I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

When aspiring crime journalist Fliss Keller attends an estate sale and uncovers a disturbing painting by a mysterious artist, she wants nothing to do with it. Unfortunately for her, her Art History professor dad buys it immediately. The portrait has been lost for decades and completes a set of four existing paintings of women by the same artist already hanging in the town’s gallery.

But when a series of gruesome crimes rock the community and her father's gallery becomes the epicenter of a deadly game, Fliss discovers that the paintings may hold the key to a killer's identity.

Haunted by the specter of a serial killer, Fliss races against time to solve the mystery before it claims another victim. In a world where every brushstroke hides a sinister secret, can she unravel the clues before she becomes a killer's muse?

Short and Sweet Review

Paint Me Like Your Dead Girls follows Fliss Keller, an aspiring crime journalist whose summer takes a dark turn after she discovers a long-lost painting believed to be connected to a notorious serial killer from the early 1900s. When her father adds the painting to a famous collection at the local gallery, a string of copycat murders begins, forcing Fliss to dig into a century-old mystery before history repeats itself. Blending true crime vibes, creepy artwork, and a fast-paced investigation, the story keeps the tension high while weaving together the past and present.

I had a lot of fun with this one. The combination of art history and serial killers was such a unique premise, and I really enjoyed uncovering the mystery alongside Fliss. The historical chapters about the original victims were some of my favorite parts because they added so much atmosphere and made the past murders feel just as important as the present-day investigation. I also appreciated that the story focused more on Fliss’s friendship with Izzy than on romance, which gave the book a refreshing dynamic. The mystery itself kept me turning the pages, and while I had some suspicions, I still enjoyed seeing everything come together. The pacing stayed consistently engaging, and I liked how the old murders and modern copycat killings were connected. That said, I do think the ending wrapped up a little too quickly. After such a strong buildup, I wanted a bit more time to see the aftermath and how everything affected Fliss once the case was over.

Overall, Paint Me Like Your Dead Girls was a creepy, entertaining YA thriller with an original concept and plenty of twists to keep me invested. If you enjoy mysteries with serial killers, cold cases, and a touch of eerie art history, this is definitely one I’d recommend.