How to Get Away with Murder

by Rebecca Philipson

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.

Genres: Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Thriller, Fiction, Suspense, Serial Killer, Adult

368 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication February 24, 2026

Reviews

[Nilufer Ozmekik · Rating 4 out of 5]

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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[Lindsay L · Rating 3 out of 5]

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!

[Tini · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[BiblioPeeks · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant debut! Loved every bit of this. Review soon!

[Chelsea | thrillerbookbabe · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Lauren Self (lauren.shelby.reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Delaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Olivia Wolfenden · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Silver Star · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic debut. A fast paced, gripping crime thriller with a unique concept, I couldn’t put it down.

The story follows DI Sam Hansen, who on her return to work after a period of poor health, is part of a team trying to solve a murder. The victim was found with a copy of a book called, “ How to get away with murder” written by an anonymous serial killer. The chapters alternate between Sam and chapters of the book and you go on a journey with Sam and her trainee Taylor as they try to find out who wrote the book and if that person murdered their victim.

I really enjoyed the multi-layered mysteries which kept me guessing to the end. Sam was a fantastic detective and I found it really clever how the case & clues became clearer to her as she became well again. Her experience as a woman in the police was very universal to the female experience today and I very much felt some feminist rage, rooting for her all the way through.

There was a lot of dark humour, references to true crime and I really loved the twists at the end. Just a really great concept executed very well.

Superb!

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

"My name is Denver Brady, and I am a serial killer."

With an opening line like that I just knew that I was going to LOVE this book. And I was right. Deliciously dark, sinister, suspenseful and unsettling, this is an outstanding and inventive debut thriller.

Denver Brady claims that he’s the most successful modern serial killer and has written and published a guide for aspiring killers telling them how they can get away with murder. When a copy of that book is found at the home of a young murder victim, DI Samantha Hansen is put in charge of finding the elusive order and bring him to justice. And when Denver’s book goes viral, that pressure ramps up, leaving Sam with a race against the clock to find him.

This astonishing debut is one of the best thrillers I’ve read in a long time. I loved its malevolent tone and the dark humour that was sprinkled throughout. I was pulled into the story from its opening line and it didn’t let go until the last, devouring it in under a day as it was impossible to put down. Rebecca Philipson showcases herself as a thriller author to watch with her skillful dark storytelling, clever clues, red herrings and surprising twists. It’s one of those books where you have to pay attention to every word as the clues are spread like breadcrumbs throughout the narrative but they are carefully hidden, mixed with lies or red herrings to help disguise them or throw you off the scent and very easy to miss. I admit, Ms. Philipson played me like a fiddle and I missed many of them. But I loved that as there’s nothing better than a book that surprises you with revelations that hit like a bolt out of the blue. And that ending! I am still thinking about it weeks later.

The story is told in alternating chapters by two narrators: serial killer Denver Brady and DI Samantha Hansen. I enjoyed these dual narratives and the decision to tell the killer’s perspective in the form of Denver’s manuscript. This is an original idea that helps this book stand out from other thrillers while we still get the joy of traditional narration from Sam’s chapters. I admit, I’m a sucker for unreliable narrators and chapters from the killer’s perspective, so I loved that not only did we get those but this book took them further and gives us a whole book written by a serial killer. Denver’s how-to guide is a fascinating glimpse into the psyche of a devious, dark, depraved and remorseless killer. He delighted in his murderous exploits and to be passing on his wisdom to burgeoning killers. But there is always the thought in the back of your mind when reading that we don’t know how much of this is fantasy and how much is true. Like Sam, we are looking for clues of its validity and the author’s identity. Then there is Sam who is an unreliable narrator because of her PTSD, so much so that she doesn’t trust herself some of the time. I loved that it added to the tension to never know if what we were reading was actually true or a clever game that the narrator was playing.

One of this book’s strengths is in the characters that Philipson has created, particularly her narrators. They are dynamic, charismatic, complex and nuanced characters who have so much more to them than what we see on the surface. Sam is easy to like and someone I had a lot of sympathy for as I personally know the struggles that come with breakdowns and PTSD. She was well written, expertly conveying her mental health struggles whilst also making her likeable and someone we can root for at every step. Meanwhile Denver is a cold, calculated and twisted killer who also considers himself an empath - something that feels at odds with being a serial killer. But despite his villainy, Denver is compelling and he held me in his thrall at every step.

Heart-pounding, propulsive and addictive, this unforgettable debut is a must for every thriller lover’s 2026 TBR.

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a debut novel. Gripping with a very different approach. I would highly recommend reading.

The story follows DI Sam Hansen, who is returning to work after a trauma so has her own demons to fight as well as the crime she's investigating. The crime is a murder of a young girl who was found with a book, 'How to Get Away with Murder'. We read chapters of this book as we read which is a nice change.

There are a lot of levels to this book, with lot's of twists to keep you guessing. We also have the personal life of DI Hansen, and I found myself really connecting to her. My only negative with this book is that I felt it was overly long at times and could have been condensed a little.

Thank you to NetGalley, Rebecca Philipson and the publishers for the chance to read the ARC.

[MrsHarvieReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

After being left with a book hangover from a string of deeply emotional novels focused on grief, I searched for a novel that could grab my attention and hold it. How to Get Away with Murder by Rebecca Philipson did this in spades. What a great reading experience featuring a flawed heroine and a propulsive, twisty plot!

The novel features Detective Inspector Samantha “Sam” Hansen who is just returning to Scotland Yard after a 6 month mental health break. She quickly becomes obsessed with solving the murder of a 14-year old girl. The murder has loose ties to a self-described serial killer, Denver Brady, who has written a guide for wannabe killers. The novel alternates between Sam’s point of view during the investigation and her recovery, and chapters from Denver’s viral novel.

I don’t want to give too much away, but do want to commend this DEBUT author on the clever premise and plot twists. This page-turner had me hooked from the beginning, and maintained its tension until the surprising and utterly satisfying ending. Thriller lovers, add this to your February TBR lists! Available 2/24/26

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books/St. Martin’s Press for an advanced reader copy of How to Get Away with Murder in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Karen Vasey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This turned out to be a great read and good debut from the author. The first few chapters are a little slow due to trying to understand what is going on with Sam, the main character, but once the story settles in it is truly binge-worthy. My only gripe is that the end is a little weak even though I could understand the point of it.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Wiki · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[Jess · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book started out strong for me, which I started while reading The Minotaur Sampler, Volume 18. This was one of three previews I read and I was so into it I immediately requested the full version to review. Detective Inspector Samantha Hansen has been gone from work for six months after an assault from a co-worker and a breakdown. Sam is brought back to work when a fourteen-year-old girl is found and Sam feels compelled to find her killer. Sam's dedication and drive in her work is admirable, but she is still a broken woman. She has faced many injustices in her life and they have left an impact on her. When she goes back to work, she is not given the same position she had before and has a junior co-worker assigned to her who she is very rude and dismissive to. She often will not let him even finish a sentence. Unfortunately as the book progresses, so does Sam's decline in reason, mental health, and her reliability as a narrator. By the end of the book I disliked it greatly, and had a difficult time remembering what I liked so much about the beginning.
I was given a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. How to Get Away with Murder will be released on February 24, 2026.

[Terri (BooklyMatters) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a treat! A twisted tale like no other this reader has encountered, so compulsively readable you will struggle to put it down.

As the title implies, this book features a diabolical author who somewhat cheekily (and exceedingly disturbingly) runs through a list of tips and techniques to show him doing exactly that - that is, Getting away with Murder. (With a capital M and a bit of a lip roll!)

Is our repugnant and fiendish author actually a serial killer? Are the horrific case-studies he describes real, or simply fiction? And most chilling of all - is this ne’er-do-well killer a normal dude, hidden amongst our literary friends, masquerading as one of them, nothing but a nameless face in the crowd?

DI Sam Hansen is a PTSD survivor, on leave from the police force after suffering a traumatic attack. With her close-to-perfect close rate, Past Sam is a crackerjack cop. Current Sam, maybe not so much.

Desperate to prove herself, Sam takes her newest case to heart — the murder of a fourteen year old girl, whose death soon puts our sinister author directly in her headlights. Partnered with a trainee detective constable, the dreamy Adam Taylor, who is model-perfect yet not above a charming self-conscious blush, Sam’s clumsy attempts to get back to work may soon see her misfiring on many cylinders. Which only makes the read more perfect — as we root for Sam, for Adam, and for justice, we will busy ourselves with plenty of mystery solving too — or should I say mysteries, as this book is loaded with them, and with enough twists and turns to keep a reader (along with our buddy, the cuddlesome canine Toni) scampering to keep up.

Without giving the plot away (no spoilers here) prepare to be surprised, charmed, repulsed and intrigued, at the many creepy, compelling and downright maddening characters you will meet between these pages.

With a terrific ending this hits all the right notes, there are, however, a few remaining tantalizing questions. Just enough to make this reader, for one, desperately hope for a sequel!

A great big thank you to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for an ARC of this book. All thoughts presented are my own.

**four and a half shiny stars

[M. Elisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

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]

[Beth Reads Crime · Rating 5 out of 5]

“My name is Denver Brady, and I am a serial killer.”

What an opening line to hook you right in! How to Get Away with Murder is a book within a book. The narrative alternates between chilling, yet often humourous, excerpts from a novel allegedly written by a serial killer and the perspective of DI Sam Hansen.

Sam has been off-duty, recovering from PTSD, but one evening she stumbles across the crime scene of a young girl, where a copy of How to Get Away with Murder is found beside the body. This pushes Sam to return to work and she is soon helping to investigate the murder which mirrors one described in the book. Sam must analyse the book to ascertain whether it truly is written by a real killer or a delusional fantasist. And if Denver is real, did he kill Charlotte or is there a dangerous copycat on the loose?

I had fun trying to solve the mystery myself. I had a big list of notes and ended up with eight reasons why I thought I knew who Denver Brady was… However, I was way off but loved the journey nevertheless!

A highlight for me was the humour in the book. Both Sam and Denver have some cracking lines, despite Denver being an awful person obviously! One favourite was: “my house looks like the kind of place Liam Neeson would rescue his daughter from.”

A fantastic debut from Philipson. Clever, dark and thoroughly entertaining.

Thank you to Bantam for the proof copy.

[Adrienne Hammonds · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ A solid debut, but didn’t quite meet my anticipation

One thing I did find unique was the book-within-a-book element — unlike anything I’ve read before and loved that aspect!!

The book started off pretty slow for me, though it picked up around the 40% mark and kept me hooked from there! Still, the pacing overall felt jumpy at times. There were many moments that it was obvious Sam wasn’t truly ready to come back, but of course her working through trauma was a key drove factor of the book. I also wasn’t a fan of the repeated “I have something important to tell you—oh wait, we’re interrupted” moments, which was used a bit too often for my taste.

The final 20% took a surprising turn, but I was definitely intrigued and it kept me on my toes!! wasn’t expecting the ending in the slightest.

So thankful for the opportunity to receive as an ARC and will recommend to friends!!

[RavenCantRead · Rating 4 out of 5]

How To Get Away With Murder
3.75 ⭐️

Returning from work after a traumatizing incident 6 months prior, DI Sam Hansen must track down an alleged serial killer who has hidden his secrets away in a book found at the scene of a murder.

Overall I think this book was a lot of fun and had a compelling narrative and central mystery. I do wish we had a little more depth at times but still enjoyed it quite a bit.

What I Loved
- a strong FMC who, despite every reason to stay home, comes back to work to help catch the murderer of a teenage girl. Sam is awesome! At first I was like “babe, get it together” but then she actually started to get it together and she was so likable and smart and clever that it was impossible not to route for her.
- compelling and emotional central plot. The murder of poor Charlotte is heartbreaking and the way the author writes the grief of her friends and family is very visceral and had me getting emotional.
- strong voice . The author clearly had something she wanted to say and I think she did it brilliantly.
- London. Enough said.
- ambiguity. I love that the author trusts us, the readers, enough to not spell everything out. I kept expecting a big plot twist but I like that it was all laid out for us just like it was Sam and we just had to put the puzzle pieces together along with her. It felt very satisfying. I had my own suspects for sure but I like where it ended up. (I do think some readers may not like that it’s not wrapped in a neat little bow but I thought it was great)

Fell Flat
- romance??? I’m not sure if it was supposed to develop into a slight romance and that part got sidelined but it definitely had the bones for it? Not sure what happened there but it didn’t feel tidy to me. Would liked to have seen that developed more OR just left out completely.
- lack of emotional depth with the main character AT TIMES. I won’t say she was flat the whole way, cause she was very lively, but I wish we got a little bit more vulnerability from her on page. Some scenes happen off page and we hear about them after the fact or we get very brief moments of tenderness but I think she’d be even easier to route for if we got to see the depth more often. I know that would ruin some of the twists throughout but idk sometimes I just wanted to know more.

I really enjoyed this and think any fans of this type of dual timeline/POV (kinda????) mystery/suspense/thriller will find it engaging. I could totally see this as a future T.V. show and think the format would convert easily over to that type of media, alternating episodes of manuscript chapters and present investigation.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins Press for providing me with an advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest feedback!

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Thoughts
4.5 stars
Devoured this book in just over a day because I just could not put it down.

Excellent writing, totally fresh idea, brilliant characters and so much suspense! I had so many guesses as to who I thought Denver Brady might be and I was wrong but I did guess one of the other rotters.

Loved the use of mixed fonts within the book and the idea of having a manual on how to get away with murder as part of the story. Totally unique.

And now I have so many questions Rebecca!!! That ending was a jaw dropper I did not anticipate and I cannot wait for your next book which I know carries at least one of the characters forward.

Many thanks to @alison_is_reading for my copy which I picked up at the Transworld lunch at Harrogate Crime. Was also great to meet Rebecca in York recently and hear her talk about her book and all the research she did before writing it.

Can’t recommend this more highly, so get this on your tbr book friends. It’s out 12th March 2026.

[Victoria Fensom · Rating 4 out of 5]

How to Get Away With Murder is an amazing debut thriller - it’s extremely gripping and I was invested right from the start. I really enjoyed the concept of this being a book within a book, and thought this added a lot of depth and excitement.

The body of a young girl is found with a guide on “how to get away with murder” next to her, which is written but an unknown apparent serial killer. The Met Police start investigating, and detective Sam Hanson finds herself in the middle of the investigation alongside her colleague, trainee detective Adam Taylor, whose character I just couldn’t help but love.

Full of mystery and suspense, How to Get Away With Murder is an exciting and fast paced read from start to finish. There were a lot of great twists and it kept me guessing throughout, I would definitely recommend. Thank you NetGalley for my ARC.

[KAY♠️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Rebecca hooked me from the very first line:
“I am Denver Brady, and I am a serial killer.”
From that moment, I knew I was in for a great read—especially as someone who loves true crime.

This book is gripping and addictive. I loved the book-within-a-book approach, and Rebecca executed it so well. Her writing style is strong, and it really shows in how carefully the characters are developed. For a debut, this is truly impressive.

The story centers around uncovering who the real serial killer is, and I had so many theories… all of them wrong. The twists were clever, and the final reveal completely shocked me. I genuinely did not see that ending coming🤯

This was such a compelling read, and I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s room for a part two. I’d definitely pick it up😍😍

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Within this story of a police detective back from leave to work on the abduction of a young girl are chapters of “How to Get Away with Murder,” a how-to guide allegedly penned by the (self-described) world’s most successful serial killer. I found the serial killer’s sections a bit dry, but effectively different.
The story is complicated and we only learn some important details at the very end, via a disturbing twist: Blink and you’d miss it.
A solid first outing. I look forward to reading more by this author. 3.6 rounded up.
My thanks to the author, @StMartinsPress, @MinotaurBooks and #NetGalley for early access to the ebook of #HowtoGetAwaywithMurder for review purposes. Publication date: 24 February 2026.

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the ARC!

This was a fun read with a few plot twists that surprised me, solid character development, a fast pace, and a good story arc. Are there things I wish we got more detail about? Absolutely. Does some of the plot come together a little too neatly? You know it. But did I read this on the plane and enjoy the entire experience? One hundred percent yes. I especially enjoyed getting to read chapters of the mentioned novel written by Denver himself.

I would really recommend this for people who enjoy crime thrillers with wit and sarcasm tossed in, and for those who don't mind when things come together a little *too* neatly at times.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Initially I had trouble getting into this novel as the beginning is a little confusing, but once I did it was fascinating! A teenager grows up to be a serial killer when he realizes the possibilities are endless. And then there's the book, How to Get Away with Murder that becomes a bestseller as there is no book on the market quite like it! We are there to witness some of the gruesome murders but the detectives are dumbfounded as the clues don't add up. It's a race to the finish as we know there will be more if the killer isn't stopped!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very unique spin on a thriller/mystery! I enjoyed the separate POVs and the layers to each story. I was hooked very early on and didn’t want to put it down! I do wish the pacing had been a bit quicker in the middle. It started out great and then lagged a little. The ending was packed with lots of twists! Overall, I would absolutely recommend. I’d love to read more from Rebecca Philipson!

Thank you Netgalley, Rebecca Philipson & St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read and review.

[nita · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s been a hot minute since I’ve stayed up late to read a book. This? I’m surprised the author is debuting. I do not like stories-within-stories. The opening made me sigh, but by the end, everything had twisted so perfectly that I was utterly satisfied. There are some areas that I disliked, but the characters were strong, and I would be lying if I said this didn’t have me gasping at many points! Many twists, all good. The last one? So clear. Sam tells us throughout, never skim, read with attention.

5/5!

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Lauren Swan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book about a murder that happens but sounds like something from a book named ‘How to get away with murder’ - a manual from a serial killer giving tips on how to commit the perfect crime. It has chapters in it from the book and I just love the book in a book premise I’ve seen a few times now (The Midnight King and the Nothing Man immediately come to mind). This was a bit long and in parts but good character development, kept me hooked and a satisfying ending. Well worth a read!

[Carrie Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5* rounded up