age when we're all drowning in toxic positivity and social acceptance anxieties. The duo is an exemplary showcase of what a wholesome friendship should be, one that's built upon trust, respect, mutual care, and a truly unbreakable bond. And the best part? A resounding reminder that, yes, we are capable of finding joy in genuine human relationships that doesn't end in sex. Truly, if you don't come out of this book feeling that Robbie and Dee's friendship is a role model which we should all strive for, then idk, I guess maybe you should consider not having friends. 🤷

Prose: 10/10. Super accessibly written. The prose never gets in the way of the storytelling and the narrator's voice, which makes the book super easy to immerse in.

Style: 10/10. Halfway through the book, I said to Brianna somewhat jokingly that if I were to blurb this book, it would say: "Robbie's zero fucks given attitude is perfect for people who has zero fucks left to give." I still stand by it, though I suppose that joke is somewhat inaccurate. Robbie has, in fact, a lot of fucks to give (and that's kinda the cause of all her problems, actually), but those fucks are given very bluntly. This book is intentionally light-hearted and humorous, but the style is very specific. Robbie is sarcastic and deadpan, and all her quips are pointblank and dry-wit. Basically, she's an American character in an American setting delivering some very British humour. If you're like me and that sort of comedy is your cup of tea (pun intended), then you'll have a great time here.

Plot: 9/10. Yes, it's a mystery. Yes, it's a thriller. But no, do not expect Agatha Christie type of piecing clues together, and do not expect Mission Impossible style of seat-edge suspense. Expect a medium-pace, slice-of-life story of a contract killer juggling the ordinary logistical problems of her unique profession, rather than a "bigger than life" hit person plunged into a Hollywood plotline.

I can't stress this enough. This is a lighthearted story about how ordinary a contract killer's life can be. Yes, Robbie is hired to take out a hit. Yes, she runs into high-stake problems. Yes, fucking up will put in jeopardy everything she's ever cared about, but Robbie isn't meant to be John Wick. Contract killing is her profession the same way as your 9-to-5, and she approaches her problems in the manner of an ordinary person--with logic, learned experience, wishful thinking, spiraling, emotional support, and a good amount of trial-and-error. If you came here looking for a hardcore noir, you ain't gonna get it. But if you're into a down-to-earth story of contract killing being approached as a profession like any other and a set of characters who could all be someone you know, who face relatable problems and solve them in ways you can easily resonate with, then you'll be in for a fun and happy ride.

I think the realism and intersectionality is the book's strong suit, but, having read some of the other reviews, it's clearly not up everyone's alley. There is nothing inherently wrong with the plotlines, it's in fact very well executed and concluded, but you need to decide first whether you are the target audience, and whether your expectations align with what the book really is.

There are two plotlines: Robbie's contracted hit going wrong, and the musical Robbie's trying to stage being thrown into limbo. Robbie is just a person like you and I with multiple roles and obligations, other hobbies, and several social circles. None of us are defined solely by our day jobs, and neither is Robbie. So, yes, the contract killing parts are inseparably intertwined with the musical theatre and karaoke bar owner parts of Robbie's life. The plotlines converge toward the climax and are resolved in a satisfying manner that leaves nothing wanting, but whether you'll enjoy the overall structure will depend heavily on this: Are you looking for a borderline inhuman character who has literally nothing in their life outside of contract killing? Or are you interested in a story about a relatable woman with a normal person's life and problems similar to yours and mine, who just happen to also be a contract killer instead of working a deskbound 9-to-5?

(But why did I deduct a point for the plot? Because I like my books to go at 9000mph, but that's an entirely personal preference and not an objective issue with the book.)

In conclusion, should you read this?
Yes, if you value genuine friendships that don't need to end in coitus.
Yes, if you're into sarcastic, deadpan humour.
Yes, if you find enjoyment in unique characters who are also ordinary enough to be just like you and I.
Yes, if you're into nerdy technical details, punk/rock bands, and/or musical theatre.
Yes, if you're looking for a light-hearted, cozy, joyful read.

A kind thank you to Brianna, Sourcebooks, and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chaos, karaoke, and contract killing should not feel this cozy, and yet here I am questioning all my life choices in the best possible way. I’m reviewing Robbie McNeil’s Hit List by Brianna Heath. Published by Poisoned Pen Press, thank you so much for the gifted copy.

This book is what happens when you take a hitwoman who lives by one simple rule, don’t ask questions, and then quietly pull that rule out from under her. Robbie McNeil has built an entire life on that boundary. Do the job, collect the money, go home to her chaotic, comfort-filled life running a queer karaoke bar with her queerplatonic partner Dee. It’s structured, controlled, almost boring in a way that makes it feel safe. Until it isn’t.

Because of course the one time she takes a job that feels off, everything starts to unravel.

What I loved most about this reading experience is that it never tries too hard to be edgy. It would have been easy to lean into the assassin angle and turn this into something dark and high-stakes in a loud, cinematic way. Instead, it stays grounded in Robbie’s voice, which is dry, observant, a little detached, and surprisingly funny. You spend so much time inside her head that when she starts to care, really care, you feel that shift in your chest before you even register it on the page.

And then there’s Dee. I cannot talk about this book without talking about Dee. Their relationship is the emotional backbone of the story, and it’s done so well. No forced tension, no unnecessary drama, just two people who have built a life together that works. They run a bar, they dream up a musical, they support each other through objectively terrible decision-making, and somehow it all feels soft instead of chaotic. It’s the kind of connection that sneaks up on you and ends up being the thing you remember most.

The story itself moves in this slightly offbeat rhythm that mirrors Robbie’s life. You’ve got the mystery of a target who doesn’t seem to exist, the pressure of a job gone wrong, and then layered over that, the very real, very human stress of finances, creative ambition, and trying to keep a shared dream from falling apart. It’s not a straight-line thriller. It’s messier than that, but intentionally so.

“Curiosity is how you get killed. Or worse—how you get attached.”

That line hit harder the longer I sat with it, because that’s really what this book is about. Not the hit. Not even the mystery, if I’m being honest. It’s about what happens when you let yourself look closer, when you stop protecting yourself with distance and start letting things matter.

Emotionally, this book surprised me. I went in expecting something quirky and fun, and it is that, but there’s also this quiet undercurrent of vulnerability running through it. Robbie isn’t some untouchable, hyper-competent assassin archetype. She’s someone juggling too many things, making imperfect choices, and slowly realizing that control is an illusion she’s been clinging to.

If you’re someone who loves fast-paced, twist-heavy thrillers, this might feel slower than you expect. But if you like character-driven stories where the relationships carry just as much weight as the plot, this absolutely delivers. It feels like a blend of cozy mystery, found family, and low-key existential spiral, which is a combination I didn’t know I needed.

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

I’d hand this to readers who love queer stories that don’t center struggle as the only narrative, people who appreciate morally gray characters with sharp humor, and anyone who enjoys a mystery that lets you breathe between the tension. Also, if the idea of contract killers running a karaoke bar while trying to stage a musical makes you even a little curious, this is probably already your kind of book.

I finished this feeling oddly comforted, which is not something I expected from a story about hired murder. And maybe that’s the point. It’s not about the job. It’s about the life built around it, and what happens when that life starts to shift.

So now I’m curious… would you keep your head down and follow the rules, or would you risk everything just to understand the truth?

#BookReview #RobbieMcNeilsHitList #BriannaHeath #MysteryThriller #QueerBooks #CozyMystery #Bookstagram #ARCReview #LGBTQReads #FoundFamily #CrimeFiction #2026Reads

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley for the ebook and Poisoned Pen Press for the physical copy.

📝 Short Summary

Robbie McNeil’s Hit List follows Robbie, a contract killer who lives by one rule, do the job and do not ask questions. Alongside her queerplatonic partner Dee, she balances her life between taking hits and running a karaoke bar. But when a strange new job lands in her lap with almost no information, things quickly spiral. When her target disappears without a trace, Robbie breaks her own rules and starts digging, leading her into something far more complicated and dangerous than she expected.

Review

Okay so this is one of those books where I can see exactly why people are going to love it, even if it did not fully hit for me the way I thought it would.

First, this book is written well. Brianna Heath has a strong writing style, and you can tell she knows what she is doing. The dialogue especially stood out to me. I loved the banter between Robbie and Dee, it felt natural, fun, and gave the story a lot of personality. There were definitely moments where I found myself chuckling, which I always appreciate in a thriller like this.

I also really liked the concept. A contract killer who does not ask questions suddenly deciding to dig deeper is such a good setup, and it creates a lot of potential for tension and chaos. And there is chaos here, a lot of it. The story keeps moving and there is always something happening, which keeps you engaged.

That being said, for me it felt a little all over the place at times. There was so much going on that it was hard to fully settle into one direction. I think that is where it lost me just a bit, because I like when things feel a little more grounded even in a fast-paced story.

But even with that, I did not regret reading it at all. I was still interested, still entertained, and I can absolutely see this book finding its audience. It has the humor, the action, the characters, and the energy that a lot of readers are going to really enjoy.

Robbie as a main character was fun to follow, and her dynamic with Dee added a lot to the story. Their relationship brought a nice balance to everything going on and gave the book some heart underneath all the chaos.

Overall, this was a solid read for me. It did not completely land the way I expected, but I can fully appreciate what the author was doing and the style she brought to the story. This is one of those books where I know it is going to do well, especially with readers who love fast-paced, character-driven thrillers with humor mixed in.

✅ Would I Recommend It?

Yes, especially if you enjoy fast-paced thrillers with strong character banter, a little chaos, and a unique main character.

[Sandy Quill · Rating 3 out of 5]

My thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press/Sourcebooks for the ARC of 'Robbie McNeill's Hit List' in exchange for an honest review.

It's never easy when you're stuck with competing, divided opinions about a book......delighted with all the stuff in it you like and frustrated and perplexed by all the things that most definitely left you cold.

So it was with this book, which swings back and forth between charming, witty and twisty enough in its plot.....but carries with it a cruel amoral undertone even as it tirelessly generates and begs for sympathy for its characters..

Which is why, for the first time, I find myself having to round a 3 star review upward to 3..5. because I do not feel comfortable giving 'Robbie' a full 4 stars.

First off, if we're to believe novelists and screenwriters of thrillers, the number of killers-for-hire running around far exceeds that of healthcare , food service and government employees. No wonder I can't find a doctor and have to wait so long for my fries.......they've all switched to more profitable careers of bumping off people.

So it is with Robbie McNeill and Dee Machado, a queerplatonic couple who own and operate a popular lesbian Karaoke bar.......as well as accept lucrative contracts to eliminate people whom other people have decided should push up daisies. Dee's an quick, efficient sniper on his assignments while Robbie painstakingly stalks her potential victims so as to arrange meticulous 'accidental' deaths.

Robbie's latest dead-man-walking, an elusive, mysterious young fellow, manages to simply disappear on her. And this puts Robbie in the unforgiving crosshairs of the equally mysterious (and extra creepy) guy who hired her for the kill. This alarming development comes just as Robbie and Dee are trying to mount their amateur Broadway-style musical in a huge historic theater graciously rented to them by a wealthy politician-powerbroker. And wouldn't you know it.......the tangled, twisted backstory of Robbie's missing hit-target crosses paths with all the crisis-a-day, show-bizzy chaos of putting on a musical.

Robbie and Dee are presented to us as a loving, sharp-witted ride-or=die duo, so I guess we're supposed to root for them and not give too much thought to their resume strewn with dead bodies. (You see my problem here.). Also, the pacing of the book goes slack and inert for long stretches, with the narrative coasting on its charm and attempts at dark gallows humor.. But I did enjoy the grand finale, which to me played almost like a spoof of a cornball, feel-good 1930's musical. Well, yeah.....it was fun and made me feel good.

A mixed bag, indeed......so I'm sticking with the 3.5.

(My other reviews can also be found at www.thesandyquill.blogspot.com)

[Sanchia · Rating 3 out of 5]

🌟3🌟 For a debut novel, I thought this was quite good…for a Mystery/Thriller, however, this fell a bit short for me.

Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC!

Generally, I thought the representation in this book was a great inclusion. From various gender identities/expressions to sexualities to disabilities, I thought the author did a nice job at including various people that I feel aren’t seen very often in contemporary literature.

A main gripe of mine is the pacing of the book. The narrative, for me, was generally quite slow paced which was at odds with the content of the book - being a literal book about murder and the high stakes that inherently come with being a hitperson (whether that be a hit being successfully carried out on the hitperson themselves or their life being at least gravely endangered). Given what takes place in the book, it felt like the book would have read better if it was slightly faster paced, though it could be that the slow pace of the book is intended to reflect the fact that the events of the book take place over the course of a month (which can be a long time for some). With that being said, some portions of the narrative felt like they got glossed over very quickly while others annoyingly dragged due to information being over-explained unnecessarily.

Additionally, I felt as though tension was dropped in jarring places. There were a few instances where Robbie (and Dee) would concoct a plan as to what to do next to find out more about Xavier or to find the connection between Xavier/Cassie to “Mr. Clark”, and in the subsequent chapter we’d be reading about Robbie’s musical rehearsals or financial trouble she was in due to the musical…which certainly broke the tension and anticipation for further developments in the Xavier/Cassie-Mr. Clark case at hand. It’s possible that the placement of the musical rehearsal chapters was intended to build up more anticipation for what was to come, but unfortunately this just didn’t work for me.

Overall, this wasn’t a bad read and I am interested in reading whatever Brianna Heath writes next!

(P.S. I would have loved to know how Alexandria/Cassie/Xavier/X personally identifies in terms of gender. If that’s something they’re still figuring out then that’s perfectly fine, but knowing definitively how they identify (if they themselves even know) would have been nice to have a better understanding of them - I pray this overall sentiment doesn’t at all sound entitled of me.)

TW: Murder, Death, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of Parent (?), Stalking, (Minor Mentions of:) Deadnaming; Injury/Injury Detail; Medical Content

[Elinore Judd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Robbie McNeil’s Hit List was, overall, not the best for me. It started off rocky by being set in the general area of my hometown. There is only one lesbian-owned bar in the entire state of Indiana, and the town it is in is nothing like what is described. Much of the town that is described, as well as its surrounding neighborhoods, is much more central Indiana, complete with luxe art museum, at least one wealthy estate, as well as “the wrong side of the tracks.” I love southern Indiana, so don’t get me wrong, but the entire area is the wrong side of the tracks. There is methamphetamine, horse racing, and corn. That’s about it.

The plot feels very disjointed, with contract killers, a musical, and a mysterious character’s identity all being plots inter-weaving together. Unfortunately, they only come together at the very end, but they don’t do so well. I feel like this was a lot of subplots in a trenchcoat trying to be recognized as a cohesive story, but it’s missing the cohesion.

The characters, while diverse on paper, fall very flat. One is an aromantic lesbian with dyslexia and ADHD, and the other is a Latino trans-masculine lesbian. Both of these are compelling stories worthy of telling, but I don’t feel as though these identities were given any sense of purpose. I feel they were made this way as if any representation were better than none. I do love how many side characters were described as being people of color, but they were all described as “brown,” which led me to have trouble telling them apart.Robbie, the character with ADHD, goes off on random tangents and is described as zoning out a lot, which seemed to detract from the story. I also have ADHD, but I know when my internal monologue is relevant and when it isn’t. If I’m telling a story, I try and leave those asides out because people tend to get annoyed at how hard I am to follow.

Another issue I had was with Robbie’s knowledge base. She referred to the word “thereof” as “pretentious,” and said the Ingram estate would be best described as a “neo-whatever revival,” but she goes on to describe the gables on the building and knows innately that the furnishings make it worth obscene amounts of money. I don’t know how you’d know so much and so little about architecture at the same time?

Overall, this was a miss for me. It wasn’t painful, but it wasn’t enjoyable, either, so I’m giving it a middle of the road 3-star review.

[Vince · Rating 3 out of 5]

Robbie McNeil did not kill a single person for the first eighteen years of her life. After that, available records weren’t quite as clear, but all in all, she appeared to have lived a relatively murder-free life.

Robbie and Dee live in a small apartment above the queer karaoke bar they co-own…and are both professional contract killers. Oh, and they’re also producing a musical. What a killer concept! Reading the synopsis alone, I knew I’d follow this book to its final page, which I did…though I do have some notes.

Business owners. Creatives. Killers. They really did look picture-perfect—if you ignored that last part.

First and foremost, I loved Robbie’s character and adored her and Dee’s friendship. Though Robbie reads and writes poorly and counts on her fingers, she’s frighteningly intelligent. Her speciality as a killer is staging accidents—studying a target and setting them up for an unfortunate ending—and it is a craft she has mastered thoroughly.
Dee is an excellent sniper, a wonderful singer, and Robbie’s better half. Though platonically, he is her soulmate, and I’ll go great lengths to read such a heart-warming friendship.

He could make a damn good soufflé, and he could hit a target at one thousand yards. Easy.

Heath had an amazing premise and great characters, the pacing, however, was lacking. Though well-crafted plot twists were sprinkled throughout, the tension often dropped, allowing my attention to waver. For a book on contract killers, there was little action, and I would have enjoyed more focus on crime and mystery and less on the process of their musical.

In a shocking turn of events, Monday was followed by Tuesday, which was followed by Wednesday.

On the other hand, Robbie is sarcastic to the core, setting the tone with cynical humour that made me chuckle. I loved Heath’s writing voice and Robbie’s remarks throughout the narrative.

Robbie opened her mouth to say at least someone cared about Cassie enough to kill her, which was better than no one caring at all, but somehow, she didn’t think Cassie would be cheered by that.

Though it could use some polishing, this book is a humorous mystery with killer characters. I’d love to read more from Heath in the future.
A quick thanks to Netgally, the publisher, and the author for the ARC. I enjoyed it a lot.

[Alyssa Reads and Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robbie McNeil’s Hit List is an utterly charming mystery about a hit woman who also owns a queer karaoke bar and loves musical theater. If any of those things appeal to you, you’ll have a great time reading this debut by Brianna Heath.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Robbie is a hit person, who’s now occasionally freelancing after opening a queer karaoke bar with her queerplatonic soulmate Dee, along with producing the musical she’s written. But these projects require an infusion of cash. Which is why she says yes when a mysterious client asks her to take care of a new target. She’s known for not asking questions, but too many things about her new job don’t add up. And when the target disappears, Robbie knows it’s time to break her own rules and find out what’s really going on.

This book reads more like a cozy mystery than a thriller, which is a plus for me. I think that the author plays fair with the clues, and I like that while I didn’t expect each twist, they all fit together nicely. And while the book doesn’t shy away from the actual work of a hit person, it’s not a deep, dark look at the field.

The representation in this book is top notch, with queer, trans, and aromatic characters, along with neurodivergent ones. While queerness in many forms is innate to the story, it is not the basis of the plot. For example, I love that Dee is trans, and that is not even close to the most interesting thing about him. I truly enjoy stories with representation where each character is more than just their sexuality.

Robbie McNeil’s Hit List is a mystery about a hit woman, and her job that’s gone wrong. Robbie’s story also has terrific queer rep and found family galore, which are some of my favorite things to read about. If you like some humor and musical theater references in your mysteries, you’ll enjoy Brianna Heath’s debut.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Catarina Geirinhas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Brianna Heath, Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley for the ARC!
Robbie McNeil’s Hit List is one of those books that had such an interesting concept that I really wanted to love it, and while it didn’t fully come together for me, there were still parts I genuinely enjoyed.
The premise is fun and unique, blending contract killing, mystery, musical theatre and a strong found family dynamic between Robbie and Dee. Robbie herself is a quirky, messy and endearing character who is easy to root for, and her relationship with Dee is one of the strongest aspects of the story. Their bond feels natural and supportive in a way that really grounds the narrative. I also loved the setting of their karaoke bar and the sense of community that surrounds them.
What stood out most in a positive way was the character driven focus. The story leans heavily into relationships, personal dynamics and everyday moments, which gave it a cozy and sometimes darkly comedic tone. The banter and personality throughout made the book entertaining to read and there were moments that felt heartfelt and engaging.
That said, the execution did not fully match my expectations going in. The pacing felt uneven at times and the balance between the different elements did not always work smoothly. The theatrical subplot ended up taking up a large portion of the story, which made the hit list and investigative aspects feel more like a secondary thread rather than the central focus. This shift in emphasis made the overall direction feel a bit different from what the premise suggested.
I also found some of the representation and world building moments to be a bit heavy handed, which occasionally pulled me out of the story rather than immersing me further. Combined with a lack of strong thriller tension and some predictability in the plot, it made it harder for me to stay fully engaged throughout.

[Ali · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actually 3.25
I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I feel like for this book, I had some expectations that when I started reading, I was a bit confused about how it developed. At first, the B-plot of the play was so random, but then I got why it was integral to the story. Still, I think it took a lot of book time that I think it could have been used for other things. For example, for developing more Robbie's hit person persona. In the book, it is always mentioned how good she was, but the two times we see her work, she kind of makes a bit messy, of course, one of the times it is passed as part of the situation she is going through the book, but maybe include a previous work in the overture would have been good.
It was a very slow start for me, I struggled a lot to advance the story because it felt like it was dragging a lot. But then, the moment it picked up the pace, it was really hard to stop reading.
I enjoyed the way this book used queer characters in an original way for the plot. Be gay do crimes y'all. Also, I loved thay don't have a secondary plot of coming out scenes. I truly loved Dee and Robbie's relationship in the book. The way they supported each other in the good and the bad. Also, Robbie's reading and writing disabilities were so nicely done.
The plot twist of this mystery was so crazy that I was surprised how close and yet how far I was with my theory. I also believe that letting that question hanging in the air was a good idea for the story.

[Lisa Ahlstedt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Robbie McNeil has pretty much retired from the professional assassin business. Or at least cut back a lot. She really doesn't have a lot of time for it anymore since she's busy running a lesbian karaoke bar with her bestie and queerplatonic friend Dee. She's also stressed because just as her play is nearly ready for production, the venue becomes unavailable. Needing money for these two ventures, she reluctantly takes on another hit from a shady man who provides her with little information about the intended target. Still, Robbie is a professional, so she soon has the victim in sight. She begins following him in order to decide the best way to stage an "accidental" death. Just as she's ready to strike, the victim disappears. This is bad news because Robbie has already accepted (and spent) half of the fee. How will she locate the target while avoiding becoming a target herself from the angry client? And how can the play go on with no stage? Luckily, Robbie is resourceful and with Dee as a backup, nothing is impossible.

I enjoyed reading about Robbie's adventures. While she's extremely pragmatic about the whole killing thing (mostly due to never asking unnecessary questions or becoming acquainted with the victims), the backstory of how she came to be in this line of work is quite interesting. I enjoyed all of the characters and in-fighting that happened while trying to put together a play!

I received a copy of this book from a GoodReads giveaway.

[Kay Hertz · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't put my finger on exactly why, but this just couldn't hold my interest for long reading sessions.

There seemed to be a lot of "OBTWs" thrown in. Character traits that check current trend boxes but don't actually make sense to the character or even contradict earlier statements describing said character. Random toss in information that wasn't needed and didn't add to the story or plot.

The mystery; I kept losing interest... Maybe it was the large gaps in the plot line; we jump back and forth between her 'newest'/first in the book hit, to a side project, to a second hit on the list, to the next shiny side quest thing. Yes, I get in real life folks have ADD (*raises hand*) but that's not how I want to read a book. My mind is usually chaos enough already ( Where did I leave my keys this time? Oh right, the fridge.) I don't want to have to reread a page or a chapter more than once to keep up with the plot of what is marketed as a straight forward fun, romp.

Overall, I had to really push through this one to finish. I really wanted to like this one. I loved the premise, the concept of the plot, but I just couldn't connect with it.

I still want to give my heartfelt thank you to Ms. Heath, Poisoned Pen Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. I genuinely hope it connects better with you than it did me.
All opinions are my own.

[Katie Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Robbie McNeil’s Hit List was a good read, I love these characters so much, the bond between Robbie and Dee is my absolute favorite part about this whole book. These two truly have the best platonic soulmates type of vibe going on and I love it so much. Their friendship was written beautifully and right from the start you can tell that these two genuinely care for one another on such a deep level. I loved the level of positivity, care, understanding, and just the ride or die vibes that these two gave each other. It was truly one of the best friendships that I’ve read in a long, long while.

Plot wise, I was hoping the story would focus more on the hit person/contract killer kind of stuff and while some of that is seen the main bit of feels taken up by the therater stuff, I didn’t mind it though and still found it to be enjoyable. I wasn’t particularly invested much in the mystery but I still found the story to have plenty of the more thrilling and suspenseful elements. I liked how things had played out and I’m pleased with how the story had wrapped up. I really enjoyed the writing and characters in Robbie McNeil’s Hit List, Brianna Heath did an amazing job of writing a platonic soulmates friendship. I can see the bond between Robbie and Dee sticking with me for a long time, I’m excited to see more from this author. Thank you to the publisher for giving me a complimentary early release review copy.

[Cess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you love karaoke? Being a Filipino, karaoke and singing are very much part of our genes. We can belt out a tune anytime! Fun fact: karaoke is like our National Sport that sometimes can end in a literal bloodbath especially with Frank Sinatra’s My Way!🤦🏻‍♀️😜🤭

Now about the book —- Robbie McNeil and Dee Machado are independent contract killers. They have queerplatonic relationship and also business partners on a lesbian karaoke bar. Robbie got hired to kill Xavier Landerman but she got too curious about her target and subsequently did not finish the job. Now she’s the target of her client! On top of all these, she and Dee are in the process of staging a musical. Stress much??? Robbie needs to clean up the mess she created if she wants to save their lives and businesses. After all, the show must go on, right??

Ok, I must admit I am not familiar with queerplatonic relationships. The author did a great job explaining what it means and also discussed about asexual and aromantic individuals. I appreciated the introduction and education despite being repetitive at times. I think we need to be exposed to these and try to normalize these terms so people aren’t ignorant. I love getting to know Robbie and Dee and how they operate. Learning about running a bar and staging a musical from ground up to production were an eye-opener! And the karaoke songs? Chef’s kiss!!! Also worth mentioning is the inclusion of learning disability - that despite and inspite of it, one can still be successful in life.

As mentioned, there were some repetitive moments and dull parts, but I was enjoying the story and really want to know how it all ends so I can look past these trivial issues. How Robbie saved the day was worth getting to the long and winding finale. I liked how it all played out even though some morally conscious readers might disagree. Overall, this was a HIT for me.