The Author’s Guide to Murder was such a fun book. Three authors decide to write a book together in Scotland when someone is murdered in the castle. It gave me Agatha Christie vibes and made me laugh so many times. Definitely worth a read.

I was so excited to get this novel I have been seeing this everywhere. This book will keep you hooked and reading until the every end!

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for my ARC!

This was a fun, light mystery set in a Scottish castle. Unfortunately, it just wasn't the book for me. The women characters were caricatures of common female stereotypes - and while I think this was intended to be tongue and cheek, it just became irritating to me.

I never read synopsis if I can help it, so with a new book from my favorite trio I trusted my previous experience. Imagine my surprise to find a hysterical contemporary whodonit instead of a multi generation saga. Still loved it, had to readjust my expectations lol.

I want to thank Netgalley and the authors for gifting me the ebook! I was so happy to see these three wonderful authors have gotten back together and wrote another book together! I really really enjoyed this book a lot! I think it was different story from them and I loved every single word of it! I laughed out loud parts and I loved the mystery about it. It was more lighthearted than some of the other books they have written together. If you like cozy murder mystery type story plots you will like this book a lot! Highly recommend.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and William Morrow Books for the ARC and letting me get a chance to read this before it releases in November!

This was a fun mystery that made me laugh out loud and honestly kept me guessing about whodunnit the whole way through. I personally loved the three main characters—female authors working together on a book. Their growth and depth and relational dynamic was really fun to see—almost more than the mystery aspect of this one! Plus put it all in a Scottish Highlander setting with lairds and castles and all the plaid…and you can’t go wrong!

I will say the first two thirds are a little slower and took me longer to get through than normal, but the last third flew by so fast I could barely keep things straight. Less Agatha Christie and more Murder she wrote for sure! It’s a cozy little mystery that’s perfect for fall! It’s satire-ish and funny and fun all rolled into one.

Kinloch, Scotland - Present Day

Literary giant Brett Saffron Presley has leased Kinloch Castle, located on a remote island off the Scottish mainland, presumably to use as a writing retreat for authors. Presumably because not everyone is aware of what his actual reasons are for this isolated location. But when Presley is found murdered under weird circumstances, Detective Chief Inspector Euan MacIntosh has his work cut out for him.

Three American women authors have booked a week's visit to Kinloch Castle to work with the well known author. They have told everyone at the castle that they're "best friends" planning to write a book together, but that's kind of stretching the truth a bit. Each of them has their own reason for attending this retreat, and it isn't necessarily anything to do with writing.

Cassie Pringle, mother of six, writes a series of cozy mysteries. She and her husband have been struggling recently, and she wants to rectify that situation. Kat de Noir writes sexy novels, and she'd like to research some of the Castle's lurid history. Then there is Emma Endicott from an old New England family. Emma writes historical novels, and she would like to find more information about their illusive host.

With the discovery of Presley's body, DCI MacIntosh only has a few suspects, and the American women keep showing him in odd ways that they might qualify! Questioning them is almost an exercise in futility, and he is beginning to get mighty frustrated. The castle staff, consisting of Calum, who seems to do everything, including playing the bagpipes, and Morag, the elderly "housekeeper" who runs the household mostly by herself can't be ruled out. Could either of them have wanted Presley out of the way? And then there is the estate manager, Archie, but he could hardly want to kill Presley, could he?

THE AUTHOR'S GUIDE TO MURDER is an often hilarious, yet sometimes poignant tale, and is filled with characters who may or may not have a reason to be rid of Brett Saffron Presley. The combination of the three authors who wrote this book and the three authors portrayed in it makes for a fun, no-holds-barred novel. Be prepared to be confused about the reasons Cassie, Kat, and Emma are in Kinloch until well into the book, but do enjoy the trip to get there!

The Author's Guide to Murder is a book about three authors, written by three authors set in a gloomy gothic castle in Scotland where another author who is leasing the castle for writing retreats turns up dead.

Yes, the story was just as convoluted as that sentence suggests 😅

If I hadn't read an ARC, I probably would have DNF'd after Part 1.

The characters are caricatures of female personas typically written by male authors (insert all the ridiculous descriptions men like to use to describe heroines). Clearly, this book was meant to be satirical, but the tongue and cheek got to be exhausting, especially since nothing happens in the plot until 50-60% of the story is finished.

To be fair, the conclusion was quite good. The pace picks up considerably, and lots of secrets are revealed. The last 100 pages flew by. There were several unexpected twists that remind the reader that this is, in fact, a mystery book. So, all in all, The Author's Guide to Murder was worth finishing.

📚 Writing Style 3/5
📚 Character Development 2.5/5
📚 Plot 3/5
📚 Readability 3/5
📚 Gut Rating 3/5

The best part about this book was the setting. If you want a story set in a small Scottish village at a historic castle, The Author's Guide to Murder certainly fits the bill. But if you are looking for a locked-room (ish) mystery featuring amateur detectives, there are better options.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Such a good read! Absolutely recommend this one.
Many thanks to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for my ARC!

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC! Three authors, Cassie, Emma and Kat, embark on a Scottish wrtier's retreat, marketing themselves as literary besties looking to write a book together. However their true connection lies in the retreat's host and literary superstar, Brett Saffron Presley. When Presley turns up dead, the trio turn into the top suspects. Blending a whodunit mystery with romance with a touch of social commentary, The Author's Guide to Murder is a perfect read for those looking for a little satire with their crime.

A rollicking good romp through the Scottish highlands with a group of authors bent on revenge....although we don't know that at first. Kat, Cassie and Emma are besties who decide to attend a writers conference at a castle. Or are they? With sexy Scottish lairds, and horny royal ancestors, Kat, Cassie and Emma attempt to solve the murder of a man so hated that just about anyone could be a suspect, including themselves. Toss in a few sheep jokes and a tad of pathos and you have a really funny and entertaining read. And how could it not be? Written by three amazing authors and you get all of their talent in one book! Don't miss this one!

When a trio of author’s decide to write a book set in Scotland, they obviously need to visit the countryside for research. The women visit a castle where a renowned writer holds a retreat and all become suspects when he dies under mysterious circumstances. As the investigation proceeds, each of their motives come to light. As the DCI on the case is determined pin the murder on one or more of them, the women take it upon themselves to run their own investigation in order to find the real killer. Filled with intrigue and a bit of romance, ‘The Author’s Guide to Murder’ is a page turner and fun whodunnit.

The Author's Guide to Murder is sold as a locked room mystery, a twist on Agatha Christie and Murder She Wrote, but for me that wasn't quite my impression. As with previous Team W books, we have three main characters, who narrate in alternating chapters. All three main characters are authors, on a research/girl's trip to a castle in Scotland, but all is certainly not as it seems. Cassie Pringle is a mom of 6, happily married, and author of cozy mysteries. Emma Endicott is a New England blue blood from a well-heeled but impoverished family who primarily writes well researched historical fiction. Kat de Noir is an author of erotic romance, and purported expert in all things sex. When the lease holder for the castle, Brett Saffron Presley turns up dead, all three women are the prime suspects, and the book revolves around their attempts to clear their names.
For anyone who has read the previous books from Team W, this is very different stylistically, and I could tell all three authors were having a bit of fun. For me, as I mentioned, this didn't really live up to the expectations of locked room Agatha Christie mystery, but it was still good fun, with a nice mystery that kept me guessing through most of the book. All is certainly not as it seems in the town, and with the authors who are friends, or are they?
Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for the electronic ARC of this novel for review.

I really wanted to like this one, but just could not get into it... The characters were fairly ridiculous. This may have been intentional - there is a fair bit of snark here, after all - but I found it irritating rather than funny. They talked like tweens in adult bodies so often, and I found it weird. I do not know any adults who refer to their friends as "besties" or "BFFs" - that's language my 11 year old uses, and even then semi-ironically half the time. That was bizarre considering the references to sex and romance, which felt very adult. It all felt cobbled together. I don't know if this is a result of the three authors or what, but it just didn't work for me. Add in a not-very-accurate description of a locked room mystery, which had me waiting for the actual mystery (which never really arrived, at least not in the traditional locked room way), and the result felt like a hodgepodge that I lost interest in fairly quickly. I'm in the minority in my opinions here, but I just never connected to this one.

I was really hoping for the advertised “locked room Agatha Christie murder mystery” but never really got it. This book was a murder mystery set in the Scottish Highlands but definitely not quite as billed. The three women writers who happened into this story and murder, honestly were not super likable to me but the detective and side characters were a bit better. It just felt a little scattered and I had a hard time keeping myself engaged into the story.

Such a great read! Highly recommend this one.

Many thanks to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

I was already a big fan of Ms. Williams work, which is what drew me to this book, along with the setting and the mystery angle. I thought this was a very clever twist on my favorite genre and I love the parallel of the three authors in real life and three authors in the book. The story was fast-paced without being confusing; I thought the use of the three narrators' perspectives was very well done, whereas I am not always the biggest fan of that style. I loved the juxtaposition of the American authors and the rural Scottish setting. I hope they consider writing more novels together!

**Review of *The Author's Guide to Murder* by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, and Karen White**

*The Author's Guide to Murder* is a delightful and clever romp through the world of literary glamor and intrigue, set against the moody backdrop of Castle Kinloch in the Scottish Highlands. This collaborative effort by bestselling authors Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, and Karen White spins a locked-room mystery that is as engaging as it is entertaining.

The plot revolves around the murder of Brett Saffron Presley, a flamboyant literary figure found dead under peculiar circumstances in his own castle. The setting—a gothic castle turned literary showcase—adds a delicious layer of atmosphere to the narrative. Detective Chief Inspector Euan McIntosh, with his gruff demeanor and skepticism of American authors, provides a refreshing counterpoint to the three intriguing prime suspects: Kat de Noir, a sultry erotica writer; Cassie Pringle, a Southern cozy mystery author; and Emma Endicott, a refined historical fiction novelist.

The authors skillfully blend satire and mystery, offering a pointed commentary on the literary world while unraveling a gripping whodunit. The interactions between the three suspects are fraught with tension and humor, revealing the complex dynamics of their seemingly amicable collaboration. As McIntosh delves into their backstories and motives, the layers of deception peel away, leading to a satisfyingly twisty conclusion.

What truly shines in this novel is the interplay between the characters and the deftly crafted mystery. The authors’ shared voice creates a seamless narrative, and their exploration of friendship, rivalry, and romance within the literary community adds depth to the story.

In summary, *The Author's Guide to Murder* is a witty and engaging mystery that will captivate readers with its sharp satire and well-drawn characters. It's a must-read for fans of literary fiction and cozy mysteries alike, offering both a charming setting and a compelling puzzle to solve.

The Author's Guide to Murder by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, and Karen White is such an amazing and hilarious story that I ABSOLUTELY LOVED!

When three American authors travel to a Scottish Island to write a book together, it's all tropes and puns until the owner of the castle they are staying dies. The detective investigating doesn't really see how the three stories are adding up.

This is such a fun book, from the crazy antics to the descriptions of the Scottish landscape.

What I would describe a cozy mystery with TONS of satire and tropes, this is a fantastic story I absolutely LOVED!

Rating: 🌕🌕🌕🌗
Genre: Mystery
Violence: 🪓
Spice: 🔥
TW: Discussion of sexual assault (off pg), Abandonment

Synopsis: 3 American writers/besties retreat to a Scottish island to co-write a book. When the owner & fellow writer dies, the detective finds their stories don’t add up.

Thoughts: The writers bill this as a satire with lots of tropes & puns. So prepare for silliness & suspension of disbelief. But also expect descriptions of the island & its castle that evoke the wintry setting in the imagination. I found continuity issues with both content—snow is a plot point until it conflicts with narrative—and writing, which lacks seamlessness. The 2nd half is stronger in this regard but creates a disconnect. For example, DCI MacIntosh bumbles through the interview transcripts but shows finesse in his later interrogations. The MCs, as well as some supporting characters, read as caricatures in the 1st half, leaning hard into stereotypes. Perhaps this is intentional, & the character arcs for the 3 leads do make them more realistic by the end. I did enjoy their professional & personal resolutions and found it believable a lasting bond evolves from shared trauma. I also liked the mystery’s unexpected solution. In reviewing the narrative, I’m not convinced this ending plays fair with the reader. But the twist surprised me, something I always appreciate in a mystery. Though a little long, this is a good read for someone looking for a light, cozy mystery that gives the brain a break.