I listened to the audiobook thanks to NetGalley and this was an enjoyable fun listen. This was a fun mystery with a diverse cast of characters and a great twist. I definitely recommend if you are a mystery fan.

This was a nice cozy murder mystery set on a cruise ship. The main character was a bit quirky and snarky to me. This was a pretty slow pace which I did not mine. This book is entertaining and you will want to listen to the end. 3.5 stars.

This is a "closed-door" or "closed-boat" mystery. This main character is snarky and quick-witted. The personality is going to be loved or hated. I personally loved it. The audio is amazing and really expresses the personality. I really enjoyed the book. I wouldn't call it a cozy mystery but definitely doesn't feel high anxiety.

I highly recommend it and will definitely pick up the next book by this author.

A murder mystery on a literary cruise... yes please. Even though it is listed as the second in a series, you can certainly read it without having read the first one. It is only referenced at a few points, but I do not think much is missing and a reader won't be left wondering about previous events unless they want to go back and explore that mystery as well.

I was thrilled to receive this audiobook, as I truly enjoy a good "Who-du-it" mystery which encapsulates the feeling of reading a classic. Though this one is funny and witty, I did not find it to be along the same vein as Agatha Christie nor Knives Out. I think stating it is reminiscent of the Golden Age mystery, kind of sets a standard it didn't quite live up to.

I do not want to make it sound like I did not enjoy this book, because I did. But it is more fun, funny, light hearted, rather than watching your back since everyone is a suspect. I think I was a bit disappointed the first "murder" doesn't happen until about halfway into the novel. For the first half of the book, it is a book about books and about a literary cruise with lots of personal drama.

When I take it as it's own novel and don't compare it to others, it is an enjoyable story and easy to read. The story flows well and the characters are enjoyable to get to know. I enjoy a book about books and I think I would want to go on a literary cruise where writers help other writers hone their craft..

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Loose Lips by Kemper Donovan is an absolute delight for mystery lovers! Picture Knives Out with a splash of literary drama set aboard a high-stakes “Get Lit Cruise” — the perfect recipe for chaos and intrigue. Donovan’s witty and intelligent storytelling shines, blending clever humor with a suspenseful locked-room mystery. The cast of quirky, sharply drawn characters kept me guessing until the final twist. Eva Kaminsky’s vibrant narration added even more charm and energy to the listening experience. A must-read (or listen) for fans of Agatha Christie-inspired whodunits with a modern, hilarious twist!

3.5 rounded up. A light hearted murder mystery set on a chaotic cruise, following a celebrity ghost writer turned amateur sleuth and mystery writer. Simply a recipe for a good time!

I loved the setting and the atmosphere of a literary cruise. I thought the book did a really good job at poking fun at different genres of books without being mean or hateful. I also genuinely enjoyed the mystery plot. It had a good amount of twists and turns without being overly convoluted.

I do think that the mystery genre is a little saturated at the moment with mystery writers who happen upon murders and become amateur detectives who then write about their experiences as a mystery book, which then becomes a bestseller and rinse and repeat. And while this one was definitely not the worst of this sort, I have read better of versions of the formula. This is a personal preference though, and I think I am just a little over this trope at the moment.

Overall, a great fast paced, light hearted mystery with a great setting and a fun cast of characters!

What an absolutely delightful find this series is! I requested Busy Body (#1) last year when it was on here, but was declined and rather forgot about the book. Then I saw this one pop up, remembered, and requested again. This time I got the audiobook approval, so turned to my local library for the first book also in audio format. I am so glad I did - this is a fantastically fun series, populated with hilarity, shenanigans (of the best possible variety), and really strong characterization. There is more than a little snark, and the mysteries and revelations are intricate and well-planned - which isn't something I often find in books that are also genuinely laugh-out-loud funny. Donovan has a hit on his hands, and I am already eager to see what delicious (mis)adventures he confronts our intrepid Ghostwriter with next!

The moment I saw that Kemper Donovan had written another book in the Ghostwriter Mystery series, I couldn't download the audiobook fast enough!!! The first Book, The Busy Body, was me taking a chance on an author I'd never read and a description of the book I wasn't sure I would enjoy-if I remember right, it was billed as a modern cozy mystery and cozy mysteries aren't my jam. But I loved the narrator, Eva Kaminsky, and decided to take a chance. And that chance definitely paid off- the ghostwriter protagonist of The Busy Body is one of the most most hilariously snarky characters I've ever read. I love love love her!!! And she's back in Loose Lips- which is every bit as fabulous as The Busy Body. (Maybe even more...??) I'm sure I would love both as digital or paper books—but Eva Kaminsky just adds a little bit *extra* to the experience. I promise- it is not possible to hit "download" and "play" fast enough. You won't regret it! (Though your cheeks might ache from smiling at the hours of hijinks and snark.) Highly, highly, highly recommend!!!!!!!!!

As a mystery reader, the premise intrigued me. A mystery author goes on a cruise with other writes and one by one passengers keep dying! Unfortunately, this audiobook didn’t hold my attention.

The who dun it wasn’t surprising, but the why was a twist.

If you’re looking for a palette cleanser murder mystery with a slower pace and not too much thinking involved, this is perfect for you!

The narrator was great! I listened at 1.75x

Kemper Donovan's LOOSE LIPS is a locked-room mystery on a Cruise ship and the second book of the Ghostwriter Mystery series. It is an absolute pleasure, and you can also read it as a standalone book (although I highly recommend reading "The Busy Body").

Payton, a ghostwriter and author of mystery novels, organizes an all-female Get Lit Cruise. This unique cruise promises a blend of writing workshops, high-seas adventure, and a chance for female writers to connect and inspire each other in a supportive environment. The main character, our sleuth and mystery writing instructor, is so well-written, and her voice is so relatable, which confirms that you forget that she is never named. Accompanying her is a set of vivid characters that are delightful, witty, and almost an exaggerated version of real people. Their dialogues are sharp and often laugh-out-loud funny.

The book is not just entertaining; it's highly engaging. The narrative is well-paced and twisty. The denouement (or Agatha Christie's style "gather the suspects" moment) was marvelous and tidied everything up, leaving you satisfied and wanting more.

The narrator, Eva Kaminsky, used her voice masterfully. She delivers a delightful performance and brings the characters to life with dramatic flair, making it a great listen. I look forward to hearing more from her in the future!

I sincerely thank NetGalley and RBmedia for a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review. I also thank Kemper Donovan for the fantastic book; I'm eagerly anticipating the next book in the series, and we may finally learn the name of our sleuth!

Loose Lips was a nice mystery set on a cruise ship. I enjoyed te setting aspect and I love a good poop deck joke. The narrator did a really good job.

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.

3.75⭐

It's definitely giving 'Knives Out' & 'Death on the Nile' vibes, without reaching a destination, though. Plus it's a literary cruise full of women (w/ a few exceptions).

I will always eat up a good ol' "who done it" any day. Thoroughly enjoyed!

Eva Kaminsky has such a stunning voice, I could listen to her talk all day.

Thank you NetGalley and RB Media for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

The Get Lit Cruise has it all - mystery, murder, drama & humor on a literary women’s retreat. What an engaging and entertaining read by Kemper Donovan. Eva Kaminsky did an excellent job with the narration.

Thank you to NetGalley & RBmedia for letting me read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book was non stop FUN. Enjoyed every single sentence. Witty, intelligent, light, delightful, with a compelling mystery at the heart. An absolute pleasure!!

Mystery and intrigue on the high seas.

What a fun book! I came into this second installment without reading the first in the series, but I was able to quickly become absorbed without the benefit of a lot of backstory. The premise involves the concept of bringing a large group of women together for a short ocean cruise focusing on different genres of books. Organized by a prolific author, the main character, Belle, is invited to be a guest instructor in the mystery group. Not everyone in attendance is there to enjoy talking about books, eating the fabulous food, or enjoying the free bar drinks. One person, in particular, is bent on murder.

I loved Belle (not her real name) with her snarky personality and antisocial tendencies. Her clever banter and the many astute references to literature and other forms of entertainment were spot on and relevant and added to the narrative. I had to really work to figure out who and why with the motive, means, and opportunity. The denouement was quite the revelation and very well done.

I was lucky enough to be able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book, both ARCs provided by the publishers. The narrator. Eva Kaminsky, did an excellent job of bringing the characters to life with all of her accents and dramatic flair. I’ve found that listening while reading really enhances my enjoyment of a book when the narrator is good. It was an excellent production.

I’m looking forward to another in this series and I need to go back and find a copy of the first so that I am properly caught up. I feel like I might have missed out and I typically don’t read series out of order.

I listened on audiobook. The first few chapters were very descriptive to give you the feel of the cruise. There is more than natural flowing commentary on the main characters thoughts, to the point I felt it was unnecessary. At first it felt we were suppose to remember for a twist later, but nothing came to fruition. I enjoyed the characters arc and after a few chapters I was hooked!

I always enjoy a good trapped in the middle of nowhere type situation. And doing on a cruise with so many suspects is even better! I really loved how the author wrote the book and just the different way the fmc internalized things. Such a fun quick read that will have you trying to figure out the whole and why of it all. Thanks so much to NetGalley for giving me a chance to read this arc!

First off thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy of the audio in exchange for my honest review<3

I really enjoyed this book! If you’re a mystery loving book girlie in your 20s-30s you will absolutely love the narration! Very funny and witty and the main characters thoughts were really fun to listen to. The only reason this book got 4 instead of 5 stars was that at times it did feel long and dragged out, but all in all a really fun mystery with a great twist!

I love a locked-room mystery, and a cruise ship is the perfect setting!

I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed it, especially since the narrator was the same as book one. Even though this is the second book, it stands alone well—there’s no heavy exposition, so it’s easy to follow.

There are a lot of characters—authors, guests, and staff—which made it tricky to keep track of who was who. The pacing felt a bit slow at first, with plenty of description and dialogue, but once the murders started, things picked up.

Main character Belle and the ship’s head staff take on the role of amateur sleuths, questioning passengers while the ship sails back to land.

I liked that every new clue seemed to lead to more crimes—a burglary, more murders—it was tough keeping track of the victims and motives! But that just made me want to keep reading.

One of my favorite parts was the classic “gather the suspects” moment when everything is revealed. The denouement (a word I learned from this book!) was fantastic.

The ending left me smiling, especially when Belle reached out to someone from book one. I love when a mystery ties things together like that—it makes the story feel even more satisfying.

Thanks to Netgalley and RBmedia for access to this audiobook ARC in exchange for my honest review