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I Only Read Murder: A Novel (Miranda Abbott Mystery, 1) Paperback – February 27, 2024

by Will Ferguson (Author), Ian Ferguson (Author)
3.8 3.8 out of 5 stars 112 ratings
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“Strap in for a hilarious and satisfying ride.” —Terry Fallis, bestselling author of Operation Angus

A once-famous TV sleuth
An amateur theater production
An onstage murder
A town full of suspects…

Miranda Abbott, once known for the crime-solving, karate-chopping church pastor she played on network television, has hit hard times. She’s facing ruin when a mysterious postcard arrives, summoning her to Happy Rock, a small town in the Pacific Northwest. But when she gets there, nothing is what she expected.

In dire straits, she signs up for an amateur production at the Happy Rock Little Theater. On opening night, one of the actors is murdered, live, in front of the audience. But no one actually saw what happened. Now everyone is under a cloud of suspicion, including the town doctor, the high school drama teacher, an oil-stained car mechanic, an elderly gentleman who may have been in the CIA—and Miranda herself.

Clearly, the only way to solve this mystery is for Miranda to summon her skills as television’s Pastor Fran. Because the show must go on!

Miranda Abbott Mystery

Book 1: I Only Read Murder by Will Ferguson and Ian Ferguson
Book 2: Mystery in the Title by Ian Ferguson and Will Ferguson
Book 2: Mystery in the Title by Will Ferguson and Ian Ferguson
Read more Read less
Previous page
  1. Book 1 of 2
    Miranda Abbott Mystery
  2. Print length
    304 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    MIRA
  5. Publication date
    February 27, 2024
  6. Dimensions
    5.31 x 0.75 x 8 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    0778369633
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0778369639
  9. See all details
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The Amazon Book Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now

From the Publisher

A once-famous TV sleuth An amateur theater production An onstage murder A town full of suspects...
"Hilarious and satisfying ride."-Terry Fallis, "try to solve who-and whydunit," Hannah Mary McKinnon
The show must go on

Editorial Reviews

Review

“The only thing better than one Ferguson is two. I thoroughly enjoyed this fun page-turner. It’s full of characters that will stay with you and a mystery that keeps you on the edge of your seat. In Miranda Abbott, the Fergusons have created a detective for the ages. Bravo!”
—Mark Critch, bestselling author of An Embarrassment of Critch’s


"I Only Read Murder is pure joy. The Ferguson dream team had me laughing from the opening curtain and I just never stopped. You're in the hands of two masterful storytellers in this sidesplitting whodunnit, chock-full of vivid and quirky characters. Strap in for a hilarious and satisfying ride.”
—Terry Fallis, two-time winner of the Leacock Medal for Humour

“A delightful romp of a read that will have you laughing out loud on every page. Miranda Abbott is the irreverent cozy mystery heroine we didn’t know we needed.”
—Bianca Marais, bestselling author of The Witches of Moonshyne Manor

“Two of our funniest writers team-up to write a perfect and perfectly fun mystery. Clever, charming and constantly surprising. A great read.”
—Mark Leiren-Young, Leacock Medal for Humour–winning author of Never Shoot a Stampede Queen

“I Only Read Murder is sure to make you laugh out loud while trying to solve who- and whydunit. Encore, please!”
—Hannah Mary McKinnon, internationally bestselling author of The Revenge List

"Terribly fun! Filled with eccentric characters you'll quickly fall in love with, and a puzzling plot you'll be desperate to solve."
—T.A. Willberg, author of the Marion Lane series

"The brothers Ferguson pull out all the comedic stops, taking on Hollywood elitism, community theater, and small-town quirkiness in a fast-paced, lighthearted murder mystery...readers will enjoy following the hilariously inept Miranda as she tries to solve the crime in this promising series starter."
—Booklist

"A charming new detective...[a] delightful new novel."
—Toronto Star

"One heck of a Cozy... A delightfully amusing whodunit... Gosh darn, it's a lot of fun."
—Winnipeg Free Press

"The Brothers Ferguson have produced a novel filled with fun, feel-good fare, with many a fine flourish, like multicolored tendrils of curled ribbons on a festive party-package bow. As for Miranda, she's a standing-O protagger: Encore 'n' brava!"
—David Marshall James

"A fun start to this new series, Miranda is written as an over-the-top, snotty Hollywood star, and has some great LOL moments. The supporting cast of quirky characters and the small town setting make for an enjoyable murder mystery."
—Red Carpet Crash

About the Author

WILL FERGUSON is a three-time winner of the Leacock Medal for Humour. His novels include 419, which won the Scotiabank Giller Prize, and The Finder, which won the 2021 Arthur Ellis Award for Crime Fiction. He lives in Calgary, Alberta.

IAN FERGUSON won the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour for Village of the Small Houses and is the co-author, with his brother, Will, of How to Be a Canadian. A writer and creative director in the film and television industry, he lives in Victoria, British Columbia.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ MIRA; Original edition (February 27, 2024)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 304 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0778369633
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0778369639
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8.3 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.31 x 0.75 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.8 3.8 out of 5 stars 112 ratings

About the author

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Ian Ferguson

Ian Ferguson

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Customer reviews

3.8 out of 5 stars
3.8 out of 5
112 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Alex B
4.0 out of 5 stars Great book!
Reviewed in the United States on April 11, 2024
Miranda Abbott, previously recognized for her role as a detective clergy on a major television series, finds herself in dire straits. At her lowest point, a cryptic postcard calls her to the secluded town of Happy Rock. There, she engages in a local theater's amateur play, where during a performance, a fellow actor is shockingly killed on stage, unnoticed by the audience. Miranda collaborates with a diverse group of eccentric local characters, channeling her on-screen persona to unravel the mystery.

The narrative offers a delightful and engaging experience, woven with unexpected plot turns that add depth to the story. The initial chapters are dedicated to the introduction of a complex cast, blending actual and fictional personas from the play. While the setup might initially seem slow, it's a foundational element that enriches the unfolding mystery, which only begins halfway through the book, accelerating the pace dramatically.

The setting is charmingly unusual, with the town’s proximity to the ocean giving it a secretive, almost reclusive vibe rather than one of glamour. Miranda's attraction to this peculiar place becomes more understandable as the plot progresses.

For readers in search of an entertaining mystery with a touch of whimsy, this novel is a perfect choice. It's a compelling read that makes me eager to explore more works from these authors.
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Welsh Corgi fan
5.0 out of 5 stars Very pleasant cozy mystery
Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2024
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I very much enjoyed this book. It was well written, and the authors have excellent turns of phrase particularly when describing characters. It is lighthearted but not trivial, and cozy without being saccharine.

The solution is not particularly original, but that doesn't really matter. The characters are engaging, the writing is good, and the scene convincing. The depiction of the town in which all the action is set is delightful. I'm not sure I would like living there, but it is nonetheless very appealing.

I highly recommend this book as an excellent escape into a comic world of fun characters. I am looking forward to the sequel!
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Jane Doe
3.0 out of 5 stars I enjoyed it - 3.5 stars
Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2024
Miranda Abbott is a diva who at one time was the star of a successful tv series. Now the best offer she receives is for a Metamucil commercial. So, when a cryptic note arrives from her husband, she heads to the small town of Happy Rock, Oregon – the place where they honeymooned and where she left him fifteen years ago. Little did she know she’d be walking into a new role that includes murder.

Miranda is a clueless, somewhat narcissistic woman who can also be lovable and thoughtful. I Only Read Murder is a tongue-in-cheek story that is filled with a variety of over-the-top characters, light humor, and a pretty good mystery as well. Although this book is billed as a cozy, it seems to be a step up from most books like this, in that the vocabulary is much better, the dialogue is quite good, and the descriptions of the quirky people and the location are very well-done.

I enjoyed I Only Read Murder and found it to be quite entertaining. It deserves 3.5 stars. Jo Jones is at loose ends when she finds out she has inherited an estate in England after the death of her mother. Newly divorced and not sure what to do next, investigating her new inheritance might be just what she needs. However, when she arrives she discovers a run-down estate, back taxes and, less than 48 hours after she arrives, a body in her living room.

Jo is an interesting character in that she is on the autism spectrum. As a result, she has trouble with social situations as well as a few quirks and preferences that sometimes she doesn’t even understand. Many of the other characters are somewhat unappealing or just plain sad, but their interactions are well-presented by the author. Besides Jo, Tula is a charmer and happily takes Jo under her wing, since they are both outsiders and Jo’s Welsh admirer, Gwilym, is a hoot.

Overall, I enjoyed The Framed Women of Ardemore House (the title makes sense when you read the book) although it took me awhile to adjust to the cadence of the story as well as some awkward sentences and transitions.

At times there was too much explaining and re-hashing of the facts and speculations, which gave the story a slower pace than I would have preferred. As a result, I found it difficult to remain attentive. Overall, this isn’t a bad book. It has interesting characters and a good plot. But, I think I would have enjoyed it more if it was a tighter story. NetGalley provided an advance copy.
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Juli S
4.0 out of 5 stars Fun!
Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2024
Miranda Abbott is a has been. She was once Pastor Fran, the title character of a top-rated television series. She portrayed a crime solving cleric that knew how to karate chop criminals. Nowadays, she can't even get on a reality show, The Real Has-Beens of Beverly Hills. She turns down the part of a grandmother in a "fiber supplement" commercial. Miranda receives a postcard from her long estranged husband, she assumes he wants to reconcile, and heads to Happy Rock, Oregon. Edgar, the husband, wants a divorce, but Miranda knows she can change his mind and decides to audition for a part in the local theater production, the same one they have been performing for the last ten years. Prior to opening night, one of the actors dies. Miranda is convinced that she was the real target and sets about solving the crime by becoming her Pastor Fran alter ego.

Miranda is not a likeable character, but I found that to be the fun of the book. She is self involved, and bossy. There is a large cast of supporting characters and everyone seems to be a suspect. The book starts out a little slow as the authors set up the backstory, but once the murder takes place the pace moves faster. The authors throw in some twists and turns to keep us guessing. I have read where there will be two more books in the series, I am looking forward to more of Miranda's sleuthing.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Harlequin Trade Publishing, for an ARC. The review is my own.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Lianne
5.0 out of 5 stars fun read. I loved it
Reviewed in Canada on August 22, 2023
Verified Purchase
really enjoyed this light hearted mystery. hope there is more.
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M
4.0 out of 5 stars Good book
Reviewed in Canada on February 18, 2024
Verified Purchase
Enjoyed
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Carolyn
3.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining and humorous crime story
Reviewed in Canada on August 23, 2023
Verified Purchase
3.5 Stars. I Only Read Murder is written by two Canadian authors who are brothers, Ian and Max Ferguson. They have written award-winning best sellers, both individually and together. This book can be classified as a cozy mystery, a category I seldom read. It is entertaining and humorous due to its self-absorbed and conceited Miranda Abbott.

She was previously famous as the star of a TV series, Pastor Fran, a bold crime-solving, karate-chopping parson. The show was written by her husband, Edgar. The show was cancelled, and her career tanked. Producers were no longer hiring her, but she still flaunted delusions of grandeur. Edgar was no longer interested in writing for TV and moved them to the small town of Happy Rock. He ran a bookstore that only stocked mysteries and became active in the community. Miranda found the town boring and considered the townspeople beneath her acclaim and glory. She left Edgar and returned to the city, aiming to regain her career but failed to be hired. She was running into debt.

She receives a cryptic postcard from Edgar and believes she is being summoned. Surely he wants to work with her again and must be writing a new TV series for her. To her shock and distress, he wants her to sign divorce papers. The townspeople's reaction to her arrogance is often amusing. The highlight entertainment is an amateur play that is put on annually. It is always the same drama, with participants acting in the same roles and always playing to a packed house. Miranda is humiliated that the people don't recognize her fame, but some remember Parson Fran fondly. Hoping to impress Edgar and postpone the divorce, she auditions for the lead role in the upcoming play. She fails to land the role. A murder occurs on stage in front of the audience. There were many suspects, including Miranda, who had a strong motive. She decides she must use the sleuthing skills of Parson Fran to save herself, but also Edgar, who has been arrested for the crime.

Along with Susan, who worked in the bookstore, she examines rumours about rivalries and
conflicts of those in the production. They find many of the players had motives to kill. At the closing, she gathers the crowd like an Agatha Christie mystery. She explains how each individual is not guilty and finally names the guilty party.
This is Number 1 in a Miranda Abbott series, and I want to try the next one.
One person found this helpful
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Anne
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful story
Reviewed in Canada on December 13, 2023
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I saw the writeup in the paper and ordered it--great story!
One person found this helpful
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Bookworm Magee
2.0 out of 5 stars Felt too much like work
Reviewed in Canada on February 28, 2024
Verified Purchase
I got 60 pages in before I set it aside. The protagonist, Miranda, grated on my nerves from page one, and my opinion of the character only got worse. When I found myself skimming, I knew these characters and the writing style were never going to sit well with me.
One person found this helpful
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