What do you get if you cross a rom-com with a cozy? She doesn’t have a clue by Jenny Elder Moke.

The book moves at a good pace as we follow Kate, who is attending her ex fiancé‘s wedding on a private island in the Pacific Northwest.

With a poisoned bride and a storm brewing, Kate finds herself trying to solve a murder that seems to have been taken right out of her latest book. While she writes mysteries for a living, can Kate solve a real murder before the storm passes and a murderer gets away?

While I’m more of a cozy purist unless romance girl, I actually enjoyed this book. The author did a great job of combining the two genres and kept the book moving along and intriguing. I would definitely read another book from this author.

First off this is the first time I’ve read a book by this author and would I read one by her again absolutely! Romance and suspense, Great characters and a different storyline! I couldn’t put it down!

"She Doesn’t Have a Clue" by Jenny Elder Moke is a fun romp of a Romantic Mystery that kept me guessing, laughing, and occasionally scratching my head at some unique stylistic choices.

We meet best-selling mystery novelist Kate Valentine as she is launching herself onto the deck of a boat bound for the lavish destination wedding of her ex-fiancé/publisher. She’s also landed in the lap of Jake Hawkins, another man she has an awkward romantic backstory with, but Kate seems determined to solider onto this private island anyway.

What should have been a uncomfortable but uneventful weekend quickly spirals into a Knives Out Glass Onion-esce whodunit, with fingers pointing between the quirky cast of characters, and even a few cartoon-level villains.

The parallels between the unfolding mystery and the plots of Kate's novels add an intriguing layer, but they also contribute to the novel's often fuzzy feel and uneven pacing.

Specifically, Moke intersperses vignettes from Kate’s mystery novels. While these segments are intended to offer deeper insight into Kate's character and mind, and how she lives vicarious through her fictional detective Loretta, they are mostly confusing and disrupt the flow of the story.

With the space needed to devote to a Romance and a Mystery, there simply isn’t room for a secondary mystery we aren’t reading or a detective we are not emotionally invested in.

The romance between Kate and Jake, her old flame and unexpected ally, was cute and steamy. Because this is single point of view, Jake is a little flat as a character, though still hot and the one we want getting the most page time with Kate. Given that this is a mystery with a lot of plot and more characters, there’s not really space to devote more time to Jake however so it’s forgiven. Still, Jake could have taken Loretta the fictional detectives spot with his point of view and we may have a more rounded hero in the mix.

The book's overall concept remains enjoyable though despite hiccups. I often found myself laughing out loud at Kate’s snarky lines and her banter with the nutty island cast.

If you’re a fan of romance mysteries with quirky characters, a bit of chaos, and a dose of humor, "She Doesn’t Have a Clue" is worth the read.
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Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the Advanced Reader Copy. Expected publishing date Jan 21, 2025.

Mein Leseerlebnis

Das Buch, das eine Mischung aus Krimi und Liebesroman ist, hörte sich vor dem Lesen sehr frisch und außergewöhnlich an. Da habe ich gerne und mit Vorfreude zugegriffen.

Doch leider konnte beim Lesen überhaupt keinen Zugang zur Geschichte finden. Beim Lesen war ich von Anfang an etwas verwirrt und das legte sich auch im Verlauf der gelesenen Kapitel leider nicht. Auch der Humor war leider nicht so wirklich mein Fall.

Zudem hatte ich große Probleme damit, mir die Charaktere als echte Personen vorzustellen. Ihr Leben interessierte mich praktisch nicht.

Schade, aber manchmal passt der Schreibstil und Aufbau eine Romans für einen leider so überhaupt nicht.

Keine Bewertung, da abgebrochen.

Für wen?

Wer frische Geschichten mag, die einen Mix aus mystery und romance bieten, für den könnte “She doesn’t have a clue” einen Versuch wert sein.

Schaut vor dem Lesen unbedingt in die Leseprobe rein und achtet darauf, ob ihr das Gefühl habt, leicht in der Geschichte anzukommen.

*She Doesn’t Have a Clue* by Jenny Elder Moke is a delightful mix of mystery, romance, and humor that will keep you hooked from start to finish. The story follows bestselling mystery author Kate Valentine, who finds herself in a tricky situation: attending her ex-fiancé’s fancy wedding on a private island. But things take a wild turn when the bride is poisoned and a dead body is found, pulling Kate into a real-life mystery that closely resembles the plot of her latest novel.

Moke does a great job of creating a lively and suspenseful setting. The private island, with its brewing storm and feeling of isolation, adds excitement to the story. Kate’s witty thoughts and her attempts to think like her fictional detective, Loretta Starling, make the story even more enjoyable.

The characters are a fun and interesting group, each with their own secrets, making everyone a possible suspect. Kate’s interactions with Jake Hawkins, her old romantic flame, add a charming twist to the story, giving readers a bit of romance to enjoy along with the mystery.

The pacing is just right, with plenty of surprises to keep you guessing. The way the mystery mirrors Kate’s novel adds an extra layer of intrigue. While there are a few predictable moments, the overall charm, humor, and engaging mystery make *She Doesn’t Have a Clue* a thoroughly enjoyable read. It’s a fun, cozy mystery that will appeal to fans of lighthearted whodunits.

I have many thoughts on this rom-com/cozy mystery mashup, but let's start on a positive note. I loved the locale--a creepy Scooby Doo-esque mansion located somewhere in the San Juan Islands. I enjoyed being transported to this gorgeous place, only this time, I’m stuck on a massive island estate with a murderer on the loose! I loved the Nancy Drew aspect of the mansion’s hidden rooms and spooky corridors. I’ll also give the author snaps for the funny quips and witty banter between our plucky main character and her “Hot-Stralian” love interest. So, if you enjoy a rom com with slapstick humor, you’ve come to the right place.

Alright, now let’s get down to the real talk. While reading this book, I realized that X-rated rom com/cozy mysteries are NOT my jam. I enjoy a splash of romance in my cozies, but I can do without the explicit sex scenes that happen smack dab in the middle of a suspenseful moment when the killer runs away! I mean, who does that? Maybe it’s just me, but if I just survived a harrowing, life-threatening moment, sex with a hot Australian would be the last thing on my mind.

I hate it when a story gets interrupted, and I have to endure an entire chapter of sexy shenanigans before jumping back into the mystery again. This is why I don’t like musicals. Right when I’m getting into the story, a song and dance breaks out like a prolonged commercial break. It’s just not for me.

As for the mystery, I thought it was pretty well done with red herrings and a mansion full of shady suspects. None of the characters pulled me in, including the MC, who just seemed silly, especially with her ridiculous “sleuthing sweater” that she wears while thinking through her plots. It’s 105 degrees outside here in Texas, so maybe the thought of wearing an uncomfortably heavy sweater is triggering. I guess this is an attempt to make her seem quirky and cute, but I just found it to be annoying.

Overall, I don’t recommend this book to cozy mystery purists, such as myself. However, rom-com fans might enjoy the silly banter and smutty chapters.

A big thanks to the publisher for the ARC!
Alright, now let's get down to the real talk. While reading this book, I realized that X-rated rom coms/cozy mysteries are NOT my jam. I enjoy a splash of romance in my cozies, but I can do without the explicit sex scenes that happen smack dab in the middle of a suspenseful moment when the killer runs away after attempted murder. Umm...hello? Hornbills, can you please cool your jets and chase after the person who just left the scene??? Maybe it's just me, but if I just survived a harrowing, life-threatening moment, sex with a hot Australian would be the last thing on my mind.

I hate it when a story gets interrupted, and I have to endure an entire chapter of sexy shenanigans. This is why I don't like musicals. Right when I'm getting into the story, a song and dance breaks out like a prolonged commercial break. It's just not for me.

As for the mystery, I thought it was pretty well done with red-herrings and a mansion full of shady suspects. None of the characters pulled me in, including the main character who just seemed silly, unrelatable and a tad bit rude. Overall, I don't recommend this book to cozy mystery purists, such as myself. However, rom-com fans might enjoy the silly banter and smutty chapters.

A big thanks to the publisher for the ARC!

I absolutely loved this novel! It was so funny, the mystery was exciting, and Kate and Jake were just so wholly entertaining. I love good banter, and this book had it in spades. Kate is an awkward, albeit very lovable, little weirdo—but for all her bumbling around, she somehow managed to be incredibly capable when she took the time to believe in herself. I also loved the dynamic of Kate’s literary creation, Loretta. The question, “What would Loretta do?” anchored the whole story and created such an interesting inner dialogue.

I had so much fun reading this, and I can’t wait for everyone else to get the chance to experience it too!

She Doesn't Have a Clue was a book I couldn't put down. While I did find some of the back and forth a bit confusing at times. I was GLUED into this story. I couldn't wait to find out how it ends. I highly recommend this read to anyone looking to lay on a beach, fly on a plane, or enjoy a cozy winter evening.

I loved that this book was a mystery but also a romance. There storyline was unique and overall this was a great book. In this second chance romance, the main character attends her ex fiancés wedding on a remote island. This was intriguing enough, but then add a body.

I loved this book! The mystery storyline was great! The romance storyline was great! It was the best of both worlds. I had trouble keeping the names straight, Kennedy and Kate and Simon and Spencer, is my only complaint. I wish the author had chosen names more far apart from each other but otherwise no complaints! Thanks to the author and publisher for allowing me to read the ARC of this book!

Publication Date: January 21st, 2025

A cozy mystery with a thread of romance throughout, it takes place on a private island off the coast of Seattle, it's a wedding.

The main character Kate agrees to attend her ex-fiance's wedding, and she pretends to be happy for two nights of the wedding.

A few of the tropes are second-chance romance and cozy mystery, a book about an author

I like how there is a little of every genre basically, it keeps it interesting and wanting more

Thank You Netgalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books

The publisher provided ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Goodreads post right away- Instagram post will be the week before it comes out on January 14th,2025

La idea es buena, pero el desarrollo fue deficiente.


Todo es desde el punto de vista de Kate, tal vez si Jack tuviera povs sería menos tedioso.

Kate es una famosa escritora que fue invitada a la boda del infiel de su ex y como estarán presentes personas importantes con quienes puede inspirarse para su próximo libro decide ir. Pero nada sale bien porque hay un asesinato y todos son sospechosos.

Me gustó como se dio el misterio, el problema fue Kate. Se supone que ella escribe misterios y es buena para encontrar pistas y demás, sin embargo, la verdad es otra porque es un desastre y todo lo arruina.


Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Typically, second chance romance isn't high on my "favorite trope" list, but I did enjoy this book. It was engaging throughout & really well written.

Wowza! This locked-room mystery meets highly entertaining romcom promises extra fun and adventure, with sizzling chemistry between characters, delightful clumsiness, and the investigative skills of a heroine who happens to be a bestselling crime thriller author. She’s also a globetrotting, adrenaline-seeking ex-surfer from Australia—a real “Hotstralian” (think a Hemsworth brother, but hotter)! Oh, and there’s a love triangle, along with a murder mystery set on a historic private island estate. Throw in some Succession-style family scheming, backstabbing, and inheritance-grabbing, and you’ve got a story that's irresistibly intriguing and captivating.

I certainly couldn’t resist—I dove right in! The plot is incredibly promising. And even though there’s a murder on the estate, the story remains lighthearted, thanks to the goofy heroine and her vivid imagination, which allows her to see things through the eyes of her famous detective character, Loretta Starling.

Here’s a quick recap of the riveting plot: Bestselling mystery author Kate Valentine has no intention of attending her editor (and ex-boyfriend)'s wedding to the niece of the “Bitch Bull of Wall Street,” Rebecca Hempstead. But when she receives a special invitation from Rebecca herself, she's intrigued. How can she resist an exclusive event with only a handful of important guests, free champagne, and the chance to experience the historical estate’s many luxuries? Kate figures she can plaster on a smile and get through the festivities—but two things catch her off guard: First, her longtime crush, adventurer Jake Hawkins, is mistakenly invited as her plus-one, which means they’ll have to share a room and confront unresolved feelings. (Thank you, forced-proximity trope!) Second, the lovely bride, Kennedy, is poisoned in a manner eerily similar to a murder in one of Kate's novels, making Kate the prime suspect.

As if that’s not enough, Rebecca's inheritance plans are causing chaos among her relatives, and an ex-lover, now a drunk, is hurling threats and seeking revenge. Add to that a rebellious author leading a small protest against the latest PR policies at Simon Says Publishing (where the bride and groom hold high positions). With everyone seemingly scheming behind closed doors, it becomes clear that everyone has a motive. Determined not to be framed for murder, Kate channels her inner detective, thinking like her character Loretta to solve the mystery—with a little help from her Hotstralian Jake, who seems to be enjoying their fake dating as the wedding festivities continue. Sparks are flying, but danger is lurking—there’s a killer on the loose, and Kate must catch them before it’s too late. The only problem? She doesn’t have a clue!

Overall: This is a highly entertaining, well-developed murder mystery romcom, and it looks like Charlie and Juliette will be the leading characters in the second book—which I’m eagerly looking forward to reading!

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for providing this riveting page-turner in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Imagine attending your ex-fiancé’s wedding—awkward, right? Now throw in a little murder, some high-end wedding drama, and a splash of romance, and you’ve got yourself a page-turner that’s impossible to put down.

Kate Valentine, a bestselling mystery author, finds herself trapped on a private island off the coast of Seattle, attending the wedding of her ex-fiancé. She ends up stumbling upon a dead body.

Kate teams up with Jake Hawkins, her biggest romantic regret, to catch the killer.

This book was so much fun! It’s been a while since I’ve read a mystery, and I was completely hooked from start to finish.

If you love a good whodunit and romance, this book is for you.

Thank you NetGalley and St Martins Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This is a really sweet, cozy mystery with a thread of romance throughout. It’s a Hallmark movie with a mystery, and it’s a great little palate cleanser!

I found some of the main character’s actions a little frustrating, but overall this is a fun little read!

3.5 stars. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

She Doesn't Have a Clue by Jenny Elder Moke is an entertaining contemporary fiction that crosses a lot of genres.

I enjoyed this murder/mystery, second-chance romance, and play on traditional serious sleuth novels.

The balance between sarcasm, slapstick humor, one-liners, and the real murder mystery was a nice balance.

The only reason I knocked it down a star was because of the “bedroom scenes” that seemed to come out of nowhere and were kinda graphic. I breezed over it and kept enjoying the plot otherwise.

4/5 stars

Thank you NG and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 1/25/24.

I love love love the trope of attending the ex’s wedding, and it’s done so well in this book! It was really well written and a cute story overall!

A fabulous mystery reminiscent of Agatha Christie stories. It takes place on a private island, 80 miles from shore, where a family wedding is being held. A storm kicks up to cut them off, and our heroine is a mystery writer who finds herself here at the wedding of her ex fiance. And then murder and mystery. Excellent story with fun twists and great dialogue. Highly recommend.

Gosh, this was such a cute little read with a classic who done it mystery quality to it.

This was just the perfect palate cleanser I didn't know I needed , it was so cozy I can still see myself nestled on my couch with my quilt and fuzzy slippers.

Read this if you like :
* Classic Mystery
* Friends to Lovers
* Clean Romance
* Cozy Reads
*Wedding Destination themed Mysteries

Kate is a graceless character that you will grow to quickly love . Kate is a successful writer and is on her way to her ex-boyfriends wedding set on an eerie island , and if she's not careful she will miss the boat and the whole wedding , but to our surprise she pulls a wonder woman stunt and leaps on to the boat landing into the arms of Jake the hunky Australian who is a friend of the past.

As the boat sets sail things instantaneously get bizarre and as Kate bounces back and forth between her alter ego character Loretta the main character in her novels and looking for clues in the real world , Kate finds herself stumbling across a dead body , and is finding herself in hot water.

People start suspecting her as the killer, but hunky Jake sees things differently and he warns her to be careful and not to do any sleuthing on her own, but Kate can't help it she needs to investigate and catch this killer.

The story bounces between snip its of her novels and her lead character Loretta and to present time which added a different element which I truly enjoyed .

If you are looking for a contemporary romance with a bit of mystery that gives you all the feels and a cozy atmosphere then She Doesn't Have A Clue is for you !

Thank you Netgalley, St.Martins Press and Jenny Elder Moke for this fun , cute cozy ARC!!

Respectfully Another Read by Angie.