4⭐
G🌶️

If you're over the sappy Christmas books set in places like Evergreen Mistletoe Falls, why not try this little romp of Christmas falling in love meets murder mystery? Honestly the perfect book to curl up with by the fire while you're visiting family I've tried holidays so you can figure out which of your cousins is most likely to kill you for your fortune.

Maggie is the cozy mystery queen and is shocked to receive a Christmas invitation from her idol, the famous mystery writer Eleanor Ashley. When she arrives Maggie finds Ethan, a popular thriller author, and her rival is also invited. When Eleanor disappears overnight Maggie and Ethan team up to solve the mystery of what happened and figure out if Eleanor was murdered.
This mystery was a fun twist on my usual Christmas rom-coms. I’ve seen a few reviewers say reading this book feels like a game of Clue and that is so spot on. This book is entertaining, the mystery keeps you guessing, and Maggie and Ethan have stellar chemistry. This book was so much fun to read!
Thanks to Avon Books and NetGalley for the advance copy.

4.5 stars

finally, a holiday book that didn’t disappoint me! i was a diehard ally carter reader growing up, but hadn’t read a book of hers in at least a decade. i’m happy to report i’m fully back on the ally carter mystery train after reading this gem. this was one of those rare reading experiences where i started this book intending to just read a few chapters, but before i knew it, hours had passed and i had finished the entire thing.

the mystery plot was really fun and definitely kept me guessing— i loved that our two main characters were mystery writers who got to put their hypothetical crime-solving knowledge to actual, practical use. the clues eleanor left for maggie to find were so clever. i don’t think this was a perfect mystery, but i had so much damn fun reading it that i didn’t care. same goes for the romance— it is a bit insta-love-y, but i found ethan so charming and endearing that i truly didn’t mind that. the banter between the love interests was excellent. i also thought the epilogue was a nice touch to wrap up this story.

overall, this is not a perfect book, but it doesn’t take itself too seriously and has such fun leads that you’ll have a blast reading it either way. highly recommend checking this one out this holiday season!

*i received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. this does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.*

Ally Carter never misses! This was such a fun romcom with a mystery twist. What I love about Ally's writing is how deep the character development is and how she casually interlaces one line zingers through out the prose. A stellar holiday romcom!

Merry Bookmas! This is my favorite festive new release I've read so far this year. Ally Carter's writing was sharp and witty and the banter was excellent! This locked room mystery was fast paced and I definitely enjoyed the ride. Growing up, Carter's Gallagher Girls series was a key part of my personal library so I'm so happy to see her doing adult fiction now!

Thank you Net Galley and the publisher for the advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

Fun mystery-rom-com mash up. I liked that it was a destination party during Christmas and it didn't feel like a hallmark movie. It was very different and I really enjoyed the journey

I tried. I tried so hard. I put it down and came back three separate times in case I was just not in the mood, but this book just didn't grab me. I'd heard some amazing things about Ally as a writer and I love a christmas story and a mystery. this should have been a slam dunk for me and idk why but i just could not connect.

This holiday romance delivers the perfect blend of mystery, humor, and enemies-to-lovers energy. Set against a cozy, Christmas-themed backdrop, it follows two rival mystery authors, Maggie and her counterpart, as they travel to England for a getaway that quickly turns into a thrilling whodunit. The two are forced into close quarters when a beloved author is murdered, and they must work together to solve the crime. The plot is engaging and the mystery keeps you hooked for the first three-quarters of the book, though the final reveal left me feeling less satisfied with the culprit than I expected, despite the solid build-up.

The romance is the real heart of this story. I loved the slow burn between Maggie and her love interest, who turns out to have been secretly pining for her since their first meeting. Their dynamic, filled with sharp banter, forced proximity, and detective work, adds a delightful layer to the mystery. Maggie's backstory—having recently escaped a toxic relationship—adds depth to her character, and her growth over the course of the story is both empowering and relatable. The book’s holiday atmosphere, combined with witty dialogue and a fun, fast-paced plot, makes it an ideal pick for getting into the festive spirit. With dual POVs and a charming audio narration by Saskia Maarleveld, this is a standout holiday read for 2024.

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year was a super fun romp with some hilarious moments, excellent main characters, and an interesting twist. For whatever reason I really kept thinking that it should be Ethan and Maggie should be the ones DOING the crimes, not solving them - that's just what the title really suggested in my head, which is not the case. This isn't a detriment to the book by any means, but it was an interesting preconceived notion that was hard to shake.

Book Review: The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year

If you’re looking for a cozy mystery wrapped in holiday cheer, The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year is the perfect blend of festive charm and crime-solving intrigue. With a title as enticing as the premise, this novel delivers a delightful seasonal whodunit that keeps readers turning the pages late into the winter night.

The story centers on a protagonist who stumbles upon a holiday season far more sinister than joyful—complete with secrets, suspects, and a crime that unravels layer by layer. The author skillfully blends suspense with a touch of humor, crafting an atmospheric setting that feels as comforting as a mug of cocoa yet laced with tension that keeps readers guessing. The cast of quirky, well-drawn characters adds personality and intrigue, making every interaction feel essential to the unraveling mystery.

What shines brightest is the way the book captures the holiday spirit while never losing its edge. The juxtaposition of sparkling Christmas lights and dark secrets creates a captivating contrast, and the pacing ensures there’s never a dull moment. It’s a fun and satisfying read for those who love clever twists without venturing too far into gritty or graphic territory.

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year is a festive mystery you won’t want to miss—perfect for curling up under a blanket with a warm drink in hand. It’s a sleigh ride of surprises, sprinkled with wit and charm, and sure to be a hit for fans of cozy mysteries with a holiday twist.

Rating: 4/5
Perfect for fans of: Agatha Christie, Richard Osman, and holiday-themed mysteries.

This book was so much fun and so perfect for the season! I loved the balance of romance and mystery, and the idea of a mystery author who left a trail of clues for fellow mystery writers was a blast. I've already recommended this in my newsletter and will be recommending in my socials. Thank you so much for the opportunity to read it!

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book. This was the first holiday mystery book I’ve read. I thought it was interesting because it felt like I was playing clue with trying to figure out who did it. With the added romance towards the end i think helped make the book. Overall it was a good holiday romance.

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year follows two competing mystery authors, Maggie and Ethan, who are forced together when they are both invited to the home of Eleanor Ashley, the queen of the mystery novel, for Christmas. Despite the fact that Maggie hates Christmas, she is thrilled to meet her hero, and becomes even more excited when Eleanor Ashley disappears and Maggie realizes that Eleanor left clues for them to find. Maggie believes Eleanor is choosing a successor, and she is determined to be the one to win. But soon, real mysteries emerge and the whole house is in danger. Now, Maggie and Ethan have to team up, because they are the only ones they can trust are not a murderer.

I love how much this book blends mystery, romance, and Christmas. The chemistry between Maggie and Ethan is palpable, and I adored their banter. I also liked that the backstory to their relationship unfolded over the course of the book, as we got little flashbacks to former interactions sprinkled throughout. As a slow burn lover, I appreciated how much tension and flirting their was between these two.

Then, there is the fact that the atmosphere is exactly what you would want from a Christmas mystery. They are snowed in in an elaborate English mansion. There are doctors, dukes, and a butler. There is a hedge maze, secret passages, and a library that you will be as envious of as Maggie is. It is trope-y in just the right way, filled with hallmarks of the mystery genre paying homage to its predecessors, while adding its own modern twists.

If I have one complaint, it is the balance of the POVs in the book. The novel is written in third person singular, mostly from the perspective of Maggie, however, there are also chapters which are from Ethan's perspective. I really liked the opportunity to get into his head and view things from his perspective, but the narration was probably 80% Maggie and 20% Ethan, which is just awkwardly unbalanced. I would either not want Ethan's POV at all, or I would want more of it so it feels more even.

However, that is truly being nit-picky; I loved this book. I flew through it all in a day, and I had so much fun reading it. It is exactly the kind of book I can recommend curling up with in front of the fire with a cup of hot cocoa. It is a perfectly fun read all on it's own, but it is also a fresh and fun addition to the canon of Christmas romances.

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter is such an original and fun tale set during the holidays. It combines the best aspects of a locked-room mystery, with the delightful charm of a romance.

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter is one I anticipated for months. I was so intrigued with the idea of a locked-room mystery with a holiday romance.

And it all worked together so well. It was quite an inventive approach and I can’t imagine it was easy to blend all those genres together. But Ally Carter did a fantastic job. I loved the mystery components as it was intriguing and I truly was wondering what would happen next. It reminded me a bit of the movie Clue in all the best ways possible.

The romance between the two writers was very well done and I was certainly rooting for them. And while not an overly Christmasy-themed book, it does take place during Christmas, and I enjoyed some holiday mentions as well.

Highly recommend!

This was amazing! I really liked the mixture of Chirstmas, romance and a mystery. Really made me think of Agatha Christie while I read this. Did a very good job bringing everything together and made it a wonderful time.

If you like cozy mysteries, you will probably love this one. Not my usual genre, but since it's Christmas-y I thought I'd give it a try. It was entertaining and cute. But I did not like how many times Ethan called Maggie "sweetheart" and especially when he told her she was a "good girl." Gag...

I adored The Blonde Identity, so I went into this book with high expectations. I kept putting it off because I knew I was going to enjoy it and I really wanted to read it around the holiday season. This book was so utterly enjoyable. I loved the strong mystery element and the romance that was a big part of the plot, but not overwhelming in the story. The twists and turns were so fun to uncover and it was an enjoyable ride from the very beginning.

The MMC in this one was a great book boyfriend in many ways - the way that you could tell he's cared for the FMC for a long time, while she was thinking they were enemies, built the emotion and the connection - I was definitely rooting for him to get the girl! The pacing of this book was excellent - it moved quickly, with really short chapters that made it almost bingeable - I didn't want to put it down once I got going.

It had all the elements of a classic mystery plot - while being funny and engaging. I loved the dynamic of the various mystery writers converging on the manor house while trying to solve the mystery that they didn't know they were there to solve. The growth of the FMC into her own person was lovely to watch - I really felt for her and it was highly evident that she needed to build her confidence in herself.

Overall, a great book! Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC - of course I also have a copy on my shelf!

I was just excited to give this a try, but was a bit nervous that it would be too romance forward. I didn’t need to worry, this was an absolute blast. The romance was there in a way that will definitely appeal to romance readers, but it was also a fantastic thriller/mystery. I flew through this book and could not put it down.

This was such a fun read! I loved the balance of mystery and romance. Perfect read for the holidays!

Ever since I read her Embassy Row and Heist Society I've read everything Ally Carter has written and I'm always on the lookout for anything new. I don't always love to read Holiday themed romances but I will read a Holiday themed mystery any chance I can. This one was one of the best Christmas books I've read in recent years. With Carter's signature wit and character development this one will definitely be a re-read for me.