I was given an advanced reader copy of this title by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This book did not live up to what I expect from this author. The narrative was a little monotone and didn’t achieve the level of suspense I was hoping for.

Kill Your Darlings, by Peter Swanson, is a psychological/domestic thriller told in reverse - a concept that I was particularly intrigued by. The novel starts in at the end of Wendy and Thom's marriage in 2023 and moves backwards a few years every few chapters until we end up in 1982 when Wendy and Thom meet. As you read and follow along with their friendship/romance timeline in reverse, you are introduced to secrets and promises made by both Wendy and Thom. While I was excited to get into this new-to-me style of the backwards timeline, I felt like the book really dragged on - it seemed that we were repeating so many of the same life moments. The climax happens at the beginning of the novel and it's a very, very slow burn as we go, with a few little surprises thrown in. I think the ending detail *almost* made up for the slow and repetitive story, but I am not sure there was enough of those little details to make it worthwhile for me. I think that Swanson has been a hit or miss author for me and this one was a sort of miss but I'll probably try one more in the future before I decide if his books are not for me. I really enjoyed the narrator of this audiobook and found it easy to keep my attention. The story was just a bit too slow for my personal taste, but if you like psychological thrillers or domestic thrillers, you will enjoy this one by Peter Swanson.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

This was a pretty typical domestic mystery - however, what set it apart was the complex way it was told. I found the structure of this novel really interesting, but it also kind of kept the development of characters slow and the pacing was a bit off for me.

In Peter Swanson's latest offering, Kill Your Darlings, the idyllic facade of a long-standing marriage is not merely cracked, but shattered, then meticulously reassembled in reverse, revealing the dark mortar that has held it together for decades.

This is not just a thriller; it's a forensic examination of a shared secret, a slow-burn psychological descent that will leave readers utterly captivated.

We are introduced to Thom and Wendy Graves, seemingly pillars of domestic tranquility on the picturesque North Shore of Massachusetts. Wendy, a published poet, and Thom, an English literature professor – their lives appear perfectly curated, their son grown, their Victorian home a testament to a quarter-century of shared bliss. Yet, the opening gambit delivers a chilling jolt: "All is well…except that Wendy wants to murder her husband." From this audacious premise, Swanson hooks us, daring us to peel back the layers of a relationship poisoned by an unspeakable act.

What truly sets Kill Your Darlings apart is its audacious narrative structure. The story unfolds in reverse chronological order, a masterful stroke that transforms conventional suspense into an almost archaeological dig. We move backward through pivotal moments: a fiftieth birthday party brimming with unspoken tensions, the seemingly joyful purchase of their home, the profound event of their son Jason’s birth, and a truly unsettling "mysterious death of a work colleague." Each step backward is not a retreat, but an advance into the murky depths of their past, each revelation a disquieting brushstroke on a portrait of a marriage defined by a single, terrible conspiracy.

Swanson crafts Thom and Wendy with a chilling authenticity. Their love, their resentments, their shared history, and the ever-present shadow of their collective sin are rendered with a precision that makes them feel unsettlingly real. The brilliance lies in how their long-kept secret, initially a binding agent, slowly becomes the very acid dissolving their union. As the narrative peels back the years, we witness the fraying edges of their pact, the creeping paranoia, and the dawning realization that perhaps, the only true way to bury their past is to bury each other.

Kill Your Darlings is a sophisticated, deeply unsettling thriller that will appeal to fans of psychological suspense and those who appreciate narrative innovation. Swanson expertly builds tension not through jump scares, but through the creeping dread of revelation, the unsettling question of who these people truly are beneath their polished exteriors. This is more than a whodunit; it’s a whydunit layered with a how-long-can-they-get-away-with-it. Prepare to be engrossed, to question the very nature of trust and commitment, and to be utterly enthralled by a marriage teetering on the brink of ultimate betrayal. Highly recommended.

How much can you truly enjoy a book if you already know how the story ends? Quite a lot, it turns out, if Peter Swanson is writing (and Steven Weber is narrating) Even though we know what’s going to happen, we don’t know how and that is where that book shines. And, just when we’re getting to the end (beginning?) there is still subtle detail or two to leave us gasping in surprise.

If you enjoy psychological character studies with innovative structure, Kill Your Darlings is a standout—thanks to its clever reverse plotting and standout narration. But if you prefer traditional suspense arcs or fully empathetic characters, the backward format might dampen the intrigue. Still, it offers enough craftsmanship and moral complexity to reward thoughtful listening.

I really enjoyed how the story was told backward, but it took me a while to grasp the storyline itself. I feel like I should go back and listen to the first 50-100 pages to check back and see what I may have missed. But that could be a result of listening to the book instead of reading it in print.

Thom and Wendy Graves have been married for twenty-five years, and on the surface they appear to have a perfect life. They have a very nice house, plenty of money, and successful careers -- the only problem is that Wendy really, really wants to murder Thom.

The story is told in reverse, which feels clever at first, as you get to see how they ended up where they are, but it didn't really work - it ended up being very disappointing because there's no build up and the "single terrible act they plotted together many years ago" was not much of a surprise or even very interesting. And who doesn't want to murder their husband sometimes? Honestly, Team Wendy here. Especially now that I know his name is spelled "THOM" which makes him even more annoying.

Swanson is SO hit or miss for me -- I loved The Kind Worth Killing, HATED The Kind Worth Saving, and was medium on a few of his other books. I don't think I'll be prioritizing reading future books by him and will wait to maybe get them from the library after I've read some reviews instead of early-reading them on NetGalley and being disappointed.

I found this to be a really boring marriage story. There was no mystery and no thrills. The way the story was told made it “hard to follow” except there was nothing to follow. Not a great not exciting read.

I categorically did not like this book. It is not my typical genre, but I have read and liked other Peter Swanson books, so I gave it a try. Not only were the characters utterly awful, I also figured out the "twist" nearly from the start. One redeeming quality was the structure, I found it interesting - telling the story chronologically in reverse. However, it was extremely boring for most of the middle, the structure couldn't really save it. The narrator was good, though not one I was familiar with at all. I wish I had more positives to say about this one, but it just wasn't for me.

Remember that Seinfeld episode that was told backward? The first time I watched it, I was not impressed. Then I watched the reruns of the episode and now it is one of my favorites.

This book is a little bit like that. I listened to it on a road trip, but made sure to skim over the chapters in my digital version --paying special attention to the endings and beginnings as we moved backward in time through Thom and Wendy's relationship.

My brain loves to make connections and Peter Swanson had it working in 5th gear. When I went back to check something in the 2023 chapters I realized there was book connecting to 2009. I wonder if a whiteboard was put to use to keep track of all those threads. And did Swanson write the book from back to front?

This is essentially a cautionary tale. Can the couple that slays together to be together, stay together? It may not be as happily ever after as they had hoped for.

Happy Publication Day to this engaging title. Thank you to Harper Audio and NetGalley for an audio ARC and to William Morrow and Edelweiss+ for a digital ARC.

Peter Swanson is one of my favorite thriller authors. There’s just something about the way he writes his characters that makes it impossible for me to put down his books once I start. He may be the only author I literally read in all one sitting. Kill Your Darlings was no different, although this one was almost more a character study than a murder mystery. Which doesn’t mean it’s not a murder mystery!

Thom and Wendy Graves have been married for twenty-five years, and they’re tied together by a dark secret from their past that has been tearing Thom—a man of seemingly dubious moral character—apart. Wendy is sick of his antics and wants to murder her husband. That’s how the book starts, then the story is told in reverse order going back in time a little bit each section until at the end of the book, readers are left at the beginning of Thom and Wendy’s story.

I really enjoyed this one. It was such a fascinating portrait of a (pretty twisted) marriage. Readers expecting a super twisty mystery, might be disappointed, but if you go into this one happy to go along for the ride, it’s a really interesting and uniquely structured journey. The more I read, the more I found myself sympathizing with both characters in different ways even though neither is what I think anyone would call particularly likeable.

Steven Weber does an amazing job narrating this story. He brings a tense foreboding to the audiobook even though in some ways you already know where things are going to end up. And, unlike some other celebrity narrators, I completely forgot it was him narrating. He did an amazing job keeping me completely engrossed in the story. I would a hundred percent recommend listening to this one.

More domestic drama than murder mystery, this novel explores the history of a marriage.

Thom and Wendy have been married for over 25 years. He's a professor of English Literature and they have a grown son. Money is not an issue, they've plenty of that, and to casual observes, they seem like a close, loving couple. Except Wendy is done. She wants Thom gone. And the only way to make this happen is for her to murder him.

The narrative is told in reverse, taking the reader backward though their lives and the different stages of their relationship. Everything hinged on something they did together back when they were in their early twenties and that secret has bound them together.

So why does Wendy want to kill him now?

I've long been a huge fan of this author and his twisty mystery thrillers so I expected a lot. For some reason this just didn't seem like the same writer as this story wasn't really very exciting or thrilling. I didn't care for either Thom or Wendy and honestly their lives seemed so boring as it seemed all Thom did was get drunk and act stupid. Neither had any direction or drive. Definitely both extremely self centered. I tried to get more invested, but ultimately I really didn't like it. Was there a bit of a surprise at the ending? Why, yes, there was, but it wasn't enough.

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book, both provided by the publishers. The narrator, Steven Weber, is one of my favorites and he did an awesome job of finding just the right tone and voice for the characters. His dramatic flair made the characters some alive and definitely the production enhanced my enjoyment of the book.

This was my first Peter Swanson Novel, but definitely not my last! This book is a gripping and clever literary thriller that keeps readers hooked from start to finish. Swanson masterfully blends suspense with sharp commentary on the writing world, delivering a plot full of twists and morally complex characters. It's a fast-paced, thought-provoking read that will especially resonate with fans of metafiction and psychological thrillers. It's a mystery told backwards and it is awesome! Audio read by Steven Weber.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Harper Audio for this digital audio e-arc.*

I really tried to understand these characters: married forever, grown child, both with careers but sharing a secret from long ago.

It's that secret that the author is hiding and we have to flip back and forth in their past WAY too many times to understand what happened and where it all started, all in very small increments. This was probably the epitome of the "slow burn" effect but I was just not interested in them. I didn't like Thom for many reasons (maybe the effect the author wanted..it worked) and Wendy is a manipulative creature.

All books aren't for everyone and there were many who loved the pace and style of this story, just not me.

The narrator of the story represented the characters as I would have thought they looked and sounded

Kill Your Darlings offers an intriguing look into a long-married couple’s complex and dark history, told in reverse chronological order. The narrative structure keeps the reader guessing as we uncover the pivotal moments that have shaped Thom and Wendy’s relationship, culminating in the secret they’ve kept for decades. The writing is engaging, and Swanson skillfully builds tension with each backward step. However, while the premise is compelling, the story sometimes feels a bit slow, especially during the more reflective sections that delve into past memories. The characters, though interesting, lack some emotional depth, making it harder to fully connect with their internal struggles. The plot's twists are surprising but occasionally feel somewhat predictable or convenient. Overall, it’s an absorbing read with a clever structure and dark themes, but it didn’t quite reach the heights of other thrillers in Swanson’s repertoire. Good for fans of psychological suspense who enjoy slowly peeling back layers of a murky past.

So I liked the idea of this book of telling it in reverse. But it was not for me. I was not really invested in the story for the beginning. Maybe I just did not get the references or something too. But I almost DNF based on that. It picked up a bit but this was for sure a "slow burn" and once you find out the secret it is kind over. This was a in-depth look at a marriage though with some secrets so if that is for you pick up this book.

TY to NetGalley and Harper Audio for the ALC. What did I just read? The story had me intrigued for the first half but the pacing and the abrupt ending left me wanting more closure or circling back to complete the story. I love Peter's previous books so I may give this a re-read at some point to see if I missed a lot with the audio version.

This book was a delightful surprise! It’s not your typical Peter Swanson thriller, and that’s what makes it so intriguing.

This murder-mystery unfolds in reverse, exploring the troubled marriage of Thom and Wendy Graves over twenty-five years. Living in a Victorian home in Massachusetts, the couple appears content, but Wendy harbors the desire to kill Thom. The story traces significant moments in their lives backward, revealing layers of their relationship, including a dark secret from their early twenties that binds them together. As they relive their past, the weight of this secret begins to strain their marriage, leading both Thom and Wendy to question whether it's better to keep their dark past hidden or to let it free them.

As we delve into the narrative, we’re introduced to Wendy and Thom through multiple perspectives, peeling back the layers of their lives like an onion—minus the tears (well, maybe a few). The writing style is refreshingly clever; it’s like the author took the concept of “a life flashing before your eyes” and decided to write it in reverse. Yes, you read that right! We journey backward through Thom and Wendy’s lives, starting from the end and working our way back to the beginning. It’s a unique approach that requires a bit of mental gymnastics, but once you grasp the author’s intent, it becomes a thrilling ride.

These two characters have a past that’s as tangled as a pair of earphones in your pocket. To truly appreciate the mystery at hand, we need to get up close and personal with their backstories. I’ll be honest: this narrative style might not be for everyone. It took me two attempts to really get into the groove of the story. But once I was hooked, I was eager to unravel the threads of their lives and discover how everything began.

This is a murder mystery, but here’s the twist: the mystery is revealed right at the start! Instead, we embark on a different journey with Thom and Wendy, exploring the depths of their relationship and the dark corners of their past. It’s a fascinating take on the genre, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

If you’re a fan of murder mysteries that aren’t quite what they seem—where the suspense lies not in the whodunit but in the emotional journey—then this book is for you. Just remember, love can be a powerful force, and if you’re not careful, it might just lead you down a dangerous path. I’d love to hear your thoughts on it!

The narrator truly excelled at keeping me captivated from start to finish, leaving me eager to uncover what happens next. A stellar choice of narrator, indeed!

Thank you, Harper Audio and William Morrow, for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I really enjoyed the outward scope backwards storyline. Unique and fun. The backwards storyline was intriguing and a new take on an old twist.