I dnf'd this book. My first problem is that I do not like mysteries anymore. I have stopped requesting them but unfortunately I have a little bit of a back log of them from when I did like them. My second issue is that I do not like how this is written. I didn't finish book one.

Thank you to the author an publisher for an advance copy of this book. I was happily impressed by the follow up to Kristin Perrin's first novel in the Castle Knolls Files. How to Seal Your Own Fate left off shortly after the first book and I was immediately immersed in the village, the people, and the characters. Kristin Perrin has a way with writing shifting timelines in a novel that feels easy and not burdensome on the reader. I seriously enjoyed this book and I would recommend this series to anyone who enjoys cozy, british small village mysteries. Looking forward to the next!

How to Seal your Own Fate is the sequel to How to Solve Your Own Murder. I read a couple of books in between these two and I don't suggest you do that. Read the sequel immediately after book one. There's a lot of characters and seemingly insignificant events that end up kind of important in the end. I still enjoyed the story even with sometimes only a vague idea of what was going on.

A clever, dual-timeline mystery with just the right blend of charm and creepiness. Castle Knoll may look quaint, but its history is anything but—and this novel leans into that gothic energy in all the best ways. Both Annie in the present and Frances in 1967 are compelling leads, and their investigations are layered with secrets, small-town politics, and just enough eeriness to keep you turning the pages. The pacing occasionally slows, but the atmosphere and twisty plotting make it worth the ride. A fun, moody read perfect for fans of village mysteries with a sinister edge.

This second book in the Castke Knoll mystery series was another fun whodunit. With a new list of suspects and new files to dig through, the female protagonist of the story embarks on solving another murder.
I particularly enjoy the setting and interwoven relationships of the townspeople. The mysteries themselves are well-crafted as well.
I am looking forward to the third book in this series.

I really enjoyed this sequel. I felt it really continued the story and kept the same pace and suspense. The writing was just as clever as the first, and I was interested in the story the whole time. I was never bored during the story, and I personally did not guess any of the twists within either. Overall, a very good book and I am excited to continue the series.

A Dual-Timeline Cozy Mystery Full of Secrets, Twists, and Charm!

I’ve always had a soft spot for cozy mysteries, and Kristen Perrin’s How to Seal Your Own Fate is a delightful reminder of why I love the genre! This is the second book in the series, and it picks up shortly after the events of the first—seamlessly pulling readers back into the charming, secret-filled world of Castle Knoll.

The story unfolds across two timelines. In the present, Annie is just beginning to settle into her new life when a mysterious fortune teller named Penny Lane reappears from her past. Penny hints at ominous secrets buried in Aunt Frances’s journals—secrets that could change everything Annie thought she knew. But before Annie can dig deeper, Penny is found murdered right outside Castle Knoll. Now, Annie must unravel the truth before she becomes the prime suspect.

Meanwhile, in 1967, we follow Frances through her journal entries as she navigates a tangled web of romance, lies, and a suspicious car accident that left one family shattered. With two men hiding pieces of the truth, Frances launches her own investigation—one that uncovers shocking revelations with ties to the present.

Both timelines are rich with intrigue, heart, and unexpected twists. I loved watching Annie and Frances uncover long-buried secrets that connect their lives in surprising ways. And the ending? Absolutely floored me!

This series just keeps getting better, and I can’t wait for the next installment. Huge thanks to Dutton and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this one—How to Seal Your Own Fate is a must-read for cozy mystery lovers!

I really enjoyed book one in this series, but I think it should have ended there. I had a more difficult time enjoying this book and felt it to be a bit slow at times. I can tell that the series is going to be continuing on, but I really wish it would stop now. However, I was somewhat surprised by the ending!

Another Castle Knoll mystery! This is a great read for mystery lovers, though I recommend reading book one first to fully appreciate the story.

This installment was very similar to the first book with slightly different characters. I enjoyed it, but it felt very repetitive to How to Solve Your Own Murder (book one of this series). It looks like the author has set this up to include at least one more book with another very similar plot as well. The plot was a little convoluted, but that might just be that I’m not a huge mystery reader. Overall, it held my attention and had an interesting storyline, but I prefer the first novel in the series to this one.

Thank you NetGalley, Penguin Group Dutton, and Kristen Perrin for my advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you NetGalley and Dutton for providing this ebook for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

After reading "How to Solve Your Own Murder" I wanted to give this series one more chance. I wanted to see how Annie settles into life in Castle Knoll and find out more about Frances’ notebooks!

However, I only made it about halfway through the book before deciding to not finish it. I felt like I wanted to skip over the 1967 scenes, but even the present date chapters weren’t enough to keep me going.

After two chances, I won’t be trying this series again.

This book is well written but something about it is boring to me. It seems like a continuation of the first story, rather than something different. It keeps ruminating on what happened in the past. I need something a bit more exciting. Good book, just not for me.

just as good as the first book omgggggg i’m in love!!! fun fact: the first book in this series was the first ever book i got approved for on netgalley, so of course it holds such a special place in my heart. i’m honored that i got to experience this author’s writing again. <3

Thank you Net Galley and publishers for letting me read an arc of this book in return for an honest review.

I didn't like this one as much as I liked the first one but it was still cozy and still had the kooky characters that I liked from the first. This one just felt flat and more complicated. We get more details about the characters from the first but with a completely different fortune to solve. More murders happen and Annie once again is the only one who solves them. I just thought the first one was good enough without needing a sequel. Will I read the third in this series yes, cause this one ended in an unnecessary cliff hanger.

I was so happy to be back in Castle Knoll! I love the characters, the small town, the mystery, and how everything and everyone seem to be entwined together. I cannot wait for the next one and to be back with these characters. I loved how this series goes back and forth in time to solve something current that is also a piece of the past. Keep these coming!

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book!

How to Seal Your Own Fate picks up right where the first Castle Knoll Files novel left off, slipping readers seamlessly back into Annie Adams’ slightly odd, slightly eerie corner of the world. While I needed a minute to remember who was who (and what exactly went down in Book One), the author does a solid job of jogging your memory without turning the opening chapters into a recap.

As with the first book, the premise stretches realism a bit—how many baffling murders can one sleepy English town plausibly host? But somehow, the abundance of mysteries just… works. It adds to the charm, and the slightly heightened reality suits the world Weinberg is building.

One of the strengths of this sequel is how it deepens the characters we met previously and broadens the worldbuilding without losing that cozy-but-unnerving tone. That said, the pacing and prose do veer a little dry at times—likely a stylistic choice to match the setting and genre, but something that kept it from being a total page-turner for me.

All in all, this was an enjoyable read with well-layered storytelling, atmospheric writing, and enough intrigue to keep me going. A solid 3.5 stars from me—and I’ll likely pick up the next one.

This was a fun dual timeline mystery, 1967 and present day. I enjoyed seeing how the two timelines merged by the end of the book. There were times I had to go back and look at what time we were in but it wasn't distracting from the story. Annie in present day and her Aunt Francis in the 60s are trying to solve the same mystery and I think the reader may find out more pieces before Annie does from Aunt Francis' diary. I think before reading a 3rd book in the series, I would want to read the first one and this one again, they seem to build on the characters and the town. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book.

I was dying for a sequel and this one didn’t disappoint! It was such a fun read and I’m really, really hoping there will be more?? Please!!

I had problems getting into the first of this series and it seems that Perrin and I are not meant to be. I can't put my finger on it, but the writing for me is plodding and more complicated than it has to be. It is fine, but to me, nothing special.

Review: How to Seal Your Own Fate by Kristen Perrin

This was an intriguing and enjoyable second installment in the Castle Knoll Files series! Returning to this quaint, mystery-filled English village felt like catching up with an old friend—one with secrets lurking around every corner.

The central mystery was well-crafted and kept me engaged, especially with how it wove in themes of village politics and long-held grudges. It added a layer of depth that I wasn’t expecting and gave the story a fresh angle while staying true to the cozy mystery vibe.

I listened to the audiobook and really appreciated the dual narrators—one for the present timeline and one for the past. It made it so much easier to follow the shifts in time and helped distinguish the two storylines clearly.

A solid follow-up to How to Solve Your Own Murder, and I’m looking forward to what comes next in Castle Knoll series.

Another hit from Kristen Perrin! Funny and suspenseful! You will need to read the first book in the series to understand the characters but you will love it just as much as this one!