How to Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen Perrin

There’s something undeniably appealing about a good old-fashioned English village murder mystery. Throw in a dash of fortune-telling, a sprawling country estate, and decades-old secrets, and you’ve got yourself one heck of an entertaining read. Kristen Perrin’s debut novel “How to Solve Your Own Murder” delivers all that and more, with a fresh twist on the genre that kept me eagerly turning pages late into the night.

The Setup

The story kicks off in 1965 when teenage Frances Adams visits a fortune-teller at a country fair and receives a chilling prediction – one day, she’ll be murdered. Talk about putting a damper on your teenage years, right? But instead of brushing it off, Frances becomes obsessed with preventing her foretold demise. She spends the next 60 years compiling dirt on everyone she meets, certain that knowledge is power when it comes to outwitting her future killer.

Fast forward to present day, where we meet our protagonist Annie Adams, Frances’s great-niece. Annie’s been summoned to her reclusive aunt’s sprawling estate for a mysterious meeting, only to arrive and find Frances freshly murdered. Well, I guess the fortune-teller wasn’t lying after all. Oops.

A Twisty Tale of Secrets and Lies

What follows is a delightfully twisty tale as Annie takes it upon herself to solve her great-aunt’s murder. The kicker? Frances has left her entire fortune to whoever can crack the case first. Talk about motivation, am I right?

Perrin does an excellent job of gradually revealing the layers of secrets and lies surrounding Frances’s life and death. The village of Castle Knoll is populated with a colorful cast of suspects, each with their own potential motives. There’s the charming but slippery Saxon Gravesdown, heir to the local manor; Walter Gordon, Frances’s long-time lawyer with a mysterious past; and Rose Leroy, Frances’s childhood best friend who seems to be hiding something behind her sweet grandmother facade.

The author keeps you guessing right up until the end, dropping tantalizing clues and red herrings along the way. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, Perrin would throw another curveball that sent my theories spinning. It’s the kind of book that’ll have you scribbling notes and muttering “I knew it!” and “Wait, what?” in equal measure.

A Protagonist to Root For

At the heart of the story is Annie, our intrepid amateur sleuth. She’s smart, determined, and just the right amount of snarky. I found myself genuinely rooting for her as she navigated the treacherous waters of Castle Knoll’s secrets. Annie’s no superhero – she makes mistakes, doubts herself, and occasionally needs rescuing. But her persistence and genuine desire to uncover the truth make her an engaging protagonist to follow.

I particularly enjoyed Annie’s growing relationship with the gruff but kind-hearted Detective Rowan Crane. Their banter provided some welcome moments of levity amidst the mounting tension. And while there are hints of a potential romance, Perrin wisely keeps the focus on the mystery at hand.

Dual Timelines and Family Secrets

One of the novel’s strengths is its use of dual timelines. We get snippets of Frances’s life in the 1960s through her diary entries, which Annie discovers as she investigates. These flashbacks not only provide crucial clues to the present-day mystery but also paint a poignant picture of Frances’s life and the events that shaped her paranoia.

The exploration of family secrets and how they echo through generations adds depth to what could have been a straightforward whodunit. Annie’s discoveries about her own family history – including some shocking revelations about her parentage – are skillfully woven into the main mystery plot.

A Love Letter to Classic Murder Mysteries

Perrin’s affection for classic murder mysteries shines through in her writing. There are nods to Agatha Christie and Arthur Conan Doyle sprinkled throughout, from the quaint village setting to the locked-room puzzle of Frances’s death. But the author puts her own modern spin on these tropes, creating something that feels both familiar and fresh.

I particularly enjoyed the meta aspects of the story. Frances’s lifelong obsession with solving her own future murder adds a delicious layer of irony to the proceedings. And Annie’s occasional references to how events might play out “if this were a book” provide some amusing moments of self-awareness.

A Few Minor Quibbles

While I thoroughly enjoyed “How to Solve Your Own Murder,” there were a few minor issues that kept it from being a perfect read for me. The pacing in the middle section dragged a bit as Annie chased down various leads. And while I appreciated the large cast of suspects, I occasionally found myself flipping back to remind myself who was who.

Additionally, some of the plot twists in the final act felt a tad far-fetched. But hey, this is a story about a woman trying to solve her own murder based on a fortune-teller’s prediction – I’m willing to suspend a little disbelief for the sake of entertainment.

The Verdict

Despite these small criticisms, “How to Solve Your Own Murder” is an immensely enjoyable read. Perrin has crafted a clever, engaging mystery with heart. The blend of past and present, the exploration of family secrets, and the colorful cast of characters all come together to create a story that’s hard to put down.

If you’re a fan of British murder mysteries with a twist, this book should definitely be on your to-read list. It’s perfect for fans of Richard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club series or Anthony Horowitz’s meta-mysteries. And with hints of a potential series in the works, I’m eagerly looking forward to Annie Adams’s next adventure.

Who Should Read This Book

“How to Solve Your Own Murder” is a great pick for:
– Mystery lovers, especially fans of British village mysteries
– Readers who enjoy dual timeline narratives
– Anyone who appreciates a good plot twist (or several)
– Those who like their mysteries with a side of family drama
– Fans of clever, determined female protagonists

Final Thoughts

Kristen Perrin’s debut novel is a strong entry into the mystery genre. It’s clever, entertaining, and surprisingly heartfelt. While it pays homage to classic murder mysteries, it also brings something fresh to the table with its unique premise and complex family dynamics.

The author’s writing style is engaging and accessible, with just the right balance of humor and tension. She has a knack for creating vivid characters and atmospheric settings that draw you into the world of Castle Knoll.

“How to Solve Your Own Murder” is more than just a whodunit – it’s a story about family, friendship, and the weight of secrets. It’s about confronting the past and forging your own path forward. And most of all, it’s a damn good mystery that’ll keep you guessing until the very end.

So grab a cup of tea, settle into your favorite armchair, and prepare to lose yourself in the twisty world of Castle Knoll. Just don’t be surprised if you find yourself eyeing your neighbors suspiciously afterwards. After all, you never know what secrets might be lurking behind those quaint village facades…

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

A delightful debut that promises great things to come from Kristen Perrin. I, for one, can’t wait to see what she writes next. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go check my family tree for any potentially murderous great-aunts…