A Ghostwriter’s Guide to Murder: A Novel
by Melinda Mullet
About A Ghostwriter’s Guide to Murder
A Ghostwriter’s Guide to Murder: A Novel
Traditional Mystery
First in Series
Setting – A houseboat along Regent’s Canal in central London
Publisher : Crooked Lane Books
Publication date : July 29, 2025
Hardcover Print length : 320 pages
ISBN-13 : 979-8892421423
Paperback Print length : 320 pages
ISBN-13 : 979-8892422512
Digital Print length : 320 pages
ISBN-13 : 979-8892421430
Audiobook ASIN : B0DRWC4ZBL
Charming yet wickedly imaginative mystery ghostwriter Maeve Gardner finds herself at the center of a murder investigation with more twists and turns than any story she’s ever written, perfect for fans of Anthony Horowitz and Richard Osman.
Maeve Gardner kills people for a living. A dodgy occupation perhaps, but as ghostwriter for the long-running Simon Hills mysteries, Maeve has planned the perfect murder time and again, and she enjoys it. She dreams of writing something under her own name someday rather than babysitting her adopted character Simon, but at least she’s writing. And as one of the burnt-out souls who’ve run away from dry land to live on London’s waterways, she has the joy of working from the home she loves: a colorful houseboat. Life on the canals is grand, but when her cheating ex-boyfriend turns up floating facedown in the water outside her boat, murdered, and the police arrest her, the plot takes a wayward turn.
Suddenly, Maeve is thrust into one of her own crime dramas, complete with missing money, violent thugs, extortion, and conspiracy. Only this time, there is no real-life Simon Hill to come to her aid. Instead, with the help of friends from the river—India, owner of a popular floating bookshop; Paul, the exceedingly attractive landlord of the local pub; and Ash, Maeve’s quiet, nerdy neighbor who is keeping some secrets of his own—Maeve may have a shot at saving herself.
As Maeve and her motley crew of would-be investigators find themselves wondering if they are in over their heads, a killer lurks and won’t hesitate to kill again…
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Ghostwriter Maeve Gardner writes the long-running Simon Hills mysteries, so she is an expert at planning murders from her houseboat on London’s Regent’s Canal. What she is not an expert at is finding dead bodies, especially when they are floating near her boat, and even more so when it is her cheating ex-boyfriend doing the floating. While it may be a great plot for a book, it is terrifying in real life, particularly when the police come to your boat to arrest you.
Maeve needs to plot a way out of this drama that not only includes her dead ex but also missing money, drugs, blackmail, collusion, corruption, and more. WWSD – What would Simon do? It doesn’t take long for her friends and neighbors to rally around to help her. With her own band of amateur sleuths, they set out to find the answers they need to clear Maeve of any crime thrown at her, knowing that the killer could be watching every step they take.
Melina Mullet has introduced a marvelous cast of characters in A Ghostwriter’s Guide to Murder. Maeve Gardner moved onto the houseboat with her frisky fifty-two-pound canine, Captain Jack, when she and Gavin parted ways. She loves her compact home on the water and is happy to ghostwrite the Simon Hills mysteries, but she hopes to publish under her own name soon. Rowan and her partner, Sage, are Irish ladies “berthed next door” and “fancied themselves as Wiccans”. Her friend, India, owns a unique floating bookshop with a popular area for children and children’s books. Paul owns The Anchor, an old-fashioned local pub where Maeve, India, and Captain Jack visit often. It has a special nook they favor. Ashley inhabits the houseboat on the other side of Maeve. He is pretty quiet, a gamer who does something techy from his boat at all hours of the day and night. The murder forces him to venture out in public to help Maeve. I found the houseboat/canal life, as well as the people who live there, very interesting.
The mystery was very well-plotted, and each of the core characters brings a unique talent, connections, or perspective to the mix. They go to great lengths to get to the truth, while at times putting themselves in danger. Gavin had a life, Maeve had no idea about, or didn’t understand, that ran deep within the dark side of London with friends in high places. The police seem to be going in circles to lock down the proof to charge and jail Maeve, so it is imperative that the merry band of sleuthers, who are basically going in circles as well, come up with additional suspects with their motive to kill as quickly as possible. I enjoyed how the story was told from multiple points of view, allowing readers to follow each as they made their way around town trying to find out about the real Gavin and what he did to warrant being murdered.
Ms. Mullet’s attention to detail brought the whole canal area to life. The well-crafted characters and that detail pulled me into the story. I could visualize everything like I was watching the story unfold on a screen. I think it was wonderful that she played with her strengths. She uses her knowledge of writing and publishing as she created Maeve’s world, complete with writing exercises, writer’s block, index cards, and outlines. She also knows the joy of having a canine companion and all it entails, from the aggressive chewing to the wagging tails and the genuine reactions when their person appears, whether they have been gone for minutes, hours, or days.
A Ghostwriter’s Guide to Murder is a compelling mystery filled with twists, turns, and red herrings. The characters are authentic, quirky, and relatable. I found it easy to get invested in their lives. The setting was unique and charming. This series is off to a splendid start. I am eager to see what Ms. Mullet has in store for Maeve and her “pride of lions” in the future. A Perfect Escape!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
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About Melinda Mullet
Melinda Mullet is a dual US/UK national. Formerly a lawyer specializing in communications, media, and entertainment law she is now enjoying a second career as a mystery writer.
Melinda is the author of the Whisky Business Mysteries, a six-part series of traditional mysteries set in and around a boutique single malt whisky distillery in Scotland. And coming in July 2025, the first of a new traditional series, A Ghostwriter’s Guide to Murder, set on a houseboat along the Regent’s Canal in London.
Melinda is a travel junkie and a life-long advocate for children’s literacy causes, both domestic and international. When she is not in the UK, she lives just outside of Washington, DC, with her whisky-collecting husband and two wild Covid canines named Bailey and Captain Jack.
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Also Written by Melinda Mullet
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Great Escapes Praise for A Ghostwriter’s Guide to Murder: A Novel
by Melinda Mullet
I liked the idea of a mystery ghostwriter living on a houseboat. Quiet and seclusion should be quite conducive to putting pen to paper. The plot was interesting with surprises along the way, written in true British style, including the use of local dialects and slang and lots of references to uniquely British food.
~Cassidy’s Bookshelves
Bottom Line: A Ghostwriter’s Guide to Murder by Melinda Mullet is an immersive British mystery with compelling characters, an engaging voice, and intriguing twists.
~Reading is my Superpower
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” “As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.” I am also an affiliate of Bookshop.org and I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.” These funds are often used for gift cards and other giveaways.
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It sounds like a really interesting book. Thank you for sharing.