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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
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
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-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:
No
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
*this was a First Reads Selection for the MHP Book Group
This book felt slow and for the life of me I cannot figure out how Prairie was making money with her 725 Maple Project. But whatever.
Prairie Nightingale is a "homemaker" who has created a job with employees of managing her household after her divorce. She has 2 daughters and lives with her ex-MIL. Her ex is very much in the picture and they are civil and even like each other.
When one of the mom's in Prairie's former mom group goes missing, Prairie feels the need to look into it. With the help of the attractive FBI agent (Foster), Prairie starts talking to people and looking into Lisa's disappearance. Almost like a Hallmark Mystery. I will admit to being invested and seeing how it was wrapped up, even though I knew who the killer was about halfway.
This book felt slow and for the life of me I cannot figure out how Prairie was making money with her 725 Maple Project. But whatever.
Prairie Nightingale is a "homemaker" who has created a job with employees of managing her household after her divorce. She has 2 daughters and lives with her ex-MIL. Her ex is very much in the picture and they are civil and even like each other.
When one of the mom's in Prairie's former mom group goes missing, Prairie feels the need to look into it. With the help of the attractive FBI agent (Foster), Prairie starts talking to people and looking into Lisa's disappearance. Almost like a Hallmark Mystery. I will admit to being invested and seeing how it was wrapped up, even though I knew who the killer was about halfway.
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Okay I’m hooked. This was recommended to me (a divorced, middle-aged mother, set in Green Bay Wisconsin, murder mystery) based on some elements I usually like, but the heroine was described as difficult and not socially aware. I was worried this would require too much emotional effort on my part with an unlikeable heroine.
But that’s not Prairie at all. She’s very socially aware and incredibly observant, but still makes decisions that don’t always go well for the people around her because she’s *finally* making decisions based on her own desires and needs and not to be the family-making people pleaser she has been for so many years. Not to mention that supporting a friend who reported sexual abuse means she’s been cut from the mommy group of friends she’s relied upon for many years.
And after divorcing her rich husband, she took all that money and created a trust that pays the salaries of her lawn person, organizer, and cook– leaving her the time to do things she’s really interested in– like ask around when a former mommy friend disappears.
There’s a dapper FBI agent that she flirts with. There’s a beloved mother-in-law who fills in the gaps with childcare, and there’s the women Prairie is investigating who all are tied into a MLM clothing company called Kitty Blue. And how women use and are used by MLM companies in this book isn’t pretty.
There were a few times where I felt a slight disconnect (didn’t follow) in the dialogue or reactions to characters, almost like I (a USAian) was reading a UK book and didn’t catch the reference, but it was easy to let that slide in the face of Prairie’s compelling inner thoughts. Her ex husband kind of falls into line too easily, as well.
But will definitely follow her on more adventures.