A funny book but a bit too far fetched for me to take seriously. That said, the story is well paced and I did like the premise of the story.

Kelli Amari is utterly obsessed with psychopaths, to the point where she questions whether she might be one herself… or hopes she is. As a reporter, she’s on a mission to write a book centered around a serial killer, The White Widower Dick Monroe. But when a new killer emerges and pulls Kelli into their twisted game, she becomes determined to uncover their identity. Haunted by the creeping suspicion that the person responsible might be much closer to her than she realizes.
I found myself struggling with Kelli’s character. At times, she came across as immature and more self-absorbed than psychopathic. Her reactions felt inconsistent. At times Kel would seem emotionally detached from certain victims, only to show concern or distress over others in later chapters. The shifts in her emotional responses didn’t quite align with the psychological profile the book seemed to be building. Perhaps this was intentional on Barnett’s part, meant to create a more relatable protagonist. But for me, it fell flat. I just couldn’t connect with her on a deeper level.
That said, I did really enjoy the premise of a character so immersed in true crime that it begins to emerge with their everyday experiences, feeding anxiety and fear that they could become a victim themselves. It’s a compelling and intriguing concept that adds a unique edge to the narrative.
*Thank you to Tam Barnett, Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the audio copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

How to Get Away with Murder ist der fesselnde Debütroman des britischen Journalisten Tam Barnett.

In diesem dunklen und humorvollen Thriller begegnen wir Kelli, einer Journalistin mit einer obsessiven Leidenschaft für wahre Verbrechen. Bekannt für ihre Rolle bei der Aufklärung des "White Widower"-Falls, findet sie sich plötzlich inmitten neuer Morde in ihrer Heimatstadt wieder. Getrieben von ihrer Besessenheit begibt sie sich auf eine gefährliche Jagd nach dem Mörder, der als "The Nailer" bekannt ist. ​

Barnett gelingt es, eine packende Erzählung zu schaffen, die Spannung mit schwarzem Humor verbindet. Die Charakterentwicklung von Kelli ist vielschichtig und regt zum Nachdenken an, insbesondere in Bezug auf ihre moralische Widersprüchlichkeit. Die unerwarteten Wendungen und das temporeiche Geschehen halten den Lesenden bis zum Schluss in Atem. Auch gibt es eine Vielzahl an Verweisen auf reale Serienmörder.

Fazit: spannender Thriller für alle, die eine Mischung aus Spannung, schwarzem Humor und komplexen Charakteren schätzen. Tam Barnett präsentiert eine Geschichte, die sowohl unterhält als auch zum Nachdenken anregt.

How to Get Away with Murder was an OK read. It was quick and easy but totally unbelievable. There were plenty of twists and turns but none of them were particularly unexpected. I'm sure some people would live it but for me it didn't really hit the mark.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC.

This was a decent book! Quick read for me and I really liked the cover: would suggest for a read fast and fun!
Loved the writing style

Fast paced thriller that just spiralled a bit too much in the final quarter, still fun though if you can use that word to describe a book like this. I am sure many true crime lovers will find the main characters obsession with it pretty relatable and I sniggered out loud at a few inappropriate things in here.

With a convicted murderer as a father and a true crime consumption addiction (all forms are good forms) it was only natural Kelli became a crime writer and caught a killer all on her own.

Kelli makes the mistake of conversing with the killer whilst writing about him and confiding in him… ooops!

Then when a new murderer arrives on the scene whilst trying to frame one of Kellis loved ones it’s a race against time to figure who it is and why they’re doing it.

The story kicks off well and leaves you unable to put it down. As a true crime obsessed gal myself I found it so easy to relate to the main character as the need to learn who did it, why, how, how many gunshot wounds , how did they sneak in, etc.

There’s a lot of these books around at the moment so I can see how some would find it a little samey or overly similar however if you want a fast paced page turner I’d definitely give this a go! Very enjoyable and entertaining 🩷

This was an easy read but I found the entire thing way too far fetched. For me, suspension of disbelieve is one of the most important things a novel needs to do, and this didn't. Kelli's actions are not credible at any point, and I found myself quite impatient. Also, I didn't find any humour in it, dark or otherwise. It was a bit of a struggle to finish it.

My thanks to Netgalley for providing an ARC, in exchange for an honest review.

2.75/5⭐️
Tam Barnett’s How to Get Away with Murder is an intriguing thriller with a compelling premise, but it didn’t fully hit the mark for me. The story delivers suspense and unexpected twists, yet something about the execution left me feeling a bit underwhelmed.

The book follows a gripping plot centered around deception, crime, and the dark psychology of those who believe they can outsmart the law. Barnett does a solid job building tension, and there are moments where the pacing keeps you engaged. However, the character development felt somewhat lacking, making it difficult to connect with or fully invest in the protagonist’s journey. Additionally, while the twists were surprising, some felt a bit contrived or predictable, which took away from the overall suspense.

That said, it was still an enjoyable read with enough intrigue to keep me turning the pages. If you’re a fan of crime fiction and thrillers, it might be worth picking up, but for me, it wasn’t a standout in the genre.

Many thanks to Netgalley for the e-arc!

This book initially drew me in with the title. I thought the beginning was slow but I managed to down this book very quickly. I ended up really liking the twist of the villain at the end. Can't wait to read more from this author!

Kelli has an obsession with serial killers dating back from when her father was convicted of killing a man for SAing his child. She consumes true crime in every form and is a crime writer covering murders. She caught the infamous White Widower serial killer which brought her recognition and a steady job as crime reporter. Kelli has been writing a book on the killer and has maintained an odd relationship with the murderer and mistakenly confides in him.

A new serial killer is in town, The Nailer. Kelli is determined to get the scoop, but it seems the killer is framing someone she cares about so now she is trying to solve the mystery of who really did this to free her loved one.

This was very fast paced and addictive with some twists thrown in. Some plot holes, but not enough to detract from the overall story.

How to Get Away With Murder started off really well. I was drawn in immediately and found it hard to put down. It was well written, with intriguing characters and a really clever concept.
However, I found it hard to get invested in the characters, as they were all very unlikable.

The twists and turns worked well with the story, but none of them surprised me.
Overall, it was a mostly entertaining read, which I enjoyed. Unfortunately, it was really let down by the ending.

3 stars from me. ⭐️⭐️⭐️


Thanks to Netgalley, Boldwood Books, and Tam Barnett for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Tam Barnett’s "How to Get Away with Murder" is a darkly humorous and thrilling dive into the macabre world of Kelli, a woman whose fascination with serial killers is rooted in her own traumatic past.

Having grown up with a father convicted of murder, Kelli’s lifelong obsession with true crime has led her to notoriety for aiding in the capture of the infamous "White Widower." Her relationship with this notorious killer, which includes frequent prison visits as she writes a book about his crimes, is as unsettling as it is compelling.

The tension ramps up when bodies begin to appear near Kelli's home, and her obsessive hunt for a killer nicknamed “The Nailer” plunges her into a dangerous and unforgettable mystery. Kelli makes for an enthralling protagonist with an abrasive personality and a sharp wit, which helps infuse the story with moments of levity in an otherwise tense narrative. However, her more unsettling actions may leave some readers cringing while others revel in her morally ambiguous nature.

The blend of intrigue and humor is what truly sets "How to Get Away with Murder" apart. While the plot keeps the suspense high, Barnett's knack for delivering witty moments and clever one-liners provides a much-needed balance, ensuring that the book never takes itself too seriously. It’s a rare feat to mix murder mystery and comedy so seamlessly, but Barnett pulls it off effortlessly, making the novel both entertaining and thought-provoking. Overall, this is an enjoyable, fast-paced read that will leave readers eagerly turning pages to see how it all unfolds. It’s a perfect pick for anyone looking for a story that’s as funny as it is thrilling.

2.5⭐

I don't know how to feel about this book I really don't like it. I can't excuse cheating for one. No, actually, I hate this book. There are a lot of things that I don't understand, why would she write that note? Why confess your actions to a literal murderer and a psychopath? He's unreliable, you can't trust him or predict his actions I have a feeling that I can't describe but it absolutely isn't good

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕻𝖗𝖊-𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖉˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

I got this book a while ago but forgot to read it anyway huge thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the eARC 💕

True crime addict and crime journalist Kelli is crime obsessed; every waking hour is spent watching documentaries about killers and murders. She can't sleep, she's paranoid that something is coming to get her but yet she can't stop, she's absolutely addicted.
She helped catch a notorious serial killer and bizarrely, is now friends with him, visiting him in prison to talk through his crimes. When more brutal killings start happening in her neighbourhood, Kelli is sure she can help track down the killer but is she missing something right in front of her?
A nonstop adrenalin rush from start to finish, and highly entertaining. Im looking forward to seeing what's in store next. 3.5 stars rounded up.

good mystery and kept me on my toes of solving the crime. really enjoyed the characters . I thought that this was a good mystery to get away with murder

How to Get Away With Murder is a fast, fun read with dark humor and plenty of twists—some of which I totally saw coming. Kelli, the true crime-obsessed journalist, is entertaining, and the writing is sharp, but I kept waiting for a big gasp moment that never really happened.

Some characters could’ve used more depth, but honestly, I was too busy enjoying the drama to care much. If you love true crime, unreliable narrators, and a little murder with your humor, you’ll have fun with this one. Just don’t expect to be completely mind-blown.

I liked this story, I just didn't love it. I thought the idea was great, I didn't love the characters though so that brought my interest down as I read.

I've got to say, I am disappointed in this one. The synopsis seemed to promise a fun time with dark humor and a twisty mystery, the prologue was solid, but while it sort of delivered on both, it never went all the way with either. The inner-monologue of the protagonist is really tedious to read through, and there's not enough dialogue to break up the monotony, plus the plot itself is so dull.

That being said, though, the ending is actually pretty cool, and the book does get more interesting the closer to the end you get, but I had to wait too long for my engagement levels to increase, so for me it's a 5.5/10.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC

DNF at 65%. Deep down I knew this turn of events would happen, and I didn't like it at all. I never really connected with the main character, but I decided to give her a chance. But as I kept reading, it became more of a chore than reading for pleasure. It just wasn't the right book for me.