I really enjoyed The Expectant Detectives by this author, so I was looking forward to this next installment and this one was really fun as well! I loved the friendship between Alice and all the other moms from book 1! It was fun to see them take the reins in order to solve the mystery! I also really enjoyed the humor throughout the book, as well as some interesting situations that the ladies got themselves into, and the cozy mystery elements as well!

Dead Tired by Kat Ailes is the second book in the cozy mystery series that blends hilarious mom-life adventures with thrilling whodunnits. Following Alice and her group of new mom friends, this installment finds them unexpectedly entangled in a murder investigation during what they hoped would be a restful eco-protest. Alice, now a year into motherhood, is looking forward to catching up on sleep, but her plans take a sharp turn when one of the protesters is found strangled.

With her track record of solving crimes (a perfect score of one), Alice assembles her fellow mom sleuths to uncover the truth behind the murder. As they navigate quirky characters, unexpected twists, and the chaos of new motherhood, Alice and her friends find themselves facing another mystery that demands their attention.

Dead Tired is a fast-paced, fun, and witty read filled with charm and humor. Ailes skillfully captures the realities of new motherhood, offering a refreshing mix of sleep-deprived struggles and amateur detective work. The book’s quirky characters—especially Alice’s goofy dog—add to the lighthearted nature of the story, making it an enjoyable read for fans of cozy mysteries. The series continues to deliver a delightful balance of mystery, humor, and relatable moments, and this second installment is sure to leave readers eager for more.

3/5
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Format: audiobook.

I enjoyed it. It was quirky, witty, and funny. Lots of “mom humor” and “British humor”

Would have been more funny if I had liked the characters, but I really didn’t. They were unlikeable, annoying, and there were too many that we barely heard from but were included. I didn’t know until halfway through that this was a sequel so maybe I would have connected more with them if I had read that first?

Overall fun, different and worth a read. I didn’t call any of the twists at the end so that’s a good time for a mystery.

Thank you Macmillan Audio & Netgalley for the ALC

This is a fun series and this group of ladies are a trip and hilarious! I don't think Alice or Helen are ever going to totally get their shit together! I am eagerly awaiting the next installment!

The second book in the Expectant Detectives series, this was just as funny as the first, and now most of the babies that were expected in the first book have been born!

Alice and friends are back, featuring the struggles of new parenthood, complete with exhaustion from sleep deprivation and the inability to keep up with a clean house. I loved the honest look at being a new Mom, and can’t wait for the next book.

*many thanks to Minotaur Books, Macmillan audio and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review

Dead Tired takes us back into the world of a group of new moms who met in a prenatal class who stumble into solving murders. This book is set one year after Alice gives birth to Jack and she is always exhausted. When the friends are having a picnic with their little ones, a naked couple emerges from the trees to announce an eco-protest. The new moms agree to be part of it and chain themselves to trees overnight, hoping to get a full night's sleep. In the morning, one of the protesters is found dead, strangled during the night. Soon, Alice and her friends are involved in the case, investigating the latest mystery in their not-so-sleepy English countryside village.

This is the second book in The Expectant Detectives series, although they are no longer expecting. I enjoy this group of friends, although they are all very different from one another. Their sleuthing takes them out of the village in this one, into London to investigate a rogue artist. The family groupings are just as varied with a single mom with twins, traditional mom and dad and two moms. I love how they annoy the main detective who happens to be one of their sisters. The mystery was interesting and I love the way they figure things out and put two and two together. The humour in these books is delightful and comes from the babies, and Alice's dog, Helen. I enjoy a mystery when I don't figure out the solution is this book did that perfectly, with an ending that was fitting, but that I didn't figure out. I was able to listen to the audiobook, narrated by Kitty Kelly and she does a wonderful job. She gives the characters voices, adds tone and expression and pulls the listener into the story. If you enjoy audiobooks, then you might want to listen to this one.

I am childless by choice as are most of my friends - so I'm the last person to peer pressure anyone into having more kids than they want. But I really hope that Alice and her gang keep the maternity leaves going so this delightful series can continue! Like the first installment, this one is smart, funny, fast-paced...and keeps it real. No curated social media feeds for these ladies - their lives are messy, and they don't apologize for having their own interests. The kids (and dogs) are there now, but you don't have to be a parent to enjoy hearing how the group gets drawn into a new mystery. We get to know everyone a little better this round, since the investigation involves Hen's new job, Elsa's sister (of course)...and we even get more of Maya, with the potential for her deeper involvement in future installments. Of which I hope there will be many.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

"Dead Tired" brings back Alice and her anti-natal class as they carry on their amateur detecting (detectoring, as they say in the book?) encumbered with their one-year-olds.

This time, the murder victim is someone who is a bit mysterious themselves in that they keep reinventing themselves every six months to a year. But now, someone (or something) has caught up to them. And Poppy's noticeable depression only seems alleviated when this mystery falls in their laps. So, in an effort to help and support their friend, Alice and the rest of the gang agree to see what they can find out about the victim and the reason behind their murder.

This was a good second installment, although I have to admit, I liked the first book better. I look forward to the next book in the series!

Thanks to Kat Ailes, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

Thank you to Kat Ailes, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for allowing me to listen 🎧 to this book for an honest review.

🎧The narrator for this audiobook is Kitty Kelly.🎧

Dead Tired is the second book in The Expectant Detectives Series but can be read a standalone. The Expectant Detectives is an unofficial name given to a group of sweet and tired mamas trying their best to raise babies that were all born around the same time. While trying to keep their lives together and on track, they keep stumbling across weird instances and murders that require a little bit of sleuthing. Okay, okay…required may be a strong word. Law enforcement actually would like them to snoop less but they just can’t help themselves. And, they are pretty darned good at it if they must say so!

Alice and her friends become invested in a new cause, eco protesting, after meeting some new friends in passing while they enjoy a nice sunny day outdoors with the babies. One comical and unfortunate event leads to the next and somehow they find themselves chained to trees with a dead body in the vicinity. Will they be able to determine if the murderer is among them?

Honestly, Helen the dog might be my favorite character…she has quite the (naughty) personality!

Big thanks to @macmillan.audio for the gifted ALC of #DeadTired—a delightfully cozy mystery! 📚🔍✨

𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: 📕
Alice joins an eco-protest with her mommy squad, hoping for a break from baby chaos 🌳🍼 But when a fellow protester is found strangled, their peaceful retreat turns into murder mystery 🕵️‍♀️

With her baby in one hand and magnifying glass in the other, Alice dives into a tangled web of secrets involving rogue artists, shady entrepreneurs, and quirky nude protesting 🎨👀 Will Alice and her friends crack the case before nap time or will they end up as the plot of the next bedtime story? 📚🔍✨

𝗠𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀: 💭
We’ve been traveling and visiting family for two weeks, and time has become a blur. At some point on our “vacation,” I listened to Dead Tired—fitting since this vacation has been exhausting! Despite the tiredness, it’s been great seeing friends and family. 😅

I had a fun time with this cozy mystery. It had a lot of humor that parents can totally relate to, though I felt the moms in the story were a bit self-centered and resentful towards their kids, which made it hard for me to connect with them. The story also strayed from the typical cozy mystery formula, but it still had those charming red herrings.

That said, it's a cute, light whodunnit, perfect for those who don’t dig on-page violence or the stress of suspense. 🔍✨

𝗡𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: 𝗞𝗶𝘁𝘁𝘆 𝗞𝗲𝗹𝗹𝘆 🎙️
Kitty Kelly did a solid job narrating Dead Tired. Her voice was pleasant and easy to listen to, bringing the characters to life with distinct voices. Her performance was enjoyable and definitely added to the overall experience of the book.

*2.75 stars

Dead Tired by Kat Ailes is a phenomenal audiobook that seamlessly blends the chaos of new motherhood with a gripping mystery that had me hooked from start to finish.

Kat Ailes crafts a narrative that is both witty and suspenseful, drawing readers into the life of Alice, a new mom navigating sleepless nights and unexpected murder mysteries. The premise itself is refreshingly original—when Alice and her friends find themselves embroiled in yet another murder investigation during an eco-protest, I was immediately intrigued. The contrast of chaining themselves to trees for a nap with the discovery of a strangled protester sets the stage for a thrilling and very humorous adventure.

What sets Dead Tired apart is its cast of characters, each uniquely portrayed with quirks and depth that make them feel like old friends. Alice, in particular, shines as a relatable new mother whose determination to uncover the truth is both admirable and endearing. Her journey from overwhelmed new mom to amateur detective is portrayed with authenticity and empathy, making her victories and vulnerabilities resonate deeply.

Ailes' writing is sharp and evocative, painting vivid scenes of the idyllic English countryside and its eclectic inhabitants. The mystery itself unfolds with expert pacing, keeping me guessing and eagerly anticipating each twist and turn. The audiobook narration enhances the experience, capturing the humor and emotional nuances of the story with skillful delivery.

Dead Tired is more than just a mystery—it's a celebration of friendship, resilience, and the unexpected joys and challenges of motherhood. It's a testament to Ailes' talent that she seamlessly weaves together themes of motherly love, community bonds, and the pursuit of justice into a cohesive and immensely satisfying story.
Thank you Kat Ailes, Macmillan, and Netgalley for this ALC of Dead Tired.

Thank you to @macmillanaudio for the gifted copy! Thank you to Minotaur Books for the advanced reader copy!

I enjoyed the first installment in the series so much - the humor was great and I loved seeing pregnant solve a murder. The follow-up was more of that wit and humor that made me love the first, along with some fun character developments. This is such a cozy and funny series, perfect for mystery lovers who appreciate a laugh. As always, I appreciate the representation of motherhood and the various shapes that can take. I’m excited for the next installment!

"Dead Tired," narrated by Kitty Kelly, offers an enjoyable listening experience enriched by Kelly's captivating narration skills. Her ability to bring characters to life with distinct voices and emotive delivery truly enhances the audiobook's appeal.

Kat Ailes' story, while engaging, did leave me feeling somewhat disconnected from the characters. This may partly be due to my not having read the first book in the series, which likely provided important background and context. Despite this, the author weaves a plot that is interesting and keeps the listener engaged throughout. (I received an advance reader copy of the audiobook and all opinions are my own.)

Thank you so much to Macmillan Audio for the ARC!

I'm a huge cozy mystery fan and this is the second one in the series. I thought the first one was cute but a tad too long, but still was super excited for this one!

While I think the characters are fun and quirky, I did feel bored while listening to this one and kept checking the time left (never a good sign). I don't know that I would read the 3rd book in this series unfortunately, but I would read something new from the author!

I struggle with the narrator of these books and I think it may be the accent that's hard for me to listen to. It's very rare that I struggle with a narrator and I'm sure it's just a personal preference issue here and not a lack of talent on her part.

This is out now!

Dead Tired is book 2 in a series following a group of women after they are unexpectedly wrapped up in another murder case. Transitioning from being pregnant in book 1 to mothers of babies, we see another side to the characters we came to know in book 1. I loved all of the twists and that I once again did not predict the ending.

I received an ALC from Macmillan Audio via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

3.5/5 stars, rounded up

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the advanced listening copy!

SYNOPSIS -- Alice and the gang are back, this time with a gaggle of one-year-old babies in tow! With little to no sleep, Alice and her friends decide to join an eco-protest and use the night chained to trees as an excuse to get some baby-free sleep. When one of their fellow protestors is found dead the next morning, Alice struggles to NOT get involved like the last time she accidentally came face to face with a murder. Alice and the group know they can solve this crime if given the opportunity... so they make an opportunity for themselves to do something not related to the babies for the first time in a year, and put themselves at risk of uncovering some pretty big secrets.

It was so fun to be back with Alice and all of her friends, including crazy dog, Helen. Their not-so-sleepy countryside town is such a fun setting to read about and it was super easy to jump right back in with this unique and fun bunch. I think this book was a bit faster-paced than the first one, and I really enjoyed listening to it! There were a few aspects that started to feel repetitive -- like how crazy Helen the dog is, for example -- and I felt that way in #1, as well. I think these could be like 5% shorter and a little bit more exciting. The story, however, was great, and the mystery took me by surprise! Things wrapped up really unexpectedly and pretty quick, leaving me wanting more of this group!

Some things I loved about this: absolutely laugh out loud funny motherhood moments. I think fictional books about motherhood and pregnancy are few and far between and I enjoy that representation! I loved the plot of this one, much more than the first. However, the pacing felt off for me and it took me much longer to finish it than I would’ve hoped for. I think at times the narration didn’t grab my attention,

Dead Tired by Kat Ailes is a fun cozy mystery that’s much more about the vibes of new motherhood than the murder. The audiobook narrated by Kitty Kelly made me laugh out loud more than once. 3.5 stars rounded up.

In rural England, Alice and her friends are experiencing the joys and challenges of raising toddlers. Add in some partners, dogs - and of course, a few dead bodies - and chaos and humor abound. While out for a walk, Alice accidentally encounters a clothing-optional environmental protest that leads to her and her friends being chained to trees. When a fellow protester is strangled, the women find themselves in the midst of investigating the murder.

I didn’t raise children but could still relate to the struggles of raising young children, thanks to our grandchildren. This is book 2 in the Expectant Detectives series; I haven’t read book 1 but may go back to it when I need some levity in my reading routine.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for early access to this audiobook.

I enjoyed this book I read the first book last winter so it was nice to have all the ladies back solving the solid mystery. Helen the dog and her furry companions always provides some laugh out loud moments!
I love these books and listened to Dead Tired in just a couple of days. I couldn't put it down! Alice is a great main character for The Expectant Detective series even if I do not like how much she puts herself down, but I do enjoy the chaos that surrounds her with Helen and now Jack while dealing with realistic and less realistic events of motherhood.
The village of Penton ravaged by murder yet again, the sleuthing and the playdates make for a fun listen, the narrator brings all the British charme and Cotswold atmosphere.

Alice finds herself investigating a murder, again. This time, she was at a protest, chained to a tree, when another person who was protesting is found dead. With the motley crew of moms, Alice investigates what happened.
Opinion:
This book was a great read. I love how Alice had to juggle being a mom to a baby all the while trying to figure out who murdered who. This book was just as good as the first and I expect to see a slew of books in this series (perhaps with Alice having more kiddos.) I think what makes this book different from other mysteries is that Alice definitely does not have it together and her friends are so unlike her, yet it all works together well.
I had the fortune to listen to the audio book while reading along and absolutely fell in love with the accent of the narrator. It was a job well done.
Many thanks to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an ARC and advanced audio book of this book.