2.5*

This is a really fun concept that didn't quite work out in execution unfortunately.

Following in the footsteps of Benjamin Stevenson's 'Ernest Cunningham' series, this is a meta murder mystery that plays with the reader as it builds layers of intrigue through its structural quirkiness. 

At its heart lies a solid locked room mystery that is upended with style changes that turns it into a golden age story within a detective story. As readers we're invited to decipher the clues along the way by breaking the fourth wall to tease us about the possibilities for the solution.

I will admit I ended up a little confused and felt dissatisfied by the ending. The beauty of this style of murder mystery is that you generally get a denouement that provides closure, not the case here.

I also struggled with the characters. We only get a glimpse of them in the first part of the book and their characterisation is never built out enough to become fully invested in the victim, murderer or the rest of the suspects.

Overall this is enjoyable enough, its a pretty unique story structure with classic tropes but just misses the mark as a whole.

Thank you to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for a digital review copy of "Fair Play" in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.