“One Death at a Time” offers an intriguing premise with a former actress turned murder suspect determined to clear her name. The dynamic between the protagonist and her younger AA sponsor-turned-assistant adds depth and heart to the story. While the beginning was a bit slow to get into, the pacing picked up, making it a quick and engaging read. The characters were compelling enough that if this becomes a series, I’d definitely pick up the next book to see where their journey leads.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

3.75 stars

This is definitely something a bit different for Abbi Waxman, whose previous books are infused with humor and real life emotion.

This mystery has both of those, but also a heavy dose of Los Angeles narcissism and a boatload of snark. Former actress Julia Mann has had quite a life. She starred in an iconic sci fi flick, descended into alcoholism, went to prison for the murder of her husband, and emerged to become a defense attorney. She still battles the bottle at times, and now she is accused of another murder - which she doesn't think she committed but can't be sure since she was blotto at the time.

Into this scenario accidentally steps Natasha Mason, simply known by her last name. She too is a recovering alcoholic, and has a bouncer's tough talking persona and physical strength. She started as Julia's AA sponsor but quickly slid into being her personal assistant.

The characters are multi dimensional and unsentimental and include Julia's housekeeper/cook/surrogate mother Claudia, research assistant Will, stand-in attorney and other assorted folks. It's a wild ride. These people do not act like normal characters so you never know what to expect. But their menagerie forms their own kind of family and they do take care of each other. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Julia Mann, aging ex-actress-turned lawyer, has been accused of murder (again). With the help of her AA sponsor, the much younger Natasha Mason, and the rest of her household staff, they work to clear her name. Their investigation brings them behind the scenes in LA's film industry and all the way to Palm Springs. One Death at a Time is full of loud characters bursting with personality. Primarily set in Hollywood, each character seems to lack a filter, and while they can be brash with their comments, they're all secretly marshmallows on the inside, making this a fast paced, while also cozy murder mystery to read!

The "Death" in the title lends itself to the cheeky fun murder mystery that is "One Death at a Time". I mean even the cover lets you know you are in for a good time, despite the obvious murder tone. Great writing style that captures the readers attention and keeps the story moving along.

4.5 Stars

Really freaking good and just shy of perfect. I just think the beginning felt a little muddled, like I needed to read the first few chapters twice to get a handle on the setup and MCs. But then it quickly took off and I was addicted to the characters, settings, and adrenaline.

I love the abrasive and snarky women leads with incredible and deep backstories. It’s entertaining and funny but not fluffy. Full of serious topics but told through humorous characters and delightful antics. Murder and mayhem woven together with intelligence and a bit of bravado.

Also, Waxman is so good at creating a wide cast of secondary characters. Quirky, unique, or relatable. Add in murder mystery, Hollywood drama, trips around picturesque California, a burlesque club, glamorous homes, car chases, and a justifiable dog-napping… it’s an incredible story for the fantastic characters to navigate.

It all adds up to a must- read book. Highly recommend and can’t wait for more.

One Death at a Time is the newest book by author Abbi Waxman and is a non-stop wild ride from beginning to end. Mason is a young woman who is at a bit of loose ends. Julia is a former star actress who finds herself in hot water, once again. They meet at an AA meeting where Mason offers to be Julia’s sponsor, and has no idea the path that choice will lead her on. They work together with a cast of other fun characters to solve the murders that keep adding up.

I absolutely loved this book. It was a genre bending book, taking the found family feel-good stories Abbi Waxman is known for, but adding in a mystery and non-stop action story to what she does so well. The story was like jumping into one of Julia’s amazing cars and holding on while we fly through the story at top speed. In the best possible way. Julia and Mason are a match made in Hollywood heaven; they were perfect for each other.

I would say this is great for fans of Finlay Donovan, but I liked One Death at a Time even more. I hope the author considers writing more about this amazing team. The setting at Julia’s amazing home, throughout LA, and even a few side trips to Palm Springs were so fun. The other characters that team up to help Julia were perfect, I loved them all, especially Claudia.

Thank you to the publisher Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley, author Abbi Waxman, and NetGalley for the gifted digital ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

I've read two previous books by Abbi Waxman and enjoyed both of them. The writing in this book is not at the same standard. It has too many characters. The attempts to be funny fall flat. The locations jump around making the story hard to follow. I was extremely disappointed. The two stars are generous.

I LOVED this book! A fun romp through Hollywood following the murder of the head of a major studio and the aging actress who is determined to solve the case so she herself doesn't go to jail for it. This book has so much: hilarious but endearing Boomer/Gen Z friendships, amateur detectives doing a better job than the cops, and a glorious grand dame of a centerpiece, whose one liners could cause the destruction of many large egos. Luckily, it seems like this is the setup for a whole series of mysteries, as the large cast of unique characters each does their part to make an impression on the reader. I recommend this to anyone who likes fun, laughter, mysteries, and the glamour and corruption of the entertainment industry.

One Death at a Time by Abbi Waxman is my favorite mystery that I have read in a long time. The mystery itself is strong and kept me guessing but the strongest part of this book are the characters. Every single character made me fall in love with them. The team of Mason, Julia, Archie, Claudia and Will made me want to find a way to join them. I laughed out loud several times and Waxman’s wit is what makes this book stand out. Waxman was one of my favorite authors when she wrote women’s fiction and now that she has crossed over to mysteries, I’m hoping there are many more to come and this world becomes a series.

I wanted an escapism read and that’s exactly what I got with this witty, suspenseful cozy mystery!

Mason is a young woman still trying to figure out her future. She is a recovering alcoholic and has been sober for quite some time. She has dropped out of law school - infuriating her parents.

Julia is a former superstar actress who wakes up from a drunken sleep by her pool to find a former lover and producer murdered and lying in her pool.

These two come together at an AA meeting and Mason is assigned to be Julia’s sponsor!! On the surface these two couldn’t be much different. Mason a Gen Z young woman from Berkley and Julia a wealthy former actress.

However there is a spark between them and Julia hires Mason to be her “assistant” with that word used loosely as they start to try to unravel the mystery of who, why and how someone killed Tony.

Los Angeles, Palm Springs and Hollywood Hills are all backdrops in this story and created a great sense of place.

The blurb for this novel is extensive and I suggest you go in blind, as I did and try to figure things out for yourself.

I laughed out loud at some of the antics which included showgirls, cat burglars, Hollywood agents, high speed car and golf cart chases and extensive make-overs and disguises.

The side characters are also well defined and I enjoyed all of them and their interesting back stories and involvements in each other's lives.

I have never read Ms. Waxman before but if you are a fan I think you’ll love this one! I also recommend this to anyone who wants a great cozy mystery that is a lot of fun.

I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to read and review this title.

When Natasha volunteers to by the 12 Steps Sponsor to Julia Mann, former actress. convicted murderess and jailhouse educated lawyer, she doesn't foresee the trouble to come through the first weeks of Julia's nascent sobriety. Now accused of a second murder, she does not remember the evening her rival and former producer was shot and found dead floating in her pool. The two navigate LA clubs and nostalgia fests as they unravel the crimes and link in new ones, all in the effort to clear Julia and keep everyone sober. Well paced, funny, unique, and with elements of found family, this could become quite an interesting series.

Thank you Berkley for my copy! Oh my gosh, what a FUN read by Abbi Waxman. I love her writing and was so pleasantly surprised and charmed by her latest venture into the mystery genre. This book kept me on my toes, trying to sort out whodunnit, while also delighting me with endearing characters and quirky plot twists.

A cranky former actress teams up with her Gen Z sobriety sponsor to solve the murder that threatens to send her back to prison in this dazzling new mystery novel from the USA Today bestselling author of The Bookish Life of Nina Hill.

I loved this book. This cozy mystery is one of my absolute favorite.

This was cute. I have always loved Waxman's writing, and had only experienced her romantic comedies. Seeing her apply that quirky wit to a cozy mystery was a really great change.

The plot moved quickly and it was easily readable. There were lots of side characters and I sometimes had trouble keeping track of them and what was going on.

Julia Mann, an actress, who is currently a lawyer, has been charged with murder for a second time. Even though she is innocent this time, she is determined to clear her name because it didn't stop her from being imprisoned the first time. She instantly appoints Mason as her assistant after meeting him at an AA meeting and feeling a connection. They're determined to solve the crime, but it will require a lot of work from Julia, Mason, and an entertaining cast of characters. One Death At A Time is a brilliantly written mystery, and an honest examination of everything that undermines Hollywood's glamour.

Not going to lie One Death at a time gave me a modern day female Sherlock and a female doc Watson. Which is probably not what the author was going for, but it made enjoy the book and the mystery.

Lately, it seems it’s the rare book that grabs me from the get go. But One Death At A Time managed to do just that. It was a great combo of unique characters, spot on phrasing and a wild plot. Mason was my kind of main character - lacking impulse control and tact even now that she’s three years sober. She signs up as a temporary sponsor to Julia, a newly sober older woman, a former actress, and quickly ends up working as her assistant and helping the woman try to prove her innocence in a murder investigation. And Julia was an equally compelling character, totally comfortable with her decisions. Even the secondary characters were fleshed out.
Waxman’s writing and humor had me laughing out loud on a regular basis. But it’s her ability to perfectly turn a phrase that continues to strike me in all her books.
Waxman gets the details right - the things that make staying sober difficult (blood sugar), how the film industry works. The only thing that felt a little off was Julia’s lack of any withdrawal symptoms.
Despite the light hearted nature of the story, Waxman kept the suspense level high, especially as someone seems bent on keeping them from finding out the truth.
Pick this up when you need some light entertainment but want snarky more than sap.
My thanks to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing for an advance copy of this book.

I've read Other People's Houses, The Garden of Small Beginnings, and The Bookish Life of Nina Hill and rated them as 5, 5 and 4 stars. I love Abbi Waxman's books! Now I've found myself on a mystery kick so when I saw Waxman was dipping into mystery I was so excited and she didn't let me down!!! I loved this book! I cant wait to see what she does next!

Rating: 4.0★
I loved this cozy mystery. It had a cast of a cast of snarky characters centered around a movie star theme. I laughed out loud more than once, and the mystery subplot gave it a fun edge.
I don't normally gravitate toward movie star/Hollywood themes, but this one was great. It didn't get too carried away with the movie star theme. I really like the use of overcoming addiction and showing you can be successful and still have a good time without alcohol.

Abbi Waxman, who has long characterized LA as an entity in her novels, finally pulls off the best Hollywood thriller ever, with each character standing in relation to their connection to LA and all that it inspires. On the surface, recovering addict Natasha Mason and ex-actress turned lawyer Julia Mann team up to find the killer of the director who made Julia a household name. Their adventure is a bildungsroman of sorts for those who live on the edges of polite society while dealing with the boiling mass of humanity. Excellent adventure, a fast pace with very snappy dialogue, and an ending that is as flummoxing and expectation-defying as the people who live in and around LA