Before She Knew Him by Peter Swanson

Hen and her husband Lloyd have just started to settle into their new suburban home and are ready to leave their troubled past behind. Hen, short for Henrietta, has a past of mental breakdowns. When she was in college, she was convinced that a fellow student was guilty of a heinous crime. Hen took her suspicions to an unhealthy level that resulted in a psychiatric intervention. Thankfully, Lloyd stepped in and has helped her to control her irrational fears. Now she works as a successful illustrator. Life seems to be back on track.

During a neighborhood block party, Hen and Lloyd paired up with the only other childless couple, and they decided to spend more time together. The dinner party started innocently enough.  They met at the other couple's home and had a lovely evening of small talk and bonding. It was during the grand tour of the home that things got strange. In the husband Matthew's office, Hen noticed a fencing trophy. Her eyes lingered a bit too long. She caught herself, but it was too late. Matthew seemed to notice her noticing the trophy too, a flash of dark recognition on his face.

Hen knows she is being unreasonable. Matthew and his wife seem normal enough, but she can't shake the feeling that she knows that fencing trophy. It is the same trophy that was missing from the scene of a brutal murder she recently obsessed over. As she starts to observe Matthew and his peculiar behavior, her suspicions evolve to certainty. Matthew is a killer, and Hen must find a way to prove it before she becomes his next victim.

I was first introduced to Peter Swanson's writing in All the Beautiful Lies, his stellar thriller that was released last year. Before She Knew Him sees Swanson tackle psychological suspense that slowly pulls the reader along until the entire plot unravels into a twisted and startling conclusion. Swanson's story unfolds through shifting perspectives between Hen and Matthew. Hen's history of mental trauma makes her an unreliable witness. She grows more and more uncertain of her own ability to separate reality from paranoia. At the same time, seeing the events from Matthew's point of view on increases our own certainty of his guilt. The combination of both creates ever-mounting suspense that had me racing through the pages to see what happens next. Before She Knew Him is easily one of the best thrillers I've read this year and has turned me into a huge fan of Peter Swanson's writing.


For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads.
(2019, 8)

This entry was posted on Thursday, March 14, 2019 and is filed under ,,,,,. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response.

18 Responses to “Before She Knew Him by Peter Swanson”

  1. This sounds good. I can just imagine the suspense building!

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    1. The best part is I didn't see the end coming!

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  2. I've read all of his previous books as well and can't wait to dig into this latest! Thanks for the review Ethan!

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    1. I've really been sleeping on him, but these last two books have me wide awake!

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  3. This sounds amazing! I've never read anything by Peter Swanson, but for sure adding this one to my list!!

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  4. I want to try his books. I need to see if I have any. I heard his recent releases are just so good. Glad you enjoyed this one

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    1. I've thoroughly enjoyed both books that I've read!

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  5. Oh yeah, this one hooks me in just from your description. Thanks, Ethan!

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  6. I'm a huge thriller fan and the psychological aspect in this book sounds like I'd really enjoy this book. So sad that my TBR is like... Keeping me busy for life, I guess?

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    1. I'm in the same boat. I have stacks of books just waiting to be read lol!

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  7. This one is on my list! Last year I read through all existing Peter Swanson books in a weekend, so it's time to get caught up on the new one.

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    1. That's quite the accomplishment! I've heard nothing but good things about his works.

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  8. Never read this author before, and I'm not big on thrillers but this does have me intrigued!

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    1. It kept me hooked completely from beginning to end!

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  9. Ooh this sounds like a great one, with lots of suspense. I think I need to read this!

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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