I love all these authors, but when they write together it’s extra special, Their latest collaboration has 3 writers attending a writer’s retreat at a castle in Scotland to draft their latest book. Kat de Noir writes erotica fiction, Cassie Pringle writes cozy mysteries, and Emma Endicott writes historical fiction, but all 3 have a beef with the leader of the retreat, the insufferable but wildly successful author Brett Saffron Presley. When the host of the event turns up dead, the ladies realize to save their necks, they need to put their differences aside and solve the murder rather than waiting on the local authorities to clear them from any part in it.

I really enjoyed this one from these authors. Much of the story is drawn upon their own experiences and books, so there are Easter eggs throughout the book for readers who are familiar with them. A light-hearted funny romp through Scotland with many bad sheep jokes thrown in, pick this one up for a delightful murder mystery with clever writing and fun characters. I was fortunate to meet these authors recently at their book tour for this one, and if you ever get a chance to see the 3 in person, I highly recommend. Together they are a force and so funny! Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC of this book; all opinions are my own. And I did purchase a copy of the final book too!

DNF. I liked the concept of this book, but I just couldn't get into it. It is also not at all like an Agatha Christie locked-room mystery.
The characters are irritating and are really just too much like caricatures of their personalities. I understand that this book is set in Scotland and the authors were trying to 'show' the accent in their writing, but adding twelve r's to a word just makes it unreadable. I've read so many other series set in Scotland who've incorporated the Scottish terms and made it work so much more. I rarely DNF, but I just couldn't keep going with this one.

This book was not for me. While I've enjoyed works by each of the authors on their own. The opening with the whole erotica element of the book just did not work for me.

3.5 stars

I was really excited for this book, but it really wasn't my vibe.

Usually I'm ok with multiple POVs, but this was a bit confusing to me. I also didn't really feel connected to any of the characters or the plot until like 60% of the way in. I think this book could have done with the reveal of the main connection between the three woman in the beginning - that would have grabbed my attention more.

The romance portion of the story was also a bit disappointing. It felt rushed and I couldn't root for any of the couples - and i love rooting for a couple to make it!

Overall, I did like the message of the book and not gonna lie, the last 20% was sooo action-packed and I was on the edge of my SEAT. However, this doesnt change the fact that I was kinda confused and bored 80% of the book 🫣

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this earc in exchange for my honest review!

The Author’s Guide to Murder by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, and Karen White offers a delightful blend of mystery and wit. I love that three authors wrote a book about three authors writing a book, and the collaborative storytelling delivers charming dialogue, immersing readers in its atmospheric setting. The plot, centered around three authors entwined in a murder investigation, is engaging and layered with clever twists.

I loved the setting of a castle in Scotland, and the quaint village it’s set in. Everyone knows everyone in this small town, until our three protagonists arrive from the US. I found all three ladies unlikeable and over the top. As the book progressed, they do get better though, but for the first half I found them rather insufferable.

The first half of the book is a slow burn, and I struggled to relate to the main characters. The second half almost felt like a different book as the characters become more likable and the pace picks up. I liked how the plot came together, and we see why these ladies were really there and each of their connections with the murder victim. I found the ending satisfying and enjoyed how it all came together in the end.

If you’re looking for a witty mystery set in a Scottish castle, with a little romance thrown in, then this is the book for you!

Thank you to the authors, Uplit Reads, William Morrow, and NetGalley for a gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 stars rounded up.

Such a fun read! Three authors travel to a remote Scottish island to research the book they plan to write about the historic murder in the island. Only shortly after they arrive, the current occupant of the historic castle is murdered, and our authors are among the suspects.

This is a fun locked room style mystery with lovely twists. A fun note is that it was written by 3 authors and flows seamlessly. The story is largely td through our authors' statements to the local police. The 3 female authors are well developed with engaging backstories. The mystery is complex and engaging. It unfolds beautifully!

I loved this book and would love to read more with these characters.

A quick, fun book that also approached some heavy topics (though not too close).

This was a fun read, with a very straight forward mystery. There were enough callbacks to popular mystery novels and tropes that made this fun for frequent readers of the genre. There were times that I felt like there were too many cooks in the kitchen with this one (such as a few one dimensional characters and dropped plot threads), but the writing was solid enough to create a binge worthy mystery. The three main characters were dynamic enough to be set apart from each other. The ending was a bit rushed, and there was some very forced "where-did-that-come-from" romances, but overall, a good mystery read.

The Author's Guide to Murder was a fine read. At times it was inconsistent (understandable given the three different authors) and can't be taken very seriously but a fun time nonetheless.

3.5 rounded down

Three (author) friends. On location in Scotland. Writing a book together. Add in some local flair, characters and a murder and you have An Author’s Guide To Murder.

Overall a fine book that started and ended strong. There were sections in the middle that drug a but and were more difficult to get through. However, still charming and interesting, too.

Advanced reader copy provided by William Morrow and NetGalley but all opinions are my own.

This was an amazing book. I knew this book was going to be up my alley, but I was not prepared for just how perfect this book is for me. It’s absolutely loaded with inside jokes about mystery publishing but it’s also a very solidly constructed mystery with a nice social justice layer to it. Highly recommended!

The Author's Guide to Murder is a charming and suspenseful mystery that blends historical fiction with a contemporary whodunit. Set at a writer’s retreat on Long Island, the story alternates between two timelines: one focused on a murder at the retreat and the other on a modern-day true-crime enthusiast determined to uncover the truth.

The book shines with its engaging characters and witty writing, offering a mix of suspense, literary references, and cozy mystery vibes. The pacing is quick, and the plot is filled with enough twists to keep readers guessing. Though not overly groundbreaking, the novel is a fun, lighthearted read perfect for fans of literary mysteries.

The Author’s Guide to Murder is an entertaining, often humorous read. Set in Scotland, it combines local flavor with an intriguing murder mystery.

Authors Kat, Cassie, and Emma travel to Castle Kinloch in Scotland to attend a writers’ retreat hosted by Brett Saffron Presley (often referred to as BSP). Their plan to join forces to write a book is temporarily derailed when BSP is murdered. Local law enforcement, in the person of DCI Macintosh, is faced with a number of suspects, including Kat, Cassie, and Emma. In attempting to clear their names, the writers soon discover that a wide variety of people had reason to want BSP dead. But who actually is the culprit?

Although this is billed as a “cozy” mystery, it seems to have strayed from true cozy territory. While there is a quaint village, a group of dedicated and amiable friends, and a murder that for the most part takes place off stage, the book has a lot more romance and sexual innuendo than the typical cozy. That said, the primary focus is the mystery, and it is a good one, with sufficient twists and turns to keep readers turning the pages. The ending solves the mystery, but with the added romance element feels as much like an HEA as the resolution of a mystery novel. If you like a good dose of romance with your mystery, this will definitely appeal.

Another thing that works really well is the use of the three separate narrators. Often, multiple narrators render each of them unreliable, but that is not the case here. Kat, Cassie, and Emma alternate chapters, bringing a fresh perspective to both the story and the evidence.

All told, The Author’s Guide to Murder is an enjoyable journey into the Scottish Highlands, told with mystery, romance and humor. I’m not sure if this will be made into a series, but if it were, I would read the next book.

Note: I received an ARC of The Author’s Guide to Murder from NetGalley and William Morrow. The above is my honest review.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this book. Unfortunately, I had to DNF. I have enjoyed Beatiz Williams books in the past, but this book did not hook my interest. I did not like the female characters, so I chose not to finish it.

The Author's Guide to Murder tells the story of 3 authors (Cassie, Emma and Kat), who venture to the tiny remote island of Kinloch for research for the book they are writing together called Fifty Shades of Plaid based on the story of Naughty Ned.

Cassie is a mother of six who is having marital problems, stress bakes and is a cozy murder mystery writer. Emma writes historical fiction, would describe her as a walking google and loves to fact check everything. Kat is an erotica writer and is a tough nut to crack.

I am going to be honest when I saw this book had 3 writers I was a bit concerned about the fluidity and that I might not enjoy it, however I was so wrong this book did flow and I loved each character and the way they were portrayed. I think the authors did a great job with the fine line between making the book light hearted and discussing heavy topics. I usually do not read about the authors but I made an exception this time as I wanted to know how they came about writing this book together and I loved part of the real story actually made it onto the book.

Overall, I found this book to be fun, even if towards the middle I thought it could be a bit shorter, however the story then picked up again. I am not going to lie I was a fan of the sheep humour and I also shred a tear or two while reading some chapters.

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first book I’ve read by Williams, Willig and White but I will definitely be going back to read their earlier books. I loved how this was a book by author friends about author friends. The book had a little bit of everything- romance, mystery, humor, suspense. It was such a delight to read!

e-ARC from NetGalley.
Three best friends attend a writing retreat in the hopes of writing a book together. Only the host of the retreat is murdered, and the women aren't actually friends, and they all had a reason to want him dead.

As an exploration of feminine rage, this novel excelled. We follow three very different protagonists - sexpot Kat, avid historian Emma, and motherly Cassie - and discover that, despite their differences, they have rather more in common than what might expect: including the desire for revenge and the fear of one predatory man.

This story had a strong focus on misogyny and sexual violence - explored in both the past and present. Historically, the site of this retreat had been home to a cruel laird who took pleasure in the torturous "deflowering" of brides-to-be with the use of myriad devices and the participation of his friends. Until he was murdered by an unknown individual, thus ending his reign of terror. Drawn to the dark history and his desire to celebrate - even repeat - it, the host of the retreat was equally predatory: preying upon aspiring authors to fulfill his twisted sexual fantasies.

While the novel seemed to stretch certain aspects rather longer than necessary, it's impossible to deny its fullness of heart. The almost rallying cry for justice as echoed by those who hear its call. The reminder that none of this is normal. The victim is never at fault. Normal people don't do that.

And the ending. Over the top. Borderline hilarious at times. Producing reveal after reveal and twist after twist. Each discovery more satisfying than the last, undoing everything you'd structured around the previous circumstance and culprit, until the way it happened didn't matter anymore, everyone was just glad he was dead.

And, despite it all? At its heart, this is a cozy mystery.

I had no idea what to expect when i started this book. I enjoyed the murder mystery aspect. A lot of the plot twists were not surprising but very entertaining. I enjoyed watching each of the girls grow and come to terms with what appended in their past. I also enjoyed how the friendship slowly grew.

The Author's Guide to Murder is an intriguing blend of gothic atmosphere, literary satire, and classic whodunit. Set in Scotland, the book starts off with the murder of author "superstar" Brett Saffron Presley in his own castle. The setting of the castle on an island adds a wonderfully spooky backdrop to the drama.

Detective Chief Inspector Euan McIntosh, a no-nonsense local with a disdain for literary Americans, is tasked with unraveling the mystery. The prime suspects are 3 American authors: Kat de Noir, the sultry writer; Cassie Pringle, the Southern mom and mystery author; and Emma Endicott, the buttoned up New Englander known for her historical fiction. Their conflicting stories and suspicious behavior keep the reader guessing about their true motives and connections to the victim.

The book offers humorous commentary on the quirks and rivalries among writers. The dynamic between the three authors is particularly engaging, showcasing unexpected friendships and tensions. Overall it's a fun read, good for fans of silly murder mysteries. The ending was a bit contrived, but it was a good read nonetheless.

🖊️ The Author’s Guide to Murder - Lauren Willig, Beatriz Williams, Karen White

3 ⭐️ - Ugh I wanted to like this more. I’m a huge fan of this trio, I’m a fan of murder mysteries, and it has one of my favorite audiobook narrators, but unfortunately this just didn’t do it for me. I *liked* the storyline, I liked the multiple POVs and I liked how it was a book about 3 authors by 3 authors. It was just SO long. It definitely could have been cut down. I found my mind wandering and not quite caring what I missed. WHICH made me sad, because again, I love this trio.

I think it’s worth a try if you like these three, and hey, you may like it more than I did. I may not have been in the right mindset for this but meh.

If you love a good locked room mystery, this is definitely one to check out. While it certainly has great elements of mystery and suspense, it's also quite funny and had me laughing out loud at parts.

I love when these three authors team up. Each of them are phenomenal writers on their own, and when they write together, it's an absolute powerhouse of a combination.

I recommend adding #TheAuthorsGuideToMurder to your TBR list!
Thank you William Morrow, NetGalley, and UpLit Reads for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.