I liked this story, I just didn't love it. I thought the idea was great, I didn't love the characters though so that brought my interest down as I read.

I've got to say, I am disappointed in this one. The synopsis seemed to promise a fun time with dark humor and a twisty mystery, the prologue was solid, but while it sort of delivered on both, it never went all the way with either. The inner-monologue of the protagonist is really tedious to read through, and there's not enough dialogue to break up the monotony, plus the plot itself is so dull.

That being said, though, the ending is actually pretty cool, and the book does get more interesting the closer to the end you get, but I had to wait too long for my engagement levels to increase, so for me it's a 5.5/10.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC

DNF at 65%. Deep down I knew this turn of events would happen, and I didn't like it at all. I never really connected with the main character, but I decided to give her a chance. But as I kept reading, it became more of a chore than reading for pleasure. It just wasn't the right book for me.

Thank You, NetGalley and the publishers for letting me read How to Get Away with Murder by Tam Barnett.

It started well. A washed-up journalist whose only claim to fame was catching a serial killer but who hasn't been able to do anything significant after that. That's when a new serial killer seems to be doing the rounds and she is hell-bent on proving herself again. But gradually you realise she has skeletons in her closet.

It was intense and fast-paced and I enjoyed the twists that came along in the book but I just have one complaint. I felt like the author tried to do too many things at the same time and that took away from what the book could have been.

This gets two stars because it was a quick-ish read but I hated everything about it. The characters, the mystery, the plot, the ending, every single thing. If this wasn't an ARC, I would have dnf-ed long ago. Also, I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

How to Get Away with Murder by Tam Barnett was one of my favorite reads this month.
The main character is a journalist falling from her high of catching a serial killer a few years earlier. Now right in her back yard is a new killer and if she can convince everyone she isn't the killer while simultaneously catching them first her career will be back where she wants it to be.
I had a love/hate relationship with the mc. Most of the time she was great but she did give me the ick a few times too. Barnett did an amazing job of keeping me on my toes during this one.

How to get away with murder
Tam Barnett

Originally an ARC received from Netgalley but I'm a bit late in reading and reviewing. This book was released 27 Jan 2025.

Kelli is obsessed with murder and serial killers, as a journalist she is always chasing the scoop and was responsible for catching a high profile killer; who she now visits in prison regularly. She is an interesting character and whilst I didn't get hooked straight away into the story, her character kept me engaged enough to keep reading.

About halfway through it really kicked up a notch and I powered through the rest of the book. I found it to be an enjoyable read with an interesting concept and good pace.

Was definitely unpredictable as well, was not expecting that ending!

Overall not bad and I would read more from this author if the chance arises.

Woah, what an absolutely amazing debut novel.

I'm reeling from what I've just read, and it really will make you think too.

At no point was I completely sure what I could believe, I suspected there was information being concealed, but had no clue as just to what extent, or why or what!

We have Kelli who is fascinated by true crime, has a "friendship" as such with a serial killer she helped catch, and regularly reads and watches things on the most depraved people on the planet. There is nothing she doesn't know about murder.

Her friends and family are concerned about her interest in the macabre, but it takes for a new series of murders in the woods near her house, for her to starting being concerned herself. For she is even wondering did she do it.

There is a lot going on in this story, loads of interesting character dynamics and lots of secrets to be revealed. There are twists and turns, and it really was the most compulsively brilliant of reads that I just couldn't get enough of.

I am already excited to see what this author's second book will be like, as I loved this one so much. This feels quite different to other books that I have read and its feels like a fresh take on a thriller.

It's just superb and I was totally hooked from the first to the last page. Brilliant!

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

This read was a fun ride! good for thriller lovers looking for a break from some of the more edgy and dark thrillers or for those who are looking for a lighter murder mystery.

I'm afraid I struggled with this one. It wasn't a long read but I didn't really feel gripped by the story. The description sounded really interesting, but I found the characters to be really hard work to like and I struggled to focus on the story development. I am sure the book will do really well and the ending was good but I'm afraid it wasn't a great read for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me access to an early release of this novel.

The closest you can get to true crime in a hugely fun and fictional way. Easily devourable in a few hours.

⚠️
Animal death / cruelty



It was fine until it reached the part about the cat around 66%. It was random and unexpected and should have just left the poor thing alone. Unlikeable and morally gray characters? Fine. Unnecessary murder of pets especially cats? Not for me. Though it is fiction, it is still upsetting and triggering.
✖️🙅‍♀️✖️🙅‍♀️.

This is a quick, easy read thriller with a few lighthearted moments on the way.
The characters are a bit basic, and honestly, not very likeable. This isn’t a dealbreaker when it comes to enjoying the story, but in this instance it didn’t help it.
I would say, give this a go. I finished it, it was ok, but it’s probably not one that’ll stick with me in the future.

a twisty, wild ride that kept me guessing and insanely confused. overall it was a quick, short read that was a bit creepy, scary and insanely entertaining, I wlll definitely be tuning in for the next one!

Kelli Amari is obsessed with true crime, so obsessed she solved her own serial killer case and now wants to solve another right on her doorstep.

But there is something not quite right with Kelli. I couldn’t quite put my finger on what it was to start with but as I got to know her better, I understood more about this true crime obsessive. The more Kelli told me, the more I frowned at her so to speak.

There are most definitely some comic, even laugh-out-loud, moments. Kelli has some really fun entertaining friends around her – Polly’s comment about Postman Pat made me snort! But as the book went on, it got darker with less comedy and more of me catching a breath as Barnett threw an extra twist in my direction.

How To Get Away With Murder is a cracking thriller. Barnett has written an excellent debut novel with a questionable narrator who at times I doubted but I’d immediately liked so didn’t want to question her (needs must). This author is one to watch based on this first offering!!

I found this book an easy enough and decent enough read, however unfortunately for me it was rather slow for the most part. There was not enough to grip me with the storyline until right towards the end of the book. If the while read had been as good all way through, it would have easily had me on tenterhooks! Worth a read? Maybe if you like this genre.

Fantastic premise and there were plenty of twists and turns. A very quick read with a few too many unlikeable characters for me. I love that the killer was a surprise to me.

***Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC ebook.

How To Get Away With Murder by Tam Barnett is a novel that certainly takes the reader for a ride. Our FMC, Kelli, is both unreliable and very unlikeable. It’s always interesting to root for the main character’s downfall. Kelli, a former journalist is obsessed with serial killers, actually rose to fame for catching Dick, the White Widower. Down on our luck, she’s befriended him and is writing a book about the case that started it all for her. Now there’s another killer on the loose in her neighborhood and Kelli is determined to solve the case.

I split my time between the audio book (very well narrated—Kelli is a bit unhinged, and the audio book does a great job capturing her personality) and the e-book. The pacing was consistent, and the characters that were needed to drive the story were developed enough. There is some backstory for Kelli, who witnesses her father murders a pedophile that attacked her. For most of the book, she states it was Danny (her brother) who was attacked, not her—almost until the last quarter of the novel. I don’t think there’s much development/emphasis on her backstory because the reader isn’t meant to root for her or feel for her. She’s obsessed with serial killers—to the point that she’s close with a serial killer (and at times there are some very uncomfortable bits of sexual tension between her and Dick – gross). She watches violent porn, takes intense sleeping pills to sleep, and when the murders begin and she’s convinced she’s doing it—she gets rid of evidence! She even kills her neighbor’s cat who she doesn’t like (to see if she can kill in cold blood).

The final quarter of the book gets craziest with the arrest of Kelli’s boyfriend, Ben, subsequent discovery: the framing of her boyfriend (the killer is her best friend). Then the plotting with her best friend to get Ben out of jail and frame Polly’s abusive partner, Todd for the murders. AND finally, Kelli’s determination to commit the murder and make it to where her best friend is discovered to be the true murder. There are so many times that Kelli is unbearable throughout the book—not compassionate/caring, and is very self-absorbed. The ending was *delicious* however, because Kelli seems to be getting the happy ending (she doesn’t deserve) and then she sees Dick one last time and confesses everything (on tape)! The ending for me is what wrapped the book up perfectly—I initially didn’t enjoy it, Kelli just…sucks. I didn’t care about her very much and didn’t like how she viewed characters that were so supportive of her (her mother, Ben, former colleague Rob Grayson). So, when Kelli loses it all so ironically—absolute perfection and brought my rating up a star.

This was such a gripping story! The mystery, the eeriness, and the plot twists were all amazing. I was hooked right from the beginning, and even though the main character isn’t likable, the plot is great!

Unlikeable characters made this difficult to get into. It was slow to start and I wasn’t quite sure what exactly this was about. Add in my dislike for journalists and how they are portrayed and this just isn’t for me. It does pick up towards the end and gets interesting but I had a difficult time connecting with any of the characters so the ending is somewhat lost on me. Without the connection, I don’t get the need for the crimes or the blind loyalty that is portrayed. Fans of thrillers and true crime podcasts might enjoy this but there wasn’t enough character development for me.