Witty, smart, fun, fast paced, and entertaining!

Thank you for providing me an advanced readers copy (ARC) of “No One Leaves the Castle” in exchange for an honest review. I am grateful to have had the opportunity and leave my review voluntarily.

Free e-ARC provided by NetGalley!
I enjoy mysteries and a good middle-grade every now and again, and how could I resist that cover? This is a fun little whodunnit that takes place in a fantasy Middle Ages. Our protagonist, bounty hunter The Lilac, is on her first case to track down a thief and ends up in a locked castle trying to solve a murder! It gets a little (age-appropriately) silly at times, and the narration can be a little over the top, but it’s a good time throughout. If I was recommending it to someone, I’d call it maybe 1/3 Agatha Christie and 2/3rds Galavant.

No One Leaves the Castle is a locked room, err castle, murder mystery romp. Full of misdirection, girl power, class disruption, and humor, this book centers on a young bounty hunter trying to make her name. Accompanied by her trusty bard, the Lilac heads to the Angbar Castle to find a wizard, or was it the family's Emerald Axe, or was it the murderer, or was it the shifty Baron... the goalposts keep shifting but the Lilac is up for the job.

Hopefully there's a sequel coming!

Will recommend for acquisition by school libraries.

3.9/5

📣Thank you to @netgalley and Harper Collins for this e-ARC.
🙋‍♀️This review is my own thoughts and opinions.

This was a great whodunnit for middle grade! I stayed up very late reading into the night due to what a page turner this was! There were many twists and turns that were unexpected surprises that made me wanting more!

Right from the beginning I fell in love with our two main characters, the Lilac, the 14 year old bounty hunter, and Netta, her bard. This mystery is full of humor that made me laugh out loud.

“”Why am I involved with criminals and bounty hunters? I’m a butler! I just want to make things sparkle.” ”Same!” Dulcinetta said.”

The author, @Christopher Healy had such a way with his writing that I felt that I was in the castle with our gang of characters. The character development was so well done that I felt I knew them all personally and was guessing right up until the end who was going to be the guilty party!!

This is a must read for middle grade!

Middle grade books never fail to be something I find to be the perfect lighthearted heartwarming read during a stressful time. Throw in some very lovable side characters and a mystery to solve and you have the perfect recipe for a book that will enthrall any kid and even get some adults pretty engaged in the storyline for a break from heavy reading. This book was exactly what I needed and was incredibly easy to decide how to rate. A special thanks to Netgalley for allowing me early access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

I think the dinner and the murder vibe it has absolutely sold me. I felt like I was reading a new rendition of Clue and it completely gave that nail-biter "Who did it?" twist and turn.