
Member Reviews

I enjoyed this murder mystery set in Jay Gatsby's mansion in West Egg kicked off by his younger sister's return from finishing school. Naturally Daisy and Tom Buchanan, Jordan Baker, and Nick Carraway are all on the scene and one of them is murdered. Greta Gatsby starts sleuthing with some unintended results. It was a fun mystery set in a world I last inhabited as a senior in high school.
Thanks to the publisher for providing me an ARC of this novel via NetGalley.

I wanted to love this booked, based on the premise but there was nothing about it that was enjoyable.

An entertaining and fun repurposing of Fitzgerald’s iconic characters.
This is a really enjoyable read, but please be advised that this is not a prequel or a sequel to The Great Gatsby. It’s an original story that makes use of the characters and the setting of Fitzgerald’s novel and should be taken as such. Characters meet different fates here than in The Great Gatsby, making it a sort of permutation of the bones of the plot rather than something that is in dialogue with it directly.
That said, it’s fun to be back in such an incredible corner of the imagined world, and Claire Anderson Wheeler does a lovely job of paying homage to the sense of time and place that Fitzgerald so vividly created so long ago.
This isn’t a tragedy like Gatsby, it’s more of a caper/golden age-style mystery, and these things seem to harmonize perfectly with the world of Jay, his friends, and the protagonist, a newly-drawn younger Gatsby sibling, Greta. She’s just the kind of plucky heroine that a book like this needs, and overall this was a terrific way to pay homage to a beloved novel without trying to retell it or alter the canon appreciably. A fun, clever whodunit.

I'll preface this review by stating that not only is F. Scott Fitzgerald one of my all-time favorite Great™ authors, but THE GREAT GATSBY is genuinely also one of my favorite – or, at least to me, the most memorable – classic reads... which is why I've been both excited *and* slightly hesitant in seeing all these different retellings/reimaginings being published as of late. I've read my fair share of them because, truly, anything aesthetically adjacent to TGG or to this era/time period as a whole is 100% my ~bread & butter~..... and, while there have def been some winners, there have, of course, also been some not-so-great ones. THE GATSBY GAMBIT - a cozy mystery that introduces a new, original character to us in the form of Jay Gatsby's little sister, Greta - falls into the former category— I really enjoyed this book! I particularly love how accessible Anderson Wheeler's story is to both fans of the original source material AND to newcomers; you don't necessarily have to have read TGG to fully understand or become invested in these characters and their individual motivations/arcs/etc. In terms of the mystery, I don't want to spoil anything, but I honestly thought it was very well-paced and plotted out, with clues/hints + foreshadowing littered throughout the novel to keep readers on their toes as to what actually happened that fateful night. All in all, a fun, solid historical mystery with great writing and compelling characters!

The Great Gatsby is an American classic, and I really enjoyed this mystery novel that continues the storied tale of love, betrayal, and longing. While it changes some of the cannon, it is a fun insider look at the Gatsby world from its hedonistic parties to its careless wealth. Add in a new feisty heroine in Jay’s younger sister who is a budding sleuth.
Gatsby enthusiasts will want to read this, and it’s perfect for fans of Enola Holmes. A great caper!

I am a huge fan of anything Gatsby-themed, and I when I saw that The Gatsby Gambit was releasing around the time of The Great Gatsby's 100th anniversary on April 10, I knew I had to read this book!
Any person who loves the Gatsby-themed lore will like this book. It is a departure from the source material and is a bit more like fan fiction, but it is quite enjoyable. I am usually not interested in murder mysteries, but this book kept me captivated. I also enjoyed that the household staff were integral to the story. Introducing a new character, Greta Gatsby, also kept the century-old story fresh. It's always nice to analyze these characters from different angles, and Jay's younger sister Greta brings out some interesting qualities in people.

This was fun! It suffered a bit for the fact I don't have a preexisting fondness for the characters and plot of The Great Gatsby. I thought it would be a new spin on it, and it is, but the story covers the same characters and year. What happens is pretty different, though. I wonder if Gatsby lovers would be more invested or if they would object to the reimagining? I definitely think they (and you!) should give it a shot, especially if you want to see Tom suffer more consequences.

This was a very cosy murder mystery set in the Gatsby house. I enjoyed this Great Gatsby spin off which follows Greta, younger sister of Jay Gatsby, as she conducts on her own investigation on whether the death of an acquaintance was a suicide or something more sinister.
I enjoyed being reunited with familiar characters and seeing them from a different perspective.
It wasn't an overly exciting storyline but it was a fun, easy read with all the cosy murder mystery vibes. Very enjoyable!

This cozy murder mystery set in the world of the classic The Great Gatsby is that is cute but not quite what kept me interested. I found myself unfortunately bored and found the ending a bit predictable.
Thank you to Netgalley and to the publishers for allowing me to read this advanced copy in exchanged for my opinion

This was such a great read!
The premise itself had me hooked. I enjoyed The Great Gatsby and I love Agatha Christie's mysteries. A combination of these things immediately caught my attention and I couldn't wait to get started. The characters themselves were fletched out well and in my perspective, a good take on the original characters, under a new lens. I loved Greta's character and her sleuthing skills. Without a doubt, I can say that I'm eagerly waiting to read more about Greta Gatsby's adventures and see what more mysteries she'll solve.

*3.5 stars. Claire Anderson-Wheeler's cozy mystery takes us back to the Roaring 20s and Jay Gatsby's mansion in West Egg, Long Island, where Jay's little sister Greta is returning after completing finishing school. She hopes for some relaxation and time alone with her older brother but unfortunately several of his friends are already there visiting: Daisy and Tom Buchanan, Nick Carraway, and Jordan Baker, and Tom's brother Edgar will be joining them soon. She's also upset to learn that two of her favorites among the staff have left.
The next morning they are all to go sailing but things do not go as planned when one of the group is found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gun shot wound. That seems totally out of character and their doubts are proven correct when barbiturates are found during the autopsy. But that must mean there's a murderer in their midst!
Greta decides to follow her intuition to help solve the crime but maybe she's just putting herself and everyone else in danger as she closes in. Quite fun to see a bit more of Jay Gatsby and friends and hobnob with the uber-rich. As Anderson-Wheeler says, she's channeled a bit of both F. Scott Fitzgerald and Agatha Christie as her inspiration for her new mystery novel.
Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this novel via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

The enduring appeal of The Great Gatsby lends itself nicely to this new mystery (that I'd love to see become a series) with characters that are familiar but get presented in an interesting new way, with a murder and subsequent investigation into the killer that is well crafted. I think there is enough here to appeal to fans of the inspiration, but enough to stand on its own legs if you're less invested.

This novel offers a fun and intriguing twist on The Great Gatsby, blending the timeless story with a compelling true crime element. As a devoted fan of the original novel—I own 35 different editions!—I’m always eager to explore new retellings, and this one did not disappoint.
One of the standout features of this book was the inclusion of Jay’s younger sister, Greta, and the household staff as integral parts of the narrative. Their roles added depth to the story and made the mystery even more engaging. Greta, in particular, was a fantastic protagonist—sharp, insightful, and determined to uncover the truth amidst the secrets swirling around her.
In this version of the Gatsby world, Jay doesn’t die. Instead, he remains close friends with Daisy and Tom, and the three spend the summer together at Jay’s house. Greta, having just returned from finishing school, is excited to reconnect with her brother—until their idyllic summer is abruptly disrupted by a suspicious death. While everyone else assumes it was a tragic accident, Greta is convinced there’s more to the story.
The mystery unfolds in a fast-paced and engaging way, making this a quick and enjoyable read. However, I did feel that the book was longer than necessary—some sections dragged, and trimming about 100 pages would have improved the pacing. Despite this, I thoroughly enjoyed the novel and appreciated the fresh take on Gatsby’s world.
If you’re a fan of The Great Gatsby and enjoy clever reimaginings with a mystery twist, this book is definitely worth picking up!

The Gatsby Gambit by Claire Anderson Wheeler is a gripping blend of historical fiction and mystery set in the Jazz Age. With rich prose and compelling characters, Wheeler masterfully crafts a story of secrets, high society, and intrigue. The plot twists keep you hooked, and the pacing ensures there’s never a dull moment. Fans of atmospheric settings and complex characters will find this a must-read! I really really enjoyed this book!

First off I love The Great Gatsby! So I was super excited to see this retelling, how ever I didn’t like it. Started off super slow and I’m aware it’s a retelling but I felt the characters were torn down and didn’t show any growth it’s a good plot but not if you’re a fan of Gatsby. However give it a try you may love it.

This year makes 100 years since the publication of the Great Gatsby. I admit to struggling with this sort of reimagining of Fitzgerald's classic because it was perfect but then again, I was intrigued by the idea of Jay's little sister (a new character) Greta solving a murder among the smart set. Once you accept the idea that Jay lived and everyone is friends, it makes perfect sense to try something new. Greta's a good protagonist - smart, funny, determined. No spoilers on the murder or its solution. I wavered on reading this but I'm glad I did. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. Even diehard Fitzgerald fans should give it a chance.

The Great Gatsby was always a favorite of mine so getting to read a fresh twist on a classic was exciting. This book was immersive and fun. I loved the mystery element and Greta was such a dynamic character. This was a really fun read!

3.75 stars
The Gatsby Gambit was a cute mystery which uses the characters from the Great Gatsby with the exception of Greta Gatsby. Greta is Jay's younger sister who has been away at boarding school.
The Great Gatsby is one of my favorite classics so I was excited to pick this one up. I thought the characters were done well, the story moved slow at times, but I did like it.
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group/Viking Penguin for the ARC my thoughts and opinions are my own

Great Gatsby meets Clue!
The Gatsby Gambit is an exciting mystery that places our familiar characters into a completely unfamiliar situation. It’s been a while since I read The Great Gatsby, but each returning character feels true to themselves here, and the introduction of Greta as Jay’s sister doesn’t feel forced. The mystery of The Gatsby Gambit may take a while to pick up pace, but I was fully invested from start to finish and felt like it had a satisfying conclusion. I would definitely recommend this book to any mystery lover - and any lover of The Great Gatsby who might want to spend a little more time with its beloved characters!

This was a fun twist on a classic. I throughly enjoyed the true crime aspect mixed with the characters from the original story. The added bonus of Greta (Jay’s little sister) and the staff being such a vital part of the story was nice. I did think that the book itself was entirely too long, and it could have been about 100 pages shorter (some parts were just boring in my opinion). The Great Gatsby is my all time favorite book, so finding new retellings of the story is always fun for me.
Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this book in an exchange for an honest review.