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This Is Not a Game: A Novel
Golden Girls
meets
Only Murders in the Building
MURDER
MARTINIS
A GRANDMOTHER-GRANDDAUGHTER SLEUTHING DUO
DACHSHUNDS (x2)
A GLAMOROUS ISLAND MANOR
Widow Mimi lives on idyllic Mackinac Island, where cars are not allowed and a Gibson martini with three onions at the witching hour is compulsory. Her estranged granddaughter, Addie, is getting over the heartbreak of not only being dumped by her fiancé, Brian, but also being cut out of the deal for the brilliantly successful video game Murderscape they invented together (with Addie doing most of the heavy lifting).
When Mimi gets an invitation from local socialite Jane Ireland—a seventysomething narcissist who’s having a salacious affair with her son-in-law—to a charity auction, she invites Addie. But Mimi doesn’t tell her that a blackmail threat from Jane looms over the party’s invitation.
Once they arrive, a big storm rolls in, trapping everyone in the mansion. And then, Jane is murdered. Soon Mimi and Addie’s strained relationship is put to the test when they must team up to narrow down the suspects. When another body turns up, the sleuthing pair realize someone else is playing a deadly game, and they might not survive the night.
MURDER
MARTINIS
A GRANDMOTHER-GRANDDAUGHTER SLEUTHING DUO
DACHSHUNDS (x2)
A GLAMOROUS ISLAND MANOR
Widow Mimi lives on idyllic Mackinac Island, where cars are not allowed and a Gibson martini with three onions at the witching hour is compulsory. Her estranged granddaughter, Addie, is getting over the heartbreak of not only being dumped by her fiancé, Brian, but also being cut out of the deal for the brilliantly successful video game Murderscape they invented together (with Addie doing most of the heavy lifting).
When Mimi gets an invitation from local socialite Jane Ireland—a seventysomething narcissist who’s having a salacious affair with her son-in-law—to a charity auction, she invites Addie. But Mimi doesn’t tell her that a blackmail threat from Jane looms over the party’s invitation.
Once they arrive, a big storm rolls in, trapping everyone in the mansion. And then, Jane is murdered. Soon Mimi and Addie’s strained relationship is put to the test when they must team up to narrow down the suspects. When another body turns up, the sleuthing pair realize someone else is playing a deadly game, and they might not survive the night.
Audible Audio
First published April 8, 2025
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About the author
Kelly Mullen
2 books164 followersWelcome to my Goodreads page! I’m an author of contemporary murder mysteries inspired by the Golden Age of Detective Fiction. My second book, A Murder in Eight Cocktails, publishes March 2026.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 869 reviews
May 2, 2025
A quick, easy read filled with suspicious personas alongside two fun amateur sleuths, This Is Not a Game was the perfect palate cleanser for this thriller lover. Pulling inspiration from Golden Age locked room murder mystery novels, Ms. Mullen added a healthy dose of hilarity laced with plenty of sarcasm. From the layers of secrets to the endearing relationship between Addie and Mimi, I was quickly pulled into this doozy of a tale. Complex, atmospheric, and complete with a few red herrings as well as some subtle clues, it was everything I could want, including a finale complete with a classic dénouement.
Despite a plot that could have rivaled some of Ms. Agatha Christie’s, the characters were easily the special sauce in this cozy-ish mystery. Eccentric, quirky, and running the gamut from charming to vile, the complex group dynamics and isolated setting made this book an out-and-out winner. You see, the moat-surrounded mansion felt like yet another persona. With a maze of secret passages and even a drawbridge, it made my list for best locked room setting in no time at all. Combined with the dual POVs of Addie and Mimi, who won me over hook, line, and sinker, this lighthearted read was an utter slam dunk.
All said and done, despite the need to suspend all disbelief, Ms. Kelly Mullen has penned quite the debut. With natural dialogue, giggle-worthy humor, and a definite Knives Out feel, there simply wasn’t much there not to love. Granted, the theorizing got a tad thick there in the middle, but what else can you expect in a whodunnit? Now I’m just wishing and hoping that it was just the first installment of this unlikely sleuthing duo. After all, there’s so much more to be told about their unfolding story. So if you love a plot grounded in blackmail and characters who will fill you with suspicion, grab this book ASAP. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Widow Mimi lives on idyllic Mackinac Island, where cars are not allowed and a Gibson martini with three onions at the witching hour is compulsory. Her estranged granddaughter, Addie, is getting over the heartbreak of not only being dumped by her fiancé, Brian, but also being cut out of the deal for the brilliantly successful video game Murderscape they invented together (with Addie doing most of the heavy lifting).
When Mimi gets an invitation from local socialite Jane Ireland—a seventysomething narcissist who’s having a salacious affair with her son-in-law—to a charity auction, she invites Addie. But Mimi doesn’t tell her that a blackmail threat from Jane looms over the party’s invitation.
Once they arrive, a big storm rolls in, trapping everyone in the mansion. And then, Jane is murdered. Soon Mimi and Addie’s strained relationship is put to the test when they must team up to narrow down the suspects. When another body turns up, the sleuthing pair realize someone else is playing a deadly game, and they might not survive the night.
Thank you to Kelly Mullen and Dutton Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: April 8, 2025
Content warning: blackmail, gun violence, mention of: gaslighting
Despite a plot that could have rivaled some of Ms. Agatha Christie’s, the characters were easily the special sauce in this cozy-ish mystery. Eccentric, quirky, and running the gamut from charming to vile, the complex group dynamics and isolated setting made this book an out-and-out winner. You see, the moat-surrounded mansion felt like yet another persona. With a maze of secret passages and even a drawbridge, it made my list for best locked room setting in no time at all. Combined with the dual POVs of Addie and Mimi, who won me over hook, line, and sinker, this lighthearted read was an utter slam dunk.
All said and done, despite the need to suspend all disbelief, Ms. Kelly Mullen has penned quite the debut. With natural dialogue, giggle-worthy humor, and a definite Knives Out feel, there simply wasn’t much there not to love. Granted, the theorizing got a tad thick there in the middle, but what else can you expect in a whodunnit? Now I’m just wishing and hoping that it was just the first installment of this unlikely sleuthing duo. After all, there’s so much more to be told about their unfolding story. So if you love a plot grounded in blackmail and characters who will fill you with suspicion, grab this book ASAP. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Widow Mimi lives on idyllic Mackinac Island, where cars are not allowed and a Gibson martini with three onions at the witching hour is compulsory. Her estranged granddaughter, Addie, is getting over the heartbreak of not only being dumped by her fiancé, Brian, but also being cut out of the deal for the brilliantly successful video game Murderscape they invented together (with Addie doing most of the heavy lifting).
When Mimi gets an invitation from local socialite Jane Ireland—a seventysomething narcissist who’s having a salacious affair with her son-in-law—to a charity auction, she invites Addie. But Mimi doesn’t tell her that a blackmail threat from Jane looms over the party’s invitation.
Once they arrive, a big storm rolls in, trapping everyone in the mansion. And then, Jane is murdered. Soon Mimi and Addie’s strained relationship is put to the test when they must team up to narrow down the suspects. When another body turns up, the sleuthing pair realize someone else is playing a deadly game, and they might not survive the night.
Thank you to Kelly Mullen and Dutton Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: April 8, 2025
Content warning: blackmail, gun violence, mention of: gaslighting
December 10, 2025
**3.5-stars rounded up**
This Is Not a Game features a classic Locked Room set-up and a Grandmother-Granddaughter amateur sleuthing duo that I found incredibly charming.
Mimi lives on idyllic Mackinac Island in Michigan. The island is a popular tourist destination in the summer months, with that population dropping off significantly in the off-season. Something I can relate to all to well living on a similar island myself.
Mimi's granddaughter, Addie, is trying to get over the heartbreak of having her fiance ditch her, as well as cutting her out of a deal for the wildly successful video game, Murderscape, that they created together.
Though Addie and Mimi's relationship has been strained, mainly due to Brian, the scum, the two women end up reconnecting and they decide to have Addie come to Mackinac for a needed visit.
The visit happens to coincide with a lavish charity auction/party that Mimi has been invited to, hosted by the narcissistic, local-socialite, Jane Ireland. Mimi's invitation extends to Addie as well. It should be fun.
The theme of the party, because every great party needs a theme, is Jazz Era Murder Mystery. Soon enough though, this crowd-pleasing theme takes on a frightening new meaning when Jane's dead body is discovered.
With a terrible storm approaching, the guests of the murder mystery party are now trapped. There's no means to escape and no way for help to get to them. The guests are left to their own devices with a horrible mystery to solve.
When another body is found, Mimi and Addie realize they're going to have to put their special skills to the test to suss out the killer before they get the chance to kill again.
This Is Not a Game was such a fun read for me. I loved having a Grandmother-Granddaughter duo sleuthing together, which was different to the norm and I appreciated that representation. The whole set-up, really, was my cup of tea.
It currently has a surprisingly low rating, and I'm puzzled by that. I'll have to dig into some reviews to discover why, because I feel like the rating definitely sells this one short.
It is quite Murder Mystery trope-filled, but that's sort of my love language in a Cozy. I liked that part of it. My life is stressful. I find tropes comforting, especially in this genre.
That's probably an unpopular opinion, but it works for me, as did this book!
This Is Not a Game features a classic Locked Room set-up and a Grandmother-Granddaughter amateur sleuthing duo that I found incredibly charming.
Mimi lives on idyllic Mackinac Island in Michigan. The island is a popular tourist destination in the summer months, with that population dropping off significantly in the off-season. Something I can relate to all to well living on a similar island myself.
Mimi's granddaughter, Addie, is trying to get over the heartbreak of having her fiance ditch her, as well as cutting her out of a deal for the wildly successful video game, Murderscape, that they created together.
Though Addie and Mimi's relationship has been strained, mainly due to Brian, the scum, the two women end up reconnecting and they decide to have Addie come to Mackinac for a needed visit.
The visit happens to coincide with a lavish charity auction/party that Mimi has been invited to, hosted by the narcissistic, local-socialite, Jane Ireland. Mimi's invitation extends to Addie as well. It should be fun.
The theme of the party, because every great party needs a theme, is Jazz Era Murder Mystery. Soon enough though, this crowd-pleasing theme takes on a frightening new meaning when Jane's dead body is discovered.
With a terrible storm approaching, the guests of the murder mystery party are now trapped. There's no means to escape and no way for help to get to them. The guests are left to their own devices with a horrible mystery to solve.
When another body is found, Mimi and Addie realize they're going to have to put their special skills to the test to suss out the killer before they get the chance to kill again.
This Is Not a Game was such a fun read for me. I loved having a Grandmother-Granddaughter duo sleuthing together, which was different to the norm and I appreciated that representation. The whole set-up, really, was my cup of tea.
It currently has a surprisingly low rating, and I'm puzzled by that. I'll have to dig into some reviews to discover why, because I feel like the rating definitely sells this one short.
It is quite Murder Mystery trope-filled, but that's sort of my love language in a Cozy. I liked that part of it. My life is stressful. I find tropes comforting, especially in this genre.
That's probably an unpopular opinion, but it works for me, as did this book!
December 24, 2025
For those who may or may not be aware, this author has some interesting resume credentials. She started as a Hollywood producer. She has worked on the Academy Award-nominated ‘Trumbo,’ starring Bryan Cranston and Helen Mirren, and Apple TV + ‘Dads’ also produced by Ron Howard.
This is actually her debut novel that starts off leading readers to believe something is amiss. What did our main character, Mimi do that would force her to attend a neighbor’s upcoming event? And, what did Mimi do in her past that would cause her to be blackmailed by the event’s host?
Now, Mimi isn’t your ordinary protagonist. She is a grandmother leading a rather comfortable, quiet secluded lifestyle quite happy with her plants. So, what is this past that she doesn’t want revealed?
Feeling a bit rattled, Mimi calls her estranged granddaughter Addie to attend this event with her. Addie agrees, believing this invitation by her grandmother is meant to reconcile their distant relationship.
But soon chaos ensues when the host is found dead. Oh no!
Before long, Mimi and Addie find themselves fully vested sleuths at the mansion amidst a snow storm, with more dead bodies and other possible blackmail victims. What is going on here? What secrets are at play here? And, who is the killer?
With an intriguing cast of characters, and some puzzle-like twists, this fun pair should keep readers engaged. And, with Mimi’s Gibson Martini recipe at the end of the book, do you think you might need a drink, to try and figure this one out? Cheers.🥂
This is actually her debut novel that starts off leading readers to believe something is amiss. What did our main character, Mimi do that would force her to attend a neighbor’s upcoming event? And, what did Mimi do in her past that would cause her to be blackmailed by the event’s host?
Now, Mimi isn’t your ordinary protagonist. She is a grandmother leading a rather comfortable, quiet secluded lifestyle quite happy with her plants. So, what is this past that she doesn’t want revealed?
Feeling a bit rattled, Mimi calls her estranged granddaughter Addie to attend this event with her. Addie agrees, believing this invitation by her grandmother is meant to reconcile their distant relationship.
But soon chaos ensues when the host is found dead. Oh no!
Before long, Mimi and Addie find themselves fully vested sleuths at the mansion amidst a snow storm, with more dead bodies and other possible blackmail victims. What is going on here? What secrets are at play here? And, who is the killer?
With an intriguing cast of characters, and some puzzle-like twists, this fun pair should keep readers engaged. And, with Mimi’s Gibson Martini recipe at the end of the book, do you think you might need a drink, to try and figure this one out? Cheers.🥂
June 14, 2025
If you’re a fan of Agatha Christie’s And Then There None, The Golden Girls, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, then you will want to preorder this gem of a mystery right now!
Some of the reasons I loved this book:
♜ Locked Room Mystery
♜ Blackmail
♜ Multi-generational sleuths (granddaughter and grandmother)
♜ Mansion on Mackinac Island setting
♜ Lavish party with an unusual guest list
♜ Snowstorm
♜ Witty banter
♜ Gaming references
♜ Delicious food descriptions
♜ Cleverly plotted whodunit
Everyone is going to fall in love with Mimi, the Gibson-guzzling grandma.
Some of the reasons I loved this book:
♜ Locked Room Mystery
♜ Blackmail
♜ Multi-generational sleuths (granddaughter and grandmother)
♜ Mansion on Mackinac Island setting
♜ Lavish party with an unusual guest list
♜ Snowstorm
♜ Witty banter
♜ Gaming references
♜ Delicious food descriptions
♜ Cleverly plotted whodunit
Everyone is going to fall in love with Mimi, the Gibson-guzzling grandma.
April 8, 2025
HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY!
A cozy debut!
I usually choose my cozy mysteries very carefully, as this is not my favorite genre. But after reading the enticing synopsis of This is Not a Game, I thought I would give this debut a try.
When Rosemary (Mimi) is invited (blackmailed) to attend an auction by the Mackinac island socialite Jane Ireland, she asks her estranged granddaughter Addie to attend with her. During the event, a snowstorm ensues and the power goes out, leaving them trapped in an Agatha Christie style locked room mystery. When Jane is murdered, everyone is a suspect. It is up to Mimi and Addie to find the killer before more partygoers turn up dead. Thankfully, Addie is the co-creater of the successful video game Murderscape and knows how to solve complicated murder mysteries.
This is Not a Game is an atmospheric mystery with a sense of humor. From Mimi’s snowmobile named Joan Rivers, to her Mary Poppins style carryall bag, she embodies the quirky old lady stereotype. But don’t underestimate this seventy-seven year old crossword and Gibson loving grandma. She is a force to be reckoned with, despite the fact that she is hiding her own secret. However, I didn’t find Addie to be as intriguing. The reader is constantly reminded about the video game she helped create through her comparisons to the current mystery she is solving. This becomes tiresome and irritating instead of adding depth to the story. It also feels as if the chemistry is missing from this sleuthing duo.
Overall, This is Not a Game is a promising debut for Mullen, but not quite a home run.
3.5/5 stars rounded down
Expected publication date: 4/8/25
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group - Dutton for the ARC of This is Not a Game in exchange for an honest review.
A cozy debut!
I usually choose my cozy mysteries very carefully, as this is not my favorite genre. But after reading the enticing synopsis of This is Not a Game, I thought I would give this debut a try.
When Rosemary (Mimi) is invited (blackmailed) to attend an auction by the Mackinac island socialite Jane Ireland, she asks her estranged granddaughter Addie to attend with her. During the event, a snowstorm ensues and the power goes out, leaving them trapped in an Agatha Christie style locked room mystery. When Jane is murdered, everyone is a suspect. It is up to Mimi and Addie to find the killer before more partygoers turn up dead. Thankfully, Addie is the co-creater of the successful video game Murderscape and knows how to solve complicated murder mysteries.
This is Not a Game is an atmospheric mystery with a sense of humor. From Mimi’s snowmobile named Joan Rivers, to her Mary Poppins style carryall bag, she embodies the quirky old lady stereotype. But don’t underestimate this seventy-seven year old crossword and Gibson loving grandma. She is a force to be reckoned with, despite the fact that she is hiding her own secret. However, I didn’t find Addie to be as intriguing. The reader is constantly reminded about the video game she helped create through her comparisons to the current mystery she is solving. This becomes tiresome and irritating instead of adding depth to the story. It also feels as if the chemistry is missing from this sleuthing duo.
Overall, This is Not a Game is a promising debut for Mullen, but not quite a home run.
3.5/5 stars rounded down
Expected publication date: 4/8/25
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group - Dutton for the ARC of This is Not a Game in exchange for an honest review.
April 28, 2025
Pre Review: Need to get my hands on this one! Set in one of my fav places plus it’s a locked room and during my fav season! All making it a must read!
Review:
4.25 🌟
Mood/Seasonal Reading: November cozy day
I think I went into this was crazy high expectations. It was set in one of my favourite places in the world, during my favourite season and utilized likely my favourite mystery trope. It had it all. And honestly for the most part it delivered. I throughly enjoyed the two main characters. So much so I was hoping this would be a series so I could keep following them on their adventures.
I enjoyed the setting and most of the characters. While the mystery itself fell a bit flat for me it made up for it in dialogue. The humour and interactions were just stellar.
While I hoped to find a twisty mystery in this one I found myself caring less about the mystery as the book went on. I think this could’ve blown me away with a stronger mystery but sadly it was just too weak for me to rate this any higher. I often found myself confused by what they were doing and who they were talking to and the motives became jumbled in my head so much so that the reveal made no impact sadly.
All that being said I think it was a wonderful first shot and I would without a doubt happily read another mystery with these two main characters. I think with a stronger mystery a sequel could be a homerun!
Side Note: I will say I have a pet peeve of books being published in a season they aren’t set in but since I know next to nothing about publishing I’m sure this can’t be helped
Review:
4.25 🌟
Mood/Seasonal Reading: November cozy day
I think I went into this was crazy high expectations. It was set in one of my favourite places in the world, during my favourite season and utilized likely my favourite mystery trope. It had it all. And honestly for the most part it delivered. I throughly enjoyed the two main characters. So much so I was hoping this would be a series so I could keep following them on their adventures.
I enjoyed the setting and most of the characters. While the mystery itself fell a bit flat for me it made up for it in dialogue. The humour and interactions were just stellar.
While I hoped to find a twisty mystery in this one I found myself caring less about the mystery as the book went on. I think this could’ve blown me away with a stronger mystery but sadly it was just too weak for me to rate this any higher. I often found myself confused by what they were doing and who they were talking to and the motives became jumbled in my head so much so that the reveal made no impact sadly.
All that being said I think it was a wonderful first shot and I would without a doubt happily read another mystery with these two main characters. I think with a stronger mystery a sequel could be a homerun!
Side Note: I will say I have a pet peeve of books being published in a season they aren’t set in but since I know next to nothing about publishing I’m sure this can’t be helped
April 17, 2025
If you want to read this book, do not do the audio book! It is so frustrating that they used a British woman to narrate a book set in America, or as she would say Americer. She needs elocution lessons before trying to pass as American ever again. Ider (idea), Florider, and so many more were painful to hear over and over throughout the 9.5 hour listen.
The author, raised in Iowa but now with dual US and UK citizenship, should know we do not use the term "carryall" in the states or at least use a synonym for it one in a blue moon: purse, bag, duffle, satchel, pocketbook...any of those would work better than carryall.
I used an Audible credit on it because Bookbub recommended it as a new release. Wish I read with my eyes instead of my ears.
The author, raised in Iowa but now with dual US and UK citizenship, should know we do not use the term "carryall" in the states or at least use a synonym for it one in a blue moon: purse, bag, duffle, satchel, pocketbook...any of those would work better than carryall.
I used an Audible credit on it because Bookbub recommended it as a new release. Wish I read with my eyes instead of my ears.
October 14, 2024
ARC for review. To be published April 8, 2025.
The standard 3 star rating for this standard cozy-ish mystery set on the gorgeous sounding Mackinac Island….I really want to go to there but ONLY during the summer. I have made my husband promise to take me once we are done with the state game (my dad and I were racing to see who could visit all 50 states the fastest. He only had four left but died in August. However, I will definitely finish for both of us. I have five left, and will be going to Utah in November.. But I digress.)
Mimi MacLaine loves a genteel life that n a he exclusive island, which doesn’t allow cars. Her granddaughter, Addie, has come to stay with her after having her heart broken by Brian, her former fiancée….and not only did he kilt her he cut her out of their popular video game, Murderscape, that they developed together (well, Addie did most of the real work, natch.)
Seventy-something local socialite Jane Ireland invites Mimi to a charity auction (Jane is a narcissist who is having a torrid affair with her son in law, so she’s fun!). Mimi invites Addie to join her but fails to tell Addie that Jane is blackmailing Mimi.
Mimi and Addie arrive at the mansion and….wait for it…wait for it…a storm rolls in, trapping everyone there. Then Jane is found murdered. Game lovers Mimi and Addie must discover the murderer. Why? I don’t know. Sounds like a stroke of luck for Mimi if you ask me, but, then, as always, no one did.
Murderscape sounds like a really great game and I wish I were rating it! Instead we have one very non-effusive, unsentimental grandmother and her unlucky in love granddaughter who was way too enamored with someone who was obviously a piece of…well, it’s a cozy, so I should watch my sailor’s mouth. I was just sorry to see her do dumb as to still be tempted by him. Tempted to kill him, perhaps. If Brian turned up dead. So, the book was fine. Standard locked room stuff.
The standard 3 star rating for this standard cozy-ish mystery set on the gorgeous sounding Mackinac Island….I really want to go to there but ONLY during the summer. I have made my husband promise to take me once we are done with the state game (my dad and I were racing to see who could visit all 50 states the fastest. He only had four left but died in August. However, I will definitely finish for both of us. I have five left, and will be going to Utah in November.. But I digress.)
Mimi MacLaine loves a genteel life that n a he exclusive island, which doesn’t allow cars. Her granddaughter, Addie, has come to stay with her after having her heart broken by Brian, her former fiancée….and not only did he kilt her he cut her out of their popular video game, Murderscape, that they developed together (well, Addie did most of the real work, natch.)
Seventy-something local socialite Jane Ireland invites Mimi to a charity auction (Jane is a narcissist who is having a torrid affair with her son in law, so she’s fun!). Mimi invites Addie to join her but fails to tell Addie that Jane is blackmailing Mimi.
Mimi and Addie arrive at the mansion and….wait for it…wait for it…a storm rolls in, trapping everyone there. Then Jane is found murdered. Game lovers Mimi and Addie must discover the murderer. Why? I don’t know. Sounds like a stroke of luck for Mimi if you ask me, but, then, as always, no one did.
Murderscape sounds like a really great game and I wish I were rating it! Instead we have one very non-effusive, unsentimental grandmother and her unlucky in love granddaughter who was way too enamored with someone who was obviously a piece of…well, it’s a cozy, so I should watch my sailor’s mouth. I was just sorry to see her do dumb as to still be tempted by him. Tempted to kill him, perhaps. If Brian turned up dead. So, the book was fine. Standard locked room stuff.
February 25, 2025
⭑⭑⭑✩✩
~
This was a fun little murder mystery, in places it felt like it dragged and maybe missing just that little something extra, but overall wasn’t a bad read. If you like this genre then id definitely say give it a go.
~
Thanks to NetGalley and Kelly Mullen for the ARC copy 🫶🏼
Publication date: 8th April 2025
~
This was a fun little murder mystery, in places it felt like it dragged and maybe missing just that little something extra, but overall wasn’t a bad read. If you like this genre then id definitely say give it a go.
~
Thanks to NetGalley and Kelly Mullen for the ARC copy 🫶🏼
Publication date: 8th April 2025
April 10, 2025
Pretty typical locked room mystery. It’s pretty lighthearted, for a murder mystery.
December 15, 2024
2.75 stars
Repetitive and slow, 'This Is Not A Game' turned out to be less enjoyable than the description would lead you to believe. Trapped in an old mansion after a shady event gone wrong, a group of unlikely suspects discover multiple bodies. Addie, the developer of a popular game, and her Grandmother Mimi, who has a secret she's not yet willing to share with her granddaughter, take it upon themselves to investigate who is to blame.
This book goes round and round in circles throughout, especially when it comes to Addie's character constantly referencing how the murders are similar to plots in her game 'Murderscape'. Honestly, her character comes across as insensitive - she's constantly going around comparing these deaths to fictional plots to 'friends' and family of the victims! It seems like she's just constantly promoting herself because most of the big discoveries don't even come from her anyway - she's too busy talking about herself whilst Mimi solves the crimes.
There was also little chemistry between any of the characters which for the most part makes sense as the majority of them are strangers. However, Addie and Mimi just come across like cliches of a granddaughter / grandmother pairing which doesn't work at all as it's explained multiple times how previously they haven't got on and barely spoke to each other! I think my judgement of their relationship may be a bit harsh as I previously read 'The Switch' by Beth O'Leary which I think perfectly shows this family dynamic - if anything, reading this straight after just highlights how badly written their relationship was!
This just doesn't compare to other mysteries I've read! The end reveal also seemed out of nowhere, having the killer be a character whose name barely even shows up and we as an audience know next to nothing about! I didn't feel anything as the mystery wrapped as I did not care for the characters at all!
Thank you to NetGalley, Random House UK and Cornerstone for this arc !!
**All opinions are my own !!**
Repetitive and slow, 'This Is Not A Game' turned out to be less enjoyable than the description would lead you to believe. Trapped in an old mansion after a shady event gone wrong, a group of unlikely suspects discover multiple bodies. Addie, the developer of a popular game, and her Grandmother Mimi, who has a secret she's not yet willing to share with her granddaughter, take it upon themselves to investigate who is to blame.
This book goes round and round in circles throughout, especially when it comes to Addie's character constantly referencing how the murders are similar to plots in her game 'Murderscape'. Honestly, her character comes across as insensitive - she's constantly going around comparing these deaths to fictional plots to 'friends' and family of the victims! It seems like she's just constantly promoting herself because most of the big discoveries don't even come from her anyway - she's too busy talking about herself whilst Mimi solves the crimes.
There was also little chemistry between any of the characters which for the most part makes sense as the majority of them are strangers. However, Addie and Mimi just come across like cliches of a granddaughter / grandmother pairing which doesn't work at all as it's explained multiple times how previously they haven't got on and barely spoke to each other! I think my judgement of their relationship may be a bit harsh as I previously read 'The Switch' by Beth O'Leary which I think perfectly shows this family dynamic - if anything, reading this straight after just highlights how badly written their relationship was!
This just doesn't compare to other mysteries I've read! The end reveal also seemed out of nowhere, having the killer be a character whose name barely even shows up and we as an audience know next to nothing about! I didn't feel anything as the mystery wrapped as I did not care for the characters at all!
Thank you to NetGalley, Random House UK and Cornerstone for this arc !!
**All opinions are my own !!**
February 23, 2025
The blurb of this book is SO good. I was enticed into its pages by the promise of a really good murder mystery - a granddaughter along with her grandmother attempting to save the day by solving the murder, or murders, in this cosy crime thriller. It is set on an island in a freak snow storm where the weekend guests in the mansion house are snowed in with a murderer at large. Oh, and I forgot the power cut. What more could I ask for?
Unfortunately, the book didn't quite deliver. I found Mimi's attempts at witty repartee grated after a while. I didn't find the relationship between Mimi and her granddaughter, Addie, believable and there was little depth to the other characters.
Having pondered on my review, however, I've come to the conclusion that this might work better visually. I could really see it as a murder mystery on TV perhaps. It just didn't really work for me as a book. I do seem to be among the minority, however, as it has gone down a storm with a lot of other readers.
My thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately, the book didn't quite deliver. I found Mimi's attempts at witty repartee grated after a while. I didn't find the relationship between Mimi and her granddaughter, Addie, believable and there was little depth to the other characters.
Having pondered on my review, however, I've come to the conclusion that this might work better visually. I could really see it as a murder mystery on TV perhaps. It just didn't really work for me as a book. I do seem to be among the minority, however, as it has gone down a storm with a lot of other readers.
My thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 26, 2025
DNF. The audiobook narrator was doing a very strange and distracting American accent (she's actually British) and pronounced a number of words oddly (in some cases using their British pronunciations, in other cases just...making up pronunciations?). I was trying to power through it and focus on the story but the accent kept pulling me out of it.
April 5, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley and Dutton for providing me with this eARC! All thoughts are my own.
________
This was absolutely a cosy (as cosy as murder mysteries can get!) little story, spanning generations and bringing family members together. I would say that everything was there for a cohesive story that all comes together in the end, which is why my rating sits comfortably in the middle of the three star mark.
I liked the dual perspectives between our main characters, Addie and Mimi. Their relationship was tumultuous, and they came to odds sometimes but you could really see their connection, no matter how strained it could become.
There is an ensemble cast, and even the best books can struggle with getting each of their characters a suitable amount of description and characterisation. We get to know most of this ensemble to a degree, but I think some of the plot beats could’ve been harder hitting if we’d spent some more time with some of the minor characters.
I think the author did a great job of placing suspicion on each character, so much that I caught myself wondering if one of our POV characters actually had something to do with it! I had my suspicions, but I did managed to be surprised at times.
Book releases April 8th!
________
This was absolutely a cosy (as cosy as murder mysteries can get!) little story, spanning generations and bringing family members together. I would say that everything was there for a cohesive story that all comes together in the end, which is why my rating sits comfortably in the middle of the three star mark.
I liked the dual perspectives between our main characters, Addie and Mimi. Their relationship was tumultuous, and they came to odds sometimes but you could really see their connection, no matter how strained it could become.
There is an ensemble cast, and even the best books can struggle with getting each of their characters a suitable amount of description and characterisation. We get to know most of this ensemble to a degree, but I think some of the plot beats could’ve been harder hitting if we’d spent some more time with some of the minor characters.
I think the author did a great job of placing suspicion on each character, so much that I caught myself wondering if one of our POV characters actually had something to do with it! I had my suspicions, but I did managed to be surprised at times.
Book releases April 8th!
May 22, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Read if you like:
☠️ small town setting
☠️ single POV
☠️ third person POV
☠️ lots of characters
☠️ grandma/granddaughter mystery solving team
I loved the scenery the author painted in this book. I really felt like I was on Mackinac Island 🩷🩷 The smells and sounds and everything. I love when the author does such a good job with the descriptions that I can picture the story in my mind.
I loved Mimi and Addie! I loved watching their relationship form and how everything wrapped up nicely in the end 🩷
This was a very exciting mystery story, with lots of things constantly happening and tons or murder 🤪🤪 I really, really enjoyed it!
I have to admit I did see the end coming 🤪🤪 but I was guessing right up until the every last minute.
Thank you so much to Penguin Group Dutton and Kelly Mullen for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review 🩷🩷
Read if you like:
☠️ small town setting
☠️ single POV
☠️ third person POV
☠️ lots of characters
☠️ grandma/granddaughter mystery solving team
I loved the scenery the author painted in this book. I really felt like I was on Mackinac Island 🩷🩷 The smells and sounds and everything. I love when the author does such a good job with the descriptions that I can picture the story in my mind.
I loved Mimi and Addie! I loved watching their relationship form and how everything wrapped up nicely in the end 🩷
This was a very exciting mystery story, with lots of things constantly happening and tons or murder 🤪🤪 I really, really enjoyed it!
I have to admit I did see the end coming 🤪🤪 but I was guessing right up until the every last minute.
Thank you so much to Penguin Group Dutton and Kelly Mullen for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review 🩷🩷
August 8, 2025
I give this locked door thriller, somewhere between 3 and 3 1/2 stars.
SUMMARY
Rosemary is in her late 70s and is a long time resident of Mackinac Island. She is unapologetically outspoken and not super warm and fuzzy. She and her only living relative, her granddaughter Addie had a fight over Addie‘s boyfriend and have not spoken in a few months.
Rosemary receives a letter demanding she attend a party and bid on a very expensive painting “or else“ her biggest secret will be made public. She decides to enlist the help of her granddaughter Addie, hoping, even though they haven’t spoken in months, Addie will come anyway.
The night of the auction there is a huge snowstorm, they are cut off from the mainland and somebody is murdered. Addie and Rosemary need to figure out what happened before they end up getting blamed.
WHAT I LOVED 🥰
I absolutely adore the Mackinac Island setting, it is a very special, magical place where cars have been banned and summer days are long and beautiful. Although, the book is set in November, in the middle of a giant snowstorm, I am still completely charmed by the island. We used to go visit when I was a child and, although I haven’t been in years, I’m betting not much has changed.
The characters are mostly likable, the book does move a good pace and, it was fun to read.
WHAT I DIDN’T LOVE 😏
I did enjoy the book, but it did feel a little formulaic. I kind of felt like I was watching an episode of Elsbeth or Murder She Wrote. Kind of one of those shows about a perky, irreverent older lady who is very smart and observant but plays dumb to gets what she wants.
OVERALL
Not bad book at all. If you are looking for a fun beach read that does not take a ton of brain power, this will for sure keep you entertained.
SUMMARY
Rosemary is in her late 70s and is a long time resident of Mackinac Island. She is unapologetically outspoken and not super warm and fuzzy. She and her only living relative, her granddaughter Addie had a fight over Addie‘s boyfriend and have not spoken in a few months.
Rosemary receives a letter demanding she attend a party and bid on a very expensive painting “or else“ her biggest secret will be made public. She decides to enlist the help of her granddaughter Addie, hoping, even though they haven’t spoken in months, Addie will come anyway.
The night of the auction there is a huge snowstorm, they are cut off from the mainland and somebody is murdered. Addie and Rosemary need to figure out what happened before they end up getting blamed.
WHAT I LOVED 🥰
I absolutely adore the Mackinac Island setting, it is a very special, magical place where cars have been banned and summer days are long and beautiful. Although, the book is set in November, in the middle of a giant snowstorm, I am still completely charmed by the island. We used to go visit when I was a child and, although I haven’t been in years, I’m betting not much has changed.
The characters are mostly likable, the book does move a good pace and, it was fun to read.
WHAT I DIDN’T LOVE 😏
I did enjoy the book, but it did feel a little formulaic. I kind of felt like I was watching an episode of Elsbeth or Murder She Wrote. Kind of one of those shows about a perky, irreverent older lady who is very smart and observant but plays dumb to gets what she wants.
OVERALL
Not bad book at all. If you are looking for a fun beach read that does not take a ton of brain power, this will for sure keep you entertained.
April 30, 2025
Sometimes, it's frustrating when I expected a book to be at least decent, but it ended up disappointing. This Is Not a Game is a good example.
The book started quite well but after that it didn't manage to inject any excitement or thrills. The writing was flat throughout and the characters were all the same with just different names and occupations. It was repetitive about certain issues and it was a chore to read about them again and again.
3.5 stars, Kelly Mullen wanted to recreate a golden age mystery but she didn't have the skills to pull it off.
The book started quite well but after that it didn't manage to inject any excitement or thrills. The writing was flat throughout and the characters were all the same with just different names and occupations. It was repetitive about certain issues and it was a chore to read about them again and again.
3.5 stars, Kelly Mullen wanted to recreate a golden age mystery but she didn't have the skills to pull it off.
April 24, 2025
this was my most anticipated murder mystery of the year, and sadly, the writing could barely keep me conscious for the majority of my reading experience.
December 5, 2025
Rosemary MacLaine ist 76 Jahre alt und wohnt auf einer beschaulichen kleinen Insel. Sie löst gerne Kreuzworträtsel und macht es sich am liebsten mit einem Gibson, ihrem Lieblingscocktail, allein in ihrem Haus gemütlich. Auf soziale Kontakte oder gar Partys hat sie eher keine Lust - und macht das ihren Mitmenschen auch sehr deutlich klar. Umso mehr wundert sie sich, als sie plötzlich eine Einladung zu einer Party ihrer reichen Nachbarin Jane erhält, inklusive erpresserischer Karte, die ihr Erscheinen zur einzigen Option macht. Doch Rosemary geht nicht unvorbereitet auf diese Party: Mit im Gepäck hat sie ihre kluge und nervenstarke Enkelin Addie. Eine schlaue Entscheidung, geschieht doch schon nach kurzer Zeit ein Mord - und alle Zufahrtswege zum Herrenhaus sind durch einen Schneesturm abgeschnitten.
"Die Einladung - Mord nur für geladene Gäste" von Kelly Mullen ist ein klassischer Whodunnit-Krimi, der dank des vielen Schnees ganz wunderbar in den Winter passt. Rosemary und Addie sind angenehme Protagonistinnen, die den Lesenden immer wieder Möglichkeiten zum selbst Miträtseln offen lassen und dabei ihre ganz eigenen Lebens-Päckchen zu tragen haben. Wie in solchen Büchern üblich gibt es einen festen Kreis an Verdächtigen in einem geschlossenen Setting, die nach und nach befragt und aussortiert werden müssen - inklusive großem Showdown am Ende im Poirot-Stil. Ich habe den Kriminalroman gerne gelesen, finde aber, dass die Figuren und insbesondere die beiden Protagonistinnen letztlich trotz des Seitenumfangs recht blass blieben. Obwohl die Geschichte sowohl aus Addies, als auch aus Rosemarys Sicht erzählt wird, konnte ich die Erzählstimmen kaum auseinander halten, dabei liegen zwischen den Charakteren doch schätzungsweise 40 Jahre Altersunterschied. Zudem hätte das Erzähltempo im Buch für meinen Geschmack ein bisschen flotter sein dürfen. Für Liebhaber*innen von Cosy Crime à la Agatha Christie und zur Jahreszeit passenden Büchern eignet sich "Die Einladung" aber sicher sehr gut als Dezember-Lektüre!
Übersetzt von Katharina Naumann.
"Die Einladung - Mord nur für geladene Gäste" von Kelly Mullen ist ein klassischer Whodunnit-Krimi, der dank des vielen Schnees ganz wunderbar in den Winter passt. Rosemary und Addie sind angenehme Protagonistinnen, die den Lesenden immer wieder Möglichkeiten zum selbst Miträtseln offen lassen und dabei ihre ganz eigenen Lebens-Päckchen zu tragen haben. Wie in solchen Büchern üblich gibt es einen festen Kreis an Verdächtigen in einem geschlossenen Setting, die nach und nach befragt und aussortiert werden müssen - inklusive großem Showdown am Ende im Poirot-Stil. Ich habe den Kriminalroman gerne gelesen, finde aber, dass die Figuren und insbesondere die beiden Protagonistinnen letztlich trotz des Seitenumfangs recht blass blieben. Obwohl die Geschichte sowohl aus Addies, als auch aus Rosemarys Sicht erzählt wird, konnte ich die Erzählstimmen kaum auseinander halten, dabei liegen zwischen den Charakteren doch schätzungsweise 40 Jahre Altersunterschied. Zudem hätte das Erzähltempo im Buch für meinen Geschmack ein bisschen flotter sein dürfen. Für Liebhaber*innen von Cosy Crime à la Agatha Christie und zur Jahreszeit passenden Büchern eignet sich "Die Einladung" aber sicher sehr gut als Dezember-Lektüre!
Übersetzt von Katharina Naumann.
April 11, 2025
In this book, 70-something widow Mimi lives on Mackinac Island in Michigan. When she is invited to a party by a neighbor she hates - complete with blackmail demand - she invites her granddaughter Addie to come with her for moral support. And when their hostess turns up dead and a snowstorm traps them all in the house - well, it’s a good thing that Addie is the designer of a popular online murder mystery game, as grandmother and grandaughter team up to try to solve the murder themselves.
This was a fun, cozy-ish locked room mystery - kind of like a book version of the movie Clue. All the little meta nods to it being a live action video game while Addie works through clues were entertaining too, even to someone like me who doesn’t play such games. An enjoyable debut and I’d definitely read more from Kelly Mullen.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my copy; all opinions are my own.
This was a fun, cozy-ish locked room mystery - kind of like a book version of the movie Clue. All the little meta nods to it being a live action video game while Addie works through clues were entertaining too, even to someone like me who doesn’t play such games. An enjoyable debut and I’d definitely read more from Kelly Mullen.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my copy; all opinions are my own.
October 17, 2025
Cozy Crime a la Agatha Christie..
Ich fand das Ermittlerduo aus Enkelin Addie und Oma Mimi sympathisch. Die beiden hatten ihre Probleme aus der Vergangenheit und wurden durch die Ermittlungsarbeit wieder zu einer Einheit. Der Fall ist gut angelegt, doch einige Zufälle mussten zur Hilfe kommen um ihn zu lösen. Das alte Gemäuer mit seinen Geheimnissen kam inmitten des Schneesturms gut zur Geltung, da durch den Stromausfall ein Eingreifen von außen nicht möglich war, kein Handyempfang vorhanden war und niemand rein oder raus konnte.
Die vielen kleinen Hinweise auf bekannte Krimipersönlichkeiten haben mir ein Schmunzeln entlockt und Addies Hintergrund als Spieleentwicklerin hat mir richtig Lust gemacht auf ihr „Murderscape“, das leider nur Fiktion bleibt..
Ich fand das Ermittlerduo aus Enkelin Addie und Oma Mimi sympathisch. Die beiden hatten ihre Probleme aus der Vergangenheit und wurden durch die Ermittlungsarbeit wieder zu einer Einheit. Der Fall ist gut angelegt, doch einige Zufälle mussten zur Hilfe kommen um ihn zu lösen. Das alte Gemäuer mit seinen Geheimnissen kam inmitten des Schneesturms gut zur Geltung, da durch den Stromausfall ein Eingreifen von außen nicht möglich war, kein Handyempfang vorhanden war und niemand rein oder raus konnte.
Die vielen kleinen Hinweise auf bekannte Krimipersönlichkeiten haben mir ein Schmunzeln entlockt und Addies Hintergrund als Spieleentwicklerin hat mir richtig Lust gemacht auf ihr „Murderscape“, das leider nur Fiktion bleibt..
January 11, 2026
3.5 stars
Okay, this started very strong: flowing writing, sympathetic characters (who does not like a morally grey grandma heroine? 😊), mention of 'Poirot', an intriguing setting, so many questions itching to be solved...
The actual investigation was however middling. I think my main issue was Addie's character. She often appeared sloppy even for an amateur sleuth (e.g. she prefers eating a feast than actually reading important documents, she fails to push when faced with events that doesn't make sense e.g. Jim and his 'mask'). Mimi was a much, much better sleuth - a real grandma with style. And the final big reveal was quite okay, except we were blindsided of so many crucial clues so that the solution came up sneakily.
All in all, I liked the atmosphere of this Cluedo style mystery but the actual sleuthing was not convincing. I am still upping my GR rating because of Mimi and the comfortable and original setting of the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 21, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really thought from the cover and the description that this would be right up my street. Unfortunately it just wasn’t for me.
I felt like the book just dragged on - it could have been halved and still fitted everything in. I found myself struggling to reach for it as I wasn’t engaged.
The characters weren’t very interesting, not even the two FMCs. There was such potential for them to develop - both personally and in their relationship but it just didn’t happen!
I’ve rated this 2 stars because I enjoyed the beginning. I saw the potential for the rest of the book but it just didn’t grip me and felt rushed.
I really thought from the cover and the description that this would be right up my street. Unfortunately it just wasn’t for me.
I felt like the book just dragged on - it could have been halved and still fitted everything in. I found myself struggling to reach for it as I wasn’t engaged.
The characters weren’t very interesting, not even the two FMCs. There was such potential for them to develop - both personally and in their relationship but it just didn’t happen!
I’ve rated this 2 stars because I enjoyed the beginning. I saw the potential for the rest of the book but it just didn’t grip me and felt rushed.
May 1, 2025
I don’t do fluff, and this was fluff. So not for me. If I had read it with my eyeballs, I might not have hated it so much, but this was the worst audiobook narrator I’ve ever heard. I can’t believe I tolerated it until the end. The way she pronounced half her words was like nails on a chalkboard to me.
Read
December 17, 2025Set aside at 33% but gamers may enjoy it more than I did.
This may not be a game, but it's not a conventional novel either. I think it's trying to do something different. To me, this read like a board game or a video game that had been twisted into the format of a novel. Once I understood that, it was clear I was not the target audience for this novel. I get little to no enjoyment from board games or puzzles.
I enjoyed the start of the novel, where Mimi and her granddaughter Addie were introduced. I laughed at some of Mimi's attitudes and comments. Both Mimi and Addie felt real to me. I could easily imagine a fun dynamic between the "I'm too old to care what anyone thinks of me" Mimi and the people-pleasing, clever, puzzle-solving, self-esteem-damaged Addie I also wanted to know what Mimi had done that had set her up as a target for blackmail.
Then the action moved to the island, and the life started to drain from the story. The setup for the murder was a little clumsy. There were a lot of characters/future suspects but most of them seemed to come from Central Casting - they seemed familiar but not real. The initial interrogations by the Mimi were static and plodding. I felt as if both of their personalities were being drowned out by the creaking mechanics of the plot.
So, a third of the way through the book, I decided I was unlikely to have fun with it and set it aside.
I liked Laurence Bouvard's narration. I thought she handled the comedy well. Click on the YouTube link below to hear a sample of her performance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHAUh...
This may not be a game, but it's not a conventional novel either. I think it's trying to do something different. To me, this read like a board game or a video game that had been twisted into the format of a novel. Once I understood that, it was clear I was not the target audience for this novel. I get little to no enjoyment from board games or puzzles.
I enjoyed the start of the novel, where Mimi and her granddaughter Addie were introduced. I laughed at some of Mimi's attitudes and comments. Both Mimi and Addie felt real to me. I could easily imagine a fun dynamic between the "I'm too old to care what anyone thinks of me" Mimi and the people-pleasing, clever, puzzle-solving, self-esteem-damaged Addie I also wanted to know what Mimi had done that had set her up as a target for blackmail.
Then the action moved to the island, and the life started to drain from the story. The setup for the murder was a little clumsy. There were a lot of characters/future suspects but most of them seemed to come from Central Casting - they seemed familiar but not real. The initial interrogations by the Mimi were static and plodding. I felt as if both of their personalities were being drowned out by the creaking mechanics of the plot.
So, a third of the way through the book, I decided I was unlikely to have fun with it and set it aside.
I liked Laurence Bouvard's narration. I thought she handled the comedy well. Click on the YouTube link below to hear a sample of her performance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHAUh...
June 20, 2025
This Is Not a Game is a locked-room cosy mystery involving a sassy and smart grandmother-granddaughter duo who must put their differences aside to solve a murder after a blackmail scheme turns deadly.
Firstly, I just absolutely love a murder mystery with amateur sleuths, so this immediately caught my eye—but the writing, the characters, and the pace are what made me stay. This book was absolutely delightful in every sense of the word. It has all the elements I adore in a book: strong FMC of ALL ages, humour, mystery, quick chapters, layers of suspicion—and I didn’t have a blooming clue who did it! I want this to be a movie, like, yesterday.
I absolutely LOVED Mimi—probably one of my favourite characters I’ve read about all year. I hope I have half her sass when I’m older.
This book was atmospheric and cosy, while still fast-paced and gripping. Although it was wrapped in plenty of humour, it also tackled a lot of sensitive topics. Kelly’s writing and her ability to blend everything together was superb.
This book was fun and reminded me all the reasons I love reading.
I will be first in line for the second book from Kelly ✨
Firstly, I just absolutely love a murder mystery with amateur sleuths, so this immediately caught my eye—but the writing, the characters, and the pace are what made me stay. This book was absolutely delightful in every sense of the word. It has all the elements I adore in a book: strong FMC of ALL ages, humour, mystery, quick chapters, layers of suspicion—and I didn’t have a blooming clue who did it! I want this to be a movie, like, yesterday.
I absolutely LOVED Mimi—probably one of my favourite characters I’ve read about all year. I hope I have half her sass when I’m older.
This book was atmospheric and cosy, while still fast-paced and gripping. Although it was wrapped in plenty of humour, it also tackled a lot of sensitive topics. Kelly’s writing and her ability to blend everything together was superb.
This book was fun and reminded me all the reasons I love reading.
I will be first in line for the second book from Kelly ✨
June 20, 2025
THIS IS NOT A GAME by Kelly Mullen is a smart, charming mystery that delivers a fresh and funny twist on classic detective tropes. With its intergenerational sleuthing duo and a setting that nods lovingly to the Golden Age of mystery fiction, this book is both a send-up and a celebration. It’s sharp, heartfelt, and genuinely entertaining from start to finish.
At the center is Mimi—bold, brash, and utterly unforgettable—who steals every scene with her Pall Malls, oversized carryall, and perfectly timed one-liners. The banter is snappy, the stakes are real, and the plot zips along with just the right balance of humor and suspense. While a few secondary characters fade into the background, the strong voice and clever premise carry the novel effortlessly.
This is the kind of book that feels like a cozy night in with your favorite whodunit—and just as satisfying. A delightful debut that mystery lovers, especially fans of amateur sleuths and ensemble casts, will devour.
At the center is Mimi—bold, brash, and utterly unforgettable—who steals every scene with her Pall Malls, oversized carryall, and perfectly timed one-liners. The banter is snappy, the stakes are real, and the plot zips along with just the right balance of humor and suspense. While a few secondary characters fade into the background, the strong voice and clever premise carry the novel effortlessly.
This is the kind of book that feels like a cozy night in with your favorite whodunit—and just as satisfying. A delightful debut that mystery lovers, especially fans of amateur sleuths and ensemble casts, will devour.
June 17, 2025
30 Books in 30 Days, Vol. 5
Book 13/30
This was really fun, I would definitely read more if this becomes a series.
Book 13/30
This was really fun, I would definitely read more if this becomes a series.
May 27, 2025
A Roaring 20s themed auction with a side of blackmail. A snowstorm in the off-season on Mackinac Isalnd. A dead body (or more?). Sounds like the making of a fantastic who dunnit.
Mimi is a saucy septuagenarian with a few secrets in her past and a snowmobile named Joan Rivers. Her granddaughter, Addie, is the co-creator of a popular murder mystery video game whose ex is moving on and taking all the credit (and cash) for the game. Together they'll need to figure out who is the murder and how to get off this island.
I was hoping for some twists similar to And Then There Were None or at least some unexpected actions or alliances. I wanted more connection between Mimi and Addie. I also wanted some resolution on the Brian situation besides just ignoring his phone call. A few other things I wanted that could be spoilers:
But I would read a sequel. Maybe Mimi can visit Addie in Chicago.
Thank you Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the advance reader copy. I am required by law to disclose this
#ThisIsNotaGame #NetGalley
Mimi is a saucy septuagenarian with a few secrets in her past and a snowmobile named Joan Rivers. Her granddaughter, Addie, is the co-creator of a popular murder mystery video game whose ex is moving on and taking all the credit (and cash) for the game. Together they'll need to figure out who is the murder and how to get off this island.
I was hoping for some twists similar to And Then There Were None or at least some unexpected actions or alliances. I wanted more connection between Mimi and Addie. I also wanted some resolution on the Brian situation besides just ignoring his phone call. A few other things I wanted that could be spoilers:
But I would read a sequel. Maybe Mimi can visit Addie in Chicago.
Thank you Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the advance reader copy. I am required by law to disclose this
#ThisIsNotaGame #NetGalley
December 3, 2025
Addie, a video game developer who is having business and relationship conflicts, gets a call from her grandmother,Mimi, asking her to attend a quirky party on the island. Mimi herself doesn’t want to go to the party, but she is being blackmailed and needs Addie’s help. While at the mansion where the party is being held, a terrible storm strands all the guests and the hostess gets murdered. Addie and Mimi resolve to find (and tell) the truth, the killer or killers, the blackmailers. The story is witty, the relationship between grandmother and granddaughter, initially estranged, strengthens. The house guests/party goers are a unique group of different blends; esoteric, suspicious, but sometimes whimsical and delightful (or not)! The house is huge and has its own secrets including secret passageways. (I would particularly enjoy finding a secret passageway in my house, but I’m certain that’s not possible!) This was a fun read, light and easy in its rendering, and enjoyable! I liked it!!
Disclaimer - I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway
Disclaimer - I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway
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