One Death at a Time is a quirky and fun cozy murder mystery with delightful characters. There's a Gen Z recovering alcoholic who doesn't quite have her life together, an ex-con former Hollywood actress with an attitude problem, a dead man in a swimming pool (the mortal enemy of the aforementioned ex-actress … the dead man, that is, not the pool), and a whole lot of criminal shenanigans. I mean, forget the murder, you guys … there's golf cart theft and (justified) dog-napping in this one.

This is a fairly frenetic novel – no one ever seems to sleep and they're constantly driving all over Los Angeles (and beyond) and people are getting attacked left and right and everyone's always eating and basically I feel bad for Mason's cat because when is she ever home to actually pet the poor thing? Mild cat neglect aside, however, it's all pretty entertaining and Julia and Mason make an amusing pair. There's lots of sass and wit and humor, and the mystery itself is slightly absurd but in a well-written way. This is definitely a story that doesn't take itself too seriously – it's not exactly Agatha Christie, but it's also not really supposed be.

So, yeah. The characters are great. The plot is great. The animals all live to see the end of the book. My one minor complaint is the big reveal – the murderer's actions and reasonings just seem so, so over the top. Not that the rest of this novel is exactly … restrained, but, I dunno, they just seem so excessively bitter and obsessed that it takes a bit of the fun out of it. At the same time, though, I guess I kind of get it? I mean, I wouldn't murder anyone over it, but you do you, crazy murderer person.

Oh, and there's not much romance, which is nice if you're not into that sort of thing. There's some mild attraction between two characters but that's about as far as the lovey-dovey stuff goes.

If you're normally a fan of humorous cozy mysteries with eccentric characters, definitely consider giving One Death at a Time a read. It's pretty great and it looks like it could possibly be the first book in a (hopefully awesome) new series?

My overall rating: 3.95 stars, rounded up.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. Its expected publication date is April 15, 2025.

This is a great blend of classic Waxman lovable charm with cozy fun mystery vibes. Bonus was the Hollywood behind the scenes vibes. Fast paced and fun, with laugh out loud moments... One Death at a Time is a great read for your Spring/Summer trips, stash it in a carry on or beach bag and enjoy!

Thank you to Berkley for the review copy. I am a fan of Waxman's books and how she weaves in interesting female leads, often women who have hidden strengths and more to offer than they realize, and takes her characters on interesting, if quirky and at times humorous, journeys of self growth. I did enjoy how Waxman moved more into mystery themes with this book, though her last book did have some elements of mystery, and that gave her main characters redemption arcs and self growth, with genuine laughing out loud humor and cozy vibes that added to the storytelling, and kept these pace fast and engaging.

bookstagram/blue sky review to be shared closer to publication date!

funny, cozy, and interesting. a really interesting little mystery with a lot of fun ideas. 4 stars. tysm for the arc.

Love Waxman and the concept behind this cozy mystery was great. It was just a whole lot - it was very breakneck and all over the place.

A mismatched duo of an aged Hollywood icon turned lawyer after a stretch in prison paired with a Gen Z (maybe young millennial) AA sponsor/former law student try to solve a murder and wind up on a twisty journey through Hollywood

I loved Abbi Waxman's The Bookish Life of Nina Hill - had all the feels of Eleanor Oilphant and I loved it. I didn't realize she was also a mystery writer!

One Death at a Time takes readers into the life of Julia Mann, a former actress who's no stranger to scandal or a police investigation. When a dead body turns up in her backyard pool, the cops are quick to pin the blame on her — not surprising, given her less-than-clean record. But Julia’s sobriety sponsor, the smart and determined Natasha Mason, isn't about to let her slip back into trouble. Together, the two women form an unlikely detective duo, with Natasha determined to clear Julia's name and keep her on the straight and narrow.

What starts at an AA meeting soon snowballs into a wild and glamorous ride through the eccentric corners of Southern California, from Hollywood's glitzy hills to the retro charm of Palm Springs. Along the way, the pair are joined by a lively supporting cast of characters — think flamboyant showgirls, sly talent agents, and the occasional thief — as they dive into a murder mystery full of sharp turns, strange deaths, and absurd clues (the giant martini glass will have you laughing out loud)

While Julia remains somewhat hard to connect with, Natasha’s sharp, no-nonsense personality shines through, giving the story heart and humor. Waxman’s pacing is swift, keeping the suspense high, though some of the quirky charm of her previous works doesn’t fully land here. This is perfect for those who want a quick fun weekend read.

Abbi Waxman's novels never fail to captivate me with their endearing and quirky characters. In her latest book, "One Death at a Time," Waxman once again showcases her talent for creating characters that feel like old friends. This cozy mystery immediately drew me in from the very beginning and held my attention until the final page. What I truly appreciated about this novel was its ability to seamlessly blend humor with moments of genuine emotional depth. The meticulously crafted storyline kept me guessing with its unexpected twists and turns. "One Death at a Time" is undeniably a 5-star must-read that has something for everyone to enjoy.

Super sharp, super hilarious, LA-themed comedic thriller! Natasha Mason meets Julia Mann in AA and is intrigued. Before long, she has been hired as her assistant and finds that could include keeping her out of jail. Unfortunately Julia HAS been in jail before. For murder. And unfortunately (again), it seems like she may be guilty a second time.
Follow this unlikely team as they try to stay sober and clear Julia's name - whether Julia wants help or not! Fabulous fun and woul make an excellent TV. series! #Stmartins #onedeathatatime #abbiwaxman

In Abbi Waxman's latest cozy mystery, former actress Julia Mann, who’s no stranger to murder accusations, teams up with her Gen Z sobriety sponsor Natasha Mason to solve a murder that threatens to send her back to prison. After Julia discovers a dead body in her swimming pool, the police immediately suspect her due to her criminal past. Though Julia would rather be left alone, Natasha is determined to prove her innocence and keep her sober in the process.

The story kicks off when Julia and Natasha meet at an AA meeting, forging an unlikely partnership that propels them through the glamorous, yet treacherous, landscapes of Hollywood Hills, burlesque venues, and the country clubs of Palm Springs. Joined by a colorful cast of showgirls, agents, and even cat burglars, the duo embarks on a fast-paced journey filled with twists, dead piranhas, and giant martini glasses, leading to a series of witty and entertaining revelations. However, secrets from their own pasts threaten to complicate things further.

Though I didn’t feel as much of a connection with Julia, Natasha's character stood out, offering more depth and relatability compared to the rest of the cast. The plot is well-executed with entertaining locations and high-energy pacing, though it lacks some of the quirky character magic seen in Waxman’s previous works. Despite the shortcomings, the novel’s intriguing setup and engaging dynamics, especially with its exploration of addiction, kept me hooked until the end.

Overall, this cozy Hollywood mystery delivers plenty of fun and suspense, making it a perfect light read for fans of Waxman’s witty storytelling.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for providing me with a digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest feedback.

I'm a big Abbi Waxman fan -- I've read all of her books and given most of them 5 stars. But unfortunately, I really disliked this one. The quirkiness is in the characters, but the characters have no depth and the quirks all seem to be mean; the plot is supposed to be a mystery but is written like a cheerful romcom, but it crosses the border from humorous to stupid; and the characters are all either rich, or addicts, or both. I'm very disappointed and sad as her previous books included characters with quarks AND depth; a rom-com that was not stupid; and characters that were not bitter.

Since I disliked this so much, I will not post to my blog or goodreads. Perhaps if I hadn't been expecting closer to her previous books, I would have liked this more.

As an ARC reader, I found this novel charming and hilarious, with a plot that tugs at the heartstrings. The pacing is perfect, making it a quick read you can’t get enough of. Mason is relatable, and the story has moments that feel like an action movie, keeping you engaged throughout. I highly recommend it!

5/5