Trouble In Queenstown is the story whose main character Vandy Myrick is a PI who returns to Queenstown. Vandy wants to jump start her life and business. Not only is she doing all of this, she is looking after her father who is in a nursing home with memory issues. Evander Myrick who Vandy is named after really wanted a son to not only carry on the family name, but also become a top policeman like he was. Vandy knows she will never live up to her fathers expectations, which is something that weighs on Vandy.

Being a top notch PI Vandy gets the job of a lifetime. Helping out the mayor's nephew Leo Hannah. Leo needs Vandy to trail his wife whom he feels is in danger. Seems simple enough or is there something more to it? Vandy uncovers more about Leo which involves his aunt the mayor, Vandys day and Vandy herself. Things start to go south when Vandy starts asking questions and starts getting to close to answers. Is she safe? What about her father and her close friends? How are they all connected? Many questions to be answered and Vandy is the one to get the answers.

This novel had suspense,mystery and excitement. There were many twists and turns which I love in a novel. The character of Vandy was written as a strong women who never gave up when she hit a brick wall. She kept on asking those questions, pushed people to give her the answers she needed. i liked that she was a force to be dealt with. She was a two fold character. She was a women with a past who lived through any mother's worst nightmare. Losing a child. She was the protector of her father even though he has no idea who she is. She went after the truth.

I would recommend this book to mu fellow readers. It kept my attention and as I said before it had many twists. So thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the ARC. Also thank you Delta Pitts for writing a very exciting book. I look forward to more from her.

Vandy Myrick goes through some things in Delia Pitts’ Trouble in Queenstown, and those things make for a fantastically readable and even relatable mystery novel that has far more layers than I expected in this era of cozy, fluffy mysteries.

It’s generally a fast-paced story, though Ms. Pitts never lets quality fall by the wayside as the sassy and sarcastic newly-minted, but still mourning her daughter, private investigator Vandy races against a clock only she sometimes sees to solve a murder mystery that’s rocked her childhood hometown despite powerful figures fighting hard against the idea that there was ever a mystery at all. The daughter of a retired police officer, whom she visits at least three times a week in his memory care nursing home, Vandy finds herself volunteering at every turn to be a champion for those who can’t speak and for those no one listens to. And in doing so, Ms. Pitts lays out a clear and powerful path on which Vandy finds herself and speaks for her too.

Interwoven through the story are darker threads of current events; corrupt politicians, sanctuary cities, BLM protests, anti-immigrant mentalities, drugs on the streets, and various other things. While some might see mentioning those as content- or trigger-warnings, they are also a reality that’s important to the fictional story in the novel and the wider message of it in reality. And Delia Pitts handles each of those things with a balance that not all novels get quite right.

In Trouble in Queenstown, the cast is diverse and representative of almost everything but never trends toward the side of diversity for the sake of diversity. It’s all intentional, that Vandy, a Black woman, finds connections to a powerful white family no one ever expect and does it with the help of a Hispanic teenager whose brother is tried and convicted in the court of public opinion (after his death) because he is a different color and he isn’t from Queenstown. Those things happen in real life, so it’s fitting that they happen in Ms. Pitts’ novel.

I hope, desperately that, Trouble in Queenstown is the start of a series centered on Vandy Myrick, as the final chapter suggests, because the we Readers need more of Vandy’s sass and wit in our bookish lives.

And that cliffhanger between her and the Sayre brothers…

I received an advanced copy of Trouble in Queenstown through NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books in exchange for an honest and original review.

Good mystery, interesting main character but the writing style seemed a little amateurish to me in places. If there is another book in this apparent series I will read it in hopes of a tighter style.

I have never read anything by this author, but I can tell you right now that I am so happy I did. As a matter of fact, I liked the main character Evander “Vandy” Myrick so much that I would like to see her star in her own series!

This story is filled with lies, dirty politics, obviously murder, and corruption. Racial disparity plays a significant part in this tale.

Vandy is a kick-ass PI with a tragic past. She is now trying to get back on her feet and is handed a case that seems simple enough—or is it? Excitement flows from these pages; much of it is heart-pounding until the very end, with an ending that I don't think anyone could have seen coming.

I truly enjoyed this novel and couldn't put it down.

I believe you, too, will enjoy the mystery and excitement that I found in this book.

*ARC was supplied by the publisher Minotaur Books, the author, and NetGalley.

I was not able to finish this book, unfortunately. The story did not grab my attention. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity.

DNF ... lousy ... sloppy immature writing ... not much else to say ... Definitely a Not Recommend

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Definitely a must read! Evander Myrick is a strong well developed character. The story is fast paced and rivets the reader. Didn't want to put this one down. I want to read more from this author! Thanks #Netgalley and #StMartinsPress for the eARC in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are mine.

This book captured me from the beginning to end. This is a hands down must read. The development of characters and plot was edge of seat.
You won’t regret spending time on this one!

Happy reading!

This was such an enjoyable read. I loved Vandy’s tragic past and her gutsy present. This story hooked me until the very last page.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

“Trouble in Queenstown: A Mystery” by Delia Pitts is a riveting addition to the detective fiction genre, introducing readers to the tenacious private investigator Vandy Myrick. Set against the backdrop of Queenstown, New Jersey, Pitts crafts a narrative that is as much about the intricacies of a small town as it is about the complexities of a murder investigation.

The story begins when Vandy is hired to follow the wife of Leo Hannah, the deputy head of research at ArcDev Pharmaceuticals. What seems like a straightforward case of infidelity quickly spirals into a web of deceit involving a racially charged murder with deep ties to the town’s most influential family. As Vandy delves deeper, she finds herself entangled in a case that challenges her skills and threatens to expose long-buried secrets.

Pitts’ writing is sharp and immersive, creating a darkly atmospheric world where every character is shrouded in shades of grey. The narrative is tightly woven, with each twist and turn drawing the reader further into the mystery. Vandy Myrick is a compelling protagonist—her determination and grit make her a standout character in a genre filled with memorable detectives.

The novel’s exploration of grief, class, race, and family dynamics adds layers to the mystery, making it not just a quest for the truth but also a profound commentary on the society it portrays. The setting of Queenstown is almost a character in itself, with its cornfields, warehouses, pharma labs, and tract housing painting a vivid picture of the town’s socioeconomic landscape.

“Trouble in Queenstown” is a testament to Pitts’ ability to balance a thrilling plot with meaningful social commentary. It’s a book that will not only keep readers guessing until the very end but also leave them pondering the themes long after they’ve turned the last page. With this debut, Delia Pitts has established herself as a mystery writer to watch, and Vandy Myrick as a detective to root for. Readers eager for a mystery that offers both sizzle and heart will find “Trouble in Queenstown” a satisfying and thought-provoking read.

Trouble in Queenstown, by Delia Pitts, introduces badass private investigator Evander Myrick (named after her police chief father, who always wanted a son). “Vandy” has recently returned to Queenstown, New Jersey, the community where she grew up, to restart her career after the heartbreaking loss of her daughter. In the opening chapter, Vandy bests a thug in a bar fight and then picks up a sexy mimbo for a one-night stand.
As the story unfolds, we see a softer side of Vandy as she processes her grief over her daughter’s death. Her father is the only relative she has left, but he’s in a memory care home and doesn’t even recognize her, despite her frequent visits and attempted chats.
By the end of the first chapter, Vandy gets her first client: Leo Hannah, nephew of the powerful Queenstown mayor, Josephine Hannah. Leo tells Vandy that his wife, Ivy, has received some threats, and he wants Vandy to tail her. When Vandy asks to interview Ivy about the threats, Leo waffles and admits he believes Ivy is having an affair.
Vandy follows Ivy for a week, finds no evidence of an affair, and prepares a report for Leo. When she arrives at his home to present it, the cops are investigating a double homicide. Ivy is clinging to life and later dies. A man named Hector Ramirez lies dead on the floor. Leo claims he shot Hector when he found him assaulting Ivy.
The police wrap up the case quickly, not questioning Leo’s story. After providing her witness testimony, Vandy’s work is done.
But then she gets a new client: Samuel Decker, Ivy’s father. He doesn’t believe the story the mayor and her nephew fed the cops. He thinks Leo is the one who killed his daughter, and he wants Vandy to prove it.
Vandy and Sam investigate the crime and also commiserate over membership in a club no one should ever have to join: losing a child. Although they make progress, they are unable to prove Leo is Ivy’s killer. Then Vandy is approached by Ingrid Ramirez, Hector’s sister, who wants to hire Vandy to prove that Hector didn’t hurt anyone and thus clear her brother's name.
As Vandy gets closer to the truth, she is harassed, kidnapped, and beaten with a stern warning to back off. But rather than quit, she doubles down, determined she’s on the right track.
This well-written novel is told in first person and touches on many current social issues: racial inequality, corruption in local politics, divisive topics, and family ties. The mystery was engaging, but the ending disappointed me. Although justice was served, the killer’s motive seemed a bit weak.
Vandy is a strong female protagonist who could easily sustain a series. She’s tenacious, spunky, and caring. I’d like to see where some of her relationships go as she settles back into the Queenstown community and solves more cases.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed this book a lot! The plot was interesting and kept me engaged the whole time. I like how fast-paced it was. The part of the story about Vandy's love life is probably my only qualm with this book. It seemed messy and unfinished/ unnecessary. Overall though, the main story was good and exciting.

"Trouble in Queenstown" is a total rollercoaster of a mystery, packed with small-town drama, a PI with attitude, and a juicy double murder. While the plot might seem like a tangled mess (but hey, isn't that part of the fun?), I couldn't help but get hooked on the twists and turns. Our main character's "I couldn't care less" vibe added some serious entertainment value, and sure, there were moments where reality took a backseat, but who cares when you're along for such a wild ride? Bottom line: this book kept me on my toes and left me hungry for more.

Delia Pitts brings us an unexpected PI in small town America. Vandy is rough around the edges, but you’ll be rooting for her the whole time. This novel brings family secrets, social injustice, and murder. It was a slow read but overall a good story.

If you're looking for a fun detective story that keeps you guessing, give Trouble in Queenstown a go. It had me hooked beginning to end. I'm not one for spoilers, so I won't say anything else, other than I look forward to reading more from Delia Pitts!

I’m a lover and huge fan of books written about a town with secrets! This one did not disappoint. Pulled me in from the very beginning and kept me guessing and trying to solve the mystery. Highly recommend!

Trouble in Queenstown is a really fun detective read. The main character Vandy is spunky and I love that she's written as an independent sex-positive character. She's not afraid to be herself and pursue the leads that may unravel the entire town.

I did find the pacing to be on the slower side and it took me a while to really get into the story. Which is mainly why I am giving it 3 stars. The best way to describe it is rather than using chapters to move forward along the timeline the next chapter would pick up directly where the previous chapter left off. It made it seem that the chapter breaks were arbitrary.

I definitely suggest Trouble in Queenstown for anyone who likes a strong protagonist and the unraveling of a town's secrets.

Evander "Vandy" Myrick, private investigator, is hired by Leo Hannah, the nephew of the mayor to discover whether or not his wife is cheating. Nothing is uncovered. The wife is killed by a man who entered the Hannah home and the man is then killed by Leo. Case closed? Not so fast - the father of the murdered woman is convinced that Leo is the real murderer and hires Vandy to uncover the truth. She is also approached by the sister of the presumed killer to prove his innocence. As Vandy investigates, long held secrets will be revealed.
#TroubleinQueenstown #Minotaur #NetGalley

This crime novel focuses on small town, political corruption and family secrets. Thrown in are also racial and social injustices that exist in small town America.

There were several things that I liked about the book. First and foremost was probably the strong female lead of Vandy Myrick, the private investigator who is the book's main character. Pitts portrays Myrick as a rough and tough, kick a** character but also reveals some of her soft spots as her past is uncovered.

I also liked the the double murder as being the event that kick started the plot. It then makes a smooth transition in introducing us to multiple suspects throughout the following chapters. The book read smoothly by it being sectioned into clients and then suspects (or clients who became suspects).

I felt that multiple red herrings were placed into the story, so those did make the reader want to read on and find the true culprit. The one thing that I was not crazy about was I felt that the main clue that uncovered the "why" of the murders didn't seem completely plausible to me. Why the murders were committed did seem plausible, but how the wife found out the evidence (and pieced everything together) that she was going to use to blackmail her husband's family did not. I also felt that the ending got a little wild.

Nevertheless, I did enjoy Delia Pitts' plot, her development of characters, and the inter relationships (or perhaps intra would be a better prefix to use here) of certain characters. I would recommend this novel to crime enthusiasts. Thank you, NetGalley and Minotaur Books, for the opportunity to read this exciting, action packed crime story. I would rate it 3.5 stars.

I absolutely love a book that keeps me on the edge of my seat! And love a good female led book.
Having a former cop become a private investigator in her hometown.
This was the first time I've read a book by this author and I have to say that she definitely connects with the readers! I did not see the ending come, but I typically don't with a lot of great mysteries. I love a book where I don't guess what has happened already.