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How to Get Away with Murder
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Expected 24 Feb 26This fresh debut thriller finds a Scotland Yard detective trying to find the author of a self-help book that promises quite literally to teach readers how to get away with murder, which seems to have inspired London's newest murderer.
Detective Inspector Samantha Hansen has been on leave for six months, recovering from a breakdown she suffered at work, but when a fourteen-year-old girl is murdered in a local park, Sam jumps at the chance to return to the job and prove that she's still got what it takes to be the Yard's most successful homicide detective. One of the cases only leads is a copy of a self-help book found in the victim's backpack called How To Get Away With Murder by a man named Denver Brady.
Brady claims to be the most successful serial killer of our time, which is why no one's ever heard of him. Chapter by chapter, he details his methodology and his past victims, and as Sam's investigation progresses and the details of the book go viral, Sam begins to suspect that there’s more to the author than what he’s revealed. But in order to find a killer and get justice for young Charlotte, Sam must learn to trust her instincts once again, before Denver Brady--or someone else--really does get away with murder.
Detective Inspector Samantha Hansen has been on leave for six months, recovering from a breakdown she suffered at work, but when a fourteen-year-old girl is murdered in a local park, Sam jumps at the chance to return to the job and prove that she's still got what it takes to be the Yard's most successful homicide detective. One of the cases only leads is a copy of a self-help book found in the victim's backpack called How To Get Away With Murder by a man named Denver Brady.
Brady claims to be the most successful serial killer of our time, which is why no one's ever heard of him. Chapter by chapter, he details his methodology and his past victims, and as Sam's investigation progresses and the details of the book go viral, Sam begins to suspect that there’s more to the author than what he’s revealed. But in order to find a killer and get justice for young Charlotte, Sam must learn to trust her instincts once again, before Denver Brady--or someone else--really does get away with murder.
368 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication February 24, 2026
21343 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 162 reviews
October 7, 2025
What a hook! A “book-within-a-book” serial-killer mystery where the murderer leaves a copy of “How to Get Away with Murder” at each scene—complete with step-by-step instructions that mirror the crime—had me leaning so far forward I nearly fell off the couch. It’s a wickedly clever conceit: the killer taunts investigators with a printed playbook, and the only way to stop them is to read between the lines faster than they can turn the page.
Our lead, Samantha Hansen, is a brilliant Chief Inspector at Scotland Yard who’s been off the job for six months after a colleague sexually assaulted her—a “he said, she said” wound that left her with PTSD and a shaken sense of self. When a fourteen-year-old girl is found murdered in a local park, Samantha collides with the scene—literally and emotionally—and decides to return. With steady support from Harry (her boss and her late father’s best friend), she teams up with savvy DS Tina Edris and two rookies, Taylor and Chloe, to chase a killer who treats homicide like a literary scavenger hunt.
Their single, infuriatingly elegant clue is the book the murderer plants: “How to Get Away with Murder.” Inside, a victim named Sarah shares eerie, specific overlaps with young Charlotte, and each chapter reads like a breadcrumb trail. Is the culprit a copycat meticulously staging a fictional plot? Or is enigmatic author Denver Brady using publication as autobiography—confessing in plain sight and daring the police to catch up? Samantha’s edge has always been mastery of detail, but trauma has blunted her focus; skimming won’t cut it. The devil is in the margins, and she has to relearn how to read every scratch, stain, and comma as if a life depends on it—because it does.
I loved how the novel balances propulsive plotting with character work. Samantha’s return is not a triumphant flip of a switch; it’s halting, prickly, and real. Watching her rebuild professional muscle memory while refusing to let a predator (past or present) define her gives the case personal stakes that hum beneath every interview and evidence board. As for the mystery—I made suspect lists, crossed out names, and still second-guessed myself until the final reveal. Smart misdirection, fair clues, and just enough menace to make you glance at your own bookshelf.
Bottom line: an ingenious premise executed with confidence and heart. If this is the author’s debut, consider me on high alert for whatever comes next—I’m hooked.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sharing this unputdownable, razor-smart mystery’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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Our lead, Samantha Hansen, is a brilliant Chief Inspector at Scotland Yard who’s been off the job for six months after a colleague sexually assaulted her—a “he said, she said” wound that left her with PTSD and a shaken sense of self. When a fourteen-year-old girl is found murdered in a local park, Samantha collides with the scene—literally and emotionally—and decides to return. With steady support from Harry (her boss and her late father’s best friend), she teams up with savvy DS Tina Edris and two rookies, Taylor and Chloe, to chase a killer who treats homicide like a literary scavenger hunt.
Their single, infuriatingly elegant clue is the book the murderer plants: “How to Get Away with Murder.” Inside, a victim named Sarah shares eerie, specific overlaps with young Charlotte, and each chapter reads like a breadcrumb trail. Is the culprit a copycat meticulously staging a fictional plot? Or is enigmatic author Denver Brady using publication as autobiography—confessing in plain sight and daring the police to catch up? Samantha’s edge has always been mastery of detail, but trauma has blunted her focus; skimming won’t cut it. The devil is in the margins, and she has to relearn how to read every scratch, stain, and comma as if a life depends on it—because it does.
I loved how the novel balances propulsive plotting with character work. Samantha’s return is not a triumphant flip of a switch; it’s halting, prickly, and real. Watching her rebuild professional muscle memory while refusing to let a predator (past or present) define her gives the case personal stakes that hum beneath every interview and evidence board. As for the mystery—I made suspect lists, crossed out names, and still second-guessed myself until the final reveal. Smart misdirection, fair clues, and just enough menace to make you glance at your own bookshelf.
Bottom line: an ingenious premise executed with confidence and heart. If this is the author’s debut, consider me on high alert for whatever comes next—I’m hooked.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sharing this unputdownable, razor-smart mystery’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
medium blog
November 19, 2025
Thank you so much to Rebecca Philipson and Minotaur Books for my copy of this book! It was about a murder that Scotland Yard is investigating. A self-help book found at the scene is called How To Get Away With Murder, and teaches the reader exactly how to become a serial killer. When detective Sam Hanson hears about it, she decides to come off her leave to investigate. She starts to look into the case by reading the book written by the self proclaimed "most successful serial killer" that no one has ever heard of. Sam knows there is much more to the story and doesn't want him to get away, so she begins down a dark rabbit hole to catch a killer.
Thoughts: HOW IS THIS A DEBUT! It was so well written and interesting and I couldn't put it down! I loved the idea of a self-help book for murderers, and the chapters of the guide we so dry and funny. I liked Sam as a main character and found her easy to root for. I thought the multiple aspects of this book came together beautifully and I couldn't wait to see what happened next. I loved the book within a book, references to true crime and pop culture, and the ending! 5-stars!
Thoughts: HOW IS THIS A DEBUT! It was so well written and interesting and I couldn't put it down! I loved the idea of a self-help book for murderers, and the chapters of the guide we so dry and funny. I liked Sam as a main character and found her easy to root for. I thought the multiple aspects of this book came together beautifully and I couldn't wait to see what happened next. I loved the book within a book, references to true crime and pop culture, and the ending! 5-stars!
December 22, 2025
Hooked from page 1. Absolutely obsessed with this story! I found this unputdownable and totally captivating. I loved the chapters and how they switched back and forth from the story and the “book” it really built suspense for the end! Overall this is such a great read for fans of murder mystery.
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC
September 25, 2025
This is a fantastic debut. A fast paced, gripping crime thriller with a unique concept, I couldn’t put it down.
The story follows DI Sam Hansen, who on her return to work after a period of poor health, is part of a team trying to solve a murder. The victim was found with a copy of a book called, “ How to get away with murder” written by an anonymous serial killer. The chapters alternate between Sam and chapters of the book and you go on a journey with Sam and her trainee Taylor as they try to find out who wrote the book and if that person murdered their victim.
I really enjoyed the multi-layered mysteries which kept me guessing to the end. Sam was a fantastic detective and I found it really clever how the case & clues became clearer to her as she became well again. Her experience as a woman in the police was very universal to the female experience today and I very much felt some feminist rage, rooting for her all the way through.
There was a lot of dark humour, references to true crime and I really loved the twists at the end. Just a really great concept executed very well.
Superb!
The story follows DI Sam Hansen, who on her return to work after a period of poor health, is part of a team trying to solve a murder. The victim was found with a copy of a book called, “ How to get away with murder” written by an anonymous serial killer. The chapters alternate between Sam and chapters of the book and you go on a journey with Sam and her trainee Taylor as they try to find out who wrote the book and if that person murdered their victim.
I really enjoyed the multi-layered mysteries which kept me guessing to the end. Sam was a fantastic detective and I found it really clever how the case & clues became clearer to her as she became well again. Her experience as a woman in the police was very universal to the female experience today and I very much felt some feminist rage, rooting for her all the way through.
There was a lot of dark humour, references to true crime and I really loved the twists at the end. Just a really great concept executed very well.
Superb!
November 3, 2025
"My name is Denver Brady, and I am a serial killer."
With an opening line like that I just knew that I was going to LOVE this book. And I was right. Deliciously dark, sinister, suspenseful and unsettling, this is an outstanding and inventive debut thriller.
Denver Brady claims that he’s the most successful modern serial killer and has written and published a guide for aspiring killers telling them how they can get away with murder. When a copy of that book is found at the home of a young murder victim, DI Samantha Hansen is put in charge of finding the elusive order and bring him to justice. And when Denver’s book goes viral, that pressure ramps up, leaving Sam with a race against the clock to find him.
This astonishing debut is one of the best thrillers I’ve read in a long time. I loved its malevolent tone and the dark humour that was sprinkled throughout. I was pulled into the story from its opening line and it didn’t let go until the last, devouring it in under a day as it was impossible to put down. Rebecca Philipson showcases herself as a thriller author to watch with her skillful dark storytelling, clever clues, red herrings and surprising twists. It’s one of those books where you have to pay attention to every word as the clues are spread like breadcrumbs throughout the narrative but they are carefully hidden, mixed with lies or red herrings to help disguise them or throw you off the scent and very easy to miss. I admit, Ms. Philipson played me like a fiddle and I missed many of them. But I loved that as there’s nothing better than a book that surprises you with revelations that hit like a bolt out of the blue. And that ending! I am still thinking about it weeks later.
The story is told in alternating chapters by two narrators: serial killer Denver Brady and DI Samantha Hansen. I enjoyed these dual narratives and the decision to tell the killer’s perspective in the form of Denver’s manuscript. This is an original idea that helps this book stand out from other thrillers while we still get the joy of traditional narration from Sam’s chapters. I admit, I’m a sucker for unreliable narrators and chapters from the killer’s perspective, so I loved that not only did we get those but this book took them further and gives us a whole book written by a serial killer. Denver’s how-to guide is a fascinating glimpse into the psyche of a devious, dark, depraved and remorseless killer. He delighted in his murderous exploits and to be passing on his wisdom to burgeoning killers. But there is always the thought in the back of your mind when reading that we don’t know how much of this is fantasy and how much is true. Like Sam, we are looking for clues of its validity and the author’s identity. Then there is Sam who is an unreliable narrator because of her PTSD, so much so that she doesn’t trust herself some of the time. I loved that it added to the tension to never know if what we were reading was actually true or a clever game that the narrator was playing.
One of this book’s strengths is in the characters that Philipson has created, particularly her narrators. They are dynamic, charismatic, complex and nuanced characters who have so much more to them than what we see on the surface. Sam is easy to like and someone I had a lot of sympathy for as I personally know the struggles that come with breakdowns and PTSD. She was well written, expertly conveying her mental health struggles whilst also making her likeable and someone we can root for at every step. Meanwhile Denver is a cold, calculated and twisted killer who also considers himself an empath - something that feels at odds with being a serial killer. But despite his villainy, Denver is compelling and he held me in his thrall at every step.
Heart-pounding, propulsive and addictive, this unforgettable debut is a must for every thriller lover’s 2026 TBR.
With an opening line like that I just knew that I was going to LOVE this book. And I was right. Deliciously dark, sinister, suspenseful and unsettling, this is an outstanding and inventive debut thriller.
Denver Brady claims that he’s the most successful modern serial killer and has written and published a guide for aspiring killers telling them how they can get away with murder. When a copy of that book is found at the home of a young murder victim, DI Samantha Hansen is put in charge of finding the elusive order and bring him to justice. And when Denver’s book goes viral, that pressure ramps up, leaving Sam with a race against the clock to find him.
This astonishing debut is one of the best thrillers I’ve read in a long time. I loved its malevolent tone and the dark humour that was sprinkled throughout. I was pulled into the story from its opening line and it didn’t let go until the last, devouring it in under a day as it was impossible to put down. Rebecca Philipson showcases herself as a thriller author to watch with her skillful dark storytelling, clever clues, red herrings and surprising twists. It’s one of those books where you have to pay attention to every word as the clues are spread like breadcrumbs throughout the narrative but they are carefully hidden, mixed with lies or red herrings to help disguise them or throw you off the scent and very easy to miss. I admit, Ms. Philipson played me like a fiddle and I missed many of them. But I loved that as there’s nothing better than a book that surprises you with revelations that hit like a bolt out of the blue. And that ending! I am still thinking about it weeks later.
The story is told in alternating chapters by two narrators: serial killer Denver Brady and DI Samantha Hansen. I enjoyed these dual narratives and the decision to tell the killer’s perspective in the form of Denver’s manuscript. This is an original idea that helps this book stand out from other thrillers while we still get the joy of traditional narration from Sam’s chapters. I admit, I’m a sucker for unreliable narrators and chapters from the killer’s perspective, so I loved that not only did we get those but this book took them further and gives us a whole book written by a serial killer. Denver’s how-to guide is a fascinating glimpse into the psyche of a devious, dark, depraved and remorseless killer. He delighted in his murderous exploits and to be passing on his wisdom to burgeoning killers. But there is always the thought in the back of your mind when reading that we don’t know how much of this is fantasy and how much is true. Like Sam, we are looking for clues of its validity and the author’s identity. Then there is Sam who is an unreliable narrator because of her PTSD, so much so that she doesn’t trust herself some of the time. I loved that it added to the tension to never know if what we were reading was actually true or a clever game that the narrator was playing.
One of this book’s strengths is in the characters that Philipson has created, particularly her narrators. They are dynamic, charismatic, complex and nuanced characters who have so much more to them than what we see on the surface. Sam is easy to like and someone I had a lot of sympathy for as I personally know the struggles that come with breakdowns and PTSD. She was well written, expertly conveying her mental health struggles whilst also making her likeable and someone we can root for at every step. Meanwhile Denver is a cold, calculated and twisted killer who also considers himself an empath - something that feels at odds with being a serial killer. But despite his villainy, Denver is compelling and he held me in his thrall at every step.
Heart-pounding, propulsive and addictive, this unforgettable debut is a must for every thriller lover’s 2026 TBR.
October 4, 2025
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
A really interesting, impressive debut. A great unique take on the detective genre, and I love a ‘book within a book’. And I will say that I didn’t see the final twist coming!
However, some of the writing is quite clunky. There is a section where Sam remarks that Taylor isn’t telling her something, and then on the next line asks him what he’s not telling her. The audience don’t need to be spoon fed quite that much.
There are also several plot threads that never get wrapped up (the large order from Nando’s for example). Sam remarks that sometimes in real cases, not everything gets wrapped up neatly. But in fiction, it really needs to be.
I’m begging publishers to stop putting Americanisms in British books. It really takes me out of the moment to see the characters discussing sweatpants, garbage and pacifiers.
Also, bungalows don’t have an upstairs.
A really interesting, impressive debut. A great unique take on the detective genre, and I love a ‘book within a book’. And I will say that I didn’t see the final twist coming!
However, some of the writing is quite clunky. There is a section where Sam remarks that Taylor isn’t telling her something, and then on the next line asks him what he’s not telling her. The audience don’t need to be spoon fed quite that much.
There are also several plot threads that never get wrapped up (the large order from Nando’s for example). Sam remarks that sometimes in real cases, not everything gets wrapped up neatly. But in fiction, it really needs to be.
I’m begging publishers to stop putting Americanisms in British books. It really takes me out of the moment to see the characters discussing sweatpants, garbage and pacifiers.
Also, bungalows don’t have an upstairs.
September 28, 2025
What a debut novel. Gripping with a very different approach. I would highly recommend reading.
The story follows DI Sam Hansen, who is returning to work after a trauma so has her own demons to fight as well as the crime she's investigating. The crime is a murder of a young girl who was found with a book, 'How to Get Away with Murder'. We read chapters of this book as we read which is a nice change.
There are a lot of levels to this book, with lot's of twists to keep you guessing. We also have the personal life of DI Hansen, and I found myself really connecting to her. My only negative with this book is that I felt it was overly long at times and could have been condensed a little.
Thank you to NetGalley, Rebecca Philipson and the publishers for the chance to read the ARC.
The story follows DI Sam Hansen, who is returning to work after a trauma so has her own demons to fight as well as the crime she's investigating. The crime is a murder of a young girl who was found with a book, 'How to Get Away with Murder'. We read chapters of this book as we read which is a nice change.
There are a lot of levels to this book, with lot's of twists to keep you guessing. We also have the personal life of DI Hansen, and I found myself really connecting to her. My only negative with this book is that I felt it was overly long at times and could have been condensed a little.
Thank you to NetGalley, Rebecca Philipson and the publishers for the chance to read the ARC.
November 12, 2025
This turned out to be a great read and good debut from the author. The first few chapters are a little slow due to trying to understand what is going on with Sam, the main character, but once the story settles in it is truly binge-worthy. My only gripe is that the end is a little weak even though I could understand the point of it.
Thanks to Netgalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to Netgalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 7, 2025
What a treat! A twisted tale like no other this reader has encountered, so compulsively readable you will struggle to put it down.
As the title implies, this book features a diabolical author who somewhat cheekily (and exceedingly disturbingly) runs through a list of tips and techniques to show him doing exactly that - that is, Getting away with Murder. (With a capital M and a bit of a lip roll!)
Is our repugnant and fiendish author actually a serial killer? Are the horrific case-studies he describes real, or simply fiction? And most chilling of all - is this ne’er-do-well killer a normal dude, hidden amongst our literary friends, masquerading as one of them, nothing but a nameless face in the crowd?
DI Sam Hansen is a PTSD survivor, on leave from the police force after suffering a traumatic attack. With her close-to-perfect close rate, Past Sam is a crackerjack cop. Current Sam, maybe not so much.
Desperate to prove herself, Sam takes her newest case to heart — the murder of a fourteen year old girl, whose death soon puts our sinister author directly in her headlights. Partnered with a trainee detective constable, the dreamy Adam Taylor, who is model-perfect yet not above a charming self-conscious blush, Sam’s clumsy attempts to get back to work may soon see her misfiring on many cylinders. Which only makes the read more perfect — as we root for Sam, for Adam, and for justice, we will busy ourselves with plenty of mystery solving too — or should I say mysteries, as this book is loaded with them, and with enough twists and turns to keep a reader (along with our buddy, the cuddlesome canine Toni) scampering to keep up.
Without giving the plot away (no spoilers here) prepare to be surprised, charmed, repulsed and intrigued, at the many creepy, compelling and downright maddening characters you will meet between these pages.
With a terrific ending this hits all the right notes, there are, however, a few remaining tantalizing questions. Just enough to make this reader, for one, desperately hope for a sequel!
A great big thank you to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for an ARC of this book. All thoughts presented are my own.
**four and a half shiny stars
As the title implies, this book features a diabolical author who somewhat cheekily (and exceedingly disturbingly) runs through a list of tips and techniques to show him doing exactly that - that is, Getting away with Murder. (With a capital M and a bit of a lip roll!)
Is our repugnant and fiendish author actually a serial killer? Are the horrific case-studies he describes real, or simply fiction? And most chilling of all - is this ne’er-do-well killer a normal dude, hidden amongst our literary friends, masquerading as one of them, nothing but a nameless face in the crowd?
DI Sam Hansen is a PTSD survivor, on leave from the police force after suffering a traumatic attack. With her close-to-perfect close rate, Past Sam is a crackerjack cop. Current Sam, maybe not so much.
Desperate to prove herself, Sam takes her newest case to heart — the murder of a fourteen year old girl, whose death soon puts our sinister author directly in her headlights. Partnered with a trainee detective constable, the dreamy Adam Taylor, who is model-perfect yet not above a charming self-conscious blush, Sam’s clumsy attempts to get back to work may soon see her misfiring on many cylinders. Which only makes the read more perfect — as we root for Sam, for Adam, and for justice, we will busy ourselves with plenty of mystery solving too — or should I say mysteries, as this book is loaded with them, and with enough twists and turns to keep a reader (along with our buddy, the cuddlesome canine Toni) scampering to keep up.
Without giving the plot away (no spoilers here) prepare to be surprised, charmed, repulsed and intrigued, at the many creepy, compelling and downright maddening characters you will meet between these pages.
With a terrific ending this hits all the right notes, there are, however, a few remaining tantalizing questions. Just enough to make this reader, for one, desperately hope for a sequel!
A great big thank you to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for an ARC of this book. All thoughts presented are my own.
**four and a half shiny stars
September 20, 2025
“My name is Denver Brady, and I am a serial killer.”
What an opening line to hook you right in! How to Get Away with Murder is a book within a book. The narrative alternates between chilling, yet often humourous, excerpts from a novel allegedly written by a serial killer and the perspective of DI Sam Hansen.
Sam has been off-duty, recovering from PTSD, but one evening she stumbles across the crime scene of a young girl, where a copy of How to Get Away with Murder is found beside the body. This pushes Sam to return to work and she is soon helping to investigate the murder which mirrors one described in the book. Sam must analyse the book to ascertain whether it truly is written by a real killer or a delusional fantasist. And if Denver is real, did he kill Charlotte or is there a dangerous copycat on the loose?
I had fun trying to solve the mystery myself. I had a big list of notes and ended up with eight reasons why I thought I knew who Denver Brady was… However, I was way off but loved the journey nevertheless!
A highlight for me was the humour in the book. Both Sam and Denver have some cracking lines, despite Denver being an awful person obviously! One favourite was: “my house looks like the kind of place Liam Neeson would rescue his daughter from.”
A fantastic debut from Philipson. Clever, dark and thoroughly entertaining.
Thank you to Bantam for the proof copy.
What an opening line to hook you right in! How to Get Away with Murder is a book within a book. The narrative alternates between chilling, yet often humourous, excerpts from a novel allegedly written by a serial killer and the perspective of DI Sam Hansen.
Sam has been off-duty, recovering from PTSD, but one evening she stumbles across the crime scene of a young girl, where a copy of How to Get Away with Murder is found beside the body. This pushes Sam to return to work and she is soon helping to investigate the murder which mirrors one described in the book. Sam must analyse the book to ascertain whether it truly is written by a real killer or a delusional fantasist. And if Denver is real, did he kill Charlotte or is there a dangerous copycat on the loose?
I had fun trying to solve the mystery myself. I had a big list of notes and ended up with eight reasons why I thought I knew who Denver Brady was… However, I was way off but loved the journey nevertheless!
A highlight for me was the humour in the book. Both Sam and Denver have some cracking lines, despite Denver being an awful person obviously! One favourite was: “my house looks like the kind of place Liam Neeson would rescue his daughter from.”
A fantastic debut from Philipson. Clever, dark and thoroughly entertaining.
Thank you to Bantam for the proof copy.
October 9, 2025
How To Get Away With Murder
3.75 ⭐️
Returning from work after a traumatizing incident 6 months prior, DI Sam Hansen must track down an alleged serial killer who has hidden his secrets away in a book found at the scene of a murder.
Overall I think this book was a lot of fun and had a compelling narrative and central mystery. I do wish we had a little more depth at times but still enjoyed it quite a bit.
What I Loved
- a strong FMC who, despite every reason to stay home, comes back to work to help catch the murderer of a teenage girl. Sam is awesome! At first I was like “babe, get it together” but then she actually started to get it together and she was so likable and smart and clever that it was impossible not to route for her.
- compelling and emotional central plot. The murder of poor Charlotte is heartbreaking and the way the author writes the grief of her friends and family is very visceral and had me getting emotional.
- strong voice . The author clearly had something she wanted to say and I think she did it brilliantly.
- London. Enough said.
- ambiguity. I love that the author trusts us, the readers, enough to not spell everything out. I kept expecting a big plot twist but I like that it was all laid out for us just like it was Sam and we just had to put the puzzle pieces together along with her. It felt very satisfying. I had my own suspects for sure but I like where it ended up. (I do think some readers may not like that it’s not wrapped in a neat little bow but I thought it was great)
Fell Flat
- romance??? I’m not sure if it was supposed to develop into a slight romance and that part got sidelined but it definitely had the bones for it? Not sure what happened there but it didn’t feel tidy to me. Would liked to have seen that developed more OR just left out completely.
- lack of emotional depth with the main character AT TIMES. I won’t say she was flat the whole way, cause she was very lively, but I wish we got a little bit more vulnerability from her on page. Some scenes happen off page and we hear about them after the fact or we get very brief moments of tenderness but I think she’d be even easier to route for if we got to see the depth more often. I know that would ruin some of the twists throughout but idk sometimes I just wanted to know more.
I really enjoyed this and think any fans of this type of dual timeline/POV (kinda????) mystery/suspense/thriller will find it engaging. I could totally see this as a future T.V. show and think the format would convert easily over to that type of media, alternating episodes of manuscript chapters and present investigation.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins Press for providing me with an advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest feedback!
3.75 ⭐️
Returning from work after a traumatizing incident 6 months prior, DI Sam Hansen must track down an alleged serial killer who has hidden his secrets away in a book found at the scene of a murder.
Overall I think this book was a lot of fun and had a compelling narrative and central mystery. I do wish we had a little more depth at times but still enjoyed it quite a bit.
What I Loved
- a strong FMC who, despite every reason to stay home, comes back to work to help catch the murderer of a teenage girl. Sam is awesome! At first I was like “babe, get it together” but then she actually started to get it together and she was so likable and smart and clever that it was impossible not to route for her.
- compelling and emotional central plot. The murder of poor Charlotte is heartbreaking and the way the author writes the grief of her friends and family is very visceral and had me getting emotional.
- strong voice . The author clearly had something she wanted to say and I think she did it brilliantly.
- London. Enough said.
- ambiguity. I love that the author trusts us, the readers, enough to not spell everything out. I kept expecting a big plot twist but I like that it was all laid out for us just like it was Sam and we just had to put the puzzle pieces together along with her. It felt very satisfying. I had my own suspects for sure but I like where it ended up. (I do think some readers may not like that it’s not wrapped in a neat little bow but I thought it was great)
Fell Flat
- romance??? I’m not sure if it was supposed to develop into a slight romance and that part got sidelined but it definitely had the bones for it? Not sure what happened there but it didn’t feel tidy to me. Would liked to have seen that developed more OR just left out completely.
- lack of emotional depth with the main character AT TIMES. I won’t say she was flat the whole way, cause she was very lively, but I wish we got a little bit more vulnerability from her on page. Some scenes happen off page and we hear about them after the fact or we get very brief moments of tenderness but I think she’d be even easier to route for if we got to see the depth more often. I know that would ruin some of the twists throughout but idk sometimes I just wanted to know more.
I really enjoyed this and think any fans of this type of dual timeline/POV (kinda????) mystery/suspense/thriller will find it engaging. I could totally see this as a future T.V. show and think the format would convert easily over to that type of media, alternating episodes of manuscript chapters and present investigation.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins Press for providing me with an advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest feedback!
October 13, 2025
My Thoughts
4.5 stars
Devoured this book in just over a day because I just could not put it down.
Excellent writing, totally fresh idea, brilliant characters and so much suspense! I had so many guesses as to who I thought Denver Brady might be and I was wrong but I did guess one of the other rotters.
Loved the use of mixed fonts within the book and the idea of having a manual on how to get away with murder as part of the story. Totally unique.
And now I have so many questions Rebecca!!! That ending was a jaw dropper I did not anticipate and I cannot wait for your next book which I know carries at least one of the characters forward.
Many thanks to @alison_is_reading for my copy which I picked up at the Transworld lunch at Harrogate Crime. Was also great to meet Rebecca in York recently and hear her talk about her book and all the research she did before writing it.
Can’t recommend this more highly, so get this on your tbr book friends. It’s out 12th March 2026.
4.5 stars
Devoured this book in just over a day because I just could not put it down.
Excellent writing, totally fresh idea, brilliant characters and so much suspense! I had so many guesses as to who I thought Denver Brady might be and I was wrong but I did guess one of the other rotters.
Loved the use of mixed fonts within the book and the idea of having a manual on how to get away with murder as part of the story. Totally unique.
And now I have so many questions Rebecca!!! That ending was a jaw dropper I did not anticipate and I cannot wait for your next book which I know carries at least one of the characters forward.
Many thanks to @alison_is_reading for my copy which I picked up at the Transworld lunch at Harrogate Crime. Was also great to meet Rebecca in York recently and hear her talk about her book and all the research she did before writing it.
Can’t recommend this more highly, so get this on your tbr book friends. It’s out 12th March 2026.
November 21, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ A solid debut, but didn’t quite meet my anticipation
One thing I did find unique was the book-within-a-book element — unlike anything I’ve read before and loved that aspect!!
The book started off pretty slow for me, though it picked up around the 40% mark and kept me hooked from there! Still, the pacing overall felt jumpy at times. There were many moments that it was obvious Sam wasn’t truly ready to come back, but of course her working through trauma was a key drove factor of the book. I also wasn’t a fan of the repeated “I have something important to tell you—oh wait, we’re interrupted” moments, which was used a bit too often for my taste.
The final 20% took a surprising turn, but I was definitely intrigued and it kept me on my toes!! wasn’t expecting the ending in the slightest.
So thankful for the opportunity to receive as an ARC and will recommend to friends!!
One thing I did find unique was the book-within-a-book element — unlike anything I’ve read before and loved that aspect!!
The book started off pretty slow for me, though it picked up around the 40% mark and kept me hooked from there! Still, the pacing overall felt jumpy at times. There were many moments that it was obvious Sam wasn’t truly ready to come back, but of course her working through trauma was a key drove factor of the book. I also wasn’t a fan of the repeated “I have something important to tell you—oh wait, we’re interrupted” moments, which was used a bit too often for my taste.
The final 20% took a surprising turn, but I was definitely intrigued and it kept me on my toes!! wasn’t expecting the ending in the slightest.
So thankful for the opportunity to receive as an ARC and will recommend to friends!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
Rebecca hooked me from the very first line:
“I am Denver Brady, and I am a serial killer.”
From that moment, I knew I was in for a great read—especially as someone who loves true crime.
This book is gripping and addictive. I loved the book-within-a-book approach, and Rebecca executed it so well. Her writing style is strong, and it really shows in how carefully the characters are developed. For a debut, this is truly impressive.
The story centers around uncovering who the real serial killer is, and I had so many theories… all of them wrong. The twists were clever, and the final reveal completely shocked me. I genuinely did not see that ending coming🤯
This was such a compelling read, and I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s room for a part two. I’d definitely pick it up😍😍
Rebecca hooked me from the very first line:
“I am Denver Brady, and I am a serial killer.”
From that moment, I knew I was in for a great read—especially as someone who loves true crime.
This book is gripping and addictive. I loved the book-within-a-book approach, and Rebecca executed it so well. Her writing style is strong, and it really shows in how carefully the characters are developed. For a debut, this is truly impressive.
The story centers around uncovering who the real serial killer is, and I had so many theories… all of them wrong. The twists were clever, and the final reveal completely shocked me. I genuinely did not see that ending coming🤯
This was such a compelling read, and I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s room for a part two. I’d definitely pick it up😍😍
November 10, 2025
Initially I had trouble getting into this novel as the beginning is a little confusing, but once I did it was fascinating! A teenager grows up to be a serial killer when he realizes the possibilities are endless. And then there's the book, How to Get Away with Murder that becomes a bestseller as there is no book on the market quite like it! We are there to witness some of the gruesome murders but the detectives are dumbfounded as the clues don't add up. It's a race to the finish as we know there will be more if the killer isn't stopped!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
September 29, 2025
I enjoyed this book about a murder that happens but sounds like something from a book named ‘How to get away with murder’ - a manual from a serial killer giving tips on how to commit the perfect crime. It has chapters in it from the book and I just love the book in a book premise I’ve seen a few times now (The Midnight King and the Nothing Man immediately come to mind). This was a bit long and in parts but good character development, kept me hooked and a satisfying ending. Well worth a read!
September 28, 2025
4.5* rounded up
November 7, 2025
Very fresh in an otherwise monotonous genre.
I was given a review copy by the publisher.
I was given a review copy by the publisher.
October 3, 2025
What a brilliant debut. I was gripped throughout and the book kept me guessing right up until the end. I loved the book within a book concept and enjoyed reading it alongside Sam, our female main character. I had so many theories throughout and was happy to be proved wrong with them all. The dark humour woven throughout was brilliant. I chuckled so many times reading it. I loved the characterisation in the book and particularly loved Sam. I cannot wait to see what this author brings next. This is wickedly clever, utterly original and wholeheartedly addictive.
October 24, 2025
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.
The book is very, very well written. I enjoyed it immensely. Detective Inspector Samantha Hansen, Sam is investigating a murder of a 14 year old girl. The murder she believes is staged and is made to look like it was perpetrated by a self proclaimed serial killer and author of a book found near the Dead girls body. The investigation starts to centralize around the serial killer instead of looking for the girls real "copycat" Killer. Her bosses within her department won't listen to her or her theories of other people are actually who they are looking for instead of the innocent man they have arrested. She even gets suspended so they can keep her out of the investigation. Let's just say there is a huge plot twist at the end you don't want to miss. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it is a must read in my opinion.
The book is very, very well written. I enjoyed it immensely. Detective Inspector Samantha Hansen, Sam is investigating a murder of a 14 year old girl. The murder she believes is staged and is made to look like it was perpetrated by a self proclaimed serial killer and author of a book found near the Dead girls body. The investigation starts to centralize around the serial killer instead of looking for the girls real "copycat" Killer. Her bosses within her department won't listen to her or her theories of other people are actually who they are looking for instead of the innocent man they have arrested. She even gets suspended so they can keep her out of the investigation. Let's just say there is a huge plot twist at the end you don't want to miss. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it is a must read in my opinion.
November 9, 2025
I received a free advance copy from Goodreads campaign but opinions in this review are my own.
This is a great read! I love a good murder mystery and Rebecca Philipson did not disappoint. The subtle foreshadowing throughout makes it hard to put down. I was certain that I knew how all the pieces were going to come together. Well, I did not. I don't want to give too much away so I'll leave you to know that the ending is pure brilliance!
This is a great read! I love a good murder mystery and Rebecca Philipson did not disappoint. The subtle foreshadowing throughout makes it hard to put down. I was certain that I knew how all the pieces were going to come together. Well, I did not. I don't want to give too much away so I'll leave you to know that the ending is pure brilliance!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
An unconventional, twisty little murder mystery
How to Get Away with Murder is not just the name of Rebecca Philipson's debut mystery novel -- it's also the name of a fictional self-help book by someone who calls himself Denver Brady. Brady's book comes to the attention of DI Samantha (Sam) Hansen when it is found near the body of murdered 14-year-old Charlotte Mathers. In his book, Brady claims to be a successful serial killer who has murdered more people than any other serial killer and remained uncaught. The book describes several murders he has done and describes his methods.
Sam is on partial medical leave because she had a breakdown not long ago, and her psychologist thinks she is not yet fully recovered. She begs to be put on the Mathers case. Her superior officer has misgivings about throwing Sam into such a stressful, high stakes investigation in her still mentally fragile state. He consents to allowing her a subordinate role in the investigation. Sam's job is to track down Denver Brady. Sam of course realizes that the presence of the book near the body is not proof that Brady had anything to do with the murder. However, even if Brady didn't murder Charlotte, he is, by his own words, a multiple murderer, who needs to be investigated and caught.
I am not, generally speaking, a fan of the mystery genre. The artificiality puts me off. A conventional mystery must follow a whole long list of stupid rules. (See Benjamin Stevenson's Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone for a mystery novel built around this fact). But in How to Get Away with Murder Philipson's first goal seems to have been to write a good novel with, especially towards the end, a bunch of clever plot twists. I'm not sure if she followed all the rules, and honestly, I don't care.
It is a debut novel, and alas, it shows. For instance, there's a plot twist at 80% that Philipson teases repeatedly throughout earlier chapters. After a while I wanted to shout at her, "Would you cut that out? I got it -- Adam has something to tell Sam -- you can stop hinting at it now." Another problem is that Brady's fictional murder self-help book is included in its entirety. In the early parts of the novel every other chapter is a chapter from Brady's book. And Brady doesn't write well. He's boring, even when he's writing about murdering people.
However, I enjoyed it a lot. Especially I liked the last few chapters, when things got really twisty.
Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for an Advance Reader copy of How to Get Away with Murder. Release date 24-Feb=2026.
Blog review.
How to Get Away with Murder is not just the name of Rebecca Philipson's debut mystery novel -- it's also the name of a fictional self-help book by someone who calls himself Denver Brady. Brady's book comes to the attention of DI Samantha (Sam) Hansen when it is found near the body of murdered 14-year-old Charlotte Mathers. In his book, Brady claims to be a successful serial killer who has murdered more people than any other serial killer and remained uncaught. The book describes several murders he has done and describes his methods.
Sam is on partial medical leave because she had a breakdown not long ago, and her psychologist thinks she is not yet fully recovered. She begs to be put on the Mathers case. Her superior officer has misgivings about throwing Sam into such a stressful, high stakes investigation in her still mentally fragile state. He consents to allowing her a subordinate role in the investigation. Sam's job is to track down Denver Brady. Sam of course realizes that the presence of the book near the body is not proof that Brady had anything to do with the murder. However, even if Brady didn't murder Charlotte, he is, by his own words, a multiple murderer, who needs to be investigated and caught.
I am not, generally speaking, a fan of the mystery genre. The artificiality puts me off. A conventional mystery must follow a whole long list of stupid rules. (See Benjamin Stevenson's Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone for a mystery novel built around this fact). But in How to Get Away with Murder Philipson's first goal seems to have been to write a good novel with, especially towards the end, a bunch of clever plot twists. I'm not sure if she followed all the rules, and honestly, I don't care.
It is a debut novel, and alas, it shows. For instance, there's a plot twist at 80% that Philipson teases repeatedly throughout earlier chapters. After a while I wanted to shout at her, "Would you cut that out? I got it -- Adam has something to tell Sam -- you can stop hinting at it now." Another problem is that Brady's fictional murder self-help book is included in its entirety. In the early parts of the novel every other chapter is a chapter from Brady's book. And Brady doesn't write well. He's boring, even when he's writing about murdering people.
However, I enjoyed it a lot. Especially I liked the last few chapters, when things got really twisty.
Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for an Advance Reader copy of How to Get Away with Murder. Release date 24-Feb=2026.
Blog review.
December 5, 2025
I need everyone to sit down for a second because THIS IS A DEBUT?
Rebecca Philipson just strolled in and drop-kicked the thriller genre with a concept so clever I had to check the cover twice to make sure it wasn't secretly written by Lisa Jewell or Anthony Horowitz. The novel-within-a-novel structure is so bold, so cleanly executed, and so addictive that I had to remind myself that this wasn't written by a thriller veteren flexing on the rest of us. The aesthetic is gritty, clever, and unsettling in the best "I need tea, a blanket, and possibly a high-end security system" kind of way.
DI Samantha Hansen feels heartbreakingly real, her trauma seeps through the pages and adds a raw, human texture to the otherwise tense investigation. The dual narrative is catnip as we bounce between Sam's gritty police investigation and the chillingly calm chapters of Denver Brady's "how-to" manuscript. Everytime you flip to one of Brady's chapters, it feels like walking in the mind of a smiling psychopath who's handing you a scalpel and saying "helpful tips."
Yes, it is dark. We're talking descriptive murder scenes and a past rape mention (thankfully off-page but still heavy). If you're sensitive to those triggers, proceed with care. This is darker than my usual cozy-leaning tastes. But the narrative is so meticulous and the pacing is so tight, that even my gentler palate surrendered with a stunned admiration. This storyline isn't just unique. It's ambitious, audacious, and executed with eerie precision.
Folks, clear your schedules, because once those pages start turning, you're not putting this down until someone tries to pry it from your hands. But then, they better watch out! Because you are learning from a killer who almost never got caught!!!
Would I Recommend it?
Would I wish joy in your life? Would I wish for you to experience the best reading material?
Then you have the answer to this question Pre-order it! Mark 24 Feb 2026 in red! Fight your friends for the ARC! Whatever it takes! This debut deserves to explode.
Let's discuss the Killer Instinct
Have you ever read a thriller that dared to write its murderer inside the story? Would you pick up a fictional "how to" crime manual as a part of a mystery plot, or would it freak you out too much? Tell me your thoughts, my detective friends!
📱📖 Read on Kindle
📃 368 pages
⏱ Read time: ~5 hours
Read as an ARC (thank you, NetGalley!)
🏷️ Publisher: Minotaur Books
📅 Publishing on: February 24, 2026
Rebecca Philipson just strolled in and drop-kicked the thriller genre with a concept so clever I had to check the cover twice to make sure it wasn't secretly written by Lisa Jewell or Anthony Horowitz. The novel-within-a-novel structure is so bold, so cleanly executed, and so addictive that I had to remind myself that this wasn't written by a thriller veteren flexing on the rest of us. The aesthetic is gritty, clever, and unsettling in the best "I need tea, a blanket, and possibly a high-end security system" kind of way.
DI Samantha Hansen feels heartbreakingly real, her trauma seeps through the pages and adds a raw, human texture to the otherwise tense investigation. The dual narrative is catnip as we bounce between Sam's gritty police investigation and the chillingly calm chapters of Denver Brady's "how-to" manuscript. Everytime you flip to one of Brady's chapters, it feels like walking in the mind of a smiling psychopath who's handing you a scalpel and saying "helpful tips."
Yes, it is dark. We're talking descriptive murder scenes and a past rape mention (thankfully off-page but still heavy). If you're sensitive to those triggers, proceed with care. This is darker than my usual cozy-leaning tastes. But the narrative is so meticulous and the pacing is so tight, that even my gentler palate surrendered with a stunned admiration. This storyline isn't just unique. It's ambitious, audacious, and executed with eerie precision.
Folks, clear your schedules, because once those pages start turning, you're not putting this down until someone tries to pry it from your hands. But then, they better watch out! Because you are learning from a killer who almost never got caught!!!
Would I Recommend it?
Would I wish joy in your life? Would I wish for you to experience the best reading material?
Then you have the answer to this question Pre-order it! Mark 24 Feb 2026 in red! Fight your friends for the ARC! Whatever it takes! This debut deserves to explode.
Let's discuss the Killer Instinct
Have you ever read a thriller that dared to write its murderer inside the story? Would you pick up a fictional "how to" crime manual as a part of a mystery plot, or would it freak you out too much? Tell me your thoughts, my detective friends!
📱📖 Read on Kindle
📃 368 pages
⏱ Read time: ~5 hours
Read as an ARC (thank you, NetGalley!)
🏷️ Publisher: Minotaur Books
📅 Publishing on: February 24, 2026
December 20, 2025
My rating: 3.5 stars
How To Get Away With Murder is an impressive debut from Rebecca Philipson, built around a clever and compelling premise that offers a fresh spin on the detective genre. I’ve always liked a book-within-a-book structure, and this novel makes effective use of that device. I’ll also say upfront that I didn't see the final twist coming!
DI Sam Hansen is on leave after being assaulted by a fellow officer, an experience that led to a breakdown. Although her therapist encourages a gradual return to work, Sam resists the idea until she unexpectedly stumbles on a crime scene while heading home from an appointment. Fourteen-year-old Charlotte has been found dead, and Sam immediately decides to return to work and help solve the case. The investigation centers on a suspected serial killer who has written a how-to manual under the pseudonym Denver Brady. A copy of the book is found at Charlotte’s murder scene. The central question becomes whether Charlotte was killed by Denver or by a copycat inspired by the book.
Philipson weaves in contemporary cultural references that help ground the story in a modern setting and contribute to character development. Unfortunately, some of these references, particularly those tied to Sam, felt questionable or awkwardly handled. While Sam is clearly well developed on the page, I struggled to connect with her, largely due to her rapid personality shifts and what felt like forced or ill-fitting cultural touchstones. At times, her decisions came across as unnecessary or implausible stretches.
I do have two main criticisms. First, the writing felt a bit clunky in places, and some of the social commentary, especially as it relates to Sam, didn’t always land for me. Second, while I enjoyed the Denver Brady chapters, I think they would have benefited from being slightly shorter. These chapters were fascinating and important to the plot, but at times they dragged, interrupting the overall pacing.
How To Get Away With Murder is a strong debut with an inventive premise and a genuinely surprising ending. I’d cautiously recommend it to readers who enjoy accessible police procedurals with unexpected twists. Philipson shows a great deal of promise, and I’m interested to see what she does next.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Minotaur Books, and Rebecca Philipson for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
How To Get Away With Murder is an impressive debut from Rebecca Philipson, built around a clever and compelling premise that offers a fresh spin on the detective genre. I’ve always liked a book-within-a-book structure, and this novel makes effective use of that device. I’ll also say upfront that I didn't see the final twist coming!
DI Sam Hansen is on leave after being assaulted by a fellow officer, an experience that led to a breakdown. Although her therapist encourages a gradual return to work, Sam resists the idea until she unexpectedly stumbles on a crime scene while heading home from an appointment. Fourteen-year-old Charlotte has been found dead, and Sam immediately decides to return to work and help solve the case. The investigation centers on a suspected serial killer who has written a how-to manual under the pseudonym Denver Brady. A copy of the book is found at Charlotte’s murder scene. The central question becomes whether Charlotte was killed by Denver or by a copycat inspired by the book.
Philipson weaves in contemporary cultural references that help ground the story in a modern setting and contribute to character development. Unfortunately, some of these references, particularly those tied to Sam, felt questionable or awkwardly handled. While Sam is clearly well developed on the page, I struggled to connect with her, largely due to her rapid personality shifts and what felt like forced or ill-fitting cultural touchstones. At times, her decisions came across as unnecessary or implausible stretches.
I do have two main criticisms. First, the writing felt a bit clunky in places, and some of the social commentary, especially as it relates to Sam, didn’t always land for me. Second, while I enjoyed the Denver Brady chapters, I think they would have benefited from being slightly shorter. These chapters were fascinating and important to the plot, but at times they dragged, interrupting the overall pacing.
How To Get Away With Murder is a strong debut with an inventive premise and a genuinely surprising ending. I’d cautiously recommend it to readers who enjoy accessible police procedurals with unexpected twists. Philipson shows a great deal of promise, and I’m interested to see what she does next.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Minotaur Books, and Rebecca Philipson for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
October 30, 2025
Stunned that How to Get Away with Murder is Rebecca Philipson's debut novel... Absolutely phenomenal job creating a well-maintained plot. If you are a true-crime junkie, this is a must pick-up for 2026! This novel follows a detective, Samantha Hansen, as she tries to piece together whether the newest serial killer in the area is a copy-cat killer or the author of a bestselling book called How To Get Away With Murder.
The fact that a debut author was able to come up with such a unique premise AND execute it well is extremely impressive. This made me excited to see what Rebecca Philipson will do next in her writing career.
Rebecca Philipson started out the novel with a chapter from the "book within the book." This intrigued me and caught my attention straight away. It was a genius way to start the book off and make the reader want more. I adored the fact that we switched from chapters of the "book" to chapters following the detective. It felt as if I was reading two books at once, and it was a good break for the reader. My favorite part of the book was following the author in the book, Denver Brady, and the chapters.
This was completely fast-paced in every element. There was one portion of the novel at about the 3/4 mark that I was losing interest, but it quickly picked back up again with the resolution. Rebecca Philipson allowed the reader to connect the points that the detective was making as she went through reading the book herself. This kept you guessing and thinking alongside the detective. You think you have it all figured out, but you don't.
I am always relieved to read a thriller book where I did not piece together what the ending is going to entail. I was keeping internal notes the whole book as we got little clues here and there from the character's book and the detective. However, my senses were incorrect with where the story would end. It completely got me, and I love to see it!
Thank you NetGalley, Minotaur Books, & Rebecca Philipson for an ARC in exchange for an honest review! How to Get Away with Murder will be released on February 24, 2026!
The fact that a debut author was able to come up with such a unique premise AND execute it well is extremely impressive. This made me excited to see what Rebecca Philipson will do next in her writing career.
Rebecca Philipson started out the novel with a chapter from the "book within the book." This intrigued me and caught my attention straight away. It was a genius way to start the book off and make the reader want more. I adored the fact that we switched from chapters of the "book" to chapters following the detective. It felt as if I was reading two books at once, and it was a good break for the reader. My favorite part of the book was following the author in the book, Denver Brady, and the chapters.
This was completely fast-paced in every element. There was one portion of the novel at about the 3/4 mark that I was losing interest, but it quickly picked back up again with the resolution. Rebecca Philipson allowed the reader to connect the points that the detective was making as she went through reading the book herself. This kept you guessing and thinking alongside the detective. You think you have it all figured out, but you don't.
I am always relieved to read a thriller book where I did not piece together what the ending is going to entail. I was keeping internal notes the whole book as we got little clues here and there from the character's book and the detective. However, my senses were incorrect with where the story would end. It completely got me, and I love to see it!
Thank you NetGalley, Minotaur Books, & Rebecca Philipson for an ARC in exchange for an honest review! How to Get Away with Murder will be released on February 24, 2026!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
As a true crime lover and bibliophile, the premise of How to Get Away with Murder really intrigued me, and I was excited to dive in!
DI Sam has been on leave for months after suffering with her mental health after an incident with a colleague at work. But when she learns of a young girl murdered with a self help guide of ‘How to Get Away with Murder’ next to her, she gains motivation to get back to work to find out more.
I really enjoyed Sam as a main character in this story, she is flawed and vulnerable which makes her instantly likeable and relatable. She makes some questionable decisions at times, but this felt realistic and grounded and not just there for the sake of the plot. Her backstory is revealed to us slowly, but there are enough clues laid down that we can begin to work out what has happened. I really enjoyed her relationship with her rookie coworker - it would have been very easy to make this into a romance from the off but the way the relationship is portrayed felt realistic and not too much – the investigation is still at the forefront of the story.
The chapters are interspersed with extracts from the how-to guide How to Get Away with Murder, in which Denver Brady tells the story of how to avoid discovery as a serial killer and stories of the crimes he has committed. I enjoyed this and it kept me engaged throughout, each chapter also provided important insight as to who the killer may be and clues to his activities. It was a little frustrating that Sam is so slow to read this important book, and therefore some reveals come a lot later in the narrative than they would if she just sat down and read it cover to cover. However, her mental health and fatigue made a good excuse for this, which then worked well for the pacing. I really enjoyed the twist at the end as well – a great conclusion to the plot.
Overall, How to Get Away with Murder is a twisty thriller with a relatable main character. Thank you to NetGalley & Random House UK – Transworld Publishers – Bantam for the chance to read the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
For more of my reviews check out Kindig Blog
DI Sam has been on leave for months after suffering with her mental health after an incident with a colleague at work. But when she learns of a young girl murdered with a self help guide of ‘How to Get Away with Murder’ next to her, she gains motivation to get back to work to find out more.
I really enjoyed Sam as a main character in this story, she is flawed and vulnerable which makes her instantly likeable and relatable. She makes some questionable decisions at times, but this felt realistic and grounded and not just there for the sake of the plot. Her backstory is revealed to us slowly, but there are enough clues laid down that we can begin to work out what has happened. I really enjoyed her relationship with her rookie coworker - it would have been very easy to make this into a romance from the off but the way the relationship is portrayed felt realistic and not too much – the investigation is still at the forefront of the story.
The chapters are interspersed with extracts from the how-to guide How to Get Away with Murder, in which Denver Brady tells the story of how to avoid discovery as a serial killer and stories of the crimes he has committed. I enjoyed this and it kept me engaged throughout, each chapter also provided important insight as to who the killer may be and clues to his activities. It was a little frustrating that Sam is so slow to read this important book, and therefore some reveals come a lot later in the narrative than they would if she just sat down and read it cover to cover. However, her mental health and fatigue made a good excuse for this, which then worked well for the pacing. I really enjoyed the twist at the end as well – a great conclusion to the plot.
Overall, How to Get Away with Murder is a twisty thriller with a relatable main character. Thank you to NetGalley & Random House UK – Transworld Publishers – Bantam for the chance to read the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
For more of my reviews check out Kindig Blog
November 12, 2025
Detective Inspector Samantha Hansen has been on leave for six months, recovering from a breakdown she suffered at work, but when a fourteen-year-old girl is murdered in a local park, Sam jumps at the chance to return to the job and prove that she's still got what it takes to be the Yard's most successful homicide detective. Things get interesting when a copy of a self-help book called How To Get Away With Murder by a man named Denver Brady if found in the victim's backpack.
Brady claims to be the most successful serial killer of our time, which is why no one's ever heard of him. Chapter by chapter, he details his methodology and his past victims, and as Sam's investigation progresses and the details of the book go viral, Sam begins to suspect that there’s more to the author than what he’s revealed. But in order to find a killer and get justice for young Charlotte, Sam must learn to trust her instincts once again, before Denver Brady--or someone else--really does get away with murder.
First of all - "My Name Is Denver Brady, and I Am a Serial Killer"... literally the BEST title of an opening chapter of any book EVER!
Second, Rebecca Philipson - I am TERRIFIED of you! Your knowledge of how to "get away with murder" scared the bejeezus out of me!
I digress.
The story is written as a book within a book, with alternating narrators: Sam (written in third person) and Denver (written in first person). Denver is condescending, proper, well-spoken and quite funny. Sam is a brilliant detective but has a lot of distractions and has trouble focusing on any single one.
I loved that the book was technically accurate with respect to police work and the law without coming across as "technical." I did have some trouble with some of the British terminology, but that is my problem - no reflection on the book at all!
I loved this debut (seriously? debut????) thriller - it had so many twists and turns, I was on the verge of whiplash! Nothing beats a thriller that leaves you with your eyes popping and your jaw on the floor when everything comes unfolds.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books and NetGalley for an advance reading copy of How to Get Away with Murder by Rebecca Philipson. All opinions are my own.
Brady claims to be the most successful serial killer of our time, which is why no one's ever heard of him. Chapter by chapter, he details his methodology and his past victims, and as Sam's investigation progresses and the details of the book go viral, Sam begins to suspect that there’s more to the author than what he’s revealed. But in order to find a killer and get justice for young Charlotte, Sam must learn to trust her instincts once again, before Denver Brady--or someone else--really does get away with murder.
First of all - "My Name Is Denver Brady, and I Am a Serial Killer"... literally the BEST title of an opening chapter of any book EVER!
Second, Rebecca Philipson - I am TERRIFIED of you! Your knowledge of how to "get away with murder" scared the bejeezus out of me!
I digress.
The story is written as a book within a book, with alternating narrators: Sam (written in third person) and Denver (written in first person). Denver is condescending, proper, well-spoken and quite funny. Sam is a brilliant detective but has a lot of distractions and has trouble focusing on any single one.
I loved that the book was technically accurate with respect to police work and the law without coming across as "technical." I did have some trouble with some of the British terminology, but that is my problem - no reflection on the book at all!
I loved this debut (seriously? debut????) thriller - it had so many twists and turns, I was on the verge of whiplash! Nothing beats a thriller that leaves you with your eyes popping and your jaw on the floor when everything comes unfolds.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books and NetGalley for an advance reading copy of How to Get Away with Murder by Rebecca Philipson. All opinions are my own.
October 5, 2025
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.
DI Sam Hansen is on leave after a sexual assault by a fellow officer led to a breakdown, but her therapist is now keen for her to start a gradual return to work. She refuses to consider this, but then on the way home from her appointment comes across a crime scene - a 14 year old girl called Charlotte has been found dead. Sam immediately phones her boss and says she wants to returns to work and be assigned this case. The story is full of such random switches - for example, Sam is extraordinarily rude to the trainee she is supposed to be mentoring to the point of bullying him, until she suddenly starts to confide in him and entertain romantic feelings for him. Sam is generally hard to like.
The part of the case Sam is asked to work on involves a supposed serial killer, who has written a how to manual using the pen name Denver Brady and left a copy of it by Charlotte's body. Was Charlotte killed by Denver or by a copycat?
I found the middle section of this quite gripping, although my preference would have been for the chapters from Denver's book to be shorter - they were a bit dull in places and slowed the momentum of the investigation storyline. The ending was a bit mad - there was no evidence at all to support Sam's spectacular deduction as to the identity of Charlotte's killer. I didn't understand why Sam didn't try harder to explain the things she had discovered about Denver's identity to her colleagues, nor why she didn't consult her union rep when her boss and the HR department suddenly turned on her. There were elements of the story that were not entirely realistic, and the ending was twisty but in ways I always find disappointing. Finally, a lawyer who advises at a police station would not be a KC.
DI Sam Hansen is on leave after a sexual assault by a fellow officer led to a breakdown, but her therapist is now keen for her to start a gradual return to work. She refuses to consider this, but then on the way home from her appointment comes across a crime scene - a 14 year old girl called Charlotte has been found dead. Sam immediately phones her boss and says she wants to returns to work and be assigned this case. The story is full of such random switches - for example, Sam is extraordinarily rude to the trainee she is supposed to be mentoring to the point of bullying him, until she suddenly starts to confide in him and entertain romantic feelings for him. Sam is generally hard to like.
The part of the case Sam is asked to work on involves a supposed serial killer, who has written a how to manual using the pen name Denver Brady and left a copy of it by Charlotte's body. Was Charlotte killed by Denver or by a copycat?
I found the middle section of this quite gripping, although my preference would have been for the chapters from Denver's book to be shorter - they were a bit dull in places and slowed the momentum of the investigation storyline. The ending was a bit mad - there was no evidence at all to support Sam's spectacular deduction as to the identity of Charlotte's killer. I didn't understand why Sam didn't try harder to explain the things she had discovered about Denver's identity to her colleagues, nor why she didn't consult her union rep when her boss and the HR department suddenly turned on her. There were elements of the story that were not entirely realistic, and the ending was twisty but in ways I always find disappointing. Finally, a lawyer who advises at a police station would not be a KC.
November 9, 2025
I was unfortunately constantly frustrated by this book instead of enthralled, and I found myself rolling my eyes far too much at how the lead investigator's (in)action is written, the same way one might yell at a detective on the TV that's missing what feels like many obvious clues, except not in a fun way.
The title is fab and the conceit of the novel, with chapters alternating between a murderer's book and an investigation into a possible copycat, was great. The execution just left me cold, and feeling like a large part of the last 20% or so of the novel was inorganically tacked on from another story, even if it tried to bring it all back around.
The novel is written to make main character Sam be in the thralls of a complicated mental health moment, which could be interesting – but it's written touch and go with insufficient and inconsistent character development, so it all ends up just becoming almost a tool to forestall the story's pacing. Say, she misses very clear clues (veeeeery plainly laid) but when she does make breakthroughs, they're written to be very tell-don't-show. Several comments in her first person insertions end up being quite clunky, as do inclusions of random song lyrics and some pop culture references.
Also not-my-cup-of-tea was what felt like an extreme overuse of the "I have to tell you something important! oh, wait, we're being interrupted" trope.
And while I understand the author wanted to maybe play with form, the sudden and random insertion of meta commentary in the latter chapters was too jarring and did not work for me at all (like a character literally saying "oh I feel as if I've been tacked on at the end of the story to convey important information, wink wink")
Overall this was sadly just not for me.
[Thanks to netgalley, the author and publisher for access to an ARC to form an honest opinion]
The title is fab and the conceit of the novel, with chapters alternating between a murderer's book and an investigation into a possible copycat, was great. The execution just left me cold, and feeling like a large part of the last 20% or so of the novel was inorganically tacked on from another story, even if it tried to bring it all back around.
The novel is written to make main character Sam be in the thralls of a complicated mental health moment, which could be interesting – but it's written touch and go with insufficient and inconsistent character development, so it all ends up just becoming almost a tool to forestall the story's pacing. Say, she misses very clear clues (veeeeery plainly laid) but when she does make breakthroughs, they're written to be very tell-don't-show. Several comments in her first person insertions end up being quite clunky, as do inclusions of random song lyrics and some pop culture references.
Also not-my-cup-of-tea was what felt like an extreme overuse of the "I have to tell you something important! oh, wait, we're being interrupted" trope.
And while I understand the author wanted to maybe play with form, the sudden and random insertion of meta commentary in the latter chapters was too jarring and did not work for me at all (like a character literally saying "oh I feel as if I've been tacked on at the end of the story to convey important information, wink wink")
Overall this was sadly just not for me.
[Thanks to netgalley, the author and publisher for access to an ARC to form an honest opinion]
November 18, 2025
I skimmed the first paragraph and then proceeded to not put it back down again until I was done.
This is a gripping tail following police detective Sam Hansen as she gets pulled in to solve the murder of a 14-year-old girl Charlotte. What makes this case so griping? A book titled How to Get Away with Murder a seemingly help guide to actually escape capture, is found next to her corpse.
The author does a fantastic job of pulling you through this killer psyche, making the reader both interested and disgusted at the same time.
The characters are interesting but could be fleshed out a bit more. The mystery was super fun, I enjoyed basically trying to keep track of three different mysteries and understand how they link together. There is a bit of slump about 75% of the way in, but the final payoff is *chef's kiss .
Minor Spoiler
MAJOR Spoiler
This was super fun and a great debut by Rebecca Philipson. Can't wait to read her next one!
I hope this gets picked up to be a TV show I feel like this would be super easy to adapt.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advance copy of this novel.
This is a gripping tail following police detective Sam Hansen as she gets pulled in to solve the murder of a 14-year-old girl Charlotte. What makes this case so griping? A book titled How to Get Away with Murder a seemingly help guide to actually escape capture, is found next to her corpse.
The author does a fantastic job of pulling you through this killer psyche, making the reader both interested and disgusted at the same time.
The characters are interesting but could be fleshed out a bit more. The mystery was super fun, I enjoyed basically trying to keep track of three different mysteries and understand how they link together. There is a bit of slump about 75% of the way in, but the final payoff is *chef's kiss .
Minor Spoiler
MAJOR Spoiler
This was super fun and a great debut by Rebecca Philipson. Can't wait to read her next one!
I hope this gets picked up to be a TV show I feel like this would be super easy to adapt.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advance copy of this novel.
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