Without a Clue by Melissa Ferguson - A Review

Without a Clue by Melissa Ferguson - A Review

Without a Clue was an enjoyable, fast-paced murder mystery with a strong romantic element, and overall a very fun reading experience. I listened to the audiobook ARC, and the narration by Karissa Vacker was fantastic. She brought so much personality to the story, with clear and distinct character voices that made the large cast easy to follow and added an extra layer of enjoyment.

The story follows Penelope “Pip” Dupont, the personal assistant to bestselling mystery author Hugh Griffin. Pip has organized a literary cruise for Hugh and his group of writers known as The Fabulous Seven. What’s meant to be a relaxing and creative getaway quickly turns into a locked-room mystery when one of the authors is found murdered, followed by a second death on board. With the suspects limited to people Pip knows well, she’s forced to put her years of behind-the-scenes mystery research to use and figure out who the killer is before it’s too late.

The cruise-ship setting is used effectively to create a classic locked-room mystery, and the ensemble cast is a clear strength of the novel. Each character is distinct, contributing to a steady narrative momentum. The romantic subplot between Pip and Nash provides emotional balance to the story, and Nash stands out as a particularly compelling and swoon-worthy hero. Despite being marketed as a rom-com, the book reads more accurately as a murder mystery romance. The tone is light and approachable, but the humor is understated rather than laugh-out-loud.

Overall, Without a Clue is a charming, Knives Out–style cozy mystery with a sweet romantic subplot and a memorable cast of characters. I’d highly recommend the audiobook, and I think fans of cozy mysteries and light romance will find this to be a very enjoyable read.

Thank you Thomas Nelson, Zondervan Fiction Audio and NetGalley for the audio arc copy which I received in exchange for an honest review. 

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