🎁R E V I E W 🎁

In this book you will find:
🤩 Fun!
🔪 Locked room murder mystery
📚 Two writers fall in love
✨Rivals to lovers

This book was basically a good time. Very much Clue vibes. There is murder, but make it light. 😂 The story doesn’t take itself too seriously.

I rated this 4 stars, but when I read it I was in a busy season and struggled to sit down to read at all for an extended length of time, so I truly think that played a role. I don’t want to discourage anyone from reading it because of that. Also, the MMC reminded me of Glen Powell energy. I don’t know if you find that to be a pro or con. 💀

❄️This was a great addition to my Christmas book lineup this year. I will say that it felt more like a winter book, so I think you could enjoy this all winter long. ❄️


I will say, if you’re looking for a darker thriller, I would pass on this. This is mainly for the vibes.

🚪: closed door.

Thank you to NetGalley for a free copy of this book to review. 🫶🏼

Story
I’ve been an Ally Carter stan since I was a preteen so you know I’m going to be here for anything she puts out. I didn’t love her previous adult mystery/romance and was really hoping this one would be better for me. I’m thrilled to report that it was!

Maggie and Ethan are rival mystery book authors (according to Maggie at least). They’re both heading out on a mysterious Christmas trip, no clue that they were invited by the Agatha Christie of their time (Eleanor Ashley). They, along with members of Eleanor’s family, were brought to her huge mansion/castle in the English countryside for some reason. When Eleanor goes missing a few days before Christmas, Maggie and Ethan use their crime, poison, and general mystery trope knowledge to try to figure out what happened and where she is.

I really enjoyed the romance between these two and the setting was incredible. Only one bed, enemies-to-lovers, he-fell-first… all the good tropes! The fact that there was also a mystery in the backdrop made this book even better. Carter did a great job balancing both genres IMO but I do wish there was a liiiittle more of the mystery. I think the Knives Out plus holiday rom-com comparison was perfect for this book, which also means additional puzzles, riddles, and time with other characters would have been welcome.

Wintery Setting & Holiday Feels
The book is set at a snowy castle on 20,000 acres in England with no phone signal, plus there’s a snow storm that takes out their power… what more could you ask for in a holiday mystery? The book takes place right before Christmas and ends on Christmas Day so it’s RIGHT in the thick of things, but it’s not necessarily a Christmassy book. They don’t do anything festive really.

Overall
I’d love to give this book five stars because the banter and romance were good and the mystery was really fun, but there are a lot of random holes – if you think about this too much (or analyze it like we did at my mystery/thriller book club this month…), you’ll ruin the experience.

I truly enjoyed this book! Just the right amount of holiday without being Hallmark, a mystery that I truly couldn't figure out before the end, and just enough romance/sexual tension without actually being smut. This book was well rounded and thought out and truly had me hooked from chapter one! Also the audiobook if you decide to check it out was lovely, although I do wish there was a little more narration from the male perspective in the sense that the male character could have said his own lines more often, however it had me hooked and listening/reading during all hours of the day to get the book finished!

I freaking adored this book. The banter between the two MCs, Maggie and Ethan, was freaking ✨ah-mazing✨. The will they/wont they throughout the whole book was the perfect amount of romance for me. The locked room mystery was the perfect amount of whodunnit. And I just loved everything about this one. I think it’s gonna be an annual holiday read

I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley!

I will be honest, I really wanted to like this book more. It wasn’t bad… but I feel like I was left wanting a lot more than I got. The plot felt like it didn’t have a lot of thought put into it and to me the romance felt a bit out of place. I found myself wishing it was one or the other… either a mystery or a romance. I felt like trying to do both just made each aspect fall flat. I didn’t mind the ending and felt like that brought my rating up a bit because the middle of the book really dragged for me.

It was alright, not sure if I would recommend.

I've been a fan of Ally Carter's sense her Gallagher Girl Serie days. That I discovered shortly after I high school And when I saw that she had written a Christmas rom com mystery combo that was describe as Knives out with Christmas I knew I had to check it out. Especially since she write the screenplay for my favorite Christmas movie A Castle for Christmas, and I also loved her novel for adults The Blonde Identify. And I loved this, and quite frankly it would make an awesome movie, a Christmas movie that I would willingly watch. Maggie Chase and Ethan Wyatt are both writers who write for the same publishing house. They are work place rivals. They jump at the chance to visit a favorite writer's English estate over Christmas when they find themselves in locked room mystery straight out of Christie.

This one was the perfect blend of mystery and rom com. I loved the banter between Maggie and Wyatt, and I loved finding out that there was to Ethan than meets the eye. Character's that are more than meets the eye are what Ally started with the Gallagher Girl Series and while her target audience has changed her knack for writing a great story with action, banter and heroes and heroines that butt heads has not.



I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year is one of the books I was looking forward to reading the most, and I really felt like it lived up to the hype...for the most part.

I loved the mystery aspect to this book. Is Eleanor dead? Is it really just a game she's playing? It definitely fit the Knives Out comparison.

The one thing that felt just a little bit icky to me was Ethan's infatuation with Maggie. I get that he's been pining after her for years, and she's the one who thought they were rivals all this time. But he felt just a little too infatuated/desperate.

Overall, I still really enjoyed this book. And while it is set during Christmas time, you can read this one any time of the year. Christmas doesn't steal the show in this one. The mystery does.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

Maggie Chase and Ethan Wyatt are mystery writers who are both invited to an English mansion for Christmas. The mansion is owned by Eleanor Ashley, the famous author of 99 mystery novels. On their first night at her home, Eleanor disappears without a trace. Though some of Eleanor’s family is there too, only Maggie and Ethan take on the task of searching for clues and finding Eleanor, while also avoiding assassination attempts on their lives.

This was a fun holiday mystery. Eleanor left some clues about her disappearance, but they were closely related to her novels. Since Maggie was a huge fan of hers, she was able to figure them out. The mystery was fun to follow, and I had a hard time figuring out who was responsible.

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year is a great Christmas mystery!

Thank you Frenzy Books for providing a digital copy of this book!

Content warnings: poisoning, fire, gun violence

*The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year* by Ally Carter is a delightful holiday mystery that blends holiday cheer with a dash of intrigue, making it a perfect read for fans of cozy mysteries and festive fun.

The story centers around the character of Kat, a skilled thief who finds herself once again in a situation where her unique set of skills is needed to solve a mystery. The book is set in a cozy, wintery atmosphere that makes it feel like the perfect holiday escape. The blend of crime-solving and holiday spirit creates a refreshing combination, offering a bit of tension and suspense, but never veering too far from the charm and warmth that readers expect from a holiday story.

Carter’s writing is playful, with a strong sense of fun and a knack for keeping things moving at a quick pace. The banter between characters is witty and endearing, and the chemistry between the protagonist and her allies adds a nice layer of sweetness to the book. While the mystery itself may not be as complex or high-stakes as some readers would prefer, it’s engaging enough to hold attention and add a bit of intrigue to the story.

While the characters are charming, I felt that they didn’t develop as much as they might have in a more substantial, standalone novel. Nonetheless, the cozy nature of the book and the holiday setting make it an enjoyable, low-stress read that provides just the right amount of festive escape.

It’s the perfect book to curl up with during the winter season if you're looking for something light-hearted, entertaining, and filled with holiday spirit. Fans of Ally Carter’s previous books, as well as those looking for a cozy mystery with a festive twist, will likely enjoy this charming addition to the holiday reading list.

Thank you so much to the publisher for my ARC in exchange for my review!

A cozy holiday mystery with two rival authors unexpectedly working together to solve what happened to the biggest mystery writer of all time., Eleanor Ashley. This is the right kind of holiday reading for those that have full schedules and need an entertaining book at the end of a long day. I could see this one as a holiday movie (not exactly Hallmark - maybe more like Netflix or Prime). This was my first book by Ally Carter. I did recommend to my twenty-something readers who wanted more than just a romance.

This story was incredible. The plot was engaging and the characters were perfect! It totally had Knives Out vibes, but was even better because of the romance. I was super impressed with how the story unfolded. The enemies to lovers aspect was brilliantly executed. I couldn't put it down!

Ebook through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

It is a laugh-out-loud English winter romp with all your favorite romance tropes bundled up in a riveting mystery. Carter is able to accomplish so much in a short read, most notably creating an engaging rivals-to-lovers romance (with some insta-love sprinkled in) that has you rooting for each character to not only find love with the other, but to grow with each obstacle they surpass.

I am so looking forward to more of Carter’s adult romances, and I look forward to hand-selling this title for readers seeking Christmas cheer but with a little danger under their mistletoe.

I LOVED THIS BOOK. 5 stars, no notes.

I loved Maggie and Ethan. I loved that Ethan was an alpha male, but not in a cliche way. He still had a great personality, he was still funny, and sensitive, and cared about others around him.

This was such a fun book to read, and I get the hype. I would recommend this to everyone!

This was such a fun book! I attempted to start it a couple of times and just was never in the mood but once I really got into it I loved it! It's part cozy mystery part closed door romance and all entertaining. I loved Eleanor's character. She was giving me Harlan Thrombey from Knives Out vibes. Ethan was so swoon and it was great to see Maggie come to trust herself over the course of the book. I absolutely adored the Knives Out vibes and the whole mystery plot. I think the balance between it and the romance was done really well too. Highly recommend this one!

Thank you to the publisher, Frenzy Books, and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Mystery author Maggie Chase accepts a cryptic invitation supposedly sent by an anonymous fan to spend Christmas at a house party at their English estate. But her arch nemesis, Ethan Wyatt, who is famed for his thriller, has also received the same invitation. And their mysterious host is none other than Eleanor Ashley, the most famous mystery novelist in the world. An odd group gathers for the house party just as a massive storm hits the area, snowing them in and knocking out the phone lines. The next morning, Eleanor has disappeared, seemingly into thin air. Due to the way she vanished, Maggie suspects it might be a test or game of sorts, to follow the clues and find Eleanor. Ethan is less certain, especially when they begin to discover the suspicious happenings of the past few months. But with each clue they uncover, it’s beginning to look less like a test and more like a hunt to find a possible murderer – a murderer who is almost certainly with them in the manor.

Usually, when I hear the word contemporary novel, it’s a sign for me to pick another book. But for some reason, this book caught my eye immediately and I was really curious to see how it would be – maybe because there’s also a mystery involved? I also love the title!

I’ve always been fond of a locked room mystery and this was a particularly fun one. An 81 year old author disappearing without a trace from her locked study in the middle of a blizzard, and every other person in the house seemed to have a motive, rival authors caught in the middle of it – this mystery was an absolute delight to read and puzzle out alongside the main characters. It was such a cozy holiday themed read that I didn’t even mind when it got a bit cheesy or cliched at times.

This was such an easy and fast paced read, I finished it in a single sitting and was so disappointed when I turned the last page. I really liked how the various clues were revealed and how the twists were set up to steadily increase the tension throughout the book.

I don’t think I’ve seen this level of character development in these genres for a very long time. The flashbacks to Maggie’s past and divorce helped understand her character better and added so much depth.

The romance was actually really cute and the way it unfolded was wonderfully written, showing the characters’ interactions since they met from different perspectives though it was a little insta-lovey on Maggie’s part. Their back and forth banter was adorable, but at the same time I appreciated that all this remained very much a subplot and that the main focus was on the mystery.

The ending was quite the fun twist, though I did find the last few chapters to be a bit rushed. However, I felt this was one where the reader wasn’t given all the information, so I missed that element of trying to solve it myself. It also did leave several points open to interpretation, particularly what happened to Eleanor.

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year was a thoroughly entertaining read and would be a perfect addition to your holiday TBR! Highly recommended!

What a delightfully charming, witty, and fun winter read! Ally Carter creates a cozy and mysterious whodunit romance! I read this in 2 days and think it’s perfect for anyone wanting a quick, easy, funny read!

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year is definitely one of the most hyped books of the holiday season. I was curious and appreciate receiving a DRC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Did I find the book entertaining - yes. Did I like the development between the main characters - yes and very much enjoyed the slow growth of it. Did I find this a little over the top at times - absolutely! But then it is a holiday mystery, romance, women’s fiction mix of a book. And combined together they made for an entertaining read. Is it my favorite book of the year - no but I’m glad I read it and think it is a good one to pick up during the hectic holiday season!io

"𝑰 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒂𝒍𝒌𝒔 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉, 𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒎 𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒄𝒐𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒑 𝒄𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒊𝒆𝒔, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒇𝒖𝒏 𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒌𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒂 𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒂 𝒌𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅𝒍𝒆."

Special thanks to @williammorrow @harpercollins #scenofthecrime and @theallycarter for the #gifted eARC.

👉🏼 swipe for synopsis ➡️

Maggie has some serious angst for Ethan. FREAKING. Wyatt. 🤣

The dedication is what hooked me from the start "if anyone has ever tried to gaslight you I to thinking you're the problem, congratulations! This book is for you"

This on has it all: sparks of romance, comedy, huge fan-girling , locked room, Clue w a spin type vibes.

This one has some many good one liners, it was hard to pick a striking one for the beginning of this review.

𝙋𝙐𝘽 𝘿𝘼𝙔:
Sep 24, 2024

ℚ𝕆𝕋𝔻 ❓️⁉️❓️ Did you read any holiday books this season? What was your favorite, was it your normal genre?

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#mysteryandthrills #thrillersandsuspense #thrillerfriendsunite #thrillerlover #thrilleraddict #thrillerjunkie #thrillergirlie #bookbuzz #themostwonderfulcrimeoftheyear #allycarter #williammorrow
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Absolutely spot on with the Knives Out comparison!! Cozy mystery + cute romance = fun holiday read! 🎄

Highlights:
✨Books about books: two mystery writers trying to solve a mystery - plenty of suspects.
✨Remote Setting: Old English Mansion + a blizzard + a power outage = locked room perfection!
✨Cute romance: rivals to lovers, he falls first, closed door, witty banter
✨Short chapters: each chapter is only a few pages, making it easy to say, “Just one more.”

I hope Ally Carter considers writing another holiday mystery featuring Maggie and Ethan! I would eagerly grab book 2 without hesitation!

This book is so fun! It has an interesting premise--mystery writers solving a real-time mystery involving a doyenne of the genre--and the characters are engaging, and fully drawn. It's a quick, enjoyable read, and perfect for the holidays!