The enduring appeal of The Great Gatsby lends itself nicely to this new mystery (that I'd love to see become a series) with characters that are familiar but get presented in an interesting new way, with a murder and subsequent investigation into the killer that is well crafted. I think there is enough here to appeal to fans of the inspiration, but enough to stand on its own legs if you're less invested.

This novel offers a fun and intriguing twist on The Great Gatsby, blending the timeless story with a compelling true crime element. As a devoted fan of the original novel—I own 35 different editions!—I’m always eager to explore new retellings, and this one did not disappoint.

One of the standout features of this book was the inclusion of Jay’s younger sister, Greta, and the household staff as integral parts of the narrative. Their roles added depth to the story and made the mystery even more engaging. Greta, in particular, was a fantastic protagonist—sharp, insightful, and determined to uncover the truth amidst the secrets swirling around her.

In this version of the Gatsby world, Jay doesn’t die. Instead, he remains close friends with Daisy and Tom, and the three spend the summer together at Jay’s house. Greta, having just returned from finishing school, is excited to reconnect with her brother—until their idyllic summer is abruptly disrupted by a suspicious death. While everyone else assumes it was a tragic accident, Greta is convinced there’s more to the story.

The mystery unfolds in a fast-paced and engaging way, making this a quick and enjoyable read. However, I did feel that the book was longer than necessary—some sections dragged, and trimming about 100 pages would have improved the pacing. Despite this, I thoroughly enjoyed the novel and appreciated the fresh take on Gatsby’s world.

If you’re a fan of The Great Gatsby and enjoy clever reimaginings with a mystery twist, this book is definitely worth picking up!

The Gatsby Gambit by Claire Anderson Wheeler is a gripping blend of historical fiction and mystery set in the Jazz Age. With rich prose and compelling characters, Wheeler masterfully crafts a story of secrets, high society, and intrigue. The plot twists keep you hooked, and the pacing ensures there’s never a dull moment. Fans of atmospheric settings and complex characters will find this a must-read! I really really enjoyed this book!

First off I love The Great Gatsby! So I was super excited to see this retelling, how ever I didn’t like it. Started off super slow and I’m aware it’s a retelling but I felt the characters were torn down and didn’t show any growth it’s a good plot but not if you’re a fan of Gatsby. However give it a try you may love it.

This year makes 100 years since the publication of the Great Gatsby. I admit to struggling with this sort of reimagining of Fitzgerald's classic because it was perfect but then again, I was intrigued by the idea of Jay's little sister (a new character) Greta solving a murder among the smart set. Once you accept the idea that Jay lived and everyone is friends, it makes perfect sense to try something new. Greta's a good protagonist - smart, funny, determined. No spoilers on the murder or its solution. I wavered on reading this but I'm glad I did. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. Even diehard Fitzgerald fans should give it a chance.

The Great Gatsby was always a favorite of mine so getting to read a fresh twist on a classic was exciting. This book was immersive and fun. I loved the mystery element and Greta was such a dynamic character. This was a really fun read!

3.75 stars

The Gatsby Gambit was a cute mystery which uses the characters from the Great Gatsby with the exception of Greta Gatsby. Greta is Jay's younger sister who has been away at boarding school.

The Great Gatsby is one of my favorite classics so I was excited to pick this one up. I thought the characters were done well, the story moved slow at times, but I did like it.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group/Viking Penguin for the ARC my thoughts and opinions are my own

Great Gatsby meets Clue!

The Gatsby Gambit is an exciting mystery that places our familiar characters into a completely unfamiliar situation. It’s been a while since I read The Great Gatsby, but each returning character feels true to themselves here, and the introduction of Greta as Jay’s sister doesn’t feel forced. The mystery of The Gatsby Gambit may take a while to pick up pace, but I was fully invested from start to finish and felt like it had a satisfying conclusion. I would definitely recommend this book to any mystery lover - and any lover of The Great Gatsby who might want to spend a little more time with its beloved characters!

This was a fun twist on a classic. I throughly enjoyed the true crime aspect mixed with the characters from the original story. The added bonus of Greta (Jay’s little sister) and the staff being such a vital part of the story was nice. I did think that the book itself was entirely too long, and it could have been about 100 pages shorter (some parts were just boring in my opinion). The Great Gatsby is my all time favorite book, so finding new retellings of the story is always fun for me.

Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this book in an exchange for an honest review.

Imagine the characters and setting of The Great Gatsby extracted from the plot of the book so many people have read in high school and set down in a different story. Add a murder, and a plucky amateur sleuth in the person of Jay Gatsby's younger sister, determined to get to the bottom of it. It seems a little odd to me to turn Gatsby into a cozy mystery, but I suppose it works on that level, even if the attitudes of Greta, the sleuth, seem awfully 21st century for a story set in the 1920s and the occasional nod to the themes of the original seem a bit dutiful rather than intrinsic to the narrative.

"America's most beloved literary characters.
A page-turning mystery.
The gilded opulence of the Roaring Twenties.
And a clever young woman of unusual persistence.

Be ready to re-think the world of Gatsby.

Freshly twenty-one and sporting a daring new bob, Greta Gatsby - younger sister to the infamous Jay - is finally free of her dull finishing school, and looking forward to an idyllic summer at the Gatsby Mansion, the jewel of West Egg. From its breathtaking views to its eccentric denizens, Greta is eager to inhale it all - even to the predictable disapproval of Mrs Dantry, Jay's exacting housekeeper. Indeed, nothing could disrupt the blissful time Greta has planned…except finding out that Jay's cadre of dubious friends - Daisy and Tom Buchanan, along with Nick Carraway and Jordan Baker - will be summering there, too.

It's hard to be noticed when the luminous Daisy Buchanan is in the room, and Jordan keeps rather too close tabs on handsome Nick Carraway for Greta's liking. But by far the worst is Daisy's boorish husband, Tom, whose explosive temper seems always balanced on a knife-edge. But soon, bad blood is the least of their problems, as a shocking event sets the Gatsby household reeling.

Death has come to West Egg, and with it, a web of scandal, betrayal, and secrets. Turning sleuth isn't how Greta meant to spend her summer - but what choice does she have, when everyone else seems intent on living in a world of make-believe?

Deftly subverting romantic notions about money, power, and freedom that still stand today, The Gatsby Gambit is a sparkling homage to, and reinvention of, a world American readers have lionized for generations."

I mean, the people Jay runs with are a rum lot...

If you’re a stickler for The Great Gatsby, it’s details, and the ending, this might not be the book for you, but, if you can put aside the plot of the famous classic and instead imagine what might have been, The Gatsby Gambit is a fun, entertaining mystery. Although I love the original Gatsby, Claire Anderson Wheeler’s what-might-have been let me revisit some of my favorite West Egg residents, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

This is a book best suited to people who are not intimately familiar with Fitzgerald's version. I received my advance copy at the same time I was once again finishing The Great Gatsby with my students, so the details of the original were too fresh for me to sink fully into this new world and Wheeler's versions of the characters.

The story starts slowly, inserting the new character of Greta Gatsby as she finally comes home from all her years of being sent off to school. She begins to interact with alternate versions of Fitzgerald's characters as Wheeler navigates what's the same (not much) and what's different in her version. There are some Easter egg references to the original, but also a lot of changes, and not all of those changes seem entirely necessary to the plot. My students, however, heartily applaud her choice of victim, although they always wish someone else had done the deed. Wheeler offers up various suspects as Greta takes off on her own to prove herself worthy (and independent) in a male-dominated world, annoying the detectives and her brother alike when she's convinced that the apparent suicide isn't all it appears to be.

It's a slow burn until it breathlessly barrels down the last quarter of the book, and it's at the end, freed from any premise of the inspiration text, that Wheeler really shines. I struggled with the characterization of Tom, Daisy, Nick, Jordan, and Jay because I wasn't sure how much I was supposed to remember from Fitzgerald and how much they were supposed to be different (changed, perhaps, because it seems most of the events of Fitzgerald's book happened the summer before this one starts). If you have faint memories of lavish parties and a green light from your own high school days, you'll probably enjoy it.

Ms. Wheeler’s debut novel does a good job of paying homage to Fitzgerald’s classic while still creating an engaging murder mystery with some new characters (Greta, the Gatsby household) intermingling with the old standbys (Nick, Jordan, Jay, etc.). I very much enjoyed reading this story and would definitely read future installments! One note: show, don’t tell– the sociological preaching, particularly in the last several pages, felt a bit tiresome.

2.5 stars

I really loved the great gatsby so I was intrigued by this book. It was nothing like I anticipated and while not bad it wasn't overly great for me. It was predictable and kinda of dry and lagging in other parts. I wanted to like it so much more then I did

oh my gosh. if you grew up loving the Great Gatsby, you 100% need to read this book!!!!! very same feels as original Gatsby. well written. great book overall.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: Apr. 1, 2025
Greta Gatsby, sister of the infamous Jay Gatsby, finally returns home to Gatsby Mansion in the West Egg after years spent aboard at finishing schools. Now a young adult who no longer needs the supervision of her older brother, Greta is looking forward to everything being home will bring to her, including being near Nick Carraway and even suffering the presence of Daisy Buchanan if need be. But almost immediately, Gatsby Mansion is thrown into chaos when Tom Buchanan, husband of Daisy, is found shot to death on Jay’s boat. Although the police are claiming its suicide, Greta is suspicious and she begins to investigate the events, even though she risks finding out startling truths about those she cares about.
“The Gatsby Gambit” is a debut novel by Claire Anderson Wheeler. A rich homage to Fitzgerald’s classic, with some Agatha Christie style mystery thrown in, and Wheeler has reinvented the elite, upper-class world of early twentieth century New York, re-introducing us to some much beloved characters.
Through Greta, readers learn a little more of her and Jay’s heartbreaking past, specifically the death of their parents. Jay’s promise to care for Greta is what encouraged him to become immersed in the world of high society, desperate to make money so that she had the care she needed. Now, both older versions of their childhood selves, they reunite under tragic circumstances but still hold the unbreakable love for each other.
Of course, Daisy Buchanan takes refuge at Gatsby Mansion and is just as admired by Jay as she was in “Gatsby”, if not more so. Her relationship with Tom takes centre stage for this novel, however, and it was intriguing and fascinating to get the intricate details of their dysfunctional marriage.
Wheeler’s writing is imaginative and flawless, easily transporting readers back to the Gatsby era. Each chapter was full of suspense with enough guess-who twists and turns to keep me guessing throughout. The mystery itself was quite predictable, but the “why’s” of the thing is what Wheeler managed to bring together cohesively, answering any questions that may have remained.
Creative, sharp and nostalgic, “Gambit” is a modern-day retelling of one of the greatest novels of the twentieth century to date. Wheeler has managed to create a new world, featuring the Gatsby Mansion and many of its characters, but has managed to leave the Fitzgerald masterpiece itself undamaged. For those who questioned what happened after the final pages of “Gatsby”, Wheeler has provided an interesting alternative that served to satisfy.

pretty fun murder mystery! i felt it limited itself a little by using the actual characters from the book but it worked fine itself and the protag was fun. 4 stars. tysm for the arc.

Title: Gatsby Gambit
Author: Claire Anderson Wheeler (Debut Author)
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Publisher: Penguin Group Viking/ Viking
Pub Date: April 1, 2025
My Rating: 3.7 Stars!
Pages: 368

I was drawn to this story because it has Gatsby in the title- plus a throwback to a murder mystery in the 20’s sounded like fun!
Jay’s younger sister Greta was not in the original F Scott Fitzgerald story!

Story starts with Greta Gatsby who will soon be turning twenty-one and completing her education by graduating from finishing school. She is looking forward to spending the summer with her brother Jay who is seven year older and has been guardian, as they were orphaned fifteen years ago. Greta has been looking forward to this as she has been too young to attend Jay’s late-night soirees or perhaps Aka- infamous summer parties at the. West Egg mansion

Summer starts off with Jay, Nick Carraway, Jordan Baker and Daisy and Tom Buchanan, celebrating Greta's arrival and they plan to go sailing the next morning.
However, the next morning Tom Buchanan doesn’t show up...

My first impression of Greta is that although she was young, immature and a member of high-society I certainly never thought she would be taking the lead in what happened to Tom.
The investigators seem to think he took his own life. Our little Greta thinks otherwise and sets out on her own!

Turned out to be an enjoyable whodunit! I look forward to hopefully Book #2

Want to thank NetGalley and Penguin Group Viking for this enjoyable early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for April 1, 2025.

Very fun historical mystery. I just finished it in 2 days. I couldn't put it down. I'm hoping this is the start of a great series. I will be looking forward to more.