Authors Kat de Noir, Cassie Pringle, and Emma Endicott all had their own reasons for not wanting to hear Brett Saffron Presley's keynote address at Bouchercon. Which is why the bar was the place to be for those not worshiping at the altar of the "great man." The three authors walked into the bar and became besties at first sight. Besties with plans to concoct for their future collaboration, Fifty Shades of Plaid! At first it was a joke, a way to write, tour, and more importantly, drink together, with their publisher picking up the tab. And at first their shared editor, Rachelle Cohen, laughed off the suggestion, but she wasn't laughing a month later when they brought her a real book proposal. Which is how Kat, Cassie, and Emma end up at Brett Saffron Presley's Scottish castle. Years ago he rented Castle Kinloch from it's destitute heir and turned it into an overpriced writer's retreat where he could indulge his womanizing ways with the nubile young authors who were desperate for a leg up. Thankfully that descriptor fits none of the three collaborators. The trio are more interested in Naughty Ned than Badly Behaved Brett. Naughty Ned was the laird of Kinloch Island. Known for his sexual depravity and orgies, he was poisoned during a house party in 1900 and his murder was never solved. And this lewd laird is the perfect inspiration for Fifty Shades of Plaid. Though that might prove to be problematic as the locals don't like to talk about Naughty Ned. His murder is the most notorious thing to happen on the island until Brett Saffron Presley is found dead the night of the ceilidh. His body is bound in strategic strips of black leather, surrounded by erotic tapestries, and pseudomedieval accouterments in the castle's tower. The three female American writers staying at the castle soon become the prime suspects. But why could they possibly want Brett Saffron Presley dead? They're best friends, they're there to write... Or are they? Because at that Bouchercon over a year ago Brett Saffron Presley announced his new book, a "graphic and no-holds-barred memoir of his life as the most innovative and controversial writer of his generation" and all three women have had previous run-ins with him. Emma, when she and Brett were a couple, Kat when she was an up-and-coming author at Yaddo, and Cassie at the 2019 CrimeLovers Convention in New York City. But what happened between them and Brett Saffron Presley for them to fake friendship in order to exact revenge and possibly murder? How bad could it be?

Team W is known for their historical fiction. Intertwining narratives linking past and present. So, coming out with what basically amounts to a murderous roman à clef set in the present doesn't feel logical. Some might say that The Author's Guide to Murder doesn't feel like a Team W book at all. Counterpoint, it's the most Team W book EVER. They mine themselves and their shared history to create a meta melange where you're not sure what's real and what's not. Because them bonding in a bar and deciding to collaborate on a book called Fifty Shades of Plaid? That is one hundred percent true. As was their desire for their publisher to foot the bar bill. And all the sheep jokes. The thing is, usually an author's book isn't them unless it's a memoir. Who they are and what they write are totally separate things. But if you've ever been lucky enough to see Lauren, Beatriz, and Karen interact, to see them promoting a book, well, this book is them distilled down and then amplified. This is the Team W people clamor for on their book tours and yet so many reviews bemoan that this isn't what they wanted. What!?! This IS them. This is the pantomime version of them that then reveals a darker truth about the publishing industry. What I admire most about this book is that you really have to trust your fellow author, really be the best of friends, in order to do these caricatures of each other that aren't always the most flattering. I honestly don't think I could be this vulnerable and raw with another person let alone have it published, but that's the bond of this team. What's more, it's obvious that each character is one of the authors but that another of the authors wrote them. Kat is Karen, Cassie is Beatriz, and Emma is Lauren. Well, to a certain extent. But I can tell it's obviously Lauren writing Kat, so it's this fun tag team effort of exposing and making fun of each other that, if you know enough about them, just adds a whole level of fun to the book. And somehow this book is fun. It's dealing with three women who were the victims of one man and yet it's empowering and cathartic. When male authors have always been treated with more respect than their female counterparts and their indiscretions ignored it's nice to have women reclaiming the narrative. Especially when there's the predators out there, like Neil Gaiman, who need to be held to account. Here's to amusement and accountability!

The Author’s Guide to Murder is a clever mix of mystery and satire with a fun premise—a crime writer caught up in a real-life whodunit. The story starts strong, with witty dialogue and a quirky cast of characters that made for some entertaining moments. However, the plot loses steam midway, and the mystery’s resolution felt a bit rushed and underwhelming. It’s a decent, light read with plenty of bookish charm, but it didn’t quite deliver the suspense or twisty payoff I was hoping for. Enjoyable, but not unforgettable.

SPOILER ALERT.
What a great read. Three authors get together to write one book. Sound familiar? This book is a hoot, funny, insightful, sarcastic and laugh out loud. Three authors from different genre go on a writer's retreat to the Kinloch castle in Scotland. What we don't know (at the beginning) is their personal ties to the host Brett Presley. Then comes the murder of the host. At times slapstick, other times serious, it's a romp through Scotland by three Americans and all the puns and references, even to Outlander. The characters are clearly defined, Kat the sexy dresser and author, Cassie the writer of cozy cat murder novels and Emma a historical fiction novelist. They immerse themselves into the castle history and the village where they are staying. There are twists in trying to solve the murder of Mr. Presley. Don't worry, all the loose ends are tied up at the end.

I really, really wanted to like this book -- the cozy Scottish whodunnit setting, the unique triad POV that's also like the authors' gameplan -- it all sounded interesting to me. But everything just moved so slowly... I thought the whodunnit would move a bit faster, but only the short police interviews felt like they were moving the plot along. Everything else in between felt like the story was on pause at times. I did like how unique each character was and how each chapter flowed together despite there being multiple authors. There was no disjointed writing. For that alone I give it a few stars, but unfortunately I don't have much else great to say because I found it to be overall a slow, anticlimactic ride.

This was a clever collaboration. A book by three authors... about three authors who are writing a book together! Enjoyable read.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the digital review copy of this title.

Thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc of this one in exchange for an honest review!

Unfortunately, this book was not for me. I was honestly just bored. The characters lack depth and the plot was ridiculous.

I hope others love this one.

This was our #winingdownbookclub pick for January and we received the book from @bookclubgirl!

I had high hopes for this book since I loved all of these authors and it’s a departure from their usual style. I liked the three POVs of the different writers within the book and I especially loved the Scottish manor setting. It had a lot of humorous parts and I did enjoy the way that we find out that they aren’t really friends at all, but they grow into the friendship by the end.

This book's premise had a lot to offer: A little romance, a little mystery and a great setting in a Scottish Castle with three authors. However, I struggled with the cadence of the book - I thought having three authors write would be interesting and it was but it was also jarring as their voices were very distinct.

There were some funny moments, but the predictable characters and the disjoined pace made me enjoy it less than I thought I would

Thank you, Net Galley and William Morrow, for the ARC of this book

I had the hardest time finishing this book — not sure if it was a reading slump or just the way in which it was written. I loved how each of the 3 main characters got their own chapter and insight into their minds and the clever way the book began with the detective interviews. However, as I began reading more and more, the rest of the narrative fell flat for me. The collaboration was very ambitious, but at times, I couldn’t quite relate or keep up with the plot. I may give it another chance down the line!

Special thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

The Author's Guide to Murder by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, and Karen White is a delightful and suspenseful read that brings together mystery, charm, and a dash of humor in a story that will keep readers hooked. The collaboration of these three talented authors creates a wonderfully layered narrative filled with intrigue, wit, and an unforgettable cast of characters.

Set against the backdrop of the world of historical fiction authors, the story follows a group of writers who find themselves entangled in a real-life murder mystery. The pacing is quick, with plenty of twists and turns, making for an engaging and entertaining ride. The dynamic between the characters—each with their own quirks and personalities—adds heart to the plot, making it as much about friendship and personal growth as it is about solving the mystery.

While the story is fun and easy to read, some may find the mystery a bit predictable at times. However, the charm and camaraderie among the characters more than make up for this, and the overall narrative remains thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish.

The Author's Guide to Murder is perfect for fans of cozy mysteries with a historical twist and those who enjoy reading about writers navigating both the ups and downs of their careers and lives. It’s a perfect blend of suspense, humor, and heart, and it’s a must-read for fans of Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, and Karen White.

I love this group of authors! I think this present-day mystery is a good mix-up of what they usually write. And the meta aspect of the three authors/"besties"-turned-besties camaraderie was so much fun!

The mystery aspect is a little trite-- you only get the partial story of each of the three narrators, which is kind of annoying. And there is lots of false "I've figured it out!" moments that feel a little old-school detective bluster-- not something I expect from this group of authors. But, overall, I enjoyed this story!

I love Beatriz Williams which is what brought my attention to this book. I found this to be a cozy and delightful mystery. I adored the setting of Scotland! It was also quite humorous which I always enjoy in a murder mystery story for levity.

This book is too long!! I stopped caring and skimmed the last 25% of the book. Even the Epilogue was too long and went on too many tangents.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC for an honest review.

I am a longtime fan of all three authors, especially when they collaborate, and this was no exception! This playful satire of the publishing industry is full of quirky characters and set in a Scottish castle, what more could you want!

SYNOPSIS:

There’s been a sensational murder at historic Castle Kinloch, a gothic fantasy of grey granite on a remote island in the Highlands of Scotland. Literary superstar Brett Saffron Presley has been found dead—under bizarre circumstances—in the castle tower’s book-lined study. Years ago, Presley purchased the castle as a showpiece for his brand and to lure paying guests with a taste for writerly glamour. Now it seems, the castle has done him in…or, possibly, one of the castle’s guests has. Detective Chief Inspector Euan McIntosh, a local with no love for literary Americans, finds himself with the unenviable task of extracting statements from three American lady novelists.

The prime suspects are Kat de Noir, a slinky erotica writer; Cassie Pringle, a Southern mom of six juggling multiple cozy mystery series; and Emma Endicott, a New England blue blood and author of critically acclaimed historical fiction. The women claim to be best friends writing a book together, but the authors’ stories about how they know Brett Saffron Presley don’t quite line up, and the detective is getting increasingly suspicious.

Why did the authors really come to Castle Kinloch? And what really happened the night of the great Kinloch ceilidh, when Brett Saffron Presley skipped the folk dancing for a rendezvous with death?

Thank you to Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, Karen White, and William Morrow for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

Very fun! Lots of laughs! A good mystery too! I enjoyed the characters and look forward to a new adventure with them. It was a real page turner and a quick read!

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of The Authors Guide to Murder by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig and Karen White!

I love all 3 of these authors and their individual books but their collaborations are always great great reads!!!

This one is a little different from their previous collabs and I thoroughly enjoyed this story. 3 writers go to a writer's retreat in Scotland to work on their latest novels. When the leader of the retreat (that nobody likes) turns up dead the 3 writers work together to solve the murder.

Great great read!!!

This wasn’t a winner for me. The story lines felt forced, a little far fetched and jumbled. I was so excited to read a collaboration with Beatriz Williams but this fell flat to me!

This book had a really fun premise and the execution was also fun. It was almost too fun at times. It worked best when I read it as a satire. I never really felt connected to the characters or the plot, but the book was still entertaining. It's a decent read if you're looking for something like that.

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

Murder, mischief and a castle full of secrets — what could go wrong? “The Author’s Guide to Murder” (William Morrow, $30) by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig and Karen White is a delightful blend of cozy mystery and literary satire, where three very different authors retreat to a Scottish castle for a writing getaway, only to find themselves entangled in a real-life whodunit when a literary superstar turns up dead.

With secret passageways, scandalous pasts and a grumpy detective who’d rather be anywhere else, this locked-room mystery is as witty as it is twisty. Packed with snark, suspense and just the right amount of plaid, grab a cuppa and enjoy the chaos​ of this charming crime fiction with a bite.