Don't Swipe Right

LoveReading Says

Full disclosure: I don’t read a lot of crime novels. But whether you’re a serial reader or more of an omnivore looking for a change, I’d happily recommend this playful and pacey debut. This pitch stood out because of its prioritising being funny — and I can confirm, it is.

At first thought, humour would seem antithetical to sustaining the tension and horror necessary to a good twisty crime novel, but Chilton absolutely proves that wrong — it means the reader is even more invested in Gwen as a relatable everywoman, scrolling on dating apps on the loo of her best friend’s hen do. We feel absolutely in her shoes as she realises that every man she’s been on a date with since her break-up is being targeted for murder. 

I loved the pace of this novel, the cliffhangers at the ends of every chapter had me racing through, and the details of the murders balanced gory with mischievous. They were very cinematic and I can see this translating really well to film. It also explores the depressing, disturbing or dangerous realities of modern dating, and I enjoyed the way Chilton makes you both think that the men are vile and sympathetic — or at least, you feel bad when they die.

I also felt that Chilton does a great job of sowing loads of potential suspects and red herrings to the keen reader, and I was always double-guessing my own theory for who the murderer was. 

Reviewed by Billy Lindon
Lily Lindon (Billy) is a writer, editor, and bookseller living in London.
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