Eight Perfect Murders: A Novel by Peter Swanson Book Review
Author: Peter Swanson
Publisher: HarperLuxe
Ratings
Goodreads: 3.6/5
Amazon: 4.1/5
Plot Summary
The "Eight Perfect Murders" list was compiled by mystery fanatic and bookseller Malcolm Kershaw years ago, and it features some of the best mysteries ever written, including Agatha Christie's A. B. C. Murders, Patricia Highsmith's Strangers on a Train, Ira Levin's Deathtrap, A. A. Milne's The 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 The Secret History.
But when an FBI agent shows up at Mal's door on a snowy day in February, he is the one who is most shocked. Mal is now the proprietor of the Old Devils Bookstore in Boston.
She's hunting for details about a string of unsolved killings that closely resemble the deaths on Mal's previous list.
And it's not just the FBI agent who is curious in this bookseller who spends practically every night reading at home. The murderer is out there, keeping tabs on his every move.
This evil threat is far too familiar with Mal's past, particularly the secrets he has never shared with anyone—not even his recently deceased wife.
Mal starts investigating potential possibilities in order to defend himself. . . and perceives everyone around him as a murderer. Mal, though, does not anticipate that the probe will leave a bloody trail in its aftermath.
More victims are killed suddenly after a surprising turn of events, and Mal's neck is being strangled so tightly that he might never be able to free himself.
My Take
Even though The Kind Worth Killing is now Peter Swanson's best-selling book, the Eight Perfect Murders is still a book worth reading, and the plot has an interesting turn to it. It's an irresistibly wonderful homage to the crime fiction genre. Fans of the genre won't ever be dissatisfied, for sure.
Malcolm Kershaw, a bookseller and joint-owner of the Old Devils Bookstore in Beacon Hill, Boston, Massachusetts, introduces the narrative.
A charming FBI agent paid Malcolm a visit after reading his list of "Eight Perfect Murders" on the Old Devils Bookstore's blog.
The agent claims that there is a serial killer at large and that the killings appear to be partly connected to the list he posted on the store's blog. His list has been used by someone to carry out the murders.
The following chapter gives us a detailed account of a moment in Malcolm's personal history.
We are being told the story of how he met Claire Mallory, his wife. Given that Claire was a flawed human being who died suddenly, the mystery of whodunit is raised even more.
Does Malcolm play a role in the passing of his wife?
The Eight Perfect Killings, which is part of Malcolm's list, reveals his own picks for the best-executed murders in crime fiction.
It's not a list of his favorite works in the genre, but rather a selection of books that, in his opinion, represent the pinnacle of murder, at least as viewed by the killers in them.
The authors Agatha Christie, A. A. Milne, Patricia Highsmith, and others are on the list. Malcolm even advised users of his site to read the novels first before perusing his list.
I had a terrific time reading this book, and it has already surpassed Her Every Fear and, of course, The Kind Worth Killing as one of my favorites.
Certainly not The Kind Worth Killing is Eight Perfect Murders. For my part, Peter Swanson hasn't yet completed a book that is prepared to take its place.
The book Eight Perfect Murders is also a masterpiece. Peter successfully conveyed the recognizable atmosphere that is distinctively his on this track.
Both personal and professional bloggers will find this book interesting. Blog articles have evolved into a marketing platform for businesses as a method to differentiate themselves from rival companies.
In addition to the advantages of blogging for businesses, blog entries are increasingly taken quite seriously by readers. The lesson here is to be careful with what you post on your blog. You have no idea what your followers and readers are capable of.
Verdict
I gave this book a rating of 4.5 out of 5.
We can't argue against Peter Swanson's ability to pay respect to the greatest works of crime fiction literature. And if you need a short fix of crime fiction, this book will never let you down.
Have you read the book Eight Perfect Murders? Tell me what you think of this book.
P.S.
The Kind Worth Killing and Her Every Fear are two more Peter Swanson works that come highly recommended. Immediately put them on your list of books to read!