Killer on the First Page: A Novel

Miranda Abbott Mystery #3

by Ian Ferguson, Will Ferguson

Three locked rooms. Three impossible crimes. One determined sleuth. Miranda Abbott is back in a new mystery from the bestselling authors of I Only Read Murder and Mystery in the Title

The famous are descending on the town of Happy Rock. This time, the stars are not of the screen but of the page. The Happy Rock bookstore, I Only Read Murder, is hosting not only an author festival but a murder mystery festival, with six of the biggest names in crime fiction.

New bookstore majority co-owner and former TV star Miranda Abbott loves nothing more than the idea of hosting literary luminaries. Little does she realize the authors are bringing their egos, their professional jealousies, and their personal grudges along with their books. And they all want the first look at a mysterious posthumous manuscript that has been delivered to the bookstore. This festival of rivals goes from bad to worse when one of the authors turns up dead in a locked room with no windows. And this death is just the beginning—no one knows which author will be next. 

Miranda is on the case, along with Edgar, her almost–ex-husband; Andrew, her one-person entourage; Ned, the patient police chief; and the good people of Happy Rock. Together, they’ll stop at nothing to solve three murders, in three locked rooms, and three impossible crimes.

Genres: Mystery, Canada, Cozy Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Cozy

304 pages, Paperback

Published July 8, 2025

About the author

IAN FERGUSON won the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour for Village of the Small Houses and is the co-author, with his brother, Will, of How to Be a Canadian. A writer and creative director in the film and television industry, he lives in Victoria, British Columbia.

source: Amazon

Reviews

[Lata · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ridiculous plot and silly people in it are what keep me reading this series. Miranda Abbot, perennially self-absorbed, but smart in some ways and clueless in basic life skills, must solve the murder of an author in a locked room in the bookstore during an author festival at the Happy Rock bookstore, I Only Read Murder.

There is jealousy, backstabbing, betrayal, and the possibility of Miranda resuming her life in Hollywood. Does she, with her trusty assistant Andrew, who loves acting as the Sheriff's deputy, solve the murder? Of course they do. Does Miranda's relationship with Edgar get clarified? Hmm, may a tiny bit.

Mostly I read this series for Miranda's "It is I, Miranda Abbot!" statements, her terrible lemonade, and the way she bosses around the Sheriff and others, while using her years on tv as Pastor Fran to solve mysteries in Happy Rock.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an utterly clever cozy mystery featuring a writer's festival and a group of former friends turned mystery authors who one by one find themselves murdered in puzzling locked room scenarios where it seems a killer couldn't possibly have been. Twisty and puzzling, this was so much fun, even though the protagonist Miranda Abbott tends to drive me nuts. That said she did grow on me more as this book went on. It was good on audio and can be read as a standalone. This series keeps getting better and better and I think this is my new fav!

[Derek Ingram · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.5) Breezy read, but a little too saccharine for my taste.

[Angela Champ]

DNF

[Robin Ellsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cozy and charming!

[Jocelyn Ivany-simms · Rating 5 out of 5]

The array of characters that inhabit the lovely little town of Happy Rock make me smile from start to finish. I enjoyed getting to see a little more of Edgar in this instalment. I love this series. So charming.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

“𝐈 𝐜𝐚𝐧’𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐦𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐑𝐨𝐜𝐤.”

Former Pastor Fran star Miranda Abbott and the residents of Happy Rock are back in this third mystery that presents quite the puzzle: three impossible murders!

Happy Rock is hosting a murder mystery festival, featuring six of the biggest names in crime fiction, with its opening reception taking place at the I Only Read Murder bookstore. The authors are bringing about their egos, their personal grudges, and a bit of mayhem, when they start to be picked off in locked rooms, one by one. Will Miranda, her assistant Andrew, and police chief Ned be able to figure out the impossible?

Ian and Will Ferguson have created a zany and loveable group of townspeople. This series reminds me of Schitt’s Creek meets Murder, She Wrote. It’s humorous, meta, and over-the-top, but is rooted in a solid mystery. I loved the clever wink to Encyclopedia Brown with Compendium Cathy, especially as a fan of Encyclopedia when I was young! The Fergusons have created quite the locked-room mysteries, all three of which truly do seem impossible. The clues are well-planted though, and I love the tone of the omniscient narrator who gives readers hints of the clues that become important, almost like breaking the fourth wall. The author suspects are truly a version of ‘don’t meet your heroes’ and all have motives for wanting one another dead. Miranda, as usual, is her excessive self, but she shows some important character development in this book, especially in her consideration for how Happy Rock has become her home. Andrew and Ned continue to be delights, putting up with Miranda’s antics, but also working alongside her to solve the case.

Killer On The First Page is a clever, breezy, and entertaining entry to the Miranda Abbott Investigates series. I can’t wait to return to Happy Rock in the next book. Thank you to Harper Collins Canada and NetGalley for the ARC!

[Terri (BooklyMatters) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming cozy mystery, the third in a series featuring Miranda Abbott, and the first experienced by this reader.

Miranda Abbott is a former TV detective, a sort of everyone’s favorite Jessica Fletcher, who traded in her sophisticated acting chops to star in a blissfully cheesy, but highly popular, television murder mystery series. With her red hair and regal bearing, Miranda is a charmingly annoying character, not at all short on confidence, who now breezes through life solving mysteries (which seem to follow her, wherever she is), falling subject to only the odd lingering question about the direction her life (her love, and her career) has taken.

Now on hiatus from LA and living in the small Pacific coastal town of Happy Rock, Oregon, where she co-owns a bookstore with her ambiguously connected husband Edgar (are they married? Are they divorced? Do they still love each other?), Miranda can’t help but jump in when a Mystery Writer Festival, to be held in her bookstore, becomes the backdrop for murder.

Peopled with so many oddball characters that at first, felt impossible for this reader to keep straight, once the story gets going the community of eccentrics, the visiting authors, and the layered mystery drew me in — cleanly plotted with several twists, puzzles to solve, and some truly funny moments, one cannot help but think the initial two books would be definitely worth a read for some additional backstory.

An entertaining read which will keep a reader guessing and dreaming about the ocean, (not to mention, running a bookstore), I enjoyed this book and will no doubt be back to visit the folks in Happy Rock, Oregon.

A great big thank you to Netgalley, the authors and the publisher for an ARC of this book. All thoughts presented are my own.

[What Angie Reads]

This delightful cozy mystery marks the third entry in the Miranda Abbott series and my introduction to the protagonist's captivating persona. Miranda Abbott, a former television detective with a flair for drama, has leveraged her acting abilities to excel in a popular television murder mystery series. With her fiery red hair and dignified presence, Miranda exudes confidence, though occasional questions arise regarding her life choices, encompassing romance and career. Currently residing in Happy Rock, Oregon, Miranda co-manages a bookstore with her husband Edgar, whose relationship dynamics are subtly ambiguous. When a Mystery Writer Festival is held at her bookstore, Miranda becomes embroiled in a murder investigation, navigating a complex cast of characters. As the narrative unfolds, the community's eccentricities, visiting authors, and intricate mystery captivate, featuring a skillfully constructed plot with unexpected surprises, puzzles, and witty moments. This charming read left me pondering the ocean's allure and the memories of when I opened my bookstore , and I eagerly anticipate revisiting the Happy Rock community in future installments.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one had a bit of a slow start, but I soon found myself right back into enjoying the quirkiness of Miranda Abbott. Her offbeat personality and knack for stumbling into trouble make her such a fun character to follow. Additionally, all the reoccurring characters from the town of Happy Rock and her steadfast assistant Andrew really make the books.

This time the mystery kicks off during a book festival at the local bookstore, where a gathering of famous mystery writers should have been a celebration — until one of the star authors ends up dead. Suddenly, Miranda is drawn into the behind-the-scenes drama of the literary world, full of rivalries, egos, and hidden motives.

What makes it shine, though, is Miranda herself — her bumbling charm, sharp observations, and refusal to back down keep the story lively. I love how the plots of her old tv show, Pastor Fran, are woven in as she theorizes. Once the pace picked up, I was fully engaged and enjoying every twist. A very good read overal and I'm looking forward to the next Miranda Abbott adventure!

Thanks to Netgalley for the e-Arc

[Maxine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happy Rock bookstore, I Only Read Murder, run by Miranda Abbot, former tv star and majority co-owner (thanks to a banking error) and her almost ex-husband, Edgar, is hosting a literary event featuring some of the biggest names in the mystery genre. But shortly after the writers arrive, one of them is killed in what seems like an impossible locked room murder. Miranda is determined to solve the case but can she do it before another impossible murder occurs?

Killer on the First Page by Ian and Will Ferguson is the third book in the Miranda Abbot Mystery series and it is one very twisty, very entertaining mystery, with some wonderfully eccentric characters and a nice touch of humour running through it. This is the first book in the series I’ve read but it will definitely not be the last. A perfect read for those lazy summer days. Oh, and if you’re wondering if the killer really is on the first page, well, you’ll just have to read it to find out.

I received an eARC of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review

[Barb Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm really into the campy tongue-in-cheek vibe of the Miranda Abbott Mystery series.

A former television star who has aged out of relevance, Miranda comes across as a shallow, self-absorbed diva who is oblivious to those around her. She has more depth, which becomes more apparent with each new book in the series.

In "Killer on the First Page," Miranda and her entourage (estranged husband, unpaid assistant and the various small-town residents who've become her friends and family) host a book event featuring mystery writers. Soon, the bodies . . . and the overwriting . . . start to appear.

Among the mystery writers is one who has fashioned his personality on a old-time gumshoe. Think Humphrey Bogart. This guy never uses one word when 15 can do more to smack readers with his colorful vocabulary.

The Ferguson brothers write this series as a ridiculous, over-the-top charade of a mystery series. However, there is a cleverness that comes through. Eventually, the mystery gets solved. Miranda is a sweetheart, really. I'm so into the camp. My tongue remains firmly in my cheek.

[Danae · Rating 2 out of 5]

*DNFed at pg 33.

I tried to make it to my five chapter rule, but I was going to do something extremely reckless if I had to listen to Miranda “Pastor Fran” Abbott one more time. I hadn’t even reached the murder and knew I was going to be sorely disappointed that she wasn’t going to be one of the victims. I have never loathed a main character so deeply in such a long time.
Seriously, I wanted to scream and shake her with every single thing she did. Just because she was a former actress with one popular tv series doesn’t give her a reason to do half the things she did in the first 33 pages. And none of the other characters were exactly endearing either they all felt like caricatures and not characters. There was no depth or anything to make me be like “please make it to the end of the book”.
I adore locked room mysteries and it’s one of the reasons I picked this book up, but I could do without Miranda Abbott superstar1
⭐️2
💧1

_________________________________
1. Former

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you #killercrimeclub for an ARC of this third installment of the Miranda Abbott series. We meet up with Miranda and Edgar, in Happy Rock, as they get ready to host a literary festival at their bookstore, I only Read Murder - all is definitely not want it seems.

During the evening’s gathering one of the literary authors attending is found murdered in a locked room. Not only one locked room murder takes place but three bringing the quiet town into a flurry of who did it.

Miranda, despite being asked not to, dives into trying to put the pieces together, creating a spider web of connections and all who attended are connected in some way.

You have to read this to solve this locked room mystery. The authors Ian Ferguson and Will Ferguson have written another great cozy read and I hope there are more adventures of Miranda Abbott coming.

[Lauryn Margarit · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the first two books in this series, and was so happy to see the third one on shelves at the bookstore!

While this one has become my least favourite in the series, I can def still say that I enjoyed! I think my issue is that Miranda is beginning to be less out of touch and Hollywood LOL, part of her appeal to me is that she’s so ridiculous and out there and just out of place in this small town. While I understand she needs to develop as a character, I do miss when she was less considerate and understanding of others haha.

Still love this though! The story is solid, the characters, as always, slay, and I think the humor is great. I think the ending felt rushed a tad. I always prefer a lead up and grand reveal of the killer in front of a cast of characters over a one on one, face the killer kind of thing, but I appreciate what they were trying to do.

[Linda Rowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Only Read Murder in Happy Rock is hosting a literary event with several authors attending.
Miranda Abbott along with all the eccentric townsfolk will be there. I love the character, Miranda, with her sayings and her take charge attitude. While the event is taking place, a locked room murder occurs. Will Miranda using all her knowledge from years being Pastor Fran be able to solve this mystery? Will the murder count continue?
This is a great summer beach read. A cozy mystery with great characters that is nothing but a page turner.
Did I see the end coming? It doesn't matter the road travelled to get there is amusing.
I hope that we will get to read more adventures of Miranda Abbott and her life in Happy Rock.

[Marissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kindle Copy for Review from NetGalley, Killer Crime Club, HarperCollins Canada and HarperCollins Publishers.

I received a free, advance copy of this book and this is my unbiased and voluntary review.

What secrets lie behind three locked rooms? For bookstore owner and former TV star Miranda Abbott hosting a literary gathering. She’ll get more than just high strung authors to deal with. Will it just be one dead body or will the count rise? It’s a fast paced thriller that will have you turning the pages.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

#3 in the series, and I liked it the best. This is primarily because Miranda seems to have lost most of her narcissistic qualities. She is now more like a "normal" person. The bookstore in Happy Rock is hosting a mystery festival and that is attracting some authors who have an axe to grind...
Another difference with this novel is that there is a lot of foreshadowing - that's part of the style of #3. There seemed to be more satire too, or maybe I picked up on it more. Some very funny examples.

[Daniel Kukwa · Rating 2 out of 5]

And here I hit the wall! All the ingredients look like they are assembled to appeal to me in every way...and yet this ultra-cozy-of-coziness-mystery novel drove me bananas with a pace that felt glacial and characters that left me cold. I don't understand how so many items that, on the surface, I should have enjoyed, assembled together fail to make any impression on me...aside from the occasional "guffaw". Sigh...can't I have some interesting, linear, funny or make-me-cry storytelling from anyone?

[Lois Rooney-Giurin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a solid 3.5 stars but I bumped it to four since I don't know how to do a .5.

I loved the first two books of this series a lot. While I found this enjoyable, the deliberately cliched language, which was such fun in the last two books, came close to being overdone.

That being said, the character development is satisfying and Miranda continues to be Miranda, but an increasingly more likeable version.

I am looking forward to the next installation.

[Gail Williamson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.8 stars
A good, fast, twisty read but did not hold my attention as the previous. I found it confusing sometimes with so many characters (and their multiple names). Miranda steals the show with her eccentricity and the local characters, Edgar, Ned and Owen are as enjoyable as always.
I can see how the authors would have had the best of laughs in putting this book together and that in itself was worth it.
Be prepared to be walking in circles to solve this one!

[Ella · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not want to write this review because I am such a fan of the series as a whole. But, this book was a bit of a let down for me. Will keep reading as I really enjoy them but maybe I will wait to see what my pals think first cause this book was not it.

Thank you NetGalley for giving me an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute comedic murder mystery cozy. Easy read. The main character, Miranda Abbott reminds me of Moira Rose as a dramatic former actress that everyone remembers and loves, and is quite funny. The book was a bit repetitive in the middle, but overall I enjoyed it. I’d give it 3.5.

[Sharen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed all the mystery writer characters and all the petty childish squabbling between them.
This was my second book I've read in this series and I appreciated Miranda much more in this book and loved all the sly humour and subtle funny bits throughout the book.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best of the three offerings, so far!! In this one Miranda is a lot more convincing in her roll. I definitely enjoyed this one and laughed out loud several times!

[Sasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

my favorite of the series so far. I can't help but envision Mayberry.

[Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s probably a 3-star read but it’s the 3rd book in the series and I’ve grown fond of the characters.

[Kayla Demers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book series. I like the way the authors write it feels like the characters are really speaking to you and I love the footnotes. I hope they add more books to this series

[Suzanne Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok. Light reading.

[Tiffany Oiney_Reads_Another · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 ridiculous and hilarious. I love this series 🤣