November Book Club: A Hopeless Murder by Daniel Carson
A Hopeless Murder (A Hope Walker Mystery) by Daniel Carson
If you’re in the mood for a quirky, laugh-out-loud cozy mystery, A Hopeless Murder by Daniel Carson is a fun choice. This first book in the series introduces us to Hopeless, Idaho—a town bursting with eccentric personalities, nosy neighbors, and more secrets than you’d expect from a place so small. The story follows Hope Walker, a big-city reporter back home after a twelve-year absence, who quickly finds herself on the wrong side of a murder investigation. (Note to self: don’t leave town for twelve years unless you want to become the prime suspect in a crime.)
Carson crafts these characters with warmth, humor, and a healthy dose of snark—enough to make you chuckle and roll your eyes (sometimes both at once!). The friendship between Hope and her bestie, Katie, is a bright spot, grounding the story with some heart amidst the drama. Now, Hope herself? She’s got some room to grow. She’s not exactly self-aware just yet, but that’s part of the fun with a first-in-series—it’s a chance to watch a character evolve, and Carson gives us plenty of hints that Hope’s journey is just beginning.
And if you’re a fan of pacing that keeps you up past bedtime, this story has those cliffhanger chapter endings. It’s no wonder A Hopeless Murder has thousands of reviews from readers who love a mix of suspense, humor, and small-town quirks. This one reads like a cozy night in—familiar, funny, and with just the right hint of intrigue.
Kelly Brakenhoff is the author of 15 books and a seasoned ASL interpreter. She splits her writing energy between two series: cozy mysteries set on a college campus and children’s books featuring Duke the Deaf Dog.
Parents, kids, and teachers love the children’s books and activity guides because they introduce ASL and the Deaf community through fun, engaging stories. And if you enjoy a smart female sleuth, want to learn more about Deaf culture, or have ever lived in a place where livestock outnumber people, the Cassandra Sato Mystery series will have you connecting the dots faster than a group project coming together the night before it’s due.
A proud mom to four adults, head of the dog-snuggling department, and grandma to a growing brood of perfectly behaved grandkids, Kelly and her husband call Nebraska home.