The Kind Worth Killing by Peter Swanson book cover
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Eerie Efficiency Book Profile

The Kind Worth Killing

Series membership: Henry Kimball / Lily Kintner world · Listed position 1
Readable on its own: recorded 2015 Adult
About this book

A devious tale of psychological suspense perfect for fans of Paula Hawkins’ The Girl on the Train—and is soon to be a major movie directed by Agnieszka Holland. In a tantalizing set-up reminiscent of Patricia Highsmith’s classic Strangers on a Train… On a night flight from London to Boston, Ted Severson meets the stunning and mysterious Lily Kintner. Sharing one too many martinis, the strangers begin to play a game of truth, revealing very intimate details about themselves. Ted talks about his marriage that’s going stale and his wife Miranda, who he’s sure is cheating on him. Ted and his wife were a mismatch from the start—he the rich businessman, she the artistic free spirit—a contrast that once inflamed their passion, but has now become a cliché. But their game turns a little darker when Ted jokes that he could kill Miranda for what she’s done. Lily, without missing a beat, says calmly, “I’d like to help.” After all, some people are the kind worth killing, like a lying, stinking, cheating spouse. . . . Back in Boston, Ted and Lily’s twisted bond grows stronger as they begin to plot Miranda's demise. But there are a few things about Lily’s past that she hasn’t shared with Ted, namely her experience in the art and craft of murder, a journey that began in her very precocious youth. Suddenly these co-conspirators are embroiled in a chilling game of cat-and-mouse, one they both cannot survive . . . with a shrewd and very determined detective on their tail.

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Best for readers who like: Hitchcock-style thrillers, morally gray women, murder plots
What do these ratings mean?

These are Eerie's editorial scores. Spice is scored out of 5; the other scores are out of 10. Higher intensity does not mean a better book. Romance Focus measures how central the relationship is to the story. Overall Recommendation is Eerie's recommendation for the book's intended readers.

Read the full rating methodology

Spice1/5
Darkness8/10
Obsession7/10
Psychological9/10
Violence8/10
Emotional Damage7/10
Trigger Intensity8/10
Romance Focus1/10

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Book at a Glance

Series membershipHenry Kimball / Lily Kintner world
Readable on its ownyes
POVFirst person • Multiple POV
PaceMedium
Story LengthStandard
WorldContemporary
SettingCity / Urban
RelationshipNon-Romance / Other
Obsession TypeMutual Obsession • Romantic Fixation
SubgenrePsychological crime thriller
MMC OccupationBusiness / CEO / Billionaire • Law Enforcement / Military
Writing Stylesuspenseful
MMC PersonalityUnfaithful, entitled, increasingly fearful
FMC PersonalityIntelligent, amoral, calculating

Tropes & Themes

Trigger Warnings

These tags describe potentially sensitive material in the book and may not be a complete list. A missing warning does not confirm that the content is absent. HEA/HFN describes the romantic ending, not the absence of disturbing content. Check the author's current content notes before reading.

attempted murderchildhood violenceinfidelitymanipulationmurderstalking

Eerie Take

Highly recommended for readers who enjoy elegant, cold-blooded crime twists

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Intensity
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Readers
Spice
1/5
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Darkness
8/10
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Obsession
7/10
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Psychological Intensity
9/10
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Violence
8/10
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Emotional Damage
7/10
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Trigger Intensity
8/10
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Romance Focus
1/10
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