This story follows Vandy, a PI on a case where every turn connects to someone or something else. There are touches of racism throughout the book and the challenges that are faced. Through racism, corruption, and unlikely partnerships, we follow along to see if she can solve the case! I definitely enjoyed this book!

Delia Pitts presents some intriguing characters in her book Trouble in Queenstown although they aren't always firmly connected. The PI is a Black woman named Vandy who has occasional and fairly urgent searches for a one night partner which are amusing but a little outside her more serious searches as a private investigator which look into divorce cases. She is hired by the mayor's nephew to look into his wife's possible transgressions, but when the wife, Ivy, and her friend Hector, are found dead, Vandy knows that something is not right.

The relationships that lend depth and interest to the novel are those of Vandy with her father, Evander (after whom Vandy is named), who is at a retirement home. He is a retired policeman, and Vandy wants to be like him in her new position. His assistant, a thoroughly likeable young man, is a close friend of Vandy's, and they remotely play chess with one another.

This book has a fairly quick series of plot twists, and by the end of the book, there a plenty of curve balls that keep the pace rolling.

Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for the privilege of reading this book.

This book was pretty good. I had never read anything by this author before, but I enjoyed the story. However, it didn’t grab my attention immediately, and at points felt very slow.

Rating: 3.5

Delia Pitts introduces readers to the gritty world of private investigator Vandy Myrick in "Trouble in Queenstown." This mystery novel takes readers on a rollercoaster ride through the complexities of grief, class, race, and family in the tight-knit fictional community of Queenstown, New Jersey. Vandy Myrick, a Black woman navigating the challenges of privacy in a small town, is a compelling protagonist. As a former cop turned private eye, she grapples with her own demons while taking on the dirty work of divorce cases to make ends meet. The story kicks into high gear when she agrees to tail the mayor's nephew's wife, setting off a chain of events that lead to a racially charged murder with connections to the influential Hannah family.

The strengths of "Trouble in Queenstown" lie in its engaging plot and the vivid depiction of a community teeming with secrets. The narrative explores the intersection of personal and professional struggles, adding depth to Vandy's character. The portrayal of Queenstown as a confined space surrounded by cornfields, warehouses, and pharma labs enhances the atmospheric tension.

However, the novel does have its shortcomings. The character development, unfortunately, feels a little flat. Many characters lack the depth needed to make them truly memorable. The mysteries, although intriguing at first, wrap up a little too conveniently and veer into the realm of the far-fetched, making it difficult to fully believe in the unfolding events.

One redeeming aspect for this reader was the Jersey setting, as I am a sucker for any book featuring a Jersey girl. In conclusion, "Trouble in Queenstown" is a solid mystery with an intriguing premise. While the character development and the resolution of the mysteries may leave something to be desired, the novel still offers an entertaining read for those who enjoy a mix of personal and professional drama in a small-town setting. Delia Pitts' exploration of Queenstown's underbelly is commendable, and fans of mysteries will likely find this a worthwhile addition to their reading list.

A sincere thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Vandy, a black female private investigator in Queenstown is working to solve the murder of Ivy Hannah and Hector Ramirez. Though having grown up in the area, she’d been away, only returning a few months earlier. She’s got a lot on her plate, her new PI business, seeing her dad is taken care of, and healing after a personal tragedy.

As she works the case, she bonds with Ivy’s father and Hector’s sister. Unfortunately, this bond puts them, her friend Mavis, and her father, for whom she was named after, in peril.

Old friendships and plain ole street smarts help Vandy find the killer, plus a few other secrets someone doesn’t want her to uncover.

The book was well written with themes of community, not judging a book by its cover, grief, and more.

For me, I didn’t connect as much with Vandy as I had hoped. That being said, because of the story and other characters, if there another, which was hinted at, I would continue. My curiosity on how Vandy and others evolve, especially what’s next for them (you’ll see what I mean when you get to the end). I also would like to see more of Elissa and Belle, Vandy’s partners who mostly vanish from the second half of the book.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the opportunity to do an early read and share my thoughts on the story.
Happy Reading!

Trouble in Queenstown is a great read, engaging and fast paced. I loved the characters and the setting. There were plenty of twists as well. Well done.

I loved it! Female private eyes are my favorite book series. Vandy is fantastic. She keeps digging for the right answers even if the case is closed. Her investigation kept getting bigger and wider and even when she made mistakes she owned up to them. Great author!

Delia Pitts offers readers a faced-paced story about a former police officer who returns to her small New Jersey hometown of nine thousand people and becomes a private investigator. Evander Myrick is an interesting character with an itch to pick up stray men in her favorite bar and bring them home for the night. The novel reads like a television script with short, snappy sentences. The writing is similar to Robert Parker's Jesse Stone novels--and popular television series.