I opened this book on my phone and immediately saw an old-school fortune teller. Now I need the physical copy so I can cut it out and use it!

That being said, this wasn't anything like I expected. It was comical in lots of places, but I also felt very much like there was an underlying theme/message that I just can't articulate because I had shitty instruction in middle/high school around literary analysis tbh. So while I was reading and thinking, "I'm smart, but not smart enough to understand what this author is trying to say," I at least enjoyed myself very much! I'm sure someone smarter than me will come along and actually review the book in a more succinct, thoughtful way. What I will say is that the story about Mrs. Kitty was my least favorite, and I loved the choose-your-own-adventure one.

Based on the title, readers know they're going into a collection of short mysteries. Many of these mysteries are connected to Gran's Claire DeWitt mystery series, including other mysteries including a teen detective, and a historical mystery.

I feel that I possibly was not the right audience for this book, since I think that those who have read
the Claire DeWitt mystery series would get a lot of mysteries and feel more of a connection to them since I felt some were possibly an extension to the Claire DeWitt books.

When reading this book, I only enjoyed one mystery (that being the historical mystery) since I felt that it was more in-depth than the other mysteries that were included in the book, and it was paced a lot better than the other mysteries. The first mystery I felt was paced too quickly, and I felt uncomfortable with the pacing since I as a reader, had just started the book (also the fact that this was my first introduction to the mystery genre). I also felt that the writing sometimes was a bit too detailed, and included some phrases to explain certain emotions or things happening in the plot that made me uncomfortable or just didn't make sense to me. I also felt that some of the mysteries didn't count as mysteries...but instead, a story that included some elements of a whodunit, or just simply something else.

I would recommend reading the Claire DeWitt series, or other works by this author first to get a sense of what you're reading.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamland Books for the eArc!

I found this to be a lovely surprise. It’s what it advertises - little mysteries, sometimes related, sometimes not. Most of the stories feature Claire DeWitt, a detective Gran has used in prior books, but with whom I was unfamiliar. She’s a good companion to the hard-boiled male detectives of noir mysteries and I enjoyed seeing crimes solved through her eyes. I enjoyed the back half more than the first, because I am a lover of the “people gather at a big manor and start dropping” sub-genre of mysteries. I don’t think these mysteries are meant to be solvable (the title does say “to confuse” after all) because our detective tends to solve them with clues not provided to the reader. Overall, it feels like Sara Gran has a deep love for detective stories and I really enjoyed my time reading this.

Claire DeWitt fans rejoice. More Claire DeWitt and Claire DeWitt stories and other bite sized mysteries. Sara Gran has show her growth as a writer of novels and now we know we can expect entertaining short stories as well.

Thank you NetGalley for another ARC,

Little Mysteries: Nine Miniature Puzzles to Confuse, Enthrall, and Delight, by Sara Gran was a delightful little surprise. I have heard of Sara’s work before, Come Closer is currently on my October/Halloween TBR, but I didn’t know that she wrote mysteries. Most of the nine short stories of Little Mysteries feature Claire DeWitt, Gran’s very own Poirot, sort to speak.
Claire DeWitt is the world’s best private detective and, to be honest? I believe her.

Because I didn’t read any of her books before (Claire DeWitt and the City of the Dead; Claire DeWitt and the Bohemian Highway and The Infinite Blacktop) I don’t know too much about her as a character but, from what I read, I absolutely loved her. She is a flawed human being but you can’t help but love her, because she never stops trying.

I have half a mind to read everything that Sara Gran ever wrote.

Annoying when I am unable to send ARC's to my kindle. Unfortunately this one was not for me. In a world with SO many books being published, I just don't see this as a must in our collection.

Overall, this isn't a bad book, if you go into it without any expectations for what it should be. From the synopsis, I had hoped this book would be full of mini whodunnit mysteries that I could read and try to solve, like the ones in puzzle books, but better written and more complex. However, this book is more focused on reflections on life. While that could be an interesting take on the mystery genre, it wasn't what I had expected from the synopsis, so unfortunately I had difficulty immersing myself into the stories. Had it been marketed differently, I definitely would have appreciated it better. In general, if you're a fan of the author and her previous characters, this book might resonate better with you than it did for me! Perhaps I'll give it another go in the future, but for now, I think I can only give it three stars.

Thank you to Net Galley and Dreamland Books for this ARC!

I don't know what I expected from this, but it was not at all what I thought it would be. A truly fun and thought-provoking blend of mystery and lit fic. There were a few stories that made me laugh and others that made me cry. Some were classic mysteries and some were about the mysteries of life. I loved it.

I really love the idea of this collection. I think if I talked to someone about what it was about and what it tries to do, I would end up sounding incredibly enthusiastic and perhaps talk myself into a higher rating. But ultimately, very few of these stories (or moments of these stories) deeply connected with me. I loved the nod to teenage detectives and the classic stories we grew up with, but nothing solidly stuck the landing for me.
I've really enjoyed some of Sara Gran's other books, but I haven't read the Claire Dewitt series. I didn't realize how prominently (and I guess I'm still not 100% sure how prominently) those characters would feature in this collection. But I'm guessing you would maybe enjoy this slightly more having read those.
this did absolutely make me want to read those, as Gran clearly does some fun subversive and interesting things with this genre that I adore.

An interesting collection of short mysteries. There is one with the past and present story side by side on the page. One like a choose your own adventure book. One that ends very unexpectedly, plus six others.
Goodreads

A collection of short tales by the author of COME CLOSER, which are puzzling, sometimes confusing, elucidating the ways in which sometimes Life refuses to provide clarity and sometimes puzzles remain unsolved.

A sublime collection of stories, involving Gran's Claire DeWitt universe of detective fiction.

Less about the specific mystery of each crime, more about the general mystery that is life itself, Gran is exceptional, not just in creating fascinating stories, but in creating a mood that is both mystical and rooted in the difficulties of navigating the modern world.

*** Thank you NetGalley and Dreamland Books for sharing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own ***

I want to start this review by acknowledging the following: I believe that there is an audience for this book but I am unfortunately not a part of it. Though I was charmed by its premise, promising synopsis and intriguing subtitle, I came out of the reading experience neither enthralled nor delighted, but utterly confused.

Little Mysteries opens on a chatterbox repurposed as a tool for “psychospiritual divination.” I found it clever and unexpected, and hoped that it would set the tone for what would be nine bite-size mysteries that readers could solve alongside the characters. Instead, the book features stories of varying lengths that parody storytelling devices of the mystery genre.

The first story borrows the mystery puzzle format: it sets the stage and introduces the mystery in a few pages, asks the readers if they can solve it, then offers a solution. Sadly, the case cannot actually be solved by the readers because the vast majority of clues are not actually featured in the story. Instead, the main character just pulls clues out of their hat. While this might be intentionally subversive, it makes the whole endeavor feel gimmicky and pointless, which is not helped by how underwhelming the story is. The book also includes a “Choose your own Adventure”-style story and a lengthy mystery play-like chapter, which sound fun and promising, but ultimately fail to deliver. This was ultimately my main issue across all stories: them are neither engaging nor entertaining, and no amount of clever storytelling devices can change that.

The style is direct and alternates between lengthy dry descriptive passages and pseudo-philosophical ramblings. A number of stories end on a vague moral or just take an existential U-turn like “Cyntia Silverston and The Charnel House Grounds.” What starts as an absurd Scooby Doo-esque story turns into Cynthia trying to figure out who she really is deep down.

The wink-wink-I-know-you-know-I-know-what-I-did-there humor does not land for me, and neither does the disillusioned-pseudo-noir-detective tone affected by most protagonists (that or they are utterly clueless and naïve).

(Mis)led by the subtitle and synopsis, I admittedly took this light and playful book more seriously than likely intended and ended up feeling frustrated by the reading experience.

I like everything about this concept and was excited to read it but the execution of the book fell short. The stories were never really enthralling and I was never satisfied with the results of the mystery.

Sara Gran’s book, "Little Mysteries: Nine Miniature Puzzles to Confuse, Enthrall, and Delight," is a set of short stories that digs deep into what makes detective fiction so interesting. It’s not just about solving mysteries—it’s about figuring out why we love puzzles and the stories around them.

There are nine short stories in this book, and each one is like a mini puzzle that gets you thinking. The plots are smart and sometimes unexpected, which keeps you on your toes. You’ll meet a bunch of different characters—from newbie detectives to pros—each dealing with their own mysterious situations. The stories are short but rich, giving us satisfying endings while still leaving some things up in the air to think about.

The book looks at the psychology and emotions behind mystery stories, asking why we’re so drawn to them and what makes us feel good about solving puzzles. That makes you stop and think about your own connection to detective fiction.

Each story has its own atmosphere, but all of them are engaging and mysterious. Some are in secret-filled rooms, others in busy cities—all of them adding to the overall mystery vibe. The characters feel real, with their own personalities, problems, and desires. The way Gran brings her characters to life makes their stories hit home for readers.

Gran’s writing is easy to read but still deep. She writes clearly but adds a bit of beauty that makes it special without being stuck up. Her sentences are usually short and packed with meaning that makes you stop and think. It’s the kind of writing that’s simple to follow but rewards you for thinking a little deeper.

The shortness might leave some readers wanting more. Since the stories are so compact, character development can feel rushed sometimes, and the endings, while clever, might not be completely satisfying for everyone. But the shortness also means you need to pay attention to the clues and come up with your own ideas—which can be a good thing.

Sara Gran is an author who knows her stuff, writing both mystery and literary fiction. She brings her experience and knowledge of the genre to her stories, giving readers a unique and enjoyable look into the world of mysteries. Her previous books, like the Claire DeWitt series, show that she’s a fresh voice in today’s literature, and "Little Mysteries" proves it even more.

So, "Little Mysteries" is a great read for anyone who loves detective fiction and wants to understand the appeal of mysteries even better. Gran’s stories have great characters, interesting themes, and show off her skills as an author.

As a longtime reader of Sara Gran, and a lover of mysteries, the title of this book was like catnip to me. I told myself that there were nine mysteries and I would read one a day, as a treat.
There were days when I read more than one because who has that kind of restraint, really? And some of the puzzles truly are miniature.
There is also a longer story that I read over two days because I wanted to make it last.

I feel like this book can be described in the same way you'd talk about a small box of handmade chocolates: delicious, flavorsome, moreish, decadent even. Worth savoring.

There's much to enjoy here for Claire DeWitt fans - Claire, Claude, and (of course!) Cynthia Silverton all appear. Re: Cynthia - Nancy Drew could never (and I say this as someone who grew up inhaling those books). There's a choose-your-own adventure tribute, a story told in parallel vertical columns, and even an "origami tool of psychospiritual divination" (remember those from your schooldays?) to make at home.

The longer story (The Mystery at Killington Manor Or The Feeling of Seeing Clear Blue Sky After Being Lost in the Woods) is layered, witty, and contains phrases so perfect you may want to commit them to memory.

And the closing Ten-Second Mystery is both unexpected and beautiful.

This book is a gem, I loved it. I will be pre-ordering a physical copy so I can revisit it again and again.

Thank you to Dreamland books and Net Galley UK for the advanced digital copy in exchange for this, my honest review.

I received this book for free and I write this review voluntarily. I am a fan of thrillers, especially the Golden Era's whodunits. So, it was a great opportunity for me to read Sara Gran's beautiful novel. This novel has two parts. First part has short stories about Claire DeWitt, best detective in the world. She reminds me of Scandinavian thriller detectives, not so perfect in their lives, not easy to work with but a genius when it comes to work. The author uses different writing styles successfully in this part, which should be praised. The second part is my favourite part. This part set in 1949, in Killington Manor. Everything seems to be in order in the manor, even the deaths. But are they really? Mystery shadows the manor and with an Agatha Christie style ending (everybody in a room, everybody's motives discussed by the 'detective'), mystery unfolds. I thank author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity.

Sara Gran has been one of my favorite writers since I read Come Closer. She's really not like anyone else, and this little mystery collection is a great example of that. There are some actual mysteries, and the writing is clever, but the stories are more about the people. Thanks so much to NetGalley for letting me read this

Thank you to Dreamland books and NetGalley for the ARC!!

Sara Gran’s Little Mysteries is a collection of detective stories that are more character-driven than the average whodunnit. The detective stories we’re most familiar with are crafted with intricate plot twists and stock characters that serve as eye-catching ornaments in an elaborate narrative maze. Gran primarily contends with how mysteries affect human emotion and connection. The Killington Manor story was by far my favourite followed by the choose-your-own-adventure story and the bite-sized mysteries. I'd give the collection a score of 3.5/5 overall but I reviewed the individual stories below!

‘Five-Minute Mystery: The Case of the Mysterious Dr Crowley Or Fuck This World Indeed’ ⭐⭐⭐💫
Fun, quick and clever. Cynthia Silverton is a really striking character which I appreciate!

‘The Mystery of the Mycelial Net…’ ⭐⭐
I enjoyed the glib, sort-of breezy writing style. I noticed here that this is more of a character study than a collection of standard mysteries, which I really enjoy as an idea, but I found this particular story underwhelming.

‘The Good Smell of New York City/ The Ocean-Salted Air’ ⭐⭐💫
What this story does with form is really interesting but I found it pretty underwhelming.

‘The Case of the Jewel in the Lotus’ ⭐⭐⭐
Interesting exploration of the thrill of the solve and the urge to satiate that thirst. Bleak and introspective to the point where it sort of dragged. Gran explores the fallout after a crime is committed by someone close and the emptiness at seeing the fissures in people’s lives that a solve causes.

‘One-Minute Mystery: The Case of the Razor’s Edge Between Life and Death’ ⭐⭐💫
I enjoyed reading it but ended up disappointed with the solution to the mystery. Or rather how they got there, as all the evidence seemed like pure guesswork and Claire just pulling it out of nowhere. I do think it was quite well-written though

‘The Case of the Blood on the Snow’ ⭐⭐⭐
Really enjoyed this sincere and bittersweet story despite the fact that I generally didn’t like Claire Dewitt as a protagonist.

‘Choose Your Own Heartbreak’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was so, so fun I loved it! The choose-your own-adventure format was really exciting and novel. I just kept rereading until I read all the possible routes. I especially like the route where she decides to have faith in those closest to her. I really enjoyed the second person perspective as well. It’s lovely, quick and clever while still being reflective and poignant. Everything in this story boils down to the bonds we make and break. Some might find it trite or cheesy to focus on something so simple but I think it’s very human and sincere.

‘Cynthia Silverton & The Charnel House Grounds’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A deeply absurd story about a 19 year old university student detective in an existential rut that I really enjoyed. Cynthia Silverton is pure camp and fun and glitter and heart.The writing style is super ridiculous and has the campiness of a magician pulling a glittery dove out of their back pocket. It seemed like a satire of the pomp of a traditional mystery. Gran’s exploration of identity and our relationships with others was pretty well done as well.

‘The Mystery at Killington Manor’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was an incredibly charming story with vivid, striking characters, a playful style and some lovely prose. There was also pretty good exploration of grief, privilege and dysfunctional family dynamics. I really enjoyed the heartfelt relationship between Poppy and Mrs Kitty.

The younger generation will probably love this, but it was not for me. Despite the title, these stories were not really mystery stories in the regular sense and were not at all concerned with detection, but were more centred around the musings, soul-searching and stream of consciousness of the individual detectives. The constant swearing was unnecessary and extremely off-putting - for this reader anyway, although this seems to be a given with any modern book, as is the casual treatment of sex. This book abounds in offhand references to sex as though just talking about the weather. Again it is clearly a generational thing but to me, this is not something to be casually thrown into everyday speech or treated as an everyday concept, but something that is private. I am no prude but like activities in the bathroom, activities in the bedroom are private and not to be casually aired, not in a decent, civilised society. Such things are not taboo, simply private.