Book Review: Dead Tired | Kat Ailes

Kat Ailes’s debut mystery, The Expectant Detectives, was one of my favorite mysteries I read in the last year. British cozy mysteries hit that sweet spot of light, fun reads that aren’t fluffy and deliver a great mystery. In the first book, we were introduced to a group of expecting mothers who found themselves involved in a murder investigation after an eventful antenatal class. In the follow up, Dead Tired, the new mums have another mystery on their hands.

Where did The Expectant Detectives leave off? (no spoilers)

Alice and her partner Joe had moved from busy London to the sleepy countryside village of Penton when they discovered Alice is pregnant. They are adjusting to country life, and their dog Helen is quite content. Alice met a group of women at her antenatal class who form a close friendship. Poppy is laidback (her partner Lynn is definitely not), Hen is beautiful and uptight, and Alisa is a hippie-ish free spirit. When someone is murdered during their antenatal class, the four expecting mothers decide to play detective. What else do they have to do? A murder is solved, babies are born, and life in Penton calms down…for now.

What is Dead Tired about?

Alice didn’t think maternity leave would involve so much, well, murder. Nearly one year after having their babies, the new mums are trying to enjoy their maternity leave. On a picturesque picnic (which honestly doesn’t live up to the hype), their lunch is disrupted by a very beautiful and very naked couple having a photoshoot done. The pair are protesting the desecration of the meadow to build a wind farm. Even more awkward than the public nudity, it turns out Hen works for Aether, the green energy company they are protesting.

Hen doesn’t mention her affiliation with Aether, and Leila and Raven (the nude couple) invite the four to a planning meeting about the protest (Hen obviously refuses to attend). One thing leads to another and Alice, Poppy, and Alisa find themselves chained to trees alongside the Earth Force members. When Leila is murdered the night of the protest, the four friends can’t help but get involved. Afterall, they have a 100% solve rate for murders (exactly 1 out of 1).

What did I think?

Ailes’s writing and the Expectant Detective mystery series as a whole is such a delight to read. The mysteries are compelling and the reader can follow the clues right alongside the amateur detectives. Alice is a fantastic leading character and narrator. Not only is her commentary hilarious, but the British banter among the friends makes the books have a light and fun feel, despite the murder.

As with the first book in the series, the audiobook is narrated by Kitty Kelly and she perfectly captures Alice’s unique voice. Her cadence delivering Alice’s one-liners is flawless and she brings her character to life. A shout out to one of my favorite small moments in the book, right after Alice learns that nude Raven’s brother is named Sam, she comments on how it is a bit strange their parents would name one Raven and the other Sam. He responds that ‘Raven’ is his chosen name. Later he mentions that Helen is a weird name for a dog, and Alice deadpans “it’s her chosen name”. I laughed out loud!

Alice’s boyfriend Joe takes a backseat for this book, which didn’t detract at all. Alice and the other mums are close friends now, and there was more than enough content surrounding them. As a bonus, Alice’s best friend from London, Maya, makes a strong appearance. And we may be seeing a lot more of Maya, depending on how things play out!

Poppy and Alice’s friendship is one of my favorite parts of the series. As the new book opens, Alice has noticed Poppy seems withdrawn. Hen and Alisa have gotten closer, relying on one another now that both are single moms. All four women have unique personalities, but they work well as a friend group. I was excited to hear there was a second book after loving the first book so much, and it didn’t disappoint. Except when it ended, because I was sad it was over!

I didn’t guess the ending at all, and it was cleverly constructed. In mysteries, it’s nice when the reader can look back and notice that the clues were there all along, we just needed to fit them together. Alice’s superpower is that people underestimate her. She’s funny and kind, but she’s sharp as a tack behind her friendly exterior. The last line has me hoping that there is a third book in the works!

I liked Dead Tired as much as the first book, The Expectant Detectives, which is a high bar! If you haven’t read this series yet, I can’t recommend it enough.

Thank you to Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for my copy. Opinions are my own.