There is nothing -- NOTHING -- like an Ally Carter book, in my opinion. She writes some of the best men, and Ethan was absolutely no exception. He was such a devoted love interest to Maggie, which made it so easy to root for them as a couple -- but also as individuals. The entire book's vibe felt like a warm cozy night in when it's storming outside, and that really embodies what the book's plot is, too, which makes it a match made in heaven. The mystery kept me on my toes, and the romance warmed my heart. I would read so many books of Maggie and Ethan solving mysteries. I would read books of them just sitting together and doing nothing, that's how much I loved them. The genre "cozy mystery" was made for this book.

Also, the ending with Ethan's tattoo made me cry.

This was honestly the best book I read in 2024 out of the 160+ books I finished.

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year was an intriguing mystery that feels like a combination of the movie Knives Out and Emily Henry's Beach Read with sprinkles of the disappearance of the Queen of Mystery, Agatha Christie. I laughed out loud several times, I gasped in shock, and I had tears in my eyes and felt choked up. It truly has it all from mystery to romance, and it's such an enjoyable novel that I've read it 5 times and purchased copies as gifts for friends.

All the stars ever, and give me a million more like this. Seriously, this better be a series, or other authors had better figure out what the formula to this book is, because I want a stack of them to read.

Absolutely phenomenal. Chef's kiss. Perfection.

I’ve never met an Ally Carter book that I haven’t fallen in love with an this is no exception! I loved Maggie and Ethan’s chemistry, banter, and passion (for each other and mysteries lol) 😉Famous mystery writer Eleanor Ashley was also amazing 😍 (I am in love with her and also want to be her when I grow up)

This book is perfect for fans of Knifes Out, Agatha Christie, he-falls-first romance, and the enemies to lovers troupe 🔪🔎🌹

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Thank you to Ally Carter, Avon and Harper Voyager, and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review 🥰

3.5 stars

This was like a Hallmark Christmas movie mixed with a Knives Out mystery.
Which are two things I happen to be fond of.

Was the romance too cheesy and over the top sometimes? Yes.

Was the mystery a bit too shallow and not big on any major plot twists? Also yes.

But it was sweet and cute and silly and FUN and really a perfect cozy read for the holidays when you're just looking for a little Christmas-y treat.

Thoroughly enjoyed joyed this mash up of a locked door mystery and hallmark romance. A Scottish manor house, trapped by a snowstorm, a cast of characters you want murdered. A fun read perfect for a Sunday afternoon in winter!

I absolutely devoured this book! I was action packed and I love a good “whodunnit” plot. The romance was there. I also really enjoyed Ally’s previous book Blonde Identity and look forward to the next one. These books are so fun!

This sounded like a really fun read- good for Christmastime- I just did not enjoy it. The conversations between the main characters had me cringing the entire time.

While I wasn't sold on the romance in this one, this was a super fun christmas book! It's rare to read a christmas book that isn't centered upon a romance, so this was different for me. I really love the lighthearted mystery in this, especially when woven with the romance aspect. 3.5 stars!

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter is a fun, fast-paced mystery that brings holiday charm with a twist. Maggie and Ethan are as witty and clever as ever. Carter’s signature humor and suspense keeps you hooked. While the plot feels a bit predictable, the writing and story between the characters make this a charming read. Perfect for fans of light-hearted mysteries and holiday cheer!

SO FUN. I love a closed room murder mystery and this was perfectly cozy and mysterious. I'm loving the return of Ally Carter.

This was a fun and fast paced read. First time reading something from this author and looking forward to similar books.

This was everything I didn't know I needed! A cozy mystery set in an English mansion during a snow storm, with two mystery writers trying to solve a mystery. I loved the chemistry & banter between Maggie & Ethan. It may be set at Christmas, but this would be a great read any time of year!

This was a fun holiday read! I didn’t really find the romance to be earth shattering, but the mystery of it all was fun!

Five stars! I absolutely loved this! The setting was so fun and the writing was so fast paced.
I've loved Ally Carter since her Gallagher Girls series and I'm loving her adult books. Can't wait for The Blonde who came in from the Cold!

This book was a fun read! Think cozy mystery mixed with rom-com! The main characters being mystery writers and solving a mystery was great. Overall a cute, easy holiday read!

What happens when you and your arch-nemesis are invited to spend Christmas together in a secret location in order to solve a mystery? I love Ally Carter's books and was excited to see there was a new one for Christmas! This book was a hilarious, fun read. Perfect cozy mystery to read around the Christmas season. Recommended.

Ally Carter can do no wrong in my book and here she is killing it again! Loved loved the mystery element to this one and the romance was perfect. He's obsessed with her and she thinks he hates her. Love love love!

This was a cute, fun little read. It wasn’t super christmasy which I was a little disappointed with. Also the main female character seemed a bit whiny and childish which kind of threw me off and left me not too impressed.

I received an advanced copy of The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year from Netgalley and the publisher and am leaving this review voluntarily.

Ally Carter was a staple author for me growing up, so it feels like coming home when I read her adult books. I couldn't have asked for a better way to start my year than The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year. On top of it being an Ally Carter book, so of course I have to read it, this felt like a love letter to my Nancy Drew-loving preteen self.

I had a blast reading this book. It was quick, snappy, and funny. The pacing was fast, but not so fast that the plot got lost. I'm a sucker for long books because they always feel more developed than shorter ones, but that was not the case here. For a book under 300 pages, there was not a moment that I wasn't getting enough information. The characters got the development they needed, along with fully realized backstories. The side characters were just as enjoyable, with funny quirks that made them stand out. The mystery was fun, and the romance was cute (perhaps a little cheesy at times, but that was fun too).

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year is the perfect book to cozy up with a cup of hot chocolate and a blanket on a cold winter's night. The mystery kept me hooked, and the humor made me laugh. I wish I had more eloquent things to say, but I'll end with recommending this book to anyone looking for a cozy romantic mystery.

What an absolute delight!

I know I always say I’m not a romance reader, but books like this make me reconsider. I loved everything about this story from start to finish!

I loved the main characters and their love story.

I loved the location. Sprawling mansion in the middle of nowhere with a massive snowstorm. Count me in.

I loved the mystery, the clues, and Eleanor Ashley.

The only thing that stopped this one from being a 5 star read for me was having to suspend my disbelief for several elements of the story when it came to the mystery and back story. That’s not going to stop myself and Lacey, who I got to buddy read this one with, from checking out Carter’s Blonde Identity series in 2025!