• Author: Peter Swanson
• Series: Standalone
• No. of pages: 320
• Publisher: Faber and Faber Ltd
• Dates read: 01.03.20 – 07.03.20
• Rating: 2.5 stars

Plot: A series of unsolved murders with one thing in common: each of the deaths bears an eerie resemblance to the crimes depicted in classic mystery novels. The deaths lead FBI Agent Gwen Mulvey to mystery bookshop Old Devils. Owner Malcolm Kershaw had once posted online an article titled ‘My Eight Favourite Murders,’ and there seems to be a deadly link between the deaths and his list – which includes Agatha Christie’s The ABC Murders, Patricia Highsmith’s Strangers on a Train and Donna Tartt’s The Secret History. Can the killer be stopped before all eight of these perfect murders have been re-enacted?

This story had a lot of things going for it, I don’t personally read thrillers that much or any murder mystery story with FBI or CIA involved, I prefer more cosy murder mysteries. But the idea of the murders replicating famous murders from books hooked me in.

This book is very trigger heavy with mentions of drugs, sexual abuse and death and I am fortunate enough to not be triggered by those elements but this book even have myself feeling uncomfortable so if you are affected by those things I would be cautious.

I personally wanted more action, I wanted to see the main protagonist do more. Quite a lot of stuff just happens to him in this story. A person tells him information or a quick google search and he is ok. Nearer to the end of the story about the 75% mark we still him finally get up and do some investigating but it felt a tad bit to late. I just wanted him to do more in the story.

That being said, I really liked the main character. I liked watching his story slowly unfold and learn more about him and his situation, which isn’t exactly as it seems.

Sadly, there is not much I can say about this book. I enjoyed it and watching the pattern unfold but I wasn’t loving this story. Maybe it was the heavy mention of the triggers, maybe it was the fact that our protagonist didn’t do much until the 3/4 mark or maybe it was a great idea, ok execution. I am still not sure. Because of these confusing feelings, I am going middle on the road for this one.

The next book I will be reviewing is Closed Casket by Sophie Hannah. Just what I need to be honest, a nice cosy murder mystery with my favourite Belgian detective.