Keeping Up With the Sarahs

A social experiment by a group of women named Sarah Jones turns deadly when one of their own is murdered and another one becomes the prime suspect. Investigating the case is a young, newly-minted FBI guy who falls for another Sarah, a personal trainer, who he enlists as an informant in another crime that may or may not also be committed by the prime suspect.

What follows is a mystery romance with a good premise but is hard to follow as the many Sarahs are only referred to by their age—Sarah 20, Sarah 17, Sarah 27, and so on. The book is also predictable, not just in the boy-meets-girl department. So many plot details, not breadcrumbs, are dished out that the book deprives the readers of the biggest joy of reading a murder mystery—using their brains to follow the clues and solve the crime.

⭐️ 2.5/5
Multiple view POVs and narratives, non-linear timelines
Setting: Twin Cities, MN

I thought this originally had a really cool setup with all the Sarah Joneses coming together, and I loved the idea of an intergenerational amateur sleuth group by name alone.
There were definitely some fun, quirky moments, and the characters had potential. I did enjoy the Minnesota tidbits and setting, seeing as I’m located there!

This book begins with Sarah Jones who just moved to Minneapolis after her life kind of fell apart. New city, fresh start, classic setup. She gets roped into this unique but kind of awesome club called The Sarahs, literally a group of women all named Sarah Jones. It’s unique, it’s fun, and it gives her a sense of belonging she didn’t even know she needed.

But of course, things don’t stay cute for long. One of the Sarahs ends up dead under super suspicious circumstances. Sarah (the main one) starts digging into what really happened, and the group starts unraveling secrets, some theirs, some they weren’t supposed to know at all.

There’s also a nun with a sketchy past, a wannabe FBI agent, and a lot of side plots that kind of zigzag all over the place because the story doesn’t follow a strictly linear timeline. It jumps around a bit, there are some flashbacks and shifts in perspective that fill in background details as the mystery unfolds. It’s somewhat disorienting especially with the same name theme and switches from third person POV to first person POV so it does require extra attention to keep track of who’s who and when things are happening.

It’s more about the people than the actual murder, but if you like offbeat characters, mysteries on the lighter more chaotic side with a slightly layered narrative, it’s worth a shot.

Thank you Berkley Publishing Group for this electronic ARC which was provided to me via NetGalley for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Is Making Friends Can Be Murder Worth Your Time? Here’s My Take

Ever wonder what would happen if How to Win Friends and Influence People met Gone Girl? That’s basically what Kathleen West serves up in her new mystery novel, and honestly, I’m here for it.

The setup is deliciously simple: Sarah Jones moves to a new neighborhood, tries to make friends, and somehow ends up tangled in a murder investigation when another Sarah Jones turns up dead. Classic case of “maybe I should’ve just stayed home and watched Netflix.”

What makes this book work isn’t just the whodunit angle (though West keeps you guessing with enough red herrings to stock a Swedish fish market). It’s how she nails the awkward dance of adult friendship-making. You know that feeling when you’re trying to figure out if someone’s genuinely nice or just wants to sell you essential oils? Yeah, it’s like that, except one of these potential friends might be a murderer.

The characters are quirky without trying too hard. There’s this whole cast known only by numbers (like “17” and “69”), which sounds gimmicky but somehow works. And Sarah? She’s refreshingly real – the kind of person who’d definitely stress-text her best friend about whether she’s being paranoid or if her new neighbor is actually suspicious.

West’s writing hits that sweet spot between cozy mystery and psychological thriller. It’s like having a glass of wine with your true crime podcast – comfortable enough to enjoy, but with enough edge to keep you alert. The dialogue crackles with authenticity, and the plot moves faster than neighborhood gossip after an HOA meeting.

Sure, you might need to keep a mental spreadsheet of characters at first, but trust me, it’s worth it. By the time everything clicks together in the end, you’ll be kicking yourself for not seeing it sooner (in a good way).

Bottom line? Making Friends Can Be Murder is a solid 4.5/5 stars. It’s smart, surprisingly funny, and proves that making new friends as an adult is actually scarier than any murder mystery. If you like your suspense with a side of social commentary and genuine laughs, this one’s for you. Maybe you shouldn’t read it right before joining that new neighborhood book club.

I loved meeting all the Sarah Joneses. I thought the concept of this book was unique. It was a quick easy cozy mystery with some romance thrown in.

Having a common name isn't always a good thing. Yes people tend to be able to remember how to pronounce it but is that really worth it?

The Sara Jones club was created by a high school student as a consequence of bullying another student at school. But as the project was ending a Sara Jones, not a member of the club, is murdered. Now all of the Jones's want to solve the murder.

I did like this book. I grew up in Minnesota and always enjoy books set there. It really made me think about identity issues too. It just seem so easy for someone to come up with new identities. And having a common name now doesn't seem like a good thing. I didn't like how all of them keep saying that they couldn't imagine the FBI being a real job. The made them seem like real small town thinkers even though this takes place in the cities. The progression was great and I liked the details of each Sara Jones's characters too.

3.75 stars

This offbeat and original mystery is great fun. What can you say about a plot and characters that include half a dozen women with the same name who have group chats and call each other by their age to prevent confusion? Not to mention a nun, who used to be a detective.

Mix in two murders, multiple identity thefts, a love story, some sassy teenagers, and fraud and embezzlement. It's an entertaining story and won't remind you of anything else you've read.

Definitely recommended. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Totally fun read! Start with six women with the same name who differentiate themselves by putting their age at the end of their name. Their lives are as different as their ages, but they all wind up interested in the new FBI agent and his casework. Each Sarah is a real quirky character, not a boring one in the bunch. Laughed my sox off and couldn't put it down!
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected digital copy from Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley via NetGalley. Pub Date Jun 10, 2025
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I loved reading this book. Eccentric cast of characters and witty banter abounds. I read it in one sitting. A really fun read.

I read this in two nights! It had friendship, mystery, and a little romance with engaging characters. I found the idea of a multi-generational same name club that solved crimes an interesting premise and the author executed it well. At first the dates were a bit confusing but once I realized the timeline shifted back and forth, I paid better attention at the beginning of the chapter to the dates

MAKING FRIENDS CAN BE MURDER is a cozy mystery with a unique premise. It revolves around a group of women ages 17 to 69, all named Sarah Jones, or so they think. When one of Sarah Jones is murdered, this group of unique personalities decides to go sleuthing to solve the case themselves, well, maybe with the help of a nun (with a mysterious past) and a couple of FBI agents because, of course, it is not just about murder.

The chapters, narrated by different members of The Sarah Jones Project, were a little confusing at the beginning, but then each Sarah Jones gets a nickname: their age. The main Sarah character, 30,  is a gym trainer, new to town, loves being part of TSJP, and works as an undercover agent for the FBI, all while getting tangled up in a fraud case. The other Sarahs include a crime blogger (69), two teachers (39 and 44), a nanny (27), and a high school kid (17). Their diverse backgrounds add a delightful touch of humor, making the story an entertaining and enjoyable read.

I thank BookBrowse and NetGalley for generously providing me with an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review. And, of course, a big thank you to Kathleen West for creating this delightful read!

Lots of Sarah Jones in this book, lol. The characters were fun. This book had it all with a murder, a mystery, a little drama and romance. This was fast paced and cozy. I would read a sequel if it was made.

What a fantastic read. With a cast of unique characters, all of whom I would like to be friends with (yes, including 27), and a plot with as many colorful threads as the opening yarn bomb, I zipped through this book, reaching the end before I was ready. What I love most about Kathleen West books (and Making Friends Can Be Murder in particular) is her ability to write with empathy, showcasing the good, the bad, and the ugly of humankind all while giving readers the space to care, even when they think they shouldn't.

As the world falls apart and readers look for more cozy mysteries to pad the bad, I hope this book finds its way into as many hands as possible.

A solid mystery that isn’t too dark or twisty. The premise of the book is great and the book lives up to it. This would be great for someone who loves a good mystery but can’t handle anything super dark. The Sarah Jones Project leads a group of women with the same name on quite the adventure attempting to solve a murder of a Sarah Jones who wasn’t one of their own. A handsome “Clark Kent” FBI with a connection to a decades long missing person make for a fun read!

What a fun book. A little mystery, a little romance, a little comedy and a life lesson about finding oneself. What's not to love. All made this a very enjoyable book. At first, I was thinking what have I committed to, but I was quickly drawn into the story when the FBI came into the picture. Oh, to be named Sarah Jones and be able to socialize with this diverse group of women. I also enjoyed the different generations represented in this book not to mention the different backgrounds of the characters, which I felt were well developed. I mean come on; Sister Mary Theresa was the icing on the cake. This book showed how important friendships can be and how important family can be.

This was a great murder mystery. I love that there are charters all caught up in the case. Sarah is our main character, and she just moved to the new town. However, she becomes part of the investigation, and we are sent through trying to solve this mystery. It's a fun thriller in a small town that I really like. Cannot wait to purchase my book trophy it comes out.

Step aside, Nancy Drew—there's a new detective squad in town, and they all go by the name Sarah Jones! In Kathleen West's delightful mix of humor and mystery, "Making Friends Can Be Murder," we’re treated to a charmingly twisty tale where mistaken identity leads to unexpected camaraderie, secret discoveries, and, oh yes, murder.

It all begins innocently enough: Sarah Jones, fresh off a canceled engagement and new to Minneapolis, lucks into a club called “The Sarah Jones Project,” where women (and a few brave men) who share her very common name gather to bond over art, coffee, and camaraderie. But when one of their own is shockingly found dead under a local bridge, it’s time for this merry band of misfits to trade coffee mugs for magnifying glasses.

Enter a colorful cast of support— a handsome FBI agent, a savvy nanny, and a nun with a past juicier than a crime noir. As new friendships blossom and quirky alliances form, this eclectic crew dives headlong into solving a mystery rich with sinister secrets, potential fraud, and maybe even a little romance.

Kathleen West spins an endearing yarn where the narrative threads of mystery, humor, and heartfelt character development weave effortlessly together. The Sarah Joneses are each fleshed out with distinct personalities and relatable flaws, making their collective sleuthing adventure all the more captivating. With a tone both lively and tender, you’ll find yourself eagerly cheering on this cast of characters as they navigate the hilarious complexities of mistaken identity and unexpected danger.

Twists and turns abound, yet the plot remains charmingly light, making "Making Friends Can Be Murder" the very definition of a cozy mystery. The group text messages and vlog transcripts add a modern twist to the quaint intrigue, while avoiding the usual pitfalls of over-techy storytelling.

If you’re on the lookout for a cozy mystery packed with warmth, wit, and a heaping dose of heart, then grab your reading glasses and settle in—it’s time to join The Sarah Jones Project and see where this whirlwind of mystery and fun takes you. Just prepare to laugh, puzzle, and perhaps even lend a hand in unraveling a few secrets—for there's never a dull moment with Sarah Jones & Co. at the helm! 📚🔍💕

I loved this book! It is a fast paced modern day cozy mystery. I was slightly confused at first keeping all the characters straight but that was quickly resolved.

I liked the characters, it was plot based but with enough character development to make sure I cared about the characters. I even liked the romance in the story, it was sweet and interesting and had me hoping for a good outcome for the characters involved.

Great story, highly recommended.
Thanks to Book Browse and Net Galley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The premise of the book—a group of women with the same name—attracted me. The assigning of numbers to each of them to tell them apart was necessary but seemed so arbitrary that it became a distraction and a struggle for me to keep them straight. When the explanation was finally given much further into the book, the story became much more cohesive and easier to follow. It took longer than most books I read to hook me and send my reading into the frenzied phase. The characters were easy to relate to and well developed. The dialogue was amusing. Their struggles were relatable. The ending was satisfying. This was a fun read. It includes discussion questions. I must mention two supporting characters who almost stole the show. Sister Mary Theresa and Supervisory Special Agent in Charge Vance delighted me, made me chuckle, and I admired them tremendously. This book would be sorely lacking without them. I would love to see them star in a sequel. (I received an advance electronic copy of this book through BookBrowse and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.)

I thoroughly enjoyed "Making Friends Can Be Murder" as my weekend read. Strengths are the whimsical characters such as 17, 69, and Sister, but a few others were underdeveloped (the two teachers? I could not tell you anything about them). I would enjoy reading a sequel, if that's ever in the works.

Memorable characters made this mystery a fun read. Many were harboring secrets that were revealed as the story developed. I was glad author Kathleen West numbered her characters by age so I could keep them all straight. Also, the multi-generational sleuthing by the Sarahs - which also included the nun/ex-cop was one of my favorite parts of the book.