How to Solve Your Own Murder is a cozy murder mystery that is set in two different time periods. In the present day, Annie is competing to win an inheritance from her great-aunt, Frances by investigating her murder. With the aid of Frances' diary from 1967, Annie is determined to uncover the truth.

I enjoyed reading this book as it reminded me of the classic mystery games like Clue and the recent movie Knives Out. It also had the essence of an Agatha Christie's mystery story. The suspenseful plot kept me engaged throughout the book, and I appreciated the alternating perspectives as it added to the overall intrigue. However, due to the vast number of characters in the story, I found it challenging to keep track of them, and it caused some confusion. It also made it harder to connect with the characters. The ending was great and I have never guessed the whodunit

Thank you to NetGalley and to Penguin Group Dutton for giving me a copy.

I enjoyed this one more than I thought I would!! I think the storytelling was well done and it was a good concept and the cover is awesome. It felt very Agatha Christie to me and I’m a huge sucker for her.

This story has a super fun premise. However, I had a really hard time getting into it. I wasn't really feeling connected with the characters and there were so many of them!

Thank you so much to Dutton books for the advanced reader copy!

If I had to describe this book in one word, it would be FUN! That may seem strange for a book title "HOW TO SOLVE YOUR OWN MURDER", but hear me out! While this book is about the murder of Frances Adams, the great aunt of Annie Adams, who has been trying to predict/solve her future murder for the past 60 years, it is told with a lightness and great sense of humor.

The book alternates between present day where Annie Adams is tirelessly trying to solve her great aunt's murder, not only to bring her justice, but also to win her estate and the past told from Frances' perspective in the 1960s. Both timelines held my attention and I enjoyed them equally.

This book is part one in a new series called "CASTLE KNOLL FILES" and I cannot wait to see what kind of shenanigans are waiting for us in book #2!

This book will be available for purchase on March 26, 2024!

Thank you to NetGalley, the Author for the ARC of this novel.

"How to Solve Your Own Murder" is a captivating double murder mystery that delivers both intrigue and charm. While it may not fit neatly into the cozy mystery category due to some adult content, it still retains the cozy atmosphere with its delightful cast of characters.

The narrative unfolds through two timelines, skillfully weaving between present-day events as Annie Adams investigates her Great-Aunt Frances's murder, and the 1960s, delving into Frances's own teenage years and a mysterious disappearance. Despite my usual reservations about flashbacks, I found Frances's storyline to be particularly engaging, adding depth to the overall mystery.

One of the novel's strengths lies in its likable characters, even among the antagonists who possess unexpected layers of complexity. The plot is both plausible and suspenseful, keeping readers guessing until the final reveal. Personally, I found myself enthralled by the setting, especially the English manor house backdrop, which added a sense of grandeur and intrigue to the story.

Overall, "How to Solve Your Own Murder" is a thoroughly enjoyable read that combines mystery, suspense, and charm in equal measure. It's a testament to the author's storytelling prowess and a delightful addition to the genre.

Kristin Perrin's 'How to Solve Your Own Murder' was a fantastic and fun take on a murder mystery. As a teenager, Frances Adams receives a fortune predicting she will be murdered. For the next sixty years, Frances becomes obsessed with solving her own murder, becoming increasingly paranoid over time. Ultimately, when the fortune comes true, her great-niece, Annie Adams is tasked with solving the murder using the resources her aunt has left behind.

I wouldn't classify myself as an avid mystery reader, largely because I've found many of the mysteries I've read to follow a similar template. However, this book fell completely outside that scope, laying out the mystery as a game. I also won't say I'm quick to solve mysteries, even with the most predictable ones, but I REALLY did not see this one coming. I loved the way Perrin wove together two timelines and two stories so seamlessly, and I found this to be a great way to continue to grab my interest.

100% would recommend to others, especially for readers who, like me, have found the genre to be rather monotonous. This was a 4.5/5 read for me - as a reader who only gives 5 stars to books I would 100% read again.

TL;DR- Quick paced mystery humming with the grief of unknown and delayed justice. Would read again, and read others if turned into series.

While the book takes a moment to bring the reader in, Perrin does not fail to set her hook and captivate the reader to the point that the need to find resolution is near overpowering and remembering to slow down, take the story in, becomes a chore. Two narratives are beautifully paralleled with no confusion for what timeline is currently being discussed. An excellent addition to the emerging dark-cozy mystery field.

Pros: Well balanced between two leads. Strong female depiction in new form, acknowledging that it doesn't just mean able to handle blood but strength in character matters as well. Time periods feel natural and immersive. Enjoyed sense of impending trouble from other characters, hinting at future continuation plots. Overall well-written. Good resolution that managed both justice-in-fiction and acknowledgement of loss in real world settings.

Cons: The start had more intrigue for Frances' story. Felt rushed/too quick in pacing. Switching between first and last names made some characters confusing.

I received this DRC from NetGalley.

This is a fun mystery. I like that we get to see the Great Aunt's backstory through the diary chapters and that it's really two mysteries getting solved. I didn't guess the killer, but it made enough sense.

2.5, thank you to netgalley for this ARC 🤝

Fortunes, fate, and friendship turned murderous. Such a unique and compelling premise, yet sadly its execution was underwhelming and impractical. I was intrigued with how a woman’s forewarning would finally ring true after 60 years; however, this aspect got lost throughout the novel.

While the story centered around Annie, there were two (maybe even three) handfuls of characters too many. Each was so underdeveloped that even after the mystery was revealed at the end, I was unsatisfied and skeptical because I knew so little about the characters. Genuinely think it was impossible to see the plot twist coming, and not in a fun way.

On a positive note, I did love the double narrative and was fully hooked on the diaristic parts of Frances’ teenage years. This genuinely kept me on the edge of my seat and made it hard to put down. Would love to read a novel that was just Frances and her friends getting up to mischief.

How to Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen Perrin

Review:

I was immediately Intrigued when I came upon the title of this book. This is a classic murder mystery with a dual timeline set back in 1965 and today. It takes place in a small English village and manor house some place outside of London. In addition to this typical setting, the pacing and plot remind me of a modern day Agatha Christy tale.

As is true of any small place, the village is filled with quirky characters whose lives have overlapped for generations and secrets, lies and gossip abound. I enjoyed following along as Annie, our protagonist works to figure out a pair of murders one which takes place in the past and her Great Aunt Frances' murder.

There is a game element to the story which I have always enjoyed and was done very well here. My favorite character is Annie's best friend Jenny. She's the comic relief and since the book reads like the first in a series I hope we get more of her in the second book. I also look forward to getting to know Annie's Mom Laura who is an artist and tends to express herself visually instead of verbally. This aspect of her character could take the reader to interesting places.

I did feel like there were a few too many characters but other than that it was an extremely enjoyable read and I look forward to reading from this author again.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin for an early ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 4.25 stars

4.5 stars. This book was such a fun mystery- who done it book I highly recommend. You follow the main character Frances who goes to a fair with her friends, and they see a psychic that tells Frances that she is going to end up getting murder in her future. Frances ends up devoting so much time into trying to figure out who is going to commit this crime. Fast forward so many years and she ends up getting murdered. Her great niece Annie is invited out to her estate for a meeting but when she gets there, she finds out its too late and that her great aunt is dead. There is so many characters and stories and people in Frances's life that it really makes you think. I kept trying to guess who did it and didn't end up getting it before the end. It was such a fun read and I feel like anyone who loves mystery who done it movies, or the inheritance games trilogy will love this. Also, the book jumps back and forth with timelines, but I think the author was able to do it so well where it didn't feel confusing, and I was so interested to see the different time points.

This book felt very much like a classic, Agatha Christie-esque mystery. While I wasn't at the edge of my seat, eagerly anticipating for the next chapter, I thought the pacing was well done, as the two plotlines (past and present) created momentum for each other. I also enjoyed the plot and the amount of detail that went into slowly revealing each clue. Although the story is set in a small town, there were enough interesting characters that I can easily see how this story might be the first of many.

The only thing that disappointed me was the ending; it fell a bit flat, and I felt as though the reasoning for the crimes wasn't well justified. Maybe this was exacerbated by the lack of tension leading up to the final reveal. If this had been advertised more as a cozy mystery, I wouldn't have minded so much; however, given the publisher's comparison to Knives Out, I was hoping for an ending that was more twisty and thought provoking. Nevertheless, I'm looking forward to future books in the series!

Thank you to Net Galley and Dutton for the ARC!

this book was absolutely everything. as someone who has not read a lot of murder mystery/mystery books, i was kind of intimidated going into this. i was worried that it would be too complicated to follow or that i would grow bored (as i often do with mystery books). however, Perrin sets up a classic, cozy murder mystery, with a fun twist that is both engaging and easy to follow. the story is told in two timelines, one in 1965 and the other in modern day. the connections between modern day and the past were so fun to find. the characters were funny, eccentric, and overall so so complex with each character having so many more layers than the reader can first see. i do wish that the book was a little longer in order to further flesh out the many different character dynamics though. the ending tied everything up nicely and wasn’t too out there to where it seemed random, but it was definitely still unexpected. overall, i absolutely loved this book and will definitely be rereading!

"How to Solve Your Own Murder" is an Agatha Christie-esque small town mystery with such a unique premise. In 1965, Frances Adams receives a chilling prediction from a fortune teller- one day, she will be murdered. Frances spends her whole life trying to solve a murder that hasn't yet been committed in an effort to prevent her own demise. No one takes her seriously, that is, until the day Frances Adams turns up dead- murdered like she always knew she would be.

Now, in the present day, Annie Adams has been summoned to the estate of her great-aunt, Frances. Annie becomes determined to solve the mystery behind the murder of her great-aunt, and uses Frances's collection of clues to guide her. As the mystery begins to unravel, it becomes unclear whether Annie will inherit her great-aunts fate or her fortune.

Things I Loved:
- This was such a unique premise on a who-dun-it mystery
- Annie Adams gave Nancy Drew vibes
- I loved all the twists and turns that kept me eagerly turning each page.
- I loved the alternating POVs

Things I Didn't Love:
- There was a large cast of characters, which was difficult to keep track of at times

I love a good cozy mystery and was very intrigued by the premise of this one. I am so glad I gave it a try! Thank you so much NetGalley for the advanced copy!

This was such a cozy mystery. It was light and entertaining which is perfect for those who just want get some relaxation done. Nothing too dark or sexual happens which was also refreshing.

The switching between timelines made it far more enjoyable for me as the reader than if it was all in the present. So definitely brownie points for that move.

Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC.

I usually try to review books closer to their pub dates, but I was super in the mood for a good murder mystery. This one definitely fit the bill! HOW TO SOLVE YOUR OWN MURDER is a clever, juicy mystery that flip flops between the past and present. I love mysteries that involve a bit of a supernatural element, and HOW TO SOLVE YOUR OWN MURDER certainly does. It also has some Agatha Christie vibes, lots of goofy side characters, and just enough descriptions of food and sweaters to make it feel cozy. I didn't figure out who the killer was until the end! Highly recommend if you, like me, are sometimes in the mood for a good whodunit.

This book is so well written. It perfectly jumps back in time and to present time throughout the read. I loved the past characters POV (Frances) versus current day (Annie).

Annie deals with hardships with law enforcement and how every person is Frances’s past could be out to get her for whatever reason.

I loved the use of the riddle throughout the read. It really kept my brain thinking and wanting to know what happened next.

Pick up this book when it comes out March 26th!

Thank you to Penguin Group Dutton and NetGalley for the ARC and the ability for me to give a review.

2.5 rounded down to a 2
This author goes to great pains to set up the infrastructure of this murder mystery inheritance drama. One does not necessarily expect great character development in this genre, but is particularly thin here. We are led to believe that the murder victim had a great many enemies, this does not seem to bear out. There are files full of salacious and damaging facts about the town’s inhabitants but we cannot get to them because the other potential heirs are there first. (Don’t you hate it when all the good stuff is inaccessible ?)
The ending is preposterous as our heroine puts herself in great danger hoping to find a box that the murder weapon came in that will have fingerprints all over it and has not been thrown away. I guess they take reusing your plastics rather than discarding them very seriously in this village.
In the overlong acknowledgements section the author implies that she was desperate to publish some type of book during the pandemic, but most of her attempts were terrible and she needed a lot of help to get this book into the shape it is currently in,

Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton for this e-arc.

From the moment I immersed myself in its pages of "How to Solve Your Own Murder", I was drawn into a world where time bends and secrets lurk around every corner.

What truly captivated me was the ingenious way the story unfolds through dual timelines. We switch seamlessly between Annie's perspective in the present and Frances' diary entries from the past, creating a tapestry of suspense and intrigue. It's like we're detectives alongside the characters, piecing together clues and racing against time to uncover the truth.

I have to confess, this book had me hooked from the very first page! The adrenaline-fueled plot kept me on the edge of my seat, eagerly flipping through the pages as I raced to unravel the mystery of Frances' ominous prophecy. It was a pulse-pounding experience that left me craving more with each turn of the page.

But it's not just the plot that's so captivating – it's the depth of the characters and the intensity of their relationships that truly stole my heart. The bond between Frances and her friends is portrayed with such raw emotion and authenticity, adding an extra layer of excitement to the story.

In the end, "How to Solve Your Own Murder" is a wild, exhilarating ride that will leave you breathless and begging for more. With its gripping plot, unforgettable characters, and heart-stopping twists, it's a book that's impossible to put down. Kristen Perrin has crafted a masterpiece of excitement and intrigue, and I'm thrilled to have been along for the ride!

The prologue really drew me in, and I’m sad to say that’s the only thing I liked about this book. I felt that the characters were underdeveloped and I couldn’t connect to them. I also found it to be very slow and at times I didn’t even want to finish reading the book.