Kat Ailes published The Expectant Detectives in 2023. I bought in sometime thereafter and it came off the TBR pile briefly in 2025 before everything became sunny side up in my life. By briefly, the bookmark was at page 9. So, when travelling to Houston last week to help ready a nursery for the next little one expected, I popped the book into the carry-on. I am glad I did. The book is a delightful cozy mystery.

Joe and very pregnant Alice leave the busy and expensive city of London for the small burg of Penton in order to give their baby-to-be a better life. It is an adjustment. Rural life is not as tranquil as one might think. Murder strikes at the first birthing class, and Alice gets swept up into “detectoring” along with the other expectant moms.

The diverse group of expectant women are split between those new to the community and those native to the area. Their search for the murderer is complicated by events that happened in the distant past. And the bonds formed among the group are strong.

Ailes successfully develops each character. The wide range of personalities adds to the story and brings realism to the novel. This provides room for the surprises at the end of the book. It also gives readers multiple characters to defend.

I enjoyed the subtleties of Ailes’ British humor. However, there is a learning curve to the language differences. British and U.S. English are not identical. Dry humor is a key part of the personalities of the moms. However, for the most part readers will understand.

I thoroughly enjoyed this cozy murder. While I missed the clues to the murderer, the other complexities were spotted. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and hope to put the sequel, Dead Tired, on my TBR list.