An Ethical Guide to Murder - by Jenny Morris (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Thea has a secret. She can tell how long someone has left to live just by touching them. Not only that, but she can transfer life from one person to another--something she finds out the hard way when her best friend, Ruth, suffers a fatal head injury on a night out. Desperate to save her, Thea accidentally kills the man responsible and lets his life flow directly into Ruth. Thea comes to understand that she has a godlike power, but how to use it quickly becomes a question of self-control. Is it really so wrong to take a little life from a bad person--say, a very annoying boss--and gift it to someone who's truly good? Realizing she needs to harness her newfound skills, Thea creates an Ethical Guide to Murder. But as she embarks on her mission to punish the wicked and give the deserving more time, she finds good and bad aren't as simple as she first thought. How can she really know who deserves to live and die, and can she figure out her own rules before Ruth's borrowed time runs out?"--Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

Thea has a secret. She can tell how long someone has left to live just by touching them. Not only that, but she can transfer life from one person to another--something she finds out the hard way when her best friend, Ruth, suffers a fatal head injury on a night out. Desperate to save her, Thea accidentally kills the man responsible and lets his life flow directly into Ruth.

Thea comes to understand that she has a godlike power, but how to use it quickly becomes a question of self-control. Is it really so wrong to take a little life from a bad person--say, a very annoying boss--and gift it to someone who's truly good? Realizing she needs to harness her newfound skills, Thea creates an Ethical Guide to Murder. But as she embarks on her mission to punish the wicked and give the deserving more time, she finds good and bad aren't as simple as she first thought.

How can she really know who deserves to live and die, and can she figure out her own rules before Ruth's borrowed time runs out?

Review Quotes

"An Ethical Guide to Murder is a thought-provoking whirlwind of a ride with unexpected twists, well-timed humor, and a propulsive plot. It kept me on my toes until the last page, and I'm still thinking about it!"
--Gloria Chao, author of The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club and Ex Marks the Spot

"An Ethical Guide to Murder is a fabulous book! Jenny Morris has taken the "with great power comes great responsibility" concept and applied it to someone who struggles to be responsible for her own laundry. Thea is a relatable, messy character whose trials and tribulations kept me laughing all the way to the emotional gut punch. What a marvellous debut!"
--Alice Bell, author of Grave Expectations

"Relatable, poignant, and filled with unexpected twists, An Ethical Guide to Murder is near-impossible to put down. I was hooked all the way up to the ending, which I can't stop thinking about. A must-read for 2025."
--Jenny Hollander, author of Everyone Who Can Forgive Me Is Dead

"Is Thea a serial killer? Is she an avenging angel? Maybe she's both. Fresh and fun, I loved this original take on the crime genre. Combining ethics with a good old revenge story, I raced through this unexpectedly poignant novel. A fabulous debut!"
--Sam Holland, author of The Echo Man

"A darkly compelling and brilliantly original take on power, morality, and consequence. Thea's extraordinary gift is both a blessing and a curse, and watching her navigate the blurry line between justice and vengeance makes for an absolutely gripping read. With razor-sharp prose and wonderfully relatable characters, Morris asks the ultimate question: If you had the power of life and death, how far would you go? I couldn't put it down."
--Amanda Cassidy, Irish Times bestselling author of The Perfect Place

"An intense, unique thriller... This is one you want to keep reading once you start."
--Red Carpet Crash

"A captivating story...that beautifully blends mystery, magic, and a lot of emotion."
--Bestsellersworld.com

"Morris does an excellent job of weaving ethical dilemmas into the plot with care and attention to detail while prompting readers to consider their own views about justice and the consequences of unchecked power...an interesting exploration of power, morality, and judgment that feels very timely."
--The Gloss

"An Ethical Guide to Murder delivers a fascinating storyline with a philosophical impact."
--Novels Alive

"Jenny Morris came up with a completely unique concept in this magical realism thriller. An Ethical Guide to Murder explores life and death, morality, personal gain and self-control in a fast-paced, thought-provoking package."
--Geek Girl Authority