What do you think?
Rate this book
Delitto quasi perfetto a Villa Elysium
C’è stato un omicidio all’Elysium, un centro benessere in una maestosa villa nelle campagne inglesi. Arrivi e trovi il corpo di un uomo d’affari locale sul prato, con una rosa in bocca. Sembra che sia stato infilzato con un forcone da giardinaggio e sia morto cadendo dal balcone soprastante. Ma quel balcone è accessibile solo tramite una porta chiusa a chiave, la chiave è scomparsa e adesso tutti all’Elysium sono sospettati... Raccogli le prove ed esamina gli indizi. Scegli chi interrogare e chi indicare come principale sospettato. Ma ricorda che ogni decisione che prendi ha delle conseguenze, e alcune di queste potrebbero rivelarsi fatali... Hai le carte in regola? Riuscirai a risolvere l’omicidio?
352 pages, Hardcover
First published July 1, 2025
502 people are currently reading
15192 people want to read
About the author
Antony Johnston
337 books387 followers** Sign up for Antony's newsletter at http://ajwriter.substack.com **
Antony Johnston is one of the most versatile writers of the modern era.
The Charlize Theron movie Atomic Blonde was based on his graphic novel. His murder mystery series The Dog Sitter Detective won the Barker Book Award. His crime puzzle novel Can You Solve the Murder? reinvented choose-your-own-story books for a mainstream audience and was a Waterstones Paperback of the Year. The Brigitte Sharp spy thrillers are in development for TV. And his productivity guide The Organised Writer has helped authors all over the world take control of their workload.
Antony is a celebrated videogames writer, with genre-defining titles including Dead Space, Shadow of Mordor, and Resident Evil Village to his credit. His work on Silent Hill Ascension made him the only writer in the world to have contributed to all of gaming’s ‘big three’ horror franchises.
His immense body of work also includes Marvel superheroes such as Daredevil and Shang-Chi, the award-winning Alex Rider graphic novels, the post-apocalypse epic Wasteland, and more. He wrote and directed the film Crossover Point, made entirely in quarantine during the coronavirus pandemic.
An experienced podcaster and public speaker, he also frequently writes articles on the life of an author, and is a prolific musician.
Antony is a former vice chair of the Crime Writers’ Association, a member of International Thriller Writers and the Society of Authors, a Shore Scripts screenwriting judge, and sits on the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain’s videogames committee. He lives and works in England.
Antony Johnston is one of the most versatile writers of the modern era.
The Charlize Theron movie Atomic Blonde was based on his graphic novel. His murder mystery series The Dog Sitter Detective won the Barker Book Award. His crime puzzle novel Can You Solve the Murder? reinvented choose-your-own-story books for a mainstream audience and was a Waterstones Paperback of the Year. The Brigitte Sharp spy thrillers are in development for TV. And his productivity guide The Organised Writer has helped authors all over the world take control of their workload.
Antony is a celebrated videogames writer, with genre-defining titles including Dead Space, Shadow of Mordor, and Resident Evil Village to his credit. His work on Silent Hill Ascension made him the only writer in the world to have contributed to all of gaming’s ‘big three’ horror franchises.
His immense body of work also includes Marvel superheroes such as Daredevil and Shang-Chi, the award-winning Alex Rider graphic novels, the post-apocalypse epic Wasteland, and more. He wrote and directed the film Crossover Point, made entirely in quarantine during the coronavirus pandemic.
An experienced podcaster and public speaker, he also frequently writes articles on the life of an author, and is a prolific musician.
Antony is a former vice chair of the Crime Writers’ Association, a member of International Thriller Writers and the Society of Authors, a Shore Scripts screenwriting judge, and sits on the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain’s videogames committee. He lives and works in England.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 478 reviews
July 21, 2025
Did I solve the murder? No.
Did I have fun and took a million pages of notes? Yes.
Did I have fun and took a million pages of notes? Yes.
June 24, 2025
4.0 Stars
This is such a unique murder mystery. It's easy to compare this to the “choose your own adventure” stories that we read as kids, but that description really sells this one short. I was impressed, and honestly overwhelmed, by the complexity of this story.
The story involved making choices about what to investigate while taking detailed notes as you follow your story path. The novel does not have pictures or multimedia aspects, but the interactive nature of the narrative will likely appeal to the same kinds of readers. As someone who usually reads traditional novels it felt strange to hop around the book while taking notes.
Without spoiling any plot, I can confirm that I saw the book through to its conclusion. I'm not certain I can say I solved it on my own. I got to the end of the book but I didn't necessarily feel brilliant.
One thing I loved about this book was the writing. Despite having a unique premise, the book does not sacrifice quality in its writing. The story was well written with fully crafted scenes and interesting characters. This one held up in terms of quality that was not diminished in the format.
I would recommend this novel to long time mystery fans who want to know
... can you solve a murder?
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
This is such a unique murder mystery. It's easy to compare this to the “choose your own adventure” stories that we read as kids, but that description really sells this one short. I was impressed, and honestly overwhelmed, by the complexity of this story.
The story involved making choices about what to investigate while taking detailed notes as you follow your story path. The novel does not have pictures or multimedia aspects, but the interactive nature of the narrative will likely appeal to the same kinds of readers. As someone who usually reads traditional novels it felt strange to hop around the book while taking notes.
Without spoiling any plot, I can confirm that I saw the book through to its conclusion. I'm not certain I can say I solved it on my own. I got to the end of the book but I didn't necessarily feel brilliant.
One thing I loved about this book was the writing. Despite having a unique premise, the book does not sacrifice quality in its writing. The story was well written with fully crafted scenes and interesting characters. This one held up in terms of quality that was not diminished in the format.
I would recommend this novel to long time mystery fans who want to know
... can you solve a murder?
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
Read
March 9, 2025ARC for review. To be published July 1, 2025.
I have informed the publisher I will not be giving a star rating for this review. I’m sure they looooooved hearing my complaints. They would have liked their star rating even less.
I tried to enjoy this interactive murder mystery which sounded like great fun in a “Choose Your Own Adventure” format. However. Though it promised to allow progress through the book by merely touching the page numbers that did not work in the ARC. Instead I had a fairly miserable time of trying to guess where my selected chapter might be, going to that page, the guessing again, or turning pages until I finally found it. It was the opposite of fun.
I really hate that I spent so much time with this book.
I have informed the publisher I will not be giving a star rating for this review. I’m sure they looooooved hearing my complaints. They would have liked their star rating even less.
I tried to enjoy this interactive murder mystery which sounded like great fun in a “Choose Your Own Adventure” format. However. Though it promised to allow progress through the book by merely touching the page numbers that did not work in the ARC. Instead I had a fairly miserable time of trying to guess where my selected chapter might be, going to that page, the guessing again, or turning pages until I finally found it. It was the opposite of fun.
I really hate that I spent so much time with this book.
October 13, 2025
4'25 🌹
Que me lo he pasado pipa. Con lo que me gustaban y disfrutaba de los libritos aquellos de " Elige tu propia aventura " ha sido como volver a aquella época pero en más largo, con un misterio estilo Agatha Christie en una mansión que se cae a pedazos reconvertida en spa.
El libro lo componen 200 secciones. Dependiendo de la decisión que tomes, irás a unas u otras secciones. Algunas confluyen y otras llevan por derroteros diferentes. Hay que ir apuntando las secciones correspondientes a las decisiones y las claves o pistas que den al final de cada sección, si es que hay alguna clave.
Una vez resuelto el caso, al final del libro, se puntúa nuestro trabajo como investigador:
1. Las pistas que hemos anotado tienen una puntuación;
2. Los SMS cifrados tienen una puntuación;
3. Si hemos descifrado los SMS nosotros solos, puntuación adicional...
Y en función de la puntuación total vamos de amateur a subinspectora. Y es una tontería, pero sacar 165 puntos y ser subinspectora me ha hecho muy feliz, una es básica como McAdams xd.
La nota negativa: que se acaba haciendo un poco largo y algo aburrido tanto ir y venir por las secciones. El libro es largo para dar forma a todo el misterio, pero cansa al final.
En todo caso, lo recomiendo. Y no hay que desesperar: yendo con los ojos abiertos y el lema MMM (móvil, medios y momento u oportunidad) en ristre, se saca el culpable.
Que me lo he pasado pipa. Con lo que me gustaban y disfrutaba de los libritos aquellos de " Elige tu propia aventura " ha sido como volver a aquella época pero en más largo, con un misterio estilo Agatha Christie en una mansión que se cae a pedazos reconvertida en spa.
El libro lo componen 200 secciones. Dependiendo de la decisión que tomes, irás a unas u otras secciones. Algunas confluyen y otras llevan por derroteros diferentes. Hay que ir apuntando las secciones correspondientes a las decisiones y las claves o pistas que den al final de cada sección, si es que hay alguna clave.
Una vez resuelto el caso, al final del libro, se puntúa nuestro trabajo como investigador:
1. Las pistas que hemos anotado tienen una puntuación;
2. Los SMS cifrados tienen una puntuación;
3. Si hemos descifrado los SMS nosotros solos, puntuación adicional...
Y en función de la puntuación total vamos de amateur a subinspectora. Y es una tontería, pero sacar 165 puntos y ser subinspectora me ha hecho muy feliz, una es básica como McAdams xd.
La nota negativa: que se acaba haciendo un poco largo y algo aburrido tanto ir y venir por las secciones. El libro es largo para dar forma a todo el misterio, pero cansa al final.
En todo caso, lo recomiendo. Y no hay que desesperar: yendo con los ojos abiertos y el lema MMM (móvil, medios y momento u oportunidad) en ristre, se saca el culpable.
August 16, 2025
This was such a fun concept until it got old REAL FAST and that cipher decode was straight up BS!! There was a reason those choose your own adventure books were on the shorter side…. This just got tedious and lost my interest.
July 20, 2025
When I was little, I use to LOVE choose your own adventure books. LOVE. So I was really excited to read this!
I will say, if you choose to read it, the physical book would be easiest, but if you have a separate notebook, the kindle version works fine. Don’t try, like I did, to use the notes in your kindle. It’s not impossible, but it’s not easy.
The story was pretty simple. I would imagine the entire concept of writing a book like this is complex and you want people to be able to figure it out, so I assume that’s why. I did think it was written clearly. I was never confused. It was medium-fast paced. There wasn’t much fluff, which I appreciated because too much story and detail other than clues would have probably made it hard to solve.
I think that’s what needs to be kept in mind…you’re not reading a novel or some deep thriller. You’re reading a choose your own adventure book for adults and I think that considering that it was really fun and I enjoyed it a lot!
I will say, if you choose to read it, the physical book would be easiest, but if you have a separate notebook, the kindle version works fine. Don’t try, like I did, to use the notes in your kindle. It’s not impossible, but it’s not easy.
The story was pretty simple. I would imagine the entire concept of writing a book like this is complex and you want people to be able to figure it out, so I assume that’s why. I did think it was written clearly. I was never confused. It was medium-fast paced. There wasn’t much fluff, which I appreciated because too much story and detail other than clues would have probably made it hard to solve.
I think that’s what needs to be kept in mind…you’re not reading a novel or some deep thriller. You’re reading a choose your own adventure book for adults and I think that considering that it was really fun and I enjoyed it a lot!
June 28, 2025
This is amazing! it is a new concept and really works. It is hugely engaging and this is one I will be recommending to every mystery fan I know.
September 30, 2025
So fun!
Review coming soon!
Review coming soon!
August 6, 2025
Un libro muy entretenido, una especie de elige tú propia aventura para adultos
November 22, 2025
This was so much fun. It is super possible to solve and some clues are given enough for you to get to the final conclusion. The only reason I’m not giving it 5 stars is because I first accused the wrong person and instead of giving me like a go back to this number and try again it just said start again… like no
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 26, 2025
I received an ARC of this title in return for a review. I was excited to try this novel out as I was a fan of choose your own adventures in my youth. It didn't disappoint.
I liked the haphazardnous of the sections and the opportunity to decode some texts along the way (although I did not solve the code on my own, I did decipher them once the code was given). I thought the author was very clever in the way that the sections flowed together while reading them regardless of the choices you made to get to each section. I also liked that there was scoring at the end based on the choices you made (some gained you points, others took points away). I achieved a score that got me the rank of Detective Inspector, so was a little peeved at myself for not getting Master Detective (ah pride).
The reason I didn't give it 5 stars was that it was hard to read in bed or while commuting as you needed a notebook and pencil while reading. This delayed my reading of the book based on when I could give it the time and attention it needed. You also had to note exactly what page and section you ended reading, or you would not be able to figure out where you were. I also didn't find the story itself particularly compelling. If it was not an interactive book it would have received fewer stars.
Having said that, I will now read it to make wrong choices as I always like to strive for a chaotic, completely wrong choiced read after an initial read of an interactive book.
I liked the haphazardnous of the sections and the opportunity to decode some texts along the way (although I did not solve the code on my own, I did decipher them once the code was given). I thought the author was very clever in the way that the sections flowed together while reading them regardless of the choices you made to get to each section. I also liked that there was scoring at the end based on the choices you made (some gained you points, others took points away). I achieved a score that got me the rank of Detective Inspector, so was a little peeved at myself for not getting Master Detective (ah pride).
The reason I didn't give it 5 stars was that it was hard to read in bed or while commuting as you needed a notebook and pencil while reading. This delayed my reading of the book based on when I could give it the time and attention it needed. You also had to note exactly what page and section you ended reading, or you would not be able to figure out where you were. I also didn't find the story itself particularly compelling. If it was not an interactive book it would have received fewer stars.
Having said that, I will now read it to make wrong choices as I always like to strive for a chaotic, completely wrong choiced read after an initial read of an interactive book.
August 11, 2025
140 points! I had a blast with this.
July 3, 2025
Antony Johnston's "Can You Solve the Murder?" represents a fascinating evolution in crime fiction—a bold experiment that transforms readers from passive observers into active participants in a murder investigation. This interactive novel doesn't merely tell you about detective work; it forces you to actually perform it, making every wrong turn and missed clue a consequence of your own investigative choices.
The Crime Scene: A Classic Setup with Modern Twists
The story opens with a scene that feels both familiar and fresh: the discovery of businessman Harry Kennedy's body at Elysium, a wellness retreat housed in the Gothic Revival splendor of Finchcote Manor. Kennedy lies dead on the lawn, a gardening fork embedded in his chest and a red rose placed deliberately in his mouth. The locked room mystery element—the victim apparently fell from a balcony accessible only through a locked door—immediately establishes the puzzle-box nature of the investigation.
Johnston's choice of setting proves particularly clever. The wellness retreat, with its holistic floral therapy and "Friends" membership system, creates a perfectly insular environment where secrets fester beneath the surface of new-age tranquility. The contrast between the retreat's pastoral promises and the violent reality of Kennedy's death generates a compelling tension that drives the narrative forward.
The Interactive Experience: Choose Your Own Investigation
What sets this book apart is its gamebook structure, inspired by the Choose Your Own Adventure series and Fighting Fantasy books that captivated Johnston's childhood. The story unfolds through 200 numbered sections, each presenting choices that determine which leads to follow, whom to interview, and what evidence to prioritize. This format transforms reading into an active decision-making process where your detective skills are genuinely tested.
The notebook system adds another layer of engagement. Recording clue numbers becomes essential for tracking evidence and unlocking certain story paths. Unlike traditional mystery novels where the detective's deductive process is handed to you, here you must genuinely synthesize information, make connections, and draw conclusions based on incomplete data.
Character Development: Suspects with Depth
Johnston populates his investigation with a diverse cast of suspects, each harboring secrets that could constitute motive. Flora Kennedy, the victim's widow, carries herself with suspicious composure. Carla Nesbitt, the local MP, maintains political facades that crack under pressure. Stephen Cheong, the retreat's manager, desperately tries to keep his struggling business afloat. Alina Martinescu, the massage therapist, bears the weight of past trauma that resonates with present circumstances.
The character work shines particularly in how Johnston reveals information gradually through the interactive format. Different conversation paths expose different aspects of each suspect's personality and potential guilt. The massage therapist Alina emerges as particularly well-developed, her backstory as a Romanian immigrant escaping abuse adding layers of complexity to her motivations.
The Murder Mystery Mechanics: Fair Play Detection
Johnston demonstrates his understanding of classic detective fiction by adhering to fair play rules. All clues necessary to solve the case are presented to the reader, though finding and interpreting them requires genuine detective work. The coded text messages, the significance of the rose, the missing storeroom key—these elements form a logical chain that astute readers can follow to the correct conclusion.
The multiple paths through the story create genuine replay value. Different investigative choices lead to different revelations, different character interactions, and different endings. The scoring system at the book's conclusion provides feedback on your detective skills, encouraging multiple playthroughs to improve your performance.
Writing Style: Balancing Accessibility and Complexity
Johnston's prose strikes an effective balance between accessibility and procedural complexity. The writing remains clear and engaging while conveying technical details about forensic evidence, police procedure, and investigative methodology. The dialogue feels natural, particularly in the banter between the unnamed inspector protagonist and Sergeant McAdam, whose Scottish background and forthright personality provide welcome moments of levity.
The author's experience writing video games serves him well here. The interactive structure never feels forced or gimmicky; instead, it emerges naturally from the investigative process. Each section ends with choices that feel meaningful and consequential, avoiding the arbitrary branching that can plague interactive fiction.
Technical Achievement: The Gamebook Revival
From a technical standpoint, Johnston has created something genuinely innovative. While gamebooks dominated the 1980s, few authors have successfully adapted the format for adult crime fiction. The challenge lies in maintaining narrative coherence across multiple branching paths while ensuring that each route provides satisfying character development and plot progression.
Johnston succeeds by keeping the core mystery elements consistent while varying the order and method of discovery. Whether you prioritize interviewing suspects, examining physical evidence, or following up on background information, you're always working toward the same ultimate truth—but your path to that truth shapes your understanding of the case.
Strengths and Limitations
The book's greatest strength lies in its successful fusion of traditional mystery elements with interactive innovation. The investigation feels authentic, the characters are well-developed, and the solution is both surprising and logical. The multiple paths through the story create genuine replay value rarely found in mystery fiction.
However, the format can occasionally feel constraining. Some readers may find the constant decision-making interrupts the flow of the narrative. The need to track clue numbers and maintain notes requires more active engagement than some readers seek in recreational reading.
The book also faces the challenge of appealing to both traditional mystery readers and gamebook enthusiasts—two audiences with different expectations and preferences. While Johnston largely succeeds in this balancing act, some elements may satisfy neither group completely.
The Verdict: A Successful Experiment
"Can You Solve the Murder?" succeeds as both mystery novel and interactive experiment. Johnston has created a work that honors the traditions of detective fiction while pushing the genre into new territory. The book demands active participation from readers, rewarding careful attention to detail and logical thinking.
While the format may not appeal to all mystery readers, those willing to engage with its interactive elements will find a rewarding experience that offers something genuinely new in crime fiction. The book works both as entertainment and as a test of detective skills, providing multiple pathways to discovery and varying levels of investigative success.
The Crime Scene: A Classic Setup with Modern Twists
The story opens with a scene that feels both familiar and fresh: the discovery of businessman Harry Kennedy's body at Elysium, a wellness retreat housed in the Gothic Revival splendor of Finchcote Manor. Kennedy lies dead on the lawn, a gardening fork embedded in his chest and a red rose placed deliberately in his mouth. The locked room mystery element—the victim apparently fell from a balcony accessible only through a locked door—immediately establishes the puzzle-box nature of the investigation.
Johnston's choice of setting proves particularly clever. The wellness retreat, with its holistic floral therapy and "Friends" membership system, creates a perfectly insular environment where secrets fester beneath the surface of new-age tranquility. The contrast between the retreat's pastoral promises and the violent reality of Kennedy's death generates a compelling tension that drives the narrative forward.
The Interactive Experience: Choose Your Own Investigation
What sets this book apart is its gamebook structure, inspired by the Choose Your Own Adventure series and Fighting Fantasy books that captivated Johnston's childhood. The story unfolds through 200 numbered sections, each presenting choices that determine which leads to follow, whom to interview, and what evidence to prioritize. This format transforms reading into an active decision-making process where your detective skills are genuinely tested.
The notebook system adds another layer of engagement. Recording clue numbers becomes essential for tracking evidence and unlocking certain story paths. Unlike traditional mystery novels where the detective's deductive process is handed to you, here you must genuinely synthesize information, make connections, and draw conclusions based on incomplete data.
Character Development: Suspects with Depth
Johnston populates his investigation with a diverse cast of suspects, each harboring secrets that could constitute motive. Flora Kennedy, the victim's widow, carries herself with suspicious composure. Carla Nesbitt, the local MP, maintains political facades that crack under pressure. Stephen Cheong, the retreat's manager, desperately tries to keep his struggling business afloat. Alina Martinescu, the massage therapist, bears the weight of past trauma that resonates with present circumstances.
The character work shines particularly in how Johnston reveals information gradually through the interactive format. Different conversation paths expose different aspects of each suspect's personality and potential guilt. The massage therapist Alina emerges as particularly well-developed, her backstory as a Romanian immigrant escaping abuse adding layers of complexity to her motivations.
The Murder Mystery Mechanics: Fair Play Detection
Johnston demonstrates his understanding of classic detective fiction by adhering to fair play rules. All clues necessary to solve the case are presented to the reader, though finding and interpreting them requires genuine detective work. The coded text messages, the significance of the rose, the missing storeroom key—these elements form a logical chain that astute readers can follow to the correct conclusion.
The multiple paths through the story create genuine replay value. Different investigative choices lead to different revelations, different character interactions, and different endings. The scoring system at the book's conclusion provides feedback on your detective skills, encouraging multiple playthroughs to improve your performance.
Writing Style: Balancing Accessibility and Complexity
Johnston's prose strikes an effective balance between accessibility and procedural complexity. The writing remains clear and engaging while conveying technical details about forensic evidence, police procedure, and investigative methodology. The dialogue feels natural, particularly in the banter between the unnamed inspector protagonist and Sergeant McAdam, whose Scottish background and forthright personality provide welcome moments of levity.
The author's experience writing video games serves him well here. The interactive structure never feels forced or gimmicky; instead, it emerges naturally from the investigative process. Each section ends with choices that feel meaningful and consequential, avoiding the arbitrary branching that can plague interactive fiction.
Technical Achievement: The Gamebook Revival
From a technical standpoint, Johnston has created something genuinely innovative. While gamebooks dominated the 1980s, few authors have successfully adapted the format for adult crime fiction. The challenge lies in maintaining narrative coherence across multiple branching paths while ensuring that each route provides satisfying character development and plot progression.
Johnston succeeds by keeping the core mystery elements consistent while varying the order and method of discovery. Whether you prioritize interviewing suspects, examining physical evidence, or following up on background information, you're always working toward the same ultimate truth—but your path to that truth shapes your understanding of the case.
Strengths and Limitations
The book's greatest strength lies in its successful fusion of traditional mystery elements with interactive innovation. The investigation feels authentic, the characters are well-developed, and the solution is both surprising and logical. The multiple paths through the story create genuine replay value rarely found in mystery fiction.
However, the format can occasionally feel constraining. Some readers may find the constant decision-making interrupts the flow of the narrative. The need to track clue numbers and maintain notes requires more active engagement than some readers seek in recreational reading.
The book also faces the challenge of appealing to both traditional mystery readers and gamebook enthusiasts—two audiences with different expectations and preferences. While Johnston largely succeeds in this balancing act, some elements may satisfy neither group completely.
The Verdict: A Successful Experiment
"Can You Solve the Murder?" succeeds as both mystery novel and interactive experiment. Johnston has created a work that honors the traditions of detective fiction while pushing the genre into new territory. The book demands active participation from readers, rewarding careful attention to detail and logical thinking.
While the format may not appeal to all mystery readers, those willing to engage with its interactive elements will find a rewarding experience that offers something genuinely new in crime fiction. The book works both as entertainment and as a test of detective skills, providing multiple pathways to discovery and varying levels of investigative success.
November 23, 2025
Dit was echt heel erg leuk om te doen! En ik heb het goed 😋
August 22, 2025
Libro interattivo in cui il lettore è invitato ad agire in prima persona e a scovare l'assassino districandosi tra vari indizi e false piste. L'ho trovato molto avvicente e per nulla banale, sicuramente un ottimo passatempo estivo.
June 20, 2025
Is it clever? Maybe. Is it fun? Absolutely!
I sat for 5 hours reading through the whole thing, making notes and decoding text messages - all to get it wrong in the end. But none of that mattered, because I enjoyed going through my notes after and seeing where I messed up. It felt like Knives Out, in a good way.
At the end of the book there’s a tally of your score, too. Just so you never did it all for nothing :)
I sat for 5 hours reading through the whole thing, making notes and decoding text messages - all to get it wrong in the end. But none of that mattered, because I enjoyed going through my notes after and seeing where I messed up. It felt like Knives Out, in a good way.
At the end of the book there’s a tally of your score, too. Just so you never did it all for nothing :)
December 1, 2025
Είναι μία βροχερή μέρα στην Αγγλία (πρωτότυπο) και σε παίρνουν τηλέφωνο να εξιχνιάσεις έναν φόνο. Ένας τοπικός επιχειρηματίας κείτεται νεκρός στο κέντρο ευεξίας Ελίζιουμ και εσύ καλείσαι να αποφασίσεις αν πρόκειται για αυτοκτονία ή μήπως.... ο δολοφόνος κυκλοφορεί ανάμεσα μας;
Σου φορτώνουν και μία καινούρια συνάδελφο για βοηθό και πόσα να αντέξεις ο άνθρωπος; Άντε να τα βάλεις σε μία σειρά, να ψάξεις πόντο πόντο για αποδεικτικά στοιχεία και να ξεκινήσεις τις ανακρίσεις. Είσαι έτοιμος να μπεις στο παιχνίδι και να σε παρασύρει η δύναμη της εξουσίας;
Το βιβλίο μου άρεσε και με ενθουσίασε στο μέγιστο! Ουσιαστικά καλούμαστε να αποφασίσουμε ποιο θα είναι το επόμενο βήμα στην εξιχνίαση της υπόθεσης και το τραγούδι I've got the power παίρνει σάρκα και οστά! Όχι όχι μην νομίζεις οτι θα πάρεις τα κεφάλαια με τη σειρά και οτι σαν άλλος ατάραχος και μόνος καουμπόις θα διαβάσεις ήρεμα. Η πλοκή βάσει των αποφάσεων σου θα σε πηγαίνει μία στο τέλος του βιβλίου και μία στην αρχή. Ένα μπουρδούκλωμα που προσωπικά με κράτησε σε εγρήγορση. Μην ξεχάσεις οτι μαζί σου θα πρέπει να έχεις και ένα τετράδιο που στην αρχή μπορεί να το κοιτάζεις με απορημένο ύφος, αλλά στο τέλος σε προκαλώ να μου πεις αν το γέμισες με σημειώσεις! Αποκορύφωμα ήταν όταν καλούμασταν να αποκρυπτογραφήσουμε κάποια μηνύματα και ήμουν στο τσακ να στείλω βιογραφικό στην αστυνομική διεύθυνση της Αγγλίας.
Φυσικά στο τέλος και ΔΕΝ βρήκα τον ένοχο, αλλά θα έσκαγα αν δεν έπαιρνα τα βήματα από την αρχή και πίστεψε με, δεν φημίζομαι για την υπομονή μου. Φυσικά όμως μπορώ να κατανοήσω και τους αναγνώστες που στο τέλος είπαν "Ε ΟΧΙ την τύχη μου μέσα! Πάλι στην αρχή της ιστορίας με στέλνεις επειδή δεν βρήκα τον δολοφόνο;", αλλά για εμένα αυτή είναι η μαγεία του βιβλίου. Να σε κάνει να το διαβάσεις ξανά και ξανά από την αρχή και να ανακαλύψεις κεφάλαια και στοιχεία που δεν ήξερες στην πρώτη ανάγνωση!
Όπως και αν έχει, αν σε εξιτάρει το παιχνίδι αυτό και η Agatha Christie σου έχει δώσει διδακτορικό, είσαι έτοιμος να αναλάβεις τις ευθύνες σου. Και αν δεν το βρεις, δεν πειράζει. Βάλε ουίσκι και ξεκίνα πάλι το ψάξιμο!
Σου φορτώνουν και μία καινούρια συνάδελφο για βοηθό και πόσα να αντέξεις ο άνθρωπος; Άντε να τα βάλεις σε μία σειρά, να ψάξεις πόντο πόντο για αποδεικτικά στοιχεία και να ξεκινήσεις τις ανακρίσεις. Είσαι έτοιμος να μπεις στο παιχνίδι και να σε παρασύρει η δύναμη της εξουσίας;
Το βιβλίο μου άρεσε και με ενθουσίασε στο μέγιστο! Ουσιαστικά καλούμαστε να αποφασίσουμε ποιο θα είναι το επόμενο βήμα στην εξιχνίαση της υπόθεσης και το τραγούδι I've got the power παίρνει σάρκα και οστά! Όχι όχι μην νομίζεις οτι θα πάρεις τα κεφάλαια με τη σειρά και οτι σαν άλλος ατάραχος και μόνος καουμπόις θα διαβάσεις ήρεμα. Η πλοκή βάσει των αποφάσεων σου θα σε πηγαίνει μία στο τέλος του βιβλίου και μία στην αρχή. Ένα μπουρδούκλωμα που προσωπικά με κράτησε σε εγρήγορση. Μην ξεχάσεις οτι μαζί σου θα πρέπει να έχεις και ένα τετράδιο που στην αρχή μπορεί να το κοιτάζεις με απορημένο ύφος, αλλά στο τέλος σε προκαλώ να μου πεις αν το γέμισες με σημειώσεις! Αποκορύφωμα ήταν όταν καλούμασταν να αποκρυπτογραφήσουμε κάποια μηνύματα και ήμουν στο τσακ να στείλω βιογραφικό στην αστυνομική διεύθυνση της Αγγλίας.
Φυσικά στο τέλος και ΔΕΝ βρήκα τον ένοχο, αλλά θα έσκαγα αν δεν έπαιρνα τα βήματα από την αρχή και πίστεψε με, δεν φημίζομαι για την υπομονή μου. Φυσικά όμως μπορώ να κατανοήσω και τους αναγνώστες που στο τέλος είπαν "Ε ΟΧΙ την τύχη μου μέσα! Πάλι στην αρχή της ιστορίας με στέλνεις επειδή δεν βρήκα τον δολοφόνο;", αλλά για εμένα αυτή είναι η μαγεία του βιβλίου. Να σε κάνει να το διαβάσεις ξανά και ξανά από την αρχή και να ανακαλύψεις κεφάλαια και στοιχεία που δεν ήξερες στην πρώτη ανάγνωση!
Όπως και αν έχει, αν σε εξιτάρει το παιχνίδι αυτό και η Agatha Christie σου έχει δώσει διδακτορικό, είσαι έτοιμος να αναλάβεις τις ευθύνες σου. Και αν δεν το βρεις, δεν πειράζει. Βάλε ουίσκι και ξεκίνα πάλι το ψάξιμο!
October 6, 2025
Un extraño asesinato ha ocurrido en un retiro de bienestar. Un empresario local ha aparecido asesinado . Esto es lo que te encuentras cuando llegas a investigar el asesinato y desde ya te digo que vas a tener que sudar.
.
Lo que la he gozado con este libro! Es una experiencia inmersiva total para ser detective durante unas horas. Tendrás todo a tu disposición: las pistas, los policías, y según tú elección te trasladarás a unas paginas de la novela o a otras.
.
Me ha parecido una historia genial. Difícil en ocasiones, pero yo, que soy que soy competitiva, he intentado no rendirme.
.
Un regalo super original y creo que puede gustar mucho, por la diversión y el entretenimiento. Muy recomendable
.
Lo que la he gozado con este libro! Es una experiencia inmersiva total para ser detective durante unas horas. Tendrás todo a tu disposición: las pistas, los policías, y según tú elección te trasladarás a unas paginas de la novela o a otras.
.
Me ha parecido una historia genial. Difícil en ocasiones, pero yo, que soy que soy competitiva, he intentado no rendirme.
.
Un regalo super original y creo que puede gustar mucho, por la diversión y el entretenimiento. Muy recomendable
August 11, 2025
Entretenido, pero sin más. No me ha parecido una gran historia. Su punto fuerte es que al ser interactivo se te hace ameno. Me hecharon 3 veces del caso, menos mal que no quise ser policía 🤣
December 21, 2025
Dit was zo leuk om te doen! Zoveel notities gemaakt en je blijft ook echt maar bladeren door het boek op zoek naar het hoofdstuk dat het vervolg is op jouw keuze. Een hele leuke combi tussen lezen en puzzelen, I love it
October 19, 2025
2.5 ⭐️
My expectations were way too high.
I loved the “choose your own adventure books” as a kid. All you needed was a dice, a pencil and an erasure.
Now, an ebook and an e- list is the way to go and it’s not the same.
I came alive when i had to decode some messages and that was the best part of the book for me.
Apart from that I honestly couldn’t have cared less who dunnit’!!
My expectations were way too high.
I loved the “choose your own adventure books” as a kid. All you needed was a dice, a pencil and an erasure.
Now, an ebook and an e- list is the way to go and it’s not the same.
I came alive when i had to decode some messages and that was the best part of the book for me.
Apart from that I honestly couldn’t have cared less who dunnit’!!
September 12, 2025
a fun twist from my usual reads, but tedious.
I loved choose-your-own-adventure stories growing up, so this one intrigued me immediately as an interactive murder mystery. I was hooked; scribbling down any and everything that even slightly struck me as a possible clue. it was clearly well thought-out, with 200 sections, interescting pathways, and various clues to uncover. however, it started feeling tedious near the end. I understand that that's simply the nature of the book, and honestly, I'm just impatient. The ending was solid, but by then I was impatient to the point of just going through every suspect and every piece of evidence just to see who the killer was. no fault of Johnston's, just my own annoyance. otherwise it was a fun first book to get back into reading after a small slump, so I can't fault it.
I loved choose-your-own-adventure stories growing up, so this one intrigued me immediately as an interactive murder mystery. I was hooked; scribbling down any and everything that even slightly struck me as a possible clue. it was clearly well thought-out, with 200 sections, interescting pathways, and various clues to uncover. however, it started feeling tedious near the end. I understand that that's simply the nature of the book, and honestly, I'm just impatient. The ending was solid, but by then I was impatient to the point of just going through every suspect and every piece of evidence just to see who the killer was. no fault of Johnston's, just my own annoyance. otherwise it was a fun first book to get back into reading after a small slump, so I can't fault it.
July 13, 2025
3.5 rounding up. This is a fun one reminiscent of the choose your adventure books of my childhood. It is also not a passive read. To do this book right, you need to be taking notes, keeping track of clues, and actively stay ahead of the story. It felt like a lot of work for what should be a fun hobby! If you’re willing to put it in, it’s a good time, otherwise this locked room mystery will be very frustrating.
August 23, 2025
Cool format but I didn’t solve the crime and was told start over. I didn’t want to.
July 10, 2025
Probably the most fun I've had reading a book in a while. Bring a notepad, stay organized, and see where it takes you!
October 26, 2025
This is such a fun concept and really tests your ability to pay attention to context clues. I found the whole situation with the characters to be dull and not very interesting. I wish it was a more thrilling scenario.
August 18, 2025
This book was fun but I went through all 6 suspects before getting it right…. I would have enjoyed the ending more if the evidence was better laid out or actually lead the reader to the killer. Would still recommend.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 19, 2025
~4.25 stars
This was such a fun read and if you’ve ever read a “choose your own adventure” book as a kid, this is a book you need to add to your TBR!
You really get to feel like a detective by writing down clues, solving ciphers, and choosing between red herrings and discovering actual facts of the crime!
I just felt rushed making a decision and felt like it leapt out of no where & wanted a bit more time to collect evidence before making a decision. (My first choice was incorrect but I think a lot of people will make the same mistake since my second choice was the one I should have went with). I also felt that at least for me, I could not FOR THE LIFE OF ME find the connection to the “clue” for how to do the ciphers & still don’t know where it came from or how you’re meant to know without the book spelling out the clue (and on some paths of this book you’ll miss SO MANY other clues if you don’t just look for a hint yourself and flip back to & solve the ciphers from there). It would have been nice for that hunt to be more evident in the book so all readers on all paths of the book had a fairies chance of discovering that themselves.
Can’t wait to read this again sometime and choose a completely different path!
This was such a fun read and if you’ve ever read a “choose your own adventure” book as a kid, this is a book you need to add to your TBR!
You really get to feel like a detective by writing down clues, solving ciphers, and choosing between red herrings and discovering actual facts of the crime!
I just felt rushed making a decision and felt like it leapt out of no where & wanted a bit more time to collect evidence before making a decision. (My first choice was incorrect but I think a lot of people will make the same mistake since my second choice was the one I should have went with). I also felt that at least for me, I could not FOR THE LIFE OF ME find the connection to the “clue” for how to do the ciphers & still don’t know where it came from or how you’re meant to know without the book spelling out the clue (and on some paths of this book you’ll miss SO MANY other clues if you don’t just look for a hint yourself and flip back to & solve the ciphers from there). It would have been nice for that hunt to be more evident in the book so all readers on all paths of the book had a fairies chance of discovering that themselves.
Can’t wait to read this again sometime and choose a completely different path!
December 4, 2025
3,5/5
Ήρθε λοιπόν η στιγμή να γίνετε κι εσείς ένας από τους βασικούς ήρωες αυτού του βιβλίου και να αναλάβετε δράση.
Σε ένα παλιό αγγλικό αρχοντικό, το οποίο έχει μετατραπεί σε κέντρο ευεξίας, εντοπίζεται ένα πτώμα με ένα τριαντάφυλλο στο στόμα.
Φόνος ή αυτοκτονία;
Από εδώ ξεκινά ο δικός σας ρόλος.
Το βιβλίο αποτελείται από 200 σύντομες ενότητες. Αν το διαβάσετε απλώς σελίδα με σελίδα, δεν θα καταλάβετε τίποτα γιατί στο τέλος κάθε ενότητας καλείστε να αποφασίσετε προς ποια κατεύθυνση θα στραφεί η έρευνά σας. Εσείς είστε ο ντετέκτιβ.
Το εγχείρημα μοιάζει απαιτητικό, όμως ο Antony Johnston έχει οργανώσει την υπόθεση με τέτοια ακρίβεια, που δεν θα χαθείτε ούτε στιγμή.
Πρόκειται για ένα αστυνομικό μυθιστόρημα που στην επιφάνεια θυμίζει πολλά άλλα· όμως η διαδραστική του δομή είναι αυτή που κάνει τη διαφορά. Το βρήκα εξαιρετικά διασκεδαστικό και έξυπνο, χωρίς να ξεχνάμε πως μόνο η αρχή και –ίσως– το τέλος είναι κοινά. Το ίδιο το βιβλίο μπορεί να διαβαστεί με τέσσερις διαφορετικούς τρόπους, ανάλογα με τη ροή που θα επιλέξετε. Μια όμορφη πρόκληση, που στο τέλος μπορεί να συνοδευτεί και από τη βαθμολογία σας.
Ήρθε λοιπόν η στιγμή να γίνετε κι εσείς ένας από τους βασικούς ήρωες αυτού του βιβλίου και να αναλάβετε δράση.
Σε ένα παλιό αγγλικό αρχοντικό, το οποίο έχει μετατραπεί σε κέντρο ευεξίας, εντοπίζεται ένα πτώμα με ένα τριαντάφυλλο στο στόμα.
Φόνος ή αυτοκτονία;
Από εδώ ξεκινά ο δικός σας ρόλος.
Το βιβλίο αποτελείται από 200 σύντομες ενότητες. Αν το διαβάσετε απλώς σελίδα με σελίδα, δεν θα καταλάβετε τίποτα γιατί στο τέλος κάθε ενότητας καλείστε να αποφασίσετε προς ποια κατεύθυνση θα στραφεί η έρευνά σας. Εσείς είστε ο ντετέκτιβ.
Το εγχείρημα μοιάζει απαιτητικό, όμως ο Antony Johnston έχει οργανώσει την υπόθεση με τέτοια ακρίβεια, που δεν θα χαθείτε ούτε στιγμή.
Πρόκειται για ένα αστυνομικό μυθιστόρημα που στην επιφάνεια θυμίζει πολλά άλλα· όμως η διαδραστική του δομή είναι αυτή που κάνει τη διαφορά. Το βρήκα εξαιρετικά διασκεδαστικό και έξυπνο, χωρίς να ξεχνάμε πως μόνο η αρχή και –ίσως– το τέλος είναι κοινά. Το ίδιο το βιβλίο μπορεί να διαβαστεί με τέσσερις διαφορετικούς τρόπους, ανάλογα με τη ροή που θα επιλέξετε. Μια όμορφη πρόκληση, που στο τέλος μπορεί να συνοδευτεί και από τη βαθμολογία σας.
August 12, 2025
3.75/5⭐️ [współpraca recenzencka z wydawnictwem Czwarta Strona]
“Czy odkryjesz kto jest mordercą” od Antony Johnston to książka, która pozwala czytelnikowi samemu zadecydować jak potoczy się historia. Wciela się w rolę detektywa, by wskazać i oskarżyć podejrzanego. Każda podjęta decyzja może całkowicie zmienić bieg wydarzeń. Rozdział kończy się wskazówką, która prowadzi do następnej i w zależności od tego, co zadecyduje - tak toczy się fabuła.
Książka jest nieprzewidywalna. Sama byłam przekonana, że szybko rozwiążę zagadkę morderstwa i odgadnę przestępcę, jednakże udało mi się to dopiero za czwartym razem.
Podsumowując: świetna zabawa i wciągająca rozrywka. Jeżeli chcesz się sprawdzić w roli detektywa, mieć swojego partnera w sprawie, odwiedzać prosektorium, badać miejsce zbrodni i prowadzić dochodzenie - to książka właśnie dla ciebie.
“Czy odkryjesz kto jest mordercą” od Antony Johnston to książka, która pozwala czytelnikowi samemu zadecydować jak potoczy się historia. Wciela się w rolę detektywa, by wskazać i oskarżyć podejrzanego. Każda podjęta decyzja może całkowicie zmienić bieg wydarzeń. Rozdział kończy się wskazówką, która prowadzi do następnej i w zależności od tego, co zadecyduje - tak toczy się fabuła.
Książka jest nieprzewidywalna. Sama byłam przekonana, że szybko rozwiążę zagadkę morderstwa i odgadnę przestępcę, jednakże udało mi się to dopiero za czwartym razem.
Podsumowując: świetna zabawa i wciągająca rozrywka. Jeżeli chcesz się sprawdzić w roli detektywa, mieć swojego partnera w sprawie, odwiedzać prosektorium, badać miejsce zbrodni i prowadzić dochodzenie - to książka właśnie dla ciebie.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 478 reviews