I have read all of Peter Swanson’s novels and think he is one of the most talented writers in the thriller genre. That said, The Girl with a Clock for a Heart did not quite live up to my expectation. The author’s strong suit is creating characters who are fragile, fallible, and foolish. Mr. Swanson writes an unreliable and borderline unlikeable character brilliantly. He seems to always be exploring a more authentic version of frail humanity and repulsive psyche. He succeeded in that here with a protagonist who was frustratingly idiotic and who was a dogged enabler. When it comes to the plot, though, I found it to be lackluster and unsurprising. Any twists were far more predictable than they were thrilling. However, it must be said that Mr. Swanson’s debut is more elegantly written than offerings of many of the seasoned veterans of the craft. Though far from the author’s best effort, The Girl with a Clock for a Heart was an enjoyable read and I will be looking forward to his upcoming release.