This book definitely got better in the second half and I really enjoyed the ending. I do enjoy an unreliable narrator if it’s well placed however I don’t feel like it added much in this instance other than causing confusion. There certain aspects of the plot that could have been really interesting but they just weren’t explored.

I did appreciate all of the true crime references, they were well placed and added to the story. Overall a solid 3 stars, an enjoyable read and kept me intrigued enough to want to finish in a couple of days.

Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced e-copy in exchange for an honest review :)

I really enjoyed the concept of this thriller—Kelli, a true crime journalist obsessed with solving murders, takes on a new case that ends up being more personal than she anticipated. The twists and humor kept me hooked, but I’ll admit, I found the characters a bit shallow, and the ending felt rushed and unsatisfying. Overall, though, it was a fun read with some great surprises, and I’m definitely curious to see what comes next!

Here we follow Kelli, a true crim journalist and enthusiast; best known for catching the serial killer, 'the white widower'. She never quite came to terms with whether she was truly a psychopath, or just unhealthily obsessed. But now there's a new killer in her town and she takes it upon herself to try and gain her fame and catch this one too. However, she quickly realises she's a lot closer to the case than she thought.

HTGAWM follows a single straight forward timeline documenting her findings. I prefer this for a book like this as it allows it to remain simple and easy to remember the important facts; Barnett made it easy to follow allow and try and figure out who the killer was. I still managed to be surprised by the reveal! Barnett wrote the clues in such a sneaky way that it made the reveal so much more satisfying. I was expecting this kind of story when starting this book and I'm so glad it's what i got. I truly loved all the true crim references as a true crime lover myself.

Personally however, the ending felt rushed and lacking. It was anticlimactic and didn't really embody what I was hoping to get from this book. This would honestly be the only thing I disliked about this book but the fact it left me annoyed and unsatisfied, left me wanting more but not in aa good way.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tam Barnett for the early access arc

I adored how easy this was to read, which makes it a perfect read for a new thriller reader.

The story was so captivating throughout and it was very amusing to read especially with the UK references included in the story. The plot twists were great although i would say the story did slightly get muddled in the middle of the book with lots of new information but the overall outcome was great and I thought it was an interesting read.

This is an amazing book with great humour! There were many twists I didn't expect and I loved every one of them. I'd definitely read more of this.

This book was a fantastic debut! Well written, with a great amount of research, the facts about murderers around the world were a great addition! Perfect chapter length, I love Kelli as a character and all the side characters slotted in beside her well. This is a great whodunnit and when I thought I had it all figured out, along came the twist, and it was a good one! Cannot wait for more from Tam!

I really liked the idea of this novel. A journalist who is obsessed with true crime, with her own past traumas then going on to solve (or maybe commit?!) such heinous crimes herself! The story certainly had me drawing up a list of possible suspects, and was filled with plenty of twists and turns. However, I was never really convinced by the motive of The Nailer, or that they were actually capable of murder. The characters lacked depth and believability. The plot could have been explored in much more detail, instead the story felt quite 'surface level'.
The ending was a complete surprise, and on reflection makes sense for the main character and story.
I love the cover if the book, really eye catching. Although not sure why there is a knife on the cover as it's not relevant to the story!

Honest review in return for an eARC
3/5

First of all, I’d like to thank the publisher, author, and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I ate this book UP! The writing flowed well and it had a good pace and made it easy to consume. I thought the storyline was well done, and by the end my jaw was dropped!

I would recommend this to anyone whose into true crime documentaries and has wondered how to get away with murder 👀

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.