Review: The Kill Clause - Lisa Unger

Review: The Kill Clause - Lisa Unger - December 2025

I wasn't feeling my best when I picked up The Kill Clause by Lisa Unger - one of those mornings where nothing quite appeals and you're scrolling aimlessly through your reading options. On a whim, I clicked on this Amazon Original short story, and I'm so glad I did. Sometimes the perfect read finds you exactly when you need it.

From the opening pages, this book gave me serious The Long Kiss Goodnight vibes you know, that brilliant Geena Davis and Samuel L. Jackson action film that perfectly blends Christmas cheer with explosive assassin drama. Unger captures that same energy: holiday setting, deadly professionals, and a protagonist whose conscience complicates everything.

We meet Paige, a woman pulled from foster care and molded into a lethal assassin by her mentor Nora. She's been trained to execute targets without hesitation, but when she arrives to complete her latest assignment, everything unravels. The target's daughter, Apple, wakes unexpectedly. Paige can't pull the trigger not with a child present, and certainly not one who reminds her of vulnerability and innocence. She messages her handler, promising to finish the job the following night.

Then comes the text from Julian, her husband (who's also an assassin, because apparently that's how these power couples work): two emojis that changes everything. Suddenly, Paige and Julian aren't just partners in their deadly profession , they're marked for death themselves. The Company has activated a Kill Clause on both of them, and now they're running for their lives during the most wonderful time of the year.

What works beautifully here is Lisa Unger's pacing. As a short story, The Kill Clause doesn't waste a single word. The tension builds immediately, the stakes are crystal clear, and the holiday backdrop adds an ironic warmth to this cold-blooded world. Paige is a compelling protagonist , skilled, conflicted, and human despite her training. Her relationship with Julian adds emotional depth without slowing the action.

The central question drives relentlessly forward: Can they survive this Christmas, or is death the only exit strategy?

For a quick read, The Kill Clause delivers surprising punch. It's perfect for when you want entertainment that doesn't demand days of commitment but still provides genuine thrills. Lisa Unger proves she can craft a complete, satisfying story in compact form, no small feat.

If you love action thrillers with heart, strong female leads, or just need something exciting to read on a less-than-stellar morning, give this one a shot.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4q5c9Uf