This book pulled me in and didn’t let up until the twisty ending, and what a ride it was!

I enjoyed this so much, from Dakota’s snark and insecurity, to her beautiful, supportive relationships with her mom and Aunt DeeDee, the corrections of her misconceptions of Pageant Queens (and her new friendships) and even a little hint of romance!

It was truly a ‘cozy’ mystery - not crazy tension or high stakes, but sometimes that’s just what you need!

The villain wasn’t super obvious but not too hard to figure out, but the motives were truly twisty and surprising and had my jaw dropped. Can’t wait to read the next book!

Dakota mother has passed away but arranged for her to receive letters each month after her death. She has requested her daughter to compete in a beauty pageant in hopes of winning to help Dakota get back on her feet and win some money to help cover past expenses. Reluctantly, she competes in the pageant, but a murder takes place that she helps solve! Will Dakota win the competition and the murder be solved?!
Such a good little cozy mystery book!! Thank you NetGalley for the arc!

She's beauty, she's grace, she solving a cold case.

Meet Dakota Green, a reluctant beauty queen. She's only entered her hometown's annual beauty pageant to honour the wishes of her recently deceased mother. Dakota would much rather be working with animals or hanging out with her best friend Lacy (the pageant's event planner) as she still struggles with a life without her beloved single mother.

Dakota finds more than she bargained for when she starts to dig into the mystery of the missing Miss 2001, especially as the pageant's creator goes missing under mysterious circumstances.

This book should be on every reader's to-read list, because it is simply brilliant. A mix of the wittiness of Miss. Congeniality paired with a truly engaging mystery, I got way more than I had expected upon picking this book on a whim. Dakota is a beautifully flawed character, with a community around her that is truly pulling for her success. The smart writing of Ms. Bird also refuses to fall for beauty queen stereotypes, rather making the contestants into fully conceived characters who are each competing for reasons far exceeding wanting to be the prettiest girl there.

The twist at the end almost had me screaming because I absolutely NEED the next book now. I'll be waiting with bated breath for the second book that is teased at the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read this book for free in exchange for my honest review.

This book started so slow.
It's so slow that I was thinking of giving it up or DNF'ing it, but in the back of my mind I have a feeling that I should continue reading, and I have this feeling that something big is going to happen.

Around 60% of the story, that's when everything starts to get interesting and make sense.
I literally gasped and mouthed "WHAT THE HELL!" again and again.
And that ending was everything.
It was shocking and unexpected as hell!
The twist was something that I didn't see coming either. It was so surprising!

The story is so unique and very different from all of the crime stories I've read.
Very entertaining, nerve-racking, and so satisfying.

I admit to not having read the first book in this series but the story was easy to follow and enjoyable.
Dakota Green's dream was to be a vet, animals were her passion, especially horses but the death of her mother from cancer had scuppered her dream, Dakota left her studies to care for her mother and now she is in deep debt with student loans and medical fees.
Her mother's wish was for Dakota to enter the nationwide beauty pageant held at the Rose Palace in her home town of Aubergine Virginia, the pageant was funded by the wealthy Finch family, a placing in the competition would clear all her debts and allow Dakota to continue her studies.
This was as far out of Dakota's comfort zone as it could possibly be, she was more used to wellington boots than Jimmy Choo's but with the encouragement of her wonderful Aunt Dee Dee Dakota was persuaded.
Most of the contestants were seasonal pageant competitors and out of Dakota's league but, the disappearance of a crown and a man and the appearance of the new, handsome sheriff and not forgetting the disappearance of the 2001 beauty queen, soon brought the girls together with common causes, find found out who stole the crown, find the missing man and solve the mystery of the missing beauty queen.
As this story unfolds it becomes clear that each of the diverse contestants had very different but worthwhile dreams that the prize money would help them fulfil, it could have been cut throat, but was it ? or would the forged friendships strengthen them, could they work as a team ?
Would their amateur sleuthing assist the handsome sheriff apprehend the perpetrator or would the wrong person face a long time locked in a cell ?
This is a lovely cosy mystery with just enough humour and suspense, the characters are very likeable and the story flows well, I look forward to reading more about Dakota Green.
Thank you Storm Publishing and Net Gallery for this ARC, my review is totally my own opinion.

I slowly grew into this one. I wasn't a huge fan at first, but Dakota did become more likable to me as the story progressed. Great cover, great title, and I think there is the foundation for a successful series. On the negative side, I hoped for a little more snark, a little more humor, perhaps a little more romance. All in all, though, this was successful.

Would I read more from the author? Yes.

I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher and NetGalley, and my review is being left freely.

This was a nice read, but it read more like a cosy mystery than a thriller mystery, but there’s nothing wrong with that.
I found it a slow burn and halfway through it the pace picked a bit up.
I loved the characters. Especially Dakota was relatable in a funny way. Talking about funny…I liked the humour in the story and I think that’s why it felt more like a cosy mystery.
I enjoyed the scene settings and the look inside of beauty pageant was nicely done.
If you like a murder mystery with plenty of humour, you should give this one a go.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, NetGalley, and Storm Publishing for this copy.

Dakota Ups Her Game..
The first outing in the Dakota Green series of mysteries finds our unlikely protagonist entering the world of beauty pageants- as much as she detests the very thought of that. Her mission- to solve, at first reluctantly, a decades old mystery. When things begin to go awry and her Aunt DeeDee finds herself prime suspect, Dakota ups her game. Amusing and entertaining small town cosy crime with a colourful cast of characters and a well imagined setting. A promising start to a new series.

A Beauty Queen’s Guide to Murder and Mayhem has the same kind of tone as Janet Evanovich's series and is an unusual set-up - Dakota's still grieving the loss of her mother and is up to her neck in debt for the medical bills, and the only way she can clear them and save her mother's house is to win the prize at the beauty pageant.

But there's a mystery: what happened to Miss 2001?

And when her beloved aunt - who organises and MCs the pageant - is accused of theft and then murder, Dakota needs to clear her aunt's name and find out what really happened.

Dakota's very dismissive of the beauty pageant girls at first, but gradually realises that they're all struggling with their own problems, just like her. (Her new friendships with Jenna and Summer and her own journey of self-discovery were excellent.) We get to join the dots along with Dakota, solving the mysteries along the way. Some good surprises (especially her mum's letter at the end of the book). Lots of charm and glamour, a good pace, and a fun read.

I adored this book so much.
A Beauty Queens Guide to Murder and Mayhem is a fabulous little mystery book. Full of sarcasm and fun stuff. 😁 amazing book. Had to finish it in one day as I could not stop. It was so much fun

I loved this cozy mystery! A beauty pageant set in the Blue Ridge Mountains with a touch of romance, yes, please. It was a delightful read. Adding more of Kristen Bird's books to my TBR list!

Thank you, NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.75/5 stars rounded up

Dakota Green’s *A Beauty Queen’s Guide to Murder and Mayhem* is a small-town cozy mystery with a side of sequins and sarcasm.

Our reluctant heroine, a stable hand turned beauty queen (against her better judgment), finds herself knee-deep in pageant drama, missing persons, and murder. If that doesn’t scream “Southern charm with a twist,” I don’t know what does.

The story unfolds at a steady pace, balancing humor with intrigue. Dakota’s dry wit keeps things entertaining as she stumbles through a world of cutthroat contestants and suspicious small-town secrets.

I also love that the supporting cast aren't just merely there for the sake of the story, they add depth to it, each one having their own backstory, especially her Aunt DeeDee; though some characters felt a little too on-the-nose. The mystery itself is engaging but leans more on fun and explores the emotions of family, than nail-biting suspense.

Green’s writing is light and easy, perfect for young readers or those dipping their toes into the cozy mystery genre.

Personally, the story didn’t fully hook me—maybe I like my mysteries with a little more edge—but that’s a *me* problem, not the book’s fault.

The final letter at the end, though? That made me sit up. I might just have to see where book two takes Dakota next.

Final Verdict: A charming, beginner-friendly whodunit with plenty of laughs. If you enjoy humor and small-town secrets, this one’s for you.

This new series starter stars a loveable down-to-earth character finding herself entering a beauty pageant to keep the debate collectors off her back while exuding Miss Congeniality vibes! Dakota is lost and listless after the death of her Mom, and broke! She reluctantly agree to enter a local beauty pageant to cover her debts. But she gets more than backstabbing beauty queens when the jeweled crown and pageant owner goes missing and her Aunt DeeDee is arrested.
Dakota's character has a good head on her shoulders and is likeable and relatable. I look forward to more in this series.

Kristen Bird delivers a witty and engaging mystery in A Beauty Queen’s Guide to Murder and Mayhem, a novel that perfectly balances humor, intrigue, and the cutthroat world of beauty pageants. With a sharp, fast-paced plot and an endearing protagonist, this story is a refreshing take on the amateur sleuth genre, making for an entertaining and suspenseful read.

At the heart of the novel is Dakota, an unlikely participant in the world of beauty pageants, who finds herself navigating this glittering yet deceptive landscape to honor her late mother’s legacy. Her Aunt, a guiding force in this new world, becomes the prime suspect in a shocking crime, forcing Dakota to step up and uncover the truth. What follows is a whirlwind of secrets, lies, and unexpected twists that keep both Dakota—and the reader—guessing.

Bird’s writing shines with humor and charm, making even the most intense moments enjoyable. The mystery is well-plotted, with enough red herrings and surprises to keep readers engaged until the very end. The contrast between the high-stakes competition of the pageant world and the darker undercurrents of deception and crime adds a unique flair to the story.

While this book can be enjoyed by a wide audience, its tone and pacing make it particularly well-suited for young adult and teen readers. The mix of humor, mystery, and self-discovery ensures that A Beauty Queen’s Guide to Murder and Mayhem is not only a compelling whodunit but also a fun and immersive read. Kristen Bird has crafted a delightful, fast-paced mystery that will appeal to fans of lighthearted thrillers and page-turning detective stories.

This w awww a fun read, just go with it, suspend beliefs and enjoy it!
It’s a cozy mystery with empowering female friendships, the pace of the book was good, the main character was likeable enough and the story kept you guessing. I would recommend this and look forward to reading the authors next book.

Dakota Green is buried in a mountain of medical debt and a pile of horse manure when hope arrives in the form of post-humous letters from her beloved mama. With a little help from her Aunt DeeDee, Dakota is about to enter the world of pageants and we get to go along for the ride.

I mean, it's not like it's hard...until people start disappearing.

Thank you to the publisher for gifting me a copy. It was my absolute pleasure to read this book and share my honest opinion that it is fabulous.

I'm not ashamed to admit that one of the reasons I chose this is because of the cover. But also, who doesn't love a cozy mystery that involves a little glamour?

We follow Dakota Green who is mourning the death of her mother. Her mother wrote letters to Dakota to be read on certain dates after she has passed. In one of the letters, her mom asks Dakota to enter a beauty pageant with the help of her Aunt DeeDee. Strapped for cash and the threat of losing her home, Dakota agrees to enter to hopefully win so she can take home the cash prize. Upon arriving, a scandals unfold and now Dakota must not only keep focused to win the competition but also solve the mystery to keep her Aunt from being charged with murder.

This was a lot of fun and definitely a good palette cleanser. I enjoyed the mystery and the romantic tension between Dakota and the Sheriff. I don't know if I will continue on in the series but if you want a quick read and a sort of popcorn mystery, I highly recommend.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this arc

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an ARC copy of this book.

WOW I absolutely devoured this book! A murder mystery with glamour and girlhood? Yes please!

I fell in love with the characters, there’s nothing better than a book that shows the community women have and make you feel empowered to be female. The friendships that blossomed in the book were beautiful and fight against the stereotype of pageants.

The pacing of the book is quick so it’s easy to get lost in the book without feeling bored or lost and I enjoyed the writing style.

I thought I figured out the plot twist about half way through but by the end I was surprised… and then surprised again.

I could not put the book down and I’ll definitely be recommending it! Can’t wait to read the next book

3* A holiday read

After her mother's death, Dakota Green discovers that her mother left a bucket list of ten assignments for Dakota to carry out. So far so good. It's when she comes to the last on the list, taking part in the local Rose Palace Pageant, that Dakota refuses. The pageant fills her with horror, she's a cowgirl who doesn't wear dresses, make-up or high heals. But she's drowning in debt from her Mother's medical bills. The thought of the prize money convinces her to discard her dusty jeans and cowboy hat and enter the competition where ball gowns, false eyelashes and sequins are normal dress code.

There are a few good scenes but the plot reads like a Hallmark movie. Great, if that's what you want, suspend your belief and it's enjoyable. Disappointing as I prefer more thrills and depth in my reading.

With thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book, this review is my personal, unbiased opinion.

Thank you to Netgalley and Storm publishing for the arc of this book. A Beauty Queen's Guide to Murder and Mayhem is the first book in the Dakota Green series by Kristen Bird. This is the first book I have read by this author and I absolutely love it. This book follows Dakota Green who lost her Mother almost a year earlier was entered by her Mother before her passing into a beauty pageant. This pageant has a large cash prize that would solve Dakota's financial problems. This story is a cozy mystery. By the second chapter I was fully invested in this book, I did not want to put this book once I started it. This book has drama, suspense and twists and turns. I cannot wait to read the next book in this series.