Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this Advanced Reader’s Copy of The Perfect Murder by Amanda McKinney due to be published September 18, 2025.

Savi Portman just wrote a book about a perfect murder—and now it’s coming true. Writing is her escape, but though she has written about the perfect crime she has to prove she didn’t commit it!

I have read several other of Amanda McKinney’s books and after reading The Perfect Murder I knew why she was on my “favorites” list. Loved this book – such a unique twist to a thriller. Not your typical murder mystery – had lots of unexpected plots in it. I would definitely recommend this one – and any other book by her!

#NetGalley #AmandaMcKinney #ThePerfectMurder #StormPublishing

I finished this book in less than 24 hours and I am still thinking about it. It was THAT good! I was on the edge of my seat as I was reading, and that feeling didn’t stop until the final page! An absolute thrill of a ride.

I literally could not put this book down. I found myself holding my breath, peeking through my closed eyes at what I was about to read next… a phenomenal thriller! Three words to describe this book is thrilling, addictive and heart pounding.

I loved every single page and I was beyond shocked by the ending, I had to pick my jaw up off the ground One of the BEST books I have EVER read!

Book Review: Amanda McKinney – The Perfect Murder
Published by Storm Publishing – thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my gifted ARC.

Amanda McKinney’s The Perfect Murder is an explosive psychological thriller that delivers exactly what the title promises—and then some. From the moment I opened the first page, I was hooked. It’s smart, fast, and absolutely ruthless in the way it drags you into the story. What begins as a clever concept quickly turns into a relentless page-turner with sharp writing, strong characters, and a twist that genuinely left me stunned.

The premise is genius: Savi Portman, a debut author who rockets to bestseller status with her cozy mystery novel, suddenly finds herself at the center of a real murder investigation. The catch? The murder mirrors the plot of her work-in-progress. Surveillance footage places her at the scene. Witnesses claim they saw her. The story she was only halfway through writing is suddenly playing out in real life. As someone who loves books about writers, especially when they blur the line between fiction and reality, this setup was irresistible. But what impressed me most was how Amanda McKinney kept raising the stakes with every chapter.

Savi is such a compelling lead. She’s sharp, witty, and driven, but she’s also vulnerable. She’s dealing with personal trauma, professional pressure, and now a murder case that’s threatening to destroy her life. I appreciated that McKinney didn’t write her as either completely innocent or conveniently naive. Savi is a survivor, but she’s also flawed in ways that make her feel human. You want to root for her even when the evidence makes you pause. And that tension—the not quite knowing if she’s telling the full truth—is part of what makes the story so effective.

What really stands out in this book is the writing. McKinney knows how to build suspense and deliver twists without cheap tricks. Her prose is tight and cinematic. There’s never a wasted scene. Every chapter pushes the story forward, and just when you think you’ve figured something out, she spins the narrative in a new direction. The pacing is so smooth, you don’t even realize how much she’s been manipulating your expectations until it’s too late. That’s not easy to pull off, and she does it like a pro.

One quote stuck with me: “I wrote the perfect murder. I never thought I’d be the one to live it.” That line is the heartbeat of this book. It encapsulates the fear, the irony, and the intensity that runs through the entire novel. It also speaks to the deeper theme here—how writing can be both escape and exposure. McKinney explores how much of our inner world spills into what we create, and what happens when the fiction we write starts to reflect a reality we didn’t see coming.

The supporting cast is also well done. No one feels like a throwaway character. Every person Savi interacts with—her editor, her ex, her neighbors, even the detectives—has some layer of ambiguity. You’re never sure who to trust. And that’s what makes the mystery work. You’re not just asking, “Did Savi do it?” You’re also constantly wondering who’s playing her, who knows more than they’re saying, and what secrets are still buried.

As for the ending—wow. It’s rare for me to be genuinely surprised by a twist, but this one landed like a punch to the gut. It was bold, unexpected, but completely earned. I actually sat back, blinked, and said “no way” out loud. Then I re-read the last few chapters just to appreciate how well McKinney had set it all up without tipping her hand. That’s the kind of twist that turns a great thriller into an unforgettable one.

I also have to give props to how the book balances intensity with readability. Yes, it’s dark. Yes, it deals with murder, betrayal, and deception. But McKinney never loses control of the tone. It’s gripping without being gratuitous, sharp without being overdone. It’s clear she knows the genre inside and out, and she uses that knowledge to turn expectations on their head in the best way.

If you’re a fan of Alice Feeney, Freida McFadden, Lisa Jewell, or any thriller that keeps you guessing until the last page, this needs to be on your list. It’s not just twisty—it’s smart. It’s not just shocking—it’s earned. And best of all, it’s the kind of book that stays with you after you close it.

The Perfect Murder proves Amanda McKinney is a name to watch. This book doesn’t just live up to the hype—it surpasses it. It’s a sleek, tightly wound thriller that explores what happens when fiction becomes a little too real. Five stars, no hesitation.