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A review by nzlisam
How to Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen Perrin
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Castle Knoll is a tiny English village full of secrets – past and present!
Castle Knoll, Dorset,1965 – At the local Country Fair a psychic’s ominous fortune predicting 16-year-old Frances Adams murder causes a dark cloud to settle over a fun day. When part of the fortune comes to pass, and one of her best friend’s goes missing soon after, Frances is convinced her life is in danger and that someone in Castle Knoll is going to murder her. She becomes obsessed with solving her own murder, before it’s too late…
Chelsea, London, 2024 – Annie Adams receives a letter from her Great Aunt Frances’ solicitor, inviting her to Castle Knoll to discuss her inheritance. Annie has grown up hearing stories of her reclusive, rich, mysterious relative, fixated on solving her own murder, and is curious and excited to finally meet her. But she arrives at her Great Aunt’s country estate, only to discover Frances’ body. Someone has finally murdered her, just as foretold. But who? And why now? Annie is determined to pick up where her Great Aunt left off and solve Frances’ murder once and for all.
I award How to Solve Your Own Murder 4.5 stars. It is the first book in the Castle Knoll Files series, and I’d characterise it as a small-town cosy (cozy) mystery with two crimes to solve to get to the truth, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg in this village where everyone is hiding something. The premise and title were the two things that really drew me to this novel and I’m happy to say that it more than lived up to my expectations. There were some shocking twists – the one at the 49% mark and its implications had me reeling, but unfortunately for me it was at this point that Christmas preparations got in the way of my reading, and it was several days before I was able to pick up the book again. The rest of the novel was worth the wait though. Even though the main mystery was wrapped up more than satisfactory by the close of this book I was left with several unanswered questions regarding other secrets. However, having now read the book blurb for How to Seal Your Own Fate, I’m convinced my dangling questions will be addressed either in the next instalment or later on in the series.
As mentioned in my synopsis there are two timelines to keep track of – the present-day storyline narrated by Annie in the first person, and italicised diary entries written by 17-year-old Frances beginning in 1966. There is also a prologue set the day of the Castle Knoll Country Fair, 1965. I enjoyed both the present and past storylines, and all the characters were distinctive and unforgettable. There were a lot of characters, relationships to one another, and village secrets to keep track of though – it’s a mystery with many layers and threads where you really have to pay close attention because every little thing counts. I really hope I’m approved on Netgalley for How to Seal Your Own Fate (pretty please Penguin Group Dutton) as I’d really like to read these two books close together if I can, because even by the release date of the 27th March 2025, I’m bound to have forgotten some things. Regardless, I’ll be continuing this series.
How to Solve Your Own Murder really impressed me, and I’m excited to revisit Castle Knoll’s as soon as possible. So happy to have discovered another mystery series to add to my collection.
Castle Knoll, Dorset,1965 – At the local Country Fair a psychic’s ominous fortune predicting 16-year-old Frances Adams murder causes a dark cloud to settle over a fun day. When part of the fortune comes to pass, and one of her best friend’s goes missing soon after, Frances is convinced her life is in danger and that someone in Castle Knoll is going to murder her. She becomes obsessed with solving her own murder, before it’s too late…
Chelsea, London, 2024 – Annie Adams receives a letter from her Great Aunt Frances’ solicitor, inviting her to Castle Knoll to discuss her inheritance. Annie has grown up hearing stories of her reclusive, rich, mysterious relative, fixated on solving her own murder, and is curious and excited to finally meet her. But she arrives at her Great Aunt’s country estate, only to discover Frances’ body. Someone has finally murdered her, just as foretold. But who? And why now? Annie is determined to pick up where her Great Aunt left off and solve Frances’ murder once and for all.
I award How to Solve Your Own Murder 4.5 stars. It is the first book in the Castle Knoll Files series, and I’d characterise it as a small-town cosy (cozy) mystery with two crimes to solve to get to the truth, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg in this village where everyone is hiding something. The premise and title were the two things that really drew me to this novel and I’m happy to say that it more than lived up to my expectations. There were some shocking twists – the one at the 49% mark and its implications had me reeling, but unfortunately for me it was at this point that Christmas preparations got in the way of my reading, and it was several days before I was able to pick up the book again. The rest of the novel was worth the wait though. Even though the main mystery was wrapped up more than satisfactory by the close of this book I was left with several unanswered questions regarding other secrets. However, having now read the book blurb for How to Seal Your Own Fate, I’m convinced my dangling questions will be addressed either in the next instalment or later on in the series.
As mentioned in my synopsis there are two timelines to keep track of – the present-day storyline narrated by Annie in the first person, and italicised diary entries written by 17-year-old Frances beginning in 1966. There is also a prologue set the day of the Castle Knoll Country Fair, 1965. I enjoyed both the present and past storylines, and all the characters were distinctive and unforgettable. There were a lot of characters, relationships to one another, and village secrets to keep track of though – it’s a mystery with many layers and threads where you really have to pay close attention because every little thing counts. I really hope I’m approved on Netgalley for How to Seal Your Own Fate (pretty please Penguin Group Dutton) as I’d really like to read these two books close together if I can, because even by the release date of the 27th March 2025, I’m bound to have forgotten some things. Regardless, I’ll be continuing this series.
How to Solve Your Own Murder really impressed me, and I’m excited to revisit Castle Knoll’s as soon as possible. So happy to have discovered another mystery series to add to my collection.