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