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How to Get Away with Murder
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 cases only leads is a copy of a self-help book found in the victim's backpack called How To Get Away With Murder by a man named Denver Brady.
Brady claims to be the most successful serial killer of our time, which is why no one's ever heard of him. Chapter by chapter, he details his methodology and his past victims, and as Sam's investigation progresses and the details of the book go viral, Sam begins to suspect that there’s more to the author than what he’s revealed. But in order to find a killer and get justice for young Charlotte, Sam must learn to trust her instincts once again, before Denver Brady--or someone else--really does get away with murder.
Detective Inspector Samantha Hansen has been on leave for six months, recovering from a breakdown she suffered at work, but when a fourteen-year-old girl is murdered in a local park, Sam jumps at the chance to return to the job and prove that she's still got what it takes to be the Yard's most successful homicide detective. One of the cases only leads is a copy of a self-help book found in the victim's backpack called How To Get Away With Murder by a man named Denver Brady.
Brady claims to be the most successful serial killer of our time, which is why no one's ever heard of him. Chapter by chapter, he details his methodology and his past victims, and as Sam's investigation progresses and the details of the book go viral, Sam begins to suspect that there’s more to the author than what he’s revealed. But in order to find a killer and get justice for young Charlotte, Sam must learn to trust her instincts once again, before Denver Brady--or someone else--really does get away with murder.
361 pages, Paperback
First published February 24, 2026
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Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
How to Get Away with Murder by Rebecca Philipson
Narrated by Michael Geary, Tamsin Kennard
I really like Detective Inspector Samantha Hansen, an early forty something woman, having been on leave for six months due to a work related breakdown. She's been in work ordered therapy, where the most she gets out of it is the candy that her therapist provides. Her therapist seems to really care but Sam would rather space out and do her time not going to therapy. Vegging on the couch, not showering, and not eating is more how Sam wants to spend this time off but she must pull herself together for getting back to work.
Sam is a highly successful detective and it is the murder of a fourteen year old girl that sparks a flame under her and makes her eager to get back to work. In the girl's backpack is the book How To Get Away With Murder by Denver Brady. If what Brady writes is true, he's a prolific serial killer and he's still out there doing his thing. Is the murder of this girl a copycat murder or is this the work of Brady?
Spoiling Sam's return to work is that she is put under a younger woman who will be the lead on this case. That young woman seems to be eager to bust Sam's optimistic bubble at every turn. Not that Sam is all that optimistic since she is still dealing with thoughts about the event that lead to her breakdown but Sam would like to just get back to work and do her detecting in the way she knows works best for her and the victims. She does have a hunky young man to mentor and she does her best to tamp down his enthusiasm and eagerness to please but he just might be the best thing about returning to work if she'd just let him help her with the case.
There is a lot going on in this story as we get chapters from the book slowly eked out to us as Sam FINALLY gets around to reading each chapter. Surely Sam, as overwhelmed as she is by being back to work and still dealing with anxiety, would sit down and read the serial killer's book from front to back, right away. That's what I would do but maybe I'd make a lousy main character in a mystery/thriller.
Both audiobook narrators do a great job. Michael Geary is new to me and now I don't want to meet his voice in a dark alley. Tamsin Kennard is someone I've heard a lot and usually she's narrating a frantic, chaotic, hysterical character. I like her narration of Sam's POV, she meets the challenge of a more put together character (at least when the character is in not dealing with post breakdown anxiety) who may or may not be all that she appears. I was able to discuss this "killer" of a story with Jayme and I'm not alone in thinking that serial killer book needed to be read pronto. Oh, and there is a very, very cute dog in this story, just what Sam needs to make her life better!
Pub February 24, 2026
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for this ARC.
Narrated by Michael Geary, Tamsin Kennard
I really like Detective Inspector Samantha Hansen, an early forty something woman, having been on leave for six months due to a work related breakdown. She's been in work ordered therapy, where the most she gets out of it is the candy that her therapist provides. Her therapist seems to really care but Sam would rather space out and do her time not going to therapy. Vegging on the couch, not showering, and not eating is more how Sam wants to spend this time off but she must pull herself together for getting back to work.
Sam is a highly successful detective and it is the murder of a fourteen year old girl that sparks a flame under her and makes her eager to get back to work. In the girl's backpack is the book How To Get Away With Murder by Denver Brady. If what Brady writes is true, he's a prolific serial killer and he's still out there doing his thing. Is the murder of this girl a copycat murder or is this the work of Brady?
Spoiling Sam's return to work is that she is put under a younger woman who will be the lead on this case. That young woman seems to be eager to bust Sam's optimistic bubble at every turn. Not that Sam is all that optimistic since she is still dealing with thoughts about the event that lead to her breakdown but Sam would like to just get back to work and do her detecting in the way she knows works best for her and the victims. She does have a hunky young man to mentor and she does her best to tamp down his enthusiasm and eagerness to please but he just might be the best thing about returning to work if she'd just let him help her with the case.
There is a lot going on in this story as we get chapters from the book slowly eked out to us as Sam FINALLY gets around to reading each chapter. Surely Sam, as overwhelmed as she is by being back to work and still dealing with anxiety, would sit down and read the serial killer's book from front to back, right away. That's what I would do but maybe I'd make a lousy main character in a mystery/thriller.
Both audiobook narrators do a great job. Michael Geary is new to me and now I don't want to meet his voice in a dark alley. Tamsin Kennard is someone I've heard a lot and usually she's narrating a frantic, chaotic, hysterical character. I like her narration of Sam's POV, she meets the challenge of a more put together character (at least when the character is in not dealing with post breakdown anxiety) who may or may not be all that she appears. I was able to discuss this "killer" of a story with Jayme and I'm not alone in thinking that serial killer book needed to be read pronto. Oh, and there is a very, very cute dog in this story, just what Sam needs to make her life better!
Pub February 24, 2026
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for this ARC.
September 29, 2025
What a hook! A “book-within-a-book” serial-killer mystery where the murderer leaves a copy of “How to Get Away with Murder” at each scene—complete with step-by-step instructions that mirror the crime—had me leaning so far forward I nearly fell off the couch. It’s a wickedly clever conceit: the killer taunts investigators with a printed playbook, and the only way to stop them is to read between the lines faster than they can turn the page.
Our lead, Samantha Hansen, is a brilliant Chief Inspector at Scotland Yard who’s been off the job for six months after a colleague sexually assaulted her—a “he said, she said” wound that left her with PTSD and a shaken sense of self. When a fourteen-year-old girl is found murdered in a local park, Samantha collides with the scene—literally and emotionally—and decides to return. With steady support from Harry (her boss and her late father’s best friend), she teams up with savvy DS Tina Edris and two rookies, Taylor and Chloe, to chase a killer who treats homicide like a literary scavenger hunt.
Their single, infuriatingly elegant clue is the book the murderer plants: “How to Get Away with Murder.” Inside, a victim named Sarah shares eerie, specific overlaps with young Charlotte, and each chapter reads like a breadcrumb trail. Is the culprit a copycat meticulously staging a fictional plot? Or is enigmatic author Denver Brady using publication as autobiography—confessing in plain sight and daring the police to catch up? Samantha’s edge has always been mastery of detail, but trauma has blunted her focus; skimming won’t cut it. The devil is in the margins, and she has to relearn how to read every scratch, stain, and comma as if a life depends on it—because it does.
I loved how the novel balances propulsive plotting with character work. Samantha’s return is not a triumphant flip of a switch; it’s halting, prickly, and real. Watching her rebuild professional muscle memory while refusing to let a predator (past or present) define her gives the case personal stakes that hum beneath every interview and evidence board. As for the mystery—I made suspect lists, crossed out names, and still second-guessed myself until the final reveal. Smart misdirection, fair clues, and just enough menace to make you glance at your own bookshelf.
Bottom line: an ingenious premise executed with confidence and heart. If this is the author’s debut, consider me on high alert for whatever comes next—I’m hooked.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sharing this unputdownable, razor-smart mystery’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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Our lead, Samantha Hansen, is a brilliant Chief Inspector at Scotland Yard who’s been off the job for six months after a colleague sexually assaulted her—a “he said, she said” wound that left her with PTSD and a shaken sense of self. When a fourteen-year-old girl is found murdered in a local park, Samantha collides with the scene—literally and emotionally—and decides to return. With steady support from Harry (her boss and her late father’s best friend), she teams up with savvy DS Tina Edris and two rookies, Taylor and Chloe, to chase a killer who treats homicide like a literary scavenger hunt.
Their single, infuriatingly elegant clue is the book the murderer plants: “How to Get Away with Murder.” Inside, a victim named Sarah shares eerie, specific overlaps with young Charlotte, and each chapter reads like a breadcrumb trail. Is the culprit a copycat meticulously staging a fictional plot? Or is enigmatic author Denver Brady using publication as autobiography—confessing in plain sight and daring the police to catch up? Samantha’s edge has always been mastery of detail, but trauma has blunted her focus; skimming won’t cut it. The devil is in the margins, and she has to relearn how to read every scratch, stain, and comma as if a life depends on it—because it does.
I loved how the novel balances propulsive plotting with character work. Samantha’s return is not a triumphant flip of a switch; it’s halting, prickly, and real. Watching her rebuild professional muscle memory while refusing to let a predator (past or present) define her gives the case personal stakes that hum beneath every interview and evidence board. As for the mystery—I made suspect lists, crossed out names, and still second-guessed myself until the final reveal. Smart misdirection, fair clues, and just enough menace to make you glance at your own bookshelf.
Bottom line: an ingenious premise executed with confidence and heart. If this is the author’s debut, consider me on high alert for whatever comes next—I’m hooked.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sharing this unputdownable, razor-smart mystery’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
medium blog
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A book about serial killers, WITHIN a book about serial killers! Win-Win!
Detective Inspector Samantha Hansen has been on leave from Scotland Yard for the past six months. There was an incident within her own department that caused her to have a breakdown. Is she ready to come back? Absolutely not.
But after learning of the death of a schoolgirl, Sam knows it’s time. It’s simply who she is…a detective. And she needed to help find the killer. When a book titled, How To Get Away with Murder is found at the crime scene, Sam realizes she’ll need to track down the author and in turn find a potential serial killer.
I loved Sam’s character. Her personal struggles rang deep and true. You’re able to feel the pain as she attempts to regain her footing. The side characters who also stole my heart were her trainee, Adam Taylor and of course her adorable rescue pup!
Told from Samantha’s perspective as well as excerpts from the book to How To Get Away With Murder.
I listened to the audio and both narrators delivered brilliant performances!
✍️ Rebecca Philipson
🎧 11 hours 37 minutes
🎤 Michael Geary and Tamsin Kennard
🗓️ Now Available!
📈 4.5/5🌟🌟🌟🌟
👉 Thriller, suspense, serial killers, police procedural
Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio
Detective Inspector Samantha Hansen has been on leave from Scotland Yard for the past six months. There was an incident within her own department that caused her to have a breakdown. Is she ready to come back? Absolutely not.
But after learning of the death of a schoolgirl, Sam knows it’s time. It’s simply who she is…a detective. And she needed to help find the killer. When a book titled, How To Get Away with Murder is found at the crime scene, Sam realizes she’ll need to track down the author and in turn find a potential serial killer.
I loved Sam’s character. Her personal struggles rang deep and true. You’re able to feel the pain as she attempts to regain her footing. The side characters who also stole my heart were her trainee, Adam Taylor and of course her adorable rescue pup!
Told from Samantha’s perspective as well as excerpts from the book to How To Get Away With Murder.
I listened to the audio and both narrators delivered brilliant performances!
✍️ Rebecca Philipson
🎧 11 hours 37 minutes
🎤 Michael Geary and Tamsin Kennard
🗓️ Now Available!
📈 4.5/5🌟🌟🌟🌟
👉 Thriller, suspense, serial killers, police procedural
Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio
February 22, 2026
Thanks to a book-within-a-book narrative that was both original and fresh, How to Get Away With Murder delivered one of the most well-crafted plots that I’ve ever read. You see, not only was it propulsive, twisty, and clever, but this standout mashup of a police procedural and a serial killer thriller was darkly funny as well. Adding to the brilliance was Sam. Complex and deeply flawed, she was a dynamite narrator that—when contrasted with the serial killer chapters—made me want her to get a win. After all, this book was not only a how-to guide at getting away with murder, but an addictive ride that had me second guessing myself the whole time. With shrewd misdirection, believable red herrings, and well-hidden lies, the twists—when they arrived—had me gasping in surprise. Altogether, it was a stunning debut that would make any true-crime lover weak at the knees.
I do have to warn you, though, that while the plot was an absolute slam dunk, I did have to really focus on what the author was laying down. Intertwining the fictional book and the police case into one twist-packed plot, remembering all the whos, whats, and whys wasn’t for the faint of heart. That being said, once all of the pieces to this intricate puzzle came together towards the end, it was all I could do to not shout “WTF?” in utter delight. Concluding with an unforgettable bang, it had everything I love in a thriller: multiple mysteries, a ratcheting pace, and character shifts that I couldn’t have spotted in a million years. Trust me when I say that I’ll bow down at your feet if you predict the final twist in this novel before it’s revealed. After all, it—just like the rest of this one-sitting read—was wicked, cunning, and smart in the best possible way. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
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.
Thank you Rebecca Philipson and Minotaur Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: February 24, 2026
Content warning: depression, panic attack/anxiety disorder, murder, misogyny, suicide, domestic abuse, home invasion, violence, mention of: sexual assault
I do have to warn you, though, that while the plot was an absolute slam dunk, I did have to really focus on what the author was laying down. Intertwining the fictional book and the police case into one twist-packed plot, remembering all the whos, whats, and whys wasn’t for the faint of heart. That being said, once all of the pieces to this intricate puzzle came together towards the end, it was all I could do to not shout “WTF?” in utter delight. Concluding with an unforgettable bang, it had everything I love in a thriller: multiple mysteries, a ratcheting pace, and character shifts that I couldn’t have spotted in a million years. Trust me when I say that I’ll bow down at your feet if you predict the final twist in this novel before it’s revealed. After all, it—just like the rest of this one-sitting read—was wicked, cunning, and smart in the best possible way. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
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.
Thank you Rebecca Philipson and Minotaur Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: February 24, 2026
Content warning: depression, panic attack/anxiety disorder, murder, misogyny, suicide, domestic abuse, home invasion, violence, mention of: sexual assault
December 29, 2025
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!
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]
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.
April 3, 2026
Detective Samantha (Sam) Hansen has been on leave for 6 months after a traumatic work-related incident.
She’s still struggling, but the murder of a teenage girl lights a fire in Sam to get back to work, so she pulls herself together. There is a book found at the murder scene, How To Get Away with Murder, a literal how-to book outlining the murders of various victims. The author, Denver Brady, claims to be the best serial killer in history, as he’s never been caught.
Is the book fiction or autobiography? Is this recent murder a copycat killer or the work of the mysterious author?
This is a book-within-a-book with chapters alternating between Sam working the case with her team, and chapters from the aforementioned book. Sam’s character is complicated and her return to work is also complicated. She was a sympathetic character and I really liked her. Plus, Sam has an adorable rescue dog that stole my heart.
While you wouldn’t expect a how-to book on murder to be humorous, the chapter excerpts adds snark, levity, and dark humor to this tale.
It was an interesting format that worked particularly well on audio with the 2 narrators, Michael Geary and Tamsin Kennard, doing an outstanding job.
An interesting format and a clever plot with an explosive ending that blew me away. A great debut and an author to watch. I hope we meet Sam again in a future book.
* I received a digital audio copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own
She’s still struggling, but the murder of a teenage girl lights a fire in Sam to get back to work, so she pulls herself together. There is a book found at the murder scene, How To Get Away with Murder, a literal how-to book outlining the murders of various victims. The author, Denver Brady, claims to be the best serial killer in history, as he’s never been caught.
Is the book fiction or autobiography? Is this recent murder a copycat killer or the work of the mysterious author?
This is a book-within-a-book with chapters alternating between Sam working the case with her team, and chapters from the aforementioned book. Sam’s character is complicated and her return to work is also complicated. She was a sympathetic character and I really liked her. Plus, Sam has an adorable rescue dog that stole my heart.
While you wouldn’t expect a how-to book on murder to be humorous, the chapter excerpts adds snark, levity, and dark humor to this tale.
It was an interesting format that worked particularly well on audio with the 2 narrators, Michael Geary and Tamsin Kennard, doing an outstanding job.
An interesting format and a clever plot with an explosive ending that blew me away. A great debut and an author to watch. I hope we meet Sam again in a future book.
* I received a digital audio copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
It's a book within a book.
A book about a book.
Is this a how-to or a whodunit? Or both?
Here are some things I appreciated about this new procedural:
👮♀️Samantha Hansen(Sam) has the grit to go the distance. It's a pity her PTSD has taken her off active duty for some time. She hits the ground running when there may be a serial killer to catch.
👩🦰 Charlotte Mathers was too young to die. The murder case haunts Sam and motivates her to examine those crime scene photos. Why was a copy of 'How To Get Away With Murder' found at the scene?
📖The author of the viral book sensation is listed as Denver Brody, but who is he or she? Will the book itself give enough clues to help find the author? And if they find that person, will they have solved Charlotte's case?
🐶At the beginning of the book, Sam takes in a stray and names him Toni. It's an intriguing case of life imitating art as Denver Brody also has a little dog. Will Toni help Sam deal with her PTSD?
Chapters from HTGAWM are inserted throughout the narrative. Their tone is downright creepy and in the audiobook a different narrator (Michael Greary) is used effectively in delivering those passages with Tamsin Kennard for Sam's chapters.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an audio ARC and to Minotaur Books and Edelweiss+ for a digital advance copy. All opinions are my own.
A book about a book.
Is this a how-to or a whodunit? Or both?
Here are some things I appreciated about this new procedural:
👮♀️Samantha Hansen(Sam) has the grit to go the distance. It's a pity her PTSD has taken her off active duty for some time. She hits the ground running when there may be a serial killer to catch.
👩🦰 Charlotte Mathers was too young to die. The murder case haunts Sam and motivates her to examine those crime scene photos. Why was a copy of 'How To Get Away With Murder' found at the scene?
📖The author of the viral book sensation is listed as Denver Brody, but who is he or she? Will the book itself give enough clues to help find the author? And if they find that person, will they have solved Charlotte's case?
🐶At the beginning of the book, Sam takes in a stray and names him Toni. It's an intriguing case of life imitating art as Denver Brody also has a little dog. Will Toni help Sam deal with her PTSD?
Chapters from HTGAWM are inserted throughout the narrative. Their tone is downright creepy and in the audiobook a different narrator (Michael Greary) is used effectively in delivering those passages with Tamsin Kennard for Sam's chapters.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an audio ARC and to Minotaur Books and Edelweiss+ for a digital advance copy. All opinions are my own.
January 17, 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.
March 9, 2026
Good twisty mystery about a book called How to Get Away with Murder. Is it true?
DI Samantha "Sam" Hansen has been on leave after suffering a serious mental health crisis at work. After a therapy session she comes across a newly discovered murder scene--a fourteen year old girl is found killed in the park and there are indications that the murder might have been committed by the book How to Get Away With Murder by author Denver Brady. Who is this author and is the book actually true? As Sam slowly gets back to work amidst opposition and pressure, she delves into the book to try to figure out how and if it connects to the murder of the teen girl and other unsolved murders.
I listened to this as an audiobook and Michael Geary does a great job giving voice to the book within the book and Tamsin Kennard is fantastic with Sam's narration. There are quite a few very clever twists and the book itself kept my interest throughout.
For a debut novel, this one is fairly strong. There are some flaws, particularly with some very convenient explanations for some things, but I really liked Sam and I cared about what happened to her. Being able to root for her made the story much more engaging to me, and when she adopted a stray dog she captured my heart as well.
Overall this is a captivating story and I will look forward to Philipson's next book.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
DI Samantha "Sam" Hansen has been on leave after suffering a serious mental health crisis at work. After a therapy session she comes across a newly discovered murder scene--a fourteen year old girl is found killed in the park and there are indications that the murder might have been committed by the book How to Get Away With Murder by author Denver Brady. Who is this author and is the book actually true? As Sam slowly gets back to work amidst opposition and pressure, she delves into the book to try to figure out how and if it connects to the murder of the teen girl and other unsolved murders.
I listened to this as an audiobook and Michael Geary does a great job giving voice to the book within the book and Tamsin Kennard is fantastic with Sam's narration. There are quite a few very clever twists and the book itself kept my interest throughout.
For a debut novel, this one is fairly strong. There are some flaws, particularly with some very convenient explanations for some things, but I really liked Sam and I cared about what happened to her. Being able to root for her made the story much more engaging to me, and when she adopted a stray dog she captured my heart as well.
Overall this is a captivating story and I will look forward to Philipson's next book.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
February 24, 2026
4 stars - I liked this debut thriller quite a bit - very clever! The "book-within-a-book" format worked for me & I loved the kick-ass female detective, Sam and the ending was quite twisty!! Worth the hype & will look for more from the author
September 30, 2026
Detective Inspector Samantha Hansen once boasted an impressive arrest record as a successful police officer. However, a mental breakdown six months ago changed everything. Her doctor now recommends a gradual return to work on a part-time basis. While walking home through Holland Park, she encounters police officers at the scene. After presenting her ID, she learns that a young child has been discovered deceased. Positioned beneath a sprawling tree, the girl appeared peaceful, as though merely sleeping.
Something stirs within Sam—a fierce determination to apprehend the killer responsible for strangling the child.
Sam's boss and godfather, DCI Harry Blakelaw, questions whether she's prepared for this particular assignment—especially one involving a child. He assigns her to investigate the book discovered with the girl, whose fingerprints appear on its exterior. It's conceivable that the killer deliberately left the book behind as evidence.
We follow Sam as he struggles to concentrate at work. The other half is narrated by "Denver Brady," author of the bestselling guide "How to Get Away with Murder".
Denver offers advice to aspiring serial killers.
Denver describes how he eluded capture through several murders. Investigators are now attempting to determine whether any of his alleged victims actually fell victim to homicide.
I listened to the audiobook and referenced the Kindle Unlimited edition. I enjoyed the book and look forward to reading more from this author! 4.5*
Something stirs within Sam—a fierce determination to apprehend the killer responsible for strangling the child.
Sam's boss and godfather, DCI Harry Blakelaw, questions whether she's prepared for this particular assignment—especially one involving a child. He assigns her to investigate the book discovered with the girl, whose fingerprints appear on its exterior. It's conceivable that the killer deliberately left the book behind as evidence.
We follow Sam as he struggles to concentrate at work. The other half is narrated by "Denver Brady," author of the bestselling guide "How to Get Away with Murder".
Denver offers advice to aspiring serial killers.
Denver describes how he eluded capture through several murders. Investigators are now attempting to determine whether any of his alleged victims actually fell victim to homicide.
I listened to the audiobook and referenced the Kindle Unlimited edition. I enjoyed the book and look forward to reading more from this author! 4.5*
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This book made it so clear to me how bad I’d be as a police officer 🤣 I would have never figured this out. This was a fun police procedural where they are trying to catch a serial killer, and their only lead is a book left at the scene of a crime titled “How to Get Away with Murder”. This took my brain in so many directions, and I never quite knew exactly where it was going. There’s a whole slew of characters and crimes and it was a very bingeable read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Pre-Read Notes:
I love serial killer stories and this seemed like an interesting form. So far I'm really enjoying it.
"REASONS YOU’LL BECOME A SUSPECT—IN ORDER OF PROBABILITY
1. Betrayed by someone you know (20 percent)
2. Killing people connected to you (17 percent)
3. Arrested for a different offense (17 percent)
4. You frequent or are connected to the kill site (16 percent)
5. Victim escapes or survives (15 percent)
6. You confess (5 percent)
7. Caught in the act (4 percent)
8. DNA/ forensic identification (4 percent)
9. Spotted with the victim by a witness (2 percent)
10. Killed by your victim (1 percent)" p16
Final Review
(thoughts & recs) The author positions two morally loaded perspectives-- that of a serial killer and that of an obsessed cop-- and places them across from each. The form makes it impossible not to compare these two perspective and complete some kind of moral math in order to interpret the story. It's clever and pointed, I loved it.
I recommend this to fans of another book I loved that contained similar themes: Death of a Bookseller.
My Favorite Things:
✔️ Tell me why I adore getting worked over by this narrator?! "...the above will be surprising to many of you who have watched CSI, Dexter or Silent Witness. The truth is this: forensic evidence is far more likely to convict you than it is to identify you as a suspect. Obvious exceptions exist, and if you don’t know who I’m talking about then are you even a true-crime fan? You should put in some proper study time." I find this tone and distance enchanting and it's making me love this serial killer! Fantastic!
✔️ This is a little gimmicky, but I *adore* the the plot element of a book by the same title as this one. That's fun meta, as long as she uses it right! I'll update at the end. *edit She used it right I think and I didn't see the ending coming!
✔️ "“I’m keeping an open mind at this stage and I’m still reading, so I don’t want to leap to conclusions. There are three possibilities that I’m working with.” She listed them, gratified by Chloe’s rapt attention. “Meaning we either have one serial killer, two killers or a made-up story that inspired murder."" p75
✔️ I'm impressed with the narrative voice. The humor really helps undercut the horror of a young serial killer writing how-to books. "I’d already decided that were my mother to try to take the little creature from me and ship him off to some God-awful shelter, I would have broken my own rules and staved her head in with a tin of Spam." p89 Also, I can relate to loving an animal this intensely!
✔️ "If you really want to get away with murder, a police badge might not be a bad idea." p90 Yowza! This is one sharp book!
✔️ The author positions two morally loaded perspectives-- that of a serial killer and that of an obsessed researcher-- and places them across from each. The form makes it impossible not to compare these two perspective and complete some kind of moral math in order to interpret the story. It's clever and pointed, I loved it.
✔️ The different narrators in the different sections sound completely distinctive. It is so hard to get this right and I love it when a writer gets it done!
Content Notes: murder, blood, serial killer, animal cruelty, animal neglect, blood, grievous wounds,
Thank you to Rebecca Philipson, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for an accessible digital arc of HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER. All views are mine.
I love serial killer stories and this seemed like an interesting form. So far I'm really enjoying it.
"REASONS YOU’LL BECOME A SUSPECT—IN ORDER OF PROBABILITY
1. Betrayed by someone you know (20 percent)
2. Killing people connected to you (17 percent)
3. Arrested for a different offense (17 percent)
4. You frequent or are connected to the kill site (16 percent)
5. Victim escapes or survives (15 percent)
6. You confess (5 percent)
7. Caught in the act (4 percent)
8. DNA/ forensic identification (4 percent)
9. Spotted with the victim by a witness (2 percent)
10. Killed by your victim (1 percent)" p16
Final Review
(thoughts & recs) The author positions two morally loaded perspectives-- that of a serial killer and that of an obsessed cop-- and places them across from each. The form makes it impossible not to compare these two perspective and complete some kind of moral math in order to interpret the story. It's clever and pointed, I loved it.
I recommend this to fans of another book I loved that contained similar themes: Death of a Bookseller.
My Favorite Things:
✔️ Tell me why I adore getting worked over by this narrator?! "...the above will be surprising to many of you who have watched CSI, Dexter or Silent Witness. The truth is this: forensic evidence is far more likely to convict you than it is to identify you as a suspect. Obvious exceptions exist, and if you don’t know who I’m talking about then are you even a true-crime fan? You should put in some proper study time." I find this tone and distance enchanting and it's making me love this serial killer! Fantastic!
✔️ This is a little gimmicky, but I *adore* the the plot element of a book by the same title as this one. That's fun meta, as long as she uses it right! I'll update at the end. *edit She used it right I think and I didn't see the ending coming!
✔️ "“I’m keeping an open mind at this stage and I’m still reading, so I don’t want to leap to conclusions. There are three possibilities that I’m working with.” She listed them, gratified by Chloe’s rapt attention. “Meaning we either have one serial killer, two killers or a made-up story that inspired murder."" p75
✔️ I'm impressed with the narrative voice. The humor really helps undercut the horror of a young serial killer writing how-to books. "I’d already decided that were my mother to try to take the little creature from me and ship him off to some God-awful shelter, I would have broken my own rules and staved her head in with a tin of Spam." p89 Also, I can relate to loving an animal this intensely!
✔️ "If you really want to get away with murder, a police badge might not be a bad idea." p90 Yowza! This is one sharp book!
✔️ The author positions two morally loaded perspectives-- that of a serial killer and that of an obsessed researcher-- and places them across from each. The form makes it impossible not to compare these two perspective and complete some kind of moral math in order to interpret the story. It's clever and pointed, I loved it.
✔️ The different narrators in the different sections sound completely distinctive. It is so hard to get this right and I love it when a writer gets it done!
Content Notes: murder, blood, serial killer, animal cruelty, animal neglect, blood, grievous wounds,
Thank you to Rebecca Philipson, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for an accessible digital arc of HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER. All views are mine.
February 8, 2026
(Update: Happy Pub Day to a debut many readers have seemed to very much enjoy!) 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 diverting 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!
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 diverting 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!
June 21, 2026
That was a satisfying end! This is a clever and unexpected and entertaining book. Sam is a memorable character and I enjoyed getting to know her. This story is told in alternating voices, Sam’s and the author of a book titled How to Get Away with Murder who is a self-proclaimed serial killer. I guess that this is a standalone book and I’m mostly glad. I get tired of series. I appreciate it when a single book contains a complete story. That said, I would love having more time with Sam. I’m glad I came to this book taking what the book description says at face value; I would not have wanted to know more before reading it. I was delighted with what happens; it was an engaging and fun book to read. I really liked it.
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 17, 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.
October 18, 2026
The ending completely made this book. I did not see the twist coming. I didn't love the subject matter of this book. I am not a huge crime fiction reader and reading about seriel killers is not really my favorite thing. However once I was a little more than half way through I was completely invested and did want to know who was the killer. Although I liked the twist I did want things to turn out a little differently than they did. Overall, an interesting mystery, thriller.
March 1, 2026
What an impressive debut!
Plot summary: DI Sam Hanson has spent six months trying to recover from a disturbing incident with a colleague. She can't get her life back together, since there is strong PTSD. However, when a child is murdered, it tugs at her heart and she returns to her job to catch the killer.
At the scene of the crime, they discover a copy of a book called "How to Get Away With Murder." Did this serial killer murder Charlotte, too? Or is someone copying the writer? Sam wades through her own problems to find out.
This was a gripping page-turner, delicately finessing Sam's personal story with the broader police thriller. Wonderful character development and pacing. It intersperses the storyline with chapters from the book, and it's very well done.
I found that some of the murders described in the book-within-a-book were very disturbing and hard to read. There are strong themes of child and domestic abuse.
The ending was magnificent! I hope this turns into a series, because I would love to see what happens next with Sam...and maybe Adam Taylor, a potential love interest.
4.5 stars rounded up.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, NetGalley, and Rebecca Philipson for the opportunity to review an advanced copy.
Plot summary: DI Sam Hanson has spent six months trying to recover from a disturbing incident with a colleague. She can't get her life back together, since there is strong PTSD. However, when a child is murdered, it tugs at her heart and she returns to her job to catch the killer.
At the scene of the crime, they discover a copy of a book called "How to Get Away With Murder." Did this serial killer murder Charlotte, too? Or is someone copying the writer? Sam wades through her own problems to find out.
This was a gripping page-turner, delicately finessing Sam's personal story with the broader police thriller. Wonderful character development and pacing. It intersperses the storyline with chapters from the book, and it's very well done.
I found that some of the murders described in the book-within-a-book were very disturbing and hard to read. There are strong themes of child and domestic abuse.
The ending was magnificent! I hope this turns into a series, because I would love to see what happens next with Sam...and maybe Adam Taylor, a potential love interest.
4.5 stars rounded up.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, NetGalley, and Rebecca Philipson for the opportunity to review an advanced copy.
October 6, 2026
It’s a pretty great debut, to be honest. We have a book within a book that is supposedly written by a serial killer. And then we have a female DI who has been out of work suffering from PTSD. We go back and forth between this book written by a somewhat humorous serial killer and a very broken DI who is slowly pulling herself out of the pit she has been wallowing in. There are many twists involved. Is the writer really a serial killer? Is it just a novel that someone is imitating? Are there multiple killers? And then once we get that sorted, the blast at the end that has my jaw dropping to the floor. What the heck just happened?!? Well played, Ms Philipson.
March 3, 2026
Update: okay now that I’ve thought it over this book really pissed me off. It feels like it was written by a a man. The mc sucks, like why, when she’s helping a friend escape from an abusive partner, MISSING EXITS BECAUSE SHES DAY DREAMING ABOUT GOING ON A DATE WITH HER TRAINEE!?! Why is there romance at all?!? She’s a bad cop, constantly thinks about men “well he’s one of the good ones” is said so much. I. DONT. CARE.
Special thanks to St Martins Press and NetGalley for providing me with a copy I’d book in exchange for an honest review.
Really strong start, it drew me in quickly, unfortunately it was not able to maintain that momentum.
The main character was sympathetic, but seemed more like a vessel for the story rather than a realistic character. She did not do much unless the narrative made her (she didn’t read the book, didnt look at the pictures, etc). She on reacted when the story needed her to.
Ultimately, this book read like one of those quaint British detective shows with a bumbling lead and I don’t think that’s what it was going for.
I like that the author touched on mental health and the importance of believing women. I also liked how the murderer’s narrative was woven into the story. This book just fell short of my expectations.
Special thanks to St Martins Press and NetGalley for providing me with a copy I’d book in exchange for an honest review.
Really strong start, it drew me in quickly, unfortunately it was not able to maintain that momentum.
The main character was sympathetic, but seemed more like a vessel for the story rather than a realistic character. She did not do much unless the narrative made her (she didn’t read the book, didnt look at the pictures, etc). She on reacted when the story needed her to.
Ultimately, this book read like one of those quaint British detective shows with a bumbling lead and I don’t think that’s what it was going for.
I like that the author touched on mental health and the importance of believing women. I also liked how the murderer’s narrative was woven into the story. This book just fell short of my expectations.
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.
October 3, 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 26, 2026
this was insanely underwhelming
May 24, 2026
"Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
The vibe of this book was unreal—so gruesome and funny at the same time. It’s got this tragic-comic, sarcastic energy that somehow works really well, and it actually made me enjoy the darkness instead of just feeling overwhelmed by it. And as you get deeper into the story, you start realizing that “the manual” stuff isn’t just some gimmick—it becomes part of the plot itself, like the book is using it to mess with your head in the best way.
When my best friend told me about this book, I was honestly deeply submerged in another one, so I delayed reading it by a few weeks. But she kept insisting, “I love the ending so much,” and after a while that stuck in my brain. So once I finished my other reads, I fully committed and decided to finally pick this one up.
Detective Inspector Samantha Hansen has been on leave for six months, recovering from a breakdown she suffered at work. But then a fourteen-year-old girl is murdered in a local park, and Sam basically can’t resist the chance to go back—she’s desperate to prove she still has what it takes and to reclaim her place as the Yard’s most successful homicide detective.
The second you start reading, something ominous is just… there. It doesn’t let you settle. You keep turning pages because you have to know what’s going on. The metaverse is the core of the story and it honestly gave the book its most fun and most addictive sequences—there were moments where I was like, “Wait, how did we even get here?” and then the story would instantly pull me forward again.
Also, this book makes you pay attention. Like, actually pay attention. You can’t just skim without noticing details, because the connections matter. The whole thing feels carefully built, and by the time it clicks, you realize you can’t really leave anything behind—everything ties back into the story and even into the meaning of the title.
And then… the final and the major plot twist. I’m not even exaggerating when I say it blew my mind. I had theories in my head, I thought I understood where it was going, and then the book just completely flipped everything in the last stretch. It wasn’t only shocking—it was the kind of twist that makes you go back and realize all the earlier hints were there the whole time, just waiting for you to catch up. I actually felt stunned for a bit after finishing, like my brain needed a minute to process what I’d just read.
I finished the last page and immediately felt like the story would stay with me for days—because it did. Like, not in a “vaguely interesting” way, but in a “I can’t stop thinking about it” way.
One of the most captivating plots I’ve read so far this year!!
The vibe of this book was unreal—so gruesome and funny at the same time. It’s got this tragic-comic, sarcastic energy that somehow works really well, and it actually made me enjoy the darkness instead of just feeling overwhelmed by it. And as you get deeper into the story, you start realizing that “the manual” stuff isn’t just some gimmick—it becomes part of the plot itself, like the book is using it to mess with your head in the best way.
When my best friend told me about this book, I was honestly deeply submerged in another one, so I delayed reading it by a few weeks. But she kept insisting, “I love the ending so much,” and after a while that stuck in my brain. So once I finished my other reads, I fully committed and decided to finally pick this one up.
Detective Inspector Samantha Hansen has been on leave for six months, recovering from a breakdown she suffered at work. But then a fourteen-year-old girl is murdered in a local park, and Sam basically can’t resist the chance to go back—she’s desperate to prove she still has what it takes and to reclaim her place as the Yard’s most successful homicide detective.
The second you start reading, something ominous is just… there. It doesn’t let you settle. You keep turning pages because you have to know what’s going on. The metaverse is the core of the story and it honestly gave the book its most fun and most addictive sequences—there were moments where I was like, “Wait, how did we even get here?” and then the story would instantly pull me forward again.
Also, this book makes you pay attention. Like, actually pay attention. You can’t just skim without noticing details, because the connections matter. The whole thing feels carefully built, and by the time it clicks, you realize you can’t really leave anything behind—everything ties back into the story and even into the meaning of the title.
And then… the final and the major plot twist. I’m not even exaggerating when I say it blew my mind. I had theories in my head, I thought I understood where it was going, and then the book just completely flipped everything in the last stretch. It wasn’t only shocking—it was the kind of twist that makes you go back and realize all the earlier hints were there the whole time, just waiting for you to catch up. I actually felt stunned for a bit after finishing, like my brain needed a minute to process what I’d just read.
I finished the last page and immediately felt like the story would stay with me for days—because it did. Like, not in a “vaguely interesting” way, but in a “I can’t stop thinking about it” way.
One of the most captivating plots I’ve read so far this year!!
January 31, 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.
February 25, 2026
Netgalley ARC
This was a fun take on a standard thriller. The book-within-a-book of a serial killer telling their story in an effort to teach others how to be killers worked really well and was so well-written that it wasn't jarring to swap back and forth between the book and the real world. I looked forward tothe book-within-a-book chapters, especially the nods and references to real-world serial killers. I loved the way the book became one of the clues the team used to identify the author. I read this one on audio, and the narrators did a fantastic job, which definitely increased my enjoyment of this story.
A huge thank you to the author and the publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
This was a fun take on a standard thriller. The book-within-a-book of a serial killer telling their story in an effort to teach others how to be killers worked really well and was so well-written that it wasn't jarring to swap back and forth between the book and the real world. I looked forward tothe book-within-a-book chapters, especially the nods and references to real-world serial killers. I loved the way the book became one of the clues the team used to identify the author. I read this one on audio, and the narrators did a fantastic job, which definitely increased my enjoyment of this story.
A huge thank you to the author and the publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
March 26, 2026
2.5 stars. This sounded intriguing, but it ended up not really being for me. I didn’t really care for the main character and I felt like the every other chapter switching between the book-within-a-book and the actual narrative of the story really threw off the pacing. There was a decent enough little twist at the end, but I ultimately felt unsatisfied with it. The extra half star is for Adam Taylor, who deserved better.
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