Who doesn't love a great locked door (house) mystery on the cusp of Christmas, especially at a stranger's house with their weird family?

I first read Ally Carter's Blonde Identity and fell in love with her writing style and her humor. Though this is not an accidental spy novel, this is more of an accidental mystery solving adventure and I am here for it.

Imagine you were invited to the house of Agatha Christie for Christmas. Well Maggie has just received a mysterious invitation to her "biggest fan's" for the holidays and even though her author rival, Ethan Wyatt, is also invited, her jaw drops when she realizes it's HER favorite author, Eleanor Ashley. However, Eleanor vanishes in a locked door situation and Maggie feels it is a "test" to see who may be able to take up the mantle of Eleanor Ashley if she retires from the writing world.

This book is so fun and there are so many quirky characters. I am not sure I am completely sold on the rivals to lovers trope because it is really over done (for my personal taste) but, it's pretty cute since Ethan seems kind of smitten and Maggie is hell bent for a good portion of the book on holding her grudge.

Ally Carter has given us the perfect locked room mystery inside a rom-com. You are going to love this one! Highly recommended for all readers. #TheMostWinderfulCriimeOfTheYear #NetGalley #SaltMarshAuthorSeries

What a fun read!! I loved the blend of cozy mystery, whodunnit, rivals to lovers.

While I liked The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year overall, I had a hard time connecting to Maggie or Ethan. Neither of them were honest with the other or themselves, and it was just hard to like either one.

I think I would’ve liked this better as an audiobook!

What can I say? I honestly found this absolutely delightful- a mix of many different elements I love and all that I loved about Ally Carter’s YA books but for adults 😊🩵

The book is at once a holiday read and a cozy, who dun-nit mystery and an enemies to lovers romance.

Two rival-ish American mystery authors are extended a mysterious invitation for the holidays, that turns out to be a stay at an old English mansion- home to one of the most well known mystery writers in the business, Eleanor Ashley. It appears they’ve been invited to ring in the holidays with Ms Ashley and a odd group of her family, friends, and acquaintances - until Eleanor disappears from a locked room and murderous intent seems to be around each corner…

This was such a fun story, I loved the dual pov and short chapters. It made the pacing of the story feel quick and kept me flipping the pages eager to unravel the mystery and the who’s right along with our mains. I enjoyed both mains and the nice pacing of the story. I adore a cozy mystery and add in a good romance and I was just so happy. I don’t want give anything away but I was personally quite pleased with the solve and the ending.

This is my kind of holiday romance read and I only wish there were more like it. I honestly can’t wait to see what Ms Carter writes next and can only hope we get another of this type from her in the near future. 😊

For fans of Ally Carter (obviously), Knives Out and The Inheritance Games type watches / reads.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Harper Voyager for the opportunity to read an early copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own and freely offered.

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year was a delightful blend of romance and mystery that actually did kind of give Knives Out vibes as advertised. At least in terms of an eclectic mix of characters. I read the first quarter of this book in one go and was absolutely obsessed with it and in the end, I did still really enjoy it! Let me tell you a bit more about it.

Maggie is recently (a year) divorced and her ex-husband left her for her (ex) best friend. Absolutely wretched. Anyway, she is persuaded to go on this trip to England at the behest of her "biggest fan" (Maggie is a mystery author) and who should also be invited along? Her arch-nemesis, Ethan. The dynamic between the two of them is utterly delightful and I enjoyed the book so very much. Ultimately, for me, the hijinks in the book both worked well for me and at the same time, took me out of the story a bit. I think this is a book to reread when I can devour it again in one sitting.

That said, Ally Carter's writing and plotting is pretty much always a win for me so it was nice to return to her style of writing and engage with it. I look forward to more from Carter in the future!

Thank you to HarperCollins Publishers for the ARC. I kept this one on the shelf for a while because the cover put me off. Boy was I wrong. Once I started, I couldn't put it down.

Maggie and nemesis Ethan are both invited to a secret Christmas getaway that happens to be at her favorite authors home, Mistletoe Mansion. When they arrive at the home, there's a handful of other guests (and 4 children) all with motive to want the famous author, Eleanor Ashley, dead.

Maggie and Ethan team up to find who is trying to murder Eleanor and fall in love along the way.

Definitely grab this one as soon as you can. It was amazing.

#TheMostWonderfulCrimeoftheYear #NetGalley

This book was a total blast. I love a rival to lovers story and this one really hit. Maggie and Ethan had sizzling chemistry out of the gate with excellent banter. I loved getting flashes back to previous interactions that they had leading up to their current relationship. The dual POV was handled really well. I enjoyed that we did not start getting Ethan's pot until the middle of the book. I loved the snowy English countryside setting. The mystery was top notch. There are ample suspects and an interesting house with hidden passages. The story was fast paced and kept me on the edge of my seat. I have already preordered the audiobook because I am so excited to do a reread. I have hopes that this might be a series because I would love to get more of these two solving mysteries together. I have never been let down by an Ally Carter book and can't wait to see what she comes out with next.

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I had the pleasure of reading The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year. If you’re into murder mysteries with a holiday twist, you’ll enjoy this book. It gives off the vibes of Knives Out, Murder Mystery on Netflix, and the popular board game Clue. This was my first holiday mystery read and I could not put it down! Every plot twist had me running to the next chapter. Maggie and Ethan are rival authors who are stuck solving a mystery together during Christmas. They had such great chemistry and confidence in each other. Maggie is a strong woman who realized her past doesn’t define who she is. Ethan is the epitome of a green flag, always caring and protecting Maggie. Each character was well written, I enjoyed diving into the pasts of Maggie and Ethan. It allowed us as the readers to recognize what they went through and who they are in the present day. This book includes enemies to lovers, dual POV, crime/mystery, banter/flirting.

Honestly this is probably the most fun I have had while reading a book in a long time. We're introduced to our rival mystery writers, Maggie Chase, known for her cozy mysteries and recent divorce, where her entitled husband left her for her best friend, and Ethan Wyatt, a handsome and popular thriller writer. The two have a history together, with Ethan consistently calling her Marcie and Maggie consistently hating Ethan. But now they've been mysteriously invited to the English home of Eleanor Ashley, the most popular crime writer ever, and Maggie's writing idol.

But before you know it: Eleanor's disappeared from a locked room, someone's been poisoned, gunshots have been fired, and what looked like an amazing opportunity to meet Eleanor has turned into a desperate attempt to just stay alive. Or, is it a test concocted by crafty Eleanor herself? Carter gives us a wickedly fun locked room mystery with a twist: it's being solved by rival mystery writers who just might be going from rivals to lovers.

I loved how the romance bloomed between Ethan and Maggie. They are afraid of coming clean about their feelings, hiding behind harsh banter (from Maggie’s side) and flirty teasing (from Ethan’s coping mechanism). I loved how they teamed up to solve the mystery of the missing author and the perpetrator who threatens Maggie's life. The banter between Ethan and Maggie is absolutely hilarious. I caught myself numerous times giggling out loud over the conversations they would have.

I highly recommend if you want a holiday read that feels like you are reading a game of Clue. I gave this book 4.5 stars.

Work-place rivals, Maggie and Ethan, are invited to celebrate Christmas with another famous author who just happens to go missing. The pair team up to solve the locked room mystery and get closer to each other in the meantime. This book was such a delight! It was a fast read that kept me guessing.

Maggie Chase has had a rough year following her husband cheating on her with her best friend. When her publisher gives her an anonymous invite to a holiday get-away, she decides to go. Unfortunately, she doesn't realize her arch nemesis Ethan Wyatt, another writer at her publishing house, was also invited. To Maggie's surprise, the invite is to her favorite author, Eleanor Ashley's mansion in England. However, after their first night there, Eleanor disappears from her locked writing room. Maggie at first thinks it is some kind of competition, but also wonders if Eleanor is in danger due to recent events at her estate. Maggie knows she must follow the clues left behind to figure out what has been going on at the mansion, Ethan tagging along the whole time. As they get close to the final answer, the heat between Ethan and Maggie starts to increase, and not due to the animosity between them.

I really enjoyed this book - the fact that it has a mystery to solve and is also goofy and comedic at the same time. I was a little curious about the Christmas theme, but there was the perfect amount to not put it over the top. I'm so used to reading thrillers, I forgot how enjoyable the who-done-it/Agatha Christie type stories can be to read. This story had me thinking one second and then laughing out loud the next. The characters were likeable and well written. I am so glad that I saw people positively reviewing this on Bookstagram and that I was approve to review! I would rate this 4.5 stars!

Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!

Once again, I am here to report that Ally Carter does not miss. And that's with an emphatic period at the end. First off, allow me to explain my history in making that statement: I first started reading her preteen "Gallagher Girls" series in elementary school. Devoured those books, then I moved onto "Heist Society" and "Not If I'd Save You First," right, so very familiar with her YA catalog. Then she made her adult debut with "The Blonde Identity" and it was a complete 5-star read. Hundred percent. So, now I'm pleased to say that "The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year" is another 5-star favorite. For sure. Will be re-reading and purchasing a hardback copy in the near future, certainly,

By the dedication alone, I felt seen and I was intrigued. Then, I started reading. There was banter-after-banter between the two rivals to lovers, compelling language (naturally, I wouldn't expect any less) and I was just HOOKED and completely desperate to keep reading. It reads super quickly, and yet, I didn't want it to end. I was truly loving every single page and even annotating my favorite lines (a rarity for me). There was just twists and turns that I didn't see coming. It was more than just a romance (mostly closed-door, for awareness, but didn't feel too too wholesome if that makes sense -- this is a book for the plot girlies like me) but also an intriguing and indulging mystery. I was loving and devouring every page, just enthralled to learn what TF happened. Then, in addition to the MCs, there is a quirky cast of characters in this London-set, holiday novel. And making love interest Ethan Wyatt one of those secret piners despite a broody exterior, oh boy, it's my favorite archetype. And I love this little golden retriever, cinnamon roll for our girl Maggie Chase. And, oh boy, that was a DAMN FINE declaration of love. Oooo love it! And the epilogue? I was gagged and screaming at the tattoo, reveal and everything. Like, OBSESSED. (So, basically, Ethan is like a besotted golden retriever disguised as a black cat, which means he wins all the best book boyfriend awards, trust.)

I was, literally, laughing out loud in parts, squealing in others and clutching the pearls at certain times. I couldn't put "The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year" down. So, yeah, "The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year" can cure the most reading slump of a reading slump. I am proof of that. Like, I don't want this book to end, yet I needed to solve the mystery, you know? A need! All in all, "The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year" is one of the rare, elusive great ones -- and Ally Carter's books have always been that. Trust me, I realized that at age 12.

This novel was fun and funny. Carter is a master wordsmith, and she really pulls readers into stories quickly and keeps them there. While this was a Christmas book, it did not bash me over the head with it, which I appreciated. If anything I wish the side characters were more rounded out, but honestly, the book was great as it was.

Everybody else loved this one, but it was a bit of a bumpy ride for me. It took awhile before the romance grew on me, just because it was a little confusing – there were layers, secrets, miscommunication, and multiple timelines to keep track of. I did really like the “he falls first” vibes and the way the hero won me over, so the second half felt a lot stronger than the first. I never did muster up much enthusiasm for the mystery element, which is a substantial part of the story, but it certainly did make for a fast-paced, entertaining read. I’m a fan of Knives Out, and this definitely pulls some elements from that. The banter and playfulness was a lot of fun, and it’s got a fresh, unique vibe. Personally, the story sits somewhere between three and fours stars for me, but there’s an audience that’s going to eat it up.

The story follows Maggie, a romance writer who recently got divorced. She’s just starting to realize how much her ex-husband gaslit and belittled her, so she’s feeling pretty raw around Christmastime. So when her favorite author, an 81-year-old legend, invites Maggie to her home, it’s a dream come true. Unfortunately, she also invited Ethan, a man who has been the bane of Maggie’s existence for the last five years. His books have skyrocketed in popularity since he entered the scene, and the two have been hating each other ever since. So when Maggie’s favorite author disappears and she sees a side of Ethan that she never knew existed, it’s a shock to the system. The constantly carefree and charming man is showing a serious, competent side that makes Maggie feel safe in a chaotic situation – drawer her closer in ways she didn’t expect.

This has gotten such rave reviews that I was excited to dive in, but I’ll be honest and say that the first 30% or so did not win me over at all. Third person POV is tougher for me to get into, and with the uncertainty surrounding Ethan and Maggie’s relationship and all the suspense, I simply wasn’t feeling connected to the story at all. Maggie truly believes that Ethan hates her, and we’re not given his side of the story until later on. I do often enjoy puzzling out a hero’s feelings, but there was just so much other stuff going on. I didn’t particularly like either character for a while. Once they start connecting and that takes precedence over the mystery, I started to like the story a lot more. We’re with these characters as they figure things out and navigate their messy feelings, which means their relationship goes through a lot of changes in a short period of time. I appreciated that we did get Ethan’s POV at some point, though I definitely wouldn’t have minded a few more details about his side of things. It’s really not that kind of story though – this is meant to be fun, suspenseful and a little flirty; a true romance/mystery combo. I’m rounding up my rating because the second half was stronger, and I liked some of the pieces very much.

omg this book was SO good!!!! I don't remember the last time I had as much fun with a book as I did reading this one, the author managed to perfectly balance the amount of mystery and romance throughout the story and the result was just *chefs kiss* 🤌🏻

What a fun ride! Incredible cast of characters! Laugh out loud funny! I've been a fan of Carter for years, but this is her best, in my opinion! I will definitely be picking this up for my library and will be adding it to my annual Christmas reading list!

I loved this smart locked-room mystery and charming rivals-to-lovers romance. It's billed as Knives Out gets a holiday rom-com twist, which is spot on. Wildly entertaining and so much fun!

The setting is classic--an isolated, snowed-in English manor hosting a Christmas house party. Atmospheric, the house comes to life with descriptions that made me feel like I was right there with MCs Maggie and Ethan, exploring all the hidden spaces, evading danger, and searching for clues. The two are crime writers and rivals, stuck together with a mystery to solve if they can trust each other. But Carter takes this classic locked room mystery and gives it a fresh twist with a flirty romance subplot that I was just as invested in as the mystery.

Both Maggie and Ethan's characters are well-developed and have compelling backstories. Maggie has had significant losses around Christmas, making the holidays difficult for her. Ethan is charming and playful. I liked them both individually, but together, they are magic. Their chemistry is undeniable, their banter witty, and many scenes between them endearing. I rooted for them to find their way to each other and find the culprit.

Well-written and fast-paced, this has a clever mystery, engaging characters, action, humor, a peek at the publishing industry, and swoony romance. I was kept guessing and laughing all along the way. This was my first book by Carter, and I'm an instant fan. The ending was satisfying, but I hope that Maggie and Ethan will have additional cases to solve because I'd love to spend more time with this couple. Be sure to add this to your holiday tbr!

Thank you to Avon Harper Voyager and Netgalley for the gifted ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for this ARC!

Cute, playful, an overall delight. Ally Carter delivered the witty banter per usual and I loved the setting of Christmas in an English countryside manner! There were a couple of plot points I found to be a little confusing or not fleshed out super well, but I very much enjoyed it!

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter is the sleigh of the year with this epic Christmas romantic suspense meets locked room mystery. Sincerely, this was snow much fun to read & will truly spruce up your reading list. I loved the combination of the intriguing mystery, captivating suspense & the heartwarming romance. This is giving me Knives Out Glass Onion but set at Christmas time with an eccentric famous author & romance story woven in.

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year Is great for fans of…
🎄 Christmas Romance
🎄 Locked Room Mystery
🎄 Isolated Mansion
🎄 Enemies to Lovers

As a lover & connoisseur of both the romance & mystery genres as well as Christmas in general, this was an absolute dream to read. The writing is fast paced & highly entertaining. This would make such a fun movie. I’ve loved everything I’ve read from this author but this is easily my new favorite.

This had me kicking my feet with glee, tipping my hat in respect at the cleverness & finally, wrapped with a to all a good fright. This is easily going on my best of list for the year with this delightful & magnetically fun read.

Massive thanks to NetGalley & Avon for the gifted copy, which I voluntarily read & reviewed.

Ally Carter has never, and could never do me wrong! The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year was brilliant! The little twists and turns mixed with flashbacks of Maggie's past had me constantly on my toes! I love a plot where I can't guess what's going to happen next, and this was it for me! I really enjoyed that this was mostly a murder mystery plot with a Christmas setting, rather than a Christmas book with a minor mystery plot. If you're a fan of Agatha Christie, Knives Out or having fun, I'm sure you'll enjoy this book!