Time Travel Thursday is a weekly meme hosted by Budget Tales Book Blog where readers take a look back at what they were reading this time last year (or the year before or the year before that…)

Last year, towards the end of January 2024, I had just finished How to Solve Your Own Murder (Castle Knoll Files #1) by Kristen Perrin

My Review: 

Thank you so much to Cindy from @thoughtsfromapage and @duttonbooks for the chance to read an ARC of How to Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen Perrin, book one in the new Castle Knoll Files. I adored this book! Mystery fans, Agatha Christie fans, Nancy Drew fans, Thursday Murder Club fans and everyone else who enjoys a clever whodunit, get your preorders or library holds in now as you won’t want to miss this when it publishes on March 26 2024.

The book opens in 1965 and teenage Frances Adams is at an English country fair with her two best friends. But night turns out not to go the way anyone planned–France receives a chilling prediction from a fortune-teller: one day Frances will be murdered. While no one takes Frances seriously, she spends her life trying to solve a crime that hasn’t been committed yet.

In the present day, Annie Adams receives notice that she is to attend a meeting with her great-aunt Frances regarding revisions to Frances made to her will. But Annie never gets to meet Frances, as by the time Annie arrives in the English village of Castle Knoll, Frances is already dead. Annie is determined to catch the killer, but as Annie quickly learns, there’s no limit of possible suspects. The clock is ticking for Annie.

I read this in a day and a half. It was delightful. The mystery is smart and oh my gosh, I did not see the resolution coming! The details woven into the story bring it to life–I want to be friends with Annie and I promise I would bring my own notebooks. She’s such a wonderful character. I loved how the story moved so smoothly between 1965 and present day and there are wonderful little splashes of humor as well. It was a treat to read and I can’t wait to read more in this series.

SPECIAL NOTE: I’m so excited to see that book two How to Seal Your Own Fate by Kristen Perrin, Book 2 of Castle Knoll Files is set to publish Apr 29 2025 from PENGUIN GROUP Dutton.  I’m excited to read this!