This book was a classic whodunit. I really enjoyed the flashback elements of the book from a different perspective. It felt like a fun game of clue. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys murder mystery books.

This was a very middle of the road mystery novel for me. It checked off a lot of the standard boxes - mysterious death, sketchy relatives, red herrings galore. The overall concept grabbed me before I began. It just didn't play out in a way that quite worked for me.

I felt like the flashbacks dragged the story down at times and would've preferred not to have so many of them. I liked the present day parts and found myself skimming the past bits a lot.

I didn't have the ending all figured out by the time I got there, but it was still a bit of a letdown. I was expecting something more epic, given the scope of the tale. I did enjoy the story's cozy vibe though and would be interested in seeing more mysteries in that setting.

I read an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All comments are my own.

How to Solve Your Own Murder is a cozy mystery that takes place in two time periods. In a modern time where our protagonist, Annie, is competing to win an inheritance from her great-aunt Frances by solving her murder. The other period is 1967 in Frances' diary which Annie is using to help solve the murder.

This was definitely a small-town, cozy mystery and if you are a fan of either of those, this is right up your alley. This is not a typical read I would choose and I would not really compare it in any way to Knives Out. Even though cozy mysteries are not what I normally enjoy, I did like this book. It was a bit slow to start and I wish there had been a list of characters because there were so many that sometimes it was hard to keep track of who was who.
I really did enjoy it after around 40% and I found the solution and ending really creative! I enjoyed both perspectives in the book and I never guessed whodunit.
One thing I want to note is that the protagonist has a realistic reaction to death and dead bodies which I very much appreciate!

Overall, I enjoyed the book despite it not being what I thought it would be. This is for the cozy mystery girlies for sure.

Thank you to Penguin Group Dutton and NetGalley for the ARC!

Fun, engaging debut with a great premise – I finished reading it in one day! Great Aunt Frances is such a lively presence even though she gets murdered before the main events of the novel.

A weak point of the novel was the blandness of the main character, Annie... We know that she wants to be a murder mystery writer, but she's not particularly interesting, and she acts in kind of incomprehensible ways. If you think you've found the murder weapon, why would you pick it up, put it in a plastic bag, and carry it to the police station instead of having detectives come take a look? Especially if you're supposedly interested in how murders are solved! Jenny, Annie's best friend, is introduced in the beginning and seems like she'll be important, but honestly she could have been edited out completely.

The revelation about who killed Emily feels like it comes out of left field... we see the murderer acting like a major creep (in flashback/diary entries) a few pages/chapters before we find out they're the killer, but the creepy behavior doesn't seem to be there from the beginning, so it feels like a very abrupt change. That being said, the book does a great job showing why Emily got killed. Her behavior was SO awful in 1965/66 but so in line with how a troubled and insecure teenage girl might act; we can see how she could have changed if she'd been given the chance.

Overall a really enjoyable read with a few areas that could have used further revision. I'd definitely recommend this to anyone who's looking for a fairly cozy mystery from a new writer!

This was an interesting concept, especially with the back and forth of the timelines. I just personally had a hard time connecting to the story.

What would you do if a fortune teller predicted your murder? For Frances Adams, that meant not going down without a fight. Complete with her very own “murder board” full of connections and clues, Frances set out to solve her own murder before it happened. When she is found dead, her great-niece Annie soon discovers a life of paranoia and evidence gathering has made her aunt no shortage of enemies, and therefore potential suspects. Tasked with solving the murder, Annie goes down a path of discovery. Old journal entries connect events and mysteries from the past and present and give us glimpses into Frances and her ultimate search for justice. The book takes you on an adventure with Annie and she quickly realizes that nearly everyone in town has some sort of motive. Who can she trust? What are the unanswered questions? Is it greed, revenge, passion or self-preservation that led to Frances’ murder sixty years after that fateful fortune-teller’s prediction?

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It had several twists and was a fun read. Each chapter I was suspecting someone new and not sure who to trust. Annie was a relatable character who seemed to be finding her place in the world (her family, her writing career, her home). It seemed as though Annie was intent on solving this mystery not just for her Aunt Frances, but also for herself and as proof that she can cut it in the murder writing world. It’s easy to root for her to solve the case. Frances completely steals the show though, both from her journal entries and how she was told through the eyes of the community members. She comes off as the feisty, eccentric aunt you always wanted. Not afraid to be herself and stand up to her friends, but also with her own insecurities and fears that ran her life. Just like Annie, I felt the sense of loss of not getting to know her in the present.

If you’re in the mood for an escape to a countryside estate to solve a current murder and past disappearance, this book is the perfect getaway! A classic cozy mystery!

Thanks Netgalley and Penguin Group Dutton for the early read!

ARC thanks to NetGalley.

A murder mystery in a small town where everyone knows everyone. Frances has her fortune read in 1965 and spends the next 60 years expecting her murder.

I enjoy multiple timelines and learning things about the mystery from multiple perspectives, Anne in the present and Frances in the 60s.

I liked the writing and the who-done-it atmosphere. Trying to guess who the killer was then adding in another murder. At times could be a little confusing with so many character in play in the 2 timelines.

What an interesting premise to this book. Frances wholeheartedly believes the fortune teller’s prediction of her murder and devotes her life to proving its validity. After her death, she passes the responsibility to her great niece Annie. Annie is soon wrapped up in the “game” of unearthing secrets and figuring out the truth.

I love that Annie was learning about her late great aunt through Frances’ handwritten diary and old photos. She is determined and motivated by justice, not winning the inheritance. She has a pure heart, mirroring Frances in her youth.

The story was entertaining, even though I did guess some of the twists. The characters were intriguing and I loved trying to make all the connections as the story unfolded.

How to Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen Perrin

How to Solve Your Own Murder is a fun, fresh take on the cozy mystery genre pushing the traditional amateur sleuth meets real-life murder beyond fresh baked goods and bookstore settings. I love this recent trend, lending the cozies to a slightly more realistic feel.

In this story, we meet Annie an aspiring mystery writer who through a series of accidental events finds herself traveling to the English countryside to meet a long lost relative. However, upon arrival said relative shows up – dead. And so, the sleuthing begins.

With well-executed dual timelines, a large cast of characters - both likable and unlikable – a somewhat creepy English manor and some excellent deduction that is capably explained on the page, this book really delivered.
For those that like their cozies with a dash of edge, this will be a perfect choice.

Thank you to the Penguin Group and Kristen Perrin for an advanced reader copy of this book.

A solid Five Stars. If you're a fan of MC Beaton and Richard Osman, you'll want to snatch this up on release date and not put it down until the last, satisfying page. There's family secrets, drama, intrigue and a fair bit of humor. I loved the multiple suspect angle and honestly couldn't deduce who the criminal was which is rare and refreshing. A wonderful cozy mystery with a lot going for it. On release date, I'll be buying a few copies on release date to send to my relatives as this is exactly the sort of read they gobble up

Annie Adams isn’t close to her extended family as there is so little. So it was a surprise to be notified she is being summoned to meet her great aunt Francis. Francis has changed her will to make Annie her heir. Unfortunately it’s not so cut and dry. Over fifty years ago Francis’ friend, Emily, disappeared leaving Francis trying to solve the decades old mystery. Francis is also convinced she herself will be murdered based on a fortune teller’s prediction from her teenage years. Unfortunately Francis has been making progress, as she is found murdered in her kitchen. Now Annie must solve the murders before she too becomes a target.

This book was so good! I was hooked from start to finish. I loved the way this author was able to fully grasp my attention and didn’t let go

I’m glad to see this listed as “Castle Knoll Files #1” and look forward to reading future books in this series. I enjoyed the characters and their interconnectedness. As with pretty much every mystery novel I have read, I did not correctly guess whodunnit.

Thanks to #NetGalley and the publisher for access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

I tend to avoid cozy mysteries but this is the kind I can get into. I would categorize How to Solve Your Own Murder as a cozy-spicy mystery.

Annie goes to Castle Knoll after she received a letter regarding her great aunt's estate. She's never met the woman and doesn't know why she wants Annie to inherit everything. Once there, the body of Great-Aunt Francis is discovered in her home. Her will stipulates that if Annie solves her murder, she gets everything. But Annie is not the only one who could solve it and take all.

So it becomes a race against time, Annie has to figure out who wanted Francis dead more. She mainly depends on a journal Francis kept in the 60s. It's all about her and her bored friends stuck in a small village. Annie only reads it in bits and pieces and decides on various people's guilt based on the feelings and motivations she's attached to all these strangers.

It's a solid three stars, I liked it. But it wasn't exactly what I was expecting. I agree with others that the premise is good but the execution.. It's mostly my personal preference I'm sure. And since it's a series there's opportunity to really get to know Annie and the other villagers better.

Thank you Dutton and NetGalley for the e-ARC.

This was so enjoyable. I was hooked the entire time and had no idea who the killer was. The characters were interesting and the storytelling through the present day narrative and the diary entries kept the mystery moving. I wish there was a little bit more to flesh out Saxon and Ford, who were my favorite characters. I didn't really get the sense of the 'games' they were infamous for.

Thank you to Dutton and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC.

A double murder mystery set outside of London in Castle Knoll with a Clue/Sherlock Holmes vibe. In 1965, Frances receives a haunting fortune detailing that she will be murdered. Frances spends her days living strictly by this fortune and is quite paranoid everyone is out to murder her. 60 years later, Frances is found murdered in her estate, just days after changing her will.

Everyone in the town is shocked that Frances' prophecy came true - and now it is up to Annie to solve the mystery of who killed Great Aunt Frances. When another cold case is re-opened, Annie knows the murders are connected.

Strong character development, great characters you love to hate, and a solid plot, there is a lot to love about "How to Solve Your Own Murder".

4.5⭐️ I debated rounding up or down, and ended up going with a 4. I enjoyed this book! I could not put it down. I was obsessed. It literally consumed my brain/thoughts. I loved the characters. I loved the way the plot was structured and unfolded. This book had so many layers, but it worked. The amount of characters and jammed pack twists and tidbits of info would normally be overwhelming, but I thought this story and this author managed it very well and was able to weave a beautiful tale. I recently read The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins, and this book gave me the same energy in different ways. They both were generational mysteries that took place in an estate. The Heiress gave 🖤🔪mystery🥀🐍 but this gave ✨🕵🏻‍♀️mystery 🌈🔮 and I’m here for it. I love the range within this genre and wanted to compare since they did remind me of the other! The reason this wasn’t a 5 star for me was because I felt like this was missing something. For me, it didn’t have a spark or pizzazz. It was missing that “IT” factor and I can’t describe it. I rapidly tore through this book and when I finished, I felt like ‘that was it?’. I just felt a slight sense of deflation and I can’t explain. It looks like this will be a series and I will definitely be waiting for this second book! So good! So jammed packed with twists! Loved the characters! Loved the vibes and I am here for ALL of the secrets!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Penguin Group Dutton, for this enthralling and tantalizing ARC!

Oh I LOVED this, and I highly highly recommend. Cozy, funny, twisting whodunnit about a young writer who gets pulled into investigating her great-aunt's murder - the same great-aunt who has been predicting her own murder for the last 40 years. The narrative switched between the current investigation and the great-aunt's diary, which split up the book nicely. My only complaint is that the cast of characters may have been a bit too large - at times, I had to rack my brain to remember who was suspected of what or why they were relevant at all. That may also stem from my abysmal reading comprehension post-law school reading, but I digress. Could definitely see this expanding into a series, and I hope it does!

This book had an interesting premise. How do you solve your own murder? Frances tries, but her great niece Annie, ends up vowing to solve the mystery. This book put me in mind of old timey mystery novels. Quite enjoyable.

If you like your mysteries with a little humor, this book's for you. "How did she do that?" I kept muttering to myself. I want to reread to see what clues I missed the first time around. Cheers to the author for a great title and premise and characters. Great who-dun-it.