My thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for a copy of “ How Not To Murder Your Ex” for an honest review.

For me this was an average Cozy crime book,, that had quirky characters and humour , but was a little too predictable.
I wanted to enjoy it more, but once finished it was easily forgettable.

As usual in my reviews, I will not rehash the plot...

This is a light, easy read in the "cosy mystery" genre. The book feels a little chaotic, but that's life!

I liked the friendships between the three main characters - all very different people. I felt that they complemented one another well, each having different strengths and weaknesses that made for a good team.

Gary (the ex in question) was a horrible piece of work, and I felt surprised that Clio had ever had anything to do with him - but not entirely surprised that someone decided to murder him!

I did actually guess who the murderer was, but then I read a lot of murder stories!

A light easy read that would be good for a trip or holiday.

First things first: thank you to the author and Netgalley for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review

My rating:3.75 stars
Read if you like:
- Unreliable narrators
- Multiple POVs
- Murder-mystery comedy
- MCs in their 40s
- A peek into the victim's head

My review:

I don't say this often but this book would make a perfect tv show/movie. It has so many good elements that I couldn't help but thinking "I would watch this if it was on Netflix".
The premise is simple: Gary, Clio's soon to be ex-husband and a veritable worm in the form of a middle-aged white man, drops dead in her doorstep. And because menopause and booze are a terrible combination, Clio cannot remember a thing of the previous night, so of course she finds herself being interrogated and kept in custody as the main suspect.

From there on, we are pushed into a whirlwind of unreliable and comedic characters that, one way or another, are all working towards the same goal: figuring it out who the killer is.
Well, except for Gary. Gary's chapters were there to kindle the flame of hatred for him and make you wonder how is it that just one person wanted to kill him and not the entire town.

Is this the perfect murder? No. Is this a perfect book with a perfect ending? Nope.
But was it entertaining, fun to read and brutally honest of what it is to be a woman going through menopause, a messy divorce, motherhood and/or being fired from a job you love? Yes.

It is also a book that, somehow, makes you want to call your best friends and tell them you love them and you'd walk in front of a bullet for them. Because above all? This story is about the strength of female friendship and how important it is to surround yourself with people who love, accept and protect you no matter what.

Overall, I truly enjoyed this book and would absolutely recommend it if you want a light muder-mystery peppered with pinches of comedy and a bunch of funny characters.

This is first in a series.
How not to murder your ex is a light hearted, easy to read cosy mystery.
I enjoyed it.

This was an enjoyable read that I got through fairly quickly!

The pacing was good, and I felt gripped throughout to see how the murder mystery played out.

The characters felt a little stereotypical, so I didn't really connect with any of them.

A murder mystery that's as fun as it is puzzling, How Not to Murder Your Ex is cosy crime that avoids any tweeness - there's an edge of blackness amongst the fun. Great little read

Thank you Boldwood Books and Netgalley.
This was rather chaotic but such a fun book and to be honest I was hooked.
I highly recommend this if you want something a bit different.

So did Clio murder her ex Gary…or not? That’s unfortunately what Clio doesn’t know when she discovers her dead ex on her front doorstep because she has no memory of the night before. She and some friends were celebrating her forty-fifth birthday with a few cocktails. Clio can’t remember, and the beverages consumed did not help with her recent forgetfulness or her hot flashes!

Gary’s death was definitely not an accident, but there don’t seem to be very many suspects other than Clio…until her friends Amber and Jeanie pitch in to fill in the blanks and prove Clio is innocent of her ex’s murder.

The author has developed an interesting group of characters, each with her unique perspective and life challenges. But when these women team up with a common goal, there’s just no stopping them.

Set in an English coastal town, How Not To Murder Your Ex is a fun read that’s the start of a new series that looks to be a treat for readers.

I loved this! I could not stop reading until the very end. I loved the setting, British Coast, and the characters were so relatable and perfect. I was enthralled throughout the whole story. Perfect mystery and I loved every word of it!!! I cannot wait for the next book in the series and see what all they get into.
I just reviewed How Not To Murder Your Ex by Katie Marsh. #HowNotToMurderYourEx #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]

This was quite a chaotic book, which rather reflects Clio's life and when she finds the body of her, not lamented, late husband she has to work hard to find out who killed him before the police decide she had means and motive....

I really enjoyed this murder mystery! It was such an entertaining book and I loved the dual timelines from different POV’s. Especially from the POV of the victim. I think there will be other books in the series and I can’t wait to read them!

I had a lot of fun in reading this cozy mystery as it's full of humour, features likeable and fleshed out characters, kept me hooked and guessing.
I can't wait to read the next one
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Really loved the story and plot. The characters were very loveable and I was hooked from chapter 1. Funny twist on a rom com story.

Imagine its the  day after your birthday, you've been out with friends, had a fab time, drunk too much and are now feeling the worst for wear. You open your front door to find your loathed ex husband dead on the doorstep! What would you do?

Main character Clio may have wished Gary dead but she doesn't think she would have actually done anything! However, unfortunately, she can't remember much at all! If it wasn't her that killed him, who was it? As they sober up and piece together events from the previous night Clio and her friends try work out what happened. Who else would hate him that much and why was he left on Clio's doorstep?

This is a fun murder mystery read, I really enjoyed it!

Clio and her friends become amateur sleuths after Clio’s ex-husband’s body is found on the steps of her caravan. He’s been murdered and she has the best motive of all – he had stolen everything from her and their daughter. And did I mention that it was Clio’s forty-fifth birthday and has a very vague memory of the night in question.

Katie Marsh has penned a light and entertaining mystery, filled with quirky characters that are well-defined. The book is fairly fast-paced with some humor. But, the plot is also somewhat predictable and there could have been more twists or, at least, some kind of “wow” moments. Nevertheless, if this is a new series, I think it has great promise and I’m looking forward to more from Clio and her friends. NetGalley provided an advance copy.

"How to Not Murder Your Ex" by Katie Marsh offers a comedic exploration of the complexities that come with post-breakup life. While the premise holds promise for an entertaining read, the execution leaves the reader with a mixed bag of emotions.

The novel follows the protagonist's journey as she navigates the aftermath of a breakup, providing glimpses into the challenges and mishaps that accompany the quest for closure. Marsh's writing style is light and conversational, making for an easy read. The humor is present, but it often feels forced, lacking the genuine wit that could elevate the story.

The characters, while relatable, fall into somewhat stereotypical roles, and their development feels a bit predictable. The narrative is peppered with moments that attempt to be quirky or insightful but, at times, come across as contrived. The pacing is steady, but the plot lacks the depth needed to truly engage the reader on a more profound level.

Despite its shortcomings, "How to Not Murder Your Ex" manages to capture some universal truths about moving on and self-discovery after a breakup. The book has its moments of charm and humor, but it may leave readers wanting more substance and nuance in its exploration of relationships.

In summary, "How to Not Murder Your Ex" is an okay read that delivers on its promise of a lighthearted take on post-breakup life. While it may not leave a lasting impression, it provides a moderate dose of entertainment for those seeking a casual, easygoing read in the realm of romantic comedies.

Likeable amateur sleuths, humour and a cosy crime plot make this an entertaining read. The characters are believable, and there is a good mix of laughter and darkness to engage the reader.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Thank you Netgalley and Boldwood books for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.

How not to murder your ex is light, entertaining mystery which keeps you engaged from the very start.

I couldn't put it down till about 60% but towards the end I was really not interested anymore. It was too predictable, lacked complexity and shock factor necessary to keep readers engaged. There are no dropping clues or there are not really many suspects to wonder whodunit.

Characters are well written and quirky. The humour kept the tone of the book light but then it never made my heart race with curiosity as to who is responsible for the murder. After a point, I didn't even care enough.

Overall cozy and fast paced mystery. Could have been better with more clues, twists.

An enchanting journey through vividly imagined worlds and compelling characters. This fiction gem weaves a tapestry of emotions, adventure, and unexpected twists that kept me eagerly turning the pages. The author's masterful storytelling evokes a powerful connection, making this book an absolute delight to read. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a captivating escape into a richly crafted story!

An enjoyable and charming murder mystery, this book kept me hooked, eager to uncover the unfolding events. The narrative is infused with gentle humour, consistently bringing smiles to the reader's face.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.