This book was sent to Traveling With T for review consideration.

Eight Perfect Murders

Summary: A chilling tale of psychological suspense and an homage to the thriller genre tailor-made for fans: the story of a bookseller who finds himself at the center of an FBI investigation because a very clever killer has started using his list of fiction’s most ingenious murders.

Years ago, bookseller and mystery aficionado Malcolm Kershaw compiled a list of the genre’s most unsolvable murders, those that are almost impossible to crack—which he titled “Eight Perfect Murders”—chosen from among the best of the best including Agatha Christie’s A. B. C. Murders, Patricia Highsmith’s Strangers on a Train, Ira Levin’s Death Trap, A. A. Milne’s Red House Mystery, Anthony Berkeley Cox’s Malice Aforethought, James M. Cain’s Double Indemnity, John D. Macdonald’s The Drowner, and Donna Tartt’s A Secret History.

But no one is more surprised than Mal, now the owner of the Old Devils Bookshop in Boston, when an FBI agent comes knocking on his door one snowy day in February. She’s looking for information about a series of unsolved murders that look eerily similar to the killings on Mal’s old list. And the FBI agent isn’t the only one interested in this bookseller who spends almost every night at home reading. The killer is out there, watching his every move—a diabolical threat who knows way too much about Mal’s personal history, especially the secrets he’s never told anyone, even his recently deceased wife.

To protect himself, Mal begins looking into possible suspects—and sees a killer in everyone around him. But Mal doesn’t count on the investigation leaving a trail of death in its wake. Suddenly, a series of shocking twists leaves more victims dead—and the noose around Mal’s neck grows so tight he might never escape.

Traveling With T’s Thoughts:

I loved, loved, LOVED The Kind Worth Killing by Peter Swanson. So much love for that book- that I’ve kept him on my radar. Her Every Fear and All The Beautiful Lies were fine books- good, but just not as GOOD as TKWK.

 

So after getting a copy of Eight Perfect Murders-  I was curious to see- was this book going to be as good as The Kind Worth Killing? And the answer, sadly for me, is no. Not even close.

Now, don’t get me wrong- it’s got some good parts. It’s even enjoyable at times. But I have yet to experience that thriller high with Peter’s latest books that I did with The Kind Worth Killing and I miss that thriller high.

 

What I liked:

The cover. It’s pretty good.

The set up of the book- someone committing crimes using a list that Malcom created from classic mysteries. That’s VERY interesting sounding.

 

Bottom line: For me, it just didn’t reach the potential that I know he has since The Kind Worth Killing was FANTASTIC. Honestly, if I had read this book first- I would probably be raving about how great it is- because it’s got some good parts. It’s just that I know that this could have been more. I’m beginning to wonder if Peter Swanson is like a one hit wonder for me- one really great book and the rest are ok? Maybe the next book will WOW me.

 

*This book was sent to Traveling With T for review consideration. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone.*

 

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Happy Reading and Bookishly Yours,

T @ Traveling With T