Cat figures she and Gilly can use a night out at the hot theater hit of the season- it's been a long miserable lockdown- but wow, not what either of them expected! The playwright, Yelena, used her pen to skewer 12 men one of whom skewers her! Cat and Gilly can't resist investigation, even though Cat's love interest Det. Steve Shepard doesn't want them to. Cozy readers know that there will be twists and red herrings. I like this series for the Hamptons setting and the repartee between Cat and Gilly, among other things. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Don't worry if you haven't read the earlier ones- this will be fine as a standalone.

Thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

First off, I want to gush about Victoria Laurie for a moment. I first encountered this author when I was going through a "cozy mystery" phase and reading all the cozy mysteries that I could find. Her Psychic Eye series starring Abby Cooper (the sister of this book's protagonist) was the best series I read, and I own every single book in that series. If you haven't already, make sure you check out that series! When I saw that the newest book in her new series was on NetGalley, I knew I had to request it right away. Thank you again to the publisher for this opportunity!

Coached in the Act by Victoria Laurie is Book 3 in the Life Coach Mysteries series, but it can be read as a standalone. Since I had read the first 2 books, I got some references that new readers wouldn't; but, if you're a new reader to this series, there isn't anything you wouldn't understand. This series stars Cat Cooper (Abby Cooper's sister) who works as a life coach, but her business is kind of struggling and she spends more time solving mysteries anyway. Her partner Gilly is her gay best friend and also helps her out with her life coaching business. This book revolves around a one-woman comedy show where the woman tells a series of jokes about her exes, whose names she keeps anonymous. When someone ends up dead, Cat and Gilly have to solve the clues to find out the killer before he/she finds them.

Here's an exciting excerpt from Chapter 3, when the victim is found dead:

"I gripped the top of my chair to steady myself from the shock of that announcement. “Dead? What do you mean, she’s dead?”
“She’s been murdered!” Gil shouted above the din of the crowd.
“Murdered?” I repeated. “How is that possible?”
“She was stabbed backstage during intermission!” Gilley exclaimed, still clearly excited by this turn of events. “Someone murdered her, then fled the scene!”
I stared at him with big wide eyes before looking over my shoulder toward the hallway leading to the exit. “Oh, my God,” I said, focusing on Gilley again. “I think I just met the murderer!”"

After I read that excerpt, I knew that I was in for a treat. I could not put this book down. I had to keep reading to find out what happens, and I ended up finishing this book in a day. One highlight of this series is the humor. Even though it's about two people tracking down a killer, it's pretty light-hearted and there are plenty of jokes. I would say it's a cross between a typical cozy mystery and a typical mystery. Another highlight of this book is the epic ending scenes. For each of the 3 books in this series, I have really enjoyed the heart-pounding, exciting climaxes where Cat and Gallie discover the killer. Even though the first part of the book is nice and funny, it gets serious and thrilling by the end. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're a fan of the mystery genre, I highly recommend that you check out this book when it comes out in August!

This is the third book in the series and I can sum up my thoughts in one word: Wow!
This book took me on a wild ride, with some great twists. It was a thrilling whodunit with interesting characters.
I love the friendship between Cat and Gilley.
I look forward to reading the next in the series.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. This is part of a series, I think I have read one of the others (I believe this is number 3). It reads ok as a stand alone, but I am not clear on what the whole life coach thing even is. It doesn't sound like Cat needs the money as this is set in the Hamptons. I don't understand this lifestyle so this is out of my comfort zone a bit. I loved the friendship between Gilley and Cat. The mystery of who killed Yelena was filled with twists and turns. The pandemic is mentioned and mental health is an issue as well. Overall, an interesting read, a well plotted mystery. 4 stars

Socialite Yelena Galanis scathingly plows through her twelve past lovers on stage at her solo theater act. Some find it funny but Cat does not so she leaves the theater and seeks out a coffee shop. Her friend Gilley enjoys the act tremendously and remains but is aghast at what happens next. During the intermission Yelena is stabbed to death, causing all sorts of mayhem. Meanwhile, Cat believes she may have seen the murderer after Gilley regales her with the crime scene she has missed.

Cat and Gilley have their own backgrounds and histories which appear throughout this, the third book in the series. As a keen and shrewd business woman Cat has become successful and lives luxuriously which is fun to read about. Her quirky personality really adds to the story.

The premise is fun and interesting and the writing is wonderful. However, to me the mystery lacks any sort of suspense or tension. But this is a cozy mystery and sometimes the mystery is low key and the characters and methodology take center stage.

My sincere thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this cheery, light and fun book.

Coached in the Act by Victoria Laurie is the third installment in The Life Coach Mysteries but can be read as a standalone.

I have been following the adventures of the main protagonist and her faithful side kick since the beginning and always relish getting back into the world of glitz and glamor of the Hamptons. It is without fail so inviting and so charming and a perfect setting for this series.

I also like the friendship between Cat and Gilly, it is truly rewarding to read and delight in their banter and their obvious love and appreciation of each other. I also admire how level headed, smart and resourceful our heroine is. She is a true woman of the world.

Mystery is very engaging and absorbing and unlike others of its genre. Even though there was a love triangle for a while it was done so tastefully and carefully that I didn't mind it although I do not appreciate them at all, especially as I feel that they are being done by so many writers at the moment.

Writing style is fabulous, so easy to read and so absorbing, it is hard to put it down. It is steady paced and perfect blend of mystery, humor and personal life, but done so well that neither part deters from the main point of the book.
This is a must read for the summer.

Cat and Gilley are at it again in this super cute mystery.
On a well deserved night out to a comedy club to see 12 Angry Men the lead is murdered. As we find out these men are very real ex lovers. It just so happens that Cat’s newest client is the prime suspect.

‘Ghosting someone’ means ‘to cut off all contact, as if they never existed.’ It’s a cruel way to end a relationship, but it’s becoming more and more common, I’m afraid.”

Gilley is not in a good place right now so I’m hoping before the next book his great one liners will be back in full swing.

“Oh, pish,” Gilley said with a wave of his hand. “It’s perfectly normal to delight in someone else’s public shaming as long as that someone is a total turd.”

I just love these mysteries. Quirky and fun plus you’ll never guess who the murderer is.

*I received a free copy of this novel from NetGalley and Kensington Books for my honest review.*

Cat and Gilley have been working hard life coaching and running the office building and Gilley is missing his hubby who is overseas so Cat gets them tickets to the hot new show in town - 12 Angry Men. It's a one woman show and Cat and Gil go all out for their night on the town. Unfortunately, Cat isn't amused by the man bashing show and bows out during intermission. And the woman putting on the show is murdered during intermission. Thus begins the investigation by Cat and Gil.

I am really enjoying this series and the way Cat and Gil play off of each other. This book had so many twists and turns trying to identify who the 12 angry men were, but also several other things that were not quite right. And everything played well with each other to have the mystery solved. I really enjoy when other people from the life coaching part of their lives come back up in the current books and I hope that this continues as well.

Great series!

Coached in the Act by Victoria Laurie is a great cozy mystery that is the third book in the excellent Life Coach Mystery series.

This series keeps getting better and better with each book. Cat and Gilley make an amazing team and the wit, banter, sass, and dialogue between them are perfect. I hope that part never changes.

I enjoyed the murder/mystery component as well. There were plenty of suspects presented with the concept revolving around Yelena’s death that kept the suspense, mystery, and interest alive.

I am really looking forward to the next book.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Kensington for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.

I love Victoria Laurie’s books. She writes well paced, entertaining mysteries with great characters. While I miss the supernatural elements of her other series: no psychics, mediums or ghosts, this was a good mystery that kept me flipping the pages to the end. The life coach series is hitting its stride with the third entry into the series. This is the best of the three. The mystery of who killed Yelena during intermission of her one woman show was interesting with enough suspects without being convoluted. Gilley is still my favorite and I would rather read a series about him than Cat but I enjoy this series. As long as the author keeps plenty of Gilley in the series, I will keep reading. The third entry saw the return of previous side characters including Cat’s love interest detective Shepherd. I loved the small mentions of characters from her other books. The addition of an adorable dog with a perfect name made this a fantastic read. Highly recommend to anyone who likes cozy mysteries and all Victoria Laurie fans.!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this digital ARC.

Cat decides to take her best friend, Gilley, who has been living separately from his husband during lockdown, to go out and have fun by attending the hot new show, Twelve Angry Men at Bay Street Theater. Only... the star of the one-woman show, Yelena Galanis, ends up being murdered during the intermission. When the police investigation turns the suspect to one of Cat's clients, whom she believes with all her heart couldn't possibly be the killer, Cat and Gilley decide to do some sleuthing by themselves to find the truth


First of all, I was rather worried when the word pandemic and lock down appeared in the first chapter! Can't help it, I still live in a country where currently Covid-19 is still turning high cases, and I don't want to read it on my fiction!! Luckily, the story seems to set in the world where the pandemic IS over. So yay!

I enjoy the story, like always with this series. Cat and Gilley work well together, especially when they have to plan something glamorous. I wonder why Cat don't decide to be fabulous party planner with Gilley instead of being a life coach *lol*. They work wonder to figure out clues about Yelena's boyfriend, with Cat sharp mind and Gilley's attention to famous people's life. Of course the case take a shocking turn and brings pressure to Cat's boyfriend, Detective Steve Shepherd!! Because, of course, twist and turn is needed!

I don't want to spoil a lot of course, but Cat pulls through. Gilley adopts a dog. I wonder how his marriage is going to end up. AND, I kind of wish that instead of Shep, Cat is dating that lawyer, Marcus Brown 😜


The ARC is provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, via Netgalley for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.

I really enjoyed the third entry in the Cat and Gilley Life Coach series!! I had so many feels, and I just love Victoria’s writing. As usual, cat and Gilley are not the best at investigating subtly or even the best, but that’s what makes these books funny and full of heart.

What twists and turns. I thought I knew who did it, but couldn't imagine.... Wow, loved the variety of characters and reference to Ms Laurie's other books characters.

When a mean spirited socialite writes and performs a one woman show about the men she has dated, things are sure to heat up. Later Yelena, the socialite is found dead stabbed to death. With a dozen suspects it may take Cat Cooper and her BFF Gilley awhile to flush out the killer. Well written. A must read! Thanks #netgalley and #Keningston for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Absolutely fantastic third installment of the latest series by Victoria Laurie. Cat and Gilley are back and up to their meddling ways. This time when an actress Yelena is killed during intermission they happen to have had a front row seat in the Hampton’s show, Twelve Angry Men. Yelena show pretty much is making fun of her love interests.
When Cat’s client Aaron is accused, she and Gilley start to decipher who are the 12 men. Will Cat and Gilley determine who were the men in Yelena’s life? Which of the 12 could have killed her?

Fantastic story, quick read, enjoyable murder mystery. Highly recommend.
Fantastic author that has a wonderful way to create characters that you just love.

If you’ve read anything by Victoria Laurie you’ll know what to expect with this one. It was a good book, but I did find myself a little frustrated with it. I wanted more action, more twists…the ending was rushed and ended at a weird place. It didn’t make sense to me. I am a Victoria Laurie stan, though, so she can do no wrong.

Coached in the Act by Victoria Laurie 5 stars (Life Coach Mystery #3)

Cat Cooper and her BFF/Assistant Gilley are living their lives, but feeling the blues. Gilley is missing his husband Michel and his long time BFF M.J. Whitefeather (Ghost Hunters Series). The pandemic has been hard on him, so to cheer him up, Cat invites Gilley to a one-woman show "Twelve Angry Men". Yelena Galanis wrote and performs in a show that is about her ex-boyfriends. The show is a hot ticket because it is a scandalous expose about the 12 ex-boyfriends. Halfway through the show, Cat gets a headache and tells Gilley that she'll miss the rest of the show and sit in a nearby coffee shop. Awhile later, Gilley rushes in to tell Cat that Yelena was stabbed during intermission. Even though, Shepard, her boyfriend warns her to stay out of his way, Cat can't stop investigating. One of her clients is a prime suspect. The stakes get even higher when another suspect hits closer to home. Cat has to put the pieces together to save the people she loves from going to jail.

I really loved this book. The dialogue between Cat and Gilley really makes the book a fun read. Although, we get a little scene with the characters from the Ghost Hunting series, I hope that Ms. Laurie will give us an update on Abby Cooper in the next book. I look forward to the next book in this series.

Thank you Netgalley and Kensington Books for this ARC.

Another fantastic book in this new series. I love Cat and Gilley and how they work as a team to figure out the mysteries. Whilst I had my suspicions about the murderer, there were enough twists and red herrings to keep me second-guessing myself until just before Cat figured it out.

Yelena Galanis's one-woman Broadway show, Twelve Angry Men, has taken NY by storm, and Cat and Gilley are lucky enough to score a pair of tickets to it. They both have very different opinions of the show, however, and Cat leaves halfway through, uninterested and uncomfortable with how things are being shared by the woman. The evening is turned upside down, however, when there is not one, but two, murders: Yelena and a man, covered in blood, who stumbled into the nearby coffee shop where Cat was waiting for Gilley.

They are once again drawn into the investigation when one of Yelena's ex-lovers becomes a prime suspect in her death, but Cat and Gilley wonder if there's more to it.

The clues are clever and the red herrings liberal, so it's a tricky mystery to figure out. Along with a good pace, it all makes for an excellent read. I'm looking forward to continuing the series!

Scandal And Gossip Abound…
The third in the Cat & Gilley Life Coach Mystery series finds the amenable duo rubbing shoulders with the glamour set. Scandal and gossip abounds in the Hamptons over the newest theatre offering but chaos ensues when it all leads to murder. Enjoyable, fun cosy mystery with likeable protagonists and a colourful cast of supporting characters. A fitting addition to the series.

Just keeps getting better and better. The mystery was quite good. Lots of twists that kept me guessing the whole time. As usual, Cat and Gilley are such a funny pair. I'm enjoying the development of their characters as they experience some heartbreak and bumps in the road, keeps them very relatable.