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This Is Not a Game
A unique locked-room debut with a memorable intergenerational relationship and gaming angle, about a grandmother and granddaughter who are snowed in at a lavish party at a mansion where the host has been murdered, and the unlikely sleuthing pair must draw on a unique skillset to navigate a dangerous game together
Widow Mimi lives on idyllic Mackinac Island where cars are not allowed and a Gibson with three onions at the witching hour is compulsory. Her granddaughter, Addie, is getting over the heartbreak of her fiancé, Brian, dumping her and cutting her out of the deal for the brilliantly successful video game, Murderscape, they invented together (with Addie doing most of the heavy lifting).
When Mimi gets an invitation from local socialite Jane Ireland--a seventysomething narcissist who is having an affair with her son-in-law--to a charity auction, it is the perfect excuse to get Addie to join her for the weekend. What Mimi isn’t telling Addie is that a blackmail threat from Jane looms over the party’s invitation.
In case the scene wasn’t already set for a turbulent weekend, a big storm rolls in, trapping everyone in the mansion. And then, Jane’s body is found. Soon Mimi and Addie are caught in a dangerous game, relying on their skills (Mimi loves a crossword puzzle, and Addie is a brilliant game designer, after all) to narrow down the suspects. When another body turns up, the sleuthing pair realize someone else is playing a deadly game, and they might not survive the night. . . .
Widow Mimi lives on idyllic Mackinac Island where cars are not allowed and a Gibson with three onions at the witching hour is compulsory. Her granddaughter, Addie, is getting over the heartbreak of her fiancé, Brian, dumping her and cutting her out of the deal for the brilliantly successful video game, Murderscape, they invented together (with Addie doing most of the heavy lifting).
When Mimi gets an invitation from local socialite Jane Ireland--a seventysomething narcissist who is having an affair with her son-in-law--to a charity auction, it is the perfect excuse to get Addie to join her for the weekend. What Mimi isn’t telling Addie is that a blackmail threat from Jane looms over the party’s invitation.
In case the scene wasn’t already set for a turbulent weekend, a big storm rolls in, trapping everyone in the mansion. And then, Jane’s body is found. Soon Mimi and Addie are caught in a dangerous game, relying on their skills (Mimi loves a crossword puzzle, and Addie is a brilliant game designer, after all) to narrow down the suspects. When another body turns up, the sleuthing pair realize someone else is playing a deadly game, and they might not survive the night. . . .
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First published April 8, 2025
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About the author
Kelly Mullen
2books109followersWelcome to my ŷ page! I’m an author of contemporary murder mysteries inspired by the Golden Age of Detective Fiction. I began writing my debut novel, This Is Not a Game, during the pandemic after taking courses with Curtis Brown Creative and The Novelry.
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LinkedIn @kellymullenallamby
Say hello at:
Instagram @kellymullenauthor
Facebook @kellymullenauthor
LinkedIn @kellymullenallamby
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 240 reviews
May 2, 2025
A quick, easy read filled with suspicious personas alongside two fun amateur sleuths, This Is Not a Game was the perfect palate cleanser for this thriller lover. Pulling inspiration from Golden Age locked room murder mystery novels, Ms. Mullen added a healthy dose of hilarity laced with plenty of sarcasm. From the layers of secrets to the endearing relationship between Addie and Mimi, I was quickly pulled into this doozy of a tale. Complex, atmospheric, and complete with a few red herrings as well as some subtle clues, it was everything I could want, including a finale complete with a classic dénouement.
Despite a plot that could have rivaled some of Ms. Agatha Christie’s, the characters were easily the special sauce in this cozy-ish mystery. Eccentric, quirky, and running the gamut from charming to vile, the complex group dynamics and isolated setting made this book an out-and-out winner. You see, the moat-surrounded mansion felt like yet another persona. With a maze of secret passages and even a drawbridge, it made my list for best locked room setting in no time at all. Combined with the dual POVs of Addie and Mimi, who won me over hook, line, and sinker, this lighthearted read was an utter slam dunk.
All said and done, despite the need to suspend all disbelief, Ms. Kelly Mullen has penned quite the debut. With natural dialogue, giggle-worthy humor, and a definite Knives Out feel, there simply wasn’t much there not to love. Granted, the theorizing got a tad thick there in the middle, but what else can you expect in a whodunnit? Now I’m just wishing and hoping that it was just the first installment of this unlikely sleuthing duo. After all, there’s so much more to be told about their unfolding story. So if you love a plot grounded in blackmail and characters who will fill you with suspicion, grab this book ASAP. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Widow Mimi lives on idyllic Mackinac Island, where cars are not allowed and a Gibson martini with three onions at the witching hour is compulsory. Her estranged granddaughter, Addie, is getting over the heartbreak of not only being dumped by her fiancé, Brian, but also being cut out of the deal for the brilliantly successful video game Murderscape they invented together (with Addie doing most of the heavy lifting).
When Mimi gets an invitation from local socialite Jane Ireland—a seventysomething narcissist who’s having a salacious affair with her son-in-law—to a charity auction, she invites Addie. But Mimi doesn’t tell her that a blackmail threat from Jane looms over the party’s invitation.
Once they arrive, a big storm rolls in, trapping everyone in the mansion. And then, Jane is murdered. Soon Mimi and Addie’s strained relationship is put to the test when they must team up to narrow down the suspects. When another body turns up, the sleuthing pair realize someone else is playing a deadly game, and they might not survive the night.
Thank you to Kelly Mullen and Dutton Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: April 8, 2025
Content warning: blackmail, gun violence, mention of: gaslighting
Despite a plot that could have rivaled some of Ms. Agatha Christie’s, the characters were easily the special sauce in this cozy-ish mystery. Eccentric, quirky, and running the gamut from charming to vile, the complex group dynamics and isolated setting made this book an out-and-out winner. You see, the moat-surrounded mansion felt like yet another persona. With a maze of secret passages and even a drawbridge, it made my list for best locked room setting in no time at all. Combined with the dual POVs of Addie and Mimi, who won me over hook, line, and sinker, this lighthearted read was an utter slam dunk.
All said and done, despite the need to suspend all disbelief, Ms. Kelly Mullen has penned quite the debut. With natural dialogue, giggle-worthy humor, and a definite Knives Out feel, there simply wasn’t much there not to love. Granted, the theorizing got a tad thick there in the middle, but what else can you expect in a whodunnit? Now I’m just wishing and hoping that it was just the first installment of this unlikely sleuthing duo. After all, there’s so much more to be told about their unfolding story. So if you love a plot grounded in blackmail and characters who will fill you with suspicion, grab this book ASAP. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Widow Mimi lives on idyllic Mackinac Island, where cars are not allowed and a Gibson martini with three onions at the witching hour is compulsory. Her estranged granddaughter, Addie, is getting over the heartbreak of not only being dumped by her fiancé, Brian, but also being cut out of the deal for the brilliantly successful video game Murderscape they invented together (with Addie doing most of the heavy lifting).
When Mimi gets an invitation from local socialite Jane Ireland—a seventysomething narcissist who’s having a salacious affair with her son-in-law—to a charity auction, she invites Addie. But Mimi doesn’t tell her that a blackmail threat from Jane looms over the party’s invitation.
Once they arrive, a big storm rolls in, trapping everyone in the mansion. And then, Jane is murdered. Soon Mimi and Addie’s strained relationship is put to the test when they must team up to narrow down the suspects. When another body turns up, the sleuthing pair realize someone else is playing a deadly game, and they might not survive the night.
Thank you to Kelly Mullen and Dutton Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: April 8, 2025
Content warning: blackmail, gun violence, mention of: gaslighting
April 8, 2025
HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY!
A cozy debut!
I usually choose my cozy mysteries very carefully, as this is not my favorite genre. But after reading the enticing synopsis of This is Not a Game, I thought I would give this debut a try.
When Rosemary (Mimi) is invited (blackmailed) to attend an auction by the Mackinac island socialite Jane Ireland, she asks her estranged granddaughter Addie to attend with her. During the event, a snowstorm ensues and the power goes out, leaving them trapped in an Agatha Christie style locked room mystery. When Jane is murdered, everyone is a suspect. It is up to Mimi and Addie to find the killer before more partygoers turn up dead. Thankfully, Addie is the co-creater of the successful video game Murderscape and knows how to solve complicated murder mysteries.
This is Not a Game is an atmospheric mystery with a sense of humor. From Mimi’s snowmobile named Joan Rivers, to her Mary Poppins style carryall bag, she embodies the quirky old lady stereotype. But don’t underestimate this seventy-seven year old crossword and Gibson loving grandma. She is a force to be reckoned with, despite the fact that she is hiding her own secret. However, I didn’t find Addie to be as intriguing. The reader is constantly reminded about the video game she helped create through her comparisons to the current mystery she is solving. This becomes tiresome and irritating instead of adding depth to the story. It also feels as if the chemistry is missing from this sleuthing duo.
Overall, This is Not a Game is a promising debut for Mullen, but not quite a home run.
3.5/5 stars rounded down
Expected publication date: 4/8/25
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group - Dutton for the ARC of This is Not a Game in exchange for an honest review.
A cozy debut!
I usually choose my cozy mysteries very carefully, as this is not my favorite genre. But after reading the enticing synopsis of This is Not a Game, I thought I would give this debut a try.
When Rosemary (Mimi) is invited (blackmailed) to attend an auction by the Mackinac island socialite Jane Ireland, she asks her estranged granddaughter Addie to attend with her. During the event, a snowstorm ensues and the power goes out, leaving them trapped in an Agatha Christie style locked room mystery. When Jane is murdered, everyone is a suspect. It is up to Mimi and Addie to find the killer before more partygoers turn up dead. Thankfully, Addie is the co-creater of the successful video game Murderscape and knows how to solve complicated murder mysteries.
This is Not a Game is an atmospheric mystery with a sense of humor. From Mimi’s snowmobile named Joan Rivers, to her Mary Poppins style carryall bag, she embodies the quirky old lady stereotype. But don’t underestimate this seventy-seven year old crossword and Gibson loving grandma. She is a force to be reckoned with, despite the fact that she is hiding her own secret. However, I didn’t find Addie to be as intriguing. The reader is constantly reminded about the video game she helped create through her comparisons to the current mystery she is solving. This becomes tiresome and irritating instead of adding depth to the story. It also feels as if the chemistry is missing from this sleuthing duo.
Overall, This is Not a Game is a promising debut for Mullen, but not quite a home run.
3.5/5 stars rounded down
Expected publication date: 4/8/25
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group - Dutton for the ARC of This is Not a Game in exchange for an honest review.
November 7, 2024
If you’re a fan of Agatha Christie’s And Then There None, The Golden Girls, and Tomorrow, Tomorrow, Tomorrow, then you will want to preorder this gem of a mystery right now!
Some of the reasons I loved this book:
� Locked Room Mystery
� Blackmail
� Multi-generational sleuths (granddaughter and grandmother)
� Mansion on Mackinac Island setting
� Lavish party with an unusual guest list
� Snowstorm
� Witty banter
� Gaming references
� Delicious food descriptions
� Cleverly plotted whodunit
Everyone is going to fall in love with Mimi, the Gibson-guzzling grandma.
Some of the reasons I loved this book:
� Locked Room Mystery
� Blackmail
� Multi-generational sleuths (granddaughter and grandmother)
� Mansion on Mackinac Island setting
� Lavish party with an unusual guest list
� Snowstorm
� Witty banter
� Gaming references
� Delicious food descriptions
� Cleverly plotted whodunit
Everyone is going to fall in love with Mimi, the Gibson-guzzling grandma.
April 28, 2025
Pre Review: Need to get my hands on this one! Set in one of my fav places plus it’s a locked room and during my fav season! All making it a must read!
Review:
4.25 🌟
Mood/Seasonal Reading: November cozy day
I think I went into this was crazy high expectations. It was set in one of my favourite places in the world, during my favourite season and utilized likely my favourite mystery trope. It had it all. And honestly for the most part it delivered. I throughly enjoyed the two main characters. So much so I was hoping this would be a series so I could keep following them on their adventures.
I enjoyed the setting and most of the characters. While the mystery itself fell a bit flat for me it made up for it in dialogue. The humour and interactions were just stellar.
While I hoped to find a twisty mystery in this one I found myself caring less about the mystery as the book went on. I think this could’ve blown me away with a stronger mystery but sadly it was just too weak for me to rate this any higher. I often found myself confused by what they were doing and who they were talking to and the motives became jumbled in my head so much so that the reveal made no impact sadly.
All that being said I think it was a wonderful first shot and I would without a doubt happily read another mystery with these two main characters. I think with a stronger mystery a sequel could be a homerun!
Side Note: I will say I have a pet peeve of books being published in a season they aren’t set in but since I know next to nothing about publishing I’m sure this can’t be helped
Review:
4.25 🌟
Mood/Seasonal Reading: November cozy day
I think I went into this was crazy high expectations. It was set in one of my favourite places in the world, during my favourite season and utilized likely my favourite mystery trope. It had it all. And honestly for the most part it delivered. I throughly enjoyed the two main characters. So much so I was hoping this would be a series so I could keep following them on their adventures.
I enjoyed the setting and most of the characters. While the mystery itself fell a bit flat for me it made up for it in dialogue. The humour and interactions were just stellar.
While I hoped to find a twisty mystery in this one I found myself caring less about the mystery as the book went on. I think this could’ve blown me away with a stronger mystery but sadly it was just too weak for me to rate this any higher. I often found myself confused by what they were doing and who they were talking to and the motives became jumbled in my head so much so that the reveal made no impact sadly.
All that being said I think it was a wonderful first shot and I would without a doubt happily read another mystery with these two main characters. I think with a stronger mystery a sequel could be a homerun!
Side Note: I will say I have a pet peeve of books being published in a season they aren’t set in but since I know next to nothing about publishing I’m sure this can’t be helped
October 14, 2024
ARC for review. To be published April 8, 2025.
The standard 3 star rating for this standard cozy-ish mystery set on the gorgeous sounding Mackinac Island�.I really want to go to there but ONLY during the summer. I have made my husband promise to take me once we are done with the state game (my dad and I were racing to see who could visit all 50 states the fastest. He only had four left but died in August. However, I will definitely finish for both of us. I have five left, and will be going to Utah in November.. But I digress.)
Mimi MacLaine loves a genteel life that n a he exclusive island, which doesn’t allow cars. Her granddaughter, Addie, has come to stay with her after having her heart broken by Brian, her former fiancée�.and not only did he kilt her he cut her out of their popular video game, Murderscape, that they developed together (well, Addie did most of the real work, natch.)
Seventy-something local socialite Jane Ireland invites Mimi to a charity auction (Jane is a narcissist who is having a torrid affair with her son in law, so she’s fun!). Mimi invites Addie to join her but fails to tell Addie that Jane is blackmailing Mimi.
Mimi and Addie arrive at the mansion and�.wait for it…wait for it…a storm rolls in, trapping everyone there. Then Jane is found murdered. Game lovers Mimi and Addie must discover the murderer. Why? I don’t know. Sounds like a stroke of luck for Mimi if you ask me, but, then, as always, no one did.
Murderscape sounds like a really great game and I wish I were rating it! Instead we have one very non-effusive, unsentimental grandmother and her unlucky in love granddaughter who was way too enamored with someone who was obviously a piece of…well, it’s a cozy, so I should watch my sailor’s mouth. I was just sorry to see her do dumb as to still be tempted by him. Tempted to kill him, perhaps. If Brian turned up dead. So, the book was fine. Standard locked room stuff.
The standard 3 star rating for this standard cozy-ish mystery set on the gorgeous sounding Mackinac Island�.I really want to go to there but ONLY during the summer. I have made my husband promise to take me once we are done with the state game (my dad and I were racing to see who could visit all 50 states the fastest. He only had four left but died in August. However, I will definitely finish for both of us. I have five left, and will be going to Utah in November.. But I digress.)
Mimi MacLaine loves a genteel life that n a he exclusive island, which doesn’t allow cars. Her granddaughter, Addie, has come to stay with her after having her heart broken by Brian, her former fiancée�.and not only did he kilt her he cut her out of their popular video game, Murderscape, that they developed together (well, Addie did most of the real work, natch.)
Seventy-something local socialite Jane Ireland invites Mimi to a charity auction (Jane is a narcissist who is having a torrid affair with her son in law, so she’s fun!). Mimi invites Addie to join her but fails to tell Addie that Jane is blackmailing Mimi.
Mimi and Addie arrive at the mansion and�.wait for it…wait for it…a storm rolls in, trapping everyone there. Then Jane is found murdered. Game lovers Mimi and Addie must discover the murderer. Why? I don’t know. Sounds like a stroke of luck for Mimi if you ask me, but, then, as always, no one did.
Murderscape sounds like a really great game and I wish I were rating it! Instead we have one very non-effusive, unsentimental grandmother and her unlucky in love granddaughter who was way too enamored with someone who was obviously a piece of…well, it’s a cozy, so I should watch my sailor’s mouth. I was just sorry to see her do dumb as to still be tempted by him. Tempted to kill him, perhaps. If Brian turned up dead. So, the book was fine. Standard locked room stuff.
February 25, 2025
⭑⭑⭑✩�
~
This was a fun little murder mystery, in places it felt like it dragged and maybe missing just that little something extra, but overall wasn’t a bad read. If you like this genre then id definitely say give it a go.
~
Thanks to NetGalley and Kelly Mullen for the ARC copy 🫶🏼
Publication date: 8th April 2025
~
This was a fun little murder mystery, in places it felt like it dragged and maybe missing just that little something extra, but overall wasn’t a bad read. If you like this genre then id definitely say give it a go.
~
Thanks to NetGalley and Kelly Mullen for the ARC copy 🫶🏼
Publication date: 8th April 2025
April 10, 2025
Pretty typical locked room mystery. It’s pretty lighthearted, for a murder mystery.
April 17, 2025
If you want to read this book, do not do the audio book! It is so frustrating that they used a British woman to narrate a book set in America, or as she would say Americer. She needs elocution lessons before trying to pass as American ever again. Ider (idea), Florider, and so many more were painful to hear over and over throughout the 9.5 hour listen.
The author, raised in Iowa but now with dual US and UK citizenship, should know we do not use the term "carryall" in the states or at least use a synonym for it one in a blue moon: purse, bag, duffle, satchel, pocketbook...any of those would work better than carryall.
I used an Audible credit on it because Bookbub recommended it as a new release. Wish I read with my eyes instead of my ears.
The author, raised in Iowa but now with dual US and UK citizenship, should know we do not use the term "carryall" in the states or at least use a synonym for it one in a blue moon: purse, bag, duffle, satchel, pocketbook...any of those would work better than carryall.
I used an Audible credit on it because Bookbub recommended it as a new release. Wish I read with my eyes instead of my ears.
December 15, 2024
2.75 stars
Repetitive and slow, 'This Is Not A Game' turned out to be less enjoyable than the description would lead you to believe. Trapped in an old mansion after a shady event gone wrong, a group of unlikely suspects discover multiple bodies. Addie, the developer of a popular game, and her Grandmother Mimi, who has a secret she's not yet willing to share with her granddaughter, take it upon themselves to investigate who is to blame.
This book goes round and round in circles throughout, especially when it comes to Addie's character constantly referencing how the murders are similar to plots in her game 'Murderscape'. Honestly, her character comes across as insensitive - she's constantly going around comparing these deaths to fictional plots to 'friends' and family of the victims! It seems like she's just constantly promoting herself because most of the big discoveries don't even come from her anyway - she's too busy talking about herself whilst Mimi solves the crimes.
There was also little chemistry between any of the characters which for the most part makes sense as the majority of them are strangers. However, Addie and Mimi just come across like cliches of a granddaughter / grandmother pairing which doesn't work at all as it's explained multiple times how previously they haven't got on and barely spoke to each other! I think my judgement of their relationship may be a bit harsh as I previously read 'The Switch' by Beth O'Leary which I think perfectly shows this family dynamic - if anything, reading this straight after just highlights how badly written their relationship was!
This just doesn't compare to other mysteries I've read! The end reveal also seemed out of nowhere, having the killer be a character whose name barely even shows up and we as an audience know next to nothing about! I didn't feel anything as the mystery wrapped as I did not care for the characters at all!
Thank you to NetGalley, Random House UK and Cornerstone for this arc !!
**All opinions are my own !!**
Repetitive and slow, 'This Is Not A Game' turned out to be less enjoyable than the description would lead you to believe. Trapped in an old mansion after a shady event gone wrong, a group of unlikely suspects discover multiple bodies. Addie, the developer of a popular game, and her Grandmother Mimi, who has a secret she's not yet willing to share with her granddaughter, take it upon themselves to investigate who is to blame.
This book goes round and round in circles throughout, especially when it comes to Addie's character constantly referencing how the murders are similar to plots in her game 'Murderscape'. Honestly, her character comes across as insensitive - she's constantly going around comparing these deaths to fictional plots to 'friends' and family of the victims! It seems like she's just constantly promoting herself because most of the big discoveries don't even come from her anyway - she's too busy talking about herself whilst Mimi solves the crimes.
There was also little chemistry between any of the characters which for the most part makes sense as the majority of them are strangers. However, Addie and Mimi just come across like cliches of a granddaughter / grandmother pairing which doesn't work at all as it's explained multiple times how previously they haven't got on and barely spoke to each other! I think my judgement of their relationship may be a bit harsh as I previously read 'The Switch' by Beth O'Leary which I think perfectly shows this family dynamic - if anything, reading this straight after just highlights how badly written their relationship was!
This just doesn't compare to other mysteries I've read! The end reveal also seemed out of nowhere, having the killer be a character whose name barely even shows up and we as an audience know next to nothing about! I didn't feel anything as the mystery wrapped as I did not care for the characters at all!
Thank you to NetGalley, Random House UK and Cornerstone for this arc !!
**All opinions are my own !!**
April 5, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley and Dutton for providing me with this eARC! All thoughts are my own.
________
This was absolutely a cosy (as cosy as murder mysteries can get!) little story, spanning generations and bringing family members together. I would say that everything was there for a cohesive story that all comes together in the end, which is why my rating sits comfortably in the middle of the three star mark.
I liked the dual perspectives between our main characters, Addie and Mimi. Their relationship was tumultuous, and they came to odds sometimes but you could really see their connection, no matter how strained it could become.
There is an ensemble cast, and even the best books can struggle with getting each of their characters a suitable amount of description and characterisation. We get to know most of this ensemble to a degree, but I think some of the plot beats could’ve been harder hitting if we’d spent some more time with some of the minor characters.
I think the author did a great job of placing suspicion on each character, so much that I caught myself wondering if one of our POV characters actually had something to do with it! I had my suspicions, but I did managed to be surprised at times.
Book releases April 8th!
________
This was absolutely a cosy (as cosy as murder mysteries can get!) little story, spanning generations and bringing family members together. I would say that everything was there for a cohesive story that all comes together in the end, which is why my rating sits comfortably in the middle of the three star mark.
I liked the dual perspectives between our main characters, Addie and Mimi. Their relationship was tumultuous, and they came to odds sometimes but you could really see their connection, no matter how strained it could become.
There is an ensemble cast, and even the best books can struggle with getting each of their characters a suitable amount of description and characterisation. We get to know most of this ensemble to a degree, but I think some of the plot beats could’ve been harder hitting if we’d spent some more time with some of the minor characters.
I think the author did a great job of placing suspicion on each character, so much that I caught myself wondering if one of our POV characters actually had something to do with it! I had my suspicions, but I did managed to be surprised at times.
Book releases April 8th!
April 30, 2025
Sometimes, it's frustrating when I expected a book to be at least decent, but it ended up disappointing. This Is Not a Game is a good example.
The book started quite well but after that it didn't manage to inject any excitement or thrills. The writing was flat throughout and the characters were all the same with just different names and occupations. It was repetitive about certain issues and it was a chore to read about them again and again.
3.5 stars, Kelly Mullen wanted to recreate a golden age mystery but she didn't have the skills to pull it off.
The book started quite well but after that it didn't manage to inject any excitement or thrills. The writing was flat throughout and the characters were all the same with just different names and occupations. It was repetitive about certain issues and it was a chore to read about them again and again.
3.5 stars, Kelly Mullen wanted to recreate a golden age mystery but she didn't have the skills to pull it off.
April 11, 2025
In this book, 70-something widow Mimi lives on Mackinac Island in Michigan. When she is invited to a party by a neighbor she hates - complete with blackmail demand - she invites her granddaughter Addie to come with her for moral support. And when their hostess turns up dead and a snowstorm traps them all in the house - well, it’s a good thing that Addie is the designer of a popular online murder mystery game, as grandmother and grandaughter team up to try to solve the murder themselves.
This was a fun, cozy-ish locked room mystery - kind of like a book version of the movie Clue. All the little meta nods to it being a live action video game while Addie works through clues were entertaining too, even to someone like me who doesn’t play such games. An enjoyable debut and I’d definitely read more from Kelly Mullen.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my copy; all opinions are my own.
This was a fun, cozy-ish locked room mystery - kind of like a book version of the movie Clue. All the little meta nods to it being a live action video game while Addie works through clues were entertaining too, even to someone like me who doesn’t play such games. An enjoyable debut and I’d definitely read more from Kelly Mullen.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my copy; all opinions are my own.
February 23, 2025
The blurb of this book is SO good. I was enticed into its pages by the promise of a really good murder mystery - a granddaughter along with her grandmother attempting to save the day by solving the murder, or murders, in this cosy crime thriller. It is set on an island in a freak snow storm where the weekend guests in the mansion house are snowed in with a murderer at large. Oh, and I forgot the power cut. What more could I ask for?
Unfortunately, the book didn't quite deliver. I found Mimi's attempts at witty repartee grated after a while. I didn't find the relationship between Mimi and her granddaughter, Addie, believable and there was little depth to the other characters.
Having pondered on my review, however, I've come to the conclusion that this might work better visually. I could really see it as a murder mystery on TV perhaps. It just didn't really work for me as a book. I do seem to be among the minority, however, as it has gone down a storm with a lot of other readers.
My thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately, the book didn't quite deliver. I found Mimi's attempts at witty repartee grated after a while. I didn't find the relationship between Mimi and her granddaughter, Addie, believable and there was little depth to the other characters.
Having pondered on my review, however, I've come to the conclusion that this might work better visually. I could really see it as a murder mystery on TV perhaps. It just didn't really work for me as a book. I do seem to be among the minority, however, as it has gone down a storm with a lot of other readers.
My thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 24, 2025
this was my most anticipated murder mystery of the year, and sadly, the writing could barely keep me conscious for the majority of my reading experience.
November 21, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really thought from the cover and the description that this would be right up my street. Unfortunately it just wasn’t for me.
I felt like the book just dragged on - it could have been halved and still fitted everything in. I found myself struggling to reach for it as I wasn’t engaged.
The characters weren’t very interesting, not even the two FMCs. There was such potential for them to develop - both personally and in their relationship but it just didn’t happen!
I’ve rated this 2 stars because I enjoyed the beginning. I saw the potential for the rest of the book but it just didn’t grip me and felt rushed.
I really thought from the cover and the description that this would be right up my street. Unfortunately it just wasn’t for me.
I felt like the book just dragged on - it could have been halved and still fitted everything in. I found myself struggling to reach for it as I wasn’t engaged.
The characters weren’t very interesting, not even the two FMCs. There was such potential for them to develop - both personally and in their relationship but it just didn’t happen!
I’ve rated this 2 stars because I enjoyed the beginning. I saw the potential for the rest of the book but it just didn’t grip me and felt rushed.
March 31, 2025
Evoking the nostalgic charm of classic whodunits, this debut novel immerses readers in a traditional locked-room mystery. Set on Mackinac Island in the Great Lakes, the story traps a diverse group of guests at a socialite's mansion, becoming the stage for murder after a charity auction turns deadly.
The unlikely detective duo, Mimi and Addie, provide a refreshing and compelling dynamic. Mimi, a widow with a sharp wit and an even sharper appreciation for a well-made Gibson, brings a worldly charm and a knack for extracting information through convivial conversation. Addie, a modern-day analytical mind and video game designer, channels her inner Hercule Poirot, employing a methodical, logic-driven approach. Her constant references to "means, motive, and opportunity" provide a delightful contrast to Mimi's more intuitive methods. The interplay between their old-school charm and new-age pragmatism creates a truly engaging partnership.
Addie's unique perspective, as the co-creator of the wildly successful murder mystery video game "Murderscape," offers a clever twist on the classic "mystery author as guest" trope. Instead of drawing on literary experience, Addie applies the structured, analytical framework of her game design to the real-life investigation. She regularly references the logic puzzles and narrative structures of "Murderscape," using them to guide their questioning and progress the case. This incorporation of video game logic into a traditional mystery is well handled, adding a fresh dimension to the familiar formula.
The mansion itself, with its hidden corners and historical weight, becomes a character in its own right, enhancing the atmospheric tension. While the plot adheres to the familiar structure of a classic locked-room mystery, the novel offers a warm, nostalgic embrace of the genre, perfect for readers seeking a familiar yet enjoyable escape into a world of elegant intrigue and genteel detection.
I would like to convey my thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone Publishers for providing the opportunity to review this novel. All opinions are my own.
This is Not a Game is due to be released on 10th April 2025.
Reviewed March 2025
The unlikely detective duo, Mimi and Addie, provide a refreshing and compelling dynamic. Mimi, a widow with a sharp wit and an even sharper appreciation for a well-made Gibson, brings a worldly charm and a knack for extracting information through convivial conversation. Addie, a modern-day analytical mind and video game designer, channels her inner Hercule Poirot, employing a methodical, logic-driven approach. Her constant references to "means, motive, and opportunity" provide a delightful contrast to Mimi's more intuitive methods. The interplay between their old-school charm and new-age pragmatism creates a truly engaging partnership.
Addie's unique perspective, as the co-creator of the wildly successful murder mystery video game "Murderscape," offers a clever twist on the classic "mystery author as guest" trope. Instead of drawing on literary experience, Addie applies the structured, analytical framework of her game design to the real-life investigation. She regularly references the logic puzzles and narrative structures of "Murderscape," using them to guide their questioning and progress the case. This incorporation of video game logic into a traditional mystery is well handled, adding a fresh dimension to the familiar formula.
The mansion itself, with its hidden corners and historical weight, becomes a character in its own right, enhancing the atmospheric tension. While the plot adheres to the familiar structure of a classic locked-room mystery, the novel offers a warm, nostalgic embrace of the genre, perfect for readers seeking a familiar yet enjoyable escape into a world of elegant intrigue and genteel detection.
I would like to convey my thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone Publishers for providing the opportunity to review this novel. All opinions are my own.
This is Not a Game is due to be released on 10th April 2025.
Reviewed March 2025
April 1, 2025
Thank you Penguin for the ARC of this book!
This was more along the lines of what I wanted with Mother Daughter Murder Night! This was a cute cozy mystery for fans of locked room mysteries, and who are able to put up with some incredibly cheesy dialogue.
The premise is pretty standard--everyone is gathered to a mansion under the premise of a nefarious auction, they're trapped in the house by the weather, and BAM! Host is murdered. Now we've got a team of a grandmother and her granddaughter working together to try to repair their relationship while cosplaying as Sherlock and Watson.
The overall story was fun and interesting, and I was definitely invested in the story, but the secondary plot points just weren't it for me. The video game designed bit had SUCH a strong potential, but it was really only every used to add in weird and random pop culture references and video game jargon and didn't really serve a purpose. And I really hoped her relationship/battle with her ex would play a bigger role than it did. It came and left in two sentence bits throughout the story, and I think it was such a missed opportunity.
Overall if you like a cozy mystery and don't mind some cheesy dialogue, this was a fast and fun read!.
This was more along the lines of what I wanted with Mother Daughter Murder Night! This was a cute cozy mystery for fans of locked room mysteries, and who are able to put up with some incredibly cheesy dialogue.
The premise is pretty standard--everyone is gathered to a mansion under the premise of a nefarious auction, they're trapped in the house by the weather, and BAM! Host is murdered. Now we've got a team of a grandmother and her granddaughter working together to try to repair their relationship while cosplaying as Sherlock and Watson.
The overall story was fun and interesting, and I was definitely invested in the story, but the secondary plot points just weren't it for me. The video game designed bit had SUCH a strong potential, but it was really only every used to add in weird and random pop culture references and video game jargon and didn't really serve a purpose. And I really hoped her relationship/battle with her ex would play a bigger role than it did. It came and left in two sentence bits throughout the story, and I think it was such a missed opportunity.
Overall if you like a cozy mystery and don't mind some cheesy dialogue, this was a fast and fun read!.
April 25, 2025
A Roaring 20s themed auction with a side of blackmail. A snowstorm in the off-season on Mackinac Isalnd. A dead body (or more?). Sounds like the making of a fantastic who dunnit.
Mimi is a saucy septuagenarian with a few secrets in her past and a snowmobile named Joan Rivers. Her granddaughter, Addie, is the co-creator of a popular murder mystery video game whose ex is moving on and taking all the credit (and cash) for the game. Together they'll need to figure out who is the murder and how to get off this island.
I was hoping for some twists similar to And Then There Were None or at least some unexpected actions or alliances. I wanted more connection between Mimi and Addie. I also wanted some resolution on the Brian situation besides just ignoring his phone call. A few other things I wanted that could be spoilers:
But I would read a sequel. Maybe Mimi can visit Addie in Chicago.
Thank you Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the advance reader copy. I am required by law to disclose this
#ThisIsNotaGame #NetGalley
Mimi is a saucy septuagenarian with a few secrets in her past and a snowmobile named Joan Rivers. Her granddaughter, Addie, is the co-creator of a popular murder mystery video game whose ex is moving on and taking all the credit (and cash) for the game. Together they'll need to figure out who is the murder and how to get off this island.
I was hoping for some twists similar to And Then There Were None or at least some unexpected actions or alliances. I wanted more connection between Mimi and Addie. I also wanted some resolution on the Brian situation besides just ignoring his phone call. A few other things I wanted that could be spoilers:
But I would read a sequel. Maybe Mimi can visit Addie in Chicago.
Thank you Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the advance reader copy. I am required by law to disclose this
#ThisIsNotaGame #NetGalley
April 21, 2025
3 stars. This is a cozy mystery set in Mackinac island and it didn’t quite hit the mark. It’s supposed to be reminiscent of the golden age mysteries with a locked room murder and plenty of secrets and motives but I just ended up getting bored half way through
Rosemary lives on Mackinac island and is invited to an auction her neighbor is holding, however the invite comes with a blackmail note and she realizes she has no choice but to go. However, she calls upon her granddaughter Addie to join her. Addie is a video game designed whose fiancé has stolen her idea and claimed sole ownership. While joining her grandmother at the party the host is murdered and Addie and Mimi must solve the murder before they become the prime suspects
Addie’s background in video game design was really annoying. It was constantly brought up and was always irrelevant. I would have rather her been a mystery writer so I could have ignored all the unnecessary references. I also found their interrogations unrealistic. Why would anyone answer their questions? Just because you’re a smoker? It lost my interest and then I found myself annoyed by many things.
Rosemary lives on Mackinac island and is invited to an auction her neighbor is holding, however the invite comes with a blackmail note and she realizes she has no choice but to go. However, she calls upon her granddaughter Addie to join her. Addie is a video game designed whose fiancé has stolen her idea and claimed sole ownership. While joining her grandmother at the party the host is murdered and Addie and Mimi must solve the murder before they become the prime suspects
Addie’s background in video game design was really annoying. It was constantly brought up and was always irrelevant. I would have rather her been a mystery writer so I could have ignored all the unnecessary references. I also found their interrogations unrealistic. Why would anyone answer their questions? Just because you’re a smoker? It lost my interest and then I found myself annoyed by many things.
April 29, 2025
2.5 stars. . Overall, I found this book underwhelming. I loved the idea of a grandma/granddaughter murder solving duo, but didn’t really connect with either of them or their relationship. I found most of the characters underdeveloped and one note, and I also found myself bored throughout most of the book. Meh.
April 16, 2025
I am on a roll with reading books with seriously good writing. If you can create truly FUNNY banter between non romantic characters, I am a fan forever. In this book, Mimi and Addie have the best back and forth.
A grandmother/granddaughter duo take on an entire murder mystery in this locked room whodunnit. Mimi invites her granddaughter Addie along to a lavish party, but doesn't inform her that there was blackmail attached to Mimi's invitation. Addie agrees to come along, though she is nursing a heartbreak. She wants to leave thoughts of her ex and how he blocked her from a business deal of a video game they created together, behind.
By the end of the night, the host is dead and they are all snowed in. Addie and Mimi put their unique skills together and start their own investigation until the police can get through the snowstorm. With so many eccentric guests, they have their work cut out for them, especially when another murder occurs. They realize the peril they are in and must find the killer before they are next.
The audiobook is the way to go with this one! Lesley Sharp did a magnificent job giving unique voices to each of these odd characters. And she really gives the perfect inflection with the humor and wit of Addie and especially Mimi. This was fabulous all around!
A grandmother/granddaughter duo take on an entire murder mystery in this locked room whodunnit. Mimi invites her granddaughter Addie along to a lavish party, but doesn't inform her that there was blackmail attached to Mimi's invitation. Addie agrees to come along, though she is nursing a heartbreak. She wants to leave thoughts of her ex and how he blocked her from a business deal of a video game they created together, behind.
By the end of the night, the host is dead and they are all snowed in. Addie and Mimi put their unique skills together and start their own investigation until the police can get through the snowstorm. With so many eccentric guests, they have their work cut out for them, especially when another murder occurs. They realize the peril they are in and must find the killer before they are next.
The audiobook is the way to go with this one! Lesley Sharp did a magnificent job giving unique voices to each of these odd characters. And she really gives the perfect inflection with the humor and wit of Addie and especially Mimi. This was fabulous all around!
April 1, 2025
This is a well done cozy mystery with my favorite trope (isolated closed circle mystery). I'd say the writing is kind of clunky, with it overall feeling more like a TV show than a book, but it was entertaining and the plot gave me what I wanted.
March 18, 2025
3.5 stars
Kelly Martin's debut novel, This Is Not a Game, is reminiscent of the board game Clue mixed with the complicated relationship between granddaughter and grandmother.
Mimi lives a quiet life on Mackinac Island, keeping to herself and her routine. Her world is upended when she receives a blackmail invitation from neighbor and socialite, Jane Ireland, to her yearly auction/party. She enlists her granddaughter, Addie, as her plus one to the help with the blackmail, and explain why it's happening in the first place and why their relationship has been strained. Addie is coming off a horrible break-up with her ex-fiance and business partner that created the #1 gaming console, Murderscape. When bodies start dropping at the party, it's up to Addie and Mimi to work through their rift and solve their real life Murderscape so Mimi doesn't end up behind bars.
I love Clue, both the game and movie. To read a book somewhat based off of it mixed with a little Christie and Poirot just seemed like the perfect mash-up. Unfortunately, the flow and storyline just seemed to fall flat. The relationship of Mimi and Addie never felt familial and even as the story when on and they 'talked it out' it was still strained and never seemed to be resolved. The plot of the suspects and who did it was drawn out and felt as though it didn't add up. I also would've loved to see the scene of Addie presenting the facts and information to her ex-fiance proving that Murderscape was also hers, resulting in her vindication. Overall the idea was there, but it felt unfinished.
I appreciate NetGalley and Dutton Books for the opportunity to give my honest review of This Is Not a Game by Kelly Mullen.
Pub Date: 4/8/2025
ŷ review posted 03/17/25
Instagram review will be posted on my Bookstagram account Pub Day 04/08/25
Kelly Martin's debut novel, This Is Not a Game, is reminiscent of the board game Clue mixed with the complicated relationship between granddaughter and grandmother.
Mimi lives a quiet life on Mackinac Island, keeping to herself and her routine. Her world is upended when she receives a blackmail invitation from neighbor and socialite, Jane Ireland, to her yearly auction/party. She enlists her granddaughter, Addie, as her plus one to the help with the blackmail, and explain why it's happening in the first place and why their relationship has been strained. Addie is coming off a horrible break-up with her ex-fiance and business partner that created the #1 gaming console, Murderscape. When bodies start dropping at the party, it's up to Addie and Mimi to work through their rift and solve their real life Murderscape so Mimi doesn't end up behind bars.
I love Clue, both the game and movie. To read a book somewhat based off of it mixed with a little Christie and Poirot just seemed like the perfect mash-up. Unfortunately, the flow and storyline just seemed to fall flat. The relationship of Mimi and Addie never felt familial and even as the story when on and they 'talked it out' it was still strained and never seemed to be resolved. The plot of the suspects and who did it was drawn out and felt as though it didn't add up. I also would've loved to see the scene of Addie presenting the facts and information to her ex-fiance proving that Murderscape was also hers, resulting in her vindication. Overall the idea was there, but it felt unfinished.
I appreciate NetGalley and Dutton Books for the opportunity to give my honest review of This Is Not a Game by Kelly Mullen.
Pub Date: 4/8/2025
ŷ review posted 03/17/25
Instagram review will be posted on my Bookstagram account Pub Day 04/08/25
February 6, 2025
Oh my gosh! This book was a whirlwind. The layout of the story was a bit hectic but the details engrained into each description was great. For me, those details were the stars of the story. Every new description had me searching online to learn more which surprisingly gave me some spoilers/foreshadowing to other parts of the book.
This book was meant to be a movie. I grew to love Mimi, Addie, and their cast of characters. I feel a sequel is all too possible and hope that certain characters (Veronique, Kimiko, and mildly, Woody) could get a cameo or inclusion in the sequel project because they are characters you just want to know.
As I was reading, I felt we should have known more about every individual or at least got a character sheet of sorts. Eventually, we got to know enough about each person, or so it seemed, and yet I was still left with wanting to go more in depth about the others not just our two heroines. Of course, if one got that character sheet perhaps the murderer would be revealed too quickly.
The amount of connections I have with this story is startling, almost to the point where I could believe I was a targeted audience for this book. I can't give away what all of my connections were because they'd give away parts of the book but they are evident and that's exciting.
I am also super impressed with myself that I read this within the timeframe set by NetGalley. It did not disappoint. It would be a great coastal/beachside read and just imagine reading about Mackinac Island while you are on Mackinac Island! That would be grand.
#netgalley #netgalleyreview
This book was meant to be a movie. I grew to love Mimi, Addie, and their cast of characters. I feel a sequel is all too possible and hope that certain characters (Veronique, Kimiko, and mildly, Woody) could get a cameo or inclusion in the sequel project because they are characters you just want to know.
As I was reading, I felt we should have known more about every individual or at least got a character sheet of sorts. Eventually, we got to know enough about each person, or so it seemed, and yet I was still left with wanting to go more in depth about the others not just our two heroines. Of course, if one got that character sheet perhaps the murderer would be revealed too quickly.
The amount of connections I have with this story is startling, almost to the point where I could believe I was a targeted audience for this book. I can't give away what all of my connections were because they'd give away parts of the book but they are evident and that's exciting.
I am also super impressed with myself that I read this within the timeframe set by NetGalley. It did not disappoint. It would be a great coastal/beachside read and just imagine reading about Mackinac Island while you are on Mackinac Island! That would be grand.
#netgalley #netgalleyreview
April 9, 2025
This was a fun and clever locked room/snowed in murder mystery involving a grandmother-granddaughter duo who trying to figure out what is going on when the escape room party they were blackmailed into attending on a remote Mackinac Island, Michigan estate turns deadly. I loved the dynamics between the two main characters and the gaming references. While a bit slow to start for me in the beginning, once I got invested I couldn't wait to see how things were going to end! Highly recommended for cozy mystery fans or books like Murder at Gulls nest by Jess Kidd. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review.
April 12, 2025
2.5/5
April 16, 2025
Great mystery! Didn't care for the foul language, though.
April 20, 2025
All opinions are entirely my own. I am in no way affiliated with the author or publisher. Remember to support your local indie bookstore and library!
⊹₊ ˚‧︵‿₊� � ୧₊‿︵� ˚ ₊⊹
"Should you require a new pair of gardening shears, they happen to be fifty percent off this week, but I'm making it sixty percent off for friends."
"I'll stop by tomorrow and get a pair. For fifty percent off."
- [ ] Star Rating: 2 Stars
- [ ] Discovery: Browsing
- [ ] Reading Format: Digital
- [ ] Read Time: 4 Hours
Grandmother and granddaughter attend a Jazz party in a fancy house when their host is found murdered and they are snowed in with the killer.
The cover of the book was cute. Unfortunately the characters were flat, the descriptions were ordinary, and the mystery was dull.
⊹₊ ˚‧︵‿₊� � ୧₊‿︵� ˚ ₊⊹
"Should you require a new pair of gardening shears, they happen to be fifty percent off this week, but I'm making it sixty percent off for friends."
"I'll stop by tomorrow and get a pair. For fifty percent off."
- [ ] Star Rating: 2 Stars
- [ ] Discovery: Browsing
- [ ] Reading Format: Digital
- [ ] Read Time: 4 Hours
Grandmother and granddaughter attend a Jazz party in a fancy house when their host is found murdered and they are snowed in with the killer.
The cover of the book was cute. Unfortunately the characters were flat, the descriptions were ordinary, and the mystery was dull.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 20, 2025
2.5
As somebody who has been to Mackinac with her murder mystery-loving grandma, I was eagerly waiting to read this one. But it is so, so sloppy! I can really enjoy some absurdity in murder mysteries, but this isn’t fun or campy in any way; it’s just amateur.
As somebody who has been to Mackinac with her murder mystery-loving grandma, I was eagerly waiting to read this one. But it is so, so sloppy! I can really enjoy some absurdity in murder mysteries, but this isn’t fun or campy in any way; it’s just amateur.
March 23, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Dutton | Dutton for the digital advance reader copy.
Eh. This just wasn't my cup of tea. As a Michigander, I was drawn to the description of this Mackinac Island mystery, which is why I picked it up. However, there was neither enough of the Mackinac Island setting nor enough mystery for me.
Septuagenarian Mimi has lived on the island for years, but when she's invited to a party where the invitation requires her to purchase a piece of art or her darkest secret will be revealed, she calls on her video-game creator granddaughter, Addie, to attend with her.
Unfortunately, she doesn't tell Addie about the blackmail invitation immediately, which doesn't make a lot of sense since Mimi invited her to help her, and when Addie calls her out for bidding a quarter of a million dollars on manga during the party, Mimi finally confesses to the blackmail, but still doesn't tell Addie the secret she's hiding for three-quarters of the book, despite the murders happening around them.
A lot of this story seems to depend on the main characters not telling each other important things and important clues that they find not being revealed to the reader until the final solution is disclosed, which is frustrating and unfair for a mystery reader. Yes, you told us a picture was found in so-and-so's room, but if you don't tell what us the picture was, then the reader is left to guess what it might have been, instead of being able to puzzle through the clues with the main characters.
I also never found any of the characters engaging, not even Mimi and Addie. The dialogue was wooden and stilted, their motivations unclear, and their interactions with the other suspects oftentimes unrealistic (one woman confessed her blackmail secret immediately to the two of them, despite not knowing them and despite her secret being a serious criminal matter).
So, while I found this underwhelming, someone else may find it to be just right for them, if they're looking for a fast, straightforward whodunnit.
*occasional language, off-page violence
Eh. This just wasn't my cup of tea. As a Michigander, I was drawn to the description of this Mackinac Island mystery, which is why I picked it up. However, there was neither enough of the Mackinac Island setting nor enough mystery for me.
Septuagenarian Mimi has lived on the island for years, but when she's invited to a party where the invitation requires her to purchase a piece of art or her darkest secret will be revealed, she calls on her video-game creator granddaughter, Addie, to attend with her.
Unfortunately, she doesn't tell Addie about the blackmail invitation immediately, which doesn't make a lot of sense since Mimi invited her to help her, and when Addie calls her out for bidding a quarter of a million dollars on manga during the party, Mimi finally confesses to the blackmail, but still doesn't tell Addie the secret she's hiding for three-quarters of the book, despite the murders happening around them.
A lot of this story seems to depend on the main characters not telling each other important things and important clues that they find not being revealed to the reader until the final solution is disclosed, which is frustrating and unfair for a mystery reader. Yes, you told us a picture was found in so-and-so's room, but if you don't tell what us the picture was, then the reader is left to guess what it might have been, instead of being able to puzzle through the clues with the main characters.
I also never found any of the characters engaging, not even Mimi and Addie. The dialogue was wooden and stilted, their motivations unclear, and their interactions with the other suspects oftentimes unrealistic (one woman confessed her blackmail secret immediately to the two of them, despite not knowing them and despite her secret being a serious criminal matter).
So, while I found this underwhelming, someone else may find it to be just right for them, if they're looking for a fast, straightforward whodunnit.
*occasional language, off-page violence
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