Codename Villanelle: The Basis of KILLING EVE, the Hit BBC America TV Series (Killing Eve, 1)

"Killing Eve" is my new favorite show, so I was excited to find out it was based on a book! While I am grateful to Mr. Jennings for inspiring the series with his work, I have to say the show is superior to its origin.

Skip the book. Watch the show. Somewhat exciting but never on the edge of my seat. It was liberally peppered with designer names, popular artists (to the point that it frustratingly pulled me out of the story), but missed opportunities to describe details. For example, it described Villanelle's pants then said she was wearing a "Miu Miu sweater." Not a color, texture or sleeve length, just designer. Is this product placement? Is the author looking for freebies? And there's a "Nikki Minaj song." It was excessive and made me realize how temporary this book is supposed to be. It's like reading a book written in the 70's that describes a club scene where the girl is wearing plaid bell bottoms and the floor is full of people dancing to Afternoon Delight. It's embarrassing at most, distracting at least. On the bright side, you get a little bit of Villanelle's history, which I've either missed in the series or it hasn't been described yet, but likely will. Really, don't spend the money on the book. The series is much better (and I've only seen the first 2 episodes). In addition, Sandra Oh's Eve is much more brilliant/funny/sassy than the author's. The book lacks character development to an extreme degree.

As a total admirer of the BBCA television series "Killing Eve," which is based on this, and as someone who is so often the "but the book was better" guy when it comes to adaptations, I wanted to like this book so much more than I did.This is just a standard spy thriller, a bit on the dull side, with one-dimensional characters and a meandering plot. In the book's version of the world Eve is after Villanelle not because of the appealing self-questioning or confused obsessiveness Sandra Oh's Eve displays, but simply because she's the good-spy character who is angry that her colleague was killed by the baddie. The book's Villanelle is not the badass mischievous psychopath infatuated with her pursuer as Jodie Comer plays the role, but just another unexcitingly-written assassin who has some dull sex scenes with strangers in between killing people and musing over her tragic past of killing people. The barely-written-at-all supporting cast are also nowhere near as interesting as the TV versions; prepare for the thrilling adventures of stock spy colleague, stock hacker kid, stock assassin guy, stock Chinese person, and so on. This book is "Killing Eve" minus anything that made the TV series interesting.It's obvious that, while this novel was used as a starting point, the real charm of "Killing Eve" comes from Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Jodie Comer, Sandra Oh, and the rest of the cast and crew adding real depth, spark, charm, and appeal to the characters and settings. This novel is basically the rough-draft pencil sketch of a masterpiece painting, better completed by others.

I want to find things to like about this compilation, but it’s difficult after watching the BBC adaptation; the television series is so much better, this really was a disappointment.“Codename Villanelle” lost its first star from me due to a few glaring technical inaccuracies: the author calls a gun magazine a clip (NOT the same thing), and he refers to either a flash-bang grenade or a concussion grenade as a “stun grenade.” This is not a term used by anyone in the know. Why either of these two things mattered to me is that an action/spy thriller depending on weaponry for authenticity needs to be, well, authentic.The book lost its second star because, frankly, it’s not all that thrilling. *SPOILERS* For example, neither Simon nor Konstantin’s characters are well-developed, so I cared very little when they were both killed off. Also, I’m still at a loss as to why Eve so badly wants to get Villanelle before Simon’s murder. She’s just interested in the rarity of female assassins? Ok...that’s boring.I wouldn’t recommend this book; I highly recommend the BBC series.

So poorly written that I gave up at page 51 (of 200, paperback), two pages after Eve is finally introduced, and donated the book to the library. Assassin training is lifted from the 1990 'La Femme Nikita' film, including the 'grande dame' teaching her haute couture. Dull plotting and unrealistic dialogue. If you're into thrillers, do yourself a favor and instead read the first two Jack Carter novels by Ted Lewis.

I bought this after watching "Killing Eve," a BBC-America show based on the Villanelle book. It isn't bad, and I tried not to compare it too much to the show, but I am so taken with Sandra Oh's Eve that it was jarring when reading about the characterization in the novel. I don't know if there are other books in the series, but if so I will read the next. There are some moments where I think the author must be getting product placement residuals, and occasionally there is a lot of extra expository writing that takes me out of the story, but it's a couple of fascinating characters that ultimately make you keep turning the page. I was rather shocked to find I'd finished and do want more- kind of like a La Durée rose-petal flavoured macaron.

Its usually the case that the book is better than the film or tv series but I'm afraid it's not so with this book. Its as though the screen writers took the central plot from an okish book and transformed it into something amazing for TV. If you want ok read the book if you want spectacular watch the tv series

I loved watching Killing Eve so thought reading the book would be superior... as the book is always better than the film or tv show, right? The book is better in the detail, the sense of peril, Eve and Villanelle's personal thoughts come to life and the action, which the reader feels party to, is second to none. There is such great action and creative murdering! This really is a fun read and you will love both characters even more than the tv show.What's different from the show? The off the wall kookiness of Villanelle wasn't there. That's not a bad thing but that is one of the reasons I enjoy the show so much. Eve is also quite a lot more serious and capable. But, I'm good with both of these. I think the trade off of feeling more personally invested in both lovely ladies trumps craziness and capability any day.If you are looking for a fun spy thriller, this is a winner whether you've watched the show or not. There are plenty of divergences so the story feels fresh.

Loved the TV series, but the original text is curiously flat, one-dimensional. The author deserves credit for coming up with the idea for the two main characters and the varied and ingenious hits, but it never comes to life on the page. If I'd read the book first, I doubt if I'd have bothered to watch the adaptation. It's usually the other way round for me.So even more credit to Phoebe Waller-Ridge for spotting its potential and the cast for breathing life into the characters.

It has been a long time since I gave any book a five star rating, but this one truly deserves it. The ending left me breathless and hungry for more. Although I have many books currently sitting on my TBR mountain, I am going to have to skip over them all to read the next installment, No Tomorrow.The pace is tremendous and the narrative is never boring. Read it in bed and you will be staring at your clock, wondering if it is really three in the morning.I started reading Villanelle because I was so impressed by the TV series, Killing Eve and the brilliant performances of Jodie Comer as the cold-hearted protagonist and Sandra Ohas her obsessed pursuer. Although the characters and theme are the same, there are major differences between the book and the drama series. Those differences make it all the more interesting.There were points of personal interest. For example, the references to a certain Army camp are clearly references to one in which I served a significant part of my own military career. All of the buildings are gone now, but it remains as private Ministry of Defence land. There are also references to places within cities with which I am very familiar, not least the Bois du Boulogne, where Villanelle takes her morning run. I have run around there many times prior to breakfast and work in La Défense.I thoroughly enjoyed a long passage in which Eve, her colleagues and some clever friends crack a password on a locked file. Limited to three attempts, it is extremely unlikely that they would be able to crack the password in the way that they did, but it was very inventive and a lot of fun for the characters and for the reader.So, there is nothing left for me to say, except, "Bring on the next volume!"

We were so hooked by the TV series of Killing Eve that we watched the whole series over a couple of nights.It was a great story with a mix of dark humour and drama. Characterisation was excellent.On the strength of this I bought the first book; Codename Villanelle, and to say that I was disappointed is an understatement. Whilst I expected that I would already know the story, I was looking forward to reading it with the TV characters stirring my imagination (as I do when reading the excellent 'Bosch'). I was quite pleased to see that the storyline differed from the TV adaptation but was wholly disappointed by the story telling, which was akin to an audio voiceover for the blind. It was one dimensional in the third person, present tense for most of the book, except it didn't draw you into the story, it just appeared that someone uninterested was describing the story to you. I saw it through to the end....well actually, it wasn't an end. It was nothing; just an invitation to buy the next. It is an invitation that sadly I won't be accepting.

there is the basis for a good spy thriller here, but the author doesn't do enough with it. the book is short and slight, so events unfold quickly but that means that significant parts of the plot are undeveloped.the ending is very abrupt, and to be honest, the whole thing felt like a trailer for the 2nd book. having only paid 1.99, i don't mind too much, but the 2nd book is £10 for which i would expect so much more.i found this after reading about the tv show, i hope they do a better job withe subject than the author.

This volume collects together the first four instalments of the story which inspired the excellent television series "Killing Eve", introducing our central protagonist, the amoral Villanelle.We are thrown immediately into an exotic assignment for the emotionless professional assassin, whilst, during the first segment, being given details about her transformation from Oksana, a poor, motherless Russian girl, to "Villanelle". Jennings is clearly enamoured of his heroine, despite giving her no redeeming qualities whatsoever, relying on our natural empathy with the person whose point-of-view we share.Eve Polastri, the woman tasked with tracking down the ruthless killer, is physically dissimilar to Sandra Oh in the TV show, and she has a different set of associates; but her essential decency and dedication are well-drawn.There is perhaps a tendency on the part of the author to point up the elegance of Villanelle's lifestyle by listing high-end brand-names, counterpointing them with Eve's drab domesticity, but the story-telling is seductive and detailed, with more than a hint of Ian Fleming. The fact that we find ourselves rooting for someone so reprehensible is possibly a cause for concern, but a tribute to Jennings' cleverness.Compelling stuff, and one can certainly see what inspired Phoebe Waller-Bridge to take these fascinating women, and create new stories from their impossible relationship.

This feels like a thriller written after consulting a 'how to write' guide.On the plus side I did finish the book. I couldn't get attached to any of the characters. Even when one dies you didn't feel the loss.The book is part of a series but each book is not a complete story in itself. I won't be buying the next one.

I watched and loved Killing Eve on TV so was looking forward to reading the original story. The plot differs in TV/Book, which is fine. Unfortunately, the book is flat, the characters are 2D and, actually, quite unlikeable. Nothing of note really happens... Eve and Villanelle don't even really meet. I think the (male) author struggled writing from a female perspective as the whole tone is cold and detached.This really shows the genius of Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Jodie Comer and Sandra Oh, who could cherry pick worthwhile ideas from such mediocre material and turn it into a fantastic, funny, witty show full of strong confident female leads. I won't bother reading book 2, I'll just wait for the second season to come out next year.

Overall I thought this was a good book and I nice companion to the series. Having watched the series first I found that the book went in a different direction in terms of the character storylines and was shocked on places as I didn't expect certain character decisions, however this kept it interesting.The book does what it says on the tin and is a nice short read, however as it is not my normal cup of tea I found it overly detailed and graphic in places (in particular the Fat Panda scene) and at one point refused to read it further. I did however finish it (as I was already halfway through) and have starting reaching the season again as my interest has been reignited. Overall I would say the series is better personally as it is lighter but it depends what you are looking for and what genre you usually read. While it my not be my normal cup of tea, I will be reading the second book as I found the first very interesting and I am curious about 3hat will happen next and the more contrasts I may find against the series.

An enjoyable read but........Am I the only person on the planet who has never watched the TV series Killing Eve? This book is actually four novellas put together and it feels a little unfinished and disjointed in places. There is no great characterisation with the exception of the two core characters, thus the reader feels no great loss when something happens to any one of them. Some descriptions were rather odd too, i.e 'the long brown eyes fixed patiently onto his.' - long brown eyes??? really? That said, overall it's a quick, easy and enjoyable read which finished on such a big cliff-hanger and with such a pull on me to find out what happens next, that I now have no choice but to continue straight onto book 2 of this two-part series.Update: I have just finished reading the second Killing Eve book, No Tomorrow which has vastly changed my opinion of this series for the better, and I would urge anyone who was like me, teetering on whether to continue reading or not, to definitely do so.

When seeing the ads leading up to the playing of the TV show I was intrigued. After watching the TV adaption I could not wait to read the book. I discovered that the bits that the TV could not include proved to do what I suspected. Vllanelles insistence on looking into the eyes of the person she was killing which were highlighted in the TV seemed the most true to character. The other left out, and left to the readers imagination, bits gave a brilliant insight and illuminated the book immeansly.

You may have liked the TV series, but I wouldn't recommend the book. I guessed it would either be Silence of the Lambs type porn or, if I was lucky, something more thoughtful, but it's really neither fish nor fowl - sometimes Villanelle is incapable of emotion, and sometimes she feels emotion (having said that, real psychopaths do at least feel rage and self-pity: it's empathy and sympathy that they lack). Apart from that, it is good, fluent writing. It uses a lot of tongue-in-cheek product placement, but that's just ripping off American Psycho. It highlights the commerciality of the whole weapons and killing business, which is unfortunately self-contradictory, since all her victims are conveniently immoral. It spends too much time on Villanelle's training: the idea seems to be to stress the internationality of the exploitation of such "talents", but it's pedantic about it. None of the characters has any personality, i.e. Eve, and there is no humour in the book: in both areas the TV series far outshines it.

I've come at this completely backwards.I bought book two first just to see how bad it was.Except that it was excellent.Then I bought this and expected it to be a learning curve with the tv series infusing a lot of the quality.In other words I had already made my mind up- not that I expected it to be bad- but I thought the tv makeover which was of course sensational and unexpected could probably take much of the credit.Now I think this is on a par with Fleming.I know Fleming is looked down on by some, but not me.He was good at what he did and so is Jennings.These books are future classics and I'm certain they will be remade in more iterations than just TV.Good as the series are (TV) I think this is possibly/probably a monster franchise.I looked with interest to see is the perfume (Villanelle) is real.There is a perfume of the same name, but it is fictional.Someone needs to jump on that, trust me it will be humungous money for someone.The problem we have as readers is picking books that are good.Who knew?I would now buy anything Jennings wrote but when he was just another name in the kindle pile how was anyone to know?He was picked up for a tv series and now we all know.

I don't like to pay good money for a book, to have it just cut off half way through a story.I can live with these eBooks being published in sections, but this just stops mid story.I will not be buying anymore of this author, it's a rip off.