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Murder by the Book
Two dead students. A coded reference to Shakespeare. And the promise of darker things to come.
Near a small college campus, a student is found strangled in an abandoned barn on the outskirts of town. She's been posed to look like a painting of Ophelia from Shakespeare's Hamlet, the scene taunting the police with a message they don't understand. Detective Ian Carter is known as a straitlaced cop, but seeing the girl's body leaves him shaken and uncertain of where to turn—until a chance meeting with a charmingly awkward literature professor ends with her accidentally seeing, and solving, a clue left by the killer.
Professor Emma Reilly knows that the books she loves might hold the key to unraveling the killer's crimes now that a second murder has been discovered, with the victim posed as the Lady of Shalott this time. However, when the murderer strikes too close to home and kills a third student, one from Emma’s classes, she realizes that the safety of her insular life might be nothing more than an illusion. She must find the strength to confront a killer who is turning the stories she loves into lurid scenes of death.
Amie Schaumberg has crafted a smart, thrilling and utterly compelling mystery that will have you trying to figure out whodunit right up until the end.
Near a small college campus, a student is found strangled in an abandoned barn on the outskirts of town. She's been posed to look like a painting of Ophelia from Shakespeare's Hamlet, the scene taunting the police with a message they don't understand. Detective Ian Carter is known as a straitlaced cop, but seeing the girl's body leaves him shaken and uncertain of where to turn—until a chance meeting with a charmingly awkward literature professor ends with her accidentally seeing, and solving, a clue left by the killer.
Professor Emma Reilly knows that the books she loves might hold the key to unraveling the killer's crimes now that a second murder has been discovered, with the victim posed as the Lady of Shalott this time. However, when the murderer strikes too close to home and kills a third student, one from Emma’s classes, she realizes that the safety of her insular life might be nothing more than an illusion. She must find the strength to confront a killer who is turning the stories she loves into lurid scenes of death.
Amie Schaumberg has crafted a smart, thrilling and utterly compelling mystery that will have you trying to figure out whodunit right up until the end.
345 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 19, 2025
33 people are currently reading
1469 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 169 reviews
March 20, 2025
✰ 2.5 stars ✰
A serial killer who is targeting his female victims by following each of his Murder by the Book would make for an interesting premise. Drawing inspiration literally from literary folklore from Shakespeare to medieval romances, it is enough to send chills down one's spine for the intricate and meticulous care he derives from capturing the most authentic portrayal to his poor victims. 😥 Maybe that's where it failed to draw a real twinge in my heart; for the lack of knowledge I possessed in finding the significant relevance to each point made it a weak murder mystery for me to be engaged with.
“The paintings, the quotes, the clues . . . it can’t be random...”
Not that I don't applaud the author's efforts of providing such rich analysis into finding the parallels to the murderer's motives to each artistic work that it captured. It was written with a lot of heart and enthusiasm; albeit at times, it went over my head. 😔 I felt like I wasn't smart enough to be part of the club by piecing together what the clues laid out had to offer! And as a reader, it felt like I was on the receiving end of a literary discussion rather than trying to figure out who the culprit was.
Which, to be brutally honest - left little imagination to who it actually was. Disregarding the efforts Emma and her cohorts went through to analyze each meaning behind the intent - as a reader, it was too easy. How many times do I have to repeat myself till it finally makes sense!? If you have such a meager number of suspects, it makes it so very obvious and easy to strike off each choice before you know without doubt who it was. Here - it was too on the nose to even be worth the struggle of figuring it out. 😮💨
“I’ve spent my life reading and learning and teaching exactly this. And you know what? I’m not going to quit, and I’m not going to break.”
The dual perspective between thirty-five-year-old Detective Ian and thirty-three-year-old English professor Emma was well done; the author built up their respective backgrounds and personalities well and they were likable characters, too. 👍🏻 Although I was slightly annoyed with how persistent Emma was in wanting to be a part of the investigation, even if she did provide the most helpful insight. He was only looking out for her; but her amateur sleuth skills certainly did shine on more than one occasion. But, I never felt the stakes rise - even when they did; even when their paths crossed, I was never really feeling the tension. 😞
Ah, it's marketed as cozy - I swear that wasn't there before! 😣 That makes sense now! Had I known or seen it, I probably would not have been slightly miffed by the group of intellects gathered together to solve it alongside Emma - 'the feeling of acceptance and comradery. But it was the challenge, the puzzle—the game.' Playing detective felt a bit too light-hearted for me, but knowing that it was meant to be - I'm sure others will appreciate that vibe. And as for a thriller - ah, very faint; I really did not feel any of the suspense or danger, despite there being danger. It's heartbreaking. But, when I think about it, it does have just the slightest potential to be a spin-off series, so who knows? 🕵🏻♀️
*Thank you to Edelweiss for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
“Can we, the readers, trust what we are being told?”
A serial killer who is targeting his female victims by following each of his Murder by the Book would make for an interesting premise. Drawing inspiration literally from literary folklore from Shakespeare to medieval romances, it is enough to send chills down one's spine for the intricate and meticulous care he derives from capturing the most authentic portrayal to his poor victims. 😥 Maybe that's where it failed to draw a real twinge in my heart; for the lack of knowledge I possessed in finding the significant relevance to each point made it a weak murder mystery for me to be engaged with.
“The paintings, the quotes, the clues . . . it can’t be random...”
Not that I don't applaud the author's efforts of providing such rich analysis into finding the parallels to the murderer's motives to each artistic work that it captured. It was written with a lot of heart and enthusiasm; albeit at times, it went over my head. 😔 I felt like I wasn't smart enough to be part of the club by piecing together what the clues laid out had to offer! And as a reader, it felt like I was on the receiving end of a literary discussion rather than trying to figure out who the culprit was.
Which, to be brutally honest - left little imagination to who it actually was. Disregarding the efforts Emma and her cohorts went through to analyze each meaning behind the intent - as a reader, it was too easy. How many times do I have to repeat myself till it finally makes sense!? If you have such a meager number of suspects, it makes it so very obvious and easy to strike off each choice before you know without doubt who it was. Here - it was too on the nose to even be worth the struggle of figuring it out. 😮💨
“I’ve spent my life reading and learning and teaching exactly this. And you know what? I’m not going to quit, and I’m not going to break.”
The dual perspective between thirty-five-year-old Detective Ian and thirty-three-year-old English professor Emma was well done; the author built up their respective backgrounds and personalities well and they were likable characters, too. 👍🏻 Although I was slightly annoyed with how persistent Emma was in wanting to be a part of the investigation, even if she did provide the most helpful insight. He was only looking out for her; but her amateur sleuth skills certainly did shine on more than one occasion. But, I never felt the stakes rise - even when they did; even when their paths crossed, I was never really feeling the tension. 😞
Ah, it's marketed as cozy - I swear that wasn't there before! 😣 That makes sense now! Had I known or seen it, I probably would not have been slightly miffed by the group of intellects gathered together to solve it alongside Emma - 'the feeling of acceptance and comradery. But it was the challenge, the puzzle—the game.' Playing detective felt a bit too light-hearted for me, but knowing that it was meant to be - I'm sure others will appreciate that vibe. And as for a thriller - ah, very faint; I really did not feel any of the suspense or danger, despite there being danger. It's heartbreaking. But, when I think about it, it does have just the slightest potential to be a spin-off series, so who knows? 🕵🏻♀️
*Thank you to Edelweiss for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
August 9, 2025
It sounds ironic to complain about the melodrama of the FMC in a story that borrows from tragedies, but Emma is one of the most irritating characters I've come across. Sometimes an unlikable character is good because you love hating them, and sometimes their brand of unlikability is necessary for the plot/situations. And then there's Emma. Her unlikability is just grating. In real life she wouldn't just be socially awkward, she would repel, not just from long term relationships but from any level of involvement. She's a scholar and yet she acts like a teenager with a large vocabulary.
We spent, what was it? The first 2/3 of the book listening to Emma throw tantrum after tantrum about needing to be involved in the case, arguing that she could handle the violence and brutality, and then the last 1/3 she's wailing because she's traumatized. The romance was invisible to my eyes and I just thought they were both being a'holes. Match made in heaven? No. Keep these two apart so they don't multiply.
Did I see the story through? Yes. Was I invested in the outcome? Somewhat. Was the reveal surprising? Nope.
We spent, what was it? The first 2/3 of the book listening to Emma throw tantrum after tantrum about needing to be involved in the case, arguing that she could handle the violence and brutality, and then the last 1/3 she's wailing because she's traumatized. The romance was invisible to my eyes and I just thought they were both being a'holes. Match made in heaven? No. Keep these two apart so they don't multiply.
Did I see the story through? Yes. Was I invested in the outcome? Somewhat. Was the reveal surprising? Nope.
August 5, 2025
This book!! Omg. What an amazing debut novel. I basically finished this in one sitting, only had 13% left when I stopped and then picked it back up a little later when my phone + earphones charged. I was hooked from the very start. I love myself a good murder-mystery/thriller.
Bodies start popping up in a small college town and they're posed as how multiple works of art that are pieces of literature.
A detective (Ian/Detective Carter) and a professor (Emma) go on a date, they're still his apartment for dinner and he accidentally left case photos on his coffee table. She sees them and pieces together what he and the police couldn't. Ian doesnt want her near the case but now that Emma seen the photos, and she can't forget, won't give up.
This book was amazing, it was a fun, cozy read and none of it felt rushed or forced.
I think the one thing I do wish was different was that I had hoped it would be Ian and Emma solving it together, not a group project like it actually was.
It's rare that recently I finish an audiobook in one day, I finished this I a couple hours and it was great.
I would gladly read anything else by Amie Schaumberg is she writes and publishes more books.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an audiobook copy of this arc!
Bodies start popping up in a small college town and they're posed as how multiple works of art that are pieces of literature.
A detective (Ian/Detective Carter) and a professor (Emma) go on a date, they're still his apartment for dinner and he accidentally left case photos on his coffee table. She sees them and pieces together what he and the police couldn't. Ian doesnt want her near the case but now that Emma seen the photos, and she can't forget, won't give up.
This book was amazing, it was a fun, cozy read and none of it felt rushed or forced.
I think the one thing I do wish was different was that I had hoped it would be Ian and Emma solving it together, not a group project like it actually was.
It's rare that recently I finish an audiobook in one day, I finished this I a couple hours and it was great.
I would gladly read anything else by Amie Schaumberg is she writes and publishes more books.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an audiobook copy of this arc!
December 26, 2025
2.5 rounded up ⭐
I love dark academia, so I was immediately drawn to "Murder by the Book" and its murder meets (inspired by?) art premise, but the execution fell flat for me, personally. I couldn't get into the characters, specifically some of the interpersonal relationships and interactions. I found them grinding on my nerves. If I try to put my finger on it, it's some of the outsized responses that made me feel prickly about the interactions. Maybe just me though. It just felt inauthentic.
In terms of the plot, the Shakespeare references felt too deep for my knowledge and the nuanced breadcrumbs were inaccessible to me. It was like there was nothing for me to latch onto so I just trudged to the end. I was picturing something closer to or in the same ballpark as "The Maidens" by Alex Michaelides, but I would say these two novels are more dissimilar than they are related in any way. Did my expectations get in the way? Possibly? You be the judge for yourself.
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Thank you to Amie Schaumberg, MIRA, Harlequin Audio, & NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my authentic review.
I love dark academia, so I was immediately drawn to "Murder by the Book" and its murder meets (inspired by?) art premise, but the execution fell flat for me, personally. I couldn't get into the characters, specifically some of the interpersonal relationships and interactions. I found them grinding on my nerves. If I try to put my finger on it, it's some of the outsized responses that made me feel prickly about the interactions. Maybe just me though. It just felt inauthentic.
In terms of the plot, the Shakespeare references felt too deep for my knowledge and the nuanced breadcrumbs were inaccessible to me. It was like there was nothing for me to latch onto so I just trudged to the end. I was picturing something closer to or in the same ballpark as "The Maidens" by Alex Michaelides, but I would say these two novels are more dissimilar than they are related in any way. Did my expectations get in the way? Possibly? You be the judge for yourself.
Follow BookCLE on IG!
Thank you to Amie Schaumberg, MIRA, Harlequin Audio, & NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my authentic review.
October 20, 2025
Ian and Emma take us on a roller coaster throughout this story. Ian is a detective working a case involving a serial killer that is targeting young women, and Emma is a professor at the local university. Their worlds soon collide when Emma is attacked, and shortly after one of her students is found dead. It is evident that Ian has something weighing on his conscience from a previous case, which causes him to fumble this one in a couple of instances.
I enjoy the dual POV’s that alternated from Ian and Emma. They had two completely different thought processes on the case, and he gave the readers and in depth thought process of both main characters. As an avid reader, the book references that were tied to the victims was an interesting touch. Overall a solid read! Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy.
I enjoy the dual POV’s that alternated from Ian and Emma. They had two completely different thought processes on the case, and he gave the readers and in depth thought process of both main characters. As an avid reader, the book references that were tied to the victims was an interesting touch. Overall a solid read! Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy.
September 1, 2025
3,5*
Netālu no universitātes pilsētiņas norisinās noziegumu sērija, kurā upuri atgādina tēlus no slaveniem literāriem darbiem, piemēram, Šekspīra Ofēlija un Tenisona Lēdija Elena. Viegls, izklaidējošs romāns, bez lieliem sižeta pavērsieniem, tomēr pietiekoši saistošs. Pluss, dažu literāro darbu un mākslas darbu analīze (autore pati ir literatūrzinātniece). Mīnuss - čīkstīga galvenā varone.
Netālu no universitātes pilsētiņas norisinās noziegumu sērija, kurā upuri atgādina tēlus no slaveniem literāriem darbiem, piemēram, Šekspīra Ofēlija un Tenisona Lēdija Elena. Viegls, izklaidējošs romāns, bez lieliem sižeta pavērsieniem, tomēr pietiekoši saistošs. Pluss, dažu literāro darbu un mākslas darbu analīze (autore pati ir literatūrzinātniece). Mīnuss - čīkstīga galvenā varone.
August 12, 2025
Thank you MIRA/Harlequin Press for the ARC!
Okay so this is going to be a VERY niche thriller. And fortunately for me, it is EXACTLY my niche.
A murderer who is staging his victims and crime scenes to mimic famous works of art based on some of my favorite pieces of literature? Hamlet and Ophelia being a central part to the story?? Jane Eyre? The Lady of Shallot?? If there was ever a thriller written for me and my classic literature loving heart, it's this one!!
....being said, if you're not a fan of classic literature, academia, or general "stuffyness," you won't have nearly as good of a time as I did. But alas, I am Emma, she is me, and therefore I had a BLAST. Sure, I predicted the ending within the first 30 pages--I read a lot of thrillers. But the ride to get there was great, and we get quite a band of characters. Where else would you get a college dean and art professor, literature professor, psychologist, admin assistant, and newspaper intern working together to try to solve a crime because the police think you're all useless and can't help? When, in fact, the POLICE are useless, which is true to life! Life truly imitates art with this book (see what I did there?)
This is dual POV and it does change POVs at the start of a new chapter, but there's no delineation of who's POV you're getting. Even though it generally switches every chapter and there are only two POVs, I think it would have been nice to have a heading about whose POV you're in at the start of the chapter.
I do wish we got more of Emma's students in the book as well--she's a professor and while it makes sense that they sort of vanish for the last half of the book, it also felt really random that they were super prevalent in the beginning and then were just never mentioned again. The other small thing that bothered me was Ian's ending to the story--it's an incredibly unrealistic way for that to have played out and ended, and made me roll my eyes. It pulled me out of the story and almost made me stop caring with like, 2 chapters left. Which is SUCH a bummer because I really loved the last chapter and the way the story ended. But how things resolved for him after everything really bothered me and almost took away from Emma's resolution which I LOVED.
If you're an academia nerd (particularly and art history and/or English Literature nerd), you're going to love this! And we should also be friends.
Okay so this is going to be a VERY niche thriller. And fortunately for me, it is EXACTLY my niche.
A murderer who is staging his victims and crime scenes to mimic famous works of art based on some of my favorite pieces of literature? Hamlet and Ophelia being a central part to the story?? Jane Eyre? The Lady of Shallot?? If there was ever a thriller written for me and my classic literature loving heart, it's this one!!
....being said, if you're not a fan of classic literature, academia, or general "stuffyness," you won't have nearly as good of a time as I did. But alas, I am Emma, she is me, and therefore I had a BLAST. Sure, I predicted the ending within the first 30 pages--I read a lot of thrillers. But the ride to get there was great, and we get quite a band of characters. Where else would you get a college dean and art professor, literature professor, psychologist, admin assistant, and newspaper intern working together to try to solve a crime because the police think you're all useless and can't help? When, in fact, the POLICE are useless, which is true to life! Life truly imitates art with this book (see what I did there?)
This is dual POV and it does change POVs at the start of a new chapter, but there's no delineation of who's POV you're getting. Even though it generally switches every chapter and there are only two POVs, I think it would have been nice to have a heading about whose POV you're in at the start of the chapter.
I do wish we got more of Emma's students in the book as well--she's a professor and while it makes sense that they sort of vanish for the last half of the book, it also felt really random that they were super prevalent in the beginning and then were just never mentioned again. The other small thing that bothered me was Ian's ending to the story--it's an incredibly unrealistic way for that to have played out and ended, and made me roll my eyes. It pulled me out of the story and almost made me stop caring with like, 2 chapters left. Which is SUCH a bummer because I really loved the last chapter and the way the story ended. But how things resolved for him after everything really bothered me and almost took away from Emma's resolution which I LOVED.
If you're an academia nerd (particularly and art history and/or English Literature nerd), you're going to love this! And we should also be friends.
October 6, 2025
A serial killer creating artistic tableaux, referencing works by Shakespeare and Tennyson, among others, with his young female victims, is the problem that brings a police detective and an English Literature professor together in this mystery novel. The serial killer stuff was interesting, in that his appreciation for the English classics was both creepy and weird, though in all other respects the killer was nothing more than your usual misogynistic piece of garbage.
My issue with this story comes from the characterization of the two leads. The English professor, Emma Reilly, is very good at her job, as well at successfully interpreting the messages in the grisly tableaux, but she’s crap at human relationships, and consequently didn’t recognize the responsible party from the outset (which was super obvious). Also, you’d think the police detective working the case would not be such a dunderhead at talking to people, and you know, there’s this thing called THERAPY to help one deal with guilt, instead of operating on bias and refusing support and aid from people who can help you progress the case.
Anyway, though I read to the end, mainly to have the author confirm the guilty, I found myself frustrated by the two leads.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this ARC in exchange for my review.
My issue with this story comes from the characterization of the two leads. The English professor, Emma Reilly, is very good at her job, as well at successfully interpreting the messages in the grisly tableaux, but she’s crap at human relationships, and consequently didn’t recognize the responsible party from the outset (which was super obvious). Also, you’d think the police detective working the case would not be such a dunderhead at talking to people, and you know, there’s this thing called THERAPY to help one deal with guilt, instead of operating on bias and refusing support and aid from people who can help you progress the case.
Anyway, though I read to the end, mainly to have the author confirm the guilty, I found myself frustrated by the two leads.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this ARC in exchange for my review.
August 15, 2025
A big thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin audio for this ARC copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this book. I don’t really read synopsis’s so I wasn’t totally sure what the book was about, but it caught on quickly.
(Not sure if any of this is spoiler-y, since it’s a mystery. So if you don’t want ANY spoilers based on opinions, close this review out lol)
I was trying to figure out who the culprit was the whole time and I am happy to say I was right. I knew early on but not because the author made it obvious. She did really well with the mystery, but I loved the context clues. I loved how parts of the book were mirrored in the texts of other books mentioned.
My ONLY thing that bothered me was that one of the characters mentioned that The UK pavilion was in disneyLAND, which is inaccurate. I thought it would be a plot point but it wasn’t.
Overall I really liked this concept. It made me want to read more Shakespeare lol.
I did t want to put it down. I had to find out what was going on. Also, I feel like the main character had some neurospicy tendencies which was cool. It didn’t seem overdone. I actually felt seen.
I really enjoyed this book. I don’t really read synopsis’s so I wasn’t totally sure what the book was about, but it caught on quickly.
(Not sure if any of this is spoiler-y, since it’s a mystery. So if you don’t want ANY spoilers based on opinions, close this review out lol)
I was trying to figure out who the culprit was the whole time and I am happy to say I was right. I knew early on but not because the author made it obvious. She did really well with the mystery, but I loved the context clues. I loved how parts of the book were mirrored in the texts of other books mentioned.
My ONLY thing that bothered me was that one of the characters mentioned that The UK pavilion was in disneyLAND, which is inaccurate. I thought it would be a plot point but it wasn’t.
Overall I really liked this concept. It made me want to read more Shakespeare lol.
I did t want to put it down. I had to find out what was going on. Also, I feel like the main character had some neurospicy tendencies which was cool. It didn’t seem overdone. I actually felt seen.
August 31, 2025
While I always enjoy books that draw upon literary and Shakespearean allusions, this fell short of my expectations. Sure, there were a few that were then beaten into the ground, but they also proved amateurish and simplistic in their application.
Dr. Emma Reilly, the socially awkward literature professor was thoroughly unlikeable as she was either pedantically talking down to those around her-while apologizing for doing so, acting hysterically melodramatic, or petulantly sulking when denied her way.In comparison,her clearly intended slow-building love interest, homicide detective Ian Carter only knows how to act insubordinately, throw punches, quote randomly from Noir Pulp (see, he's no illiterate)or take long pulls on beers of which he's got a seemingly endless supply. Perhaps his continual simpering around the professor to stay in her good graces is supposed to make him endearing, but instead, he struck me as an insecure emo loser.
As if this isn't bad enough, the real culprit is glaringly revealed in the earliest chapters, but then somehow remains a mystery in a bloated storyline that gained little traction beyond its wordless page count.Unrelatable characters, a weak plot, and poor editing all contributed to a book that-in a sense- was murder.
Dr. Emma Reilly, the socially awkward literature professor was thoroughly unlikeable as she was either pedantically talking down to those around her-while apologizing for doing so, acting hysterically melodramatic, or petulantly sulking when denied her way.In comparison,her clearly intended slow-building love interest, homicide detective Ian Carter only knows how to act insubordinately, throw punches, quote randomly from Noir Pulp (see, he's no illiterate)or take long pulls on beers of which he's got a seemingly endless supply. Perhaps his continual simpering around the professor to stay in her good graces is supposed to make him endearing, but instead, he struck me as an insecure emo loser.
As if this isn't bad enough, the real culprit is glaringly revealed in the earliest chapters, but then somehow remains a mystery in a bloated storyline that gained little traction beyond its wordless page count.Unrelatable characters, a weak plot, and poor editing all contributed to a book that-in a sense- was murder.
Read
December 11, 2025"so-and-so let out a breath she didn't know she had been holding" has become such a meme that there's something almost charming about encountering it, used completely seriously, in the wild
also I totally called the murderer
also I totally called the murderer
September 29, 2025
I hated Rory from the first page he was introduced, so as always believe women. 🤡
December 17, 2025
“Now, all she could see was Shakespeare, Tennyson, Poe, and all of the others decorating their pages with voiceless women who died for the sake of some hero’s journey. Their stories untold, a footnote in someone else’s story.”
4 ⭐️
This is a murder mystery for lovers of classic literature and art. I found the protagonists fairly annoying and didn’t buy into their relationship, but the story was enjoyable and educational. I’d recommend this book to fans of If We Were Villains.
4 ⭐️
This is a murder mystery for lovers of classic literature and art. I found the protagonists fairly annoying and didn’t buy into their relationship, but the story was enjoyable and educational. I’d recommend this book to fans of If We Were Villains.
August 13, 2025
Spoiler free review: the mystery itself is excellent. The main character's relationship with the detective is bizarre, so much so that I almost didn't finish the book. I'm glad I stuck with it though! JUST rating the mystery, this is a 5/5.
Spoiler FULL review:
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Emma sees crime scene photos in the detective Ian's house on their first date, he handles it really well and says "oh my gosh I am so sorry you shouldn't have seen those" and she flips out, for seemingly no reason at all. Is she an expert here? Yes absolutely. Can she help? for sure. But the book even explains that "hey we can't consult random people in this case we have to get an offical consulting expert so that when the case goes to trial the defense can't say we used you because you'd give us the anwsers we want etc etc." Emma doesn't know the girl, but she is insistent that the police aren't doing enough to find the killer and is angry that the detective says "hey don't get involved in this, this is really dangerous, it's my job and I know what I'm doing" and she gets so angry that she leaves. GIRL. This is a murder investigation. You are an English professor. As of yet she has no reason to believe the police aren't doing everything they can, the reaction felt so forced and unrealistic. That conversation was so baffling and annoying that I almost dropped the book.
The story would have been way more interesting if they do the dinner scene, he says "hey seriously, if you help it needs to be through offical channels" and then have the police bring her on officially as a consultant. If that means the cool prof sleuth squad narrative gets messed up, HIRE THEM AS A TEAM! Then you don't have this unnecessary tension of "I'm not a maiden in need of rescue!" and shift it more to Ian feeling conflicted about keeping Emma involved in the case as his feelings for her grow and the killer keeps taking new victims. THAT would feel very satisfying, and you can keep pretty much all the same beats for the rest of the story. Instead of scenes of them fighting, change it to scenes where they grow closer working late nights pouring over the case.
Thanks to NetGalley for the free arc, all opinions are my own.
Spoiler FULL review:
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Emma sees crime scene photos in the detective Ian's house on their first date, he handles it really well and says "oh my gosh I am so sorry you shouldn't have seen those" and she flips out, for seemingly no reason at all. Is she an expert here? Yes absolutely. Can she help? for sure. But the book even explains that "hey we can't consult random people in this case we have to get an offical consulting expert so that when the case goes to trial the defense can't say we used you because you'd give us the anwsers we want etc etc." Emma doesn't know the girl, but she is insistent that the police aren't doing enough to find the killer and is angry that the detective says "hey don't get involved in this, this is really dangerous, it's my job and I know what I'm doing" and she gets so angry that she leaves. GIRL. This is a murder investigation. You are an English professor. As of yet she has no reason to believe the police aren't doing everything they can, the reaction felt so forced and unrealistic. That conversation was so baffling and annoying that I almost dropped the book.
The story would have been way more interesting if they do the dinner scene, he says "hey seriously, if you help it needs to be through offical channels" and then have the police bring her on officially as a consultant. If that means the cool prof sleuth squad narrative gets messed up, HIRE THEM AS A TEAM! Then you don't have this unnecessary tension of "I'm not a maiden in need of rescue!" and shift it more to Ian feeling conflicted about keeping Emma involved in the case as his feelings for her grow and the killer keeps taking new victims. THAT would feel very satisfying, and you can keep pretty much all the same beats for the rest of the story. Instead of scenes of them fighting, change it to scenes where they grow closer working late nights pouring over the case.
Thanks to NetGalley for the free arc, all opinions are my own.
August 8, 2025
First, thanks so much to the publisher and to NetGalley for the opportunity to review, but I have to give an honest review even so, so here we go. I hate that this one is getting the review that it is, and I am promising here to try and pick this back up as a physical copy, because one huge reason for this is the narrator, but in general I could not make it more than 5 chapters into this book. First, within the first five chapters the “grizzled” small town cop (who is not much more than that exact trope a la Broadchurch and so many other tortured I work alone and am haunted by my past but also I am just a simple blue collar dude kind of guy) has used the phrase “banal human cruelty” and then waxes poetic about the blue grey color of the victim’s skin. I cannot with that. The female protagonist is again a caricature of the frazzled academic who is afraid of the world and too into books, to the point where her inner dialogue uses the word “sonorous.” Now, don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against a protagonist being purposefully pedantic, but since it is both characters and is done with so little subtlety, I have so think that this is the author going for a style, and it is one that I cannot get on board with. Tie that in with the narrator’s ridiculous overemphasis on fricatives and sibilants, you end up with a bad 50s noire detective novel that reads almost like a parody, but takes itself way too seriously to actually be meant as a parody. This author’s premise is smart and could be held up well with a witty repartee between characters who hit more than one note, and it could easily be a book that does really well in the realm of Paula Hawkins and other thriller writers, but sadly she was failed badly by whoever edited this book and by the audiobook producers. Someone needed to rein this new author in and push her to make her voice sound authentic and unique instead of a complete cliche.
September 17, 2025
Murder By The Book
Amie Schaumberg
3.5⭐️
Pub Date: 8/19/2025
This was such a frustrating read. One moment I love it, another moment i'm deeply concerned.
The plot was so interesting- murdered girls posed as women characters from Shakespeare and from other art pieces. Different profiles of predators in the mix here and it was actually complex enough to keep me engaged. The suspect pool was not huge so it was actually easy to guess who were involved. However, it was still fun to piece things together. Characted backgrounds for the FMC professor and the MMC detective were also written well. They were relatable. But boy were they annoying! Emma was trying to be helpful, and Ian was trying to protect her. But both of them went to the point of being extreme, and the miscommunication from these two highly educated and competent people was just too much. The lack of maturity from them both distracted me from the actual case itself. Overall, loved the parallelism of both literature and crime aspect of this book. Definitely a good read if you dont mind some personal drama here and there.
Thank you Netgalley for the e-ARC and ALC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Amie Schaumberg
3.5⭐️
Pub Date: 8/19/2025
This was such a frustrating read. One moment I love it, another moment i'm deeply concerned.
The plot was so interesting- murdered girls posed as women characters from Shakespeare and from other art pieces. Different profiles of predators in the mix here and it was actually complex enough to keep me engaged. The suspect pool was not huge so it was actually easy to guess who were involved. However, it was still fun to piece things together. Characted backgrounds for the FMC professor and the MMC detective were also written well. They were relatable. But boy were they annoying! Emma was trying to be helpful, and Ian was trying to protect her. But both of them went to the point of being extreme, and the miscommunication from these two highly educated and competent people was just too much. The lack of maturity from them both distracted me from the actual case itself. Overall, loved the parallelism of both literature and crime aspect of this book. Definitely a good read if you dont mind some personal drama here and there.
Thank you Netgalley for the e-ARC and ALC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 2, 2025
This had a lot of potential but just didn’t meet my expectations. I didn’t find it as interesting as I’d hoped and felt like the characters weren’t elevated to the concept. Felt a bit YA.
Thanks for the ARC from NetGalley.
Thanks for the ARC from NetGalley.
Read
September 2, 2025Literature professor Emma Reilly is invited to a first date at homicide detective Ian Carter's house. While waiting for Ian to complete dinner, Emma stumbles upon some crime scene photos from an active homicide investigation and immediately recognizes that the victim is posed as Ophelia from William Shakespeare's Hamlet. She begins to realize that the killer is sending messages through literary symbolism. Ian will not allow Emma to participate in the investigation. But, when another victim is found, Emma takes the situation into her own hands.
This book was cover-to-cover fun for a murder mystery and literature lover! Amie Schaumberg took the easy-reading, super-fun murder mystery novel and added haunting and intelligent literary references. She explores how so many of the stories that define classic literature utilize murder and death of women as defining plot points. Truly, so many famous works of literature detail the cruelty of humans to one another. She explores the frequent use of iconography in literature and art. I found these aspects of the novel fascinating! Emma is a female literary-focused Robert Langdon!
The prose was a delight to read. The murder scenes were intricately described without being overly graphic or scary. The suspense in this novel was unrelenting. I did find the plot to be a bit predictable. But, the characters were infinitely likeable and the plot infinitely compelling. I had so much fun trying to piece together references to famous scenes in literature. I really enjoyed the challenge. I cannot wait to give copies of this novel to my murder mystery loving literary friends!
This book was cover-to-cover fun for a murder mystery and literature lover! Amie Schaumberg took the easy-reading, super-fun murder mystery novel and added haunting and intelligent literary references. She explores how so many of the stories that define classic literature utilize murder and death of women as defining plot points. Truly, so many famous works of literature detail the cruelty of humans to one another. She explores the frequent use of iconography in literature and art. I found these aspects of the novel fascinating! Emma is a female literary-focused Robert Langdon!
The prose was a delight to read. The murder scenes were intricately described without being overly graphic or scary. The suspense in this novel was unrelenting. I did find the plot to be a bit predictable. But, the characters were infinitely likeable and the plot infinitely compelling. I had so much fun trying to piece together references to famous scenes in literature. I really enjoyed the challenge. I cannot wait to give copies of this novel to my murder mystery loving literary friends!
August 4, 2025
3.5/5 rounded up!
A cozy thriller if you're looking for something quick to read.
Emma is a a literature professor with a deep interest in Shakespeare, Ian is a detective assigned to a case where the Murderer is posing its victims like Shakespearean scenes. When Emma accidentally gets wrapped up in the case, she becomes a key player in catching the murder - much to Ian's dismay.
Honestly, I really enjoyed this book for what it was. It wasn't a super gritty murder mystery in terms of plot and the characters were really the main focus. I enjoyed the not so subtle romance between Emma and Ian and how that effected the murder case. Emma, with her brain gremlins that won't let go, was likeable in the fact that she was so knowledgable. It was interesting to see how she connected the stores to the crime scenes. It was very Robert Langdon, if you know what I mean. I actually wanted more from Ian, they kept referencing an old case he was tied too but didn't build too much on why it was effecting his relationship with Emma. I really felt that would have made the storyline a little more compelling.
The cast of characters is pretty limited, so I do feel like I called the murderer from the get go - but that didn't take away from the story as I wanted to still learn the big reveal. In a lot of cases I feel like books could be shorter, but I actually wanted this one a little bit longer to really flesh out certain plot points.
Thank you so much to Netgalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing and The Hive for an eARC. All thoughts are honest and my own.
A cozy thriller if you're looking for something quick to read.
Emma is a a literature professor with a deep interest in Shakespeare, Ian is a detective assigned to a case where the Murderer is posing its victims like Shakespearean scenes. When Emma accidentally gets wrapped up in the case, she becomes a key player in catching the murder - much to Ian's dismay.
Honestly, I really enjoyed this book for what it was. It wasn't a super gritty murder mystery in terms of plot and the characters were really the main focus. I enjoyed the not so subtle romance between Emma and Ian and how that effected the murder case. Emma, with her brain gremlins that won't let go, was likeable in the fact that she was so knowledgable. It was interesting to see how she connected the stores to the crime scenes. It was very Robert Langdon, if you know what I mean. I actually wanted more from Ian, they kept referencing an old case he was tied too but didn't build too much on why it was effecting his relationship with Emma. I really felt that would have made the storyline a little more compelling.
The cast of characters is pretty limited, so I do feel like I called the murderer from the get go - but that didn't take away from the story as I wanted to still learn the big reveal. In a lot of cases I feel like books could be shorter, but I actually wanted this one a little bit longer to really flesh out certain plot points.
Thank you so much to Netgalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing and The Hive for an eARC. All thoughts are honest and my own.
August 7, 2025
(Thank you Harlequin Audio and Netgalley for gifting me the Advance Listener Copy)
Murder By The Book by Amie Schaumberg is a murder mystery/thriller inspired by Shakespeare stories. A murder strikes a small town, and the victim is posed to look like Ophelia from Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Professor Emma Reilly, after accidentally seeing something she wasn’t supposed to, begins to try and solve the murder with her ragtag group of professors, all who are obsessed with literature. Detective Ian Carter tries to stop her from being involved and solve the murder at the same time, and thus begins an intense game to catch the killer and make it out alive.
What I really liked about this story is that Schaumberg subscribes to the theory that literature interpretation is both objective and subjective. There are things the author is clearly trying to tell us, but also the way we interpret that is conditioned on our life experiences. The only way the professor was able to realize what was happening is because she has been trained to engage critically with the text and art, something that the detective lacks. This story emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and training oneself to engage with what you are consuming…because you never know, you may be needed to solve a serial killer.
Murder By The Book by Amie Schaumberg is a murder mystery/thriller inspired by Shakespeare stories. A murder strikes a small town, and the victim is posed to look like Ophelia from Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Professor Emma Reilly, after accidentally seeing something she wasn’t supposed to, begins to try and solve the murder with her ragtag group of professors, all who are obsessed with literature. Detective Ian Carter tries to stop her from being involved and solve the murder at the same time, and thus begins an intense game to catch the killer and make it out alive.
What I really liked about this story is that Schaumberg subscribes to the theory that literature interpretation is both objective and subjective. There are things the author is clearly trying to tell us, but also the way we interpret that is conditioned on our life experiences. The only way the professor was able to realize what was happening is because she has been trained to engage critically with the text and art, something that the detective lacks. This story emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and training oneself to engage with what you are consuming…because you never know, you may be needed to solve a serial killer.
October 6, 2025
Murder by the Book by Amie Schaumberg
When a student is found murdered and staged like Ophelia from a painting of Shakespeare's Hamlet, Detective Ian Carter is disturbed. A chance meeting with Emma Reilly, a literature professor, has his first real clue… See spots a clue the killer left.
Things begin to escalate when someone from Emma’s class is murdered and Ian’s urgings for her to stay out of this go unheard.
I almost gave up on this one. It starts off slow and I didn’t connect. It took ages for the story to settle in and start to ramp up. Emma was annoying and so was Ian. It took me some time to really get into the story but I am so glad I did. It really picks up and I enjoyed the painting/literature clues that the book works from.
I didn’t like Emma and Ian together either. I don’t think they were given enough time to find their footing so the book was a bit of a bust for me. All in all, as a whole… It was just ok for me. I was hoping for more but at least the ending was amazing.
3.5 stars
When a student is found murdered and staged like Ophelia from a painting of Shakespeare's Hamlet, Detective Ian Carter is disturbed. A chance meeting with Emma Reilly, a literature professor, has his first real clue… See spots a clue the killer left.
Things begin to escalate when someone from Emma’s class is murdered and Ian’s urgings for her to stay out of this go unheard.
I almost gave up on this one. It starts off slow and I didn’t connect. It took ages for the story to settle in and start to ramp up. Emma was annoying and so was Ian. It took me some time to really get into the story but I am so glad I did. It really picks up and I enjoyed the painting/literature clues that the book works from.
I didn’t like Emma and Ian together either. I don’t think they were given enough time to find their footing so the book was a bit of a bust for me. All in all, as a whole… It was just ok for me. I was hoping for more but at least the ending was amazing.
3.5 stars
July 23, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Murder by the Book by Amie Schaumberg
I listened to the ALC of this one and really enjoyed it! I don’t usually read a ton of thrillers, so I don’t have a ton to compare it to—but this one had me hooked right from the start, and I ended up finishing it in just two days!
If you love a good murder mystery and have an appreciation for classic literature, this is such a fun combination of both. It kept the suspense going without ever feeling too heavy, and the audiobook format made it even more engaging.
The only thing I’ll say (and it’s not even a bad thing!) is that I did see the final twist coming—but maybe that’s just because I watch way too many crime shows and listen to too many true crime podcasts 😅 Either way, it was a super satisfying read!
Thank you to Netgalley for the ALC of this book!
Murder by the Book by Amie Schaumberg
I listened to the ALC of this one and really enjoyed it! I don’t usually read a ton of thrillers, so I don’t have a ton to compare it to—but this one had me hooked right from the start, and I ended up finishing it in just two days!
If you love a good murder mystery and have an appreciation for classic literature, this is such a fun combination of both. It kept the suspense going without ever feeling too heavy, and the audiobook format made it even more engaging.
The only thing I’ll say (and it’s not even a bad thing!) is that I did see the final twist coming—but maybe that’s just because I watch way too many crime shows and listen to too many true crime podcasts 😅 Either way, it was a super satisfying read!
Thank you to Netgalley for the ALC of this book!
August 19, 2025
~ Rating 3.5 (rounded down)
Format: Audiobook
Genre: Mystery
*Thank you to Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for providing this ALC in exchange for an honest review. Thoughts and opinions are my own.
This was a very fun mystery. I had a great time following Ian and Emma on the journey of finding the serial killer.
With Emma’s advanced knowledge in Shakespeare, she quickly becomes fixated on how to catch the killer who is posing his victims to re-enact many moments from Shakespeare’s work. I was pleasantly surprised to see this story take a different direction than what I was expecting.
The narrator did a great job of bringing a voice to Emma’s character. Especially the difficult moments of her arguing and standing up for her insight into the killer's love for art. I was thrown off a little by 4 grown adults playing Nancy Drew, but I learned to love the dynamic that the group brought to understanding the killer.
Format: Audiobook
Genre: Mystery
*Thank you to Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for providing this ALC in exchange for an honest review. Thoughts and opinions are my own.
This was a very fun mystery. I had a great time following Ian and Emma on the journey of finding the serial killer.
With Emma’s advanced knowledge in Shakespeare, she quickly becomes fixated on how to catch the killer who is posing his victims to re-enact many moments from Shakespeare’s work. I was pleasantly surprised to see this story take a different direction than what I was expecting.
The narrator did a great job of bringing a voice to Emma’s character. Especially the difficult moments of her arguing and standing up for her insight into the killer's love for art. I was thrown off a little by 4 grown adults playing Nancy Drew, but I learned to love the dynamic that the group brought to understanding the killer.
August 26, 2025
Murder by the book by Amie Schaumberg published by Mira 352 pg. Thank you to Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for the audio ARC of this one!
Here we are following a series of murders committed by a killer who is using literary tropes as a framework for murder. I am being very general about my reveal here so as not to spoil anything!
The audio quality was good. I did have an issue with the narrator. Whenever she spoke in the male voice she sounded just like Mara from the Progressive commercials. It took me out of the story.
This is a largely plot driven story with fairly bog standard characters who seemed somewhat plug and play.
The twists were well executed and I think readers of Frieda Mcfadden or Ruth Ware would enjoy this. Three of out of five stars for me.
Here we are following a series of murders committed by a killer who is using literary tropes as a framework for murder. I am being very general about my reveal here so as not to spoil anything!
The audio quality was good. I did have an issue with the narrator. Whenever she spoke in the male voice she sounded just like Mara from the Progressive commercials. It took me out of the story.
This is a largely plot driven story with fairly bog standard characters who seemed somewhat plug and play.
The twists were well executed and I think readers of Frieda Mcfadden or Ruth Ware would enjoy this. Three of out of five stars for me.
April 5, 2025
The premise of Shakespeare coming to life had me running to this book. I fear this mystery was a bit too cozy for my personal tastes – because there were not many characters to suspect. Professor Reilly is well researched and applies her literary analysis to help catch a killer. Through her analysis we are given the killer’s profile and we learn how these novels play out through murders. I loved the parallels between the novel and detective work. Ultimately, what made this a 3 out of 5 for me was how I felt the foreshadowing lead to us already knowing the identity by the end of the novel. I did not feel surprised but it was still a fun read. Thank you net galley for the advanced copy!
Read more in depth of my review on 4.21 here
https://brujerialibrary.wordpress.com/
Read more in depth of my review on 4.21 here
https://brujerialibrary.wordpress.com/
September 6, 2025
I. Freakin. Knew. It!
Totally guessed the killer a while ago but the author really threw me and had me believing it was someone else. I will say the reveal at the end, gave me chills!!! An entire star for that twist. Overall, this was a good mystery especially if you’re a literary person. I was engaged for the majority of the story, there were a few slow points but definitely had me wanting to know more and solve the crimes. The characters felt very real and well developed as did the situations. The setting really took a backseat but it wasn’t integral to my enjoyment. I would recommend this one!
Totally guessed the killer a while ago but the author really threw me and had me believing it was someone else. I will say the reveal at the end, gave me chills!!! An entire star for that twist. Overall, this was a good mystery especially if you’re a literary person. I was engaged for the majority of the story, there were a few slow points but definitely had me wanting to know more and solve the crimes. The characters felt very real and well developed as did the situations. The setting really took a backseat but it wasn’t integral to my enjoyment. I would recommend this one!
October 7, 2025
It was tense, full of twists, and fun to read but I also got to learn about art history along the way. A great companion piece to any pre-raphaelite exhibition!
October 14, 2025
As a person who enjoys art and literature, it was nice seeing how these two things were incorporated into a plot as a way to explore puzzles and serial murder. Very cool premise. I loved the main characters, particularly Emma, whose expertise. She then becomes the one to solve most of the clues that the murderer leaves.
August 5, 2025
3.5⭐️
A literary murder with Shakespearean flair… but not quite a standing ovation.
The idea of a serial killer staging murders inspired by classic literature—particularly Shakespeare’s Hamlet—was immediately intriguing to me. As a huge Shakespeare fan, the concept alone gave me chills. The premise is brilliant: a killer mimicking the dark tragedies of theatre’s most iconic works? Deliciously eerie.
Amie Schaumberg’s Murder by the Book is the debut novel, and I have to applaud her creativity and enthusiasm. This story is clearly written with heart, and the literary theme is woven cleverly into the investigation. Schaumberg does a great job bringing academia and mystery together, balancing chilling intrigue with cozy pacing and a lightly teased romance subplot between our heroine Emma and detective Ian.
Emma, as the protagonist, is passionate, intelligent, and deeply entrenched in the world of literature. Her transition from academic to amateur investigator gives her emotional depth and a good deal of narrative presence—even when her persistence starts to feel a bit too “main character syndrome.” Still, her connection to the case is handled well, and her literary insights add a unique dimension to the mystery. I appreciated that the romance didn’t overpower the main plot nor was it awkwardly inputted, and Emma’s strength shone most in unexpected moments.
What I wasn’t quite as sold on: the group dynamics. The inclusion of Emma’s fellow scholars and academic peers as active participants in the investigation felt a bit too much like a group project unraveling a murder mystery. It stretched believability at times, and lessened the tension in key scenes. The cast of characters was also too limited enough that the eventual reveal felt relatively predictable.
From a writing perspective, Schaumberg’s style is intelligent—but occasionally overwritten. There were moments where it felt like the prose had been triple-checked with a thesaurus, which pulled me out of the story. That said, the ideas behind the writing were engaging, especially when they touched on the power of storytelling—how literature can be a tool for brilliance or destruction. There’s a fascinating undertone in this book about how the stories we love can mirror our darkest human instincts.
Narrator Gail Shalan delivered a fantastic performance for the audiobook—measured, emotive, and immersive. Her narration added a lot to the experience.
All in all, Murder by the Book is a solid, thought-provoking debut that will definitely appeal to fans of literary-themed mysteries and classic puzzles. You don’t need to be a Shakespeare expert to enjoy this one—but if you are, you’ll definitely catch a few chilling extra layers.
My congratulations go out to Amie Schaumberg on her wonderful upcoming debut!
**Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the advance audiobook copy in exchange for an honest review.**
A literary murder with Shakespearean flair… but not quite a standing ovation.
The idea of a serial killer staging murders inspired by classic literature—particularly Shakespeare’s Hamlet—was immediately intriguing to me. As a huge Shakespeare fan, the concept alone gave me chills. The premise is brilliant: a killer mimicking the dark tragedies of theatre’s most iconic works? Deliciously eerie.
Amie Schaumberg’s Murder by the Book is the debut novel, and I have to applaud her creativity and enthusiasm. This story is clearly written with heart, and the literary theme is woven cleverly into the investigation. Schaumberg does a great job bringing academia and mystery together, balancing chilling intrigue with cozy pacing and a lightly teased romance subplot between our heroine Emma and detective Ian.
Emma, as the protagonist, is passionate, intelligent, and deeply entrenched in the world of literature. Her transition from academic to amateur investigator gives her emotional depth and a good deal of narrative presence—even when her persistence starts to feel a bit too “main character syndrome.” Still, her connection to the case is handled well, and her literary insights add a unique dimension to the mystery. I appreciated that the romance didn’t overpower the main plot nor was it awkwardly inputted, and Emma’s strength shone most in unexpected moments.
What I wasn’t quite as sold on: the group dynamics. The inclusion of Emma’s fellow scholars and academic peers as active participants in the investigation felt a bit too much like a group project unraveling a murder mystery. It stretched believability at times, and lessened the tension in key scenes. The cast of characters was also too limited enough that the eventual reveal felt relatively predictable.
From a writing perspective, Schaumberg’s style is intelligent—but occasionally overwritten. There were moments where it felt like the prose had been triple-checked with a thesaurus, which pulled me out of the story. That said, the ideas behind the writing were engaging, especially when they touched on the power of storytelling—how literature can be a tool for brilliance or destruction. There’s a fascinating undertone in this book about how the stories we love can mirror our darkest human instincts.
Narrator Gail Shalan delivered a fantastic performance for the audiobook—measured, emotive, and immersive. Her narration added a lot to the experience.
All in all, Murder by the Book is a solid, thought-provoking debut that will definitely appeal to fans of literary-themed mysteries and classic puzzles. You don’t need to be a Shakespeare expert to enjoy this one—but if you are, you’ll definitely catch a few chilling extra layers.
My congratulations go out to Amie Schaumberg on her wonderful upcoming debut!
**Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the advance audiobook copy in exchange for an honest review.**
August 15, 2025
Great debut novel! I really enjoyed the Shakespearian aspects of the murders, and also enjoyed the dual POVs of Ian and Emma.
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