Thank you for allowing me to review this book. I am giving my rating based on my own personal opinion and not that of any other party.

Staying out of prison isn’t such a bad idea for former actress Julia Mann, but it just might be unavoidable for her. As an ex-con, teaming up with her AA sponsor Natasha might not be the smartest thing that Julia has done, but having found a dead body in her swimming pool, what else is she to do? Julia already has one murder conviction, and that is plenty.

Just like oil and water, Julia and Natasha have more than their share of friction. But there it is. The pair working together to prove Julia’s innocence, and to find the murderer. With Hollywood as the backdrop for this cozy mystery, the setting and supporting characters are right there for Julia and Natasha.

Both Julia and Natasha are recovering alcoholics, so that part of the story that deals with addiction gives the story more substance. But, there is also more than a bit of levity in this story, making this an enjoyable read.

Many thanks to Berkley and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

When Julia Mann, a bad-tempered ex-actress and professional thorn in the side of authority, runs into Natasha Mason at an AA meeting, it’s anything but a meet-cute. Julia just found a dead body in her swimming pool, and the cops say she did it (she already went to jail for murder once, so now they think she’s making a habit of it). Mason is eager to clear Julia’s name and help keep her sober, but all Julia wants is for Mason to leave her alone.

One Death at a Time is a decently entertaining, humorous cozy mystery with well-drawn characters.

Thank you Abbi Waxman, Berkley, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

I love Abbi Waxman’s writing and this book delivered. A cranky former actress teams up with her Gen Z sobriety sponsor to solve a murder. This one is cozy and a little silly, but was such a fun, entertaining listening. Thank you to @netgalley and the publisher for an ARC. Four stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I am not a mystery reader. However, I am an Abbi Waxman reader. I am so happy I did not skip this new novel. Mason finds herself at AA along with Julia Mann, a former actress with a penchant for being arrested for murder.

True to Waxman’s style there is an eclectic cast of characters. I loved every minute of this Hollywood who done it

I loved this book! I am always a fan of the young person/old person adventure trope, and this one being a murder mystery was ideal for me. The characters are all so great and the twists are ones that kept me guessing! I enjoy Abbi Waxman's writing style, and I hope this book is the start of a series. I'd love to see this cast of characters work together again.

One Death at a Time was an entertaining and clever read that kept me guessing while balancing humor and mystery in a way I really enjoyed. I loved how the characters felt distinct and relatable, and the small-town dynamics added an extra layer of charm to the story. Some plot twists were a bit predictable for me, but the witty dialogue and engaging pacing more than made up for it. Overall, it was a fun, satisfying read that I’d happily recommend.

"Sometimes you can see things coming, but still can't avoid them."

There's just something about Abbi's voice when she writes that keeps me on edge and full of laughter. Even changing genres didn't change that, but I do have to say that this didn't hit the same way her romance novels do. There is joy among.. a bit of confusion.

That said, I loved the way this book was set up. Sobriety, and comedy, and mystery, and so much humanity in a text. I loved getting to know Julia and Mason, loved the way they worked off of each other, and will never get over their progression into friendship. They really tried to understand each other, which is all we can do for the people we love.

I'm looking forward to seeing Abbi grow in this genre, but more, to continue to hear her voice.

3 stars

This is my second book by Waxman. I have also read The Bookish Life of Nina Hill and I must say I enjoyed that one moreso than this book. To get the cons out of the way, I felt that the book was way too long - cutting 100 pages would have been better. I also thought that Waxman added about 6 additional characters that she could have left out. They seemed to be just busy work - unnecessary - they added nothing to the story and took the character count way too high for my satisfaction. When you have too many to keep track of you begin to ask yourself if the story is even worth reading. Instead of being entertaining it becomes just another problem of the day.

On the plus side Waxman's writing style is good - simple easy prose that keeps you turning pages. Her main characters have good development and are likeable. Some of the added themes are good - however she is a bit heavy handed in adding these. The plot was simple enough, yet had a good fundamental concept.

An alcoholic starlet, prone to blackouts, and her assistant try to track down a murderer, even though the starlet is the one accused - currently released after having been incarcerated for an earlier murder. Everyone is a suspect - but who took the fatal shot?

I am hoping that this book is just one that doesn't quite suit me -since I have another Waxman book on my shelf. Hoping that I can put that book in the positive column, with her first one.

Two incredically unlikeable protagonists and, at least for Julia, a trite, implausible, and clichéd backstory. I did not enjoy this at all.

Who dunnit? Who knew! One Death at a Time is a modern twist on a classic 'who dunnit' novel. The story slowly builds around characters that you love to hate and you'll change your mind time and again! The description of scenes is so vivid and the author really took time to set the stage and present the story.

I'd heard of Abbi Waxman, but this was the first book I've read by her. I love behind-the-scenes-in-Hollywood stories & mysteries, so I was excited. The story's main characters meet at an AA meeting, and I learned some new things about the program from the book, but in a fun & light-hearted way. These characters are quirky & funny, and I enjoyed spending time with them as Morgan tried to prove Julia didn't kill a man in her backyard... even though she had blacked out and wasn't sure she'd done it herself. Lots of drama, lots of humor, a burlesque club & a weird looking dog... great twists & turns!
Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

Julia and Natasha are one of the most unlikely amateur sleuthing duos I've ever read, but they just might be one of all-time favorites! The sarcasm, the banter, the generational differences, they all combine to set up One Death at a Time as one heck of a witty and fun Hollywood mystery. Waxman can rest assured that departing from her usual genre was well worth the risk. I loved it!

5 stars = Outstanding!

I LOVED THIS! All of it - the sassy main characters, the fascinating context, the recovery aspects, and the rock solid mystery. This has a darker, more irreverant tone than Waxman's other books (which I have also loved), but it works and I can't wait for more! (Language - TW: Suicide)

Julie Mann has an issue: someone has been found dead in her swimming pool and she doesn't remember anything. Meeting Natasha Mason at an AA meeting, she decides to hire her as her assistant and to help clear her name. Taking them throughout Hollywood and Palm Springs, they work together to crack the case and clear Julie's name.. and solve another mystery at the same time.

One Death at a Time is a HILARIOUS mystery/thriller that I definitely recommend Waxman fans pick up. Filled with laughs, "omg" shock moments, and noteworthy side characters, I could not stop reading once I hit that half way mark. It's got the wit of a Finley Donovan novel and I can't wait to see whatever Waxman churns out next.

Recommended for: people who love to read murder mysteries with some sassy writing

Summary: Julia finds herself in an AA meeting with an eclectic group of people, reluctantly sharing the few memories of her last night of drinking, ending with her waking up in her pool next to a dead guy. Since she had already served time for another murder, the cops believe she is responsible. A fellow AA attendee, Mason, offers to become Julia’s sponsor without realizing it will lead to becoming her assistant and ultimately helping her investigate a few other murders in the process.

Review: I understand that with a title like this there are bound to be multiple murders and many people involved. That being said, I feel that there were a few too many characters to keep them all straight. However, Waxman is an artist at writing the witty dynamic of how all these characters interact. I am hoping this becomes a series that I can enjoy reading for many years to come.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for an advanced copy to honestly review.

"One Death at a Time" is a witty and fast-paced mystery that blends dark humor, redemption, and an unconventional friendship into a thoroughly entertaining read. Set against the quirky backdrop of Los Angeles, the novel introduces readers to Julia Mann, a sharp-tongued former actress with a complicated past—including a stint in prison for murder. When she discovers a dead body floating in her swimming pool, suspicion quickly falls on her, threatening to upend her hard-won sobriety and freedom.

Enter Natasha Mason, a determined Gen Z sobriety sponsor who sees more in Julia than just her gruff exterior. Despite Julia's initial resistance, the two form an unlikely alliance to clear Julia's name. Their investigation takes them from the glitzy Hollywood Hills to the eccentric world of burlesque and the elite circles of Palm Springs. Along the way, they encounter a colorful cast of characters, including showgirls, cat burglars, and Hollywood agents, each adding depth and intrigue to the narrative.

Waxman's signature blend of humor and heart shines throughout the novel. The dynamic between Julia and Natasha is both hilarious and touching, showcasing the power of unexpected friendships and the importance of second chances. The plot is filled with clever twists, deadpan dialogue, and absurd yet endearing scenarios—think dead piranhas and oversized martini glasses—that keep readers engaged and amused.

One Death at a Time is more than just a murder mystery; it's a story about personal growth, resilience, and the bonds that form in the most unlikely circumstances. Perfect for fans of character-driven mysteries with a comedic edge, this novel offers a refreshing take on the genre and solidifies Waxman's place as a master of blending levity with depth.

This is an entertaining and sarcastic look at Hollywood, old and new.
When Natasha meets the beautiful and remote famous former actress Julia Mann at an AA meeting, she signs up as her sponsor. She doesn’t know at the time that this will involve working for her and trying to solve a murder mystery or two.
The book is a fun romp through different parts of LA and Palm Springs. The characters are witty and funny, and the story is well written. This is a great getaway read for times when you need to read something a special that takes you away from.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley, I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own

One Death at a Time is a fun and fast-paced cozy mystery by Abbi Waxman.

Ex-actress (turned lawyer) Julia teams up with her Gen Z sobriety sponsor, Mason, to solve a murder she's been accused of that could send her back (yes, back) to prison. Known to be bad-tempered, the police consider her a suspect after she wakes up to find a dead body in her swimming pool.

This is my first book by the author and it will not be the last. There's sarcasm and black humor and I live for it. I particularly enjoyed the odd couple partnership between Julia and Mason. I'm a sucker for the found-family trope, and this book has it in spades.

There were a lot of characters in here and at times it was a little hard to keep up with who was who. I think my immersive reading helped a little there, but only so much. But I did really like all of the characters and felt that many of them still had depth.

I did enjoy the plot of the overall mystery, and it made sense to me. I loved getting to go a little behind-the-scenes of the film industry in Hollywood. Hopefully there will be more books following Julia and Mason (and the rest of their rag-tag crew) solving crimes!

If you were a fan of Killers of a Certain Age you should give this one a try! The pacing is pretty similar, though One Death at a Time definitely feels like it leans a little harder into cozy mystery genre overall.

CW: alcoholism, suicide, murder, addition, drug abuse, drug use, death, firearms, violence, fire

Thank you NetGalley, Berkley & the author for the gifted arc!

How fun was this little cozy mystery!? I had a super great time snickering at all the snarky banter between the characters! Such witty & clever writing with a high energy, fast-paced, chaotic & messy vibe that added a whole 'nutha level of enjoyment and entertainment!

The mystery itself was engaging & page flipping worthy! I can totally see this cast going on more adventures together and that would be just fine with me!