Three authors walk into a bar. That’s how The Author’s Guide to Murder really begins, although it’s not the opening sentence of this clever satire of the writing community with its jokes, puns, send up of mystery and romance tropes, and, of course, murder. The Authors Guide to Murder by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, and Karen White is fun, but you do have to read it as satire to appreciate it.

Three authors meet in a bar at Bouchercon, the annual convention that celebrates the writing community. Cassie Pringle is a cozy mystery writer, mother of six, who juggles multiple series including one about a crime-solving cat, and one about a bake shop. Kat de Noir is the author of erotic fantasy and romance. Emma Endicott writes historical portraits of forgotten women. After their discussion, they end up at Kinloch Castle on a remote island in Scotland where bestselling author Brett Saffron Presley is running a writers’ retreat.

Naturally, on an island where all the people are interrelated and know each other, when Presley ends up dead the night of the Kinloch dance celebration, the ceilidh, the three American authors are the prime suspects. As Detective Chief Inspector Euan Macintosh interviews them, he learns the stories the women tell as to how they met and why they’re at Kinloch don’t add up. Brett Saffron Presley wasn’t exactly a stranger to any of the women.

Williams, Willig and White know how to keep secrets and tell a funny story that will appeal to readers who understand mystery conventions and all the tropes of the mystery and romance genres. There are romantic hunks, and women who sexualize the men in the story. There’s even a dramatic rescue by helicopter. If you’re ready for a send up of the publishing industry, try The Author’s Guide to Murder.

Beatriz Williams’ website is https://beatrizwilliams.com/.

Lauren Willig’s website is https://laurenwillig.com/.

Karen White’s website is https://www.karen-white.com.

The Author’s Guide to Murder by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, and Karen White. William Morrow, 2024. ISBN 9780063259867 (hardcover), 416p.

FTC Full Disclosure – I received a galley through NetGalley to review for a journal.