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It Happened One Murder
Not yet published
Expected 26 May 26Murder has a way of bringing people together…
Harriet Baker thought that when she left Logan Island, she was leaving for good. But after getting fired from her dream magazine job, she finds herself stuck back in the sleepy New Jersey beach town living with her eccentric mother and desperate to escape.
And her ticket out might be…murder?
When Harriet's extravagant birthday party ends with a dead body, all fingers point to Sara Allbright, the troublesome sister of none other than Nic, Harriet's short-lived fling from years ago that she's been eager to forget. And the feeling is entirely mutual. But murder makes for a good story, and when Harriet is told that she can get her old job back if she writes an article uncovering what really happened the night of her party, she readily agrees. To write her piece, Harriet will need Nic's full cooperation, and if Nic wants to clear his sister's name, he'll need Harriet's investigative skills. But working together? That's less than ideal.
As the two team up to find the real killer, they'll uncover the dark underbelly of their seemingly perfect hometown, uncover long buried feelings, and maybe, just maybe, realize that they might work well together after all.
Harriet Baker thought that when she left Logan Island, she was leaving for good. But after getting fired from her dream magazine job, she finds herself stuck back in the sleepy New Jersey beach town living with her eccentric mother and desperate to escape.
And her ticket out might be…murder?
When Harriet's extravagant birthday party ends with a dead body, all fingers point to Sara Allbright, the troublesome sister of none other than Nic, Harriet's short-lived fling from years ago that she's been eager to forget. And the feeling is entirely mutual. But murder makes for a good story, and when Harriet is told that she can get her old job back if she writes an article uncovering what really happened the night of her party, she readily agrees. To write her piece, Harriet will need Nic's full cooperation, and if Nic wants to clear his sister's name, he'll need Harriet's investigative skills. But working together? That's less than ideal.
As the two team up to find the real killer, they'll uncover the dark underbelly of their seemingly perfect hometown, uncover long buried feelings, and maybe, just maybe, realize that they might work well together after all.
416 pages, Paperback
Expected publication May 26, 2026
19 people are currently reading
11416 people want to read
About the author
Liz Lawson
7 books684 followersLiz Lawson is the New York Times bestselling author of The Agathas series (co-written with Kathleen Glasgow), Murder Between Friends, and The Lucky Ones. Her books have been translated into fourteen languages, been book club picks for Barnes and Noble, Target, and Read With Jenna, and been written about in national publications like The New York Times (that was a very exciting day).
She lives in the DC metro area with her family and two very bratty cats. It Happened One Murder is her adult debut (and she’s thrilled).
Visit her on TikTok and Instagram @lzlwsn or her website lizlawsonauthor.com
She lives in the DC metro area with her family and two very bratty cats. It Happened One Murder is her adult debut (and she’s thrilled).
Visit her on TikTok and Instagram @lzlwsn or her website lizlawsonauthor.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
November 5, 2025
4,5⭐️
This book had no reason to be SO GOOD. I’m not even kidding, it brought me back to my prime where I used to read everywhere, all the time. ✊
After losing her job and having to move back home, Harriet’s mother decided to throw her a birthday party. At the unwanted birthday party, no one seems to be having a good time. Especially the Allbright family. Nic doesn’t get recognised by his long time crush. Sara, his sister, gets in a fight with the host and when he mysteriously dies, she, of course, is the one getting blamed for his murder. Nick can’t let her go to prison but what can he do alone?
The story had the perfect mix of mystery and romance. From the beginning, it had my complete attention and it never lost it. The plot was so balanced between the two categories and it kept just getting better.
I loved Nic and Harriet’s past and their personalities. Each of them were unique in their own ways. Harriet is stubborn and strong willed. Whereas Nic is calmer, mature and protective. He is afraid to be hurt again that’s why he stands his ground. It does take him more time to give in but I still had the feeling that everything happened in perfect timing.
The End (and Epilouge) were amazing. It was extremely fitting and satisfying.
Thanks to SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for providing this book via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
This book had no reason to be SO GOOD. I’m not even kidding, it brought me back to my prime where I used to read everywhere, all the time. ✊
After losing her job and having to move back home, Harriet’s mother decided to throw her a birthday party. At the unwanted birthday party, no one seems to be having a good time. Especially the Allbright family. Nic doesn’t get recognised by his long time crush. Sara, his sister, gets in a fight with the host and when he mysteriously dies, she, of course, is the one getting blamed for his murder. Nick can’t let her go to prison but what can he do alone?
The story had the perfect mix of mystery and romance. From the beginning, it had my complete attention and it never lost it. The plot was so balanced between the two categories and it kept just getting better.
I loved Nic and Harriet’s past and their personalities. Each of them were unique in their own ways. Harriet is stubborn and strong willed. Whereas Nic is calmer, mature and protective. He is afraid to be hurt again that’s why he stands his ground. It does take him more time to give in but I still had the feeling that everything happened in perfect timing.
The End (and Epilouge) were amazing. It was extremely fitting and satisfying.
Thanks to SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for providing this book via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
[arc review] 2.5* rounded up!
I was hopeful about this and after reading wish it was written as a single pov—and little to no romance included.
‘it happened one murder’ is a dual pov mystery / romance that follows harriet and nic as they reunite under not-so-great circumstances.
now the plot of this is good, and I enjoyed the mystery of who the killer was.
I think in the beginning, it was slightly confusing because we were introduced to so many characters that it felt like a hinderance to the flow of the story.
I didn’t really enjoy the dual pov, and at times the characters were very immature and holding grudges over a fling they had as teenagers.
for me it didn’t make sense why there was so much resentment over something that happened as teenagers (and over 2 weeks!).
it felt like it ruined the romance because they were at each others throat over something they could’ve communicated with each other about, and it would’ve been resolved a lot sooner.
and don’t get me started on the epilogue?????
overall I did enjoy the mystery and whodunnit, but the romance felt lacklustre. it would’ve been SO good as a second chance romance if there was actual history between harriet and nic—not just a two week fling that these characters should not have been hung up on for so long.
thank you source books for the advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review!
I was hopeful about this and after reading wish it was written as a single pov—and little to no romance included.
‘it happened one murder’ is a dual pov mystery / romance that follows harriet and nic as they reunite under not-so-great circumstances.
now the plot of this is good, and I enjoyed the mystery of who the killer was.
I think in the beginning, it was slightly confusing because we were introduced to so many characters that it felt like a hinderance to the flow of the story.
I didn’t really enjoy the dual pov, and at times the characters were very immature and holding grudges over a fling they had as teenagers.
for me it didn’t make sense why there was so much resentment over something that happened as teenagers (and over 2 weeks!).
it felt like it ruined the romance because they were at each others throat over something they could’ve communicated with each other about, and it would’ve been resolved a lot sooner.
and don’t get me started on the epilogue?????
overall I did enjoy the mystery and whodunnit, but the romance felt lacklustre. it would’ve been SO good as a second chance romance if there was actual history between harriet and nic—not just a two week fling that these characters should not have been hung up on for so long.
thank you source books for the advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review!
November 1, 2025
✨I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review ✨
I don’t think I have ever read a romance-murder-mystery before that I enjoyed as much as this! Harriet bumps into her ex Nic at her birthday party, which quickly turns into disaster when a body is found on the beach. Harriet and Nic are both connected to the murder in different ways and determined to solve the case which is quickly discarded by the police and ruining their lives. It Happened One Murder was such a fun reading experience and I struggled to put it down. Every time I thought I had figured out what happened a new twist appeared! I loved the unexpected enemies-to-lovers-who-got-a-second-chance romance and the falling in love that happened as they went on adventures and tried to solve the crime. This is a great read and my only complaint is that the knife on the cover should have a pretty white handle - if you know, you know!
I don’t think I have ever read a romance-murder-mystery before that I enjoyed as much as this! Harriet bumps into her ex Nic at her birthday party, which quickly turns into disaster when a body is found on the beach. Harriet and Nic are both connected to the murder in different ways and determined to solve the case which is quickly discarded by the police and ruining their lives. It Happened One Murder was such a fun reading experience and I struggled to put it down. Every time I thought I had figured out what happened a new twist appeared! I loved the unexpected enemies-to-lovers-who-got-a-second-chance romance and the falling in love that happened as they went on adventures and tried to solve the crime. This is a great read and my only complaint is that the knife on the cover should have a pretty white handle - if you know, you know!
Want to read
October 25, 2025pre-read notes:
ARC copy secured! Let’s manifest a good reading time 🤭✨
ARC copy secured! Let’s manifest a good reading time 🤭✨
November 30, 2025
From page one, this book felt like a tangled web of secrets: a sleepy beach town beneath a shiny veneer, old relationships simmering with unspoken truths, and a murder that refuses to stay buried.
Harriet Baker’s return to Logan Island isn’t just an “I’m home for a while” — it’s a collision course with her past. Losing her job, uprooting her life, and then being thrust into a murder mystery she never signed up for? That alone had me curious. But once the body drops and suspicion lands where she least expects it — on the sister of her old fling — the stakes become deeply personal.
What works wonderfully: the push-and-pull between Harriet and Nic. They have history, baggage, awkward silences, and painful misunderstandings — but also tension, curiosity, and that messy “maybe there’s still something here” energy that never quite dies. Their forced teamwork to hunt down a killer becomes a perfect metaphor for trying to rebuild trust — uncertain, fragile, and potent.
And the mystery itself? Sneaky. Just when I thought I had a handle on who the culprit might be — bam, plot twist. The author drops clues, misleads with subtle red herrings, and still manages to surprise. The small-town setting makes secrets even more dangerous, because almost everyone knows everyone.
Yes — there are moments of frustration. Sometimes the characters’ lack of communication feels like stumbling over the same old problems again. Especially in a slow-burn romance, that kind of repeated miscommunication can feel heavy.
But if you ask me: that messy tension, unresolved frictions, dark secrets under holiday-town lights, and the wild ride of trying to find truth and maybe love again — this book delivers. It’s clever, cozy, twisty, and emotionally messy in the best way.
My Verdict: A solid ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐ (5/5). A wildly fun, addictive blend of cozy-town mystery, tension-filled romance, and dark secrets — ideal if you like your rom-mystery with a side of chaos, chemistry, and “who’s the killer?” suspense.
Harriet Baker’s return to Logan Island isn’t just an “I’m home for a while” — it’s a collision course with her past. Losing her job, uprooting her life, and then being thrust into a murder mystery she never signed up for? That alone had me curious. But once the body drops and suspicion lands where she least expects it — on the sister of her old fling — the stakes become deeply personal.
What works wonderfully: the push-and-pull between Harriet and Nic. They have history, baggage, awkward silences, and painful misunderstandings — but also tension, curiosity, and that messy “maybe there’s still something here” energy that never quite dies. Their forced teamwork to hunt down a killer becomes a perfect metaphor for trying to rebuild trust — uncertain, fragile, and potent.
And the mystery itself? Sneaky. Just when I thought I had a handle on who the culprit might be — bam, plot twist. The author drops clues, misleads with subtle red herrings, and still manages to surprise. The small-town setting makes secrets even more dangerous, because almost everyone knows everyone.
Yes — there are moments of frustration. Sometimes the characters’ lack of communication feels like stumbling over the same old problems again. Especially in a slow-burn romance, that kind of repeated miscommunication can feel heavy.
But if you ask me: that messy tension, unresolved frictions, dark secrets under holiday-town lights, and the wild ride of trying to find truth and maybe love again — this book delivers. It’s clever, cozy, twisty, and emotionally messy in the best way.
My Verdict: A solid ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐ (5/5). A wildly fun, addictive blend of cozy-town mystery, tension-filled romance, and dark secrets — ideal if you like your rom-mystery with a side of chaos, chemistry, and “who’s the killer?” suspense.
October 30, 2025
It Happened One Murder broke me out of my reading slump so quickly! I tore through this book!
Harriet is having an awful time at her own birthday party when she quite literally bumps into an ex-hookup, Nic. She's already shaken up from losing her writing job in NYC, moving back in with her mum and step-father in coastal New Jersey, and running into an ex is not helping the situation! Nic, on the other hand, is busy running his family's catering business, and finding himself in the home of his teenage sweetheart isn't where he wanted to spend his night. Harriet not recognising him is the cherry on top of an already uncomfortable situation. Then, a body is found on the beach out the front of Harriet's house, and both their worlds collide to try to find the truth of what happened.
Liz Lawson writes excellent characters. Harriet is stubborn, strong willed and not afraid to get her hands dirty. Nic is mature, loyal to fault and desperate to protect those he cares about. They have great chemistry, and the will-they-won't-they had me swooning. As for the whodunnit aspect of It Happened One Murder, I thought I had the killer picked early on, but I should have known there'd be many more twists before the final reveal! This definitely kept me on my toes, and the novel has a very satisfying outcome.
A big thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for providing me with a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Harriet is having an awful time at her own birthday party when she quite literally bumps into an ex-hookup, Nic. She's already shaken up from losing her writing job in NYC, moving back in with her mum and step-father in coastal New Jersey, and running into an ex is not helping the situation! Nic, on the other hand, is busy running his family's catering business, and finding himself in the home of his teenage sweetheart isn't where he wanted to spend his night. Harriet not recognising him is the cherry on top of an already uncomfortable situation. Then, a body is found on the beach out the front of Harriet's house, and both their worlds collide to try to find the truth of what happened.
Liz Lawson writes excellent characters. Harriet is stubborn, strong willed and not afraid to get her hands dirty. Nic is mature, loyal to fault and desperate to protect those he cares about. They have great chemistry, and the will-they-won't-they had me swooning. As for the whodunnit aspect of It Happened One Murder, I thought I had the killer picked early on, but I should have known there'd be many more twists before the final reveal! This definitely kept me on my toes, and the novel has a very satisfying outcome.
A big thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for providing me with a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 25, 2025
Liz Lawson first made her mark with some really terrific YA novels, including the Agathas series (more books in that series are needed - hint hint).
Now she is delivering a fun, twisty adult mystery thriller with enough surprises to keep you reading right through the night. No spoilers here, but just know that you are going to love, love love the writing and the mystery. And the ending will leave you asking for more, that is for sure!!
Now she is delivering a fun, twisty adult mystery thriller with enough surprises to keep you reading right through the night. No spoilers here, but just know that you are going to love, love love the writing and the mystery. And the ending will leave you asking for more, that is for sure!!
October 26, 2025
What a fun read! A perfect blend of mystery and romance. An interesting plot about a murder but was there a falsely accused murderer? And was the victim actually innocent?
Really enjoyed the different characters and felt the supporting characters worked in well too! Definitely didn’t see the twist coming, making it an overall enjoyable mystery read.
Really enjoyed the different characters and felt the supporting characters worked in well too! Definitely didn’t see the twist coming, making it an overall enjoyable mystery read.
Did not finish
April 2, 2026finished 20% - I think this can be a fun murder mystery with romance on the side. The plot seems like it would be entertaining and has scope, which is what drew me to the book in the first place. I usually enjoy dramatic situational humour in books, but the delivery in this didn't click for me.
I'm a primarily character driven reader, and unfortunately, I did not connect with these characters. Their personalities and presentation felt exaggerated. The extent of the hatred between the main characters didn't add up based on the extent of their past history. Because of that the way they were handling themselves came across as immature, and I found it hard to continue reading.
The dialogues also felt a bit forced and included a liberal use of expletives, which was overdone for my taste. The book was written in dual first-person POV's and I don't usually like that - my preference for multiple character perspectives is third-person limited POV's
If you are a plot driven reader, and find the other elements to your taste - give it a try. I've seen other reviews where people enjoyed reading it for the main mystery plot and have rated the book well.
(I am not leaving a rating, as I didn't finish the book).
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review the e-arc of this novel. All opinions expressed here are my own.
I'm a primarily character driven reader, and unfortunately, I did not connect with these characters. Their personalities and presentation felt exaggerated. The extent of the hatred between the main characters didn't add up based on the extent of their past history. Because of that the way they were handling themselves came across as immature, and I found it hard to continue reading.
The dialogues also felt a bit forced and included a liberal use of expletives, which was overdone for my taste. The book was written in dual first-person POV's and I don't usually like that - my preference for multiple character perspectives is third-person limited POV's
If you are a plot driven reader, and find the other elements to your taste - give it a try. I've seen other reviews where people enjoyed reading it for the main mystery plot and have rated the book well.
(I am not leaving a rating, as I didn't finish the book).
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review the e-arc of this novel. All opinions expressed here are my own.
October 29, 2025
This is a fun romance/cozy mystery that grabbed my attention and kept me reading until the end.
Harriet has returned home after being fired from her job. She's living with her mother and step father, two very annoying people.
Her mother throws Harriet a birthday party, and she finds herself face to face with a caterer, Nic, who she had a two week fling with.
Nic's sister is accused of killing Harriet's step father, but Harriet doesn't think she did it, so she convinces Nic that they should investigate and save his sister.
Things heat up with Nic and Harriet, and the two of them find the answers they've been looking for.
Harriet has returned home after being fired from her job. She's living with her mother and step father, two very annoying people.
Her mother throws Harriet a birthday party, and she finds herself face to face with a caterer, Nic, who she had a two week fling with.
Nic's sister is accused of killing Harriet's step father, but Harriet doesn't think she did it, so she convinces Nic that they should investigate and save his sister.
Things heat up with Nic and Harriet, and the two of them find the answers they've been looking for.
December 3, 2025
If she’s serving it, I’m going to read whatever she dishes up.
A fired gossip columnists and a cater waiter, who briefly dated 10 years ago and have unresolved feelings for each other, join forces to solve the murder of George George. What could possibly go wrong?!
Enjoyed reading this cozy whodunnit, was a good balance of laughs, near misses, misunderstandings and mistakes in the romance between Nic and Harriet while they tried to clear Sara, Nic’s sister, of the murder of George George, Harriet’s stepfather, and by all accounts a very deserving murder victim.
My only criticism- Blurb for the book describes Harriet’s mother as eccentric, but I didn’t get those vibes from her character, she tends to ignore/blame Harriet more than anything, maybe dismissive or indifferent would be better options.
Thank you Netgallery and sourcebooks landmark for the opportunity to read and review this book.
A fired gossip columnists and a cater waiter, who briefly dated 10 years ago and have unresolved feelings for each other, join forces to solve the murder of George George. What could possibly go wrong?!
Enjoyed reading this cozy whodunnit, was a good balance of laughs, near misses, misunderstandings and mistakes in the romance between Nic and Harriet while they tried to clear Sara, Nic’s sister, of the murder of George George, Harriet’s stepfather, and by all accounts a very deserving murder victim.
My only criticism- Blurb for the book describes Harriet’s mother as eccentric, but I didn’t get those vibes from her character, she tends to ignore/blame Harriet more than anything, maybe dismissive or indifferent would be better options.
Thank you Netgallery and sourcebooks landmark for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
At first the dual perspective and the present tense was a bit confusing; but when the story sucked me in I didn't notice it anymore. The story looks like a typical who-dunnit but there are a few layers that make it more than that. The romantic storyline wasn't necessary in my opinion, but many readers will disagree with me. the end is very surprising and definitely the icing on the cake.
November 26, 2025
I loved this! Fast-paced and voicey narration, entertaining cast of characters (particularly Harriet's mom lol), and great balance of sexual tension and how-much-actual-danger-are-we-in? tension.
January 4, 2026
I had a great time reading this book! This book is a fantastic blend of romance, mystery, and a few humorous moments. From the intriguing plot to the wonderful characters, I believe the author did a fantastic job of keeping my interest. I adored the love that grew while they embarked on adventures and attempted to solve the crime, as well as the surprising enemies-to-lovers-who-got-second-chance romance. Harriet has a strong will, is obstinate, and doesn't mind getting her hands dirty. Nic is responsible, devoted, and driven to keep the people he loves safe. The couple has had me swooning, and their chemistry is amazing. Regarding It Happened One Murder's murder mystery element, I believed I had identified the murderer early on, but I should have realized there would be a lot more surprises before the big reveal! I was definitely on my toes because of this, and the novel's conclusion is rather rewarding.
This book delivers on the complicated tension, unsolved conflicts, hidden histories under holiday-town lights, and the crazy trip of attempting to find truth and possibly love again. In the best manner possible, it's witty, warm, twisted, and emotionally complicated!!!
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, Sourcebook Landmark, and the author for providing me with the electronic ARC copy. I really enjoyed the book!!!
This book delivers on the complicated tension, unsolved conflicts, hidden histories under holiday-town lights, and the crazy trip of attempting to find truth and possibly love again. In the best manner possible, it's witty, warm, twisted, and emotionally complicated!!!
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, Sourcebook Landmark, and the author for providing me with the electronic ARC copy. I really enjoyed the book!!!
October 27, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark and Liz Lawson for sharing this ARC with me, in exchange for my honest review.
It Happened One Murder is a very enjoyable read. Ms. Liz's writing and world building is perfect. The flow was easy. It is truly a page-turner. Just when you think you know who did it, BAM, Ms. Liz hits you with a twist. I also liked the side characters, I feel they were integrated in very well.
So, I have a question for y'all...Do y'all tihink the victim is innocent?
I wholeheartedly recommend this book to all y'all.
It Happened One Murder is a very enjoyable read. Ms. Liz's writing and world building is perfect. The flow was easy. It is truly a page-turner. Just when you think you know who did it, BAM, Ms. Liz hits you with a twist. I also liked the side characters, I feel they were integrated in very well.
So, I have a question for y'all...Do y'all tihink the victim is innocent?
I wholeheartedly recommend this book to all y'all.
November 3, 2025
It Happened One Murder
I really enjoyed this book! This book is a great mix of who done it mystery, romance and a couple of funny moments. I think the author did a great job holding my attention from the interesting storyline, to the great characters. Imagine having to move back home and living with your mom, and her rich husband who throws a party, and you run into a sexy man that you don't realize is the guy you use to hook up with. Oh and her step dad is a murder, and his sister is arrested. Sound interesting?! Then I would highly recommend adding this book to your TBR!!
I really enjoyed this book! This book is a great mix of who done it mystery, romance and a couple of funny moments. I think the author did a great job holding my attention from the interesting storyline, to the great characters. Imagine having to move back home and living with your mom, and her rich husband who throws a party, and you run into a sexy man that you don't realize is the guy you use to hook up with. Oh and her step dad is a murder, and his sister is arrested. Sound interesting?! Then I would highly recommend adding this book to your TBR!!
November 4, 2025
I really enjoyed this book!!! Take murder mystery with humor and touch of romance and that’s what this book felt like to me. It was entertaining from start to finish. I loved the main characters and the storyline kept me guessing at who the murderer really was. I loved that there was romance, but the author used humor to keep it light hearted.
Thank you SOURCEBOOKS Landmark publishing and Netgalley for this Arc!
Thank you SOURCEBOOKS Landmark publishing and Netgalley for this Arc!
November 3, 2025
Thanks net galley for this arc
I absolutely loved it, this is such a cozy cute murder mystery read - the twist I never saw coming.
Harriet and Nic are brilliant main characters who you get fully invested in. 5***** read for sure.
I absolutely loved it, this is such a cozy cute murder mystery read - the twist I never saw coming.
Harriet and Nic are brilliant main characters who you get fully invested in. 5***** read for sure.
November 7, 2025
It Happened One Murder is a fun romance, murder mystery. The characters were fun to follow and the book kept me guessing until the end. The story was entertaining and reminded of a fun Hallmark murder mystery. It wasn’t scary or creepy.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are my own.
October 21, 2025
It’s simple. This one from Lawson is her best. So good you won’t be able to put it down. Total must read!
April 5, 2026
3 ★ - an interesting murder mystery with some romance subplot involved
It Happened One Murder is a dual pov murder mystery, also catalogued as romance. I wouldn’t have catalogued it as romance; sure, there’s pinning between the protagonists, however, the romance is lacking in 90% of the book. Nothing wrong with that, but there just isn’t romance enough to be labelled as one. The story follows the story of Harriet and Nic & the murder that brings them back together. The mystery behind the murder of Harriet’s stepfather reconnects our FMC with Nic Allbright, an old high school hook up, due to the prime suspect being Nic’s sister.
Our FMC Harriet is an ex journalist who comes to live back at her mom’s as a last resort after losing her job. She tries to take nothing seriously due to her high walls that she built in order to protect herself. Which doesn’t work when she has to do something serious for once in her life and help Nic clear his sister’s name.
Our MMC Nic has history with our Harriet, as they used to hook-up back in the day; for one of them not very serious, but for the other, very much serious. Nic is forced to work with Harriet if he wants to get a chance to clear his sister’s name and get her out of prison. Now, the book is trying to also present a slow-burn romance of some sort of second chance between our protagonists, alongside the murder mystery. However, it was lacking in substance; sure, there was a lot of “tension” and pent-up energy between them but some of the grudges and miscommunication felt somewhat childish at points.
The book had a lot of plot twists in its murder mystery and I really enjoyed that aspect of it, was a very good mystery with lots of suspense! I found the epiloque a bit forced; it’s an epilogue that definitely makes sense to the story but I feel the timeframe between the end and the epilogue are too close together, maybe if the epilogue was more in the future it wouldn’t have felt so rushed.
It was a lovely and fun murder mystery which I recommend it for, but don’t expect much romance.
Thank you SOURCEBOOKS for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
It Happened One Murder is a dual pov murder mystery, also catalogued as romance. I wouldn’t have catalogued it as romance; sure, there’s pinning between the protagonists, however, the romance is lacking in 90% of the book. Nothing wrong with that, but there just isn’t romance enough to be labelled as one. The story follows the story of Harriet and Nic & the murder that brings them back together. The mystery behind the murder of Harriet’s stepfather reconnects our FMC with Nic Allbright, an old high school hook up, due to the prime suspect being Nic’s sister.
Our FMC Harriet is an ex journalist who comes to live back at her mom’s as a last resort after losing her job. She tries to take nothing seriously due to her high walls that she built in order to protect herself. Which doesn’t work when she has to do something serious for once in her life and help Nic clear his sister’s name.
Our MMC Nic has history with our Harriet, as they used to hook-up back in the day; for one of them not very serious, but for the other, very much serious. Nic is forced to work with Harriet if he wants to get a chance to clear his sister’s name and get her out of prison. Now, the book is trying to also present a slow-burn romance of some sort of second chance between our protagonists, alongside the murder mystery. However, it was lacking in substance; sure, there was a lot of “tension” and pent-up energy between them but some of the grudges and miscommunication felt somewhat childish at points.
The book had a lot of plot twists in its murder mystery and I really enjoyed that aspect of it, was a very good mystery with lots of suspense! I found the epiloque a bit forced; it’s an epilogue that definitely makes sense to the story but I feel the timeframe between the end and the epilogue are too close together, maybe if the epilogue was more in the future it wouldn’t have felt so rushed.
It was a lovely and fun murder mystery which I recommend it for, but don’t expect much romance.
Thank you SOURCEBOOKS for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
November 6, 2025
⭐ 3.75 - rounded up to 4 for GoodReads
thank you so much to NetGalley, the author and their team for allowing me a copy of this super fun book in exchange for an honest review 🫶
a murder mystery with a messy second-chance romance? sign me up! It happened One Murder brings tension, banter and a little chaos wrapped up in a small town whodunit mystery.
Harriet is forced to move back home after losing her job, much to her dismay, only to find herself tangled up in investigating the murder of her stepfather (who sucks btw). she takes on the role of figuring out exactly who the guilty one is, and who ends up being our main girl's partner in this murder mystery? none other than her two weeks friends with benefits from 8 years ago. with a heavy load of unresolved feelings and a bunch of tension mind you.
though this book was very fun and entertaining i did find myself feeling a little frustrated by the two main characters and their complete lack of straight forwardness. one of my least favorite tropes is the miscommunication trope and characters just not taking a couple minutes to just TALK. i love a slow burn, but not with the added complications and setbacks from a lack of communication.
that being said, i still quite enjoyed the book. i loved trying to solve the mystery and piece together the clues alongside Harriet and Nic, and i will admit i did not guess that the killer was who it was! which is always super fun
thank you so much to NetGalley, the author and their team for allowing me a copy of this super fun book in exchange for an honest review 🫶
a murder mystery with a messy second-chance romance? sign me up! It happened One Murder brings tension, banter and a little chaos wrapped up in a small town whodunit mystery.
Harriet is forced to move back home after losing her job, much to her dismay, only to find herself tangled up in investigating the murder of her stepfather (who sucks btw). she takes on the role of figuring out exactly who the guilty one is, and who ends up being our main girl's partner in this murder mystery? none other than her two weeks friends with benefits from 8 years ago. with a heavy load of unresolved feelings and a bunch of tension mind you.
though this book was very fun and entertaining i did find myself feeling a little frustrated by the two main characters and their complete lack of straight forwardness. one of my least favorite tropes is the miscommunication trope and characters just not taking a couple minutes to just TALK. i love a slow burn, but not with the added complications and setbacks from a lack of communication.
that being said, i still quite enjoyed the book. i loved trying to solve the mystery and piece together the clues alongside Harriet and Nic, and i will admit i did not guess that the killer was who it was! which is always super fun
November 11, 2025
Thank you NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark, and Liz Lawson for this ARC!
After enjoying Liz Lawson’s Agathas series earlier this year, I was excited to see It Happened One Murder pop up on NetGalley. Lawson’s blend of humor, mystery, and teen drama made her earlier books such a joy, and I was ready for another round of twisty fun. This book definitely had that light, entertaining energy and some enjoyable moments, but it didn’t quite reach the same level.
There were quite a few inconsistencies throughout the story that pulled me out of the narrative, and while I appreciated the attempt to weave romance into the mystery, it didn’t always land for me. Nic, in particular, was frustrating; his repeated arguments with Harriet became more exhausting than endearing. He had legitimate reasons to be upset, but after the third or fourth time, the conflict felt recycled and started to weigh down the pacing.
That said, Lawson’s knack for writing witty, fast-moving dialogue and creating cozy, small-town intrigue still shone through. Overall, It Happened One Murder is an easy, fun read and a great way to pass the time.
After enjoying Liz Lawson’s Agathas series earlier this year, I was excited to see It Happened One Murder pop up on NetGalley. Lawson’s blend of humor, mystery, and teen drama made her earlier books such a joy, and I was ready for another round of twisty fun. This book definitely had that light, entertaining energy and some enjoyable moments, but it didn’t quite reach the same level.
There were quite a few inconsistencies throughout the story that pulled me out of the narrative, and while I appreciated the attempt to weave romance into the mystery, it didn’t always land for me. Nic, in particular, was frustrating; his repeated arguments with Harriet became more exhausting than endearing. He had legitimate reasons to be upset, but after the third or fourth time, the conflict felt recycled and started to weigh down the pacing.
That said, Lawson’s knack for writing witty, fast-moving dialogue and creating cozy, small-town intrigue still shone through. Overall, It Happened One Murder is an easy, fun read and a great way to pass the time.
December 23, 2025
I love books where the MCs are having to solve a mystery together but it’s hard to find ones that are really done well. I was excited for this but it fell flat for me. Too much dialogue and just talking to other characters. There was not enough mystery or suspense and not enough romance to carry the book either. I felt like the ending came out of left field; there weren’t enough clues to lead us there and I was left feeling unsatisfied and uninvested by the time we figure out who the killer was and why. The MCs had this whole good cop, bad cop thing going at times which sometimes led to fun banter but was also verged on annoying. Sadly, I didn’t get the chemistry between them and when we did finally get some it was just too late and I was over it all.
March 2, 2026
Unfortunately this one was a big miss for me.
Harriet Baker has moved in with her mother and stepfather after losing her journalism job in the city. When her stepfather is murdered on his own property, the police immediately set their sights on Sara Allbright, a local chef who was seen fighting with the deceased earlier in the night. Despite her pleas of innocence, the police ignore all other leads and refuse to consider any other suspects.
With the help of Sara’s bother Nic, Harriet begins doing an investigation of her own. If she can prove Sara’s innocence, she may be able to get her job back and put the real killer behind bars. The only catch—Nic is an old summer fling she ghosted after high school and they absolutely hate each other.
I found Harriet and Nic to be some of the most immature characters I’ve ever encountered. Their dialogue was juvenile and they behaved more like pre-teens than young adults. There was no real basis for their mutual hatred and all of their bickering could have been solved with any form of basic human communication. It was very frustrating and distracted from the story watching them behave like children. In fairness to Harriet her mother was more immature and irritating than she was.
The romance could have been left out completely and it wouldn’t have changed anything in the story. Nothing about Harriet or Nic’s interactions could convince me that they wanted to live on the same planet let alone end up dating???
The mystery itself kept me intrigued and the ending was unpredictable—but there were a lot of loose ends. One of the only parts of the stories that interested me was the corruption, and it was completely glossed over. There was no real resolution and I didn’t feel satisfied with the ending at all. Most people seem to love this book so maybe it was just a me problem.
Thank you to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Harriet Baker has moved in with her mother and stepfather after losing her journalism job in the city. When her stepfather is murdered on his own property, the police immediately set their sights on Sara Allbright, a local chef who was seen fighting with the deceased earlier in the night. Despite her pleas of innocence, the police ignore all other leads and refuse to consider any other suspects.
With the help of Sara’s bother Nic, Harriet begins doing an investigation of her own. If she can prove Sara’s innocence, she may be able to get her job back and put the real killer behind bars. The only catch—Nic is an old summer fling she ghosted after high school and they absolutely hate each other.
I found Harriet and Nic to be some of the most immature characters I’ve ever encountered. Their dialogue was juvenile and they behaved more like pre-teens than young adults. There was no real basis for their mutual hatred and all of their bickering could have been solved with any form of basic human communication. It was very frustrating and distracted from the story watching them behave like children. In fairness to Harriet her mother was more immature and irritating than she was.
The romance could have been left out completely and it wouldn’t have changed anything in the story. Nothing about Harriet or Nic’s interactions could convince me that they wanted to live on the same planet let alone end up dating???
The mystery itself kept me intrigued and the ending was unpredictable—but there were a lot of loose ends. One of the only parts of the stories that interested me was the corruption, and it was completely glossed over. There was no real resolution and I didn’t feel satisfied with the ending at all. Most people seem to love this book so maybe it was just a me problem.
Thank you to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 3, 2026
Whodunnit!?
When I started to read this book I thought it was going to be predictable and cheesy… WRONG.
I was a little too confident thinking I had the whole book figured out in the first 30 minutes of reading, but that’s what makes a great murder mystery 🙃
There were a bunch of twists and turns and great plot twists.
I enjoyed that there was still romance mixed into this novel and character development. The murder had just enough suspense to keep you hooked but not enough that I was afraid to go to sleep at night, which I enjoyed.
This book really has something for everyone! Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy!
When I started to read this book I thought it was going to be predictable and cheesy… WRONG.
I was a little too confident thinking I had the whole book figured out in the first 30 minutes of reading, but that’s what makes a great murder mystery 🙃
There were a bunch of twists and turns and great plot twists.
I enjoyed that there was still romance mixed into this novel and character development. The murder had just enough suspense to keep you hooked but not enough that I was afraid to go to sleep at night, which I enjoyed.
This book really has something for everyone! Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy!
October 27, 2025
Thanks to Sourcebooks and NetGalley for an ARC of Larson’s upcoming novel. The story centers around Harriet, a journalist who returns to her family home after being unfairly fired from her job at a New York magazine. When her stepfather is murdered, Harriet finds herself at the center of the investigation. Joining forces with Nic, who she had a steamy summer romance with eight years prior, Harriet works to solve the murder, while also resurrecting her career, and helping to prove the innocence of Nic’s sister, Sara, who is considered the main suspect. Lawson does a great job of blending romance and mystery and keeps readers guessing to the very end. Highly recommend reading this book when it’s released in May!
November 21, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for granting my request to read this e-ARC and provide my honest opinion.
I love a good ol' mystery, and this one didn’t just hit. Harriet’s stepfather has just been found dead—brutally stabbed—on the beach during her birthday party, and that’s just the beginning. When all hands point towards Nic’s sister, Sara, Nic and Harriet begin working together (forgetting their history—Nic being Harriet’s short-lived fling from years ago) to try and find ways to exonerate his sister.
If you ask me, it felt so convenient to pin it on Sara, and as the investigation went on, my interest waned. I just wanted to know who did it and finish the book. The ending felt a bit lackluster, especially compared to the promising start.
Overall, I was a bit let down because I was so hyped for this one (I mean, look at that cover!), but it ended up being disappointing. The ending left a bit of a distaste in my mouth 😒.
Thank you once again for the e-ARC.
I love a good ol' mystery, and this one didn’t just hit. Harriet’s stepfather has just been found dead—brutally stabbed—on the beach during her birthday party, and that’s just the beginning. When all hands point towards Nic’s sister, Sara, Nic and Harriet begin working together (forgetting their history—Nic being Harriet’s short-lived fling from years ago) to try and find ways to exonerate his sister.
If you ask me, it felt so convenient to pin it on Sara, and as the investigation went on, my interest waned. I just wanted to know who did it and finish the book. The ending felt a bit lackluster, especially compared to the promising start.
Overall, I was a bit let down because I was so hyped for this one (I mean, look at that cover!), but it ended up being disappointing. The ending left a bit of a distaste in my mouth 😒.
Thank you once again for the e-ARC.
October 28, 2025
down the shore everything is NOT, in fact, all right
February 15, 2026
This is definitely a romance disguised as a mystery, complete with all the old tropes like one hotel bed and fake dating. It was funny and enjoyable.
I received an early copy through Netgalley but all opinions are my own.
I received an early copy through Netgalley but all opinions are my own.
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