Book Review: The Kind Worth Killing by Peter Swanson

The Kind Worth Killing 

by Peter Swanson

Synopsis:

A devious tale of psychological suspense involving sex, deception, and an accidental encounter that leads to murder. Fans of Paula Hawkins’ The Girl on the Train will love this modern reimagining of Patricia Highsmith’s classic Strangers on a Train from the author of the acclaimed The Girl with a Clock for a Heart—which the Washington Post said “should be a contender for crime fiction’s best first novel of 2014.”

On a night flight from London to Boston, Ted Severson meets the stunning and mysterious Lily Kintner. Sharing one too many martinis, the strangers begin to play a game of truth, revealing very intimate details about themselves. Ted talks about his marriage that’s going stale and his wife Miranda, who he’s sure is cheating on him. Ted and his wife were a mismatch from the start—he the rich businessman, she the artistic free spirit—a contrast that once inflamed their passion, but has now become a cliché.

But their game turns a little darker when Ted jokes that he could kill Miranda for what she’s done. Lily, without missing a beat, says calmly, “I’d like to help.” After all, some people are the kind worth killing, like a lying, stinking, cheating spouse. . . .

Back in Boston, Ted and Lily’s twisted bond grows stronger as they begin to plot Miranda's demise. But there are a few things about Lily’s past that she hasn’t shared with Ted, namely her experience in the art and craft of murder, a journey that began in her very precocious youth.

Suddenly these co-conspirators are embroiled in a chilling game of cat-and-mouse, one they both cannot survive . . . with a shrewd and very determined detective on their tail.

Review:

Peter Swanson's novel The Kind Worth Killing will have readers on the edge of their seats. The novel is recounted through the eyes of three major people - Ted, Lily, and Miranda - and follows their intertwined lives.

Ted and Lily meet on a trip from London to Boston and start up a discussion right away. They each divulge their darkest secrets to one other, resulting in an unforeseen agreement to assist each other in getting rid of the people in their life who have brought them sorrow. Lily, a superb manipulator, becomes the driving force behind this bizarre scheme.

The narrative is complex and full of surprising twists and turns, keeping the reader wondering until the very end. Swanson's writing is entertaining and fast-paced, with well-developed and intriguing characters. While some may find the narrative implausible, the novel is very interesting and engrossing.

Swanson's exploration of the themes of vengeance, morality, and the dark side of human nature is one of the book's strengths. The characters are flawed, and their reasons are sometimes ambiguous, which makes for an engaging read.

Overall, The Kind Worth Killing is a fantastic thriller that will keep readers engaged from start to finish. This novel is guaranteed to please genre enthusiasts with its sophisticated narrative, well-developed characters, and exploration of dark topics. Highly recommended.

That’s all for now ~

- Jay xx

P.S.

Leave a comment if you ever stumbled upon this blog! 😉