Review: In the Company of Killers by Elora Cook

 *I received a copy of this book from Hachette Book Group Canada in exchange for an honest review.

In the Company of Killers

by Elora Cook

March 18, 2025

Goodreads Summary:

Gossip Girl meets The Sopranos in this fast-paced drama about a teenage mafia heiress who would do anything to avenge her family, even join forces with the handsome enemy.

Inside the tony suburb of Scarsdale is New York’s worst-kept secret: The mob runs everything, and the Nicastro family is at the center. Seventeen-year-old Tasha Nicastro lives a life of glitz and glamour, but she has no idea her family harbors a dark truth.

Tasha might look like your classic high school mean girl, but behind the designer clothes is a sharpshooter who knows how to bring anyone to their knees. The only person who has ever gotten under her skin is her former best friend, Leo Danesi, the youngest son of the Nicastro family’s rivals. After Leo returns to New York older and more handsome, Tasha thinks he’ll be the worst of her problems—until the life she thought she knew takes a violent, shocking turn. When her father and beloved older sister are murdered before her eyes, Tasha learns the dark truth: Her family runs the most powerful Mafia branch in New York, and now she’s set to inherit it all.

Tasha vows vengeance on the mysterious new mob behind the hit, but she can’t do it alone. She needs someone who already knows the underground world to help track them down. And that person is none other than Leo, the heir to his own family’s dangerous empire.

But Tasha is a Nicastro. She’s been raised in the company of killers, and there’s absolutely nothing she won’t do to avenge her family. That is, if the enemy doesn’t put her in gold chains first.

Review

In the Company of Killers was a dramatic read. I’m not sure what I expected but the tone of the story matched well with a Mafia plot. The characters were mature making the story an easy one to read.

In the Company of Killers gave major Romeo and Juliet vibes. Leo resembled Romeo a lot with his conflicted and heartsick thoughts, but Tasha was no Juliet. Although she was reckless at times, her unapologetic attitude had me wanting to give her high fives. You go girl!

Leo and Tasha made a good team despite their complicated past and uncertain present. Together they were strong. So, when Ravi, Tasha’s ex, kept popping onto the scenes, I knew I had to be prepared. And boy was I right… I am praying for Tasha and Leo to have a future together.

Having watched a fair share of crime shows, I wasn’t surprised by the big reveal. I only felt sad for Tasha when she found out. “Death was final. But this betrayal was infinite.” (p. 347) What a cruel and gut-wrenching twist. In many ways, I feel like Tasha did see it coming. She just wasn’t willing to admit it.

I was unaware In the Company of Killers is a series (I think?) so that cliffhanger ending really caught me off guard. I don’t love it. But I also don’t mind giving my brain another workout. I need to see Leo win (Tasha back)!

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and not affected in any way. Any quotes included in my review were taken from the copy I received.