What do you think?
Rate this book
How to Get Away with Murder
Not yet published
Expected 24 Feb 26This 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
Expected publication February 24, 2026
17719 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
October 7, 2025
What a hook! A “book-within-a-book” serial-killer mystery where the murderer leaves a copy of “How to Get Away with Murder” at each scene—complete with step-by-step instructions that mirror the crime—had me leaning so far forward I nearly fell off the couch. It’s a wickedly clever conceit: the killer taunts investigators with a printed playbook, and the only way to stop them is to read between the lines faster than they can turn the page.
Our lead, Samantha Hansen, is a brilliant Chief Inspector at Scotland Yard who’s been off the job for six months after a colleague sexually assaulted her—a “he said, she said” wound that left her with PTSD and a shaken sense of self. When a fourteen-year-old girl is found murdered in a local park, Samantha collides with the scene—literally and emotionally—and decides to return. With steady support from Harry (her boss and her late father’s best friend), she teams up with savvy DS Tina Edris and two rookies, Taylor and Chloe, to chase a killer who treats homicide like a literary scavenger hunt.
Their single, infuriatingly elegant clue is the book the murderer plants: “How to Get Away with Murder.” Inside, a victim named Sarah shares eerie, specific overlaps with young Charlotte, and each chapter reads like a breadcrumb trail. Is the culprit a copycat meticulously staging a fictional plot? Or is enigmatic author Denver Brady using publication as autobiography—confessing in plain sight and daring the police to catch up? Samantha’s edge has always been mastery of detail, but trauma has blunted her focus; skimming won’t cut it. The devil is in the margins, and she has to relearn how to read every scratch, stain, and comma as if a life depends on it—because it does.
I loved how the novel balances propulsive plotting with character work. Samantha’s return is not a triumphant flip of a switch; it’s halting, prickly, and real. Watching her rebuild professional muscle memory while refusing to let a predator (past or present) define her gives the case personal stakes that hum beneath every interview and evidence board. As for the mystery—I made suspect lists, crossed out names, and still second-guessed myself until the final reveal. Smart misdirection, fair clues, and just enough menace to make you glance at your own bookshelf.
Bottom line: an ingenious premise executed with confidence and heart. If this is the author’s debut, consider me on high alert for whatever comes next—I’m hooked.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sharing this unputdownable, razor-smart mystery’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
medium blog
instagram
facebook
twitter
Our lead, Samantha Hansen, is a brilliant Chief Inspector at Scotland Yard who’s been off the job for six months after a colleague sexually assaulted her—a “he said, she said” wound that left her with PTSD and a shaken sense of self. When a fourteen-year-old girl is found murdered in a local park, Samantha collides with the scene—literally and emotionally—and decides to return. With steady support from Harry (her boss and her late father’s best friend), she teams up with savvy DS Tina Edris and two rookies, Taylor and Chloe, to chase a killer who treats homicide like a literary scavenger hunt.
Their single, infuriatingly elegant clue is the book the murderer plants: “How to Get Away with Murder.” Inside, a victim named Sarah shares eerie, specific overlaps with young Charlotte, and each chapter reads like a breadcrumb trail. Is the culprit a copycat meticulously staging a fictional plot? Or is enigmatic author Denver Brady using publication as autobiography—confessing in plain sight and daring the police to catch up? Samantha’s edge has always been mastery of detail, but trauma has blunted her focus; skimming won’t cut it. The devil is in the margins, and she has to relearn how to read every scratch, stain, and comma as if a life depends on it—because it does.
I loved how the novel balances propulsive plotting with character work. Samantha’s return is not a triumphant flip of a switch; it’s halting, prickly, and real. Watching her rebuild professional muscle memory while refusing to let a predator (past or present) define her gives the case personal stakes that hum beneath every interview and evidence board. As for the mystery—I made suspect lists, crossed out names, and still second-guessed myself until the final reveal. Smart misdirection, fair clues, and just enough menace to make you glance at your own bookshelf.
Bottom line: an ingenious premise executed with confidence and heart. If this is the author’s debut, consider me on high alert for whatever comes next—I’m hooked.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sharing this unputdownable, razor-smart mystery’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
medium blog
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.
September 25, 2025
This is a fantastic debut. A fast paced, gripping crime thriller with a unique concept, I couldn’t put it down.
The story follows DI Sam Hansen, who on her return to work after a period of poor health, is part of a team trying to solve a murder. The victim was found with a copy of a book called, “ How to get away with murder” written by an anonymous serial killer. The chapters alternate between Sam and chapters of the book and you go on a journey with Sam and her trainee Taylor as they try to find out who wrote the book and if that person murdered their victim.
I really enjoyed the multi-layered mysteries which kept me guessing to the end. Sam was a fantastic detective and I found it really clever how the case & clues became clearer to her as she became well again. Her experience as a woman in the police was very universal to the female experience today and I very much felt some feminist rage, rooting for her all the way through.
There was a lot of dark humour, references to true crime and I really loved the twists at the end. Just a really great concept executed very well.
Superb!
The story follows DI Sam Hansen, who on her return to work after a period of poor health, is part of a team trying to solve a murder. The victim was found with a copy of a book called, “ How to get away with murder” written by an anonymous serial killer. The chapters alternate between Sam and chapters of the book and you go on a journey with Sam and her trainee Taylor as they try to find out who wrote the book and if that person murdered their victim.
I really enjoyed the multi-layered mysteries which kept me guessing to the end. Sam was a fantastic detective and I found it really clever how the case & clues became clearer to her as she became well again. Her experience as a woman in the police was very universal to the female experience today and I very much felt some feminist rage, rooting for her all the way through.
There was a lot of dark humour, references to true crime and I really loved the twists at the end. Just a really great concept executed very well.
Superb!
September 28, 2025
What a debut novel. Gripping with a very different approach. I would highly recommend reading.
The story follows DI Sam Hansen, who is returning to work after a trauma so has her own demons to fight as well as the crime she's investigating. The crime is a murder of a young girl who was found with a book, 'How to Get Away with Murder'. We read chapters of this book as we read which is a nice change.
There are a lot of levels to this book, with lot's of twists to keep you guessing. We also have the personal life of DI Hansen, and I found myself really connecting to her. My only negative with this book is that I felt it was overly long at times and could have been condensed a little.
Thank you to NetGalley, Rebecca Philipson and the publishers for the chance to read the ARC.
The story follows DI Sam Hansen, who is returning to work after a trauma so has her own demons to fight as well as the crime she's investigating. The crime is a murder of a young girl who was found with a book, 'How to Get Away with Murder'. We read chapters of this book as we read which is a nice change.
There are a lot of levels to this book, with lot's of twists to keep you guessing. We also have the personal life of DI Hansen, and I found myself really connecting to her. My only negative with this book is that I felt it was overly long at times and could have been condensed a little.
Thank you to NetGalley, Rebecca Philipson and the publishers for the chance to read the ARC.
November 3, 2025
"My name is Denver Brady, and I am a serial killer."
With an opening line like that I just knew that I was going to LOVE this book. And I was right. Deliciously dark, sinister, suspenseful and unsettling, this is an outstanding and inventive debut thriller.
Denver Brady claims that he’s the most successful modern serial killer and has written and published a guide for aspiring killers telling them how they can get away with murder. When a copy of that book is found at the home of a young murder victim, DI Samantha Hansen is put in charge of finding the elusive order and bring him to justice. And when Denver’s book goes viral, that pressure ramps up, leaving Sam with a race against the clock to find him.
This astonishing debut is one of the best thrillers I’ve read in a long time. I loved its malevolent tone and the dark humour that was sprinkled throughout. I was pulled into the story from its opening line and it didn’t let go until the last, devouring it in under a day as it was impossible to put down. Rebecca Philipson showcases herself as a thriller author to watch with her skillful dark storytelling, clever clues, red herrings and surprising twists. It’s one of those books where you have to pay attention to every word as the clues are spread like breadcrumbs throughout the narrative but they are carefully hidden, mixed with lies or red herrings to help disguise them or throw you off the scent and very easy to miss. I admit, Ms. Philipson played me like a fiddle and I missed many of them. But I loved that as there’s nothing better than a book that surprises you with revelations that hit like a bolt out of the blue. And that ending! I am still thinking about it weeks later.
The story is told in alternating chapters by two narrators: serial killer Denver Brady and DI Samantha Hansen. I enjoyed these dual narratives and the decision to tell the killer’s perspective in the form of Denver’s manuscript. This is an original idea that helps this book stand out from other thrillers while we still get the joy of traditional narration from Sam’s chapters. I admit, I’m a sucker for unreliable narrators and chapters from the killer’s perspective, so I loved that not only did we get those but this book took them further and gives us a whole book written by a serial killer. Denver’s how-to guide is a fascinating glimpse into the psyche of a devious, dark, depraved and remorseless killer. He delighted in his murderous exploits and to be passing on his wisdom to burgeoning killers. But there is always the thought in the back of your mind when reading that we don’t know how much of this is fantasy and how much is true. Like Sam, we are looking for clues of its validity and the author’s identity. Then there is Sam who is an unreliable narrator because of her PTSD, so much so that she doesn’t trust herself some of the time. I loved that it added to the tension to never know if what we were reading was actually true or a clever game that the narrator was playing.
One of this book’s strengths is in the characters that Philipson has created, particularly her narrators. They are dynamic, charismatic, complex and nuanced characters who have so much more to them than what we see on the surface. Sam is easy to like and someone I had a lot of sympathy for as I personally know the struggles that come with breakdowns and PTSD. She was well written, expertly conveying her mental health struggles whilst also making her likeable and someone we can root for at every step. Meanwhile Denver is a cold, calculated and twisted killer who also considers himself an empath - something that feels at odds with being a serial killer. But despite his villainy, Denver is compelling and he held me in his thrall at every step.
Heart-pounding, propulsive and addictive, this unforgettable debut is a must for every thriller lover’s 2026 TBR.
With an opening line like that I just knew that I was going to LOVE this book. And I was right. Deliciously dark, sinister, suspenseful and unsettling, this is an outstanding and inventive debut thriller.
Denver Brady claims that he’s the most successful modern serial killer and has written and published a guide for aspiring killers telling them how they can get away with murder. When a copy of that book is found at the home of a young murder victim, DI Samantha Hansen is put in charge of finding the elusive order and bring him to justice. And when Denver’s book goes viral, that pressure ramps up, leaving Sam with a race against the clock to find him.
This astonishing debut is one of the best thrillers I’ve read in a long time. I loved its malevolent tone and the dark humour that was sprinkled throughout. I was pulled into the story from its opening line and it didn’t let go until the last, devouring it in under a day as it was impossible to put down. Rebecca Philipson showcases herself as a thriller author to watch with her skillful dark storytelling, clever clues, red herrings and surprising twists. It’s one of those books where you have to pay attention to every word as the clues are spread like breadcrumbs throughout the narrative but they are carefully hidden, mixed with lies or red herrings to help disguise them or throw you off the scent and very easy to miss. I admit, Ms. Philipson played me like a fiddle and I missed many of them. But I loved that as there’s nothing better than a book that surprises you with revelations that hit like a bolt out of the blue. And that ending! I am still thinking about it weeks later.
The story is told in alternating chapters by two narrators: serial killer Denver Brady and DI Samantha Hansen. I enjoyed these dual narratives and the decision to tell the killer’s perspective in the form of Denver’s manuscript. This is an original idea that helps this book stand out from other thrillers while we still get the joy of traditional narration from Sam’s chapters. I admit, I’m a sucker for unreliable narrators and chapters from the killer’s perspective, so I loved that not only did we get those but this book took them further and gives us a whole book written by a serial killer. Denver’s how-to guide is a fascinating glimpse into the psyche of a devious, dark, depraved and remorseless killer. He delighted in his murderous exploits and to be passing on his wisdom to burgeoning killers. But there is always the thought in the back of your mind when reading that we don’t know how much of this is fantasy and how much is true. Like Sam, we are looking for clues of its validity and the author’s identity. Then there is Sam who is an unreliable narrator because of her PTSD, so much so that she doesn’t trust herself some of the time. I loved that it added to the tension to never know if what we were reading was actually true or a clever game that the narrator was playing.
One of this book’s strengths is in the characters that Philipson has created, particularly her narrators. They are dynamic, charismatic, complex and nuanced characters who have so much more to them than what we see on the surface. Sam is easy to like and someone I had a lot of sympathy for as I personally know the struggles that come with breakdowns and PTSD. She was well written, expertly conveying her mental health struggles whilst also making her likeable and someone we can root for at every step. Meanwhile Denver is a cold, calculated and twisted killer who also considers himself an empath - something that feels at odds with being a serial killer. But despite his villainy, Denver is compelling and he held me in his thrall at every step.
Heart-pounding, propulsive and addictive, this unforgettable debut is a must for every thriller lover’s 2026 TBR.
October 9, 2025
How To Get Away With Murder
3.75 ⭐️
Returning from work after a traumatizing incident 6 months prior, DI Sam Hansen must track down an alleged serial killer who has hidden his secrets away in a book found at the scene of a murder.
Overall I think this book was a lot of fun and had a compelling narrative and central mystery. I do wish we had a little more depth at times but still enjoyed it quite a bit.
What I Loved
- a strong FMC who, despite every reason to stay home, comes back to work to help catch the murderer of a teenage girl. Sam is awesome! At first I was like “babe, get it together” but then she actually started to get it together and she was so likable and smart and clever that it was impossible not to route for her.
- compelling and emotional central plot. The murder of poor Charlotte is heartbreaking and the way the author writes the grief of her friends and family is very visceral and had me getting emotional.
- strong voice . The author clearly had something she wanted to say and I think she did it brilliantly.
- London. Enough said.
- ambiguity. I love that the author trusts us, the readers, enough to not spell everything out. I kept expecting a big plot twist but I like that it was all laid out for us just like it was Sam and we just had to put the puzzle pieces together along with her. It felt very satisfying. I had my own suspects for sure but I like where it ended up. (I do think some readers may not like that it’s not wrapped in a neat little bow but I thought it was great)
Fell Flat
- romance??? I’m not sure if it was supposed to develop into a slight romance and that part got sidelined but it definitely had the bones for it? Not sure what happened there but it didn’t feel tidy to me. Would liked to have seen that developed more OR just left out completely.
- lack of emotional depth with the main character AT TIMES. I won’t say she was flat the whole way, cause she was very lively, but I wish we got a little bit more vulnerability from her on page. Some scenes happen off page and we hear about them after the fact or we get very brief moments of tenderness but I think she’d be even easier to route for if we got to see the depth more often. I know that would ruin some of the twists throughout but idk sometimes I just wanted to know more.
I really enjoyed this and think any fans of this type of dual timeline/POV (kinda????) mystery/suspense/thriller will find it engaging. I could totally see this as a future T.V. show and think the format would convert easily over to that type of media, alternating episodes of manuscript chapters and present investigation.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins Press for providing me with an advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest feedback!
3.75 ⭐️
Returning from work after a traumatizing incident 6 months prior, DI Sam Hansen must track down an alleged serial killer who has hidden his secrets away in a book found at the scene of a murder.
Overall I think this book was a lot of fun and had a compelling narrative and central mystery. I do wish we had a little more depth at times but still enjoyed it quite a bit.
What I Loved
- a strong FMC who, despite every reason to stay home, comes back to work to help catch the murderer of a teenage girl. Sam is awesome! At first I was like “babe, get it together” but then she actually started to get it together and she was so likable and smart and clever that it was impossible not to route for her.
- compelling and emotional central plot. The murder of poor Charlotte is heartbreaking and the way the author writes the grief of her friends and family is very visceral and had me getting emotional.
- strong voice . The author clearly had something she wanted to say and I think she did it brilliantly.
- London. Enough said.
- ambiguity. I love that the author trusts us, the readers, enough to not spell everything out. I kept expecting a big plot twist but I like that it was all laid out for us just like it was Sam and we just had to put the puzzle pieces together along with her. It felt very satisfying. I had my own suspects for sure but I like where it ended up. (I do think some readers may not like that it’s not wrapped in a neat little bow but I thought it was great)
Fell Flat
- romance??? I’m not sure if it was supposed to develop into a slight romance and that part got sidelined but it definitely had the bones for it? Not sure what happened there but it didn’t feel tidy to me. Would liked to have seen that developed more OR just left out completely.
- lack of emotional depth with the main character AT TIMES. I won’t say she was flat the whole way, cause she was very lively, but I wish we got a little bit more vulnerability from her on page. Some scenes happen off page and we hear about them after the fact or we get very brief moments of tenderness but I think she’d be even easier to route for if we got to see the depth more often. I know that would ruin some of the twists throughout but idk sometimes I just wanted to know more.
I really enjoyed this and think any fans of this type of dual timeline/POV (kinda????) mystery/suspense/thriller will find it engaging. I could totally see this as a future T.V. show and think the format would convert easily over to that type of media, alternating episodes of manuscript chapters and present investigation.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins Press for providing me with an advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest feedback!
October 7, 2025
What a treat! A twisted tale like no other this reader has encountered, so compulsively readable you will struggle to put it down.
As the title implies, this book features a diabolical author who somewhat cheekily (and exceedingly disturbingly) runs through a list of tips and techniques to show him doing exactly that - that is, Getting away with Murder. (With a capital M and a bit of a lip roll!)
Is our repugnant and fiendish author actually a serial killer? Are the horrific case-studies he describes real, or simply fiction? And most chilling of all - is this ne’er-do-well killer a normal dude, hidden amongst our literary friends, masquerading as one of them, nothing but a nameless face in the crowd?
DI Sam Hansen is a PTSD survivor, on leave from the police force after suffering a traumatic attack. With her close-to-perfect close rate, Past Sam is a crackerjack cop. Current Sam, maybe not so much.
Desperate to prove herself, Sam takes her newest case to heart — the murder of a fourteen year old girl, whose death soon puts our sinister author directly in her headlights. Partnered with a trainee detective constable, the dreamy Adam Taylor, who is model-perfect yet not above a charming self-conscious blush, Sam’s clumsy attempts to get back to work may soon see her misfiring on many cylinders. Which only makes the read more perfect — as we root for Sam, for Adam, and for justice, we will busy ourselves with plenty of mystery solving too — or should I say mysteries, as this book is loaded with them, and with enough twists and turns to keep a reader (along with our buddy, the cuddlesome canine Toni) scampering to keep up.
Without giving the plot away (no spoilers here) prepare to be surprised, charmed, repulsed and intrigued, at the many creepy, compelling and downright maddening characters you will meet between these pages.
With a terrific ending this hits all the right notes, there are, however, a few remaining tantalizing questions. Just enough to make this reader, for one, desperately hope for a sequel!
A great big thank you to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for an ARC of this book. All thoughts presented are my own.
**four and a half shiny stars
As the title implies, this book features a diabolical author who somewhat cheekily (and exceedingly disturbingly) runs through a list of tips and techniques to show him doing exactly that - that is, Getting away with Murder. (With a capital M and a bit of a lip roll!)
Is our repugnant and fiendish author actually a serial killer? Are the horrific case-studies he describes real, or simply fiction? And most chilling of all - is this ne’er-do-well killer a normal dude, hidden amongst our literary friends, masquerading as one of them, nothing but a nameless face in the crowd?
DI Sam Hansen is a PTSD survivor, on leave from the police force after suffering a traumatic attack. With her close-to-perfect close rate, Past Sam is a crackerjack cop. Current Sam, maybe not so much.
Desperate to prove herself, Sam takes her newest case to heart — the murder of a fourteen year old girl, whose death soon puts our sinister author directly in her headlights. Partnered with a trainee detective constable, the dreamy Adam Taylor, who is model-perfect yet not above a charming self-conscious blush, Sam’s clumsy attempts to get back to work may soon see her misfiring on many cylinders. Which only makes the read more perfect — as we root for Sam, for Adam, and for justice, we will busy ourselves with plenty of mystery solving too — or should I say mysteries, as this book is loaded with them, and with enough twists and turns to keep a reader (along with our buddy, the cuddlesome canine Toni) scampering to keep up.
Without giving the plot away (no spoilers here) prepare to be surprised, charmed, repulsed and intrigued, at the many creepy, compelling and downright maddening characters you will meet between these pages.
With a terrific ending this hits all the right notes, there are, however, a few remaining tantalizing questions. Just enough to make this reader, for one, desperately hope for a sequel!
A great big thank you to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for an ARC of this book. All thoughts presented are my own.
**four and a half shiny stars
September 20, 2025
“My name is Denver Brady, and I am a serial killer.”
What an opening line to hook you right in! How to Get Away with Murder is a book within a book. The narrative alternates between chilling, yet often humourous, excerpts from a novel allegedly written by a serial killer and the perspective of DI Sam Hansen.
Sam has been off-duty, recovering from PTSD, but one evening she stumbles across the crime scene of a young girl, where a copy of How to Get Away with Murder is found beside the body. This pushes Sam to return to work and she is soon helping to investigate the murder which mirrors one described in the book. Sam must analyse the book to ascertain whether it truly is written by a real killer or a delusional fantasist. And if Denver is real, did he kill Charlotte or is there a dangerous copycat on the loose?
I had fun trying to solve the mystery myself. I had a big list of notes and ended up with eight reasons why I thought I knew who Denver Brady was… However, I was way off but loved the journey nevertheless!
A highlight for me was the humour in the book. Both Sam and Denver have some cracking lines, despite Denver being an awful person obviously! One favourite was: “my house looks like the kind of place Liam Neeson would rescue his daughter from.”
A fantastic debut from Philipson. Clever, dark and thoroughly entertaining.
Thank you to Bantam for the proof copy.
What an opening line to hook you right in! How to Get Away with Murder is a book within a book. The narrative alternates between chilling, yet often humourous, excerpts from a novel allegedly written by a serial killer and the perspective of DI Sam Hansen.
Sam has been off-duty, recovering from PTSD, but one evening she stumbles across the crime scene of a young girl, where a copy of How to Get Away with Murder is found beside the body. This pushes Sam to return to work and she is soon helping to investigate the murder which mirrors one described in the book. Sam must analyse the book to ascertain whether it truly is written by a real killer or a delusional fantasist. And if Denver is real, did he kill Charlotte or is there a dangerous copycat on the loose?
I had fun trying to solve the mystery myself. I had a big list of notes and ended up with eight reasons why I thought I knew who Denver Brady was… However, I was way off but loved the journey nevertheless!
A highlight for me was the humour in the book. Both Sam and Denver have some cracking lines, despite Denver being an awful person obviously! One favourite was: “my house looks like the kind of place Liam Neeson would rescue his daughter from.”
A fantastic debut from Philipson. Clever, dark and thoroughly entertaining.
Thank you to Bantam for the proof copy.
October 13, 2025
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.
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.
September 29, 2025
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!
September 28, 2025
4.5* rounded up
October 3, 2025
What a brilliant debut. I was gripped throughout and the book kept me guessing right up until the end. I loved the book within a book concept and enjoyed reading it alongside Sam, our female main character. I had so many theories throughout and was happy to be proved wrong with them all. The dark humour woven throughout was brilliant. I chuckled so many times reading it. I loved the characterisation in the book and particularly loved Sam. I cannot wait to see what this author brings next. This is wickedly clever, utterly original and wholeheartedly addictive.
October 30, 2025
Stunned that How to Get Away with Murder is Rebecca Philipson's debut novel... Absolutely phenomenal job creating a well-maintained plot. If you are a true-crime junkie, this is a must pick-up for 2026! This novel follows a detective, Samantha Hansen, as she tries to piece together whether the newest serial killer in the area is a copy-cat killer or the author of a bestselling book called How To Get Away With Murder.
The fact that a debut author was able to come up with such a unique premise AND execute it well is extremely impressive. This made me excited to see what Rebecca Philipson will do next in her writing career.
Rebecca Philipson started out the novel with a chapter from the "book within the book." This intrigued me and caught my attention straight away. It was a genius way to start the book off and make the reader want more. I adored the fact that we switched from chapters of the "book" to chapters following the detective. It felt as if I was reading two books at once, and it was a good break for the reader. My favorite part of the book was following the author in the book, Denver Brady, and the chapters.
This was completely fast-paced in every element. There was one portion of the novel at about the 3/4 mark that I was losing interest, but it quickly picked back up again with the resolution. Rebecca Philipson allowed the reader to connect the points that the detective was making as she went through reading the book herself. This kept you guessing and thinking alongside the detective. You think you have it all figured out, but you don't.
I am always relieved to read a thriller book where I did not piece together what the ending is going to entail. I was keeping internal notes the whole book as we got little clues here and there from the character's book and the detective. However, my senses were incorrect with where the story would end. It completely got me, and I love to see it!
Thank you NetGalley, Minotaur Books, & Rebecca Philipson for an ARC in exchange for an honest review! How to Get Away with Murder will be released on February 24, 2026!
The fact that a debut author was able to come up with such a unique premise AND execute it well is extremely impressive. This made me excited to see what Rebecca Philipson will do next in her writing career.
Rebecca Philipson started out the novel with a chapter from the "book within the book." This intrigued me and caught my attention straight away. It was a genius way to start the book off and make the reader want more. I adored the fact that we switched from chapters of the "book" to chapters following the detective. It felt as if I was reading two books at once, and it was a good break for the reader. My favorite part of the book was following the author in the book, Denver Brady, and the chapters.
This was completely fast-paced in every element. There was one portion of the novel at about the 3/4 mark that I was losing interest, but it quickly picked back up again with the resolution. Rebecca Philipson allowed the reader to connect the points that the detective was making as she went through reading the book herself. This kept you guessing and thinking alongside the detective. You think you have it all figured out, but you don't.
I am always relieved to read a thriller book where I did not piece together what the ending is going to entail. I was keeping internal notes the whole book as we got little clues here and there from the character's book and the detective. However, my senses were incorrect with where the story would end. It completely got me, and I love to see it!
Thank you NetGalley, Minotaur Books, & Rebecca Philipson for an ARC in exchange for an honest review! How to Get Away with Murder will be released on February 24, 2026!
October 5, 2025
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.
DI Sam Hansen is on leave after a sexual assault by a fellow officer led to a breakdown, but her therapist is now keen for her to start a gradual return to work. She refuses to consider this, but then on the way home from her appointment comes across a crime scene - a 14 year old girl called Charlotte has been found dead. Sam immediately phones her boss and says she wants to returns to work and be assigned this case. The story is full of such random switches - for example, Sam is extraordinarily rude to the trainee she is supposed to be mentoring to the point of bullying him, until she suddenly starts to confide in him and entertain romantic feelings for him. Sam is generally hard to like.
The part of the case Sam is asked to work on involves a supposed serial killer, who has written a how to manual using the pen name Denver Brady and left a copy of it by Charlotte's body. Was Charlotte killed by Denver or by a copycat?
I found the middle section of this quite gripping, although my preference would have been for the chapters from Denver's book to be shorter - they were a bit dull in places and slowed the momentum of the investigation storyline. The ending was a bit mad - there was no evidence at all to support Sam's spectacular deduction as to the identity of Charlotte's killer. I didn't understand why Sam didn't try harder to explain the things she had discovered about Denver's identity to her colleagues, nor why she didn't consult her union rep when her boss and the HR department suddenly turned on her. There were elements of the story that were not entirely realistic, and the ending was twisty but in ways I always find disappointing. Finally, a lawyer who advises at a police station would not be a KC.
DI Sam Hansen is on leave after a sexual assault by a fellow officer led to a breakdown, but her therapist is now keen for her to start a gradual return to work. She refuses to consider this, but then on the way home from her appointment comes across a crime scene - a 14 year old girl called Charlotte has been found dead. Sam immediately phones her boss and says she wants to returns to work and be assigned this case. The story is full of such random switches - for example, Sam is extraordinarily rude to the trainee she is supposed to be mentoring to the point of bullying him, until she suddenly starts to confide in him and entertain romantic feelings for him. Sam is generally hard to like.
The part of the case Sam is asked to work on involves a supposed serial killer, who has written a how to manual using the pen name Denver Brady and left a copy of it by Charlotte's body. Was Charlotte killed by Denver or by a copycat?
I found the middle section of this quite gripping, although my preference would have been for the chapters from Denver's book to be shorter - they were a bit dull in places and slowed the momentum of the investigation storyline. The ending was a bit mad - there was no evidence at all to support Sam's spectacular deduction as to the identity of Charlotte's killer. I didn't understand why Sam didn't try harder to explain the things she had discovered about Denver's identity to her colleagues, nor why she didn't consult her union rep when her boss and the HR department suddenly turned on her. There were elements of the story that were not entirely realistic, and the ending was twisty but in ways I always find disappointing. Finally, a lawyer who advises at a police station would not be a KC.
October 4, 2025
Well what a great read this has been. A debut novel that’s clever, well written, easy to read and made me smile more than once, whilst also making me wince at some more gruesome moments.
As soon as you open this book, you are turning the pages another book: Denver Brady’s How To Get Away With Murder, a step by step guide for aspiring serial killers. I loved Denver’s strong voice: he was arrogant and cocky but also funny. I loved his nostalgic references to the past - they were the bits that made me smile!
Denver’s book is the link to the other voice in the book, that of DI Sam(antha) Hansen, a police officer recovering from some recent trauma and on a phased return to work. The alternating chapters between Denver’s first person and Sam’s third person narrative make for the kind of reading where you decide “just to read the next chapter” but before you know it, you’ve actually read quite a bit more than you’d planned.
I loved Sam’s character: a clearly strong, successful and intelligent person, who has sadly been struggling with motivation since her traumatic incident at work but as she accidentally comes across the crime scene where Denver’s book has been left by the side of the child victim, she suddenly feels that flame inside ignite again. She is angry and she is determined all at once! Before long, she is on the case, trying to find out the true identify of Denver and whether he is the real killer in this particular murder case. I loved the concept, the delivery and the twist I didn’t anticipate.
This book is coming to bookshops next March and I already can’t wait to see what Becca writes next!
As soon as you open this book, you are turning the pages another book: Denver Brady’s How To Get Away With Murder, a step by step guide for aspiring serial killers. I loved Denver’s strong voice: he was arrogant and cocky but also funny. I loved his nostalgic references to the past - they were the bits that made me smile!
Denver’s book is the link to the other voice in the book, that of DI Sam(antha) Hansen, a police officer recovering from some recent trauma and on a phased return to work. The alternating chapters between Denver’s first person and Sam’s third person narrative make for the kind of reading where you decide “just to read the next chapter” but before you know it, you’ve actually read quite a bit more than you’d planned.
I loved Sam’s character: a clearly strong, successful and intelligent person, who has sadly been struggling with motivation since her traumatic incident at work but as she accidentally comes across the crime scene where Denver’s book has been left by the side of the child victim, she suddenly feels that flame inside ignite again. She is angry and she is determined all at once! Before long, she is on the case, trying to find out the true identify of Denver and whether he is the real killer in this particular murder case. I loved the concept, the delivery and the twist I didn’t anticipate.
This book is coming to bookshops next March and I already can’t wait to see what Becca writes next!
October 25, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for an advanced copy in exchange for a review.
Oh my goodness, wow! 🤩 This was an incredible and really original crime thriller/mystery that I absolutely devoured.
After taking time off following being assaulted by a colleague, Detective Sam Hansen is compelled to return to work when a teenage girl, Charlotte, is murdered. Left at the scene is a book by self-confessed serial killer, Denver Brady, called How to Get Away With Murder. In his book, Denver wants to teach aspiring serial killers exactly that, and Sam has to read every chapter detailing his murderous activity and how he got away each time without being a suspect.
But is Denver’s book real or fantasy? And is he Charlotte’s murderer?
This was such a twisty, addictive, story that I could not crack. I puzzled over who Denver could be, but had no real idea. I was gripped and disturbed in equal measure. And then the end… brilliant! I couldn’t have guessed any of it and loved how surprising the plot was.
The switch between Sam’s story and Denver’s book chapters worked perfectly and the characters were great. Denver is an over-confident misogynist who I loved to hate, and Sam is strong and determined and I enjoyed seeing her build herself back up and grow attached to her dog!
I can’t say anymore about what made it so ace without spoiling it, only that this was a truly special book that I will keep thinking about and might have to read again to take it all in fully! For a debut novel it’s particularly exciting and I can’t wait to read more from Rebecca Philipson!
Oh my goodness, wow! 🤩 This was an incredible and really original crime thriller/mystery that I absolutely devoured.
After taking time off following being assaulted by a colleague, Detective Sam Hansen is compelled to return to work when a teenage girl, Charlotte, is murdered. Left at the scene is a book by self-confessed serial killer, Denver Brady, called How to Get Away With Murder. In his book, Denver wants to teach aspiring serial killers exactly that, and Sam has to read every chapter detailing his murderous activity and how he got away each time without being a suspect.
But is Denver’s book real or fantasy? And is he Charlotte’s murderer?
This was such a twisty, addictive, story that I could not crack. I puzzled over who Denver could be, but had no real idea. I was gripped and disturbed in equal measure. And then the end… brilliant! I couldn’t have guessed any of it and loved how surprising the plot was.
The switch between Sam’s story and Denver’s book chapters worked perfectly and the characters were great. Denver is an over-confident misogynist who I loved to hate, and Sam is strong and determined and I enjoyed seeing her build herself back up and grow attached to her dog!
I can’t say anymore about what made it so ace without spoiling it, only that this was a truly special book that I will keep thinking about and might have to read again to take it all in fully! For a debut novel it’s particularly exciting and I can’t wait to read more from Rebecca Philipson!
October 14, 2025
(ARC - out 02/24/26 via St. Martin's press) The conceit of this mystery/thriller is a unique one - a fourteen-year-old girl is found murdered and posed in a park and the only evidence left behind is a copy of a book titled “How to Get Away with Murder,” written by self-professed serial killer. Sam(antha) is our protagonist, struggling to cope with the mental breakdown she suffered after being sexually assaulted by a colleague. She was a well-respected detective within Scotland Yard, but has been unable to return to work since her breakdown. The case of the young girl in the park is what brings Samantha back into the fold, but it’s not an easy return by any means, with Sam still struggling to adapt her new self to her old self. The novel is split, with one chapter following Samantha and another being an excerpt from “How to Get Away with Murder,” which was a story decision I really liked. The pacing of this is fast anyway, but getting the narrative broken up with the novel within a novel excerpts really adds to the overall experience. I think the author does a pretty good job with portraying a woman who is devoted to her job, but struggling with trauma. Able to help others, but struggling to help herself. There is a lot of character work here, especially in building up who Sam was before she was assaulted and who she is now. Some of the twists felt telegraphed, but I thought the killer reveal was well done. If you’re a mystery/thriller reader, and like the book within a book trope, I’d definitely give this a try.
November 2, 2025
(ARC for NetGalley)
It has not been easy for DCI Sam Hansen. Struggling with PTSD after an assault by a fellow officer, she is having a hard time getting her feet beneath her and going back to work at the Met. A new partner, a young girl’s murder, a potential serial killer, and a series of ignored phone calls from her mandated psychologist are all proving very overwhelming.
I will admit that, at first, I wasn’t Sam‘s biggest fan. With so many people trying to help her, she seemed totally unwilling to quit playing the poor-me game upon which she was initially thriving.
As the story began to move forward, though, I quickly became a huge fan. Layers of humanity began to expose themselves, and my admiration grew for her and for her unwillingness to bow in the face of pressure versus what she knew was right.
Told from two points of view, one focusing on Sam and her attempts to solve all of the mysteries at her feet and one from the point of view of a potential serial killer instructing others on how to follow in his footsteps, this book had me thinking about it even when I wasn’t reading it. I found myself wondering: who is a bad guy—or guys—and I began to question the motives of the good guys, as well as Sam‘s ability to overcome the odds and solve these crimes.
This was definitely a story that captured and kept my attention and kept me guessing how the stories would overlap, if at all. And it certainly kept my interest and kept me guessing right through every single plot twist until the fairly unexpected but perfect conclusion.
It has not been easy for DCI Sam Hansen. Struggling with PTSD after an assault by a fellow officer, she is having a hard time getting her feet beneath her and going back to work at the Met. A new partner, a young girl’s murder, a potential serial killer, and a series of ignored phone calls from her mandated psychologist are all proving very overwhelming.
I will admit that, at first, I wasn’t Sam‘s biggest fan. With so many people trying to help her, she seemed totally unwilling to quit playing the poor-me game upon which she was initially thriving.
As the story began to move forward, though, I quickly became a huge fan. Layers of humanity began to expose themselves, and my admiration grew for her and for her unwillingness to bow in the face of pressure versus what she knew was right.
Told from two points of view, one focusing on Sam and her attempts to solve all of the mysteries at her feet and one from the point of view of a potential serial killer instructing others on how to follow in his footsteps, this book had me thinking about it even when I wasn’t reading it. I found myself wondering: who is a bad guy—or guys—and I began to question the motives of the good guys, as well as Sam‘s ability to overcome the odds and solve these crimes.
This was definitely a story that captured and kept my attention and kept me guessing how the stories would overlap, if at all. And it certainly kept my interest and kept me guessing right through every single plot twist until the fairly unexpected but perfect conclusion.
October 28, 2025
Synopsis —/Denver Brady claims to be the most successful serial killer of our time – and that’s precisely why you’ve never heard of him.
But with the publication of his manual for aspiring serial killers, How to Get Away with Murder, that’s about to change.
When a copy is found at the home of a girl who was tragically murdered, DI Samantha Hansen is given the job of tracking down the elusive author.
As Denver and Sam’s stories unfold and converge, it becomes clear that there’s more to both than meets the eye. And once Denver’s book goes viral, the pressure to find and bring him to justice brings Sam close to breaking point.
But who is hunting whom?
#mythoughts -
A brilliant thriller, narrated by DI Sam and through excerpts from Denver’s book. The team is investigating the death of Charlotte, a teenager found in the woods. Intriguingly, she was clutching a copy of How to Get Away with Murder. As Sam begins reading it, she starts to notice clues that may point to the killer — and perhaps even a serial killer, given the number of incidents described in the novel.
The characters are excellent, especially Sam, who has been on extended sick leave following a traumatic incident. Her godfather, Harry, who leads the team, is eager for her to return.
All is definitely not what it seems and the ending is so good and I can’t wait to chat about it ! This is an awesome debut and one you must preorder as it is out March 12th 2026 you need it in your hands !
But with the publication of his manual for aspiring serial killers, How to Get Away with Murder, that’s about to change.
When a copy is found at the home of a girl who was tragically murdered, DI Samantha Hansen is given the job of tracking down the elusive author.
As Denver and Sam’s stories unfold and converge, it becomes clear that there’s more to both than meets the eye. And once Denver’s book goes viral, the pressure to find and bring him to justice brings Sam close to breaking point.
But who is hunting whom?
#mythoughts -
A brilliant thriller, narrated by DI Sam and through excerpts from Denver’s book. The team is investigating the death of Charlotte, a teenager found in the woods. Intriguingly, she was clutching a copy of How to Get Away with Murder. As Sam begins reading it, she starts to notice clues that may point to the killer — and perhaps even a serial killer, given the number of incidents described in the novel.
The characters are excellent, especially Sam, who has been on extended sick leave following a traumatic incident. Her godfather, Harry, who leads the team, is eager for her to return.
All is definitely not what it seems and the ending is so good and I can’t wait to chat about it ! This is an awesome debut and one you must preorder as it is out March 12th 2026 you need it in your hands !
October 3, 2025
Thank you to the author and publisher for an early copy of this book!!
When I tell you guys this book had me HOOKED until I finished it. From the very beginning I was just completely enthralled. I love it when a book gets straight into the action. I feel we had a really good amount of context about Sam and why she did a lot of the things she did.
I really liked that the author addressed hard topics like misogyny and harassment in a sensitive but also educational way. I think this is going to (hopefully) positively influence men who work in the public sector/police to ensure they take all allegations seriously and not to undermine women. I also really appreciated the fact that anxiety & depression/mental health problems/panic attacks were woven into this story and it makes me glad that there is some representation of these issues in the book. And it presents as very realistic and not over-dramatic at all.
I loved the pacing of this book and there was no ‘flat’ moments, it was all consistently relevant to the plot and it was so easy to read.
I love the plot twists and none of them are predictable which is nice. I was thoroughly entertained throughout this book and would recommend it to any crime and thriller fan! I could not and would not put this book down until I finished it
Rating: 5/5 stars (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
When I tell you guys this book had me HOOKED until I finished it. From the very beginning I was just completely enthralled. I love it when a book gets straight into the action. I feel we had a really good amount of context about Sam and why she did a lot of the things she did.
I really liked that the author addressed hard topics like misogyny and harassment in a sensitive but also educational way. I think this is going to (hopefully) positively influence men who work in the public sector/police to ensure they take all allegations seriously and not to undermine women. I also really appreciated the fact that anxiety & depression/mental health problems/panic attacks were woven into this story and it makes me glad that there is some representation of these issues in the book. And it presents as very realistic and not over-dramatic at all.
I loved the pacing of this book and there was no ‘flat’ moments, it was all consistently relevant to the plot and it was so easy to read.
I love the plot twists and none of them are predictable which is nice. I was thoroughly entertained throughout this book and would recommend it to any crime and thriller fan! I could not and would not put this book down until I finished it
Rating: 5/5 stars (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
September 28, 2025
“My name is Denver Brady, and I am a serial killer.” With that opening line, Rebecca Philipson sets the tone for a thriller that’s as darkly clever as it is compulsively readable. How to Get Away with Murder is a book within a book—a fictional manual penned by a self-proclaimed killer, and the catalyst for a murder investigation that spirals into obsession.
DI Samantha Hansen, recovering from PTSD and reluctant to return to duty, finds herself drawn back in when a young girl is found dead—with Denver’s book beside her. What follows is a taut, layered mystery that blurs the line between fiction and reality, author and imitator, hunter and hunted.
Philipson’s debut is brisk, biting, and surprisingly funny. Denver’s narration is laced with gallows humour, while Sam’s dry wit and emotional vulnerability ground the story in something deeply human. The pacing is sharp, the twists satisfying, and the interplay between the two voices gives the novel a cinematic rhythm—like Killing Eve meets True Crime TikTok, with a literary twist.
A standout debut that balances menace with mirth, and leaves you wondering whether the most dangerous stories are the ones we choose to believe.
With thanks to Rebecca Philipson, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
DI Samantha Hansen, recovering from PTSD and reluctant to return to duty, finds herself drawn back in when a young girl is found dead—with Denver’s book beside her. What follows is a taut, layered mystery that blurs the line between fiction and reality, author and imitator, hunter and hunted.
Philipson’s debut is brisk, biting, and surprisingly funny. Denver’s narration is laced with gallows humour, while Sam’s dry wit and emotional vulnerability ground the story in something deeply human. The pacing is sharp, the twists satisfying, and the interplay between the two voices gives the novel a cinematic rhythm—like Killing Eve meets True Crime TikTok, with a literary twist.
A standout debut that balances menace with mirth, and leaves you wondering whether the most dangerous stories are the ones we choose to believe.
With thanks to Rebecca Philipson, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
October 6, 2025
This was a phenomenal debut by Rebecca Philipson. I should get credit from GoodReads for reading two books. This book was superbly plotted and laid out as two stories. There were many layers to the stories with lots of twists and turns before you get to the conclusion.
One story is Denver Brady’s manual How to Get Away with Murder. He’s the self-proclaimed most successful serial killer of all time. With the exception that no one has ever heard of him.
The second story is that of Detective Inspector Sam Hansen who is on administrative leave for sexual harassment that has caused her PTSD and anxiety. On her walk home from a therapy session, she comes across a murder scene of a 14-year-old girl. At that point, she makes the decision to go back to work as she specifically wants to work that case.
The two stories begin to intertwine as Sam has to catch the murderer to get justice for Charlotte. Is Denver responsible for the murder or is it a copycat? The last line spoken by Sam had me laughing out loud. She definitely dealt a special brand of justice. It makes you wonder what other brands of justice she's dealt.
Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Minotaur Books for the Advanced Reader’s Copy of How to Get Away with Murder by Rebecca Philipson. This book is to be published on February 24, 2026.
One story is Denver Brady’s manual How to Get Away with Murder. He’s the self-proclaimed most successful serial killer of all time. With the exception that no one has ever heard of him.
The second story is that of Detective Inspector Sam Hansen who is on administrative leave for sexual harassment that has caused her PTSD and anxiety. On her walk home from a therapy session, she comes across a murder scene of a 14-year-old girl. At that point, she makes the decision to go back to work as she specifically wants to work that case.
The two stories begin to intertwine as Sam has to catch the murderer to get justice for Charlotte. Is Denver responsible for the murder or is it a copycat? The last line spoken by Sam had me laughing out loud. She definitely dealt a special brand of justice. It makes you wonder what other brands of justice she's dealt.
Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Minotaur Books for the Advanced Reader’s Copy of How to Get Away with Murder by Rebecca Philipson. This book is to be published on February 24, 2026.
October 27, 2025
What a bloomin cracking debut! A book within a book, such a gripping concept I just couldn't put it down.
After a period away from work due to battling her own trauma, DI Sam Hansen returns to investigate the murder of a 14 year old girl. Located near her body was a copy of the book 'How to get away with Murder' apparently written by an anonymous serial killer.
The chapters alternate between chapters of this book, and Sam as she not only tries to uncover the real author of the book but also track down a murderer. Each chapter akin to a breadcrumb trail which Sam gets closer and closer to as she becomes well again.
Sam returning to work however isn't clear cut and dry, it's layered with doubt and recovery whilst still trying to track down a murderer before they strike again.
The plot thickens, the mysteries are multi-layered and enticing, really had me on the edge of my seat with a suspect list as long as my arm and more scribbles than I can count.
A debut that hit the top of my thriller list this year. That ending.. I have so many questions which I hope means a sequal could very well be on the horizon.
Thank you to Netgalley, Bantam Books and the author for an ARC. All thoughts are my own.
After a period away from work due to battling her own trauma, DI Sam Hansen returns to investigate the murder of a 14 year old girl. Located near her body was a copy of the book 'How to get away with Murder' apparently written by an anonymous serial killer.
The chapters alternate between chapters of this book, and Sam as she not only tries to uncover the real author of the book but also track down a murderer. Each chapter akin to a breadcrumb trail which Sam gets closer and closer to as she becomes well again.
Sam returning to work however isn't clear cut and dry, it's layered with doubt and recovery whilst still trying to track down a murderer before they strike again.
The plot thickens, the mysteries are multi-layered and enticing, really had me on the edge of my seat with a suspect list as long as my arm and more scribbles than I can count.
A debut that hit the top of my thriller list this year. That ending.. I have so many questions which I hope means a sequal could very well be on the horizon.
Thank you to Netgalley, Bantam Books and the author for an ARC. All thoughts are my own.
November 3, 2025
What an amazing debut! This is an ambitious, smart and entertaining tale of a strong female detective working at Scotland Yard. The style is a 'book within a book', which I love, and goes back and forth between the killer's internal narrative, and Samantha's as she tries to solve the murder of a 14-year old girl. At the scene of the crime is a “self-help” manual written by alleged serial killer, Denver Brady, entitled 'How-to Get Away with Murder'.
Is he really offering advice to would be killers, or is this a ruse to detract Sam from uncovering the real clues? She's an excellent detective, but is recovering from some PTSD related to some past trauma, so has her own challenges in addition to this case.
This had great character development and you're rooting for Sam to be the big hero and save the day. It's a standard police procedural format, and is a bit long at times, so the pacing could be tightened up a bit. But, it's unique in that it goes back and forth between entries in the book (which are often humorous and add some sorely needed comedic relief, and Sam and her partners real life activity. Sam is a great, strong character who has lots of potential if everyone would just get out of her way.
Entertaining and fun!
Is he really offering advice to would be killers, or is this a ruse to detract Sam from uncovering the real clues? She's an excellent detective, but is recovering from some PTSD related to some past trauma, so has her own challenges in addition to this case.
This had great character development and you're rooting for Sam to be the big hero and save the day. It's a standard police procedural format, and is a bit long at times, so the pacing could be tightened up a bit. But, it's unique in that it goes back and forth between entries in the book (which are often humorous and add some sorely needed comedic relief, and Sam and her partners real life activity. Sam is a great, strong character who has lots of potential if everyone would just get out of her way.
Entertaining and fun!
October 3, 2025
How to Get Away with Murder is the story of Sam, a Detective Inspector returning to work after a breakdown to try and solve the murder of 14-year-old Charlotte. Thanks to the discovery of How to Get Away with Murder on Charlotte’s body, a DIY manual for aspiring serial killers, the case becomes filled with dead ends, lies and false confessions.
I really enjoyed this. Sam is a very compelling character, let down by the key people in her life and struggling to regain some control when she is thrust in the deep end with this case. The humour in the book balances the darker storylines, and I enjoyed the interactions between Sam and Taylor, and the way their professional relationship developed. Toni was the best, of course.
There are plenty of twists and turns (including a very significant revelation in the last chapter!), all of which fit into the story well. The pacing is good, there’s enough action to keep it flowing without it feeling like a sprint to the end. I enjoyed the development of the characters throughout the book, with many dark secrets coming to light!
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys crime/mystery/thrillers.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
I really enjoyed this. Sam is a very compelling character, let down by the key people in her life and struggling to regain some control when she is thrust in the deep end with this case. The humour in the book balances the darker storylines, and I enjoyed the interactions between Sam and Taylor, and the way their professional relationship developed. Toni was the best, of course.
There are plenty of twists and turns (including a very significant revelation in the last chapter!), all of which fit into the story well. The pacing is good, there’s enough action to keep it flowing without it feeling like a sprint to the end. I enjoyed the development of the characters throughout the book, with many dark secrets coming to light!
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys crime/mystery/thrillers.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
October 7, 2025
This debut novel grabbed me from the very first page and never let go. The story is told mostly from the viewpoint of a female Detective Inspector who’s juggling a high-stakes investigation with her own personal struggles. I loved her voice: tough, sharp, and determined, but also flawed and vulnerable in a way that made her feel real.
What truly sets this book apart are the interspersed chapters: extracts from a chilling “instruction manual” written by the serial killer. These passages are both fascinating and unsettling, offering a glimpse into a disturbingly methodical mind. The contrast between the inspector’s pursuit of justice and the killer’s cold, meticulous reasoning creates an incredible tension that drives the story forward.
The pacing is spot-on, I found myself reading late into the night, desperate to know how the two narratives would collide. Even as the twists kept coming, the resolution felt both surprising and inevitable, which is a rare feat for a debut.
If you love dark, clever crime thrillers that keep you up way past bedtime, this one’s for you. An absolutely five-star read — I can’t wait to see what this author writes next.
What truly sets this book apart are the interspersed chapters: extracts from a chilling “instruction manual” written by the serial killer. These passages are both fascinating and unsettling, offering a glimpse into a disturbingly methodical mind. The contrast between the inspector’s pursuit of justice and the killer’s cold, meticulous reasoning creates an incredible tension that drives the story forward.
The pacing is spot-on, I found myself reading late into the night, desperate to know how the two narratives would collide. Even as the twists kept coming, the resolution felt both surprising and inevitable, which is a rare feat for a debut.
If you love dark, clever crime thrillers that keep you up way past bedtime, this one’s for you. An absolutely five-star read — I can’t wait to see what this author writes next.
October 12, 2025
This is the kind of book that keeps you reading into the night, trying to guess the killer and searching for the clues alongside the detective!
DI Sam Hansen had a really rough six months. Battling with PTSD, her weeks are broken by the mandatory visits with her therapist. That is, until a body of a young girl is found in the park, and Sam feels the urge to bring her killer to justice. That starts a battle against time, as a mystery book is found at the scene, suggesting, that there may be a serial killer on the loose… and that he’s not the one who killed the girl.
„How to get away with murder” blends the real-time investigation with passages from a how-to for wannabe killers, all while keeping the victims at the forefront. The mystery is constructed masterfully, with many red herrings and crumbs dropped along the way. I was shocked to learn that this is a debut, and I’m in awe of the author, for building a world so full of mystery, and of real, flawed people.
It is definitely a book I’ll be buying for family and friends, and cannot wait to see what else the author will write!
Thank you to the NetGalley and publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
DI Sam Hansen had a really rough six months. Battling with PTSD, her weeks are broken by the mandatory visits with her therapist. That is, until a body of a young girl is found in the park, and Sam feels the urge to bring her killer to justice. That starts a battle against time, as a mystery book is found at the scene, suggesting, that there may be a serial killer on the loose… and that he’s not the one who killed the girl.
„How to get away with murder” blends the real-time investigation with passages from a how-to for wannabe killers, all while keeping the victims at the forefront. The mystery is constructed masterfully, with many red herrings and crumbs dropped along the way. I was shocked to learn that this is a debut, and I’m in awe of the author, for building a world so full of mystery, and of real, flawed people.
It is definitely a book I’ll be buying for family and friends, and cannot wait to see what else the author will write!
Thank you to the NetGalley and publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
October 24, 2025
This was a clever, unique, and well-written plot that kept me turning the pages as quickly as I could. I really enjoyed the character of DI Sam Hansen, but wish her relationship with Adam had developed more. Maybe in a future book? The final twist was a bit of a shock but made a great ending. I just have two niggling negatives. Why did the full title of the novel, How to Get Away with Murder, need to appear so many times throughout, sometimes more than once on a page? It drove me nuts every time I saw it and was totally unnecessary. We all know which book was being referred to. ‘Then she reaches for How to Get Away with Murder’ could have been replaced with ‘Then she reaches for the book’. Over and over again, very annoying. My other niggle is the 40+ errors that jumped out at me. Missing words, double words, typos and spelling errors. If it had said this was an uncorrected proof I would have tried to ignore the errors, but it didn’t and I couldn’t. Hopefully it will get a good proofread before publication day, and I’m sure it will be a great success. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review.
October 27, 2025
This was fun, original and clever in ways that I didn’t expect. It did drag at points which is why I bopped it down from 4 to 3 stars but I think this is a great mystery for book lovers everywhere.
The classic serial killer v detective trope has always been a favorite of mine and this one plays with that but adds a little something to it. Who would’ve thought a how to guide on how to get away with murder would be so interesting. The back and forth between modern day and the how to guide was done very well.
DI Hansen is back on the job after a traumatic incident. Her first case? The murder of a 14 year old girl. You would think this is a cut and dry case until a book called How to Get Away with Murder is found at the crime scene with detailed descriptions of brutal murders and advice on how to kill and not get caught. Maybe this case isn’t as simple as it seemed. Is there a serial killer on the loose? Who is Denver Brady? And how is this book connected to the murder of a 14 years old girl?
I definitely recommend if you’re looking for a unique concept that was easy to follow. I had fun with this one for sure.
The classic serial killer v detective trope has always been a favorite of mine and this one plays with that but adds a little something to it. Who would’ve thought a how to guide on how to get away with murder would be so interesting. The back and forth between modern day and the how to guide was done very well.
DI Hansen is back on the job after a traumatic incident. Her first case? The murder of a 14 year old girl. You would think this is a cut and dry case until a book called How to Get Away with Murder is found at the crime scene with detailed descriptions of brutal murders and advice on how to kill and not get caught. Maybe this case isn’t as simple as it seemed. Is there a serial killer on the loose? Who is Denver Brady? And how is this book connected to the murder of a 14 years old girl?
I definitely recommend if you’re looking for a unique concept that was easy to follow. I had fun with this one for sure.
November 1, 2025
How to Get Away with Murder by Rebecca Philipson is a gripping debut thriller that mixes dark psychology with a tense murder investigation. Detective Sam Hansen, returning to work after a breakdown, decides to solve the murder of a young girl. The only clue? A self-help book titled How to Get Away with Murder, written by an elusive author named Denver Brady, who claims to be the most successful serial killer of all time.
The book cleverly blurs the line between fiction and reality, as Sam dives deeper into Brady’s disturbing methods. The pacing is sharp, keeping the tension high as Sam’s investigation uncovers more questions than answers. The character of Sam is particularly engaging, her vulnerability makes her both relatable and determined to solve the case.
While some twists are a bit predictable, the atmosphere and the cat and mouse game between Sam and Brady keep things exciting. Overall, How to Get Away with Murder is a fast-paced, psychological crime thriller that keeps you hooked until the last page.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my review.
The book cleverly blurs the line between fiction and reality, as Sam dives deeper into Brady’s disturbing methods. The pacing is sharp, keeping the tension high as Sam’s investigation uncovers more questions than answers. The character of Sam is particularly engaging, her vulnerability makes her both relatable and determined to solve the case.
While some twists are a bit predictable, the atmosphere and the cat and mouse game between Sam and Brady keep things exciting. Overall, How to Get Away with Murder is a fast-paced, psychological crime thriller that keeps you hooked until the last page.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews