How to Get Away with Murder - Rebecca Philipson

HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER

REBECCA PHILIPSON

*****

EVERY SERIAL KILLER HAS A STORY TO TELL . . .

Denver Brady claims to be the most successful serial killer of our time – and that’s precisely why you’ve never heard of him.But with the publication of his manual for aspiring serial killers, How to Get Away with Murder, that’s about to change.When a copy is found at the home of a girl who was tragically murdered, DI Samantha Hansen is given the job of tracking down the elusive author.

As Denver and Sam’s stories unfold and converge, it becomes clear that there’s more to both than meets the eye. And once Denver’s book goes viral, the pressure to find and bring him to justice brings Sam close to breaking point.

But who is hunting whom?

MY REVIEW

*****

As a true crime lover and bibliophile, the premise of How to Get Away with Murder really intrigued me, and I was excited to dive in!

DI Sam has been on leave for months after suffering with her mental health after an incident with a colleague at work. But when she learns of a young girl murdered with a self help guide of ‘How to Get Away with Murder’ next to her, she gains motivation to get back to work to find out more.

I really enjoyed Sam as a main character in this story, she is flawed and vulnerable which makes her instantly likeable and relatable. She makes some questionable decisions at times, but this felt realistic and grounded and not just there for the sake of the plot. Her backstory is revealed to us slowly, but there are enough clues laid down that we can begin to work out what has happened. I really enjoyed her relationship with her rookie coworker - it would have been very easy to make this into a romance from the off but the way the relationship is portrayed felt realistic and not too much – the investigation is still at the forefront of the story.

The chapters are interspersed with extracts from the how-to guide How to Get Away with Murder, in which Denver Brady tells the story of how to avoid discovery as a serial killer and stories of the crimes he has committed. I enjoyed this and it kept me engaged throughout, each chapter also provided important insight as to who the killer may be and clues to his activities. It was a little frustrating that Sam is so slow to read this important book, and therefore some reveals come a lot later in the narrative than they would if she just sat down and read it cover to cover. However, her mental health and fatigue made a good excuse for this, which then worked well for the pacing. I really enjoyed the twist at the end as well – a great conclusion to the plot.

Overall, How to Get Away with Murder is a twisty thriller with a relatable main character. Thank you to NetGalley & Random House UK – Transworld Publishers – Bantam for the chance to read the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

LINKS TO BUY

Amazon UK

Waterstones