LONDON - s4story -- Sophie Maddon's first adult novel, A Slice of Mystery, publishes on 7th April 2026 through Aamondo Book. It is the opening instalment of the Abigail Palmer cozy mystery series.

The novel follows Abigail Palmer, a socially-awkward IT consultant assigned to a project in her hometown. When her boss disappears mid-assignment, Abigail is unexpectedly promoted into the role — and promptly becomes a police suspect. Navigating a live IT project, an apparent blackmail scheme, and the unwanted attentions of the local constabulary, she finds consolation where she can: in her best friend Hannah, her cat Jasper, and the pizzas from Giuseppe's down the road.

At 237 pages, A Slice of Mystery is a quick, confident read — a self-contained mystery that sets up a series without outstaying its welcome. It arrives at a moment of renewed mainstream appetite for cozy mysteries, and brings a distinctly contemporary sensibility: the protagonist is neurodivergent and quietly queer, both written as natural facets of character rather than as narrative events. It is also the first cozy mystery to centre an IT consultant, with specific and accurate detail drawn from the consulting world and rendered accessible to any reader.

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Previously published in Young Adult fiction, Maddon makes her adult debut with a novel that has attracted advance praise from readers on NetGalley, Goodreads, LibraryThing, and StoryGraph.

Selected Advance Reviews

"The mystery aspect of the book kept me on my toes and it was hard to put down."  — Andrea, NetGalley — 3.75 stars

"The story was enjoyable, and the resolution was interesting and satisfying."  — varlisia, StoryGraph — 4.25 stars

"Good character development and storyline. Good start to a series and I'll be looking for the next book!"  — bjenkhaus, LibraryThing Early Reviewers

Notes to Editors

Review copies available as ebook on request. Sophie Maddon is available for email interview. A Slice of Mystery is the first in the Abigail Palmer series. Word count and additional materials available on request.

About Sophie Maddon

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Sophie Maddon is a neurodivergent author based in the UK, previously published in Young Adult fiction. A Slice of Mystery is her first adult novel and her debut in crime fiction. She writes characters who are a little weird, a little awkward, and entirely her own. She is currently owned by a cat (half-panther, according to her vet).

Publication Details

A Slice of Mystery
Abigail Palmer Cozy Mystery, Book 1
Sophie Maddon
Aamondo Book (Independent)
7th April 2026

Media Contact

For review copies (ebook) or email interview requests, please contact:
Sophie Maddon | Aamondo Book
https://sophiemaddon.com/