Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

The Primrose Murder Society: A Novel

Rate this book
Witty, endearing, and wildly entertaining, this Southern cozy mystery is a little bit Gilmore Girls, a little bit Finlay Donovan, with a big helping of Only Murders in the Building.

Lila Shaw stopped trusting anyone the minute her husband went to jail for white-collar crime, taking their country club lifestyle with him. Now Lila is broke, friendless, and losing her house—and to make things worse, her true-crime-obsessed daughter, Bea, was just expelled from fourth grade. Desperate for a fresh start, Lila agrees to temporarily move in and clean out an abandoned junk-filled apartment in Richmond’s palatial Primrose building. The luxurious Virginia landmark is filled with retirees who start their days early drinking bourbon and gossiping, in that order.

Soon after Lila’s arrival, the Primrose is thrown into chaos. The owner of the building’s splendid penthouse has died and in his final days he set up a two-million-dollar reward for any resident who helps to solve the 21-year-old murder of his granddaughter at the Primrose. A fan of all detective stories and true-crime podcasts, Bea is inspired to investigate. They really could use the reward money, so Lila reluctantly agrees, in a questionable attempt at family bonding. She’s certain the killer is long-gone after all these years anyway. That is, until another resident is murdered… and Lila becomes the prime suspect.

Now Lila needs to solve both murders to avoid jail, and even worse, losing her daughter to her snobby in-laws. To catch a killer and clear Lila's name, she and Bea must rely on their elderly neighbors—Jasper, a shy former detective, and Evelyn, an opinionated socialite—along with Nate, a good-looking reporter who keeps appearing at the most inconvenient moments. As the amateur sleuths expose the truth about the Primrose, Lila hopes she can also unravel the trickiest parts of her own life and start fresh.

Audible Audio

Expected publication March 3, 2026

40 people are currently reading
6140 people want to read

About the author

Stacy Hackney

3 books45 followers
Stacy Hackney lives in Richmond, Virginia, with her husband and four sons. She graduated from Wake Forest University and University of Virginia School of Law. After her legal briefs started bordering on a little too dramatic, she started writing fiction and never stopped. Stacy has published two children's books, Forever Glimmer Creek and The Sisters of Luna Island. The Primrose Murder Society is her first book for adults.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
87 (25%)
4 stars
199 (58%)
3 stars
48 (14%)
2 stars
4 (1%)
1 star
2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 265 reviews
Profile Image for Sheila.
3,224 reviews133 followers
September 18, 2025
I received a free copy of, The Primrose Murder Society, by Stacy Hackney, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Lila Shaw is not having a great year, either is her daughter Bea. If she can solve a murder, it could turn her world around. This was a clever read.
Profile Image for Keri Stone.
800 reviews114 followers
Read
February 9, 2026
The description of this sounded very cute and like something I would like. A young mother whose husband was arrested for white-collar crime, who has lost everything she owns. She has a ten-year-old daughter who she is focused on taking care of, so she jumps at the opportunity to help clean out an abandoned apartment that was owned by a hoarder. It's a beautiful old building, full of senior citizens. The opportunity comes through her mother's boyfriend.

Once there, she realizes the task is monumental... but she doesn't have much other choice. Then the elderly penthouse owner dies, and the building's tenants find out he set up a two-million-dollar reward for anyone that discovers who murdered his granddaughter many years ago.

The premise is interesting and I was looking forward to this, and perhaps I would enjoy the book more than the audiobook... but the young daughter is such a brat. And the mom does nothing to try to correct her behavior. I know the mom is overwhelmed and the kid is adjusting to new life circumstances, and none of us are perfect parents with perfect kids. But I really get irritated with this kind of parenting and behaviors. In addition, the main character's mother has a boyfriend who supports her, but she has no autonomy and basically tells her daughter she can't question him or ask him for anything additional. I just didn't enjoy any of these characters. A lot of people really enjoyed the book, so please give it a try yourself. When I'm at 30% and not liking a book, it's time for me to DNF.

I do appreciate the opportunity to listen to this audiobook through Net Galley and Harper Audio publishing.
Profile Image for Rebecca.
747 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
January 8, 2026
As much as I don't think a fourth-grader should teamed up with her mom and a couple senior citizens to solve murder, I really hope this turns into a series. Then again, Nancy Drew was solving murders all the time, and she didn't have any adult supervision, so I guess this is much better???

I do see Bea's point (not that her mom did lol). Solving the murder and getting a two million dollars reward is so much more important than graduating the fourth grade. I would be soooo willing to repeat a grade for two million dollars, and I bet none of the kids would judge you for it (other than being mad they didn't have the money).

This was definitely one of the best cozies I have read in awhile. I will be making a note to see what else the author writes (hopefully making this into a series). Definitely would recommend this!

Thanks so much to NetGalley for the free Kindle book. My review is voluntarily given, and my opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Toni.
832 reviews270 followers
October 2, 2025
A fun , cozy, and smart mystery with a touch of murder.

I definitely enjoyed reading this author’s first novel for adults. It kept my attention with a cast characters that could fill a retirement village along with mom, Lila and ten year old daughter, Bea.

They all became amateur sleuths as they tried to solve a twenty-one year old murder occurred in their building, that was never solved.

High jinx and chaos abound!

Thanks Edelweiss and William Morrow.

Pubs March 2026.
Profile Image for Dana Vit.
103 reviews2 followers
February 27, 2026
Thanks to Harper Audio, William Marrow Paperbacks, and NetGalley for providing this audio ARC!

I adored this book! Newly divorced single mom, Lila, and her daughter Bea, temporarily move into a 55 and older senior housing complex called The Primrose. Bea is 10 and her favorite show is Murder She Wrote. Need I say more?? 😂

I liked the southern feel of this book. I liked how Lila grows into a new version of herself. But the best part: the elderly group living in the complex. I adore sweet old ladies, and snarky old ladies, and old ladies that start drinking wine at 10am. I want to be friends with all of them! Evelyn and Jasper give this book so much heart. They made me laugh out loud several times, and they even made me cry. This is a feel good murder mystery, if that’s such a thing. Highly recommend!!
Profile Image for Jessica.
99 reviews2 followers
July 29, 2025

Loved it. It was a perfect cozy-ish mystery. Excellent for fans of Only Murders in the Building. Writing was great and I did find myself tearing up at certain moments. Sincerely hoping that it will be a series.
Profile Image for Elaine.
1,465 reviews48 followers
February 27, 2026
Surprised to read that this is a debut ‘adult novel’ for this author! (She does have two children’s books under her belt already though!)

Lila is not having a great year… Her husband left her…threatened divorce… and is being sought by the police for a huge fraud scheme. Additionally, her daughter Bea keeps asking when Daddy is coming home?
Mind you, Bea is 10… going on 30!!!! 😮🤣😮🤣. And loves watching ‘Murder She Wrote’…so apparently an Old Soul too! And… just got expelled from her private school… (She’s in FOURTH GRADE!) 😳

When Lila’s husband left, he also took the lifestyle she was accustomed to with him… and, all of their money is gone! The lawyers just told her she needs to vacate their home, too. And… she was fired from her job for taking time off to take care of Bea. 😳😮😮😳

Where can she go? With nowhere else to turn, she reaches out to her Mom… who tells her that her latest boyfriend can offer her an apt in a prestigious retiree building in Virginia. For a short time. BUT… she’ll need to clean out the apt while she’s there! Lila agrees, and is horrified to find the apt is packed, top to bottom, with stuff… probably all junk… that she’ll have to go through…

She slowly meets the neighbors… none of them seem happy that she or her daughter are there. and, they all seem to be very wealthy…not so nice… people. And 55++…

She does meet an elderly man who seems to be having a hard time with one of his helpers/staff… and she stands up for him! He is surprised, but also happy! And thankful! But, shortly after… he’s dead.

Did I mention that the building had a young girl die there many years ago? Well, Lila later finds out that the old man and the girl were related… and he’s offered a reward for anyone who can find her killer…now… all these years later. And…after his death.

Bea is Thrilled! She is going to solve this! But, the stakes keep going up as someone else is murdered there! And then, they seem to be after Lila! 🛑 Stopping. Right. Here! 🛑 if this piqued your interest… pick it up soon!

This was witty, charming, funny, sad, enlightening and oh so spirited!

What a welcome read! And a great choice if you just need a break from a heavy week, or some tough books! Definitely highly recommend! And, can’t wait to see what this author comes up with in the future!

4 bold, sassy, sweet, bright stars for me! ⭐️🌟⭐️🌟

#ThePrimroseMurderSociety by @StacyHackney and narrated wonderfully by @StephanieNemethParker.

THIS ONE HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED YET, BUT, LOOK FOR IT SOON! RELEASE DATE IS: 3/3/26!

Thanks so much to #NetGalley, @HarperAudioAdult and @WilliamMorrowPaperbacks for an ALC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!!

You can also find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Instagram: @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine

Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️
Profile Image for ᴄᴀᴛ.
124 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 17, 2026
4.5☆ ┆I really loved this book, very much cozy murder mystery. I would love to see these characters again in another book, (though what could be done if it was turned into a series? I don't know)

𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔:

I read half of this as an ebook, and listened to the other half. And I really enjoyed the narrator and how she voiced the characters. I don't think I've listened to anything she's narrated before but she did an amazing job here.

I really loved all (or most) of the characters and surprisingly, I didn't really hate anyone and no one really made me especially mad or anything.

I liked the little bits of romance, and how Lila didn't completely rush into dating or anything. At the end (or near) she said something like "and hopefully Nate" as for him being in their lives and dating each other.

I loved the mystery parts of the book, and the investigating. It was engaging and kept me interested. I was definitely guessing what was going to happen next and trying to figure out who did what, to think I figured it out only to second guess myself a chapter or two later.

I was also invested in all the old people drama..☕☕☕

𝑶𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒍:
I really adored this book, and if you're looking for a nice, cozy read, I would absolutely recommend this book.
Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to have an advanced copy of this ebook 𝘢𝘯𝘥 an audio copy in exchange for an honest review!
Ebook & audiobook - 0🌶 - 4.5☆
Profile Image for Alyssa.
61 reviews8 followers
February 27, 2026
Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in return for my honest review.

This is such a cozy and quirky murder mystery - I absolutely adored it. It is full of southern charm and fast paced wit. If you love Gilmore Girls and Only Murders in the Building, definitely pick this up.

Lila is trying to start over and escape the scandal that her husband left behind, all while keeping life as normal as possible for her daughter. But, her daughter, Bea, is anything but normal - she outspoken, brilliant, and obsessed with murder.

When the two of them move into the Primrose the opportunity to solve a decades old murder falls at their feet. But when one murder turns into two, there is more at stake than just the prize money. Lila is suddenly a suspect and if she doesn't clear her name then Bea will have nowhere to go but Florida with a grandmother who wants to turn her into a proper little girl.

The cast of characters are unique, charming, and bring so much life to the story. Sometimes a large cast can overwhelm the story but that is not the case here. While the story truly centers around Lila, Bea, and their relationship - every character we meet enriches the story. I am hoping we have not seen the last of them and there is a sequel on the way!
Profile Image for Alexandra Garcia.
166 reviews5 followers
November 9, 2025
I received this as an ARC from NetGalley. I really enjoyed this book! I think I rate it a 4.5! The characters were believable and the plot was very well written! I was intrigued throughout the book and wanted to continue reading. The chapters were good lengths that kept me engaged. There were quite a few characters, but I was able to easily pick up on who was who. I loved the connections that Lila made, her growth as a character and how the story progresses. Definitely a fun read that I recommend!
Profile Image for Rebecca.
510 reviews8 followers
February 14, 2026
Audio and reading on this one- thanks to Net Galley for the ARC of both. I like the narrator of the audio. I thought it was a funny little cozy mystery despite Bea is only 10 years old and her mother let her full-send her obsession into murder mysteries. It did sound like a child finding “her people” and I think Lila did as well. Despite her own family drama with her husband and tense relationship with her mom, she comes full circle. I hope the author writes some more for adults! I’d say my rating is more a 3.5 rounded up!
Profile Image for Emilene LeBlanc.
34 reviews1 follower
February 16, 2026
This book was so adorable and mysterious at the same time. It was a cozy little mystery that kept me wanting more. I really enjoyed all the characters. At first it was a little tricky keeping track of them but it got easier the further into it I got. The troubles that Lila goes through as a mom stayed relevant through the book. Often times people forget the child in a book exists to push a plot through but I loved how Bea always stayed a constant in the story. I loved the twist and it kept me on my toes.
Profile Image for Karyn Silverman.
1,253 reviews123 followers
Read
August 30, 2025
Enjoyable, strongly in the vein of Only Murders in the Building but with no podcast — younger woman with older residents, luxury building, old mystery — but different in all the particulars. Definitely hits the same spot though so if you like the show this will also be a pleasure.
Profile Image for Christian Boyd Neumann.
159 reviews9 followers
August 25, 2025
4.5/5!!!

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!!

Guys this book was IT!!!! I read it in 2 days and that’s because I couldn’t put it down. I LOVE a cozy mystery and this delivered. Minus half a star because I actually cannot stand the word mama and when people use it in writing or just in general tbh. That word choice irked me and I couldn’t get over it.

This is the authors first adult mystery book and I will continue reading more books from her. Would love a sequel to this book. The vibe of this book is Thursday Murder Club plus Only Murders in the Building, so if you are a fan of both - I suggest reading this book!
Profile Image for Delaney.
663 reviews486 followers
January 26, 2026
A cozy mystery for the TBR! I really enjoyed this book. It had characters that stole my heart, a plot that kept me intrigued, and a pace that made it an easy read. A bit predictable at times but cozy mysteries aren’t meant to shock and awe, are they? Overall I definitely recommend the read!

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC
Profile Image for Melanie.
806 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 28, 2026
I just finished The Primrose Murder society and enjoyed this cozy-yet-compelling mystery.

Lila Shaw is a heroine you can’t help but root for. She is recovering from the shock of divorce after her husband’s shady financial dealings land him in serious trouble with the law and he also drops a bomb that he wants a divorce. Gone are the days of her country club lifestyle. Lila finds herself nearly out of funds and scrambling to rebuild her life for herself and her daughter, Bea. I loved the mother-daughter dynamic here — Bea is observant, a little obsessed with murders.

Desperate for a fresh start, Lila takes on the task of cleaning out an apartment at the Primrose, a slightly faded but charming residence in Richmond Virgina that is filled with eccentric tenants that seem to be hiding a few secrets of their own. The residents absolutely made this book for me. The setting feels immersive, like you’re living in the building alongside them.

However, the Primrose isn’t just quaint. It has a dark past. Years ago, a murder took place there, and as Lila settles in, she becomes increasingly drawn into the mystery (very much encouraged to do so by her daughter Bea). What starts as curiosity turns into a full-blown investigation. The mystery unfolds at a steady pace with enough twists to keep me guessing, but it never loses the emotional core of Lila rebuilding her life and finding new friendships. She also finds strength to deal with her ex-husband.

The Audiobook is I highly recommended. The narration was fantastic and really brought the characters — especially the Primrose residents — to life.

Overall, I enjoyed my visit to the Primrose and look forward to further novels as I am assuming this might become a series. Recommended!

Thanks to Netgalley, publisher and author for this e-Arc.
Profile Image for Halls.
10 reviews
February 12, 2026
I was so excited to receive an advanced copy of The Primrose Murder Society, and it absolutely delivered for this mystery-loving heart of mine.

First of all — B. Sweet, brilliant, slightly morbid 10-year-old B stole the entire show for me. A child who openly loves murder mysteries and Murder, She Wrote? She spoke directly to my soul. Growing up, I was convinced I would become a forensic pathologist. I was fascinated by the science of it all — the puzzle-solving, the uncovering of truth. Eventually, I realized I wanted to help the living instead, but that curiosity about crime and the “why” behind it never left me. B embodies that same inquisitive, unflinching fascination, and I adored her for it.

Her voice felt authentic, clever, and endearing without trying too hard. Watching her navigate the mystery with such confidence and curiosity was one of the highlights of the book. And as someone still slowly working her way through every single episode of Murder, She Wrote, the references felt like a warm hug from a fellow cozy crime enthusiast.

The mystery itself was engaging, layered, and full of those satisfying moments where you think you’ve figured it out… only to second-guess yourself a chapter later. It balances charm with suspense beautifully, making it both cozy and compelling.

If you love a good mystery — especially one with heart, humor, and a young sleuth you can’t help but root for — I definitely recommend The Primrose Murder Society. It’s clever, nostalgic, and a reminder that sometimes the most observant people in the room are the ones you least expect.

Thank you for the advanced copy — this was such a delightful read
Profile Image for SAMANTHA..
459 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 18, 2026
The Primrose Murder Society was such a cute and genuinely mysterious time! We follow Lila as she navigates some major personal upheaval and is forced to start fresh in less-than-ideal circumstances. Alongside her daughter, Bea, she finds herself surrounded by the most delightful group of characters — turned amateur detectives… and occasionally suspects. 😉

Described as “a little bit Finlay Donovan and Only Murders in the Building,” that comparison truly fits. It carries that same blend of cozy chaos, sharp humor, and layered mystery.

What I especially appreciated was how seamlessly the story balanced the intrigue and danger with very real, grounded life struggles—marriage, divorce, parenting, and the complicated question of purpose as you grow older. None of it felt heavy-handed; it was thoughtfully woven into the mystery in a way that felt authentic and smooth.

This is absolutely a series I’d love to continue with. I’m more than ready to return to this world and these characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperAudio for this ALC -- the narrator did a great job bringing it to life and separating characters.
Profile Image for Rachyl.
230 reviews10 followers
September 19, 2025
Synopsis: a mother and daughter have to move into a retirement community as a last hope of finding some sort of footing after their life has gone to pieces. Solving a twenty-year-old murder mystery wasn’t part of the plan, but when two million dollars is on the line, they may as well try!

My thoughts: this was such a fun read! I am a sucker for quirky characters and this book was full of them. It really was like reading a novel set in the show Only Murders in the Building. The mother-daughter dynamic was real and raw yet humorous at times. I admired the character growth! I didn’t love the ending of the mystery but I for sure will be reading more of this series if it features the same characters!
Profile Image for Cin (cinsnextchapter).
221 reviews2 followers
February 5, 2026
The Primrose Murder Society by Stacy Hackney was a really fun cozy mystery! Lila and her ten-year-old daughter Bea move into a 55+ retirement building with special permission, and when a resident dies, a two-million-dollar reward sparks an investigation into a decades-old murder tied to the building.

The pacing is slow and steady as we get to know each of the residents and their secrets, which really adds to the charm of the story. I loved the cozy, community feel and the amateur-sleuth energy throughout. It’s perfect for fans of Only Murders in the Building, The Thursday Murder Club, and, of course, Murder, She Wrote.

Overall, this was an enjoyable listen with great characters and a cozy vibe. Stephanie Németh-Parker’s narration fit the tone of the story wonderfully!
Profile Image for Tiffanie.
114 reviews39 followers
February 8, 2026
The Primrose Murder Society by Stacy Hackney was a fun, quick cozy mystery that I genuinely enjoyed. The mother-daughter duo teaming up to help solve a murder made for an interesting premise, and the relationship dynamics between Jenny and Bea were honestly the highlight for me. Their interactions felt endearing and added a lot of heart to the story.

That said, I did find myself raising an eyebrow at the idea of a 10-year-old actively helping solve a murder. It’s definitely a unique plot choice and adds charm in a cozy-mystery kind of way, but it also requires a little suspension of disbelief.

Overall, if you enjoy cozy mysteries with a strong family dynamic and a light, engaging tone, this is an entertaining read. Not groundbreaking, but a solid, enjoyable addition to the genre.
Profile Image for Meagan Armstrong.
83 reviews2 followers
February 26, 2026
4.5 ⭐️

I didn’t know I needed a 4th grader and an elderly woman to team up and solve a mystery until this book. This was funny, sweet, witty. I think the author captured the voice of a 10 year old perfectly. She nailed all the blunt things that would come out of a 10 year olds mouth perfectly with all the humour.
The Audiobook narrator also did an amazing job. I could easily tell the difference between characters and the accents used were believable. I think that the narrator made this book even more fun and enjoyable.

I highly recommend this book if you are looking for a cozy murder mystery.
Profile Image for Rachel Smuts.
58 reviews1 follower
February 8, 2026
Thank you to HarperAudio for the advanced copy! I loved The Primrose Murdered Society! Murder mystery, a mother daughter story, and DRAMA (old people drama to boot) had me locked in from the start.

I thought Hackney did a great job of presenting the mystery and didn’t make it wildly easy for readers to solve. I had so many guesses along the way but never could have guessed how things played out.

All of the characters were lovable in their own ways and the narrator did a great job of bringing their personalities to life. A great book to start the month with!
Profile Image for Stella Gilman.
145 reviews6 followers
February 18, 2026
3.5 ⭐️

Lila and her daughter end up needing to stay at a families apartment after she passed, to clean it out, and because Lila’s husband up and left after he was being investigated for a crime. Bea, Lila’s daughter, has a fascination with true crime. As it turns out there is a cold case that happened in the building and there is a large reward for anyone that can solve it. Lila and Bea dive into the case with some new friends, and they find out some interesting things!

I liked this book, cute cozy mystery. There was several times where it was slow and lost my attention.
Profile Image for Ashley Flippin.
485 reviews37 followers
February 23, 2026
Thank you to Net Galley and Harper Audio for the ALC of this title.
What a fun little murder mystery. Little Miss Bea is my new favorite child character in a book. She is completely obsessed with solving murder mysteries and is such a cute little quirky kid. Lyla is struggling to stay afloat after her husband abandons her and Bea while on the run for charges of fraud.
Lyla ends up living in an apartment for seniors and wrapped up in two murder mysteries. There were so many lovable characters in this book. If you loved Finlay Donovan, you’ll love this one!
Profile Image for Laura.
264 reviews8 followers
November 11, 2025
What a great story this was. I loved the setting in Richmond in a retirement apartment building. The characters were very amusing and fun to follow. Lila and her daughter, Bea, each had a great character arc and were very sympathetic. And I didn't guess the murderer at all. I hope this is the first of a series because I'd love to dive back in this world. Thanks to William Morrow for an ARC of this book won through a Goodreads giveaway.
Profile Image for Corinne’s Chapter Chatter.
1,031 reviews46 followers
February 18, 2026
3.5⭐️

I had mixed feelings about this one. Overall, it was a cozy read that I casually enjoyed—but I seriously struggled with the child character. She was equal parts precious and completely insufferable (which… she is a child, so fair). What pushed me over the edge was that the mother never really addressed her behavior and instead leaned into it. I know it’s fiction, but it had me on edge and wanting to put everyone in time-out.

That said, the Nancy Drew-esque vigor of our young FMC was refreshing. Some of her chutzpah was genuinely endearing—if only because it actually got things done. So despite a lot of eye-rolling along the way, I stayed engaged and entertained.

The audiobook narration by Stephanie Németh-Parker was expertly done and honestly the reason I requested this one in the first place. From an acting standpoint: 5⭐️. She embodied Bea (the fourth-grade daughter of FMC Lilly) so well that you could fully imagine everything she was… including how annoying she could be. Possibly too well. I do think the physical book format might soften that experience and be more enjoyable for some readers.

So if you’re looking for a cozy mashup of Nancy Drew, Only Murders in the Building, Finlay Donovan, and the more trying traits of Anne of Green Gables—this book might be exactly your vibe.

A cozy mystery that entertained me, irritated me, and kept me listening anyway—which, honestly, says a lot. Not a favorite, but definitely memorable.

I am thankful to have received a complimentary ALC from Harper Audio Adult via NetGalley, which gave me the opportunity to share my voluntary thoughts.
Profile Image for Kendra Mae.
155 reviews6 followers
February 15, 2026
This was exactly what I needed! Cozy mystery set in a 55+ community with a fun slew of characters! Snarky confident 10 year old Bea was the highlight for me and I loved all the Murder She Wrote references! Bea is correct, we should all strive to be more like Jessica Fletcher!

Releases March 3rd!

Thank you Harper Audio for an ALC!
Profile Image for Jen Ryland (jenrylandreviews & yaallday).
2,107 reviews1,050 followers
Read
March 2, 2026
I did not love this book, compared to Only Murders in the Building, as much as I hoped, but I am super-picky about cozies.

The wife of a disgraced financier (who has fled the country, leaving his wife to deal with creditors, the government, and the scorn of their community) has nowhere to go but an upscale retirement community. Lila's mother calls in a favor and she gets hired to clean out the apartment of a deceased resident.

Lila, still reeling her husband's crimes and betrayal, tries to cope with her precocious ten year-old daughter and the disapproval of the residents, who start dropping like flies and not from old age.

I agree with the readers who found some of the characterization over the top. At times, Lila's daughter Bea felt grating to me and some of the residents were a little over the top. I was also confused about Lila's feelings toward her husband. Without his presence, her thoughts about him were related through telling and I thought for a while that
Displaying 1 - 30 of 265 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.