For readers who love puzzles, conundrums, and riddles, A Most Puzzling Murder by Vianca Marais is just the ticket! Destiny Whip receives a job offer to become the Scruffmore family historian, a job she has not applied for and knows nothing about. A recluse, Destiny becomes intrigued when she can find nothing about the Scruffmores on the Internet.

On a whim, Destiny decides to take the job and travels to Eerie Island, a remote, secret island. The weather is horrible, and the Scruffmore family members are not much better. Destiny must find her way around the weird castle and unravel the clues to discover the correct answers.
Destiny realizes one of the Scruffmores will soon dies, and she has little time to figure out who the intended victim is and how to stop the death. Did I mention that the readers must also solve the mysteries, riddles, and puzzles? Yes!

A Most Puzzling Murder is a dazzling read, especially for those who love solving puzzles. Look for the book when it is published June 10th.

A Most Puzzling Murder is a captivating blend of mystery, magic, and psychological intrigue. Destiny Whip, a reclusive former prodigy and enigmatologist, is drawn to Eerie Island by a cryptic invitation to become the Scruffmore family historian. As she decodes hidden messages and uncovers the secrets of the Scruffmore family, Destiny finds herself caught in a web of dark enigmas, family feuds, and ominous visions. Bianca Marais crafts a tense, atmospheric tale where nothing is quite what it seems, and every step Destiny takes leads her closer to an inevitable death within the family. With its blend of puzzles, secrets, and a touch of the supernatural, this is a thrilling read for fans of gothic mysteries and intricate, character-driven narratives.

This book was a such a fun read! It has been a while since I have read a mystery, and this book gave me everything I would want from one! The puzzles were engaging, and did not feel cheap like some mystery novels I have read. A highlight for me was the prose of the book, Marais did a wonderful job of combining the mystery and whimsical elements together. This book is perfect for anyone that is craving a good, cozy mystery. Especially those who loved choose your own adventure books, as there are elements of that in this book! Overall, this was an enjoyable read and a charming mystery that I would recommend.

What an absolutely amazing immersive read that had me feeling like I’d stepped right into a game of Cluedo.
With written characters and a page turning plot, I absolutely devoured this.

I hope I don’t have to introduce Bianca Marais, creative genius par excellence? But if you don’t know her yet, please read on. I’ve loved everything she’s written so far, and that’s saying something as Bianca is the queen of switching genres. From her mind-blowingly deep and fantastic lit-fic works set in South Africa, to her sci-fi short story and foray into patriarchy-smashing witch hood, each of her books is not only brilliant but also hugely entertaining.

Needless to say her forthcoming novel, A Most Puzzling Murder, defies everything we already know about her writing style as she takes on yet another genre: a cozy murder mystery with magical undertones. But it’s not just that, it’s also an immersive puzzle-book, serving up riddles to solve along the way as well as choose-your-own ending chapters that give you different interpretations of what might have been.

I’m not sure I’ve covered it all — because there was a lot to this book! Let’s just say that this is an incredibly immersive and original mystery that will keep you guessing until the end.

Now I’m just left wondering what Bianca will be serving us up next… and I can’t wait to find out!

MINOR SPOILER INCLUDED BELOW

This was an odd one. Destiny, who was adopted as a baby and since lost two adoptive mothers to tragedy, receives a letter inviting her to interview as a historian for an enigmatic family. The letter also includes a hidden message suggesting secrets about her family history might be revealed. This is a fantasy murder mystery, including magic and spells, but also a lot of puzzles that the reader is invited to solve alongside Destiny. I liked the puzzling aspect of the book, but I also had some qualms about it. Some of the puzzles didn't really make sense in context of the story, as far as why they would be present, I guess?
[Semi-spoiler alert: The Sarcophagus riddle is the main one here. Why would that painting or whatever it was even exist? So the person who used the symbol could remember what it meant? Or so that anyone with half a brain could figure out what the symbol in the journal meant?! Also I get that Destiny sleep-writing clues for herself was a way to add more puzzles to the story while also allowing a peek at Destiny's subconscious, almost in the way a dream would, but these were pretty complicated things to believe possible to concoct in one's sleep. (I mean, I know the story is about a family of sorcerers or whatever, so it's not realistic in any case, but still.)}]

While I get the intent and I did enjoy solving the puzzles on the whole, their inclusion sometimes felt unnatural or forced. 3 stars though.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishing company for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I want to start by saying that I don’t enjoy giving low scores, especially for ARCs. I recognize that authors put a lot of time and effort into their works, and I don’t want to minimize that. However, I have to be honest in my reviewing, otherwise my reviews are meaningless, and this book just wasn’t for me.

This book, unfortunately, just tries to do too much. The concept of puzzling out the mystery along with the main character was great. My favorite part of this was solving the puzzles that crop up along the way. However, between the magic, prophecies, puzzles, choose-your-own adventure moments, a story over 450 pages long, a ghost best friend, sentient animals, and 7+ points of view, it could really have benefited from some editing.

The Choose your Own Adventure moments, which I was initially excited about, don’t actually have any impact on the story. I was expecting the story and mystery and maybe even the culprit to change with the readers’ choices, like in the movie/play Clue, but the outcome is the same no matter what you choose, so they wound up feeling irrelevant. Also, the characters' magical powers aren’t explained. Frequently, fantasy books explain their magic systems; a good magic system can enhance a story, but here the magical powers and abilities of the characters seemed fairly random. Since we don’t really know what the characters can do with their magic, we can’t make educated guesses on how the crime was committed. The addition of a ghostly best friend that only the main character can see felt unnecessary. I’m assuming the author was looking for a way to have a “Dr. Watson” around for the MC to explain her theories to and settled on the idea of a ghost, but it felt superfluous and disconnected from the rest of the story.

The author had a lot of creative ideas, and I think if she’d settled on just a few, this could have been a really cool story. I would love to read more books in the “puzzle solving” style, just something a little more focused and cohesive.

Started slow but then WOW!! Drags you deeper in intrigue and family or is it family?? Great puzzling murder??

A Most Puzzling Murder by Bianca Marais is an absolute blast! Combining a classic murder mystery with magical elements, this book is an interactive, fun ride. The puzzles you solve alongside the characters (with hints available via email!) make it feel like you’re part of the investigation, and the plot's twisty nature keeps you hooked from start to finish. It’s like Clue with a dash of magic and family drama—deliciously messy and full of surprises.

The family is full of colorful, complex characters, each with their own secrets and motivations, making for juicy family dynamics. The puzzles are just challenging enough to make you feel accomplished when solved, and the magical aspect adds an intriguing layer without overshadowing the mystery.

This book is perfect for fans of puzzles, murder mysteries, and magical realism. I highly recommend it—especially in physical form, so you can take notes and flip back through clues. It’s an immersive, unputdownable read that’s pure fun from beginning to end!

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Let me preface this with the fact that I don’t usually read mysteries. The premise was just too intriguing to not pick up. A book that makes the reader an active participant in the story? How incredibly immersive!

It’s not a book you can skim and I always find myself wanting to skim through a mystery just to find out what happens. It definitely kept me engaged. It was one of the most unique reading experiences I’ve had as an adult. I will certainly be recommending this for book club.

This was such a crazy story. I love the fact there are five puzzles for you to solve along with some choose your own adventure. It made this feel even more like a murder mystery. If you love Clue, this book is going to be right up your alley. I loved how there was multiple povs throughout the whole book. I cannot wait to have this book in a physical form because being an arc some of the pictures were a little hard to see on my kindle but that honestly did not take away from this story at all. It only makes me more excited to see this book in all its glory. I could not put this book down as each new pov caused me wanting to know what is going to happen. If you are looking into getting into mystery style books, look no further than A Most Puzzling Murder.

A Most Puzzling Murder was an interesting book with an interesting format. I don't often read mysteries, but the promise of actual puzzles to solve within the book was a good draw. The story itself started off pretty interesting, with a unique hook in chapter 1. I appreciated that, cause a good early hook helps pull me into a world.. The story itself reminded me a bit of Knives Out 2.

The first two puzzles came up fast and were enough to draw me in. I really liked solving the puzzles as I read. I didn't need hints, but having the option for hints, and the solution in the back of the book, were good quality of life treats.

Overall, the story was pretty good. I found myself a bit bored with the plot after a while, but the puzzles helped hold my interest.

Ultimately, I looked the book and would probably recommend it to my friends.

I loved it! That was so much fun! I pulled out my notebook and pencil and worked out the puzzles along with Destiny. I sent emails for Clues on all of them and the responses were quick. It didn't matter if I answered correctly or not because the whole process was very fun. Great mystery too!

This one fancies itself a delightful mélange of mystery, magic, and mental gymnastics. The novel endeavors to engage readers not merely as passive observers but as active participants in its enigmatic escapades.

Enter Destiny Whip, a former child prodigy and renowned enigmatologist whose social calendar is as barren as the Sahara. Her monotonous existence receives an unsolicited jolt with an invitation to become the Scruffmore family’s historian—a position she neither sought nor knew existed. The allure of unearthing her own familial mysteries propels her to the foreboding Eerie Island. The Scruffmores, a family entangled in secrets and supernatural shenanigans, present a labyrinthine challenge that Destiny must navigate, all while deciphering cryptic ciphers and premonitions of impending doom. Enter the fun.

Marais attempts to blur the line between reader and protagonist by embedding riddles and puzzles within the narrative, inviting readers to don their detective hats alongside Destiny. Who didn’t love Clue growing up?! This interactive element aspires to elevate the traditional reading experience into a participatory adventure. I did however find times when I was more excited for the next clue rather than the story and unable to skip anything lest you miss any clues.

Marais’s prose balances gothic ambiance with humor, giving us a “quirky, humorous locked room murder mystery” vibe. The narrative is peppered with contemporary references, such as comparisons to “Knives Out” and “Succession” and the prose oscillates between atmospheric description and lighthearted banter.

Overall, this one delivers on the mystery, magic, and reader interactivity. While not the most exhilarating story to unfold, if you want to be a participant in the mystery, it’s worth the read for uniqueness alone.

3.5/4 stars

I thought this was an interesting book because there are puzzles within the book that you have a chance to solve alongside the characters. I thought it was a fun touch, but I think it could be a turn off for some readers. There isn't as much of a surprise with the twists because you are solving the clues along with Destiny, but the plot and mystery itself was pretty interesting.

It's a who-dun-it mixed with Clue and some Westing Game-esk puzzles to solve. Destiny is barely making it through life after a horrible tragedy. She gets a cryptic invite teasing of family secrets to be revealed.

What follows is so many twists and turns, puzzles and clues, and adventure. Just when you think you know which way is up, the whole game board flips.

The puzzles are challenging, but the author allows for email clues or peaking at the answers if you give up. I loved it! I was hooked until the end and didn't see it coming.

I am sorry to say that A Most Puzzling Murder was not for me.
I think the premise was great, but it was just too much work for me.

I am a mystery lover, all types of mysteries.

I liked the characters, and the interactive aspect, but it was just too confusing for me.

This was the most fun book I've ever read. I really enjoyed the plot and "Clue" feel to this book. The clues, the choose your own adventure scenes, and the fact that there is an email that will send you clues if you need them (and pretty much immediately) Y'all should see my pages of notes from trying to figure out the puzzles. I only wish I had the book in physical form to write, and doodle, and easily flip back and forth to information I needed. Definitely would recommend this book, especially a physical copy!

I thought this book was clever and I love the puzzles. I think reading the physical copy is easier than the Kindle version, but other than that I enjoyed it.

Wow this was so fun! What a unique book where the reader gets to play along. Talk about an immersive story! This book gives Knives Out vibes (which is one of my favorites). I cannot recommend this book enough, loved it!