How To Seal Your Own Fate

The novel delves into the philosophical debate of fate versus free will, prompting readers to ponder the extent to which individuals can influence their destinies. Perrin's vivid descriptions paint Castle Knoll as a character, with its eerie charm and cloistered environment enhancing the novel's suspenseful atmosphere. How to Seal Your Own Fate intricately weaves together past and present mysteries, underpinned by family secrets and the relentless pursuit of truth, resulting in a richly layered narrative. Perrin captures the essence of both time periods through authentic dialogue, providing readers with a genuine sense of the characters' voices and the societal norms of their respective eras.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from How to Seal Your Own Fate, especially as I hadn’t read the first book in the series—but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Despite being a sequel, it worked perfectly well as a standalone, with just enough context to follow the story without confusion. It’s quick and accessible, the kind of book that’s easy to dip into and get immersed in, without being overly complex or demanding.

Although I don’t usually gravitate toward cosy mysteries, this one stood out. The writing is clever and light, and the red herrings were thoughtfully placed—enough to keep me guessing without feeling forced. I found myself genuinely engaged in trying to solve the mystery alongside the characters.

I’ll definitely be going back to read How to Solve Your Own Murder now, and I’m planning to recommend this one for my school library’s Murder Club. It’s exactly the kind of book that lends itself to group reading and discussion, where students can try to solve the mystery together as they go. A fun, clever, and well-paced read.

I’d have rated it 3.5 stars, purely because it’s not my usual genre—but I’m rounding up to 4 stars because I enjoyed it far more than expected, and I’m already planning to read the first book in the series.

Provided by The Reading Agency and Quercus Books to Beggarwood Bookworms.

Another great cosy crime novel by Kristen Perrin - this is the second book set in rural Castle Knoll following the deaths (or are they murders!?) of unfortunate individuals. The unfurling relationships between people past and present were compelling and exciting.

Our reading group was lucky enough to win copies of this book in exchange for a review. Here are the member reviews:
*potential spoilers ahead*

M: I did enjoy the story although I felt as though I needed to read the previous book to be fully clued in. It certainly felt to be in the Agatha Christie world being set in the country village of Castle Knoll. There were occasional doubts raised as to some of the details, which could possibly have been clarified if I'd read the first volume. I confess I found it confusing following the two timelines and initially hadn't realised that this was happening.

S: I enjoyed this book very much but found it left me with questions as well as answers. How did Francis die? A central character who gave fascinating insight on past events, but she was obviously unable to document her own end. Keeping a diary is a solitary activity giving a window into people, places and events through history if shared. It made me wonder if people are afraid of documenting their thoughts if it could fall into the wrong hands.
Who wouldn't want to inherit an estate with a fortune? But as is often the case, it is not a-given that money will bring happiness.
I was pleased at the end to see however that Annie was settling after a very uncertain beginning, enjoying making changes and introducing friends old and new.
The ending has definitely left openings for further adventures for the colourful cast and I would happily read the first book.

A: This was the second book in a series of at least 3 books. Perhaps I would have enjoyed the second better if I had read the first. I felt no empathy with the characters and found the two timelines confusing. I'm afraid I have no interest in reading either the first or third (if there is one) book.

B: Reading the book I thought there were inconsistencies throughout, and i found it slow and felt that it dragged. I felt no sense of empathy with the characters, and I found the two timelines confusing and at some points not realistic/do not stand up i.e. how did a Bentley car get inside a pub?
I did not enjoy the book because I found the plot unclear and confusing - the title could relate to almost all of the characters.
I found it difficult to describe the characters because their stories were not clear to follow.
The themes of the book included obvious power, control, murder, greed and intrigue. No surprises, mostly boring and uninteresting. I would not recommend this book and I would not read another book by this author.

M: I felt that I should have read the first book because there were several references to the plot of the first book in the sequel, which did not help with the storyline of "How to Seal Your Own Fate".
I felt that the plot was not overly clear - it left me asking questions but not finding answers. I found Archie frustrating because he avoided giving any straight answers, even though he was well aware of what had happened.
I doubt that I would recommend this book with enthusiasm.