Once upon a time, in the town of Hamlet Wick, a man was killed on a beach, his head smashed in with a rock.
Years later, and a New Year’s Eve party is about to begin, with ten mostly-local guests, all of whom remember that tragedy well. The party is a 1920s murder mystery, but the game grinds to a shuddering halt almost as soon as it starts. For when the dead body is described, it appears that the imaginary victim was killed on a beach, his head smashed in with a rock.
As accusations fly as to the author of the game’s intentions, the group realise that one of the party is missing. He is soon found upstairs – he’s not on a beach, but his head has been smashed in by a rock…
My reading in January is actually pretty appropriate – after all, Janus was a two-faced individual who looked in both directions and much of my reading has left me divided. Most of the books had very strong points but also had problems. And I’m squeezing this review in right at the end of the month because, yes, this fits the pattern perfectly.
This is Tom Hindle’s second book after the well-received A Fatal Crossing. This time, we have a closed-circle (not locked-room as per the author’s note) mystery in a very classic style, the country house. The suspects, despite their being quite a few of them, are we – I was a bit well-drawn. I worried while we were being introduced that I would forget who was who, but that didn’t prove to be a problem. There’s some lovely backstory concerning two crimes set in the past, and the victim does a good job of annoying everyone before he is conveniently murdered. All in all, it’s clever and it’s well-written – you might recall I had an issue that I didn’t find the suspects in A Fatal Crossing that distinctive, but that isn’t the case here. We get the point of view from about four different characters but that isn’t enough to give the game away, and the solution is a clever one.
But, dear Puzzle Doctor, you said you were divided on it. What was the problem? Thank you, dear reader, for paying attention. The problem is one that might or might not be a problem for you. I’ve read a lot of mystery novels – no, really – and my good lady wife considers me smarter than the average bear. The book hooked me so I was trying to solve it – which is a good thing. And I did – which is a good thing. What’s not so good is that I solved it pretty early – I found the important hints a bit too obviously hints, if you get my drift. Not that I didn’t enjoy finding out that I was right, but I’d be really curious if this was just me.
I definitely recommend this one – it’s a step up from the first book, which was still good – but do let me know in the comments below, without spoilers, if you read it, whether I’m in the minority or the majority. I think it might be the former…
The Murder Game is out from Century Books in hardback and ebook this Thursday, 2nd February.

Completely loved this whodunnit - it feels very much like a classic murder mystery that holds its own with the greats of crime writing. There were so many layers to the story, so many potential motives, so many apparent opportunities - I loved it! Will definitely be looking into more books by this author.

**Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read an advanced e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own **

This was a really interesting murder mystery. The style, although set in the present, really felt like an Agatha Christie novel. Really well written. I did struggle to remember who all the characters were but it moved at a great pace and I was thoroughly entertained all the way through. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for giving me access to an early copy of this book.

New years Eve in a small town with a lot of secrets.
A murder mystery is arranged but with dinner only just started, a guest is found murdered.
There is no mobile coverage and the only policewoman who turns up is out to show how capable she is!
The secrets begin to be unraveled and soon no-one is safe.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

well this author certainly loves agatha christie and his style of writing is very much based on her stories with his own twist

murder
lighthouse
murder mystery dinner

who wouldnt want to go to a murder mystery evening but before the night is over there will be a murder and with the perp looking as though they are one of the guests fun times ahead for those waiting to go home

as the guests start turning on each other things hot up as more disclosures abound but can the murderer be unveiled or has someone else have a hidden agenda

nice twist at the end that i didnt see coming looking forward to reading the next book off this author

Read through this on one rainy day when everyone else was out and about (that never happens) so decided the snuggle down and enjoy some peace and quiet with a book. I'm glad that I chose this one. It's a great old fashioned murder mystery and felt quite nostalgic in style. A great way to spend the day.

I loved this even more than “A Fatal Crossing”, and I loved that…

There’s nothing not to love about this book, it’s a classic who dunnit story.

In short, a troubled young man plans a murder mystery party (we’ve all been to those..), in a quiet town. The guests arrive, are fed, and a murder happens…just not quite as the host hopes?

Really enjoyable, great scene and atmosphere setting, great characters, and an excellent ending!

My thanks to Netgalley, and Random House UK, Cornerstone. My review is based on an advance copy that I received from the publisher. My views are my own.

I really enjoyed this Murder mystery style book, it kept me engaged throughout and I was constantly questioning who might have done it. A great range of characters and the perfect setting for a murder. Can’t wait to read more from Tom.

On New Years Eve, local hotelier, Ian has arranged a murder mystery evening at Hamlet Hall. Will came up with the idea and has arranged for actors to be involved and he’s written out all the clues.

The hotel is in a secluded part of North Devon. The scene is set and most of the guests have arrived. When Damien White and his daughter, Lily arrive, all seats are taken. Lily doesn’t understand why her father receives such a frosty reception, surely it can’t be because he purchased the lighthouse. Why is he so loathed? When he’s found dead, Lily wants answers.

This was a great cosy mystery and in the style of Agatha Christie. The characters were not particularly likeable and everyone was hiding secrets.

The story was full of tension and revolved around many lies told over the years. An easy plot to follow and enjoyable to read.

I’ve not read anything by the author before and he’s definitely one to add to my list.

My thanks to NetGalley and Random House U.K. for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really thought after reading the synopsis that I would really enjoy this book, however I found it to be a bit of a let down and very one dimensional. Not for me unfortunately!

Twenty-two years ago, Teddy fell from the Lighthouse at Hamlet Wick. Twelve years ago, Rory was murdered on the nearby beach. Coincidence? Teddy was about fourteen when he died, but no one knew why he had climbed the derelict building in the first place. Rory was in his thirties when someone hit him on the head with a rock; no culprit or motive had been identified. Rory’s body was found by Will, aged about seven, and he has been haunted by the memory. Now, approaching twenty, he has devised a murder-mystery game, to be performed at Hamlet Hall, a former stately home now a dilapidated and failing hotel. The guests are mostly locals, plus a surprise appearance from Damien White, local boy made good, and his daughter. When one of them is murdered by a blow to the head, PC Natalie Fay, arrives and proceeds to undertake an investigation. Fay happens to be the PC involved when Rory’s body was found, and the stuff of Will’s nightmares. In the nature of stories in this sub-genre, lots of secrets about everyone come out and the reasons for all of the deaths are revealed.
On the surface this is a standard example of the closed group murder sub-genre. Unfortunately, the surface is also the depth, and the depth is shallow. There are no real surprises, a couple of minor twists, and the whodunit elements are not challenging. None of the characters is particularly believable or likeable, so even that is not available as source of interest. There are a number of holes in the plot but the main thing that really annoyed me is PC Fay. Firstly, even in a tiny place attached to a small village, more than one officer would be deployed. She proceeds to not contact her superiors for hours, ostensibly because she thinks solving the case will be a passport to CID. However, her superiors would know anyway because that’s the way the system works. Even if resources are stretched, it is New Year’s Eve, it’s a murder case, Top Priority. I wasn’t very impressed with Hindle’s first book but hoped he might have improved; however, I was disappointed. So, 2.5 which is 3 on the rounding up.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a draft proof copy for the purpose of this review.

The Murder Game by Tom Hindle is a traditional locked-room Golden Age style murder mystery, made possible in the present day by a lack of mobile phone signal in a remote coastal village.

I read it fairly quickly, but found it a little predictable having figured out the heavily sign-posted plot twist fairly early on. The characters were fun and well drawn but some of the plot was hard to swallow - who actually owned the legal title to the lighthouse and how does planning permission get "stolen"? And why did anyone care about the lighthouse anyway?

Anyway, this book was an enjoyable way to spend a few hours and I intend to read the author's other book A Fatal Crossing which might suit me better.

The Murder Game, on paper should have been my cup of tea. This book is good, and a typical murder mystery. The characters in moments seem one dimensional, and the twists didn’t hit as much as Hindle’s first boom “a fatal crossing”.

I loved 'A Fatal Crossing' so was excited to get a preview of this book. A really atmospheric read. Set in an old hotel in a small town a murder mystery game that ends with a murder in real life. Lots of lovely suspects with great backstories. A really good whodunnit.

Having had heard lots about this book, and also the authors debut title, A Fatal Crossing (which is still on my evergrowing TBR list!!) and with this new title release only a few weeks away I picked this for my next read for a nice thriller and I wasn’t disappointed.

It’s New Years Eve and the scene is set at Hamlet Hall as the setting for a special Murder Mystery evening, bringing together the local community in a small seaside town. However when a body is discovered amongst the guests it soon becomes clear there is a real killers in the midst and the hunt begins before any more fatalities can happen. With no phone signal or easy way out of the house though, how will they catch the killer before it’s too late and what secrets will come out in a bid to discover the truth?

I loved the Agatha Christie style who-done-it premise of this story, starting with the detailed descriptions of all the characters, whilst although there are many, seamlessly link together no build the clues up to solve the mystery. The clues are cleverly planted throughout the book and, although I did figure out the killer, there was some sneaky twists added in which I really enjoyed seeing how they slotted in and added to the final reveal.

I really enjoyed this book and I look forward to reading A Fatal Crossing and future titles from Tom Hindle.

This is the second book from this author. I enjoyed the first one - "A fatal crossing" especially the shock ending.
This one involves a murder mystery dinner at a struggling hotel - "Hamlet Hall" near the sea in Devon.
There are four couples and a single man ( who is a journalist on the local paper). The event has been organised by Will Hooper, the Hotel owner and a member of staff. There are three actors to help with the game.
There are secrets and feelings about some of the happenings locally are high. They include the Lighthouse and a tragedy. Also a murdered man on the beach, found by a six year old Will from which he has never recovered.
One of the couples include the local tourist officer who intends to run for Mayor. One couple run the local shop and the third couple are the local builder and his wife..They are controversial as they are carrying out renovating the Lighthouse into a house for a local man who moved to London to make his fortune - Damien White.
The fourth couple turn out to be White accompanied by his daughter Lily.
When White is murdered it must be someone within the Hotel. A local police Woman arrives to interview all present. With tensions at breaking point as hidden secrets are revealed, will the murderer be unmasked?
Enjoyable and keeps you reading. It looks as if the author is now a full time writer, as there is a third book in progress. I look forward to it.

Definitely has an Agatha Christie vibe with lots of suspects for murder and some red herrings too. A special New Year’s Eve Murder Mystery evening is taking place at a local hotel in a bid to revive flagging bookings. The locals turn up and a special guest is expected. All the locals have secrets and something links back to 12 years ago when a body was found on the beach.
A good whodunnit!

This is a good modern reworking of the locked room mysteries of the golden age which also incorporates a dual timeline. Events of the past are influencing the current murders and relationships. The atmospheric isolation of the setting greatly added to the claustrophobic mood. Although I found this book to be over detailed at times, I feel it would transfer to the screen very successfully.

This was my first book by this author. Although an enjoyable read in a modern day, Agatha Christie style, I found the plot too predictable and had worked out the culprit way before the end of the novel. Having said that I did enjoy the interaction between the characters and the imploding actions of a group of ‘friends’ as secrets and lies were revealed. I will be reading The Fatal Crossing , which was the first novel by this author, as I did enjoy the writing style. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read the advanced digital copy of this novel in return for a an honest review.

Hmmm, I’m afraid that this faux Golden Age mystery didn’t really work for me at all.

The plot centres around a murder mystery night at an isolated hotel and the premise itself is promising. A number of different characters are introduced, each with their own inter-connecting backstories and then a murder takes place.

My chief problem with the book is that it’s all so entirely predictable. There were lots of strangely abrupt endings to chapters that made me think “eh?” before realising that this was meant to be ‘a revelation’ der-der-derrrr! There just were no surprises, the whole plot and all of the ‘twists’ were signposted so early on that there was no reason to keep reading.

The final scene was a tiny bit unexpected but mainly because it went on so long.

Sorry, a miss from me 👎🏻.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Random House UK, Cornerstone for an arc of this novel in exchange for an honest review.