[Review] — NOT THE KILLING KIND by Maria Kelson (★★★½✰)

Crime thrillers are everywhere, often with similar titles and cover designs that make it hard for readers to choose a specific one. What caught my eye about NOT THE KILLING KIND by Maria Kelson was not just the title but the cover art—it reminded me of the famous show "Twin Peaks.” However, the book itself is different from "Twin Peaks,"—nothing in common at all—and that’s not a bad thing.

The story follows Boots Marez, a Latina single mother raising her smart and independent eighteen-year-old son, Jaral, whom she adopted six years ago. In addition to being a mom, she runs a school for undocumented individuals in her politically charged Northern California community. The plot takes a dramatic turn when Jaral is arrested for the murder of one of her former students, turning Boots’ life upside down.

As she tries to protect her son, Boots is forced to shed light on a community that usually stays hidden, which makes her question her past decisions. At the same time, a group of parents at the school is working to undermine her efforts and remove her from the institution she fought hard to build. While Boots battles growing threats to prove her son’s innocence, she faces tough choices about what she’s willing to do to bring him home.

Things get even more complicated when Boots discovers that Jaral has been keeping secrets. As she tries to unravel the pieces of this complex situation, she uncovers a dark web of lies, hidden right in front of her.

I have read NOT THE KILLING KIND twice—once last year and again recently to prepare for this review. While the narrative has a few predictable twists, it is an engaging read overall. I admit I had trouble connecting with Boots, as I don’t have children and found it hard to relate to her situation. Also, I felt the pacing was off during my first read, but I didn’t have that issue during my second read. However, the author’s writing is impressive, especially in how she creates lively dialogue and rich descriptions. I found myself more caught up in the story itself than in Boots’ emotional journey. 

NOT THE KILLING KIND is an intriguing addition to the crime thriller genre. Despite its flaws, it holds its own against many more popular books. ╍★★★½✰

You can buy NOT THE KILLING KIND in hardcover. It is also available on Kindle and Audio CD. I am an Amazon affiliate, so I will earn a small commission if you purchase a book through the links above. This revenue will help support future reviews.