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Death Wasn't Invited: A June's Journey Mystery
Not yet published
Expected 17 Mar 26Based on the hit mobile game, a cozy murder mystery set in 1920s Paris by a USA Today bestselling author, perfect for fans of Richard Osman and Agatha Christie. June's friend has been brutally murdered and the police have the wrong man, can she solve the case before the killer catches up to her?
Paris, 1922. The marriage between the Auclair and the Picard family is the talk of the town. June can't wait to attend the engagement party with her friends, Nate and Jack. But Nate has an ulterior motive, he's there to stop the wedding. Before he can complete his task, he's stabbed in the chest, with Jack's knife. Jack is arrested, but June knows he wouldn't hurt a fly.
In this throwback to the classic whodunnits of Agatha Christie, June must find the real killer and clear Jack's name. As she becomes embroiled deeper and deeper into a corrupt web of Parisian old-money, high society and politics, she uncovers deadly secrets. Can June solve the case before the killer strikes again?
Paris, 1922. The marriage between the Auclair and the Picard family is the talk of the town. June can't wait to attend the engagement party with her friends, Nate and Jack. But Nate has an ulterior motive, he's there to stop the wedding. Before he can complete his task, he's stabbed in the chest, with Jack's knife. Jack is arrested, but June knows he wouldn't hurt a fly.
In this throwback to the classic whodunnits of Agatha Christie, June must find the real killer and clear Jack's name. As she becomes embroiled deeper and deeper into a corrupt web of Parisian old-money, high society and politics, she uncovers deadly secrets. Can June solve the case before the killer strikes again?
288 pages, Paperback
Expected publication March 17, 2026
90 people want to read
About the author
Carlene O'Connor
38 books2,621 followersCarlene O’Connor is the USA Today Bestselling author of The Irish Village Mystery Series, The Home to Ireland Series and the County Kerry Mystery series. The first in the County Kerry Series, NO STRANGERS HERE received a starred review from Kirkus and was the Mystery Pick of the Month at Barnes and Noble in September of 2023. Of all the places across the pond she’s wandered, she fell most in love with a walled town in County Limerick and was inspired to create the town of Kilbane, County Cork. She currently lives in New Mexico.
https://carleneoconnor.net/
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
Review of advance copy
Death Wasn't Invited: A June's Journey Mystery
By Carlene O'Connor
Published by Titan Books
Goodread's Rating: 4/5
My Rating: 4.5/5
"I should have known. We could have been friends. Why did you have to stick your nose where it does not belong?" "Friends that kill are no friends of mine!"
There is something quietly intriguing about watching a character step out of a digital landscape and into prose. Death Wasn’t Invited carries June Parker from the familiar mechanics of hidden-object puzzles into the refined world of 1922 Paris, where celebration and suspicion coexist with unsettling ease. An engagement party between two influential families should have been an evening of elegance; instead, it collapses into scandal when a murder leaves Jack as the most convenient suspect.
The structure is unmistakably classical: a glittering gathering, a well-placed weapon, reputations poised on the brink of ruin. June’s refusal to accept the obvious accusation forms the spine of the narrative. She navigates drawing rooms, whispered alliances, and carefully guarded secrets with composure, assembling fragments of truth from beneath layers of privilege. The investigative rhythm mirrors the game’s cadence 'observe, deduce, uncover', now translated into literary form.
Paris serves as an atmospheric frame rather than an indulgent spectacle. Old money, fragile social contracts, and quiet ambition shape the tension without overwhelming it. The tone remains polished and accessible, favouring intrigue over brutality. This is a whodunit that leans into elegance rather than darkness.
The influence of the cozy mystery tradition is evident, echoing the restrained sophistication of classic crime fiction. Yet the novel’s distinct appeal lies in its familiarity: a beloved heroine placed in peril, a puzzle unfolding with deliberate steadiness, and the promise of order restored.
"Jack and Nate were like brothers and sometimes they bickered like brothers do." "Cain and Abel were brothers too."
P.S.: Thank you June’s Journey by Wooga for this book – as delicious as framboise macaron by Pierre Hermé!
By Carlene O'Connor
Published by Titan Books
Goodread's Rating: 4/5
My Rating: 4.5/5
"I should have known. We could have been friends. Why did you have to stick your nose where it does not belong?" "Friends that kill are no friends of mine!"
There is something quietly intriguing about watching a character step out of a digital landscape and into prose. Death Wasn’t Invited carries June Parker from the familiar mechanics of hidden-object puzzles into the refined world of 1922 Paris, where celebration and suspicion coexist with unsettling ease. An engagement party between two influential families should have been an evening of elegance; instead, it collapses into scandal when a murder leaves Jack as the most convenient suspect.
The structure is unmistakably classical: a glittering gathering, a well-placed weapon, reputations poised on the brink of ruin. June’s refusal to accept the obvious accusation forms the spine of the narrative. She navigates drawing rooms, whispered alliances, and carefully guarded secrets with composure, assembling fragments of truth from beneath layers of privilege. The investigative rhythm mirrors the game’s cadence 'observe, deduce, uncover', now translated into literary form.
Paris serves as an atmospheric frame rather than an indulgent spectacle. Old money, fragile social contracts, and quiet ambition shape the tension without overwhelming it. The tone remains polished and accessible, favouring intrigue over brutality. This is a whodunit that leans into elegance rather than darkness.
The influence of the cozy mystery tradition is evident, echoing the restrained sophistication of classic crime fiction. Yet the novel’s distinct appeal lies in its familiarity: a beloved heroine placed in peril, a puzzle unfolding with deliberate steadiness, and the promise of order restored.
"Jack and Nate were like brothers and sometimes they bickered like brothers do." "Cain and Abel were brothers too."
P.S.: Thank you June’s Journey by Wooga for this book – as delicious as framboise macaron by Pierre Hermé!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Death Wasn't Invited : A June's Journey Mystery by Carlene O'Connor
Rating : 4⭐
Format : eBook 💻
Pages : 288
Duration : 3 Days
----------------
Apparently this is set in the same world as a Mobile Game, I downloaded it, gave it a try and deleted it, all for research, wasn't for me. The book however is.
I can't put my finger on why though, it's a cozy murder mystery set in Paris 1920's, it's atmospheric, it's colourful but I felt like it was just almost too safe of that makes sense, almost too soft? But despite all that I was well and truly charmed by this book and couldn't put it down.
June, with friends Jack and Nate finds themselves on a steam boat crashing a engagement party of the children from the two esteemed families of the time and area. As the journey commences secrets are revealed before a body hits the floor.
Full of delightfully fleshed out characters in a colourfully described Paris in the midst of the roaring twenties.
For some reason I was reminded of the old Broken Sword point and click games whilst reading this and once I had that in mind I noticed that a few of the puzzles and action sequences took me back to the heady days of my childhood playing the old LucasArts games, ahhh nostalgia!
This feels like the start of a series and one that I would be looking to follow on and see where June goes next.
A very comfy murder mystery that tries to teach you French as you go, Nice!
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Thank you to Netgalley & Penguin Random House for the Advanced Review Copy of this book, though I am grateful for the ARC the words above are my own
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You can find more reviews on my blog here : https://bookshelf018.wordpress.com/
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Rating : 4⭐
Format : eBook 💻
Pages : 288
Duration : 3 Days
----------------
Apparently this is set in the same world as a Mobile Game, I downloaded it, gave it a try and deleted it, all for research, wasn't for me. The book however is.
I can't put my finger on why though, it's a cozy murder mystery set in Paris 1920's, it's atmospheric, it's colourful but I felt like it was just almost too safe of that makes sense, almost too soft? But despite all that I was well and truly charmed by this book and couldn't put it down.
June, with friends Jack and Nate finds themselves on a steam boat crashing a engagement party of the children from the two esteemed families of the time and area. As the journey commences secrets are revealed before a body hits the floor.
Full of delightfully fleshed out characters in a colourfully described Paris in the midst of the roaring twenties.
For some reason I was reminded of the old Broken Sword point and click games whilst reading this and once I had that in mind I noticed that a few of the puzzles and action sequences took me back to the heady days of my childhood playing the old LucasArts games, ahhh nostalgia!
This feels like the start of a series and one that I would be looking to follow on and see where June goes next.
A very comfy murder mystery that tries to teach you French as you go, Nice!
----------------
Thank you to Netgalley & Penguin Random House for the Advanced Review Copy of this book, though I am grateful for the ARC the words above are my own
----------------
You can find more reviews on my blog here : https://bookshelf018.wordpress.com/
----------------
February 1, 2026
Death Wasn’t Invited is a charmingly classic whodunnit wrapped in the glamour and grit of 1920s Paris. Inspired by the hit mobile game, it blends cozy mystery comforts with a dash of high‑society intrigue, making it an easy pick for fans of Agatha Christie, Richard Osman, and anyone who loves a clever amateur sleuth with heart.
June is a wonderfully engaging heroine—curious, determined, and just reckless enough to be fun. When her friend Nate is murdered at a glittering engagement party and another friend, Jack, is swiftly arrested, June refuses to accept the obvious explanation. What follows is a lively investigation through smoky jazz clubs, opulent salons, and the shadowy corners of Parisian old money. The setting is vivid without ever feeling heavy, and the pacing keeps the pages turning as June uncovers secrets that are far more dangerous than she expects.
The mystery itself has that satisfying, Christie‑esque structure: a tight cast, shifting motives, and clues that feel fair but never too easy. I especially enjoyed the interplay between June, Nate, and Jack—there’s a warmth to their dynamic that gives the story emotional weight beneath the puzzle.
Overall, this is a delightful, atmospheric mystery with a nostalgic feel and a heroine you can’t help rooting for. Perfect for readers who want something cozy but clever, with just enough danger to keep things interesting.
With thanks to Carlene O'Connor, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC.
June is a wonderfully engaging heroine—curious, determined, and just reckless enough to be fun. When her friend Nate is murdered at a glittering engagement party and another friend, Jack, is swiftly arrested, June refuses to accept the obvious explanation. What follows is a lively investigation through smoky jazz clubs, opulent salons, and the shadowy corners of Parisian old money. The setting is vivid without ever feeling heavy, and the pacing keeps the pages turning as June uncovers secrets that are far more dangerous than she expects.
The mystery itself has that satisfying, Christie‑esque structure: a tight cast, shifting motives, and clues that feel fair but never too easy. I especially enjoyed the interplay between June, Nate, and Jack—there’s a warmth to their dynamic that gives the story emotional weight beneath the puzzle.
Overall, this is a delightful, atmospheric mystery with a nostalgic feel and a heroine you can’t help rooting for. Perfect for readers who want something cozy but clever, with just enough danger to keep things interesting.
With thanks to Carlene O'Connor, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I read an eARC of this book on NetGalley so thank you to the author and the publisher.
I knew absolutely nothing about June’s Journey before reading this book. The key draw for me was the time period and the Parisian setting. However I had no trouble following the book at all, even without this prior knowledge. I’m sure it would have provided fun recognition of parts of the story, but it didn’t create any issues with immersing myself in this tale.
This is an easy to read mystery. We have a strong, female main character, determined to insert herself into the middle of a mystery to save a friend, who she believes has been falsely accused. This leads her to embroil herself in the scandals and misbehaviour of two wealthy and important families in Parisian society. She’s creative, smart and strong-willed.
I expected to enjoy the time period and setting, and I wasn’t disappointed. There’s enough detail to evoke and sense of time and place, without overwhelming the plot.
This was an entertaining mystery, plenty of bold and memorable characters, and a core friendship that acts as a strong motivator.
I knew absolutely nothing about June’s Journey before reading this book. The key draw for me was the time period and the Parisian setting. However I had no trouble following the book at all, even without this prior knowledge. I’m sure it would have provided fun recognition of parts of the story, but it didn’t create any issues with immersing myself in this tale.
This is an easy to read mystery. We have a strong, female main character, determined to insert herself into the middle of a mystery to save a friend, who she believes has been falsely accused. This leads her to embroil herself in the scandals and misbehaviour of two wealthy and important families in Parisian society. She’s creative, smart and strong-willed.
I expected to enjoy the time period and setting, and I wasn’t disappointed. There’s enough detail to evoke and sense of time and place, without overwhelming the plot.
This was an entertaining mystery, plenty of bold and memorable characters, and a core friendship that acts as a strong motivator.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Death Wasn’t Invited had everything you’d expect in a murder mystery book! The red herrings, plot twists and reveals were cleverly layered, creating a mystery for the reader too! I DID NOT expect the reveal at all but everything did add up…
I’ve never played the game but I can definitely see how the book would fit into it- specifically the 1920s Paris theme! I loved how there was a romance sub-plot between June and Jack, especially when she was fighting for his freedom. They genuinely cared for one another amid the danger and suspicion surrounding them, adding emotional weight to the high-stakes mystery.
I’ve never played the game but I can definitely see how the book would fit into it- specifically the 1920s Paris theme! I loved how there was a romance sub-plot between June and Jack, especially when she was fighting for his freedom. They genuinely cared for one another amid the danger and suspicion surrounding them, adding emotional weight to the high-stakes mystery.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Nate, Jack and June decide to go out apron the town when Nate talks them into gaining entry into a private party. On board Nate is stabbed in the heart and Jack is charged with murder as the knife was his. While Jack sits in prison, June investigates the crime with a little help from friends and non- friends. Based off the game June’s Journey.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews