This is book two in the Castle Knoll’s Files, I read book one and wanted to continue on with the series. I find these well written and an enjoyable mystery. I like our main female protagonist Annie and her friend Jenny. They have a fun dynamic and I like how Jenny is down to help Annie with anything. Many characters from book one are in book two and I would recommend reading book one first. I liked how we got more of Frances in this book through her diary entries from 1967. Frances was investigating a car crash that connects to our current timeline and mystery. I enjoyed how both stories were woven together and the mystery had me guessing.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

In this second installment of the Castle Knoll series, Kristen Perrin delivers another twisty tale set in an English village where secrets run deep and the past refuses to stay buried. The story bounces between the present-day investigation by Annie Adams—new to town and newly accused—and a dual timeline set in 1967, where teen Frances Adams uncovers dark truths behind a suspicious car crash. The premise is intriguing, with tarot cards, family scandals, and a cold case weaving a tangled web across decades. But while the mystery had promise, the dual timeline didn’t always gel, and the pacing sometimes lagged. Annie’s story had great moments, but Frances’s side occasionally pulled focus without enough payoff.

Still, the small-town atmosphere, haunted estate vibes, and classic British whodunit flavor are definite draws. If you love mysteries with long-buried secrets and don’t mind a slower burn, this one’s worth a look—especially if you enjoyed the first book in the series. Just expect more mood than momentum.

This was an excellent sequel to How to Solve Your Own Murder. I love the dual timeline that slowly reveals clues from the past while those same characters are living (mostly) in the present day. There were plenty of twists and turns, and some heart pounding moments. I thought the end was fitting and written well, and the little clue at the end has me excited for what comes next!

Thank you to Dutton books for an early copy!

The follow up to the fun, cozy mystery 'How to Solve Your Own Murder' does not disappoint! The book picks up a little after the events of the first book and Annie is finds that Peony Lane, the fortune teller who gave Annie's Great Aunt Frances her infamous fortune. Frances' life revolved around that fateful fortune so of course Annie has a particular interest in the person who so influenced her aunt. Peony delivers one more cryptic line before disappearing only to be found dead in the solarium of Gravesdown Estate. Annie and her friend Jenny discover her body only moments after the murder and are on the police's short list of suspects. Annie's source inside the police department, Detective Crane, is a little more amenable to Annie's amateur sleuthing methods and joins her for part of her investigation. Meanwhile, we also get Frances' diary entries from 1967 when she is investigating the car crash and death of her beau Ford's father, brother and sister in law. Things start to get muddled and Frances is having a tricky time figuring out who is telling the truth and what secrets people are hiding. Past and present collide and Annie has to figure out the convoluted mess before someone else dies.

I really enjoyed this! Perrin has a fun, engaging way of writing and I liked going back to Castle Knoll and seeing what's going on with the character's lives! I was a little unsure with Frances' diary being involved again, it was so unique for the first book, but it worked really well going back and forth from the past and present. How to Solve Your Own Murder is a hit with my library's patrons and I'm sure they'll love the second installment of the series as well!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A fun second installment in this series! I loved getting to 'know' Francis more through the duali(ish) timeline and the journals. The mysteries that span years are interesting.

I absolutely loved "How to Solve Your Own Murder," and was very excited to get my hands on the sequel. What I loved about the first book: the multiple timelines. The town of Castle Knoll and the manor where the murder takes place. The vividness of the characters from the past and the future.

This sequel is, unfortunately, a little bit of a dim imitation. I do understand that mystery series frequently follow their own formula, and I don't necessarily object to that, but the formula just doesn't work here. I struggled to connect with the diary entries from the past, and they were really starting to stretch my credulity when it comes to how a diary entry would have been written. Our current day heroine frustrated as well - in the first book we meet her as a struggling writer, but in this book she seems to have all but abandoned that in favor of solving murders that conveniently happen in her back garden.

Of course, the characters are still charming, and I love the setting. The writing is lovely. The mystery itself has a satisfying conclusion. But I could not shake the feeling that this book didn't need to exist. My advice is to skip this and just read book 1. I would read another book from the author, but I think this series isn't going to be for me moving forward.

Sequel to How to Solve Your Own Murder, this second installment follows Annie, a mystery novelist, as she navigates her new life in Castle Knoll. ⁣
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She hasn’t had much time to settle in when she receives her own ominous message from the fortune teller, the one who set great aunt Frances on a life of paranoia regarding her own murder. When the fortune teller turns up dead, it’s up to Annie, with the help of Frances’s years of research, to uncover decades-long hidden secrets. ⁣
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The story was told from both Annie’s POV and old journal entries from her great aunt Frances, which I thought was a clever way to intertwine present with history and make revelations. ⁣
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I’m loving this cozy mystery series, but I do think I would have enjoyed this even more had I reread the first book recently. ⁣Overall it was a fun continuation and exploration of the story I loved so much in the first book of the series!
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If you’re looking for twists and secrets and murders set in an idyllic English countryside, start this series! ⁣

Thank you NetGalley and Dutton for the e-arc.

4 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton for the ARC. I really enjoyed this sequel to How to Solve Your Own Murder. It picks up just weeks after the first book ended, which is my favorite way for a sequel to go, rather than having large amounts of time pass between books. I also found the mystery in this book to be more intriguing than the first book and I was very invested in the outcome. In Hoe To Seal Your Own Fate, we meet the character of Peony Lane, who gave Frances her fortune in the first book, and set the course for the remainder of France’s life. In the first chapter, Annie meets the elusive Peony, and almost immediately, a strange series of events begins to unfold. The mystery in this story is a bit darker and some of the topics are a bit heavier, which I really appreciated. I feel like this author is getting her confidence about her and what direction she wants to take her writing and to take this series in particular. Since this is a sequel, I prefer not to say too much, but I will say I liked this book even more than the first one, and I am looking forward to continuing in this series, as the book closes with a pretty powerful cliff hanger.

I didn't really like the first one but it took a while to get to so I didn't like the second one but didn't know when I requested it.

I admit I read the first book in this series about a month ago and didn't love it so wasn't sure what I would think of the second book in the series. Unfortunately, I liked it even less than the first. I wanted to love it but found I was, like in the first book, pretty confused in many places. Yes, this had some serious twists, but it wasn't quite enough to blow me away. I did like the strong female protagonists (in both timelines), but found I was not a fan of the timelines switching. I think if readers read and enjoyed the first they may like this installment, however having read the first pretty recently I found myself seeing parallels to the formulaic way this author creates her stories. Overall I didn't love it but liked it, not enough to read another installment should one come out, however.....

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read in exchange for my honest review.

⭐⭐⭐💫

How to Seal Your Own Fate
Author: Kristen Perrin
Source: Netgalley
Publication Date: April 29, 2025

Fans of Agatha Christie, Murder She Wrote, or the Ghost and Mrs. Muir, will find this book is a must-read. Annie Adams inherits Gravesdown Hall, a crumbling mansion in Castle Knoll, inherited from her Aunt Frances. Determined to uncover the truth behind her aunt’s death and the mysteries surrounding her new mansion, Annie embarks on a thrilling journey. However, she soon realizes that Castle Knoll is not a place for amateur sleuths. The town is plagued by a series of gruesome murders, car wrecks, date rapes, ghostly apparitions, bejeweled daggers, and a mysterious girl named Peony Lane. As Annie delves deeper into the investigation, she uncovers a web of secrets and betrayal that could change her life forever. Despite the numerous characters and the ever-confusing timeline, this book is a captivating and entertaining read for murder mystery enthusiasts. #Netgalley #HowTOSealYourOwnFate #murder #ghosts #DeadOrAlive #romance #bff #riddles #fortunetelling @netgalley @penguinrandomhouse @kristenperrinwrites

I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. Thank you to the publisher, Netgalley, and the author for the opportunity to read this novel.

#book #books #bookAddict #BooksOfInstagram #bookstagram #bookstagramer #bookshelf #reader#bookreviewer

3.5 stars rounded up.

3.5 stars.

The flashback parts of this aren’t quite as engrossing this time (no offense, but I don’t really care about the romance elements? I was just like, girl, what are you doing. Also no one writes that way in their diary (and some of the dialogue too — it’s like she can only write in one style)! I fear I nitpick more in print than on audio, which is how I read the first one.

BUT overall this recaptures a lot of what is great about the first one, and it was still very engrossing, with lots of good end-of-chapter cliffhangers. I kinda don’t how this series will continue, because everyone has already been run through as a suspect/murderer, but I def would keep reading it.

Thanks to Netgalley and Dutton for the ARC!

Kristen Perrin is back with the second novel in the Castle Knoll Files series. "How to Seal Your Own Fate" is a delightful and cozy murder mystery. I loved the first book in the series, "How to Solve Your Own Murder," and was so excited to read this sequel, and it did not disappoint. This whodunit centers around the death of Peony Lane, the fortune teller from the first book. The story is told from the POVs of Annie in the present day and her great-aunt Frances in the 1960s. I really enjoyed learning more about Peony and Frances and the history of Castle Knoll. As ever, the town and its residents were so charming and quirky. The mystery itself was smart, engaging, and compelling, with several surprising and well-executed twists. I love this series, and I am crossing my fingers for Book #3!

Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

How to Seal Your Own Fate by Kristen Perrin releases on April 29, 2025!

This is the second novel in the Castle Knoll series, and I believe can be read as a standalone without being confused. I think if you've read and enjoyed the first book this will totally be an awesome read for you, I think the story is technically continued from the first book with a new twist, so that is fun!

Annie Adams is caught in a web of murder spanning decades. She is settling into life at Castle Knoll when she crosses paths with Peony Lane who has a cryptic message for her. When Peony Lane is found dead just hours later, Annie realizes someone is trying to make her look guilty. We jump from now to 1967 and present day to Annie, to realize how far the webs go through Castle Knoll and to learn the truth.

These characters were well done, and the setting was unique and well written. The switching from the FMC's POV to the journal entries was a bit jarring for me in the first half of the book.

This is a cozy mystery vibe. I thought it was a bit predictable, even with some twists thrown in.
Definitely a cozy mystery that will be well received by many!

Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Welcome to the sleepy English village of Castle Knoll—where secrets brew stronger than the tea and fate might just be sealed before your second cup.

Kristen Perrin’s How to Seal Your Own Fate is a delightfully cozy mystery with a brilliant twisty edge. Set in a charming village that feels like something out of a postcard, this book gives readers everything we love about the genre: quirky locals, unexpected alliances, and a mystery that unravels deliciously over time.

Told through dual timelines and POVs, the story gracefully bounces between past and present, building tension while layering in emotional depth. Perrin uses this structure to her advantage, dropping just enough clues and red herrings to keep you guessing. Every time I thought I had it figured out, another twist threw me off course—and I loved it.

The cast of characters truly shines. Each person felt distinct, with just the right balance of eccentricity and heart. Whether you’re a fan of nosy neighbors, curious librarians, or secretive townsfolk, you’ll find someone to root for (or side-eye suspiciously).

The pacing is gentle without being slow—a hallmark of a great cozy—and the setting is vivid enough that I felt like I was strolling down the lanes of Castle Knoll myself.

The only reason this isn’t a full five stars? A couple of twists felt a bit over-the-top, stretching believability just a touch. But honestly, that didn’t dampen my enjoyment. If you're in the mood for a mystery that’s warm, witty, and filled with secrets, this one’s for you.

Perfect for fans of: dual timelines, charming English villages, and mysteries that keep you on your toes.

Some stories simply don’t warrant sequels, and *How to Seal Your Fate* exemplifies this perfectly. While I had a lukewarm reaction to its predecessor, I appreciated the author's intent and heart, recognizing her potential. So, I was quite puzzled when a sequel emerged, as I struggled to understand where the story could possibly go. Nevertheless, my curiosity about how Kristen Perrin would surprise us remained intact.

The first 30% of the book was impressive; even my skeptical mind found it engaging. I mentioned to a friend that it might surpass the first. I enjoyed the freshness of the returning characters, and the mystery was intriguing. However, after this point, the story took a dramatic nose dive.

My thoughts quickly turned to the words tedious and convoluted. With characters reappearing and their relationships so interwoven, a character map or a family tree from the editors would have been invaluable. When a village serves as a character in its own right, a fictional map would have been useful too. Confusion set in, as the character dynamics felt contrived, and the dialogues came across as inorganic. It was like watching a train wreck unfold—it was chaotic!

Annie, in particular, became the most unlikable character. At least in the previous book, the author recognized that there are certain things the police cannot share with civilians. Having read enough crime dramas, it's clear that police don't divulge crucial information during ongoing investigations. In this sequel, Crane seemed to have lost his grip on reality, asking a novice twenty-five-year-old to pursue leads and carelessly handing out evidence. It makes no sense! At times, the author's writing veered into incoherent territory.

The motivations behind the murder remained murky, and the accident from nearly fifty years ago still lay shrouded in mystery. Annie’s relationship with her mother felt bizarre compared to the last book. Are we seriously meant to believe that her mother stealthily entered her daughter’s newly inherited mansion to grab a file related to someone who is now her muse? It’s absurd!

Frances’s decisions felt questionable, often contradicting the personality we had begun to understand as readers. To top it all off, during a pep talk from Annie's friend Jenna, instead of being grateful, Annie became defensive and petulant. I found myself despising her character by this point.

Overall, the book was tedious and contrived, lacking a clear direction. I can't fathom how a third book could possibly follow. I will be passing on that.

If you liked the first book in the Castle Knoll series (How to Solve Your Own Murder), you'll also like this sequel with the same dual-narrator, village-history-with-current-ramifications, murder mystery formula. With the many files and journals mentioned on the shelves of the estate for future mystery-solving reference, and the modern story that's quite slow to change beyond the actual murder mysteries, it's easy to imagine this as a long-continuing series or long-running television serial.

How to Seal Your Own Fate is the sequel to the first book and while some series you can read out of order or skip a book, this is not one of them. This heavily builds off the first book, the characters and their relationships are necessary to make sense of the second book.

Like the first book we see two separate storylines written by Frances (now dead) in the 1960s and narration by Annie, her great niece, in the present.

There is alot going on in this book in terms of two new murders and new characters that heavily rely on the information in the first book. While there is a lot going on the author takes us through each piece slowly so it's not hard to keep up with all the facts going on. great read and would love to see a third one come out of this.

I read an advance reader copy from Netgalley.

Second book of the saga "Castle Knoll Files", let's say that for me it was a bit of a flop. It is very similar to the first, in the first volume I gave 5 stars because it seemed to me a gripping and particular thriller, but here the story almost repeats itself, loses a bit of its uniqueness, almost turns into a banal thriller saga, and I think we already have too many of those. Thanks anyway to Netgalley, to the author and to the publishing house for this book, in exchange for my honest opinion.

I absolutely love this series! The town of Castle Knoll and Gravesdown Hall are characters in their own right, and I love how everything and everyone ties back to the community.

I really enjoy the twists and turns - almost everyone in this story does something bad and/or sneaky, and so it’s like trying to play 3D chess. This one did get a little too complicated at times, but it was still really fun to put all the pieces together.

Also c’mon Detective Crane - feel those feelings, man!!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Kristen Perrin, and Dutton Books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.