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How to Get Away with Murder
Not yet published
Expected 24 Feb 26"If you picked up this book because you truly want to get away with murder, you will not be disappointed. Simply turn the page and we'll get started."
This 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 case's 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.
A Macmillan Audio production from Minotaur Books
This 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 case's 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.
A Macmillan Audio production from Minotaur Books
12 pages, Audible Audio
Expected publication February 24, 2026
109 people are currently reading
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February 12, 2026
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:
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January 18, 2026
3.5 stars
A fun, snarky, clever, “book within a book” plot!
This debut novel follows a hard working and results-driven police detective who is returning to work after being on leave for six months following a breakdown. She is determined to make an immediate impact on the job, even though her doctors suggest she take it slowly. A high visibility murder case lands in her team’s hands and she finds herself back in a leadership investigative role.
I love stories that involve the book within a book trope and this one was done so well! A serial killers guidebook is left at the scene of a murder. As police review the step-by-step serial killer handbook for possible clues, a race against the clock begins as they find similarities to their own current and some cold cases.
The narrative switches between the present day police investigation and the serial killer manual chapters. The pace was quick and captivating, and the flow seamlessly linked the narratives which kept me wanting to read on. The guidebook has a dark, sarcastic snark that was highly entertaining, uncomfortable, and addictive. It was a brilliant plot facilitator that kept the storyline driving forward.
There is a dog companion that I absolutely loved! This rescued canine was a great addition to the story that somewhat lightened the tone at times.
My investment was stronger in the first half of this novel. I flew through those chapters within a day. After that point, the plot took a turn into implausibility, as several elements became convenient. The last third was entertaining, but I lost most of my investment due to the unrealistic aspects. Whenever characters wear disguises, it’s usually a deal breaker for me.
Overall, this was a great debut novel showcasing a fresh, dark and fun plot. This authors writing shows so much potential and I look forward to reading whatever she publishes next!
Thank you to the publisher for my review copy!
This publishes on February 24th!
A fun, snarky, clever, “book within a book” plot!
This debut novel follows a hard working and results-driven police detective who is returning to work after being on leave for six months following a breakdown. She is determined to make an immediate impact on the job, even though her doctors suggest she take it slowly. A high visibility murder case lands in her team’s hands and she finds herself back in a leadership investigative role.
I love stories that involve the book within a book trope and this one was done so well! A serial killers guidebook is left at the scene of a murder. As police review the step-by-step serial killer handbook for possible clues, a race against the clock begins as they find similarities to their own current and some cold cases.
The narrative switches between the present day police investigation and the serial killer manual chapters. The pace was quick and captivating, and the flow seamlessly linked the narratives which kept me wanting to read on. The guidebook has a dark, sarcastic snark that was highly entertaining, uncomfortable, and addictive. It was a brilliant plot facilitator that kept the storyline driving forward.
There is a dog companion that I absolutely loved! This rescued canine was a great addition to the story that somewhat lightened the tone at times.
My investment was stronger in the first half of this novel. I flew through those chapters within a day. After that point, the plot took a turn into implausibility, as several elements became convenient. The last third was entertaining, but I lost most of my investment due to the unrealistic aspects. Whenever characters wear disguises, it’s usually a deal breaker for me.
Overall, this was a great debut novel showcasing a fresh, dark and fun plot. This authors writing shows so much potential and I look forward to reading whatever she publishes next!
Thank you to the publisher for my review copy!
This publishes on February 24th!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Murder, she read.
When a copy of a self-published "how-to" guide for aspiring murderers turns up at the scene of a murdered fourteen-year-old girl, Detective Inspector Samantha Hansen of Scotland Yard is called back from medical leave to investigate. The book's author, who calls himself Denver Brady, claims to be the most successful serial killer of all time because no one has ever caught him. As Sam digs deeper, it becomes increasingly unclear whether Brady is a hoax, a genius, or something much worse.
In her debut How to Get Away with Murder, Rebecca Philipson turns the familiar procedural hunt for a killer into something sly, surprising, and darkly entertaining, alternating between Sam's present-day investigation and excerpts from Brady's manual, which reads like American Psycho meets The Serial Killer's Guide to Success. The pacing is quick and propulsive, and the snarky, sardonic tone of Brady's chapters gives the novel a gleefully twisted energy. The "book within a book" trope works brilliantly as a storytelling engine, even if Brady's gleeful oversharing strains credibility (surely the world's greatest murderer wouldn't be this chatty about his own conquests?).
While the second half of the novel goes off the rails a bit, demanding a healthy suspension of disbelief as coincidence piles upon coincidence, by then I was too entertained to care. Sam Hansen is a strong, flawed protagonist I'd happily follow into another case, and Philipson's debut shows real confidence and craft.
I alternated between print and audio, and the audiobook - narrated by Michael Geary and Tamsin Kennard - elevated the experience, with standout performances by both narrators. Geary brings a wicked charm and dry menace to Brady, while Kennard perfectly captures Sam's intelligence and determination.
Dark, clever, and deliciously meta, How to Get Away with Murder was wicked fun, and I'll be first in line for Philipson's next case.
Many thanks to St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for providing me with copies of the book and the audiobook via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
"How to Get Away with Murder" is slated to be released on February 24, 2026.
When a copy of a self-published "how-to" guide for aspiring murderers turns up at the scene of a murdered fourteen-year-old girl, Detective Inspector Samantha Hansen of Scotland Yard is called back from medical leave to investigate. The book's author, who calls himself Denver Brady, claims to be the most successful serial killer of all time because no one has ever caught him. As Sam digs deeper, it becomes increasingly unclear whether Brady is a hoax, a genius, or something much worse.
In her debut How to Get Away with Murder, Rebecca Philipson turns the familiar procedural hunt for a killer into something sly, surprising, and darkly entertaining, alternating between Sam's present-day investigation and excerpts from Brady's manual, which reads like American Psycho meets The Serial Killer's Guide to Success. The pacing is quick and propulsive, and the snarky, sardonic tone of Brady's chapters gives the novel a gleefully twisted energy. The "book within a book" trope works brilliantly as a storytelling engine, even if Brady's gleeful oversharing strains credibility (surely the world's greatest murderer wouldn't be this chatty about his own conquests?).
While the second half of the novel goes off the rails a bit, demanding a healthy suspension of disbelief as coincidence piles upon coincidence, by then I was too entertained to care. Sam Hansen is a strong, flawed protagonist I'd happily follow into another case, and Philipson's debut shows real confidence and craft.
I alternated between print and audio, and the audiobook - narrated by Michael Geary and Tamsin Kennard - elevated the experience, with standout performances by both narrators. Geary brings a wicked charm and dry menace to Brady, while Kennard perfectly captures Sam's intelligence and determination.
Dark, clever, and deliciously meta, How to Get Away with Murder was wicked fun, and I'll be first in line for Philipson's next case.
Many thanks to St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for providing me with copies of the book and the audiobook via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
"How to Get Away with Murder" is slated to be released on February 24, 2026.
February 1, 2026
"I acknowledge the structure is less formulaic than you're accustomed to, but why can't a serial killer push genre boundaries?"
My head is still spinning from this brilliantly written, mind-blowing tale! Combining two of my favorite tropes—serial killer thrillers and a "book within a book" narrative— Rebecca Philipson cleverly crafted a truly original, gripping mystery. When a 14-year-old girl is found dead—her body posed—with a copy of a how-to manual for serial killers next to her, DI Samantha "Sam" Hansen is drawn back from medical leave to join the hunt for the murderer.
Sam is a wonderfully complex protagonist, a dedicated pursuer of justice battling both a recent trauma and her own inner demons. Tasked with unmasking the book's author—Denver Brady—Sam meticulously searches for his identity while also questioning if he's responsible for the recent murder. The chapters alternate between Sam's perspective and passages within the book, creating an intense level of suspense. As Brady reveals personal tidbits via anecdotes and chilling details regarding his kills, Sam races to identify the victims mentioned. The manual contains several true crime and pop culture references which aficionados will zero in on and appreciate. The story is told in an irreverent, sarcastic tone encapsulating the hallmark narcissistic ego of a murderer while also balancing humor. I didn't expect to find myself laughing, but to my utter delight—and maybe a little guilt—I was chuckling and snickering often.
HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER is mesmerizing, darkly comedic, and completely captivating. I was unable to concentrate on anything else until I devoured this clever treat. The ending tied everything together perfectly and yet kept my mind whirling as I contemplated the entire novel over again. Armchair detectives who delight in multiple mysteries, horrifying yet likeable villains, and a conclusion you can't quite wrap your brain around will love this book! My ultimate verdict: this stunning debut ticked all my boxes. No notes!
____
Thank you Minotaur Books for my gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
My head is still spinning from this brilliantly written, mind-blowing tale! Combining two of my favorite tropes—serial killer thrillers and a "book within a book" narrative— Rebecca Philipson cleverly crafted a truly original, gripping mystery. When a 14-year-old girl is found dead—her body posed—with a copy of a how-to manual for serial killers next to her, DI Samantha "Sam" Hansen is drawn back from medical leave to join the hunt for the murderer.
Sam is a wonderfully complex protagonist, a dedicated pursuer of justice battling both a recent trauma and her own inner demons. Tasked with unmasking the book's author—Denver Brady—Sam meticulously searches for his identity while also questioning if he's responsible for the recent murder. The chapters alternate between Sam's perspective and passages within the book, creating an intense level of suspense. As Brady reveals personal tidbits via anecdotes and chilling details regarding his kills, Sam races to identify the victims mentioned. The manual contains several true crime and pop culture references which aficionados will zero in on and appreciate. The story is told in an irreverent, sarcastic tone encapsulating the hallmark narcissistic ego of a murderer while also balancing humor. I didn't expect to find myself laughing, but to my utter delight—and maybe a little guilt—I was chuckling and snickering often.
HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER is mesmerizing, darkly comedic, and completely captivating. I was unable to concentrate on anything else until I devoured this clever treat. The ending tied everything together perfectly and yet kept my mind whirling as I contemplated the entire novel over again. Armchair detectives who delight in multiple mysteries, horrifying yet likeable villains, and a conclusion you can't quite wrap your brain around will love this book! My ultimate verdict: this stunning debut ticked all my boxes. No notes!
____
Thank you Minotaur Books for my gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
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!
February 19, 2026
What a fantastic debut! I was hooked right the way through this book, full of twists and shocking surprises. It is always fun when there is a book within a book and it was done so well. The main character was a little broken but she was so determined and she was a dog lover so what’s not to love right.
Who is Denver Brady? Nobody has ever heard of him but he claims to be the world’s most successful serial killer in his book How to Get Away with Murder. That all changes when a copy of his book is found at a crime scene, where a 14 year old girl has been murdered. DI Sam Hansen is coming back from sick leave after a breakdown and is tasked with finding Brady. What she discovers is so dark and disturbing and really tests her health. Right until the very end I was not able to predict how it was going to all come together.
This should absolutely be on your TBR, hard to believe that is a debut. A must read.
Published on March 12th. Thanks to Random House UK, Bantam, Transworld Publishers for my early copy to read.
Who is Denver Brady? Nobody has ever heard of him but he claims to be the world’s most successful serial killer in his book How to Get Away with Murder. That all changes when a copy of his book is found at a crime scene, where a 14 year old girl has been murdered. DI Sam Hansen is coming back from sick leave after a breakdown and is tasked with finding Brady. What she discovers is so dark and disturbing and really tests her health. Right until the very end I was not able to predict how it was going to all come together.
This should absolutely be on your TBR, hard to believe that is a debut. A must read.
Published on March 12th. Thanks to Random House UK, Bantam, Transworld Publishers for my early copy to read.
February 18, 2026
Have you ever wondered how someone could get away with murder? Denver Brady, who calls himself the best serial killer of our time, has written a guide to committing the perfect crime.
When a copy of How to Get Away with Murder turns up next to the body of 14-year-old Charlotte, Scotland Yard detective Samantha Hansen takes the case. Her investigation follows the book’s chapters and the mysterious author behind them. Sam must uncover clues hidden in the book to catch Charlotte’s killer and reveal the true identity of Denver Brady.
How to Get Away with Murder is a fantastic debut. The story moves quickly, switching between Sam’s investigation and chapters from How to Get Away with Murder. There are plenty of twists and turns, so I was entertained right up to the end. The conclusion was satisfying and even made me laugh. Overall, this would be a great read for fans of murder mysteries and police procedurals.
How to Get Away with Murder releases February 24th.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to review How to Get Away with Murder. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
When a copy of How to Get Away with Murder turns up next to the body of 14-year-old Charlotte, Scotland Yard detective Samantha Hansen takes the case. Her investigation follows the book’s chapters and the mysterious author behind them. Sam must uncover clues hidden in the book to catch Charlotte’s killer and reveal the true identity of Denver Brady.
How to Get Away with Murder is a fantastic debut. The story moves quickly, switching between Sam’s investigation and chapters from How to Get Away with Murder. There are plenty of twists and turns, so I was entertained right up to the end. The conclusion was satisfying and even made me laugh. Overall, this would be a great read for fans of murder mysteries and police procedurals.
How to Get Away with Murder releases February 24th.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to review How to Get Away with Murder. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 6, 2026
this book - an incredible debut thriller -
I was literally hooked from page one and picked it up every chance I got.
A teenage girl is found murdered with a copy of a book titled How to Get Away With Murder next to her. The book, apparently written by an unknown serial killer, causes Sam to investigate the murder while also trying to unfold the mysteries within the book to real life events & figure out who wrote it.
A book within a book - and a mystery that keeps you guessing until the very end - and incredibly clever. Loved it.
highly recommend! Looking forward to what book she has in store for us next ❤️
thanks to Minotaur books for my gifted ARC
I was literally hooked from page one and picked it up every chance I got.
A teenage girl is found murdered with a copy of a book titled How to Get Away With Murder next to her. The book, apparently written by an unknown serial killer, causes Sam to investigate the murder while also trying to unfold the mysteries within the book to real life events & figure out who wrote it.
A book within a book - and a mystery that keeps you guessing until the very end - and incredibly clever. Loved it.
highly recommend! Looking forward to what book she has in store for us next ❤️
thanks to Minotaur books for my gifted ARC
February 16, 2026
The synopsis for HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER was so captivating and I’m always up for a good serial killer storyline. And this one, surrounding a how-to book on committing the perfect murder, was too unique to pass up.
We are introduced to detective Sam Hansen, a brilliant police officer who is in the process of recovering from a breakdown brought on by unimaginable trauma. But her recovery is interrupted by a killer who decides to take the life of young Charlotte, a teenager whom Sam is determined to find justice for, no matter the emotional cost to herself.
This mystery was uniquely crafted and I loved loved the book-within-a-book technique. The chapters written as serial killer Denver Brady’s HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER guide were so insanely addictive yet immensely troubling, the narrative reflecting a truly sadistic mind.
Sam as our protagonist was brilliantly written, very relatable, and incredibly likable. Her sense of justice is unnervingly strong and some of the best parts of the book come as a result of this. And I really enjoyed her partnership with newbie detective Adam Taylor, who ended up being one of my favorite characters—of course other than adorable Toni, a rescue dog who truly stole my heart!
I loved the double mystery and reading how past crimes as written by Denver Brady in his perverse how-to book relate to the present murder of sweet Charlotte! Discovering the potential link between the two timelines made it almost impossible for me to put the book down.
Pacing was perfect in my opinion and the characters richly developed—definitely a very character-driven storyline. The writing is fantastic and it’s so hard to believe this is a debut novel. Will we possibly see Sam and Adam investigating crime again in the future? I absolutely hope so!
I want to thank NetGalley, Rebecca Philipson, and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for gifting me the ARC of HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER. I loved it and I appreciate you trusting me with an honest review!
We are introduced to detective Sam Hansen, a brilliant police officer who is in the process of recovering from a breakdown brought on by unimaginable trauma. But her recovery is interrupted by a killer who decides to take the life of young Charlotte, a teenager whom Sam is determined to find justice for, no matter the emotional cost to herself.
This mystery was uniquely crafted and I loved loved the book-within-a-book technique. The chapters written as serial killer Denver Brady’s HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER guide were so insanely addictive yet immensely troubling, the narrative reflecting a truly sadistic mind.
Sam as our protagonist was brilliantly written, very relatable, and incredibly likable. Her sense of justice is unnervingly strong and some of the best parts of the book come as a result of this. And I really enjoyed her partnership with newbie detective Adam Taylor, who ended up being one of my favorite characters—of course other than adorable Toni, a rescue dog who truly stole my heart!
I loved the double mystery and reading how past crimes as written by Denver Brady in his perverse how-to book relate to the present murder of sweet Charlotte! Discovering the potential link between the two timelines made it almost impossible for me to put the book down.
Pacing was perfect in my opinion and the characters richly developed—definitely a very character-driven storyline. The writing is fantastic and it’s so hard to believe this is a debut novel. Will we possibly see Sam and Adam investigating crime again in the future? I absolutely hope so!
I want to thank NetGalley, Rebecca Philipson, and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for gifting me the ARC of HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER. I loved it and I appreciate you trusting me with an honest review!
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.
February 8, 2026
Reading this book was like getting drawn into the kind of really solid police procedural series one might catch on BritBox. Things start off a bit slowly, but pick up momentum as Sam Hansen, a skilled but suffering 40 year-old Scotland Yard detective with extensive past and recent trauma, drags herself back into work from a mental health leave when a young teenage girl is brutally murdered and Sam becomes motivated to remove her killer from the streets and bring them to justice.
I appreciated Sam as a notable character in fiction because she’s messy in a way that a woman detective is often not allowed to be. She’s not twee, cutely, manic pixie messy, or Finlay Donovan, whimsically, “my toddler just cut her hair off and I taped it back on!” messy. (And I know a lot of readers love Finlay! — I’m just saying Sam’s not that.) Sam is messy in the truly messy manner in which only a traumatized male detective is often permitted to be messy. Especially at the outset of the book, she is genuinely traumatized, perpetually beset by somatic symptoms, constantly on the verge of a migraine, a true stranger to the shower at times, with a house that is a partial pigsty and a diet largely consisting of Lindor Truffles and HobNobs. Once she gets back to work, she’s blunt, determined, and doesn’t spare much time for niceties, protocols, or any general BS.
Aside from Sam, the book also features a number of other intriguing characters — not the least of whom is Denver Brady, the self-professed world’s most successful serial killer whose self-published DIY manual, How To Get Away With Murder, constitutes the book-within-a-book occupying the alternate chapters of the novel. You know how sometimes actors discuss the mental health impacts of being sucked into the darkness of a role? I similarly wondered about this author’s wellbeing after having created the abhorrent content and odious, pompous voice in Brady’s handbook. It is sort of a Joe Goldberg phenomenon, where you’re like, how is the author concocting this, and should I be frightened?
On a slightly lighter note, there is also the intriguing character of Adam Taylor, Sam’s sensitive, Swiftie, fish-out-of-water trainee, whom I envisioned as a young James Marsden — and, most importantly, Little Scruff, perhaps the most endearing stray dog I’ve encountered in recent literature! While Little Scruff bears the signs of past hardship, no harm befalls him in the book.
There are many narrative threads and mysteries woven throughout this book to propel it along, and another pleasant surprise is that the story takes some surprise turns and veers into unexpected territory closer to the end. There is plenty of groundwork laid down here for a successful series of novels, so I’m hopeful this is but the first installment!
Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review! Expect this fun book to be released soon on February 24, 2026!
I appreciated Sam as a notable character in fiction because she’s messy in a way that a woman detective is often not allowed to be. She’s not twee, cutely, manic pixie messy, or Finlay Donovan, whimsically, “my toddler just cut her hair off and I taped it back on!” messy. (And I know a lot of readers love Finlay! — I’m just saying Sam’s not that.) Sam is messy in the truly messy manner in which only a traumatized male detective is often permitted to be messy. Especially at the outset of the book, she is genuinely traumatized, perpetually beset by somatic symptoms, constantly on the verge of a migraine, a true stranger to the shower at times, with a house that is a partial pigsty and a diet largely consisting of Lindor Truffles and HobNobs. Once she gets back to work, she’s blunt, determined, and doesn’t spare much time for niceties, protocols, or any general BS.
Aside from Sam, the book also features a number of other intriguing characters — not the least of whom is Denver Brady, the self-professed world’s most successful serial killer whose self-published DIY manual, How To Get Away With Murder, constitutes the book-within-a-book occupying the alternate chapters of the novel. You know how sometimes actors discuss the mental health impacts of being sucked into the darkness of a role? I similarly wondered about this author’s wellbeing after having created the abhorrent content and odious, pompous voice in Brady’s handbook. It is sort of a Joe Goldberg phenomenon, where you’re like, how is the author concocting this, and should I be frightened?
On a slightly lighter note, there is also the intriguing character of Adam Taylor, Sam’s sensitive, Swiftie, fish-out-of-water trainee, whom I envisioned as a young James Marsden — and, most importantly, Little Scruff, perhaps the most endearing stray dog I’ve encountered in recent literature! While Little Scruff bears the signs of past hardship, no harm befalls him in the book.
There are many narrative threads and mysteries woven throughout this book to propel it along, and another pleasant surprise is that the story takes some surprise turns and veers into unexpected territory closer to the end. There is plenty of groundwork laid down here for a successful series of novels, so I’m hopeful this is but the first installment!
Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review! Expect this fun book to be released soon on February 24, 2026!
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
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.
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 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]
December 28, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!
What made me read this book was the premise which is quite unique and sounded compelling, unfortunately that was one of the few positive things about it.
The plot was engaging and the reveals though out the book where done quite well. This was the main reason I pushed through and finished the book, with the plot itself compelling you to read on.
The rest of the book unfortunately wasn’t the best. The characters felt like very stereotypical caricatures of what they were meant to be and didn’t have much depth to them. The writing style was very clunky and over descriptive in parts of the story that didn’t warrant it, becoming very info dumpy. There was near enough no ‘show don’t tell’ as the author instead had everything spelled out for the reader as though they couldn’t come to a conclusion by themselves. This is also a personal preference, but there were far too many pop culture references on near enough every page and ‘Home Alone’ had about 4 mentions at different parts of the book?
The ending was a little bit weird and could have done with some more time spent on it, feeling a little rushed. The main character also turns into some form of a criminal mastermind at the end which although does actually seem in character, wasn’t very well executed and the reveals seemed a bit clunky.
Unfortunately even though I did want to like this book the writing style is where it fell down for me.
What made me read this book was the premise which is quite unique and sounded compelling, unfortunately that was one of the few positive things about it.
The plot was engaging and the reveals though out the book where done quite well. This was the main reason I pushed through and finished the book, with the plot itself compelling you to read on.
The rest of the book unfortunately wasn’t the best. The characters felt like very stereotypical caricatures of what they were meant to be and didn’t have much depth to them. The writing style was very clunky and over descriptive in parts of the story that didn’t warrant it, becoming very info dumpy. There was near enough no ‘show don’t tell’ as the author instead had everything spelled out for the reader as though they couldn’t come to a conclusion by themselves. This is also a personal preference, but there were far too many pop culture references on near enough every page and ‘Home Alone’ had about 4 mentions at different parts of the book?
The ending was a little bit weird and could have done with some more time spent on it, feeling a little rushed. The main character also turns into some form of a criminal mastermind at the end which although does actually seem in character, wasn’t very well executed and the reveals seemed a bit clunky.
Unfortunately even though I did want to like this book the writing style is where it fell down for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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.
February 8, 2026
How to Get Away with Murder is one of those thrillers where the premise alone makes you do a double take—and somehow, Rebecca Philipson actually delivers on it. A murder mystery built around a self-help book that claims to teach readers how to get away with murder? Audacious, clever, and wildly addictive.
The story follows Detective Inspector Samantha Hansen, who is returning to work after a traumatic breakdown, just as a fourteen-year-old girl is murdered in a London park. The only solid lead? A copy of How to Get Away with Murder found in the victim’s backpack. As the investigation unfolds, the book itself becomes a chilling roadmap—its chapters mirroring real crimes, its author, Denver Brady, either a deeply disturbed provocateur, a confessional serial killer, or something far more unsettling.
What really sets this apart is how seamlessly the “book-within-a-book” device is woven into the plot. Each chapter feels like a ticking clock, daring both Samantha and the reader to catch what’s hidden in plain sight. It’s smart, unsettling, and genuinely tense without relying on cheap shocks.
Samantha is a standout protagonist—brilliant but bruised, capable yet struggling to trust her instincts again. Her return to the job feels raw and earned, not magically resolved, and the emotional weight she carries adds depth to every interrogation and discovery. The supporting cast enhances the story without stealing focus, and the investigation itself is layered with just the right amount of misdirection. I was constantly revising my suspect list and still didn’t feel cheated by the final reveal.
Best of all, this book feels refreshingly original in a genre that can sometimes feel crowded. It’s sharp, confident, and unapologetically clever—and for a debut, that’s incredibly impressive. Philipson balances psychological depth, social commentary, and a propulsive mystery with ease, making this feel like the start of something special.
If this is Rebecca Philipson’s debut, consider me fully locked in. Ingenious, gripping, and disturbingly fun—this is one thriller you won’t forget anytime soon. I will absolutely be reading whatever Philipson releases next.
A big thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press | Minotaur Books for this eARC!
The story follows Detective Inspector Samantha Hansen, who is returning to work after a traumatic breakdown, just as a fourteen-year-old girl is murdered in a London park. The only solid lead? A copy of How to Get Away with Murder found in the victim’s backpack. As the investigation unfolds, the book itself becomes a chilling roadmap—its chapters mirroring real crimes, its author, Denver Brady, either a deeply disturbed provocateur, a confessional serial killer, or something far more unsettling.
What really sets this apart is how seamlessly the “book-within-a-book” device is woven into the plot. Each chapter feels like a ticking clock, daring both Samantha and the reader to catch what’s hidden in plain sight. It’s smart, unsettling, and genuinely tense without relying on cheap shocks.
Samantha is a standout protagonist—brilliant but bruised, capable yet struggling to trust her instincts again. Her return to the job feels raw and earned, not magically resolved, and the emotional weight she carries adds depth to every interrogation and discovery. The supporting cast enhances the story without stealing focus, and the investigation itself is layered with just the right amount of misdirection. I was constantly revising my suspect list and still didn’t feel cheated by the final reveal.
Best of all, this book feels refreshingly original in a genre that can sometimes feel crowded. It’s sharp, confident, and unapologetically clever—and for a debut, that’s incredibly impressive. Philipson balances psychological depth, social commentary, and a propulsive mystery with ease, making this feel like the start of something special.
If this is Rebecca Philipson’s debut, consider me fully locked in. Ingenious, gripping, and disturbingly fun—this is one thriller you won’t forget anytime soon. I will absolutely be reading whatever Philipson releases next.
A big thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press | Minotaur Books for this eARC!
January 24, 2026
After being left with a book hangover from a string of deeply emotional novels focused on grief, I searched for a novel that could grab my attention and hold it. How to Get Away with Murder by Rebecca Philipson did this in spades. What a great reading experience featuring a flawed heroine and a propulsive, twisty plot!
The novel features Detective Inspector Samantha “Sam” Hansen who is just returning to Scotland Yard after a 6 month mental health break. She quickly becomes obsessed with solving the murder of a 14-year old girl. The murder has loose ties to a self-described serial killer, Denver Brady, who has written a guide for wannabe killers. The novel alternates between Sam’s point of view during the investigation and her recovery, and chapters from Denver’s viral novel.
I don’t want to give too much away, but do want to commend this DEBUT author on the clever premise and plot twists. This page-turner had me hooked from the beginning, and maintained its tension until the surprising and utterly satisfying ending. Thriller lovers, add this to your February TBR lists! Available 2/24/26
Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books/St. Martin’s Press for an advanced reader copy of How to Get Away with Murder in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
The novel features Detective Inspector Samantha “Sam” Hansen who is just returning to Scotland Yard after a 6 month mental health break. She quickly becomes obsessed with solving the murder of a 14-year old girl. The murder has loose ties to a self-described serial killer, Denver Brady, who has written a guide for wannabe killers. The novel alternates between Sam’s point of view during the investigation and her recovery, and chapters from Denver’s viral novel.
I don’t want to give too much away, but do want to commend this DEBUT author on the clever premise and plot twists. This page-turner had me hooked from the beginning, and maintained its tension until the surprising and utterly satisfying ending. Thriller lovers, add this to your February TBR lists! Available 2/24/26
Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books/St. Martin’s Press for an advanced reader copy of How to Get Away with Murder in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
February 12, 2026
I simply couldn’t put this book down.
Sam Hansen is a detective with the Met police with a rocky history of PTSD. Throughout the book, Sam seems to very realistically deal with the impact of this on every aspect of her life, with the cause of her struggles slowly revealed. Denver Brady is an author claiming, not only to be a serial killer, but also to be an expert in how to kill.
The way in which the chapters switch from Sam and the investigation, to chapters of Brady’s book, really works for both pacing and keeping me intrigued.
The characters in the book all feel very well developed, with realistic flaws and authentic dialogue. The relationships between the characters make sense and build naturally throughout.
The underlying themes of misogyny and the impact of a role in policing are very well written without feeling preachy.
The only slight downside I noted was the trope of having a character be interrupted before they can provide important information. This occurred a couple of times, and though I understand it helped the plot, it felt frustrating and cliché.
Overall I massively enjoyed this book, evidenced by the fact that I finished it in one day! The concept was well thought out and intriguing, and I am shocked that this is only the author’s debut novel! I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for more of her work
Thank you to NetGalley for this arc!
Sam Hansen is a detective with the Met police with a rocky history of PTSD. Throughout the book, Sam seems to very realistically deal with the impact of this on every aspect of her life, with the cause of her struggles slowly revealed. Denver Brady is an author claiming, not only to be a serial killer, but also to be an expert in how to kill.
The way in which the chapters switch from Sam and the investigation, to chapters of Brady’s book, really works for both pacing and keeping me intrigued.
The characters in the book all feel very well developed, with realistic flaws and authentic dialogue. The relationships between the characters make sense and build naturally throughout.
The underlying themes of misogyny and the impact of a role in policing are very well written without feeling preachy.
The only slight downside I noted was the trope of having a character be interrupted before they can provide important information. This occurred a couple of times, and though I understand it helped the plot, it felt frustrating and cliché.
Overall I massively enjoyed this book, evidenced by the fact that I finished it in one day! The concept was well thought out and intriguing, and I am shocked that this is only the author’s debut novel! I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for more of her work
Thank you to NetGalley for this 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.
February 15, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the early copy of this book.
Hooked from page one, I enjoyed the unique, multi-narrated approach this story took. The mystery of Denver Brady was so compelling and I loved how Sam handled business in the end. Truthfully, I wouldn’t mind seeing a series with Sam at the helm. This is a great thriller that will keep you guessing until the last moment.
Hooked from page one, I enjoyed the unique, multi-narrated approach this story took. The mystery of Denver Brady was so compelling and I loved how Sam handled business in the end. Truthfully, I wouldn’t mind seeing a series with Sam at the helm. This is a great thriller that will keep you guessing until the last moment.
Review of advance copy
This is a fresh and exciting thriller that follows a Detective Inspector who has been on medical leave. She agrees to return to work when a teenager is killed in a nearby park. One of the items at the scene of the crime is a book called, How to Get Away with Murder, and it's unclear if the author is responsible for this particular murder or a whole separate case.
This is a true page-turner. I can't wait until others read this so I can discuss theories!
This is a true page-turner. I can't wait until others read this so I can discuss theories!
February 9, 2026
I tore through How to Get Away with Murder and immediately wanted to re-read it to savor all the twists and turns —always a good sign. The book-within-a-book premise is clever and fresh, and the twists actually earn their shock value instead of feeling gimmicky.
DI Sam Hansen is exactly the kind of protagonist I love: sharp, complicated, and emotionally bruised after a traumatic incident at work, yet shoved back into the job before she’s ready. That tension hums beneath the entire story, especially as cracks start forming in the people and systems she’s supposed to trust.
The pacing is tight, the suspense is deliciously dark, and there’s a dry thread of humor that keeps things from tipping into bleak-for-the-sake-of-it territory. This one kept me up way past my bedtime, and I’d happily follow DI Hansen into whatever mess she lands in next.
Special thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book! All opinions are my own.
DI Sam Hansen is exactly the kind of protagonist I love: sharp, complicated, and emotionally bruised after a traumatic incident at work, yet shoved back into the job before she’s ready. That tension hums beneath the entire story, especially as cracks start forming in the people and systems she’s supposed to trust.
The pacing is tight, the suspense is deliciously dark, and there’s a dry thread of humor that keeps things from tipping into bleak-for-the-sake-of-it territory. This one kept me up way past my bedtime, and I’d happily follow DI Hansen into whatever mess she lands in next.
Special thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book! All opinions are my own.
February 8, 2026
Clever and fun. Great turn at the end.
SUMMARY: two narratives that alter throughout. One is a male narrator, the author and self-acclaimed serial killer who penned “how to get away with murder”. The other is a female detective who returns to work after having been on leave. Her first case is a murder of a young woman that seems to be a copycat of a murder described in the book.
The reader reads a chapter in the book and the follows the MC as she investigates while also reading the book and trying to figure out if the murders in the book are real.
Thanks netgalley for my ALC
SUMMARY: two narratives that alter throughout. One is a male narrator, the author and self-acclaimed serial killer who penned “how to get away with murder”. The other is a female detective who returns to work after having been on leave. Her first case is a murder of a young woman that seems to be a copycat of a murder described in the book.
The reader reads a chapter in the book and the follows the MC as she investigates while also reading the book and trying to figure out if the murders in the book are real.
Thanks netgalley for my ALC
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
February 11, 2026
This book started out strong for me, which I started while reading The Minotaur Sampler, Volume 18. This was one of three previews I read and I was so into it I immediately requested the full version to review. Detective Inspector Samantha Hansen has been gone from work for six months after an assault from a co-worker and a breakdown. Sam is brought back to work when a fourteen-year-old girl is found and Sam feels compelled to find her killer. Sam's dedication and drive in her work is admirable, but she is still a broken woman. She has faced many injustices in her life and they have left an impact on her. When she goes back to work, she is not given the same position she had before and has a junior co-worker assigned to her who she is very rude and dismissive to. She often will not let him even finish a sentence. Unfortunately as the book progresses, so does Sam's decline in reason, mental health, and her reliability as a narrator. By the end of the book I disliked it greatly, and had a difficult time remembering what I liked so much about the beginning.
I was given a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. How to Get Away with Murder will be released on February 24, 2026.
I was given a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. How to Get Away with Murder will be released on February 24, 2026.
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.
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!!
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!
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