I liked this book and the first one but it felt like it was just trying to latch onto the success of Finlay Donovan books and I just love those so much more. It wasn't that there was anything wrong with these just in comparison I would always choose Finlay. And I know it's not a copy but they are pretty similar maybe just bad luck for Ailes or maybe not.

A good book. I liked the storyline and the main characters. I thought it was fast paced and an easy read. A must read!

This was such a fun book! I really liked all the mischief these moms, their babies and their dogs (oh Helen!!) get into while solving a murder. I laughed out loud several times!

Actual Rating: 3.5
This was a low comedic cozy mystery as the group comes across another body and takes to also take on their personal lives.

Kat Ailes does it again! A strong second book in a can't miss series! She pairs humor with the exhausting and hard days of early motherhood and I love it!

This was a great follow up in the series. It was nice seeing the characters as parents. I will continue to read books by this author!

"𝐈 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐰𝐤𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 [𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞] 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫."

Dead Tired is a wonderful followup to the humour and mystery of The Expectant Detectives.

Having Alice and the crew attending an eco-protest being chained to a tree and discovering one of the protesters dead is an interesting take on an ‘impossible’ type mystery. Once again, the humour that was such a delight in The Expectant Detectives is back in full force. Alice's internal narration had me laughing out loud in so many places, mostly due to her awkward nature. Kat Ailes perfectly captures new motherhood, the good (the love for this tiny human), the bad (mastitis) and the tiring, in such a funny way. The Cottswolds make for a great location, as much like Midsomer Murders, there never seems to be an end to corruption in a small place. The mystery surrounding the environmental group is both intriguing and timely. The suspects are vast and varied, each with big personalities that make them memorable. I adore the returning cast of characters and the scenes where they are all together, such as the bar scene where they confront Maya and Rowan, were some of my favourites. Ailes' pacing is great; although there isn't really cliffhangers, each chapter seems to end with a line or observation that naturally leads to wanting to keep the pages turning to the satisfying conclusion.

Dead Tired is a total hilarious joy of a cozy mystery from first to last page. I am already greatly anticipating the next adventures of Alice, Hen, Ailsa, and Poppy! Thank you to Minotaur Books and Raincoast Books for the gifted copy!

DNF 44 percent this book was not for me it was very heavily focused on motherhood and really lost interest in this book and the mystery

I really enjoy this series! For me it’s less about the plot and more about the characters. Alice and her eclectic group of friends are so relatable and laugh out loud funny!

I figured out who did it fairly early on, but not the whys or the hows etc.

If you’re into the antics of a group of women navigating being first time moms all while solving a double murder then this is for you!

Thank you to St. Martin's Publishing Group for the widget. Alice and her mom crew are back in action and I was here for it. I was kind of iffy going into book two like they had the babies what now but I was proved wrong and enjoyed it so much. I hope there is more because I can totally get down with that.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I did really enjoy this book. I read it in one sitting! I would definitely recommend this book.

In Dead Tired Alice is back solving murders with her friends. This time with babies in tow. I enjoyed this book as much as I enjoyed the first. I really loved the peeks into early motherhood just as much as the murder. Helen the Dog will always be a favorite of mine. This was a solid mystery as well. If you enjoyed the first you will definitely love this one!

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of Dead Tired by Kat Ailes!

*I received a free copy of this novel from NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Minotaur Books for my honest review.*

I was so happy to get back to Alice and her other mom friends in this series. The mums are all tired and running ragged trying to do all that they can with the babies. And they happen upon a nude protester photo shoot and then they are invited to a sit in to protect a local area from being torn down, of course they show up to be chained to the trees to protect the eco system. And they wake up to a murdered protester.

I feel like reading about the group of mums making their way around with the babies while they investigate is way more interesting than the actual investigation. Alice is still a mess in every sense of the word and Jack and Helen are just along for the ride. The plotting is great and the characters are funny and so believable with all the quirks that have made this series one of my favorites.

I am here for the ride with Alice and her friends and whatever they find themselves in!

Thank you so much to @stmartinspress for the ARC!

🐕 𝙈𝙮 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 🐕
Alice and her friends are back with another mystery to solve! We pick up when Alice and her friends are one year out of having their babies, and they are all getting a little antsy as some are ending their maternity leave soon. They happen upon some interesting people one day who invite them to a group that plans to do a protest against a company that wants to tear down an old meadow to build a wind farm.

Soon enough, a murder happens and Alice’s friends want to be amateur detectives again. Alice’s boyfriend Joe warns her to be careful and not get into anything nefarious but her friends are quite insistent that they look for clues!

Alice is as snarky as ever and her friends are just as funny. Her dog Helen is back and jumping into messes and she also has one year old baby Jack to cater to as well.

This cozy mystery was a fun mix up of genres that I find enjoyable to dive into! I am curious if Alice will have any more future adventures!

🎧 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚:
🐕 Cozy Mystery
🔍 Amateur Sleuths
🌳 Environmental Activitists
🪧 Protests
🐕 Sassy Friends

Top 5 Reasons to Read Dead Tired:

1. Charming and Hilarious Characters: The protagonist, Alice, and her group of new mom friends are delightfully quirky and relatable. Their camaraderie and humorous banter add a light-hearted touch to the mystery, making the book enjoyable.

2. Engaging Plot: The storyline is compelling, mixing murder mystery and the everyday challenges of new motherhood. The plot twists and turns keep you guessing, and the unique setting of an eco-protest adds an exciting backdrop to the investigation.

3. Relatable Themes: The book explores themes of friendship, motherhood, and the balance between personal life and unexpected adventures. These themes resonate with readers, making the characters' experiences feel authentic and engaging.

4. Witty Writing Style: Kat Ailes' writing is sharp and witty, filled with clever dialogue and humorous observations. The British banter among the characters adds to the book's charm and makes it a fun read.

5. Cozy Mystery Vibes: Dead Tired fits perfectly into the cozy mystery genre with its small-town setting, amateur sleuths, and light-hearted tone. It's an excellent choice for readers who enjoy mysteries more about the journey than the gore.

Why Not 5 Stars?

While Dead Tired is a fantastic read, a few elements kept it from earning a perfect score. The pacing can be uneven, particularly in the middle sections where the story slows down. Some secondary characters could have been more developed, as they sometimes feel like plot devices rather than fully fleshed-out individuals. Lastly, while satisfying, the mystery's resolution is predictable for seasoned mystery readers.

Final Thoughts:

Dead Tired: A Mystery by Kat Ailes is a delightful and engaging read that combines humor, mystery, and the challenges of new motherhood. Its charming characters, witty writing, and relatable themes will keep you entertained from start to finish. It's a delightful addition to the cozy mystery genre despite minor flaws.

Recommendation:
It's perfect for fans of cozy mysteries with a humorous twist and those who appreciate a good whodunit with a light-hearted touch.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

This is a fun series and this group of ladies are a trip and hilarious! I don't think Alice or Helen are ever going to totally get their shit together! I am eagerly awaiting the next installment!

Dead Tired is a quirky and humorous take on the trials and tribulations of sleep-deprived life, blending wit with relatable anecdotes that will leave you chuckling. The protagonist's adventures in navigating the chaos of daily life while battling exhaustion are both hilarious and endearing. The author's sharp sense of humor shines through, capturing the absurdity of those “I can’t believe that just happened” moments we all experience when we’re running on empty. From caffeine-fueled mishaps to comical misunderstandings, the story keeps a lighthearted tone that makes for an enjoyable read.

What sets Dead Tired apart is its playful approach to a universal struggle, reminding us not to take life too seriously—even when we're desperately trying to keep our eyes open. The cast of eccentric characters adds to the charm, each bringing their own brand of chaos to the mix. While the plot may not be overly complex, the delightful banter and laugh-out-loud moments more than make up for it. Overall, Dead Tired is a fun and refreshing read that will resonate with anyone who’s ever felt a little too “out of it,” leaving you with a smile and maybe a craving for a good cup of coffee!

This book is the second in Ailes’s series following on last year’s The Expectant Detectives. It is an equally enjoyable read.

Now the group of new moms are tired…very tired. Any one who was ever a new mom can probably remember how crushing this kind of exhaustion was and how it might cloud one’s brain a bit. Surely that is the case when the group decides that being part of an eco protest will be more restful than being at home. Of course, much ensues from this decision including involvment in a murder.

Will these amateur moms again solve a case? You can be sure that they will.

This is a fun story, maybe a bit of a fantasy for stay at home parents. Enjoy watching what happens as the story unfolds. There will be pets, babies, friendship, detection and some laughs. It will leave readers eager for book three.

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

A hilarious book that follows a new group of mom friends as they navigate motherhood and murder. While Alice and her friend's form of a child-free night is somewhat lacking, in my opinion, they have the best intentions at heart. In their fog of exhaustion, this crew will have you laughing along the ride as they solve the most unexpected of mysteries.