thankyou to Netgalley for allowing me to read this book! it was a super fun and silly cosy mystery. Perfect for reading on an afternoon.

Overall, “The Expectant Detective's” is a delightful read, perfect for those looking for a mix of humor, mystery, and heartfelt storytelling. While it may not delve deeply into the complexities of each character or the plausibility of the scenario, it provides a fun and light-hearted escape, ideal for a holiday or a cozy weekend read.

A unusual take on a murder mystery.
Joe and Alice decide to move to a quaint Cotswold village of Pentonville from London while Alice is 38 weeks pregnant . Whilst attending their first eventful birthing class, a labour and a dead body!!!!! The real question is was it natural causes or was it in actual fact a murder?
Alice, Hen, Ailsa and Poppy a group of expectant mothers team up to investigate. they find it seems like everybody in Pentonville are keeping secrets. Will they figure it out??

I found this one to be well plotted, with a host of interesting characters with some nice progression and there is no doubt in my mind that Kat Ailes is a humorous woman because on every page there was underlying humour which left me giggling I look forward to the next book by Kat Ailes.

This cosy mystery is written in a first-person snarky, flippant narrative voice which, in other stories and with other characters, I would usually find a bit try-hard and unfunny, but I immediately clicked with Alice and enjoyed her voice so much that I instantly added the upcoming sequel to my shopping basket on the strength of that one factor alone!

That said, the whole read was really good fun. The mystery is interesting but never takes itself too seriously and there are lots of relatable and amusing shenanigans around the trials of making friends as an adult, especially if you have a tendency to blurt out whatever goes through your head. In fact, it might just be one of the most realistic representations of adult friendship-building I have read, as despite having pregnancy and a murder investigation in common, Alice still finds communication with her new friends awkward and nerve-wracking, and struggles to find the balance between ‘being herself’ and scaring off potential pals with that self!

The mystery plot is well-written, if far-fetched, and definitely kept me guessing throughout, but it is the memorable characters that really shine here. I’ve already rhapsodised about Alice – witty and self-deprecating – but have to make an honourable mention here of Helen the dog too… my current favourite portrayal of canine companion in fiction, perfectly matching her owner’s chaotic energy.

Book 2, Dead Tired, comes out on 6th June 2024 and I cannot wait to see if Alice remains as delightfully scattered as a new mum as she was as a pregnant one!

I was very pleasantly surprised by this book. Lighthearted, funny without being slapstick, with a healthy dose of the ridiculousness of an old-fashioned murder mystery, this was exactly what I needed to read. With a great cast of characters and a likable, curious protagonist, I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun time with a book.

Actual rating: 4.5 *s

A really cute cozy mystery that had me enthralled all the way through. Everything from the plot to the characters drew me in and held me tight

The Expectant Detectives is a fun-filled and enthralling murder mystery that offers more than just a suspenseful puzzle to solve. With well-rounded and (generally) likeable characters, a charming village setting and an amusing exploration of human connections, Kat Ailes delivers a compelling and enjoyable read. Fans of cosy mysteries and those who appreciate stories with a whole lot of humour will find this book to be an excellent addition to their TBR.

A fun, quirky murder mystery set in the English countryside. Characters based around a set of new parents who meet at pre natal classes. The plot was somewhat unrealistic and thin on the ground but I liked the writing and enjoyed the lighter heart moments.

Quirky murder mystery comedy set in the Cotswolds. A typically English light hearted caper but mainly forgettable.

With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review a copy.

Really good read! This is a really cosy, nice mystery you can get into and try to work out the conclusion. The characters are relatable and funny and the story itself isn’t too predictable. Helen is the true star of the book!

Thank you Netgalley

Hilarious mystery about a group of mums. As a mystery loving mum myself, I totally resonated with the characters and loved this book!

A nice cosy crime for lovers of this type of story, still keeps you trying to figure out who did it and why, of course, I did not get it until the end but you might. Wasn’t expecting some bits of the story so it all goes to keeping you turning those pages. I enjoyed this crime and new babies as it made it all a bit different.

This is the love child of a rom-com and a cozy mystery and I enjoyed it as the mix worked well.
Quirky characters, a mystery that kept me guessing and a lot of fun.
It's the first I read by this author and won't surely be the last.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Great twist on a traditional crime story. The characters made me laugh out loud. I throughly enjoyed reading this and look forward to the next book.

This is a fun light hearted book great for a holiday read. Whilst I prefer more depth of story it was enjoyable nonetheless. I'm not sure the story felt overly convincing, both in it's concept and the characterisations, whilst pre-motherhood definitely brings together different personalities with a shared ground, the speed with which this happened and disparity of these characters felt far too forced to me.

Alice and Joe have moved out of London to the Cotswolds. Wanting to fit in and find new friends Alice overwhelmed by the birth of her first child joins all the local classes she can find no matter how unusual. When at the local antenatal class Hen one of the class starts giving birth Alice is not ready for the evening to change to murder. Alice and her class members now under suspicion decide to take matters into their own hands and investigate. There is much lightheartedness and comedy in these pregnant ladies trying to decide if they’re ready for life’s changes. Alice is especially a scatty character with her dog Helen getting into much trouble. Take this as a very lighthearted mystery and you will definitely enjoy.
Thank you NetGalley and (publisher, Bonnier Books UK) for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Reminded me of Richard Osman’s murder club and the Marlow murder club by Robert Thorogood. Only here, the protagonists are not pensioners but pregnant mums!
An easy read that was well written and kept me guessing until the end and even then I hadn’t worked out who the murderer was.
I wonder had this could be followed-up as all the expectant mums hah had their babies by the end! Intrigued to see what the author does next.
Highly recommended,

Oh this book has made me LOL - the author really made all the characters relatable
I really enjoyed this twist on a traditional crime fiction novel and I look forward to reading more!

Thanks to netgalley and publishers for arc
What a joy to read I loved this book from the very start to the very last word. Fantastic writing about Alice a pregnant mum to be and her partner Joe who decide to move out of London and into the country as it will be better for their baby!
So find themselves in this little village with a forest and a few shops and a commune and after a long walk a pub but as Alice can’t drink not much fun for her! But they have enrolled for some anti natal classes so hope to meet some friends there, first meeting is a blast they meet Poppy and her wife Lin nice normal couple. Then there is Aisla who is on her own quite narky ! Then finally Hen and her husband Antonio in his very shiny suit, things get a bit complicated when Hen suddenly goes into labour and promptly gives birth to a baby girl during the session. Alice didn’t intend to watch a child birth video until right before her expected date but has seen it all now. Meanwhile downstairs in the shop owned by mr Oliver there is a commotion it appears he is dead and not off natural causes. So the police are called and a detective Harris comes upstairs to talk to them all, turns out she’s Ailsas sister but in light of fact they were all involved with birth they all had alibi’s
The following day Alice and Poppy meet up for a dog walk and to discuss the previous evening events and the little detectives are started on their mission
To find out more read the book……

I really enjoyed this book! Its a tongue in cheek murder mysery combined with trials and tribulations of first pregnancies!

Alice and her boyfriend Joe are expecting their first baby and have moved out of London to the hippy dippy village of Preston. Despite feeling a bit our of her comfort zone in her new rural home, where the majority of the shops sell essential oils and floaty scarves and all of the cafes are vegan, Alice tries her best to fit in.

Joe, on the otherhand, is a little withdrawn, but she puts it down to nerves about becoming a father (the pregnancy wasnt altogether planned, after all!)

When there is a suspicious death at their first antenatal meeting Alice and her ecletic group of new mum friends distract themselves from their impending birthd by trying to solve the mystery. Could the killer be amnongst their friends and neighbours? And is there a connection with the hippy commune in the forest?

I really liked like the humourous, down-to-earth style of this book A fun read, that keeps you guessing!