Title: It Happened One Murder
Author: Liz Lawson
Publication Date: May 26, 2026
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Format Read: Kindle e-ARC (playing catch-up)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Romance
It Happened One Murder is a catchy title, right? That’s a large part of why I chose to read this book by Liz Lawson. The synopsis also gave me cozy/romance vibes, and I’ve apparently been trying to insert some more romance into my reading for a while now. So here we are.
Harriet Baker is living back home with her mother and stepfather on Logan Island after being fired from her dream job. Two key things happen at the birthday party her mother insists on throwing her: she runs into an old fling she’d ghosted, and her stepfather ends up murdered. The person accused just happens to be the sister of this old fling, whose name is Nic. They will have to team up if they are to clear an innocent woman’s name. They’ll both have to learn to move beyond the past and work together if they’re to succeed.
This was a pretty cute little mystery/romance overall. Harriet’s stepfather was an awful person, so there were really plenty of potential suspects and motives. The author threw in a couple of red herrings, the first of which I sniffed out as such, but the second one admittedly got me. I was definitely surprised when I learned who the real killer was. I enjoyed Harriet and Nic as characters and their evolving relationship. The romance was present, but it definitely took a backseat to the mystery, as it should’ve, although I would’ve liked more of it. I liked best how Harriet and Nic figured out how to handle things once the murderer was identified. It was a bit of a stretch, but a fun one, in my opinion.
Themes touched upon were family loyalty, second chances, small-town secrets, corruption, truth and accountability, and the complications caused by mixing personal feelings with an investigation. The writing in the story is fast-paced, conversational, and dialogue-driven, with first-person, present-tense narration from Nic and Harriet in their own chapters. The prose is straightforward and easy to read, while the characters’ inner commentary and banter keep the murder mystery light and humorous. Clues and exposition are often delivered through conversation, making the increasingly tangled plot easy to follow.
It Happened One Murder is a cozy-adjacent mystery with splashes of romance. It was a relatively quick and easy read that kept me guessing until the identity of the murderer was revealed. This is one I’d definitely recommend to cozy mystery lovers or to romance readers who maybe want to dip their toes into a slightly different genre.
Nerd Rating: 🤓🤓🤓— A light, cozy-adjacent mystery with a splash of romance.
What My Nerd Ratings Mean
🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓 5 Nerds: I loved it and enthusiastically recommend it.
🤓🤓🤓🤓 4 Nerds: I really liked it, with only minor things keeping it from being a new favorite.
🤓🤓🤓 3 Nerds: I liked it. Some elements may not have fully worked for me, but I still found plenty to appreciate.
Click here to find out more about It Happened One Murder and Liz Lawson.
Let’s Discuss:
Do you prefer your cozy mysteries with a little romance, or would you rather the mystery remain the sole focus?
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I read a digital copy made available by Sourcebooks Landmark through NetGalley, and this review reflects my honest opinion.
A mystery that gives you cozy romance vibes!? Say no more!
Right? It was such a fun combination! I do wish there had been a little more romance, but the mystery kept me guessing. 😊