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Book Review
Reviewed: 15 December 2023

The Expectant Detectives

by: Kat Ailes

The Expectant Detectives - Book 1

  • Rating: full starfull starfull starfull starstar outline (4/5)

A death, a birth, and lots of herbs, all at the same time. Oh, and let’s not forget Helen.

I picked up this book because of the title and picture of a pregnant woman in a sleuthing cap. It was different. Not a young woman falsely accused. Not an older woman thought to be too old to be taken seriously. I had no idea what to expect because I also have not read this author before. 

The tone was fun and inviting. The diversity of characters was fun as well. I admit not being sure where things were headed but I also didn’t care, I was along for the ride. I LOVED the “and don’t bring Helen”. I almost think all of us needs a Helen, almost.

The mystery was a mystery. I was pretty sure how and when the first death happened. The second was a bit of a surprise and I wasn’t sure how all of the clues would fall into place. Usually, I figure a thing or two out just ahead of the amateur sleuth. This time I was a bit behind, that was fun. 

I learned a few things I am not sure that I ever wanted to know and I came away wishing I had friends like Alice’s. 

Such a brilliant read!  I will look for other works by this author.

Thank you to #NetGalley  for the opportunity to do an early read and share my thoughts on the story.

Happy Reading! 

Release Date: 9-January-2024
Pregnant woman in pink wearing a sleuthing cap holding a flashlight in one hand and her baby bump in the other. Along side her is a long haired blond dog.
British, Cozy Mystery, Audiobook, Female Sleuth, NetGalley

Plot Summary

Fresh, funny and heartfelt, The Expectant Detectives is a charming debut mystery about a group of soon-to-be moms-turned-detectives.

“A darkly witty debut. Archly funny and highly recommended!”—Deanna Raybourn

Can they solve the mother of all murders?

For Alice and her partner Joe, moving to the sleepy village of Penton is a chance to embrace country life and prepare for the birth of their first child. He can take up woodwork; maybe she’ll learn to make jam? But the rural idyll they’d hoped for doesn’t quite pan out when a dead body is discovered at their local prenatal class, and they find themselves suspects in a murder investigation.

With a cloud of suspicion hanging over the heads of the whole group, Alice and her new-found pregnant friends set out to solve the mystery and clear their names, with the help of her troublesome dog, Helen. However, there are more secrets and tensions in the heart of Penton than first meet the eye. Between the discovery of a shady commune up in the woods, the unearthing of a mysterious death years earlier, and the near-tragic poisoning of Helen, Alice is soon in way over her head.