A classic whodunit set in a country manor, The Murder Game by Tom Hindle delivers modern twists with old-school charm.
Book Review: The Murder Game by Tom Hindle
A Modern Whodunit with a Classic Twist
Every now and then, a book promises to take you back to your reading roots. The Murder Game by Tom Hindle did just that for me. Right there on the cover, it claims Hindle is the “new heir to Agatha Christie.” Naturally, I was intrigued. After all, I spent many of my school days devouring Nancy Drew mysteries. Somewhere along the way, though, I drifted away from the murder mystery genre—caught up in short stories, romance fiction, and everything in between. You know how it goes!
But this one… this one caught my eye. I won’t say it was unputdownable (in fact, I had to push myself to keep going at times). Still, I’d challenged myself to finish it before our book club meet, and I’m glad I did. It turned out to be a rewarding read.
The Premise
Set in a classic country manor, The Murder Game revolves around—yes, you guessed it—a murder that happens during a game night. It’s everything you’d expect from an Agatha Christie-style whodunit but with a modern flavor. A closed environment, a cast of suspicious characters, hidden backstories, and a killer on the loose.
What Worked for Me
One of the first things I appreciated was the language. Hindle keeps it simple and accessible—no heavy prose or complicated narratives to wade through. And as someone who mostly reads Indian and American novels, I found the British phrases and idioms refreshing. They gave the story a distinct charm and authenticity.
The second half of the book was where things really picked up. As you dive deeper, you uncover the tangled backstories of the guests. Suddenly, everyone seems tied together in unexpected ways. And just when you think you’ve got it figured out—bam! A second murder takes place. Right under everyone’s noses, when they’re all supposed to be in the same room. That twist had me sitting up, thinking, “Wait, who wasn’t there? Who could’ve slipped out without anyone noticing?” Classic misdirection. Cleverly done.
What Didn’t Work So Well
The pacing, especially in the first half. I found myself 250 pages in, still waiting for things to really happen. If you prefer fast-paced thrillers, you might find it a bit slow going in the beginning. But hang in there—the payoff is worth it.
Final Thoughts
If you enjoy classic murder mysteries where you get to play detective, The Murder Game is a solid pick. It’s not flawless, but the satisfying conclusion makes up for the slower start. Think modern Agatha Christie vibes—perfect for a cozy weekend read, preferably with a hot cup of tea in hand.