As someone who has previously enjoyed books about people involved in the true crime community whether it be through professional journalism or a more casual interest, I thought this book would be right up my alley with its journalist main character. Unfortunately this was absolutely not the case.

While I liked the characters in the book I didn’t enjoy the plot at all. I found that some things that I believe were meant to be big reveals were predictable, knowing that our narrator was unreliable meant that certain things I began to expect.

I also found myself incredibly disinterested in the book. I struggled through the first 25%, and while the book did pick up the pace from there for me it was still a slog, I never felt particularly attached to or involved in the story, and I think part of this detachment was due to me finding the plot predictable.

How to read a serial killers mind has been my number 1 read this year so far so of course I then had to read how to get away with murder. To my surprise its set about half a hour away from me which always gives a book brownie points.
*** SPOILERS ***
I honestly didn’t expect the book to go the way it did, crazy twists and turns all the way through. The ending was so good but in the worse way! I just kind of wanted the FMC to get her happy ever after and not be outsmarted by a man!

I actuallyreally enjoy this authors work and I honestly cannot wait for the next book!

🌟🌟🌟🌟

Release date - 27th Jan 2025

Lowkey didn’t love the main character, she wasn’t likable and the fact that she became friends with a serial killer after he was caught? Weird. Also she was an unreliable narrator so who actually knows what was happening

There’s something about books with the word murder in the title that always intrigues me initially. I don’t know what that says about me -maybe that the protagonist Kelli and I have something in common- but the inclusion of murder is not always a guarantee for me wanting to read a book. I think the comparisons of this book to C. J. Skuse’s Sweetpea series, which I love, would have been what attracted me to this book in particular.

As a junior reporter, Kelli helped catch a serial killer and she’s been chasing that high ever since. Obsessed with true crime documentaries and podcasts, her reporting nose catches the scent of another potential serial killer in the area when a body is found in some local woodlands. But Kelli has always wondered whether she could ever get away with murder herself. Is she just obsessed with crime or is she actually a psychopath too?

The humour is dark, so I don’t think every reader will get it. I definitely didn’t laugh out loud at any point in the book, so I can’t recommend it as a black comedy in the way that I would describe the Sweetpea books. I also didn’t find Kelli anywhere near as likeable or relatable as Sweetpea’s Rhiannon, so perhaps it’s not quite a fair comparison.

There were moments where Kelli relaxes at home with something very dark and disturbing, which is an image that I know many people will recognise. I think Barnett did a good job of illustrating how ‘cosy’ some people find crime and indeed, the gory details of that. It speaks to a much bigger question of why there is this somewhat odd phenomenon of mostly white women being intensely interested in the worst events imaginable. Kelli questions whether she is a psychopath and whether that’s the reason for her chosen vocation but I never thought she was -there are plenty of women just like Kelli.

I was very creeped out about the relationship that Kelli has with Dick Monroe, the killer she helped catch years before. She still visits him in prison because she is writing a book about his case and she wants information about a victim that he’s never spoken about before. However, their interactions had this weird slightly sexual undertone that confused and disturbed me. She definitely isn’t attracted to him but she apparently cares enough about his secrets to keep speaking to him. I don’t know but I just found this whole thing odd. It did make for a pretty sticky ending though!

How To Get Away With Murder is a fast-paced read with some pretty high stakes. The characters aren’t likeable at all but that’s not the most important thing in a thriller really. However, it was missing the comedy that was promised and I think some of the relationships between certain characters lacked depth -such as the one between Kelli and her mother and actually in the first few chapters, the relationship between Kelli and her partner Ben. It could have done with being a little longer to solve these problems but if you’re looking for something quite silly but still quite exciting, it’s a good pick.

This was a great book. I loved every paragraph, every sentence and every word of this masterpiece! I read it in 12 hours, which is a lot for me to do! It had everything and more laid out in the novel! I sure hope There is more to come from this author! I am totally hooked!

The ending was very unsatisfying. Kellie becomes famous for helping to catch a serial killer. Now her career is struggling, and she's writing a book about her infamous catch of the serial killer. Several murders in the area lead Kellie to realize she's too closely involved in a potential copy cat case. It was a quick read, and there were several good twists. However, I just didn't like Kellie and the ending was frustrating.

2.5 stars rounded up. This book was a case of strong start, meh rest for me. I skimmed a lot and never really got into the story or cared about the characters. The premise was fun though and I wouldn't say it was a bad thriller. It just didn't really work for me.

I read an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All comments are my own.

That was so good! Keeps you hooked from the beginning! Some great twists, and the ending was crazyyyyy. I did kinda HATE the main character with all my heart, but it's always kinda interesting when the narrator is not the hero and you kinda hate every thought they have haha. Also, pretty much all the characters are unlikable in some way, but because the plot is so engaging, it felt like it made up for that. It's definitely the kind of book you don't put down and read in one sitting - would deffo recommend if you want a good freaky mystery!!

Kelli is OBSESSED with murder, and doesn't just spend all her time reading and listening to true crime stories, but also covers murder for the paper, and visits a serial killer, whom she helped catch, regularly to discuss murder with him. Her father was convicted of manslaughter years earlier, and she figures her obsession stems from this.

When new bodies begin turning up in her town, Kelly, who has trouble sleeping and takes drugs to help her, fears she's actually killing people. Then her boyfriend is arrested.

So….I did not enjoy this much. I could appreciate the humour Kelli employs in her narration, and I could even enjoy her unreliability as a narrator. But I could just not get into this book. I liked the concept, but the implementation left me cold.

2.5 stars.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Boldwood Books for this ARC in exchange for my review.

Dark but funny. However the plot was quote predictable. If you want something entertaining pock this up.

This was such a clever, darkly funny thriller. Kelli, the main character, is sharp, sarcastic, and totally unreliable—which made the story addictive. It’s not your typical murder mystery; it’s more about getting inside a twisted mind. Fast-paced, bold, and perfect if you like morally gray characters and a bit of dark humor.

How To Get Away With Murder is a wickedly clever, darkly hilarious thrill ride that grabs you from the very first page and refuses to let go

This book was engaging, however there were a few parts I didn't like that much. The biggest problem I had was when she cheated on her partner, multiple times. Like that's not ok. I think the weird sexual tension/conversations with the serial killer didn't need to happen and I think making out with her best friend was also unnecessary. She could have found a way to manipulate people without cheating on her partner.

I really enjoyed Tam Barnett's debut, How to Get Away with Murder. The unreliable narrator makes it virtually impossible to work out what is going on so there are plenty of shocks and surprises in store for the reader.

Journalist Kelli Amari doesn't just have a fascination with true crime, she was involved in identifying and capturing a serial killer. A killer she regularly visits in prison and as much as she is trying to see inside his mind, he is planting little seeds inside her mind. When a new killer starts terrorising the area around Kelli's home and clues start pointing in her direction, Kelli wonders if her sleeping pills have subconsciously resulted in her trying to get away with murder.

This is a dark and twisty thriller that kept me entertained throughout. I didn't particularly like any of the characters so I pointed my virtual finger at pretty much all of them at one point or another, however, I still didn't guess 'whodunnit'. It's well worth a read and I'm looking forward to reading more from Tam Barnett.

I received a digital ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

Clever, gripping, and wickedly entertaining 🔪🕵️‍♀️. How to Get Away with Murder is a deliciously dark, twisty crime novel packed with suspense and razor-sharp wit. Tam Barnett delivers brilliant plotting, morally complex characters, and jaw-dropping twists that had me racing to the end. I loved the blend of mystery, dark humour, and clever observations about justice and revenge. Perfect for fans of psychological thrillers that keep you guessing until the final page.

Nah this book wasn't my cup of tea at all. I thought it would be more thriller-ish, but unfortunately no. Very slow, very boring, very predictable.... Just a big no for me

Thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc of this one in exchange for an honest review!

Unfortunately, this book was not for me. I found the main character to be so annoying and a hard character to follow. She really just prevented me from getting into the story or enjoying it.

I hope others enjoy this one but it was not for me.

I thoroughly enjoyed How to Get Away with Murder. Tam Barnett crafts a gripping tale with a protagonist whose obsession with true crime adds a unique layer to the story. The suspense builds steadily, and the twists kept me on the edge of my seat. A solid 4.5-star read for fans of dark thrillers.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this early copy.

3.5 stars,"How to Get Away with Murder" by Tam Barnett offers a twisty and engaging read that delivers on its intriguing title. Barnett crafts a clever premise, filled with secrets and unexpected turns that largely kept me hooked and guessing. The pacing is generally good, pushing the narrative forward effectively, and there's a certain satisfaction in watching the characters navigate their precarious situations. My main reservations were that some of the character decisions occasionally felt a little forced to serve the plot, and while the reveals were fun, a few threads felt a touch underdeveloped by the end. Still, it's a solid, thrilling ride that makes for a quick and entertaining read.

How to Get Away with Murder is a clever, fast-paced thriller with plenty of twists and a bit of dark humor. The plot keeps you hooked from start to finish, and the characters are intriguing, if not entirely sympathetic. Some twists can feel a bit predictable, but overall, it’s an entertaining read.

I’d rate it 4 stars. Great for fans of suspenseful, cheeky crime fiction.