A Talent for Murder by Peter Swanson Book Covers

A Talent for Murder

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 job as an archival librarian, constantly surrounded by thought-provoking ideas and the books she loved. But then she met Alan, a charming and sweet-natured divorcee with a job that 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.

This seems like a fairly straightforward is-he-or-isn’t-he story until, in a rather startling fashion, Swanson reveals what the book is really about (and it’s probably safe to say that the reader will not see it coming). Swanson has written many excellent novels, but this one is certainly his most shocking.”

Brilliant. . . Swanson’s gift for well-earned yet seismic reveals is on full display, and he fortifies them with unexpected heart. . . This is a masterpiece of misdirection.”

Peter Swanson never disappoints! A Talent for Murder is a clever, ingenious, edge-of-your-seat thriller that will flip your expectations upside down. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to reach the jaw-dropping conclusion.”