DNF 25%

I really tried to like this story, but the main character made it so hard for me that I couldn't finish it. She was so selfish in her behavior and it might be funny, but it went over my head. I find it hard to like books where the characters aren't likable or relatable. But the premise of the story still sounds interesting, so if you don't have a problem like me with disliking the character, this might be the book for you. :)

I thought this was really well written and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future. I think it will find readers at our library, so we will definitely be purchasing for the collection.

When Miranda Abbott's acting career as a detective takes a downward slide, she returns to a small town in an attempt to patch up her ailing marriage. Miranda becomes embroiled in a local theater production, and winds up trying to solve the suspicious death of one of the actors that occurred during a performance. The quirky locals hide their secret jealousies and grudges, and it is up to Miranda to use her sleuthing skills to help uncover the events leading to the tragic death onstage.

This is a rather slow-moving novel up to the last few chapters, and Miranda acts like an annoying prima donna throughout the book. Things are wrapped up in a scene worthy of Dame Agatha herself, although there are many complicated twists and turns to get there. The writers definitely took the opportunity to poke fun at both small townies and Hollywood actors.

I received this novel from NetGalley and from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own entirely.

In "I Only Read Murder," Miranda Abbott is a washed-up actress who is still trying to milk her glory days. Unfortunately, she hasn't a penny left to her name, while still putting on all the airs of a celebrity star.

But the show that once made her so popular hasn't been aired in years, and she's about to be evicted from her current lodgings. That's when a mysterious postcard arrives, and she believes she knows exactly what its short message means.

After a lengthy bus ride to Happy Rock, she finds that nothing is as it seems, but she still has a few loyal fans who idolize her there. As she gets drawn into the community, she gets mixed up in a murder that seemed at first to be an attempt on her own life. Drawing on her years as a TV amateur detective, she sets about to determine who in this small town would want to kill her.

Unfortunately, Miranda's persona is such that she's like the bad houseguest who refuses to leave, which makes her a bit too much to enjoy at times.

Thank you to Will Ferguson and Ian Ferguson, Harlequin and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

Miranda was infuriating and hilarious! I enjoyed this book with it's quirky characters and silliness of Hollywood starlets.

Miranda Abbott, previously recognized for her role as a detective clergy on a major television series, finds herself in dire straits. At her lowest point, a cryptic postcard calls her to the secluded town of Happy Rock. There, she engages in a local theater's amateur play, where during a performance, a fellow actor is shockingly killed on stage, unnoticed by the audience. Miranda collaborates with a diverse group of eccentric local characters, channeling her on-screen persona to unravel the mystery.

The narrative offers a delightful and engaging experience, woven with unexpected plot turns that add depth to the story. The initial chapters are dedicated to the introduction of a complex cast, blending actual and fictional personas from the play. While the setup might initially seem slow, it's a foundational element that enriches the unfolding mystery, which only begins halfway through the book, accelerating the pace dramatically.

The setting is charmingly unusual, with the town’s proximity to the ocean giving it a secretive, almost reclusive vibe rather than one of glamour. Miranda's attraction to this peculiar place becomes more understandable as the plot progresses.

For readers in search of an entertaining mystery with a touch of whimsy, this novel is a perfect choice. It's a compelling read that makes me eager to explore more works from these authors.

I Only Read Murder is written by two Canadian authors who are brothers, Ian and Max Ferguson. They have written award-winning best sellers, both individually and together. This book can be classified as a cozy mystery, a category I seldom read. It is entertaining and humorous due to its self-absorbed and conceited Miranda Abbott.

I wanted to love this book, I really did. However, I cannot stand the main character and that made me want to stop reading. I really wanted to know who the killer was, though, so I skipped ahead to at least find that out. I’m sure this book will find its target audience. I happen to not be a part of that audience.

"Only Murders in the Building" meets "Schitt's Creek" was not only the comp that drew me to this book, but it couldn't be more accurate! This was a twisty, fun story with a lot of laughs, but also contained a cast of characters that you can't help but fall in love with and root for.

This is a fun entertaining mystery. The characters are entertaining and well-written. I enjoyed this and would recommend it! Special Thank You to Will Ferguson, Ian Ferguson, Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

I ONLY READ MURDER is a fun jaunt into murder during a small-town theater production. The authors created a mystery that is entertaining, fast-paced, and filled with the characters cozy readers will love.

For this reader, the characters are what made the book. I loved Miranda’s over-the-top personality in juxtaposition to those in Happy Rock. However, there were moments when I thought the characters read like caricatures. The people met within these pages were ones I expected to round out a small-town cozy mystery cast. This didn’t make the story any less enjoyable though. There were just the right amount of misdirections, false leads, and amateur sleuth antics.

In truth, I feel like this is the beginning and it was written like that. A lot of what was here was to set up the lay of the land and characters who will no doubt be in the future Miranda Abbott books. I am looking forward to seeing what she gets mixed up in next.

This was a nice cozy mystery with plenty of humor. It does have a bit of a slow start as the small-town character-building takes place. The female main character is arrogant and not very self-aware. The pace picks up as the murder occurs. If it weren't for the humor, the overall story may have fell flat. This is the first in a series so hopefully the next installment with less backstory will have a more even pace.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a digital ARC. All opinions are my own.

It took a few chapters to get into this book but I ended up enjoying it. The characters are a bit over-the-top but the sense of fun and community surrounding the mysteries was enjoyable. I particularly enjoyed the Oregon coast setting and the small-town relationships between the characters.

I really enjoyed this book and cannot wait to read more. I connect with the main character. She is funny and I look forward to her growth throughout the series.

I Only Read Murder may not be a book for everyone, but it definitely is a book for me! Miranda Abbott is the quintessential self-centered actress that can’t see the forest for the trees. Of course she comes across as an unlikable character (unless, I suppose, the reader him/herself is a self-centered actor…🤔). But everyone deserves the opportunity for redemption, even Maranda Abbott. Or does she? The story of Miranda and her involvement in an onstage murder during a small town play production is a quirky, lighthearted story which I thoroughly enjoyed and I look forward to seeing what happens next with this cast of characters.

Thanks go to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

When a Hollywood has been is forced to face the ramifications of a major decision from her past it’s not pretty. Miranda Abbott, former TV star, receives a mysterious postcard from the Oregon Coast she sees it as an opportunity to re-start her career, this could not be further from the truth. Suddenly finding herself stuck in small town living Miranda ends up as our amateur sleuth trying to solve a murder that happens at the local theatre.
I will say this was a solid cozy mystery. However, I could not stand Miranda to the point that I almost gave up on this book several times and while I understand we needed to see her transformation that the locals help her go through it felt like these authors pushed her a bit too far at her starting point. I will say that despite Miranda being hard to swallow for me the rest of the characters who populated this story were fantastic and knowing that I’d get more time with them is what kept me going. I did enjoyed the whodonit reveal and how the actual mystery unfolded. Overall, an okay start to a new cozy series, now that the main character has had some much needed growth I may continue on with this series.
Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin Trade for access to this title in exchange for an honest review.

This book was okay. I was engaged and wanted to find out the ending.

Overall, it was very soap opera ish. I’m trying to think of something to compare it to.

The characters are surface level, along with the setting and the plot.

Hollywood has been comes back to find her estranged husband wants a divorce and then thinks someone is trying to kill her. Her once upon a time tv character is a detective, so she takes on that persona to solve the mystery.

Like I said, I wanted to know what happened. Would this be at the top of my recommendations list? Probably not.

I absolutely loved this book and can't wait for more adventures of Miranda and the gang in Happy Rock. As someone who lives in Oregon I giggled at all the references to Eugene & Portland as well as understood how dazzling the ocean and small towns can be.

Miranda's character was engaging and witty, I hope to see her grow and change more over future books than the snippet we got at the end of the book. I would love to learn more about the other characters, what brought them to Happy Rock.

I read I Only Read Murder in one specific person's voice.
Actress Miranda Abbott, in my head, sounded like Catherine O'Hara's Moira!
I've been a longtime fan of authors and brothers Will Ferguson and Ian Ferguson, back to their book How To Be A Canadian. I love to see they have delved into the cozy mystery genre.
I Only Read Murder was a fun and quick read, and the first in a planned series.
I feel like readers loving or loathing main character Miranda may be divisive, but I found her generally entertaining.
Recommended!

This was a cute cozy mystery with a small town setting and a theater performance focus. It was quirky, quick, and a phenomenal palette cleanser between heavier thriller myseteries and psychological thrillers. Miranda was as loveable as she was unlikeable - which for me is a solid plus with a main character. She had the most obnoxious tendencies but some of the best one liners and I giggled outloud a few times. It definitely had Murder, She Wrote Vibes and was a bit cheesy and slightly unbelievable but at the same time I felt like I could totally see this unfolding in a small town. Overall I would recommend for small town, cozy mystery, dramatic FMC lovers and/or for a quick beachy/cozy read.