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Castle Knoll Files #2
How To Seal Your Own Fate
Kristen Perrin is back with the second novel in her Castle Knoll series. Annie Adams is caught in a new web of murder that spans decades, returning us to the idyllic English village that holds layers of secrets.
Present day: Annie Adams is just settling into life in Castle Knoll when local fortune teller Peony Lane crosses her path and shares a cryptic message. When Peony Lane is found dead only hours later inside the locked Gravesdown Estate, Annie quickly realizes that someone is out to make her look guilty while silencing Peony at the same time. Annie has no choice but to delve into the dark secrets of Castle Knoll in order to find out just what Peony Lane was trying to warn her about, before the new life she’s just begun to build comes crashing down around her.
1967: A year has passed since her friend Emily disappeared, and teenage Frances Adams finds herself caught between two men. Ford Gravesdown is one of the only remaining members of a family known for its wealth and dubious uses of power. Archie Foyle is a local who can’t hold down a job and lives above the village pub. But when Frances teams up with Archie to investigate the car crash that claimed the lives of Ford’s family, it quickly becomes clear that this was no accident—hints of cover-ups, lies, and betrayals abound. The question is, just how far does the blackness creep through the heart of Castle Knoll? When Frances uncovers secrets kept by both Ford and Archie, she starts to wonder: What exactly has she gotten herself into?
Present day: Annie Adams is just settling into life in Castle Knoll when local fortune teller Peony Lane crosses her path and shares a cryptic message. When Peony Lane is found dead only hours later inside the locked Gravesdown Estate, Annie quickly realizes that someone is out to make her look guilty while silencing Peony at the same time. Annie has no choice but to delve into the dark secrets of Castle Knoll in order to find out just what Peony Lane was trying to warn her about, before the new life she’s just begun to build comes crashing down around her.
1967: A year has passed since her friend Emily disappeared, and teenage Frances Adams finds herself caught between two men. Ford Gravesdown is one of the only remaining members of a family known for its wealth and dubious uses of power. Archie Foyle is a local who can’t hold down a job and lives above the village pub. But when Frances teams up with Archie to investigate the car crash that claimed the lives of Ford’s family, it quickly becomes clear that this was no accident—hints of cover-ups, lies, and betrayals abound. The question is, just how far does the blackness creep through the heart of Castle Knoll? When Frances uncovers secrets kept by both Ford and Archie, she starts to wonder: What exactly has she gotten herself into?
336 pages, Hardcover
First published April 29, 2025
1630 people are currently reading
33022 people want to read
About the author
Kristen Perrin
10 books1,680 followersKristen Perrin is originally from Seattle, Washington, where she spent several years working as a bookseller before immigrating to the UK to do a Masters and PhD. Her debut murder mystery How to Solve Your Own Murder is the first book in the Castle Knoll Files series, and has been translated into more than twenty languages. The book was also a Good Morning America Buzzpick, was featured on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, and has been a New York Times, Indiebound, USA Today, and Der Spiegel bestseller. She lives with her family in Surrey, England, where she is hard at work on more books in the series.
Find her on Instagram: @kristenperrinwrites
Find her on Tiktok: @kristen_perrin
Find her on Instagram: @kristenperrinwrites
Find her on Tiktok: @kristen_perrin
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,978 reviews
May 27, 2025
Ugh, can't say I love an unnecessary sequel whose purpose is to complicate an already confusing story and making less credible the previous book.
While the first book in the Castle Knoll Files series, How to Solve Your Own Murder , was somehow justified as a debut mystery, this one is the copycat of something we’ve already seen happening and still confused us.
And this time we also have the foundation for a third book, which will probably be the same as the previous two but with slightly different characters (again).
Generally speaking, this was fine. There's action, a mystery to solve, a spark of romance and a good recapping ending that makes sense and gives the idea of a HEA.
But… I just hate the idea of not understanding what’s happening. Like, I have even taken notes this time — since in the first book I just came to the conclusion I wasn't smart enough — and it still doesn't make sense how the FMC comes to her realisations.
She's the only one to put together the pieces of the story, and she does it not as a narrator who also explains to us but it just happens inside her head; and then, in the last chapter, she resumes what happened to us (and to the police officer), so we can close the book happy about it.
At this point, I just think I'm not a fan of her writing style or her scheming to get everything right — if she loves to confuse us too or if that's just a bonus idk.
Also, I'm not a fan of a mystery that takes place and gets resolved in the span of three days when it’s pretty clear that nothing else has happened since the last murder — six months and our writer hasn’t written a single word, or took a single photo, or even modernized her new mansion.
I don't wanna be a complete hypocrite because I read the whole thing in a day and a half, and I’ll also likely read the next book, but it’s fair to say this one was a bit pointless.
↠ 3 stars
Thanks to Dutton and NetGalley, who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.
While the first book in the Castle Knoll Files series, How to Solve Your Own Murder , was somehow justified as a debut mystery, this one is the copycat of something we’ve already seen happening and still confused us.
And this time we also have the foundation for a third book, which will probably be the same as the previous two but with slightly different characters (again).
Generally speaking, this was fine. There's action, a mystery to solve, a spark of romance and a good recapping ending that makes sense and gives the idea of a HEA.
But… I just hate the idea of not understanding what’s happening. Like, I have even taken notes this time — since in the first book I just came to the conclusion I wasn't smart enough — and it still doesn't make sense how the FMC comes to her realisations.
She's the only one to put together the pieces of the story, and she does it not as a narrator who also explains to us but it just happens inside her head; and then, in the last chapter, she resumes what happened to us (and to the police officer), so we can close the book happy about it.
At this point, I just think I'm not a fan of her writing style or her scheming to get everything right — if she loves to confuse us too or if that's just a bonus idk.
Also, I'm not a fan of a mystery that takes place and gets resolved in the span of three days when it’s pretty clear that nothing else has happened since the last murder — six months and our writer hasn’t written a single word, or took a single photo, or even modernized her new mansion.
I don't wanna be a complete hypocrite because I read the whole thing in a day and a half, and I’ll also likely read the next book, but it’s fair to say this one was a bit pointless.
↠ 3 stars
Thanks to Dutton and NetGalley, who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.
September 9, 2025
Kristen Perrin's How to Seal Your Own Fate is an absolute treat for mystery lovers, serving up a deliciously twisty tale set in the delightfully atmospheric Castle Knoll. Amateur sleuth Annie Adams is back, and this time she's caught up in a mind-bending mystery that starts with a fortune teller's cryptic message and spirals into something far more sinister.
Imagine a story that's one part small-town gossip, one part family secret, and two parts pure intrigue. Perrin masterfully weaves between present-day investigations and her great-aunt Frances' daring detective work from the 1960s, creating a narrative that's impossible to put down. It's like having two brilliant detectives working the same case across different decades – and trust me, you'll be rooting for both of them.
The real magic happens in how Perrin connects the dots between past and present. Annie's cautious modern-day sleuthing plays beautifully against Frances' bold investigative spirit, creating a rich tapestry of family history and long-buried secrets. Each page feels like lifting another layer of an intricate mystery, with just enough breadcrumbs to keep you guessing.
Sure, there are moments when the pacing takes a slight breather, but that's hardly a complaint when the storytelling is this engaging. The book captures that perfect small-town mystery vibe – you can almost feel the weight of decades-old secrets hanging in the air, just waiting to be uncovered.
How to Seal Your Own Fate is exactly what you want in a mystery: smart, surprising, and utterly compelling. Perrin proves she's a master at crafting mysteries that are as emotionally rich as they are intellectually satisfying. If you're looking for a story that will keep you guessing until the very last page, this is your ticket to a delightful reading adventure.
Grab a cup of tea, settle into your favorite reading nook, and prepare to be thoroughly entertained. Castle Knoll is calling, and this mystery is too good to miss.
Many thanks to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Dutton | Dutton for sharing this unputdownable mystery's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Imagine a story that's one part small-town gossip, one part family secret, and two parts pure intrigue. Perrin masterfully weaves between present-day investigations and her great-aunt Frances' daring detective work from the 1960s, creating a narrative that's impossible to put down. It's like having two brilliant detectives working the same case across different decades – and trust me, you'll be rooting for both of them.
The real magic happens in how Perrin connects the dots between past and present. Annie's cautious modern-day sleuthing plays beautifully against Frances' bold investigative spirit, creating a rich tapestry of family history and long-buried secrets. Each page feels like lifting another layer of an intricate mystery, with just enough breadcrumbs to keep you guessing.
Sure, there are moments when the pacing takes a slight breather, but that's hardly a complaint when the storytelling is this engaging. The book captures that perfect small-town mystery vibe – you can almost feel the weight of decades-old secrets hanging in the air, just waiting to be uncovered.
How to Seal Your Own Fate is exactly what you want in a mystery: smart, surprising, and utterly compelling. Perrin proves she's a master at crafting mysteries that are as emotionally rich as they are intellectually satisfying. If you're looking for a story that will keep you guessing until the very last page, this is your ticket to a delightful reading adventure.
Grab a cup of tea, settle into your favorite reading nook, and prepare to be thoroughly entertained. Castle Knoll is calling, and this mystery is too good to miss.
Many thanks to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Dutton | Dutton for sharing this unputdownable mystery's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
March 6, 2025
How I LOVED the first book in this series!!!!
Another fun book by this author, totally worth the read.
This is the second novel in the series and does not disappoint. Always a fun mystery, leaving me turning page after page to put all the pieces together. I thought I placed the story but I was not at all correct. An excellent read and highly recommended novel.
We continue the story from the first book with a new twist to the mystery…who is the woman who gave the great-aunt the fortune of death, and why?
Told from the FMC’s pov and old journal entries of the great-aunt, I found myself able to easily to swap back and forth and equally interested in both storylines. The unfolding of story was just as good as the first book and I loved every minute.
Another fun book by this author, totally worth the read.
This is the second novel in the series and does not disappoint. Always a fun mystery, leaving me turning page after page to put all the pieces together. I thought I placed the story but I was not at all correct. An excellent read and highly recommended novel.
We continue the story from the first book with a new twist to the mystery…who is the woman who gave the great-aunt the fortune of death, and why?
Told from the FMC’s pov and old journal entries of the great-aunt, I found myself able to easily to swap back and forth and equally interested in both storylines. The unfolding of story was just as good as the first book and I loved every minute.
March 20, 2025
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ ½
Genre: Cozy Mystery
How to Seal Your Fate is the second book in the Castle Knoll Files. Like the first book, it follows the same formula of dual timelines, one in the present that follows Annie Adams, and the other one in the past that follows Annie’s great-aunt, Frances Adams.
In the present timeline, Annie becomes a murder suspect after settling in Castle Knoll, a small English village. So to clear her name from this crime, she has to dig into all the secrets about the village and its residents.
The other timeline is not very different in its purpose. Frances will team up with a pub worker, Archie, to investigate a car crash that killed a family. They will uncover many dark secrets and cover-ups. The book alternates in narration between the past and present, and the two timelines eventually intertwine.
I enjoyed the first book a little more than this one. Maybe because it felt unique then, but now I understand the author has a fixed structure for the whole series, which is two timelines, fixed heroines, and the same location. I’m not sure what more ideas she will be able to come up with for this structure, but that remains to be seen.
The book has strong female protagonists in both timelines, which is a positive thing. Whether you liked both timelines will depend on you and your preferences. Usually, readers tend to prefer one over the other, so that is natural. There are lots of twists and turns, so this will keep you interested throughout the book.
While the story has its twists and surprises, there remains a level of predictability, especially for avid mystery readers. Aside from that and the slow start, I found the novel to be an entertaining cozy mystery.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the ARC of this book.
Genre: Cozy Mystery
How to Seal Your Fate is the second book in the Castle Knoll Files. Like the first book, it follows the same formula of dual timelines, one in the present that follows Annie Adams, and the other one in the past that follows Annie’s great-aunt, Frances Adams.
In the present timeline, Annie becomes a murder suspect after settling in Castle Knoll, a small English village. So to clear her name from this crime, she has to dig into all the secrets about the village and its residents.
The other timeline is not very different in its purpose. Frances will team up with a pub worker, Archie, to investigate a car crash that killed a family. They will uncover many dark secrets and cover-ups. The book alternates in narration between the past and present, and the two timelines eventually intertwine.
I enjoyed the first book a little more than this one. Maybe because it felt unique then, but now I understand the author has a fixed structure for the whole series, which is two timelines, fixed heroines, and the same location. I’m not sure what more ideas she will be able to come up with for this structure, but that remains to be seen.
The book has strong female protagonists in both timelines, which is a positive thing. Whether you liked both timelines will depend on you and your preferences. Usually, readers tend to prefer one over the other, so that is natural. There are lots of twists and turns, so this will keep you interested throughout the book.
While the story has its twists and surprises, there remains a level of predictability, especially for avid mystery readers. Aside from that and the slow start, I found the novel to be an entertaining cozy mystery.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the ARC of this book.
April 7, 2025
Annie Adam’s Great Aunt Frances may have solved her own murder, but during her fifty plus years of collecting information she has unearthed a lot of Castle Knoll’s secrets.
Please note that this review contains spoilers for the first book in this series, How to Solve Your Own Murder, and also these books should be read in order to get the most out of these characters, their backstories, and past and present relationships to one another.
In How to Solve Your Own Murder a young Fortune Teller named Peony Lane made a psychic prediction that ruled Frances Adams life going forward – and How to Seal Your Own Fate sees another of Peony’s predictions come true. This time around Peony is the victim, but she is not the recipient of the fortune.
Just like book one, past actions have consequences in the present, and again another of Great Aunt Frances’ diaries holds the key to the mystery of Peony Lane’s murder in 2025. All I’m going to say about the diary flashbacks is, amateur sleuths Frances Adams and Archie Doyle all the way! The mystery was intricate and multi-layered, and both timelines, 1967 and 2025, as well as a prologue set in 1961 had me hooked on playing detective.
All the characters from How to Solve Your Own Murder return, although four who featured heavily in the mystery in the first instalment were only mentioned briefly in this one, and others who were barely acknowledged in book one played a more significant role here. I love how the town is expanding! I find myself very invested in Castle Knoll’s secrets, with the promise of more to come at the close of this novel.
Please note that this review contains spoilers for the first book in this series, How to Solve Your Own Murder, and also these books should be read in order to get the most out of these characters, their backstories, and past and present relationships to one another.
In How to Solve Your Own Murder a young Fortune Teller named Peony Lane made a psychic prediction that ruled Frances Adams life going forward – and How to Seal Your Own Fate sees another of Peony’s predictions come true. This time around Peony is the victim, but she is not the recipient of the fortune.
Just like book one, past actions have consequences in the present, and again another of Great Aunt Frances’ diaries holds the key to the mystery of Peony Lane’s murder in 2025. All I’m going to say about the diary flashbacks is, amateur sleuths Frances Adams and Archie Doyle all the way! The mystery was intricate and multi-layered, and both timelines, 1967 and 2025, as well as a prologue set in 1961 had me hooked on playing detective.
All the characters from How to Solve Your Own Murder return, although four who featured heavily in the mystery in the first instalment were only mentioned briefly in this one, and others who were barely acknowledged in book one played a more significant role here. I love how the town is expanding! I find myself very invested in Castle Knoll’s secrets, with the promise of more to come at the close of this novel.
May 11, 2025
This is the second in the Castle Knoll Files series. The first being, “How to Solve Your Own Murder” which was left for Annie Adams to figure out when her great Aunt Frances died.
The question often asked is, do readers need to read that one before reading this one? Probably best to, in order to get a sense of the characters history. Still even as I say that, my memory of the first book is a bit blurred, so I am glad the author provided a few inserted reminders. Still, I offer more of my experience about reading series books in order below, if interested.
The story is told in two narrative voices. Annie in present day, and excerpts from Aunt Frances’ diaries, her teenage years, 1967.
Annie is navigating her new life at Castle Knoll in present day where she has inherited Gravesdown Manor from her Aunt Frances after her death in book one.
And, it doesn’t take long for Annie to find trouble again at her beloved new home. A dead fortune teller inside the manor house.
What is going on here and why?
The best tool to guide Annie is her Aunts’ diaries and secret files about the townspeople, family and friends. But what happens when some of those files are missing?
With a huge cast of characters, a bit of a convoluted plot with some suspenseful interludes, readers may still be kept somewhat entertained by this cozy, murder mystery. But it will most likely be the charm of the town, and maybe the likable Annie that will help make this more of a semi-fun, engaging read.
3.5 stars
Sidenote about reading series in book order:
I will always promote reading series in book order, even when I sometimes don’t always do it. Now, I don’t mean to not read a series in order on purpose. But sometimes I am hindered from that occurring, because of my reading preferences.
As an example, I am mostly a print book reader, and a regular local library patron. As stubborn as I am about sticking to reading mostly just library books (and the wonderful donations to my Little Free Library Shed), I am fully aware that I miss out on getting to read lots of books when they are first released, or at all, because of my feeling most comfortable with print books. Because, sometimes not all books are made available in print format or at the local library.
I know it isn’t a good excuse, but that is a typical reason for my out-of-order reading bad habits. Of course, when the book is donated to my Little Free Library Shed, I am beside myself with joy! I can’t begin to share how lucky I feel for the donation and opportunity to read a book that wasn’t available to me otherwise. ☺️
The question often asked is, do readers need to read that one before reading this one? Probably best to, in order to get a sense of the characters history. Still even as I say that, my memory of the first book is a bit blurred, so I am glad the author provided a few inserted reminders. Still, I offer more of my experience about reading series books in order below, if interested.
The story is told in two narrative voices. Annie in present day, and excerpts from Aunt Frances’ diaries, her teenage years, 1967.
Annie is navigating her new life at Castle Knoll in present day where she has inherited Gravesdown Manor from her Aunt Frances after her death in book one.
And, it doesn’t take long for Annie to find trouble again at her beloved new home. A dead fortune teller inside the manor house.
What is going on here and why?
The best tool to guide Annie is her Aunts’ diaries and secret files about the townspeople, family and friends. But what happens when some of those files are missing?
With a huge cast of characters, a bit of a convoluted plot with some suspenseful interludes, readers may still be kept somewhat entertained by this cozy, murder mystery. But it will most likely be the charm of the town, and maybe the likable Annie that will help make this more of a semi-fun, engaging read.
3.5 stars
Sidenote about reading series in book order:
I will always promote reading series in book order, even when I sometimes don’t always do it. Now, I don’t mean to not read a series in order on purpose. But sometimes I am hindered from that occurring, because of my reading preferences.
As an example, I am mostly a print book reader, and a regular local library patron. As stubborn as I am about sticking to reading mostly just library books (and the wonderful donations to my Little Free Library Shed), I am fully aware that I miss out on getting to read lots of books when they are first released, or at all, because of my feeling most comfortable with print books. Because, sometimes not all books are made available in print format or at the local library.
I know it isn’t a good excuse, but that is a typical reason for my out-of-order reading bad habits. Of course, when the book is donated to my Little Free Library Shed, I am beside myself with joy! I can’t begin to share how lucky I feel for the donation and opportunity to read a book that wasn’t available to me otherwise. ☺️
May 16, 2025
This was a tough read for me. I thoroughly enjoyed the first book and looked forward to this immensely when a sequel was announced. Unfortunately, this book really didn’t live up to its predecessor.
How to Seal Your Own Fate kicks off with a new mystery in the present with Annie Adams, now the owner of Gravesdown Hall after solving her great Aunt Frances’s murder in book 1. The victim this time is the mysterious Peony Lane who told the fortune at the center of Frances’s life and death. It’s clear from the outset that Peony’s murder is tied up in events from 60 years ago and the story jumps back and forth between chapters set in the present and chapters focused on Frances’s life in the past. While this method of storytelling made a lot of sense in the first book, which centered around Frances’s fortune foretelling her eventual murder, in this book the jumps in timeline and protagonist just leaves the reader feeling unsettled and unsure which timeline/storyline is actually of value to the mystery. Clearly Frances didn’t solve the mystery if there are open questions in the present, but equally unclear is how Annie could hope to solve the mystery without the knowledge Frances possesses about the past.
This leads to a major issue I have with this book - the writing style of Frances’s timeline. While it’s a major plot point in the present that Frances kept copious diaries and investigative files on everyone she met, the chapters from her point of view don’t read as excerpts from her diaries, but rather first person narration threaded through with an omniscient narrator voice. I think we’re supposed to assume Annie knows the information we’re gleaning as readers from Frances’s diaries, but Frances’s chapters are filled with literary flare, descriptions and details no one would include in diary, and omissions that seem equally absurd if these are private journals. These chapters would seem better connected to the present if it were clear that they are diary entries Annie is reading and if they were written more as journal entries than prose.
If it seems in this review that I’m mostly focused on Frances’s portion of the books, that’s because her portions are far and away the more interesting. Annie is not nearly as compelling a protagonist and even after two novels, it’s unclear who she really is as a person and what the author has in store for this character. Presumably if she continues writing in this series Annie will continue to solve crimes always connected to Frances and the past, but as Annie professes to be a writer (and past photography student), it’s very strange that she’s allowed to meddle in murder cases as often as she is, even if she has a future romance with the local inspector as the books hints.
Overall, this book was a disappointment after the promise of the first. I would have liked to see more of the book set in the present (this book spent about 60/40 time in the present versus the past), more character development for Annie, and less tangles of the mystery in the past with constant mentions and links to past fortunes. 2 stars for book 2 and thanks to NetGalley for an ARC for a fair and honest review.
How to Seal Your Own Fate kicks off with a new mystery in the present with Annie Adams, now the owner of Gravesdown Hall after solving her great Aunt Frances’s murder in book 1. The victim this time is the mysterious Peony Lane who told the fortune at the center of Frances’s life and death. It’s clear from the outset that Peony’s murder is tied up in events from 60 years ago and the story jumps back and forth between chapters set in the present and chapters focused on Frances’s life in the past. While this method of storytelling made a lot of sense in the first book, which centered around Frances’s fortune foretelling her eventual murder, in this book the jumps in timeline and protagonist just leaves the reader feeling unsettled and unsure which timeline/storyline is actually of value to the mystery. Clearly Frances didn’t solve the mystery if there are open questions in the present, but equally unclear is how Annie could hope to solve the mystery without the knowledge Frances possesses about the past.
This leads to a major issue I have with this book - the writing style of Frances’s timeline. While it’s a major plot point in the present that Frances kept copious diaries and investigative files on everyone she met, the chapters from her point of view don’t read as excerpts from her diaries, but rather first person narration threaded through with an omniscient narrator voice. I think we’re supposed to assume Annie knows the information we’re gleaning as readers from Frances’s diaries, but Frances’s chapters are filled with literary flare, descriptions and details no one would include in diary, and omissions that seem equally absurd if these are private journals. These chapters would seem better connected to the present if it were clear that they are diary entries Annie is reading and if they were written more as journal entries than prose.
If it seems in this review that I’m mostly focused on Frances’s portion of the books, that’s because her portions are far and away the more interesting. Annie is not nearly as compelling a protagonist and even after two novels, it’s unclear who she really is as a person and what the author has in store for this character. Presumably if she continues writing in this series Annie will continue to solve crimes always connected to Frances and the past, but as Annie professes to be a writer (and past photography student), it’s very strange that she’s allowed to meddle in murder cases as often as she is, even if she has a future romance with the local inspector as the books hints.
Overall, this book was a disappointment after the promise of the first. I would have liked to see more of the book set in the present (this book spent about 60/40 time in the present versus the past), more character development for Annie, and less tangles of the mystery in the past with constant mentions and links to past fortunes. 2 stars for book 2 and thanks to NetGalley for an ARC for a fair and honest review.
February 23, 2025
Definitely enjoyed How To Seal Your Own Fate, the second book in the Castle Knoll Files written by Kristen Perrin. However, I agree with others who pointed out that it's best to read this book right after the first one, mostly because it involved the same characters and when Frances, the primary one, is murdered in the first book but we re-live her life in the second, you need to be prepared to understand all the timelines and connections between the stories. That said, I loved the alternating time periods in chapters, as it really helped create a story within a story. In one of my books, I did the same thing, meaning as you end a chapter with current time on a cliffhanger, you find out what happens only thru the scenes from the prior time period. It's a cool plot device and helped make this book stand out for me in 2025. I'm now curious if there will be a third... love Frances but she's likely gone, and unless there's more to her secrets, I'm ready to find out what her niece's sleuthing skills are like on her own.
September 1, 2025
A mystery novel that ranked right up there with those by the illustrious Agatha Christie, How to Seal Your Own Fate was a dynamite follow-up to the first book in the series, How to Solve Your Own Murder. Complex, multilayered, and unguessable in the extreme, this twisty plot was a treat for any fan of Golden Age crime. You see, not only was the storyline one that had me scratching my head, but it was also positively original in a crowded field of merely reimagined whodunnits. From the well-crafted family drama to the small town intrigue and scandal, there was no end to the love I had for this novel as it spun tales within tales.
I do have to say, though, that the characters were the special sauce to both books in this series. The dual narrators of Frances and Annie, however, were the best pieces of the puzzle. With character arcs that are only getting better with time, they felt both comforting and familiar as if they were old friends. That’s not to say that there weren’t some suspicious personas or a couple of individuals whose about faces shocked me but good. But thanks to their genuine natures—both good and bad—they all came to life for yours truly. So much so, in fact, that, paired with the book’s evocative descriptions, it was as if it was playing out on a screen.
The only teeny, tiny imperfection that bothered me at all was how convoluted the plot got by the end. The climax and dénouement, in particular, took some parsing to follow along. Part of that, though, might have been down to the fact that I hadn’t read the two books in quick succession. Considering how much they shared in characters and plot points, it likely would’ve helped quite a bit. For that reason alone, I’ll be revisiting both of these novels before diving into book three. You heard that right. Thanks to how the conclusion left off, there’s surely more to this story.
All said and done, despite its one flaw, I nevertheless fell head over heels yet again for Frances and Annie. Told in alternating dual timelines and their dual POVs, the dark family drama and long-buried secrets kept me intrigued. After all, this intricate mystery had details expertly interwoven into both well-written timelines. Each time I found one I felt like a veritable sleuth and legitimately had to stop myself from saying “Aha!” So if you love amateur detectives, a small-town setting, and well-hidden motives, grab this book ASAP. Just be sure to start at the beginning. After all, you won’t want to miss a minute with the these characters. Rating of 4 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Present day: Annie Adams is just settling into life in Castle Knoll when local fortune teller Peony Lane shares a cryptic message only hours before being found dead inside the locked Gravesdown Estate. Annie has no choice but to delve into the dark secrets of her new countryside home in order to find out just what Peony Lane was trying to warn her about, before her brand new life comes crashing down around her.
1967: Teenage Frances Adams, Annie’s great aunt, finds herself caught between two men. Ford Gravesdown is one of the only remaining members of a family known for its wealth and dubious uses of power. Archie Foyle is a local who can’t hold down a job and lives above the village pub. But when Frances teams up with Archie to investigate the car crash that killed most of Ford's family, it quickly becomes clear that this was no accident—hints of cover-ups, lies, and betrayals abound. The question is, just how far does the blackness creep through the heart of Castle Knoll? When Frances uncovers secrets kept by both Ford and Archie, she starts to wonder: What exactly has she gotten herself into?
As Annie and Frances investigate two new mysteries spanning decades, they’ll unlock the next level of secrets held in Castle Knoll’s dark heart.
Thank you to Kristen Perrin and Dutton Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: April 29, 2025
Content warning: murder, drug use, mention of: knife violence, fatal car accident (nothing graphic)
I do have to say, though, that the characters were the special sauce to both books in this series. The dual narrators of Frances and Annie, however, were the best pieces of the puzzle. With character arcs that are only getting better with time, they felt both comforting and familiar as if they were old friends. That’s not to say that there weren’t some suspicious personas or a couple of individuals whose about faces shocked me but good. But thanks to their genuine natures—both good and bad—they all came to life for yours truly. So much so, in fact, that, paired with the book’s evocative descriptions, it was as if it was playing out on a screen.
The only teeny, tiny imperfection that bothered me at all was how convoluted the plot got by the end. The climax and dénouement, in particular, took some parsing to follow along. Part of that, though, might have been down to the fact that I hadn’t read the two books in quick succession. Considering how much they shared in characters and plot points, it likely would’ve helped quite a bit. For that reason alone, I’ll be revisiting both of these novels before diving into book three. You heard that right. Thanks to how the conclusion left off, there’s surely more to this story.
All said and done, despite its one flaw, I nevertheless fell head over heels yet again for Frances and Annie. Told in alternating dual timelines and their dual POVs, the dark family drama and long-buried secrets kept me intrigued. After all, this intricate mystery had details expertly interwoven into both well-written timelines. Each time I found one I felt like a veritable sleuth and legitimately had to stop myself from saying “Aha!” So if you love amateur detectives, a small-town setting, and well-hidden motives, grab this book ASAP. Just be sure to start at the beginning. After all, you won’t want to miss a minute with the these characters. Rating of 4 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Present day: Annie Adams is just settling into life in Castle Knoll when local fortune teller Peony Lane shares a cryptic message only hours before being found dead inside the locked Gravesdown Estate. Annie has no choice but to delve into the dark secrets of her new countryside home in order to find out just what Peony Lane was trying to warn her about, before her brand new life comes crashing down around her.
1967: Teenage Frances Adams, Annie’s great aunt, finds herself caught between two men. Ford Gravesdown is one of the only remaining members of a family known for its wealth and dubious uses of power. Archie Foyle is a local who can’t hold down a job and lives above the village pub. But when Frances teams up with Archie to investigate the car crash that killed most of Ford's family, it quickly becomes clear that this was no accident—hints of cover-ups, lies, and betrayals abound. The question is, just how far does the blackness creep through the heart of Castle Knoll? When Frances uncovers secrets kept by both Ford and Archie, she starts to wonder: What exactly has she gotten herself into?
As Annie and Frances investigate two new mysteries spanning decades, they’ll unlock the next level of secrets held in Castle Knoll’s dark heart.
Thank you to Kristen Perrin and Dutton Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: April 29, 2025
Content warning: murder, drug use, mention of: knife violence, fatal car accident (nothing graphic)
July 5, 2025
**3.5-stars rounded up**
How to Seal Your Own Fate is the 2nd-installment in Kristen Perrin's Castle Knoll Files. These books follow Annie Adams, who has recently moved to the tiny village of Castle Knoll after inheriting her Great-Aunt Frances's property upon her untimely death.
In the 1st-book, Annie needs to solve the mystery of who murdered her Great-Aunt. In this one, she needs to solve the murder of the person who foretold that death, the fortune teller, Peony Lane.
These Cozy Mysteries are told through both present and past storylines. Annie is in our present, and our past perspective is told via Frances. The past we examine here is 1967, when Frances is being pulled between two men: the wealthy, Ford Gravesdown, and the earnest, Archie Foyle.
There is a mystery in the past as well, which involves a car accident that claimed the lives of some members of Ford's family. We shift back and forth between past and present, find out the connections, and ultimately gets answers to both mysteries.
I've really enjoyed both books in this series so far. I feel like Perrin has developed a nice little formula, and it's working.
Upon picking this one up, I was immediately happy to be back with Annie in Castle Knoll. I do love her as a main character. Admittedly, it does take a minute, at least it did for me, to settle into the flow of the story, the back-and-forth can be a little jarring at first.
Once you are able to get your bearings though, it does flow nicely. I feel like the chapters are short and punchy, and always left me wanting to know more.
This one is twisted. The mystery of the car accident, there are a lot of puzzle pieces involved, and it did get a little hard to track at times. Especially because a lot of my focus was also on Peony's death in the present.
I did feel it got a little convoluted towards the end, but nevertheless, it was a fun time and I did enjoy how it concluded. It looks like we'll be getting a 3rd-book and I'm definitely on board for that.
I appreciated how Annie has come to understand and relate to her Great-Aunt Frances so much more over the course of these two books. I also love her settling into her new life, and look forward to seeing more of that in future.
Thank you to the publisher, Dutton, for providing me with a copy to read and review.
I would recommend this to all Cozy Mystery fans, particularly those who enjoy a historical element in their Cozies, or those who enjoy small village vibes.
How to Seal Your Own Fate is the 2nd-installment in Kristen Perrin's Castle Knoll Files. These books follow Annie Adams, who has recently moved to the tiny village of Castle Knoll after inheriting her Great-Aunt Frances's property upon her untimely death.
In the 1st-book, Annie needs to solve the mystery of who murdered her Great-Aunt. In this one, she needs to solve the murder of the person who foretold that death, the fortune teller, Peony Lane.
These Cozy Mysteries are told through both present and past storylines. Annie is in our present, and our past perspective is told via Frances. The past we examine here is 1967, when Frances is being pulled between two men: the wealthy, Ford Gravesdown, and the earnest, Archie Foyle.
There is a mystery in the past as well, which involves a car accident that claimed the lives of some members of Ford's family. We shift back and forth between past and present, find out the connections, and ultimately gets answers to both mysteries.
I've really enjoyed both books in this series so far. I feel like Perrin has developed a nice little formula, and it's working.
Upon picking this one up, I was immediately happy to be back with Annie in Castle Knoll. I do love her as a main character. Admittedly, it does take a minute, at least it did for me, to settle into the flow of the story, the back-and-forth can be a little jarring at first.
Once you are able to get your bearings though, it does flow nicely. I feel like the chapters are short and punchy, and always left me wanting to know more.
This one is twisted. The mystery of the car accident, there are a lot of puzzle pieces involved, and it did get a little hard to track at times. Especially because a lot of my focus was also on Peony's death in the present.
I did feel it got a little convoluted towards the end, but nevertheless, it was a fun time and I did enjoy how it concluded. It looks like we'll be getting a 3rd-book and I'm definitely on board for that.
I appreciated how Annie has come to understand and relate to her Great-Aunt Frances so much more over the course of these two books. I also love her settling into her new life, and look forward to seeing more of that in future.
Thank you to the publisher, Dutton, for providing me with a copy to read and review.
I would recommend this to all Cozy Mystery fans, particularly those who enjoy a historical element in their Cozies, or those who enjoy small village vibes.
April 30, 2025
4 stars - Very similar to & picked right up after the events of “How to Solve your own Murder” which I also quite enjoyed, this cozy is set on a huge estate in a fictional English village. The MC, Annie, is now investigating another murder and we also have a second time-line featuring the diaries of her late Aunt Frances. This one is a real sequel & I’m not sure it would work as a stand-alone as there are a whole bunch of characters & a rather complex backstory to follow. I found it engaging, however, and enjoyed it a lot - looking forward to the next installment
Want to read
November 16, 2024THERES A SEQUEL TO FORD AND FRANCES STORY ?? CONSIDER ME SOLD
April 28, 2025
Some stories simply don’t warrant sequels, and How to Seal Your Own Fate exemplifies this perfectly. I had a tepid response to it’s predecessor but I lauded the intent and the heart behind it and I knew that the author had promise.. So, I was quite puzzled when a sequel emerged, as I struggled to understand where the story could possibly go. Nevertheless, my curiosity about how Kristen Perrin would surprise us remained intact.
The first 30% of the book was stellar! even my skeptical mind found it engaging. I mentioned to my friend that it might surpass the first. I enjoyed the freshness of some of returning characters, and the mystery was intriguing. However, after this point, the story took a spectacular nose dive.
My thoughts quickly turned to the words “tedious” and “convoluted”. With characters reappearing and their relationships so interwoven, a character map or a family tree from the editors would have been invaluable. When a village serves as a character in its own right, a fictional map would have been useful too. Confusion sets in, as the character dynamics felt contrived, and the dialogues came across as inorganic. It was like watching a train wreck unfold—it was chaotic!
Annie, in particular, became the most unlikable character. At least in the previous book, the author recognized that there are certain things the police cannot share with civilians. Having read enough crime thriller ( Anthony Horowitz) and having watched Castle and the Mentalist on repeat for years, it's clear that police don't and can’t divulge crucial information during ongoing investigations. In this sequel, inspector Crane seemed to have lost his grip on reality, asking a novice twenty-five-year-old to pursue leads and carelessly handing out evidence. It makes no sense! At times, the author's writing veered into incoherent territory.
The motivations behind the murder remained murky, and the accident from nearly fifty years ago still lay shrouded in mystery. Annie’s relationship with her mother felt bizarre compared to the last book. Are we seriously meant to believe that her mother stealthily entered her daughter’s newly bequeathed mansion to grab a file related to someone who is now her muse? It’s absurd!
Frances’s decisions felt questionable, often contradicting the personality we had begun to understand as readers from the previous book. To top it all off, during a pep talk from Annie's friend Jenna, instead of being grateful, Annie became defensive and petulant. I found myself despising her character by this point
Overall, the book was tedious and contrived, as I said before.. lacking a clear direction. I can't fathom how a third book could possibly follow. I will be passing on that
2.5 Stars
Thank you NetGalley for this opportunity
PS: I had read the previous book How to Solve Your Own Murder not too long ago.
The first 30% of the book was stellar! even my skeptical mind found it engaging. I mentioned to my friend that it might surpass the first. I enjoyed the freshness of some of returning characters, and the mystery was intriguing. However, after this point, the story took a spectacular nose dive.
My thoughts quickly turned to the words “tedious” and “convoluted”. With characters reappearing and their relationships so interwoven, a character map or a family tree from the editors would have been invaluable. When a village serves as a character in its own right, a fictional map would have been useful too. Confusion sets in, as the character dynamics felt contrived, and the dialogues came across as inorganic. It was like watching a train wreck unfold—it was chaotic!
Annie, in particular, became the most unlikable character. At least in the previous book, the author recognized that there are certain things the police cannot share with civilians. Having read enough crime thriller ( Anthony Horowitz) and having watched Castle and the Mentalist on repeat for years, it's clear that police don't and can’t divulge crucial information during ongoing investigations. In this sequel, inspector Crane seemed to have lost his grip on reality, asking a novice twenty-five-year-old to pursue leads and carelessly handing out evidence. It makes no sense! At times, the author's writing veered into incoherent territory.
The motivations behind the murder remained murky, and the accident from nearly fifty years ago still lay shrouded in mystery. Annie’s relationship with her mother felt bizarre compared to the last book. Are we seriously meant to believe that her mother stealthily entered her daughter’s newly bequeathed mansion to grab a file related to someone who is now her muse? It’s absurd!
Frances’s decisions felt questionable, often contradicting the personality we had begun to understand as readers from the previous book. To top it all off, during a pep talk from Annie's friend Jenna, instead of being grateful, Annie became defensive and petulant. I found myself despising her character by this point
Overall, the book was tedious and contrived, as I said before.. lacking a clear direction. I can't fathom how a third book could possibly follow. I will be passing on that
2.5 Stars
Thank you NetGalley for this opportunity
PS: I had read the previous book How to Solve Your Own Murder not too long ago.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 19, 2025
✨️cozy mystery
✨️ dual pov
✨️ family drama
This is the second installment in the Castle Knoll Files and the follow-up to How to Solve Your Own Murder. Annie Adams has been at Gravesdown for a few months now, after she solved the murder of her great-aunt Frances. How to Seal Your Own Fate is told in alternating pov between Annie and Aunt Francis.
Annie has been in town for a few months, and she's just feeling a bit uneasy. People in this small town aren't the most welcoming. The house is large, cold, and old, and she's rant getting like an outsider, so she is happy when she meets Peony Lane, the fortune teller that great aunt Francis followed most of her life. Peony has a couple of secrets for Annie, though. However, she needs Annie to ask about her fortune. She does let Annie in on some info about an old accident. It just so happens not long after this, Peony is found murdered, so Annie finds herself in the same old predicament again, and this murder she must solve because she's a suspect.
This book is everything that you want in a cozy mystery. It wasn't cheesy. If you haven't already, read How To Solve Your Own Murder prior to reading this one. It isn't a must, but it's a very good idea and would do you a great justice to reading it beforehand. How to Seal Your Own Fate was a constant build-up of mystery and suspense. It held my attention and had me wanting more throughout its entirety.
Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Group Dutton for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Expected publication April 29,2025
✨️ dual pov
✨️ family drama
This is the second installment in the Castle Knoll Files and the follow-up to How to Solve Your Own Murder. Annie Adams has been at Gravesdown for a few months now, after she solved the murder of her great-aunt Frances. How to Seal Your Own Fate is told in alternating pov between Annie and Aunt Francis.
Annie has been in town for a few months, and she's just feeling a bit uneasy. People in this small town aren't the most welcoming. The house is large, cold, and old, and she's rant getting like an outsider, so she is happy when she meets Peony Lane, the fortune teller that great aunt Francis followed most of her life. Peony has a couple of secrets for Annie, though. However, she needs Annie to ask about her fortune. She does let Annie in on some info about an old accident. It just so happens not long after this, Peony is found murdered, so Annie finds herself in the same old predicament again, and this murder she must solve because she's a suspect.
This book is everything that you want in a cozy mystery. It wasn't cheesy. If you haven't already, read How To Solve Your Own Murder prior to reading this one. It isn't a must, but it's a very good idea and would do you a great justice to reading it beforehand. How to Seal Your Own Fate was a constant build-up of mystery and suspense. It held my attention and had me wanting more throughout its entirety.
Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Group Dutton for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Expected publication April 29,2025
June 16, 2025
Didn't enjoy this follow-up as much as the first book in the cozy-mystery series and this is one of those rare cases where the book doesn't really stand alone, reading the first book for the backstory is necessary. Without the foundational knowledge from the first book it is difficult to connect with the characters and understand all the moving parts of this second book.
In this follow-up, just like the prior book, the story is told via Annie's present day experience and her Aunt's old diary entries. While this worked well the first time around, the second time felt a bit tired. Would recommend reading this book right after finishing the first book for best experience.
Disclosure: Received an uncorrected ARC of this book from NetGalley and Dutton/Penguin Random House LLC (Thank you!) in exchange for an honest review.
In this follow-up, just like the prior book, the story is told via Annie's present day experience and her Aunt's old diary entries. While this worked well the first time around, the second time felt a bit tired. Would recommend reading this book right after finishing the first book for best experience.
Disclosure: Received an uncorrected ARC of this book from NetGalley and Dutton/Penguin Random House LLC (Thank you!) in exchange for an honest review.
May 29, 2025
please give me a recap of the previous novel if things are going to be important!
June 29, 2025
Esta saga foi das maiores surpresas que a editora me apresentou e não poderia estar mais feliz por ser tão espectacular!
É uma espécie de Agatha Christie moderna, com uns veios mais cómicos e ligeiramente diferentes, mas muito, mas mesmo muito intrigante, inteligente e envolvente.
É um vício desvendar todos os mistérios que Castle Knoll esconde, e são muitos acreditem! Tudo e todos nesta aldeia escondem segredos dignos de filme 👀
Este segundo volume foca uma personagem que foi o centro de toda a trama do primeiro volume, e ver o que acontece aqui é simplesmente surreal...não esperava isto, mas nesta altura já devia saber que não posso surpreender-me com nada que ocorra em Castle Knoll.
Adorei toda a intriga, todo o crescimento da Annie foi belíssimo e sim...óbvio que já só quero mais!!! Especialmente pelo modo como o livro termina - auspicio muito mais intriga na vida da Annie 🤭
Se querem uma história que vos vicia do início ao fim, têm que ler isto!
É uma espécie de Agatha Christie moderna, com uns veios mais cómicos e ligeiramente diferentes, mas muito, mas mesmo muito intrigante, inteligente e envolvente.
É um vício desvendar todos os mistérios que Castle Knoll esconde, e são muitos acreditem! Tudo e todos nesta aldeia escondem segredos dignos de filme 👀
Este segundo volume foca uma personagem que foi o centro de toda a trama do primeiro volume, e ver o que acontece aqui é simplesmente surreal...não esperava isto, mas nesta altura já devia saber que não posso surpreender-me com nada que ocorra em Castle Knoll.
Adorei toda a intriga, todo o crescimento da Annie foi belíssimo e sim...óbvio que já só quero mais!!! Especialmente pelo modo como o livro termina - auspicio muito mais intriga na vida da Annie 🤭
Se querem uma história que vos vicia do início ao fim, têm que ler isto!
January 1, 2025
I really enjoyed the first book in this series, so I had high hopes for its successor. Alas, it was not to be. Some authors think that since the first book was successful, they can write the second book the same way. They then create a formula that the series follows, with each rendition being inferior to its predecessor. The readers want novelty! We don’t want to read the same book over and over (well, maybe some people do, but not I).
That isn’t to say this sequel wasn’t enjoyable. I liked seeing more of Castle Knoll & getting to know its inhabitants a bit better. I liked the flashbacks vis à vis Frances’ journal entries. I liked how the dynamic changes a bit now that Annie actually lives in Castle Knoll. Overall, this book was fun to read. However, it lacked that je ne sais quoi that made the first one sparkle. I doubt I will read any more in this series.
thanks to NetGalley for the ARC
3.5⭐️, rounded down
That isn’t to say this sequel wasn’t enjoyable. I liked seeing more of Castle Knoll & getting to know its inhabitants a bit better. I liked the flashbacks vis à vis Frances’ journal entries. I liked how the dynamic changes a bit now that Annie actually lives in Castle Knoll. Overall, this book was fun to read. However, it lacked that je ne sais quoi that made the first one sparkle. I doubt I will read any more in this series.
thanks to NetGalley for the ARC
3.5⭐️, rounded down
December 12, 2024
This is Kristen Perrin’s second installment of the Castle Knoll series (the first book was the delightful “How to Solve Your Own Murder”). Most of the same characters are present, so you can consider it a sequel — and knowing what happened in book one informs you a lot more about the Castle Knoll folks in book two.
Annie Adams, the one who finally solved Great Aunt Frances’s murder and therefore inherited the entire Gravesdown Hall (truly a castle) and surrounding properties, is our main narrator again. This story revolves around the unfortunate Peony Lane, the fortune teller who influenced Great Aunt Frances’ entire life by telling her she would be murdered. Peony is also murdered in Annie’s solarium/greenhouse just before Annie was having tea with her London friend Jenny among the tropical plants. Annie had only met Peony that morning and the fortune teller was about to reveal Annie’s supposed future to her.
Once again Annie gets drawn into trying to solve a murder, this time aided by her late aunt’s voluminous collection of possible blackmail material. As a result, Annieis shunned by the people of Castle Knoll because they know Frances collected their secrets.
Alternating with present day observations are excerpts from Aunt Frances’ files and diaries from the 60s. There’s a hint of beginning romances (Annie and Detective Crane; Frances before she married Ford). And, omigod, I haven’t seen a reference to Donovan’s “Mellow Yellow” in decades (that vinyl LP lived in our house in the 60s with the coolest cover art)! Too bad Frances was unalived in the first book.
Author Perrin has created a twisty mystery that covers two time periods and multiple murders. Annie acquits herself as an accomplished sleuth and, I suspect, will be back investigating the pocketful of unopened fortunes she still has in future books. I actually found myself liking the sequel more than the original. 5 stars!
Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): YES Ellen Jones and Peony Lane have green eyes with brown flecks, and Frances has spring green ones.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): Sort of: Elva fired the gardener for planting the “wrong color” hydrangeas. He had no choice — Whatever he planted depended on the acidity or alkalinity of the local soil — pink flowers in alkaline soil; blue in acidic soil. You never can grow blue and pink hydrangeas next to each other unless they are in pots with different soils.
Thank you to Dutton Books and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy!
Annie Adams, the one who finally solved Great Aunt Frances’s murder and therefore inherited the entire Gravesdown Hall (truly a castle) and surrounding properties, is our main narrator again. This story revolves around the unfortunate Peony Lane, the fortune teller who influenced Great Aunt Frances’ entire life by telling her she would be murdered. Peony is also murdered in Annie’s solarium/greenhouse just before Annie was having tea with her London friend Jenny among the tropical plants. Annie had only met Peony that morning and the fortune teller was about to reveal Annie’s supposed future to her.
Once again Annie gets drawn into trying to solve a murder, this time aided by her late aunt’s voluminous collection of possible blackmail material. As a result, Annieis shunned by the people of Castle Knoll because they know Frances collected their secrets.
Alternating with present day observations are excerpts from Aunt Frances’ files and diaries from the 60s. There’s a hint of beginning romances (Annie and Detective Crane; Frances before she married Ford). And, omigod, I haven’t seen a reference to Donovan’s “Mellow Yellow” in decades (that vinyl LP lived in our house in the 60s with the coolest cover art)! Too bad Frances was unalived in the first book.
Author Perrin has created a twisty mystery that covers two time periods and multiple murders. Annie acquits herself as an accomplished sleuth and, I suspect, will be back investigating the pocketful of unopened fortunes she still has in future books. I actually found myself liking the sequel more than the original. 5 stars!
Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): YES Ellen Jones and Peony Lane have green eyes with brown flecks, and Frances has spring green ones.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): Sort of: Elva fired the gardener for planting the “wrong color” hydrangeas. He had no choice — Whatever he planted depended on the acidity or alkalinity of the local soil — pink flowers in alkaline soil; blue in acidic soil. You never can grow blue and pink hydrangeas next to each other unless they are in pots with different soils.
Thank you to Dutton Books and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy!
January 12, 2025
Mystery lovers are in for a twisty treat with the second installment of the Castle Knoll series. This is a novel where reading the first book before will make How to Seal Your Own Fate a compelling and propulsive read.
Annie Adams has been living at Gravesdown Estate for several months following solving the murder of her aunt Frances. Peony Lane comes to Annie to tell her she has her fortune to share, but Annie does not want to listen. She gives her cryptic messages, and shortly thereafter, Peony is found stabbed to death with an heirloom knife in Annie's solarium, making her the prime suspect. Her best friend Jenny stays with her during the investigation, and they fear for their safety as they try to figure out who got in and how they got inside.
A lot of the same characters from How to Solve Your Own Murder are present in this with a few new characters adding to the suspect pool as well. Once again, Aunt Frances assists Annie in her investigation from beyond the grave with her journal entries from 1967. Everyone knows what a record keeper Frances was, so there are a few key papers and journals missing to complicate Annie's investigation.
How to Seal Your Own Fate is everything you want in a cozy murder mystery: it begins with a slow burn in the first half as the story is set, including important clues from past and present. The second half takes off like a speeding train, and you can't put it down until you find out what happens. I love this series because it isn't predictable. So grab your favorite English tea and get cozy for this mystery that I highly recommend! Many thanks to NetGalley, Penguin Group Dutton, and Kristen Perrin for the advance reader's copy in exchange for my honest review.
Annie Adams has been living at Gravesdown Estate for several months following solving the murder of her aunt Frances. Peony Lane comes to Annie to tell her she has her fortune to share, but Annie does not want to listen. She gives her cryptic messages, and shortly thereafter, Peony is found stabbed to death with an heirloom knife in Annie's solarium, making her the prime suspect. Her best friend Jenny stays with her during the investigation, and they fear for their safety as they try to figure out who got in and how they got inside.
A lot of the same characters from How to Solve Your Own Murder are present in this with a few new characters adding to the suspect pool as well. Once again, Aunt Frances assists Annie in her investigation from beyond the grave with her journal entries from 1967. Everyone knows what a record keeper Frances was, so there are a few key papers and journals missing to complicate Annie's investigation.
How to Seal Your Own Fate is everything you want in a cozy murder mystery: it begins with a slow burn in the first half as the story is set, including important clues from past and present. The second half takes off like a speeding train, and you can't put it down until you find out what happens. I love this series because it isn't predictable. So grab your favorite English tea and get cozy for this mystery that I highly recommend! Many thanks to NetGalley, Penguin Group Dutton, and Kristen Perrin for the advance reader's copy in exchange for my honest review.
May 8, 2025
4 stars.
April 5, 2025
A truly delightful read! So happy to revisit Castle Knoll—a town that somehow manages to be both idyllic and full of murder. This sequel plunges us back into the mystery with Annie Adams, who’s barely settled into her new life before getting wrapped up in yet another death. The discovery of Peony Lane’s body in a locked estate kicks off a spiraling series of events, and once again, secrets from the past begin to unravel in the present.
As in the first book, the story seamlessly shifts between timelines, using Frances Adams’s journals to guide us through a parallel mystery set in 1967. I absolutely loved the twists and turns in this one. The way everyone is connected—and the roles they each played in shaping the tragedies that unfold—is both heartbreaking and thrilling. Family secrets, forbidden romances, and long-buried betrayals kept me glued to the page.
Frances and Annie shine as sleuths in their own ways: Frances is all grit and instinct in her vintage world, while Annie brings a more careful, methodical approach in the present day. The contrast makes for a really compelling read.
There is a slight dip in pacing around the middle, but honestly? I didn’t even mind. The atmosphere, the tension, and the emotional stakes made it worth sticking with. I'm already hoping for another installment!
My copy of this book was provided by NetGalley and Dutton for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
As in the first book, the story seamlessly shifts between timelines, using Frances Adams’s journals to guide us through a parallel mystery set in 1967. I absolutely loved the twists and turns in this one. The way everyone is connected—and the roles they each played in shaping the tragedies that unfold—is both heartbreaking and thrilling. Family secrets, forbidden romances, and long-buried betrayals kept me glued to the page.
Frances and Annie shine as sleuths in their own ways: Frances is all grit and instinct in her vintage world, while Annie brings a more careful, methodical approach in the present day. The contrast makes for a really compelling read.
There is a slight dip in pacing around the middle, but honestly? I didn’t even mind. The atmosphere, the tension, and the emotional stakes made it worth sticking with. I'm already hoping for another installment!
My copy of this book was provided by NetGalley and Dutton for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 17, 2025
This series is so cool.
I loved the first book and pre-ordered this one with great eagerness. It did NOT disappoint.
It continues with the classic Castleknoll mystery of past and future meeting slowly as each chapter brings you further in.
The characters are whitty, exciting and unpredictable.
As far as murder mysteries are concerned, this is a high recommendation from me!
*Contains some language and mild sexual content.
I loved the first book and pre-ordered this one with great eagerness. It did NOT disappoint.
It continues with the classic Castleknoll mystery of past and future meeting slowly as each chapter brings you further in.
The characters are whitty, exciting and unpredictable.
As far as murder mysteries are concerned, this is a high recommendation from me!
*Contains some language and mild sexual content.
June 5, 2025
2.5 ⭐ This book had a tonne of potential. The first say 150-200 pages were well written and intriguing. The author succeeding in setting up the conditions for an interesting whodunnit however in the end it felt like she never solved her own mystery.
The motive was very flimsy, the description of the actual murder were confusing. Logistically I'm not sure it made sense. The victims seemed to all behave irrationally which made the whole thing quite unbelievable. Chief inspector Marks was clearly implicated in some way but that whole plot line was waved away quickly in about 1 page where we learned that his suspiciously shady and overtly hostile attempts at policing were just his attempt to be a mentor. Give me a break!
It seemed like Perrin did not know how to end this book and it felt rushed. If I was publishing this book, I would have advised a return to the drawing board and a re-imagination of the solution to be more plausible.
The motive was very flimsy, the description of the actual murder were confusing. Logistically I'm not sure it made sense. The victims seemed to all behave irrationally which made the whole thing quite unbelievable. Chief inspector Marks was clearly implicated in some way but that whole plot line was waved away quickly in about 1 page where we learned that his suspiciously shady and overtly hostile attempts at policing were just his attempt to be a mentor. Give me a break!
It seemed like Perrin did not know how to end this book and it felt rushed. If I was publishing this book, I would have advised a return to the drawing board and a re-imagination of the solution to be more plausible.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 6, 2025
2 stars
This book was a missed opportunity for me…
I really enjoyed the first book—it felt like a fresh take on the mystery genre. One of the things that surprised me was the romance between Ford and Frances. I found their connection compelling and was really hoping this book would deepen that relationship and build on the promising ending of the first one.
Did that happen? NOPE.
Instead of more Ford and Frances, we got long journal entries about Archie Foyle—a character I never connected with (even in the first book) and honestly don’t care about. I wanted the “runaway adventures” to be with Ford, not Archie. And it all felt pointless since Frances ends up back with Ford anyway. There were only three entries that included Ford, which was such a letdown. Even more confusing, Frances makes conflicting statements about her feelings—at one point she says she isn’t in love with Ford (which felt off based on the last book), only to later say they’ve always had something special and just picked up where they left off. Maybe the author was trying to explore the uncertainty of young love, but it seemed out of character and confusing.
As for the mystery plot…
Some things definitely felt unnecessarily convoluted. Both Frances and Annie are investigating the same thing, which made the narrative feel redundant and muddled. By the time we’re in the present-day timeline, much of it felt unclear or unresolved. A few things still don’t make sense to me (if you have the answers, please comment—maybe I missed something!):
1. Why didn’t Frances recognize Birdy right away? The book says she only did because Birdy looked like Emily—but if Frances and Emily grew up together, wouldn’t she have met Birdy before? Especially since Birdy clearly remembered her.
2. Why wasn’t Birdy mentioned as being at the funeral in the last book? That feels like it would’ve been an important detail.
3. Why was Peony Lane still going to Gravesdown Hall after meeting up with Annie? I never got a clear answer to that.
4. Why did Archie want Frances to investigate the car crash when he was there that night and already knew most of what happened? Was it just to get close to her? Get back at Ford? I was confused.
And finally—Annie and Inspector Crane STILL talk about their feelings for each other at the end of this book?? Why??
Yeahhh… this one’s a no from me. Pity—I really hoped for more.
This book was a missed opportunity for me…
I really enjoyed the first book—it felt like a fresh take on the mystery genre. One of the things that surprised me was the romance between Ford and Frances. I found their connection compelling and was really hoping this book would deepen that relationship and build on the promising ending of the first one.
Did that happen? NOPE.
Instead of more Ford and Frances, we got long journal entries about Archie Foyle—a character I never connected with (even in the first book) and honestly don’t care about. I wanted the “runaway adventures” to be with Ford, not Archie. And it all felt pointless since Frances ends up back with Ford anyway. There were only three entries that included Ford, which was such a letdown. Even more confusing, Frances makes conflicting statements about her feelings—at one point she says she isn’t in love with Ford (which felt off based on the last book), only to later say they’ve always had something special and just picked up where they left off. Maybe the author was trying to explore the uncertainty of young love, but it seemed out of character and confusing.
As for the mystery plot…
Some things definitely felt unnecessarily convoluted. Both Frances and Annie are investigating the same thing, which made the narrative feel redundant and muddled. By the time we’re in the present-day timeline, much of it felt unclear or unresolved. A few things still don’t make sense to me (if you have the answers, please comment—maybe I missed something!):
1. Why didn’t Frances recognize Birdy right away? The book says she only did because Birdy looked like Emily—but if Frances and Emily grew up together, wouldn’t she have met Birdy before? Especially since Birdy clearly remembered her.
2. Why wasn’t Birdy mentioned as being at the funeral in the last book? That feels like it would’ve been an important detail.
3. Why was Peony Lane still going to Gravesdown Hall after meeting up with Annie? I never got a clear answer to that.
4. Why did Archie want Frances to investigate the car crash when he was there that night and already knew most of what happened? Was it just to get close to her? Get back at Ford? I was confused.
And finally—Annie and Inspector Crane STILL talk about their feelings for each other at the end of this book?? Why??
Yeahhh… this one’s a no from me. Pity—I really hoped for more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 16, 2025
This was another engaging murder mystery in the Castle Knoll Files.
I do think I would have benefitted from rereading How to Solve Your Own Murder before jumping into this one, to better remember the characters we were previously introduced to, their relationships and motivations. In general they are an interesting collection of folk from a seemingly idyllic English countryside, one of whom offers the possibility of a future romance for our main character, Annie.
This time, it's the intriguing figure of Peony Lane, the fortune teller who set Great Aunt Frances on her life's course of trying to solve her own murder before it occurred, that gets caught up in the middle of the action. What might she have to do with the Foyles, Sparrows, as well as the Gravesdowns of yore? And why do these crimes always seem to come knocking right at Annie's door?
Alternating chapters between Annie's current timeline (in present tense POV) and young Frances's diary entries got a bit confusing to me, as both included many of the same characters and events, and so it became difficult to keep straight who already knew what in their respective investigations. And the particulars of this mystery wind up being quite convoluted and at times a bit of a stretch.
That being said, I was still definitely entertained by this contemporary whodunnit, and would happily read the next installment of Annie's adventures in investigating secrets in order to solve crimes.
Thank you to Dutton, Penguin Random House, and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my unbiased review.
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I do think I would have benefitted from rereading How to Solve Your Own Murder before jumping into this one, to better remember the characters we were previously introduced to, their relationships and motivations. In general they are an interesting collection of folk from a seemingly idyllic English countryside, one of whom offers the possibility of a future romance for our main character, Annie.
This time, it's the intriguing figure of Peony Lane, the fortune teller who set Great Aunt Frances on her life's course of trying to solve her own murder before it occurred, that gets caught up in the middle of the action. What might she have to do with the Foyles, Sparrows, as well as the Gravesdowns of yore? And why do these crimes always seem to come knocking right at Annie's door?
Alternating chapters between Annie's current timeline (in present tense POV) and young Frances's diary entries got a bit confusing to me, as both included many of the same characters and events, and so it became difficult to keep straight who already knew what in their respective investigations. And the particulars of this mystery wind up being quite convoluted and at times a bit of a stretch.
That being said, I was still definitely entertained by this contemporary whodunnit, and would happily read the next installment of Annie's adventures in investigating secrets in order to solve crimes.
Thank you to Dutton, Penguin Random House, and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my unbiased review.
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January 25, 2025
I'm not actually sure how I came to obtain this book, but it was a free copy hoping I would like it and give it a nice review, which I have no trouble doing; I enjoyed it although I first got a copy of the first book, which I also enjoyed. I don't know if it could be read by itself; I'd advise reading the first book before this one. It's pretty elaborate, so you'd have trouble following the story if you don't read them in order.
The book took place across a few decades, and had a lot of characters, so you need to pay attention. The chapters switch back and forth between the the two times, which took me a little getting used to. Fortunately, the early period was written in italics, so that made it easier.
I had no idea who committed the crimes in the story. It was pretty complicated, a type of story that I think of as British although I'm not certain that's valid. But the author does live in the UK, although she is from Seattle, WA originally. Anyway, it was an enjoyable read, with likable and interesting characters - a lot of them, but I didn't really have too much trouble keeping up.
The book took place across a few decades, and had a lot of characters, so you need to pay attention. The chapters switch back and forth between the the two times, which took me a little getting used to. Fortunately, the early period was written in italics, so that made it easier.
I had no idea who committed the crimes in the story. It was pretty complicated, a type of story that I think of as British although I'm not certain that's valid. But the author does live in the UK, although she is from Seattle, WA originally. Anyway, it was an enjoyable read, with likable and interesting characters - a lot of them, but I didn't really have too much trouble keeping up.
January 20, 2025
This was okay. I think this could have benefited from including some kind of recap of the first book and all the characters toward the beginning of this one—there are far too many names to keep track of in Castle Knoll and I was thinking, “who?” at a lot of points. I struggled to re-orient myself to this story and get invested into the new mystery at hand.
Also, I understand why the author wanted to include flashbacks of Francis again since it was a successfully utilized formula in the first book, but it didn’t work for me as much here. I don’t think I will be continuing with this series.
Also, I understand why the author wanted to include flashbacks of Francis again since it was a successfully utilized formula in the first book, but it didn’t work for me as much here. I don’t think I will be continuing with this series.
May 1, 2025
the dual timelines got me so confused in this one, the last one, too, but this one it was way too much, so many of the same characters in both timelines but then the main POV is so different. I like this writer I hope they don’t continue with this format.
June 26, 2025
Thank you to Penguin Group Dutton for a gifted ebook.
3.5 stars
I was excited to see what happens to the characters after How to Solve Your Own Murder. And to unravel more secrets! How to Seal Your Own Fate is so fast paced, I tried to create my own theories while reading along but I am just not that clever. Kristen Perrin’s plot twists are so unpredictable. Overall it is a fun, easy read for amateur sleuths.
3.5 stars
I was excited to see what happens to the characters after How to Solve Your Own Murder. And to unravel more secrets! How to Seal Your Own Fate is so fast paced, I tried to create my own theories while reading along but I am just not that clever. Kristen Perrin’s plot twists are so unpredictable. Overall it is a fun, easy read for amateur sleuths.
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