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Voted Most Likely to Murder
A high school reunion comes to an abrupt end when the dead body of the class jock shocks the school’s gymnasium in this cozy mystery debut, perfect for fans of Ellery Adams and Eva Gates.
Belinda Bishop is unemployed and single. At thirty-two, her journalism career feels stuck, and let’s not even speak about her love life, which isn’t helping her look forward to her upcoming high school reunion. Stuck working at her parents' seaside cottage and RV park in Nova Scotia for the time being, she needs time to regroup and come up with a killer story to get her career and her life back on track.
When she literally stumbles across the dead body of the philandering class jock at the reunion, the party quickly comes to a stop. At first, it seems like the perfect opportunity for Belinda to channel her inner Christianne Amanpour, until her childhood-best-friend-turned-nemesis, Jolene Dexter, is declared the prime suspect. Despite their falling out, Belinda is convinced the former pageant queen is innocent.
As the two women struggle to put aside their differences, they have to work together to catch the real murderer before this sleepy coastal town is rocked to its foundations.
This romp of a mystery is perfect for fans of Jenn McKinlay and Benjamin Stevenson.
Belinda Bishop is unemployed and single. At thirty-two, her journalism career feels stuck, and let’s not even speak about her love life, which isn’t helping her look forward to her upcoming high school reunion. Stuck working at her parents' seaside cottage and RV park in Nova Scotia for the time being, she needs time to regroup and come up with a killer story to get her career and her life back on track.
When she literally stumbles across the dead body of the philandering class jock at the reunion, the party quickly comes to a stop. At first, it seems like the perfect opportunity for Belinda to channel her inner Christianne Amanpour, until her childhood-best-friend-turned-nemesis, Jolene Dexter, is declared the prime suspect. Despite their falling out, Belinda is convinced the former pageant queen is innocent.
As the two women struggle to put aside their differences, they have to work together to catch the real murderer before this sleepy coastal town is rocked to its foundations.
This romp of a mystery is perfect for fans of Jenn McKinlay and Benjamin Stevenson.
304 pages, Paperback
First published May 12, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
Did Not Finish
November 5, 2025The cover has me so intrigued!
I don't read enough cozy mysteries
Excited to see how this delivers!
❤️🤍❤️🤍
I don't read enough cozy mysteries
Excited to see how this delivers!
❤️🤍❤️🤍
Want to Read
November 7, 2025OOOHH THIS LOOKS FUNNN
June 21, 2026
This was a fun mystery with interesting characters and a great setting. I loved the high school reunion aspect and the “mean girls” that never grew up and the other aspects of high school that Belinda and her classmates never really shed; it added a nice touch of nostalgia and small-town living that is usually missing from mysteries set in larger towns. The investigation was front and center in this one, though there are a few messy relationships Belinda has to work through, and despite figuring out who the guilty party was early on, it didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the mystery. Not sure if this is meant to be part of a series but if it is, I will read the next one.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the review copy.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the review copy.
July 11, 2026
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Belinda Bishop’s life is imploding at the age of 32. She’s “lost her job, her boyfriend, and her apartment, and now has to work for her parents”. She also believes “high school reunions should be outlawed.” If she didn’t know better, she would think the reunion committee “conspired to ensure” this reunion was held at that lowest part of her life. She didn’t want to go, but her mother threatened to embarrass her greatly if she didn’t.
Now, she wishes she had stayed home and dealt with her mother. The reunion comes to a complete halt when Belinda trips over Big Andy Perch’s body stretched out on the hallway floor in a pool of blood. Selfishly, Belinda thinks this death would be a great way to get her journalism career back on track, until a childhood friend/now enemy, Jolene Dexter, tops the list of suspects, Belinda decides to cast their differences aside to help her prove her innocence. Her BFF Stevie is ready to help her do just that.
Class reunions are in a class of their own. If you are successful, you want to strut your stuff, talk about your great job, and your wonderful family. If your life is in transition, you want to stay home and watch rom-coms or lose yourself in a book, but feel you must go, so you don’t become a topic of discussion. Will your high school friends be there to support you, or will the “mean girls” point out everything wrong in your life? Hopefully, no one ends up dead.
Belinda is so relatable. Smart, funny, and a pro with sarcasm. Her best friend, Stephanie (Stevie) Hart, has had Belinda’s back since the day they met. High school was not a happy place for Belinda. She believed the Pageant Minions (Wannabe Beauty Queens) prided themselves on making her life miserable. Jolene Dexter went from being her childhood best friend to a high school Pageant Minion. I enjoyed how these characters evolved within these pages. I found myself quickly invested in their lives.
Big Andy was a flirt; he flirted “with anything that moved”. He taught history and coached the high school team. Many affairs are rumored, and it cost him his marriage. Anyone at the reunion could have killed him. People with easy access to the school, but not formally at the reunion, could have also done the deed. I had a fabulous time following all the clues judiciously dropped within the book. The true guilty culprit caught my interest early, but I wasn’t sure until Belinda started to talk her theory through with Jolene. Because she had to be sure she was right and had actual proof, both found themselves in the killer’s sights. Would help arrive in time?
Ms. Moone has plotted a mystery that struck the perfect balance of all the cozy elements: a fun theme, a beautiful small Nova Scotia town, quirky and relatable characters, an intriguing whodunit, and humor placed liberally throughout. I can’t believe this is Lacey Moone’s debut. She is definitely an author to watch. I am excited to read her next story. This one was a Perfect Escape!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to the author, Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
Belinda Bishop’s life is imploding at the age of 32. She’s “lost her job, her boyfriend, and her apartment, and now has to work for her parents”. She also believes “high school reunions should be outlawed.” If she didn’t know better, she would think the reunion committee “conspired to ensure” this reunion was held at that lowest part of her life. She didn’t want to go, but her mother threatened to embarrass her greatly if she didn’t.
Now, she wishes she had stayed home and dealt with her mother. The reunion comes to a complete halt when Belinda trips over Big Andy Perch’s body stretched out on the hallway floor in a pool of blood. Selfishly, Belinda thinks this death would be a great way to get her journalism career back on track, until a childhood friend/now enemy, Jolene Dexter, tops the list of suspects, Belinda decides to cast their differences aside to help her prove her innocence. Her BFF Stevie is ready to help her do just that.
Class reunions are in a class of their own. If you are successful, you want to strut your stuff, talk about your great job, and your wonderful family. If your life is in transition, you want to stay home and watch rom-coms or lose yourself in a book, but feel you must go, so you don’t become a topic of discussion. Will your high school friends be there to support you, or will the “mean girls” point out everything wrong in your life? Hopefully, no one ends up dead.
Belinda is so relatable. Smart, funny, and a pro with sarcasm. Her best friend, Stephanie (Stevie) Hart, has had Belinda’s back since the day they met. High school was not a happy place for Belinda. She believed the Pageant Minions (Wannabe Beauty Queens) prided themselves on making her life miserable. Jolene Dexter went from being her childhood best friend to a high school Pageant Minion. I enjoyed how these characters evolved within these pages. I found myself quickly invested in their lives.
Big Andy was a flirt; he flirted “with anything that moved”. He taught history and coached the high school team. Many affairs are rumored, and it cost him his marriage. Anyone at the reunion could have killed him. People with easy access to the school, but not formally at the reunion, could have also done the deed. I had a fabulous time following all the clues judiciously dropped within the book. The true guilty culprit caught my interest early, but I wasn’t sure until Belinda started to talk her theory through with Jolene. Because she had to be sure she was right and had actual proof, both found themselves in the killer’s sights. Would help arrive in time?
Ms. Moone has plotted a mystery that struck the perfect balance of all the cozy elements: a fun theme, a beautiful small Nova Scotia town, quirky and relatable characters, an intriguing whodunit, and humor placed liberally throughout. I can’t believe this is Lacey Moone’s debut. She is definitely an author to watch. I am excited to read her next story. This one was a Perfect Escape!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to the author, Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
September 8, 2026
4.5 stars
Belinda Bishop is one of my new fave cozy mystery heroines, and I really hope that Voted Most Likely to Murder isn’t my only chance to hang out with her. She’s a bit of a contradiction – really observant and intuitive but also can’t really read the room. Her quick wit and snark, combined with that bull-in-a-china-shop approach to relationships and interrogations, give her an endearing, relatable quality and makes her highly entertaining. Basically, she’s a hot mess but a lovable one. Her best friend Stevie is the perfect sidekick in Belinda’s sleuthing adventures. Even though she’s not completely successful in keeping Belinda out of trouble or preventing her from sticking her foot in her mouth, Stevie is exactly the kind of friend she needs anyway. And then there’s Jolene, Belinda’s childhood frenemy, who adds a whole other layer to the mix and, oh, gets wrongfully accused of murder.
The murder of their old high school friend at their class reunion certainly proves the fastest way for Belinda to catch up on the lives of her former classmates as the reporter in her can’t help but investigate. Something which runs her afoul of the swoony big-city detective brought in to help the local police, a character who pinged my ‘romance potential’ radar as soon as he stepped onto the page. I don’t know if this will be a series or not, but I sincerely hope so because I loved the chemistry that eventually starts zinging between them by the end of the story and I want to see where it goes. Of course, there’s also the swoony bartender Jinx (not his real name… but I’m not going to risk typing out his real name. You’ll know why when you read the book) who seems to have feelings for Belinda too. My vote is for the swoony detective though. Buuuuut back to the mystery I was talking about (though, are we surprised I got distracted by the potential romances? No, we are not). It’s cleverly plotted and moves at just the right pace, giving us several plausible suspects until it all comes together in one fell swoop… with a dash of peril as the cherry on top.
Bottom Line: A heroine who made me laugh, a mystery that kept me engaged, and a hint of romance? That’s a combination that’s awfully hard for me to resist, and I read Voted Most Likely to Murder in one sitting because I was having so much fun. This entertaining and witty debut novel by Lacey Moone has all the ingredients I look for in a cozy mystery, wrapped up with plenty of charm and a cast I’d happily spend more time with. The quick banter and the character dynamics stood out for me just as much as the sleuthing twists did, and I loved Moone’s snappy writing voice. Voted Most Likely to Murder would be a great next read for fans of Lena Gregory, Julie Chase, and Vicki Delany.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
Belinda Bishop is one of my new fave cozy mystery heroines, and I really hope that Voted Most Likely to Murder isn’t my only chance to hang out with her. She’s a bit of a contradiction – really observant and intuitive but also can’t really read the room. Her quick wit and snark, combined with that bull-in-a-china-shop approach to relationships and interrogations, give her an endearing, relatable quality and makes her highly entertaining. Basically, she’s a hot mess but a lovable one. Her best friend Stevie is the perfect sidekick in Belinda’s sleuthing adventures. Even though she’s not completely successful in keeping Belinda out of trouble or preventing her from sticking her foot in her mouth, Stevie is exactly the kind of friend she needs anyway. And then there’s Jolene, Belinda’s childhood frenemy, who adds a whole other layer to the mix and, oh, gets wrongfully accused of murder.
The murder of their old high school friend at their class reunion certainly proves the fastest way for Belinda to catch up on the lives of her former classmates as the reporter in her can’t help but investigate. Something which runs her afoul of the swoony big-city detective brought in to help the local police, a character who pinged my ‘romance potential’ radar as soon as he stepped onto the page. I don’t know if this will be a series or not, but I sincerely hope so because I loved the chemistry that eventually starts zinging between them by the end of the story and I want to see where it goes. Of course, there’s also the swoony bartender Jinx (not his real name… but I’m not going to risk typing out his real name. You’ll know why when you read the book) who seems to have feelings for Belinda too. My vote is for the swoony detective though. Buuuuut back to the mystery I was talking about (though, are we surprised I got distracted by the potential romances? No, we are not). It’s cleverly plotted and moves at just the right pace, giving us several plausible suspects until it all comes together in one fell swoop… with a dash of peril as the cherry on top.
Bottom Line: A heroine who made me laugh, a mystery that kept me engaged, and a hint of romance? That’s a combination that’s awfully hard for me to resist, and I read Voted Most Likely to Murder in one sitting because I was having so much fun. This entertaining and witty debut novel by Lacey Moone has all the ingredients I look for in a cozy mystery, wrapped up with plenty of charm and a cast I’d happily spend more time with. The quick banter and the character dynamics stood out for me just as much as the sleuthing twists did, and I loved Moone’s snappy writing voice. Voted Most Likely to Murder would be a great next read for fans of Lena Gregory, Julie Chase, and Vicki Delany.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
August 29, 2026
Quick Summary: A cozy Charlie's Angels/Nancy Drew-esque domestic mystery/thriller
My Review: Voted Most Likely to Murder: A Novel by Lacey Moone is a crime fiction novel. It was released in May 2026.
About the Book: "A high school reunion comes to an abrupt end when the dead body of the class jock shocks the school’s gymnasium..."
In My Own Words: An amateur female sleuth/journalist attempts to figure out the unfortunate MDK whodunit in her hometown.
About the Characters: The characters in this story were quirky, to be sure. They represented the classic high school cast - the jock, the writer, the popular it girl with her mean girl sidekicks, and more. It was the perfect mix.
The main character, Belinda Bishop, is unemployed, single, and totally inquisitive. While her writing career is on hold, she finds herself searching for a killer.
The supporting characters were so hilariously peculiar that I could not look away. Who knew that a former foe and a ragtag group of locals could help her discover the means, mode, and opportunity that led to the unalive event?
About the Conflict:
- "... she literally stumbles across the dead body of the philandering class jock at the reunion..."
- "...her childhood best friend-turned-nemesis Jolene Dexter is declared the prime suspect."
- "As the two women struggle to put aside their differences, they have to work together to catch the real murderer before this sleepy coastal town is rocked to its foundations."
About the Tension Point: Belinda and the lead detective struck sparks off each other. Could something be budding?
My Final Say: This detective light novel was charming. It was cute and cozy.
I loved Belinda. Her attitude, her choices, her goals, and her observation/deduction skills made her captivating. Her confidence and blaze-your-own-trail mindset drew me in. All I know is that I want more. (I'm so hoping this will become a series. Please and thank you.)
The secrets, whispers, and hidden elements were just right. I loved it all.
Other: Readers who enjoy cozy mysteries, female sleuthing adventures, and snacking patrols will adore this story.
Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Re-read: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
Status: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Level: 🧐
Format: 🎧
Narration: +
Cover: +
Title: +
#wishlistread
My Review: Voted Most Likely to Murder: A Novel by Lacey Moone is a crime fiction novel. It was released in May 2026.
About the Book: "A high school reunion comes to an abrupt end when the dead body of the class jock shocks the school’s gymnasium..."
In My Own Words: An amateur female sleuth/journalist attempts to figure out the unfortunate MDK whodunit in her hometown.
About the Characters: The characters in this story were quirky, to be sure. They represented the classic high school cast - the jock, the writer, the popular it girl with her mean girl sidekicks, and more. It was the perfect mix.
The main character, Belinda Bishop, is unemployed, single, and totally inquisitive. While her writing career is on hold, she finds herself searching for a killer.
The supporting characters were so hilariously peculiar that I could not look away. Who knew that a former foe and a ragtag group of locals could help her discover the means, mode, and opportunity that led to the unalive event?
About the Conflict:
- "... she literally stumbles across the dead body of the philandering class jock at the reunion..."
- "...her childhood best friend-turned-nemesis Jolene Dexter is declared the prime suspect."
- "As the two women struggle to put aside their differences, they have to work together to catch the real murderer before this sleepy coastal town is rocked to its foundations."
About the Tension Point: Belinda and the lead detective struck sparks off each other. Could something be budding?
My Final Say: This detective light novel was charming. It was cute and cozy.
I loved Belinda. Her attitude, her choices, her goals, and her observation/deduction skills made her captivating. Her confidence and blaze-your-own-trail mindset drew me in. All I know is that I want more. (I'm so hoping this will become a series. Please and thank you.)
The secrets, whispers, and hidden elements were just right. I loved it all.
Other: Readers who enjoy cozy mysteries, female sleuthing adventures, and snacking patrols will adore this story.
Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Re-read: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
Status: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Level: 🧐
Format: 🎧
Narration: +
Cover: +
Title: +
#wishlistread
September 29, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley, Lacey Moone and Crooked Lane Books for the advanced copy!
Belinda is probably going into my chest of favourite tenacious, witty and daring female characters. Belinda has returrned home to her small hometown in Canada after a series of terrible life eventsーbecoming unemployed, her relationship implodingーand has reunited with her childhood friend Stevie. They attend a high school reunion (grudgingly) where the central incident happensーthe murder of a famous football ex-classmate. What follows is a fun mystery with hijiinks, twists, turns and a sweet reunion with an old friend, Jolene Dexter, after a falling out between her annd Belinda years before.
The "whodunit" wasn't as satisifying but it definitely was a thread that made the most sense. Would recommend if you like mysteries, tenacious female characters, good humour and a seaside, cozy town which was a perfect setting for this novel.
Belinda is probably going into my chest of favourite tenacious, witty and daring female characters. Belinda has returrned home to her small hometown in Canada after a series of terrible life eventsーbecoming unemployed, her relationship implodingーand has reunited with her childhood friend Stevie. They attend a high school reunion (grudgingly) where the central incident happensーthe murder of a famous football ex-classmate. What follows is a fun mystery with hijiinks, twists, turns and a sweet reunion with an old friend, Jolene Dexter, after a falling out between her annd Belinda years before.
The "whodunit" wasn't as satisifying but it definitely was a thread that made the most sense. Would recommend if you like mysteries, tenacious female characters, good humour and a seaside, cozy town which was a perfect setting for this novel.
August 16, 2026
achei taooooooo divertido. me lembrou um pouco a vibe da serie afterparty!!!
May 19, 2026
This review was first published at https://miramichireader.ca on July 2nd.
“A high school reunion comes to an abrupt end when the dead body of the class jock shocks the school’s gymnasium in the cozy mystery debut by Lacey Moone!”– Book Blurb
Lacey Moone’s debut novel, Voted Most Likely to Murder, is a well-written, cozy mystery set in a small coastal town on the South Shore of Nova Scotia.
Heroine Belinda Bishop’s move back home was not under the best of circumstances. When she graduated from high school she left Little Blue Harbour vowing never to step foot in it again. Her dream was to become an: “investigative journalist like (her) idol, Dateline’s Keith Morrison. Exposing corrupt corporations. Staring down ruthless killers as (she) pressed them for answers. Uncovering the truth”. Now she is 32. She has lost her job, her boyfriend, and her apartment. She was forced to move back home into her old bedroom. Belinda finds herself working for her parents, helping out with their cottage rentals and RV park, Topsail Cottages and Campground.
At the beginning of the evening of her fourteen-year high school reunion, Belinda runs into Stephanie “Stevie” Hart. Stevie was a come-from-away whom she met and became instant friends with when they were fifteen. During the reunion, Belinda and Stevie bump into old classmates, including Jinx, aka Ethan Sutherland. Ethan made Belinda’s pulse race in high school and continues to give her stomach butterflies. He is called Jinx because of the Curse of the Sutherland Beard. Anyone who says his full name would experience bad luck. He is now the owner of the Right Foot Restaurant and Pub on the boardwalk. During the reunion, award trophies were given out for things like Farthest Travelled, Most Interesting Job, Teacher’s Pet, and Class Flirt.
Before leaving the reunion, Belinda and Stevie decided to take a trip down memory lane and do a little detour upstairs to Mr. Blenkhorn’s office. They wanted to draw a cartoon featuring Manny the Muskrat on the whiteboard outside his office, something they did and got disciplined for while attending the school. Once they had completed the cartoon drawing, they decided to take a different staircase downstairs. A staircase that was closer to the parking lot, but dark. Once they reached the ground floor, Belinda’s shoe caught on something soft, causing her to faceplant onto the floor. When she looked around to see what had caused her to fall, she saw Andrew, winner of the Class Flirt Award, lying dead at the base of the stairs.
Belinda’s childhood best friend-turned-nemesis, Jolene Dexter, is the prime suspect in the case because her scarf was found under the victim. Belinda doesn’t believe Jolene is guilty. In her words, “The Jolene Dexter I remember is way too Type A to push someone down the stairs and leave evidence directly tying her to the crime. Trust me, any murder she commits would involve multiple to-do lists and at least one storyboard.” Stevie convinces Belinda to put aside her differences with Jolene, and the three team up to solve the murder.
On loan from the Major Crimes Unit in Halifax, the very attractive, but stern and proper, Sergeant Brady Finlayson, along with Belinda’s childhood friend, Corporal Randall Perry, are the officers in charge of the investigation. Finlayson has only been in the Major Crimes unit for a short while and is out to prove himself. Finlayson may not like Belinda and her friend’s amateur detective snooping, but that is not going to deter them.
I had the pleasure of attending Lacey Moone’s debut book launch for Voted Most Likely to Murder at the Shelburne County Museum and couldn’t wait to get home and read it. The attractive, fun, yearbook-looking cover sets the tone for the novel. Chock-full of high school cliques that never grew up; the mean girls, the jocks, and the teacher’s pets all at a fourteen-year reunion. It was a well-plotted novel, with plenty of sarcasm and humour, and everything a cozy mystery should have. An ex-journalist, a high school bestie, and a former childhood bestie, all with zero qualifications, are determined to solve the murder. With lots of Nova Scotia references, it kept this reader guessing until the end. I hope this is just the first book in a series by Lacey Moone set in small-town Nova Scotia. I am looking forward to reading more from this author.
“A high school reunion comes to an abrupt end when the dead body of the class jock shocks the school’s gymnasium in the cozy mystery debut by Lacey Moone!”– Book Blurb
Lacey Moone’s debut novel, Voted Most Likely to Murder, is a well-written, cozy mystery set in a small coastal town on the South Shore of Nova Scotia.
Heroine Belinda Bishop’s move back home was not under the best of circumstances. When she graduated from high school she left Little Blue Harbour vowing never to step foot in it again. Her dream was to become an: “investigative journalist like (her) idol, Dateline’s Keith Morrison. Exposing corrupt corporations. Staring down ruthless killers as (she) pressed them for answers. Uncovering the truth”. Now she is 32. She has lost her job, her boyfriend, and her apartment. She was forced to move back home into her old bedroom. Belinda finds herself working for her parents, helping out with their cottage rentals and RV park, Topsail Cottages and Campground.
At the beginning of the evening of her fourteen-year high school reunion, Belinda runs into Stephanie “Stevie” Hart. Stevie was a come-from-away whom she met and became instant friends with when they were fifteen. During the reunion, Belinda and Stevie bump into old classmates, including Jinx, aka Ethan Sutherland. Ethan made Belinda’s pulse race in high school and continues to give her stomach butterflies. He is called Jinx because of the Curse of the Sutherland Beard. Anyone who says his full name would experience bad luck. He is now the owner of the Right Foot Restaurant and Pub on the boardwalk. During the reunion, award trophies were given out for things like Farthest Travelled, Most Interesting Job, Teacher’s Pet, and Class Flirt.
Before leaving the reunion, Belinda and Stevie decided to take a trip down memory lane and do a little detour upstairs to Mr. Blenkhorn’s office. They wanted to draw a cartoon featuring Manny the Muskrat on the whiteboard outside his office, something they did and got disciplined for while attending the school. Once they had completed the cartoon drawing, they decided to take a different staircase downstairs. A staircase that was closer to the parking lot, but dark. Once they reached the ground floor, Belinda’s shoe caught on something soft, causing her to faceplant onto the floor. When she looked around to see what had caused her to fall, she saw Andrew, winner of the Class Flirt Award, lying dead at the base of the stairs.
Belinda’s childhood best friend-turned-nemesis, Jolene Dexter, is the prime suspect in the case because her scarf was found under the victim. Belinda doesn’t believe Jolene is guilty. In her words, “The Jolene Dexter I remember is way too Type A to push someone down the stairs and leave evidence directly tying her to the crime. Trust me, any murder she commits would involve multiple to-do lists and at least one storyboard.” Stevie convinces Belinda to put aside her differences with Jolene, and the three team up to solve the murder.
On loan from the Major Crimes Unit in Halifax, the very attractive, but stern and proper, Sergeant Brady Finlayson, along with Belinda’s childhood friend, Corporal Randall Perry, are the officers in charge of the investigation. Finlayson has only been in the Major Crimes unit for a short while and is out to prove himself. Finlayson may not like Belinda and her friend’s amateur detective snooping, but that is not going to deter them.
I had the pleasure of attending Lacey Moone’s debut book launch for Voted Most Likely to Murder at the Shelburne County Museum and couldn’t wait to get home and read it. The attractive, fun, yearbook-looking cover sets the tone for the novel. Chock-full of high school cliques that never grew up; the mean girls, the jocks, and the teacher’s pets all at a fourteen-year reunion. It was a well-plotted novel, with plenty of sarcasm and humour, and everything a cozy mystery should have. An ex-journalist, a high school bestie, and a former childhood bestie, all with zero qualifications, are determined to solve the murder. With lots of Nova Scotia references, it kept this reader guessing until the end. I hope this is just the first book in a series by Lacey Moone set in small-town Nova Scotia. I am looking forward to reading more from this author.
May 24, 2026
Voted Most Likely To Murder was such an easy, enjoyable read from start to finish. Belinda is a genuinely funny and relatable protagonist, and the kind of main character you quickly become invested in. She’s flawed in believable ways, which makes her far more compelling, and I constantly wanted to keep reading simply to learn more about her and see how she would navigate the increasingly messy dynamics around her.
One of the strongest elements of the book is its portrayal of friendship. The relationships feel both warm and quietly tragic at times, capturing the strange tension between nostalgia, loyalty, resentment, and the versions of ourselves we carry from school into adulthood. The exploration of social dynamics, particularly those rooted in school history, felt very sharp and recognisable without becoming overly heavy-handed.
The writing itself is quick, witty, and extremely readable. I was laughing by page fourteen, and the humour continues throughout in a way that keeps the story moving without undermining the mystery. It’s one of those books that feels effortless to read in the best possible sense: easy to follow, well paced, and genuinely enjoyable to spend time with.
I also loved the setting of Little Blue Harbour itself. Everything felt cosy and vivid, and the atmosphere really helped sell the blend of small-town comfort and underlying tension that good cozy crime thrives on.
The mystery is well plotted overall, and I appreciated that the solution ultimately made sense within the logic of the story. It’s the kind of mystery where, in retrospect, you can see how the clues fit together if you approach the information from the right angle. That said, I didn’t completely love the ending. I would have liked a stronger reveal and a bit more emotional payoff in the final stretch, particularly given how invested I’d become in the characters and relationships. Still, the resolution was satisfying enough that it didn’t undermine my enjoyment of the book overall.
A cosy, witty, character-driven mystery with a strong sense of place and excellent relationship writing. I’d happily recommend it.
With thanks to Netgalley for the advanced reader copy.
One of the strongest elements of the book is its portrayal of friendship. The relationships feel both warm and quietly tragic at times, capturing the strange tension between nostalgia, loyalty, resentment, and the versions of ourselves we carry from school into adulthood. The exploration of social dynamics, particularly those rooted in school history, felt very sharp and recognisable without becoming overly heavy-handed.
The writing itself is quick, witty, and extremely readable. I was laughing by page fourteen, and the humour continues throughout in a way that keeps the story moving without undermining the mystery. It’s one of those books that feels effortless to read in the best possible sense: easy to follow, well paced, and genuinely enjoyable to spend time with.
I also loved the setting of Little Blue Harbour itself. Everything felt cosy and vivid, and the atmosphere really helped sell the blend of small-town comfort and underlying tension that good cozy crime thrives on.
The mystery is well plotted overall, and I appreciated that the solution ultimately made sense within the logic of the story. It’s the kind of mystery where, in retrospect, you can see how the clues fit together if you approach the information from the right angle. That said, I didn’t completely love the ending. I would have liked a stronger reveal and a bit more emotional payoff in the final stretch, particularly given how invested I’d become in the characters and relationships. Still, the resolution was satisfying enough that it didn’t undermine my enjoyment of the book overall.
A cosy, witty, character-driven mystery with a strong sense of place and excellent relationship writing. I’d happily recommend it.
With thanks to Netgalley for the advanced reader copy.
May 24, 2026
Wrote my review of this book on a trip from Nova Scotia to Alberta, which just so happens to be the same trip the author, Lacey Moone, had to take. We both grew up in the same town and now live in Alberta which I thought was fun.
I had the very great pleasure of attending the book launch for this book and meeting the lovely author at Shelburne's Museums by the Sea on May 12th. I found the author both engaging and very knowledgeable about the genre she writes. She answered lots of questions and did a reading from the book. It was fun to hear the background story on the writing, editing and publishing of her first cozy mystery book.
Character development was exceptional. I found myself completely involved in their lives and histories from the get go.
Belinda Bishop’s career and love life have come to a screeching halt and she finds herself back in small town Nova Scotia working at her parents seaside cottage and RV park.
She becomes caught up in a murder investigation when she literally stumbles over the dead body of the high school jock at her high school reunion.
Belinda’s childhood best friend-turned nemesis is the prime suspect in the case, but she doesn’t believe Jolene is guilty. They agree to put aside their differences in order to catch the killer.
This was a fun read, well plotted and kept me guessing until the very end. A brilliant debut cozy mystery. I hope this will become a series.
I had the very great pleasure of attending the book launch for this book and meeting the lovely author at Shelburne's Museums by the Sea on May 12th. I found the author both engaging and very knowledgeable about the genre she writes. She answered lots of questions and did a reading from the book. It was fun to hear the background story on the writing, editing and publishing of her first cozy mystery book.
Character development was exceptional. I found myself completely involved in their lives and histories from the get go.
Belinda Bishop’s career and love life have come to a screeching halt and she finds herself back in small town Nova Scotia working at her parents seaside cottage and RV park.
She becomes caught up in a murder investigation when she literally stumbles over the dead body of the high school jock at her high school reunion.
Belinda’s childhood best friend-turned nemesis is the prime suspect in the case, but she doesn’t believe Jolene is guilty. They agree to put aside their differences in order to catch the killer.
This was a fun read, well plotted and kept me guessing until the very end. A brilliant debut cozy mystery. I hope this will become a series.
May 24, 2026
Rating: 4
About the same as any other cozy mystery. Similar style to Finlay Donovan.
About the same as any other cozy mystery. Similar style to Finlay Donovan.
August 1, 2026
What a cozy mystery! And funny. Bel, the main FMC was incorrigible! But likeable. Her self deprecating humor was a fun addition to the story. I was a bit confused trying to keep up with the slew of names at the beginning but everything began to flush out pretty quickly.
I had my suspicions about whodunit and one of the three people I suspected actually ended up doing the deed!
This was a quick read and kept my interest. I tend to lean toward thrillers, but solving a mystery every now and again is always fun.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Solid 3 stars). I'd recommend this!
I had my suspicions about whodunit and one of the three people I suspected actually ended up doing the deed!
This was a quick read and kept my interest. I tend to lean toward thrillers, but solving a mystery every now and again is always fun.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Solid 3 stars). I'd recommend this!
May 30, 2026
Hilarious! The author manages to keep it lighthearted despite some heavy, emotional situations, with impeccably timed comic relief. Belinda is a delightfully ridiculous main character with the perfect amount of quirk to keep her interesting snd relatable. I didn’t want to put this down!
May 20, 2026
Full of wit and sarcasm. A fun read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Voted Most Likely To Murder by Lacey Moone
Rating : 4 ⭐
Format : eBook 💻
Pages : 305
Duration : 3 Days
---------------
Most Likely To Murder, sees Belinda Bishop return to her homeetown, recently single and unemployed. Being pressured into going back to her High School reunion with new/old friend Stevie, old cliques, friendships and rivalries return.
When old best friend turned nemesis Jolene is accused of murder Belinda and Stevie fight to clear her name and if Belinda can get a juicy story put of it to propell her journalist career then that's all good right? Cue hijinx, drama and teenage hostilities.
No more spoilers from here on in.
This is a fun, light cosy murder whodunnit, the characters are well fleshed out and though slightly leaning on the whole school stereotype thing I really grew to like and enjoy the characters and the area (It's set in Nova Scotia, my dream vacation destination)
It's a well paced out mystery, easy to read and just fun, I absolutely flew through this book and when I wasn't reading I was trying to work out the clues, that's a sign of a good puzzle, talking of which, I guessed the culprit at 31% and even though I was 95% certain of who it was I still enjoyed the journey.
This is Lacey Moone's debut and round of applause to her as it's a great start and hopefully a start of a new series, it's definitely left open for a sequel or three.
Thank you to Netgalley & Interstellar Flight Press for the Advanced Review Copy of this book, though I am grateful for the ARC the words above are my own
--------------
You can find more reviews on my blog here : https://bookshelf018.wordpress.com/
-----
Rating : 4 ⭐
Format : eBook 💻
Pages : 305
Duration : 3 Days
---------------
Most Likely To Murder, sees Belinda Bishop return to her homeetown, recently single and unemployed. Being pressured into going back to her High School reunion with new/old friend Stevie, old cliques, friendships and rivalries return.
When old best friend turned nemesis Jolene is accused of murder Belinda and Stevie fight to clear her name and if Belinda can get a juicy story put of it to propell her journalist career then that's all good right? Cue hijinx, drama and teenage hostilities.
No more spoilers from here on in.
This is a fun, light cosy murder whodunnit, the characters are well fleshed out and though slightly leaning on the whole school stereotype thing I really grew to like and enjoy the characters and the area (It's set in Nova Scotia, my dream vacation destination)
It's a well paced out mystery, easy to read and just fun, I absolutely flew through this book and when I wasn't reading I was trying to work out the clues, that's a sign of a good puzzle, talking of which, I guessed the culprit at 31% and even though I was 95% certain of who it was I still enjoyed the journey.
This is Lacey Moone's debut and round of applause to her as it's a great start and hopefully a start of a new series, it's definitely left open for a sequel or three.
Thank you to Netgalley & Interstellar Flight Press for the Advanced Review Copy of this book, though I am grateful for the ARC the words above are my own
--------------
You can find more reviews on my blog here : https://bookshelf018.wordpress.com/
-----
February 22, 2026
Thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc of this one in exchange for an honest review!
This book follows Belinda as she loses her job, her boyfriend, and has to move back home. When she is home, she goes to her high school reunion and someone gets murdered there. Along with her best friend, she sets out to solve the case and clear the name of another classmate.
I really enjoyed this book! I found the characters so easy to read from and relatable. The three main characters had a funny relationship and got into some trouble together. I liked seeing everyone grow and change throughout as well.
It was a nice balance between serious and a bit of fun. The mystery was interesting as well!
I can see this one becoming a series and i hope it does because i enjoyed it a lot!
This book follows Belinda as she loses her job, her boyfriend, and has to move back home. When she is home, she goes to her high school reunion and someone gets murdered there. Along with her best friend, she sets out to solve the case and clear the name of another classmate.
I really enjoyed this book! I found the characters so easy to read from and relatable. The three main characters had a funny relationship and got into some trouble together. I liked seeing everyone grow and change throughout as well.
It was a nice balance between serious and a bit of fun. The mystery was interesting as well!
I can see this one becoming a series and i hope it does because i enjoyed it a lot!
August 1, 2026
ℝ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘: 3.75
𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕍𝕚𝕓𝕖: A classic cozy mystery with Hallmark Mystery charm, a nostalgic high school reunion, and plenty of small-town secrets waiting to resurface.
𝕄𝕪 𝕋𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤:
This was such an easy and enjoyable cozy mystery to settle into.
From the very beginning, it gave me strong Hallmark Mystery vibes. While it didn't necessarily reinvent the cozy mystery formula, it delivered exactly what I was hoping for: an engaging mystery, a charming small-town setting, and plenty of familiar faces with complicated histories.
What stood out most to me was the high school reunion premise. Returning to a hometown where everyone knows each other, old friendships are rekindled, unresolved tensions resurface, and long-buried secrets begin to unravel gave the story its own personality. It was a fun backdrop for a murder mystery and made the investigation feel a little more personal.
I also enjoyed seeing how the characters navigated old relationships and past misunderstandings. The various reconciliations, whether between friends or people carrying old hurts, added warmth to the story and balanced the mystery nicely. Those quieter character moments ended up being some of my favorites.
While the mystery itself wasn't particularly groundbreaking compared to other cozies I've read, it was engaging enough to keep me turning the pages, and I genuinely wanted to know how everything would come together.
If this is the beginning of a series, I'm definitely interested in continuing. I think this small town has plenty of potential for more mysteries, and I'd happily return to spend more time with these characters.
Overall, this was a solid, entertaining cozy mystery that combines nostalgia, small-town charm, and just enough suspense to make for a relaxing weekend read.
𝕃𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕕 𝔽𝕠𝕣:
* A nostalgic high school reunion setting.
* Cozy small-town atmosphere.
* Character-driven mystery with plenty of interpersonal drama.
ℂ𝕠𝕟𝕥𝕖𝕟𝕥:
𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲: No Romance.
𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗴𝗲: None.
ℝ𝕖𝕒𝕕/𝕃𝕚𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕟 𝕚𝕗 𝕐𝕠𝕦 𝕃𝕚𝕜𝕖:
If you enjoy Hallmark Mystery movies, cozy whodunits, small-town settings, high school reunion stories, and mysteries that focus just as much on relationships as the investigation itself, this is a fun one to pick up. It's a comforting, low-stakes mystery with enough twists to keep you engaged and characters you'll likely enjoy revisiting if the series continues.
𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕍𝕚𝕓𝕖: A classic cozy mystery with Hallmark Mystery charm, a nostalgic high school reunion, and plenty of small-town secrets waiting to resurface.
𝕄𝕪 𝕋𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤:
This was such an easy and enjoyable cozy mystery to settle into.
From the very beginning, it gave me strong Hallmark Mystery vibes. While it didn't necessarily reinvent the cozy mystery formula, it delivered exactly what I was hoping for: an engaging mystery, a charming small-town setting, and plenty of familiar faces with complicated histories.
What stood out most to me was the high school reunion premise. Returning to a hometown where everyone knows each other, old friendships are rekindled, unresolved tensions resurface, and long-buried secrets begin to unravel gave the story its own personality. It was a fun backdrop for a murder mystery and made the investigation feel a little more personal.
I also enjoyed seeing how the characters navigated old relationships and past misunderstandings. The various reconciliations, whether between friends or people carrying old hurts, added warmth to the story and balanced the mystery nicely. Those quieter character moments ended up being some of my favorites.
While the mystery itself wasn't particularly groundbreaking compared to other cozies I've read, it was engaging enough to keep me turning the pages, and I genuinely wanted to know how everything would come together.
If this is the beginning of a series, I'm definitely interested in continuing. I think this small town has plenty of potential for more mysteries, and I'd happily return to spend more time with these characters.
Overall, this was a solid, entertaining cozy mystery that combines nostalgia, small-town charm, and just enough suspense to make for a relaxing weekend read.
𝕃𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕕 𝔽𝕠𝕣:
* A nostalgic high school reunion setting.
* Cozy small-town atmosphere.
* Character-driven mystery with plenty of interpersonal drama.
ℂ𝕠𝕟𝕥𝕖𝕟𝕥:
𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲: No Romance.
𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗴𝗲: None.
ℝ𝕖𝕒𝕕/𝕃𝕚𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕟 𝕚𝕗 𝕐𝕠𝕦 𝕃𝕚𝕜𝕖:
If you enjoy Hallmark Mystery movies, cozy whodunits, small-town settings, high school reunion stories, and mysteries that focus just as much on relationships as the investigation itself, this is a fun one to pick up. It's a comforting, low-stakes mystery with enough twists to keep you engaged and characters you'll likely enjoy revisiting if the series continues.
November 18, 2025
"Maybe Donna Dickie is right: you get farther along in life sucking up to people instead of calling them out."
"Depends on what kind of life you want to live. You know who you are, and you're not afraid to show it. In fact, that's something I always admired about you. You're confidence."
Thank you Netgalley for this surprisingly enjoyable ARC. I requested this book because I liked the cover (yes, I'm one of those people) and I stayed for Pretty Bishop. She was such a fun character - blunt, to the point, cannot read a room to save her life. Her obsessive nature is truly something I can relate to, since I, too, can become a little ... overzealous.
I honestly could not tell which character did it, I went through every possibility and every character's story and I found myself thinking of this book while doing anything else. It was that good. I loved Jinx's character, and the quirky character-quirk of his name never being said, since it's 'cursed'. Also, Seargent Finlayson was such a joy. He gave Mr Darcy vibes - serious, stand-offish, hiding an actual sense of humour, insulting the Main Character and then actually liking her (although he would never admit it). What's not to love?
Lacey Moone had me in her grip through this entire story. Every character was a suspect, every clue was mind-blowing. And that plot twist! It was like a train in the middle of a car park - unexpected and destructive. Voted Most Likely to Murder is such a cozy, fun whodunnit, with crazy, real characters, devious pasts, skeletons in all the closets and friendships that are rocky, fun and truly authentic.
I would recommend this book a hundred times!
Another fun Pretty moment: "You hated being a Girl Guide. You quit as soon as they said you'd have to go camping." "Humans weren't meant to sleep on the ground, Jolene. It's why we invented houses."
"Depends on what kind of life you want to live. You know who you are, and you're not afraid to show it. In fact, that's something I always admired about you. You're confidence."
Thank you Netgalley for this surprisingly enjoyable ARC. I requested this book because I liked the cover (yes, I'm one of those people) and I stayed for Pretty Bishop. She was such a fun character - blunt, to the point, cannot read a room to save her life. Her obsessive nature is truly something I can relate to, since I, too, can become a little ... overzealous.
I honestly could not tell which character did it, I went through every possibility and every character's story and I found myself thinking of this book while doing anything else. It was that good. I loved Jinx's character, and the quirky character-quirk of his name never being said, since it's 'cursed'. Also, Seargent Finlayson was such a joy. He gave Mr Darcy vibes - serious, stand-offish, hiding an actual sense of humour, insulting the Main Character and then actually liking her (although he would never admit it). What's not to love?
Lacey Moone had me in her grip through this entire story. Every character was a suspect, every clue was mind-blowing. And that plot twist! It was like a train in the middle of a car park - unexpected and destructive. Voted Most Likely to Murder is such a cozy, fun whodunnit, with crazy, real characters, devious pasts, skeletons in all the closets and friendships that are rocky, fun and truly authentic.
I would recommend this book a hundred times!
Another fun Pretty moment: "You hated being a Girl Guide. You quit as soon as they said you'd have to go camping." "Humans weren't meant to sleep on the ground, Jolene. It's why we invented houses."
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
📱📖 Read on Kindle
📃 304 pages
⏱ 5 hours
🏷️ Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
📅 Expected Publication: May 12, 2026
🎁 ARC provided by NetGalley
Hold up! This is a Debut? How? It doesn't read like one. Seriously, Lacey Moone writes like she's been topping cozy mystery bestseller lists for ages. Voted Most Likely to Murder hits that perfect trifecta of sharp plotting, relatable characters, and genuine warmth. The way Moone leans into the high school reunion after about twenty years being the perfect breeding ground for resentment, rivalry, and bad decisions, is just witchcraft. I kept pausing to check the cover because this level of polish, pacing, and pure joy does NOT scream "first book".
Belinda "Pretty" Bishop is the kind of messy, magnetic heroine cozies need more, with her unemployment, underwhelmed nature, and armed with snark that could slice through buttercream. And can we talk about the Nova Scotia setting? Absolute perfection. It's cozy, a bit quirky, and unapologetically Canadian. I adore how Moone wove that small-town flavor into the mystery, without leaning on clichés. It's fresh, funny, and (somehow!) comforting, even when a dead body turns up in the story.
So yeah, someone check Lacey Moone’s resume, because this debut feels way too polished to be her first.
Would I recommend it?
I’m still in shock that this flawless, laugh-out-loud, heart-tugging cozy is a DEBUT. Lacey Moone just walked in like she owns the genre. Clear your May 12, 2026 schedule, pre-order immediately, and cancel plans. This is your new obsession.
First Book or Sorcery?
Tell me you’ve ever read a debut this ridiculously polished without telling me. Drop your “how is this their first?!” favorites below. Also, Canadian cozy readers, are we claiming Lacey Moone yet or are we claiming her HARD?
📃 304 pages
⏱ 5 hours
🏷️ Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
📅 Expected Publication: May 12, 2026
🎁 ARC provided by NetGalley
Hold up! This is a Debut? How? It doesn't read like one. Seriously, Lacey Moone writes like she's been topping cozy mystery bestseller lists for ages. Voted Most Likely to Murder hits that perfect trifecta of sharp plotting, relatable characters, and genuine warmth. The way Moone leans into the high school reunion after about twenty years being the perfect breeding ground for resentment, rivalry, and bad decisions, is just witchcraft. I kept pausing to check the cover because this level of polish, pacing, and pure joy does NOT scream "first book".
Belinda "Pretty" Bishop is the kind of messy, magnetic heroine cozies need more, with her unemployment, underwhelmed nature, and armed with snark that could slice through buttercream. And can we talk about the Nova Scotia setting? Absolute perfection. It's cozy, a bit quirky, and unapologetically Canadian. I adore how Moone wove that small-town flavor into the mystery, without leaning on clichés. It's fresh, funny, and (somehow!) comforting, even when a dead body turns up in the story.
So yeah, someone check Lacey Moone’s resume, because this debut feels way too polished to be her first.
Would I recommend it?
I’m still in shock that this flawless, laugh-out-loud, heart-tugging cozy is a DEBUT. Lacey Moone just walked in like she owns the genre. Clear your May 12, 2026 schedule, pre-order immediately, and cancel plans. This is your new obsession.
First Book or Sorcery?
Tell me you’ve ever read a debut this ridiculously polished without telling me. Drop your “how is this their first?!” favorites below. Also, Canadian cozy readers, are we claiming Lacey Moone yet or are we claiming her HARD?
August 21, 2026
3.5⭐️
Well, I found this book super randomly while scrolling through Spotify, and as soon as I read the synopsis, I was interested enough to give it a chance and honestly, I do think the story itself is worth it if you’re looking for something funny that’ll make you laugh while also keeping you intrigued by the mystery but I’d recommend reading it either physically or as an ebook, because I personally listened to the audiobook and I really didn’t like it😭, and I don’t want anyone to take this as an insult or an attack on the narrator, but honestly, it just wasn’t for me. Obviously, every narrator has their own accent and their own way of speaking, and that’s totally fine, but I don’t know, it was just something that irritated me a little 🫠
And it wasn’t like I could just switch to the ebook and download it on my Kindle, since I already have several books going at the same time and I didn’t want to get them mixed up with each other. So I decided to just try to ignore it as much as possible and keep going with the audiobook, but it was definitely something that kept irritating me all the way to the end…
Other than that, the story itself was actually pretty entertaining, and I really enjoyed the dynamic between the three main characters. I definitely think it works as a palate cleanser and would be perfect to read in between heavier books!!
But poor Andy 😭 I know he made a lot of mistakes, but damn. You could definitely tell he was someone who was trying to change and become a better person, and he just never really got the chance to do that, so in that aspect, it was actually pretty sad but other than that, yeah, if you ask me if I recommend it, I definitely do! Maybe not the audiobook specifically, but at the end of the day, you decide how you want to consume your books, and if the audiobook works for you and you enjoy it, then perfect 🤭
Well, I found this book super randomly while scrolling through Spotify, and as soon as I read the synopsis, I was interested enough to give it a chance and honestly, I do think the story itself is worth it if you’re looking for something funny that’ll make you laugh while also keeping you intrigued by the mystery but I’d recommend reading it either physically or as an ebook, because I personally listened to the audiobook and I really didn’t like it😭, and I don’t want anyone to take this as an insult or an attack on the narrator, but honestly, it just wasn’t for me. Obviously, every narrator has their own accent and their own way of speaking, and that’s totally fine, but I don’t know, it was just something that irritated me a little 🫠
And it wasn’t like I could just switch to the ebook and download it on my Kindle, since I already have several books going at the same time and I didn’t want to get them mixed up with each other. So I decided to just try to ignore it as much as possible and keep going with the audiobook, but it was definitely something that kept irritating me all the way to the end…
Other than that, the story itself was actually pretty entertaining, and I really enjoyed the dynamic between the three main characters. I definitely think it works as a palate cleanser and would be perfect to read in between heavier books!!
But poor Andy 😭 I know he made a lot of mistakes, but damn. You could definitely tell he was someone who was trying to change and become a better person, and he just never really got the chance to do that, so in that aspect, it was actually pretty sad but other than that, yeah, if you ask me if I recommend it, I definitely do! Maybe not the audiobook specifically, but at the end of the day, you decide how you want to consume your books, and if the audiobook works for you and you enjoy it, then perfect 🤭
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Belinda, also known as "pretty", is a journalist with a career that never took off to her ambitions. Returning to her small town, she wants to make her mom, a real estate agent, and dad, a cop, proud. Her best friend Stevie, an eccentric troublemaker, and her attend her high school reunion. Her friend turned nemesis Jolene and her husband trawler, along with football player Andy, Pizza store owner Kevin, his wife Maddie, and Donna, the annoying rule follower all come together for what is supposed to be a good night. But when Andy is killed, and Jolene becomes suspect number one, Stevie and Belinda decide to investigate. But as they do, Belinda must confront her relationship with Jolene, why it broke down, and decide if it can be fixed or not. In this small town secrets are a dime a dozen, and affairs, gambling, and shady behavior comes to light. But can they really solve this crime? And if solving the crime proves her nemesis is innocent, is Belinda ok with that? This was a fun fast paced read that I finished in just a few hours. It is short and to the point, with snappy dialogue and cliff hangers in many chapters that keep the reader going. While I solved the crime about a quarter of the way through, I did enjoy the story and that comes from the characters from the most part. They are all noisy, sarcastic, and the tension simmering underneath the "nicety" of the town leads itself to the murder mystery. Overall, a fun little cozy mystery for an afternoon of reading for those who like a non-graphic murder mystery that focuses on family, friendship, and even a little romance at times.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Bring, Borrow, or Bypass?
Bring | ✨Borrow✨ | Bypass
Thank you to NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books, and Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read and review this book before it's publication date! This in no way affected my review, opinions are my own.
OVERALL RATING:
★★★ / 3.13
Rating each element of the book out of 5★
Characters ★★★
Atmosphere ★★★
Writing ★★
Plot ★★★
Intrigue ★★★
Logic ★★★
Enjoyment ★★
Pacing ★★★
Dialogue ★★★
★ did not like / ★★ it was okay / ★★★ liked it / ★★★★ really liked it / ★★★★★ loved it
(Check out The StoryGraph if you'd like to review any Content Warnings!)
Thank you to NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books, and Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read and review this book before it's publication date! This in no way affected my review, opinions are my own.
Felt a bit like it was aiming to be the intro book to a series somewhat like Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum (One for The Money, Two for the Dough, etc).
It was real stakes murder etc, but had a cozyish vibe to it - I never truly felt like any of the main characters were in danger or weren't going to figure it out and become a crime fighting trio at the end (this is not a spoiler it's like the definition of cozy mystery).
Some other notes: I didn't expect the main character's snarkiness and I did get a couple of chuckles out of that, the childhood nickname thing of "Pretty" bothered me for whatever reason, may we all have a friend like Stevie, how ridiculously relatable is the "falling out" reason for Belinda & Jolene, idk I think I could stay home and work for my parents cottage rental company, and UM I'M SORRY but that "let me guess you were a gifted kid in school and now you're a washout" speech by the lead cop was Rude™️
OVERALL RATING:
★★★ / 3.13
Rating each element of the book out of 5★
Characters ★★★
Atmosphere ★★★
Writing ★★
Plot ★★★
Intrigue ★★★
Logic ★★★
Enjoyment ★★
Pacing ★★★
Dialogue ★★★
★ did not like / ★★ it was okay / ★★★ liked it / ★★★★ really liked it / ★★★★★ loved it
(Check out The StoryGraph if you'd like to review any Content Warnings!)
May 17, 2026
⭐⭐⭐
Voted Most Likely to Murder by Lacey Moone is a cozy mystery debut that brings murder to a high school reunion.
Belinda Bishop is unemployed, single, and at thirty-two, her journalism career feels stuck. Let's not even talk about her love life. She's not exactly looking forward to her upcoming high school reunion. Working at her parents' seaside cottage and RV park in Nova Scotia for now, she needs time to regroup and figure out her next move. When she literally trips over the dead body of the philandering class jock at the reunion, the party comes to a screeching halt. At first, it seems like the perfect opportunity for Belinda to channel her inner journalist, until her childhood best friend turned nemesis Jolene Dexter becomes the prime suspect. Despite their falling out, Belinda is convinced the former pageant queen is innocent. As the two women struggle to put aside their differences, they have to work together to catch the real murderer before their sleepy coastal town is rocked.
The high school reunion setting is fun and relatable. The dynamic between Belinda and Jolene, former best friends who had a falling out, adds good tension. The Nova Scotia coastal setting provides nice atmosphere.
The mystery is decent with reasonable suspects, and watching Belinda and Jolene navigate their complicated history while investigating keeps things interesting.
A promising debut with likable characters and a fun premise that sets up a cozy mystery series.
#VotedMostLikelyToMurder #LaceyMoone #CozyMystery #MysteryBooks #DebutNovel
Voted Most Likely to Murder by Lacey Moone is a cozy mystery debut that brings murder to a high school reunion.
Belinda Bishop is unemployed, single, and at thirty-two, her journalism career feels stuck. Let's not even talk about her love life. She's not exactly looking forward to her upcoming high school reunion. Working at her parents' seaside cottage and RV park in Nova Scotia for now, she needs time to regroup and figure out her next move. When she literally trips over the dead body of the philandering class jock at the reunion, the party comes to a screeching halt. At first, it seems like the perfect opportunity for Belinda to channel her inner journalist, until her childhood best friend turned nemesis Jolene Dexter becomes the prime suspect. Despite their falling out, Belinda is convinced the former pageant queen is innocent. As the two women struggle to put aside their differences, they have to work together to catch the real murderer before their sleepy coastal town is rocked.
The high school reunion setting is fun and relatable. The dynamic between Belinda and Jolene, former best friends who had a falling out, adds good tension. The Nova Scotia coastal setting provides nice atmosphere.
The mystery is decent with reasonable suspects, and watching Belinda and Jolene navigate their complicated history while investigating keeps things interesting.
A promising debut with likable characters and a fun premise that sets up a cozy mystery series.
#VotedMostLikelyToMurder #LaceyMoone #CozyMystery #MysteryBooks #DebutNovel
July 10, 2026
Another story about a woman forced to return to her small home town after losing her boyfriend, apartment, and job. There seems to be a lot of these lately. Forced into attending a 14th year class reunion by her mother, she teams up with an an old friend to get through it. The mean girls are still mean and the class goodie-goodie still points out everyone's flaws. Trying desert the event by a back halfway, they stumble over the body of the now football coach and acknowledged class flirt. Now things get interesting. He appeared to be popular but left a string of angry women in his wake. Belinda Bishop see the murder as a way to get her journalism career back on track. When her long ago best friend who decamped to mean girls is accused, she vows to find the real culprit. The group of three start investigating on their own with Belinda always getting in the way of the police even to breaking and entering the dead man's house to search for clues. As so often happens in these books, she ends up nearly getting killed by the killer. Still, there is a fresh setting in Nova Scotia and the characters are well done. Belinda learns that small towns and old friends might be worth sticking around and two possible love interests arrive-the cop on the case of course, and bartender named Jinx whose family is said to be cursed. I am sure there will be a sequel involving both. A good enough read despite relying on all the tropes.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Voted Most Likely to Murder is a fun, charming cozy mystery with a fresh seaside setting and a protagonist who’s easy to root for.
Belinda Bishop is at a crossroads — career stalled, love life nonexistent, and reluctantly back in her hometown for a high school reunion she’d rather avoid. When the reunion takes a deadly turn and the class jock is found murdered, Belinda’s journalist instincts kick in immediately… especially when her former best friend (and current nemesis) becomes the prime suspect.
I really enjoyed the dynamic between Belinda and Jolene. Their shared history adds tension, humour, and emotional depth to the investigation, and watching them reluctantly work together made the story even more engaging. The small-town Nova Scotia setting adds plenty of charm, complete with gossip, long memories, and a close-knit community where everyone has an opinion.
The mystery itself is well-paced and accessible, with enough twists to keep you guessing without ever losing that comforting cozy feel. Belinda’s voice is relatable and witty, and her determination to clear Jolene’s name gives the story heart as well as intrigue.
This is a strong and enjoyable series debut that sets up the characters and setting beautifully. Perfect for readers who love cozy mysteries with journalist sleuths, seaside towns, and past relationships resurfacing in the worst possible way.
Belinda Bishop is at a crossroads — career stalled, love life nonexistent, and reluctantly back in her hometown for a high school reunion she’d rather avoid. When the reunion takes a deadly turn and the class jock is found murdered, Belinda’s journalist instincts kick in immediately… especially when her former best friend (and current nemesis) becomes the prime suspect.
I really enjoyed the dynamic between Belinda and Jolene. Their shared history adds tension, humour, and emotional depth to the investigation, and watching them reluctantly work together made the story even more engaging. The small-town Nova Scotia setting adds plenty of charm, complete with gossip, long memories, and a close-knit community where everyone has an opinion.
The mystery itself is well-paced and accessible, with enough twists to keep you guessing without ever losing that comforting cozy feel. Belinda’s voice is relatable and witty, and her determination to clear Jolene’s name gives the story heart as well as intrigue.
This is a strong and enjoyable series debut that sets up the characters and setting beautifully. Perfect for readers who love cozy mysteries with journalist sleuths, seaside towns, and past relationships resurfacing in the worst possible way.
December 8, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for granting my request to read this e-ARC and provide my honest opinion.
From the cover (which is amazing, by the way), I went into this book thinking it was a YA murder mystery and forgive me again, I didn’t read the synopsis before diving in but I was pleasantly surprised to find out this was an adult murder mystery.
High school classmates are set to do a reunion after fourteen years at their school in Little Blue Harbour. During the course of the reunion event, the class flirt, Andrew (Andy), who sorts of have a thing for married women, ends up dead. And now the big question: who did it and why?
Belinda, despite her falling out with her childhood best friend-turned-nemesis Jolene Dexter (who is declared the prime suspect), is determined to find out who the murderer is! I loved the shenanigans that took place in this novel — the drama, the secrets, the small-town gossip, and then the big reveal of who did it and why. (You will be surprised at the smallest things people could kill for!)
Overall, I loved this small-town murder mystery. Thank you once again for the e-ARC.
From the cover (which is amazing, by the way), I went into this book thinking it was a YA murder mystery and forgive me again, I didn’t read the synopsis before diving in but I was pleasantly surprised to find out this was an adult murder mystery.
High school classmates are set to do a reunion after fourteen years at their school in Little Blue Harbour. During the course of the reunion event, the class flirt, Andrew (Andy), who sorts of have a thing for married women, ends up dead. And now the big question: who did it and why?
Belinda, despite her falling out with her childhood best friend-turned-nemesis Jolene Dexter (who is declared the prime suspect), is determined to find out who the murderer is! I loved the shenanigans that took place in this novel — the drama, the secrets, the small-town gossip, and then the big reveal of who did it and why. (You will be surprised at the smallest things people could kill for!)
Overall, I loved this small-town murder mystery. Thank you once again for the e-ARC.
July 29, 2026
Witty, character‑driven cozy mystery with small‑town drama, high school reunion vibes, and quirky amateur sleuths. It’s light, funny, and engaging.
This cozy mystery was such a fun ride from start to finish. I loved the idea of setting the story around a high school reunion, it’s the perfect place for old grudges, secrets, and drama to resurface. Belinda is messy, funny, and flawed in ways that made her feel real, and I enjoyed following her as she stumbled into the murder investigation.
The small‑town Nova Scotia setting felt cozy and familiar, but also full of tension once the murder happened. The mix of nostalgia and rivalry between classmates gave the mystery an extra layer, and I found myself laughing at the antics while still trying to piece together the clues.
The friendships and relationships were another highlight. They weren’t perfect some were strained, some were complicated but they felt authentic.
The mystery itself was well‑plotted. Every character seemed like a suspect at some point, and I kept changing my mind about who was guilty. The reveal tied everything together nicely.
This cozy mystery was such a fun ride from start to finish. I loved the idea of setting the story around a high school reunion, it’s the perfect place for old grudges, secrets, and drama to resurface. Belinda is messy, funny, and flawed in ways that made her feel real, and I enjoyed following her as she stumbled into the murder investigation.
The small‑town Nova Scotia setting felt cozy and familiar, but also full of tension once the murder happened. The mix of nostalgia and rivalry between classmates gave the mystery an extra layer, and I found myself laughing at the antics while still trying to piece together the clues.
The friendships and relationships were another highlight. They weren’t perfect some were strained, some were complicated but they felt authentic.
The mystery itself was well‑plotted. Every character seemed like a suspect at some point, and I kept changing my mind about who was guilty. The reveal tied everything together nicely.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really enjoyed how the book keeps things light without losing momentum. Instead of leaning into gore or darkness, it focuses on quirky characters, witty dialogue, and a writing style that feels sharp and effortless to read. Little Blue Harbour stood out to me as one of the book’s biggest strengths the setting feels vivid and alive, almost like another character. The mystery is well‑paced, filled with enough clues and red herrings to keep me engaged and it definitely had that “just one more chapter” pull.
On the flip side, the story does lean on some predictable tropes; the side characters lacked depth at times, which made some suspects less compelling. Still, I had a great overall experience—the humor works, the pacing is solid, and the themes of friendship and second chances add a nice emotional touch, making it a charming cozy mystery worth picking up.
#VotedMostLikelytoMurder #NetGalley
Rating:- 3.75/5
On the flip side, the story does lean on some predictable tropes; the side characters lacked depth at times, which made some suspects less compelling. Still, I had a great overall experience—the humor works, the pacing is solid, and the themes of friendship and second chances add a nice emotional touch, making it a charming cozy mystery worth picking up.
#VotedMostLikelytoMurder #NetGalley
Rating:- 3.75/5
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy
DNF @ 50%
I had a hard time caring about the characters or the plot. The characters all feel much younger than they are and end up fitting into a high school stereotype or feeling like how a high schooler views adults. I understand this is a young adult novel, but teenagers like to read stories with people they can dream to be. This felt more like everyone stayed in their box in high school and never developed past that.
writing also felt both mature and simplistic and different times. You can tell they author is a good writer, but they constantly go back and forth from a more younger tone and a more mature one.
I would be open to read something else she writes and seeing how she could improve because the the premise and the more mature sections, while jarring, were very well written.
DNF @ 50%
I had a hard time caring about the characters or the plot. The characters all feel much younger than they are and end up fitting into a high school stereotype or feeling like how a high schooler views adults. I understand this is a young adult novel, but teenagers like to read stories with people they can dream to be. This felt more like everyone stayed in their box in high school and never developed past that.
writing also felt both mature and simplistic and different times. You can tell they author is a good writer, but they constantly go back and forth from a more younger tone and a more mature one.
I would be open to read something else she writes and seeing how she could improve because the the premise and the more mature sections, while jarring, were very well written.
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