This book was just as good as the first. The mystery within a mystery really had me hooked. I enjoyed getting to see these characters again. The town is super cute and adds to the setting of the story. I like the hint of a romance, and am curious to see where it goes. Overall, I am enjoying this series and can't wait to see where it goes.

Another cozy mystery in this series- I really enjoyed the first one last year. This novel needed a little bit more of a summary of the first novel instead of the random mentions of what happened, in my opinion. Or maybe a reread before reading this one. However, I think this could stand alone - the mystery is mostly separate from the first book’s but a lot of the characters are interwoven so that gets confusing.
Overall, this was fine! Thanks for the galley!

"How to Seal Your Own Fate" is a solid follow-up to "How to Solve Your Own Murder". It's great to return to Castle Knoll and the great characters that we left there at the end of the first novel. What's even better is that the dual timelines from the first novel continue, so despite Frances no longer being around in the present, we still get to follow her around in the past. It was also wonderful to see Annie settling in and growing closer with Castle Knoll's resident detective (I am happy with that slow-burn relationship). There was a great mystery in this one, but what's even better is that the novel made it clear that there are still many more mysteries in Castle Knoll that need unravelling. Looking forward to seeing Annie and Frances again in the next installment.

Thanks to Dutton and Kristen Perrin for the chance to read ‘How to Seal Your Own Fate’! I unfortunately did not remember much of the first book (even though I rated it 5 stars and liked it), so I had to look up spoilers for it in order to remember everyone/everything. This definitely isn't a sequel that can be read without reading the first. It's very much tied together. That said, it was fine. I think it could've used a bit more character development in the current timeline (Annie) instead of continuing to flesh out Frances.

This was a fun follow-up to How to Solve Your Own Murder. I love the characters and the setting. Can't wait to read the third book. The only thing I don't like is the way the book switches timelines so much. I wish there was less of the diary and more of the modern day action.

Ultimately, this book fell flat in comparison to how much I enjoyed the first one. The events that take place in the present left me feeling a bit confused, which admittedly might be my own fault - but everything just felt so convoluted, there were so many things to keep track of, and at the end I just felt like, "well, erm, alrighty then." I did still really enjoy the parts that took place in the past.

Absolutely loved it. It's a rare sequel that is as good as, if not better, than the first. I can't wait the for the next one!

This is the second book in the series and I was happy to go back to Castle Knoll. Annie Adams has moved in to the Gravesdown Estate and who does she meet walking on her property? None other than Peony Lane, the woman who gave Great Aunt Frances the fortune all those years ago…. If you want to find out what happens next you’ll have to check out the series!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

Another cozy mystery in the Castle Knoll Files series. DEFINITELY read the first book before diving into this one!

These books have dual timelines and a pretty significant cast of characters, so can be a little confusing at times, but I enjoyed myself in the first one. This second installment unfortunately let me down a little bit. There were several different plot threads weaving throughout two different time periods, some of which just felt unnecessary to the larger story arc and the mysteries at hand -- ultimately it just felt haphazard, and the two time periods didn't seem as connected as in book 1. It was fine, but I'm not sure if I'll pick up the third book.

*I received an eARC of this book from Dutton via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Thanks!*

I love Castle Knoll! I enjoyed How to Solve Your Own Murder so much and was excited to read the follow up. I fell in love with the quirky cast of villagers in the first book and was glad to learn new sides to them in this book.

Annie had so many factors working against her in this story, the villagers’ skepticism towards her, some direct animosity from a select few, and even supposed allies to her cause withholding information! I felt that this book was a little slower paced than the first but not too slow. I appreciated all the backstory, particularly about Archie and Frances! It makes the events of the first book that much more emotional.

I appreciated Perrin’s weaving of the stories, there was so much continuity between books one and two, it makes book three highly anticipated.

I loved the first book in this series. This second one fell flat for me. There was way too much going on. It was very hard to follow.

Perrin revisits old haunts and friends in this delightful sequel. A perfect summer read as you get swept up n new mysteries and cryptic scenarios!

How to Seal Your Own Fate follows Annie Adams in another whodunnit mystery surrounding the Gravesdown Estate. Like its predecessor, How To Solve Your Own Murder, there are many twists and turns that keep you guessing throughout the whole book. It took me a while to get back into the characters and the world of Castle Knoll. There are a lot of characters to keep track of and a lot of history to remember for each of them. I felt myself getting lost at some points, but once I kept reading my memory was jogged a bit. I appreciate the author’s writing style and ability to make the characters feel more real. Thank you to Kristen Perrin, Penguin Group Dutton, and NetGalley for the eARC!

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!