Skip to main content
book cover for Without a Clue

Without a Clue

Narrated by Karissa Vacker

You must sign in to see if this title is available for request. Sign In or Register Now

Send NetGalley books directly to your Kindle or Kindle app


1

To read on a Kindle or Kindle app, please add kindle@netgalley.com as an approved email address to receive files in your Amazon account. Click here for step-by-step instructions.

2

Also find your Kindle email address within your Amazon account, and enter it here.

Pub Date Feb 17 2026 | Archive Date Mar 17 2026


Talking about this book? Use #WithoutaClue #NetGalley. More hashtag tips!


Description

A laugh-out-loud rom-com wrapped in a whodunit, this high-seas adventure proves that sometimes the best love stories start with a little murder.

Penelope Mae Dupont has one superpower: keeping her cool. Which is essential when you're the personal assistant to renowned mystery author Hugh Griffin. But when Pip organizes a luxury book cruise featuring The Fabulous Seven—a glittering cast of seven bestselling authors known for both their brilliance and their drama—her trademark composure starts slipping. One boat. Seven egos. Hundreds of fans. What could possibly go wrong?

Well . . . murder, for starters.

On day two, Hugh is found dead--and the cruise security team proves to be utterly incompetent. Stranded in the middle of the Atlantic with no help in sight, Pip realizes if anyone's going to solve the case, it'll have to be her. And so, with her friend and ally Nash, the dreamy Western author who's just as rugged as the cowboys he writes about, she puts her amateur sleuthing skills to the test.

As Pip and Nash navigate an ocean of secrets, shocking twists, and one too many red herrings, she'll have to decide whether she's meant to stay behind the scenes--or finally step into the spotlight . . . and maybe, just maybe, find love along the way.

In the world of mystery and love, sometimes you have to risk going overboard to find the truth.

A laugh-out-loud rom-com wrapped in a whodunit, this high-seas adventure proves that sometimes the best love stories start with a little murder.

Penelope Mae Dupont has one superpower: keeping her...


Available Editions

EDITION Audiobook, Unabridged
ISBN 9780840716934
PRICE

Available on NetGalley

NetGalley Shelf App (AUDIO)

Average rating from 299 members


Featured Reviews

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

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

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

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.

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

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

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

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!

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

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.

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

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!

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

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.

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

🎧 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. 🚢💙📚

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

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.)

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

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.

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

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.

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

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

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

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.

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

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.

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

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

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

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 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

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

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
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!

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

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!

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

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.

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

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.

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

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.

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

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!

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

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.

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

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!

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

“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.

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

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

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

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. ***

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

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.

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

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.

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 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. 💖📖✨

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

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.

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

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?

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

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.

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

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!

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

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.

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

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.

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

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!

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

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!

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

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.

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

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!

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

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

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

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.

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

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

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

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
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?

Readers who liked this book also liked: