Release: May 22, 2025
Author: Alice Hunter
Publisher: Avon Books

Rating: 4 ★ 

Dr. Eleanor Spencer has built a successful career as a psychologist and appears to have it all together. But when women start disappearing, old wounds resurface from her sister’s still-unsolved case. Pulled into the investigation, Ellie seeks help from Lucas Hayne, a convicted serial killer known for playing dangerous mind games. When Lucas suggests that the truth is tangled up in Ellie’s own past, everything she thought she knew starts to unravel. As she digs deeper, Ellie realizes that the real threat might be much closer than she ever thought — and this time, it’s personal.


The Perfect Psychopath had everything I love in a psychological thriller — a chilling setup, lots of twists, and a story that kept me guessing right up until the end. The book follows Dr. Eleanor Spencer, a psychologist assigned to work with a manipulative killer behind bars, but it quickly becomes clear that he knows way more about a string of new murders than he should. The sessions between them grow increasingly personal, especially as Eleanor’s own past — including her sister’s mysterious disappearance — starts to intertwine with the present investigation.

The pacing was strong throughout, with a gripping beginning that immediately pulled me in and an ending that really stuck with me. I loved how the author explored the killer’s psyche and built complex characters that felt real and layered. There were a few moments where I had to suspend disbelief, and at times the back-and-forth between timelines made the story a little harder to follow, but overall, I stayed hooked because I needed to know how everything connected.

This was a dark, twisty read that kept me second-guessing everyone, and the character development made it even more compelling. If you’re into thrillers with morally gray leads, mind games, and secrets that refuse to stay buried, this is one worth picking up.



Favorite Quote:
"psychopaths don't have to be violent to be dangerous. They just have to be manipulative enough to make you doubt your own reality."

A good, keep you guessing, psychological storyline. A serial killer on prison seems to know more about serial killings outside than he should and his connections run deeper than you might imagine. A psychologist is tasked to have regular sessions with him as a study to assess his risk to those around him but those sessions become a lot more personal and poignant. Her sister had disappeared in the past and assumed a victim of the killer but the actual circumstances are shrouded in mystery and questions left unanswered.
There are some good twists and this definitely kept my interest right to the end to see what all the connections were. Some bits were a little bit of a stretch for plausibility but overall a good read.

I love Alice Hunter anyway so I fully expected to adore this book about a psychopath and a forensic psychologist: and I wasn’t disappointed.

The twists were great, it all happened in one go at the end and I was like WOW! It felt like I was watching a film.

A lot of books usually either have a super good beginning or an amazing end. It's pretty rare for me to find one that has both but this defiantly had such a great beginning and all the way through pace that kept me wanting to keep reading like crazy and it also had an unforgettable ending.

Dr Eleanor Spencer a respected forensic psychologist and works in the nearby prison. When she hears of a woman’s body is found with her sister’s necklace on her. Her sister disappeared five years ago never to be seen again.
She is asked to work on the case and se agrees because she wants to find out if there is anymore connection to her sisters’ disappearance. But when another body turns up, they know they have a serial killer on their hands. She knows that this is getting personal. She asks help from notorious serial killer Lucas Haynes who is one of the inmates to get into the serial killer’s mind, but the shocking truth emerges that he knows stuff from her past.
Alice Hunter is one of my go-to authors, so I was excited to read a new novel ‘The perfect Psychopath.
I liked the sound of the premise and got straight stuck in, but I found this to be quite a slow burn or me and I felt it was hard to connect with the characters at times. For me there was something missing. It didn’t give me the intensity that I find and enjoy in other books of this type. This is not a bad book it’s just my personal taste. I wanted more but it didn’t deliver for me. 3.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for allowing me to read an advanced copy of The Perfect Psychopath by Alice Hunter:

This is a psychological thriller about Dr. Eleanor Spencer, a psychologist whose life unravels when a series of women disappear, forcing her to confront past traumas. Eleanor turns to a convicted serial killer, Lucas Hayne, for answers, leading her to question whether the true threat is closer than she thought. She believes he may hold insight into a series of disappearances—but the real question is whether she can trust him, or whether she's being manipulated. The novel explores the ways in which trust can be used as a weapon, particularly when the betrayer understands their victim’s weaknesses. Eleanor’s own past traumas intertwine with her present situation, suggesting that betrayal may not be limited to Lucas Hayne. Whether from colleagues, loved ones, or even her own instincts, she faces layers of deception that force her to reconsider who is truly dangerous.

The story suggests that seemingly trustworthy individuals may conceal sinister intentions. Betrayal here isn't just about broken promises—it’s about the fundamental misjudgment of character and the devastating consequences of misplaced trust.

This book was a really good read and part of a genre i truly enjoy. Highly recommend.

Dr. Ellie Spencer works as a forensic psychologist at a jail. However, when women start disappearing and turning up dead, Ellie is reminded of her past. Her sister went missing five years ago and was never found. When her sister's necklace turns up on the body of one of the latest victims, Ellie is desperate to find a connection to her missing sister. In order to figure out what is happening, Ellie works with one of her patients, a notorious serial killer, in order to get into his mind and catch the latest killer.

I really enjoyed this one! I love novels that dive into the psyche and the inner workings of a killer. You can tell the author is very knowledge on this subject. The author does an excellent job at keeping the reader engrossed and on their toes. I honestly had no idea who the killer was and kept changing my mind throughout the story. Lots of great twists and turns. The character development was really well done - you can really get a sense of each character and connect with them.

Thank you Avon Books UK | Avon and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This kept me intrigued throughout. While I did figure out the final twist/reveal. I was still invested enough. Wondering if I missed something.
This had the perfect balance between personal life and the crimes being solved.

This was a really good book but I'm still a bit confused with the ending . It is well worth a read as it keeps you guessing .

“Broken people try to heal themselves by breaking others”

I was lucky enough to be approved for an advanced readers copy (ARC) of this book via @netgalley @avonbooksuk having recently read and loved The Serial Killer Series I was overjoyed to be reading @alicehunter_author The Perfect Psychopath.

Dr Eleanor Spencer is a psychologist who works in a prison and has sessions with the inmates who are serial killers and rapists.

When women start to vanish and are later murdered it resurfaces feelings of her sisters unsolved disappearance and before she knows it, Eleanor is entwined in the present investigation.

Lucas Hayne, a convicted serial killer speaks of his crimes within his sessions with Eleanor and not only are there similarities in his crimes to the new murders but he is taunting Eleanor and encouraging her to look closer to home for the answers and links to her sisters disappearance.

It was fascinating having a look into the mind of serial killers and eye opening how powerful the human brain is. This book will make you question every character and keep you on your toes with mini twists and turns until the big revelation.

This will be a big hit and I am honoured to have been able to read an early release in exchange for a truthful review. @harperfiction @harperfiction

The idea for this book was engaging. The psychiatrist, Ellie, is interviewing serial killers for research and also wants to get to the bottom of the years old case of her sister’s disappearance. The other point of view is the detective investigating a suspected copy cat murder. DS Sarah Knight finds clues linking the current crimes to Ellie’s missing sister.
The portrayal of the prison setting felt realistic and well drawn. The characters were ok, but none of them had a lot of depth.
The story is past paced and kept me reading. The only thing I didn’t like was the fact that Ellie just forgot all the pertinent points relevant to solving the crimes. This seemed far too convenient and it wasn’t explored why. This let the overall plot down for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC

I received this as an eARC from NetGalley

This book had me at the edge of my seat with every turn of the page. So many twists and turns - all unexpected. It was gasp after gasp with all of the new developments.

I highly recommend this book!

4.5/5 stars! This is a psychological thriller done right. To be transparent, I have enjoyed basically everything I've read by Alice Hunter, so I had high hopes for this book. It was so good. The mental health aspect was spot on and intriguing and THAT TWIST! Omg. I was stunned. Only gripe is that the pacing was very mellow for what should be a tumultuous time seeking answers faster.

"The Perfect Psychopath" by Alice Hunter this book I couldn’t put it down! From the very first page, this novel captivated me with its brilliantly twisty plot and suspenseful twists that kept me guessing until the very last moment. The writing is stunning—each chapter grabbed me by the throat and pulled me deeper into its thrilling world. If you’re a fan of edge-of-your-seat suspense and masterfully crafted stories, this is hands down one of the best novels I've read this year! Highly recommend!

Wow just wow I have no words
This is a masterpiece literally couldn’t love it more
I loved everything about this the characters the plot the ending like what !!!
Lovely pace shocking moments twists that blew me away i couldn’t put it down i love it

What a fantastic gripping read, our main character Dr Ellie Spencer is on big journey to help her solve the disappearance of her sister and to finally get closure. It takes us through her day to day of working in a prison which is very insightful as she works with some big characters, it shows the challenges faced when trying to rehabiliate prisoners. You can almost feel the anxiety coming off the pages as you are taken down a road of turns and twists. This interwines her personal life and feelings , but with the added challenges of the outside world and key events that keep happening. I dont want to give any more away! This was consumed within 2 days and i felt that the character development was outstanding, you could get a real feel for the different characters in the book. A great read ! I will be purchasing more of Alice Hunters books. thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my Advanced reader copy it was a pleasure as always !

The Perfect Paychopath is a psychological thriller which follows the life of prison psychologist Ellie and police officer DS Sarah Knight. The multi pov story is fast paced and hooks you in quickly. The story starts with the missing sister of Ellie from years previously, and builds quickly on.

The story has lots of interesting characters, and is set up well to make you question everything and everyone. The level of detail relating to the prison systems and structure is good, and is reflective of strong author knowledge and research, this really adds to the story as it makes it feel more realistic.

The main characters face a number of challenges, and the way the story builds around these is good.
The twists keep happening, right to the very end! A must read, I couldn’t put it down!

I enjoyed the way that this story was structured, and it kept me guessing throughout which is perfect as this is exactly what I look for in a book! I really liked the main characters profession and getting to understand more around that throughout the story. I always enjoy a book from Alice Hunter, and I think this is another well written story, perfect to binge over a long weekend, long commute or holiday!

The Perfect Psychopath is a tense, fast-paced thriller that follows Becky, a former police officer desperate to expose the dark truth about her manipulative ex-husband. Alice Hunter crafts a chilling story of power, gaslighting, and the fight to be believed. Though some may wish for deeper insight into the antagonist, the suspense and emotional stakes make this a gripping read from start to finish.

Oh my gah!!;;; 10 out of 10!!!!!!! I own all books by this author. This one is by far my favorite one!!!! Want twists? Turns? Can't put it down? This one is for you!!!

You ever read a book that when you get to the end of it your mouth hangs open in surprise and you think to yourself what in the world did I just read? Well the Perfect Psychopath by Alice Hunter is one of those books .

The story about a missing sister and the convoluted attempt to find out what happened to her takes place from the viewpoint of the older sister who is also a psychologist who works with serial killers .

It's a very different kind of psychological thriller and detective story because we see the internal thoughts and actions of family, as well as join the entire police case.

As an ARC reader for Netgalley I was able to read this book before it was published and it was definitely a treat . I got completely caught up in following the case at the same time seeing into the mind of serial killers .

Despite that I was completely unprepared for the twists .

I give the book 4 stars and recommend it to anyone looking for a good murder mystery with a side of psychological tension.

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins Publishers for such a great pleasure .

A fabulous twisty book which I just couldn't put down. I love Alice's books and this one is right up there with her others. The story kept me guessing right until the end. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books for arc I loved it, it was fast paced, very gripping couldn’t stop reading it, I loved the plot and the twist and turns and the characters the ending I didn’t see that coming can’t wait to read more of books of the Alice wrote I have a few of her books on bookshelves

This was an extremely addictive thriller that kept me guessing until the very last chapter!

Dr Ellie Spencer is a psychologist working in a prison. 10 years ago, her younger sister Grace went missing and her family are still looking for answers as to what happened to her. Now, a young woman is found murdered and Grace’s necklace is found at the scene. Ellie is now drawn into the investigation, and finds herself spending more time with convicted serial killer, Lucas Hayne, whose MO is similar to that of the new killer.

Her interviews with Lucas become more and more disturbing as he seems to know more about her past than he should.. and warns her that the truth may be closer to home than she realises.

It is interesting reading that Alice Hunter worked in prison intervention programmes – you could tell from the descriptions of Ellie’s work in the prison that there was a lot of personal experience of the environment and how working in a prison really is.

This was such a great page-turner and a very enjoyable read. I found the missing chunks of Ellie’s memory maybe could have done with a bit more of an explanation, other than being convenient for the narrative! But looking past that, it was a great story and perfect psychological thriller!

Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this book in return for an honest review. I always enjoy an Alice Hunter story and this new one did not disappoint. A fast paced psychological thriller full of exciting twists and plot surprises. I really enjoyed the strong female lead characters and the depth of the story. The ending was very well written and tied up all the elements perfectly. Highly recommend. 5 stars

An absolutely riveting read from one of my favourite authors. I devoured every page from start to finish. Thanks to the author, Avon Books Uk and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this fabulous book. A 5* read.

Dr. Eleanor Spencer, is tasked with finding the cause of why women are going missing.

As a forensic psychologist, she has seen the worse but this case seems more personal. Her sister disappeared years ago and she discovers there may be a connection to the cases.

This is a clever and well developed plot. It is gripping and intriguing and I loved how the story unfolded. I was hooked from the very start and I loved getting to know Ellie. She is accomplished woman and is dedicated to her job.

I cannot wait to read more about her.

This book follows Ellie a psychologist who is hoping to find out about her sisters disappearance and probable murder it follows a few narratives, Ellie, the detective in the book and their is also journal entries. I enjoyed the story however i did have an incline as to who done it. Thank you for advanced copy.

The Perfect Psychopath is an engaging psychological thriller with a clever plot and a strong female lead. Dr. Eleanor Spencer finds herself pulled into an investigation that gets more personal the deeper she goes. The connection to her past added an extra layer of intrigue, and her interactions with Lucas Hayne were some of the most interesting parts.

The pacing is steady, with plenty of moments that make you question who can be The way the story unfolds still kept me turning the pages. I also appreciated how Ellie’s professional background tied into the mystery, giving the investigation a unique perspective.

A solid read for fans of thrillers with layered characters, psychological tension, and a satisfying ending that ties everything together.

The Perfect Psychopath by Alice Hunter is a gripping psychological thriller that keeps readers hooked from start to finish. Dr. Eleanor Spencer, a respected forensic psychologist, has a seemingly perfect life until a series of women begin to disappear. As the body count rises, Ellie’s past resurfaces, and she is forced to confront the terrifying possibility that the real monster may be closer than she ever imagined.

Hunter crafts a fast-paced narrative filled with unexpected twists and cleverly placed clues, leading readers through a labyrinth of deception and mystery. The mixed media format—featuring alternating character viewpoints, diary entries, newspaper clippings, and case files—adds depth to the story, enhancing its immersive nature. The multiple perspectives and misleading clues keep readers second-guessing at every turn.

With its complex characters and relentless suspense, The Perfect Psychopath is a must-read for anyone who enjoys psychological thrillers that challenge every assumption and keep you guessing until the very end.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

Another amazing book by Alice hunter, again I shouldn’t be surprised as all her books are fantastic from start to finish!
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The Perfect Psychopath by Alice Hunter is a twisty, addictive thriller that keeps you guessing until the last page. Psychologist Ellie Spencer gets drawn into a chilling investigation that forces her to confront her sister’s disappearance—and a serial killer who might know more than he’s saying. With mind games, shocking reveals, and an ending I NEVER saw coming, this book had me hooked. If you love psychological suspense (and don’t mind losing sleep), don’t miss this one.

An excellent read for any and all readers! Author comes at you with both barrels and knocks you out of your shoes! Great job fleshing out all the characters. I give this book FIVE stars! Definitely recommend!

An excellent read for any and all readers! Author comes at you with both barrels and knocks you out of your shoes! Great job fleshing out all the characters. I give this book FIVE stars! Definitely recommend!

This was a fab read! The plot had me hooked instantly, it was fast paced and full of twists and turns. I found the characters to be believable which isn’t always the case with a thriller and the ending was really good. Would definitely recommend!

The Perfect Psychopath by Alice Hunter delves deeply into the work of psychologist Dr Ellie Spencer, who is seeking answers on the inside from a convicted serial killer, Lucas Hayne, following the disappearance of several women. The case dredges up the unresolved disappearance of her sister years before, and Ellie finds herself locked in a series of mind games with the convicted man. Can he give her the answers she so desperately seeks and, if so, at what cost?

Alice Hunter can always be relied upon to deliver a compelling, edge of your seat pacey thriller, and she has done it once again with The Perfect Psychopath. 4.5 stars

Many thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for an ARC.

The Perfect Psychopath is a roller coaster read that has you hooked from the first to the last page.

The pace is fast, the characters are shady and ladies are getting murdered.

Ella is a psychologist at the local prison ( and she has her own demons) and a local police detective has asked for her help.

The town is full of secrets, lies and subterfuge.

No one is safe.

I did not who to believe or who to cheer for . Not that any of them deserved being cheered for.

I will leave the journey down the twisted path up to the reader but be prepared to read The Perfect Psychopath in one sitting.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK/Avon for the privilege of reading and reviewing another gripping read from Alice Hunter.

I was gripped by the complex, multi-layered plot. The author uses her experience as a psychologist to add realism to the story. There was a lot going on and the action seemed quite slow in places. The twists at the end were totally unexpected. Overall, a thrilling read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

The Perfect Psychopath by Alice Hunter is a gripping psychological thriller that will keep you hooked from start to finish. Dr. Eleanor Spencer, a respected forensic psychologist, is drawn into a chilling investigation when a series of women begin to disappear. As the body count rises, Eleanor’s past resurfaces, and she is forced to confront a terrifying truth— the real monster might be closer than she ever imagined. With unexpected twists and turns, the narrative is fast-paced, and the clues are cleverly placed, leading readers down a winding path of deception and mystery.

What sets this novel apart is its fascinating characters, who are far more complex than they initially seem. The mixed media format, with alternating character POVs, diary entries, newspaper clippings, and case files, is expertly executed and adds a unique depth to the story. The multiple perspectives and false clues keep you second-guessing at every turn, making The Perfect Psychopath an incredibly clever and immersive read. This book is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers that challenge your every assumption.

I absolutely loved this book . I’ve read a few from this author and this one doesn’t disappoint. Just when you think you’ve solved the plot off it goes in another direction and I definitely didn’t expect the ending at all . I would definitely recommend this book and give it 5 stars , I can’t wait for the next

The Perfect Psychopath by Alice Hunter is a gripping thriller that pulled me in and I just had to read till I couldn't. Fell asleep reading this and couldn't put it down. Another fab book by Alice. Although sometimes the povs were a little confusing but loved it so much. Cannot wait to read more from Alice as this was my first book by her. I'm now looking into her backlist

This is a slow burner, gritty thriller that I ultimately enjoyed. It’s definitely a slow burner bits it’s worth persevering with! I really enjoyed it and didn’t predict the twists at all!

My first Alice book and not my last!

I found it more of a slow thriller but I thought it worked really well, it wasn't fast paced and action packed that keeps your heart rate up the entire time.

Alice Hunter books always shock me. Every time I pick one up I think I am going to work it all out… but I never do. Full of brilliant twists, dodgy characters and just superb storytelling The Perfect Psychopath kept me up well past bedtime to finish. I was completely blindsided once again and I loved it. With a title like that I knew that I would.

A psychologist working in a prison with plenty of her own demons and secrets. A tragedy in her past that comes back when a series of murders happen and the police ask for her help. I don’t want to say too much as I really think you just need to read it and find out for yourself.

Thanks so much to Avon Books UK for my advanced copy of this book to read. Published on May 22nd.

Another masterpiece from Alice Hunter.
A real edge of your seat read full of twists and turns.
Just loved it, the characters, the storyline and the ending.
My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my copy.

THE PERFECT PSYCHOPATH HIDES IN PLAIN SIGHT… The mind is a dangerous place to hide… Dr Eleanor Spencer is a well respected psychologist with a seemingly perfect life. But when a series of women start to vanish, it dredges up memories of her sister’s unsolved disappearance and she finds herself drawn into the investigation! Fantastic read! This book had great suspense, gruesome murders, mystery, intriguing, chilling thriller, a great who done it and a few crazy twists! The storyline was very interesting! I highly recommend reading this book! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

The Perfect Psychopath is a complicated, twisted thriller that had me up all night reading and thinking! It follows a Dr who has to engage with prisoners and it gets nasty. It has the right amount of fear. I flew through it in a few hours.

The Perfect Psychopath by Alice Hunter, published by Avon Books UK /Harper Collins UK, is a complex, complicated thriller full og unexpected twists and turns, including multiple characters and this end I never ever had expected.
A bit confusing at first, detailed, langatmig tells the story of Ellie, an psychologist, and her sister:
- Sara a cop, and her investigation and the danger that brings to her doorstep and the interwoven bonds the two women have.
Intriguing, literally unputdownable, 5 stars.

Wow what did Ii just read!!! What a ride we went on. I loved the characters, the storyline and especially the ending. I devoured this book. Brilliant.

Thanks to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an early release of this book.

Couldn't put it down, I read into the late hours of the night devoured the whole book in a day! I simply couldn't go to bed until I knew how it would end… I was sitting there with my mouth wide open and mind blown.

LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT!!!!!! You will not believe the twists and you will not guess the ending no matter how hard you try! THIS BOOK MUST BE READ BY EVERYONE.

The ending had me saying, “WHHAAAATTTTT?!?!?!?” Such an amazing twist… I. Could. Not. Stop. Reading… This ending will stick with me.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ from me!

This is my first Alice Hunter book and it was great! I loved the mixed media aspects, some case files, diary entry’s, mysterious POV chapters and newspaper clippings. I think it adds a layer to the story. The immersion into the role of a forensic psychologist was fab too and I read that the author worked in a prison and this really showed. It starts quite quickly, it was a little slower in the middle but it ended up like a suspenseful whodunit as it got near the end.