A Beauty Queen's Guide to Murder and Mayhem

Dakota Green #1

by Kristen Bird

Stable hand Dakota Green would rather compete in the Hunger Games than Aubergine’s annual beauty pageant. But her late mother’s last wish is about to see her trading her muck boots for Jimmy Choos – and uncover a decades-old mystery of a missing beauty queen.

Welcome to Aubergine, Virginia, where the mountains are blue, the air is sweet, and the beauty queens have secrets darker than last year’s spray tan.

Armed with more sarcasm than sequins, Dakota reluctantly enters the cutthroat world of sashes and smiles to save her family home. But when the pageant owner vanishes faster than she can shimmy into an evening gown, suspicion lands on Dakota’s beloved Aunt DeeDee.

Now Dakota must navigate a minefield of catty contestants, skeptical judges, the infuriatingly handsome new sheriff and a decades-old mystery of a missing beauty queen – all while mastering the art of walking in heels without looking like a newborn foal. Can this reluctant pageant star unmask a killer, clear her aunt’s name, and claim the crown? Or will she be the next to disappear?

Hilarious and heartfelt, A Beauty Queen’s Guide to Murder and Mayhem is perfect for fans of small-town mysteries with big laughs. If you love the wit of Janet Evanovich and Elle Cosimano, the charm of Only Murders in the Building, and beauty queens with a penchant for trouble, this book is a must-read.

Genres: Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Humor, Audiobook, Thriller, Cozy Mystery, Adult

318 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 28, 2025

About the author

Kristen has lived coast to coast, but with her extended family in north Alabama, her roots run southern deep. She teaches high school English and writes in local coffee shops near her home outside of Houston. In her free time, she likes to visit parks with her three daughters, watch quirky films with her husband, and attempt to keep pace with her rescue lab-mixes.

Reviews

[⟡ anne ⟡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Listen, sugar, beauty is pain. But don’t worry: it won’t kill you.” Unless it did.

── .✦✩°𓏲⋆ 3.25 stars
⤿ This was my first arc read, and I was extremely excited about it because the concept of a beauty pageant solving a murder case is certainly very refreshing and intriguing. And while the book did have its moments of brilliance and awe, it didn’t quite live up to my expectations.

⟢ summary ⊱
⤿ Dakota Green, still recovering from the grief of her mother’s recent death, receives a letter dedicated to her by her late mother, where she is asked to participate in the Beauty Pageant of Aubergine. Though she is reluctant to join the pageant due to the morbid history of something bad happening to the preceding beauty queens, she eventually gives in, to respect her mother’s wishes and because she needs the prize money to pay off her debts. However, things get complicated when her innocent and sweet Aunt Deedee is framed for stealing Miss 2001’s crown as well as for the murder of a certain someone.

That is why she now needs to solve the mystery behind these crimes to prove her aunt innocent while also preparing for the pageant. Oh, and she also has to make sure that she doesn’t end up becoming the next victim of the k!ller.

⟢ characters ⊱
⤿ ⬪ Dakota Green – She was honestly a pretty okayish sort of protagonist. I didn’t really quite dislike her but wasn’t a fan of her either. This is because, initially in the book, she gave strong ‘pick-me’ and ‘not-like-the-other-girls’ vibes, which I absolutely detest in a protagonist. The way she would always point out how starkly she stood out from every woman in her vicinity was downright annoying at times. And the way she would act so immaturely sometimes would truly get on my nerves. However, other than that, she had some quite spectacular moments of badassery as well that redeemed her character for me. She was pretty intelligent and determined about her goals no matter what. As a result, despite my initial dislike, I did somewhat end up liking and rooting for her.

⬪ Side Characters – I loved Lacy and Summer. Lacy was such a badass as well as so genuine while Summer is the sweetest and the kindest woman ever. She’s literally my pookie baby whom I would protect). Aunt Deedee and Savilla were also pretty interesting characters and kept me entertained throughout the novel. And I have extremely mixed feelings about Sheriff Charlie Strong, because while I did like him…he also kinda fell sort of flat for me.

⟢ plot & writing ⊱
⤿ The plotline was certainly very interesting and the twists truly shook me. I could predict most of what was happening and who was to blame (due to my countless hours spent watching true crime documentaries lol), but the things I could not predict – were HUGE. LIKE HOLY SHIT HUGE. And the last twist in the epilogue had me deceased. I didn’t have that in mind even in my wildest dreams so the author did a great job of surprising me.

However, my major issue with the plot was the pacing. It was excruciatingly SLOW. Nothing major or gripping really happens until the 60% mark, and after that, things actually start getting interesting. And the pacing increases as well because a lot of things happen from that time on. It is like getting on a rollercoaster that starts with a slow climb but then suddenly encounters a steep dip.

All in all, despite the unsteady pacing and a few plot holes, the story was pretty entertaining and engaging – thus, always keeping me guessing.

⟢ what i appreciated ⊱
⤿ – The female friendship and relationships. I loved the friendship between Summer, Dakota and Jemma and how, despite competing in the pageant, they did not backstab her. Dakota’s relationship with her aunt and her late mother was also very wholesome and heartwarming.
– The possible side romance(?). It was cute and the tension between the two characters could very easily be felt.
– Dakota’s struggle with grief was so realistically portrayed that I actually hurt for her.
– The final twist. Seriously, it blew my mind.
– SUMMER. My baby.


⟢ what i didn’t appreciate ⊱
⤿ – The self-righteousness in Dakota’s character. It was annoying and outdated. So, I really hope that there will be considerable character development in the next books in the series.
– The pacing and the info dump. I feel like the history of the pageant and Aubergine should have been gradually developed throughout the story over time, rather than having it been dumped onto the readers during the initial chapters. It almost took me out of the story.
– There was a plot hole that I was hoping would be explained later in the book, but it never was? And it disappointed me.

Anyways, despite the few flaws, A Beauty Queen’s Guide to Mayhem And Murder was certainly a quick, witty and entertaining read for me. If you’re looking for something light and yet adventurous to explore, then this one is definitely a strong recommendation.

Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing and Kristen Bird for providing me with the ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

────୨ৎ────

pre-read ﹢﹒ ✦⊹﹒
⤿ omg guys i got the ARC!! also, this is my first ARC so i can't wait to read this 💌

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wrote it AND read it, some parts dozens of times. I like it 😬😂❤️

[Heather Coffee_Kindle · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up

Release Date: 28th February 2025

Stable hand Dakota Green would rather compete in the Hunger Games than Aubergine’s annual beauty pageant. But her late mother's last wish is about to see her trading her muck boots for Jimmy Choos – and uncover a decades-old mystery of a missing beauty queen.

This is a wonderfully humorous book, with a lot of heart, as well as a murder mystery.

When Dakota Green enters the local annual beauty pageant that her dying mother had entered her into, she is amazed at what unravels, not only the mystery that unfolds, but her thoughts and perceptions of her competitors.

I really enjoyed this book and was hooked from the first page, the writing style was very down to earth and full of wit, which endeared me to the characters.

I would class this as a cosy mystery, but so wonderfully written with characters who I loved spending time with and hope there are more from them too.

I will definitely be reading more books by Kristen Bird, her writing style is such a good mix of mystery, wit and intrigue with great characters, with depth and heart.

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers, Storm Publishing for this ARC.

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[Lackof_shelf_control · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel was cute, but not super thrilling. As a former pageant girl, I think I appreciated it more than most would. Dakota (our MC) is likeable enough, but I wasn’t dying to know how it was going to end. It felt predictable and not in a satisfying way. I listened to the audiobook and it was an easy listen, but would probably only recommend to other pageant contestants or if you are looking for an easy no frills mystery read. This is the first book in the series, but I don’t plan on reading further. Had higher hopes for this one!

[audrey ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven’t read a good mystery in a bit, and this one was so much fun! It was giving Miss Congeniality with the pageant setting. I loved the characters and their back stories. The narrator did a great job and her accent work really sold the characters.
I loved the twists, especially in the epilogue. I thought everything had been uncovered and that was really a jaw-dropping moment.

Definitely recommend if you’re looking for a fun mystery!


Thank you NetGalley, Dreamscape Select, and Storm Publishing for the ALC!

[Catherine Victor Simpson · Rating 3 out of 5]

What do you get if you cross Miss Congeniality and the Thursday Murder Club? This book!
This is a light hearted cozy mystery about a beauty pageant gone wrong.
Dakota mourns her mother's death. Her last dying wish? That she enter the local beauty pageant. The potential winnings would save their house from repossession.
Reluctantly but left with no choice Dakota enters the centennial run of the pageant. One which both her Grandmother and Aunt were past winners of. When her Aunt us unexpectedly arrest for stealing and a sudden murder occurs, Dakota can't help putting on her best Miss Marple and get to the bottom of it. With the crown and her family' s future on the line can she get it all done?

I thought the book was ok, entertaining enough but nothing too original or special. I listened to this and the audio was very very southern with some of the characters almost robotic or comically clichéd sounding. Narrator could have been a bit more believable in this dramady of a book.
Many thanks to Dreamscape for providing me with an Audio copy of this book via NetGalley for review. All opinions are my own.

[Liza Armstrong · Rating 5 out of 5]

This mystery shifts you to a place where heels under 4 inches are a sin and anything bedazzled with less than 50% sequin coverage will have you running home to your mama. What was supposed to be one woman's mission to survive ballgowns and tiaras turned quickly into a murder scene. 

We follow Dakota as she navigates life after the death of her mother and she is thrown into pageantry to save her home and eliminate the mountain of medical debt.

What I loved: 

The importance of companionship. The female relationships in this book (and all of Kristen's books) are strong and beautifully done. The friendships she forms with the other women of the pageant, they are not enemies, but supporters of each other working towards a common goal. Female friendship can be toxic, but this shows the true beauty of what happens when you lead with love and support for each other. This was also shown with the larger than life love you see for both her mom and her aunt. 

The main whodunnit plot also had me trying to play detective along Dakota. I love a juicy story full of secrets and lies and this completely hit the mark. With the truths that I know now, I already want to do a reread and look for the breadcrumbs. 

A Beauty Queen's Guide to Murder and Mayhem comes out Feb 28, 2025! Such a fun read and I highly recommend.

[BONNIE SMITH · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first read by the author, this leaned more on the side of a cozy mystery than a mystery thriller.

We meet Dakota Green, a woman more accustomed to handling horses and barn chores than walking in heels. So how peculiar that shortly into the story she is in the middle of the town beauty pageant, as a CONTESTANT..

Knee deep in debt, Dakota needs the prize money, so with new highlights in her hair she musters up the courage to enter. Quickly things pivot when the owner of the pageant goes missing and suddenly all contestants are no longer just beauty queens, but suspects.

I really liked Dakotas chemistry with the sheriff and her attempts at amateur sleuthing. No romance, and mostly silly hijinks, this was a light and enjoyable read for anyone who loves Ms. Congeniality.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the chance to read and review.

[Christina O’Keefe · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Read if you like:
💄 single POV
💄 1st person POV
💄 single timeline
💄 family bonding
💄 large cast of crazy characters 🤪

This book right here is why I love going in to books blind!! I don’t know what I was expecting from the title and cute little cover, but it definitely wasn’t a girl that has to go undercover to solve a murder from 20 years ago because her dead mom wrote her notes and asked her to 🤪🤪
I really loved the characters here! Aunt DeeDee was my favourite of course, and I feel like I also really got to know Dakota’s mom through stories and letters 💕 I really liked Dakota
Any 30-something year old girly who loves The Real Housewives and murder is going to LOVEEEE this read 💕💕 I can’t recommend it enough!!
The most action-packed funnest cozy mystery I have ever read! I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!! Thank you so much to Storm Publishing and Kristen Bird for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review 💕

[scl.ashx · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75/5 stars rounded up

I'd like to thank Netgalley and Storm Publishing for this ARC.

Dakota Green’s *A Beauty Queen’s Guide to Murder and Mayhem* is a small-town cozy mystery with a side of sequins and sarcasm.

Our reluctant heroine, a stable hand turned beauty queen (against her better judgment), finds herself knee-deep in pageant drama, missing persons, and murder. If that doesn’t scream “Southern charm with a twist,” I don’t know what does.

The story unfolds at a steady pace, balancing humor with intrigue. Dakota’s dry wit keeps things entertaining as she stumbles through a world of cutthroat contestants and suspicious small-town secrets.

I also live that the supporting cast aren't just merely there for the sake of the story, they add depth to it, each one having their own backstory, especially her Aunt DeeDee; though some characters felt a little too on-the-nose. The mystery itself is engaging but leans more on fun and explores the emotions of family, than nail-biting suspense.

Green’s writing is light and easy, perfect for young readers or those dipping their toes into the cozy mystery genre.

Personally, the story didn’t fully hook me—maybe I like my mysteries with a little more edge—but that’s a *me* problem, not the book’s fault.

The final letter at the end, though? That made me sit up. I might just have to see where book two takes Dakota next.

Final Verdict: A charming, beginner-friendly whodunit with plenty of laughs. If you enjoy humor and small-town secrets, this one’s for you.

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really cute and fun. & A lot more lighthearted than Kristen’s other books! Excited to see how the story continues!!

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

So this was a slow burn for me. I wasn’t fully invested in it until about halfway through, but then I was fully in. I loved the idea of this beauty queen pageant with a murder mystery thrown in. It was nice to see Dakota regain her footing in life. The reveals were fun and unexpected for me. The only thing that was missing for me was more closure or development between Dakota and the sheriff.

Thank you to Kristen Bird and NetGalley for this ARC.

[Kelly (Little.shropshire.reader) · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Dakota Green's mom died, her last wish was for her daughter to compete in the towns annual beauty pageant. Dakota feels more at home with her sarcasm, horses, and boots. Now, she had to trade them in for dresses. High heels and fake smiles. All isn't glitz and glamour when the pageant owner goes missing and her aunt DeeDee is to blame.

Beauty pageants aren't really something I'm interested in, and I did struggle to get into this one to start with. That said, I found it an entertaining and fun read.

I really liked Dakota's character she was dry, witty, and totally likeable. She reminded me a bit like the Miss Congeniality film. The story gives an insight into what goes on behind the scenes and that it isn't just pleasantries and niceties, and that there's a real dark side to competing in a pageant.

It's a quick, easy little read that I overall enjoyed.

Thank you, Storm Publishing, for my advanced copy of this book.

[Justine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This fish out of water story was a fun time and a welcome break from reality!

[Phoenix2 · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Big Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy!!

'' A Beauty Queen's Guide to Murder and Mayhem '' is the first book to the cozy and humourous mystery series 'Dakota Green'.

The story is quite refreshing, without depriving the audience of the well-beloved elements that make a cozy mystery a hit. Also, the family bonds were so sweet, even though it was more of a bittersweet tone.

In addition, the mystery was interesting and nicely woven into the beauty queen pageant.

My only objection was that some things weren't as smoothly solved in the end, probably being left to be solved in the sequels.

Also, I didn't like the hint of romance, as it was too instant.

Finally, the audiobook production and narration were great and enhanced the enjoyment of the book.

[GinaJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love author, Kristin Bird. This book, her fourth published novel, is a different genre than her other three. It’s funnier, more cozy, less serious. It still has great characters and dialogue. It will definitely make you laugh and is at times absurd in its police handling of crime, as well as the great malapropisms.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, author Kristen Bird, and Storm Publishing for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

This was such a fun read!! I am a fan of Bird's previous works, which are all more "serious" mysteries, so I was excited to read her foray into the fun and cozy genre. I think she succeeded with the first installment in the Dakota Green trilogy, and I'm already ready to read the next book. As a fan of her writing, I have really seen her skills grow over the course of her books, and I think that is reflected in this one as well, even though it's a bit more "fun" than her other mysteries. I really enjoyed being swept into the pageant world and Dakota's experience, as everything was so immersive and jumped off the page. Bird writes with such an authentic voice for both her Southern settings and her strong Southern women featured as characters. The side characters were just as vivid as Dakota, and I especially enjoyed getting to know Summer and Jemma because they provided a lot of spark and sass. Some of the characters, specifically the Finches, were a bit over the top for my personal liking, but I do think their quirkiness added quite a bit of heart and humor. I thought the mystery itself played out well with a couple of twists I wasn't expecting! My one note would be that the pacing of events in both the pageant and the mystery unfolding seemed a bit too quick as a whole, but hey, there's a certain level of disbelief expected in this sort of book! As long as you just enjoy the antics and don't think too much about the logistics, it is a fun read full of charming and witty characters. I will be happily looking forward to what Dakota gets up to in the next book, especially with the cliff hanger ending!

[Balthazarinblue · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the exact shot of uplifting, hilarious dopamine I needed on a meh day.

Dakota Green is a tomboy, more comfortable mucking out the stables than walking in high heels. Almost one year on from her mother's death, a mountain of medical bills is still breathing down the back of her neck. The bank has no more forgiveness to give her on her late mother's mortgage. But her mother refused to leave her high and dry, and with aid of Dakota's implacable Aunt DeeDee, she's left Dakota a plan that will set the family finances right. She just has to win Virginia's most prestigious beauty pageant. What? Like it's hard? Well, it's a little hard. Especially when people start disappearing...

This was such a fun quick read. The characters were quirky without being too much. There's a hunky local sheriff. The mystery was decently complex for a cosy and I'm looking forward to the next book!

[Sara Rodgers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I realized I never updated that I finished this book because I had the ARC and it wasn’t even showing up for a while as an option. In addition to being provided with the ARC, I also had the pleasure of joining Kristen Bird in her conversation about the book shortly after the publication date. This book is so intriguing because not only is the setting so fitting for this cozy mystery but also the writing style really highlights how talented Bird is as this is so wildly different from her normal thrillers which tend to lean on the darker side. I enjoyed this book and the characters from start to finish, everyone’s big personalities and all the glitz and glam was such a nice distraction from the current dumpster fire of our world today.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so much fun! I loved the setting of a small town in Virginia, at a beauty pageant with a reluctant participant fulfilling her dying mother’s wishes. The characters were plentiful but were all well-developed enough to tell them apart and had their own quirks in their own right; I was a big fan of the contestant who smushed words together to form interesting malapropisms. The mystery was interesting and I had no idea who the guilty party was until the very end. Looking forward to more in this series!

I received a copy from #NetGalley, #StormPublishing, and #DreamscapeSelect for an honest review.

[Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

✨✨ BOOK REVIEW ✨✨
A Beauty Queen’s Guide to Murder and Mayhem by Kristen Bird is out now. This is a cute cozy mystery that has vibes of both Murder She Wrote (for those that remember Angela Lansbury in the 1980’s) and Miss Congeniality.

🎀 Dakota Green lives in Aubergine, Virginia where she pursues in obtaining a veterinarian degree to take care of horses. Unfortunately her dreams are derailed and stop with a screeching halt when Dakota has a life changing experience. Along with her Aunt Dee Dee, they begin on a new track to navigate life together, picking up the pieces and trying to put their financial lives back together.

💅🏻 Dakota, with the encouragement of her mother and Aunt Dee Dee, enters the Centennial Rose Palace Pageant, with the hopes of winning first prize to get their financial situation in order. However, Dakota is not the beauty pageant type, with permanent dirt stained nails from her care of horses, and being a flannel, jeans, and cowboy boot wearing kind of gal.

💄 Dakota connects with her best friend Lacy, the hunky sheriff, and others to find out the mystery of the missing beauty queen from 2001. Strange things begin to happen and these ladies find themselves racing the clock to uncover the truth behind the murders swirling around the pageant, ultimately finding out the mysterious truth behind the pageant’s history.

💞 If you enjoy a cozy mystery, check this book out. I liked Dakota’s spirit, her value of friendship, and the appreciation she had for those who helped take care of her. She’s a beauty who’s spunky, loyal, and fierce. This cozy mystery is out now!

Thank you to Net Galley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book. All opinions are my own.

[Cozy Reader Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

"A Beauty Queen's Guide to Murder and Mayhem (A Dakota Green Mystery Book 1)" by Kristen Bird didn't strike me as being a cozy mystery based on the cover. However, it is a cozy mystery. It hits all the hallmarks of a cozy mystery. Dakota is back in her hometown pulling herself out of her depression after the caring for and death of her mother.

She's trying to work out her next steps in life with some prodding of regular letters her mother set up to mail to her. The most recent one knows she's really low on money. It tells her she's already entered in the town's big beauty pageant and to go win it. With the help of her aunt, an employee of the pageant *cough* conflict of interest *cough* she gets all dolled up and ready to at least place.

Unfortunately, there's some drama surrounding a queen from the past that disappeared. Then the pageant and estate owner goes missing. Fingers get pointed at Dakota's aunt. Dakota wont let her only living relative go down for something she didn't do and do her best to win the pageant.

[Bailey Douglass · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars This was a fun cozy mystery based around a beauty pageant in the south. It's pretty much what you think it will be. Protagonist Delilah's mother passes away, the family has a lot of debt, but her mom leaves a note saying she should have her aunt help her enter the pageant she's been involved with for the last 30 years, which has a big cash prize. In 1991 one of the contestents was murdered and now people are starting to go missing! It's amateur Miss Congeniality in Virginia.

Overall I enjoyed this book and was surprised by the reveals at the ending. I did find it a little hard to keep track of the characters on audio initially, and that made it harder for me to get into it, but I stayed up to finish it by the time I was in the second half. Overall, this is a fun, women-centered cosy mystery, and if that sounds good to you you'll probably like it!

Thank you to Dreamscape Select for giving me an advance review copy for an unbiased review.

[Linsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kristen Bird: I know her!! This woman is not only a wonderful author but an amazing friend, and this book is equally as fabulous! These cozy mysteries have become like candy for my reading palette. I love them! They’re sweet, fun, and make me happy. I always love the southern vibes in Kristen’s books, and this took it to a place that is a very real part of southern culture: the pageant. Y’all. Don’t. Even. Know👸🏼. Whether you’re one of the girls taking the stage with hair as big as your heart or the down to earth belle who loves God, her family, and feels most at home in jeans and a good pair of boots, you’ll find a character to connect with. For me, it was Aunt DeeDee. I was raised by one and know that fierce spirit all too well. The pacing of this novel was quick, the mystery worth investing in, the plotting clever, and the ending satisfying. I smiled a lot reading this one. 💖

[Kat Burg · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up
This book pulled me in and didn’t let up until the twisty ending, and what a ride it was!

I enjoyed this so much, from Dakota’s snark and insecurity, to her beautiful, supportive relationships with her mom and Aunt DeeDee, the corrections of her misconceptions of Pageant Queens and even a little hint of romance!

It was truly a ‘cozy’ mystery - not crazy tension or high stakes, but sometimes that’s just what you need!

The villain wasn’t super obvious but not too hard to figure out, but the motives were truly twisty and surprising and had my jaw dropped. Can’t wait to read the next book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an ARC copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Stephanielikesbooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cozy mystery read set in the beauty pageant world in a small southern town in Virginia. It read well and had a good plot line and red herrings, and the growing friendship between the characters was well done. There was also a hint at romance and a lovely aunt-niece relationship.

However, for some reason I just did not fully connect with the characters. I cannot put my finger on exactly why and think this is a me issue as the book was objectively well done.

If you like cozy mysteries, recommend you check this one out. It’s also the start to a series.

Thanks to the publisher for this complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

[Cj Otaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)

Quick Take: Pageant meets murder—and weirdly, it works.

Thoughts:
• I kept wondering: Would this plot even work without the pageant setting? The answer is a solid no—and that’s exactly what makes it fun.
• Loved the slow burn banter. Grateful the book didn’t fully lean into romance and instead stayed focused on the mystery.
• The found family aspect? Heartwarming.
• Kristen Bird’s writing is so vivid—I could clearly picture every tiara, side-eye, and suspicious smile.

Final Verdict:
A fun, twisty murder mystery with pageant flair, strong characters, and just enough sparkle. Would totally watch this as a Netflix mini-series.

[JennRenee · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO, to be completely transparent, I so judged this book by the cover and wanted to read it completely on the title and the cover art. Sometimes that works out great sometimes it does not. I am happy to say this time it worked out really well for me. I am very very pick on my cozy mysteries. Most I find boring and not a lot of depth. I mean I guess that is what makes them a fast read. This one though. Loved it. It was not boring, and it had depth, and it was still a fast read.
I adored the main character, and I fell in love with her right of way. All the characters were just enjoyable to spend half a day with. They all had layers, and they were all flawed but also just loveable.
The mystery was good. It was your standard average person finding a dead body and has to solve the murder with little help from local authorities.... but the setting and the characters are what set it apart. I loved the beauty pageant setting and then also being set in the deep south. LOVED it.

I can't wait to read more of this series.

[Emma Freddura · Rating 4 out of 5]

So Dakota is a very much likeable character, manoeuvring lives ups and downs. When the letters come from her mum each month, I thought this was a great idea to keep her going. The killer about halfway through was kind of a bit obvious, even with a few red herrings thrown in for good measure. I'm looking forward to reading the 2nd one now. I have read the epilogue.

[Alex Kanash · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Select for this arc! I don’t think I’ve ever read a murder mystery in this setting before so it was definitely fun. The southern accents were the perfect touch for the audiobook.