In “I Bet You’d Look Good in a Coffin,” Katy Brent delivers a triumphant second installment in her Kitty Collins series, plunging readers back into the mind of our favorite vigilante killer with a flair for designer fashion and creative murder methods. This follow-up to “How to Kill Men and Get Away With It” takes everything that made the first book captivating and elevates it with deeper character development, more complex relationships, and higher stakes.
Brent’s writing remains sharp and darkly humorous, balancing the serious themes of misogyny and injustice with a wickedly entertaining narrative that never lets you forget you’re enjoying a fictional thrill ride. This tension between horrifying subject matter and delicious entertainment is precisely what makes this series so compelling.
Plot and Premise: Murder and Family Reunion
When we rejoin Kitty Collins, she’s attempting murder sobriety while living with her boyfriend Charlie, a philanthropist who represents everything good in her life. Her efforts to be “good” are tested when she discovers a misogynistic online influencer called Blaze Bundy who seems to be personally targeting her. When she’s summoned to the South of France for her mother’s wedding to a mysterious man named Gabriel, Kitty finds herself tangled in a web of suspicion, believing Gabriel might be Blaze Bundy himself.
What unfolds is a masterfully crafted narrative of mistaken identities, family secrets, unexpected alliances, and, of course, murder. The story takes shocking turns that keep readers guessing, from Kitty’s boyfriend Charlie going missing to the revelation of a half-sister Kitty never knew existed. Brent expertly weaves these threads together while maintaining the novel’s breakneck pace and sardonic humor.
Character Evolution: Kitty’s Complexity
Kitty Collins remains one of the most fascinating protagonists in contemporary crime fiction. While still the designer-obsessed, murderous vigilante we met in the first book, Brent provides deeper insight into Kitty’s psychology in this sequel:
- Emotional Vulnerability: Her relationship with Charlie exposes her fears of abandonment and her struggle with genuine intimacy
- Moral Ambiguity: Her attempts at “murder sobriety” reveal her awareness of right and wrong, even as she justifies her actions
- Family Dynamics: Her complicated relationship with her mother adds layers to her character, explaining much about her development
- Self-Awareness: Kitty knows she’s a monster, yet she fights to protect those she loves, creating compelling internal conflict
Perhaps most impressive is how Brent makes us root for Kitty despite her horrific actions. When she defends herself against an attempted sexual assault or protects her friend Tor from an abusive therapist, readers find themselves cheering for outcomes they’d normally condemn. This moral gymnastics creates a reading experience that’s as intellectually engaging as it is entertaining.
Writing Style: Sharp, Sassy, and Sophisticated
Brent’s prose crackles with energy and wit. She writes with the confidence of someone who knows her protagonist intimately, delivering Kitty’s internal monologue with such authenticity that readers are pulled into her twisted worldview within pages:
“Men like that think ‘no’ is a negotiation. And if that doesn’t work, they just take what they want anyway.”
The novel balances several tones remarkably well:
- Pitch-black humor about murder and disposal methods
- Genuine emotional depth in personal relationships
- Scathing social commentary on misogyny and justice systems
- Moments of genuine suspense and fear
The dialogue is razor-sharp, with Kitty’s observations about wealth, privilege, and gender cutting through social niceties with surgical precision. Brent’s background in journalism shines through in her economical yet evocative descriptions and her eye for telling details that bring characters to life.
Themes: Justice, Family, and Identity
Beneath its glossy exterior of designer brands and glamorous settings, “I Bet You’d Look Good in a Coffin” explores substantial themes:
Justice vs. Revenge
The novel repeatedly questions whether Kitty’s actions are justified when traditional justice systems fail. When Tor’s abusive therapist is unlikely to face consequences, is Kitty’s intervention warranted? Brent doesn’t provide easy answers.
Family Ties
Kitty’s discovery of a half-sister and reconnection with her mother forces her to confront what family means to her. These relationships serve as counterpoints to her chosen family of friends.
Authenticity and Performance
From Gabriel’s hidden baldness to Blaze Bundy’s manufactured persona, the novel explores how we present ourselves versus who we truly are—with Kitty herself living a double life as both socialite and killer.
Series Context: Kitty Collins Universe
“I Bet You’d Look Good in a Coffin” builds impressively on its predecessor, “How to Kill Men and Get Away With It,” which introduced us to Kitty’s vigilante killing spree after she accidentally killed her cheating boyfriend Adam. This second installment references those events while expanding Kitty’s world, introducing new characters and delving deeper into relationships only touched upon in the first book.
For readers new to the series, this book could technically stand alone, but you’ll appreciate the character development and callbacks much more having read the first book. The series appears to be building toward Kitty potentially facing consequences for her actions, with each book raising the stakes and complexity.
Strengths and Weaknesses
What Works Brilliantly
- Character Growth: Kitty’s evolution feels natural and compelling
- Supporting Cast: Characters like Antoinette and Carmella are fully realized and fascinating
- Pacing: The novel never drags, perfectly balancing action with character moments
- Humor: The dark comedy hits just right without undermining serious themes
- Moral Complexity: Nothing is black and white in Kitty’s world
Where It Occasionally Falters
- Coincidences: Some plot points rely heavily on convenient timing or connections
- Predictability: A few twists can be spotted well before they’re revealed
- Ethical Dissonance: Some readers may struggle with rooting for a protagonist who murders, regardless of her victims’ crimes
- Wealth Fantasy: The constant luxury brand-dropping occasionally feels excessive
Comparable Works
Fans of “I Bet You’d Look Good in a Coffin” would likely enjoy:
- “How to Kill Your Family” by Bella Mackie (similar dark humor and revenge themes)
- “My Sister, the Serial Killer” by Oyinkan Braithwaite (family dynamics and murder)
- “Bad Sisters” (the TV series, with its female-driven vigilante justice)
- “Killing Eve” (cat-and-mouse games and female antiheroes)
The series also shares DNA with Dexter’s vigilante justice framework but replaces clinical precision with passionate feminist rage.
Final Verdict: Delightfully Dark Entertainment
“I Bet You’d Look Good in a Coffin” delivers everything fans of the first book could want while expanding Kitty’s world in unexpected ways. Brent has crafted a protagonist who shouldn’t be likable but somehow becomes someone readers can’t help but root for. The blend of social commentary, dark humor, and suspenseful storytelling creates a reading experience that’s both thought-provoking and wildly entertaining.
While some plot developments rely a bit too heavily on coincidence, and the ethical implications remain challenging, these are minor quibbles in what is otherwise a thoroughly engaging read. The novel satisfyingly concludes its main storylines while setting up intriguing possibilities for future installments.
For readers who enjoy their thrillers with a heavy dose of feminist rage, luxury lifestyle porn, and pitch-black humor, Katy Brent’s Kitty Collins series is essential reading. Just be prepared to find yourself sympathizing with a serial killer—and questioning your own moral compass as a result.
With “I Bet You’d Look Good in a Coffin,” Brent proves the Kitty Collins series is no one-hit wonder but rather a darkly delicious franchise with staying power. I’m already impatient for Kitty’s next adventure—and next victim.