A Chance Encounter Spirals into Murder
We’ve all had those fleeting conversations with strangers – on planes, in bars, waiting in line. Brief exchanges where we reveal more than we normally would, knowing we’ll likely never see that person again. But what if one of those chance encounters took a sinister turn? What if your idle complaints about your spouse led to an offer to help murder them?
This is the chilling premise of Peter Swanson’s psychological thriller The Kind Worth Killing. With expert pacing and shocking twists, Swanson takes readers on a dark journey into the minds of killers hiding in plain sight. As alliances shift and motives are revealed, this taut cat-and-mouse game keeps you guessing until the very last page.
A Modern Take on Strangers on a Train
Swanson’s novel is a contemporary reimagining of Patricia Highsmith’s classic Strangers on a Train. But while Highsmith’s tale focused on two male strangers conspiring to “swap” murders, Swanson adds layers of complexity by centering the plot around Ted and Lily – a wealthy businessman and a mysterious young woman who meet on a flight from London to Boston.
Over martinis, they begin sharing intimate details about their lives. Ted confesses his suspicions that his wife Miranda is cheating on him. When he jokes that he could kill Miranda for her betrayal, Lily calmly replies, “I’d like to help.” What begins as a twisted game between strangers soon evolves into a very real murder plot.
Peeling Back the Layers of Lily Kintner
While Ted believes he’s found an unlikely accomplice in the beautiful Lily, readers soon learn there’s far more to her than meets the eye. Through flashbacks to Lily’s childhood and college years, Swanson gradually reveals her long history with murder, dating back to her “precocious youth.”
Lily emerges as one of the most chilling and complex female villains in recent thriller history. She’s brilliant, manipulative, and utterly remorseless – viewing murder as a sometimes necessary solution to life’s problems. Yet Swanson imbues her with enough vulnerability and damaged humanity that readers may find themselves reluctantly sympathizing with her at times.
A Master Class in Unreliable Narrators
Swanson employs multiple first-person narrators to brilliant effect, allowing readers inside the minds of Ted, Lily, Miranda, and eventually Detective Henry Kimball as he investigates the mounting body count. But can we trust any of their versions of events?
Each narrator proves increasingly unreliable as their secrets and lies are exposed. The constant shifts in perspective keep readers off-balance, forcing us to constantly reevaluate what we think we know about the characters and their motivations.
Twists and Turns That Defy Expectations
Just when you think you’ve figured out where the story is headed, Swanson pulls the rug out from under you with jaw-dropping plot twists. Characters you thought were villains are revealed as victims (or are they?). Alliances crumble and reform in unexpected ways. And the body count rises as double-crosses and revenge plots spiral out of control.
While some of the twists stretch credibility, Swanson’s deft plotting and insight into the darker corners of human nature make them feel eerily plausible. He excels at exploring the thin line between justice and cold-blooded murder, forcing readers to question their own moral compasses.
A Setting That Becomes a Character
Swanson brings the New England setting vividly to life, from upscale Boston neighborhoods to desolate coastal towns in Maine. The half-finished dream house that Ted and Miranda are building becomes an eerie backdrop for confrontations and violence. And an abandoned well on a crumbling farm takes on ominous significance.
The author’s evocative descriptions of these locales add texture and atmosphere to the story. The stark beauty of the Maine coastline in autumn provides a striking contrast to the ugliness of the characters’ actions.
Exploring the Psychology of Killers
At its core, The Kind Worth Killing is an unflinching exploration of what drives seemingly ordinary people to murder. Swanson delves deep into the psyches of his characters, examining how childhood trauma, narcissism, and moral relativism can create killers who justify their actions.
Lily in particular offers chilling insights into her warped worldview. The novel raises provocative questions about the nature of evil and whether some people are indeed “the kind worth killing.” But it offers no easy answers, leaving readers to grapple with the ethical implications long after the final page.
Comparisons to Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train
Fans of twisty psychological thrillers like Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl and Paula Hawkins’ The Girl on the Train will find much to enjoy in Swanson’s novel. Like those blockbuster hits, The Kind Worth Killing features unreliable narrators, shocking plot twists, and an unflinching look at the dark side of human nature.
But Swanson puts his own unique stamp on the genre. His prose is leaner and more propulsive than Flynn’s, driving the story forward at a breakneck pace. And unlike Hawkins’ perpetually drunk protagonist, Swanson’s characters are terrifyingly clearheaded and calculating in their actions.
Not for the Faint of Heart
It’s worth noting that The Kind Worth Killing is not for readers who prefer their thrillers on the cozy side. Swanson doesn’t shy away from graphic violence or disturbing psychological territory. Several scenes—including a gruesome murder by crowbar—may be too intense for some.
The novel also features themes of sexual manipulation and predatory behavior that some readers may find unsettling. Swanson handles these elements with nuance, but they add to the overall sense of moral murkiness permeating the story.
A Satisfying Yet Open-Ended Conclusion
Without spoiling any of the twists and turns, the novel builds to a tense climax that brings the principal characters together for a final deadly confrontation. Swanson resolves the main plot threads while still leaving some tantalizingly ambiguous elements that will have readers debating long after they finish.
The ending also sets up intriguing possibilities for future books featuring some of the surviving characters. Indeed, Swanson has since published a sequel, The Kind Worth Saving, which follows Detective Henry Kimball as he becomes entangled with another cunning killer.
Verdict: A Must-Read for Psychological Thriller Fans
With its intricate plotting, morally ambiguous characters, and ability to constantly subvert readers’ expectations, The Kind Worth Killing is a standout in the crowded psychological thriller genre. Swanson proves himself a master of misdirection and the unreliable narrator, crafting a story that keeps you guessing until the very end.
While the premise may seem familiar at first glance, Swanson elevates it through stellar character development, evocative prose, and genuinely shocking twists. This is the rare thriller that’s as psychologically insightful as it is pulse-pounding.
Readers who like their suspense novels dark, twisty, and morally complex will find The Kind Worth Killing utterly engrossing. Just don’t be surprised if it leaves you eyeing your fellow passengers warily the next time you board a plane. After all, you never know what secrets a stranger might be hiding.
About the Author
Peter Swanson is the author of eight novels, including The Kind Worth Killing, Her Every Fear, and The Kind Worth Saving. His books have been translated into over 30 languages, and his stories, poetry, and features have appeared in Asimov’s Science Fiction, The Atlantic Monthly, Measure, and The Guardian, among others. He lives with his wife and cat in Somerville, Massachusetts.