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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
I received this book as an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The story follows Prairie Nightingale (what a name!), a divorced mother of two daughters, while she investigates the disappearance of another mom from her community. Prairie makes some shocking discoveries and works with an attractive detective and her network of other “homemakers” to get to the bottom of this mystery.
I found the story to be entertaining, though it was a little slow at times. I think this is a very cozy, quick read and would be great as beach/road trip read.
Thank you to the authors for allowing me to review your work!
The story follows Prairie Nightingale (what a name!), a divorced mother of two daughters, while she investigates the disappearance of another mom from her community. Prairie makes some shocking discoveries and works with an attractive detective and her network of other “homemakers” to get to the bottom of this mystery.
I found the story to be entertaining, though it was a little slow at times. I think this is a very cozy, quick read and would be great as beach/road trip read.
Thank you to the authors for allowing me to review your work!
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It was very funny. Witty and quick. The feminism in it is beautiful and pervasive but not shoved down your throat while still driving the entire narrative. This was a love letter to the emotional labor of parenting. The characters are wonderful – multifaceted and jumping from the page. They have robust backstories that draw you in.
I didn’t really like Prairie. She grew on me, of course. I just couldn’t put together the timeline and her days before Lisa. She’s a CEO of homemaking so she outsources the majority of homemaking leaving her with a lot of free time and no drive to work even part time or go to school, or read. What was she doing in the years after Greg, but before Lisa? Being observant is one thing, being nosy and rude and playing it off as quirky so you don’t need to work on yourself isn’t great either. Prairie had a lot of flaws I stuck through for to see change, only to find out they were never flaws Prairie was supposed to work on.
I didn’t really like Prairie. She grew on me, of course. I just couldn’t put together the timeline and her days before Lisa. She’s a CEO of homemaking so she outsources the majority of homemaking leaving her with a lot of free time and no drive to work even part time or go to school, or read. What was she doing in the years after Greg, but before Lisa? Being observant is one thing, being nosy and rude and playing it off as quirky so you don’t need to work on yourself isn’t great either. Prairie had a lot of flaws I stuck through for to see change, only to find out they were never flaws Prairie was supposed to work on.
It was the take down of Lulu Lemon that kept me going. Beautiful.
It was snarky and fast paced. The mystery kept my attention. The characters are all well designed but ultimately Prairie still needs growing. Maybe in book 2?
It was snarky and fast paced. The mystery kept my attention. The characters are all well designed but ultimately Prairie still needs growing. Maybe in book 2?
challenging
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Prairie Nightingale is a divorced mother of two who relies on overhead conversations, gossiping and delving into scandals and secrets to make her efforts as an amateur detective career. She also has turned her homemaking a paying venture that provides her with more details about other people’s lives. When a member of her moms’ group of friends, Lisa Radcliffe, disappears, Prairie feels called to solve the mystery. Prairie’s first step is to do a deep dive into Lisa’s life. An irritating FBI agent soon interferes with Prairie’s efforts and provides some romantic interest as well. Prairie’s investigation begins to interfere with her own home life.
This was one of the cozy mysteries that I read in between more intense stories and it served that purpose well. I am not sure that I enjoyed it as much as some similar series (Finlay Donovan) but I will probably follow if it becomes a series. Recommend to readers of cozy mysteries, rom-coms, and contemporary amateur detective genres.
Super cute amateur detective/murder mystery. Tons of representation (queerness, autism, indigenous cultures, feminism, etc). There was a twist, but the ending was a bit predictable. Overall, I liked it!
funny
hopeful
mysterious
relaxing
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
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
mysterious
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
I really enjoyed this book, and am excited to read more on this series! Cozy mystery with a sprinkle of romantic elements. A divorced homemaker who notices the little things gets swept up with trying to solve a mystery when another mom goes missing. I liked Prairie and her inner voice, as well as how she interacted with others.
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
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:
No
Full of heart and great development, this first book in a new series of amateur detective mysteries is well done and perfectly sets up a new story for readers. I fell in love with Prairie and her family and the budding romance was well placed and burned slowly. Can’t wait to see where this goes!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy. These opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy. These opinions are my own.