What do you think?
Rate this book
The Better Housekeeping Murders
301 pages, Paperback
Published January 26, 2026
About the author
Rachel Rose
3 books4 followersRachel Rose is a southern girl at heart who now calls upstate New York home. A place where crisp autumn air, small-town charm, and cozy kitchens feel like storybook settings waiting to happen. Though the scenery may have changed, her roots run deep, and the warmth, humor, and strength of southern women shape everything she writes.
Her grandmothers were the greatest influences in her life, and readers will find pieces of both of them living inside Agatha. Their resilience, wit, quiet wisdom, and “don’t mess with my people” spirit helped inspire the clever, capable women who fill Rachel’s stories.
Rachel has been married for 20 years to her high school sweetheart and is a proud mom of two. Her home is lively, a little chaotic, and full of love; not just from her family, but from her many dogs and cats who firmly believe they run the place. Writing often happens with a pet nearby and an iced latte within reach.
She fell in love with reading through cozy mysteries and romance novels, and those influences still guide her storytelling today. Her books blend heart, humor, small-town life, layered friendships, and a touch of mischief — the kind of stories that feel comforting until they surprise you.
When she’s not writing, Rachel loves going to festivals, singing while she cooks, experimenting in the kitchen, and soaking up the little everyday moments that often find their way onto the page. She believes the best stories come from ordinary life with a twist: a warm kitchen, a close-knit community, a strong woman… and maybe a secret or two.
Her grandmothers were the greatest influences in her life, and readers will find pieces of both of them living inside Agatha. Their resilience, wit, quiet wisdom, and “don’t mess with my people” spirit helped inspire the clever, capable women who fill Rachel’s stories.
Rachel has been married for 20 years to her high school sweetheart and is a proud mom of two. Her home is lively, a little chaotic, and full of love; not just from her family, but from her many dogs and cats who firmly believe they run the place. Writing often happens with a pet nearby and an iced latte within reach.
She fell in love with reading through cozy mysteries and romance novels, and those influences still guide her storytelling today. Her books blend heart, humor, small-town life, layered friendships, and a touch of mischief — the kind of stories that feel comforting until they surprise you.
When she’s not writing, Rachel loves going to festivals, singing while she cooks, experimenting in the kitchen, and soaking up the little everyday moments that often find their way onto the page. She believes the best stories come from ordinary life with a twist: a warm kitchen, a close-knit community, a strong woman… and maybe a secret or two.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 5, 2026
Cozy winter read!
It's always a treat to find a new series. This new author has started out with a bang! At first glance it seems like a cozy murder mystery, but then it gradually starts to become a reflection and commentary of current headlines.
The main character gives vibes of Jessica Fletcher (from Murder She Wrote) with undertones of Kay Scarpetta and a pinch of Giulia Tofana for spice. I am here to fully support this Vengence Granny and can't wait for the next book!
It's always a treat to find a new series. This new author has started out with a bang! At first glance it seems like a cozy murder mystery, but then it gradually starts to become a reflection and commentary of current headlines.
The main character gives vibes of Jessica Fletcher (from Murder She Wrote) with undertones of Kay Scarpetta and a pinch of Giulia Tofana for spice. I am here to fully support this Vengence Granny and can't wait for the next book!
April 30, 2026
I'd like to say that this book was exactly the type of book we need right now.
Especially with all this stuff going on in this world where bad men are getting away with things that they probably should not be allowed to get away with.
I love the coziness of all of the autumn events and all of the home cooking with a dog by her side that is the life of Agatha.
But this Granny cannot be mistaken for a pushover. In fact I absolutely love the fact that she has a double life. What sort of double life can she possibly be leading?
The type of life that doesn't put up with criminal men anymore. The type of life that wants the bad guys to get what's coming to him. This granny takes out pedophiles and abusers.
If I had to describe this book, I would use the words feminine rage, vigilante style, and the coziest life you could imagine living under the radar.
Our other main character is somebody who goes by the rules and always tries to stop the bad guys via the system but has to later on try to understand the whole picture.
At first all she wants to do is catch the person staging suicides. Once she realizes what is really going on in her own community that's when she lets loose from her ideas and starts to trust in Agatha.
There's not much else I can say about this novella without giving more details about the main plot. I will tell you that I absolutely loved the humor, comfort, and sense of justice it provides.
Gifted copy. My opinion is mine.
Especially with all this stuff going on in this world where bad men are getting away with things that they probably should not be allowed to get away with.
I love the coziness of all of the autumn events and all of the home cooking with a dog by her side that is the life of Agatha.
But this Granny cannot be mistaken for a pushover. In fact I absolutely love the fact that she has a double life. What sort of double life can she possibly be leading?
The type of life that doesn't put up with criminal men anymore. The type of life that wants the bad guys to get what's coming to him. This granny takes out pedophiles and abusers.
If I had to describe this book, I would use the words feminine rage, vigilante style, and the coziest life you could imagine living under the radar.
Our other main character is somebody who goes by the rules and always tries to stop the bad guys via the system but has to later on try to understand the whole picture.
At first all she wants to do is catch the person staging suicides. Once she realizes what is really going on in her own community that's when she lets loose from her ideas and starts to trust in Agatha.
There's not much else I can say about this novella without giving more details about the main plot. I will tell you that I absolutely loved the humor, comfort, and sense of justice it provides.
Gifted copy. My opinion is mine.
April 5, 2026
Rachel rose writes a darkly funny mystery that had me intrigued. Agatha graycobble is the little old lady I want to grow into - she bakes, volunteers and takes out the trash. The trash in this instance just happens to be some very bad men.
Enter detective April Carter- single mum to Elliot and Becca. when April and Agatha’s worlds merge, it should be a recipe for disaster. However, as april uncovers more about the men in her town she starts to question everything she knows.
If you’re a fan of a good mystery with cozy vibes, i highly recommend this. I loved Rose’s sensory descriptions and ability to craft strong female leads.
I can’t for book two which releases soon.
Enter detective April Carter- single mum to Elliot and Becca. when April and Agatha’s worlds merge, it should be a recipe for disaster. However, as april uncovers more about the men in her town she starts to question everything she knows.
If you’re a fan of a good mystery with cozy vibes, i highly recommend this. I loved Rose’s sensory descriptions and ability to craft strong female leads.
I can’t for book two which releases soon.
March 28, 2026
This is a sweet, sentimental novel that is a mix of Hallmark holiday film and 90s suspense thriller. The character of Agatha embodies the stereotypical kind, maternal southern lady with a dark secret. The plot involves some terrifying crimes that hit close to reality with what you see in the news. A great read.
May 12, 2026
I enjoyed the way that the author really allowed you to visualize throughout her book. She is very descriptive. I love how it's a mystery thrown into everyday life. There's some stories around the mystery, it's not just totally focused on the mystery. You learn about the characters and their lives. I enjoyed the anticipation as the case built up!
May 5, 2026
I picked this up thinking I was getting a cozy mystery with a cute grandma and some light drama…
What I got was a baking, gardening, casserole-making grandmother who also might be quietly eliminating terrible men—and somehow I was completely on board?? 😂
Agatha Graycobble is that character. Sweet on the outside, but there’s a whole other layer there that you don’t fully see coming. And the wild part is… the more you learn, the more you’re like “okay but… I get it.” Which probably says more about me than it should.
The vibe of this book is what really got me. It’s cozy, but not soft. You’ve got small-town life, fall events, home-cooked meals, a dog… all the things that should make this feel light. But underneath that, it’s dealing with some pretty dark, real-world issues—and it actually works.
Then you have April, who is trying to do everything by the book, follow the rules, trust the system… and watching her slowly start to question all of that was one of my favorite parts. Her dynamic with Agatha is what makes the story.
I flew through this. It’s one of those “just one more chapter” books that turns into finishing half of it in one sitting. It’s not super twist-heavy, but it doesn’t need to be. The characters carry it.
And honestly? I wasn’t ready to leave them when it ended. Agatha especially—I’m already committed to whatever she does next.
If I had to describe it: cozy mystery meets feminine rage… but make it subtle, slightly chaotic, and weirdly comforting.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is such a solid start to a series, and I’m definitely continuing.
What I got was a baking, gardening, casserole-making grandmother who also might be quietly eliminating terrible men—and somehow I was completely on board?? 😂
Agatha Graycobble is that character. Sweet on the outside, but there’s a whole other layer there that you don’t fully see coming. And the wild part is… the more you learn, the more you’re like “okay but… I get it.” Which probably says more about me than it should.
The vibe of this book is what really got me. It’s cozy, but not soft. You’ve got small-town life, fall events, home-cooked meals, a dog… all the things that should make this feel light. But underneath that, it’s dealing with some pretty dark, real-world issues—and it actually works.
Then you have April, who is trying to do everything by the book, follow the rules, trust the system… and watching her slowly start to question all of that was one of my favorite parts. Her dynamic with Agatha is what makes the story.
I flew through this. It’s one of those “just one more chapter” books that turns into finishing half of it in one sitting. It’s not super twist-heavy, but it doesn’t need to be. The characters carry it.
And honestly? I wasn’t ready to leave them when it ended. Agatha especially—I’m already committed to whatever she does next.
If I had to describe it: cozy mystery meets feminine rage… but make it subtle, slightly chaotic, and weirdly comforting.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is such a solid start to a series, and I’m definitely continuing.
April 10, 2026
Wow, this book was so much more than I thought it was going to be! I was excited to read a cozy mystery about a grandmother type (gotta love a southern woman named Agatha) who may be more than she seems and a police detective/single mom who could use a “bonus grandmother” right about now. But I wasn’t expecting a serial killer, a crime ring, and a lifelong plan for vengeance. This was fantastic! This might be the best “cozy” that I’ve read in a really long time. I can’t wait for book 2!! 5 ⭐️
March 30, 2026
Super cute read!!! It was fun, did have a few tears, and overall ALoT of enjoyment!! April a detective runs into Agatha, a sweet old lady who has alternative plans. Men, bad men keep coming up missing. You really need to read!! Highly recommend!! Super cute and can’t wait to read more!! Once I started I didn’t want to put down!
April 17, 2026
Agatha is absolute perfection and honestly, this book just completely wrecked me! I thought I knew where the story was going, but the twists totally caught me off guard and had me in tears by the end. It’s such a gritty, wild ride that I couldn’t put down—definitely a new favorite for my mystery shelf.
May 8, 2026
Fantastic!
This is a new to me author & series. I definitely will be reading more. Great story & interesting characters. A few twists you won’t see coming and will leave you wanting more.
This is a new to me author & series. I definitely will be reading more. Great story & interesting characters. A few twists you won’t see coming and will leave you wanting more.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews