Title: MOTHER DAUGHTER MURDER NIGHT
Author: Nina Simon
ISBN: 978 0063 3150 44
Publisher: William Morrow
Pages: 357
Source: Private Copy
buddy read
Nothing brings a family together like a murder next door.
A lighthearted whodunnit about a grandmother-mother-daughter trio of amateur sleuths. Gilmore Girls, but with murder.
High-powered businesswoman Lana Rubicon has a lot to be proud her keen intelligence, impeccable taste, and the L.A. real estate empire she’s built. But when she finds herself trapped 300 miles north of the city, convalescing in a sleepy coastal town with her adult daughter Beth and teenage granddaughter Jack, Lana is stuck counting otters instead of square footage—and hoping that boredom won’t kill her before cancer does.
Then Jack—tiny in stature but fiercely independent—happens upon a dead body while kayaking. She quickly becomes a suspect in the homicide investigation, and the Rubicon women are thrown into chaos. Beth thinks Lana should focus on recovery, but Lana has a better idea. She’ll pull on her wig, find the true murderer, protect her family, and prove she still has power. With Jack and Beth’s help, Lana uncovers a web of lies, family vendettas, and land disputes lurking beneath the surface of a community populated by folksy conservationists and wealthy ranchers. But as their amateur snooping advances into ever-more dangerous territory, the headstrong Rubicon women must learn to do the one thing they’ve always depended on each other.
Official Summary
30 January 2024
I am ending off the month of January with the last Buddy Read Alicia and I shared before she left for the States. As I am putting this blog post together, she has been away for almost a week and I am missing her terribly…. But I will not allow myself to get all emotional. Here are our thoughts on this one:
Alicia's Review
This book follows Lana, Beth and Jack. A grandmother, a mother and a daughter. After Lana is diagnosed with cancer she decides to move in with her daughter and granddaughter, Beth and Jack. After a while, Jack seems to get herself in trouble as she finds a dead body at work. Lana decides to get Jack off the suspect list she will solve the case.
I liked the descriptive parts we get throughout the book of the area. I think more so because we don’t have any of that specific type of environment locally. I always think it is super cool to learn something from a book.
I loved all the different personalities the characters had. I liked the Grandmother, Lana the most but I can understand where Beth comes from when dealing with her mother. I am also slightly certain the author has never met a fifteen-year-old girl before because Jack was way too mature for a fifteen-year-old. Other than that I honestly loved the dynamic between the three women. I loved the more realistic relationship, instead of everything always being sunshine and rainbows,
This will be our last buddy read, where we are under the same roof so that’s super sad. But overall this book was a gripping and entertaining read. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a cosy fun read.
Zelda's Review
This book combines a delightful and light-hearted whodunnit that combines charm and murder mystery. The story revolves around the Rubicon women – Lana, a high-powered businesswoman, her adult daughter Beth, and her teenage granddaughter Jack – who find themselves entangled in a murder investigation while Lana is recovering in a sleepy coastal town.
The novel kicks off with Lana Rubicon, accustomed to the hustle and bustle of L.A., forced to slow down due to illness. The Rubicon women’s lives take an unexpected turn when Jack, the fiercely independent granddaughter, stumbles upon a dead body during a kayaking adventure. As Jack becomes a suspect in the investigation, the trio of amateur sleuths embarks on a journey to uncover the truth behind the homicide.
The characters, bring humour, wit, and a unique dynamic to the narrative. Lana’s determination to seize control of the situation, even in the face of illness, adds a touch of resilience to the story. Beth’s concern for her mother’s health and Jack’s spunky and independent spirit contribute to a well-rounded ensemble of amateur detectives.
My only complaint will be that Jack was only 15, and her maturity in the story is way beyond her years. Unfortunately, that was a little unrealistic.
However, the author’s storytelling is engaging, with a plot that weaves together family dynamics, murder mystery, and a touch of local intrigue. The coastal town setting adds a picturesque backdrop to the unfolding drama, blending quaint charm with a web of lies, family vendettas, and land disputes. The author cleverly incorporates the Rubicon women’s amateur sleuthing into the narrative, creating a sense of camaraderie as they navigate the complexities of the case.
As the trio’s investigation delves into dangerous territory, the novel cleverly explores the theme of dependency and the strength of familial bonds. The Rubicon women learn to rely on each other in new and unexpected ways, enhancing the emotional depth of the story.
“Mother Daughter Murder Night” is a delightful and entertaining read that strikes a perfect balance between mystery and family dynamics. Nina Simon’s witty writing, engaging characters, and blend of humour and suspense make this novel a charming addition to the cosy mystery genre.
About the Author
Author bio from the author’s site
Nina Simon writes crime fiction about strong women. She is the New York Times-bestselling author of Mother-Daughter Murder Night. This big-hearted whodunnit is a Reese’s Book Club pick and a “best of 2023” selection for Amazon, Barnes & Noble, CrimeReads, and LibraryJournal.Before turning to fiction, Nina wore many hats: NASA engineer, slam poet, game designer, museum director, and nonprofit CEO. Her work on community participation in museums, libraries, parks, and theatres has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, NPR, and the TEDx stage. Mother-Daughter Murder Night is Nina’s first novel. She wrote it as a love letter to her mother, as a way to entertain, comfort, and connect with her during a major health crisis. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Nina now lives off-the-grid in the Santa Cruz Mountains with her family.
Thank you, Alicia, for sharing this book with me. I love having you share your opinions while reading a book and this one made me smile. Our next buddy read will have to be a long-distance one – but I am sure we can make it work. Love and miss you!
Thank you for visiting the blog and reading our reviews. Your support is much appreciated. Until next time…. Happy Reading!
