Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Michele Pariza Wacek’s The Mysterious Case of the Missing Motive is a delightful entry into the cozy mystery genre, introducing readers to the quirky and endearing world of The Redemption Detective Agency. Set in the 1990s, this first book in the series is a spin-off from the popular Charlie Kingsley Mystery series, and it promises to captivate fans old and new with its blend of humor, intrigue, and heart.

The story follows Emily Hildebrandt, who finds herself at a crossroads after losing her job, fiancé, and apartment. Desperate and with few options, she moves in with her eccentric Aunt Tilde in the small town of Redemption, Wisconsin. Aunt Tilde, a retired nurse with a penchant for unconventional ideas, has recently started The Redemption Detective Agency. Despite her initial skepticism, Emily soon becomes embroiled in the agency’s first real case after a mysterious phone call leads them to investigate a potential miscarriage of justice.

Wacek’s writing is engaging and witty, drawing readers into the charming yet eerie atmosphere of Redemption. The characters are vividly portrayed, with Aunt Tilde standing out as a particularly memorable figure. Her blend of wisdom, eccentricity, and determination makes her a delightful character to follow. Emily’s journey from reluctant participant to enthusiastic sleuth is both believable and satisfying, providing a strong emotional core to the narrative.

The plot is well-constructed, with enough twists and turns to keep readers guessing. Wacek skillfully balances the lighthearted elements of the story with the darker undertones of the mystery, creating a compelling and enjoyable read. The 1990s setting adds a nostalgic touch, enhancing the overall charm of the book.

One of the standout features of The Mysterious Case of the Missing Motive is its humor. Wacek infuses the narrative with a playful tone, making the interactions between characters both entertaining and heartwarming. The dynamic between Emily and Aunt Tilde is particularly delightful, showcasing a blend of generational differences and mutual respect.

Overall, The Mysterious Case of the Missing Motive is a fantastic start to The Redemption Detective Agency series. It offers a perfect mix of mystery, humor, and character development, making it a must-read for fans of cozy mysteries. Michele Pariza Wacek has crafted a world that readers will be eager to return to, filled with endearing characters and intriguing cases.

For those looking for a cozy mystery with a unique twist and a lot of heart, The Mysterious Case of the Missing Motive is an excellent choice. Whether you’re a fan of the Charlie Kingsley series or new to Wacek’s work, this book is sure to entertain and delight.

What a fun and easy to read book that was short and quick to read but was enjoyable and entertaining. I love Aunt Tilde and the other ladies of the newly formed Redemption Detective Agency and how they all look after Tilde's niece Emily. This is a cosy and fun book to read, has just the right amount of interest and mystery to keep you involved but there is so much fun in it it will keep you smiling.

A lovely, entertaining, fun and quirky characters bring the whole story together. I look forward to seeing what comes next for the ladies of The redemption Detective Agency.

Thank you NetGalley and Love-Based Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Fun mystery to discover Emily Hildebrandt and the adventures she goes through as she moves to Redemption, Wisconsin to join her aunt in solving the cases of their town. Emily isn't ready for the backwards way her Aunt goes about creating a detective agency to solve the past crimes. Easy to read and fun to figure out what will happen as these ladies (along with their friends) work with a local lawyer to prove the innocence of others.

Thanks to Michele Pariza Wacek, Love-Based Publishing, and NetGalley for access to the Advanced Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first book in a new series and it does not disappoint. The author spends time developing the likable characters in a Wisconsin town as they establish a new detective agency and solve their first case. A light and easy humor filled read.

Recommended for those who enjoy a cozy mystery or just a light, entertaining read.

I wasn't sure how much I was going to like such a short mystery, but I loved it. We meet Emily first as she's going through a rough time. Her boyfriend broke up with her and is really trying to take advantage of her. With no resources, she takes her aunt up on her offer to stay with her, where she ends up helping with a case to clear someone's name.
I would have liked more details, and I felt like a lot happened behind the scenes. But the characters were so likeable that I'm excited there are more coming in this series. This is how cozies are meant to be: humorous, warm, and satisfying. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

Being from Wisconsin myself, I always enjoy a Wisconsin based cozy and Redemption is certainly strange and lovable. This first in the series saw Emily recovering from some heavy losses and setting up shop in a detective agency with her aunt tilde and her friends. The cast of characters was interesting and I loved the inclusion of Scout and the other animal mascots. I also loved, loved, loved the dynamic between Nick and Emily and the intro of a potential love triangle.

However, while the characters are well developed, sadly the mystery was not. There was very little detecting and the answers seemed to fall into their lap way too easily. While I thought it all wrapped up nicely I don’t think it would’ve ever been that simple to solve the case and overturn a conviction.

Overall though I enjoyed this book way more than I thought I would and I can’t wait to revisit Emily, Scout, and Tilde in the next in the series which is already planned. 100% recommend for a quick, fun cozy read!
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Thank you to NetGalley and Loved Based Publishing for this early arc!

"The Mysterious Case of the Missing Motive" by Michele Pariza Wacek is a delightful kickoff to the Redemption Detective Agency series. With its quirky characters and witty dialogue, this book is both laugh-out-loud funny and engaging from start to finish. Wacek’s clever storytelling keeps you guessing while delivering plenty of heart and humor. The charming cast of detectives adds a unique flair that makes you eager to see what mischief they’ll get into next. (I reviewed an advance reader copy and all opinions are my own.) I can't wait for the next installment—this series promises to be a fantastic adventure!

Such a good cozy book with wonderful characters, I thoroughly enjoyed and look forward to the next book in the series.

I would highly recommend reading this book if you like a cozy mystery with wonderful characters.

I would like to thank Love-Based Publishing and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book early.

The Mysterious Case of the Missing Motive is a delightful cozy mystery that blends quirky characters, small-town charm, and a puzzling whodunnit. Emily Hildebrandt finds herself at rock bottom after losing her job, fiancé, and apartment in quick succession. With nowhere else to go, she reluctantly accepts an offer to stay with her eccentric Aunt Tilde in the mysterious town of Redemption, Wisconsin.

What Emily doesn't expect is that Aunt Tilde’s latest project involves running a detective agency—and to make matters even more bizarre, Emily is now the office manager and detective-in-training. When they stumble upon a real case involving a murder confession with a missing motive, Emily has to hope her aunt's unorthodox methods can help solve the mystery before an innocent person pays the price.

The small-town vibes of Redemption are perfectly captured in this book, with its oddball characters and undercurrent of mystery. Aunt Tilde is a standout character—witty, unpredictable, and full of surprises. The relationship between her and Emily adds a heartwarming touch to the story. As the mystery unfolds, so do the deeper emotional layers between these two women, both of whom are finding new purpose and direction.

The mystery itself is well-paced and keeps you guessing with plenty of twists and turns. I loved the humor throughout and the setting in the 1990s added a fun nostalgic element. Though this is my first time reading Michele Pariza Wacek, I’m eager to dive into more of her work, especially if it means returning to the quirky world of Redemption.

If you enjoy cozy mysteries with a healthy dose of humor, small-town intrigue, and strong female characters, The Mysterious Case of the Missing Motive is a perfect pick. Highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and Michele Pariza Wacek for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC. All opinions are my own.

This was a wonderfully done start to the Redemption Detective Agency series, it had that element that I was looking for from that genre. The characters worked well overall and enjoyed going on this mystery with them. It had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed the way Michele Pariza Wacek wrote this, I’m excited to read more in this series and from the author.

How do I apply to be a detective at the Redemption Detective Agency? 👀
Such a cute cozy mystery! I need me an Aunt Tilde and Scout 🥹 I’m pretty much hooked on the town that is Redemption and will obviously have to read more! Solving a murder when there is already a confession!

Thank you Michelle and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy!

I uploaded my review to Goodreads. I will upload it to Amazon on release day.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Michele Pariza Wacek for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for The Mysterious Case of the Missing Motive coming out October 15, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own. .

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. This was a short book. I loved the 1990s setting. It definitely makes things more fun for me. The 1990s were the bomb, lol! I think Emily and her aunt are a fun duo. The mystery was great and I love the small town vibes. I would definitely read more books by this author!

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries!

Emily's loses her relationship and source of income under unfair circumstances, and she has nowhere to go - so her quirky aunt offers her a job, lodging, and a bigger adventure than anticipated. 'The Mysterious Case of the Missing Motive' has the same satisfying blend of small-town characters, sweet romance, and humor as a good Hallmark movie with the addition of a disputed murder investigation.

If you enjoy reading quick cozy mysteries, then I recommend this book to you! I am looking forward to the sequel.

Special thanks to the Publisher, Love-Based Publishing, and Net Galley for a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

"When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Or maybe a gin and tonic."

The Mysterious Case of the Missing Motive was a cute book! I was terribly disappointed when I couldn't read it on my Kindle, but I guess that was life giving me a lemon, haha. I absolutely loved Emily's Aunt Tilde! She was a hoot!! Scout was my second favorite. Redemption, Wisconsin sounds like an intriguing place, and one I would like to know more about. The cover of the book is perfect!

There were some editing errors (one a biggie) but they have hopefully been caught by now. So, if you love a romantic cozy, especially one with some critters, you will swoon over The Mysterious Case of the Missing Motive!

Many thanks to both #LoveBasedPublishing and #NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of The Mysterious Case of the Missing Motive. This book is #1 in The Redemption Detective Agency series and it has an expected publication date of October 15, 2024.