Fair Play by Louise Hegarty - unusually for me, I’m writing this review almost a week after I finished it. But I’m wondering if that’s not such a bad thing in this instance given it’s been interesting to see what, if anything, from the book has continued to pop up in my mind. And the truth is - a few things, actually. I can well imagine several people might find Fair Play increasingly irritating as it unfolds, and whilst I’m not wholly unsympathetic to that viewpoint, it seems a little harsh to complain that a book lampooning (or subverting?) twee and ingeniously neat murder mysteries doesn’t stick to the script by doing likewise. It’s a little difficult to summarise where the book ends up heading other than I was reminded of the 80s comedy film ‘Clue’ with Tim Curry. There’s no singing telegram lady, but there’s no shortage of meta- (or meta-meta-, even?) gloss to the whole enterprise, and it vaguely amused and intrigued me in roughly equal measure. I can’t see it being either a smash hit or a cult novel, but perhaps the latter might prove closer to reality. Who really killed Benjamin? In the context of the third part… does any of it matter? (And if it doesn’t… is the book worth reading in the first place?) Did I miss a whole heap of clues that have been artfully placed in the reader’s grasp and which would allow us to unmask the killer? or is Louise Hegarty more interested in throwing us off the scent with literary sleight of hand for her (and our?) own amusement? Maybe, a bit like with Cain’s Jawbone, people might end up comparing notes and theories online… though I’m not convinced this will be the case. Possibly Fair Play finds itself betwixt and between - not peculiar or self-consciously weird enough to attract significant literary interest, nor cosy and familiar enough to appeal to fans of the murder-mystery-at-the-country-house genre. I could argue that it might merit any of 2* or 3* or 4*…. so will plump for the middle option. In a nutshell? Hard to pin down.

With thanks to Net Galley for an advance copy in exchange for an unbiased review.

'Fair Play' by Louise Hegarty is an incredibly clever and well observed book about murder mystery novels.

In a sense the story has three levels:

1. The present, in which a group of friends come together for a murder mystery party at an Air B&B that ends in a death.
2. The past, in which friends visit two siblings at their Stately Home, there is a death and world renowned Detective Bell and his Watson like side kick Sacker are drafted in.
3. An omnipotent perspective, where the narrator recounts the rules and troupes of murder mystery novels.

All are brought together by Hegarty into a well observed story that is pacey and interesting. The way that it is written makes the present day events feel real in comparison to the fictionalised past, which adds to the emotion of it. I can't wait for it to be published so I can share it with others who like murder mystery's as much as I do and I am keen to see what Hegarty writes in the future.

3.5*
Going into it I thought 'Fair Play' would be a typical murder mystery storyline but it was not what I expected. At the beginning I was slightly confused when there was suddenly a list of characters and a list of rules on how to write a murder mystery. Once I'd gotten over that I started to really enjoy the format and how every so often the detective would address the reader by stating what will happen in certain chapters and when the reader should be able to solve the mystery. This made it fun to read. However, the last third of the book felt very repetitive and I found myself skimming through some parts to get through it. The end was also confusing and anticlimactic as it wasn't what I was expecting and I was left with a lot of questions that hadn't been answered. Overall, I enjoyed the book and it was a quick read but whilst I haven't read anything with this kind of format I felt it could have been executed slightly differently.

This was a really interesting way of exploring a very grim topic. The parallel meta trope-y mystery story made the shift into the literary portrayal of real grief more poignant and also prevented it from weighing itself down with internal monologues. However, I think it could have done with a little bit more time in the ‘real’ story.

If you’re reading it expecting a murder mystery I think you’ll be disappointed but I was pleasantly surprised by the change in idea and form.

I do think it’s marketed kinda oddly as I did expect the murder mystery to be interwoven with the story rather than a fantasy parallel. Though I wasn’t disappointed, I can see how genre fans would be.

Unfortunately this book is not for me, I just didn't get it! The start was great and I loved how the setting was a murder mystery New Year's Eve party and then an actual murder was committed. I thought the exploration of the sister's grief was an interesting addition but a good one. I even was ok with the arrival of a quirky detective who sometimes 'spoke' to the reader and knew what was happening in advance etc, a good modern take on the role of detective.
However, the setting changes from an AirBnB to being their familial childhood home to then finding out Abigail and Benjamin sold this and bought their own flats - which was just confusing to be quite honest, where did the murder take place? The repeated 'solutions' to the crime grew tiresome and then, well the actual ending just left me feeling very unsatisfied. I have no idea why part 3 was included at all.
Not the golden age themed murder mystery I was hoping for sadly.

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

Unfortunately this just wasn’t up there with a good murder mystery. Definitely readable but it was repetitive and just not too enjoyable I’m afraid!

"Fair Play" by Louise Hegarty is a modern debut that blends mystery with elements of classic detective fiction. The premise initially piques interest: Abigail hosts a New Year's Eve murder mystery party for her brother, Benjamin, only to find him dead the next day, leading to a psychological exploration of grief and investigation. The writing is engaging, and has its unique approach and layers of complexity.

However, while the book is inventive, it’s not without its challenges. The structure and pacing can be a bit difficult to follow, with some parts feeling disjointed or incomplete. For example, one reader described the ending as “super weird,” and while the conclusion has a twist, it might leave some feeling unsatisfied. The narrative’s unconventional style may be a bit too much for those who prefer more straightforward storytelling.

Ultimately, I found the mystery promising but the execution didn't quite resonate with me, especially since modern stories aren't really my thing. While "Fair Play" has moments of intrigue and emotional depth, it just didn't fully connect. It's an interesting read for fans of layered mysteries, but it's not a book I’ll revisit.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I thought it was well paced, entertaining and I couldn't put it down!

I loved the authors writing style.

Thank you to the publisher for this advanced reader copy.

Get ready for the intricately layered dual plotlines of Fair Play by Louise Hegarty! It is a captivating whodunnit that will have you on the edge of your seat, experiencing a whirlwind of emotions, constantly second-guessing yourself, and ultimately leaving you reeling. Remember, as our imitable Detective Bell says, the solution is only as satisfying as the build-up!

In this ingenious tale, we follow Abigail as she rents a grand, mysterious old house to throw a spectacular murder mystery party for her brother Benjamin’s birthday on New Year’s Eve. The evening kicks off with the expected fun and frolics, but as the guests head to their rooms, tragedy strikes and when dawn breaks, Benjamin is found dead!

An exhilarating investigation ensues with unexpected twists, clever references, and jaw-dropping scandals. The mind-bending curveballs will have you flipping back through the pages, questioning every detail and desperately trying to piece together the puzzle.

With an unforgettable cast of duplicitous characters, a timeless backdrop, and all the essential elements of a classic locked-room mystery, this novel keeps you riveted from start to finish. And just when you think you have it all figured out, a brilliantly quirky detective and his sidekick enter the mix. I can’t reveal too much without dropping spoilers, but trust me—you’ll want to experience this for yourself!

Fair Play is a fabulously clever, stylish, and truly accomplished debut that’s worth every moment of the read, even if there’s very little fairness in the events at play. But more than just a whodunnit, it is a poignant portrait of grief—an emotional journey through the heartbreak of losing someone you love and the overwhelming sense of helplessness that follows.

Mark your calendars - Fair Play hits the shelves on April 3rd, and I can’t wait to hear what you think about this genre-defying story.

I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley, but as always, this is an honest review.

A very interesting read. This book was split over grief and murder mystery and k felt myself longing for either part when I was reading the other.

It wasn’t my favourite

This is a strange book. Half murder mystery, half reflection on grief, and I am a bit sad that it did not quite work for me. It was a very interesting attempt to take a genre that is often quite flat and formulaic and do something new with it. At the centre of the story is the death of a brother - maybe suicide, maybe not - and the way people come to terms with it, but the books soon break off into other realities dominated by old school tips for writing a crime novel. Maybe it can work if you are in the right mood, but while I appreciated the vision, the characters left me a bit cold. Still - worth a read! It might catch you in the right situation, and it is anything but boring.

I found Fair Play a unique and interesting novel to read but it was also a little confusing and repetitive at times. I enjoyed the set up of a locked room mystery and all the echoes of golden age crime genre, plus the intrigue of what might have happened to Benjamin, I found it a little confusing how the group were staying in an AirBnB and then it became Abigail and Benjamin's house but they also each lived in their own flats away from the big house. It never quite made sense. Having said that I did enjoy being swept along by the story and I thought it was a very real portrayal of grief and how people are with you when you're grieving. This was an interesting novel but it's definitely one that you have to let yourself be swept along with rather than getting involved in trying to solve it.

Thanks so much to Picador Books, NetGalley and Louise Hegarty for the eARC, all opinions expressed are my own.

What an interesting read, the structure slightly threw me off at first but the writing was captivating, I loved the murder mystery element and it definitely kept you on your toes and constantly guessing.

Mixed feelings, but a good read none the less

I’m really sorry but I just don’t think this book was for me. I couldn’t get into it at all but that could have been my frame of mind as I had a bad cold so apologies to the author but I did not finish it, I just found it too complicated. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the early read.

***advance review copy received from NetGalley in return for an honest review***
Well I suppose it’s an attempt at something different. This is a book which starts out as a party and then abruptly swerves into a fictional murder mystery - but first the intersection between the two is a list of rules for writing a detective novel. It’s very random and quite a swerve.
Eventually, as the “real” story progresses, I get the sense that the author intends the “fictional” side to be something like the main character attempting to work through her grief.
It ends as abruptly and unusually as the rest of the book - something like a vignette which doesn’t seem to relate to anything else within the narrative.
I think I get what the author was aiming for, but for me it’s a swing and a miss - if I hadn’t been reading to review I would probably have given up long before it became apparent why there was suddenly a separate “fictional” story.

I just don’t think I got this book, I really enjoyed part 1 and the set up for the murder but as soon as I got to part 2 with Bell I was like what is going on?? I didn’t love any of the characters and Bell breaking the fourth wall and stuff just confused me. You don’t really get to know anyone properly and it goes from being at the Airbnb to Abigail and benjamins house and I was like how did we get here! It’s definitely a different and unique murder mystery but not one I was clever enough for unfortunately.

‘IT’S THAT TIME OF THE YEAR AGAIN WHERE WE CELEBRATE BENJAMIN’S BIRTHDAY, RING IN THE NEW YEAR, AND SOLVE A MURDER!’
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What a fun and captivating book to start my year with! 2025 is off to a great start, and by the looks of the current forecast of interesting and out of the box mystery novels coming this year, I think we’re in for a good year!
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Fair Play by Louise Hegarty had me up till the early hours reading, flipping between narrator POV’s I was held in it’s pages trying my hardest to unravel the mystery, whilst also feeling myself fully immersed in the heart of the book, and the gut wrenching look at what life feels like when you lose someone you love and the helplessness you feel. Both the heartfelt moving side of the story and the twisty golden age vibes mystery were delivered with such craft and care that it has firmly put Louise Hegarty on the map and I’m excited to see what’s next after such a wonderful debut novel!
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Thank you to Kieran and Picador for sending me a copy of this one! I adored it!

There seem to be a fair few negative reviews of this book, which in a sense don't surprise me - it's all about opinions after all.

The book is often described as being confusing, repetitive and with a really poor ending. Although I enjoyed the book, I do see where its critics are coming from so would caution anyone going in to read this novel, that it is not your typical locked-door whodunnit.

The book is set out that way, in a manner which many recent mystery novels are set. A single location, a dead body and a list of suspects - one of whom must be the murderer. However, this book (for me) is almost a comical look at these types of novels with its tongue firmly in its cheek, almost like an homage to murder mystery novels of the past.

This will definitely not be for everyone, I will say that. The ending may annoy you.

But if you go into it with eyes open, mind open and few expectations, you will enjoy it!

Thanks to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan | Picador for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

While I thoroughly enjoyed the first part of this light hearted murder mystery, the sudden change was confusing and jarring and I couldn’t quite figure out what was going on. I ended up picking it up and putting it down many times. It seems some people really loved this and I can see what the author is trying to do, but for me it didn’t really work.

The format of the book was interesting, I’ve never read something like this before, quite an unusual concept. At the beginning I was very confused, it definitely took me some time to settle into it. But I would say I still enjoyed it. Abigail’s grief and her thoughts between chapters are the parts that I liked the most, very well written.

The last couple of chapters of the murder mystery part were not to my taste and it was not a satisfying conclusion to the story. I think I understand what the author wanted to do with this, but I just didn’t like it. I felt worn out by the stupid detective who had guessed everyone did it.

I don’t know how I feel about this style. I think I would have enjoyed it more as just a murder mystery or just a literary fiction novel on grief.