Well, this was definitely different, that’s for sure. Savi is an author whose debut book flew to the top of the charts, catapulting her to instant fame. A rare feat, but even more so for someone in her early forties who’s an anxious introvert and completely unprepared for a life in the spotlight. But she’s trying, and has even started her next mystery – but unlike her debut, this one isn’t so cozy. It’s more of a psychological thriller that starts off with a murder. One that happened in real life, only…after she wrote about it. Even stranger? She was recognized as being at the scene of the crime. Is she seeing crimes before they happen? Or is someone somehow accessing her private writing and trying to frame her? Will she be able to prove her innocence before it’s too late?

There’s a lot that can’t be revealed because of a twist in the story. It’s one of those that I think readers will either love or hate. Personally, I liked that the author tried something different, but I’m not sure it’s too credible. But I didn’t dwell on that too long and just kept going, waiting to see how everything was going to turn out. I love this author’s writing style; you get swept into the story like you’re right there with the characters. And it’s not so much about the ‘who’ but the ‘why’ of the crimes. It’s always refreshing when it’s not a straightforward whodunit, and this book is certainly not!

This was my first experience with an Amanda McKinney book, and it definitely won’t be my last.

I found the writing engaging and breezed through the book fairly quickly. However, I felt the plot could have been a bit more tightly structured. I think this is one of those books that will either be a hit or a miss with you depending on how you see the plot twist. The ending, unfortunately, left me a bit underwhelmed. It felt a little anticlimactic. That said, I look forward to reading more from the author as I enjoyed the pace and the writing did not take away from the reading experience.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley. This doesn't impact my opinion in any way.

This is one of those crazy books where I thought maybe I was the crazy one! Savi''s debut novel, Holy Sheet Cake is an instant success and she's over the moon with excitement! But as we "dig in" to her writing process we realize something is "off" and she may be hallucinating things that haven't really happened. But as we delve further into her background, we realize things start to make sense as her mind is attempting to reconcile what it know with what it THINKS! It's a fabulous novel that had me racing through at break-neck speed!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

The Perfect Murder by Amanda McKinney starts with a promising hook: a bestselling mystery author finds herself at the center of a real-life murder that mirrors her work-in-progress. It’s a clever concept, and the book leans into that meta-thriller vibe with plenty of suspense.

Unfortunately, the execution doesn’t quite live up to the premise. The story is told from multiple first-person perspectives, which often feels more confusing than compelling. Instead of building tension, it left me disoriented and distanced from the characters. There’s a constant sense that you’re being misled, but not in a satisfying, twisty way—more like you’re waiting for a payoff that never really lands.

The big reveal comes quietly and lacks the punch you’d expect from a book with such a high-stakes setup. From there, the plot meanders toward a fairly predictable ending.

Not a total miss—some readers might enjoy the psychological elements and the idea of fiction bleeding into reality—but it didn’t quite click for me.

Amanda McKinney has done it again...!

What an absolute rollercoaster, wild journey that is The Perfect Murder.

This psychological thriller was a hard one to put down. It had a fantastic flow, it was impossible to put it down. The narrative was incredibly visual and I felt like I was there watching everything unfold in real time.

The characters are incredibly well-developed. I loved Savi's musings of life as an author. There were lots of themes of guilt, redemption, unreliable narrators. Was Savi the villian all along? well, you'll have to read the book to find out!

Such a clever mid-point reveal in this edgy thriller. Just as you have gotten to know the characters and are wondering what exactly is going on behind the words you’re reading, everything is turned on its head and you have to reevaluate them all. The author has done a good job of making a complex set of concepts work as a story, not spending too much time on explanations of making things technically credible and it works.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

The Perfect Murder is a uniquely imaginative psychological thriller - I can almost guarantee you won't be able to guess the twists and turns coming in THIS novel!

We all have our escapes—music, scrolling through social media, retail therapy, obsessive reading (guilty), and for some, writing. But what happens when a writer’s fiction starts bleeding into real life?

That’s exactly the nightmare Savi finds herself in. What starts as a creative outlet spirals into something far more sinister when details from the thriller she’s writing begin to mirror a real-life murder. Now she’s the prime suspect. Told through dual POVs, with Savi and Detective Jacob, we’re caught in a fast-paced, twist filled narrative where nothing is quite what it seems.

This is only my second read from Amanda McKinney, but both times I’ve been genuinely surprised and that’s saying something as a seasoned thriller reader. She brings a fresh voice to the genre, crafting stories that are not only suspenseful but layered with emotional depth and timely issues handled with care.

It’s hard to review this without spoiling anything, so I’ll keep it simple: if you enjoy thrillers that are sharp, original, and keep you guessing, The Perfect Murder needs to be on your list.

Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this Advanced Reader’s Copy of The Perfect Murder by Amanda McKinney due to be published September 18, 2025.

Savi Portman just wrote a book about a perfect murder—and now it’s coming true. Writing is her escape, but though she has written about the perfect crime she has to prove she didn’t commit it!

I have read several other of Amanda McKinney’s books and after reading The Perfect Murder I knew why she was on my “favorites” list. Loved this book – such a unique twist to a thriller. Not your typical murder mystery – had lots of unexpected plots in it. I would definitely recommend this one – and any other book by her!

#NetGalley #AmandaMcKinney #ThePerfectMurder #StormPublishing

I finished this book in less than 24 hours and I am still thinking about it. It was THAT good! I was on the edge of my seat as I was reading, and that feeling didn’t stop until the final page! An absolute thrill of a ride.

I literally could not put this book down. I found myself holding my breath, peeking through my closed eyes at what I was about to read next… a phenomenal thriller! Three words to describe this book is thrilling, addictive and heart pounding.

I loved every single page and I was beyond shocked by the ending, I had to pick my jaw up off the ground One of the BEST books I have EVER read!

Book Review: Amanda McKinney – The Perfect Murder
Published by Storm Publishing – thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my gifted ARC.

Amanda McKinney’s The Perfect Murder is an explosive psychological thriller that delivers exactly what the title promises—and then some. From the moment I opened the first page, I was hooked. It’s smart, fast, and absolutely ruthless in the way it drags you into the story. What begins as a clever concept quickly turns into a relentless page-turner with sharp writing, strong characters, and a twist that genuinely left me stunned.

The premise is genius: Savi Portman, a debut author who rockets to bestseller status with her cozy mystery novel, suddenly finds herself at the center of a real murder investigation. The catch? The murder mirrors the plot of her work-in-progress. Surveillance footage places her at the scene. Witnesses claim they saw her. The story she was only halfway through writing is suddenly playing out in real life. As someone who loves books about writers, especially when they blur the line between fiction and reality, this setup was irresistible. But what impressed me most was how Amanda McKinney kept raising the stakes with every chapter.

Savi is such a compelling lead. She’s sharp, witty, and driven, but she’s also vulnerable. She’s dealing with personal trauma, professional pressure, and now a murder case that’s threatening to destroy her life. I appreciated that McKinney didn’t write her as either completely innocent or conveniently naive. Savi is a survivor, but she’s also flawed in ways that make her feel human. You want to root for her even when the evidence makes you pause. And that tension—the not quite knowing if she’s telling the full truth—is part of what makes the story so effective.

What really stands out in this book is the writing. McKinney knows how to build suspense and deliver twists without cheap tricks. Her prose is tight and cinematic. There’s never a wasted scene. Every chapter pushes the story forward, and just when you think you’ve figured something out, she spins the narrative in a new direction. The pacing is so smooth, you don’t even realize how much she’s been manipulating your expectations until it’s too late. That’s not easy to pull off, and she does it like a pro.

One quote stuck with me: “I wrote the perfect murder. I never thought I’d be the one to live it.” That line is the heartbeat of this book. It encapsulates the fear, the irony, and the intensity that runs through the entire novel. It also speaks to the deeper theme here—how writing can be both escape and exposure. McKinney explores how much of our inner world spills into what we create, and what happens when the fiction we write starts to reflect a reality we didn’t see coming.

The supporting cast is also well done. No one feels like a throwaway character. Every person Savi interacts with—her editor, her ex, her neighbors, even the detectives—has some layer of ambiguity. You’re never sure who to trust. And that’s what makes the mystery work. You’re not just asking, “Did Savi do it?” You’re also constantly wondering who’s playing her, who knows more than they’re saying, and what secrets are still buried.

As for the ending—wow. It’s rare for me to be genuinely surprised by a twist, but this one landed like a punch to the gut. It was bold, unexpected, but completely earned. I actually sat back, blinked, and said “no way” out loud. Then I re-read the last few chapters just to appreciate how well McKinney had set it all up without tipping her hand. That’s the kind of twist that turns a great thriller into an unforgettable one.

I also have to give props to how the book balances intensity with readability. Yes, it’s dark. Yes, it deals with murder, betrayal, and deception. But McKinney never loses control of the tone. It’s gripping without being gratuitous, sharp without being overdone. It’s clear she knows the genre inside and out, and she uses that knowledge to turn expectations on their head in the best way.

If you’re a fan of Alice Feeney, Freida McFadden, Lisa Jewell, or any thriller that keeps you guessing until the last page, this needs to be on your list. It’s not just twisty—it’s smart. It’s not just shocking—it’s earned. And best of all, it’s the kind of book that stays with you after you close it.

The Perfect Murder proves Amanda McKinney is a name to watch. This book doesn’t just live up to the hype—it surpasses it. It’s a sleek, tightly wound thriller that explores what happens when fiction becomes a little too real. Five stars, no hesitation.