... an exciting locked-room mystery that touches on domineering personalities, art and the #MeToo movement, helmed by an unconventional heroine ... Little’s cinematic eye and affinity for strong plotting guide the fascinating Pretty as a Picture as the author smoothly goes behind the scenes of moviemaking while delving into characters’ psyches ... Little effectively intersperses her narrative with snippets from the true-crime podcast Dead Ringer, which examines what happened on the island ... seals [Little} as an author to watch.

Most of the story is told through Marissa’s first-person narration, which showcases her unique, and uniquely compelling, voice while also exposing her inner feelings of isolation despite being surrounded by a veritable throng of Hollywood heavy hitters and freeloaders alike. Shorter segments in the form of podcast transcription are interspersed throughout; these bits offer color commentary from secondary characters (and Marissa herself) while allowing Little to poke fun at tropes of true crime, where—much like the entertainment industry at large—everything is expected to be the same… but different. It’s a fitting format, given the toxicity of Tinseltown, where attractive appearances often belie darker realities ... Like the best of cinema, Pretty as a Picture seduces with its surface charms only to ultimately sustain you with the depth of its subtext ... Told with biting humor, keen intellect, and detailed precision, this is both a meta mystery and sharp satire that solidifies Elizabeth Little’s place among the genre’s most compelling and original talents. It’s been a long wait, but some things are worth it—and this is one of them.

Marissa is also prickly, hyperarticulate, suspicious, neurotic, surprisingly tough and very funny — the ideal narrator for a book that pays homage to Hollywood and classic detective fiction ... The book celebrates women who have each other’s backs and put their friends ahead of their men. It is also a valentine to the intoxications of filmmaking and film-viewing. Marissa speaks with real love about corralling disparate scenes into a graceful and coherent narrative.

I failed to guess how much I would love this book. Marissa’s character resonated with me, as I tend to feel based on movie scenes as well and can be somewhat socially awkward. Little’s style of writing in this book was perfect. Marissa’s thought process written down is not unlike what goes on in my own head. The podcast interviews between chapters were also a fantastic addition. Any cinephile will enjoy this book. All the movie quotes and references alone were worth it, but add in a colorful cast of characters and murder, and you’ve got something irresistible.

Ms. Little’s witty book deftly skewers the movie-making world and the types who inhabit it ... with its mix of satire and action, is funny, fast-paced and a pleasure to read.

... features a mysterious island, a film editor out of her depth, and two grizzly murders across two generations… what’s not to love? ... In its first few pages, Pretty as a Picture captures your attention with the promise of a unique glimpse at Hollywood’s filmmaking process: through the eyes of a film editor. But it quickly becomes clear that the book has much more to offer — and that editing isn’t the only intriguing mystery it holds ... This book doesn’t have a big epiphany where Marissa suddenly learns to relate to people like everyone else does. She doesn’t need to change to succeed or be accepted by the people around her. She’s just herself: clever, sarcastic, and not very good at reading social cues. And that’s so, so satisfying to read ... Little does a great job of introducing a large cast of characters in a setting that feels very realistic, even though a mysterious murder island could have easily felt too fantastic to be real. Marissa, of course, is just an incredibly unique and fun character to explore the mystery with. And the novel’s tone smoothly transitions between drama, comedy and thriller, keeping your attention at every turn. These transitions are aided by transcripts of a true crime podcast supposedly recorded after the events of the novel — and for anyone who, like me, listens to way too many true crime podcasts, this just ads a whole other layer of fun and realism to the story ... If you’re looking for an intriguing yet ultimately heartwarming murder mystery novel that you will absolutely read in only one or two sittings, ignoring your responsibilities (it’s that gripping!), Pretty as a Picture is the book for you.

... a doozy ... Both a captivating thriller and a snarkily funny send-up of Hollywood pretensions, the book glories in movie references — film fans will be especially rewarded.

Little once again delivers a dark, witty thriller. Movie fans will be delighted with the behind-the-scenes setting and the numerous cinematic references. While there are some twists, this character-driven whodunit is mainly propelled by Marissa, an intelligent, charming protagonist whose neurodiversity is well portrayed. Recommended for mystery fans drawn to amateur sleuths and quirky, realistic protagonists.

Told in the framework of a podcast after the event, Pretty as a Picture is in some ways reminiscent of those mysteries of the late thirties and early forties—filled with heroines...who were fast-talking, smart as a whip, and always managed to put themselves in danger to get the story, learn the killer’s identity, or discover the name of the spy ... Even the setting...is a contrivance borrowed from many suspense films ... Though this is definitely a murder mystery, it abounds with flatly delivered one-liners, bon mots, and recognizable lines from movies designed to give it a humorous edge. If it wasn’t for the murder plotline, this would be a most humorous novel, but it is about a murder, and that tinge of unease, of danger hovering over Marissa’s shoulder, makes for some tingly literary moments ... Pretty as a Picture is a fun, slightly eerie, definitely scary look at real murder in a make-believe world.

... hugely entertaining ... propelled by a sharp, sardonic voice and an engaging protagonist ... The novel includes many film references to delight cinephiles, and the mystery will keep readers guessing, but the main attractions are Marissa and her vivid inner life.

The plot is thin and there are too many side characters to keep track of, but readers who stick with figuring out Marissa’s personality may find her to be an interesting new kind of amateur sleuth.

... [a] smart, cinematically steeped page-turner ... The twisty plot becomes overly convoluted, but Little scores with the achingly vulnerable Marissa, whose specific set of skills enables her to see the big picture before anyone else. Psychological thriller fans will be well satisfied.

Readers fascinated with the behind-the-scenes machinations of a movie set will be enthralled, plus there’s a frisson of romantic tension between Isaiah and Marissa, and the island setting lends some spooky atmosphere. Snippets from Grace and Suzy’s true-crime podcast, Dead Ringer, are also sprinkled throughout. Though a killer on the loose adds a fair bit of urgency in the second half, the main focus is on Little’s singular narrator ... A quirky and distinctive heroine headlines this fun and fast-paced thriller loaded with cinematic flourishes.