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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Clearly I'm in the minority here, but I did NOT like this at all. I wanted to, given the novelty of including the puzzles and the choose-your-own adventure aspects, but it really did not work.
The choose-your-own adventure aspects had absolutely no bearing on the plot. Each CYO part ended up merging back after two pages and nothing about the story changes as a result of the choice. Likewise, the puzzles - which were a unique part - ended up pulling me completely out of the story. They were also fairly simplistic and, again, did not add anything to the story. Effectively, the two novelties of the book really ended up feeling more like gimmicks that a marketer could use to differentiate the book from other mysteries. They could have been removed from the story and nothing would have changed.
Beyond the gimmicks, the plot was overly confusing with far too many viewpoints and far too many twists. I also did not like how every character had a nickname and it was seemingly random whether they would be referred to as their full name or their nickname, making it almost impossible for me to follow along.
While I can appreciate the attempt to do something different, it really wasn't well done here. The danger in swinging for the fences is that sometimes you strike out, and that's unfortunately what happened with this book.
The choose-your-own adventure aspects had absolutely no bearing on the plot. Each CYO part ended up merging back after two pages and nothing about the story changes as a result of the choice. Likewise, the puzzles - which were a unique part - ended up pulling me completely out of the story. They were also fairly simplistic and, again, did not add anything to the story. Effectively, the two novelties of the book really ended up feeling more like gimmicks that a marketer could use to differentiate the book from other mysteries. They could have been removed from the story and nothing would have changed.
Beyond the gimmicks, the plot was overly confusing with far too many viewpoints and far too many twists. I also did not like how every character had a nickname and it was seemingly random whether they would be referred to as their full name or their nickname, making it almost impossible for me to follow along.
While I can appreciate the attempt to do something different, it really wasn't well done here. The danger in swinging for the fences is that sometimes you strike out, and that's unfortunately what happened with this book.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A Most Puzzling Murder by Bianca Marais is a fun, imaginative, and dramatic murder mystery filled with puzzles. I loved the interactive nature of the puzzles and how they advanced the plot. The ability to email the main character for clues was a fun addition.
I also loved the worldbuilding! I wasn't expecting this to be a magic-filled book, but it worked so well. There's prophecies, twisted family trees, and multiple people vying for succession to a magical throne. I enjoyed the gothic atmosphere and the way the different POVs made for dramatic twists and turns.
The puzzles were well designed, not too hard, but with some harder than others. The art was also very cool. I really liked the conundrum choose-your-own-adventure style chapters and how they gave greater insight into the characters and their pasts.
I loved rooting for Destiny as she tries to figure out how she's connected to the Scruffmores and what is actually happening. Marais does a great job revealing information in a subtle way so all the pieces are there, but they're hard to put together.
*I received an eARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Just a note that the puzzles are a bit hard to do in ebook form - I much prefered the paperback.
I also loved the worldbuilding! I wasn't expecting this to be a magic-filled book, but it worked so well. There's prophecies, twisted family trees, and multiple people vying for succession to a magical throne. I enjoyed the gothic atmosphere and the way the different POVs made for dramatic twists and turns.
The puzzles were well designed, not too hard, but with some harder than others. The art was also very cool. I really liked the conundrum choose-your-own-adventure style chapters and how they gave greater insight into the characters and their pasts.
I loved rooting for Destiny as she tries to figure out how she's connected to the Scruffmores and what is actually happening. Marais does a great job revealing information in a subtle way so all the pieces are there, but they're hard to put together.
*I received an eARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Just a note that the puzzles are a bit hard to do in ebook form - I much prefered the paperback.
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Puzzle and involved choose your adventures made this fun. The story itself was a little weak but it absolutely benefited from actively solving it. While I would've loved this as a physical book, doing this in ebook format wasn't too hard. eReaders tend to do footnotes Ns flipping back and forth pretty well.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was probably a 3.5 star read, but I rounded up!
This was such a fun book! The idea of the reader solving puzzles along with the characters is so unique and very Nancy Drew. It was also nice that you could skip the puzzles if you didn’t have time to solve them.
The story was predictable at times, but did have some unexpected twists, especially about everyone’s true identity and lineage. I loved the Eerie Island setting with its horse-drawn carriages and old Scottish pub. There were a lot of characters to keep track of, but they were all distinct and some were very lovable.
As for the audiobook specifically, I’m not sure how else it could have been done, but it was a little difficult to navigate. I listen to audiobooks while I’m driving and this one required a lot of scrolling through the table of contents and clicking specific sections. As for the puzzles, I didn’t always have time to do them, but it was helpful to be able to download the puzzle booklet from the author’s website so I could see them.
Overall, the book was a little predictable, but the concept was very unique. It was also well-written and left no thread untied. A heart-warming tale about overcoming trauma and a girl searching for her true family.
This was such a fun book! The idea of the reader solving puzzles along with the characters is so unique and very Nancy Drew. It was also nice that you could skip the puzzles if you didn’t have time to solve them.
The story was predictable at times, but did have some unexpected twists, especially about everyone’s true identity and lineage. I loved the Eerie Island setting with its horse-drawn carriages and old Scottish pub. There were a lot of characters to keep track of, but they were all distinct and some were very lovable.
As for the audiobook specifically, I’m not sure how else it could have been done, but it was a little difficult to navigate. I listen to audiobooks while I’m driving and this one required a lot of scrolling through the table of contents and clicking specific sections. As for the puzzles, I didn’t always have time to do them, but it was helpful to be able to download the puzzle booklet from the author’s website so I could see them.
Overall, the book was a little predictable, but the concept was very unique. It was also well-written and left no thread untied. A heart-warming tale about overcoming trauma and a girl searching for her true family.
Okay, I knew this was going to be a fun mystery, but what I didn’t expect was actual puzzles built into the book—and a whole choose-your-own-adventure element! Like… what?! I haven’t felt this involved in a book since my Goosebumps days. 😂
The mystery itself was clever and quirky, with just the right balance of suspense and humor. Bianca Marais clearly had so much fun writing this, and it shows. You can tell she wasn’t just trying to write a whodunnit—she wanted us to play along, and I was totally here for it. I caught myself flipping back and forth between pages, making decisions, solving clues, and honestly, feeling like a detective with a really good snack.
If you’re into mysteries but want something completely different, this one is 100% worth picking up. Just make sure you’ve got a pen and your inner sleuth ready. 🕵️♀️🧩
The mystery itself was clever and quirky, with just the right balance of suspense and humor. Bianca Marais clearly had so much fun writing this, and it shows. You can tell she wasn’t just trying to write a whodunnit—she wanted us to play along, and I was totally here for it. I caught myself flipping back and forth between pages, making decisions, solving clues, and honestly, feeling like a detective with a really good snack.
If you’re into mysteries but want something completely different, this one is 100% worth picking up. Just make sure you’ve got a pen and your inner sleuth ready. 🕵️♀️🧩
adventurous
dark
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I don't like birth secrets and this murder mystery puzzle is chock full of them. It's funny how frequently the family tree chart has to be amended.
I also did not appreciate the short passage that implied killing old people was okay but not children. This sort of assigning value based on age and ageism has to stop, I've been seeing a fair bit of this inexplicable 'reasoning' especially in fantasy books.
I also did not appreciate the short passage that implied killing old people was okay but not children. This sort of assigning value based on age and ageism has to stop, I've been seeing a fair bit of this inexplicable 'reasoning' especially in fantasy books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Grief, Death of parent
Moderate: Child death