The Mortal Enemy Murder Club

• Author: Gloria Chao
• Genre: Cozy Mystery
• Publication Date: July 28, 2026
• Publisher: Park Row/Harlequin Audio
• Series: Hu Done It #2

Thank you to NetGalley, Park Row, and Harlequin Audio for providing me with an ARC of this ebook and audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club is back with a twist in this smart, hilarious mystery by USA TODAY bestselling author Gloria Chao.

Kathryn Hu is not getting into the business of solving murders. Yes, she and her friends Olivia and Elle figured out who killed their cheating ex-boyfriend. But now Kat can get back to her usual, murder-free existence.

Then she gets an unexpected plea for help. Mandy Thorne has ruined countless lives through her revenge podcast. She also did her best to frame the girls. Now, she claims, someone is trying to kill her. And the girls are the only ones who can save her.

But can the trio and Mandy put aside their mutual contempt long enough to prevent a murder and solve this case? Can they become…the Mortal Enemy Murder Club?

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club, so I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this one. I’ve been a fan of Gloria Chao since discovering her YA books, and not only love the way she writes, but I’ve always loved seeing the Chinese representation and learning more about the diaspora culture.

This is the second book in the series, and it relies very heavily on the foundation built in the first book. That’s something I like a lot about series, although I would urge you to read these books in order. If you haven’t read the first book, a lot of this will go over your head.

When there are so many things that I like about a book, it can be hard to organize my thoughts, and that is what happened to me with this book. One of my favorite aspects was the found family dynamic between Kat, Olivia, and Elle, and how their bond evolves as their situation changes from the first book to the second. They have that kind of friendship that feels more like a sisterhood. I have friends like that in my life, and they’re a true blessing, so I found a lot of unexpected identification.

Another thing that makes this book stand out is the unique, quirky humor that Chao sprinkles throughout the book. Kat is a total nerd, and not only loves inserting chemistry humor whenever possible, but also enjoys wordplay. There are some funny puns throughout the story, but Kat consistently explains the origins of various idioms whenever they come up. She also cherishes malapropisms, where a word is misused in an idiom,  either accidentally or deliberately, which changes the meaning of the phrase (ex. I could care less, meaning you do have some level of caring), and even has her friends joining in when possible. I really loved Kat’s character, and how she and her crew engage with each other.

Since this is a cozy mystery, I automatically lend a little more leeway with my willing suspension of disbelief. In a cozy mystery, I can already expect to see civilians investigating and turning up clues, as well as getting into some unrealistic situations. I already know that it isn’t going to be a police procedural, or even totally realistic, but I’m prepared to enjoy the puns, wordplay, and amateur sleuthing, which this book has in spades. 

Overall, this was a really enjoyable cozy mystery. It’s easy to like the characters, and I found myself rooting for them. This book doesn’t just use the same formula as the first book or other cozies, but has Kat and Co. working to solve a mystery for a revenge podcaster who had worked to frame Kat and her friends in the past. Instead of feeling boring or like the first plot was rehashed, this added a fresh take and some extra tension to the storyline and kept things interesting. The pacing was consistent, and it always felt like the plot was advancing naturally. I appreciated the realistic relationships in the story, and how natural the characters felt. This was a fun and witty read that had me both identifying and experiencing some secondhand cringe with how awkward Kat can be at times, and I hope to see more out of this series!

Bottom line: This is a fun read that leans into the found family trope while successfully avoiding ‘second book syndrome’ and employs wordplay and humor to make this story both music and witty, so don’t miss this!

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