This is the first time I have read this author, but I'm afraid this one was not for me. I did find it a bit bitty, all over the place, and it did take a bit of a while to get into it. I didn't find it exciting, but I did finish it, and I don't think I will bother with this author again. The blurb was really good, which made me want to read it, and others found it great as well.
I would like to thank Netgalley and Storm Publishing for an ARC copy, but unfortunately, it was not for me.

The Perfect Murder by Amanda McKinney is an addictive and clever mystery that kept me turning pages late into the night. The premise is fresh and intriguing, and Savi’s struggle to prove her innocence made for a tense and thrilling read. I loved the twists and couldn’t put it down. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and rated it five stars.

A book within a book is always a selling point for me and this one doesn’t disappoint.

Savi has just hit the number one spot with her cozy mystery book but whilst she is attempting to pen number two, instead a psychological thriller pours out of her. The problems begin when the things she writes start to come true in the small town she lives in.

Alternating chapters with Savi and the local police chief Jacob, and chapters of the thriller Savi is writing , combine together to make this an addictive page turner with red herrings and twists galore.

To add, the authors “A Marriage Of Lies” was in my top ten books of 2024 so I recommend that one too if you haven’t yet read it.

Special thanks to NetGalley, publisher and author for my gifted eARC in exchange for my honest review.

The premise of this book is what intrigued me- an author whose unfinished new book seems to be coming true. The story- and Savi's WIP- is interesting and engaging. I predicted the twist pretty early on, and then its reveal came a lot sooner than I expected. The rest of the book is spent trying to sort everything out. There were a couple points I had to suspend disbelief on. I'm still not sure how I feel about the ending. It's okay... I suppose a "happy" ending for everyone. I guess I expected another twist, and while I'm glad it didn't go down a certain road that always annoys me in books, I think I just wanted a little more. But the book kept me interested all the way through.

This is a thriller, with an engaging, twisted plot.
The story is told from multiple points of view, making it multifaceted and providing various angles to the reader.

It follows Savi, a writer whose book is coming to life...in the form of a murder.

There are some interesting psychological elements that make the story more unique.

*****Publishing September 18, 2025****

Savi Portman’s cozy mystery is an instant bestseller. When someone commits the “perfect murder” from her work-in-progress next thriller, Savi is seen on surveillance cameras near the scene. Will she be accused? How will she handle the predicament she is put in? Is it what it seems?

I enjoyed Savi’s character as this author portrays not only the accomplishments of being an author, but also the struggles. Just when you think you have figured it out, she puts in twists and turns you didn’t see coming! It makes for a page-turning and entertaining read! It’s one you won’t want to put down! A great Fall pic for those who enjoy mysteries/thrillers! One to take on your next vacation or bring to your next book club!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book will have you questioning everything!
Savi Portman just penned a debut cozy mystery, instantly becoming a bestseller. Now she wants to branch out and write something considerably darker. Maybe a serious thriller! And she can use her mysterious neighbors as the characters. (Changing their names of course.)😉

But suddenly fiction is turning into reality when everything she writes starts to happen in real life! Remember, this is a dark thriller she’s writing now, no cozy mystery here. So, if Savi continues to have dark thoughts, well…no one is safe!

Wow! What a premise! I was instantly hooked as I am with all Amanda McKinney’s books.

What is real….what is fiction? Good luck trying to answer that question! I had to stop and re-center myself multiple times!

✍️ Amanda McKinney
📖 320 pages
🗓️ September 18 2025
💭 Thriller
📈 4/5
👉 If you like your thrillers super twisty, this is the perfect book for you!

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing

A dark, fast-paced romantic suspense with just the right mix of twists, danger, and chemistry. While a few reveals are a bit predictable, it’s still an addictive, page-turning ride perfect for fans of moody thrillers with a romantic edge.

With many thanks to Netgalley for this free arc and I am leaving this unbiased review voluntarily
My first book by Amanda McKinney and safe to say it won't be my last. I thoroughly enjoyed this with its book within a book plot. It's pacy with some good twists - some predictable some not so. It's wonderfully written and flows well. Savi is a great character, flawed but there is a realistic feel about her which adds another level to the story. Not as dark as books I usually read so this is perfect for cozy mystery readers. A solid 4 ⭐️read

The Perfect Murder is a dark, clever and addictive psychological thriller that plays brilliantly with the idea of life imitating art. Savi Portman, a debut author whose cosy mystery has catapulted her to bestseller status, finds herself living in a nightmare when a real-life killing mirrors a crime from her own work in progress. The evidence begins to point directly to her, but Savi insists she is innocent. To clear her name, she must uncover the truth before the perfect crime destroys her life.

Amanda McKinney delivers a taut and immersive story that grips from the first page. The alternating perspectives between Savi, Jacob and excerpts from Savi’s fictional thriller add layers of tension and intrigue, creating a book within a book that is executed flawlessly. The psychological elements are particularly strong, exploring themes of perception, mental health and trust in a way that feels authentic and compelling.

The twists arrive thick and fast, some shocking, others quietly unsettling, and even when the reader thinks they have figured it out, McKinney has more surprises waiting. The plotting is intricate, the pacing relentless and the characters complex enough to keep the reader invested until the final revelation.

The Perfect Murder is a masterfully crafted thriller that is both unsettling and exhilarating. It is a book that will keep you guessing, second-guessing and turning the pages late into the night.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

Savi has just written a cosy story book that has hit all the right places and she's famous, she's finding that hard to cope with especially as she now has to write a follow-up. She is definitely suffering anxiety at best. Quinn murders a man in the forest and Savi soon realises that her new darker story is being acted out by Quinn. Jacob, the local detective investigates the murder. Savi is also fascinated by a local rich man and his wife living in an amazing house n the forest and basically seems to stalk him. Each chapter is narrated by one of the characters which decreases confusion at one level but does leave a 'where's this going' feel all too often. It's definitely a twisty psychiatric thriller and well worth the read.

I’ll admit, during the first half I was pretty confused about where the story was going—and normally that’s when I would put a book down. But I’m so glad I stuck with it! Something about it made me feel the story was building toward something unique and exciting, and it absolutely delivered.

Savi, Quinn, and Lillian were all such intriguing characters with storylines that kept me hooked. If you’re in the mood for a truly original and different kind of read, this one is definitely worth picking up!

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishers for this ARC.

A dark psychological thriller, The Perfect Murder (2025) by Amanda McKinney is a captivating tale. It opens with Quinn, a woman in the forest near Bear Creek, Wyoming intent on murder. The multi-voiced narrative then introduces a range of characters as the reader ponders their possible connection. Savi Portman’s dream of being a bestselling author is finally realised, yet she is suffering anxiety and nightmares, as what she writes appearing to happen. As local detective Jacob investigates the killing in the cabin, complications and surprise reveals ensue, as the tension ratchets up. Leaving aside the psychiatric basis of the story and its rosy ending, this gripping tale is a four star read rating. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own, freely given and without any inducement. With thanks to Storm Publishing Editions and the author, for an uncorrected advanced review copy for review purposes.

This book was a can’t put down for me! I enjoyed Savi’s story and how it all played out. It was the right amount of mystery And not too much detail, as to feel like horror.

The Perfect Mother
By: Amanda McKinney
Pub Date: September 18, 2025
Publisher: Storm Publishing
Shared with: The PULSE

We love McKinney’s book at the PULSE.
Imagine having written a number 1 bestseller and sky rocketing your career. When an author gets recognition, sometimes it is not all good. Savi is a debut author working on her next book.
Soon scenes from her work in progress start playing out and she is shown on camera and everyone thinks she is the culprit, but she knows she did not commit murder, or did she?
A page turner that I read in one sitting. How does one plan the perfect murder, not share your thoughts and it play out in real life?
I highly recommend any of her books because you will be hooked form the first page until the last.

Savi is a cosy mystery author, her debut novel has thrown her straight into the spotlight. But whilst she should be working on the sequel, she finds herself writing a thriller. She believes its all come from her imagination. Until the events start to happen in real life...

This was a brilliantly written, twisty thriller.
It was written from Savi's POV, as well as chapters from Jacob's POV, and chapters from Savi's thriller. At no point did I have any clue what was going on. I mean, I had my guesses, but I was completely wrong. It genuinely left me feeling mind blown, but in a good way. There were a few scenes that had me sobbing like a baby which is unusual for me.
Another brilliant read from Amanda.

A clever, twist-filled thriller where fiction and reality collide.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Savi Portman is known for writing cosy mysteries – but when she tries her hand at a psychological thriller, her world takes a very dark turn. That premise alone completely grabbed me, and Amanda McKinney delivered a story that was clever, fast-paced, and impossible to put down.

The “book within a book” element was such a standout for me. It blurred the line between fiction and reality in a way that felt fresh, and it added an extra layer of tension as Savi’s writing and real life started to overlap in unsettling ways.

I loved how the story was told through dual perspectives, shifting between Savi and Detective Jacob. It gave the narrative depth and kept the suspense sharp from start to finish. Savi herself was an incredibly compelling character – vulnerable, flawed, and relatable, yet strong in ways that made me root for her even when the odds stacked higher and higher against her.

The pacing was spot on – quick and addictive without ever feeling rushed. And the ending? Absolutely jaw-dropping. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, the rug was pulled out from under me.

If you love psychological thrillers with a clever hook, addictive pacing, and characters you can really invest in, this is one to add to your list.

Thanks to NetGalley, Storm Publishing & Amanda McKinney for the advanced copy.

Another must-read psychological thriller that grabs you from the very first page and doesn’t let go.

The storyline is addictive, smartly crafted, and perfectly paced, making it impossible to put down. With sharp twists and just the right amount of tension, this book delivers an entertaining and compelling read that belongs on every thriller lover’s list.

Thank you so much to Storm Publishing and Amanda McKinney for my eARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

A fast-paced, addicting psychological thriller. We follow Savi, a new bestselling author who became famous because of her recent novel. When she uses her wealthy neighbours as inspiration for her new thriller, strange things start to happen, because whatever Savi writes begins happening in real life. Does someone have access to her manuscript and is trying to set her up, or is Savi seeing crimes before they even happen?
My thoughts: I wish I could say more about this book, but it would reveal so much. I enjoyed the book and the character, and I was completely blindsided by the turn that made this book so good. I loved Savi, she is a very strong character and Amanda did a great job writing about her personality and her emotions. Her anxiety from being famous felt very real.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves fast-paced psychological thrillers that will give you a twist you won’t see coming.
Thank you NetGally and Storm Publishing for this amazing ARC!

Gripping dark psychological thriller with interesting and relatable characters, and the perfect blend of drama and suspense. A fast-paced twisty and wild plot that had me totally engrossed. I recommend to anyone who is a fan of this genre and talented writing.