A Cute Little Murder

by Molly Harper

She used to be the sidekick. Now she might be the only one who can survive.

As teens, Harlow Drake and Lainey Piper built an online fandom solving small-town crimes. Harlow was the star, Lainey the behind-the-scenes genius (and often, Harlow’s scapegoat). Years later, Harlow’s hosting a hit true crime tv show. Lainey? She’s working in forensics. Well, forensic accounting . . . from home. In pajamas. With her cat.

But when Harlow faces significant backlash over fumbling a case, she needs a quick win—like a special investigation into the decades-old disappearance of a starlet from a once-glamorous, now decrepit island hotel. The catch? It’s bankrolled by Deke and Bryce of DBag Games, who are looking to shed their “frat bro” reputations. As long-time fans, they have one requirement for their funding: Lainey has to play the sidekick again.

Lainey is wary, but the offer is a lifeline in a sea of unpaid student loans. After reaching the Crossings Hotel, she realizes she’s not content to be Harlow’s helper anymore. As the cold case heats up, a crew member falls over dead, presenting Harlow and Lainey with a more modern mystery: what secrets does this hotel hide within its walls?

With sabotage, hidden staircases, and a killer in their midst, Lainey steps into the spotlight and takes charge of the investigation. It’s up to her to crack the case—as long as she can stay alive.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller, Fiction, Cozy, Contemporary

349 pages, Paperback

First published April 21, 2026

About the author

Molly Harper is the author of more than 40 romance titles including the Half-Moon Hollow series, the Mystic Bayou, the Starfall Point series, and her first murder mystery, A PROPOSAL TO DIE FOR. She lives in Michigan with her family. For more information, go to www.mollyharper.com.

Reviews

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much fun! I’ve always enjoyed Molly Harper’s paranormal romcoms, but I’m loving her cozy mysteries (with romance) even more.

[Corinne’s Chapter Chatter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really cute!! I feel like it goes beyond a “cozy” as it has a little more grit. However it is a typical locked room mystery in a secluded location with no communication.

I enjoyed the plot where they were making a tv show as it was like a reality version of “only murder in the building” type of situation. The mentions of the popularity of true crime content online and TV and equally shows reverence as well as pokes fun.

I enjoyed the audio book which was narrated by Amanda Ronconi. She did such a fabulous job with her voices and reactions. She didn’t go Uber board with dramatics but gave it just the right amount of whimsy.

I’ll definitely be checking out this author in the future!

[Miranda English · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a good read. It's basically a locked room mystery gone reality tv. It had enough suspense to keep the mystery interesting, while also being lighthearted and fun. It made me laugh out loud more than once, and the littlest bit of romance was just enough.
The narrator for the audiobook did a great job as well! I highly recommend both the book and narrator.

[Sana Zameer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm sad to rate this so low. Molly Harper is one of my favorite author and I love her Jane Jameson and Half-Moon Hollow series. This book was soo boring it became a chore for me to finish it.

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Cute Little Murder by Molly Harper, this book is about two women who met in high school had a podcast where they solve mysterie’s, everything from what’s really in the meatloaf, to who put the dead body in the football field? After their graduation they drifted apart although Marlow continued podcasting Laney however became a fraud accountant or at least that’s what she does look at people’s finances and fines the embezzlement, fraud, etc. She was making decent money but with her mom’s illness and having to support her she really is in desperate need for more funds that’s why when Harlow offers her a great deal to come be her sidekick once again she reluctantly goes. she’s meeting Harlow on Bantom Island and staying in a historical home that may have seen its last heyday and a missing woman who may or may not appear in the house from time to time. The crew is hoping the historical home still has secrets to on earth. Laney despite her misgivings in OCD habits isn’t surprised to see Harlow has a bigger attitude than she did back in high school Laney couldn’t leave that she wanted to all the fairies are docked in they’re stuck there for the interim while Laney appreciates its history she also soon learns there’s a murderer in their group. I just want to say this is a terrible horrible review about a really good book that I truly enjoyed I loved Laney and Milo’s progressive relationship I wish I could’ve seen the historical clothes and other items in the home it sounded like a place I would love to go to not with a murderer though. I thought the investigation was a good one and I in no way knew who was the killer I know people say it was predictable but I did not predict it. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommended. #NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview,

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve enjoyed other titles by Molly Harper so I thought I would give this cozy mystery a try and, while I did enjoy this, it took some time for me to really get into it. It started out a little confusing, and I felt like I started a book mid-series but there were no others listed when I checked so maybe it was just me. As it went on, I was drawn into the locked room/house mystery and the relationship between Harlow and Lainey in particular; their dynamics added another level to the story. I did enjoy the ending but this took just a little too long to get going for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the review copy.

[Jules Poet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harlow & Lainie run a webcast as teens where they solve all sorts of things - lunchroom money, grades, recommendations, and even a murder.

Years later, they are both in a financial storm and team up once more. Reunited friends they are not. But, allies in trying to straighten out their financial woes? Yes.

The setting: A hotel closing on a small island
The mystery: A lost diamond, a lost man from the 20’s and the lost woman from the same time, who wanted to be a starlet

The book title is a little bit deceptive, because I count at least 3 murders and 5 attempted murders. The mystery is slow and steady and addictive!!

Love, love, love Molly Harper & Amanda Ronconi!!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[Darcy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one should have rated higher for me, a favorite author, a favorite narrator, sadly I was bored for most of the book. I found Lainey to be the only likeable character, Harlow was awful, the Dbag boys made me roll my eyes, the tv people blah, the other guest boring too. It was interesting all that came out, wished Harlow would have gotten what was coming to her, glad that others were laid to rest, glad the bad guys were caught, but mostly I was glad to be done with the book.

[Bernadette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great mystery. Fun and interesting characters, mini homage to the first mystery by Molly. Plenty of twists and plot surprises.

[marita lazarus · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up

Cute, entertaining mystery taking us back to prohibition era in the upper mid west. Will have you reading quickly to find out how everything ties together.

A little slow at the beginning, but then developed nicely. I loved the old mystery and I'm thankful Harlow got her comeuppance....

[Lora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fantastic mystery!

[Alyson Corry · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for this eARC to read and review.

I felt like I kept going back and forth whether I liked this or not, the 20+ page prologue was rough to get through and I didn't feel like it helped with the story over all, other than to describe Harlow's backstory on being a POS...

This is best described as an Agatha Christie/Scooby-Doo inspired "who dunnit" with the Cute coming from a budding romance while solving a mystery. The location and plot for solving a cold case of a rising starlet was intriguing. The actual characters and plot surrounding the murders/attempted murders at the hotel were not so great.

Overall I felt like this was a great debut novel for a new author, until I read the author bio at the end that said she has written over 40 paranormal romance mysteries.

This review will be cross-posted to NetGalley, but will not be posted socially to Instagram.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐️

Former teenage amateur sleuth and podcasters Harlow Drake and Lainey Piper reunite on a secluded island resort to solve a cold case mystery form the Prohibition Era. Back in their podcasting days, Harlow was the star, while Lainey was the mostly off-screen brains of the operation. Years later, Harlow is the host of a true crime TV show and desperately needs this show to be a hit, while Lainey, now a forensics accountant, needs the paycheck attached to this reunion job, though she would prefer to never see Harlow again.

This was a great read! This opens up with an adult Lainey heading to an isolated Michigan island resort that’s set to be demolished, in a last ditch effort to solve a Prohibition Era disappearance and potentially find a cursed missing diamond necklace for Harlow’s show. Upon arrival, a guest is found dead, and things just get worse from there. It’s a fun, witty and charming cozy mystery with just a hint of romance. It has the classic closed-circle/locked room mystery feel, but with layers of complexity due to the true crime podcast aspect and the colorful cast of characters. We also get glimpses into the teenage podcast transcripts highlighting the strained and uneven dynamic between Harlow and Lainey, adding depth and pertinent clarification into their adult dynamic.

The present-day murder mystery is compounded by their investigation into the cold case disappearance which keeps things interesting while keeping both plots moving! The setting is perfect: you’ve got a secluded island cut off from the outside world, a historic hotel with themes of heaven and hell falling into disrepair and plenty of secrets, hidden passageways and creepy cemeteries! The overall atmosphere is perfectly eerie for this story!

There’s also a romantic subplot between Lainey and Milo, the attorney tasked with managing the bumbling idiots funding the operation. Their dialogue and banter feels fresh and fun. Though the emphasis is very much on the mystery, there’s just enough romantic tension and development to make it enjoyable! The eccentric cast of supporting characters (and suspects) also adds to the intrigue and keeps things entertaining! I did find the sheer number of different characters initially overwhelming and hard to follow, but as the story progressed I was able to keep track of everyone and their roles.

The writing is engaging, the plot moves steadily and the tone strikes the perfect balance of humour and suspense without ever getting too heavy or too cliché! I really just had a great time reading this and did not want to put it down!

Overall, this was an entertaining, clever and delightful read with a great mix of murder mystery, suspense and a hint of romcom thrown into just the right eerie atmosphere! Highly recommend if you want a cozy mystery with just enough edge to keep you on your toes and maybe a hint of nostalgia!

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Out April 21, 2026!

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is something about a Molly Harper book that I don't even think twice....I just push the "Buy" button. Imagine my surprise when I began listening to this newest book and realized that we were NOT in the supernatural world - there weren't any Vampires, or other paranormal creatures.

What?

It was then that I decided to actually go back and read the book summary. I was thrilled to realize that this was going to be just a normal old-fashioned mystery. But to be fair, with Ms. Harper, nothing is ever just...."normal".

This was a kind of a "cozy" mystery, well....... actually it was more of a locked room mystery since it takes place completely on an island. We are introduced to the two main FMC's - Harlow Drake and Lainey Piper - who had started a true crime podcast back when they were in high school, but had each gone their separate ways after that. The book begins when they end up being thrown together in order to film a new television program trying to solve a very old mystery/disappearance of both people and jewels.

It quickly becomes clear that there were clear roles that these two women had when they were young. Harlow was the "Star" and Lainey was more of a sidekick. Harlow stayed in that career path and has made it to a "somewhat famous" level while Lainey left that world behind and is now a forensic accountant. It does not take long to understand that Harlow is not a nice person. In fact, I would honestly say that she is a pretty awful person.

That is the basic summary. As you might guess, nothing about this mystery is going to be typical. Ms. Harper shines in creating these worlds that are not only interesting but are full of snippets of humor along the way. All of the characters that we meet are almost caricatures of people. There are the D-Bags - the two men funding the whole event who are more like immature frat boys. There is Milo their attorney whose main job is to follow them everywhere and stop them mid-sentence or mid-act as they say or do things that are completely inappropriate. Then there are the other side characters that you might expect in this Clue type mystery - a very odd hotel manager, along with the requisite "guests" who may be more than they seem.

Things take a turn for the worst (well, maybe it would be better to say they take a serious turn) when people start dying and all of a sudden it becomes clear that there are "things afoot". It appears that Harlow might just have more enemies than she was aware of.

I listened to this on audio and Amanda Ronconi is back as the narrator for Ms. Harper. So far, I cannot think - off of the top of my head - of any book by Ms. Harper that she has not narrated so to me, she does her normal fantastic job with her portrayal of the characters.

This is a fun and easy to read/listen to mystery that does not necessitate a lot of brain power to get through. It is light hearted with a bit of craziness thrown in and definitely worth the few hours of investment.

[Darlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars
Published on Peeking Between the Pages (https://peekingbetweenthepages.com/20...)

A Cute Little Murder is filled with funny characters, an interesting setting, and a murder mystery. It was a great way to spend a few hours.

The story opens with teenagers Harlow Drake and Lainey Piper solving crimes in their small town. Along the way, they build quite the online following, with Harlow as the front person and Lainey acting as the sidekick. Yet it’s really Lainey who is the brains of the whole thing—not to mention the one always taking the risks.

Years later, Harlow is hosting a true crime TV show, while Lainey is a forensic accountant who has just lost her job and is drowning in debt. So when an offer comes from Harlow’s team to travel to an old, broken-down hotel, Lainey reluctantly agrees. She doesn’t want to, but she doesn’t really have a choice. Once there, she learns the project is being funded by Deke and Bryce of DBag Games, and they are the real reason she’s been brought along. The only way they would pay for Harlow and her team to be on location was if Lainey agreed to play sidekick again. Not exactly a great start, but Lainey reminds herself why she’s there.

And why are they there? Decades ago, a starlet disappeared without a trace, and the mystery of what happened to her has never been solved. Harlow is determined to crack the case. She needs this to work, as she’s already in hot water with the network after messing up royally. As the investigation escalates, so does the danger—especially when one of the crew drops dead. As Lainey digs deeper, she realizes just how much danger she and the others are in. With a killer in their midst, trusting the wrong person could be deadly.

While the story started on the slow side, it didn’t stay that way, and I soon found myself fully invested in what was really going on. Deke and Bryce were bumbling idiots who were hilarious, and I absolutely adored Lainey. She was sharp, funny, and had me laughing out loud more than once. I also appreciated how strong she was and how, as an adult, she finally recognized she’d had enough of Harlow pushing her around. It’s always satisfying to see a character stand up for themselves and get the recognition they deserve. The setting was another highlight. Just imagining being in this creepy, dilapidated hotel cut off from civilization sparked my interest, and solving a crime from so many years back only added to the intrigue.

I really enjoyed A Cute Little Murder and its central mystery. Perfect for mystery lovers!

Previously published on The Gloss. Review copy provided by the publisher for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Krystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Molly Harper sprinkles a little charm into her books and A Cute Little Murder is no exception. However, I admit to still being curious as to how the book got this title even after completing it as there is in fact nothing cute about these murders, suspects, or the witnesses. It's a page turner at any rate that I enjoyed all the way through.

What happens when the sidekick becomes the only hope?
🎥🎥🎥
This one is for anyone who got stuck doing all the work during "group" projects in school. As teens, Lainey and Harper built an online following/fandom creating webisodes in which they solved crimes in their local area. Harper was the face using charisma to bring in the views, while Lainey was wise cracking in the background and usually coming up with the ideas that led to the big break. The case that put them on the map in a big way was a total scandal. Lainey was a reluctant participant hoping to drum up information regarding the suspicious death of her father. Harper is drawn to the limelight like a moth to a flame.
🕯️🕯️🕯️
Fast-forward to adulthood the pair hasn't kept in touch. Lainey is a forensic accountant with money problems. Harper has her own show investigating cold cases and locating missing persons. Her next endeavor has definite make or break potential so why not get her former partner's help.
📿📿📿
The case is that of a missing woman dating back to the 1920's and famed jewels that disappeared at the same time. The women and film crew show up at Crossings Hotel a once opulent now crumbling building bursting with secrets and a dead body before their boots even hit the ground. Secret codes, corridors, rooms, and a hidden speakeasy. As the cold case turns warmer a member of their group dies.
☠️☠️☠️
The Crossings Hotel absolutely made this novel for me! Settings that leap off the page making it easy to envision exploring their depths are a treat. I especially, liked how the cold case took place at the height of prohibition making the hidden sections of the hotel believable and the mystery extra juicy.
🍸🍸🍸
I caught a few of the clues dangled about, but I wasn't 100% sure I was right until the ending.

This one might not be cute, but it sure is good!!
🥂🥂🥂

Thank you to Berkley Publishing for providing a digital ARC via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Molly Harper, so there was no doubt in my mind that I wouldn't love A CUTE LITTLE MURDER. And I did. As much as I enjoy her paranormal romances, which I love, there is something about an ordinary woman who uses her intelligence and skill to win the day that is much more satisfying than a witch using her powers. I mean, I still want witchy powers, but in lieu of that ever happening, give me smart and sassy women all day long!

Actually, Lainey Piper is surprisingly sass-free at first, which is a little unusual for a Molly Harper character. But watching Lainey move more to center stage instead of always being downstage right or left is half the fun of A CUTE LITTLE MURDER. As is the support she receives from Harlow's film crew. Ms. Harper knows all about karma and makes sure it proves to be a little bitch.

The best thing about all of Ms. Harper's novels is her characters. They are always memorable and always provide their own form of entertainment. In A CUTE LITTLE MURDER, my favorites have to be the absolutely clueless tech bros. They are literally 13-year-olds in grown-up bodies, surprisingly innocent in their cluelessness, but adorable in their eagerness to be better. They are the human equivalent of puppies, and the story is so much better for their inclusion.

In addition to the always fabulous banter among the vibrant characters, I enjoyed the exploration of the old hotel, Lainey's excellent knowledge of the 1920s, and her well-honed observational skills. The mystery wasn't too heavy, and the danger wasn't too intense. The worn-down hotel provides the perfect creepy atmosphere for a murder mystery, complete with secret passageways and a crypt. The little flashbacks to Lainey's and Harlow's past are a natural extension of the story, adding important character development and context for their current relationship. A CUTE LITTLE MURDER is another fun Molly Harper mystery, containing a lot of what I have come to expect in her stories with a few fun surprises too!

[Ashley Gillan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lainey was a senior in high school when her and her best friend Harlow exposed a scandal in their high school and created an infamous investigative web program. After years of hiding from the fallout, Lainey accepts an invitation from Harlow to join her for a true crime program on a remote island in an attempt to solve an old cold case. The program is a last-ditch effort to save Harlow’s fledgling reputation after some badly bungled programs. But the case at the crumbling and almost closed-up hotel begins to heat up as strange things begin happening, and it’s up to Lainey to figure out if she can not only figure out what happened to the budding socialite all those years ago, but also get everybody off the island alive.

I really enjoyed this book because it had so many great elements: two interesting mysteries (the cold case and the present-day mystery), a great main character, and an excellent supporting cast that mixed laugh-out-loud humor with the right amount of suspense and thrills. I didn’t guess the answer to either mystery before it was revealed, which was nice, and I was extremely pleased with both answers, as well as how everything turned out.

As I mentioned, the supporting cast, especially the DBag guys, Findlay, and Milo were great. I loved their chemistry and the way they played off of each other. It was really well written! There were times when I was literally laughing out loud.

The only thing that kept this from five stars was that there were a a tad too many characters too keep track of. There were a couple times I had to go back and remind myself who people that were being mentioned were because there were just a lot of people in there.

But overall, I really loved this one. It was a great mystery, with the right amount of fun and edge to it. I would love to see Lainey again. I would absolutely read another book starring her!

[Sandy S · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars—A CUTE LITTLE MURDER by Molly Harper is a contemporary, adult, cozy mystery storyline focusing high school classmates turned amateur sleuths Harlow Drake and Lainey Piper.


Told from third person perspective, following several timelines, A CUTE LITTLE MURDER follows the search for the truth. Fifteen years earlier, classmates Lainey Piper and Harlow Drake suspected their missing high school guidance counselor had been murdered, and set about to prove their theory. Having made a reputation for themselves, Lainey and Harlow developed a fan base as they solved small-town crimes. Fast forward to present day, Lainey, now a forensic accountant has been invited by crime podcaster Harlow Drake, to help solve a hundred year old mystery at the Crossing Hotel, a mystery that would bring with it to the present, death and greed.


The world building is detailed and complex as a a large number of invited guests begin to breakdown the events leading to the one-hundred year old disappearance of a young woman, a disappearance with connections to the Crossing Hotel. The team of investigators and podcasters have two weeks to solve the mystery, a mystery that becomes more deadly and dangerous the closer everyone comes to the truth.


There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, questionable, and determined secondary and supporting characters including old-time hotel employees, podcasters, investors, crew and local citizens. Not everyone arrived with the same objective, and Lainey is about to discover her invite comes with questionable intent.


A CUTE LITTLE MURDER is a story of mystery and suspense, secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, jealousy and greed. The premise is entertaining but often meanders off course; the characters are determined yet trouble.


copy supplied for review

[Cheyenne Oleson · Rating 4 out of 5]

**★★★★☆ | Cozy Chaos, Clever Mystery, and So Much Fun**

*A Cute Little Murder* by Molly Harper is a lively, entertaining mystery that blends cozy charm with just enough edge to keep things interesting. It has that familiar locked-room feel, but adds a modern twist with true crime, media culture, and a cast that keeps the energy high.

One of the biggest highlights is the setting. The secluded island and crumbling historic hotel create the perfect backdrop—full of secrets, hidden spaces, and just enough eerie atmosphere to pull you in. It feels immersive without ever getting too heavy, which fits the tone of the story really well.

The dynamic between the characters adds a lot to the experience, especially the main duo. Their history, tension, and banter bring both humor and depth, making their interactions fun to follow. The supporting cast is equally entertaining, though there are quite a few personalities to keep track of at times.

The mystery itself is engaging, with both a cold case and a present-day investigation unfolding side by side. It keeps you guessing without feeling overly complicated, and the reveals are satisfying without being too obvious.

The pacing moves well, balancing humor, suspense, and character moments. If there’s any drawback, it’s that the larger cast can occasionally make things feel a bit crowded, and some moments could have benefited from a little more focus or clarity.

Overall, *A Cute Little Murder* is a fun, clever read that delivers a great mix of mystery, humor, and atmosphere. It’s perfect for readers who enjoy cozy mysteries with a slightly sharper edge and a modern twist.

**Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.**

[C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to A Cute Little Murder because I’ve enjoyed Molly Harper’s work in this genre before. As with her other books, she does a great job creating a vivid setting and a fully realized world. The hotel, its hidden prohibition-era passages, and the history woven into the story were some of my favorite elements, and the mystery surrounding the missing girl kept me curious about how everything would come together.

The female main character is strongly drawn and clearly shaped by the difficult experiences she’s been through. Her constant state of over-preparedness—complete with an oversized bag filled with pepper spray, flashlights, glitter, and more—felt a little exaggerated at times, but it also underscored how much she has endured. While she didn’t experience a great deal of personal growth over the course of the story, that didn’t seem to be the primary focus of the book.

Like Harper’s previous novel, the story also includes a romance that develops very quickly. While that seems to be a hallmark of her writing style, this particular relationship might not have been entirely necessary to the story.

That said, once I settled into the book, I found myself enjoying it enough to stay up far later than planned to finish it. This is very much a breezy, entertaining read rather than a serious mystery, and readers looking for something fun and atmospheric for a beach or vacation read will likely find a lot to enjoy. Readers familiar with Molly Harper’s writing will likely recognize her blend of humor, quirky characters, and light mystery

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing for the ARC to read and review. All opinions are my own.

[JoAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read my review on NovelsAlive.com by clicking the link below. It is also posted in full.

https://novelsalive.com/2026/04/22/4-...

A Cute Little Murder by Molly Harper was not the southern cozy mystery I was expecting. Instead, it was edgy, with over-the-top characters and so many true-crime podcasts and secrets just waiting to be revealed.

The story moves from Harlow and Lainey’s high school days and antics to their current time on Murder Island, where they’re trying to solve a cold case and find some riches. Throughout, deaths and crimes are being committed, and the duo tries to find the culprit of the current crimes taking place at a run-down hotel with a huge ick factor. They worked well together in high school on their podcasts, but weren’t really friends. When they reconnect many years later, they are working together temporarily for totally different reasons.

The author paints vivid descriptions, with lots of detail, along with clues, red herrings, and many methods for committing the crimes. The story has many twists and turns, including flashbacks to Harlow and Lainey’s teenage years, and it’s not always pretty. Harlow has had an enormous ego since high school, but needs other people’s attention to fulfill her goals and dreams.

When the whodunnit is revealed, I found it an interesting choice. The epilogue, which takes place a year later, tied up some loose ends, giving closure, but I hoped it would have gone on a little longer.

A Cute Little Murder has a lot more going on than one murder and takes us on a roller coaster ride.

[Misty (Reds Romance & Mystery Reviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harlow Drake and Lainey Piper reunite on a secluded island resort to solve a cold case mystery, but someone doesn't want them to solve it and will stop at nothing to keep it that way!

Between the pages of this expertly crafted mystery you will meet two women who were once crime solving podcasters in high school and now find themselves distant friends who grew apart through the years. Their lives have taken them in different directions, but it's their bond over crime solving all those years ago that is about to reunite them again.

When Harlow lands a job hunting down the killer of a once famed harlot she realizes it's a job she cannot do alone, she needs Lainey's help to solve this one and help get herself into the good graces of her viewers. So she calls Lainey and makes a offer Lainey can't really refuse right now, even though the two haven't spoken in a few years. They aren't on the best of terms, as they have grown and their lives have gone in different directions, but Lainey is unemployed and needs money to cover her ever mounting pile of bills. But upon her arrival at the famed resort Lainey realizes she may have just gotten herself into something that she may not survive! Lies are being told, secrets are being kept, and someone doesn't want the girls to discover the truth...it's a show that may not go on!

I really enjoyed this cozy mystery, every page was filled with suspense, thrills, drama, and excitement! This one impressed on all fronts, it was engaging, entertaining, and kept me on my toes! Highly recommend!

I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving my honest and unbiased opinion.

[Sennehs · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC of “A Cute Little Murder” in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I don’t have much to say about this one. The book was on the “cute” side for sure, but that didn’t make it overly engaging. Some of the investigation and storyline were novel, but I felt apathetic about the mystery itself.

The characters were so vastly different from each other which is what drove the most interesting aspects of the story for me. I found the video game wunderkinds to be hilarious. I appreciated their blunt stupidity, but that was wholly unrelated to the mystery. Harlow’s character didn’t hit as hard as I think the author had hoped (even with her fiercely witchy attitude), but Lainey was a solid FMC. The supporting characters, with the exception of Milo, were forgettable.

As this has not been published I don’t know that it’s fair to judge the book on the spelling and grammar mistakes, missing or erroneous words or character names, or the incredibly unnecessary times an ellipses was used. That did, however, cause some frustration so I think it’s important to note.

[Rebekah McCallie Winter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book was SO aptly named: A Cute Little Murder was just that... a cute murder mystery. Molly Harper has written a fun whodunit, with charm, giggles and a nice little romance. The characters were quirky and absurd, and a few of them were absolutely horrid and I would like to punt them directly into the sun. Lainey was such a great FMC. Maybe it's because I'm partial to accountants, but Lainey is rational and smart, while also being insecure and quirky. I really enjoyed the true crime aspects to this, as I am a true crime junkie myself. Oh and I love a murder mystery where there is forced proximity with all the characters! Very fun read!

I did listen to A Cute Little Murder, and I thought Amanda Ronconi did a great job bringing all of these characters to life. I enjoyed her different accents for Harlow and Lainy. My ONLY complaint was that the same narrator was used for scenes where the girls were in high school. It felt like two adults talking but with childish communication. A young narrator for those parts would have worked well. But overall an enjoyable audiobook!

Thank you Berkley and PRH Audio for the free advanced copies in exchange for an honest review.

[Ali Bunke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Molly Harper’s A Cute Little Murder is a cozy mystery built on a fun premise. Harlow and Lainey, once high‑school amateur sleuths with an online fandom, reunite years later after landing in very different lives. Harlow has turned her detective persona into a full‑blown, extremely popular, online presence, while Lainey has moved on. That is until circumstances pull them back together at an isolated hotel to investigate a cold case. Naturally, a fresh body appears, and the two are drawn into a new mystery layered with hidden staircases, secret passages, and long‑buried truths. As in many cozies, the police latch onto the wrong theory, leaving Lainey to step in and piece things together. The clues unfold slowly and methodically, creating a true crime vibe that pairs well with the prickly, complicated dynamic between the former partners. Even with plenty of reveals, the full picture stays hazy until nearly the end, making the final resolution feel satisfying.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the advanced reader copy. This is my honest review.

[callistoscalling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher for a gifted copy; all thoughts are my own.

Lainey Piper has her Mary Poppins bag of investigative essentials but since her early, accidentally famous days of true crime popularity, she has always been the sidekick. Now she’s trying to make ends meet and called back into the game by her overbearing frenenemy Harlow to join her true crime tv show on location of a Murder Hotel on a remote island in the Midwest. This cozy mystery in a dilapidated historic hotel is perfect for lovers of true crime in any format and the audiobook is perfectly narrated, bringing the perfectly paced story to life.

Molly Harper brings a richly layered, immersive story that truly has the reader guessing who is behind the mayhem. Is the modern day murder of a guest related to the disappearance of a famed starlet that brought the team to the island to investigate? A Cute Little Murder blends Gatsby vibes with a modern-day Agatha Christie aura that delivers Main Character Energy that works.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my goals for this year is to read a decent percentage of my unread ARCs. It was with that in mind that I picked this title to read over the long weekend. I am so, so glad I did.

This was a hilarious and fun mystery. The characters were quirky without being caricatures. There was friendship drama, frat-boy shenanigans, a secret speakeasy, a historic unsolved mystery, and a couple of bodies. What more could you want?

I loved Lainey as a main character. She was funny and self-aware in ways that I'd love to be. It was fun watching her work her magic, with her handbag of doom, and just piece together clues while chaos unfolds around her. (Speaking of the handbag. I'd love a full contents list, for research purposes of course.)

This was a perfect mystery with plenty of humor, twists, and hijinks. This is for anyone who loves a fun mystery with a touch of romance.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy of this title to read and review. It was much appreciated.

[Marissa (holdme.thrillme) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to my partner PRH Audio for this gifted audiobook!

This book was so fun! It was cozy, funny, sweet, and full of intrigue. I would totally be besties with Lainey IRL. One of my favorite tropes is an isolated setting which we have here in spades, on top of a missing person case from the Prohibition area to solve and a pair of bumbling tech bros called the DBags. It’s like Nancy Drew for the modern age if Nancy drew was hilarious and a forensic accountant.

The story had a touch of romance (no spice) for those who want their cold dead hearts to thaw a few degrees like myself. The villain of the book is very clearly defined and I really loved how things turned out in the end.

I listened to the audiobook as narrated by Amanda Ronconi, a new-to-me voice actor who seems to mostly narrate cozy witchy books which I LOVE and she was fabulous! I could have listened to her voice all day. She really captured Lainey’s humor and sarcasm and the DBags’ antics.

[Jasmine Durham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating 4.75⭐️

Nothing sets a book up like a mystery inside of a mystery! This book was the perfect murder mystery. It reminded me of my younger days of reading Nancy Drew except this one was for adults. I definitely loved how the book kept you guessing about who the murder was and if you figured it out then why were they doing it. The author did an amazing job of setting the scene for a creepy mystery solving adventure by taking the time to detail what exactly the characters were seeing throughout. Most of the characters in this story were very loveable except the problematic one which perfectly makes sense for the story line. This book isn’t just a mystery book it does have a fast burn romance between the FMC and one of the other characters in the story.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Berkeley Publishing and Molly for the copy of this book! All thoughts and opinion ions are my own💜💜