In Jenny Elder Moke's funny and romantic first novel for adults, She Doesn't Have a Clue, a mystery author must tap into her protagonist's skill set to save a life and her reputation. When Kate Valentine receives a courtesy invitation to her former fiancé turned current editor's wedding, she's ready to say no. Then the bride-to-be's fabulously wealthy and famously hellish aunt, Rebecca Hempstead, sends her a personal note urging her to attend. What mystery lover could say no?
Unfortunately, Kate discovers she's in for much worse than awkwardly sipping champagne at her ex's nuptials. Soon she's framed for the (attempted) murder of said ex-fiancé's new bride, Kennedy--while staying at Kennedy's family's taxidermy-filled mansion on a remote island, no less--and stuck with The One Who Got Away, Australian adventure guide and fellow author Jake. Kennedy survives, and everyone is determined to pretend she simply fell ill so they can carry on with the wedding. As a storm descends on the island, however, Kate and Jake discover another body.
This fast-paced novel is packed with suspects: scheming Hempstead family members, disgruntled authors, and love interests old and new. Unlike Loretta Starling, the star of her mystery series, Kate is not a skilled sleuth. Indeed, the charm of this novel lies in Kate's fumbles, her ill-timed reconciliation with Jake, and her journey from supporting actor to main character in her own life.
Readers who enjoy bumbling amateur detectives, second-chance romances, and Glass Onion vibes will want to pick this up. --Suzanne Krohn, librarian