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The Perfect Murder
Every bestselling thriller needs the perfect murder. Savi Portman just wrote one—and now it’s coming true.
Savi Portman’s debut cozy mystery has made her a #1 bestseller and publishing’s newest star. When life gets tough, writing is her escape.
Until someone commits a murder straight from her work-in-progress thriller.
Surveillance cameras place Savi near the scene that night. Witnesses say they saw her. The evidence is mounting—but she swears she was home asleep.
Savi has written the perfect crime. Now she has to prove she didn’t commit it.
Once you start reading, there’s no turning back. A keep-you-up-all-night page-turner for fans of Alice Feeney, Freida McFadden and Listen for the Lie.
Savi Portman’s debut cozy mystery has made her a #1 bestseller and publishing’s newest star. When life gets tough, writing is her escape.
Until someone commits a murder straight from her work-in-progress thriller.
Surveillance cameras place Savi near the scene that night. Witnesses say they saw her. The evidence is mounting—but she swears she was home asleep.
Savi has written the perfect crime. Now she has to prove she didn’t commit it.
Once you start reading, there’s no turning back. A keep-you-up-all-night page-turner for fans of Alice Feeney, Freida McFadden and Listen for the Lie.
282 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 18, 2025
218 people are currently reading
2673 people want to read
About the author
Amanda McKinney
37 books996 followersAmanda McKinney is the Amazon Charts bestselling and multi-award-winning author of more than thirty romance and thriller novels. Her books have received over fifteen literary awards and nominations, including the prestigious Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence, and have been included in lists such as POPSUGAR's 12 Best Romance Books, and featured on the Today Show.
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www.amandamckinneyauthor.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 224 reviews
November 12, 2025
Savi is a writer who’s riding the success of her first published book. While she appreciates her newfound success and the attention that comes with it, she also feels trapped as she just wants to write as much as possible. The story she’s currently writing is about the perfect murder. And then that exact murder actually happens in real life. What’s worse, there’s evidence pointing to her as the killer. But she was at home, fast asleep. Now she has to prove her innocence by unraveling the perfect murder she came up with in the first place.
What a strong concept. It is quite a fast-paced story, which only intensifies the story at hand. And I very much appreciate that we get so many mysteries all woven together in a web of intrigue, and yet it never feels overwhelming. Because apart from the main mystery, you also have the mystery in the book Savi is writing, and the mystery of the real-life couple that Savi uses as her source of inspiration.
It’s a solid light thriller with a strong concept that moves at quite a fast pace. Some twists are definitely a bit out there, but it’s an entertaining read from start to finish. Thanks to my Goodreads friend Darla for writing such a good review that I couldn’t resist giving this one a shot too.
What a strong concept. It is quite a fast-paced story, which only intensifies the story at hand. And I very much appreciate that we get so many mysteries all woven together in a web of intrigue, and yet it never feels overwhelming. Because apart from the main mystery, you also have the mystery in the book Savi is writing, and the mystery of the real-life couple that Savi uses as her source of inspiration.
It’s a solid light thriller with a strong concept that moves at quite a fast pace. Some twists are definitely a bit out there, but it’s an entertaining read from start to finish. Thanks to my Goodreads friend Darla for writing such a good review that I couldn’t resist giving this one a shot too.
August 24, 2025
This book will have you questioning everything!
Savi Portman just penned a debut cozy mystery, instantly becoming a bestseller. Now she wants to branch out and write something considerably darker. Maybe a serious thriller! And she can use her mysterious neighbors as the characters. (Changing their names of course.)😉
But suddenly fiction is turning into reality when everything she writes starts to happen in real life! Remember, this is a dark thriller she’s writing now, no cozy mystery here. So, if Savi continues to have dark thoughts, well…no one is safe!
Wow! What a premise! I was instantly hooked as I am with all Amanda McKinney’s books.
What is real….what is fiction? Good luck trying to answer that question! I had to stop and re-center myself multiple times!
✍️ Amanda McKinney
📖 320 pages
🗓️ September 18 2025
💭 Thriller
📈 4/5
👉 If you like your thrillers super twisty, this is the perfect book for you!
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing
Savi Portman just penned a debut cozy mystery, instantly becoming a bestseller. Now she wants to branch out and write something considerably darker. Maybe a serious thriller! And she can use her mysterious neighbors as the characters. (Changing their names of course.)😉
But suddenly fiction is turning into reality when everything she writes starts to happen in real life! Remember, this is a dark thriller she’s writing now, no cozy mystery here. So, if Savi continues to have dark thoughts, well…no one is safe!
Wow! What a premise! I was instantly hooked as I am with all Amanda McKinney’s books.
What is real….what is fiction? Good luck trying to answer that question! I had to stop and re-center myself multiple times!
✍️ Amanda McKinney
📖 320 pages
🗓️ September 18 2025
💭 Thriller
📈 4/5
👉 If you like your thrillers super twisty, this is the perfect book for you!
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing
October 17, 2025
Twisty, shocking, and unbelievably poignant, The Perfect Murder demonstrated Ms. McKinney at her finest. A thought-provoking tale that crossed a thriller with women’s fiction, the book-within-a-book plot intertwined with the present for a dynamite whodunnit that had me side-eyeing every character—including Savi herself. After all, thanks to an increasingly dark storyline that came alive on the page, a heavy sense of foreboding laced with sadness and grief hit me hard. Altogether, the well-plotted arc took me on a rollercoaster ride that started with heart-pounding thrills and led to a soul-satisfying conclusion, which I won’t be forgetting any time soon.
Despite the fact that the twists were on-point and managed to do a *chef’s kiss* about face, the strongest piece to this novel was the deeply touching look at trauma, identity, and grief. Told via two interwoven plot lines and three distinct POVs, the thrills and the emotion easily merged into one dynamite story. You see, while the shocks came fast and hard about halfway into the book, the heartbreaking realizations that followed were what made this book sing. Sure to make every parent value their life even more after they’ve finished reading, it was just as emotionally palpable as it was suspenseful and filled with paranoia and unease.
All said and done, I was seriously impressed by the depth of this novel. Adding an additional layer to the popcorn thriller core, I couldn’t put the book down and finished it in one single sitting. I do have to say, though, that while I loved the short, addictive chapters and metafiction feel, it was Savi’s complex persona that won me over completely. I mean, who wouldn’t love an unreliable narrator? On top of that, though, this book was just flat out well-written. With a ratcheting pace and plenty of secrets to keep you in suspense, there wasn’t a thing not to love about this utter humdinger. After all, it was everything I wanted and just a little bit more. Rating of 5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Savi Portman’s debut cozy mystery has made her a #1 bestseller and publishing’s newest star. When life gets tough, writing is her escape.
Until someone commits a murder straight from her work-in-progress thriller.
Surveillance cameras place Savi near the scene that night. Witnesses say they saw her. The evidence is mounting—but she swears she was home asleep.
Savi has written the perfect crime. Now she has to prove she didn’t do it.
Thank you to Amanda McKinney, Storm Books, Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse, and NetGalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: September 18, 2025
Content warning: alcoholism, infidelity, pregnancy, infertility, mental health disorders, miscarriage, grief, mention of: dementia, kidnapping
Despite the fact that the twists were on-point and managed to do a *chef’s kiss* about face, the strongest piece to this novel was the deeply touching look at trauma, identity, and grief. Told via two interwoven plot lines and three distinct POVs, the thrills and the emotion easily merged into one dynamite story. You see, while the shocks came fast and hard about halfway into the book, the heartbreaking realizations that followed were what made this book sing. Sure to make every parent value their life even more after they’ve finished reading, it was just as emotionally palpable as it was suspenseful and filled with paranoia and unease.
All said and done, I was seriously impressed by the depth of this novel. Adding an additional layer to the popcorn thriller core, I couldn’t put the book down and finished it in one single sitting. I do have to say, though, that while I loved the short, addictive chapters and metafiction feel, it was Savi’s complex persona that won me over completely. I mean, who wouldn’t love an unreliable narrator? On top of that, though, this book was just flat out well-written. With a ratcheting pace and plenty of secrets to keep you in suspense, there wasn’t a thing not to love about this utter humdinger. After all, it was everything I wanted and just a little bit more. Rating of 5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Savi Portman’s debut cozy mystery has made her a #1 bestseller and publishing’s newest star. When life gets tough, writing is her escape.
Until someone commits a murder straight from her work-in-progress thriller.
Surveillance cameras place Savi near the scene that night. Witnesses say they saw her. The evidence is mounting—but she swears she was home asleep.
Savi has written the perfect crime. Now she has to prove she didn’t do it.
Thank you to Amanda McKinney, Storm Books, Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse, and NetGalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: September 18, 2025
Content warning: alcoholism, infidelity, pregnancy, infertility, mental health disorders, miscarriage, grief, mention of: dementia, kidnapping
September 12, 2025
This is my second Amanda McKinney book. I like the author's writing style. The twists in this story and the overall plot were very entertaining. The characters were interesting, and I loved the dual timeline/POV narrative. The execution and how smaller stories were woven together were handled well.
The story falls short for me in the last 70 or so pages. The ending is just... long-winded? It could have been tied up much faster, still giving readers that full-circle experience with an epilogue, or even better, adding one last twist to turn the obvious into a mind-blowing moment.
Nonetheless, it was an entertaining, fun, and quick read—just more so average in the thriller department. 3.5 stars! 💫
Thank you, Storm Publishing, for sending me this ARC. Publication day is set for September 18, 2025!
As always, all thoughts are my own. 🖤✨
The story falls short for me in the last 70 or so pages. The ending is just... long-winded? It could have been tied up much faster, still giving readers that full-circle experience with an epilogue, or even better, adding one last twist to turn the obvious into a mind-blowing moment.
Nonetheless, it was an entertaining, fun, and quick read—just more so average in the thriller department. 3.5 stars! 💫
Thank you, Storm Publishing, for sending me this ARC. Publication day is set for September 18, 2025!
As always, all thoughts are my own. 🖤✨
September 9, 2025
Savannah "Savi" Portman is living her dream as a cozy mystery writer. Her debut hit #1 and she's contracted to write more in the series but there's a problem: What Savi really wants to write is a psychological thriller.
At first, it was just an idea but as she sits at her laptop day after day the words keep pouring out of her and are spinning a wicked tale of murder.
Then the unthinkable happens. Her fictional psychological thriller starts playing out in real life. Certainly this is all just a coincidence, right? You'll have to read this to find out.
Having read a previous book by McKinney and enjoying it I was eager to get a copy of her newest book and it didn't disappoint. Savi was a likable main character and the supporting cast was also well done. It's not often in a psychological thriller that you like the characters but McKinney pulled it off. This book doesn't require much effort or brain work on the readers part. It's a popcorn thriller meant to entertain you and for that it was successful. Will this book be memorable? No, probably not, but it was an enjoyable break from the real world and sometimes that's just what I need. 4 stars!
At first, it was just an idea but as she sits at her laptop day after day the words keep pouring out of her and are spinning a wicked tale of murder.
Then the unthinkable happens. Her fictional psychological thriller starts playing out in real life. Certainly this is all just a coincidence, right? You'll have to read this to find out.
Having read a previous book by McKinney and enjoying it I was eager to get a copy of her newest book and it didn't disappoint. Savi was a likable main character and the supporting cast was also well done. It's not often in a psychological thriller that you like the characters but McKinney pulled it off. This book doesn't require much effort or brain work on the readers part. It's a popcorn thriller meant to entertain you and for that it was successful. Will this book be memorable? No, probably not, but it was an enjoyable break from the real world and sometimes that's just what I need. 4 stars!
September 21, 2025
Amanda never disappoints!
Of all the possible scenarios that could have been taking place, I truly did not expect this! Savi was such a complex character and she truly captures your heart. Her perspective adds both tension and vulnerability to the unfolding mystery, as she was resilient yet vulnerable at the same time. Although I loved Savi, once the story unfolds you’ll see that the people of Bears Creek were the real MVPs!
I definitely enjoyed following Savi’s real story, as well as her alter ego that she was writing about in her psychological thriller novel! It was so evident that she was living vicariously through the character that she was writing about, and often times I wondered would she tether between fiction & reality. But when her thriller “came to life” and things began to happen that she had written about, I knew something more sinister was lurking.
Simply put, Amanda hooked me from the start and this was a great read! It was very well written, well paced, and full of suspense & secrets that keeps you guessing! This was my third read by this author & I will certainly make my way through her full catalogue!
Publication 🗓️ : 09.18.25
Of all the possible scenarios that could have been taking place, I truly did not expect this! Savi was such a complex character and she truly captures your heart. Her perspective adds both tension and vulnerability to the unfolding mystery, as she was resilient yet vulnerable at the same time. Although I loved Savi, once the story unfolds you’ll see that the people of Bears Creek were the real MVPs!
I definitely enjoyed following Savi’s real story, as well as her alter ego that she was writing about in her psychological thriller novel! It was so evident that she was living vicariously through the character that she was writing about, and often times I wondered would she tether between fiction & reality. But when her thriller “came to life” and things began to happen that she had written about, I knew something more sinister was lurking.
Simply put, Amanda hooked me from the start and this was a great read! It was very well written, well paced, and full of suspense & secrets that keeps you guessing! This was my third read by this author & I will certainly make my way through her full catalogue!
Publication 🗓️ : 09.18.25
August 18, 2025
ARC review - pub date 09.18.25
Every time I read an Amanda McKinney book I’m like, okay this one is my favorite! They’re all so good - but seriously, THIS ONE IS MY FAVORITE!
Savi is a cozy mystery author who ends up super famous after her last novel becomes a New York Times bestseller. But secretly, she is also writing a thriller book because she wants something more. But as she keeps writing, day by day, she keeps happening upon situations that she had wrote about in her book that happened in real life after she had written it. A man stabbed to death in a cabin turns up days after her new FMC Lillian stabs a man in a cabin. Other instances like being fired from a job and passing out while on a run are happening to her, or people she is close to and she can’t make any sense of it.
This book was written FLAWLESSLY and I flew through it! The way the second half of this book had my head spinning and how everything came together 🤯 truly her best work! It’s a book within a book because we are alternating between Savi as an author, and reading Lillian’s story as well — and I was completely hooked.
The true definition of a PSYCHOLOGICAL thriller. I think fans of Kiersten Modglin books will love this one!!
5 ⭐️
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Storm books for my ARC!
Every time I read an Amanda McKinney book I’m like, okay this one is my favorite! They’re all so good - but seriously, THIS ONE IS MY FAVORITE!
Savi is a cozy mystery author who ends up super famous after her last novel becomes a New York Times bestseller. But secretly, she is also writing a thriller book because she wants something more. But as she keeps writing, day by day, she keeps happening upon situations that she had wrote about in her book that happened in real life after she had written it. A man stabbed to death in a cabin turns up days after her new FMC Lillian stabs a man in a cabin. Other instances like being fired from a job and passing out while on a run are happening to her, or people she is close to and she can’t make any sense of it.
This book was written FLAWLESSLY and I flew through it! The way the second half of this book had my head spinning and how everything came together 🤯 truly her best work! It’s a book within a book because we are alternating between Savi as an author, and reading Lillian’s story as well — and I was completely hooked.
The true definition of a PSYCHOLOGICAL thriller. I think fans of Kiersten Modglin books will love this one!!
5 ⭐️
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Storm books for my ARC!
August 8, 2025
A pacy and stylishly written psychological thriller. The central character is a crime novelist, Savi. She makes the dodgy decision to use her wealthy neighbours "the mysterious Quinn and Jacob Lockhart of Bear's Creek" as inspiration for her next book, only for life to start echoing fiction.
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy.
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy.
July 25, 2025
The Perfect Murder is a fast, addicting and unputdownable psychological thriller. Straight from the start McKinney completely hooked me. I was so invested in the storyline, I didn't know where it was taking me. I absolutely adored the alternating chapters between Savi & Jacob plus the chapters for the thriller novel. I am always a sucker for a book within a book and this one was done flawlessly. It kept me absolutely gripped to the pages. The psychological and mental health aspect in this novel is strong, I really loved it.
Amanda constructed an intricately woven plot that intersects quite masterfully within each other. Once everything starts to unravel, I just shook my head at how much she mind f*cked me in a good way. There was one twist I figured out at some point, well I thought I did, the author smacked me right across the face and said…nope here's another one for you! Although, when that is uncovered some things do tend to be a little predictable, the way McKinney crafted the story, researched and built her characters was completely worth the read.
Overall, Amanda created another flawlessly crafted roller coaster ride of a thriller. She took me on a wild ride and I loved every single second. She is a master of her art, her writing and storytelling is immaculate. If you haven't picked up one of her thrillers, you definitely should!
✨ ️ Thank you to @stormpublishing & @amandamckinney for my gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Amanda constructed an intricately woven plot that intersects quite masterfully within each other. Once everything starts to unravel, I just shook my head at how much she mind f*cked me in a good way. There was one twist I figured out at some point, well I thought I did, the author smacked me right across the face and said…nope here's another one for you! Although, when that is uncovered some things do tend to be a little predictable, the way McKinney crafted the story, researched and built her characters was completely worth the read.
Overall, Amanda created another flawlessly crafted roller coaster ride of a thriller. She took me on a wild ride and I loved every single second. She is a master of her art, her writing and storytelling is immaculate. If you haven't picked up one of her thrillers, you definitely should!
✨ ️ Thank you to @stormpublishing & @amandamckinney for my gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 5, 2025
Oh my goodness, I am feeling so many things right now. And putting all of them into my review will be difficult, but I’ll try. THE PERFECT MURDER by Amanda McKinney is a fast-paced, gripping, and emotionally charged psychological thriller that pulls you in from the first chapter. At the heart of the story is Savi Portman, a complex and flawed protagonist whose inner turmoil and emotionally-laden life experiences add layers of intrigue to the narrative. McKinney does a fabulous job of making Savi both vulnerable yet resilient and strong, someone you can’t help but root for even as you question her behavior and motivations.
The supporting cast is also engaging, from best friend Katie to Detective Jacob, each with their own troubled pasts and secrets that keep you guessing whom can be trusted. Questions continue to arise with each new chapter, compelling you to keep reading if only to get answers. The pacing is perfect, with short chapters filled with unexpected twists and a plot line the keeps the pages flying. A big twist happens just past the midway point, and what a shocking one it is!!!
Suspense slowly builds with the author’s stellar storytelling capabilities. Nothing is quite as it seems — you learn this as the mystery unravels. And I loved the concept of a book within a book, paralleling the main plot and helping bring certain secrets to light slowly but surely. There are parts that are heartbreaking and take an emotional toll. No cozy mystery here! A solid and satisfying suspense novel, THE PERFECT MURDER is ideal for fans of psychological thrillers who enjoy a mix of mystery, tension, and clever twists.
A huge thanks to NetGalley, Amanda McKinney, and Storm Publishing for gifting me the ARC of THE PERFECT MURDER! I appreciate you trusting me with an honest review!!
*4.5 stars!
The supporting cast is also engaging, from best friend Katie to Detective Jacob, each with their own troubled pasts and secrets that keep you guessing whom can be trusted. Questions continue to arise with each new chapter, compelling you to keep reading if only to get answers. The pacing is perfect, with short chapters filled with unexpected twists and a plot line the keeps the pages flying. A big twist happens just past the midway point, and what a shocking one it is!!!
Suspense slowly builds with the author’s stellar storytelling capabilities. Nothing is quite as it seems — you learn this as the mystery unravels. And I loved the concept of a book within a book, paralleling the main plot and helping bring certain secrets to light slowly but surely. There are parts that are heartbreaking and take an emotional toll. No cozy mystery here! A solid and satisfying suspense novel, THE PERFECT MURDER is ideal for fans of psychological thrillers who enjoy a mix of mystery, tension, and clever twists.
A huge thanks to NetGalley, Amanda McKinney, and Storm Publishing for gifting me the ARC of THE PERFECT MURDER! I appreciate you trusting me with an honest review!!
*4.5 stars!
October 3, 2025
Twisty and unexpected, The Perfect Murder surprised me in all the best ways. The novel starts with Savi Portman who has written her debut cozy mystery and instantly become a bestseller. But Savi isn't coping with the limelight well and the stress and added scrutiny is impacting her in devastating ways.
To cope, she writes a "just for her" novel about the local detective and his mysterious wife who Savi has heard all about but never actually seen. When bizarre things in her personal novel start coming true, Savi is forced to find out what is really going on.
First off, if I was writing a book and things started coming true after I wrote them, I'm pretty sure my protagonist would win the lottery, inherit a fully paid for mansion on the ocean, and retire immediately, but just a thought :) Secondly, wowza just when I sort of thought I knew what was going on this whole novel flipped upside down and went in a entirely new direction that was altogether fun and thrilling!
This book definitely kept me guessing and with the title, I kept questioning the facts laid out before me and second-guessing how things would play out. It was twisty and exciting and I couldn't put it down.
After loving A Marriage of Lies last year, I knew I would love The Perfect Murder too and yet again, McKinney delivers! The Pulse just loves her books and I have no doubt The Perfect Murder is going to be a fan favorite too.
The Perfect Murder released on September 18, 2025 and is available now!
To cope, she writes a "just for her" novel about the local detective and his mysterious wife who Savi has heard all about but never actually seen. When bizarre things in her personal novel start coming true, Savi is forced to find out what is really going on.
First off, if I was writing a book and things started coming true after I wrote them, I'm pretty sure my protagonist would win the lottery, inherit a fully paid for mansion on the ocean, and retire immediately, but just a thought :) Secondly, wowza just when I sort of thought I knew what was going on this whole novel flipped upside down and went in a entirely new direction that was altogether fun and thrilling!
This book definitely kept me guessing and with the title, I kept questioning the facts laid out before me and second-guessing how things would play out. It was twisty and exciting and I couldn't put it down.
After loving A Marriage of Lies last year, I knew I would love The Perfect Murder too and yet again, McKinney delivers! The Pulse just loves her books and I have no doubt The Perfect Murder is going to be a fan favorite too.
The Perfect Murder released on September 18, 2025 and is available now!
September 11, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for another fantastic ARC.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Okay okay okay—why is this my first Amanda McKinney novel?! I devoured it in one day. It’s one of those plots that pulls you in under 30 pages (I was hooked immediately). I loved the main character so much!
What I loved most is how everything you think will be a cutesy, popcorn thriller instead hits you right in the neck—and everything you thought made sense… does, but in a darker, twistier way. The storytelling and storyline were chef’s kiss—this was a fantastic read.
Grab it when it releases on September 18!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Okay okay okay—why is this my first Amanda McKinney novel?! I devoured it in one day. It’s one of those plots that pulls you in under 30 pages (I was hooked immediately). I loved the main character so much!
What I loved most is how everything you think will be a cutesy, popcorn thriller instead hits you right in the neck—and everything you thought made sense… does, but in a darker, twistier way. The storytelling and storyline were chef’s kiss—this was a fantastic read.
Grab it when it releases on September 18!
September 13, 2025
For me, this is Amanda McKinney’s best novel yet.
This psychological suspense read pulled me in from the outset with its short chapters, fast, even pace, and dual points of view. I liked that the main character was a bestselling cozy mystery author, and enjoyed the “book within a book” chapters. I was engaged by the several twists and turns and reveals.
But this was also an emotional read that gave me all the feels. I did think that the ending could have been shorter but I get why it was the way it was in terms of bringing closure to the emotional elements of the story. The writing of those elements felt very authentic.
I enjoyed this suspense read which packed an emotional punch.
Thanks to the publisher for this complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
This psychological suspense read pulled me in from the outset with its short chapters, fast, even pace, and dual points of view. I liked that the main character was a bestselling cozy mystery author, and enjoyed the “book within a book” chapters. I was engaged by the several twists and turns and reveals.
But this was also an emotional read that gave me all the feels. I did think that the ending could have been shorter but I get why it was the way it was in terms of bringing closure to the emotional elements of the story. The writing of those elements felt very authentic.
I enjoyed this suspense read which packed an emotional punch.
Thanks to the publisher for this complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
November 15, 2025
The Perfect Murder is gripping, engaging, and thought-provoking. On top of that, it is twisty, suspenseful, and dark. The reader gets a little bit of everything in this thriller mixed with women's fiction. Throughout the novel, there is a deepening sense of unease. I truly enjoy the book within a book plot aspect. From the use of misdirection to the shocking and explosive plot twists, this novel will have you second-guess everything.
August 26, 2025
Wow!
All the feels!
Full review to come soon!
All the feels!
Full review to come soon!
August 5, 2025
4 stars – A twisty, meta murder mystery for thriller addicts and fiction lovers alike
You know what's more terrifying than your worst nightmare? Writing a fictional murder... and then watching it come to life. Welcome to The Perfect Murder, where fiction bleeds into reality and the line between author and suspect gets blurrier than your vision after a 4-hour true crime binge.
Savi Portman is living every writer's dream: bestselling debut, publishing world at her feet, and a shiny career ahead. But before she can bask in her cozy mystery glory, things go from plot twist to full-on nightmare. Because someone out there is recreating the murder from her book—and all the bloody breadcrumbs lead straight back to her.
Yikes.
What follows is a sharply written, fast-paced psychological thriller that plays with the “story within a story” angle in a wickedly clever way. McKinney knows how to ratchet up the tension—this isn’t your average whodunnit. This is a "did she do it?"… and you're not quite sure until the very end. Which, yes, includes a jaw-dropping twist that had me blinking like wait, what now?!
Savi is a relatable mess: smart, anxious, kind of a hermit, and understandably unhinged as her fictional world starts crashing into her real one. I was rooting for her while also wondering, “Okay but what if she actually did it??” Trust no one, not even the protagonist.
My only minor gripe? Some parts tread a little too close to familiar thriller tropes—but McKinney manages to keep things fresh enough with her layered plot and a wicked sense of pacing.
Final verdict: This one’s for the thriller lovers who like their suspense clever, their heroines messy, and their twists fully unhinged. The Perfect Murder is dark, meta, and compulsively readable—with a side of “what the hell just happened?” 4 stars of sharp, satisfying chaos.
thank you Netgalley, Storm Publishing and the author for my eArc. all opinions are my own.
You know what's more terrifying than your worst nightmare? Writing a fictional murder... and then watching it come to life. Welcome to The Perfect Murder, where fiction bleeds into reality and the line between author and suspect gets blurrier than your vision after a 4-hour true crime binge.
Savi Portman is living every writer's dream: bestselling debut, publishing world at her feet, and a shiny career ahead. But before she can bask in her cozy mystery glory, things go from plot twist to full-on nightmare. Because someone out there is recreating the murder from her book—and all the bloody breadcrumbs lead straight back to her.
Yikes.
What follows is a sharply written, fast-paced psychological thriller that plays with the “story within a story” angle in a wickedly clever way. McKinney knows how to ratchet up the tension—this isn’t your average whodunnit. This is a "did she do it?"… and you're not quite sure until the very end. Which, yes, includes a jaw-dropping twist that had me blinking like wait, what now?!
Savi is a relatable mess: smart, anxious, kind of a hermit, and understandably unhinged as her fictional world starts crashing into her real one. I was rooting for her while also wondering, “Okay but what if she actually did it??” Trust no one, not even the protagonist.
My only minor gripe? Some parts tread a little too close to familiar thriller tropes—but McKinney manages to keep things fresh enough with her layered plot and a wicked sense of pacing.
Final verdict: This one’s for the thriller lovers who like their suspense clever, their heroines messy, and their twists fully unhinged. The Perfect Murder is dark, meta, and compulsively readable—with a side of “what the hell just happened?” 4 stars of sharp, satisfying chaos.
thank you Netgalley, Storm Publishing and the author for my eArc. all opinions are my own.
September 12, 2025
The Perfect Murder completely captivated me from the first page. I really enjoyed how this author drew me into Savi’s world, including her life, her writing, and the chaos that erupts when fiction and reality collide. I found myself constantly guessing what would happen next, and just when I thought I had it figured out, the story twisted again.
I loved the way the tension built page by page. Savi is such a relatable protagonist. Her fear, frustration, and determination had me rooting for her the whole time. The clever way the plot mirrored her own writing, blurring the lines between author and suspect, kept me on edge throughout.
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I was completely absorbed in the story and couldn’t stop turning the pages anxious for the ending to reveal itself. I highly recommend this to anyone who craves a twisty, keep-you-on-edge of your seat thriller.
Multi POV
Not a romance
Triggers
I loved the way the tension built page by page. Savi is such a relatable protagonist. Her fear, frustration, and determination had me rooting for her the whole time. The clever way the plot mirrored her own writing, blurring the lines between author and suspect, kept me on edge throughout.
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I was completely absorbed in the story and couldn’t stop turning the pages anxious for the ending to reveal itself. I highly recommend this to anyone who craves a twisty, keep-you-on-edge of your seat thriller.
Multi POV
Not a romance
Triggers
August 21, 2025
Amanda McKinney delivered another dark, twisty, and unputdownable blend of psychological thriller and romantic suspense.
The Perfect Murder followed Savi Portman, a bestselling cozy mystery author whose latest manuscript centers on the “perfect murder.” But when a real homicide occurs that mirrors her fictional plot, her life takes a terrifying turn.
Of the McKinney novels I’ve read-A Marriage of Lies, The Wife’s Silence, and When I Disappear-I’ve devoured each one for their addictive, fast-paced psychological mystery storylines, with every book as gripping as the last. Her newest release, The Perfect Murder, was no exception. It’s another binge-worthy read that pulled me in from the first page and kept me engaged right through to the final twist.
I’ve always loved McKinney’s writing style. Her prose is fast-paced and accessible, with a sharp focus on tension and atmosphere. She weaves suspense and romance together seamlessly, using short, gripping chapters and perfectly timed twists to keep the momentum high. Her direct yet evocative descriptions bring settings vividly to life, while her flawed, emotionally layered characters ground the drama in authenticity. The result is a style that feels both addictive and immersive.
I’m so appreciative to have been given an ARC of The Perfect Murder. I loved the sharp hook, vivid atmosphere, and constant stream of twists that kept the tension high. The meta-thriller angle—blurred the line between fiction and reality—was especially compelling. On the flip side, some of the dialogue leaned on familiar thriller tropes, and at times the romantic undercurrent pulled a bit of focus from the central suspense. However, the romance ultimately heightened the danger, entwining the emotional stakes with the mystery in a way that worked.
Overall, The Perfect Murder was a compelling, addictive read that kept me hooked from start to finish. McKinney once again proved her talent for darkly suspenseful storytelling, balancing tension, atmosphere, and romance in just the right measure. I’d highly recommend this to both longtime fans of her work and readers who love fast-paced psychological thrillers and romantic suspense stories with a darker edge.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the advance copy—I’m grateful for the opportunity to share my honest thoughts.
The Perfect Murder followed Savi Portman, a bestselling cozy mystery author whose latest manuscript centers on the “perfect murder.” But when a real homicide occurs that mirrors her fictional plot, her life takes a terrifying turn.
Of the McKinney novels I’ve read-A Marriage of Lies, The Wife’s Silence, and When I Disappear-I’ve devoured each one for their addictive, fast-paced psychological mystery storylines, with every book as gripping as the last. Her newest release, The Perfect Murder, was no exception. It’s another binge-worthy read that pulled me in from the first page and kept me engaged right through to the final twist.
I’ve always loved McKinney’s writing style. Her prose is fast-paced and accessible, with a sharp focus on tension and atmosphere. She weaves suspense and romance together seamlessly, using short, gripping chapters and perfectly timed twists to keep the momentum high. Her direct yet evocative descriptions bring settings vividly to life, while her flawed, emotionally layered characters ground the drama in authenticity. The result is a style that feels both addictive and immersive.
I’m so appreciative to have been given an ARC of The Perfect Murder. I loved the sharp hook, vivid atmosphere, and constant stream of twists that kept the tension high. The meta-thriller angle—blurred the line between fiction and reality—was especially compelling. On the flip side, some of the dialogue leaned on familiar thriller tropes, and at times the romantic undercurrent pulled a bit of focus from the central suspense. However, the romance ultimately heightened the danger, entwining the emotional stakes with the mystery in a way that worked.
Overall, The Perfect Murder was a compelling, addictive read that kept me hooked from start to finish. McKinney once again proved her talent for darkly suspenseful storytelling, balancing tension, atmosphere, and romance in just the right measure. I’d highly recommend this to both longtime fans of her work and readers who love fast-paced psychological thrillers and romantic suspense stories with a darker edge.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the advance copy—I’m grateful for the opportunity to share my honest thoughts.
August 30, 2025
THE PERFECT MURDER BY AMANDA MCKINNEY
5 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s
Release day set for the 18th of September 2025.
Highly recommend this book.
This is a great psychological thriller and will keep you hooked and turning them pages until you've reached the end.
Great story telling and great storyline.
5 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s
Release day set for the 18th of September 2025.
Highly recommend this book.
This is a great psychological thriller and will keep you hooked and turning them pages until you've reached the end.
Great story telling and great storyline.
October 4, 2025
I recently discovered this author and really enjoyed her books. This one is a whirlwind of twists and turns!
September 23, 2025
- [ ] ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Amanda McKinney strikes again and I am obsessed! 🔥
- [ ] This book is everything I want in a psychological thriller: fast-paced, unpredictable, and absolutely addictive. From the very first chapter I was pulled in, and every time I thought I had the mystery figured out, the story twisted in a completely different direction. I genuinely never knew what was coming next, which made it impossible to put down.
- [ ] The multiple POVs and short, snappy chapters kept the tension high and the pages flying. Amanda’s writing is razor-sharp—equal parts chilling and captivating—and she delivers a storyline that keeps you second-guessing until the very last line.
- [ ] The Perfect Murder is dark, clever, and completely unputdownable. If you’re looking for a thriller that will mess with your head in the best way, this is it. Hands down, one of the most memorable releases of 2025. 🙌
- [ ] This book is everything I want in a psychological thriller: fast-paced, unpredictable, and absolutely addictive. From the very first chapter I was pulled in, and every time I thought I had the mystery figured out, the story twisted in a completely different direction. I genuinely never knew what was coming next, which made it impossible to put down.
- [ ] The multiple POVs and short, snappy chapters kept the tension high and the pages flying. Amanda’s writing is razor-sharp—equal parts chilling and captivating—and she delivers a storyline that keeps you second-guessing until the very last line.
- [ ] The Perfect Murder is dark, clever, and completely unputdownable. If you’re looking for a thriller that will mess with your head in the best way, this is it. Hands down, one of the most memorable releases of 2025. 🙌
August 1, 2025
We all have our escapes—music, scrolling through social media, retail therapy, obsessive reading (guilty), and for some, writing. But what happens when a writer’s fiction starts bleeding into real life?
That’s exactly the nightmare Savi finds herself in. What starts as a creative outlet spirals into something far more sinister when details from the thriller she’s writing begin to mirror a real-life murder. Now she’s the prime suspect. Told through dual POVs, with Savi and Detective Jacob, we’re caught in a fast-paced, twist filled narrative where nothing is quite what it seems.
This is only my second read from Amanda McKinney, but both times I’ve been genuinely surprised and that’s saying something as a seasoned thriller reader. She brings a fresh voice to the genre, crafting stories that are not only suspenseful but layered with emotional depth and timely issues handled with care.
It’s hard to review this without spoiling anything, so I’ll keep it simple: if you enjoy thrillers that are sharp, original, and keep you guessing, The Perfect Murder needs to be on your list.
Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this arc
That’s exactly the nightmare Savi finds herself in. What starts as a creative outlet spirals into something far more sinister when details from the thriller she’s writing begin to mirror a real-life murder. Now she’s the prime suspect. Told through dual POVs, with Savi and Detective Jacob, we’re caught in a fast-paced, twist filled narrative where nothing is quite what it seems.
This is only my second read from Amanda McKinney, but both times I’ve been genuinely surprised and that’s saying something as a seasoned thriller reader. She brings a fresh voice to the genre, crafting stories that are not only suspenseful but layered with emotional depth and timely issues handled with care.
It’s hard to review this without spoiling anything, so I’ll keep it simple: if you enjoy thrillers that are sharp, original, and keep you guessing, The Perfect Murder needs to be on your list.
Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this arc
August 6, 2025
Savannah Portman, successful author of a cosy mystery series is undertaking book tours and promotional work. This is very draining for her, so as a release she starts writing her next book, but this one is darker than normal and takes her on a completely different tangent. And when real life events mimic her storyline she suspects someone has access to her laptop.
This novel took me by surprise, I was completely blindsided by the turn of events, I read back some chapters to see if I'd missed anything. It's very cleverly written and takes you on a journey with plot twists. If you love a book that has you questioning everything, then you'll love this one
This novel took me by surprise, I was completely blindsided by the turn of events, I read back some chapters to see if I'd missed anything. It's very cleverly written and takes you on a journey with plot twists. If you love a book that has you questioning everything, then you'll love this one
Read
October 6, 2025Wow. This was a twisty and suspenseful story! Savi is a newly successful novelist but is struggling with her success. The more pressure placed on her the more she feels like she is losing herself. And maybe she is! This one definitely had me guessing. A few of the twists I figured out but not many. The atmospheric writing and fast plot kept my interest throughout. It’s not a long book and I read it in one day. A very enjoyable read!
August 4, 2025
This is a stunning story that is kind of disturbing even knowing
it’s fiction. It’s terrifying with every chapter offering more or
less only slight clues and it turned out that by the time I had
it figured out, we were in the courtroom! I love the Author
and her smart, complicated characters and their traumas~
it’s not easy to manage the number of primary characters
and their individual development in a novel of this length,
but it’s perfect. I recommend it to cozy and fiction fans.
My thanks to Storm Publishing via NetGalley for this
download copy of the book for review purposes.
it’s fiction. It’s terrifying with every chapter offering more or
less only slight clues and it turned out that by the time I had
it figured out, we were in the courtroom! I love the Author
and her smart, complicated characters and their traumas~
it’s not easy to manage the number of primary characters
and their individual development in a novel of this length,
but it’s perfect. I recommend it to cozy and fiction fans.
My thanks to Storm Publishing via NetGalley for this
download copy of the book for review purposes.
August 3, 2025
This is one of those crazy books where I thought maybe I was the crazy one! Savi''s debut novel, Holy Sheet Cake is an instant success and she's over the moon with excitement! But as we "dig in" to her writing process we realize something is "off" and she may be hallucinating things that haven't really happened. But as we delve further into her background, we realize things start to make sense as her mind is attempting to reconcile what it know with what it THINKS! It's a fabulous novel that had me racing through at break-neck speed!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
October 9, 2025
When bestselling author Savi Portman’s fictional murder starts happening in real life, all clues point to her. Now she must prove she’s innocent of the perfect crime she created on the page.
The Perfect Murder was a fast-paced, twisty read that completely pulled me in from the start. The plot was fantastic. It was clever, layered, and totally gripping. I loved the book-within-a-book concept and how the story unfolded piece by piece, blurring the lines between fiction and reality. Amanda McKinney kept the tension high and the pages flying. While I had to suspend disbelief at times, this book was an addictive and highly entertaining thriller that I couldn’t put down.
Thank you to the author, Storm Publishing, and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
The Perfect Murder was a fast-paced, twisty read that completely pulled me in from the start. The plot was fantastic. It was clever, layered, and totally gripping. I loved the book-within-a-book concept and how the story unfolded piece by piece, blurring the lines between fiction and reality. Amanda McKinney kept the tension high and the pages flying. While I had to suspend disbelief at times, this book was an addictive and highly entertaining thriller that I couldn’t put down.
Thank you to the author, Storm Publishing, and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
August 21, 2025
The Perfect Mother
By: Amanda McKinney
Pub Date: September 18, 2025
Publisher: Storm Publishing
Shared with: The PULSE
We love McKinney’s book at the PULSE.
Imagine having written a number 1 bestseller and sky rocketing your career. When an author gets recognition, sometimes it is not all good. Savi is a debut author working on her next book.
Soon scenes from her work in progress start playing out and she is shown on camera and everyone thinks she is the culprit, but she knows she did not commit murder, or did she?
A page turner that I read in one sitting. How does one plan the perfect murder, not share your thoughts and it play out in real life?
I highly recommend any of her books because you will be hooked form the first page until the last.
By: Amanda McKinney
Pub Date: September 18, 2025
Publisher: Storm Publishing
Shared with: The PULSE
We love McKinney’s book at the PULSE.
Imagine having written a number 1 bestseller and sky rocketing your career. When an author gets recognition, sometimes it is not all good. Savi is a debut author working on her next book.
Soon scenes from her work in progress start playing out and she is shown on camera and everyone thinks she is the culprit, but she knows she did not commit murder, or did she?
A page turner that I read in one sitting. How does one plan the perfect murder, not share your thoughts and it play out in real life?
I highly recommend any of her books because you will be hooked form the first page until the last.
August 26, 2025
A book within a book is always a selling point for me and this one doesn’t disappoint.
Savi has just hit the number one spot with her cozy mystery book but whilst she is attempting to pen number two, instead a psychological thriller pours out of her. The problems begin when the things she writes start to come true in the small town she lives in.
Alternating chapters with Savi and the local police chief Jacob, and chapters of the thriller Savi is writing , combine together to make this an addictive page turner with red herrings and twists galore.
To add, the authors “A Marriage Of Lies” was in my top ten books of 2024 so I recommend that one too if you haven’t yet read it.
Special thanks to NetGalley, publisher and author for my gifted eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Savi has just hit the number one spot with her cozy mystery book but whilst she is attempting to pen number two, instead a psychological thriller pours out of her. The problems begin when the things she writes start to come true in the small town she lives in.
Alternating chapters with Savi and the local police chief Jacob, and chapters of the thriller Savi is writing , combine together to make this an addictive page turner with red herrings and twists galore.
To add, the authors “A Marriage Of Lies” was in my top ten books of 2024 so I recommend that one too if you haven’t yet read it.
Special thanks to NetGalley, publisher and author for my gifted eARC in exchange for my honest review.
September 29, 2025
Thank you to Storm Publishing and Amanda McKinney for the ARC!
Savi Portman just wrote her debut novel, a cozy mystery about the perfect murder. It’s a #1 best seller, and everything is looking good. Until…a murder is committed straight from the pages of Savi’s next work-in-progress novel. And even worse - there is evidence. People say they saw Savi at the scene of the crime (even though she swears she was sleeping!) How does one prove you didn’t commit murder, after writing the perfect murder?
Amanda McKinney is one of our favorite authors at The Pulse! I know she always delivers a twisty, exciting thriller. The premise of this one peaked my attention immediately - a murder writer, who finds herself caught up in an ACTUAL murder? Say less! From the opening pages, the tension was high and the fast pace kept it that way. I was fully invested, wondering how Savi found herself in this mess. In fact, this would have been the perfect one sitting bingeable thriller - damn real life and its responsibilities making me set the book down! LOL And the final twist? Chefs kiss. McKinney knows how to write a psychological thriller for sure! Grab this one, you won’t be disappointed!
“The Perfect Murder” is out NOW! This review will be shared to my instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly :)
Savi Portman just wrote her debut novel, a cozy mystery about the perfect murder. It’s a #1 best seller, and everything is looking good. Until…a murder is committed straight from the pages of Savi’s next work-in-progress novel. And even worse - there is evidence. People say they saw Savi at the scene of the crime (even though she swears she was sleeping!) How does one prove you didn’t commit murder, after writing the perfect murder?
Amanda McKinney is one of our favorite authors at The Pulse! I know she always delivers a twisty, exciting thriller. The premise of this one peaked my attention immediately - a murder writer, who finds herself caught up in an ACTUAL murder? Say less! From the opening pages, the tension was high and the fast pace kept it that way. I was fully invested, wondering how Savi found herself in this mess. In fact, this would have been the perfect one sitting bingeable thriller - damn real life and its responsibilities making me set the book down! LOL And the final twist? Chefs kiss. McKinney knows how to write a psychological thriller for sure! Grab this one, you won’t be disappointed!
“The Perfect Murder” is out NOW! This review will be shared to my instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly :)
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