I’ve been following Gloria Chao for a while now and knew I had to read this adult debut! And it was so fun! For fans of Dial A for Aunties, this is for you! It’s the best blend of mystery, romance, and friendship. Keep reading this book review of The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club for my full thoughts.
Summary
The body in the closet was going to be a problem. Kathryn Hu knew it. Yes, Tucker Jones was a cheating scumbag, and yes, she’d agreed to meet Olivia and Elle—Tucker’s other girlfriends—to exact revenge for all he’d put them through… But then they found him. Dead.
Do they look guilty? Yes.
Do they feel guilty for having wished him dead just hours before? Maybe a little.
But—solid motive and a crime scene covered in their DNA aside—they’re innocent. They swear.
To clear their names, Kat, Olivia and Elle team up to find the real killer. But as they go undercover and lie to everyone, including the hot detective working the case, they realize that every person in their ex’s life had a reason to want him dead. Will they uncover the truth before they go down for a murder they didn’t commit?
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the author. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club takes some of my favorite elements all together. We love a good revenge story and what’s better than one person getting revenge, than everyone who’s been wronged by a cheater getting revenge? If you’ve seen John Tucker Must Die, The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club is the adult mystery version of that. Except that the ex ends up dying and they have to team up together to clear their names. I loved the whole investigation angle. It felt so realistic for them to have to be figure out what to do when they are SO unprepared. The mystery is such a steady thrum throughout the story.
(Disclaimer: Some of the links below are affiliate links. For more information you can look at the Policy page. If you’re uncomfortable with that, know you can look up the book on any of the sites below to avoid the link)
But my favorite element of The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club is the friendship. I loved how different Elle, Olivia and Kat were. What really gives The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club heart is the character work. We can see the hurt of everyone who’s been duped. Because what does that say about us? Throughout the story we are pulled into figuring out how Kat got into this situation. And how she is going to have rely on the most unlikely allies to get herself out of it. The friendship core is so sweet and I loved the chaotic element. In terms of tone, it manages to be a book with stakes and plenty of laughs!
I am so excited for the rest of the series! Find The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club on Goodreads, Storygraph, Amazon, Bookshop. org, Blackwells, & Libro. fm.