i lovedddd this book!! great characters and surprising ending!! i was hooked the whole time! the narrator was also great!

I loved this SOOOO MUCH!!! Melissa’s writing + Karissa’s immaculate narration was the PERFECT COMBINATION!!!! I will be reading this book again and again!!!!

This was witty, engaging, entertaining, enthralling, cosy, heartwarming and just so wonderfully executed!

Thank you NetGalley, Nelson Thomas Publishing, Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio, and Melissa Ferguson for the ALC.

This was described as a laugh out loud Rom-com and while I don't normally like romances and it would have in fact put me off, I was in the mood for a chuckle. So glad I was, it might not have been as funny as I was looking for but I still enjoyed it and would have missed out on a great story. Yes there was a romance but as it was a slow burn, the story was all about the solving of the mystery and getting to know the characters. Who I liked, I even liked the romance building between two of them. I think this was all down to the author and the way she helped the reader to get to know the cast of quirky characters , before of course everybody became a suspect. I never suspected the twist or even saw it coming but it certainly caught my imagination. I really hope this is just the start of a new series because I would love to join the cast for another outing.
Being a personal assistant to an author that likes to be authentic is hard work, especially when he is a mystery writer and has you trying poisons or diving without a tank but it also has it perks. One of them is joining him and a group of his fellow bestselling writers on a meet and greet cruise ship. Things go wrong for Pip when she discovers her boss dead. Having reserved the entire section of the ship for the writes it means with nobody else having access, one of his friends is the killer. With the ships security less than competent Pip has no choice but to carry out her own investigation. Can she carry on like nothing is wrong, so the fans don't panic and interview her friends like they are suspects? Because her life might just depend on it
I liked the narrator. She did some amazing voices, making it easy to picture the characters and experience the emotions along side them.
I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review

Without a Clue is such a delightful mix of romcom and mystery! Melissa Ferguson’s signature humor and charm shine through in every scene, and I loved the quirky, eccentric authors on the high seas book cruise. Penelope is such a relatable, witty heroine, and her chemistry with Nash is absolutely sweet. The murder mystery kept me turning pages, and the journey, full of twists, laughs, and heart, was pure fun. As a longtime fan, I can honestly say this might be her best yet!

I seriously loved this book. I wasn’t sure about it at first, but once I got a few chapters in I was hooked. I honestly wasn’t expecting it to be so much of a mystery, and I loved it. The twists and turns were great and left me constantly second guessing who-dun-it.

This was honestly just really fun. Think the movie Clue, a cruise, and a group of quirky authors and you get this book! This was cheesy in a good way, mysterious, and fun!
I loved Pip, our FMC, and her journey in building her self esteem and confidence while she solves this crime!
I loved the narration and was entertained the whole time!

Hahaha I loved this book it was cute and awkward in so many places.

Penelope DuPont, a personal assistant to the famous author Hugh griffin goes on a cruise with the fabulous seven, seven authors who have each others back, and promote each others books. When Hugh ends up dead day one after telling Penelope that someone is after him, she takes it upon her self to find out the truth. All while falling in love with Nash, her best buddy when she can reach him and he is always part of the fabulous 7. Can she uncover who did it in time!

I find this book awkward because this wouldn’t ever happen but it’s was cute and something light I really enjoyed.

🎧 AUDIOBOOK REVIEW

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars

Without a Clue by Melissa Ferguson was such a fun, delightful audiobook experience! I absolutely loved this story from start to finish. The narrator did a fantastic job bringing the characters to life and keeping the tone perfectly balanced between mystery, romance, and humor.

I’m always a sucker for a good mystery romance, and setting it on a cruise ship just made it even better. The confined setting added to the suspense while still keeping things light and entertaining. The chemistry, the twists, and the cozy-but-intriguing vibe kept me hooked the entire time.

This audiobook was pure enjoyment and an easy five stars for me. If you love mystery romances with a unique setting and great narration, this one is absolutely worth picking up. 🚢💙📚

Without a Clue by Melissa Ferguson, wonderfully narrated by Karissa Vacker, is an absolute delight. This fun, fast-paced romp blends rom-com charm with cozy mystery flair to perfection. The cast of characters truly shines—quirky, endearing, and surprisingly rich in depth—making every interaction a joy. With its humor, heart, and irresistible energy, this story is a standout, and I can only hope it’s the first in a long, delightful series with many more books to come. (I received an advance listener copy and all opinions are my own.)

I INHALED this book! I was hooked with the mystery plot, but Ferguson hit it out of the part with the romantic subplot. When narration was phenomenal and I’ll be screaming about this book to anyone who will listen.

Without a Clue was such a cute and fun rom-com/mystery. I love books that mix mystery with romance so this definitely fit the bill. A group of authors go on an author cruise but one is found dead and our main character has to do some investigation and find out if one of the other authors committed the crime and if so, who did. I loved the characters and how they kind of fit within their genres, I loved the layers to their relationships, and I loved the romance. The mystery was interesting and fun and kept me guessing and I did not expect the ending. I also really enjoyed the production of the audiobook and this narrator always does a great job. Without a Clue will be the perfect spring break cruise poolside read.

Obsessed. A murder mystery romance where there’s no actual murder? That twist was amazing. The supporting character were just as amazing as the main and didn’t pull focus just added to the story. From the very beginning I was rooting for Nash to confess his feelings and when he finally did? I paused when Pip did. I loved every second of this

Oh this was a LOT of fun! I did figure out the killer pretty early in but that didn't affect my enjoyment of the story at all, and I still had a lot of fun trying to figure out the motivation (which I ended up being wrong about).
I really loved the narration overall—my only complaint is that she often pitched the male characters low/quietly enough that I had to turn up the volume—and then turn it back down when she switched back to female voices, because the difference in volume was so drastic. Aside from that, I thought Karissa Vacker did a great job with the narration!
This story was an absolute delight, and I've already recommended it to multiple people.

I really enjoyed this book. It is a classic whodunnit with fresh twists and turns. The characters have a good mix of believable traits and eccentric personality. I like how each character was so different and had a very distinct personality.

The main character, Pip, is no exception. She has very believable real world problems. This balances with her "whatever it takes" attitude that seems to get her into very dangerous circumstances. Pip's emotions are very well-written and believable.

This book is a good mix of comedy and mystery. It is suspenseful and it has big twists, but the characters themselves tend to be very comical. It is almost as if the characters from a comedy novel were picked up and plopped here into a mystery. It makes for a read that is impossible to put down.

I listened to this book extremely fast because of how enjoyable both the narrator and the book are.

Without a Clue by Melissa Ferguson was such a fun, inviting read. It perfectly blends romance with a whodunit mystery, and I honestly didn’t want to put it down. I listened to the audiobook and loved the voice actor—she did an amazing job capturing the emotions and personalities of the characters, which made the story even more engaging.

There’s a great variety of characters, and the relationships really shine. I especially loved the friendship and slow-burn relationship between Pip and Nash—it added so much heart and humor to the story. Overall, this was just such an enjoyable, feel-good read with enough mystery to keep things interesting. Highly recommend if you want something fun and hard to pause

The one word that comes to mind when I think of this book is fun. If you like a classic murder mystery, this one fits the bill. There is a kooky cast of characters all on a literary cruise when someone is murdered. This book doesn't take itself too seriously, and it kept me guessing till the very end. I'm excited to add other books by Melissa Ferguson to my TBR.

5 ⭐️ Advanced Reader Review!

Pip is the personal assistant to well renowned mystery author Hugh Griffin and by extension the rest of The Fabulous Seven, seven authors from various genres who support each through it all. Pip is enjoying a bookish cruise, featuring the Fabulous Seven, she’s been planning for weeks, when her boss turns up dead. The on-board security is no help. So Pip must join forces with Nash, a western nature writer and one of the seven, to solve this crime before anything else can go wrong. Sparks start flying between the two, and Pip has to risk it all to find the truth.

My thoughts: I love a cozy mystery, and this has become a must-read for everyone who also loves this subgenera. The author perfectly blends classic whodunit with romance in the best way possible. I loved all the characters, and I was invested in their stories from the beginning. I wasn’t too sure about the crazy antics, but everything came together in the end and made it all worth it.

The audiobook is narrated by Karissa Vacker, one of my favorite narrators! She brings every single character to life, and has mastered the art of men’s voices. I flew through this story, thanks in part to the amazing narration.

Overall, I think anyone would love this book, whether you’re a mystery lover, and romance fan, or just need a quick, fun story. I will definitely be purchasing a copy for myself. So so good!. 5 /5 stars

Absolutely loved this one! Such a fantastic first mystery, perfect for fans of low suspense and cozy mysteries. This was so heartfelt and fun. I didn’t want it to end. I definitely am going to want more books with these characters. I loved the whole group. Could not put it down!

So freaking cute! I was locked in when reading this. I loved everything about this, it was entertaining, made me laugh, had me trying to guess who the killer was. Had me questioning everything! What I never guessed is what actually happened! I also loved the romance part of this book. It was sweet and loving but also, I loved that Pip was suspicious of everything. It made for such a fun read. I am already telling everyone about this book!

A fresh, cozy closed-door mystery with heart, humor, and a swoon-worthy romantic thread, Without a Clue completely won me over.!!
I loved the clever plot, the unexpected final twist, and the strong focus on friendship, which gives the story so much warmth and emotional depth. Pip’s journey—from believing she’s nothing special to realizing her true worth through the love of her friends and a beautiful, sweet and protective author—is tender and deeply satisfying.

I requested both the ebook and the audiobook because I was traveling during the Christmas holidays and preferred listening rather than reading the ebook. Pairing the two formats turned out to be perfect!!
The audiobook is wonderfully done, with a narrator who brings every character to life and captures Pip’s emotions beautifully, making the storyreally immersive.

This is absolutely a book I recommend as the perfect travel companion—or even as the soundtrack to a journey. 🎧✨

Huge thanks to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson Fiction, and Melissa Ferguson for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of this wonderful book.

I love Melissa Ferguson and was surprised to see that she had written a mystery. However, this story was more of a feel good romance than an actual mystery.

Penelope is the personal assistant for a famous author, Hugh Griffin. He is part of an elite group of authors who are long-term friends and support each other publicly. Penelope, Hugh, and the other six authors set off on a cruise that they organized for their fans. Almost immediately, Hugh shows up dead and Penelope has to figure out who is behind the murder. She rules out the guests on the cruise because they did not have access to Hugh's stateroom. She then turns her attention to the other authors and finds that almost all of them have motives.

I had a chance to listen to an ALC copy of this book
I loved it the narrator brought so much life to these characters and I adored it so much.

Oh my gosh what a cute freaking book! This was just what I needed on a sick weekend. I use to read so much cozy mysteries and stopped years ago and this one brought me right back into the feels. It did a great job balancing mystery and romance and I’m here for it! I also loved the fun cast of characters. If you are looking for a quick read that packs a punch this is for you! Thanks NetGalley for this chance to read this early!

This book had me hooked the whole way through! Pip is such a well rounded character and I loved the relationships that she had built with “The Magnificent 7.” I genuinely had no idea where the book was going to go with the murder of Hugh, Pip’s boss. I love a man who will stand by your side and help you face whatever may lay ahead, enter Nash the rugged cowboy and one of the murder suspects to help Pip find the killer! Melissa Ferguson is an auto-read author for me! I have never been disappointed by one of her books! The plot, characters, and storytelling are all what I have come to expect! I would definitely recommend to any romance readers who enjoy a mystery!

The audiobook narrator Karissa Vacker did an amazing job bringing all of the characters to life! Any audiobook that makes me want to do my laundry just so that I can keep listening is an automatic 5 stars in my book!

Thanks to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson, Zondervan Fiction Audio, and Melissa Ferguson for this ALC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Honestly, this is my perfect cozy mystery. Absolute perfection. The type of book that you look up the author in the middle of so you can find their other books to read. I loved all of this: quirky characters, locked room (or boat, as the case may be), amateur detective, a love interest... just all of the elements that make for a fun, engaging book. Loved it!

“I, without question, am living out the exact second I’ll look back on and think…yep, that was definitely rock bottom.”


Seven authors of seven different genres having a fan event on a cruise?! Sign me up! from the second Pip, the assistant to one of the authors, was introduced I loved her. That goes for all the members of the fabulous seven as well. The characters are not just wonderful, the mystery is too. If you are a fan of mystery comedies like Only murders in the building, you’ll enjoy this.

This book was so much fun. I loved the group and i wish we could have seen more of how the group came about
I absolutely loved Pip and Nash
Melissa Ferguson always writes such charming characters who melt my heart
This book is the perfect blend of mystery and romance. I thought i almost had the mystery part down but i was a little off. Absolutely loved the book

I’ll be honest: I initially requested an eARC of Without a Clue purely because of the cover. But now that I’ve finished it, I am officially obsessed. This has easily become one of my favorite reads of the year.

As someone who is typically not a romance fan—I usually can’t stand the forced bickering and predictable plots—this book was a breath of fresh air for me. Melissa Ferguson has crafted the ultimate "cozy" murder mystery. It perfectly blends a locked-room setting (a luxury cruise ship) with amateur sleuthing and a romance that actually feels earned and charming.

The plot follows Pip, a high-strung personal assistant, who finds herself in the middle of a literal "whodunnit" when her boss is found dead on a book cruise. Watching Pip and Nash (the ruggedly handsome Western author) navigate a ship full of dramatic authors and red herrings was pure joy.

The writing is sharp, funny, and incredibly smart. The Characters were perfect! Everyone was so likable, funny, and genuinely adorable. I found myself rooting for Pip from the very first page. And I absolutely loved the characterization of the seven authors. The overall vibe is cozy and funny while still being engaging.

I couldn't stop talking about this book while reading it, and I’m already recommending it to everyone I know. If you want a mystery that is high on charm and low on forced drama, this is it!

*** I received an eARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to the author and publisher. ***

A cruise ship full of readers and eccentric authors, what could possibly go wrong?!? Pip has everything handled until a body is found the second day of the cruise! Now she is investigating the people who have become like family to her and trying to keep everyone alive.
This was such a fun story with some mystery, a little romance, some laughter and some tears. There is a little something for everyone. Some found family, so much yearning and a bumbling detective or two.
First person POV, excellent narration that I didn’t want to put down, not spicy.

A brilliantly crafted rom/com meets cozy mystery mash-up and so much fun! I especially enjoyed listening to the audio edition narrated by Karissa Vacker. She not only brought distinctive voices to each character, she captured the nuances of all the personalities too, making this a superb listen!

I love the way the author gives equal billing to both mystery and romance, with plenty of comedic moments to lighten everything up. The story flows really well, all told from Penelope’s point of view and, believe me, being inside her over-active mind is highly entertaining!

Madcap mayhem ensues when a book cruise turns sinister — eeeeppp, love that ‘locked room’ aspect to the mystery. Obviously, the killer has to be someone on the ship, right? And unable to elude capture since they are surrounded by ocean! Which is a good thing….and a bad thing because that means the killer could strike again! Of course, Penelope turns amateur sleuth with the help of some friends which results in enough plot twists to keep things very interesting.

And readers who aren’t especially fond of the cozy mystery genre — never fear — this really isn’t that kind of book. Ferguson has done an amazing job of combining the best elements of both the romance and mystery genres and has created a unique hybrid which is sure to please a variety of readers.

My thanks to Thomas Nelson, Zondervan Fiction Audio and Net Galley for providing me with an audio edition of this book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Without a Clue by Melissa Ferguson
(Audiobook)
I loved this book SO. MUCH. 🥹💖 Melissa Ferguson’s writing paired with Karissa Vacker’s immaculate narration was the perfect combination. Truly one of those audiobooks where everything just clicks. I already know this is a comfort read I’ll come back to again and again. 🎧✨
Without a Clue is witty, cozy, clever, heartwarming, and completely charming. It’s a closed-door mystery with the warmest rom-com energy, wrapped in intrigue and delivered with so much heart. From the very beginning, I felt completely safe in this story—like I was in the hands of an author who knows exactly what she’s doing. 📚💕
Pip (Penelope Dupont) is such a quietly lovable heroine. She genuinely believes she’s ordinary and unremarkable, always standing slightly in the background—but seeing her through the eyes of her friends (and especially Nash 🫠) is pure joy. They see her intelligence, kindness, intuition, and strength long before she does. Her character growth is gentle, realistic, and deeply satisfying, centered around self-worth and learning that “ordinary” doesn’t mean insignificant.
The mystery itself was fantastic. Set aboard a book cruise in the middle of the ocean? Yes please. 🚢🔍 I loved the locked-room, high-seas setup, the eccentric group of authors, and Pip’s unexpected role as amateur sleuth. I genuinely did not see the twist coming, and when it hit—I gasped. The balance between cozy vibes and real suspense was done beautifully.
One of my favorite elements of this book was the emphasis on friendship and found family. Even when suspicion creeps in, the relationships remain warm, supportive, and authentic. Melissa Ferguson does such a lovely job showing how healing often comes through the people who believe in you when you don’t believe in yourself.
And the romance? Soft. Tender. Swoon-worthy. 💕 Nash is quiet, steady, and devastatingly charming. He’s been there all along, pining patiently, supporting Pip without ever overshadowing her journey. This is a clean, slow-burn romance that complements the story instead of taking it over—and it worked perfectly for me.
🎧 Audiobook love:
The narration deserves a standing ovation. Karissa Vacker brought every single character to life with distinct voices and emotional nuance. With such a large cast, that’s no small feat, and it made the entire experience incredibly immersive.
If you love:
🔍 Cozy mysteries
🚢 Locked-room / high-seas settings
💬 Witty dialogue & quirky characters
💕 Gentle, earned romance (clean/no spice)
📚 Bookish vibes & found family
…this book is an absolute must-read (or listen).
Huge thank you to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson Fiction, Zondervan Fiction Audio, Nelson Thomas Publishing, and Melissa Ferguson for the ARC audiobook. This one made my heart very happy. 💖📖✨

This was a clever, funny five star read that hooked me from the first chapter. The mix of romance and mystery was light, playful, and easy to enjoy. I loved the cruise setting and the quirky cast of characters. It kept me guessing while still delivering plenty of laughs. I’d definitely recommend this to anyone who wants a rom com with a twist.

Oh. My. Goodness. I KNEW IT! I didn’t figure out all the pieces before the end, but I figured out the murder before Pip. :) Regardless of that, this story is an absolute blast, and I’m sitting here smiling as I type this up because of the crazy fun this book is.

Pip is so relatable, and her genuine care for all the members of the Magnificent Seven is incredible. Her lack of awareness of how special she is, all while serving and uplifting everyone around her, is inspiring and convicting.

Coupled with the crazy crew of the Magnificent Seven - especially Nash, with his devotion to her and care for her - this story is a delightful read filled with laugh-out-loud moments, heartwarming scenes, and girded by the truth of the gospel, though it isn’t at all overt.

All this was made even better by listening to the story, with each character having a distinctive voice and manner of speaking that Karissa Vacker used to bring them to life even more.

I would absolutely read more stories about this cooky, wonderful group, and will be checking out more of Melissa Ferguson’s works. Who knew romcom murder mysteries were such an enjoyable thing?

This was absolutely adorable!

Melissa Ferguson does it again. She never lets me down.

Seven unique authors ban together as the magnificent seven. They help each other promote books and are an exclusive group. There’s one assistant. They all take a cruise to engage with readers but on the first day a murder occurs of one of their own.

They are shook to the core and must find the culprit. It’s a cozy mystery with a dash of romance and just cute as pie!

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this as an ARC.

Oh my goodness gracious! I loved this book! It took me right through the paces and races! I really enjoyed the characters and the amazing way I followed all the people! That is one amazing story for me when I can follow all that is going on! I loved the main romance between the MMC and the MFC! Swoon! I give it all the stars!

The narrator was amazing! I loved her voices! Each was so fun and easy to follow!

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for this amazing listen, all thoughts and opinions are my own!

Melissa Ferguson has done it again! This was a delightful read from start to finish! The narration was fantastic! The plot was well-paced and the characters were charming and witty. This is definitely one I'll read again! Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book.

Without a Clue (audiobook)
Melissa Ferguson
5/5 stars
Publication date: February 17, 2026

This audiobook was not what I was expecting and I totally loved it! It’s a cozy, funny murder mystery plus a rom com! Pip is an assistant to Hugh, a famous mystery author, who is also a member of “The Fabulous Seven,” a group of best selling authors. The group of authors go on a book cruise only to discover that one of them has been murdered. Pip has to solve the mystery with a western author aka a cowboy, Nash.

This is such a creative premise! I love the narrator’s voice and how easy it is to listen to her bring the characters to life. It reminds me of the Finlay Donovan series which I love! This story has a light, humorous feel despite it being a murder mystery. I highly recommend this audiobook!

Thank you Melissa Ferguson, Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio and Netgalley for the eALC in exchange for my honest review.

Without a Clue by Melissa Ferguson is a page turner of a read where a classic Rom-Com meets a Whodunnit all with a comical twist.

Imagine working for a writer who is also a friend/mentor and is part of a group of best selling authors known as the Fabulous Seven-and you along with the Fabulous Seven-are on a book cruise when your mentor was murdered. Then cue the "Barney Fife" detective with everyone is a suspect and you take it on as trying to solve who is the murderer.

Who can you trust? Is one of the Fabulous Seven the murderer? Is the one writer who you have secretly had feelings for and has shared his feelings for you - the murderer?

Enjoy a fun read that left me smiling all throughout!

It is honestly hard to explain exactly why I loved this audiobook without giving away too much of the plot. The group of authors across genres was such a cozy and clever way to experience the story, with each character bringing a unique and interesting point of view. I loved how the book completely flips expectations on their head, to the point where you are never quite sure where things are going, who to trust, or which clues actually matter. The romance woven throughout the story was such a lovely surprise, especially alongside the deeper theme of believing in yourself and finding your own self worth. Pairing that emotional journey with a murder mystery made the whole experience even more dynamic and interesting! The audio narrator did a beautiful job bringing each voice and perspective to life, which really elevated the story and made it easy to stay immersed. This was such an enjoyable listen from start to finish.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

The description of "Only Murders in the Building and Book Lovers" is so accurate to this novel. I am obsessed with these characters. Pip and Nash made this novel worth reading. The combination of murder mystery with rom-com is different but refreshing in this age. I loved the Magnificent Seven and all of their quirks as a group. The pace of this novel was perfect and kept you reading the whole time. I wish we could get a sequel seeing these characters continue to develop after how the epilogue scene goes. I ended up doing a dual read of this arc between audio and digital and it made the characters come alive off the page. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I loved both the book and audio versions of this! So fun and bookish! I find there aren’t too many books set on cruise ships and this locked room mystery is the top of the list!

Hysterical! I actually was surprised by many parts. I reviewed it as a e book as well 1000percent clean cozy and absolutely laugh out loud funny

This book was so cute, it was a rom com with a cozy murder thrown in. The cast of characters really made the story, they were on odd mixture, but some how it all worked. Someone said it's like Book Lover's and Only Murder's in the Building blended together and that was spot on. I ABSOLUTELY LOVED her book The Perfect Rom Com so I was excited to receive an advanced audio copy of Without a Clue from NetGalley! The story takes place on a cruise ship where the author group is the main attraction for the cruise ship guests. Little did they know that one of their own would be murdered and they had to solve the crime. Loved this one almost as much as The Perfect Rom Com, but it was definitely still a 5 stars read/listen for me. Th narration was great and I highly recommend this book when it comes out next month! Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced listen.

Without A Clue is an utterly delightful whodunit cozy mystery and romantic comedy rolled into one—a true standout and instant favorite. I already know this will be a top read of 2026. I’m a sucker for stories about authors and books, and this one absolutely delivers. I fell hard for Pip, Nash, and the entire eclectic cast from the very beginning.

I absolutely adored Pip and couldn’t get enough of her. She’s witty, smart, and genuinely hilarious—a joy to follow in every scene. Her inner dialogue is perfection, and I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed an FMC more.

Nash is a charming cowboy author with an easygoing demeanor and a fiercely protective streak when it comes to Pip. While their romance takes a backseat to the mystery, it’s still incredibly sweet and quietly swoony. The things Nash says to Pip completely won me over, and I loved the tender way he takes care of her.

When Pip’s inner thoughts didn’t have me in stitches, the Magnificent 7’s quirky personalities and over-the-top antics kept me grinning the entire time. They add so much humor, warmth, and heart to the story that it’s impossible to imagine this book without them.

The audiobook is narrated by Karissa Vacker, and let me tell you—she understood the assignment. I was completely blown away by her performance. She does a phenomenal job bringing each character to life, to the point that I had to double-check this wasn’t duet narration. It’s honestly a little freaky how convincing her “sexy man” voice for Nash is, and that southern drawl? Absolute perfection. Melissa’s story lends itself to a wide range of tones and personalities, and Karissa nails every single one. The story is fantastic in its own right, but the audiobook is something truly special. This is a performance I’ll be talking about for a long time.

If you love cozy mysteries wrapped in humor and romance, bookish characters, a seriously sweet slow burn, and found-family vibes, don’t miss this one.

✨Includes:✨
Cowboy Author
Assistant To The Magnificent 7
Friends To More
Bookish
Eclectic Cast of Characters
Murder on a Cruise Ship
Protective Hero
Found Family
Whodunnit Cozy Mystery
Phenomenal Narrator
He Takes Care Of Her
Single POV

Favorites:
💭Pip’s inner dialogue
☄️Meteor shower
❗️Dining room pandemonium
😐”I’m brave and afraid.”
🗡️Pip’s unconventional research for Hugh
🌟Lucky Star
🌅”You’re going to make the sunrise jealous.”
🤫Trading secrets
🎹Dinner at the piano bar + “You.”
☺️Nash’s confession
🤢He takes care of her.
💋Dancing + Nash’s type + the kiss
♟️Just pawns
🔎Without A Clue
💻Writing dates

I absolutely love this book. This is my fourth book. I’ve read by. Melissa. I enjoy her writing so much. She puts great thought in the plots of her books . The character she chooses are always so funny, relatable and well rounded. The narrated for these books are by far one of my favorite narrators yet. The voices she does bring the characters to life. Keep up the great writing! I can’t wait to read your next book.

5 Stars! 🌟

​Melissa Ferguson has a way of writing stories that just feel like a warm hug, even when there’s a mystery afoot! Without a Clue was a delightful audiobook experience that I truly didn't want to end.

​The cruise ship setting provided the perfect backdrop for a mystery, it felt intimate and suspenseful but never too heavy. I loved how the humor was woven throughout; I found myself literally laughing out loud at several points. The romance was the perfect "slow burn" addition to the plot, and the narrator's performance was the cherry on top. They managed to capture the distinct voices of the characters so well that I was fully immersed from start to finish.

​If you're looking for an easy, 5-star listen to brighten your week, this is it! 📚✨

Without a Clue is a cozy mystery x rom-com with a dramatic cast of characters.

Brief Synopsis:
Seven authors have spent their lives promoting and helping one another in a group called the Fabulous Seven. With the help of their Administrative Assistant, Penelope Dupont (our MC), they plan a cruise ship event to host workshops and meet with fans. Hugh, the 7s Mystery writer, is suddenly murdered and only Penelope (AKA Pip) can solve the crime. She teams with Nash, the 7s Western writer, to uncover what happened to Hugh and what the other 7s members are hiding.

Review:
What a perfect blend of my favorite genres: Romance and Mystery. A well-executed plot that makes any reader feel cozy and excited when solving the murder along the way with our MC. Pip was a lovable character who had a great sense of realness to her: wants to write but never finishes, has problems in her personal love life, and loves her writers with such intensity.

Ferguson mastered the art of mixing all the great mystery writers into this book, and I cannot wait to read more of her books in the future. A little AHHHS (mystery thrill) to a little AWWWS (romance) made this a perfect book to pick up. Once I started, I couldn't put it down.

This is the book to pick up if you love mysteries you can solve along the way and still have a sprinkle of love in the mix.

If you love:
- whodunits
- forced proximity locations
- year-long secrets
- a "I'll do it myself" main lead
- a handsome man in a cowboy hat
- he falls first
Then this is the book for you.

I would like to thank Netgalley, Melissa Ferguson, Karissa Vacker, and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for providing me an ALC of this book. All opinions expressed are of my own.

Also, a shout-out to Karissa Vacker, the audio narrator of this book. She is one of my favorite audiobook narrators and whenever I see her listed, I automatically make it my next read. If you haven't listened to audiobooks she's done, this is your sign. You will not be disappointed!

I absolutely loved the narrator, she did and incredible work,
It felt like I was watching a movie in my head
WOW!! She’s really talented.
Would to hear more works by her.

This. Was. Incredible.
This is the first book by Melissa Ferguson I've read and its the absolute perfect combination of murder mystery and rom-com. The strong found family vibes between these wild mix of characters was absolutely incredible. I LOVED Nash as a love interest, I LOVED Pip as a main character, I LOVED the absolute insanity that was the magnificent seven.
The writing was superb, the pacing, Pip as a narrator was superb.
10/10 a wonderful fresh air of a novel. Looooooved! And the narration? WONDERFUL. The different voices? So great. This really was a couple of hours of PURE fun!

Many books say they are Rom-Cons but this book is truly laugh out loud funny. Mystery wrapped in comedy with a twist of romance and I was hooked. This audiobook was a great listen and the narrator was top notch.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ALC of this book.

I absolutely devoured this book and wish I could have simply sat and listened to it all in one sitting. Prior to listening to this, I was already a huge Melissa Ferguson fan, but I am now a huge fan of Karissa Vacker as well. Her performance was fantastic.

Penelope (Pip) is a wonderful FMC full of wit and joy and caring, but riddled with self-doubt about her own dreams. So, instead, she works as an assistant to one of “The Fabulous Seven”—seven authors from different genres that often work together to promote their work. She’s become an assistant to all of them, and plans a large book cruise for the Seven and 300 of their biggest fans.

Yet, everything seems to go wrong from the start when her boss ends up dead on the second day and those in charge of the investigation are bumbling fools. So, Pip takes it upon herself to solve the mystery, alongside the author of Westerns—Nash.

I loved the mystery and how Penelope did all the work to solve the two murders before the ship docked again, while she got close to Nash following her recent break-up. The side characters were excellent and made the storyline more than just background to the budding romance.

I truly loved everything about this book, as I often do with Melissa Ferguson’s books, but was so delighted with the audio performance. It really elevated an already excellent story.

🎧 This was a very unique read. I don’t completely know how I feel about a rom-com mixed with a mystery, but honestly in this case it worked. Plus it was hilarious. I laughed out loud multiple times. I really liked the narrator of the audiobook too.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

This book was such an enjoyable read for me. I rlly loved this cute mystery romcom that always kept me guessing.

The novel takes place on a luxury cruise from Miami to Barcelona, and is narrated by Pip, who is struck by the murder of her boss, Hugh, after only a day onboard the cruise. Due to the sheer incompetence of the detective at hand, Pip takes matters into her own hands and (with the help of her dreamy friend, Nash), begins questioning the primary suspects of the murder--Hugh's literary collaborative authors, also known as the Fabulous Seven.

Firstly, I LOVEDDD the narration so much. The way in which the narrator conveyed each of the unique voices of the characters with such emotion genuinely amazed me. Sometimes when I'm listening to an audiobook, the narrator's voice is so monotonous that I have trouble focusing on the storyline, but this certainly wasn't an issue in this book. The perfect genre balance between romance and mystery was definitely one of my favourite things about this read--I just wish the romantic subplot between Nash and Pip could have been expanded a little more. While it leaned more towards a lighthearted comedic conundrum than a heavy/thrilling mystery, it was still fun trying to figure out who the murderer was, especially as each of the characters demonstrated untrustworthy traits.

The characters were also so quirky and interesting to get to know- I especially liked Pip's funny take on everything! also the plot twist was quite unexpected, but probably not as impactful as it could have been. Regardless, I thoroughly enjoyed this cute romcom mystery, and highly recommend it to fans of knives-out style mysteries where everyone is a suspect harbouring their own secrets!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this free audiobook ARC for an unbiased review.

Pip, our heroine is a law-abiding PA to an excentric mystery writer, who leads an author's club. In this club are 6 other eccentric authors. A tragedy occurs during an author's cruise, creating tension and plot. There's a murder, but we are all trapped at sea--which of us did it?!? This is truly an ensemble cast demonstrating found family being challenged murder motives, on vacation! We also have our MMC, Nash, a cowboy with longing written all over him. Will the cowboy get the girl? Will the girl solve the murder? Will the found family all kill each other?

Very readable and a lot of fun. The audiobook was a delight, the narrator did a great job with all the voices and kept the story moving along.

This review is my own. Thank you to the author, narrator, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

These characters were phenomenal. A murder mystery cruise that nobody knew they were signing up for takes an unexpected turn. Pip takes control and tries to solve the murder when things get a little too real. The authors that she is in charge of wrangling have gone awry and she is working to help solve the mystery while also trying to keep herself from being the next victim. Everyone is a potential threat but Pip wants to give them all the benefit of the doubt. The narrrator of this one did a wonderful job and the character development was top notch. This will not be my last Melissa Ferguson.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, the narrator and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the advance listener copy of this title.

Perfection.

I don't think I've read a mystery since my Nancy Drew days; not really my jam. But I love Melissa Ferguson's romances, and I didn't want to let a book of hers go unread. So I was delighted when I was provided both audio and ebook by NetGalley.

I guess I'm a newly-minted cozy mystery fan.

I thoroughly enjoyed the romance and mystery mixed together. And I'll be honest: I didn't figure it out. Maybe I'm a mystery newbie, but it wasn't predictable for me. And I found the ending entirely satisfying.

Pip is a brilliant and super-efficient personal assistant to Hugh and The Magnificent Seven, a group of authors, all from different genres, who are all very successful. On a convention for their readers on a cruise ship, Hugh turns up dead on day two. The ship's security is terrible at best, so Pip decides to conduct her own investigation. Nash, one of the only younger authors, is there to protect her and to sleuth with her. It's not just a mystery. There's definitely a love story here, too. I do wish we'd gotten to see more of their history together as well as as dig deeper into who they are to one another. Maybe a sequel?

In this story, Pip is newly split from a bad relationship and very much a doubter of herself. She grows more confident, but she also leans into a budding talent that was there all along.

It was a joy to gain insight to writing process and all the things that support writers. Ferguson's prose is expertly crafted. So many romance books are "lit lite," and the language is a little lazy. Not hers. She treats these stories as if they are worthy of only the highest quality turns of phrase.

The group of writers was a mix of over-the-top personalities. And there was wisdom in the group that came with age. That's kind of a fresh approach in the rom-com genre, too. The roles of people who were old enough to be grandparents weren't feeble dearheart roles. They had something to offer.

The bookish bunch on a bookish cruise--just so fun!

Also, while I mostly read this in print, the audio was really well done. Highly recommend.

I've been a fan of Melissa Ferguson for a while now and was really excited for the opportunity to read her new "cozy romcom" by way of the audio book. This book definitely leaned into the cozy mystery vibes with Penelope playing the role of amateur sleuth and the budding romance between her and Nash occurring as he helps her put the clues together. I would put it as heavier on the romcom side, but it was a good mix for me and gave me both types of vibes. I thought all the author/writer stuff and the setting on a cruise ship was a fun addition to the story and plot-line and all the different authors of The Fabulous Seven being suspects at one point made it quirky and entertaining. The twist at the end was refreshing and something I didn't predict from the start. It felt on par for me with Ferguson's other books and on brand with her writing style even with the mystery element added.

I found the audio book was easy to follow along with as I listened. Karissa Vacker had the right vibe in her narration for the tone of the story and I thought she did a good job with Penelope's character. I also loved the charming cowboy Nash and the two of them together.

I received an advance listening copy of this book from Netgalley, Thomas Nelson, and Zondervan Fiction Audio. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I recommend this book and would listen to it again.

This is the first book that I have read by this author and I now want to read her entire back catalogue.

I loved this book and to be honest, I don't really know why. It was just one of those books that makes you feel happy and lifts your mood. I couldn't stop listening to this book.

It was also really refreshing to read a clean romance.

And Nash. I loved him. I'd love to read the book he was writing. A perfect romantic hero.

I don't know what kind of magic Melissa Ferguson popped into this book but I found it enjoyably addictive.

All the stars.

I listened to an audio ARC via Netfalley.

I've loved every book I've read so far from Melissa Ferguson and was so excited when I got approved by @netgalley for the audiobook! A cozy mystery + an author cruise and rom-com vibes? I'm so ready for it!
This book was a delightful blend of quirky characters, lighthearted sleuthing, and a swoony slow-burn romance that kept me smiling from start to finish! Set on a luxury book cruise full of eccentric authors and their devoted fans, it felt like the perfect read right before I venture out on a reader cruise of my own! (But hopefully minus the murder;). Pip's witty personality and her amateur detective antics had me laughing the whole time, and the backdrop of a floating book-lover's paradise just got me even more excited for my upcoming trip!
If you're in the mood for a cozy whodunit mystery that's sweet, clever, and full of charm, this one's an absolute blast!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (11 STARS)
Without a Clue by Melissa Ferguson is pure delight—clever, heartfelt, and laugh-out-loud funny in a way that feels effortless. This is the kind of book that reminds you why rom-coms exist in the first place: sharp banter, impeccable timing, and characters you immediately want to spend more time with.
Melissa Ferguson absolutely nails the voice. The humor is smart without being snarky, charming without being cheesy, and the emotional beats land beautifully. The main character is refreshingly relatable—awkward, earnest, and trying her best—while the romance unfolds with just the right mix of tension and tenderness.
What really earns this book its extra stars is the balance. It’s light and fun, yes, but it also has heart. There’s depth beneath the comedy, and moments that quietly sneak up on you and matter more than you expect. The pacing is perfect, the dialogue sparkles, and the story never overstays its welcome.
If you want a book that makes you smile constantly, root hard for the characters, and finish with a genuinely happy sigh, Without a Clue delivers—and then some. Eleven stars, no question. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I received both the e- arc and audio arc through NetGalley.

How far would you go to help your employee find their true self?

Pip Is the assistant to Hugh ,a man apart of the magnificent seven who are the magnificent seven , you ask. A group of seven book writers who rule the literary world.


The book is set on a cruise focusing on all things books written by the magnificent seven. Everything is going according to plan until Hugh is murdered and Pip goes into sleuth mode to find out who is the murderer.



While I’m not a fan of slow burn romance it wasn’t the main focus of the plot. Without a clue relies more on cozy mystery with a hint of romance.


Thank you NetGalley and ThomasNelson for the e-arc and thank you to Thomas Nelson and Zondervan audio for the audio arc in exchange for my honest review.

This book is perfect for anyone who loves no spice rom-coms with a bit of mystery thrown in. If you love authors like Courtney Walsh, or Cindy Steel, this will be a home run choice.

I LOVED this book. Melissa Ferguson is a captivating author who spins tales with enough humor to keep the story light, but she writes characters with such depth you would think it’s classic novel!

The story was intriguing and a page turner for sure. I loved the growth of the main character and the conclusion was so very satisfying. Hands down the best quote of the book: “I choose you.” Literal tears.

The narrator for this audiobook was absolutely brilliant and brought so much life to the story.

Thank you Melissa Ferguson and your team for allowing me to enjoy this ARC copy.

Without a Clue was such a fun mystery that I listened to the audiobook in one day! Pip was such a fun character, she certainly had her melt down moments (who could blame her) but she was also a badass who kicked butt and took names when she needed to. Living the mystery through her was hilarious and suspenseful at times.

I loved the characters of the Magnificent Seven, they each had their oddities and as the story progresses I loved learning more about them. I absolutely loved Nash and his protectiveness of Pip. Seeing their relationship grow from more than just friends was a highlight among the chaos. I would love to see more of Nash and Pip ❤️

One of my favorite movies is Clue and like the movie, without a clue had some twists and turns and made you laugh when it seems like you shouldn’t. If you like to laugh and try to solve mysteries, this books is for you!

*Thank you to NetGalley and to Thomas Nelson Fiction. I received a complementary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.*

I wasn’t sure if the narrator was one person or multiple but with every character that talked, you could tell who it was that was speaking. I loved how the narrator gave emotion. I was constantly on my feet with this book. This was my first audiobook and I can say it will not be my last. Every time I thought I knew how the story would end, there was a change in direction. In the best way possible. I loved not knowing how it would end. And the twist was unpredictable but not unbelievable. It was a mystery but with a spice free love story.

// thank you for netgalley and the publishers for letting me read the arc of this book!

a cowboy romance AND a murder mystery AND a book about people who loves books

now THAT’S my kinda book

i will say, i didn’t love the way the conflict was resolved towards the end of the book, but that was just personal preference. the cast of characters was fantastic and i was HOOKED from start to finished. i was gasping out loud as i was doing my laundry–that’s how good this book was.

Got the audio for this, and can I just say that I'm in love? Not even published yet but I want more. I need more!

This was a fantastic book. Characters were laid out in a manner that helped me recognize them later, and there are a few. The Fabulous Seven! All on a cruise. Not too many characters that I felt tripped up, just enough to keep the story interesting.

This story was so good. I could not put it down. The narration was phenomenal, especially with so many main voices. Penelope and Nash were tangible, especially Penelope's frustration and worry about a murder onboard a cruise.

Penelope is also going through a terrible breakup. Everyone says, don't ask what else can happen. This is that story for Penelope.

The plot, the pacing, everything is perfectly timed. I thought I had it, then I lost it. Then I maybe had it, then I lost it. This is a great one. This is a cozy mystery dream but with a bit more bite.

Thank you to UpLit Tours and Thomas Nelson for the ALC and ARC of Without a Clue by Melissa Ferguson. All opinions are my own.

This is my first book from this author, but I definitely want to read more from her after enjoying this book so much.

Without a Clue is a combination of romance and cozy mystery. I loved the lighthearted and humorous tone of this story even though it also dealt with some heavier topics. The story was entertaining and sweet.

Pip was such a fun protagonist. I loved her determination to solve the mystery while also dealing with recent heartbreak and the consideration of a new romance. Her friendships with Hugh and Nash were so sweet. I loved how much she cared about people.

The romance between Pip and Nash was so cute. I loved how Nash wasn’t afraid to show his feelings to Pip, and I liked how they stuck together to solve the mystery. He was also so protective of her, and it made me smile every time he tried to help her.

The mystery was interesting, and I wasn’t able to figure it out, so that made it all the more fun to keep reading.

I ended up listening to the audiobook, and I loved Karissa Vacker as a narrator. She is always such a good narrator, and I thought she fit well with this story.

Overall, I would recommend this book if you like fun mysteries with some romance thrown in.

I listened to the audio version of this book narrated by Karissa Vacker. She did a wonderful job on the narration and all the different voice made the book even more fun.

This is a romcom married to a cozy mystery. Pip is the assistant to a writer and when he shows up dead on the book cruise they are on, Pip decides to investigate the rest of his writing group called the Magnificent Seven. That's the cozy mystery part.

All of the characters were interesting in their own unique way, but Pip has sort of a thing for one of them. Nash is a big tall drink of water cowboy and he seems to like Pip right back. That's the romance part. There was also a twist I certainly didn't see coming at the end.

The story was fantastic! This audio book was a lot of fun to listen to. I think the different voices made it even better. I hope the author and narrator team up again, because I'm ready!

Thanks to Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the copy via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own

Devoured this audiobook in a day. Took a while to get into the story but once I did I was hooked. Fantastic.

I really enjoyed it!
I laughed, I loved the romance and loved the mystery - it was a win for me. I also really enjoyed the audiobook and Karissa Vacker was a great narrator.

The timeline of the cruise didn't fit the reality, and authors were clichés, but turns out that cliché side was funny, and you end up not caring about how fast they cross atlantica. I loved the investigation, following Penelope in the other authors interviews, see each of them getting a true personality and history, and seeing Pip using her knowledge from books as her base for sluthering. I had my doubts about that plot twist but I really enjoyed how it came in, it was fun (while a bit traumatic for Pip).

The romance was great, with no spice (which I liked personally). It's here, it's present, but the investigation stays the priority, so it was nicely balanced and finding the culprit was more important than getting lovey-dovey with her cowboy. It was sweet and I liked that he was still investigated even if she loved him!

I highly recommand it for a fun read, specially for readers who enjoy amateur sluthering and romance, and also highly recommand the audiobook!

Such a good murder mystery and romance wrapped in one. I loved both the FMC and the MMC, as well as their chemistry.
I’ll definitely be checking out more by this author.

In an effort to avoid spoilers, all I can say is, what a delightful madcap romp of a book. I enjoyed the heck out of the reading experience. Deducted half a star because I guessed the ending in chapter 5.

A cruise ship becomes the scene of a murder when an author is found deceased. His assistant undertakes the investigation to identify the perpetrator, during which she develops a romantic interest in a charismatic individual. Can you deduce the murderer's identity prior to the conclusion of the narrative?I thoroughly enjoyed this reading; the narrative is captivating, and the narrator's voice is remarkably smooth and pleasant. While the book itself is excellent, the soothing quality of her voice could easily induce a state of relaxation.

One word. Fabulous! I loved this story and the narrator was wonderful. I would listen to an audiobook with this narrator again. I could tell the different characters and had good inflection. I think this might be my favorite title of this author's. I think this book only took me a couple of days to finish. I easily escaped into the story. I was hooked from the beginning. Great flow to the story with a robust story and characters. The author really set the scene and environment. There was great dialogue all around. Nash was a gem and he just had the best lines. I loved the conversations between Penelope and Nash. Nina was hilarious and actually all the magnificent 7 was. All the antics! Lol I wanted to hurry and know how the story would end but I also wanted to slow it down because I wasn't ready to be done with the book! The cozy mystery was nice and with good humor. A perfect ending with a little twist.

*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy. all opinions are my own.

Locked-room mystery. Rom-com charm. A cruise ship full of dramatic authors.
And yes… a murder.

This book is an absolute delight. It is a laugh-out-loud, locked-door whodunit wrapped in the coziest summer rom-com vibes.

I am such a sucker for a mystery threaded into literally any genre, and this one does it beautifully. Every character feels distinct, memorable, and fun. The third-act conflict (which I usually hate in rom-coms) was handled in such a refreshing, emotionally intelligent way. It actually made sense. And the ending? Completely satisfying! This is the kind of book that deserves a reread, where you’ll catch all the clever little breadcrumbs you didn’t notice the first time.

Audiobook Review:

Karissa Vacker’s narration is phenomenal.
There are a lot of characters, but she makes each voice so clear and unique that it never gets confusing. Her delivery adds an extra layer of charm, humor, and warmth to the entire story. I’m officially hunting down everything else she’s narrated.

Content Warnings
• On-page murder (non-graphic)
• Closed-circle “everyone’s a suspect” tension
• Mild peril
• Grief

No explicit language
Clean/No spice romance


If you finish this and immediately want more Melissa Ferguson, Meet Me in the Margins was one of my favorites of 2025 and is a must-read.


Thank you Thomas Nelson Fiction for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.