3.5 stars

This was an entertaining and different sort of mystery, featuring a classic setup - a group of people forced together on an isolated island during bad weather, trapped with an unknown murderer. The sleuths are a prickly old lady and her grown granddaughter.

Mimi has received a peremptory "invitation" to appear at a gala - but it comes with a blackmail note. Mimi reluctantly calls her granddaughter Addie. They had a tiff over Addie's boyfriend (Grandma was right about him) but are close in their own odd way so Addie shows up to accompany her grandmother. She knows nothing of the blackmail or the incident that inspired it.

They all get snowed in together with an odd group of people. The first murder victim is the hostess and almost everyone had a motive to bump her off. But she's not the last to die ...

Along the way, bits and pieces of Addie and Mimi's relationship are uncovered along with a lot of mostly good natured back and forth banter. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A cozy debut!

I usually choose my Cozy mysteries very carefully, as this is not my favorite genre. But after reading the enticing synopsis of This is Not a Game, I thought I would give this debut a try.

When Rosemary (Mimi) is invited (blackmailed) to attend an auction by the Mackinac island socialite Jane Ireland, she asks her estranged granddaughter Addie to attend with her. During the event, a snowstorm ensues and the power goes out, leaving them trapped in an Agatha Christie style locked room mystery. When Jane is murdered, everyone is a suspect. It is up to Mimi and Addie to find the killer before more partygoers turn up dead. Thankfully, Addie is the co-creater of the successful video game Murderscape and knows how to solve complicated murder mysteries.

This is Not a Game is an atmospheric mystery with a sense of humor. From Mimi’s snowmobile named Joan Rivers, to her Mary Poppins style carryall bag, she embodies the quirky old lady stereotype. But don’t underestimate this seventy-seven year old crossword and Gibson loving grandma. She is a force to be reckoned with, despite the fact that she is hiding her own secret. However, I didn’t find Addie to be as intriguing. The reader is constantly reminded about the video game she helped create through her comparisons to the current mystery she is solving. This becomes tiresome and irritating instead of adding depth to the story. It also feels as if the chemistry is missing from this sleuthing duo.

Overall, This is Not a Game is a promising debut for Mullen, but not quite a home run.

3.5/5 stars rounded down

Expected publication date: 4/8/25

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group - Dutton for the ARC of This is Not a Game in exchange for an honest review.

i really enjoyed this locked room cozy mystery with gamer references. the mackinac island snowstorm setting plus the giant old mansion made reading so cozy, and it definitely helped that there was an actual snowstorm going on when i was reading it. i loved the main characters, Addie and Mimi. the granddaughter-grandmother detective duo isn’t a combo i’d seen before, but it totally worked! i hope this author writes more books, but i don’t think this should be a series. its the perfect standalone.

thanks to NetGalley for the ARC

An interesting addition to locked-in puzzle mysteries, this was fun but not very strong character-wise. I had a hard time caring about the two main characters and their relationship seemed forced.

What a good time! Once I picked this book up, I couldn’t put it down. I flew right through it one Saturday. If you’re into murder mysteries and trying to solve puzzles, definitely pick this one up. It will keep you intrigued and guessing the whole time.

This book follows Mimi and her granddaughter, Addie. Mimi is being blackmailed by her neighbor and must attend the party/auction she is hosting. She is expected to place an extremely high bid on an item in order for her secret to be kept. Once the evening gets going though, the host is murdered. Addie is a video game developer and has experience putting clues together to help solve crime mysteries. After all, her video game is exactly that.

Addie decides her and Mimi must work together to find out who the murderer actually is, so that Mimi doesn’t get pinned for the crime. They all end up snowed in on this little island with no way for anyone to get in or out. Throughout this time, they work together interviewing all the other guests and putting all the pieces together.

I highly recommend this book! It is a must read if you’re a crime junkie like me! Thank you NetGalley for providing me an advance copy of this book.

This book didn’t feel like it wove together. I wish I had loved it but it felt very forced. I’m sorry to say the writing wasn’t up to par and neither was the story.

Oh my gosh! This book was a whirlwind. The layout of the story was a bit hectic but the details engrained into each description was great. For me, those details were the stars of the story. Every new description had me searching online to learn more which surprisingly gave me some spoilers/foreshadowing to other parts of the book.

This book was meant to be a movie. I grew to love Mimi, Addie, and their cast of characters. I feel a sequel is all too possible and hope that certain characters (Veronique, Kimiko, and mildly, Woody) could get a cameo or inclusion in the sequel project because they are characters you just want to know.
As I was reading, I felt we should have known more about every individual or at least got a character sheet of sorts. Eventually, we got to know enough about each person, or so it seemed, and yet I was still left with wanting to go more in depth about the others not just our two heroines. Of course, if one got that character sheet perhaps the murderer would be revealed too quickly.

The amount of connections I have with this story is startling, almost to the point where I could believe I was a targeted audience for this book. I can't give away what all of my connections were because they'd give away parts of the book but they are evident and that's exciting.

I am also super impressed with myself that I read this within the timeframe set by NetGalley. It did not disappoint. It would be a great coastal/beachside read and just imagine reading about Mackinac Island while you are on Mackinac Island! That would be grand.

#netgalley #netgalleyreview

A quick and easy locked-room mystery perfect for fans of Agatha Christie! In this, we have Mimi and her granddaugther, Addie, who find themselves stuck in the house of a wealthy socialite who has just been killed during one of her parties. There's blackmail, odd relationships, an array of eccentric characters, and plenty of sleuthing. While the story moved very fast, I did find myself struggling a bit to really feel invested into what was happening. I think parts of the play and mystery itself felt a tad underwhelming so I never felt fully immersed into the story and all the players and pieces. Overall it wasn't my favorite murder mystery kind of book, but one that may be entertaining for others!

Hey babes! Just finished reading This Is Not A Game and I was hooked! It’s like Agatha Christie and Murder She Wrote had a cozy mystery baby.🔎🕵️‍♀️ Set on Mackinac Island during a blizzard with a grandmother-granddaughter duo, this book has all the cozy vibes. The characters, plot twists, and witty writing had me on the edge of my seat. Plus, all the gamer references? Definitely a fun read for all my fellow book-loving babes.

3.6
The books breezy style and free flowing alcohol made me wish I liked it more than I really did. In the end though, I found myself considerably more invested in a tiny little dide story than I was the murder mystery, which just can't be a good sign.

“This Is Not a Game” is an absolute gem of a mystery! From the moment I started reading, I was hooked by the clever and thrilling plot, which skillfully combines the charm of a classic locked-room mystery with an engaging modern twist. The story is set in a snowed-in mansion, and the mix of secrets, suspense, and unexpected revelations kept me captivated until the very last page.

The highlight of the book is undoubtedly the dynamic between Mimi and Addie, a grandmother-granddaughter duo unlike any other. Mimi’s sharp wit and no-nonsense attitude paired perfectly with Addie’s tech-savvy resourcefulness and youthful energy. Together, they were an unstoppable team, and their evolving relationship added a layer of warmth and depth to the story.

What truly impressed me was how the book seamlessly weaved gaming references into a traditional mystery without it ever feeling forced. It brought a refreshing and innovative edge to the narrative while maintaining the intrigue and timeless appeal of a classic whodunit. The banter between the characters was spot-on, and the humor sprinkled throughout made the story all the more enjoyable.

The pacing was spot-on, and the twists and turns were masterfully executed—I couldn’t put it down! Fans of mysteries with both heart and humor are in for a treat with this one. I can only hope this is the start of a new series because I need more adventures with Mimi and Addie. Highly recommended!

I loved the setting for this book! I will be recommending this to my cozy mystery bookclub. I found it fun and think it will appeal to many readers.

This one just wasn't really for me it seems. I hated ALL the characters. Like HATED them. Even the ones I think I was supposed to like, annoyed me to the point I just didn't care what happened to them. The main characters are weak in my opinion and that really kept me from latching on to them. I just couldn't ever root for them to be successful.

Maybe it's just par for the course for the "locked room mystery" genre, but I felt claustrophobic reading it....not sure why, but that's just the feeling I got.

I will say the one thing I DID like was the banter between characters. I feel like if the main characters were made just a little more likelable/stronger, that the banter may have won me over.

If you like this genre, then I would definitely give this one a read, but for someone that normally doesn't read locked room mysteries, I'd say I will pass on any more with these characters if this becomes a series.

Thank you to Net Galley and Penguin Group Dutton for this ARC. #ThisIsNotaGame #NetGalley

I really enjoyed this book, especially the wide cast of characters. At times it felt a bit too cozy for me, but the fast pace and interesting story kept me hooked. I did not successfully guess whodunit, but it was a satisfying ending nonetheless.

Thank you to Kelly Mullen, Penguin, and NetGalley for the ARC!

Can you say - unputdownable? Seriously - is that even a word. However - that's how i would describe this. It started it at 5pm and then staying up all night to finish it. It was just that good. The Mimi-Addie combo was amazing. I might even like Mimi more than Addie. It reminded me of the team up in the Good Guys where you have a new tech-friendly genius and then an old-school geezer who does things the hard way but it works. They were a cute combo. Plus, who doesn't love a locked room mystery due to a storm. It was like the game of Clue with more modern characters in it. FUN AND FABULOUS READ - can't wait for more from this author.

This locked room mystery was fun. I enjoyed reading it and trying to figure out the mystery. Highly recommend!

This book was such a fun ride! It had everything I love in a good mystery: a snowed-in mansion, hidden trapdoors, a suspicious group of characters, and a grandmother-granddaughter duo solving murders together. Mimi and Addie made such a unique and entertaining pair, and their evolving relationship really gave the story heart.

At first, I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about Mimi. She’s not your typical cozy mystery grandma—she’s gruff, sharp, and unapologetically herself (she’d rather microwave a frozen dinner than bake cookies). But that’s exactly what made her so refreshing, and by the end, I absolutely loved her. Addie, with her quick thinking and gaming expertise, was a great contrast to Mimi, and together they made an unlikely but perfect team.

What really stood out to me was how this book managed to combine a traditional mystery vibe with a modern edge. The gaming references and Addie’s sharp tech skills made the story feel fresh, while the classic locked-room elements kept me guessing the whole time. Plus, I loved how their sleuthing wasn’t just about catching the killer—it was also about healing their bond and rediscovering their connection.

The pacing was great, and the dialogue felt snappy and natural, though I do wish some of the side characters had been fleshed out a bit more. Still, the twists kept me hooked, and I couldn’t stop turning the pages.

If you’re a fan of mysteries with a cozy-meets-modern vibe, this is a must-read. It’s smart, suspenseful, and has just the right amount of warmth. I highly recommend it!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This locked-room mystery, set on the enchanting and snow-covered Mackinac Island, offers an enjoyable mix of humor, intrigue, and suspense. The standout characters—a gimlet-guzzling, crunchy grandmother and her somewhat estranged but endearing granddaughter—bring the story to life with their witty banter and unconventional sleuthing style. The snowstorm that traps a colorful cast of characters in a lavish old mansion amplifies the tension, creating a perfect backdrop for a classic whodunit.

While the primary characters are well-drawn and compelling, some of the supporting characters feel underdeveloped, and the plot veers into overly complex territory toward the resolution.

Still, the engaging prose, witty humor, and dynamic main duo make it a good read. The cover art perfectly captures the book’s intrigue, making it hard to resist for any mystery lover.

I was pleasantly surprised at the depth of this book. As a Michigander I loved the setting and thought it was accurately portrayed to the point of getting chills from the blizzard descriptions. The relationship between Addie and Mimi is great and has a lot of resonance for the current day. I loved the locked room aspect and the puzzle aspects, but I wish the gamer element would have been more prominent. This one reminded me of Gigi Pandian's Secret Staircase series, which is one of my favorites.

Sadly, this quite a bit more 'twee' than I was expecting, and a bit too cozy for my taste! I was anticipating something a bit more tense, rather than Nancy Drew-esque (nothing wrong with Nancy Drew-esque, just not my speed!).

Still, very grateful to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc.