When I saw Abbi Waxman had a new release coming soon I was all in. I am an O.G. fan who loved not only Nina Hill, but also The Garden of Small Beginnings, Other People’s Houses and I Was Told This Would Get Easier so it was a no-brainer when it came to taking Berkley’s offer of an advanced freebie and I jumped right in without bothering to look at anything about this one. Waxman is one of the greats when it comes to the umbrella of “chick lit” that contains very different characters and storylines. I had no idea this was REALLY going to be a murder mystery . . .

I get that cozies have somehow become all the rage, but ooof – this was simply not good. I knew I was in for a rough road right off the bat with Mason, a real obnoxious loudmouth who won’t STFU during a damn AA meeting. Hated her instantly. Hated that she appointed herself as a sponsor to the other leading lady Julia in order to create a connection between the two that felt very inauthentic. Hated the convoluted plot of Julia being blackout drunk and accused of murder – FOR THE SECOND TIME – and also she’s an Oscar winning actress who went to prison for killing her husband, got her law degree and somehow she’s now taken seriously as a formidable barrister? Uh yeah, no. Hated that there were then MULTIPLE dead bodies. Hated that there were eleventy thousand characters that I was supposed to keep straight (lord help me if I had listened to this instead of read it). Hated that at least 100 pages could have been cut. Authors: Keep. It. Simple. ESPECIALLY if you are writing a “simple” cozy. Good grief.

ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Absolutely hilarious, fun raucous mystery set in Hollywood, complete with burlesque dancers, AA meetings, studio politics and unexplained deaths. Abbi Waxman is my new favorite writer!

Mason is at her typical recovery meeting, complete with recovering alcoholics from all walks of life who complain that each other is guilty of “cross talk.” Just then, an older woman - Julian Mann- comes in with a court card, 3 days sober and with a crazy story. A dead body in a pool followed by a high speed Lamborghini car chase and assault to the police officers. Oh and she blew a 0.35. So naturally Mason volunteers to be Julia’s temporary sponsor.

Soon Julia is arrested for the murder of the aforementioned, dead body, her sworn enemy and past lover, Tony. Back in the day, Julia was an Oscar winning actress, then she went to prison for murdering her husband, a crime of which she has always maintained her innocence. While imprisoned, Julia became a lawyer. Julia hires Mason to be her assistant, they set out to find the real killer.

Murder mysteries either can be a police procedural, which handicaps the author into following the actual process, or some sort of vigilante type investigation. This one is the latter. Figuring out the how and why of someone is investigating a murder without being a cop is always a challenge. Often you have a former cop, a true crime podcaster, a mystery writer. It’s really hard to come up with a plot device to create this storyline in a creative way. An AA sponsor has to be my all time favorite. The banter between Mason and Julia is truly outstanding, some of the most clever dialogue I have read. They have incredible chemistry together, despite being different generations and backgrounds, both being alcoholics.

This book is a MUST READ for those who love a feel good mystery

Abbi Waxman, you had me from the dedication. Thanks to @netgalley and @berkleypub for the ARC. I can’t wait until the pub day, this will be the first thing in my shopping cart on April 15, 2025.

***top read of 2025***

I want to join Julia Mann's team! They are fun, they are smart, they are snarky, and the fight the good fight.

Starting from the first chapter this book had me wheezing with laughter as Mason's decision to be the sponsor for the aloof newest member of her recovery group drags her into both a mystery and the unusual group retired actress Julie Mann is using to prove that she didn't kill the dead man floating in her pool. Julie has already served time after being wrongly convicted of her husband's death, and started a new life as a lawyer defending others, she's not going back for the murder of the man who could have helped keep her out of prison the first time. They problem is she was so drunk she doesn't remember much, except that she made the very poor decision of running when the police arrived. When Mason arrives at Julie's house to fulfill her role as sobriety sponsor, she is quickly designated as Julie's assistant, as well, a position that includes the driving of a stunning collection of classic cars, visiting burlesque clubs, and generally assisting with various investigations.

I received a free DRC of this book through Netgalley. The multitude of characters in this book are varied, but the author does a great great of differentiating them so it isn't confusing about who is who. They did a great job of making each of the main characters feel complete. Mason and Julia are fun as a "odd couple" bouncing off each other as two lost souls who each need each other. I hope there will be more books with them in the near future.

What a ride! A young woman stumbles into a job as an "assistant"/girl Friday to an aging movie star. And by the way, they met at an AA meeting. A definite departure from Waxman's previous work. A bit chaotic but fun.

Julia is a former actress who has had some struggles with substance abuse, and she's already had some trouble with the law. So when someone turns up dead at her house, it looks pretty suspicious. She meets Natasha at an AA meeting, and Natasha is eager to help clear her name. Julia is not totally on board with this, but together the two set out on a very funny, very fast-paced adventure with a truly fun cast of zany secondary characters. A great read!

I really enjoyed this smart mystery based in LA's Hollywood scene! Abbi Waxman has the gift of creating quirky, relatable characters and this was true for main character Mason. I loved her dynamic with actress Julia, and how they bonded as recovering alcoholics. They team up to solve the murder of a director who was found dead in the pool of Julia's mansion. Although she's 90% certain she didn't kill him, Julia has no idea how he ended up dead. They were former friends turned enemies, yet she had no strong motive to kill him. Julia enlists her team of assistants to solve the crime, and Mason gets pulled into some shenanigans that are somewhat dangerous, but highly entertaining.

This novel was a wild, enjoyable ride! I had a bit of trouble keeping track of all of the characters, but still had fun with the story. I am not a big movie buff so some of the movie details were lost on me, but could see how this aspect would appeal to many readers. I adored the house chef Claudia and the many pets that appeared throughout the story! I recommend this novel and hope Abbi Waxman writes more in the mystery genre!

Waxman has a knack for bringing these settings to life in a way that feels vibrant and full of personality. The characters, from showgirls to cat burglars, each add a layer of delightful absurdity that keeps the book from ever taking itself too seriously. What really stands out in One Death at a Time is Waxman’s ability to balance humor with substance. While the mystery keeps readers guessing, it’s the emotional depth of the characters that really resonate. Julia’s struggle with her past, her fight for sobriety, and her unlikely friendship with Natasha bring a level of sincerity to the story that elevates it beyond a mere whodunit. A must-read for fans of quirky mysteries, snarky protagonists, and a little bit of Hollywood glam. If you’re looking for a book that will make you laugh out loud while keeping you hooked until the very end, this one’s for you.

This was a fun, quick read. The two main characters couldn't be more different, but somehow they bond with hilarious results. The Hollywood insider material was interesting, and the interactions between the characters rang true. The combination of mystery and comedy was a winner for me.

Mason and Julia are my new Justice League!

One Death at a Time is a bit of a departure for Waxman and it is well done. There is signature Waxman pacing and strong female characters written with smart, funny dialog, but this time in the service of a buddy comedy/mystery. I enjoyed Mason, Julia and the whole cast, and look forward to (hopefully) a sequel. Highly enjoyable.

For fans of books like: Mother Daughter Murder Night; Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers; Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone; Killers of a Certain Age

I enjoyed this fast-paced mystery! The characters were unique and interesting. I did not predict the ending, but there were bread crumbs throughout so a more savvy reader may solve it. Thank you Book Browse for the ARC!

"One Death at a Time" is a witty and entertaining murder mystery with a unique and engaging premise. The unlikely partnership between Julia, the cranky ex-actress, and Natasha, her Gen Z sobriety sponsor, provides plenty of comedic moments. The story is filled with quirky characters, sharp dialogue, and a healthy dose of sarcasm. Waxman's writing is witty and engaging, keeping the reader entertained throughout. While the plot is a bit predictable at times, the quirky characters and the humorous tone make it a fun and enjoyable read.

Natasha Mason, a 25 year old recovering alcoholic, meets Julia Mann, an Oscar winning former actress, ex-con and lawyer, at a recovery meeting. Julia was just arrested after a long time acquaintance and business partner was found dead in her pool . Julia was black out drunk and does not remember anything. Against her better judgement, Mason pressures Julia to allow her to be her sponsor. Upon arriving at Julia's house the next day, Mason finds herself being hired as Julia's assistant. There are many characters and a couple of intersecting story lines that make this a little difficult to follow. However, the cast of characters is amazing and it works. Mason and Julia should not get along, but perhaps see something of themselves in each other. Humorous as well as suspenseful, it keeps the pace going nicely . I could not put it down and can only hope there will be another Mason and Julia adventure.

What an adventurous mystery! This had me unable to put it down or step away and the hilarity of it just had me hooked. From Claudia's seemingly omniscient presence to Julia's rough and tough love to Mason's inner monologue, it was a roller coaster. I enjoyed every minute of this and cannot recommend it enough!

Julia, an aging movie star who has previously served time for the murder of her husband and since gotten her law degree, is arrested for the murder of an acquaintance that occurred at her house while she was blackout drunk. Natasha Mason meets Julia in an AA meeting and agrees to become her sponsor and her assistant, and they work together to find out who really killed the guy. This was good. I liked Mason, and sort of liked Julia, though she doesn't make it easy. 3.5 stars rounded to 4.

4.5 Hollywood stars

I’ve read a few other Abbi Waxman books, and I think she develops great, often quirky characters. This time, Waxman focuses on a whole bevy of memorable characters in Hollywood.

Natasha Mason is leading an AA meeting when a retired actress, Julia, checks in. The stories can be wild at meetings, and Julia’s is no different. She’s found a dead man in her pool, and she can’t remember anything about that night. She’s already spent years in prison on a murder charge, so it doesn’t take long for the police to think she’s guilty again. Somehow, Mason ends up as Julia’s temporary sponsor, and she’s soon pulled into the actress’s orbit.

Julia is investigating the murder of the man in her pool so that she’s not sent to prison again, and she enlists Mason and a whole cast of supporting characters. Claudia, her chef, always seems to have something delicious to eat. Her temporary agent/lawyer is a gorgeous hunk and Will is an expert researcher.

While this one is set in modern times, it has an old Hollywood nostalgic and glamorous feel. There are writers, producers, movie remakes, intrigue, legal cases, fast cars, attacks, disguises, and murder all thrown together in this one. Even during all the mayhem, I liked how the characters made it a point to attend daily AA meetings. Time spent in Palm Springs, Solvang, burlesque clubs, are all infused with a sense of danger for Julia and Mason.

It is a race to see if they will figure it out before someone else ends up dead. I quite enjoyed this one!

An Absolute Gem!

As every avid reader knows, most books are average to good with a fair number of clunkers thrown in. So when you come across a book you truly enjoy, you savor every minute of it.

One Death at a Time is one of those rare gems that are a delight from start to finish. It is as satisfying as receiving a gift you were not expecting. The characters are quirky, smart, and unique. The mystery is intriguing, the dialogue is witty, and there is plenty of drama.

Retired actress Julia teams with her new assistant/AA sponsor, Mason, to discover how her mortal enemy’s body ended up in her swimming pool while she was blackout drunk. They are ably assisted by Julia’s housekeeper, Claudia, who keeps them all well fed; Will, her researcher with an encyclopedic memory; and, her attractive new attorney, Archie.

Kudos, Ms. Waxman! I hope further adventures await this fun and eccentric team.

I liked this book but didn't love it. The characters have great potential and I would definitely read a follow-up. Julia and Mason both had many layers that I would love to learn more about. There were a lot of characters though, so it didn't always feel like they were getting the time they needed to get to know them enough. Mostly though, the mystery felt a bit disjointed. The backstory was interesting, but it was spread out across too many people and places and didn't include enough of the main suspects (I don't want to spoil anything, so won't say more.) All that said, I would still recommend it for a light, fun read.

Funny and quirky mystery based in Hollywood. While I enjoyed the book overall, I thought there were too many characters that were only touched on so I had a hard time tracking them all and differentiating. If you enjoy a cozy mystery, you will like this one.

This was an interesting read. I’ve enjoyed the author’s books in the past especially The Garden of Small Beginnings.
This one was different though but the relationship between the main characters and the skillful way they were developed drew me in.
A good read. Thank you for the advance copy Net Galkey.