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Last Night Was Killer: A Novel
Not yet published
Expected 7 Jul 26A suspenseful, bighearted, and laugh-out-loud story of a single mom trying to do it all—including solve a murder she may or may not have committed…
When Tilly Turner signed up for an introductory pole-dancing class, she was looking for a distraction. Reeling from her mother’s passing, and with her career as a stand-up comedian in ruins, Tilly has just moved back to the Idaho hometown she was desperate to leave, with her twin daughters in tow.
But Tilly gets more than she bargained for after a night out with her new pole-dancing pals. She wakes to a raging hangover, no memory of the evening before, and a dead body in the trunk of her car.
Who was the dead man? And more importantly, who killed him? Tilly has no alibi and needs answers. But investigating a murder is complicated, especially with an old frenemy circling, childcare plans falling through, and pole-dancing classes to attend. And don’t even mention the sexy ATF agent who she’s trying (and failing) to keep at arm’s length.
As Tilly races to solve the mystery before the police come knocking, she finds herself implicated in a larger plot that includes political subterfuge and arms dealing. But who knows—maybe busting a criminal enterprise will be just the shake-up she needs.
Balancing both heart and hilarity, and with a witty take on the struggles of modern motherhood, Last Night Was Killer is a charming introduction to the most unlikely—and likable—of sleuths.
When Tilly Turner signed up for an introductory pole-dancing class, she was looking for a distraction. Reeling from her mother’s passing, and with her career as a stand-up comedian in ruins, Tilly has just moved back to the Idaho hometown she was desperate to leave, with her twin daughters in tow.
But Tilly gets more than she bargained for after a night out with her new pole-dancing pals. She wakes to a raging hangover, no memory of the evening before, and a dead body in the trunk of her car.
Who was the dead man? And more importantly, who killed him? Tilly has no alibi and needs answers. But investigating a murder is complicated, especially with an old frenemy circling, childcare plans falling through, and pole-dancing classes to attend. And don’t even mention the sexy ATF agent who she’s trying (and failing) to keep at arm’s length.
As Tilly races to solve the mystery before the police come knocking, she finds herself implicated in a larger plot that includes political subterfuge and arms dealing. But who knows—maybe busting a criminal enterprise will be just the shake-up she needs.
Balancing both heart and hilarity, and with a witty take on the struggles of modern motherhood, Last Night Was Killer is a charming introduction to the most unlikely—and likable—of sleuths.
1 pages, Audio CD
Expected publication July 7, 2026
About the author
Mary Pauline Lowry
7 books258 followersMary Pauline Lowry received her MFA from the Boise State University in 2019. She is the author of two novels, Wildfire and The Roxy Letters. Her newest book, Last Night Was Killer, will be out 07/07/26. Her essays have been published in The New York Times, The New York Times Magazine, O Magazine, and other publications. She lives in her hometown of Austin Texas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 225 reviews
April 19, 2026
I Opened the Trunk and There Was a Dead Body… and Somehow This Book Made It FUNNY??? 🔪😂🚗💀
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I had so much fun with this audiobook and I genuinely was not prepared for that level of chaos.
This entire story is told through Tilly Turner—comedian, hot mess, absolute menace—and at times I swear I forgot I was reading a mystery and thought I had wandered into a stand-up set. Like why am I laughing??? There is a dead man involved???
Tilly has A LOT going on:
• single mom of twins (via donor)
• disgraced comedian thanks to a guilty-by-association scandal 🙃
• back in her Idaho hometown after her mom’s death
Naturally, instead of processing any of that in a healthy way…
SHE TAKES POLE DANCING CLASSES.
As one does 💅
Enter the “virgin pole dancing besties” (yes, that’s their name and yes, I’m obsessed).
So after a night out with them, Tilly is living her life, minding her business, goes to load groceries into her trunk and—
✨ BOOM. DEAD BODY. ✨
I—
From there it’s chaotic in the BEST way. We’re retracing the night, trying to piece together what happened, and every time I thought I had it figured out the story said “absolutely not” and threw another twist at me.
We’ve got:
• a sexy ATF agent 👀
• messy hometown drama
• childcare struggles (honestly relatable)
• arms dealing???
• politics???
• and a victim who is, quite frankly, a terrible human
The tone for most of this book is fun, witty, and completely unhinged in a way that made it impossible to put down.
BUT.
The ending shifts hard into heavier territory, which felt a little jarring compared to the light, comedic vibe of the rest of the book. And the “bad guy” reveal? A bit out of nowhere for me.
Also—keeping it honest—the political elements got a little heavier than I personally prefer. It pulled me out of the story at times when I was fully here for the chaos, comedy, and mystery.
That said—
Helen Laser absolutely KILLED this narration. The comedic timing? The delivery? She is Tilly.
Overall:
✨ chaotic main character energy
✨ genuinely funny mystery
✨ fast-paced and entertaining
Just expect a bit of tonal whiplash at the end.
And maybe think twice before opening your trunk 😌
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I had so much fun with this audiobook and I genuinely was not prepared for that level of chaos.
This entire story is told through Tilly Turner—comedian, hot mess, absolute menace—and at times I swear I forgot I was reading a mystery and thought I had wandered into a stand-up set. Like why am I laughing??? There is a dead man involved???
Tilly has A LOT going on:
• single mom of twins (via donor)
• disgraced comedian thanks to a guilty-by-association scandal 🙃
• back in her Idaho hometown after her mom’s death
Naturally, instead of processing any of that in a healthy way…
SHE TAKES POLE DANCING CLASSES.
As one does 💅
Enter the “virgin pole dancing besties” (yes, that’s their name and yes, I’m obsessed).
So after a night out with them, Tilly is living her life, minding her business, goes to load groceries into her trunk and—
✨ BOOM. DEAD BODY. ✨
I—
From there it’s chaotic in the BEST way. We’re retracing the night, trying to piece together what happened, and every time I thought I had it figured out the story said “absolutely not” and threw another twist at me.
We’ve got:
• a sexy ATF agent 👀
• messy hometown drama
• childcare struggles (honestly relatable)
• arms dealing???
• politics???
• and a victim who is, quite frankly, a terrible human
The tone for most of this book is fun, witty, and completely unhinged in a way that made it impossible to put down.
BUT.
The ending shifts hard into heavier territory, which felt a little jarring compared to the light, comedic vibe of the rest of the book. And the “bad guy” reveal? A bit out of nowhere for me.
Also—keeping it honest—the political elements got a little heavier than I personally prefer. It pulled me out of the story at times when I was fully here for the chaos, comedy, and mystery.
That said—
Helen Laser absolutely KILLED this narration. The comedic timing? The delivery? She is Tilly.
Overall:
✨ chaotic main character energy
✨ genuinely funny mystery
✨ fast-paced and entertaining
Just expect a bit of tonal whiplash at the end.
And maybe think twice before opening your trunk 😌
May 7, 2026
Last Night Was Killer by Mary Pauline Lowry
Book Blurb: A suspenseful, bighearted, and laugh-out-loud story of a single mom trying to do it all—including solve a murder she may or may not have committed…
Rating: ****
Feels: Hilarity, Curious, Invested, Satisfied
Style: Mystery, Audiobook, Thriller, Fiction, Adult, Humor, Mystery Thriller
First published July 7, 2026 : 320 pages
Giggle fits and cuteness galore. This read kept me sooo entertained and amused. I adored single mom Tilly is relatable , fun, smart and I loved following along on the greatest mystery of her life … did she kill that man ??? 😂😂 Just utterly outrageous and all the shenanigans you can think of ensue as Tilly takes up pole dancing and after a night on the town finds a dead body in her trunk .. she does what any self respecting single mom of twins would do … tell her twins there is a scary spider in the trunk and try to solve the murder while not falling in love with the hunky ATF agent. Completely legit heart warming and hilarious hijinks follow and I enjoyed every moment.
Audiobook Review:
Narration Style: Solo - Narrated by Helen Laser
Listener Rating: *****
Audiobook Notes: Absolutely fantastic amusing narration that really brought out the humor of this read. Listening to this the narrator had me giggling and loving this story as we went on the wildest ride with this single mom. Tone and pitch were amazing and really easy to understand at all speeds. I tend to listen to my audio books at 2.0 and this one was great at all the speeds I tried 1.0 to 2.5. It was easy to follow along and I always knew who was speaking during the read. Sound quality was really good and easy to hear everything. Highly recommend this read as an audiobook as it was really enjoyable.
Favorite Quote: Trying to have a lighthearted night out during an epic rough patch had somehow resulted in this - me, disturbingly hungover, with a dead man in my trunk ...
This book has:
Thriller-Rom-Com
Found Family
Murder Mystery
Soo many Shenanigans
Single Mom
Pole Dancing Fun
Book Blurb: A suspenseful, bighearted, and laugh-out-loud story of a single mom trying to do it all—including solve a murder she may or may not have committed…
Rating: ****
Feels: Hilarity, Curious, Invested, Satisfied
Style: Mystery, Audiobook, Thriller, Fiction, Adult, Humor, Mystery Thriller
First published July 7, 2026 : 320 pages
Giggle fits and cuteness galore. This read kept me sooo entertained and amused. I adored single mom Tilly is relatable , fun, smart and I loved following along on the greatest mystery of her life … did she kill that man ??? 😂😂 Just utterly outrageous and all the shenanigans you can think of ensue as Tilly takes up pole dancing and after a night on the town finds a dead body in her trunk .. she does what any self respecting single mom of twins would do … tell her twins there is a scary spider in the trunk and try to solve the murder while not falling in love with the hunky ATF agent. Completely legit heart warming and hilarious hijinks follow and I enjoyed every moment.
Audiobook Review:
Narration Style: Solo - Narrated by Helen Laser
Listener Rating: *****
Audiobook Notes: Absolutely fantastic amusing narration that really brought out the humor of this read. Listening to this the narrator had me giggling and loving this story as we went on the wildest ride with this single mom. Tone and pitch were amazing and really easy to understand at all speeds. I tend to listen to my audio books at 2.0 and this one was great at all the speeds I tried 1.0 to 2.5. It was easy to follow along and I always knew who was speaking during the read. Sound quality was really good and easy to hear everything. Highly recommend this read as an audiobook as it was really enjoyable.
Favorite Quote: Trying to have a lighthearted night out during an epic rough patch had somehow resulted in this - me, disturbingly hungover, with a dead man in my trunk ...
This book has:
Thriller-Rom-Com
Found Family
Murder Mystery
Soo many Shenanigans
Single Mom
Pole Dancing Fun
November 15, 2025
Tilly is an out of work comedian whose mom just passed away. She moved from LA to Idaho with her twin girls and in an effort to get her out to the house her neighbor bought her pole dancing lessons. After a wild night out she finds a dead body in her trunk and now she has to find out what happened to him and who killed him.
This was the mom version of the Hangover and it was a whole lot of fun! Lots of laughs and hijinks. Read if you love Finlay, friendships, and female empowerment.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
This was the mom version of the Hangover and it was a whole lot of fun! Lots of laughs and hijinks. Read if you love Finlay, friendships, and female empowerment.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
November 30, 2025
Oh my goodness, I loved this book. It had me gasping one moment and laughing the next, and I was completely pulled into the chaos of this story. The pacing, the twists, and the humor all worked so well together. This was such a wild ride from beginning to end.
May 2, 2026
This book makes me want to sign up for a pole class
I really enjoyed this “who done it” mystery. We get to see a single mother attempt to solve a murder to prove to everyone (and herself) that she didn’t commit the crime. The story was full of twists that fit in the storyline, and these conflicts moved the story in unexpected directions. I truly didn’t know who did it until the end.
I’m definitely a “Woo girl” (except I’d tip) and the writing was funny because the FMC had a career as a comedian. It was great to see all of the relationships and the found family trope for a single mother working through grief. It addressed some darker themes, but made it easy to digest and makes you feel understanding of the characters’ choices.
It was nice to see how the FMC came to terms and healed from issues in her childhood (like bullies and feeling alone). We get to see a lot of female relationships morph from the beginning to the end, and it’s great to see how communities can support each other. The neighbors’ parts in the story were like the cherry on top… imagine an older woman with a crossbow as her default protection.
The epilogue really made me happy - if you read it you will understand. I love when women get the job done!!
Thank you to HaperAudio adult and the author for the ALC.
I really enjoyed this “who done it” mystery. We get to see a single mother attempt to solve a murder to prove to everyone (and herself) that she didn’t commit the crime. The story was full of twists that fit in the storyline, and these conflicts moved the story in unexpected directions. I truly didn’t know who did it until the end.
I’m definitely a “Woo girl” (except I’d tip) and the writing was funny because the FMC had a career as a comedian. It was great to see all of the relationships and the found family trope for a single mother working through grief. It addressed some darker themes, but made it easy to digest and makes you feel understanding of the characters’ choices.
It was nice to see how the FMC came to terms and healed from issues in her childhood (like bullies and feeling alone). We get to see a lot of female relationships morph from the beginning to the end, and it’s great to see how communities can support each other. The neighbors’ parts in the story were like the cherry on top… imagine an older woman with a crossbow as her default protection.
The epilogue really made me happy - if you read it you will understand. I love when women get the job done!!
Thank you to HaperAudio adult and the author for the ALC.
February 19, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC! This book was a trip. Definitely had some Finlay Donovan vibes and parts that were hilariously funny. There were also parts very real in regards to grief. The main character Tilly, takes you on an adventure while she is starting her own. Definitely an entertaining read with a happy ending
May 21, 2026
I received an ALC (advanced listening copy) through NetGalley.
I haven’t read Mary Pauline Lowry’s previous books, but as soon as I saw the cover for Last Night Was Killer and read the blurb, I knew I had to read it!
Tilly wakes up after a night of going out for drinks with people she met at her very first pole-dancing class. The problem is that she doesn’t remember how the night ended—especially how she got home. When she goes to retrieve her car, she discovers a dead man in the trunk. Without remembering whether she has an alibi, contacting the police is out of the question, so she’s left trying to identify the man and figure out how he died.
This is a fast-paced story that kept my attention, and I finished it the day after I started it. I loved Tilly and all of the other characters. Honestly, I can’t think of a single thing I didn’t like about the book, and I would love to see a sequel! I’d love to see it adapted into a movie as well because it would be hilarious.
I’d hoped the writing style would be witty and amusing, and it absolutely was! Some audiobooks have narrators with pleasant speaking voices, but their performances don’t really add anything extra. Then there are narrators with voice-acting experience who truly bring a story to life. Helen Laser is the latter kind, and her performance was excellent! I’ll definitely check out other books she narrates.
I loved this quote:
“Friendship begins the moment one person overshares, and the other person responds in kind.”
The audiobook, ebook, and hardcover editions all come out on July 7, 2026, and I definitely recommend this one!
Taking a pole-dancing class sounds like so much fun! I could never do it because carpal tunnel syndrome makes it difficult for me to grip things tightly without my hands spasming and losing their grip. Still, I have a lot of respect for anyone who’s able to do it—and even more respect for people who choose to use those skills professionally, whether through performing or teaching.
I haven’t read Mary Pauline Lowry’s previous books, but as soon as I saw the cover for Last Night Was Killer and read the blurb, I knew I had to read it!
Tilly wakes up after a night of going out for drinks with people she met at her very first pole-dancing class. The problem is that she doesn’t remember how the night ended—especially how she got home. When she goes to retrieve her car, she discovers a dead man in the trunk. Without remembering whether she has an alibi, contacting the police is out of the question, so she’s left trying to identify the man and figure out how he died.
This is a fast-paced story that kept my attention, and I finished it the day after I started it. I loved Tilly and all of the other characters. Honestly, I can’t think of a single thing I didn’t like about the book, and I would love to see a sequel! I’d love to see it adapted into a movie as well because it would be hilarious.
I’d hoped the writing style would be witty and amusing, and it absolutely was! Some audiobooks have narrators with pleasant speaking voices, but their performances don’t really add anything extra. Then there are narrators with voice-acting experience who truly bring a story to life. Helen Laser is the latter kind, and her performance was excellent! I’ll definitely check out other books she narrates.
I loved this quote:
“Friendship begins the moment one person overshares, and the other person responds in kind.”
The audiobook, ebook, and hardcover editions all come out on July 7, 2026, and I definitely recommend this one!
Taking a pole-dancing class sounds like so much fun! I could never do it because carpal tunnel syndrome makes it difficult for me to grip things tightly without my hands spasming and losing their grip. Still, I have a lot of respect for anyone who’s able to do it—and even more respect for people who choose to use those skills professionally, whether through performing or teaching.
Did Not Finish
May 28, 2026DNF at 35% in. I want to read a work of fiction, not political opinions no matter what side of the fence you're on. Story would have been great without the political opinions sprinkled in.
May 10, 2026
Ohhh this book…
I actually scrolled past it a few times on NetGalley because I wasn’t sure I’d get approved. Then I said, you know what, I'm gonna try anyway. And THANK YOU HarperAudio because this ended up being exactly what I didn’t know I needed.
This was such a fresh breath of air.
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did an amazing job. At some point I genuinely felt like I was the main character there. :))
So, the story. Our FMC, Tilly, is going through a lot. She’s dealing with grief after losing her mom, her career is a mess because of a scandal that wasn’t even her fault, and she’s juggling life as a single mom to twins. So… yup, ofc she deserves one wild night.
And what a night it was....
She goes out with her pole dancing friends, wakes up the next day with no memory… and a dead body in her car.
From there, everything spirals into absolute chaos. She starts investigating what happened, who the guy was, and how he ended up dead. And somehow we end up with guns dealing, grenades, unexpected friendships, and a romance with an ATF agent who is honestly a cinnamon roll. Calm, patient (even when Tilly was pushing him away), supportive… we love him.
The humor worked. The book is chaotic, funny and surprisingly heartfelt at times.
Also… the pole dancing aspect? I loved it. Will I ever try it? Probably not, but I will always want to. :))
And we cannot forget the dog. Little Sister was a whole personality.
⭐ 5 stars
Thank you NetGalley and HarperAudio for the ARC.
I actually scrolled past it a few times on NetGalley because I wasn’t sure I’d get approved. Then I said, you know what, I'm gonna try anyway. And THANK YOU HarperAudio because this ended up being exactly what I didn’t know I needed.
This was such a fresh breath of air.
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did an amazing job. At some point I genuinely felt like I was the main character there. :))
So, the story. Our FMC, Tilly, is going through a lot. She’s dealing with grief after losing her mom, her career is a mess because of a scandal that wasn’t even her fault, and she’s juggling life as a single mom to twins. So… yup, ofc she deserves one wild night.
And what a night it was....
She goes out with her pole dancing friends, wakes up the next day with no memory… and a dead body in her car.
From there, everything spirals into absolute chaos. She starts investigating what happened, who the guy was, and how he ended up dead. And somehow we end up with guns dealing, grenades, unexpected friendships, and a romance with an ATF agent who is honestly a cinnamon roll. Calm, patient (even when Tilly was pushing him away), supportive… we love him.
The humor worked. The book is chaotic, funny and surprisingly heartfelt at times.
Also… the pole dancing aspect? I loved it. Will I ever try it? Probably not, but I will always want to. :))
And we cannot forget the dog. Little Sister was a whole personality.
⭐ 5 stars
Thank you NetGalley and HarperAudio for the ARC.
November 20, 2025
Murder, pole dancing, hot ATF agent, what's a single mother of twin 7-year-old girls to do??
This is a fun light-hearted murder mystery in the same vein as Finlay Donovan Is Killing It. I really enjoyed the found family vibes and how much the characters support each other. Every woman need a good ride or die! I will admit at sometimes it does pass into the realm of silly more so than I personally enjoy.
I think I would have preferred this as an audiobook. There were parts of the book where there is stand-up comedy bit, and i think timing would be better through audio as opposed to physically reading it.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy!
This is a fun light-hearted murder mystery in the same vein as Finlay Donovan Is Killing It. I really enjoyed the found family vibes and how much the characters support each other. Every woman need a good ride or die! I will admit at sometimes it does pass into the realm of silly more so than I personally enjoy.
I think I would have preferred this as an audiobook. There were parts of the book where there is stand-up comedy bit, and i think timing would be better through audio as opposed to physically reading it.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy!
January 3, 2026
Tilly Turner is hilarious! Her friends, hobbies, neighbor and love life are hilarious. This book had me laughing out loud multiple times.
Tilly mom passes away and she’s forced to moves back to her hometown in Idaho after a couple decades in LA trying to make it as a comedian. She’s in a grief rut and her quirky cool neighbor gifts her pole dance lessons that she definitely doesn’t want. What comes next is a murder mystery, profound friendship, female empowerment and a race to thwart the IDIOTS and save the city. Equal parts funny and meaningful, this book delivers mystery, laughs and heart.
This book is perfect for readers who loved Too Old for This by Samantha Downing or Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera, a murder thriller with a sense of humor.
Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC
Tilly mom passes away and she’s forced to moves back to her hometown in Idaho after a couple decades in LA trying to make it as a comedian. She’s in a grief rut and her quirky cool neighbor gifts her pole dance lessons that she definitely doesn’t want. What comes next is a murder mystery, profound friendship, female empowerment and a race to thwart the IDIOTS and save the city. Equal parts funny and meaningful, this book delivers mystery, laughs and heart.
This book is perfect for readers who loved Too Old for This by Samantha Downing or Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera, a murder thriller with a sense of humor.
Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC
April 25, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
*Last Night Was a Killer* was such a fun and entertaining read! From start to finish, I found myself laughing out loud thanks to the sharp humor and witty writing. The narrator truly elevated the experience, delivering every joke and chaotic moment with perfect comedic timing.
The story follows a single mom who signs up for a pool dancing class—only for things to spiral wildly out of control when the night ends in murder… and a dead guy in her trunk. What follows is a hilarious, fast-paced adventure as she tries to figure out what happened and who’s responsible. Along the way, her loyal (and equally funny) group of girlfriends add plenty of charm, and her twin daughters absolutely steal the show with their antics.
This book strikes a great balance between mystery and comedy, making it an easy, enjoyable read. Fans of the Finlay Donovan series will feel right at home with the tone and style. Definitely worth picking up if you’re in the mood for something light, funny, and a little bit chaotic.
*Last Night Was a Killer* was such a fun and entertaining read! From start to finish, I found myself laughing out loud thanks to the sharp humor and witty writing. The narrator truly elevated the experience, delivering every joke and chaotic moment with perfect comedic timing.
The story follows a single mom who signs up for a pool dancing class—only for things to spiral wildly out of control when the night ends in murder… and a dead guy in her trunk. What follows is a hilarious, fast-paced adventure as she tries to figure out what happened and who’s responsible. Along the way, her loyal (and equally funny) group of girlfriends add plenty of charm, and her twin daughters absolutely steal the show with their antics.
This book strikes a great balance between mystery and comedy, making it an easy, enjoyable read. Fans of the Finlay Donovan series will feel right at home with the tone and style. Definitely worth picking up if you’re in the mood for something light, funny, and a little bit chaotic.
April 26, 2026
What a Chaotic mess!
...and I don't mean the book. I mean the FMC, Tilly Turner. Hahaha! Boy does she have a lot going on; failed comedy career, single mom (literally signed up knowing she was single), swimming in debt, and grieving the loss of her mother. Well she is persuaded to do something for herself, so she takes up pole dancing. One night out with her pole dancing friends she gets a little toooooo something...and finds a DEAD body in her trunk the next morning! Did she kill someone? Does she go to the cops? If Tilly didn't do it...who did?
If you're looking for a good laugh, Tilly's story is it. This book is fast paced, plot heavy and full of fun. While this book is a little out of my comfort zone, I enjoyed it. The easy pace and story line was the perfect palate cleanser for my usual reads. If you love quick wit, chaotic parenting, even funnier side characters, solving crimes and books that keep you guessing until the very end, give this book a try!
A huge thank you to NetGalley and HarperAudio for the privilege to listen and review this ALC.
...and I don't mean the book. I mean the FMC, Tilly Turner. Hahaha! Boy does she have a lot going on; failed comedy career, single mom (literally signed up knowing she was single), swimming in debt, and grieving the loss of her mother. Well she is persuaded to do something for herself, so she takes up pole dancing. One night out with her pole dancing friends she gets a little toooooo something...and finds a DEAD body in her trunk the next morning! Did she kill someone? Does she go to the cops? If Tilly didn't do it...who did?
If you're looking for a good laugh, Tilly's story is it. This book is fast paced, plot heavy and full of fun. While this book is a little out of my comfort zone, I enjoyed it. The easy pace and story line was the perfect palate cleanser for my usual reads. If you love quick wit, chaotic parenting, even funnier side characters, solving crimes and books that keep you guessing until the very end, give this book a try!
A huge thank you to NetGalley and HarperAudio for the privilege to listen and review this ALC.
May 14, 2026
BLURB:
Tilly Turner, a struggling comedian and single mother, wakes up with no memory of the night before and finds a dead body in her trunk. After joining a pole dancing class and blacking out during a wild night with its eccentric members, she becomes entangled in a dangerous murder investigation while trying to protect her twins, avoid jail, and uncover what happened.
REVIEW:
If you enjoy satirical murder mystery thrillers with unhinged female protagonists, look no further! This book is fast-paced and has a highly original story that includes a chaotic murder investigation, dark humor, a romantic subplot, and an unconventional but heartfelt found-family vibe. And who doesn’t love a pole-dancing troupe at the center of a murder mystery to make everything campier and funnier!?
Told entirely in Tilly’s first person, you get fully immersed in her sarcasm, dark humor, impulsiveness, and increasingly unhinged behavior that’s incredibly entertaining to follow. As she tries to retrace her steps to figure out if she killed the man in her trunk—or what actually happened to him—she gets entangled with her new friend Lena, her high school frenemy Miranda, and members of the pole dancing crew whose hilarious stage names make everything even more confusing. At the same time, she’s juggling motherhood as a single mom to twins and trying to keep herself out of jail at all costs—so expect plenty of comedic chaos as she throws herself into dangerous and absurd situations! On top of all that, there’s a romantic subplot with federal agent Nate Duran that’s more chaotic and over-the-top than swoony, but their chemistry does sizzle in certain scenes!
One of the major strengths is the pacing. The short chapters and constant shifts between the night of Tilly’s blackout and the present-day investigation keep the momentum moving. I found the twists and turns quite unpredictable, mainly because I was so wrapped up in all the chaotic and hilarious dialogue—especially when Tilly’s forced to make quick decisions or text people from the dead man’s phone while pretending to be him! The climax mixes pole dancing, stand-up comedy, and high-stakes thrills in a very entertaining way, and the ending resolves the main mystery while leaving you with a hopeful, yet chaotic sense of what’s next for Tilly! And all you audiobook listeners are in for a treat—Helen Laser fully embodies Tilly and brings all the comedy and chaos to life, and you’ll be laughing out loud throughout!
Tilly Turner, a struggling comedian and single mother, wakes up with no memory of the night before and finds a dead body in her trunk. After joining a pole dancing class and blacking out during a wild night with its eccentric members, she becomes entangled in a dangerous murder investigation while trying to protect her twins, avoid jail, and uncover what happened.
REVIEW:
If you enjoy satirical murder mystery thrillers with unhinged female protagonists, look no further! This book is fast-paced and has a highly original story that includes a chaotic murder investigation, dark humor, a romantic subplot, and an unconventional but heartfelt found-family vibe. And who doesn’t love a pole-dancing troupe at the center of a murder mystery to make everything campier and funnier!?
Told entirely in Tilly’s first person, you get fully immersed in her sarcasm, dark humor, impulsiveness, and increasingly unhinged behavior that’s incredibly entertaining to follow. As she tries to retrace her steps to figure out if she killed the man in her trunk—or what actually happened to him—she gets entangled with her new friend Lena, her high school frenemy Miranda, and members of the pole dancing crew whose hilarious stage names make everything even more confusing. At the same time, she’s juggling motherhood as a single mom to twins and trying to keep herself out of jail at all costs—so expect plenty of comedic chaos as she throws herself into dangerous and absurd situations! On top of all that, there’s a romantic subplot with federal agent Nate Duran that’s more chaotic and over-the-top than swoony, but their chemistry does sizzle in certain scenes!
One of the major strengths is the pacing. The short chapters and constant shifts between the night of Tilly’s blackout and the present-day investigation keep the momentum moving. I found the twists and turns quite unpredictable, mainly because I was so wrapped up in all the chaotic and hilarious dialogue—especially when Tilly’s forced to make quick decisions or text people from the dead man’s phone while pretending to be him! The climax mixes pole dancing, stand-up comedy, and high-stakes thrills in a very entertaining way, and the ending resolves the main mystery while leaving you with a hopeful, yet chaotic sense of what’s next for Tilly! And all you audiobook listeners are in for a treat—Helen Laser fully embodies Tilly and brings all the comedy and chaos to life, and you’ll be laughing out loud throughout!
November 14, 2025
A mystery that makes you laugh - I’m here for it! I loved the main character, Tilly, and her newly found bffs. They were quite the cast of characters and I loved how they all supported each other. This book reminded me of a funnier, more progressive Finlay Donovan type book. The drama of this story unfolds as Tilly takes a pole dancing class, gifted to her by her elderly neighbor who was her mom’s best friend. After their first class, the group goes out for drinks. One drink leads to two and then to a third, and that’s all Tilly remembers of that night. The next day, she happens to find the body of a skeezy guy who had hit on her at the bar in the trunk of her car. With no memory of the night before, Tilly has to find out who the man is and more importantly how he ended up in her car!
Huge thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book for an honest review.
Huge thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book for an honest review.
April 18, 2026
4.5/5 rounding up to 5 stars
Thank you NetGalley for an ALC!
What an absolutely entertaining and FUN read! It was fast paced and had twists that made you want to keep listening, found family vibes which I always love, moments that made me laugh out loud and moments with the our FMC Tilly that felt relatable.
One of my favorite things about reading is being able to see pieces of myself in the characters and relate to them.
While I can’t say I ever see myself trying pole dancing as a way to find myself/make friends, and I also don’t anticipate having a stressor as big as finding a dead body in the trunk of my car anytime soon, the motherhood factor I could relate to Tilly. Her constant fear that she was “screwing up her kids” was relatable for me. Isn’t that most decent parent’s worst fear? That despite trying our hardest we will somehow mess our kids up in the long run? This is not something I see addressed in a lot of the books I normally pick up so I enjoyed that relatability here.
For a murder mystery the last thing you want is to be able to guess who the murderer was. The twists in this one left me without a clue!
I would HIGHLY recommend this on audio as the narrator Helen Laser was absolutely PHENOMENAL. From the character voices to delivering the comedy with perfection, her narration alone bumped this one up a half star for me. I think it would’ve been closer to 4 stars had her narration not done such a wonderful job at bringing the book to life.
This was the perfect read to break up a lot of the more serious fantasy books I’ve been reading and listening to more recently. Would highly recommend!
Thank you NetGalley for an ALC!
What an absolutely entertaining and FUN read! It was fast paced and had twists that made you want to keep listening, found family vibes which I always love, moments that made me laugh out loud and moments with the our FMC Tilly that felt relatable.
One of my favorite things about reading is being able to see pieces of myself in the characters and relate to them.
While I can’t say I ever see myself trying pole dancing as a way to find myself/make friends, and I also don’t anticipate having a stressor as big as finding a dead body in the trunk of my car anytime soon, the motherhood factor I could relate to Tilly. Her constant fear that she was “screwing up her kids” was relatable for me. Isn’t that most decent parent’s worst fear? That despite trying our hardest we will somehow mess our kids up in the long run? This is not something I see addressed in a lot of the books I normally pick up so I enjoyed that relatability here.
For a murder mystery the last thing you want is to be able to guess who the murderer was. The twists in this one left me without a clue!
I would HIGHLY recommend this on audio as the narrator Helen Laser was absolutely PHENOMENAL. From the character voices to delivering the comedy with perfection, her narration alone bumped this one up a half star for me. I think it would’ve been closer to 4 stars had her narration not done such a wonderful job at bringing the book to life.
This was the perfect read to break up a lot of the more serious fantasy books I’ve been reading and listening to more recently. Would highly recommend!
April 22, 2026
I’m just going to be very straightforward with this one. I requested it on NetGalley based purely on the cover, title, and the promise of a murder mystery with satire, I was in.
Honestly, I was hooked immediately. The humor worked, the premise was fun (a single mom takes a pole dancing class, has a night out, then wakes up to a dead man in her trunk with zero memory, I thought this was going to be good! I was fully expecting a laugh-out-loud, chaotic whodunnit with a little romance on the side.
With Boise, ID as the setting, the local references added such a fun personal touch!
Somewhere along the way, the momentum just dropped. The pacing got inconsistent and at times felt like it came to a full stop. The humor was laugh out loud funny but then it started to feel overused and a little forced, like it was doing too much instead of letting the story carry itself.
But here’s where it really lost me. The story started leaning heavily into political and social commentary, and it didn’t feel subtle or naturally woven in—it felt loud. Like, louder than the actual plot I came for. It became distracting, and instead of enhancing the story, it kind of took over it.
Which is frustrating, because there are things here that worked. The writing itself flows well, it’s easy to read, and the concept is genuinely strong.
Honestly, I was hooked immediately. The humor worked, the premise was fun (a single mom takes a pole dancing class, has a night out, then wakes up to a dead man in her trunk with zero memory, I thought this was going to be good! I was fully expecting a laugh-out-loud, chaotic whodunnit with a little romance on the side.
With Boise, ID as the setting, the local references added such a fun personal touch!
Somewhere along the way, the momentum just dropped. The pacing got inconsistent and at times felt like it came to a full stop. The humor was laugh out loud funny but then it started to feel overused and a little forced, like it was doing too much instead of letting the story carry itself.
But here’s where it really lost me. The story started leaning heavily into political and social commentary, and it didn’t feel subtle or naturally woven in—it felt loud. Like, louder than the actual plot I came for. It became distracting, and instead of enhancing the story, it kind of took over it.
Which is frustrating, because there are things here that worked. The writing itself flows well, it’s easy to read, and the concept is genuinely strong.
April 25, 2026
A very funny book about a single mom of twins trying to mourn her own mother's recent passing and the loss of her comedy career in LA while trying to make ends meet in Boise, UT. Yes, despite the stress and loss, it is very funny! Most of the book takes place over two days: the night before at pole dancing class and a visit to the local strip club, then the morning after, when there's a dead body in the trunk, apparently stabbed with her mother's scrapbooking scissors that were headed to Goodwill.
This happens early on, and much of the book is trying to find out IF the MFC did the killing, as she has no recollection of her time between 9:30 pm and 4:30 am. Plus there's a cute guy at her daughters' Career Day class presentation who is laughing at her jokes, so maybe she shouldn't give up on comedy? This is a fun romp of a story, similar to Elle Cosimano's Finlay Donovan series. If you enjoy those, you will also love this gem! 4.4 stars.
My thanks to the author, publisher, @HarperAudio, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook of #LastNightWasKiller for review purposes. Publication date: 7 July 2026: a perfect beach read!
This happens early on, and much of the book is trying to find out IF the MFC did the killing, as she has no recollection of her time between 9:30 pm and 4:30 am. Plus there's a cute guy at her daughters' Career Day class presentation who is laughing at her jokes, so maybe she shouldn't give up on comedy? This is a fun romp of a story, similar to Elle Cosimano's Finlay Donovan series. If you enjoy those, you will also love this gem! 4.4 stars.
My thanks to the author, publisher, @HarperAudio, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook of #LastNightWasKiller for review purposes. Publication date: 7 July 2026: a perfect beach read!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
*ALC provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
I had so much fun with this audiobook. It's the first book I've listened to in a while that I finished in one sitting. The story is around Tilly, a stand up comic who returns home to Idaho after her mother passes away. The elderly neighbor next door convinces her that she needs to try pole dancing as a new hobby and on the first day of class, she's invited to go out with all of the "pole virgins." She wakes up the next day with a wicked hangover and a dead body in the trunk of her car.
Tilly's adventure to find out who killed the man in her trunk is hilarious and heartwarming at the same time. Her friends and neighbors are so fun and add so much more to the story. Her twin daughters are equally as hilarious as well. This was just a lot of fun and a very quick paced listen.
Helen Laser's narration was brilliant and really kept up with the pace of the story, which was very refreshing.
Thank you to NetGalley, Mary Pauline Lowry, and HarperAudio Adult for allowing me to listen and review. I really enjoyed this one a lot and am looking forward to checking out more stories from Ms. Lowry in the future.
I had so much fun with this audiobook. It's the first book I've listened to in a while that I finished in one sitting. The story is around Tilly, a stand up comic who returns home to Idaho after her mother passes away. The elderly neighbor next door convinces her that she needs to try pole dancing as a new hobby and on the first day of class, she's invited to go out with all of the "pole virgins." She wakes up the next day with a wicked hangover and a dead body in the trunk of her car.
Tilly's adventure to find out who killed the man in her trunk is hilarious and heartwarming at the same time. Her friends and neighbors are so fun and add so much more to the story. Her twin daughters are equally as hilarious as well. This was just a lot of fun and a very quick paced listen.
Helen Laser's narration was brilliant and really kept up with the pace of the story, which was very refreshing.
Thank you to NetGalley, Mary Pauline Lowry, and HarperAudio Adult for allowing me to listen and review. I really enjoyed this one a lot and am looking forward to checking out more stories from Ms. Lowry in the future.
April 18, 2026
Thank you @netgalley @harperaudio for this ALC!
Tilly, a single mom to twin daughters and a stand-up comedian in the middle of a career crisis, decides to take a pole dancing class. The next day, she wakes up with very little memory of the night before but with the body of a strange man in her car.
I listened to this via NetGalley, with excellent narration, a fast-paced plot, and so many laugh-out-loud moments.
This is a comedic thriller that blends serious themes (like a murder investigation and coping with loss) with genuinely hilarious ones (like beginner-level pole dancing or the savings jar Tilly keeps for her daughters’ future therapy).
Of course, this isn’t your classic thriller and you can’t really compare the genres. It’s something different, and that’s exactly how it should be approached. Still, I found myself genuinely intrigued by the mystery and eager to see how it would unfold, following Tilly’s every “detective” steps alongside the comedic disasters she finds herself in.
The characters were incredibly engaging, especially the vibrant, larger-than-life main character who steals every scene.
I really enjoyed listening to this one. it’s perfect for anyone looking for a great mix of suspense and humor.
Tilly, a single mom to twin daughters and a stand-up comedian in the middle of a career crisis, decides to take a pole dancing class. The next day, she wakes up with very little memory of the night before but with the body of a strange man in her car.
I listened to this via NetGalley, with excellent narration, a fast-paced plot, and so many laugh-out-loud moments.
This is a comedic thriller that blends serious themes (like a murder investigation and coping with loss) with genuinely hilarious ones (like beginner-level pole dancing or the savings jar Tilly keeps for her daughters’ future therapy).
Of course, this isn’t your classic thriller and you can’t really compare the genres. It’s something different, and that’s exactly how it should be approached. Still, I found myself genuinely intrigued by the mystery and eager to see how it would unfold, following Tilly’s every “detective” steps alongside the comedic disasters she finds herself in.
The characters were incredibly engaging, especially the vibrant, larger-than-life main character who steals every scene.
I really enjoyed listening to this one. it’s perfect for anyone looking for a great mix of suspense and humor.
May 16, 2026
3.5⭐️
Last Night Was Killer by Mary Pauline Lowry is a funny, chaotic thriller that kept me entertained from start to finish. Tilly is a single mom of twins who moves back home after her mother’s death. When her neighbor gifts her pole dancing classes — along with free babysitting — she decides to give it a try. But after her very first class, she wakes up with no memory of the night before… and a body in the trunk of her car. Now she has to piece together what happened before she’s blamed for murder.
I listened to this as an audiobook ARC from NetGalley, and while parts of the mystery were a little predictable, the humor and characters made up for it. There were so many moments that genuinely made me laugh, and I especially loved Tilly’s stand-up comedy bits. If she were a real comedian, I’d absolutely buy tickets to her show.
The audiobook narration by Helen Laser was excellent. Her voice was easy to listen to, the pacing felt natural, and she brought the humor and chaos of the story to life perfectly. I’d definitely listen to more audiobooks narrated by her.
Last Night Was Killer by Mary Pauline Lowry is a funny, chaotic thriller that kept me entertained from start to finish. Tilly is a single mom of twins who moves back home after her mother’s death. When her neighbor gifts her pole dancing classes — along with free babysitting — she decides to give it a try. But after her very first class, she wakes up with no memory of the night before… and a body in the trunk of her car. Now she has to piece together what happened before she’s blamed for murder.
I listened to this as an audiobook ARC from NetGalley, and while parts of the mystery were a little predictable, the humor and characters made up for it. There were so many moments that genuinely made me laugh, and I especially loved Tilly’s stand-up comedy bits. If she were a real comedian, I’d absolutely buy tickets to her show.
The audiobook narration by Helen Laser was excellent. Her voice was easy to listen to, the pacing felt natural, and she brought the humor and chaos of the story to life perfectly. I’d definitely listen to more audiobooks narrated by her.
May 16, 2026
Last Night Was Killer by Mary Pauline Lowry might be the right choice for you if you liked the Finlay Donovan series. It’s quirky and silly and plays out like a comedy mystery. The premise is that an out of work comedian awakens to find a body in her trunk, and she has no idea how it got there. More importantly, since she had had a wild night, she has no idea if she was the one who pot him there! There are some crazy antics, but I have to admit, this one was a little too much for me. While I enjoy a good laugh, I felt like this one went overboard a bit. It was still a fun read, and I’d give it 3.25 stars.
Thanks to Netgalley and William Morrow publishing for this ALC in exchange for an honest review! This book comes out July 7th!
Thanks to Netgalley and William Morrow publishing for this ALC in exchange for an honest review! This book comes out July 7th!
April 16, 2026
I received this arc from NetGalley so thank you to them, the author Mary Pauline Lowry for this arc! I was intrigued from the moment I started listening to this! I binged listened to it in one day because I couldn’t stop. It was so good. It had me laughing, gasping in shock, sad then happy. The FMC Tilly was just fantastic. Honestly all the characters were amazing. I just loved them all. They were very relatable. There were so many plot twists I didn’t see coming that just made it keep getting better and better. This is my first book I have read by this author but it certainly won’t be my last.
Tilly is a comedian out of work that moves from LA to Idaho after the death of her mom with her twin daughters. She’s just trying to make it through life with her girls and the grief of her mom when a murder mystery gets thrown in her lap or should I say car. She can’t remember the night before so she is uncertain if she did it or not. Follow her as she tries to figure out this mystery and keep her life together.
Tilly is a comedian out of work that moves from LA to Idaho after the death of her mom with her twin daughters. She’s just trying to make it through life with her girls and the grief of her mom when a murder mystery gets thrown in her lap or should I say car. She can’t remember the night before so she is uncertain if she did it or not. Follow her as she tries to figure out this mystery and keep her life together.
April 18, 2026
A fun, easy mystery that didn’t take itself too seriously.
I listened to the audiobook, and Helen Laser was a great fit for the character. She always does a great job, even if there were a couple of small pronunciation quirks that stood out.
The story was funny and lighthearted, and I found myself engaged in the mystery, even when it got a little too silly for my taste.
I don’t usually gravitate toward stories that involve memory loss, but the whole “finding a body in your own trunk after picking up your car and not remembering what happened” plot was original, and I liked that.
Overall, this was an entertaining listen, even if it didn’t fully land for me.
Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Audio Adult, and William Morrow for the advanced listening copy.
I listened to the audiobook, and Helen Laser was a great fit for the character. She always does a great job, even if there were a couple of small pronunciation quirks that stood out.
The story was funny and lighthearted, and I found myself engaged in the mystery, even when it got a little too silly for my taste.
I don’t usually gravitate toward stories that involve memory loss, but the whole “finding a body in your own trunk after picking up your car and not remembering what happened” plot was original, and I liked that.
Overall, this was an entertaining listen, even if it didn’t fully land for me.
Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Audio Adult, and William Morrow for the advanced listening copy.
April 19, 2026
Last Night Was Killer is a 5 star audiobook! This story follows a single mom, Tilly, who finds a body in the trunk of her car after a wild night with friends from her new pole dancing class. She has no recollection of what happened and has to figure out who killed the person before the cops find out she is hiding a body. Tilly is hilarious, wild and an absolute delight of a FMC. Enter a hot ATF agent who is her daughter’s soccer coach and might possibly be connected to the dead man in the trunk of her car.
This hilarious murder mystery with a side of romance had me laughing the whole way through. I recommend this book to EVERYONE!
Thank you NetGalley and HarperAudio for the ARC audiobook. Opinions are my own.
This hilarious murder mystery with a side of romance had me laughing the whole way through. I recommend this book to EVERYONE!
Thank you NetGalley and HarperAudio for the ARC audiobook. Opinions are my own.
April 27, 2026
Tilly is kind of a mess. She is grieving and is trying to make ends meet with her twin 7 year olds. She is newly back in her hometown and is trying to get out of the spiral by taking some pole dancing classes. On her first night out with her new friends she has too much to drink and wakes up to a body in her trunk. Trying to piece together what happened the night before to prove she didn't do this, she goes on a quest and gets into some sticky situations.
I loved the cast of characters in this book, especially the hot detective. It was fun and I really didn't see the twists coming, so that is always a plus for me. It really was a liberating book and I think it was a great escape.
I loved the cast of characters in this book, especially the hot detective. It was fun and I really didn't see the twists coming, so that is always a plus for me. It really was a liberating book and I think it was a great escape.
May 14, 2026
Last Night Was Killer was such a fun time. You have to suspend disbelief a little, but I was fully along for the ride. A comedian and single mom of twins moves back to her Idaho hometown, joins a pole dancing class, and somehow ends up with a dead body in her trunk?? The humor really worked for me and I had several LOL moments, especially with the pole dancer names like I Da Hoe. The audiobook narration was fantastic and made the whole cast shine. I also loved the found family vibes and all the quirky side characters. It was a super entertaining read.
Thank you to William Morrow and HarperAudio for the ALC and ARC!
Thank you to William Morrow and HarperAudio for the ALC and ARC!
April 30, 2026
Murder, but make it funny. 😆
This book really hit so many things that I like: comedy, mystery, a little thrill, intrigue, and of course, pole dancing. I devoured this story, and loved every bit of it. Such a fun listen, and great narration done by Helen Laser.
Thank you to HarperAudio Adult, William Morrow, and NetGalley for an advanced listening copy of this excellent book!
5⭐️
This book really hit so many things that I like: comedy, mystery, a little thrill, intrigue, and of course, pole dancing. I devoured this story, and loved every bit of it. Such a fun listen, and great narration done by Helen Laser.
Thank you to HarperAudio Adult, William Morrow, and NetGalley for an advanced listening copy of this excellent book!
5⭐️
May 28, 2026
3.5 stars
April 19, 2026
This book is going to do great things when it comes out I just know it!
Thank you NetGalley for the ALC.
The audio of this book was so fun! The constant Millennial Easter eggs and twists and turns this book took kept me on my toes. Great mystery with found family and a hint of romance.
Thank you NetGalley for the ALC.
The audio of this book was so fun! The constant Millennial Easter eggs and twists and turns this book took kept me on my toes. Great mystery with found family and a hint of romance.
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