Book Review - The Kind Worth Killing by Peter Swanson

Title: The Kind Worth Killing
Series: Henry Kimball/ Lily Kintner # 1
Author: Peter Swanson
 
Description: On a night flight from London to Boston, Ted Severson meets the stunning and mysterious Lily Kintner. Sharing one too many martinis, the strangers begin to play a game of truth, revealing very intimate details about themselves. Ted talks about his marriage that’s going stale and his wife Miranda, who he’s sure is cheating on him. Ted and his wife were a mismatch from the start—he the rich businessman, she the artistic free spirit—a contrast that once inflamed their passion, but has now become a cliché.

But their game turns a little darker when Ted jokes that he could kill Miranda for what she’s done. Lily, without missing a beat, says calmly, “I’d like to help.” After all, some people are the kind worth killing, like a lying, stinking, cheating spouse. . . .

Back in Boston, Ted and Lily’s twisted bond grows stronger as they begin to plot Miranda's demise. But there are a few things about Lily’s past that she hasn’t shared with Ted, namely her experience in the art and craft of murder, a journey that began in her very precocious youth.

Suddenly these co-conspirators are embroiled in a chilling game of cat-and-mouse, one they both cannot survive . . . with a shrewd and very determined detective on their tail.
 
Review: Suspense, confusion and merciless are just a few words that describe “The Kind Worth Killing”, my introduction to Peter Swanson.
 
It all starts with Ted Severson and Lily Kintner who meet at Heathrow Airport. They end up talking over a few martinis and after a while, Ted tells Lily that his wife Miranda is cheating on him with their contractor Brad. He tells her he wants to kill her and Lily unexpectedly replies that he should. And so the two make plans to kill Ted’s wife.
 
“The Kind Worth Killing” is a very well-constructed book. It is divided into three different parts and is told from multiple POV’s. You experience the story from different perspectives and this makes the book interesting.
 
The book has a lot of bad and mean characters, revenge, deception and intrigue, and many unexpected twists and turns. Author Peter Swanson really manages to construct his characters well, there is great development and they are all very fleshed out. This extensive description of all the characters and their pasts and motivations, make that this story is increasingly intriguing.
 
In “The Kind Worth Killing” nothing is what it seems. Everything unfolds in a very different way than you would expect and it’s very surprising and unpredictable. With each part you are left confused and shocked, wondering what will happen next, because the story keeps you guessing constantly. And I love it when I have no idea of what’s going to happen next.

“The Kind Worth Killing” is a definite page turner, one of the best books I read this year and definitely a new favorite thriller on my list.
 
Rating: 5/ 5