13 must-read books for Killing Eve fans

Perhaps it’s the wild wickedness of Villanelle, or the dogged determination of Eve Polastri, or maybe it’s the symbiotic relationship that’s developed between the now iconic pair, that always leaves us wanting more. At the core of the award-winning British spy thriller television series Killing Eve are fantastically drawn female heroines that are as dangerous as they are delightful.

So we thought it was only right to fill the Killing Eve void with some thrilling recommendations to satisfy every fan.

From fantastic female protagonists to Russian political thrillers via domestic noir and plenty of revenge, here’s our top picks of chilling crime fiction that’ll keep your passion for lethally murderous characters and twisted stories well and truly alive.

Killing Eve: Codename Villanelle by Luke Jennings

Meet Villanelle where she began. A woman without conscience. Without guilt. Without weakness. Of course, it’s MI5 agent Eve Polastri who gets caught up in this game of cat and mouse, as stopping a ruthless assassin becomes more than just a job for Eve.

The original basis for Killing Eve, this collection of Villanelle novellas introduces us to two of the most memorable heroines of modern crime drama. Gripping from the word go, super fans of the TV show and crime fiction aficionados will enjoy this page turner in equal measure.

Read more: How spy fiction has evolved.

Sticks and Stones by Jo Jakeman

How far would you go to get revenge on an ex? For Imogen, when her husband issues her with an impossible ultimatum, her vengeance knows no bounds. But she’s not the only one who’s out to get the man who destroyed her life.

This vivid, darkly comic suspense novel sees three women taking matters into their own hands to deliver retribution to an abusive partner. It’s the perfect combination of fearless women, wickedly sharp prose and twists and turns you won’t see coming – and a hugely satisfying read.