Member Reviews
A delightfully twisty and darkly comic crime thriller, for fans of My Sister, the Serial Killer and How to Kill Your Family I'm obsessed with true crime. All the podcasts, the documentaries... I can't get enough.
And now there's a murderer on the loose where I live. What a rush!
Of course, some people might wonder if it's me. Am I an innocent soul with an unhealthy fascination, or a deadly psychopath?
It's the killer question. After all, I would love to know how to get away with murder…
I loved it. Thought it was intriguing concept. I am a fan of the dark humor. Cannot wait to read more from the author. Will recommend to others.
Initially I loved the first few chapters, and thought it was going to be my kind of book - but sadly it quickly went downhill after that.
I felt the story got so muddy thanks to an unreliable narrator plus a host of unlikable characters, then the plot itself just got silly.
It could have been promising, but this just wasn't for me.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc ebook.
I really enjoyed this and I’m really glad Tam reached out on Insta. It was dark, very twisty and turny and, honestly, a bit weird, but not in a bad way at all. It was a different take on the array of books on murder and serial killers, and a bit of an homage to the true crime fandom.
There were a couple of things that didn’t quite hit for me - I didn’t really feel the motives of either The Nailer or Dick, they could have been fleshed out a bit more. But I was pleasantly surprised with all the twists along the way. A really impressive debut.
“I had high hopes for *How to Get Away with Murder* by Tam Barnett, but it didn’t deliver for me. While the premise promised intrigue and high-stakes drama, the execution fell short. The characters often felt one-dimensional, and their actions didn’t always make sense within the context of the story. The pacing was uneven, with some sections dragging on and others feeling rushed. There were moments of suspense, but they were overshadowed by predictable twists and a lack of emotional depth. Overall, it felt like a missed opportunity."
I'm obsessed with true crime. All the podcasts, the documentaries... I can't get enough. And now there's a murderer on the loose where I live. What a rush! Of course, some people might wonder if it's me. Am I an innocent soul with an unhealthy fascination, or a deadly psychopath?! Good book! This book was a bit different, it was a great thriller but also had some dark humor! It had light suspense, murder, serial killer, mystery, and a great who done it! The story was interesting! It wasn’t one of my top favorites but still worth reading! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!
I don't understand how this book hasn't been given a five star rating. It was amazing! I could not put it down! So twisty! I hope there's a second part to this book! Hands down, amazing read!
4.5 stars- This was my first ever arc that I have read and reviewed but WOW it did not disappoint. I absolutely adored the main character Kelli and her dark and comical thoughts towards murder. The story was fast paced, full of twists and turns and I could not put it down! I would also advise checking trigger warnings as the book does contain a few sensitive topics.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the ending had my jaw on the floor!
#HowToGetAwayWithMurder #NetGalley
I wasn't sure what to expect with this one. It did keep me guessing the entire book. I would think I knew who the killer was and I most definitely did not!
I felt like there was a lot more that we didn't know about the relationship the FMC had with her former co-worker.
All in all it was an easy read that kept me guessing!
Thank you NetGalley and BoldWood Books for allowing me to read this ARC for my honest review.
#NetGalley #BoldWoodBooks #TamBarnett
I received an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
My experience with HTGAWM was incredibly humorous and addicting. Typically Thrillers/Mysteries fall short for me because of contrived or predictable plot twists. This book however had at least five different twists, which were all executed perfectly. Tam Barnett had me on the edge of my seat the whole time (so much so, that i read the whole book in a single day).
The main character and narrator of HTGAWM is Kelli Amari, a young journalist who is obsessed with true crime and serial killers. After having already caught a serial killer in the past, Kelli becomes personally involved when a series of murders unfolds near her home.
Even though Kelli shows some serious psychopathic tendencies I was rooting for her almost the whole time. The author did a great job at making her, and all the other characters, feel very real, complex and dynamic.
“How to get away with murder” was such a thoroughly enjoyable read that it is easily one of my top 3 Myster/Thriller books, alongside AGGGTM and Five survive. I will definitely be buying a copy once it hits the shelves, so that I can get all my friends to read it.
How to Get Away with Murder is a deliciously dark, humorous dive into true crime obsession, with a protagonist whose unreliable narration makes every page bristle with tension. This is a novel that revels in its ambiguity, keeping you on edge while blending humour, intrigue, and outright creepiness.
From the start, the protagonist’s voice is magnetic. Her fascination with true crime feels unsettlingly relatable—what crime junkie hasn’t wondered about the logistics of the perfect crime? But Barnett takes this obsession a step further, crafting a character whose genuine motives remain tantalizingly unclear. Is she a curious bystander caught up in a local murder spree, or is there something far more sinister lurking beneath her sarcastic, self-aware exterior? The doubt keeps you guessing until the end.
The plot itself is a slow burn but in the best way. The blend of small-town paranoia, escalating tension and cleverly placed red herrings makes for an enjoyable reading experience. The local murders feel close, personal and terrifying, but Barnett injects a mocking edge to the narrative, poking fun at the commercialization of true crime culture. It’s as much a commentary on our obsession with violence as it is a gripping read.
The side characters amplify the mystery. Neighbours, friends and even fleeting acquaintances are sketched in a way that makes everyone a suspect. The protagonist’s interactions with them add layers of suspicion and, often, biting humour that keeps the tone from becoming too grim.
The ending is where Barnett truly shines. Without giving anything away, it’s one of those rare finales that feels both shocking and inevitable. Every breadcrumb laid throughout the story connects in a way that feels satisfying, even if it leaves you questioning just how much of the narrative you can trust.
My only criticism would be that at times, the protagonist’s monologue can feel repetitive, particularly when reflecting on her true crime obsession. While this deepens her character, it occasionally slows down the pace.
How to Get Away with Murder is a cleverly constructed thriller with a wicked sense of humour and a narrator who will live rent-free in your mind long after you’ve turned the final page. I recommend adding this one to your TBR, it’s a quick fun read that’s sure to leave you smiling. This one is expected to be released on 27 January 2025
As a fan of thrillers, this book drew in my attention like you have no idea. From the killer's weapon to the crime scenes, everything is precisely detailed that it feels like you're putting a puzzle together. It's engrossing, clever, and twisted to the point that everything is suspicious enough. Since it is read by an unreliable narrator, it is even possible to suspect the main character. Kelli, who is a true crime obsessed journalist, delves into this investigation to catch a serial killer and solve the murders but at the same time, she descends into this spiral where her darkest desires come to the surface. This mystery becomes even more dangerous when those she loves and her past become entangled. Kelli was an endearing character despite her flaws. The way she thinks and analyzes, her indifference and her compassion at times shows how complicated she could be. Even more so when you know the root of what it all started. She was frustrating indeed with her ambiguity between good and evil, but that makes her character raw and human. On the other hand, I would have liked the serial killer's motives to be better developed, it's as if something was missing to be more compelling. Although at the beginning the pace of the book was slow, once it starts to pick up, the plot keeps on in a way that is hoardingly savory. The writing was on par with the plot, with a decent prologue and an exquisite but jaw-dropping ending that left me stunned. All the twists and turns that led to that ending were quite satisfying and thought-provoking.
This very much gave me A Good Girl's Guide to Murder vibes, and I really liked the concept of that book series.
The story of a true crime junkie who now gets to figure out a murder for herself and different ways to go about it. Great quick read!
I found this a little bit more of a slower burn than I first anticipated, but once it got going I couldn’t put it down! A great read!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for my ARC
The title, How to Get Away with Murder, immediately caught my attention and drew me in, promising a thrilling and mysterious read. While the story took a little time to build momentum, the intrigue and suspense quickly made up for the slow start. Once it got going, I found myself hooked, trying to piece together the clues and constantly questioning every character’s motives.
The premise of a crime journalist investigating gruesome murders while dealing with her unraveling psyche was both clever and engaging. The author did an excellent job weaving unexpected twists and secrets throughout the story, keeping me guessing until the very end. The tension was palpable, and the ending was as shocking as it was satisfying.
This book is dark, mysterious, and thought-provoking—a good read for fans of true crime and psychological thrillers!
I really enjoyed this one. It had a lot of twists and turns and I didnt see a lot of this coming. I will be reading more by this author as soon as I can!
Amari , is all of us who had to deal with significant trauma and thus had her childhood ripped from her and has been drop kicked into adulthood way too soon. This book promises an exploration of trauma and leads us on a journey through the eyes of an unreliable narrator.
She appears human , infuriating , frustrating but at the same time demands the reader's empathy. You try to understand why she is consistently questioning herself, but it feels like she is trapped by her own high self image.
The book has potential, it has a promising plot, however the promised element of "wow" runs the risk of becoming predictable when the plot relies too heavily on past trauma
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, though it wasn’t without its ups and downs. The plot had me intrigued from the start, but I found the first half a bit uneven. The main character felt somewhat flat, and I struggled to get a clear sense of her motivations—was she good or bad? That ambiguity left me feeling disconnected at times.
However, the second half of the book completely turned things around. The pacing picked up, the character development improved, and the twists kept me hooked. The ending, in particular, was jaw-dropping—I actually said “no way!” out loud.
While the beginning wasn’t as strong as I’d hoped, the explosive conclusion more than made up for it. Overall, this is a solid read, and I’d rate it 4 stars.
How to Get Away with Murder by Tam Barnett is a mystery/thriller book about a reporter who brought a serial killer to justice and is looking for the next big break. The title is intriguing and made me request for the book, but I must confess that I was a little disappointed the first few chapters in. Luckily, the action picked up later and the suspense and twists made this an enjoyable reading. The ending was interesting but I not to my taste.
Thank you, Netgalley and Boldwood Books, for the ARC. All opinions are mine
Kelli Amari is a walking embodiment of trauma who handles her past in ways that may lead her down a dangerous path (for her and for other people honestly). During her childhood, her father killed someone and died in prison—but as an unreliable narrator, she doesn't reveal the significance of this event until later in the book. Kelli works as a journalist and is obsessed with true crime, she has an unusual friendship with a serial killer she helped arrest, and finds herself questioning her own actions as bodies begin appearing around her while she's under the influence of sleeping pills she really shouldn’t have in her possession.
Kelli is both endearing and infuriating. She considers herself clever, but her actions suggest otherwise. For someone so well-versed in crime, she misses obvious red flags, especially regarding her questionable choices in the last scene of the book.
I liked the idea of this book more than the execution. The killer's motives feel underdeveloped, relying too heavily on past trauma without sufficient explanation to make it convincing.
I do love complicated women in fiction, and Kelli perfectly embodies that.