“The Kind Worth Killing” sits on my all time favorites shelf, and I never expected that Peter Swanson would bring these characters back in 2023, 8 years later with the worthy sequel “The Kind Worth Saving”.

I request this author’s work without even reading the book synopsis, and had no idea that this was the third in the series! 😂

But, that was a pleasant surprise as Lily Kintner is one of my all time favorite fictional characters and I never mind spending time with her. She can be as cold as ice, but if she counts you as one of her nearest and dearest, she can be fiercely loyal too.

Martha Ratliff was happily single-an archival librarian, surrounded by the books she loved. But then she met Alan, a divorcee with a job that took him on the road for half the year selling gimmicky items to teachers at conventions. Although he still felt like a bit of a stranger when he proposed, the companionship of this sweet but goofy man for the rest of her life sounded nice.

A year in and the marriage was good, except for a couple of things…

The first was how she would watch him arrive home and “almost practice” plastering a smile on his face before walking through their front door. The second thing- a strange streak of BLOOD 🩸 on the back of one of the shirts he’d worn to a conference in Denver.

Her curiosity turning to suspicion, Martha investigates the cities that Alan traveled to over the past year and uncovers a disturbing pattern—five unsolved cases of murdered women.

Is she married to a serial killer?

She needs to run her crazy theory past someone and can only think of one person who she could possibly confess her suspicions to-Lily Kintner-an old friend from graduate school.

Intrigued, Lily offers to meet Alan to find out what kind of man he really is . . .after all she is always curious about whether or not people are the kind worth killing or the kind worth saving…

What she discovers is SHOCKING and she will have to turn to one of HER old friends-a limerick loving P.I. named Henry Kimball for assistance.

This is CLASSIC Swanson!

I was enthralled from the FIRST page, and didn’t want to put this ENTERTAINING book down!

Although I found the first half to be a bit stronger than the second half-which had a bit of “telling rather than showing”, I am going with 4.5 stars and rounding up because there is no denying that I was completely enraptured by this book.

This was my first book by Swanson. When I requested it, I didn't know that it was the third book in a series, and I didn't read the first two. But It was fine. I didn't have any issues and I believe it's totally fine to read as a standalone.

Martha is newly married and her husband has been leaving for work trips throughout their marriage. When she notices things that seem pretty out of the ordinary, she suspects that her husband could be a serial killer. Not knowing what to do, she contacts an old friend, Lily, that had helped her with a previous abusive relationship. Lily agrees to meet Martha's husband and see if she can get to the bottom of it.

I really liked this one. I liked getting the POV from the killer. That was an interesting perspective. I also thought there was something off with Lily throughout the book which gave me suspicion of her. I thought this book was entertaining. It was suspenseful and I was not expecting that ending. Plenty of twists in this one to keep you turning the pages. I'll have to try to get to the first two in the series.

Out June 11.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.. All opinions are my own.

received a free eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Peter Swanson’s mysteries are great plane reads. I can usually finish one of his books in the time it takes to fly to Key West. I requested this without knowing much about it, so it’s definitely my own fault for not realizing this was a Kimball & Kitner joint. I am just not as enamored with these two as Swanson seems to be. I liked The Kind Worth Saving, but I confess not not remembering much of anything about The Kind Worth Killing. And again, I just find these two kind of dull - how many “old friends” does Lily have anyway??

The story opens with a woman named Josie - she’s an art teacher at a conference, and she’s mostly excited about the prospect of testing out her new open marriage and hooking up. Which she does. With a guy who pushes her off the balcony. Then we cut to Martha, a librarian whose husband is a traveling salesman - one of those guys who sells novelty t-shirts to teachers (the kind with math puns). They got married late in life, and Martha enjoys that he’s not around all the time. But then she starts to suspect something isn’t quite right about Alan. He comes home with blood on his shirt, and he’s been acting weirder than usual. So she enlists (sigh) her college pal Lily Kitner to assist in the investigation. Because Martha’s a librarian, she’s great at research and cross referencing, and she figures out that at several of Alan’s last conferences, there have been deaths or attacks. It’s too many to be a coincidence. But as Martha gets closer to uncovering the truth, she puts herself in even more danger.

This was fine, but it felt like two different books shoved inelegantly together. You can either make this strictly a Kimball & Kitner story, or you can let Martha be the main character and leave the other two goobers out of it. But it was like we were getting two halves of two different stories, and neither of them was all that satisfying. It was like Martha was a distraction from the story Swanson *really* wanted to tell...but I would have rather just read about Martha!

I thought this was really well written and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future. I think it will find readers at our library, so we will definitely be purchasing for the collection.

A twisty and dark whodunnit that gives you the twist halfway but it only amplifies the horrors that follow. It’s an incredibly engrossing thriller that doesn’t let go of you once it sinks its claws into you after just a few pages.

Full review to be posted on https://www.bestthrillerbooks.com/kashif-hussain

I loved the writing style and unexpected twists! I thought it was extremely unique and well done. It is not just your average murder mystery! I selfishly wish that one of the characters was able to stay around until the end because I think that would have provided the book more satisfaction for me as reader...but on the other hand I loved that I had no idea where the story was going! Would definitely recommend!

I enjoyed this one!!! I am typically a big fan of Swanson's. This is the third book in the Henry K/Lily K series (first book is The Kind Worth Killing which is super popular). It was only 257 pages total, so I felt like I was flying through the suspenseful pages. The book was divided into three "parts." I did find that the chapters could be a bittttt confusing because it was multiple POV, and the POV's were not labeled, but that didn't affect my overall rating/reading experience. I loved the "trust no one" vibes and narrator unreliability. It was a big web of murder and deceit; kept me interested until the last line. I recommend it!

*Posting review on IG soon!

I did not really enjoy this one but I still like the author and his other works. It lacked something in it that made it difficult for me to care about the story or characters.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me an advance reader copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.

Peter Swanson quickly rose to one of my favorite authors! Each year, I anxiously await his next novel! A Talent for Murder was certainly worth the wait! Swanson manages to create a wonderful original story & then add some favorite characters from previous novels! Readers are never disappointed when I introduce them to Peter Swanson & like me....they can't wait for his next work to be published!

Description
A newlywed librarian begins to suspect the man she married might be a murderer—in this spectacularly twisty and deviously clever novel by Peter Swanson, New York Times bestselling author of The Kind Worth Killing and Eight Perfect Murders.

Martha Ratliff conceded long ago that she’d likely spend her life alone. She was fine with it, happy with her solo existence, stimulated by her job as an archival librarian, constantly surrounded by thought-provoking ideas and the books she loved. But then she met Alan, a charming and sweet-natured divorcee with a job that took him on the road for half the year. When he asked her to marry him, she said yes, even though he still felt a little bit like a stranger.

A year in and the marriage was good, except for that strange blood streak on the back of one of his shirts he’d worn to a conference in Denver. Her curiosity turning to suspicion, Martha investigates the cities Alan visited over the past year and uncovers a disturbing pattern—five unsolved cases of murdered women.

Is she married to a serial killer? Or could it merely be a coincidence? Unsure what to think, Martha contacts an old friend from graduate school for advice. Lily Kintner once helped Martha out of a jam with an abusive boyfriend and may have some insight. Intrigued, Lily offers to meet Alan to find out what kind of man he really is . . . but what Lily uncovers is more perplexing and wicked than they ever could have expected.

After being introduced to Peter Swanson through "Every Vow You Break", I was once again impressed with his writing. He had a great take on this genre with his own unique twist. The suspense and build up is well worth it. Great book.

I liked this one a lot. Any time Peter Swanson decides to revisit Lily, I am happy with that decision. I didn't really see the ending coming so I enjoyed this one!

A Talent For Murder treats the reader to meticulous murder and unexpected twists with main and supporting characters dropping like flies.
It begins at a teachers conference. One female attendee decides on a one night stand that turns into a flight off a high balcony. Also at the conference is novelty salesman Alan, who might be a stalker/killer on the side.
Back home, Alan's wife Martha begins to suspect her husband of misdeeds, especially after seeing a bloodstain on his shirt. Martha calls college pal Lily who begins her own investigation into other conference deaths.
But wait! A clue from the women's past might produce an even more bizarre piece of the puzzle.
Told from three perspectives, Swanson's latest psychological circus pits two brave women (and an old friend from the author's past novels) into a viper pit of smokescreens and sudden death.
Who's really pulling off The Talented Mr. Ripley and will Martha and Lily become their latest victims? Dive into A Talent For Murder. You'll be satisfied right up to the final page.

Masterful

4.25 stars

A Talent for Murder is a gripping psychological thriller that revolves around Martha, a newlywed who suspects her husband of being a serial killer. She turns to her old friend Lily Kintner, whom she had previously approached for help with an ex-boyfriend. Together, they uncover shocking revelations that lead to unexpected turns, resulting in a deadly confrontation.

The story is narrated by Martha, Lily, and a few other characters who share their perspectives. I didn’t even realize that Lily was a featured character until I was at least ¼ of the way in. Henry Kimball also makes some appearances, and I wish the book featured him more.

The Kind Worth Killing

This was such a fun read--I loved how the plot and the narrative unfolded. It starts out strong but gets even stronger as the plot develops. Where it ends isn't a place I could have even imagined from where it starts.

Packed with suspense and tension, my heart was beating out of my chest during the final confrontation. I couldn't predict how things would end. However, the very end loses some steam. Nevertheless, the conclusion is satisfying and ties up the loose ends nicely. Intricately plotted, Swanson takes the cat-and-mouse game to another level--highly recommended!

TW: Sexual assault

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and William Morrow in exchange for an honest review.

I rediscovered Peter Swanson after reading and loving last year's holiday book, and I knew I needed to read more from him. This book continued my streak of Peter Swanson winners and cemented my status as a new fan. This is the 3rd book to feature a few of these characters, but not having read the prior books it also worked well for me as a standalone story.


What do you do if you begin to suspect that your husband is keeping dangerous secrets? What if the man you believed your husband to be is, in fact, a carefully constructed facade? Or what if you're being paranoid and are totally wrong with your suspicions? What do you do? Who can you confide in? These questions begin this suspense tale about Martha and Alan, a newly married couple who are either living a happy, peaceful life or else Martha is being played for a fool. 


A Talent For Murder is a classic psychological thriller that was pure reading fun from start to finish. I love how the author threw a major, unexpected twist our way midway thru the book, but thanks to intriguing characters with unpredictable behavior and one final startling reveal at the end the pace didn't let up and the intensity didn't falter. I was glued to this thriller thru the final page. 


Thank you Netgalley and William Morrow for the opportunity to read an early copy of this book.

Henry Kimball, teacher, turned cop, then private investigator, and Lily Kintner, a smart and complex woman, reunite in A Talent for Murder by Peter Swanson coming out June 11. This time, Lily is helping a graduate school friend, Martha Ratliff, decide if it is possible that Martha’s husband Alan Peralta is a serial killer.

Martha, an archival librarian, was happy in her singleness, and she was fine with just having a relationship with Alan, but he pushed her into marriage, saying his Catholic mother expected it. Alan was a pleasant and agreeable traveling salesman, peddling humorous T-shirts and trinkets aimed toward educators.

Martha’s suspicions about Alan began when unpacking his suitcase to do the laundry after he returned from a teachers’ conference where he had a booth. Because his white shirt had a blood stain, Martha decides to look at the news in each city he has visited, and she finds five unsolved murders of women. Martha reaches out to Lily who reaches out to Henry, and together they start investigating Alan.

In a devious twist, another murder occurs, and Lily finds herself in a precarious situation, one in which Henry needs to come through for the save. How can Henry put the pieces together in time? Is Alan the mild-mannered man Martha thought he was, or is he a serial killer?
This is Peter Swanson’s third book in the Henry Kimball/Lily Kintner series. His twisty novel The Kind Worth Killing, his first book in the series, has been optioned for a movie. Swanson lives in Somerville, Massachusetts.

My review will be posted on Goodreads starting April 9, 2024.

I would like to thank William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in return for an objective review.

Peter Swanson is masterful and has become an auto-purchase author for me. It has all the twists in this clever plotline that keeps you glued to the page from start to finish. For any fans of thrillers, this is a must read.

A Talent for Murder by Peter Swanson is the third book in the Henry Kimball and Lily Kintner series. This book follows Martha, Lily's friend from college. Martha reaches out to Lily when she suspects her husband of being a serial killer. Lily decieds to follow Alan at his next convention that he will be working. Lily notices that someone else is following Alan a blast from both Martha and Lily's past. Now Lily must get Henry Kimball involved to help her find who is really behind all of these murders. As with all Peter Swanson books this one I could not put down and until I was finished with it. I loved everything about this one. I want to thank both NetGalley and William Morrow for letting me read an advance copy of this book.

This one was so easy to get into. Right from the first paragraph I was completely interested in what was going on. In fact, the lead character in that first part of the book had me thinking "I think we'd be friends". So I was super invested in the action. And then this book went a lot of really interesting places. I was completely delighted by this romp of a mystery from start to finish.

Another great suspense story that once again features Lily Kintner and to an extent PI Henry. Lily’s college friend Martha is newly married to a man she really doesn’t know and she soon suspects he might be a killer. Enlisting the help of Lily they both investigate Alan and see there are murders of women while he’s in that particular city. The fast pacing, interesting plots we’ve come to expect from Swanson, this is another winner.

I loved “A Talent for Murder”. and I could not put it down. This can be read as a stand-alone, but it's helpful to have read the others in the series to get Lily's backstory. It has a cast of characters so unique and ruthless and kind of endearing. The story is so incredibly complex and messy without being confusing or too much to handle. I loved that this story was told through multiple POV’s. I always enjoy books like this more because I feel so much more connected to the characters. The pacing of the book for me was perfect, the story moved along while still giving the reader all of the backstory they needed to know for the characters involved. The story is told in present day and flashbacks that helped in introducing the new characters. Halfway through, it takes a turn I was not expecting, and I did not guess the direction the plot was going at all! I loved seeing Lily as a central character again with Henry in a supporting role. Lily is such a great character and I hope we see more of her soon. Peter Swanson has a serious gift for telling a twisty story and satisfying readers. A huge thank you to NetGalley, Peter Swanson, and HarperCollins for access to the ARC in return for my thoughts.