I enjoyed Detective Aunty overall and ended up rating it 3.75 stars.

What stood out most to me was the realistic family dynamic at the heart of the story. While there is a murder to solve, this felt less like a traditional cozy mystery and more like a family drama with a mystery woven throughout. Kausar’s investigation is driven by her love for her daughter rather than a desire to solve crimes, which made the story feel grounded and emotionally believable. I also enjoyed the Toronto setting and the diverse representation, both of which added depth and authenticity to the novel.

The mystery kept me guessing until the end, and I appreciated that I wasn’t able to predict the outcome. Deepti Gupta also did an excellent job narrating the audiobook, bringing warmth and personality to the characters.

What I think the novel does particularly well is never losing sight of why Kausar is investigating in the first place. The mystery matters, but it’s her role as a mother—and the relationships surrounding her—that gives the story its emotional weight. I think that’s what makes the book stand out from many other amateur sleuth stories.

The biggest reason this didn’t quite become a four- or five-star read for me has more to do with where I am as a reader than with the book itself. I’ve realized that I’ve read enough amateur sleuth mysteries lately that I’m ready for a break from the genre. That’s a reflection of my current reading tastes rather than a weakness of the novel.

If you’re looking for a character-driven mystery that places family relationships at its center, with a satisfying mystery and a strong sense of place, I think this is well worth picking up.

3.25 stars

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press – Minotaur Books for providing an advance reading copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Killer Vibes was an easy book to fly through. It delivers a fast-paced mystery, an unconventional private investigator, and a lighthearted tone that never takes itself too seriously.

The mystery kept me invested for most of the book, although I had figured out the twist before the end. I also appreciated the LGBTQIA+ representation, and while the humor wasn’t entirely my style, there were a handful of moments that genuinely made me smile.

Ultimately, this one wasn’t quite the right fit for my reading tastes. I can absolutely see this working for readers who enjoy irreverent, offbeat mysteries with an unconventional protagonist, but it wasn’t quite my cup of tea. I tend to connect most with stories that offer more emotional depth alongside the mystery, and this one leaned much more into humor and entertainment than emotional resonance.

If you’re looking for a breezy, quirky mystery with a queer lead, plenty of personality, and an easy reading experience, this is worth picking up.