Stakeouts and Strollers

by Rob Phillips

Amateur private investigator and new dad Charlie Shaw gets more than he bargained for when he agrees to track down a young girl’s missing father in Rob Phillips’ award-winning debut.

Charlie Shaw is low on sleep. And cash. Otherwise, life is going pretty well for the ex-crime reporter: He’s happily married to his college sweetheart, he’s a first-time dad to the most adorable baby girl in existence, and he’s making ends meet as a rookie PI. But when Charlie meets Friday Finley, a frightened sixteen-year-old runaway on a stakeout-gone-wrong, his world gets a little more complicated.

Friday is looking for her estranged father Shawn, an unreliable alcoholic who left when she was young—and who also happens to be her only shot at avoiding the foster care system since her mother’s death a few weeks earlier. At first, Charlie believes the man is simply hiding out somewhere, avoiding his responsibilities as usual, but the more he investigates, the more unsettling—and dangerous—Shawn’s disappearance becomes. When his own family is threatened, Charlie realizes he’s in over his head, but can he back out now that he’s begun to care for Friday as his own?

A perfect blend of humor and high stakes, Stakeouts and Strollers is a heartwarming story of fatherhood, family, and what it really means to be a “Girl Dad.”

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Thriller, Adult, Mystery Thriller, Cozy

336 pages, Hardcover

First published March 17, 2026

About the author

Rob's debut novel, STAKEOUTS AND STROLLERS, won the Minotaur Books/Malice Domestic Best First Traditional Mystery Novel Award. STAKEOUTS AND STROLLERS is now available for preorder (publication date 3/17/26).

Rob grew up in the Dallas area, where he became an Emmy-winning sportswriter covering the Dallas Cowboys for print, radio and television. Rob and his wife are proud parents to a spunky senior King Charles spaniel and a lively young daughter who’s still waiting for her first stakeout.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robphillips...

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/people/Rob-P...#

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press( Minotaur Books) and Ana Couto for the invitation to read this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

I didn't expect this book to give me all the "feels' as I was reading. The author, a girl dad, writes that this book is a nod to all the girl dads out there. The main protagonist, Charlie Shaw, once a journalist, now a private investigator, is the father of a precious infant daughter and the husband of a patient wife, Ryan. Not since Pat Conroy gave readers Jack McCall(Beach Music) have I been this in love with a fictional "girl" dad in literature.

Yes, Charlie Shaw is worth your reading time this year.

As the story opens, Charlie has been asked to catch a rich man's wife and her lover, but this run-of-the-mill case is going to turn into more when he meets 16-year-old Friday Finley. Friday has recently lost her mother and has arrived in California looking for her father, Shawn. Charlie's empathy wins out, and he agrees to give Friday a helping hand. But neither Charlie nor Friday is quite aware of the mess they're about to be embroiled in.

There's humour and suspense, and it is the perfect cozy mystery as we have another winter storm raging (two storms on Easter weekend = good reading). I hope I haven't seen the last of Charlie Shaw and his family because I was so sad to leave them at the end of the story.





Publication Date 17/03/26
Goodreads Review 05/04/26

[ß · Rating 1 out of 5]

started off really well and then gal gadot got namedropped for some reason as glam ???. LMFAOOO im sorry but of all women you choose /that/. it’s 2026 i think authors who do this are perfectly aware of what’s going on in the world

[Lyss ꨄ (slumppp) · Rating 4 out of 5]

"All I know is this: The world would be a better place if everyone had a daughter.”

review ᝰ.ᐟ
Charlie Shaw, a former journalist turned P.I. is working his first case. What was initially an infidelity case quickly unveils a tangled web of secrets, crime, and corruption.

This story was a whirlwind of questionable investigations, some irrational decision-making, and a surprisingly sweet found family aspect. This story had so many great things that made it work: the suspense/mystery, the humor, the cast of characters (and their banter), and of course the action. I hope this author makes this a series... I really enjoyed all the humor and chaos.

Might be thinking too far ahead, but I can totally see this being turned into a movie; it has a great foundation for it. 😌

pre-read ᝰ.ᐟ
One of my most anticipated reads of the year, I'm so excited! I have a feeling there's going to be chaos... 😌🍿

[Susan Z (webreakforbooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

You could tell based on the cover and title this book was going to be a funny. It absolutely was that, but it was also counterbalanced with some serious moments along with some intense moments. It was the perfect balance between levity and gravity.

This was an intense mystery with so many action packed moments. The characters were great from the MMC, his wife, his boss, his friend Tex, the night nanny, the list goes on and on. Unique special characters who were superbly developed.

This was a fabulous debut, which ends with a nice setup for another book with these characters 🤞

[JemeryInPrint · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Rob Phillips’ Stakeouts and Strollers is a delightful cozy mystery, blending sharp humour, genuine heart, and a compelling whodunit that keeps the pages turning.

What really sets this book apart is its voice. Phillips’ writing is snappy, witty, and effortlessly engaging. The dialogue sparkles with personality, making even the quieter moments feel lively and full of charm. There’s a rhythm to the prose that makes it easy to sink into, and before long, you’re completely invested in both the mystery and the characters navigating it.

At its core, this is more than just a puzzle to solve. The emotional undercurrent centred around family, responsibility, and unexpected connections, adds a layer of warmth that elevates the story. The mystery itself is well-paced, with enough twists to keep you guessing without ever feeling convoluted. It’s satisfying in that classic cozy way, where the clues are there if you look closely, but the journey is just as enjoyable as the reveal.

If there’s any reason it’s not a full five stars, it’s only because a few elements feel slightly familiar within the genre, but even then, Phillips’ voice and heart make it feel fresh. Overall, Stakeouts and Strollers is a warm, funny, and thoroughly entertaining read.

[Leah M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rounded to 4.5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

It’s no secret that I love a good cozy mystery, and am always game to try a new one. I haven’t come across many cozies written by male authors though, so I was especially excited to check this one out. The protagonist’s life experience as the new father of a girl only made this one that much more appealing to me. And the good news? This book did not let me down.

To start with, Charlie Shaw was a newspaper crime reporter, but when he got furloughed, he decided to take another route and got his license to be a private investigator. He works for Inspector Dwayne Powell, the owner of the firm he works for and an outstanding human being. Powell’s initial charm is that he puts up with Charlie’s bumbling attempts to learn the ropes, but he doesn’t only mentor Charlie with the job, he also moves into a role as both Charlie’s common sense and moral compass throughout the story. He’s exactly the kind of guy you’d want to have your back during a dangerous job.

I liked Charlie’s character immediately, but he continued to grow on me over the course of the novel, and I found that by the end of the story I liked him even more than I had initially. He’s married to a gorgeous woman, Ryan, and they have a baby who is around 9 months old, Callie. They also have a night nurse, Grace, but she seems to do a lot more than just taking care of Callie at night and getting her sleep schedule on track. She helps around the house, makes meals, and has no problem with a fifth person taking up residence in the minuscule (1000 foot) home. Completely unrelated, I have always loved the name Ryan for a girl—I went to sleep away camp with a female Ryan, and one of my good friends has named her daughter Ryan.

An aspect of Charlie’s character that immediately appealed to me was his humility. He knows he isn’t an experienced or knowledgeable private eye, and he’s under no illusion about his skills or intelligence. He has a fantastic sense of humor, with a lot of it self-deprecating, although he also has an issue that I have—a minimal or completely absent filter between the brain and the mouth, meaning that sometimes we’re just as surprised as others at by what comes out of our mouths. There’s also an element of corny dad jokes, another thing I share with him. The scene where he meets a police chief named Gramble had me cracking up so hard because of his verbal diarrhea mixed with quite a few nostalgic references:

“‘I’m Chief Mike Gramble.’
‘Gramble on,’ I said. ‘Sing my song.’
‘What?’
‘Nothing. I have a Zeppelin CD.’”

As a new dad, Charlie is slowly learning the ropes while Powell does his best to keep him on simple, low-risk investigations, mostly following spouses who have been suspected of infidelity. But when he crosses paths with a teen girl from Oregon searching for her missing father after the death of her mother, his GirlDad instincts kick in and he can’t resist taking her on as a client to find her dad. Friday Finley becomes not only a case Charlie takes on for free, but part of a found family that takes her in with no questions asked—obviously it is the Shaw family and Grace, but she fits right in.

My absolute favorite part of the book is the witty, rapid-fire banter that was both humorous and relatable, mostly centered around Charlie, Ryan, and Grace, although Friday, Powell, and the other characters are in on it too. There is a lot of dialogue in the story, and it feels natural, which isn’t always easy to do.

The writing style is short and snappy, descriptive without leaning into purple prose, and when Phillips depicts scenes or characters, it is easy to visualize them. Mainly because it’s so clear and direct, like this description of a couple of male characters that causes them to pop into my head fully formed:

“The tall guy was nice-looking. The short guy fell off the ugly tree and every branch got their licks in. He had a caveman forehead that sloped like Mount Davidson and a huge flat nose that seemed to cover half his face. His hair was shaved into a buzz cut. His hollow, beady eyes flashed no emotion or discernible intelligence. He wore a black track jacket zipped up only three-fourths of the way, exposing some unsightly chest hair.”

Scenes involving Callie are clearly written by someone who has at least some familiarity with what it is like to be a parent to an infant, although the love and joy that both Charlie and Ryan feel towards Callie is heartwarming. While certain aspects of their parenting style rings true, like a scene where Charlie runs down the battery on his phone watching Callie sleep on a baby monitor app, others don’t feel as realistic, like how easily Charlie is willing to put his family in danger or bringing her onto a stakeout that could be volatile. But I found it hilarious when he made comments that brought some nostalgia to the table, and there were quite a few Gen X references that made me chuckle, like this one to Paul Oakenfold, a titan in the EDM scene in the early aughts:

“My temple pounded like an Oakenfold song.”

The banter between Charlie, Ryan, and the much older Grace is hilarious and realistic, and fast-moving in a snappy way rather than feeling rushed. I enjoyed the fast pace of both the story and the investigations, and although it did take me a while to read this one, it was mostly because I was enjoying it so much and didn’t want to rush through it. Charlie totally rocks the ‘bumbling schlimazel’ role so well. [If you don’t know what a schlimazel is, it’s a Yiddish word meaning someone who is consistently unlucky or likely to get in accidents, which sounds exactly like Charlie.] At times, I was curious about what type of PI training he had received, since he specifically says that he has no idea what he is doing, and I couldn’t figure out how he was just allowed to go on investigations with minimal training and just guidance after the fact from Powell. But at least he isn’t under any delusion that he’s brilliant and a talented PI, instead being more like The Pink Panther’s Inspector Clouseau:

“‘This is my wife, Ryan. She’s a marketing executive. She’s a lot smarter than me. This is my daughter, Callie. She’s a lot smarter than me too.’”

When it comes to Friday’s role in the story, she’s way more than simply found family, and she plays a big role. Things move swiftly from Charlie’s pro bono work to find her father to realizing there is a lot more occurring under the surface, since her father isn’t exactly the kind of dad anyone hopes for—he’s been mostly absent from her teen years, struggles with substance use issues, and isn’t even close to being called reliable. It felt completely on brand for a 16-year-old to leave town and drive 600 miles to locate her dad without knowing exactly how or where to find him—teenagers struggle with thinking consequentially since that part of the brain doesn’t develop fully until a person hits their early 20s. This makes complete sense to me when I think of some of the dumber ideas I had as a teenager myself, and I’m sure at least a few people reading this knows what I’m talking about. But it’s hard not to empathize with Friday and I found myself wishing everything would work out for her.

Overall, this was a fantastic read, although a lot of the humor was geared towards Gen X or early millennials. This was a positive in my case, since I recognized all of the references, but I could see this being frustrating for younger (or older) readers. Charlie is a really good guy who has some amazing people in his social circle, but he wasn’t as good at separating work and his personal life. One random thought of mine while reading was to wonder if he is a fan of Stephen King, with a bar named Cashel Rock (not a misspelling) and a fictional town of Derryville. There were a few things I noticed while reading that I didn’t love, although ultimately this didn’t have much of an effect on my rating. Firstly, there is a section in the book where it delves all the way into technical jargon about start-ups and venture capitalism that makes things a bit more difficult to understand, but it was a small part of the story, and my lack of understanding didn’t make it difficult to follow the plot or the clues. The other is the juxtaposition of sweet family moments with a pretty serious crime investigation. I also had a hard time believing some of the events, like Charlie turning a stakeout into ‘bring your daughter to work day,’ and I have no idea how Ryan puts up with him, being the only voice of reason in the relationship. Other than that, I really enjoyed this book and hope that this is only the start of a new series and not a standalone novel.

Bottom line: If you like cozy mysteries, sarcastic and witty banter, found family, and a story structure that varies from the norm in the genre, this might just be the book for you!

[elisa Gabrielle donahue · Rating 3 out of 5]

first Cozy with a male lead but w9nt be my last

[Jen Ryland (jenrylandreviews & yaallday)]

Stakeouts and Strollers is a gender-flipped Finlay Donovan adjacent comic thriller that features a new dad (and trainee PI) getting into dark investigative hijinks.

Though the writing in S and S was amusing, I also thought it was dialogue-heavy and sometimes lacking in grounding. Sometimes I had to go back and re-read to clarify what was going on.

Charlie, the main character, is a former reporter, new dad, and newbie PI who starts out going on stakeouts with a baby monitor.

Me: What? Is he leaving the baby home alone? What is the range of this baby monitor?

I finally decided that his wife Ryan (a marketing exec who looks great even though she has no time for the gym) must be either trying to sleep or on a very long maternity leave (their daughter is six months old). Thankfully they hire a saint of night nurse so Rob can finally stop dragging the monitor around and get to his PI work.

While we're on the topic of wives and women, I agreed with this reviewer that some of the main character's descriptions of women gave me pause. Charlie seems like a great dad and husband. His love for his daughter is obvious and his desire to be a great #GirlDad is admirable.

It's possible that a Dad thriller is just not for me. Overall, I felt the comic/domestic aspect mixed with hard core baddies did not work nearly as well for me as it does in the Finlay Donovan books. But other readers whose opinions I respect have clearly enjoyed this book, so if you love comic cozies, don't let my opinion stop you!

Thanks to the publisher for providing an advance copy for review!

[Susan McClintock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlie Shaw, a former crime reporter turned private investigator, now handles low-level cases like infidelity. While surveilling a cheating wife, he encounters Friday Finley, a sixteen-year-old whose mother recently passed away. She’s searching for her alcoholic, deadbeat father. Compelled by a personal connection to his sister’s suicide at the same age, Charlie decides to take her case pro bono. Initially, the investigation appears straightforward, but it soon takes a sinister turn when it uncovers corruption and a vast criminal enterprise. This marks the beginning of a captivating cozy/detective fiction series. The book boasts well-developed characters and numerous twists and turns. It’s a fast-paced and enjoyable read, and I’m eagerly looking forward to the next installment in the series. Overall, it was a delightful read. I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley for my honest review.

[Tam Sesto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though the title leads you to believe this is a cozy mystery, it’s not. It’s a very enjoyable detective mystery. Charlie is a great lead character. He’s a new dad and stumble across a mystery involving a young girl whose father is missing. He can’t help but get involved, which entails a rough journey. I really enjoyed the relationship between Charlie and his wife. It was so warm and loving. The plot moved along, and the writing was well done.

My review is voluntary and all comments and opinions are my own.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charlie is a former investigative journalist & new dad turned private investigator in what is hopefully book one of a new series.
While doing an investigation into a potential cheating spouse, Charlie ends up in the middle of another much larger (& unpaid) investigation involving a 16-year-old girl looking for her missing father.
This title has a touch more violent situations than a traditional cozy mystery but still has lots of cozy type aspects to it, so be forewarned.
I'll definitely be looking for a follow-up title!

Thanks to Netgalley and Minotaur for an advance copy.

[Meagan O · Rating 3 out of 5]

A journalist turned private investigator goes all out after a cheating case leads to meeting a teenaged girl looking for her father. Being a new father to a daughter & having a deceased sister, Charlie gets suckered into looking for the missing father and quickly his cases collide & turn deadly.
S & S felt longer than necessary to me. Some of the at home banter & stakeouts with Charlie thinking about food & snacks could have been cut out. I realize this was in a way for the authors daughter & he wanted to portray Charlie as a good girl dad but it was too much & ended up annoying for me. Or maybe it just took too long to get my reading time in & that’s just how it felt as thought every time I picked up the book it was filled with fluff.

The book was still enjoyable & I haven’t looked into whether this will turn into a series or just a stand alone & another book with Charlie venturing into PI work could be fun especially if it was funnier. Charlie has a mouth in a way but it would play off better if he was funnier especially as his wife Ryan is boring.
I appreciate that this books stayed classy & that Charlie wasn’t gross around ladies.

Overall, the book is good, story & writing with the exception of the teenager Friday who doesn’t quite talk or seem like a young teenager. For one example: “It just rang off the hook” is said by the teen. I’ve never heard a teen say this let alone think they would know what it means. Friday also talks to similar in a fashion to Charlie-in a manner of a much older person.

This book I would recommend to cozy book readers

[Wendi Flint Rank (WendiReviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a breath of fresh air with Charlie
Front and center in what would appear to be
a fairly traditional ‘cozy,’ until things start to
get far too real. The characters are both
lovable, (Friday) and hugely problematic-
Pretty much everyone outside Charlie’s
lovely family - wife Ryan, (and others)
and mysteriously the whole story comes
together very nicely. I’d love to learn there
will be a sequel - perhaps a series is planned?
The core characters are all young enough
and Friday is a great character. There are
LOTS of things that still need to be “fixed”
in the character’s lives !
My thanks to St Martin’s Press
for the download of the book for
review purposes.

[Hobart · Rating 4 out of 5]

This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader. If you like this post, you might like others on that site. Consider checking it out!
---
WHAT'S STAKEOUTS AND STROLLERS ABOUT?
Charlie Shaw, a former investigative reporter, is now a rookie P.I. His boss has him working low-risk cases as he learns the job—and because he's a new dad. Charlie is besotted with his little girl, Callie. So much so that he does things like wear down his phone battery enough watching her on the monitor so he doesn't have enough power to take the photos he needs to document his target's affair.

Soon after, he's back on the case and tracks the woman to the home of the man she's having an affair with. Beyond getting the photos he needs to satisfy the client, two significant things happen.

First, he runs into a teenage girl who is seemingly trying to follow the same person. Secondly, he witnesses the man his target was seeing get beaten by a large man and acts to help him.

My summary is getting convoluted—that's on me, not Phillips. Charlie tracks down the girl—Friday Finley—who didn't turn out to have anything to do with anyone that was at the scene he met her at. She's actually trying to track down her father, who ghosted her and her mother years ago, and is now seemingly tied to some criminals working out of a dive bar.

Charlie's between jobs, thanks to getting the incriminating photos, so he can help Friday track down her dad. This is where things get complicated and dangerous.

WHY DID I PICK THIS UP? WHY DID I KEEP READING?
The cover and title caught my eye, and the premise sold me.

I kept reading because Phillips' text is smooth and engaging, and Charlie is one of those narrators that you can't help but like immediately, so you want to see how things turn out for him. And I can't imagine how a reader can't want to know what happens next for Friday once they've met her.

Basically, everything about the book made me want to keep going.

WHAT DOES THIS BOOK TELL US ABOUT HUMANITY?
The big through-line with this book is family. Sometimes we're talking about found families, but most of this is blood family.

Some of the families are dysfunctional, some are loving and supportive, some are still figuring themselves out, some are falling apart—but this novel is just littered with families. It's the key to practically every motivation, decision, and goal for these characters.

Family is something many of us take for granted, at least one we can undervalue, given whatever day/stage of life we're in. But seeing these characters do all these various and sundry things because of family rings so true. When X is doing Y for reason Z, it's easy to dismiss Z as folly or greed. But as soon as it becomes "for reason Z and family," both the character X and the action Y become relatable, understandable, and possibly even sympathetic.

This is on just about every page of this novel, and more than any other reason, it's what grounds this work and draws you in.

SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT STAKEOUTS AND STROLLERS?
This is just fun—Charlie's got all the makings of a decent fictional PI, but Callie is a big distraction for him. Which makes you like him all the more—he's such a girl dad. When it comes to Friday, he assumes a role between paternal and big brother.

A book that starts with a P.I.'s phone battery dying because he's watching his daughter starts off with a certain tone—mildly comedic and light. Sure, there are legitimately tense and violent scenes (nothing that couldn't show up on Prime Time TV), but the book retains that lightness. It's practically wholesome—particularly any scene that features Charlie's family.

The investigation itself is full of a bunch of great turns. And Charlie's investigative chops are pretty evident.

I don't know if this is the beginning of a series or just a fun one-off. Either way, it's a satisfying time, and I recommend you pick it up. I'd enjoy watching little Callie grow while her dad tackles more cases. But if this is it, I can imagine that happening anyway. I expect I won't be alone in hoping we get to see the family again.

Disclaimer: I received this eARC from St. Martin's Press & Minotaur Books via NetGalley in exchange for this post which contains my honest opinion—thanks to both for this.

[C.R. Comacchio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many thanks to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for an advance copy of this book.

Parents will probably find the ‘catchy’ title of this debut mystery a bit alarming, but there aren’t any actual strollers at any of Charlie Shaw’s stakeouts. A newly-honed private eye, Charlie, together with his glamorous wife Ryan, is also a new parent to baby Callie. Attempting the right balance of co-parenting, more mythic than real for many who give it an honourable try, the two are perpetually sleep-deprived, as most parents of a six month old would be.

Having recently been downsized from his newspaper job, Charlie is initially very happy that his flexible stake-out hours will permit him to trade off the childminding hours with his business-exec wife, allowing both to spend precious time with, and share parental responsibility for, the baby. But, in addition to exhaustion, Charlie finds that Callie (whom he adores) shapes his work life in other ways, as when he fails to take crucial photos of an alleged adulterer because his phone is hooked up to Callie’s baby monitor, draining his battery. And that’s only one of many baby-shaped mishaps.

Another father-daughter relationship comes into play when he decides to help a teenager named Friday find her missing dad. Charlie is very noble in his desire to help the girl, being a new ‘girl dad’ himself, but his belief that ‘the world would be a better place is everyone had a daughter’ leads him and his family into peril. Friday’s dad is not exactly a man of virtue, and has a criminal record that makes Friday leery about calling the police. The man’s involvement with some sleazy underworld types brings about some very uncomfortable moments for the unseasoned PI. There is suspense tempered by humour, lively writing by newcomer Rob Phillips, and the plot develops with good momentum towards a satisfying conclusion. If there is one thing I didn’t like is the presentation of Charlie and Ryan as typical sleep-addled new parents, struggling to juggle work and baby care. Charlie’s hours, as noted, are reasonably flexible, Ryan works from home, and they are comfortable enough financially to hire a live-in ‘sleep coach’ to deal with their biggest hurdle, the ‘scream all night’ baby. A minor quibble, though. This is an entertaining entry into the cozy mystery genre, and it’s nice to see a conscientious father doing his bit at child rearing as well as earning.

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charlie Shaw and his wife have a six-month-old baby. Their first child and they find that sleeping is the last thing they can expect to get for a long time. To make matters worse, he’s also low on money. He takes a job as a private investigator, but it’s all new to him since he's never done this before. Luckily, his new boss is very patient.

On his first case, things don’t go as well as planned. He runs into a teenage girl doing some surveillance of her own. Charlie learns she is looking for her alcoholic father. He’s the only family she has to prevent her from being put in the foster care system. Charlie is immediately drawn to her situation and wants to help. He’s not sure where the search for her father will lead, but he has to help this girl.

It turns into one dangerous situation after another. It’s a bumpy ride, but Charlie vows not to let the girl down.

This story has a nice mix of drama and comedy with a wonderful cast of characters. Each one is well-written and nicely developed.

Charlie being a new “girl dad”, driving around with a baby monitor, and being a brand new P.I. is unique. It’s a nice change from a typical cozy mystery being culinary, book or animal related. I love those sub-genres, but this was different. There is a bit more violence than your typical cozy mystery. I was intrigued right from the start.

The storyline is interesting and takes several twists and turns. I kept trying to figure out what was going on, but I kept guessing wrong. It’s a captivating mystery. It’s fast-paced and fun while being serious at the same time.

It would be great if this turns into a series. I’ll be there for the next book, if there is one.





FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Robin Loves Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charlie Shaw, a new dad juggling his role as an amateur private investigator, finds himself in a challenging situation. Like many new parents, he’s struggling with sleep deprivation and limited time. Despite these obstacles, Charlie’s responsibilities demand that he take on cases, even those with potential danger.

One of Charlie’s new cases takes on a personal significance. Friday Finley, a sixteen-year-old girl, is desperate to find her father after losing her mother. While she doesn’t anticipate a warm reunion, she recognizes that he’s the only living relative she has left. Either Friday finds her father or she’ll end up in the foster care system.

Maybe because he is the father of a six-month-old daughter, Charlie’s concern for Friday deepens. He hopes for a reunion between her and her father, hoping that he can turn his life around. However, danger lurks for both Charlie and Friday, and it becomes evident why they’re struggling to locate her father. Despite these challenges, Charlie remains determined to find Friday’s father.

What a delightful debut novel! All the protagonists, including Charlie’s long-suffering wife, were enjoyable. The story is excellent, with humor that keeps it light-hearted. I’ll definitely be reading more by Rob Phillips in the future.

Many thanks to Minotaur and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

[Diane Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is refreshing to read a cozy mystery from a male perspective especially when it is as fun to read as Stakeouts and Strollers.

Charlie is a former reporter who is transitioning to a private detective role. He and his businesswoman wife are struggling with their newborn daughter’s sleep patterns, or lack of them, too. When Charlie agrees to help a young girl find her missing father, he doesn’t realize that will involve local mobsters and dirty cops. But Charlie is determined to help regardless of the consequences.

I really enjoyed Stakeouts and Strollers. It has a great plot, some new parent humor, and believable characters that you want to succeed. It is highly recommended to cozy mystery readers. I can’t wait for the next entry in the series. 5 stars!

Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for providing me with an advanced review copy.

[Suzette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stakeouts and Strollers is an absolutely thrilling read from start to finish. Rob Phillips has crafted an exciting and often roller coaster dramatic story that keeps the pages turning. The plot is exceptionally well executed, with twists and turns that feel both surprising and perfectly earned.

The characters are richly developed and endlessly fascinating. Each one brings unique depth and personality, making it easy to get invested in their journeys. The setting is equally vivid, grounding the story in a world that feels alive and immersive, which enhances every moment of suspense and drama.

Phillips’ ability to balance fast-paced excitement with character-driven storytelling is outstanding. This novel is a perfect mix of heart-pounding tension and emotionally engaging moments. If you’re looking for a gripping story with memorable characters and a meticulously crafted plot, Stakeouts and Strollers is a must-read.

Five stars, without question!

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perhaps it’s because I’m a grandmother but PI (well, actually fired) Charlie is the most proud and adoring dad one will come across in a mystery/thriller book. #RobPhillips is so descriptive in describing baby Callie that it is so wonderful that love flows out of whatever writing implement he used to write this story. I had never heard of a sleep nurse but, if not a real thing, the concept is great. The compassion that is shown by Charlie in this book by even after being fired by his boss for taking too much of a risk, he continues to search for a missing girl and wounds up taking her under his wing temporarily which leads back to the case he earlier was investigating. So for a fun read with surprises along the way read this book. Many thanks for a digital ARC of this book to #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress; this is my honest review.

[Deirdre Jost · Rating 5 out of 5]

A solid mystery with an intriguing set of characters and meaningful themes entwined well with the plot. The main character was well-written with good voice and felt realistic yet still, and the side characters had the perfect amount of depth. I especially enjoyed the "fathers and daughters" parallels throughout the story, although I think they could have been extended (the "bad guys" should also have included a father-daughter pair to complete the theme). I enjoyed the plot, although there were a few times where the coincidences were a bit too handy. Overall, an enjoyable read, and I would definitely read more from this author/in this series.

(I received this as a free ARC through Goodreads)

[Mj · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun debut with a twist on the stay at home dad who's a private detective. The hook is when the baby gives a cover story. However the supporting cast is pretty good too. Nice entry into an elevated cozy market.

[Stanjay Daniels · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great debut from this author! I’m definitely looking forward to reading more from him. I initially picked up this book because the title immediately captured my attention, and I’m so glad it did.

I adored the characters, the punchy storyline, and the humor woven throughout. Charlie is such a likable protagonist. He’s a married man and the father of an infant, and he also works as a private investigator. The story really takes off after a stakeout one night leads to an unfolding crime, and from there the craziness begins. Despite everything that happens, Charlie manages to keep a remarkably level head. His confidence—even when it occasionally frightens his poor wife—makes him compelling to follow. Thankfully, she remains supportive of him, even though his job understandably worries her at times.

All in all, I thought this was very well written. I felt genuinely connected to Charlie, Ryan, their baby, Mr. Powell, and even Friday. What a memorable group of characters!

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charlie Shaw is an investigative reporter turned private investigator after being fired (or furloughed - depending on who you talk to) from his reporting job. He has a six month old daughter who is not allowing him and his wife to get the sleep they need, as well as a case that keeps taking off in new directions every time he thinks it's solved. I won an advance copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway, and I thought it was a fun read. I found the characters to be engaging and the plot to have enough twists and turns to keep me interested. I love a good series, so I hope that Rob Phillips will continue to develop this character in new books.

[sylvia kropp · Rating 5 out of 5]

A terrific book. I could not put it down. The characters were very interesting and the plot kept me guessing. I hope he continues with the character and look forward to another book. Thank you for the ARC!!

[Richard Derus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4* of five

The Publisher Says: Amateur private investigator and new dad Charlie Shaw gets more than he bargained for when he agrees to track down a young girl’s missing father in Rob Phillips’ award-winning debut.

Charlie Shaw is low on sleep. And cash. Otherwise, life is going pretty well for the ex-crime reporter: He’s happily married to his college sweetheart, he’s a first-time dad to the most adorable baby girl in existence, and he’s making ends meet as a rookie PI. But when Charlie meets Friday Finley, a frightened sixteen-year-old runaway on a stakeout-gone-wrong, his world gets a little more complicated.

Friday is looking for her estranged father Shawn, an unreliable alcoholic who left when she was young—and who also happens to be her only shot at avoiding the foster care system since her mother’s death a few weeks earlier. At first, Charlie believes the man is simply hiding out somewhere, avoiding his responsibilities as usual, but the more he investigates, the more unsettling—and dangerous—Shawn’s disappearance becomes. When his own family is threatened, Charlie realizes he’s in over his head, but can he back out now that he’s begun to care for Friday as his own?

A perfect blend of humor and high stakes, Stakeouts and Strollers is a heartwarming story of fatherhood, family, and what it really means to be a “Girl Dad.”

I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.

My Review: This story won the 2024 Minotaur Books/Malice Domestic Best First Mystery Novel...an "award-winning debut" just sounds odd, at least to me it does.

There's little doubt in my mind that it deserved the award, though. Charlie Shaw was a newspaper crime reporter who, when laid off as it seems all must be in pursuit of more for the ownership class, pivots to using his detecting skills as an actual detective. This is not quite as easy as it might sound, since in addition to losing his reporting job, he's just become a dad for the first time. It's important to the plot: he's so besotted with his baby girl, he has her crib monitor up on his phone at all times thus using up his battery; when he needs to use the camera to document the identity of cheating spouse's side piece, he's got no juice to make the shot. This leads to closer involvement in the perpetrator's life than is healthy...for lots of reasons, Charlie should not get deep into this divorce.

Yet here we are.

Red herrings abound. Ryan, Charlie's wife and co-parent, is in a high position in her company so Charlie's flexible PI schedule makes this job perfect for new parenting, but also means he's sleep-deprived at weird moments so Ryan's making adjustments too. It's a story that brings the stuff of real life into its fictional plot in well-judged ways. All the players in the story are embroiled in family dynamics that give them depth greater than surface level. They all move through life making themselves crazy over trifles, worrying about how to connect better with their families, thinking about what to do to face problems and fix mistakes. It's a very good enhancement to a pretty standard PI plot.

What really sold me on the read was Charlie himself. He's narrating the events with a constant self-deprecating edge of humor. When violent things occur, it's not minimized by his sardonic edge. It's a different register from most PI mysteries, so it comes across as...surprising? fresh?...not as expected, anyway, which is greatly to the story's benefit and Author Phillips' credit.

I can't offer a fifth star, however, due to some squicky stuff around sexism. It's always down to male-gazery isn't it? Noticing and complimenting other women on their appearance, barely avoiding openly comparing his new-mother/full-time executive wife's body and style changes to pretty young things. The "night nurse" Ryan and Charlie employ is more a housekeeper than a nurse, uncomplainingly cleaning, caring for Baby Callie, then taking on a new caretaking job for a teen thanks to Charlie's impulsiveness. It's a stylistic choice to make the story very talky by having dialogue function as exposition at times...why would a man's wife say out loud that his sister died when he was a kid?...which is a trap as often as a bonus chance for emotional resonance.

I'll skip past some stuff that's all on the editor, because the author needs to be able to trust the guidance he's given. Our villain ain't a mystery for long; there are enough red herrings to make it plausible the villain might just be a shitty human being but I pegged the identity early on. *tsk* on you, Editor! Not factored into my rating.

I'd recommend the read, flaws and all, because Charlie's a particular kind of Guy, not a dudebro, not a Cinnamon Roll, but a regular ol' Guy you'll meet on a barstool, at a barbecue, in a post-office line. He means well, he's got a good attitude, he isn't interested in ragey stupid testosterone-y 'tude. I like him, and I think you might too. Get it from the library, by all means, but it's worth getting.

[Fiction Addiction with Desiree · Rating 2 out of 5]

TL/DR: A charming and enticing premise that shows promise but needs more rigorous edits to bridge logic gaps and fix the pervasive, problematic male gaze. 2 Stars

A huge thank you to Minotaur Books for providing me with both digital and physical ARC copies of Stakeouts and Strollers in exchange for my honest feedback of this upcoming release!!

I do wish I bared better news but I regretfully, am going to have to give this one a 2 star. I wanted to enjoy this; it sounded like a cute premise, and something that I could find a bit of comradarie in, given that I am deep in the baby days trenches myself. However, while the book has its good moments, significant logic gaps and implicit biases ultimately ended up being quite big red flags for me.

The Author's Intent vs. The Male Gaze
Explicitly, this story is about the appreciation of woman. Charlie, the main character, is surrounded by women in every stage of life (from childhood to a nurturing grandmother figure), and he loves them all deeply. However, this is implicitly undermined by the male gaze.

On Page 39, Charlie reminisces about his wife's glamorous appeal, but implies that that’s over now with a baby. This immediately followed by a compliment on another woman’s appearance. This almost suggests that a woman’s attractiveness is a competition, heavily weighted by physical appearance. The objectification continues with descriptions of a bartender's shorts (Page 74). This was the big one for me because it draws unnecessary attention to the female anatomy where a description such as "low-cut jean shorts" would have sufficed. And he describes another woman as wearing a provocative outfit on Page 130. These felt like oversights and ultimately, didn’t sit right with me, especially coming from a supposedly loving husband and father, and what should’ve been a professional.

Infant Development
At six months, the baby Callie, has reportedly gained 9 lbs since birth and is teething a lot (Pages 6, 12). By Page 100, a medical professional suggests she will be talking soon. As a mother of a 10 month old, I found this all highly improbable. My son is in the 50th percentile of weight (so very average), and Callie sounds huge to me; my son also only began complex babbling (strings of sounds) at 8 months, and he’s still working on his first two teeth. Callie is performing these milestones far ahead of schedule. It’s not impossible, but it’s also not the typical experience and yet, the narrative doesn’t acknowledge her as a developmental outlier.

The Super Nurse
The night nurse, Grace, feels more like a servant than a professional. She cooks, cleans, vacuums, and takes cares of, not only the baby, but also a teenager she didn’t sign up for. She does this 24/7 (Pages 83, 142, 149). Now, I’m no expert on night nurses, but surely, this is too much. I’m pretty sure their job is literally just to take care of the baby AT NIGHT as the job title implies. With that said, she did add the unique layer of having a sort of nurturing grandmotherly figure in the story which was nice!!

Parental Neglect
Finally, the parents felt somewhat irresponsible. While going to work is commendable, their over-reliance on Grace, the night nurse, as a means to go to work is questionable. Grace has only a temporary presence in their life. How were they managing before, how will they continue to manage now that Grace’s job is done?? Not to mention, the mother’s suggestion on Page 281 to go on vacation without their 6 month old daughter is unfathomable to me. The ease of freedom they seem to have with a child this age, does not resonate with the reality of new parenthood.

Narrative Clutter
* Dialogue as Exposition: Ryan (Charlie’s wife) telling Charlie that he lost his sister when he was young (Page 82) felt like exposition for the reader rather than natural dialogue.
* The Whodunnit Transparency: I identified the culprit by Page 94 because the antagonist’s behavior was too overt.
* Character Consistency: Charlie’s aspirin intake seems unusually high and he needs to work on his cover-stories (Page 32).

The Verdict
Stakeouts and Strollers has the bones to be an enjoyable novel. The premise is cute and enticing, the Ford bassinet was a hilariously relatable parenting touch, and the ending provides a satisfying resolution for Friday. However, it lacks the accuracy to resonate with mothers, and yet the ‘cutesy’ concept may not appeal to traditional mystery readers. I’m not really sure who the target audience would/should be. Some more editing could fix the infant milestone gaps and the male gaze which would make it a great read for mothers. For now though, it feels like a promising but unpolished draft.

[June Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a case that started out simply enough with what is surely standard private detective assignments, to "Get photos of the cheating spouse", this one escalated fast. True, Charlie spends lots of time checking the family's baby cam to simply look at new baby Callie sleeping, burping, crying -- which she does lots of -- but he shows a focus and tenacity probably born as much from his days as an investigative reporter as any PI training. You'll quickly find out that his idea of having a plan is, well, winging it, but he has a heart of gold and, oh, he loves being a girl dad. He impulsively takes 16-year of runaway Friday Finley not only under his wing -- though she exhibits some pretty fierce survival skills herself as the story goes along -- and takes her home with him. Oh, and instantly considers her search for her missing father his case, too. Yep, he's definitely a born girl dad. You'll find out a bit more of what may have guided his impulses later. Nor does he back down as the case takes on, let's see, elements of a nasty goon with a snake tatoo, owned cops, gambling, drugs, protection rackets and more. And those are just the highlights.

I don't want to reveal much more of the plot as part of the fun is to be amazed at how a simple "get some photos" case turns deadly. I found myself instinctively liking Charlie, even if I did shudder at the idea of him having Callie along, albeit in her car seat, on a surveillance job. Needless to say, Callie's mother was not pleased but rolled with it far better than many of us might have. Must have been the lack of sleep and sheer exhaustion of being a new mom. Lucky for them baby nurse Grace appears in a timely fashion, joining the now quite crowded home. I definitely hope, assuming this is going to be a series, she makes frequent appearances as I liked her calm manner no matter what was thrown at her. Charlie's friends, with their legal backgrounds, were also likable, his detective agency boss even going so far as to fire him at one point because he was, let's say, rash. In other words, he cared for Charlie just as the rest do. There's humor, too, flowing through the plot, often interspersed with tense action scenes, so be ready to hold onto your proverbial hat at times. And, oh, yes, Callie is adorable and, I promise, safe. I somehow felt like I should toss in that "no babies were harmed" bit. Grin.

As for Friday's quest to find her missing father and avoid foster care after her mother's recent death, it gets complicated. There's every indication he's probably dead. Let's face it, when you cross the wrong crowd, your life expectancy isn't likely to be long. Friday is resilient, however, and ready to do whatever it takes to find him, dead or alive. Like Charlie, she has some rash moments, too, but, hey, that's giving away a plot hint. Nope, no more. Read the book. While some may find it a slow start, trust me, it picks up quickly...well, aside from moments spent admiring Callie. Uh, Charlie, you might want to save some phone battery. You know. Just in case you need it? Thanks #StMartin'sPress - #MinotaurBooks for introducing me to Charlie and this interesting cast of probably regulars. There's something about girl dads and the hint of what is to come has me ready for the next installment.

[Jules The Book Junkie Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stakeouts and Strollers is a fresh, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt debut that blends private investigation with new-parent exhaustion in a way that feels both original and deeply relatable.

Charlie Shaw is not your typical cozy mystery protagonist. As a furloughed journalist, he’s easing—sometimes awkwardly—into life as a private investigator while also learning how to be a first-time dad to his infant daughter, Callie. The juggling act is real: sleepless nights, self-doubt, and the constant feeling that he’s slightly in over his head. Charlie is just the right mix of overconfident and unsure, which makes him incredibly human and relatable.

What begins as a fairly standard case—tracking an unfaithful wife for a wealthy client—quickly becomes something much bigger when Charlie meets Friday Finley, a teenager determined to find the father who abandoned her years ago. Despite everyone in his life urging him to focus on his daughter and leave Friday’s drama to someone else—including his supportive wife and his boss—Charlie can’t walk away. His refusal to abandon Friday, even at personal risk, gives the novel its emotional core.

There are two mysteries at play here, and as they begin to intertwine, the plotting becomes seamless and propulsive. The pacing is snappy, with sharp dialogue and a strong sense of place in San Francisco and the greater Bay Area. There’s plenty of action and danger, but no gore, making it an accessible and engaging read. When the connections between the cases finally come into focus, the resolution is satisfying and packed with emotional payoff. The ending definitely delivered all the feels—and cleverly tees up what I hope will be Charlie’s next case.

One of the most delightful surprises is how well the supporting cast is drawn. Grace Chen, the night nurse hired to help Callie sleep, is absolute perfection. She’s far more than a sleep consultant—she’s wise, grounded, and radiates positivity without ever feeling saccharine.

"Grace, have you ever had a bad day? That's entirely up to me. And for that reason, no."

Friday herself is a compelling mix of damaged and street-smart, vulnerable yet tough. Every character feels purposeful and fully realized.

It’s also worth noting how unusual and refreshing it is to see a male protagonist in the cozy mystery genre—especially one who genuinely relishes being a girl dad. The humor surrounding sleep deprivation and new-parent panic is spot-on and often laugh-out-loud funny.

As a debut, Stakeouts and Strollers is incredibly assured. The award recognition it has already received feels well deserved, and I’m very much looking forward to seeing where Charlie’s investigative (and parenting) journey takes him next.

I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. For more reading recommendations, visit Book Junkie Reviews at www.abookjunkiereviews.wordpress.com

[Erin Clemence · Rating 4 out of 5]

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.

Expected publication date: Mar. 17, 2026

Charlie Shaw is a new dad, and is easing into his role as a private investigator, after being let go from his job as a journalist. While investigating the unfaithful wife of a wealthy client, Charlie comes across a young woman named Friday Finley, who embroils Charlie in a dangerous and possibly fruitless search for Friday’s dad, a deadbeat who disappeared on her years ago. Everyone in Charlie’s life, including his beloved wife, Ryan, and his current boss, tell Charlie to focus on his infant daughter and to leave Friday and her drama for someone else. But Charlie can’t leave Friday to search for her father alone, even if it means putting his own life in danger.

“Stakeouts and Strollers” is the debut novel by Rob Phillips, a former sportscaster-turned-author, and “Stakeouts” is already an award winner, taking home the Minotaur Books/Malice Domestic Best First Traditional Mystery Novel Award.

“Stakeouts” is narrated by Charlie, who has had his life turned upside down by a forced change in career, as well as the birth of his first child. “Stakeouts” is unusual in that it has a male protagonist, which is uncommon in the cozy mystery genre, not to mention one who is relishing being a first-time girl dad, but I am all for it.

There are two mysteries for the price of one in Phillips’ novel, with the initial investigation into the cheating wife colliding with Friday’s missing Dad, yet both mysteries are connected, so the plot is seamless and flowing. There is a lot of action, but very little gore and blood, since Charlie doesn’t carry a gun, which, once again, makes “Strollers” a unique standout in the mystery genre.

After significant drama, action and twists and turns, both mysteries are solved in a satisfying way. The interwoven story lines connect in realistic and believable ways, leading to a happily-ever-after ending that brought on all the feels. The final pages of “Stakeouts” let readers know that Charlie will be back, as another investigation is placed in his lap as the story draws to a close.

I have been reading a lot of mystery novels lately, and a lot of authors are trying to find ways to make their entries in the genre different from the rest and I think Phillips has found a way to do that, giving “Strollers” an uncharacteristic protagonist. I look forward to seeing Charlie again in future installments of Phillips’ debut mystery series.