One Death at a Time
By Abbi Waxman
ISBN 9780593816677
Author’s website: abbiwaxman.com
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie
Synopsis:
A cranky former actress teams up with her Gen Z sobriety sponsor to solve the murder that threatens to send her back to prison in this dazzling new mystery novel from the USA Today bestselling author of The Bookish Life of Nina Hill.
When Julia Mann, a bad-tempered ex-actress and professional thorn in the side of authority, runs into Natasha Mason at an AA meeting, it’s anything but a meet-cute. Julia just found a dead body in her swimming pool, and the cops say she did it (she already went to jail for murder once, so now they think she’s making a habit of it). Mason is eager to clear Julia’s name and help keep her sober, but all Julia wants is for Mason to leave her alone.
As their investigation ranges from the Hollywood Hills to the world of burlesque to the country clubs of Palm Springs, this unconventional team realizes their shared love of sarcasm and poor life choices are proving to be a powerful combination. Will secrets from their past trip them up, or will their team of showgirls, cat burglars, and Hollywood agents help them stay one step ahead? Are dead piranhas, false noses, and a giant martini glass important clues or simply your typical day in Los Angeles? And will they manage to solve the crime before they kill each other, or worse, fall off the wagon? Trying to keep it simple and take it easy is one thing—trying to find a murderer before they kill again is a whole other program.
Review:
What a fabulous, fast-paced mystery! This would be a great start to a series, because I would like to see more of these are characters. The mystery is challenging, and I couldn’t figure out the killer(s)’s identity. The main characters are highly engaging, their conversations including much sarcastic banter. For Julia, a former big-name actress to accept – and invite – the Gen Z, college dropout Mason, into her life so quickly was remarkable. They are complex, strong women with hidden scars contributing to their strength.
Julia introduces Natasha Mason, who goes by Mason, to a world beyond the several part-time jobs that help pay her rent. The movie industry in SoCal can seem fascinating until they see the truth behind the scenes.
Mason and Julia meet for the first time at a recovery group. Mason has been sober for three years, and Julia is coming back after having wreaked inevitable havoc on a long bender. Mason is fascinated by Julia’s account of why she is there. Julia had come to from a blackout and found Tony, the head of her former studio, dead in her pool with no idea what happened. She was then in a car chase in her Lamborghini in an impressive, laugh-out-loud police encounter. The arresting officer wasn’t laughing.
When Julia was much younger, she was in prison, charged with killing her husband. She still maintains her innocence. Police assume that if she killed before, she probably killed again. She has to attend meetings and stop drinking again as the investigation begins. The group facilitator suggested Julia get an interim sponsor until she chooses a regular sponsor. Despite being less than half Julia’s age, Mason volunteered, and promised to visit Julia the next day.
Julia had many irons in the fire for an active alcoholic. She had not acted in movies for many years, having obtained a law degree while in prison. She especially works for those without means, giving them fair representation and fighting on their behalf. Her motley crew includes Will, five years sober, who does her research. Claudia, her housekeeper, has been a close friend since they met in prison. Archie, a junior partner in her attorney’s firm, is filling in for Larry, recovering from open heart surgery. Add Mason, whose sarcasm, intelligence, and grit rivals Julia’s and Will’s. She becomes Julia’s new assistant.
Julia acquired a new case even as she deals with her own. Becky, the daughter of a friend who died in prison, is accused of murder. Becky was out cold when her very best friend was murdered where they worked. The murder could be related to acquaintances from her acting career, so we learn of Julia’s acting career, her best-known movie, and the remake in which they want her to act.
Both cases take Mason to parts of California she has never seen. She and others receive death threats. She is tested in ways she has never been before. Yet, for the first time in a very long time, she hasn’t been depressed since becoming an interim sponsor, helping search for killers, and keeping Julia active in meetings.
The mysteries were complex, and it was a race to attempt to clear both Julia and Becky from being prime suspects. Time and pages flew. I was written so well, I felt as if I were, at times, with them. Suspects came and went, and I’m not sure why I discounted the killer(s) while settling for red herrings. It was a shock to see who really committed the murders, especially when an unexpected letter surfaced.
This was an excellent read. Some booksellers have categorized this as a cozy mystery, but cozies contain little to no profanity. There is an excessive use of f-bombs that distracted me even as I tried to scan past them. Without them, it would be perfect. Hope comes slips in through the pages, for Julia, Becky, Mason, and even Claudia. Hope for their future endeavors, and for Mason, a sense of purpose and belonging. I highly recommend this novel, and hope to see more of their story!
