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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
slow-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Homemaker by Ruthie Knox and Annie Mare is the first book in A Prairie Nightingale Mysteries. Prairie is a woman who notices details, and she is nosy much to her children’s dismay. Once Prairie begins looking into a matter, she is like a dog with a bone (she does not give up until she has all the answers). I found Prairie to be annoying and unlikeable. Unfortunately, the rest of the characters are equally unpleasant and frustrating. The writing style made the story difficult to read. It reminded me of my college ethics textbook (which was easier to read). The story reminds me of a soap opera except everything is politically correct. I wish the blurb had mentioned the controversial content (physical and mental abuse for example) that the book contained as well as the foul language. The pacing is slow (paint dried faster). The mystery was simple and predictable. Despite the multiple suspects as well as a red herring or two, the killer stood out like a woman wearing a red dress to a black and white event. The reveal was long and drawn out (I wanted to yell at Prairie to get to the point because watching spiders build their webs was more fascinating). The whodunit wrapped up early leaving time at the end which was not needed (I found myself rolling my eyes). The mystery got lost among all the other things going on in the story. There is just too much stuff in this book (and too many people) and all the puzzle pieces do not fit together. Homemaker is not a cozy mystery (there is nothing cozy about this book) nor can it be classified as a mystery (not enough meat for that category). If you are suffering from insomnia, then Homemaker is the book for you!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Mental Abuse as well and foul language
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
funny
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Better than most Amazon first reads.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
challenging
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you Thomas & Mercer for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Homemaker is about Prairie Nightingale, a literal homemaker who has a knack for getting information. When a local woman goes missing, Prairie starts asking questions. But is she getting in over her head with her investigation?
I liked the narrative about how police don't always get the full picture, because I think that can often be true. Prairie definitely notices things they didn't.
Other than that, I can't say I loved this book. I didn't really understand her "homemaker" business. I also had a hard time believing people would talk to her so easily about private things, even if they didn't previously know her. I can see the investigators taking tips, but not working directly with her. The characters seemed like they didn't care about the outcome at the end and that bothered me. Then there were also some mistakes, such as the years being wrong in a couple spots. Overall, this book wasn't for me.
Homemaker is about Prairie Nightingale, a literal homemaker who has a knack for getting information. When a local woman goes missing, Prairie starts asking questions. But is she getting in over her head with her investigation?
I liked the narrative about how police don't always get the full picture, because I think that can often be true. Prairie definitely notices things they didn't.
Other than that, I can't say I loved this book. I didn't really understand her "homemaker" business. I also had a hard time believing people would talk to her so easily about private things, even if they didn't previously know her. I can see the investigators taking tips, but not working directly with her. The characters seemed like they didn't care about the outcome at the end and that bothered me. Then there were also some mistakes, such as the years being wrong in a couple spots. Overall, this book wasn't for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Murder
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Blood