The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year: A Novel

Written by Ally Carter

Narrated by Saskia Maarleveld and Zachary Webber

USA Today Bestseller! "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!

• A touching holiday read
• Perfect for fans of uplifting winter romances
• A delightful Christmas gift

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Sep 24, 2024
• ISBN: 9780063276741

Ally Carter

Ally Carter writes books about people who fall in love (while trying to stay alive.) After more than a decade of writing beloved YA titles like I’d Tell You I Love You, but Then I’d Have to Kill You and Heist Society, she launched onto the adult scene with The Blonde Identity and The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year. A long-time lover of the holiday rom-com, Ally is also the writer of the Netflix original movie, A Castle for Christmas.

Reviews for The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year

[Yvette Bonett · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A very enjoyable book! It's a light hearted mystery romance with 2 spectacular narrators! Saskia Maarleveld and Zachary Webber. I can't understand one of the reviews complaining that there's not enough of this and not enough of that! Seriously? The plot was really good, the reasons for the culprits were all plausible, and the relationship between the 2 main protagonists was actually quite enjoyable. Well done Ally Carter!

[Janet Schmidt · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Honestly, since I thought it was holiday special, I didn’t have high expectations but I was pleasantly surprised!!! It was very entertaining and I love a good mystery in the Agatha Christie style.

[Courtney Holbrook · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this book. The characters were well developed and likable. Maggie was 3- dimensional and her backstory made me cheer for her. I liked how Ethan’s backstory was mysterious and was revealed little by little. Each time I found out something new about him, he seemed more authentic. Great book!

[crittergazer1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A very enjoyable book that could easily be made into a series of its own. I would listen to all of them.

[Paula · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was such a delightful read, the setting combined with the characters provided just the right amount of mystery and romance in a very atmospheric place. Although this is not a book with the most surprising twist, it was entertaining and the narrators did a fantastic job!

[Kelly Bawelkiewicz · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this book!!! Please tell me that there will be a sequel!

[shellym42 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The best book I've listened to in a long time.

[Andreea P. · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Much fun! Much mystery. The characters were annoying at times.

[Renee Smith · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I listened to this very slowly and it was wonderful! Best (kind of) Christmas book I read this year!??

[kyokoyasui · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I wish I read this story during Christmas Holidays. It might have been more delightful. Anyway, I really enjoyed it. Both main characters are loveable. I liked them a lot.

[Casey McGrath · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Lots of fun! Loved the characters and the setting. If you like Knives Out this is for you. Nice cozy romance mystery!

[Ali Hormann · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book got me out of, not just reading slump, but a full on attitude slump. I almost wish I could erase it for my brain so I could listen again for the first time. It was so good and I am now recommended to everyone.

[d7j98wkkm4 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A sweet blend of thriller, mystery and romance. It was very fresh and different.

[Kristin · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Who knew the book I needed to get me out of a reading slump and into the Christmas spirit was a rom-com murder mystery. Honestly never thought those two things went together but I was hopelessly hooked on this audiobook. It was funny, intriguing, and even made me squeal with excitement on more than one occasion. If you are in the mood for an enemy to lovers rom-com with just enough holiday fun and a mystery to keep you guessing definitely check this one out!!

[kylajblair · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

So much fun! A little murder mystery patty wrapped in a Christmas bow. The narrators did an excellent job. Try this one!

[jbrzezinski11 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Must read! I loved the different take on the holiday theme - most are sad, romantic, etc. This was such a fun change!

[Stephanie Smith · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Festive fun that felt both modern and classic. Hated “sweetheart” though

[reyasbooks · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

SO GOOD. perfect holiday read. i loved maggie and ethan so much

[Sarah Brooks · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Fun, fast-moving story! Female reader is wonderful. The male reader, not-so-much.

[Lisa Ryan-Herndon · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Perfect pairing of audio performers - Saskia and Zachary - with a stellar sophomore adult romcom adventure by Ally Carter. Brisk, smart, sexy and sassy, it’s a merry mistletoe mystery set in a snowbound mansion.

[chelseapena22 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was a fun missing person/murder mystery during Christmas. And with some romance in there too. I laughed and enjoyed the mystery. It felt like a knives out movie meets clue during the holidays.

[Christian Delfin · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

So bad (bland) and not in a so-bad-you-have-to-read-it way. Not Christmassy enough for the holiday. (There is snow.) Not Mystery enough for the genre. (Someone is missing, but no one cares.) Not even "enemies to lovers" enough for the trope. (He loves her. She only thinks she hates him.)
The dedication reads: "If anyone has ever tried to gaslight you into thinking you're the problem, congratulations! This book is for you." The reader is the one being gaslit.

[SHANNON SUDDATH · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book could not be better, unless there was a little more spice. The mystery was mysterious, the FMC and MMC were sparky with chemistry, and I enjoyed every single second of it.

[venza · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

No chemistry between the protagonists
And maggi is oh so annoying
What a waste of time