She Doesn’t Have a Clue isn’t going to be for everyone, but it was definitely for me. Jenny Elder Moke is a new to me author. I really enjoyed the main character, Kate and how messed up she was in a cute way. The murder mystery on an private Island during a wedding weekend was engaging and I had a hard time putting this book down.

Kate is a writer who spends a lot of time in her own head, or more accurately in the head of one of her characters from the mystery books she writes. It becomes even easier for her to get lost in that fantasy life when at the wedding of her former fiancé, on a historic private Island, one of the attendees turns up dead. Kate is off to try and solve the mystery, since someone seems to be using plots from her books for the murder. To add to the chaos, Jake (not Blake from her books) is also at the wedding and someone has put him as Kate’s plus one. Kate may have harbored a huge crush on the adventurer she helped co-write books for, but does he also have those kinds of feelings for Kate?

This book has a few ridiculous moments, that I found hilarious, but humor is really subjective so this book is either going to really work for you or not. As various calamities plague the house, a storm also approaches and traps everyone one the Island in a house with intermittent power, at least one dead body and a so many taxidermized animals anyone might feel uncomfortable. There are also a long list of suspects who all have some kind of motive to kill.

I really liked Kate and her, I can be just like Jessica Fletcher and find the killer, attitude. With her can do attitude and slightly itchy thinking sweater she is off to solve the crime(s). The mystery of who is trying to possibly kill the bride and definitely killed another guest was interesting and fun with some false leads and twists. But the will they/won’t they tension between Jake and Kate was what I was really into. While you are pretty sure they are meant to be, I enjoyed the journey and revelations along the way.

The mystery was fun, the humor was great and the romance was swoony. This book made me want to look into the authors catalog and see if there was anything else I could pick up.

“I’ve waited years for this,” he said, his breath warming the inner shell of her ear. “And I’m going to take my time. Every last minute of it, Kate. Until neither of us can stand up again.”

For readers who:
-like cozy mysteries
-think authors make fun central characters
-love romance
-enjoy a good destination wedding

3 1/2 stars
Part cozy mystery and part romance, Kate is an author who finds herself at her publisher/ex-fiance’s destination wedding. And who shows up but her crush who broke her heart years ago? And then suddenly, there’s a murder and a string of crimes that all reflect Kate’s books. Will her crush help her solve the mystery - and finally kiss her - before the book ends?

This was cute. I liked the characters and the cozy mystery. Some of the characters were really over the top, but that’s typical for mysteries and romance, so it’s on brand. I didn’t want to stop reading, so that’s a good sign. Fun and easy.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing a free e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

While an entertaining read, this book was a little farfetched for my liking, and though I know it's a book and not real, some things were just a little off-putting with the murder mystery. Also, things just did not flow well within the plot. It jumps from worrying about relationship issues, a murder, random spice scenes thrown in, back to relationship issues, back to murder. It was just overall inconsistent in what the book was trying to be.

The overall atmosphere of the book just felt like a cozy, rom-com mystery and did not provide any major thriller elements to the murder mystery at all, which some may like, but unfortunately it was a miss for me. The characters were also rather calm for having stumbled across a dead body with a scheming plot involving them forming against them. Give the book a try though as others have liked it, and it may be up your alley.

I ADORED this book so much more than I thought I would. If you're a fan of Nancy Drew, true crime, and mysteries that take place on a remote island where a wedding is supposed to take place - look no further. I thought the two main characters were so fun, that I hope this ends up being a series where I can tag along with even more mysteries. And while I guessed the culprit pretty early on (the only thing keeping this from five stars), I still enjoyed the ride! This book was silly and fun, while tackling some more serious topics. I would highly recommend!

This was a book I wanted to like based on the description. It sounded fun and light, quirky and enjoyable.

Maybe that's what it was aiming for, but the reality was a plot that dragged, unlikable characters, and a book that seemed desperate to keep moving in the hope that no one would notice that nothing about it made any sense.

Bestselling author Kate is behind on her next Loretta Starling, amateur detective, book. So naturally she goes to her editor's (and ex-fiance's) wedding on a private island in the middle of nowhere, to be with other people from the publishing group she's been dodging, along with the new bride's super rich family. Then she learns there's a last minute addition of her hot Australian crush Jake who she had some awkward misunderstandings with a few years ago and never spoke to again. Which would be normal wedding awkwardness until the bride's body is found (by Kate) in the wine cellar and she seems like the culprit. It's all downhill from there.

When stressed, Kate has the habit of asking herself "what would Loretta do?" and imagining her main character (her exact opposite) in the scene. Which took getting used to as a reader. It took more than half way through the book to figure out it wasn't Kate trying to overcome writer's block or channel her inner detective, but that Kate is just a mess and she wrote Loretta as a confident character to be her opposite-and possibly her inspiration. The reader never figures out why Kate's a mess, or get really a feel for much of Kate at all other than her apparent spiral after being dumped by the ex-fiance she didn't even love and her issues with Jake. She's a terrible detective, completely unsubtle, in an Agatha Raisin/Stephanie Plum kind of way, without their charm or humor.

This was probably a book trying to be a rom-com with a mystery twist. But it seriously lost its way and ended up not managing to be especially enjoyable for me. One star of this review goes to Jake and Fluffy for being the two most entertaining characters on the island.

I recommend skipping this one, despite the cute cover and promise of the book blurb.

I received a DRC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

"She Doesn't Have a Clue" by Jenny Elder Moke attempts to blend the charm of classic teen detective stories with modern rom-com sensibilities, creating an engaging if somewhat uneven mystery experience. The novel draws clear inspiration from beloved properties like "Nancy Drew" and "Knives Out," offering readers a fresh take on the young detective genre.
The story's greatest strength lies in its genre-blending ambitions. By mixing murder mystery elements with romantic comedy beats, Moke creates an intriguing premise that sets it apart from traditional teen mysteries. The partnership between the main characters as they work to solve the murder while clearing their own names provides some of the book's most engaging moments.
However, the execution doesn't quite live up to its promising concept. The middle section loses momentum, and the mystery's resolution leans into familiar territory that might feel a bit too reminiscent of Saturday morning cartoons for some readers. While the romantic subplot adds another layer to the story, it never quite finds its footing, though the investigative partnership between the leads offers enough chemistry to keep readers invested.
What "She Doesn't Have a Clue" does accomplish is creating an accessible entry point for readers interested in mystery stories with contemporary touches. The lighter tone and genre-mixing approach make it a suitable choice for those who prefer their mysteries without too much darkness, even if more seasoned mystery readers might find themselves wanting more depth.
For fans of cozy mysteries and light romantic subplots, this book offers an easy weekend read, though it may not leave a lasting impression once the case is closed.

Kate is a bestselling author of murder mysteries. She is currently in the process of writing a new book while on her way to a private island off the coast of Seattle. What is happening on this private island you may ask? Kate is on her way to see her ex-fiancè’s wedding. While on her way there she literally bumps into her crush Jake.

Many odd things start to unfold while she is there. She learns that her crush Jake was actually invited to be her plus one for the wedding. Which means they will need to share a room. On top of that, the bride gets poisioned. So Kate turns to her murder mystery solving skills to figure out what could have happened.

I did have a bit of a hard time during some instances where it was hard to tell what was the actual story or the story Kate was writing. It took me a minute to realize that Loretta was just Kate pretending to be her in real life to help solve some mysteries on the island.

Overall, this is a very enjoyable read. It is good slow burn murder mystery that will make you not want to put it down.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was such a fun read! It’s a mix of cozy mystery and romance (with just a little spice), which might be my new favorite genre! I loved the hijinks and crazy coincidences. The main character is an author with no sleuthing experience, who then throws herself into the role of primary investigator, which made for a great time!

This book had it all: romance, drama, rich people and their problems, and wild animals! The writing gave the feeling of not taking itself too seriously. I had a fantastic time reading it, and would absolutely recommend.

She Doesn’t Have a Clue is a murder-mystery-romance set on a private island in the PNW. Oh, and did I mention, it’s about a murder mystery writer getting mixed up in an actual murder mystery? Lots to digest in that description, but ultimately it was a really fun read! It has fake dating along with revenge dating, and some forced proximity with a smattering of complicated history among characters. Overall, I’d definitely recommend this book as a fun easy read — just maybe not a read for someone heading to their own private island escape!

This book was so all over the place, bouncing from a romance to a murder mystery to a rom com and I loved it. I really enjoy when a book can do more than just be a romance and I appreciated that this book had such a strong plot. I honestly did not guess who the killer was, which made reading this even more fun and I tried to guess along the way. I giggled several times while reading this, which is rare for a book based on a murder mystery. I would definitely recommend this if you like a wide spectrum of genres and emotions encompassed in a story!

Kate is very genre savvy when it comes to mysteries. As a the author of the Loretta Starling mysteries (Loretta is a bartender in the Florida Keys), Kate is constantly thinking about how to turn everyday situations and characters into a cracking case - even if she might not get all the details quite right about boats. But when the bride at an exclusive island wedding turns up (quasi) dead, Kate is forced to take the magnifying glass herself to crack the case.

I knew this book was for me from the first throwaway reference to Jessica Fletcher being a serial killer (because...obviously). Kate is someone who finds it easier to write bold and brave characters than to push herself out of her comfort zone. Writing a romance for Loretta and hot British bartender Blake is so much easier than pursuing "hotstralian" Jake (all similarities to Blake are obviously, completely accidental). It was wonderful to see Kate learn to believe in herself throughout the book.

The sign of any good mystery is the great suspects and this book has plenty: but even among those, the sweethearted Kennedy stands out, subverting the trope of the mean girl, air headed ex.

This was a wonderful example of a romantic mystery and I’d recommend to anyone who enjoyed the Most Wonderful Crime of the Year.

She doesn't have a clue gives me knives out vibes with a mix of Nancy Drew . This book had me guessing who the true antagonist was.

I hadn’t read anything from the author before but the premise seemed interesting - a rom-com but with some mystery - so I was excited to give it a go but I just wasn't as invested as I wanted to be. Some parts were funny, the writing was entertaining, but the romance felt like it came out of nowhere. I did like the mystery plot, but I’m still not sure how I feel about the resolution? I'm glad I gave it a chance, it was entertaining enough to finish & I wouldn’t not recommend but it wouldn’t be one that would be first on my list :/ with that being said, a lot of people may love it!

I’m new to the cozy mystery genre, but She Doesn’t Have a Clue has me wanting to pick up more! Part cozy mystery, part romance (with more spice than I was expecting!), this story is full of family drama.

I loved the Clue/ Nancy Drew vibes. It was fun to read about Kate, a writer of cozy mysteries, channel her main character as she tried to figure out the culprit in this locked-room (AKA mansion) cozy mystery.

Though overall I enjoyed the story, it did start to lose me in the middle, and the reveal at the end felt a little Scooby-Doo. The romance wasn’t my favorite either, but I enjoyed their partnership as they teamed up to try to not only solve the murder, but also prove their innocence.

3 out of 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to St. Martin's Press/ Minotaur Books for an early NetGalley copy. She Doesn’t Have a Clue comes out January 21, 2025. All opinions are my own.

Initially, I struggled to get into the novel due to the extensive plot development in the beginning. Kate’s observation skills and habit of eavesdropping on conversations added depth to her character but also slowed the pace a bit. However, the concept of a mystery writer solving real-life crimes in her daily routine fascinated me. As the story progressed, the narrative picked up momentum and became incredibly engaging, especially as we delved deeper into the chaos.

The novel captivates readers with a story of aristocracy, mystery, and murder. Kate receives an invitation to her ex-boyfriend Spencer's wedding at an island estate, belonging to his fiancée Kennedy's family. Upon arrival, Kate discovers she’s sharing a room with Jake Hawkins, a man from her past who once rejected her romantic advances.

Kennedy, poised to inherit a vast fortune, is blindsided during the wedding reception when her aunt reveals that the money will be donated instead. The narrative spirals into a whirlwind of emotions, chaos, and accusations. Kate is left reeling when she is named a suspect in an attempted murder eerily similar to the plots of her own novels. Why was Kate really invited to the wedding? Could someone be framing her?

Teaming up, Kate and Jake try to uncover the truth and unravel everyone's motives. During the investigation, Kate channels Loretta, the confident detective and protagonist from her books. This unique perspective drives the plot and adds an engaging layer as Kate solves the mystery and discovers newfound confidence to pursue the life—and the man—she truly desired.

3.5 ⭐️

This was a fun, fast-paced murder mystery with humor and love stories! I really enjoyed the writing style of this book and felt it was very engaging overall. There were times the murder mystery felt a bit dragged out, but it ended up being for a purpose! Kate was a cute FMC but sometimes her personality drove me nuts LOL - although, Jake made up for it and I think he was my fav character in the book. There were a few laugh-out-loud moments and I always appreciate that in a book. My only other complaint was the ending feeling rushed and a bit forced. If you’re looking for a light/fun murder mystery, this book is probably a good one for you!

Kate Valentine is the author of a successful mystery series. Unfortunately, she lives in her head and often sees life through her book’s main character….so much so that she sometimes misses out on real life. Her upcoming weekend proves interesting. She’s been invited to the wedding of her ex-fiancé Spencer and the woman who he cheated with Kennedy but the wedding couple didn’t invite her to the private island off the coast of Washington State. Kate’s invitation came from the reclusive and highly successful head of the bride’s very rich family, Rebecca. When Kate arrives to take the ferry to the isolated island for the wedding, she’s met by Jake. She ghostwrote his Australian adventure books two years ago and felt there was a lot of chemistry between them. Jake felt the same way but because neither of them was willing to open up plus some underhanded manipulation by Spencer, the never connected and parted with bad feelings. Add to this mess, a pelting rain storm, a sabotaged generator, squabbling over inheritance and, of course, murder. Can Kate and Jake reignite their spark, will Spencer and Kennedy ever get married, who will die and who is the killer?
This is a fun book but a little chaotic. If you want to go on a wild ride with some steamy romance added in….this is the story for you.

Sure, Kate didn’t expect this to be the best weekend of her life—far from it actually—but she never expected this.

When mystery author Kate Valentine heads to the destination wedding of her former fiancé on a private island off the coast of Washington, she expects things to be uncomfortable. She still owes him a draft of her next book, and, well, he is marrying another woman after all.

But Kate didn’t have ending up in the middle of a real-life murder mystery in the center of a storm with fingers pointing her way and the man she’s always wanted by her side on her bingo card.

Honestly, who could predict that?

I really enjoyed this cozy mystery with a heavy romance plot. It’s a locked room mystery with quite the cast of characters all stuck together in a grand house that has seen better days. There’s family drama, work drama, and personal drama all paired with a former-friends-to-lovers romance.

It put a grin on my face.

I received an advance copy of the ebook from St. Martin’s Press and Minotaur books. All review opinions are my own.

Rhanks to St. Martin's Press for allowing me access to the ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Ok, I'm stuck between 3 & 4 stars for a rating, because I liked some things and really disliked other things about this book.

The plot itself was really intriguing - I requested this ARC based on the summary alone, and without having looked up the author's other works - and overall the storyline did deliver. It had plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing, and I think it has the potential to be a really great book.

But the keyword there is potential, and the ARC that I read did not quite live up to it. I get that this book was basically a rom-com mystery thriller, but there was far too much comedy and not enough of the other genres to balance everything out (although the romance part finally starts to kick in in the 2nd half). So many of the characters and sequence of events just felt completely outlandish, and everyone felt a bit flat overall - we don't know much about pretty much ANY of the characters (like the officiant who doesn't even get a name, just "Spencer's cousin" the few times they are mentioned), including the 2 main characters, and some of the information that we DO finally get about them is dropped into the story last minute and in a nonchalant way, as if its an afterthought when instead the reader is like "wait what?!". I don't think we ever got a physical description of pretty much any of the characters, aside from Marla and maybe Kennedy, and we don't have a whole lot of backstory to understand Kate and/or Jake (again, until some of it is dumped into the book later on, well after it was needed). And I think the story really isn't helped by Kate being a bit of a ditz when nearly everyone else around her appears to have their sh*t together way more than she does, and that probably bothered me the most and is what is causing me to drop my rating down.

I chose this book thinking it was going to be your ordinary cozy mystery.  They're something I love to read and are always an instant draw for me.  However, I was in for a surprise because this was nothing like I had expected.

In many ways, this was your typical cozy.  You have Kate, who writes cozy mysteries of her own, is no detective.  You have the best friend, the love interest, and a sort-of love triangle.  All things that are staples in cozies (the only thing missing was a pet).  However, the thing that sets this apart from your usual, is that Kate truly doesn't have a clue.  She's a lousy sleuth and even admits to being in over her head on a number of occasions.  Which, honestly, is quite refreshing.  

Kate Valentine is very real, though.  Still sort of fighting her feelings for her ex.  Confused by how much she loves his soon-to-be wife.  Very much fighting her feelings for Jake, the one who got away.  Kind of.  While battling all these emotions and sorting through old misunderstandings and walls she'd built, she still manages to trip over a dead body and proceed to solve the murder.  

She Doesn't Have a Clue is a fun and refreshing take on the amateur sleuth novel.  She's bumbling, she's lost in her head more often than she's not, but she's 100% determined to find the killer.  Honestly, I'd love if this became a series of its own, rather than a standalone.  I think that Kate and Jake have so much more to offer.