This was a fun read. Olivia and Aubrey Merritt couldn't be more different if they tried. Audrey is well to do, accomplished and polished and Olivia is ... not any of those things. But what Olivia is lacking in experience or know how she makes up for in enthusiasm which is not always Merritt's favorite thing.
The mystery was an intriguing one with lots of possible theories and suspects. Watching Olivia learn from Merritt and Merritt go about her investigation was really interesting.
This was a bit on the long side and the beginning took me a bit to be fully hooked. I enjoyed it from page one but it felt like I wasn't making much progress for the first 20% of the book. That said it was one I was looking forward to seeing how it all played out from the time Olivia and Merritt started investigating.
I'm looking forward to reading more from this author and this does look like it has potential to be a series which should be fun.

Synopsis: Olivia Blunt is thrilled to have scored a job as the assistant to renowned detective, Aubrey Merrit, but as the weeks pass by without a chance to prove her investigative skills, she gets frustrated. Finally, she gets to travel to a wealthy neighborhood on Lake Champlain to help solve a murder case - but she may be in over her head.
Thoughts: I really enjoyed this! The Sherlock/Watson adjacent dynamic between the two main characters is very fun and the generational gap gives a unique spin. While that relationship was the highlight of the story for me, the mystery is also well plotted and pretty high stakes for a cozy mystery.
Read this if you like:
🫆 small town mystery
🫆 detective duo
🫆 generational divide
🫆 rich people behaving badly

📖 Book Review 📖 Hopefully throughout our lives, both personally and professionally, we are lucky enough to find mentors to help us along the way. For Olivia, she aspires to be a detective in her own right and for now, she hopes learning from the best will help her pave the way. When the Grande Dame of Lake Champlain’s suspicious suicide leaves her family feeling uneasy about the cause of death, they call in Aubrey Merritt (and her new assistant) to solve the missing pieces of the puzzle. Liza Tully delivers a stunning whodunnit where women are the well-deserved stars of the show. This delightfully hilarious mystery unravels at a perfect pace with twists and turns that pack one powerful punch.

I really liked this one!

This book totally surprised me with how much I enjoyed it! The mystery, the characters, and the execution were all done wonderfully. I kind of guessed the ending but kept changing my theories throughout, so I wouldn’t say it was predictable. I loved that the author kept me on my toes!

The FMC Olivia is so endearing. She’s sweet, but she has a backbone. And her boss, Merritt, is quite a character, too. I’m hoping this becomes a series, because I can see Olivia softening Merritt’s hard edges over time.

Overall, this was a very cozy mystery that kept me attention throughout. I just really, really hope there will be a book two! 🤞🏻

𝑾𝒉𝒐 𝑰'𝒅 𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒐:
Any cozy mystery fans

4.5/5 rounded up

If Miss Marple was real, you’d clamor at the chance to be her assistant, wouldn’t you? Perhaps not! Former fact-checker Olivia Blunt is determined to snag the post of assistant to world famous PI Aubrey Merritt. After a trying interview, Olivia does get the job but is relegated to mere secretarial work instead of plunging into an exciting career in detection. When Aubrey finally takes Olivia on an investigation into the death of a wealthy businesswoman, Olivia must sift through a multitude of suspects and survive her employer’s caustic zingers. Readers will surely look forward to more stories of Aubrey’s prowess as narrated by a steadfast Olivia.

Please let this be a series! Classic whodunit with a spunky, Watson-y side kick main character, Olivia Blunt and a perfectly spiky Miranda Priestly-esque female Sherlock in the role of detective. Well-written, solid plot with just the right amount of clues. I honestly was kept guessing until the very end when Aubrey Merritt, WGD, gathered everyone for the Poirot-esque reveal.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for this digital e-arc.*

If you love your mysteries with a dash of old-school flair and a nod to Agatha Christie, The World’s Greatest Detective and Her Just Okay Assistant will absolutely scratch that itch. With a clever plot and a classic whodunit structure, this story felt like stepping into a modern-day Poirot mystery—but with a much snarkier dynamic between leads.

The detective, Merritt, is sharp, unrelenting, and unquestionably brilliant… but I’ll admit, her treatment of her “just okay” assistant Olivia grated on me at times. It felt unfair and dismissive, even when Olivia was clearly pulling her weight. That said, the book does circle back to this imbalance by the end, offering a bit of redemption for their partnership.

The pacing was a little odd—some parts felt slower than I expected for a mystery—but despite that, I never lost interest. The case kept me guessing and I was genuinely curious about how all the threads would come together.

Overall, it’s a smart and satisfying mystery with a classic vibe and a modern edge. Just be prepared to side-eye Merritt now and then.

This was a fun read! Olivia is looking to step out and find her way so when she becomes the assistant to Merritt a famous PI she's looking to show she can do what it takes. However, Merritt is older and kind of a challenge to work with.

I think this duo was perfect. There's plenty of potential suspects and the clues were great. I wasn't sure who done it. I felt for Olivia she was just trying her best and it just seemed she couldn't get it right. I'd love to see more of these characters.

Thank you Berkeley pub for the gifted ebook.

2.5⭐️

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley for providing this ARC!

First off, I was hooked from the title. The dynamic is very Devil wears Prada meets Sherlock which I ate upp. The main characters were fun and interesting, I more so enjoyed them talking about the case than the actual investigation. I really liked to watch Olivia grow through the book and collect clues about various characters.

The plot itself was not super engaging from the beginning. It felt slow to me and the did not pick up until the last 40%. I feel like I saw one of the reveals coming because the way the characters behaved. The final reveal was in a typical detective’s dramatic entry to group fashion which was pretty well done. This was overall a cozy mystery that might have been better for the fall.

My thanks for the ARC goes to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group. I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

Genre: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Mystery Thriller
Spice Level: Low—this is really a buddy book

THE WORLD'S GREATEST DETECTIVE AND HER JUST OKAY ASSISTANT is filled with family drama and twists!

I loved the "just okay assistant" Olivia. She bumbles, and doesn't know if she'll hack it, and eventually works up more courage. But of course, things go awry. The detective is ornery and hard to pin down—in other words, I liked her immensely. She's not as far-seeing as a Sherlock character, but she is great at changing her approach to uncover the facts she wants. I liked the conflict between her and Olivia, and they are definitely at odds with each other.

The family, whose mother/step-mother died, is a royal mess of lies and tangled emotions. I thought this worked particularly well for a murder mystery.

I knew I felt uneasy about several characters, but I wasn't sure how it would play out. I was surprised with some of those twists (always a good thing in a mystery).

I think mystery lovers will enjoy this book. There is great growth potential for this to turn into a series—I hope it does.

Happy reading!

I don’t read a ton of cozy mysteries, I am really picky about them so when I do pick one up I usually have a lot of fun with them, and that was the case here. The sleuthing duo were great together. I love how they interacted, though at times I wish that there was more of them together and it wasn’t so singularly focused, but it was fine and I enjoyed them both well enough on their own. This is one that I’m not sure if it’s the start of a new series, but it would be great that way. I could see lots of fun mysteries and adventures for them.

If you’re looking for a fun cozy mystery then check this one out.

Hacks meets Knives Out

This was a fun entertaining mystery that gave me Knives Out vibes from the beginning.

It's a classic who done it, multiple people with motive to kill the matriarch of a rich successful family. An experienced detective, Audrey Merritt, trams up with a wannabe detective, Olivia Blunt. Olivia tries hard but doesn't always hit the mark.

I absolutely loved their relationship, it definitely gave me Hacks vibes.

I really hope this is the start of a series

Ambitious assistant Olivia helps detective Merritt investigate a seemingly straightforward death that turns into a complex family mystery, testing her skills and her mentor’s patience.

This is such a great concept for a cozy mystery series, and it’s well executed, too. The clever story kept me guessing. There’s a grumpy/sunshine vibe between Merritt and Olivia, which adds to the fun. I’m excited to see how this series unfolds.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

This first in a hopeful series is such a fun ride! Olivia gets a new job as the assistant for renowned detective Audrey Merritt. Think a female version of Hercule Poirot and Olivia as Hastings. When Olivia gets the job as her assistant, having been a fan for years, she can't believe her luck. Then she finds Merritt's next case and gets to tag along to Lake Champlain. With the two very different people trying to solve the mystery, Olivia learns more about Audrey and her work as an investigator. The two make the perfect detecting duo and solve the case with a few twists along the way. I can't wait for more from this duo!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

*Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

A fun cozy mystery that's a feminist spin on Holmes and Watson? Yes please.

This book was perfect for vacation, as the stakes weren't so high that it kept me from living in the moment but big enough to keep me reading in my downtime. I loved watching Olivia try (and fail) to prove herself worthy of being Aubrey's assistant and test out her detective chops. I also enjoyed watching the chaos unfold at the resort on Lake Champlain. There were so many suspects and motives to uncover, each of whom could've easily committed the crime. I really hope that we get to see more from these characters!

I loved that the book is in the just okay assistant’s pov as she works on a large case out of state with the worlds greatest detective. Olivia must overcome her insecurities and imposter syndrome while interviewing suspects and navigating a somewhat tilted relationship with her boss to solve the mystery. The relationship between Olivia and Aubrey, her boss, was an interesting dynamic in terms of a reluctant mentor, who doesn’t know how to give a compliment and a student so desperately wanting to prove herself.

Any time I thought I knew if the death was indeed murder a new character would be introduced, a new clue discovered, or a major plot twist would happen to throw me off. I loved that some of the obvious things I expected to happen did but not in the way I was anticipating. There was an additional plot twist that I didn’t see coming at all and thoroughly enjoyed. The grand reveal at the will reading was incredibly well done and highly satisfying.

The World’s Greatest Detective and Her Just Okay Assistant by Liza Tully is a great mystery read. I really enjoyed this book. Oliva Blunt is the newest assistant to Aubrey Merritt. Oliva wants to be the best detective and learn everything she can for herself and to impress Aubrey. I loved the secrets and how Olivia is so quirky she discovers things in her own unique way. I felt like I was watching a movie or TV series when reading this. It was very enjoyable and I would definitely read more from this author.

Thanks to Berkley & NetGalley for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was drawn to this book because of the clever title, and while it had a few slow spots, overall, it did not disappoint!

Olivia has just secured her dream job: working for the world-famous private investigator, Aubrey Merritt. Too bad Aubrey is demanding, blunt, and kind of mean. Olivia perseveres and the two go on Olivia's first case, driving her old heap of a car (Aubrey doesn't drive, but is used to better accommodations).

The mystery itself is clever, if a bit of a familiar drive. The corpse is their employer's mother, who has fallen off a balcony on the same night as her birthday party (was it suicide? The police seem to think so). The lady had money, as well as two late husbands, a gambling boyfriend, and sets of adult children (who do not get along) from her two legal unions. As the two investigate, Olivia is thrown into the deep end, and the bodies start to pile up. Red herrings abound.

Olivia is very young, and not my favorite character - she wants to succeed in this position but she also promised her BF she would be there on the opening night of his play and what if the case isn't wrapped up in time! Oh no! She was supposed to call his mom to discuss wedding flowers - why hasn't she done that yet? Bitch she hasn't done it bc she's WORKING (but Olivia is unable to verbalize this to her BF or his mom for an extended period of time). Still, she wasn't bad enough for me to put the book down, she just wasn't all that relatable.
Aubrey Merritt is a classic ice queen in the grand tradition (think Miranda Priestly, with a soupcon of Miss Marple thrown in for good measure), and while she's imperious and bitchy, at least we don't have to be in her head.

This was a solid book, and while I didn't LOVE it, it was enjoyable and I might read another if it becomes a series. 3.5 stars rounded up

A captivating cozy with a compelling duo of female leads.
🔍🔍🔍🔎🔎🔎
It is often that cozies operate with a formulaic business as usual feel. The ones that stand out often surprise me in one regard or another, but <i>The World's Greatest Detective and Her Just Okay Assistant</i> impressed me from multiple angles.
🎂🥂🎾🚬
Victoria Summersworth is found dead of an apparent suicide following her 65th birthday bash. Her daughter Haley doesn't believe her mother took her own life. Haley states her mother was wealthy, happy, and in love. She believes Victoria was murdered. When the police refuse to look harder at the death, she employs famed P.I. Aubrey Merritt to investigate. When Merritt and her new assistant Olivia Blunt begin looking into the case, they find the Summersworth family is full of secrets and bad blood.
🩸🕵🏻‍♀️🚴🏻💡
It was enjoyable searching for clues with the excitable green Olivia. She wanted to prove herself an asset but her affinity for jumping the gun often had her backtracking. Growing pains as an investigator. She's likable in her earnest attitude, quick thinking, and good-hearted nature. Merritt is her opposite as a seasoned detective who has seen the ugly side of life too often to remain anything but aloof. I kept thinking 'Just the Facts' when Merritt would lay out the timeline and her careful deductions. She methodical, careful, and calculating in how she operates. There are suspects aplenty and the case isn't simple. This is a well-developed mystery, but the clues are there in the narrative if you're paying attention. It can be solved.
⛵🧹💄💅🏻
The writing style here is direct, succinct, but nothing important felt skimped on. As a matter of fact, I found myself double checking the page count because it didn't feel like a 400-page novel to me. Characters, plotting, setting, clues, everything was tight and well-drawn nothing felt meandering or extraneous. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys strong female leads, collecting clues, reading suspects, red herrings, and otherwise unraveling the threads of a mystery.
🚗💐🐕‍🦺🔦
I'll definitely be checking out book 2 if this paradoxical pair decide to put their opposite styles to work again.

Thank you to Berkley for providing an ARC via NetGalley. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

4.5 rounded up. Cute, interesting and I couldn’t wait to see who did it!! Great female mc + both full of spunk. (And relatable!)

Right away I knew this was going to be a fun book, I always love an older, crabby character paired with a younger one. This was no exception. Not only that, this plot was such a clever way to frame a mystery! I definitely felt like this was a fun story leading me to whodunnit!

Advanced reader copy provided by Berkley and NetGalley but all opinions are my own.