Book Review - Sleuths by Samantha Moody

Amazon UK

Title: Sleuths

Author: Samantha Moody

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Avon

Publication Date: 21st May 2026

Rating: 4 Stars

SHE’S A FAN

Melody runs a fan account for TV’s hottest regency romance actor, Griff Beckett. But when one of the photos she posts shows Griff in a romantic position with an unknown woman, angry fans turn on Melody and accuse her of the ultimate fan betrayal: posting a fake picture.

HE’S A CELEBRITY

Hurt and angry, Melody sets out to prove the photo is real and their favourite actor is no longer single…until, instead of a girlfriend, she finds a missing person report.

AND HE’S…KIDNAPPED SOMEONE?

It should be a job for the authorities, but nobody will take Melody seriously. She'll have to team up with her internet friends, and a (distractingly sexy) journalist, Levi, to save the day.

Can Melody solve the case, save the girl, and get her dream man in the process?

The perfect sexy and thrilling rom-com for fans of Butcher & Blackbird and Love in the Time of Serial Killers

Once I properly got into this book, it was practically unputdownable for me.  

But it took me a while to get that stage, possibly as I wasn't overly keen on Melody, but once her investigation into something initially was rather frivolous - does Griff actually have a girlfriend and is it or isn't it his co-star, turns into something much darker I was intrigued and invested into the outcome. 

Melody is a youtuber who posts specific fan relegated content for her favourite TV show, and is part of a ultra fan community for the programme. They are all obsessed with every single element of it, and it seems as though the story is highlighting just how toxic these sorts of fandoms can become. 

But at the same time, it also celebrates a fandom in a totally unexpected way and this is part of why I ultimately loved the book. But to go into the most exciting and fabulous bits of the book would definitely be spoilers so I will refrain. 

Melody isn't alone in her amateur detectives, her two moderators also are keen to help out and she also ends up involved with a journalist, but there is just something about him that makes you wonder just what side he is on. 

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, there are elements of danger, some romance, all manner of thrilling antics, and some engaging writing. And even a hint that I think there might be a sequel. 

Loved this team of sleuths! 

Thank you to Avon and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.