spannjuan's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
alana99's review against another edition
dark
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
bisousl's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Not a bad story but not a particular standout. The twist is predictable and the mmc is unlikeable.
I read this as an audiobook and the reader did a great job.
There were too many jumps in logic and reactions that just didn’t make any sense. The fbi agent apparently has an immediate trust with the mmc which just makes no sense, considering she had looked up his history and knew things about him before the reader does.
Also when the narrator flashbacks to describe the relationship with his wife, I just got immediate red flags and ick factors.
I read this as an audiobook and the reader did a great job.
There were too many jumps in logic and reactions that just didn’t make any sense. The fbi agent apparently has an immediate trust with the mmc which just makes no sense, considering she had looked up his history and knew things about him before the reader does.
Also when the narrator flashbacks to describe the relationship with his wife, I just got immediate red flags and ick factors.
chantalsbookstuff's review against another edition
4.0
Peter's idea around how this book is set out is brilliant! Malcolm, a bookshop keeper compiles a list on his blog using 8 books to create an Eight Perfect Murders book list. Some really great authors like Agatha Christie and James Cain to name a few are some of those books listed.
I really enjoyed this book, felt it dragged a little in the middle, but overall a really good book!
I really enjoyed this book, felt it dragged a little in the middle, but overall a really good book!
alliepeduto's review against another edition
3.0
Well, this was interesting to say the least. It kind of reminded me of the inevitable “recap” episode of TV comedies back in the 90s, where it basically just shows funny scenes from other episodes.
This was the book version of that. It didn’t really have much of a plot aside from copying other more famous plot lines. I honestly think this should have come with a spoiler warning, because it will ruin the endings for better books, if we are being honest here. I’m really glad I recently read The Murder of Roger Ackroyd because this totally spoils the ending.
I felt kind of harsh giving this 2 stars, so I gave it a 3 with the caveat it’s a 2.5 rounded up. I’m not sure if I’ll give the author another go anytime soon, but I won’t count it out!
This was the book version of that. It didn’t really have much of a plot aside from copying other more famous plot lines. I honestly think this should have come with a spoiler warning, because it will ruin the endings for better books, if we are being honest here. I’m really glad I recently read The Murder of Roger Ackroyd because this totally spoils the ending.
I felt kind of harsh giving this 2 stars, so I gave it a 3 with the caveat it’s a 2.5 rounded up. I’m not sure if I’ll give the author another go anytime soon, but I won’t count it out!
judithsbookshelf's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
4.75
I just finished the book and I don't know how to feel.
Summary:
Eight Perfect Murders by Peter Swanson is a murder-mistery novel about a mistery-bookstore owner named Malcolm Kershaw.
One day an FBI-Agent, named Gwen Mulvey shows up at his door and asks him about murders that were carried out with a blog entry of his in mind. Said entry was about eight perfect murders (in fiction).
The more you get into the story, the clearer it get's, that Malcolm is not a saint.(He killed Norman Chaney, Steve Clifton, his wife Claire Mallory and Marty Kingship (recreated the murders) and himself in the end.
He is also a kind of unreliable narrator, because oftentimes he doesn't tell the whole truth, right off the bat.
I think it was very well-written and I was not expecting him having killed his wife and all the other people, so in that regard it was very surprising. The writing style was also quite gripping towards the end. What makes me feel so strongly about the fact, that Malcolm has murdered all these people, is probably, the way he doesn't show remorse, really.
He is just like... well, that happened.
Which is weird because he was accusing Marty of getting joy from killing people and says that reality is a different case. Yet, he killed those people.
First mistery novel I have ever read. Good read
Summary:
Eight Perfect Murders by Peter Swanson is a murder-mistery novel about a mistery-bookstore owner named Malcolm Kershaw.
One day an FBI-Agent, named Gwen Mulvey shows up at his door and asks him about murders that were carried out with a blog entry of his in mind. Said entry was about eight perfect murders (in fiction).
The more you get into the story, the clearer it get's, that Malcolm is not a saint.
He is also a kind of unreliable narrator, because oftentimes he doesn't tell the whole truth, right off the bat.
I think it was very well-written and I was not expecting him having killed his wife and all the other people, so in that regard it was very surprising. The writing style was also quite gripping towards the end. What makes me feel so strongly about the fact, that Malcolm has murdered all these people, is probably, the way he doesn't show remorse, really.
He is just like... well, that happened.
Which is weird because he was accusing Marty of getting joy from killing people and says that reality is a different case. Yet, he killed those people.
First mistery novel I have ever read. Good read
audreysy's review against another edition
mysterious
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
hmmm honestly quite meh for the premise. it was a decent read and you could feel the love for mystery novels emanating from the text, but the actual mystery which should have been compelling in theory was stunted by this jerky storytelling pace which, as this is my first peter swanson work, i do not know if it’s intentional or not. a lot of the plot points felt glaringly obvious, there wasn’t enough of a lead up to the reveal of the murderer likely because he didn’t play much of a role in the story at all in the first place to make it shocking enough, and reveals were explained as if to a child.
actually, the entire book was written as if to reason with a child. “this is what happened, and as explained in the previous chapter, this is what i did next.” was the vibe of the reveals. mysteries are best leaving the reader clutching behind the author piecing together point after point as pieces fall into place, not spoonfed as it was here. there was also a lot of “clever” “self-aware” statements from the main character where he references a specific mystery novel and point-blank tells you how that related to what he has said or done.
there was also a disconnect between the writing and the main character. i cannot be made to believe that this tone of voice arises from a supposed 40 year old man. also, all characters felt incredibly flat and inconsistently characterized (especially the main character like he was not mentally unstable enough to be doing all that…) and their motivations were all… unrealistic? in fact, even taking the story with a grain of salt, i just can’t get behind how fantastical the coincidences occurring in this book are.
still, i did enjoy this book and finished it fairly quickly, if only for the fact that i love murder mysteries.
actually, the entire book was written as if to reason with a child. “this is what happened, and as explained in the previous chapter, this is what i did next.” was the vibe of the reveals. mysteries are best leaving the reader clutching behind the author piecing together point after point as pieces fall into place, not spoonfed as it was here. there was also a lot of “clever” “self-aware” statements from the main character where he references a specific mystery novel and point-blank tells you how that related to what he has said or done.
there was also a disconnect between the writing and the main character. i cannot be made to believe that this tone of voice arises from a supposed 40 year old man. also, all characters felt incredibly flat and inconsistently characterized (especially the main character like he was not mentally unstable enough to be doing all that…) and their motivations were all… unrealistic? in fact, even taking the story with a grain of salt, i just can’t get behind how fantastical the coincidences occurring in this book are.
still, i did enjoy this book and finished it fairly quickly, if only for the fact that i love murder mysteries.
bookomens's review against another edition
4.0
4 ⭐️
This book is a nearly perfect classic mystery thriller book and I am surprised of how underrated this book is. I came across this book on Thriftbooks while looking for additional books to add on my cart for a freeship order. So so glad I picked this out because this is definitely in my top favourite thriller now.
All the categories are crossed out with pleasure. The characters are well crafted and morally grey. The pacing is fast. The structure is just right. And the plot is full of twist and turns, the kind that we can guess the killer before the ending if we pay close attention, which is the absolute best. Above all the book sticks with its intentioned metaphor and parallels throughout the whole thing, which creates a very fulfilling feeling on the last page. There are also so many references on existing mystery books which are further suggestions for a thriller fan.
Overall, very satisfied with this book! 10/10 recommended for any thriller fan!
This book is a nearly perfect classic mystery thriller book and I am surprised of how underrated this book is. I came across this book on Thriftbooks while looking for additional books to add on my cart for a freeship order. So so glad I picked this out because this is definitely in my top favourite thriller now.
All the categories are crossed out with pleasure. The characters are well crafted and morally grey. The pacing is fast. The structure is just right. And the plot is full of twist and turns, the kind that we can guess the killer before the ending if we pay close attention, which is the absolute best. Above all the book sticks with its intentioned metaphor and parallels throughout the whole thing, which creates a very fulfilling feeling on the last page. There are also so many references on existing mystery books which are further suggestions for a thriller fan.
Overall, very satisfied with this book! 10/10 recommended for any thriller fan!
oliviaritter's review against another edition
4.0
kinda silly kinda sorta cheesy? but idk i enjoyed reading it