The breakneck thriller that inspired TV sensation Killing Eve, starring Sandra Oh, “unlike any other spy drama you’ve seen” (Daily Beast). Villanelle (a codename, of course) is one of the world’s most skilled assassins. A catlike psychopath whose love for the creature comforts of her luxurious lifestyle is second only to her love of the game, she specializes in murdering the world’s richest and … murdering the world’s richest and most powerful. But when she murders an influential Russian politician, she draws a relentless foe to her tail.
Eve Polastri (not a codename) is a former MI6 operative hired by the national security services for a singular task: to find and capture or kill the assassin responsible, and those who have aided her. Eve, whose quiet and otherwise unextraordinary life belies her quick wit and keen intellect, accepts the mission.
The ensuing chase will lead them on a trail around the world, intersecting with corrupt governments and powerful criminal organizations, all leading towards a final confrontation from which neither will emerge unscathed. Codename Villanelle is a sleek, fast-paced international thriller from an exciting new voice in fiction.
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So, I picked up this book after watching the TV show… I’d heard it awasn’t as good as the TV show, but I’m glad to say they were wrong. I thoroughly enjoyed this! Villanelle… You just aren’t sure if you want to hug her or slap her or shoot her… She’s deliciously devious and dangerous and you love her to pieces. Eve is an amazingly unusual kind of heroine-figure who seems to love our bad girl V as much as we do. I’m looking forward to seeing how this develops, on the page and on the screen.
I am a fan of the BBC series Killing Eve, so thought I’d give the novel a try. Realistic, gritty, and entertaining, Codename Villanelle reads like a fast-paced television show, and is an interesting behavioral study of two vastly different women. The end is a tad less than satisfying, however. This first book reads like an episode–the author leaves the reader with several loose ends. Nevertheless, it was an enjoyable read.
“Codename Villanelle” by Luke Jennings has been adapted into the hit TV series “Killing Eve.” In general, I prefer the original novel to its TV or movie adaptation, but in this case, both have compelling advantages.
While the TV variation “Killing Eve” presents events primarily from Eve’s viewpoint, “Code name Villanelle” reflects events from Villanelle’s perspective. Oxana’s transformation into Villanelle, the highly skilled assassin, is detailed including her training and the choice of her cover name.
“Later that afternoon, they visited a boutique selling scent…Cautiously Oxana touched the amber scent to her wrist… ‘It’s called Villanelle’ said the assistant. ‘It was the favourite scent of the Comtesse du Barry. The perfume house added the red ribbon after she was guillotined in 1793’”
Readers gather clues about “The Twelve” right in the first chapter. “I sometimes wonder who they are, these employers of ours.”
Villanelle’s assigned victims are cast in a more evil light in the books, more deserving of death, but to her, the work is the same. “Work is always murder.” Some of characters have very different roles in the novel, and not all characters in the TV adaptation appear in the book. Eve makes her entrance just shy of halfway through the book, but her role is significant. “Eve knows nothing will ever be the same again.”
“Codename Villanelle” is a compelling companion to its TV adaptation “Killing Eve.” In this rare case, both the book and the TV version are equal partners in the narrative that is Villanelle. The book is compelling in its narrative, and you will not want to put it down. “Killing Eve” is one of the truly “binge-worthy” TV adaptations. Do not miss either one.
So in love with this story! I am addicted to the show, so thought I’d listen to the audiobook and it’s even better. If you like true crime feel, serial killers, and bad ass “girl-next-door” who just might slit your throat then eat your sandwich, this IS your next guilty pleasure series.
Love the quote, “The only thing interesting about you is me.” This sums up the relationship between Eve and Villanelle. The psychopathic humor is as troubling as it is fun. Jennings’ ability to have us rooting for Villanelle is brilliant. Highly recommend.
Fantastic fun stuff. On to volume two, and looking forward to catching up with the series now!
Quick read that helps to fill in the blanks if you are watching the TV show.
I can’t recommend this book strongly enough! Jennings set out to write an ORIGINAL thriller and he more than accomplished that task. This book is NOT a formulaic, predictable story that only changes the names of yet another iteration of Ludlum’s Jason Bourne character. It IS a compelling, well-researched, and incredible portrayal of original, fully-formed characters struggling to succeed and find fulfillment, vendication, and, yes, REVENGE for their personal failings and their lot in life.
From my perspective, this is the MOST ORIGINAL THRILLER I’ve read since HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER, which makes this novel an excellent adventure for the readers and an exceptional case study for anyone lusting to write an original yarn themselves.
Looking forward to plunging into KILLING EVE: NO TOMORROW next!
‘Codename Villanelle’ is like James Bond, Jason Bourne, Game of Thrones and Criminal Minds rolled into one.
The first two chapters were slow for me, somewhat graphic and just okay, but the last three were a total thrill ride!
It had violent fight and death sequences, graphic sex scenes and a lot of international intrigue.
Although the whole book was less than 230 pages, some parts dragged on and others were complete WTF I HAVE TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!
Unless you really want to read the book I’d just stick with the show.
Very good but found it very short. I expected it to be much longer and cover the story of the killing of Eve. Good read.