ONE DEATH AT A TIME by Abbi Waxman follows Julia Mann, a Hollywood legend and recovering alcoholic with a criminal past, who finds herself in a tough spot—there’s a dead Hollywood studio owner floating in her pool. Then there’s Natasha Mason, a 25-year-old underemployed, recovering addict who meets Julia at a 12-step meeting. When Mason agrees to become Julia’s sponsor to help keep her sober while facing a murder charge, she has no idea what she’s getting into. Julia is a force to be reckoned with, and with a team of quirky, highly capable misfits helping her clear her name, Mason’s life is about to take a wild turn.
As if Julia’s murder case weren’t enough, a young man knocks on their door, asking for help for his sister—a burlesque dancer accused of murdering her best friend. As Julia and Mason begin their investigation, they uncover that many of the suspects are tied to a remake of one of Julia’s old films, The Codex. From directors and producers to actors and assistants, no one is off-limits. And with the “Codex Curse” looming over them, Julia, Mason, and their team must stay vigilant—someone is determined to sabotage their investigation and will stop at nothing to do so.
ONE DEATH AT A TIME is a fast-paced, action-packed mystery with humor, sarcasm, and plenty of twists. Julia’s handpicked team of highly intelligent, quirky investigators makes solving the crime a team effort. Though Mason and Julia often spar with each other, there’s a mutual respect that keeps them grounded. Set against the backdrop of Hollywood’s cutthroat industry, the story is full of larger-than-life egos, fierce competition, and backstabbing. There are humorous moments, like a golf cart chase in Palm Springs, and thrilling moments like a car pursuit through Los Angeles, that will keep readers entertained. At the same time, the story weaves in more serious themes of murder, regret, and redemption. Mason and Julia are flawed but unapologetic, and together, they make an unbeatable team—fighting for justice, clearing the wrongly accused, and taking on Hollywood’s most nefarious players.
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.