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How to Read a Killer's Mind
Enthralling, unsettling and darkly comic, this crime thriller is perfect for fans of Bella Mackie, Katy Brent and Alex Michaelides' The Silent Patient
I’m psychologist Dr Emy Rose, but that’s not my real name.
I work with serial killers who've hidden their victims. My job is to find the bodies - and I'm kind of awesome at it.
The trick is to get inside these murderers' minds. And there's one in particular I'm hellbent on breaking.
Why? None of your business! Just know, I'll stop at nothing to read that killer's mind...
Tam Barnett's brilliant new novel will get into your head and under your skin...
I’m psychologist Dr Emy Rose, but that’s not my real name.
I work with serial killers who've hidden their victims. My job is to find the bodies - and I'm kind of awesome at it.
The trick is to get inside these murderers' minds. And there's one in particular I'm hellbent on breaking.
Why? None of your business! Just know, I'll stop at nothing to read that killer's mind...
Tam Barnett's brilliant new novel will get into your head and under your skin...
288 pages, Hardcover
Published April 7, 2025
273 people are currently reading
834 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 211 reviews
March 15, 2025
This was quite dark and twisty
This was quite dark and twisty. I really enjoyed it and was gripped until the very end. It gave Mindhunter vibes, in a way, but the procedural parts were much more far fetched. Theres no way a psychologist would be allowed to do any of what Emy did, but that’s ok, I was still on the edge of my seat through the end of the book.
I’d have loved a bit more detail on how her family was doing at the end, but the last paragraph was so creepy and good.
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy, my thoughts are my own.
***************
Got an arc for another self help book.
This was quite dark and twisty. I really enjoyed it and was gripped until the very end. It gave Mindhunter vibes, in a way, but the procedural parts were much more far fetched. Theres no way a psychologist would be allowed to do any of what Emy did, but that’s ok, I was still on the edge of my seat through the end of the book.
I’d have loved a bit more detail on how her family was doing at the end, but the last paragraph was so creepy and good.
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy, my thoughts are my own.
***************
Got an arc for another self help book.
February 22, 2025
This dark novel took me on a rollercoaster ride - one that I did not want to get off of! This is a very well written book, however it does take some time getting used to the writing style. This was my first book by this author, so that could be why I felt this way about the writing. I really loved the depth of the relationship between the Mother and Daughter throughout this book, it made me cry. I also enjoyed the strong friendship between Emy and Chi. This psychological thriller was a really good one! It had many twist and turns! I had no idea what was coming next and I never would have guessed how this thriller unfolds towards the end. It is unique, witty, funny at times, and extremely disturbing. Overall, it was a very entertaining and emotional book!
How to Read a Killer’s Mind is a book about a woman psychologist named Emy that talks to serial killers, so she can get inside their heads. She wants to find out where the missing bodies are located from these serial killers. She has one big motive for being there and talking with them, especially one certain serial killer. As the book progresses, things begin to unravel, relationships become jeopardized and everything becomes clear.
The trigger warnings for this book are death, violence, and grief. This is a psychological thriller, so it gets really intense throughout the entire book.
Thank you to NetGalley, author Tam Barnett and Boldwood Books for sending me this advanced reader copy of this brilliant book in exchange for my honest review!
#NetGalley
#HowToReadAKillersMind
How to Read a Killer’s Mind is a book about a woman psychologist named Emy that talks to serial killers, so she can get inside their heads. She wants to find out where the missing bodies are located from these serial killers. She has one big motive for being there and talking with them, especially one certain serial killer. As the book progresses, things begin to unravel, relationships become jeopardized and everything becomes clear.
The trigger warnings for this book are death, violence, and grief. This is a psychological thriller, so it gets really intense throughout the entire book.
Thank you to NetGalley, author Tam Barnett and Boldwood Books for sending me this advanced reader copy of this brilliant book in exchange for my honest review!
#NetGalley
#HowToReadAKillersMind
February 22, 2025
With a title like that I was always going to pick this up. Absolutely my kind of book. It was a little slow to start with but once it got going boy did it go. It was kind of addictive in the end, I just needed to know what was going to happen and what twist would happen. There are a lot of surprises in this book, and most of them came at the end of chapter so I just had to keep going.
Dr Emy Rose is a psychologist who is working with serial killers who have confessed. Her aim is to get them to reveal where they have buried the bodies. But she has an underlying motive in doing this. She isn’t a very likeable character for most of the book, only when she was with her mother did I see a little bit of her compassion.
This is a book that I will not forget in a hurry. It is dark and messed with some pretty gruesome details in there. There is also some humour in parts, not as much as I had expected with the book comparisons but enough in the right places.
Thanks to Boldwood books for my advanced copy of this book to read. Published on April 7th.
Dr Emy Rose is a psychologist who is working with serial killers who have confessed. Her aim is to get them to reveal where they have buried the bodies. But she has an underlying motive in doing this. She isn’t a very likeable character for most of the book, only when she was with her mother did I see a little bit of her compassion.
This is a book that I will not forget in a hurry. It is dark and messed with some pretty gruesome details in there. There is also some humour in parts, not as much as I had expected with the book comparisons but enough in the right places.
Thanks to Boldwood books for my advanced copy of this book to read. Published on April 7th.
March 25, 2025
This was FANTASTIC! So original in it's premise: a psychologist who develops a project whereby she interviews convicted serial killers continuously in order to get them to reveal where they buried the bodies. The differing relationships she develops with each one is very interesting. Think the relationship between Clarise and Hannibal Lecter in Silence of the lambs except you get multiple serial killers. Add in that she has her own very special reasons for doing what she does and we have a great cat and mouse/ mystery. The story is so well laid out, the characters are fantastic, the pacing is great with some humour, some dark bits and a lot of end of chapter cliffhangers. Also the ending won't disappoint! Chef's kiss! 💋
Many thanks to Boldwood book who provided me with a copy of the book via NetGalley for review. All opinions are my own.
Many thanks to Boldwood book who provided me with a copy of the book via NetGalley for review. All opinions are my own.
February 26, 2025
I truly loved this book! It had been far too long since a thriller made me lose sleep—and this one did, in the best possible way. From the very first page, I was addicted to the story, desperate to know what would happen next.
Clever, witty and totally binge-worthy—think Mindhunter vibes with a gripping deep dive into the psychology of serial killers. If you love thrilling mind games and unraveling the darkest corners of the human psyche, this one’s for you.
The writing? Fantastic. The pacing? Fast and relentless. And the twist? OH, the twist—it absolutely blew my mind! This book has such a refreshing and unique premise and unlike many books that start strong but lose momentum, this one delivers from start to finish. Every moment kept me hooked and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.
This was my first book by Tam Barnett, but it won’t be my last. I’m already planning to go back and read his debut - he has officially earned a spot on my favorite authors list. I truly hope we get many more books from him in the future!
A big thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Clever, witty and totally binge-worthy—think Mindhunter vibes with a gripping deep dive into the psychology of serial killers. If you love thrilling mind games and unraveling the darkest corners of the human psyche, this one’s for you.
The writing? Fantastic. The pacing? Fast and relentless. And the twist? OH, the twist—it absolutely blew my mind! This book has such a refreshing and unique premise and unlike many books that start strong but lose momentum, this one delivers from start to finish. Every moment kept me hooked and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.
This was my first book by Tam Barnett, but it won’t be my last. I’m already planning to go back and read his debut - he has officially earned a spot on my favorite authors list. I truly hope we get many more books from him in the future!
A big thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
February 20, 2025
The blurb:
I’m psychologist Dr Emy Rose, but that’s not my real name.
I work with serial killers who've hidden their victims. My job is to find the bodies - and I'm kind of awesome at it.
The trick is to get inside these murderers' minds. And there's one in particular I'm hellbent on breaking.
Why? None of your business! Just know, I'll stop at nothing to read that killer's mind...
My thoughts:
This is the second book that I’ve read by Tam Barnett, I thought How To Get Away With Murder was good, but this one was just mind blowing!
The book reeled me in from the start. The first half is fairly medium paced, but then at about halfway it really picks up pace and I couldn’t put it down!
I loved the concept of Dr Emy Rose and her role in the story. I liked that although the story is quite dark and twisty we also see a side to Emy that is humorous too.
The insights into the criminals was interesting too. Others may want to take a look at trigger warnings as although I enjoyed the book, the theme was quite dark at times.
Despite the dark, twisty feel, this is one I’d highly recommend adding to your tbr!
Thank you so much to Tam Barnett for sending me an advance copy of his book to read via Netgalley. Opinions expressed here are my own.
I’m psychologist Dr Emy Rose, but that’s not my real name.
I work with serial killers who've hidden their victims. My job is to find the bodies - and I'm kind of awesome at it.
The trick is to get inside these murderers' minds. And there's one in particular I'm hellbent on breaking.
Why? None of your business! Just know, I'll stop at nothing to read that killer's mind...
My thoughts:
This is the second book that I’ve read by Tam Barnett, I thought How To Get Away With Murder was good, but this one was just mind blowing!
The book reeled me in from the start. The first half is fairly medium paced, but then at about halfway it really picks up pace and I couldn’t put it down!
I loved the concept of Dr Emy Rose and her role in the story. I liked that although the story is quite dark and twisty we also see a side to Emy that is humorous too.
The insights into the criminals was interesting too. Others may want to take a look at trigger warnings as although I enjoyed the book, the theme was quite dark at times.
Despite the dark, twisty feel, this is one I’d highly recommend adding to your tbr!
Thank you so much to Tam Barnett for sending me an advance copy of his book to read via Netgalley. Opinions expressed here are my own.
March 23, 2025
Finished reading: March 23rd 2025
"You can't fake desperation. But Shenton's appetite to be freed isn't fake - the hungry wolf runs faster."
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Boldwood Books in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
REVIEW
WARNING: it's another unexpected unpopular opinion review!!
March 30, 2025
I highly enjoyed this dark and witty narrative. If I am being 100% honest it did not grab me from the very beginning. The first few chapters I wasn't sure if I wanted to continue on but I am so glad that I did! This book ended up being five stars for me and I am stingy giving out five stars. I really enjoyed following Emy in her personal and work life as she works in her ground breaking research to persuade convicted murderers into revealing the locations of their undiscovered victims. Each killer had their own unique personality and this book did a great job of looking into each of their minds. Emy has her own personal reasons for her research and her dry humor and sharp comebacks made for an electrifying ride. I enjoyed the romantic aspect of this book as well and was rooting for them from the beginning. The entire book's dialogue crackles with wit, and the cast of morally ambiguous but irresistibly interesting characters kept me hooked until the final twist. It’s a story where violence and comedy dance in perfect sync.
If you love your crime thrillers with a generous dose of sarcasm, clever twists, and a protagonist who refuses to go down quietly, How to Read a Killer's Mind is a must-read. A devilishly fun and unforgettably dark tale that will keep you laughing—and guessing—until the very end.
Y’all are going to love the cover!
Thank you, NetGalley, the author, and the publisher, for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
If you love your crime thrillers with a generous dose of sarcasm, clever twists, and a protagonist who refuses to go down quietly, How to Read a Killer's Mind is a must-read. A devilishly fun and unforgettably dark tale that will keep you laughing—and guessing—until the very end.
Y’all are going to love the cover!
Thank you, NetGalley, the author, and the publisher, for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 23, 2025
Received an Advance Reader Copy (ARC).
How to Read a Killer's Mind by Tam Barnett is a gripping psychological thriller that dives deep into the twisted thoughts of a killer, unravelling complex motives and the dark recesses of the human psyche. The novel skillfully intertwines suspense and emotion, offering a chilling narrative that keeps you on edge until the very end. With its well-crafted characters and meticulously researched details, it's a must-read for fans of crime thrillers.
Here’s my breakdown:
🔪 Murder
🚩 R*pe/Sexual Assault
🚫 Neglect/Child Abuse
🧠 Mental health diagnosis
🌊 Twisty and well-researched
It's a journey that will have you questioning everything.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars.
How to Read a Killer's Mind by Tam Barnett is a gripping psychological thriller that dives deep into the twisted thoughts of a killer, unravelling complex motives and the dark recesses of the human psyche. The novel skillfully intertwines suspense and emotion, offering a chilling narrative that keeps you on edge until the very end. With its well-crafted characters and meticulously researched details, it's a must-read for fans of crime thrillers.
Here’s my breakdown:
🔪 Murder
🚩 R*pe/Sexual Assault
🚫 Neglect/Child Abuse
🧠 Mental health diagnosis
🌊 Twisty and well-researched
It's a journey that will have you questioning everything.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars.
March 25, 2025
Rating: 4 stars!!!!!
TROPES
- Missing person/persons
- Bodies, bodies, bodies
- Murders!!
- Unhinged serial killers
- FMC 'Detective'
- (kind of a) Dual POV
REVIEW. (spoiler free!)
This book was so good, I read it so fast, and I didn't want to put it down, from the very first page, I was HOOKED, which I love when this happens, as I know I am going to inhale the book.
The book is about psychologist Dr Emy Rose. She works with serial killers, she gets inside their minds to discover where they have hid their victims bodies. This helps the families of the victims get closure. Emy has a place of work, called THE HIVE which is where she works with serial killers, intimately, closely and is able to keep a very close eye on them. It is a scientific project, an experiment that has already worked with one inmate, called George Petty. She has a lot riding on this, and the 'boss' Barnaby Harrington will do anything to see her fail.
Emy has a lot going on, she lives with her Mum. Her Mum suffers with traumatic mutism, which means she doesn't speak because a traumatic event has stopped this. The traumatic event in question, is that her son, Sam got taken and killed. His body has never been found, and this is why Emy does what she does, because her and her Mother never got closure, and her Mum doesn't speak because of this. She would do anything to change the situation, get her Mum closure and get her Mum to speak again. Another reason Emy NEEDS 'The Hive' to work, and keep being funded.
Her best friend Chi, and work colleague Robbie help her run 'The Hive', and inside it holds 3 serial killers. Frank Elkins, Joe Okorie and Tim Shenton. All twisted serial killers, 2/3 of them have multiple bodies hidden, and the other hasn't admitted to his crime but has a criminal record for something not so pleasant, that makes him seem guilty for his crime. This is where it starts getting interesting, as we get a glimpse into Joe's POV, which is as crazy as you would think it would be, although I have no idea where I actually felt sorry for him. It is madness how the 3 of them can keep secrets, manipulate situations and keep things buried. Literally.
The book is fast paced, has very interesting stories throughout - which all adds up to why Emy is doing what she is doing. There are twists, turns, fun, excitement, betrayal, laugh out loud moments but also very dark moments too. Will Emy find out what she wants to find out? Will Harrington shut her down? Will time run out? And what secrets will be revealed along the way?
CONCLUSION.
I liked this book, actually maybe even loved this book. The character building was really great, the story was slow enough to build a story but fast enough to keep the suspense going throughout. I thought the book as a whole was written really well.
It had everything you needed from a thriller, and that little bit more. Tam Barnett knows how to write, and keep readers engaged!!!
There was the right balance for everything, from humour, to darkness, to happiness, to twists, to turns, to a lil splash of romance and then throw in a big twist ending - mix it altogether, and you get 'How To Read a Killer's Mind'..
The only reason that I didn't rate this book a 5 star, which I really wanted too, was because of the following:
The lack of trigger warnings , now I know triggers don't need to be in every book but a couple of parts of this did make me feel a little uncomfortable. My books I read normally come with trigger warnings, I call them a menu. But just felt maybe it needed to be mentioned.
The ending went from one extreme to the next. It felt slightly rushed, and it was over and done with before it even began, so I would of liked more of a build up, some more suspense. I think this book could of easily been extended by 50-100 pages, which is actually a compliment as some books need less pages, I don't think I have ever wanted more pages in a book.
One of the serial killers I would of liked to of known if he actually committed the crime or not, although briefly explained, I would of liked to of known more about the situation, and it be detailed as to why and how he got found out, why he done it etc. It was left very empty, and the serial killers story stopped very abruptly. I wish I actually had answers to that.
They are my only faults, and the reason it didn't get 5 stars, but other than that, I would recommend this book, and I will definitely be buying Tam's other book.
Thank you for letting me be an arc reader Tam and Boldwood Books.
TROPES
- Missing person/persons
- Bodies, bodies, bodies
- Murders!!
- Unhinged serial killers
- FMC 'Detective'
- (kind of a) Dual POV
REVIEW. (spoiler free!)
This book was so good, I read it so fast, and I didn't want to put it down, from the very first page, I was HOOKED, which I love when this happens, as I know I am going to inhale the book.
The book is about psychologist Dr Emy Rose. She works with serial killers, she gets inside their minds to discover where they have hid their victims bodies. This helps the families of the victims get closure. Emy has a place of work, called THE HIVE which is where she works with serial killers, intimately, closely and is able to keep a very close eye on them. It is a scientific project, an experiment that has already worked with one inmate, called George Petty. She has a lot riding on this, and the 'boss' Barnaby Harrington will do anything to see her fail.
Emy has a lot going on, she lives with her Mum. Her Mum suffers with traumatic mutism, which means she doesn't speak because a traumatic event has stopped this. The traumatic event in question, is that her son, Sam got taken and killed. His body has never been found, and this is why Emy does what she does, because her and her Mother never got closure, and her Mum doesn't speak because of this. She would do anything to change the situation, get her Mum closure and get her Mum to speak again. Another reason Emy NEEDS 'The Hive' to work, and keep being funded.
Her best friend Chi, and work colleague Robbie help her run 'The Hive', and inside it holds 3 serial killers. Frank Elkins, Joe Okorie and Tim Shenton. All twisted serial killers, 2/3 of them have multiple bodies hidden, and the other hasn't admitted to his crime but has a criminal record for something not so pleasant, that makes him seem guilty for his crime. This is where it starts getting interesting, as we get a glimpse into Joe's POV, which is as crazy as you would think it would be, although I have no idea where I actually felt sorry for him. It is madness how the 3 of them can keep secrets, manipulate situations and keep things buried. Literally.
The book is fast paced, has very interesting stories throughout - which all adds up to why Emy is doing what she is doing. There are twists, turns, fun, excitement, betrayal, laugh out loud moments but also very dark moments too. Will Emy find out what she wants to find out? Will Harrington shut her down? Will time run out? And what secrets will be revealed along the way?
CONCLUSION.
I liked this book, actually maybe even loved this book. The character building was really great, the story was slow enough to build a story but fast enough to keep the suspense going throughout. I thought the book as a whole was written really well.
It had everything you needed from a thriller, and that little bit more. Tam Barnett knows how to write, and keep readers engaged!!!
There was the right balance for everything, from humour, to darkness, to happiness, to twists, to turns, to a lil splash of romance and then throw in a big twist ending - mix it altogether, and you get 'How To Read a Killer's Mind'..
The only reason that I didn't rate this book a 5 star, which I really wanted too, was because of the following:
The lack of trigger warnings , now I know triggers don't need to be in every book but a couple of parts of this did make me feel a little uncomfortable. My books I read normally come with trigger warnings, I call them a menu. But just felt maybe it needed to be mentioned.
The ending went from one extreme to the next. It felt slightly rushed, and it was over and done with before it even began, so I would of liked more of a build up, some more suspense. I think this book could of easily been extended by 50-100 pages, which is actually a compliment as some books need less pages, I don't think I have ever wanted more pages in a book.
One of the serial killers I would of liked to of known if he actually committed the crime or not, although briefly explained, I would of liked to of known more about the situation, and it be detailed as to why and how he got found out, why he done it etc. It was left very empty, and the serial killers story stopped very abruptly. I wish I actually had answers to that.
They are my only faults, and the reason it didn't get 5 stars, but other than that, I would recommend this book, and I will definitely be buying Tam's other book.
Thank you for letting me be an arc reader Tam and Boldwood Books.
April 18, 2025
How To Read A Killer‘s Mind by Tam Barnett, Emily Rose her coworker Chi and assistant James are all involved with a program trying to get serial killers with hidden bodies to divulge where the bodies are. they have a facility called the beehive where three inmates or housed and although they’ve had success with prisoner George Petty it seems the sponsor of the program Lord Harrington wants to mix things up. this infuriates Emmy because she has an ulterior motive for starting this program years ago her brother Sam was kidnapped by Frank Elkins, who is one of the prisoners. The other is a serial killer of nine women Joe Orwick and the third is where the minister changes things because when Petty confess’s, he puts in a potential child killer named Tim Shinton. After months of being ignored by Elkins Emma has no idea that Shinton is going to give her a leg up and her brother‘s investigation. Emma also has her mom to worry about who hasn’t spoken since the day Sam was taken. There are many things Emma has on her plate and many people she has to cuddle Kajol or influence to help her in her endeavor but not all of them can be trusted especially the prisoners. I am having a hard time writing this review because I want to give a good summary of what the book is about it is so worth checking out although there were things I didn’t like about the book but I can’t say why because it would give the ending away and I definitely don’t want to do that. this was a pretty good book it was entertaining although I didn’t like Emma Rose or Chi but did like James the assistant. despite the unlikable characters in the book I would still absolutely recommend it I found it original and they booked that definitely has you turning the pages. #NetGalley, #BoldWoodBooks, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview, #TamBarnett, #HowToReadAKiller‘sMind,
April 26, 2025
4.5 ⭐
ARC Review
Holy shit this book was good.
I was hooked on this story from the beginning, the twists were everything in this. A part of me is upset that Leon or Robbie wasn't the brother or a part of the scheme but I did really enjoy this story.
I am upset about the ending with her friend Chi though I did think more would come out about that.
Will definitely be picking up more of this authors work.
ARC Review
Holy shit this book was good.
I was hooked on this story from the beginning, the twists were everything in this. A part of me is upset that Leon or Robbie wasn't the brother or a part of the scheme but I did really enjoy this story.
I am upset about the ending with her friend Chi though I did think more would come out about that.
Will definitely be picking up more of this authors work.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 17, 2025
The premise is great. The writing is not.
I'm tired of men writing women protagonists so poorly. Emy is a shallow character based on what a man imagines a smart, wise-cracking, tough girl is. Sadly, because of this, she is unlikeable. In fact, every character in this novel is so weakly written that they're basically caricatures.
The mystery wasn't very mysterious. I'm not even a big mystery reader but I knew the main "twist" at about 30% and finished the novel because I figured that there had to be more. There wasn't. There were a few other bits and bobs that I didn't expect but they didn't amount to a good novel.
It mostly moved along, though, and I didn't throw it across the room or anything.
I'm tired of men writing women protagonists so poorly. Emy is a shallow character based on what a man imagines a smart, wise-cracking, tough girl is. Sadly, because of this, she is unlikeable. In fact, every character in this novel is so weakly written that they're basically caricatures.
The mystery wasn't very mysterious. I'm not even a big mystery reader but I knew the main "twist" at about 30% and finished the novel because I figured that there had to be more. There wasn't. There were a few other bits and bobs that I didn't expect but they didn't amount to a good novel.
It mostly moved along, though, and I didn't throw it across the room or anything.
March 31, 2025
3.5★
This was a solid thriller—definitely on the darker side. I’ll admit the pacing dragged at times, but the last 10% pulled it together and made it worth sticking with. It took me a while to get used to the writing style, but I really enjoyed following the perspective of a psychologist—I found the way she read people fascinating.
This was a solid thriller—definitely on the darker side. I’ll admit the pacing dragged at times, but the last 10% pulled it together and made it worth sticking with. It took me a while to get used to the writing style, but I really enjoyed following the perspective of a psychologist—I found the way she read people fascinating.
August 20, 2025
The story centres around a girl looking for the body of her brother after it is believed he has been murdered by "the dentist." The story has quite a few twists, which make it an interesting read... some of it is predictable, and the characters lack a little depth...on the whole though an enjoyable read
September 8, 2025
Way darker than the cover lets on. I did enjoy the mystery and trying to figure out what to believe as murderers cannot be trusted. The MC did frustrate me as she was wildly unethical as missed so many easy clues. As a psychologist she should have done better.
October 4, 2025
I liked the premise of this book, it was just missing something for me! I was promised humour, and I honestly dont think it was that funny! But liked the ending.
October 4, 2025
Chilling, clever, and hard to put down.
Tam Barnett delivers a darkly fascinating psychological thriller that grips you from the opening line and doesn’t let go. Told through the eyes of Dr. Emy Rose—a forensic psychologist who specialises in getting inside the minds of serial killers—this story plunges deep into the murky territory between understanding evil and being consumed by it.
I really enjoyed this book. The characters were complex and layered, the kind that feel real enough to step off the page. Dr. Rose is a particularly compelling protagonist—sharp, haunted, and a little too close to the darkness she studies. The interplay between psychologist and killer was the heart of the story, and Barnett absolutely nailed that dynamic. The sessions between them were tense, manipulative, and full of psychological cat-and-mouse energy that kept me guessing who was truly in control.
The pacing was tight, with moments of quiet introspection balanced by spikes of chilling intensity. The deeper Dr. Rose dug into the killer’s mind, the more the line blurred between her professional curiosity and her personal obsession, making for a wonderfully unsettling read. It’s one of those stories where you can feel the tension simmering even in silence.
Barnett also deserves credit for writing dialogue that feels authentic—intelligent without being pretentious, raw without being gratuitous. The ending was satisfying, hitting just the right balance between resolution and that lingering unease you expect from a good psychological thriller.
If you enjoy books that explore the darker corners of the human psyche—where intellect meets obsession and morality gets messy—How to Read a Killer’s Mind is a must-read. It’s intelligent, tense, and distur
Tam Barnett delivers a darkly fascinating psychological thriller that grips you from the opening line and doesn’t let go. Told through the eyes of Dr. Emy Rose—a forensic psychologist who specialises in getting inside the minds of serial killers—this story plunges deep into the murky territory between understanding evil and being consumed by it.
I really enjoyed this book. The characters were complex and layered, the kind that feel real enough to step off the page. Dr. Rose is a particularly compelling protagonist—sharp, haunted, and a little too close to the darkness she studies. The interplay between psychologist and killer was the heart of the story, and Barnett absolutely nailed that dynamic. The sessions between them were tense, manipulative, and full of psychological cat-and-mouse energy that kept me guessing who was truly in control.
The pacing was tight, with moments of quiet introspection balanced by spikes of chilling intensity. The deeper Dr. Rose dug into the killer’s mind, the more the line blurred between her professional curiosity and her personal obsession, making for a wonderfully unsettling read. It’s one of those stories where you can feel the tension simmering even in silence.
Barnett also deserves credit for writing dialogue that feels authentic—intelligent without being pretentious, raw without being gratuitous. The ending was satisfying, hitting just the right balance between resolution and that lingering unease you expect from a good psychological thriller.
If you enjoy books that explore the darker corners of the human psyche—where intellect meets obsession and morality gets messy—How to Read a Killer’s Mind is a must-read. It’s intelligent, tense, and distur
October 4, 2025
"𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐢𝐬𝐧'𝐭 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐬 𝐑𝐨𝐬𝐞. 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐭𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐚 𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐩𝐞𝐥. 𝐈 𝐚𝐦 𝐚 𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐩𝐞𝐥."
Another backlist that I slept on and am kicking myself for! This was a psychological thriller with hints of dark humor that hooked me with its unusual premise. Psychologist Dr. Emy Rose works with convicted serial killers who have hidden their victims so she can force them to confess where the bodies are buried. Emy is flawed and morally messy, but those character traits are what makes her so utterly compelling. She's got a hidden motive that far transcends her official research work that pulls her project into the dark territory of grief and the yearning for closure.
One of the biggest strengths of the book is how the author incorporates horror and suspense with gallows humor. Emy’s internal monologue is cynical and filled with dry wit, but it doesn't mute the horror of the situation she's in. The few flaws I noted were that there were some loose ends, and Emy's constant internal conflict sometimes feels overwhelming to the reader. However, the book does a superb job of making you question what lengths one should go to in pursuit of justice and uncovering buried truths. If you like your thrillers with depth, moral dilemmas, and a dose of dark humor, add this one to your list today! Many thanks to Boldwood Books for this copy that is available now.
Another backlist that I slept on and am kicking myself for! This was a psychological thriller with hints of dark humor that hooked me with its unusual premise. Psychologist Dr. Emy Rose works with convicted serial killers who have hidden their victims so she can force them to confess where the bodies are buried. Emy is flawed and morally messy, but those character traits are what makes her so utterly compelling. She's got a hidden motive that far transcends her official research work that pulls her project into the dark territory of grief and the yearning for closure.
One of the biggest strengths of the book is how the author incorporates horror and suspense with gallows humor. Emy’s internal monologue is cynical and filled with dry wit, but it doesn't mute the horror of the situation she's in. The few flaws I noted were that there were some loose ends, and Emy's constant internal conflict sometimes feels overwhelming to the reader. However, the book does a superb job of making you question what lengths one should go to in pursuit of justice and uncovering buried truths. If you like your thrillers with depth, moral dilemmas, and a dose of dark humor, add this one to your list today! Many thanks to Boldwood Books for this copy that is available now.
March 20, 2025
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
‘The mind never truly finishes one chapter unless you give it a new one to read.’
What a fun read this was! Straight away I loved the dark humour woven in throughout the chapters, making it a real joy to read! One line was so funny but I won’t spoil! 😂
I did find this one to be a slightly different style (psychological suspense) to the thrillers that I’m used to reading, and it was fairly medium paced throughout the majority of the book. I loved the little twists along the way though which kept me gripped!
I did also struggle to visualise some of the characters and the storyline at times. However, it was still enjoyable to read and I think this could have just been because this book wasn’t my usual style.
I absolutely loved the ending though, I couldn’t turn the pages on my kindle fast enough 😂 It really ramped up the pace which I loved. The epilogue was a nice touch too and left me wanting more! 😍
Highly recommend this one! Looking forward to reading his first book soon too!
Huge thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC copy. All opinions in this review are my own.
Out September 1st!
‘The mind never truly finishes one chapter unless you give it a new one to read.’
What a fun read this was! Straight away I loved the dark humour woven in throughout the chapters, making it a real joy to read! One line was so funny but I won’t spoil! 😂
I did find this one to be a slightly different style (psychological suspense) to the thrillers that I’m used to reading, and it was fairly medium paced throughout the majority of the book. I loved the little twists along the way though which kept me gripped!
I did also struggle to visualise some of the characters and the storyline at times. However, it was still enjoyable to read and I think this could have just been because this book wasn’t my usual style.
I absolutely loved the ending though, I couldn’t turn the pages on my kindle fast enough 😂 It really ramped up the pace which I loved. The epilogue was a nice touch too and left me wanting more! 😍
Highly recommend this one! Looking forward to reading his first book soon too!
Huge thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC copy. All opinions in this review are my own.
Out September 1st!
March 10, 2025
Although this was a darker read than I expected based on the cover art, it was very enjoyable. There are comic elements through, albeit a bit in the dark side. The comedy mostly works although seems forced at certain points.
The premise is that Dr Emy Rose is a psychologist in charge of an experimental program designed to get confessed serial killers to reveal where the bodies of their victims are. But Dr Rose has a bit of a secret which ultimately puts her at odds with the stated purpose of getting closure for victims families in general.
Initially she is a harsh and somewhat unlikeable character but as we see her struggle with the conflict between doing what is right for the program and what is right for her personally we see some character development.
There are plot twists as well, some I saw coming and some I did not, and overall this is well plotted and tightly constructed without plot gaps or leaps. It was also pretty fast paced and easy to read. Overall a very enjoyable book and I would read more from this author.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this in advance. This book hits the shelves April 7 and is a definite recommended read!
The premise is that Dr Emy Rose is a psychologist in charge of an experimental program designed to get confessed serial killers to reveal where the bodies of their victims are. But Dr Rose has a bit of a secret which ultimately puts her at odds with the stated purpose of getting closure for victims families in general.
Initially she is a harsh and somewhat unlikeable character but as we see her struggle with the conflict between doing what is right for the program and what is right for her personally we see some character development.
There are plot twists as well, some I saw coming and some I did not, and overall this is well plotted and tightly constructed without plot gaps or leaps. It was also pretty fast paced and easy to read. Overall a very enjoyable book and I would read more from this author.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this in advance. This book hits the shelves April 7 and is a definite recommended read!
January 7, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
First book finished of 2026!! This was an okay thriller - reading speed is a big inductor for me of how much I like a book, how quick I am to read more and get to the end; this book felt like a little bit of a slog.
Did like the plot though, and the idea of getting into a serial killer’s mind and breaking down their barriers. The last serial killer, Shenton, to be added to the mix of those part of the FMCs study, was written particularly well and had interesting interactions with the other characters.
I did end up guessing what the big reveal would be pretty early on, but it still made for a very satisfying ending to read. Also a fan of the way the story was left at the very end!
First book finished of 2026!! This was an okay thriller - reading speed is a big inductor for me of how much I like a book, how quick I am to read more and get to the end; this book felt like a little bit of a slog.
Did like the plot though, and the idea of getting into a serial killer’s mind and breaking down their barriers. The last serial killer, Shenton, to be added to the mix of those part of the FMCs study, was written particularly well and had interesting interactions with the other characters.
I did end up guessing what the big reveal would be pretty early on, but it still made for a very satisfying ending to read. Also a fan of the way the story was left at the very end!
March 19, 2025
This was such an interesting read! It was disturbing in the best way, and I couldn’t stop reading. I also loved the characters! Lately, I’ve been struggling with books where I figure out the plot too soon, but this one was unpredictable, which made it even more exciting.
The only thing I didn’t love was the writing. But overall, I really enjoyed it!
I’d definitely recommend this to anyone who loves thrillers.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this!
The only thing I didn’t love was the writing. But overall, I really enjoyed it!
I’d definitely recommend this to anyone who loves thrillers.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this!
October 2, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this book - the premise of a psychologist working with serial killers to find the bodies they refused to reveal felt new and fascinating.
I really enjoyed the protagonist, too - Emy felt raw, realistic, and reacted in ways that were so truthful and revealing when faced with such monstrosity. Similarly, I felt the pressure from the slimy government official added depth to the story.
My only issue was Shenton - although I can see the appeal of such an amoral, narcissistic psychopath, I think the graphic details of his crimes were just too much to swallow.
Definitely an intriguing read...one I've had many dreams about!
I really enjoyed the protagonist, too - Emy felt raw, realistic, and reacted in ways that were so truthful and revealing when faced with such monstrosity. Similarly, I felt the pressure from the slimy government official added depth to the story.
My only issue was Shenton - although I can see the appeal of such an amoral, narcissistic psychopath, I think the graphic details of his crimes were just too much to swallow.
Definitely an intriguing read...one I've had many dreams about!
February 27, 2025
Love love LOVED this! I enjoyed Tam’s first book however this for me was a whole different ball game. The premise was so different and kept me absolutely hooked. It captured all emotions with elements being horrifying, sad and really funny. I would 100% recommend!
August 5, 2025
Rating: 4.1/5
Seldom has the phrase, "Don't judge a book by its cover" been more appropriate. Having seen the cover of Tam Barnett's "How to Read a Killer's Mind" and read the accompanying marketing blurb, I was expecting this book to be very much in keeping with the style of darkly comic work that the likes of Katy Brent, Sarah Bonner and others have been producing in recent years. This is certainly not from that same sub-genre and I really don't think the publishers have done the author any favours with their market positioning of this novel. Rather than the "darkly comic crime thriller" that the publisher describes it as, it would be better viewed as a brooding psychological drama - and a well-executed one at that.
I have to confess that I struggled with the first 20% of the novel, but I suspect that was primarily due the miscconceptions I had prior to reading the book. Once my mind had recognized that story I was reading was very different to the one I had been anticipating, so I was able to appreciate it properly. There are some comic moments, but they are well-executed asides rather than being the central thrust of the narrative style. The characterisation is impressive. Emy Rose, the central protagonist, is impresssively portrayed and the bulk of the novel is seen from her perspective. However, this is not at the expense of the supporting cast members who are also convincingly drawn. The premise is intriguing and, although a work of fiction, will appeal to fans of true crime, particularly relating to serial killers and their motivation.
This is my first experience of Tam Barnett, but I suspect it won't be my last - though I hope his publisher chooses more appropriate covers in future.
Seldom has the phrase, "Don't judge a book by its cover" been more appropriate. Having seen the cover of Tam Barnett's "How to Read a Killer's Mind" and read the accompanying marketing blurb, I was expecting this book to be very much in keeping with the style of darkly comic work that the likes of Katy Brent, Sarah Bonner and others have been producing in recent years. This is certainly not from that same sub-genre and I really don't think the publishers have done the author any favours with their market positioning of this novel. Rather than the "darkly comic crime thriller" that the publisher describes it as, it would be better viewed as a brooding psychological drama - and a well-executed one at that.
I have to confess that I struggled with the first 20% of the novel, but I suspect that was primarily due the miscconceptions I had prior to reading the book. Once my mind had recognized that story I was reading was very different to the one I had been anticipating, so I was able to appreciate it properly. There are some comic moments, but they are well-executed asides rather than being the central thrust of the narrative style. The characterisation is impressive. Emy Rose, the central protagonist, is impresssively portrayed and the bulk of the novel is seen from her perspective. However, this is not at the expense of the supporting cast members who are also convincingly drawn. The premise is intriguing and, although a work of fiction, will appeal to fans of true crime, particularly relating to serial killers and their motivation.
This is my first experience of Tam Barnett, but I suspect it won't be my last - though I hope his publisher chooses more appropriate covers in future.
October 19, 2025
I found it a very slow burner but wow, definitely stick with it, it ramps up and ramps up to an absolutely magnificent and perfect ending. A wonderful book, written brilliantly and all the characters are well drawn with depth. The protagonist was fallible and real and I very much liked her, for all her faults. Ten out of ten.
December 30, 2025
Loved loved loved ! What a total different book for me but was sooooo gripping, interesting and set very close to home which was cool. Read it in one day didn’t want to put jt down. Loved the psychological aspect of it and the twist at the end
January 12, 2026
It’s hard to put into words how clever this book is. I read it back to back with How to Get Away with Murder and it couldn’t be more different. Same engaging characters though with cracking twists along the way! Loved it.
January 14, 2026
This was a lot darker than the cover suggests, and had no humour despite the Good Reads summary … but this was the best thriller I’ve read for a while. The premise was original with the psychologist slowly uncovering the story with her own motive to do so.
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