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Rules for Perfect Murders

By: Peter Swanson
Narrated by: Graham Halstead
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Summary

**NINE LIVES PAPERBACK IS AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER NOW**

From a master of suspense...

Eight classic murders.
A single crime obsessive.
Countless thrilling twists.

A series of unsolved murders with one thing in common: each of the deaths bears an eerie
resemblance to the crimes depicted in classic mystery novels.

The deaths lead FBI Agent Gwen Mulvey to mystery bookshop Old Devils. Owner Malcolm Kershaw had once posted online an article titled 'My Eight Favourite Murders,' and there seems to be a deadly link between the deaths and his list - which includes Agatha Christie's The ABC Murders, Patricia Highsmith's Strangers on a Train and Donna Tartt's The Secret History.

Can the killer be stopped before all eight of these perfect murders have been re-enacted?

©2020 Peter Swanson (P)2020 Faber Audio
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What listeners say about Rules for Perfect Murders

Average customer ratings
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  • 3 Stars
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

What a mystery

Although not very likable, the main character certainly draws you into their story. It was mysteries within mysteries, in more ways than one. I don't think anyone could predict everything that happens in this story, even if you have suspicions.

I enjoyed the references to other literature, and it certainly added to my TBR. The mirroring of certain aspects of other books was clever too.

The narrator does a good job, particularly with distinguishing characters.

Overall, a chilling mystery somewhat lacking in redemption.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Not as clever as it thinks it is

I liked the idea of the plot and much of the text was well written, but the “clever” plot just didn’t do it for me, less of a twist and more of a sticky slide. Still passed the time adequately for 1.99.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Enjoyable

Other reviewers mention the spoilers of the book plots within the book which is certainly true.

However as I had read all the books referred to (or at least the ones I ever intend to) this wasn’t an issue.

Yes the book did get a little surreal at times but I loved the characters and the backdrop of the book store and a list of perfect murders with a clever twist at the end.

I also thought the narrator did a great job and I enjoyed his style. Overall this was certainly a book that held my interest.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Absorbing and a Delight

A really enjoyable book from one of my favourites. I loved the references and plot lines from some cherished classic murder mysteries. Super narration too.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Hmmm

Sadly, not for me. I did finish it but it was just too obvious, maybe that was intentional I don’t know.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Twisting reality and fiction

Reality as per the first person not necessary truth. Murders from famous books reenacted by person unknown. Twisting the listener this way and that. Very good

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

This was my second time

I listened to this last year sometime and I liked it well enough, but when I saw the title again in my library I said I’d give it another go. I’m glad I did, I caught things I missed first time and there were nuances that passed me by before. Second time around I enjoyed it even more. Well written, well researched, and well read,

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Disappointed

The story initially draws you in as the main character begins to realise he is being framed for a series of murders
However once the true killer is revealed with no more motive than to “connect” to the main character by killing people are him - listener is left with not much to feel for

The author ends the book with a very matter of fact revelation that the main character killed two people who’s deaths were never mentioned as suspicious - this twist I believe was meant to shock and highlight that you shouldn’t trust everything the narrator tells you
But why would any reader care if he killed two extra people at the end of the book when no clues or build up was made in the whole novel
Bit of a mess

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Very dull listening in places

Good narration but rather muddled story that dragged in places ... brilliant idea for a plot but it was a bit too easy to work out what was going on (and I'm not usually very good at spotting who did what, where, how and to whom) ...

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Really enjoyable

I really liked it, the narrator doesn't give too much fake tones to females characters, which i appreciate, but is a bit unemotional interpretation but is understandable due to the plot line. Unespected unravel of the story, I liked it!

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