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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.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published February 24, 2026
454 people are currently reading
47732 people want to read
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March 13, 2026
What a hook! A “book-within-a-book” serial-killer mystery where the murderer leaves a copy of “How to Get Away with Murder” at each scene—complete with step-by-step instructions that mirror the crime—had me leaning so far forward I nearly fell off the couch. It’s a wickedly clever conceit: the killer taunts investigators with a printed playbook, and the only way to stop them is to read between the lines faster than they can turn the page.
Our lead, Samantha Hansen, is a brilliant Chief Inspector at Scotland Yard who’s been off the job for six months after a colleague sexually assaulted her—a “he said, she said” wound that left her with PTSD and a shaken sense of self. When a fourteen-year-old girl is found murdered in a local park, Samantha collides with the scene—literally and emotionally—and decides to return. With steady support from Harry (her boss and her late father’s best friend), she teams up with savvy DS Tina Edris and two rookies, Taylor and Chloe, to chase a killer who treats homicide like a literary scavenger hunt.
Their single, infuriatingly elegant clue is the book the murderer plants: “How to Get Away with Murder.” Inside, a victim named Sarah shares eerie, specific overlaps with young Charlotte, and each chapter reads like a breadcrumb trail. Is the culprit a copycat meticulously staging a fictional plot? Or is enigmatic author Denver Brady using publication as autobiography—confessing in plain sight and daring the police to catch up? Samantha’s edge has always been mastery of detail, but trauma has blunted her focus; skimming won’t cut it. The devil is in the margins, and she has to relearn how to read every scratch, stain, and comma as if a life depends on it—because it does.
I loved how the novel balances propulsive plotting with character work. Samantha’s return is not a triumphant flip of a switch; it’s halting, prickly, and real. Watching her rebuild professional muscle memory while refusing to let a predator (past or present) define her gives the case personal stakes that hum beneath every interview and evidence board. As for the mystery—I made suspect lists, crossed out names, and still second-guessed myself until the final reveal. Smart misdirection, fair clues, and just enough menace to make you glance at your own bookshelf.
Bottom line: an ingenious premise executed with confidence and heart. If this is the author’s debut, consider me on high alert for whatever comes next—I’m hooked.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sharing this unputdownable, razor-smart mystery’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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Our lead, Samantha Hansen, is a brilliant Chief Inspector at Scotland Yard who’s been off the job for six months after a colleague sexually assaulted her—a “he said, she said” wound that left her with PTSD and a shaken sense of self. When a fourteen-year-old girl is found murdered in a local park, Samantha collides with the scene—literally and emotionally—and decides to return. With steady support from Harry (her boss and her late father’s best friend), she teams up with savvy DS Tina Edris and two rookies, Taylor and Chloe, to chase a killer who treats homicide like a literary scavenger hunt.
Their single, infuriatingly elegant clue is the book the murderer plants: “How to Get Away with Murder.” Inside, a victim named Sarah shares eerie, specific overlaps with young Charlotte, and each chapter reads like a breadcrumb trail. Is the culprit a copycat meticulously staging a fictional plot? Or is enigmatic author Denver Brady using publication as autobiography—confessing in plain sight and daring the police to catch up? Samantha’s edge has always been mastery of detail, but trauma has blunted her focus; skimming won’t cut it. The devil is in the margins, and she has to relearn how to read every scratch, stain, and comma as if a life depends on it—because it does.
I loved how the novel balances propulsive plotting with character work. Samantha’s return is not a triumphant flip of a switch; it’s halting, prickly, and real. Watching her rebuild professional muscle memory while refusing to let a predator (past or present) define her gives the case personal stakes that hum beneath every interview and evidence board. As for the mystery—I made suspect lists, crossed out names, and still second-guessed myself until the final reveal. Smart misdirection, fair clues, and just enough menace to make you glance at your own bookshelf.
Bottom line: an ingenious premise executed with confidence and heart. If this is the author’s debut, consider me on high alert for whatever comes next—I’m hooked.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sharing this unputdownable, razor-smart mystery’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
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March 8, 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
January 18, 2026
3.5 stars
A fun, snarky, clever, “book within a book” plot!
This debut novel follows a hard working and results-driven police detective who is returning to work after being on leave for six months following a breakdown. She is determined to make an immediate impact on the job, even though her doctors suggest she take it slowly. A high visibility murder case lands in her team’s hands and she finds herself back in a leadership investigative role.
I love stories that involve the book within a book trope and this one was done so well! A serial killers guidebook is left at the scene of a murder. As police review the step-by-step serial killer handbook for possible clues, a race against the clock begins as they find similarities to their own current and some cold cases.
The narrative switches between the present day police investigation and the serial killer manual chapters. The pace was quick and captivating, and the flow seamlessly linked the narratives which kept me wanting to read on. The guidebook has a dark, sarcastic snark that was highly entertaining, uncomfortable, and addictive. It was a brilliant plot facilitator that kept the storyline driving forward.
There is a dog companion that I absolutely loved! This rescued canine was a great addition to the story that somewhat lightened the tone at times.
My investment was stronger in the first half of this novel. I flew through those chapters within a day. After that point, the plot took a turn into implausibility, as several elements became convenient. The last third was entertaining, but I lost most of my investment due to the unrealistic aspects. Whenever characters wear disguises, it’s usually a deal breaker for me.
Overall, this was a great debut novel showcasing a fresh, dark and fun plot. This authors writing shows so much potential and I look forward to reading whatever she publishes next!
Thank you to the publisher for my review copy!
This publishes on February 24th!
A fun, snarky, clever, “book within a book” plot!
This debut novel follows a hard working and results-driven police detective who is returning to work after being on leave for six months following a breakdown. She is determined to make an immediate impact on the job, even though her doctors suggest she take it slowly. A high visibility murder case lands in her team’s hands and she finds herself back in a leadership investigative role.
I love stories that involve the book within a book trope and this one was done so well! A serial killers guidebook is left at the scene of a murder. As police review the step-by-step serial killer handbook for possible clues, a race against the clock begins as they find similarities to their own current and some cold cases.
The narrative switches between the present day police investigation and the serial killer manual chapters. The pace was quick and captivating, and the flow seamlessly linked the narratives which kept me wanting to read on. The guidebook has a dark, sarcastic snark that was highly entertaining, uncomfortable, and addictive. It was a brilliant plot facilitator that kept the storyline driving forward.
There is a dog companion that I absolutely loved! This rescued canine was a great addition to the story that somewhat lightened the tone at times.
My investment was stronger in the first half of this novel. I flew through those chapters within a day. After that point, the plot took a turn into implausibility, as several elements became convenient. The last third was entertaining, but I lost most of my investment due to the unrealistic aspects. Whenever characters wear disguises, it’s usually a deal breaker for me.
Overall, this was a great debut novel showcasing a fresh, dark and fun plot. This authors writing shows so much potential and I look forward to reading whatever she publishes next!
Thank you to the publisher for my review copy!
This publishes on February 24th!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Murder, she read.
When a copy of a self-published "how-to" guide for aspiring murderers turns up at the scene of a murdered fourteen-year-old girl, Detective Inspector Samantha Hansen of Scotland Yard is called back from medical leave to investigate. The book's author, who calls himself Denver Brady, claims to be the most successful serial killer of all time because no one has ever caught him. As Sam digs deeper, it becomes increasingly unclear whether Brady is a hoax, a genius, or something much worse.
In her debut How to Get Away with Murder, Rebecca Philipson turns the familiar procedural hunt for a killer into something sly, surprising, and darkly entertaining, alternating between Sam's present-day investigation and excerpts from Brady's manual, which reads like American Psycho meets The Serial Killer's Guide to Success. The pacing is quick and propulsive, and the snarky, sardonic tone of Brady's chapters gives the novel a gleefully twisted energy. The "book within a book" trope works brilliantly as a storytelling engine, even if Brady's gleeful oversharing strains credibility (surely the world's greatest murderer wouldn't be this chatty about his own conquests?).
While the second half of the novel goes off the rails a bit, demanding a healthy suspension of disbelief as coincidence piles upon coincidence, by then I was too entertained to care. Sam Hansen is a strong, flawed protagonist I'd happily follow into another case, and Philipson's debut shows real confidence and craft.
I alternated between print and audio, and the audiobook - narrated by Michael Geary and Tamsin Kennard - elevated the experience, with standout performances by both narrators. Geary brings a wicked charm and dry menace to Brady, while Kennard perfectly captures Sam's intelligence and determination.
Dark, clever, and deliciously meta, How to Get Away with Murder was wicked fun, and I'll be first in line for Philipson's next case.
Many thanks to St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for providing me with copies of the book and the audiobook via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
"How to Get Away with Murder" is slated to be released on February 24, 2026.
When a copy of a self-published "how-to" guide for aspiring murderers turns up at the scene of a murdered fourteen-year-old girl, Detective Inspector Samantha Hansen of Scotland Yard is called back from medical leave to investigate. The book's author, who calls himself Denver Brady, claims to be the most successful serial killer of all time because no one has ever caught him. As Sam digs deeper, it becomes increasingly unclear whether Brady is a hoax, a genius, or something much worse.
In her debut How to Get Away with Murder, Rebecca Philipson turns the familiar procedural hunt for a killer into something sly, surprising, and darkly entertaining, alternating between Sam's present-day investigation and excerpts from Brady's manual, which reads like American Psycho meets The Serial Killer's Guide to Success. The pacing is quick and propulsive, and the snarky, sardonic tone of Brady's chapters gives the novel a gleefully twisted energy. The "book within a book" trope works brilliantly as a storytelling engine, even if Brady's gleeful oversharing strains credibility (surely the world's greatest murderer wouldn't be this chatty about his own conquests?).
While the second half of the novel goes off the rails a bit, demanding a healthy suspension of disbelief as coincidence piles upon coincidence, by then I was too entertained to care. Sam Hansen is a strong, flawed protagonist I'd happily follow into another case, and Philipson's debut shows real confidence and craft.
I alternated between print and audio, and the audiobook - narrated by Michael Geary and Tamsin Kennard - elevated the experience, with standout performances by both narrators. Geary brings a wicked charm and dry menace to Brady, while Kennard perfectly captures Sam's intelligence and determination.
Dark, clever, and deliciously meta, How to Get Away with Murder was wicked fun, and I'll be first in line for Philipson's next case.
Many thanks to St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for providing me with copies of the book and the audiobook via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
"How to Get Away with Murder" is slated to be released on February 24, 2026.
March 4, 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.
February 28, 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
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
3.75 ⭐️- 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 a 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’s 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 24, 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!
February 19, 2026
What a fantastic debut! I was hooked right the way through this book, full of twists and shocking surprises. It is always fun when there is a book within a book and it was done so well. The main character was a little broken but she was so determined and she was a dog lover so what’s not to love right.
Who is Denver Brady? Nobody has ever heard of him but he claims to be the world’s most successful serial killer in his book How to Get Away with Murder. That all changes when a copy of his book is found at a crime scene, where a 14 year old girl has been murdered. DI Sam Hansen is coming back from sick leave after a breakdown and is tasked with finding Brady. What she discovers is so dark and disturbing and really tests her health. Right until the very end I was not able to predict how it was going to all come together.
This should absolutely be on your TBR, hard to believe that is a debut. A must read.
Published on March 12th. Thanks to Random House UK, Bantam, Transworld Publishers for my early copy to read.
Who is Denver Brady? Nobody has ever heard of him but he claims to be the world’s most successful serial killer in his book How to Get Away with Murder. That all changes when a copy of his book is found at a crime scene, where a 14 year old girl has been murdered. DI Sam Hansen is coming back from sick leave after a breakdown and is tasked with finding Brady. What she discovers is so dark and disturbing and really tests her health. Right until the very end I was not able to predict how it was going to all come together.
This should absolutely be on your TBR, hard to believe that is a debut. A must read.
Published on March 12th. Thanks to Random House UK, Bantam, Transworld Publishers for my early copy to read.
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 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.
February 23, 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 24, 2026
Happy Publication day!!! 🎊🎊🎊🎊
The narration for this book was absolutely fantastic! I am still working on my thoughts and how to say them without spoiling anything!!🤦🏼♀️ (2/24/26)
——-
7/10: 3.5⭐️’s, after much back and forth, I am rounding up.
Sam, an inspector, had a breakdown about 6 months ago and after coming across a crime scene after an appointment with her therapist (who provides Lindt chocolate balls to his patients….what a good man! Oh how I miss being able to enjoy those!) decides that this is the case that will bring her back to the job.
Found with the victim is a book. I enjoyed and appreciated that the chapters for the book found were separate and narrated by someone else. It really added to the audiobook and the overall sense of _____(my mind is blanking on the word I want to use 🤦🏼♀️🙄 so I guess this is a fill in the blank review).
I honestly did enjoy this book. I hesitate to say much more because I don’t want to spoil anything for those who have yet to read it. I have mixed feelings about the last bit of it. I think a lot of people will love how it all played out. I was only so-so about it.
Read other reviews, there are some great ones out there! Or better yet, read or listen to the book for yourself!! 😊.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the alc of this book. All thoughts are my own.
This book is out today!
Rating and review posted: 2/24/26
The narration for this book was absolutely fantastic! I am still working on my thoughts and how to say them without spoiling anything!!🤦🏼♀️ (2/24/26)
——-
7/10: 3.5⭐️’s, after much back and forth, I am rounding up.
Sam, an inspector, had a breakdown about 6 months ago and after coming across a crime scene after an appointment with her therapist (who provides Lindt chocolate balls to his patients….what a good man! Oh how I miss being able to enjoy those!) decides that this is the case that will bring her back to the job.
Found with the victim is a book. I enjoyed and appreciated that the chapters for the book found were separate and narrated by someone else. It really added to the audiobook and the overall sense of _____(my mind is blanking on the word I want to use 🤦🏼♀️🙄 so I guess this is a fill in the blank review).
I honestly did enjoy this book. I hesitate to say much more because I don’t want to spoil anything for those who have yet to read it. I have mixed feelings about the last bit of it. I think a lot of people will love how it all played out. I was only so-so about it.
Read other reviews, there are some great ones out there! Or better yet, read or listen to the book for yourself!! 😊.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the alc of this book. All thoughts are my own.
This book is out today!
Rating and review posted: 2/24/26
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]
October 4, 2025
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
A really interesting, impressive debut. A great unique take on the detective genre, and I love a ‘book within a book’. And I will say that I didn’t see the final twist coming!
However, some of the writing is quite clunky. There is a section where Sam remarks that Taylor isn’t telling her something, and then on the next line asks him what he’s not telling her. The audience don’t need to be spoon fed quite that much.
There are also several plot threads that never get wrapped up (the large order from Nando’s for example). Sam remarks that sometimes in real cases, not everything gets wrapped up neatly. But in fiction, it really needs to be.
I’m begging publishers to stop putting Americanisms in British books. It really takes me out of the moment to see the characters discussing sweatpants, garbage and pacifiers.
Also, bungalows don’t have an upstairs.
A really interesting, impressive debut. A great unique take on the detective genre, and I love a ‘book within a book’. And I will say that I didn’t see the final twist coming!
However, some of the writing is quite clunky. There is a section where Sam remarks that Taylor isn’t telling her something, and then on the next line asks him what he’s not telling her. The audience don’t need to be spoon fed quite that much.
There are also several plot threads that never get wrapped up (the large order from Nando’s for example). Sam remarks that sometimes in real cases, not everything gets wrapped up neatly. But in fiction, it really needs to be.
I’m begging publishers to stop putting Americanisms in British books. It really takes me out of the moment to see the characters discussing sweatpants, garbage and pacifiers.
Also, bungalows don’t have an upstairs.
February 25, 2026
I loved this one. I was expecting it to be a dark crazy story based on the title, maybe a bit satirical but it was a full on serial killer thriller and I was all in.
I loved the book within a book format. I cannot believe it's a debut! It was a complex story, the author was very crafty in her story telling. I had to be laser focused separating fact and fiction. I absolutely loved the FMC Sam and her assistant Adam.
So good! What an incredible debut
I loved the book within a book format. I cannot believe it's a debut! It was a complex story, the author was very crafty in her story telling. I had to be laser focused separating fact and fiction. I absolutely loved the FMC Sam and her assistant Adam.
So good! What an incredible debut
February 16, 2026
The synopsis for HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER was so captivating and I’m always up for a good serial killer storyline. And this one, surrounding a how-to book on committing the perfect murder, was too unique to pass up.
We are introduced to detective Sam Hansen, a brilliant police officer who is in the process of recovering from a breakdown brought on by unimaginable trauma. But her recovery is interrupted by a killer who decides to take the life of young Charlotte, a teenager whom Sam is determined to find justice for, no matter the emotional cost to herself.
This mystery was uniquely crafted and I loved loved the book-within-a-book technique. The chapters written as serial killer Denver Brady’s HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER guide were so insanely addictive yet immensely troubling, the narrative reflecting a truly sadistic mind.
Sam as our protagonist was brilliantly written, very relatable, and incredibly likable. Her sense of justice is unnervingly strong and some of the best parts of the book come as a result of this. And I really enjoyed her partnership with newbie detective Adam Taylor, who ended up being one of my favorite characters—of course other than adorable Toni, a rescue dog who truly stole my heart!
I loved the double mystery and reading how past crimes as written by Denver Brady in his perverse how-to book relate to the present murder of sweet Charlotte! Discovering the potential link between the two timelines made it almost impossible for me to put the book down.
Pacing was perfect in my opinion and the characters richly developed—definitely a very character-driven storyline. The writing is fantastic and it’s so hard to believe this is a debut novel. Will we possibly see Sam and Adam investigating crime again in the future? I absolutely hope so!
I want to thank NetGalley, Rebecca Philipson, and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for gifting me the ARC of HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER. I loved it and I appreciate you trusting me with an honest review!
We are introduced to detective Sam Hansen, a brilliant police officer who is in the process of recovering from a breakdown brought on by unimaginable trauma. But her recovery is interrupted by a killer who decides to take the life of young Charlotte, a teenager whom Sam is determined to find justice for, no matter the emotional cost to herself.
This mystery was uniquely crafted and I loved loved the book-within-a-book technique. The chapters written as serial killer Denver Brady’s HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER guide were so insanely addictive yet immensely troubling, the narrative reflecting a truly sadistic mind.
Sam as our protagonist was brilliantly written, very relatable, and incredibly likable. Her sense of justice is unnervingly strong and some of the best parts of the book come as a result of this. And I really enjoyed her partnership with newbie detective Adam Taylor, who ended up being one of my favorite characters—of course other than adorable Toni, a rescue dog who truly stole my heart!
I loved the double mystery and reading how past crimes as written by Denver Brady in his perverse how-to book relate to the present murder of sweet Charlotte! Discovering the potential link between the two timelines made it almost impossible for me to put the book down.
Pacing was perfect in my opinion and the characters richly developed—definitely a very character-driven storyline. The writing is fantastic and it’s so hard to believe this is a debut novel. Will we possibly see Sam and Adam investigating crime again in the future? I absolutely hope so!
I want to thank NetGalley, Rebecca Philipson, and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for gifting me the ARC of HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER. I loved it and I appreciate you trusting me with an honest review!
January 6, 2026
this book - an incredible debut thriller -
I was literally hooked from page one and picked it up every chance I got.
A teenage girl is found murdered with a copy of a book titled How to Get Away With Murder next to her. The book, apparently written by an unknown serial killer, causes Sam to investigate the murder while also trying to unfold the mysteries within the book to real life events & figure out who wrote it.
A book within a book - and a mystery that keeps you guessing until the very end - and incredibly clever. Loved it.
highly recommend! Looking forward to what book she has in store for us next ❤️
thanks to Minotaur books for my gifted ARC
I was literally hooked from page one and picked it up every chance I got.
A teenage girl is found murdered with a copy of a book titled How to Get Away With Murder next to her. The book, apparently written by an unknown serial killer, causes Sam to investigate the murder while also trying to unfold the mysteries within the book to real life events & figure out who wrote it.
A book within a book - and a mystery that keeps you guessing until the very end - and incredibly clever. Loved it.
highly recommend! Looking forward to what book she has in store for us next ❤️
thanks to Minotaur books for my gifted ARC
February 18, 2026
How to Get Away with Murder by Rebecca Philipson is such a sharp, clever debut that completely hooked me with its structure alone. I’m always a sucker for a book within a book, and this one absolutely delivered. The concept of a Scotland Yard detective investigating a murder potentially inspired by a self help manual written by a supposed serial killer is bold — and it works. The excerpts from the fictional guide are unsettling, intelligent, and laced with just enough dark British humor to make it all feel wickedly smart rather than overdone.
Detective Inspector Samantha Hansen is coming back to work after a breakdown, and that layer of vulnerability adds real depth to the investigation. I loved Sam as a character, she’s sharp, complicated, and deeply human. Watching her read through the killer’s book while simultaneously working the case made the experience feel immersive, like you’re piecing everything together right alongside her. It adds tension in such a clever way.
This is a strong premise executed with confidence. It’s engaging, polished, and feels surprisingly assured for a debut. As someone who loves a serial killer thriller, this hit the spot, and honestly, I’d read an entire series centered on Sam without hesitation.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A breath of fresh air! I was captivated by the originality and complexity that Philipson brought us in this novel. It is a fascinating combination of serial killer and police procedural told in alternating "books" that keep the reader desperately paying attention, else they miss a clue. I read well into the night finishing this one.
thank you to NetGalley, the author Rebecca Philipson, and Macmillan audio for my ARC of this audiobook.
thank you to NetGalley, the author Rebecca Philipson, and Macmillan audio for my ARC of this audiobook.
February 26, 2026
this was insanely underwhelming
March 1, 2026
There is something deeply unsettling about a book that opens with a serial killer speaking directly to you, warmly, almost collegially, as though murder were merely a vocation you hadn't yet considered. And there is something equally thrilling about a detective who walks toward that darkness when every sensible bone in her body is screaming at her to stay home with the chocolate Hobnobs and reruns of Only Fools and Horses.
How to Get Away with Murder by Rebecca Philipson is a debut thriller that arrives with the confidence of a novelist who has been sharpening her craft for years in quieter rooms. Published by Minotaur Books (St. Martin's Publishing Group) and Bantam (Transworld), this is a book that does something genuinely unusual in the crowded crime-fiction market: it makes the reader complicit. Not merely a spectator, but a student enrolled in Denver Brady's masterclass of murder. And that discomfort — the queasy thrill of being addressed as a "budding killer" — is precisely the engine that drives this story forward with relentless, uncomfortable momentum.
The Woman Behind the Warrant Card
At the heart of How to Get Away with Murder by Rebecca Philipson is Detective Inspector Samantha Hansen, and she is not the polished, quip-ready protagonist that crime fiction often defaults to. Sam is a woman held together by Prozac, oversized Nordic sweaters, and a fierce, stubborn refusal to let a fourteen-year-old girl become just another unsolved case file. She returns to New Scotland Yard after a six-month absence following a breakdown triggered by workplace sexual assault — an experience Philipson handles with restraint and unflinching honesty, never exploiting Sam's trauma for cheap sympathy but allowing it to inform every tremor of her hands, every salty taste that floods her mouth when panic arrives uninvited.
Sam's vulnerability is her strength, and Philipson seems to understand this paradox instinctively. The detective is overweight, under-showered, and arrives at work in unwashed leggings because none of her old suits fit anymore. She is also, without question, the most capable investigator on the fourth floor. This tension between fragility and formidable intelligence gives the novel a beating human heart that many thrillers in this genre desperately lack.
The Devil's How-To Manual
The dual-narrative structure is where the novel truly distinguishes itself. Alternating between Sam's investigation and Denver Brady's self-help chapters — complete with numbered lists of serial-killer mistakes and darkly comic asides about writing to Dulux paint company to match the colour of drying blood — Philipson creates a reading experience that is both procedural and perversely instructional.
Denver's voice is magnetic, cultured, and chilling in its casual arrogance. He quotes Dickens. He mourns his dead dog. And he carves initials into oak trees like a lovesick schoolboy. And he kills with methodical, emotionless precision. The book-within-a-book conceit could easily have become gimmicky, but Philipson wields it with intelligence, using Denver's chapters not merely as shock-value interludes but as genuine clues that mirror and illuminate Sam's investigation.
London as a Living, Breathing Character
Philipson writes London with the intimacy of someone who understands that the city is not one place but a thousand overlapping worlds:
The shaded secrecy of Holland Walk, where vegetation spills over fences and few women would walk alone after dark
The grand but sticky-carpeted mundanity of New Scotland Yard's fourth floor, where fridge theft is commonplace among homicide detectives
Holland Park itself, reimagined as both a pastoral haven and a crime scene, its great oak trees standing witness to innocence destroyed
These details never feel ornamental. They breathe. They create a London that smells of chlorine and old perfume and bus-stop rain, and they anchor the thriller's more extreme plot turns in a world that feels stubbornly, recognizably real.
The Web of Deception
Without venturing into spoiler territory, the investigation that unfolds in How to Get Away with Murder by Rebecca Philipson is a layered puzzle involving a murdered schoolgirl named Charlotte Mathers, a viral self-help book penned by a self-proclaimed serial killer, and a supporting cast that includes Sam's godfather and boss DCI Harry Blakelaw, her sharp young trainee Adam Taylor, and a constellation of suspects who are never quite what they seem.
What impresses most is Philipson's refusal to take the obvious path. The novel asks readers to hold multiple possibilities in tension simultaneously — is Denver Brady real or fictional? Is the book at the crime scene a clue or a red herring? And crucially, who is truly capable of murder? The answers, when they arrive, are satisfying not because they are shocking (though some genuinely are) but because they feel earned, rooted in character rather than contrivance.
What Works Brilliantly
Sam's interiority — Philipson grants her protagonist a rich, sometimes contradictory inner life that never simplifies mental illness into a plot device or a personality quirk
The pacing — Denver's chapters function as pressure valves, releasing tension from Sam's investigation only to replace it with a different, more insidious kind of dread
The humour — Dark, dry, distinctly British, and never deployed at the expense of the novel's emotional stakes
The thematic ambition — Beneath the procedural surface, this is a novel about violence against women, institutional failure, the limitations of justice, and what happens when the system's best detective decides that the system itself is insufficient
Where the Seams Show
No debut is flawless, and How to Get Away with Murder by Rebecca Philipson occasionally stretches credulity in its later chapters. Certain plot mechanics require characters to behave with a level of strategic brilliance that borders on omniscience, and one key subplot involving a domestic violence case, while emotionally powerful, introduces a tonal shift that doesn't quite harmonize with the central investigation. The resolution of who killed Charlotte, while cleverly foreshadowed, arrives somewhat abruptly after the slower, more deliberate build of the first two acts.
Denver Brady's chapters, too, occasionally teeter between genuinely menacing and slightly over-written. His literary references and philosophical asides, while characterful, sometimes slow the momentum of what should be relentless, creeping tension. A tighter editorial hand in these sections would have sharpened the blade further.
Additionally, a few of the secondary characters — particularly DI Tina Edris — feel underserved by the narrative, sketched rather than fully drawn. Given the novel's ambition in every other department, these feel like missed opportunities rather than fatal flaws.
A Debut That Announces a Major Voice
How to Get Away with Murder by Rebecca Philipson is a remarkably assured first novel. Philipson, who grew up in County Durham, holds a First Class Honours degree from Northumbria University, completed the prestigious UEA Creative Writing master's program, and has won scholarships and business awards alike. That breadth of experience — academic rigour married to real-world grit — is evident on every page. This is not a novel written by someone imitating crime fiction; it is written by someone who understands its bones and has decided to rearrange them.
For a debut, the confidence is striking. Philipson handles dual timelines, an unreliable narrator, procedural detail, and emotional complexity with the assurance of someone who has been telling stories for far longer than her bibliography suggests. Crime fiction readers looking for their next obsession would do well to remember her name.
How to Get Away with Murder by Rebecca Philipson is a debut thriller that arrives with the confidence of a novelist who has been sharpening her craft for years in quieter rooms. Published by Minotaur Books (St. Martin's Publishing Group) and Bantam (Transworld), this is a book that does something genuinely unusual in the crowded crime-fiction market: it makes the reader complicit. Not merely a spectator, but a student enrolled in Denver Brady's masterclass of murder. And that discomfort — the queasy thrill of being addressed as a "budding killer" — is precisely the engine that drives this story forward with relentless, uncomfortable momentum.
The Woman Behind the Warrant Card
At the heart of How to Get Away with Murder by Rebecca Philipson is Detective Inspector Samantha Hansen, and she is not the polished, quip-ready protagonist that crime fiction often defaults to. Sam is a woman held together by Prozac, oversized Nordic sweaters, and a fierce, stubborn refusal to let a fourteen-year-old girl become just another unsolved case file. She returns to New Scotland Yard after a six-month absence following a breakdown triggered by workplace sexual assault — an experience Philipson handles with restraint and unflinching honesty, never exploiting Sam's trauma for cheap sympathy but allowing it to inform every tremor of her hands, every salty taste that floods her mouth when panic arrives uninvited.
Sam's vulnerability is her strength, and Philipson seems to understand this paradox instinctively. The detective is overweight, under-showered, and arrives at work in unwashed leggings because none of her old suits fit anymore. She is also, without question, the most capable investigator on the fourth floor. This tension between fragility and formidable intelligence gives the novel a beating human heart that many thrillers in this genre desperately lack.
The Devil's How-To Manual
The dual-narrative structure is where the novel truly distinguishes itself. Alternating between Sam's investigation and Denver Brady's self-help chapters — complete with numbered lists of serial-killer mistakes and darkly comic asides about writing to Dulux paint company to match the colour of drying blood — Philipson creates a reading experience that is both procedural and perversely instructional.
Denver's voice is magnetic, cultured, and chilling in its casual arrogance. He quotes Dickens. He mourns his dead dog. And he carves initials into oak trees like a lovesick schoolboy. And he kills with methodical, emotionless precision. The book-within-a-book conceit could easily have become gimmicky, but Philipson wields it with intelligence, using Denver's chapters not merely as shock-value interludes but as genuine clues that mirror and illuminate Sam's investigation.
London as a Living, Breathing Character
Philipson writes London with the intimacy of someone who understands that the city is not one place but a thousand overlapping worlds:
The shaded secrecy of Holland Walk, where vegetation spills over fences and few women would walk alone after dark
The grand but sticky-carpeted mundanity of New Scotland Yard's fourth floor, where fridge theft is commonplace among homicide detectives
Holland Park itself, reimagined as both a pastoral haven and a crime scene, its great oak trees standing witness to innocence destroyed
These details never feel ornamental. They breathe. They create a London that smells of chlorine and old perfume and bus-stop rain, and they anchor the thriller's more extreme plot turns in a world that feels stubbornly, recognizably real.
The Web of Deception
Without venturing into spoiler territory, the investigation that unfolds in How to Get Away with Murder by Rebecca Philipson is a layered puzzle involving a murdered schoolgirl named Charlotte Mathers, a viral self-help book penned by a self-proclaimed serial killer, and a supporting cast that includes Sam's godfather and boss DCI Harry Blakelaw, her sharp young trainee Adam Taylor, and a constellation of suspects who are never quite what they seem.
What impresses most is Philipson's refusal to take the obvious path. The novel asks readers to hold multiple possibilities in tension simultaneously — is Denver Brady real or fictional? Is the book at the crime scene a clue or a red herring? And crucially, who is truly capable of murder? The answers, when they arrive, are satisfying not because they are shocking (though some genuinely are) but because they feel earned, rooted in character rather than contrivance.
What Works Brilliantly
Sam's interiority — Philipson grants her protagonist a rich, sometimes contradictory inner life that never simplifies mental illness into a plot device or a personality quirk
The pacing — Denver's chapters function as pressure valves, releasing tension from Sam's investigation only to replace it with a different, more insidious kind of dread
The humour — Dark, dry, distinctly British, and never deployed at the expense of the novel's emotional stakes
The thematic ambition — Beneath the procedural surface, this is a novel about violence against women, institutional failure, the limitations of justice, and what happens when the system's best detective decides that the system itself is insufficient
Where the Seams Show
No debut is flawless, and How to Get Away with Murder by Rebecca Philipson occasionally stretches credulity in its later chapters. Certain plot mechanics require characters to behave with a level of strategic brilliance that borders on omniscience, and one key subplot involving a domestic violence case, while emotionally powerful, introduces a tonal shift that doesn't quite harmonize with the central investigation. The resolution of who killed Charlotte, while cleverly foreshadowed, arrives somewhat abruptly after the slower, more deliberate build of the first two acts.
Denver Brady's chapters, too, occasionally teeter between genuinely menacing and slightly over-written. His literary references and philosophical asides, while characterful, sometimes slow the momentum of what should be relentless, creeping tension. A tighter editorial hand in these sections would have sharpened the blade further.
Additionally, a few of the secondary characters — particularly DI Tina Edris — feel underserved by the narrative, sketched rather than fully drawn. Given the novel's ambition in every other department, these feel like missed opportunities rather than fatal flaws.
A Debut That Announces a Major Voice
How to Get Away with Murder by Rebecca Philipson is a remarkably assured first novel. Philipson, who grew up in County Durham, holds a First Class Honours degree from Northumbria University, completed the prestigious UEA Creative Writing master's program, and has won scholarships and business awards alike. That breadth of experience — academic rigour married to real-world grit — is evident on every page. This is not a novel written by someone imitating crime fiction; it is written by someone who understands its bones and has decided to rearrange them.
For a debut, the confidence is striking. Philipson handles dual timelines, an unreliable narrator, procedural detail, and emotional complexity with the assurance of someone who has been telling stories for far longer than her bibliography suggests. Crime fiction readers looking for their next obsession would do well to remember her name.
March 7, 2026
Rebecca Philipson’s How to Get Away with Murder intrigued me from the very beginning. It’s sharp, twisty, and tense, with character work that really stands out. I also love that it reads as a book within a book — one of my favourite narrative styles. This is the second story I’ve read this year that uses that structure. (I almost mentioned the first, but realized it would spoil it if you haven’t read it, so 🤐)
I really enjoyed listening to this one, especially how the tension builds in the first half. The audiobook performances elevate the story even further. Michael Geary and Tamsin Kennard bring it to life with dynamic deliveries that match the book’s shifting tones. Geary’s voice adds grit and contributed to the discomfort I felt listening to Denver (I mean that in the best way for a narrator!) while Kennard brings nuance and psychological depth to Sam. Together, they create a rhythm that feels immersive and cinematic.
I appreciate how the author balances suspense with character-driven storytelling. The pacing is clever; nothing felt rushed or dragged while I was listening. Though a few moments required a bit more suspension of disbelief, the reveals still landed with satisfying impact for me.
If you enjoy thrillers with layered characters, moral ambiguity, and a steady drip of tension, this audiobook is absolutely worth a listen. My earphones were glued to my ears. The combination of Philipson’s gripping narrative and the narrators’ compelling performances makes it a thoroughly enjoyable experience. This is a captivating debut, and I’m excited to see what the author writes next!
4.25 ⭐
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the advance listening copy of How to Get Away with Murder by Rebecca Philipson.
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Rating Guide: My star ratings represent personal resonance, not universal value. I admire writers for the courage it takes to be seen and the discipline it takes to create. Thank you.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 — Deeply resonant, even when I can’t fully put it into words
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 — Compelling and well‑written
⭐⭐⭐ 3 — Not quite my style, but still enjoyable
⭐⭐ 2 — Had promise but didn’t quite land
⭐ 1 — Fell short of what I hoped for
I really enjoyed listening to this one, especially how the tension builds in the first half. The audiobook performances elevate the story even further. Michael Geary and Tamsin Kennard bring it to life with dynamic deliveries that match the book’s shifting tones. Geary’s voice adds grit and contributed to the discomfort I felt listening to Denver (I mean that in the best way for a narrator!) while Kennard brings nuance and psychological depth to Sam. Together, they create a rhythm that feels immersive and cinematic.
I appreciate how the author balances suspense with character-driven storytelling. The pacing is clever; nothing felt rushed or dragged while I was listening. Though a few moments required a bit more suspension of disbelief, the reveals still landed with satisfying impact for me.
If you enjoy thrillers with layered characters, moral ambiguity, and a steady drip of tension, this audiobook is absolutely worth a listen. My earphones were glued to my ears. The combination of Philipson’s gripping narrative and the narrators’ compelling performances makes it a thoroughly enjoyable experience. This is a captivating debut, and I’m excited to see what the author writes next!
4.25 ⭐
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the advance listening copy of How to Get Away with Murder by Rebecca Philipson.
—
Rating Guide: My star ratings represent personal resonance, not universal value. I admire writers for the courage it takes to be seen and the discipline it takes to create. Thank you.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 — Deeply resonant, even when I can’t fully put it into words
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 — Compelling and well‑written
⭐⭐⭐ 3 — Not quite my style, but still enjoyable
⭐⭐ 2 — Had promise but didn’t quite land
⭐ 1 — Fell short of what I hoped for
February 25, 2026
A unique and refreshing story concept that was well written, intentional and thoughtful throughout,
I really liked the plot,to the FMC, the writing and format style. This was a fun read and I definitely recommend! Especially if you love anything to do with murder mysteries 🤪🤪
I really liked the plot,to the FMC, the writing and format style. This was a fun read and I definitely recommend! Especially if you love anything to do with murder mysteries 🤪🤪
December 22, 2025
Hooked from page 1. Absolutely obsessed with this story! I found this unputdownable and totally captivating. I loved the chapters and how they switched back and forth from the story and the “book” it really built suspense for the end! Overall this is such a great read for fans of murder mystery.
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC
February 24, 2026
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.
March 10, 2026
Clever! Very clever!
The title of this book intrigued me. Not that I’m an aspiring serial killer, of course, but I was interested to discover how such a premise would play out. What a brilliant idea for a serial killer thriller!
Denver Brady is a killer and is so confident in his abilities that he’s published a book, a manual of sorts, to help those who are his way inclined to avoid capture and prosecution, basically by learning from the mistakes made by those who came before him, but who ultimately slipped up at one point or another. An arrogant character, full of his own self-importance, convinced he’s doing the world a favour by imparting his wisdom.
When this book is found at a murder scene it is initially assumed that Denver Brady must be responsible. DI Samantha Hansen believes otherwise but is struggling to prove it. She’s freshly back from sick leave and is supposed to be on light/part-time duties only. I could feel her rising frustration, throughout this investigation, with her superiors who just seem to be happy with the most convenient conclusion to the case, happy to wrap things up and close the case without considering her theories, using her recent issues against her. It makes for an extremely tense read. I couldn’t wait to find out which side of the team would turn out to have been right all along.
I was hooked. A difficult book to put down and one I couldn’t wait to get back to every chance I got and OH. MY. DAYS! What a jaw dropping conclusion!!
Just brilliant!
I can’t wait to see what Rebecca Philipson writes next.
** Many thanks to Laura & Maximus @whiskers_andwords for my signed paperback proof copy via their giveaway. I can’t recommend it highly enough! **
https://chataboutbooks.blog/2026/03/1...
The title of this book intrigued me. Not that I’m an aspiring serial killer, of course, but I was interested to discover how such a premise would play out. What a brilliant idea for a serial killer thriller!
Denver Brady is a killer and is so confident in his abilities that he’s published a book, a manual of sorts, to help those who are his way inclined to avoid capture and prosecution, basically by learning from the mistakes made by those who came before him, but who ultimately slipped up at one point or another. An arrogant character, full of his own self-importance, convinced he’s doing the world a favour by imparting his wisdom.
When this book is found at a murder scene it is initially assumed that Denver Brady must be responsible. DI Samantha Hansen believes otherwise but is struggling to prove it. She’s freshly back from sick leave and is supposed to be on light/part-time duties only. I could feel her rising frustration, throughout this investigation, with her superiors who just seem to be happy with the most convenient conclusion to the case, happy to wrap things up and close the case without considering her theories, using her recent issues against her. It makes for an extremely tense read. I couldn’t wait to find out which side of the team would turn out to have been right all along.
I was hooked. A difficult book to put down and one I couldn’t wait to get back to every chance I got and OH. MY. DAYS! What a jaw dropping conclusion!!
Just brilliant!
I can’t wait to see what Rebecca Philipson writes next.
** Many thanks to Laura & Maximus @whiskers_andwords for my signed paperback proof copy via their giveaway. I can’t recommend it highly enough! **
https://chataboutbooks.blog/2026/03/1...
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March 11, 2026I reread the description and think it does a wonderful job conveying all you need to know. I am just going to highlight a few things that I really enjoyed.
1. A book within a book. This has become one of my favorite things in recent years. Can Sam figure out who wrote ‘How To Get Away With Murder.’ Is it factual or someone’s twisted idea of a joke.
2. Speaking of DI Sam Hansen, I will admit to not really liking her when the story began. She had been on leave when the murder of a young girl and that book enticed her back. But was it the right decision? Has she healed enough to handle such a high-profile case? You will have to read this book and make your own judgment.
3. How Toni became an integral part of Sam’s life.
4. Finally, The Bonus Chapter was just perfect. It made quite a few things that I felt needed to be explained, explained.
5. And finally, finally, it is a debut, and I look forward to what this author is going to write next.
1. A book within a book. This has become one of my favorite things in recent years. Can Sam figure out who wrote ‘How To Get Away With Murder.’ Is it factual or someone’s twisted idea of a joke.
2. Speaking of DI Sam Hansen, I will admit to not really liking her when the story began. She had been on leave when the murder of a young girl and that book enticed her back. But was it the right decision? Has she healed enough to handle such a high-profile case? You will have to read this book and make your own judgment.
3. How Toni became an integral part of Sam’s life.
4. Finally, The Bonus Chapter was just perfect. It made quite a few things that I felt needed to be explained, explained.
5. And finally, finally, it is a debut, and I look forward to what this author is going to write next.
March 11, 2026
A book within a book. That is what this is!! So cleverly done! I went into this book not knowing a single thing and I was pleasantly surprised. Detective Samantha (also goes by Sam) has been on leave for several months and when she hears a teenage girl has been murdered, she has decided to get back to work! One of the case’s only lead is a book that is found in the girl’s backpack called “How to Get Away With Murder” and this author claims to be the most successful serial killers of all decades. In between chapters, he details the methods one goes about killing someone, word by word, piece by piece. It’s such a strange premise throughout. I could not pull myself away from this book! This is a debut by Rebecca Philipson - Wow, what an imagination she has!! What will she think of next? I give this one 4 stars.
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