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The Lainey Maynard Mystery Series #1
The Family Tree Murders
The email from her friend…
…had Lainey worried.
Why was Mary so upset over a DNA test?
Lainey needed a change after her husband’s death. The quaint town of Mirror Falls, nestled among the lakes of northern Minnesota, was the perfect spot. She made some quirky friends. It was a restful life…
until the email.
Mary had done it as a lark. It might be fun to find out her family’s history. When the DNA test came back, everything changed. The brother she loved was only her half-brother. And, it seemed, he was next in line for a substantial inheritance…
or murder.
As a successful insurance fraud investigator, Lainey had worked out more than her fair share of sinister plots, but this was different. With the help of her quirky friends, she’s determined to figure out who’s been trimming off branches of the family tree.
Will they find the murderer before he kills again?
You’ll love this cozy mystery, because the characters are delightful, and the twists will keep you turning the pages.
Get it now.
…had Lainey worried.
Why was Mary so upset over a DNA test?
Lainey needed a change after her husband’s death. The quaint town of Mirror Falls, nestled among the lakes of northern Minnesota, was the perfect spot. She made some quirky friends. It was a restful life…
until the email.
Mary had done it as a lark. It might be fun to find out her family’s history. When the DNA test came back, everything changed. The brother she loved was only her half-brother. And, it seemed, he was next in line for a substantial inheritance…
or murder.
As a successful insurance fraud investigator, Lainey had worked out more than her fair share of sinister plots, but this was different. With the help of her quirky friends, she’s determined to figure out who’s been trimming off branches of the family tree.
Will they find the murderer before he kills again?
You’ll love this cozy mystery, because the characters are delightful, and the twists will keep you turning the pages.
Get it now.
212 pages, Paperback
Published September 10, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
May 2, 2023
OK but with issues
As a Minnesotan, I wanted to like this book, but found it just OK. The story line was pretty unbelievable, with the police officer just overlooking a lot of Lainie’s questionable/illegal investigational activities. The book was riddled with typos and grammatical/punctuation errors, which was very distracting. It was difficult to tell who was speaking in numerous passages of dialogue. A paragraph would end with close quotes, then a new paragraph would begin with open quotes, indicating a different person was speaking, but it was the same speaker continuing on. Please don’t ruin the story with a lack of good proofreading!
As a Minnesotan, I wanted to like this book, but found it just OK. The story line was pretty unbelievable, with the police officer just overlooking a lot of Lainie’s questionable/illegal investigational activities. The book was riddled with typos and grammatical/punctuation errors, which was very distracting. It was difficult to tell who was speaking in numerous passages of dialogue. A paragraph would end with close quotes, then a new paragraph would begin with open quotes, indicating a different person was speaking, but it was the same speaker continuing on. Please don’t ruin the story with a lack of good proofreading!
January 28, 2020
Lainey Maynard is asked to investigate the allegedly accidental deaths of two men who are half-brothers to her client Mary's own brother. With the assistance of her "Whoopee" widows group, she resolves the issue that has been weighing on the mind of Mary and justice prevails.
This was a solid read. As always, I had a few quibbles with the ending but not enough to spoil my enjoyment. Several leaps of deduction were made that I couldn't quite countenance. Lainey took risks and came perilously close to breaking the law. On the plus side, there never was a dull moment and I may have bitten a fingernail or two as she put herself in jeopardy to wrap things up.
The teaser for the prequel ( Curtain Call At Brooksey's Playhouse: The Prequel A Lainey Maynard Mystery Series) at the end of my e-copy looked really enticing. Yet another book for my "To Read" pile.
This was a solid read. As always, I had a few quibbles with the ending but not enough to spoil my enjoyment. Several leaps of deduction were made that I couldn't quite countenance. Lainey took risks and came perilously close to breaking the law. On the plus side, there never was a dull moment and I may have bitten a fingernail or two as she put herself in jeopardy to wrap things up.
The teaser for the prequel ( Curtain Call At Brooksey's Playhouse: The Prequel A Lainey Maynard Mystery Series) at the end of my e-copy looked really enticing. Yet another book for my "To Read" pile.
September 15, 2019
The money trap
A good read. Okay it did stretch belief a bit but all the same it was a well thought out and well constructed plot. The characters though still seem a bit unreal. They need a bit more work to really become alive.
A message to investigate has her perplexed. She is an insurance investigator. Nevertheless she arranges a meeting and is told that two deaths that have occurred recently are murder and that the woman fears for the surviving member of the family (a very wealthy and prominent family) and her own brother. Who according to a recent DNA test is part of that family. The problem is that no-one is taking her claims seriously and that apart from what she can find on the net she has no other information to give her. Throw in a close group of friends, stealing police reports and an illegal search. Can she find the evidence? But will it be too late?
A good read. Okay it did stretch belief a bit but all the same it was a well thought out and well constructed plot. The characters though still seem a bit unreal. They need a bit more work to really become alive.
A message to investigate has her perplexed. She is an insurance investigator. Nevertheless she arranges a meeting and is told that two deaths that have occurred recently are murder and that the woman fears for the surviving member of the family (a very wealthy and prominent family) and her own brother. Who according to a recent DNA test is part of that family. The problem is that no-one is taking her claims seriously and that apart from what she can find on the net she has no other information to give her. Throw in a close group of friends, stealing police reports and an illegal search. Can she find the evidence? But will it be too late?
March 26, 2026
The Family Tree Murders is a charmingly twisty cozy mystery that blends small‑town warmth with just enough danger to keep the pages turning. Lainey Maynard arrives in Mirror Falls hoping for a fresh start after losing her husband, but the peace she’s craving doesn’t last long. One worried email from her friend Mary — all because of a simple DNA test — is enough to tug Lainey straight into a tangle of family secrets, inheritance drama, and the unsettling possibility that someone is pruning the family tree a little too literally.
Lainey is instantly likeable: steady, sharp, and quietly resilient, with the kind of practical instincts that come from years of untangling insurance fraud. Watching her slip back into investigative mode feels natural, especially with the help of her wonderfully quirky circle of friends. Their banter adds a lovely warmth to the story, softening the edges of the darker moments without ever undermining the stakes.
The mystery itself is delightfully layered — a mix of old grudges, unexpected revelations, and the kind of small‑town gossip that always seems harmless until it isn’t. The DNA‑test twist gives the plot a fresh, modern hook, and the pacing stays brisk as Lainey pieces together who stands to gain… and who might be desperate enough to kill.
What makes the book so enjoyable is its balance: light without being fluffy, clever without being convoluted, and filled with characters who feel like people you’d happily spend an afternoon with. It’s the kind of cozy mystery that wraps you in comfort even as it nudges you toward the next clue.
Warm, witty, and quietly suspenseful, The Family Tree Murders is a delightful start to a new series — and a reminder that in small towns, secrets have deep roots.
With thanks to Laura Hern, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Lainey is instantly likeable: steady, sharp, and quietly resilient, with the kind of practical instincts that come from years of untangling insurance fraud. Watching her slip back into investigative mode feels natural, especially with the help of her wonderfully quirky circle of friends. Their banter adds a lovely warmth to the story, softening the edges of the darker moments without ever undermining the stakes.
The mystery itself is delightfully layered — a mix of old grudges, unexpected revelations, and the kind of small‑town gossip that always seems harmless until it isn’t. The DNA‑test twist gives the plot a fresh, modern hook, and the pacing stays brisk as Lainey pieces together who stands to gain… and who might be desperate enough to kill.
What makes the book so enjoyable is its balance: light without being fluffy, clever without being convoluted, and filled with characters who feel like people you’d happily spend an afternoon with. It’s the kind of cozy mystery that wraps you in comfort even as it nudges you toward the next clue.
Warm, witty, and quietly suspenseful, The Family Tree Murders is a delightful start to a new series — and a reminder that in small towns, secrets have deep roots.
With thanks to Laura Hern, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
April 16, 2026
📱📖 Read on Kindle
📃 212 pages
⏱ Duration: 3 hours
🏷️ Publisher: Self Published (Sept 10, 2019)
ARC provided by NetGalley
Here's the thing about small-town cozy mysteries: they live or die on the town. Mirror Falls had all the ingredients: a recently widowed protagonist starting over, a cast of quirky locals, a cold Minnesota setting practically begging for comfort reads and hot beverages. I was ready to settle in. The premise hooked me: Lainey, sharp ex-investigator, probes family secrets after Mary's test bombshell. Neat resolution ties it up, sure.
And then the story decided it was in a hurry. The rapid-fire events steamrolled everything. Situations piled up without breathing room, leaving characters as sketches, not folks you'd root for over coffee. No time to bond with Mirror Falls or feel the stakes. it all blurred into a hasty sprint. Pacing this breakneck kills the cozy heart. The DNA ancestry hook is genuinely clever, and inheritance-gone-wrong is a premise with real tension. But clever premise and satisfying execution are two different things, and this book doesn't quite bridge the gap.
I didn't finish this one wanting more time in Mirror Falls, which is rarely a good sign for book one of a series.
Would I recommend it?
This one didn't land. Loose plot rushes through DNA twists without lovable characters or relatable stakes, despite tidy ending. Skipping the Lainey Maynard series. No pull to chase more Mirror Falls mayhem.
📃 212 pages
⏱ Duration: 3 hours
🏷️ Publisher: Self Published (Sept 10, 2019)
ARC provided by NetGalley
Here's the thing about small-town cozy mysteries: they live or die on the town. Mirror Falls had all the ingredients: a recently widowed protagonist starting over, a cast of quirky locals, a cold Minnesota setting practically begging for comfort reads and hot beverages. I was ready to settle in. The premise hooked me: Lainey, sharp ex-investigator, probes family secrets after Mary's test bombshell. Neat resolution ties it up, sure.
And then the story decided it was in a hurry. The rapid-fire events steamrolled everything. Situations piled up without breathing room, leaving characters as sketches, not folks you'd root for over coffee. No time to bond with Mirror Falls or feel the stakes. it all blurred into a hasty sprint. Pacing this breakneck kills the cozy heart. The DNA ancestry hook is genuinely clever, and inheritance-gone-wrong is a premise with real tension. But clever premise and satisfying execution are two different things, and this book doesn't quite bridge the gap.
I didn't finish this one wanting more time in Mirror Falls, which is rarely a good sign for book one of a series.
Would I recommend it?
This one didn't land. Loose plot rushes through DNA twists without lovable characters or relatable stakes, despite tidy ending. Skipping the Lainey Maynard series. No pull to chase more Mirror Falls mayhem.
Read
April 15, 2024Read as far as 15%. Not for me.
Amazon synopsis:
Lainey needed a change after her husband died and the quaint town of Mirror Falls, MN, was just the ticket. But the email worried her. Why was Mary so upset about a DNA test?
Mary had done it as a lark. It might be fun to find out about her family’s history. When the DNA test came back, everything changed. Was her brother next in line for a substantial inheritance...or be setup for murder?
As a seasoned insurance investigator, Lainey had worked out more than her fair share of sinister plots, but this was different. With the help of her quirky friends, she’s determined to figure out who’s been trimming off branches of the family tree.
Amazon synopsis:
Lainey needed a change after her husband died and the quaint town of Mirror Falls, MN, was just the ticket. But the email worried her. Why was Mary so upset about a DNA test?
Mary had done it as a lark. It might be fun to find out about her family’s history. When the DNA test came back, everything changed. Was her brother next in line for a substantial inheritance...or be setup for murder?
As a seasoned insurance investigator, Lainey had worked out more than her fair share of sinister plots, but this was different. With the help of her quirky friends, she’s determined to figure out who’s been trimming off branches of the family tree.
April 10, 2026
The Family Tree Murders by Laura Hern is a lighthearted cozy mystery suitable for leisurely reading. The narrative is accessible and can typically be completed within two to three hours, spanning 210 pages. The story covers all six typical plot points, but the characters—especially the protagonist—are not well developed. The dialogue was often awkward. The mystery was straightforward, and I solved it early on. As expected, Lainey takes risks and does things that would normally get a person arrested (or end up in the morgue). Some details seemed implausible, and it was often unclear which character was speaking. I hope the author resolves these issues in the next The Lainey Maynard Mysteries.
May 9, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book. Lainey Maynard is an insurance investigator whose company will take a few "side" jobs. Mary Chase contacts Lainey, fearing her brother's life is in jail.
I liked the premise of a fraud investigator but was not a fan of the author's style. There were many instances of the author telling details rather than describing events, characters, or action. I am also not a fan of mysteries where the detective knows how the criminal is but takes a third of a book getting evidence to prove his/her hypothesis. I don't believe I will continue with the series.
I liked the premise of a fraud investigator but was not a fan of the author's style. There were many instances of the author telling details rather than describing events, characters, or action. I am also not a fan of mysteries where the detective knows how the criminal is but takes a third of a book getting evidence to prove his/her hypothesis. I don't believe I will continue with the series.
May 5, 2023
Everything a cozy should be. Lainey gets tapped by a friend to look into a series of accidental deaths she believes is anything but. After convincing the family to submit DNA to a site, it is revealed there is more to Doug than the family knew. He's a half-brother it seems, and his relatives on the other side are wealthy - and dying at an alarming rate.
The story started a bit slow but once the mystery got going the pace picked up and the story took off. The ending came together, all loose ends properly tied, and was quite satisfying. Nice little read.
The story started a bit slow but once the mystery got going the pace picked up and the story took off. The ending came together, all loose ends properly tied, and was quite satisfying. Nice little read.
March 10, 2024
A pleasant enough afternoon read. For one who reads over 50 cozy mysteries a year, I found it pretty much average. It hits most of the plot points of a cozy mystery, but I doubt I'll remember next week any of the characters or dialogue. As in many such stories, the "heroine" breaks promises and takes risks that would get a normal person jailed or dead, but it's necessary to advance the desired plot points.
June 14, 2020
A new author for me. I was curious to read it because I am a genealogist fanand found it interesting to see how the story was woven around the family tree. To me it was rather obvious who the culprit was from the beginning and one or two aspects of law and investigation were stretched a bit. Nevertheless I enjoyed the book and look forward to the next in the series.
November 19, 2023
I enjoyed this book. The characters were different, and interesting. The plot is easily followed, and the premise was listening to a woman who was sure her brother was in danger. Don't scoff guys at women's intuition! I will never understand the evil in some people, but I am glad they were caught and stopped. I definitely recommend this book.
January 18, 2024
Hern is new to me, but I'm having a great time
I will admit upfront that I like series books. When an author can make the characters Interesting I'm in. This series fills all my wishes. The characters are interesting. The plots are well designed. I also like it that the focus is on what's happening without adding excess gore. I really hope you like them as much as I do.
I will admit upfront that I like series books. When an author can make the characters Interesting I'm in. This series fills all my wishes. The characters are interesting. The plots are well designed. I also like it that the focus is on what's happening without adding excess gore. I really hope you like them as much as I do.
July 28, 2024
This was a really good cozy, it had everything-great story(really different than the usual cozy) I loved it. The characters were just quirky enough to make it interesting but smart enough to know what they were taking about. I can't wait to read another book by Laura Hern if all her books are as good as this one I know I won't be disappointed.
April 30, 2026
This was a fun read! Lainey and the Whoopi group had my attention from the beginning and I couldn’t put it down. Lainey is an investigator who I definitely want to hear more about in her continuing cases and I just downloaded her next book. The women in the Whoopie group are entertaining and my kind of gals. I would love to hang out with them!
March 23, 2021
Although I enjoyed reading this book, I think I would have liked it more if the characters had been fleshed out more. And, the title is a little deceiving. Lainey does use the family tree info to solve the case but she doesn't do a lot of investigation into it herself.
June 13, 2023
The plot of this sounded absolutely up my street, but the style of writing made it super hard to read. The dialogue was stilted and didn't come across as how people naturally talk at all and the prose itself was disjointed. There were also countless spelling errors.
Unfortunately, not for me.
Unfortunately, not for me.
August 19, 2023
Great read
This story moved right along, with a fun and helpful bunch of friends who were able to add their skill sets to figure o lolut what was going on and get the bad guys. A fun book!
This story moved right along, with a fun and helpful bunch of friends who were able to add their skill sets to figure o lolut what was going on and get the bad guys. A fun book!
November 6, 2023
great book
New author and series for me. I liked the book, characters, setting. Lainey investigates insurance fraud for her job. But she gets asked to investigate the murder of 2 brothers..already downloaded the next book
New author and series for me. I liked the book, characters, setting. Lainey investigates insurance fraud for her job. But she gets asked to investigate the murder of 2 brothers..already downloaded the next book
August 20, 2024
The Family Tree Murders( The Mainly Maynard Mystery series book 1
Lainey is very smart ,a klutz,and a little too adventurous. This makes this book quite exciting and is a great mystery.
Lainey is very smart ,a klutz,and a little too adventurous. This makes this book quite exciting and is a great mystery.
March 1, 2025
Fun little mystery
Lainey Maynard is investigating possible double murders that were originally called accidental. Good clean book that is a quick read.
▪️Language - None
▪️Sex scenes - None
▪️Violence - Reference to a beating, but not graphic
Lainey Maynard is investigating possible double murders that were originally called accidental. Good clean book that is a quick read.
▪️Language - None
▪️Sex scenes - None
▪️Violence - Reference to a beating, but not graphic
April 3, 2026
First short story by a new-to-me author. The story was fun, but there were a few formatting errors in the kindle download from Netgalley which made it hard to follow sometimes. All in all a good, entertaining, short read.
March 10, 2020
Recieved a free copy from author for a review. Loved the story and Lainey and all the characters that help her to solve the mystery.
May 18, 2023
Who killed the Sullivan brothers and why??? Of course - the Sullivan money!!! I enjoyed this story and the Irish Creme in my coffee and recommended the book.
September 11, 2023
great read
Glad I’ve found a new series to read. Enjoyed reading this first book very much. Looking forward to rest in series.
Glad I’ve found a new series to read. Enjoyed reading this first book very much. Looking forward to rest in series.
October 27, 2023
Ok but for some reason it was not interesting enough to read the next book in series
November 23, 2023
3.5 stars
December 25, 2023
Hard to put down and hard to forget
Enjoyed thoroughly. Found myself trying to get one step ahead as with list mysteries I read and instead ended up just enjoying the plot.
Enjoyed thoroughly. Found myself trying to get one step ahead as with list mysteries I read and instead ended up just enjoying the plot.
February 10, 2024
I loved this book. The only downside it was too short. The characters are relatable, not overly confident but not stupid either.
May 14, 2024
Interesting read
What's not to like, a lovely easy story to follow very entertaining and kept me interested till the last page
What's not to like, a lovely easy story to follow very entertaining and kept me interested till the last page
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews