I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about this book. I really wanted to make sure I gathered my thoughts properly before putting them down on paper. While there were many things that I enjoyed about the book, there were also a few problems.
I absolutely loved the setting. A giant, secluded, manor house with lots of space and the potential for a secret room is always a winning setting for a good mystery. The manor house was such a big part of the story that it almost became a character in and of itself. There was a lovely amount of atmosphere that really sold the idea of a Christmas game that leads to something much more sinister.
On a whole, the main character, Lily, was likable and engaging. She was dealing with quite a bit of her own trauma (make sure to check trigger warnings) while also being thrown into one of her own worst nightmares. She went through the book finding one reason or another to not give up hope, even when things were looking increasingly dark.
This book is absolutely filled with puzzles, not only for the characters, but for the readers as well. I thought this was such a unique idea, and it made me wish I was better at solving puzzles myself!
The issues with the book came when the relationships between the characters started to shine through. Other than Lily, the characters all felt one-dimensional and their relationships forced. Due to their one-dimensional nature, it was hard to understand their motivations.
The lack of understanding in the motivations led to an issue with the plot and the mystery. The original mystery that kicked off the book quickly took a backseat to the events that were actually happening in the book. The twists and turns that were meant to surprise and engage fell flat with the lack of character development. It was hard to develop an emotional attachment to the storyline without characters that I was also attached to.
The problems could have all been overlooked with a satisfying ending. However, even with the conclusion of the book, I was left questioning. I cannot go into any more details than that or I will be spoiling everything.
This book is perfect for someone who wants to immerse themselves in a puzzle while reading but may disappoint all but the most dedicated puzzlers.
Thank you to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
The Novel Llama 