Nice guy schmo protagonist well deployed. I liked the moment when he confessed all to his girlfriend and said he was going to the police. I knew it was all going to go to hell then but it took a little longer than I expected. I found the end confusing and unconvincing - where could she go? ( )

Peter Swanson’s book, The Kind Worth Killing, blew me away. I loved the time I spent in those pages, wondering, guessing, holding my breath. So even though the cover blurb on his first book, The Girl with a Clock for a Heart, didn’t pique my interest, when I found it, I gave it a chance.

I opened the cover suspecting that this wouldn’t be my cup of tea, and it wasn’t. The writing was good, the plot intricate, but there was something almost juvenile about it. It lacked the depth, experience and craft that you’ll find in The Kind Worth Killing. I found parts of this one weren’t just far fetched, but downright annoying. In an eye roll, “yeah, right,” kind of way.

That said, I’m sure that there are readers that will really enjoy this book. It will keep you guessing. Not for me, but may be for you. Four stars.

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It's a rare novel I find engrossing to the "can't put it down" point, but this one was it. True to the noir genre and somewhat farfetched, but it had me hooked from the start. ( )

Awww this is so unfortunate because I adore this author but 'The Girl with a clock for a heart' was a slightly disappointing, utterly predictable and lackluster read :( The characters lacked any depth and development and it was quite frustrating that our narraror George had a hard on for every female character introduced into the plot *massive eyeroll* However, it was interesting to see Peter Swanson's writing origins and how much he has grown as an author. I highly recommend reading 'The Kind Worth Killing' I promise that Swanson redeems himself. ( )

The Girl with a Clock for a Heart is the sort of thriller I can picture as a movie with Jimmy Stewart or Tom Hanks in the lead role. George Foss is at a local tavern with a long-time friend/lover when he sees a woman who looks just like his long-long college freshman love. After he and his friend leave, to go to their respective homes, he heads back to talk to her. It is her! Liana Dector, heartbreaker and suspected murderer.

She is also a woman in distress and in need of help. Of course, he has to help and thus falls into a complex and multi-layered scheme with more than one set of bad guys. He knows what she did back in his freshman year, but he understands how it happened and has sympathy for her and her decisions.

Do not start this before you fall asleep because you won’t get to sleep until 2 AM when you finish. I read this straight through from start to finish and yes, I was that silly one who thought I will read just one chapter so I am primed when I pick it up tomorrow. Nope, that is a bad idea.

Peter Swanson is one of those writers that grabs you and does not let you go. The plot never lets up and you end up caring about the characters. I liked George Foss. I understand his fascination with Liana and his chivalrous and perhaps, lecherous, need to help her. And wow, the complexity of the story. Now, some might think we need to be told how one of the great illusions was carried out, but no one explains a magic trick. And of course, whether that illusion was an illusion or reality, that is up to us, dear reader.

The Girl with a Clock for a Heart from William Morrow | Harper Collins
Eight Perfect Murders from William Morrow | Harper Collins
Peter Swanson author site

https://tonstantweaderreviews.wordpress.com/2020/09/12/32206502952994/ ( )