A Murder in Eight Cocktails

By: Kelly Mullen

Narrated by: Laurence Bouvard

Brought to you by Penguin.

Mix one old flame with a splash of suspicion for the perfect. . . murder.

In the seaside haven of Carmel-by-the-Sea, Willa Keane’s marriage is in a rut. As a retired interior-designer-turned-influencer, she’s sure life begins at fifty-five, whereas her husband, Marty, is more interested in watching his beloved birds.

So when Willa is invited to the opening of the chicest new cocktail bar in town, she hopes the evening will rekindle their flame. But arriving at the party, Willa is shaken to discover it’s being hosted by her charming ex-husband, Paul.

The night is thrown into even deeper chaos when the bar’s enigmatic owner is found dead on the rocks below. A suicide message suggests there’s no foul play, but Willa’s heightened senses aren’t so sure. Now she must solve the mystery together with her husband…and her ex-husband.

Can they find the killer before another victim is served their last cocktail?

PRAISE FOR KELLY MULLEN . . .

'I adored this deliciously twisty and wickedly sharp murder mystery' Lucy Clarke
'Agatha Christie brought bang up to date' Clare Mackintosh
'A thriller with a twist!' Cosmopolitan
'Slick and witty' Daily Mail
'Entertaining from start to finish' Jennie Godfrey
'A stunning read. So gripping and atmospheric, I barely made it out alive' Steve Jones

© Kelly Mullen 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026

Critic reviews

As fun as murder gets! (Stacey Halls)

Snappy, original, and irresistibly fun - this book is brimming with surprises and leaves you thirsty for more! (J. D. Brinkworth)

A wonderfully rich cast of suspects plus a murder in the classiest of locked-room destinations! Go mix yourself a Caketini, settle back and enjoy! (J. M. Hall)

Every single character jumps off the page. This book will intoxicate you from the very first sip. (Jeremy Vine)

A Murder in Eight Cocktails is a deliciously clever whodunnit, with Knives Out vibes and a glam, cocktail-soaked twist. It’s a smart, stylish murder mystery with irresistible characters, sharp humour, and a killer premise. I was thoroughly entertained! (Caroline Mitchell)

A glamorous, witty and fun take on a whodunnit that kept me thoroughly entertained. Loved it! (Heidi Perks)

Smart, stylish and full of heart. A Murder in Eight Cocktails is a straight-up delight from start to finish. (Tom Hindle)

Jessica Fletcher for a new generation! I loved it. (Ragnar Jonasson)

Stylish and wry, this is a sunlit whodunnit with excellent plotting.

Kelly Mullen has absolutely proven she’s here to stay with A Murder in Eight Cocktails! This book has heart, humour, and mystery all stylishly shaken with the perfect dash of quirky characters. Not to mention one of the most clever premises I’ve ever seen - sleuthing that is set to the beat of artisan cocktails complete with actual recipes? Yes please! If you want a mystery that is both fabulous and fun, with the perfect amount of California flair, this is absolutely for you. (Kristen Perrin)