Murder by the Book

by J.L. Campbell

A riveting, dark, and layered thriller that cuts through the glamorous façade of the publishing world to expose the true cost of ambition.

Some stories are too dangerous to tell, especially when they’re your own.

Addison Comstock is a literary icon, known for her bestselling crime novels, razor-sharp tongue, and relentless rise to the top. But behind her polished brand lies a ruthless past filled with secrets, betrayals, and broken lives—including those of the writers she’s employed to ghostwrite her success.

When her longtime editor collapses and dies during a team retreat in Jamaica, what appears to be a medical emergency soon begins to feel like something far more sinister. Tensions rise, loyalties fray, and whispers of sabotage grow louder. Someone in Addison’s inner circle has decided enough is enough, and truth is becoming stranger than fiction.

As the body count climbs and buried truths resurface, Addison is desperate to maintain control of her crumbling empire. But with accusations flying and her dirty past threatening to go public, even Addison begins to question who she can trust . . . and how far she’s willing to go to protect her legacy.

Genres: Audiobook, Thriller, Fiction, Mystery Thriller

305 pages, Paperback

Published May 26, 2026

About the author

J.L. Campbell is fascinated with Jamaican flora and has hundreds of photos in her collection. She writes contemporary and sweet romance, romantic suspense, women's fiction, as well as new and young adult novels.

Campbell, who features Jamaican culture in her stories, has written over forty books. She is also a certified editor.

Feel free to join her mailing list for news and updates https://sendfox.com/lp/1rk5gx or connect with her on social media.

Reviews

[Heather Adores Books · Rating 2 out of 5]

2⭐
Genre ~ drama fiction
Setting ~ Jamaica & Florida
Publication date ~ May 26, 2026
Publisher ~ RB Media
Est Page Count ~ 294 (43 chapters)
Audio length ~ 8 hours 53 minutes
Narrator ~ Nicole Cash
POV ~ multiple 3rd
Featuring ~ dual timeline, authors, writing retreat, murder, revenge, references to child abuse, molestation and abandonment

Addison, Casey & Alecia are our main characters. The drama with them is in abundance and I didn't like any of them. Did I feel bad after learning their backstory? Maybe a smidgen.

Since there was a lot of going on, somewhat confusing at times, I wasn't as fully engaged in the story as I'd hoped to be. While I do like a good revenge story, the burn was a little too slow for me. I wouldn't call this a thriller either as the blurb indicates. A slow burn drama mystery is more like it.

Overall, not for me, but I'm sure there will be many readers that'll enjoy it.

Narration notes:
While she did do a fine job, and made her voice distinct for all the different characters, this would have benefited from multiple narrators since all POV's are women. She does do a good Jamaican accent.

[Marcie Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗵𝗮𝗱 𝗺𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗲𝗱. 🎧

Secrets, betrayals, family drama, twists, and absolutely no shortage of reasons to keep listening “just one more chapter.” 😂

What really made this work for me was the emotional depth underneath all the drama. The characters felt messy, complicated, and wonderfully human, and Nicole Cash’s narration brought the whole thing to life.

𝗔𝗻 𝗮𝗯𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻.

Thank you to J.L. Campbell, RB Media and NetGalley for the audiobook ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Sandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

First of all I’d like to congratulate Campbell on the release of their book and thank you NetGalley for this ALC.

I am very sad to say this wasn’t for me. I felt like there were too many characters and too much going on which led me to struggle following the story and caring for the characters.

I’m 100% sure there are many many readers out there for whom this will be a far more enjoyable experience but I just wasn’t one of them.

Audio notes: whilst the narrator did a brilliant job all on her own I feel as though this would benefit from multiple narrators.

[RoosBookReviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

It wasn't my favorite of all time, but it is decent.
The downfall of the story is that it became more about angst and trauma and lost the action of the story. We had to hear far too much backstory, and often repetitive backstory, instead of the actual thriller part of the tale. I loved the ghostwriters setting up the author with her own novel, that should have had much more focus than on what happened in the past. I also didn't like the romance that was poorly shoehorned in between the PI and the ghostwriter, it felt forced and unbelievable.
The bones of the story are good, and for someone who is looking for a darker Kristin Hannah book this would be lovely but I don't think it fits well in the thriller space.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and RBMedia for my copy of this book.

[Mikayla Larlee · Rating 3 out of 5]

A generous 3 stars.
The premise hooked me right away, and I loved the literary mystery angle. The atmosphere was great, and I was definitely invested in finding out what was really going on with Addison and the murder.

My biggest issue was that there were a lot of characters and backstory threads to keep track of, and I occasionally found myself getting lost in the details. Because of that, the pacing felt a little slow at times.

Still, it was an entertaining mystery with plenty of twists and an interesting cast of morally grey characters. If you enjoy slower-burn, character-driven mysteries, this one is worth checking out

[Janna (Bibliophile Mom) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Murder by the Book started off with the energy of a psychological thriller which is dark, layered, and full of publishing‑world tension. This immediately pulled me in. The setup had all the elements I love: ambition, secrets, and that sense of danger beneath the surface. It really felt like it was setting up to deliver something sharp and twisty.

As the story progressed, though, it shifted more into women’s fiction, which isn’t my usual lane. There’s drama, ambition, revenge, and personal vendettas pulled together through the narrative, but the overall tone didn’t stay in the thriller space I was hoping for.

The audiobook narrator was genuinely engaging and carried the story well. Honestly, that’s the main reason I managed to push through. The plot itself was decent, but it didn’t fully meet my expectations, especially after such a strong start.

What I Enjoyed:
•Strong psychological‑thriller opening
•Behind‑the‑scenes publishing drama
•Engaging audiobook narration

What Didn’t Sit Right:
•Shift from thriller to women’s fiction
•Revenge/personal vendetta arc felt lighter than expected
•Didn’t live up to the initial promise

Breakdown:
• Setting: 3⭐️
• Characters: 4⭐️
• Writing: 3⭐️
• Message: 3⭐️
• Overall: 3⭐️

Overall Thoughts
Recommended for readers who enjoy publishing‑industry drama with emotional undertones, but not ideal for those wanting a full psychological thriller experience. The premise had potential, and the narration was a standout, but the story itself wasn’t quite for me.

Huge thanks to the Netgalley, RB Media, and the author for the copy.

~JaNnA ~

[Pav S. (pav_sanborn_bookworm) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars!

I’m new to this author, but I couldn't help but be drawn in by the cover! It perfectly captures the dark, suspenseful, and twisty vibe I enjoy. However, I found the pacing to be quite slow and detailed.

This story follows Addison Comstock, a celebrated crime novelist with a shadowy past filled with deceit and betrayal. After her editor dies under mysterious circumstances during a retreat, paranoia escalates within her team, leading to fears of sabotage. As tensions rise and hidden truths emerge, Addison enlists a private investigator to protect her legacy while grappling with whom to trust amidst increasing danger.

The story unfolds through multiple perspectives and a dual timeline, allowing us to fully engage with the narrative. You may initially pass judgment on some characters, but as you get to know them better, your views might shift. It’s fascinating how we see most characters at their worst, revealing their flaws, and then gradually learn about their backgrounds. This helps us understand why they might come across as bitter or resentful. Life isn’t always straightforward; the experiences we endure shape who we are. It’s how we choose to deal with the trauma that truly defines us.

This writing style is unique, with a slow-burning plot that keeps you intrigued. Set in a villa in Jamaica, the story has a sense of seclusion and claustrophobia, enhancing the dark, twisty drama of the publishing world. The themes revolve around literary ambition, stolen credit, the politics of authorship, childhood trauma, and unresolved pasts filled with complex emotions.

I was lucky to receive the audiobook, and the narrator did an excellent job. Her upbeat narration conveyed the mood and emotion beautifully, and her accents added an extra layer of life and energy to the story. What a fantastic choice of narrator!

Overall, this book offers a twisty murder mystery beach read with a slow-burning revenge plot brimming with intrigue. If you enjoy stories about power, privilege, and flawed characters, this will definitely catch your attention. I found that listening to the audiobook made the experience more enjoyable; the slow pace might challenge readers who tackle the text on their own.

Thank you, RBMedia and NetGalley, for the DRC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jayla Metzler · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book had so much potential, but I’m not going to lie… I got bored a little over halfway through and ended up DNFing it. The premise sounded so good — dark secrets, toxic ambition, murder inside the publishing world — but it just dragged for me in the middle and lost my attention.

That being said, the narrator absolutely carried this audiobook. She was such a great storyteller and honestly the main reason I made it as far as I did. Her delivery kept the characters and tension interesting even when the story itself started slowing down for me.

The concept behind the book was intriguing, especially the idea of a famous author hiding a messy, ruthless past while someone close to her starts using her own book plot as revenge. I just wish the pacing had stayed stronger throughout because it could have been a really gripping thriller.

Sadly, this one just wasn’t for me.

[Marie McKenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some Secrets Were Never Meant to Stay Buried

Murder by the Book by J.L. Campbell is the kind of novel that grabs you by the collar on page one and refuses to let go. Set against the lush, sun-drenched backdrop of Jamaica, this layered psychological thriller take apart the glamorous facade of the literary world with surgical precision — and what lies beneath is far darker than fiction.

Campbell's protagonist, Addison Comstock, is a literary icon you'll love to loathe — brilliant, ruthless, and hiding secrets that would unravel everything she's built. When a seemingly routine team retreat turns deadly, the tension escalates with each chapter in ways that feel both inevitable and completely surprising. Campbell's expressive, confident writing style keeps the pacing razor-sharp, and the plot twists land hard.

What elevates this book beyond a standard whodunit is its moral complexity. My heart aches for Addison — because beneath the polished, steely exterior is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and incest who never received the healing she deserved. She carried unresolved trauma silently into adulthood, and it quietly shaped every relationship, every decision, and every ruthless move she made. Campbell portrays this with unflinching honesty. The dysfunction didn't begin with Addison, and it didn't end with her either. This is a story steeped in generational trauma — the kind that gets passed down, buried, and eventually explodes.

Campbell isn't interested in easy answers. She asks uncomfortable questions about ambition, exploitation, loyalty, and the cost of silence, and she makes you sit with the discomfort.

This is a bold, fearless, and deeply satisfying thriller from one of Jamaica's most gifted storytellers.

My only recommendation: This book would benefit from a content/trigger warning prior to publication. Although not graphic, incidents of incest, child sexual abuse, and child abandonment, are wound throughout the story — content that can be deeply triggering for survivors. Adding a trigger warning is a meaningful, trauma-informed gesture that respects and protects your readership.

Highly recommended for fans of dark psychological thrillers with complex characters, dysfunctional family dynamics, and high-stakes secrets.
—Marie McKenzie | BSN, RN | Award-Winning & #1 Bestselling Author | Trauma-Informed Educator | Founder & CEO, ISACI

[Get Your Tinsel in a Tangle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Murder by the Book is what happens when a group of deeply damaged publishing people go to Jamaica and collectively decide healing is for losers. Every single person in this book has the energy of someone smiling through clenched teeth while mentally rehearsing your downfall, and honestly? That part was delicious.

Addison Comstock is a famous crime writer with a razor-sharp public persona, a mountain of secrets, and the emotional warmth of a decorative knife set. The woman has built an empire of bestselling thrillers while leaving a trail of ghostwriters, betrayals, and ruined relationships behind her like she’s the Miranda Priestly of murder fiction. Then her editor dies during a luxury retreat and suddenly everybody starts acting like they’re in the season finale of Big Little Lies if every character had unresolved childhood trauma and a publishing contract.

The setup absolutely hooked me because the idea of someone using the plot of Addison’s next book as revenge bait is so gloriously petty and chaotic. That’s rich people thriller behavior at its finest. These people aren’t just angry, they’re artistically angry. Weaponized resentment with hardcover distribution rights.

And Nicole Cash knew exactly what kind of book this was. Her narration fully commits to the glam melodrama of it all without tipping over into parody. She gives the characters this heightened emotional tension that makes every conversation sound like somebody’s about to either confess a murder or slap their ex with a linen napkin. Honestly, she carried some of the slower sections for me because this is definitely more of a simmering drama-thriller than a pedal-to-the-floor murder mystery.

Because whew, this book has A Lot going on. Affairs. Abuse. Family secrets. Ghostwriting scandals. Generational trauma. Half this cast needs a detective and the other half needs several years of intensive therapy in a facility with ocean views. There were moments where I genuinely lost track of who was betraying who because everybody had motives stacked on motives like they were building emotional Jenga.

But weirdly, the messiness kind of became part of the charm for me. This isn’t a sleek little precision-engineered thriller where every clue clicks neatly into place. This is a glossy, messy, emotionally chaotic revenge drama where everybody’s bad decisions are sweating through expensive resort clothing. At one point it honestly started feeling like Revenge and Dynasty had a baby and handed it unresolved trauma instead of a birth certificate.

What surprised me most was how emotionally heavy the story underneath all the chaos actually gets. Addison especially becomes more interesting the more the layers peel back. She’s controlling and cruel and exhausting, but there’s also something deeply sad about watching someone spend their entire life trying to outrun pain by becoming untouchable. The book doesn’t excuse anybody’s behavior, which I appreciated. It just quietly lets you see how damaged people keep passing hurt around like it’s a family heirloom nobody wanted.

That said, the pacing definitely dragged in spots. There were stretches where I felt like the story was circling itself instead of moving forward, and because the cast is huge, some reveals landed softer than they probably should’ve. But every time I considered mentally checking out, somebody would expose another horrifying secret and I’d immediately sit back up like a raccoon hearing a bag of chips open.

I ended up around 3 stars because this audiobook fully entertained me even when it was being messy as hell. It’s dramatic, complicated, occasionally exhausting, and very committed to making sure absolutely nobody in this story has a healthy coping mechanism. Nicole Cash’s narration honestly elevated the whole experience because she understood this assignment was less “quiet literary suspense” and more “rich people emotionally detonating in paradise.”

Whodunity Award: For Making Me Suspect Every Person at This Retreat Except Maybe the Pool Guy, and Even Then I Was Watching Him Closely

And thank you to RBmedia and NetGalley for the ALC, because apparently my favorite genre is now “deeply dysfunctional people unraveling near beautiful water.”

[Sylthrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Addison is an author who has made it, she's working on her 40th novel - and for that she's hired a "research team" to basically do the writing and editing for her. But a little reward has to be offered as well sometimes, so she's hosting a writing retreat in Jamaica for all of them.. And it was that exact place where one of her employees passes away. An unfortunate accident or more?
Kacey is part of the writing team and not a big fan of it. The work conditions are rough, getting yelled at is common.. And now a coworker collapsed and died and they're told to just get back to work. Same goes for Alecia - she's the one who got yelled at in front of the whole team for providing subpar work shortly before the death.
Writing isn't all that's going on here though and not everyone is going to make it out alive in the end..

This book has a lot going on - murders, Addison slowly realizing someone might be after her and trying to figure out who they are and what they know.. Alecia and her little romance, that takes a dark turn and may not recover again.. And Kacey, who very quickly leaves some dark hints in her trail. Three main characters who don't seem to share too much with each other, all following their own agendas, some more ruthless than others. And I did enjoy that mixture - you get a little bit of everything, and the story ties them all back together at the end, which was honestly my favourite part.

All three characters are heavily flawed though - Addison and her issues are obvious, Alecia and the way she slowly spins out of control, Kacey, who never really was just an employee anyway.. And I'm perfectly okay with unlikeable characters acting in ways normal people wouldn't. What I wasn't the biggest fan of was the attempt at justification by later giving all their backstories.. Yes, they really all did have more than just tragic things happen to them when they were young but with the way they're acting now, I struggle to feel too sorry for them. Especially Kacey and her sister, what they did straight up makes it seem like what happened to them served them right.

What I also struggled a bit with was the premise of this book - using a manuscript as blueprint for the murders you're actually committing - it sounds so cool and yet, it was barely mentioned. It went so far into the background, until toward the end someone does mention it, I forgot all about it.. And I'm still surprised that no one else put two and two together and realized what was going on. Can't really use a manuscript multiple people worked on as a murder blueprint and then have no one realize the book is basically coming true, can you? I was a little bit disappointed in that.

This book gives a lot of interpersonal drama and hidden connections, a lot of issues stem from long ago, and things are only coming to a head now.. Which makes for a very messy story with loads of betrayals and broken trust. Seriously though, if you hate all of the characters, their issues are hard to feel any kind of understanding for. Which made the whole book fall a little flat - even though it was trying to head more into the juicy gossip direction, there was just too much talk of broken childhoods and horrible behaviour all around and if that's what Jamaica is like, I hope to never see the damn place. I mean, what are the odds that out of so few characters so many of them dealt with sexual abuse?

The audio book was great though, but since it's a single narrator voicing three women, it was a little hard to get into. But I did like the accents for the side characters, they really helped to make sure you knew what was going on - with that many characters overall, that many scenes from the past and nowadays, this was a little hard to follow.

Overall, an interesting book with loads of drama and hidden agendas, secrets, betrayals, even murders, that don't get that much recognition. I wasn't the biggest fan of the ending, since that was pretty obvious from the start, but I did like the final reveal of the connections between each of the characters - especially that final layer we only got a glimpse at toward the ending.

Thank you RBmedia for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Gian Carlo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Murder By The Book

Story Snapshot

Murder by the Book is a gripping thriller about bestselling author Addison Comstock, whose glamorous publishing career begins to unravel after a suspicious death at a writers’ retreat in Jamaica. As secrets from her past surface and the murders start mirroring her own stories, Addison realizes someone may be turning fiction into deadly revenge.

My Thoughts

Beyond the suspense and shocking twists, the novel explores trauma, family dysfunction, ambition, and the lasting cost of silence with raw honesty. J. L. Campbell delivers a bold, emotionally layered thriller that stays with you long after the final page.

J. L. Campbell keeps the tension high with shocking twists, fast pacing, and a writing style that feels confident and immersive from start to finish.

What makes this thriller stand out is the emotional weight beneath the mystery. Addison isn’t just ruthless — she’s deeply wounded, carrying years of unresolved trauma that quietly shaped the person she became. Campbell explores generational trauma, silence, ambition, and exploitation with honesty and complexity, making this more than just a murder mystery. It’s dark, layered, uncomfortable at times, and incredibly compelling.

Listening Experience

The narrator perfectly captures the tone of this glamorous, high-stakes world, bringing the drama and tension to life in a way that feels immersive and cinematic. The audiobook amplifies the story’s intensity and makes it incredibly easy to binge in one sitting.

Is it Worth Picking Up?

If you enjoy dark psychological thrillers with complex characters, dysfunctional family dynamics, and high-stakes secrets, this may be a great fit for you. I genuinely enjoyed the book overall, but I did feel there were too many characters introduced early on, which made it harder to settle into the story before getting to the central twists.

I also wish there had been a content or trigger warning included, maybe even in the beginning of the book. While not graphically depicted, themes of incest, child sexual abuse, and child abandonment are woven throughout the narrative—material that could be deeply triggering for some readers.

Final Thought

Overall, I really enjoyed the book and J. L. Campbell’s writing style. I’d definitely be interested in reading more of her work, especially if she continues exploring psychological thrillers like this. This feels like an ambitious and confident step into the genre, and I think it pays off. It’s absolutely worth picking up.

[Lisa Heil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of Advanced Copy received from NetGalley


Murder by the Book
By: J.L. Campbell
Publisher: RB Media
Pub. Date: May 2026
Narrator: Nicole Cash 🎧
General Fiction (Adult)
Multicultural Interest
Mystery
Thriller
🌟🌟🌟🌟 3.5 stars, I rounded up.


The premise hooked me right away: a glamorous publishing world, a bestselling crime novelist with plenty of secrets, a suspicious death, and someone using the plot of her next book as a blueprint for revenge? I was immediately intrigued and eager to uncover what was really going on with Addison and who was behind the murder.

I especially enjoyed the literary-mystery angle and the atmosphere. There was a constant sense that everyone was hiding something, while the morally gray characters added even more intrigue. Just when I thought I had a handle on the situation, another secret or twist shifted my perspective.

A few things that stood out:

• Dark and psychologically layered
• Revenge, secrets, desperation, and plenty of twists and turns
• A fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the publishing industry
• An intriguing cast of morally gray characters
• A mystery that kept me questioning whom I could trust

My biggest issue was the large cast of characters and the many backstory threads. There was a lot to keep track of, and I occasionally found myself getting a little lost in the details. As a result, the pacing felt slower at times than I would have preferred.

Even so, I found this to be an entertaining and twisty mystery. I enjoyed watching the secrets unravel and seeing just how far Addison and those around her were willing to go to protect themselves. The tension steadily built as the story revealed more about each character’s motives and desperation.

Narration: 🎧
Nicole Cash did a great job and kept me engaged throughout the story. With so many characters, though, I think multiple narrators might have made it easier to distinguish everyone and could have added another layer of enjoyment. Still, Cash’s performance was engaging and well done.

Overall, if you enjoy slow-burn, character-driven psychological thrillers featuring publishing-industry drama, revenge, secrets, and plenty of morally questionable characters, this one is worth checking out! 3.5 Stars 🌟, I rounded up.

Thank you NetGalley and RB Media for the advanced ALC 🎧 copy in exchange for a review.

#MurderbytheBook, #J.L.Campbell, #NetGalley, #RBMedia, #NicoleCash, #GeneralFiction(Adult), #MulticulturalInterest,#Mystery, #Thriller, #PublishingIndustry,

[Heidi Zuva]

I love books about writers for the same reason I love books about NYC: it's fun to read about a world you recognize. The title immediately sold me on this.

Premise - Addison Comstock, a bestselling crime author, is a fraud. She's been hiring out her novels to ghostwriters, and that's just one of her dirty secrets.

During a team retreat in Jamaica, her longtime editor collapses and dies. Addison is sure it wasn't a run of the mill tragedy, but something more sinister. She hires a private investigator to infiltrate her team, but when your pool of suspects is a bunch of crime creatives, anything can happen.

Dishy right? Unfortunately, this one didn't quite land for me. It's told in disparate halves, but for me those halves were so tonally different (and running in parallel, rather than starting as one and gradually growing into the other) that it didn't come together into a cohesive whole.

On one hand, you have the over-the-top soapy story described in the premise, following a 2D writer (who I wish I got the chance to understand better!) and her long-suffering staff. On the other, you have the very dark, painful, and slow story of the recurring incestuous rape of minors.

It felt like smashing The Real Housewives into Nobody's Girl by Virginia Giuffre (without the billionaires, with even worse parents). Light and dark can go together really well, but for me they'd need to be more integrated and here it felt like I was flipping between two totally different books, which then had a crossover special at the end.

I'm sure plenty of readers will love this, so don't let me put you off of reading it if you wish to, these are only my opinions! I like books that go deep into character, while I feel this one might resonate more for plot-forward readers.

I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Nicole Cash. The narration was wonderful! She imbued the soapy story with a lot of tension, and the tragedy with emotional weight. I'd listen to another of her audiobooks in a heartbeat!

Thanks, NetGalley and RBMedia for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Brentley Alexander · Rating 3 out of 5]

Murder By The Book started off giving me strong And Then There Were None vibes, which immediately hooked me in. There was that same isolated tension and “somebody here knows more than they’re saying” atmosphere that made me settle in for what I thought was going to be a wild ride. A few chapters in, though, the story started shifting into its own lane, and not always in ways that fully worked for me.

One thing I struggled with was understanding the complete necessity of Emily and Rachel beyond their connection to Addison. Maybe I missed something along the way while multitasking and trying to keep tomato plants alive against the will of nature, but their roles never felt fully developed or essential to the bigger picture. Around the halfway mark, the pacing also started to lull a bit. The repeated back-and-forth between Addison and Casey dragged on longer than it needed to and became somewhat repetitive after a while.

That said, Addison definitely managed to get a reaction out of me because every scene with her had me gritting my teeth. The ongoing abuse and the way everyone seemed to just stand by and absorb it without exploding sooner honestly stressed me out more than the murder plot at times. Humans really do have a remarkable ability to tolerate nonsense far beyond reasonable limits. Couldn’t be me.

Even with those frustrations, this was still an enjoyable audiobook overall. I listened while gardening, which has apparently become my natural habitat at this point, and Nicole Cash did a solid job bringing the story to life. Her narration was smooth, easy to follow, and the character voices were differentiated nicely enough that conversations never became confusing.

While this one didn’t fully stick the landing for me, I’d still read more from J.L. Campbell in the future.

Huge thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia for the opportunity to listen to and review Murder By The Book. I always appreciate the chance to discover new authors and audiobooks

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one overall, and I think it’ll especially appeal to readers who love layered, character-driven mysteries. The story opens in Jamaica with bestselling author Addison Comstock and her team, and a murder happens almost right away, instantly setting everything in motion. It’s an atmospheric, intriguing start with a strong literary hook that pulls you in.

This is a complex, ambitious mystery with a large cast and plenty of moving parts. One of the standout elements for me was the lingering controversy surrounding Addison’s first big success—it adds a slow-building psychological tension and a morally gray edge that keeps things interesting throughout.

It’s a smart, fast-paced read that kept me turning the pages. J.L. Campbell blends a cozy, small-town feel with sharp, engaging character dynamics, creating a story that feels both comforting and suspenseful.

The premise is compelling from the start, and the mystery unfolds at a steady, satisfying pace. The clues are well-layered—enough to keep you guessing without ever feeling overwhelming or overly complicated. The cast adds depth and personality, making it easy to stay invested in how everything plays out.

The writing is smooth and accessible, and the setting has that perfect “bookish mystery” charm. While it leans into some familiar cozy mystery elements, it still manages to feel fresh and entertaining.

The audiobook narration adds another layer to the experience—Nicole Cash does a fantastic job bringing the story to life. Her performance captures the tone and tension of the mystery well, and she gives each character a distinct voice, making it easy to stay immersed in the story.

Overall, this was an engaging and enjoyable read (and listen) that mystery fans will definitely appreciate.

Thank you to J.L. Campbell, RBMedia and NetGalley for the ALC.

[Melissa McCoy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was thrilled to get this as an advance reading copy audiobook a few days prior to its release. While this book had some promise, it wasn't a "hit" for me. First, initially, it was hard to track the characters because we had Addison, Alicia, Emily -- it was so confusing that either the author (slipped through edits?) or the narrator got two of the characters confused and had Addison thinking something about wanting to wring her own neck, when it should have been Alicia's thoughts. Second, there was a character named Casey, who was female but whose voice was made to sound masculine so that was another point of confusion.

This was not a traditional who-done-it. It features a famous author, Addison Comstock, who has moved beyond writing her own books, rather, she has a stable of writers to do it for her. She treats her employees horribly and as the book opens, they are in Ocho Rios for a "treat" which is really just an opportunity for Addison to have her employees under her thumb. She berates them, belittles and insults them, and makes them work long hours rewriting the chapters of "her work." Suddenly, her editor and right hand woman, Emily, begins to choke and die. It appears to be a normal death but the local authorities aren't so sure. As it turns out, Emily is not the only person to die in this novel. What is unusual is that we, the readers, know who the culprit is, relatively early.

The book is not so much a mystery as it is an exploration into the sordid and abusive backstories of a number of the characters, giving them motives, reasons, and explanations for the horrible things they end up doing. There were also some writing issues -- overuse of phrases, odd descriptions of people's expressions and weird dialogue tag lines. All this to say, I didn't care much for this. If you like a tale of revenge, maybe you would feel differently.

[Mái Medina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 33
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of the audiobook.

The premise of this one sounded right up my alley: the publishing industry, authors trying to make a living from their craft, and a series of suspicious “accidents” that may not be accidents at all. I was immediately intrigued and found the opening section genuinely engaging.

Unfortunately, after a strong start, the story lost momentum for me and became increasingly difficult to stay invested in. The mystery never quite developed in the way I hoped, and I found myself struggling to remain engaged as the plot progressed.

The audiobook experience didn’t help either. There were quite a few characters, and many of them sounded very similar, making it hard to keep track of who was who. Having two characters with such similar names, Alicia and Alison, only added to the confusion. More than once I had to stop and think, “Wait… which one is this again?” 😅

One aspect I really enjoyed was the Jamaican setting, but I wish the story had leaned into it more. The opening section gave us a wonderful sense of place, and I would have loved for the entire novel to remain there and make Jamaica a bigger part of the story. The setting had so much potential and added a unique flavour to the book.

Sadly, the ending was a major disappointment for me. After sticking with the story, I was hoping for a payoff that would make the slower middle sections worthwhile, but it didn’t quite deliver.

Overall, this wasn’t a terrible read, but it never lived up to the promise of its premise. A publishing-world mystery set against a vibrant Jamaican backdrop sounds fantastic on paper, but this one ultimately fell flat for me.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Megan - MegsMarginMusings · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was provided Murder by the Book by J.L. Campbell and narrated by Nicole Cash as an audiobook ARC through NetGalley by RBMedia. I am SO glad that I requested this book and that they chose to share it with me. This book was not the kind of book I typically go for. I’m usually a cozy mystery girl. My anxiety thrives in the comfort of the cozy, but holy cow the book gods were shining down on me when I requested this book, and it was honored, because I LOVED it.


Addison Comstock is a “literary icon, known for her bestselling crime novels, razor-sharp tongue, and relentless rise to the top.” And, hello, she is RELENTLESS. Every time this woman spoke or had a thought, I was like, EXCUSE ME MA’AM?! Did you just say/do/think that outloud in this book for real?! She does not care about anyone but herself, and it’s beautiful. At one point, she says, “That works for people who give a damn about others. I’m not one of them.” And I was figuratively dead from choking on my laughter.

Along with Addison, we follow two of her ghostwriters, both of whom have twisted connections to Addison’s past, and they did their share of keeping my mouth dropping open the entire time I was listening/reading. The trauma that these three women have endured kept me on the struggle bus, trying to weigh their actions and finding myself incapable because I have no idea what I would do in their situations. They each overcame the unfathomable, and I was gifted the experience of watching them try to untangle this web of bonkers that connects them to each other.

5 stars. Would read again. Would immediately read another book by this author.

[Lindsay Trigger · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars rounded up

This novel opens as Addison Comstock, bestselling author of 39 novels, shows absolutely no compassion for the team of writers churning out her book…even when a team member dies right in front of them. As rumors begin to swirl that even Addison’s first book was not her own writing, Addison’s past comes back to haunt her. Told from the perspectives of Addison and two of her ghostwriters, Campbell explores the cost of ambition and the cycles of trauma.

This book was marketed as a thriller, but is really more a drama than anything. It starts with a suspicious death, but we quickly learn who is behind it. While there are some “twists” throughout, they aren’t built from the suspense typical of a thriller.

My biggest hang up about this book, though, is the characters. I just hate them all. We get the back stories that feel like they should make the reader at least somewhat sympathetic toward the characters, but they are just all so unlikable that I can’t make myself care. I could almost feel something for Casey as she endured a lot, and her murders were against bad actors, but even she loses me in the end when she’s grateful to Donette for killing an infant to punish his mother.

As someone who usually loves multiple POVs, these didn’t quite work for me, because of the similarities and overlaps between characters and their stories, it was sometimes hard to keep them straight. I do have to give the audiobook narrator credit though, as she does an excellent job providing each character with their own voice.

Thank you to JL Campbell, RB Media, and NetGalley for the advance reader audiobook!

[Aurora Jay · Rating 3 out of 5]

𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗖𝗞 𝗣𝗟𝗢𝗧 𝗣𝗘𝗘𝗞
A famous crime writer’s luxury retreat in Jamaica turns deadly when secrets, ghostwriters, and betrayals begin surfacing. As suspicious deaths pile up, Addison Comstock fights to protect her reputation while someone close to her plots revenge using the storyline of her next book.

𝗔𝗨𝗗𝗜𝗢 𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘
The narrator does an excellent job matching the vibe of this glamorous, cutthroat world. The audiobook enhances the drama and makes everything feel larger than life. It definitely made this easy to binge.

𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗬 𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘
The vibe is toxic, catty, and melodramatic. It felt more like a glossy revenge drama, reminding me of shows like Revenge or The Perfect Couple.

The multiple POV allows us to zero in on the main characters which is helpful as there’s a lot of them. There’s breadcrumb-style clues dropped and shifting suspicions which I always enjoy.

FMC Addison is fun to hate and it wasn’t surprising that nearly everyone around her had believable motives to sabotage and murder.

There’s multiple betrayals and reveals throughout, which matches the high-drama energy of it all.

𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗?
This is much more relationship and drama-focused than the thrillers I usually go for. Even though it wasn’t my jam, I can absolutely see this being popular with readers who love glam, gossip, and messy revenge stories.

Thank you RBmedia and NetGalley for this gifted ARC.

🎧 Narrated by Nicole Cash
📖 Release 05•26•26 | 288 pages | 8h 38m

[LL · Rating 3 out of 5]

J.L. Campbell’s Murder By the Book is a dark thriller that brings together the lives of three wounded women after a celebrated author is forced to confront the wreckage of her past. Addison Comstock is a literary star, admired publicly, yet feared and often despised by the writers, editors, and assistants who keep her empire afloat. In her relentless pursuit of success, she will stop at nothing to protect her reputation, her money, and her power. She is not a good person, and as her story unfolds, we see how her painful upbringing forged the ruthless woman she has become.

Alexa, one of Addison’s staff writers, carries her own emotional scars. Her childhood was marked by instability and a constant sense of not belonging. Struggles with her boyfriend and Addison’s unyielding demands push her to the brink, until a devastating secret surfaces and sends her spiraling even further.

Casey, another writer in Addison’s world, has also endured a traumatic past. She and her sister survived a bleak childhood made worse by their mother’s death, which left them in the indifferent care of their father and stepmother. As an adult, Casey is determined to reclaim what she believes is her birthright, setting her on a collision course with Addison and a shocking finale where long‑buried truths finally erupt.

The beginning of the novel is difficult to navigate, with a crowded cast that initially blends together around Addison. But once the threads settle, the story sharpens into a harrowing tale of secrets, lies, and long‑overdue reckonings, culminating in a jaw‑dropping conclusion.

Three stars for a convoluted plot, heavy and often triggering subject matter, and characters who, despite their flaws, ultimately earn your understanding and empathy.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

I requested to review “Murder by the Book” because it sounded like a locked-room style murder mystery. Not really. There is a great line towards the end of the book that sums up how I felt about this audiobook. One of the main characters finds themselves in a surreal conversation and thinks to themselves, “Feels like I am in a soap opera.” Yes, indeed. I agree.

Now, listen, that is not a bad thing. I grew up watching “Dallas”, “Days of Our Lives”, “Santa Barbara” and my all time favorite, “Knots Landing”. I tell people how much I hate drama, but back in the day, I loved a good soap opera. The more over the top the situation, the better. Get the popcorn and join Michael Jackson in the theater seats.

This plot and the perfect narration by Nicole Cash had me feeling like I was going back in time and I was screaming, “NO, GIRL! Don’t let him get away with that!” “SHE IS STABBING YOU IN THE BACK! STOP BEING STUPID!!!” “No way she did that to that poor girl’s mama!” In hindsight, since I was listening to this audiobook on my earbuds, I may have startled a few shoppers at Walmart yelling those things out.

So, if you like your drama with a little bit of intrigue, then this is the book for you. I won’t tell if you don’t tell.

I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.

[Crystal Gritzmacher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and RBmedia for the audio ARC.

Murder by the Book landed somewhere around a 3.25–3.5⭐ read for me. I enjoyed quite a bit of this and can see it working well for readers who like layered, character-driven mysteries, even though it didn’t fully come together for me.

The story opens in Jamaica with bestselling author Addison Comstock and her team, where a murder happens almost immediately and sets everything in motion. The setup is strong and atmospheric, with a great literary hook that pulls you in right away.

This is a very ambitious, complex mystery with a large cast and a lot of moving parts. I liked the added layer of long-standing accusations surrounding Addison’s first success, which brings a slow-burn psychological tension and a morally grey edge that keeps things interesting.

That said, the complexity sometimes worked against me. There are a lot of characters and backstory threads, and I occasionally had trouble keeping track of connections, which slowed the pacing and pulled me out of the story a bit.

I listened to this via audiobook, and the narration didn’t fully work for me. I do think this may be better in print where it’s easier to follow the multiple threads. Trigger warnings include rape, sexual assault, and incest.

[N · Rating 2 out of 5]

10, 12?
Sorry that is not the rating, that is the number of time Campbell uses the phrase "She Sucked Her Teeth". It was so distracting....you may not think that causing a disruptive reading experience, but when it happens within pages of each other it really stands out and continued to show up in the 300 or so pages of this book (or 9 hours of audio--whichever it was) What an ear worm.....I guess I need to go chew gum and sing Happy Birthday.
Maybe I am so focused on this phrase because the actual book was pretty poor. The catchy pitch obviously grabbed my attention, but failed to deliver the fast paced mystery I was hoping for. It just turned out to be an attempt at a "Girl Boss" situation--I could not relate to any of the characters nor did I want to. Addison-the "author"was too unlikeable. The author did not develop her rise to the top for her to warrant the "domination" that she had. There are also 2 additional POV's that were clearly suppose to be distinct characters, but I kept switching them up and found it difficult to remember which was which.

The book really fell apart-of course how can it fall apart when it never really was together?



Thank you netgalley for allowing me to review and read this advanced copy of Murder By The Book. I was not paid for this review

[TenshiMari · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to the author and Netgalley for providing a digital review copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review

Books about books are one of my favourite writing tropes. At the start of the book, I struggled getting into it, there are multiple POVs across a dual timeline and all of them are women, and the voice the narrator does for each of them was not distinct enough to be easy to tell them apart, not helped by the fact that two of their names start with "A". I also found this book less a thriller and more a drama, there is no real sense of danger, urgency or dread. This is not helped by the fact that the book is pretty slow burn and the characters are all pretty unlikeable, some more than others, so it's hard to really care about what happens in the book. I'm sad to report this book was wasted on me, I don't think it's a bad book but I feel like marketing it as a thriller is a little misleading. It should've marketed as women's fiction. I also think the book could've used some serious trigger warnings for some content, especially the child abuse and sexual assault of a minor. As a sidenote, I thought the narrator did a great job at her delivery and prevented me from feeling bored.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook ARC received through NetGalley. Thank you to the publisher.

A classic story of revenge with a mild twist. There were some parts that were interesting, but overall nothing is different enough about it to stick with me long term.

From other reviews I see many DNFs and I understand why, it is rather confusing. The timeline jumps quite a bit but there is nothing to tell the reader where you are. Or maybe there is in the physical book, but not in the audio.

That being said, I don't regret finishing it, it is a nice story with sufficient drama to keep it interesting if you don't mind feeling slightly confused the whole time, but maybe that's part of it's charm.

The thing that really bugged me is that the 3 main characters were supposed to be Jamaican, and even though people kept on commenting that one of the characters had a stronger accent this accent would be in and out, which kind of ruins the listening experience.

I'm not sure I would suggest this to anyone who hasn't ready some of the main thrillers out there, as there are so many with better writing, but if you are looking to give something new a try I'd say go for it. This is why I'm giving it 3 starts, interesting but not memorable.

Trigger warning: sexual assault, but nothing too graphic

[Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my second time reading a J.L. Campbell book, and this one blew me away! Blending suspense and drama, MURDER BY THE BOOK is a gripping mystery novel filled with secrets and revenge. I loved it!

​The book didn’t hook me immediately upon reading. There were some pacing issues, but around the 40% mark, things started to fall into place. What impressed me the most was how Ms. Campbell was able to craft her storyline, hinting at clues to unlock the main mystery. I was all for it!

When I read the climax and major reveal of the story, I was shocked by how everything escalated. I could feel my heart pounding as the twists came one after another, leaving me completely tense and glued to the page. The surprises kept me guessing until the very last moment, and when all was finally revealed, I felt an immense sense of satisfaction. Ms. Campbell executed it perfectly! This alone made me smile from ear to ear.

​MURDER BY THE BOOK is an excellent, vibrant read! I highly recommend it for mystery readers like us.

​Thank you, Netgalley and Black Odyssey Publishing, for the advance readers' copy to read and review.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley, RBMedia, and J.L. Campbell for the opportunity to review the audiobook version of Murder by the Book.

I really wanted to love this book because the premise had so much potential. Unfortunately, for me, it ended up being a slow burn that never fully ignited. The story moved at a very gradual pace and often felt repetitive and predictable. I kept waiting for the plot to shift into something more intense or suspenseful, but it mostly stayed at the same level throughout. While there were moments that hinted at deeper intrigue, the storyline never quite hit the mark I was hoping for.

That being said, the audiobook narration by Nicole Cash was excellent. She did an incredible job capturing the personalities and emotions of the characters, helping bring more life and atmosphere to the story. Her performance kept me engaged even during the slower sections of the book.

Overall, this wasn’t a bad thriller, but it felt like it needed more momentum and stronger twists to truly stand out. If you enjoy very slow-burning suspense with a focus on atmosphere over action, this may work better for you than it did for me.

[Whatdomreads · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25⭐️
*Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an audiobook copy of this book*

Murder by the Book is a thriller, following multiple characters, circling around an author with controversy about her rights on books and her shadow-writing team. The book starts with a death of one of the members, and thats when the suspicion starts rising. Stakes get higher, betrayals and secret unravel and lies become so twisted, you dont know what is true and what is not.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book especially with the multi-POV, granting us with more information and details. You couldnt fully judge anyone because of their backround and how life didn't treat them as fairly as it should have. There is a lot of talk about topics like SA, rape, harassment, substance abuse, domestic violence and workplace negligence, so be aware of that if youre picking up the book.
Although it was a little confusing at times, I think this book was well-balanced and kept you on your toes. I would definitely recommend this as an audiobook, seeing that the narrator has done such a great job with narrating. She handled accents, different tones and emotions, which enhanced my listening experience.