Synopsis: Aging former actress Julia Mann forms an unlikely bond with her gen-z AA sponsor after being wrongfully accused of murder. The duo sets off to find the real killer and clear Julia’s name.

Thoughts: I have loved Abbi’s previous romance/women’s fiction novels, so I was excited to check out her new cozy mystery! While definitely different than her previous works, this one still has the quirky characters with a lot of depth and relatability that I have come to expect! I think the mystery plot is super compelling, and it definitely makes this a page turner - but the character development and relationships are the show stealers. This is mostly a humorous, cozy mystery, but there is some exploration of deeper themes such as addiction and the darker side of Hollywood, which are handled well. My only complaint is that it felt a little long and had A LOT of characters to keep track of. If you enjoy a solid mystery with a fast-paged plot, hilarious characters, and excellent banter, grab a copy of this one ASAP!

Read this if you like:
🎬 murder mystery
🎬 Hollywood
🎬 found family
🎬 quirky characters

Thank you Berkley Publishing Group for this arc.



I’ve read other reviews which say that most of the characters in this book are not warm and fuzzy people and that they’re hard to like. Fair enough, in my opinion. But as I get older I’m discovering that I like female characters who don’t give a f*ck. Both Julia and Mason (first name Natasha but she goes by her last name) are such women.

There is a lot that goes on in this story. Maybe the plot got a little bit too complex with a few too many characters. I found myself having to stop a few times to remember who is who when they popped up in a scene. There’s also a weird fixation on describing hand movements.

Both Julia and Mason are tough people but also vulnerable. They are alcoholics and as shown in the first chapter sobriety meeting, they know the depths that this addiction can lead them to. Something about Julia gets Mason to volunteer to be her sobriety sponsor even before Mason realizes who Julia is. Once Mason is drawn into Julia’s influence though, it’s usually Julia calling the shots.

Julia knows that being innocent is no bar to being convicted and sent to jail. It’s there that she gets straight, gets her law degree, and meets some ladies who will be important in the book. Having given up her acting career she now takes on cases for people who are already pegged by Authority as guilty and/or don’t have the money for top-notch legal help.

The first murder is soon joined by another which is eventually followed by a suicide – though most of this person’s friends seriously doubt that they pulled the trigger. Julia’s instincts and bravado carry much of the day but watching Julia and Mason begin to bond is the main draw for me. As I said, the plot is intricate and at times I lost a thread or two before it got picked up again. There are many moving parts and (as I also said) a lot of characters to keep track of.

When the killer is revealed, I was a little surprised but given the number of red herrings and possible suspects I feel I’m justified in that. I’ll also be honest and admit that using villain exposition to explain the whys and wherefores kind of means there weren’t really enough clues for us playing along at home to follow and get the correct answer.

I liked this as a change from the usual contemporary romance I’m used to seeing from Waxman but yeah, it’s a bit chaotic, a bit long, and has a few too many characters to easily keep track of. But I like the prickly ladies and agree that Tony had it coming. If there’s a sequel, I will be up for trying it. B

This book was so much fun!

I love a strong female lead, and this book had two of them. Mason and Julia were such a fun duo, and I loved the dynamic between the two of them. Julia’s brash, no-sugar-coating attitude paired so well with Mason’s zero-filter sarcasm, and they had me laughing out loud throughout the book. The side characters added a lot as well, and I loved how distinct each person’s personality was.

The mystery plot was both engaging and twisty. It starts off on the slower side, but then gradually picks up the pace. The Hollywood setting was great, and I liked how so many small pieces of the story revolved around show business and actors. As more characters are introduced and more backstory is revealed, I had all kinds of theories going on. I had a feeling I knew what the twist at the end was going to be, but the lead up to it was action packed and interesting.

I’m not sure if the ending hints at a sequel or not, but I’d love if it happens!

ONE DEATH AT A TIME is a smart-alecky, wacky, murder mystery that explores the human psyche. An aging, testy, ex-actress, Julia Mann, teams up with a sobriety sponsor, a Gen Z, sassy girl, Natasha, in this vintage, assemblage of quirky characters all vying for attention amidst a murder investigation. The said victim being Julia's divorced, dead husband is found floating in the swimming pool. Julia has a wrap sheet. The cops are saying she did it. Now, Natasha and Julia try to team up to clear her name. They don't exactly get along, clashing personalities and all, but become team mates regardless.

As they muddle through suspects, red herring clues, keeping Julia sober, dirty martinis, burlesque clubs and more, it keeps the two ladies busy, while they clumsily uncover clues that were best meant not to be found. Hopefully, neither lady will fall off the band wagon again or have the cops haul them away for suspected murder. Will Julia and Natasha discover who did it? Or will their poor life choices be the down fall between them?

Ms. Waxman's talent for hard to resist, wacky, fast-paced, perfect escapist fare novels delivers an edgy, brisk, witty plot this time around. The story is wildly provocative with a drowned, divorced dude, several shady suspects and many scenarios of confusing clues. There are a lots of cutesy animals and funny, way-out characters that populate the perfect plot. Will the rag, tag team of Julie and Natasha unravel the unusual, complicated case? Or are they the next victim's of the killer's deadly plan? ONE DEATH AT A TIME is like dark chocolate, a little sweet, rich in flavor and justifiably satisfying.

A fantastic old Hollywood cozy mystery! The old Hollywood vibes and whodunnit mystery make this a fast and enjoyable read. Delightful ensemble cast that become a found family. If you’re a fan of cozy mysteries, you’ll enjoy this. The book is the right mix of mystery, romance, and humor. I’m looking forward to seeing where Abbi will take this series. Would highly recommend this one.

It’s time to bring back a term that’s fallen out of fashion—soft-boiled—because honestly, it fits One Death at a Time perfectly. This mystery is the delightful lovechild of hard-boiled noir and cozy chaos. It’s got the satirical wit, the sharp dialogue, and just the right touch of irreverence you’d expect from a classic detective story—but wrapped up in the warmth, weirdness, and whimsy of a modern-day cozy. And I was so here for it.

What absolutely made this book for me was the dialogue. Abbi Waxman’s writing is razor-sharp, quick-witted, and endlessly entertaining. I found myself grinning, chuckling, and occasionally rereading lines just to savor the snark.
Then we have Natasha Mason and Julia Mann—what a duo. Natasha is in her twenties, Julia is in her sixties, and their dynamic is everything. Natasha is Julia’s AA sponsor, assistant, and mystery-solving partner, and their partnership is electric in the best odd-couple way. Watching them bounce off each other—sometimes literally—was one of my favorite parts of the book.

Now, I’ll admit, a few of the red herrings felt a little more “oops” than intentional, and the big reveal at the end veered slightly into “wait, what now?” territory. It wasn’t a total stretch, but it did feel like a left-field swing I wasn’t fully prepared for. Still, the journey there was so much fun, I didn’t mind too much.

At the heart of it all is a ragtag gang of Hollywood misfits who somehow make crime-solving look like a chaotic but heartfelt group project. It’s justice served with sass and sparkle, and I can’t wait to see what trouble they get into next.
If you like your mysteries clever but not too gritty, hilarious with a touch of heart, and starring characters who feel like the cast of a very quirky TV show you wish existed—One Death at a Time might be your next favorite read.

What a fun, fast-paced mystery! Waxman has created an entertaining cast of quirky characters in a kind of found-family setup surrounding iconic actress-turned-lawyer Julia Mann. The story is told from the point of view of her new assistant, Mason, who encounters Julia at an AA meeting and becomes her sponsor, then her assistant, right before Julia is arrested for the murder of a studio exec that she says she didn’t commit and they embark on a crazy journey to figure out who did and clear her name. Mason’s snark and bluntness is entertaining, and Julia was such a badass I wanted more of her! There’s also a strong theme of sobriety and AA, as both Mason and Julia are in the program, at first I found it distracting but it grew on me.

This definitely had the feeling of a TV show or movie with the pacing and all the action scenes, kind of reminded me of Lincoln Lawyer or Bosch with the lawyer/PI scenarios and California setting. At times I found the pacing a bit jarring, in several instances Mason suddenly out of nowhere was launched into a high-stakes situation, but it did keep the action going at a rapid clip. I enjoyed how other crimes started coming into play as the story got more complex, it was really well done and kept me guessing as to how it all related. All in all, this was a really fun read, if you’re a fan of zany mysteries this one is for you!

Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for sending this DRC for review consideration.

One Death at a Time takes readers to Hollywood and introduces an unlikely pair-Julia Mann a former actress, lawyer and Natasha Mason her AA sponsor and brand new assistant. This is a romp and a cozy mystery wrapped into one. I loved the beginning of this story, but I found myself a bit confused as the story went on because of the many characters. I enjoyed Waxman's humor, but that did not make up for the lack of connection I felt with the Mann. I enjoyed Mason's snark and quirkiness, but overall found the story a bit flat at times. Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I was super excited when I saw a new book by Abbi Waxman! I loved The Bookish Life of Nina Hill so much and have Adult Assembly Required on my TBR shelf. This book felt a little different for me and I didn’t really jive with FMCs Mason and Julia. Having met in AA and Mason becoming Julia’s sponsor, Mason gets more than she bargained for. As Julia is charged with the murder of Tony after he was found in her pool, Mason becomes Julia’s assistant and becomes important in her life. I found there were a few too many characters and I had a hard time keeping up at times and I found some sections long. It was a solid mystery book in regards to the plot and keeping you guessing, I found the pacing slow.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this new novel by author, Abbi Waxman in exchange for my honest review and opinion.

3.5 ⭐️ for me.

I’m a big fan of Abbi Waxma , with One Death at a Time she tries her hand at a cozy mystery. While I enjoyed it, it was missing the charm her other books have. It seems like she is setting up for a sequel, and I’m hoping the characters grow into their own.

One of those cozy mystery that leave you craving for more as you had a lot of fund and the solid mystery kept you guessing
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I enjoyed Abbi Waxman's take on the madcap murder mystery so much that I hope it becomes a series. I haven't gotten enough of Mason and Julia and their unforgettable circle of friends. The mystery at the heart of the story is tight and well plotted, but even better is Waxman's unique gift for character building and dialogue. She deftly weaves together Hollywood society, recovery ethos, with a dash of absurdity that makes for an ultimately readable and thoroughly delicious novel. High recommended.

Abbi Waxman's' One at a Time is a thrilling rollercoaster of a mystery that will keep readers on the edge of their seats! Filled with humor and heart, it's impossible not to fall in love with the witty duo at the center of the story and their misadventures. This book is a must-read for mystery enthusiasts and fans of shows like 'Hacks.' With its captivating multi-generational storyline, there's something in this fabulous novel for every type of reader.

I was initially drawn to the book because I’ve loved every other book by Abbi Waxman. One Death at a Time is unlike those books, but that’s not bad. Waxman’s other books focus on friendship and relationships, with several being between women. While there are friendships between women in One Death at a Time, the focus of this story is a mystery.

The cast of characters feels large. But as most played off the stereotypes in Hollywood, it’s easy to keep them separate. That said, keeping Julia and Mason separate in the first few chapters is a bit confusing. There is a lot of rapid-fire dialogue, full of snark and sass, especially between them. There’s also a bit of confusion early on because Mason is often referred to by her last name (which is Mason), but occasionally by her first name (Natasha). The confusion comes from Waxman not establishing Mason’s name for several pages.

Overall, One Death at a Time is unlike any other Abbi Waxman book, but that doesn’t mean anything. If possible, it’s just as good, if not better than The Bookish Life of Nina Hill.

Do you like reading books with realistic characters? What about mysteries where the main investigator is the main suspect? Or books with a diverse cast of characters? If you’re saying yes to any of these, you should read One Death at a Time.

This was the first book I’ve read by Abbi Waxman, and apparently it wasn’t the best one to start with. This was a quirky story with lots and lots of characters. While I enjoyed the mystery, I found the story was too long. I will try another book by the author!

One Death at a Time by Abbi Waxman was such a fun read! Julia and Mason were such wonderful multigenerational characters who drew me into the book with their quirky shenanigans. I laughed out loud many times and hope that this mystery becomes a series!

Synopsis:

When Julia Mann, a bad-tempered ex-actress and professional thorn in the side of authority, runs into Natasha Mason at an AA meeting, it’s anything but a meet-cute. Julia just found a dead body in her swimming pool, and the cops say she did it (she already went to jail for murder once, so now they think she’s making a habit of it). Mason is eager to clear Julia’s name and help keep her sober, but all Julia wants is for Mason to leave her alone.

As their investigation ranges from the Hollywood Hills to the world of burlesque to the country clubs of Palm Springs, this unconventional team realizes their shared love of sarcasm and poor life choices are proving to be a powerful combination. Will secrets from their past trip them up, or will their team of showgirls, cat burglars, and Hollywood agents help them stay one step ahead? Are dead piranhas, false noses, and a giant martini glass important clues or simply your typical day in Los Angeles? And will they manage to solve the crime before they kill each other, or worse, fall off the wagon? Trying to keep it simple and take it easy is one thing—trying to find a murderer before they kill again is a whole other program.

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkeley for the advanced digital copy of the book. It will be published on April 15, 2025.

🔍✨ Book Review: "One Death at a Time" by Abbi Waxman 🌟🕵️‍♀️

Prepare yourself for an engaging journey through Los Angeles, filled with humor, mystery, and a colorful cast of characters in Abbi Waxman's "One Death at a Time." This dazzling novel shines a spotlight on the quirks and chaos of Hollywood, making it a standout in the mystery genre. 🎭🚗

The story introduces us to Julia Mann, a fiery former actress with a knack for attracting trouble. After finding a dead body in her swimming pool, Julia's past comes back to haunt her. Enter Natasha Mason, a young Gen Z sobriety sponsor who is determined to prove Julia's innocence and keep her on the straight and narrow. Their unlikely partnership sparks a dynamic and witty investigation into the underbelly of Hollywood’s glitz and glamour. 🌟🕵️‍♀️

Waxman masterfully crafts a narrative full of sharp, laugh-out-loud dialogue and engaging character dynamics. Julia and Mason's intergenerational friendship forms the heart of the story, as they challenge each other and uncover unexpected bonds. The supporting cast, featuring showgirls, agents, and a collection of other eccentric allies, add depth and flavor to the unfolding mystery. 👯‍♂️😄

Set against the backdrop of Los Angeles, the novel cleverly explores themes of redemption, self-discovery, and the complexity of second chances. Julia's battle with her past and her determination not to return to prison is both touching and inspiring. Meanwhile, Mason’s journey from drifting millennial to assertive detective brings freshness to the classic detective duo trope. 🌇💡

The engaging plot is a rollercoaster of twists and turns, seamlessly blending cozy mystery elements with fast-paced action. From burlesque clubs to high-end country clubs, the settings are as varied and vibrant as the characters. Waxman's storytelling ensures that readers remain on the edge of their seats, eagerly turning pages to uncover the truth. 🎪🏞️

"One Death at a Time" is not just a mystery; it's an exploration of resilience and friendship set within the glimmering, treacherous world of Hollywood. With its endearing characters, witty banter, and richly layered plot, this novel is a delightful read that leaves you hoping for more adventures with Julia and Mason. 🥂📚

Overall Abbi Waxman has delivered a gem with "One Death at a Time," a novel that blends humor and suspense with effortless charm. Whether you're a fan of cozy mysteries, strong female leads, or just a great story, this book is a must-read. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc and to PRH Audio for the alc.

Abbi Waxman is back with another quirky and charming novel! I had a blast reading this book. While I think I enjoyed Christa Comes Out of Her Shell more than this book, I still finished this book in under two days, which is a record for me. One comment I have about the book is that I had a little bit of a hard time keeping all of the characters in the book straight, but I also must admit they were very funny characters and I loved them. It is my personal opinion that this book could've benefited from having more than one narrator, but Patti Murin who was the narrator, did a fantastic job as the solo narrator too. Overall, I enjoyed this book, and I am looking forward to Abbi's next novel!

Many thanks to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for this complimentary copy.

Abbi Waxman's books are always so much fun! This was an insanely entertaining, fast-paced mystery! The characters were fantastic! Everything about this book was unique and interesting. I sincerely hope it becomes a series.
One Death at a Time was a truly delightful read. It has wonderful, found-family vibes, and I loved the Hollywood setting. My only gripe is that I would have preferred the book being told from Julia's perspective. She was definitely the more intriguing of the two characters, in my opinion.

This book reminded me a lot of Finlay Donavan. If you love that series, then this book is for you.

Julia Mann and Natasha Mason become unlikely sober buddies after “connecting” at an AA meeting. Julia is no stranger to rehab, the former actress in and out of both jail and the tabloids. Meanwhile the Gen Z Natasha, who mostly goes by Mason, is nonplussed by Mann’s infamous reputation and is eager to help out.

Things get complicated though when Mason not only agrees to sponsor Julia, but to help her solve a murder of Julia’s longtime nemesis-a murder that occurred on Julia’s property. While technically Julia has no real recollection of the night, she’s sure she didn’t do it. Well, mostly. Now it’s up to this detoxing duo to not only find the stone cold killer, but to keep each other stone cold sober while doing so.

Historically I really have enjoyed Abbi Waxman’s writing style, her previous works mostly quirky women’s fiction romances. While One Death At a Time still is on brand with Waxman’s sarcastic wit, it’s a notable departure into cozy mystery territory and truthfully, I’m not sure how I feel about it.

While I loved the setup and their unlikely friendship gave me Hacked vibes, I feel like the murder mystery aspect would work better in a different book. Instead I wish this was a story centered around getting centered and the mystery a separate book entirely. There are also a lot of side characters to keep track of which didn’t add to the whodunnit, but did leave me trying to remember who was who.

It seems like this might be a setup for a new series, so if cozy mysteries with a a side of sass are your thing, maybe you would enjoy this one more than I did.