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Making Friends Can Be Murder by Kathleen West

Making Friends Can Be Murder

by Kathleen West

  • Critics' Consensus (7):
  • Readers' Rating (62):
  • Published:
  • Jun 2025, 432 pages
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There are currently 31 reader reviews for Making Friends Can Be Murder
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Anz

this book was such a blast to read!
Seriously, the concept is super original, and the way each Sarah had her own distinct personality and age made the whole thing feel dynamic and engaging. It’s honestly impressive how the author managed to make a murder-filled plot feel this fun.

I also really liked how the story was told—not just through regular narration, but also using video transcripts and text messages. It gave the whole thing a fresh, modern vibe that actually worked really well with the story. Not a lot of writers can pull that off smoothly, but West totally nailed it.

And okay, I’ll admit it… I even got a little too invested in the romance. ?? At first I was like, “Wait, which Sarah is this again?” but instead of being frustrating, that confusion kept me curious and flipping pages way past bedtime.

All in all, this book was such a pleasant surprise. It was clever, hilarious, and honestly pretty addicting. I’m 100 checking out more of West’s work after this!
Mark_S

Who would have thought that murder could make for such a fun, light read?
What a fun read and unique premise! The diverse ages and development of the different Sarah's made for a truly enjoyable story, and that is saying something when murder plays such a major role in the novel. West's decision to use video transcriptions and text messages to move the story forward in places was also perfect for the plot and not something that very many authors use so successfully.

Also, as much as I hate to admit it, I even got caught up rooting for the romance part of the story. Even the initial confusion as to which Sarah was which was fun and kept me reading when I should have been sleeping. I will definitely be reading more of West's novels.
Susan_W1

This book fits the bill for anyone who loves interesting characters
This book is funny and engaging. It is well written and captures the imagination of anyone who has wondered what it would be like to be friends with lots of people who share your name. The plot moves along at an acceptable pace and really held my interest. I liked seeing young people who could hold their own with people older than they are as well as seeing older people who respect younger people.
Ann_H

Interesting Title - What Does It Mean ...(Making Friends Can Be Murder)
I wasn't sure about what this book was about. Was it about moving to a new location and finding it difficult to make friends? I found the answer. It was about making new friends and much, much more. The author drew this reader into the situations that were a bit surprising yet enlightening. I found myself "cheering on" several of the friends. Yes, I would recommend this book. I think the reader would find the book engaging from start to finish.
Margaret S. (Lincoln, NE)

Great Characters and plot
I was captivated by the club of women with the same name. What a clever idea! Enter the FBI and you have all the elements for friendships being formed, a murder and fraud to solve and, of course, a love story. This book is great!
Catheryne_Z

Fun Mystery
This is a cute cozy mystery! Sarah Jones moved to a new town and finds a new group of friends who all have the same name. One of the Sarah Jones dies unexpectedly and a mystery begins. The Sarah Jones' work together to solve the mystery. I really liked this book. The character development of the different Sarah Jones' is great.

The story kept me interested. The way the Sarah Jones' solve the mystery is intriguing. I highly recommend this book to someone looking for a fun, easy mystery. Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for an ARC copy of the book to read and review.
Barbara_E

Making Friends can be Murder
Thirty-year-old Sarah Jones never expected that a new chapter in her life would involve unraveling a murder mystery, but that's exactly what happens when she unknowingly befriends a dangerous con artist in her new neighborhood. In this twisty, fast-paced whodunit nothing is as it seems.

After abruptly calling off her engagement, Sarah relocates to Minneapolis and finds herself unexpectedly welcomed into a quirky new group of women who share her very common name. For years, Sarah has received all sorts of mail meant for other Sarah Joneses, but now, it seems like this mix-up could finally give her a sense of belonging.

What begins as a lighthearted get-together called "The Sarah Jones Project" quickly takes a darker turn when another Sarah Jones is found dead under suspicious circumstances near a downtown Minneapolis bridge. As frantic phone calls flood in, with loved ones scrambling to confirm which Sarah is the victim, the surviving Sarahs decide to take matters into their own hands.

Joined by the dead woman's nanny, a charming FBI agent with a mysterious past, and a reclusive nun harboring her own secrets, this unlikely team of amateur sleuths sets out to uncover the truth—and they'll need to dig deep to uncover a deadly conspiracy no one saw coming.

It took a chapter or two for me to distinguish between the Sarahs and for their unique personalities to shine through, but once they did, I thoroughly enjoyed the story.
Mari_A

Appeals to multiple genres
I really enjoyed this book! It's very well written—-a little mystery, with a dash of humor and a sprinkle of romance. The characters are very relatable; they'll pull you in and the plot twists keep you invested to the finish!

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