4-5 stars

This is Thom and Wendy Graves’ story. They’ve been married for 25 years and live in New Essex in Northern Massachusetts. Wendy is a poet and Thom is a Professor of English Literature at a nearby university. Wendy is growing increasingly tired of Thom, his long, dull monologues, his excessive drinking, his philandering and frankly, she wants to murder him. The multiple reasons for this murderous desire are not simple and we learned the truth of their marriage and what lies behind it, in reverse from November 2023 back to Then. The pair have a powerful secret which binds them together, but it appears that Thom is about to blow that to smithereens, if Wendy doesn’t do him in first.

I wonder if the inspiration for this latest novel from one of my favourite authors comes from the brilliant film ‘Memento’ starring Guy Pearce. If so, this “homage” certainly does it justice. I think it’s a very good slow burner psychological thriller which does require concentration which is no bad thing! I thoroughly enjoy the way it’s told in reverse as it goes full circle but the most delicious part for me are the two main characters. Wendy is quite something, she’s tough, strong, incredibly smart and certainly manipulative. Thom is definitely impossible and I get how Wendy feels! For a start, never mind the rest, he talks way, way too much. Their dysfunctional marriage lends itself to some tense and colourful scenes and behind the dysfunction lurks something very ugly. It gets darker and darker as it goes back in time and it’s always full of atmosphere created by their relationship, their personalities and by the places in which it’s set.

It takes a lot of skill to tell a story this way and keep me interested. Inevitably, there’s some repetition but it doesn’t bother me much. As for the ending, it is so so clever, in fact, it’s a cracker of an ending. Very well played sir.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Faber and Faber for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.

Another grippingly unputdownable thriller from the master of the psychological thriller. A fast-paced thrill - perfect for fans of Momento

Thom and Wendy are a married couple with a secret. This is their story, only it is told in reverse, this is a new style of writing to me, and I found it interesting. It begins with the present day, and each chapter goes further back in time. I was intrigued when reading, and for me, there was a little surprise at the end, but there was no twist and turn or thrills in the plot. I did find it rather slow in places, and my attention wandered. I must confess I didn't really engage with Thom or Wendys characters, I didn't find them to be likeable people.
I thought it was a very clever way of writing, and I'm sure many people will love the concept. For me, it was worth reading as it is different, but it is not at the top of my favourites list.

Peter Swanson is a genius. I loved this book and the unique way in which it was written. It goes back in time and the story is told backwards. I really loved this style and as ever the book is gripping and exciting. This is a superb book and will go onto become a sure fire hit.

Another inventive and oh so clever book from Peter Swanson which (unusually) starts at the end and finishes at the beginning. Wendy and Thom meet at High School, forty years later they are still together living what appears to be an enviable life. However they share secrets that can never see the light of day and Wendy has stopped trusting Thom.
I love Peter Swanson’s writing, especially his often unlikable but mesmerizing characters, and all the little twists that the reader doesn’t see coming. I raced through this book desperate to find out the back story, it didn’t disappoint!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Faber & Faber for an e-ARC

I absolutely love Peter Swanson's novels and Kill Your Darlings was no exception. It begins with a dinner party at the home of academics, Wendy and Thom Graves and moves back in time to when they first met as teenagers. It's difficult to review the novel without spoilers, it's an original, clever and compelling read, full of surprises that I was completely immersed in over the course of 24 hours. I loved the structure of the novel and Swanson continues surprising the reader until the last line.
Highly recommended and one of my favourites by the author.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

Delicious Perfection..
Under seemingly perfect surfaces, intense rot may lie. Wendy and Thom Graves lead a seemingly ideal, rather perfect life - scratch a little, not too much, and the real truth will be revealed. In an inverted and cleverly constructed plotline, the truth will out, as the perfectly crafted and credible characters reveal their true selves with twist upon twist of explosive reveals. Delicious perfection.

Wow! Just WOW. This is my first book by this author and let me tell you it won’t be my last! I was completely blown away it was sheer brilliance. I didn’t want to put the book down but life kept getting in the way it was pure awesomeness!

I was hooked from the start and couldn’t stop turning pages long into the night. There were plenty of twists and turns to keep me holding on… truly wonderful. Once you pick this book up, you won’t want to put it down!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars!

This was a very clever read, I think Peter Swanson is a very talented writer and I have loved previous books I have read by him. However the story in this one didn’t grip me as much as others have. However, the idea to have the timeline backwards is great!

Kill your darlings is unfortunately quite boring. The premise is pretty interesting, but it falls quite flat. The story is told backwards, and while at times it was a little confusing with all the years,

Kill Your Darlings is the second Peter Swanson novel I've read, and once again, he delivers a gripping, twist-filled thriller that kept me guessing right up to the final page — and even the final line. Swanson has a real talent for crafting stories that unravel in unexpected ways, and this book is no exception.

Told in a refreshingly unusual style, the narrative starts at the end and gradually works its way back through the lives of the two main characters. This reverse storytelling adds a compelling layer of intrigue, allowing the reader to slowly uncover the events and motivations that led to the shocking opening. I really enjoyed this structure — it added depth to the characters and gave the suspense a unique edge.

If you're a fan of psychological thrillers that play with form and keep you thinking, Kill Your Darlings is definitely worth a read.

Very cleverly written plot with almost a unique feel making a trusted genre seem quite refreshing.
Finished in only two sittings which is always a good sign.
Many thanks for an entertaining weekend.

Kill Your Darlings is a slow-burn study of the relationship between Thom and Wendy. Neither of them are likeable characters. The book is written with a reverse timeline from 2023 to 1982 when they first met. The story is well-written and the author conveys a dark and menacing atmosphere. The book is an interesting read but lacks the suspense of a thriller. It is not the jaw-dropping, gripping read I expected.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Although they are the envy of their friends and neighbours Wendy and Thom do not have the perfect marriage.,

Thom drinks too much and loves other women so when Wendy decides she has had enough Thoms life is in danger

This is a book you just have to read as it's so so good. There are secrets to be unearthed lies to be uncovered and it is rich in dark and sinister goings on.

I loved it

I enjoyed the unlikeable protagonists and the alternative structure with the backwards storytelling. Well written and easy reading bit there were moments when the pace dropped a little for me. All in, it was an engaging and fun read.

Some people don't seem to be too enamoured with this novel based on some reviews I have read however I was completely caught up in it.

A marriage from hell disintegrating (but told in a backwards chronology) with a killer twist at the end (or is that the beginning)

Loved it!

Never fails to entertain as devilish and twisty as always, well plotted and paced with a deeply dark undertone

I love Peter Swanson novels they are always beautifully unexpected and deviously plotted.

This one is clever in the way it is presented but I won't spoil it with ins and outs, it is twisty as ever but extremely character focused.

Overall a really terrific read. Highly Recommend.

Kill your darlings is unfortunately quite boring. The premise is pretty interesting, but it falls quite flat. The story is told backwards, and while at times it was a little confusing with all the years,

I've read several reviews critiquing the narrative structure of Kill Your Darlings, so I'll start by saying that yes, the unusual backwards structure of the novel was initially a bit of a challenge. But after the first couple of chapters, it was easy to keep pace and frankly, I want the books I read to challenge me. Leaving that aside, the book was a classic Swanson noir thriller. I love his writing, and especially the characterisation, which was as strong here as in previous books. He is especially good at convincing readers to side with murderers, somehow managing to make both Wendy and Thom sympathetic in their own way. I loved it.