REVIEW: One Death at a Time by Abbi Waxman

JayneB Reviews / Book Reviewsactor/actress / alcoholism / Contemporary / found family / Los Angeles / murder mystery2 Comments

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.

CW/TR – Many characters are addicts, mostly alcoholics. Suicide, #MeToo Hollywood stuff mentioned.

Dear Ms. Waxman,

I’ve read other reviews which say that most of the characters in this book are not warm and fuzzy people and that they’re hard to like. Fair enough, in my opinion. But as I get older I’m discovering that I like female characters who don’t give a fuck. Both Julia and Mason (first name Natasha but she goes by her last name) are such women. There are also a few more such characters in the book but Julia and Mason are the leading no-fucks-to-give people here.

There is a lot that goes on in this story. Maybe the plot got a little bit too complex with a few too many characters. I found myself having to stop a few times to remember who is who when they popped up in a scene. There’s also a weird fixation on describing hand movements.

Both Julia and Mason are tough people but also vulnerable. They are alcoholics and as shown in the first chapter sobriety meeting, they know the depths that this addiction can lead them to. Something about Julia gets Mason to volunteer to be her sobriety sponsor even before Mason realizes who Julia is. Once Mason is drawn into Julia’s influence though, it’s usually Julia calling the shots. Though to be fair – and I like that this was included in the book – Mason encourages Julia to attend meetings with her to help deal with some of the emotions that are springing out from this case and the people in Julia’s life.

but it’s amazing what a motivator massive unfairness can be, then I came out and discovered practicing law was a good way to exact revenge on a system run by the powerful at the expense of the . . .”

“Powerless?” asked Mason.

“Not even. At the expense of everyone.

Julia knows that being innocent is no bar to being convicted and sent to jail. It’s there that she gets straight, gets her law degree, and meets some ladies who will be important in the book. Having given up her acting career – well, being in jail for murder kind of does that anyway – she now takes on cases for people who are already pegged by Authority as guilty and/or don’t have the money for top-notch legal help. Julia must get money from somewhere, though I don’t recall that this is ever really clarified, though as she certainly tosses enough of it around. Or maybe it’s karma, from her legal assistance, in action funneling it to her.

Now that I’m sober I don’t know what I want to do when I grow up. Not entirely sure I even want to grow up. But this is good, working for you. You’re kind of mean, but it’s been interesting as hell so far.”

Julia laughed. “I’m not mean. I’m just blunt.”

Mason doesn’t have much of a filter between her brain and her mouth and Julia frankly doesn’t care what people think so they’re a fun duo to follow in action. Julia knows the mighty, the lowly, and the in-between as well as having Hollywood contacts and chutzpah. Her designer couture wardrobe and garage full of classic vintage cars are great additions to the story as well.

The first murder is soon joined by another which is eventually followed by a suicide – though most of this person’s friends seriously doubt that they pulled the trigger. Julia’s instincts and bravado carry much of the day but watching Julia and Mason begin to bond is the main draw for me. As I said, the plot is intricate and at times I lost a thread or two before it got picked up again. There are many moving parts and (as I also said) a lot of characters to keep track of.

When the killer is revealed, I was a little surprised but given the number of red herrings and possible suspects I feel I’m justified in that. I’ll also be honest and admit that using villain exposition to explain the whys and wherefores kind of means there weren’t really enough clues for us playing along at home to follow and get the correct answer. I do have a few questions.

I also worry that Mason, who has gotten out from under her mother’s thumb, is at risk of Julia taking that woman’s place in ordering Mason around. Also this isn’t the same Phil from “Nina Hill” is it?

I liked this as a change from the usual contemporary romance I’m used to seeing from you but yeah, it’s a bit chaotic, a bit long, and has a few too many characters to easily keep track of. But I like the prickly ladies and agree that Tony had it coming. If there’s a sequel, I will be up for trying it. B

~Jayne

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