Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an Advanced Copy of this book in exchange for a review.

How To Solve Your Own Murder is your typical Agatha Christie-inspired cozy murder mystery, set in a small English town, where everyone is a suspect! Annie has been tasked by her murder-obsessed estranged great aunt Frances to solve her murder within a week to claim her inheritance. After visiting a fortune teller booth in her teen years, Frances had become obsessed with the circumstances of her own death and spent most of her life planning for her eventual demise. The book is split between Annie's investigation and Frances' teenage diary where we are introduced to all the possible murder suspects in Annie's investigation.

This was such a fun, easy, and compelling read! There were twists and turns throughout the entire book, and it kept me on my toes at all times. There were numerous characters, which made it impossible (for me!) to guess the murdered until the reveal. Annie was a charming detective and her growing affection for Frances, even in her death, was very endearing.

Free eARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher for reviewing purposes.

Unfortunately, as a dedicated Mystery Reader, I found this book to be terribly disappointing. Despite the intriguing premise, the lovely cover and compelling title, this book was boring. I didn't care about the mystery, I didn't care what was going to happen next or who did it, and the dual timelines unfortunately made it doubly hard for me to get through reading it.
Our main character, Annie, a mystery writer (Why? She seems to have no insight into solving a mystery from her career. I found her to be incredibly lacking in common sense and uninteresting) who is invited to her Great Aunt Frances' home (Great Aunt Frances has been anticipating her own murder since she was a teenager, and is the source of the title) to discover Frances has been murdered and the person who solves the murder will inherit her fortune. Annie also finds Frances' teenage diary (the other timeline in the book) which tells the narrative before and during the disappearance of Frances' best friend Emily. A Christie-inspired premise, to be sure. Unfortunately, the execution is lacking. The narratives are repetitive, there are too many characters, all of which seem to be either one- or two- dimensional. None of the characters are fleshed out or realistic, which made it hard for me to care about anything happening. I admit to skimming the last 30% of the book, because I just wanted it to be over, and I found the resolution to both mysteries to be lacking- I can tell the author wanted to have some clever revelations, but they didn't work for me.
Alas, despite how much I wanted to enjoy this, I don't recommend this book. I wish it had been better written.

Annie Adams has been called to her great aunt’s country estate. Wealthy, eccentric Aunt Frances has spent her life trying to understand a fortune-teller’s prediction of her death. When Annie arrives for the meeting she finds her dead. The prediction has finally come true. Aunt Frances has changed her will so that the one who solves her murder is the one who will inherit her fortune. As Annie tries to unravel the clues her aunt collected throughout her life, she is embroiled in not only the mystery of her aunt’s death but also the strange disappearance of one of Frances’ best friends. Suspense and danger intensify as Annie gets closer to solving the mystery, but will she solve it in time to inherit it all?

Perrin has created twists and turns in this Agatha Christie style mystery that will keep you guessing. She presents and interesting ensemble of characters and though I would have loved a deeper dive into some of them, the plot must go on. Overall it was an enjoyable read and highly recommended.

First, the title itself is brilliant. I would have definitely grabbed this book just by the title alone. Second, the premise of the book is clever and original- it is a double murder mystery set in two different timelines that involves solving a riddle-like fortune reading. And I think the author did a fantastic job setting the scene in the prologue; I was hooked within the first few pages. There is also a hint of romance throughout the book that I found enjoyable and cozy.
That being said, the book slows down significantly about half way through and gets a little confusing with the amount of characters introduced along the way. However, I still found it a pleasant read with a captivating plot!

Thank you Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Dutton for an eARC for an honest review.

I was immediately gripped by this book! I loved the multiple timelines woven together. What a great mystery! I only wish the romance had been played up a little bit more.

Thank you to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book!

Annie Adams has been summoned from London to her Great Aunt Frances' quite country village where Frances has an announcement about her will. Before Frances can convene the meeting she's murder- just as a fortune teller predicted she would be the summer she turned 17.

Two murders, more than five decades apart, are so intertwined they've corrupted the small village with secrets. Frances is at the center of it all, and she's been collected secrets for nearly sixty years in order to solve her own murder. The person who solves in first wins the fortune, but if Frances' murder remains unsolved a large developer will take over the land.

A little bit Agatha Christie and a little bit Westing Game, this mystery is intricately woven with layers of secrets, bitterness and even love.

How to Solve Your Own Murder is a fun, quirky, British mystery. While it isn’t a thriller, there are unexpected twists and turns as a plucky heroine attempts to solve not one but two murders. A quick, entertaining read!

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for the opportunity to read this ARC.

This had a bit of a slow start, but once it got going, I enjoyed it. I didn't guess conclusion of either murder, so it was a successful mystery.

4.25 stars, rounding to 4 for GR and NetGalley. I loved the setting, the premise, and the story. It’s refreshingly unique in a crowded sea of murder mysteries.

HOWEVER, it look me a really long time to get through the first 40% because I couldn’t keep the characters straight. I eventually just grabbed a pen and paper (and then grabbed them again when my dog stole them) and took notes on the characters and how they were related. It helped clear my head and got me really excited about the story and trying to figure out the mysteries.

Because of the many important characters, I’d recommend reading this book rather than listening, if you’re able — or just check out the “who’s who” guide on my IG (@lizziepagereads).

Overall, I’d recommend it to anyone who reads mysteries, but especially to those who enjoy quirky, Christie-esque, small town, British murder mysteries.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton Books for the gifted copy. Opinions are my own.

I ate this book up in a day. I adore Annie Adams! She is brave, whitty, creative and persistent as she’s thrown into a “murder mystery game” to solve her great aunt Francis’ murder. Whoever solves the murder inherits Francis’ estate. Francis lived her life obsessed and guided by a fortune she believed foretold her murder and the disappearance of her best friend.

This book switches between present day with Annie investigating Francis’ murder and excerpts from Francis’ journals from the time her friend disappeared.

I was hooked by chapter 3. Loved the writing. Loved the pace of this book. I didn’t guess the ending and that is a huge plus for me in any murder mystery I read!

I didn't love Ford's character. The age gap with Francis and that he slept with her friend knowing her friend was a minor. I get that he was being painted as this morally gray, broken, closed off man but I just wasn't a huge fan of his character in particular but I see how him being written this way was important to the story.

The romance girlie in me wanted more of the potential relationship between Annie and Detective Crane. His protectiveness over her as well as little gestures throughout the book but especially the end had me wanting more! But I can also appreciate an open ended conclusion so I can decide if they end up together or not.

3.5/5 rounded down

A fun and inventive twist on the mystery genre! With a large cast of characters and a dual timeline (one through journal entries), I was really excited for the story. While I did find the middle a bit too back and forth (it’s this person, no it’s this person, no it’s this person), I didn’t want to stop reading because I had to know. I was hoping for a bit more from it— it was closer to cozy than I was anticipating.

Hooked from the very beginning! Annie is the perfect character just the right amount of flaw to be endearing while endlessly rooting for her! Most books of this type tend to drag on and give all the info at the very end not this one! I learned new information with every turn of the page and still didn't guess who did it! Definitely a must read!

I started this book in 2023 and ended it the first day of the new year 2024. Probably the best book I’ve read to start the year off. This book is meant for people who loved a good girls guide to murder and the inheritance games. It gives that mystery who dun it vibes. From the very first sentence of the book it definitely pulled me in. I was intrigued and I bet a lot of other readers will be as well. This was a lovely time reading.

A good read for anyone that enjoys whodunit or cozy mysteries. Annie is writer turned sleuth thanks to a "game" her aunt has devised. Her character development is obvious as the story unfolds. She goes from someone that just writes about mysteries to someone that can piece together the clues that unfold as she explores her aunt's diaries. The excerpts from the diaries help readers connect with younger versions of current characters as well as those that have passed away. Engaging story that was hard to put down, that left me feeling like closure was finally found for one younger victim.

4.5/5

This book was a blast—a quick, fun whodunnit with characters you can't help but love. We alternate between Annie's POV and her aunt's diary, and I loved both perspectives. I was a little off with the twist, which is always something I like in a mystery/thriller since I read so many of them.

I'm crossing my fingers for some sequels, I would love to see more adventures with Annie Adams, our promising amateur detective. I'm definitely onboard to read Perrin's next release!

A cozy mystery that kept me reading and guessing at the murder until the end.

Frances has always suspected that she would be murdered after a fortune that she received in her teenage years. Now that it is happened, it is up to her great-niece Annie to figure out what happened and win the inheritance.

I really enjoyed this cozy mystery. As someone who thinks that cozy mysteries can sometimes be cheesy, this one hit the spot for me. It was an original story with twists that kept my attention. I loved the jumping of time from past to present that gave us glimpses into Frances and her past while Annie was trying to solve the murder. It reminded me of The Thursday Murder Club, and I hope this book has a sequel! I would highly recommend for cozy mystery loves and those of us who are sometimes a little skeptical if a cozy is right for them.

Thank you to Net Galley for an advanced copy of this book!

I had a hard time with this book. At times it was slow and difficult to follow along with the characters as there were many in each “time period”. Unfortunately I did not finish this book. I hope to leave it on my list and try again when it is published. I will not post on goodreads because I don’t want to sway any readers from picking it up and truly enjoying it.

Your future contains dry bones. Your slow demise begins right when you hold the queen in the palm of one hand. Beware the bird, for it will betray you. And from that, there is no coming back. But daughters are the key to justice, find the right one and keep her close. All signs point toward your murder.

Frances Adams receives this bone-chilling fortune at the Castle Knoll County Fair in 1965, and she spends the rest of her life convinced that it will one day come true. Nearly 60 years later, it does—Frances is found murdered in her own home.

Enter Annie Adams. Annie is our protagonist, and she has never met her Great Aunt Frances. So when she receives a letter in the mail one day asking for her to come to Castle Knoll and meet with Frances, she can't help but feel surprised. However, she never does get to meet her aunt, because Frances is murdered on her way to the meeting. Shortly after, Annie learns that Aunt Frances expected this murder, and she put Annie in her will. Annie will receive the inheritance, under one condition: she must solve Annie's murder within a week, and before the police, or Saxton, Annie's other nephew.

Annie is racing against the clock to solve this mystery with only Frances's old diary to help her, which contains details of another unsolved murder from decades ago. Soon, it becomes obvious that someone is trying to sabotage Annie—whoever it is, they want her to stop digging.

I thought this murder mystery was highly enjoyable! The plot was fast-paced, and I love small town (small village?) murders. I think this book would actually be a great introduction to the murder-mystery genre, if you've never tried it but are looking for an easy, not too-scary read.

I only had two qualms with this book (which is why I didn't give it four or five stars): first, there were too many characters. The overcrowded cast made it really hard for me to keep track of who was who, especially because some of the characters were dull and indistinguishable from other characters similar to them. Second, the climax was a bit...underwhelming. As a reader, it felt almost impossible to put the puzzle pieces together because I didn't receive the final piece until after the murderer had already been revealed.

That being said, this is a fast-paced, cozy mystery that I'm sure many readers will enjoy once it is published in March. The protagonist is extremely likeable, and I had a lot of fun following along as she tried to solve the mystery.

Thank you to Netgalley for proving an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

HOW TO SOLVE YOUR OWN MURDER is a clever reboot of the golden-age mystery. This tale of obsession and murder features Frances, a woman who has predicted her own murder after receiving a cryptic fortune 60 years prior. Frances spent her life on her sprawling English estate attempting to solve her murder before it took place, but to no avail.

Upon her death, Frances has an unconventional last request: her vast estate and inheritance will be given to the first of three parties assigned to solve her murder. Her great niece Annie Adams is summoned to Castle Knoll to find the culprit.

Debut author Kristen Perrin offers readers two murders to solve in this dual timeline story. Readers are invited along as Annie races to solve not only Frances’ murder but a cold-case murder as well. I loved the pacing of the story as it was a nod to the classic murder-mystery, but also enjoyed the opportunity to speculate on if and how the two murders across the decades were connected.

READ THIS IF YOU:
-Adore a sprawling old estate in a quaint English village
-Love a Nancy Drew-style “whodunit”
-You’ve ever wanted to create your own murder investigation board

PUB DATE: March 26, 2024
RATING: 4/5

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an electronic ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley and Penguin Publishing Group for the chance to read the ARC of How to Solve Your Own Murder!
Can someone really solve their own murder? And if not, can they leave enough evidence/information behind for someone else to? This cozy mystery is told from two view points spaced roughly 50(?) years apart. The book started off slow and took me quite a few days to get into, but it eventually picked up and I couldn't wait to see how it all played out! There are a lot of characters with intertwining relationships which at times was hard to keep track of and a few relationships I was hoping would develop, but never did. I'm more into thrillers but this cozy mystery was a fun read, nonetheless!