Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book
Rate this book
A killer in costume. A holiday turned deadly.

Sister Bernadette Ohlson expected a relaxing getaway with her best friend—but Comic Con quickly becomes a crime scene. When Eleanor disappears, Bernie’s worst fears come her friend is found poisoned in the hotel parking garage, murdered by someone hiding in plain sight—a villain in a Star Wars costume.

Detective AJ Lewis is at the hotel with friends, torn between his own plans and helping Bernie navigate this deadly puzzle. Undeterred, Bernie dives headfirst into the investigation, facing cosplayers, suspicious guests, and anyone who might be the killer in disguise.

When someone breaks into her hotel room, the danger becomes personal. With time running out and clues buried among the costumed crowd, Bernie must outwit a cunning murderer before they vanish—or strike again.

Full of suspense, humor, and clever sleuthing, this latest installment is a cozy mystery with a thrilling twist—perfect for fans of amateur sleuths, murder investigations, and small-town crime with a high-stakes twist.

289 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 16, 2026

3 people are currently reading
1235 people want to read

About the author

Melissa Westemeier

9 books47 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
16 (55%)
4 stars
8 (27%)
3 stars
5 (17%)
2 stars
0 (0%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
Profile Image for Renee Marski.
Author 95 books80 followers
February 17, 2026
Bernie is in Seattle to visit an old friend when disaster strikes. Sister Elenor is found dead. She is last seen with someone dressed as Boba Fett. Turns out, it's comicon weekend.

AJ is in Seattle for comicon and runs into Bernie. Pulled between his friends and helping her, he finds himself involved in the investigation. Who would hurt an elderly nun? And is Bernie in danger?

Another mystery solved by our dynamic duo!
Profile Image for Debbie Trenker.
51 reviews2 followers
February 8, 2026
can I call a murder mystery a fun read?

Well written, great characters, a fun trip into comic cons and the various universes. Definitely a book and likely a series to read. Can’t wait to see what happens next
Profile Image for Marissa.
3,601 reviews48 followers
February 16, 2026
stars Goodreads Kindle Copy Win
What was supposed to be a relaxing getaway for Sister Bernadette at Comic con turns deadly affair. Among the costume attendees is a murderer. Can she find a killer before they strike again?
Profile Image for Sue.
1,763 reviews29 followers
February 17, 2026
A Fatal Habit is another fabulous book in Melissa Westemeier’s Nun the Wiser Mysteries series. The book is set at a Comic Con at the Sterling Hotel in Seattle and features Sister Bernadette Ohlson, aka Bernie and A.J. Lewis. Bernie has gone to meet her friend and also retired nun, Sister Eleanor for their annual vacation together. A.J. Is meeting his college friends to participate in Comic Con. Eleanor had texted Bernie that she had checked in and once she arrived they would go to dinner. Bernie is unable to find her friend and after a while begins to panic. She happens to run into A.J., her former student and police detective from their hometown who she’s worked with before on other cases. The two start searching and are alerted that a body has been discovered in the parking garage. It is Eleanor and Bernie is devastated. A.J. connects with detective Douglas on site to determine what happened to Eleanor. They aren’t sure if she was murdered or what.

A.J.’s friends aren’t happy that he’s left to help Bernie. He keeps promising that he will be with the group. A.J. gets the hotel manager to let them view the security camera footage and find Eleanor met someone in costume to have a drink in the bar. They locate the waiter and he can’t really tell them anything. After getting Bernie some dinner, A.J returns to his friends. The next day they attend the Con and A.J. is interrupted by Douglas with information that it was a poisoning and Bernie trying to solve the case on her own. He is pulled in multiple directions, wanting to fully participate in his event with friends but also worrying about Bernie. After her room is broken into, he decides to switch rooms with her and then brings her to the Comic Con. Bernie discovers a child’s notebook with drawings of comic book characters amongst Eleanor’s things. They try to figure out the connection between it, Eleanor and the character she met for a drink.

It is quite an exciting story with lots of twists and surprises for the reader. Melissa has once again given us a well written and laid out mystery for us to solve. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the story. It was fun to learn about what happens at a Comic Con and to hear about interesting places to visit in Seattle. Bernie and A.J. make an eclectic and enjoyable duo for crime solving. This is another 5 star book I highly recommend!

I was fortunate to receive this ARC from Tule Publishing in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Julie Howard.
Author 2 books32 followers
Review of advance copy
January 16, 2026
I enjoyed this book. I have read a few cozy mysteries set at a comic con and like sister Bernadette I might not understand them or have ever been to one but I think this was one of the better ones. The bright, colourful and whacky universe was so easy to picture and imagine, that I soon found myself swept up into this unusual word. It could have been playing out on tv it was that well written and entertaining.
Sister Bernie has travelled to Seattle to met an old friend, this does mean the usual cast of characters from the Abbey are missing but luckily for her one important friend has also gone on a trip. Bernie might be out of her depth surrounded by Wookiee, daleks and the Avengers but AJ is there to help the elderly nun travel through the convention and solve a murder at the same time. The mystery was good and the motive for the murder actually made sense to be set at the convention. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the comic con and I didn't even have to get dressed up. I am looking forward to the next book.

Sister Bernie has been looking forward to her annual vacation with her best friend. A quite time to visit museums, local markets and catch up, which is why she is surprised to find Eleanor has booked them into a hotel full of people dressed up in costumes. Even more surprising is Eleanor isn't there to met her. When she is unable to locate her friend, she turns to the hotel staff for help. Detective AJ is also staying at the hotel with a bunch of college friends, to attend the comic con convention. Once he learns Bernie's friend is missing all thoughts of dressing up goes out the window. Even when her body is discovered he can't step aside, much to his friends announce. Sister Bernie's holiday plans are over but will AJ put his plans on hold to help his former teacher find out the truth behind her friends death?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review
Profile Image for DianaRaven.
1,335 reviews8 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
February 15, 2026
"A FATAL Habit" is the third book in Melissa Westemeier's "Nun the Wiser Mysteries" series and just as good as the first one. I thought it was funny, sad, and entertaining.

Sister Bernadette Ohlson, a sweet retired nun, living where she's been most of her adult life: her old 1907 Abbey, now a senior citizens community. She should be having a peaceful retirement, but she has a big problem. She can't resist a mystery and will do anything to solve it. 

Sister Bernie's in Seattle for her yearly vacay with her friend, but Eleanor's gone missing. Her former student, Detective AJ Lewis, is also in town for a  Comic-Con and also staying at the hotel. Of course, AJ jumps right in to help Bernie find Eleanor, but then it turns into a murder investigation. As AJ works with the Seattle police, Bernie keeps trying to help, but she's totally useless. She has no clue why Eleanor picked Seattle or this hotel, and she can't figure out why everyone's in costumes—it's not even Halloween.

Follow Bernie and AJ as the hunt for the killer, before Bernie joins Eleanor.

Loved it. Bernie's experience learning about Comic-Con was so funny and entertaining.

Will I read another book by Melissa Westemeier? Most likely, depending on the topic. I really enjoyed Sister Bernadette and her get-it-done attitude.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for DianaRaven.
1,335 reviews8 followers
February 17, 2026
"A FATAL Habit" is the third book in Melissa Westemeier's "Nun the Wiser Mysteries" series and just as good as the first one. I thought it was funny, sad, and entertaining.

Sister Bernadette Ohlson, a sweet retired nun, living where she's been most of her adult life: her old 1907 Abbey, now a senior citizens community. She should be having a peaceful retirement, but she has a big problem. She can't resist a mystery and will do anything to solve it. 

Sister Bernie's in Seattle for her yearly vacay with her friend, but Eleanor's gone missing. Her former student, Detective AJ Lewis, is also in town for a  Comic-Con and also staying at the hotel. Of course, AJ jumps right in to help Bernie find Eleanor, but then it turns into a murder investigation. As AJ works with the Seattle police, Bernie keeps trying to help, but she's totally useless. She has no clue why Eleanor picked Seattle or this hotel, and she can't figure out why everyone's in costumes—it's not even Halloween.

Follow Bernie and AJ as the hunt for the killer, before Bernie joins Eleanor.

Loved it. Bernie's experience learning about Comic-Con was so funny and entertaining.

Will I read another book by Melissa Westemeier? Most likely, depending on the topic. I really enjoyed Sister Bernadette and her get-it-done attitude.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
933 reviews30 followers
February 22, 2026
Retired nun, Sister Bernadette Ohlson, heads to Seattle to spend a week of vacation with her best friend and former colleague Sister Eleanor Field. When Bernie arrives, however, Eleanor is nowhere to be found. Bernie begins searching for her and asking questions of the hotel staff. No one knows much, except that Eleanor had checked in and met with someone in the hotel. The identity of that person is unknown because they were wearing a costume. No one gave it a second thought because Jet City Comic Con is underway nearby. Bernie is beside herself with worry when she crosses paths with her friend and former student Andrew John Lewis, a police detective from their hometown of Eugene, Oregon. Despite being there with friends, AJ feels compelled to assist Bernie in her search.

I love this series, and this book is the best so far. This is a story of weekend gone wrong. It’s about murder and friendship, as well as loss and grief.

I really liked Lt. Douglas from the Seattle PD. He was competent, efficient, kind, and smart enough not to turn away the help AJ offered. I hope he’ll somehow make an appearance in another installment of this series.

This book is AJ’s story. While Bernie is very much involved, this story focuses on AJ as he gets involved in the case and in his friends from college who are there with him for the convention. In this story, Bernie is much more restrained than in earlier books in the series. Nevertheless, she remains the determined woman I’ve come to know and love.

I enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the publisher, Tule. I thank all involved for their generosity in sharing this book with me, but it had no effect on this review. All opinions in this review reflect my true and honest reactions to reading this book.
Profile Image for Karen M.
701 reviews37 followers
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
February 13, 2026
This one is a difficult one for me to review. Now you're probably wondering why it’s so hard for me. Well, I’m old as dirt, and I resent older characters being presented as not very smart. Here’s where I hide part of my review which is based on my opinion:



I loved the story background of the comic con and I enjoyed learning more about what actually occurs at a con. The mystery about the murder was very interesting and I enjoyed the clever conclusion. There are funny parts here and there.

I won this ebook in a GoodReads giveaway.
Profile Image for Dotty.
780 reviews
Review of advance copy
February 8, 2026
This is book three in the series and it does not disappoint. It can be read without reading the other books It will grab your attention from the first word and hold it through the entire book.
What could be worse than planning on meeting your longtime friend and former coworker in Seattle but to get there and find her missing. The to only to be told she has died. Well Bernie had that happen to her. Thankfully one of her past students AJ just happen to be there also so he could help her through this time and talk with the police there since he is a detective.
I recommend this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Cindy Cieslik.
6 reviews
February 28, 2026
Melissa Westemeier’s third outing in the Nun the Wiser series, A Fatal Habit, is the most complex mystery yet. Still a cozy read, it has several red herrings, a new setting, and a host of new characters–some of whom turn out to be rather scary. Sister Bernie and her former student,now police detective, AJ Lewis, are both in Seattle. Their friendship is tested as AJ is torn between wanting to help Bernie and missing events with his friends. Bernie doesn’t want to leave Seattle until the murder is solved, but is dealing with grief and homesickness. Just when the reader thinks that they understand this central, almost mother/son relationship, Westemeier takes us deeper into their dynamic personalities. is the most complex mystery yet.
2,739 reviews12 followers
Review of advance copy
January 22, 2026
ComicCon here we come!

Sister Bernie is off to Seattle for a vacation with her friend Sister Eleanor at the same time as the Jet City ComicCon. When she arrives at the Sterling Hotel, Eleanor is not there. The search for her friend ends with the discovery of her body. Bernie and her friend Detective AJ Lewis, who is in Seattle with friends for ComicCon, team up to find her killer in the cosplaying crowds. How will they find a murderer when everyone is hiding behind a mask?

This is a perfect combination of matter-of-fact Bernie sleuthing with ComicCon chaos. It is an enjoyable read for who-dun-it fans, like me. I received an advance copy, but my review is honest and voluntary.
4,223 reviews21 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
February 16, 2026
A Fatal Habit by Melissa Westemeier is the Nun the Wiser Mysteries Book 3 with retired teacher Sister Bernadette Ohlson attending Comic Con where deadly circumstances occur. I was glad former student, Detective AJ Lewis, is part of the investigation in this story. It seemed that Sister Bernadette Ohlson was not at her best. Yes, God protects but common sense is also expected to be used which instead Sister Bernadette took some unnecessary risks. Still I enjoyed the story and was glad that while someone she knew died that she was kept safe.
866 reviews5 followers
February 16, 2026
Another fun cozy mystery in this series (all can be read standalone). Sister Bernie and AJ are such great characters that will make you smile throughout the book. The total opposites, you would think. The storyline will keep you going from beginning to end, that you don't want to miss a second. So much fun to read!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Michelle.
1,624 reviews17 followers
February 17, 2026
This book is wild! I absolutely think it’s like a plot from say Only Murders in the Building it has that wacky with sinister undertones vibe. Who would think that trying to do a good deed for a child would turn into such a horrible situation. I loved seeing AJ in full on geek mode. That was such fun. The backdrop of Seattle and a comic con was epic! Really fun read!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Lizz Taylor.
1,487 reviews16 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
February 2, 2026
Sister Bernadette Ohlson is shocked to go on holiday to visit with an old friend, only to discover the friend has mysteriously disappeared. Of course, Sister Bernadette investigates, and who should also be in Seattle at the same time? Detective AJ Lewis! Two vacations go awry as they investigate together. An entertaining cozy that can be read as a standalone.
Profile Image for Polly Helms.
137 reviews34 followers
February 25, 2026
Could see this happening in real life. The story had many subplots. The characters were well developed. Shows how different "worlds" come together. Religion did not play a big factor in the story. The story shows how the guys struggled with having fun on the "guys weekend" and helping one of the guys friend in desperate need. The struggle is real.
Profile Image for Toni.
2,159 reviews20 followers
March 8, 2026
I was thinking about Sister Bernadette the other day – some characters tend to stick with you. This is a great cozy mystery series that is entertaining and makes you smile. The setting of the Comic Con was an interesting twist. Once again, we are left shaking our heads at why people think it’s okay to take advantage of others especially children.
Profile Image for Tina.
252 reviews10 followers
February 19, 2026
This is the third book in the Nun the Wiser Mysteries series. Of the two I’ve read, this is my favorite. Despite the murder and a few other things, it was a fun read about Sister Bernie, AJ the detective, his buddies and the Seattle Comic-Con. Sister Bernie leaves Eugene to meet a friend in Seattle and runs into AJ who is in Seattle attending Comic-Con with his college buddies. Unexpectedly, there is a murder and once again, Sister Bernie tries to solve it, and AJ gets involved. During all this, we read about AJ’s interests in many Comic-Con subjects, such as Star Wars. Having been to a few comic-cons myself and having a brother who loves Star Wars, I enjoyed reading about the part the Seattle Comic-Con played in the murder and investigation. I voluntarily read an advance copy from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
102 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
February 16, 2026
This story follows an unlikely pair: a retired nun traveling to visit a friend and a police officer heading off on vacation to attend Comic Con. By pure coincidence, they find themselves staying in the same city—and even the same hotel—just as a murder shakes up what was supposed to be a relaxing getaway.

The book starts off strong and immediately grabbed my attention with its clever setup and engaging characters. Once the murder occurs, the investigation takes center stage, though at times the heavy focus on Comic Con slowed the pacing for me. That said, the story eventually finds its footing again, picking up momentum as the mystery unfolds.

Overall, despite a brief lull in the middle, the book ends on a solid note and delivers a satisfying conclusion. Fans of cozy mysteries with quirky characters and unconventional pairings will likely enjoy this one.
Profile Image for M.K. Graff.
Author 9 books121 followers
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
February 19, 2026
Sister Bernadette Ohlson heads to meet up with her long time friend and travel companion, not knowing that Comic Con is in progress. When Sr. Eleanor doesn't show up, Sr. Bernie is leaps into an investigation of her absence, and runs into her former student, detective AJ Lewis, staying at the same hotel for the cosplay convention with his own set of friends.

When Eleanor's body is found in their hotel's parking garage, CC video shows her killer in a Star Wars costume. With their two worlds colliding, AJ tries to help Sr. Bernie while still keeping to his plans with his friends. A nicely twisted plot leads them on a chase for a killer who is prepared to keep his secrets at any cost.

Cosplayers proved gentle humor as Sr. Bernie doesn't understand that world, but she willingly thrusts herself into helping AJ bring down Eleanor's killer. This third in the Nun the Wiser series—#1 Old Habits Die Hard, #2 Dropped Like a Bad Habit—with all three books having Westemeier's cozy mystery style that is highly readable, filled with delightful characters and plot lines that are nicely twisted. Great reads all, and a fine addition to the series~
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.