How To Solve Your Own Murder: An unmissable mystery with a killer hook! (The Castle Knoll Files)

by Kristen Perrin

'VERY funny' Jennie Godfrey

'Smart, twisty, and original' Heat

'Terrific' J. M. Hall

'Superb' Glamour

'Wildly original' Elly Griffiths

'Delightfully refreshing' Daily Mail

FRANCES ALWAYS SAID SHE'D BE MURDERED.
SHE WAS RIGHT.

In 1965, Frances Adams was told by a fortune teller that one day she'd be murdered. Frances spent the next sixty years trying to prevent the crime that would be her eventual demise. Of course, no one took her seriously - until she was dead.

For Frances, being the village busybody was a form of insurance. She'd spent a lifetime compiling dirt on every person she met, just in case they might turn out to be her killer. In the heart of her sprawling country estate lies an eccentric library of detective work, where the right person could step in and use her findings to solve her murder.

When her great-niece Annie arrives from London and discovers that Frances' worst fear has come true, Annie is thrust into her great-aunt's last act of revenge against her sceptical friends and family. Frances' will stipulates that the person who solves her murder will inherit her millions.

Can Annie unravel the mystery and find justice for Frances, or will digging up the past lead her into the path of the killer?

******************************

*Readers are loving How to Solve Your Own Murder*

'FINALLY, the book I've been searching for . . . Without a doubt the best murder mystery book I've ever read' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'A cracking dual timeline read . . . I was totally engrossed in trying to solve the crime! Loved it! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'This book is SO much more than just a clever hook. It's a fantastic combination of wonderfully crafted prose, vivid characters and a plot that made me gallop through' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'An amazingly well written mystery with true Christie vibes . . . a rollercoaster I didn't want to get off' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Just brilliant . . . A proper who done it with a very modern twist' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


*Praise for How to Solve Your Own Murder*

'A wonderful idea and, pun intended, brilliantly executed' Ian Moore

'Plenty of twists and red herrings . . . entertaining' Guardian

'Addictive . . . a devilishly clever plot' Sunday Post

'I so enjoyed this smart, original murder mystery' Beth O' Leary

'A deliciously inventive new take on the classic murder mystery' Bobby Palmer

'Ridiculously fun . . . unputdownable . . . One to savour for fans of Only Murders in The Building' My Weekly

'Sharply observed . . . vivid characterisation and theatrical plotting' Sunday Independent

'Intriguing . . . skilful storytelling . . . a compelling read' Daily Mirror

• ISBN10: 1529430054
• ISBN13: 9781529430059
• Publish Date: 26 March 2024
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Imprint: Quercus Publishing
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 384
• Language: English

Reviews

[Quirky Cat]

Book Summary:

Annie Adams has led a perfectly normal life, for the most part. She and her mom have always been lucky enough to be supported by Annie’s great-aunt, Frances. So when Annie is summoned to her great-aunt’s house, there’s no question about going.

Unfortunately, things quickly take a turn from confusing to alarming, and before all is said and done - Annie and several other family members have been handed an impossible task: solve Frances’ murder. The winner inherits everything. Literally.

My Review:

Okay, with a title like that, you KNOW I’ve got to check it out. How to Solve Your Own Murder is a different type of murder mystery, as the victim knows well ahead of time what will happen to her. Sort of.

I really enjoyed this novel. It had similar vibes to Knives Out - with all the cast scrambling to find an answer before the detective (for largely selfish reasons, but still). The stakes are primarily monetary, but the depths of this mystery go deep.

I dove into How to Solve Your Own Murder expecting one mystery (the one teased in the title - duh), but really, it’s at least two different mysteries wrapped into one. The further Annie and crew dig into Frances’ past, the more they dig up.

The twists are slightly out there, but it’s all in good fun. I would absolutely read another novel by Kristen Perrin, given the chance. This is great news because, apparently, this is the first in a series! Stay tuned for the next Castle Knoll Files novel.

Highlights:
Murder Mystery
Cozy Mystery
Perfect for fans of Knives Out
Multiple Mysteries Rolled Into One

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[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

How to Solve Your Own Murder is the first book in a wry and very well constructed new series by Kristen Perrin. Released 26th March 2024 by Penguin Random House on their Dutton imprint, it's 368 pages and available in hardcover, large print paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. 

This is a fun homage/send up of the classic British murder mystery with a deceased (murdered) great-aunt, a crazy will, a huge inheritance up for grabs, dastardly grasping relatives, conspiracy theories galore, a convoluted plot, and a satisfyingly exciting denouement and resolution. 

It's not primarily a humorous plot, but there are quite a few wry moments with departed great-aunt Frances' murder board and files which she collected over a 60 year period, having been convinced as a teenager that she was going to be murdered at some point (and she was). 

It's not derivative, but fans of Knives Out, Clue, and the Thursday Murder Club will likely enjoy this one. There's a second book due out in March 2025 from the same publisher.

Four stars. It would be a good choice for public library acquisition, home use, or gift giving.

The unabridged audiobook format has a run time of 10 hours 51 minutes and is expertly read by Alexandra Dowling. She has a classically trained RP English accent and does a good job with the disparate and varied accents over a range of ages and both men and women. Sound and production quality are high throughout the read. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes