“i guess all i can say is, nash fills a specific place in my life that nobody else can, and when he’s not around, a part of my life is lacking.”
melissa ferguson
Series: Standalone
Release Date: February 17th 2026
Publisher: Thomas Nelson Fiction
Genre: Adult Fiction | Contemporary Romance | Cozy Mystery
Page Count: 336
Source: I received a review copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Thank you!
Goodreads Summary: When a mystery writer mysteriously dies on a cruise filled with rabid fans, his protégé (and personal assistant) teams up with a rugged cowboy and fellow writer to crack the case. One part Only Murders in the Building, one part Book Lovers, and a whole lot of laughs, Without a Clue will keep readers guessing and swooning until the very end.
If there’s one thing Penelope Mae Dupont prizes most, it’s her composure–her ability to stay calm in the face of stress. It’s a vital trait in her job as a personal assistant to renowned mystery author Hugh Griffin. But when Pip organizes a book cruise featuring The Fabulous Seven–seven celebrated authors from different genres who have supported each other through thick and thin–her famed composure is in danger of sailing away. One boat, hundreds of devoted readers, and seven Big Personalities. What could possibly go wrong?
Disaster strikes when, on the second day of the cruise, Hugh is found murdered. And, in the face of gross incompetence by the on-board security force, Pip realizes she’ll need to be the one to discover who did it. With the ship stranded in the middle of the Atlantic and no help on the horizon, it’s up to her to unravel the mystery. Along with her friend Nash–a dreamy Western author who’s just as rugged as the cowboys he writes about. As Pip’s composure starts to sink faster than a leaky dinghy, Nash becomes her anchor in a storm of clues and red herrings.
With Nash at her side, Penelope dives into the murky depths of the mystery, navigating treacherous waters filled with unexpected twists and turns. No one, not even a desperately hopeful mystery sleuth named Pip, could anticipate the wild ride ahead. Whether she likes it or not, she is on the adventure of a lifetime . . . and maybe, just maybe, she’ll find love along the way.
In this laugh-out-loud funny Clue-meets-Emily-Henry rom-com, Penelope Mae Dupont is about to find out that in the world of mystery and romance, you have to risk going overboard to find the truth.
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Thoughts:
this book absolutely delivers its promise of clue-meets-emily-henry rom-com. with a colorful cast of 7 hugely popular authors who are experts in their respective fields, this whodunit was filled with hilarious moments as the FMC attempts to solve her boss’s murder. ferguson is a pro at creating quirky, distinct characters, and the slightly campy feel to the Magnificent Seven suited the vibe of this book so well. following the format of a classic mystery novel, this book pays homage to its predecessors in a charming plot that will have the reader giggling at the recognized subtleties. the backdrop of a bookish cruise delivered the perfect setting for a cozy mystery and will leave every reader pining for the reality (minus the murder). the romance was sweet, capturing the movement from friends to lovers effortlessly. and if you are more of an audiobook person, i highly recommend giving this book a listen as the narrator delivers its humor perfectly and captures each character’s distinct personality.
Rating:
wings and fables 