I really love a cozy mystery. The perfect type of book for when it is raining outside and you just want to curl up under a blanket. I loved being back with the characters at Castle Knoll and enjoyed this second installment. I felt like the pacing was a little bit slower than the first.

I greatly enjoyed this follow up to How To Solve Your Ownurder. Annie Adams continues to be a fun amateur sleuth to follow.

Thank you to NetGalley & Dutton for this eARC is exchange for my honest review.

I was so excited when I heard there was going to be a sequel to How to Solve Your Own Murder. However, this fell flat for me. It could have been because I would listing to the audiobook, but it was hard to keep track of what was going on. The circumstances and everyone's roles in the car crash were difficult to get straight. I was especially irked by the fact that there was one character named Edmund and another named Eric. I was distracted whenever one of them was brought up because I had to remind myself of who was who.

I did enjoy the cliffhanger though. I also liked the humor sprinkled throughout. The found family theme was done very well, too. Despite my disappointment, I will read the next book (if there is one) because of the cliffhanger alone.

Kristen Perrin is quickly becoming a cozy mystery favorite. Her characters, while quirky and charming, offer a realness not often seen in this genre. In regard to the mystery I found this to be an enthralling read with good twists and unexpected character development. As a sequel, I wish we saw a few of the characters we saw from book 1 more or had more of Peony in book 1 to tie the two novels together a bit more seamlessly. Overall, this was an enjoyable read and I will be returning for book 3!

In this sequel to How to Solve Your Own Murder, we’re back in British village Castle Knoll, and once again the story is told in two timelines - present day from Annie’s perspective, and the 1960s from teenage Frances’ perspective - Frances being Annie’s deceased great aunt. In the present day, fortune teller Peony Lane returns to town and soon ends up murdered, and Annie starts her own investigation, eventually realizing it’s tied up with the 1960s car crash that killed multiple members of the Gravesdown family. And in 1967, Frances is torn between Ford and Gravesdown and Archie Foyle while investigating that very same car crash.

I loved the first book in this series, and while this one was interesting, I didn’t think it was as good. Between having to remember all the many characters from the first book which I had read a year ago, and all the new information in this one, it just felt rather confusing. The mysteries in both timelines were so convoluted and then ultimately revealed by monologing in a way that had me often either rewinding the audiobook or going back in my e-book trying to see if I had missed something.

That being said, it definitely kept me reading and wanting to know what was going on, and I did enjoy it - and I’d probably read the third book in the series when it comes out. And the audio narration by Alexandra Dowling and Jessica Hayles was very good.

3.5 stars

I absolutely loved How to Solve Your Own Murder, the first Castle Knoll Files book. I wasn't sure how a sequel would work but it turns out Aunt Frances left behind enough files and diaries for a full series of secrets for Annie to unravel. Yay!

The concept of two mysteries being solved in different timelines is really well done. Despite having never met, Annie and Frances make a great team. Annie also has an ally in Inspector Crane who has family ties to Castle Knoll that intersect with hers.

I liked that this book gave us some more detail around Frances' courtship with Ford Gravesdown and her friendship with Archie Foyle. We get closure around some of Frances' backstory hinted at in book 1. I also enjoyed seeing Annie adjust to life in the countryside in that big house. Her friend Jenny is a wonderful character and I hope we get more of her in the next books. She is such a burst of color and music in Annie's life.

You can read this as a stand-alone but to really understand Aunt Frances and Annie and all the secrets in Castle Knoll, I would recommend reading the first book. I'm so glad there will be two more books in this series.

Thank you PENGUIN GROUP Dutton and NetGalley for the advance reader copy. #HowtoSealYourOwnFate #NetGalley.

Didn't enjoy this follow-up as much as the first book in the cozy-mystery series and this is one of those rare cases where the book doesn't really stand alone, reading the first book for the backstory is necessary. Without the foundational knowledge from the first book it is difficult to connect with the characters and understand all the moving parts of this second book.

In this follow-up, just like the prior book, the story is told via Annie's present day experience and her Aunt's old diary entries. While this worked well the first time around, the second time felt a bit tired. Would recommend reading this book right after finishing the first book for best experience.

Disclosure: Received an uncorrected ARC of this book from NetGalley and Dutton/Penguin Random House LLC (Thank you!) in exchange for an honest review.

Kristen Perrin returns to Castle Knoll in this clever and atmospheric follow-up to How to Solve Your Own Murder. With dual timelines, a compelling cold case, and a fresh murder with Annie Adams once again in the crosshairs, How to Seal Your Fate delivers everything cozy mystery lovers crave—with a touch more darkness and depth this time around.

Annie, still adjusting to life in the chilly Gravesdown estate and the chilly reception of the locals, finally meets someone who seems warm and welcoming: Peony Lane, the village fortune teller, whose cryptic message stirs up more questions than answers. When Peony is found murdered mere hours later, Annie finds herself, once again, tangled in Castle Knoll’s buried secrets—and, inconveniently, a prime suspect.

Told in alternating perspectives between Annie and her late great-aunt Frances in 1967, the novel builds a taut narrative across decades. Teenage Frances, mourning the loss of her friend Emily, starts digging into a suspicious car accident involving the Gravesdown family, and discovers a tangle of lies, privilege, and dangerous alliances.

What makes this book shine is Perrin’s knack for blending traditional cozy tropes—manors, village gossip, eccentric locals—with a sense of real emotional stakes and ongoing tension. Peony Lane is a particularly fascinating figure, linking past and present, and suggesting that fate—once meddled with—has consequences.

While this can be read as a standalone, I’d strongly recommend reading How to Solve Your Own Murder first. It sets the tone, introduces key characters, and makes the unfolding events of this book even more satisfying.

This series is fast becoming a standout in the cozy mystery genre: rich with atmosphere, full of secrets, and unafraid to peer into the shadows cast by quaint village life.

How to Seal Your Fate is the follow-up to one of my favorite recent reads, How to Solve Your Own Murder. This installment picks up right where the previous book left off and maintains the cozy hometown setting I loved so much. You quickly become entangled in Castle Knoll and all of its secrets!

Much like the first book, this story revolves around a clever, engaging mystery with a fortune at its center—and if you didn’t believe in psychic readings before, you’ll be fully convinced by the end. The plot is solid and smartly constructed, with strong pacing and plenty of satisfying reveals.

This book continues to weave together the stories of Frances and Annie Adams, who, though they’ve never met, play integral roles in each other’s lives. Once again, it beautifully explores the contrast and similarities between the two, seamlessly switching between their perspectives. As the story unfolds, their parallel journeys begin to echo and intersect, adding emotional depth that makes the mystery even more rewarding. I found myself especially drawn to Frances’s storyline—she’s such a strong, grounded character, despite her youth and sheltered worldview.

(Also, minor note: the name Peony is surprisingly tricky to read over and over!)

Many familiar faces return in this book, along with a few new characters who add fresh intrigue. I especially loved seeing Jenny’s role expand—she brings heart, humor, and momentum to the story. Aunt Frances once again manages to help Annie in her investigation from beyond the grave, though less overtly this time. Annie is left to piece together much of the mystery on her own (probably because everyone keeps stealing her files and journals—so many secrets!). With all that inheritance money, she really should have invested in better locks!

While the ending was a bit confusing and hard to follow at times, it still came together in a way that worked—and left the door wide open for the next chapter in the series.

I really enjoy this series and can’t wait for the next book—especially to learn more about Annie’s fortune!

Such a great mystery! I enjoyed all the twists! These are cozy and so easy to enjoy! I think k I liked this one more than the first! This was strong and fast paced.

A fun and interesting second book in the series. It adds a lot of interesting character background and choices to the rich world of Castle Knoll. But, I hope any future books will spend more time actually talking about Annie. It's a little suspect to define the character as someone who solves mysteries when she barely actually does any work and pretty much just coasts on what other people have done. Additionally, it feels like she's completely faded into the background of this story and I hope that future books will highlight her as the main character more.

3.75/5

I spent a lot of this book being kind of confused, I think if I had taken the time to reread the first before starting this one that may have been better. Overall I enjoyed this, I really enjoy reading about Annie (and Crane) and I will definitely keep reading this series and from this author!

Annie Adams "won" an inheritance from her great aunt Frances by finding Frances' murderer. Now Annie is settling into her new manse in Castle Knoll. Now there is another murder. Local "seer", Peony Lane, is murdered shortly after Annie a cryptic message. Once again Annie's investigation has roots in the past, taking us back to 1967 and young Frances.

Fantastic follow up to How to Solve Your Own Murder!

Small town secrets, hidden pasts, murder, and more fortunes-what's not to love?

Without giving too much away and spoiling book one, let me just say I had such a good time reading this book!

This is currently one of my favorite mystery series, and I can't wait for the next book! What other secrets are there to uncover in Castle Knoll?

The 2nd installment of Castle Knoll Files follows the same formula of dual timelines, Annie Adams, in the present, and her great-aunt Frances Adams, in the past. While I did enjoy the book, I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had read it immediately after reading the 1st book, How To Solve Your Own Murder. There is too many references to the previous book that I had forgotten and I felt lost sometimes.

With that said, this is a good mystery with likeable characters. There are lots of twists and turns to keep you vested throughout the book.

I received this advance review copy from NetGalley & the publisher for my honest review.

How to Seal Your Own Fate is a cozy mystery that has some sinister underpinnings that give it a little more weight.

Annie has inherited her aunt's home in Castle Knoll, along with Aunt Frances' files on everyone and everything in town. She really wants to speak with Penny Lane, the spiritualist who predicted her aunt's death. When Lane is found murdered, Annie, of course, needs to know why she died and who was responsible.

I enjoyed this book, as the mysteries in the present time and the past were adequately explained. My biggest issue was the name Penny Lane has me singing the song every time I read it. The ear worm is driving me crazy!

Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy of this book.

Annie Adams is just settling into life in Castle Knoll when the mysterious Peony Lane shows up, the same fortune teller who previously warned Aunt Frances about her impending doom. Now Peony has a cryptic message to share with Annie. When Peony is found dead inside Annie’s own inherited home hours later, Annie has to dive back into Castle Knolls secrets before everything comes crashing down.

I really enjoyed this sequel to “How to Solve Your Own Murder.” It’s nicely complicated while not being confusing, and builds the mystery as you read. Fun to get through and a great little cliffhanger at the end (while still wrapping up the main storyline). I’m excited for book #3!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Writing style
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Characters
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Plot
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Premise
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Pacing
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Impact

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

I suppose I didn't realize this was the second book in the series, so that's on me, and I think I would have enjoyed it more had I read the first one. That said, I think there was a way the author could've woven the events of book one in this better still without giving too much away. It seems this author is great at foreshadowing, though, so it does make me curious to see how things play out later on the series.

Thanks NG & Dutton for the ARC copy of this book.

I really enjoyed this book, and the two timelines as usual fit together perfectly. I always thought I didn’t enjoy multiple timelines, but Kristen proved me wrong, not once but twice. This was a great thriller, and I was at the edge of my seat trying to solve both crimes. I can’t wait for book 3!

This one did not hold my interest as much as the first book. I had a hard time getting into it so I decided to DNF.