Death Was Not on the Guest List by Jenni L. Walsh: A Book Review

Death Was Not on the Guest List

Author: Jenni L. Walsh

Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery & Suspense

Publisher: Thomas & Mercer

Book Release Date: June 16, 2026

Pages: 262

Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis: From USA Today bestselling author Jenni L. Walsh comes a witty Jazz Age mystery where rivalry, ambition, and deceit glitter under every chandelier…and no one gets out until the killer is unmasked.

     In Chicago’s Gold Coast district, twenty of the city’s most glamorous socialites gather for a charity whist drive at the Bellevue House mansion. Brightest among them are Ginevra King Mitchell and Edith Cummings, real-life debutantes who inspired Daisy Buchanan and Jordan Baker in The Great Gatsby.

      But when their sharp-tongued hostess turns up dead and a blizzard traps everyone inside, suspicion and gossip give way to fear. After all, one guest has a habit of burying husbands, another a proclivity for poison. Their charming veneers belie jealousies, ambitions, and deceits aplenty, enough to drive any one of them to kill.

       As whispers turn to accusations, the police start closing in. Ginevra and Edith compete to solve the murder, uncovering secrets far more dangerous than the gossip columns ever revealed. But when a second body is found—strangled with Ginevra’s own pearls—their restless rivalry becomes a race for survival. Who’s next? And is the answer hidden in Fitzgerald’s exasperating novel?

      My Review: Death Was Not on the Guest List is a mystery set in Chicago during the Jazz Age. Ginerva King Mitchell and Edith Cummings have been invited to attend a party. Once they arrive, their hostess named Sarah turns up dead. Also, a blizzard forces them to stay overnight. Edith and Sarah compete with each other to try to find the killer before they become the next victims.

      I found Ginerva and Edith to be very fascinating characters. Ginerva is a married woman who has an affair with F. Scott Fitzgerald and is the inspiration of Daisy in The Great Gatsby. Ginerva is trapped in a loveless marriage. Her husband cheats on her. She greatly dislikes Sarah, she tries to find her killer. Her friend, Edith, is independent. However, she too has a grudge against Sarah. Nevertheless, both of them are interesting amateur sleuths. They both notice little clues and use their logic to solve the murder. Therefore, I was very invested in their story!

       Overall, this book is about secrets, friendship, and ambition. I thought all of the characters were very complex. I liked that the protagonists were inspired by real  historical figures! Each of them were very suspicious. The mystery itself was very compelling and was filled with twists and turns! Because Ms. Walsh usually wrote biographical historical fiction, I was very impressed with her mystery novel! I hope that Ms. Walsh will write more mysteries! Death Was Not on the Guest List was a very fast-paced, thrilling, and delightful read! There was never a dull moment! It was a perfect read for a lazy Sunday afternoon! Death Was Not on the Guest List is a must read for fans of cozy mysteries! You will not be disappointed! I recommend this for fans of Radha Vatsal, Colleen Cambridge, and Ashley Weaver!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars