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Maternal Instincts Mystery #1
Bundle of Trouble
First-time mom Kate Connelly is bringing up baby- and bringing down a killer.
Kate Connelly may have found the perfect work-from-home Mommy job: private investigator. After all, the hours are flexible, she can bring the baby along on stake-outs, and if you're going to be up all night anyway, you might as well solve some crimes. But when a body is pulled from San Francisco Bay that may be her brother-in-law, Kate must crack the case faster than you can say "diaper rash" in order to keep her family together.
Kate Connelly may have found the perfect work-from-home Mommy job: private investigator. After all, the hours are flexible, she can bring the baby along on stake-outs, and if you're going to be up all night anyway, you might as well solve some crimes. But when a body is pulled from San Francisco Bay that may be her brother-in-law, Kate must crack the case faster than you can say "diaper rash" in order to keep her family together.
296 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 7, 2009
5710 people are currently reading
3752 people want to read
About the author
Diana Orgain
73 books332 followersDiana Orgain is the USA Today Bestselling Author of the Maternal Instincts Mystery Series. She is also the Author of the Love or Money Mystery series and The Roundup Crew Mysteries (Yappy Hour and Trigger Yappy).
Diana is the New York Times Bestselling co-author of the Scrapbooking Mystery Series with Laura Childs.
Diana's latest release is 4 Sleuths and a Bachelorette, a fun collaboration with USA Today Bestselling Authors, Leslie Langtry, Traci Andrighetti, and Arlene Mcfarlane. Right now she's working on the next release in the Maternal Instincts Mystery, Murder Comes Crawling.
To keep up to date with the latest releases visit Diana at www.dianaorgain.com
Series:
* Maternal Instincts Mystery
Diana is the New York Times Bestselling co-author of the Scrapbooking Mystery Series with Laura Childs.
Diana's latest release is 4 Sleuths and a Bachelorette, a fun collaboration with USA Today Bestselling Authors, Leslie Langtry, Traci Andrighetti, and Arlene Mcfarlane. Right now she's working on the next release in the Maternal Instincts Mystery, Murder Comes Crawling.
To keep up to date with the latest releases visit Diana at www.dianaorgain.com
Series:
* Maternal Instincts Mystery
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 559 reviews
October 30, 2017
Ok book, downloaded for free. Cozy little mystery.
May 14, 2017
The first book in the A Maternal Instincts Mystery series by Diana Orgain. Kate Connolly is about to become a mom when she learns her husband's brother is missing. His bags are found on a pier where a body was found. After the baby is born, Kate feels a need to find out what happened to her brother-in-law and gets involved in investigating a murder.
Not sure how I feel about the idea of taking off with newborn baby to investigate a murder. But this is fiction and the story itself was fairly good. Had my idea on who the murderer was but not the motive.
Not sure how I feel about the idea of taking off with newborn baby to investigate a murder. But this is fiction and the story itself was fairly good. Had my idea on who the murderer was but not the motive.
July 22, 2022
I don’t like Kate much. (That’s my review)
January 20, 2022
Funny story. New mom Kate while trying to find her evasive brother in law finds a dead body. She becomes an amateur PI while trying to breastfeed her daughter and finding more bodies.
November 16, 2024
I believe that some writers try to make their characters appear so realistic that the MC comes across as very flawed. In this case, Kate is a whiny busybody who recently gave birth to a gorgeous bundle of joy that compels her to want to spend every waking moment with her. The baby, Laurie, is constantly being put in danger due to those two dichotomous issues by the new Mom.
Don't get me wrong. I liked the book. The beginning drops you into a situation when the phone rings, with the police on the line. Kate picks up the phone and the police communicate the possibility that her husband, Jim's brother, George, may have been murdered. Kate's water breaks and she is rushed to the hospital.
Great beginning to a series because the reader is immediately immersed in the very common aspect of birthing a baby while coupling with the unique experience of being told about the possibility of death in the family. Life and death held as beginning and end, lyrical, poetic, and profound. However, then the author describes the characters. Most of them are quite $#!++y people and I have huge problems with Kate.
Again, I like the story, and when my three boys were born, each time my wife experienced separation anxiety before returning to work, but she recognized the financial need. There was no sense of this decision is just mine, despite the fact that I tried to make it such. Kate tries to do things her own way, including taking Laurie with her to interview suspects. OMG!
Anyway, interesting story, despite my parental discomfort.
Don't get me wrong. I liked the book. The beginning drops you into a situation when the phone rings, with the police on the line. Kate picks up the phone and the police communicate the possibility that her husband, Jim's brother, George, may have been murdered. Kate's water breaks and she is rushed to the hospital.
Great beginning to a series because the reader is immediately immersed in the very common aspect of birthing a baby while coupling with the unique experience of being told about the possibility of death in the family. Life and death held as beginning and end, lyrical, poetic, and profound. However, then the author describes the characters. Most of them are quite $#!++y people and I have huge problems with Kate.
Again, I like the story, and when my three boys were born, each time my wife experienced separation anxiety before returning to work, but she recognized the financial need. There was no sense of this decision is just mine, despite the fact that I tried to make it such. Kate tries to do things her own way, including taking Laurie with her to interview suspects. OMG!
Anyway, interesting story, despite my parental discomfort.
May 11, 2016
This book was fun and quite realistic! I finished it in 2 hours. Yeah, IT WAS GREAT.
Maybe what made me start reading it is the book-cover, there is a mother with her baby! I LOVE BABIES, so CUTE! ❤️❤️
It has many tips for women and especially pregnant or new mums, and how to be over-protective with their pregnancy and baby.
It reminded me a lot of Conan as a detective, and how many persons die in one book! *smirking*
I tried to find out who is the murderer but that was so smart for me! I failed two times then decided to let Kate do her job alone. And I was supersized by the end!
➥ Kate: She is a lovely, brave POWERFUL mother! I don't know how she could do all this in her first weeks after delivery! And how she could have all this time!
I liked her way of writing to-do lists, I fail every time I wanna write one!
➥ Jim: He is a super supportive husband. I liked this character so much.
➥ Lauren: I wanna touch that CUTE BABY. *heart eyes*
I think I'll read the second book soon.. it doesn't take much time, and so suitable for my exam-mode :D
Maybe what made me start reading it is the book-cover, there is a mother with her baby! I LOVE BABIES, so CUTE! ❤️❤️
It has many tips for women and especially pregnant or new mums, and how to be over-protective with their pregnancy and baby.
It reminded me a lot of Conan as a detective, and how many persons die in one book! *smirking*
I tried to find out who is the murderer but that was so smart for me! I failed two times then decided to let Kate do her job alone. And I was supersized by the end!
➥ Kate: She is a lovely, brave POWERFUL mother! I don't know how she could do all this in her first weeks after delivery! And how she could have all this time!
I liked her way of writing to-do lists, I fail every time I wanna write one!
➥ Jim: He is a super supportive husband. I liked this character so much.
➥ Lauren: I wanna touch that CUTE BABY. *heart eyes*
I think I'll read the second book soon.. it doesn't take much time, and so suitable for my exam-mode :D
January 18, 2017
We're reading book 2 in my book club, Motherhood is Murder, but I have to read a series in order or I feel like I'm missing out on something. Way too much of this book was spent talking about feeding, changing and overall caring for baby Laurie. If I had doubts about having a baby before this book assured me it was the right choice. You can coo over someone else's baby, even a fictional one, just so much. Her dealing with first delivering the baby, then caring for the baby and worrying about how much milk she was producing and whining about going back to work took up so much time I'm surprised she had time to solve the murder. I didn't particularly find any of the characters very likeable.
January 25, 2022
This book was recommended to me and I enjoyed it! Having a newborn myself, I was able to relate to Kate on so much. I am also a list maker! The mystery was good and kept me guessing. I am looking forward to reading more from this series.
April 13, 2013
Not believable. Not likeable. Not well written.
October 15, 2017
Fun and cute cozy about a new mom and her desire to find a job she can do from home. That would be private detective right? A little scattered but a cute story and loveable characters.
March 27, 2025
This book was so fun!
All I can say is. What a great book.
Quick read and so fun. Being a mom myself I could relate to Kate and her feelings of not wanting to leave her child.
I loved the funny parts of this book as well as the suspense and mystery that needed to be solved.
If you like Finlay Donavan books by Elle Cosimano you will love this book.
All I can say is. What a great book.
Quick read and so fun. Being a mom myself I could relate to Kate and her feelings of not wanting to leave her child.
I loved the funny parts of this book as well as the suspense and mystery that needed to be solved.
If you like Finlay Donavan books by Elle Cosimano you will love this book.
January 16, 2021
so fun loved it now reading I think it's 3formula for murder, maybe 2 not sure of sequence , but loving it
May 29, 2018
This was a really cute mystery along with being funny and at times, pretty hilarious. It's been a very long time since I had a newborn but somehow the author's descriptions of the feelings moms go through and Kate's lack of sleep took me right back there. When I was back to reality, I was pretty happy that my daughter is not a newborn but an awesome adult now, although it was fun to remember those cute little baby sounds and smells. I got a kick out of Kate's to-do lists throughout the book and had to hand it to her to make those despite being so sleep-deprived and foggy-brained from pregnancy.
Kate Connolly was relieved that her good-for-nothing brother-in-law George wasn't actually dead the day she gave birth to her daughter, Laurie. But when she found out the person that was really found dead was the husband of one of her school friends, Kate was interested in finding out more about what happened and bringing the killer to justice. Add in a somewhat aging private investigator who had to drop the case due to health issues and Kate decided to take his place--a perfect career choice she thought so that she could be with her sweet little baby. A couple more bodies later and Kate has a full-blown case to look into.
I really enjoyed the characters of Kate, her husband, Jim, and Kate's mom. I liked that the main character was on really good terms with her mother and relied on her help as well as being happily married. There are definitely plenty of books that depict this but it's always nice to find yet another one since most of the sleuths are not in a good place with an ex-husband or boyfriend and sometimes don't have a good rapport with their moms. I had to admire Kate's tenacity in investigating because she wanted to be a PI. I think she definitely has what it will take and with her new friend, PI Galgani's help, she'll turn into a really good and licensed private investigator.
I am definitely planning on reading more in this series. I was happy to have the excuse to read this for a book club this week and now I'm very interested in seeing how Kate does in the world of being an official investigator and what it takes to get her there. I loved how Jim was so supportive of her--I can't say any more without spoiling some of the plot. Some guys would just say "you gotta work, suck it up." But he actually supported her idea of working from her home. I wonder where their next adventure with Baby Laurie will take them? (I kind of know since there is a sneak preview chapter at the end of this book but I haven't quite finished reading that yet!)
Kate Connolly was relieved that her good-for-nothing brother-in-law George wasn't actually dead the day she gave birth to her daughter, Laurie. But when she found out the person that was really found dead was the husband of one of her school friends, Kate was interested in finding out more about what happened and bringing the killer to justice. Add in a somewhat aging private investigator who had to drop the case due to health issues and Kate decided to take his place--a perfect career choice she thought so that she could be with her sweet little baby. A couple more bodies later and Kate has a full-blown case to look into.
I really enjoyed the characters of Kate, her husband, Jim, and Kate's mom. I liked that the main character was on really good terms with her mother and relied on her help as well as being happily married. There are definitely plenty of books that depict this but it's always nice to find yet another one since most of the sleuths are not in a good place with an ex-husband or boyfriend and sometimes don't have a good rapport with their moms. I had to admire Kate's tenacity in investigating because she wanted to be a PI. I think she definitely has what it will take and with her new friend, PI Galgani's help, she'll turn into a really good and licensed private investigator.
I am definitely planning on reading more in this series. I was happy to have the excuse to read this for a book club this week and now I'm very interested in seeing how Kate does in the world of being an official investigator and what it takes to get her there. I loved how Jim was so supportive of her--I can't say any more without spoiling some of the plot. Some guys would just say "you gotta work, suck it up." But he actually supported her idea of working from her home. I wonder where their next adventure with Baby Laurie will take them? (I kind of know since there is a sneak preview chapter at the end of this book but I haven't quite finished reading that yet!)
January 23, 2018
This was a cute cozy. I really enjoyed it because after having two kids, I could really identify with the heroine. If you've never had any children, I could see how this book may not be your "cup of tea", though, as there are a lot of references to the main character's recovery after having her baby, her breastfeeding trials, fatigue, hormones, etc.
The actual mystery part of it was pretty good- it kept me guessing for a while. There sure seemed to be a lot of dead bodies turning up, too! It was kind of funny to picture this plucky little lady trying to track down a killer with her baby and all of her baby gear in tow! I loved her "mentor" Galigani, the original P.I. character in the story, and I hope that he plays a part in the next book, which I did put onto my WL. Overall I enjoyed it.
3 1/2 stars
The actual mystery part of it was pretty good- it kept me guessing for a while. There sure seemed to be a lot of dead bodies turning up, too! It was kind of funny to picture this plucky little lady trying to track down a killer with her baby and all of her baby gear in tow! I loved her "mentor" Galigani, the original P.I. character in the story, and I hope that he plays a part in the next book, which I did put onto my WL. Overall I enjoyed it.
3 1/2 stars
June 23, 2022
"Mom, do you love as much as I love Laurie?"
"Yes."
Tears welled again in my eyes. "I never knew."
"I know."
The absolute truth every woman learns the day she becomes a mother.
June 13, 2021
Book 1 in the series Him and Katie are having a baby. Her name is Laura. Katie was worried that she would not be a good mom but after she but then Katie did not want to leave her previous baby girl longer than she had. A detective calls Jim and Katie house wondering if they can identify a body which they thought was George ( Jim brother) it was not him. The it were 3 murders in this book. The best parts were about Katie and her little girl bonding.
January 17, 2021
This was really good very entertaining with little laurie...will start the next one.
January 8, 2013
First in the Maternal Instincts Mystery series based in San Francisco and revolving around a new mother who doesn't want to go back to work.
My Take
I'm torn. Orgain writes well. And I can't stand her stupid protagonist. What mother takes her newborn baby out to chase down a murderer? This just boggles my mind. And stupid. Omigod, she's constantly forgetting stuff---I will give her points for never forgetting her baby. She doesn't want to go back to her job because she just wants to stay home with her baby. Okay, yeah, I get that. And maybe the post-partum aspect is affecting her mind and that's why she's making all these incredibly dumb moves.
And, again, I get that Orgain is using a mother's need to be with her baby to ramp up Kate's panic about finding a way to make an income that will let her stay with her baby. But, private detective? As clueless as Kate is? I just ain't buyin' it.
It's something of a Keystone Kops with half-truths and lies and Kate running into danger with baby and without. Every other moment finds Kate missing, losing, or forgetting something. God only knows what she's missing when she's talking to people. And she trusts everybody! She thinks they're all telling her the truth. I mean, duhhh. Of course she's also running around accusing people right and left. It's a darn good thing Kate stocked the freezer with frozen dinners and they have all those takeout menus, 'cause Kate never seems to get to the grocery store.
Then there are the break-ins on her car. And she keeps carting her kid around with her. In the first six weeks of giving birth.
On the plus-side, it was a very realistic rendition of a new mother with all the frustrations, aches and pains, and panic over her daughter. I adored Jim's patience. And the wrap-up at the end was cute.
The Story
Kate is two days overdue, so naturally her water just has to break when they get some fearsome news on the phone. It's a worry that Kate and Jim put on hold until a few days after Laurie's birth when Kate goes down to the morgue to pick up George's personal effects. Where she meets Michelle on the same errand. Just not picking up effects.
People are dying right and left with Kate poking her nose in everywhere.
The Characters
Kate Connolly is pregnant and on maternity leave from her job as an office manager for an architectural firm. She's a fanatical list maker, which I'm assuming is supposed to be cute. Jim Connolly works for an advertising firm that isn't particularly loyal to its employees. Laurie is the new baby. Kate's mom is amazing. She's always there to help out, and she adores Jim. Hanks is a guy mom hooks up with on Match.com.
George Connolly is Jim's ne-er-do-well younger brother. Uncle Roger took George in when their parents died, and just never left. Until recently. The pregnant Kiku Ajari met and fell in love with George at El Paraiso. Even she doesn't know the truth.
Paula is one of Kate's best friends but currently living in France.
Michelle Dupree Avery is an old school friend/rival of Kate's. Her husband Brad was planning on leaving her. Rich Hanlen is Brad's best friend and the assistant manager of El Paraiso, Michelle and Brad's restaurant. Svetlana Avery is Brad's first wife; their daughter Penny drowned when she was three. Jennifer Miller used to work at El Paraiso and switched to Svetlana's store, Heavenly Haight. KelliAnn Dupree is Michelle's half-sister.
Nick Dowling is with the medical examiner's office. Inspector Patrick McNearny, a major jerk with discretion issues, and Jones are with the SFPD. Josh Garner is a top partner at Jim's firm and plays poker with McNearny. Investigator Galigani was hired by Brad's mother, Gloria, to find out the truth, only he has a heart attack and Kate just slips into place.
Dr. Clement is Laurie's pediatrician who spends more time on initial interviews than in follow-up appointments. Charles Crane is the lawyer they hire when George wants Jim arrested.
The Cover
The cover fits the style perfectly with its cartoonishly messy kitchen littered with baby toys, carriers, and accessories, mom's endless lists, and, just in case we miss the theme, mom holding the baby and a magnifying glass.
I suspect the title is meant to refer to the baby; in my mind, the Bundle of Trouble is mom. �
My Take
I'm torn. Orgain writes well. And I can't stand her stupid protagonist. What mother takes her newborn baby out to chase down a murderer? This just boggles my mind. And stupid. Omigod, she's constantly forgetting stuff---I will give her points for never forgetting her baby. She doesn't want to go back to her job because she just wants to stay home with her baby. Okay, yeah, I get that. And maybe the post-partum aspect is affecting her mind and that's why she's making all these incredibly dumb moves.
And, again, I get that Orgain is using a mother's need to be with her baby to ramp up Kate's panic about finding a way to make an income that will let her stay with her baby. But, private detective? As clueless as Kate is? I just ain't buyin' it.
It's something of a Keystone Kops with half-truths and lies and Kate running into danger with baby and without. Every other moment finds Kate missing, losing, or forgetting something. God only knows what she's missing when she's talking to people. And she trusts everybody! She thinks they're all telling her the truth. I mean, duhhh. Of course she's also running around accusing people right and left. It's a darn good thing Kate stocked the freezer with frozen dinners and they have all those takeout menus, 'cause Kate never seems to get to the grocery store.
Then there are the break-ins on her car. And she keeps carting her kid around with her. In the first six weeks of giving birth.
On the plus-side, it was a very realistic rendition of a new mother with all the frustrations, aches and pains, and panic over her daughter. I adored Jim's patience. And the wrap-up at the end was cute.
The Story
Kate is two days overdue, so naturally her water just has to break when they get some fearsome news on the phone. It's a worry that Kate and Jim put on hold until a few days after Laurie's birth when Kate goes down to the morgue to pick up George's personal effects. Where she meets Michelle on the same errand. Just not picking up effects.
People are dying right and left with Kate poking her nose in everywhere.
The Characters
Kate Connolly is pregnant and on maternity leave from her job as an office manager for an architectural firm. She's a fanatical list maker, which I'm assuming is supposed to be cute. Jim Connolly works for an advertising firm that isn't particularly loyal to its employees. Laurie is the new baby. Kate's mom is amazing. She's always there to help out, and she adores Jim. Hanks is a guy mom hooks up with on Match.com.
George Connolly is Jim's ne-er-do-well younger brother. Uncle Roger took George in when their parents died, and just never left. Until recently. The pregnant Kiku Ajari met and fell in love with George at El Paraiso. Even she doesn't know the truth.
Paula is one of Kate's best friends but currently living in France.
Michelle Dupree Avery is an old school friend/rival of Kate's. Her husband Brad was planning on leaving her. Rich Hanlen is Brad's best friend and the assistant manager of El Paraiso, Michelle and Brad's restaurant. Svetlana Avery is Brad's first wife; their daughter Penny drowned when she was three. Jennifer Miller used to work at El Paraiso and switched to Svetlana's store, Heavenly Haight. KelliAnn Dupree is Michelle's half-sister.
Nick Dowling is with the medical examiner's office. Inspector Patrick McNearny, a major jerk with discretion issues, and Jones are with the SFPD. Josh Garner is a top partner at Jim's firm and plays poker with McNearny. Investigator Galigani was hired by Brad's mother, Gloria, to find out the truth, only he has a heart attack and Kate just slips into place.
Dr. Clement is Laurie's pediatrician who spends more time on initial interviews than in follow-up appointments. Charles Crane is the lawyer they hire when George wants Jim arrested.
The Cover
The cover fits the style perfectly with its cartoonishly messy kitchen littered with baby toys, carriers, and accessories, mom's endless lists, and, just in case we miss the theme, mom holding the baby and a magnifying glass.
I suspect the title is meant to refer to the baby; in my mind, the Bundle of Trouble is mom. �
November 17, 2020
Bundle of Trouble: Maternal Instincts Mystery Series Book 1 is by Diane Orgain. This mystery series is combined with a comedy to make people laugh at both PI’s and having a baby. Tha main characters in all the books are Jim, Kate, her Mom, Paula, Albert Galigani, and Inspector Patrick McNeary. Kenny, the neighbor boy takes a larger part as the series continues.
Jim and Kate had a pretty decent life. Jim had a great job and Kate was on leave from her job and she intended to go back after having the baby so they would afford everything they needed. Just as Kate and Jim were leaving for the hospital, Jim got a call asking him if he knew the whereabouts of his brother, George and if George had any identifying marks. The call was from the medical examiner about a body that had been found near the pier in San Francisco. He hadn’t seen George for some time and since George was a deadbeat, he didn’t want to. He hung up and took Kate to the hospital. Jim refused to talk about George. Kate agreed simply because she was in labor. She delivered a beautiful girl the next day. Now they were busy with her. Jim didn’t forget the body and contacted the ME to find that the body was another man; but his brother was wanted for questioning.
Kate’s curiosity had been aroused by the news of a dead body when she went to the Me’s office to see get George’s belongings. At the Me’s office was, she, ironically, ran into the dead man’s wife, Michelle Avery, who just happened to know George and that he worked for her husband who had been killed. Kate decided to see if she could find George.
Kate decides she wants to be a PI and be able to spend mor time with Laurie. However, she can’t just put out her shingle, she had to be trained and go through tests. Finding a mentor is her first step. She finds Alpert Galigani to help her. Then, Jim loses his job! Can she still be come a PI or does she need to crawl back and try to get her old job back?
Jim and Kate had a pretty decent life. Jim had a great job and Kate was on leave from her job and she intended to go back after having the baby so they would afford everything they needed. Just as Kate and Jim were leaving for the hospital, Jim got a call asking him if he knew the whereabouts of his brother, George and if George had any identifying marks. The call was from the medical examiner about a body that had been found near the pier in San Francisco. He hadn’t seen George for some time and since George was a deadbeat, he didn’t want to. He hung up and took Kate to the hospital. Jim refused to talk about George. Kate agreed simply because she was in labor. She delivered a beautiful girl the next day. Now they were busy with her. Jim didn’t forget the body and contacted the ME to find that the body was another man; but his brother was wanted for questioning.
Kate’s curiosity had been aroused by the news of a dead body when she went to the Me’s office to see get George’s belongings. At the Me’s office was, she, ironically, ran into the dead man’s wife, Michelle Avery, who just happened to know George and that he worked for her husband who had been killed. Kate decided to see if she could find George.
Kate decides she wants to be a PI and be able to spend mor time with Laurie. However, she can’t just put out her shingle, she had to be trained and go through tests. Finding a mentor is her first step. She finds Alpert Galigani to help her. Then, Jim loses his job! Can she still be come a PI or does she need to crawl back and try to get her old job back?
March 12, 2023
Not terrible? The mystery was pretty old-school, very 1980s/90s traditional style perhaps a bit dated for 2009. But ouch, the sexism! Our detective gives birth right at the beginning of the story, spends a rather unbelievable amount of time involved with a mystery and a newborn, but the whole time there are sprinkles of that special incompetent men type of sexism added to our heroine disparaging her job “ordering pencils.” She’s unable to decipher spreadsheets, and the solution of the mystery hinges on some really sexist/ablist stuff when it didn’t really have to. I’ll read the next two because I picked them up for 50c apiece but I’m not necessarily looking forward to them.
I was also annoyed by the depiction of a few common new mom things. A main character who is afraid to admit postpartum depression is annoying, the pregnant lady they ferry to the hospital should really not go in the front seat, lots of breastfed babies are not going to be down with formula, and the constant harping on losing the baby weight from a character who literally gave birth weeks ago is disturbing. I had a baby a few years after this novel was issued, and if that’s what the other moms were harping on in the first six weeks I missed it. Coupled with the “but I want to stay home with my baby” trope (real, that is real, but also hormonal and also is one of those things I didn’t experience or hear from any friends who didn’t want to be home with young children before they even had children) it’s irksome. This has a lot of the tone of the chick-lit era and it’s not my favorite choice. Constant weight fixation, sincere belief that Everyone Would Be a Stay At Home Parent if she could, Bumbling Father Who Is Really a Big Baby Himself, judgey attitude towards other women, etc.
I might have liked it more had I liked the main character more. But like Bridget Jones and her compatriots of ten years before this, this hasn’t aged well.
I was also annoyed by the depiction of a few common new mom things. A main character who is afraid to admit postpartum depression is annoying, the pregnant lady they ferry to the hospital should really not go in the front seat, lots of breastfed babies are not going to be down with formula, and the constant harping on losing the baby weight from a character who literally gave birth weeks ago is disturbing. I had a baby a few years after this novel was issued, and if that’s what the other moms were harping on in the first six weeks I missed it. Coupled with the “but I want to stay home with my baby” trope (real, that is real, but also hormonal and also is one of those things I didn’t experience or hear from any friends who didn’t want to be home with young children before they even had children) it’s irksome. This has a lot of the tone of the chick-lit era and it’s not my favorite choice. Constant weight fixation, sincere belief that Everyone Would Be a Stay At Home Parent if she could, Bumbling Father Who Is Really a Big Baby Himself, judgey attitude towards other women, etc.
I might have liked it more had I liked the main character more. But like Bridget Jones and her compatriots of ten years before this, this hasn’t aged well.
December 22, 2019
Not terrible, but it was excruciatingly slow. Not really sure why I kept on reading until the end. The premise--brand new mom turns into a sleuth to solve a murder that her brother-in-law is somehow connected to--is intriguing. However, the execution of the premise is not so great.
There were some glaring continuity errors. One example: main character Kate's high school friend/classmate's half-sister is described as being only a few years older, but she's later said to be in a prom photo in the Kate's senior yearbook). That makes them the same age ...
Another huge problem is the idea that Kate had every intention of returning to work after her maternity leave but as of the Thursday before the Monday she's to return to work, she had yet to even begin to look for daycare. That's just ludicrous. Even 25 years ago when I had my first child, you had to start looking for a spot in daycare for an infant while you were still pregnant if you had any hope of finding one in time. So, even though as soon as her baby was born Kate started having doubts about returning to work, realistically she still would have already--at a minimum--had daycare researched.
I vaguely recall getting this book because it was supposed to be funny. Not.
There were some glaring continuity errors. One example: main character Kate's high school friend/classmate's half-sister is described as being only a few years older, but she's later said to be in a prom photo in the Kate's senior yearbook). That makes them the same age ...
Another huge problem is the idea that Kate had every intention of returning to work after her maternity leave but as of the Thursday before the Monday she's to return to work, she had yet to even begin to look for daycare. That's just ludicrous. Even 25 years ago when I had my first child, you had to start looking for a spot in daycare for an infant while you were still pregnant if you had any hope of finding one in time. So, even though as soon as her baby was born Kate started having doubts about returning to work, realistically she still would have already--at a minimum--had daycare researched.
I vaguely recall getting this book because it was supposed to be funny. Not.
May 15, 2019
I'm surprised how much I enjoyed this one. First, cozies can be hit or miss --- and the ones that work well are usually over the top funny or mixed into other genres. This one was a breath of fresh air. Coincidentally starting right after Mother's Day, it hit me as bittersweet since my only child turned 18 the weekend past. In this book's case, the mother opens the book with labor and a new bundle of joy, a sweet husband, and a murder that ends up hitting way too close to home. Toss in several surprise twists, leads, twists, trails, and it's surprisingly complex and clever while still keeping the babyhood heavy. I like how the author kept focusing on hormones leaving the new mother forgetful and weepy (is realistic), her worries about her weight and even her feet, her terror of returning to work - so much of it was what first-time mothers go through. Sometimes she was a bit too over the top and annoying (downright paranoid for awhile!) but the book was charming. There was humor, there was a lot of heartfelt warmth, a clever mystery, lots of characters, lots of leads into different directions. Recommended!
January 28, 2014
I'm not sure what I think of this book, actually. I certainly related to the sudden changes a new baby makes to her mother's (and father's) life: the wonder of breastfeeding, the mountains of laundry, the lack of sleep, the desire to stay home.
What is a mystery to me is how this new first-time mom could leave, or take, her baby to enter into dangerous settings if the story is meant to be any kind of serious read. I realize a cozy mystery leaves out the gore in the narrative, but I cannot buy into a story that leaves the reader so uncomfortable about this young woman trying to be a sleuth so eary after childbirth.
I do have the other books on order from the library, so I will at least read the next one to see whether things become more believable and comfortable for me as the reader. What I'm hoping is that I do not follow my first inclination to call this a fantasy cozy, or some such term.
What is a mystery to me is how this new first-time mom could leave, or take, her baby to enter into dangerous settings if the story is meant to be any kind of serious read. I realize a cozy mystery leaves out the gore in the narrative, but I cannot buy into a story that leaves the reader so uncomfortable about this young woman trying to be a sleuth so eary after childbirth.
I do have the other books on order from the library, so I will at least read the next one to see whether things become more believable and comfortable for me as the reader. What I'm hoping is that I do not follow my first inclination to call this a fantasy cozy, or some such term.
October 20, 2009
Really enjoyed this debut in Diana Orgain's Maternal Instincts Mystery series. New mom Kate Connolly gets pulled into a murder investigation when, at first, her brother-in-law is suspected dead and, later, an old school friend is found boots-up as well. For fans of cozy mysteries with a bite.
January 18, 2018
A little improbable, but also for light reading
It is a bit of a stretch for a new mother to be investigating a series of murders, especially when she has to take the infant along at times, but it a fun book and the main character is likable.
It is a bit of a stretch for a new mother to be investigating a series of murders, especially when she has to take the infant along at times, but it a fun book and the main character is likable.
September 28, 2012
A good story well told. I think I've found a new author to follow.
January 31, 2016
Twee
Quite simple in plot and character development
Not that interesting. And who would take a baby out on an investigation?
Quite simple in plot and character development
Not that interesting. And who would take a baby out on an investigation?
November 4, 2017
the newborn baby was the smartest character in this book
July 11, 2018
This is a fun start to a new to me series. This just proves that women can do it all...give birth, nurse a baby and solve 3 murders.
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March 2, 2022very simple story, not sure i'm interested in other books by this author
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