The cunning interloper … an entire thriller sub-genre has developed around the idea of someone worming their way into the lives of innocents, with deadly aims. Perhaps Killing Eve’s Villanelle is the ultimate example (except she infiltrates with ease again and again and again). “Deserve to Die” is an entertaining entrant into this field, with gorgeous Tamara entering the world of designer Dom and his author wife Stacey and their two children. Miranda Rijks writes with great confidence, her dialogue especially admirable, and the mechanics of Tamara’s misdeeds are plotted with finesse. The characters are credible if a trifle shallow, so that “Deserve to Die” makes for a fine one-sitting read that underplays the implicit tension. A satisfying meal without being a wonderful night out.
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