29 May 2020

Review: Rules for Perfect Murders by Peter Swanson

Rules for Perfect Murders by Peter Swanson book cover
Published by Allen & Unwin
March 2020 RRP $29.99 AUD
* Copy courtesy of Allen & Unwin *

I haven't had a five star read for two months but thankfully the spell was broken when I picked up Rules For Perfect Murders by Peter Swanson. (Published under the title Eight Perfect Murders in other countries).

Here's the premise. Bookshop owner Malcolm Kershaw wrote a blog post several years ago about perfect murders in fiction. He lists his choices for the 'cleverest, the most ingenious, the most foolproof murders in crime fiction history'. The resulting blog post is titled Eight Perfect Murders.

Years later he's tracked down by an FBI agent who believes a killer is currently making their way through Malcolm's list and re-enacting the murders.

Located in Boston, Malcolm's Old Devils Bookstore predominantly sells mystery books and there are plenty of characters who could be the killer. This feels like a real cosy mystery as Malcolm tries to work out who could be behind the murders.

There are plenty of books referenced and lots of bookish content throughout this that I just adored. You don't need to have read any of the books on Malcolm's list however the murders in each book are discussed so there are plenty of spoilers if that's something that worries you.

Rules For Perfect Murders is a thinking reader's cosy mystery with a literary tilt that will appeal to all booklovers in my opinion. Highly recommended!

Carpe Librum!

My Rating:

Would you like to comment?

  1. Wasn't Eight Perfect Murders so much fun? I am a total dork so I had to write down all of the books he mentioned, as though I'm going to read them LOL.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're right, it was HEAPS of fun Tina. I think I'd only read one from his official list but there were so many others mentioned throughout the book too. I'd love to know how many you wrote down.

      Delete

Thanks for your comment, Carpe Librum!