Delighted to include this title in the June edition of Novel Encounters, my regular column highlighting the month’s most anticipated fiction for the Books section of Zoomer, Canada’s national culture magazine. (see column and mini-review at link)

Thank you Killer Crime Club and Netgalley for the advance
reading copy of this book.
About the book:
Miranda Abbott, once known for the crime-solving, karate-chopping church pastor she played on network television, has hit hard times. Turned down for a role on a cable reality show, Miranda is facing ruin when a mysterious postcard arrives, summoning her to Happy Rock, a small town in the Pacific Northwest. But when she gets there, nothing is what she expected.

In dire straits, she signs up for an amateur production at the Happy Rock Little Theatre, competing against the local real estate agent for the lead role. On opening night, one of the actors is murdered, live, in front of the audience. But out of 100 witnesses, no one actually saw what happened. Now everyone is under a cloud of suspicion, including the sardonic town doctor, the local high-school drama teacher, an oil-stained car mechanic, an elderly gentleman who may or may not have been in the CIA—and Miranda herself. Clearly, the only way to solve this mystery is for Miranda to summon her skills as television’s Pastor Fran and draw on the help of her new sidekick, Susan, a shy bookstore clerk who seems to know everyone’s secrets. Because the show must go on!

This book had eccentric characters that made it fun to read. Quick and easy read, great for a vacation read.
3.75 out of 5 ⭐️

First of all, a big thank you to NetGallery and Killer club for this advance eBook copy of this novel.

This is definitely an interesting murder mystery, with lots of eccentric personalities and a small town vibe.

This is a story of a once-beloved television sleuth who finds herself far from Hollywood and witness to a murder during a small-town theatre production and she is convinced it’s up to her to solve the case.

This book is marketed as a humorous mystery, and it definitely delivers that. There is a lot of quirky, silly antics that happen between this old school Hollywood star and the members of this small town. The town is very charming and the characters are endearing. I didn’t actually love Miranda (the main character) I found her a bit ridiculous and frustrating at times. I do tend to like my mysteries a bit more gritty then this, so it wasn’t necessarily my cup of tea. However, if you a looking for a funny, light murder mystery- I would highly recommend this novel.

Kindle Copy for Review from Net Galley, Killer Crime Club and HarperCollins Canada.

I received a free, advance copy of this book and this is my unbiased and voluntary review.

Miranda is an actress known for playing a sleuthing pastor when her career starts to take a downhill slide, she finds herself summoned to a small town. Not knowing what to do there, she finds herself joining the local production company where she is pitted against the local real estate agent.

During the show one of the actors is murdered but no one claim to see it happened. Somehow Miranda will find her imitating her former character. Will she be able to find the killer amongst the many suspects?
A quaint new cozy series that has good potential.

First off, thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC. Honestly, I found this book kind of difficult to get into and to finish. Although that might have more to do with it just not being my taste. I can absolutely see how someone else might enjoy it!

I Only Read Murder by Ian Ferguson & Will Ferguson
The perfect contemporary cozy mystery to laugh and relax!
Although Miranda Abbott's Hollywood acting days ended fifteen years ago, she is still waiting for the next big gig, refusing to act in fibre drink advertisements (she's much too young). The day her agent fires her, and her dining room furniture is being repossessed, she gets a mysterious postcard delivered to the run down motel suite she calls home. Mysterious it might be, but Miranda quickly recognizes the cryptic message and follows her heart to Happy Rock, Oregon. A quirky little oceanside village that boasts a grand hotel, a theatre named Opera House and a bookstore called I Only Read Murder (which only carries various types of mysteries and books about murder). Things are not quite as she expects in Happy Rock, but she quickly finds fans of Pastor Fran, the old show where she played a mystery-solving pastor. Her new friends convince her to star in the town's yearly production of a murder mystery play. She hopes that staying in Happy Rock for a while will help her mend the rift between her and her old love (the sender of the postcard). As Miranda's luck would have it, a member of the cast dies. Her new friends are convinced that like Pastor Fran, she can solve the mystery. Was it murder? What happens when the wrong person gets accused? Can Miranda use her knowledge from her acting days to solve a real crime?
Ian and Will Ferguson have written a cozy mystery set in a cozy village, where everybody knows everybody. Newcomer Miranda Abbott (with two Ts) gets to know the town and its people while truly getting to know herself. Building friendships and rekindling love, she finds the unexpected around each corner. Filled with humour and wit, the book has you solving a murder mystery just like Pastor Fran. You can't help but cheer for Miranda "I'm a Hollywood star" Abbott. Although she thinks (too) highly of herself, she is also witty and always optimistic. I love how Miranda is clueless about her rich & famous attitude but at the same time can be caring. She looks for the truth about the murder, and discovers the people. She analyses and digs deeper learning more about the tight little community.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Canada for sending this ebook for review. All opinions are my own. #IOnlyReadMurder #BooksOfHCC #NetGalley #ARCBooks #MysteryBooks #Books #BookReview

I must start by thanking NetGalley as well as the publisher Harper Collins for my eARC in exchange for my honest review. A heartwarming cozy mystery. Put together a quaint town full of unique characters, an annual theatrical production, murder, and you have - I Only Read Murder.