Welcome to Murder Week by Karen Dukess

Welcome to Murder Week by Karen Dukess
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Welcome to Murder Week is everything you want in a cozy mystery—with a clever twist and a surprisingly emotional heart. What starts as a fun, staged whodunnit in a charming English village becomes something deeper: a story about grief, connection, and second chances.

Cath, our main character, is 34, single, and living in Buffalo, New York. She’s just lost her mostly estranged mother, Sky, and isn’t quite sure how to feel about it. Then, she discovers something unexpected—two nonrefundable tickets her mom had secretly purchased for a weeklong “Murder Week” event in the Peak District, England. Rather than let them go to waste, Cath steps way out of her comfort zone and heads across the pond. What she thinks is a quirky escape turns into a meaningful journey.

The village has come together to stage a murder mystery, where guests question townsfolk and try to solve a (fake) crime. It’s cozy and whimsical in all the right ways, full of dry humor, British charm, and characters who may or may not be who they seem. But what makes this book shine isn’t just the mystery—it’s the emotional layers. As Cath settles into her temporary cottage with two other solo travelers (the funny and kind Amity and the effortlessly charming Wyatt), she begins to piece together more than just clues—she’s also unpacking the complicated relationship she had with her mother.

There’s a second mystery that develops alongside the main one, and it hits much closer to home. It deepens the story without ever losing the light tone or pace. Yes, I figured out the fake murder pretty early (a pretty clear Easter egg tipped me off), but it didn’t ruin the ride. The point isn’t just to solve the mystery—it’s to watch these strangers become friends, uncover truths, and heal in small but meaningful ways.

This book is charming, warm, and clever. It’s a story about taking risks, letting people in, and realizing that sometimes, a fake murder in a picturesque English village can lead to some very real revelations. I’d absolutely go on a trip like this—and I’d read another book by this author.











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