I don’t generally read non-fiction but a story with true crime vibes got my attention. The idea of four regular ladies trying to solve a cold case makes for an excellent story. There’s a lot of character building and slow burn in the beginning which was a bit to get through but I get why it was included. I almost feel like this plot would’ve been better told in a podcast format so I’m wondering if the audiobook would resonate a little stronger. It definitely makes me ask, could I try and solve a cold case too??

When a group of friends get stuck at home due to the restrictions of the Covid-19 pandemic, they find a new purpose: to solve a murder case that’s been cold for 15 years. With no law enforcement connections or backgrounds, they don’t let things like dead witnesses, threatening phone calls, or a worldwide epidemic stop them from going after their goal. Author Chuck Hogan traces the journeys of these four women in a narrative that is at times thrilling and gruesome, all while compelling readers to race through the pages in the true crime book The Carpool Detectives.

In 2005, an elderly couple goes missing under mysterious circumstances. When it quickly becomes clear that their business was about to go under, local law enforcement assumes the couple took whatever money was left and made a run for it. That assumption is dispelled when the bodies of the couple are found in a bizarre accident scene. What’s worse, it’s clear they’ve been deliberately killed. Despite their best efforts, the detectives and officers on the case can’t figure out what happened and the case goes cold.

Fifteen years later, budding journalist Marissa is watching crime scene video in a night class when she sees a harrowing clip: the vehicle of the couple being lifted out of the ravine where it was found. Marissa doesn’t know these people. She has no idea of the circumstances behind their accident-turned-double murder. But she’s seized by an incredibly irrational urge to find out more about the couple.

Marissa isn’t fooling herself, though. She’s only just started attending journalism classes at night to jumpstart a new career. She loves being a mom and a wife, but packing lunches and doing laundry isn’t exactly the most intellectually stimulating way to spend a day. She’s always wanted to try her hand at journalism; hence, the night classes. Now she has a juicy assignment that she’s given herself: to solve the double murder of two people she’s never met.

Through her children’s school, Marissa meets Jeannie, Samira, and Nicole. Like her, these three women find themselves in shifting roles at home. Their kids are growing up and becoming more independent. All of these women had satisfying careers that they’ve either cut back on or cut out completely to take care of their families. As Marissa relays the few facts she’s learned about the dead couple, the urge she initially had takes ahold of all of them. What if they looked into the murdered couple as a team? What if they figured out what happened?

Then the pandemic hits, and the country goes into lockdown. At first, the friends are dismayed at how they’re going to make any progress. With time, they figure out how to use the Covid restrictions to their advantage in their research. Slowly, bit by tenacious bit, the women find themselves turning into investigators. Even their grit, however, doesn’t prepare them for the surprises along the way.

Author Chuck Hogan does a brilliant job of building two stories in tandem. The first is of the original couple, who have been given aliases in the book to protect their identity as well as the identities of their families. The other story is of four women who have no clue how to solve murders but become obsessed with solving this one.

Hogan’s careful detailing of the larger frame around both of these tales is tight and focused. In a bid to help readers keep facts and names straight, Hogan frequently reviews important players in the murdered couple’s story. Some readers may find the tactic repetitive, but many others will thank the author for this courtesy. As Marissa, Nicole, Samira, and Jeannie discover, the story seems straightforward on the surface but includes pretzel-like twists and turns. A quick refresher every few chapters helps readers stay on top of the case.

The outcome of the murder mystery is as strange as the desire the women shared back in 2020 to solve the case in the first place and just as compelling. Those who enjoy true crime stories will absolutely want to check this one out.

I went all in on this book, and it was a ride. I spent a lot of time suspecting this would be revealed to be a work of fiction written in a documentary-style. I wasn't convinced of the authenticity until I saw the photo of the 4 mom detectives at the end of the book.

The author did a great job of unspooling the compelling, complex narrative inside another compelling, complex narrative. The plot was so dense that it would have been easy to get lost in the details but Hogan managed to tell an organized story that was part narrative and part procedural. The characterization of the women themselves was built slowly through their conversations, their expertise, their doubts and their triumphs. We walked the path along with them, and I grew to like each of them immensely. I wish I could follow them on instagram or something.

I know this book took a long time to compile but I hope the author and the detectives decide to collaborate again soon. I'm looking forward to following their next case!

I appreciate NetGalley and the publisher for access to a digital ARC. My honest review is my own opinion.

True crime fans will love this extremely intriguing book. Even those who are not necessarily true crime fans may still enjoy it. It is quite fascinating and unputdownable. It is so exciting to read about ordinary women who manage to solve a crime that even professionals were unable to crack. The book is quite thorough, taking the reader through every step of the process without leaving anything out, and yet it remains compelling and never gets boring.

Still, it is not all cut and dried. You get to learn a little about these women and who they were and what their families were like. Plus, you get to see their friendship developing as they work together. Before taking up the case, none of them really knew each other that well, and some didn't know each other at all. Their hard work, determination, and dedication to their cause, even when it seemed that they would never succeed, are all quite inspiring. The fact that what ultimately drove them above all is their desire to get answers for the victims' daughter makes it even more inspiring.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House for gifting me a digital ARC of this true crime book by Chuck Hogan. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Marissa takes a journalism class and instantly becomes obsessed with a picture of a crime scene from a decade ago. A couple in their 60s vanished overnight, their bodies later found at the bottom of a steep ravine. The case then turned cold. Marissa can't stop thinking about it though, and when she finds a group of moms who also have a shared interest in true crime, they begin to seriously investigate.

The title of this book is a bit misleading, because the women didn't meet at carpool, although they are all moms. This book will remind you of the single-minded obsession of Michelle McNamara, who investigated the Golden State Killer. These four women had no connection to the victims or suspects in this crime, nor any law enforcement background, but they were dogged in their pursuit of getting answers and justice for the family. This investigation took place during Covid, making it even more remarkable. This book reads like a thriller novel and I couldn't put it down. Bravo to these women!

True Crime Girlies Rise Up!!!!

This is SUCH a good true crime book coming from someone who works in law and is very picky with true crime.
I loved that this is about real women who come together to try to solve something that has long gone cold.
This was absolutely fascinating to me.

Armchair detectives can help!!!

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for the ARC!!!

I did not used my time during 2020 productively…didn’t try to solve a single murder. Marissa, Jeannie, Samira, and Nicole live every true crime junkies dream and work together to investigate a mysterious double homicide that took place in their hometown a decade earlier. These four women did more than work on solving a cold case, but created a community that was much needed during COVID.

The Carpool Detectives is nonfiction that reads like a thriller. (a 2 sitting book) Seriously, a great gateway book into nonfiction for true crime lovers. Wonder if we can get a group together to solve the Austin serial killer (yeah yeah APD I know you say there isn’t a serial killer).

Thank you NetGalley & Random House for an advanced reader copy. #TheCarpoolDetectives #NetGalley

As a former prosecutor and current SAHM, these women and their investigative skills were fascinating to me. They did some very impressive work and really stuck through it, despite hitting many roadblocks. The book is written in a very readable/entertaining manner. The 4 women come alive off the page, and I was not at all surprised by the various reactions of the detectives involved in this cold case. You will read this and think, "Could I do that? I think I could do that!" I hope that if they really do work on another cold case, that Hogan publishes some sort of update!

"The incredible true story of a group of moms who, united by their love of true crime, attempt to solve a fifteen-year-old cold case

A lot of us like to think we could solve a murder mystery. Could these stay-at-home moms actually do it?

In 2020, four women found themselves at a Each of them had transitioned from full-time jobs to full-time parenting, and each was pushing against the new boundaries of her life as the pandemic looms. At a bowling night fundraiser for their kids’ school, they discover they all share a passion for true crime that crystalizes around a mysterious double homicide that took place a decade earlier. A married couple in their 60s vanished overnight from their home. A few days later, the family business was shuttered, and the bank financing it sued the missing couple for one million dollars. They were rumored to have absconded with the money until their bodies were discovered inside their car at the bottom of a steep ravine. And then the case went cold.

But what if, the moms think, they could solve it?

The women have no prior connection to the case and no law-enforcement background, but each brings a special set of skills to the Marissa’s background as a former forensic accountant; Jeannie’s passion for journalism; Samira’s ambition and drive; and Nicole’s nose for research. With the world now on pause due to the pandemic, the moms have unique access to witnesses and crime experts who are stuck at home. They make connections, draw conclusions, and experience breakthroughs in the case wilder than anything they could have imagined. When an awe-struck Assistant District Attorney reopens the case, enlisting the four women in the official investigation, they not only get further than anyone ever expected, but end up in real danger themselves."

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the free ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed herein are my own.

A truly one-of-a-kind true crime book that delivers both suspense and inspiration in equal measure. Set in the heart of the pandemic, it follows a group of suburban moms who defy expectations and dig into a long-forgotten cold case. An inspiring and gripping read.

What makes this book stand out is how Hogan gives each woman a distinct voice and personality—showing how their different strengths, perspectives, and life experiences come together in a powerful and effective collaboration. The way they approach the case with both determination and empathy makes for an incredibly compelling narrative.

I was especially impressed by how seriously these women took their investigation, refusing to be discouraged by resistance or lack of support. Even when they hit dead ends or faced people who didn’t take them seriously, they kept going, driven by a sense of justice and community.

Hogan does a masterful job portraying their evolving theories and the building of their hypothesis—it felt like watching a real-time detective board come to life. This book isn’t just about solving a crime; it’s about resilience, teamwork, and the surprising places true heroism can come from.

Thank you Chuck Hogan, Random House, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

—————————

Un libro de crimen real verdaderamente único que ofrece suspenso e inspiración en partes iguales. Ambientado en plena pandemia, sigue a un grupo de madres de los suburbios que desafían las expectativas y se adentran en un caso sin resolver olvidado hace mucho tiempo. Una lectura inspiradora y cautivadora.

Lo que hace que este libro destaque es cómo Hogan le da a cada mujer una voz y personalidad únicas, mostrando cómo sus diferentes fortalezas, perspectivas y experiencias vitales se unen en una colaboración poderosa y efectiva. La forma en que abordan el caso con determinación y empatía crea una narrativa increíblemente convincente.

Me impresionó especialmente la seriedad con la que estas mujeres se tomaron su investigación, negándose a desanimarse por la resistencia o la falta de apoyo. Incluso cuando llegaron a callejones sin salida o se enfrentaron a personas que no las tomaban en serio, siguieron adelante, impulsadas por un sentido de justicia y comunidad.

Hogan realiza un trabajo magistral al retratar sus teorías en desarrollo y la construcción de sus hipótesis; fue como ver cómo cobraba vida una junta de detectives en tiempo real. Este libro no se trata solo de resolver un crimen; Se trata de resiliencia, trabajo en equipo y los lugares sorprendentes donde puede surgir el verdadero heroísmo.

Gracias a Chuck Hogan, Random House y NetGalley por el ARC a cambio de una reseña honesta.

A 15 year double homicide cold case. Covid lockdown. Four women looking to find connection and a way to pass the time. Marissa, Jeanne, Nicole and Samira were not friends but were brought together through their interest in finding out what happened to Joel and Angela Watkins. Joel Watkins was a well loved business man. After making some very questionable business decisions designed to save his company, Joel and his wife Angela disappeared and were never heard from again. Some time later, their SUV was found at the bottom of a ravine with both Joel and Angela deceased. Rather than an accident, their deaths were deemed a homicide. Fraught with familial and financial issues, the case remained cold. Could the women, who started this "investigation" simply for something to do, actually solve the mystery?

The book itself was fairly well written and contained LOTS of facts. It would be a perfect read for a true crime junkie.

Full disclosure - I did not realize this was a true story - even though it is in the title. Had I known this book was nonfiction, I would likely have absorbed it differently. Reading the book was a lot like watching a documentary with sections that were very interesting while other areas were dry but necessary. I would rate this at 3.5-4 stars for the research and accuracy. For reading as a "story", it gets 3 stars.

This book is by a newer author for me in which I enjoyed their story telling as well as their ability to pull me into the story from the beginning. This is a well written story about four mom and their determination to solve a fifteen year old crime. These characters will have you turning pages fast just to see what would happen next. This is a true crime story where the investigation will have you frustrated in parts to being emotional in others. This is a fast paste story that is hard to put down. You don't want to miss this one. If true crime is for you, this book is it. I enjoyed reading this book and I highly recommend it.

Four moms become bored during the Covid lockdown and begin to investigate a 15 year-old murder mystery. I wish I had realized this was a true story to begin with—somehow I missed that. What these women did, with no investigative training, is amazing! It was a complex case, with a lot of financial aspects. The book itself focused heavily on the financial and business aspects of the case. I found that part a little tedious, although it is integral to the case. The story drug in the middle for me, but picked up again in the last third of the book. It was well-written, but I think it would have benefited from being shorter and more engaging. It was definitely interesting to see what these ladies accomplished and I’m glad that the author told their story!

I truly enjoyed this incredible true story of a group of moms who, united by a search for new purpose, attempt to solve a fifteen-year-old double murder.
Talk about an intriguing read! So good!

I approached The Carpool Detectives expecting a compelling true‑crime tale. Instead, I ended up slogging through something neither thrilling nor enlightening. The premise, four suburban moms banding together during COVID to crack a cold murder case, had real potential, but the execution felt formulaic from the start.

Narrative drag took over early. Instead of a tight investigation, the book often veers off into repetitive riffing on Zoom calls, homeschooling woes, and pandemic monotony with so much emphasis on the moms’ routines that the core mystery lost its momentum. I kept waiting for a breakthrough, only to be reminded yet again that life was hard during COVID.

As an investigator‑in‑training myself (ahem, armchair sleuths unite), I wanted more forensic digging or strategy and not just tabulating character backstories. The prose is clean but so spare that it often feels like filler between the more interesting moments, rather than moving the plot forward.

By contrast, when Hogan did shift into case details like the helicopter retrieval of a car at the bottom of a ravine and the financial misdeeds uncovered,the book actually picked up. But even those segments ended up feeling rushed. By the time the case got solved, the wrap‑up felt hurried, as if Hogan was eager to close shop. A fuller unraveling would have made the climax more satisfying; instead, it skimmed by.

That said, I admire the ambition: these women wrestle complexity and stick with it, earning some real-life investigative kudos. And in places, there’s undeniable value in seeing ordinary people take on extraordinary challenges. But it just didn’t pay off consistently.

It’s not a disaster...but it's also not a standout. If you're shell‑shocked by true crime or want sleek procedural drama, skip it. If you like slow‑burn character studies and mundane detail, you might find it more engaging than I did. I wanted thrills. I got tedium.

What a book!

I picked this up thinking it was a true crime account with a twist, four moms becoming amateur detectives to solve a cold case.

It is so much more.

It's about sisterhood and community and family and risks and yes, murder.

In The Carpool Detectives, Chuck Hogan introduces us to four women with limited interactions, and then introduces COVID. Their accounts of the early days, of the fear and the isolation, were so interesting! It is also intrinsic in helping the reader understand why this cold case, which piqued one of the women's interests, became a lifeline of sorts for them in the early days of the pandemic.

Readers could shift back into that mindset as they read about the women's growing bond and be equally interested in the mystery as it developed.

A really great read!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
As a person with a forensic science degree this book really shows what we are taught in forensics. Don’t follow the easy path because it isn’t always right. These four women went into this with not a lot of knowledge of criminal investigation but were able to solve a cold case murder that well known detectives couldn’t solve. All the was needed was an open mind and to not assume the easy suspect. I loved reading this book so much and hope these women can make a name for themselves in solving more cold cases and I hope they read these reviews as well because they should totally look at a case near my town in a “small North Dakota town” called Cavalier. I didn’t rate this five stars only because it felt as thought the author was trying to drag out the word count at times. I loved the thought process behind everything and bringing the struggles of Covid into daily life, but at times it felt there was word filler to add some pages. Overall would highly recommend this book!
Reviews posted on StoryGraph and Tome July 27th links below. Rated 4.5 stars.

What an interesting piece of non fiction that read like the best mystery novel. Four friends join together during the pandemic to tackle an unsolved mystery. It had me guessing the whole time, and like our four investigators, I did not see the true ending coming. At.all. This was an ARC from @netgalley with many errors, the most glaring that Carrie was frequently referred to as “he”.

This is a true crime read that at times reads like a fiction novel and other times like accounting facts from a bank. Four moms, bored during the Pandemic and interested in the cold case of a couple found dead in their car, decide to join forces and investigate for themselves. They dive deeply into the backgrounds of the victims, their family members and the financial problems of the family-run company. I must admit that much of the parts about the financial details were rather boring to me as I plodded through them, but they do play a part in solving the murder. This is a slow-paced whodunit with multiple suspects and the personalities of the amateur detectives being the most interesting part of the book. I was not invested in any of the characters, really, I just wanted to know how these armchair detectives solved a murder mystery that had baffled the professionals. I enjoyed the mystery but not all of the history of what happened and why. I thought the book was too long and could have been well presented in a novella rather than a full-length novel. I also thought it meandered off the path several times as the women were caught up in the novelty of crime fighting and were portrayed as strictly amateurs who had nothing else to do with their free time. The story has a good premise, but it fell flat for me because it did not seem realistically portrayed nor particularly engrossing. Fans of true crime may enjoy the book as they pick apart the details to come to their own conclusions. I was not invested enough even to hazard guesses; I just wanted the book to end.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you to Random house and Netgalley for the free ecopy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a compelling story, I loved learning about the women and their search for justice. It was really interesting to learn about the case and the sometimes unconventional ways that they researched and found connections.

However, a major way this fell flat for me is that it seemed like Covid was the main character instead of the women. The constant mentions of isolation, masking, social distancing got very repetitive after a while. I completely understand the intention, the circumstances of quarantine led to the women’s time and interest in the case. But the constant rehashing and commentary about Covid took me out of the story a lot.

My favorite parts were the text messages between the women, their sarcastic quips and morbid jokes with one another. I wish the author focused more on the women and their relationships with one another. I also didn’t feel like we really got to know the women other than Marissa.

The ending was also not very satisfying since the killers were never identified. I would probably recommend fans of true crime to skip this one.

2.5 stars rounded up to 3

3.75 stars

When four moms meet up and, early during COVID, want something more to keep them busy, they find a cold case they want to investigate. Marissa is, in fact, a student hoping to become an investigative journalist, so this isn’t as far-fetched as it might seem.

Joel and Angela Watson had a company that was not doing well. They disappeared in May 2005, and were later found at the bottom of a ravine where their car had gone off a cliff. But it wasn’t long before the police knew it wasn’t an accident. One of their sons and a son-in-law were acting oddly, but nothing came of that in the investigation and the case went cold. In early 2020. Marissa became obsessed with it, and found three mom-friends who joined her in trying to figure out the case.

This is a true story! I saw it in the subtitle but didn’t quite believe it. But there is a picture of the four women at the end and an author’s note. There was much money/financial stuff that kind of lost my interest in the explanations as they investigated, but the rest of the story was interesting to me. I really like how COVID was integrated into the story (but then, it was real-life at the time). There was mention at one point in the story of a true crime podcast I’ve just recently started listening to, so that was fun. I was a bit disappointed in how it ended, though I suppose it had to go that way (and again, true story, so it’s not like it can be changed!).