A Most Puzzling Murder

Twenty-one-year-old Destiny Whip is an emotional train wreck. Although she is brilliant (she was a child prodigy and is an enigmatologist who earned her PhD at eighteen), she remains devastated by the loss of four people she loved. She never leaves her house, consults a therapist online, and uses a "support urn" to calm herself when she feels a panic attack coming on. What finally draws her out of her endless loop of misery is an invitation to visit Eerie Island, a magical and forbidding place, where she hopes to finally get a chance to learn the identity of her birth parents.

"A Most Puzzling Murder," by Bianca Marais, has its flaws. It is a talky novel with an overly large cast of characters and too many dizzying twists and turns. show more However, there are quite a few entertaining scenes that showcase the author's skill as is a gifted storyteller with a delightful sense of humor and a flair for vivid descriptive writing. In addition, she jazzes up her tale with hissable villains and supernatural fun. Eerie Island is ruled by the cruel and autocratic Mordecai Scruffmore, who will do anything to hold onto to power indefinitely. He has an ex-wife, a more recent wife, and a number of children, all of whom he finds disappointing. Mordecai is planning a gathering that will, he hopes, permanently cement his status as the island's dictator.

In this novel, Destiny, who solves conundrums for a living, comes across numerous puzzles that she must solve in order to figure out what is really going on with the Scruffmores and their hangers-on. To enjoy "A Most Puzzling Murder," it is best not to get too bogged down in the plot's minutiae. Instead, focus on Destiny's efforts to come into her own as a confident adult; the intrigue among competing individuals who are prepared to kill to get what they want; and a poignant message about the importance of looking forward to a brighter future instead of remaining mired in one's traumatic past. If you are willing to go with the flow, you may enjoy accompanying Destiny on a harrowing journey that will leave her forever changed. show less

A Most Puzzling Murder by Bianca Marais reminds me of the children's books in which you "choose your own adventure." Even though you know the author has already compiled all the possibilities, it is fun to travel along on the adventure with a perceived choice and a lovely nostalgic nod to those reads. I have now read three books by the author, and each has been completely different. I look forward to seeing where Bianca Marais goes next.

Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2025/11/a-most-puzzling-murder.html

Reviewed for NetGalley and a publisher’s blog tour.

Liked the idea, although the execution not so much. Wanted the conclusion, but didn’t love the process of getting to it. Lots of plot holes and subsequent exposition.