Kathleen West steps boldly into the mystery genre with Making Friends Can Be Murder, delivering a refreshingly contemporary cozy mystery that proves finding your tribe can be both life-affirming and potentially deadly. This clever departure from West’s previous domestic fiction showcases her versatility as a storyteller while maintaining her signature wit and emotional intelligence.
The premise alone is irresistible: thirty-year-old Sarah Jones, nursing the wounds of a broken engagement, relocates to Minneapolis and stumbles into an instant community through a quirky support group called “The Sarah Jones Project.” When a shared name becomes the catalyst for friendship among strangers, West mines both comedy and tension from the simple fact that in a world of common names, mistaken identity can lead to extraordinary consequences.
Plot Structure and Pacing: A Masterclass in Misdirection
West constructs her mystery with the precision of a Swiss watch, layering multiple timelines and perspectives that create an intricate puzzle readers will eagerly piece together. The discovery of a murdered Sarah Jones beneath a Minneapolis bridge transforms what begins as a lighthearted friendship story into a genuine thriller, complete with con artists, stolen jewelry, and federal investigations.
The author demonstrates remarkable skill in balancing multiple narrative threads without losing momentum. The introduction of FBI agent George Nightingale as both love interest and investigator creates delicious dramatic irony, particularly as readers slowly realize that Sarah’s new best friend, the enigmatic “Twenty-Seven,” may not be who she claims to be. West’s pacing is deliberate yet never sluggish, building tension through seemingly innocent coffee dates and group text messages that gradually reveal darker undercurrents.
What sets this mystery apart from typical cozy fare is West’s willingness to delve into genuinely dark territory. The revelation that Gabriella Johnson has orchestrated a sophisticated long-term con involving identity theft and ultimately manslaughter gives the story real stakes beyond typical cozy mystery conventions.
Character Development: Where West Truly Shines
The heart of any successful mystery lies in its characters, and West populates her story with a cast that feels refreshingly authentic rather than archetypal. Sarah Elizabeth Jones emerges as a compelling protagonist whose grief over her mother’s death and search for belonging resonates deeply. Her background as a personal trainer with a genetics degree and EMT certification creates a character who is both vulnerable and capable—exactly the type of person who might attract a sophisticated con artist while possessing the strength to fight back.
The supporting cast of Sarah Joneses provides both comic relief and emotional depth. Sister Mary Theresa, the former detective turned nun, serves as both spiritual guide and investigative mentor, her complicated past adding layers to what could have been a one-dimensional character. Sixty-Nine (the eldest Sarah) brings generational wisdom and surprising internet savvy, while Seventeen provides the tech-forward perspective of Gen Z activism.
However, it’s in the character of Gabriella Johnson—Twenty-Seven—where West’s writing reaches its peak complexity. Rather than creating a cartoonish villain, West crafts a con artist whose genuine sadness and trauma make her sympathetic even as her actions become increasingly dangerous. The revelation of her backstory involving her brother Oscar and their childhood trauma provides context without excusing her behavior, a delicate balance that West navigates skillfully.
George Nightingale, the FBI agent caught between professional duty and personal feelings, represents West’s attempt to add romantic tension to the mystery formula. While his character serves the plot effectively, his internal conflicts sometimes feel underdeveloped compared to the richly realized female characters.
Thematic Resonance: More Than Just a Mystery
Beneath its entertaining surface, Making Friends Can Be Murder explores themes of belonging, identity, and the lengths people will go to reinvent themselves. West examines how shared trauma can either bind people together or drive them to destructive behaviors. The concept of chosen family runs throughout the narrative, contrasting the genuine connections formed by the Sarah Jones group with the manufactured intimacy of Gabriella’s cons.
The author also tackles contemporary issues around social media, online identity, and the ease with which people can construct false personas in the digital age. Seventeen’s subplot involving cyberbullying adds a relevant modern dimension while staying true to the mystery’s central themes.
Most significantly, West explores the concept of forgiveness and redemption. The podcast epilogue, narrated by Ruby Campbell (the daughter of the murdered Federal Reserve chair), demonstrates remarkable emotional maturity in addressing how victims and their families might choose to process tragedy and justice.
Technical Craftsmanship: Strengths and Minor Missteps
West’s prose maintains the accessible, conversational tone that made her previous novels so engaging, but she successfully adapts this style to suit the mystery genre’s requirements for suspense and revelation. Her dialogue sparkles with authenticity, particularly in the group text exchanges that feel genuinely contemporary rather than like an adult’s attempt to write “young.”
The mystery’s resolution proves both surprising and inevitable—the hallmark of excellent plotting. West plants clues throughout the narrative without telegraphing the solution, and the final revelations about Gabriella’s true identity and motivations feel earned rather than manipulative.
However, some elements feel slightly underdeveloped. The romantic subplot between Sarah and George, while charming, occasionally feels secondary to the more compelling friendship dynamics. Additionally, certain investigative procedures stretch credibility, though this is perhaps forgivable within the cozy mystery tradition’s more relaxed approach to police procedural accuracy.
Literary Merit and Genre Innovation
What elevates Making Friends Can Be Murder above typical cozy mysteries is West’s refusal to shy away from the genuine emotional consequences of crime. The grief experienced by Ruby and Lula Campbell feels real and unresolved, avoiding the neat closure that often characterizes the genre. Similarly, the complex feelings Sarah harbors toward her betrayer add psychological depth that many cozy mysteries lack.
West also deserves credit for creating a mystery that centers female friendship without falling into stereotypical portrayals. These women are complex, flawed, and capable—they solve crimes not through intuition or luck, but through methodical research, technological savvy, and collaborative problem-solving.
The book’s structure, incorporating multiple formats including text messages, FBI transcripts, and podcast episodes, feels fresh and contemporary while serving the narrative effectively rather than seeming gimmicky.
Cultural Context and Social Commentary
Writing in 2024, West captures the contemporary landscape of social media, true crime podcast culture, and the particular challenges facing women navigating friendship in their twenties and thirties. The book’s exploration of how easily online identities can be manufactured speaks to current anxieties about digital authenticity and catfishing.
The inclusion of a nun as a key character who previously worked in law enforcement adds an interesting dimension to discussions about justice, mercy, and redemption that feels particularly relevant in contemporary conversations about criminal justice reform.
Comparison to Previous Works and Genre Peers
This represents a significant departure from West’s previous domestic fiction, including Minor Dramas & Other Catastrophes and Are We There Yet?, though fans will recognize her talent for creating authentic female relationships and her gentle humor. The transition to mystery feels natural rather than forced, suggesting West has found a new genre that suits her storytelling strengths.
Within the cozy mystery landscape, this book shares DNA with authors like Louise Penny and Tana French, combining the community focus of traditional cozies with the psychological depth of contemporary crime fiction. However, West’s emphasis on millennial and Gen Z friendships carved out through social media gives her work a distinctly modern flavor.
Final Verdict: A Successful Genre Evolution
Making Friends Can Be Murder succeeds both as an entertaining mystery and as a thoughtful exploration of contemporary friendship. West proves that cozy mysteries can tackle serious themes without losing their essential charm, creating a book that works equally well as a beach read and as book club discussion material.
While not without minor flaws—some plot conveniences and an occasionally underdeveloped romantic subplot—the novel represents a strong entry into the mystery genre from an author whose understanding of human relationships serves her well in this new territory.
For readers seeking a mystery that combines genuine suspense with emotional intelligence, authentic female friendships, and contemporary relevance, Making Friends Can Be Murder delivers on all fronts. West has crafted a story that honors the cozy mystery tradition while pushing its boundaries, creating something that feels both familiar and refreshingly new.
Similar Reads for Mystery Lovers
If you enjoyed Making Friends Can Be Murder, consider these similar titles:
- The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman – For more amateur detective ensembles with heart
- One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware – For psychological suspense centered on female friendships
- The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn – For unreliable narrators and twisty plots
- Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty – For domestic suspense with authentic female relationships
- The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley – For isolated settings and friendship dynamics gone wrong
West has established herself as a voice worth following in the mystery genre, and readers eagerly await her next venture into the darker corners of human nature.