FABULOUS!! Without a Clue is another knockout novel by Melissa Ferguson, and I applaud the risk she took in writing a mystery rom-com—it truly paid off. The story is funny, witty, charming, romantic, and entertaining, with just the right touch of suspense. I was hooked from the very beginning and loved the direction the plot took.
Synopsis
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.
Melissa Ferguson is one of my immediate-read authors. Every year, I eagerly await her latest release and often request her books on NetGalley with only a glance at the synopsis, because she never disappoints. This recent novel is no exception. I truly stepped into this adventure “without a clue” of what to expect, but once I got my sea legs, I couldn’t put it down.
Penelope is a relatable and easy-to-love protagonist. Her personality jumps off the pages, and the drama that ensues is delightfully comical —though I know Pip doesn’t think so, haha. Wrangling a group of eccentric writers on a cruise ship is not for the faint of heart, yet Penelope handles it with professionalism and care. No matter what situations she gets roped into, she remains a good sport and clearly loves what she does, which shines through during her quest to uncover her boss’s killer.
I can’t forget about Nash, Pip’s rugged investigative partner, who is also a prime suspect. His presence adds another entertaining layer of tension and romance to the storyline. Smart, handsome, and kind, Nash is practically too good to be true, but despite the sparks flying between them, Penelope must remain impartial as she interviews her closest friends, uncovering secrets that could drive someone to kill.
I think Melissa has found a new niche with this murder mystery rom-com. The blend creates a fantastic escape from the real world and, surprisingly, it works beautifully… I might even need to reread it!
*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a pre-release copy of this novel. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.*
Positive content: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Language: 0
Sexual content: ⭐️
Violence: ⭐️
Godly content: 0
Age: 13+
