Sleuths

by Samantha Moody

Your favourite actor has been pictured with a missing woman. What would you do?

SHE’S A FAN

Melody runs a fan account for TV’s hottest actor, Griff Beckett. But when one of the photos she posts shows Griff kissing an unknown woman, angry fans turn on Melody and accuse her of posting a fake.

HE’S A CELEBRITY

Hurt and angry, Melody enlists the help of her closest friends to prove the photo is real and their favourite actor is no longer single…until, instead of a girlfriend, they find a missing person report.

AND HE’S…KIDNAPPED SOMEONE?

It should be a job for the authorities, but no cop will take them seriously. Armed with just two friends and one very sexy (and distracting) journalist, Levi, Melody is going to solve the crime, save the girl, and maybe get the guy, too. Surely it’s not that hard to be a real sleuth?

The laugh-out-loud, thrilling debut for fans of Only Murders in the Building and any Netflix true crime!

Genres: Mystery Thriller

Audible Audio

Published May 21, 2026

Reviews

[Daniel Myatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon / HaperCollins for my advanced copy.

This book is already compared to Only Murders In The Building, but it really shouldn't be. It is its own witty and dark stands alone story and doesn't need the comparison at all.

That said, let's talk about how 3 fans of a sexy period drama and most importantly of all the handsome leading man stumble upon a very dark secret and set out to save the day.

Mel is floundering at work and in life. She is living the London dream in a tiny flat, eking out an existence, but her fandom page and socials dedicated to Larksholm keep her going and are the centre of her world, that is until one day a grainy video from a night club brings her (virtual) world crashing down and she decides to make it right by finding out the why, where and what for behind the video. Helped (and often hindered) by her fellow fans Aggie and Priya she delves into full detective mode little realising it's going to be taking her to the dark underbelly of London and far away from her beloved regency world.

So I really enjoyed this book, although a lot of the fan stuff passed me by as I have never been a super fan of anything, but the story was captivating enough to keep me hooked. It was witty and dark in equal measure, and I absolutely loved how they just kept coming up with such ludicrous plans that worked.

The only downside for me was the sex scene between Mel and Levi. I just didn't add anything to the book or the plot!

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book!

A solid 4 stars.

I enjoyed the pacing, the storyline, and the characters were very well written (mostly), and I just felt like I wanted to know how it ends!

A little unbelievable? Yes, maybe a little, but I was happy to suspend my belief that this all could happen in reality.
Some parts a little rushed, and some drag on a little too long? Maybe.

And add in a spicy intimacy scene for all too!

Overall, an enjoyable amateur sleuth thriller. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

[Jessica Gadziala]

TBR this. I loved it!

[Faye Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Melody runs a fan account for a Bridgerton-esque show, particularly focused on shipping the relationship between its two main actors. This leads to her getting involved in a huge investigation, which is way beyond discovering the identify of the actor's mystery girlfriend which she had in mind. The mystery that Melody ends up following was grittier and more serious than I expected, but that storyline didn't really match the sort of chaotic investigation style that Mel and her friends had. The first half of the book had me interested, but the second half went quite wild and it sort of lost me there. I think I was just confused about whether it was trying to be a screwball romcom, or a more serious romantic suspense.

Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley but this is my voluntary and honest review.

[Erin Wolak · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

*I received this book as an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review*

I genuienly enjoyed this book. I will say that the beginning took a little bit to get going but once everyone came together and started actually planning things out and putting eachother to work it ramped up and became one of those books that I didn't want to put down. All of the characters felt like they were written very well and felt like they responded in a real way to the things happening around them, however I will never claim to completely understand the hardcore fandom individuals so maybe that isn't really how some of them act. I liked that there was a romantic interest included in the story but that it in no way took a front seat to the event they were trying to solve, it felt like an added bonus that made my heart happy.

[Chloë · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast paced, thrilling & full of humour ~ 4✨
Would I recommend? ☑️

⭑ Publication date: 21st May 2026
⭑ Format: Paperback & Audiobook (ebook?)
⭑ Genre: Thriller/Mystery/Suspense, Dark Comedy, Romance
⭑ Tropes: Online fandom culture, Found family, Slow-burn romance & Murder mystery
⭑ Great for : True Crime enthusiasts, Fans of Only Murders in the Building & Armchair detectives

❗️Inclusion/mention of murder, human trafficking, kidnapping/missing persons & exploitation.

✅ If you love dark humour, dry wit & sarcasm paired with a fast paced, thrilling yet entertaining plot - welcome to the world of Sleuths!

~

✧ S U M M A R Y ✧

• Murder, missing women & a shady secret nightclub…
• A toxic but surprisingly knowledgeable online fandom & a trio of friends who will stop at nothing to get to the truth…
• One infuriatingly charming but arrogant love interest & all the dry wit, sarcasm & dark humour you could hope for…

🟰One heck of a story.

~

Sleuths was the perfect balance of darkness & light. The fast paced gritty mystery had laugh out loud humour, found family vibes & a slow burn romance running throughout. I really enjoyed the inclusion of things like Aggie’s one liners & Priya’s innocent optimism which were always timed to perfection. However, it’s important to note that the hard hitting themes such as kidnapping, exploitation, trafficking & just downright shady behaviour were approached with great care & consideration.
Sleuths is a book I would definitely recommend ☑️


✧ C H A R A C T E R S ✧

Whilst I enjoyed Levi’s arrogant charm & Amir’s unexpected softer side, the female characters killed it. Mel, Aggie & Priya’s sisterhood was such a great dynamic. Their contrasting personalities made for some extremely entertaining moments but I loved how they all shared the same strong willed, determined, not afraid to jump feet first into the flames kind of nature. Yes ok, at times their behaviour was a little reckless. HOWEVER, it’s important to remember that their actions were always driven by a desire to help others!! Questionable behaviour with a strong motive - we’ve all been there 👀


✧ F I N A L • T H O U G H T S ✧

As a huge true crime fan everything about this book jumped out at me. I loved the cover - the bold colours against the dark background instantly drew my eye & the mention of Only Murders in the Building was like a beacon calling me home (If you haven’t watched the show, I cannot recommend it enough. Dark comedy, unlikely friendships, murder mystery & more).
I appreciated how Samantha explored not only the toxic nature that some fan cultures can exhibit but also the community coming together/strength in numbers aspect.

Overall Sleuths was an entertaining, exhilarating read that I would definitely recommend. OH & that open ending?
I’m definitely going to keep an eye out for more of Samantha’s work! > If you enjoy true crime, crazy toxic online fandom’s, mystery & intrigue, strong minded females & a slow burn steamy romance - you should too!

~

❣️A huge thank you to NetGalley, Avon Books UK & Samantha Moody for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC. This is my honest opinion & I’m sharing it voluntarily.

[Rianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, I went into Sleuths by Samantha Moody thinking this was about to be tailor-made for me. Mystery thriller? Check. Internet fandom chaos? CHECK. A premise that basically screams “chronically online girlies, rise”? I was seated, snacks ready, emotionally prepared.

Because listen, I am a certified survivor of the SuperWhoLock era. I have seen things. I am all too familiar with shipping actors together and that line between person and character blurring until it’s fused together. So a story diving into fandom culture? I was ready to feel seen. Instead… I felt mildly annoyed. And then progressively more annoyed…

The biggest issue for me was Melody. Our main character and narrator. And I’m sorry to this woman, but she and I were not vibing. Her narrative voice made it weirdly hard to stay invested. Every time I put the book down, I had to convince myself to pick it back up again. And for a 300-page mystery? That’s… not ideal. This took me almost a week to finish, which in my reading world is basically a red flag waving aggressively in the wind.

Then there’s the fandom element, which was honestly the part that hurt the most. It felt… off. Like it was written from the outside looking in, rather than by someone who truly gets the nuance of fandom spaces. There’s a tone to it that leans a bit dismissive, even borderline disrespectful at times. And as someone who was that fangirl? It didn’t feel like representation. It felt like a caricature.

Also, the plot itself… look, was it a bit unrealistic? Probably. Did I care enough to dissect it? Not really, because I was too busy trying to stay engaged in the first place. And that’s kind of the core issue. If I’m hooked, I’ll forgive a lot. If I’m not, every little thing starts to stand out.

That said, I will give credit where it’s due. I really liked the idea of turning online skills into something useful in a real-world investigation. That concept had so much potential and felt like a fresh angle within the genre. I just wish the execution had landed better for me.

What confuses me most is the target audience. If this is meant for fangirls, I genuinely think it misses the mark by portraying them in a pretty negative light. And if it’s not for them… then who exactly is this for???

Overall, this one just didn’t hit the way I hoped it would. Not a bad idea, but unfortunately not my cup of tea.

A big thank you to Avon Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion 💕

[JessKinoReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 stars!
I did enjoy this one, as it initially explores themes of fandom and parasocial relationships, I was told in a witty writing style.
That being said, I didn’t feel wholly connected to the story and actually with the first half feeling like a different story to the second.
There are very heavy themes within this book which I wasn’t expecting, but I felt like added a bit more grit, but I’m not sure it complimented the first half?
Overall a great read with some great characters, but felt like it needed something extra for it all to mesh. That being said, as a debut, I’ll be excited to see what Samantha brings out next!

[Tanya Hunter-Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an easy and entertaining, though the premise felt a bit far-fetched at times. The story leans heavily into fan culture, which gave it a lot of “fangirl” energy which was sometimes a bit too much for me. That said, the main characters were funny, loyal to each other, and their dynamic kept the story moving along nicely. While I didn’t find it particularly realistic, it was a fun, light read with enough humour and mystery to keep me turning the pages.

[The Cookster · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3.3/5

Melody is heavily invested in the world of fandom. She is a superfan who runs a fan account for Griff Beckett, the handsome leading man in the television series, "Larksholm", which bears an uncanny resemblance to "Bridgerton". However, when Melody posts a photograph of Griff kissing a mystery woman in a nightclub it causes outrage amongst other fans and Melody becomes the target of their vitriol amid accusations of peddling fake news. Melody sets out to prove that the picture is genuine, but little does she know that her investigation is about to take her down an unexpectedly dark and dangerous path.

On the face of things, it could be said that I am not really in the target age demographic for this debut novel from Samantha Moody. However, it could also be argued that a well-written piece of work should be able to appeal to an audience beyond the parameters of its most obvious target market. The whole fandom culture is certainly quite foreign to me and I have to confess that, for the first 20-25% of this book, I was seriously questioning whether I would make it to the end. It really did seem to be speaking to a generation that I don't belong to and in a language that I was hard-pressed to comprehend. I had also seen some other reviews expressing a similar reaction that had resulted in the readers DNFing at quite an early stage. Thankfully, I persevered and was rewarded with a far more enjoyable reading experience than I had been beginning to fear.

As the narrative progresses, so this story develops into a highly entertaining mystery adventure. The crime at the heart of the story is actually quite dark and sinister, but although the author does not diminish the seriousness of what is being perpetrated, it is handled in a way that doesn't simply make for depressing subject matter. There is an awful lot of edgy humour as Melody along with her friends Aggie and Priya set about their task. Each member of this triumvirate is appealing in her own way, but Aggie, in particular, regularly brought a smile of amusement to my face. There is also a rom-com element to the plot, which does get quite steamy at one juncture, too. And, if you like to have even more variety in your fictional literature, there are scenes that wouldn't go amiss in a Mission: Impossible storyline.

Ultimately, I enjoyed "Sleuths" and I am glad that I resisted the temptation to abandon it. Sadly, as other reviews have testified, there will be people who don't make it far enough into the book to witness the quality of work that the author has to offer, which is a shame. Hopefully, Samantha Moody will be able to address this in her future novels and ensure that sections of the audience don't feel alienated.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sleuths is a fun debut novel that is thoroughly of its time. It focuses on pop culture and super-fandom while introducing a dark and sinister plot possibility involving a celebrity. Incorporating social media posts and articles about fandom throughout the story makes for an interesting and enjoyable read that is certain to appeal to popcorn thriller fans who like to give new authors a try.

Melody is a fangirl: she is obsessed with the star of a British period drama and has created a popular fan social media account that analyzes the on-screen and personal activities of her idol. When he is captured on hidden video at an exclusive and secret night club with an unknown woman, the gossip begins to circulate. The fervor only escalates when the gossip account pulls the video a few hours after posting it. Melody tries to analyze the situation on a live video feed and gets massively misinterpreted, forcing her to close her accounts in the face of being canceled. She and two of her fellow fans embark on an investigation into who their idol's paramour might be, and in the process they uncover what may be evidence of a human trafficking ring. The plot is thickened by Melody's awkward involvement with a journalist whom she meets while trying to gain access to the secret night club.

The story is fast-paced and very entertaining, and while Melody makes some ridiculous choices, she is likable and easy to root for. The examination of the parasocial relationships between fans and celebrities is timely and spot-on, and this social commentary enhances the plot by making the story feel fresh and new. The author did a fantastic job of creating a fictional fandom very similar to the toxic communities that surround real-life productions and celebrities.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with a review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Emily Pankhurst · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rated 4.5

The writing was light and entertaining throughout. There were some darker sides to the story, but the characters' humour and personalities lightened the overall tone. There were some tense moments woven in to keep you on your toes and to keep you invested in the story.

The story opened with a Prologue and closed with an Epilogue which I liked. There was a nice open ending, ready to lead you into a potential next book.

The chapters inbetween were fairly long, meaning that you got a good chunk of the story before moving on. Each chapter opened with a social media post that vaguely hinted at what you were about to read. It was an interesting technique that brought the story right up to date.

There was a good flow between the chapters, made slightly interesting by the social media posts that "introduced" the next part of the story.

There was a good pace to the book. Little things kept being added throughout which slowed things down, but kept the story interesting. The little bits added created the suspense and tension.

The characters were great. I loved the main character's friendship group. Whilst loyalty was tested, they were all there for each other and it was a joy to read about. I would quite happily read more about them.

The main character was interesting to read about. I liked how she turned her low moments into something positive. It was a shame when it turned negative, but that is what can happen in real life and it was interesting to see it incorporated into this story.

Lastly the settings. Whilst it was mainly a character focused story, there were some good details on where the characters were because it was essential to the story.

Overall an entertaining read that incorporated some very real, up to date situations.

[Brian Wilde · Rating 3 out of 5]

Melody runs a social media account about her favourite TV series, the fiction Larkhams (think Bridgerton). She has hundreds of thousands of followers who are all obsessed with the star of the show Griff.

When a video is posted showing Griff kissing a mystery woman in a private club, Melody is determined to find out who the woman is, and discovers she's listed as missing along with a couple of other girls seen in the background of the same video. Melody then finds the dead body of the person who posted the video. Could she have stumbled onto a sex traffiking ring?

This is a fun, high energy story but I suspect middle aged men like myself are not the target audience, with talk of how they are physically attracted to various characters and discussions around makeup and clothing for their undercover escapades left me wanting to skim quickly past these sections.

Samantha Moody's prose is excellent and very easy to read. The climax really does increase in pace and capture the tension well but the overall story and plot wasn't really for me.

I feel like there will be a sequel to this story which I would certainly want to read.

I would like to convey my thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books UK for the chance to review this novel. All opinions are my own.

Sleuths is due to be released on 21st May 2026.

[Megan]

Thank you to Avon Books for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.

Melody runs a fan account for TV’s hottest actor, Griff Beckett. But when one of the photos she posts shows Griff kissing an unknown woman, angry fans turn on Melody and accuse her of posting a fake. Hurt and angry, Melody enlists the help of her closest friends to prove the photo is real and their favourite actor is no longer single…until, instead of a girlfriend, they find a missing person report. It should be a job for the authorities, but no cop will take them seriously. Armed with just two friends and one very sexy (and distracting) journalist, Levi, Melody is going to solve the crime, save the girl, and maybe get the guy, too. Surely it’s not that hard to be a real sleuth?

This one is being marketed as perfect for fans of Only Murders in the Building - a show I absolutely adore! So I knew I needed to read this book. But, it unfortunately didn’t live up to my expectations at all. I really struggled to get into this book. I know there are dedicated fans in every fandom but it felt so unrealistic for a grown woman to be this obsessed with not just an actor, but his private life too. And to have these friends gleefully going along with it and enabling her? I just cannot get my head around it, or find enjoyment in the story. It’s such a shame because I was incredibly excited to start this book.

Overall, Sleuths is a book that just doesn’t fit well for me.

Thank you again to Avon Books for an advanced copy of this book.

[Cara bunnypop_bookstagram · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually had such a good time reading this!

There were a lot of comedic moments in here that really had me chuckling. I found there to be lots of witty banter, some serious topics and a smattering of romance!

All the characters whether they were nice guys, bad guys, main characters or minor players all had their place in the story - the bad guys were so easy to detest and I love when that happens!
I think Aggie might have been my favourite character in the book 😂

The chapters were a good length and I definitely felt hooked wanting to read more.
I was really invested in the friendships… the storyline with the bad guys… and the romance 🥰

I loved the start of each chapter having someone’s online message and giving us snippets of what might’ve really been happening in the fan forums and social media pages of this world!

As someone who has absolutely been a fan girl, who is tech savvy and has lived through quite a substantial rise in technology and the online world and who has been involved in a lot of areas of social media I could absolutely relate to what was happening in this story.
We definitely see how social media and being online can have positive and negative effects!

I would give this 6 stars purely for the mention of a certain film and a character’s laptop password (I am a huge fan of this film, have lost count of the number of times I have seen it and can happily quote a big portion of it 😂)

Thank you Netgalley, the publisher and author for an ARC of this book

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️/5

[Rachel Gilbey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once I properly got into this book, it was practically unputdownable for me.

But it took me a while to get that stage, possibly as I wasn't overly keen on Melody, but once her investigation into something initially was rather frivolous - does Griff actually have a girlfriend and is it or isn't it his co-star, turns into something much darker I was intrigued and invested into the outcome.

Melody is a youtuber who posts specific fan relegated content for her favourite TV show, and is part of a ultra fan community for the programme. They are all obsessed with every single element of it, and it seems as though the story is highlighting just how toxic these sorts of fandoms can become.

But at the same time, it also celebrates a fandom in a totally unexpected way and this is part of why I ultimately loved the book. But to go into the most exciting and fabulous bits of the book would definitely be spoilers so I will refrain.

Melody isn't alone in her amateur detectives, her two moderators also are keen to help out and she also ends up involved with a journalist, but there is just something about him that makes you wonder just what side he is on.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, there are elements of danger, some romance, all manner of thrilling antics, and some engaging writing. And even a hint that I think there might be a sequel.

Loved this team of sleuths!

Thank you to Avon and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read an eARC of this book on NetGalley so thank you to the author and the publisher.

This was an interesting combination of noir detective stories with a modern setting and a lens on influencer and fandom culture. The combination worked really well, creating an intriguing mystery.

I felt there was a bit of a subtle undertone around privacy here. Content and gossip is necessary to the influencer characters to drive engagement, but at what cost? This does explore how damaging rumours can be. There’s a a conflict between wanting to create a community connected by something (in this case a historical romance TV programme) and the toxicity that comes from social media and the internet at times.

I enjoyed the lens of the fandom lead, it was something I hadn’t seen too much of before so it felt quite fresh. I also really liked the thing the fandom was based around. There was a richness to this TV programme and I enjoyed the brief forays into the episodes, plots and characters.

It was the surrounding detail that was the draw for me more than the main plot itself. That was fine but it wasn’t as engaging as some of the character quirks and interests. I really liked the central friendship in this novel between the three mega fans of the TV show. This was lovely and I loved how they connected over this thing they enjoyed so much. The female friendships were great and wholesome, the romance I could take or leave, it wasn’t particularly memorable, though I understood the necessity of that character for the plot.

[Linda Rowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sleuths was a novel that had a lot going on. I am not of the generation that is so invested in social media through Tik Tok, Tumblr, Instagram, fandoms, and the list goes on. I almost did not finish because I found the beginning to be a bit slow and hard to get through, but I am glad I persevered.
The main characters, Melody, Aggie and Priya were from 3 varied backgrounds and shared a love for the show Larksholm. Melody posts a picture of the star Griff getting cosy with a unidentified female and the fandom goes wild accusing her of posting fake photos. Through some internet sleuthing the three friends identify her as a missing woman and the club that the picture was taken in seems to be a club for the rich and powerful and is involved in human trafficking.
I loved how the woman banded together and involved the help of other fans that are part of the fandom to take down the owner of the club. She also gets involved with a mystery man she meets while infiltrating the club and there is a bit of a spicy romance that ensues.
All in all this was an intriguing mystery thriller involving contemporary issues. The ending sets up the possibility of a sequel for these keyboard warriors and I hope this is the case.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Nikki Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very British feel to this romcom/mystery mash up.

As much as I love tv and movies and books, I've never gotten involved with the fandoms. I ship my favourite characters as much as the next person, but I just don't get how anyone has the time or bandwidth to do all those edits/skits, etc. This book kind of highlights how these fandoms can be so toxic - to both the people and the show they love!

With a bit of a slow burn romance woven into the mystery of solving a missing persons case, this has something for everyone. I did think the pacing was a wee bit off occasionally but the dry sense of humour and witty banter felt very right with the English FMC and her crew. Aggie, Priya and Mel are quite the trio and their personalities really balanced each other, stopping any one of them from becoming a caricature.

Levi and Amir were great foils to the girls and I found myself unexpectedly rooting for them occasionally. The girls sometimes "jump first" attitude was tempered slightly by these two being a somewhat stabilising influence.

There is some spice but it's not over the top or too frequent. If you loved Only Murders in the Building and Man on the Inside then is perfect for you.

TW: mention of murder/human trafficking,/kidnapping/missing persons & exploitation.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don’t be deceived by the cover. To be honest the cover of this book totally put me off, I think it looks dated, cheesy and not at all the type of book I would like to read. However, I am so glad I ignored the cover and opened this book, it was great.
It’s basically a romcom, crime thriller about a trio of somewhat crazy superfans that get themselves entangled in some serious events. The author Sam moody manages to balance some quite serious themes with some light hearted moments to create both tension and laugh out loud moments that made me want to keep turning the pages.
It’s the perfect book to read on holiday, fun but with some grit. If you want to, you can reflect on the darker themes such as the way our society uses the internet, toxic fandoms and how powerful people abuse others. Or you can just simply enjoy the fun quirky characters that are just trying to do the best they can with the resources they have available and getting to know themselves and each other better as they do it.
I think this story lends itself perfectly to a TV series and I would really like to read a sequel and get to know the characters better.
Thank you samantha moody. I can’t wait to read more from you!

[Lynn P · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've got mixed feelings about this book. I thought it was going to be a lighthearted read. As Melody uncovers a dark and dangerous criminal operation, I found some of the description to be a little uncomfortable.

I liked the beginning of the book. I could relate to Melody in her job and found it interesting. We then realise she is also running a fan account on IG. Things suddenly go very wrong for her with hate being levelled at her with increasing speed and the potential downfall of her account means a loss of earnings to supplement her life in London.

She turns into a sleuth along with two other online friends and it all got very sinister. Part of me couldn't take what was happening seriously until she also began to get help (and a love interest) from a journalist.

I think the last third of the book was very suspenseful and a different side of Mel was exposed as she took it on the chin, and stood up for what she believed in. I'm certainly not the intended demographic for this novel. Although I use IG and am aware of fangirls, this was not something I would normally have chosen to read.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Melody runs a fan account for TV star Griff Beckett, but when she posts a photo of him with an unknown woman, angry fans accuse her of posting a fake. Melody enlists friends to prove it’s real but ends up stumbling on a missing person report. Has he kidnapped someone? Teaming up with her internet friends, they try and solve the case.

This sounded like it would be a fun, original read, so I wanted to give it a go and it definitely ended up fitting that description. This started as a lighthearted read, however I ended up surprised that it explored some darker subjects, as the synopsis and cover did not reflect this. I found the fandom theme of the book interesting to read about, as it’s not an area I have really explored before. There was also a romantic element, which helped add another layer of intrigue.

Even though this was an entertaining story, I found that I didn’t really connect to the main character and found the pacing a bit disjointed. Overall though this was a decent read and good for those who are looking for an easy mystery, with moments of humour and romance. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.

[Carol Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly, don’t let the cover put you off. I’m not sure why the publisher chose this retro style but this, I feel is not representative of the book. I’m not a Millennial, Gen Z or even Gen X so I was a bit sceptical about this book and the initial chapters were a little out of my comfort zone but Hey! what do I know! This book draws you in like a long line on an experienced fisherman; just enough to hook you into the story but also giving you the conscious choice to carry on. By the 1/3 mark you are invested in the characters and by the half way point you know you’re not going to put this book down.
Mel, the founder of an online fan zone for everything to do with her favourite tv actor finds herself while stalking him to an exclusive members only VIP club in London’s Soho in a wholly different situation to what she expected. Along with her special fellow fangirls she uncovers more than she bargained for. Human trafficking, sex for sale and money laundering.
The plot of this book is well researched and the characters are believable - to the point that you find yourself wanting them to succeed and then there would be a second book.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Melody is the queen of an online fandom for a Bridgerton-style show, but when people suspect she faked a video of its star with a woman who isn’t his co-star, she sets out to prove herself by finding him in a club. Here is where I almost quit reading, because a fanatic interest in the stars of a show is not my jam. But I’m glad I didn’t, because from here jt takes a turn. The woman she saw with the star seems to be a woman who went missing, and she finds evidence of other missing women. Now her fandom friends Aggie from Germany and Priya from the US, along with a journalist she met at the club, are following the trail of a trafficking ring with some obsessive online sleuths doing what they do best: tracking down the details.

Despite the arc having terrible formatting, I couldn’t put this down. I probably damaged my eyesight, and it was worth it. A huge coincidence is at the center, but I can suspend my disbelief. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, and it looks like this is first in a series.

[Helen French · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sleuths has a fun premise. Melody is heavily involved in the fandom of TV show Larksholm and just a tad obsessed with its lead actor Griff Beckett. The book begins when she thinks she’s spotted notoriously single Griff with a girlfriend in a nightclub, then the mystery deepens when she works out the girl in question might be a missing person. She drags in fellow fans Aggie and Priya to help her investigate, and chaos ensues. Throw in a romance with reporter Levi and what more could you want?

I suppose what I really want is a book that knows exactly what it is. Sleuths is a hybrid of a lot of things - crime, mystery, romance, fandom, humour - which makes it entertaining enough but not always very driven. Who is it for? I’ve been involved in a TV fandom or two over the years, so a lot of that resonated but I found it tonally a bit mixed, going from laughs one minute to human trafficking the next. It was fun, and I really liked the characters, I just feel like it’s a tough one to market, but luckily that isn’t my job!

[Diane Elizabeth Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Sharp, Fast-Paced Dive into A Modern Obsession!
If you’ve ever fallen down a social media rabbit hole at 3 a.m. wondering why a famous actor is wearing a specific scarf, Sleuths by Amanda Moody is your digital intervention.
We meet jaded Melody, a super-fan whose life revolves around period-drama idol Griff, until she gets cancelled faster than a trending hashtag.
Moody brilliantly captures the chaotic, often toxic world of social media relationships with a sharp, humourous edge. What starts as a desperate quest to identify Griff's secret girlfriend quickly spirals into a haphazard yet surprisingly dark investigation.
It’s a fast-paced, witty debut that perfectly satirises modern fandom while delivering a genuinely sinister mystery.
Perfect for anyone who loves a bit of dark humour with their digital drama. My thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books UK for the ARC. This is my own opinion.

[Kristi · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Nothing spread faster in fandoms than conspiracy theories.”

🔍 Sleuths blends true crime and reality TV into a spicy, sleuthing romance with a fun mystery at its core, perfect for fans of Love in the Time of Serial Killers and Butcher & Blackbird.

🔎 Ok so I LOVED Butcher & Blackbird and while I would not really consider this one as dark or twisted, it was still a page turning mystery very appropriate for the current times.

🔎 Each chapter begins with an online post, adding that unique craziness element to the mystery. Parasocial relationships are wild to me and this book explores that in depth. Social media can rocket you to stardom…and then very quickly call for your proverbial hanging.

🔎 If you are looking for a relevant and quick mystery read perfect for a day at the beach, throw this one in your bag today.

🔍 Thank you to @harpercollins360 and @avonbooksuk for the gifted copy, publishing today!

[Catharine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Improved. Investigated. Informed.

I’ll admit it: this book and I did not hit it off at first. The world of online fandoms and celebrity obsession? Not my scene, not my hobby, and not somewhere I’m hoping to vacation anytime soon. For the first few chapters, I was basically side-eyeing everyone.

But then… it clicked.

The writing is genuinely excellent — vivid, sharply observed, and surprisingly funny in places. And Melody, who initially baffled me, slowly shook off the fangirl fog and morphed into a rather determined little sleuth. Once she found her stride, I found mine too.

It ends up being a light, easy read that still manages to orbit around something far darker beneath the surface. And honestly? For a debut, Samantha Moody has done a cracking job.

My thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the ARC of “Sleuths” by Samantha Moody.

[Nancy Pickering · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley for an advance copy of this book in return for an honest review.

I read this in one sitting and definitely enjoyed it. It reminded me of To Have and To Heist in a good way - a plucky band of amateur sleths putting their somewhat alarming skills to good use. Melody and her friends are part of a chronically online fandom, obsessing over one of the lead actors in a way that is quite hard to connect with initially. However, the story quickly takes a turn into crime after the actor is spotted in a club with someone who looks like a girl who disappeared a few years ago. As the gang investigate, we see more and more of the dark side of internet culture and organised crime before the story reaches its final caper/showdown, which is both terrifying and hilarious by turns.

Well worth a read.

[Lisa (Two Bookish Brits) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my gosh what a funny group of friends. They had me laughing away to myself multiple times. I loved their vibe.

Three friends trying to uncover who their favourite celebrity is really dating by sneaking in to an exclusive club and uncover a whole lot more than they expected.

Seeing these women using their skills to figure out what’s going on has been fun.

The world of fandoms can be insane, they draw a person in so easily until you’ve forgotten the world around you. It’s consuming and although happy at times it’s tiring. It was good the author showcases the bad that comes with being a fan as well as the good.

The pacing, the storyline and all the characters were brilliant. It’s been fun joining them all on their mission for the truth. They’re badass babes and I lived every second. It was fun and exciting and I need another book now haha.