Sometimes you read something and love it, and then you learn something about the author or the context surrounding the writing, and it makes you love or hate it. Well, I loved this book, and then I found out that the authors are a married couple, and I loved it even more! The fact that they’re raising teenagers – and have written multiple books together – implies they’ve been together for a while, and you can still cut the tension in this book with a knife from the word go. An amazing, beautiful talent!
About the Book
When two A-list celebrities famous for their on-screen chemistry as TV detectives (think: sapphic Mulder and Scully, or queer Rizzoli and Isles) are reunited to investigate a real-life Hollywood murder, fans who have been ‘shipping the leading ladies for years might just get the ending they’ve always wanted…
“Great fun.” —The New York Times
Bexley Simon and Sam Farmer aren’t detectives, but they play them on TV. Well, played, past tense. The iconic cult hit that was Craven’s Daughter ended five years ago, and their friendship died along with it. Fans were disappointed that the pair’s legendary chemistry went unfulfilled—and crushed that the actual spark between actresses Bex and Sam didn’t pay off, either. The network never intended for two women to get romantic, in life or onscreen, despite the fans. But the bigger tragedy was the loss of their dear friend, makeup artist Jen Arnot, whose accidental death cast a pall over the series’ last episodes.
Now the network has decided on a reunion special, and Bex and Sam are thrust together once more as hosts of a rewatch podcast that will feature favorite episodes. Their first guest—a megawatt star who played a murder victim early on—drops a bombshell. Among the millions of pixels of fanfic written about the show online, one truly prolific author, known in the fiction world as the show’s Big Name Fan, was an insider, almost certainly someone from the cast or crew.
As the podcast moves along—and the spark between Bex and Sam threatens to burn down the studio—the pair realize they’re faced with two actual mysteries: Who is their Big Name Fan? And was Jen’s death an accident, or did someone want her dead? Sifting through clues as they question cast and crew, the duo will need to separate fact from fiction as they make their personal partnership into unmistakable canon.
My Thoughts
It is no secret to repeat visitors that I prefer closed-door romance. For various reasons, that’s my comfort level, and I’m excited that we’re able to find more books aligned with all our spice preference levels. I don’t mind allusions and tension, though, and I consider a romance writer (or writers, as in this case) who can build the tension up and then release it without “delivering the goods” so to speak requires a special kind of talent. And these two authors have done just that! If you have been looking for a good closed-door romance, this is it! I’d be interested to see if their other romances are similar. One thing I wish would become more common is if authors told you their spice level. People have preferences, and while I’m not going to write a bad review based on that, some people might.
The authors are also excellent at character development. An interesting thing when you have two authors like this – something I’ve only read a few times, like with Good Omens, and one other series where two ladies wrote together under a single moniker – is that unless the writers choose to reveal the information, we have no way of knowing who wrote what. And while reading, I couldn’t see any clear distinction in writing style, which is incredibly interesting. Perhaps they’ve just been writing together for so long that they’ve sort of merged into one writer. That’s honestly an interesting academic study – my literary nerd is coming out here. My undergraduate degree is journalism, with a minor in English Literature. I’ve wanted to be a writer since I was a tiny tot, and have been a reader since I was four. Forgive me.
Anyway, our main characters are equally fabulous, in their distinct ways. Bex’s backstory is so tragic and beautiful. Sam is a force to be reckoned with. And Bex’s little sisters are fabulous. Bring in the zany cast of characters filled in by the cast and crew of Bex and Sam’s defunct TV show, where they played detectives, and you have a gorgeous, possibly one-shot, cozy detective novel, my favorite genre. People who shouldn’t be solving mysteries, sticking their nose where they shouldn’t. And this time, they’re throwing in everyone’s favorite – the true crime podcast. It’s like a sapphic “Only Murders in the Building.”
This was an amazing read, and I can’t wait to read more by these authors, whether that is in this world or otherwise. I understand they have quite a backlist, which is going on my TBR! I’m so grateful to the authors and Pride Book Tours for including me on this tour, and I’m excited to help get the word about this book out! Can’t wait to see if these ladies (the detectives – and the authors!) get up to more in the future!
Who’s It For?
The chemistry between our main characters is lauded by everyone, and they’re not wrong. If you’re looking for a romance to pull your heartstrings and maybe make you a little frustrated – slow burn city here – against the backdrop of a cold-case mystery with a cast of suspects that almost makes it seem like a locked-room mystery, this is for you! It’s for cozy mystery lovers, sapphic romance lovers, and maybe true crime podcast lovers. It’s just a fantastic read! Expand your list!
Content Warnings: This book contains topics that may disturb some readers, including, but not limited to, Homophobia, Death, Loss of Parents, Loss of Child, Partner Abuse, Misogyny, Unsafe/Hostile Workplace, and “Accepted” Hollywood Behavior.
About the Authors
Ruthie Knox is the critically acclaimed, New York Times bestselling author of more than a dozen novels. She writes both mystery and romance, usually with co-author Annie Mare. You can find Ruthie’s books under the pen names Ruthie Knox (mystery and het romance), Mae Marvel (queer romance), and Robin York (New Adult romance). Ruthie and Annie are married and live with two teenagers, two dogs, multiple fish, two glorious cats, four hermit crabs, and a bazillion plants in a very old house with a garden.
Annie Mare (she/they) writes queer contemporary mystery and romance. If you enjoy their books, check out the books they co-author with Ruthie Knox, including both queer romances (as Mae Marvel) and mysteries (as Ruthie Knox and Annie Mare). Annie’s romances have been critically recognized and bestselling. Annie lives with her wife, two teenagers, two dogs, multiple fish, one cat, four hermit crabs, and a bazillion plants in a very old house with a garden.
Links
Amazon US: https://a.co/d/9NrxGY6
Amazon UK: https://amzn.eu/d/3zj0yIs
Bookshop US: https://bookshop.org/a/25511/9781496751331
Bookshop UK: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/big-name-fan-ruthie-knox/7762682?ean=9781496751331
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/213870692-big-name-fan
Author’s Website: https://ruthieknoxandanniemare.com/
Additional Reviews
Kings River Life Magazine: https://kingsriverlife.com/03/15/big-name-fan-by-ruthie-knox-and-annie-mare/
Foreword Reviews: https://www.forewordreviews.com/reviews/big-name-fan/
Joyfully Jay: https://joyfullyjay.com/2025/02/review-big-name-fan-by-ruthie-knox-and-annie-mare/
Bookcase and Coffee: https://bookcaseandcoffee.com/book-review-big-name-fan-by-ruthie-knox-annie-mare/
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Published by Amorina Carlton. Award-winning American author, Amorina Carlton, is currently working on her first novel. You can find more about her published work and works in progress on the home page. She also serves as the PR/Marketing Lead for Ravens and Roses Publishing, and reviews books, mostly by other indie authors, here and on Bookstagram.