How To Get Away With Murder

Author: Rebecca Philipson
Genre: Crime Fiction/Suspense
368 pages
Publisher: Minotaur Books, 2026

Synopsis
This fresh debut thriller finds a Scotland Yard detective trying to find the author of a self-help book that promises quite literally to teach readers how to get away with murder, which seems to have inspired London’s newest murderer.

Detective Inspector Samantha Hansen has been on leave for six months, recovering from a breakdown she suffered at work, but when a fourteen-year-old girl is murdered in a local park, Sam jumps at the chance to return to the job and prove that she’s still got what it takes to be the Yard’s most successful homicide detective. One of the cases only leads is a copy of a self-help book found in the victim’s backpack called How To Get Away With Murder by a man named Denver Brady.

Brady claims to be the most successful serial killer of our time, which is why no one’s ever heard of him. Chapter by chapter, he details his methodology and his past victims, and as Sam’s investigation progresses and the details of the book go viral, Sam begins to suspect that there’s more to the author than what he’s revealed. But in order to find a killer and get justice for young Charlotte, Sam must learn to trust her instincts once again, before Denver Brady–or someone else–really does get away with murder.

My review
How To Get Away With Murder is an impressive debut from Rebecca Philipson, built around a clever and compelling premise that offers a fresh spin on the detective genre. I’ve always liked a book-within-a-book structure, and this novel makes effective use of that device. I’ll also say upfront that didn’t see the final twist coming!

DI Sam Hansen is on leave after being assaulted by a fellow officer, an experience that led to a breakdown. Although her therapist encourages a gradual return to work, Sam resists the idea until she unexpectedly stumbles upon a crime scene while heading home from an appointment. Fourteen-year-old Charlotte has been found dead, and Sam immediately decides to return to work and help solve the case. The investigation centers on a suspected serial killer who has written a how-to manual under the pseudonym Denver Brady. A copy of the book is found at Charlotte’s murder scene. The central question becomes whether Charlotte was killed by Denver or by a copycat inspired by the book.

Philipson weaves in contemporary cultural references that help ground the story in a modern setting and contribute to character development. Unfortunately, some of these references, particularly those tied to Sam, felt questionable or awkwardly handled. While Sam is clearly well developed on the page, I struggled to connect with her, largely due to her rapid personality shifts and what felt like forced or ill-fitting cultural touchstones. At times, her decisions came across as unnecessary or implausible stretches.

I do have two main criticisms. First, the writing felt a bit clunky in places, and some of the social commentary, especially as it relates to Sam, didn’t always land for me. Second, while I enjoyed the Denver Brady chapters, I think they would have benefited from being slightly shorter. These chapters were fascinating and important to the plot, but at times they dragged, interrupting the overall pacing.

How To Get Away With Murder is a strong debut with an inventive premise and a genuinely surprising ending. I’d cautiously recommend it to readers who enjoy accessible police procedurals with unexpected twists. Philipson shows a great deal of promise, and I’m interested to see what she does next.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Minotaur Books, and Rebecca Philipson for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

My recommendation: cautiously recommend. Solid novel from a debut writer!