"Not Our Crowd, Darling" By Michael Craft: Review/Giveaway

Review by Autumn Trapani

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of the book and a link to purchase it.

Megan Auric is in a bit of a Catch-22 situation. Her extremely wealthy (and much older) husband, Eugene, has passed away, leaving her a fortune. She can live in comfort for the rest of her life. Except … Megan has a secret. A secret that, if exposed, will threaten her freedom, her life, and her inheritance from Eugene. Shortly after Eugene’s death, she learns that someone is determined to silence her.

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Image Source  ‎ Questover Press

This book by Michael Craft, author of the Dante & Jazz mysteries, is a departure from the author’s usual cozy mysteries. It is not so much a murder mystery as a thriller with political overtones. In fact, Megan’s secret is revealed early in the story, so the suspense comes from discovering how she handles her situation, who knows what, and how much danger she is in. While there is a cast of characters who largely provide support to Megan, I found myself wondering who, if anyone, she (and I) could trust.

I found the author’s description of Megan’s circumstances fascinating. She has agoraphobia, which is not as much of a burden as you would think since she lives in a high rise building with a penthouse and every possible amenity on the lower floors. There are several restaurants and shops, so Megan does not have to leave her building to get anything she needs. Despite this luxury, she is a principled woman with a great deal of integrity and a strong sense of loyalty and right and wrong. It is these qualities that elevate Megan and her circumstances from just another boring spoiled rich person into a character you can care about and are invested in. One of the many small details that I found particularly intriguing is Megan’s hobby––making gelato. She frequently experiments with flavor combinations, and the descriptions made me want to visit my nearest ice cream store. I really wish that Michael Craft had included a recipe for gelato at the end of the book!

All in all, I found this to be a very enjoyable tale with just the right blend of relatable characters and high stakes situations. I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys thrillers and a main character’s journey to growth and greater self-awareness.

To enter to win a copy of Not Our Crowd, Darling, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line "not our crowd,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen January 17, 2026. US residents only and you must be 18 or older to enter. If entering via email please include your mailing address in case you win. If entering via comment please include your email address so we can contact you. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section in Kings River Life and in our mystery category here on KRL News & Reviews. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. And check out our new mystery podcast which features mystery short stories and first chapters read by local actors! 

You can click here to purchase this book. 

Sandra Murphy lives in the shadow of the Arch in St. Louis Missouri. She writes about eco-friendly topics, pets and wildlife for magazines and reviews mysteries and thrillers for KRL. A collection of her short stories, published by Untreed Reads, From Hay to Eternity: Ten Tales of Crime and Deception can be found at all the usual outlets. Each one is a little weird and all have a twist you won't see coming.

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.