Book Notices | A Talent for Murder by Peter Swanson

Peter Swanson, A Talent for Murder

Amazon   A Talent for Murder is the third book in Peter Swanson's Henry Kimball series. Hopefully it won't be the last. I've really enjoyed the series, which, as I've mentioned before, draws inspiration from Patricia Highsmith's oeuvre. There's a nod in this book, for example, to Highsmith's The Talented Mr. Ripley (which is also echoed in this book's title). Once again, we find private detective Henry Kimball involved in tracking down a killer. The odd thing about this series, though, is that Kimball really isn't and never has been its main character, so I'm not sure why he's its eponym. Perhaps it's common for mystery/thriller series to be named after the official-ish investigator involved in a case? Henry is, at least, semi-official. But the main character really has always been Lily Kintner. This third book in the series is an excellent read. You don't have to read the first two to enjoy it, but understanding Lily's backstory and the genesis of her relationship with Henry will enhance your appreciation of the story.