Murder By Mistake

by Nell Goddin

Love…or money. What would you do to get it?

Molly and Ben are busy embracing domestic life, hanging out with their pals at Chez Papa, eating duck confit and potatoes Anna. The usual, that is to say, with no local murders for some time.

Then they hear of a death in a château near Périgueux, just a stone’s throw from Castillac.

People die every day, as everyone knows. But the death of a very, very rich person? It suggests, as Molly says, certain possibilities…

320 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 12, 2026

About the author

She has worked as a radio reporter, SAT tutor, short-order omelet chef, and baker. She tried waitressing but was fired twice.

Nell grew up in Richmond, Virginia and has lived in New England, New York City, and France. Currently she's back in Virginia with teenagers and far too many pets. She has degrees from Dartmouth College and Columbia University.

Reviews

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

MURDER BY MISTAKE is written by Nell Goddin.
The title is Book #14 of the Castillac Mystery series.

I like this series very much - I can’t believe we are at Book #14.
Molly Sutton is (and always has been) the main character. She moved to
Castillac (in France), runs several guest cottages on her property and settled
right in. Ben is her husband and a new baby, Olivier, has joined them.
Molly loves to solve mysteries. Ben is a former police officer/investigator, so
they have much in common.
Murder by Mistake is quite a good read - a recommended title and series. ****

“Molly and Ben are busy embracing domestic life, hanging out with their pals
at Chez Papa, eating duck confit and potatoes Anna.
Then they hear of a death (possible murder?) in a chateau near Perigueux, just
a stone’s throw from Castillac.” If it is a murder, can Molly and Ben investigate?

[Bob Kruisloo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately the worst of the Castillac murders. It is strange, but as soon as you start reading it seems as if somebody else wrote this book; a totally different style and plot, with no attention to the enticing Dordogne scenes and lovable quirks. There is hardly any Castillac fun, people or scenery in the book. It starts with a disfunctional family in which somebody is murdered and after reading 85% of the book, you’re still involved in the family and Molly is taking her newborn Olivier with her to solve the crime in a very dissatisfying and almost offhand manner. For me a complete waste of time and money!

[Judith L. Carmany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Molly does it again!

The complicated family situation keeps everybody guessing, including this reader! There are a limited number of suspects, and Molly’s intuition helped by Olivier’s cuteness save the day. A thrill to read and to hear from familiar characters from Goddin’s earlier books

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I normally love the Molly Sutton books, but this one just seemed off. The mystery was uneven and I knew from the beginning who the killer was. No resolution of the guests and the ending was very abrupt. I love reading about the people of the village, but most were only briefly mentioned. I hope the author gets back to the books I like with the next one.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the latest in the Castillac series and in my opinion probably the best written book of the series. Each book has gotten better with the writing and usually the narrative but this one actually kinda made sense from beginning to end and only had a few weird off shoots. The writing was a lot tighter.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

love Molly

I have read all of this series and have enjoyed them very much. This one was a little disappointing in that the ending seemed really rushed. Also some things left unanswered.

[Sarah G. Vogt · Rating 5 out of 5]

my favorite series

I love these books. Each one is like a visit to a place I love and quirky and lovable characters who have become like friends. Molly, the American vote owner/detective is clever, funny and totally relatable. I can’t wait for number 16!

[Cathleen Wheeler · Rating 3 out of 5]

I agree with others that the ending felt rushed. Not my fav Molly Sutton mystery

[Marilyn Ellis · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little disappointing

I love this series but there just wasn’t enough interaction with the wonderful residents/friends in their own village. No meals in their warm kitchen, no walking of the dog or bicycling or visiting the market. Never met their guests in the pigeonaire. Where was their quirky cleaner? Frances was just a minor character. One tiny mention of Lawrence at the end. Nell, are you losing interest in Molly? I hope not! I want the real Molly back.