Dakota Green is more at home in a horse barn than on a pageant stage, but after learning that her mother’s dying wish was for her daughter to enter the local beauty pageant in Aubergine, Virginia, she reluctantly agrees to compete. After all, that prize money would solve a lot of Dakota’s problems. Sequins and sashes aren’t Dakota’s thing, but luckily she has her Aunt DeeDee to guide her every high-heeled step of the way. But things quickly start going awry; first, a pageant crown is stolen and then the pageant’s owner goes missing, and Aunt DeeDee is the prime suspect. Between present-day hijinks and a decades-old missing pageant winner, Dakota is determined to solve these mysteries, clear Aunt DeeDee’s name, and win the crown (and the prize money!).

This is such a fun cozy mystery! Dakota is endearing as a fish out of water on the pageant scene (imagine if Miss Congeniality was a horse girl), and I loved her pluckiness and amateur sleuthing. Of course I tried to unravel the mystery right alongside Dakota, and I was delighted that I was able to guess some twists but also be totally surprised by others. I love the focus on female relationships, from Dakota’s bestie Lacy, to her fellow contestants Jemma and Summer, and of course sassy Aunt DeeDee. There’s a nice hint of chemistry brewing between Dakota and Sheriff Charlie Strong, and I can’t wait to see where that goes in the next installment, An Heiress’s Guide to Death and Diamonds.


Many thanks to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and the author for providing me an advance copy of this book.

'A Beauty Queen's Guide to Murder and Mayhem' by Kristen Bird is a delightful cozy mystery that blends humor, heart, and a bit of intrigue. The story centers on Dakota Green, a stable hand who reluctantly enters a beauty pageant to fulfill her late mother's last wish. As she swaps her muck boots for high heels, Dakota stumbles upon a decades-old mystery involving a missing beauty queen.

Dakota's dry wit and down-to-earth personality make her a standout character. The beauty pageant setting adds a fun twist, reminiscent of 'Miss Congeniality,' and provides an entertaining backdrop for the mystery. The pacing is brisk, but the story remains engaging with plenty of twists, especially in the epilogue.

Overall, it's a quick, enjoyable read that leaves you wanting more from Dakota Green. I'd give it 4 stars.

Cozy mystery lovers will love this! It was a fun, light murder mystery. At least as fun and light as a murder mystery can be! I had a bit of trouble with the main character and the “pageant girls aren’t just pageant girls” trope.

Amusing story of a girl who enters a beauty pageant in respect of her late mothers wishes. We find out the result of the competition towards the end of the book. I would describe the book as a light hearted pleasant read. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to ARC this book.

3.75 stars rounded up

This is was light(ish) cosy murder mystery - nothing to taxing with easy to like characters that grow over the course of the book.

A Beauty Queen's Guide to Murder and Mayhem (Dakota Green #1) by Kristen Bird is an entertaining cozy mystery set at the opulent Rose Palace in the charming town of Aubergine, Virginia. Dakota Green, a reluctant pageant contestant fulfilling her mother's wishes, finds her plans disrupted when her beloved Aunt DeeDee is arrested. Determined to clear her aunt's name, Dakota must navigate the treacherous waters of the beauty pageant while simultaneously investigating the crime.

The interactions between Dakota and the other pageant contestants were particularly entertaining, ranging from cutthroat competition to surprising moments of camaraderie. I especially enjoyed the interactions between Dakota and the sheriff. The Rose Palace, with its opulent decor and hidden passageways, provided a perfect backdrop for the intrigue, and the small-town charm of Aubergine added to the cozy atmosphere. The mystery unfolded at a satisfying pace, with clues sprinkled throughout the narrative.

I would recommend this book to fans of cozy mysteries who appreciate strong female characters, a touch of humor, and a unique setting. A Beauty Queen's Guide to Murder and Mayhem is a delightful start to what promises to be a captivating series. I eagerly await Dakota's next adventure!

Thank you to Storm Publishing for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Driven by grief from losing her mother, Dakota is following her mother's month 11 letter. This time the letter asks her to compete is a beauty pageant, in her hometown, which carries a significant price money. Dakota reluctantly agrees, beauty pageants are not her thing, but she needs the money. Except there are murders and thefts and her aunt is framed. While competing, Dakota must use her smarts to find out what really happened.

This book was a bit slow as far as the investigation went, but somewhere in the 70% mark just picked up. It was fun to listen to, and I loved all the side characters who support the FMC. The love interest is in a very nascent stage, so more to come on that. An the final month 12 letter was a surprise!!

#netgalley #ABeautyQueensGuidetoMurderandMayhem

I just loved this book so much! Once I started reading this book I just couldn’t put it down and I finished it in a couple of hours. I just loved the story, the characters and how you should never judge a book by its cover as the women in this pageant soon realise. It’s also brilliant that these women had each other’s backs when needed and also realised that you never know what the other person has been through but if you work together then great things can happen.

I would highly recommend reading this book as it’s got everything it’s heartwarming, it has mystery and murder but most of all amazing women who come together when needed too. I really can’t wait to read the next book in this series!

I would like to thank Storm Publishing and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book early as it was amazing!

Dakota Green is happy working with horses and not false eyelashes and contestant evening gowns like her mother. After she lost her mother, her beloved Aunt Dee Dee raised her and insists the only way to raise the money she needs is to win the Rose Palace Beauty Contest. She very reluctantly decides to enter the contest. She is in a totally foreign world to her but with her aunt by her side, she feels ready to try. Until....she is arrested when the pageant owner vanishes. Dakota is happier as an investigator than a beauty pageant contestant, but has to do both.

A mystery told with delightful Southern humor. My first Kristen Bird book I read, I Love it When You Lie, was such a treat - an interesting story told with Southern humor; this book was another treat!

The narrator was the perfect voice for this book!

My thanks to Net Galley, and Storm Publishing for advanced copies of the e-book and audiobook. And a special thanks to author Kristen Bird for a signed copy of her book!

The book is a little slice of madness and all the better for it. Dakota lost her mum 11 months ago and she has had a letter a month from her giving her things to do to get her life back on track. The letter for the eleventh month is all about competing in a beauty pageant, and against her wishes and possibly better judgement, she steps up and goes for it. She has help from her aunt and good friend, and although she states her feminist beliefs gives herself over to the process. The characters described in the pageant are great, some nice, some nasty and some to avoid alone in a lift, but all add depth and frenetic energy and pace to the plot. Worth a good read as this is full of hope and feel goodness.

I love a good mystery with good humor. The characters were great and well written. I enjoyed this book and the authors writing. I will definitely be reading more from this author!

A Beauty Queen's Guide to Murder and Mayhem is the fun new cozy mystery by Kristen Bird. The characters are likable (once the story gets going) and the cozy mystery kept me guessing. I liked that it took place at a beauty pageant and the other contestants really added to the story. Dakota Green's mom died recently of cancer. Dakota is still grieving and has put her life on hold. One of her mom's last wishes is for Dakota to compete in the local beauty pageant. She is working at a stable and has no interest in it. Luckily she has her Aunt DeeDee who works at the pageant, along with her friend Lacy. Dakota becomes friends with a couple of other contestants. These interactions are what make this book so wonderful. The head of the pageant ends up dead and Dakota and her friends do some sleuthing. Dakota meets new Sheriff Charlie Strong and there is some chemistry between them. There are only a few suspects at the pageant but the twists keep it interesting. I really enjoyed this relaxing cozy mystery, the growth of the characters, and the friendships. I'm looking forward to the next book in this wonderful series. #ABeautyQueensGuideToMurderAndMayhem #DakotaGreenMystery #StormPublishing #KristenBird

"Welcome to Aubergine, Virginia, where the mountains are blue, the air is sweet, and the beauty queens have secrets darker than last year's spray tan."

Step into the captivating world of "A Beauty Queen's Guide to Murder and Mayhem" by Kristen Bird, a mystery that promises to warm even the coldest hearts of this genre!

Meet Dakota, a spirited young woman whose life has always revolved around her strong bond with her mother, supported by Aunt Dee Dee's delicious home-cooked meals. But with her mother gone, Dakota finds herself grappling with overwhelming grief and an uncertain future. To ease her pain, her mother left a series of letters, delivered at just the right moments, reminding Dakota of the love that still surrounds her.

As Dakota reads the final letter, reality hits hard. She paused her final year at vet school to care for her ailing mother, and now financial troubles threaten the family farm. When it seems there’s no way out, her mother reveals a wild plan: Dakota has been signed up for the town’s beauty pageant!

The twist? Dakota, with her down-to-earth charm, is the least likely candidate for a Beauty Queen title. Surrounded by glamorous rivals dripping in diamonds and drama, she struggles to find her footing—even with Aunt Dee Dee at her side, guiding her through the glitzy chaos. The contrast is both amusing and endearing.

This delightful and quirky mystery kicks off the Dakota Green series. While it weaves in some romance—something I tend to shy away from—the sharp sarcasm and whimsical humor keep things fresh and engaging. I prefer darker reads, but Dakota's fiery spirit and sassy personality have captured my attention. I can't wait to see what wild escapades await her and the sheriff in the next installment!

Thank you to the author and Storm Publishing for this ARC provided via NetGalley. All opinions are my own and left voluntarily.

This reminded me a bit of Dial A For Aunties although I think this was slightly better. I loved everything about it, it was funny, full of mystery and was everything that I expect ruthless beauty pageants to be.

Such a funny book!! I also enjoyed the mystery as it unravelled, but the highlights really were the fun banter and all the shenanigans that surround a beauty pageant.

To save her family home, vet student Dakota enters a beauty pageant. When her aunt is suspected in the disappearance of the pageant owner, Dakota seeks the truth. Juggling catty contestants, a handsome sheriff, and a decades-old mystery, can Dakota catch a killer before she becomes the next victim?

This is an entertaining story. It’s a bit of a romp, in that it’s over-the-top and not believable. There are humorous moments, but it’s not as funny as I expected. I like Dakota—she’s kind-hearted, smart, and a touch on the cynical side. This is a good start to a new cozy mystery series.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

"A Beauty Queens Guide to Murder and Mayhem" by Kristen Bird is the first book in a new series. This book was well written and made you want to keep reading to figure out who did it.
Dakota is working through a loss and not really living. Her mom wanted to take care of her so she signed her up for a beauty pageant. Dakota is not the type to compete in this type of thing. After the pageant starts things start to go wrong. Dakota is thrown into a mystery as well as the pageant. Can she solve the mystery and take home the prize.
Love the story and the pace of the book.

Such a cosy mystery with great characters! I enjoyed this book and looking forward to the next instalments

I ended up really liking this but I struggled during the first part of the book. I’m not sure why? But after around the middle, I got pretty invested. I liked the characters a lot and who doesn’t love a beauty pageant with a murder? I’m interested in the sequel, and tbh I hope the sheriff comes back. I liked him a lot.

Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the copy of this ARC. This will be out February 28!

This was a funny mystery. Dakota was funny and the rest of the characters were fun and enjoyable too. I thought this was very entertaining and look forward to the next book.