I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

She Doesn't Have a Clue by Jenny Elder Moke is a third person-POV romantic mystery. Best-selling mystery author Kate is a guest at the wedding of her editor/former fiancee, Spencer, and her small publisher’s marketer, Kennedy. As if that wasn’t awkward enough, her former almost-flame and someone she ghost wrote for, Jake, is also not only a guest but has been put on the list as her plus one. When Kennedy is poisoned and someone ends up dead, Kate is on the case to solve the murder and how it’s connected to her publisher.

The voice here will make or break the book for a lot of readers. The premise is very fun as Kate is not only a murder mystery writer, but she also thinks of moments in terms of her character, Loretta, taking over as a sort of security blanket. Loretta is the opposite of Kate in a lot of ways and the fact that their romantic situations mirror each other is not lost on most people (though Kate is in denial). The prose is humorous and at times and doesn’t take itself super seriously, especially when it’s leaning into the more romantic comedy aspects. It’s a fine line and I think it will work well for readers who really love a voice-y romantic comedy.

Jake and Kate haven’t really spoken in two years by the time the book opened. There was an incident that led to the dissolution of their relationship of Kate ghostwriting Jake’s travel stories, Wandering Australian. Kate is obviously missing their friendship and wants something more, but it takes alcohol for her to feel brave enough to tell him what she wants while Jake sets a firm line that he won’t do anything unless she’s sober. It’s a spicy second chance romance arc between them, complete with the misunderstandings some romance readers really love.

In the author’s note, Jenny Elder Moke refers to this book as a mystery-rom-com-franken book and I fully agree. The romance is too prominent to be called a subplot but it’s not the entire point of the book; the story would still exist if Jake and Kate’s romance wasn’t there. The murder mystery is the point as is Kate’s publisher, Simon Says, and stuff going on behind the scenes. I think this combination of genres, plus how character and voice-driven the narration is, is whyI enjoyed the book. I have found that I don’t tend to care for plot-driven mysteries in prose despite liking the idea of a lot of them, so something like this is more to my tastes.

I would recommend this to fans of voice-driven mysteries and readers looking for a mystery with a prominent romantic element

4.5 stars
This is a fun, entertaining read. Jake and Kate are interesting, relatable, intriguing, complex, wounded, flawed, strong, entertaining characters. I enjoyed their romance and the path it took to get to their HEA. The mystery was fun to read and sucked me just as much as the romance. The secondary characters added to the fabric of the story and my enjoyment. The story is easy to read and get into.

I enjoyed the audio version of this book and the narrator.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a fun mystery read. We meet Kate, a bestselling mystery author who is attending a wedding that she would rather not attend. From there, things go even more off track, and soon enough, she finds herself embroiled in trying to solve a murder. Even though she's a bestselling author, she has no idea how to go about solving this mystery. Aside from the mystery, there are a lot of interesting interactions between the characters. This is a perfect read if you love to read a sort of cozy mystery and try to see if you can figure out who did it!

Thanks to Minotaur Books and Net Galley for the arc!!

3.5 stars but rounding up for this murder mystery with some romcom vibes snuck in there!

Kate is a murder mystery writer who suddenly finds herself having to solve a murder, tapping into her alter ego/main character Loretta to try and make sense of things. This book has action, references to Mamma Mia, secret passageways, a love quadrangle and a wedding that just can’t catch a break, secrets, inheritances, and a private island owned by a woman obsessed with hunting! It sounds like it’s got a lot going on-which it does- but it handles it pretty well!! A very fun, simple and easy read!

Thank you so much to Jenny Elder Moke and NetGalley for a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review!

This book is so effing charming! The audiobook has accent work too! This was all around fun and made me giggle. Hightly recommend!!!!

I absoltely loved the whole story and had a great time reading it.

Thank you NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
***My review contains slight spoilers.***
A murder mystery novel about an author stuck on a private island in the PNW sounds like a great idea for a book. And it is. Unfortunately the execution just wasn't there though. While the mystery was interesting and was what made me finish the book, the FMC was so terrible, whiny, and insecure and the love interest felt extremely forced. This also includes a miscommunication troupe and that's not my jam.
Here are several of my WTF thoughts as I read the book:
-If the FMC literally cannot take 2 steps in these heels without falling over or into someone, why would she pack them? Also, it seemed that she later could walk in them just fine when that falling over and stumbling scene was over. Weird.
-The love interest. One minute the FMC and the love interest are sleuthing but haven't had a chance to discuss their feelings toward each other which are complicated because they have history, and the next minute they're making out in a secret passageway. There was no flirtation. No witty banter leading up to this, just BAM. The whiplash was real.
I respect that the author was trying to go from writing YA to Adult, but just sticking a s3x scene or two in the book isn't how to achieve the goal. Especially when it is so out of the blue.
I was sadly disappointed with this read.

Jenny Elder Moke's She Doesn’t Have a Clue is a delightful, fast-paced contemporary mystery that effortlessly combines charm, wit, and intrigue. With sharp prose and a compelling lead character, this novel is a must-read for fans of cozy mysteries and humorous detective stories.

The protagonist, Reagan Prescott, is a smart, sassy, and relatable heroine who quickly wins the reader’s heart. As a talented but somewhat underappreciated sleuth, Reagan finds herself thrown into an unpredictable and often comical situation when she stumbles upon a high-society murder mystery. Her sharp observational skills, paired with her unorthodox approach to solving problems, make for a thrilling—and often humorous—ride through a tangle of clues, red herrings, and unexpected twists.

Moke has a knack for creating an intriguing plot without bogging the reader down in unnecessary details. Each chapter flows seamlessly into the next, and the pacing keeps readers engaged without sacrificing character development. Reagan’s relationships with the quirky cast of supporting characters are well-drawn and add depth to the story, enhancing the mystery without overshadowing the main plot.

One of the book’s greatest strengths is its ability to balance humor with tension. Reagan's witty banter and sarcasm add a lightness to the otherwise intense mystery, giving the story a unique flavor. The author also does an excellent job of crafting a vibrant setting that makes you feel like you're walking through the streets of a bustling city or attending a high-stakes event. The world-building feels rich and immersive, making it easy to get lost in the story.

Ultimately, She Doesn’t Have a Clue is an entertaining read with just the right mix of suspense, humor, and heart. It will keep you guessing until the very end, and Reagan Prescott’s story is one that will stay with you long after the final page. Jenny Elder Moke has certainly crafted a memorable mystery that will leave readers eagerly awaiting her next book.

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Kate, mystery author goes to a secluded island for her ex-fiancées wedding. Everything starts to go wrong as soon as she gets on the ferry. We get a murder mystery ala Clue (my fav), romance, and rich people scheming.

I had a blast with this one. I may have had a couple little instances of secondhand embarrassment when Kate is put in every awkward situation possible. An attempted murder followed by an actual murder kicks Kate into slueth gear. It doesn’t help that they seem to be conveniently inspired by her books. The setting of an old mansion on an isolated island was fun, then you add in bad weather? Even better. There are Clue vibes with the murder mystery, tons of people having motives, and other things you’ll have to read to find out. The second chance at romance with her old friend, Jake was fun and added to the story. I was rooting for these two to not only figure out the mystery, but to have a chance at something real. I’d recommend for fans of a whodunnit mystery and rich people drama.


Thank you to SMP and Minotaur Books for my arc. All opinions are my own

This was such a fun time! Especially if you enjoy murder mysteries and romcoms.

I found this to be very entertaining and funny. I laughed out loud several times. I thought the comedy was spot on and fit the tone of the book. I liked the characters, especially the heroine because she was the one with the sleuthing skills. The characters had great chemistry too. The plot was well developed and interesting. I really enjoyed the murder mystery (what can I say, I'm a true crime girlie).

While the story revolves around a murder mystery, this still remains lighthearted. I think the author did a fabulous job blending two genres. They went together seamlessly.

Would definitely recommend!

If you are a fan of romcom murder mysteries, such as the Stephanie Plum series, you will love this book. Yes it was predictable, but oh so much fun! Marooned on an island off of Seattle in an eccentric woman's mansion, the setting of her niece's wedding is perfect. Hot men, poison, back stabbing "friends" what more could you want!

Thanks to McMillian publishing and NetGalley for the ARC of this book to read.

This is a fun, no escape wedding murder mystery with a romance plot. Murder mystery writer Kate Valentine is invited to a wedding on a private island. Incidents/murder attempts start happening that coincide with incidents in her books. Kate must figure out who is trying to frame her and why. Who best to help her out but her old crush, Jake. Will sparks fly as they solve the mystery?

Yes!! I enjoyed this book so much! I thought the mystery was very interesting and kept me guessing. I loved the banter between the main characters and the conclusion.

This one was a fun, twisty mystery with a bit of romance. If you're looking for a romance, this isn't one at its core. It just has some romantic elements with the main characters. Even though it wasn't a very romantic story, I enjoyed the entertainment of it. There were many side characters, which was hard to manage at times because of the different situations arising throughout the story. I thought the main female character seemed fun and was pretty relatable at times. There were times when I was confused with her choices when dealing with her investigation since she's not an actual law enforcement person. Another area of confusion was her connection with Jake. Which came off as weird; they went from barely talking about their past to wanting to get down to business with each other and then having a big, tension-filled argument. When this happens in a story, I'm always unsure why the author did it this way. I think it showed some development gaps in the romance aspect of the story. Even though I am more of a proper romance reader, this was still really enjoyable, and I think many lovers of a fun Knives Out-type mystery will like this a lot. As for romance readers, it might be a hit or miss.

Love a good locked room mystery with some good romance thrown in! This was so much fun! The main characters had such good chemistry and that twist!? Was definitely not expecting that!! Great amount of spice and suspense for the length of the story. Just so good! Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for my digital ARC!!

Aside from some geography based mess ups, this is a decent mystery/romance. Mysteries are not my favorite genre but I want to like them and this one was engaging and not predictable.

Kate Valentine is a successful mystery writer who was invited to her ex-fiancé's wedding on a private island near the San Juans. Her former friend and long time crush, Jake is also there. The cast of quirky invitees leaving the reader guessing whodunnit, as Kate dons her "sleuthing sweater" and tries to be like Loretta, her plucky main character. Hijinks ensue.

The story dragged on a bit and many of the characters were insanely unlikeable. However, Kate and Jake were not, so it was not too hard to enjoy the read. I would give it 3 stars.


Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur, and Net Galley for the DRC! All opinions are my own!

I enjoyed many parts of this story. I loved the setting. I thought it was fun that the murder was copying her latest book. But I am a huge fan of character development. I had a tough time keeping the characters straight. And Spencer was so wishy-washy, why would someone with Kennedy's savvy fall for him? And what is with him pining after Kate? And I don't want to do spoilers, but the killer??? It didn't add up or make sense to me.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance reader's copy of the book. This was a fast read for me. I liked that it was a romantic comedy sort of mixed with a mystery. The story was interesting and I was hooked and needed to know what happened next. The main character was interesting and I didn't hate her, didn't love her either but she wasn't bad. I never figured out the who dunnit until that was revealed so well done to the author in that that part wasn't very obvious. (At least for me.) I liked the love interest. Overall this was a fun popcorn read for me. I'll definitely be recommending it to all of my reader friends.

Thank you to Jenny Elder Moke, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for this arc of She Doesn’t Have A Clue, out January 21, 2025!

📜Quick Summary: Kate Valentine is a best selling author, who’s editor is, unfortunately, her ex-boyfriend. For a reason she can’t fathom, she’s invited to his wedding on a private island. This is the perfect opportunity to finish the draft of her latest Loretta mystery novel; an almost perfect wedding gift. But then the unthinkable happens…the bride is murdered and the story eerily follows her latest novel. With another past romantic love on the island-Jake- many old memories and feelings start stirring. Will Jake help her solve this mystery or will this one be unsolvable?

❣️Initial Feels: This seems like an easy, breezy, light hearted romantic comedy read infused with mystery. Right off the bat, the banter feels natural to the characters. Kate is also writing her novel with Loretta at times, so keeping those two storylines separate is key.

👀Trigger Warnings: murder

🙋🏼‍♀️Moving Character: Gosh, I loved all these characters for so many different reasons. I could see this playing out as a Netflix series, with so many unique characters bringing this novel to life. I loved Kate’s growth not only as a writer, but as a person. She embraced the changes and became more confident. I also loved Jake too; he leaned into his inner self many times at the end, and I loved his growth.

📖Read if you want: romance rolled up with mystery, private island setting vibes, fake dating, hidden secrets among the rich, lots (&lots) of characters

💡Final Sentiments: What could go wrong with a wealthy family, a private wedding island, and someone who’s in attendance that wants to kill someone? Well, this book has it all! Murder, drama, romance, ex lovers, and a quirky cast! I loved this one! If you want a great mix of murder and romance, this is it for you! This novel read so easily and I loved all the characters. Yes, there were a lot in this novel but each one was so entertaining! I could certainly see this as a short Netflix series with a fabulous cast!

🌟Overall Rating: 4.5 stars

This novel was provided by the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.

Bestselling author Kate Valentine attends her ex-fiancé's wedding on a private island, hoping to finish her latest mystery novel as a gift. But when the bride is poisoned and a body is found, Kate is plunged into a real-life murder case that mirrors her book. With the help of Jake Hawkins, her biggest romantic regret, she must navigate a web of secrets and resentments to catch the killer—before it’s too late.

I really enjoyed this one. It was the perfect amount of mystery mixed with romance mixed with comedy. Kate is a little quirky but she was the perfect character for this book. I enjoyed seeing her and Jake’s relationship play out and the banter between them. Also, I LOVED Loretta’s POV and how she helped Kate uncover clues and stay calm.

There were quite of few unlikable suspects that really added to the mystery aspect of this book. And Kate’s character growth was such a good one!

Rating: 4/5
Spice: 2/5

Tropes:
Slow Burn
Second Chance
Close Proximity
Creepy Old House
Family Secrets

Thank you Net Galley, St Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, and Jenny Elder Moke for a chance to read this ARC. All thoughts are my own.

Thank you, NetGalley!
This is half a murder mystery and half a romance book. I loved the main character, Kate. She was relatable and funny. Unfortunately, a book with a similar premise was published before this one. I loved this story and Kate and Jake had great chemistry. It’s not a competition but this is the better book.

Kate is an author of a popular murder mystery series who starts the book by bumping into her crush on her wya to her ex-fiance's wedding. Her book seems to come out of the pages when things start happening and people begin to suspect Kate had something to do with it. She teams up with Jake, her crush, to solve the mystery. There is sleuthing, secret passages, and many suspects along the way. The banter was my favorite part in the book.