The Kind Worth Killing: A Dark and Suspenseful Journey into the Mind of a Killer

A devious tale of psychological suspense so irresistible that it prompts Entertainment Weekly to ask, “Is The Kind Worth Killing the next Gone Girl?” From one of the hottest new thriller writers, Peter Swanson, a name you may not know yet (but soon will), this is his breakout novel in the bestselling tradition of Paula Hawkins’ The Girl on the Train—and is soon to be a major movie directed by Agnieszka Holland.

In a tantalizing set-up reminiscent of Patricia Highsmith’s classic Strangers on a Train… 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.

 

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Published Oct 4, 2016

320 pages

Average rating: 7.56

493 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

What Bookclubbers are saying about this book

✨ Summarized by Bookclubs AI

Readers say *The Kind Worth Killing* is a gripping, dark psychological thriller praised for its suspenseful pacing and unpredictable twists. Many appr...

sfea
Nov 01, 2025
9/10 stars
This was reallyyyyyy good. Definitely one of those books you can sit and finish in a couple sittings. Everyone is saying it started off slow, but to me it picked up immediately. Ted knew from day one he wanted to off his wife. I loved the ending and how unpredictable it was. What makes a good thriller is not being able to guess what happens next, and this book held up to that. Am I crazy for sympathizing with Lily? I felt bad for her.
HealingThroughCha0s
Oct 23, 2025
6/10 stars
This was my third attempt at reading Peter Swanson. I wanted to love his work so much, I truly wanted to. But the truth is, I just flat out can't.
Jlaborie
Aug 27, 2025
4.5
Collwaney
Jul 10, 2025
8/10 stars
Lily is fascinating. Maybe slightly unrealistic plot but kept reader engaged. A page turner
Anne-Marie Eberhardt
Jul 02, 2025
10/10 stars
Really good!

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