How to Solve Your Own Murder (Castle Knoll Files, #1)

by Kristen Perrin

Frances suddenly feels as if they’re all fairy-tale characters. And in fairy tales, when a witch tells you your fate, you listen.

Your future contains dry bones. Your slow demise begins right when you hold the queen in the palm of one hand. Beware the bird, for it will betray you. And from that, there’s no coming back. But daughters are the key to justice, find the right one and keep her close. All signs point toward your murder.

But if anything is unlucky for them, it’s the number three. Because in a year’s time, they won’t be three friends any longer. One of the girls will disappear, and it won’t be Frances Adams.

“No,” I said. “I don’t like riddles. Outside of myth, they’re just an excuse for people to broadcast false cleverness.”

Because I know of four people who saw Great Aunt Frances shortly before she died: Oliver, who was at her estate to go over some property issues, as confirmed by Archie Foyle; Archie, who Mr. Gordon said delivers fresh flowers from the gardens for Great Aunt Frances to arrange every morning; and now Magda and Dr. Owusu, provided Great Aunt Frances actually made it to this appointment.

“My favorite chess saying is very simple: You can play without a plan, but you’ll probably lose.”

“Your friend Emily’s got a whopping big secret.” He emphasized his point by miming a rounded belly on his front. “A secret she got from your boyfriend, right here in these woods.”

And that’s the thing with lies: They’re much easier to believe when it’s an idea you like.

I was silly enough to believe that hearts can work that way. I didn’t know yet how much stronger gravity gets when you see the messy pieces of a person and breathe them in, make them yours.

But I did stumble on something that felt like Great Aunt Frances was expecting me, after all this time. In the cedar chest in her bedroom, where I found the other journals she’d filled, were several blank leather-bound notebooks, all empty and waiting for someone to come along and add new words to them.