Book review: The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter [blog tour]

I was obsessed with Ally Carter's heist and spy novels 10-15 years ago, so when I saw that she had a festive crime release coming up, I was VERY excited to check it out. And it didn't disappoint. It had her telltale fast-paced storytelling as well as a murderous plot twist and a delicious budding romance!

About The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year

When cosy crime author Maggie Chase receives a mysterious invitation to spend Christmas in the remote English countryside with a fan, she accepts despite the fact that she has no idea what – or who – might be waiting for her on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. She would've taken anything as a distraction of the realities of her own life: she's recently divorced and she didn't only lose her partner and her house, but also her best friend – and she has no one else to spend the holidays with. 

When she sets foot on the private jet that will get her to her mysterious destination she realises she's not the only author who has been invited: her arch nemesis Ethan Wyatt is also on the plane. Not only that, but when they finally arrive at the fan's remote manor house they discover that the invitation came from none other than Eleanor Ashby, the most powerful crime author in the world, and they're part of a select group of people invited to spend the holidays with her. 

What could've been Maggie's dream Christmas, however, soon turns into her worst nightmare. The famous Duchess of Death disappears in the night and Maggie has to team up with the only person she can trust (even though she also despises him), Ethan, to investigate the disappearance and hope they'll be able to find Eleanor still alive... 

My review

I didn't think I'd be reading a festive novel in October but what an absolutely brilliant way to start the holiday season this was! I've always been a big fan of Ally Carter's writing and witty storytelling, and The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year is a perfect example of all of the things she does so well and then some. She added a murder mystery, literary rivals (who doesn't love books set in the world of publishing), and a ton of swoon-worthy banter between our two leads, which has shaped an absolute hoot of a novel.

While this is far from the first story I've read in a remote English "lock room" (or house) style location with a limited list of suspects, all with their own potential motives, author Ally Carter had added a lot of unique elements to keep it fresh and unexpected. First of all, we don't even know if there even has been a murder. Sure, Eleanor disappeared but was it of her own accord and is it all part of a test to pick an author to continue her legacy or is there something sinister at work? 

And the two protagonists are quite different from the norm in these novels as well: American, young, crime experts through the research they've done for their novels, and with a sizzling chemistry (even if Maggie refuses to accept it). All of this brings the golden age style whodunnit right into the 21st century – and as a reader you're never quite sure what traditional plot twists and turns there are around the corner, or if the story is going down a completely new and unexpected path. Talk about keeping us on our toes!

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year is the most wonderful festive crime novel I've read to date; it was such a joyful reading experience. It was so fun being a part of the investigation alongside the incredibly clever Maggie while not-so-secretly swooning over Ethan (hello new book boyfriend). The eventual conclusion was also hugely satisfying. Sure there were plenty of red herrings along the way, but everything perfectly slotted together at the end. And having all of it set in the fascinating world of book publishing, getting a glimpse behind the scenes along the way, was the absolute icing on the (Christmas) cake.  

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter is published by Pan Macmillan and you can now buy your copy from your favourite local book shop!

Blog tour stops for The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter

This review for The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year is part of the blog tour for the launch of the book. Make sure to check out the other stops too!

Disclaimer: This book was gifted to me, but this has not impacted this honest review.