Even though the first book I read (rather listened to) after crawling out of my two year long reading slump was literary fiction, it’s been all mysteries all the time. Eight Perfect Murders by Peter Swanson is a mystery lovers mystery.

I don’t know if Eight Perfect Murders would make my top five list, but not only did I finish, I am recommending¹ it to you!

Years ago bookseller Malcom Kershaw wrote a blog post about the eight mystery novels with ‘perfect’ murders. In the present a serial murder who seems to be murdering his way through the list. (If that isn’t a hook I don’t know what could be.)

It’s twisty. Filled with characters that are both sympathetic and infuriating. I prefer a mystery that I can’t figure our straight away. If I can guess what is happening, and why it’s happening a quarter of the way in – why would I finish? I didn’t figure out exactly what was happening until nearly the end. Even though there are a few things that keep it off my top five list (you can check out my content advisory page) but overall Eight Perfect Murders delivers. A mystery lovers mystery.

What should I read next? Spooky season is coming up, and I am ready for something a little more creepy.