What do you think?
Rate this book
The Sleuth Sisters Mysteries #1
The Sleuth Sisters
In this cozy mystery, the first of a series, middle-aged sisters Faye and Barb decided to open a detective agency in Allport, their small town in northern Lower Michigan. They agree that Retta, their baby sister, will NOT be included, since she tends to take over any organization she's part of. Sweetly but firmly, Retta will tell you what you should do, could do, and will do.
The sisters finally get a decent case: finding a man who apparently murdered his wife years ago and has been on the run ever since. As they try to investigate what happened, they're opposed at every turn.
The sisters finally get a decent case: finding a man who apparently murdered his wife years ago and has been on the run ever since. As they try to investigate what happened, they're opposed at every turn.
326 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 19, 2014
1076 people are currently reading
1713 people want to read
About the author
Maggie Pill
18 books70 followersMaggie Pill is Peg Herring, but younger and much cooler.
Maggie and her husband love to travel to places they've never seen before, where they often hike and walk all day with a "Let's see where this leads us" approach.
Maggie and her husband love to travel to places they've never seen before, where they often hike and walk all day with a "Let's see where this leads us" approach.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 258 reviews
May 18, 2019
I was surprised that I really enjoyed this book. It was a Kindle freebie, which usually results in books that are three stars or less. But this one I liked on all counts:
1. The characters were believable and not helpless morons. The sisters each had their own distinct personalities, and since I have two sisters, I know how that sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. The male characters were believable, too, with distinct personalities. Some likeable, some not. They were fleshed-out, and not just strong, handsome and smoldering.
2. I love love LOVE that one of the sisters is a grammar and punctuation nerd with a "secret identity"! This is not a spoiler -- it starts on page one. This book had very few, if any, spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors. BONUS POINTS FOR THAT! There is one small error in the first two pages of the book where "alot" was used twice and not corrected. Wish the author would fix that.
3. It was clean. Yes, readers, it's possible to write an engaging book without the unnecessary usage of foul language and gratuitous sex scenes! Extra bonus points!
While I guessed who the murder was before the detectives figured it out, (and it was just a guess), the mystery was filled with enough details to keep me from figuring it out right away and engaging enough to keep me reading. I'm off to check out the other books in this series!
1. The characters were believable and not helpless morons. The sisters each had their own distinct personalities, and since I have two sisters, I know how that sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. The male characters were believable, too, with distinct personalities. Some likeable, some not. They were fleshed-out, and not just strong, handsome and smoldering.
2. I love love LOVE that one of the sisters is a grammar and punctuation nerd with a "secret identity"! This is not a spoiler -- it starts on page one. This book had very few, if any, spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors. BONUS POINTS FOR THAT! There is one small error in the first two pages of the book where "alot" was used twice and not corrected. Wish the author would fix that.
3. It was clean. Yes, readers, it's possible to write an engaging book without the unnecessary usage of foul language and gratuitous sex scenes! Extra bonus points!
While I guessed who the murder was before the detectives figured it out, (and it was just a guess), the mystery was filled with enough details to keep me from figuring it out right away and engaging enough to keep me reading. I'm off to check out the other books in this series!
August 24, 2014
I thoroughly enjoyed it. I don't know when "nice" became the kiss of death, but it's a nice mystery. Enough romance to be real, enough violence to be authentic, enough "who done it" to be satisfying, and characters that made me laugh, and reminded me that I am not the only person in the world to feel a particular emotion. I live almost in the part of Michigan where this story takes place, and Ms. Pill has a great sense of what it takes to describe this area in a way that makes it real without making it entirely too red-neck to stand. I know it takes time for an author to get another book out - and this is going to be time that drags for me. I want to read more.
January 8, 2015
Maggie Post has knocked "The Sleuth Sisters right out of the park! The anxiety-ridden readers of most mysteries can settle back in their chairs and learn the art of a well paced novel about these not-quite, but nearing, geriatric sisters.
Barb, the grounded well enough to be buried, is the level headed one of the three. Faye, the sometimes uncertain but always surprising one, just keeps on keeping on. 'Retta is the social butterfly of this heart warming group. Rory, the new Chief of Police is the taffy being oohed and aahed by Barn and Retta which adds an interesting and comic tone to the novel.
The three sisters have decided to start a private investigation business. None have any experience whatsoever except for Barb's career as a lawyer so there is a huge learning curve going on. The youngest , Retta, is the one banging on socially connected doors to be included in the business and she does quite a good job of it.
Read this book. I dare you not to be able to see these sweethearts in your mind before you finish.
Barb, the grounded well enough to be buried, is the level headed one of the three. Faye, the sometimes uncertain but always surprising one, just keeps on keeping on. 'Retta is the social butterfly of this heart warming group. Rory, the new Chief of Police is the taffy being oohed and aahed by Barn and Retta which adds an interesting and comic tone to the novel.
The three sisters have decided to start a private investigation business. None have any experience whatsoever except for Barb's career as a lawyer so there is a huge learning curve going on. The youngest , Retta, is the one banging on socially connected doors to be included in the business and she does quite a good job of it.
Read this book. I dare you not to be able to see these sweethearts in your mind before you finish.
September 3, 2020
Free books can be really hit or miss, and this one is a winner. It made me snort laugh. The characters were well rounded and the mystery interesting. Solid 3.5
December 1, 2014
Too good to be considered a cozy. The sisters, though of cozy age are sharp, grumpy, don't much like each other, and have little if any sense of humor. There isn't a whiff of spunk, impetuosity, or cutesy-poo within 50 miles of this excellent mystery.
December 4, 2014
A FUN BOOK
THE STORY OF THE RELATIONSHIP AND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE SISTERS MADE THIS AN ENJOYABLE READ. I AM ALMOST EXPECTING BARB TO CORRECT THIS. GOOD LIGHT MYSTERY WITH HUMOR.
THE STORY OF THE RELATIONSHIP AND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE SISTERS MADE THIS AN ENJOYABLE READ. I AM ALMOST EXPECTING BARB TO CORRECT THIS. GOOD LIGHT MYSTERY WITH HUMOR.
December 5, 2014
This book was free for the Kindle. It is also the first book I have read by Maggie Pill.
I had a hard time with keeping the sisters straight even though each chapter was well marked in the beginning. Perhaps if the name of the sister at the top of each page would have helped. I am not sure, but the point of view changing all the time seemed tedious.
I liked the story and the way it developed and I believe it definitely falls in the cozy category. If this was a first book, then I would be interested in reading another one just to see if the writing style gets easier.
I found it interesting that Barb would edit signs or billboards and correct grammar of the local people. However, the last couple of chapters did have some editing errors.
I am giving this 3 out of 5 stars.
I had a hard time with keeping the sisters straight even though each chapter was well marked in the beginning. Perhaps if the name of the sister at the top of each page would have helped. I am not sure, but the point of view changing all the time seemed tedious.
I liked the story and the way it developed and I believe it definitely falls in the cozy category. If this was a first book, then I would be interested in reading another one just to see if the writing style gets easier.
I found it interesting that Barb would edit signs or billboards and correct grammar of the local people. However, the last couple of chapters did have some editing errors.
I am giving this 3 out of 5 stars.
July 24, 2015
I really enjoy books like this, you know, small towns...drama dram DRAMA!! It was really good. Maggie captures the sister dynamic perfectly and she gets you wanting certain things for the characters but she goes against the grain and it just reads like real life...well with that touch of drama of course and bordering the point of "could that really happen to me"?? And OMG there is more!!! I was most delighted when I got to the end of my Kindle and saw there were preview chapters of the next book in the series...I NEED TO GET THEM ALL!!!
December 1, 2014
Freebie Amazon Kindle book through the BookBub.com website. It's a great site for free and cheap book downloads!!
* * * * *
This was a very good P.I. murder mystery. The "sleuth sisters" were likeable and not caricatures and, although I figured out whodunnit, it wasn't a no-brainer.
Yay!! This is my 75th book finished this year, thus meeting the goal I set for myself. I'se so proud of me.
* * * * *
This was a very good P.I. murder mystery. The "sleuth sisters" were likeable and not caricatures and, although I figured out whodunnit, it wasn't a no-brainer.
Yay!! This is my 75th book finished this year, thus meeting the goal I set for myself. I'se so proud of me.
December 19, 2014
'The Sleuth Sisters' is a funny and cute mystery. I enjoyed the storyline. The way it played out was interesting. The characters were great. Barb is definitely a strong lead. I liked her grammar correcting trysts, too funny. Faye is a sweet woman, but won't hold back if she's threatened. Retta is just plain funny. I love how she thinks she's helping. This was a cute story. I look forward to reading the next book. A good add for your tbr list.
May 3, 2018
This is a terrific book. The sisters are middle-aged, which is a nice change of pace. They all have their quirks and sometimes drive each other crazy but there is no doubt how much they love each other. The story flows easily with just the right amount of twists and turns. There is a potential love interest for one of the sisters. Nice to see attraction without sex on the first date. The relationship builds slow but steady. I have already bought the second book: 3 Sleuths, 2 Dogs, 1 Murder
June 2, 2018
Fun interesting book to read. Each of the three sisters has her own individual quirks and personality.
Even so, they meshed when mysterious occurrences arose. Together they solved a cold case, even getting themselves into a predicament or two. A little budding romance popped into the story as well! Book was hard to put down, as it kept you interested.
Even so, they meshed when mysterious occurrences arose. Together they solved a cold case, even getting themselves into a predicament or two. A little budding romance popped into the story as well! Book was hard to put down, as it kept you interested.
December 12, 2014
La verdad es que lo he disfrutado, al principio parece un poco lento pero se animó enseguida y la última mitad la he devorado. Desde luego voy a leer el segundo libro de estas curiosas hermanas detectives.
November 10, 2021
I enjoyed this book a lot! I loved the grammar police. My favorite mysteries are ones with a bit of humor and this book delivers. The three sisters are very entertaining and so different just like real sisters are. Did I have it all figured out? Yes. But most mysteries I figure out before the end
December 20, 2014
Fun adventure
Took me a bit to get into, but enjoyed. The first person way of telling the story was good. I would read more of these :)
Took me a bit to get into, but enjoyed. The first person way of telling the story was good. I would read more of these :)
December 10, 2019
** audio book review **
This was a fun start to what I hope is a great mystery series. Sisters Barb & Faye start a detective agency out of Barb's house. Barb specifically leaves their youngest sister Retta out of it because Barb & her don't get along too well. They first are given lame cases but then they finally get one that is really what they are looking for. A woman named Meredith is looking for her brother Neil who is accused of murdering his wife and brother in law years before and he hasn't been found. She needs him to care for the child he doesn't know he has as she is sick. The sisters don't just search for him. They also search to find him innocent. It doesn't look good for him until secrets start being exposed. Also Retta finds out what they are up to and Faye secretly lets her help. Suddenly the women get into danger and this fun little mystery for them might become life threatening. I loved this mystery. These women cracked me up. It was a good clean murder mystery and it really had me questioning everything all the way through. I can't wait to follow these sisters on more mysteries. It was also fun that three different narrators voiced the sisters.
This was a fun start to what I hope is a great mystery series. Sisters Barb & Faye start a detective agency out of Barb's house. Barb specifically leaves their youngest sister Retta out of it because Barb & her don't get along too well. They first are given lame cases but then they finally get one that is really what they are looking for. A woman named Meredith is looking for her brother Neil who is accused of murdering his wife and brother in law years before and he hasn't been found. She needs him to care for the child he doesn't know he has as she is sick. The sisters don't just search for him. They also search to find him innocent. It doesn't look good for him until secrets start being exposed. Also Retta finds out what they are up to and Faye secretly lets her help. Suddenly the women get into danger and this fun little mystery for them might become life threatening. I loved this mystery. These women cracked me up. It was a good clean murder mystery and it really had me questioning everything all the way through. I can't wait to follow these sisters on more mysteries. It was also fun that three different narrators voiced the sisters.
August 19, 2021
I started out thinking I wouldn't like this book, but as I continued I got interested in the story and the characters. The 3 sisters had very different personalities and clashed at times, but came together in the end.
January 28, 2022
This book was cute. It was a bit special to me because I am of a certain age and I am the middle of 2 sisters. The personalities were just so spot on. The mystery was interesting and intriguing and I liked the characters.
December 29, 2017
An enjoyable book about the formation of a detective agency run by three very different sisters and their first case.
August 13, 2020
I was looking for something written either by a Michigan author or written with Michigan as the place the story happened. This book fit both of those criteria. I love mysteries, but was ready for something a little lighter with a happy ending :-). This book also fit that criteria. There are six books in this series. I plan on trying another one.
November 9, 2014
I suppose this one might qualify as chick-lit, although I could easily see a similar story featuring three brothers with the same family dynamics. At first, I didn't really care for the youngest sister, Retta, much at all; she seemed as though she did get far in using her looks. Barb, the oldest, came off as a tad cold, although she had her moments. As the book went on, I did feel for the middle sister, Faye, having to play "double agent" with both Barb (in terms of keeping Retta from officially joining the agency), as well as Retta (maintaining friendly contact in spite of that). By the end, I was left with the feeling that Barb and Retta are just so different that they can't really identify with each other much, rather than any sort of actual clear animosity. As a bit of a spoiler, there's a clue that Retta's involvements will be "tolerated" on an unofficial basis, even if her sisters aren't ready to have her join the agency as a partner; Retta seenms as though she'd be okay with that, so I would be as well.
Three stars instead of four owing to the plot itself, which like many series set-up books isn't the strongest. I lost track a few times of who was where doing what with the rotating narration, feeling that it wasn't worth the time to keep going back.
If possible, I'd strongly recommend listening to the audio edition, where having three narrators with very distinct voices helps the reader get into character. That's not to say that when each has to voice the others as part of dialogue it didn't work. Barb's reader came across successfully as an older, never married attorney; I can relate to her surprise, and slow acceptance, when one of the characters shows an unexpected interest in her. Faye sounded a bit ... flat to me at first, but I came to realize that her life had been much ... quieter (shall we say) than her attorney sister, or more aggressively flamboyant one. Interestingly, she's the only one given a pronounced Michigan accent. Retta's voice came across as the closest to one I might expect for a cozy mystery audio - a bit snarky, though not obnoxious; her persona keeps the book from just plodding along with the more serious voices of her sisters.
I'm quite interested to see how a second adventure would turn out.
Three stars instead of four owing to the plot itself, which like many series set-up books isn't the strongest. I lost track a few times of who was where doing what with the rotating narration, feeling that it wasn't worth the time to keep going back.
If possible, I'd strongly recommend listening to the audio edition, where having three narrators with very distinct voices helps the reader get into character. That's not to say that when each has to voice the others as part of dialogue it didn't work. Barb's reader came across successfully as an older, never married attorney; I can relate to her surprise, and slow acceptance, when one of the characters shows an unexpected interest in her. Faye sounded a bit ... flat to me at first, but I came to realize that her life had been much ... quieter (shall we say) than her attorney sister, or more aggressively flamboyant one. Interestingly, she's the only one given a pronounced Michigan accent. Retta's voice came across as the closest to one I might expect for a cozy mystery audio - a bit snarky, though not obnoxious; her persona keeps the book from just plodding along with the more serious voices of her sisters.
I'm quite interested to see how a second adventure would turn out.
November 21, 2014
Who says there is an age limit on being a detective or you cant be a woman ? Not the Smart Detective Agency or the new police chief. Sisters Faye (who is 50) and Barb (being 52) decide to try their hands at being sleuths. After some failed attempts at obtaining a real case they find themselves being hired to work a 6 year old cold case. They are asked to find a woman's brother who just happens to have disappeared after his pregnant wife and brother-in-law are found dead. And if that isnt the worse of it, the father of the deceased is the richest, most powerful man in town. As the 2 sisters re-interview witnesses and follows their leads, their pesty sister wants in on the action. Retta has the people connections and skills but will the sister's allow their younger, has to have control and change everything sibling to help ??
You will fall in love with the sisters and their crazy ways. Can they crack the case ? Everyone said it was the husband. After all, he did run. What will the sisters uncover ? You have to read it to find out !!
You will fall in love with the sisters and their crazy ways. Can they crack the case ? Everyone said it was the husband. After all, he did run. What will the sisters uncover ? You have to read it to find out !!
December 20, 2014
The Sleuth Sisters is by Maggie Pill. It is a private investigator mystery and it is comical in parts. I liked it.
Barbara has moved back to Allpoint, Michigan and purchased a house that used to be apartments. She is changing it back to a one family home; but it is taking time. She is in no hurry to finish this or to find a job. She left her position as Assistant DA and her law practice. She wanted to experience more. Her sister Faye lives nearby with her invalid husband. She also wants something more, something that brings in some much needed money. They decide to form a private investigation service.
They are hired to find Meredith’s brother and prove him innocent. Years before, Neil Brown was seen running from the scene of a double murder. His wife Corina and her brother Carson were found murdered by their father, Stan Wozniak. Now he is after Neil.
Will the ladies find Neil without the help of their younger sister? Will they be able to prove him innocent by locating the true murderer? Can they do this without the help of their younger sister, Retta.
Barbara has moved back to Allpoint, Michigan and purchased a house that used to be apartments. She is changing it back to a one family home; but it is taking time. She is in no hurry to finish this or to find a job. She left her position as Assistant DA and her law practice. She wanted to experience more. Her sister Faye lives nearby with her invalid husband. She also wants something more, something that brings in some much needed money. They decide to form a private investigation service.
They are hired to find Meredith’s brother and prove him innocent. Years before, Neil Brown was seen running from the scene of a double murder. His wife Corina and her brother Carson were found murdered by their father, Stan Wozniak. Now he is after Neil.
Will the ladies find Neil without the help of their younger sister? Will they be able to prove him innocent by locating the true murderer? Can they do this without the help of their younger sister, Retta.
February 8, 2017
In Sleuth Sisters by Maggie Pill, Faye longs for some excitement in her life, so she convinces her older sister, Barbara, now retired, to partner with her in creating The Smart Detective Agency. The two turn down their first two prospective cases: someone convinced her "missing" brother has been kidnapped and brainwashed by Congress and a man afraid of the aliens who have infiltrated his possessions and clothing. So they are thrilled when a real case finally comes their way. A young woman wants them to find her brother, who fled when accused of his wife's murder. When youngest sister Retta learns that her two older siblings have left her out of their detective agency, she gets offended and determines to snoop on her own, using her contacts as a socialite and the well-known widow of a police officer.
Read the rest of this review, more reviews, and other wonderful, geeky articles on FangirlNation
Read the rest of this review, more reviews, and other wonderful, geeky articles on FangirlNation
March 10, 2014
Love this book! The story was great and witty. The Sleuth Sisters by Maggie Pill was laugh out loud funny. The story was great and Faye and Barbara will win your heart. So when they open their own Detective agency, and a murder takes place, things get heated and they must find out who did it before it i to late. This book was sent to me by Maggie and I am so glad she did. It will brighten your day and make you laugh as you tag along with the sister to solve the case.
November 29, 2014
Excellent who done it!
I love the sisters. They do a good job of tracking down the murderer. It's fun to figure out what Barb will do next in her quest to rid the world of bad grammar. The Chief of Police adds just a taste of romance to this mystery. I would not have guessed who the murderer was. I. Will have to read the next book too.
I love the sisters. They do a good job of tracking down the murderer. It's fun to figure out what Barb will do next in her quest to rid the world of bad grammar. The Chief of Police adds just a taste of romance to this mystery. I would not have guessed who the murderer was. I. Will have to read the next book too.
January 8, 2015
I don't typically read mysteries, but I was intrigued by the premise of three sisters starting a detective agency. I thought that the author did a good job of keeping you guessing about how things were going to work out. I feel like this was a more light-hearted mystery, rather than something dark. I look forward to putting the second in the series on my shelf!
Read
December 8, 2017The Sleuth Sisters offers the right amount of mystery and humor. The relationship amongst the sisters was relateable and heart warming. I started listening to it while I was wrapping Christmas presents and could not wait to learn how the story was resolved. I will read or listen to the other works by Maggie Pill. I enjoyed her use of multiple narratators.
May 7, 2018
Too many of the so-called "cozy mysteries" are simply - to be blunt - very badly written. This is an exception. Well-defined, believable and likable characters, wonderful descriptions and places, decent plotting. I liked it enough to check out the writers other publications, and I don't do that often. And who hasn't fantasized about correcting misspellings on signs?
November 29, 2014
I really liked the writing style ... first person but the person changed in each chapter!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 258 reviews