How to Solve Your Own Murder is an enjoyable cosy crime mystery that’s well paced and original enough to rise above many of the other novels in this popular genre.
In 1965 Frances Adams was told by a fortune teller that one day she’d be murdered, when she dies 50 years later her great niece Annie must solve her aunt’s murder in order to inherit her estate.
I loved the dual timelines of the novel and particularly enjoyed reading Frances point of view told through her diaries from the 1960s. This was a fun and well written novel, the pace did slow towards the end but overall a satisfying read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.
3.5 stars

Cozy crime mysteries are enjoying their moment in the sun, so Kristen Perrin’s debut How to Solve Your Own Murder hits the market at exactly the right moment. Frances Adams is the wealthy, somewhat cantankerous protagonist who resides in a sleepy village called Castle Knoll. In the mid-1965s, Frances was warned by a travelling fortune teller to be on her guard as she might otherwise be murdered …. and Frances has carried the weight of that ominous prediction with her ever since. Fast-forward to current times, and Frances summons to her sprawling estate her great-niece Annie, a shy young lady with ambitions to become a mystery writer, for discussions about the contents of her will. Annie has never met Frances before but before the two women can become properly acquainted, Frances dies. To inherit her great-aunt’s fortune, Annie must solve the details of her murder within a week – and she soon discovers that plenty of unexpected, inexplainable danger lurks in even the sleepiest of pastoral settings!
I enjoyed the old-fashioned, sedate feel of this thriller that was big on clues and red herrings but mercifully devoid of brutal descriptions of victimhood that characterises so much of contemporary fiction. What I also enjoyed was the character development of protagonist Annie who matures from a nervous younger into a confident female not afraid to tackle a mystery. The dual timeline was less welcome (perhaps because it is such an over-used plot device these days) – internal monologues or diary entries would have been just as effective in transmitting the necessary details of Frances’ past. However, I cannot wait to see what cozy crimes the character of Annie will solve next! In the meantime, thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for allowing me to read the advance copy that enabled this honest and independent review.

This book is billed as a cozy mystery, not a genre I am normally keen on, though I do read one occasionally . As cozy mysteries go, this was OK and I didn't hate it. I do have some criticisms about it though, there are a lot of characters and it was quite a job to keep track of who is who and their relationships with other characters. I didn't see the point of some of the characters either, Oliver for example and others just seem to muddy the waters (Magda/Evra) . I also have doubts about some of the conversations which were at best stilted, though some were a little unrealistic (Annie & Oliver on the first day they met in the car) .
The premise was unusual, the narration in two timeperiods was a good way to further the story, though the book was maybe a little too long. The climax was a little too drawn out for me and as such was not too realistic. I did want to find out what happened though, so I am writing the book off altogether.
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

This book flicks between the present and 1965. This is the year that Frances was told by a fortune teller that she would be killed. In the present, Frances requests a meeting with her great niece, whom she has never met, so Annie travels from London to the country estate where Frances lives. Due to the fortune tellers prediction, Frances becomes the village nosey parker and throughout her life details all the happenings of not only people in the village but those closest to her too. Before Annie can finally meet her great-aunt, France sis murdered so Annie sets out to solve the mystery of who and why. This was an easy read and did make me want to find out who did it but at times I felt that the descriptions were just too long. In places I must admit I skipped pages as I was losing interest. Thank you Netgalley for a preview.

It's a clever and witty novel that mixes past and present. A fortune told to Francis long ago talks about murder, long before she's murder.
Frances spent her life try to prevent her murder and collecting pieces of information about people around her.
It will be up to her nephew, Annie, to solve the mystery as was told in the fortune.
I had fun in reading this mix of past and present, a witty and well plotted story I thoroughly enjoyed and kept me guessing.
As it's the first in a series I can't wait to read the next one.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

How to Solve Your Own Murder is an excellent inter-generational murder mystery that will root itself in your brain and plant itself firmly there. It is such an addictive and cleverly plotted read that builds on an gem of an idea to create a treasure trove of a story.

Recently, I have been craving good mysteries with cosy settings, characters that steal my heart instantly and twists that make me gasp out loud. This book met all of those wishes and so many more in a story that I will recommend to anyone who will listen. In short, this was a wonderful murder mystery, packed to the brim with twists and turns.

With the boom of films like Knives Out, the type of mysteries that dig into wealth and complex familial relationships have become hot property—doubled by the popularity of Saltburn. Perrin taps into that sense of peeking behind the curtain into the lives of the extremely wealthy and that particular sense of class that pervades every aspect of British culture.

As an American expat in the UK, she gets a bird’s eye view of our class system and how it dominates life. This book is great in unpicking that glamorous façade of the upper class to reveal a dark and bloodstained truth lying beneath. In particular, I really enjoyed the throughline of the violence of that money and how it was obtained. There’s a seediness to it all, which contrasts wonderfully with the finery. It all feels entered around appearances and they are often deceiving. Also, it is a form of manipulation— becoming more key as the story progresses. The financial aspects in particular are keenly felt throughout, as the main theme is that of inheritance. This is a double edged sword though, with secrets and lies also becoming part of a legacy that weighs heavily on the shoulders of many characters. At the same time, it is infused with that classic charm of Golden Age British mysteries—it feels like you could be reading a Christie or watching Midsomer Murders from the quietly claustrophobic, picturesque and oddly charming little village. All of this makes for a brilliant, smart and highly entertaining read.

Perrin’s writing was wickedly brilliant, insightful and utterly captivating. I adored the use of timeline weaving in this book as we flip between Annie and Frances—both of whom are encountering their own mysteries and developing dynamics between characters. Their voices are distinctive and yet you can see their similarities shine through. Perrin really digs into the central theme of fate. Frances’ tarot reading defines her entire life and has ramifications that cause ripples that grow into tidal waves. It deftly plays with that eternal question of if you could know your fate, would you choose to do so? At the same time, it also adds a meta gloss to the story, akin to the knowing nods to said classic mysteries referenced earlier in this review.

The reader is keenly aware of Frances’ fate, as is Annie who is reading these diaries in real time. It adds a tragic air of inevitability to proceedings, but you best believe both timelines have plenty of surprises in store. On this note, the twists are very well done and upend the story each time. You feel the walls closing in on you as Annie’s investigation becomes ever more perilous. Because of the unique situation from Frances and a certain gauntlet thrown down early on, Annie is fighting an uphill battle in a town that does not welcome outsiders into its confidences that easily.

How to Solve Your Own Murder is an ingenious, insightful and incisive read. If you’re looking for a good mystery that will keep you hooked until the early hours, look no further.

Can you solve a murder before it happens? This was deliberately messy but in a really engaging way. I loved the premise for the story and was hooked from the start. Great fun

All Annie has ever known about her Great-Aunt Frances is that she is reclusive and very rich, now she has been summoned to meet her. However, before the meeting can take place, Frances is murdered and Annie must solve the case. Given that Frances was told by a fortune-teller that she would be murdered, she has spent her life compiling evidence to try to find out who which leaves Annie with lots of suspects, lots of motives and a fantastic reward if she succeeds.
I really loved the premise in this story, someone trying to solve their murder before it happens. The plot has huge holes in it but it is very clever and the narrative bounces along at a decent enough pace. It's not a particularly demanding book but it does entertain.

I wasn't quite sure what to expect with this book but I thoroughly enjoyed it and looked forward to reading more each day.
Annie lives with her Mum in a huge house in Chelsea. One day she receives an unexpected letter that her great aunt Frances wishes to see her.
Heading to the countryside house, Annie is nervous and then discovers her great Aunt has been killed. Annie must now work to find out what happened.
In the past, Frances received threats and a fortune telling her she would be killed. Was the prophecy right all along?
A great read, I liked the way we learned about Frances and her friends thought the diary. Sadly I had no idea who the killer was! I would highly recommend this book.

Loved this, a really enjoyable book and great writing, I loved the dual timeline, and it never felt muddled.

I would 100% recommend this to fans of mysteries and good writing in general!

I really hope this does become the first of a series,

I thoroughly enjoyed this book .In 1965 when Frances Adams was a teenager she was told by a Fortune Teller that she would be murdered so she lived her whole life being paranoid and in fear all the time of the prediction coming true .Sixty years later it did !!! The story is fast paced ,gripping with some great characters and twists and turns and I didn't guess who the murderer was ! Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC .

I really enjoyed reading this book. I was a little unsure to begin with but once I got into it I couldn’t put it down! Loved the way it was told by two points of view, flipping between times to solve the murder. 100% would recommend reading it.

Thank you!

I can’t express how much I loved and enjoyed this novel. It’s a gripping and smart debut that kept me completely captivated and that deserves five stars and more.

The protagonist is Annie Adams. Recently made redundant, she’s dedicating her time writing her first novel while living with her mother in her great-aunt’s house in Chelsea. Annie has never met her great-aunt Frances, but she’s heard all about her and the fortune she was told when she was 17 years old predicting her own murder. Frances then spent the next sixty years trying to figure out who her murderer could be, living in a constant state of fear and paranoia.

Annie is taken by surprise when she is summoned to Castle Knoll, Frances’ estate, to discuss a change in her will. And things become more intriguing after Frances is found murdered in her own home and her will states that the entire estate will be left to the person who will solve her murder within a week. Her competition is Saxon, Frances’ nephew on her husband’s side, who believes that the estate should be rightfully his, and detective Crane, who partners with her to share information about the case.

Annie is convinced that Frances’ murder could be linked to the disappearance of her friend Emily sixty years earlier and never solved. As Annie reads Frances’ diary, she gets to know her great-aunt and she is determined to seek justice for her. A big estate, a long list of suspects, a toxic friendship, and a village full of secrets keep Annie busy as she receives death threats and the clock is ticking to solve the murder.

How to Solve Your Own Murder is a fast-paced and unputdownable debut and I can’t wait for its sequel and more adventures and murder-solving for Annie!!!

This was a very entertaining and fun cosy crime mystery.
After having her fortune read in 1965 Frances strongly believes that one day she will be the victim of murder. She spends the rest of her life gathering evidence about everything and everyone in her village in case the inevitable prophesy comes true.
The story unfolds in 2 timelines – one in the present day narrated by Annie and the second in 1965/66 uncovered in diaries by Annie’s Great Aunt Frances. This is tightly plotted and well written with interesting characters that are layered and well-drawn.
I loved the way the plot swings seamlessly from the past to the present uncovering little clues along the way.
Annie is likeable and relatable. It feels like there is definitely more to come from her and Great Aunt Frances.
Overall, this had a sound plot and excellent premise. Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley UK for the ARC.

I just reviewed How To Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen Perrin. #HowToSolveYourOwnMurder #NetGalley

Absolutely brilliant! Well-written and fast-paced without any unnecessary narratives. Really enjoyed this book and the title really doesn’t do it any justice as it’s so much MORE than what it initially claims.

Couldn’t put this down once I’d started it. Really well done to keep me gripped until 2:45am!

Frances Adams always knew she’d be murdered ever since it was predicted by a fortune teller in 1965. Determined to prevent it from happening, she spends her life compiling files on everyone close to her, digging up any dirt she can uncover. Everyone thinks she is mad until, nearly sixty years later, her body is discovered in suspicious circumstances. Annie, her great-niece, has been summoned to the English village of Castle Knoll by Frances, only to find her dead on her arrival. Determined to find her killer, Annie uncovers long-forgotten secrets that not only provide possible motives but also put her own life in danger.

The book’s blurb instantly intrigued me and I was delighted to discover, upon reading, that this was exactly my sort of book. Told from two perspectives, we meet, in the first, Annie, who is slightly perplexed as to why she would be asked to go to meet her great-aunt Frances at her stately house in Castle Knoll. Annie is an outsider, thrust into a village where everyone knows everyone else, and now she is having to treat all the people she encounters with suspicion as she knows that any one of them could be the killer. I liked Annie and admired her tenacity, continuing with her investigation even when she knows that many of the people she meets are desperate for her to fail.

The story is also told through the diaries of Frances, who details events from the 1960s, after the fortune teller predicts her demise. These chapters were enjoyable and I liked discovering her early life and the events that made her the way she was prior to her death. Although we never actually meet Frances as an older woman, it is testament to Kristen Perrin’s writing that we develop a fully-rounded picture of her and understand how she was not the odd woman many thought she was.

The plot is strong and will appeal to fans of classic whodunnits as we meet a plethora of shady characters, each with their own potential motive for wanting Frances dead. I was happy with the way the story played out, even if I didn’t manage to name the perpetrtor!

It looks like this is the first book in a new series and after thoroughly enjoying How to Solve Your Own Murder, I will be looking forward to reading the next.

This book was a tale of two halves for me.
I began by loving it and didn't want to put it down, As the story progressed, however, I became a little bored. There were so many different theories about who could be the murderer, that it became confusing and less interesting.
I read to the end and have very soon afterwards forgotten who the murderer actually was.
Not for me, sorry. Thanks to Netgalley.

Annie’sGreat Aunt Frances has died , in fact she was murdered .
Sixty years ago at a fair a fortune teller told Frances she would be murdered , since then this premonition has shaped her life leading her to fall out with friends and an increased sense of paranoia.
Annie is summoned to Frances’s sprawling country estate and vows to find the murderer,.
There is a mix of past diary entries with the present day and it works well and makes for an easy read .
An enjoyable read!
Thanks to NetGalley and Quercus books .

A cracking good read and if this is the standard to be expected of this author I would have no hesitation inreading again. Great Premise. Great Characters. Great Book.

When Frances Adams recieves an ominous fortune from a fairground fortune seller, her life is sent into a tailspin. Decades later the fortune appears to have come true, with Frances murdered in questionable circumstances. In order to inherit Frances' fortune, her great-niece, Annie Adams, must find Frances' killer. If she doesn't the estate will be sold off to developers. As she investigates and learns more about her great-aunt Frances, Annie unwittingly unearths another murder. But will she find the killers of both before it's too late?

This was a delightful, whodunnit that had me guessing until the end. There were so many twists and red herrings, that I genuinely couldn't pick the outcome. The characters were all fascinating - from the scheming Saxon to the hemp-growing Archie, and their stories all intertwine with each others.

And for a book full of murder, drugs, secrets and betrayal, this was a positively wholesome story of families, redemption, and what people will do for those they love.

I read this in a day - it was a fun, fast-paced read. Loved it.

~ Many thanks to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review~