The Game Is Afoot

The Game Is Afoot (2025) Elise Bryant (Mavis Miller #2)

I’m not rating this book.

I had a very difficult time reading and finishing it (it took me more than a month) so I don’t think I can clearly judge it.

Why? Because for most of the book Mavis is in denial about her anxiety and PTSD and needing therapy to deal with both.

… of course my school psychologist boyfriend is going to give me my very own personal session of Making Friends With Big Feelings. If only he didn’t look so cute doing it, and then I could be a lot more annoyed.

And we can clearly see her spiraling.

It’s like an alarm bell has been rung and now my body is living in the reverberation, trapped in this pulsating, overwhelming beat. And it’s all rushing together as it plays on repeat.

I struggled to get through those passages, and ended up skimming several of them. Because I know those feelings all to well, and watching someone else go through them and not being able to do anything about it… no.

On the plus side, Pearl remains delightful.

Bowel movements, bowel movements,” Pearl repeats, trying it out in her mouth. “That sounds funny!”

“It’s the mystery,” she continues, “of why Mr. Forest gave Anabella the lead in Annie when she can’t even sing! She sounds like…like—permission to say that bad word you taught me?”

“Permission not granted.”

And I like her father and how he’s enjoying his retirement.

But watching Mavis deny her issues and see her making her problems worse was just too much.

Characters: Mavis Miller, Pearl Harding, Corey Harding, Mr. Miller, Polly, Jack Cohen, Ms. Joyce, Nelson, Trisha Holbrook, Anabella Holbrook, Florence Michaelson, Jasmine Hammonds, Leon Hammonds, Langston Hammonds, Dyvia Mehta, Marigold, Hank, Bethany Bowman, Rose, Axel, Dakota, Ruth Gentry, Elijah Miller, Derek, Dom Dwyer, Sally, Della Lively, Charlie Lee, Mackenzie Skinner, Detective Berry, Detective De La Rosa, Principal Thomas Smith, Mr. Forest, Angela Hart, Cole Robinson / Dabrowski, Irene Dabrowski, Christine, Mrs. Alene Tennison

Cover by Camila Pinheiro

Publisher: Berkley

Rating: NR

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