Book review. A rich husband, an unfaithful wife and a helpful stranger. Perfect ingredients for Peter Swanson's new novel The Kind Worth Killing

I’m new to Peter Swanson and so pleased I tried this book as the story is simply fabulous.  Ted Severson is intelligent, wealth and unhappy, drowning his sorrows in an airport bar.  He’s approached by Lily Kintner, beautiful, enigmatic and empathetic enough to get Severson to open up about his troubles.  Ted’s wife Miranda is beautiful and sophisticated but unfaithful with Brad, the builder who is creating Miranda’s dream home, funded of course by Ted’s bulging bank balance.  Ted is angry at this betrayal but doesn’t know what to do, although after a few more cocktails the answer is clear.  He wants to kill Miranda.  Lily turns out not just to be a good listener, but practical too, offering to help Ted kill his wife Miranda. 

The novel also tells the backstory of the main characters, bringing to life Ted, Miranda and Lily herself.  As the story developed I was quite disturbed by Lily, particularly her first cold and calculated murder, but as I found out more I started to sympathise with her and understand why she murdered a series of people.  They were indeed “the kind worth killing”. 

Anyway, back to Ted, Miranda and Brad -  it looks like a pretty straightforward plot – Ted wants rid of Miranda, Lily will help Ted and Brad will soon be off the scene once Miranda’s gone.  At this point, I was reading in a coffee shop on a Sunday afternoon wondering how Swanson was going to spin this out for the rest of the book, when Ted literally opens the door to the first of many twists, distractions, hidden links and misdirections that keep you on tenterhooks.  No spoilers, but what I will say is that as soon as you think you know what’s going to happen next, you find out within 15 pages that you don’t!

I absolutely loved this novel – it had everything I want in a good thriller, starting with an uncomplicated premise that develops into a rich, sophisticated and skilfully developed plot.  The characters are great and the real testament to Swanson’s skills as a writer is that I found myself firmly on Lily’s side – yes, I know she’s a multiple murderer and she’s completely amoral, but her victim’s aren’t entirely innocent – dammit, they deserve it!

Final verdict – I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending this novel.  For me it’s one of those few genuinely “stand out” books and a fantastic start to 2015 for crime and thriller readers.  As an aside, the film rights have already been sold, which confirms just how great this book is.

Romancrimeblogger

PS - today, 8 February, The Kind Worth Killing is available on Kindle for £4.19 and Kobo reader for £4.66.  An absolute bargain