I thoroughly enjoyed this book, the writing just flows and moves you along seamlessly. It is a mystery story in every sense of the word and unusually for me I had no inkling as to the path it would take until close to the end.
The book is narrated by Malcolm who sets the scenes and characters so well and the story builds steadily. A delightful, well executed book.

This is a murder mystery book with a difference as the focus is pretty much on the investigation as narrated by Malcolm Kershaw a bookseller specialising in crime fiction. Malcolm has been contacted by the FBI for help as a number of unsolved murders seem to be related to eight murder mystery books that Malcolm previously published in a blog as being Rules for a Perfect Murder.

The fashion for modern thrillers is usually high energy suspense novels with lots of twists and turns and sub plots and although this one isn’t it doesn’t make this book boring, far from it, instead the story is built up in a slow and steady way building the suspense slowly and picking up pace near the end, with a few unexpected turns as the story unravels cleverly interweaving with eight other very well known murder novels.

One of the books referenced is Strangers on a Train by Patricia High-Smith and having recently read this book I think it’s quite similar in style in that the focus of the story is on the central character and getting to know him and what makes him tick rather than on the actual murders or investigation.

I really enjoyed this wonderful homage to thriller/crime writing!
The writing was so clever, and Malcolm was such a well-conceived character and narrator. So full of twists and turns that I never knew what was going to happen next, never mind manage to formulate a theory on who was the main suspect. I loved the way we slowly learn about Malcolm, and how not everything is as it seems.
It really made me want to read the titles from Malcolm's list that I wasn't familiar with!
A wonderful read for any fan of crime fiction, or just a good mystery.

I enjoyed this book...although at times it felt a bit odd but given the first person narrator, I think it was meant to.

Cleverly written and a good story!

This book reads in the style of a classic Agatha Christie or Ed McBain novel, the style is very readable but has echoes of so many famous detective novels. I was kept guessing throughout and although I worked out part of what was going on, there were other twists that were totally unexpected. A very satisfying novel and I will look out for more by this author.

This was a great story about a man who owned a book shop and wrote a blog about 8 great literary murders that are then carried out but a killer but is there more to this than the narrator is letting on...

This was my first Peter Swanson book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Whenever I put it down I found myself thinking about it and wanting to get back to it. The plot was very crime typical and I had predicted a lot it before it happened but the captivating way it was written meant that this did not detract from the story at all, in fact I think it added to it as it felt that I was moving along in pace with the narrator.

A definite must for Crime loves of Agatha Christie and Patricia Highsmith.

I have added a few of the 8 books mentioned to my TBR (although the book does contain MAJOR spoilers on all of them so if you don't like to know whats happened then maybe read the ones you want to read first!)

Is this book going to be for everyone? No, but I loved it and I’m sure avid mystery/Swanson fans will too.

I love how Swanson pays homage to many mystery classics while not being afraid to poke fun at contemporary mystery enthusiasts like myself. Malcolm Kershaw, a bookseller and mystery/crime enthusiast, reminds us that psychological thrillers with unreliable narrators were around long before Gone Girl!

Although there is a huge focus on said classic novels, I could appreciate that this was the premise of the book and Swanson does a fantastic job of justifying this through the main character and plot.

Like previous Swanson novels, I found his style of writing perfect for my taste and again, became fully invested in the characters, location and story.

This delightfully twisting intelligent thriller deliciously combined two of my favourite genres, namely the murder mystery and books about books. Those who are familiar with some of the referenced titles will I'm sure get an even greater enjoyment from the book but it is not necessary to have read them previously, as their central plots are fully explained here.

The story concerns Malcolm Kershaw, the owner of a mystery bookshop called Old Devils who is contacted by FBI Agent Gwen Mulvey regarding an online article entitled "My Eight Favourite Murders" that he posted some years ago. It appears that there are links between some recent deaths and some of the books appearing on Malcolm's list which includes among others, Agatha Christie's The ABC Murders, Patricia Highsmith's Strangers on a Train and Donna Tartt's The Secret History.

Is there indeed a link and how much we can trust Malcolm's first person narration? Those who have read Christie's The Murder of Roger Ackroyd may be at an advantage here. I read the book in one sitting, which amply showed how much I was engaged by its cleverness of plot and characters. If nothing else it may well tempt the reader to seek some of the books featured in "My Eight Favourite Murders". Well worth a read.

This book is a booksellers and an avid readers dream, I loved the references to all the classics and authors. The plots, the tales that link the books to the narrative.
Malcolm is a bookstore owner and a reader of classic crime. He once listed his 8 favourite tales with what he thought were the perfect murders. Murders that are impossible to solve, on the bookstores blog page. Now someone is copying the murders, following Christie, Highsmith, Cain as they murder people in the same way as the characters were murdered in the books. Malcolm with the help of an FBI agent, work to solve the cases as the killer seems to be trying to get Malcolm’s attention.
If the reader has been paying attention to the 8 classic novels they will work out who the murderer is. Great stuff
#netgalley #rulesforperfectmurders.

Any book based around books or a book shop is always a must read and this did not disappoint It was both clever and intriguing with many twists. I found the pacing a bit slow compared to other mystery thrillers I have read but for many this slow burn mystery will be perfect!. Another great book by Peter Swanson and I can't wait to see what he delivers next.
Thankyou to Netgalley for sending me an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

Years ago, Malcolm posted a piece on his blog called Eight Perfect Murders, where he listed 8 books containing crime fictions best murders. FBI agent Gwen Mulvey is investigating homicides that appear to be based on the books from the blog post. They work together to find the killer before he/she strikes again.

3.5/5 - This was a perfectly easy read, although for me it dipped a little when it developed an almost noir quality. I couldn't warm to the main character and that dulled it a little for me. I think I hyped it up too much in my brain which really didn't help. It also does have a loveable cat, which always helps any story in my opinion!

This was right up my street!

The concept is not a new one but it is well executed here.

This book is well written and keeps you hooked, the characters are likeable and the story is engaging.

A bookstore owner writes a blog entitled "Eight Perfect Murders" and references eight fictional murders written over the past century where he feels the murderer executed a clean and perfect murder. Fast forward eight years, and a murderer is on the loose killing his victims using the M.O.'s featured on the blog list. The FBI become involved and soon Malcolm, the bookstore owner is a definite suspect.

This book started off really well for me, it was fast moving, engaging and fluid. There are references to some brilliant literary tomes from over the years, BUT I felt that there were a few spoilers for these books, if you haven't already read them. Malcolm as a character was pretty bland and not someone I felt any interest in. Despite being a relatively short book, the story lost me somewhere around the 75% mark. I felt like the story was drifting a little and I struggled to pick it back up. I only did pick it back up to find out whodunnit.

Thank you for the opportunity to read it in exchange for my honest opinion.

A second-hand book shop owner discovers a series of seemingly unrelated murders are relating back to his old blog post about the most perfect murders in fiction. A good read for mystery buffs with some clunky elements, but be warned, if you've not read the books he mentions, there are spoilers.

This is an entertaining, partly sinister, novel about a Boston bookshop owner, Malcolm Kershaw, who specializes in crime and mystery novels. One day, he is approached by an FBI agent who wants to know if he can help with some mysterious murders - possibly ones that are based on a blog Malcolm wrote: ‘Eight Perfect Murders’.

Malcolm’s blog includes murders from books as diverse as ‘Strangers on a Train’ to ‘The Secret History’. Apparently, someone is carrying out murders to imitate the ones from the blog and Malcolm has something to do with it.

This is somewhat of a meta novel, involving crime-solving within a novel about a bookshop owner who has links to different people who are killed. Parts of it are implausible: surely, for example, the arrival of distinct cat Nero at the bookshop would raise questions, considering he went missing after Norman Chaney’s death, for which Malcolm is responsible?

I enjoyed this easy read and even though I had to suspend my disbelief quite often, it’s a good novel in the crime genre with conventions one would expect, although the ending is, perhaps, one of the biggest surprises of all.

I heard that this was quite different from Peter Swanson usual novels, but I really loved Before She Knew Him so I thought I would give this one a try. I agree that it’s different however if you are a fan of classic mystery novels and “whodunits” you will most likely enjoy this one!

I must warn you that there are spoilers of classic mystery novels, so if you haven’t read them, you might want to read them before reading this one. I didn’t mind since I will mostly forget everything soon anyways lol but just be warned.

The story is narrated solely by Mal, therefore, we are only getting his version of the story. This initially made me suspicious, especially after he mentioned The murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie since we only have one version of the events. I usually really love difference POVs but I must say it really worked in this book.

Overall, this novel wasn’t a page-turner thriller, it was really a classic mystery setup, and the story was predictable in a sense, but you must absolutely read until the end. I was definitely surprised on how everything came together and ended. Great execution!

Despite being thrilled to receive an ARC, I’m afraid, overall this is just an OK read for me.

It’s an exciting premise, especially for an avid reader, as it’s based in a bookstore, where a bookseller finds himself in the middle of an FBI investigation as he’s questioned about a blog he wrote years ago about ‘eight perfect murders’. There are references to some fabulous books and I had high hopes. However, unfortunately, I just found it plodding and slow and I really struggled to stay engaged.

I very much appreciate the opportunity to preview and thanks to NetGalley and the publishers.

2*

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and it’s quirky theme. Didn’t expect to enjoy it but soon became caught up in the twists and turns as the story developed. Definitely recommended to those who enjoy this genre.

Swanson does it again! I’ve loved his books since I found his first one on a friend’s recommendation and the new installment of his work continues the trend of well developed characters and a nice, twisty story. Two thumbs up.

Thank you to Netgalley for this advanced reader's copy in return for my honest review. Thrilling novel, absolutely loved it. Hooked from start to finish. If you love a good mystery this is definitely one to read.