You Had Me at Bigfoot
by Nancy Campbell Allen · Follow the author Nancy Campbell Allen Nancy Campbell AllenNancy Campbell Allen A Daphne Drew Mystery #1 · 2026
Rookie journalist Daphne and war photographer Clark investigate a missing maid and rumors of Bigfoot sightings—uncovering danger, buried lies, and unexpected romance deep in the Pacific Northwest wilderness. Rookie investigative journalist Daphne Drew is finally on assignment—though it’s not exactly the hard-hitting story she imagined. Sent to cover a high-society wedding at an opulent Pacific Northwest lodge, Daphne expects floral arrangements and champagne flutes, not whispered rumors of a missing maid . . . or reports of Bigfoot sightings. She’s not alone. Tagging along is Clark Finklestine-Henry, a decorated war photographer with a haunted past—and a camera sharp enough to catch more than just candid reception shots. Together with their loyal dogs, Daphne and Clark begin to suspect something much darker is lurking in the forested shadows of the hotel grounds. As wedding guests arrive and tension simmers beneath the surface, Daphne and Clark uncover a tangled web of lies, legends, and lost fortune—one that ties the vanished maid, some returning friends, and the infamous DB Cooper together in a mystery that’s anything but folklore.
Rating: 4.00/5 from 1 ratings · Heat: 2 · Genres: Adventure, Cozy Mystery, Crime, Humor/Satire, Paranormal, Romance
Reviews
Woodland Reviews — 4/5
This is a fun romance/mystery combo that will hearken back to the mysteries some of us read during our childhoods. The note to the reader, which prefaces the story itself, notes that You Had Me at Bigfoot was inspired by the author's love of Nancy Drew and Scooby Doo. And I could definitely see that as I read this book. The nods toward Nancy Drew almost brought about a certain level of nostalgia (sorry...I never watched Scooby Doo...), because I remember being a kid, reading Nancy Drew, and wishing I could solve a mystery or two with her. Daphne and Clark are fun characters with well-rounded arcs. I enjoyed how they were opposite in so many respects, but instead of that being a rub, the author used that to draw them together. Hannah seems like a great-aunt everyone would like to have, and while I'm allergic to dogs, I'd happily take Tobey or Fidget as a pet. The setting is also fun. We go from a run-down magazine building to a quirky hotel that's trapped between being a Bigfoot museum and a grand place located in Oregon. As the title suggests, Bigfoot--or the concept of Bigfoot--plays quite a large role in the plot. Some characters believe he exists, while others don't. It's tongue-in-cheek and never makes a definitive claim, which is perfect whether you're a believer or a skeptic. The romance is clean. There is a delightful slow-burn, a fun twist on the "only one room" trope, and some kisses. Now for the content warnings. This book leans into the question of if the paranormal exists. That would usually make me leery, but the way this is handled is more in the vein of Nancy Drew/Trixie Belden than an actual, serious, in-depth take. That said, a character mentions a friend believed he could speak with ghosts (to an extent). What I wasn't fond of was the horoscope mention. It wasn't necessary and lent nothing to the chapter in which it appears. Sensitive readers should note that there is some violence. A bomb threat and holdup are mentioned; there's a poisoning; a murder; a kidnapping; and some injuries. All similar to what you would find in the old detective stories. You Had Me at Bigfoot is a fun story of a journalist and a photographer who find themselves in the middle of an unexpected mystery. Perfect for fans of Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, and Trixie Belden. I look forward to book two. I received a copy of this book from the publisher in conjunction with NetGalley for promotional purposes. A positive review was not required and all opinions expressed are my own.