great mystery introducing Vandy Myrick as she navigates her life post-police force and establishes a private investigation practice, sharing an office with her best friend a lawyer. Soon, it appears the politically-connected man who hired her to shadow his wife may have had her working at cross purposes when that wife is murdered by an intruder. She sets out to set the record straight, while trying to not step on politicians toes in the hometown to which she never meant to return.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3.5/5, almost a 4) Trouble In Queenstown by Delia Pitts.
Releasing July 16, 2024, thank you @netgalley @minotaur_books and @stmartinspress for the ARC.
I really liked the beginning of the book. Characters were developed well, story was interesting and fast paced. However the ending was a little flat for me. Don’t get me wrong, it was interesting, but something about it felt like it was wrapped up too quickly, like there was a better way to wrap up what happened. It just kind of felt like there was a bomb dropped at the end to make it have more shock factor. I did like the interwoven relationships, the discussion of important topics regarding race/class, etc. But this book truly left me wanting the ending to be different.

Vandy Myrick has returned to her hometown of Queenstown, New Jersey, and hung out her shingle as a private investigator. Most of her cases are divorce cases, bland but lucrative.. until the day the mayor’s nephew walks in and asks her to learn who is stalking his wife. Before the initial consultation is over, though, he changes his tune – now he admits that he thinks she’s having an affair and needs confirmation. Thinking of the high profile family involved, she reluctantly accepts the job. But when dead bodies are found, additional clients appear and Vandy is pressured to stop her investigation, she does exactly the opposite, determined to find out what is really going on.

According to Goodreads, this is Ms. Pitts’ first novel, but at the beginning of the book, there are six other novels listed under her name. Either way, this is the first book I’ve read by this author, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. It didn’t take long for the story to establish the tone for the rest of the book – think of a coarser, grittier VI Warshawki, Sharon McCone or Kinsey Milhone and you’d have a good representation of Vandy Myrick.

After the first several chapters, I was tempted to DNF the book – I didn’t like Vandy and didn’t care much about what happened. Because I really hate to do that, I stuck with the book, and it eventually drew me in, although I still wasn’t completely invested in the story. There were a *lot of characters and interwoven relationships that seemed more than a bit too coincidental. It was pretty obvious to me who was responsible for the deaths, although the motive escaped me. I was shocked at what this character did to hide their connection to everything, but it only goes to show what someone in that position is capable of doing.

The last chapter of this book made it sound like there will be at least one more book coming featuring Vandy, and I will probably read it at some point, but I’m not sure if I’ll look for an advance copy or just wait until I can get one elsewhere.

BIPOC Mystery that features a private investigator who's newest case following the mayor’s nephew's wife to uncover evidence for a divorce suit gets complicated by a murder.

1/5 stars: This is Pitts' Mystery stand-alone that features a former cop turned private investigator who's newest case for the the mayor’s nephew to tail his wife to uncover evidence of an affair gets complicated when a racially charged murder connects to the mayor and her family. Pitts' writing and character work are nicely done. Pitts tackles some heavy subjects, so take care and check the CWs. Unfortunately, this just wasn't a book for me; leading me to DNF it at 8%.

I received this eARC thanks to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

Vandy Myrick has come back to her hometown of Queenstown to open a business as a private investigator. She is home so that she can spend time with her father who is in a home and suffers from dementia. She is working with two friends, one of whom is a lawyer.

Most of Vandy's cases are simple and straightforward. When an influential local named Leo Hannah hires her to follow his wife, Vandy thinks it will be just another case but will give her entry into another group of potential clients. Vandy follows Ivy Hannah on her rounds for a week and is preparing a report for Leo when she gets a phone call.

Someone has broken into the Myrick home and Leo shot and killed him. He claims that the home invader assaulted his wife who died on the operating table. Since Leo's aunt is the mayor, the investigation is quickly completed, and it lays all the blame on home invader Hector Ramirez and clears Leo of any culpability.

But Vandy isn't so sure. Her years as a police officer show her another more likely scenario. And Ivy's father who wants custody of Ivy's 3-year-old son and Hector's teenage sister doesn't believe that her brother could have killed Ivy.

Vandy begins her own investigation and finds herself the target of an assault herself and finds her father and friends also targeted. Someone doesn't want the truth to come out and is willing to go to all lengths to get Vandy to abandon her investigation.

This was an engaging story. Vandy is an intriguing character who is dealing with her own grief after the death of her teenage daughter at a frat party. She has given up drinking and refuses to carry a gun, but she hasn't given up her reckless habit of one-night stands which is her substitution for intimacy.

I enjoyed the story of this black woman who works in a town that was once a visible haven for the KKK. The racism is still pervasive though not quite as visible.

I recommend this story for its great characters and fast-paced plot.

St. Martin's Press and Minotaur Books provided an early galley for review.

I was drawn to this novel the moment I saw the cover. It has an appealing visual and colors that I found inviting.

For me, the story started off slow but picked up about the quarter mark when Vandy gets a new ally in the investigation. Even still, a tighter pacing all the way would have kept me more focused.

The clues all are revealed by the end. There are strong themes too relating to race and class and priviledge. It is a story that definitely has something to say

Trouble In Queenstown is the story whose main character Vandy Myrick is a PI who returns to Queenstown. Vandy wants to jump start her life and business. Not only is she doing all of this, she is looking after her father who is in a nursing home with memory issues. Evander Myrick who Vandy is named after really wanted a son to not only carry on the family name, but also become a top policeman like he was. Vandy knows she will never live up to her fathers expectations, which is something that weighs on Vandy.

Being a top notch PI Vandy gets the job of a lifetime. Helping out the mayor's nephew Leo Hannah. Leo needs Vandy to trail his wife whom he feels is in danger. Seems simple enough or is there something more to it? Vandy uncovers more about Leo which involves his aunt the mayor, Vandys day and Vandy herself. Things start to go south when Vandy starts asking questions and starts getting to close to answers. Is she safe? What about her father and her close friends? How are they all connected? Many questions to be answered and Vandy is the one to get the answers.

This novel had suspense,mystery and excitement. There were many twists and turns which I love in a novel. The character of Vandy was written as a strong women who never gave up when she hit a brick wall. She kept on asking those questions, pushed people to give her the answers she needed. i liked that she was a force to be dealt with. She was a two fold character. She was a women with a past who lived through any mother's worst nightmare. Losing a child. She was the protector of her father even though he has no idea who she is. She went after the truth.

I would recommend this book to mu fellow readers. It kept my attention and as I said before it had many twists. So thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the ARC. Also thank you Delta Pitts for writing a very exciting book. I look forward to more from her.

Vandy Myrick goes through some things in Delia Pitts’ Trouble in Queenstown, and those things make for a fantastically readable and even relatable mystery novel that has far more layers than I expected in this era of cozy, fluffy mysteries.

It’s generally a fast-paced story, though Ms. Pitts never lets quality fall by the wayside as the sassy and sarcastic newly-minted, but still mourning her daughter, private investigator Vandy races against a clock only she sometimes sees to solve a murder mystery that’s rocked her childhood hometown despite powerful figures fighting hard against the idea that there was ever a mystery at all. The daughter of a retired police officer, whom she visits at least three times a week in his memory care nursing home, Vandy finds herself volunteering at every turn to be a champion for those who can’t speak and for those no one listens to. And in doing so, Ms. Pitts lays out a clear and powerful path on which Vandy finds herself and speaks for her too.

Interwoven through the story are darker threads of current events; corrupt politicians, sanctuary cities, BLM protests, anti-immigrant mentalities, drugs on the streets, and various other things. While some might see mentioning those as content- or trigger-warnings, they are also a reality that’s important to the fictional story in the novel and the wider message of it in reality. And Delia Pitts handles each of those things with a balance that not all novels get quite right.

In Trouble in Queenstown, the cast is diverse and representative of almost everything but never trends toward the side of diversity for the sake of diversity. It’s all intentional, that Vandy, a Black woman, finds connections to a powerful white family no one ever expect and does it with the help of a Hispanic teenager whose brother is tried and convicted in the court of public opinion (after his death) because he is a different color and he isn’t from Queenstown. Those things happen in real life, so it’s fitting that they happen in Ms. Pitts’ novel.

I hope, desperately that, Trouble in Queenstown is the start of a series centered on Vandy Myrick, as the final chapter suggests, because the we Readers need more of Vandy’s sass and wit in our bookish lives.

And that cliffhanger between her and the Sayre brothers…

I received an advanced copy of Trouble in Queenstown through NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books in exchange for an honest and original review.

Good mystery, interesting main character but the writing style seemed a little amateurish to me in places. If there is another book in this apparent series I will read it in hopes of a tighter style.

I have never read anything by this author, but I can tell you right now that I am so happy I did. As a matter of fact, I liked the main character Evander “Vandy” Myrick so much that I would like to see her star in her own series!

This story is filled with lies, dirty politics, obviously murder, and corruption. Racial disparity plays a significant part in this tale.

Vandy is a kick-ass PI with a tragic past. She is now trying to get back on her feet and is handed a case that seems simple enough—or is it? Excitement flows from these pages; much of it is heart-pounding until the very end, with an ending that I don't think anyone could have seen coming.

I truly enjoyed this novel and couldn't put it down.

I believe you, too, will enjoy the mystery and excitement that I found in this book.

*ARC was supplied by the publisher Minotaur Books, the author, and NetGalley.

I was not able to finish this book, unfortunately. The story did not grab my attention. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity.

DNF ... lousy ... sloppy immature writing ... not much else to say ... Definitely a Not Recommend

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Definitely a must read! Evander Myrick is a strong well developed character. The story is fast paced and rivets the reader. Didn't want to put this one down. I want to read more from this author! Thanks #Netgalley and #StMartinsPress for the eARC in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are mine.

This book captured me from the beginning to end. This is a hands down must read. The development of characters and plot was edge of seat.
You won’t regret spending time on this one!

Happy reading!

This was such an enjoyable read. I loved Vandy’s tragic past and her gutsy present. This story hooked me until the very last page.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

“Trouble in Queenstown: A Mystery” by Delia Pitts is a riveting addition to the detective fiction genre, introducing readers to the tenacious private investigator Vandy Myrick. Set against the backdrop of Queenstown, New Jersey, Pitts crafts a narrative that is as much about the intricacies of a small town as it is about the complexities of a murder investigation.

The story begins when Vandy is hired to follow the wife of Leo Hannah, the deputy head of research at ArcDev Pharmaceuticals. What seems like a straightforward case of infidelity quickly spirals into a web of deceit involving a racially charged murder with deep ties to the town’s most influential family. As Vandy delves deeper, she finds herself entangled in a case that challenges her skills and threatens to expose long-buried secrets.

Pitts’ writing is sharp and immersive, creating a darkly atmospheric world where every character is shrouded in shades of grey. The narrative is tightly woven, with each twist and turn drawing the reader further into the mystery. Vandy Myrick is a compelling protagonist—her determination and grit make her a standout character in a genre filled with memorable detectives.

The novel’s exploration of grief, class, race, and family dynamics adds layers to the mystery, making it not just a quest for the truth but also a profound commentary on the society it portrays. The setting of Queenstown is almost a character in itself, with its cornfields, warehouses, pharma labs, and tract housing painting a vivid picture of the town’s socioeconomic landscape.

“Trouble in Queenstown” is a testament to Pitts’ ability to balance a thrilling plot with meaningful social commentary. It’s a book that will not only keep readers guessing until the very end but also leave them pondering the themes long after they’ve turned the last page. With this debut, Delia Pitts has established herself as a mystery writer to watch, and Vandy Myrick as a detective to root for. Readers eager for a mystery that offers both sizzle and heart will find “Trouble in Queenstown” a satisfying and thought-provoking read.

Trouble in Queenstown, by Delia Pitts, introduces badass private investigator Evander Myrick (named after her police chief father, who always wanted a son). “Vandy” has recently returned to Queenstown, New Jersey, the community where she grew up, to restart her career after the heartbreaking loss of her daughter. In the opening chapter, Vandy bests a thug in a bar fight and then picks up a sexy mimbo for a one-night stand.
As the story unfolds, we see a softer side of Vandy as she processes her grief over her daughter’s death. Her father is the only relative she has left, but he’s in a memory care home and doesn’t even recognize her, despite her frequent visits and attempted chats.
By the end of the first chapter, Vandy gets her first client: Leo Hannah, nephew of the powerful Queenstown mayor, Josephine Hannah. Leo tells Vandy that his wife, Ivy, has received some threats, and he wants Vandy to tail her. When Vandy asks to interview Ivy about the threats, Leo waffles and admits he believes Ivy is having an affair.
Vandy follows Ivy for a week, finds no evidence of an affair, and prepares a report for Leo. When she arrives at his home to present it, the cops are investigating a double homicide. Ivy is clinging to life and later dies. A man named Hector Ramirez lies dead on the floor. Leo claims he shot Hector when he found him assaulting Ivy.
The police wrap up the case quickly, not questioning Leo’s story. After providing her witness testimony, Vandy’s work is done.
But then she gets a new client: Samuel Decker, Ivy’s father. He doesn’t believe the story the mayor and her nephew fed the cops. He thinks Leo is the one who killed his daughter, and he wants Vandy to prove it.
Vandy and Sam investigate the crime and also commiserate over membership in a club no one should ever have to join: losing a child. Although they make progress, they are unable to prove Leo is Ivy’s killer. Then Vandy is approached by Ingrid Ramirez, Hector’s sister, who wants to hire Vandy to prove that Hector didn’t hurt anyone and thus clear her brother's name.
As Vandy gets closer to the truth, she is harassed, kidnapped, and beaten with a stern warning to back off. But rather than quit, she doubles down, determined she’s on the right track.
This well-written novel is told in first person and touches on many current social issues: racial inequality, corruption in local politics, divisive topics, and family ties. The mystery was engaging, but the ending disappointed me. Although justice was served, the killer’s motive seemed a bit weak.
Vandy is a strong female protagonist who could easily sustain a series. She’s tenacious, spunky, and caring. I’d like to see where some of her relationships go as she settles back into the Queenstown community and solves more cases.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed this book a lot! The plot was interesting and kept me engaged the whole time. I like how fast-paced it was. The part of the story about Vandy's love life is probably my only qualm with this book. It seemed messy and unfinished/ unnecessary. Overall though, the main story was good and exciting.

"Trouble in Queenstown" is a total rollercoaster of a mystery, packed with small-town drama, a PI with attitude, and a juicy double murder. While the plot might seem like a tangled mess (but hey, isn't that part of the fun?), I couldn't help but get hooked on the twists and turns. Our main character's "I couldn't care less" vibe added some serious entertainment value, and sure, there were moments where reality took a backseat, but who cares when you're along for such a wild ride? Bottom line: this book kept me on my toes and left me hungry for more.

Delia Pitts brings us an unexpected PI in small town America. Vandy is rough around the edges, but you’ll be rooting for her the whole time. This novel brings family secrets, social injustice, and murder. It was a slow read but overall a good story.