Kill Your Darlings

Peter Swanson knocks it out of the park again with Kill Your Darlings! This dark, twisty mystery kept me hooked from start to finish. I loved how well Peter built tension throughout the story, I understood the direction the plot was going in, but I never saw the twists coming. The unpredictability of it all was a true testament to Swanson’s genius storytelling. The characters were complex, and the narrative was gripping, with that signature eerie atmosphere that makes his books so hard to put down. If you're a fan of suspenseful mysteries with jaw-dropping twists, Kill Your Darlings is a must-read. Peter Swanson continues to deliver brilliant thrillers that leave me eagerly anticipating his next book.

After 25 years of marriage, Wendy Graves has had enough of her husband’s drinking and cheating. Already wealthy from inheriting her first husband’s family fortune, she doesn’t really see the need for her current husband.I think because none of the characters in this story are particularly likable, it made it easy and fun to watch their psychotic antics without any feelings on of guilt. This story is even more interesting in that it was told backwards. You slowly see how these people got to be who they are and exactly what they did in their past to get them there. Definitely worth reading.

I love how Swanson always ends his books with a devastating wrench in the story. Because the story was told in reverse I kept wanting to reference back to previous chapters. It’s still not clear to me how or what made Wendy’s feelings change so drastically toward Thom.

Mutually assured destruction is a solid foundation to build a marriage on, right? That’s essentially the premise of Peter Swanson’s newest thriller and while I can’t say either Wendy or Thom was in the least relatable, they were both fascinating sociopaths I wanted to know everything about. The unique narrative structure takes the reader from the present, where Wendy really wants to kill her husband, through the years to when they first met in the 8th grade. Along the way they make several questionable choices and one really big bad one that is obliquely referred to throughout the book until it’s revealed to the reader exactly what they did so many years ago.Considering the playful format and the constant references to the Bad Thing, I really hoped for a little more oomph to the big reveal. The thing they did was bad, sure, but what made these two relatively average people willing to do it? I feel like a little too much time was spent dancing around the central crime of the story when more time spent with Wendy and Thom in their childhoods and early relationship would have made the basis of their commitment to one another more believable. Additionally, there was a small scene with a side character early on that made me think “this will be important later” and then it was… but it was basically left on the side of the page to die rather than become consequential to the story.Fifty more pages of resolution and reflection would have made this one a huge success for me but regardless it was a very dark and fascinating portrait of a marriage that will leave you with a lot to ponder. And despite my criticisms of how the resolution played out, the last chapter was actually quite a clever way to leave things.Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the opportunity to be an early reader of this title, available now!

Praise for the book #KillYourDarlings by #PeterSwanson. Peter Swanson is one of my favorite authors and this book is just one of the reasons why. This story is told in reverse and it was perfectly done. Thomas and Wendy have been married for over 25 years and have a son named Jason. They also have a big secret from long ago and will do anything to protect it. Wendy had grown tired of their marriage and wants to kill her husband. The fantastic plot twists that keep coming are just amazing and the last one is the best! Never saw that coming.

A slow burn tale of domestic suspense, Kill Your Darlings centered around one heck of a dastardly pair. Told in reverse order, starting with the end, it was a classic Swanson move to focus not on the growing love story, but the demise of it instead. You see, this sweet romance ended—or should I say started—off with quite the bang. Instantly grabbing my attention with the promise of many a dark secret, I flew through this novel in only a matter of hours. After all, with quirky characters, plenty of dark humor, and a gasp-worthy last page, it had all of the pieces to make it an out-and-out winner, including one heck of a twist, even if it took a while to get there.Unfortunately, though, there was plenty that let me down between the attention-grabbing start and shocking last page. The definition of a slow-boiling suspense/thriller, while there was tension imbued within every page, we found out the big plot points way too early on. My biggest pet peeve, though, was how unattached I was to the handful of characters. Perhaps it was due to the original format, but the stop-and-start narrative kept me from really connecting. Alongside of unnecessary details and a repetitive feel, I’m truly sad to report that this newest release by one of my all-time favorite authors landed with a thud rather than a bang.All said and done, despite being less than blown away by this clever spin on a love story’s undoing, I was nevertheless hooked from beginning to end. Was this down to my preexisting love for the author—or the tension and intrigue that oozed from the pages? I’m not sure I’ll ever be 100% sure, but I am positive that while this wasn’t my favorite by Swanson, it was still an overall good read. An intense character study of the dual POVs, as well as marriage, it made me think long and hard. Just the same, it wasn’t the slam dunk that I was expecting, as I much prefer Swanson’s edge-of-your-seat thrill rides over this puzzle-like read. Rating of 3.5 stars.

Oh my! I always enjoy a Peter Swanson book, and this one has me thinking about so many different aspects. It has an interesting set-up as it starts at the end and moves back through the years to the beginning, 2023 to 1982. We meet some sick, crazy people, but did their actions ruin them or were they always this bad? The travel back in time lets us see. There are plenty of secrets, internal struggles and poor behaviors. Even though the characters weren’t always likable, the storyline kept me glued. It would make a great book club read.

This is my least favorite by this author. Very disappointing.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book - and I can be a harsh critic. Although a number of the less than stellar reviews complained about the backward trajectory of the story, I think that was a significant element to the story, which would have been lesser without this viewpoint. The "Western Wind" is another excellent book also written with a reverse chronology.

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest thriller by Peter Swanson. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!Thom and Wendy Graves have been married for over twenty-five years. They live in a beautiful Victorian on the north shore of Massachusetts. Wendy is a published poet and Thom teaches English literature at a nearby university. Their son, Jason, is all grown up. All is well….except that Wendy wants to murder her husband. What happens next has everything to do with what happened before.This was such a creative way to tell this story and I thought it was wonderful. We begin in 2023 and work our way back to 1982, when Thom and Wendy were 14. The reader is privy to the key moments in the couple's lives and that secret that they share. This book makes you think, because each chapter backwards fills in more of the puzzle, all up to that final/beginning chapter. I felt like I wanted to read it over again starting from the end to see if I missed anything, but bravo on such a creative twist!

Possibly the worst Peter Swanson book he has wrote. But I love him as an author so I couldn’t go any lower. I need another book like 9 lives or every vow you break.

This is the story of Wendy and Thom. Wendy is a published poet & Thom teaches literature at a nearby university. They mostly live off of the money she received after Wendy's first husband tragically drowned in their pool. They have known each other since they were 14 and were boyfriend and girlfriend for 2 years in middle school & high school, until Wendy moved away. They have been married now for twenty five years. They have a grown son, and they live in a beautiful Victorian on the north shore of Massachusetts. They appear to have the perfect marriage. There is only one problem.....Wendy wants to kill her husband.I am a big fan of this author's books. That said, this one wasn't my favorite. The timeline felt chaotic since it went completely backwards, starting at present day and ending with them as fourteen-year-olds on a field trip. There was a bit of a "strangers on a train" theme, with each one of them commiting murders for the other person, so that the person who had the most to gain from the murder would have an alibi. They were definitely a toxic pair, and with the way he kept getting blackout drunk, she couldn't trust him not to say something to the wrong person. Overall, this was a solid 4 out of 5.

read if you like:⬅️ stories told backwards👮‍♂️ criminal spouses😶 description-heavy stories (aka less dialogue)summary:I love Peter Swanson and jumped on the opportunity to read this, even though it was pretty different from his other stories. It follows Wendy and Thom, a poet and a university professor, living in Massachusetts. We know that Wendy wants to murder her husband, but we don’t know why. The story progresses moving back in time, from their 50th birthday, their first house, their son’s birth, the death of Thom’s colleague and Wendy’s first husband. Throughout the whole story, we ask ourselves — what happened so many years ago that led to where they are today?I’ve read about book that reads backwards, and I won’t lie — it’s really difficult if you’re someone who starts and stops reading a lot throughout a book. It’s hard to remember what happens — the nuanced movements, the scene descriptions, when you don’t know what is important and what isn’t. The book is also NOT dialogue heavy, so the contextual details are even more important, which I struggle with. This all aside though, the story is fascinating. Each chapter is relatively short and easy to get through, skipping from one event to another, and while it feels hard to get to know either character, I found it easy to put myself in their world. The reason I didn’t rate it higher is that I really did not get the ending. I’m not sure what I missed, but the ending felt like a complete letdown. Maybe it was too abstract for me? I don’t know. But I felt like nothing was really a surprise, and the ending fell short. Maybe I’ll read it again and see if I have a different opinion.

This book was a delightful surprise! It’s not your typical Peter Swanson thriller, and that’s what makes it so intriguing.This murder-mystery unfolds in reverse, exploring the troubled marriage of Thom and Wendy Graves over twenty-five years. Living in a Victorian home in Massachusetts, the couple appears content, but Wendy harbors the desire to kill Thom. The story traces significant moments in their lives backward, revealing layers of their relationship, including a dark secret from their early twenties that binds them together. As they relive their past, the weight of this secret begins to strain their marriage, leading both Thom and Wendy to question whether it's better to keep their dark past hidden or to let it free them.As we delve into the narrative, we’re introduced to Wendy and Thom through multiple perspectives, peeling back the layers of their lives like an onion—minus the tears (well, maybe a few). The writing style is refreshingly clever; it’s like the author took the concept of “a life flashing before your eyes” and decided to write it in reverse. Yes, you read that right! We journey backward through Thom and Wendy’s lives, starting from the end and working our way back to the beginning. It’s a unique approach that requires a bit of mental gymnastics, but once you grasp the author’s intent, it becomes a thrilling ride.These two characters have a past that’s as tangled as a pair of earphones in your pocket. To truly appreciate the mystery at hand, we need to get up close and personal with their backstories. I’ll be honest: this narrative style might not be for everyone. It took me two attempts to really get into the groove of the story. But once I was hooked, I was eager to unravel the threads of their lives and discover how everything began.This is a murder mystery, but here’s the twist: the mystery is revealed right at the start! Instead, we embark on a different journey with Thom and Wendy, exploring the depths of their relationship and the dark corners of their past. It’s a fascinating take on the genre, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.If you’re a fan of murder mysteries that aren’t quite what they seem—where the suspense lies not in the whodunit but in the emotional journey—then this book is for you. Just remember, love can be a powerful force, and if you’re not careful, it might just lead you down a dangerous path. I’d love to hear your thoughts on it!The narrator truly excelled at keeping me captivated from start to finish, leaving me eager to uncover what happens next. A stellar choice of narrator, indeed!Thank you, Harper Audio and William Morrow, for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

“Kill Your Darlings,” by Peter Swanson, William Morrow, 288 pages, June 10, 2025.This is told in reverse from the end of Thom and Wendy Graves’ marriage in 2023 to 1982, when they met.A seemingly perfect couple, Thom and Wendy live on the north shore of Massachusetts. Wendy is a published poet and Thom teaches English literature at New Essex State University. Their son, Jason, is an adult.Wendy wants to kill Thom, but at first we don’t know why. Eventually we learn the details of what Thom and Wendy did in their early twenties, a secret that has kept them bound together through their marriage.Since the reader learns the effect before the cause, it lessens the impact. There is an overabundance of seemingly monotonous detail. The characters aren’t developed well. I usually like Peter Swanson’s books, but this is a miss for me.

Writing a story backwards is such a cool idea and I was curious to see how it would work. It was definitely an interesting way to tell a story. Kill Your Darlings starts out great and has a brilliant ending, but I did find it a bit dull and tedious in the middle. Mostly I found this book depressing. As you go further back in time, you see how happy, connected and in love Wendy and Thom used to be, and it was just sad knowing how it eventually ends. I did wonder how a book that ends in 1982 could provide any sort of closure to a book that begins in 2023. Peter Swanson pulls it off though in a very clever way. I can't say this is my favorite Peter Swanson book, but it was a cleverly told, unique portrait of a marriage poisoned by guilt with a fabulous ending. 3.5 stars rounded up.Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC!

Kill Your Darlings by Peter Swanson is a domestic drama/thriller mixed with a murder mystery that explores the demise of a marriage.Wendy and Thom Graves met in middle school and have been married for over 25 years. To the casual observer, they seem to have an enviable life. Both have stable careers, they live in a gorgeous Victorian house on the north shore of Massachusetts and they have an adult son who is out on his own. All in all a perfect couple... except Wendy wants Thom dead.This novel has an original concept in that to understand how things have come to be, you have to go back to the beginning. Told in reverse, we get a look into the Graves' marriage, their shared birthday parties, buying that beautiful Victorian house, Jason's birth and the death of a work colleague. As the story continues, we learn the secret that has tied Wendy and Thom together. This was my first experience with this author so I had no idea what to expect and I must say that I was pleasantly surprised!! Full of rich character development and sharp dialogue, I really enjoyed this unique take on the thriller/mystery. Even though the big event is in the beginning, Swanson still manages to throw some curve balls in that twist the story on its head. Overall a solid read that I would recommend to anyone wanting to read something a bit different!!Thank you to NetGalley, Peter Swanson, and William Morrow for this ARC!! Publication date: June 10th 2025.

3.5 ⭐️When we read a love story, it often begins with a “meet cute” and continues from there.But, this is a tale about the DEMISE of a love story, so fittingly, Peter Swanson has decided to tell it, beginning with the end. The story opens in the year 2023, and is told in reverse until the year 1982, when Thom and Wendy, who share a birthday, met at the age of fourteen.We learn about the moments that defined their lives-and the SECRET that binds them together forever.And, when Wendy decides that “till death do us part” seems too far off in the future, she may have to give it a nudge.This is a SLOW BURN character study of a marriage, which I found quite depressing, and I wasn’t particularly engaged by it until around the 40% mark. (hence the three stars) But, at that point, I started to become more intrigued by Wendy-as Peter Swanson always writes strong, cunning, capable women, and she is no exception.The story IS clever, and as we are given more puzzle pieces to explain what happened in Chapter one, it becomes more interesting BUT nothing revealed after that had the same WOW factor as a good twist that comes later on in a story which is told chronologically.Pay careful attention to the last chapter to understand the VERY FITTING ending. It isn’t as ambiguous as it first seems!! BUT, I had to read the last chapter twice before I got it!Peter Swanson remains a favorite author for me, but this wasn’t my favorite of his books.

Kill Your Darlings by Peter Swanson is a highly recommended murder mystery in reverse. The marriage and relationship of Thom and Wendy Graves is told in a nonlinear timeline, starting at 2023 with chapters going backward in time to 1982.Thom Graves is a tenured English literature professor who drinks too much and is a womanizer while Wendy is a published poet. The two have been married for over twenty-five years, their son Jason is an adult, and Wendy is ready to murder her husband. She has to murder him rather than divorce him to ensure he keeps a secret the two share from many years ago and he has dropped some hints recently that he may be writing a murder mystery about their secret.The slow moving narrative starts with what would normally be the ending and subsequently moves four decades back in time providing the history of their relationship through both of their points-of-view. Each step back in time provides more information and clues about their past and insight into their present, or rather the ending that starts the novel. The final chapters, the beginning, can reveal the significance of later, or earlier events.What kept me reading was the unique format and I wanted to see if it would work when I reached the end/beginning. Honestly, this story of an unhappy marriage wasn't that engaging until about the 40% mark in my ebook at which point it seems more connections between present and past are coming together and more revealing details emerge. The ending, or the beginning, was worth the wait. While I can appreciate a narrative with flashbacks within the narrative, I may avoid novels with this structure in the future.Kill Your Darlings will be appreciated by readers who can appreciate the nonlinear timeline. 3.5 rounded up. Thanks to William Morrow for providing me with an advance reader's copy via Edelweiss. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

If you’ve ever looked at your partner mid-argument and thought, “You know what would fix this? A little light homicide,” this book gets it. "Kill Your Darlings" is what happens when marital resentment ages like milk and instead of therapy, someone grabs a pen and says, “Time to fictionalize the trauma, babe.”We open on Wendy Graves calmly, rationally deciding she’s going to kill her husband. Not metaphorically. Not “he’s dead to me.” Actual, literal, “one more rewrite and I’m stabbing you with this pen” energy. She’s a poet. He’s a professor. They’ve been married for twenty-five years and have exactly zero emotional furniture left that isn’t scorched. Then Peter Swanson throws the whole thing in reverse and the wreckage unspools like a literary slow burn with blood on the margins.Each chapter steps back in time, revealing the warped foundation this marriage was built on. You don’t just see how Wendy got here. You see how Thom got here too. The dual POVs turn what could’ve been a simple domestic thriller into a quiet war of memory and meaning. Wendy’s voice crackles — cold, calculated, furious in that “I gave you everything and now I’m going to take it all back” kind of way. But Thom isn’t just a walking caution sign. His narration reveals a man who’s self-involved and smug, sure, but also lonely, eroded, and terrified that his life amounts to a long trail of unfinished drafts and emotional debt.And that is what makes this book twist the knife. You’re not watching a couple fall apart. You’re watching two people try to write over each other’s version of the same story — a marriage built from literary ambition, deeply buried grief, and exactly one ounce of shared hope that died somewhere around chapter five of their lives.Wendy is the literary embodiment of a side-eye and a slow pour of wine. Thom is the kind of guy who once got praised for teaching “Lolita” sensitively and never recovered. Their dynamic is so loaded with contempt it could power a small city grid. But they’re also achingly human. Their anger isn’t just loud. It’s layered. It comes from years of shared betrayal, missed chances, and things neither of them will say out loud, at least not to each other.The reverse structure is a flex, and mostly a successful one. Not every chapter lands perfectly, and some emotional beats echo a little too often. But there’s a low, buzzing dread running through the whole thing. The kind of ache you only get from watching people slowly convince themselves they’re still in love while secretly plotting each other’s narrative demise.As for the twists? One walks in wearing a name tag. The other sneaks up behind you and pulls the rug out just as the lights flicker. Are they jaw-dropping? Not always. But they’re well-earned. They deepen the hurt instead of cheapening it, especially that final reveal, which doesn’t explode so much as sink. It doesn’t answer every question, and it’s not meant to. Some endings aren’t resolutions. They’re reckoning.Three stars. Not because it didn’t work, but because it worked just enough to leave you raw, unsettled, and weirdly nostalgic for a love story that probably should’ve ended fifteen years earlier. I don’t regret reading it. But I do need to Google “how to emotionally unwind from fictional marital collapse.”Whodunity Award: For Making Me Rethink Every Quiet Married Couple I KnowBig thanks to William Morrow and NetGalley for the ARC and for giving me front-row seats to a literary murder-suicide disguised as a marriage in crisis.