One Death at a Time by Abbi Waxman: Book Review

One Death at a Time is the latest release from best-selling author Abbi Waxman. Expected to be released on April 15, 2025, it takes readers into the drama in the movie industry. Julia is a former actress who has spent time in prison for murder. What happens when she finds a dead body in her swimming pool? How did it get there? She doesn’t remember.

I want to thank Berkley and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of One Death at a Time. However, all opinions expressed here are solely mine.

CW/TW: substance abuse, death, suicide

Synopsis from Goodreads

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.

My Opinions

I was initially drawn to the book because I’ve loved every other book by Abbi Waxman. One Death at a Time is unlike those books, but that’s not bad. Waxman’s other books focus on friendship and relationships, with several being between women. While there are friendships between women in One Death at a Time, the focus of this story is a mystery.

The cast of characters feels large. But as most played off the stereotypes in Hollywood, it’s easy to keep them separate. That said, keeping Julia and Mason separate in the first few chapters is a bit confusing. There is a lot of rapid-fire dialogue, full of snark and sass, especially between them. There’s also a bit of confusion early on because Mason is often referred to by her last name (which is Mason), but occasionally by her first name (Natasha). The confusion comes from Waxman not establishing Mason’s name for several pages.

Overall, One Death at a Time is unlike any other Abbi Waxman book, but that doesn’t mean anything. If possible, it’s just as good, if not better than The Bookish Life of Nina Hill.

Do you like reading books with realistic characters? What about mysteries where the main investigator is the main suspect? Or books with a diverse cast of characters? If you’re saying yes to any of these, you should read One Death at a Time.

Are you looking for some more books to read? Check out my bookish lists, book reviews, and monthly reading wrap-ups.