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A Most Puzzling Murder
How do you solve a murder that hasn't happened yet?
Destiny Whip is a former child prodigy, world-renowned enigmatologist and very, very alone. A life filled with loss has made her a recluse, an existence she’s content to endure until a letter arrives inviting her to interview for the position of Scruffmore family historian. Not only does an internet search for the name yield almost nothing, it’s a role she never applied to in the first place!
After she decodes the invitation’s hidden message with ease, the promise of her family secrets being revealed is too powerful a draw for the orphaned Destiny, who soon finds herself on Eerie Island. It’s a place whose inhabitants are almost as inhospitable as the tempestuous weather. The Scruffmores themselves turn out to be not much better, a snarled mess of secrets and motives connected by their mistrust for one another.
Their newly arrived guest proves to be just as much an enigma to them as they are to her. While Destiny slowly works to unravel the mysteries hidden throughout the ominous castle, she struggles to interpret disturbing nightly visions of what is to come. In the midst of cryptic ciphers, hidden passages, and the family’s magical heritage and line of succession, Destiny is certain of two things: one of the Scruffmores is going to die and she’s running out of time to stop it.
Interspersed with riddles and puzzles that both Destiny and the reader must solve, A Most Puzzling Murder is a one-of-a-kind mystery that will leave you guessing and gasping until the very last page!
Destiny Whip is a former child prodigy, world-renowned enigmatologist and very, very alone. A life filled with loss has made her a recluse, an existence she’s content to endure until a letter arrives inviting her to interview for the position of Scruffmore family historian. Not only does an internet search for the name yield almost nothing, it’s a role she never applied to in the first place!
After she decodes the invitation’s hidden message with ease, the promise of her family secrets being revealed is too powerful a draw for the orphaned Destiny, who soon finds herself on Eerie Island. It’s a place whose inhabitants are almost as inhospitable as the tempestuous weather. The Scruffmores themselves turn out to be not much better, a snarled mess of secrets and motives connected by their mistrust for one another.
Their newly arrived guest proves to be just as much an enigma to them as they are to her. While Destiny slowly works to unravel the mysteries hidden throughout the ominous castle, she struggles to interpret disturbing nightly visions of what is to come. In the midst of cryptic ciphers, hidden passages, and the family’s magical heritage and line of succession, Destiny is certain of two things: one of the Scruffmores is going to die and she’s running out of time to stop it.
Interspersed with riddles and puzzles that both Destiny and the reader must solve, A Most Puzzling Murder is a one-of-a-kind mystery that will leave you guessing and gasping until the very last page!
480 pages, Paperback
First published June 10, 2025
116 people are currently reading
31301 people want to read
About the author
Bianca Marais
6books969followersBianca Marais cohosts the popular podcast, 'The Shit No One Tells You About Writing', which is aimed at emerging writers/aspiring authors. She teaches creative writing through the podcast and was named a winner of the Excellence in Teaching Award for Creative Writing at the University of Toronto's School of Continuing Studies.
Before becoming an author, she volunteered in Soweto where she assisted care workers with providing aid for HIV/AIDS orphans and their caregivers.
She now lives in Toronto, where she loves playing escape-room games and writing about strong female protagonists.
Before becoming an author, she volunteered in Soweto where she assisted care workers with providing aid for HIV/AIDS orphans and their caregivers.
She now lives in Toronto, where she loves playing escape-room games and writing about strong female protagonists.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
April 24, 2025
I admit this book has incredibly intriguing and smart plot line! The puzzle mysteries, mind games, locked room mystery concept are coming with perfect package. But unfortunately too many things going on at the same time and let's be honest this book too long and even some subplot lines needed to be omit. Because of too much subplots the main plot line starts to drag that makes you brain foggy and makes you hard to concentrate and reach the finish line. That's why even though I had high expectations as a big lover of mysteries, I graded with solid three stars.
Destiny Whip had me hooked right away—former child prodigy, brilliant enigmatologist, all alone in the world, and suddenly swept into the strange, secretive world of the Scruffmore family on a stormy, eerie island? Yes, please! The story sets the stage for something really unique: a mix of puzzles, riddles, a looming murder that hasn’t happened yet, and a heroine you want to root for.
But as much as I loved the setup, the story started to get a little too tangled for its own good. There were so many moving parts—magical elements, cryptic visions, a ghost friend, a mysterious past, family drama, and interactive puzzles—that it started to feel like the book was trying to juggle too much at once. I found myself getting lost in all the subplots, and at times I just wanted the core mystery to shine through without all the extra noise. I genuinely think with a tighter focus and a bit of trimming, it could’ve been a knockout.
That said, I really admire how ambitious and creative the concept is. The puzzles were fun and clever, and I loved trying to solve them alongside Destiny. I just wish the narrative had been a little more streamlined so that all those great ideas didn’t end up competing with each other.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA for sharing this mystery book's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Destiny Whip had me hooked right away—former child prodigy, brilliant enigmatologist, all alone in the world, and suddenly swept into the strange, secretive world of the Scruffmore family on a stormy, eerie island? Yes, please! The story sets the stage for something really unique: a mix of puzzles, riddles, a looming murder that hasn’t happened yet, and a heroine you want to root for.
But as much as I loved the setup, the story started to get a little too tangled for its own good. There were so many moving parts—magical elements, cryptic visions, a ghost friend, a mysterious past, family drama, and interactive puzzles—that it started to feel like the book was trying to juggle too much at once. I found myself getting lost in all the subplots, and at times I just wanted the core mystery to shine through without all the extra noise. I genuinely think with a tighter focus and a bit of trimming, it could’ve been a knockout.
That said, I really admire how ambitious and creative the concept is. The puzzles were fun and clever, and I loved trying to solve them alongside Destiny. I just wish the narrative had been a little more streamlined so that all those great ideas didn’t end up competing with each other.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA for sharing this mystery book's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
September 23, 2024
Utterly unique, immersive and intriguing, Marais has created an unputdownable entry into the murder mystery genre. A Most Puzzling Murder is a twisty, magical delight and I loved every second.
THIS. BOOK. Y'ALL.
I honestly don't think i've had this much FUN reading a book for months.
Combining choose your own adventure elements and actual puzzles you must solve to continue (don't worry, the answers are in the back or you can email the main character for a hint!), this was such a standout, immersive read.
I knew this book would be perfect for me as it combines a murder mystery (set in our world) with a mysterious magical family. The puzzles aren't so hard to be frustrating, but also hard enough to make you feel smart when you solve them. It helps that the plot is delightfully twisty, providing all the motivation you need to sharpen your pencil and solve those headscratchers! (No, I didn't guess the murderer correctly! Gah!)
Each member of the Scruffmore family is unique with their own motivations, some of them more likeable than others (as with any family!), and if you like messy family drama then OH BOY YOU'RE IN FOR A TREAT. SO deliciously messy.
If you enjoy puzzles, magic, and murder mysteries then READ THIS BOOK I IMPLORE YOU.
Thanks to the publisher and author for providing me an ARC of this book.
THIS. BOOK. Y'ALL.
I honestly don't think i've had this much FUN reading a book for months.
Combining choose your own adventure elements and actual puzzles you must solve to continue (don't worry, the answers are in the back or you can email the main character for a hint!), this was such a standout, immersive read.
I knew this book would be perfect for me as it combines a murder mystery (set in our world) with a mysterious magical family. The puzzles aren't so hard to be frustrating, but also hard enough to make you feel smart when you solve them. It helps that the plot is delightfully twisty, providing all the motivation you need to sharpen your pencil and solve those headscratchers! (No, I didn't guess the murderer correctly! Gah!)
Each member of the Scruffmore family is unique with their own motivations, some of them more likeable than others (as with any family!), and if you like messy family drama then OH BOY YOU'RE IN FOR A TREAT. SO deliciously messy.
If you enjoy puzzles, magic, and murder mysteries then READ THIS BOOK I IMPLORE YOU.
Thanks to the publisher and author for providing me an ARC of this book.
June 10, 2025
3 ⭐️ maybe?
i was not expecting magic in this book, and it was a weird twist. overall, the plot felt super cramped.
the characters are either dull or evil (and not in a fun way, more so a cookie cutter way).
i wanted to like this, but unfortunately it's not for me.
**thank you to The Hive for the ARC copy
i was not expecting magic in this book, and it was a weird twist. overall, the plot felt super cramped.
the characters are either dull or evil (and not in a fun way, more so a cookie cutter way).
i wanted to like this, but unfortunately it's not for me.
**thank you to The Hive for the ARC copy
June 12, 2025
3.75 stars
Thank you HTP Hive and HTP Books for sending me a free advance copy of A MOST PUZZLING MURDER.
A neat, interactive mystery where you, the reader, can solve puzzles and riddles throughout the story. (Don’t worry, if you do not feel like putting on your thinking cap, the answers are provided at the back of the book.)
Destiny Whip is a former child prodigy and due to loss in her life she is a recluse. She’s given the opportunity to interview for the position of Scruffmore family historian. Uncovering family secrets sounds promising. Destiny arrives on Eerie Island and she’ll soon realize the Scruffmores are not one big, happy family and they all seem to be hiding something. After disturbing nightly visions Destiny is concerned a family member will die and she better figure out a way to prevent it.
I had previously read and enjoyed the author’s historical fiction novels and I’m impressed at her versatility as a writer, switching to a completely different genre and putting a unique spin on it. A fun read but it does touch on some serious subjects like grief. I’ll admit sometimes the storyline had me confused but not enough to deter my interest. I enjoyed the reading experience as it was different to the books I typically read. By the way, the email address provided in the story does work for receiving hints and bonus material.
Thank you HTP Hive and HTP Books for sending me a free advance copy of A MOST PUZZLING MURDER.
A neat, interactive mystery where you, the reader, can solve puzzles and riddles throughout the story. (Don’t worry, if you do not feel like putting on your thinking cap, the answers are provided at the back of the book.)
Destiny Whip is a former child prodigy and due to loss in her life she is a recluse. She’s given the opportunity to interview for the position of Scruffmore family historian. Uncovering family secrets sounds promising. Destiny arrives on Eerie Island and she’ll soon realize the Scruffmores are not one big, happy family and they all seem to be hiding something. After disturbing nightly visions Destiny is concerned a family member will die and she better figure out a way to prevent it.
I had previously read and enjoyed the author’s historical fiction novels and I’m impressed at her versatility as a writer, switching to a completely different genre and putting a unique spin on it. A fun read but it does touch on some serious subjects like grief. I’ll admit sometimes the storyline had me confused but not enough to deter my interest. I enjoyed the reading experience as it was different to the books I typically read. By the way, the email address provided in the story does work for receiving hints and bonus material.
June 6, 2025
Ahhh! I wanted to like this book so much! But unfortunately the execution suffered. The description drew me in especially as I had just read a similar book that used the interactive story that had stops in play so you could figure out the puzzles and it was done really well. This one, not so much.
I’m not going to harp on things as I am reviewing the audiobook but I wanted to mention that
1. while it’s great that their is a off on the authors site that you can download or print out to assist audiobook readers in the task at hand, it didn’t work for me. For one, it’s not accessible. I realize many people read audiobooks who do not depend on them due to disability. But for those that do that PDF is woefully inadequate. While you can use assistive technology to narrate the addendum to you, it is too difficult to navigate in order to use it effectively.
2. When the stops happen it gives you choices according to what you choose to do. If you choose not to solve the puzzles you still have to look up “the answer� before moving on rather than having the characters figure them out and through the prose show you how it falls in the story. Because that doesn’t happen it relegates the puzzles as a marketing tactic rather than a true interactive book.
3. Lastly, the book had so much information and POVs and sub plots that’s it’s too much, especially since it’s also fantasy (which somehow I didn’t get when I requested the book). It was as if the author had all these ideas and instead of grouping them together and saving some ideas for future works, she threw everything into this one book. The whole throw “everything under the kitchen sink and see what sticks� concept. It’s just way too much and the book suffers for it.
Back to the audiobook part of the review. It was narrated by Dylan Moore who did all the voices and POVs. Unfortunately at the 1x speed ahead spoke so incredibly slow that it was painful. So much so that I thought I may have accidentally slowed it down as it sounded like she was trying to speak whilst in a vat of molasses. Obviously I had to speed it up significantly to have it passable for natural speech but unfortunately it changed the pitch so much that it made it tolerable but not any more enjoyable.
With all that said, for a fully sited individual that can read the physical book that enjoys fantasy and detective fiction, while it has issues, it is inventive and it can be a great way to really connect with a book. So if you want to give it a go, it comes out June 10th 2025.
I am thankful to have gotten a complimentary audio ALC from Harlequin Audio through NetGalley to read which gave me the opportunity to voluntarily leave a review.
My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars
⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again
I’m not going to harp on things as I am reviewing the audiobook but I wanted to mention that
1. while it’s great that their is a off on the authors site that you can download or print out to assist audiobook readers in the task at hand, it didn’t work for me. For one, it’s not accessible. I realize many people read audiobooks who do not depend on them due to disability. But for those that do that PDF is woefully inadequate. While you can use assistive technology to narrate the addendum to you, it is too difficult to navigate in order to use it effectively.
2. When the stops happen it gives you choices according to what you choose to do. If you choose not to solve the puzzles you still have to look up “the answer� before moving on rather than having the characters figure them out and through the prose show you how it falls in the story. Because that doesn’t happen it relegates the puzzles as a marketing tactic rather than a true interactive book.
3. Lastly, the book had so much information and POVs and sub plots that’s it’s too much, especially since it’s also fantasy (which somehow I didn’t get when I requested the book). It was as if the author had all these ideas and instead of grouping them together and saving some ideas for future works, she threw everything into this one book. The whole throw “everything under the kitchen sink and see what sticks� concept. It’s just way too much and the book suffers for it.
Back to the audiobook part of the review. It was narrated by Dylan Moore who did all the voices and POVs. Unfortunately at the 1x speed ahead spoke so incredibly slow that it was painful. So much so that I thought I may have accidentally slowed it down as it sounded like she was trying to speak whilst in a vat of molasses. Obviously I had to speed it up significantly to have it passable for natural speech but unfortunately it changed the pitch so much that it made it tolerable but not any more enjoyable.
With all that said, for a fully sited individual that can read the physical book that enjoys fantasy and detective fiction, while it has issues, it is inventive and it can be a great way to really connect with a book. So if you want to give it a go, it comes out June 10th 2025.
I am thankful to have gotten a complimentary audio ALC from Harlequin Audio through NetGalley to read which gave me the opportunity to voluntarily leave a review.
My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars
⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again
March 20, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishing company for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I want to start by saying that I don’t enjoy giving low scores, especially for ARCs. I recognize that authors put a lot of time and effort into their works, and I don’t want to minimize that. However, I have to be honest in my reviewing, otherwise my reviews are meaningless, and this book just wasn’t for me.
This book, unfortunately, just tries to do too much. The concept of puzzling out the mystery along with the main character was great. My favorite part of this was solving the puzzles that crop up along the way. However, between the magic, prophecies, puzzles, choose-your-own adventure moments, a story over 450 pages long, a ghost best friend, sentient animals, and 7+ points of view, it could really have benefited from some editing.
The Choose your Own Adventure moments, which I was initially excited about, don’t actually have any impact on the story. I was expecting the story and mystery and maybe even the culprit to change with the readers� choices, like in the movie/play Clue, but the outcome is the same no matter what you choose, so they wound up feeling irrelevant. Also, the characters' magical powers aren’t explained. Frequently, fantasy books explain their magic systems; a good magic system can enhance a story, but here the magical powers and abilities of the characters seemed fairly random. Since we don’t really know what the characters can do with their magic, we can’t make educated guesses on how the crime might have been committed or other variables. The addition of a ghostly best friend that only the main character can see felt unnecessary. I’m assuming the author was looking for a way to have a “Dr. Watson� around for the MC to explain her theories to and settled on the idea of a ghost, but it felt superfluous and disconnected from the rest of the story.
The author had a lot of creative ideas, and I think if she’d settled on just a few, this could have been a really cool story. I would love to read more books in the “puzzle solving� style, just something a little more focused and cohesive.
I want to start by saying that I don’t enjoy giving low scores, especially for ARCs. I recognize that authors put a lot of time and effort into their works, and I don’t want to minimize that. However, I have to be honest in my reviewing, otherwise my reviews are meaningless, and this book just wasn’t for me.
This book, unfortunately, just tries to do too much. The concept of puzzling out the mystery along with the main character was great. My favorite part of this was solving the puzzles that crop up along the way. However, between the magic, prophecies, puzzles, choose-your-own adventure moments, a story over 450 pages long, a ghost best friend, sentient animals, and 7+ points of view, it could really have benefited from some editing.
The Choose your Own Adventure moments, which I was initially excited about, don’t actually have any impact on the story. I was expecting the story and mystery and maybe even the culprit to change with the readers� choices, like in the movie/play Clue, but the outcome is the same no matter what you choose, so they wound up feeling irrelevant. Also, the characters' magical powers aren’t explained. Frequently, fantasy books explain their magic systems; a good magic system can enhance a story, but here the magical powers and abilities of the characters seemed fairly random. Since we don’t really know what the characters can do with their magic, we can’t make educated guesses on how the crime might have been committed or other variables. The addition of a ghostly best friend that only the main character can see felt unnecessary. I’m assuming the author was looking for a way to have a “Dr. Watson� around for the MC to explain her theories to and settled on the idea of a ghost, but it felt superfluous and disconnected from the rest of the story.
The author had a lot of creative ideas, and I think if she’d settled on just a few, this could have been a really cool story. I would love to read more books in the “puzzle solving� style, just something a little more focused and cohesive.
February 11, 2025
This was the most fun book I've ever read. I really enjoyed the plot and "Clue" feel to this book. The clues, the choose your own adventure scenes, and the fact that there is an email that will send you clues if you need them (and pretty much immediately) 👏👏 Y'all should see my pages of notes from trying to figure out the puzzles 😂 I only wish I had the book in physical form to write, and doodle, and easily flip back and forth to information I needed. Definitely would recommend this book, especially a physical copy!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 5, 2025
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: June 10, 2025
Does anyone else remember the “Choose Your Own Adventure� stories from the nineties? Where you got to choose the actions a protagonist took in the novel and, depending on your choice, you’d get a different ending? Well, � new novel, “� is like that, combined with alpha and numerical puzzles that let the reader solve the novel’s murder mystery alongside the protagonist.
Delightful and fun, “Murder� focuses on the magical and royal Scruffmore family. Living on a secluded island in an ancient castle, the current Scruffmore King is due to give up his throne to one of his many children and they all gather together so that the magical ceremony can be performed and a new ruler can take over. Child prodigy Destiny Whip receives an invitation to the island, under the guise of interviewing for a historian position, but she soon realizes that the Scruffmore family, especially the patriarch, Mordecai, has darker intentions for Destiny, and the rest of the family. After a family member is killed, Destiny must use her penchant for solving curious puzzles to find the murderer- or she very well may be next.
“Murder� is creative and unique, in just about every way. The actions of the Royal, magical Scruffmore family gave hardcore “Game of Thrones� vibes, combined with a singular immersive experience where readers could solve puzzles right alongside Destiny, in order to uncover the murderer.
There was one plot for the story, with periodic puzzles, related to the crime, scattered throughout that Destiny (and readers) were encouraged to solve. There were several smaller sections of the novel where readers experienced the story of a minor character and could choose between two options, both leading to different outcomes. This part of the novel was intriguing and, because it involved background characters or took place in a different time period, it did not complicate the main plot.
Each chapter is narrated by a different Scruffmore character, although Destiny is the primary protagonist. Destiny was a child prodigy, labeled “awkward� and never quite fitting in with her peers, but she was a dynamic and profound character and I always love rooting for the underdog. Her childhood and upbringing were heartbreaking, and her emotional struggles dealing with it all made her the brave and brilliant protagonist you can’t help but root for.
Marais is by no means a new author but, until now, she was undiscovered by me. I am not sure if her other novels have this fantastic puzzle-solving component but if they do, I will definitely be checking them out. “Murder� is a locked room-slash-escape room murder mystery that pulls out all the stops, literally bringing readers along for the ride.
Expected publication date: June 10, 2025
Does anyone else remember the “Choose Your Own Adventure� stories from the nineties? Where you got to choose the actions a protagonist took in the novel and, depending on your choice, you’d get a different ending? Well, � new novel, “� is like that, combined with alpha and numerical puzzles that let the reader solve the novel’s murder mystery alongside the protagonist.
Delightful and fun, “Murder� focuses on the magical and royal Scruffmore family. Living on a secluded island in an ancient castle, the current Scruffmore King is due to give up his throne to one of his many children and they all gather together so that the magical ceremony can be performed and a new ruler can take over. Child prodigy Destiny Whip receives an invitation to the island, under the guise of interviewing for a historian position, but she soon realizes that the Scruffmore family, especially the patriarch, Mordecai, has darker intentions for Destiny, and the rest of the family. After a family member is killed, Destiny must use her penchant for solving curious puzzles to find the murderer- or she very well may be next.
“Murder� is creative and unique, in just about every way. The actions of the Royal, magical Scruffmore family gave hardcore “Game of Thrones� vibes, combined with a singular immersive experience where readers could solve puzzles right alongside Destiny, in order to uncover the murderer.
There was one plot for the story, with periodic puzzles, related to the crime, scattered throughout that Destiny (and readers) were encouraged to solve. There were several smaller sections of the novel where readers experienced the story of a minor character and could choose between two options, both leading to different outcomes. This part of the novel was intriguing and, because it involved background characters or took place in a different time period, it did not complicate the main plot.
Each chapter is narrated by a different Scruffmore character, although Destiny is the primary protagonist. Destiny was a child prodigy, labeled “awkward� and never quite fitting in with her peers, but she was a dynamic and profound character and I always love rooting for the underdog. Her childhood and upbringing were heartbreaking, and her emotional struggles dealing with it all made her the brave and brilliant protagonist you can’t help but root for.
Marais is by no means a new author but, until now, she was undiscovered by me. I am not sure if her other novels have this fantastic puzzle-solving component but if they do, I will definitely be checking them out. “Murder� is a locked room-slash-escape room murder mystery that pulls out all the stops, literally bringing readers along for the ride.
June 6, 2025
By far the most original, twisty and thrilling book I've read this year!! Canadian author Bianca Marais's latest is an utterly captivating choose your own murder mystery adventure featuring Destiny, a 21 year old genius in search of family connections who travels to a remote island not knowing the dark secrets, power struggles and magic she's going to get caught up in.
Highly recommended if you enjoy puzzles, family drama, shocking reveals and locked room mysteries. It's also good on audio but should definitely be read with a print copy nearby for the many, MANY clues hidden throughout the pages. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review! Perfect for fans of quirky Knives out family stories and books like Moorewood Family Rules by HelenKay Dimon.
Fav quote: "She wonders why finding your way to your truest self, and then fully embracing and accepting it, is always the most difficult journey of all."
Highly recommended if you enjoy puzzles, family drama, shocking reveals and locked room mysteries. It's also good on audio but should definitely be read with a print copy nearby for the many, MANY clues hidden throughout the pages. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review! Perfect for fans of quirky Knives out family stories and books like Moorewood Family Rules by HelenKay Dimon.
Fav quote: "She wonders why finding your way to your truest self, and then fully embracing and accepting it, is always the most difficult journey of all."
May 28, 2025
thank you netgalley for an eArc in exchange for an honest review.
there were a lot of things to love about this book and story and a couple of things that kept it from being a 5 star read.
first and foremost: i loved that it was part riddles, part "choose your story", part "Clue" game, part magical, and part murder mystery. we have our main character, destiny, invited to the scruffmore castle to interview for a position she never submitted an application for. within the letter there's a riddle for destiny to solve, and from there the story begins. i WAS able to solve some of the riddles on my own, having it in ebook made it a little more difficult but definitely not impossible.
i can't say too much about destiny without spoilers, but she is my favorite part of the book. i'd read more stories if for some reason there were spin off books and she was in them. she is so smart and wise beyond her years. the poor girl is just drowning in her own grief and reaching for a life line :( this book touched on grief and emotions way more than i was expecting it to and it was a pleasant surprise.
while i PERSONALLY loved how much was going on in the book i can see why people wouldn't. there are several important plots, characters, and POVs and it can get to be a lot to try to keep up with. for me i loved hopping from pov to pov.
overall the story wrapped up very nicely, with everyone getting the ending they deserved. the first 25% of the book was so so so slow and the aspect of magic was kind of just thrown in there. i do wish we would've gotten more information on the family and their background/magical origins instead of the first quarter of the book being destiny making her way to the castle. but i loved the main character and how all of the stories came together in the end.
i'd recommend for anyone who loves trying to figure out mysteries :)
there were a lot of things to love about this book and story and a couple of things that kept it from being a 5 star read.
first and foremost: i loved that it was part riddles, part "choose your story", part "Clue" game, part magical, and part murder mystery. we have our main character, destiny, invited to the scruffmore castle to interview for a position she never submitted an application for. within the letter there's a riddle for destiny to solve, and from there the story begins. i WAS able to solve some of the riddles on my own, having it in ebook made it a little more difficult but definitely not impossible.
i can't say too much about destiny without spoilers, but she is my favorite part of the book. i'd read more stories if for some reason there were spin off books and she was in them. she is so smart and wise beyond her years. the poor girl is just drowning in her own grief and reaching for a life line :( this book touched on grief and emotions way more than i was expecting it to and it was a pleasant surprise.
while i PERSONALLY loved how much was going on in the book i can see why people wouldn't. there are several important plots, characters, and POVs and it can get to be a lot to try to keep up with. for me i loved hopping from pov to pov.
overall the story wrapped up very nicely, with everyone getting the ending they deserved. the first 25% of the book was so so so slow and the aspect of magic was kind of just thrown in there. i do wish we would've gotten more information on the family and their background/magical origins instead of the first quarter of the book being destiny making her way to the castle. but i loved the main character and how all of the stories came together in the end.
i'd recommend for anyone who loves trying to figure out mysteries :)
May 25, 2025
4.5 STARS A Most Puzzling Murder is the upcoming book by Canadian author Bianca Marais and I couldn't be more excited! It's a unique story where mystery meets fantasy and there's also a fun interactive element - so get your sleuthing caps on, readers!
The story centres around Destiny Whip, a child prodigy and enigmatologist, who is invited to a mysterious and secluded island. There's a locked room, Clue board game vibe to this entertaining story that introduces readers to the Scruffmore family who controls the island and has more than its fair share of secrets ... as Destiny is about to find out.
What sets this mystery apart are the interactive puzzles for readers to solve (don't worry, the answers are in the back, and you can email Destiny for clues along the way!). There are also a few 'choose your own conundrum' sections which give readers two interesting options but don't impact the general story. So, if you're feeling intrepid you can dive into these entertaining extras.
The creepy tale is told by a variety of POVs in this colourful cast of characters - each of whom has their own motivation for murder and desire for power. With shocking reveals, a family tree that gets a few updates, a prophecy, and family tension up the wazoo, readers are in for quite a wild ride. There's a big cast and lots going on in this story, so I'd recommend not leaving too much time between your reading sessions.
This is an ambitious, zany and unique story that gives readers a bit of a challenge, a compelling 'whodunnit' and a bird's eye view into the messy family goings-on in the Scruffmore clan. Preorder it today for its June 10th pub date!
Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to the publisher for the advanced reading copy of this book which was given to me at the Ontario Library Conference.
April 19, 2025
Book Review
A Most Puzzling Murder by @biancamarais
Do you remember the Encyclopedia Brown books from back when I was a kid? They were a choose your own adventure meets mystery type book with a Kid Detective who noticed things. This book reminded me of those childhood books I devoured.
Whats Its Got
� forced proximity
� closed door murder mystery
� cats and trash pandas
� a peculiar island
� prophecy or a curse
� murder most foul
� a magical Mansion
� child prodigy
� one fucked up family
Characters
Bex- ghostly BFF
Destiny- child prodigy puzzle solver
Madigan- bartender/innkeeper
Mordecai- Sorcerer King
Lurk- King’s BFF and loyal servant
Hexabus- Mordecai’s ex wife
Newton- new wife
Tempest- applied for Historian position
Assorted children- Bramble, Darius, Dominus, Evangeline, Angel, Minx
Thoughts
Bianca you are a genius!!! An interactive book, with puzzles the reader can solve, choose your own extra scene type chapters , and murder in a paranormal mansion on a reclusive island all wrapped up in family drama. Whats not to love!!!
While I read this as an ebook- I need a paper copy to fully immerse myself in all the riddles- I want to rifle back and forth through the pages as I piece things together, I want to write in the margins and highlight like crazy
Overall
If you played CLUE as kid, if you love Agatha Christie type books, If you’ve seen Knives Out , if you enjoy solving anagrams, crosswords and any type of puzzle solving YOU SHOULD READ THIS BOOK
Thank you to the author and publisher for my digital ARC in return for an honest review. Opinions expressed are my
Own.
A Most Puzzling Murder by @biancamarais
Do you remember the Encyclopedia Brown books from back when I was a kid? They were a choose your own adventure meets mystery type book with a Kid Detective who noticed things. This book reminded me of those childhood books I devoured.
Whats Its Got
� forced proximity
� closed door murder mystery
� cats and trash pandas
� a peculiar island
� prophecy or a curse
� murder most foul
� a magical Mansion
� child prodigy
� one fucked up family
Characters
Bex- ghostly BFF
Destiny- child prodigy puzzle solver
Madigan- bartender/innkeeper
Mordecai- Sorcerer King
Lurk- King’s BFF and loyal servant
Hexabus- Mordecai’s ex wife
Newton- new wife
Tempest- applied for Historian position
Assorted children- Bramble, Darius, Dominus, Evangeline, Angel, Minx
Thoughts
Bianca you are a genius!!! An interactive book, with puzzles the reader can solve, choose your own extra scene type chapters , and murder in a paranormal mansion on a reclusive island all wrapped up in family drama. Whats not to love!!!
While I read this as an ebook- I need a paper copy to fully immerse myself in all the riddles- I want to rifle back and forth through the pages as I piece things together, I want to write in the margins and highlight like crazy
Overall
If you played CLUE as kid, if you love Agatha Christie type books, If you’ve seen Knives Out , if you enjoy solving anagrams, crosswords and any type of puzzle solving YOU SHOULD READ THIS BOOK
Thank you to the author and publisher for my digital ARC in return for an honest review. Opinions expressed are my
Own.
April 23, 2025
Honestly, I didn’t read the whole synopsis before reading. I read half of it before requesting it via Netgalley because it intrigued me. So colour me surprised when I learned that the Scruffmores are magical making A Most Puzzling Murder a beautiful blend of fantasy and mystery.
A Most Puzzling Murder follows Destiny as she receives a letter thanking her for applying for the Scruffmore historian position with an invitation for an interview. Destiny, being a former child prodigy, uncovers a hidden message within the invitation.
A Most Puzzling Murder is an interactive mystery full of puzzles and riddles that readers can solve in real time alongside the main character. The puzzles were all varying levels of difficulty with an opportunity to get a clue to help solve them. There were also a few choose your own adventure chapters where readers got to choose the path the character takes.
As the story unfolds, there are so many twists and turns with multiple red herrings. Honestly, the story becomes a twisted mess and just when you think you have a handle on the direction, Marais pulls the rug out from underneath you. Multiple times.
The only criticism I have is the format in which I read A Most Puzzling Murder. Since I was approved for an ARC via Netgalley, I read an ebook. I would highly recommend reading a physical copy. A physical copy will making solving the puzzles much easier and will help create a more engaging experience by writing and taking notes.
Overall, A Most Puzzling Murder is an excellent interactive mystery that will keep readers glued to the pages with puzzles to solve and endless twists and turns.
*** I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
A Most Puzzling Murder follows Destiny as she receives a letter thanking her for applying for the Scruffmore historian position with an invitation for an interview. Destiny, being a former child prodigy, uncovers a hidden message within the invitation.
A Most Puzzling Murder is an interactive mystery full of puzzles and riddles that readers can solve in real time alongside the main character. The puzzles were all varying levels of difficulty with an opportunity to get a clue to help solve them. There were also a few choose your own adventure chapters where readers got to choose the path the character takes.
As the story unfolds, there are so many twists and turns with multiple red herrings. Honestly, the story becomes a twisted mess and just when you think you have a handle on the direction, Marais pulls the rug out from underneath you. Multiple times.
The only criticism I have is the format in which I read A Most Puzzling Murder. Since I was approved for an ARC via Netgalley, I read an ebook. I would highly recommend reading a physical copy. A physical copy will making solving the puzzles much easier and will help create a more engaging experience by writing and taking notes.
Overall, A Most Puzzling Murder is an excellent interactive mystery that will keep readers glued to the pages with puzzles to solve and endless twists and turns.
*** I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 22, 2025
This was a delightful fantasy mystery! I loved all the interactive elements of this book! Not only are there puzzles to solve alongside the characters but occasional choose your own conundrum chapters where your decisions can influence the story. I loved how this book perfectly blended fantasy and mystery and I was thoroughly invested in this story. I liked following the different characters throughout the various chapters as well throughout this book. Overall this was an excellent read that I highly recommend.
Read this if you like:
📖 Mysteries & fantasies
📖 Interactive books
📖 Puzzles & riddles
Thank you to Mira Books for the gifted arc.
Read this if you like:
📖 Mysteries & fantasies
📖 Interactive books
📖 Puzzles & riddles
Thank you to Mira Books for the gifted arc.
June 1, 2025
This was a very creatively structured book; you could tell a lot of thought and care went into its creation. I really enjoyed solving the puzzles and riddles throughout, and I appreciated the gothic elements woven into the story. However, there was so much happening at times that it became a bit overwhelming.
June 14, 2025
It breaks my heart to gave a score this low because I was so excited. I love the concept of the puzzle don't get me wrong but I felt like it was too chaotic for me. There are so many characters and pov. I got lost with all the concepts. I felt like the story was too long.
Thank you to Netgalley for the Arc in exchange for my honest opinion.
Thank you to Netgalley for the Arc in exchange for my honest opinion.
June 11, 2025
Bianca Marais has crafted something genuinely unprecedented in the mystery genre with "A Most Puzzling Murder"—a book that refuses to be confined by conventional storytelling boundaries. This interactive gothic mystery transforms readers from passive observers into active participants, creating an immersive experience that feels like a cross between a classic murder mystery and an elaborate escape room.
The novel follows Destiny Whip, a brilliant enigmatologist whose life has been shaped by profound loss and isolation. When she receives a mysterious invitation to interview for a historian position with the enigmatic Scruffmore family on remote Eerie Island, she discovers far more than she bargained for. What begins as a quest for family secrets quickly evolves into a race against time to prevent a murder she's foreseen in disturbing visions.
A Heroine Worth Investing In
Destiny Whip emerges as one of the most compelling protagonists in recent mystery fiction. Marais has created a character who feels authentically broken yet brilliantly capable—a former child prodigy whose intellectual gifts couldn't shield her from life's cruelest blows. The author skillfully weaves Destiny's tragic backstory throughout the narrative, revealing how the loss of her adoptive mother Liz to murder, followed by the death of her guardian Annie to cancer, and finally the devastating loss of her brother Nate and best friend Bex, has shaped her into someone who exists rather than lives.
What makes Destiny particularly engaging is how Marais avoids the typical "wounded genius" trope. Yes, Destiny is intellectually superior and emotionally damaged, but she's also genuinely funny, self-deprecating, and refreshingly human. Her internal dialogue sparkles with wit even in the darkest moments, and her tendency toward self-sabotage feels earned rather than manufactured for dramatic effect.
The supporting cast of the Scruffmore family reads like something out of a particularly dysfunctional episode of "Succession," if the Roy family happened to possess actual magical powers. Mordecai Scruffmore, the tyrannical Sorcerer King with compass star tattoos covering his forehead, rules his diminishing magical empire with cruel calculations. His children—the ambitious but magically weak Darius, the emotionally complex Evangeline, and the youngest family members Angel and Minx—each harbor their own dark motivations and family grievances.
The Magic of Interactive Storytelling
Where Marais truly innovates is in the book's interactive elements. The "Choose Your Own Conundrum" chapters aren't gimmicky additions but integral parts of the storytelling mechanism. These sections allow readers to experience the narrative from different characters' perspectives, uncovering crucial information that informs the main mystery. The puzzles embedded throughout the text range from cipher-breaking to mathematical calculations, and while some readers might find them intimidating, Marais wisely provides solutions at the book's end for those who prefer to focus on the story.
The puzzles serve a dual purpose: they mirror Destiny's own problem-solving process while creating a genuine sense of collaboration between reader and protagonist. When you successfully decode a message or solve a riddle, the satisfaction feels earned. The author has managed to create what feels like a literary video game without sacrificing narrative depth or character development.
Gothic Atmosphere Meets Modern Sensibilities
Marais demonstrates masterful control over atmosphere throughout the novel. Eerie Island feels like a character in its own right—a windswept, storm-lashed setting where ancient magic coexists uneasily with modern technology. The author's descriptions of Scruffmore Castle, with its secret passages, hidden archives, and ominous family portraits, evoke the best of gothic tradition while maintaining a contemporary accessibility.
The magical elements are handled with particular skill. Rather than overwhelming the mystery with fantastical elements, Marais uses magic as both plot device and metaphor. The Scruffmore family's declining magical abilities mirror their fading relevance in a world that has moved beyond them, while Destiny's emerging prophetic abilities represent her gradual acceptance of her own power and agency.
Where the Magic Falters
Despite its many strengths, "A Most Puzzling Murder" isn't without its weaknesses. The novel's ambitious scope occasionally works against it. With multiple timeline jumps, character perspective shifts, and interactive elements to manage, some plot threads feel underdeveloped. The resolution, while satisfying on an emotional level, relies perhaps too heavily on revelations that feel slightly convenient rather than carefully foreshadowed.
The book's length and complexity may also prove challenging for readers seeking a straightforward mystery experience. While the interactive elements are innovative, they can disrupt narrative flow for readers who prefer uninterrupted storytelling. Some of the puzzles feel more essential to the plot than others, creating an uneven experience for readers who engage with them versus those who skip ahead to the solutions.
The family dynamics, while compelling, sometimes veer toward melodrama. The Scruffmores' interpersonal conflicts occasionally feel designed more for shock value than character development, and certain revelations about family relationships strain credibility even within the novel's magical framework.
Final Verdict: A Mystery Worth Solving
"A Most Puzzling Murder" succeeds as both an entertaining mystery and a bold experiment in interactive fiction. While it may not appeal to purists seeking traditional mystery structure, it offers something genuinely fresh in a genre that often feels constrained by convention. Marais has created a novel that demands active engagement while rewarding it with genuine insight into human nature, the complexity of family relationships, and the healing power of connection.
The book's innovative approach to reader participation, combined with strong character development and atmospheric world-building, creates an experience that lingers long after the final puzzle is solved. Though it has occasional pacing issues and some plot elements that feel overly convenient, these flaws don't diminish the overall achievement.
For readers willing to embrace something different, "A Most Puzzling Murder" offers a uniquely engaging experience that successfully bridges the gap between traditional mystery fiction and interactive entertainment. It's a bold, occasionally messy, but ultimately rewarding experiment that points toward exciting possibilities for the future of genre fiction.
The novel follows Destiny Whip, a brilliant enigmatologist whose life has been shaped by profound loss and isolation. When she receives a mysterious invitation to interview for a historian position with the enigmatic Scruffmore family on remote Eerie Island, she discovers far more than she bargained for. What begins as a quest for family secrets quickly evolves into a race against time to prevent a murder she's foreseen in disturbing visions.
A Heroine Worth Investing In
Destiny Whip emerges as one of the most compelling protagonists in recent mystery fiction. Marais has created a character who feels authentically broken yet brilliantly capable—a former child prodigy whose intellectual gifts couldn't shield her from life's cruelest blows. The author skillfully weaves Destiny's tragic backstory throughout the narrative, revealing how the loss of her adoptive mother Liz to murder, followed by the death of her guardian Annie to cancer, and finally the devastating loss of her brother Nate and best friend Bex, has shaped her into someone who exists rather than lives.
What makes Destiny particularly engaging is how Marais avoids the typical "wounded genius" trope. Yes, Destiny is intellectually superior and emotionally damaged, but she's also genuinely funny, self-deprecating, and refreshingly human. Her internal dialogue sparkles with wit even in the darkest moments, and her tendency toward self-sabotage feels earned rather than manufactured for dramatic effect.
The supporting cast of the Scruffmore family reads like something out of a particularly dysfunctional episode of "Succession," if the Roy family happened to possess actual magical powers. Mordecai Scruffmore, the tyrannical Sorcerer King with compass star tattoos covering his forehead, rules his diminishing magical empire with cruel calculations. His children—the ambitious but magically weak Darius, the emotionally complex Evangeline, and the youngest family members Angel and Minx—each harbor their own dark motivations and family grievances.
The Magic of Interactive Storytelling
Where Marais truly innovates is in the book's interactive elements. The "Choose Your Own Conundrum" chapters aren't gimmicky additions but integral parts of the storytelling mechanism. These sections allow readers to experience the narrative from different characters' perspectives, uncovering crucial information that informs the main mystery. The puzzles embedded throughout the text range from cipher-breaking to mathematical calculations, and while some readers might find them intimidating, Marais wisely provides solutions at the book's end for those who prefer to focus on the story.
The puzzles serve a dual purpose: they mirror Destiny's own problem-solving process while creating a genuine sense of collaboration between reader and protagonist. When you successfully decode a message or solve a riddle, the satisfaction feels earned. The author has managed to create what feels like a literary video game without sacrificing narrative depth or character development.
Gothic Atmosphere Meets Modern Sensibilities
Marais demonstrates masterful control over atmosphere throughout the novel. Eerie Island feels like a character in its own right—a windswept, storm-lashed setting where ancient magic coexists uneasily with modern technology. The author's descriptions of Scruffmore Castle, with its secret passages, hidden archives, and ominous family portraits, evoke the best of gothic tradition while maintaining a contemporary accessibility.
The magical elements are handled with particular skill. Rather than overwhelming the mystery with fantastical elements, Marais uses magic as both plot device and metaphor. The Scruffmore family's declining magical abilities mirror their fading relevance in a world that has moved beyond them, while Destiny's emerging prophetic abilities represent her gradual acceptance of her own power and agency.
Where the Magic Falters
Despite its many strengths, "A Most Puzzling Murder" isn't without its weaknesses. The novel's ambitious scope occasionally works against it. With multiple timeline jumps, character perspective shifts, and interactive elements to manage, some plot threads feel underdeveloped. The resolution, while satisfying on an emotional level, relies perhaps too heavily on revelations that feel slightly convenient rather than carefully foreshadowed.
The book's length and complexity may also prove challenging for readers seeking a straightforward mystery experience. While the interactive elements are innovative, they can disrupt narrative flow for readers who prefer uninterrupted storytelling. Some of the puzzles feel more essential to the plot than others, creating an uneven experience for readers who engage with them versus those who skip ahead to the solutions.
The family dynamics, while compelling, sometimes veer toward melodrama. The Scruffmores' interpersonal conflicts occasionally feel designed more for shock value than character development, and certain revelations about family relationships strain credibility even within the novel's magical framework.
Final Verdict: A Mystery Worth Solving
"A Most Puzzling Murder" succeeds as both an entertaining mystery and a bold experiment in interactive fiction. While it may not appeal to purists seeking traditional mystery structure, it offers something genuinely fresh in a genre that often feels constrained by convention. Marais has created a novel that demands active engagement while rewarding it with genuine insight into human nature, the complexity of family relationships, and the healing power of connection.
The book's innovative approach to reader participation, combined with strong character development and atmospheric world-building, creates an experience that lingers long after the final puzzle is solved. Though it has occasional pacing issues and some plot elements that feel overly convenient, these flaws don't diminish the overall achievement.
For readers willing to embrace something different, "A Most Puzzling Murder" offers a uniquely engaging experience that successfully bridges the gap between traditional mystery fiction and interactive entertainment. It's a bold, occasionally messy, but ultimately rewarding experiment that points toward exciting possibilities for the future of genre fiction.
May 24, 2025
Finished reading: May 23rd 2025
DNF at 36% (173 pages)
"It's a lie, of course, but sometimes lies are the kindest things we ever tell ourselves."
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and MIRA in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
REVIEW
WARNING: it's yet another unpopular opinion!!
June 9, 2025
I want to thank MIRA and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of A Most Puzzling Murder. However, all opinions expressed here are solely mine.
4.5 rounded up to 5
A Most Puzzling Murder is like no other book I’ve read. Why do I say that? How many books have you read that include brainteasers, puzzles, and choose-your-own-adventure elements? Many books may have one or two, but all three? That’s something that doesn’t happen a lot. And all of the elements work well together.
The story is told from multiple points of view, but all are in the third person. Keeping the POV straight is relatively easy, as the chapters are all labeled with the character at the beginning. The chapters are also labeled with the day of the week and time of day. The majority of the story takes place over a few days. A few chapters flash back several years, but they are labeled as such to let you know.
The puzzles throughout the book are also labeled. The answers are included in the book, but no cheating! You can also email Destiny for help solving the puzzles. And if you answer some of these correctly, you’ll receive an email with a bonus chapter or two. But don’t feel bad if you don’t get the answers correct, you can still get the bonus information. If you don’t want to solve any puzzles, that’s ok, because several will not impact your enjoyment of the book.
Overall, A Most Puzzling Murder is unlike any other mystery book, even a mystery with a fantastical side. Do you enjoy books with quirky characters, some of which are super intense? What about a book with lots of twists and turns? What about solving puzzles and playing escape room games? If you answered yes to any of these questions, I think you should try this book. If you answered yes to all of these questions, I think you need to try this book.
4.5 rounded up to 5
A Most Puzzling Murder is like no other book I’ve read. Why do I say that? How many books have you read that include brainteasers, puzzles, and choose-your-own-adventure elements? Many books may have one or two, but all three? That’s something that doesn’t happen a lot. And all of the elements work well together.
The story is told from multiple points of view, but all are in the third person. Keeping the POV straight is relatively easy, as the chapters are all labeled with the character at the beginning. The chapters are also labeled with the day of the week and time of day. The majority of the story takes place over a few days. A few chapters flash back several years, but they are labeled as such to let you know.
The puzzles throughout the book are also labeled. The answers are included in the book, but no cheating! You can also email Destiny for help solving the puzzles. And if you answer some of these correctly, you’ll receive an email with a bonus chapter or two. But don’t feel bad if you don’t get the answers correct, you can still get the bonus information. If you don’t want to solve any puzzles, that’s ok, because several will not impact your enjoyment of the book.
Overall, A Most Puzzling Murder is unlike any other mystery book, even a mystery with a fantastical side. Do you enjoy books with quirky characters, some of which are super intense? What about a book with lots of twists and turns? What about solving puzzles and playing escape room games? If you answered yes to any of these questions, I think you should try this book. If you answered yes to all of these questions, I think you need to try this book.
May 15, 2025
Well, this book was a pleasant surprise. I don’t come across too many murder mysteries that offer puzzles and games for the readers themselves to solve. But this novel offers just that.
In this story, we meet Destiny Whip-former child prodigy and genius, who also suffers from crippling self-doubt, and loathing. She cannot let go of what she believes is her fault, and she cannot move forward. The only one keeping her relatively sane is her best friend, Bex-who happens to be a ghost.
As the author leads us on the journey to the Scuffmores home, and how Destiny even became aware of them in the first place, we find ourselves stepping into Destiny’s shoes, and solving riddles and clues along the way-making the book way more fun and interactive. We also get to see just how smart Destiny is-as she easily sees patterns, observes behaviors and deceptions, and figures out why she’s really there.
Bianca not only took Destiny on a seemingly straightforward murder case, and did the ol� switcheroo, but she also did that to the reader. I definitely thought I had the plot all figured out-only to find out I was completely wrong more than once. I love when I find out the mystery wasn’t as easy to solve as I thought it would be. But unlike myself, Destiny put all the puzzles pieces together at the end, as well as finding healing and closure for past pain.
I had a good time diving into this one, and it gave me Sherlock Holmesesque vibes. If you a fan of mysteries, and solving riddles, check this one out. 4.25 stars
A big thank you to NetGalley and Mira for my ARC. My opinion is my own.
In this story, we meet Destiny Whip-former child prodigy and genius, who also suffers from crippling self-doubt, and loathing. She cannot let go of what she believes is her fault, and she cannot move forward. The only one keeping her relatively sane is her best friend, Bex-who happens to be a ghost.
As the author leads us on the journey to the Scuffmores home, and how Destiny even became aware of them in the first place, we find ourselves stepping into Destiny’s shoes, and solving riddles and clues along the way-making the book way more fun and interactive. We also get to see just how smart Destiny is-as she easily sees patterns, observes behaviors and deceptions, and figures out why she’s really there.
Bianca not only took Destiny on a seemingly straightforward murder case, and did the ol� switcheroo, but she also did that to the reader. I definitely thought I had the plot all figured out-only to find out I was completely wrong more than once. I love when I find out the mystery wasn’t as easy to solve as I thought it would be. But unlike myself, Destiny put all the puzzles pieces together at the end, as well as finding healing and closure for past pain.
I had a good time diving into this one, and it gave me Sherlock Holmesesque vibes. If you a fan of mysteries, and solving riddles, check this one out. 4.25 stars
A big thank you to NetGalley and Mira for my ARC. My opinion is my own.
June 11, 2025
A Most Puzzling Murder by Bianca Marais is an excellent mystery full of magic, twists, and audience participation!
Audience Participation, you ask? Yes! You get to solve puzzles, and choose a path you want the characters to take at certain points in the story. Get ready to be an active participant!
For those who don’t want the audience participation component: This is still a must read! Just choose paths at random (or read both), and don’t solve the puzzles. You’ll still get a great story experience.
The magic in this story is so cleverly done, as well as the plotting. Character development is top notch. The multi POV is insightful, and created to engage the reader while also creating intrigue and more mystery. And the main character is brilliant! Not just because she’s brilliant, but because Bianca crafted an amazing MC.
I listened to the audiobook version of this story, which was incredibly well done by a single narrator. Typically I like different narrators for different POVs, but this story didn’t need it. The narrator nailed it, and I didn’t feel at all like the audio was missing something. I listened to his audiobook at 1.5x speed (my normal audiobook speed is 1.75x, but I didn’t want to miss any of the clues).
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for this advanced listening copy.
Audience Participation, you ask? Yes! You get to solve puzzles, and choose a path you want the characters to take at certain points in the story. Get ready to be an active participant!
For those who don’t want the audience participation component: This is still a must read! Just choose paths at random (or read both), and don’t solve the puzzles. You’ll still get a great story experience.
The magic in this story is so cleverly done, as well as the plotting. Character development is top notch. The multi POV is insightful, and created to engage the reader while also creating intrigue and more mystery. And the main character is brilliant! Not just because she’s brilliant, but because Bianca crafted an amazing MC.
I listened to the audiobook version of this story, which was incredibly well done by a single narrator. Typically I like different narrators for different POVs, but this story didn’t need it. The narrator nailed it, and I didn’t feel at all like the audio was missing something. I listened to his audiobook at 1.5x speed (my normal audiobook speed is 1.75x, but I didn’t want to miss any of the clues).
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for this advanced listening copy.
May 9, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the advanced reader copy.
3.5 stars
When Destiny Whip, a child prodigy and renowned enigmatologist, gets a coded message saying that if she travels to Eerie Island she'll finally get the answer to who her biological parents are, she can't help but go. Besides, there's nothing going well in her life--her best friend has died and she's in such a deep depression, as she's all alone, that this message is a lifeline. When Destiny shows up to the island she's immediately pulled into the mystery of who summoned her there and why the entire Scruffmore family (the family who rules over the island) have returned just as she's getting there.
I can't say that I loved this book, in terms of the actual story (it was a little too campy for my reading taste), but I can say this was such a fun book to engage with. There are solvable puzzles in almost every chapter and several moments of "Choose your adventure," which kept me thoroughly in it for the entirety of the book.
A Most Puzzling Murder is out June 10, 2025.
3.5 stars
When Destiny Whip, a child prodigy and renowned enigmatologist, gets a coded message saying that if she travels to Eerie Island she'll finally get the answer to who her biological parents are, she can't help but go. Besides, there's nothing going well in her life--her best friend has died and she's in such a deep depression, as she's all alone, that this message is a lifeline. When Destiny shows up to the island she's immediately pulled into the mystery of who summoned her there and why the entire Scruffmore family (the family who rules over the island) have returned just as she's getting there.
I can't say that I loved this book, in terms of the actual story (it was a little too campy for my reading taste), but I can say this was such a fun book to engage with. There are solvable puzzles in almost every chapter and several moments of "Choose your adventure," which kept me thoroughly in it for the entirety of the book.
A Most Puzzling Murder is out June 10, 2025.
June 8, 2025
Have you every thought that your actions might have unintended consequences? Well, this book will certainly leave you questioning your own?
This book is very different to anything I’ve read recently. Do you remember those «Choose Your Own Adventure» books? This is kind of like that. It makes the reading experience very interactive and immersive.
Destiny Whip is vulnerable and she receives a mysterious invitation to interview for a historian position on an island. She didn’t apply for this position and is convinced it has something to do with her family. The island is called Eerie, a name, that certainly reflects the atmospheric and secretive nature of the story. It turns out, she must solve a murder that hasn’t happened yet. Intriguing isn’t it?
It’s part mystery, part gothic, part fantasy, part journey of self discovery and part coming of age, in a way.
This will certainly appeal to lots of readers. What didn’t work as well, for me, were the number of puzzles and characters, which slowed the pacing and disrupted the flow a bit.
Still, it’s a creative, unusual read that kept me thinking about cause and effect, and how the past always finds a way of circling back. 3.75 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing/MIRA for the ARC.
This book is very different to anything I’ve read recently. Do you remember those «Choose Your Own Adventure» books? This is kind of like that. It makes the reading experience very interactive and immersive.
Destiny Whip is vulnerable and she receives a mysterious invitation to interview for a historian position on an island. She didn’t apply for this position and is convinced it has something to do with her family. The island is called Eerie, a name, that certainly reflects the atmospheric and secretive nature of the story. It turns out, she must solve a murder that hasn’t happened yet. Intriguing isn’t it?
It’s part mystery, part gothic, part fantasy, part journey of self discovery and part coming of age, in a way.
This will certainly appeal to lots of readers. What didn’t work as well, for me, were the number of puzzles and characters, which slowed the pacing and disrupted the flow a bit.
Still, it’s a creative, unusual read that kept me thinking about cause and effect, and how the past always finds a way of circling back. 3.75 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing/MIRA for the ARC.
June 12, 2025
3.75 stars.
There are many things that I enjoyed about this book: the descriptive and engaging world building, the magical elements, the likable main character, dastardly villains, and a mystery element. The author is really creative and imaginative and that shines throughout the novel.
The novel is interactive incorporating puzzles for the reader to solve along with the MC. The answers are provided at the back of the book for those who want to skip the puzzles. Highly recommend reading the physical copy of this book so that you can flip easily to the answer section. There are also a few choose your option-type chapters. You can be as interactive with the book as you wish which is a great option for different types of readers.
I did think that the story was a bit too long and could have been condensed. There were a lot of secondary characters to keep track of but there is a family tree included in the book.
Overall, this is a likeable, creative novel with great world-building.
There are many things that I enjoyed about this book: the descriptive and engaging world building, the magical elements, the likable main character, dastardly villains, and a mystery element. The author is really creative and imaginative and that shines throughout the novel.
The novel is interactive incorporating puzzles for the reader to solve along with the MC. The answers are provided at the back of the book for those who want to skip the puzzles. Highly recommend reading the physical copy of this book so that you can flip easily to the answer section. There are also a few choose your option-type chapters. You can be as interactive with the book as you wish which is a great option for different types of readers.
I did think that the story was a bit too long and could have been condensed. There were a lot of secondary characters to keep track of but there is a family tree included in the book.
Overall, this is a likeable, creative novel with great world-building.
June 16, 2025
Bianca Marais is the only author I know who effortlessly switches genres with every book she writes—and nails it every single time! This latest read was an absolute delight, perfectly blending my love of reading with my passion for puzzles to create an immersive and captivating experience. It ticks every box for an outstanding novel: beautifully crafted prose, unforgettable characters, a mystery that kept me guessing until the very end, and just the right touch of humor. I simply couldn’t put it down. Plus, the interactive element where you get to choose your own path adds an exciting twist! I wholeheartedly recommend A Most Puzzling Murder to anyone looking for a thrilling and fun read.
June 15, 2025
my review is coming to Novels Alive
April 3, 2025
When I first heard A Most Puzzling Murder described as SUCCESSION meets KNIVES OUT with magic, I knew I wouldn’t be able to wait until its initial release to read it.
Author Bianca Marais has practiced what she preaches on The Sh-t No One Tells You About Writing podcast, sprinkling this literary garden with an abundance of curiosity seeds that makes the reader desperate to keep turning pages.
Bianca’s creativity is on full display, enhancing the story with a series of brain teaser puzzles that keep the reader engaged. As an avid reader of Choose Your Own Adventure stories growing up, I loved the handful of Choose Your Own Conundrum chapters that put the reader in the shoes of various characters.
There are no minor characters in a mystery, so you’ll want to pay attention to every interaction because you never know where a critical clue is going to pop up. I can’t wait for the book to come out on June 8 so I can read it again for the first time and analyze the plethora of plot twists from a fresh perspective.
If you liked Witches of Moonshyne Manor, you’re going to love A Most Puzzling Murder!
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.
Author Bianca Marais has practiced what she preaches on The Sh-t No One Tells You About Writing podcast, sprinkling this literary garden with an abundance of curiosity seeds that makes the reader desperate to keep turning pages.
Bianca’s creativity is on full display, enhancing the story with a series of brain teaser puzzles that keep the reader engaged. As an avid reader of Choose Your Own Adventure stories growing up, I loved the handful of Choose Your Own Conundrum chapters that put the reader in the shoes of various characters.
There are no minor characters in a mystery, so you’ll want to pay attention to every interaction because you never know where a critical clue is going to pop up. I can’t wait for the book to come out on June 8 so I can read it again for the first time and analyze the plethora of plot twists from a fresh perspective.
If you liked Witches of Moonshyne Manor, you’re going to love A Most Puzzling Murder!
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.
June 6, 2025
Such a fun concept!
I grew up on Encyclopedia Brown, Nancy Drew, and choose-your-own adventure books, and I love solving puzzles, so when Bianca came out with this, I was all in.
Overall, it was great. There was a lot to follow and keep up with, though. I do wish I’d had a paper copy to make things easier, and this week I heard an interview with Bianca where she suggests a paper copy to mark things up because “everything is a clue.�
Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade for the ARC.
I grew up on Encyclopedia Brown, Nancy Drew, and choose-your-own adventure books, and I love solving puzzles, so when Bianca came out with this, I was all in.
Overall, it was great. There was a lot to follow and keep up with, though. I do wish I’d had a paper copy to make things easier, and this week I heard an interview with Bianca where she suggests a paper copy to mark things up because “everything is a clue.�
Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade for the ARC.
March 24, 2025
A refreshing & unique murder mystery that pulls you in so you can’t put the book down. Who doesn’t want a who-done-it with a touch of choose your own adventure and escape the room elements woven in?! I loved this book!
June 19, 2025
What do you get when you cross a logic puzzle and a soap opera? A Most Puzzling Murder. This is a fun fantasy murder mystery with a collection of puzzles to be solved and a few side chapters that offer a choose your own adventure style fun without either choice actually impacting the main story. It’s difficult to properly juggle puzzles and story within one book, and this one did an admirable job of trying to balance both. The characters were stand outs, the story twisty, the location suitably hostile, the murder plot insidious, and yet the story struggled to stand out from everything it was trying to do.
Destiny is a genius and a world renown enigmatologist. But her life has been shadowed by loss after both of her adoptive mothers and her best friend died at various points in her life, leaving her to cling to whatever’s left and to wonder who her birth parents are. When a mysterious interview letter to a job she never applied for arrives, with a sneaky message hidden within, she takes the leap to head for Eerie Island because someone might know the truth of her family. Eerie Island is more than just eerie. It’s forbidding with awful weather and a magical, ruthless ruling family. And it’s the family Destiny hopes to work for as their new historian, if she can beat out Tempest for the job. Unfortunately, things don’t go well as the Sorcerer King, who summoned Destiny and Tempest for the job, is preparing to name his heir, and some want the crown more than others. And they’re not above murder to get it.
I love books that invite me to play along, and that’s exactly what A Most Puzzling Murder does. It even invites readers to send emails for clues, and sometimes asks readers to email the answer to some puzzles to get some bonus scenes. I love how interactive this novel is, but I didn’t think it was strictly necessary to actually solve the puzzles in order to be able to continue. The answers are provided at the back, and the story continues whether or not readers get the puzzles right, so it all depends on how involved the reader wants to be. Personally, I’m not big on communicating with people I don’t know, so I didn’t email Destiny for clues or bonus scenes, and I didn’t feel like I missed out on anything. It was, though, sometimes funny with how the characters were presented with the puzzles and their reactions to them. Otherwise I felt the puzzles were very much a take it or leave it kind of thing.
The puzzles were nicely woven into the story, and they take advantage of popping up whenever the story just might call for a puzzle of some kind. Some did feel more relevant than others, but they all had their role to play in the story. Some are easier than others, and I liked the variety. They did a very nice job of tying into the story and the Scruffmore family. What I most enjoyed, though, were the constantly revised family trees that were provided. Despite the number of them, I never tired of seeing them. Similarly, the choose your own adventure chapters were gently folded in, offering a peek into the lives of some of the more fringe characters. I was disappointed the choose your own adventure pieces weren’t exactly necessary to the story and had no real impact, but they were fun albeit brief diversions.
With so many puzzles and extraneous chapters, I really had to remind myself of the story playing out. It’s not that there were too many puzzles, but that the story moved really slowly for the first half of the novel. It took forever for all the characters to be established, though I did like that all the major players had means, motives, and opportunities. It just managed to not become overwhelming, and I liked how it dove into the family’s history, and the history of the island, but I often found myself impatiently waiting for the story to get moving. A lot of the early chapters have some comical moments that didn’t hit right for me, but I can see how another reader might find them entertaining. It just felt like it was taking away from the more serious story and topics being addressed.
When A Most Puzzling Murder wasn’t busy presenting me with puzzles, revised family trees, and choose your own adventure side chapters, it dove deep into being a soap opera. It was almost dizzying with the number of affairs and backstabbing and plotting. The Scruffmore family, despite their power and being magical royalty, is not a kind one to grow up in. There’s so much drama wrapped around all of them it was sometimes laughable and sometimes just overbearing. It somehow managed to overshadow the deeply mysterious locked room murder with just how overly complicated it let itself be. Of course, with just about everyone having the opportunity to murder this person, it didn’t really feel like a locked room murder mystery, which was disappointing.
What was fun, though, was the magic. I liked that the story really grabbed the magic and made it useful. There’s magic and there’s magical items and spells. I loved how well the fantasy elements played out, and the role it played in the murder and the solving of the murder. It was fun to see all the different kinds they had, and how powerful they were. There was nothing groundbreaking about any of it, but I thought it was a nice touch. It helped distract me from what felt like a logic puzzle stuck inside a soap opera.
The characters, too, were fantastic at holding my attention. My heart twisted for Destiny. She’s lived through so much loss and is now so adrift. She clings and yearns with all her heart while her brain naturally works overtime to solve every puzzle with an astounding ease despite the grief she carries, including the emotional support urn that goes everywhere with her. Since she’s the one telling the bulk of the story, it was fun to pick up on all the little clues her storytelling dropped. It was also a lot of fun getting to know the Scruffmore family, both from within and without the family. There were some really fun personalities, though there were some I didn’t really care for. Some of them did feel more one note than others, with some of the fringe characters actually being more interesting with their choose your own adventure chapters, but the ones at the forefront were really very well done.
A Most Puzzling Murder proved to be a lot of fun, but I ultimately feel the story took too many twists and turns so it was sometimes a little chaotic and difficult to follow, especially with so many puzzles thrown in. The puzzles were actually a lot of fun, and I enjoyed the choose your own adventure chapters. The story just tended to take a winding approach, constantly shifting from one character to another. I found I was less interested and inclined to figure out which horrible Scruffmore family member did it than in getting to the next puzzle, probably partly because I was glad the deceased was killed and everyone was better off. This story really attempted to tackle complex grief, but it ended up being overwhelmed by all the drama of the family at the heart of it, which was disappointing, especially considering how lost the murder mystery became under the pile of everything the story was balancing.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
Destiny is a genius and a world renown enigmatologist. But her life has been shadowed by loss after both of her adoptive mothers and her best friend died at various points in her life, leaving her to cling to whatever’s left and to wonder who her birth parents are. When a mysterious interview letter to a job she never applied for arrives, with a sneaky message hidden within, she takes the leap to head for Eerie Island because someone might know the truth of her family. Eerie Island is more than just eerie. It’s forbidding with awful weather and a magical, ruthless ruling family. And it’s the family Destiny hopes to work for as their new historian, if she can beat out Tempest for the job. Unfortunately, things don’t go well as the Sorcerer King, who summoned Destiny and Tempest for the job, is preparing to name his heir, and some want the crown more than others. And they’re not above murder to get it.
I love books that invite me to play along, and that’s exactly what A Most Puzzling Murder does. It even invites readers to send emails for clues, and sometimes asks readers to email the answer to some puzzles to get some bonus scenes. I love how interactive this novel is, but I didn’t think it was strictly necessary to actually solve the puzzles in order to be able to continue. The answers are provided at the back, and the story continues whether or not readers get the puzzles right, so it all depends on how involved the reader wants to be. Personally, I’m not big on communicating with people I don’t know, so I didn’t email Destiny for clues or bonus scenes, and I didn’t feel like I missed out on anything. It was, though, sometimes funny with how the characters were presented with the puzzles and their reactions to them. Otherwise I felt the puzzles were very much a take it or leave it kind of thing.
The puzzles were nicely woven into the story, and they take advantage of popping up whenever the story just might call for a puzzle of some kind. Some did feel more relevant than others, but they all had their role to play in the story. Some are easier than others, and I liked the variety. They did a very nice job of tying into the story and the Scruffmore family. What I most enjoyed, though, were the constantly revised family trees that were provided. Despite the number of them, I never tired of seeing them. Similarly, the choose your own adventure chapters were gently folded in, offering a peek into the lives of some of the more fringe characters. I was disappointed the choose your own adventure pieces weren’t exactly necessary to the story and had no real impact, but they were fun albeit brief diversions.
With so many puzzles and extraneous chapters, I really had to remind myself of the story playing out. It’s not that there were too many puzzles, but that the story moved really slowly for the first half of the novel. It took forever for all the characters to be established, though I did like that all the major players had means, motives, and opportunities. It just managed to not become overwhelming, and I liked how it dove into the family’s history, and the history of the island, but I often found myself impatiently waiting for the story to get moving. A lot of the early chapters have some comical moments that didn’t hit right for me, but I can see how another reader might find them entertaining. It just felt like it was taking away from the more serious story and topics being addressed.
When A Most Puzzling Murder wasn’t busy presenting me with puzzles, revised family trees, and choose your own adventure side chapters, it dove deep into being a soap opera. It was almost dizzying with the number of affairs and backstabbing and plotting. The Scruffmore family, despite their power and being magical royalty, is not a kind one to grow up in. There’s so much drama wrapped around all of them it was sometimes laughable and sometimes just overbearing. It somehow managed to overshadow the deeply mysterious locked room murder with just how overly complicated it let itself be. Of course, with just about everyone having the opportunity to murder this person, it didn’t really feel like a locked room murder mystery, which was disappointing.
What was fun, though, was the magic. I liked that the story really grabbed the magic and made it useful. There’s magic and there’s magical items and spells. I loved how well the fantasy elements played out, and the role it played in the murder and the solving of the murder. It was fun to see all the different kinds they had, and how powerful they were. There was nothing groundbreaking about any of it, but I thought it was a nice touch. It helped distract me from what felt like a logic puzzle stuck inside a soap opera.
The characters, too, were fantastic at holding my attention. My heart twisted for Destiny. She’s lived through so much loss and is now so adrift. She clings and yearns with all her heart while her brain naturally works overtime to solve every puzzle with an astounding ease despite the grief she carries, including the emotional support urn that goes everywhere with her. Since she’s the one telling the bulk of the story, it was fun to pick up on all the little clues her storytelling dropped. It was also a lot of fun getting to know the Scruffmore family, both from within and without the family. There were some really fun personalities, though there were some I didn’t really care for. Some of them did feel more one note than others, with some of the fringe characters actually being more interesting with their choose your own adventure chapters, but the ones at the forefront were really very well done.
A Most Puzzling Murder proved to be a lot of fun, but I ultimately feel the story took too many twists and turns so it was sometimes a little chaotic and difficult to follow, especially with so many puzzles thrown in. The puzzles were actually a lot of fun, and I enjoyed the choose your own adventure chapters. The story just tended to take a winding approach, constantly shifting from one character to another. I found I was less interested and inclined to figure out which horrible Scruffmore family member did it than in getting to the next puzzle, probably partly because I was glad the deceased was killed and everyone was better off. This story really attempted to tackle complex grief, but it ended up being overwhelmed by all the drama of the family at the heart of it, which was disappointing, especially considering how lost the murder mystery became under the pile of everything the story was balancing.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
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