A Most Puzzling Murder

A Most Puzzling Murder is the upcoming book by Canadian author Bianca Marais and I couldn't be more excited! It's a unique story where mystery meets fantasy and there's also a fun interactive element - so get your sleuthing caps on, readers!

The story centres around Destiny Whip, a child prodigy and enigmatologist, who is invited to a mysterious and secluded island. There's a locked room, Clue board game vibe to this entertaining story that introduces readers to the Scruffmore family who controls the island and has more than its fair share of secrets ... as Destiny is about to find out.

What sets this mystery apart are the interactive puzzles for readers to solve (don't worry, the answers are in the back, and you can email Destiny for clues along the way!). There are also a few 'choose your own conundrum' sections which give readers two interesting options but don't impact the general story. So, if you're feeling intrepid you can dive into these entertaining extras.

The creepy tale is told by a variety of POVs in this colourful cast of characters - each of whom has their own motivation for murder and desire for power. With shocking reveals, a family tree that gets a few updates, a prophecy, and family tension up the wazoo, readers are in for quite a wild ride. There's a big cast and lots going on in this story, so I'd recommend not leaving too much time between your reading sessions.

This is an ambitious, zany and unique story that gives readers a bit of a challenge, a compelling 'whodunnit' and a bird's eye view into the messy family goings-on in the Scruffmore clan. Preorder it today for its June 10th pub date!

Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to the publisher for the advanced reading copy of this book which was given to me at the Ontario Library Conference.

My Rating: 4.5 stars

Author: Bianca Marais

Genre: Mystery, Fantasy

Type and Source: Trade paperback from publisher

Publisher: MIRA

First Published: June 10, 2025

Read: May 7 - 20, 2025

Book Description from GoodReads: How do you solve a murder that hasn't happened yet?

Destiny Whip is a former child prodigy, world-renowned enigmatologist and very, very alone. A life filled with loss has made her a recluse, an existence she’s content to endure until a letter arrives inviting her to interview for the position of Scruffmore family historian. Not only does an internet search for the name yield almost nothing, it’s a role she never applied to in the first place!

After she decodes the invitation’s hidden message with ease, the promise of her family secrets being revealed is too powerful a draw for the orphaned Destiny, who soon finds herself on Eerie Island. It’s a place whose inhabitants are almost as inhospitable as the tempestuous weather. The Scruffmores themselves turn out to be not much better, a snarled mess of secrets and motives connected by their mistrust for one another.

Their newly arrived guest proves to be just as much an enigma to them as they are to her. While Destiny slowly works to unravel the mysteries hidden throughout the ominous castle, she struggles to interpret disturbing nightly visions of what is to come. In the midst of cryptic ciphers, hidden passages, and the family’s magical heritage and line of succession, Destiny is certain of two things: one of the Scruffmores is going to die and she’s running out of time to stop it.

Interspersed with riddles and puzzles that both Destiny and the reader must solve, A Most Puzzling Murder is a one-of-a-kind mystery that will leave you guessing and gasping until the very last page!