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Castle Claude Mysteries #1
Flirting with Murder: A Novel
The Agathas meets Thursday Murder Club in Amanda Sellet’s next YA novel, a cozy mystery with a splash of romance.
Some people visit Florida for theme parks and beaches. High school junior Virginia Tillis is there for murder. Accidents, electrocution, tainted hand every victim meets a different end at her grandmother Lainey’s rococo pink condo. Such is life (and death) when you roll with a crew of theater retirees who roleplay murder mysteries from the comfort of their own home in a game they fondly call Killing Me Softly.
But this summer, fictional murder has given way to the very real death of the building's beloved owner and his dramatic last testament has the vultures circling, from estranged relatives to sleazy property developers, dead set on getting the most from his will.
Adding to the tension for Virginia is the appearance of Felix, the cute guy she met at the airport who turns out to be the grandson of one of the condo’s residents. With his charm and musical theater chops, he’s the person Virginia most wants to beat at Killing Me Softly. That is, until the day they discover an actual dead body while playing the game, forcing them to work together to figure out whodunit.
In this comedic mystery about finding the Watson to your Holmes, Virginia and Felix must banter their way from rivals to co-detectives in time to save their eccentric grandparents from a shocking disruption to the community they've always loved.
Some people visit Florida for theme parks and beaches. High school junior Virginia Tillis is there for murder. Accidents, electrocution, tainted hand every victim meets a different end at her grandmother Lainey’s rococo pink condo. Such is life (and death) when you roll with a crew of theater retirees who roleplay murder mysteries from the comfort of their own home in a game they fondly call Killing Me Softly.
But this summer, fictional murder has given way to the very real death of the building's beloved owner and his dramatic last testament has the vultures circling, from estranged relatives to sleazy property developers, dead set on getting the most from his will.
Adding to the tension for Virginia is the appearance of Felix, the cute guy she met at the airport who turns out to be the grandson of one of the condo’s residents. With his charm and musical theater chops, he’s the person Virginia most wants to beat at Killing Me Softly. That is, until the day they discover an actual dead body while playing the game, forcing them to work together to figure out whodunit.
In this comedic mystery about finding the Watson to your Holmes, Virginia and Felix must banter their way from rivals to co-detectives in time to save their eccentric grandparents from a shocking disruption to the community they've always loved.
311 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 21, 2026
About the author
Amanda Sellet
7 books483 followersAmanda Sellet is a Gen X ex-journalist who loves old movies, baked goods, and banter.
On the comedy/tragedy question, she is team comedy all the way.
On the comedy/tragedy question, she is team comedy all the way.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 203 reviews
May 21, 2026
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ Virginia heads to Florida to attend the will reading after the owner of the pink condo, where her grandmother and crew of retired theater lovers live, passed away. It's a visit Virginia usually always looks forward to because of a game they play together called Killing Me Softly. But this year it's different, and not just because of Felix, the handsome grandson of one of the residents, but because an actual murder happens, and everyone is a suspect.
✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ TL;DR: This had so much potential, but unfortunately, the execution was disappointing.
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ I think there might be something wrong with me because why are some of the books I’ve been reading lately so mid?? I was really looking forward to reading this, but I had a sneaking suspicion I wouldn’t love it. Well, my gut was right, and I was this close 🤏🏼 to DNF’ing this.
At first, I was really enjoying myself. The grandparents were funny and endearing, and I thought their Killing Me Softly game was interesting. The banter between Felix and Virginia was so funny, and I just really liked Felix overall. He was super cool and had all the fun qualities theater kids have. Granted, Virginia did get on my nerves because she was jealous and petty about not being the only grandkid the grandparents doted on, so she was kinda mean to Felix. All he did was exist, and that rubbed her the wrong way. Ugh, cry me a river, Virginia. You are not the main character in anyone’s story except your own, so please get over yourself. I was honestly embarrassed and ashamed for her, and if I were there at all, I’d just ignore her or pretend she doesn’t exist, lol. But their little romance was pretty good, so no complaints there. 😌
But she isn’t the reason why I had a hard time reading this. The plot is my main issue. It just dragged. Nothing really happens until the 30% mark, where someone ends up dead. Felix and Virginia look into it, wondering who might have killed the victim and why, but it’s not even ruled as a murder until we’re 70% into the story. 70%!!! I was skimming the paragraphs and just read the dialogue for the majority of the book, hoping and praying things would kinda escalate (this is a cozy mystery, after all), but they didn’t. And the whole reveal of who the killer was was so bland and not even the slightest bit shocking. I clocked whodunit from the beginning, and even then, it wasn't even satisfying to know because I mentally and emotionally checked out of the story a long time ago.
Also, the writing was too YA for me. I know, I know. It's a YA novel, so obviously the writing is going to reflect that, but not all books I've read are this teenager-ish. It was fun and humorous at first, but it got old really fast. 😅
Overall, it was a pretty disappointing read, which makes me so sad. 😢 This is a series, and I don't know if I want to read the second book. We’ll see, I suppose. 🤭
₊˚⊹⋆ Thank you to St. Martin’s Press | Wednesday Books and NetGalley for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review! All opinions and statements are my own. ₊˚⊹⋆
❗Content Warnings❗
Death & murder.
Swearing: Some
Spice: No–only kissing. (🌶/5)
✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ TL;DR: This had so much potential, but unfortunately, the execution was disappointing.
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ I think there might be something wrong with me because why are some of the books I’ve been reading lately so mid?? I was really looking forward to reading this, but I had a sneaking suspicion I wouldn’t love it. Well, my gut was right, and I was this close 🤏🏼 to DNF’ing this.
At first, I was really enjoying myself. The grandparents were funny and endearing, and I thought their Killing Me Softly game was interesting. The banter between Felix and Virginia was so funny, and I just really liked Felix overall. He was super cool and had all the fun qualities theater kids have. Granted, Virginia did get on my nerves because she was jealous and petty about not being the only grandkid the grandparents doted on, so she was kinda mean to Felix. All he did was exist, and that rubbed her the wrong way. Ugh, cry me a river, Virginia. You are not the main character in anyone’s story except your own, so please get over yourself. I was honestly embarrassed and ashamed for her, and if I were there at all, I’d just ignore her or pretend she doesn’t exist, lol. But their little romance was pretty good, so no complaints there. 😌
But she isn’t the reason why I had a hard time reading this. The plot is my main issue. It just dragged. Nothing really happens until the 30% mark, where someone ends up dead. Felix and Virginia look into it, wondering who might have killed the victim and why, but it’s not even ruled as a murder until we’re 70% into the story. 70%!!! I was skimming the paragraphs and just read the dialogue for the majority of the book, hoping and praying things would kinda escalate (this is a cozy mystery, after all), but they didn’t. And the whole reveal of who the killer was was so bland and not even the slightest bit shocking. I clocked whodunit from the beginning, and even then, it wasn't even satisfying to know because I mentally and emotionally checked out of the story a long time ago.
Also, the writing was too YA for me. I know, I know. It's a YA novel, so obviously the writing is going to reflect that, but not all books I've read are this teenager-ish. It was fun and humorous at first, but it got old really fast. 😅
Overall, it was a pretty disappointing read, which makes me so sad. 😢 This is a series, and I don't know if I want to read the second book. We’ll see, I suppose. 🤭
₊˚⊹⋆ Thank you to St. Martin’s Press | Wednesday Books and NetGalley for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review! All opinions and statements are my own. ₊˚⊹⋆
❗Content Warnings❗
Death & murder.
Swearing: Some
Spice: No–only kissing. (🌶/5)
April 21, 2026
Flirting With Murder by Amanda Sellet
YA cozy mystery with a touch of flirting romance.
Virginia Tillis is spending the summer high school break again in her grandmother’s uniquely Florida styled rococo pink condo. The group of seniors in the building recreate murder mysteries, dressing up in their best vintage gowns and flashy faux jewels. Virginia gets to play detective, or victim or suspect in each version of Killing Me Softly event and she loves the intrigue, and trying to solve the mystery.
This summer, Felix is also staying at Castle Claude. His grandfather is one of the residents and while Felix and Virginia have always been aware of each other, their time in the building has never overlapped. Until now, for the reading of the will of Claude, the main owner of the building.
The play acting turns real when a body is found under the billiards table. No play acting this time. Who killed the man that wanted to turn the building into something different?
Virginia and Felix, high school detectives, are on the case.
The banter between Virginia and Felix is sweet and adorable as their first tentative, maybe, romance blooms. The high schoolers take on the responsibility of finding the killer, asking questions, and rounding up clues. I loved the setting of the castle like building with unique community rooms, the aging residents and, of course, the requisite outdoor pool. It’s Florida!
Captivating YA who-dun-it.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley.
YA cozy mystery with a touch of flirting romance.
Virginia Tillis is spending the summer high school break again in her grandmother’s uniquely Florida styled rococo pink condo. The group of seniors in the building recreate murder mysteries, dressing up in their best vintage gowns and flashy faux jewels. Virginia gets to play detective, or victim or suspect in each version of Killing Me Softly event and she loves the intrigue, and trying to solve the mystery.
This summer, Felix is also staying at Castle Claude. His grandfather is one of the residents and while Felix and Virginia have always been aware of each other, their time in the building has never overlapped. Until now, for the reading of the will of Claude, the main owner of the building.
The play acting turns real when a body is found under the billiards table. No play acting this time. Who killed the man that wanted to turn the building into something different?
Virginia and Felix, high school detectives, are on the case.
The banter between Virginia and Felix is sweet and adorable as their first tentative, maybe, romance blooms. The high schoolers take on the responsibility of finding the killer, asking questions, and rounding up clues. I loved the setting of the castle like building with unique community rooms, the aging residents and, of course, the requisite outdoor pool. It’s Florida!
Captivating YA who-dun-it.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley.
July 2, 2026
DNF at 20%
This one hurts. A YA cozy mystery set in a retirement home filled with dramatic former theater actors? With Only Murders in the Building vibes? It sounded like it was made for me.
Sadly, the execution just didn't work for me, and by the time I hit 20%, I knew I wasn't interested enough to keep going.
The biggest issue was the pacing. For a mystery, almost nothing happened in the first fifth of the book. Instead of drawing me into the mystery, the story spent so much time explaining the history of the condo complex and the grandparents' elaborate roleplaying game that it felt like I was reading background notes instead of an actual plot.
I also couldn't get into Virginia and Felix's dynamic. Their banter never felt effortless or funny; instead it felt like the book was trying too hard to convince me they had great chemistry. Their interactions were tiring to read.
And while I expected the retired theater crowd to be my favorite part, they ended up feeling more like exaggerated stereotypes than real people. Everyone was so over-the-top that I struggled to connect with any of them, and the humor just didn't land for me.
I can absolutely see why Amanda Sellet's writing works for other readers, but this particular brand of theatrical mayhem isn't my thing.
Life's too short to keep reading books that feel like work, so this one sadly became a DNF.
This one hurts. A YA cozy mystery set in a retirement home filled with dramatic former theater actors? With Only Murders in the Building vibes? It sounded like it was made for me.
Sadly, the execution just didn't work for me, and by the time I hit 20%, I knew I wasn't interested enough to keep going.
The biggest issue was the pacing. For a mystery, almost nothing happened in the first fifth of the book. Instead of drawing me into the mystery, the story spent so much time explaining the history of the condo complex and the grandparents' elaborate roleplaying game that it felt like I was reading background notes instead of an actual plot.
I also couldn't get into Virginia and Felix's dynamic. Their banter never felt effortless or funny; instead it felt like the book was trying too hard to convince me they had great chemistry. Their interactions were tiring to read.
And while I expected the retired theater crowd to be my favorite part, they ended up feeling more like exaggerated stereotypes than real people. Everyone was so over-the-top that I struggled to connect with any of them, and the humor just didn't land for me.
I can absolutely see why Amanda Sellet's writing works for other readers, but this particular brand of theatrical mayhem isn't my thing.
Life's too short to keep reading books that feel like work, so this one sadly became a DNF.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
huge thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. all thoughts below are my own.
unfortunately this book did not hit for me. flirting with murder? more like flirting with watching the paint dry. because the actual sleuthing and action didn't really start until much later in the book and by that time id said "only in florida" about ten times. i'm not surprised though. it's florida we are talking about.
the romance was cute though, i did enjoy that. other than the romance, i can't really reccomend the book unless you want to hehehaha at the absurdity of it.
🐊
unfortunately this book did not hit for me. flirting with murder? more like flirting with watching the paint dry. because the actual sleuthing and action didn't really start until much later in the book and by that time id said "only in florida" about ten times. i'm not surprised though. it's florida we are talking about.
the romance was cute though, i did enjoy that. other than the romance, i can't really reccomend the book unless you want to hehehaha at the absurdity of it.
🐊
October 17, 2025
A terrific cozy YA mystery with splendid banter and characters! Loved it!
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are mine.
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are mine.
June 9, 2026
I loved the idea of the alternative to a retirement community created by the residents of Castle Claude; it was the perfect backdrop for the murder mystery within its walls. The story, told from the point of view of teen Virginia, who is visiting her grandmother, is a little slow, but the banter between her and Felix, and the residents on the whole, make up for the lack of investigation. It does pick up, but the pacing is uneven, and it’s difficult to stay invested in the murder itself. The ending was anti-climactic despite the setup for a confession. This was cute but moved too slowly for my taste. I will try the next one in the hopes that the pacing is better.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the review copy.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the review copy.
June 12, 2026
Did not expect that.
love the ending.♥
love the ending.♥
November 9, 2025
Another hit from Sellet! This book is perfect for fans of Thursday Murder Club and Man on the Inside (Netflix). It had me laughing out loud and blushing with the memories of first crushes. I absolutely ADORED Virginia’s relationship with her Grandma Lainey, and the incorporation of real life struggles of teens (step-parents, aging grandparents, and fitting in). I can’t wait to talk all my students into reading it!
Content Ratings:
Violence: PG (there’s a murder, but it’s technically nonviolent)
Language: G
Substances: G
Romance: G (kissing only)
Overall: PG
4 stars
Voluntary ARC Review
Content Ratings:
Violence: PG (there’s a murder, but it’s technically nonviolent)
Language: G
Substances: G
Romance: G (kissing only)
Overall: PG
4 stars
Voluntary ARC Review
December 3, 2025
I won this ARC from Goodreads so I knew I has to write a review of this book.
"Flirting with Murder" is a YA cozy mystery with similarities to the TV show "Only Murders in the Building" and novelist Agatha Christie.
I don't think I have ever laughed out loud so much reading a book. The modern jokes and comments were hilarious and current. I loved both the fmc and mmc. I loved reading about the relationships the grandparents had with their grandchildren. I also loved the older characters and how sincere and real their bond was to each other.
This book was hilarious and fun but also kept you at the edge of your seat as you uncovered a mystery.
Thank you to @stmartinspress!
"Flirting with Murder" is a YA cozy mystery with similarities to the TV show "Only Murders in the Building" and novelist Agatha Christie.
I don't think I have ever laughed out loud so much reading a book. The modern jokes and comments were hilarious and current. I loved both the fmc and mmc. I loved reading about the relationships the grandparents had with their grandchildren. I also loved the older characters and how sincere and real their bond was to each other.
This book was hilarious and fun but also kept you at the edge of your seat as you uncovered a mystery.
Thank you to @stmartinspress!
January 19, 2026
A slightly boring but fun at the same time murder mystery book. It involves 2 teens who stay with their grandparents in an HOA where a scummy frat boy ends up dead. It involves a break and enter and some subterfuge from the teens and their group of quickly old folks to get the ‘murderer’ to confess. I was lucky enough to receive an ARC from NetGalley.
June 6, 2026
I was so excited for this book. I marked put it on my TBR months before it came out. A YA murder mystery? Sounds intriguing. Rom-com? Sign me up! Unfortunately, this book just didn't do it for me.
While yes, there was a murder, it wasn't even officially called a murder until the book was over halfway over. The concept was cute, creative, and exciting at first. The "Killing Me Softly" game seemed pretty fun, but a lot of the characters felt very underdeveloped. The "sleuthing" that Felix and Virginia did together felt unstructured and wasn't super productive. With a whole building full of murder mystery experts, they probably could've figured it out far sooner than they did. (*SPOILERS* Also, I have to point out that Felix and Virginia didn't even solve the murder, even though the whole story revolved around them. There really wasn't even anyone to blame for the "murder" of Bradley. It was really just an accident. I never thought a cat would be the closest one to blame for a death.)
The romance was disappointing. The banter, while cute at first, became more forced and honestly annoying as the story went on. I liked Felix a lot. He was probably the best character. But Virginia was quite annoying at times. While I understand a lot of the things she said were supposed to be "banter", I felt bad for Felix because some things she said were just rude. Additionally, the romance was dragged out. There was kind of a fake dating trope, but it was just the Felix and Virginia telling the old folks they were going out for ice cream and hitting up the police station instead. (*SPOILERS* They literally waited to the last chapter to kiss. I mean, sure it's realistic, but I expected different from a romance novel.)
The book wasn't all bad. There were some funny jokes I found myself laughing out loud at. I found the whole idea/concept of the book to be really creative, even if the execution missed the mark. I liked how it was a short read, but I think the plot and characters could've been more in depth if the book was longer.
Overall, Flirting with Murder wasn't amazing. It didn't meet my high expectations. I probably will recommend it to some people just for the cool concept, but it definitely wasn't one of my favorite mysteries.
While yes, there was a murder, it wasn't even officially called a murder until the book was over halfway over. The concept was cute, creative, and exciting at first. The "Killing Me Softly" game seemed pretty fun, but a lot of the characters felt very underdeveloped. The "sleuthing" that Felix and Virginia did together felt unstructured and wasn't super productive. With a whole building full of murder mystery experts, they probably could've figured it out far sooner than they did. (*SPOILERS* Also, I have to point out that Felix and Virginia didn't even solve the murder, even though the whole story revolved around them. There really wasn't even anyone to blame for the "murder" of Bradley. It was really just an accident. I never thought a cat would be the closest one to blame for a death.)
The romance was disappointing. The banter, while cute at first, became more forced and honestly annoying as the story went on. I liked Felix a lot. He was probably the best character. But Virginia was quite annoying at times. While I understand a lot of the things she said were supposed to be "banter", I felt bad for Felix because some things she said were just rude. Additionally, the romance was dragged out. There was kind of a fake dating trope, but it was just the Felix and Virginia telling the old folks they were going out for ice cream and hitting up the police station instead. (*SPOILERS* They literally waited to the last chapter to kiss. I mean, sure it's realistic, but I expected different from a romance novel.)
The book wasn't all bad. There were some funny jokes I found myself laughing out loud at. I found the whole idea/concept of the book to be really creative, even if the execution missed the mark. I liked how it was a short read, but I think the plot and characters could've been more in depth if the book was longer.
Overall, Flirting with Murder wasn't amazing. It didn't meet my high expectations. I probably will recommend it to some people just for the cool concept, but it definitely wasn't one of my favorite mysteries.
April 22, 2026
Thank you to Wednesday Books for sending this ARC...this is my honest review.
📖 Flirting With Murder 📖
Author: Amanda Sellet
Pub Date: April 21, 2026
Publisher: Wednesday Books
MY RATING: 4/5⭐
Happy Pub Week to Flirting With Murder, the latest YA cozy mystery from Amanda Sellet! This YA whodunit was humorous, mysterious, and a whole lot of fun.
This fast read featured fantastically eccentric characters, witty banter, and laugh-out-loud dialogue. The teenage main characters definitely brought the YA vibes to the story, but it worked so perfectly with the whodunit plotline of this book.
Every summer, high schooler Virginia heads to Florida to visit her grandmother at her eccentric pink condo building, where she lives with several retired theatre friends. The residents have created Killing Me Softly, murder-mystery events where they try to solve fictional whodunits. But this summer isn't quite what Virginia expected. The building's beloved owner has died and his dramatic last testament has the vultures circling, from estranged relatives to sleazy property developers. And then there's Felix, the cute guy Virginia met at the airport who turns out to be the grandson of one of the condo’s residents. But when they discover an actual dead body while playing Killing Me Softly, things escalate quickly as Virginia and Felix are forced to work together to figure out whodunit.
This was such a cute read and a really fun cozy mystery! If you're a fan of YA cozy mysteries and love an enemies-to-lovers trope in your YA rom-coms, you'll love the mix of the two in Flirting With Murder. And it's out now!
#FlirtingWithMurder #AmandaSellet #WednesdayBooks #YAcozymystery #mysteryreads #murdermystery #YAreads #booklover #bookreviews #bookrecs #bookrecommendations
📖 Flirting With Murder 📖
Author: Amanda Sellet
Pub Date: April 21, 2026
Publisher: Wednesday Books
MY RATING: 4/5⭐
Happy Pub Week to Flirting With Murder, the latest YA cozy mystery from Amanda Sellet! This YA whodunit was humorous, mysterious, and a whole lot of fun.
This fast read featured fantastically eccentric characters, witty banter, and laugh-out-loud dialogue. The teenage main characters definitely brought the YA vibes to the story, but it worked so perfectly with the whodunit plotline of this book.
Every summer, high schooler Virginia heads to Florida to visit her grandmother at her eccentric pink condo building, where she lives with several retired theatre friends. The residents have created Killing Me Softly, murder-mystery events where they try to solve fictional whodunits. But this summer isn't quite what Virginia expected. The building's beloved owner has died and his dramatic last testament has the vultures circling, from estranged relatives to sleazy property developers. And then there's Felix, the cute guy Virginia met at the airport who turns out to be the grandson of one of the condo’s residents. But when they discover an actual dead body while playing Killing Me Softly, things escalate quickly as Virginia and Felix are forced to work together to figure out whodunit.
This was such a cute read and a really fun cozy mystery! If you're a fan of YA cozy mysteries and love an enemies-to-lovers trope in your YA rom-coms, you'll love the mix of the two in Flirting With Murder. And it's out now!
#FlirtingWithMurder #AmandaSellet #WednesdayBooks #YAcozymystery #mysteryreads #murdermystery #YAreads #booklover #bookreviews #bookrecs #bookrecommendations
December 27, 2025
What a cute read! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Virginia is staying at her grandmothers home this summer, which she is thrilled about. Her Grandma Lainey is one of her favourite people in the world - she’s theatrical, whimsical, and fun! All the things Virginia missing at home with her mom and new stepfather.
Grandma Lainey lives in a building, Castle Claude, with her other artistic, theatrical, and musical retired friends. From the outside, Castle Claude is pink and dramatic. From the inside, it’s even more dramatic, with its residents routinely playing a murder mystery role play game together, complete with scripts, costumes, and fully acted death scenes. Recently, Claude, the owner of the condo corp, has recently passed away from cancer. He’s left everyone in the building, as well as Virginia, something in his will!
Tensions rise at the will reading when Claude’s only living family member, his sister, does not inherit the whole condo as she assumed. Tensions get even higher when, during a round of their murder mystery game, there’s a real dead body in addition to the actor-portrayed “victim”.
Flirting with Murder is a fun read, and is great for any reader aged teen and up. It’s a cozy mystery with some romance sprinkled in. No sex, no graphic violence, some swearing and some kissing. Virginia is a lovely sarcastic, smart character and I really liked her love interest, Felix as well. They make a good pair of mystery solving sleuths!
Thank you to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Virginia is staying at her grandmothers home this summer, which she is thrilled about. Her Grandma Lainey is one of her favourite people in the world - she’s theatrical, whimsical, and fun! All the things Virginia missing at home with her mom and new stepfather.
Grandma Lainey lives in a building, Castle Claude, with her other artistic, theatrical, and musical retired friends. From the outside, Castle Claude is pink and dramatic. From the inside, it’s even more dramatic, with its residents routinely playing a murder mystery role play game together, complete with scripts, costumes, and fully acted death scenes. Recently, Claude, the owner of the condo corp, has recently passed away from cancer. He’s left everyone in the building, as well as Virginia, something in his will!
Tensions rise at the will reading when Claude’s only living family member, his sister, does not inherit the whole condo as she assumed. Tensions get even higher when, during a round of their murder mystery game, there’s a real dead body in addition to the actor-portrayed “victim”.
Flirting with Murder is a fun read, and is great for any reader aged teen and up. It’s a cozy mystery with some romance sprinkled in. No sex, no graphic violence, some swearing and some kissing. Virginia is a lovely sarcastic, smart character and I really liked her love interest, Felix as well. They make a good pair of mystery solving sleuths!
Thank you to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
July 2, 2026
The premise of this one is super cute--a cozy mystery set in Florida at a retirement community full of grandparents.
While there is just a dash of romance, there were many elements of a fun mystery. Teens Virginia and Felix were interesting, but Virginia came off as pretty harsh and self-absorbed at times, which felt pretty typical to her age. I did enjoy their shenanigans and especially the setting, but would have loved the plot to move along a bit faster.
Entertaining and the start to a new series, this one is fun for those who enjoy role-playing those murder mystery games.
⚠️strong language; mild romance; death
*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*
While there is just a dash of romance, there were many elements of a fun mystery. Teens Virginia and Felix were interesting, but Virginia came off as pretty harsh and self-absorbed at times, which felt pretty typical to her age. I did enjoy their shenanigans and especially the setting, but would have loved the plot to move along a bit faster.
Entertaining and the start to a new series, this one is fun for those who enjoy role-playing those murder mystery games.
⚠️strong language; mild romance; death
*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*
November 12, 2025
This books was so fun. The mystery mixed with theatrics and banter was absolutely beautiful. You can tell every character was written with love and that the authors poured her soul into each of them. The writing was light and fun, and the pacing was perfect to me.
I love a good YA slow burn and this delivered. The chemistry between Virginia and Felix was adorable and the banter was hilarious.
The plot and setting in this book are so unique, it was refreshing to read something new!
Overall I am very happy that I got to read this ARC and can’t wait to get my hands on the physical copy when it releases.
I love a good YA slow burn and this delivered. The chemistry between Virginia and Felix was adorable and the banter was hilarious.
The plot and setting in this book are so unique, it was refreshing to read something new!
Overall I am very happy that I got to read this ARC and can’t wait to get my hands on the physical copy when it releases.
March 30, 2026
Oh what a delightful little cozy mystery comedy YA book…I adored this! It was exactly what I needed too. Something fun that was super interesting and kept my attention…and also had me laughing a lot! The main characters Virginia & Felix were so amusing & enjoyable. And Castle Claude was just absolutely chaotic perfection!
Here’s what else I loved…
🩷 this was very Thursday Murder Club meets Broadway musical! Which is so my vibes.
💎 Grandma Lainey was the best! I loved her! She was giving Dame Judi Dench vibes!
✨ okay, maybe it’s just me, but there’s a few words in this book that I would’ve had to look up if not for Taylor Swift. And that’s a plus in my opinion. 😂
😻 Zenobia the cat was an excellent addition to this cast!
🕵️♀️ listen, everyone is a suspect in this, but Bernie the number one suspect…she cracked me up!! I love when the “villain” is still written in an entertaining way opposed to an annoying way. I pictured her as Melissa McCarthy in a big wig just recking havoc, but in a hilarious way!
✍🏻 I loved how Sellet gave us (and Felix & Virginia) all the tools to piece together the mystery one chapter at a time! (I still didn’t quite figure it out.) I felt like it made it fun to try to piece everything together little by little as the book continued!
🏰 I could’ve stayed at Castle Claude even longer! I just loved the idea of a big building split up into apartments for a bunch of golden aged friends! That also create murder as their hobby…fake murder that is. Well, until it wasn’t. 😅
Here’s what else I loved…
🩷 this was very Thursday Murder Club meets Broadway musical! Which is so my vibes.
💎 Grandma Lainey was the best! I loved her! She was giving Dame Judi Dench vibes!
✨ okay, maybe it’s just me, but there’s a few words in this book that I would’ve had to look up if not for Taylor Swift. And that’s a plus in my opinion. 😂
😻 Zenobia the cat was an excellent addition to this cast!
🕵️♀️ listen, everyone is a suspect in this, but Bernie the number one suspect…she cracked me up!! I love when the “villain” is still written in an entertaining way opposed to an annoying way. I pictured her as Melissa McCarthy in a big wig just recking havoc, but in a hilarious way!
✍🏻 I loved how Sellet gave us (and Felix & Virginia) all the tools to piece together the mystery one chapter at a time! (I still didn’t quite figure it out.) I felt like it made it fun to try to piece everything together little by little as the book continued!
🏰 I could’ve stayed at Castle Claude even longer! I just loved the idea of a big building split up into apartments for a bunch of golden aged friends! That also create murder as their hobby…fake murder that is. Well, until it wasn’t. 😅
May 19, 2026
Loved every moment of this book. It gripped me from the start and took me on a wild ride through Castle Claude. The banter, witty dialogues and the dedication to sleuthing really brought it all together. I adored the array of characters and their eccentrics, I can't wait to read more in this series to see where it takes Virginia and Felix! Truely wish there were places set up to play Killing Me Softly! I'd join that in a heartbeat.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Australia for a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Australia for a copy in exchange for an honest review.
December 31, 2025
This book is the like the teen version of Thursday Murder Club. For people going into it, I think it’s important to keep in mind that is YA but it’s still well written. There was a part in the ending which seemed a bit unrealistic but that could be attributed to it being YA versus an adult mystery. Overall, it was an enjoyable and quick, cozy read. I would definitely recommend!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
There were parts of this book that I really liked. I liked the residents of Castle Claude as well as the idea behind a group of old people who live in a building together and play murder mystery.
Beyond that a lot of this book didn't come together for me. I think the players lacked some depth and distinction. The pacing was wonky. the "romance" felt like an afterthought.
Overall this book was pretty good and worth the time to read.
Beyond that a lot of this book didn't come together for me. I think the players lacked some depth and distinction. The pacing was wonky. the "romance" felt like an afterthought.
Overall this book was pretty good and worth the time to read.
November 8, 2025
A cleverly written and spunky YA mystery rom-com. The cute back and forth between Virginia and Felix makes for a load of fun and laughs. The characters are well developed and an absolute delight. Sellet does an excellent job of building up the mystery behind the murder without over complicating things. This was a joy to read.
February 1, 2026
The banter in this book is fierce! I wish I’d been that clever as a teenager, but high school was pre-social media so I’d likely not have been so quick. The mystery was slow to unfold, but the real winner here is the cast of characters. Not only Virginia and Felix, but the entire Baby Boomer family living at Castle Claude. I’d love to see this become a series! Thanks to Wednesday Books for the ARC.
May 26, 2026
definitivamente acho que não curto mistério com ya...mas é bom pra saber né kk
July 6, 2026
This was phenomenal. I ate it up, could not put it down.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Flirting With Murder is a charming, lighthearted whodunit set in a quirky retirement‑style community where amateur sleuths stage fake murders just for the thrill of solving them. It has all the cozy mystery vibes you’d expect, with a fun premise that never takes itself too seriously.
Virginia and Felix are an interesting pair—young in age but often sounding like they’ve skipped a few decades in life experience. Their dynamic is entertaining, though Virginia’s naivety in love can be a bit irritating at times. Still, the overall tone is playful, and the mystery kept me turning the pages.
A cute, clever read that I’d happily recommend to fans of Agatha Christie, cozy mysteries, or anyone who enjoys a classic whodunit with a modern twist.
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to review this book.
Virginia and Felix are an interesting pair—young in age but often sounding like they’ve skipped a few decades in life experience. Their dynamic is entertaining, though Virginia’s naivety in love can be a bit irritating at times. Still, the overall tone is playful, and the mystery kept me turning the pages.
A cute, clever read that I’d happily recommend to fans of Agatha Christie, cozy mysteries, or anyone who enjoys a classic whodunit with a modern twist.
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to review this book.
April 25, 2026
DNF @ 40%
I enjoyed the setting and the premise but I couldn’t get past the dialogue. I know the book is YA, but the dialogue felt too YA for me
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review
I enjoyed the setting and the premise but I couldn’t get past the dialogue. I know the book is YA, but the dialogue felt too YA for me
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I loved "By the Book" and was over the moon when I received this arc!
"Flirting with Murder" is a contemporary YA cozy mystery romance set in Florida in a retirement community. Our main character goes to visit her grandma, who is part of a murder mystery theater group, and gets more murder than she bargained for.
Unfortunately, this one wasn't a hit for me. I felt like we meandered around the point a bit too much and it lacked the who-dunnit punch but also lacked in the romance department. Nice cast of characters but the plot didn't take off soon enough and our sleuths left a lot to be desired. A forgettable read for me but I also don't think I'm the demographic.
If you're giving this to a 13-14 year old, it might be just what they need but at my decrepit age, I just could not get into it.
"Flirting with Murder" is a contemporary YA cozy mystery romance set in Florida in a retirement community. Our main character goes to visit her grandma, who is part of a murder mystery theater group, and gets more murder than she bargained for.
Unfortunately, this one wasn't a hit for me. I felt like we meandered around the point a bit too much and it lacked the who-dunnit punch but also lacked in the romance department. Nice cast of characters but the plot didn't take off soon enough and our sleuths left a lot to be desired. A forgettable read for me but I also don't think I'm the demographic.
If you're giving this to a 13-14 year old, it might be just what they need but at my decrepit age, I just could not get into it.
May 1, 2026
Cute and cozy YA mystery with just a bit of flirting romance between high schoolers Virginia & Felix as they spend their summer break with their grandparents in Florida at a quirky retirement condo. The banter will have you hooked along with the cast of zany retirees. It’s a Thursday Murder Club for the youngsters. Thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for an advanced copy for a honest review.
June 17, 2026
Think Only Murders in the Building set in Florida. I really liked the characters and world the author created in Castle Claude. There is definitely potential to tell other stories in the same environment.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. Thank you Saint Martin's Press for the ARC.
So originally I gave this a four star rating, but I decided that three stars is a bit more accurate, and I want to be honest, though I hate giving ratings lower than four. It's basically a 3.5 read for me. In this book I found the romance cute and the rest of the cast to be a lot of fun with their wild personalities and fun pastimes. This story is very much a cozy mystery, which I personally like, but someone who likes more fast paced stories might not as much. What made rate this so low was the semi-frequent strong language and frequent innuendo, which I personally don't like reading, especially in YA.
Content considerations: Strong semi-frequent language (s and f bombs), sexual innuendo, sexual harassment (including a college age or older guy hitting on a high schooler), anaphylaxis, meditation, mention of seances and ouija boards, some LGBT side characters, underage alcohol consumption, sexual tension, kissing.
Pre-Read
Ahhh I actually won this in a Goodreads Giveaway!!! Looking forward to reading it! 😄
So originally I gave this a four star rating, but I decided that three stars is a bit more accurate, and I want to be honest, though I hate giving ratings lower than four. It's basically a 3.5 read for me. In this book I found the romance cute and the rest of the cast to be a lot of fun with their wild personalities and fun pastimes. This story is very much a cozy mystery, which I personally like, but someone who likes more fast paced stories might not as much. What made rate this so low was the semi-frequent strong language and frequent innuendo, which I personally don't like reading, especially in YA.
Content considerations: Strong semi-frequent language (s and f bombs), sexual innuendo, sexual harassment (including a college age or older guy hitting on a high schooler), anaphylaxis, meditation, mention of seances and ouija boards, some LGBT side characters, underage alcohol consumption, sexual tension, kissing.
Pre-Read
Ahhh I actually won this in a Goodreads Giveaway!!! Looking forward to reading it! 😄
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Flirting with Murder by Amanda Sellet
Thank you to Wednesday Books, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for my gifted ARC. All opinions are mine, even the slightly sarcastic ones.
You know that feeling when you open a book and instantly think, “Oh yeah, this one’s going to be weird—but in the best possible way”? That’s Flirting with Murder. It’s quirky, theatrical, and packed with the kind of razor-sharp banter that makes you wish you were clever enough to keep up. Amanda Sellet throws us into a Florida retirement condo filled with stagey, mystery-obsessed geriatrics and then plops a pair of snarky teens into the middle of it. And somehow, it works like magic. Sticky, pastel, overly-sunscreened Florida magic.
Virginia Tillis is spending the summer with her grandma Lainey at Castle Claude—a garishly pink co-op where the retirees entertain themselves by staging elaborate murder mystery role-playing games they fondly call Killing Me Softly. Think live-action Clue, but with orthopedic shoes and better snacks. Virginia is no stranger to the game—she’s been coming here for years and knows how it works. But this summer is different. For starters, the building’s beloved owner, Claude, has actually died. For real. Not “pretend-murdered-for-fun” died. This time there’s a will, some sketchy relatives, greedy developers, and oh yeah—a second death that may or may not be a little too convenient.
Then there’s Felix. Cue the eye-roll, because of course Virginia meets a charming, smugly talented boy at the airport. Of course he ends up being the grandson of one of the other residents. And of course he’s as competitive as she is, especially when it comes to solving fake murders. Naturally, when an actual body shows up during a game, they team up—reluctantly, then less reluctantly, and then with growing romantic tension that’s cuter than it has any right to be.
The plot moves like a golf cart in a gated community—slow to start but with a surprising burst of speed once it gets going. The first half of the book leans more into quirky character introductions and Virginia’s internal monologue, which is full of Gen Z bite and classic theater kid flair. The murder mystery doesn’t kick into gear until halfway through, but once it does, it’s filled with red herrings, clues, misdirections, and exactly the kind of chaos you’d expect from a cast of amateur sleuths who spend most of their time sipping martinis by the pool and dramatically reading wills.
The heart of this story, though, isn’t really the mystery—it’s the relationships. Virginia’s bond with her grandma is warm and real and laced with a sadness that sneaks up on you when you least expect it. The author doesn’t shy away from addressing aging, grief, or the feeling of helplessness that comes when someone you love is getting older and you can’t stop time. Somehow, amidst the jokes and the fake deaths and the over-the-top condo drama, Sellet gives us a meditation on change and connection that’s honest and deeply heartfelt.
The romance is featherlight and sweet, more slow-burn than swoonfest, but that’s a good thing. Felix and Virginia don’t fall instantly in love. They’re weird. They clash. They irritate each other on purpose. And then they start to rely on each other. It’s friendship first, snark second, feelings third—which honestly feels more realistic than half the YA romances that leap straight into soulmates territory before chapter five.
But if I’m being brutally honest, there were times the banter went overboard. Every conversation doesn’t need to be a punchline. There were whole pages where I wanted to scream, “Just talk like normal people for five seconds!” But then someone would say something like “Do we think the hand lotion was poisoned, or just aggressively floral?” and I’d be right back on board.
So no, this book isn’t trying to be Agatha Christie with braces. It’s playing in the cozy mystery sandbox with a wink and a sugar-dusted donut. It’s for people who like their murder with a side of friendship bracelets and karaoke night. And if that sounds like your jam, then this will be your new comfort read.
To quote Virginia, who delivers one of the best one-liners of the entire book:
“The only thing more dangerous than an old woman with a motive is an old woman with a martini and a flair for dramatics.”
Sellet has carved out a perfect niche: a warm, weird, slightly absurd but lovable space where teenagers and retirees can join forces to take down killers and save their beloved Florida condo. Honestly, I’d read ten more of these. Make this a series. Give me a prequel. Give me a spinoff. Let Grandma Lainey have her own podcast. I’m in.
4.5 Stars
I knocked off half a star for the slightly saggy pacing and occasional dialogue fatigue, but this book is absolutely charming, endearing, and funny in all the ways that count. A hug in mystery form.
#FlirtingWithMurder #AmandaSellet #CozyYAMystery #NetGalleyReview #WednesdayBooks #GrandmaLaineyDeservesASpinOff #CastleClaudeCrew #OnlyMurdersInTheBuildingButMakeItYA #Bookstagram #CozyReads #MysteryRomCom #TeenDetectives #YAWhodunit #BookReviewersOfInstagram #ARCReview #MurderWithBanter
Thank you to Wednesday Books, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for my gifted ARC. All opinions are mine, even the slightly sarcastic ones.
You know that feeling when you open a book and instantly think, “Oh yeah, this one’s going to be weird—but in the best possible way”? That’s Flirting with Murder. It’s quirky, theatrical, and packed with the kind of razor-sharp banter that makes you wish you were clever enough to keep up. Amanda Sellet throws us into a Florida retirement condo filled with stagey, mystery-obsessed geriatrics and then plops a pair of snarky teens into the middle of it. And somehow, it works like magic. Sticky, pastel, overly-sunscreened Florida magic.
Virginia Tillis is spending the summer with her grandma Lainey at Castle Claude—a garishly pink co-op where the retirees entertain themselves by staging elaborate murder mystery role-playing games they fondly call Killing Me Softly. Think live-action Clue, but with orthopedic shoes and better snacks. Virginia is no stranger to the game—she’s been coming here for years and knows how it works. But this summer is different. For starters, the building’s beloved owner, Claude, has actually died. For real. Not “pretend-murdered-for-fun” died. This time there’s a will, some sketchy relatives, greedy developers, and oh yeah—a second death that may or may not be a little too convenient.
Then there’s Felix. Cue the eye-roll, because of course Virginia meets a charming, smugly talented boy at the airport. Of course he ends up being the grandson of one of the other residents. And of course he’s as competitive as she is, especially when it comes to solving fake murders. Naturally, when an actual body shows up during a game, they team up—reluctantly, then less reluctantly, and then with growing romantic tension that’s cuter than it has any right to be.
The plot moves like a golf cart in a gated community—slow to start but with a surprising burst of speed once it gets going. The first half of the book leans more into quirky character introductions and Virginia’s internal monologue, which is full of Gen Z bite and classic theater kid flair. The murder mystery doesn’t kick into gear until halfway through, but once it does, it’s filled with red herrings, clues, misdirections, and exactly the kind of chaos you’d expect from a cast of amateur sleuths who spend most of their time sipping martinis by the pool and dramatically reading wills.
The heart of this story, though, isn’t really the mystery—it’s the relationships. Virginia’s bond with her grandma is warm and real and laced with a sadness that sneaks up on you when you least expect it. The author doesn’t shy away from addressing aging, grief, or the feeling of helplessness that comes when someone you love is getting older and you can’t stop time. Somehow, amidst the jokes and the fake deaths and the over-the-top condo drama, Sellet gives us a meditation on change and connection that’s honest and deeply heartfelt.
The romance is featherlight and sweet, more slow-burn than swoonfest, but that’s a good thing. Felix and Virginia don’t fall instantly in love. They’re weird. They clash. They irritate each other on purpose. And then they start to rely on each other. It’s friendship first, snark second, feelings third—which honestly feels more realistic than half the YA romances that leap straight into soulmates territory before chapter five.
But if I’m being brutally honest, there were times the banter went overboard. Every conversation doesn’t need to be a punchline. There were whole pages where I wanted to scream, “Just talk like normal people for five seconds!” But then someone would say something like “Do we think the hand lotion was poisoned, or just aggressively floral?” and I’d be right back on board.
So no, this book isn’t trying to be Agatha Christie with braces. It’s playing in the cozy mystery sandbox with a wink and a sugar-dusted donut. It’s for people who like their murder with a side of friendship bracelets and karaoke night. And if that sounds like your jam, then this will be your new comfort read.
To quote Virginia, who delivers one of the best one-liners of the entire book:
“The only thing more dangerous than an old woman with a motive is an old woman with a martini and a flair for dramatics.”
Sellet has carved out a perfect niche: a warm, weird, slightly absurd but lovable space where teenagers and retirees can join forces to take down killers and save their beloved Florida condo. Honestly, I’d read ten more of these. Make this a series. Give me a prequel. Give me a spinoff. Let Grandma Lainey have her own podcast. I’m in.
4.5 Stars
I knocked off half a star for the slightly saggy pacing and occasional dialogue fatigue, but this book is absolutely charming, endearing, and funny in all the ways that count. A hug in mystery form.
#FlirtingWithMurder #AmandaSellet #CozyYAMystery #NetGalleyReview #WednesdayBooks #GrandmaLaineyDeservesASpinOff #CastleClaudeCrew #OnlyMurdersInTheBuildingButMakeItYA #Bookstagram #CozyReads #MysteryRomCom #TeenDetectives #YAWhodunit #BookReviewersOfInstagram #ARCReview #MurderWithBanter
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