Eight Perfect Murders

In Peter Swanson's "Eight Perfect Murders," the central character, Malcolm Kershaw, is the manager and co-owner of the Old Devils Bookstore in Boston. The weather is freezing and snowy when Special Agent Gwen Mulvey contacts Malcolm and asks him about a list that he posted on his store's blog. In the post, Kershaw listed works by such writers as Agatha Christie, Patricia Highsmith, and James Cain, in which the perpetrators committed ingenious crimes. Mulvey suspects that these books and a play, "Deathtrap," may have inspired a serial killer to commit murders for which he was never apprehended. What is a "perfect" murder? First, the killer should leave no clues behind that might identify him. In addition, he should have no obvious motive show more or, barring that, a watertight alibi. It would be helpful, too, if the authorities conclude that the victim died as a result of an accident or suicide.

Malcolm has few friends, is plagued by nightmares, and his late wife, Claire, was a troubled soul who had issues with alcohol and drugs. In a series of intense discussions, sometimes over drinks and food, Gwen continues to grill Malcolm. She wonders whether he has any idea of who might have emulated the villains in such classics as "The A. B. C. Murders" and "Double Indemnity." Initially, Malcolm provides little useful information. but we soon get the feeling that he is holding something back.

As this compelling novel progresses, it becomes increasingly dark and unsettling. Swanson suggests that traumatized individuals who do not seek professional help may end up expressing their repressed anger in twisted and destructive ways. Since the author gives ample foreshadowing of what is to come, the conclusion is more dispiriting than surprising. In this crisply written, atmospheric, and intense novel, Peter Swanson focuses on what can happen when deeply disturbed people are unable to exorcise their inner demons. show less

This is a mystery/suspense novel that is calculated to appeal not only to fans of the genre but to bibliophiles and those who love fiction set in a literary context. Oh, and its narrator and protagonist is a fabulously unreliable one, though in ways I don't want to disclose here...

That protagonist is a bookseller, Malcolm Kershaw, who has found himself running a mystery bookstore in Boston's Beacon Hill. One snowy day, just as he's about to close up shop and leave the resident feline to its own devices, a woman who identifies herself as an FBI agent walks in. It seems as if she has identified a pattern to a series of odd murders -- murders that don't even seem to be a "series" in the strict term -- and it all has to do with Kershaw's show more favorite mystery plots, summarized in a blog post dating back several years...

Now, you might think that this is the starting point for a reasonably entertaining mystery as the duo go off in quest of the culprit. In reality? This is simply the surface: the bit of the iceberg sticking above the waterline. What lies below is far more intriguing, chilling and dangerous. And that includes not only the killer, but Kershaw himself. This is a dark, twisting and compelling yarn, and by far the best written (yet) by this author. Read it this winter, during a snowstorm, for the full effect... show less

Who says they don't write them like the used to? If they are saying that then they haven't read this gem of a literary offering. Malcolm Kershaw writes a blog post just after he is hired at Old Devils Bookstore. Now that he owns the store with mostly silent partner Brian Murray, a semi-famous mystery writer, and that post has come back to haunt him. It's a list he has kept of the most perfect murders that he has come across..but they have all occurred in books. An FBI agent though thinks it's beyond odd that 3 murders that he's investigating could have come right from the pages of 3 of those books and right off the Kershaw's list. This was one book that I wished could have gone on forever.

If you're a mystery connoisseur, Swanson's latest will have you running to the vintage section of your bookcase, for Christie, John MacDonald, James M. Cain, and Patricia Highsmith. Malcolm Kershaw, co-owner of Old Devils Bookstore on Beacon Hill in Boston, is contacted by an FBI agent regarding a blog entry he wrote years prior called "Eight Perfect Murders". His list features only those mysteries where the murderer’s utmost priority is to never get caught; no crimes of passion here. According to FBI agent Gwen, she has discovered three and possibly four copycat killings, each of which mimic the plots of one of the eight books, and she and Malcolm both have personal connections to the victims. This recounting itself is superbly show more plotted, with some unforeseeable twists and a few red herrings. You can really feel Swanson's love for the old time genre and its expert practitioners.

Quotes: "When we first meet someone, before words are ever spoken, there are already lies and half-truths." show less

Bookstore owner Malcolm Kershaw once made a list of what he considered perfect murders in mystery novels for a mostly unread blog several years ago. Now, years later, he's contacted by FBI agent Gwen Mulvey who believes that someone is using his list as a guide for murder. He is able to provide an alibi for some of the murders but she asks him to look at other crimes to see if any of them resemble others on his list. He is willing to help mostly to try to keep his own secrets hidden. However, when he is forced to admit he knows at least one of the victims, the stakes are quickly raised for Malcolm and he sets out to find the real murderer to save himself.

Rules for Perfect Murders is the latest novel by author Peter Swanson and it is the show more perfect novel for fans of classic mysteries. Sure it's implausible and no doubt it asks a great deal of your willing suspension of disbelief but, damn, it's a whole lot of fun. Malcolm makes for a sympathetic protagonist despite being a clearly unreliable narrator and I was kept glued to the page guessing right up to the end and I gotta say I loved every minute of it.

Thanks to Netgalley and Faber and Faber Ltd for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review show less

Eight Perfect Murders by Peter Swanson is a 2020 William Morrow publication.

A mystery lover’s delight!!

Malcom Kershaw is a bookstore owner whose main area of expertise happens to be crime fiction.

Several years back, Malcolm wrote a blog post in which he listed eight books he considered perfect fictional murders.

What books made the cut?

The Red House Mystery, Malice Aforethought, The A.B.C. Murders, Double Indemnity, Strangers on a Train, The Drowner, Deathtrap and The Secret History.

The blog post in question is still floating around in the internet stratosphere, evidently catching the attention of a fiendish murderer, who is now using Malcolm’s list as a guide, duplicating the methods employed in the eight books on the list. show more

The list has also caught the attention of the FBI, bringing them straight to Malcolm's door- which is where our story begins...


Once the FBI made the connection between Malcolm’s blog and the murders, the investigation naturally draws Malcolm into the center of it.

As we follow Malcolm's narration, a tribute to mystery novels develops alongside the intriguing and puzzling plot, touching on many of the various representations of crime fiction over the years.

Even if you are only moderately familiar with the books on this list, you can see how diverse the list is. The eight books listed range from whodunits to inverted mysteries- and of the three books I’ve read, all were absolutely genius!

Malcolm’s narration is a brilliant touch, as the reader finds themselves caught up in his saga, especially when it becomes clear that he’s gotten himself into a real jam, going from quiet bookstore owner to a man with his own secrets, with danger lurking around every corner...

Personally, I thought Swanson did a great job with weaving a mystery around the eight novels on Malcolm’s list, showcasing their magnificence, while supplying a sly dose of irony and satire that often made me smile.

The thing that makes this story work, is the same thing that makes all mysteries work. My appetite for a good mystery never wanes. I can never go too long without reading some form of crime fiction.



Why?



Because mysteries are an addicting diversion, because they challenge my mind while I try to work out all the angles. Because mysteries make my heart race, as the suspense mounts and the twists leave me breathless and stunned!

Because crime fiction is fun and entertaining in a way no other genre can match- and Peter Swanson pushed every one of those buttons- knowing his audience, knowing the elements we avid fans enjoy about crime fiction, and weaving them into this story in subtle, shrewd ways, just the way we like it.

Now, to be honest, I wouldn’t go into this book with a super serious mindset. If you do, you might miss the all the deliberate little Easter eggs planted here and there, which are meant specifically for mystery buffs to discover.

It’s supposed to be lighthearted recreation, a tribute to the best crime writers, and gift to readers who love the genre, but it’s also everything a mystery novel should be- engrossing, intelligent, crafty, and....



FUN!



*Note:

It is not necessary to read the books on Malcolm’s list to enjoy this book. However, I’ve still added the books I haven’t read to my TBR pile. Can’t wait to read them- plus, I am mightily tempted to re-read the three books on list I have read.... especially The Secret History! show less

A bookish mystery full of references to classic noir novels. I was completely engrossed by the story, but even more than that, I loved all of the backlist books it referenced. I kept adding notes about other murder mysteries to check out. A bookstore owner is surprised when the FBI contacts him about a pattern in some local killings. Our unreliable narrator gives us answers slowly, which makes it all the more enthralling.

“Books are time travel. True readers all know this. But books don’t just take you back to the time in which they were written; they can take it back to different versions of yourself.”