Rules for the Perfect Murder | Crime Novel Review | Peter Swanson
Rules for the Perfect Murder is a sweet, small novel that I have read twice now. I always think the marker of a good crime novel is that, if you read it a second time, you either notice some new clues or red herring, or you are seduced down the same path as you were before despite knowing the ending already. This novel did both.
Rules for the Perfect Murder tells the story of Malcolm Kershaw, a quiet and unassuming bookshop owner who is dragged into a murder investigation after being visited by FBI agent Gwen Mulvey. It appears that a blog post he wrote years ago is being used by a killer to get away with murder, but is Malcolm less innocent than he seems?
The first thing that struck me about this novel was the atmosphere and ambiance that is created. I immediately felt safe inside the cosy, claustrophobic bookshop and the lack of setting throughout the novel really allows readers to feel safe inside their surroundings and helps makes events clearer. This is, of course, completely out-of-sorts with how I should feel reading a crime novel I know! But there is something enjoyable about feeling comfortable in a known location that makes a novel perfect to read.
The storyline is also exquisite. The events are perfectly tailored to create suspense but they are also tight-lipped when it comes to revealing clues. This means the reader has to work things out alongside Malcol, creating the foundation for a close relationshop between narrator and reader. But more on that in a second! The plotis full of red herrings and twists creating a devilishly fun plotline to read.
As far as characterisation is concerned I think you would struggle to find a better protagonist in most modern crime thrillers. Malcolm Kershaw is a complex man with a lot of secrets that are slowly revealed as one reads. He is the only narrator of the novel and is about as unreliable as they come, yet somehow I found myself sympathising with him. I suppose that’s the point come to think of it!
The premise of the novel is rather like the Magpie Murders, which I intend to read soon. This is a novel about novels and is a sweet homage to the classics of crime. I enjoyed the small tidbits of information I was being given, especially as I have read many of the novels that are paid homage to. For any lover of classic crime novels, this book is a perfect read.
Overall, I would rate this novel a 9 / 10. It is a short, sweet and succinct read that felt cosy and warm as well as excellently plotted and executed.
