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The Great Houses of Pill Hill
A literary take on the locked-room mystery following a woman who makes miniatures of murder scenes, from a scintillating new voice in crime fiction
Hannah “Cookie” Cooke, an interior decorator with a sideline making miniature reproductions of crime scenes, lands her dream job when New Preston’s wealthiest couple hires her to renovate their historic New England home. But things go spectacularly wrong when her client, Chuck, is murdered at the housewarming party.
The detective on the case is sure the key to the baffling murder is hiding in one of Cookie’s miniatures. Complicating matters further, Cookie’s mother, a retired archaeologist living in a local rehabilitation and nursing facility, knows more than she’s willing or able to admit about the house and its history—in particular, why there’s a hidden room decorated in 19th-century Egyptian kitsch on the premises, and what it might mean for the current owners.
This character-driven contemporary take on classic noir spins themes of possession, consumption, and development into a twisty, one-of-a-kind mystery.
Story Rhode Island
Hannah “Cookie” Cooke, an interior decorator with a sideline making miniature reproductions of crime scenes, lands her dream job when New Preston’s wealthiest couple hires her to renovate their historic New England home. But things go spectacularly wrong when her client, Chuck, is murdered at the housewarming party.
The detective on the case is sure the key to the baffling murder is hiding in one of Cookie’s miniatures. Complicating matters further, Cookie’s mother, a retired archaeologist living in a local rehabilitation and nursing facility, knows more than she’s willing or able to admit about the house and its history—in particular, why there’s a hidden room decorated in 19th-century Egyptian kitsch on the premises, and what it might mean for the current owners.
This character-driven contemporary take on classic noir spins themes of possession, consumption, and development into a twisty, one-of-a-kind mystery.
Story Rhode Island
Audible Audio
Published May 5, 2026
About the author
Diane Josefowicz
8 books70 followersDiane Josefowicz is a writer, editor, historian, and passionate amateur tap dancer. Her latest novel, The Great Houses of Pill Hill will be published in May 2026 by Soho Press. She is the author of three previous works of fiction: Ready, Set, Oh, a novel published by Flexible Press; L'Air du Temps (1985), a novella published in 2024 by Regal House; and Guardians & Saints: Stories, published in October 2025 by Cornerstone Press. With Jed Z. Buchwald, she has written two histories of French Egyptology: The Riddle of the Rosetta (2020) and The Zodiac of Paris (2010), both published by Princeton University Press.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
November 18, 2025
ARC for review. To be published May 5, 2026.
2 stars
This started off in a promising way and was written in a pithy, kicky style. It was a whydunit, because you know what and who. However it takes quite awhile to get there and it all ends up being so complicated I had no idea what was going on. Disappointing.
2 stars
This started off in a promising way and was written in a pithy, kicky style. It was a whydunit, because you know what and who. However it takes quite awhile to get there and it all ends up being so complicated I had no idea what was going on. Disappointing.
April 29, 2026
It’s hard when the book is just not good. But the bottom line is, I cannot recommend The Great Houses of Pill Hill, and I’m only ready to lay about a third of the blame for that at the foot of the author. It is true that this is not a good book. The pacing alternates between manic and glacial for reasons known only to the author. The dialogue is stilted. The characters are bland. I’ll lay all that at the foot of the author. But I really want to sit the editor down and make them read the multipage scene where our heroine tries to convince a psychiatrist to pick a paint color for his office and he refuses, and make them explain to me why it made the final draft. This book reads like a first draft that the editor never touched.
Finally, I have questions for the marketing team. This book was acquired by Soho Crime. A crime fiction imprint. This book is fundamentally uninterested in crime fiction; the author is fundamentally uninterested in writing a crime novel. It spends about as much time on modern art, Ancient Egypt, and a road trip with no bearing on the plot as it does on the mystery. But it’s marketed as a mystery novel. This is false advertising. If you go into this book expecting a mystery novel you will be disappointed.
I received an advance review copy in exchange for this honest review.
Finally, I have questions for the marketing team. This book was acquired by Soho Crime. A crime fiction imprint. This book is fundamentally uninterested in crime fiction; the author is fundamentally uninterested in writing a crime novel. It spends about as much time on modern art, Ancient Egypt, and a road trip with no bearing on the plot as it does on the mystery. But it’s marketed as a mystery novel. This is false advertising. If you go into this book expecting a mystery novel you will be disappointed.
I received an advance review copy in exchange for this honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I received this book as an ARC though Goodreads Giveaways, so I was determined to give it a fair shot and read it all the way through.
I wanted to like this book. I work in forensics and thought the concept of the story sounded interesting. But it was a struggle to get through the book and I repeatedly contemplated quitting it.
The characters, including the protagonist, are unlikeable. Most of the characters are extremely one dimensional and there is very little character development. The plot meanders and goes off on tangents that are possibly meant to look clever, but just confused me. There are multiple plot holes that I don't think will be fixed in the final edit.
There are also several weird anachronisms. I spent an inordinate amount of time trying to figure out when the story was set. There's talk about internet and Facebook, and cellphones that may or may not be smartphones? Then, a little over halfway through the book, a chapter title reveals it's supposed to be 2008. Which made it seem even odder that there's a later comment about ordering sushi when they are "miles from an ocean". They're in New Hampshire. I live near Chicago and I've been eating sushi since the 90s.
The ending was disappointing. It tries to explain too much in a short time and never actually brings it together.
I read the author's notes at the end and she lists all the very niche and erudite (and completely unrelated in any way!) sources that inspired her to write the book. It almost feels that she tried too hard to use all of these sources at once, forcing them into a story they didn't want any part of.
I wanted to like this book. I work in forensics and thought the concept of the story sounded interesting. But it was a struggle to get through the book and I repeatedly contemplated quitting it.
The characters, including the protagonist, are unlikeable. Most of the characters are extremely one dimensional and there is very little character development. The plot meanders and goes off on tangents that are possibly meant to look clever, but just confused me. There are multiple plot holes that I don't think will be fixed in the final edit.
There are also several weird anachronisms. I spent an inordinate amount of time trying to figure out when the story was set. There's talk about internet and Facebook, and cellphones that may or may not be smartphones? Then, a little over halfway through the book, a chapter title reveals it's supposed to be 2008. Which made it seem even odder that there's a later comment about ordering sushi when they are "miles from an ocean". They're in New Hampshire. I live near Chicago and I've been eating sushi since the 90s.
The ending was disappointing. It tries to explain too much in a short time and never actually brings it together.
I read the author's notes at the end and she lists all the very niche and erudite (and completely unrelated in any way!) sources that inspired her to write the book. It almost feels that she tried too hard to use all of these sources at once, forcing them into a story they didn't want any part of.
May 8, 2026
#ad much love for my advance copy @soho_crime #partner
I was so excited to read this one! A character whose job is recreating miniature models of crime scenes? I’m SOLD!
But what we actually got? A jumbled mess of a book 😩😭
Major let down. This book had every potential but IMO failed at every turn. I did enjoy the writing, so I won’t close the door on this author quite yet, but I’m gonna need a little more next time.
I was so excited to read this one! A character whose job is recreating miniature models of crime scenes? I’m SOLD!
But what we actually got? A jumbled mess of a book 😩😭
Major let down. This book had every potential but IMO failed at every turn. I did enjoy the writing, so I won’t close the door on this author quite yet, but I’m gonna need a little more next time.
April 27, 2026
I loved the concept! We’ve got miniature crime scenes and a main character with a very specific and interesting niche. I enjoyed the slow, deliberate pacing through most of the book. It felt like a careful unraveling of both the mystery and the characters’ lives, which kept me engaged.
My main issue was the ending. After such a steady, almost meandering build, the final chapters felt rushed. Everything wrapped up a little too quickly compared to how much time we spent getting there.
It was still an enjoyable and intriguing read, especially for fans of character-driven mysteries with a slightly offbeat premise. 3.75⭐️
My main issue was the ending. After such a steady, almost meandering build, the final chapters felt rushed. Everything wrapped up a little too quickly compared to how much time we spent getting there.
It was still an enjoyable and intriguing read, especially for fans of character-driven mysteries with a slightly offbeat premise. 3.75⭐️
April 4, 2026
The premise sounded irresistible. The execution? Not so much.
The Great Houses of Pill Hill had everything going for it on paper: an interior designer who builds miniature crime scene dioramas, a murder, and a house full of secrets. Cookie, the main character, even has two dogs, which honestly got her further with me than anything else in this book.
But here’s where it went sideways for me: the dioramas. The dioramas were whole reason I picked this up. They barely factor into the story. There’s a Lizzie Borden diorama scene that could have been genuinely thrilling, and then it just fizzles. The murder mystery gets buried under a tangle of subplots that pull focus in every direction. The characters felt flat. The dialogue is written without quotation marks (which made it nearly impossible to separate Cookie’s inner thoughts from actual conversation), and by the end I’d lost the thread completely. I don’t know if the no quotation marks was just an ARC thing or if it’s the author’s style.
I wanted quirky and clever. Instead I got overwhelmed and a little bored.
If you love literary, character-driven fiction and aren’t too hung up on a tight plot, you might find more to love here than I did. But if you’re coming for the mystery and the miniatures, this one might leave you wanting.
Thank you Soho Crime for the gifted ARC.
The Great Houses of Pill Hill had everything going for it on paper: an interior designer who builds miniature crime scene dioramas, a murder, and a house full of secrets. Cookie, the main character, even has two dogs, which honestly got her further with me than anything else in this book.
But here’s where it went sideways for me: the dioramas. The dioramas were whole reason I picked this up. They barely factor into the story. There’s a Lizzie Borden diorama scene that could have been genuinely thrilling, and then it just fizzles. The murder mystery gets buried under a tangle of subplots that pull focus in every direction. The characters felt flat. The dialogue is written without quotation marks (which made it nearly impossible to separate Cookie’s inner thoughts from actual conversation), and by the end I’d lost the thread completely. I don’t know if the no quotation marks was just an ARC thing or if it’s the author’s style.
I wanted quirky and clever. Instead I got overwhelmed and a little bored.
If you love literary, character-driven fiction and aren’t too hung up on a tight plot, you might find more to love here than I did. But if you’re coming for the mystery and the miniatures, this one might leave you wanting.
Thank you Soho Crime for the gifted ARC.
May 6, 2026
Thanks to RBMedia and NetGalley for providing this ALC!
Ugh, this book! I have a love/hate relationship with it. Things I loved:
- the interior decorator angle. I enjoyed Cookie’s design eye, how she talked about and thought about details of a space and color. It was interesting, and even poetic at times.
- the dioramas she builds for herself, because she likes to see things from every possible angle, and then it’s cool because the police see the value and commission her sometimes.
Things I hated:
- that the FMC goes by Cookie (her name is Hannah Cook).
- the FMC. She was NOT a lovable character for me, at all.
- all the characters. There was not a single character that I liked, not even the dogs. Maybe the mom, a little bit. More that I just felt sorry for her.
Anyhoo, this book was just ok for me. With a few bright spots here and there.
#RBMedia #NetGalley #TheGreatHousesOfPillHill
Ugh, this book! I have a love/hate relationship with it. Things I loved:
- the interior decorator angle. I enjoyed Cookie’s design eye, how she talked about and thought about details of a space and color. It was interesting, and even poetic at times.
- the dioramas she builds for herself, because she likes to see things from every possible angle, and then it’s cool because the police see the value and commission her sometimes.
Things I hated:
- that the FMC goes by Cookie (her name is Hannah Cook).
- the FMC. She was NOT a lovable character for me, at all.
- all the characters. There was not a single character that I liked, not even the dogs. Maybe the mom, a little bit. More that I just felt sorry for her.
Anyhoo, this book was just ok for me. With a few bright spots here and there.
#RBMedia #NetGalley #TheGreatHousesOfPillHill
June 22, 2026
Despite an intriguing premise (at least according to the publishers summary), this book is, unfortunately, kind of a mess.
It starts with the misleading summary, which suggests that this is a literary crime novel, which it definitely is not. The “mystery” here is hardly one at all, and the story doesn’t even pretend to function as such.
Also disappointing is the advertisement of a protagonist who makes miniatures of crime scenes. Fascinating and intriguing, and also unfortunately not really part of this book in any meaningful way.
Mostly what we hear about is the narrator’s fraught relationships with her interior design clients, a lot of possibly corrupt medical professionals, and reams of tangents that don’t really have anything to do with the story. The book wanders off into the weeds so much that at times it’s hard not to lose track of what it’s actually about.
And really, what is this actually about? I don’t think the author (or more alarmingly, the editor) ever made a firm decision on that, and the result is something that probably needed several more rounds of edits before making it to publication.
All of this is a shame, because the author writes well and has a sharp wit and decent observational skills. But the plot (if this book even has one) is such a mess that the whole thing feels entirely unsuccessful.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
It starts with the misleading summary, which suggests that this is a literary crime novel, which it definitely is not. The “mystery” here is hardly one at all, and the story doesn’t even pretend to function as such.
Also disappointing is the advertisement of a protagonist who makes miniatures of crime scenes. Fascinating and intriguing, and also unfortunately not really part of this book in any meaningful way.
Mostly what we hear about is the narrator’s fraught relationships with her interior design clients, a lot of possibly corrupt medical professionals, and reams of tangents that don’t really have anything to do with the story. The book wanders off into the weeds so much that at times it’s hard not to lose track of what it’s actually about.
And really, what is this actually about? I don’t think the author (or more alarmingly, the editor) ever made a firm decision on that, and the result is something that probably needed several more rounds of edits before making it to publication.
All of this is a shame, because the author writes well and has a sharp wit and decent observational skills. But the plot (if this book even has one) is such a mess that the whole thing feels entirely unsuccessful.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
May 19, 2026
RECAP: Interior decorator & mini crime-scene artist Hannah “Cookie” Cooke’s dream renovation job turns deadly when the homeowner is murdered, and the clues may be hidden in her miniatures - and in the mansion’s secret past.
REVIEW: Well, what can I say? I should’ve gone with my gut instinct to DNF when I got a third of the way through, especially after reading other reviews. Great concept, but messy & disappointing - I also didn’t connect with the characters.
REVIEW: Well, what can I say? I should’ve gone with my gut instinct to DNF when I got a third of the way through, especially after reading other reviews. Great concept, but messy & disappointing - I also didn’t connect with the characters.
May 20, 2026
so good. really vivid imagery, wonderful art historical details, a plot full of twists and turns, a girlboss who makes fentanyl. what more could you want?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I came into The Great Houses of Pill Hill like a woman possessed. Miniature crime scenes? Interior designer with a side hustle in murder dioramas? A rich people house with secrets and a dead body at a party? I was ready to spiral. I was ready to become deeply annoying about this book in group chats. I had already emotionally committed to the bit.
And at first, it kind of earns that energy. Cookie, our girl, is exactly the flavor of chaos I enjoy, she’s smart, a little prickly, making questionable choices but in a way that feels grounded. She lands this dream renovation job for a wealthy couple in New England, and the house itself is doing the most, hidden rooms, weird history, vibes that scream “someone absolutely died here in a dramatic way.” Then the husband ends up murdered at the housewarming party, and suddenly we’re in locked-room mystery territory and I’m like yes, let’s go, ruin my life.
Except instead of tightening the screws and letting the mystery take over, the book just… wanders off. Casually. Like it got distracted mid-thought and never came back.
The miniatures, which again were the entire reason I showed up, start fading in and out like a guest star who negotiated a very confusing contract. They’re technically relevant, people keep insisting they matter, but the story keeps pulling focus to everything else, relationships, side plots, backstories, long detours into things that feel like they belong to a completely different book. At multiple points I genuinely thought I had missed something, like did I black out? Did I skip ahead? No, the book just moves like that.
And the pacing is wild in a way that is not fun. The beginning has momentum, the ending tries to gather itself, but the middle is just a maze of “wait, who is this?” and “why are we here?” It’s not slow burn in a sexy, tension-building way, it’s slow burn in a “we’ve been standing in the kitchen for an hour and no one has turned the stove on” way. I kept waiting for the moment where everything clicks and instead it just… accumulates.
What kills me is that there are good bones here. Cookie is genuinely interesting. She’s messy, a little self-destructive, clearly carrying emotional baggage she doesn’t fully unpack, and I liked being in her head even when she was making choices that made me want to grab her by the shoulders and say please stop sleeping with people who are obviously going to ruin your day. She feels real in that specific, frustrating way where you understand her but also wish she had a better survival instinct.
And honestly, Mia Barron is out here doing damage control on the audiobook. She gives Cookie this steady, grounded presence that almost tricks you into thinking everything is intentional. Her narration has this calm confidence that makes the chaos feel less chaotic, like she’s guiding you through it with a flashlight while the plot is rearranging furniture in the dark. Without her, I think this would have been a full emotional DNF situation for me.
But the bigger issue is that the book cannot decide what it wants to be. There’s the sharp, eerie miniature crime concept that could have carried the whole thing. There’s the interpersonal drama, affairs, betrayals, people making deeply questionable romantic decisions like it’s a competitive sport. And then there’s this whole historical, secret-room, Egyptian-themed thread that feels like it wandered in from a different genre entirely. None of it is bad on its own, but together it’s like three conversations happening at once and none of them are finishing their sentences.
By the time we get to the resolution, I should be obsessed. I should be connecting clues, rethinking everything, having that “oh my god it was THERE the whole time” moment. Instead I was mostly just tired and willing to accept whatever explanation the book handed me so we could all move on with our lives. It’s not that it makes zero sense, it’s that it never earns how complicated it’s trying to be.
This is one of those reads that hurts a little because the idea is so good. Like, offensively good. Tiny murder dioramas solving real crimes is a slam dunk concept and I will not be taking questions at this time. But the execution just keeps drifting away from the thing that makes it special, and by the time it circles back, I was already halfway emotionally checked out.
So yeah, we’re sitting at a solid two stars, with a little extra goodwill for Mia Barron and the version of this book that exists in my head where the miniatures are running the show and everyone else is simply along for the ride.
Whodunity Award: For Making Me Think I’d Be Solving a Murder Through Tiny Furniture and Then Replacing It With Relationship Drama and Architectural Side Quests
Thank you to RBmedia and NetGalley for the ALC, you absolutely lured me in with miniature murder chaos and I showed up ready to thrive, and I’m still a little mad the dollhouses didn’t get top billing.
And at first, it kind of earns that energy. Cookie, our girl, is exactly the flavor of chaos I enjoy, she’s smart, a little prickly, making questionable choices but in a way that feels grounded. She lands this dream renovation job for a wealthy couple in New England, and the house itself is doing the most, hidden rooms, weird history, vibes that scream “someone absolutely died here in a dramatic way.” Then the husband ends up murdered at the housewarming party, and suddenly we’re in locked-room mystery territory and I’m like yes, let’s go, ruin my life.
Except instead of tightening the screws and letting the mystery take over, the book just… wanders off. Casually. Like it got distracted mid-thought and never came back.
The miniatures, which again were the entire reason I showed up, start fading in and out like a guest star who negotiated a very confusing contract. They’re technically relevant, people keep insisting they matter, but the story keeps pulling focus to everything else, relationships, side plots, backstories, long detours into things that feel like they belong to a completely different book. At multiple points I genuinely thought I had missed something, like did I black out? Did I skip ahead? No, the book just moves like that.
And the pacing is wild in a way that is not fun. The beginning has momentum, the ending tries to gather itself, but the middle is just a maze of “wait, who is this?” and “why are we here?” It’s not slow burn in a sexy, tension-building way, it’s slow burn in a “we’ve been standing in the kitchen for an hour and no one has turned the stove on” way. I kept waiting for the moment where everything clicks and instead it just… accumulates.
What kills me is that there are good bones here. Cookie is genuinely interesting. She’s messy, a little self-destructive, clearly carrying emotional baggage she doesn’t fully unpack, and I liked being in her head even when she was making choices that made me want to grab her by the shoulders and say please stop sleeping with people who are obviously going to ruin your day. She feels real in that specific, frustrating way where you understand her but also wish she had a better survival instinct.
And honestly, Mia Barron is out here doing damage control on the audiobook. She gives Cookie this steady, grounded presence that almost tricks you into thinking everything is intentional. Her narration has this calm confidence that makes the chaos feel less chaotic, like she’s guiding you through it with a flashlight while the plot is rearranging furniture in the dark. Without her, I think this would have been a full emotional DNF situation for me.
But the bigger issue is that the book cannot decide what it wants to be. There’s the sharp, eerie miniature crime concept that could have carried the whole thing. There’s the interpersonal drama, affairs, betrayals, people making deeply questionable romantic decisions like it’s a competitive sport. And then there’s this whole historical, secret-room, Egyptian-themed thread that feels like it wandered in from a different genre entirely. None of it is bad on its own, but together it’s like three conversations happening at once and none of them are finishing their sentences.
By the time we get to the resolution, I should be obsessed. I should be connecting clues, rethinking everything, having that “oh my god it was THERE the whole time” moment. Instead I was mostly just tired and willing to accept whatever explanation the book handed me so we could all move on with our lives. It’s not that it makes zero sense, it’s that it never earns how complicated it’s trying to be.
This is one of those reads that hurts a little because the idea is so good. Like, offensively good. Tiny murder dioramas solving real crimes is a slam dunk concept and I will not be taking questions at this time. But the execution just keeps drifting away from the thing that makes it special, and by the time it circles back, I was already halfway emotionally checked out.
So yeah, we’re sitting at a solid two stars, with a little extra goodwill for Mia Barron and the version of this book that exists in my head where the miniatures are running the show and everyone else is simply along for the ride.
Whodunity Award: For Making Me Think I’d Be Solving a Murder Through Tiny Furniture and Then Replacing It With Relationship Drama and Architectural Side Quests
Thank you to RBmedia and NetGalley for the ALC, you absolutely lured me in with miniature murder chaos and I showed up ready to thrive, and I’m still a little mad the dollhouses didn’t get top billing.
May 25, 2026
Hanna “Cookie” Cooke is a young woman with an interior design business in New Preston, a small New England town. She has a side gig doing crime-scene dioramas, which are highly detailed, right down to leather book volumes, handmade curtains and blood spatter.
We join Cookie’s story as she is engaged by New Preston’s wealthiest couple, Chuck and Lana Halsey. Recently they have purchased a rundown mansion and want to restore it, keeping as much of the original character as possible. Cookie can’t wait to jump into the middle of this project, even with all of the problems that the house --- and the Halseys --- presents. She puts her whole heart and soul into it --- and something more personal than maybe she should.
But finally the big reveal comes at the housewarming party the Halseys throw. While it’s meant to showcase the months of hard work and fantastic style choices, the night goes spectacularly wrong. A fire breaks out in the renovated chimney, spreading rapidly and causing the guests to run for their lives. Tragically, not everyone makes it out. Chuck is found dead in the smoldering ruins.
In the days following the blaze, the New Preston police approaches Cookie and asks her to build a miniature of the scene when it becomes apparent that Chuck did not die because of the fire. He was the victim of a homicide, dead before the smoke and flames could take him. Reluctantly, she agrees. It’s not that she doesn’t want to help; it’s just that the Halsey commission had felt almost cursed from the beginning. Frankly, Cookie would like to leave it all behind her. Besides, she has other work.
A local psychiatrist, Simon, has an office that needs updating. While he doesn’t want any involvement in changing its décor, his wife, Wendy, insists. Cookie seems to attract troublesome clients. However, she manages to convince Simon to allow her to at least paint his office a different color. When Wendy is killed in an auto “accident,” Cookie has to take a closer look at the people in her life. A longtime friend of hers may not be quite who they seem.
In many ways, Cookie appears to be floundering. Maybe the miniatures she constructs are her way of making sense of her life. She briefly was married to entirely the wrong person, but she kept the man in her life after their marriage failed. He’s supposedly a good friend, but he doesn’t act like one. Plus, Cookie has relationships with married men. So what’s that about? It all points to self-destruction, or self-doubt at the least.
As if that wasn’t enough to deal with, Cookie is trying to help her mother, who is in a rehabilitation center, which causes all kinds of trouble for the staff. Day by day, her mom drifts in and out of lucidity. When she has her wits about her, she comes up with some very interesting observations about Cookie’s renovation project. Does she know something?
There is a lot going on in Diane Josefowicz’s THE GREAT HOUSES OF PILL HILL: a murder or two (maybe more), drugs, bad medicine, botched surgeries, people with ill intent everywhere. But there are also some excellent twists that frankly even Cookie doesn’t see coming.
Reviewed by Kate Ayers
We join Cookie’s story as she is engaged by New Preston’s wealthiest couple, Chuck and Lana Halsey. Recently they have purchased a rundown mansion and want to restore it, keeping as much of the original character as possible. Cookie can’t wait to jump into the middle of this project, even with all of the problems that the house --- and the Halseys --- presents. She puts her whole heart and soul into it --- and something more personal than maybe she should.
But finally the big reveal comes at the housewarming party the Halseys throw. While it’s meant to showcase the months of hard work and fantastic style choices, the night goes spectacularly wrong. A fire breaks out in the renovated chimney, spreading rapidly and causing the guests to run for their lives. Tragically, not everyone makes it out. Chuck is found dead in the smoldering ruins.
In the days following the blaze, the New Preston police approaches Cookie and asks her to build a miniature of the scene when it becomes apparent that Chuck did not die because of the fire. He was the victim of a homicide, dead before the smoke and flames could take him. Reluctantly, she agrees. It’s not that she doesn’t want to help; it’s just that the Halsey commission had felt almost cursed from the beginning. Frankly, Cookie would like to leave it all behind her. Besides, she has other work.
A local psychiatrist, Simon, has an office that needs updating. While he doesn’t want any involvement in changing its décor, his wife, Wendy, insists. Cookie seems to attract troublesome clients. However, she manages to convince Simon to allow her to at least paint his office a different color. When Wendy is killed in an auto “accident,” Cookie has to take a closer look at the people in her life. A longtime friend of hers may not be quite who they seem.
In many ways, Cookie appears to be floundering. Maybe the miniatures she constructs are her way of making sense of her life. She briefly was married to entirely the wrong person, but she kept the man in her life after their marriage failed. He’s supposedly a good friend, but he doesn’t act like one. Plus, Cookie has relationships with married men. So what’s that about? It all points to self-destruction, or self-doubt at the least.
As if that wasn’t enough to deal with, Cookie is trying to help her mother, who is in a rehabilitation center, which causes all kinds of trouble for the staff. Day by day, her mom drifts in and out of lucidity. When she has her wits about her, she comes up with some very interesting observations about Cookie’s renovation project. Does she know something?
There is a lot going on in Diane Josefowicz’s THE GREAT HOUSES OF PILL HILL: a murder or two (maybe more), drugs, bad medicine, botched surgeries, people with ill intent everywhere. But there are also some excellent twists that frankly even Cookie doesn’t see coming.
Reviewed by Kate Ayers
June 19, 2026
In this clever, witty, and surprisingly far-reaching story, Diane Josefowicz riffs on the very idea of a locked-room mystery by showing that within that room there can be multiple pockets of space. Some might be mysteriously and disturbingly decorated (Egyptian Revival is always going to read a bit creepy, as it does here), perhaps unexpected (say, a beehive oven largely concealed within a problematic space where it becomes a hazard). Some are tiny, controlled, meticulous reproductions of a chaotic moment in which murderous passion had its day. Each one can potentially send the plot in a new direction.
Hannah "Cookie" Cooke is both an interior designer *and* an artist specializing in miniatures. In one job, she adapts the spaces in which her clients live to suit their own style and, really, the HGTV trends that are all about open floor plans and shades of white. In the other job (also her avocation), she shrinks real, lived spaces down to 1:12 scale miniature models (meaning one inch of miniature equals one foot of Big) and shows them in all their colorful messiness--usually shades of red, as she reproduces crime scenes for fun, profit, and aesthetic value. Inspired by the work of real-life Frances Glessner Lee, whose "nutshell studies" scenes have been training investigators for decades, she makes a stark vignette of Lizzie Borden's crime, preparing to show at the town art gallery.
Another very important commission is on the way: Cookie's lover, who is also her married employer, turns up dead inside a wall contentiously opened during their renovation. The local police investigator orders a model of that too. Then Cookie can't leave the mystery alone; she launches own investigation of the perfidious paramour, and we'll go some odd places, meeting odd characters worthy of a Barbara Pym novel. People like a prickly mason from her deep past are gently satirized, even as Josefowicz proves she's capable of an effective kill strike. To my own dying day, I will be laughing over the deft skewer of Hello Kitty's melancholy people-pleasing. No stronger character study has ever been written.
It is now a given that the spaces in which we live show and comment on who we are as people. The smaller the space gets, the more loudly it speaks: Cookie's curated miniature scenes show she's a careful observer both in IRL and in miniature--and also a bit of a control freak who's driving more plot than she' seems ready to admit. She's a crime solver, yes, but also the one who leads us into eerie doctors' offices, a downright disturbing hospital, and a few close brushes with rekindled romance. She proves she's a master manipulator, able to coax even the most reluctant subject into telling her what he wants from a design point of view. So can she trick anyone into a confession? Hm.
This is a snappy, quirky mystery, also a surprisingly cozy one. Even Hello Kitty might crack a smile when she gets to the thoroughly satisfying end.
Hannah "Cookie" Cooke is both an interior designer *and* an artist specializing in miniatures. In one job, she adapts the spaces in which her clients live to suit their own style and, really, the HGTV trends that are all about open floor plans and shades of white. In the other job (also her avocation), she shrinks real, lived spaces down to 1:12 scale miniature models (meaning one inch of miniature equals one foot of Big) and shows them in all their colorful messiness--usually shades of red, as she reproduces crime scenes for fun, profit, and aesthetic value. Inspired by the work of real-life Frances Glessner Lee, whose "nutshell studies" scenes have been training investigators for decades, she makes a stark vignette of Lizzie Borden's crime, preparing to show at the town art gallery.
Another very important commission is on the way: Cookie's lover, who is also her married employer, turns up dead inside a wall contentiously opened during their renovation. The local police investigator orders a model of that too. Then Cookie can't leave the mystery alone; she launches own investigation of the perfidious paramour, and we'll go some odd places, meeting odd characters worthy of a Barbara Pym novel. People like a prickly mason from her deep past are gently satirized, even as Josefowicz proves she's capable of an effective kill strike. To my own dying day, I will be laughing over the deft skewer of Hello Kitty's melancholy people-pleasing. No stronger character study has ever been written.
It is now a given that the spaces in which we live show and comment on who we are as people. The smaller the space gets, the more loudly it speaks: Cookie's curated miniature scenes show she's a careful observer both in IRL and in miniature--and also a bit of a control freak who's driving more plot than she' seems ready to admit. She's a crime solver, yes, but also the one who leads us into eerie doctors' offices, a downright disturbing hospital, and a few close brushes with rekindled romance. She proves she's a master manipulator, able to coax even the most reluctant subject into telling her what he wants from a design point of view. So can she trick anyone into a confession? Hm.
This is a snappy, quirky mystery, also a surprisingly cozy one. Even Hello Kitty might crack a smile when she gets to the thoroughly satisfying end.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thanks to Soho Press / Soho Crime for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I would like to start by saying that this book started out okay for me. I think I was seeing the vision that the author had in mind. But by the last 100 pages, I just wasn't sure how everything tied together. As someone who worked in forensics and has a fairly decent grasp of the criminal justice system, none of how things played out by the end of this story made sense to me - how Cookie was brought into this investigation just didn't really make any sense and would honestly never happen in the real world.
Additionally, I think the book synopsis was misleading. There's discussion of Cookie's mother and her archaeologist background, and then this detective on the case that essentially sucks Cookie into the investigation because of her expertise in re-creating miniature crime scenes. None of these elements were elaborated on, or seemed to take a major part in the story. The ideas were intriguing, but they just weren't fleshed out nearly enough. I feel like there was a disconnect between the synopsis and what actually was important in the story.
The characters fell flat for me as well. I'm not particularly a fan of the "no quotations" for dialogue in writing - and I think that including this, along with the confusing plot elements, was really detrimental to the overall story.
I did appreciate the use of the author's note at the end, and while those usually tend to help bring clarity to the thought process behind the story, this one just felt a bit insulting and came across kind of pretentious with how it was written/worded. It referenced books I've never heard of that were an inspiration to the story (which is fine) - however unless the readers of this story enjoy those types of books, then the references will definitely go over their heads (as it did with mine). I've read many books inspired by or retellings of other famous pieces of literature, and many authors can still have easter eggs for that specific audience while also making the story clear enough to follow along for others without having read said literature. This author did not make that clear, which is fine, but then I feel like this would just alienate an entire potential audience instead of trying to be inclusive towards both types, which is where I think this book majorly failed for me.
Overall, maybe read the author's note first to see if you're the audience for this book, because I definitely was not. It wasn't bad, but I just don't think I fully understood what points the author was trying to make. I feel like this should be marketed more for a more selective, niche audience who are more into that specific type of literature than I am.
I would like to start by saying that this book started out okay for me. I think I was seeing the vision that the author had in mind. But by the last 100 pages, I just wasn't sure how everything tied together. As someone who worked in forensics and has a fairly decent grasp of the criminal justice system, none of how things played out by the end of this story made sense to me - how Cookie was brought into this investigation just didn't really make any sense and would honestly never happen in the real world.
Additionally, I think the book synopsis was misleading. There's discussion of Cookie's mother and her archaeologist background, and then this detective on the case that essentially sucks Cookie into the investigation because of her expertise in re-creating miniature crime scenes. None of these elements were elaborated on, or seemed to take a major part in the story. The ideas were intriguing, but they just weren't fleshed out nearly enough. I feel like there was a disconnect between the synopsis and what actually was important in the story.
The characters fell flat for me as well. I'm not particularly a fan of the "no quotations" for dialogue in writing - and I think that including this, along with the confusing plot elements, was really detrimental to the overall story.
I did appreciate the use of the author's note at the end, and while those usually tend to help bring clarity to the thought process behind the story, this one just felt a bit insulting and came across kind of pretentious with how it was written/worded. It referenced books I've never heard of that were an inspiration to the story (which is fine) - however unless the readers of this story enjoy those types of books, then the references will definitely go over their heads (as it did with mine). I've read many books inspired by or retellings of other famous pieces of literature, and many authors can still have easter eggs for that specific audience while also making the story clear enough to follow along for others without having read said literature. This author did not make that clear, which is fine, but then I feel like this would just alienate an entire potential audience instead of trying to be inclusive towards both types, which is where I think this book majorly failed for me.
Overall, maybe read the author's note first to see if you're the audience for this book, because I definitely was not. It wasn't bad, but I just don't think I fully understood what points the author was trying to make. I feel like this should be marketed more for a more selective, niche audience who are more into that specific type of literature than I am.
June 7, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of
The Great Houses of Pill Hill.
I requested this ARC due to the intriguing premise but knew this wouldn't meet my expectations after reading the first few pages.
The narrative is a straight-up confusing mess, due to the erratic writing style and Cookie's meandering stream of consciousness POV.
The writing style, I guess is to provide insight into who she is,but is nothing more than a distraction and lacks cohesion, because Cookie jumps from random thought to random thought.
The mystery barely factors in the story. What mystery?
You forget there is a 'mystery' to be solved because Cookie's rambling POV and random thoughts take up all the space in the narrative.
The narrative is really about nothing or subplots; how Cookie's interior decorating career began; her propensity to engage in affairs with married men, her almost-abusive-like working relationship with her ex; her mother's love for ancient history and grave goods, obsession with Lizzie Borden, Egyptian mythology, and her relationship with the police chief, who gives her unfettered access to crime scene and autopsy reports, which would never EVER happen in real life.
I don't care who you are, or how small your town is, and if you do create dioramas of crime scenes, this would NEVER happen and I CAN'T suspend disbelief for this scene at all.
The premise had SO much potential but the subplots, the pointless filler about Cookie's attraction to married men and her bizarre relationship with her ex was so exhausting, but the breaking point was when Cookie is asked to act as bait for the police.
Only in a book would this happen.
I couldn't stand Cookie; character development is lacking but from her actions, I conclude she's a home-wrecker, a twit, not street or book smart with serious Freudian daddy issues.
How did the dioramas contribute to solving the mystery?
They didn't. The dioramas are just a tease.
Despite the quirky premise, an unlikable character, a random blend of uninteresting subplots that did nothing to move the narrative forward, and unrealistic scenarios made the story unreadable.
UNREADABLE.
I apologize; I'm not yelling at anyone.
Well, except to whoever greenlit this book to be published.
I requested this ARC due to the intriguing premise but knew this wouldn't meet my expectations after reading the first few pages.
The narrative is a straight-up confusing mess, due to the erratic writing style and Cookie's meandering stream of consciousness POV.
The writing style, I guess is to provide insight into who she is,but is nothing more than a distraction and lacks cohesion, because Cookie jumps from random thought to random thought.
The mystery barely factors in the story. What mystery?
You forget there is a 'mystery' to be solved because Cookie's rambling POV and random thoughts take up all the space in the narrative.
The narrative is really about nothing or subplots; how Cookie's interior decorating career began; her propensity to engage in affairs with married men, her almost-abusive-like working relationship with her ex; her mother's love for ancient history and grave goods, obsession with Lizzie Borden, Egyptian mythology, and her relationship with the police chief, who gives her unfettered access to crime scene and autopsy reports, which would never EVER happen in real life.
I don't care who you are, or how small your town is, and if you do create dioramas of crime scenes, this would NEVER happen and I CAN'T suspend disbelief for this scene at all.
The premise had SO much potential but the subplots, the pointless filler about Cookie's attraction to married men and her bizarre relationship with her ex was so exhausting, but the breaking point was when Cookie is asked to act as bait for the police.
Only in a book would this happen.
I couldn't stand Cookie; character development is lacking but from her actions, I conclude she's a home-wrecker, a twit, not street or book smart with serious Freudian daddy issues.
How did the dioramas contribute to solving the mystery?
They didn't. The dioramas are just a tease.
Despite the quirky premise, an unlikable character, a random blend of uninteresting subplots that did nothing to move the narrative forward, and unrealistic scenarios made the story unreadable.
UNREADABLE.
I apologize; I'm not yelling at anyone.
Well, except to whoever greenlit this book to be published.
June 14, 2026
Book Review: The Great Houses of Pill Hill by Diane Josefowicz
Rating: ★★★☆☆
I recently finished The Great Houses of Pill Hill by Diane Josefowicz, and it was an interesting read that left me with mixed feelings.
The story centers around Hannah “Cookie” Cooke, an interior decorator with a quirky side hustle: she creates miniature models of crime scenes for the local police. When she lands her dream gig renovating a wealthy New England couple’s historic home, things take a dark turn—her client Chuck, who she's secretly involved with, is found murdered during the housewarming party. Cookie then gets pulled into the investigation when the detective requests one of her miniatures to help crack the case.
What follows is a tangled web of secrets involving Chuck’s complicated life—his therapist, his wife’s mysterious textile business, and a bizarre Egyptian-themed room hidden in the mansion. As Cookie digs deeper, she confronts not only the murder mystery but also the murky underbelly of New Preston’s elite society.
The book is a clever twist on classic hard-boiled mysteries, infused with sharp wit and a fresh take on domestic life. The author’s narrative voice really shines and keeps things engaging throughout.
That said, while I was hooked during the first half—especially drawn in by the intriguing premise and that gorgeous cover—the second half felt somewhat chaotic and less polished. The plot threads got a little tangled and some elements didn’t quite come together as smoothly as I’d hoped.
All in all, The Great Houses of Pill Hill is a solid read with a strong start and a distinctive style, but it didn’t fully deliver by the end. Still worth picking up if you enjoy offbeat mysteries with a twist! .
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️
Rating: ★★★☆☆
I recently finished The Great Houses of Pill Hill by Diane Josefowicz, and it was an interesting read that left me with mixed feelings.
The story centers around Hannah “Cookie” Cooke, an interior decorator with a quirky side hustle: she creates miniature models of crime scenes for the local police. When she lands her dream gig renovating a wealthy New England couple’s historic home, things take a dark turn—her client Chuck, who she's secretly involved with, is found murdered during the housewarming party. Cookie then gets pulled into the investigation when the detective requests one of her miniatures to help crack the case.
What follows is a tangled web of secrets involving Chuck’s complicated life—his therapist, his wife’s mysterious textile business, and a bizarre Egyptian-themed room hidden in the mansion. As Cookie digs deeper, she confronts not only the murder mystery but also the murky underbelly of New Preston’s elite society.
The book is a clever twist on classic hard-boiled mysteries, infused with sharp wit and a fresh take on domestic life. The author’s narrative voice really shines and keeps things engaging throughout.
That said, while I was hooked during the first half—especially drawn in by the intriguing premise and that gorgeous cover—the second half felt somewhat chaotic and less polished. The plot threads got a little tangled and some elements didn’t quite come together as smoothly as I’d hoped.
All in all, The Great Houses of Pill Hill is a solid read with a strong start and a distinctive style, but it didn’t fully deliver by the end. Still worth picking up if you enjoy offbeat mysteries with a twist! .
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The Great Houses of Pill Hill is an entertaining literary spin on the cozy, whodunit, crime fiction genre that follows Cookie, an interior decorator hired to restore a historic home for one of New Preston’s wealthiest couples.
Things get messy when one of her crew discovers a strange hidden room tucked behind a wall that's connected to the chimney’s ventilation system. They get messier when Cookie decides to throw herself into an affair with her client's husband. And they get messier still when the house goes up in flames during the housewarming party and her lover is found among the ashes... wrapped in a rug... with his head bashed in.
The detective on the case taps into Cookie’s unusual hobby of building miniature dioramas of famous murder scenes, commissioning one of the property in hopes it might help reveal who, exactly, has blood on their hands. And Cookie can't seem to help conducting a little investigation of her own to see if she can't get to the bottom of things herself.
The book has its charms, yet it felt a bit all over the place and though it's not a super chunky book, something about Diane’s writing made it feel like a much longer read than it actually was.
And then there’s the infidelity, which is a pet peeve of mine. Cookie seems to have slept with half the men in town, which was both exhausting and made it pretty hard to root for her. Every time the plot threatened to move forward, we detoured into yet another hookup, another secret, another questionable decision.
Overall, a solid three stars. Not terrible, not great, and not one that I can see sticking with me for long. Although as I was reading it, it did bring to mind Stacy Wilder's Charleston Conundrum, which is also a cozy murder mystery book, but with a cool twist!
Things get messy when one of her crew discovers a strange hidden room tucked behind a wall that's connected to the chimney’s ventilation system. They get messier when Cookie decides to throw herself into an affair with her client's husband. And they get messier still when the house goes up in flames during the housewarming party and her lover is found among the ashes... wrapped in a rug... with his head bashed in.
The detective on the case taps into Cookie’s unusual hobby of building miniature dioramas of famous murder scenes, commissioning one of the property in hopes it might help reveal who, exactly, has blood on their hands. And Cookie can't seem to help conducting a little investigation of her own to see if she can't get to the bottom of things herself.
The book has its charms, yet it felt a bit all over the place and though it's not a super chunky book, something about Diane’s writing made it feel like a much longer read than it actually was.
And then there’s the infidelity, which is a pet peeve of mine. Cookie seems to have slept with half the men in town, which was both exhausting and made it pretty hard to root for her. Every time the plot threatened to move forward, we detoured into yet another hookup, another secret, another questionable decision.
Overall, a solid three stars. Not terrible, not great, and not one that I can see sticking with me for long. Although as I was reading it, it did bring to mind Stacy Wilder's Charleston Conundrum, which is also a cozy murder mystery book, but with a cool twist!
April 29, 2026
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley (audiobook)
The Great Houses of Pill Hill was a bit of a struggle for me to get through.
I felt like the description of the book did not align fully with what the book actually delivered. I was so excited by the premise- a new perspective on crafting and a mystery?! Count me in! However, I felt the miniatures were more of an afterthought in the text, and that the description may have oversold the concept. The story, honestly, seemed to be more of a tale of affairs and jilted lovers than anything else.
Overall, this was difficult to follow. I feel like the story was very disjointed, and it jumped around in a way that had me questioning what I missed? There were several times I doubled-back because I thought I had I accidentally skipped ahead (and had not). There were many side plots and side narratives that felt underdeveloped, and, as such, kind of confusing. Had this not been a NetGalley copy, I probably would have given up around halfway through.
I did really enjoy the character the author created in Cookie, though. Diane Josefowicz did a great job in really consistently making Cookie's character feel tangible-- I thought Cookie was just annoying and flawed enough to feel real, and I could totally visualize her throughout the book. I thought that Mia Barron's audio narration was great and aligned perfectly with the character.
The Great Houses of Pill Hill was a bit of a struggle for me to get through.
I felt like the description of the book did not align fully with what the book actually delivered. I was so excited by the premise- a new perspective on crafting and a mystery?! Count me in! However, I felt the miniatures were more of an afterthought in the text, and that the description may have oversold the concept. The story, honestly, seemed to be more of a tale of affairs and jilted lovers than anything else.
Overall, this was difficult to follow. I feel like the story was very disjointed, and it jumped around in a way that had me questioning what I missed? There were several times I doubled-back because I thought I had I accidentally skipped ahead (and had not). There were many side plots and side narratives that felt underdeveloped, and, as such, kind of confusing. Had this not been a NetGalley copy, I probably would have given up around halfway through.
I did really enjoy the character the author created in Cookie, though. Diane Josefowicz did a great job in really consistently making Cookie's character feel tangible-- I thought Cookie was just annoying and flawed enough to feel real, and I could totally visualize her throughout the book. I thought that Mia Barron's audio narration was great and aligned perfectly with the character.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
(2.5)
This book was one that sounded like it was going to be so good and it was for a while. However, as it went on it just sort of started to go all over the place and the last 20% (ish) just seemed to be scattered or something.
Hannah (Cookie) is an interior decorator who has a side job of making miniature reproductions of crime scenes for the local police. She gets her dream job to renovate a historic New England home owned by New Preston's wealthiest couple. Soon though, things start to go very wrong when her client Chuck, also known as the married man she is having an affair with, is murdered during a housewarming party. Cookie is hired by the detective on the case to do her thing and make a mini crime scene. As she does she starts delving more and more into the life and death of the man she was seeing. She finds he has an over-involved therapist, his wife's flourishing business, and a hidden room.
I really don't know how to describe the things that happened in this book after a point. At one point it seems like it turns to a Hollywood ending that I just didn't get. All that said, I am definitely not going to tell you to skip this book. On the contrary, I would recommend giving it a shot because it may have just not clicked for me.
I was so lucky to have gotten the chance to listen to the audio version of this book. The narrator, Mia Barron, is brilliant and I definitely recommend any book narrated by her.
This book was one that sounded like it was going to be so good and it was for a while. However, as it went on it just sort of started to go all over the place and the last 20% (ish) just seemed to be scattered or something.
Hannah (Cookie) is an interior decorator who has a side job of making miniature reproductions of crime scenes for the local police. She gets her dream job to renovate a historic New England home owned by New Preston's wealthiest couple. Soon though, things start to go very wrong when her client Chuck, also known as the married man she is having an affair with, is murdered during a housewarming party. Cookie is hired by the detective on the case to do her thing and make a mini crime scene. As she does she starts delving more and more into the life and death of the man she was seeing. She finds he has an over-involved therapist, his wife's flourishing business, and a hidden room.
I really don't know how to describe the things that happened in this book after a point. At one point it seems like it turns to a Hollywood ending that I just didn't get. All that said, I am definitely not going to tell you to skip this book. On the contrary, I would recommend giving it a shot because it may have just not clicked for me.
I was so lucky to have gotten the chance to listen to the audio version of this book. The narrator, Mia Barron, is brilliant and I definitely recommend any book narrated by her.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A unique decorator murder mystery, with the most engaging moments coming from Cookie’s renovation work and the strange creativity behind her dioramas. The early chapters stay deep in Cookie’s thoughts, and her reflections set the foundation before the mystery picks up. The characters are written with clear flaws, and almost everyone is making questionable choices, which creates a tone where it is harder to sympathize with any one of them.
Around a third of the way in, the mystery begins, but the book keeps branching into side plots that pull focus from what works best. The dioramas feel built to anchor the story, but they drift in and out instead of shaping the investigation. The side plots, like Cookie’s shifting relationships and the online comments subplot, feel distracting from the main mystery.
Late in the book, the tone shifts into a different genre. The change brings momentum, but it does not feel right for what the story seemed to be building toward. The final stretch moves quickly, yet the shift makes the ending feel far from where the book started.
Overall, the book has compelling pieces, especially Cookie’s dioramas and the moments centered on her creating them. I just wanted those elements to stay central instead of getting overshadowed by the detours the story takes.
ARC provided by Soho Press, Soho Crime through NetGalley.
Around a third of the way in, the mystery begins, but the book keeps branching into side plots that pull focus from what works best. The dioramas feel built to anchor the story, but they drift in and out instead of shaping the investigation. The side plots, like Cookie’s shifting relationships and the online comments subplot, feel distracting from the main mystery.
Late in the book, the tone shifts into a different genre. The change brings momentum, but it does not feel right for what the story seemed to be building toward. The final stretch moves quickly, yet the shift makes the ending feel far from where the book started.
Overall, the book has compelling pieces, especially Cookie’s dioramas and the moments centered on her creating them. I just wanted those elements to stay central instead of getting overshadowed by the detours the story takes.
ARC provided by Soho Press, Soho Crime through NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
This one hurts because the premise had me immediately hooked.
A woman creating forensic miniatures for crime scenes?? Say less. I was READY for something eerie, intricate, maybe a little unsettling.
…but that’s not really the story we get.
Instead, this ends up being mostly about an affair. And then eventually there’s a death and some conspiracy layered in, but it never quite comes together in a satisfying way.
The characters felt pretty one-dimensional for most of the book, and they didn’t really click into place until we hit the “whodunnit” portion. Which is way too late. By then, I just wasn’t invested.
I kept waiting for the plot to pick up, especially once the murder element came in, but it stayed kind of flat the whole time. It also felt oddly confusing in parts, like the story was jumping around without fully grounding you.
And I have to say… the lack of quotation marks for dialogue really threw me off. I get why authors do it stylistically, but here it just made everything harder to follow.
The main character is… complicated. Maybe realistic in some ways, but the amount of cheating, lying, and overall messiness just made the reading experience feel kind of icky rather than compelling.
I wanted to like this so bad. The idea is so good. The execution just didn’t land for me.
Thank you to the publisher and goodreads for the ARC, all thoughts are my own :)
A woman creating forensic miniatures for crime scenes?? Say less. I was READY for something eerie, intricate, maybe a little unsettling.
…but that’s not really the story we get.
Instead, this ends up being mostly about an affair. And then eventually there’s a death and some conspiracy layered in, but it never quite comes together in a satisfying way.
The characters felt pretty one-dimensional for most of the book, and they didn’t really click into place until we hit the “whodunnit” portion. Which is way too late. By then, I just wasn’t invested.
I kept waiting for the plot to pick up, especially once the murder element came in, but it stayed kind of flat the whole time. It also felt oddly confusing in parts, like the story was jumping around without fully grounding you.
And I have to say… the lack of quotation marks for dialogue really threw me off. I get why authors do it stylistically, but here it just made everything harder to follow.
The main character is… complicated. Maybe realistic in some ways, but the amount of cheating, lying, and overall messiness just made the reading experience feel kind of icky rather than compelling.
I wanted to like this so bad. The idea is so good. The execution just didn’t land for me.
Thank you to the publisher and goodreads for the ARC, all thoughts are my own :)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This complimentary ALC from RB Media via NetGalley immediately pulled me in with its art-meets-crime-scene-investigation premise… but unfortunately, that hook ended up being more promise than payoff.
I was genuinely excited to dive into this one because that concept is so up my alley. However, the biggest letdown was how much that intriguing angle felt like an afterthought. It made the entire experience frustrating, especially since it set expectations the story never really intended to meet. I do think part of the issue lies in the marketing. With a more accurate description, this might have found a better-suited audience and been received differently.
Even setting that aside, the book struggled in several key areas. The plot felt meandering, the themes leaned heavily into the esoteric, and the inconsistent timeline often came across as disjointed rather than intentional. By the time I reached the ending, I was left more confused than satisfied.
The bright spot here was the narration. Mia Barron did a lovely job and truly carried the listening experience. Without her performance, this likely would have been a DNF for me.
While this one didn’t work for me and isn’t something I’d recommend, I would absolutely pick up a book that fully commits to the premise this one hinted at, because that concept still sounds like a fantastic time.
I was genuinely excited to dive into this one because that concept is so up my alley. However, the biggest letdown was how much that intriguing angle felt like an afterthought. It made the entire experience frustrating, especially since it set expectations the story never really intended to meet. I do think part of the issue lies in the marketing. With a more accurate description, this might have found a better-suited audience and been received differently.
Even setting that aside, the book struggled in several key areas. The plot felt meandering, the themes leaned heavily into the esoteric, and the inconsistent timeline often came across as disjointed rather than intentional. By the time I reached the ending, I was left more confused than satisfied.
The bright spot here was the narration. Mia Barron did a lovely job and truly carried the listening experience. Without her performance, this likely would have been a DNF for me.
While this one didn’t work for me and isn’t something I’d recommend, I would absolutely pick up a book that fully commits to the premise this one hinted at, because that concept still sounds like a fantastic time.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I finished this audiobook in under 24 hours, but mostly because I wanted to wrap it up. The concept sounded so promising, especially the idea of a character who creates miniature crime scenes, but the story just didn’t land for me.
The main character’s behavior early on threw me off, especially her immediate interest in a married man she barely knows. From there, the plot drifted into long stretches of Egyptian history, philosophy, and art history. Some readers might enjoy that, but it didn’t feel connected to the mystery in a meaningful way. There were a lot of very detailed sections that didn’t end up mattering, and it slowed everything down.
The characters themselves didn’t stand out much, and I struggled to stay engaged. I kept losing focus, and certain repeated phrases and details (including the dog’s “schwa”) made the story feel even more drawn out. I did guess the culprit early, though the book added enough small twists to make me question myself a few times.
Mia Barron’s narration was clear and easy to follow. She distinguished the voices well, but the material didn’t give her much personality to work with.
Overall, this one wasn’t a match for me. I appreciate the chance to listen to the ALC, but it ended up being a one‑star read.
TW: infidelity, murder/death, mental illness, drug abuse
The main character’s behavior early on threw me off, especially her immediate interest in a married man she barely knows. From there, the plot drifted into long stretches of Egyptian history, philosophy, and art history. Some readers might enjoy that, but it didn’t feel connected to the mystery in a meaningful way. There were a lot of very detailed sections that didn’t end up mattering, and it slowed everything down.
The characters themselves didn’t stand out much, and I struggled to stay engaged. I kept losing focus, and certain repeated phrases and details (including the dog’s “schwa”) made the story feel even more drawn out. I did guess the culprit early, though the book added enough small twists to make me question myself a few times.
Mia Barron’s narration was clear and easy to follow. She distinguished the voices well, but the material didn’t give her much personality to work with.
Overall, this one wasn’t a match for me. I appreciate the chance to listen to the ALC, but it ended up being a one‑star read.
TW: infidelity, murder/death, mental illness, drug abuse
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
"A scintillating, wickedly intricate locked-room mystery following an unconventional woman who makes miniatures of murder scenes and finds herself entangled in a real one when the client of her dream job turns up dead."
That sounds awesome, right? I was very intrigued by this synopsis when I read it on NetGalley and immediately wished for it.
Be careful what you wish for...
Okay, a bit dramatic, but unfortunately, this book read like a first draft. All of the characters were completely flat and stereotypical. The plot is a mess. The writing style and pacing are all over the place. The dialogue is stiff and awkward, and there was absolutely no reason for the author not to use quotation marks. I'm not against omitting dialogue markers, but it has to be done carefully and with a very clear purpose, in a way that contributes to the story; here, it only contributed to the confusion.
Honestly, had this not been an ARC, I would have DNF'd it after the first chapter because I absolutely hated the protagonist and the narration style. I was hoping for some character development, a gripping mystery, fun secondary characters... anything to make up for it. Well, none of that happened, and, overall, there was just nothing great about The Great Houses of Pill Hill.
"A scintillating, wickedly intricate locked-room mystery following an unconventional woman who makes miniatures of murder scenes and finds herself entangled in a real one when the client of her dream job turns up dead."
That sounds awesome, right? I was very intrigued by this synopsis when I read it on NetGalley and immediately wished for it.
Be careful what you wish for...
Okay, a bit dramatic, but unfortunately, this book read like a first draft. All of the characters were completely flat and stereotypical. The plot is a mess. The writing style and pacing are all over the place. The dialogue is stiff and awkward, and there was absolutely no reason for the author not to use quotation marks. I'm not against omitting dialogue markers, but it has to be done carefully and with a very clear purpose, in a way that contributes to the story; here, it only contributed to the confusion.
Honestly, had this not been an ARC, I would have DNF'd it after the first chapter because I absolutely hated the protagonist and the narration style. I was hoping for some character development, a gripping mystery, fun secondary characters... anything to make up for it. Well, none of that happened, and, overall, there was just nothing great about The Great Houses of Pill Hill.
May 31, 2026
2.5⭐️
The synopsis for this book sounded so interesting and I loved the idea of the miniature diorama murder scenes! The start of the book was ok and it did intrigue for the first 8-10%.
However, that is where the story starts spiraling for me. I don't mind an unlikable character in a book but, I struggled to find even one character that I somewhat liked much less connected with. I probably could have gotten past that but, throughout the book, there were multiple times where I questioned myself if I had skipped a page or multiple pages because I couldn't figure out what was going on. The story just randomly goes off on multiple side quests to tell us completely irrelevant information. The mystery just sort of fizzles out in lieu of all the various angles that the story tries to explore, while never managing to pick a lane and stick to it.
I dual read the book and honestly the narrator is probably the only reason I finished this book. Thankfully, they made it marginally easier to follow the story and for that I am thankful!
Overall, this book had the potential to be a solid story. The ideas are there, they just were not executed well.
Thank you to NetGalley, Soho Press, and RBMedia for the advanced digital copy and the advanced listener's copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own!
The synopsis for this book sounded so interesting and I loved the idea of the miniature diorama murder scenes! The start of the book was ok and it did intrigue for the first 8-10%.
However, that is where the story starts spiraling for me. I don't mind an unlikable character in a book but, I struggled to find even one character that I somewhat liked much less connected with. I probably could have gotten past that but, throughout the book, there were multiple times where I questioned myself if I had skipped a page or multiple pages because I couldn't figure out what was going on. The story just randomly goes off on multiple side quests to tell us completely irrelevant information. The mystery just sort of fizzles out in lieu of all the various angles that the story tries to explore, while never managing to pick a lane and stick to it.
I dual read the book and honestly the narrator is probably the only reason I finished this book. Thankfully, they made it marginally easier to follow the story and for that I am thankful!
Overall, this book had the potential to be a solid story. The ideas are there, they just were not executed well.
Thank you to NetGalley, Soho Press, and RBMedia for the advanced digital copy and the advanced listener's copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The Great Houses of Pill Hill is an offbeat mystery that is as much a character study as it is a classic puzzle-solving. Josefowicz takes a classic locked-room setup and filters it through "Cookie", a protagonist whose unusual hobby of crafting miniature houses becomes both her calling card and her burden. This gives the novel a distinct visual and psychological texture. The mystery itself is layered, unfolding through sharp observations and uneasy social dynamics rather than breakneck action. Josephowicz has a keen eye for the absurdities of wealth and status, and the Pill Hill setting feels both insular and quietly menacing. The novel also pays attention to relationships, for example, between Cookie and her mother, whose fragmented memories introduce emotional weight and narrative tension. The pacing feels deliberately measured, and serves the story's intricate design. Witty, a bit strange, and thoughtfully constructed, this is a mystery that thrives in its atmosphere and character work, and then all the way through to the final reveal. Thank you to Soho Press/Soho Crime for sending me a gifted copy for review. You can give this book a read when it publishes May 05, 2026 wherever you buy your books.
May 10, 2026
So many aspects of the book description enticed me, but did not deliver. This is a book that was trying too hard to be literary and a mystery/thriller and didn't accomplish either. There were parts of the plot I wanted more of and others that I thought were excessive and unnecessary. I was also unconvinced that the dioramas would be either a marketable and sellable art, or a useful tool for the investigation. It was a difficult book to push through and the second one in a row that required enormous fortitude and work to finish, so I needed a book break.
In looking at the last paragraph of the description of the book, I had to chuckle.
"The Great Houses of Pill Hill meditates on the many meanings of possession, consumption, and development. Following an artist struggling to come to terms with her ambitions, talent, and prospects, the novel shifts through interiors of all kinds, from domestic crime scenes to psychological landscapes.The Great Houses of Pill Hill meditates on the many meanings of possession, consumption, and development. Following an artist struggling to come to terms with her ambitions, talent, and prospects, the novel shifts through interiors of all kinds, from domestic crime scenes to psychological landscapes."
Seriously? Not in jest? Sigh...
In looking at the last paragraph of the description of the book, I had to chuckle.
"The Great Houses of Pill Hill meditates on the many meanings of possession, consumption, and development. Following an artist struggling to come to terms with her ambitions, talent, and prospects, the novel shifts through interiors of all kinds, from domestic crime scenes to psychological landscapes.The Great Houses of Pill Hill meditates on the many meanings of possession, consumption, and development. Following an artist struggling to come to terms with her ambitions, talent, and prospects, the novel shifts through interiors of all kinds, from domestic crime scenes to psychological landscapes."
Seriously? Not in jest? Sigh...
May 27, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley and RBMedia for the Audiobook ARC!
Unfortunately, The Great Houses of Pill Hill was a bit of a disappointment for me. The pacing felt inconsistent — simultaneously rushed in some places and drawn out in others — which made it difficult to stay fully invested. The subplots involving the protagonist's mother and past love interests read more as distractions than meaningful additions to the story, and the villain reveal landed as predictable and clichéd rather than satisfying.
The central mystery surrounding the dangerous new painkillers was also a stumbling block. It lingered vaguely in the background for much of the book, and even when the author attempted to bring it to the forefront, it remained muddled and hard to follow.
That said, there were bright spots. The mysteries surrounding the old house and its hidden rooms were genuinely intriguing — easily the strongest element of the book — and I found myself wishing the story had leaned into that thread much more heavily.
Sadly, there isn't a great deal here I'd feel confident recommending to others, though readers who are particularly drawn to atmospheric, house-centered mysteries may find more to enjoy than I did.
Unfortunately, The Great Houses of Pill Hill was a bit of a disappointment for me. The pacing felt inconsistent — simultaneously rushed in some places and drawn out in others — which made it difficult to stay fully invested. The subplots involving the protagonist's mother and past love interests read more as distractions than meaningful additions to the story, and the villain reveal landed as predictable and clichéd rather than satisfying.
The central mystery surrounding the dangerous new painkillers was also a stumbling block. It lingered vaguely in the background for much of the book, and even when the author attempted to bring it to the forefront, it remained muddled and hard to follow.
That said, there were bright spots. The mysteries surrounding the old house and its hidden rooms were genuinely intriguing — easily the strongest element of the book — and I found myself wishing the story had leaned into that thread much more heavily.
Sadly, there isn't a great deal here I'd feel confident recommending to others, though readers who are particularly drawn to atmospheric, house-centered mysteries may find more to enjoy than I did.
May 9, 2026
Hannah Cook is an interior designer with a unique side hobby, building miniature crime scenes. Surrounded by an eccentric cast of clients, employees, and friends, things take a turn for the dramatic when one of her clients is found dead in a newly renovated historic home.
Based on the description, I was excited to see how "Cookie" would use her miniatures to solve murders; however, that element of the story was few and far between. While I can see the potential in the premise, the execution fell flat for me for a few reasons. First, I found the characters difficult to root for. Cookie herself felt somewhat insufferable, and I didn't sense any genuine chemistry between her and the supporting cast.
The pacing felt uneven, both fast paced and slow, and the large number of characters cycling in and out made it difficult to form a connection with any of them. While the mystery kept me listening until the end, the conclusion left me disappointed and wanting more. Despite the murder at the center of the plot, the stakes felt low and the character arcs felt flat.
Thank you to NetGalley, Diane Josefowicz, and RB Media for this ALC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Based on the description, I was excited to see how "Cookie" would use her miniatures to solve murders; however, that element of the story was few and far between. While I can see the potential in the premise, the execution fell flat for me for a few reasons. First, I found the characters difficult to root for. Cookie herself felt somewhat insufferable, and I didn't sense any genuine chemistry between her and the supporting cast.
The pacing felt uneven, both fast paced and slow, and the large number of characters cycling in and out made it difficult to form a connection with any of them. While the mystery kept me listening until the end, the conclusion left me disappointed and wanting more. Despite the murder at the center of the plot, the stakes felt low and the character arcs felt flat.
Thank you to NetGalley, Diane Josefowicz, and RB Media for this ALC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I begged for an ARC of this book based on the promotional piece from the publisher. The premise of this book - an artist providing insights on crimes through her medium of choice, miniatures, hooked me, yet the story wasn't focused on this at all.
The characters were quirky and layered enough to enjoy and want to get to uncover more, the premise was there - as another reviewer said - a whydunit versus a whodunit, but it seemed to be so much work to get to the end result.
Cookie, the main character, is exploratory in her ways of expressing her creative side while balancing a financial hardship. I loved Cookie and her clever avenues, her friends and jaded past as well as her fascination with true crime, I just wished there was more miniature and discoveries compared to falling into the solutions.
I did enjoy Diane's style of writing, I just found there to be too much of it. If it could be focused on the art more, the crime itself, than as much as it was trying to fill in gaps of history and friendship connections, it would be improved.
The characters were quirky and layered enough to enjoy and want to get to uncover more, the premise was there - as another reviewer said - a whydunit versus a whodunit, but it seemed to be so much work to get to the end result.
Cookie, the main character, is exploratory in her ways of expressing her creative side while balancing a financial hardship. I loved Cookie and her clever avenues, her friends and jaded past as well as her fascination with true crime, I just wished there was more miniature and discoveries compared to falling into the solutions.
I did enjoy Diane's style of writing, I just found there to be too much of it. If it could be focused on the art more, the crime itself, than as much as it was trying to fill in gaps of history and friendship connections, it would be improved.
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