Unfortunately, you can only be surprised by the plot of Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None once. For those, like me, who long for a similar plot, there is the new locked room mystery, You Are Fatally Invited.
Six authors, all with secrets to hide, are stuck on an island and the bodies keep piling up. The architect of the setup may, or may not, be among the island’s guests. His accomplice has her own secret murder plan. Then someone surprising is found murdered. Could there be another guest with his or her own vendetta?
You Are Fatally Invited is a hoot! I did have some problems initially with remembering each author’s backstories. Many seemed very similar and only one, the elderly Cassandra, had a distinctive voice. However, by a quarter into the book, their actions within the book began to make them easier to remember. Despite this minor issue, the plot is such fun! It reminds me of all the classic mystery movies I’ve loved. It’s Clue but without all the French farce running around action. This book is more of a homage than a parody.
There are quite a few twists in the plot, which I loved. And a rather workmanlike conclusion, which I didn’t. I recommend this book for Agatha Christie fans, just don’t set your expectations too high. 4 stars!
Thanks to NetGalley and Bantam for providing me with an advanced review copy.