Peter Swanson Books in Order (Updated February 19, 2026)

Peter Swanson writes twist-forward psychological thrillers that are mostly standalones, with one clear recurring-character sequence. Reading order only matters when you’re following Henry Kimball (and the connected Lily Kintner thread).

A quick navigation trick

• If you want the “connected” books: read the Henry Kimball list in order.
• If you want everything else: you can dip in anywhere, pick the premise that appeals.

---

Henry Kimball books (read in order)

These share continuity and later entries assume you know earlier outcomes.

1. The Kind Worth Killing (2015): Introduces the Kimball/Lily corner of Swanson’s work in a story built around complicity and shifting loyalties.
2. The Kind Worth Saving (2023): Brings Henry back in a case that’s designed to stand as a new mystery, but it plays sharper with book one’s context.
3. A Talent for Murder (2024): Continues the same continuity line, rewarding readers who already know the history and the moral “rules” of this world.

---

Malcolm Kershaw (read whenever, but mind the title variants)

1. Rules for Perfect Murders (2020) (aka Eight Perfect Murders): A meta-crime puzzle that leans on famous mystery plots, best read when you’re in the mood for a book-about-books structure.

---

Standalone novels (publication order, one line each)

These do not share series continuity, so you can read them in any order.

1. The Girl with a Clock for a Heart (2014): A first-love reunion turns into a tense chase once the past stops staying buried.
2. Her Every Fear (2017): A short-term apartment swap becomes a pressure cooker when danger arrives at the borrowed address.
3. All the Beautiful Lies (2018): A man hunting for truth about his father finds a trail that keeps re-labeling “family” and “betrayal.”
4. Before She Knew Him (2019): A neighbor’s suspicion spirals into obsession, with perception and certainty as the main fault lines.
5. Every Vow You Break (2021): A marriage-on-the-run story where a stranger’s attention won’t stay politely at a distance.
6. Nine Lives (2022): A closed-circle setup where a small group is picked off, and the question is why these specific people.
7. Kill Your Darlings (2025): A marriage story told in reverse, where you work backward from rupture to the moment it became inevitable.

---

Novellas (optional extras)

These are add-ons, not “missing chapters.”

• The Christmas Guest (2023): A holiday visit turns sinister in a compact, wintry one-sitting read.
• Do You See What I See? (scheduled 2026): A forthcoming novella; treat it as optional unless it’s later confirmed to connect to a specific novel.

---

Recommended reading routes (choose one and stop second-guessing)

• Route 1 (continuity-first): The Kind Worth Killing → The Kind Worth Saving → A Talent for Murder
• Route 2 (standalone sampler): The Girl with a Clock for a Heart → Before She Knew Him → Nine Lives
• Route 3 (meta-puzzle mood): Rules for Perfect Murders / Eight Perfect Murders (then pick any standalone)

---

Latest release status

• Latest novel (as of February 19, 2026): Kill Your Darlings (2025)
• Next announced (as of February 19, 2026): Do You See What I See? (novella scheduled for October 6, 2026)

---

FAQs

Do Peter Swanson’s books form one big universe?
No. Most are standalones; the reliable continuity path is the Henry Kimball sequence.

Are Rules for Perfect Murders and Eight Perfect Murders the same book?
Yes, same novel, different title usage across markets/editions.

Will I spoil anything if I start with a standalone?
No. The only meaningful spoiler-risk is reading Henry Kimball out of order.

---

Conclusion

If you want the safest “in order” experience, start with The Kind Worth Killing and follow the Henry Kimball list. If you just want one great standalone entry point, The Girl with a Clock for a Heart is the cleanest place to begin.