Author: Abbi Waxman
Published: April 15, 2025 by Berkley
Format: Kindle, Paperback 400 Pages
Genre: Amateur Sleuth
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
Blurb: When Julia Mann, a bad-tempered ex-actress and professional thorn in the side of authority, runs into Natasha Mason at an AA meeting, it’s anything but a meet-cute. Julia just found a dead body in her swimming pool, and the cops say she did it (she already went to jail for murder once, so now they think she’s making a habit of it). Mason is eager to clear Julia’s name and help keep her sober, but all Julia wants is for Mason to leave her alone.
As their investigation ranges from the Hollywood Hills to the world of burlesque to the country clubs of Palm Springs, this unconventional team realizes their shared love of sarcasm and poor life choices are proving to be a powerful combination. Will secrets from their past trip them up, or will their team of showgirls, cat burglars, and Hollywood agents help them stay one step ahead? Are dead piranhas, false noses, and a giant martini glass important clues or simply your typical day in Los Angeles? And will they manage to solve the crime before they kill each other, or worse, fall off the wagon? Trying to keep it simple and take it easy is one thing—trying to find a murderer before they kill again is a whole other program.
My Opinion: Abbi Waxman boldly steps away from her signature rom-com charm and dives headfirst into the world of amateur sleuthing, proving that sometimes a sharp left turn is exactly what an author—and readers—need. One Death at a Time is a genre shake-up packed with acerbic wit, mismatched partnerships, and enough intrigue to launch a full-fledged series.
Julia Mann, a perpetually cranky former actress with a sharp tongue and an allergy to societal norms, stumbles into sobriety coach Natasha Mason at a chance AA meeting. Mason, a Gen X pragmatist who prefers using her last name, is every bit Julia’s opposite—structured, competent, and generally exasperated by her newfound client. Their forced alliance is built on sarcasm, reluctant respect, and the undeniable chemistry of two people who know they’re a mess but refuse to admit it.
While Waxman throws in a whirlwind of names, past grievances, and relationships, she manages to keep them distinct and memorable, ensuring readers never lose track of who’s who. The central mystery kicks off with a dead man floating in Julia’s pool—a man she had a decades-long contentious relationship with, but, unfortunately, no memory of speaking to before his untimely death. The police, unimpressed by her lack of recall, charge her with murder.
Enter Mason, alongside a ragtag team of close friends, new acquaintances, and accidental tagalongs. Together, they tumble from one predicament to the next, stumbling upon clues, dodging trouble, and unwittingly collecting more stray characters as they go. The novel is a chaotic, laugh-out-loud romp that thrives on the charm of its flawed but fiercely entertaining protagonists.
By the time readers reach the final page, they’ll be holding their breath for Waxman to continue Julia and Mason’s escapades. One Death at a Time isn’t just a mystery—it’s an absolute riot, with the perfect balance of humor, tension, and irresistible character dynamics. Here’s hoping this is just the beginning of their wild misadventures.
As their investigation ranges from the Hollywood Hills to the world of burlesque to the country clubs of Palm Springs, this unconventional team realizes their shared love of sarcasm and poor life choices are proving to be a powerful combination. Will secrets from their past trip them up, or will their team of showgirls, cat burglars, and Hollywood agents help them stay one step ahead? Are dead piranhas, false noses, and a giant martini glass important clues or simply your typical day in Los Angeles? And will they manage to solve the crime before they kill each other, or worse, fall off the wagon? Trying to keep it simple and take it easy is one thing—trying to find a murderer before they kill again is a whole other program.
My Opinion: Abbi Waxman boldly steps away from her signature rom-com charm and dives headfirst into the world of amateur sleuthing, proving that sometimes a sharp left turn is exactly what an author—and readers—need. One Death at a Time is a genre shake-up packed with acerbic wit, mismatched partnerships, and enough intrigue to launch a full-fledged series.
Julia Mann, a perpetually cranky former actress with a sharp tongue and an allergy to societal norms, stumbles into sobriety coach Natasha Mason at a chance AA meeting. Mason, a Gen X pragmatist who prefers using her last name, is every bit Julia’s opposite—structured, competent, and generally exasperated by her newfound client. Their forced alliance is built on sarcasm, reluctant respect, and the undeniable chemistry of two people who know they’re a mess but refuse to admit it.
While Waxman throws in a whirlwind of names, past grievances, and relationships, she manages to keep them distinct and memorable, ensuring readers never lose track of who’s who. The central mystery kicks off with a dead man floating in Julia’s pool—a man she had a decades-long contentious relationship with, but, unfortunately, no memory of speaking to before his untimely death. The police, unimpressed by her lack of recall, charge her with murder.
Enter Mason, alongside a ragtag team of close friends, new acquaintances, and accidental tagalongs. Together, they tumble from one predicament to the next, stumbling upon clues, dodging trouble, and unwittingly collecting more stray characters as they go. The novel is a chaotic, laugh-out-loud romp that thrives on the charm of its flawed but fiercely entertaining protagonists.
By the time readers reach the final page, they’ll be holding their breath for Waxman to continue Julia and Mason’s escapades. One Death at a Time isn’t just a mystery—it’s an absolute riot, with the perfect balance of humor, tension, and irresistible character dynamics. Here’s hoping this is just the beginning of their wild misadventures.
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