Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC of this book. It’s my first time reading something from this author, but I’ll be happy to read more. This is a fun book that follows Kate Valentine, the author of a successful mystery series with a sleuth named Loretta Starling. Her previous series starred a man named Blake, who she insists is not based on her friend (and the man she loves) Jake (from Australia). It’s rather obvious, since she used the adventures of Jake and fitted them into the stories of a wandering Australian named Blake. Can I just state from the beginning that I found the use of the names Jake and Kate a bit odd? I can’t explain it, but the combo just seemed like a weird choice—too similar, yet not similar enough.

The voice of the narrator is clever yet droll. The premise is that Kate is invited to her ex-fiancé’s wedding and runs into her ex-writing partner (and secret love), Jake. It’s clear he harbors similar feelings to Kate’s. So, it’s extra annoying to him whenever she excuses anything approaching intimacy between them as a mistake. Jake definitely did not see these flirtations as a mistake, which is, I think, the reason for the name of the book.

Sure, you could argue the title of the book refers to Kate’s inability to put clues together to figure out who was the murderer, even though she’s the author of a very popular series featuring a female sleuth. To which I say: Why not both?

Anyway, I highlighted a bunch of quotes from book. These are examples of wit or wisdom I discovered in the pages of this story. So, I’ll just list them.

“‘I’ll knock on the door,’ she announced, loudly and woodenly like a community theater bit player.”

“Was it too much to curtsy to a portrait? Probably, but that didn’t stop her from considering it.”

“The salesgirl at the boutique told her she wanted to cry when she saw Kate in the dress, and Kate wanted to cry when the total hit her credit card bill.”

Spencer is marrying Kennedy, but he is quite clearly still obsessed with Kate. When he assumes that Kate and Jake are together, Spencer demands to know: “When did this happen?”
“Well, Spence, when was it you and Kennedy got together?” Jake asked, so casually Spencer didn’t feel the barb until it was buried in his gut. “Must have been right around then.”

“She let out a sound that was borderline inappropriate for a bedroom, much less a ballroom full of wedding guests. It was craven, lusting, halfway to an orgasm, and Jake’s chuckle against her skin nearly pushed her over the edge.”

“Kate got lost in less than two turns of the hallways, finding herself either in a dry sauna or a portal to the hellmouth.”

Whoever is playing mischief at the party is obviously trying to frame Kate. And because Kate is so socially-awkward, she doesn’t know how to defend herself beyond saying, it wasn’t me. This made me chuckle, partly because the speaker refers to one of the books written by Kate, but really because the last part of the sentence is really funny:
“...Kate poisoned her and pushed her down the stairs like the killer in Something Borrowed, Someone Blue,” Juliette stated so matter-of-factly that Kate almost found herself nodding along with the accusation.

Charlie, Jake’s brother, is a doctor. He shows up at the end of the book. Kate is intimidated by him and feels like she doesn’t understand most of the medical stuff he says: “...she’d thought cardiothoracic was a dinosaur era when she’d first met Charlie.”

And this here made me laugh out loud. Kate was telling Jake about how she felt when he left her before, but the author, with a sense of humor that I love, decided that Kate would misremember the name of Jake’s friend:
“...you were going to join up with your friend… I want to say his name was Trout? But that’s not a human name.”
“Trent. Go on.”

I did mention a bit of wisdom in the quotes I’m sharing. Here it is: Kate starts crying and refers to it as the “snotterworks.” Believe it or not, this is the first time I can recall hearing this word refer to ugly crying. Since I’m a fan of grammar rules and new vocabulary, I’m going to consider this a new word I can add to my repertoire.

3.5/5⭐️

This has just the right about of bat shit crazy, humor, and spice that made me want more and to keep reading until the very end. This was actually really, really funny. This was like playing Clue, but high as a kite😂 I really did call the ending about halfway through because it seemed the most obvious to me but I couldn’t figure out why, but this was still a fun read. The spice also was a shock! I just wish there a little more of the romance aspect of the book. Still a fun read!

*Thank you to NetGalley, St. Matin’s Press, Minotaur Books, and the author Jenny Elder Moke for the ARC!*

Kate is at her ex-fiancé's wedding, a lavish afair on a private island where she doesn't fit in and most people don't want her. She was lured there by a direct invitation from the bride's eccentric aunt and the guilt of not turning in her manuscript on time to her editor, who also happens to be her ex-fiancé. When the bride is poisoned and things start feeling too similar to the popular series of murder-mysteries Kate writes, it'll be up to her to figure out what's going on before all the blame falls on her. Good thing Jake Hawkins, Kate’s former friend and her biggest romantic regret, is there to lend a helping hand.

It's a very solid murder mystery that's full of fun little twists. The plot is basically the typical amateur, but determined detective bumbling into clues, but Kate's charm, Jake's charisma, and the timing of things keep things moving. I blew through this book because you get sucked into the story and don't notice that you're 10 chapters in when you only intended to read a couple.
Kate's clumsy attempts at finding clues and sneaking into people's rooms always end with a laugh, and on one memorable occasion, some very steamy closet time with Jake. And just when you think things couldn't get more out there, the author drops another bomb of a clue. I will say that the culprit is pretty easy to suss out way before the story gets to it, but it's so fun to follow along with Kate that I'm not even counting that against it.
The romance is also pretty solid, with enough attention given to both the mystery and the romance plot to give both elements center stage whenever needed. I never felt like any of the romantic scenes were shoehorned in to make this more than just a mystery, and the mystery was a convenient excuse for the romantic leads to get together. All the elements worked together to make an excellent whole.

Very happy thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the twisty, fun read!

I had such high expectations when I opened this book and got ready to get lost in the pages. However, what I had hoped to be buried in the story was more of a mystery than what I experienced. This one was a little too lightweight and too much of a Hallmark-type story … which I dislike greatly! It was an entertaining read if you are okay with no depth. I know there are plenty of people who will find this appealing and I encourage you to give it a try and see if it you enjoy the story more than I did. While I typically remember a lot of details about the books I read, I think this one will just fade into obscurity and I will not remember much about it as the months pass.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

Adult
Contemporary
Cozy Mystery
Mystery
Mystery Thriller
Romance

I finished She Doesn't Have a Clue by Jenny Elder Moke on audiobook courtesy of @macmillan.audio on my way to see Stray Kids in Seattle.

I feel like I've lived a thousand lives since then. Thus, my review isn't very detailed 🙈

Synopsis: A young writer is headed to her ex's wedding on a remote island in a mysterious mansion. Mystery and intrigue begin when plot lines from her books begin happening to the guests.

What I liked:

🕵‍♀️ Saved By the Bell Mystery Mansion Vibes
🕵‍♀️ The writing flowed
🕵‍♀️ The neurospicy presenting FL
🕵‍♀️ The narration 🤌

What gave me the ick:

🚫 Full coitus AFTER finding a dead body but BEFORE telling anyone.

I guess this might be why there aren't a ton of open door mystery rom-coms? Maybe there are, and I've not come across them?

I'd read more rom-coms from this author, but less dead bodies pls.

Kate Valentine, a bestselling mystery author who finds herself at her ex-fiancé’s destination wedding. (Yes, you read that right.) There’s champagne, tension, unresolved feelings, and a dead body. Oh, and her ex-crush, Jake, just so happens to be there too. The setup is great, but the delivery is more Hallmark-channel-meets-summer-beach-read than true crime podcast. This book sounded like it had all the makings of a juicy, page-turning mystery: Isolated private island, Wedding drama, and a body turning up where it definitely shouldn’t be

And yet… instead of the high-stakes thriller I was expecting, I got something closer to a cozy romcom with slight murdery vibes. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, it just wasn’t what I was craving when I picked this up.

While I loved the banter, quirky characters, and the romantic tension between Kate and Jake , the actual mystery fell a bit flat for me. I never felt the “can’t put it down” urgency I look for. The pacing was a little slow, and the tension never fully built to the payoff I hoped for.

That said, if you’re looking for something fun, light, and perfect for reading poolside, this definitely fits the bill. The writing is charming, the dialogue sparkles, and the island setting gives it major escapist vibes. Ideal for fans of cozy mysteries, enemies-to-lovers tension, and a bit of humor with their homicide.

She Doesn’t Have a Clue is out now. Huge thank you to Minotaur Books for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion. If you liked this review please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my Instagram @speakingof.books.
Tiktok @speakingof.books
Website: SPEAKINGOF.ORG

LOVE! She Doesn’t Have a Clue is the perfect blend of comedy and mystery and enemies-to-lovers romance. It’s part cozy mystery and part rom-com. A lavish wedding on a secluded island during a storm is the perfect setting for a murder mystery with a side of romance. When mystery writer Kate Valentine is invited to her editor’s wedding, who also happens to be her ex, she thinks it a bit strange but goes anyway. When she arrives, the cast of characters is a bit odd, but again, she goes with it. But when several attempts are made on the bride’s life, and clues point to Kate, it’s time she puts on her writer’s cap to solve the mystery of who’s trying to kill the bride and set her up to take the fall. When the storm cuts them off from the mainland, she has no choice but to trust the only person on the island who believes she’s innocent - hot Australian Jake, who she has some past history. As the storm intensifies, so does the mystery of the bride as well as the chemistry between the pair. While I found the mystery and clues a bit of a mess to follow, I found the overall plot and romance between Kate and Jake entertaining. A great lighthearted read.

Thanks so much for the copy! This was a book i requested based on the cover and it didn't disappoint! This is a new author to me, and i cannot wait to read what comes next.

Thank you to the author and Netgalley for a copy of this book. This was hard to get through for me because of the combined genre feel. I started to skim towards the end because I was getting bored unfortunately.

Jenny Elder Moke’s adult fiction debut She Doesn’t Have A Clue is such a fun mystery-adventure read. I picked this book up on the premise of having really enjoyed and loved Moke’s YA books. This book is totally different – first it is set in present day. Second, it is a murder mystery. However, it still has those compelling elements that I loved from Moke’s previous books.

She Doesn’t Have A Clue opens with author Kate Valentine trying to catch a ride to a private island in order to attend her ex-fiance’s lavish wedding. Only, the boat she hitches a ride on happens to have another passenger. The “Wandering Australian” Jake. Jake and Kate go way back – she used to help write the books of his adventures. However, they haven’t really connected in a while. There’s a reason for that as we unravel the story. The island should be a lavish paradise – and the lodge mostly is. Except for the taxidermy collection. At least the wine cellar is fully stocked. Only, Murphy’s Law starts to apply – anything that can go wrong, does go wrong. And who receives the blame? Kate. When a body is found, Kate channels her fictional heroine and tries to solve the case. Only, life may not align with the books.

Kate has kind of lost her way. She’s overdue on her next Loretta book. She has just been off. However, it seems like in working with Jake she starts to get some of that mojo back. She’s easy to root for and identify with — as someone who also has struggled with being stuck in a rut. I also really enjoyed the romance between Kate and Jake. Afterall, Jake apparently is Kate’s plus one, unbeknownst to Kate. They share a room – yes, that trope. There is a clear spark between them. Plus, it was fun hearing about the different adventures Jake has had – even though Kate feels a little insecure over it. Again, she’s relatable. She Doesn’t Have A Clue is perfect for people who want a cozy mystery that has some spice to it, if you know what I mean.

🔎👰‍♀️🏚Book Review:
Title: She Doesn't Have A Clue
Author: Jenny Elder Moke
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️/3 stars

‘Till death do us part’ has never been so literal.

"Half mystery, half romance, She Doesn't Have a Clue by Jenny Elder Moke is a meet-cute to die for that serves up a colorful cast in this delightful, whodunnit set at a lavish destination wedding."

Just because you write bestselling novels about a detective investigating murders does not make you a legit detective. For whatever strange reason, Kate Valentine is invited to her ex-fiance's wedding? And the bodies just keep dropping. How in the world does she become the main suspect?! This book was pretty funny and definitely entertaining.

Published: January 21st, 2025

Thank you, @netgalley and @minotaur_books, for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Had a lot of promise, but fell flat for me. I wanted more romance and the relationship was not believable. No one really seemed all that surprised by what was occurring around them.

She Doesn’t Have a Clue is a cute and cozy murder mystery with a bit of romance and some seriously funny scenarios! I loved all the twists that kept popping up throughout the story, along with the swoon worthy moments with Kate and Jake.

This debut adult novel by Jenny Elder Moke offers a delightful blend of cozy mystery and romance. The secluded island setting and a cast of eccentric characters create a perfect backdrop for a whodunit with a touch of humor and heart. Kate's witty narration and the rekindled romance with Jake add depth to the story, making it both engaging and entertaining.

She Doesn't Have a Clue by Jenny Elder Moke is quite a novel. This book is quirky and fun and surprising. I started reading and I immediately did not like the writing style. However, I kept reading and kept laughing at the eccentric main character and her hijinks. Somehow, the plot was so engaging that it was hard not to like this book and want to keep reading. With some mystery and romance, this book surprised me at every turn. Overall, it is a good read. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

I didn't get this one read before it was no longer available to me so I can't really comment on this one. I haven't read this author before so I have a difficult time giving a valid review.

I have to start with a what? moment...when I realize Kate is going to a destination wedding for her Ex-Fiancée. That raises eyebrows right off the mark. Kate is a writer of series based on a successful female detective and writers block made her think a change of scenery would help, hence the wedding. A lot of what goes on in Kates life happens inside her head as her invention Loretta would encounter and deal with. People see it as Kate not paying attention but she's writing, & usually throwing out, dialog. Her ex is her editor, Spencer. Also invited to the potential mess is her ex book partner, Jake. He was the subject & photographer of their adventure books and Kate's long time crush.

I liked Jake much better than Kate. He's pretty much an adult with his life working out for him. Kate is a mess, flighty, unorganized, just annoying and as the book title says - she doesn't have a clue - about much at all.

The location is perfect for a murder mystery; it's storming which is even more perfect. There are lots of secondary characters, guest & staff. I thought the plot was slow and I didn't like any of the characters enough to become fully invested. A young adult book writers first foray into adult fiction would be uncertain and unfortunately I didn't think it worked well.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#SheDoesntHaveAClue #MinotaurBooks #JennyElderMoke #NetGalley #mystery #secondchanceromance #whodunnit #Amateur Sleuths # Women Sleuths #MysteryRomance

I did not finish. Everything about this presents as a more of a cozy mystery... but the swearing and then sex scene. The main character seems to run around like a "chicken with her head cut off" and isn't relatable. I was highly disappointed and turned off. Since I didn't finish I won't post a review on my blog.

Rom-com meets cozy mystery in this fun novel that follows Kate Valentine and the hunky Australian Jake. Kate is constantly living her life vicariously through her main character Loretta, but the time comes when she must trust her own instincts. This locked room mystery on an island during a storm will keep you guessing until the end.

Kate Valentine is a mystery writer ready for a nice wedding weekend until plots in her book start happening. A cozy mystery set on a remote island for a wedding where there are ex-lovers, dead bodies, and lots of secrets. Not much of a thriller but has cute banter!