📖 Overview
Killing Eve: No Tomorrow is the second book in Luke Jennings' thriller series that pits MI5 agent Eve Polastri against the lethal assassin Villanelle. The 2018 novel continues the cat-and-mouse game between the two women across international borders and high-stakes scenarios.
Eve Polastri's pursuit of Villanelle leads her through a world of elite luxury and deadly intrigue, while she works to uncover a conspiracy within British intelligence. The ruthless assassin Villanelle maintains her position as one of the world's most dangerous operatives while engaging in an escalating battle of wits with the determined Eve.
The narrative explores themes of obsession, power, and the blurred lines between hunter and hunted in the world of international espionage. This psychological thriller examines the complex relationship between two formidable women operating on opposite sides of the law.
👀 Reviews
Readers found this second Killing Eve book less compelling than the first installment. Many described it as a step down in quality and tension.
Readers appreciated:
- The continued development of Villanelle's character
- Sharp dialogue between Eve and Villanelle
- Fast pacing and short chapters
- LGBTQ+ representation
Common criticisms:
- Plot feels rushed and less focused
- Less psychological depth than the first book
- Some character decisions seem unrealistic
- Writing style is more basic compared to book one
Ratings:
Goodreads: 3.7/5 (2,800+ ratings)
Amazon: 3.8/5 (450+ ratings)
"The cat-and-mouse game lost its spark," noted one Goodreads reviewer. Multiple Amazon reviews mentioned feeling disappointed after enjoying the first book. Several readers commented that the TV show handled the story better, with one stating "the show adds layers the book lacks."
📚 Similar books
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
A psychological thriller about a woman who orchestrates her own disappearance while playing a game of manipulation with her husband follows similar themes of cat-and-mouse dynamics and complex female characters.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson A dark thriller featuring a female protagonist with exceptional skills who operates outside conventional boundaries while pursuing justice through unconventional means.
Codename Villanelle by Luke Jennings The first book in the Killing Eve series provides the foundation for understanding the complex relationship between Eve and Villanelle.
Red Sparrow by Jason Matthews A spy thriller centered on a female Russian intelligence officer navigating deception, loyalty, and complicated relationships in the world of international espionage.
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides A psychological thriller about obsession and the complex relationship between a woman who refuses to speak and her therapist explores similar themes of pursuit and psychological manipulation.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson A dark thriller featuring a female protagonist with exceptional skills who operates outside conventional boundaries while pursuing justice through unconventional means.
Codename Villanelle by Luke Jennings The first book in the Killing Eve series provides the foundation for understanding the complex relationship between Eve and Villanelle.
Red Sparrow by Jason Matthews A spy thriller centered on a female Russian intelligence officer navigating deception, loyalty, and complicated relationships in the world of international espionage.
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides A psychological thriller about obsession and the complex relationship between a woman who refuses to speak and her therapist explores similar themes of pursuit and psychological manipulation.
🤔 Interesting facts
🔍 The book inspired the hit BBC series "Killing Eve," which won multiple Emmy and Golden Globe awards, including Sandra Oh's historic win as the first Asian actress to win Best Actress in a Drama Series
🌍 Author Luke Jennings worked as a professional dancer before becoming a journalist and novelist, bringing a unique perspective to the movement and physicality in his action scenes
🗝️ The character of Villanelle was partially inspired by real-life female assassins, including Idoia López Riaño, known as "La Tigresa"
📚 The novel is part of the "Codename Villanelle" series, which began as a series of self-published novellas before being acquired by a major publisher
🎭 Jennings deliberately wrote Villanelle as a subversion of typical female assassin tropes, creating a character who kills for pleasure rather than necessity or revenge