Unfortunate DNF at 31%

First, this book would be better enjoyed as a physical book, because many pages have specific formatting that is quite hard to read in an ebook.

I had never heard of this author when I requested the book.
I was interested in reading about short mysteries and trying to solve them and a few "mysteries" in, I have come to the conclusion this isn't at all what this book is. The mysteries are not fun / solvable, they're written as social commentary rather than in the interest of posing elements with the goal to find the solution (the "solutions" don't make sense or are just like ? I mean I guess ? okay?

I'm sure if you go in not expecting mysteries but rather, knowing the style this author writes, you have a higher chance of enjoying this. It just really isn't what I was expecting or what I want to read right now and so I am not having fun and reading it feels like a chore so I am stopping here. I might pick this up again as an actual book once it's out.



Thank you NetGalley and Dreamland Books for the opportunity to read this ARC.

This book was fun, it is literally what the title say. Each story is entertaining, the style change from one story to the other, it's hard to be bored reading those. Plus, and it's what I love about collection of short story, you can skip one then going back later, you choose the pace.

thank you net galley for the copy

Wow! Before reading this book I never heard of Sarah Gran, but now I want to read everything by her! This darkly humorous collection of literary mysteries was quite the page-turner, sprinkled with satire, absurdism, and Christmas Spirit.

Firstly, this book deconstructs, teases, and then reinvents the mystery genre with great satirical flaire. Skinned in 90s teen amateur sleuth vibes, the little mysteries aren't always about a crime - Gran tackles the mysteries of the human soul. Lot's of classical mystery techniques are employed: Solution Sections, Choose-Your-Own-Adventure, Five-Minute Flash Mysteries. New techniques are added: Two stories are told on the same page, for the sake of juxtaposition.

Secondly, this books message tackles surviving the hardships of life itself. Here I was expecting a little Clue-inspired mystery-with-the-solution-printed-upsidedown book but NO - This book is closer akin to what Kurt Vonnegut does with science fiction - reducing the genre to its basic elements and then rebuilding a philosophical message around it... with funny flaire on top.

Thirdly, this book is darkly hilarious in a snippy, quipy, absurdist way. The voice of the narrator carries a dry, deadpan bluntness that resonates perfectly with my New England sense of humor. Sara Gran's humor reminds me of Douglas Adams, Kurt Vonnegut, Voltaire (thinking specifically of Candide), and William Goldman. The humor was my favorite part of this book and was what kept me reading.

Now, there was a disconnect about what type of book I was expecting and what I actually read. I grew up on the Clue mystery books, which follow the format of a mystery followed by a short solution one can glean from context clues sprinkled throughout. I thought this book would follow a similar format, and while two of the short stories DID, this book was, at the end of the day, not trying to be the same type of book of the Clue books, but a satire of the Clue books. I think there could be a few more "clues" either in the title/subtitle or the cover that this book isn't trying to deliver true puzzles.

Despite this disconnect, this has been probably one of my top ten books of the year, and I've read about 120 books thus far. I am typically very picky about mystery because I can predict the ending very well, but the last thing this book is is predictable. I am going to keep my eye out for more Sara Gran. I've been looking for another mystery writer I afore as much as Agatha Christie, and I think I've finally found them! It's discovering writers so low under the radar like Gran that make the ARC-reading experience so magical.

A big thanks to Netgalley, Sara Gran, and her publishers for a free ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is exactly the book I needed right now: end-year, mid-life, early-apocalypse. I found Sara Gran by way of the Claire DeWitt mysteries (which I love fiercely and recommend constantly). I've since read all of Gran's work and she is one of those authors I'd gladly follow off the edge of the universe, because I know she'll stick the landing—I mean, I may be destroyed or terminally haunted in the process, but it will be in a satisfying and honest way. It doesn’t hurt that Gran really speaks the language of my latchkey-kid-absolutely-obsessed-with-teen-sleuths heart, So, plunging back into Claire's world (and the extended Silette-Silverton universe) was a comfort--but never quite comfortable--in the best possible way. There’s a kernel of hope at the core of each of these stories (or, if not hope exactly, a kind of frank determination) and the message that 1) no does it alone, but 2) we’re all doing it alone, and 3) maybe we can all do it alone together? Little Mysteries is a deft, shape-shifty delight of a short fiction collection—it’s a literary house of mirrors, except the mirrors don’t change from room to room, you do. Thank you to Dreamland Books & NetGalley for the ARC!

Sadly this book did not resonate with me as i found it neither delightful nor enthralling. I have never heard of Claire Dewitt or read any of Sara Gran’s books before, maybe that’s why I struggled to read the book.
The reason I requested this book is because I am a fan of mysteries and thrillers and I was intrigued by the title.
I may revisit this review after I’ve read another Claire Dewitt/Sara Gran book first
Thank you Dreamland & Netgalley.

Really enjoyed her pass Work so this book was a no-brainer. I really enjoyed all the different stories in here and I can’t think of one that I like more than the other.

I love Sara Gran. I love Claire DeWitt. Little Mysteries: Nine Miniature Puzzles to Confuse, Enthrall, and Delight are 9 short stories--as the title says, "little" mysteries. Puzzles that a reformed Claire DeWitt (now working as a private detective) solves through always clever deduction. I enjoyed each of the stories (which were of a more consistent quality than is always the case in anthologies).

Claire DeWitt is no longer a hard drinking, drug-taking private detective but sober albeit still somewhat unusual woman working at an agency (which poses its own challenges). She continues to be the oddly empathic woman I have come to know and love despite her strong defenses. These are coming down: although she remains guarded and something of an outsider (often valuable traits in a detective), she has a deep desire to connect with others.

Generally, though, the emphasis though in these stories are less on Claire than on the cases she is working on. She is insecure in her new position. and a little intimidated by her intelligent and accomplished employer. My favorite stories were "Choose Your Own Heartbeat" and "The Mystery of Killington Manor>" I love the use of the old "choose your own" format with different routes to the solution (think a sort of very playful version Juliol Cortazor's Hopscotch or the beloved children's book series of solve your own adventure). Heartbeat provides a longer read--at least for me since I tried out the various possibilities. And I love mysteries that involve manors and endearing characters.

The collection manages to combine fun with intelligence so it is satisfying on several levels. It takes a particular talent to combine the two and Gran pulls it off. Gran is always interesting and at the same time fun. So the thinking deepens the fun and the fun enlivens the intellect.

Thanks to NetGalley, Dreamland Books, and the author for providing me with an advance copy of this delightful book. It left me hungering for a reread of Claire DeWitt and the Bohemian Highway as well as hope for more books by Gran.

Sadly I don’t think I was the target audience for this book. It used filthy language, the cover at least online is completely unreadable because of the colors, and the short stories didn’t make much sense to me.

The formatting was interesting, I couldn’t tell if it was my jam or not. But wanted to like this more than I did.

A new Sara Gran is always a reason to celebrate, if it features Claire DeWitt, even more so. These are great short and longer mysteries that are exceptionally well written and will tide you over until the next Claire DeWitt novel.

Passphrase would not work. No help to be found. Asked for help. No obe helped me. The hint did not work. Love Sara Gran. This was not cool. 4 stars because I'm a big Sara Gran fan but...

This book was so fun and fresh, it was a great break from my typical novels. So many fun little puzzles in mind games, it really got me thinking. So many times I thought I knew what was happening… Only to be redirected to a more fun ending.

Sara Gran’s The Little Mysteries: Nine Miniature Puzzles to Confuse, Enthrall, and Delight is a collection of stories set in the universe of her previous series, Claire DeWitt, the world’s greatest detective. I'll start by saying I haven’t read the series, so this book was my first encounter with the character and her companions.

With a somewhat naive tone, Gran presents detective mysteries that reveal something deeper about the psyche of her characters. It’s a desolate, lonely place, filled with pain and mistrust, yet somehow, she still manages to offer a hint of hope at the end.

I must admit that at times I felt lost, not sure whether to blame it on not having read the Claire DeWitt books or if it was something intrinsic to this work. At moments, it felt like watching a Phase 3 Marvel movie without having bothered with all the previous ones, with dozens of characters making references to events I knew nothing about.

Having read other works by the author, I have to say I was surprised by her versatility—it felt like reading a book by an entirely different writer (which isn’t necessarily bad, but it did clash with my expectations).

The Little Mysteries: Nine Miniature Puzzles to Confuse, Enthrall, and Delight goes beyond typical detective stories, offering narratives and reflections that sometimes really hit the mark, though I only connected with it sporadically.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC.

I love short stories. This book is a little gem. The stories are very character-driven and they are good characters. I enjoyed the Claire DeWitt stories and I will definitely look for more of Gran’s writing. This is a good collection and recommended reading!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Sara Gran’s Little Mysteries is a captivating collection that showcases her talent for crafting intricate and thought-provoking puzzles. This anthology of nine short stories is a delightful treat for mystery enthusiasts, offering a blend of confusion, intrigue, and sheer delight.

Each story in this collection presents a unique puzzle, ranging from the destruction of Professor Wolf’s prize-winning tomatoes to the eerie happenings at a manor.

Gran’s ability to weave complex narratives within the confines of short stories is impressive, making each tale a compact yet complete mystery.

Gran introduces a variety of characters, each with their own quirks and depths. From amateur sleuths to seasoned detectives, the characters are well-drawn and memorable. Fans of Gran’s Claire DeWitt series will be pleased to find familiar faces making appearances, adding familiarity.

Each character is crafted with care, making their journeys through these miniature puzzles engaging and relatable.

Little Mysteries delves into themes of curiosity, the search for truth, and the often ambiguous nature of reality.

Gran’s writing is sharp and evocative, with a knack for creating atmospheres that draw readers in. Her style is literary and accessible, making the stories enjoyable for a wide range of readers, as does the addition of humor.

Sara Gran’s Little Mysteries is a masterful collection that will confuse, enthrall, and delight readers. Each story is a testament to Gran’s skill as a storyteller, offering intricate plots and rich characterizations. This book is perfect for those who love to be challenged by their reading and enjoy the thrill of piecing together a puzzle.

Highly recommended for fans of mystery short stories and those who appreciate a well-crafted narrative.

Little Mysteries: Nine Miniature Puzzles to Confuse, Enthrall, and Delight by Sara Gran is a collection of short stories that delves into the complexities of human relationships and the hidden secrets within them. The stories feature nuanced characters grappling with their own dilemmas, exploring life's meaning and mysteries. The atmosphere she creates is immersive, capturing the nuances of everyday life while hinting at the darker undercurrents lurking beneath the surface.

This novel has two parts. The first part has short stories about Claire DeWitt, the world's best private detective. The second part, The Killington Manor story was my favourite.

Overall, Little Mysteries is an unusual and thought-provoking read that showcases Gran's talent for weaving intricate narratives that challenge perceptions.

Thank you to NetGalley and to Dreamland Books for an advanced copy in exchange for my review.

this collection was kind of insane actually. like on the surface these are all short stories about detectives, but this was actually a long dissection on what it means to be a person, and what it means to have those things add up to being you, and also how everyone around us at all times is also living completely full lives with their own life experiences even if you don't acknowledge that.

and the last story???? the ten-second mystery: how you never seem to get exactly what you want, but somehow time moves monstrously forward anyway???? it carried with it the energy of a longform tumblr text post that i would have cried at at 3am when i was twelve, and yet i still teared up at twenty three. i want to stand on the beach with you too sara gran!!!!!! i am going to read everything youve ever written now i promise.

This book is quirky enough to satisfy the literary crowd and the hardboiled/noir aficionados. Following the structure of a short story/novella collection, it presents, well, little mysteries whose main character is always a woman, sometimes a teenage girl. These stories mock the structure of those stories, twisting them to show a detective sidekick that tries to solve a family mystery, or to make the detective solve a mystery that develops itself along her whole life, or to make her solve the ultimate mystery: who are you.
By navigating these well-trodden paths, Sara Gran pied-pipers the reader into very different themes: obsession, identity. Family. What people expect from you and what you deliver.
But the best thing is maybe the very original voice the author possesses. Original to the point of not repeating the formula in all the stories in this book, even if all of them show this very recognizable voice. So, all in all, a great discovery and a very recommendable read.

This was a fun read. I am not sure why I was not able to download a Kindle version, but I still had fun reading this in pieces. I like that each story was sort of stand-alone but also had a cohesive feeling. I definitely didn't get any mysteries in full on the first go around.

This was a really fun read! I haven’t read many mysteries, but each story within this book were really engaging, The story that felt like a Goosebumps “choose your own adventure” was cool. I like how each story has a life lesson within that the reader can think on after they’re done with the book.

I thought this was a very entertaining collection of mystery stories! Even though I haven't read the Claire series I was able to get the general idea when she was mentioned. I'm a huge fan of Sara Gran so I'm so grateful for the opportunity to read the advanced ebook! Some of them were difficult to "read" in the digital format but that's no fault of the author. Looking forward to reading the physical copy once it's published! Thank you, Netgalley!