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Murder Bimbo
I'm a 32-year-old sex worker who just killed a politician. Please, please, please turn me into a feminist anti-hero...
A 32-year-old sex worker has just killed extremist political hopeful Meat Neck. Holed up in an off-the-grid cabin in the woods, she now has only two days, her wits and a high-speed internet connection to save her own life.
Her best bet is to reach out to the wildly popular feminist investigative podcast Justice for Bimbos. In a hastily-typed series of emails, the newly-minted "Murder Bimbo" explains how she was recruited and then trained by a cabal of code-named US agents to take out Meat Neck.
But, when she starts a new set of emails, this time addressed to her ex-girlfriend, we begin to realize that Murder Bimbo might not be the unsuspecting cog she claims to be.
In a time where 'truth' is more flexible than ever before - who really is Murder Bimbo? And what will she do next?
Introducing an unforgettable character for our times: hyper-articulate, totally untrustworthy, politically murky, charmingly petty, and wholly egotistical - this is . . . MURDER BIMBO.
A 32-year-old sex worker has just killed extremist political hopeful Meat Neck. Holed up in an off-the-grid cabin in the woods, she now has only two days, her wits and a high-speed internet connection to save her own life.
Her best bet is to reach out to the wildly popular feminist investigative podcast Justice for Bimbos. In a hastily-typed series of emails, the newly-minted "Murder Bimbo" explains how she was recruited and then trained by a cabal of code-named US agents to take out Meat Neck.
But, when she starts a new set of emails, this time addressed to her ex-girlfriend, we begin to realize that Murder Bimbo might not be the unsuspecting cog she claims to be.
In a time where 'truth' is more flexible than ever before - who really is Murder Bimbo? And what will she do next?
Introducing an unforgettable character for our times: hyper-articulate, totally untrustworthy, politically murky, charmingly petty, and wholly egotistical - this is . . . MURDER BIMBO.
224 pages, Hardcover
Published February 10, 2026
301 people are currently reading
15468 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Novack
1 book37 followersRebecca Novack grew up in Colorado. She has a master's in theological studies from Harvard Divinity School and lives in New York's Hudson Valley with her husband and two young children.
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February 4, 2026unreliable female narrators can do no wrong, right?
October 14, 2025
This is one of those books that I would only recommend to specific friends who are also insane lol. I love how weird the protagonist is, I love an unreliable narrator, I love the psycho babble of someone who has ever-changing morals and values that she vehemently defends as if she’s held them for all time.
This was one of those books that had terrible people in it and I hated them all, and that was what made it so fun.
Read it if you, like me, are a little wonky in the head and like books where women do terrible things, with or without reason.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
This was one of those books that had terrible people in it and I hated them all, and that was what made it so fun.
Read it if you, like me, are a little wonky in the head and like books where women do terrible things, with or without reason.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
September 26, 2025
ARC for review. To be published February 10, 2026.
2 stars. I really wanted to rate at 2.5, but that would require rounding up and it doesn’t really warrant 3 stars.
I liked the first third of this book quite a bit, but as fine with the second third and then the whole thing went off the rails in Act III.
“Murder Bimbo” (we don’t know her name) is a sex worker in her early 30s who becomes involved with a group of government agents in a plot to assassinate a Donald Trump-adjacent politician. The first part of the story is told primarily through correspondence with a podcaster and is really gripping. However, as I mentioned, the center doesn’t hold, new, more minor plots arise and it didn’t quite work for me.
I’m sorry to say that despite its early promise I really can’t recommend this one.
2 stars. I really wanted to rate at 2.5, but that would require rounding up and it doesn’t really warrant 3 stars.
I liked the first third of this book quite a bit, but as fine with the second third and then the whole thing went off the rails in Act III.
“Murder Bimbo” (we don’t know her name) is a sex worker in her early 30s who becomes involved with a group of government agents in a plot to assassinate a Donald Trump-adjacent politician. The first part of the story is told primarily through correspondence with a podcaster and is really gripping. However, as I mentioned, the center doesn’t hold, new, more minor plots arise and it didn’t quite work for me.
I’m sorry to say that despite its early promise I really can’t recommend this one.
January 27, 2026
I honestly don't even know how to favorably review this one except to say it was entertaining.
Truthfully, though, this was the worst kind of unreliable narrator and the three varying acts on the same story ended up feeling redundant.
Truthfully, though, this was the worst kind of unreliable narrator and the three varying acts on the same story ended up feeling redundant.
December 3, 2025
Murder Bimbo is quintessentially millennial. An unreliable narrator sex worker assassinates a rising right-wing political figure and would be more worried about the optics of her having completed this mission with a bunch of racists if she weren't primarily fixated on impressing her ex-girlfriend.
And it is wicked fun.
Fans of Emma Cline will appreciate this one. Each of the three acts is a retelling of what happened leading up to the assassination, based on the audience our narrator would like to appeal to. As the story unravels, our character becomes more complex but never more likeable. There were areas where the character motivation and story structure didn't quite work for me, but overall I enjoyed this fast-paced, bonkers story.
And it is wicked fun.
Fans of Emma Cline will appreciate this one. Each of the three acts is a retelling of what happened leading up to the assassination, based on the audience our narrator would like to appeal to. As the story unravels, our character becomes more complex but never more likeable. There were areas where the character motivation and story structure didn't quite work for me, but overall I enjoyed this fast-paced, bonkers story.
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February 13, 2026Such a unique premise—I was drawn in right away. I really liked the voice of our unnamed sex worker assassin. She's smart, snide, and insecure. The novel is told through a series of letters. First, to a podcaster named Justice Bimbo and then to X, Murder Bimbo's X. The second half stumbled a bit for me as I didn't have a clear sense of X, though I like how the book ended. I didn't mind that Murder Bimbo didn't have a name, but I had a hard time telling the men (Walnuts, Eyebrows, Onions, etc) apart.
January 26, 2026
2.5/5 ⭐️
You are met with an unreliable narrator recalling the same story 3 different ways to suit the receiver (and how Bimbo wants to be perceived).
The premise, a sex worker being recruited by a government agency to assassinate a political figure, is extremely interesting.
The story being split up in 3 acts, Act 1 and Act 2 being written in email correspondence I assumed would make the tale pass extremely fast. It did not. Act 1 built good tension and I thought was a solid set up. Act 2 and Act 3 dragged tremendously. There was not enough variations in these stories to warrant 3 different tales. Although I can understand the complexities of perception, it just felt tedious, redundant and repetitive.
I WILL say, I do think this story would translate extremely well as an audiobook. With the right narrator, the story can be delivered with a certain type of charisma that would make this extremely enjoyable. I’d be willing to try this again and adjust my rating if an audiobook becomes available.
* This was an arc copy. Thank you Avid Reader Press.
You are met with an unreliable narrator recalling the same story 3 different ways to suit the receiver (and how Bimbo wants to be perceived).
The premise, a sex worker being recruited by a government agency to assassinate a political figure, is extremely interesting.
The story being split up in 3 acts, Act 1 and Act 2 being written in email correspondence I assumed would make the tale pass extremely fast. It did not. Act 1 built good tension and I thought was a solid set up. Act 2 and Act 3 dragged tremendously. There was not enough variations in these stories to warrant 3 different tales. Although I can understand the complexities of perception, it just felt tedious, redundant and repetitive.
I WILL say, I do think this story would translate extremely well as an audiobook. With the right narrator, the story can be delivered with a certain type of charisma that would make this extremely enjoyable. I’d be willing to try this again and adjust my rating if an audiobook becomes available.
* This was an arc copy. Thank you Avid Reader Press.
October 16, 2025
So the thing about writing a “sign of the times” book is that you have to reveal something or actually even take a stance and not just mash a bunch of red scare adjacent mood board items together. Local woman enraged that book entitled “murder Bimbo” is exactly how it sounds
February 10, 2026
The average rating on this book is why goodreads and I will never see eye to eye. I thought this was brilliant, easily my top read of the year so far, and something I can see myself thinking about for weeks. This is my new Annie Bot. I personally feel like the reviews about it being repetitive missed the point entirely. It’s about seeing the truth in the variations, how every story serves a purpose of persuasion, and the ways performative altruism is driven by selfish pursuits. It burned the entire system down and made snow angels in the ashes. And it was hilarious, irreverent, and unhinged. Absolutely everything I could’ve asked for in a reading experience.
September 17, 2025
Ah, what won’t lesbians do for love, or, is it love? Murder Bimbo is for fans of obsessive/psychological thrillers with unreliable queer narrators. Ms. Bimbo, truly, brava. Only slightly timely, I fear. It could use some work in being more topical (im being very sarcastic). I didn’t know where Ms. Bimbo was taking me next, enjoyed this debut novel a lot - humorously tackled so many dark aspects of American political and social culture. Absolute bonkers novel. Catherine Lacey also wins for best blurb of the year maybe
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Most of this book was written on my phone in the grocery line, and in the front matter of novels when I’ve pulled over on the side of the road, in voice memos recorded between the visit from the nurse and the visit from the doctor, and in emails to myself whenever a colleague was running late to a call.
People have accused me of it before, but I’m not a liar. A liar is a person who makes things up. I don’t make things up. I tell the truth at whatever cost. I tell the truth even if it means I have to edit a story for people to get the important parts. I pay attention to what people hear and adapt the story so that they hear the pertinent thing, and don’t get tripped up on irrelevant flashy details.
Here’s what Murder Bimbo wants us to know: she’s 32, a sex worker, and a lesbian; she’s pretty; she refers to herself as Murder Bimbo and “Me”; and she’s yearning for her former lover, who she refers to only as “X.” Here’s what we guess: Murder Bimbo isn’t as street smart as she thinks.
Murder Bimbo tells her story in three parts and from three perspectives: as emails to Justice Bimbo, as emails to X, and as a memoir. Her story revolves around her abandoning
sex work to work for a shadowy group to undertake initially unspecified shadowy and dangerous work. Murder Bimbo initially assumes she’s been recruited by a government agency, with minimal evidence to support this. She eventually realizes that the group consists of tech bro neonazis, with the sole exception of a former client of hers who, in fact, may be a government agent. Her mission becomes murdering Meat Neck, a right wing cult figure.
What we don’t and will never know: how could Murder Bimbo be so naïve, so totally clueless to assume that she’s been recruited by a government agency?; why murder Meat Neck?; why leave sex work, given the varying and contradictory explanations given by Murder Bimbo in the three acts of Murder Bimbo?; what happens to X?; why kill DC?
Rebecca Novack (no, not Author Bimbo) leaves much for the reader to guess. Some readers like guessing, some don’t. I don’t mind guessing, but there’s too much guessing here for me.
This is Novack’s debut novel. It’s a promising start: Novack has plotted Murder Bimbo well, she’s created an interesting and unusual character, and she maintains tension throughout. I’m looking forward to Novack’s sophomore novel, which might be even better if she writes less on her phone and more on her computer.
Three stars
Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this advanced reader’s copy.
People have accused me of it before, but I’m not a liar. A liar is a person who makes things up. I don’t make things up. I tell the truth at whatever cost. I tell the truth even if it means I have to edit a story for people to get the important parts. I pay attention to what people hear and adapt the story so that they hear the pertinent thing, and don’t get tripped up on irrelevant flashy details.
Here’s what Murder Bimbo wants us to know: she’s 32, a sex worker, and a lesbian; she’s pretty; she refers to herself as Murder Bimbo and “Me”; and she’s yearning for her former lover, who she refers to only as “X.” Here’s what we guess: Murder Bimbo isn’t as street smart as she thinks.
Murder Bimbo tells her story in three parts and from three perspectives: as emails to Justice Bimbo, as emails to X, and as a memoir. Her story revolves around her abandoning
sex work to work for a shadowy group to undertake initially unspecified shadowy and dangerous work. Murder Bimbo initially assumes she’s been recruited by a government agency, with minimal evidence to support this. She eventually realizes that the group consists of tech bro neonazis, with the sole exception of a former client of hers who, in fact, may be a government agent. Her mission becomes murdering Meat Neck, a right wing cult figure.
What we don’t and will never know: how could Murder Bimbo be so naïve, so totally clueless to assume that she’s been recruited by a government agency?; why murder Meat Neck?; why leave sex work, given the varying and contradictory explanations given by Murder Bimbo in the three acts of Murder Bimbo?; what happens to X?; why kill DC?
Rebecca Novack (no, not Author Bimbo) leaves much for the reader to guess. Some readers like guessing, some don’t. I don’t mind guessing, but there’s too much guessing here for me.
This is Novack’s debut novel. It’s a promising start: Novack has plotted Murder Bimbo well, she’s created an interesting and unusual character, and she maintains tension throughout. I’m looking forward to Novack’s sophomore novel, which might be even better if she writes less on her phone and more on her computer.
Three stars
Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this advanced reader’s copy.
February 11, 2026
I did not like this book.
There are 3 acts. Each act tells what is basically the exact same story in a different way. The basic plotline of each section is the same - each section just tells you a bit more about our Murder Bimbo Assassin and the people in her life. An interesting concept on its surface, but the story simply isn't worth repeating 3 times.
I didn't love our MC in Act one. I actively disliked her in Act two. I loathed her in Act three. So...I guess that's different?
The story itself is remarkably dull.
Your mileage may vary, but I feel like I wasted a lot of time on this.
* ARC via Publisher
There are 3 acts. Each act tells what is basically the exact same story in a different way. The basic plotline of each section is the same - each section just tells you a bit more about our Murder Bimbo Assassin and the people in her life. An interesting concept on its surface, but the story simply isn't worth repeating 3 times.
I didn't love our MC in Act one. I actively disliked her in Act two. I loathed her in Act three. So...I guess that's different?
The story itself is remarkably dull.
Your mileage may vary, but I feel like I wasted a lot of time on this.
* ARC via Publisher
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Pre-Read Notes:
I thought this would be a great, subversive, swer-inclusive feminist book, so I grabbed it. *edit it isn't any of these things.
"I evaluated everyone I met, asked them tangential questions, observed them. I knew the kinds of people who I needed to befriend: People who were also sexual. People who were attracted to me. People who could become sexual or attracted to me once we knew each other better." p116
Final Review
(thoughts & recs) I think I'm in the middle of a terrible reading slump. So please take this review with a grain of salt.
Experimental fiction that only repeats experiments other writers have already explored are not fun to read. The form here is epistolary, composed of emails that only go one way. The reading experience is like reading a diary, since there are no responses. I love experimental fiction, but it needs to break ground. Otherwise, it's just fiction.
Also, this book is deeply ableist, particularly where PTSD and the effects of trauma are concerned. Because the narrator is completely untrustworthy (a no name main character; sorry, but that experiment has been done and it's never worked), I can't really distinguish the character's ableism (and SWERF-y beliefs about sex work, by the way, which is...ironic) from the author's.
Also, I do not like that none of the characters have names. My brain does not register Onions as the name of a character. I spent my entire (brief) read being confused about who was who.
Wanted to love this one, but... It's just such a mess. Two stars for a good concept.
My 3 Favorite Things:
✔️ "I never told them about my job because of the stigma." p24 Stigma refers to a specific form of discrimination experienced by disabled people. She means something else. She means just plain old discrimination.
Thank you to Rebecca Novack, Avid Reader Press, and NetGalley for an accessible digital arc of MURDER BIMBO. All views are mine.
I thought this would be a great, subversive, swer-inclusive feminist book, so I grabbed it. *edit it isn't any of these things.
"I evaluated everyone I met, asked them tangential questions, observed them. I knew the kinds of people who I needed to befriend: People who were also sexual. People who were attracted to me. People who could become sexual or attracted to me once we knew each other better." p116
Final Review
(thoughts & recs) I think I'm in the middle of a terrible reading slump. So please take this review with a grain of salt.
Experimental fiction that only repeats experiments other writers have already explored are not fun to read. The form here is epistolary, composed of emails that only go one way. The reading experience is like reading a diary, since there are no responses. I love experimental fiction, but it needs to break ground. Otherwise, it's just fiction.
Also, this book is deeply ableist, particularly where PTSD and the effects of trauma are concerned. Because the narrator is completely untrustworthy (a no name main character; sorry, but that experiment has been done and it's never worked), I can't really distinguish the character's ableism (and SWERF-y beliefs about sex work, by the way, which is...ironic) from the author's.
Also, I do not like that none of the characters have names. My brain does not register Onions as the name of a character. I spent my entire (brief) read being confused about who was who.
Wanted to love this one, but... It's just such a mess. Two stars for a good concept.
My 3 Favorite Things:
✔️ "I never told them about my job because of the stigma." p24 Stigma refers to a specific form of discrimination experienced by disabled people. She means something else. She means just plain old discrimination.
Thank you to Rebecca Novack, Avid Reader Press, and NetGalley for an accessible digital arc of MURDER BIMBO. All views are mine.
February 20, 2026
The unhinged unreliable women literary universe gains a new psychotic lesbian
February 20, 2026
If I could give this six stars, I would
February 17, 2026
keep luigi's name out of your mf'in mouth
August 28, 2025
This book was a wildly entertaining ride. A sex worker turned assassin by the government, the plot was hilariously unhinged. The political chaos in this story is so relatable with our current times but mostly the plot is just pure genius. I never knew what was going to happen next. It’s such a unique storyline overall that it keeps you hooked on every page wondering if you’re about to gasp or chuckle.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 29, 2025
one of those what did I just read and you must read so we can discuss.
told in 3 parts - each one showing more of Murder Bimbo's truth and manipulation.
told in 3 parts - each one showing more of Murder Bimbo's truth and manipulation.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
WOW - I feel like i just got off El Diablo at six-flags.
Murder bimbo is a queer 32-year-old sex worker gets enticed, or entrapped, or developed the plan to murder a political newcomer Meat Neck. The story shows three different depictions of the same event, all from her perspective with three different slants to the story.
Murder Bimbo is so creative, I was constantly twisted up as to how to feel about our unreliable narrator. I can't believe how often I believed her and then was tricked! Every time I was like I'm not falling for that again and then I did! And you know she's loving dragging us all through this, making us question everything, making us fall in love.
I would highly recommend this for people who like women, female rage, and psychological thrillers.
This is a timely piece with multiple references to things currently happening, and political implications to the real world but I thought this was just going to be a simple straightforward murder some right-wing politician and it's so much deeper than that.
Thank you NetGalley and Avid Reader Press for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Murder bimbo is a queer 32-year-old sex worker gets enticed, or entrapped, or developed the plan to murder a political newcomer Meat Neck. The story shows three different depictions of the same event, all from her perspective with three different slants to the story.
Murder Bimbo is so creative, I was constantly twisted up as to how to feel about our unreliable narrator. I can't believe how often I believed her and then was tricked! Every time I was like I'm not falling for that again and then I did! And you know she's loving dragging us all through this, making us question everything, making us fall in love.
I would highly recommend this for people who like women, female rage, and psychological thrillers.
This is a timely piece with multiple references to things currently happening, and political implications to the real world but I thought this was just going to be a simple straightforward murder some right-wing politician and it's so much deeper than that.
Thank you NetGalley and Avid Reader Press for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
November 21, 2025
The structure did bother me but I love what the book does with perspective, specifically people’s ability to tell versions of the same story to different people.
It also contains one of the best dialogues between a sex worker and a partner about the work, it made me cry.
It also contains one of the best dialogues between a sex worker and a partner about the work, it made me cry.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5 stars rounded up
Murder Bimbo follows our eponymous protagonist, the self-proclaimed Murder Bimbo, as she recants the story of how she killed an infamous political figure dubbed Meat Neck. She pens her tale in a series of emails to a podcaster named Justice Bimbo while hiding out after the act and contemplating her next move.
The subject matter of this was certainly novel and intriguing, but rehashing it in three different ways kind of made the book lose steam toward the end. I love a good unreliable narrator and watching the narrative unravel at the seams, but I think this tended to wax a bit too poetic at times, particularly in the emails to Murder Bimbo's ex-girlfriend.
None of the characters are likeable at all, but it definitely worked for this particular story. It was fun to see the different facets of each of them as Murder Bimbo portrayed them, including herself, in her narration.
The subject matter is certainly topical, without being too on-the-nose about everything. I also thought the exploration of sex work was well done and provided an interesting backdrop for the main character's personality and motivations.
Overall, I enjoyed this - it was a quick and snappy read and unlike anything I'd ever read before. It could have used some refinement but it wasn't anywhere near unreadable or egregious, it is possibly just my personal preference!!
Thank you to Netgalley and Avid Reader Press for this ARC!!
Murder Bimbo follows our eponymous protagonist, the self-proclaimed Murder Bimbo, as she recants the story of how she killed an infamous political figure dubbed Meat Neck. She pens her tale in a series of emails to a podcaster named Justice Bimbo while hiding out after the act and contemplating her next move.
The subject matter of this was certainly novel and intriguing, but rehashing it in three different ways kind of made the book lose steam toward the end. I love a good unreliable narrator and watching the narrative unravel at the seams, but I think this tended to wax a bit too poetic at times, particularly in the emails to Murder Bimbo's ex-girlfriend.
None of the characters are likeable at all, but it definitely worked for this particular story. It was fun to see the different facets of each of them as Murder Bimbo portrayed them, including herself, in her narration.
The subject matter is certainly topical, without being too on-the-nose about everything. I also thought the exploration of sex work was well done and provided an interesting backdrop for the main character's personality and motivations.
Overall, I enjoyed this - it was a quick and snappy read and unlike anything I'd ever read before. It could have used some refinement but it wasn't anywhere near unreadable or egregious, it is possibly just my personal preference!!
Thank you to Netgalley and Avid Reader Press for this ARC!!
February 22, 2026
most critiques here focus on Act 3 "losing thr plot" but I feel they missed the point. I dont necessarily believe it's a thriller trope of a person getting swept up in a plot then goes on the run. But more about processing and moving on from a relationship that still has its hooks in her. and many I suppose are turned off by the queer focus of the relationship.
they dont let the story's pedals open and see act 1 and 2 are part of the protagonists manipulations and plots to get to through act 3.
and wow was this so we'll written. act 1 we are seeing a "im just a simple" sex worker caught up in this horrible position as she presents her story to a podcaster. and the writing is quick, short. act 2 she is working on another target but much less tge "simple sex worker" and an extremely articulate smart partner. act 3 even more three dimensional.
breaks my heart this amazing writer is getting so little love here. I very much look forward to her next work, whatever the story.
they dont let the story's pedals open and see act 1 and 2 are part of the protagonists manipulations and plots to get to through act 3.
and wow was this so we'll written. act 1 we are seeing a "im just a simple" sex worker caught up in this horrible position as she presents her story to a podcaster. and the writing is quick, short. act 2 she is working on another target but much less tge "simple sex worker" and an extremely articulate smart partner. act 3 even more three dimensional.
breaks my heart this amazing writer is getting so little love here. I very much look forward to her next work, whatever the story.
February 23, 2026
Unreliable female narrators may be my greatest weakness.
January 25, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Avid Reader Press for the eARC! Sex worker turned assassin? Hell yeah.
Here’s the deal: Murder Bimbo is vibing in an undisclosed location writing emails to Justice Bimbo, a famous podcaster, and her ex, X. Half epistolary and half first person makes this one heck of a tale. The first thing you need to know? Murder Bimbo tells you what you WANT to know.
The beauty of this novel is that by the end, you’ve heard so many versions of these events that you’re not entirely sure what the truth is. Perhaps there’s a little truth in each retelling.
This book can be hard to follow, and I think that’s on purpose. Murder Bimbo comes right out and says that people think she lies often. From her perspective, she’s just playing to her audience.
The ending did fall a little flat for me. I think a few extra pages might have been enough to make this a five star read. After all the twists and turns, the end just felt extremely abrupt and unsatisfying.
Overall: What an iconic debut full of searing commentary on our current political climate. I’m anxious to see what else is up Rebecca’s sleeve.
Here’s the deal: Murder Bimbo is vibing in an undisclosed location writing emails to Justice Bimbo, a famous podcaster, and her ex, X. Half epistolary and half first person makes this one heck of a tale. The first thing you need to know? Murder Bimbo tells you what you WANT to know.
The beauty of this novel is that by the end, you’ve heard so many versions of these events that you’re not entirely sure what the truth is. Perhaps there’s a little truth in each retelling.
This book can be hard to follow, and I think that’s on purpose. Murder Bimbo comes right out and says that people think she lies often. From her perspective, she’s just playing to her audience.
The ending did fall a little flat for me. I think a few extra pages might have been enough to make this a five star read. After all the twists and turns, the end just felt extremely abrupt and unsatisfying.
Overall: What an iconic debut full of searing commentary on our current political climate. I’m anxious to see what else is up Rebecca’s sleeve.
September 21, 2025
what a wild romp! it was as darkly funny and really as strange as it sounds.
so a sex worker turned assassin roped in by neo-nazis, or is it government agents to murder someone brilliantly named meat neck (or insert chosen misogynistic piece of shit). honestly, it's kinda wild because you can insert any a many of shitty extremist politicians and it'd fit. it's topical to say the least. anyways, is she as unaware and we think? or is she manipulating the narratives? i could make arguments for both.
the separate acts did feel disconnected which is my only complaint. idk how to explain it, it felt like i had to backtrack a few times to match which narrative went to which.
but i really just think you should read this, catherine lacey's blurb alone had me hooting and hollering...gone girl for the luigi mangione era"!?! i mean, come on.
so a sex worker turned assassin roped in by neo-nazis, or is it government agents to murder someone brilliantly named meat neck (or insert chosen misogynistic piece of shit). honestly, it's kinda wild because you can insert any a many of shitty extremist politicians and it'd fit. it's topical to say the least. anyways, is she as unaware and we think? or is she manipulating the narratives? i could make arguments for both.
the separate acts did feel disconnected which is my only complaint. idk how to explain it, it felt like i had to backtrack a few times to match which narrative went to which.
but i really just think you should read this, catherine lacey's blurb alone had me hooting and hollering...gone girl for the luigi mangione era"!?! i mean, come on.
January 17, 2026
Not charismatic enough to warrant the same story being told three times. This one frustrated me to get through. It felt like an inside joke that I wasn’t in on. I get what the author was trying to do, it’s not that I didn’t get it. Murder Bimbo is unreliable. She’s a woman of our age and willing to do anything. I think I was meant to be hanging on her every word with inner conflict and I just wasn’t. I couldn’t love her or hate her because I was just trying to get through whatever she was selling. Again, three times. I swear this one felt a good 50 pages longer than it was. I think a creative concept didn’t translate into a good read in this case.
December 13, 2025
an odd book that made me feel like a bad feminist for thinking it was terrible. at the end of the book, the entire story felt pointless to have told, and at the beginning it was insufferable to get through.
this novels tactic is to throw everything you could think of into it to trick you into thinking it has any level of depth, but falls apart upon further inspection.
this novels tactic is to throw everything you could think of into it to trick you into thinking it has any level of depth, but falls apart upon further inspection.
February 24, 2026
2.5 stars? Honestly this was so all over the place and the naming conventions pissed me off so much. Onions? Walnuts? Meatneck? Eyebrows? Seventeen? I’m pretty sure that’s not even all of them but those five words are characters in this book. Don’t get me wrong I get it, but I just found it super annoying. I love weird, freaky girl, “good for her” novels soo much but this one fell so flat for me. The last bit of the book I enjoyed the most but overall this just felt like it was trying to be a bunch of different books and the execution (heh) was just not there for me. Quite disappointed with this one :( I really wanted to love it. Thanks very much to the publisher for the arc!
February 15, 2026
This was an invigorating read. Short but teeming with so much emotion, trauma, insanity. Unnamed narrator was a treat to read, and the 3 act structure felt like a taser to the brain for getting too comfortable with your own reading comprehension skills
I love a manipulative, dishonest, fun narrator!!! I love books where scummy men die!!! I love books that take a swing at true crime women & cushy liberals!!! I love books that lead you into believing something just to pull the rug out and call you stupid for believing it!!
I liked this way more than I was expecting to. Super excited to hear the author speak on it on Tuesday night! Maybe I’ll even get it signed :)
IMPORTANT: It wouldn’t be me if I didn’t mention triggers- I am not sure why I was surprised by an on-page rape scene in a book about sex worker political assassination, but it very much did jumpscare me in Act 1. Besides that, this book also deals with rape trauma, abusive relationships of multiple flavors, stalking, lesbophobia— all relevant to or connected with the plot(s). This is not a light read by any means; that they are woven in well doesn’t mean they aren’t still triggering. I don’t like raving about a book and not mentioning things that could ruin the experience for others, so proceed safely divas <3
I love a manipulative, dishonest, fun narrator!!! I love books where scummy men die!!! I love books that take a swing at true crime women & cushy liberals!!! I love books that lead you into believing something just to pull the rug out and call you stupid for believing it!!
I liked this way more than I was expecting to. Super excited to hear the author speak on it on Tuesday night! Maybe I’ll even get it signed :)
IMPORTANT: It wouldn’t be me if I didn’t mention triggers- I am not sure why I was surprised by an on-page rape scene in a book about sex worker political assassination, but it very much did jumpscare me in Act 1. Besides that, this book also deals with rape trauma, abusive relationships of multiple flavors, stalking, lesbophobia— all relevant to or connected with the plot(s). This is not a light read by any means; that they are woven in well doesn’t mean they aren’t still triggering. I don’t like raving about a book and not mentioning things that could ruin the experience for others, so proceed safely divas <3
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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