How to Write a Murder by Jessica Brody ~ a Review

by MK French

The prestigious writing retreat is held at a former monastery high up in the mountains, where there is no wifi or cell service. Famous mystery author Ian McCloud is the keynote speaker, and many of the invited writers at the conference have a conflicted relationship with him. As a landslide knocks out the road and phone line, Ian is found dead. All the killer has to do is follow the rules of writing a mystery, and they might get away with murder. 

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September 2026; Bantam; 979-8217299478
audio, ebook, print (560 pages); mystery

This is the Jessica Brody of Save the Cat! Writes a Novel fame, so there's a little extra fun with the early detail that the writing guide the authors all follow is written by Jenna Blake. Nods like this are picked up by those writing novels and trying to query. Other readers are here for the murder mystery. It very much feels like the movie "Clue" or "And Then There Were None," which is referenced in the book as well. 

Darius is our entry point into the novel, and we see his impressions of the other guests, Ian, and the retreat itself. We also meet Isabel, a writer with a temper; Simone, who had flings with Ian; and Evelyn, who is writing her first mystery novel and was rejected. Add in Ian's assistant and the agent Ian was certain stole $2 million, and the facilitator with a secret of her own, and we have plenty of characters with motive and opportunities. On top of that, we have the killer's POV interspersed with the action, which mirrors every mystery plotting guide on the market. We get to see the killer's thoughts, which adds to the tension throughout the book. 

The murder mystery is engaging even without the bits of meta that make it a little extra fun for writers. The different characters all suspect each other, and so do we. Like every good locked-room mystery, we're left guessing until the very end, and the solution is neat and answers every question raised. 

Buy How to Write a Murder at Amazon

Born and raised in New York City, M.K. French started writing stories when very young, dreaming of different worlds and places to visit. She always had an interest in folklore, fairy tales, and the macabre, which has definitely influenced her work. She currently lives in the Midwest with her husband, three young children, and a golden retriever.

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