The BookBrowse Review

Published December 4, 2024

ISSN: 1930-0018

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Contents

In This Edition of
The BookBrowse Review

Highlighting indicates debut books

Editor's Introduction
Reviews
Hardcovers
Recommended for Book Clubs
Book Discussions

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Publishing Soon

Literary Fiction


Historical Fiction


Essays


Poetry & Novels in Verse


Mysteries


Thrillers


Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Speculative, Alt. History


Biography/Memoir


History, Current Affairs and Religion


True Crime


Travel & Adventure


Young Adults

Literary Fiction


Historical Fiction


Mysteries


Thrillers


Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Speculative, Alt. History


Graphic Novels


History, Current Affairs and Religion


Science, Health and the Environment


Extras
  • Blog:
    First Impressions Favorites: 2024’s Best Reader-Reviewed Books
  • Holiday Wordplay:
    Solve all 15!
Book Jacket

Mystery Royale
by Kaitlyn Cavalancia
7 Jan 2025
400 pages
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Genre: Mysteries
Critics:

The Inheritance Games meets Hotel Magnifique in this genre splicing YA fantastical mystery.

The only thing sixteen-year-old Mullory Prudence has left of her mom is a warning: "Run if the strange finds you." But mysterious warnings don't pay the bills or help take care of her sick Gran. And they certainly don't make her miserable after-school job any more bearable. When unexpected letters start appearing in peculiar places––sealed in bags of dog food and hidden in the refrigerator––Mullory knows she should avoid them to heed her mother's warning, but her curiosity thinks otherwise. She uncovers an invitation from Stoutmire Estate to compete in a game of Mystery Royale for the chance at a sizable inheritance.

Dizzy with the prospect of billions, Mullory enters the game only to unearth the true prize––the illusionary magical properties of Xavier Stoutmire, a recluse without an heir. A recluse who was expected to keep his magic in the family, especially when there isn't enough for each member. With a prize worth killing for, the game is simple: be the first to solve the mystery––who killed Xavier Stoutmire? One week full of lavish parties dripping with enchantments, in a mansion brimming with clues of the past, and everyone's a suspect. To win, Mullory will need to untangle a twisted family web and decide who she can trust…

Whitaker Stoutmire, the golden boy who's harboring deadly secrets?

Ellison Stoutmire, his closed off twin, who saw something she shouldn't have?

Lyric Stoutmire the youngest sibling, exiled by the family and burning with resentment?

Or Mateo Maldonado, the only other outsider whose reserved manner allows him to hide in the shadows... At least at first.

But most of all, Mullory must ask herself, why? Why her? A question most strange, indeed.

"Chapters alternating between multiple narrators result in a fast paced read that doesn't sacrifice characterization, particularly of the Stoutmire family members...The memorable set pieces, unique magic system, and enthralling puzzles will beguile readers, who won't want this spell to be broken anytime soon." —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"An intriguing, surprise-filled journey of family conflict, competition, and secrets." —Kirkus Reviews

Kaitlyn Cavalancia grew up devouring mystery and fantasy novels, certain that the right wardrobe would contain a door to another world. She's an orthodontist who fights crooked teeth during the day and writes books brimming with murder and magic at night. Currently she lives in western Pennsylvania with her husband, son, and dog.

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