Death In Onsen

An International Foodie Mystery #1

by Ann Rose

A marriage on the rocks. A struggling YouTube food show. And a dead influencer in the hot spring. What do they have in common? Me.

When Reed, my soon-to-be-ex actor husband and I arrived in this quaint Japanese spa town to film our YouTube food show, I never expected to become the prime suspect in a murder investigation.

But after famous eco-fashion influencer Aurora Wynters blatantly propositioned my husband and I told her where to stick her yoga mat, she turned up dead in the hot spring—ten minutes after our argument.

Now I'm racing to solve the crime before I either become the killer’s next victim or star in "Japanese Prison Cuisine" for life.

Between faking marital bliss for our fans, a blackmail note, a designer with a seven-figure grudge, and Reed's questionable TV-cop "expertise," this Japanese getaway has become my worst nightmare.

My grandma always said I had a talent for kneading myself into fine messes, but this might just be my masterpiece.

If you love your mysteries served with a side of snark, a pinch of romance, and plenty of international intrigue, you will love Death in Onsen!

Download it now (bodies included) and dive into the deliciously witty first course in An International Foodie Mystery series.

Genres: Mystery

304 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 25, 2025

About the author

Ann Rose believes a good book should have a beginning, a middle, and an end, but never in that order. She also believes in tormenting her readers so they can never figure out how it's going to end. But she does reward them with compelling characters, humor, unexpected plot twists, and always a splash of romance for good measure.

Before becoming an author, Ann was an award-winning screenwriter for film and TV. Now she's found her happy place crafting mysteries and weaving urban fantasy tales while consuming copious amounts of coffee.

When she's not writing, she's likely watching baking competitions or taking sunset walks with her husband, daughter, and their Maltese-Chihuahua who thinks she rules the world.

For updates on Ann's new releases, sign up for her newsletter. Links are found in all her books. Or visit her website www.annrosebooks.com.

Reviews

[Lola]

I DNF'd this one at 50%

I read this one during a very stressful period in my life and I think that didn't help. I just struggled to get into this one or invested in the story. I didn't like the type of bickering the couple did and how negative the main character was about everything her husband did. They are getting divorced, but also still love each other and I had just hoped for more couple working together vibes. I picked this one up as I was curious about reading another cozy mystery set in Japan as I really liked Steph Genarro's Miso cozy mystery series, but I enjoyed that series more than this one. There was some humor in this book that didn't really work for me and while I was curious how the mystery would play out, I wasn't as invested or engaged as I wanted. I just decided to set it aside.

[Mindy Meyer · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF. 40%

The setting is fun, the writing is good, the main character is insufferable. She is not witty, her grandma-ism get old fast and make her sound immature. She is not a girls girl, she is judging you, probably for doing the same thing she is doing. The author tries to make her humanized by making the people she is judging live up to expectations, but she jumps to the negative on everyone and it is so draining!

She is so mean to her husband. We only hear his faults from her perspective, but my page one response was 'did you tell him it was bothering you? what was his response?' But we get an answer to that. She didn't, she just bottled it up until she served him, and he was blindsided. Then he wanted to fix it, but she had bottled it up so long she didn't have the bandwidth to give him a chance. As the audience (at 40%) we never see him be anything but supportive and caring. She is mad about how he talks to the influencer/siren but he works "my wife" into almost every sentence even though he knows she's leaving.

At around 35% a PI points out to her that she is a hypocrite, and I thought, here we go, this will begin the character growth. But she walks out with one thing on her mind "he thinks I'm guilty!". Yeah, you seem really guilty. I hope the murderer gets her and the next book is from hubby's perspective.

[Rachel Boyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I could not put it down. Megan and Reed are a married couple with a relationship heading toward divorce. They have a foodie vlog that keeps them faking their relationship and business partners. It leads them to Japan, where this story takes place. A less than likeable celebrity is murdered and Meg is the prime suspect. Wanting to clear her name and make an important meeting, Meg decides to investigate. The book has humor (tastefully), romantic tension, brief cultural aspects of Japan, and a suspect list that seems to never end. Meg is such a great main character; she is smart, brave, and bold. But she's also real and relatable with flaws. Reed is an actor; he is handsome, smart, and loyal. Meg and Reed make a good team, albeit somewhat explosive given their relationship status. They have good chemistry together. The ending was really good; not the typical ending in mystery books. It was a lot of emotions and thoughts surrounding the final reveal, which I won't spoil. It was well done. This is the kind of book that gives me a reader's endorphin rush after because it was so enjoyable. The book itself, was well written with descriptions that allowed me to "see" the story. I'm so excited to see what the second book holds.

[Xiaoqing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book one of this amateur detective couple's adventure is exciting, dramatic and a joy to read! Set in a quiet small town of Japan famous for its hot spring, the death of a social media mega star rocked Megan and Reed's life and forced them to work together to save themselves and find the real killer. The ending is a surprise but what I like the most is Megan's grandma's kitchen wisdom, funny and true! I wish this couple with a pending divorce just stay as besties, loving without jealousy. The husband is a typical man child, vain, charming, flirty but he is not stupid and surprisingly insightful, and the hardworking wife is constantly in emotional turmoil, back and froth between love and hate towards her husband of 10 years, but she refused to even consider couple counseling! This team's feels awkward and at time annoying. Overall the story is well written, although I doubt in real life, the killers will get real prison time due to lack of solid evidence beside a recorded confession. Also compare to the couple's tireless effort, the Japanese police and detectives and the expensive professional Personal Investigator seem incompetent and indifferent. Hopefully in the second book, we see a more balanced interaction between all parties.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Megan Miller and her actor (soon to be ex) husband Reed Prescott have traveled to Japan to film an episode for their YouTube show “The International Foodie”. She thought the worst thing she would have to deal with was Reed’s ego. Little did Megan know that she would become a person of interest when influencer Aurora Wynters is murdered after an argument with her. Reed and Megan work together to clear Megan’s name and find out who the real killer is before Megan arrested.

This book was quite the ride! I like the premise of the plot, the character development and the well-placed snarkiness. The author does a great job of keeping the reader on their toes with all the twists and turns. I can honestly say I did not see this ending coming. Mix in a little romantic tension and you’ve got yourself an entertaining read!

*I received an ARC of this book. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well crafted mystery‼️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It's rather clever how the author wrote Megan so obnoxious as a contrast to the orderly polite facade of Japanese culture. Reed just lives by himself in 'manland featuring himself!' There's a pleasant surprise at the end for the reader. The second tier characters are relatable and interesting. The mystery of whodunit and why is exceptionally well done. Definitely worth the read.

[Doreen Farrar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death in Onsen is the first of a new mystery series by Ann Rose. It's set in Japan, and it's a very intriguing story, with many twists and turns. I wasn't very interested at first, but then I found myself staying up late (3:00am!) to finish it, because I had to know who the killer was and why. I loved it and can't wait to read the next book.

[Robin Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an entertaining mystery with a unique setting. Lots of twists and turns as Megan investigates in order to remove herself from the suspect list. I liked the humor and “Grandma’s” sayings added a bit of quirkiness. The divorce was mentioned so much, I would have liked a little more background/interaction with Reed’s feelings about it. Looking forward to the next mystery!

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be a challenge to read at first, it moved a little slow at first, but when it started, it caught my attention, and I was up till 4:40 AM finishing it. The mystery was well-crafted, so many motives. Megan, Reed and the others were all so relatable for me. Looking forward to the next book. Strongly recommend reading.

[Celest · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Exotic Adventure

This is my first Ann Rose book and it's a wonderful start for me. The story was intriguing and well written. The characters are interesting with very different personalities. I love Megan and Reed. The mystery was unique with a lot of twists that kept me entertained and engaged in the story. Can't wait for the next book in the series.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. I found plenty of twists and turns to keep me guessing and reading!
I was quickly drawn into this story and will be looking for more books by this author. I read an advanced reader copy of this book.

[Kate Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

A complicated puzzle with no inkling of the perpetrator until right at the end. Well done. I love reading novels that also teach me something - this time about Onsen, yakata and getas. received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading the book but what I enjoyed the most the setting was in Japan and also loved the mystery now I did think it was slow going but that's OK because I'm hooked on the series now
Highly Recommend and will read again now go buy buy buy buy this book.

[Magdalena Tosteson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Formidable tale!

A very good story and nicely developed plot. It behooves this reviewer to require the reading of this book without delay! Do yourself a joyful pleasure of reading this “foodie mystery” without delay…even though the “foodie” side left me wanting!

[Ann Benner · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started out strong then just dragged on and lost steam.

[Charlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

a fast paced witty mystery filled with complex interesting characters. Lots of twists and turns, murder and mayhem in this entertaining unpredictable page turner. A must read!

[Kate Shanahan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A light, entertaining mystery set in Japan. My only issue is that the narrator's descriptions of Japanese food and culture came across as a little bit condescending.

[Renee Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's nothing like having murder charges hanging over your head to get you re-evaluating your life choices.

Megan thinks the worst part of her life is keeping her food show fans from finding out her marriage to ex-TV cop Reed is on the rocks. Until the eco-fashion influencer who propositioned said almost-ex husband turns up dead...right after Megan told her off.

Reed is determined to use his 'cop-pertise' to help prove her innocence and Megan is worried he'll do more harm than good.

With more than one potential suspect, and a desire not to turn up as the next victim, Megan is in a race against time to uncover the truth. In the end though, who-dunnit isn't the only unexpected answer Megan finds!

[Elizabeth Russo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome Cozy Mystery. I lovet t he characters, the mystery, the setting., the twists and turns. Definitely worth the read.