e-Audio, 11:27:24
Narrated by: Aure Nash
Release Date: July 9, 2024
Published by: Books on Tape (Berkley)
Read from: June 24-25, 2024
Stand-alone
Source: PRH Audio App (I received a copy of this e-audio from the publisher’s audio app in exchange for a just and honest review. This did nothing to influence my review.)
Content Warning: Bullying, Infidelity, Racism
For Readers Interested In: Cozy Mysteries, Romance, Adult, LOL, Racial/Ethnic DiversityA fast-paced, completely delightful new mystery about what happens when parents get a little too involved in their kids’ schools, from NAACP Image Award nominee Elise Bryant.
Mavis Miller is not a PTA mom. She has enough on her plate with her feisty seven-year-old daughter, Pearl, an exhausting job at a nonprofit, and the complexities of a multigenerational household. So no one is more surprised than Mavis when she caves to Trisha Holbrook, the long-reigning, slightly terrifying PTA president, and finds herself in charge of the school’s brand-new DEI committee.
As one of the few Black parents at this California elementary school, Mavis tries to convince herself this is an opportunity for real change. But things go off the rails at the very first meeting, when the new principal’s plans leave Trisha absolutely furious. Later that night, when Mavis spies Trisha in yellow rubber gloves and booties, lugging cleaning supplies and giant black trash bags to her waiting minivan, it’s only natural that her mind jumps to somewhere it surely wouldn’t in the light of day.
Except Principal Smith fails to show up for work the next morning, and has been MIA since the meeting. Determined to get to the bottom of things, Mavis, along with the school psychologist with the great forearms (look, it’s worth noting), launches an investigation that will challenge her views on parenting, friendship, and elementary school politics.
Brilliantly written, It’s Elementary is a quick-witted, escapist romp that perfectly captures just how far parents will go to give their kids the very best, all wrapped in a mystery that will leave you guessing to the very end.
*MY THOUGHTS*
As a fan of horror and thrillers, cozy mysteries have never been my jam. I need to running and stuff. My favorite type of horror movies are slashers for goodness sakes lol But with Elise Bryant, I swear I would try anything.
Ok so I’mma just say, even as someone who’s not a cozy mystery person I LOVED THIS. I quite literally binged this in two sittings. I haven’t been right since I finished it actually. I don’t like the idea that there isn’t more out there. This is one of those ones where I can’t believe I can only read this for the first time once. It was so good. Are they all like this? lol How have I not read one before? I need some more like this. And I mean like this specifically. Idk if it was because I related so hard to her or what, but I loved this so much.
As a true testament to Bryant’s writing style, this debut into adult was amazing. I found myself glued to the book. And the way I laughed?! OMG I think I almost woke up my kid multiple times the way I was laughing. I had so much fun reading this. I’m so glad I was listening to this via audio because Lordt knows I didn’t want to stop reading it. I ended up listening to it while I was making meals, working, everything. And I laughed so hard the whole time.
The mystery itself was also good even though I figured out who it was. It was more like I needed the proof. The red herring was something so near and dear to me too! I was mad as hell at all of them, but I was very happy that Mavis didn’t allow them to pull that shit. This book may be hilarious and thrilling in other places, but it still covers some real issues and I loved that. Also, even tho this was a cozy mystery, I loved that it still had some bite to it. Basically meaning that when it got to the end where we find out who did it, that’s when it got really interesting. Well it was always interesting, but you know what I mean. It got really goodt.
There is some romance in this one too. In fact, if you catch the title, +10 points for you lol I think what I like best about the romance tho was the fact it wasn’t the focus. They still helped each other solve the mystery and they were still very cute together. Would I have picked someone else for her? Yes. But eh, this wasn’t exactly the point of the story lol
This was EVERYTHING. I don’t want to say too much because it’s a mystery, but it was seriously so much fun. It’s set up to give us a sequel, so I can only hope that we get one. Because this cannot be the end. I will ask Berkley every day until they say they bought more from her lol And I will stand on business about this one lmao
Overall, I give this
