This Is Not a Game by Kelly Mullen

Kelly Mullen’s debut novel, “This Is Not a Game,” serves up a delightfully spirited mystery that combines the cozy charm of traditional whodunits with sharp contemporary wit. Set on Michigan’s idyllic Mackinac Island, this locked-room mystery introduces us to one of the most enjoyable detective duos in recent fiction: Mimi MacLaine, a no-nonsense septuagenarian with a penchant for Gibson martinis (three cocktail onions, please), and her granddaughter Addie, a talented video game designer nursing the wounds of professional betrayal.

The novel is a refreshing blend of classic and modern elements. Like a perfectly mixed Gibson, it balances the tartness of family tension with the warmth of intergenerational bonds, all while maintaining the brisk clarity of a well-constructed mystery. Mullen’s writing achieves that difficult balance of being both accessible and sophisticated, making it a satisfying read for mystery lovers of all stripes.

Plot: When Life Imitates Game Design

When Mimi receives a blackmail-laden invitation to wealthy socialite Jane Ireland’s auction party, she uses it as an opportunity to reconnect with her estranged granddaughter Addie. The weekend quickly cascades from awkward to dangerous when:

1. A blizzard isolates the guests at Jane’s mansion
2. Jane herself is found murdered
3. Evidence pointing to Mimi as the killer surfaces
4. A second (and eventually third) victim falls

What follows is a race against time as grandmother and granddaughter must pool their respective talents—Mimi’s pragmatism and lifetime of people-reading, Addie’s game-designer instincts for puzzle-solving—to uncover the real killer before they become the next victims.

Mullen cleverly structures the investigation like levels in a video game, with each new discovery unlocking further “rooms” of mystery. The narrative gains momentum as the duo moves from suspect to suspect, uncovering a complex web of blackmail that entangles almost everyone at the party.

Character Development: The Heart of the Mystery

The true triumph of “This Is Not a Game” lies in its character work, particularly the richly drawn relationship between Mimi and Addie. Their dynamic evolves beautifully throughout the story:

• Mimi MacLaine begins as a guarded, somewhat prickly widow who hides her emotional vulnerabilities behind a shield of practicality and gin. As the story progresses, we discover the profound secret she’s carried for decades—that she mercifully ended her husband’s suffering—which explains both her reluctance to connect and her fierce desire to protect Addie. Her journey from self-imposed isolation to emotional honesty forms the emotional backbone of the novel.
• Addie Paget starts as a heartbroken creative whose confidence has been shattered by her ex-fiancé Brian, who stole credit for her video game design work. Through the investigation, she rediscovers her creative instincts and voice, ultimately finding both the notebook that proves her authorship and the courage to reclaim her creation.

The supporting cast is painted with equally deft strokes:

• The duplicitous game show host Sebastián Palacios, whose charisma masks a calculating mind
• Veronique Loubatier, a “nose” whose keen olfactory senses and French directness provide crucial insights
• Gus, Jane’s alcoholic brother haunted by failure
• Woody/Aero Hart, a former actor turned blackmail facilitator with theatrical pretensions

Each character serves a purpose beyond mere suspect status, adding depth to the central theme of authenticity versus deception.

Setting: An Island of Contradictions

Mackinac Island provides the perfect backdrop for this mystery. The ban on cars creates an atmosphere simultaneously quaint and restrictive—much like the social constraints that have shaped Mimi’s life. Jane’s mansion, with its prohibition-era secret passages, observatory, and hidden speakeasy, becomes a character in itself, reflecting the duplicitous nature of its recently deceased owner.

The winter storm that traps everyone functions as more than a convenient plot device; it creates a pressure-cooker environment where facades begin to crack. Mullen uses the sensory details of the setting effectively:

• The crunch of snow under snowmobile runners
• The persistent chill seeping through antique windows
• The stillness of the house at night, where every creak might signal danger

The island setting also reinforces the novel’s central theme about the personas we craft and the secrets we hide beneath them. Like Mackinac itself—a tourist paradise in summer that reverts to a small, intimate community in winter—the characters are forced to reveal their authentic selves when stripped of their usual defenses.

Writing Style: Snappy Dialogue and Thoughtful Pacing

Mullen’s background as a producer and marketing executive shines through in her dialogue, which crackles with wit and personality. Mimi’s exchanges with Addie highlight their generational differences while showcasing their similar intelligence and determination.

The narrative moves at a brisk clip but knows when to slow down for emotional impact. The scene where Mimi finally confesses what she did for her husband is handled with remarkable restraint, avoiding melodrama while still delivering emotional weight.

Some passages show particular skill:

“Mimi’s eyes traveled around the room as Matthew gestured to the display, explaining the history of each item to the group. At first glance, people appeared to be enjoying themselves, but upon closer inspection, the smiles seemed forced.”

Mullen excels at dropping subtle clues that reward attentive readers without making the mystery’s solution too obvious. The gradual reveal of information mirrors Addie’s game design approach of creating “possibility spaces” where players (or readers) can test theories and make discoveries.

Areas for Improvement: First-Novel Growing Pains

While “This Is Not a Game” is impressive for a debut, it’s not without flaws:

1. Pacing irregularities – The middle section occasionally meanders during the parade of suspect interviews, and some clues (like the mysterious “clunk” sound) are built up only to have relatively minor payoffs.
2. Character inconsistencies – Mimi sometimes swings between tough-as-nails pragmatist and vulnerable grandmother a bit too abruptly, though this can be interpreted as part of her character’s growth.
3. Convenience factors – The contents of Mimi’s seemingly bottomless carryall occasionally strain credulity, as does the fortuitous discovery of Addie’s evidence-providing notebook in the final chapter.
4. Side-character development – While the main characters are richly drawn, some of the secondary suspects could have been fleshed out more thoroughly to heighten suspense about the killer’s identity.

None of these issues significantly detract from the novel’s enjoyment, but they do suggest room for growth in future works.

Thematic Resonance: Identity, Recognition, and Authenticity

Beneath its entertaining surface, “This Is Not a Game” explores several meaningful themes:

• Authorship and recognition – Both Mimi and Addie struggle with having their contributions erased or diminished. Addie’s ex stole credit for her game design; Mimi’s life choices have been judged harshly by others.
• Authenticity versus performance – Nearly every character maintains some form of facade. The mansion itself, with its hidden passages and rooms, becomes a physical metaphor for this struggle between public and private selves.
• Intergenerational understanding – The growing trust between Mimi and Addie shows how different generations can bridge their divides when they focus on shared values rather than surface differences.
• Mercy versus judgment – Mimi’s secret act of mercy toward her husband contrasts sharply with the judgment she fears from others, including Addie.

These themes elevate the novel beyond a simple puzzle-box mystery into a more thoughtful examination of human relationships.

Final Verdict: A Strong Debut With Promise

“This Is Not a Game” marks Kelly Mullen as a promising new voice in mystery fiction. The novel successfully blends elements of classic Golden Age detective stories with contemporary sensibilities, creating something that feels both familiar and fresh.

The strength of the grandmother-granddaughter relationship at its center provides emotional stakes that make the mystery matter beyond mere intellectual satisfaction. By the end, you’re invested not just in discovering whodunit, but in how Mimi and Addie will move forward together.

For readers who enjoy:

• Locked-room mysteries with clever solutions
• Strong female protagonists across generational lines
• Mysteries with humor and heart
• Gaming references and puzzle-solving
• Character-driven suspense

“This Is Not a Game” offers a delightful read that satisfies on multiple levels. Like Mimi’s Gibson martini, it’s distinctive, well-crafted, and leaves you wanting another round. I eagerly await Kelly Mullen’s next offering, hopefully featuring more adventures with this unlikely but thoroughly enjoyable detective duo.