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All Rise for Murder
A truly Canadian cozy mystery, All Rise for Murder finds three generations of Kirby women suddenly under one roof in charming West Elk—just as the peaceful town seems to become the centre of a devious plot to frame an innocent young man for murder.
Maude Kirby has recently been dumped by her diplomat husband and has moved back to her quirky hometown of West Elk, BC, to live with her ever-optimistic, fashion-forward mother, Val. On the ropes financially, and with her confrontational fifteen-year-old daughter, Rhette, to look after, Maude applies for a clerking job at the local courthouse, and to her surprise, gets it. How hard can it be?
Told to remain professional during court cases, Maude nevertheless finds it impossible not to get emotionally invested when eighteen-year-old Levi is charged with poisoning a local gym owner. No one else seems concerned that the prosecution’s case rests on dubious "facts," but Maude can’t help speaking up for the quiet teen. Things get more complicated when Maude runs into her first love, who appears to have aged very well—and also appears to be dating Maude's prime suspect!
Reminiscent of beloved mysteries such as The Maid, The Thursday Murder Club, and Finlay Donovan is Killing It, All Rise for Murder features quirky characters, old grudges, hidden crushes, surprising twists, and a satisfying ending that will leave the reader eager for the next installment of the Madam Clerk series.
Maude Kirby has recently been dumped by her diplomat husband and has moved back to her quirky hometown of West Elk, BC, to live with her ever-optimistic, fashion-forward mother, Val. On the ropes financially, and with her confrontational fifteen-year-old daughter, Rhette, to look after, Maude applies for a clerking job at the local courthouse, and to her surprise, gets it. How hard can it be?
Told to remain professional during court cases, Maude nevertheless finds it impossible not to get emotionally invested when eighteen-year-old Levi is charged with poisoning a local gym owner. No one else seems concerned that the prosecution’s case rests on dubious "facts," but Maude can’t help speaking up for the quiet teen. Things get more complicated when Maude runs into her first love, who appears to have aged very well—and also appears to be dating Maude's prime suspect!
Reminiscent of beloved mysteries such as The Maid, The Thursday Murder Club, and Finlay Donovan is Killing It, All Rise for Murder features quirky characters, old grudges, hidden crushes, surprising twists, and a satisfying ending that will leave the reader eager for the next installment of the Madam Clerk series.
320 pages, Paperback
First published May 12, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 20, 2026
3.5 STARS (rounded up) All Rise For Murder is the latest book by Canadian author Roz Nay and is a bit outside of Nay's usual twisty thriller genre and I was happy to see her stretch her literary muscles! This is a Canadian small-town mystery that allows Nay's sense of humour to shine.
The story is centred around three generations of Kirby women: Matriarch Val, the fashionable clothing store owner looking for love, her daughter Maude who has come home after her marriage imploded, and Maude's teenage daughter Rhette who isn't happy about being dragged to a small town. When Maude gets a job as a court clerk and believes a young man is wrongly accused of murder, the trio decide to prove his innocence, each having her own ideas on how to solve the murder.
With a hearty dose of messy family life, small-town drama and a trio of women who can't keep their noses out of trouble, this was an entertaining and quirky small-town mystery. For me, the family dynamics overshadowed the mystery a bit in the middle, but Nay gives wonderful depth to her characters, some poignant moments and an ending that surprised this seasoned mystery lover.
Heartwarming, with bouts of humour, this first book in a new whodunnit series doesn't take itself too seriously and brings readers along for a fun ride of family dynamics and small-town mystery.
Disclaimer: Thanks to Viking Books for the complimentary digital advanced copy that was given to me in exchange for my honest review.
The story is centred around three generations of Kirby women: Matriarch Val, the fashionable clothing store owner looking for love, her daughter Maude who has come home after her marriage imploded, and Maude's teenage daughter Rhette who isn't happy about being dragged to a small town. When Maude gets a job as a court clerk and believes a young man is wrongly accused of murder, the trio decide to prove his innocence, each having her own ideas on how to solve the murder.
With a hearty dose of messy family life, small-town drama and a trio of women who can't keep their noses out of trouble, this was an entertaining and quirky small-town mystery. For me, the family dynamics overshadowed the mystery a bit in the middle, but Nay gives wonderful depth to her characters, some poignant moments and an ending that surprised this seasoned mystery lover.
Heartwarming, with bouts of humour, this first book in a new whodunnit series doesn't take itself too seriously and brings readers along for a fun ride of family dynamics and small-town mystery.
Disclaimer: Thanks to Viking Books for the complimentary digital advanced copy that was given to me in exchange for my honest review.
May 21, 2026
This is the first of a fun, very likeable, Canadian cozy mystery series.
The main characters - Val, a fashionista grandmother; Maude, her middle-aged daughter whose husband has left her and who has returned to the small West Elk town in British Columbia; and Rhette, Maude’s teenage daughter - team up to prove that a young man is innocent of murder.
The banter between the three women is funny and warm-hearted and the locals in the small town round out the cast of quirky characters. There is a brewing rekindled romance for Maude, lots of amateur sleuthing by our intrepid trio, and a nice resolution to the mystery. My only quibble was that the middle part was a bit slow.
Overall, a welcome new mystery series and looking forward to the next book!
The main characters - Val, a fashionista grandmother; Maude, her middle-aged daughter whose husband has left her and who has returned to the small West Elk town in British Columbia; and Rhette, Maude’s teenage daughter - team up to prove that a young man is innocent of murder.
The banter between the three women is funny and warm-hearted and the locals in the small town round out the cast of quirky characters. There is a brewing rekindled romance for Maude, lots of amateur sleuthing by our intrepid trio, and a nice resolution to the mystery. My only quibble was that the middle part was a bit slow.
Overall, a welcome new mystery series and looking forward to the next book!
May 10, 2026
I had SUCH a fun time with this one - I’m so excited that Roz is back on the scene — and with a SERIES no less! 🙌 This first instalment in the Madame Clerk Mystery Series is already delivering everything I could want: small-town drama, courtroom intrigue, humour, and characters that feel wonderfully messy and real.
Maude Kirby returns to her quirky hometown of West Elk, BC after her life completely unravels, only to find herself clerking at the local courthouse and getting pulled into a murder case she just can’t ignore. Add in a complicated teenage daughter, a fashion-forward mother, and the return of a first love tied to her prime suspect?
What made this one especially enjoyable was Roz’s humour shining through every page. The dialogue and storyline had me laughing so much already — which felt very fitting because Roz herself is absolutely hilarious. 😂 It was a perfect balance of mystery, heart, and wit.
Maude Kirby returns to her quirky hometown of West Elk, BC after her life completely unravels, only to find herself clerking at the local courthouse and getting pulled into a murder case she just can’t ignore. Add in a complicated teenage daughter, a fashion-forward mother, and the return of a first love tied to her prime suspect?
What made this one especially enjoyable was Roz’s humour shining through every page. The dialogue and storyline had me laughing so much already — which felt very fitting because Roz herself is absolutely hilarious. 😂 It was a perfect balance of mystery, heart, and wit.
May 20, 2026
Captivating, witty, and entertaining!
All Rise for Murder is a charming, addictive mystery that sweeps readers away to West Elk, BC, and into the lives of three Kirby women who each take it upon themselves to investigate the murder of a local gym owner when they can’t shake the feeling that the teenage boy arrested for the crime is not guilty.
The writing is light and lively. The characters are quirky, intelligent, and impulsive. And the plot is a fast-paced whodunit brimming with family drama, friendship, danger, secrets, deception, amateur sleuthing, red herrings, and plenty of unexpected twists.
All Rise for Murder is the first instalment in the Madam Clerk series by Nay, and it’s a fantastic choice for readers who love quaint settings, unique characters, and mysteries packed with charm, chaos, and heart.
All Rise for Murder is a charming, addictive mystery that sweeps readers away to West Elk, BC, and into the lives of three Kirby women who each take it upon themselves to investigate the murder of a local gym owner when they can’t shake the feeling that the teenage boy arrested for the crime is not guilty.
The writing is light and lively. The characters are quirky, intelligent, and impulsive. And the plot is a fast-paced whodunit brimming with family drama, friendship, danger, secrets, deception, amateur sleuthing, red herrings, and plenty of unexpected twists.
All Rise for Murder is the first instalment in the Madam Clerk series by Nay, and it’s a fantastic choice for readers who love quaint settings, unique characters, and mysteries packed with charm, chaos, and heart.
April 30, 2026
4⭐️
Three generations of women become amateur sleuths.
Maude has returned home to her mother's house after discovering her husband has been cheating on her. She brings with her a sullen and resigned daughter, Rhette. Her mom, Val, is a shop owner, busybody gossip who wants desperately for Maude to be proud of her. Each is dancing around bigger issues, too afraid to rock the delicate balance with serious emotion. When Maude, in her new job as court clerk, sees a young man pleading guilty to a murderous crime she is deteremined he didn’t commit, she decides it’s time for her to step out of her shell and try to solve the crime. But she can’t do it alone. Together, the 3 try to pull the puzzle together while continuing to avoid their own secrets.
I am not usually a fan of amateur sleuth novels; however, this one was a blast. It is nice to see the blunders, confusion and utter stupidity you should expect from people who don’t know what they are doing. There is no sudden expertise with the three women; instead, they stumble their way through the facts, have hilarious capers, and generally just get lucky. The characters had me laughing out loud at various points, and the twist at the end I didn’t expect. Great time!
Three generations of women become amateur sleuths.
Maude has returned home to her mother's house after discovering her husband has been cheating on her. She brings with her a sullen and resigned daughter, Rhette. Her mom, Val, is a shop owner, busybody gossip who wants desperately for Maude to be proud of her. Each is dancing around bigger issues, too afraid to rock the delicate balance with serious emotion. When Maude, in her new job as court clerk, sees a young man pleading guilty to a murderous crime she is deteremined he didn’t commit, she decides it’s time for her to step out of her shell and try to solve the crime. But she can’t do it alone. Together, the 3 try to pull the puzzle together while continuing to avoid their own secrets.
I am not usually a fan of amateur sleuth novels; however, this one was a blast. It is nice to see the blunders, confusion and utter stupidity you should expect from people who don’t know what they are doing. There is no sudden expertise with the three women; instead, they stumble their way through the facts, have hilarious capers, and generally just get lucky. The characters had me laughing out loud at various points, and the twist at the end I didn’t expect. Great time!
May 18, 2026
Edition
📱📖 Read on Kindle
📃 320 pages
⏱ Duration: 4 hours
🎭 Read as part of MOTIVE 2026 lineup
🏷️ Publisher: Viking
📅 Published May 12, 2026
Look, I'm a sucker for multi-generational women solving crimes together, and MOTIVE lineup promised exactly that. What hooked me here wasn't the usual "woman escaping bad relationship, opens a charming bookshop" setup. It was Maude becoming a court clerk. That's different. That's access to sealed documents, whispered hallway conversations, and front-row seats to small-town justice going sideways. I was so ready for courtroom drama meets amateur sleuth brilliance.
The character work was wonderful. Val and Rhette click immediately, as any grandmother-granddaughter duo would, but so comforting to watch/read. Maude trying to find her place within that dynamic added a nice emotional layer, especially as the murder investigation became the thread tying them together. The evolution felt genuine and was easily my favorite part of the story.
But the mystery itself was where things started to wobble. Small-town police inexperience is one thing, but the Kirby women stumbling into clues like they're following a treasure map written in neon, was just too much to process. Straight up accusing people of murder, demanding alibis from longtime neighbours like official investigations, Rhette's nighttime snopping going unchecked. Nobody calls the cops. Nobody lawyers up. Nobody even seems annoyed (except some mild inconvenience scattered here and there). Maude playing dumb during court depositions in front of the judge stretched my suspension of disbelief past its snapping point.
Cozy mysteries ask for some imaginative generosity, but this one wanted me to ignore basic human behaviour and small town gossip dynamics entirely.
Would I recommend it?
For strong female relationships, and a cozy vibe with a legal twist, this is a good book. The Kirby women are delightful company, and the small-town Canadian setting has charm to spare. Just don't expect procedural realism or subtle sleuthing. This is a comfort read with training wheels, perfect for a lazy afternoon reading when you want to cheer for good guys without working too hard.
📱📖 Read on Kindle
📃 320 pages
⏱ Duration: 4 hours
🎭 Read as part of MOTIVE 2026 lineup
🏷️ Publisher: Viking
📅 Published May 12, 2026
Look, I'm a sucker for multi-generational women solving crimes together, and MOTIVE lineup promised exactly that. What hooked me here wasn't the usual "woman escaping bad relationship, opens a charming bookshop" setup. It was Maude becoming a court clerk. That's different. That's access to sealed documents, whispered hallway conversations, and front-row seats to small-town justice going sideways. I was so ready for courtroom drama meets amateur sleuth brilliance.
The character work was wonderful. Val and Rhette click immediately, as any grandmother-granddaughter duo would, but so comforting to watch/read. Maude trying to find her place within that dynamic added a nice emotional layer, especially as the murder investigation became the thread tying them together. The evolution felt genuine and was easily my favorite part of the story.
But the mystery itself was where things started to wobble. Small-town police inexperience is one thing, but the Kirby women stumbling into clues like they're following a treasure map written in neon, was just too much to process. Straight up accusing people of murder, demanding alibis from longtime neighbours like official investigations, Rhette's nighttime snopping going unchecked. Nobody calls the cops. Nobody lawyers up. Nobody even seems annoyed (except some mild inconvenience scattered here and there). Maude playing dumb during court depositions in front of the judge stretched my suspension of disbelief past its snapping point.
Cozy mysteries ask for some imaginative generosity, but this one wanted me to ignore basic human behaviour and small town gossip dynamics entirely.
Would I recommend it?
For strong female relationships, and a cozy vibe with a legal twist, this is a good book. The Kirby women are delightful company, and the small-town Canadian setting has charm to spare. Just don't expect procedural realism or subtle sleuthing. This is a comfort read with training wheels, perfect for a lazy afternoon reading when you want to cheer for good guys without working too hard.
May 19, 2026
What a fun read, in this book Maude has moved home to West Elk, British Columbia to live with her mother and her daughter and to start a new life. Maude gets a job working at the local courthouse and when she thinks a young man has been wrongly accused she sets to investigate. In this book we see how the 3 generations of women set to investigate and let me tell you this was a fun ride, so glad I read this book and now I look forward to seeing what is next for these characters.
If you like a small town setting, watching people starting over while grappling with their past, 3 generations of women working together, this is a great choice for a read and book I would recommend.
If you like a small town setting, watching people starting over while grappling with their past, 3 generations of women working together, this is a great choice for a read and book I would recommend.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A departure from her typical dark thrillers, this first in a new Canadian cozy mystery series follows three generations of women as they try to get a convicted young man off of a murder by poison sentence. Quirky, funny and full of heart. The mystery kept me guessing til the end and I'm captivated enough to want to see where this series goes next! Recommended for fans of Catherine Mack's Vacation murder mystery series. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review.
Did Not Finish
May 18, 2026I often enjoy courtroom mysteries, but I abandoned this book pretty quickly because I really don’t care for “beleaguered woman” mysteries. Maude Kirby moves back to her small town in British Columbia after her diplomat husband leaves her. Her teenage daughter has no respect for her, and she somehow lands a job as a court clerk — a position even she admits she isn’t qualified for. The author’s attempts at humor felt silly and banal, and I just couldn’t stomach more than a couple of chapters.
May 28, 2026
This one took me a while to get into as I had been reading some very serious books and it was a jump to go to a lighter more humorous one. By the time I was chortling through Maude's first visit to the gym, I was enjoying it. Looking forward to more cases for the Kirby Crime Crackers to solve!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Funny, warm-hearted, with a gripping mystery at it's centre. I loved the setting and the quirky cast of characters. Roz Nay is a fresh new voice on the cozy mystery scene.
Review of advance copy
The first word that comes to mind for this book is cute. It was an easy read and I loved the characters in this novel. Will I read the next one in the series? Absolutely.
May 19, 2026
2.5 stars.
May 21, 2026
Amusing and fun. I lookforward to more in this series.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews