What do you think?
Rate this book
Death Was Not on the Guest List
From USA Today bestselling author Jenni L. Walsh comes a witty Jazz Age mystery where rivalry, ambition, and deceit glitter under every chandelier…and no one gets out until the killer is unmasked.
In Chicago’s Gold Coast district, twenty of the city’s most glamorous socialites gather for a charity whist drive at the Bellevue House mansion. Brightest among them are Ginevra King-Mitchell and Edith Cummings, real-life debutantes who inspired Daisy Buchanan and Jordan Baker in The Great Gatsby.
But when their sharp-tongued hostess turns up dead and a blizzard traps everyone inside, suspicion and gossip give way to fear. After all, one guest has a habit of burying husbands, another a proclivity for poison. Their charming veneers belie jealousies, ambitions, and deceits aplenty, enough to drive any one of them to kill.
As whispers turn to accusations, the police start closing in. Ginevra and Edith compete to solve the murder, uncovering secrets far more dangerous than the gossip columns ever revealed. But when a second body is found—strangled with Ginevra’s own pearls—their restless rivalry becomes a race for survival. Who’s next? And is the answer hidden in Fitzgerald’s exasperating novel?
In Chicago’s Gold Coast district, twenty of the city’s most glamorous socialites gather for a charity whist drive at the Bellevue House mansion. Brightest among them are Ginevra King-Mitchell and Edith Cummings, real-life debutantes who inspired Daisy Buchanan and Jordan Baker in The Great Gatsby.
But when their sharp-tongued hostess turns up dead and a blizzard traps everyone inside, suspicion and gossip give way to fear. After all, one guest has a habit of burying husbands, another a proclivity for poison. Their charming veneers belie jealousies, ambitions, and deceits aplenty, enough to drive any one of them to kill.
As whispers turn to accusations, the police start closing in. Ginevra and Edith compete to solve the murder, uncovering secrets far more dangerous than the gossip columns ever revealed. But when a second body is found—strangled with Ginevra’s own pearls—their restless rivalry becomes a race for survival. Who’s next? And is the answer hidden in Fitzgerald’s exasperating novel?
267 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2026
About the author
Jenni L. Walsh
17 books673 followersJenni L. Walsh is the USA Today bestselling author of over a dozen books for adults and children, spending her days knee deep in words in Philadelphia’s suburbia. Beyond words, Jenni is a mama (of a soulful twelve-year-old, a soccer-loving ten-year-old, and six needy furbabies), a wife, a Philly and 'Nova sports fan.
But where did it all begin? Jenni was a bit of a late bloomer when it came to reading and writing. She didn't find her passion until the Vampire craze. Yes, vampires. Since then, she's been a voracious reader and writer, for both young readers and adults.
For the mamas, Side by Side is a historical women's fiction story of America’s most infamous crime spree of Bonnie and Clyde told in the raw and honest voice of the woman who lived it, Bonnie Parker. In Becoming Bonnie, a prequel set in the Roaring Twenties, a picture of Bonnie's earlier life, before and while she meets Clyde, is brought to life. Jenni's third historical women's fiction book A Betting Woman takes us to the California gold rush, featuring a little known woman from history, Eleanor Dumont, but who is largely remembered by the moniker Madame Moustache. In The Call of the Wrens, Jenni introduces readers to the Women's Royal Naval Service (the Wrens), who carried wartime secrets on their shoulders as motorcycle dispatch riders during both world wars. Unsinkable is Jenni's first bestselling novel, hitting the USA Today bestsellers list, and is about two resilient women, one of which is the real-life Violet Jessop who survived the Titanic and two additional maritime disasters. Jenni's next historical novel Ace, Marvel, Spy features Alice Marble, who was the world's number one women's tennis player, an editor for the Wonder Woman comics, and a spy during the Second World War. Up next from Jenni, in October 2025, is Sonora, a historical novel about performer Sonora Carver, one of the first women to dive from a forty-five foot tower on the back of a horse and who inspired the film Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken.
For the kiddos, Jenni's debut middle grade books, She Dared, features true stories from women who, at a young age, accomplished daring feats of perseverance and bravery. She is also the author of I Am Defiance, inspired by a real-life resistance group, known as the White Rose. Jenni has contributed Hettie and the London Blitz: A World War II Survival Story to the Girl's Survive series. Revolutionary War hero Sybil Ludington, who is often known as the "female Paul Revere," is brought to life in By the Light of Fireflies, Jenni's first historical novel with a touch of magical realism. Over and Out is a thrilling and fast-paced espionage and escape story that is inspired by real stories of life in East Berlin during the Cold War. Operation: Happy, set during the attack on Pearl Harbor, tells the story of a real-life survivor and includes the POV of her dog, Happy, to soften the events of one of America's most notable moments in history. In May 2025, Jenni is excited to be releasing her first contemporary novel, a mystery/adventure story called The Bug Bandits, which is inspired by a real heist and the shenanigans of Home Alone.
But where did it all begin? Jenni was a bit of a late bloomer when it came to reading and writing. She didn't find her passion until the Vampire craze. Yes, vampires. Since then, she's been a voracious reader and writer, for both young readers and adults.
For the mamas, Side by Side is a historical women's fiction story of America’s most infamous crime spree of Bonnie and Clyde told in the raw and honest voice of the woman who lived it, Bonnie Parker. In Becoming Bonnie, a prequel set in the Roaring Twenties, a picture of Bonnie's earlier life, before and while she meets Clyde, is brought to life. Jenni's third historical women's fiction book A Betting Woman takes us to the California gold rush, featuring a little known woman from history, Eleanor Dumont, but who is largely remembered by the moniker Madame Moustache. In The Call of the Wrens, Jenni introduces readers to the Women's Royal Naval Service (the Wrens), who carried wartime secrets on their shoulders as motorcycle dispatch riders during both world wars. Unsinkable is Jenni's first bestselling novel, hitting the USA Today bestsellers list, and is about two resilient women, one of which is the real-life Violet Jessop who survived the Titanic and two additional maritime disasters. Jenni's next historical novel Ace, Marvel, Spy features Alice Marble, who was the world's number one women's tennis player, an editor for the Wonder Woman comics, and a spy during the Second World War. Up next from Jenni, in October 2025, is Sonora, a historical novel about performer Sonora Carver, one of the first women to dive from a forty-five foot tower on the back of a horse and who inspired the film Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken.
For the kiddos, Jenni's debut middle grade books, She Dared, features true stories from women who, at a young age, accomplished daring feats of perseverance and bravery. She is also the author of I Am Defiance, inspired by a real-life resistance group, known as the White Rose. Jenni has contributed Hettie and the London Blitz: A World War II Survival Story to the Girl's Survive series. Revolutionary War hero Sybil Ludington, who is often known as the "female Paul Revere," is brought to life in By the Light of Fireflies, Jenni's first historical novel with a touch of magical realism. Over and Out is a thrilling and fast-paced espionage and escape story that is inspired by real stories of life in East Berlin during the Cold War. Operation: Happy, set during the attack on Pearl Harbor, tells the story of a real-life survivor and includes the POV of her dog, Happy, to soften the events of one of America's most notable moments in history. In May 2025, Jenni is excited to be releasing her first contemporary novel, a mystery/adventure story called The Bug Bandits, which is inspired by a real heist and the shenanigans of Home Alone.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
December 8, 2025
I am beyond happy to have gotten an early read into this novel. I can’t wait for it to come out. This genre intersecting novel blends historical fiction with mystery and it’s a fun, wild romp back into the 1920s!
I’ve always been a Fitzgerald fan because I think F. Scott based so much of his characters and stories on his real life Hearing about the real Jordan baker and Daisy has given me a different perspective in the novel. One of the reasons Gatsby was one of my favorite novels of all time was because of the mystery element and the satirical look at society. I think Walsh captures that perfectly in this novel/ I was hooked from
Page one.
I will be spending some time reading up on the BIG FOUR and the hi jinx of the 1920s.
A cross between satire of 1920s society, historical fiction, and thriller… Jenni l Walsh’s romp will take you back to a time when image was everything and appearances - meant your status. If you are a fan of the great Gatsby meet the women who inspired him and their hi jinx travel down rabbit holes and come out on the other side
This is a fast paced cozy mystery with so many layers you’ll be guessing til the end
June 2026 ain’t no party like a Gatsby party unless death IS on the guest list
I’ve always been a Fitzgerald fan because I think F. Scott based so much of his characters and stories on his real life Hearing about the real Jordan baker and Daisy has given me a different perspective in the novel. One of the reasons Gatsby was one of my favorite novels of all time was because of the mystery element and the satirical look at society. I think Walsh captures that perfectly in this novel/ I was hooked from
Page one.
I will be spending some time reading up on the BIG FOUR and the hi jinx of the 1920s.
A cross between satire of 1920s society, historical fiction, and thriller… Jenni l Walsh’s romp will take you back to a time when image was everything and appearances - meant your status. If you are a fan of the great Gatsby meet the women who inspired him and their hi jinx travel down rabbit holes and come out on the other side
This is a fast paced cozy mystery with so many layers you’ll be guessing til the end
June 2026 ain’t no party like a Gatsby party unless death IS on the guest list
March 13, 2026
3.5 stars. I wasn’t a huge fan of the slower pace of the story and only really became invested near the end. Gotta say that ending wrapped it up well. But the whole time I was wondering why they couldn’t just mind their own business.
June 24, 2026
Lord, I love mysteries where almost everybody is guilty.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 22, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This is a fun and breezy read. I probably could have finished it in an afternoon if I was less busy. This is my first “cozy” book and I don’t think that particular genre is for me but I enjoyed this nonetheless. The mystery managed to surprise me in most ways while still having enough elements that I saw coming. There was also something I really should have seen coming lol. But some things felt a bit convenient. The epilogue was sweet though.
If you are very knowledgeable about the era and the people depicted in the story, you may be frustrated at times. This is definitely more of a “wallpaper” historical novel so adjust expectations accordingly. I was distracted by Ginevra being referred to as Mrs. King Mitchell — in 1920s high society as a married woman, she would have been called Mrs. Bill Mitchell and not identified formally by her maiden name. Could have been a good opportunity for commentary on the way women were expected to replace their own identities with that of their husbands and how that may have influenced Ginevra’s choice to marry within her class.
There were some other anachronisms and historical logic problems but I don’t want to be too nitpicky. However I was genuinely bothered by the misattribution of the “beautiful little fool” line to Ginevra when it is very well documented that Zelda was the one who said that after giving birth to her daughter, Scottie. I’m all for giving Ginevra credit where it’s due after she was reduced to such a small part of her life in popular culture, but this is not one of those cases. Zelda already had enough of her words stolen by Scott.
The Gatsby and Agatha Christie references were a bit heavy handed and I actually felt that the Christie references functioned better overall. The Gatsby references were quite surface level. I think there may have been a subtle Winter Dreams reference which I appreciated. Also this book was WAY kinder to Scott than I think he deserves after reading Ginevra’s letters in The Perfect Hour earlier this week but that’s just my opinion lol
This is a fun and breezy read. I probably could have finished it in an afternoon if I was less busy. This is my first “cozy” book and I don’t think that particular genre is for me but I enjoyed this nonetheless. The mystery managed to surprise me in most ways while still having enough elements that I saw coming. There was also something I really should have seen coming lol. But some things felt a bit convenient. The epilogue was sweet though.
If you are very knowledgeable about the era and the people depicted in the story, you may be frustrated at times. This is definitely more of a “wallpaper” historical novel so adjust expectations accordingly. I was distracted by Ginevra being referred to as Mrs. King Mitchell — in 1920s high society as a married woman, she would have been called Mrs. Bill Mitchell and not identified formally by her maiden name. Could have been a good opportunity for commentary on the way women were expected to replace their own identities with that of their husbands and how that may have influenced Ginevra’s choice to marry within her class.
There were some other anachronisms and historical logic problems but I don’t want to be too nitpicky. However I was genuinely bothered by the misattribution of the “beautiful little fool” line to Ginevra when it is very well documented that Zelda was the one who said that after giving birth to her daughter, Scottie. I’m all for giving Ginevra credit where it’s due after she was reduced to such a small part of her life in popular culture, but this is not one of those cases. Zelda already had enough of her words stolen by Scott.
The Gatsby and Agatha Christie references were a bit heavy handed and I actually felt that the Christie references functioned better overall. The Gatsby references were quite surface level. I think there may have been a subtle Winter Dreams reference which I appreciated. Also this book was WAY kinder to Scott than I think he deserves after reading Ginevra’s letters in The Perfect Hour earlier this week but that’s just my opinion lol
June 14, 2026
Thank you the publisher for a gifted copy; all thoughts are my own.
📖 Book Review 📖 As The Great Gatsby celebrated one hundred years in 2025, I introduced my daughter to my favorite book through multiple formats as she readied to see the musical twice (and it quickly became one of her favorite shows). She was drawn to the character of Jordan Baker and while we had some conversations about what it means to live with integrity and a moral compass, Jordan’s independence and headstrong embrace of the Roaring 20’s is undeniably magnetic.
Death on the Guest List delves back into this iconic era with the two real life debutantes who inspired the iconic Daisy and Jordan, Ginevra King Mitchell and Edith Cummings. As always, Jenni L. Walsh combines historical details with propulsive storytelling to create an alluring read.
And while Gatsby might have ended in tragedy for many, the lives of the women who inspired this classic novel continue and the fallout after publication is the talk of this social circle. But it’s not long before a murder occurs in the actual presence of these ladies and Ginevra and Edith are pulled into solving the mystery. Death Was Not On the Guest List reincarnates the spirit of the Jazz age, intensifying the intrigue in the best ways possible with this electrifying piece of historical fiction from a phenomenal female author.
📖 Book Review 📖 As The Great Gatsby celebrated one hundred years in 2025, I introduced my daughter to my favorite book through multiple formats as she readied to see the musical twice (and it quickly became one of her favorite shows). She was drawn to the character of Jordan Baker and while we had some conversations about what it means to live with integrity and a moral compass, Jordan’s independence and headstrong embrace of the Roaring 20’s is undeniably magnetic.
Death on the Guest List delves back into this iconic era with the two real life debutantes who inspired the iconic Daisy and Jordan, Ginevra King Mitchell and Edith Cummings. As always, Jenni L. Walsh combines historical details with propulsive storytelling to create an alluring read.
And while Gatsby might have ended in tragedy for many, the lives of the women who inspired this classic novel continue and the fallout after publication is the talk of this social circle. But it’s not long before a murder occurs in the actual presence of these ladies and Ginevra and Edith are pulled into solving the mystery. Death Was Not On the Guest List reincarnates the spirit of the Jazz age, intensifying the intrigue in the best ways possible with this electrifying piece of historical fiction from a phenomenal female author.
April 21, 2026
ARC review
If you’re a fan of Agatha Christie and Hercule Peroit, as well as The Great Gatsby-esq novels this one is going to make you joyous! It truly feels like a re-writing of Gatsby, set at the same timeframe, even mentioning Gatsby and the man character having dated him. So, you are in the 1918-1920 era, prohibition, with women meeting for a card game night during a snow storm. Everything is “just so” until murder comes knocking. The characters start to unravel, show their true selves, and all the lies that are carefully kept from proper society come out of the dark
We have a bumbling detective, a group of strong female
Leads who take matters into their own hands, and a night of shadows and whodunnit. Really a great nod to the classic Christie style of writing, where clues abound and you must use your deduction to put them together to find out the culprit.
Really good fun and the first of its kind done well since Murder on the Orient Express. A great mystery done with style!
If you’re a fan of Agatha Christie and Hercule Peroit, as well as The Great Gatsby-esq novels this one is going to make you joyous! It truly feels like a re-writing of Gatsby, set at the same timeframe, even mentioning Gatsby and the man character having dated him. So, you are in the 1918-1920 era, prohibition, with women meeting for a card game night during a snow storm. Everything is “just so” until murder comes knocking. The characters start to unravel, show their true selves, and all the lies that are carefully kept from proper society come out of the dark
We have a bumbling detective, a group of strong female
Leads who take matters into their own hands, and a night of shadows and whodunnit. Really a great nod to the classic Christie style of writing, where clues abound and you must use your deduction to put them together to find out the culprit.
Really good fun and the first of its kind done well since Murder on the Orient Express. A great mystery done with style!
May 27, 2026
First of all I am a huge Jenni Walsh fan. Loved Sonora the story of the jumping horses at the Atlantic City pier. This one is not her normal historical fiction, but a twisty who done it tale. It was a game of clue in Chicago during a snowstorm. Throw in some Great Gatsby muse's and a few dead bodies and we have ourselves a story. This one has a lot of characters so be prepared to pay attention, the back stories are important as well as the F. Scott Fitgerald tie in throughout.
I enjoyed this one, and did not see the ending coming. It did have a lot going on, and I could have probably left a character or two on the table. DWNOTGL is a great story and would most definintely recommend if you are in the mood for a murder mystery.
Thank you to the publisher for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review. DWNOTGL pub date is June 16, 2026
I enjoyed this one, and did not see the ending coming. It did have a lot going on, and I could have probably left a character or two on the table. DWNOTGL is a great story and would most definintely recommend if you are in the mood for a murder mystery.
Thank you to the publisher for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review. DWNOTGL pub date is June 16, 2026
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A glittering, razor-sharp 1920s historical locked-room masterclass. "A witty and glamorous Jazz Age whodunit where rivalries clash under the chandeliers of a snowbound mansion."
In DEATH WAS NOT ON THE GUEST LIST, bestselling author Jenni L. Walsh departs from her usual wartime and espionage dramas to deliver a deeply atmospheric, roaring twenties historical thriller mystery. The story hinges on two sharp-witted real-life debutantes who must outthink a killer while trapped by a blizzard in a high-society Chicago estate.
Real-life inspirations vs. high-society serial killer.
Elevator Pitch
Two iconic Jazz Age debutantes—the real-life inspirations behind The Great Gatsby’s Daisy Buchanan and Jordan Baker—find themselves trapped in a locked-mansion charity event during a brutal Chicago blizzard, forced to compete against a killer and each other before the body count claims them next.
Setting
The winter of 1923 in the exclusive Gold Coast district of Chicago. The setting is the Bellevue House, a lavish, sprawling mansion defined by glittering chandeliers, high-society card games, and a sudden, suffocating blizzard that completely cuts the estate off from the outside world.
Vibe
"Glitzy, fast-paced, and treacherous." It blends the dazzling, champagne-soaked decadence of The Great Gatsby with the claustrophobic, paranoid dread of a classic Agatha Christie locked-room mystery.
Genre: Historical Mystery / Locked-Room Whodunit / Jazz Age Thriller.
Themes
Rivalry and Ambition
Perception vs. Reality
High Society Constraints
Survival vs. Status
GINEVRA & EDITH: THE RECONSTRUCTED ICONS
Turning real-life historical muses into sharp, competitive sleuths.
Standout Characters
~Ginevra King Mitchell:
Beautiful, sharp-tongued, and aristocratic; the legendary inspiration for Daisy Buchanan, who refuses to play the victim.
~Edith Cummings:
Fiercely competitive, observant, and independent; the pioneering athlete who inspired Jordan Baker, matching Ginevra wit for wit.
Author Writing Standout
Walsh’s thorough background in meticulously researched historical fiction shines through in her sharp, captivating dialogue and vivid period accuracy.
Takeaway
The most glamorous social facades often conceal the deepest rot; when a community values reputation over truth, the truth will eventually strangle them with their own pearls.
Title Significance
Death Was Not on the Guest List acts as an ironic, witty nod to the meticulous planning of Chicago's elite charity drives. It highlights how easily an uninvited, murderous reality can crash an exclusive event, forcing the ultra-wealthy to realize that their money and status cannot buy them safety from a hidden monster.
Metaphor
Ginevra's own pearls serve as the central metaphor of the novel. They represent the heavy, strangling weight of high-society expectations and wealth—a beautiful ornament of status that ultimately becomes a deadly physical weapon used against them.
Why You Should Read
Read this if you are a fan of witty, glamorous historical mysteries like Clue meets Knives Out, or if you want a fast-paced whodunit that breathes brilliant new life into the real women who inspired American literature's most iconic characters.
My Thoughts
The novel succeeds beautifully in building period-accurate tension. The 1920s timeline is perfectly captured—not just through glitzy aesthetics, but through the dual-POV narrative of Ginevra and Edith that keeps you guessing. The sharp-witted pacing avoids dry history, delivering an incredibly grounded look at systemic female rivalries and an unforgettable, high-stakes climax.
Verdict 5 / 5 Stars🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
"A glittering, masterfully executed Jazz Age mystery that pairs iconic literary history with a genuinely chilling locked-room conspiracy."
Recs
For more standout historical fiction by the author, Jenni L. Walsh, I highly recommend:
~Sonora, a historical fiction inspired by the incredible true-life story of Sonora Webster Carver, one of America’s first female horse divers.
~Ace, Marvel, Spy, the historical fiction novel that recounts the incredible true story of Alice Marble.
~And The Christie Affair by Nina de Gramont (for a rich, witty, and atmospheric period-piece mystery)
Special thanks to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for sharing an advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: June 16, 2026
June 2026 Must-Read Books
June Newsletter
In DEATH WAS NOT ON THE GUEST LIST, bestselling author Jenni L. Walsh departs from her usual wartime and espionage dramas to deliver a deeply atmospheric, roaring twenties historical thriller mystery. The story hinges on two sharp-witted real-life debutantes who must outthink a killer while trapped by a blizzard in a high-society Chicago estate.
Real-life inspirations vs. high-society serial killer.
Elevator Pitch
Two iconic Jazz Age debutantes—the real-life inspirations behind The Great Gatsby’s Daisy Buchanan and Jordan Baker—find themselves trapped in a locked-mansion charity event during a brutal Chicago blizzard, forced to compete against a killer and each other before the body count claims them next.
Setting
The winter of 1923 in the exclusive Gold Coast district of Chicago. The setting is the Bellevue House, a lavish, sprawling mansion defined by glittering chandeliers, high-society card games, and a sudden, suffocating blizzard that completely cuts the estate off from the outside world.
Vibe
"Glitzy, fast-paced, and treacherous." It blends the dazzling, champagne-soaked decadence of The Great Gatsby with the claustrophobic, paranoid dread of a classic Agatha Christie locked-room mystery.
Genre: Historical Mystery / Locked-Room Whodunit / Jazz Age Thriller.
Themes
Rivalry and Ambition
Perception vs. Reality
High Society Constraints
Survival vs. Status
GINEVRA & EDITH: THE RECONSTRUCTED ICONS
Turning real-life historical muses into sharp, competitive sleuths.
Standout Characters
~Ginevra King Mitchell:
Beautiful, sharp-tongued, and aristocratic; the legendary inspiration for Daisy Buchanan, who refuses to play the victim.
~Edith Cummings:
Fiercely competitive, observant, and independent; the pioneering athlete who inspired Jordan Baker, matching Ginevra wit for wit.
Author Writing Standout
Walsh’s thorough background in meticulously researched historical fiction shines through in her sharp, captivating dialogue and vivid period accuracy.
Takeaway
The most glamorous social facades often conceal the deepest rot; when a community values reputation over truth, the truth will eventually strangle them with their own pearls.
Title Significance
Death Was Not on the Guest List acts as an ironic, witty nod to the meticulous planning of Chicago's elite charity drives. It highlights how easily an uninvited, murderous reality can crash an exclusive event, forcing the ultra-wealthy to realize that their money and status cannot buy them safety from a hidden monster.
Metaphor
Ginevra's own pearls serve as the central metaphor of the novel. They represent the heavy, strangling weight of high-society expectations and wealth—a beautiful ornament of status that ultimately becomes a deadly physical weapon used against them.
Why You Should Read
Read this if you are a fan of witty, glamorous historical mysteries like Clue meets Knives Out, or if you want a fast-paced whodunit that breathes brilliant new life into the real women who inspired American literature's most iconic characters.
My Thoughts
The novel succeeds beautifully in building period-accurate tension. The 1920s timeline is perfectly captured—not just through glitzy aesthetics, but through the dual-POV narrative of Ginevra and Edith that keeps you guessing. The sharp-witted pacing avoids dry history, delivering an incredibly grounded look at systemic female rivalries and an unforgettable, high-stakes climax.
Verdict 5 / 5 Stars🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
"A glittering, masterfully executed Jazz Age mystery that pairs iconic literary history with a genuinely chilling locked-room conspiracy."
Recs
For more standout historical fiction by the author, Jenni L. Walsh, I highly recommend:
~Sonora, a historical fiction inspired by the incredible true-life story of Sonora Webster Carver, one of America’s first female horse divers.
~Ace, Marvel, Spy, the historical fiction novel that recounts the incredible true story of Alice Marble.
~And The Christie Affair by Nina de Gramont (for a rich, witty, and atmospheric period-piece mystery)
Special thanks to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for sharing an advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: June 16, 2026
June 2026 Must-Read Books
June Newsletter
June 18, 2026
Two friends who attend a high-society event find themselves playing amateur detective after their hostess turns up dead. As the evening wears on and more people keel over, the friends will have to use all of their skills and think hard to figure out what’s going on before someone else gets hurt. Author Jenni L. Walsh returns with a book in a genre brand new to her in the disappointing historical murder mystery Death Was Not on the Guest List.
Ginevra King Mitchell is all decked up and ready for a charity whist drive at the home of her friend, Sarah. Ginevra wouldn’t usually go to anything hosted by Sarah, if it wasn’t for the fact that her other three best friends, Edith, Courtney, and Peg, will be there too. Together they’re known as the Big Four. They debuted in Chicago society together and are known as a social force in the upper echelons of Chicago’s Gold Coast. At the very least, Ginevra will get a chance to catch up on the latest gossip—or at least find out if she’s the subject of it.
Because Ginevra’s made a shocking discovery: her husband, Bill, has been having an affair with Sarah for quite a long time now. Even though he’s promised to break it off—or maybe he has; Bill was never clear on that part—Ginevra is seething. She’s also deeply embarrassed. What will everyone think of her and her marriage?
It doesn’t help that the main character in The Great Gatsby, the latest book by her former lover, author F. Scott Fitzgerald, bears a striking resemblance to her. Edith has already figured out that Daisy, the woman in the novel, is basically Ginevra. Who else would have read it? Who else knows?
Thoughts of the novel and even Bill fly from Ginevra’s mind when, shortly after the game starts, Sarah excuses herself from the table and the lights go out. When they come back on, Ginevra, her friends, and the 15 or so other women attending the function make a gruesome discovery: Sarah is dead. Worse, it looks like she may have been murdered.
Before anyone can blink, a mysterious detective arrives at the mansion and starts questioning everyone. Even though he’s asked the women to sequester themselves in different rooms to wait their turn for questioning, Ginevra’s mind is running a mile a minute. Who would want to kill Sarah, and why? When evidence turns up that points in her direction, she knows she’ll have to try to find who the real murderer is. She hated Sarah, yes, but not enough to kill her. Not while wearing one of her best dresses, anyway. Edith says she’ll join in the venture, and the two friends begin asking their own questions of the women. Then another person ends up dead, and the entire night begins to feel like one quest to stay alive.
Author Jenni L. Walsh does a wonderful job of setting the scene in the mansion. Walsh’s experience as an author shines as she makes the house come alive in readers’ minds. Unfortunately the setting is one of the few positives in a book.
The murder mystery itself, while a surprise in the culprit, drags. For most of the book, readers follow Ginevra and Edith by turns as they go from room to room asking the women at the party what they know, saw, or heard. After the fourth or fifth interview, the details start to blur together. Worse, they don’t seem to offer anything substantial toward actually solving the murder. It feels more like the friends are biding their time until they can figure out what to do next.
Walsh shares in her author note at the end that she drew inspiration from the real-life Ginevra King Mitchell and Edith Cummings who were purported to be inspiration for Fitzgerald. Had she offered this note at the start of the book, the narration could have eased up on so many mentions of The Great Gatsby. Nearly every chapter from Ginevra’s point of view mentions Gatsby in some way, and the repeated mentions feel just that: repetitive to the point of losing interest in the story.
Despite there being four friends in the group, Ginevra and Edith are the only ones with any depth. Courtney and Peg along with all the other women start to feel like cardboard cutouts by the end of the novel. Anyone looking for a locked-room mystery might want to consider a different choice
Ginevra King Mitchell is all decked up and ready for a charity whist drive at the home of her friend, Sarah. Ginevra wouldn’t usually go to anything hosted by Sarah, if it wasn’t for the fact that her other three best friends, Edith, Courtney, and Peg, will be there too. Together they’re known as the Big Four. They debuted in Chicago society together and are known as a social force in the upper echelons of Chicago’s Gold Coast. At the very least, Ginevra will get a chance to catch up on the latest gossip—or at least find out if she’s the subject of it.
Because Ginevra’s made a shocking discovery: her husband, Bill, has been having an affair with Sarah for quite a long time now. Even though he’s promised to break it off—or maybe he has; Bill was never clear on that part—Ginevra is seething. She’s also deeply embarrassed. What will everyone think of her and her marriage?
It doesn’t help that the main character in The Great Gatsby, the latest book by her former lover, author F. Scott Fitzgerald, bears a striking resemblance to her. Edith has already figured out that Daisy, the woman in the novel, is basically Ginevra. Who else would have read it? Who else knows?
Thoughts of the novel and even Bill fly from Ginevra’s mind when, shortly after the game starts, Sarah excuses herself from the table and the lights go out. When they come back on, Ginevra, her friends, and the 15 or so other women attending the function make a gruesome discovery: Sarah is dead. Worse, it looks like she may have been murdered.
Before anyone can blink, a mysterious detective arrives at the mansion and starts questioning everyone. Even though he’s asked the women to sequester themselves in different rooms to wait their turn for questioning, Ginevra’s mind is running a mile a minute. Who would want to kill Sarah, and why? When evidence turns up that points in her direction, she knows she’ll have to try to find who the real murderer is. She hated Sarah, yes, but not enough to kill her. Not while wearing one of her best dresses, anyway. Edith says she’ll join in the venture, and the two friends begin asking their own questions of the women. Then another person ends up dead, and the entire night begins to feel like one quest to stay alive.
Author Jenni L. Walsh does a wonderful job of setting the scene in the mansion. Walsh’s experience as an author shines as she makes the house come alive in readers’ minds. Unfortunately the setting is one of the few positives in a book.
The murder mystery itself, while a surprise in the culprit, drags. For most of the book, readers follow Ginevra and Edith by turns as they go from room to room asking the women at the party what they know, saw, or heard. After the fourth or fifth interview, the details start to blur together. Worse, they don’t seem to offer anything substantial toward actually solving the murder. It feels more like the friends are biding their time until they can figure out what to do next.
Walsh shares in her author note at the end that she drew inspiration from the real-life Ginevra King Mitchell and Edith Cummings who were purported to be inspiration for Fitzgerald. Had she offered this note at the start of the book, the narration could have eased up on so many mentions of The Great Gatsby. Nearly every chapter from Ginevra’s point of view mentions Gatsby in some way, and the repeated mentions feel just that: repetitive to the point of losing interest in the story.
Despite there being four friends in the group, Ginevra and Edith are the only ones with any depth. Courtney and Peg along with all the other women start to feel like cardboard cutouts by the end of the novel. Anyone looking for a locked-room mystery might want to consider a different choice
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
There is something deeply comforting about a group of extremely wealthy, extremely dramatic women being trapped in a mansion during a blizzard while someone starts dropping dead. Like… finally, a productive use of generational wealth.
Death Was Not on the Guest List really said what if The Great Gatsby but everyone is slightly more unhinged and also maybe capable of murder, and I, for one, respect that creative direction. You’ve got Ginevra King Mitchell and Edith Cummings, who are basically walking, talking inspiration boards for Daisy and Jordan, except now they’re in a competitive little “who can solve the murder first” situation. Which is honestly such a specific flavor of female friendship. Like, I love you, but if I can out-detective you, I absolutely will.
The setup is delicious. Fancy charity card party, too many pearls, too many secrets, and then boom, the hostess is dead and the weather says no one is leaving. It’s giving Clue but everyone has better skincare and worse coping mechanisms. And the book leans hard into that glittery, gossip-soaked tension where every woman in the room has at least one thing she’s hiding and probably two things she should be arrested for.
And listen, when this book is fun, it is FUN. The second half? She wakes up. Suddenly everyone is accusing everyone, clues are flying, alliances are shifting, and I was locked in like I personally had money on who the killer was. There’s something so satisfying about watching all that high society polish crack and realizing these women are messy in the exact same way we all are, just with better outfits and more scandal.
But… and I say this with love… getting to that chaos takes a minute. The first half is doing the absolute most in terms of introducing characters. And by “introducing,” I mean throwing twenty glamorous women at you and saying good luck, babe. At a certain point I was like, are you a suspect or did you just walk in from another novel. It gets a little blurry. And because of that, the pacing drags a bit while you’re trying to keep track of who hates who, who poisoned someone ten years ago, and who just has a suspicious vibe for no reason.
Also, Ginevra and Edith… I love them, I do. But they are deeply committed to inserting themselves into danger in a way that made me want to gently grab their shoulders and say, you could simply not. Like, the police are right there. You do not need to turn this into a competitive hobby. And yet, their chaotic determination is also kind of the whole charm. They’re messy, they’re stubborn, they’re a little ridiculous, and somehow that makes the whole thing work.
The mystery itself is twisty, sometimes a little too twisty, like it had one extra glass of champagne and started overexplaining. Some reveals land beautifully, others feel a bit like, wait, we’re doing this now? But I will say, by the end, I was entertained, which is honestly the main requirement for a locked room whodunit involving rich people behaving badly.
What really saves it is the vibe. The Jazz Age setting is doing heavy lifting in the best way. The glamour, the rivalry, the subtle digs disguised as compliments, it all feels juicy. It’s less about being the tightest mystery ever written and more about being a sparkling, chaotic social disaster where someone also happens to be a murderer.
So yeah, this lands at a solid 3.5 stars for me. A little messy, a little crowded, occasionally confusing, but also genuinely fun once it hits its stride. It’s the kind of book where you roll your eyes at the characters and then immediately lean in closer because you need to know what happens next.
Whodunity Award: For Making Me Suspect Literally Every Woman Holding a Cocktail Glass
Huge thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the ARC, truly nothing delights me more than being invited into a glittery murder party where everyone is suspicious and no one is behaving responsibly. Exactly my kind of evening.
Death Was Not on the Guest List really said what if The Great Gatsby but everyone is slightly more unhinged and also maybe capable of murder, and I, for one, respect that creative direction. You’ve got Ginevra King Mitchell and Edith Cummings, who are basically walking, talking inspiration boards for Daisy and Jordan, except now they’re in a competitive little “who can solve the murder first” situation. Which is honestly such a specific flavor of female friendship. Like, I love you, but if I can out-detective you, I absolutely will.
The setup is delicious. Fancy charity card party, too many pearls, too many secrets, and then boom, the hostess is dead and the weather says no one is leaving. It’s giving Clue but everyone has better skincare and worse coping mechanisms. And the book leans hard into that glittery, gossip-soaked tension where every woman in the room has at least one thing she’s hiding and probably two things she should be arrested for.
And listen, when this book is fun, it is FUN. The second half? She wakes up. Suddenly everyone is accusing everyone, clues are flying, alliances are shifting, and I was locked in like I personally had money on who the killer was. There’s something so satisfying about watching all that high society polish crack and realizing these women are messy in the exact same way we all are, just with better outfits and more scandal.
But… and I say this with love… getting to that chaos takes a minute. The first half is doing the absolute most in terms of introducing characters. And by “introducing,” I mean throwing twenty glamorous women at you and saying good luck, babe. At a certain point I was like, are you a suspect or did you just walk in from another novel. It gets a little blurry. And because of that, the pacing drags a bit while you’re trying to keep track of who hates who, who poisoned someone ten years ago, and who just has a suspicious vibe for no reason.
Also, Ginevra and Edith… I love them, I do. But they are deeply committed to inserting themselves into danger in a way that made me want to gently grab their shoulders and say, you could simply not. Like, the police are right there. You do not need to turn this into a competitive hobby. And yet, their chaotic determination is also kind of the whole charm. They’re messy, they’re stubborn, they’re a little ridiculous, and somehow that makes the whole thing work.
The mystery itself is twisty, sometimes a little too twisty, like it had one extra glass of champagne and started overexplaining. Some reveals land beautifully, others feel a bit like, wait, we’re doing this now? But I will say, by the end, I was entertained, which is honestly the main requirement for a locked room whodunit involving rich people behaving badly.
What really saves it is the vibe. The Jazz Age setting is doing heavy lifting in the best way. The glamour, the rivalry, the subtle digs disguised as compliments, it all feels juicy. It’s less about being the tightest mystery ever written and more about being a sparkling, chaotic social disaster where someone also happens to be a murderer.
So yeah, this lands at a solid 3.5 stars for me. A little messy, a little crowded, occasionally confusing, but also genuinely fun once it hits its stride. It’s the kind of book where you roll your eyes at the characters and then immediately lean in closer because you need to know what happens next.
Whodunity Award: For Making Me Suspect Literally Every Woman Holding a Cocktail Glass
Huge thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the ARC, truly nothing delights me more than being invited into a glittery murder party where everyone is suspicious and no one is behaving responsibly. Exactly my kind of evening.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Um, I’m not sure where I should begin with this review—because on paper this book sounds like catnip for me: Jazz Age Chicago, a locked-room blizzard setup, cutthroat socialites, and a meta wink at The Great Gatsby. And yet, my reading experience ended up being a little more complicated than that.
The premise is genuinely fun, and the author nails the glossy, claustrophobic atmosphere of a society party that curdles into paranoia. I loved the constant undercurrent of etiquette-as-weapon—compliments that are really insults, alliances that shift in a sentence, and the sense that everyone is performing a role even while they’re terrified.
Once the storm hits and the guests are effectively locked in, the story moves quickly—clues, rumors, and side-eyes pile up fast. The central mystery kept me turning pages, especially because the suspects are so good at hiding in plain sight. That said, there were stretches where the investigation felt a bit circular (a lot of theorizing, not quite enough new ground), and I occasionally wanted a cleaner trail of evidence to latch onto.
Ginevra and Edith are the best parts of the book, and the main point of view is told from their prospective. Their rivalry-turned-reluctant partnership has real bite, and it’s entertaining to watch two women with sharp instincts and sharper pride try to outmaneuver each other while the body count rises. The wider cast is deliciously gossipy, though so large—and so uniformly adept at being “charming”—that some guests blurred together for me. I found myself wishing a handful of supporting characters had been given more distinct emotional stakes beyond status and scandal.
My biggest issue was consistency of tension. For a story set in a sealed mansion with a killer on the loose, there were moments when the danger didn’t land as intensely as it could have, because the social sparring stayed in the foreground. I also clocked a few reveals that felt a touch convenient—more “dramatic unmasking” than inevitable conclusion—so the ending didn’t fully deliver the punch I’d hoped for.
I wasn’t a fan of the storyline, but I appreciated the writing style. There were times I felt the story was a bit boring and didn’t hold my interest and some of the characters came off as nitwits with some humor sprinkled about.
If you like historical mysteries with strong atmosphere, messy rich-people drama, and a competitive duo of amateur sleuths, you’ll probably have a great time. If you prefer tightly plotted, clue-forward detective work (or you want the Gatsby connection to be central rather than thematic), your mileage may vary. Eh, it was just ok for me.
The premise is genuinely fun, and the author nails the glossy, claustrophobic atmosphere of a society party that curdles into paranoia. I loved the constant undercurrent of etiquette-as-weapon—compliments that are really insults, alliances that shift in a sentence, and the sense that everyone is performing a role even while they’re terrified.
Once the storm hits and the guests are effectively locked in, the story moves quickly—clues, rumors, and side-eyes pile up fast. The central mystery kept me turning pages, especially because the suspects are so good at hiding in plain sight. That said, there were stretches where the investigation felt a bit circular (a lot of theorizing, not quite enough new ground), and I occasionally wanted a cleaner trail of evidence to latch onto.
Ginevra and Edith are the best parts of the book, and the main point of view is told from their prospective. Their rivalry-turned-reluctant partnership has real bite, and it’s entertaining to watch two women with sharp instincts and sharper pride try to outmaneuver each other while the body count rises. The wider cast is deliciously gossipy, though so large—and so uniformly adept at being “charming”—that some guests blurred together for me. I found myself wishing a handful of supporting characters had been given more distinct emotional stakes beyond status and scandal.
My biggest issue was consistency of tension. For a story set in a sealed mansion with a killer on the loose, there were moments when the danger didn’t land as intensely as it could have, because the social sparring stayed in the foreground. I also clocked a few reveals that felt a touch convenient—more “dramatic unmasking” than inevitable conclusion—so the ending didn’t fully deliver the punch I’d hoped for.
I wasn’t a fan of the storyline, but I appreciated the writing style. There were times I felt the story was a bit boring and didn’t hold my interest and some of the characters came off as nitwits with some humor sprinkled about.
If you like historical mysteries with strong atmosphere, messy rich-people drama, and a competitive duo of amateur sleuths, you’ll probably have a great time. If you prefer tightly plotted, clue-forward detective work (or you want the Gatsby connection to be central rather than thematic), your mileage may vary. Eh, it was just ok for me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 stars rounded up
Death Was Not on the Guest List marks a milestone as Jenni L. Walsh's mystery debut. Known typically for her biographical fiction, Walsh makes a seamless transition into crime fiction with this fun, engaging story. If you are looking for a lighter whodunit to slip into your bag for a perfect beach read, this is absolutely it.
The premise feels delightfully like a blend of Clue, Agatha Christie, and The Great Gatsby. It features a cast of female characters, distinct weapon choices, and color nods like "mustard". The history layer adds a brilliant touch: the main characters, Edith and Ginevra, are part of a larger socialite circle dubbed “The Big Four” and are based on the real-life 1920s muses who inspired F. Scott Fitzgerald. Even if you have never read or seen The Great Gatsby yourself, you will easily fall into their world.
The story is told through the alternating points of view of these two close friends. When a murder strikes and the situation gets sticky, Edith and Ginevra decide to turn the grim reality into a friendly competition, acting as amateur detectives to see who can solve the case first. Because the novel is written in short, quick chapters—many ending on a dramatic thread of the mystery—the pacing keeps you completely hooked.
I especially appreciated that it remains a "light" mystery. Unlike the intense, graphic psychological thrillers I often read that feature deeply psychopathic characters, this book delivers a classic murder mystery without graphic gore, focusing instead on the puzzle.
To help readers keep track of the high-society circle, the author helpfully includes a character list at the beginning of the book, providing great background on the core players. There are several individuals to keep straight, so this list made it exceptionally easy to follow who was who. Walsh also skillfully handles the side characters by introducing them with their last names, making it effortless to identify them as secondary to the plot.
While the plot did get slightly confusing just over halfway through—as several competing theories started flying around—the narrative quickly cleared up. The book concludes with a couple of unexpected twists at the end that perfectly put the mystery to rest.
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer, Tall Poppy Street Team, and NetGalley for providing a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Death Was Not on the Guest List marks a milestone as Jenni L. Walsh's mystery debut. Known typically for her biographical fiction, Walsh makes a seamless transition into crime fiction with this fun, engaging story. If you are looking for a lighter whodunit to slip into your bag for a perfect beach read, this is absolutely it.
The premise feels delightfully like a blend of Clue, Agatha Christie, and The Great Gatsby. It features a cast of female characters, distinct weapon choices, and color nods like "mustard". The history layer adds a brilliant touch: the main characters, Edith and Ginevra, are part of a larger socialite circle dubbed “The Big Four” and are based on the real-life 1920s muses who inspired F. Scott Fitzgerald. Even if you have never read or seen The Great Gatsby yourself, you will easily fall into their world.
The story is told through the alternating points of view of these two close friends. When a murder strikes and the situation gets sticky, Edith and Ginevra decide to turn the grim reality into a friendly competition, acting as amateur detectives to see who can solve the case first. Because the novel is written in short, quick chapters—many ending on a dramatic thread of the mystery—the pacing keeps you completely hooked.
I especially appreciated that it remains a "light" mystery. Unlike the intense, graphic psychological thrillers I often read that feature deeply psychopathic characters, this book delivers a classic murder mystery without graphic gore, focusing instead on the puzzle.
To help readers keep track of the high-society circle, the author helpfully includes a character list at the beginning of the book, providing great background on the core players. There are several individuals to keep straight, so this list made it exceptionally easy to follow who was who. Walsh also skillfully handles the side characters by introducing them with their last names, making it effortless to identify them as secondary to the plot.
While the plot did get slightly confusing just over halfway through—as several competing theories started flying around—the narrative quickly cleared up. The book concludes with a couple of unexpected twists at the end that perfectly put the mystery to rest.
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer, Tall Poppy Street Team, and NetGalley for providing a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Review of a free copy provided through NetGalley.
"Dead Was Not on the Guest List" lands between light mystery and character‑driven historical fiction. If you enjoy mysteries where the setting and social dynamics matter as much as the crime itself, this book delivers exactly that experience.
Highlights that stood out to me:
• The setting is genuinely fun with all the social rules and the sense of being trapped in a glamorous place with secrets simmering underneath.
• The heroines are observant, capable, and quietly challenging the expectations of their era.
• The mystery holds together well, offering fair clues without any logic‑breaking surprises.
The part I enjoyed the most - this book echoes the classic mystery atmosphere that Agatha Christie fans will fall in love immediately. It follows the familiar Christie‑style setup: a closed‑circle environment with a defined cast of characters and shifting motives, creating that “anyone could be the culprit” feeling. Every character has a purpose, and even small interactions feel like potential clues. The protagonists watch people closely, notice small details, and piece things together through observation rather than force, following Christie’s classic “quiet intelligence” vibe. Christie’s mysteries are built on clues rather than shock twists, and this book follows the same tradition: it is structured, logical, and clue‑driven.
Where it differs from Christie’s typical DNA: Christie is razor‑sharp and puzzle‑focused, while this book is gentler, more about atmosphere and character relationships. Christie rarely dives deep into her characters’ inner lives; this book gives each heroine more emotional texture and personal stakes. That is exactly what places this book more in the “historical cozy mystery” category than in the classic Golden Age puzzle.
"Dead Was Not on the Guest List" is an elegant, cozy‑leaning mystery with a steady, slow‑unraveling pace. It is not dark, gritty, or twist‑heavy. Readers who enjoy classic settings, subtle clues, polite society and intelligent heroines will find much to appreciate, while those seeking high tension or dramatic reveals may find it too gentle. If you are looking for fast pace, shocking reveals or a very twisty plot, this book is probably not a good choice.
"Dead Was Not on the Guest List" lands between light mystery and character‑driven historical fiction. If you enjoy mysteries where the setting and social dynamics matter as much as the crime itself, this book delivers exactly that experience.
Highlights that stood out to me:
• The setting is genuinely fun with all the social rules and the sense of being trapped in a glamorous place with secrets simmering underneath.
• The heroines are observant, capable, and quietly challenging the expectations of their era.
• The mystery holds together well, offering fair clues without any logic‑breaking surprises.
The part I enjoyed the most - this book echoes the classic mystery atmosphere that Agatha Christie fans will fall in love immediately. It follows the familiar Christie‑style setup: a closed‑circle environment with a defined cast of characters and shifting motives, creating that “anyone could be the culprit” feeling. Every character has a purpose, and even small interactions feel like potential clues. The protagonists watch people closely, notice small details, and piece things together through observation rather than force, following Christie’s classic “quiet intelligence” vibe. Christie’s mysteries are built on clues rather than shock twists, and this book follows the same tradition: it is structured, logical, and clue‑driven.
Where it differs from Christie’s typical DNA: Christie is razor‑sharp and puzzle‑focused, while this book is gentler, more about atmosphere and character relationships. Christie rarely dives deep into her characters’ inner lives; this book gives each heroine more emotional texture and personal stakes. That is exactly what places this book more in the “historical cozy mystery” category than in the classic Golden Age puzzle.
"Dead Was Not on the Guest List" is an elegant, cozy‑leaning mystery with a steady, slow‑unraveling pace. It is not dark, gritty, or twist‑heavy. Readers who enjoy classic settings, subtle clues, polite society and intelligent heroines will find much to appreciate, while those seeking high tension or dramatic reveals may find it too gentle. If you are looking for fast pace, shocking reveals or a very twisty plot, this book is probably not a good choice.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a copy of this book for review.
As Fergie once said, “A little party never killed nobody”… until it did. This story feels like Pretty Little Liars meets And Then There Were None, with a Great Gatsby-esque 1920s flair.
At a 1920's high-society card game gala, a sudden blackout leaves one guest dead and the killer trapped among them. Our two narrators are being considered as suspects, so they take it upon themselves to uncover the truth and clear their names.
I appreciated the sharp wit of the characters in this story and the bonds we saw in the various characters we are introduced to. I also think the story did a good job throughout the novel of showing the tensions beneath the surface, which are likely akin to those in high-society groups of the 20's (and even in current times).
The latter half of the novel is where the plot shines. The clues begin to come together, the right questions are finally being asked, and when we reach the reveal, there are a few twists I didn’t anticipate that made the story all the more entertaining. Some aspects of the mystery are fairly predictable early on, almost telegraphed if you’re paying close attention or questioning certain convenient details, but it doesn’t significantly detract from the overall enjoyment.
I appreciated the dedication to the 1920's that the story
That said, as engaging as the second half is, the first half feels slow and somewhat forgettable. Much of it blends together, and some elements feel repetitive, to the point where the same ideas are almost beaten into your mind. I found one of the two narrators a bit unlikable, and while I think that may have been intentional, it did not make the story feel any less annoying, particularly in the earlier sections. I also think the story tries to pack in a few twists toward the end, though they remain entertaining, if slightly excessive.
Overall, this was a fairly fun read. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a historical mystery rooted in messy interpersonal dynamics, Gatsby references, and (very) light touches of commentary on class and privilege.
As Fergie once said, “A little party never killed nobody”… until it did. This story feels like Pretty Little Liars meets And Then There Were None, with a Great Gatsby-esque 1920s flair.
At a 1920's high-society card game gala, a sudden blackout leaves one guest dead and the killer trapped among them. Our two narrators are being considered as suspects, so they take it upon themselves to uncover the truth and clear their names.
I appreciated the sharp wit of the characters in this story and the bonds we saw in the various characters we are introduced to. I also think the story did a good job throughout the novel of showing the tensions beneath the surface, which are likely akin to those in high-society groups of the 20's (and even in current times).
The latter half of the novel is where the plot shines. The clues begin to come together, the right questions are finally being asked, and when we reach the reveal, there are a few twists I didn’t anticipate that made the story all the more entertaining. Some aspects of the mystery are fairly predictable early on, almost telegraphed if you’re paying close attention or questioning certain convenient details, but it doesn’t significantly detract from the overall enjoyment.
I appreciated the dedication to the 1920's that the story
That said, as engaging as the second half is, the first half feels slow and somewhat forgettable. Much of it blends together, and some elements feel repetitive, to the point where the same ideas are almost beaten into your mind. I found one of the two narrators a bit unlikable, and while I think that may have been intentional, it did not make the story feel any less annoying, particularly in the earlier sections. I also think the story tries to pack in a few twists toward the end, though they remain entertaining, if slightly excessive.
Overall, this was a fairly fun read. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a historical mystery rooted in messy interpersonal dynamics, Gatsby references, and (very) light touches of commentary on class and privilege.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
Death Was Not on The Guest List by Jenni L. Walsh is set in 1920s Chicago and centres on a charity party for high-society women that takes a deadly turn when one of them is murdered. Trapped together, the remaining attendees realise that the killer must be among them. Suspects themselves, Ginevra and Edith (considered to be the inspiration for F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Daisy Buchanan and Jordan Baker) compete to uncover the killer first and clear their own names.
This murder mystery feels like an enjoyable blend of Agatha Christie, Gatsby, and feminist historical fiction. It’s witty and entertaining whilst also offering insight into the expectations and constraints placed on high-society women of the 1920s. I enjoyed the exploration of how far the characters would go to protect themselves and the question of whether any of them are truly innocent.
I felt that Jenni L. Walsh successfully develops distinct central characters within a relatively short book, especially through the perspectives of Ginevra and Edith who narrate the story. I appreciated the predominantly female cast, although this did make it difficult to remember who was who among the secondary characters.
At times the references to F. Scott Fitzgerald and The Great Gatsby seemed a little overstated. Initially I wasn’t aware that Ginevra and Edith were based on real historical figures, and I think my reading experience would have been enhanced by knowing this from the outset; I would have benefitted from a brief historical note at the beginning to contextualise these characters and their connections and make them more impactful.
The novel starts somewhat slowly but gains momentum throughout, with the latter half delivering more intrigue and twists. Some of the twists came in quick succession and I found I had to occasionally reread sections to fully follow the developments.
Overall, this is a clever, twisty, and fun-to-read historical mystery with an interesting premise and distinctive characters and I would recommend it to readers who enjoy historical murder mysteries with strong female leads.
Death Was Not on The Guest List by Jenni L. Walsh is set in 1920s Chicago and centres on a charity party for high-society women that takes a deadly turn when one of them is murdered. Trapped together, the remaining attendees realise that the killer must be among them. Suspects themselves, Ginevra and Edith (considered to be the inspiration for F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Daisy Buchanan and Jordan Baker) compete to uncover the killer first and clear their own names.
This murder mystery feels like an enjoyable blend of Agatha Christie, Gatsby, and feminist historical fiction. It’s witty and entertaining whilst also offering insight into the expectations and constraints placed on high-society women of the 1920s. I enjoyed the exploration of how far the characters would go to protect themselves and the question of whether any of them are truly innocent.
I felt that Jenni L. Walsh successfully develops distinct central characters within a relatively short book, especially through the perspectives of Ginevra and Edith who narrate the story. I appreciated the predominantly female cast, although this did make it difficult to remember who was who among the secondary characters.
At times the references to F. Scott Fitzgerald and The Great Gatsby seemed a little overstated. Initially I wasn’t aware that Ginevra and Edith were based on real historical figures, and I think my reading experience would have been enhanced by knowing this from the outset; I would have benefitted from a brief historical note at the beginning to contextualise these characters and their connections and make them more impactful.
The novel starts somewhat slowly but gains momentum throughout, with the latter half delivering more intrigue and twists. Some of the twists came in quick succession and I found I had to occasionally reread sections to fully follow the developments.
Overall, this is a clever, twisty, and fun-to-read historical mystery with an interesting premise and distinctive characters and I would recommend it to readers who enjoy historical murder mysteries with strong female leads.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Death Was Not on the Guest List by Jenni L. Walsh is an entertaining blend of Jazz Age glamour, historical fiction, and classic locked-room mystery. I was immediately drawn to the premise, which promised an Agatha Christie style mystery as I am a big fan of Christie’s own work.
Set among Chicago's elite socialites in the 1920s, the novel creates a vivid atmosphere filled with secrets, scandal, and suspects when a murder disrupts a social gathering.
What I found most interesting was that the dual POV characters are based on real historical figures, particularly Ginevra King, who is believed to have inspired some of F. Scott Fitzgerald's most famous female characters. Alongside the many The Great Gatsby references, this added an enjoyable historical layer to the story.
One of the stronger aspects of the book was its setting. Walsh captures the glamour and gossip of the era beautifully, while the snowbound mansion provides an appealing sense of isolation and suspense.
It took me a couple of chapters to get invested, but once I did, I finished the book in a day. The writing is accessible and easy to read, making it a quick and enjoyable experience. Unfortunately, the mystery itself fell flat for me. I kept waiting for a twist or revelation that would really hook me, but it never quite arrived. While the interactions of the main characters were engaging enough to keep me turning the pages, the murder plot lacked the tension and suspense needed to leave a lasting impression. The large cast of characters was sometimes difficult to keep track of, and I felt that several of them didn’t contribute meaningfully to the story.
Overall, this is a pleasant historical cozy mystery with plenty of Jazz Age charm. Fans of light whodunits and 1920s settings will likely enjoy it but I don’t think this will leave a lasting impression on me personally.
Thank you to NetGalley, Jenni L. Walsh, and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with an advanced review copy. This review reflects my honest opinions of the book.
Set among Chicago's elite socialites in the 1920s, the novel creates a vivid atmosphere filled with secrets, scandal, and suspects when a murder disrupts a social gathering.
What I found most interesting was that the dual POV characters are based on real historical figures, particularly Ginevra King, who is believed to have inspired some of F. Scott Fitzgerald's most famous female characters. Alongside the many The Great Gatsby references, this added an enjoyable historical layer to the story.
One of the stronger aspects of the book was its setting. Walsh captures the glamour and gossip of the era beautifully, while the snowbound mansion provides an appealing sense of isolation and suspense.
It took me a couple of chapters to get invested, but once I did, I finished the book in a day. The writing is accessible and easy to read, making it a quick and enjoyable experience. Unfortunately, the mystery itself fell flat for me. I kept waiting for a twist or revelation that would really hook me, but it never quite arrived. While the interactions of the main characters were engaging enough to keep me turning the pages, the murder plot lacked the tension and suspense needed to leave a lasting impression. The large cast of characters was sometimes difficult to keep track of, and I felt that several of them didn’t contribute meaningfully to the story.
Overall, this is a pleasant historical cozy mystery with plenty of Jazz Age charm. Fans of light whodunits and 1920s settings will likely enjoy it but I don’t think this will leave a lasting impression on me personally.
Thank you to NetGalley, Jenni L. Walsh, and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with an advanced review copy. This review reflects my honest opinions of the book.
June 24, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Death Was Not on the Guest List by Jenni L. Walsh is a fun Jazz Age mystery featuring the real-life women who inspired Daisy Buchanan and Jordan Baker in The Great Gatsby.
I had never heard of the "Big Four" before picking up this book. They were a group of four wealthy debutantes from Lake Forest, Illinois who basically ran the Chicago social scene during World War I. It was so interesting learning about them through this story.
Twenty of Chicago's richest, fanciest socialites get together at the Bellevue House mansion for a charity whist drive. Two of them are Ginevra King Mitchell and Edith Cummings, the actual women Fitzgerald based his Gatsby characters on. The hostess is sharp-tongued and not exactly liked, and when she ends up dead and a blizzard traps everyone in the mansion, things go downhill fast. All the glamour drops away and suddenly everyone is suspicious of everyone else. One of the guests has buried multiple husbands. Another one is known for using poison. Underneath all the smiles and pearls, there's plenty of jealousy and bad blood. When the cops show up, Ginevra and Edith both decide they're going to solve this themselves, but they end up competing against each other. Then a second body turns up strangled with Ginevra's own pearls, and now it's not just about solving the murder, it's about staying alive.
The dual POV between Ginevra and Edith works really well and keeps you guessing. Walsh nails the Jazz Age vibe with all the glitz and drama and dark stuff underneath. The locked-in-during-a-blizzard setup is a classic for a reason. The mystery has good twists, and the Gatsby connection makes it extra fun.
A glittery, glamorous mystery with real historical figures that was just a fun read.
#DeathWasNotOnTheGuestList #JenniLWalsh #HistoricalMystery #JazzAge #BookReview
Death Was Not on the Guest List by Jenni L. Walsh is a fun Jazz Age mystery featuring the real-life women who inspired Daisy Buchanan and Jordan Baker in The Great Gatsby.
I had never heard of the "Big Four" before picking up this book. They were a group of four wealthy debutantes from Lake Forest, Illinois who basically ran the Chicago social scene during World War I. It was so interesting learning about them through this story.
Twenty of Chicago's richest, fanciest socialites get together at the Bellevue House mansion for a charity whist drive. Two of them are Ginevra King Mitchell and Edith Cummings, the actual women Fitzgerald based his Gatsby characters on. The hostess is sharp-tongued and not exactly liked, and when she ends up dead and a blizzard traps everyone in the mansion, things go downhill fast. All the glamour drops away and suddenly everyone is suspicious of everyone else. One of the guests has buried multiple husbands. Another one is known for using poison. Underneath all the smiles and pearls, there's plenty of jealousy and bad blood. When the cops show up, Ginevra and Edith both decide they're going to solve this themselves, but they end up competing against each other. Then a second body turns up strangled with Ginevra's own pearls, and now it's not just about solving the murder, it's about staying alive.
The dual POV between Ginevra and Edith works really well and keeps you guessing. Walsh nails the Jazz Age vibe with all the glitz and drama and dark stuff underneath. The locked-in-during-a-blizzard setup is a classic for a reason. The mystery has good twists, and the Gatsby connection makes it extra fun.
A glittery, glamorous mystery with real historical figures that was just a fun read.
#DeathWasNotOnTheGuestList #JenniLWalsh #HistoricalMystery #JazzAge #BookReview
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Agatha Christie lovers- this one’s for you! Thanks for the ARC I very much enjoyed this book! Death Was Not on the Guest List is a glamorous, atmospheric mystery that feels like Agatha Christie meets The Great Gatsby.
Set during a lavish 1920s party, the story quickly turns deadly when the hostess is found murdered during a raging storm, leaving everyone trapped together with a killer in their midst. One of my favorite aspects of the book so far is the setting. The author does a fantastic job bringing the era to life, and I found myself completely immersed in the mystery. It genuinely feels as though you’re sitting alongside the women, eavesdropping on conversations, uncovering secrets, and trying to piece together the truth before anyone else.
The mystery is particularly engaging because everyone is a suspect, and everyone seems to have a reason to kill. Just when I think I’ve narrowed down my theories, another secret comes to light and puts someone else at the top of my suspect list. Even some of the narrators feel suspicious, which keeps the tension high and makes it difficult to know who can be trusted.
My biggest challenge with the book has been the large cast of characters introduced early on. With so many guests, relationships, and social connections established in the opening chapters, I occasionally found myself flipping back to remember who was who. The setup felt a little slow as a result, but once the mystery takes center stage, the story becomes much easier to sink into!
If you enjoy locked-room style mysteries, glamorous historical settings, strong Agatha Christie vibes, and a suspect list where absolutely no one can be ruled out, this is definitely one to pick up!
Set during a lavish 1920s party, the story quickly turns deadly when the hostess is found murdered during a raging storm, leaving everyone trapped together with a killer in their midst. One of my favorite aspects of the book so far is the setting. The author does a fantastic job bringing the era to life, and I found myself completely immersed in the mystery. It genuinely feels as though you’re sitting alongside the women, eavesdropping on conversations, uncovering secrets, and trying to piece together the truth before anyone else.
The mystery is particularly engaging because everyone is a suspect, and everyone seems to have a reason to kill. Just when I think I’ve narrowed down my theories, another secret comes to light and puts someone else at the top of my suspect list. Even some of the narrators feel suspicious, which keeps the tension high and makes it difficult to know who can be trusted.
My biggest challenge with the book has been the large cast of characters introduced early on. With so many guests, relationships, and social connections established in the opening chapters, I occasionally found myself flipping back to remember who was who. The setup felt a little slow as a result, but once the mystery takes center stage, the story becomes much easier to sink into!
If you enjoy locked-room style mysteries, glamorous historical settings, strong Agatha Christie vibes, and a suspect list where absolutely no one can be ruled out, this is definitely one to pick up!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Death Was Not on the Guest List is an absolute delight—witty, atmospheric, and steeped in the glittering excess of Chicago’s Gold Coast. Jenni L. Walsh gathers twenty of the city’s most dazzling socialites for a charity whist drive at the opulent Bellevue House, and from the moment the doors close and the snow begins to fall, you can feel the tension humming beneath the pearls and champagne.
At the centre of it all are Ginevra King Mitchell and Edith Cummings, real‑life inspirations for Fitzgerald’s Daisy and Jordan, and here they’re every bit as sharp, charming, and competitive as you’d hope. When their razor‑tongued hostess is found dead and a blizzard traps the guests inside, the evening shifts from playful rivalry to genuine peril. Every guest has a secret, every alibi has cracks, and the house becomes a glittering cage full of motives.
Walsh balances the sparkle with a deliciously dark undercurrent. The suspects range from poison enthusiasts to serial husband‑burier, and the gossip that once felt frivolous suddenly becomes evidence. Ginevra and Edith’s race to unmask the killer is clever, spirited, and full of Jazz Age bite—especially once a second body appears, strangled with Ginevra’s own pearls.
The novel captures the era’s glamour while never losing sight of the danger simmering beneath the surface. It’s brisk, stylish, and wonderfully fun, with just enough menace to keep you turning pages long past bedtime.
A perfect pick for readers who love their mysteries sparkling, smart, and steeped in vintage intrigue.
With thanks to Jenni L Walsh, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
At the centre of it all are Ginevra King Mitchell and Edith Cummings, real‑life inspirations for Fitzgerald’s Daisy and Jordan, and here they’re every bit as sharp, charming, and competitive as you’d hope. When their razor‑tongued hostess is found dead and a blizzard traps the guests inside, the evening shifts from playful rivalry to genuine peril. Every guest has a secret, every alibi has cracks, and the house becomes a glittering cage full of motives.
Walsh balances the sparkle with a deliciously dark undercurrent. The suspects range from poison enthusiasts to serial husband‑burier, and the gossip that once felt frivolous suddenly becomes evidence. Ginevra and Edith’s race to unmask the killer is clever, spirited, and full of Jazz Age bite—especially once a second body appears, strangled with Ginevra’s own pearls.
The novel captures the era’s glamour while never losing sight of the danger simmering beneath the surface. It’s brisk, stylish, and wonderfully fun, with just enough menace to keep you turning pages long past bedtime.
A perfect pick for readers who love their mysteries sparkling, smart, and steeped in vintage intrigue.
With thanks to Jenni L Walsh, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
As a devoted reader and fierce protector of Fitzgerald's masterpiece, I'm always equal parts intrigued and nervous about novels that take inspiration from the original. So I was pleased to finish reading Walsh's take feeling as though she had meaningfully added a new dimension to his story.
Set soon after the publication of Gatsby, readers are introduced to The Big Four, a group of Chicago socialites who unwittingly find themselves at a party where the host winds up leaving far earlier than expected. Naturally, two of these formidable ladies decide to do whatever they can to crack the case, and the first two-thirds of the book offers a twisting, turning procedural that was, to me, only mildly interesting. While I kept hoping for her to better round out the characters as they went about the various facets of their investigation, the author's focus was definitely more on dropping clues and building suspense.
Luckily, the last third of the story makes up for the slower burn of the start. As the mystery unravels, we get to dig into the Gatsby parallels Walsh was hoping to set up, and I appreciated being able to understand Gatsby's obsession with keeping Daisy pure in a new way. I also loved seeing these strong women recognize both their own flaws as well as the limitations society has pressed upon them to come into their own. My only sliver of disappointment was seeing Myrtle Wilson once again relegated to the role of the defeated pursuer. Instead of getting a chance like the other women to redeem herself, she's left to take yet another fall.
3.5 stars
Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Set soon after the publication of Gatsby, readers are introduced to The Big Four, a group of Chicago socialites who unwittingly find themselves at a party where the host winds up leaving far earlier than expected. Naturally, two of these formidable ladies decide to do whatever they can to crack the case, and the first two-thirds of the book offers a twisting, turning procedural that was, to me, only mildly interesting. While I kept hoping for her to better round out the characters as they went about the various facets of their investigation, the author's focus was definitely more on dropping clues and building suspense.
Luckily, the last third of the story makes up for the slower burn of the start. As the mystery unravels, we get to dig into the Gatsby parallels Walsh was hoping to set up, and I appreciated being able to understand Gatsby's obsession with keeping Daisy pure in a new way. I also loved seeing these strong women recognize both their own flaws as well as the limitations society has pressed upon them to come into their own. My only sliver of disappointment was seeing Myrtle Wilson once again relegated to the role of the defeated pursuer. Instead of getting a chance like the other women to redeem herself, she's left to take yet another fall.
3.5 stars
Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Jenni L. Walsh, the Author of "Death Was Not on the Guest List" has written an intense, captivating and intriguing novel. The Genres for this well written book are: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, Thriller, Romance and Fiction. The location of the story is set in Chicago's Gold Coast District in the 1920's. The author vividly describes the scenery, setting, and the colorful, dramatic characters. There are "four" women who regard themselves as the most attractive and socially accepted and are Ginevra, Edith, Courtney and Bev. There are other attractive and socially competitive women as well. All are at a charity event, where only the elite are invited. "DEATH WAS NOT ON THE GUEST LIST". This novel gave off vibes of Agatha Christie mysteries, and the "Clue" Game. Unfortunately, the hostess is the first murdered victim. The lights went out, and guesses are that she was poisoned. A detective appears and is questioning all of the guests.
Why would there be murder, and what would be the motive? I appreciate that Jenni L. Walsh gives a brief description of the main characters. It seems that this crowd is extremely social, and like to party and mingle. There are betrayals, lies, secrets, and power struggles. The women all could be suspects, and special items that belong to some of the women seem to be put into a different use than they were meant for. This was an entertaining and intense book that kept me guessing. There are twists and turns, and sudden surprises. I highly recommend this thrilling book for others.
Why would there be murder, and what would be the motive? I appreciate that Jenni L. Walsh gives a brief description of the main characters. It seems that this crowd is extremely social, and like to party and mingle. There are betrayals, lies, secrets, and power struggles. The women all could be suspects, and special items that belong to some of the women seem to be put into a different use than they were meant for. This was an entertaining and intense book that kept me guessing. There are twists and turns, and sudden surprises. I highly recommend this thrilling book for others.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
** “This all shall be over soon. Either I’m going to find the murderer, or I’m going to die trying.” **
Jenni L. Walsh combines her skill for historical fiction with a murder mystery in “Death Was Not on the Guest List.”
The affluent women of 1920s Chicago are holding a charity whist drive, hosted by the snooty Sarah Cudahy and attended by The Big Four — a group of debutants made up of Ginevra King Mitchell, Edith Cummings, Courtney Letts and Margaret “Peg” Cudahy (who are actual historical figures). When tragedy strikes, the four know they have to put their heads together and solve the case. But when more and more strange occurrences happen — a mysterious detective, power outages, further attacks, not to mention an untimely blizzard — they must work diligently to figure out what is going on, as well as clear their own names.
Told from the perspectives of Ginevra and Edith, what follows is a plot filled with twists and turns, as well as many misdirections, fooling the reader until the very end. Walsh creates an extensive cast of enigmatic characters. She also includes some good themes, like the impact of being proud and haughty; giving false impressions; and how curiosity can actually lead to answers.
Fans of mystery novels and authors like Agatha Christie, Melanie Benjamin, Allison Pataki and Marie Benedict, especially her novel “The Queens of Crime,” will love “Death Was Not on the Guest List,” which is due out June 16.
Five stars out of five.
Thomas & Mercer provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.
Jenni L. Walsh combines her skill for historical fiction with a murder mystery in “Death Was Not on the Guest List.”
The affluent women of 1920s Chicago are holding a charity whist drive, hosted by the snooty Sarah Cudahy and attended by The Big Four — a group of debutants made up of Ginevra King Mitchell, Edith Cummings, Courtney Letts and Margaret “Peg” Cudahy (who are actual historical figures). When tragedy strikes, the four know they have to put their heads together and solve the case. But when more and more strange occurrences happen — a mysterious detective, power outages, further attacks, not to mention an untimely blizzard — they must work diligently to figure out what is going on, as well as clear their own names.
Told from the perspectives of Ginevra and Edith, what follows is a plot filled with twists and turns, as well as many misdirections, fooling the reader until the very end. Walsh creates an extensive cast of enigmatic characters. She also includes some good themes, like the impact of being proud and haughty; giving false impressions; and how curiosity can actually lead to answers.
Fans of mystery novels and authors like Agatha Christie, Melanie Benjamin, Allison Pataki and Marie Benedict, especially her novel “The Queens of Crime,” will love “Death Was Not on the Guest List,” which is due out June 16.
Five stars out of five.
Thomas & Mercer provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.
June 16, 2026
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Ginerva, Edith, Courtney, and Peg - known as the Big Four - are part of a group of well-to-do Chicago socialites who’ve gathered for a whist tournament to support charity. Though it’s only October, a fierce snowstorm moves in so, when one of the other ladies at the event is found dead, everyone is trapped in the house. Gin and Edith decide to investigate. Each has her own reason to do so, though they both try to make it into a competition.
I enjoyed the mystery part of the novel, but there were parts I found frustrating. Gin and Edith had very similar voices which made it necessary to flip back to the chapter headers to remind myself who was narrating. Edith has a secret but she keeps putting it out of her mind, which is a trick I’ve never mastered and not one I find realistic when characters somehow do it (if an author wants to keep a secret then first person, when we’re in the character’s head and supposed to hear her thoughts, is not a good choice). There are many, many characters in the book and quite a lot of them are just a blur, indistinguishable from one another. There really isn’t enough for all of the Big Four to do; Edith and Gin’s friendship feels genuine but I never got much sense of connection between them and the other two. I’m not sure that using actual historical figures was necessary and it may have put too much constraint on the author.
All in all it was an ok read but fell a little flat for me.
Ginerva, Edith, Courtney, and Peg - known as the Big Four - are part of a group of well-to-do Chicago socialites who’ve gathered for a whist tournament to support charity. Though it’s only October, a fierce snowstorm moves in so, when one of the other ladies at the event is found dead, everyone is trapped in the house. Gin and Edith decide to investigate. Each has her own reason to do so, though they both try to make it into a competition.
I enjoyed the mystery part of the novel, but there were parts I found frustrating. Gin and Edith had very similar voices which made it necessary to flip back to the chapter headers to remind myself who was narrating. Edith has a secret but she keeps putting it out of her mind, which is a trick I’ve never mastered and not one I find realistic when characters somehow do it (if an author wants to keep a secret then first person, when we’re in the character’s head and supposed to hear her thoughts, is not a good choice). There are many, many characters in the book and quite a lot of them are just a blur, indistinguishable from one another. There really isn’t enough for all of the Big Four to do; Edith and Gin’s friendship feels genuine but I never got much sense of connection between them and the other two. I’m not sure that using actual historical figures was necessary and it may have put too much constraint on the author.
All in all it was an ok read but fell a little flat for me.
June 25, 2026
Death Was Not On The Guest List…
Thank you @jennilwalsh and @tallpoppywriters for the complimentary copy of this book. This review is my own opinion.
After reading Sonora by Jenni Walsh, I was so excited to see this book was next. Death Was Not On The Guest List still has that biographical fiction element in it with the book being based on the Big Four debutantes of Chicago in the 1920’s.
These four, along with a handful of other high society women are gathering for a game of whist when the power goes out. While seeking to find all the guests, a murder is discovered! BUT it seems everyone at the party has a reason to have committed the crime… The storm outside blows harder, and the women are getting more and more anxious as they realize there is a murder among them!
I was so intrigued by the Big Four friend group and how they functioned as a unit! They were all so different but have such a strong bond. I loved that Jenni included their matching pinkie rings in the book.
One of my favorite quotes from the book was, “it’s you I want skulking beside me as I track down a murderer.” 😂 I loved the snarkiness between the two main gals.
The Bellevue House was a perfect house to stage a whodunnit in! With all the rooms and secret hiding places plus the three stories there was a lot of space for murder and mystery to happen!
I was truly left guessing until the end on this one! There would be clues dished out and as soon as I thought I had it figured out, another clue would throw off my guess!
This was truly a great read and I’d highly recommend it! 5 ⭐️’s!
Thank you @jennilwalsh and @tallpoppywriters for the complimentary copy of this book. This review is my own opinion.
After reading Sonora by Jenni Walsh, I was so excited to see this book was next. Death Was Not On The Guest List still has that biographical fiction element in it with the book being based on the Big Four debutantes of Chicago in the 1920’s.
These four, along with a handful of other high society women are gathering for a game of whist when the power goes out. While seeking to find all the guests, a murder is discovered! BUT it seems everyone at the party has a reason to have committed the crime… The storm outside blows harder, and the women are getting more and more anxious as they realize there is a murder among them!
I was so intrigued by the Big Four friend group and how they functioned as a unit! They were all so different but have such a strong bond. I loved that Jenni included their matching pinkie rings in the book.
One of my favorite quotes from the book was, “it’s you I want skulking beside me as I track down a murderer.” 😂 I loved the snarkiness between the two main gals.
The Bellevue House was a perfect house to stage a whodunnit in! With all the rooms and secret hiding places plus the three stories there was a lot of space for murder and mystery to happen!
I was truly left guessing until the end on this one! There would be clues dished out and as soon as I thought I had it figured out, another clue would throw off my guess!
This was truly a great read and I’d highly recommend it! 5 ⭐️’s!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Death Was Not on the Guest List by Jenni L. Walsh
Thank You NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
I have read quite a few books by Jenni L. Walsh in the genre she usually writes...biographical Historical Fiction. This is her first delve into Historical Fiction Mystery.
This novel takes place in Chicago, during the Jazz Age. It’s a cozy, fast-paced mystery with major Great Gatsby vibes. A group of debutantes have been invited to the Bellevue Mansion for an evening get together. But things quickly turn sour. A snot storm has begun that turns out has trapped everyone inside and the phones are down. Normally, this wouldn’t be too big of a problem, but.... the hostess has turned up dead. Apparently, everyone there tonight had an axe to grind with her! Then the butler is also found dead. A mysterious detective turns up suddenly with no idea where he came from. He’ll definitely have his job cut out for him – because among the debutantes, one is very well-versed in poisons, on is on husband #4 (the first 3 died mysteriously), and most of them are either jealous, deceitful or both!
Two close friends – Edith & Ginerva – work together to find who the murdered is, but whoever it is, is intent on Edith taking the blame. They better solve it quickly.... because as fingers are pointed and accusations hurled left and right, secrets begin to reveal themselves. And when they do, the truth will shock you!
I really enjoyed this novel and as a first attempt at a mystery novel, the author did a great job!!! I personally enjoyed it very much and look forward to more mysteries from her!
Thank You NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
I have read quite a few books by Jenni L. Walsh in the genre she usually writes...biographical Historical Fiction. This is her first delve into Historical Fiction Mystery.
This novel takes place in Chicago, during the Jazz Age. It’s a cozy, fast-paced mystery with major Great Gatsby vibes. A group of debutantes have been invited to the Bellevue Mansion for an evening get together. But things quickly turn sour. A snot storm has begun that turns out has trapped everyone inside and the phones are down. Normally, this wouldn’t be too big of a problem, but.... the hostess has turned up dead. Apparently, everyone there tonight had an axe to grind with her! Then the butler is also found dead. A mysterious detective turns up suddenly with no idea where he came from. He’ll definitely have his job cut out for him – because among the debutantes, one is very well-versed in poisons, on is on husband #4 (the first 3 died mysteriously), and most of them are either jealous, deceitful or both!
Two close friends – Edith & Ginerva – work together to find who the murdered is, but whoever it is, is intent on Edith taking the blame. They better solve it quickly.... because as fingers are pointed and accusations hurled left and right, secrets begin to reveal themselves. And when they do, the truth will shock you!
I really enjoyed this novel and as a first attempt at a mystery novel, the author did a great job!!! I personally enjoyed it very much and look forward to more mysteries from her!
June 16, 2026
This was a fun 1920s murder mystery which got even better by the narrators!
In true Agatha Christie style we had a closed room murder with staggered reveals, two friends who both try to figure out who dunnit and lies and intrigues. The conclusion was satisfying and answered pulled together all the questions and clues that were required.
The writing style was captivating. The narrator wove words in a way that I could almost see what was happening, when I closed my eyes. The lavish dressed, the extravagant flower decor of the ball room, the snow storms that made it a closed room murder mystery tattering at the windows… truly well written!
We had flawed main characters who we followed. At times that had me thinking that maybe one of them did it after all.
And I also really enjoyed the side characters (who also were all suspects at some point in the story). One of them coped with the stress by crocheting (what a quirky idea), which ended up co tributing to the main plot in such a fun way.
The two female narrators did an amazing job in bringing the story to life. They were well cast with different voice profiles which made it easy to keep track of who’s perspective we were following atm.
If you like a good murder mystery, give this one a try!
PS: I did not figure out all the layers of this mystery until it was revealed 😉
I received an ALC of this audiobook through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
In true Agatha Christie style we had a closed room murder with staggered reveals, two friends who both try to figure out who dunnit and lies and intrigues. The conclusion was satisfying and answered pulled together all the questions and clues that were required.
The writing style was captivating. The narrator wove words in a way that I could almost see what was happening, when I closed my eyes. The lavish dressed, the extravagant flower decor of the ball room, the snow storms that made it a closed room murder mystery tattering at the windows… truly well written!
We had flawed main characters who we followed. At times that had me thinking that maybe one of them did it after all.
And I also really enjoyed the side characters (who also were all suspects at some point in the story). One of them coped with the stress by crocheting (what a quirky idea), which ended up co tributing to the main plot in such a fun way.
The two female narrators did an amazing job in bringing the story to life. They were well cast with different voice profiles which made it easy to keep track of who’s perspective we were following atm.
If you like a good murder mystery, give this one a try!
PS: I did not figure out all the layers of this mystery until it was revealed 😉
I received an ALC of this audiobook through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
June 16, 2026
Clue + Agatha Christie + The Great Gatsby
Great fun and a well executed mystery!
The main characters here are real life debutantes Ginerva King Mitchell and Edith Cummings, the inspirations for the Gatsby characters Daisy Buchanan and Jordan Baker. They have gathered with a host of fellow socialites, friends (including the other members of their real life "Big Four" group), and frenemies for a charity whist drive in 1920s Chicago. The group's focus quickly evolves from gossip & keeping up appearances to the huge snowstorm raging outside to their dead event hostess...to a second dead body....to...well, you'll just have to read to find out. Strong willed and with secrets to protect, Ginerva and Edith take matters into their own hands, competing against each other to see who can uncover the killer first.
I loved how even though one part of the mystery sticks out as suspicious from the start, the action is plotted out in a way that keeps this at bay until the end. You almost forget about it among the other layers of mystery, suspects, secrets, and hijinks. The Gatsby references are great fun for fans (it's one of my top three favorite books) and there is a meta connection to Gatsby through Ginerva especially that I really appreciated.
I'm so excited for this one to be out in the world today - highly recommend!
I received an early copy of this book for free and I'm leaving my review voluntarily. All views are my own.
Great fun and a well executed mystery!
The main characters here are real life debutantes Ginerva King Mitchell and Edith Cummings, the inspirations for the Gatsby characters Daisy Buchanan and Jordan Baker. They have gathered with a host of fellow socialites, friends (including the other members of their real life "Big Four" group), and frenemies for a charity whist drive in 1920s Chicago. The group's focus quickly evolves from gossip & keeping up appearances to the huge snowstorm raging outside to their dead event hostess...to a second dead body....to...well, you'll just have to read to find out. Strong willed and with secrets to protect, Ginerva and Edith take matters into their own hands, competing against each other to see who can uncover the killer first.
I loved how even though one part of the mystery sticks out as suspicious from the start, the action is plotted out in a way that keeps this at bay until the end. You almost forget about it among the other layers of mystery, suspects, secrets, and hijinks. The Gatsby references are great fun for fans (it's one of my top three favorite books) and there is a meta connection to Gatsby through Ginerva especially that I really appreciated.
I'm so excited for this one to be out in the world today - highly recommend!
I received an early copy of this book for free and I'm leaving my review voluntarily. All views are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
When The Big Four, a group of four popular society ladies and best friends, attend an evening whist fundraiser in 1920s Chicago, they don’t expect to soon be at the center of a murder investigation. Edith, Ginevra, Courtney, and Peg may have little love for conniving Sarah Cudahy, but surely none of them wanted her dead…did they? When a snowstorm traps them inside with the body and a lone detective, Edith and Ginevra place a bet on which of them can solve the murder. But it appears that Sarah is not the only one in danger in the house full of ladies.
I didn’t know until the author’s note that The Big Four were real socialites ruling the town in 1920s Chicago and that F. Scott Fitgerald based Daisy and Jordan, from The Great Gatsby, on Ginevra and Edith. I would have been more fascinated by these characters if I had known that going in!
I’ve enjoyed Walsh’s work in the past and had a good time with this, her first mystery. I found that alternating between Edith and Ginevra got a little confusing at times- I always needed a few paragraphs to really settle in to who I was following, and with short chapters, it meant a lot of settling in. This was a fast-paced story with new information being added with each chapter and many characters of whom to keep track. Overall, it was a pleasant read that probably won’t stick with me long.
I didn’t know until the author’s note that The Big Four were real socialites ruling the town in 1920s Chicago and that F. Scott Fitgerald based Daisy and Jordan, from The Great Gatsby, on Ginevra and Edith. I would have been more fascinated by these characters if I had known that going in!
I’ve enjoyed Walsh’s work in the past and had a good time with this, her first mystery. I found that alternating between Edith and Ginevra got a little confusing at times- I always needed a few paragraphs to really settle in to who I was following, and with short chapters, it meant a lot of settling in. This was a fast-paced story with new information being added with each chapter and many characters of whom to keep track. Overall, it was a pleasant read that probably won’t stick with me long.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Death Was Not on the Guest List is an entertaining mystery with several mentions of the Jazz Age's famous Great Gatsby. Be sure to read the author notes at the end. Ms. Walsh mentions that the book is intended to be a story based on Chicago's Big Four of debutantes in 1914, who viewed themselves the most attractive and socially desirable.
Walsh's story visits these women in the late 20's at an evening charity event that brings danger as more than one hidden secret is slowly revealed, when death paid an unexpected call. At first I found the large cast of characters rather disconcerting, with all of the clues and red herrings seemingly disjointed like dropped threads in a tapestry. Yet they skillfully are woven together as the plot thickens and comes to a climax and all is revealed in a Christie-like finale.
While this can be classified a cozy mystery, a romp into the Jazz Age and all of its glamour, it still has a profound message masterfully tucked within the pages. I appreciated the author's satirical look at the life style these women led, as her story points a mirror to the many flaws and shallowness that society held. A must read for fans of The Great Gatsby and Agatha Christie mysteries.
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher through Netgalley. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Walsh's story visits these women in the late 20's at an evening charity event that brings danger as more than one hidden secret is slowly revealed, when death paid an unexpected call. At first I found the large cast of characters rather disconcerting, with all of the clues and red herrings seemingly disjointed like dropped threads in a tapestry. Yet they skillfully are woven together as the plot thickens and comes to a climax and all is revealed in a Christie-like finale.
While this can be classified a cozy mystery, a romp into the Jazz Age and all of its glamour, it still has a profound message masterfully tucked within the pages. I appreciated the author's satirical look at the life style these women led, as her story points a mirror to the many flaws and shallowness that society held. A must read for fans of The Great Gatsby and Agatha Christie mysteries.
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher through Netgalley. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)
I went into this expecting historical fiction and instead got a very fun, very theatrical 1920s murder mystery that basically reads like a version of Clue — and honestly, I had a great time with it.
This is a fast, entertaining read full of socialites, secrets, affairs, gossip, blackmail, and a murder that leaves everyone looking suspicious. The mystery itself is twisty without taking itself too seriously, and the whole book leans into that slightly campy, sleuthy energy in the best way. The characters feel intentionally larger-than-life at times, almost like nods to the classic Clue archetypes, which actually worked really well with the tone of the story.
What I found most interesting is that the dual POV characters are inspired by real historical figures who were said to have influenced some of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s characters, including Daisy Buchanan. That element added a fun historical layer, even though this feels much more like a murder mystery with historical inspiration than a traditional historical fiction novel.
The character depth and world-building weren’t the strongest parts for me, and the dual first-person POV occasionally blurred together, but overall this was quick, engaging, and genuinely fun to read. If you want a light historical whodunit with glamorous 1920s drama and strong Clue vibes, this is worth picking up.
I went into this expecting historical fiction and instead got a very fun, very theatrical 1920s murder mystery that basically reads like a version of Clue — and honestly, I had a great time with it.
This is a fast, entertaining read full of socialites, secrets, affairs, gossip, blackmail, and a murder that leaves everyone looking suspicious. The mystery itself is twisty without taking itself too seriously, and the whole book leans into that slightly campy, sleuthy energy in the best way. The characters feel intentionally larger-than-life at times, almost like nods to the classic Clue archetypes, which actually worked really well with the tone of the story.
What I found most interesting is that the dual POV characters are inspired by real historical figures who were said to have influenced some of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s characters, including Daisy Buchanan. That element added a fun historical layer, even though this feels much more like a murder mystery with historical inspiration than a traditional historical fiction novel.
The character depth and world-building weren’t the strongest parts for me, and the dual first-person POV occasionally blurred together, but overall this was quick, engaging, and genuinely fun to read. If you want a light historical whodunit with glamorous 1920s drama and strong Clue vibes, this is worth picking up.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews