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A Novel Murder
Welcome to the Killer Lines Crime Fiction Festival, the place for star writers of the genre to meet their adoring fans. But be careful—this year the murders aren’t just on the page.
"Funny, sharply observed and fiendishly clever" —Jennie Godfrey, author of The List of Suspicious Things
In the quaint English town of Hoslewit, the biggest names in crime writing have congregated to celebrate all things bookish and murderous. Author Jane Hepburn is determined to make her time at the Killer Lines festival worthwhile. This is her chance to change her fortunes and make her fictional Private Detective Baker a household name. And if she has to resort to sneaking into the book tent after hours to rearrange some books so hers are front and center, so be it.
But when Jane encounters the dead body of renowned (and reviled) literary agent Carrie Marks, the festival takes on a decidedly different tone. Joined by Carrie's newest client, debut novelist Natasha Martez, and the agency's hapless intern, Daniel Thurston, Jane decides to put her fictional sleuthing skills to use in the real world—she's going to solve the murder. But the list of suspects is seemingly everyone at the festival has a motive to kill Carrie, and the more Jane and her new friends investigate, the closer they come to a dangerous truth—one that’s stranger than fiction.
"Funny, sharply observed and fiendishly clever" —Jennie Godfrey, author of The List of Suspicious Things
In the quaint English town of Hoslewit, the biggest names in crime writing have congregated to celebrate all things bookish and murderous. Author Jane Hepburn is determined to make her time at the Killer Lines festival worthwhile. This is her chance to change her fortunes and make her fictional Private Detective Baker a household name. And if she has to resort to sneaking into the book tent after hours to rearrange some books so hers are front and center, so be it.
But when Jane encounters the dead body of renowned (and reviled) literary agent Carrie Marks, the festival takes on a decidedly different tone. Joined by Carrie's newest client, debut novelist Natasha Martez, and the agency's hapless intern, Daniel Thurston, Jane decides to put her fictional sleuthing skills to use in the real world—she's going to solve the murder. But the list of suspects is seemingly everyone at the festival has a motive to kill Carrie, and the more Jane and her new friends investigate, the closer they come to a dangerous truth—one that’s stranger than fiction.
342 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 17, 2025
113 people are currently reading
15776 people want to read
About the author
E.C. Nevin
3 books40 followersE. C. NEVIN is a pseudonym for an ex–publishing professional. E.C. worked for large trade publishers focusing on crime/thriller publishing and established brands.
source: Amazon
source: Amazon
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 283 reviews
November 1, 2024
Exactly the book I wanted to read right now. Fun setting, fun characters, slightly over-the-top plot - yum! 👌
June 13, 2025
Overall, I thought this was fun book – I didn’t love it, but I didn’t hate it. It’s a cozy murder mystery set in a quiet small town at a crime fiction festival. I felt the setting added a fun element to the story. I rated A Novel Murder 3 stars for a few different reasons. One being that the story was slow-paced and didn’t hold my attention as much as I would have liked. It also felt like a Hallmark movie mystery, where the ending was predictable but also not predictable. However, I also loved seeing Jane’s growth as a person. She took some getting used to but became a dynamic character – watching her confidence grow as she channeled her books’ FMC was great to read.
As this is E. C. Nevin’s debut novel, I’m interested to see what else they write in the future.
Positives -
I really enjoyed how light-hearted and easy-to-read the story was. As someone who reads dark thrillers, this makes an excellent palate-cleanser. I also liked getting an inside look at the publishing world and how it works. For the overall plot, I found myself caring more about Jane’s changes as a character from an insecure individual to someone with more confidence in herself. The murder mystery became more of a secondary plot.
Frustrations -
One major frustration I had was the pacing of the story. It is very slow-paced, and I found myself losing attention at some points and now connecting with the characters and the story as much as I would like. I also found it hard to warm up to the characters. Multiple characters fell flat for me, and I feel they could have been developed more. Jane took some getting used to as an FMC. She didn’t have much personality at the beginning, and it was hard to read the constant self-loathing and watch the war with herself unfold. With that said, her internal struggle did become a major focus for me in the book, and I enjoyed watching her grow into her confidence as the story continued.
Would I recommend this? If you are looking for an easy mystery that is fun with an over-the-top plot, I recommend this one. It had moments where it reminded me of the Finlay Donovan series by Elle Cosimano with the amateur sleuthing.
Read if You Like:
- Amateur Sleuthing
- Cozy Murder Mysteries
- Small Town Setting
- Books about Bookish Things
- Main Character Growth
As this is E. C. Nevin’s debut novel, I’m interested to see what else they write in the future.
Positives -
I really enjoyed how light-hearted and easy-to-read the story was. As someone who reads dark thrillers, this makes an excellent palate-cleanser. I also liked getting an inside look at the publishing world and how it works. For the overall plot, I found myself caring more about Jane’s changes as a character from an insecure individual to someone with more confidence in herself. The murder mystery became more of a secondary plot.
Frustrations -
One major frustration I had was the pacing of the story. It is very slow-paced, and I found myself losing attention at some points and now connecting with the characters and the story as much as I would like. I also found it hard to warm up to the characters. Multiple characters fell flat for me, and I feel they could have been developed more. Jane took some getting used to as an FMC. She didn’t have much personality at the beginning, and it was hard to read the constant self-loathing and watch the war with herself unfold. With that said, her internal struggle did become a major focus for me in the book, and I enjoyed watching her grow into her confidence as the story continued.
Would I recommend this? If you are looking for an easy mystery that is fun with an over-the-top plot, I recommend this one. It had moments where it reminded me of the Finlay Donovan series by Elle Cosimano with the amateur sleuthing.
Read if You Like:
- Amateur Sleuthing
- Cozy Murder Mysteries
- Small Town Setting
- Books about Bookish Things
- Main Character Growth
June 3, 2025
I’m still sorting through my thoughts on this one—A Novel Murder left me feeling a bit conflicted, and I’ve been debating where to land on my final rating. So, let’s unpack it.
🔪 What didn’t work for me:
The biggest struggle I had was with the main character. Her constant self-loathing—especially about her appearance and weight—felt heavy-handed and repetitive. It wasn’t just part of her internal dialogue; it dominated it. After a while, it started to feel less like honest vulnerability and more like fishing for pity. It added nothing to the plot and honestly pulled me out of the story.
The pacing was another challenge. The story moved very slowly, and I had to push myself to keep going. It lacked urgency, and I just couldn’t connect with the characters or the central mystery. I considered DNFing it multiple times, which is rare for me. Even when the killer was finally revealed, it didn’t pack much of a punch—I was too checked out by that point to be surprised or impressed, even though I hadn’t guessed it.
📚 What I did enjoy:
The setting—a true crime fiction festival—was a super fun and clever backdrop. I loved the concept of amateur sleuths coming together to solve a murder in real life. The ensemble cast had quirky charm and offered moments of levity, even if they couldn’t quite carry the weight of the story’s slower moments.
⭐️ Final thoughts:
If I had to choose right now, I’d probably land at a 2 or 2.5 star rating. There were things to enjoy here, but overall, it felt like a slog. I wanted to love the premise so badly, but the execution just didn’t deliver for me.
September 2, 2025
This was a bit rough, but I still had a good time. Will read more from this author.
[3.75 stars, rounded up]
[3.75 stars, rounded up]
July 6, 2025
Spectacular give me 14 of ‘em right now
June 29, 2025
A Novel Murder was going to be one of my first attempts at 'cosy crime.' I love it when a book has books, reading or writing at its heart, and so I thought this would be right up my street. And, at first, I was taken in by the plot - a murder taking place during a crime writers' festival. Sadly though, after pushing through to page 171, I finally gave in, and conceded that I needed to let this one pass me by.
I think one of the major problems that I struggled to truly get caught up with this novel is down to the main character, Jane. She is a struggling crime author, desperately seeking her big break, when she may become a best selling writer. She is a very meek and mild character, and there are many times when she descends into self-loathing, or making deprecating comments about herself. There are only so many times that this goes from mildly cute, to damn right irritating. And, for me, I ended up being in the second camp; every time that she mentioned her weight, or her career, it was just a bit cringey. Plus, I am sick of characters who are written as being on the larger size, to be anything other than clumsy, socially awkward, and bereft of any confidence or genuine affection.
My other issue with the novel was that very little really seemed to happen. After the murder is discovered, the 'investigation' into it then turns into one of the most insipid search for answers I have read. It didn't have a good pace, despite the chapters being traditionally short; I can honestly say that, whilst reading this novel, I never felt desperate to get back to it. And that, for me, is the litmus test.
If you already enjoy this genre of novel, I am sure that this could be a fulfilling read for you. Personally, I think I'm the sort of person who needs their crime thrillers to be filled with a little bit more action, a lot more darkness, and less cosy conversations over a cup of tea.
I think one of the major problems that I struggled to truly get caught up with this novel is down to the main character, Jane. She is a struggling crime author, desperately seeking her big break, when she may become a best selling writer. She is a very meek and mild character, and there are many times when she descends into self-loathing, or making deprecating comments about herself. There are only so many times that this goes from mildly cute, to damn right irritating. And, for me, I ended up being in the second camp; every time that she mentioned her weight, or her career, it was just a bit cringey. Plus, I am sick of characters who are written as being on the larger size, to be anything other than clumsy, socially awkward, and bereft of any confidence or genuine affection.
My other issue with the novel was that very little really seemed to happen. After the murder is discovered, the 'investigation' into it then turns into one of the most insipid search for answers I have read. It didn't have a good pace, despite the chapters being traditionally short; I can honestly say that, whilst reading this novel, I never felt desperate to get back to it. And that, for me, is the litmus test.
If you already enjoy this genre of novel, I am sure that this could be a fulfilling read for you. Personally, I think I'm the sort of person who needs their crime thrillers to be filled with a little bit more action, a lot more darkness, and less cosy conversations over a cup of tea.
August 11, 2025
A Novel Murder by E.C. Nevin
ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 3.5/5 stars
This cozy mystery is a delightful mix of charm and suspense, packed with quirky suspects, juicy drama, and plenty of small-town gossip. Jane heads to the book festival, laser-focused on making her detective character a household name, but her ambitions take an unexpected turn when she stumbles upon the very dead body of cutthroat agent Carrie Marks. No problem! She teams up with debut author Natasha and Daniel, the hilariously awkward intern, for some amateur sleuthing. The only hitch? Everyone seems to have a grudge against Carrie, from authors to festival organizers. Let’s just say Carrie had a talent for making enemies.
I picked this one up because it was compared to the TV series “Only Murders in the Building,” which I absolutely adore. “A Novel Murder” delivers on the cozy vibes and charming characters, but it moves at a slower pace, which makes it feel kind of slow. Still, the witty cast and clever twists kept things enjoyable.
This was my first time reading this author, and while their style might not be my favorite, don’t let that stop you. The book has plenty of glowing reviews! Big thanks to the author and Knopf for this #giftedARC, provided via #NetGalley. Opinions are all mine.
ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 3.5/5 stars
This cozy mystery is a delightful mix of charm and suspense, packed with quirky suspects, juicy drama, and plenty of small-town gossip. Jane heads to the book festival, laser-focused on making her detective character a household name, but her ambitions take an unexpected turn when she stumbles upon the very dead body of cutthroat agent Carrie Marks. No problem! She teams up with debut author Natasha and Daniel, the hilariously awkward intern, for some amateur sleuthing. The only hitch? Everyone seems to have a grudge against Carrie, from authors to festival organizers. Let’s just say Carrie had a talent for making enemies.
I picked this one up because it was compared to the TV series “Only Murders in the Building,” which I absolutely adore. “A Novel Murder” delivers on the cozy vibes and charming characters, but it moves at a slower pace, which makes it feel kind of slow. Still, the witty cast and clever twists kept things enjoyable.
This was my first time reading this author, and while their style might not be my favorite, don’t let that stop you. The book has plenty of glowing reviews! Big thanks to the author and Knopf for this #giftedARC, provided via #NetGalley. Opinions are all mine.
June 18, 2025
E.C. Nevin's debut mystery "A Novel Murder" serves up a deliciously meta concoction that feels both refreshingly original and comfortingly familiar. Set against the backdrop of the fictional Killer Lines Crime Fiction Festival, this contemporary mystery thriller manages to be simultaneously a celebration of and a scathing critique of the publishing industry, wrapped in an engaging whodunit that keeps readers guessing until the final pages.
Plot Synopsis: Murder Among the Manuscripts
The story follows Jane Hepburn, a struggling crime writer whose Detective Sandra Baker series has failed to achieve commercial success despite eight years of effort. When Jane discovers the corpse of renowned literary agent Carrie Marks stabbed through the heart with a ceremonial dagger in the festival's book tent, she sees an opportunity to transform her fortunes. Joined by debut novelist Natasha Martez and hapless agency intern Daniel Thurston, Jane embarks on an amateur investigation that proves both more complex and more dangerous than any of her fictional plots.
What begins as Jane's desperate attempt to leverage real-life detective work into publicity for her books evolves into a genuine quest for justice, complicated by a sprawling cast of suspects that includes everyone from bestselling social media sensation Laura Lane to the mysterious book reviewer Edward Carter. The investigation takes increasingly dark turns as a second attempt on author Brad Levinsky's life reveals that the killer isn't finished, culminating in a dramatic confrontation that exposes the true murderer in spectacular fashion.
Character Development: Flawed Humanity at Its Finest
Jane Hepburn: An Unlikely but Compelling Protagonist
Nevin's greatest achievement lies in creating Jane Hepburn, a protagonist who embodies the very flaws that make her relatable rather than aspirational. Standing six feet tall and perpetually awkward, Jane is the antithesis of her own creation, the glamorous PI Sandra Baker. Where Baker is effortlessly confident and perpetually successful, Jane struggles with self-doubt, social anxiety, and the crushing weight of literary rejection.
The character's evolution throughout the novel feels earned rather than forced. Jane begins as someone so desperate for recognition that she sneaks into the book tent to rearrange displays, putting her books front and center—a small act of rebellion that inadvertently leads to her discovering Carrie's body. By the novel's end, she has not only solved the murder but gained the confidence to kill off her perfect protagonist in favor of creating more authentic, flawed characters.
Supporting Cast: A Gallery of Publishing Archetypes
The supporting characters function as both individuals and representations of different aspects of the publishing ecosystem. Daniel Thurston, the enthusiastic intern who talks with his mouth full and champions Jane's Detective Baker series, represents the passionate but naive side of literary fandom. Natasha Martez, the debut novelist navigating her first major publication deal, embodies both the hope and vulnerability of emerging writers.
Laura Lane, the TikTok sensation whose vampire romance series has achieved massive commercial success despite critical dismissal, serves as a fascinating foil to Jane's struggles. Her character raises uncomfortable questions about literary merit versus market success, and her live-streaming of the novel's climactic scenes adds a modern, social media-savvy twist to the traditional drawing room revelation.
Writing Style: Wit Wrapped in Wisdom
Nevin demonstrates a keen understanding of both mystery conventions and contemporary publishing realities. The prose is accessible and often genuinely funny, particularly in its observations about festival culture and the sometimes absurd nature of literary events. The author's background clearly includes intimate knowledge of the publishing world, as evidenced by the authentic details about agent-author relationships, festival politics, and the emotional rollercoaster of rejection and acceptance.
The narrative voice captures Jane's perspective beautifully, alternating between self-deprecating humor and genuine pathos. Nevin has a particular gift for physical comedy—Jane's awkward interactions and perpetual mishaps feel organic rather than forced, adding levity without undermining the story's more serious elements.
Structural Strengths and Minor Weaknesses
The mystery's structure follows classical detection principles while incorporating modern elements like social media investigation and live-streaming. The clues are fairly placed, though some readers might find certain revelations slightly telegraphed. The red herrings involving Edward Carter work effectively, and the true solution—that publicist Sarah Parks-Ward murdered Carrie after being dropped as a client—feels both surprising and inevitable in retrospect.
However, the novel occasionally suffers from pacing issues in the middle section, where the investigation sometimes feels more repetitive than progressive. Additionally, while the large cast of suspects creates appropriate confusion, some characters feel slightly underdeveloped beyond their functional roles in the mystery.
Thematic Depth: More Than Just a Mystery
The Publishing Industry Under the Microscope
"A Novel Murder" works on multiple levels, functioning as both an entertaining mystery and a sharp commentary on the contemporary publishing landscape. Nevin explores themes of artistic integrity versus commercial success, the psychological toll of constant rejection, and the complex relationships between authors, agents, and publishers.
The character of Carrie Marks herself—seen only through others' perspectives after her death—represents the power dynamics inherent in the agent-author relationship. Different characters remember her differently: as a friend, a blackmailer, a lover, a tormentor. This fragmented portrait cleverly mirrors how authors often project their own hopes, fears, and frustrations onto industry gatekeepers.
Female Ambition and Literary Worth
The novel's treatment of female ambition in the literary world feels particularly relevant. Jane's struggle for recognition, Sarah's desperate attempts to break into publishing, and Laura's navigation of literary snobbery toward commercial fiction all illuminate different aspects of how women's voices are valued—or dismissed—in the industry.
The decision to have Jane ultimately kill off her "perfect" protagonist Sandra Baker in favor of creating more authentic, flawed characters serves as a meta-commentary on the book itself. Nevin seems to argue that readers connect with humanity and vulnerability rather than aspirational perfection.
Final Thoughts: A Novel Worth Reading
E.C. Nevin has crafted a debut that respects both its genre conventions and its readers' intelligence. "A Novel Murder" proves that cozy mysteries can tackle serious themes without losing their essential entertainment value. Jane Hepburn's journey from desperate wannabe to confident writer mirrors the book's own successful transformation of familiar elements into something genuinely engaging.
The novel's greatest strength lies in its understanding that the best mysteries aren't just about solving crimes—they're about revealing character. In Jane Hepburn, Nevin has created a protagonist worth following through future adventures, and in the Killer Lines festival setting, established a world rich enough to revisit. This is a debut that announces a promising new voice in contemporary mystery fiction.
Plot Synopsis: Murder Among the Manuscripts
The story follows Jane Hepburn, a struggling crime writer whose Detective Sandra Baker series has failed to achieve commercial success despite eight years of effort. When Jane discovers the corpse of renowned literary agent Carrie Marks stabbed through the heart with a ceremonial dagger in the festival's book tent, she sees an opportunity to transform her fortunes. Joined by debut novelist Natasha Martez and hapless agency intern Daniel Thurston, Jane embarks on an amateur investigation that proves both more complex and more dangerous than any of her fictional plots.
What begins as Jane's desperate attempt to leverage real-life detective work into publicity for her books evolves into a genuine quest for justice, complicated by a sprawling cast of suspects that includes everyone from bestselling social media sensation Laura Lane to the mysterious book reviewer Edward Carter. The investigation takes increasingly dark turns as a second attempt on author Brad Levinsky's life reveals that the killer isn't finished, culminating in a dramatic confrontation that exposes the true murderer in spectacular fashion.
Character Development: Flawed Humanity at Its Finest
Jane Hepburn: An Unlikely but Compelling Protagonist
Nevin's greatest achievement lies in creating Jane Hepburn, a protagonist who embodies the very flaws that make her relatable rather than aspirational. Standing six feet tall and perpetually awkward, Jane is the antithesis of her own creation, the glamorous PI Sandra Baker. Where Baker is effortlessly confident and perpetually successful, Jane struggles with self-doubt, social anxiety, and the crushing weight of literary rejection.
The character's evolution throughout the novel feels earned rather than forced. Jane begins as someone so desperate for recognition that she sneaks into the book tent to rearrange displays, putting her books front and center—a small act of rebellion that inadvertently leads to her discovering Carrie's body. By the novel's end, she has not only solved the murder but gained the confidence to kill off her perfect protagonist in favor of creating more authentic, flawed characters.
Supporting Cast: A Gallery of Publishing Archetypes
The supporting characters function as both individuals and representations of different aspects of the publishing ecosystem. Daniel Thurston, the enthusiastic intern who talks with his mouth full and champions Jane's Detective Baker series, represents the passionate but naive side of literary fandom. Natasha Martez, the debut novelist navigating her first major publication deal, embodies both the hope and vulnerability of emerging writers.
Laura Lane, the TikTok sensation whose vampire romance series has achieved massive commercial success despite critical dismissal, serves as a fascinating foil to Jane's struggles. Her character raises uncomfortable questions about literary merit versus market success, and her live-streaming of the novel's climactic scenes adds a modern, social media-savvy twist to the traditional drawing room revelation.
Writing Style: Wit Wrapped in Wisdom
Nevin demonstrates a keen understanding of both mystery conventions and contemporary publishing realities. The prose is accessible and often genuinely funny, particularly in its observations about festival culture and the sometimes absurd nature of literary events. The author's background clearly includes intimate knowledge of the publishing world, as evidenced by the authentic details about agent-author relationships, festival politics, and the emotional rollercoaster of rejection and acceptance.
The narrative voice captures Jane's perspective beautifully, alternating between self-deprecating humor and genuine pathos. Nevin has a particular gift for physical comedy—Jane's awkward interactions and perpetual mishaps feel organic rather than forced, adding levity without undermining the story's more serious elements.
Structural Strengths and Minor Weaknesses
The mystery's structure follows classical detection principles while incorporating modern elements like social media investigation and live-streaming. The clues are fairly placed, though some readers might find certain revelations slightly telegraphed. The red herrings involving Edward Carter work effectively, and the true solution—that publicist Sarah Parks-Ward murdered Carrie after being dropped as a client—feels both surprising and inevitable in retrospect.
However, the novel occasionally suffers from pacing issues in the middle section, where the investigation sometimes feels more repetitive than progressive. Additionally, while the large cast of suspects creates appropriate confusion, some characters feel slightly underdeveloped beyond their functional roles in the mystery.
Thematic Depth: More Than Just a Mystery
The Publishing Industry Under the Microscope
"A Novel Murder" works on multiple levels, functioning as both an entertaining mystery and a sharp commentary on the contemporary publishing landscape. Nevin explores themes of artistic integrity versus commercial success, the psychological toll of constant rejection, and the complex relationships between authors, agents, and publishers.
The character of Carrie Marks herself—seen only through others' perspectives after her death—represents the power dynamics inherent in the agent-author relationship. Different characters remember her differently: as a friend, a blackmailer, a lover, a tormentor. This fragmented portrait cleverly mirrors how authors often project their own hopes, fears, and frustrations onto industry gatekeepers.
Female Ambition and Literary Worth
The novel's treatment of female ambition in the literary world feels particularly relevant. Jane's struggle for recognition, Sarah's desperate attempts to break into publishing, and Laura's navigation of literary snobbery toward commercial fiction all illuminate different aspects of how women's voices are valued—or dismissed—in the industry.
The decision to have Jane ultimately kill off her "perfect" protagonist Sandra Baker in favor of creating more authentic, flawed characters serves as a meta-commentary on the book itself. Nevin seems to argue that readers connect with humanity and vulnerability rather than aspirational perfection.
Final Thoughts: A Novel Worth Reading
E.C. Nevin has crafted a debut that respects both its genre conventions and its readers' intelligence. "A Novel Murder" proves that cozy mysteries can tackle serious themes without losing their essential entertainment value. Jane Hepburn's journey from desperate wannabe to confident writer mirrors the book's own successful transformation of familiar elements into something genuinely engaging.
The novel's greatest strength lies in its understanding that the best mysteries aren't just about solving crimes—they're about revealing character. In Jane Hepburn, Nevin has created a protagonist worth following through future adventures, and in the Killer Lines festival setting, established a world rich enough to revisit. This is a debut that announces a promising new voice in contemporary mystery fiction.
November 1, 2025
A Novel Murder is a witty and simple whodunit following timid author Jane Hepburn, who is determined to improve her luck at the Killer Lines Crime Fiction Festival. Her plans take an unexpected turn when she discovers a dead body. The victim is not only her literary agent but also one of the biggest names in the industry, and the murder immediately turns the festival upside down.
Quickly cleared as a suspect, Jane is determined to solve the case and maybe gain a little positive publicity in the process. She teams up with an unlikely group of friends, including fellow authors, assistants, and a well-known book reviewer. Together, they follow clues and uncover secrets, often getting closer to the truth than official investigators. Constantly underestimated, Jane pushes forward until she finally comes face-to-face with the murderer.
Although it does not reinvent the genre, A Novel Murder is a clever and entertaining take on a whodunit set in the book world. The festival setting is fun and immersive, the humor is sharp, and the characters are engaging. Fans of light, clever mysteries with a literary twist will enjoy this book.
Quickly cleared as a suspect, Jane is determined to solve the case and maybe gain a little positive publicity in the process. She teams up with an unlikely group of friends, including fellow authors, assistants, and a well-known book reviewer. Together, they follow clues and uncover secrets, often getting closer to the truth than official investigators. Constantly underestimated, Jane pushes forward until she finally comes face-to-face with the murderer.
Although it does not reinvent the genre, A Novel Murder is a clever and entertaining take on a whodunit set in the book world. The festival setting is fun and immersive, the humor is sharp, and the characters are engaging. Fans of light, clever mysteries with a literary twist will enjoy this book.
June 17, 2025
3.5⭐️ - It’s Good
I loved the idea of this - setting this at a literary mystery festival was fun and I love books about books. I also really liked the MC and loved seeing her confidence grow throughout the story. There were a lot of characters to track, and we didn’t get to know them very well, making it hard to remember who was who. There were some overused bits throughout (Jane imagining talking to her mother who recently died, Jane thinking about how PI Baker did things in her novels, etc) which quickly began to feel quite repetitive.
Even for a cozy mystery, this was very slow paced. Things are dragged out with a lot of internal thoughts and unnecessary descriptions. There is really just too much filler in general which made me start to zone out. I think trimming back all the clothing descriptions, repetitive thoughts and eating/drinking actions would have really helped the pacing. Toward the end Jane states “… and she wonders how on earth they didn’t seriously suspect NAME REDACTED before.” Which truly is my question too, bc it was very obvious who it was from early on.
It had some very repetitive aspects, lines repeated word for word as a character remembers them and so many overused adjectives. Gleaming whites of the eyes, gleaming teeth, glossy hair, glossy lipstick, etc etc as well as calling one character a rat-like man or rat face or rat man for the entire book 😬 Truly could not tell you if that character even was given a real name or not, but I don’t remember them using it.
While I’d have liked to have seen better character development and less filler, it’s still an entertaining enough cozy mystery. I did love the literary setting and the behind the scenes craziness of the publishing world. I’d definitely try another book by this author in the future.
I loved the idea of this - setting this at a literary mystery festival was fun and I love books about books. I also really liked the MC and loved seeing her confidence grow throughout the story. There were a lot of characters to track, and we didn’t get to know them very well, making it hard to remember who was who. There were some overused bits throughout (Jane imagining talking to her mother who recently died, Jane thinking about how PI Baker did things in her novels, etc) which quickly began to feel quite repetitive.
Even for a cozy mystery, this was very slow paced. Things are dragged out with a lot of internal thoughts and unnecessary descriptions. There is really just too much filler in general which made me start to zone out. I think trimming back all the clothing descriptions, repetitive thoughts and eating/drinking actions would have really helped the pacing. Toward the end Jane states “… and she wonders how on earth they didn’t seriously suspect NAME REDACTED before.” Which truly is my question too, bc it was very obvious who it was from early on.
It had some very repetitive aspects, lines repeated word for word as a character remembers them and so many overused adjectives. Gleaming whites of the eyes, gleaming teeth, glossy hair, glossy lipstick, etc etc as well as calling one character a rat-like man or rat face or rat man for the entire book 😬 Truly could not tell you if that character even was given a real name or not, but I don’t remember them using it.
While I’d have liked to have seen better character development and less filler, it’s still an entertaining enough cozy mystery. I did love the literary setting and the behind the scenes craziness of the publishing world. I’d definitely try another book by this author in the future.
November 8, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley, E.C Nevin, and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor/Knopf for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 3, 2025
A murder mystery set at a crime fiction book festival?? Sign me up!
Jane is an author whose detective series isn’t getting much traction. She’s just found the dead body of a literary agent at the festival. What should she do? Join forces with some fellow festival goers and put on their detective hats of course!
I loved the cast of characters Nevin delivers for this story from our main star, Jane, to our social media famous author to our willing-to-do-anything assistant. Each person felt utterly unique and their interactions with each other were genuine. There’s a delightful mix of comedy and introspection among the group that allows the reader to feel at home and committed to tagging along with our sleuths.
In addition to a great cast, Nevin has chosen a location that is sure to appeal to readers of the crime fiction genre and one that we don’t see often. A book festival gives the depth of characters needed for a decent amount of suspects to investigate, but the small town location helps to keep it feeling isolated and removed from the day-to-day of regular life.
This one was fun, cozy, and entertaining. I’ll definitely be on the lookout for more from Nevin!
Jane is an author whose detective series isn’t getting much traction. She’s just found the dead body of a literary agent at the festival. What should she do? Join forces with some fellow festival goers and put on their detective hats of course!
I loved the cast of characters Nevin delivers for this story from our main star, Jane, to our social media famous author to our willing-to-do-anything assistant. Each person felt utterly unique and their interactions with each other were genuine. There’s a delightful mix of comedy and introspection among the group that allows the reader to feel at home and committed to tagging along with our sleuths.
In addition to a great cast, Nevin has chosen a location that is sure to appeal to readers of the crime fiction genre and one that we don’t see often. A book festival gives the depth of characters needed for a decent amount of suspects to investigate, but the small town location helps to keep it feeling isolated and removed from the day-to-day of regular life.
This one was fun, cozy, and entertaining. I’ll definitely be on the lookout for more from Nevin!
June 24, 2025
Although the setting and setup were appealing, the actual mystery at the core did not really gel for me. I felt the characters were forced and the premise labored. Dragged in the middle, but I'm willing to give the author another chance at a later date.
November 2, 2025
Fun little read, though felt kinda slow-paced in chunks throughout. Rather than the plot, my favourite bit was Jane’s personal growth throughout with her found friends.
August 18, 2025
A would be mystery writer goes to a symposium with other writers and decides to investigate an actual murder there . Very long winded and didn’t like the main character. Hard to finished
June 17, 2025
Knopf Publishing provided an early galley for review.
I was intrigued by the plot concept (a murder at a murder author festival). Stories about authors and publishing are also in my wheelhouse. So, this was difficult to resist.
Nevin presents the reader with an interesting cast, both in our mystery-solvers and potential suspects. I like how the narrative viewpoint shifts around, keeping the reader informed of who is doing what when but also keeping the mystery in place. From her own experiences in the publishing industry, she also injects the story with plenty of insider details and references that resonate.
I enjoyed the story and writing enough to keep the author on my radar for the future. Per the author's website, there is a sequel in the works - A Killer Plot.
I was intrigued by the plot concept (a murder at a murder author festival). Stories about authors and publishing are also in my wheelhouse. So, this was difficult to resist.
Nevin presents the reader with an interesting cast, both in our mystery-solvers and potential suspects. I like how the narrative viewpoint shifts around, keeping the reader informed of who is doing what when but also keeping the mystery in place. From her own experiences in the publishing industry, she also injects the story with plenty of insider details and references that resonate.
I enjoyed the story and writing enough to keep the author on my radar for the future. Per the author's website, there is a sequel in the works - A Killer Plot.
August 3, 2025
A Novel Murder by EC Nevins, Jane Hepburn shows up at The Killer Lines book festival determined to make a difference in her career as an author of six murder mysteries, with protagonist Sandra Baker. Up untill now she has lived a very small life and since the death of her beloved mother a very isolated one. she’s also worried her agent Carrie is going to drop her as she hadn’t heard from her in months. to Jane‘s surprise she becomes friends with debut author and talk of the festival Natasha and an intern named Daniel but this is just the beginning of surprising events at the book festival. For one thing her agent Carrie is found dead and secondly she is surprised when new friend Daniel convinces her to try and solve the murder. The tention only heightens when there’s a second attempted murder on one of their suspects but even when everyone thinks the case is solved and the arrest breaks Jane’s heart for more than one reason. In the end however it will be Jane’s great logic and relentless questioning that brings out the truth but will it be too late? I just want to make it clear how much I absolutely loved this book and can only hope the author sees fit to have Jane and her friends solve more mysteries I loved Jane everything about Jane her friendships with the Mötley Crüe the laugh out loud writing in the unputdownable plot just made this such an awesome reading experience. I woke up in the middle of the night and started reading this book hoping to go back to sleep, but stayed awake until the book was over and I knew what happened it is that good I love love love this book!#NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview, #ECNevins, #ANovelMurder,
June 22, 2025
This was a fun cozy mystery set at an English Crime fiction festival.
Crime writer Jane Hepburn is committed to finally giving her writing career the boost that it needs by putting her books front and center in the bookstore tent at the Killer Lines Crime Fiction Festival. She never imagined that she'd be tripping over the dead body of her agent, the generally reviled Carrie Marks. With the assistance of Daniel, the agency's intern, and new up-and-coming novelist, Natasha Martez, the mighty trio draw on their crime writing skills to solve the murder. Virtually, everyone in attendance has a motive. The question is, can Jane and her team solve the murder before everyone departs at the end of the weekend.
This was a typical cozy mystery with its many red herrings and lots of potential suspects. The sleuthing team gathers intel and ponders motivations and opportunities of each of the potential perpetrators. The writing is good, the story is amusing. It did get off to a rather slow start but the final scenes are a wild ride and quite good. This would be an enjoyable read for every cozy mystery fan.
I am grateful to publisher, Knopf, for having provided a complimentary copy of this book. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.
Publisher: Knopf
Publication date: June 17, 2025
Number of Pages: 352
ISBN: 978-0593803004
Publisher: Knopf
Publication date: June 17, 2025
Number of Pages: 352
ISBN: 978-0593803004
Crime writer Jane Hepburn is committed to finally giving her writing career the boost that it needs by putting her books front and center in the bookstore tent at the Killer Lines Crime Fiction Festival. She never imagined that she'd be tripping over the dead body of her agent, the generally reviled Carrie Marks. With the assistance of Daniel, the agency's intern, and new up-and-coming novelist, Natasha Martez, the mighty trio draw on their crime writing skills to solve the murder. Virtually, everyone in attendance has a motive. The question is, can Jane and her team solve the murder before everyone departs at the end of the weekend.
This was a typical cozy mystery with its many red herrings and lots of potential suspects. The sleuthing team gathers intel and ponders motivations and opportunities of each of the potential perpetrators. The writing is good, the story is amusing. It did get off to a rather slow start but the final scenes are a wild ride and quite good. This would be an enjoyable read for every cozy mystery fan.
I am grateful to publisher, Knopf, for having provided a complimentary copy of this book. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.
Publisher: Knopf
Publication date: June 17, 2025
Number of Pages: 352
ISBN: 978-0593803004
Publisher: Knopf
Publication date: June 17, 2025
Number of Pages: 352
ISBN: 978-0593803004
May 23, 2025
I want to say thank you to the author, the publisher, Netgalley and the Killer Crime club for allowing me the privilege of being able to read this book!
I honestly don't know where to begin, I really loved this book. It is cozy, quirky, a little cheesy but by gosh it's got depth. I haven't read mystery/ thriller in the adult genre that hooked me quite like this in a long while. I've also never had a book remind me of so many others, which is funny because that's a repeated mentioned theme in this book, however well it reminds of them, it usurpers a lot of them in so many ways.
The writing style, and story remind me a lot of 'The Maid' series by Nita Prose, however there's something off for me with those books. It gets under my skin and doesn't feel quite right and not in a good way. This story flows better, the characters are way more likeable, and real (again alluded to in the book). This I could picture, the maid not so much, and in those the killer is glaringly obvious, this not so much. The multiple-pov leads a little towards what I read in 'Fifty-Fifty' by Steve Cavanaugh, where he drops little thoughts into your head to try and skew your thinking. However it still misses the mark because for some reason you still just know who the killer actually is. This book, you don't, it's done really really well.
Which is why this book reminds me of 'Sometimes I Lie' (and a few others by her) by Alice Feeney. She has a way of making her writing flow so well, you get trapped in her story, there you know with flashback povs who the killer is, but you still don't actually know until the end. It wraps up and you sit there like whoa, yah, it works so well everytime. Well the "killer" is caught, I'm still curious if this amazing author actually pulled 'A Mysterious Affair at Styles' by Agatha Christie on me. The last line on page 29 and the very last line of the book, will sit with you. I want to know if it was a missed opportunity and that is exactly the complete truth to what happened, or we've somehow got an almost mimic to Agatha Christie's book but without the Poirot to see the truth finally through. I really need to know, because if it is, this already blows so much out of the water, but this would trump all in its storytelling, and pure real twists!
Whether it was intentional or not, this book seems to take so much, from so many places, uses it and makes a masterpiece like it should have been done. This story like it's said, is like so many others before it, but it kills it (pun intended) on being it's own complete thing. Everything mentioned about books, and their worlds are shown through here, bringing to light a lot that I've said, and a lot of us think. But it reminds you of why you love books too. That truthfully in the end books all bring us together, no matter or walks of life.
This book was magic, thank you so very much from the bottom of my heart again for allowing me to read this incredible book, I loved it! And ps. I would love to know whether or not this is a nod to Agatha Christie's novel, this will forever stay in my head as need to know! I loved it!
I honestly don't know where to begin, I really loved this book. It is cozy, quirky, a little cheesy but by gosh it's got depth. I haven't read mystery/ thriller in the adult genre that hooked me quite like this in a long while. I've also never had a book remind me of so many others, which is funny because that's a repeated mentioned theme in this book, however well it reminds of them, it usurpers a lot of them in so many ways.
The writing style, and story remind me a lot of 'The Maid' series by Nita Prose, however there's something off for me with those books. It gets under my skin and doesn't feel quite right and not in a good way. This story flows better, the characters are way more likeable, and real (again alluded to in the book). This I could picture, the maid not so much, and in those the killer is glaringly obvious, this not so much. The multiple-pov leads a little towards what I read in 'Fifty-Fifty' by Steve Cavanaugh, where he drops little thoughts into your head to try and skew your thinking. However it still misses the mark because for some reason you still just know who the killer actually is. This book, you don't, it's done really really well.
Which is why this book reminds me of 'Sometimes I Lie' (and a few others by her) by Alice Feeney. She has a way of making her writing flow so well, you get trapped in her story, there you know with flashback povs who the killer is, but you still don't actually know until the end. It wraps up and you sit there like whoa, yah, it works so well everytime. Well the "killer" is caught, I'm still curious if this amazing author actually pulled 'A Mysterious Affair at Styles' by Agatha Christie on me. The last line on page 29 and the very last line of the book, will sit with you. I want to know if it was a missed opportunity and that is exactly the complete truth to what happened, or we've somehow got an almost mimic to Agatha Christie's book but without the Poirot to see the truth finally through. I really need to know, because if it is, this already blows so much out of the water, but this would trump all in its storytelling, and pure real twists!
Whether it was intentional or not, this book seems to take so much, from so many places, uses it and makes a masterpiece like it should have been done. This story like it's said, is like so many others before it, but it kills it (pun intended) on being it's own complete thing. Everything mentioned about books, and their worlds are shown through here, bringing to light a lot that I've said, and a lot of us think. But it reminds you of why you love books too. That truthfully in the end books all bring us together, no matter or walks of life.
This book was magic, thank you so very much from the bottom of my heart again for allowing me to read this incredible book, I loved it! And ps. I would love to know whether or not this is a nod to Agatha Christie's novel, this will forever stay in my head as need to know! I loved it!
Read
July 7, 2025Ok, so the premise of this one is so up my street. A Novel Murder revolves around author Jane; she’s attending the Killer Lines crime fiction festival and having a rather rubbish time of it. I mean, she’s already had to fork out for her own ticket due to a fumble by her publishers organising her author pass. Then as she tried to hand over a copy of her book, she accidentally pulled out a tampon from her bag alongside it… But honestly, that’s the least of her problems, she’s snuck into the popup bookshop to arrange her own novels into a prime position when she discovers a body. That’s right, there has been a genuine IRL murder at the fictional murder festival!
Anyone who has attended any festivals, especially Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, should buzz off this one. There’s the beer tent. The pints of “Badger’s Foot”. The murder mystery lunch. The fancy awards. Not to mention the amazing panel names including “Good Friends Help Bury the Body: the role of friendship in crime fiction” and “Crime in Heels: the rise of the female gangster“.
A funny and charming debut. Plus, spredges fans make sure to check out the stunning indie bookshop edition. Now all that’s left is to figure out what I’m going to wear next month for Theakstons that isn’t a floral dress or white trainers…
Thank you to Zaffre for providing me with a proof copy in order to review
Anyone who has attended any festivals, especially Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, should buzz off this one. There’s the beer tent. The pints of “Badger’s Foot”. The murder mystery lunch. The fancy awards. Not to mention the amazing panel names including “Good Friends Help Bury the Body: the role of friendship in crime fiction” and “Crime in Heels: the rise of the female gangster“.
A funny and charming debut. Plus, spredges fans make sure to check out the stunning indie bookshop edition. Now all that’s left is to figure out what I’m going to wear next month for Theakstons that isn’t a floral dress or white trainers…
Thank you to Zaffre for providing me with a proof copy in order to review
June 30, 2025
Jane Hepburn is a crime author, but her books haven't been selling - and she fears her agent is about to drop her. But she's got a plan: by attending the Killer Lines crime festival, she can get her name out there! First port of call: sneak into the book tent and move her books from being hidden at the back to pride of place on a stand near the front.
There's just one problem: she finds her agent, Carrie, dead on the floor of the book tent. Killed by the Killer Lines signature dagger. But who is the killer?
Cue Jane teaming up with another author and Carrie's unpaid intern to crack this mystery. But with seemingly so many people having motive to kill Carrie, it's going to be difficult.
Jane is an instantly likeable character - in my head she is exactly Miranda Hart - and I've loved following her escapades here. The supporting cast are all brilliantly written too: even the "unlikeable" characters will end up growing on you! Well, most of them.
A Novel Murder isn't the most fast-paced read, but it's the perfect cosy book if you still want a bit of stabby-stabby action thrown in! And if you've been to the Harrogate crime festival, or you're going this year, then this should be a must read. The festival atmosphere is perfectly captured and I was right there with Jane every step of the way.
I thoroughly enjoyed this, which manages both to be silly and tense in equal measure, and Nevin has done a cracking job of bringing Killer Lines to life. If you're a cosy crime fan, absolutely don't miss this one.
There's just one problem: she finds her agent, Carrie, dead on the floor of the book tent. Killed by the Killer Lines signature dagger. But who is the killer?
Cue Jane teaming up with another author and Carrie's unpaid intern to crack this mystery. But with seemingly so many people having motive to kill Carrie, it's going to be difficult.
Jane is an instantly likeable character - in my head she is exactly Miranda Hart - and I've loved following her escapades here. The supporting cast are all brilliantly written too: even the "unlikeable" characters will end up growing on you! Well, most of them.
A Novel Murder isn't the most fast-paced read, but it's the perfect cosy book if you still want a bit of stabby-stabby action thrown in! And if you've been to the Harrogate crime festival, or you're going this year, then this should be a must read. The festival atmosphere is perfectly captured and I was right there with Jane every step of the way.
I thoroughly enjoyed this, which manages both to be silly and tense in equal measure, and Nevin has done a cracking job of bringing Killer Lines to life. If you're a cosy crime fan, absolutely don't miss this one.
June 24, 2025
Really enjoyed this cozy mystery!
I really enjoyed Jane as the protagonist; she was very relatable, and I really enjoyed seeing her growth throughout the book. There was a large pool of characters and povs but I liked reading the different perspectives and trying to guess what that character might have up their sleeve. The little found family that the characters ended up forming was very heartwarming and I would love to see this series continue with them.
The mystery itself took place at a book festival and I love cozy mysteries surrounding books. The mystery was entertaining and I unfortunately didn't guess the culprit but the reveal was pretty wild. My only gripe was that the book seemed a little long - would have loved to know more about the suspects rather than Jane's thoughts lol.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this arc in exchange for my honest review!
I really enjoyed Jane as the protagonist; she was very relatable, and I really enjoyed seeing her growth throughout the book. There was a large pool of characters and povs but I liked reading the different perspectives and trying to guess what that character might have up their sleeve. The little found family that the characters ended up forming was very heartwarming and I would love to see this series continue with them.
The mystery itself took place at a book festival and I love cozy mysteries surrounding books. The mystery was entertaining and I unfortunately didn't guess the culprit but the reveal was pretty wild. My only gripe was that the book seemed a little long - would have loved to know more about the suspects rather than Jane's thoughts lol.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this arc in exchange for my honest review!
May 11, 2025
This was such a fun and cozy read! I loved the whole vibe of the countryside crime fiction festival—books, mystery, and a little bit of murder. Jane Hepburn is such a relatable main character, and I really enjoyed the friendships she formed throughout the story. Natasha and Daniel were great additions to the team, and their dynamic made the investigation even more enjoyable.
The mystery itself kept me guessing right up to the end, and I loved that it didn’t take itself too seriously while still delivering a clever plot. If you’re into cozy mysteries with bookish settings and quirky characters, definitely check this one out!
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to be an ARC reader in exchange for an honest review.
The mystery itself kept me guessing right up to the end, and I loved that it didn’t take itself too seriously while still delivering a clever plot. If you’re into cozy mysteries with bookish settings and quirky characters, definitely check this one out!
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to be an ARC reader in exchange for an honest review.
June 16, 2025
Gifted / PR review
I don’t usually go for a murder mystery, so I wasn’t sure what to expect, but A Novel Murder turned out to be such a fun, cozy little gem! 🍷
It’s got that perfect mix of unconventional, quirky characters, humor, and just enough mystery to keep you turning pages without burning your brain.
It’s not a fast-paced thriller, but that’s what I liked about it! It takes its time, and by the end, I was genuinely attached to the characters. If you’re into slow-burn cozies, this one's definitely worth adding to your TBR. 📚🗡️
A huge thank you to the wonderful Insta Book Tours and Zaffre Books for having me on this tour 🩷
May 30, 2025
Okay, I enjoyed this one. It was a tad bit of a slog and was somehow simultaneously predictable while also unpredictable? I took some additional time to write this review because I wanted to collect my thoughts, but I don't think the time helped. I pushed myself to finish this one, but the ending was good. Essentially, I'm still not sure how I feel about this read so I'll give it a middle-of-the-road rating.
Thank you to Netgalley, Knopf, and E.C. Nevin for this advanced copy! This is my honest, unbiased review in exchange.
Thank you to Netgalley, Knopf, and E.C. Nevin for this advanced copy! This is my honest, unbiased review in exchange.
June 8, 2025
This book made me laugh, smile, and gave me such a heart warming feeling…🥹
This follows an awkward MC who recently lost her Mom and is trying to make her place in this world. This book follows her find herself and a new set of friends while solving a murder at a book festival.
This has the bookish themes, found family, lies, betrayal, hilarious scenes, heartbreak, courageous action, and a thrilling ending! All the ingredients for a perfect cozy mystery 🥰 Definitely would recommend!
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!
TW: some language, animal death
This follows an awkward MC who recently lost her Mom and is trying to make her place in this world. This book follows her find herself and a new set of friends while solving a murder at a book festival.
This has the bookish themes, found family, lies, betrayal, hilarious scenes, heartbreak, courageous action, and a thrilling ending! All the ingredients for a perfect cozy mystery 🥰 Definitely would recommend!
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!
TW: some language, animal death
June 21, 2025
This was a very good mystery and I would love to see this become a series because I really want to read what’s next for these characters.
A murder at a thriller author award ceremony? Count me in. This book had everything I love; a crime, a group of crime solvers, and twists and turns like crazy.
I had ideas throughout the whole book on who the murderer could be but I was wrong every time. I will definitely be reading more from this author!
Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book via NetGalley!
A murder at a thriller author award ceremony? Count me in. This book had everything I love; a crime, a group of crime solvers, and twists and turns like crazy.
I had ideas throughout the whole book on who the murderer could be but I was wrong every time. I will definitely be reading more from this author!
Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book via NetGalley!
June 11, 2025
I found A Novel Murder to be a fun, whodunit. I loved the quirky characters set among a literary background. A crime novel festival where an actual murder took place made it more entertaining. The author did a great job casting doubt on multiple people and doling out just enough about the actual murderer that I didn't guess who it was but once it was revealed all the tidbits came back to me. I just adored MC Jane and her trio, which included Daniel and Natasha and all of her character growth. I would love to see this become a series and take part in other cozy adventures with these characters and the rest of the unlikely friends she made.
December 1, 2025
This was neither stellar nor tripe. It was good but not great. I love a good murder mystery, but I hate one where our "detective" plays a guessing game and accuses three or four characters of being the killer before getting it right, as is the case here. That, for me, spoiled the fun of it.
Would I recommend this novel? I would not actively discourage you from reading it, but it's not "must-read" material.
Would I recommend this novel? I would not actively discourage you from reading it, but it's not "must-read" material.
October 12, 2025
I did not expect to love this book as much as I did. It took me a little bit to get into it, because at first glance the characters all seemed very unlikeable, but the book quickly turns around and lets you really fall in love with all of their faults and quirks. I especially loved the storyline in this book, a bit outlandish and wild, but really well put together with a clear timeline and plot.
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