Peter Swanson's Eight Perfect Murders captivates with its clever homage to classic mystery novels and engaging plot twists. While many appreciate the novel's intricate storytelling and literary references, some find the characters underdeveloped and the pacing uneven. Overall, it's a compelling read for mystery enthusiasts, despite its minor flaws.

Fans of twisty, psychological thrillers like Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl and Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None will enjoy Eight Perfect Murders by Peter Swanson. Ideal for readers who appreciate clever plots, literary references, and intricate murder mysteries rooted in classic crime novels.

In Eight Perfect Murders by Peter Swanson, bookstore owner Malcolm Kershaw is approached by FBI Special Agent Gwen Mulvey, who believes a murderer is using Malcolm's blog post on “Eight Perfect Murders” as a blueprint. As they investigate, uncovering connections to classic mystery novels, Malcolm reflects on his past and his own crimes, leading to a suspenseful search for the killer. This book contains discussions of sexual assault, drug addiction, and death by suicide, in addition to descriptions of murders.

Mysterious / Suspenseful / Dark / Unnerving / Gritty

- Eight Perfect Murders is part of a genre that blends crime thrillers with literary puzzles, drawing inspiration from classic mystery novels, which has made it a favorite among fans of both modern and traditional mystery literature.
- The book has been noted for paying homage to classic detective stories, and it invites readers to delve into the fictional works referenced within the plot, making it an intriguing read for mystery aficionados.
- Swanson's work in Eight Perfect Murders has been praised for its clever narrative structure that keeps readers engaged, as it blurs the lines between fiction and reality within the story's universe.

**Malcolm Kershaw**  
Malcolm, often called Mal, is the first-person narrator who co-owns and runs the Old Devils mystery bookstore in Boston and is known for his prematurely white hair.

**Marty Kingship**  
Marty is a former police officer now working as a security consultant, connected to Malcolm through shared interests in books and mysterious circumstances.

**FBI Special Agent Gwen Mulvey**  
Gwen is an FBI agent investigating a potential link between Malcolm's blog post and a series of murders, bringing Malcolm into the investigation.

**Agent Perez and Agent Berry**  
They are FBI agents who question Malcolm about the investigation, with Perez interacting with him more prominently.

**Emily Barsamian and Brandon Weeks**  
Emily and Brandon are employees at Malcolm's bookstore, with Emily being reserved and bookish, while Brandon is outgoing and planning to complete his business degree.

**Nero**  
Nero is the bookstore cat beloved by the Old Devils staff and customers, originally rescued by Malcolm.

**Brian and Tess Murray**  
Brian, Malcolm's business partner, is an alcoholic mystery author married to Tess, who mostly lives in Florida and occasionally visits him in Boston.

Peter Swanson

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Chapters 14-19

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Chapters 26-32

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