One Death at a Time - (A Mason & Mann Mystery) by Abbi Waxman (Paperback)

About the Book

"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?"--

Book Synopsis

"Abbi Waxman is both irreverent and thoughtful."--#1 New York Times bestselling author Emily Giffin

A 2025 Edgar Award Nominee

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.

Review Quotes

"Abbi Waxman is both irreverent and thoughtful."--#1 New York Times bestselling author Emily Giffin

"Staying sober and getting along while trying to nab a killer is no picnic, but this amateur detective duo pulls it off with wit, style and plenty of laughs."--People

"Waxman's mystery is a sly female bonding manifesto: It's Thelma & Louise without booze or Brad Pitt."--Oprah Daily

"Delightful characters, funny moments and a quirky mystery combine in Abbi Waxman's new page-turner."--Woman's World

"[A] fun, clever tale." --AARP

"An absolute rollercoaster ride of a mystery! Loaded with hilarity and heart, it is impossible not to get attached to this snarky dynamic duo and their shenanigans. A must read for mystery lovers and fans of Hacks, there is something in this fabulous multi-generational journey for every reader."--Jenn McKinlay, New York Times bestselling author of A Merry Little Murder Plot

"Hold on to your non-alco drinks because a new detective dream team has arrived. Meet Julia and Mason: recovering, rebellious, and gloriously sarcastic. I ugly-snorted too many times to count. A fabulous mystery, characters with depth, and a total hoot too. More please!"--Alison Goodman, New York Times bestselling author of The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies

"Abbi Waxman has done it again. This book has everything you could want: a cast of funny, flawed, feisty characters, a deliciously irreverent, hilariously high-octane murder mystery plot, and a huge amount of heart. I absolutely loved it."--Freya Sampson, USA Today bestselling author of Nosy Neighbors

"Sparkling prose, quirky, well-drawn characters, laugh-out-loud dialogue, and a murderous 'curse.' This is a total winner with a satisfying ending."--Kathleen West, author of Are We There Yet?

"Full of the witty banter and laugh-out-loud scenarios readers have come to expect from Waxman, this raucous romp around Tinseltown with an odd couple of sleuths will delight readers."--Library Journal

"With outsize egos, vintage gowns, high-speed car chases, and sarcasm as dry as a gin martini, Waxman's plot is a clever balance of Hollywood illusion and classic whodunit, spiked generously with humor and heart."--Shelf Awareness

"Sharp and clever!"--Kirkus Reviews

"Delivers a caffeinated Hollywood whodunit full of fast-talking characters... Waxman stuffs the narrative with colorful side characters and witty repartee...movie buffs and fans of comical mysteries will enjoy themselves."--Publishers Weekly

"The joy of this book is both its breadth and depth.... It's a marvelous portrait of 30 years in Hollywood, the conflict between the generations, and how humor can almost conquer all."--First Clue

"Will have readers laughing all the way to the final page."--Montecito Journal

Praise for the novels of Abbi Waxman

"Waxman's quick-witted and pithy prose gives readers a fun take on "Melrose Place," but instead of back-stabbing and bed-hopping there are trivia clubs and some old-fashioned will-they-or-won't-they?"--USA Today

"If you love quirky, heartfelt stories about interesting characters and starting over, then Adult Assembly Required by Abbi Waxman is definitely the book for you."--PopSugar

"Waxman's wit and wry humor stand out."--The Washington Post

"Abbi Waxman offers up a quirky, eccentric romance that will charm any bookworm.... For anyone who's ever wondered if their greatest romance might come between the pages of books they read, Waxman offers a heartwarming tribute to that possibility."--Entertainment Weekly

About the Author

Abbi Waxman, USA Today bestselling author, is a chocolate-loving, dog-loving woman who lives in Los Angeles; has three daughters, three dogs, and three cats; and lies down as much as possible. She worked in advertising for many years, which is how she learned to write fiction.