Review: Short story: "The Kill Clause" by Lisa Unger

The Kill Clause by Lisa Unger
Published December 2025 via Amazon Original Stories

It's the holidays, but Paige is at work. That's not a big deal—but there's just one problem. Her job is a contract kill, and her target's daughter is unexpectedly at home. The rules of the game dictate one thing...but Paige's conscience dictates another.

This is my second short story from Lisa Unger, both of them dark and brief. The Kill Clause has shades of Mr. & Mrs. Smith—which is to say that, fear not, it's a different story with a different plot and different characters, but when you have various assassins running around and having romances, it's hard not to make a connection.

The strength of the story is in its red herrings...and perhaps also in the sense of cat and mouse, and of cat becoming mouse. (And also: the part of me that enjoyed watching Mr. & Mrs. Smith also really enjoys the occasional light read about assassins.) The weaknesses are twofold—first, the limited motivation and character development we get from the story's baddie, and second, Paige's inability to see what's right in front of her, which seems ever so slightly crucial for someone with her role. But collectively it makes for a nice snappy story with a bit of holiday and a bit of horror. More impetus to pick up one of Unger's full-length books at last!

Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.