I'm not a big reader of Peter Swanson, but I know many who are. After reading in Kill Your Darlings, I can understand why he has a loyal following. The writing of this book is excellent, and I can appreciate his skill in building both character and plot. Unfortunately, the structure of this book wasn't quite as successful for me. I enjoyed it a great deal at the beginning and was fascinated by the craft of putting it all together. However, as the book went on, it became a bit predictable in its tracing back of what happened. The structure (for me) turned this book into a thriller with utterly no suspense. For listeners of the audiobook, the narration is excellent.

This has a very unique premise in that the plot is told in reverse chronological order. I have only read one or two other books who followed this format and it creates an abundance of intrigue and suspense. The story centers around a couple who have been married for many years. The beginning of this alludes to an event that took place years ago but readers are not privy to this information until the very end. The narrator deftly portrays all the characters and this is easy to follow along with. The plot held my interest but wasn't my favorite by this author. Nevertheless, I think fans will enjoy this because it is something different.

This is the story of a marriage and a secret past shared by the unlikeable couple. Starting in the present, each chapter is further back in the past until secrets unravel. Interest way to tell a story. Steven Weber as the narrator...fantastic!

I enjoy Peter Swanson's writing, and this one didn't disappoint. This book tells the story of a marriage in reverse, a marriage that was doomed from the start. I didn't mind the reverse order of the story. I found it different and refreshing. The narration of this book kept me engaged..I do wish there had been an epilogue, but I also like that there wasn't one, if that makes sense...It was worth the read. I'll read/listen to anything Peter Swanson writes!

Thanks to Harper Audio & NetGalley for providing an audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Peter Swanson has been on my list for awhile; what better time to read him than when Steven Weber is doing the voice acting?

This story tells the ins and outs of a longstanding relationship in reverse: the characters are in their late 50s in the beginning, then we go waaaay back to their teens. It's a gamble, but for me, it worked. If I had been reading the physical book, you would've seen me slipping back to the beginning, as there is a LOT that goes on in the first few chapters, but of course we don't know exactly why it's happening. There is a little twist at the end which I found to be rather clever, it's not a Freida McFadden style situation, it's much more subtle.

Cons: timeline can be confusing for some, characters are pretty awful people and tough to root for
Pros: did I mention Steven Weber? He's alarmingly good, possible able to unseat George Newbern

4 stars

I love a slow burn and different timelines. There are no likeable characters, but their stories are fascinating. Telling the story in reverse with the jaw-dropping ending added to my enjoyment of the novel.

Thom and Wendy first met on a field trip to Washington DC when they were teens. They had their first kiss at the stairs in Georgetown, famous for being the scene of the priest's death in The Exorcist. They didn't see one another again until years later when circumstances are perfect for their reunion. Thom is single and Wendy is a widow. They are ready for their happily ever after with just one problem - Wendy wants to murder Thom.

It was an enjoyable story, but as it was told backwards it was a bit hard to follow.

Between 3 and 3.5 for this one. I loved The Kind Worth Killing and Nine Lives, but this one wasn't as jaw-dropping/surprising for me, which is what I love most about thrillers. I had a hard time keeping up with the timeline for the first half, with it going back and forth across the years (though I think this was just because I was doing audio format). It did keep my attention, and I felt the suspense, which is the reason it was at least a solid 3 star! I enjoyed the narrator. My favorite part was how it went back to detail Wendy's childhood and the reasoning for what transpired in her adult life.

Thom Graves and Wendy Eastman have know each other since they were 14 years old. They have been married for twenty-five years and have a secret that no one can find out about. Kill Your Darlings tells the story of Thom and Wendy Graves from present day and continues backwards to the day that they met on the school bus and shared their first kiss together. As with all of Peter Swanson's books I was hooked by the first chapter. This book will not disapoint anyone and the format is unlike anything that I've read before. Iwould like to thank both NetGalley and HarperAudio for letting me listen to an advanced copy of this audiobook

I love the writing in this book and thoroughly enjoyed the storyline. I would recommend to all who like the family drama/psychological fiction genre.

I love Peter Swanson and his latest novel, "Kill Your Darlings" was a great book. I love how it went from contemporary today and each chapter went back a year/years.

I fell in love with Peter Swanson's writing with Lily Kintner and Henry Kimball in The Kind Worth Killing, and, as obsessed with them as I am, I think Kill Your Darlings is my new favorite. The story in reverse is pure genius, and no spoilers, but Kill Your Darlings is a must read for thriller lovers. Just when I thought I had Thom and Wendy figured out, I realized that there were more reveals to come, and I loved every single page of it, and I really hope we haven't seen the last of Wendy.

Kill Your Darlings is a great story about reprehensible characters enduring a long, unhappy marriage due to their actions early in the relationship. The clever reverse timeline aspect added a surprising element I enjoyed immensely.

The narration by Steven Weber is top notch and makes this audiobook a pleasure to listen to throughout the production.

Peter Swanson is so good at giving us bad people we really want to like, but just cannot. Or maybe we can. Thom was unlikable from the start, but he changed over time because of a dark and heinous thing he did that's eating him up inside. Wendy comes across as the more likable person but reveals a lot more darkness and a willingness to embrace it fully, in direct opposition to her husband. The two are an unlikely pairing, proven when Wendy kills him. (Not a spoiler. It's how things start out.) Then we go back and forward in time learning their stories and the horrible things they've done. Maybe they do deserve one another.

The end was great, as always. There's a lot to contemplate with the plot, a slow unraveling of the story and the relationship. Will be fun to chat with other readers about it. And as always, Peter Swanson shook things up beautifully.

I absolutely loved this book! And the narration by Steven Weber was excellent! I’m not sure I can fully express what it is about Peter Swanson’s books except for the fact that I absolutely love literary mysteries and Swanson is a master of creating complex characters and a layered plot that make me want to sink into them forever. And this story, a murder-mystery reverse, is much more an exploration of the darkness within his characters than a full-out murder mystery. But he handles the ending and every nuanced moment of this story so beautifully!

Also, his books just feel so comforting to me. Which sounds weird since most of his books feature very morally-gray characters, but they feel like sitting in an old bookstore in New England and opening an old Agatha Christie novel, and I just absolutely love everything he writes.

Engaging and entertaining. A recommended purchase in all formats for collections where crime and thrillers are popular.

I love Peter Swanson! I have devoured everything he has written since reading "The Kind Worth Killing." While this isn't my favorite of his books, it was still very enjoyable, and I thought the reverse timeline was an interesting touch.

Killing your darlings. After years of marriage and lots of experiences, Do you sometimes think I could just kill that person? But would you ever? Is it just a moment of frustration? I mean you love them don’t you

Title: Kill Your Darlings
Author: Peter Swanson
Format: 🎧
Narrator: Steven Weber
Publisher: HarperAudio Adult/Harper Audio and William Marrow
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Pub Date: June 10, 2025
My Rating: 4. Stars

Thom and Wendy Graves were childhood sweethearts who grew apart but found each and now have been married for twenty-five years.
Thom, is a college English literature professor also an alcoholic, and a cheater.
Wendy is a published poet. Her first husband died by drowning in the backyard pool, Ruled an accident however his sister believes Wendy wanted the Inheritance.
Now Wendy has grown tired of Thom’s behavior; In fact, attempted to kill him once, but her plan failed.

This psychological thriller was a quick read. It was a different in that it is told in reverse, tracing as well as uncovering Thom and Wendy’s secrets back in time.
We know Thom and Wendy were sweethearts when they were in the Eighth Grade. They went on a school trip to DC. While traveling on the bus they talked about scary books. Since “The Exorcist” was one of THE scariest books and was took place in Georgetown they set out to find the scary stairway where the priest fell and died. When the find it, they share a kiss on that very stairway. Hmmm was that a prediction?

This is my eighth [author: Peter Swanson|7142445] novel. He is one of my favorite authors- I call myself a fan!

Want to thank NetGalley HarperAudio Adult/ Harper Audio for this early audiobook.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for June 10, 2025.

I didn't love the storytelling for this novel. I found the story to be a bit convoluted and hard to follow especially as an audiobook. Maybe I will have better luck physically reading this book. Looking forward to the next Peter Swanson novel!