★★★★ Without a Clue by Melissa Ferguson, A Cozy Mystery Romance on a Luxury Booklovers Cruise
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary e-copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own and I was not required to post a positive review.
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About This Book:
A laugh-out-loud rom-com wrapped in a whodunit, this high-seas adventure proves that sometimes the best love stories start with a little murder.
Penelope Mae Dupont has one superpower: keeping her cool. Which is essential when you're the personal assistant to renowned mystery author Hugh Griffin. But when Pip organizes a luxury book cruise featuring The Fabulous Seven--a glittering cast of seven bestselling authors known for both their brilliance and their drama--her trademark composure starts slipping. One boat. Seven egos. Hundreds of fans. What could possibly go wrong?
Well . . . murder, for starters.
On day two, Hugh is found dead--and the cruise security team proves to be utterly incompetent. Stranded in the middle of the Atlantic with no help in sight, Pip realizes if anyone's going to solve the case, it'll have to be her. And so, with her friend and ally Nash, the dreamy Western author who's just as rugged as the cowboys he writes about, she puts her amateur sleuthing skills to the test.
As Pip and Nash navigate an ocean of secrets, shocking twists, and one too many red herrings, she'll have to decide whether she's meant to stay behind the scenes--or finally step into the spotlight . . . and maybe, just maybe, find love along the way.
In the world of mystery and love, sometimes you have to risk going overboard to find the truth.
MY REVIEW: ★★★★ 4/5
Without a Clue is another delightful, wildly entertaining story from Melissa Ferguson - this time with a quirky, unconventional twist based loosely on my favorite board game, Clue. When seven authors set sail on a cruise for a reader convention, things quickly take a dark (and hilarious) turn with a death onboard, turning the entire, motley crew into suspects. Their assistant, Pip, finds herself right in the middle of the chaos, determined to get to the bottom of the mystery… even as another death complicates things further and a charming, unexpected romance begins to bloom.
Ferguson delivers her signature wit and warmth with a dash of mystery, balancing humor, romance, and intrigue perfectly well. The bookish setting, complete with authors, readers, and clever literary references, made this one especially fun for readers who love stories about stories. (I adored how Pip used her love of books to help solve the mystery).
While it leans a bit silly at times, that’s part of its charm! The lighthearted tone, goofy moments and blossoming romance made Without a Clue the perfect escape read. Overall, its a fun, clever romcom with a whodunit twist that’s sure to keep readers smiling from start to finish.
Check out these other Melissa Ferguson recs!
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CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
Delightfully clever - wholesome romance, amusing predicaments and a bit of mystery!
Meet Me In the Margins offers book lovers of all kinds an insightful, often humorous, taste of the publishing world and what happens behind the scenes at a publishing house. My book-loving heart found the setting of a small publisher and the unique exchange of secret notes in the margins of a manuscript to build a love story both brilliant and clever.
Mystery · Cozy, Clean & Sweet · Romance
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Melissa Ferguson expertly blends her signature wit and humor with a dash of mystery, a touch of romance and a burst of intrigue in this cozy, sweet mystery slash romance! A brand new release that readers are sure to find delightful and charming!