I love the setup for this homage to golden-age mysteries — and the ending really landed well. Satisfying twists and nice relationships. But I wish the characters had been more distinctive. The cast of frenemies-turned-friends and their associated male paramours are somewhat interchangeable except for their outfits. However, this is a fine way to spend some time if you want a little escape to a Scottish island.

I've never read anything by any of these authors before, but sadly, this book missed the mark for me. I was never able to connect with the characters, which made it really difficult to care about the story or the outcome. I really did enjoy the setting, however. The pace was very uneven, with the first part being quite slow and the latter part moving at a reasonable pace. As a result, some details felt rushed and others dragged on, such as backstories. The ending was satisfactory.

These three authors, Karen White, Lauren Willig, and Beatrice Williams, are all phenomenal writers and together with their uni-brain, have co-written an entertaining and compelling murder mystery set in Scotland at a writer’s retreat.

The plot is multifaceted where three American novelists, visit a castle to research a historical murder, but before they can begin, their host is found dead and now the three women become the focus of the investigation.

This book has an overall light-hearted feel but does touch on some deeper themes. I thoroughly enjoyed the castle setting and the wittiness of the of the characters. Readers of all genres will get a glimpse into the literary world and will absolutely find themselves laughing at the clever banter! Highly recommend this book.

Thank you so much to authors Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, and Karen White, as well as publisher William Morrow and NetGalley for providing this free eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Similarly to how this novel was written by three different authors, The Author's Guide to Murder follows 3 seemingly BFF authors as they essentially take a "besties writing vacation" at historic murder castle, Castle Kinloch--or is there more to their little trip? (Read and find out; no spoilers here). While the formal summary describes this story as a locked-room mystery, I would argue that that is a lacking explanation of the events that happen.

A satirical take focusing on the well-known tropes of murder mysteries of days past, this novel was a joy to read. I am so used to the typical murder mystery tropes that this was a refreshing and funny read for a particularly stressful time for Americans. The side characters each had a life of their own, and figuring out who murdered who was fun, as I kept changing my guesses. Each character/author had their own distinct personality and voice that the story was easy to follow despite having so many different POVs.

The structure itself was flipped on its head in a way, as we begin the first half of the book with police interviews and flashbacks from before the murder. I do believe that the murder actually occurs about 50% through the book? Afterwards we are brought to the present with our heroines as they solve the mystery for themselves. Overall, this was a fun mystery novel that I recommend to those in a murdery yet goofy reading mood!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for granting access to this book in exchange for my honest review.

Long-time collaborators Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, and Karen White are back with another fantastic book!! While some of their previous books have been set in the past or have a dual timeline, this book is set in the 21st century. I enjoyed the cozy mystery vibes that came from this book, and I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Agatha Christie or Murder She Wrote. Outlander fans might enjoy this book as well as it is set in Scotland. This is probably the perfect book to read while curled up in a nice cozy blanket while drinking a cup of tea, and sitting by a roaring fire. Perfect late fall reading material!

I am very much looking forward to the next collaboration from these three fabulous authors.

Thanks again to NetGalley and the publisher for granting access to this book in exchange for my honest review!

I'm generously giving this 3 stars. I nearly DNF'd this in the beginning but there was just enough to keep me intrigued. Then again around the halfway mark. Finally, I DNF'd this around 85%. I just reached the point where I was so bored I didn't even care "whodunnit."

Interesting premise, poor execution. No flow to the writing, which is most likely due to there being three authors.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for providing this book, with my honest review below.

First, I never would have guessed The Author’s Guide to Murder was written by three authors, much like the story (and yes I did go digging to see if I could guess who was who when I discovered that). The story follows three authors who are writing a book together / using the book as an excuse for a free girl’s trip at a writing retreat / actually up to something that is way bigger and darker than any of those previous things. Taking place on a Scotland isle, the story had humor and more than enough mystery along with some very real drama and heart wrenching hard stuff. I enjoyed the mix as no one piece overwhelmed the others, and I found myself eager to figure out the mystery behind who exactly killed the author behind the retreat (I did not before it was revealed to me).

With lots of little reveals and character quirks, main characters Emma, Cassie, and Kat are the authors on the retreat and Brett, our unseen author hosting it, is our murder victim and the common link between the ladies. We get to know each of the female authors through their own perspective and their observations of the others, with a lot of character building taking place. We also get to know some of the other characters supporting the retreat (and a sheep) as well as some of those living on the island. When things hit the fan we don’t get the reveal of where these ladies were right away and as the reader you may wonder (even after the reveal) if one of them did do the crime (which they would each be justified in my opinion of doing).

My only critique is that this ran a little long overall due to the extended observations and parking in some places that ultimately I felt wasn’t needed. Perhaps that’s a consequence of having three authors write one book, but the idea behind the story, the writing, mystery, and character and story reveals were so great that I didn’t mind it so much. Hope to see another book from this trio!

Read this for the insider writer and publishing industry bits and a surprisingly lighthearted revenge story. This felt a little too long, and while the characters were fine, they were all a bit too surface. Still, it was entertaining and I think that the authors must have had fun writing it since it came through like that in the story.

Does Deanna Raybourn know the trouble she caused with her social post?! Lol! I loved that easter egg nod to one of my fave authors and all the others in this head-scratching mystery. Could a victim deserve to be murdered more? I don't think so. Good riddance to that dude. This book kept me engaged and guessing to the end. The structure was great. There are a couple of romance plot lines that also kept me intrigued. I would've loved more Emma and Archie scenes together and what's with skipping the sex scene?!

A writers retreat in Scotland, a gothic castle setting, three "friends" with ulterior motives, a bunch of sus townsfolk, murder and romance! The story is told from all three writer's POVs to get the most out of each main character and it just worked. I loved this book and hope Williams, Willig and White (The 3W's) will team up again for another literary adventure. If it comes with a free research trip - why not?!

I got 4% in and had to stop. I couldn't understand half of what was being said. So much Scottish phrases/words and it was annoying to have to reread to decipher or just not understand. I don't mind "non-English" words in fantasy but a murder mystery...it was making it too hard to read!

The Author's Guide to Murder was such a wild ride! Presley’s murder at Castle Kinloch set the stage for an intriguing mystery, and I couldn’t wait to see how Detective Chief Inspector McIntosh would handle the eccentric cast of suspects—three American authors with a lot of personality and even more secrets. Each character brought something fun and different, and I loved how they clashed and kept me guessing.

Some parts really worked for me—the mystery itself was solid, and there were twists that surprised me. But there were also moments that felt off, like the epilogue, which I could’ve done without. Still, if you’re into a locked-room mystery with plenty of humor and literary drama, it’s worth the read!

First off, thank you William Morrow, Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, Karen White & NetGalley for granting me early access to this book! I was so excited since I love Team W. Here's my review:

Oof. I have read over 13 of Beatriz Williams' books and 4 of the collaboration books between the Triple-W Threat (hehe) and loved & devoured every word of all 17 of those books. This book did not do it for me. The chatty nature of the 3 authors plus the silly plaid-clad Scottish setting was not my cup of tea. The book was hard to get into. The dialogue was wordy. The drama didn't feel exciting (like it usually does in Williams, Willig, White books).

The book ended on a redeeming note. I liked that all 3 authors were strong women who had been messed with by the same man and were on a mission to get him back. I love any story about women finding justice (or vengeance, *cue the evil laugh*) on a misogynistic man who wronged them. But getting to the end was a little painful.

Overall, I'd rate this book approximately a 3.5. Despite not loving it, I still will pick up any Beatriz Williams or Team W book because I love them. However, I think the author's, do better with serious, dramatic stories in historical settings.

Kat, Cassie and Emma, embark on a journey to a secluded castle in Scotland for a writers retreat hosted by a famous author, Brett Saffron Presley. When Presley turns up dead, the writing trio go from guests to suspects. There is a murder to solve, but this mystery adds a touch of history and hilarity.

The Author’s Guide to Murder is a light and fun read. Williams, Willig and White seamlessly meld their voices into one story.

Synopsis: Three authors visit a Scottish castle on a writing retreat and become suspects in a murder investigation.

Thoughts: It is always so interesting to me to read books written by multiple authors - these three did a great job working together on this one! It was very clever to have three authors writing a book about three authors writing a book. I loved the atmospheric Scottish setting, the multiple POVs, and the mystery. My only real issue with this one is that the first half felt very slow. The second half was like a whole different book in how much it picked up and became really great and bingeable. Overall, though, this book is a fun, cozy-ish mystery that I recommend!

Read this if you like:
🏰 Scotland
🏰 mysteries
🏰 books about writing
🏰 multiple pov
🏰 crime procedurals

The Author’s Guide to Murder is a fun cozy mystery novel filled with humor, frenemies, and murder. The story is set in Kinloch Castle in Scotland. Three writers , Kay, Emma, and Cassie are authors collaborating on a book about the Kinloch Castle’s dark past. The three authors travel to Scotland for a writers’ retreat. Their fun-filled writing retreat is cut short at the discovery of literary superstar Brett Saffron Presley’s body. As the three are questioned by Detective Macintosh, secrets are divulged and the three are prime suspects.

I loved the humor and the satire in this book as it tastefully covered the darker side of the publishing industry. How ironic that a book written by three authors centered on three main characters who happened to also be authors. The interviews between the detective and each lady reminded me of Janice Hallett’s style of writing in The Appeal. Even more shocking was the twist at the end! This book was truly binge worthy.

Trigger warnings: heavy sexual innuendos, sexual assault, murder

Many thanks to the authors and NetGalley for the ARC. This review was voluntary, and all thoughts are my own.

This is a great mystery! The characters are likeable and entertaining. I really enjoyed this! Special Thank You to Beatriz Williams,Lauren Willig,Karen White,William Morrow Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy prior to publication in exchange for an honest review.

Set in a castle in Scotland, three authors, supposedly best friends, meet to attend a writing clinic. Kat writes erotic fantasies, Cassie writes cozy mysteries and Emma writes historical fiction. The three have a secret which will be unveiled later in the book. When a dead body is found in the castle, the three writers, first suspects, then budding detectives, try to solve, the murder. There are some very humorous moments. I enjoyed this one, and recommend it. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

A writing retreat proves deadly

Emma, Kat and Cassie are authors who write different types of books but share an editor, and after connecting at book events they decide to try writing a book together. Their editor agrees to fund their attendance at a writing retreat taking place in a Scottish castle where well-known writer Brett runs literary workshops. Shortly after the women arrive, Brett (or BSP as he is known) turns up dead and they soon find themselves on the list of suspects. Since the castle is on an island there is a finite pool of possible killers for Detective Chief Inspector Euan Macintosh to interview, and he senses that there is more to the ladies’ presence than they would have him believe. Who wanted BSP dead, and why?
This book offers a host of different elements for the reader; its a sort of locked room mystery in a cozy style, but is also a send up of the writing world. Toss in a little romance, some female bonding, and the gothic setting and you have quite a yarn. The fact that three authors are actually writing a book about three authors writing a book adds to the fun. As can happen with a story written by multiple authors, there is some unevenness with pacing and style, but all in all I found it an enjoyable read. Fans of authors Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willlig and Karen White as well as readers who enjoy Mary Kay Andrews, J. Courtney Sullivan and Liv Constantine will enjoy this twisty tale of friendship and revenge. My thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for allowing me early access to a copy of this witty whodunnit.

Team W- Thank you for being a light. Even if it does involve murder. 🗡️

A fun mystery by one of the best writing teams out there. There's intrigue, a murder, Scottish accents, a castle, even a pet sheep. What more do you need?

A highly recommended distraction, out now.

I received an advanced copy of this book, all opinions are my own.

The Author's Guide to Murder by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, and Karen White is a fun mystery. It places three very different writers in a gothic-ish Scottish castle. Mayhem, witty dialog, and suspense await as all three become suspects in the murder of their host. It's well-written, with atmospheric settings and fun dialog. I found the first third or so tough going, as the switching between characters was a bit confusing unless I really concentrated. Still, it was worth sticking with it -- the book has a very satisfying ending.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.