What do you think?
Rate this book
Murder in Act One
Poetry professor Mimi Jones stands as best woman when her ex-husband remarries, an honor that comes with the dubious delight of seeing her former in-laws. Mimi expects snide comments about her and her plus one, Philly detective Mike Quinn, from Daniel's parents and famous playwright sister. But a wedding reception that serves up plagiarism claims, accusations of infidelity, and flying bullets, followed days later by murder? That's a hangover nobody wants.
286 pages, Paperback
Published September 1, 2026
About the author
Joanne McLaughlin
12 books23 followersJoanne McLaughlin writes sharp mysteries, sexy vampire novels, and sweeter short stories. Her novels include the romantic cozy mysteries "Murder in Act One" and "A Poetic Puzzle;" "Chasing Ashes," a crime thriller; and the Vampires of the Court of Cruelty trilogy “Never Before Noon,” “Never Until Now,” and “Never More Human." Her recent short fiction appears in the anthologies "Behind the Revolving Door, Volume 1" and "Ruth and Ann's Guide to Time Travel, Volume 1." Her stories “Peppina’s Sweetheart” and “Grass and Granite” are available for Kindle. On her journalist side, Joanne worked as a longtime editor of prize-winning news and features for newspapers and public media. She lives in Philadelphia, where she indulges her love for home design and walks regularly at a nearby arboretum.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 1, 2026
Not only does Mimi (aka. M. Irene Jones) witness her ex sister-in-law, Nell, shoot her husband in anger, so does everyone else at the wedding. Even though only one of the bullets grazed his arm that night, Nell becomes an immediate suspect days later when her husband is found shot to death in his car. To find out who killed her friend and why, Mimi begins an investigation into what’s actually going on inside her ex-husband’s family unit.
I’ve never read a novel broken into 5 acts before but Joanne manages it masterfully. The timeline, characters, and mystery itself make the story engaging and easy to read. I love her mysteries and can’t wait to read more.
I received an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
I’ve never read a novel broken into 5 acts before but Joanne manages it masterfully. The timeline, characters, and mystery itself make the story engaging and easy to read. I love her mysteries and can’t wait to read more.
I received an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 16, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of *Murder in Act One*. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
I really enjoyed the setup of *Murder in Act One*. Mimi Jones is attending her ex-husband Daniel’s wedding as his best woman, which is already awkward enough considering she also has to spend the day surrounded by her former in-laws. Add her new partner, Detective Mike Quinn, into the mix and there is plenty of tension before the mystery even begins.
The wedding itself quickly becomes much more dramatic than expected, with accusations of plagiarism and infidelity, family arguments and even gunfire. Then, only days later, Mimi’s former brother-in-law is found murdered, leaving behind a family full of secrets and plenty of people who might have wanted him dead.
I liked Mimi as an amateur investigator. She is a poetry professor rather than someone with professional investigative experience, and I enjoyed the contrast between her literary background and Mike’s police work. She is curious and persistent without feeling impossibly brilliant, which made her easy to follow.
The family dynamics were probably my favourite part. Almost everyone seems to have some kind of grievance or secret, and the wedding gives the story a naturally chaotic starting point. I also liked the theatre and literary elements, especially the plagiarism storyline, because they made the mystery feel a little different from a standard cosy murder.
The mystery itself is clever and there are enough suspects to keep things interesting, although the overall tone is much more cosy than tense. I also think readers who have already read the first Mimi Jones book will probably get slightly more from the character relationships, particularly between Mimi and Mike.
Overall, *Murder in Act One* was a witty and entertaining cosy mystery with an unusual literary angle, messy family relationships and a likeable central character. I enjoyed trying to work out who was lying and why, and I would happily spend more time with Mimi in another mystery.
I really enjoyed the setup of *Murder in Act One*. Mimi Jones is attending her ex-husband Daniel’s wedding as his best woman, which is already awkward enough considering she also has to spend the day surrounded by her former in-laws. Add her new partner, Detective Mike Quinn, into the mix and there is plenty of tension before the mystery even begins.
The wedding itself quickly becomes much more dramatic than expected, with accusations of plagiarism and infidelity, family arguments and even gunfire. Then, only days later, Mimi’s former brother-in-law is found murdered, leaving behind a family full of secrets and plenty of people who might have wanted him dead.
I liked Mimi as an amateur investigator. She is a poetry professor rather than someone with professional investigative experience, and I enjoyed the contrast between her literary background and Mike’s police work. She is curious and persistent without feeling impossibly brilliant, which made her easy to follow.
The family dynamics were probably my favourite part. Almost everyone seems to have some kind of grievance or secret, and the wedding gives the story a naturally chaotic starting point. I also liked the theatre and literary elements, especially the plagiarism storyline, because they made the mystery feel a little different from a standard cosy murder.
The mystery itself is clever and there are enough suspects to keep things interesting, although the overall tone is much more cosy than tense. I also think readers who have already read the first Mimi Jones book will probably get slightly more from the character relationships, particularly between Mimi and Mike.
Overall, *Murder in Act One* was a witty and entertaining cosy mystery with an unusual literary angle, messy family relationships and a likeable central character. I enjoyed trying to work out who was lying and why, and I would happily spend more time with Mimi in another mystery.
September 1, 2026
Readers know that murder mysteries are fun! Especially well-written, intricately plotted, character-driven, and intelligent ones like Joanne McLaughlin’s Murder in Act One. I enjoyed reading about Mary Irene (Mimi) Jones's second foray as an amateur sleuth when her ex-brother-in-law is found murdered on a lonely stretch of road near the Philadelphia International Airport. So many suspects, so many eccentric, dysfunctional family dynamics to contend with! I love it!
I love it when I can learn a few tidbits about Shakespeare’s plays, poetry writing, and amateur crime-solving techniques along the way. McLaughlin has a witty way of developing her characters and their relationships, including the four-legged furry characters. There is just the right amount of spice and heat in the amorous relationship between Mimi’s police detective colleague and friend. I live in the Philadelphia area, so that added yet another level of enjoyment to my reading of this book. I look forward to reading more novels by Joanne McLaughlin!
I love it when I can learn a few tidbits about Shakespeare’s plays, poetry writing, and amateur crime-solving techniques along the way. McLaughlin has a witty way of developing her characters and their relationships, including the four-legged furry characters. There is just the right amount of spice and heat in the amorous relationship between Mimi’s police detective colleague and friend. I live in the Philadelphia area, so that added yet another level of enjoyment to my reading of this book. I look forward to reading more novels by Joanne McLaughlin!
October 1, 2026
A murder mystery where the main female character is strong and ready to engage her mind.
It begins with wedding mayhem. This wedding has been postponed many times, ex unpleasant in-laws followed by a shooting by a disgruntled wife of a philandering husband.
A murder followed by many red herrings, messy characters with enmeshed histories with a side of family dysfunction.
It concludes with a very satisfying bang.
If you were brought up as the daughter who was expected not to panic in a crisis and come up with immediate solutions M Irene Jones is the woman for you and therefore this book is for you.
It begins with wedding mayhem. This wedding has been postponed many times, ex unpleasant in-laws followed by a shooting by a disgruntled wife of a philandering husband.
A murder followed by many red herrings, messy characters with enmeshed histories with a side of family dysfunction.
It concludes with a very satisfying bang.
If you were brought up as the daughter who was expected not to panic in a crisis and come up with immediate solutions M Irene Jones is the woman for you and therefore this book is for you.
September 14, 2026
3.75 Stars
In the beginning I was confused and couldn't seem to keep anything straight, the characters, the plot etc. I realized that this was the second book in a series, and although this wasn't a sequel per se, I would probably have been able to understand things better and more quickly had I read the first book, A Poetic Puzzle, before this one, That being said, I ended up liking this book quite a bit and thought that the author is a skilled writer. I am actually going to read A Poetic Puzzle because I liked the characters in this book so well.
In the beginning I was confused and couldn't seem to keep anything straight, the characters, the plot etc. I realized that this was the second book in a series, and although this wasn't a sequel per se, I would probably have been able to understand things better and more quickly had I read the first book, A Poetic Puzzle, before this one, That being said, I ended up liking this book quite a bit and thought that the author is a skilled writer. I am actually going to read A Poetic Puzzle because I liked the characters in this book so well.
October 13, 2026
How do you beat the murder allegations when everyone saw you shoot (and only barely injure) your husband? Only for him to end up murdered a few days later. Don’t worry, Mimi is on the case! This was such an interesting writing style! The entire story was broken up into five acts, obviously to go along with the title, and it played out beautifully! It was easy to follow and I loved the character development throughout. This was such a fun and engaging read!
Thank you so much Joanne McLaughlin and Netgalley for my gifted arc in exchange for my honest review!
Thank you so much Joanne McLaughlin and Netgalley for my gifted arc in exchange for my honest review!
September 2, 2026
McLaughlin’s novel Murder in Act One is an intriguing addition to her Mimi Jones series. Mimi Jones, the young college professor, is relentless at uncovering clues that most miss. The unexpected twists keeps you thinking. The ending is surprising and cleverly orchestrated. A third Mimi Jones mystery is quite possible. As well as a great read, this would make a fabulous mini series mini series on Netflix or Hulu
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews