The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club By Gloria Chao Book Review

I tore through The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club by Gloria Chao in one sitting. If you love a cozy mystery with a dash of romance and sharp comedy, this one delivers.

Three exes, one suspicious death, and plenty of laughs—this book’s mix of humor and whodunit totally hooked me.

Key Takeaways

The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club mixes jokes, mystery, and friendship to make a fun and easy mystery that keeps readers interested.
The story has strong female characters who are easy to relate to.
Their teamwork and funny talk make the story feel warm and deep.
This book is great for people who like cozy mysteries with a modern feel, some comedy, female friendship, and a little romance.

Worth Reading?

First Impressions

I’ll be honest, I started The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club by Gloria Chao late at night, thinking I’d just read a few chapters. Suddenly, it was 2 a.m. and I couldn’t put it down. The opening grabbed me right away—three women, all exes of the same guy, thrown together by a suspicious death.

The setup felt fresh and funny, not forced. I laughed out loud more than once, and the banter between the characters made me feel like I was eavesdropping on real friends.

I noticed that books with over 1,000 ratings tend to have more stable, positive feedback. This one fits right in with those well-loved reads. Plus, genres like cozy mystery and romance are trending, so it’s no surprise this book is getting buzz.

Here’s what stood out to me right away:

The humor hits just right—never too silly, never too dark.
The pacing kept me flipping pages, but I never felt rushed.
The main character, Kat, is relatable and easy to root for.

Who Will Like It

If you’re wondering if this book is for you, let me break it down. I always think about who I’d hand a book to after I finish. For The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club by Gloria Chao, I’d recommend it to:

Fans of cozy mysteries who want something with a modern, funny twist.
Readers who love stories about friendship, especially female friendships.
Anyone who enjoys a little romance mixed with their whodunit.
People who like books with a strong, witty main character.
Those who appreciate a lighthearted take on serious situations.

Customer segmentation helps me figure out the target reader. This book will likely appeal to:

Women in their 20s to 40s who enjoy stories about relationships and self-discovery.
Readers who value humor, quick dialogue, and a bit of drama.
People who follow trending genres like young adult, romance, and mystery.
Anyone who wants a book that feels like a weekend binge-watch with friends.

If you fit into any of these groups—or just want a fun, fast-paced read—this book should land on your TBR pile.

The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club by Gloria Chao: Plot

Main Story

I love a story that throws ordinary people into wild situations. The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club by Gloria Chao does just that. The book kicks off with Kat Hu, a smart and funny dental student, who finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation. She never planned to play detective. She just wanted to move on from her cheating ex-boyfriend, but life had other plans.

Three women—Kat, her ex’s new girlfriend, and his other ex—get tangled up when their shared ex-boyfriend turns up dead. The police look at them with suspicion. Instead of turning on each other, these women team up to clear their names. I found their alliance both hilarious and heartwarming.

Note: The story never gets too dark. The tone stays light, with plenty of jokes and awkward moments. I laughed at the way the women handled the police, nosy neighbors, and each other.

The plot follows a classic structure that keeps things moving:

The book starts with a shocking discovery.
The women face obstacles from the police and their own doubts.
They dig up secrets, chase leads, and stumble into trouble.
Twists pop up just when I thought I had it figured out.
The ending ties up the mystery and gives the characters a sense of closure.

I noticed the story uses a three-act structure. The beginning sets up the problem and brings the women together. The middle builds tension as they investigate and clash. The final act delivers the big reveal and wraps up loose ends. This structure made the book easy to follow and kept me turning pages.

The book also explores themes like trust, proof, and friendship. I saw how the women struggled to trust each other and themselves. The idea of “proof” comes up a lot, both in the murder case and in their personal lives. The story asks: Who do you believe? What counts as evidence? I liked how these questions added depth without slowing down the fun.

Here’s a quick look at how the plot moves:

Plot Element	Description
Inciting Incident	Kat and the other exes discover their ex-boyfriend is dead.
Rising Action	The trio investigates, faces police suspicion, and uncovers secrets.
Climax	The women confront the real culprit and risk everything to solve the case.
Falling Action	The truth comes out, and the women deal with the fallout.
Resolution	Kat and her new friends find closure and a fresh start.

Key Characters

The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club by Gloria Chao shines because of its characters. Kat Hu leads the story. She’s smart, sarcastic, and a little awkward. I related to her self-doubt and her need to prove herself. She’s not a perfect detective, but she’s determined and loyal.

The other two women, Morgan and Bailey, bring their own quirks. Morgan is bold and outspoken. Bailey is quieter but sharp. Their personalities clash at first, but I loved watching them grow into a team. Their friendship felt real, with plenty of teasing and support.

Kat Hu stands out as the heart of the book. She’s funny, flawed, and easy to root for.
Morgan and Bailey add layers to the story. They challenge Kat and each other.
The dynamic between the three women drives the plot. Their banter made me laugh, and their teamwork gave me hope.

I noticed the book takes a feminist approach. The women refuse to let others define them. They support each other, even when things get tough. The story never turns them into stereotypes. Instead, it shows their strengths and weaknesses.

“I have to give props to Gloria Chao for writing female characters who feel real. They mess up, they fight, but they always come back together.”

Character analysis studies show that stories with female leads often use more positive language and focus on appearance, but this book balances humor with real emotion. Kat, Morgan, and Bailey each get moments to shine. Their growth feels natural, not forced.

The comic tone keeps things light, but the book still tackles big ideas. Friendship, trust, and self-worth all play a part. I finished the book feeling like I’d made three new friends.

Strengths

Humor and Tone

I have to give props to Gloria Chao for nailing the humor in this book. I found myself giggling at the banter and the awkward situations Kat and her friends landed in. The jokes never felt forced or mean. Instead, the story kept things playful and light, even when the stakes got high.

Readers often rate humor on a scale from “not funny” to “hilarious.” This book lands on the funny side for me.
Studies show that playful stories get higher humor ratings, especially when the tone stays upbeat.
Both musicians and non-musicians in one study agreed that playful, unexpected moments make things funnier. I noticed the same effect here—surprise twists and witty lines kept me smiling.

If you like books that make you laugh without trying too hard, this one fits the bill.

Character Dynamics

The friendships in this story felt real. Kat, Morgan, and Bailey start off as strangers with a messy connection, but their teamwork grows with every chapter. I loved how they teased each other, but always had each other’s backs.

The group chat scenes made me feel like I was part of their squad.
Each woman brings something different to the table, so their conversations never get boring.
Their growth as a team gave me hope and made the story more than just a mystery.

Unique Elements

What sets this book apart? For me, it’s the mix of comedy, mystery, and a little romance. The story never gets too heavy, but it still has heart.

The feminist angle stands out. These women refuse to be defined by their ex or the situation.
The plot moves fast, but the jokes and friendship keep things grounded.
I finished the book feeling like I’d made new friends.

Weaknesses

Pacing

I breezed through most of the book, but I did notice a few slow patches. Some scenes felt like they dragged, especially when the group got stuck on one clue for too long. I wanted the story to keep moving, but sometimes the investigation stalled. If you like a mystery that never slows down, you might get a little impatient here.

Some chapters felt a bit repetitive.
The middle section lost a bit of the early energy.
I found myself skimming a few pages, hoping for the next twist.

Character Depth

The main trio made me laugh, but I wanted to know them better. Kat stands out, but Morgan and Bailey sometimes felt like sidekicks instead of full characters. I wished for more backstory or deeper moments with them. Their friendship grew, but I wanted to see more of their lives outside the murder case.

To be fair, the book keeps things light, so maybe deep character study wasn’t the goal. Still, I missed those extra layers.

Other Issues

Not every joke landed for me. The humor felt spot-on most of the time, but a few lines tried too hard. If you don’t love quirky banter, you might roll your eyes once or twice. The tone stays playful, which I liked, but some readers might want a bit more suspense or seriousness.

The mystery felt a little predictable at times.
Side characters faded into the background.
If you want a chilling or pulse-pounding read, this book might not hit that mark.

I have to give props for the fun, but I wish the story took a few more risks.

Gloria Chao’s Style

Writing Approach

I noticed right away that Gloria Chao writes with a breezy, almost chatty style. She keeps the story moving with quick scenes and lots of dialogue. I felt like I was right there with Kat and her friends, listening in on their jokes and worries. The writing never gets bogged down in long descriptions. Instead, Chao uses short, punchy sentences that make the pages fly by.

Chao’s humor shines through in every chapter. I caught myself grinning at the clever comebacks and awkward moments.
She balances the light tone with just enough tension to keep me guessing.
The story feels modern. Texts, group chats, and pop culture references make the characters feel real.

I appreciate how Chao lets the characters’ personalities show through their words and actions. She doesn’t waste time on filler. Every scene pushes the story forward or reveals something new about the trio.

If you like books that read fast and feel like a conversation, you’ll probably enjoy this style.

Series Debut

This book kicks off a new series, and I can see the potential for more adventures. The ending wraps up the main mystery, but Chao leaves room for the characters to grow. I want to see what Kat, Morgan, and Bailey get up to next.

The friendships feel strong enough to carry more stories.
I’m curious how Chao will develop the group’s dynamic in future books.
The cozy, funny vibe makes me want to return for another round.

To me, The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club by Gloria Chao sets the stage for a series that could become a go-to for fans of lighthearted mysteries. I’m already looking forward to the next one.

Comparison

Similar Mysteries

If you love cozy mysteries with a splash of humor, you’ve probably heard of the Finlay Donovan series. I see a lot of overlap between that series and this book. Both feature smart, funny women who stumble into trouble and end up solving crimes with a little help from unlikely friends. The banter, the chaos, and the focus on friendship all feel familiar.

Here’s what I noticed about cozy mysteries like these:

Most readers stick with a series if they enjoy the first book, but only about 13% move from book one to book two when the first book is on sale for 99 cents. That number jumps to 40% when the first book is full price.
Ebook sales make up the biggest chunk, with Amazon leading the pack, but large print and paperbacks still have loyal fans.
Promotional services like Fussy Librarian give better value for mystery books than some bigger names, helping new series find their audience.

I see these trends in both the Finlay Donovan books and other popular cozy mysteries. The mix of humor, friendship, and a lighthearted crime keeps readers coming back.

What Sets It Apart

What makes this book stand out? I think it’s the way the story blends comedy, a feminist twist, and real friendship. The main trio feels like people I’d want to hang out with, not just characters on a page.

Here’s a quick look at how this book compares to others in the genre:

Feature	This Book	Typical Cozy Mystery
Humor	Sharp, modern, witty	Gentle, sometimes quirky
Female Friendship	Central, realistic, supportive	Often present, less central
Tone	Light, never too dark	Light, sometimes saccharine
Romance	Subtle, not the main focus	Varies
Pacing	Fast, with a few slow spots	Steady, sometimes slow

I finished the book feeling like I’d made new friends. That’s not something every cozy mystery can claim.

Reading Experience

Atmosphere

I felt like I was right in the middle of Kat’s messy, hilarious world. The book’s setting felt cozy but never boring. I could almost hear the group chat notifications and smell the coffee during their stakeouts. The author kept things light, even when the tension picked up. I never felt weighed down by the mystery. Instead, I found myself grinning at the awkward moments and rooting for the trio.

The story’s energy reminded me of a weekend spent with friends—lots of laughter, a few surprises, and just enough suspense to keep me guessing.
I noticed the dialogue made everything feel real. The banter between Kat, Morgan, and Bailey pulled me in.
I didn’t get that chilling or pulse-pounding feeling, but I didn’t miss it. The book’s warmth and humor made up for it.

I have to give props to the author for creating an atmosphere that felt both safe and exciting. I wanted to hang out with these characters.

Resolution

When I reached the end, I felt satisfied. The mystery wrapped up in a way that made sense. I didn’t need every detail spelled out. The story gave me enough closure to feel complete. I’ve seen in narrative studies that a resolution doesn’t always need to explain everything. Sometimes, just knowing the main problem is solved feels right.

I noticed the final chapters focused on the trio’s friendship as much as the whodunit.
The ending left a few small questions, but I didn’t mind. The story felt finished.
Reader reactions often show that satisfaction comes from the sense of completion, not from every single answer.

To be fair, I closed the book with a smile. I felt like I’d just finished a great conversation with friends.

I loved the humor and friendship in The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club by Gloria Chao, but some slow spots and shallow side characters held it back.

Perfect for cozy mystery fans who want laughs and strong female leads.
I’d love to hear your thoughts—studies show a good call to action really gets people talking!