The Mortal Enemy Murder Club

Hu Done It #2

by Gloria Chao

The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club is back with a twist in this smart, hilarious mystery by USA TODAY bestselling author Gloria Chao.

Kathryn Hu is not getting into the business of solving murders. Yes, she and her friends Olivia and Elle figured out who killed their cheating ex-boyfriend. But now Kat can get back to her usual, murder-free existence.

Then she gets an unexpected plea for help. Mandy Thorne has ruined countless lives through her revenge podcast. She also did her best to frame the girls. Now, she claims, someone is trying to kill her. And the girls are the only ones who can save her.

But can the trio and Mandy put aside their mutual contempt long enough to prevent a murder and solve this case? Can they become…the Mortal Enemy Murder Club?

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Cozy, Mystery Thriller, Adult

352 pages, Paperback

Expected publication July 28, 2026

About the author

Gloria Chao is a USA Today bestselling author and a screenwriter. Her novels include The Mortal Enemy Murder Club (out 7.28.2026), The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club, Ex Marks the Spot, When You Wish Upon a Lantern, Rent a Boyfriend, Our Wayward Fate, and American Panda. She graduated from MIT and became a dentist before realizing she'd rather spend her days in fictional characters’ heads instead of real people’s mouths. When she’s not writing, you can find her on the curling ice, where she and her husband are world-ranked in mixed doubles.

Visit her tea-and-book-filled world at GloriaChao.Wordpress.com, and find her on Twitter and Instagram @GloriacChao.

Reviews

[Gloria Chao]

Dear Reader,

THE MORTAL ENEMY MURDER CLUB has all of my favorite things from the first book but even MORE:
–twists and turns
–suspects
–romance
–Kat's MOM
–Mandy Thorne
–and of course, many more shenanigans, including one of my favorite scenes I've ever written

I hope you enjoy this follow-up to THE EX-GIRLFRIEND MURDER CLUB. I am so grateful to all you readers for the love and support you’ve given this series. Thank you. To each and every one of you. For going on these adventures with this trio; for reviewing, posting, telling a friend. I am just so grateful. When I changed careers over a decade ago, I didn’t dare dream this big. Thank you for making it so I can do my dream job. Writing books filled with humor, shenanigans, and ride-or-die friendships brings me so much joy, and I hope in turn I was able to bring you some joy as well.

This book is for anyone who wishes to be part of the Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club. You are.

Happy reading!
Gloria

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

The sequel to the 'A Hu Dune It' series is finally out, and I am absolutely loving every moment of it! This charming cozy whodunit mystery features the trio we know and love: three ex-girlfriends and now the addition of Mandy Thorne.

Kathryn Hu and her friends, Olivia and Elle, want to leave their sleuthing days behind after solving a murder. However, they are approached by Mandy Thorne, who claims someone is trying to kill her. Despite their past conflicts, the girls must work with Mandy to prevent a murder and may form the Mortal Enemy Murder Club.

The story follows our characters, who have reasonably matured since we last joined their escapades, yet they’re still up to some mischief. I particularly enjoyed the inclusion of podcast transcripts and interrogation room dialogue, which added a realistic touch to the narrative. I missed the hilarious banter between Kat and her mom—it always brings a smile! When Kat finds herself in hot water, her helicopter mom swoops in to save the day with all her gadgets, resulting in some laugh-out-loud moments.

This book takes a serious turn, with plenty of twists and turns that kept me turning the pages as fast as my Kindle allowed. For a full character introduction, I recommend reading the first book before diving into the second; it’ll help everything click better, and you’ll understand the characters more fully. We also get a delightful glimpse of Mama Hu, especially toward the end of the story, which is a nice surprise. You can expect to learn a lesson or two along the way, and yes, there’s a bit of romance as well—perfectly appropriate for a YA audience, so no worries there!

This book is perfect for anyone who enjoys a fun, fast-paced read with quirky characters eager to solve a cozy mystery. It’s also great for fans following the ride-or-die friendship between these three friends. Grab this read for a day at the beach or for your next vacation—it’s absolutely ideal!

Thank you, the Hive, Harlequin Trade Publishing | Park Row, and NetGalley, for the gifted DRC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[ChronicallyYou · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Mortal Enemy Murder Club delivered exactly what I hoped for: sharp humor, clever twists, and a mystery that genuinely kept me guessing. I was fully convinced I had the culprit figured out…and I was wrong both times, which is honestly my favorite kind of reading experience.

Kat and Olivia absolutely have my heart. Kat’s reluctant sleuth energy continues to shine in her new role as a forensic scientist, and Olivia remains a standout with her shark-like lawyer instincts and her newest magician talents. That said, I really missed Elle aka Lauren aka Lassy McBush. While she has her moments, it wasn’t quite enough to satisfy my love of the original trio. I do have a feeling, however, that she will be back in action in book three *fingers crossed*.

The humor is still spot-on, with snappy banter and laugh-out-loud moments, and I have learned far more malaphors than I will ever need in this lifetime. I also learned that it is not "slide of hand", it is "sleight of hand"... and for that alone, I feel like I need to immediately return both my Bachelor's and Master's degrees.

Mandy is still the most insufferable award winning podcast witch with a "b". If you thought her antics couldn't get any worse after The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club, you are in for an unpleasant surprise. Don't let this keep you from reading The Mortal Enemy Murder Club; you might actually enjoy the reality check she receives.

And, of course, a special shoutout to Mama Hu! Her well meaning but wildly overbearing antics stole every scene she was in. Helicopter Mom (IYKYK) doesn’t even begin to cover it ;)

Balancing a high-stakes mystery with genuine humor (oh and there's a little romance too!), this sequel proves the series still has plenty of bite. This murder club remains one I’m very happy to be part of!

Thank you to the Hive (HTP Books), NetGalley, and Gloria Chao for the ARC!

[Addison Dean · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I somewhat enjoyed the first book in this series (which is a must-read before starting this sequel, or else you'll be quite lost), Book 2 felt like more of the same, perhaps because it's filled once again with Kathryn's various laws of life, idiom origins, and unwanted gifts from Kat's mom. Those things were kind of quirky in the first book, but they felt like a ton of filler this time around. (Note: I listened to the first book on audio at a high speed, and read this one as an ebook, so perhaps the slower pace of reading made these things grate on me more.)

One big departure in this book is that, although the first book had a kind of limited cast, this one has loads of characters/suspects, and it can be hard to keep everyone straight. It's also hard to suspend disbelief that the MCs could get away with interfering in police work so much, regardless of who they have personal relationships with. Book 1 was a little more believable because they were suspects trying to clear their names, but this time they really shouldn't have been so involved. On a brighter note, I did like the parts with Mama Hu, who is frankly a more compelling character than Kat herself. I don't think I'll be continuing this series, as it's becoming clear that it's just not my cup of tea, but if you like a pretty unserious YA-ish mystery with hijinks like funny costumes and sleight of hand, give this a try. (Just remember to read Book 1 first!)

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC and share my honest feedback!

[Miranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for the free version of this book! The Mortal Enemy Murder Club comes out July 28th!

🔍 Murder mystery
🫆whodunit
🔍 Plot twists
🫆 Friendship

I have been anticipating this book since it was released so I was so excited when I got the email from NetGalley that I was approved for this book! It did not disappoint!

I loved reading about Kat, Elle and Olivia again in this book. In the last book they solved the murder of their ex-boyfriend and Kat was getting back to normal life. Until Mandy, who runs the revenge podcast reaches out for help because she thinks she’s in trouble. The same person who tried to frame the girls when their cheating ex boyfriend was murdered.

I loved reading this book, it was fast-paced, it was twisty and it gave you the nostalgic feeling from the first book from reading it. I also loved reading the scenes between Kat and Adrian and seeing them develop, and even Kat’s mom! Everytime her mom called I cracked up from all the things she’s always telling her to do and all the packages she always sends her! Overall such a great book, highly recommend reading the first one right now “The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club” so you can read this one when it comes out! The Mortal Enemy Murder Club comes out July 28th!

[Sadie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Mortal Enemy Murder Club was one of my most anticipated reads of 2026 and it did not disappoint! I absolutely adored The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club, so when I saw I had been approved for an ARC copy of book two, I genuinely squealed and couldn't wait to dive in.

Just like in book one, this book packed so many twists and turns, I found myself forming theory after theory and having them all be proved completely wrong. I love that in a good "Hu"-done-it book! There are also more hunky detectives, Glen "Power", and plenty of hilarious moments which genuinely had me laughing out loud. The "splotchy, stinky, small" conversation being blasted throughout Mandy's mansion for all to hear, I'm looking at you.

Kat and Olivia truly have my heart, and it was so much fun following them as they solved yet another crazy, twisted mystery with the help of some unlikely new Murder Club members.

Readers who are looking for a good murder mystery with some romance, plenty of laughs, and some pretty incredible FMCs, this is the book (and series!) for you!

It is truly an honor to be a part of the Murder Club.

A huge thank you to The Hive, NetGalley, and Gloria Chao for the opportunity to read and review this book!

[Ana Ruano · Rating 4 out of 5]

The plan was simple… again? Three women, one nemesis, and another murder to solve. Kathryn, Olivia, and Elle are back, and this time, their nemesis Mandy Thorne swears someone is trying to kill her. Despite their mutual hatred, the trio has to team up with Mandy to stop a murder—which, of course, leads to chaos, hilarious banter, and yes, more murder weapons than you’d ever expect in “everyday life.”

I loved book one for its mix of humor, suspense, and pure girl-gang energy, and this sequel absolutely delivers. Gloria Chao pulls you into a world that feels almost normal… until you realize there are murdered bodies involved. I was guessing who the culprit could be on every single page—suspecting everyone and anyone—which kept me racing through the book. That twisty, page-turning tension is exactly why I devour thrillers like this.

Bonus points for the hot detective alert returning in full force (because yes, we all need that). We also get more of Kat’s mom, who adds another hilarious, chaotic layer, and more of Mandy’s podcast, Dish Served Hot, all about getting back at people you’re dating and uncovering cheaters. I loved seeing the podcast threads expand—it was such a clever callback to book one and added another fun, modern twist to the story.

Beyond the murder and mayhem, it’s the friendships that really shine. Seeing Kathryn, Olivia, and Elle’s bond continue to thrive—even while reluctantly working with Mandy—is so satisfying. The dynamic between these four is pure comedy gold, full of sharp wit, petty insults, and grudging respect. Gloria Chao balances suspense, humor, and friendship so well that you’re laughing one moment and gasping the next.

Returning to this world felt like catching up with old friends. Full of twists, laughs, clever plotting, and just enough chaos to keep me on my toes, The Mortal Enemy Murder Club is a perfect follow-up that hits everything I loved about book one—and then some. I’m so thrilled I got to read it before its official release on July 28, 2026!

[bingsuu · Rating 4 out of 5]

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟

Thank you to NetGallery and Park Row publishers for the advanced copy of this book for an honest review!

As someone who rated the first book a 5 star read and did not see it coming at all who was the killer, this one did not disappoint. Back to back good books? Count me in!

This is something that you call the beautiful trinity of humor, mystery, and a little romance!!

Despite it being a trio, you feel so included in the plot and trying to figure out the pieces of clues together of who’s the killer. This time however, I was able to get an idea of who is the killer. I love the way that the author sneaks it right in for you but will drop these unsuspecting sneak attacks on you too.

One of the reasons why I love this series so much is because of the many and I say MANY drops of origins of sayings by Kathryn. But my favorite character is still Elle because of her bluntness and humor even though she’s helping from jail. Yikes.

Definitely recommend.
𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟

[Alysa Blum · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley, and I had a similar experience with the first book in the series—I went in not knowing what to expect and was pleasantly surprised. These books strike a great balance between mystery and lighthearted humor, which I really enjoy.

This installment was just as strong as the first. The plot kept me guessing for a good portion of the story, and I appreciated not being able to easily predict the ending. I continue to feel really connected to the characters, especially Kat and her dynamic with the group.

I did miss Elle (Lauren) being more present in this one, although she does make a few appearances from jail. There were some hints about the girls helping their nemesis in hopes of securing a pardon for Elle, but that storyline wasn’t fully resolved. It left me wanting more—perhaps it’s something that will be explored in a future book, if there is one.

Overall, this was a fun, engaging read with a solid sense of mystery. I finished it in three days, which is always a good sign.

[Mikayla Wakelam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Gloria Chao, and Harper Collins Publishing for an advanced copy of this book.

I love a good murder mystery and this book fit that category perfectly. I love how witty, funny, and charming the characters are. I was absolutely sure that I had figured out the twist and who the culprit was and by the end of the book I was way off! I love a murder mystery that keeps me guessing until the last second.

Kat and Olivia have my heart. Their friendship is beautiful and how they grow together, trust eachother, and seem to read each others minds. I also love Kat and Adrian’s relationship. To see the honest and genuine love is so refreshing! I did miss the trio of Kat, Olivia, and Elle. While they did have their moments it wasn’t the same with the trio actually being together completely but I hope come time for book 3 they will be back in action.

This book completely delivered what I hoped it would and I highly recommend!

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

★★★★★

The Mortal Enemy Murder Club was such a fun, fast paced mystery. The minute I finished my eARC of The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club, I immediately followed Gloria Chao and turned on notifications so I would know the moment the second book was available for an ARC. That first cliffhanger was brutal, and I was so excited to pick this one up and finally find out what happened next.

The dynamic between the women continues to be the highlight of the story. Their personalities clash in entertaining ways, and the reluctant teamwork makes the mystery even more fun to follow.

The plot moves quickly with plenty of twists, and it all comes together in a satisfying way. I loved getting to spend more time with these characters and would happily read another book with this group.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[JXR · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found the first mystery in this series fantastic, though I was definitely surprised when I found out there was going to be a sequel. In this one, Kat and Olivia (and Elle) (not long off of finding out the killer who killed their mutual cheating ex-bf) are asked for help by Mandy, the revenge podcast host who framed them (independent from the killer). She believes someone's trying to kill her, and claims that they are the only people who can save her. And of course, they decide to help

The characters here are absolutely fantastic, and feel very realistic and effective. The plotline is fantastic and the ultimate killer reveal is a bit of a surprise but ultimately makes a lot of sense in hindsight, and in general I found this one fantastic. 5 stars. Thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC.

[Kristin Paulin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the follow up to The Ex-Girlfriends Murder Club. The main characters, Kathryn, Olivia, and Elle (from prison) are back. The podcaster, Mandy Thorne, from the last book is back too. She is at the center of the new mystery, after having been framed for murder. Mandy enlists the ladies to solve the mystery and clear her name.

This is book two in the “Hu Done It” mystery series. Its funny and heartwarming. The main characters are smart, bad*** young women: a scientist, a lawyer, an author, and a podcaster entrepreneur. The main trio have an enviable friendship bond that the book centers around. But --there is some romance sprinkled in for both Kathryn and Olivia.

I definitely recommend reading the series in order for clarity. If you haven’t read Gloria Chao before, she writes a great funny, heartwarming mystery. I recommend this for fans of Elle Cosimano’s Finlay Donovan series and Jesse Q Sutanto’s Vera Wong series.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Park Row for the ARC of The Mortal Enemy Murder Club.

This was the second book in the "Hu Done It" series by Gloria Chao and it was just as good as the first book. All the characters from the first book are back in this laugh out loud, murder mystery. I loved all the twist and turns and laughs that this book provided. It was fast-paced, kept you hook and made you laugh. I also enjoyed how the book touched on some of the story-line from the first book. The character development of Kat and the growth between her and Adrian's character and their relationship was nice too. And as with the first book, the antics of Mrs. Hu (Kat's mom) and her dad, made me laugh out loud. If you are looking for a fun, laugh out loud, murder mystery, you won't regret reading this book!

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

~ARC Review~

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for this arc.

I was so excited to get a chance to read the second book in the “Hu Done It” series early, since I loved the first book so much! When I started The Mortal Enemy Murder Club it instantly brought me back to when I read The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club and all the things I adored about that book! The writing and storyline for this series is fantastic.

✿ cozy (murder) mystery
✿ “whodunit”
✿ humorous & witty
✿ enemies to allies & female friendship
✿ Asian American representation

I really enjoyed this book! I was excited to get to see where the characters were now and go along with them to solve another mystery. I also enjoyed the romance aspect of the storyline. It was a fast-paced, twisty and overall a really fun read!

If you’re a fan of cozy mysteries then I think you’ll really enjoy this book!

Comes out July 28th

[Andrea Press · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the advance reader's copy of the Mortal Enemy Murder Club. When I first started reading this, I quickly realized it was a sequel and first had to read the Ex-Girlfriends Murder Club. You could not read this without reading it first, it was not good as a standalone. That being said, it was very similar to the first novel but with way too much going on. I could not keep any of the characters straight because there were far too many and I found the whole premise of the story confusing and nonsensical. The revenge podcast angle was ridiculous and read more like a "meet up". Podcast listeners/participants don't all live in the same city. The only good part of the novel was Mama and Papa Hu but it was far too little and too late.

[Katie Lavoie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This cozy mystery is full of twists, turns, and all the mayhem. Great for anyone who wants a little mystery, a lot of laughs, a nerdy main character, and all the chaos.

I haven’t read the first book in the series but will be going back to read it now. While it would be a little helpful to have met a lot of the key players before, I was still able to easily jump into this plot and all the characters relationships.

As much as the mystery was interesting to unravel, my favorite aspect was the supportive friendships (followed closely by Mama Hu). I loved that both Kat and Olivia were loyal, supportive, and there for each other, Elle, and even Mandy.

Thanks to Gloria Chao, Harlequin, Park Row, and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Amanda Pemberton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun murder mystery. The mix of humor, twists, and character dynamics kept me completely hooked, and every time I thought I had the mystery solved, the story proved me wrong.

Kat and Olivia continue to be my favorite part of the series—their friendship feels so genuine, and I loved seeing their bond grow even more. I also really enjoyed the moments between Kat and Adrian.

While I missed seeing more of the full trio together, the banter and teamwork still made this a really entertaining read. Fast-paced, clever, and full of surprises from start to finish.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the eARC!

[Paige Gunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

So so sooooo good! I’m ready for so many more adventures with Kat & Olivia and who knows who else! The writing style is perfection with suspense and comedy intertwined.

Storyline? Great. Characters? Great. Kat’s lovable personality quirks? Great. Ending? Great.

Please continue writing in this series!!

I was able to receive an advanced copy from the author and publisher through NetGalley. Thank you!

[Hannah Winegar]

Kathryn fell into solving murders completely by accident. While she didn't anticipate solving another murder, one falls into her lap when Mandy Thorne, revenge podcast host, comes to her asking to figure out who is plotting to kill her.

It was fine. I didn't remember a ton from the first book, but I didn't really need to remember in order to enjoy this one. Honestly I'm not entirely sure I completely remember this one, either!

Thanks, NG!

[Danielle D · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed book two much more than the first. The character development really stood out—Kat, Olivia, and Elle all felt far more likable and fully realized this time around. Kat’s mom gets a much bigger role and I loved that. The mystery was fast paced and stayed entertaining throughout. A few moments were unrealistic in ways that pulled me out of the story, but overall it was great.

[Britney Ireland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you #NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy of this book. I really enjoyed it.

This is the 2nd Hu Don It by Gloria Chao. I didn’t read the first before this one and I still enjoyed it very much. I loved the layout of the storyline how the friends communicated and it had episodes of the Podcast throughout. It had twist ls and mysteries.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved loved loved The Ex Girlfriends Murder Club and could not wait to read The Mortal Enemy Murder Club. It did not disappoint. Thank you Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book. Gloria Chao, I will read everything you write!

[Mathter Works · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't realize this was a sequel, but it does function well as a standalone too. A good mystery with some humor as well. I loved the friendships and other relationships between the female characters in this especially.

[Jennifer Gillette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first book of the series, but liked this one even more.

A lot of humor, an interesting mystery to solve with some unexpected surprises, and a great friendship to be a part of. The continuation of the romantic relationship made more sense in this book, and I loved that we got more of Kat’s parents! I hope Mama Hu makes an appearance in the third book as well!

PS, loving the covers

{This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.}

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This follow up to the Ex Girlfriend Murder club was brilliant, fun and well worth the wait.

Mandy Thorne, creator of the revenge podcast is now begging the club for help. Someone is threatening her and she has no one else to turn to. Here’s where we see the shift from Ex Girlfriends to the Mortal Enemy Murder Club.

With quick humor, intense escapades and witty banter this book is a must read and one of my new fave series!