This book was so much funnier than I expected. Alice and Joe make the difficult decision to move from busy London to a sleepy town to raise their baby in a quieter life. The quiet life they hoped for fell to pieces quickly when a murder happens during their birthing class. When Alice and her other pregnant friends become suspects they take it upon themselves to try to play detectives and solve the murder. This was a fun one and the dogs in this story are the real mvp!
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Huge thank you to @minatour_books and @netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
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What a cute idea for a cozy mystery series. A gaggle of pregnant ladies are in a birthing class when someone is murdered in the building and a few team up to amateur sleuth and try to solve the mystery.

Alice is the main female character and I really liked her. I am childless but I could really connect with her and her mixed feelings on the impending birth. She had a good vibe and I always like reading from a British point of view.

The book is fun and has some dry and witty humor in it. And I forgot to mention Helen, Alice’s mischievous dog. Actually she was more like an ordinary dog around non-dog people that got just a little out of control at times. But she brought smiles to my face as I read and listened.

While none upstage Helen, the cast of characters are quirky and entertaining.

The story seemed to slow its pace in the middle, but alas I switched to the audio and I was right back in it. Kitty Kelly was the perfect narrator for this. Her lovely accent and the upbeat tone of her narration was a perfect fit.

If you are looking for a funny read, this is a great choice. The vibe reminded me of reading the Finlay Donovan series or early Stephanie Plum.

The Expectant Detectives is Kat Ailes debut contemporary mystery, out from Minotaur Books.

Alice and Joe have moved to the small town of Penton in the English countryside with Alice 8 months pregnant. Immediately signing up for a prenatal class, and hoping to make some friends, they try to settle into their new life. But someone unexpectedly goes into labor during the second class, and the shop owner is found dead. Having nothing better to do, the women become determined to solve the murder, much to the chagrin of the men in their lives.

Alice isn't necessarily a likeable character, but she's not unlikeable either. I was just kind of indifferent to her, possibly because as a childless adult I couldn't relate to her. She just seemed kind of...not smart sometimes. Even Hen, one of the pregnant women, seems to think she's completely dumb and useless. I did really like Ailsa, as she was the one who didn't give a crap about anyone else and told it like it was. Poppy and Lin were a good counter-balance to Alice.

The writing was okay, although even for a cozy mystery it seemed really slow. I knew not to expect a fast-paced suspense, but it lagged a lot for the first half. The forest commune was an interesting addition to the story, intertwining a lot of the characters together and connecting storylines.

All in all, a pretty good debut from Kat. This appears to be the first in a series, which could be interesting. If you're a fan of cozy mysteries, family secrets, hippies, and dogs, then give this one a try!

Thank you to @NetGalley and @MinotaurBooks for a digital copy for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.

Alice and Joe are expecting their first, but in spite of a looming due date, make the move from London to a small Cotswold town with their high-maintenence dog Helen. It’s not exactly what they were expecting. Alice has a hard time reading people at first, it seems. Then, at their first prenatal class in an upstairs room of a business selling essential oils and hemp, one of the pregnant mothers goes into labor. When the ambulance arrives, the paramedics discover that downstairs, the business owner has been murdered.

The police seem inclined to look for suspects amongst the pregnant women and their partners. After all, they were all on the scene at the time. In self-defense as much as anything else, several of the women band together to find the real killer. While they initially seem to have nothing in common with each other aside from either being pregnant or having a newborn, they soon find themselves forging real friendships. And there’s so much weirdness about this small town, from the commune, to the manor house, to Joe’s inexplicable attraction to the local right-wing nut. Can Alice and her friends figure things out before her own impending due date?

The Expectant Detectives is a fun read. Sure it’s a cozy mystery, but it’s got lots of humor, unexpected twists, and snarkiness. I really enjoyed it!

Unfortunately due to the current SMP boycott, I will not post my review until the concerns are addressed..

If The Expectant Detectives wasn’t on your radar before now, if you were thinking you had to be a mommy to enjoy this, or you were thinking rom-coms aren’t your thing, I’m here to tell you to stop, to put Kat Ailes’ debut novel in your cart, go home, cozy in, and prepare to laugh until you cry. The way Alice describes her dog Helen, her partner Joe, her new life in Penton, and her “detectoring” with her new prenatal group friends is hilarious, fresh, and probably the most fun I’ve had reading in a while. I honestly hope this is the start of a series, because I'm here for all of it. I can picture these women taking their kids to college and still solving crimes. I loved it.

Cute, fun cozy set in the English countryside. A group of young, first-time pregnant women meet and bond over a death that occurs during one of their parenting classes. Of course they're going to investigate--what else are you going to do when you're on maternity leave but haven't given birth yet? :) I enjoyed the quirky characters, human and canine.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a free e-ARC of this book.

The Expectant Detectives by Kat Ailes is a humorous novel of a small group of pregnant women trying to uncover a murderer. Alice and Joe had left London for the countryside and ended up in Penton in the Cotswolds. They had rented a house over the Internet (might have been a mistake) and were now settling in. Since Alice was now eight months pregnant they had signed up for a prenatal class and found it would take place above stairs of a shop known as Nature’s Way which sold essential oils and natural medicines and such. It’s proprietor was Crispin Oliver, the same man who had accosted her earlier in the week about her antacid, suggesting she take slippery elm instead. After the second meeting of the group, Mr. Oliver was found dead as they left, humped over his counter. Alice and the women she had met at the prenatal class, Poppy, Hen, and Ailsa started to ask questions. Well, really everyone except Hen who had unexpectedly given birth during class, apparently as Mr. Oliver was dying.

This was a serious book but it often made me smile and several times made me laugh out loud, usually about pregnancy and the things it does to one’s mind, body, and relationships. The man had been murdered and there were myriad other things about Penton that were strange. Strange to Alice was the fact that it seemed like there were a lot of “hippies” around. Her class had been led by one of them, Dot. Then, while walking in the woods with Helen, their kind of spastic dog, she ambled into a commune. These were older hippies and seemed to behave oddly to her. She met the leader’s son, Rowan, who then seemed to pop up everywhere. Slowly the pieces fell into place. Alice and Poppy also had their babies; Ailsa was still waiting, and additional mysteries had been solved. It was a fun read, injected with plenty of personality and humor. The characters were beyond entertaining and Ailes had pregnancy dead on. Secrets are never good things, and that might be the moral of this story.

Thank you St. Martin’s Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own. #Netgalley #StMartinsPress #KatAiles #TheExpectantDectives

Good cozy mystery with twists.
Expecting women come upon a murder while at a birthing class ,they try to solve the mystery and murder when it get a little complicated..
Good cute cozy story with twists and some humor..
Voluntarily reviewed.

fun: The Expectant Detectives

I first saw this book when I was browsing in a British bookstore on line and knew that I wanted to read it. It was great to find that it was also being published in the U.S. and it felt like a real treat to receive this one from NetGalley. 

Anyone who is (or has been pregnant) or knows someone who has, and those who enjoy somewhat frothy mysteries laced with humor should take a look at this one.

Imagine a baby being delivered right in the middle of a prenatal class. If that weren’t enough, imagine that a murder follows not long after. 

A group of women from the prenatal class are on the case. Will they solve it?  Readers can guess the answer to that. The fun is in watching events unfold.

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press-Minotaur Books for this title. All opinions are my own.

Kat Ailes debut novel, The Expectant Detectives, is a hilariously zany cozy mystery. Ms. Ailes has nailed it with her characterizations, scene setting and depiction of a quirky, rural English village.

A very pregnant Alice is the narrator for this unlikely story of four expectant moms with little to do in a small village while waiting for their delivery date. A suspicious murder in the local homeopathy store ignites their imaginations and nosiness. Alice’s conspirators are an eclectic group, and their partners are equally odd. As their “dectectoring” advances, more and more people in the village seem to have a motive for knocking off the victim, Mr. Oliver.

Ms. Ailes solidly delivers the nuances of new and established female friendships. Her sense of humor is obvious, and between Alice’s awkwardness and the ridiculous situations she gets into, I laughed and smiled through the story. A very fun cozy mystery!

Can they solve the mother of all murders?" Dive into the quirky world of Penton with Alice and Joe in Kat Ailes' captivating mystery novel. This cozy tale blends the joys of impending parenthood with the suspense of a thrilling murder investigation.

Setting and Atmosphere: The sleepy village of Penton serves as the perfect backdrop for Alice and Joe's attempts to embrace country life. The vivid descriptions transport you to the heart of the community, making it feel like a character in itself. From woodwork to homemade jam, the rural idyll is richly portrayed, setting the stage for unexpected twists.

Plot and Suspense: A dead body at a prenatal class throws Alice and Joe into the midst of a murder investigation, turning their serene life upside down. The plot is a delightful mix of humor and suspense, keeping you hooked from start to finish. The question lingers throughout: Can they truly solve the mother of all murders? The unraveling mysteries, including a shady commune and a mysterious death, add layers of intrigue.

Character Dynamics: The camaraderie among Alice, her pregnant friends, and the troublesome dog, Helen, adds a charming touch to the narrative. Each character is unique, and their interactions contribute to both the humor and the intensity of the investigation. Helen, in particular, steals the spotlight with her mischievous antics.

Secrets and Tensions: The secrets lurking in the heart of Penton create a complex web of intrigue. A mysterious death from the past, the discovery of a shady commune in the woods, and the near-tragic poisoning of Helen elevate the stakes for Alice. The author weaves these elements seamlessly, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.

Overall Impression: "The Expectant Detectives" earns a solid four stars for its engaging storyline, well-developed characters, and the perfect balance between suspense and humor. Kat Ailes has crafted a cozy mystery that will appeal to fans of the genre, offering a delightful escape into the world of Penton.

Recommendation: If you enjoy a mix of humor, suspense, and the quaint charm of village life, add "The Expectant Detectives" to your reading list. It's a page-turner that will leave you eagerly anticipating the next installment in the Penton Chronicles.

If you're a fan of the cozy brand of low-stakes mystery, check out The Expectant Detectives! Alice and Joe move to a rural English town on the eve of expecting their first child. But their plans to settle into this small town community go awry when there's a murder at their prenatal class. Instead, Alice and a group of expectant mothers (aided by her buffoon of a dog, Helen) decide to play detectives and solve the murder before they all become mothers.

This one was fun, even if a bit silly at times. Lots of helpful coincidences keep this plot moving. I think it's especially enjoyable for anyone who has recently gone through the experience of having a child. Alice is not put together, not prepared, and sometimes not even looking forward to motherhood. I thought that made her extremely relatable. Overall this was a good debut by Ailes, and the start of a fun series!

Thank you @minotaur_books for the advanced reader copy!

The Expectant Detectives is Kat Ailes' debut novel. Now, three guesses - what might these amateur detectives night have in common? If you said 'they're all pregnant' - you're a winner.

Alice and her partner Joe have moved to Penton, a small village in the Cotswolds. Of course! Penton is home to a varied (and quirky) bunch of residents. The population is down one when a local shopkeeper is found dead downstairs in his shop - while Alice is upstairs at the same shop attending her prenatal class.

As they're all suspects now - (bar one) four of the women decide to band together to help the local constabulary find the culprit. The group is made up of a wonderful group very different women.

Alice is our lead character and honestly, her actions and dialogue had me laughing out loud. Ailes is a funny woman and writer. Now I have to mention the four footed character Helen - Alice's dog. Again, very funny. She steals the show in a few places.

And what about the crime? Ailes gives us lots of possibilities for the whodunit. And has us questioning just about everyone's innocence. It wasn't easy to suss out the final ah ha!

Fans of Finlay Donovan will love this new series. See for yourself - read an excerpt of The Expectant Detective.

Dead Tired is the follow up to The Expectant Detectives. It's most definitely on my 'want to read' list!

I liked reading this cozy mystery book. The story was compelling and I wanted to keep read after I got through the first half. There were a few times in the beginning that I lost interest. There were some twists that I wasn't expecting, so it fun to see how things turned out in the end. It felt like a messy family dynamic book along with a mystery. I found the sleuthing a little much, but overall I liked the book and am glad that I read it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Interesting mystery featuring a group of pregnant women as the amateur sleuths investigating a murder that occurred in the same building where their birthing classes are being held. It's a little slow-paced in places, but still held my attention. There's plenty of added humor from the funny and clueless dog, Helen. 3.75 stars rounded to 4

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor or expectation.

Stepping into 'The Expectant Detectives' felt like a breath of fresh country air! What a delightful read! One of the standout elements for me was how effortlessly the story flowed. The narrative carried me along, weaving effortlessly between humor, heart, and a captivating mystery. I found myself genuinely invested in Alice and her troupe of expectant friends who stumbled into the world of amateur sleuthing. Each character was wonderfully distinct, making them easy to love and root for throughout the book.

What I appreciated most was the author's skill in maintaining a lighthearted tone while delving into a compelling mystery. It managed to keep me engaged without feeling overwhelmed by the seriousness of the investigation. The balance between uncovering clues, quirky interactions, and unexpected twists was just perfect. This book truly offers a delightful escape, making it a must-read for anyone craving a cozy mystery with a unique premise and a cast of lovable characters. I couldn't put it down and found myself smiling all the way through!

I really enjoyed this cozy so well written wonderful characters really funny entertaining.Alice and her husband move to a small town in the Cotswolds living a quiet life waiting for the birth of their baby but nothing goes as planned .Meeting other pregnant women in their prenatal class when a dead body is discovered and the women become suspects the story takes off funny enjoyable.an interesting cast ofchracacters.Will be recommending.#netgalley #st.martins

The Expectant Detectives is the cozy mystery that has officially tricked me into falling in love with the genre, head over heels.

Everything about this book is just very literally, fabulous reading enjoyment. The characters are fun, dynamic and interesting (who knew what a good plot device pregnant women who are bored waiting for their due dates and decide to meddle in a police investigation could be); the murder mystery is murky and intriguing; the setting of the book is both adorable and perfectly atmospheric; the pacing is spot on. Most important, when I tell you this book is laugh-out-loud hilarious, I’m not exaggerating. I laughed my ass off, out loud, repeatedly. It was just all so much damn fun.

I could so honestly read a lengthy series of books based on these characters, I just adored them. You know it’s a great book when at the end you are actually sad that you don’t get to continue with the story.

Honestly, I cannot tell you enough how you should get this on your 2024 tbr. If you like murder mysteries, comedies, and character dramas, this cozy mystery is the one for you. And it is out today so go! Order! You will thank me!

Thank you @minotaur_books for the copy. And @k.ailes you’ve made a permanent fan out of me!

This was an okay book, but cozy mysteries are not really my jam. I probably wouldn’t have requested this if I knew that. Overall it was a quick read but the humor was just kind of fine at some parts