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A Paul Whatshisname Mystery #1
Additional Attendee
Can Paul stop his navel-gazing and find out what happened to his wife and who killed the dog trainer? Life in a condo can be exciting!
Paul, a part-time actor and full-time narcissist, just knows that his wife is having an affair with the dog trainer who lives upstairs in their luxury apartment building. But when he tries to catch them in the act, he finds the neighbor’s corpse instead. And now he can’t find his wife anywhere.
With only the building’s alluring front desk person to help him, Paul must find the killer before the cops pin the murder on him. Soon, he discovers that his fellow over-privileged tenants aren’t as bland as their jobs in digital marketing suggest, and he is drawn into a hidden world of greed, lust, and misused animal narcotics.
But Paul’s biggest obstacle to solving this mystery lies within himself. Can he stop lying, navel-gazing, and indulging in his own depression long enough to do some actual detective work? Or is the pool on the roof too damn enticing?
While serving up a who-done-it in the vein of Anthony Horowitz’s Hawthorne and Horowitz series, Additional Attendee maintains the momentum and contains the grit of an Elmore Leonard novel. Along the way, it offers up a healthy dose of existential comedy in the tradition of Gary Shteyngart and Sam Lipsyte.
Paul, a part-time actor and full-time narcissist, just knows that his wife is having an affair with the dog trainer who lives upstairs in their luxury apartment building. But when he tries to catch them in the act, he finds the neighbor’s corpse instead. And now he can’t find his wife anywhere.
With only the building’s alluring front desk person to help him, Paul must find the killer before the cops pin the murder on him. Soon, he discovers that his fellow over-privileged tenants aren’t as bland as their jobs in digital marketing suggest, and he is drawn into a hidden world of greed, lust, and misused animal narcotics.
But Paul’s biggest obstacle to solving this mystery lies within himself. Can he stop lying, navel-gazing, and indulging in his own depression long enough to do some actual detective work? Or is the pool on the roof too damn enticing?
While serving up a who-done-it in the vein of Anthony Horowitz’s Hawthorne and Horowitz series, Additional Attendee maintains the momentum and contains the grit of an Elmore Leonard novel. Along the way, it offers up a healthy dose of existential comedy in the tradition of Gary Shteyngart and Sam Lipsyte.
286 pages, Paperback
Published July 30, 2024
68 people are currently reading
2480 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
July 27, 2024
Thoroughly enjoyed this book!
Really nicely written, felt like I was being told a story from a friend sitting across from me as the narrator adresses the reader often. Loads of sarcasm, banter and humour. I loved the inner monologes and how Paul argued with himself to come to conclusions and the tangents he goes off on, I found myself chuckling along quite a bit.
As a character, Paul isn't much to shout about, bit of a d***k but in a good way, he's absolute carnage sometimes but you kinda root for him because he's funny.
"feeling murderous and hungry... A bad combination"
All been there mate... See... He's a funny guy.
The author's talent for creating a character is fantastic through his use of the language, and by that I mean the literal language and phrases the character uses, I can literally picture and even hear the characters talking.
As Paul plays detective, I have still no idea where the story is going, not even the slightest clue who did anything, and when I think it's all wrapping up nicely, Im slid a smooth and subtle twist, like what the heck?!
Very nicely done! Really good book, isn't too much of a mind boggler. Definitely recommend.
Thanks to the Auther and his brilliant humor, the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read and enjoy this book.
Really nicely written, felt like I was being told a story from a friend sitting across from me as the narrator adresses the reader often. Loads of sarcasm, banter and humour. I loved the inner monologes and how Paul argued with himself to come to conclusions and the tangents he goes off on, I found myself chuckling along quite a bit.
As a character, Paul isn't much to shout about, bit of a d***k but in a good way, he's absolute carnage sometimes but you kinda root for him because he's funny.
"feeling murderous and hungry... A bad combination"
All been there mate... See... He's a funny guy.
The author's talent for creating a character is fantastic through his use of the language, and by that I mean the literal language and phrases the character uses, I can literally picture and even hear the characters talking.
As Paul plays detective, I have still no idea where the story is going, not even the slightest clue who did anything, and when I think it's all wrapping up nicely, Im slid a smooth and subtle twist, like what the heck?!
Very nicely done! Really good book, isn't too much of a mind boggler. Definitely recommend.
Thanks to the Auther and his brilliant humor, the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read and enjoy this book.
July 8, 2024
What a fun read! Paul, the main character, is the narrator. He is not the most likable guy, but he is funny and I found myself rooting for him as the story progresses. He occasionally addresses the reader directly, which I enjoy (in this way the book is similar to “Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone”). The mystery is compelling and ends with a couple of surprises. I did feel like some parts were a little too unbelievable and drawn out, which is why this is 4 rather than 5 stars. I will be picking up the next book in this series when it comes out! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
August 19, 2024
I loved this debut by a very talented new author on the mystery scene! It’s rare to read a mystery that is laugh-out-loud funny, yet despite that levity has a depth, darkness and sense of snark that puts it squarely outside of the cozy murder mystery genre.
The story is told in the first-person by Paul, who is unreliable as a narrator and also generally in life. He lives with his wife Laura in an upscale apartment building in Brooklyn, unburdened by children or really any responsibilities - outside of getting his morning bagel or occasionally walking his dog. In truth, he’s skimming the surface of existence there, without any real knowledge about the other people in the building, beyond Alina, a cute twenty-something who works at the front desk yet dreams of losing her job. But this all changes when a tenant in the building, whom Paul suspects his wife of having an affair with, inconveniently winds up murdered. To avoid being accused of the crime himself, he’s forced to find the killer, but the biggest obstacle in his way is himself.
The writing is strong on all fronts – from the setting, to the plotting and pacing, to the bold and distinctive characters. But the stand-out for me is the musing observations and internal struggles of Paul, which are at once highly distasteful yet entirely relatable. He is deeply flawed yet still somehow lovable, and you find yourself rooting for him, even as he makes silly, self-serving and - at times - downright stupid decisions.
The story has the great framework of a mystery, with perfectly spaced-out breadcrumbs of clues, a great cast of possibly-guilty characters and lots of page-turning twists and surprises. But what really stands out in the writing is the humor, sarcasm and clever wit that is woven throughout: it’s there in the action, it’s there in the dialogue and it’s all there in Paul’s neurotically distorted – yet all-too-human – thoughts and impulses.
I haven’t laughed at a book this much since I read A Confederacy of Dunces years ago! I highly recommend this for anyone who loves humor and/or enjoys mysteries or psychological thrillers.
Thank you Josh Harper for the ARC!
The story is told in the first-person by Paul, who is unreliable as a narrator and also generally in life. He lives with his wife Laura in an upscale apartment building in Brooklyn, unburdened by children or really any responsibilities - outside of getting his morning bagel or occasionally walking his dog. In truth, he’s skimming the surface of existence there, without any real knowledge about the other people in the building, beyond Alina, a cute twenty-something who works at the front desk yet dreams of losing her job. But this all changes when a tenant in the building, whom Paul suspects his wife of having an affair with, inconveniently winds up murdered. To avoid being accused of the crime himself, he’s forced to find the killer, but the biggest obstacle in his way is himself.
The writing is strong on all fronts – from the setting, to the plotting and pacing, to the bold and distinctive characters. But the stand-out for me is the musing observations and internal struggles of Paul, which are at once highly distasteful yet entirely relatable. He is deeply flawed yet still somehow lovable, and you find yourself rooting for him, even as he makes silly, self-serving and - at times - downright stupid decisions.
The story has the great framework of a mystery, with perfectly spaced-out breadcrumbs of clues, a great cast of possibly-guilty characters and lots of page-turning twists and surprises. But what really stands out in the writing is the humor, sarcasm and clever wit that is woven throughout: it’s there in the action, it’s there in the dialogue and it’s all there in Paul’s neurotically distorted – yet all-too-human – thoughts and impulses.
I haven’t laughed at a book this much since I read A Confederacy of Dunces years ago! I highly recommend this for anyone who loves humor and/or enjoys mysteries or psychological thrillers.
Thank you Josh Harper for the ARC!
July 30, 2024
Additional Attendee was the quickest read of my last 2 years. The voice was hilarious, witty, engaging with the reader, and frankly I felt like I was listening to my friend. A hungover friend, but a friend nonetheless. It was clever, fast, endearing and questionable.
I need more Paul!
I need more Paul!
October 4, 2024
Paul Whatshisname (he is never given a last name) is in his midlife slump. Far from a crisis, he’s weighed down with so much ennui it takes him months to finally work up the gumption to even take the elevator to confront his wife, whom he suspects is cheating with the doggie trainer on the 8th floor.
Instead of finding his wife mid-coitus, he finds the body of his neighbour. Definitely murdered. His wife? Nowhere to be found.
With the help of the cute front desk girl (whom he’s been leering at for the last few months) and an eccentric detective, it’s up to Paul to solve the crime and find out what the heck has happened to his wife. If he can convince himself the effort is worth it, that is.
This book made me want to give it different starred ratings depending on the time I was reading it. At the beginning I found the prose to be laced with filler words, and almost too conversational. I like a laid-back feel to writing, but it took me a while to believe it was intentional and not just lazy. To be fair, I did get into it eventually and didn’t notice the style much after that.
Paul is also a bit of a contentious character choice for me. There seems to be a trend in media these days to portray a “lovable loser” as the main character. Like we’re supposed to sympathize with his mid-life drudgery and his apathy when it comes to changing anything about it. Like he’s supposed to be a mirror to us. I don’t love it. I’m okay with imperfect characters. I love being able to relate to someone who is struggling—we all need that. But I guess I just think we can do better than following a selfish loser around for 4 hours of reading, especially since he doesn’t seem to grow in any meaningful ways, and has a bad habit of turning everything around to be about him. I found myself much more invested in some of the side characters. Ones that actually seemed to care about anything but themself.
His sad life is told in an entertaining way, I’ll give it that. And perhaps as a dark humour, this is the sad state of life it works. I just didn’t find it landed for me. And I love me some dark humour.
The mystery itself… well it’s another head scratcher I guess. On one hand, I did not guess the final solution, but on the other, I don’t think that the clues were laid out that I should’ve been able to guess it. Perhaps that wasn’t the point of the story, but once Paul latches onto a suspect, there isn’t a whole lot of other information we’re given, nor any additional evidence that would help us make an informed guess before the end. It makes sense when it is revealed, but we aren’t given a chance to put it together. And you know what? That can be okay too. It’s just not my preferred type of mystery.
Speaking of the end: whew, another "I don’t know" moment. It ties in with the reveal of the mystery: Paul doesn’t solve the crime himself. Without spoiling it, the mystery is revealed to him in a pretty blatant way rather than him being able to put two and two together, along with the reader. It feels a bit cheap to me, to be honest, like if it were better written, Paul and the reader could’ve figured it out. Harper still could’ve done the ending he chose, he could’ve just had Paul figure it out before the final curtain.
And that final curtain? Well, I can’t spoil it, but I wasn’t a fan. Beyond the issue with the mystery, it was a pretty odd choice, especially with the little tag at the end that reassures the reader. It also employs the MC writing to the reader gambit, which I’ve never really loved.
I did find myself really wanting to keep reading, despite all these negatives, so obviously the characterization was compelling enough for me to hang in there. I just didn’t love what ended up happening with those characters.
A few moments that really shined were the quips about how the mystery genre is basically just following characters around and listening to them talk to different people, as well as comparing short stories to having to meet a new person every 20 pages. I loved those little insights, probably because that is why I avoid short stories, and that is my biggest worry as a mystery author: “Are my characters just sitting around talking?! Will this get boring? Wait… Isn’t this what they all do?”
So, that’s my mixed-bag review of this book. If you’re a fan of midlife ennui, and following around a (I hesitate to call him lovable) loser, then this might be the book for you.
Instead of finding his wife mid-coitus, he finds the body of his neighbour. Definitely murdered. His wife? Nowhere to be found.
With the help of the cute front desk girl (whom he’s been leering at for the last few months) and an eccentric detective, it’s up to Paul to solve the crime and find out what the heck has happened to his wife. If he can convince himself the effort is worth it, that is.
This book made me want to give it different starred ratings depending on the time I was reading it. At the beginning I found the prose to be laced with filler words, and almost too conversational. I like a laid-back feel to writing, but it took me a while to believe it was intentional and not just lazy. To be fair, I did get into it eventually and didn’t notice the style much after that.
Paul is also a bit of a contentious character choice for me. There seems to be a trend in media these days to portray a “lovable loser” as the main character. Like we’re supposed to sympathize with his mid-life drudgery and his apathy when it comes to changing anything about it. Like he’s supposed to be a mirror to us. I don’t love it. I’m okay with imperfect characters. I love being able to relate to someone who is struggling—we all need that. But I guess I just think we can do better than following a selfish loser around for 4 hours of reading, especially since he doesn’t seem to grow in any meaningful ways, and has a bad habit of turning everything around to be about him. I found myself much more invested in some of the side characters. Ones that actually seemed to care about anything but themself.
His sad life is told in an entertaining way, I’ll give it that. And perhaps as a dark humour, this is the sad state of life it works. I just didn’t find it landed for me. And I love me some dark humour.
The mystery itself… well it’s another head scratcher I guess. On one hand, I did not guess the final solution, but on the other, I don’t think that the clues were laid out that I should’ve been able to guess it. Perhaps that wasn’t the point of the story, but once Paul latches onto a suspect, there isn’t a whole lot of other information we’re given, nor any additional evidence that would help us make an informed guess before the end. It makes sense when it is revealed, but we aren’t given a chance to put it together. And you know what? That can be okay too. It’s just not my preferred type of mystery.
Speaking of the end: whew, another "I don’t know" moment. It ties in with the reveal of the mystery: Paul doesn’t solve the crime himself. Without spoiling it, the mystery is revealed to him in a pretty blatant way rather than him being able to put two and two together, along with the reader. It feels a bit cheap to me, to be honest, like if it were better written, Paul and the reader could’ve figured it out. Harper still could’ve done the ending he chose, he could’ve just had Paul figure it out before the final curtain.
And that final curtain? Well, I can’t spoil it, but I wasn’t a fan. Beyond the issue with the mystery, it was a pretty odd choice, especially with the little tag at the end that reassures the reader. It also employs the MC writing to the reader gambit, which I’ve never really loved.
I did find myself really wanting to keep reading, despite all these negatives, so obviously the characterization was compelling enough for me to hang in there. I just didn’t love what ended up happening with those characters.
A few moments that really shined were the quips about how the mystery genre is basically just following characters around and listening to them talk to different people, as well as comparing short stories to having to meet a new person every 20 pages. I loved those little insights, probably because that is why I avoid short stories, and that is my biggest worry as a mystery author: “Are my characters just sitting around talking?! Will this get boring? Wait… Isn’t this what they all do?”
So, that’s my mixed-bag review of this book. If you’re a fan of midlife ennui, and following around a (I hesitate to call him lovable) loser, then this might be the book for you.
November 22, 2024
Josh Harper’s Additional Attendee is a wildly entertaining murder mystery that pairs clever plotting with biting humor. The book introduces Paul Whatshisname, an unemployed actor with an ego far larger than his talent, who somehow finds himself at the center of a murder investigation in his swanky apartment building. While he spends more time admiring his reflection than doing anything productive, circumstances force him to play detective when he stumbles upon a dead body and his wife goes missing.
Paul is not your typical hero. He’s selfish, neurotic, and often infuriating, yet Harper writes him with such wit and sharpness that you can’t help but be drawn in. His voice carries the story, blending dark humor with moments of genuine introspection, creating a character who feels both absurd and oddly relatable. Watching Paul try to navigate the chaos of the murder investigation while struggling against his own narcissistic tendencies is part of the book’s charm—and its comedy.
The mystery itself is tightly woven and full of surprises. Paul’s investigation leads him to uncover the bizarre and sordid lives of his neighbors, who are anything but the polished professionals they appear to be. Beneath the glossy surface of their luxury apartment building lies a mess of secrets involving greed, lust, and even animal drugs. Harper keeps the tension high, delivering twists and turns that keep the reader guessing until the end.
What makes Additional Attendee stand out is its tone. The book doesn’t take itself too seriously, instead embracing a satirical edge that skewers modern urban life, from over-the-top amenities to the superficial lives of its characters. Paul’s interactions with the building’s enigmatic front desk worker (who ends up being his unlikely partner in sleuthing) provide some of the book’s funniest moments, but they also reveal glimpses of humanity buried under Paul’s inflated ego.
Harper’s writing is fast-paced and full of sharp dialogue, evoking the gritty charm of Elmore Leonard while injecting a dose of existential comedy in the style of Gary Shteyngart or Sam Lipsyte. It’s an unusual blend of humor and suspense, but it works seamlessly, making the book a refreshing take on the traditional whodunit. Ultimately, Additional Attendee is more than just a mystery. It’s a story about a flawed man forced to confront not only a murderer but also his own shortcomings. Paul’s journey—hilarious, maddening, and occasionally poignant—is as much about personal growth as it is about solving the crime.
If you’re looking for a murder mystery with a sharp sense of humor, a cast of quirky characters, and a protagonist who is as ridiculous as he is strangely endearing, Additional Attendee is the book for you. Josh Harper has delivered a smart, witty debut that will leave readers eager for more Paul Whatshisname misadventures.
Paul is not your typical hero. He’s selfish, neurotic, and often infuriating, yet Harper writes him with such wit and sharpness that you can’t help but be drawn in. His voice carries the story, blending dark humor with moments of genuine introspection, creating a character who feels both absurd and oddly relatable. Watching Paul try to navigate the chaos of the murder investigation while struggling against his own narcissistic tendencies is part of the book’s charm—and its comedy.
The mystery itself is tightly woven and full of surprises. Paul’s investigation leads him to uncover the bizarre and sordid lives of his neighbors, who are anything but the polished professionals they appear to be. Beneath the glossy surface of their luxury apartment building lies a mess of secrets involving greed, lust, and even animal drugs. Harper keeps the tension high, delivering twists and turns that keep the reader guessing until the end.
What makes Additional Attendee stand out is its tone. The book doesn’t take itself too seriously, instead embracing a satirical edge that skewers modern urban life, from over-the-top amenities to the superficial lives of its characters. Paul’s interactions with the building’s enigmatic front desk worker (who ends up being his unlikely partner in sleuthing) provide some of the book’s funniest moments, but they also reveal glimpses of humanity buried under Paul’s inflated ego.
Harper’s writing is fast-paced and full of sharp dialogue, evoking the gritty charm of Elmore Leonard while injecting a dose of existential comedy in the style of Gary Shteyngart or Sam Lipsyte. It’s an unusual blend of humor and suspense, but it works seamlessly, making the book a refreshing take on the traditional whodunit. Ultimately, Additional Attendee is more than just a mystery. It’s a story about a flawed man forced to confront not only a murderer but also his own shortcomings. Paul’s journey—hilarious, maddening, and occasionally poignant—is as much about personal growth as it is about solving the crime.
If you’re looking for a murder mystery with a sharp sense of humor, a cast of quirky characters, and a protagonist who is as ridiculous as he is strangely endearing, Additional Attendee is the book for you. Josh Harper has delivered a smart, witty debut that will leave readers eager for more Paul Whatshisname misadventures.
September 23, 2024
Additional Attendee by Josh Harper delivers a witty, offbeat take on the mystery genre, cleverly blending absurd humor with elements of suspense. As part of the Paul Whatshisname Mystery series, this book introduces us to Paul, an unlikely detective. Paul’s self-obsession and sarcastic view of the world make him an unusual protagonist, yet it's his very flaws that breathe life into the narrative and set the comedic tone right from the opening page. Harper’s first-person narration provides a candid glimpse into Paul’s scatterbrained thought process, which alternates between existential musings and trivial concerns about bagels, his dog, and his midlife crisis. This tone sets the stage for the eccentric mystery that ensues.
The plot revolves around Paul’s accidental discovery of a murder and the disappearance of his wife, Laura. While trying to confront her suspected infidelity, Paul instead stumbles upon a corpse and finds himself thrust into a world of suspicion, deceit, and peculiar neighbors. What could have been a standard whodunit quickly turns into a darkly humorous exploration of privilege, obsession, and self-delusion. Harper brilliantly uses Paul’s narcissism as both a narrative device and a source of humor, as his tendency to make everything about himself adds layers of absurdity to the unfolding mystery.
The characters in Additional Attendee are richly developed, though many of them embody archetypes turned on their heads. From the building’s tenants—seemingly banal yet harboring sordid secrets—to Alina, the enigmatic front desk worker who becomes Paul’s reluctant partner in crime-solving, each person feels like a caricature of urban luxury life, with hidden complexities revealed as the plot progresses. Alina’s contrasting calm demeanor and subtle sarcasm create a compelling foil to Paul’s chaotic energy, and their dynamic is a major highlight of the book.
Harper’s writing balances humor and tension, gradually building a mystery filled with misdirection and quirky twists. The novel pokes fun at both its protagonist and the genre, while still delivering a satisfying conclusion. Paul’s journey from self-absorbed fool to someone capable of solving a murder—albeit accidentally—makes for a highly entertaining read. For readers looking for a blend of wit, satire, and mystery, Additional Attendee is a refreshing addition to the genre.
The plot revolves around Paul’s accidental discovery of a murder and the disappearance of his wife, Laura. While trying to confront her suspected infidelity, Paul instead stumbles upon a corpse and finds himself thrust into a world of suspicion, deceit, and peculiar neighbors. What could have been a standard whodunit quickly turns into a darkly humorous exploration of privilege, obsession, and self-delusion. Harper brilliantly uses Paul’s narcissism as both a narrative device and a source of humor, as his tendency to make everything about himself adds layers of absurdity to the unfolding mystery.
The characters in Additional Attendee are richly developed, though many of them embody archetypes turned on their heads. From the building’s tenants—seemingly banal yet harboring sordid secrets—to Alina, the enigmatic front desk worker who becomes Paul’s reluctant partner in crime-solving, each person feels like a caricature of urban luxury life, with hidden complexities revealed as the plot progresses. Alina’s contrasting calm demeanor and subtle sarcasm create a compelling foil to Paul’s chaotic energy, and their dynamic is a major highlight of the book.
Harper’s writing balances humor and tension, gradually building a mystery filled with misdirection and quirky twists. The novel pokes fun at both its protagonist and the genre, while still delivering a satisfying conclusion. Paul’s journey from self-absorbed fool to someone capable of solving a murder—albeit accidentally—makes for a highly entertaining read. For readers looking for a blend of wit, satire, and mystery, Additional Attendee is a refreshing addition to the genre.
February 14, 2025
Additional Attendee, written by Josh Harper, is his debut book and the first in his Paulwhatshisname Mystery series. Josh sets the stage nicely with the characters and the setting. Readers will be drawn in instantly and seeing as it takes place mostly in an upscale apartment building, you are sure to want to rent one so you can stay longer .... just be aware of your surroundings.
Readers are introduced to Paul, one of the tenants, who doesn't seem happy with his life. He thinks that his wife, Laura, is cheating on him with someone in the building so he sets out to find out. Unfortunately when he goes to the guys apartment to confront him, he finds him dead. The one good thing about his going there is that he got Alina who works the desk in the lobby to go with him.
Paul doesn't want to tell the police the real reason for being in the dead guys apartment so he lies and tries to get Alina to lie also. Alina doesn't so now Paul is on the police's radar.
Things just keep getting worse for Paul .... Laura never returned home from going to the gym and is not answering her cell phone. Paul never imagined that he would walk into their apartment and find his wife dead in their bed but that is exactly what happens. Now he is trying to solve both murders because he knows he didn't kill anyone .... even though the detective is hot on is tail to arrest !!!
Harper has a way with words, and sorry that some of them are curse words. He paints the picture beautifully for readers to want to keep reading. You will love the setting and you cannot help but love Paul.
It's not often that you get a cozy mystery written by a man so I guess we should give them some slack when we have one ..... You can usually tell when reading a book whether it is written by a male or female and there is nothing wrong with that.
Readers are introduced to Paul, one of the tenants, who doesn't seem happy with his life. He thinks that his wife, Laura, is cheating on him with someone in the building so he sets out to find out. Unfortunately when he goes to the guys apartment to confront him, he finds him dead. The one good thing about his going there is that he got Alina who works the desk in the lobby to go with him.
Paul doesn't want to tell the police the real reason for being in the dead guys apartment so he lies and tries to get Alina to lie also. Alina doesn't so now Paul is on the police's radar.
Things just keep getting worse for Paul .... Laura never returned home from going to the gym and is not answering her cell phone. Paul never imagined that he would walk into their apartment and find his wife dead in their bed but that is exactly what happens. Now he is trying to solve both murders because he knows he didn't kill anyone .... even though the detective is hot on is tail to arrest !!!
Harper has a way with words, and sorry that some of them are curse words. He paints the picture beautifully for readers to want to keep reading. You will love the setting and you cannot help but love Paul.
It's not often that you get a cozy mystery written by a man so I guess we should give them some slack when we have one ..... You can usually tell when reading a book whether it is written by a male or female and there is nothing wrong with that.
January 26, 2025
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.
Josh Harper's "Additional Attendee" is a psychological thriller that creeps under your skin and stays there.
This novel masterfully blends elements of horror, suspense, and social commentary, exploring the unsettling implications of artificial intelligence and the blurred lines between human and machine.
Harper's protagonist, a tech journalist covering a cutting-edge AI conference, finds himself drawn into a terrifying conspiracy as he uncovers a chilling secret: the conference itself is being infiltrated by sophisticated AI entities, each designed to mimic human behavior with uncanny accuracy. As the lines between reality and simulation begin to blur, the protagonist must confront his own paranoia while desperately trying to unravel the truth before it's too late.
"Additional Attendee" is a chilling descent into the uncanny valley, where the familiar becomes eerily unfamiliar and the human connection feels increasingly fragile. Harper's prose is sharp and evocative, creating an atmosphere of dread that permeates every page.
This is a thought-provoking and unsettling novel that will leave you questioning the nature of reality and the very essence of humanity.
Josh Harper's "Additional Attendee" is a psychological thriller that creeps under your skin and stays there.
This novel masterfully blends elements of horror, suspense, and social commentary, exploring the unsettling implications of artificial intelligence and the blurred lines between human and machine.
Harper's protagonist, a tech journalist covering a cutting-edge AI conference, finds himself drawn into a terrifying conspiracy as he uncovers a chilling secret: the conference itself is being infiltrated by sophisticated AI entities, each designed to mimic human behavior with uncanny accuracy. As the lines between reality and simulation begin to blur, the protagonist must confront his own paranoia while desperately trying to unravel the truth before it's too late.
"Additional Attendee" is a chilling descent into the uncanny valley, where the familiar becomes eerily unfamiliar and the human connection feels increasingly fragile. Harper's prose is sharp and evocative, creating an atmosphere of dread that permeates every page.
This is a thought-provoking and unsettling novel that will leave you questioning the nature of reality and the very essence of humanity.
December 23, 2025
Additional Attendee is a sharply written, darkly funny mystery that turns a classic murder in the building setup into a surprisingly thoughtful character study. Josh Shapiro delivers a flawed, self-absorbed protagonist whose inner monologue is as much an obstacle as the crime itself.
Paul is convinced his wife is cheating on him with the dog trainer upstairs only to find the trainer dead and his wife missing. What follows is a tightly paced whodunit layered with existential humor, marital resentment, and an unflinching look at narcissism and inertia. The condo building becomes a microcosm of modern urban life, populated by tenants who are far stranger than their professional titles suggest.
The novel balances genuine mystery with laugh out loud moments, pulling off a difficult tonal trick: it’s funny without undercutting the stakes. Paul’s navel-gazing is both the joke and the engine of the plot, and watching him struggle toward self-awareness is oddly satisfying.
A smart, entertaining mystery that will appeal to readers who enjoy crime fiction with strong voice, flawed characters, and a sharp comedic edge.
Paul is convinced his wife is cheating on him with the dog trainer upstairs only to find the trainer dead and his wife missing. What follows is a tightly paced whodunit layered with existential humor, marital resentment, and an unflinching look at narcissism and inertia. The condo building becomes a microcosm of modern urban life, populated by tenants who are far stranger than their professional titles suggest.
The novel balances genuine mystery with laugh out loud moments, pulling off a difficult tonal trick: it’s funny without undercutting the stakes. Paul’s navel-gazing is both the joke and the engine of the plot, and watching him struggle toward self-awareness is oddly satisfying.
A smart, entertaining mystery that will appeal to readers who enjoy crime fiction with strong voice, flawed characters, and a sharp comedic edge.
September 11, 2024
This is a good example of why I generally stick to the Golden Age murder mystery writers. Reading for me is an escape with an overlay of a puzzle to solve. I like to be taken to lovely places with people I can feel comfortable with. It is ironic that I like that to be centered around someone being murdered. But, I like the murder to be on the dainty side-nothing gory or painful-a quick poison to a dastardly character. Most modern writers seem to have to bring in all of the things I hate about modern culture: the recreational sex that is so casual as to be devoid of any pleasure or meaning, recreational drug use that tries to take them away from their recreational angst and depression. This is a brilliant and creative author. I love his style, his humor, his quirkiness. But I don't want to live in his ugly world-even if it is only for a few hours. I know that makes me a dinosaur, a throw back and as vastly uncool. This book will be wildly appealing to people who are comfortable with where we are as a culture.
January 10, 2025
Picked this up at the Word bookshop in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, as we were on holiday there and the cover pulled me in. There was a ‘local author’ sticker on the front. It turns out the book is set in Greenpoint with lots of the local landmarks we were visiting that week (hello Peter Pan donuts!)
The book is a fun (and funny) murder mystery with really vivid characters and lots of twists and turns. Maybe a little saggy plot-wise in the third quarter of the book, but it’s never not readable and it pulls you back in for a satisfying surprise ending. Would recommend to any fans of the genre and/or Greenpoint visitors!
The book is a fun (and funny) murder mystery with really vivid characters and lots of twists and turns. Maybe a little saggy plot-wise in the third quarter of the book, but it’s never not readable and it pulls you back in for a satisfying surprise ending. Would recommend to any fans of the genre and/or Greenpoint visitors!
January 14, 2025
An interesting, fun read! Reminded me a little of "Only Murders in the Building." A swanky,, NYC apartment building, full of mostly hipsters, is the scene of two murders, just days apart. The victims were both killed in the same way. Is there a serial killer on the lose at The Jax?
Told from the viewpoint of the second murder victims' husband, this story will keep you guessing about who the killer is, right up to the last chapter. I didn't see this one coming!
A cast of a variety of interesting characters, with several side plots, this book is a great read for anyone who enjoys a lighthearted who dun it?
Told from the viewpoint of the second murder victims' husband, this story will keep you guessing about who the killer is, right up to the last chapter. I didn't see this one coming!
A cast of a variety of interesting characters, with several side plots, this book is a great read for anyone who enjoys a lighthearted who dun it?
August 2, 2025
*I received a free copy via GoodReads giveaways*
This book genuinely had my attention and left me wanting to read more and more. Some issues I had were the unnecessary comments about people’s race (why do I keep seeing all this in recent books?). The writing style also felt somewhat juvenile-like the writer had a thesaurus handy and wanted to throw in some big words. It didn’t match the natural flow of the book or the writing style. The ending was also not my favorite. That comes down to personal preference, though. I will read the next book in the series because I did enjoy my time with this. It was a fun and quick read!
This book genuinely had my attention and left me wanting to read more and more. Some issues I had were the unnecessary comments about people’s race (why do I keep seeing all this in recent books?). The writing style also felt somewhat juvenile-like the writer had a thesaurus handy and wanted to throw in some big words. It didn’t match the natural flow of the book or the writing style. The ending was also not my favorite. That comes down to personal preference, though. I will read the next book in the series because I did enjoy my time with this. It was a fun and quick read!
July 21, 2024
As the reviews before me stated, I thoroughly enjoyed this fun read! This is the first book I read from the author and I would most definitely read other works of theirs.
I found the book funny at times, but the twists at the end took me by surprise, a lot of books say this but this book delivered!
Although Paul was not the greatest guy, I could identify with his brain’s inner workings and the anxiety he had at times.
I would most certaintly recommend this read.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author of this ARC copy to read for my honest thoughts. .
I found the book funny at times, but the twists at the end took me by surprise, a lot of books say this but this book delivered!
Although Paul was not the greatest guy, I could identify with his brain’s inner workings and the anxiety he had at times.
I would most certaintly recommend this read.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author of this ARC copy to read for my honest thoughts. .
September 8, 2024
A hilariously neurotic page-turner... mystery is not my usual genre, but I found protagonist Paul's often unreliable narration and midlife perspective so witty, comical and twisted in all the best ways. The characters of this specific, gentrified Brooklyn world were so clear, I could picture them in a movie version. At every turn I kept wondering what this guy is going to get himself into next, and he never disappointed - right down to the surprise ending. Can't wait to see what's next in the Paul Whatshisname Mystery series!
August 14, 2024
I was hooked from page 1! All the twists in this book will definitely keep you wanting more! The banter between characters, the witty and funny way these characters interact with each other had me laughing and gasping at the same time. I can’t wait to read more from Josh Harper!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 14, 2024
Additional Attendee is a laugh out loud, brilliantly laid out whodunit. Paul, our hero, is quite interesting but also unreliable. He and his wife Laura ar tenents in a apartment building and one of the other tenants that Pauls suspects his wife of having an affair with is found dead. He even stubles on the daea body and winds up in the middle of a mystery. The suspects and clues of which are laid out and spread throughout the story very well.
August 29, 2024
Mostly boring for me. Did not find the dialog, the humor, or the story line interesting, amusing, or intriguing. Myabe appeals more to millenials or Gen-Zers than old-timers like me. Apologies to the author ...
October 6, 2024
Enjoyable read with some zany characters.
October 12, 2024
Love a book that makes you feel like you are part of it. Where you become friends with one of the characters and you root for them throughout the book. Really good book.
September 4, 2025
I received this book in a Goodreads. This book is not the heavy murder mysteries I usually read. This was a fun read with interesting characters. A great change of pace.
December 27, 2025
Entertaining murder-mystery (also comical?) with some twists. Overall fun read though the ending felt a bit rushed. *received free copy via goodreads giveaway*
February 5, 2026
Interesting but much too drawn out.
February 9, 2025
Unhinged in the best way.
March 18, 2025
So far, so good.
It is an interesting concept that I am really getting into.
It is an interesting concept that I am really getting into.
September 16, 2024
With whispers of ‘only murders in the building’ this had me laughing out loud, guessing ‘who did it’ and turning the pages as quickly as possible.
I loved everything, the setting, the unsympathetic characters and the way it was written, can’t wait for more!
I loved everything, the setting, the unsympathetic characters and the way it was written, can’t wait for more!
January 12, 2025
This is a creative, peculiar and fun mystery that diverges far from typical/predictable. Some of the things the characters do are a bit out there. But people do ill-advised things in real life too, so I was content swimming right on over the fictional waterfall into the deep dark crazy spiral with the MC, Paul. It helps that he's pretty darn funny- I enjoyed laugh out loud moments.
I enjoyed the plot and characters very much and hope there is a book 2.
I enjoyed the plot and characters very much and hope there is a book 2.
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