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Prairie Nightingale #3
Believer
A teenager convinced there’s more to a cousin’s estrangement than family friction leads to the exposure of a cult operating in plain sight.
Prairie Nightingale, PI, has it great kids, a private detective agency run by brilliant women, and maybe a handsome FBI situationship. When her daughter’s best friend asks her to look into a bitter family estrangement, Prairie is reluctant to take on a case that requires even more life/work balance than she’s already attempting—especially with her parents visiting from out of town. But when everyone she talks to takes her deeper into a labyrinth of lies, control, and secrets, she and her team begin to untangle the history of a couple with a knack for gathering fervent followers … and collecting criminal charges.
The existence of a cult is difficult to prove, and this one’s members are less than forthcoming, requiring Prairie and her fellow agents to deploy all of their available tricks and talents. Joyce is uncovering shady history and false identities, Emma’s partnered with ex-members to appeal to her podcast audience, and Prairie and Foster find themselves following the money and working undercover. Even Prairie’s parents chip as residents of an Oregon commune, they know the ins and outs of high-control groups. And, to Prairie’s horror, her daughters sneak in a spy mission of their own.
But a cult is most dangerous when it’s threatened, and Prairie’s desire to rescue believers makes her a target—and risks exposing cult members on the run. She’ll need more faith in her abilities than she’s ever had to find the truth.
Prairie Nightingale, PI, has it great kids, a private detective agency run by brilliant women, and maybe a handsome FBI situationship. When her daughter’s best friend asks her to look into a bitter family estrangement, Prairie is reluctant to take on a case that requires even more life/work balance than she’s already attempting—especially with her parents visiting from out of town. But when everyone she talks to takes her deeper into a labyrinth of lies, control, and secrets, she and her team begin to untangle the history of a couple with a knack for gathering fervent followers … and collecting criminal charges.
The existence of a cult is difficult to prove, and this one’s members are less than forthcoming, requiring Prairie and her fellow agents to deploy all of their available tricks and talents. Joyce is uncovering shady history and false identities, Emma’s partnered with ex-members to appeal to her podcast audience, and Prairie and Foster find themselves following the money and working undercover. Even Prairie’s parents chip as residents of an Oregon commune, they know the ins and outs of high-control groups. And, to Prairie’s horror, her daughters sneak in a spy mission of their own.
But a cult is most dangerous when it’s threatened, and Prairie’s desire to rescue believers makes her a target—and risks exposing cult members on the run. She’ll need more faith in her abilities than she’s ever had to find the truth.
319 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 8, 2026
About the author
Ruthie Knox
48 books1,431 followersRuthie Knox is the critically acclaimed, New York Times bestselling author of more than a dozen novels. She writes both mystery and romance, usually with co-author Annie Mare. You can find Ruthie's books under the pen names Ruthie Knox (mystery and het romance), Mae Marvel (queer romance), and Robin York (New Adult romance). Ruthie and Annie are married and live with two teenagers, two dogs, multiple fish, two glorious cats, four hermit crabs, and a bazillion plants in a very old house with a garden.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
September 12, 2026
This is my first book to read in the Prairie Nightingale series. I had heard these books stand alone and was happy to discover that the author gave enough information to keep me up on everything, making it unnecessary to read the previous books (unless you want to, of course)! I am a fan of the female investigator trope, in general.
This book has a light, playful tone that makes me think of the Finley Donovan series by Elle Cosimano. That said, I didn't fall in love with Prairie's character. She stands for the right things but her emotions are not completely connected to those ideals. What I mean by that is that there needs to be a little more showing than telling when it comes to those ideals. I know that Prairie is progressive because Prairie tells us. It would be more emotionally evocative if Prairie's actions allowed the reader to see those convictions without feeling it necessary to continually put words to those convictions. For example, her daughter's bestie uses alternate pronouns and Prairie tells about them and then it comes up repeatedly throughout the book. It's 2026...we all know about pronouns, so just use them. If there's a backstory, give it, but the reader is smart and doesn't need a breakdown on it. (This is just one example, but there are several items that appear this way.)
Overall, this is a cute book. The writing is pretty good, though I would have loved a little more from the characters in terms of depth and development.
This book has a light, playful tone that makes me think of the Finley Donovan series by Elle Cosimano. That said, I didn't fall in love with Prairie's character. She stands for the right things but her emotions are not completely connected to those ideals. What I mean by that is that there needs to be a little more showing than telling when it comes to those ideals. I know that Prairie is progressive because Prairie tells us. It would be more emotionally evocative if Prairie's actions allowed the reader to see those convictions without feeling it necessary to continually put words to those convictions. For example, her daughter's bestie uses alternate pronouns and Prairie tells about them and then it comes up repeatedly throughout the book. It's 2026...we all know about pronouns, so just use them. If there's a backstory, give it, but the reader is smart and doesn't need a breakdown on it. (This is just one example, but there are several items that appear this way.)
Overall, this is a cute book. The writing is pretty good, though I would have loved a little more from the characters in terms of depth and development.
September 18, 2026
I didn’t so much pick this one up as reach out to the authors so I could make grabby hands at it. And I’m ever so grateful they obliged with both the book AND the audiobook.
I fell hard for Prairie Nightingale’s compulsive nosiness and pattern disruption genius in the very first book, Homemaker, and was even more enthralled with her case in Trailbreaker. Part of what I loved about both books was the way that Prairie and her team were able to see both connections and especially disconnections in the evidence – AND in the places where there was a lack of evidence – because they were looking at entirely different things than any previous investigator had looked at. And because they didn’t go into the case with the same assumptions and preconceptions that more traditional investigators had brought to the case.
And it’s a huge part of the charm of the series, at least for this reader. It’s about the way that the world works differently for men than it does for women. Not necessarily ‘better’, although sometimes that’s true. Not necessarily ‘worse’ either. But different in the myriad ways that society conditions all of us. For example, I’d bet that very few men are taught that it’s necessary to weave their keys between their fingers when walking to their cars in a dark parking area.
This third case is even more twisted – and has just as long a reach – as their previous case in Trailbreaker. It all begins with Prairie’s daughter Anabel’s best friend Kai. Kai’s cousin Brittany is missing – and has been for years. Brittany was an adult when she booted her parents out of her life, so the police say there’s nothing they can do. Estrangements between parents and adult children happen every day.
All of which is true, but, that doesn’t mean that Prairie Hawk Investigations can’t do their best to at least locate Brittany Straubel and do the equivalent of a “wellness check”. Because the whole story of Brittany’s disappearance – along with her very recent sighting WITH A BABY – in Green Bay, makes Prairie’s investigative senses tingle.
But the more the agency looks into the case, the dicier the whole situation sounds. It’s not just about Brittany. It’s not just one family estrangement. It’s a love bombing coffeeshop and a creative cooperative that gets pressured to provide goods to said coffeeshop but doesn’t get paid for its products. It’s a church with a scuzzy pastor and a secretive mission statement. It’s a singing camp for adults where the attendees are overpromised and underdelivered to – and then not permitted to leave when they complain.
The further back – and further west – that Prairie Hawk Investigations traces the chain of estrangements, coffeeshops closing in the middle of the night, song camps where there’s no escape, pyramid schemes and survivors still dealing with the wreck of their lives, the more that The Mill Coffeeshop and the Verse Church that sponsors it looks like exactly what it is. A cult.
A cult that Brittany Straubel, along with an ever-increasing number of other young women, may have entered willingly, but may not be able to get out of without a Prairie Hawk shaped extraction. Or distraction. Or both.
It’s up to Prairie Hawk Investigations to decide whether or not they’re willing to take on the many-tentacled monster that any cult represents.
Of course they are. Even when they get in WAY over their heads. Because of course they do.
Escape Rating A: I shouldn’t have loved this so hard, but that’s true of the entire series. There’s so much of Prairie’s life that would drive me to distraction in real life – stuff that usually turns me right off even in fiction. And yet…I’m completely hooked.
Hooked, and so invested in finding out – not so much whodunnit because this isn’t that kind of a mystery – but rather finding out whether or not they can bring the cult down and rescue everyone willing to be rescued – a whole lot faster than the truly excellent audio by Mia Hutchinson Shaw would allow. I intended to take a week to savor the story in audio, because she’s very, very good at embodying Prairie, but I couldn’t stand the wait and finished in text instead. Because patience may be a virtue but it’s not one of mine, and reading is FASTER.
One of the fun – if occasionally crazy-making – parts of this series so far is the way that Prairie’s domestic life and domestic crises aren’t just a “B plot” but are threaded into the story. Prairie Hawk Investigations is literally a family affair that includes Prairie’s ex-husband, her two teenage daughters, her ex-mother-in-law (who is also one of her business partners!), and, increasingly, Prairie’s very own FBI agent, Foster Rosemare, with whom she is in the opening stages of what she calls a “situationship” because both of them are equally hesitant about getting deeper into the relationship they’re already having.
(I personally wish they’d get on with it already. Or that Prairie was a bit more explicit – even if only inside the confines of her own head – about why she’s as hesitant as she is. I mean, I get it in general terms as they both have some serious emotional baggage, but the way they keep avoiding sex is starting to feel contrived. Your reading mileage may vary.)
The way this case works, and the way Prairie thinks about what’s happening in the present, how so many young women got caught up in it in the past, and why it’s so difficult for so many people to extract themselves from such a comprehensive, all-inclusive trap, was self-reflective in a way that told us a lot about Prairie, how she got to be who she is, who she is as a mother and her fears for her daughters, and about her relationship with her parents and her own past.
So many of the girls caught up by the cult were seventeen, on the cusp of legal adulthood. Prairie was seventeen when she left her parents’ commune and set out to discover who she wanted to be. Her older daughter Anabel and Anabel’s friend Kai are seventeen now and on the cusp of their own lives’ adventures. How Prairie reflected on that coincidental timing, how much she thought she knew at seventeen and how little she actually did, and yet what a difference it made in her life that she always knew she could go back, and her hopes for her daughters’ futures and fears for their safety that she is well aware she can’t use as an excuse to clip their wings, play in the background of the story like a song that the reader can’t get out of their head when the story is over.
So I was thrilled to discover a sneak peek at Prairie Hawk Investigations’ next case, Warrior, at the back of this story. It’s definitely something I’m looking forward to, late next spring.
Originally published at Reading Reality
I fell hard for Prairie Nightingale’s compulsive nosiness and pattern disruption genius in the very first book, Homemaker, and was even more enthralled with her case in Trailbreaker. Part of what I loved about both books was the way that Prairie and her team were able to see both connections and especially disconnections in the evidence – AND in the places where there was a lack of evidence – because they were looking at entirely different things than any previous investigator had looked at. And because they didn’t go into the case with the same assumptions and preconceptions that more traditional investigators had brought to the case.
And it’s a huge part of the charm of the series, at least for this reader. It’s about the way that the world works differently for men than it does for women. Not necessarily ‘better’, although sometimes that’s true. Not necessarily ‘worse’ either. But different in the myriad ways that society conditions all of us. For example, I’d bet that very few men are taught that it’s necessary to weave their keys between their fingers when walking to their cars in a dark parking area.
This third case is even more twisted – and has just as long a reach – as their previous case in Trailbreaker. It all begins with Prairie’s daughter Anabel’s best friend Kai. Kai’s cousin Brittany is missing – and has been for years. Brittany was an adult when she booted her parents out of her life, so the police say there’s nothing they can do. Estrangements between parents and adult children happen every day.
All of which is true, but, that doesn’t mean that Prairie Hawk Investigations can’t do their best to at least locate Brittany Straubel and do the equivalent of a “wellness check”. Because the whole story of Brittany’s disappearance – along with her very recent sighting WITH A BABY – in Green Bay, makes Prairie’s investigative senses tingle.
But the more the agency looks into the case, the dicier the whole situation sounds. It’s not just about Brittany. It’s not just one family estrangement. It’s a love bombing coffeeshop and a creative cooperative that gets pressured to provide goods to said coffeeshop but doesn’t get paid for its products. It’s a church with a scuzzy pastor and a secretive mission statement. It’s a singing camp for adults where the attendees are overpromised and underdelivered to – and then not permitted to leave when they complain.
The further back – and further west – that Prairie Hawk Investigations traces the chain of estrangements, coffeeshops closing in the middle of the night, song camps where there’s no escape, pyramid schemes and survivors still dealing with the wreck of their lives, the more that The Mill Coffeeshop and the Verse Church that sponsors it looks like exactly what it is. A cult.
A cult that Brittany Straubel, along with an ever-increasing number of other young women, may have entered willingly, but may not be able to get out of without a Prairie Hawk shaped extraction. Or distraction. Or both.
It’s up to Prairie Hawk Investigations to decide whether or not they’re willing to take on the many-tentacled monster that any cult represents.
Of course they are. Even when they get in WAY over their heads. Because of course they do.
Escape Rating A: I shouldn’t have loved this so hard, but that’s true of the entire series. There’s so much of Prairie’s life that would drive me to distraction in real life – stuff that usually turns me right off even in fiction. And yet…I’m completely hooked.
Hooked, and so invested in finding out – not so much whodunnit because this isn’t that kind of a mystery – but rather finding out whether or not they can bring the cult down and rescue everyone willing to be rescued – a whole lot faster than the truly excellent audio by Mia Hutchinson Shaw would allow. I intended to take a week to savor the story in audio, because she’s very, very good at embodying Prairie, but I couldn’t stand the wait and finished in text instead. Because patience may be a virtue but it’s not one of mine, and reading is FASTER.
One of the fun – if occasionally crazy-making – parts of this series so far is the way that Prairie’s domestic life and domestic crises aren’t just a “B plot” but are threaded into the story. Prairie Hawk Investigations is literally a family affair that includes Prairie’s ex-husband, her two teenage daughters, her ex-mother-in-law (who is also one of her business partners!), and, increasingly, Prairie’s very own FBI agent, Foster Rosemare, with whom she is in the opening stages of what she calls a “situationship” because both of them are equally hesitant about getting deeper into the relationship they’re already having.
(I personally wish they’d get on with it already. Or that Prairie was a bit more explicit – even if only inside the confines of her own head – about why she’s as hesitant as she is. I mean, I get it in general terms as they both have some serious emotional baggage, but the way they keep avoiding sex is starting to feel contrived. Your reading mileage may vary.)
The way this case works, and the way Prairie thinks about what’s happening in the present, how so many young women got caught up in it in the past, and why it’s so difficult for so many people to extract themselves from such a comprehensive, all-inclusive trap, was self-reflective in a way that told us a lot about Prairie, how she got to be who she is, who she is as a mother and her fears for her daughters, and about her relationship with her parents and her own past.
So many of the girls caught up by the cult were seventeen, on the cusp of legal adulthood. Prairie was seventeen when she left her parents’ commune and set out to discover who she wanted to be. Her older daughter Anabel and Anabel’s friend Kai are seventeen now and on the cusp of their own lives’ adventures. How Prairie reflected on that coincidental timing, how much she thought she knew at seventeen and how little she actually did, and yet what a difference it made in her life that she always knew she could go back, and her hopes for her daughters’ futures and fears for their safety that she is well aware she can’t use as an excuse to clip their wings, play in the background of the story like a song that the reader can’t get out of their head when the story is over.
So I was thrilled to discover a sneak peek at Prairie Hawk Investigations’ next case, Warrior, at the back of this story. It’s definitely something I’m looking forward to, late next spring.
Originally published at Reading Reality
September 30, 2026
Prairie and team are asked to locate family members that have disappeared into a cult. With much digging they discover the cult has many secrets, incredible coffee shops and a male leadership team stuck in masogonistic ideals. While the group does the PI thing Prairie’s family has a lot happening. Her daughters are evolving, her ex is branching out, and poor Foster is unfortunately in no rush. That man has the patience and tolerance of a saint. This has been a great series for the mystery and adventure lovers, Prairie is a bit quirky and I love how she parents her kids. I got to read an advanced copy and give my review voluntarily.
September 17, 2026
Oh it was just deliciously good. Worth the wait times a million. I ADORE this series and I’m just so grateful the authors created it. I let out a sigh of relief that there’s going to be a fourth one. I know it can’t go on forever but I can always hope! I plan to reread this immediately. I’m starting it over right now.
September 15, 2026
I think this was my least favourite of this series so far but it was still enjoyable and fast paced.
September 12, 2026
Wow, another excellent Prairie Nightingale book! This is the third installment and it's the best one yet! I continue to love the powerful women and the way they verbalize their belief in one other and the strength they offer. I love Prairie's sizzling romance, as well as the way she is doing what is right for herself. I also love the way the characters know their worth and find the partners they deserve. I guess I also should include that the mystery was very engaging and I had to keep reading every chance I got!
September 13, 2026
Very fun series. Love all the regulars.
Read
August 29, 2026This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
4.5 hearts
The firm has had several big successful cases and they don't want to do the chase cheating spouses type work. But the things that do interest them are not always profitable and they do need to make some money. Case in point, Prairie's daughter Anabel's friend Kai comes to try to hire her. Kai's cousin Brittany started working at a coffee shop and then went to a new church, and then disappeared. Kai wants to hire them. They can pay $50 a week since they are starting a job at Starbucks.
Prairie goes to the coffee shop with her visiting parents and whoa, is it creepy. The team doesn't think it's worthwhile but her father says something and they decide to take a look. Off it goes then. Kai's parents and Brittany's parents also want to get in on paying so that works out.
Then one of their cold cases they do also takes off about another missing girl and those parents are thrilled to hire them since the police didn't even look at it. The coffee shops lead to churches and it just gets weirder. Her daughter decides to help by taking a music lesson from the church's music director and scare Prairie to death. It turns out to be great information they add to the connected cases.
One of the church men is sitting outside the school trying to recruit teens. After all cults love teen girls. Prairie and the other moms at school are fighting that. One of the cult guys follows Prairie and it has gotten unsafe.
Foster has been gone traveling a bit and finally arrives home. They want to spend time together but the case keeps getting in the way. They do finally do and Foster plays roles undercover with her which are scary and funny. They make some progress with their relationship.
There are other family developments with the girls. After seeing the teen runaways and rebellions in her cases, Prairie talks to Anabel about what she wants to do which is great. Greg is making some changes. Maelynn is her hilarious honest self.
I always think somehow I will find this series silly but I never do. I love the character diversity and how unique they are as individuals. These are also people who care about others and go through ordinary human troubles and decisions. The cases are bigger than expected but luckily they have widespread contacts, and good ones like Foster. My understanding is there are more books written and I'm here for them.
Narration:
The narrator is new to me, although she does also narrate the sapphic romances these authors have written (I read the ebooks for those.) I was very comfortable with her voices and the differences for the age and gender felt appropriate. I listened at my usual 1.5x speed for this one.
Review copy was received from Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Prairie Nightingale series is a collaboration between two of my favorite authors. It's a new mystery series about a professional homemaker turning into a private investigator. I absolutely LOVE it. Prairie is a divorced mother of two girls. She co-parents with her ex Greg. He is successful and not a bad guy, just one who really didn't pay attention to Prairie, other than as his personal attendant. His mother Joyce, lives with Prairie and helps with the girls. I would read these in order for the character and romance developments.
4.5 hearts
The firm has had several big successful cases and they don't want to do the chase cheating spouses type work. But the things that do interest them are not always profitable and they do need to make some money. Case in point, Prairie's daughter Anabel's friend Kai comes to try to hire her. Kai's cousin Brittany started working at a coffee shop and then went to a new church, and then disappeared. Kai wants to hire them. They can pay $50 a week since they are starting a job at Starbucks.
Prairie goes to the coffee shop with her visiting parents and whoa, is it creepy. The team doesn't think it's worthwhile but her father says something and they decide to take a look. Off it goes then. Kai's parents and Brittany's parents also want to get in on paying so that works out.
Then one of their cold cases they do also takes off about another missing girl and those parents are thrilled to hire them since the police didn't even look at it. The coffee shops lead to churches and it just gets weirder. Her daughter decides to help by taking a music lesson from the church's music director and scare Prairie to death. It turns out to be great information they add to the connected cases.
One of the church men is sitting outside the school trying to recruit teens. After all cults love teen girls. Prairie and the other moms at school are fighting that. One of the cult guys follows Prairie and it has gotten unsafe.
Foster has been gone traveling a bit and finally arrives home. They want to spend time together but the case keeps getting in the way. They do finally do and Foster plays roles undercover with her which are scary and funny. They make some progress with their relationship.
There are other family developments with the girls. After seeing the teen runaways and rebellions in her cases, Prairie talks to Anabel about what she wants to do which is great. Greg is making some changes. Maelynn is her hilarious honest self.
I always think somehow I will find this series silly but I never do. I love the character diversity and how unique they are as individuals. These are also people who care about others and go through ordinary human troubles and decisions. The cases are bigger than expected but luckily they have widespread contacts, and good ones like Foster. My understanding is there are more books written and I'm here for them.
Narration:
The narrator is new to me, although she does also narrate the sapphic romances these authors have written (I read the ebooks for those.) I was very comfortable with her voices and the differences for the age and gender felt appropriate. I listened at my usual 1.5x speed for this one.
read-listen
August 29, 2026This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
4.5 hearts
The firm has had several big successful cases and they don't want to do the chase cheating spouses type work. But the things that do interest them are not always profitable and they do need to make some money. Case in point, Prairie's daughter Anabel's friend Kai comes to try to hire her. Kai's cousin Brittany started working at a coffee shop and then went to a new church, and then disappeared. Kai wants to hire them. They can pay $50 a week since they are starting a job at Starbucks.
Prairie goes to the coffee shop with her visiting parents and whoa, is it creepy. The team doesn't think it's worthwhile but her father says something and they decide to take a look. Off it goes then. Kai's parents and Brittany's parents also want to get in on paying so that works out.
Then one of their cold cases they do also takes off about another missing girl and those parents are thrilled to hire them since the police didn't even look at it. The coffee shops lead to churches and it just gets weirder. Her daughter decides to help by taking a music lesson from the church's music director and scare Prairie to death. It turns out to be great information they add to the connected cases.
One of the church men is sitting outside the school trying to recruit teens. After all cults love teen girls. Prairie and the other moms at school are fighting that. One of the cult guys follows Prairie and it has gotten unsafe.
Foster has been gone traveling a bit and finally arrives home. They want to spend time together but the case keeps getting in the way. They do finally do and Foster plays roles undercover with her which are scary and funny. They make some progress with their relationship.
There are other family developments with the girls. After seeing the teen runaways and rebellions in her cases, Prairie talks to Anabel about what she wants to do which is great. Greg is making some changes. Maelynn is her hilarious honest self.
I always think somehow I will find this series silly but I never do. I love the character diversity and how unique they are as individuals. These are also people who care about others and go through ordinary human troubles and decisions. The cases are bigger than expected but luckily they have widespread contacts, and good ones like Foster. My understanding is there are more books written and I'm here for them.
Review copy was received from Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Prairie Nightingale series is a collaboration between two of my favorite authors. It's a new mystery series about a professional homemaker turning into a private investigator. I absolutely LOVE it. Prairie is a divorced mother of two girls. She co-parents with her ex Greg. He is successful and not a bad guy, just one who really didn't pay attention to Prairie, other than as his personal attendant. His mother Joyce, lives with Prairie and helps with the girls. I would read these in order for the character and romance developments.
4.5 hearts
The firm has had several big successful cases and they don't want to do the chase cheating spouses type work. But the things that do interest them are not always profitable and they do need to make some money. Case in point, Prairie's daughter Anabel's friend Kai comes to try to hire her. Kai's cousin Brittany started working at a coffee shop and then went to a new church, and then disappeared. Kai wants to hire them. They can pay $50 a week since they are starting a job at Starbucks.
Prairie goes to the coffee shop with her visiting parents and whoa, is it creepy. The team doesn't think it's worthwhile but her father says something and they decide to take a look. Off it goes then. Kai's parents and Brittany's parents also want to get in on paying so that works out.
Then one of their cold cases they do also takes off about another missing girl and those parents are thrilled to hire them since the police didn't even look at it. The coffee shops lead to churches and it just gets weirder. Her daughter decides to help by taking a music lesson from the church's music director and scare Prairie to death. It turns out to be great information they add to the connected cases.
One of the church men is sitting outside the school trying to recruit teens. After all cults love teen girls. Prairie and the other moms at school are fighting that. One of the cult guys follows Prairie and it has gotten unsafe.
Foster has been gone traveling a bit and finally arrives home. They want to spend time together but the case keeps getting in the way. They do finally do and Foster plays roles undercover with her which are scary and funny. They make some progress with their relationship.
There are other family developments with the girls. After seeing the teen runaways and rebellions in her cases, Prairie talks to Anabel about what she wants to do which is great. Greg is making some changes. Maelynn is her hilarious honest self.
I always think somehow I will find this series silly but I never do. I love the character diversity and how unique they are as individuals. These are also people who care about others and go through ordinary human troubles and decisions. The cases are bigger than expected but luckily they have widespread contacts, and good ones like Foster. My understanding is there are more books written and I'm here for them.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
5/5 stars: This is Knox & Mare's third entry in the Prairie Nightingale series which is a Cozy-ish Mystery set in Wisconsin. Featuring a single mom and private investigator as she finds herself and her crew working to untangle the history of a couple with a collection criminal charges and who might just be be operating a cult in plain sight. But the existence of a cult is difficult to prove, and this one’s members are less than forthcoming, requiring her and her fellow agents to deploy all of their available tricks and talents. As her team uncovers shady history and false identities and partners with ex-members on a podcast, she and her FBI agent boyfriend find themselves following the money and working undercover. Even her visiting hippy parents chip in their expertise as residents of an Oregon commune. And, to her horror, her daughters sneak in a spy mission of their own. But a cult is most dangerous when it’s threatened, and her desire to rescue believers makes her a target – and risks exposing cult members on the run. She’ll need more faith in her abilities than she’s ever had to find the truth.
With plenty of twists and turns, Knox & Mare has masterfully crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects, clues and red herrings and will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. Heartfelt and humorous, Knox & Mare's writing and character work are stellar; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable with a secondary cast that are well crafted and uniquely voiced. Additionally the authors are a married 2SLGBTQIA+ couple.
Knox & Mare take on some sensitive issues; so take care and check the CWs. While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, Homemaker.
I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and 7th Floor Books in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.
With plenty of twists and turns, Knox & Mare has masterfully crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects, clues and red herrings and will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. Heartfelt and humorous, Knox & Mare's writing and character work are stellar; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable with a secondary cast that are well crafted and uniquely voiced. Additionally the authors are a married 2SLGBTQIA+ couple.
Knox & Mare take on some sensitive issues; so take care and check the CWs. While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, Homemaker.
I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and 7th Floor Books in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I enjoyed this book. This is the third Prairie Nightingale book in the series and I love how the characters are developing and growing as a team, even the teenagers are getting in on the investigating. The book is very character driven, with a lot of Prairie's home life drama coming into the story. Which, while it might work as a standalone, I think works better if you have read the previous books, as this gives you a better understanding of the dynamics and relationships between the characters. Especially with so many characters involved, like new agency staff, clients, suspects and victims. I love the way The team all are different ages groups and bring different skills sets to the table. The story was nicely written , which made it easy to follow, keep everybody straight and it moved quickly. Even the budding romance was sweet rather than an annoying interlude.
The mystery had a number of moving parts with all the missing woman and who to trust or not too. Despite no big show down, I liked how it played out. It's a scary thought how easy people can be manipulated, especially by people we trust and covers a serious subject. But it's more than just shutting down or going up against a cult. It's a gentle reminder of what is important to everybody, family. I look forward to the next entertaining case from A great group of characters.
When Prairie's daughters friend asks for help finding his cousin, she had no idea of the can of worms she would be opening. First she has to convince the rest of the team that the case is worth investigating. It's actually her father who convinces them after he picks up strange vibes from the cafe. The more they investigate the more they discover missing woman and disgruntled church members. Can Prairie and her team take down a cult? And find the missing cousin? It seems everybody wants to help and even Prairie's parent and daughters get involved in the case.
I liked the narrator. She helped the story come to life by providing different voices for all the characters and there was a lot of them.
I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review
The mystery had a number of moving parts with all the missing woman and who to trust or not too. Despite no big show down, I liked how it played out. It's a scary thought how easy people can be manipulated, especially by people we trust and covers a serious subject. But it's more than just shutting down or going up against a cult. It's a gentle reminder of what is important to everybody, family. I look forward to the next entertaining case from A great group of characters.
When Prairie's daughters friend asks for help finding his cousin, she had no idea of the can of worms she would be opening. First she has to convince the rest of the team that the case is worth investigating. It's actually her father who convinces them after he picks up strange vibes from the cafe. The more they investigate the more they discover missing woman and disgruntled church members. Can Prairie and her team take down a cult? And find the missing cousin? It seems everybody wants to help and even Prairie's parent and daughters get involved in the case.
I liked the narrator. She helped the story come to life by providing different voices for all the characters and there was a lot of them.
I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I got an advanced copy from NetGalley in exchange for my review.
In the beginning when I read this, I did not know anything about the Prairie Nightingale series. This is book 3. I think I would have gotten much more out of it had I read at least the first book in the series before it. I got the feeling that readers should know things about some characters before meeting them in this book. I think the following will help new readers to the series get a more firm foothold in the series:
Prairie is a member of Prairie Hawk, a private investigator business. Two members of the team are her former mother-in-law, Joyce, who is good at uncovering identities and shady histories; the other is Emma who is a forensic genealogist and crime podcaster. Marian is Prairie's highly capable executive assistant.
Foster is more than Prairie's boyfriend. He works for the FBI as an investigative agent. Can sometimes be helpful for Prairie Hawk (PH).
Prairie is a single mom to two daughters, MaeLynn and Anabel. One of Prairie's daughters friends comes to Prairie and asks for help finding a missing family member who is about 10 years older. This cousin has not been seen or heard from by her cousin's parents or rest of the family for a long time.
PH doesn't see a lot of potential money coming in from this case. But they decide to take it. As the team looks into it, they start to find cultish activities.
Prairie has her parents visiting for a short time, only a few days left of their visit. They have more of a "hippyish" and accepting attitude than most. Turns out that Prairie grew up in an Oregon commune where her parents still live. They have experience giving insights of high-control groups, possible cults. In this case, that becomes helpful.
Audiobook: 9h 36m
In the beginning when I read this, I did not know anything about the Prairie Nightingale series. This is book 3. I think I would have gotten much more out of it had I read at least the first book in the series before it. I got the feeling that readers should know things about some characters before meeting them in this book. I think the following will help new readers to the series get a more firm foothold in the series:
Prairie is a member of Prairie Hawk, a private investigator business. Two members of the team are her former mother-in-law, Joyce, who is good at uncovering identities and shady histories; the other is Emma who is a forensic genealogist and crime podcaster. Marian is Prairie's highly capable executive assistant.
Foster is more than Prairie's boyfriend. He works for the FBI as an investigative agent. Can sometimes be helpful for Prairie Hawk (PH).
Prairie is a single mom to two daughters, MaeLynn and Anabel. One of Prairie's daughters friends comes to Prairie and asks for help finding a missing family member who is about 10 years older. This cousin has not been seen or heard from by her cousin's parents or rest of the family for a long time.
PH doesn't see a lot of potential money coming in from this case. But they decide to take it. As the team looks into it, they start to find cultish activities.
Prairie has her parents visiting for a short time, only a few days left of their visit. They have more of a "hippyish" and accepting attitude than most. Turns out that Prairie grew up in an Oregon commune where her parents still live. They have experience giving insights of high-control groups, possible cults. In this case, that becomes helpful.
Audiobook: 9h 36m
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Prairie Nightingale and the rest of her crew are back and better than ever! When Prairie’s daughter’s best friend asks her to look into the case of a missing family member the investigation quickly takes a dark turn and Prairie and gang discover their community has a dark underbelly.
This is the third book of the series and can be read as a standalone but is so much richer when read in order! It is a cozy mystery with an amazing cast of diverse characters. The detective agency is made up of people who shouldn’t fit but do and each has a valuable skill that they bring up the table. There is an emphasis on intelligence, these detectives don’t bumble around until clues fall to them, they work hard to solve the case. There is compassion, found family and more. I loved every minute of this book, it is probably my favorite of the series to date, watching Prairie go from lost homemaker to confident detective is the feel good I needed. There are some serious topics covered but enough silly moments to keep it from being so dark while still drawing attention to real problems.
I am so thankful that I was able to experience this as an audiobook, the narration fits my perception of Prairie perfectly, although I felt like her range for male voices wasn’t as strong. Otherwise, the narration kept me engaged and riveted, not wanting to stop the book for anything. When I did finish it I had trouble finding another book because I couldn’t stop thinking about this one. Absolutely recommend! Thank you so much Brilliance Publishing for the advanced listening copy of Believer! This is my honest and voluntary review.
This is the third book of the series and can be read as a standalone but is so much richer when read in order! It is a cozy mystery with an amazing cast of diverse characters. The detective agency is made up of people who shouldn’t fit but do and each has a valuable skill that they bring up the table. There is an emphasis on intelligence, these detectives don’t bumble around until clues fall to them, they work hard to solve the case. There is compassion, found family and more. I loved every minute of this book, it is probably my favorite of the series to date, watching Prairie go from lost homemaker to confident detective is the feel good I needed. There are some serious topics covered but enough silly moments to keep it from being so dark while still drawing attention to real problems.
I am so thankful that I was able to experience this as an audiobook, the narration fits my perception of Prairie perfectly, although I felt like her range for male voices wasn’t as strong. Otherwise, the narration kept me engaged and riveted, not wanting to stop the book for anything. When I did finish it I had trouble finding another book because I couldn’t stop thinking about this one. Absolutely recommend! Thank you so much Brilliance Publishing for the advanced listening copy of Believer! This is my honest and voluntary review.
September 14, 2026
ALC REVIEW:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The writing duo comprised of Ruthie Knox and Annie Mare are back with another Prairie Nightingale Mystery. Unlike the first two books in the series, the private investigation team (comprised of entirely female associates) have found their footing and settled into a comfortable routine. However, there won’t be any idling as their detective skills are about to be put to the test.
What originally started as a simple favor for a family friend (Kai) quickly escalates to something much more dangerous. Prairie and her team learn a religious cult, Verse, has been operating in plain sight. Members are frequently recruited at the coffee shop the cult runs and specifically targets the vulnerable and underage.
Will Prairie and her team be able to reunite the families destroyed by this cult, or will their efforts push the victims further into the destructive ideology???
Believe, is the second Prairie Nightingale Mystery I have had the privilege of reading. As someone who enjoys cozy mysteries with a side of romance, this book is right up my alley! In addition, I appreciate the fast-paced nature of Knox and Mare’s writing.
Published on September 8th, this title can be read in a multitude of ways; but the one I recommend is audio. Mia Hutchinson-Shaw does a terrific job narrating the story. She not only brought Knox and Mare’s story to life, but enhanced the experience.
*This book is perfect for fans of Elle Cosimano’s Finlay Donovan series.
I received a complimentary copy (audio) of Believe: A Prairie Nightingale Mystery courtesy of Netgalley, Brilliance Audio, and the authors. This is an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The writing duo comprised of Ruthie Knox and Annie Mare are back with another Prairie Nightingale Mystery. Unlike the first two books in the series, the private investigation team (comprised of entirely female associates) have found their footing and settled into a comfortable routine. However, there won’t be any idling as their detective skills are about to be put to the test.
What originally started as a simple favor for a family friend (Kai) quickly escalates to something much more dangerous. Prairie and her team learn a religious cult, Verse, has been operating in plain sight. Members are frequently recruited at the coffee shop the cult runs and specifically targets the vulnerable and underage.
Will Prairie and her team be able to reunite the families destroyed by this cult, or will their efforts push the victims further into the destructive ideology???
Believe, is the second Prairie Nightingale Mystery I have had the privilege of reading. As someone who enjoys cozy mysteries with a side of romance, this book is right up my alley! In addition, I appreciate the fast-paced nature of Knox and Mare’s writing.
Published on September 8th, this title can be read in a multitude of ways; but the one I recommend is audio. Mia Hutchinson-Shaw does a terrific job narrating the story. She not only brought Knox and Mare’s story to life, but enhanced the experience.
*This book is perfect for fans of Elle Cosimano’s Finlay Donovan series.
I received a complimentary copy (audio) of Believe: A Prairie Nightingale Mystery courtesy of Netgalley, Brilliance Audio, and the authors. This is an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 22, 2026
I have really enjoyed the Prairie Nightingale books, I love how it is a cozy mystery feel BUT the FMC, Prairie, is actually a registered PI, works with a PI Firm full of women who each have a unique set of skills to help solve mysteries AND she does not put herself in unnecessary danger. The third book did not disappoint on any of these levels . I enjoyed seeing her and her co-workers continue to work as a team and bring in a new member. Seriously, boss babe goals, they all work so well together and are on equal footing and just want to support each other and help the client and/or victim. I also love how involved her daughters get at times and even her ex Greg and especially her kinda boyfriend Foster.
The mystery in this one had so many layers to it but I loved how Prairie and her team worked hard to find the people they were paid to and offered any help they could to bring down a cult. Cults are inherently misogynistic and I appreciated how some of the victims behind the scenes were doing what they could to get out and/or bring them down. I enjoyed seeing the females support each other in this book, they were understanding, did not judge, and fair worked towards what was best for them.
All in all it was a feel good mystery with many layers that immersed me in the story. I would like to see more move along for Foster and Prairie but I also appreciate how Prairies relationship with her daughters and Greg progressed in this book. I am so ready for the next one to see where the cold case goes!!
The mystery in this one had so many layers to it but I loved how Prairie and her team worked hard to find the people they were paid to and offered any help they could to bring down a cult. Cults are inherently misogynistic and I appreciated how some of the victims behind the scenes were doing what they could to get out and/or bring them down. I enjoyed seeing the females support each other in this book, they were understanding, did not judge, and fair worked towards what was best for them.
All in all it was a feel good mystery with many layers that immersed me in the story. I would like to see more move along for Foster and Prairie but I also appreciate how Prairies relationship with her daughters and Greg progressed in this book. I am so ready for the next one to see where the cold case goes!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Believer is my favorite book in the Prairie Nightingale series so far, and I am already anxious for the next one.
The women-run detective agency continues to be one of my favorite parts of this series. Watching Prairie and her team divide and conquer as they untangle this cult was so satisfying to read. Joyce digging into shady histories, Emma partnering with ex-members for her podcast, and Prairie and Foster following the money undercover all show just how well this team works together. Everyone brings something different to the table, which makes the investigation feel layered and believable.
Prairie and Foster continue to grow closer in this one, and I love how well they complement each other. I am definitely rooting for them.
Meeting Prairie’s parents added another great dimension to the story. Their firsthand knowledge of high-control groups from their time on an Oregon commune gave the investigation some interesting depth, and I loved seeing them step in to help. Prairie’s daughters, Anabel and Maelynn, are growing up right along with the series, too, and their sneaky little spy mission had me both nervous and delighted.
Knox and Mare handle the cult subject matter with real care, while still delivering a mystery with plenty of twists that kept me guessing. I’m completely hooked on this series and even more invested in these characters after this book. Whatever comes next for Prairie and her team, I’ll be there for it.
Thank you to the authors and publisher for this ARC.
Release Date: September 8, 2026
The women-run detective agency continues to be one of my favorite parts of this series. Watching Prairie and her team divide and conquer as they untangle this cult was so satisfying to read. Joyce digging into shady histories, Emma partnering with ex-members for her podcast, and Prairie and Foster following the money undercover all show just how well this team works together. Everyone brings something different to the table, which makes the investigation feel layered and believable.
Prairie and Foster continue to grow closer in this one, and I love how well they complement each other. I am definitely rooting for them.
Meeting Prairie’s parents added another great dimension to the story. Their firsthand knowledge of high-control groups from their time on an Oregon commune gave the investigation some interesting depth, and I loved seeing them step in to help. Prairie’s daughters, Anabel and Maelynn, are growing up right along with the series, too, and their sneaky little spy mission had me both nervous and delighted.
Knox and Mare handle the cult subject matter with real care, while still delivering a mystery with plenty of twists that kept me guessing. I’m completely hooked on this series and even more invested in these characters after this book. Whatever comes next for Prairie and her team, I’ll be there for it.
Thank you to the authors and publisher for this ARC.
Release Date: September 8, 2026
Read
September 6, 2026I’ve been trying to support more Wisconsin authors, and it was earlier this year that I had the opportunity to meet Ruthie Knox & Annie Mare at an author event, and they were just as charming as their writing! The Prairie Nightingale mystery series has become one of my favorites, and it’s not just because the book is set in Green Bay. There’s just the right amount of snarkyness to add some levity to the story, and the mystery was top-notch.
While it’s not completely necessary to have read the first two books in the series, but I imagine after reading Believer, you’ll want to catch up on all of Prairie’s adventures!
Without dissecting Believer sentence by sentence, Prairie is a member of a private investigator business. She works with Joyce, who happens to be her ex-mother-in-law. One of her other co-workers is Emma, a crime podcaster and forensic genealogist as well as her executive assistant, Marian. Things run very smoothly because of course it does, it’s all women. Also assisting Prairie is her boyfriend, who happens to be an agent with the FBI.
Prairie also has two daughters, and that’s how this case lands on her doorstep. One of her daughter’s friends approaches Prairie to help find a family member. One of the things that I like about Prairie’s mysteries is that the authors use names for businesses and landmarks that aren’t real, yet locals can probably decipher what they are. I also liked the audiobook narrator, Mia Hutchinson-Shaw. She’s got a very relatable voice and does NOT have a Wisconsin accent.
While it’s not completely necessary to have read the first two books in the series, but I imagine after reading Believer, you’ll want to catch up on all of Prairie’s adventures!
Without dissecting Believer sentence by sentence, Prairie is a member of a private investigator business. She works with Joyce, who happens to be her ex-mother-in-law. One of her other co-workers is Emma, a crime podcaster and forensic genealogist as well as her executive assistant, Marian. Things run very smoothly because of course it does, it’s all women. Also assisting Prairie is her boyfriend, who happens to be an agent with the FBI.
Prairie also has two daughters, and that’s how this case lands on her doorstep. One of her daughter’s friends approaches Prairie to help find a family member. One of the things that I like about Prairie’s mysteries is that the authors use names for businesses and landmarks that aren’t real, yet locals can probably decipher what they are. I also liked the audiobook narrator, Mia Hutchinson-Shaw. She’s got a very relatable voice and does NOT have a Wisconsin accent.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
𝟯.𝟳𝟱⭐️ 𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 (𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗲 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗹𝗲 #𝟯) 𝗯𝘆 𝗥𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗲 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘅 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗲.
Prairie Nightingale is a divorce mom with two grown daughter. She co-parents amicably with her ex Greg. And also is a budding PI with Joyce, a forensic genealogist and her ex mother-in law, Emma a the podcaster and Marion their office manager. She also has a new romance with Foster who’s an FBI agent and honestly the dreamiest.
When her daughter Anabel’s friend Kai comes to them for helping locating his cousin Brittany the group of them uncover a lot more than they bargained for. One case turns into two. There is a cult potentially preying on young women and trust me there is a lot of twist and turns in this story.
Okay so it’s 100% on me, but this was book 3 in the series and I had no clue when I picked it up, I read and enjoyed another title by this writing pair and this is how I ended up with Believer. All this to say, some background might have been nice but was actually not necessary this can totally be read as a standalone. I am now invested in Prairie Nightingale and will looking to follow more of her cases. The book felt busy at times but never confusing. I had the audio and I absolutely adore Mia Hutchinson-Shaw so I would say it is the way to go.
Thank you to NetGalley, Brilliance Publishing and the authors Ruthie Knox and Anne Mare for the advanced listening copy, all my opinions are my own.
𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄.• 𝗖𝗼𝘇𝘆 𝗠𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘆.
Prairie Nightingale is a divorce mom with two grown daughter. She co-parents amicably with her ex Greg. And also is a budding PI with Joyce, a forensic genealogist and her ex mother-in law, Emma a the podcaster and Marion their office manager. She also has a new romance with Foster who’s an FBI agent and honestly the dreamiest.
When her daughter Anabel’s friend Kai comes to them for helping locating his cousin Brittany the group of them uncover a lot more than they bargained for. One case turns into two. There is a cult potentially preying on young women and trust me there is a lot of twist and turns in this story.
Okay so it’s 100% on me, but this was book 3 in the series and I had no clue when I picked it up, I read and enjoyed another title by this writing pair and this is how I ended up with Believer. All this to say, some background might have been nice but was actually not necessary this can totally be read as a standalone. I am now invested in Prairie Nightingale and will looking to follow more of her cases. The book felt busy at times but never confusing. I had the audio and I absolutely adore Mia Hutchinson-Shaw so I would say it is the way to go.
Thank you to NetGalley, Brilliance Publishing and the authors Ruthie Knox and Anne Mare for the advanced listening copy, all my opinions are my own.
𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄.• 𝗖𝗼𝘇𝘆 𝗠𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘆.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
📚 Believer
✍️ Ruthie Knox; Annie Mare
🎙️ Mia Hutchinson-Shaw
Series: Prairie Nightingale Mysteries, Book 3
Release Date: September 8, 2026
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Sometimes you’ll find me write something along the lines of “this book has everything I look for in a cozy mystery…” Well, this one did. And more. As ridiculous as it sounds, in addition to being a great mystery, it hated all the things I hate and cared about all the things I do to.
This mystery centers on a religious cult preying mostly on youth, recruiting them at their most vulnerable and turning them against people that truly love them. While Prairie’s team was on the fence about taking the case on, I’m so glad they did. I won’t give any mystery details away, but damn if I don’t hate people that force religion/their way of thinking on others.
As for the characters - there was SO MUCH character development in this book. And I thought I already knew plenty. Families are growing, business is developing, kids are growing up. Prairie is a bit more of a hot-mess-express, but still oh so relatable and endearing - especially for an overwhelmed autism mom like me!
It sounds like this may be the final book in the series which makes me sad, but at the same time I’m happy where things were left.
✍️ Ruthie Knox; Annie Mare
🎙️ Mia Hutchinson-Shaw
Series: Prairie Nightingale Mysteries, Book 3
Release Date: September 8, 2026
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Sometimes you’ll find me write something along the lines of “this book has everything I look for in a cozy mystery…” Well, this one did. And more. As ridiculous as it sounds, in addition to being a great mystery, it hated all the things I hate and cared about all the things I do to.
This mystery centers on a religious cult preying mostly on youth, recruiting them at their most vulnerable and turning them against people that truly love them. While Prairie’s team was on the fence about taking the case on, I’m so glad they did. I won’t give any mystery details away, but damn if I don’t hate people that force religion/their way of thinking on others.
As for the characters - there was SO MUCH character development in this book. And I thought I already knew plenty. Families are growing, business is developing, kids are growing up. Prairie is a bit more of a hot-mess-express, but still oh so relatable and endearing - especially for an overwhelmed autism mom like me!
It sounds like this may be the final book in the series which makes me sad, but at the same time I’m happy where things were left.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a cute read that is appropriate for both teens and adults alike. While it’s categorized as an adult mystery, the presence of a teenaged major secondary character creates a bridge between the age groups that can be equally enjoyable for both.
This is the third book in the Prairie Nightingale series, but it definitely works as an interconnected standalone, with seemingly only background details carrying over. I haven’t read the first two books, but I never felt like I was missing anything.
While I’m not sure I fully connected with the characters, I was invested in the mystery to some degree. I read the audiobook and really enjoyed Mia Hutchinson-Shaw’s narration. She did a great job switching up her vocals to convey the different characters subtly but effectively, and her pacing is swift and even. She easily elevates the prose, as it’s just plain enjoyable to read.
I’m thankful to Brilliance Audio for the complimentary ALC of this title via NetGalley. I enjoyed the read and would be happy to check out the other books in the series, especially as a low-stakes mystery I could easily buddy read with the teens in my life.
This is the third book in the Prairie Nightingale series, but it definitely works as an interconnected standalone, with seemingly only background details carrying over. I haven’t read the first two books, but I never felt like I was missing anything.
While I’m not sure I fully connected with the characters, I was invested in the mystery to some degree. I read the audiobook and really enjoyed Mia Hutchinson-Shaw’s narration. She did a great job switching up her vocals to convey the different characters subtly but effectively, and her pacing is swift and even. She easily elevates the prose, as it’s just plain enjoyable to read.
I’m thankful to Brilliance Audio for the complimentary ALC of this title via NetGalley. I enjoyed the read and would be happy to check out the other books in the series, especially as a low-stakes mystery I could easily buddy read with the teens in my life.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Book 3 in the Prairie Nightingale series, Prairie is working on a work life balance but that may have to wait when her daughter’s best friend asks her to look into a bitter family estrangement. As Prairie looks into the disappearance of Brittany she is lead to a church h with a knack for collecting fervent followers and collecting criminal charges.
🎧 Mia Hutchinson-Shaw is back with another fabulous narration. I love Prairie’s vibe and the cozy feel to the books - the narration reflects the strong characters and the determination to be solid private investigators.
This series is good for a quick read/listen and a heartfelt mystery to be solved. I would absolutely hire Prairie Hawk if needed- I know they would put their full heart and efforts into whatever was going on! I am ready for more of their character development that has come with each book and cozy mysteries.
Thank you to the author, Ruthie Knox and Annie Mare, Publisher Brilliance Publishing/Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this book. I received a gifted copy and am leaving my review voluntarily.
🎧 Mia Hutchinson-Shaw is back with another fabulous narration. I love Prairie’s vibe and the cozy feel to the books - the narration reflects the strong characters and the determination to be solid private investigators.
This series is good for a quick read/listen and a heartfelt mystery to be solved. I would absolutely hire Prairie Hawk if needed- I know they would put their full heart and efforts into whatever was going on! I am ready for more of their character development that has come with each book and cozy mysteries.
Thank you to the author, Ruthie Knox and Annie Mare, Publisher Brilliance Publishing/Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this book. I received a gifted copy and am leaving my review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Believer wasn’t my favorite book in the series, but there were still a lot of things I enjoyed about it.
One of my favorite parts of this series continues to be the character development. Even the minor characters feel well-developed, and I love seeing how everyone grows from book to book. Prairie and Foster’s relationship is another highlight for me—it has just the right amount of romance without taking away from the mystery.
The cult storyline was interesting, although I didn’t find myself quite as invested in this mystery as I have been with the previous books. I thought I had everything figured out, and while I was right about part of it, there were still some surprises along the way.
Overall, not my favorite installment, but I still really enjoy these characters and will definitely continue with the series!
Thank you to NetGalley and 7th Floor Books for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Believer wasn’t my favorite book in the series, but there were still a lot of things I enjoyed about it.
One of my favorite parts of this series continues to be the character development. Even the minor characters feel well-developed, and I love seeing how everyone grows from book to book. Prairie and Foster’s relationship is another highlight for me—it has just the right amount of romance without taking away from the mystery.
The cult storyline was interesting, although I didn’t find myself quite as invested in this mystery as I have been with the previous books. I thought I had everything figured out, and while I was right about part of it, there were still some surprises along the way.
Overall, not my favorite installment, but I still really enjoy these characters and will definitely continue with the series!
Thank you to NetGalley and 7th Floor Books for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐⭐⭐¾ 3.75 stars
This was another fun addition to the Prairie Nightingale series! I really enjoy this group of characters and seeing how they’ve grown together over the last three books. I especially liked that Prairie’s family—and even the teenagers—get pulled into the investigating this time around.
There are quite a few moving pieces with missing women, suspicious church members, and plenty of questions about who can actually be trusted, but it moved quickly and was easy to follow. I also enjoyed the little bit of romance mixed in without it taking over the story.
I listened to the audiobook and Mia Hutchinson-Shaw was fantastic! There are a lot of characters to keep straight, and she gave each of them their own personality and really brought the story to life.
Another entertaining mystery with a cast of characters I’m always happy to spend time with!
Thank you to NetGalley, 7th Floor Books and Brilliance Audio for the early read & listen!
This was another fun addition to the Prairie Nightingale series! I really enjoy this group of characters and seeing how they’ve grown together over the last three books. I especially liked that Prairie’s family—and even the teenagers—get pulled into the investigating this time around.
There are quite a few moving pieces with missing women, suspicious church members, and plenty of questions about who can actually be trusted, but it moved quickly and was easy to follow. I also enjoyed the little bit of romance mixed in without it taking over the story.
I listened to the audiobook and Mia Hutchinson-Shaw was fantastic! There are a lot of characters to keep straight, and she gave each of them their own personality and really brought the story to life.
Another entertaining mystery with a cast of characters I’m always happy to spend time with!
Thank you to NetGalley, 7th Floor Books and Brilliance Audio for the early read & listen!
October 3, 2026
Another great read
Prairie says and thinks thought-provoking things in all of this series. This book is no different. In addition, the ‘wrong’ that her detective agency is working on — cult control — is certainly a common problem. Unfortunately, the rapid resolution to finding missing people and getting them to cooperate is likely not realistic but, it is, after all, a novel.
Like Prairie, many characters have uncommon names and it helps the reader keep them straight. Unfortunately, I think one of the women Prairie and company was searching for, Brittany, shares a name with a consultant who was doing some forensic accounting for Prairie Hawk. Why do this? There are so many names to choose from. Keep it simple for the reader trying to keep track of everyone.
If you want a quick read, this is a good one!
Prairie says and thinks thought-provoking things in all of this series. This book is no different. In addition, the ‘wrong’ that her detective agency is working on — cult control — is certainly a common problem. Unfortunately, the rapid resolution to finding missing people and getting them to cooperate is likely not realistic but, it is, after all, a novel.
Like Prairie, many characters have uncommon names and it helps the reader keep them straight. Unfortunately, I think one of the women Prairie and company was searching for, Brittany, shares a name with a consultant who was doing some forensic accounting for Prairie Hawk. Why do this? There are so many names to choose from. Keep it simple for the reader trying to keep track of everyone.
If you want a quick read, this is a good one!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Prairie and her quirky investigation team are back at it! This time, a friend of one of her daughters comes to them looking for their missing cousin. The deeper they dig, the more they uncover, including cult-like activities happening right in their own backyard.
With the help of a new intern and the team’s unique talents, these ladies prove once again that they’re better together and manage to take down the masterminds behind the organization. Meanwhile, Prairie’s FBI boyfriend, Foster, is there supporting her zany ways and wonderfully odd family dynamic.
Another fun mystery with plenty of quirky characters, teamwork, and twists!
Thank you to Bettas Brilliant Publishing for the free advanced copy. I am voluntarily leaving this review.
With the help of a new intern and the team’s unique talents, these ladies prove once again that they’re better together and manage to take down the masterminds behind the organization. Meanwhile, Prairie’s FBI boyfriend, Foster, is there supporting her zany ways and wonderfully odd family dynamic.
Another fun mystery with plenty of quirky characters, teamwork, and twists!
Thank you to Bettas Brilliant Publishing for the free advanced copy. I am voluntarily leaving this review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 stars for me.
A cozy mystery that catch my attention.Prairie Nightingale, PI, looking into her daughter’s best friend cousin who might joined the cult.Nothing is at it seems and soon Prairie uncover more than missing person.I liked Prairie,even as a single mother she wanted to have a good relationship with her ex husband,and her daughter's are very lucky the way she taken care of things.The cult and secrets surronding them left me with chill,for so many years they operate and never get catch.There's a little bit of romantic moments with FBI agent,and maybe Prairie will get her happy ending one day.A good cozy mystery audio,that left me with a warm feeling.
Thank you Brilliance Publishing | Brilliance Audio for audio arc,my review is honest and my own.
A cozy mystery that catch my attention.Prairie Nightingale, PI, looking into her daughter’s best friend cousin who might joined the cult.Nothing is at it seems and soon Prairie uncover more than missing person.I liked Prairie,even as a single mother she wanted to have a good relationship with her ex husband,and her daughter's are very lucky the way she taken care of things.The cult and secrets surronding them left me with chill,for so many years they operate and never get catch.There's a little bit of romantic moments with FBI agent,and maybe Prairie will get her happy ending one day.A good cozy mystery audio,that left me with a warm feeling.
Thank you Brilliance Publishing | Brilliance Audio for audio arc,my review is honest and my own.
August 22, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for an advanced audio copy in exchange for an honest review
This is a really fun cozy mystery. It’s the 3rd book in the series which I didn’t know going in but didn’t feel I was missing anything by starting here! (I will go back and read the first two after this though)
Prairie is a PI who gets a tip about a fishy new business in town which leads to the investigation of a cult and uncovering of years of the same stories.
The twists were good and I loved the characters. Would recommend to cozy mystery fans
This is a really fun cozy mystery. It’s the 3rd book in the series which I didn’t know going in but didn’t feel I was missing anything by starting here! (I will go back and read the first two after this though)
Prairie is a PI who gets a tip about a fishy new business in town which leads to the investigation of a cult and uncovering of years of the same stories.
The twists were good and I loved the characters. Would recommend to cozy mystery fans
September 13, 2026
I got audio of this on netgalley and I somehow missed that this was book 3 in a series. However I can say I was able to read it like a standalone with no issues or questions. I really enjoyed it though and plan on reading books 1 and 2 and adding this to my series lists. I really liked the main character and the side characters. This wasn't a don't know who did it type mystery and it worked. Foster maybe my favorite but I need to read the other books to confirm that. I found this a very easy book to read and enjoyed the writing style.
September 26, 2026
I've been with Prairie since the beginning when Homemaker was released as an Amazon First Read. I loved the first book, was less enthused with the second book, and was skeptical about this book. I did not think I'd be interested in reading about a cult, but was surprised that I did enjoy the book. It kept me interested and engaged. I do find the Prairie and Foster relationship to be unrealistic, too slow, and a little too PG. But as always, I will continue to read about Prairie and her investigations in the next book!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
There are things I really like about this series. The characters are great — Prairie, her chaotic family, the slow-build with Foster — and Mia Hutchinson-Shaw handles the cast well. But three books in, I continue to have a hard time caring about the actual cases. The mysteries feel disconnected from all the character work I'm enjoying, like two separate books running in parallel, and for a mystery series that's kinda key.
I think this is my last go with the series, but it def has its fans.
I think this is my last go with the series, but it def has its fans.
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