I went in already feeling so sad this is the last in the series. This town has quickly become like family. Mira once again finds herself in the thick of things, as she stumbles upon a sex trafficking ring in her small town. Emotions run wild in this one, as Mira learns new things about her dead father, as she continues to miss and feel guilty about Jed, and putting herself in situations to help some teenage girls. This series has hooked me so much that I'm so not ready to have a new one to read next month. I highly recommend the entire series. It was the best series I've read in years.

When Mira checks in a new book at the library, she finds a note hidden inside. She is determined to solve the mystery of it and why her dad’s name is listed, especially after someone takes the book. At the same time, a girl goes missing: could the two events be tied? Mrs. Berns might be the funniest partner ever. I started with the last book in the series, but I did not feel like I was missing anything; I am ready to go back and read them in order.

This was a fun quick read. I really liked Mira and I giggled throughout the book. The mystery aspect wasn’t as suspenseful as a mystery but it was perfect for this series! I found I was more drawn to the romantic aspect and who she chooses at the end. Overall, this is a great romcom mystery for a lazy day!

Admittedly, I hadn't heard of the Murder by Month Mysteries, but now I have to go back and read Mira's descent into finding a dead body- and mystery a month. Her arrival to town has created a lot of excitement.

This book begins with Mira finding a note for help hidden in a library book, which leads to a dead body, then there are the two missing girls. She is trying to earn her PI license, and decides to use her time trying to determine who wrote, and hid, the note- and if it is real, what she can do to help.

I have recommended this book to friends and told them if they read the first few to let me know what they think. It "could" be a stand alone, but the deaths in previous months are mentioned more than once. I think it may be better to read them as part of the series.

I can't wait to read the previous segments, and see what happens!

I was given the opportunity to read this title by NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

First off, Mrs. Berns MAKES this book. She had me laughing out loud from start to finish, and I want to be her friend in real life. This quirky set of small-town characters was so fun and what kept me reading.

This is part 12 in a 12-book series. However, it does say this can be read as a standalone. I would say yes, it *can* be, but should it be? No. There was so much backstory I felt I was missing, so a lot of characters felt very underdeveloped. I would recommend reading this as part of the series.

This is not a gripping story with unpredictable twists and turns, but it was very entertaining.

This was my first book that I read in the series. Ironically, it’s the last book. I was hooked by the ease at which you get immersed in the Battle Lake world. The author provided just enough background on the previous books that you could step in and start at any point in the series. As for the book itself, it was funny and had just enough tension to keep the plot moving forward. I would definitely read from this series again if I want a quick mystery read that isn’t too heavy.

I thoroughly enjoy this book series! It’s great to have a book to look forward to every month. I thought Battle Lake being one of the worst towns in America was so funny. Of course the girls will have to prove that isn’t the case. Then, of course they run into nothing but bad things. Such a fun read! I recommend this book and then entire series.

I will preface this by saying I had no idea this book was the 12th in a series! I think that if you love this series, you should definitely read this, but if you're like me and just picking it up, it may not be exactly what you are expecting.

It's a very cute mystery series but knowing nothing about the characters, fell flat for me. It was a bit too cheesy in dialogue and plot. I was hoping for more warmth and lovable quirkiness from the characters.

2.5 stars for me this time around.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC. This title will be published on March 25, 2025.

I've loved all of these hoping this isn't the last of them! Mira uncovers more of her past and once again helps solve a few mysteries.

April Fools is the sixth book in Jess Lourey’s Murder by Month series, following journalist-turned-sleuth Mira James as she dives into yet another small-town Minnesota mystery. This time, a missing person case spirals into something much bigger—and more dangerous—than she expected.

Mira is a fantastic lead—funny, relatable, and someone you’d totally want to grab coffee with. The small-town charm and humor mixed with suspense made for an entertaining read, and while some twists were predictable, the story kept me engaged.

That said, the pacing lagged a bit in the middle, some parts felt repetitive, and the mystery wasn’t as gripping as I’d hoped. A few side characters could have been fleshed out more, which made it harder to connect with them.

Overall, this is a fun, light mystery with a quirky protagonist and a good dose of humor. It’s not mind-blowing, but if you enjoy cozy mysteries with a little snark, it’s worth a read!

A big thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

I'm so sad to see that this is the last book for this series. I have enjoyed this series so much. The quirkiness as well as the mystery that each book carries has been so fun. This is a great mix of the two and this time finding out about how long this mystery has been going on was just so good. I can't imagine being in her shoes but so glad she has answers. The ending was perfect.

I don’t know what I’m going to do without Mira James in my life! I have absolutely loved and adored this series since I started reading it back in December. April Fools marks the final installment, and I’m feeling all kinds of emotions about saying goodbye.

First, I’d like to thank NetGalley, Jess Lourey, and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Mira James is back with another action-packed adventure, and this time, the story takes quite a darker turn. She’s juggling her love life, work, and personal growth, and I love how everything comes full circle for her. Seeing her meet Johnny where he’s at was such a satisfying moment.

Of course, I will forever love Mrs. Berns—who wouldn’t want a friend like her?—and even Kennie, believe it or not. And let’s talk about that beloved character’s return… I was so happy!

I 100% recommend April Fools, but honestly, this recommendation extends to the entire series. If you haven’t yet met Mira James, now is the time to dive in!

Mira James and her 90-year-old sidekick Mrs. Berns are back for another adventure in Battle Lake, MN. It's still winter and snowy but that doesn't stop trouble from finding Mira. She and Mrs. Berns have to keep the library running while trying to present a cheerful front to an inspector who's arrived in town due to all of the recent murders that have happened. It looks like Battle Lake is going to be named one of the worst towns in America, so the ladies are doing all they can to show that the town isn't really so bad. One day Mira finds a disturbing note in a returned library book. It has the names of four men on it (one of them being her deceased father's) and the word HELP. She begins to work to find the connection between the men and who is asking for help. This leads her down a dark path to terrible crimes and missing girls. It's hard enough to keep things together when she's also facing relationship problems and a serious Nut Goodie addiction without all of the added stress of solving the town's crimes.

This is the last in the 12 Murder by Month mysteries and it didn't seem to have the humor or lightheartedness that some of the earlier books had. It did deal with heavy topics, so maybe that was part of the problem, or it could have just been the fact that the series was coming to a close. I still enjoyed the story, but Mrs. Berns didn't get nearly enough time in this book to cause trouble! I hope there might be some more adventures from this series in the future.

This was a nice way to wrap up the series for Mira James. Not quite a "lived happily ever after", but our interprid, budding PI looks like she's on the right track for success. While of course there's a murder mystery here to solve, we rest easy knowing that despite all the trials and tribulations, as well as foibles and insecurities of a young woman, she'll prevail when all is said and done.

One nitpick - I know this series was originally written some years ago, with recent revisions from the author, but a couple of dates revealed in this volume don't quite add up for someone nitpicky like me. I won't get into the details and see if the next reader figures out what I'm talking about.

With that said, I'm sorry to see this enjoyable, irreverent series come to an end. I started previewing these through NetGalley with the September edition, and now that I just purchased May through August, I'm looking forward to circle back and see how it all started.

All in all, this was a nice break from all the very serious thrillers dominating the landscape these days. Thumbs up!

I may not be the best person to review the book as this is my first read of the series. And this very book happens to be the last one of the series.

Anyway thanks to netgalley for providing me with an arc.

Book Review: April Fools by Jess Lourey
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

First off, big thanks to NetGalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review!

April Fools is the sixth book in Jess Lourey’s Murder by Month series, following Mira James, a journalist turned sleuth who keeps stumbling into mysteries in small town Minnesota. This time around, it’s April, and she’s investigating a missing person case that, of course, turns into something much bigger (and more dangerous) than she expected.

I really liked Mira as a character, she’s funny, relatable, and definitely the kind of person I’d want to grab coffee with. The small town setting was also super charming, and Lourey does a great job balancing humor with suspense. Some of the twists were pretty solid, and the book kept me engaged for the most part.

That said, I had a few issues. The pacing was a little off, especially in the middle, and some parts felt repetitive. The mystery itself wasn’t as gripping as I’d hoped, and I saw a couple of the twists coming. I also felt like some of the side characters weren’t as developed as they could have been, which made it hard to really care about their involvement in the story.

Overall, April Fools is a fun, light mystery with a quirky main character and a good dose of humor. It’s not groundbreaking, but if you like cozy mysteries with a little snark, it’s worth checking out!

Thanks to Thomas & Mercer and Jess Lourey for the ARC approval.

I didnt realize this was part of a series, which I am now going back to read! But I really didn't feel lost or out of touch with any of the story. A light-hearted murder mystery with some rom-com mixed in. A great quick read between my typical heavy thriller reads!

April Fools is a delightful and engaging read that expertly combines humor, heart, and a touch of mystery. Jess Lourney has crafted a story that not only entertains but also offers thought-provoking themes about friendship, trust, and the power of laughter.

The plot revolves around a group of friends who find themselves in a series of pranks (the title is April fools after all) that quickly spiral out of control as they approach April Fools’ Day. Lourney’s writing shines with its witty dialogue and relatable characters, making it easy to root for the protagonists as they navigate the chaos that ensues. As the characters confront the consequences of their actions, readers are left with valuable lessons about honesty and the importance of communication.

"April Fools" is a fantastic choice for anyone looking for a fun, entertaining read. Jess Lourney has created a whimsical world full of laughs, reminding us that sometimes, the best pranks can lead to unexpected friendships and personal growth.

I loved the authors writing style and the fantastic characters especially Mira & her 80 year friend Mrs Berns. This mystery comedy novel is u ique due to its whitty humor and sassy characters. As the 12th book of the series it was easy to get into it, but now I want to read the first 11.
Mira who moved to a new city a year ago seems to have a knack for finding dead bodies every month so she is thinking she is a bad luck charm but also is key to finding the who dunnit.

I highly recommend checking this book out! Giving it a 4.5 star rating!

Thank you NetGalley and Jess Lourey for a free book for an honest review!!

April Fools is the 12th and final novel in the Murder by Month series. Jess Lourey devised a series of cozy mysteries, with likable characters, murders to be solved, and sort-of happy endings to be enjoyed. Lourey's protagonist. Mira, does not have it all figured out, but that never stops her from jumping in and trying to help people. Mira is a people fixer. She just cannot help herself. in April Fools, the problem is sex trafficking of teenage girls. This is a topic that is both timely and deserving of more light to be shined upon it.

Mira and Mrs. Berns are terrific characters, as are their friends and many of the other characters in this series. The novels in the Murder by Month series was engaging, quick reads. Anyone who has read these novels has had a year of entertainment. While I have not read every book in this series, I do wish I had. I started the series several months ago and feel like I have missed out on some terrific novels. I like cozy mysteries, and I like that the good guys win and the bad guys are punished. April Fools was a satisfying read.

I am recommending this novel. The humor is engaging and offers a nice break from crimes and murder. Thank you to Thomas and Mercer Publishing and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review. I hope Lourey will bring back Mira and Mrs. Berns. They are wonderful characters and too special to just leave them somewhere tucked away in a computer file.