Book Review: The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club

The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club

The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club is a funny, female‑centered mystery that delivers equal amounts of hijinks and warmth.

• Series: A Hu Done It Mystery (Book One)

• Written by: Gloria Chao

• Published by: MIRA

• Publication date: June 24, 2025

• Mystery type: Contemporary cozy mystery

Plot Overview

Chemist Kat Hu does not know her seemingly perfect boyfriend Tucker is actually a cheating scumbag until she catches him in the act. She eventually learns he's cheating on her with TWO other women, Olivia and Elle. The three jilted ladies decide to get mad AND get even. But before they can get revenge on Tucker, somebody beats them to it and murders him.

Kat, Olivia, and Elle know they look guilty, and they know they didn't do it. To make sure they don't get arrested for a crime they didn't commit, they decide to ban together to figure out who killed Tucker and why.

Spoiler-Free Review

I laughed so hard while reading The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club. This mystery was hilarious and a lot of fun to read!

The plot features three women: Kathryn (Kat), Olivia, and Elle, who are all unknowingly dating the same man. However, the story is told from the point of view of Kat, a painfully shy, pun-loving chemist postdoc whose quirks make her relatable, hilarious, and endearing all at the same time.

Kat seems to have nothing in common with Tucker's other ex-girlfriends, Olivia (a poised attorney) and Elle (a free-spirited party girl), yet their differences somehow complement Kat perfectly and create a chaotic but heartwarming found-family dynamic. Their unlikely friendship and alliance are at the heart of this mystery and a delightful surprise.

The humor was quite delightful as well. Author Gloria Chao delivers lots of laugh-out-loud moments through situational comedy, witty banter, and bumbling detective work. The inclusion of a satirical and fictional podcast called Dish Served Hot adds to the fun.

For crime fiction lovers, the mystery itself is also well-done; it has plenty of suspects, red herrings, and artful clues so you can sleuth with the protagonist.

Overall, I enjoyed the contemporary spin on the genre and think The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club would make a great read for cozy mystery lovers who like stories with female friendships, humor, spicy language, and twisty plots.

Review disclosure: I received an advanced reader copy of The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club from Net Galley and MIRA. Affiliate disclosure: This page includes affiliate links. Clicking on a link and purchasing a product may allow Cozy Crime Reads to earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.