Mystery Royale was surprising, thought provoking and so engaging. I loved the style in which the author wrote. I loved the multiple POVs and how thought out the characters were. I enjoyed the growth and progression of the characters and the story line. I am hoping there is a second books so we continue to see these relationships grow and see how everything plays out. This is a book I really enjoyed but I also think my teenage son would like too.

Book Review: Mystery Royale by Kaitlyn Cavalancia

This story follows Mullory as she’s thrust into a deadly game of Mystery Royale. After receiving an invitation to Stoutmire Estate with the promise of a sizable inheritance, Mullory finds herself tangled in a web of secrets and danger. Her mother’s cryptic warning—“run if the strange finds you”—lingers ominously as events unfold.

Dark, gripping, and packed with twists and turns, Mystery Royale keeps the suspense high from start to finish. The multiple POVs add depth, letting you uncover each character’s discoveries while questioning who to trust. The unpredictability will keep you hooked until the final revelation.

If you love dark mysteries with mind-bending surprises, this one’s a must-read!

✨⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

If you like riddles, puzzles, games, or mystery, you need to read this one. Mystery Royale is fantasy meets The Inheritance Games in all the best ways. Fans of The Inheritance Games will gobble this one up. I thought, "I'll give this one a chance" and luckily I had it on audiobook and was able to multitask because otherwise I would have done nothing the entire day while I binged this one. I could not put it down. The alternating perspectives add to the intrigue and suspense in the plot. The fantasy element enhances the mystery and suspense as the players stumble upon trapped memories the deceased left for them. Similarly to The Inheritance Games, there's a romance element but there isn't a love triangle which I was grateful for. The elements readers love in mystery shine in this one -- clues sprinkled throughout, a spiraling mystery, twists and turns, and betrayal around every corner. Even though I read this the first week of the year, I have zero doubt this will be one of my top favorites of the entire year. I can't wait to add this to our high school library. Since there aren't any explicit scenes, I think this could span middle school and high school. Highly recommend!
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!

A magical mystery with an intriguing premise but a convoluted story and setting. Cavalancia does an excellent job creating the unique magic of this dangerous world, with excellent description, but the plot was meandering and I kept stepping away from the book.

This was one of my most anticipated reads of the last few months. Ever since I heard about it, I was hooked and I was thrilled to get to read this in advance of the published date. I really enjoyed this book. The characters fit the story well, and were fleshed out in an interesting way that brought them to life. I thought that the plot was great, too--lots of twists and turns kept you flipping the pages and compelled me to fly through this. I love a good game-centered mystery story, so I just had a blast with this one. I can see this becoming a very popular book once more people get to read it!

This book!

First. Lyric. I loved this character but he what he went through. Heart Broken. Can we just give him a hug?? This poor kid.

Mullory. Eh. I had a hard time coming around to her. I did eventually but she is definitely hard to love at the start for me.

Xavier can fall off the side of the earth. Along with Lyric's mom.

But this book. So many twist and turns, keeps you guessing, and. the. end. What????? No. I need a book two. Also. This book gives me all the Wizard of Waverly vibes and I loved that.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read and review.

16-year-old Mullory Prudence has spent her whole life heading her mother’s warning to avoid “the strange.” That is, until billionaire, Xavier Stoutmire dies. Invited to join the game, “Mystery Royale,” where contestants have to figure out who murdered him. The one who figures out who did it inherits his wealth and magic. Eager to pay for her grandmother’s medical expenses, Mullory teams up with the billionaire’s great-nephew, Lyric. Due to the laws of inheriting magic, Lyric can only inherit the magic and wealth if he wins the game. As the royale gets deadlier during 5 lavish parties, the two’s partnership becomes more strained. With so much at stake, can the two learn to work together? Will they figure out who killed Xavier?

Told through alternating point of view, each well-developed character offers insight into the story. The plot is engaging, well written, and full of twists and turns. The world building is memorable and draws the reader into the story. Readers who liked Westing Game, Jennfier Lynne Barnes’ Inheritance Games, or who like fantasy, mystery, and game-centered fiction will want to pick this one up. Recommended for most library collections. Gr 8 and up, 4 stars.

This story was full of twists that definitely kept me guessing and changing my opinions of characters and their motives! I love the Inheritance Games series, so when I read the description comparing Mystery Royale to it, I immediately knew I wanted to read it. The story held up to the comparison, though I will say that it is darker than Inheritance Games.

There are multiple character perspectives used throughout the story - Mullory, Lyric, Ellison, & Whitaker plus short inserts from other tertiary characters. The narration feels unreliable at times and there are reasons for that that become clear as you make it further into the story. The magical component to this story is one that I've never read before in the sense of how magic works, how it is transferred, etc.

If you are a lover of books dealing with the darker side of magic and intense thrillers, this is a read you need to pick-up!

I will be purchasing this one for my school's library!

I loved this book. It is a crazy adventure Mullory is such a strong character who gets thrust into a world that her mother warned her to try and run from. Yet she finds herself wrapped up in a game that might just cause her to be immersed in the world she is suppose to run from. This book has dynamic characters and a plot that will just sweep readers away. I love the Clue like aspects of this book, and the flashbacks are perfectly timed to allow the reader to have a deeper sense of what is going on.
Thank you so much to Disney Publishing and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.

I will read any book about a magical contest! This one was fantastic. I loved the mystery and I loved the characters. I could picture this whole book in my mind like a movie.

This wasn’t quite what I expected when I picked it up, and while it wasn’t awful I can’t say I particularly enjoyed it. There are too many perspectives at work, which means we don’t get attached enough to the characters to care. I found them bland and cartoonish. The magic system and its explanations were intriguing and I wish there had been more exploration of that and how it connects to Mullory and her mother.

I am conflicted about this book. On one side I loved it - it is well written, flows effortlessly and I liked the characters. On the other side, I feel like so many things were left unanswered. Some things happen and there is no explanation or clear reason. And some things made no sense - especially after reading the whole book.

********SPOILER ***********

Like Xavier's POVs where he knows he will die and his death is inevitable - but then he doesn't die?!

********* END SPOILER **********

I don't know, it didn't completely convince me. I enjoyed the twists and learning all the new layers while reading, but most of the twists were predictable and I didn't feel like the shed layers shed light on the story, some only made it more confusing.

It was enjoyable, but not one of my favourite murder mysteries

"What does Death fear most?"
Mystery Royale was a fun game of magical Clue where fate vs. free will is the timeless true question at play. This read like Inheritance Games but with a deadly fantasy twist and a more sure romance. Mullory is forced into an Inheritance gauntlet against a family full of secrets with rules she doesn't quite understand. She is one of the brightest young heroines I've read this year, using her logic and math skills to carry herself through despite her otherwise disadvantages. Lyric, the bitter heir-apparent, was another complex character walking the line between wanting to be both hero and villain in his own story.
I enjoyed the mystery, the characters, and the overall story. If anything, I wanted more. I am not entirely clear on the ending, but I grasp enough to be content.
I read both the ebook and audiobook. The audiobook has dual narrators for the four POVs, and both narrators did an excellent job of ensuring that I was never confused about whose chapter I was listening to.
Thanks to NetGalley, Disney Hyperion, and Hyperion audio for this ARC to review!

“Mystery Royale” by Kaitlyn Cavalancia is a magical, locked-room mystery that combines fantasy with a high-stakes competition set in an eerie Hamptons estate, which creates a very unique and engaging plot. With a murder to solve, a mysterious inheritance at stake, and magic lurking in every corner, the story is packed with tension and plot twists that will keep you hooked from the start.

The story centers around Mullory Prudence, a 16-year-old girl trying to make ends meet while caring for her ailing grandmother. When she starts receiving strange letters connected to her missing mother, she is drawn into the dangerous game of the late Xavier Stoutmire’s will. Mullory and six others are invited to his estate to compete in a "Mystery Royale," with the winner walking away with two billion dollars, valuable properties, and Xavier’s magic. The magical elements—from waffle-scented letters to dark family secrets—create a vivid backdrop for a complex mystery full of intrigue.

Mullory is a compelling protagonist that I think the teens will relate to and enjoy. I felt there were moments that were reminiscent of The Inheritance Games, which is immensely popular in our school library. The book does provide multiple points of view, which can be confusing at times, especially at the beginning. But also helps add to the intrigue and allows you to piece together the puzzle in ways the characters cannot.

The Stoutmire family’s history is tangled with dark secrets and twisted alliances, and as the characters try to solve the mystery of Xavier’s murder, the stakes grow higher. From poisoned tea to hidden magical abilities, the danger intensifies as the game progresses. Mullory’s burgeoning romance with Lyric Stoutmire adds a touch of sweetness to the tension-filled story, though it remains subtle and secondary to the primary plot. I really liked this little bit of romance as it didn’t take away from the plot, and it helped lighten up the tension at times, which was greatly appreciated.

Fans of locked-room mysteries, particularly those with a magical twist (which seem to be becoming more and more popular right now), will appreciate the family drama and dark fantasy. Though the book wraps up the central storyline, it leaves enough room for a follow-up, making it clear that Mullory’s journey—and the strange magic of Xavier Stoutmire—is far from over. Overall, “Mystery Royale” is an entertaining, atmospheric read perfect for fans of Knives Out-style mysteries and fantasy lovers alike. It’s a story filled with danger, secrets, and the ultimate question: who will survive to claim the fortune? I would definitely recommend to students and purchase for our school library.
Thank you Netgalley for the digital Arc to review.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Disney Publishing Worldwide for allowing me to read an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Mystery Royale is a YA fantastical Mystery from author Kaitlyn Cavalancia. It follows 16 year old town outcast Mullory Prudence as she joins other kids in a game of "Mystery Royale" at the Stoutmire Estate for a sizeable reward. To win, she must be the first to solve the mystery of who killed Xavier Stoutmire. Sounds easy, right? But things at the Stoutmire Estate aren't exactly what they seem.

First of all, everyone at Mystery Royale is a suspect. And all of the adults have magic. And everyone is related to Xavier, except Mullory and Mateo Muldonado who are outsiders (and contenders for the prize, much to the family's dismay and confusion). The other contenders, twins Ellison & Whitaker Stoutmire, and their younger brother Lyric are all harboring dark secrets but still desperately competing alongside their genius cousins Quinby & Martin Markshire to win Uncle X's money and magic.

Everyone has their own motives for winning, and some may even be willing to KILL to win. With only nine days and five lavish parties to solve the Mystery and an estate full of illusions, enchantments, trickery, and hidden clues, it's a race to the finish line and Mullory must figure out where she fits in to the family puzzle and why she was chosen to participate. Who wins the Mystery Royale...and is the prize worth the cost??

This book was SO GOOD!! I love a good "Clue"-type whodunnit and this one kept me engaged and turning pages to solve it right along with Mullory and Lyric and everyone else. I loved the clues and the red herring and the twist at the end!! I also loved the subtle cute blooming romance between Mullory and Lyric that developed through the book. And that Epilogue 😍!

I will definitely be recommending this book to my book club as our YA read for January! 5 stars!

Oh, wow, I LOVED this one! Sixteen-year-old Mullory Prudence has always lived in awareness of magic...but also in fear of it, a fear bolstered by her mother's strange antics. Now her mother is gone, her life is falling apart, and a mysterious invitation has just found her. Mullory has been invited to Stoutmire Estate to compete in a game of Mystery Royale for the chance at a sizable inheritance--both financial and magical. She has close to no interest in magic, but she IS interested in the money that can help make her non-magical life much easier. When she arrives at the Estate, she meets the magical heirs to the inheritance, and uncovers the real reason that she was invited: magic, in the world of MYSTERY ROYALE, is not so simple as bloodline inheritance. With the stakes ever higher, her competitors ready for battle, and her own fears of magic and the truth about her mother filling her head, Mullory teams up with various other competitors and learns more about the world of magic she has feared for so long. All of the characters are compelling individually and as a group, the mystery at the novel's center is TAUT, and the magic system is satisfyingly complex and interesting. I cannot WAIT for the sequel!!!

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.

The game that is the Mystery Royale was quite good. The clues were interesting. The events were glitzy enough to be distracting us from the clues and the end goal: find Xavier Stoutmire’s killer and inherit his fortune and magic.

The blurb, comparing this book to Inheritance Games, was spot on! Puzzles, mystery, games, simply add a dash of magic.

My negatives:
The multiple POVs threw me off in the beginning, it was confusing. Plus all the names were uncommon, so took me a minute to remember of who’s who.
I disliked ALL the main characters until the 30% mark. I kept reading because the plot was good. I usually wouldn’t keep reading when I don’t care for the characters.

I absolutely adored Mystery Royale by Kaitlyn Cavalancia. This book was a fun, entertaining read right from the first chapter. When I heard that it was a murder mystery that read like Hotel Magnifique I was excited to see what that meant and it did not let me down. The magic and whimsy is such a fun element to the locked room mystery and kept me engaged when the less exciting scenes were happening. The book contains several character POVs and each character shows extreme growth throughout the story. I especially appreciated Mullory's arc as I found her a little irritating in the beginning. It is a credit to the authors writing talent how she handled all of the characters, their growth and crazy family dynamics.

Was it a perfect book, no. But it was perfect for me and if magic, wonder and murder are your thing, it might be for you too.

It's hard not to discuss Mystery Royale without mentioning The Inheritance Games. Of course, Mystery Royale is more believable because it has magic, and you don't necessarily need to suspend as much disbelief.

Mullory was smart and likable, and the family dynamics among Ellison, Lyric, and Whittaker were compelling. I'm sure that the second book will have more of Mullory's mother's story, but I wanted more of it here. Ellison's voice was necessary, and I would also have liked more of that.

The love story was sweet. The end was a little sappy for me, but I do think it was perfect for young adults. I would recommend this book. It's fun and easy. Think the magic of The Night Circus mixed with the plot of The Inheritance Games.

“Mystery Royale” by Kaitlyn Cavalancia is a magical, locked-room mystery that combines fantasy with a high-stakes competition set in an eerie Hamptons estate, which creates a very unique and engaging plot. With a murder to solve, a mysterious inheritance at stake, and magic lurking in every corner, the story is packed with tension and plot twists that will keep you hooked from the start.

The story centers around Mullory Prudence, a 16-year-old girl trying to make ends meet while caring for her ailing grandmother. When she starts receiving strange letters connected to her missing mother, she is drawn into the dangerous game of the late Xavier Stoutmire’s will. Mullory and six others are invited to his estate to compete in a "Mystery Royale," with the winner walking away with two billion dollars, valuable properties, and Xavier’s magic. The magical elements—from waffle-scented letters to dark family secrets—create a vivid backdrop for a complex mystery full of intrigue.

The characters, while initially hard to connect with due to their emotional outbursts and conflicts, grow throughout the story, becoming more nuanced and relatable. Mullory’s character arc, in particular, stands out. Her determination to provide for her grandmother, alongside her gradual unraveling of the mysteries surrounding her mother’s disappearance, make her a compelling protagonist. The book does provide multiple points of view, which can be confusing at times, especially at the beginning. I’m horrible with names, so it took me awhile to figure out the different perspectives and what was going on, but this also allows you to piece together the puzzle in ways the characters cannot.

The Stoutmire family’s history is tangled with dark secrets and twisted alliances, and as the characters try to solve the mystery of Xavier’s murder, the stakes grow higher. From poisoned tea to hidden magical abilities, the danger intensifies as the game progresses. Mullory’s burgeoning romance with Lyric Stoutmire adds a touch of sweetness to the tension-filled story, though it remains subtle and secondary to the primary plot. I really liked this little bit of romance as it didn’t take away from the plot and it helped lighten up the tension at times, which was greatly appreciated.

Fans of locked-room mysteries, particularly those with a magical twist (which seem to be becoming more and more popular right now), will appreciate the family drama and dark fantasy. Though the book wraps up the central storyline, it leaves enough room for a follow-up, making it clear that Mullory’s journey—and the strange magic of Xavier Stoutmire—is far from over. Overall, “Mystery Royale” is an entertaining, atmospheric read perfect for fans of Knives Out-style mysteries and fantasy lovers alike. It’s a story filled with danger, secrets, and the ultimate question: who will survive to claim the fortune?