Today's Read Contributor On September 1, 2025, bestselling romance novelist Melissa Ferguson unveiled an exclusive cover and excerpt of her highly anticipated novel Without a Clue. The reveal, which was shared through PEOPLE, offered readers their first glimpse into a story that promises to bring together humor, romance, and mystery in a way that feels both fresh and nostalgic. Ferguson, known for her witty and heartwarming storytelling, is expanding her creative reach by weaving the cozy intrigue of a whodunit into the familiar charm of a romantic comedy.
The upcoming book introduces readers to Penelope Mae “Pip” Dupont, a loyal and quick-thinking personal assistant whose latest assignment puts her at the center of a literary circus. Pip is tasked with coordinating a luxury cruise for seven of the world’s most famous and self-absorbed authors, a group dubbed “The Fabulous Seven.” What begins as a glamorous event meant to showcase literary talent quickly spirals into chaos when the ship’s host, the celebrated mystery author Hugh Griffin, turns up dead under suspicious circumstances. Suddenly, the cruise transforms from a celebration of storytelling into a real-life mystery novel, with Pip as the unlikely sleuth at the heart of it.
As Pip begins investigating the shocking death, she finds herself navigating egos, secrets, and simmering rivalries among the star-studded guest list. Each of the authors appears to harbor hidden motives and personal grudges, turning the luxury cruise into a floating powder keg of suspicion. Adding both challenge and comfort to Pip’s predicament is Nash, a ruggedly handsome Western author whose calm demeanor and keen instincts make him an ideal partner in unraveling the truth. What follows is a tangled web of deception, danger, and unexpected tenderness, as Pip realizes she may be finding more than just clues along the way—she may be finding love.
For Ferguson, the decision to combine romance and mystery was intentional. She has shared that she longed for stories that could capture the banter and sweetness of a rom-com while still offering the gripping twists and page-turning suspense of a whodunit. Seeing a gap in the current publishing market for books that offered this dual experience, she decided to create it herself. By setting her mystery within the eccentric and dramatic world of bestselling authors trapped together on a cruise ship, Ferguson delivers both the humor of clashing personalities and the thrills of a high-stakes investigation.
Readers familiar with Ferguson’s earlier novels—such as Meet Me in the Margins, Famous for a Living, How to Plot a Payback, and The Perfect Rom-Com—will find echoes of her signature warmth and humor. Yet Without a Clue marks a new chapter in her writing journey, expanding her repertoire to embrace suspense while staying true to her romantic roots. The result is a book designed to keep readers smiling even as they race to uncover the mystery’s solution.
The excerpt revealed in the exclusive sneak peek sets the stage for the intrigue. In one early scene, Hugh Griffin confides in Pip that he believes someone is plotting to kill him—and worse, that the would-be murderer is one of the seven authors on board. His fears are underscored by a chilling discovery: a threatening note pinned to his manuscript, ominously signed “OF THE SEVEN.” The revelation introduces a secret room, a hidden threat, and a growing sense of peril that pushes Pip from her comfortable role as an assistant into that of a reluctant detective. The tension is balanced by moments of comedy and the slow build of her relationship with Nash, ensuring that even in its darkest turns, the story remains playful and engaging.
Ferguson’s creative approach reflects a growing trend in publishing to blur genre lines, offering readers novels that defy traditional boundaries. By marrying the appeal of a romantic comedy with the intrigue of a mystery, she speaks to audiences who want more than one emotional experience in a single story. With Without a Clue, readers are promised laughter, suspense, and a romance that develops against the backdrop of danger and deception.
The novel is slated for release on February 17, 2026, giving fans plenty of time to anticipate its arrival. Preorders are already open, and early buzz suggests it will appeal not only to Ferguson’s established fan base but also to new readers eager for a clever and original take on both the mystery and romance genres. If the excerpt is any indication, Without a Clue is poised to be both a page-turner and a heartwarmer, cementing Melissa Ferguson’s reputation as a storyteller unafraid to take risks while staying true to the emotional resonance that has defined her career.
