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Killer Twist: A clever, twisty whodunnit set at a crime fiction festival
When a celebrity author is murdered at a crime writing festival, a Scandinavian writer of Nordic noir and an English 'crim-ance' novelist form an unlikely team to catch the killer of a man they both love to hate. Perfect for fans of Anthony Horowitz's Magpie Murders and Benjamin Stevenson
Crime writer Aggie Catchlove can never forget how celebrity author Kit Stirling stole her famous 'twist'. When fellow novelist Jakob Hök learns Kit's next book is a rip-off of his long-running series at the Crème de la Crime festival, he and Aggie furiously plot the perfect murder of a man who is killing their careers. But when Kit Stirling is found dead for real, fingers point at Aggie and Jakob.
They decide the only way to clear their names is to investigate. As the police lock down the event, Aggie and Jakob split up to double their efforts, but paranoia is a third wheel that destabilises their alliance. Both writers want to tell the story, not be the story. And, when push comes to shove, they'll do anything to be the voice of the final chapter.
Crime writer Aggie Catchlove can never forget how celebrity author Kit Stirling stole her famous 'twist'. When fellow novelist Jakob Hök learns Kit's next book is a rip-off of his long-running series at the Crème de la Crime festival, he and Aggie furiously plot the perfect murder of a man who is killing their careers. But when Kit Stirling is found dead for real, fingers point at Aggie and Jakob.
They decide the only way to clear their names is to investigate. As the police lock down the event, Aggie and Jakob split up to double their efforts, but paranoia is a third wheel that destabilises their alliance. Both writers want to tell the story, not be the story. And, when push comes to shove, they'll do anything to be the voice of the final chapter.
358 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 23, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
September 23, 2026
I have mixed feeling about this one.
The premise was very interesting. And there were twists I couldn't have guessed. The setting at a crime fiction festival was also a very nice detail. I mean, this story had everything for me to love it.
Unfortunately this was all dampened by the two main characters, Aggie and Jakob. They were silly. Everything about them was silly. I didn't like either.
Probably because of these characters I couldn't like, I felt this wasn't the unputdownable book I was expecting.
What a shame!
The premise was very interesting. And there were twists I couldn't have guessed. The setting at a crime fiction festival was also a very nice detail. I mean, this story had everything for me to love it.
Unfortunately this was all dampened by the two main characters, Aggie and Jakob. They were silly. Everything about them was silly. I didn't like either.
Probably because of these characters I couldn't like, I felt this wasn't the unputdownable book I was expecting.
What a shame!
August 22, 2026
Crime writer Aggie Catchlove and Nordic Noir author Jakob Hok are both at the Crème de la Crime book festival. They are both furious when their fellow author Kit Stirling is there, as he not only stole Aggie’s famous twist, but has also stolen Jakob’s idea for another book, so they decide to plot the perfect murder of the man stealing their careers. But when Kit is found killed for real, fingers are pointed at the pair and they decide the only way to clear their names is to investigate and find the real killer.
The first thing that attracted me to this book was the fantastic name, as who isn’t intrigued by a killer twist, and when I read the synopsis I was even more keen to read. The premise was fun and as an avid reader of crime fiction, a book about a bunch of crime writers at a book festival sounded exactly like something I would enjoy. I don’t enjoy cosy crime as much as some of the other crime genres, however I found myself more invested in this one than others of the same genre, liking the vibe and being interested in the story straight away.
I enjoyed discovering the characters, but can’t say I really connected to them and found there are a fair few introduced early on to try and remember. I enjoyed the witty humour throughout the story and also liked that, as the title suggests, there were twists and turns throughout. I did find that at times I did not fully enjoy the execution, with some chapters told in a different sort of style, which I found did not flow as well and became slightly confusing. I also found that there were some phrases and ideas that became a bit repetitive. Overall though this was my favourite book I’ve read by this author and was an amusing, quirky mystery. I would be interested to see what else she comes up with. 3.5 stars, rounded up due to the premise. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.
The first thing that attracted me to this book was the fantastic name, as who isn’t intrigued by a killer twist, and when I read the synopsis I was even more keen to read. The premise was fun and as an avid reader of crime fiction, a book about a bunch of crime writers at a book festival sounded exactly like something I would enjoy. I don’t enjoy cosy crime as much as some of the other crime genres, however I found myself more invested in this one than others of the same genre, liking the vibe and being interested in the story straight away.
I enjoyed discovering the characters, but can’t say I really connected to them and found there are a fair few introduced early on to try and remember. I enjoyed the witty humour throughout the story and also liked that, as the title suggests, there were twists and turns throughout. I did find that at times I did not fully enjoy the execution, with some chapters told in a different sort of style, which I found did not flow as well and became slightly confusing. I also found that there were some phrases and ideas that became a bit repetitive. Overall though this was my favourite book I’ve read by this author and was an amusing, quirky mystery. I would be interested to see what else she comes up with. 3.5 stars, rounded up due to the premise. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.
September 22, 2026
During a crime writing festival one of the authors ends up dead during his own scavenger hunt game. It ends up being a locked-room mystery that turns out to be not at all as it seems.
Killer twist is a comedic murder mystery novel, a little like a satirical homage to writers and the publishing industry. It’s easy to read, funny and intriguing. It’s easy to keep turning the pages and follow the two main characters along their investigations as surely a crime writer should be able to find the murderer?
There were quite a lot of characters that I found difficult to keep track of and I lost a little bit of momentum towards the end, but overall this is very readable and enjoyable. I would recommend if cosy crime and tongue-in-cheek murder mysteries are your thing!
3.5
Killer twist is a comedic murder mystery novel, a little like a satirical homage to writers and the publishing industry. It’s easy to read, funny and intriguing. It’s easy to keep turning the pages and follow the two main characters along their investigations as surely a crime writer should be able to find the murderer?
There were quite a lot of characters that I found difficult to keep track of and I lost a little bit of momentum towards the end, but overall this is very readable and enjoyable. I would recommend if cosy crime and tongue-in-cheek murder mysteries are your thing!
3.5
August 26, 2026
Based on the premise of a murder at a book festival where two authors use their crime writing knowledge to try to solve the crime. This book seemed exciting but didn't quite deliver for me.
This was an enjoyable, easy read thriller that didn't excite me as much as her past work. There were twists and turns, but it didn't have that unputdownable element that usually has me glued to the pages.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was an enjoyable, easy read thriller that didn't excite me as much as her past work. There were twists and turns, but it didn't have that unputdownable element that usually has me glued to the pages.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 12, 2026
This was a playful and fun murder mystery, with a nod to the world of Crime Fiction. A delicious observation on authors, publishers, readers, bloggers and reviewers all tied up in sharply plotted murder. There were a lot of laugh out loud moments. I was chuckling my way through this.
The wonderful setting of the Crème de la Crime festival, and the hotel that the crime festival takes place is another lovely nod to the world of Crime Fiction. The novel is told from the point of view of two authors who couldn’t be more different—Aggie Catchlove with her cosy “crim‑ance” charm and Jakob Hök with his brooding Nordic noir sensibilities. Their mutual loathing of celebrity author Kit Stirling is the one thing they agree on, which makes his very real murder all the more awkward.
The dynamic between Aggie and Jakob is so well written as we follow them through their adventures. When the police are called in to investigate the murder of Kit Stirling, Aggie and Jakob decide to also investigate. Who better to solve a mystery then two bestselling crime fiction authors. They can bring fictional crime fighting into the real world, can't they? The result is both farcial and tense. Can they really trust each other?
The mystery itself is clever and well‑paced. Every character feels like someone you’ve met at a book event and the setting is so vivid you could almost be there.
Smart, funny, and satisfyingly twisty, Killer Twist is an ode to crime fiction wrapped inside a murder mystery. Really enjoyed this.
The wonderful setting of the Crème de la Crime festival, and the hotel that the crime festival takes place is another lovely nod to the world of Crime Fiction. The novel is told from the point of view of two authors who couldn’t be more different—Aggie Catchlove with her cosy “crim‑ance” charm and Jakob Hök with his brooding Nordic noir sensibilities. Their mutual loathing of celebrity author Kit Stirling is the one thing they agree on, which makes his very real murder all the more awkward.
The dynamic between Aggie and Jakob is so well written as we follow them through their adventures. When the police are called in to investigate the murder of Kit Stirling, Aggie and Jakob decide to also investigate. Who better to solve a mystery then two bestselling crime fiction authors. They can bring fictional crime fighting into the real world, can't they? The result is both farcial and tense. Can they really trust each other?
The mystery itself is clever and well‑paced. Every character feels like someone you’ve met at a book event and the setting is so vivid you could almost be there.
Smart, funny, and satisfyingly twisty, Killer Twist is an ode to crime fiction wrapped inside a murder mystery. Really enjoyed this.
September 30, 2026
3.5 stars
This was classic locked-room whodunnit with a generous dose of satirical humour.
Set at a crime writers’ festival, this is the perfect gathering of people who all consider themselves experts at solving murders. So when one of their own turns up dead, everyone has a theory, and quite possibly a motive.
Aggie and Jakob find themselves at the centre of the investigation, both with reasons to have wanted the victim dead and both desperate to clear their names.
There’s plenty of witty banter, amateur sleuthing and publishing-world drama, with the story told through dual POVs. Neither narrator is particularly reliable or likeable, making it tricky to know exactly who to trust.
There’s a sizeable cast of characters, but I never found it difficult to keep track of who was who. Throw in plenty of red herrings, questionable motives and twists along the way, and you’re left trying to piece together the puzzle right up until the final surprise.
A fun, clever and entertaining mystery.
This was classic locked-room whodunnit with a generous dose of satirical humour.
Set at a crime writers’ festival, this is the perfect gathering of people who all consider themselves experts at solving murders. So when one of their own turns up dead, everyone has a theory, and quite possibly a motive.
Aggie and Jakob find themselves at the centre of the investigation, both with reasons to have wanted the victim dead and both desperate to clear their names.
There’s plenty of witty banter, amateur sleuthing and publishing-world drama, with the story told through dual POVs. Neither narrator is particularly reliable or likeable, making it tricky to know exactly who to trust.
There’s a sizeable cast of characters, but I never found it difficult to keep track of who was who. Throw in plenty of red herrings, questionable motives and twists along the way, and you’re left trying to piece together the puzzle right up until the final surprise.
A fun, clever and entertaining mystery.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Killer Twist has an interesting premise - a murder at a crime writers' convention. Aggie and Jakob use their knowledge of fictional crimes in an attempt to solve a real one. It all becomes a bit meta at times, and there are way too many book puns.
The characters are interesting - and all seem to have closely held secrets that tumble out when suspicion falls on them. The plot has complexities that are difficult to resolve, especially as many are related to past novels "written" by the characters.
Early in the novel the author stops using speech marks, supposedly to mimic the writing style of one of the characters. This is odd and soon becomes annoying rather than quirky.
Killer Twist is a decent read but perhaps tries to be just a little too clever in places.
The characters are interesting - and all seem to have closely held secrets that tumble out when suspicion falls on them. The plot has complexities that are difficult to resolve, especially as many are related to past novels "written" by the characters.
Early in the novel the author stops using speech marks, supposedly to mimic the writing style of one of the characters. This is odd and soon becomes annoying rather than quirky.
Killer Twist is a decent read but perhaps tries to be just a little too clever in places.
August 17, 2026
3.5* --> 4*
A bunch of crime fiction authors gather at a crime festival. Tensions run high quite quickly though when a celebrity author called Kit Sterling, who has already stolen someone else's ideas, now blatantly announces that his next book also looks set to be a rip-off. Authors Aggie Catchlove - who is desperate to make crim-ance (crime romance) a thing and Jakob Hök - author of Scandi-Noir - have had it with this imposter. They quickly turn their anger into plotting the perfect murder for Kit Stirling. There may have been alcohol involved. But when Kit is actually found dead for real, all eyes suddenly turn to Aggie and Jakob. For it looks like Kit's murder is indeed perfect and for Aggie and Jakob the only way to clear their names is to investigate Kit's death themselves.
I spent the first 10% snortgiggling my way through this. So much of what Aggie was talking about was relatable to anyone who follows social media and/or attends a crime festival, and a lot of it was truly funny. Unfortunately, the humour kind of petered out when the character of Kit Sterling was found dead. Kit was not exactly a likeable person and few people mourn his untimely demise. But that also means that there is a long list of potential suspects and the killer is still wandering around the premises.
As Aggie and Jakob split up in an attempt to double their efforts, the chapters switch back and forth between the two of them. But being out of sight of one another raises suspicions. Can they trust one another? How well do they even really know each other? Are they who they say they are? They are authors after all. Imagination and misdirection are so entirely their thing. And what about the other authors who were attending this festival? Or the slightly furtive publicists? There is a lot of sneaking around at the hotel and quite a few characters seem to have something to hide.
Will there be a killer twist? Well, that's for you to find out, isn't it? I will say I didn't figure it out and I was quite surprised when the identity of the murderer was revealed. This is definitely one of those crime fiction stories you want to read again, knowing what you know at the end. Because in hindsight, quite a few things fall into place and once I thought back to certain events I realised how cleverly this story was plotted.
All in all, an entertaining and enjoyable murder mystery. It was fun so see crime fiction authors try their hand at actually solving a real murder instead of writing about one. And actually making mistakes like a bunch of rookies! There are also plenty of fun references, as noted by the author in her acknowledgments, that I'm certain a few bloggers or people who have attended Harrogate will pick up on. 'Killer Twist' was a delightful whodunnit to spend an afternoon with.
A bunch of crime fiction authors gather at a crime festival. Tensions run high quite quickly though when a celebrity author called Kit Sterling, who has already stolen someone else's ideas, now blatantly announces that his next book also looks set to be a rip-off. Authors Aggie Catchlove - who is desperate to make crim-ance (crime romance) a thing and Jakob Hök - author of Scandi-Noir - have had it with this imposter. They quickly turn their anger into plotting the perfect murder for Kit Stirling. There may have been alcohol involved. But when Kit is actually found dead for real, all eyes suddenly turn to Aggie and Jakob. For it looks like Kit's murder is indeed perfect and for Aggie and Jakob the only way to clear their names is to investigate Kit's death themselves.
I spent the first 10% snortgiggling my way through this. So much of what Aggie was talking about was relatable to anyone who follows social media and/or attends a crime festival, and a lot of it was truly funny. Unfortunately, the humour kind of petered out when the character of Kit Sterling was found dead. Kit was not exactly a likeable person and few people mourn his untimely demise. But that also means that there is a long list of potential suspects and the killer is still wandering around the premises.
As Aggie and Jakob split up in an attempt to double their efforts, the chapters switch back and forth between the two of them. But being out of sight of one another raises suspicions. Can they trust one another? How well do they even really know each other? Are they who they say they are? They are authors after all. Imagination and misdirection are so entirely their thing. And what about the other authors who were attending this festival? Or the slightly furtive publicists? There is a lot of sneaking around at the hotel and quite a few characters seem to have something to hide.
Will there be a killer twist? Well, that's for you to find out, isn't it? I will say I didn't figure it out and I was quite surprised when the identity of the murderer was revealed. This is definitely one of those crime fiction stories you want to read again, knowing what you know at the end. Because in hindsight, quite a few things fall into place and once I thought back to certain events I realised how cleverly this story was plotted.
All in all, an entertaining and enjoyable murder mystery. It was fun so see crime fiction authors try their hand at actually solving a real murder instead of writing about one. And actually making mistakes like a bunch of rookies! There are also plenty of fun references, as noted by the author in her acknowledgments, that I'm certain a few bloggers or people who have attended Harrogate will pick up on. 'Killer Twist' was a delightful whodunnit to spend an afternoon with.
July 31, 2026
A wickedly sharp murder mystery set at a crime writing festival and award ceremony.
Yellowface meets Magpie Murders but funnier. In fact, the funniest book I’ve read in quite a while, full of sardonic one-liners, deadpan similes and on-the-nail character descriptions. I haven’t been to a crime fiction award ceremony, but I can picture every character Jo Furniss depicts.
She captures each writer, editor, publicist, blogger and unhinged fan superbly.
Aggie Catchlove writes grimy crime and even grimier sex. She’s become a self-publishing sensation after her killer twist trended on social media. The book was set to be a TV series until celebrity politician, Kit Stirling, stole the twist for his debut and Aggie’s deal was cancelled.
Jakob Hök is a Nordic writing legend. He tries to cool Aggie’s fury towards Kit Stirling, until he finds out Kit’s second novel will feature a hypnotist sleuth very like his own. He and Aggie plot fictional ways to kill off their upstart rival and are joined in their murderous musings by:
Nathan West – an established author of doorstep-sized political thrillers;
Grant Nash – a hairy biker American who writes cosy crime from his adopted home in the Cotswolds;
Jaxxon Gunner – known for his violent action thrillers – whose real name is Brian and is accompanied by his quiet wife, Sue;
Kumari Moss – sweary primary school teacher who writes psychological thrillers;
Mia Foxton – crime writer and recently retired detective chief inspector.
Also at the festival are:
Joyce Shaughnessy - the editor of reclusive, controversial Patti Stark and of Kit Stirling. It was she who came to Kit with the idea for a killer twist and a second idea about a hypnotist.
Bronte Cuppleditch – Kit’s young publicist;
Jessica – a book blogger and Aggie’s biggest fan, who is showing way too much adoration for Kit Stirling for Aggie’s liking.
When Kit is murdered, various fans are quick to upload videos they took of the murderous conversation between Aggie and Jakob. As crime readers, they know a thing or two about solving murders and they’ve caught the culprits on camera.
Aggie and Jakob realise the only way to clear their names is to solve the crime themselves.
Twisty, crime-writerly fun.
This is an independent review of an early copy. I thank the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity.
Yellowface meets Magpie Murders but funnier. In fact, the funniest book I’ve read in quite a while, full of sardonic one-liners, deadpan similes and on-the-nail character descriptions. I haven’t been to a crime fiction award ceremony, but I can picture every character Jo Furniss depicts.
She captures each writer, editor, publicist, blogger and unhinged fan superbly.
Aggie Catchlove writes grimy crime and even grimier sex. She’s become a self-publishing sensation after her killer twist trended on social media. The book was set to be a TV series until celebrity politician, Kit Stirling, stole the twist for his debut and Aggie’s deal was cancelled.
Jakob Hök is a Nordic writing legend. He tries to cool Aggie’s fury towards Kit Stirling, until he finds out Kit’s second novel will feature a hypnotist sleuth very like his own. He and Aggie plot fictional ways to kill off their upstart rival and are joined in their murderous musings by:
Nathan West – an established author of doorstep-sized political thrillers;
Grant Nash – a hairy biker American who writes cosy crime from his adopted home in the Cotswolds;
Jaxxon Gunner – known for his violent action thrillers – whose real name is Brian and is accompanied by his quiet wife, Sue;
Kumari Moss – sweary primary school teacher who writes psychological thrillers;
Mia Foxton – crime writer and recently retired detective chief inspector.
Also at the festival are:
Joyce Shaughnessy - the editor of reclusive, controversial Patti Stark and of Kit Stirling. It was she who came to Kit with the idea for a killer twist and a second idea about a hypnotist.
Bronte Cuppleditch – Kit’s young publicist;
Jessica – a book blogger and Aggie’s biggest fan, who is showing way too much adoration for Kit Stirling for Aggie’s liking.
When Kit is murdered, various fans are quick to upload videos they took of the murderous conversation between Aggie and Jakob. As crime readers, they know a thing or two about solving murders and they’ve caught the culprits on camera.
Aggie and Jakob realise the only way to clear their names is to solve the crime themselves.
Twisty, crime-writerly fun.
This is an independent review of an early copy. I thank the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity.
September 28, 2026
I am very conflicted about this one.
At the end of the day, it clearly wasn't the book for me. The book has a great premise and I was excited to read it. It promised to deliver so much but it fell so flat for me.
The victim felt like a parody of a character. Even a completely unlikable victim is still entertaining, especially when they end up dead but he meant actually nothing.
I did really enjoy the location, this hotel was a fantastic place to set the book in. It felt like a character of its own, it was vital to whole book rather than just a static background. It's rare for a location to feel that vital but this story would not work anywhere else. It has everything and I would love to have a stay in such a strange and engaging place.
I struggled with the start of it - I really struggled with the way in which they heard some backstory about a character and compared her to a tv show about a serious stalker for a whole 10% of the book before deciding she wasn't a stalker. She was a *survivor*. Except we all read her backstory, it was clear she was a survivor from the start, calling her a stalker felt gross and insulting to the fictional trauma she had gone though.
By around 50% I finally started to get into it but a thriller shouldn't take until the halfway point for me to care. Part of the problem was these two main characters were personally to me insufferable. They irritated me almost from the start, their actions, choices and behaviours towards each other was just frustrating.
As with any thriller, there are plenty of twists. Some I saw coming from a mile off, some were truly shocking. I did enjoy a lot but it also fell into the trap of maybe one twist too many. The ending was not for me.
A minor thing but it really annoyed me, the author clearly wanted to make the two PoVs very different. Not just in style, tone or even person and tense, but also in punctuation. I don't know why it bothered me so much, but I hated that Aggie's chapters used "" for dialogue and Jakob's used -, it got annoying very quickly. It felt as if I really was reading a book from two different writers but not in a fun way.
~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~
At the end of the day, it clearly wasn't the book for me. The book has a great premise and I was excited to read it. It promised to deliver so much but it fell so flat for me.
The victim felt like a parody of a character. Even a completely unlikable victim is still entertaining, especially when they end up dead but he meant actually nothing.
I did really enjoy the location, this hotel was a fantastic place to set the book in. It felt like a character of its own, it was vital to whole book rather than just a static background. It's rare for a location to feel that vital but this story would not work anywhere else. It has everything and I would love to have a stay in such a strange and engaging place.
I struggled with the start of it - I really struggled with the way in which they heard some backstory about a character and compared her to a tv show about a serious stalker for a whole 10% of the book before deciding she wasn't a stalker. She was a *survivor*. Except we all read her backstory, it was clear she was a survivor from the start, calling her a stalker felt gross and insulting to the fictional trauma she had gone though.
By around 50% I finally started to get into it but a thriller shouldn't take until the halfway point for me to care. Part of the problem was these two main characters were personally to me insufferable. They irritated me almost from the start, their actions, choices and behaviours towards each other was just frustrating.
As with any thriller, there are plenty of twists. Some I saw coming from a mile off, some were truly shocking. I did enjoy a lot but it also fell into the trap of maybe one twist too many. The ending was not for me.
A minor thing but it really annoyed me, the author clearly wanted to make the two PoVs very different. Not just in style, tone or even person and tense, but also in punctuation. I don't know why it bothered me so much, but I hated that Aggie's chapters used "" for dialogue and Jakob's used -, it got annoying very quickly. It felt as if I really was reading a book from two different writers but not in a fun way.
~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Killer Twist is a wonderfully playful, sharply plotted murder mystery that revels in the delicious chaos of crime writers behaving badly. Set against the lively backdrop of the Crème de la Crime festival, the novel brings together two authors who couldn’t be more different—Aggie Catchlove with her cosy “crim‑ance” charm and Jakob Hök with his brooding Nordic noir sensibilities. Their mutual loathing of celebrity author Kit Stirling is the one thing they agree on, which makes his very real murder all the more awkward.
The joy of the book lies in the dynamic between Aggie and Jakob. They’re prickly, competitive, and just self‑absorbed enough to be funny without ever tipping into caricature. Watching them attempt to clear their names while the festival goes into lockdown is a delight—equal parts farce, tension, and writerly ego. The paranoia that creeps in as they split up to investigate adds a lovely edge, reminding you that even the most charming narrators have their limits.
The mystery itself is clever and well‑paced, full of sly nods to the genre and the publishing world. Every character feels like someone you’ve met at a book event—the diva, the sycophant, the quietly brilliant outsider—and the setting is so vivid you can almost hear the panel discussions happening off‑page.
Smart, funny, and satisfyingly twisty, Killer Twist is a love letter to crime fiction wrapped inside a murder mystery that refuses to take itself too seriously. A perfect pick for readers who enjoy their whodunits with a wink.
with thanks to Jo Furniss, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
The joy of the book lies in the dynamic between Aggie and Jakob. They’re prickly, competitive, and just self‑absorbed enough to be funny without ever tipping into caricature. Watching them attempt to clear their names while the festival goes into lockdown is a delight—equal parts farce, tension, and writerly ego. The paranoia that creeps in as they split up to investigate adds a lovely edge, reminding you that even the most charming narrators have their limits.
The mystery itself is clever and well‑paced, full of sly nods to the genre and the publishing world. Every character feels like someone you’ve met at a book event—the diva, the sycophant, the quietly brilliant outsider—and the setting is so vivid you can almost hear the panel discussions happening off‑page.
Smart, funny, and satisfyingly twisty, Killer Twist is a love letter to crime fiction wrapped inside a murder mystery that refuses to take itself too seriously. A perfect pick for readers who enjoy their whodunits with a wink.
with thanks to Jo Furniss, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
September 13, 2026
Who better than a couple of crime-writing authors to work out the whodunit when a fellow author is murdered during a crime-writing festival? With plenty of nods to the quirks of the publishing industry, this cleverly plotted mystery had me smiling as I tried to work out which clues mattered and which were simply red herrings.
Set at the Crème de la Crime festival over the course of the evening of the murder, the story gives us both Aggie and Jakob’s perspectives as they team up to solve the murder of Kit Sterling. And with a festival full of authors, attendees and industry personalities, there’s no shortage of possible suspects and almost everyone seems to have a secret worth keeping.
Along the way, we meet a wonderfully eccentric cast of characters, from adoring fans and bloggers to YouTubers and authors with varying degrees of ego. The publishing-world observations add an extra layer of fun, particularly when you recognize some of the peculiarities that come with the territory. I enjoyed the discussion around ghostwriting and the questions of how much recognition a ghostwriter deserves, and whether readers always know who is behind the words.
The dual perspectives worked so well as the investigation unfolded, with enough twists and misdirection to keep me guessing. It’s a lighter take on the murder mystery, but with a satisfying puzzle at its centre, and I appreciated the balance between the humor and the crime-solving.
A witty, twisty mystery with a wonderfully bookish setting and plenty to keep me guessing along the way. I always love an epilogue, and this one was such a fun little addition, giving the story the perfect finishing touch.
Set at the Crème de la Crime festival over the course of the evening of the murder, the story gives us both Aggie and Jakob’s perspectives as they team up to solve the murder of Kit Sterling. And with a festival full of authors, attendees and industry personalities, there’s no shortage of possible suspects and almost everyone seems to have a secret worth keeping.
Along the way, we meet a wonderfully eccentric cast of characters, from adoring fans and bloggers to YouTubers and authors with varying degrees of ego. The publishing-world observations add an extra layer of fun, particularly when you recognize some of the peculiarities that come with the territory. I enjoyed the discussion around ghostwriting and the questions of how much recognition a ghostwriter deserves, and whether readers always know who is behind the words.
The dual perspectives worked so well as the investigation unfolded, with enough twists and misdirection to keep me guessing. It’s a lighter take on the murder mystery, but with a satisfying puzzle at its centre, and I appreciated the balance between the humor and the crime-solving.
A witty, twisty mystery with a wonderfully bookish setting and plenty to keep me guessing along the way. I always love an epilogue, and this one was such a fun little addition, giving the story the perfect finishing touch.
August 20, 2026
Crime writer Aggie Catchlove can never forget how celebrity author Kit Stirling stole her famous "twist." When fellow novelist Jakob Hok learns Kit's next book is a rip off of his long running series at the Creme de la Creme festival, he and Aggie furiously plot the perfect murder of a man who is killing their careers. But when Kit Stirling is found dead for real, fingers point at Aggie and Jakob. They decide the only way to clear their names is to investigate. As the police lock down the event, Aggie and Jakob split up to double their efforts, but paranoia is a third wheel that destabilises their allience. Both writers want to tell the story, not to be the story. And, when push comes to shove, they'll do anything to be the voice of the final chapter.
This is quite an amusing read, it's filled with some good one liners. Aggie Catchlove writes grimy crime stories. Celebrity politician, Kit Stirling stole the twist to her latest book for his debut. Jakob Hok is a Nordic writing legend. He finds out that Kit's second book will feature a hypnotist, just like Jakob's book. A murder takes place at the Creme de la Creme Crime Festival.
I loved Aggie and Jakob. This book has been cleverly written. I loved the author rivalries. This twisted murder mystery kept me turning the pages.
Published 27th August 2206
I would like to thank #NetGalley #BonnierBooks #Zaffre and the author #JoFurniss for my ARC of #KillerTwist in exchange for an honest review.
This is quite an amusing read, it's filled with some good one liners. Aggie Catchlove writes grimy crime stories. Celebrity politician, Kit Stirling stole the twist to her latest book for his debut. Jakob Hok is a Nordic writing legend. He finds out that Kit's second book will feature a hypnotist, just like Jakob's book. A murder takes place at the Creme de la Creme Crime Festival.
I loved Aggie and Jakob. This book has been cleverly written. I loved the author rivalries. This twisted murder mystery kept me turning the pages.
Published 27th August 2206
I would like to thank #NetGalley #BonnierBooks #Zaffre and the author #JoFurniss for my ARC of #KillerTwist in exchange for an honest review.
May 28, 2026
Killer Twist was such a fun and clever crime mystery. A literary crime festival already feels like the perfect setting for murder, with bestselling authors, huge egos, professional jealousy and plenty of people who know exactly how to commit the perfect crime on paper.
The story follows Aggie Catchlove, whose career has never quite recovered after celebrity author Kit Stirling stole her famous plot twist and turned it into a bestseller. When Aggie and Scandinavian crime writer Jakob Hök arrive at the Crème de la Crime festival, tensions are already running high before Kit is found murdered and suspicion falls on both of them.
I really enjoyed the behind the scenes look at the world of publishing, literary festivals and crime writing. There is a sharpness and humour running underneath the story, especially around author rivalries and the desperation to stay relevant in such a competitive industry. Aggie and Jakob made a great pairing too, both flawed, suspicious and never entirely trusting each other.
The mystery itself kept me hooked and I liked how claustrophobic the festival setting became once the investigation started. It has that classic closed circle feel where everyone has secrets and motives of their own.
A witty, twisty murder mystery with plenty of atmosphere and a really entertaining premise.
With thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
The story follows Aggie Catchlove, whose career has never quite recovered after celebrity author Kit Stirling stole her famous plot twist and turned it into a bestseller. When Aggie and Scandinavian crime writer Jakob Hök arrive at the Crème de la Crime festival, tensions are already running high before Kit is found murdered and suspicion falls on both of them.
I really enjoyed the behind the scenes look at the world of publishing, literary festivals and crime writing. There is a sharpness and humour running underneath the story, especially around author rivalries and the desperation to stay relevant in such a competitive industry. Aggie and Jakob made a great pairing too, both flawed, suspicious and never entirely trusting each other.
The mystery itself kept me hooked and I liked how claustrophobic the festival setting became once the investigation started. It has that classic closed circle feel where everyone has secrets and motives of their own.
A witty, twisty murder mystery with plenty of atmosphere and a really entertaining premise.
With thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If I could I would simply compile all the lines I highlighted. It would be more than enough to convince anyone to read Killer Twist. But I am not going to ruin the experience for you.
This novel is a hilarious, deeply real and amazing ode to anyone who 1) loves crime fiction, and all its subgenres, 1) has attended at least one book event 3) has the wicked sense of humor we share when we love blood and murders.
I found myself chuckling, laughing at out, puzzled, excited, nodding in agreement... or else, throughout the book. Having been part of the publishing world as well as a crazy book reader, I was bound to recognize myself in many pages. And I did. And you will too. Oh you will.
The writing is Furniss-sharp, the characters are intriguing and exquisite in their realness.
The plot? Oh, the plot! Who hasn't dreamed of a murder in the midst of a crime fiction festival? (I'd pick Stirling as a location!! :p ) I finished the novel an hour ago and I struggle to find the words to express the balance between what the author has magnificently captured from the crime fiction scene and the absolute banger of twists she serves in this murderous ride!
First time in 2026 that I read a book within 24h!
This novel is a hilarious, deeply real and amazing ode to anyone who 1) loves crime fiction, and all its subgenres, 1) has attended at least one book event 3) has the wicked sense of humor we share when we love blood and murders.
I found myself chuckling, laughing at out, puzzled, excited, nodding in agreement... or else, throughout the book. Having been part of the publishing world as well as a crazy book reader, I was bound to recognize myself in many pages. And I did. And you will too. Oh you will.
The writing is Furniss-sharp, the characters are intriguing and exquisite in their realness.
The plot? Oh, the plot! Who hasn't dreamed of a murder in the midst of a crime fiction festival? (I'd pick Stirling as a location!! :p ) I finished the novel an hour ago and I struggle to find the words to express the balance between what the author has magnificently captured from the crime fiction scene and the absolute banger of twists she serves in this murderous ride!
First time in 2026 that I read a book within 24h!
August 8, 2026
A cosy murder mystery with a twist! It is the night of the Crème de La Crime awards and there are two crime writers on stage talking about their books. Aggie Catchlove and Jakob Hök are both hoping to win but they are up against the mighty Kit Stirling. He is a famous celebrity who has launched a best seller after a massive advertising campaign. A well written easy read with a fun twisty plotline.
Briefly, Kit is the favourite to win the main award, even though it is suspected he didn’t write a word himself, stole the “Killer Twist” ending from Aggie’s book and yet off he walks with the award. His joy doesn’t last long though and when his body is discovered, locked in the sauna, Aggie and Jakob are both suspects so decide that to clear their names they can solve the crime better than the police.
This is such a fun read. As a regular attendee at crime fiction festivals I can confirm there are going to be a lot of suspects, a lot. There are plot twists, secrets and lies and drama a plenty in this perfect setting for murder. The festival attendees might not have enjoyed the fun and entertaining night they were expecting but the reader certainly does. Very enjoyable mystery.
4⭐️
Briefly, Kit is the favourite to win the main award, even though it is suspected he didn’t write a word himself, stole the “Killer Twist” ending from Aggie’s book and yet off he walks with the award. His joy doesn’t last long though and when his body is discovered, locked in the sauna, Aggie and Jakob are both suspects so decide that to clear their names they can solve the crime better than the police.
This is such a fun read. As a regular attendee at crime fiction festivals I can confirm there are going to be a lot of suspects, a lot. There are plot twists, secrets and lies and drama a plenty in this perfect setting for murder. The festival attendees might not have enjoyed the fun and entertaining night they were expecting but the reader certainly does. Very enjoyable mystery.
4⭐️
August 29, 2026
When you get a group of thriller authors together, and there is a murder, who could have done it?
Various crime and thriller authors all together in a hotel- what could go wrong? Well, in theory nothing, but when one of the authors dies in mysterious circumstances, then who better to try and solve it than some of the authors at the conference.
When they arrive, there is some animosity between authors, so fingers are pointing. AS the synopsis tells you, Aggie is miffed that Kit, a celebrity author, has copied her twist for her latest book, and he is now at the top of the charts. There is another author who fears for his book as Kit reveals his next book will have similarities as well.
This is a good book, and it was entertaining, and I think the idea of having authors looking into a murder is a good idea. I think for me, I was expecting this to be more of a crime thriller, but it was leaning towards the cosy mystery side.
The title of Killer Twist is on point. Some surprises and twists caught me completely by surprise. Entertaining for those who like cosy crime and mystery stories, and one I would be happy to recommend.
Various crime and thriller authors all together in a hotel- what could go wrong? Well, in theory nothing, but when one of the authors dies in mysterious circumstances, then who better to try and solve it than some of the authors at the conference.
When they arrive, there is some animosity between authors, so fingers are pointing. AS the synopsis tells you, Aggie is miffed that Kit, a celebrity author, has copied her twist for her latest book, and he is now at the top of the charts. There is another author who fears for his book as Kit reveals his next book will have similarities as well.
This is a good book, and it was entertaining, and I think the idea of having authors looking into a murder is a good idea. I think for me, I was expecting this to be more of a crime thriller, but it was leaning towards the cosy mystery side.
The title of Killer Twist is on point. Some surprises and twists caught me completely by surprise. Entertaining for those who like cosy crime and mystery stories, and one I would be happy to recommend.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Killer Twist by Jo Furniss was my first read from this author, and it definitely won’t be my last. From the outset, I found it well written and fast-paced, with a clever and engaging concept,two authors trying to clear their names while a group of crime writers attempt to solve a real life death. The setting within literary festivals and the behind the scenes look at the publishing world added an extra layer of intrigue that I really enjoyed.
The plot is packed with twists that just keep coming,every time I thought I had it figured out, another turn kept me guessing.
The characters were a real highlight for me, especially Aggie, who was my favourite, with Jakob a close second. Their dynamic, along with the witty remarks throughout, made the story not only gripping but genuinely entertaining and often hilarious.
Overall, this was a smart, twisty, and highly enjoyable read. I had a great time with it and will definitely be picking up more books by Jo Furniss in the future.
The plot is packed with twists that just keep coming,every time I thought I had it figured out, another turn kept me guessing.
The characters were a real highlight for me, especially Aggie, who was my favourite, with Jakob a close second. Their dynamic, along with the witty remarks throughout, made the story not only gripping but genuinely entertaining and often hilarious.
Overall, this was a smart, twisty, and highly enjoyable read. I had a great time with it and will definitely be picking up more books by Jo Furniss in the future.
September 8, 2026
Crime writer Aggie Catchlove can never forget how celebrity author Kit Stirling stole her famous 'twist'. When fellow novelist Jakob Hök learns during the Crème de la Crime festival that Kit's next book is a rip-off of his long-running series, he and Aggie furiously plot the perfect murder of a man who is killing their careers. But when Kit Stirling is found dead for real, fingers point at Aggie and Jakob.
They decide the only way to clear their names is to investigate. As the police lock down the event, Aggie and Jakob split up to double their efforts, but paranoia is a third wheel that destabilises their alliance. Both writers want to tell the story, not be the story. And, when push comes to shove, they'll do anything to be the voice of the final chapter.
This is a great read. It has humour in abundance but it’s not a funny book. There are great characters who are not only believable they jump off the page. Plus, as the title suggests, a killer twist.
They decide the only way to clear their names is to investigate. As the police lock down the event, Aggie and Jakob split up to double their efforts, but paranoia is a third wheel that destabilises their alliance. Both writers want to tell the story, not be the story. And, when push comes to shove, they'll do anything to be the voice of the final chapter.
This is a great read. It has humour in abundance but it’s not a funny book. There are great characters who are not only believable they jump off the page. Plus, as the title suggests, a killer twist.
September 29, 2026
A delightfully sinister murder mystery set at the “Creme de la Crime” thriller author convention.
Celebrity author Kit Stirling is much despised - particularly for his habit of pinching plot lines and twists from his lesser known peers , which then further his infuriating and fraudulent fame.
Aggie Catchlove (queen of “crim-ance”) and Nordic noir writer Jakob Hok, gather for a drink after the award ceremony - (where, of course, Stirling cleaned up).
With others nearby, the two begin to jokingly fantasize about ways they could murder him…
But the script flips when Stirling turns up dead…stabbed in the sauna.
Now they must race against time to solve the crime themselves and clear their names.
There could be multiple suspects since there is a big cast of quirky crime-author characters (many with hilarious names)
So .. whodunnit?
Well, let me assure you, the twist at the end is killer!!
Celebrity author Kit Stirling is much despised - particularly for his habit of pinching plot lines and twists from his lesser known peers , which then further his infuriating and fraudulent fame.
Aggie Catchlove (queen of “crim-ance”) and Nordic noir writer Jakob Hok, gather for a drink after the award ceremony - (where, of course, Stirling cleaned up).
With others nearby, the two begin to jokingly fantasize about ways they could murder him…
But the script flips when Stirling turns up dead…stabbed in the sauna.
Now they must race against time to solve the crime themselves and clear their names.
There could be multiple suspects since there is a big cast of quirky crime-author characters (many with hilarious names)
So .. whodunnit?
Well, let me assure you, the twist at the end is killer!!
August 6, 2026
My first time reading this author and I loved this book. It was well written, smart, engaging and well paced. I didn't rush it as I was enjoying it so much.
The setting was at the the prestigious Creme de la Crime book festival, in a hotel that had a drawbridge and a moat! There were a lot of interesting background insights to writing a crime novel, the different crime genres and authors plus publicists and agents and the fans who were all attending the crime festival awards.
I loved the two main protagonists who took it upon themselves to solve the murder, but they also helped rather than hindered the police.
Overall this was a very witty mystery with lots of twists and I want to read it again to see if I can spot the clues. I will definitely be reading more Jo Furniss books.
Thank you to Netgalley and Bonnier Books UK for the ARC.
The setting was at the the prestigious Creme de la Crime book festival, in a hotel that had a drawbridge and a moat! There were a lot of interesting background insights to writing a crime novel, the different crime genres and authors plus publicists and agents and the fans who were all attending the crime festival awards.
I loved the two main protagonists who took it upon themselves to solve the murder, but they also helped rather than hindered the police.
Overall this was a very witty mystery with lots of twists and I want to read it again to see if I can spot the clues. I will definitely be reading more Jo Furniss books.
Thank you to Netgalley and Bonnier Books UK for the ARC.
August 23, 2026
At the Crème de la Crime festival author Aggie Catchlove is interviewing fellow writer Jakob Hök. Unfortunately the winner of this year’s award Kit Stirling, ex MP, and chat show host turned author’s winning book stole the Killer Twist from one of Aggie’s books, and now they discover that for his next book he has stolen most of the plot from Jakob’s series. Of course they now plot to kill him.
Little do they know that is exactly what will happen, Kit Stirling will be murdered.
A classic telling of crime fiction, where the amateurs, in this case the thriller writers, investigate the crime, sometimes with the police.
A very enjoyable read, my thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc.
Little do they know that is exactly what will happen, Kit Stirling will be murdered.
A classic telling of crime fiction, where the amateurs, in this case the thriller writers, investigate the crime, sometimes with the police.
A very enjoyable read, my thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc.
September 27, 2026
Killer Twist by Jo Furniss was such a fun, twisty read! I loved the idea of putting a group of crime writers together at a festival and then actually killing one of them off, especially when two of the suspects had already joked about plotting his murder!
There’s plenty of rivalry, jealousy and suspicion, with Aggie and Jakob trying to clear their names while also wondering if they can really trust each other. I enjoyed the behind the scenes look at the world of crime writing too, and the whole festival setting worked really well.
A clever, entertaining mystery with plenty of twists and a nice dose of dark humour. This is definitely worth picking up!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bonnier Books UK for an advanced copy in exchange for my review.
There’s plenty of rivalry, jealousy and suspicion, with Aggie and Jakob trying to clear their names while also wondering if they can really trust each other. I enjoyed the behind the scenes look at the world of crime writing too, and the whole festival setting worked really well.
A clever, entertaining mystery with plenty of twists and a nice dose of dark humour. This is definitely worth picking up!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bonnier Books UK for an advanced copy in exchange for my review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Jo Furniss has done it again. This is a story of a mysterious death at a crime writers' festival where there is no death of suspects. But what can you expect, when the victim was both guilty of plagiarising the work of others and notorious for benefiting from the quirks of the publishing industry at considerable cost to his fellow authors?
No one is what they seem here, including the dashing writer of Nordic Noir, so finding the culprit will be easier said than done...
Humorously told, this is an entertaining murder mystery that will appeal to most readers. Worth checking out.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
No one is what they seem here, including the dashing writer of Nordic Noir, so finding the culprit will be easier said than done...
Humorously told, this is an entertaining murder mystery that will appeal to most readers. Worth checking out.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
June 19, 2026
Thank you so much to Netgalley for giving me this free advance copy, and I’m writing this review honestly and without bias.
This is my third book by the excellent Jo Furniss and it's another highly original fun read. This author likes to take a 'locked room' mystery to another level and is full of sublime characters none more so than Aggie and Jakob who are an absolute delight. Well written, perfectly plotted with a nice pace, Jo takes us on a fun packed, murderous adventure as the two authors try to clear their names. There are twists galore, it's full of humour and a great ending. My favourite of Jo's to date.
September 21, 2026
Killer Twist is an enjoyable whodunnit that I flew through in a couple of sittings. It's not too taxing or heavy and managed to get a few chuckles out of me. It's an interesting locked room mystery that carries relatability to anyone who's attended book festivals or events and keeps you guessing with some great twists. The characters I also really liked with their strong and contrasting personalities, although there are quite a few to remember! I'd probably put Killer Twist in the popcorn thrillers category as it's an easy and engaging read.
I'd definitely recommend it if you're looking for a mystery that's a little bit lighter 🤩
I'd definitely recommend it if you're looking for a mystery that's a little bit lighter 🤩
August 24, 2026
A fun and entertaining murder mystery with a clever literary festival setting. I enjoyed the mix of crime writers, rivalries and egos, which gave the story plenty of personality.
There’s a good balance of humour, twists and red herrings, with enough suspicion and paranoia to keep the mystery interesting. I particularly liked the tongue-in-cheek look at the world of crime writing and the lengths some authors will go to for a good story.
An enjoyable, light-hearted crime read with an unusual setting.
There’s a good balance of humour, twists and red herrings, with enough suspicion and paranoia to keep the mystery interesting. I particularly liked the tongue-in-cheek look at the world of crime writing and the lengths some authors will go to for a good story.
An enjoyable, light-hearted crime read with an unusual setting.
August 27, 2026
A murder at a crime writers' convention. One of their own, Kit Sterling, has been murdered, not only in a way that closely resembles the murder in his own novel, but also just after two authors publicly declared the wish to murder Kit and making it the perfect crime. Now those two authors, Aggie and Jakob, band together to solve the perfect crime.
A cosy murder mystery that is told in alternating chapters by Aggie and Jakob. Aggie's POV is first person. Jakob's is third person and just like the writing style in his novels there are no marks to indicate dialogue.
A cosy murder mystery that is told in alternating chapters by Aggie and Jakob. Aggie's POV is first person. Jakob's is third person and just like the writing style in his novels there are no marks to indicate dialogue.
September 23, 2026
At the Creme de la Crime festival, self-published Aggie Catchlove in in conversation with Scandi novelist Jakob Hog. Both of them are upset that former MP and media celebrity Kit Stirling has copied their plots. When Stirling is found dead they are top of the list of suspects. However not everyone is what they seem and truth is stranger than fiction
This was a fun read. It's not particularly complex and the plot has loads of holes in it but there is a verve to the writing which makes it enjoyable.
This was a fun read. It's not particularly complex and the plot has loads of holes in it but there is a verve to the writing which makes it enjoyable.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A very funny murder mystery. This was a delightful read, set in the most ironic setting of a crime fiction festival. An easy read with plenty of mystery to keep you hooked right until the final twist. The characters are really brought to life, they come across with super quirky personalities that add to the story. Highly recommended.
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