While I thought this was an enjoyable read, the set up at the end to make it a series doesn’t seem like it will work. Just not enough character development on the main character, especially as she solves most of the case without any real showmanship. A cozy read that doesn’t have serial potential.

A Perfect Book! Five Big Stars and Five Big Hearts! I absolutely loved every minute of it and I know you will too!

As a teen, in the late 1960's, Frances receives fortune that predicts her death. She becomes completely obsessed with the wording and plans her life around the prediction.

Many years later, she summons her grand niece Annie Adams to her mansion. Frances has yet to meet her but is sure that she is part of the fortune and because of it, should inherit. But before Annie is able to meet her, Frances is murdered. Relying on her love of murder mysteries, and general common sense Annie hopes to solve the mystery . It's not long before long she learns that solving it is tied to Frances's will!

Utilizing France's journal and her own murder board which she thought would foretell her death, Annie works against the clock and the handful of relatives who stand to inherit. Can Annie solve this before it's too late?

This story has it all, a gothic-style mansion, plenty of strange relatives, friends and villagers, an old diary and more than one suspect. Every bit of it was enjoyable and I can only hope for another ! If you love quaint towns are hiding secrets, gothic mansions and evil relatives, How To Solve Your Own Murder is for you! #KristenPerrin #Howtosolveyourownmurder #Penguin

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Publication date: March 26, 2024

For fans of Agatha-Christie and the movie Clue, Kristen Perrin’s How to Solve Your own Murder is such a clever book!

Back in 1965, teenaged Frances Adams receives a prediction that she will one day be murdered. In an effort to protect herself, Frances spends her lifetime amassing information about the many people in the English village of Castle Knoll who might one day have a reason to kill her.

When it is discovered sixty years later that her great-aunt Francis has indeed been murdered, Annie Adams joins the race to solve the case—and the stakes are high.

Who claimed great-aunt Frances’ life, and what was their motive? Will Annie be able to keep Frances’ large estate from being sold off to developers?

Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Random House Group Dutton for allowing me the privilege of reading an E-ARC in return for my honest review of the book.

I'm iffy on this one. I thought the premise sounded cool definitely unique. I liked the vibes but...I don't know. I felt like it could've been better edited/fleshed out. Something wasn't quite hitting for me.

Kristen Perrin's "How To Solve Your Own Murder" masterfully blends classic murder mystery allure with a modern twist, presenting a rich tapestry of characters. Central to the story is Frances, Annie's intriguing great-aunt, who clings to a prophecy of her impending murder for decades. This fixation, born from an eerily accurate fortune teller's prediction, gradually unfolds as a chilling reality. The novel's dual timeline technique adds depth, enriching the storytelling by exploring characters' connections.

Refreshingly departing from the somber tone typical of the genre, Perrin infuses the tale with charm and light-heartedness. Amid suspense and intrigue, the narrative maintains an enjoyable and engaging atmosphere. The seamless fusion of classic elements and contemporary flair makes this murder mystery a captivating read for a wide audience.
"How To Solve Your Own Murder" surprises, entertains, and offers a fresh perspective on a classic genre, ensuring its place on mystery enthusiasts' must-read lists.

Thank you to Penguin Group and Net gallery for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

“How to Solve Your Own Murder” is a modern day, English cozy-mystery that combines the charm of a classic mystery novel and the twists of “Knives Out.”
As a teenager, Frances Adams receives a fortune predicting her own murder. She has spent her whole life gathering evidence to uncover the truth of how she will die. At the time of her death, her great-niece Annie and others from the quaint English village must solve this murder mystery using evidence from the past and present in order to receive their inheritance. I enjoyed the dual timeline; this sequence enhanced the storytelling. Meeting the quirky characters in the past and present timelines added to the intrigue of the puzzle solving. The concept of the victim being involved in solving the mystery was unique. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I recommend it for any mystery-lovers out there!

Thank you Penguin Group Dutton and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

This is such a fun, modern day murder mystery. It was easy to finish the book in just a couple days. The plot follows Annie in the present, while incorporating her Great Aunt’s diary from the 60s as she tries to solve her great aunts murder. The plot was engaging and moved along nicely. I was trying to solve the mystery right along with Annie but was still surprised! Annie’s character is very relatable and easy to root for. It had just the right amount of intrigue and excitement, combined with humor and a touch of romance. Definitely an enjoyable read!

Reminiscent of Anthony Horowitz, Perrin writes a double murder mystery with unusual twists and characters set in 1965 and present day, In 1965 Frances Adams is told by a fortune teller she would be murdered and has lived her entire life trying to understand and stop that outcome. In present day Frances has summoned Annie, the great niece she’s never met to talk about inheriting her estate. Annie is excited to be meeting her at last, but it’s too late, Frances has been murdered. To inherit the estate Annie, as well as other relatives, have seven days to solve her murder, but when Annie discovers France’s childhood friend was also murdered long ago, she realizes the two murders tie in together. A fun English mystery.

Agatha Christie-esque, intelligent, captivating; a small-town mystery that seizes your attention from the opening scene, introducing the relatable and easy-to-engage young protagonist, Annie Adams. The plot immediately intrigues with the tale of Annie's eccentric, wealthy great-aunt, Frances, who has spent nearly sixty years expecting her own murder, driven by a fortuneteller's prophecy that has eerily come true with each revelation.

This book beckons me to dive in without delay, promising an enthralling murder mystery and a challenging guessing game, all delivered with a riveting pace that leaves you breathless until the final pages, deserving of a solid 5-star rating.

At the outset, we're introduced to Annie Adams, a mystery author who recently left her day job. She receives an invitation from her estranged and eccentric great-aunt, Frances, a wealthy busybody with a fixation on solving her future murder before it occurs. Annie hesitates over the decision, but her curiosity wins out, and she heads to Castle Knoll, Frances' estate, to discuss recent changes to her will. It appears Annie is the newly designated heir, tied to the fortuneteller's enigmatic prediction: "but the daughters are the key to justice, find the right one and keep her close."

As Annie arrives at Castle Knoll and meets Frances' lawyer and old friend, Walter Gordon, along with his brusque and work-driven son, Oliver, and the dramatic, irritating Elva, the wife of Frances' late husband's niece Saxon, it becomes evident that a complex web of dysfunctional relationships is entwined with Frances. The narrative takes a twist when Frances is found lying lifeless on the floor. The question looms: Is it natural causes, or has someone finally fulfilled her long-held expectations of murder?

During the will reading, Annie learns that Frances may leave her entire estate to the person who uncovers the truth behind her impending murder. Competing with her are Saxon, determined to claim what he believes is rightfully his, and the charismatic Detective Crane, armed with experience and resources to solve the crime.

While she may appear the weakest link among her rivals, Annie's immediate connection to Frances through an old diary – revealing a complex friendship with Rose and Emily, including the unsolved mystery of Emily's vanishing – serves to activate her grey matter, propelling her to pursue justice for her great-aunt.

In the face of death threats, an escalating race against time, and mounting pressure to uncover the truth, Annie fights to protect her mother's home and Gravesdown Estate from developers, outmaneuvering Saxon's psychological games, and partnering with Detective Crane to exploit his resources. As tension mounts and danger escalates, Annie becomes entangled in a deadly race that imperils her own life.

Overall, this book is an unputdownable, clever, and twist-laden whodunit that unequivocally earns its 5 stars. The execution of the mystery is superb, and I found myself fully invested in each character's journey. I'm hopeful for sequels, intrigued by the prospect of more unopened diaries from great-aunt Frances. I eagerly anticipate more adventures with the promising amateur detective, Annie Adams.

A heartfelt thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for providing me with the digital reviewer copy of this exceptional book in exchange for my honest review.

How to Solve Your Own Murder is a tremendously enjoyable double murder mystery with a delightful cast of characters. It can't quite be called a cozy – there's at least one (non-explicit) sexual adventure and some swear words sprinkled in here and there – but it's pretty dang close. There are two timelines at play in this story, with the narrative switching back and forth between the present day (where Annie Adams is attempting to solve her Great-Aunt Frances's recent murder) and the 1960s (to Frances's teenage years when her close friend disappeared under mysterious circumstances). Flashbacks are a mixed bag for me and I don't always enjoy them, but in this case I actually found Frances's storyline slightly more entertaining than Annie's.

The characters in this novel were all mostly likable, which was refreshing. Even the bad guys were less evil-y than expected … well, except for the murdering, of course. I found the plot to be fairly plausible (at least as much as these types of things can be) and suspenseful, and I can honestly say that I had no idea who the murderers (both past and present-day) were until the big reveal. The setting is fantastic, as I'm a huge sucker for almost any book that involves an English manor house and this one is no exception.

I've had lots of time to read over the last 24 hours since I've had the house to myself (a rare luxury!), but it still says something that I finished this book in under a day. Annie isn't quite Hercule Poirot (my favorite literary detective of all time), but it was still an entertaining read with a novel storyline and charming characters.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Dutton for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review.