The Primrose Murder Society is a brilliant blend of mystery, heart, and small-town secrets. Stacy Hackney crafts a tightly plotted, emotionally rich story with a group of compelling teen sleuths you can’t help but root for.
The twists are clever without feeling forced, and the themes of grief, friendship, and justice are handled with surprising depth. It's the kind of book that keeps you turning pages late into the night—and thinking about it long after it’s done.
A must-read for mystery lovers of all ages!

If the author doesn't already have plans to make this a series, allow this to serve as my official request! If you enjoy the quirkiness of Only Murders in the Building and the independent fiestiness of the Golden Girls, look no further! 10-year-old Bea is a breath of fresh air. A young girl so sure of what she likes and isn't afraid to be unique and stand out was a true inspiration for woman of all ages to be confident in who you are even when it doesn't fit societal norms. And the elderly occupants of the Primrose provide such fun comic relief. If, like me, you regularly find yourself giggling at the antics of the octogenarians in the Riley Thorn series, you're going to find the residents here to be a real delight!

If you like your mysteries cozy, your humor sharp, and your characters unforgettable, pack your bags for the Primrose!

Lila Shaw’s once perfect life fell apart after her husband’s white collar crimes left her broke, friendless, and struggling to raise her daughter Bea. When they move into the Primrose to clean out an old apartment, Lila expects nothing but dust and regrets but instead finds herself in the middle of a murder mystery, a two million dollar reward, and a cast of unforgettable neighbors who may just change her life.

This book was such a cozy delight. I loved how every character shined in their own way and how their personalities mixed together perfectly. Lila’s determination to make a better life for her and Bea was both relatable and inspiring. Bea, the true crime junkie with a Wednesday Addams personality, absolutely stole the show. Evelyn, the proper but hilarious socialite, delivered some of the best one liners, and Jasper, the quiet former detective, was a subtle gem who really came into his own by the end.

There is a beautiful underlying theme about motherhood and how far a mother will go for her child. The ending was so satisfying and tied everything together perfectly. Bravo to the author for such a strong adult debut! I would love to see more of Bea and Lila’s adventures in a sequel.

5 stars from this very picky reader.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow Publishing for the digital ARC.

That’s my Vivid take ✔️📚

I loved this book so much!! If you are a fan of Only Murders in the Building you will definitely like this book. I need a second book with these characters

The description is spot on with its recommended reader- Gilmore girls and Finlay Donovan lover here and this ticked all the boxes! Mother daughter duos always have a special place in my heart, but Bea sure does throw a fun spin on the traditional relationship. I love her precocious attitude and intense passion about murder. Add in a motley crew, and of course, I was a sucker for this story! I thought this book handled the balance of solving the case while also dealing with real life adjustments extraordinarily well. Sometimes cozy mysteries can suspend real life problems, but I appreciated seeing Lila and Bea work through their new living situation and betrayal by Ryan. I’m so excited to recommend this book to my friends!

This is the funny cozy mystery I have been waiting for! Most cozy mysteries that are supposed to be "hilarious!" are just awkward and uncomfortable, but otherwise lacking in true humor. You'd maybe kinda chuckle at if they were real or realistic even, but they're an example of why we need the word "cringe" in its current popular usage. That said, this one is not loaded with hilarity, and it doesn't need to be. However, the humor is doled out consistently. It really gives energy to help the pleasantly twisty plot along. Again, I feel many mysteries and thrillers don't earn their twists -- I didn't see these coming, esp when one of my suspects was examined too far from the end.

This was described as a mashup of Gilmore Girls and Only Murders In the Building (with a Murder She Wrote homage), so how could one go wrong? Lila's inner monologue was one of the best I've ever read by a newer author. Maybe it needed a little more tightening. It was a little plainly stated at times. At first, I was worried Lila would be pitiable, sad sack material, 100% pure and good in a dirty, dirty world. I hate that trope even more than a convoluted plot twist. And Evelyn? Please, more Evelyn. I was worried that she'd be a hammy, hokey, wooden character, and I am so glad to be wrong about that.

Please let there be sequels. I hope Lila pops into them, and certainly Bea, but I'd love a series that focused mostly on the Primrose and its social dynamics, as how much can happen to one woman, right?

A fun cozy murder mystery. Perfect for fans of only murders in the building. Wonderful debut I truly hope this becomes a series!

I really really liked this one! I hope Hackney intends to turn it into a series, because these characters were fabulous and could very easily go on to have more adventures...

The writing drew me in from the opening pages. You can't help but fall in love with Bea with all her prickles and fierce determination to be her own person. Equally, you can't fail to empathize with the path that Lila has been forced onto; she's trying so hard, and maybe it's my own status as the mother of a 12 year old, but I felt every bump on the road right along with her. The supporting characters were an absolute delight - I love the trend toward quirky seniors teaching life lessons lately, and this had that ground thoroughly covered.

The character development tracked the plot development, and I was engaged from the opening pages through to the end. There was mystery and drama and found family - and the blend of the three was magical. I really do hope to see more of the Primrose crew!

Wow! I can't recommend this book enough! If you're a fan of the TV show *Only Murders In The Building* or *Gross Pointe Garden Society*, you're in for a treat. This engaging story follows a mother-daughter duo navigating the chaos of life as they move into a 55+ historical building with a mysterious and tumultuous past.

The plot is filled with intrigue—murder, blackmail, and burglary weave together to create an exhilarating narrative that kept me on the edge of my seat. The ensemble cast is wonderfully diverse, featuring a mix of characters who are both quirky and relatable, bridging the gap between generations as they unite to solve a decades-old cold case.

The author's ability to blend humor and suspense is remarkable. I was thoroughly invested in the characters and their journey, and the story’s twists and turns made it impossible to put down. I absolutely loved every moment of this adventure! A huge thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC—I can’t wait to see how others react to this!

I absolutely loved this cozy Southern mystery! Lila Shaw is a delightfully witty and relatable protagonist, and her dynamic with her true-crime-obsessed daughter, Bea, adds both humor and heart. The quirky residents of the Primrose building are charming, and the story’s mix of clever sleuthing, family drama, and unexpected twists kept me thoroughly entertained. The mystery itself is engaging, the stakes feel real, and the pacing is perfect for a binge-read. Fans of Gilmore Girls, Finlay Donovan, or Only Murders in the Building will feel right at home. A fun, smart, and satisfying read!

Stacy Hackney’s The Primrose Murder Society is the kind of book that sneaks up on you, hands you a mug of something warm, then drags you into a murder investigation before you’ve even taken a sip. I opened it expecting a cute cozy mystery. Instead, I found myself laughing, snorting, clutching my chest, and occasionally judging fictional life choices with the passion of a woman who has never once solved a murder but absolutely feels ready to. Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for my gifted ARC.

Lila Shaw might be my favorite disaster of the year. She’s a single mom whose life has been thoroughly demolished by her husband’s white collar crimes. The man fled the country, leaving her with a daughter, an empty bank account, and enough emotional baggage to qualify for priority boarding. Lila is broke, exhausted, and absolutely lying to herself about being “fine.” Her daughter Bea, meanwhile, is a fourth grader who binge watches Murder, She Wrote, speaks fluent True Crime, and has the blunt force confidence of someone who has never paid a bill in her life. They’re a mess, but they’re the sort of mess that’s almost aspirational.

When Lila moves into the Primrose, an upscale retirement building full of eccentric seniors who day-drink and hold grudges like it’s a competitive sport, she’s hoping for a quiet reset. Instead, she gets thrown directly into a two million dollar murder investigation. A decades old cold case, a cranky socialite, a shy ex-detective who stress bakes, and a suspiciously charming reporter all swirl together into a plot that feels fun, chaotic, and surprisingly tender.

About a third in, there’s a quote that hooked me for good: “Sometimes starting over doesn’t mean starting clean, it just means starting anyway.” It’s deceptively simple, but it fits Lila’s entire journey. She’s learning to trust herself again, to parent without fear, to breathe even when everything feels like it’s falling apart. The mystery may be the hook, but her growth keeps the pages turning.

What really works is the tone. Hackney writes with wit that rarely feels forced. It’s cozy but sharp, warm but not syrupy. Evelyn’s snark is elite. Bea is one bad day away from starting a conspiracy YouTube channel. Jasper is the sweetest man alive and probably smells like cinnamon. This is found family at its coziest: slightly dysfunctional but relentlessly loyal.

The mystery itself has layers. A few twists got me, and one reveal made me audibly gasp even though no one in my house asked if I was okay. The pacing starts on the slower side, but once the investigation picks up, it moves. I loved the way the Primrose itself becomes a character. Every apartment hides history, and half the residents could plausibly be murderers. Honestly, I’d watch a full spinoff where they investigate who keeps stealing Evelyn’s mail.

Lila’s mothering is imperfect, which some readers will absolutely latch onto, but I appreciated the realism. She’s overwhelmed, grieving the life she lost, and doing her best with a kid who has the personality of a tiny crime-obsessed hurricane. Their bond is chaotic, frustrating, and very human.

And let’s talk atmosphere. Hackney nails that Only Murders in the Building meets Gilmore Girls vibe without feeling derivative. It’s cozy, but with enough bite to keep it interesting. It’s comforting, but not bland. It’s heartfelt, but never cloying.

This book feels like being adopted by a group of nosy retirees who pretend not to like you but would absolutely hide a body for you.

Four and a half stars from me, easily.

#ThePrimroseMurderSociety #StacyHackney #BookReview #CozyMystery #MysteryBooks #NetGalley #WilliamMorrow #OnlyMurdersVibes #GilmoreGirlsEnergy #ReadersOfInstagram #Bookstagram #SleuthLife #ARCReview #SouthernFiction #MothersAndDaughters #FoundFamilyBooks