Contrasting whites, greys and reds to draw the eye of a mystery/murder genre reader.

This will appeal to the target audience. The contours and shadows of the chessboard image suggest darker themes and hidden depths to the reader. The white pieces battling against the darker pieces suggest a battle of some kind against something darker. But also suggests that there is hope/overcoming of something because the white pieces are in the foreground.

The red 'gripping memoir' will catch the eye and tell the reader what they can expect.

The larger font for the author name suggests experience and importance, making the reader feel as though this author is perhaps already known and therefore making them more comfortable to buy from someone they haven't read before.

The split title font suggests the cracking or breaking of a person's psyche and the possible damage that has been done to them. It is also eye-catching.