Kelly Mullen’s debut novel “This Is Not a Game” delivers a refreshingly tart take on the classic locked-room mystery, serving up a perfect cocktail of shrewd sleuthing, intergenerational dynamics, and contemporary gaming references. Set on Michigan’s car-free Mackinac Island, this whodunit features one of the most memorable detective duos I’ve encountered in recent mystery fiction: a feisty septuagenarian grandmother and her video game-designing granddaughter thrust into solving a murder when a blackmail scheme turns deadly.
Like the perfect Gibson martini (recipe thoughtfully included at the book’s end), Mullen’s mystery has just the right balance of sharp wit and bitter truth, with the added kick of three metaphorical cocktail onions that elevate the work beyond standard genre fare: a complex grandmother-granddaughter relationship, a thoughtful exploration of creative ownership, and a setting so vividly realized it becomes a character in its own right.
Plot: A Storm of Secrets and Suspense
When seventy-seven-year-old widow Mimi MacLaine receives a blackmail threat from wealthy socialite Jane Ireland, she reluctantly attends Jane’s charity auction, dragging along her granddaughter Addie as backup. What Mimi doesn’t reveal to Addie is that she’s being blackmailed over a dark secret: years ago, she mercy-killed her husband with a pillow as he lay suffering in a hospital bed.
The weekend rapidly deteriorates when a snowstorm traps everyone at Jane’s mansion, and Jane is found stabbed to death in her bedroom. With a house full of suspects who all had reasons to despise their host, Mimi and Addie must use their combined skills—Mimi’s practical wisdom and Addie’s experience designing the murder-mystery game “Murderscape”—to solve the crime before the killer strikes again.
When a second victim turns up murdered in the wine cellar and a third is found strangled, the stakes escalate dramatically. With a storm raging outside and a killer inside, Mimi and Addie’s sleuthing leads them through secret passages, underground speakeasies, and a game of deadly deception where everyone is hiding something.
Characters: Sharpness and Depth
The heart of this novel beats within the prickly yet ultimately touching relationship between Mimi and Addie. Mullen skillfully depicts their complex dynamic:
- Mimi: A Gibson-drinking, crossword-solving, sharp-tongued widow who takes “unsentimental” to new heights. Her practical approach to life (“Pencil is fear, Addie”) masks a deep guilt she’s carried for decades. She’s judgmental, set in her ways, and unexpectedly resourceful in a crisis.
- Addie: Recently betrayed by her ex-fiancé who stole credit for the hit video game they created together, Addie is struggling to find her footing. Her analytical mind and gaming expertise prove surprisingly applicable to real-world detective work.
The supporting cast is equally well-drawn:
- Jane Ireland: The deceased socialite with a narcissistic streak, dating her daughter’s husband
- Sebastián Palacios: A smooth-talking game show host with shadowy motivations
- Woody/Aero Hart: A washed-up actor with a secret identity
- Veronique Loubatier: A French perfume designer who once poisoned her husband
- Lillian Powell: An image consultant with a klepto habit
Each character feels distinct and three-dimensional, with their own flaws, secrets, and motivations that unfold throughout the narrative.
Setting: An Island Within an Island
Mackinac Island provides a perfect backdrop for this claustrophobic mystery. Mullen expertly uses the island’s unique characteristics—no cars allowed, seasonal tourism, tight-knit community—to enhance the isolation once the snowstorm hits. Jane’s mansion, with its moat, drawbridge, secret passages, and underground speakeasy, becomes a sealed puzzle box that keeps the suspects (and readers) guessing.
The winter setting adds a layer of atmospheric tension, with characters traveling by snowmobile and struggling through drifts as the killer lurks. Mullen shows particular skill in creating spaces that feel simultaneously lavish and menacing—from the opulent ballroom where the auction takes place to the eerie wine cellar where Matthew’s body is discovered.
Themes: Creative Ownership and Chosen Family
Beyond the murder mystery, Mullen explores several compelling themes:
- Creative attribution and intellectual theft: Addie’s struggle with her ex-partner stealing credit for their joint creation parallels Kimiko’s confession about claiming her dead sister’s manga as her own.
- Acts of love vs. acts of control: Mimi’s mercy killing of her husband contrasts with other characters’ manipulative behaviors disguised as care.
- Chosen family and unlikely connections: The unexpected bond that forms between Mimi and Addie as they navigate danger together suggests that sometimes crisis reveals our true connections.
Writing Style: Sharp and Spry
Mullen’s prose is direct, witty, and pleasingly unsentimental—much like her protagonist Mimi. The author uses dialogue particularly effectively, creating distinctive voices for each character and using verbal sparring to reveal relationship dynamics. The banter between Mimi and Addie crackles with tension and occasional tenderness.
The plotting is tidy without being predictable, and Mullen shows particular skill in dropping clues that feel natural rather than artificially planted. The revelation of the killer makes perfect sense in retrospect while remaining surprising in the moment.
Strengths: What Makes This Mystery Shine
- Intergenerational relationship: The grandmother-granddaughter dynamic feels authentic and evolves naturally
- Gaming meets reality: The integration of video game design principles into real-world detective work is clever and fresh
- Atmospheric setting: Mackinac Island in winter creates the perfect isolated backdrop
- Satisfying mystery: The solution combines psychological insight with traditional detective work
- Humor: Dry wit keeps the tone from becoming too heavy despite the serious subject matter
Weaknesses: A Few Soft Spots
While “This Is Not a Game” is remarkably polished for a debut, it does have a few minor flaws:
- The large cast occasionally leads to some characters receiving less development than they deserve
- A few plot points rely on convenient timing or coincidence
- The middle section could be slightly tighter, with some repetitive discussions about the blackmail scheme
- Some readers might find Mimi’s abrasiveness initially off-putting, though she grows more dimensional as the story progresses
Final Verdict: A Highly Promising Debut
Kelly Mullen’s debut novel demonstrates impressive control of the mystery genre while bringing fresh elements to the table. The combination of a contemporary gaming angle with classic locked-room tropes works surprisingly well, and the intergenerational relationship at its core gives the story emotional weight beyond the puzzle-solving satisfaction.
“This Is Not a Game” should appeal to fans of traditional mysteries with modern sensibilities, readers who enjoy Richard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club series, or anyone who appreciates a good mystery with sharply drawn characters. Mullen’s background as a producer and marketing executive shows in her cinematic scene-setting and precise characterization.
For a debut novelist, Mullen displays remarkable confidence in her storytelling voice. If this first outing is any indication, mystery readers have much to look forward to in her future work. Like Mimi’s perfectly crafted Gibson, this novel offers a sophisticated blend of flavors with a memorable bite.
Pros:
- Compelling protagonists with a complex relationship
- Creative integration of gaming concepts into detective work
- Atmospheric setting with well-utilized locked-room elements
- Sharp dialogue and dry humor
- Satisfying mystery with well-placed clues
Cons:
- Occasional pacing issues in the middle section
- Some secondary characters could use more development
- A few convenient plot developments
For readers who enjoy the intergenerational sleuthing of Richard Osman’s work, the gaming angle of Ernest Cline, or the atmospheric mysteries of Ruth Ware, “This Is Not a Game” offers a fresh cocktail of mystery elements that goes down smooth with just the right kick. Mullen is definitely an author to watch.