Murder by Design by Lee Goldberg
🔥 Best Thriller of 2026
Murder by Design
Edison Bixby Book 1
by Lee Goldberg
| Genre: | Mystery / Thriller / Whodunit |
| Author: | Lee Goldberg |
| Series: | Edison Bixby Book 1 |
| Language: | English |
| Format: | Kindle & Paperback |
| My Rating: | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 |
5 out of 5 — One of the Best Thrillers of 2026
If you are looking for a thriller that is smart, funny, and completely impossible to put down — Murder by Design by Lee Goldberg is exactly what you need to read next.
This is the first book in the brand new Edison Bixby series, and it is already being called one of the best mysteries of 2026. Written by #1 New York Times bestselling author Lee Goldberg, this book is a fresh and clever reinvention of the classic whodunit — with a detective unlike any you have ever seen before.
About the Author — Lee Goldberg
Lee Goldberg is a two-time Edgar Award and two-time Shamus Award finalist. He is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than sixty novels, including the popular Eve Ronin series and the Fox and O’Hare series which he co-wrote with Janet Evanovich. He has also written and produced many famous TV shows including Diagnosis Murder, SeaQuest, and Monk.
With Murder by Design, Goldberg has created his most unique and entertaining character yet — the brilliant but brutally honest Edison Bixby.
Book Summary — What is Murder by Design About?
Edison Bixby was once one of the best detectives in Los Angeles — brilliant, confident, and with a 100% case closure rate. But after being shot in the face, he suffered a traumatic brain injury that completely destroyed his social filter. Now, whatever he thinks, he says — no matter how rude, offensive, or inappropriate it may be.
Pushed out of the police department after his condition cost them millions in lawsuits, Bixby now works as a private insurance investigator. To manage his increasingly offensive behavior, he hires Wally Nash — a broke, struggling actor whose only job is to follow Bixby around and apologize to everyone he insults.
Their first case together seems straightforward. A woman named Caroline Crowley fell down a staircase at a shopping mall and died — in front of dozens of witnesses, with video evidence of the accident. Open and shut case. Except Bixby is convinced she was murdered — not by a person pushing her, but by the deliberate design of the mall itself. Someone engineered the environment to make her death look like an accident.
“A cross between James Bond and Adrian Monk. This lighthearted whodunit goes down smooth.” — Publishers Weekly
Now Bixby must prove his theory before the cunning killer can strike again — using the same invisible method. The result is one of the most original and entertaining mystery novels in recent memory.
Main Characters
🕵️ Edison Bixby
Wealthy, handsome, brilliant — and completely unable to stop himself from saying exactly what he thinks. A former top LAPD detective who now works as an insurance investigator. His unique way of seeing the world makes him the perfect detective for crimes hidden in plain sight.
🎭 Wally Nash
A struggling, broke actor hired to be Bixby’s social handler — basically his professional apologist. Self-absorbed but likeable, Wally provides much of the humor in the book as he constantly cleans up after Bixby’s verbal disasters.
5 Reasons You Must Read This Book
1. 🧠 A Completely Original Detective
Edison Bixby is unlike any detective you have ever read about. His brain injury makes him brutally honest in the funniest and most uncomfortable ways — but his mind is still razor sharp. You will love and be frustrated by him at the same time.
2. 🏢 Crimes Hidden in Design
The central concept of this book — that murders can be committed by manipulating the design of everyday environments — is completely fresh and fascinating. It will make you look at staircases, buildings, and public spaces very differently.
3. 😂 Hilarious and Thrilling at the Same Time
Goldberg perfectly balances comedy and suspense throughout the entire book. The humor never takes away from the mystery — it actually makes the story even more engaging and unpredictable.
4. ⚡ Impossible to Put Down
Multiple reviewers have said they read this entire book in one sitting. The pacing is relentless and the twists keep coming right until the very last page. Do not start reading it late at night — you will not sleep.
5. 📺 Perfect for TV Fans
Since Lee Goldberg is a legendary TV writer (Monk, Diagnosis Murder), this book reads almost like a pilot episode of a hit TV show. The characters and premise are so vivid and entertaining that readers are already hoping for a TV adaptation.
What I Loved & What Could Be Better
✅ What I Loved
- Completely unique detective character
- Hilarious Bixby & Wally duo
- Fresh and original murder concept
- Perfect balance of humor and suspense
- Fast-paced and unputdownable
- Brilliant writing by a master author
⚠️ Minor Issues
- Bixby can feel unlikeable at times
- Some readers may prefer a darker tone
- Ends too soon — you want more!
Who Should Read Murder by Design?
- ✅ Fans of mystery and thriller novels
- ✅ Readers who loved Monk or Diagnosis Murder on TV
- ✅ Anyone who enjoys witty and humorous detective stories
- ✅ People looking for a fast, entertaining read
- ✅ Fans of Lee Goldberg’s previous work
- ✅ Anyone who wants a completely fresh take on the classic whodunit
My Final Rating
5 out of 5 — Murder by Design is one of the most entertaining and original thrillers of 2026. An absolute must-read.
Final Verdict — Is Murder by Design Worth Reading?
Absolutely yes. Murder by Design is one of those rare thrillers that manages to be genuinely funny, deeply clever, and completely gripping all at the same time. Lee Goldberg has created a duo in Bixby and Wally that feels fresh, entertaining, and full of potential for many more books to come.
The central idea — that a murder can be committed through the clever manipulation of everyday design — is one of the most original concepts in recent crime fiction. Combined with Bixby’s unique condition and the hilarious dynamic between the two main characters, this book is a genuine delight from the very first page to the last.
If you love smart, witty mysteries that keep you guessing until the very end, do not wait — grab your copy today. You will not regret it.
🔪 Ready to Read Murder by Design?
Get your copy of Edison Bixby Book 1 on Amazon — available in Kindle and Paperback editions.
