Miranda is back! In more ways than one. Don't worry if you missed the first book-this will be fine as a standalone. And yes, Miranda can be very annoying but she's also pretty funny. She's an actress hoping for a comeback but her big break goes sideways when the male star of the movie meant to be made in Happy Rock is ....murdered! Luckily, Miranda has sleuthing skills gained by acting on TV (go with it) and she's got friends like Andy to help. This is over the top in spots but it's funny. It's also just tricky enough to keep you guessing. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. For cozy fans.

Miranda Abbot, our favourite actress, is back in Mystery in the Title, the second book in Ian Ferguson and Will Ferguson's Miranda Abbot Mystery series.

I liked book one, I Only Read Murder, but I'll be honest, Miranda kind of got on my nerves in that book. I'm so glad that didn't stop me from checking out Mystery in the Title because this was such an enjoyable read. Miranda seemed slightly less selfish (although she's still pretty self-centered), and hilariously erratic in this book, and it made for such a fun read to see what she would do next, and how her poor assistant, Andrew, would handle it.

Miranda is still living at Bea's B&B and is attempting to plan her comeback, when she's unexpectedly approached to star in a MOW (that's a Movie Of the Week) opposite a very famous male lead. And best of all, it's being filmed in Happy Rock! Andrew tries to warn her that the offer is too good to be true but in true Miranda fashion, she ignores him and does her own thing. When a death occurs at the press conference announcing the upcoming film, Miranda once again puts her talents, learned over her years playing the beloved character Pastor Fran, to work to determine the identity of the murderer.

As I've already mentioned, Miranda is delightfully flaky, and erratic which had me laughing out loud throughout the book. The characters of Happy Rock are even more quirky than I remember, and I thoroughly loved getting to know them better.

One of my favourite things about the book is how the authors occasionally break the fourth wall, making comments directly to the reader about what is going on. It fit in so smoothly with the rest of the story that it felt a natural thing, and added to my enjoyment of the story.

If you're looking for a fun, entertaining mystery, you will want to check out Mystery In the Title. I'll be watching for the next book in the series.

The second title in this series cheerfully sticks tongue in cheek and romps through a cozy, kitschy mystery that can easily stand alone. Miranda, the oblivious washed-up actress, Andrew, her hapless assistant, super-fan Bea, police chief Ned and not-quite-ex- Edgar are all back. Humorous gems are scattered throughout, the characters are quirky and I like the premise of an actress who played a mystery-solving parson chasing clues. The mystery itself has plenty of red herrings and potential suspects and the end will leave you smiling. Fun.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

My thanks for the ARC goes to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing, MIRA. I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

Genre: Cozy Mystery, Humor, Mystery, Mystery Thriller
Spice Level: No spice on the page
Representation: One character is gay, I don't remember diverse characters
Readability: I read this one first, and it all made sense. Now, I'm definitely going back to read *I ONLY READ MURDER.*

MYSTERY IN THE TITLE is one of the funniest books I've read this year, and definitely ranks in the top for funniest murder mysteries ever. Why, you ask? Because of the characters!

Miranda Abbott, fallen Hollywood star, is delusional, BUT what made me laugh was how the other characters call Miranda out on her behavior (both internally and externally). "Full sentences, Miranda. Speak in full sentences."

The other Hollywood actors are also intriguing. One always references when he trained . . . [fill in the blank because your answer will make as much sense as his]. Such a hoot! Miranda's poor assistant—long suffering, loyal, but also disillusioned. Then there are the nearly invisible characters: the translator, the agent, and the hotel staff, who add texture and highlight how kooky everyone else is. It's possible that Miranda needs a spreadsheet to keep track of who's fired and who's been rehired.

Romance! Yep—Miranda and her many love interests are navigating new territory. Her almost ex-husband is irascible, and a new beau is charming, and is there an old lover in the wings? Oh, my—this was another source of intrigue and laughter for me.

Ultimately, I want a whodunnit to be tricky. This book checked all the boxes with red herrings, lies, misunderstanding, drama, and a big reveal! I was thoroughly entertained.

I highly recommend this book for all mystery lovers.

Happy reading!

Tis my season for cozy mysteries! This is the second book in the series, however it does work as a stand alone. Of course, you will get more of the backstory if you read book 1, I did find myself doing just fine without and I was quickly caught up on the characters lives. I think I am learning to appreciate cozy mysteries more lately. For me what has been standing out to me is just the amazing cast of side characters they always seem to have, like the side characters almost make the books! And that is exactly what happened here. The side characters provided the balance to the strong main characters. This book was also fun in that it had lots of great laugh out loud moments, something else I didn’t realize seems to be a must for this sub-genre. The pacing was medium and propelled me through the story nicely. I didn’t feel rushed or hurried, yet not like I was lallygagging either, it was great. Oh and this one is written by two authors, but its seamlessly done and I couldn’t even tell which was even better.

If you are looking for a fun and quirky cozy mystery full of great characters, then look no further.

A digital copy of this book was provided to me by NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing. The opinions are my own and freely given.

MIRANDA ABBOTT RETURNS!!

Miranda is offered a lead role in a movie without and audition. She is THRILLED! Her assistant, Andrew. has his doubts about this movie, as does her agent, Marty. But the filming is to be done in Happy Rock. The cast and crew have already moved into The Duchess, where a lot of the filming is to take place. Then, before it even starts, a death occurs. Was it murder? Suicide? A tragic accident? Miranda puts on her "Pastor Fran" hat and starts to investigate.
Yes, Miranda thinks she is a bigger start and more important than she is, but that just adds to her charm. Walking into a room and announcing, "It is I!" And some people just don't know who she is. Her relationship with Edgar, her husband, ex-husband, soon-to-be-ex-husband is still a mystery, even to Miranda. All the characters are back.
I was so happy to see this has turned into a series and cannot wait for the next scene in Miranda's movie, (uh, life). I adore this series, and I love Miranda Abbott.

I loved this book - couldn't stop laughing! Miranda is hilarious. And her gay assistant Andrew - even better.

A nice cozy mystery but I had a harder time connecting with the main character. I pushed through though because I really loved the premise!

Character driven cozy which proves there’s no such thing as too many quirky (and lovable) characters. The Ferguson brothers let their characters “be themselves “ as crafted in this second outing scars and all. The mystery itself is good and murderer not who I thought, but believeable.

I loved I Only Read Murder so I was looking forward to this one. Unfortunately, I was a little disappointed. I loved that Miranda's assistant Andrew (my gay assistant) had a larger role in this one but I really missed the presence of her soon-to-be ex-husband Edgar.

Miranda seemed a bit more down to earth in this one, though she still has completely oblivious moments.

I'm hoping the next book has more of the charm of the first book. It was still ok and I'd recommend it to patrons--just not as enthusiastically as I recommended book 1.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publishers & the authors for the ARC. I moderately liked the first book (found the main character unbearable but had hopes for a more complete redemption arc). Unfortunately, I just couldn't get past the first 10 pages. I tried! I just had so many books and didn't want to spend more time trying to read a book that took multiple reads and days to get through. DNF @ page 10.

When a body falls from a window at the press conference and thereby jeopardizing Miranda’s comeback, she and her friends take it upon themselves to solve this puzzling crime, albeit with an ulterior motive to getting the movie recast. Along the way they encounter a bevy of suspects, they pick up clues here and there, and have some fun. With visually descriptive narrative, engaging and witty dialogue, and an eclectic and quirky cast of characters, this whodunit tickled my funny bone from beginning to end. The author did a great job in staging this solidly wicked mystery and giving me enough backstory in the main character’s lives, especially since I did not read the first book in the series. Overall, an enjoyable and wonderful experience and I look forward to more adventures with the trio of Miranda, Andrew, and Bea.

Mirand a is back!
The Fergusons have granted us another hilarious story of the once famous actor Miranda Abbot, infamous lead of Pastor Fran Investigates (a self-proclaimed detective for 6 seasons on network tv) and still grasping at any level of fame she can hold. She is currently living in a B&B in the small town near her soon to be ex husband and waiting for her next acting opportunity when it actually arrives!

A Made for TV Movie will be filmed in the village of Happy Rock and Miranda will costar! Right away things go awry and it's up to her trusty assistant and local police chief to ensure that it all ends well. Lots of jokes, inside info and bumbling fun.

Another excellent cozy mystery by the brothers! If you like Hollywood in a snarky way, this is the series for you!

Miranda Abbott Mysteries:
Book 1: I Only Read Murder by Ian Ferguson and Will Ferguson
Book 2: Mystery in the Title by Ian Ferguson and Will Ferguson #harlequintrade #iangerguson #willferguson #themysteryinthetitle

Ian Ferguson and Will Ferguson have brought back all of our favorite, quirky characters. This time, Miranda is approached with an obscene salary to star in a film right in the small town she's currently calling home. But, as Andrew notes, is it too good to be true? Miranda will, once again, find herself on the front row to a murder and will use her Pastor Fran skills to try to solve it.

Perfect summer cozy mystery! Miranda is lovingly annoying and quietly entertaining and brilliant. The cast of characters in Happy Rock round out the perfect summer mystery.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an electronic copy to read in exchange for an honest review.

I love this series so much. Take Moira Rose and make it a mystery. Miranda is hilariously oblivious but somehow still some what competent. Never ending fun - definitely a book to read in a day!

loved this 2nd book about an actress and solving crimes in the town. Loved townspeople and all the new people that came into town and what happened to the lead . I hope more pastor fran books comes out and things work out with husband.

I love a good stand alone series. The pacing was good and the characters were awesome. I didn't feel like I needed to read the first book in order for things to make sense

This was a nice little cozy mystery about former Hollywood starlet Miranda Abbott being asked to be in a MOW (movie of the week) shooting in her hometown. That is, until the leading man, who happens to be the Nicest Man in America, turns up dead. It's up to Miranda, or Pastor Fran as she will always be known to her fri3nds and fans, to solve the case. This was a sweet read.

"Mystery in the Title" by Ian Ferguson is a delightful and cleverly crafted novel that blends mystery, humor, and literary intrigue into a captivating read. Ferguson's witty writing style and inventive plot make for an engaging and entertaining story that keeps readers guessing until the very end. The protagonist's quest to uncover the truth behind a mysterious manuscript with a tantalizing title leads to a series of misadventures and unexpected twists, keeping the narrative fresh and exciting throughout. Ferguson's love for language and literature shines through in every page, adding depth and charm to the story. "Mystery in the Title" is a delightful romp through the world of books and secrets, offering readers a chance to unravel a puzzle alongside an endearing cast of characters. With its blend of humor, suspense, and literary references, this novel is sure to appeal to mystery lovers and bookworms alike.