NO one absolutely NO ONE does banter like Ally Carter and I love every dang second of it!!! Fast pace and beautifully written this book will have you sucked in and enjoying the ride from beginning to end!! The character development and plot was written beautifully!!

I squealed when I got approved for an early copy. Blonde Identity was one of my favorite books last year, and The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year did not disappoint. I love Ally Carter's voice, and no one does banter quite like her. The story was fun, and kept me turning pages late into the night. Ally had several twists up her sleeves, and I was surprised several times!

What makes this book really shine though was the emotional depth. Ethan and Maggie were fully developed characters with complicated back stories. While a Romance, the book did not shy away from serious topics. The depictions of gaslight and verbal/psychological abuse in a marriage were so well done. My main disappointment was we didn't find out that Colin met a unfortunate demise.

Besides Colin not having an accident, the only other things I didn't love was the repetitive lines from Ethan about how he had to save Maggie, protect her, kill for her etc. I love a capable MMC, but it did make me cringe a bit. It was at least balanced out by him helping her find that she can trust herself. And call me greedy, but I also would have loved a little more detail on what their life looked like in the real world.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins for the eARC.

Ally Carter never misses! The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year is about Maggie Chase and Ethan Wyatt, two rival writers who both accept a cryptic invitation to a Christmas party at the home of a reclusive fan. Little do they know, the world's most famous mystery writer Eleanor Ashley is the party's host. When Eleanor goes missing, Maggie and Ethan must team up to see if they can find the famous writer and make it back to the States in one piece. And, of course, it wouldn't be an Ally Carter novel without some romance sprinkled in there.

If you're looking for a feel good, fast-paced novel that will you leave you laughing at every turn and falling for a couple that feels real on the page in front of you, this is the book for you! I couldn't have loved it more!

I might be biased here because Ally has been one of my favorite authors since I was a kid, but she really, truly never misses. She's absolutely hilarious and knows how to immediately draw you into her stories. Ally introduces and teases things at the perfect moments, reeling you further and further in until you're about the teeter off a cliff, but before you do, she pulls you back just in time to reveal the answers you've been craving.

She also knows how to write banter better than any other author I've read. Her characters' dialogue never feels forced or awkward; it's very real and very funny. You can't help but love her characters and fall deeper and deeper in love with the enemies-to-lovers trope the more you read.

Her characters are dynamic and 3D on the page; Maggie and Ethan both are realistic characters with very real pasts that haunt them and eventually bring them closer and closer together. Maggie's experience with her ex-husband has crafted her into the woman we see in the novel; she is a woman who has been gaslighted over and over, morphing her into someone who questions herself at every turn. Meanwhile, Ethan's past with his family and his accident have shaped him; he is headstrong and caring, willing to do anything he can to protect the people he loves.

Throughout the novel, we see these two collide and begin to grow together, transforming Maggie into someone who can see and embrace confidence in herself and Ethan into someone who is able to grow with someone else and support someone else, helping him grow in turn. They both compliment each other so well, and together, they're able to speak their minds and create a future together that would be unthinkable with anyone but each other. (Plus, Ethan is the definition of a golden retriever boyfriend and I couldn't have loved him more for it).

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers for the Advance Reader's e-proof of The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year! I can't wait to get a hard copy of the novel once it's released!

I had no idea what to expect. Ally Carter is a new author to me. Wow! I was blown away by this book! What a fun story. I loved Maggie and Ethan and loved solving this mystery with them. Do yourself a favor and read it. This is definitely one of my favorite books this year.

*The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year* by Ally Carter is a delightful blend of cozy mystery and romantic comedy that will keep readers entertained from start to finish. The story centers around two rival authors, Maggie Chase and Ethan Wyatt, who are as different as night and day. Maggie is the reigning queen of cozy mysteries, while Ethan is a big-shot thriller writer. Their mutual dislike is palpable, and the sparks between them fly as fast as their sharp banter.

The plot takes off when both Maggie and Ethan receive an enigmatic invitation to a Christmas house party at an English estate. The twist? The host is none other than Eleanor Ashley, the world's most powerful and famous mystery writer, known as the Duchess of Death. However, the holiday festivities take a dark turn when Eleanor disappears from a locked room, leaving behind a mansion full of snowbound guests and unanswered questions.

Carter excels in creating a fast-paced, atmospheric mystery that nods to classic whodunits while adding her own modern, humorous twist. The tension between Maggie and Ethan is electric, and their reluctant partnership evolves into a charming and believable alliance as they navigate the treacherous waters of the case—and their own feelings.

The snowy English estate setting is perfect for a holiday mystery, adding a layer of isolation and urgency to the plot as the weather worsens and the stakes rise. Each clue brings new twists, and the interplay between the leads adds a layer of romantic tension that fans of both mysteries and rom-coms will enjoy.

Carter's writing is witty and engaging, with a cast of quirky secondary characters that add to the charm of the novel. The mystery itself is well-crafted, with enough red herrings and surprises to keep readers guessing until the end.

In *The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year*, Ally Carter delivers a festive and fun mystery that combines the best elements of a locked-room puzzle with the warmth and humor of a holiday romance. It’s a perfect read for those who enjoy a clever mystery wrapped in a love-hate romance, all set against the backdrop of a wintry, snowbound mansion.

Wow, wow, wow!!! I loved this book so much! From the first line, I was immediately drawn into the story. The pacing is excellent, the romantic relationship is so good, and the mystery keeps you guessing. It was a unique storyline as well. I loved how the author kind of piecemealed the main characters’ backstory to us. It was completely believable and sweet.
***There is some mild language a few places and one fade to black scene—even with that it is not graphic; not even about the make out.

Wow! I loved this book so much! I felt swept up in the mysteries and “who-done-it” crime scene was so fun with the investigation report between chapters and the flash backs! I loved our main characters Maggie and Ethan, they really came through on page as not only believable as a true rivals to lovers trope but as season mystery writers themselves. I loved all the clues and banter as well! If you enjoyed the movie Knives Out and love a fade to black romance, this book is it! I also loved the Christmas elements in it, I felt like I was snowed in at this mansion with these characters! I don’t want to give too much away, but all the twists and turns, just when I thought I knew what was happening, I was blown away at how wrong I had been the whole time. If you love a cute romance but also love a good murder mystery, this book is for you!

I didn't expect to love this book as much as I did. I love mystery/thrillers but books like "Clue" always seem confusing to me and I loose interest. This book kept me engaged and I loved the side love story development. Would make a great Christmas movie!
Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins for the ARC

I am not a huge fan of Christmas, but I am a huge fan of Ally Carter.. so when she FINALLY announced the secret project she teased us about last year at Book People I knew I was going to read it (yes even though it was set at Christmas). Maggie Chase and Ethan Wyatt are two writers that hate each other. (or do they?) almost as much as Maggie hates Christmas (I like Maggie).

The two are invited to the englisheh estate of a fan, the fan happens to be best selling author Eleanor Ashley. Maggie and Chase maybe her biggest fans. Elenanor disapears from a locked room and Maggie and Chases have to learn to work together to solve the mystery.

The banter is great, the dual view points are great…everything about this including the clues to solve what happened to Eleanor. I’m going to be reading this again!

Thank you NetGalley and Avon for an advanced copy!

Wow! This book was so much fun! I went into this not knowing what to expect, and came out finding one of my favorite books of this year.



Maggie Chase is an author of mystery books. Newly divorced and over the holiday season, she receives the opportunity of a lifetime: an all expenses paid trip to England for Christmas on behalf of a mysterious benefactor. The problem? Her rival and fellow author, Ethan Wyatt, was also invited on this trip. When the two arrive at a mansion in the countryside, they find that their mysterious host is none other than Eleanor Ashley, acclaimed mystery writer, and Maggie’s favorite author. Maggie, Ethan, and a cache of Eleanor’s invited guests and family soon find themselves thrust into a mystery straight out of an Eleanor Ashley novel when Eleanor herself goes missing. With everyone a suspect, Ethan and Maggie soon pair up to solve the mystery and find Eleanor, unraveling a lot more about their fellow guests (and themselves) than they thought.



I could not stop reading this book! I don’t know what Ally Carter put in this but I HAD to know what happened next! The twists were done so well I didn’t see half of them coming.



I really enjoyed the flashback chapters to Maggie’s and Ethan’s pasts. I felt like these really added depth to the story and helped me understand their relationship and decisions. Ethan was such a fun character and I loved his banter with Maggie! From the beginning I was rooting for the two of them, despite all odds.



I want Ally Carter to write at least a dozen more of these books! If you enjoyed Knives Out (the movie), The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes, and Clue (both the game and the movie), this is the book for you!



Thank you to Netgalley and Avon for the ARC!

A f**king brilliant read!

Not everything is what it seems …

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this Ally Carter read, but the synopsis drew me in and I had to know more!

I could not put the book down! The storyline is complex, suspenseful, and teases just enough to keep you up late at night, turning pages to find out what happens next!

The characters are intricately crafted, the mystery is dynamic and thrilling, and the storyline is executed flawlessly!

Maggie and Ethan are amazing together! Their rivalry is complicated which makes the crazy chemistry generated between the two that much more intense and palpable. I absolutely LOVE them!

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year is an exciting thriller that will leave your jaw-dropping!

Hands down one of the very best books I’ve read all year!

Highly recommend it!

I had such a good time with this book! It was a very quick read, and I’ll probably end up re-reading it closer to the holiday season! Ally Carter has done a great job, yet again, of mixing an interesting mystery with a great romance. Ethan Wyatt is great as a love interest: hot, mysterious, overprotective, charming, and generally hilarious. He was definitely the sunshine to Maggie’s grumpy.

This one was dual POV, though we were much more frequently in Maggie’s POV. I’d say it was primarily a romance, but with a strong mystery element. It was advertised as a holiday Knives Out with romance, and it definitely fit the description! A rich and charismatic elderly author, relatives that don’t get along but desperately want to inherit money, outsiders brought in to solve the crime, and lots of humor throughout.

I would highly recommend this romance/mystery. It was a super fun holiday read!

This is the best book I’ve read this year. THE. BEST. I was laughing out loud (the banter!), getting choked up (the MCs backstories!), and cringing in my seat (the mystery! aka how are they going to get out of THIS one?). I was graciously given an ARC copy, but I’m pretty sure I’m going to have to pre-order my physical copy, like, right now.

This was another delightfully fun romp from Ally Carter.

Coming off last year's The Blonde Identity, Carter proves her foray into adult romance isn't just a fluke with this second excellent novel. Authors Maggie Chase and Ethan Wyatt both receive a mysterious invitation to spend Christmas at a remote English estate, and they're both surprised when they arrive to find their host is none other than Eleanor Ashley, the powerhouse mystery author. But a cozy Christmas is not to be, when the weather turns bad, the phones and the bridge leading to the property are out, and Eleanor herself disappears. Is this vanishing act a test for the author's true mystery fans or is something more sinister afoot? Despite the fact that Maggie hates Ethan's guts, the two must team up to solve the (possible) crime.

I absolutely loved this! The writing was fantastic, full of tongue in cheek humor and witty banter. There was a good balance between the mystery and the romance plots, which I appreciated. The mystery was well-plotted and characters were well-written. The romance felt a little quick, with Maggie's feelings for Ethan changing a little too unrealistically quickly, but that didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book. This was just a very fun and playful read overall, light and entertaining, but still some emotional depth to it at points. The spicy scenes were fade to black. Definitely recommend if you enjoy her other books or are looking for a quick, light read for the holidays.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars. Overall, this one was cute locked-room cozy mystery. I enjoy Carter's writing, but this one was just not my favorite. The pacing was off - for a locked room mystery I never felt invested in trying to figure out who the bad guy was....and then at the very end all of the pieces tie up into a neat bow that the reader could never have guessed. I also found the dialogue of the main couple very repetitive at times. This is a cute holiday mystery, but it just didn't wow me.

Title: The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year
Author: Ally Carter
Genre: mystery, romance
Format: eARC
Pub day: September 24, 2024
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Premise: Maggie, a down on her luck mystery writer gets a mysterious invitation to spend Christmas with her “biggest fan.” For obvious reasons, she’s skeptical, but her boss assures her it is the opportunity of a life time. An unexpected guest accompanies her, and even more unexpected, is the reveal of the identity of the sender of the invitation. There Maggie spends Christmas investigating a potential murder, and finds herself along the way.

Thoughts: I LOVED this book so much! It had everything I want in a story: mystery, romance, suspense, comedy, an array of different characters, and holiday vibes. It felt like Knives Out, crossed with Clue, mixed with Christmas. I adored Maggie the FMC, and the MMC is perfection.
One of my favorite scenes was when Maggie realized whose house she was invited to, I was like ahhhhh !!!
There’s just something about a good old fashioned “almost” murder mystery in an old humongous mansion. It felt classic and I had so much fun reading about them following the clues. You suspected everyone as the potential culprit!
This was such a good time, and was honestly perfect all around!

Recommend?: YES!!! Absolutely yes!

Thank you NetGalley and Avon for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was so fun!

It’s a murder mystery rom-com between two rival authors who are mysteriously invited to an English country estate at Christmas when (gasp!) their hostess goes missing. They have to work together to solve what happened which leads them right into danger (and, perhaps, into each other’s arms).

It was twisty and turny and really just a lot of fun! The blurb mentions Knives Out, which I haven’t actually seen, but I definitely got modern Agatha Christie vibes, but set in a closed door rom-com.

It was honestly just thoroughly entertaining, it was very quickly paced and I raced through to find out what happened. The MMC is a charming golden retriever who was very easy to fall for, the FMC is more of a black cat but her walls are up for good reason and I just really loved how their relationship unfolded.

Definitely recommend it if you're looking for something fun & light & easy reading in the best way!

I hope every reader one day gets the distinct pleasure of reading a book that feels like their favorite author wrote just for them.

I Loved Knives Out, with a capital L. I watched it twice in theaters, bought it on DVD the week it came out, and I've dissected the screenplay a handful of times. When Ally Carter said she was writing Knives out but with kissing, I was all in. Somehow, she delivered a book that exceeded my expectations. The character growth, the mystery, the puns and subtle nods to previous works...this book has it all. I highlighted more passages in this book than I have all year.

As someone who deals with anxiety and second guessing herself, I was happy to see Ally articulate the experience and discuss how a victim of gaslighting might process her experiences. I appreciated how the love interest supports her in the journey to trust herself again.

I will be recommending this book to everyone. I recommended it to my mom before I even finished writing this review!

I received this eARC from NetGalley and the publisher in return for an honest review.

This book worked better than Ally Carter’s last one, The Blonde Identity. The comic bits worked better, the male and female characters were on a more equal footing, the pacing of reveals and twists was better done. I found the characters smart and likable; the mystery and rom-com tropes were abundant but the book was having fun with them. The suspense and danger amped up in the second half of the book–the first half felt more rom-com and the second half more mystery-solving with a dash of the rom-com. All in all, it was fun: I laughed, I liked learning about the characters, the mystery was engaging with not just interesting suspects, but trying to understand what actually happened to the missing person.

I just adore Ally Carter books. Give me all of them. I loved this closed door mystery. Maggie was sweet and complicated and funny. Ethan was everything. And when you find out why he keeps called her the wrong names??? My heart. I loved their romance so much.