A Killer Plot: A Novel

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.

Kindle Edition

Expected publication 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

[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.