A Killer Plot: A Novel

A Jane Hepburn Mystery #2

by E.C. Nevin

The deadliest place to be is at a bookstore . . .

When Jane Hepburn arrives in London for her author friend Natasha Martez’s book launch, she thinks the only thing that could go wrong this weekend is getting lost on the Tube.

But when Jane unexpectedly finds a body in the storage room of Willow Tree Books, the celebrations immediately come to a halt. Worse, Jane is now a suspect, and Natasha’s sales are in jeopardy. It’s up to Jane and her friends to use their literary sleuthing skills once more to solve the mystery before the bodies pile up—because the killer has been plotting, and Jane’s name could be next on their list.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Crime, Fiction, British Literature

316 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 11, 2026

About the author

E. C. NEVIN is a pseudonym for an ex–publishing professional. E.C. worked for large trade publishers focusing on crime/thriller publishing and established brands.


source: Amazon

Reviews

[Rebs ✿ · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book overall had a good mystery as well as conclusion but it did NOT needed to be as long as it was.

[The Calm Chapter Mandi Wiencek · Rating 4 out of 5]

🔪 A Killer Plot 🔪
(SPOILER-FREE ARC REVIEW)

Title- A Killer Plot
Author- E.C. Nevin
Genre- Murder Mystery
Series- Jane Hepburn Mystery Series book 2

Trope City-
🔪 Hated Victim
🔪 Enclosed Social Circle
🔪 Paranoia
🔪 Shifted Alliances
🔪 Locked Down

First things first- I’m obsessed with this cover. It came in the mail and I was losing my mind. What a captivating look! As a book obsessed girlie, I was also thrilled that the setting was a book launch. It couldn’t be more perfect. Jane Hepburn (FMC) is our female writer. She struggles in her writing profession but didn’t struggle to help solve a murder in book one at a lit festival. Jane is attending the book launch to support her friend Natasha’s debut novel. An assistant is found dead at the book launch. Natasha and Jane end up teaming up to solve this mystery. As if one dead body wasn’t bad enough, a second turns up. The second victim is Natasha’s boss. And things get more complicated when Jane becomes a suspect. Now the goals include: solve the murder mystery and clear Jane’s name. I love this unlikely duo. Writers becoming full investigators. I also just love a female power duo. The added layer of drama from the industry and secrets keeps you guessing throughout the novel. I just enjoyed this one- start to finish.

Huge thank you to Penguin Randomhouse, Alfred A. Knopf and E.C. Nevin for this beautiful gifted copy! I ate this right up! 💛

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh I loved this. I did jump into this book 2 without reading the first one (I know I know) but it was SO easy to do; the author did a wonderful job introducing the characters, their relationships and the previous events in such a way that didn't feel like an info dump and the reading feel in the know. The characters were all fabulous and flawed, even the ones you just want to dislike, but still feel a bit bad for. I just adore Jane; she is struggling for her writing career, while being so invested in helping others and also growing her friendships. She may seem lonely, but as she realizes how much her friendships mean to her and how much they care for her, she lit up and I just loved watching her find her worthiness and spark. This mystery was twisty and beautiful written and timed. I did guess some of the twists, but in a way that didn't let me down, but in fact had me feeling savvy and vindicated. This was cozy and emotional and I cannot wait to see Jane continue to thrive!

The audiobook narrator had the perfect tone and verve for Jane as she really came into her own during the sleuthing.

Thanks to the publisher for a free copy and ALC; my thoughts and review are my own.

[Bookworm86 · Rating 5 out of 5]

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'A Killer Plot' by E.C. Nevin

CLEAR YOUR SCHEDULES AND GRAB THIS HILARIOUS, COSY AND BRILLIANT PAGE TURNING MURDER MYSTERY TODAY!! I CAN GUARANTEE THAT YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT!!

This is the first book that I have read by this absolutely incredible author but it most certainly will not be my last!!! I am also ABSOLUTELY LANDED that this book is just the second book in, and an absolutely fantastic introduction, to her 'Jane Hepburn Mystery Series' and I CANNOT WAIT to read the previous and next books! Although this is the second book in this series it can be read as a standalone but will definitely leave you needing more!!

OMG!!! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE, LOVE, LOVED THIS BOOK, AN ABSOLUTELY AMAZING, FUNNY, CHARMING, WITTY AND PAGE TURNING MUST READ!!! I MEAN IF YOU SEE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE WORD BOOK IN THE SYNOPSIS OF A BOOK AND DONT AUTOMATICALLY GO TO READ IT, CAN YOU REALLY CALL YOURSELF A BOOK LOVER??!!! BOOKS WITH BOOK IN THE TITLE OR FILLED WITH BOOKS, BOOK CLUBS, LIBRARIES, AUTHORS, BOOK LAUNCHES OR ANYTHING TO DO WITH BOOKS (OR ANIMALS) ARE JUST THE ABSOLUTE BEST!

OMG Eve Where On Earth have you been hiding all of my life?!?! How have I never read any of your books so far when you are this blooming amazing?!! I would always recommend reading books in a series in order but if you cant resist reading this one before the previous ones, and who would blame you with this fantastic cover and book filled synopsis sucking you in, then have no fear! There is a silver lining in reading later books in a series first. That is that after you finished and fallen in love with this book and Jane, which you will. you can go back and read the first book in this series while you are extremely impatiently waiting for the next book in this series to come out!! That is exactly what I will be doing. I mean with a title 'A NOVEL Murder' it is GUARANTEED to be just as epic!! I personally cannot wait to get stuck in to the first book but I just hope I wont have to wait too long for more books in this series as I need it now!! I am just so glad I have resolved the silly problem of not reading any of this INCREDIBLEE author's books until now. I mean SERIOUSLY!?!? A murder mystery series where our protagonist is an AUTHOR trying to solve the mystery of a murder of someone in PUBLISHING while at a BOOK LAUNCH!!! I mean HELLO if you haven't just grabbed your copy after just reading those then why not??? What more could a book lover ask for than a book surrounded by books, authors, publishers, book lovers and mystery!!

This book is absolutely fantastically written with vivid descriptions that absolutely grip the readers attention and puts them right in the middle of it all smelling the new and old books they come across, trying to solve the mystery with Jane, Natasha and Daniel and seeing everything and everyone come to life in front of your eyes!

An absolutely fantastic page turner and brilliant introduction to what is guaranteed to be a successful and addictive new series by this brilliant author and I am so glad I have discovered her so I can get stuck into her previous book!! This book has got to be one of the most epic books I've read in a long time!!! It had me hook, line and sinker from the first page and I could not put it down!!! Every time I said one more chapter it ended on a cliff-hanger and I just had to know what was going on!!! If you are going to read this then clear your day because it is truly unputdownable. I started this one afternoon and finished it a few hours later after I read it in one sitting!!! I will not go in to the actual storyline as the publisher has done a brilliant job of telling you what you need to know so I refuse to risk spoiling anything for future readers!! If you want to know more then you will just have to grab your copy of this absolutely fantastic cosy crime mystery to find out more for yourself and I promise that you will not regret it!! You can thank me later! With an addictive storyline ram packed with books, readers, publishers, book shops, humour, banter, a book launch, neck breaking twist after twist, sarcasm, mystery, murder, fun, drama and so, so, SO MUCH MORE What on Earth are you waiting for?!?!? A true page turner, this book is absolutely compelling with an addictive storyline that kept me guessing throughout. Eve's absolutely incredible vivid and evocative writing talents ensures the reader is sucked deep into the storyline and seeing everything and everyone coming to life in front of their eyes! I just could not put my kindle down!! Filled with mystery, so so so twists, amazing characters and fantastic settings this book is one must read cosy crime!! Congratulations Eve on an absolutely brilliant and unique storyline that I just could not put down!! I cannot wait to get stuck in to your previous and future books!!

Clear your schedules and get ready to get sucked into an intriguing, humorous and addictive page turning cosy crime mystery by an extremely talented author!!!

The characters were very realistic, multi layered and well rounded and again their personalities reflected the storyline and how they would act perfectly. I absolutely LOVE the fact that our main protagonist is an author as is one of our other main characters along with several other characters, they are all involved in books in one way or another!! regardless of whether they were good, bad or evil we already all have something in common and that is our love of books!!! There is also a large range of ages and different personalities giving each character their very own personality! I really just cannot wait to get stuck into the previous and all future books by this incredible author!!! Eve's exceptional descriptions gave a really good in depth view of how the characters were feeling and what they were thinking. I loved all of our main characters and I cannot wait to meet them again and again in future books in this series. I can already tell they are going to become like friends as I miss them already! I loved their larger than life and breathe of fresh air personalities and their banter had me laughing out loud on so many occasions!! Every character had their own unique personalities with individual flaws, quirks, secrets, strengths and weaknesses!! They were all very well developed, unique and thanks to Eve's fantastic evocative writing skills they all came to life before my eyes. That is all I will say as I don't want to run the risk of dropping any hints or spoilers. However, whether you love or hate these characters, they all have their own strong unique personalities and they all bring the story to life playing their roles perfectly.

MY FAVOURITE COSY CRIME BOOK OF 2026!! WELL DONE E.C NEVIN!! A MASSIVE SUCCESS!!

An absolutely HUGE SUCCESS by this extremely talented author. This is EXACTLY why I would like to welcome you to my top 3 favourite cosy crime authors club E.C. Niven and here is to your next guaranteed success 🥂!!

Overall a page turning addictive cosy crime mystery filled with books, laughter, mystery, a book club and much more!! Just what more could you EVER ask for??

#AKillerPlot #JaneHepburnMysterySeries #ECNevin #EveHall #Zaffre #BonnierBooks #BlogTour #Bookstagram #Bookblogger #Tr4cyF3nton #TracyFenton #CompulsiveReaders

@ECNevin @EveHall @Zaffre @BonnierBooks @Tr4cyF3nton @TheBookDealer @TracyFenton @CompulsiveReaders

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[Get Your Tinsel in a Tangle · Rating 4 out of 5]

At this point, if I saw Jane Hepburn RSVP yes to anything involving authors, editors, agents, free wine, or a bookstore basement, I'd immediately fake the flu. This woman has the kind of luck where the welcome gift bag comes with a homicide.

The funniest part is that Jane doesn't even walk into London acting like she's the next great detective. She just wants to wander through Cecil Court, drool over bookstores, celebrate her friend Natasha's success, and maybe trick her own writer's block into leaving her alone for a weekend. Honestly? Relatable. Then an editor disappears, a body turns up in the cellar, and suddenly everyone is side-eyeing each other over champagne.

I hadn't read the first Jane Hepburn mystery, which sounds like exactly the sort of irresponsible series decision I usually make. Surprisingly, I never felt completely lost. Sure, I spoiled myself on the first murder by default, but the story settles in quickly enough that I forgot I was technically crashing the party halfway through the series. The only thing it really did was convince me I need to go back and see how Jane became publishing's least employable party guest.

Jane herself grew on me a lot. At first she has this habit of talking herself down before anyone else gets the chance, and I wanted to gently shake her shoulders and tell her she's literally smarter than half the people in the room. Then she starts trusting her instincts, making increasingly questionable investigative decisions, and suddenly I was fully on board. She has the exact personality type that hears, "Leave this to the police," as, "Please snoop through every suspicious person's business immediately."

Her friendships were honestly my favorite part. Natasha and Daniel never felt like sidekicks waiting around until Jane needed them. They have their own lives, their own worries, and yet somehow they all collectively decide solving murders is an acceptable group activity. That's friendship. Slightly unhealthy friendship...but friendship.

The mystery itself kept making me change my mind. Every time I landed on a suspect, somebody else would do something suspicious enough that I'd immediately abandon my theory. By the last stretch I realized I had accused almost everyone with speaking lines. It turns out the publishing industry is apparently fueled by ambition, secrets, and people making catastrophically bad life choices.

Mostly, though, I just had fun hanging around this world. Bookshops. Writers with oversized egos. Editors juggling a thousand secrets. Publicists trying to keep everything from imploding. It's basically a family reunion where everyone secretly hopes someone else's manuscript gets rejected.

This was an easy 4 stars for me. I closed the book smiling, immediately added A Novel Murder to my TBR, and accepted that Jane Hepburn should probably never be allowed near another literary event unless everyone signs a liability waiver first.

Whodunity Award: For Proving That Free Wine at a Book Launch Comes With an Extremely Expensive Body Count

And thank you to Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor, along with NetGalley, for the ARC. Next time you invite me to a glamorous publishing party, could you maybe include a tote bag, a signed hardcover...and just one fewer corpse in the basement? That feels like a reasonable request.

[Books By Your Bedside · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Thanks to NetGalley and Zaffre for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.

I loved the first book in this series - A Novel Murder. It's been a wee while since I read it so I was worried I'd forgotten everything. But it all came back. Firstly, in the opening chapter she does touch upon the previous book's plot to remind you but she doesn't regurgitate it. But also, everything felt so instantly familiar that I was back in.

I didn't enjoy it as much as the first one but I can't specifically put my finger on why, because everything seemed the same as the first one and I really enjoyed that. Perhaps it was too samey? I wasn't entirely sure a sequel was needed if I'm honest.

I think one point, and this will be controversial I know, but in the first book Jane is quite a loner and was desperate to make friends, which she did. Which is great for the character, but I felt something was missing from her in this book now she had other people, like she wasn't her authentic self. So what was good for the characters is not necessarily the best for the reader - in my opinion. Having said that, the other characters are interesting to read, particularly Daniel who I would say is our main male characters. He just seems like great fun and I'd like to be friends with him.

It is the epitome of cosy crime. If you want a book that tests your mind but doesn't stress it, something to enjoy but you can curl up with it and lose yourself in it for a few hours then this would be ideal. It's a quick book to read. Some bits are faster than others, and other bits slower, but overall it balances out and you never feel bored or overwhelmed.

I also find Jane a bit of a rubbish detective. I know she's not a detective, she's a crime author. So she shouldn't necessarily be good. But she's really bad at it, in my opinion, to the point where I'm not quite sure why everyone follows what she says.

I would like to see Nevin's Google history though, because if I didn't know she was an author I'd be quite suspicious. As is mine now I've googled lots of the criminal terms from this book.

Having been to the Harrogate Crime Festival between reading the first book and this one, it gives an extra layer to the world of crime writing, which gave an extra fun edge to it.

It definitely gets better as it went along. I'd say the second half definitely saved the first half, and I hope she takes that momentum into a potential third.

I enjoyed it, I can't say there's something overly bad with it. But it just didn't have the same pep and excitement as the first one.

[Sandy Quill · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thanks to NetGalley and Borzoi Books/Alfred A. Knopf for the ARC of "A Killer Plot" in exchange for an honest review, with opinions entirely my own.

Welcome back, Jane Hepburn, great to see you back in sleuthing action. Jane, the tall, ungainly mystery novelist who's led a poignant life as a lonely, friendless outcast since childhood, once again encounters murder most foul in the publishing world. It's nice to report that since her last adventure, Jane's exhibits at least a smidge more self respect and less endless self depreciation. And she now has two genuine best buds who constitute her Scooby squad when hunting down killers.....young writer Natasha Martez and publisher intern Daniel Thurston.

At a book party celebrating Natasha's fast selling debut mystery, Jane, all too typical for her, stumbles upon the body of a young, vivacious assistant editor.........and the poor girl won't be the first murder victim. Her boss comes next.......and guess who stumbles on that fresh corpse too?

Author E.C. Nevin again creates a daunting array of suspects and motives for Jane, Natasha and Daniel to untangle. And along the way, there's no end of behind the scenes looks at the publishing universe of authors, editors and agents . Jane herself, even as she doggedly hunts down clues, looks for inspiration to break through her writer's block.

My only quibble here is the same one I had with the previous book in the series, 'A Novel Murder'. Author E.C. Nevin displays a genuine talent for witty byplay, but rations it out in teaspoon portions. I only wish these books would graduate to 2-cup measuring spoons for the humor. But I was also truly taken and moved with the amount of Jane's introspection into the ironic tragedies that surround the surprising final reveals.

Everything's here you'd want in a great whodunit, including a detective unlike any other. Here's hoping for even more friends and self confidence for Jane in her next excursion........(but I'd advise anyone who attends these publishing parties with her to watch their backs from now on....)

(All my other reviews can also be found at www.thesandyquill.blogspot.com)

[Sue - Recos and Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Technically, this is the second book in the Jane Hepburn series, but it works perfectly well as a standalone. It's a charming cozy mystery featuring an unlikely heroine: Jane, a forty-something author who has enjoyed modest success but continues to struggle with self-confidence.

Jane is in London celebrating the launch of her friend Natasha's book when the evening takes an unexpected turn. After wandering into the basement of the bookshop, Jane stumbles across a dead body. Having recently been involved in another murder investigation, Jane once again finds herself under police scrutiny as detectives try to work out how she's connected to the latest crime. When she then discovers the body of Daisy's boss, her unfortunate knack for finding murder victims does little to help her case.

While the police investigate, Jane can't resist trying to solve the mystery herself. Concerned the detectives are heading in the wrong direction and worried they'll bungle the case if she doesn't intervene, she enlists the help of the detective from Cumbria she worked with on her previous murder case, along with her friends Natasha and Daniel.

I enjoyed the glimpses into Jane's inner thoughts. The memories of her mother's sayings made me smile, although Jane's lack of self-esteem was somewhat sad to read. She seems to have settled for far less than she deserves: no real love life, a job in an insurance company that she dislikes but relies on to pay the bills, and very little belief in her own abilities. Battling writer's block, she's struggling to decide where both her latest novel and her own life are headed.

The mystery unfolds somewhat slowly, but with plenty of potential suspects and enough red herrings it kept me guessing until the end. As someone who enjoys books about books, I loved the publishing world setting. It added an extra layer of enjoyment to the mystery.

Many thanks to the publisher for an advance copy
My rating is 3.5

[C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was excited to return to Jane's world, and A Killer Plot proved to be a strong second installment in the series. The mystery itself kept me turning the pages, but what I enjoyed most was spending more time with characters I had already grown to like.

The mystery unfolds at a steady pace with plenty of reveals and pivots that kept me invested alongside Jane, Natasha, and Daniel. I also loved returning to the publishing world and following the story through London's shops, streets, and Underground. I've never been to London, but the descriptions made it easy to picture each setting.

One of my favorite parts of this installment was seeing more of Jane's past. Learning about some of her childhood experiences added another layer to her character and made me appreciate how much she's continuing to grow throughout the series.

If I had one complaint, it's that I wanted more Daniel. Jane and Natasha both receive meaningful development, but Daniel still feels like he has more to offer. I also found Jane a little more naïve than I expected at times, though it wasn't enough to take away from my enjoyment of the story.

The ending wrapped up the mystery in a satisfying way while giving readers a nice update on the characters, and the pacing stayed consistent from beginning to end. It was a quick, engaging read that never felt like it was dragging.

If you enjoyed the first book, I'd definitely recommend picking this one up. It's a strong follow-up that continues Jane's growth, introduces memorable new characters, and leaves me looking forward to seeing where the series goes next.

Thank you to NetGalley and Knof for the ARC to read and review. All opinions are my own.

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Killer Plot is the second book in the Jane Hepburn mysteries by EC Nevins, when the book starts Jane is back in London but this time instead of a book fair it’s her new best friend Natasha’s debut book one dark minute that has her fighting the crowds for ground. according to the crowds around the Willow Tree bookstore Natasha‘s book is wildly popular unfortunately all Jane wants to do is fine Natasha and Daniel and finally she does right before the activities are supposed to start however before she could say hi in whats up to her friends they start looking for Natasha‘s agent Hugo who supposed to announce her this is why Jane finds herself in the basement of the bookstore where she finds lots of books in the dead body a Hugo’s editor Daisy. once again Jane and her friends despite police intervention will investigate the case their self, they find their self in front of an abusive ex-boyfriend, an eccentric writer, a fake French chef and oh yes another dead body. I love Jane so much I know I said this in my last review but there’s something so awesome about how innocent she is yet she’s ready to take the bull by the horns let the chips fall where they may I find Jane fascinating and her two friends Natasha and Daniel in my opinion or just as fascinating I wish we could learn more about them but hopefully in future books that will happen. I definitely recommend this book to those who love books about books with funny protagonist that you’ll definitely be rooting for then you really need to give this one a try I would absolutely read the first one to get a much fuller picture of what’s happening but either way it’s so so worth the read, I love these books! #NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview,

[Janereads10 · Rating 4 out of 5]

E.C. Nevin has created an amateur sleuth as astute as Christie's Miss Marple.

Most cozies happen in small-town settings, but A Killer Plot takes place in a bookshop during a book event, a fitting continuation of the book-event backdrop from book one, and a clever tie-in to the main character's own profession as a mystery novelist. Jane Hepburn, a struggling author experiencing writer's block, has a voice that is endearing. Her thoughts, fears, and challenges are grounded, and readers would find her relatable. As an amateur sleuth, she's procedural. The mystery itself had me going in circles, courtesy of Nevin's plotting.

I had my suspicions of whodunit, but none panned out. The red herrings were effective. Like Jane, I was fooled. The reveal was both surprising and satisfying.

To top it off, I found Jane's friends and their group sleuthing charming. Daniel changes his suspects so quickly it's almost comedic. Natalia, serious among the group, keeps them all grounded.

This was fun throughout and well-paced. It's one of those books you read while sipping a cup of tea.

I can't wait to see where Jane's novelist career goes, especially with a few threads dropped here that feel like foreshadowing for what's next.

I also listened to the audiobook. Clare Corbett's voice for Jane Hepburn was light and full of charm, and I couldn't help but get comfortable listening to it. It's easy to follow without the print, and each quirk and cozy detail came through well. Perfect companion for a hot summer evening.

Fans of Miss Marple and amateur sleuths would enjoy this.

Thank you, Knopf and Penguin Random House Audio, for my Advance Review Copies. All opinions are my own.

[Kim Snaith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been so excited to revisit Jane Hepburn and her friends after loving Nevin’s debut, A Novel Murder, last year. Jane is a down-on-her-luck author whose books just aren’t selling. And, for the second time in just a few months, she finds herself discovering a dead body. While the first book was set at the fictional crime fiction festival, Killer Lines, this time the action starts on Cecil Court, the famous bookshop street in London.

It doesn’t take long to get moving, and within a matter of pages there’s already a dead body, with Jane and her pals Natasha and Daniel again ready to sleuth over the clues. The literary theme shines through once more, this time showing more of the darker side of publishing, which is seriously interesting.

The real draw for me is Jane herself – a character I absolutely adored in A Novel Murder. If I’m being honest, her quirky personality doesn’t quite shine through the same here, but she’s still wonderful, and I’ve very much enjoyed spending time with her again. There’s more than just the initial murder to tangle with here, and even though A Killer Plot falls squarely in cosy crime territory, some of the plot points here are pretty dark, and the conclusion will keep you guessing right up until the end. Well, at least, it did me.

Thanks to Eve for another wonderful novel. If you enjoy cosy crime, likeable characters and love the idea of a plot set in the world of publishing, look no further. You should definitely start with A Novel Murder, but A Killer Plot could work as a standalone too.

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I discovered Jane Hepburn through E.C. Nevin’s 2025 book A Novel Murder. When I found out that a second book was on its way, I was excited to spend more time her.

Jane reminds me of Miranda Hart’s eponymous character on her sitcom Miranda, but with a little melancholy and without the overbearing mother. She’s charming and witty, as well as awkward and clumsy – and she’s very tall. Chaos seems to follow her wherever she goes, with lots of laughs along with the way.

A Killer Plot kicks several months after A Novel Murder ends. This time we see down-on-her-luck author Jane Hepburn in London, attending friend Natasha Martez’s book launch party. Jane finds the dead body of Daisy, Natasha’s editor’s assistant, in the store’s stockroom.

Jane, Natasha, and their friend Daniel are soon on the case, hoping to solve Daisy’s murder. The trio trapse across London, meeting various suspects and finding themselves in different predicaments, all while trying to avoid the wrath of the detective in charge of the case.

A Killer Plot is a fun, cozy mystery that will have you guessing – and laughing – until the end. It has everything you could want in a lighthearted whodunit, including whimsical characters, a compelling mystery, clever twists, and an ending that wraps everything up nicely.

This is the second book in the Jane Hepburn series. It’s helpful to read the first book, but not necessary. I hope we get to see more of Jane in the near future.

Thank you to Knopf and NetGalley for the advanced review copy.

[Steph Warren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Jane Hepburn mystery series but my first by the author and I found it really easy to dive right in with the characters from the start (although the references back to Jane’s previous murder-investigation meddling did make me want to go back and check out A Novel Murder anyway!)

Jane and her two friends, Natasha and Daniel, all come from book-related backgrounds, either as authors or working in the publishing industry, so the story is saturated in bookish vibes throughout – always an added bonus for me, as I love books about books. It’s nice to see the friendship between the three of them develop and grow too, as Jane’s uncertainty makes it clear that this little found family dynamic is new to her. I don’t know how she managed without them before though, as it definitely takes all three of them to solve this twisty case.

The plot seems fairly straightforward at first, with a small pool of suspects and some clear motives for potential murder, but don’t be fooled… I was actually kept guessing right up to the final reveal. The clues are all there but the author was able to lead me back and forth through them without me ever quite managing to settle on where the final destination would be. I do enjoy a mystery that can play fair and still fool me.

So if, like me, you like your mystery stories cosy, twisty and full of book-business, then this is the book – and series – for you!

[Sara Wise · Rating 5 out of 5]

** “We aren’t meddling in lives. We are meddling in death.” **

E.C. Nevin delivers a fun followup in “A Killer Plot.”

Fresh off solving a murder at a fiction festival, author Jane Hepburn and her friends, new author Natasha and literary publicity assistant Daniel, are celebrating the recent publishing of Natasha’s debut novel when tragedy strikes yet again.

Can the trio solve the murders that occur … and keep themselves safe? And will Jane ever get over her writer’s block and come up with a new series?

Nevin does an incredible job once again of weaving together a plot filled with many suspects and red herrings to leave the reader guessing until the very end, as well as creating endearing and enigmatic characters. She also includes some good themes, like not everyone’s path runs smoothly, but you get there eventually; and consequences have a way of finding people, even when people try to hide from them.

Fans of stories like “The Charity Shop Detective Agency” series by Peter Boland, “The Antique Hunter’s Guide to Murder” by C.L. Miller, “The Antique Store Detective” series by Clare Chase and even TV series like “You’re Killing Me” will love “A Killer Plot,” which is due out Aug. 11.

Five stars out of five.

Knopf provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.

[Juli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This second Jane Hepburn mystery finds Jane attending a book launch at Cecil Court in London. Jane is looking forward to "networking" and enjoying the party following the events in the previous book, A Novel Murder. Unfortunately, fate has other plans and Jane discovers the body of Daisy Olsson, an assistant, in the storeroom. Things get more dire when Jane discovers a second body in a secret study. The second victim is Hugo Strauss, a noted editor and Daisy's boss. Are these murders related? What did the victims know?Jane once again finds herself investigating. She has the help of Daniel Thurston, a publicity assistant and Natasha Martez, the debut author that the party was celebrating.

A Killer Plot works well as a stand-alone read, but I would recommend reading the previous to get more familiar with Jane. The author does touch on the events of the first book. I enjoyed learning more about Jane's background here. As the trio investigate, secrets of the party attendees are revealed and we get a look at a more dark side of the publishing world.

This is an enjoyable cozy mystery with well developed characters. The pacing stayed consistent throughout. The author gives us a satisfying conclusion and I look forward to more of Jane and seeing how she grows.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Knopf, for an ARC. The opinions in this review are my own.

[Maine Colonial · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jane Hepburn is looking forward to a quick trip to London from her home in Cumbria, to celebrate the publication of her friend Natasha’s new mystery novel. While Jane isn’t jealous that her friend is getting a big publicity push, it does remind her that her own mystery series has never met with similar praise and, on top of that, she’s lost her agent (see #1 in this series) and has writer’s block. Still, she’s looking forward to haunting all the bookstores in Cecil Court and spending time with Natasha and their friend Daniel, who is an assistant at a major publisher.

Jane accidentally finds the dead body of Daisy, a young woman who had been the assistant to Natasha’s editor. The friend trio can’t resist investigating on their own, even as the stakes keep rising.

While I think it’s helpful to read the first book in this series before this one, it’s not strictly necessary. This is a pleasant cozy, though I did find it bogs down in the middle, and I thought it was unbelievable that the friends—and Natasha’s publisher—were worried that publicity around the murder would harm Natasha’s book sales. The author promises another book in the series. I hope she focuses on developing Jane’s character more, and loses some of her lack of self-confidence.

[ColleenIsBooked · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you thought Jane was done finding dead bodies, you are unfortunately mistaken. At a release party for her newest bestie Natasha's book, Jane is sent to try to find Natasha's editor Hugo, but instead accidentally stumbles across his dead assistant in a stock room. Thus, we begin another weekend race against the clock to figure out who has murdered the assistant...and who has murdered the prime suspect. Daniel is also here to help the ladies solve this crime.
These books are not very fast paced, but they also aren't slow. It is a good balance, and we get some good hints throughout. Jane continues to stress me out at times because she can be so passive and avoidant that it makes me anxious. Natasha and Daniel continue to be good sidekicks. I did find a couple things pretty funny with the other best-selling author they encounter on this mystery.
I think if you have ever been a little interested in how publishing works but like a lil mystery, this is a good series to try out. The author previously worked in the industry and from what I know from being in the reading/reviewing spaces for a good while at this point, it seems pretty realistic (well minus the murders of course haha).

*Thank you to Knopf and NetGalley for the eARC. All thoughts are my own.*

[Ivona · Rating 5 out of 5]

What could be better than a gathering of crime writers? Apparently, murder.

A Killer Plot completely pulled me in from the first chapter and didn't let go until the very end. With a brilliant premise, a cast full of secrets, and twists that kept me second-guessing everyone, this was such a fun and addictive mystery.

Jane Hepburn is the kind of protagonist I love following. She's sharp, determined, and impossible not to root for as she finds herself caught up in another dangerous investigation. I loved watching her unravel the clues as she tried to figure out who she could trust.

The dynamic between Jane, Natasha Martez, and Daniel Thurston was another highlight for me. Their interactions added warmth, humour, and personality to the story, making the characters feel just as engaging as the mystery itself.

The setting was fantastic. A literary event filled with authors, editors, agents, and aspiring writers creates the perfect backdrop for a murder mystery. Everyone seems to have something to hide, and the tension builds with every new revelation.

What I loved most was how cleverly the mystery was plotted. Every clue felt important, every suspect seemed suspicious, and every twist sent me back to rethink my theories. Just when I thought I had figured everything out, the story surprised me again.

E. C. Nevin delivers everything I want from a cosy mystery: memorable characters, a compelling investigation, plenty of red herrings, and a satisfying ending. I had an absolute blast trying to solve the case alongside Jane.

If you love cosy mysteries with strong characters, clever twists, and an engaging whodunit at the heart of the story, A Killer Plot needs to be on your reading list. I couldn't put it down and finished it with a huge smile on my face.

[Elizabeth Currie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Killer Plot is an entertaining cosy crime set in the world of publishing by someone "in the know"!

We return to the world of crime author Jane Harper, who we first met in A Novel Murder when she turned amateur detective following the death of her agent. Something of a loner, that led her to form a friendship with Natasha and Dan.

This time Jane heads to London for fellow author Natasha's book launch - but once again Jane finds herself first on the scene when a body is discovered at the bookshop where the launch is taking place. And she can't help taking it upon herself to get involved in the investigation, roping Natasha and Dan in to help - and what ensues are some slightly crazy capers as the trio try and track down the murderer, and the body count rises.

Seeing the slightly awkward Jane continue to blossom is delightful and she is becoming an engaging protagonist. And at the heart of the story is an entertaining look - and at times even a dig - at the vagaries of the publishing industry.

It's a fun read, an engaging mystery and I look forward to more slightly mad cap escapades from Jane!

[Ali Bunke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jane Hepburn is hoping for nice weekend when she's invited to an exclusive literary party in London. Looking forward to escaping her writer's block and enjoying the company of authors, agents, and editors, her plans are quickly derailed when she discovers a dead body. When a second murder follows, Jane finds herself once again investigating a mystery alongside her friends Natasha and Daniel. As secrets emerge the suspects list seems to just get longer.

I enjoyed the first book in this cozy mystery series, and this installment was just as entertaining. The story kicks off quickly, and it doesn't take long before we're immersed in the mystery. One of my favorite aspects was watching Jane, Daniel, and Natasha work together to piece together the clues. Their friendship and interactions added a lot of charm to the story and made the story that much more enjoyable. Jane is a good, likable protagonist and an excellent main character to guide the stories twists and turns. This was a fun and engaging mystery from beginning to end.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced reader copy. This is my honest review.

[Ashdeclet Audiobook Addict · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Killer Plot is the second in the Jane Hepburn series, and I hadn't known that when I requested it. I just loved the title.

However, it is possible to read this book without having read this first one. Do I wish I would have read it for a little more context for this book, yes. Is it necessary, no.

I really do enjoy books like this that encourage friendship, diving a little deeper into ourselves, and not taking everything too seriously. And I am a sucker for a book that has books within the storyline. It's a given extra star for me.

This isn't anything extra special. I think there are some cozy-mysteries that dig a little deeper into those complexities of life; race, inequality, feminism, etc.... but there are some that are just fun reads that bring a mystery. This book falls into that category for me.

Will I read the next one in the series, absolutely. Will I recommend this as a fun light-hearted read, absolutely. Is this going to be the book that changes the world, no- but sometimes we just need a nice read that isn't too heavy and gives us that quick read we're looking for.


Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins Canada Audio for the advanced audio copy of this book. All my opinions are my own.

[Tales Untangled · Rating 5 out of 5]

A KILLER PLOT slices through reality and fiction with murder.

Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Historical Mystery, Cozy Mystery
Representation: Gay characters

This tickled my fancy because all the suspects write murder mysteries. I just loved it because the police wants to keep them out and is telling them this is not like a book (and of course, it really is a book).

The characters are a great cast from loud and brassy to timid and uncertain. No one seems very sad that one of their number has been murdered. And hence, the mystery—because whodunnit?

Former sweethearts are working through their feelings and trying to solve the murder. It's a great combo because of their history, there is built in tension that spiderwebs out in different directions. Yep, Jane and Daniel have a rough go of it. This mystery is one of those that I wasn't sure who was guilty until close to the end. (Just the way I like it.)

Write yourself into the story by reading it. :)

Happy (sleuthing) reading!

My thanks for the ARC goes to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor. All opinions are my own.

[Sharon M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many thanks to NetGalley and Knopf for gifting me a digital ARC of the second book in the Jane Hepburn Mystery series by E.C. Nevin. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

After solving the murder of her literary agent at last season's crime book festival, Jane has received an invite to a coveted book party in London. She'll get to reconnect with her friends, Daniel and Natasha, whose debut novel was to be the star of the night. Instead, Jane once again finds a dead body. And then another. The trio must work together to see if they can solve these crimes.

This is a fun, cozy mystery series set in the world of authors, books, publishing so of course I love it! While you could read this as a stand alone, it's much more fun to start at the beginning, especially since another book will be coming. While it may be cozy mystery, it's not one that I had any clue to the perpetrator, so it was fun from beginning to end. The three main characters are of different ages and backgrounds, but are there for each other no matter what. Carve some time out and read this one - I'm anxious for book 3, please!

[Kathryn E Hagen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed E. C. Nevin’s first Jane Hepburn mystery, “A Novel Murder,” and had hoped Nevin would make it a series. And she has! “A Killer Plot” features Jane and her two new friends, Natasha and Daniel. There is cause for celebration: Natasha has just had her first mystery published. Alas, the party doesn’t turn out as planned. Jane finds a body.

The trio is off to the races, doing their best to solve the crime without aggravating the local Detective Inspector too much. When Jane is not solving crimes, she’s agonizing over the plot of her next book.

The story moves quickly, thanks to spooky Lucy, the wound-too-tightly Detective Inspector Hawberry, and various colorful writers and agents.

I did not figure out who did it.

If you like the Richard Osman series, “The Marlow Murder Club,” or “The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective,” you would probably find a lot to like about “A Novel Murder” and “A Killer Plot.”

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance reader copy. This is my honest review.

[Claire Porter-Bryant · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Killer Plot by EC Nevin follows Jane Hepburn, a wannabe detective and part-time novelist with a dead end job, as she teams up with friends to solve a double murder in the book world. This is the second book in the series, but you do not need to read the first for this one to make sense.

Jane tries hard to be like the main female character from her own detective novels and draw upon her strengths where she lacks confidence in herself.

If you’re looking for a fast paced thriller with twists and turns, this is not it, but it does not pretend to be. It is a cosy crime novel with a classic whodunnit feel. Whilst a little slow at the start and the dialogue is somewhat clunky in places, the story picks up pace in the second half and builds to a satisfying conclusion.

If you’re looking for an easy to read mystery with plenty of amateur sleuthing and a satisfying whodunnit element, A Killer Plot is worth a read.

[L & J Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

This cozy mystery, second in the series, features Jane Hepburn, a 6 foot tall, slightly gawky, unmarried, middle aged FMC. Jane works for a meager salary at an insurance agency by day and writes mystery novels by night. Her series has had unremarkable sales and at the start of this book, she has been experiencing writer’s block for five months.
When one of her best friends, Natasha, lands a literary agent and a book sale to a larger publisher Jane attends the book launch party only to stumble across the body of one of the publisher’s assistants. Jane, Natasha and their other friend Daniel decide to help to find the murderer. This non-spicy cozy mystery had plenty of plot twists and interesting characters. Jane is from a smallish town in the UK and her descriptions of London’s various areas, told from her introverted standpoint, was delightful.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an eARC; all opinions are my own.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

what a lovely twisty literary mystery through the streets of London. Jane Hepburn is in the capital city to attend her friends book launch party, only for the launch to explode as country mouse Jane stumbled on a dead body. Though I'm sure the author will not agree, in my mind Jane is Miranda Hart, large and hilarious. I loved all the characters, each suspect and companion was well rounded and unique. You could feel empathy for them one moment and be convinced they are the killer the next. The aspect that I didn’t like was how often her mother’s voice was in her head. I can see this device working in tv show, but for me it didn’t land in print.

This is book two of the Jane Hepburn Mysteries. I haven’t read book one, but the synopsis provided doesn’t spoil the twist. I plan to read book one when it’s available at my local library. I also hope to see book three in the near future.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this uncorrected proof for review.

[Jackiesreadingcorner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 2 in the Jane Hepburn series, however this can be read as a stand-alone novel.

I thoroughly loved the first book in this series, A Novel Murder, which was set at the Killer Lines Crime Fiction Festival the prior year, where Jane found herself caught up in a murder investigation. It was also there that she met Natasha and Daniel, and the three became firm friends, the first real friends Jane has ever had.

It is now September, and Jane is in Cecil Court, an ancient London side street lined with independent bookshops, antique stores, and map dealers. Jane has travelled from Cumbria to attend the launch of Natasha’s debut novel. Jane is an author herself, having written eight books in her PI Sandra Baker series, but sadly she no longer has an agent and her books are not selling. She has been trying to write but is struggling with writer’s block. There are times when she thinks of things her mum would have said to her, and although she is still dealing with that loss, it does seem to be getting easier.

However, this is Natasha’s night. The area is packed with people, and despite being quite tall, Jane struggles to spot Natasha and Daniel. When she finally finds them, they are searching for Hugo Strauss, Natasha’s literary agent, who is due to give a speech. The three friends split up to look for him.

Jane soon finds herself distracted by the books surrounding her. While browsing, she accidentally knocks some books flying, and it is then that she notices a shoe. Moving closer, she discovers a body, eyes wide open, head flopped to one side, clearly dead. At that moment, a shop assistant opens the door and finds Jane standing over the body.

Who is dead? And who is the killer?

Jane soon finds herself being taken to the police station by the rather unfriendly DI Hawberry. By the time she is released, she has missed her train back to Cumbria, and there are no taxis to be found. Thankfully, her two friends are waiting for her. Natasha has a room booked at the Savoy for the next couple of nights and manages to sneak both Jane and Daniel in.

From then on, the trio begin investigating the crime. Despite Jane facing problems at work and the possibility of losing her job, she is determined to continue digging into the case, especially after seeing some concerning comments about Natasha on social media.

The deeper they delve, the more suspects they uncover, and it is not long before a second body is discovered. Needless to say, this does not look good from the police’s perspective.

I love the three main characters and am really enjoying getting to know them better. This is the perfect cosy crime novel, a book you can curl up with, relax, and lose yourself in. I had absolutely no idea who the killer was, as several clever red herrings are scattered throughout the story.

It is a quick, engaging read, with a plot that flows smoothly from beginning to end. At no point did my attention wander, the story kept me completely engrossed throughout.

I also enjoyed Jane’s contact with Detective Ramos from Cumbria. She had contacted him to see if he could help with a couple of things, all off the books of course. Could there perhaps be a little romance in the air at some point in the future? Who knows!

I liked how the first book offered an insight into the world of crime fiction festivals, while this instalment explores literary agents and publishing houses. Will Jane eventually get the big break she deserves with her writing career? I certainly hope so, and I look forward to reading more about these characters.

An engaging, well-plotted cosy crime novel filled with relatable, three dimensional characters, each bringing their own unique ideas to the table, although Daniel always seems to be hungry! Can the trio solve the murders before the police?

Highly recommend, for cozy crime readers.

[Dabarai · Rating 4 out of 5]

 The second installment of my new favourite series! Jane Hepburn is in London for her friend Natasha’s book launch and again, there is a dead body! Jane, Natasha and Daniel attempt to find out the truth about the death of Daisy Olsson, an assistant to Natasha’s editor, Hugo Strauss. There are obviously some red herrings, another body, a lot of booking and publishing content (my fav!) and some new characters. I think what I like the best about this series is Jane, the main character, who is very Proper and Prim on many ways, but also when the situation arises a completely badass! She is an author who’s career is stagnated and there is a lot of content relatable to writers in the book as well. The story is silly in places but fun enough to forget about any improbable plot twists. I hope the author continues with the series, because I’m ready for more!