The Stats

Title: Mother-Daughter Murder Night

Author: Nina Simon

Narrated By: Jane Oppenheimer

Publisher: William Morrow (05 September, 2023)

Time: 12 Hours 38 Minutes

Genre: General Fiction (Adult), Women’s Fiction, Mystery Thriller

Trigger Warnings: Cancer, Murder, Death, Violence, Fire, Drug Trafficking

Read if you like: Where the Crawdads Sing, Only Murders in the Building,

Rating: 4.5 Stars rounded down to 4

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Reese’s Book Club Pick September 2023

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The Review

Nina Simon’s Mother-Daughter Murder Night is a breezy beach-read of a who-dun-it, blending suspenseful twists with heartfelt family dynamics. The story centers around three generations of women—Jack, Beth, and Lana Rubicon—who dive head first into a murder investigation when Jack, the granddaughter, becomes the primary suspect. While unraveling the mystery, they also confront their strained relationships, and forge tighter bonds.

Simon did a fabulous job of ensuring each character’s perspective was uniquely their own, allowing a happy medium between character development and suspense. Each woman brings her own strengths, flaws, and history to the forefront. Lana’s prose is sharp and demanding, while Beth’s quiet resilience indicates she is simply along for the ride her mother dragged her into. Rounded out with Jack’s youthful innocence—a “just right” in this family of three bears—Simon creates a dynamic trio that is as engaging as the mystery itself.

Lana, in particular, emerges as an unlikely hero of the story. Initially introduced with a Charlotte Pickles-like intensity—a commanding former real estate mogul—she is forced to take a leave of absence from her work. Unaware of her cancer diagnosis, her assistant and colleagues speculate that she has run off to a Med Spa up north for plastic surgery, which provides more insight to the reader regarding who she is as a character. As the story unfolds, Lana’s interactions with side characters deepen her transformation. Her sharp exchanges with skeptical law enforcement officers showcase her resilience and quick thinking, while her humorous interactions with Jack’s coworkers add moments of levity. I don’t want to give out any spoilers, but Lana’s moments into the investigation are my favourite.

Overall, Mother-Daughter Murder Night is more than a murder mystery; it’s a poignant exploration of familial bonds, personal growth, and the ways unexpected challenges can bring people closer together. The book’s setting, a small, atmospheric coastal town, serves as the perfect backdrop for a story filled with secrets and revelations. Simon’s vivid descriptions immerse readers in this charming yet moody locale, adding depth to the narrative. With its lively characters, well-paced plot, and heartfelt moments, it’s a book that will stay with readers long after the final page.

Short Review (AKA TLDR)

If you like “Only Murders in the Building”, you are going to love “Mother-Daughter Murder Night.”

“Mother-Daughter Murder Night” is a breezy beach read of a whodunnit. Told in the perspective’s of Jack, her mother Beth, and Beth’s mother Lana Rubicon; the women dive deep into the investigation to determine who actually murdered the body Jack found on her kayak tour, and clear Jack’s name.

Simon did a fabulous job of ensuring each perspective was uniquely their own. Lana Rubicon’s prose was strong and demanding like herself. While, Beth’s you could clearly tell was simply along for the ride her mother dragged her into. Finally, Jack’s provided an innocence – a “just right” in this Goldie Lock’s tail.