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Castle Knoll Files #3
How to Cheat Your Own Death
Not yet published
Expected 28 Apr 26From the gritty streets of 1960s Soho to the lofty galleries of present-day West London, two interlocking mysteries decades apart unfold in this latest instalment in the award-winning, New York Times bestselling Castle Knoll Murder Mystery series
Some secrets are deadlier than others
1968: Frances Adams is loving her new London life, and she’s stepped into a world of glamour thanks to her new friend, Vera Huntington–a magnetic socialite as mysterious as she is provocative. Vera dances around London like she owns it, taking Frances with her.
Present day: When Annie Adams heads to London to visit her famous artist mother, Laura, the last thing she expects to find is a dead body. Least of all for it to be Laura’s new protégée, left in an alley with her heart surgically removed from her chest.
Annie is no stranger to murder–after all, she’s solved a few already. And something about this case feels familiar. She’s read about one just like it in the journals of her late great aunt Frances, whose friend Vera was killed in the 1960s in the exact same way.
As Annie investigates, threats pile up on Laura’s doorstep, and it soon becomes clear that she’s next. With her mother’s life on the line, can Annie find the killer before it’s too late?
Some secrets are deadlier than others
1968: Frances Adams is loving her new London life, and she’s stepped into a world of glamour thanks to her new friend, Vera Huntington–a magnetic socialite as mysterious as she is provocative. Vera dances around London like she owns it, taking Frances with her.
Present day: When Annie Adams heads to London to visit her famous artist mother, Laura, the last thing she expects to find is a dead body. Least of all for it to be Laura’s new protégée, left in an alley with her heart surgically removed from her chest.
Annie is no stranger to murder–after all, she’s solved a few already. And something about this case feels familiar. She’s read about one just like it in the journals of her late great aunt Frances, whose friend Vera was killed in the 1960s in the exact same way.
As Annie investigates, threats pile up on Laura’s doorstep, and it soon becomes clear that she’s next. With her mother’s life on the line, can Annie find the killer before it’s too late?
342 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication April 28, 2026
47 people are currently reading
16461 people want to read
About the author
Kristen Perrin
7 books1,884 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 171 reviews
January 19, 2026
Okay, I need to talk about this series because it has completely taken over my reading life and I'm not even sorry about it.
How to Cheat Your Own Death pulled me in from the first chapter and didn't let go until I'd devoured the whole thing in one sitting. Annie heads to London expecting some quality time with her artist mother Laura. Maybe some gallery hopping, maybe some overpriced wine. Instead she gets a dead body in an alleyway with its heart surgically removed. Classic vacation, really.
But here's where it gets creepy: Annie recognizes this murder. She's read about one exactly like it in her great aunt Frances's journals from the 1960s. Same method. Same surgical precision. Sixty years apart. My skin was crawling.
The dual timeline thing continues to work like absolute magic. Frances in swinging sixties London, swept up in the orbit of Vera Huntington, this impossibly glamorous socialite who dances through Soho like she owns the city, is everything I want from historical fiction. Smoky jazz clubs, dangerous secrets, fashion that makes me wish time travel existed. And then we snap back to present day Annie piecing together how a murder from her family's past is somehow connected to the body cooling in a London alley. The way these storylines weave together genuinely impresses me every single book.
Now let's talk about what I'm REALLY here for: Annie and Detective Crane. Their partnership. Their banter. Their obvious feelings for each other that neither will fully acknowledge. I am rooting for these two disaster humans so hard it's embarrassing. And this book? This book turns up the heat because the murder victim happens to be Crane's ex girlfriend. Who also maybe broke his heart. Who also maybe stole some money. The drama! The tension! The loaded silences! I was eating it up with a spoon.
Peony Lane's prophecy hanging over everything, "without its beating heart, your family will fall one by one," had me genuinely stressed. And when Laura calls Annie to say someone left an actual heart on her doorstep? I gasped out loud. On public transit. No shame.
The mystery kept me guessing way longer than I expected. I figured out the "who" before the "why," but the twists still landed and there were a few moments where I had to put the book down just to process. Ella Perrin knows exactly how to plant clues without making you feel stupid for missing them, which is harder than it looks.
What I love most about this series is that it never feels like it's running out of steam. Three books in and the stakes keep climbing, the relationships keep deepening, and Frances's journals keep revealing secrets that somehow stay relevant decades later. The London setting added this sharp, glamorous edge that felt different from Castle Knoll without losing the cozy murder mystery vibe I fell in love with.
And that ending? I won't spoil it but the cliffhanger left me staring at my ceiling at 2am trying to figure out where Ella Perrin is taking us next. The kind of ending that makes you want to shake the author gently and ask when book four is coming because the wait is going to be painful.
Huge, massive, cannot overstate it thanks to NetGalley and Dutton for sharing this historical mystery that just keeps getting better with every installment. I'm so grateful for the early copy in exchange for my honest review, and honestly, they couldn't stop me from shouting about this series if they tried.
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How to Cheat Your Own Death pulled me in from the first chapter and didn't let go until I'd devoured the whole thing in one sitting. Annie heads to London expecting some quality time with her artist mother Laura. Maybe some gallery hopping, maybe some overpriced wine. Instead she gets a dead body in an alleyway with its heart surgically removed. Classic vacation, really.
But here's where it gets creepy: Annie recognizes this murder. She's read about one exactly like it in her great aunt Frances's journals from the 1960s. Same method. Same surgical precision. Sixty years apart. My skin was crawling.
The dual timeline thing continues to work like absolute magic. Frances in swinging sixties London, swept up in the orbit of Vera Huntington, this impossibly glamorous socialite who dances through Soho like she owns the city, is everything I want from historical fiction. Smoky jazz clubs, dangerous secrets, fashion that makes me wish time travel existed. And then we snap back to present day Annie piecing together how a murder from her family's past is somehow connected to the body cooling in a London alley. The way these storylines weave together genuinely impresses me every single book.
Now let's talk about what I'm REALLY here for: Annie and Detective Crane. Their partnership. Their banter. Their obvious feelings for each other that neither will fully acknowledge. I am rooting for these two disaster humans so hard it's embarrassing. And this book? This book turns up the heat because the murder victim happens to be Crane's ex girlfriend. Who also maybe broke his heart. Who also maybe stole some money. The drama! The tension! The loaded silences! I was eating it up with a spoon.
Peony Lane's prophecy hanging over everything, "without its beating heart, your family will fall one by one," had me genuinely stressed. And when Laura calls Annie to say someone left an actual heart on her doorstep? I gasped out loud. On public transit. No shame.
The mystery kept me guessing way longer than I expected. I figured out the "who" before the "why," but the twists still landed and there were a few moments where I had to put the book down just to process. Ella Perrin knows exactly how to plant clues without making you feel stupid for missing them, which is harder than it looks.
What I love most about this series is that it never feels like it's running out of steam. Three books in and the stakes keep climbing, the relationships keep deepening, and Frances's journals keep revealing secrets that somehow stay relevant decades later. The London setting added this sharp, glamorous edge that felt different from Castle Knoll without losing the cozy murder mystery vibe I fell in love with.
And that ending? I won't spoil it but the cliffhanger left me staring at my ceiling at 2am trying to figure out where Ella Perrin is taking us next. The kind of ending that makes you want to shake the author gently and ask when book four is coming because the wait is going to be painful.
Huge, massive, cannot overstate it thanks to NetGalley and Dutton for sharing this historical mystery that just keeps getting better with every installment. I'm so grateful for the early copy in exchange for my honest review, and honestly, they couldn't stop me from shouting about this series if they tried.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
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March 6, 2026
Loving this series!!! Each book revolves around a murder that happened decades ago and somehow comes back to haunt people in the present time. A great-niece reads her aunt's journals and discovers strange connections to a woman who was once so fearful of being murdered it got her murdered. Witty. Strange. Intriguing. Well-plotted. Memorable characters. A few poignant moments. It's the kind of book you can truly let yourself wander and appreciate the differences between yesteryear and today. A welcome change to a standard modern thriller or cozy mystery; this series brings a bit of both with a panache of honesty about saying and doing the things you believe in.
January 19, 2026
Forget what I said about
How to Solve Your Own Murder
and
How to Seal Your Own Fate
; KP is back with the latest Castle Knoll novel, and she’s stepped up in her game.
No, but really.
Idk if she's read the feedback or if she just decided to go in a different direction, but my (and many others people) biggest problems with her narration are gone, and just like that this cozy mystery delivers what promised: a compelling investigation with a dual timeline, more pieces of Aunt Frances’s life, a will-they-won’t-they romance, and a purpose to our FMC.
For every little detail I could point out as “feeble”, there's the remainder that, in Annie’s world, it has been only like six months since it all began, but I had to wait three years to see her finally doing something with her life other than talk.
And that made her less annoying in my eyes, like a reprimand that the author knows what she's doing.
Also, this is the first time one of these novels ends with a hint at the future, and it's also the first time I'm actually excited about it.
↠ 3.5 stars
Thanks to Dutton and NetGalley, who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.
No, but really.
Idk if she's read the feedback or if she just decided to go in a different direction, but my (and many others people) biggest problems with her narration are gone, and just like that this cozy mystery delivers what promised: a compelling investigation with a dual timeline, more pieces of Aunt Frances’s life, a will-they-won’t-they romance, and a purpose to our FMC.
For every little detail I could point out as “feeble”, there's the remainder that, in Annie’s world, it has been only like six months since it all began, but I had to wait three years to see her finally doing something with her life other than talk.
And that made her less annoying in my eyes, like a reprimand that the author knows what she's doing.
Also, this is the first time one of these novels ends with a hint at the future, and it's also the first time I'm actually excited about it.
↠ 3.5 stars
Thanks to Dutton and NetGalley, who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.
Want to read
January 14, 2026I love this series!! AND THE COVER REVEAL TODAY! GORGEOUS!
I can't wait to read this!!
* ARC Rec'd! Thank you!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
I can't wait to read this!!
* ARC Rec'd! Thank you!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
February 9, 2026
4/5 ⭐️
I am so pleassssssed with how this third book turned out!
I excitedly anticipated the first book of this series and had such a fun time book clubbing with my best friend. Leading to me eagerly anticipating the second book of the series to unfortunately be pretty disappointed- but this is not a review of the first or second book! Moreover, just to emphasize how weary but curious I was for the third book in this series.
And gosh how happy am I to say I f*cking LOVED IT !!!! This has taken the gold for me in this series by far. Everything that disappointed me about the second book for example: Frances’ journal entries being extremely lackluster, Crane and Annie having a murder to solve that I didn’t really even care about. It just honestly dragged for me, so slow.
This book was the complete opposite, I loathed putting it down and when I had to, I yearned for it. Frances’ entries and era were so fun and formative. Connecting so many things for both the past and present timelines. Annie and Crane’s team mystery solving was fine- I definitely would’ve opted in to reading just Frances’ reflections, but A & C’s plot were interesting enough but at times felt like filler. Maybe that’s because the chemistry happening between Frances & Ford was everything and Annie and Crane had none….
The overarching mystery itself was enjoyable to hypothesize about. The characters were all interesting enough but didn’t overshadow the most entertaining/ essential ones. Loved how art centered -gallery openings, the university settings, metropolitan life as a woman. The subtle and large exposures of classism and sexism that are ruling powers in the art world and beyond. Intellectuality as a theme…. Chef’s kiss.
So many things.
I thoroughly enjoyed this read, thank you NetGalley & Kristen Perrin for the early copy!!! People are def going to enjoy.
I am so pleassssssed with how this third book turned out!
I excitedly anticipated the first book of this series and had such a fun time book clubbing with my best friend. Leading to me eagerly anticipating the second book of the series to unfortunately be pretty disappointed- but this is not a review of the first or second book! Moreover, just to emphasize how weary but curious I was for the third book in this series.
And gosh how happy am I to say I f*cking LOVED IT !!!! This has taken the gold for me in this series by far. Everything that disappointed me about the second book for example: Frances’ journal entries being extremely lackluster, Crane and Annie having a murder to solve that I didn’t really even care about. It just honestly dragged for me, so slow.
This book was the complete opposite, I loathed putting it down and when I had to, I yearned for it. Frances’ entries and era were so fun and formative. Connecting so many things for both the past and present timelines. Annie and Crane’s team mystery solving was fine- I definitely would’ve opted in to reading just Frances’ reflections, but A & C’s plot were interesting enough but at times felt like filler. Maybe that’s because the chemistry happening between Frances & Ford was everything and Annie and Crane had none….
The overarching mystery itself was enjoyable to hypothesize about. The characters were all interesting enough but didn’t overshadow the most entertaining/ essential ones. Loved how art centered -gallery openings, the university settings, metropolitan life as a woman. The subtle and large exposures of classism and sexism that are ruling powers in the art world and beyond. Intellectuality as a theme…. Chef’s kiss.
So many things.
I thoroughly enjoyed this read, thank you NetGalley & Kristen Perrin for the early copy!!! People are def going to enjoy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
thanks to NetGalley for the eARC
⭐️=3.25
summary: another mystery ft. gruesome deaths and ppl getting their hearts cut out and left on doorsteps and art drama and switching between 1960s diary entries and present day POVs and a haphazardly executed romantic sideplot
thoughts: I liked this! pretty run-of-the-mill for this series, which tends to be the same level of Pretty Okay! across the board, but I am intrigued by a particular element introduced in this book that will inevitably cause drama in later novels. basically this series gets the job done, it scratches the itch, people are murdered and then the mystery is solved and there’s an interesting structural element with the POV changes and intergenerational relationships. fun!
⭐️=3.25
summary: another mystery ft. gruesome deaths and ppl getting their hearts cut out and left on doorsteps and art drama and switching between 1960s diary entries and present day POVs and a haphazardly executed romantic sideplot
thoughts: I liked this! pretty run-of-the-mill for this series, which tends to be the same level of Pretty Okay! across the board, but I am intrigued by a particular element introduced in this book that will inevitably cause drama in later novels. basically this series gets the job done, it scratches the itch, people are murdered and then the mystery is solved and there’s an interesting structural element with the POV changes and intergenerational relationships. fun!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was provided an ARC by NetGalley in exchange for an honet review. This is the best in the series thus far, in my opinion. I feel like Perrin's writing improves with each installment. Occasionally, the dialogue is slightly unnatural feeling, but otherwise, I feel like it felt more seamless than the first two. I was wondering where Annie and Crane's sleuthing would take them next, and this was unexpected, yet totally plausible. Worth a try if you weren't in love with the first two!
January 15, 2026
4.5 stars
I absolutely adore this series and this was another great installment. I really love the characters especially Frances and Ford in this series. Watching their relationship grow was even more satisfying than Annie and Rowan.
Perrin does really great job creating two stories in one book that is interesting and captivating, This book wasn't quite as great as the first two but it still was really well done. I didn't find the mystery quite as interesting and Annie was a little grating to me at times.
I recommend this series to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries. This one does it well and I really love the romance subplots in this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton for this advanced Vader copy my review is voluntarily my own.
I absolutely adore this series and this was another great installment. I really love the characters especially Frances and Ford in this series. Watching their relationship grow was even more satisfying than Annie and Rowan.
Perrin does really great job creating two stories in one book that is interesting and captivating, This book wasn't quite as great as the first two but it still was really well done. I didn't find the mystery quite as interesting and Annie was a little grating to me at times.
I recommend this series to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries. This one does it well and I really love the romance subplots in this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton for this advanced Vader copy my review is voluntarily my own.
dnf
March 3, 2026Thank you to Dutton for this Advance Reader Copy in exchange for my honest review.
Unfortunately, I chose to DNF this title at 30%. While I will say, this CAN be read on its own, I went into this book without having read the first two books in the series, and I do suspect that affected my [lack of] connection to the characters and overall momentum of the plot.
The novel carries a distinct cozy mystery vibe/whodunnit with similarities to Agatha Christie–style storytelling. However, I struggled with the alternating timelines and shifts between past and present, which did not always flow seamlessly for me. At times, it was difficult to settle into the rhythm of the narrative. The plot did feel solid (ish), but not enough to captivate me fully. And I had sort of anticipated how some of the twists might potentially look.
That said, I do believe this would be a wonderful entry point for readers who are just beginning to explore the cozy mystery genre. Its classic structure and approachable tone make it accessible, particularly for those who enjoy traditional mysteries without overly dark or graphic elements.
Ultimately, this one wasn’t the right fit for me at this time, but I can absolutely see it resonating with the series’ established audience and newer cozy mystery readers alike.
The third installment in the Castle Knolls Files series will be published on April 28, 2026.
Unfortunately, I chose to DNF this title at 30%. While I will say, this CAN be read on its own, I went into this book without having read the first two books in the series, and I do suspect that affected my [lack of] connection to the characters and overall momentum of the plot.
The novel carries a distinct cozy mystery vibe/whodunnit with similarities to Agatha Christie–style storytelling. However, I struggled with the alternating timelines and shifts between past and present, which did not always flow seamlessly for me. At times, it was difficult to settle into the rhythm of the narrative. The plot did feel solid (ish), but not enough to captivate me fully. And I had sort of anticipated how some of the twists might potentially look.
That said, I do believe this would be a wonderful entry point for readers who are just beginning to explore the cozy mystery genre. Its classic structure and approachable tone make it accessible, particularly for those who enjoy traditional mysteries without overly dark or graphic elements.
Ultimately, this one wasn’t the right fit for me at this time, but I can absolutely see it resonating with the series’ established audience and newer cozy mystery readers alike.
The third installment in the Castle Knolls Files series will be published on April 28, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Cozy as a good chair, a warm blanket, and a rainy day. But, like, with disembodied meat sacks all over the place.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley and Dutton for providing me this eArc in exchange for an honest review!!
How to Cheat Your Own Death is a wonderful continuation of the Castle Knoll murder mystery series! I loved that this third book took place outside of Castle Knoll and found its way to London. The book kept me wanting more from the start!! I felt that this time around I truly couldn't guess correctly with the twists and turns, it was as if I was Annie and figuring it out with her and in her timing. I love that we get to see a little more romance and relationships grow deeper both in present day and see in Frances's time. I've never loved the back and forth of present day and Frances's journal entries more than this book!!
can't wait for the next book!! (and hopefully many more to come!)
How to Cheat Your Own Death is a wonderful continuation of the Castle Knoll murder mystery series! I loved that this third book took place outside of Castle Knoll and found its way to London. The book kept me wanting more from the start!! I felt that this time around I truly couldn't guess correctly with the twists and turns, it was as if I was Annie and figuring it out with her and in her timing. I love that we get to see a little more romance and relationships grow deeper both in present day and see in Frances's time. I've never loved the back and forth of present day and Frances's journal entries more than this book!!
can't wait for the next book!! (and hopefully many more to come!)
January 14, 2026
Twisty story, loved all the 1960’s historical chapters, and how that time influenced the modern day mystery. Think go-go boots, art, murder, and a slooooooow burn romance (we’re in book 3 and the main characters are still being dodgy about their feelings). I shall persist in the series, it’s fun! ARC received-read-reviewed, comes out 4/28!
January 17, 2026
I absolutely LOVED this one. I really enjoyed the first two books in this series but this is my favorite by far! I just could not put it down.
In present day, Annie is visiting her mother in London when she discovers the body of her mother’s new apprentice, Felicity Rowe. In the 1960s, Frances is pursuing a degree in psychology when her world is turned upside down after the murder of one of her friends, socialite Vera Huntington. As Annie begins to investigate, she notices a lot of similarities between these two cases. Could there be a connection between the brutal murders of these women whose lives were separated by decades?
I think the change of setting worked so well in this story. Seeing the characters outside of Castle Knoll allowed for a lot more development and depth. Annie’s chapters give us some insight into her strained relationship with her mother and her friendship with detective Crane. Frances’ chapters give us a greater understanding of how her psychology background influenced her investigative tendencies later in life. I also really enjoyed seeing Frances and Ford’s relationship evolve into the great love we know they shared.
This story felt more fast paced than her previous books and the mystery itself flowed better between the two timelines. I was engaged the entire time and could never predict all the twists and turns. This is just the best addition to the series and I could not recommend it more! The ending is also the perfect set up for a fourth book so fingers crossed that happens!
Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
In present day, Annie is visiting her mother in London when she discovers the body of her mother’s new apprentice, Felicity Rowe. In the 1960s, Frances is pursuing a degree in psychology when her world is turned upside down after the murder of one of her friends, socialite Vera Huntington. As Annie begins to investigate, she notices a lot of similarities between these two cases. Could there be a connection between the brutal murders of these women whose lives were separated by decades?
I think the change of setting worked so well in this story. Seeing the characters outside of Castle Knoll allowed for a lot more development and depth. Annie’s chapters give us some insight into her strained relationship with her mother and her friendship with detective Crane. Frances’ chapters give us a greater understanding of how her psychology background influenced her investigative tendencies later in life. I also really enjoyed seeing Frances and Ford’s relationship evolve into the great love we know they shared.
This story felt more fast paced than her previous books and the mystery itself flowed better between the two timelines. I was engaged the entire time and could never predict all the twists and turns. This is just the best addition to the series and I could not recommend it more! The ending is also the perfect set up for a fourth book so fingers crossed that happens!
Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Annie is back with another mystery to solve, but this one takes her to London, and to her past. Annie's artist mum is hiding something, something that changed the path of her career decades ago. Annie is convinced her long absent father, who happens to return around the same time Annie inherits her Great Aunt Frances's estate. And then Laura's protegee is found dead. Murdered. The murder mimicking one that took place years ago to Frances's friend Vera. Has the same killer struck again? Was it a copycat murder to throw off the trail? Annie, with the help of Detective Crane, sets out to find out the truth using Frances's journals to guide the way.
Kristen Perrin does not disappoint in this third installment of the Castle Knoll Murder Mystery series. She does a great job building on the prior two books and also providing enough supportive information if it's been a while since you read them. The dual timeline flows nicely with the one in the past supporting the current one step by step. The twist at the end ties everything up neatly while still leaving some secrets that have yet to be shared. I am hopeful that the author has set us up for a fourth installment in this cozy mystery series.
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.
Kristen Perrin does not disappoint in this third installment of the Castle Knoll Murder Mystery series. She does a great job building on the prior two books and also providing enough supportive information if it's been a while since you read them. The dual timeline flows nicely with the one in the past supporting the current one step by step. The twist at the end ties everything up neatly while still leaving some secrets that have yet to be shared. I am hopeful that the author has set us up for a fourth installment in this cozy mystery series.
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.
February 13, 2026
With each book you delve into the past with Frances Diary while Annie navigates the here and now in a crossover that just works. While Frances love story with Ford is a favorite of mine… I’m excited where Annie and Rowan might go.
This book introduces us to a whole new list of shady characters that of course wronged Frances and now Annie must uncover who did what while using a Diary to uncover who is responsible for yet another death. All the while her Father, Sam finally makes an appearance living up to the expectations that you knew he wasn’t a great guy…. But can Annie convince him to be a better man?
This book introduces us to a whole new list of shady characters that of course wronged Frances and now Annie must uncover who did what while using a Diary to uncover who is responsible for yet another death. All the while her Father, Sam finally makes an appearance living up to the expectations that you knew he wasn’t a great guy…. But can Annie convince him to be a better man?
January 13, 2026
I absolutely love this series and book three is a great addition. This one is set almost entirely in London and it continues the dual storyline between present day Annie and Frances in the 1960s. The plot gets a bit far fetched at times but overall I liked the mystery and it kept me guessing. It ends on a cliffhanger that has me excited for book four.
I received an ARC of this ebook from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
I received an ARC of this ebook from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
February 10, 2026
I appreciated the brisk pacing and the dual timelines, which added a compelling structural layer to the story. While it didn’t captivate me quite as strongly as the first two installments, it still carried the classic, Christie-esque charm that makes this series so enjoyable.
Thank you to NetGalley, Quercus Publishing, and Kristen Perrin for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley, Quercus Publishing, and Kristen Perrin for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
*I got this book from NetGalley for an honest review.*
Ahhhh, Castle Knoll Files #3. Do you remember in my review for Everyone in this Bank is a Thief when I said there were two books that I saw were coming out for series I enjoyed and I went hunting for them? (If not, it’s only a few entries back.) Well, this is the other book that I’m excited I was able to get my hands on to review. Funny enough, I think my first review entry for this blog was actually #2 in the series.
So! How to Cheat your Own Death… we’re partially back in Castle Knoll, or at least there are people related to Castle Knoll in this one as most of the story takes place in London. This is book 3 in the series and although this one can be read as a stand alone book, we’re now starting to get backgrounds and watch some relationships evolve from previous books. As a completionist, I’d be bothered by it but not everyone is like me. 🙂
The murder victim is an ex-girlfriend of Det. Crane who was also Annie’s mom’s apprentice. Small world, isn’t it. I won’t give away all the drama that comes with that but she was a twist I was not expecting. Although that twist is only there if you’ve read the other books. If you haven’t, there’s still some drama with it but it won’t hit as intensely. Anyway.
Before I start picking through the small things that floated around in my head while I read this, let me first say that I would totally give this book 4.5 stars. I enjoyed the journey of the who-done-it (and why) and will (do) recommend this series to any one of my friends or family that like reading murder mysteries. It was quick for me to get sucked in and I didn’t want to stop til I finished. The who was easier to figure out than the why and there were certainly twists that while I knew a twist was coming, I wasn’t sure what it was going to be. I also look forward to getting more into Rowan Crane’s mystery in book 4. You can feel free to stop here as what comes below are just my ramblings about overall issues with any murder mystery series but as they relate to this specific book/series.
So, if you’ve kept reading… there are three points that bother me a bit, although they don’t really interfere with the actual story. They made NO difference in how I rated the book. Just things that in real life would certainly play out differently.
The first one is that Det. Crane is out of his jurisdiction, never mind the conflict of interest… and yet here he is helping to solve the case. It’s addressed early in the book that he’s not looking into his ex’s murder but re-looking at the murder of one of Frances’s friends from the 1960s. But of course the cases are related as the victims died in a similar fashion, missing their heart, which means that theres not really a way to separate one investigation from the other. That line is dropped pretty quickly as there’s no mention of the police in London questioning his presence as it is not Castle Knoll or the whole conflict of interest part. That bothers me a bit. Maybe all of that works differently in London, I honestly don’t know. However, here in the states, there would be some fighting and stern warnings there. And possibly an arrest for interference in a case. Why the small town detective thinks he’s inserting himself into a case that happened in the big city is just too big for me to ignore. I’m imagining a Detective from say Poughkeepsie, NY who is going into New York City because he wanted to pull an old file with the very obvious connection with the current murder of someone he knows… and NYPD being ok with that. It’s easier to help the story flow at a quicker pace, but.
The second point isn’t specific to this book. It’s more to murder series in general whether in books or on a TV show. I loved to watch Murder, She Wrote re-runs when I was a kid. After a while though, I really started to question why a (lovable but nosy) writer had so many bodies dropping around her in both her small town and when she traveled. It’s a problem with all amateur sleuth books and shows. Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoy the stories and can ignore that while engrossed in the current mystery, but it’s the elephant in the room so to speak. Now there are ways one can go around that. If the series follows a detective/police officer, well that’s what they deal with all day every day – people committing crimes – which would include murders. In this case/series, while there is the detective that also flows with each story, he’s not exactly the main person the books are following… that would be Annie (and Frances) and the detective is just there to ‘protect her’ while trying to ignore his feelings for her. It’s something that’s purposely ignored by those of us who like to read and watch these because we can stay with familiar characters while the action relates to a different murder each time. It would never stop me from enjoying the hell out of a series but it does hover in the background.
The third point brings me back to the book series. In book 2, Peony Lane gives Annie a stack of sealed prophecies for different people. Now, in the first book, Frances was rather obsessed with the prophecy Peony gave her in her youth predicting her death… which didn’t happen until she was a lot older in age. Back in book 3, Annie is trying to decipher her own prophecy, which happens to come true after she reads the prophecy but not years later. The prophecy could have happened before she read it. It could have happened 30 years from when she read it. Throw in that she hasn’t read anyone else’s or even handed them out to the people they are for. The odds of Annie opening the one prophecy that is about to happen are, well, not great. It’s just convenient to get to the point without muddying up getting to the plot. (We all know life is much messier.) Annie doesn’t open her prophecy and then they have to solve someone else’s. And book 3 sets up for us to explore Rowan Crane’s prophecy in book 4. Don’t know what that is yet but the opening and reading of it will likely ignite it to start coming true right away. The odds of that happening multiple times in a row depending on how long the series goes on kind of brings this around as being similar to point 2 above. It works to keep different stories going but life is messy and none of these prophecies would be opened JUST in time to coincide with the next murder they come across. Although also like point 2, it won’t stop me from enjoying the series, it’s just another thing that hovers in the back of my mind.
Sorry, I’m being nit-picky about things that have been floating around murder mysteries for basically as long as they have been created. They really don’t interfere with me enjoying the books. I will be enjoying murder mysteries for as long as I’m able to read or watch TV. I’m looking forward to book 4 of this series, and will once again hunt for a copy of it before its release, just because I love them. So yeah, I give this one 4.5 stars and recommend the whole series to anyone who loves cozy murder mysteries like I do.
Ahhhh, Castle Knoll Files #3. Do you remember in my review for Everyone in this Bank is a Thief when I said there were two books that I saw were coming out for series I enjoyed and I went hunting for them? (If not, it’s only a few entries back.) Well, this is the other book that I’m excited I was able to get my hands on to review. Funny enough, I think my first review entry for this blog was actually #2 in the series.
So! How to Cheat your Own Death… we’re partially back in Castle Knoll, or at least there are people related to Castle Knoll in this one as most of the story takes place in London. This is book 3 in the series and although this one can be read as a stand alone book, we’re now starting to get backgrounds and watch some relationships evolve from previous books. As a completionist, I’d be bothered by it but not everyone is like me. 🙂
The murder victim is an ex-girlfriend of Det. Crane who was also Annie’s mom’s apprentice. Small world, isn’t it. I won’t give away all the drama that comes with that but she was a twist I was not expecting. Although that twist is only there if you’ve read the other books. If you haven’t, there’s still some drama with it but it won’t hit as intensely. Anyway.
Before I start picking through the small things that floated around in my head while I read this, let me first say that I would totally give this book 4.5 stars. I enjoyed the journey of the who-done-it (and why) and will (do) recommend this series to any one of my friends or family that like reading murder mysteries. It was quick for me to get sucked in and I didn’t want to stop til I finished. The who was easier to figure out than the why and there were certainly twists that while I knew a twist was coming, I wasn’t sure what it was going to be. I also look forward to getting more into Rowan Crane’s mystery in book 4. You can feel free to stop here as what comes below are just my ramblings about overall issues with any murder mystery series but as they relate to this specific book/series.
So, if you’ve kept reading… there are three points that bother me a bit, although they don’t really interfere with the actual story. They made NO difference in how I rated the book. Just things that in real life would certainly play out differently.
The first one is that Det. Crane is out of his jurisdiction, never mind the conflict of interest… and yet here he is helping to solve the case. It’s addressed early in the book that he’s not looking into his ex’s murder but re-looking at the murder of one of Frances’s friends from the 1960s. But of course the cases are related as the victims died in a similar fashion, missing their heart, which means that theres not really a way to separate one investigation from the other. That line is dropped pretty quickly as there’s no mention of the police in London questioning his presence as it is not Castle Knoll or the whole conflict of interest part. That bothers me a bit. Maybe all of that works differently in London, I honestly don’t know. However, here in the states, there would be some fighting and stern warnings there. And possibly an arrest for interference in a case. Why the small town detective thinks he’s inserting himself into a case that happened in the big city is just too big for me to ignore. I’m imagining a Detective from say Poughkeepsie, NY who is going into New York City because he wanted to pull an old file with the very obvious connection with the current murder of someone he knows… and NYPD being ok with that. It’s easier to help the story flow at a quicker pace, but.
The second point isn’t specific to this book. It’s more to murder series in general whether in books or on a TV show. I loved to watch Murder, She Wrote re-runs when I was a kid. After a while though, I really started to question why a (lovable but nosy) writer had so many bodies dropping around her in both her small town and when she traveled. It’s a problem with all amateur sleuth books and shows. Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoy the stories and can ignore that while engrossed in the current mystery, but it’s the elephant in the room so to speak. Now there are ways one can go around that. If the series follows a detective/police officer, well that’s what they deal with all day every day – people committing crimes – which would include murders. In this case/series, while there is the detective that also flows with each story, he’s not exactly the main person the books are following… that would be Annie (and Frances) and the detective is just there to ‘protect her’ while trying to ignore his feelings for her. It’s something that’s purposely ignored by those of us who like to read and watch these because we can stay with familiar characters while the action relates to a different murder each time. It would never stop me from enjoying the hell out of a series but it does hover in the background.
The third point brings me back to the book series. In book 2, Peony Lane gives Annie a stack of sealed prophecies for different people. Now, in the first book, Frances was rather obsessed with the prophecy Peony gave her in her youth predicting her death… which didn’t happen until she was a lot older in age. Back in book 3, Annie is trying to decipher her own prophecy, which happens to come true after she reads the prophecy but not years later. The prophecy could have happened before she read it. It could have happened 30 years from when she read it. Throw in that she hasn’t read anyone else’s or even handed them out to the people they are for. The odds of Annie opening the one prophecy that is about to happen are, well, not great. It’s just convenient to get to the point without muddying up getting to the plot. (We all know life is much messier.) Annie doesn’t open her prophecy and then they have to solve someone else’s. And book 3 sets up for us to explore Rowan Crane’s prophecy in book 4. Don’t know what that is yet but the opening and reading of it will likely ignite it to start coming true right away. The odds of that happening multiple times in a row depending on how long the series goes on kind of brings this around as being similar to point 2 above. It works to keep different stories going but life is messy and none of these prophecies would be opened JUST in time to coincide with the next murder they come across. Although also like point 2, it won’t stop me from enjoying the series, it’s just another thing that hovers in the back of my mind.
Sorry, I’m being nit-picky about things that have been floating around murder mysteries for basically as long as they have been created. They really don’t interfere with me enjoying the books. I will be enjoying murder mysteries for as long as I’m able to read or watch TV. I’m looking forward to book 4 of this series, and will once again hunt for a copy of it before its release, just because I love them. So yeah, I give this one 4.5 stars and recommend the whole series to anyone who loves cozy murder mysteries like I do.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
How to Cheat Your Death is the third outing for the Castle Knoll series by Kristen Perrin. Just as before, there’s a dual timeline. The diary entries of Frances Adams cover the past (this time late 1968), and Annie Adams represents the present. The murder of the present always reflects an event of the past, and this time an artist named Fliss turns up dead in a skip with her heart removed. Not only is she the new apprentice to Annie’s mother, but she’s the former lover of Annie’s romantic interest, Rowan Crane. Awkward! Fliss’s death mirrors the murder of Vera Huntington from over a half century earlier, which implies the real killer might not have been originally caught.
My thoughts:
Positives:
+I love that Frances and Annie’s relationships with Ford and Crane are similar. Both click with the men because they understand their need for investigating and getting involved in murder, and the men don’t stop them (unless, of course, it’s necessary, like Crane keeping Annie from where she’s legally not allowed).
+This one seemed to flow better than the second one and possibly even the first. At the very least, Annie is certainly throwing her all in to investigating and seems to have plausible reasons to be wading in given that it involves her mother and essentially happened just outside her mother’s place.
+The murders to me actually fit together in a way that was satisfying. The whole diary thing can be a bit contrived, IE, “look, this is just like what Frances wrote about! What a coincidence!” But this time it really makes sense (but I won’t spoil).
+ In my review for the last book, I remember I found the novel to be good but yearned for more interaction between Crane and Annie and I’m quite happy to say this book definitely provided that! They’re working together every step of the way, he’s at her place trying to keep watch over her, she’s tagging along to go question people—it’s great! Even the simplest little “xx” made me go “aw! Cute!”
Which leads me directly to my negative:
-No God please don’t let the next instalment involve a love triangle. It’s wild to me Annie exults over an xx sent from Crane and then, after a certain mishap, is immediately like “it’s nice to be noticed in that way” when promptly asked for her number by another man. “What else was I supposed to do?” SAY NO? You didn’t have a gun to your head?? It’s wild she’s upset at the notion that Crane was merely TALKING to a woman he dated years ago, but she’s giving her number to a man with the promise of future dates(!!). I really, really hope that if there is tension to keep them apart to further the slow burn, it sits solely with Crane’s past and not because Annie’s got a cute doctor she can hook up with.
I would recommend this for people who like a modern day cosy murder with a dash of historical fiction provided by Frances Adams. It reads quickly, and there are enough twists to keep it interesting.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
My thoughts:
Positives:
+I love that Frances and Annie’s relationships with Ford and Crane are similar. Both click with the men because they understand their need for investigating and getting involved in murder, and the men don’t stop them (unless, of course, it’s necessary, like Crane keeping Annie from where she’s legally not allowed).
+This one seemed to flow better than the second one and possibly even the first. At the very least, Annie is certainly throwing her all in to investigating and seems to have plausible reasons to be wading in given that it involves her mother and essentially happened just outside her mother’s place.
+The murders to me actually fit together in a way that was satisfying. The whole diary thing can be a bit contrived, IE, “look, this is just like what Frances wrote about! What a coincidence!” But this time it really makes sense (but I won’t spoil).
+ In my review for the last book, I remember I found the novel to be good but yearned for more interaction between Crane and Annie and I’m quite happy to say this book definitely provided that! They’re working together every step of the way, he’s at her place trying to keep watch over her, she’s tagging along to go question people—it’s great! Even the simplest little “xx” made me go “aw! Cute!”
Which leads me directly to my negative:
-No God please don’t let the next instalment involve a love triangle. It’s wild to me Annie exults over an xx sent from Crane and then, after a certain mishap, is immediately like “it’s nice to be noticed in that way” when promptly asked for her number by another man. “What else was I supposed to do?” SAY NO? You didn’t have a gun to your head?? It’s wild she’s upset at the notion that Crane was merely TALKING to a woman he dated years ago, but she’s giving her number to a man with the promise of future dates(!!). I really, really hope that if there is tension to keep them apart to further the slow burn, it sits solely with Crane’s past and not because Annie’s got a cute doctor she can hook up with.
I would recommend this for people who like a modern day cosy murder with a dash of historical fiction provided by Frances Adams. It reads quickly, and there are enough twists to keep it interesting.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 24, 2026
Thank you NetGalley, Dutton, and Kristen Perrin for this e-ARC!
Last year, one of my best friends recommended Perrin’s debut novel to me, and I promptly devoured both How to Solve Your Own Murder and How to Seal Your Own Fate within the same month. From the very beginning, I was hooked by Perrin’s clever plotting, charmingly eccentric characters, and the irresistible coziness of her mysteries. So when I found out she was releasing the third installment in the series, I knew I had to get my hands on the e-ARC and I was obviously thrilled when my request was approved.
Perrin returns with yet another deliciously cozy English mystery that perfectly balances intrigue, atmosphere, and heart. How to Cheat Your Own Death was an absolute delight from start to finish and had me burning the midnight oil through the final 150 pages, completely unable to put it down until I knew how everything unfolded. The pacing is especially strong in this installment, with twists and revelations dropped at just the right moments to keep the story moving and the tension simmering.
This book also builds beautifully on the emotional groundwork laid in the earlier novels, particularly when it comes to the romance between Annie and (Rowan) Crane. Perrin finally allows their slow-burn connection to ignite in a way that feels earned, natural, and deeply satisfying. Loyal readers will be thrilled to see their relationship take more center stage in this one, and I couldn’t help but smile watching the sparks fly between these two.
While I did manage to predict the major plot twist around the 80% mark, that didn’t detract from my enjoyment while finishing the novel. Seeing how all the puzzle pieces officially clicked into place was incredibly rewarding, and Perrin’s execution made the journey just as enjoyable as the reveal itself. I also appreciated the shift in setting for this installment. Although Castle Knoll will always feel like home, the move to Chelsea/London offered a refreshing change of scenery that added new energy and atmosphere to the story.
One of my absolute favorite aspects of this series is the dual timelines following Annie and her Aunt Frances. This narrative structure adds remarkable depth to the story and creates the feeling that the two women are solving mysteries together across time. It’s a beautifully executed literary device that strengthens the emotional core of the series, and I sincerely hope Perrin continues to use it in future installments.
Overall, How to Cheat Your Own Death is a charming, addictive addition to an already standout cozy mystery series. With its engaging mystery, lovable characters, and clever structure, this book only deepened my love for Perrin’s storytelling and left me eagerly anticipating whatever story she has planned next in the series.
Last year, one of my best friends recommended Perrin’s debut novel to me, and I promptly devoured both How to Solve Your Own Murder and How to Seal Your Own Fate within the same month. From the very beginning, I was hooked by Perrin’s clever plotting, charmingly eccentric characters, and the irresistible coziness of her mysteries. So when I found out she was releasing the third installment in the series, I knew I had to get my hands on the e-ARC and I was obviously thrilled when my request was approved.
Perrin returns with yet another deliciously cozy English mystery that perfectly balances intrigue, atmosphere, and heart. How to Cheat Your Own Death was an absolute delight from start to finish and had me burning the midnight oil through the final 150 pages, completely unable to put it down until I knew how everything unfolded. The pacing is especially strong in this installment, with twists and revelations dropped at just the right moments to keep the story moving and the tension simmering.
This book also builds beautifully on the emotional groundwork laid in the earlier novels, particularly when it comes to the romance between Annie and (Rowan) Crane. Perrin finally allows their slow-burn connection to ignite in a way that feels earned, natural, and deeply satisfying. Loyal readers will be thrilled to see their relationship take more center stage in this one, and I couldn’t help but smile watching the sparks fly between these two.
While I did manage to predict the major plot twist around the 80% mark, that didn’t detract from my enjoyment while finishing the novel. Seeing how all the puzzle pieces officially clicked into place was incredibly rewarding, and Perrin’s execution made the journey just as enjoyable as the reveal itself. I also appreciated the shift in setting for this installment. Although Castle Knoll will always feel like home, the move to Chelsea/London offered a refreshing change of scenery that added new energy and atmosphere to the story.
One of my absolute favorite aspects of this series is the dual timelines following Annie and her Aunt Frances. This narrative structure adds remarkable depth to the story and creates the feeling that the two women are solving mysteries together across time. It’s a beautifully executed literary device that strengthens the emotional core of the series, and I sincerely hope Perrin continues to use it in future installments.
Overall, How to Cheat Your Own Death is a charming, addictive addition to an already standout cozy mystery series. With its engaging mystery, lovable characters, and clever structure, this book only deepened my love for Perrin’s storytelling and left me eagerly anticipating whatever story she has planned next in the series.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I reviewed an ARC received on the NetGalley platform.
I’ve read both previous books in this series by Kristen Perrin and wasn’t quite sure what to expect going into this one. How to Solve Your Own Murder was a five-star read for me and one of my favorite books of 2024. Because of that, I eagerly picked up How to Seal Your Own Fate when it was released—but ultimately felt a bit disappointed, rating it 3.5 stars. I’m happy to report that How to Cheat Your Own Death fully reengaged me in both the story and the characters, and I enjoyed it almost as much as the first book. I felt genuinely compelled to keep reading, constantly wondering what would happen next. While some elements unfolded as expected, much of the story felt unpredictable and satisfyingly twisty.
Between the grotesque animal remains left on doorsteps and the visceral artwork in Annie’s timeline, combined with the nefarious manipulation and power plays unfolding in Frances’s, the murder and mystery here felt darker and more sinister than in the previous installments, which I personally loved. That said, this may not be the book for readers hoping for another cozy murder mystery.
My favorite aspect of this series continues to be the way Perrin weaves the dual timelines together as the mystery unravels. It blends the best elements of historical fiction with the intricacies of a modern-day mystery in a way that feels fresh and unique. I will admit, though, that my brain is so conditioned to classic mysteries being set in the 1920s or ’30s that I repeatedly had to remind myself Frances’s story actually takes place in the 1960s. Every pop culture reference triggered a brief “oh right!” moment for me.
Another element that really worked was the deeper exploration of the characters, especially Frances. This book felt like the origin story she deserved, rather than reducing her to a neurotic obsession with Peony’s fortune as a plot device. She became much more fully realized, evolving beyond an eccentric figure from Annie and Laura’s past. I continued to enjoy Annie as a protagonist, though some of her decisions were admittedly maddening. The tension between her and Rowan was hit or miss for me, but I did appreciate the slow “will they, won’t they” progression of their relationship. The uncertainty and “is he into me?” inner dialogue felt very real and relatable. And honestly, who doesn’t enjoy a bit of romantic tension?
I could have done without the Sam storyline, though. He largely felt like filler to me, but I suppose every mystery needs its extra suspects. Maybe book four will uncover more of his seedy backstory and change my mind.
Overall, I’d give How to Cheat Your Own Death four stars.
I’ve read both previous books in this series by Kristen Perrin and wasn’t quite sure what to expect going into this one. How to Solve Your Own Murder was a five-star read for me and one of my favorite books of 2024. Because of that, I eagerly picked up How to Seal Your Own Fate when it was released—but ultimately felt a bit disappointed, rating it 3.5 stars. I’m happy to report that How to Cheat Your Own Death fully reengaged me in both the story and the characters, and I enjoyed it almost as much as the first book. I felt genuinely compelled to keep reading, constantly wondering what would happen next. While some elements unfolded as expected, much of the story felt unpredictable and satisfyingly twisty.
Between the grotesque animal remains left on doorsteps and the visceral artwork in Annie’s timeline, combined with the nefarious manipulation and power plays unfolding in Frances’s, the murder and mystery here felt darker and more sinister than in the previous installments, which I personally loved. That said, this may not be the book for readers hoping for another cozy murder mystery.
My favorite aspect of this series continues to be the way Perrin weaves the dual timelines together as the mystery unravels. It blends the best elements of historical fiction with the intricacies of a modern-day mystery in a way that feels fresh and unique. I will admit, though, that my brain is so conditioned to classic mysteries being set in the 1920s or ’30s that I repeatedly had to remind myself Frances’s story actually takes place in the 1960s. Every pop culture reference triggered a brief “oh right!” moment for me.
Another element that really worked was the deeper exploration of the characters, especially Frances. This book felt like the origin story she deserved, rather than reducing her to a neurotic obsession with Peony’s fortune as a plot device. She became much more fully realized, evolving beyond an eccentric figure from Annie and Laura’s past. I continued to enjoy Annie as a protagonist, though some of her decisions were admittedly maddening. The tension between her and Rowan was hit or miss for me, but I did appreciate the slow “will they, won’t they” progression of their relationship. The uncertainty and “is he into me?” inner dialogue felt very real and relatable. And honestly, who doesn’t enjoy a bit of romantic tension?
I could have done without the Sam storyline, though. He largely felt like filler to me, but I suppose every mystery needs its extra suspects. Maybe book four will uncover more of his seedy backstory and change my mind.
Overall, I’d give How to Cheat Your Own Death four stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book. I loved it. Truly.
Lately, I’ve found myself reading a lot of second or third books in a series, and honestly? It’s been such a comfort. The character development is richer, the world feels lived-in, and slipping back into it is like putting on a familiar, cozy coat. This book especially felt like coming home.
I remember reading the first book in this series and being immediately hooked. The concept felt so fresh: a murder has already happened, and the mystery must be solved by combing through decades of meticulous journals, searching for that one crucial detail hidden in a haystack. I grew up devouring mysteries by Mary Higgins Clark, Harlan Coben, and James Patterson, to the point where I got very good at spotting twists early. Eventually, mysteries lost some of their magic for me and I drifted toward other genres. So being genuinely surprised again by Book One felt like a gift. I also loved Annie right away, her grit, her motivations, and her choices all felt believable and earned.
Book Two, though… I struggled. It felt like a slog, and I found myself wondering whether this really needed to be a series. It tried to do too much, and I didn’t enjoy it nearly as much as the first.
So when Dutton provided this book as an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, I’ll admit I went in a little skeptical. But I was so pleasantly surprised. This book reminded me of everything that made Book One work so well. The focus felt sharper, the pacing stronger, and the story more grounded. I loved diving deeper into Aunt Frances’s journals, and the dual timeline was easy to follow and genuinely engaging. And the romance: the will they, won’t they, absolutely worked for me, though I really hope we get some resolution in the next book. I also loved the introduction of Kabir.
I was pulled in immediately, and I found this book genuinely hard to put down. Setting this installment in London instead of Castle Knoll was another win. I adore Castle Knoll and its cast of characters, but this change of scenery felt refreshing without losing the cozy mystery vibe that makes this series special.
I’m incredibly grateful to NetGalley and Dutton for sharing this book with me. After my last read left me feeling a little disconnected, this one reignited my love of reading. It was comforting, absorbing, and exactly the kind of cozy escape I needed at the right moment.
Lately, I’ve found myself reading a lot of second or third books in a series, and honestly? It’s been such a comfort. The character development is richer, the world feels lived-in, and slipping back into it is like putting on a familiar, cozy coat. This book especially felt like coming home.
I remember reading the first book in this series and being immediately hooked. The concept felt so fresh: a murder has already happened, and the mystery must be solved by combing through decades of meticulous journals, searching for that one crucial detail hidden in a haystack. I grew up devouring mysteries by Mary Higgins Clark, Harlan Coben, and James Patterson, to the point where I got very good at spotting twists early. Eventually, mysteries lost some of their magic for me and I drifted toward other genres. So being genuinely surprised again by Book One felt like a gift. I also loved Annie right away, her grit, her motivations, and her choices all felt believable and earned.
Book Two, though… I struggled. It felt like a slog, and I found myself wondering whether this really needed to be a series. It tried to do too much, and I didn’t enjoy it nearly as much as the first.
So when Dutton provided this book as an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, I’ll admit I went in a little skeptical. But I was so pleasantly surprised. This book reminded me of everything that made Book One work so well. The focus felt sharper, the pacing stronger, and the story more grounded. I loved diving deeper into Aunt Frances’s journals, and the dual timeline was easy to follow and genuinely engaging. And the romance: the will they, won’t they, absolutely worked for me, though I really hope we get some resolution in the next book. I also loved the introduction of Kabir.
I was pulled in immediately, and I found this book genuinely hard to put down. Setting this installment in London instead of Castle Knoll was another win. I adore Castle Knoll and its cast of characters, but this change of scenery felt refreshing without losing the cozy mystery vibe that makes this series special.
I’m incredibly grateful to NetGalley and Dutton for sharing this book with me. After my last read left me feeling a little disconnected, this one reignited my love of reading. It was comforting, absorbing, and exactly the kind of cozy escape I needed at the right moment.
Review of advance copy received from Storygraph
How to Cheat Your Own Death is the third book in Kristen Perrin’s Castle Knoll Murder Mystery series. This book flips between present day with Annie, who we know from previous books, and the 1960s when her great aunt Frances a college student in London. Initially, I found the flip-flopping between time frames to be difficult to follow at times until the pieces began to fall into place a bit. It even took me a while to realize the identity of Annie, the narrator, in the present-day period, as she wasn’t really identified by name for several pages; we merely read her references to Frances, Peony Lane’s fortunes, and to her Mum. I was rather slow on the uptake, and it took me quite a few chapters to engage.
When her mother’s apprentice is found murdered, Annie has an eerie feeling. She has read many Frances’s journals and recognizes something quite familiar about this present-day killing. She pairs with Detective Crane – okay, one must suspend belief because she’s a civilian, but she does have a history of having some experience with solving murders, as we know from past experiences. And Crane had a previous relationship with the victim, which makes the situation even more intense, at least for Annie.
The reader is privy to the identities of Frances’s friends and companions and to her experiences, and it makes one wonder what effect all those events might have had on the present-day crime. The author has done a wonderful job tying the past and present together while building suspense in the mystery, as well as creating a romantic tension between characters. If I started out feeling rather confused and let down, I finished the book feeling satisfied and looking forward to another Castle Knoll adventure.
I received a digital copy of How to Cheat Your Own Deathas an ARC. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Thanks to NetGalley, Dutton, and the author.
3 ½ stars rounded up.
When her mother’s apprentice is found murdered, Annie has an eerie feeling. She has read many Frances’s journals and recognizes something quite familiar about this present-day killing. She pairs with Detective Crane – okay, one must suspend belief because she’s a civilian, but she does have a history of having some experience with solving murders, as we know from past experiences. And Crane had a previous relationship with the victim, which makes the situation even more intense, at least for Annie.
The reader is privy to the identities of Frances’s friends and companions and to her experiences, and it makes one wonder what effect all those events might have had on the present-day crime. The author has done a wonderful job tying the past and present together while building suspense in the mystery, as well as creating a romantic tension between characters. If I started out feeling rather confused and let down, I finished the book feeling satisfied and looking forward to another Castle Knoll adventure.
I received a digital copy of How to Cheat Your Own Deathas an ARC. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Thanks to NetGalley, Dutton, and the author.
3 ½ stars rounded up.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Annie Adams knows a thing or two about murder. She's actually solved a few including her Aunt Frances as well Peony Lane, the fortune teller who foretold Frances' murder. The discovery of her own fortune from Peony Lane has left her shaken but she has little time to figure out what it means. Her mum has been acting strange. She's taken in a young artist Felicity Rowe as a mentee. But when her mum calls and says a heart has been left on her doorstep, Annie quickly rushes to her aid. Soon Annie discovers that Felicity has been murdered and her heart has been cut iut. What's even more frightening is the eerie connection to a case decades earlier involving one of Frances' friends. Now Annie must not only solve Felicity as murder but a cold case as well. But the investigation will cause many secrets to be revealed: from Annie's mum to her absent father to her investigative partner Detective Rowan Crane who Annie clearly has feelings for but hasn't figured out what to do about them yet.
In this third installment of the Castle Knoll series, Kristin Perrin again serves up a page-turning mystery combining the modern day with late 1960s Soho. She manages to weave the two timelines again into one twisty mystery. There is also the added benefit of the reluctant detective in Annie. She is clever and sometimes a little too sarcastic for her own good. But that is what makes her so likeable.
When I was the first novel in the series, How To Solve Your Own Murder, I hoped we would get to see more of Annie. While at first she was reluctantly drawn into solving murders, she now embraces that role understanding that justice needs to be done and that sometimes she is the only person who can make that happen. Hopefully we will gave more of Annie's adventures to look forward to in the future.
Special thanks to Dutton Books and NetGalley for allowing me to review this book. No other consideration was received in exchange for this review.
In this third installment of the Castle Knoll series, Kristin Perrin again serves up a page-turning mystery combining the modern day with late 1960s Soho. She manages to weave the two timelines again into one twisty mystery. There is also the added benefit of the reluctant detective in Annie. She is clever and sometimes a little too sarcastic for her own good. But that is what makes her so likeable.
When I was the first novel in the series, How To Solve Your Own Murder, I hoped we would get to see more of Annie. While at first she was reluctantly drawn into solving murders, she now embraces that role understanding that justice needs to be done and that sometimes she is the only person who can make that happen. Hopefully we will gave more of Annie's adventures to look forward to in the future.
Special thanks to Dutton Books and NetGalley for allowing me to review this book. No other consideration was received in exchange for this review.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
📱📖 Read on Kindle
📃 336 pages | ⏱️ Approx. 4 hours
🏷️ Publisher: Dutton | 📅 Publication date: April 28, 2026
✨ ARC provided by Edelweiss
🗂️ Genre: Mystery
“I drink my coffee dark, just like my soul” hits very differently after this one. When my Edelweiss ARC for book three landed, I thought rereading book two would help me ease back into Castle Knoll. Reader, I was unprepared anyway. This is hands-down the darkest, most diabolical entry in the series so far, and I mean that as the highest compliment.
Kristen Perrin leans hard into the psychological here. Frances’s diaries aren’t just atmospheric; they’re unsettling, intimate, and emotionally loaded. Watching her relationship with Ford deepen, understanding why they eventually choose each other after everything they’ve endured, adds so much heart to an otherwise cerebral, mind-bending mystery. Meanwhile, Annie’s storyline ramps up the stakes in real time as she pieces together the horrifying link between her mother’s present-day danger and Frances’s long-buried past.
Perrin crafts a masterclass: Vivid diary narration lets Annie smartly link clues, looping in cop Rowan Crane transparently. No dumb secrets, just team backup. Their synergy cracks the case sharper than solo sleuths in lesser mysteries. The ending teases #4's escalation. I'm hooked. This 336-page ebook flew by in 4 hours, proving ARC hype for Dutton's April 2026 release. This isn’t cozy. Not even close. But it is gripping, emotionally rich, and impossible to put down.
Would I recommend it?
Loved this the best in the Castle Knoll Files so far. If you’ve been following the Castle Knoll Files, this is the standout instalment. This is the one where Perrin fully flexes her storytelling muscles. Dark, layered, emotionally sharp, and deeply satisfying, this book proves the series isn’t afraid to evolve beyond its cozy roots. Add this to your TBR and mark the date on your calendar. Can't wait for more Annie and Frances!
📃 336 pages | ⏱️ Approx. 4 hours
🏷️ Publisher: Dutton | 📅 Publication date: April 28, 2026
✨ ARC provided by Edelweiss
🗂️ Genre: Mystery
“I drink my coffee dark, just like my soul” hits very differently after this one. When my Edelweiss ARC for book three landed, I thought rereading book two would help me ease back into Castle Knoll. Reader, I was unprepared anyway. This is hands-down the darkest, most diabolical entry in the series so far, and I mean that as the highest compliment.
Kristen Perrin leans hard into the psychological here. Frances’s diaries aren’t just atmospheric; they’re unsettling, intimate, and emotionally loaded. Watching her relationship with Ford deepen, understanding why they eventually choose each other after everything they’ve endured, adds so much heart to an otherwise cerebral, mind-bending mystery. Meanwhile, Annie’s storyline ramps up the stakes in real time as she pieces together the horrifying link between her mother’s present-day danger and Frances’s long-buried past.
Perrin crafts a masterclass: Vivid diary narration lets Annie smartly link clues, looping in cop Rowan Crane transparently. No dumb secrets, just team backup. Their synergy cracks the case sharper than solo sleuths in lesser mysteries. The ending teases #4's escalation. I'm hooked. This 336-page ebook flew by in 4 hours, proving ARC hype for Dutton's April 2026 release. This isn’t cozy. Not even close. But it is gripping, emotionally rich, and impossible to put down.
Would I recommend it?
Loved this the best in the Castle Knoll Files so far. If you’ve been following the Castle Knoll Files, this is the standout instalment. This is the one where Perrin fully flexes her storytelling muscles. Dark, layered, emotionally sharp, and deeply satisfying, this book proves the series isn’t afraid to evolve beyond its cozy roots. Add this to your TBR and mark the date on your calendar. Can't wait for more Annie and Frances!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Kristin Perrin's new Castle Knoll murder mystery, How to Cheat Your Own Death, is here—and it's a corker. Amateur sleuth Annie Adams, who has inherited her Aunt Frances's fortune, is coming to terms with her new home, a crumbling pile called Gravesdown Hall, when her phone rings. It's her mother Laura, an artist who lives in Frances's equally elegant but distressed townhome in London. And she has bad news. Someone has left an animal heart on her doorstep, and her young apprentice is missing. Before long, Annie is on the trail of a murderer alongside her Castle Knoll crush, Detective Rowan Crane. But they're not the only sleuths in this murder mystery, which relies on time travel, and a sense of the gothic, to propel the narrative. Because Aunt Frances, although deceased, is very much in the mix. How to Cheat Your Own Death splits the narrative between Annie's present day sleuthing and the 1960s. Traveling back in time, we meet a young Frances, a baker's daughter from the provinces, who crosses paths with three people who will change the course of her of her life: Max and Vera, the children of a wealthy family, and Max's girlfriend, Elaine. With enough red herrings to keep even the most jaded reader on his or her toes, How to Cheat Your Own Death melds past and present into a plot that shows the past was not that long ago, and that even the deepest secrets are just waiting for the right person to reveal them. Perrin's book combines elements of gothic horror, police procedural, art world shenanigans, class and generational differences, and evil in high and low places in a way that will keep readers in their seats.
Many thanks to NetGalley for an ARC.
Many thanks to NetGalley for an ARC.
February 10, 2026
This might be my favorite of the Castle Knoll Files series yet. The book captivated me from the start when Annie finds a dead body with a heart missing and recalls the same crime from Aunt Frances’s diary—60 years ago.
I fell in love so easily with the book because the characters are already developed. The first two books give you a sense of familiarity, you’ve been here before. It’s like the annual family vacation, you catch up with the characters to see what they’ve been doing in the mean time but there’s no need for introductions.
I especially enjoyed being able to jump right in to the development of Frances and Ford’s relationship since they have always been at arms length in past books, but I know how their story ends. I was most happy to be reunited with Annie, Rowan Crane and their banter lol. I was so eager to see how their friendship transpired… Let’s just say I am left wanting more, in the best way possible.
I’ve always enjoyed the dual timelines of this series. This book in particular, I favored the writing style of Frances’s journals. They’re like little time machines transporting you back sixty years and I think Perrin’s execution was flawless. I felt like I was in Chelsea in the late 1960s… I say as someone who has never been to England and was born in the 90s!
My only set back was that there are a lot of characters and you’re jumping back and forth at different points in time, so I had to reread a few parts to make sure I had everyone in line. Either way, this was my favorite of the Castle Knoll series and fingers crossed there will be a fourth!! A big thanks to NetGalley, Dutton and Kristen Perrin for the e-ARC.
I fell in love so easily with the book because the characters are already developed. The first two books give you a sense of familiarity, you’ve been here before. It’s like the annual family vacation, you catch up with the characters to see what they’ve been doing in the mean time but there’s no need for introductions.
I especially enjoyed being able to jump right in to the development of Frances and Ford’s relationship since they have always been at arms length in past books, but I know how their story ends. I was most happy to be reunited with Annie, Rowan Crane and their banter lol. I was so eager to see how their friendship transpired… Let’s just say I am left wanting more, in the best way possible.
I’ve always enjoyed the dual timelines of this series. This book in particular, I favored the writing style of Frances’s journals. They’re like little time machines transporting you back sixty years and I think Perrin’s execution was flawless. I felt like I was in Chelsea in the late 1960s… I say as someone who has never been to England and was born in the 90s!
My only set back was that there are a lot of characters and you’re jumping back and forth at different points in time, so I had to reread a few parts to make sure I had everyone in line. Either way, this was my favorite of the Castle Knoll series and fingers crossed there will be a fourth!! A big thanks to NetGalley, Dutton and Kristen Perrin for the e-ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Kristen Perrin's “How to Cheat Your Own Death” delivers an intriguing and immersive addition to the Castle Knoll series. By moving some of the action to London, the story gains new energy and perspective, and the use of dual timelines remains effective in keeping readers invested. The narrative benefits from a faster pace and a tighter plot, creating a sense of excitement that holds the reader’s attention throughout.
Annie, on a visit to her mother’s London home, discovers the body of a young woman. She turns out to be her mother’s apprentice. In the 1960s storyline, Frances grapples with the murder of her socialite friend, Vera. Annie’s investigation reveals striking parallels between the two cases, raising the possibility of a connection across decades. The shift in setting allows for richer exploration of the dynamics between Annie and her mother and her evolving dynamic with Detective Crane. Frances’s studies in psychology open an added dimension to her investigative instincts, and her relationship with Ford continues to develop in meaningful ways. The alternating timelines support each other effectively and enhance the overall narrative.
This third installment builds thoughtfully on the previous books of the series. Existing fans will appreciate the continued character development, while newcomers will find enough background to easily follow the story. The twists land well, and the ending sets up future storylines without feeling incomplete. This cozy mystery is a solid, enjoyable entry in the series that leaves readers eager for the next installment.
Thanks to NetGalley and Dutton for the eARC of the book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Annie, on a visit to her mother’s London home, discovers the body of a young woman. She turns out to be her mother’s apprentice. In the 1960s storyline, Frances grapples with the murder of her socialite friend, Vera. Annie’s investigation reveals striking parallels between the two cases, raising the possibility of a connection across decades. The shift in setting allows for richer exploration of the dynamics between Annie and her mother and her evolving dynamic with Detective Crane. Frances’s studies in psychology open an added dimension to her investigative instincts, and her relationship with Ford continues to develop in meaningful ways. The alternating timelines support each other effectively and enhance the overall narrative.
This third installment builds thoughtfully on the previous books of the series. Existing fans will appreciate the continued character development, while newcomers will find enough background to easily follow the story. The twists land well, and the ending sets up future storylines without feeling incomplete. This cozy mystery is a solid, enjoyable entry in the series that leaves readers eager for the next installment.
Thanks to NetGalley and Dutton for the eARC of the book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
How to Cheat Your Own Death
By Kristen Perrin
This is the third book in a series of English murder mysteries. Once again our protagonist is Annie Adams, the heroine of the first two books. Here Annie is in Chelsea with her mom, Laura Adams, the famous artist. Annie is shocked to find that her mom has allowed a young woman named Felicity to become her apprentice and housemate – and Felicity comes from Castle Rock! This name will mean nothing to the reader if you haven't read the earlier books. Neither will the name of Rowan Crane, a policeman and accomplice is solving murders – and possible love interest.
Early on, a murder takes place. The author, in creating backstory, alternates chapters between 1968 with Aunt Frances and current day London with Annie and her current cast of characters. This back and forth through time was somewhat confusing.
I also found that there were too many plot lines that never seemed to be resolved: what happened to Max in the end; what about the feud between Max and Aunt Frances; how could Vera get off with a slap on the wrist; why have Sam flit in and out of the story, leaving Annie with more questions than answers; and what happened to Rowan to make him so fearful of a relationship with Annie? This last, I suppose, will be the theme of the next book.
While somewhat entertaining, this book did not engage me as the earlier ones did. And if you haven't read the earlier ones, you will not be able to follow this one.
Thanks to the Publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.
By Kristen Perrin
This is the third book in a series of English murder mysteries. Once again our protagonist is Annie Adams, the heroine of the first two books. Here Annie is in Chelsea with her mom, Laura Adams, the famous artist. Annie is shocked to find that her mom has allowed a young woman named Felicity to become her apprentice and housemate – and Felicity comes from Castle Rock! This name will mean nothing to the reader if you haven't read the earlier books. Neither will the name of Rowan Crane, a policeman and accomplice is solving murders – and possible love interest.
Early on, a murder takes place. The author, in creating backstory, alternates chapters between 1968 with Aunt Frances and current day London with Annie and her current cast of characters. This back and forth through time was somewhat confusing.
I also found that there were too many plot lines that never seemed to be resolved: what happened to Max in the end; what about the feud between Max and Aunt Frances; how could Vera get off with a slap on the wrist; why have Sam flit in and out of the story, leaving Annie with more questions than answers; and what happened to Rowan to make him so fearful of a relationship with Annie? This last, I suppose, will be the theme of the next book.
While somewhat entertaining, this book did not engage me as the earlier ones did. And if you haven't read the earlier ones, you will not be able to follow this one.
Thanks to the Publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.
February 6, 2026
Annie Adam’s is back with an exciting new adventure, and when I received an email from the publisher asking me to review this book, I was immediately interested because I enjoyed the first two—but I can confidently say this was my favorite of the series (so far!).
How to Cheat Your Own Death opens with a fortune that sends Annie straight to London, and from that moment on, the story doesn’t slow down. The series once again weaves together dual timelines, pairing Annie’s present-day investigation with Frances’s storyline set in 1968 London.
The central mystery is deeply personal for Annie, pulling her into family history, long-buried secrets, and relationships that are far more complicated than they appear on the surface. The stakes feel higher than ever—not just because of the danger, but because of what Annie stands to lose emotionally. This one does an excellent job exploring themes of identity, loyalty, and the weight of truth, all while keeping the mystery razor-sharp.
What truly sets this book apart is just when you think you understand where the story is going, it nudges you in another direction, layering in suspense and intrigue rather than relying on cheap shock value. I was constantly second-guessing my theories and was, once again, suspicious of every character until the end.
Thank you to Isabella at Dutton Books for reaching out and asking me to review, and to Kristen Perrin for another phenomenal Annie and Frances mystery. I already can’t wait to see what comes next—especially after that ending. 📖✨
How to Cheat Your Own Death opens with a fortune that sends Annie straight to London, and from that moment on, the story doesn’t slow down. The series once again weaves together dual timelines, pairing Annie’s present-day investigation with Frances’s storyline set in 1968 London.
The central mystery is deeply personal for Annie, pulling her into family history, long-buried secrets, and relationships that are far more complicated than they appear on the surface. The stakes feel higher than ever—not just because of the danger, but because of what Annie stands to lose emotionally. This one does an excellent job exploring themes of identity, loyalty, and the weight of truth, all while keeping the mystery razor-sharp.
What truly sets this book apart is just when you think you understand where the story is going, it nudges you in another direction, layering in suspense and intrigue rather than relying on cheap shock value. I was constantly second-guessing my theories and was, once again, suspicious of every character until the end.
Thank you to Isabella at Dutton Books for reaching out and asking me to review, and to Kristen Perrin for another phenomenal Annie and Frances mystery. I already can’t wait to see what comes next—especially after that ending. 📖✨
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