Everyone’s a Murderer.

Book Review: The Murder Game by Carrie Doyle – 370 pages

Alright, real talk: I liked this book less than I was expecting to. Now don’t get me wrong, I did enjoy this book, but when I read the original summary of The Murder Game about how a kid who escaped a kidnapping solves a murder at his school, I was intrigued! Instead after reading this book, I felt…underwhelmed. Now yes, I did read the book in one sitting while tanning at the pool, but I didn’t feel particularly invested in the characters.

First things first, a little bit about the storyline: Luke Chase (the kidnapped kid), his best friend Oscar (for the life of me I cannot remember his last name), Pippa Eaton (a recent transfer from England), and Kelsey (I don’t think she even got a last name), sneak out of their dorm late at night and meet up for a little illicit pow-wow in the woods. Almost getting caught a couple of times, they end their night safely in their own beds. Except the next morning they learn that the dean’s wife, Joanna Heckler, was murdered. Not only that, but she died in the woods, mere meters from where they had been the night before.

Was it the Southborough Strangler? Or was it her husband, or a jilted lover from an affair? Was that someone working at the school? Or was it one of them?

“Murder was a real romance-killer.”

Like I said, an interesting concept and an interesting book. A pivotal part of the storyline also has to do with Luke’s kidnapping three years prior. Not really pivotal to the murder storyline, but to his personal growth storyline, that is. It stays hidden until almost the end of the book, and it’s final reveal was underwhelming to say the least.

One thing I did like was Luke’s relationship with Pippa, and I liked the way it built over the course of the story. Pippa is very aloof and cold at the beginning, but as the book continues, she warms to Luke, and Luke begins to care about her more than just a pretty face and cute accent.

One thing I didn’t like was this weird subplot with Pippa that is meant to cast suspicion on her, but ultimately goes nowhere. I understand why Doyle wrote it in to add suspense, and to create a deeper connection between Luke and Pippa, but I wasn’t a fan.

I also wasn’t a fan of the title, The Murder Game. What game? I would have suspected a book with that title to have a murderer who taunts the main character, and who toys with them. As that was not the case, I have some series questions for Doyle about what exactly “The Murder Game” afoot is, and who was playing it. Because it was most certainly not her readers.

“…there was a beat of quiet, followed by the rush that came with the discovery of being in the middle of a unique event, spectacular and salacious, albeit gruesome and tragic.”

I did not guess who the murderer was, so kudos to Doyle. I was definitely surprised, but also slightly confused about how the murderer and Joanna had even gotten connected in the first place. So, while Doyle does an excellent job at misdirection, there were almost too many leads and it all was very jumbled and confusing. I know that was probably the point, but like I said, I wasn’t a fan.

I did check Goodreads as well and I was happy to see that I wasn’t the only one who didn’t like this book. There was a really awesome review that someone named Jessica wrote and I agreed with everything she said.

My ranking: 7/10

If you’re looking for an interesting mystery with confusing twists and turns, then by all means, check this book out. I would, however, be remiss if I didn’t say that I think this book is only worth reading at a discounted rate or for free on Kindle.

The next book will be The Hunting Party, and I’d have to say, I hope this one proves to be more entertaining.

xx, Jamie