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A Talent for Murder: A Novel

A newlywed librarian begins to suspect the man she married might be a murderer--in this spectacularly twisty and deviously clever novel by Peter Swanson, New York Times bestselling author of The Kind Worth Killing and Eight Perfect Murders.

Martha Ratliff conceded long ago that she'd likely spend her life alone. She was fine with it, happy with her solo existence, stimulated by her work as a librarian in Maine. But then she met Alan, a charming and sweet-natured salesman whose job took him on the road for half the year. When he asked her to marry him, she said yes, even though he still felt a little bit like a stranger.

A year in and the marriage was good, except for that strange blood streak on the back of one of his shirts he'd worn to a conference in Denver. Her curiosity turning to suspicion, Martha investigates the cities Alan visited over the past year and uncovers a disturbing pattern--five unsolved cases of murdered women.

Is she married to a serial killer? Or could it merely be a coincidence? Unsure what to think, Martha contacts an old friend from graduate school for advice. Lily Kintner once helped Martha out of a jam with an abusive boyfriend and may have some insight. Intrigued, Lily offers to meet Alan to find out what kind of man he really is . . .but what Lily uncovers is more perplexing and wicked than they ever could have expected.

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272 pages

Average rating: 6.71

106 RATINGS

7 REVIEWS

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Jazz River

Oct 21, 2024

7/10 stars

Kept me guessing throughout the books, solid thriller

joss94

Oct 03, 2024

7/10 stars

What a book?? for a minute I didn't who to believe!! this book had me guessing until the end. super fast pace.

Lizmayfall

Jul 25, 2024

6/10 stars

This book was pretty good, I enjoyed the characters but I didn't really enjoy the ending

mirandamarie

Jul 07, 2024

4/10 stars

The end of the prologue was really gripping; however as the book went on the beginning dragged on. I guess maybe because I prefer my books in first person I was immediately very questionable about it. The theme was good, the 3rd person writing was okay, but it didn’t immediately draw me into the plot, until we meet Lily and her point of view. Lily for sure was the highlight! Lily took me in mainly because she was written in 1st person, unlike Martha, Henry, and Ethan. As I read on the more intriguing it became. I finished it in about 7-8 hours. It’s not a big book. The chapters are short. Most of the book is from Lily’s POV which really was the best part I guess personal preference. First person in my head makes me feel like I’m one with the characters. There was a twist or two, and that ending actually shocked me a little bit. I’m only rating it 4 out of 10 because the beginning bored me. There was times I said in my head “Do I really want to read this? No, but do I have to, yes. Push through it see what it becomes” It became better then I expected it to be which kept my interest atone. I kind of liked the book to a point but I wouldn’t necessarily say I would read this again or suggest someone reading it. However I did really like the fact it’s a hard cover. I love Hard Covers! My overall review really is that it’s an alright book. Lily is honestly the best part!

Jen Marin

Jul 04, 2024

4/10 stars

I liked the overall story and the serial killer theme but the book dragged (for 2 weeks) I loved the character Lily as she kept me interested otherwise I might have DNFd the book.