This was my first book by this author and though it got a little confusing at times. I did enjoy it.
Kate is going to her ex's wedding, not a good idea yo start with, but she has received a special invitation and is intrigued.
This had a lot of moving parts and got a little muddled at times, but was really entertaining
Thanks yo Netgalley for the advanced copy

This was definitely more light hearted than I was expecting but I still enjoyed it! I totally was expecting this to be more thrilling but it’s actually more of a cozy, light, humorous, romcom with a mystery. It’s kind of giving hallmark mystery, which isn’t a bad thing, as long as you’re aware of that going into it. This is a great option for people who want a murder mystery that’s more playful, and without all the tenseness or stress of a standard thriller. I can definitely see this book becoming a made for tv movie for Hallmark.

I’ve read Jenny Elder Moke’s books before, the first book in her YA duology completely blew me away and I still think about the insane ending to that book even though I read it years ago. Nothing else she’s written has quite hit for me like book one of that duology, but I’ve read everything she’s written apart from Hood. This genre swings into the contemporary romcom cozy mystery genre, which is totally different from what she normally writes. Unlike the action packed books she normally writes, this one is filled with humorous and witty dialogue and mainly is just very playful.

This is a good palette cleanser if you’re looking for a fun book about an amateur sleuth. It isn’t anything ground breaking or serious but it’s not intended to be. It didn’t quite hit for me as much as the first Samantha Knox did, but I wasn’t expecting it to because that book really was so intense and unputdownable. This book is exactly what you’d expect going into it, a cutesy cozy mystery. And, the killer actually isn’t one that is super predictable to figure out! 3 stars because while I didn’t necessarily have any complaints, this book wasn’t exactly unputdownable. It took me a while to get through, far longer than I wanted. But, a book like this would be a good palate cleanser if you’ve just read something intense.

Thank you to Netgalley and Minotaur for sending me an advanced copy in return for my honest review.

I have never read anything by this author before, but I really enjoyed reading this book. The pacing was good and the character's were developed very well.

🔎 W A C K Y W E D N E S D A Y review 🔍 featuring “She Doesn’t Have a Clue” by Jenny Elder Moke!

BOOK REVIEW: 🖤🖤🖤.5/5

Mystery writer Kate Valentine finds herself going to her ex-fiancé’s wedding on a private island off the coast of Seattle. Since the groom is her editor, Kate decides that her wedding gift to him will be a draft of her latest novel, while drowning herself in free champagne 🥂!

That IS until the plot of her latest novel becomes REAL LIFE when Kate stumbles across a dead body! The bride to be has been poisoned and everyone at the wedding is a suspect! Now it’s up to Kate to embody the main character of her mystery series Loretta Starling and figure out WHO would want the bride dead ☠️!

This was such a fun cozy mystery mixed with a ton of wit and banter, amateur sleuthing and a lustful romance! Read this if you enjoy murder with a side of second chance romance!

Thank you kindly to @jennyeldermoke @minotaur_books @stmartinspress @netgalley for my advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review! This book releases on January 21, 2025!

The narrator of this book was Sarah-Mollo-Christensen. This was my first time listening to a book by this narrator. The narrator seamlessly moved between characters, and kept an easy and understandable flow between chapters. The narrator made the characters sound unique and relatable.

Kate Valentine is the author of the popular Loretta Starling mystery series. When she gets invited to her ex-fiancee’s wedding, she is a bit apprehensive. Kate has been in a bit of a slump writing the next book in her series. She is feeling the pressure, as her ex-fiancee is also her editor.

Jake, also an ex of Kate's, shows up at the wedding. The wedding happens to be at the remote Hempstead Manor during a storm. Things start to get strange as things start to happen that resemble Kate’s mystery books. There are lots of guests, some who have their own agendas.

This story is part mystery and part romance. It was unique to have this kind of mix in one story. I enjoyed the mystery part, and the laugh out loud moments. When the story came to an end and the mystery was solved, things got a bit chaotic.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the ALC, and for letting me share my early thoughts on She Doesn’t Have a Clue.

Kate should be delighted to find herself sharing an isolated private island with long-time crush Jake. Well, maybe if she she wasn't being accused of being a murderer. A mystery author herself, Kate also notes a strange similarity to her own mystery novels. The fact she's a klutz and seems to always manage to react in exactly the wrong way to events doesn't help. I was confused initially when the point of view seemed to be flashing between Kate and someone named Loretta who seemed to have a handle on such things far, far better than Kate. As it turns out, Loretta is Kate's fictional creation, one she tends to hide behind. Heck, she even uses Loretta to facilitate her fantasies about Jake, who she's also made into a character in her book series. She uses Loretta as a bit of a shield, so to speak, trying to imagine how Loretta would handle finding a body and being stuck on an island in the middle of a savage storm amidst a feuding family, spooky manor house with countless confusing hallways and hidden passages, countless animal trophies, both heads and full bodies, hidden rooms, an eccentric hostess, and, oh, yeah, a wedding party. Ah, complications and locked room mystery vibes mixed with rom-com vibes.

I won't detail the plot but will say to buckle your seat belt. It tends to zig-zag and twist and turn, all while we're bouncing back and forth in Kate and Kate As Loretta's minds, so to speak. Heck, I haven't even mentioned the Deer Shredder, who handiwork we encounter early on. Toss in a dead body or two and, well, there's lots going on. There are even some steamy scenes when Kate does let down her guard against Jake. Maybe because he keeps rescuing her? Usually just in time for her to be accused of something else, of course. Wait until you see the fixes she keeps getting into. Lots going on, most mirroring Kate's own fictional works. Who'd be so diabolical? I actually wound up liking Jake far more than Kate, mostly because he seemed more open and honest upfront. Kate is hiding behind Loretta, using her to try to make sense of everything. All this, remember, while a storm is raging, winds are blowing out windows, and mysterious fires break out, not to mention fingers being pointed at Kate for much of the misery.

Have I confused you yet? There really is a rational ending, albeit one that may make your heart race before all is said and done. I'm not sure this was a book for me but, as noted, I came to understand Kate far more as the book drew to a close. It's far easier to hide behind the mask of Loretta for her than to face messy reality, bottom line. Loretta has all the answers while Kate has, well, none. Thanks #StMartin'sPress - #MinotaurBooks for allowing me to be an early fly on the wall while Kate struggles to make sense of not just the mystery but own life. Not quite the book for me but I can imagine others will love the rush of adventure, romance, and spooky intrigue.

This book was a lot of fun to read. I would describe it as a locked room mystery meet romantic comedy. I liked the premise, the mystery the FMC Kate, the setting of the remote island, and all the suspects. On the romance side I liked their banter, but I found their background history frustrating. I loved them together though and how they just worked. All in all this was fun and entertaining.

"She Doesn't Have a Clue" is an entertaining and light read that delivers satisfyingly on the rom-com mystery hybrid. The dialogue sparkles with humor and the characters are delightful. The mystery is a locked room type and very meta considering Kate is a mystery writer who prefers to live in her characters' world than in real life. There are plenty of twists and turns and just the right amount of red herrings to the mystery to keep mystery fans engaged. The mystery is on the cozy side as we don't witness the actual murder. There is also a sweet, slow burn, second chance romance between Jake and Kate. The chemistry between Jake and Kate sizzles and the tension between a will they or won't they romance will meet the expectations for romance fans. The romance is on the steamy side and open door. Overall, this book made me smile and laugh out loud especially during a very stressful week.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan/St. Martin/Minotaur for the advanced copy of the book. .

This book sounds like it would be right up my alley but, sadly, it’s a DNF at 24% for me. I am still having trouble understanding the relationships between the characters and more and more characters keep getting introduced. Really interesting premise, just lost me in the execution.

Thank you Minotaur and Netgalley for the e-arc!

🌟 Just finished She Doesn't Have a Clue by Jenny Elder Moke, and I am absolutely obsessed! This book is a delightful mix of mystery, humor, and heart that kept me hooked from start to finish. 🕵️‍♀️💕

The protagonist is such a relatable character—her wit and determination made me cheer for her every step of the way. The twists and turns in the plot were so cleverly crafted, I found myself gasping at every reveal! Moke's writing is sharp and engaging, making it impossible to put down.

What I loved most was how the story explores friendship and self-discovery amidst the chaos. It’s a perfect reminder that sometimes, the biggest adventures come when you least expect them.

If you’re looking for a fun, fast-paced read that will keep you guessing, She Doesn't Have a Clue is a must!

2.5

She Doesn’t Have a Clue had all the elements of a great mystery—an isolated mansion, a small pool of suspects, and a quirky amateur sleuth—but it ultimately didn’t work for me.

I found the female main character, Kate, frustratingly annoying. Her constant habit of slipping into her fictional world disrupted the story and made it hard to stay engaged. The pacing also felt off, with the murder not occurring until halfway through. While the ending did surprise me, I wasn’t invested enough in the characters to really care who the killer was or why they did it.

That said, fans of lighthearted, rom-com-style mysteries might enjoy this more than I did. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

3.5 the book was a nice quick read.

The mystery/romance aspect was nice. Second chance romances are my favorite & throw in a murder mystery as well? SOLD.

The FMC Kate, was the POV we read for the entirety of the book. Her headspace, wasn’t great so that was tough to enjoy but I did really really like Kate and Jake together.

Thanks NetGalley for the ebook in exchange for my honest review.

This debut novel was a fun read. I'm looking forward to more book from this author. Highly recommended.

The story was ok. And fun, interesting. I didn’t loved as much as i could but had definitely a good time reading, will recommend to friends

This genre crossing novel is a delightful blend of cozy, locked room mystery and lighthearted rom-com, and somehow it works.

Kate Valentine is a bestselling mystery writer attending the wedding of her editor on a secluded island, which wouldn’t be unusual except the groom is also her ex-fiancé. Making the situation even more awkward is the presence of Jake Hawkins, a hot Australian that is Kate’s “one that got away”. While on the island stuff happens. The bride is poisoned; maybe? Kate discovers a dead body. Bad weather rolls in knocking out the power and stranding the guests. Oh, and someone seems to be framing Kate.

Jenny Elder Moke uses some interesting techniques to bring the story together, such as having Kate turn to Loretta, the fictional heroine of her books, to try to the identify the killer. Jake and Kate team up to solve the mystery while their attraction heats up. It’s all in good fun and never takes itself too seriously. A little spice, occasionally interrupted by mayhem, adds to the overall enjoyment.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advance copy in exchange for my unbiased review.

A solid cozy romance mystery. The pacing and tension was a little light for my taste but I enjoyed the setting and characters and think there is a lot for readers to enjoy.

She Doesn't Have A Clue is a fun, lighthearted, cozy, fast paced, locked room romcom mystery. It was my first deep dive into this genre and I enjoyed it. I thought It was really entertaining. The whole adventure throughout the whole book promises for an unputdownable read. The goofiness and clumsiness of the FMC truly brought on such a fun aspect to the investigation, it left the book feeling so much more light even if there was a murder to be solved.

The characters were well developed, they were fun, quirky, and had their own distinctive personalities. The relationship between the FMC & her love interest added on some sizzling chemistry and absolutely charming banter. I loved that there were a lot of characters to suspect, which brought on so many different theories. There is also some nice character growth to look forward to.

A very fun book for lovers of the cozy mystery romcoms. This one brought on many fun aspects and a good story. Curl up on your couch with a hot drink and a blanket, enjoy !

✨️Thank you to @netgalley, @minotaurbooks & @jennyeldermoke for my gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a a weird book. The FMC was a writer, and she was so in her own damn head about her books that multiple scenes were interrupted by her remembering her own books and someone having to bring her out of her own mind about it. No one even died until about halfway through either, and the whole book read like a poorly written cheesy clue whodunnit and not in a fun way. In a "This feels like the authors first book ever and she tried really hard to emulate the style and intrigue and dramatism of Clue and missed it by a long mile" way. I struggled really hard with this one, truly.

3.5 ⭐️ rounded to 4 !
This was a cute romcom / mystery read . Although I struggle hard with 3rd person pov - the book was cute . I think I would have enjoyed listening to this as opposed to reading it as there were different characters and would have been fun to hear the narration . Also I think it helps us who struggle with 3rd person hope but overall cute read - cute , weird at times , romantic , fun mystery with awesome banter !

Thank you St Martin’s Press & NetGalley for the opportunity to read this arc in exchange for my honest opinion !

In the story we meet mystery author Kate Valentine who is attending the destination wedding of her ex-fiancé and publisher at a remote private island. What is meant to be a uneventful, relaxing vacation to celebrate the love of two individuals quickly starts to spiral when things start to get strange. Life truly starts to imitate art as events that took place in her novels start playing out in real life. Can Kate take on the persona of her intrepid fictional detective Loretta and figure out what is really going on?

She Doesn't Have a Clue is the perfect mix of locked room mystery and romantic comedy that is perfect for lovers of mysteries, rom coms, or better still both. The story is a unique premise and contains many of the classic elements mystery readers love in an atmospheric read. It's set in a spooky mansion with plenty of dark and stormy nights to set the tone. Add to that the vast amounts of family drama centered around inheritance and ex-lovers and you have one perfectly captivating read. There is quite the cast of characters, each unique enough to stand out from the rest, with plenty of suspects and clues for readers to sift through. The main characters have chemistry that leaps off the page. While the story centers around a murder investigation, it remains lighthearted throughout thanks to the comical antics of the main character. My only fault with the book lies in the choppy writing style that can make the book hard to follow at times. It looks like there will be a second in the series at some future date which I am eagerly anticipating.