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A Jane Hepburn Mystery #2

A Killer Plot: A brand new cosy mystery from the author of A NOVEL MURDER

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29 days and 08:33:52

25 copies available
U.S. only
Rate this book
Jane Hepburn is still recovering from solving the murder at last year's Killer Lines festival when she is dragged into another very bookish murder. When a young editorial assistant is found dead at her friend's launch in a famous Cecil Court bookshop, Jane must use all her knowledge and experience as a writer of crime fiction to solve the mystery.

332 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 11, 2026

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About the author

E.C. Nevin

5 books73 followers
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

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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
Profile Image for Rebs ✿.
402 reviews241 followers
June 17, 2026
The book overall had a good mystery as well as conclusion but it did NOT needed to be as long as it was.
Profile Image for Bookworm86 .
2,119 reviews155 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
June 16, 2026
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

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1,251 reviews54 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
May 17, 2026
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.
Profile Image for Kim Snaith.
158 reviews5 followers
June 28, 2026
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.
Profile Image for Steph Warren.
1,840 reviews40 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
June 22, 2026
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!
Profile Image for Sara Wise.
661 reviews12 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
July 10, 2026
** “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.
Profile Image for Maine Colonial.
1,015 reviews217 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
July 7, 2026
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.
Profile Image for Ivona.
58 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
June 22, 2026
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.
810 reviews5 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
July 1, 2026
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!
2 reviews
June 17, 2026
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.
Profile Image for Jackiesreadingcorner.
1,237 reviews38 followers
July 1, 2026
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.

Profile Image for Laura.
276 reviews
Review of advance copy
June 17, 2026
I really enjoyed A Killer Plot by E.C. Nevin. The mystery kept me guessing, and I found myself wanting to keep reading to find out what would happen next. The story is well written, with plenty of twists and an engaging cast of characters.

My only regret is that I didn’t read the first book in the series, A Novel Murder, before picking this one up. Although this book can be read on its own, I felt I would have connected more with Jane and understood her background and relationships better if I’d started at the beginning of the series. That said, it didn’t stop me from enjoying the story, and I’m now keen to go back and read the first book.

Overall, a very enjoyable cosy mystery.
Profile Image for Angi Plant.
714 reviews23 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
June 19, 2026
This was so tongue in cheek, as well as being cosy crime, that I have to say I loved it.
It’s one of those books that as well as the nicer side of the book world, it shows some of the people best called ‘characters’.
I loved Jane and her reluctance to be a part of this world, and while staying on the sidelines she ends up involved in another murder without meaning to.
This was not just cosy, but poked fun at the seriousness of the world of books and it really tickled my funny bone. If you want a read that’s immersive, funny and easy to get lost in, this is your book.
With thanks to Tracy Fenton, the publisher and the author for the advanced reading copy of this book.
Profile Image for Annarella.
14.3k reviews168 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
June 13, 2026
I enjoyed this cozy mystery, appreciated the description of the publishing world and the twisty and compelling plot.
Jane is a solid character, the portrait of someone who is trying to became a read and known writer. Her friends are more successful but, regardless of their professional path, there’s a strong friendship.
The plot is intriguing and starts with a big surprise, there’s plenty of characters who are fleshed and quirky.
It was an enjoyable read that I liked and kept me entertained during my current illness.
I recommend it, many thanks to the publisher for this digital copy.
Profile Image for Sharon Rimmelzwaan.
1,488 reviews45 followers
June 15, 2026
A cosy mystery that appealed to me immediately. I didn't realise there was a book previous to this, so I dropped right in! 

 A Killer Plot is a fun and pretty refreshing read. I soon invested in Jane, an author who seems to get dragged into bookish murders! She attends her friend's book launch and basically becomes a suspect for a murder, with her friend's career on the line!

I found myself intrigued by Jane and her predicament. Such an enjoyable and entertaining read. The characters were ones I felt like I knew, they were so well created. I really need to go and read the first book now!

 
Profile Image for Lisa reads alot  Hamer.
1,266 reviews30 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
June 22, 2026
A page turner for sure! A book you can dive right into and don’t stop till it’s finished, a cosy mystery read written with humour throughout.
A joy to read and I cannot wait to read more
Profile Image for ashortbooklover.
958 reviews41 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
June 10, 2026
A Killer Plot returns to the glittering world of publishing through the cosy crime lens of an insider to deliver more nefarious plots, great twists and characters that steal a place in your heart.

A Novel Murder was a wickedly sharp and meta cosy crime novel based in the publishing industry and the conniving chaos it can contain. Nevin delivers a cosy crime love letter to murder mysteries, while also critiquing some of the hallmarks of the genre. All of this continues in this fantastic follow-up. Jane and co return and continue to be the beating heart of this series. I just fell in love with them in book one and they develop even more here, with even a little thread of romance potentially starting to blossom. There is such relatability of feeling on the outside looking in, especially in such an opaque industry such as publishing. Jane is perceptive, passionate and driven to do anything for those she loves. That striking sense of morality is evident here and wonderfully intersects with the denouement.

There is an acerbic wit and sharp look at the realities of the publishing industry for both writers and industry insiders alike. We explore burnout, debuts and the inequalities across the board. I think Nevin nails that weird mix of excitement and jealousy that can be experienced when celebrating someone else’s success. Jane is struggling with her new novel, especially following her virality with the events of the first book. Seeing Natalie soar is rewarding and heartbreaking in equal measure, but then adding a murder in twists the knife further. This series is such a clever mix of cheeky references and nods to those in the know, but also twisted and spun way out of shape. It is an exaggerated version of reality that just lightly touches on potential real-life elements but also speaks to a real grit and reality of struggling within the industry from multiple angles.

A Killer Plot continues the cosy crime series of my heart and long may it continue. It has such a refreshing blend of raw honesty and well-constructed mysteries that I adore.
Profile Image for Bookshortie.
919 reviews61 followers
July 5, 2026
Jane is attending a book launch when she discovers a body in the stock room. This is followed by the discover of another body. With Jane under suspicion can she solve the case?

I really enjoyed reading A Novel Murder and so was really looking forward to catching up with Jane. Having now read this book it’s my favourite so far in the series as I loved this book even more. This is a cozy crime novel with twists and turns set against the backdrop of the publishing and book industry.

When we catch up with Jane, she’s attending her friend Natasha’s book launch when she finds the body of Daisy, an editorial assistant. She quickly becomes the primary suspect because of what happened at the Killer Lines Festival. I thought this was a little unfair especially as the spotlight seems to go straight to her. But things take an expected turn when Daisy’s boss Hugo is found murdered and the spotlight then shifts to Natasha as she is the one that links the two deaths. But the case starts to impact on not only Natasha’s reputation but also her book sales so Jane does what Jane does best and decides to investigate.

Jane is a brilliant character. She is quirky and smart. When she starts to investigate, she channels the main character in her book series, Jane Hepburn. When she finds Hugo her thought process was brilliant. It showed she has a keen eye for detail and pays attention to her surroundings where others might not. I did feel really sorry for Jane. She’s struggling to write but sees those around her getting somewhere. As much as she's happy for her friend, it makes her realise how behind in life she is and it does chip away at her confidence.

I loved the friendship group between Jane, Natasha and Daniel. When the murders happen they all turn into mini detectives to solve the case and they work really well together.

I'm really looking forward to the next book in the Jane Hepburn Mystery series to see what Jane encounters next.
13 reviews
Review of advance copy
May 25, 2026
This novel is about 3 friends trying to solve 2 murders. They have various theories about the killer and set out to try and prove them. It’s a good paced and well written novel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
9 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy
June 12, 2026
A really good easy read. The characters are interesting and well described, the story line keeps you guessing. If you like a cosy mystery you'll like this. I was kept guessing until the end. Great relaxing read.
Profile Image for Liz.
133 reviews1 follower
June 4, 2026
This book was such a fun and slightly quirky read. Murder set around a book launch leads to a cosy crime caper, with Jane, our author, being the detective. Her character is adorable, with little habits and attributes which help the reader follow the story fluently.
60 reviews3 followers
Review of advance copy
June 20, 2026
Well written & well paced. Interesting and likeable characters set around a bookshop. Jane and her friends attempt to use their crime writing skills to solve murder. A great relaxing summer read!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews