I have to admit that there are some types of mystery stories I cannot stop reading and there are some that are good but don’t grab me as much.
If you are a fan of a traditional spooky mansion murder mystery, this is the one for you! Check out my review and thoughts below.
She Doesn’t Have a Clue by Jenny Elder Moke
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Pub Date: January 21, 2025
ISBN-13: 978-1250354969
OVERVIEW:
A high-end wedding on a private island off the coast of Seattle sounds like something out of a magazine. But for bestselling mystery author Kate Valentine, it’s more like a nightmare.
Why Kate agreed to attend her ex-fiancé’s wedding is its own enigma, but she’ll plaster on a fake smile for two nights, with the aid of free champagne, naturally. And because the groom happens to be her editor, she’ll try to finish a draft of her latest Loretta Starling mystery as a wedding gift.
When the bride is poisoned and Kate stumbles across a dead body, she finds herself in a real-life mystery that eerily echoes the plot of her latest novel. And the only person who seems willing to help Kate catch the killer is Jake Hawkins, aka: the Hostralian; aka: Kate’s biggest romantic regret.
As the wine flows and the weather threatens to hold every guest hostage, bitter resentments and long-held grudges surface amongst the colorful crowd. Anyone could be capable of murder, it seems. What would Loretta do? Unfortunately, Kate doesn’t have a clue.
She Doesn’t Have a Clue by Jenny Elder Moke Review
When it comes to a traditional murder mystery, certain aspects are almost required. Let’s see how we do.
- Spooky mansion – check
- Story nights – check
- Family inheritance drama – check
- Ex-lovers drama – check
- Dysfunctional family – check
- Smoking hot wanna-be flame – check
- Somewhat weird, super-focused sleuth – check
This book perfectly lays out a good traditional theme set up and bones of an old-style murder mystery. It is wacky and loaded with twists as everyone becomes a suspect.
The author managed to include so many characters that you truly have to wade through everything to figure out who is suspect and who is just there muddying the waters. As for our super sleuth, she is a writer who keeps bouncing back into books she has written for help, somewhat reminiscent of a Jessica Fletcher wanna-be.
What sets this main character apart is this one is much younger and we are treated to a lovely second-chance romance through it all too. I have to say Jake makes this book for me. Sexy and nursing a tender heart.
She Doesn’t Have a Clue is a wild story but parts of it got to be too much for me with chasing the who-dun-it scenarios. For true lovers of this trope, it is a perfect choice. Weird, wild, humorous, witty, steamy. What’s not to love?
Moke delivers the goods with this story, but unfortunately, it is not my style.
3 STARS for my personal enjoyment
4 STARS for the written story
Disclaimer: Chris has personally reviewed the product listed above. She has not received any monetary compensation for her review but did receive a free ebook so she could evaluate and use it for this post. Her thoughts & opinions in this review are unbiased & honest and your opinions may differ.
Hi! I’m Chris! Just a Midlife Wife sharing about life’s journey; screaming and kicking through it while supposedly aging gracefully…
Focusing on healthy living, low carb & keto, things I am loving right now, and life in general.