Book Summary and Reviews of One Death at a Time by Abbi Waxman

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Suzi S. (The Villages, FL)

An engaging mystery
This was a fun read that went from a Los Angeles AA meeting to the Hollywood Hills and the characters that inhabit them. Mason starts off as a tough cookie who is determined to get actress Julia on the path to sobriety. But before she can start her mission, Mason finds herself working as Julia's assistant and yep, Julia is accused of murder!

The relationship between the two, along with a cast of unique characters, made this a book I couldn't put down. Their crazy antics, their unlikely friendship, and the glimpses into Hollywood life combined to make this book a winner.

Wendy A. (Naperville, IL)

A fun read
I enjoyed reading One Death at a Time. This was a fast paced book with fun over-the-top characters based in Hollywood. An aging former movie star (Julia Mann) and her AA sponsor (Natasha Mason) are on the trail of solving a murder that Julia has been accused of committing. This is a cozy with many great, offbeat characters with a believable resolution. I hope this becomes a series! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Ruthie A. (Jersey City, NJ)

A Fun Ride!
Author Abbie Waxman is new to me. I was looking for a non-stressful read, and this novel was truly engaging. The novel itself feels like an old school Hollywood movie, with mansions, burlesque, prison, and many interesting settings.

The characters are each very distinct and well rounded. The plot moves along very quickly and is very engaging. Mason meets Julia at an AA meeting and a fraught relationship begins. Throw in a mystery and we are off! I most enjoyed Julia's character, a former actress turned lawyer, she can be dramatic, rude and haughty, and also loyal and caring, but most of all she is fearless!

This was a very enjoyable read. Hopefully Julia, Mason and the gang will all be back for more adventures!

Becky D. (Gloucester, VA)

Like sorbet between the courses of a large meal!
This is the premise of Abbi Waxman's "One Death at a Time". A young, by the book AA member (Natasha) accepts the challenge of being a temporary sponsor of an aging, cranky, famous and former actor (Julia) who does not feel she needs her help. But she needs someone's help.

Someone (her ex business associate) was killed at her house and she knows/remembers nothing since she was in an alcoholic blackout.
Julia's past history complicated matters further as she was convicted of murdering her ex husband and served a prison sentence for that. Once she was released, she quit acting and got her law degree.
When Natasha shows up at Julia's house for her first sponsor meeting she is offered a job as her personal assistant/investigator. Her's had just quit.
Let the games begin!
This was a fun, rollicking read. The characters, even with their flaws, were likable and add to the story arc.
If it has to be put in a genre I would say a cozy mystery with an edge. It has a fair amount of F-bombs, lots of sarcasm and unscrupulous activities going on. And to top it off, this 'edge' is skillfully interwoven with trying to find out who killed Tony so Julia won't have to go to prison again. This does not give the reader a chance to settle down and get all comfortable and cozy in their chair.

After a year of reading some fairly serious topics, this was a refreshing and entertaining read.

Thank you BookBrowse!

Claire M. (Wrentham, MA)

One Death at a TIme, Two for the Road
One Death at Time wears its heart on its sleeve. The story opens into a group discussion where intimate details of personal struggles are brought forward in fits and starts, the propulsive beat of the plot begins to build momentum and never stops. In fact, half the action takes place racing around in classic cars and high-end vintage designer clothes with witty dialogue and Los Angeles as the backdrop. Abbi Waxman presents a funny, contemporary madcap romp with edge.

Irresistible characters dash across the page non-stop. When legendary Oscar winner Julia Mann offers temporary sponsor Natasha Mason a job as her as personal assistant it's clear there is more to both these women than meets the eye. An eclectic team of Hollywood writers, agents, and investigators race to find the killer who set up Julia Mann and there are more plot twists than impressive housekeeper Claudia can conjure in pastry. With side excursions to Palm Springs and the underside of burlesque theater, more characters are piled onto the investigative mayhem.

None of this would add up to much if not for the engaging intelligence and vulnerability of Mason and Julia. Mentor and mentee, sponsor and sponsee, they trade roles back and forth as they work together. There is no generational divide as they focus on finding the truth for Julia and saving others from injustice. This team is on a roll and we will hopefully read more of their investigative adventures.

Betcei B. (Huntsville, AL)

Be prepared to Laugh
Abbi Waxman has written a hilarious romp of a mystery. I laughed out loud numerous times at the antics of Mason becoming an investigator for Julia when all Mason was supposed to be doing was sponsoring Julia in AA. The book takes you through the streets, hills and desert of Los Angeles, into the lives of the rich and famous and why someone just might want a bunch of them dead. Mason is tough, but her innocence in the ways of the wealthy reminds the reader that we too would have the same questions about what is going on. Take the entire weekend for this delightful book.

Thank you to Net galley and Bookbrowse for this advance ecopy.

...9 more reader reviews

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