ROMANCE

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year

Avon. Sept. 2024. 304p. ISBN 9780063276680. $24.99. CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
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Mystery writer Maggie Chase accepts an anonymous invitation to spend Christmas at an English country house, but she’s horrified to find thriller writer Ethan Wyatt, whom she detests, headed to the same place. When they arrive, she is also surprised to learn that her hero, mystery author Eleanor Ashley, is their host. As the remaining guests arrive, a snowstorm descends on the remote estate, and Eleanor disappears from her locked office. Convinced that this must be a game, Maggie searches for clues, but when someone shoots at her, she reluctantly teams up with Ethan to figure out what’s going on. As they investigate, Maggie realizes that there is far more to Ethan than the smug, self-assured persona he presents to the world. Still recovering from her divorce and years of gaslighting by her ex-husband, Maggie finds it difficult to trust Ethan—or herself. As flashbacks reveal the history between Maggie and Ethan and the present offers moments of confession, readers will adore how Ethan makes Maggie feel seen and cherished and will cheer as Maggie gains confidence.
VERDICT Full of tongue-in-cheek humor, excellent dialogue, and fantastic characters, this expertly crafted story from Carter (The Blonde Identity) is a heart-melting rivals-to-lovers romance combined with a delightful locked-room mystery.
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