The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year: A Novel

""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."" - Library Journal (starred review)

Knives Out gets a holiday rom-com twist in this rivals-to-lovers romance-mystery from New York Times bestselling author Ally Carter.

The bridge is out. The phones are down. And the most famous mystery writer in the world just disappeared out of a locked room two days before Christmas.

Meet Maggie Chase and Ethan Wyatt:

She's the new Queen of the Cozy Mystery.

He's Mr. Big-time Thriller Guy.

She hates his guts.

He thinks her name is Marcie (no matter how many times she's told him otherwise.)

But when they both accept a cryptic invitation to attend a Christmas house party at the English estate of a reclusive fan, neither is expecting their host to be the most powerful author in the world: Eleanor Ashley, the Duchess of Death herself.

That night, the weather turns, and the next morning Eleanor is gone.

She vanished from a locked room, and Maggie has to wonder: Is Eleanor in danger? Or is it all some kind of test? Is Ethan the competition? Or is he the only person in that snowbound mansion she can trust?

As the snow gets deeper and the stakes get higher, every clue will bring Maggie and Ethan closer to the truth-and each other. Because, this Christmas, these two rivals are going to have to become allies (and maybe more) if they have any hope of saving Eleanor.

Assuming they don't kill each other first.

The laugh out loud holiday ""romystery"" that you've been waiting for!

1144217806
The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year: A Novel

""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."" - Library Journal (starred review)

Knives Out gets a holiday rom-com twist in this rivals-to-lovers romance-mystery from New York Times bestselling author Ally Carter.

The bridge is out. The phones are down. And the most famous mystery writer in the world just disappeared out of a locked room two days before Christmas.

Meet Maggie Chase and Ethan Wyatt:

She's the new Queen of the Cozy Mystery.

He's Mr. Big-time Thriller Guy.

She hates his guts.

He thinks her name is Marcie (no matter how many times she's told him otherwise.)

But when they both accept a cryptic invitation to attend a Christmas house party at the English estate of a reclusive fan, neither is expecting their host to be the most powerful author in the world: Eleanor Ashley, the Duchess of Death herself.

That night, the weather turns, and the next morning Eleanor is gone.

She vanished from a locked room, and Maggie has to wonder: Is Eleanor in danger? Or is it all some kind of test? Is Ethan the competition? Or is he the only person in that snowbound mansion she can trust?

As the snow gets deeper and the stakes get higher, every clue will bring Maggie and Ethan closer to the truth-and each other. Because, this Christmas, these two rivals are going to have to become allies (and maybe more) if they have any hope of saving Eleanor.

Assuming they don't kill each other first.

The laugh out loud holiday ""romystery"" that you've been waiting for!

27.99 In Stock
The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year: A Novel

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year: A Novel

by Ally Carter

Narrated by Saskia Maarleveld, Zachary Webber

Unabridged — 8 hours, 21 minutes

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year: A Novel

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year: A Novel

by Ally Carter

Narrated by Saskia Maarleveld, Zachary Webber

Unabridged — 8 hours, 21 minutes

Audiobook (Digital)

$27.99
FREE With a B&N Audiobooks Subscription | Cancel Anytime
$0.00

Free with a B&N Audiobooks Subscription | Cancel Anytime

START FREE TRIAL

Already Subscribed? 

Sign in to Your BN.com Account


Listen on the free Barnes & Noble NOOK app


Related collections and offers

FREE

with a B&N Audiobooks Subscription

Or Pay $27.99

Overview

Notes From Your Bookseller

There's nothing merry about this Christmas — rival authors are put to the test in this forced proximity romance.

""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."" - Library Journal (starred review)

Knives Out gets a holiday rom-com twist in this rivals-to-lovers romance-mystery from New York Times bestselling author Ally Carter.

The bridge is out. The phones are down. And the most famous mystery writer in the world just disappeared out of a locked room two days before Christmas.

Meet Maggie Chase and Ethan Wyatt:

She's the new Queen of the Cozy Mystery.

He's Mr. Big-time Thriller Guy.

She hates his guts.

He thinks her name is Marcie (no matter how many times she's told him otherwise.)

But when they both accept a cryptic invitation to attend a Christmas house party at the English estate of a reclusive fan, neither is expecting their host to be the most powerful author in the world: Eleanor Ashley, the Duchess of Death herself.

That night, the weather turns, and the next morning Eleanor is gone.

She vanished from a locked room, and Maggie has to wonder: Is Eleanor in danger? Or is it all some kind of test? Is Ethan the competition? Or is he the only person in that snowbound mansion she can trust?

As the snow gets deeper and the stakes get higher, every clue will bring Maggie and Ethan closer to the truth-and each other. Because, this Christmas, these two rivals are going to have to become allies (and maybe more) if they have any hope of saving Eleanor.

Assuming they don't kill each other first.

The laugh out loud holiday ""romystery"" that you've been waiting for!


Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

08/19/2024

Carter (The Blonde Identity) spins a clever romantic mystery with a Christmassy twist. It’s cozy mystery author Maggie Chase’s first Christmas since her husband left her for her best friend, in the wake of which she developed mild agoraphobia. Making things worse, practically every traumatic incident in Maggie’s life has happened around Christmas, including the deaths of both her parents. But her luck might be changing: Maggie’s publisher forces her into attending a Christmas house party in England hosted by Eleanor Ashley, her longtime literary idol. Eleanor’s gathered a who’s who of mystery authors, including Maggie’s nemesis, Ethan Wyatt. Maggie hopes Ethan’s presence will be the only wrinkle in an otherwise delightful holiday—until Eleanor disappears. At first, it seems Eleanor’s playing a game, forcing the authors to compete for the privilege of being her coauthor by following clues to find her. But when a fellow houseguest is poisoned, the stakes become all too real. As Maggie and Ethan join forces to investigate, their animosity slowly turns to love. Carter’s impressive plotting means the final, Agatha Christie–esque reveal is a genuine surprise, and she pulls off the enemies-to-lovers trope beautifully. Romantic suspense fans on the hunt for something festive will want to snap this up. Agent: Kristin Nelson, Nelson Literary. (Sept.)

From the Publisher

"Bestselling YA author Carter (the Gallagher Girls series) serves up an irresistible cocktail of danger and passion in her un-put-downable adult debut...Carter ratchets up the danger—and the sexual tension—at every turn, throwing plenty of red herrings across the trail and keeping readers guessing who to trust. Zoe’s sense of humor in the face of danger adds levity, and readers will fall hard for gallant Sawyer. Carter also expertly teases a sequel about Alex, whetting appetites for the next installment. This snappy and suspenseful romance fires on all cylinders." — Publishers Weekly (starred review) on The Blonde Identity

“Ally Carter wrote a unique, delightful, hilarious, unputdownable romance! I didn’t know I needed an adventure romcom about grumpy/sunshine spies with amazing chemistry and a dash of amnesia, but it was exactly what was missing in my life. I’m wonderstruck by The Blonde Identity! (Also, this book needs to be a movie!)”
Ali Hazelwood, New York Times bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis

“Spies! Amnesia! And banter that’ll make you chant ‘Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!’ No one writes an action rom-com quite like Ally Carter.” — Rachel Hawkins, New York Times bestselling author of The Wife Upstairs, on The Blonde Identity 

“Fun and pulse-pounding, The Blonde Identity will keep readers turning pages.” — Parade

“This hilarious romantic comedy is unputdownable. The characters have instant chemistry, and their well-written dialogue is peppered with witty banter. Readers will be riveted through all of the twists and turns as the protagonists race across Europe with the bad guys hot on their heels. Those who grew up reading Carter’s Gallagher Girls teen series will tear through her adult romance debut and clamor for more.” — Library Journal on The Blonde Identity

“Romance, espionage, and mystery—this novel satisfies fans of all three!”
Murder & Mayhem

The Blonde Identity is a charming and heartwarming adventure where opposites collide, resulting in a swoony rom-com that delivers all the heart-eyes and belly laughs. Tremendous good fun on every page—I loved every minute.”  — Isabel Ibañez, author of What the River Knows

“A delightful, delicious joy ride of a romp!"  — Susan Elizabeth Phillips, #1 New York Times bestselling author of When Stars Collide

"The Blonde Identity was everything I wanted in rom-com and more! Full of brilliant banter, clever humor, and so many swoon worthy scenes, this was a perfect book. I hope Ally Carter writes more stories in this world, because every second of this unexpected adventure made me smile. I can't remember the last time I had so much fun reading a book.” — Stephanie Garber, #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Curse for True Love 

“Want a grumpy-sunshine romance with plenty of delightful banter and a spy plot? Cha-ching. Ally Carter’s got you covered.” — Bookriot

“Completely captivating—funny, fresh and deliciously swoon-worthy, The Blonde Identity had me smiling over every action packed page. I loved it.” — Annabel Monaghan, author of Nora Goes Off Script and Same Time Next Summer

"The Blonde Identity is hands-down the cutest, most fast-paced wild ride of a rom-com I’ve ever read. Utterly impossible to put down!" — Lynn Painter, New York Times bestselling author of The Love Wager

“I absolutely adored The Blonde Identity! I loved the humor, Zoe and Sawyer were perfection, and the chemistry… I couldn’t put it down.”   — Lorraine Heath, New York Times bestselling author

"The Blonde Identity is explosively funny and jam-packed with chemistry! I couldn’t have loved this hilarious romcom more. The story is full of humor, action, romance, and emotions that tug on your heartstrings. Ally is a romcom genius!"  — Sarah Adams, author of The Cheat Sheet

"I am a Gallagher Girls fan, and The Blonde Identity satisfied ALL of my GG cravings! Carter has that magic formula of the perfect amount of brilliance, fun, and sizzling banter down pat!"  — Jesse Q Sutanto, bestselling author of Dial A for Aunties and Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers

Library Journal

★ 08/01/2024

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.—Melissa DeWild

OCTOBER 2024 - AudioFile

Saskia Maarleveld and Zachary Webber narrate this suspenseful romantic suspense. Maggie Chase writes cozy mysteries, and Ethan Wyatt writes popular thrillers. Maggie hates Ethan. Both have been invited to attend a Christmas party at an English estate. Upon arrival, Maggie and Ethan are stunned to find out that world-famous mystery writer Eleanor Ashley is hosting the party; then she disappears. Maarleveld expressively portrays Maggie's inquisitive and passionate nature as she works diligently to learn what happened to Eleanor. Webber's warm, mellow voice gives Wyatt a calm assurance as he helps Maggie--and falls for her along the way. Listeners will be fully immersed from start to finish as these two team up to solve the mystery. J.J.M. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID: 2940160537924
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication date: 09/24/2024
Edition description: Unabridged
Sales rank: 234,816
From the B&N Reads Blog

Customer Reviews