Read time: 4 minutes
📱📖 Read on Kindle
📃 304 pages
⏱ 5 hours
🏷️ Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
📅 Expected Publication: May 12, 2026
🎁 ARC provided by NetGalley
Book Blurb:
When Belinda “Pretty” Bishop reluctantly attends her 20-year high school reunion in coastal Nova Scotia, she expects mild nostalgia and watered-down punch, not the corpse of her former class jock. With her journalism career at a standstill and her love life on ice, Pretty seizes the chance for a headline-worthy story. But when her estranged best friend, Jolene, becomes the prime suspect, Pretty’s investigation turns personal. Together, they must navigate old grudges, seaside gossip, and buried secrets before another classmate ends up dead. A witty, charming debut perfect for fans of Ellery Adams and Jenn McKinlay.
Let’s Talk Murder:
Hold up! This is a Debut? How? It doesn’t read like one. Seriously, Lacey Moone writes like she’s been topping cozy mystery bestseller lists for ages. Voted Most Likely to Murder hits that perfect trifecta of sharp plotting, relatable characters, and genuine warmth. The way Moone leans into the high school reunion after about twenty years being the perfect breeding ground for resentment, rivalry, and bad decisions, is just witchcraft. I kept pausing to check the cover because this level of polish, pacing, and pure joy does NOT scream “first book”.
Belinda “Pretty” Bishop is the kind of messy, magnetic heroine cozies need more, with her unemployment, underwhelmed nature, and armed with snark that could slice through buttercream. And can we talk about the Nova Scotia setting? Absolute perfection. It’s cozy, a bit quirky, and unapologetically Canadian. I adore how Moone wove that small-town flavor into the mystery, without leaning on clichés. It’s fresh, funny, and (somehow!) comforting, even when a dead body turns up in the story.
So yeah, someone check Lacey Moone’s resume, because this debut feels way too polished to be her first.
Would I recommend it?
I’m still in shock that this flawless, laugh-out-loud, heart-tugging cozy is a DEBUT. Lacey Moone just walked in like she owns the genre. Clear your May 12, 2026 schedule, pre-order immediately, and cancel plans. This is your new obsession.
Try These Next
- Class Reunions Are Murder by Libby Klein
Poppy McAllister heads back to her high school reunion and, naturally, someone ends up dead, forcing her to juggle old drama, new suspects, and a life in flux.
If you liked the way Moone plays with past grudges and awkward reunions, this one delivers similar emotional messiness with a snarky, big-hearted heroine at the center. - Wedding Cake Crumble (Cupcake Bakery Mystery) by Jenn McKinlay
McKinlay’s long-running series oozes charm, and in this entry Mel and friends navigate wedding chaos, friendship drama, and murder with plenty of sugar on top.
Fans of Belinda “Pretty” Bishop’s banter and found-family energy will feel right at home with McKinlay’s trio and their blend of humor, heart, and homicide. - Library Lover’s Mystery Series by Jenn McKinlay
Set in a small coastal town, this series follows library director Lindsey Norris as she solves murders between book club meetings and community events.
The close-knit seaside vibe and strong, capable heroine make this a great match for readers who adored the Nova Scotia setting and community feel in Moone’s book. - Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery Series by Lauren Elliott
okseller moves to a seaside New England town, she finds herself knee-deep in murder, secrets, and literary intrigue.
Like Moone’s debut, it blends charming coastal atmosphere, an amateur sleuth trying to rebuild her life, and a supporting cast that feels like a new fictional friend group. - Seaside Café Mystery Series by Bree Baker
Set in a beach town teeming with tourists, gossip, and the occasional corpse, this series mixes sun, tea, and small-town secrets with a light, witty touch.
Readers who loved the cozy coastal Canadian flavor and gentle tone of Voted Most Likely to Murder will appreciate the summery, slightly escapist feel here.
First Book or Sorcery?
Tell me you’ve ever read a debut this ridiculously polished without telling me. Drop your “how is this their first?!” favorites below. Also, Canadian cozy readers, are we claiming Lacey Moone yet or are we claiming her HARD?
Book Links:
Want to purchase this or any of your favorite books while supporting a local bookstore? Consider purchasing using the sites below. These sites work with independent local bookstore owners to fulfill your book orders. #SupportLocal
Indiebookstore.ca
Bookshop.org
Goodreads
Check out more books from Crooked Lane Books
🎄 Psst… Don’t Miss Our Christmas Cozy Giveaway!
I’m hosting a special Holiday Free Book + Giveaway sponsored by cozy mystery author Jodie Morgan, and it’s happening between December 13 to December 23, 2025!
Every visitor can claim a FREE copy of Gifts of Goodwill, and you can also enter to win a free copy of Recipe for Revenge, a culinary cozy mystery delivered to winners on Christmas Eve.
(Freebie + giveaway entry available exclusively on the giveaway blog page.)
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