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  • Published: 18 August 2026
  • ISBN: 9781464252426
  • Imprint: Sourcebooks Landmark
  • Format: Paperback
  • RRP: $32.99
Categories:

It Happened One Murder



Murder has a way of bringing people together…

Harriet Baker thought that when she left Logan Island, she was leaving for good. But after getting fired from her dream magazine job, she finds herself stuck back in the sleepy New Jersey beach town living with her eccentric mother and desperate to escape.

And her ticket out might be…murder?

When Harriet's extravagant birthday party ends with a dead body, all fingers point to Sara Allbright, the troublesome sister of none other than Nic, Harriet's short-lived fling from years ago that she's been eager to forget. And the feeling is entirely mutual. But murder makes for a good story, and when Harriet is told that she can get her old job back if she writes an article uncovering what really happened the night of her party, she readily agrees. To write her piece, Harriet will need Nic's full cooperation, and if Nic wants to clear his sister's name, he'll need Harriet's investigative skills. But working together? That's less than ideal.

As the two team up to find the real killer, they'll uncover the dark underbelly of their seemingly perfect hometown, uncover long buried feelings, and maybe, just maybe, realize that they might work well together after all.

  • Published: 18 August 2026
  • ISBN: 9781464252426
  • Imprint: Sourcebooks Landmark
  • Format: Paperback
  • RRP: $32.99
Categories:

About the author

Liz Lawson

Liz Lawson is the New York Times bestselling author of The Agathas (with Kathleen Glasgow) and The Lucky Ones. Liz lives with her family and two VERY bratty cats. You can find her on TikTok Instagram and Twitter at @lzlwsn.

Also by Liz Lawson

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Praise for It Happened One Murder

It Happened One Murder is a fast-paced enemies-to-lovers whodunit perfect for fans of Elise Bryant and Ally Carter. I love Liz Lawson's young adult books, and I'm thrilled she's writing adult now. Don't miss this delightful blend of romance and mystery!

Gloria Chao, USA Today bestselling author of The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club

It Happened One Murder made my heart race for two reasons: the twisty murder mystery and the hot romance at its core. A delicious blend of thrills.

Bellamy Rose, author of Pomona Afton Can So Solve a Murder

Take one plucky heroine, add a heart-throb of a hero, throw in a dead body or two, and you have the fast-paced ride that is Liz Lawson’s It Happened One Murder. Fun, flirty, and with just the right amount of mystery to keep you reading late into the night, this book straddles a perfect line between intrigue and romance. I can't wait to see where Lawson's talent takes us next!

Tamara Berry, author of Murder Runs in the Family

It Happened One Murder is the rom-com-mystery I’ve been waiting for. Small town intrigue, a cast of vivid characters (and suspects!), and a juicy second chance romance? Yes, please. Lawson’s adult debut infuses humor and heart into a tightly paced murder mystery that kept me on my toes until the very end. Fun, twisty, and heartwarming, It Happened One Murder is a must read.

Amelia Diane Coombs, author of Drop Dead Sisters

Murder, romance, and juicy small-town drama – Liz Lawson explodes onto the scene with her page-turning adult debut. This pacey whodunit will satisfy mystery and romance readers alike with its twists, vacation town vibes, and the heartwarming second chance romance at its core.

Sienna Sharpe, author of A Killer Getaway

Liz Lawson delivers the perfect blend of second-chance romance and cozy murder mystery in this highly-addictive story. If you love lighthearted but twist-heavy mysteries with a heaping side of humor, the kind of book that would sit comfortably next to Elle Cosimano and Jesse Q. Sutanto, you’ll adore It Happened One Murder. Such a fun read that you’re guaranteed to tear through!

Ashley Winstead, USA Today-bestselling author of This Book Will Bury Me

Fast-paced, funny, and impossible to put down. It Happened One Murder is easily my new favorite enemies-to-lovers romance. Liz Lawson's adult mystery debut delivers irresistible chemistry and a twisty murder mystery, all wrapped into one unforgettable novel.

Alissa DeRogatis, author of Call It What You Want

Murder is a dish best served hot in Lawson’s deliciously charming, darkly comic small-town mystery-meets-rom-com. Deftly plotted and delightfully fresh, It Happened One Murder kept us guessing with every clue and savoring Harriet and Nic’s simmering romance with every page.

Emily Wibberley & Austin Siegemund-Broka, authors of The Roughest Draft

Lawson delivers the recipe for a perfect rom-com-mystery mashup: a dash of corruption, a sprinkle of small-town gossip, and a heaping scoop of swoon, baked at high heat. Fans of Only Murders in the Building will adore this devilishly delicious escapist read!

KJ Micciche, Author of One Week Later

I am so glad Liz Lawson is bringing her talent to adult mystery, because It Happened One Murder has it all! Incredible chemistry between the two leads -- Nic and Harriet, who are the perfect foils for each other and who have a history that kept me rooting for them. A twist-a-minute mystery that kept me on my toes. And that trademark Liz Lawson humor that kept a smile on my face the whole time. If you're in the mood for a satisfying romance and a whodunnit that'll keep you guessing, look no further!

Alicia Thompson, USA Today bestselling author of Love in the Time of Serial Killers