Before She Knew Him by Peter Swanson

An unusual friendship is the feature of this dark domestic noir and psychological thriller.

It is between a serial killer and his next door neighbour, who is bipolar and therefore unreliable. So when she tells the police that her neighbour murdered a local singer, no one believes her.

It is a rather ridiculous premise, plus the idea that mental illness and childhood experience shapes events to such a degree. However, this book is a fairly easy read. It is told from five points of view, but mainly the two central characters. None of them are likable so there's nobody to root for, which is a pity, as there is no suspense and at times the story is quite mundane.

Sadly, the big twist at the end - I had already guessed, much earlier.
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A little too long but not a unpleasant read.

​Published by Faber and Faber March 2019. ​Advanced review copy supplied by the publisher.