Without a Clue by Melissa Ferguson is a murder mystery. Pip’s boss is murdered while on a writer’s cruise, and she needs to find the killer.
When I read the synopsis for Without A Clue, I knew I would love this book. Then, of course, I got nervous that the book would fall flat. This book did not disappoint! From the opening chapter, I knew I would love these characters and this story. The narrator’s voice and the way she voiced all the characters were top-notch. Without A Clue is a cozy murder mystery novel with some romcom vibes. You’ll love Pip and her gang of writers she’s in charge of during the writer’s cruise.
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Without A Clue Overview
Title: Without A Clue
Author: Melissa Ferguson
Pages: 336 Pages
Publish Date: February 17th, 2026
Genre: Romance and Cozy Mystery
My Star Rating: 5/5 stars! (I loved this book and would recommend it to everyone!)
Grab Your Copy Here: https://amzn.to/4rmkXVX
Synopsis from Amazon
Penelope Mae Dupont has one superpower: keeping her cool. Which is essential when you’re the personal assistant to renowned mystery author Hugh Griffin. But when Pip organizes a luxury book cruise featuring The Fabulous Seven–a glittering cast of seven bestselling authors known for both their brilliance and their drama–her trademark composure starts slipping. One boat. Seven egos. Hundreds of fans. What could possibly go wrong?
Well . . . murder, for starters.
On day two, Hugh is found dead–and the cruise security team proves to be utterly incompetent. Stranded in the middle of the Atlantic with no help in sight, Pip realizes if anyone’s going to solve the case, it’ll have to be her. And so, with her friend and ally Nash, the dreamy Western author who’s just as rugged as the cowboys he writes about, she puts her amateur sleuthing skills to the test.
As Pip and Nash navigate an ocean of secrets, shocking twists, and one too many red herrings, she’ll have to decide whether she’s meant to stay behind the scenes–or finally step into the spotlight . . . and maybe, just maybe, find love along the way.
My Review of Without a Clue
First off, thank you to Melissa Ferguson, Net Galley, and Thomas Nelson Fiction for an advanced listening copy of Without a Clue. I really enjoyed listening to this book.
Do you ever wish you could find a murder mystery audiobook that you can listen to while doing housework or driving without feeling anxious? Without a Clue is a cozy murder mystery that never makes you feel like the murder is a REAL threat to you or the narrator. This vibe was all I needed to start my year off right. Additionally, the narrator does a fantastic job of portraying the diverse voices of all the characters.
Pip is an assistant to a mystery novelist, Hugh Griffin, who loves sending her on random quests to see what a normal person does in certain situations. When the author ends up dead on a cruise, Pip must figure out who murdered him and why.
I loved learning about all the characters, their quirks, and how different they all were, but they remained a group. My favorite side characters are Hugh and Nash. Nash is the perfect love interest in this book because, while he does help Pip solve the murder, he also goes out of his way to make sure she feels safe. There’s something so sexy about a man who makes you feel safe in dangerous situations.
If you are looking for a cozy murder mystery with a little bit of romance (no spice) that’s full of quirky and funny characters, then you need to check out Without A Clue! It’s the perfect book to read when you want to escape into a book with low stakes.
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Final Thoughts
If you have the opportunity to read Without A Clue by Melissa Ferguson, you should read it! I loved this book so much, and I know you will too. If you want a funny and cozy murder mystery with a little dash of romance, then this book is for you. If you have any questions about this book or some comments about this review, let me know in the comments below. I love hearing from all of you!
Lastly, if you enjoyed this review, share it on your social media. I appreciate all the love and support.
Thanks for Reading,
Kel
