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Chapter one

Millie

When I was in grade school, my best friend, Alison Kiirl—you know the one She took lessons, came to school in cowboy boots, and always s, but certainly unique a the student body at Middleton Elementary Her room was covered in pictures of horses; her clothes were all horse-theirl was invested and could be called upon at any given moment to answer a horsey question or rattle off an equestrian fact

Did you know horses can run a mere six hours after birth? Nope

What about their teeth—were you aware a horse’s teeth take up more space in their head than their brain? Didn’t know that, either

Most little girls are obsessed with soets a second thought Puppies: standard Princesses are also frequently idolized An obsession with boy bands is to be expected Begging your parents for a pony or unicorn is normal

I don’t think I’ve ever been normal Me? I was obsessed with serial killers

More specifically, I was obsessed with the idea of female serial killers Hear the phrase serial killer, and —let’s be real, men are responsible for at least ninety-two percent of the evil in the world For centuries, worammed to be the nurturers, after all—the protectors, the ees—so e hear of a wo it, it’s instinctively shocking

My particular fascination started around the tirade theater class It was an original musical—the brainchild of our eccentric-would-be-an-understatement teacher—and I landed the lead role Before then, the concept of murder was still loose and shapeless in obbled up everything I could about Lizzie Borden, the gruesome hatchet murders, the dramatic trial, the acquittal The fact that, to this day, the et the wheels in : What is it about the eneral but more prone to serial violence—and what trips that same switch in a woman? It’s why I read every book on the subject I could find as a teen, watched every criy at UC Santa Barbara, and a on my own book about the very women who so fascinated me as a child

It’s probably also why I’uy friends, instead of out enjoying myself on an actual date

No ender differences in serialthe Tell me about yourself portion of an initial rendezvous

“Millie”

“Mills?”

My attention first snags on Ed’s voice, and then focuses on Reid’s “Yeah?”

Reid Cauy friends, the reason we’re here celebrating tonight, and a ot the rins at aht?” He’s still waiting, still sains distributing

Apparently while zoning out, I inadvertently agreed to play Monopoly “Ugh Guys Again?”

Reid, who for some reason is always the banker, looks back up at me with faux-wounded blue eyes “Co a ives you an obscene amount of joy”