Mimi loves her quiet life on Mackinac Island. Sure, during the summer, their small Michigan island is overrun with tourists, but once the temperatures fall and the snow hits the forecast, it’s a quiet life. She had bought a small house with the help of her late husband’s life insurance, and Mimi is happy to live there alone, with her nightly Gibsons, her bridge club, and her snowmobile named Joan Rivers.

But then she gets invited to an event at the home of a local celebrity. Jane Ireland is a descendant from an old money family, and she is well known for her outrageous lifestyle. Her current boyfriend is also her son-in-law Matthew, which has caused quite a stir. She is having a charity auction, and Mimi is invited. Mimi is generally not invited to things like this, but this time she can’t miss it. Really, she can’t miss it, because she is being blackmailed. She has to go and bid an outrageous amount on a certain piece in the auction, or her worst secret will come out. Mimi knows she has to go, but she doesn’t have to go alone. She emails her granddaughter for help.

Addie is a game developer who lives in Chicago. She and her boyfriend had developed am interactive murder mystery game called Murderscape, which is hugely popular. Brian had gone on to propose to her, and then recently, to dump her. Now, he’s taken sole ownership of the company that owns Murderscape as well as full credit for the game, so when Microsoft made a lucrative offer for the company, he also took sole ownership of the check they wrote him. Addie has spent her time since leaving working her day job at an ad agency, watching Dateline, and considering hiring an attorney and getting what is due to all her hard work on the game.

But when Addie gets the email from Mimi, she doesn’t hesitate before heading to Mackinac Island to help her. Mimi doesn’t tell her about being blackmailed, but Addie agrees to go to the party with her. But things don’t go quite how they expect. Mimi and Addie arrive at the party and get their cocktails, waiting for the auction to start. When it does, Mimi bids on what she’s been told to, but the price is far more than she was informed it would be. Addie is stunned, and they step outside so Mimi can have a cigarette. She explains to Addie that she’s being blackmailed. And when they go back inside, they find out that Jane has been murdered.

The snowstorm has picked up, making it impossible for anyone to get to the island, and the local police officer on duty went home sick, to the mainland. No police can get to the island that night, and no one cam leave the Ireland home. So whoever killed Jane is stuck there with them. Mimi is a puzzle fanatic, and Addie has always loved studying crime. Mimi believes that they have the best chance of figuring out who the killer is, and she convinces Addie to investigate with her. But as the night goes on, more crimes are revealed. Sime items from the auction and personal items have gone missing. Matthew is also killed. And there’s the fact that Mimi probably isn’t the only person at the auction who was there because of blackmail. Addie uses all her knowledge from Murderscape and from years of Dateline to create a murder notebook and keep track of everything they know.

But the longer they’re all there, the more danger they’re in. And as Addie and Mimi go around questioning alibis and trying to suss out secrets, the bigger the targets they are painting on themselves. Will they be able to survive the storm and find a killer before it’s too late?

This Is Not a Game is a twisty thriller where everyone has secrets, everyone is telling lies, and it’s up to Harriet the Spy and Jessica Fletcher to solve the mystery. There is a stylish party, a lot of cocktails, and a locked-room mystery where the lock is an actual drawbridge that those inside can’t open without the code known only to the murder victims. This mystery is stacked with interesting characters, who all seem to be pretending to be someone different than who they are, making the plot shift from side to side.

I really enjoyed This Is Not a Game, especially the ending, which is satisfying in the best way. I liked Mimi and Addie a lot, so following them around as they try to solve a mystery was lots of fun. There were moments I had some trouble remembering who was who in the large cast of party goers, but mostly, I just liked this story so much.

Egalleys for This Is Not a Game were provided by Dutton through NetGalley, with many thanks, but the opinions are mine.

A Roaring 20s themed auction with a side of blackmail. A snowstorm in the off-season on Mackinac Isalnd. A dead body (or more?). Sounds like the making of a fantastic who dunnit.

Mimi is a saucy septuagenarian with a few secrets in her past and a snowmobile named Joan Rivers. Her granddaughter, Addie, is the co-creator of a popular murder mystery video game whose ex is moving on and taking all the credit (and cash) for the game. Together they'll need to figure out who is the murder and how to get off this island.

I was hoping for some twists similar to And Then There Were None or at least some unexpected actions or alliances. I wanted more connection between Mimi and Addie. I also wanted some resolution on the Brian situation besides just ignoring his phone call. A few other things I wanted that could be spoilers: <spoiler>I really wanted someone to have faked their death and masterminded this whole game. Or at least have Alexandra have a hand in the escapades. Why was she off the page? Why was she so blase about her husband dating HER MOTHER?</spoiler>

But I would read a sequel. Maybe Mimi can visit Addie in Chicago.

Thank you Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the advance reader copy. I am required by law to disclose this

#ThisIsNotaGame #NetGalley

Rosemary "Mimi" Louise MacLaine knows her place and is assured in it. She's been on the island of Mackinac for a very long time and knows how her life will run. At least until a mysterious invitation appears on her doorstep. It's an invitation... and an order. Unless she comes to the party and bids on (and wins) a specific item, her dirty secrets will be revealed. It is the latter direction that has Mimi reaching out to her granddaughter, Addie for the first time in months.
Addie is fighting her ex-boyfriend for recognition that she deserves on the massively hit video game that she helped him put together. She argues with her grandmother over that same man and now she's been dumped and pushed out of the company. But her normally unemotional grandmother has reached out with an olive branch and Addie is willing to try.
The two attend the party. It's hosted at the mansion of a woman who is infamous for cavorting with the man her daughter is still married to. And it's an eclecticc group of people who are gathered, including one who Addie is sure she knows under another name. Of course, there is a murder. And a snowstorm. So it's up to Mimi and Addie to figure out what happened.
There was a little too much going on for me, especially at the end, but I generally enjoyed this story and look forward to reading more by the author.

Three and a half stars
This book comes out April 8, 2025
ARC kindly provided by PENGUIN GROUP Dutton and NetGalley
Opinons are my own

In this book, 70-something widow Mimi lives on Mackinac Island in Michigan. When she is invited to a party by a neighbor she hates - complete with blackmail demand - she invites her granddaughter Addie to come with her for moral support. And when their hostess turns up dead and a snowstorm traps them all in the house - well, it’s a good thing that Addie is the designer of a popular online murder mystery game, as grandmother and grandaughter team up to try to solve the murder themselves.

This was a fun, cozy-ish locked room mystery - kind of like a book version of the movie Clue. All the little meta nods to it being a live action video game while Addie works through clues were entertaining too, even to someone like me who doesn’t play such games. An enjoyable debut and I’d definitely read more from Kelly Mullen.

Grandmother Mimi, and granddaughter Addie attend a lavish party/auction at a mansion, and things quickly turn south when their host is murdered. What ensues is a fabulous locked room mystery! The mansion includes a drawbridge, and secret passages, and several murder suspects. With Addie's gaming background, and Mimi's tenacity, this grandma/granddaughter duo is giving Poirot a run for his money! I really enjoyed the characters, the setting, the pace, and the writing in general. I would love to see Mimi and Addie in action again!

I needed a palate cleanser after some heavier thrillers and this came at the perfect time. Mimi and Addie were a great duo who played well off each other. Addie having a background with detective stories was a nice touch that helped to make the amateur sleuthing more believable. I loved the island setting which added to the locked room nature of this one. I have added Mackinac Island to my list of places to visit but during the summer so I don’t get stuck in a snow storm.

Thank you Dutton Books and NetGalley for the free book.

This was such a fun locked-room murder mystery reminiscent of Clue, featuring a grandmother / granddaughter duo as the detectives.

Blackmailed into attending a party at her rich neighbor’s house, Mimi invites her estranged granddaughter Addie to attend with her. During the party, the hostess is murdered and grandmother and granddaughter must use their combined skills to solve the murder before it’s too late.

This is Not a Game is full of fascinating and eclectic characters, nods to classic mysteries, and hilarious banter between Mimi and Addie. I loved watching them solve the puzzles and put together clues.

I love cozy mysteries with quirky old characters. This mystery was fun and entertaining.
Mimi, a 77 year old Widow, is witty, funny, smart at solving puzzles, and lives her life her own way. She prefers a Gibson martini with three onions, specifically 🍸when she got an unusual blackmailing invitation from egocentric Jane Ireland for a charity auction event at her glamorous Manor, she invited her estranged granddaughter, Addie.
Addie had developed a super successful game Murderscape with her fiance, but he cheated her and cut her from the profiting deal and dumped her.
They both met several eccentric guests on the day of the event. Suddenly, Jane got murdered and everyone was trapped in the manor surrounded by a moat and raging snowstorms outside. Everyone is connected to Jane one way or another and appears suspicious. With no help from outside, it's up to grandmother and granddaughter duo to solve the crime and uncover the killer.
They both are amateur sleuths with whip smart mystery solving skills to uncover the mystery.
I love their relationship, their constant banter and bickering, and sarcastic dialogues, but they both deeply care for each other.
Now, starts a game of lies, secrets, conspiracy theories, and jealousy. The author leaves little clues throughout but, still I couldn’t guess.
It was fun, light, and easy read with not one but two adorable Dachshunds. I am looking forward to reading more adventures of Mimi and Addie, perfect duo.
Thanks to @Netgalley @duttonbooks and the author for providing the eARC.

Thank you so much to Dutton Books for the gifted ARC!

I am the biggest cozy mystery fan, so I was so excited for this one!

While the cover sold me and the synopsis drew me in, I just never found myself wanting to pick this one up. It was too slow of a start for me and I struggled to care what happened to the characters.

Overall, good concept but not one that I will remember.

In Kelly Mullen's debut novel, This Is Not A Game, estranged granddaughter and video game designer Addie is reluctantly pulled into a lavish charity auction on Mackinac Island by her quirky grandmother Mimi. When the host is suddenly murdered and a snowstorm traps everyone inside a mansion surrounded by a moat, the duo must combine Mimi's love for puzzles with Addie's game-solving skills to uncover a killer among the eccentric guests before they become the next victims in a deadly real-life mystery.

Readers who enjoy locked room mysteries with a touch of humor will find this a delightful read.

Thank you Penguin Group Dutton for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Kelly Mullen is a successful executive producer. She's adding 'author' to her accomplishments, with her debut novel - This is Not a Game.

The first few chapters are very busy. We meet our protagonists -Mimi and Addie. Mimi is Addie’s grandma. No matter their age, they are both keen amateur sleuths. I really enjoyed their relationship, their dialogue and their methods. Addie’s background in video games is unusual, but it really works for this plot.

A stormy night on an island manor, the electric is out… and there’s a body. This is most definitely a locked room mystery. The manor had lots of rooms that have to be found to see them. Secret rooms are one of my favorite finds.

There’s a myriad of supporting characters. One brings that last needed part of a cosy read…..two dachshunds please. There are lots of connections between the guests. Some freely answer questions but others outright lie. Mullen has done a job with parceling out clues. Truthfully? I never guessed who it was until the reveal.

This is a wonderful debut. I wonder if we’re going to see more of Mimi and Abbie?

Thank you @duttonbooks for the free copy. Thank you @prhbooks for the free audiobook!

Sometimes i need a break from my romance reads. Buuut the world is too stressful for me to read thrillers right now so thank the bookish gods for cozy mysteries! 😂

Here’s another one you might want to add to your list!!!
A granddaughter who had created a popular murder mystery game got invited by her estranged grandmother to attend an exclusive party at one of the manors in their tiny island.
Everything was going well until the first dead body showed up…

So basically it’s a murder mystery where you have the following tropes: a spooky manor (yey), stormed in (yey), locked door (yey), whodunnit (yey), fast pacing (YEY) , and short chapters (YEY YEY 😂) it’s like everything I want in a cozy mystery combined in one book!! The best part is, I have zero idea with who the unaliver was!!

I mostly listened to this on audio and omg the narrator was amazing! I was impressed with how she gave life to all these characters!!

Definitely recommend if you’re in the mood for a cozy mystery or if you like Agatha Christie novels! This came out last Tuesday!!!

💭 What’s your favorite drink at a party?
☕️ I’m a margarita/ espresso martini girly

If Clue and an Agatha Christie mystery had a snow-covered love child, it’d be this clever debut. Set on Mackinac Island in a moated mansion (yes, really), this locked-room whodunnit brings blackmail, murder, and a whole cast of quirky suspects to the table. This was an entertaining, cozy-ish mystery with a side of sass. Perfect for fans of Knives Out, Murder at Gull’s Nest, or anyone who loves solving puzzles alongside amateur sleuths.

A sardonic septuagenarian grandmother and her video game designer granddaughter become a pair of unlikely sleuths in this debut cozy mystery from Kelly Mullen. When a swanky charity auction turns deadly and a winter storm traps everyone inside the mansion, Mimi and Addie team up to find out who the culprit is.

I enjoyed this cozy locked room mystery! As a Michigan girl, I loved the wintry setting on Mackinac Island, which added a unique extra layer to the isolated feeling. The characters are a lot of fun, especially Mimi with her Gibson martinis, Pall Malls, and her snowmobile named Joan Rivers. I hope we get to see more adventures for Mimi and Addie in the future! Perfect for fans of Knives Out, Clue, and Only Murders in the Building.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for providing me an advance copy of this book.

This cozy-ish mystery is charming, entertaining, and clever. Set in an over the top, isolated mansion that serves as the locked room, with Mimi, a prickly older woman with a secret, and Addie, her granddaughter and the creator of a murder investigation game, as the main characters and investigators, this has elements of cozy and traditional mysteries with a fresh, modern voice.

Such a well paced and suspenseful book! The twists were believable and not predictable.
It had excellent writing and a fascinating plot.
This Is Not a Game by Kelly Mullen is a book which kept me thoroughly engaged from beginning to end.

Unfortunately I DNF this around the 20% mark. Couldn’t get into the story or relate to the characters.

This was a fun and clever locked room/snowed in murder mystery involving a grandmother-granddaughter duo who trying to figure out what is going on when the escape room party they were blackmailed into attending on a remote Mackinac Island, Michigan estate turns deadly. I loved the dynamics between the two main characters and the gaming references. While a bit slow to start for me in the beginning, once I got invested I couldn't wait to see how things were going to end! Highly recommended for cozy mystery fans or books like Murder at Gulls nest by Jess Kidd. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review.

4.25

As a mystery lover, I have several in the pile and opted, as is typical of me, for the British historical mystery first over this modern American one. I shouldn’t have been so glib.

This is a classic manor-house, stranded-amongst-a-murderer whodunnit, but with a modern twist. The house is fascinating with a mind-blowing history, and because it is so over the top, just like its owners, that allows the story to absorb most things that one might would question.

Mimi is 77, living on the automobile-free island of Mackinac, and well off, but nothing like her extravagant neighbor. She is a little prickly. When Mimi receives a an invitation to a party, accompanied with a blackmail letter outlining something she did in her past, she realizes she has to go and it is going to cost her. She calls on her only and closest living relative, her granddaughter Addie, who lives in Chicago, has been somewhat estranged from her grandmother ever since Mimi unapologetically shared her disapproval of Addie’s then boyfriend Brian. However, if Mimi is going to spend much of Addie’s inheritance on blackmail masquerading as a charity auction, she wants Addie’s support and to be honest, in theory, with her about her suspicious past.

Addie and is going through a crisis having been metaphorically stabbed in the back by her former fiancé and partner after designing a murder mystery video game that is now worth millions. His cunning meant that he manipulated Addie and took full credit without any recourse. She’s beat down and low on self esteem.

I love the idea, but can’t quite imagine this game in our modern world. It seems like something from the 80s or 90s. Then I remember Minecraft, which is a menagerie of pixels and blocks with simple movements. Anyway, when the hostess of the so-called party is murdered, the two team up to solve the mystery using Addie’s encyclopedic knowledge of murder mysteries and solving them and Mimi’s brazen, unapologetic attitude.

I recognized several things that have annoyed me in other books, but only a few parts that didn’t grab me. This was easy somewhat easy to follow but hard to solve. All in all, a fun read with an interesting trip through a fascinating house and a backstory where you don’t know who is on what side. Mimi and Addie deserve their glory and I hope she really rubbed it in her fiancé‘s face.

Thank you to Kelly Mullen, NetGalley, and Penguin Group Dutton for providing me with a free advanced copy of this book for my unbiased review.

#ThisisNotaGame #NetGalley #murdermystery #whodunnit

(Actual: 3.5⭐, rounded up) A quick & cozy mystery read, I really enjoyed this book! Definitely worth picking up for the propulsive story; all the vibrant, eccentric characters we join on this journey, main and secondary/ensemble alike, all also worthy of being suspicious of until the very end (+ dual POVs, yay!); the organic & flowy quality found in both Mullen's style of writing dialogue and in her pacing of the whodunnit plot.... there's a lot to like about and take away from this book imo, and I think it's also a very easy/accessible read for a wide audience range. Perfect for when you want something fun, something that makes you think and want to solve puzzles too, and to all those who love cozy mysteries!