Thank you for the chance to read and review Mystery in the Title by Ian Ferguson and Will Ferguson.

Miranda is such a fun and quirky character! I love the over the top way she approaches life with the assumption that it will all work out. Her relationship with her husband is endearing to see them explore how they work together now. The location is fun to read about as I live in Oregon and can imagine clearly what the town would look like. Overall the book is a fun, enjoyable read.

Mystery in the Title is the second Miranda Abbott cozy mystery by brothers Ian & Will Ferguson. Released 22nd Oct 2024 by Harlequin Trade on their MIRA imprint, it's 320 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout.

This is a wonky, mostly silly, eccentric cozy, populated by oddballs, harmless goofs, and long-suffering publicity aides-de-camp. Former TV star Fran was an amateur sleuth ages ago... now her comeback has her reprising her long vanished acting role in-real-life when her comeback costar exits violently stage left.

The writing is competent, but tries too hard to be funny (?) and mostly lands in over the top unbelievable. MC Fran is completely delusional, her enablers are similarly far-fetched. It's a cross between scooby-do and I love Lucy without Lucy's zany lovability. Except for the fact that it's a continuing series with her as the main character, she's so unrelentingly annoying, it wouldn't have felt amiss for -her- to have been murdered instead of her costar.

The solution, climax, denouement, and resolution are similarly silly and over-the-top.

Three stars. It works well enough as a standalone, with the understanding that the relationships and backgrounds for some of the returning characters will be slightly spoiled if read out of order.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

I did not realize this was technically a sequel when I picked this up! That being said, I did enjoy this book! I thought the plot was engaging and I liked most of the characters. It was a fun little palette cleanser and I had a good time.

I really enjoyed this second instalment in the Miranda Abbott series. It's lighthearted and quirky, with Miranda having such inflated ideas of herself and her stature. Andrew, Ned, Bea, and others are back and just as lovable! It's a cozy mystery, and the whodunit comes second to these characters, but I had fun with this second trip to Happy Rock!

MYSTERY IN THE TITLE is pure cozy mystery escapism. In the second book in the Miranda Abbott series, the authors capture that delightful balance of murder, quirky small-town antics, and amateur sleuthing.

What can I say about my favorite aging actress turned investigator? Miranda is an over-the-top and fabulously unaware character. She imposes herself upon all she meets but also has an endearing quality. Miranda is a force and continues to prove her insight valuable with the latest case involving the death of her co-star. And yes, it is absolutely as humorous and entertaining as you think it will be.

Along with many of the familiar faces from the first book in the series—Andrew, Chief Buckley, Edgar, and Bea—the reader gets to enjoy the quirky world Miranda Abbott has created for herself in Happy Rock. Then, with the addition of a mystery to solve, what more can you ask for? I loved every moment of it. Truly, the third book cannot come soon enough!

"Mystery in the Title" by Ian and Will Ferguson focuses on Miranda Abbott, a former television star best known for her role as Pastor Fran in the popular crime drama, "Pastor Fran Investigates." The novel follows Miranda as she returns to acting after a long hiatus, landing a leading role in a surprisingly expensive movie of the week being filmed in Happy Rock. However, her excitement is short-lived when her co-star makes a dramatic (and fatal) entrance at the press conference by crashing through the atrium window of the Duchess Hotel.

Suddenly, Miranda finds herself thrust into the role of an amateur detective, navigating the complexities of a film set while trying to uncover the truth behind her co-star's untimely demise. The hotel itself becomes a kind of locked-room mystery, with a limited number of suspects and a seemingly impossible scenario.

While the authors attempt to create a witty and engaging mystery, the execution falls short. The humor often feels forced, and the characters, particularly Miranda, are not as endearing as they are intended to be. Miranda's constant self-absorption and dismissive attitude towards others made it difficult to connect with her and enjoy the narrative.

"Mystery in the Title" has potential, but it ultimately falls short of its mark.

Rating: ★★☆☆☆

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“𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐨𝐛𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞. 𝐖𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐮𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬. 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞.”

I adored I Only Read Murder, when I read it in 2023, and was so happy to see a sequel published so that I could return to Happy Rock and all the residents’ hijinks.

Ian and Will Ferguson have created such a fun world that feels like a wonderful mix of the small town murders and observant female protagonist of Murder, She Wrote, the loveable characters of Schitt’s Creek, and the absurd humour of Murdered to Death and Clue. I adore Miranda, Andrew, and the residents of Happy Rock - they are equal parts funny, quirky and kind. The Fergusons have also created a love letter to classic crime shows with frequent mentions of Miranda’s former show Pastor Fran Investigates; it is quintessential eighties: a weekly mystery with a wandering pastor turning up in a small town at exactly the moment someone is murdered… sound familiar!? The satire and humour is out in full force, and I found myself laughing at many of the quick quips that are throughout the story, such as: “𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐉𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐚 𝐅𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫.” There is also a nod to Otto Penzler, the owner of the Mysterious Press that had me giggling (when is Otto going to reissue the Pastor Fran novelizations!?). The mystery itself falls in the ‘impossible crime’ tradition with a locked hotel room that has no way in or out besides through the balcony. I could’ve done with a few more suspects and it was hard to care about the victim when we didn’t really meet him before he came crashing through the atrium roof, but I was still wanting to know whodunnit and how!

Mystery In The Title is a story of needing to be loved, finding connections, hoopla, money and redemption. It’s over-the-top absurd humour, quirky characters, and fun mystery should continue to delight eighties cozy mystery fans. I cannot wait for the next instalment! Thank you to Mira Books, Harper Collins Canada & NetGalley for the ARC!

I went back to read the first book first and then this one. I like Miranda and was excited to go along another adventure with her. This was definitely a messy love triangle (square? rectangle?) that tied in suspense and thriller. It was fun to read about. I did enjoy the first book more, but that's not to say I didn't like this one! I would recommend continue the series as it was a fun read

I failed to check out the first book and will certainly go back to check it out and maybe revisit this one. Miranda is somewhat exhausting, but it gives the vibes of Finlay Donovan a bit with the 'cozy / mystery' vibes. It's okay but wouldn't seek out to read it again and again.

A surprise call has Miranda being offered a role in a fabulous new film with five-times Oscar-nominated Harry Tomlin. She jumps at the chance. He's a BIG NAME and she's not going to question the fact that the contract has no tricky clauses. It's just a lot of money for a chance to work with the nicest man in Hollywood.
So why is it Harry who ends up dead after crashing through a skylight? Nothing makes sense. And then his replacement comes in. It's an old beau of Miranda's and a foe of her husband Edgar's. Now she's juggling feelings between her nearly ex-husband for whom she still has feelings (though he doesn't appear much in this book), her handsome ex-co-star who is a divine kisser (although he has a horrible personality), and the handsome and charming producer (although she doesn't really have feelings for her.)

Three and a half stars
This book comes out October 22, 2024
Miranda Abbott #2
Follows I Only Read Murder
ARC kindly provided by Mira and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

Miranda solves yet another crime in small town Happy Rock. Harry Tomlin falls through the ceiling at the press conference of the new MOW featuring him and Miranda. Who murdered him. So many choices. Leave it to Miranda to figure it out.

This was a cute second book in the Miranda Abbot series and I hope they continue to write more. I love how she is a wanna be star who gets caught up in the murder mysteries

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

Verdict: I liked the first book in the series better but I continue loving Miranda Abbott.

Hollywood comes to Happy Rock, and Miranda Abbott is desired as the lead actress. Hopeful that she is finally getting her career back on track, Miranda throws herself into the role. Unfortunately, murder comes calling, and there's another case to solve. On top of that, Miranda also finds herself in a bizarre love triangle. There are lots of mishaps and twists, but I wanted more Miranda and Edgar. Given the cliffhanger at the end of the book, book three should be quite interesting.



Publication Date 22/10/24
Goodreads Review 05/11/24
#MysteryintheTitle #NetGalley.

A larger than life actress in very long dry spell finds herself at the center of another murder investigation.

I wanted to like this so badly,. The mystery was well written with lots of great twists and turns, a unique setting (the set of a tv movie in an adorable small town) and an intriguing premise.

That said, it fell so flat for me. The humor didn't land, the characters felt ingenuine and almost caricatures of a cozy mystery cast and I just didn't connect to this at all.

I do think it's a good book, just not meant for me. Three stars because the murder mystery was suspenseful at least.

Thank you to Ian Ferguson, Will Ferguson, Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC xx

See my full review at http://michelleardillo.com/2024/10/31/book-review-mystery-in-the-title-miranda-abbott-mystery-2-by-ian-ferguson-and-will-ferguson/

Miranda Abbott is back at it! Ridiculous demands of those close to her, but also an attention to detail that helps her solve the mystery. I really liked how she was able to use her knowledge of costars and costuming to solve the mystery. The relationship with her (ex?) husband is interesting, but didn’t really seem to go anywhere in this one. The solution was more twisty than I expected. I liked the way we were given the answers. This was a great book 2 in the Miranda Abbott series.

This book was okay. I liked the cover and for that reason I requested the book. It was just okay though. I had to push through to continue reading it.

This is the second book in the Miranda Abbott Mystery series. I approached this book without having read the first one, but it can definitely be enjoyed as a standalone. I received enough background information to understand the characters' situations and the events from the first book.

The story perfectly blends cozy mystery elements with a quirky and entertaining main character. I loved Miranda and her eccentric personality. Some of her comments made me laugh out loud. To my surprise, the mystery was also very suspenseful. This book makes me want to read more cozy mysteries because reading this book was so fun!

Thank you to NetGallery and to Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA for my copy of the book.

Mystery in the Title is book two in the Miranda Abbott Mystery series by Ian Ferguson; Will Ferguson.
I loved this cozy mystery.
This is a fast, fun, entertaining, well crafted murder mystery.
Tons of suspects in this small town, I thought I had it figured it, but I was totally wrong.
Cleverly written and thought out mystery this humorous murder mystery was delightful.

Thank You NetGalley and MIRA for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

This second Miranda Abbott mystery is as entertaining as the first, I Only Read Murder. Miranda is going to star in a movie of the week, which coincidentally will film in Happy Rock where she is staying. This is quite exciting for Miranda and the town. Unfortunately, her costar makes a dramatic entrance to the press conference by falling through the atrium window at the Duchess Hotel and being dead.

Now the fun begins, Miranda was once the crime solving, karate-chopping church pastor, Pastor Fran, on a former television show. At times reality and the Pastor Fran persona get a bit mixed up as Miranda with help from "her friends" set out to solve the murder.

The authors have created a wonderful ensemble of characters that add to the fun. It gives me a "Schitt's Creek" vibe. The plot has some great scenes that make you laugh out loud. There is some hints of romance, Bea ( the innkeeper) and the Police Chief Ned Buckley and what is going to happen between Miranda and Edgar (bookstore owner and husband) or will someone else catch Miranda's eye? I am eagerly waiting to see what Miranda gets up to next.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Harlequin Trade Publishing, for an ARC. The review is my own.