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This Is Not a Game

Brief Description
A deliciously smart locked-room mystery with a difference - featuring an irresistible grandmother and granddaughter sleuthing duo. Perfect for fans of Janice Hallett and Richard Osman. One body. Two unlikely sleuths. The time for playing nicely is over... Widower Mimi is rarely one to ask for... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$2800
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Releases 19th May 2026 (Approx. Date) Pre-order  "This Is Not a Game" now to secure your copy from our first shipment

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This Is Not a Game

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description
A deliciously smart locked-room mystery with a difference - featuring an irresistible grandmother and granddaughter sleuthing duo. Perfect for fans of Janice Hallett and Richard Osman. One body. Two unlikely sleuths. The time for playing nicely is over... Widower Mimi is rarely one to ask for help. She knows where to buy her favourite sourdough. And she knows the unmatched pleasure of an evening crossword with her cocktail of choice - a Gibson. But when Mimi receives an invite to her wealthy neighbour's charity auction, she knows she needs back-up - fast - and she knows just who to ask. Mimi's granddaughter Addie needs help too. Three months ago she was toasting her engagement and the success of the hit video game she created with her fiance. Now she's single and her ex has cut out of a deal to sell their murder mystery game for millions. A weekend with her grandmother promises welcome relief from endless reruns of Buffy and Poirot. But what Mimi isn't telling Addie is that a blackmail threat looms over the invitation. The auction is barely underway when the host's body is discovered in the lavish halls of her own mansion. Soon Mimi and Addie are caught in a dangerous game as they use their unique skills to narrow down the suspects. And when another body turns up, it's clear that only the winner will survive...

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781804951606

Publisher: Cornerstone

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 29 January 2026

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin (Cornerstone)

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 23.0mm

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 197.0mm

Weight: 268g

Pages: 384

About the Author

Kelly Mullen has worked as a producer in Hollywood and as a marketing executive in New York and London. During the pandemic she took online writing courses through Curtis Brown Creative and The Novelry, which reignited her childhood passion for writing. She is the author of This Is Not A Game, which was inspired by a two-week stay at her grandmother's house. A Murder in Eight Cocktails is her second novel. As an executive producer, her credits include Academy Award-nominated Trumbo starring Bryan Cranston and Helen Mirren, and AppleTV+'s Dads produced with Ron Howard. Her creative work for brands has won more than 50 awards, including Cannes Lions and Clios. Born and raised in Iowa, Kelly is now a dual citizen of the US and UK. She lives in London with her husband and their rescue cats.

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