How to Seal Your Own Fate by Kristen Perrin (April 29, 2025) 🔍 Huge thanks to PRH audio and Dutton Books for the gifted advanced listening copy of this delightfully clever sequel that absolutely lived up to my love for the first!
We’re back in Castle Knoll—where secrets never stay buried for long.
In the present day, Annie Adams finds herself at the center of another mystery when Peony Lane, her late grandmother’s friend, is found dead just hours after a tense encounter. With suspicion falling on Annie, she must dig into her grandmother Frances’s past to uncover the truth.
Back in 1967, Frances is caught in a love triangle between charming, wealthy Ford and steady, loyal Archie. But Frances and Archie investigate the tragic car crash that killed Ford’s family, Frances begins to unravel a deeper, more dangerous story – one that still casts long shadows in the present. Someone will stop at nothing to keep the truth hidden.
Kristen Perrin has created a mystery series full of heart, charm, and twisty secrets – and book two makes this world feel even richer. I loved how Annie and Frances each get equal narrative weight, and the past/present timelines unfold like a perfectly layered puzzle. Returning to familiar characters while diving deeper into their lives felt like visiting old friends. This series is fast becoming a forever favorite.
🎧 Audiobook Thoughts: Narrators Alexandra Dowling and Jessica Hayles are fantastic, each fully capturing the emotional nuance of Annie and Frances. The 9h 11m runtime flies by in this dual-timeline modern cozy that’s smart, engaging, and just the right amount of suspenseful.
Bonus joy: I buddy read this with @_bookishmama and @pagesof.sam and had the best time theorizing along the way!
Book: 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
Audiobook: 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
Book Smart Kate 