Audiobook, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller

Eight Perfect Murders by Peter Swanson (aka Rules for Perfect Murders)

Jonetta | Blue Mood Café

Eight Perfect Murders

It started with a list…

Malcolm Kershaw owns and operates a bookstore in Boston. His expertise is in the mystery genre and years ago when he was working for another bookseller, he wrote a blogpost where he listed eight books he felt featured the most perfect murders. Now he’s got an FBI agent on his doorstep, asking questions that make him feel like he might be a suspect in several murders that have an eerie connection to the books on his list of eight perfect murders. To make matters even more troubling, it appears Malcolm may have attracted the potential killer’s attention.

Mysteries are my most favorite genre, my fallback when left to my own devices, dating back to my love affair with Nancy Drew as a young girl where I eventually graduated to Agatha Christie. My fear is I cannot be objective in reviewing this story as it was my catnip. I was more than familiar with many of the books on that list, either having read them, seen the movie or both. And, I realized immediately that I might be listening to an unreliable narrator, which I find delicious in the right writer’s hands and I had every reason to trust this one.

I’m not going to share details about the story other than its impact. There are a lot of names, book plots and accompanying spoilers. I didn’t worry about those on my shelf waiting to be read because no way, no how am I going to remember those elements as they were eventually replaced by the specifics of this one. It’s a mystery lover’s smorgasbord of classics and popular titles. They’re not just thrown out there for reference but expertly tied to the plot. I was never on sure footing and had to pay close attention to everything. Still didn’t get it right but I didn’t care.

I listened to the story and the narrator stepped into Malcolm with ease. He added a bit of irreverence to his voice that just worked. If you haven’t already figured it out I very much enjoyed the story and was trying to come to terms with that clever ending when I discovered this is a planned series. I am so hooked and can hardly wait to get clarity on that outcome. Of course I’m recommending this book to anyone that loves the mystery genre, especially the well known writing masters of old.

Book Info

  • Release Date: March 3, 2020
  • Series: Malcolm Kershaw #1
  • Narrator: Graham Halstead
  • Audio Length: 8 hours, 3 minutes
  • Publisher: HarperAudio

 

 

 

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(Thanks to HarperAudio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)

Published by Jonetta | Blue Mood Café

29 thoughts on “Eight Perfect Murders by Peter Swanson (aka Rules for Perfect Murders)”

  1. Pingback: 2020 Audiobook Challenge – Blue Mood Café

  5. I’m glad you enjoyed this author, Jonetta, I haven’t been a big fan of his, but maybe, listening to one of his books might be different. And yes, I keep saying this, I’m beginning to think I really need to join an audio club or something. ☺️

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    1. Thank you, Alexandra💜 Audiobooks used to be my secondary reading choice and now, since the narrator field has become so competitive and professional, they’ve moved to the first spot. I have an Audible membership even though I get most from my library and the publishers (for review). Loving it!

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      1. The library is out for me, at the moment. They’re not open anyway. But I might give Audible a go, will have to check them out. And do a little research. Thanks!

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  7. I have enjoyed every book this author has written except for this one. I think it was a case of it’s me not him. I tried the audio and it just didn’t work for me. Maybe someday I will pick it up and give it another try!

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    1. Kyra, same as I said above to Tina, you weren’t alone. I actually put off listening to this one because of the less than beaming reviews. It just connected with me on every one of my mystery loving levels. I’d read so many of those books or seen the movies and loved how they were woven into the story.

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