Is This Cozy Mystery More Trick than Treat?


Unhustled Reading

Issue 7

Book Notes Edition:

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, by Agatha Christie

Hello Reader,

Thanks so much for your feedback on the previous issues of Unhustled! This is Issue 7, and your thoughts always surprise and inspire me. 🙏🏻

Today we're featuring a book that’s been on my list for a long time: The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie. It’s a novel that shook up the mystery genre nearly 100 years ago, cementing Christie’s reputation as one of the greatest of all time.

Did Christie break the (then) unwritten rules of mystery writing?

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd was published in 1926.

I keep wondering if the book inspired Ronald Knox’s Ten Commandments of detective fiction, which sought to ensure fair play between authors and readers. Knox's list gained popularity among mystery writers about two years after Ackroyd was published.

Christie and Knox were both members of The Detection Group, a British mystery writers group founded in 1930.

As for Christie, even though she bent genre conventions, Christie always maintained she never lied to her audience, keeping readers on their toes while playing fair.

💭 Reflections and Insights

Going into this book, I knew there was a twist coming, which only made me extra paranoid.

I felt like I was in one of those long pranks where you’re just waiting for something to happen, and wow, did it mess with me. 🫣

As soon as I finished the book, I stayed up way too late going back through the book to reread parts. Where did she drop a subtle clue? What did I miss? And what did I assume. Ugh! I was so, so gloriously tricked! 👏🏻

📚📚📚📚📚 Rating

I'm giving The Murder of Roger Ackroyd a perfect score of five books.

The plot twist alone is worth the read, but it's the subtle clues and clever misdirection that make it a masterpiece.

Want to know how I choose book ratings? Check the quick guide at the end of this newsletter.👇🏻

🛋️ Who Might Enjoy This Book?

If you like psychological twists like in Gone Girl, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd will keep you guessing in the best way.

Ackroyd is absolutely the original “gotcha” moment thriller — still sharp and clever after nearly 100 years!

🕯️ Choosing Your Next Cozy Read

Has it been a bit since you read for fun?

Or perhaps you’re unfamiliar with the cozy mystery genre. And you’re not sure whether to start with something easy or whether your brain could use a bit of a puzzle.

Next week, you’ll get a list of cozy mysteries in each of these sub-genres. Fun for the sake of fun, and fun in a puzzling sort of way.

Here are some questions to think about this week to get you ready to choose a cozy mystery based on your state-of-mind.

  • What mood are you in?
  • What's your energy level?
  • Do you enjoy puzzles and problem-solving?
  • How much realism do you like in your stories?

If you love thrillers but skip over the disturbing details of death and violence (like me), I really think you'll enjoy Agatha Christie — and some of the cozy-ish mystery reading list you'll receive in next week's Unhustled.

Until next Saturday, Reader! Please do the universe a favor and read a book this week. Just because. ​

​— Tracy

P. S. Are you a cozy mystery aficionado?

I would love to add your insights to next week's list. So hit reply and let me know how you match your next read based on how you're feeling.

How I rate books featured in Unhustled:

📚📚📚📚📚 So good I can’t stop thinking about it.

📚📚📚📚 Excellent. I could totally read this again.

📚📚📚 Better than good. One or two things that bugged me.

📚📚 Decent. Only book when you’re stranded on a desert island.

📚 Nope.

If you're enjoying Unhustled Reading, you might also like:

Image for The Read Well Podcast

The Read Well Podcast

Weekly Newsletter on Great Books, Reading Habits, and Literary Appreciation.

Subscribe to my newsletter for tips on close reading, detailed note-taking, and applying bookish wisdom to your life. I talk about fiction and non-fiction, interview literary experts, and host The Read Well Podcast. Subscribe today and build better reading habits.

P. O. Box 224, Lavaca, Arkansas 72941
Unsubscribe · Preferences

Unhustled Books

No “must-read” lists, no productivity hacks — just books that make you think, laugh, or dream. Fiction, non-fiction, all genres welcome. Because reading for fun is its own kind of self-care.

Read more from Unhustled Books

Unhustled Reading Issue 11 Book Notes Edition: A fresh look at a book that inspires, entertains, and might even reignite your passion for reading. Note: This newsletter contains an Amazon affiliate link, which means I may receive a commission if you buy through it. It doesn’t cost you extra, but it does support my work. Hello Reader, What if gratitude didn’t have to be forced? This week, we’re cracking open a surprisingly small, refreshingly guilt-free book that explores gratitude from a new...

Unhustled Reading Issue 10 A Weekly Newsletter Celebrating the joy of reading without the pressure—exploring books that entertain, inspire, and enrich your life. Note: Books are Amazon affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you buy through it. It doesn’t cost you extra, but it does support my work. Hello Reader, Going through some really old books from a family member, I found a gem — the second story in the classic Hardy Boys Mystery series. Copyright 1927. 🙀😍 Remember...

Unhustled Reading Issue #9 Book Notes Edition: A fresh look at a book that inspires, entertains, and might even reignite your passion for reading. Hello Reader, Welcome, New Subscribers! A big welcome to our readers joining from Maneetpaul Singh’s newsletter! Drop me a line and let me know about how you unplug the hustle culture from your love of books. If you don’t know Maneetpaul, check out his Presently Reading newsletter, where he shares practical insights into books he and his community...