Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ (4.5/5)
Hello friends! I’ve got another fun audiobook review for you, and this time it’s a good old-fashioned whodunit with a fresh, romantic twist. I finished Without a Clue by Melissa Ferguson, a little over a month ago, and now with the release just days away, I am so excited to share it with you, and I have to say, it was such a fun and clever story! I received the audiobook from NetGalley, published by Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio, and narrated by Karissa Vacker. A big thank-you to Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen early!
Friends- This story takes readers on an “author cruise,” filled with book lovers, workshops, and mystery writers mingling at sea. Tell me you wouldn’t want to be on this cruise. It’s the perfect setting for this story! Our main character, Penelope (or “Pip”), is one of the organizers of this event, with seven authors aboard; this trip is going to be a reader’s paradise! Until things take a shocking turn. Pip’s mentor, the famous mystery writer Hugh Griffin, is found dead. When the ship’s investigators turn out to be less than competent, Pip decides to take matters into her own hands. And of course, she’s not completely on her own—enter Nash, the newest (and very handsome) member of the Fabulous 7 author group, who quickly becomes her partner in sleuthing. Together, they try to piece together clues before the killer strikes again.
The story kept me hooked from start to finish. I loved the cruise setting, the behind-the-scenes look at author life, and the mix of humor, heart, and suspense. Best of all, I was completely fooled! I didn’t guess who the killer was until the very end, which is always a win in any mystery for me!
The audiobook was excellent. Karissa Vacker’s narration really pulled me into the story and helped keep the tension (and fun) going the entire time. She gave each character a distinct voice and made the mystery feel even more cinematic. I honestly felt like I was on the cruise with Pip, trying to solve the mystery myself.
I don’t want to give anything away because the story really was that good. So I won’t. But I will say if you’re a fan of cozy romantic mysteries with a clever twist, Without a Clue is a great pick for your next weekend read (or listen!). Grab your favorite notebook and see if you can figure out who murdered Hugh before Pip does.
I think you’ll have a blast trying!
Happy listening, friends!
Purchase the audiobook and support your local bookseller: https://www.libro.fm/audiobooks/9780840716934