Release date: March 3, 2026
Publisher: Harper Audio
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Narrator: Stephanie Nemeth-Parker
Synopsis:
Witty, endearing, and wildly entertaining, this Southern cozy mystery is a little bit Gilmore Girls , a little bit Finlay Donovan, with a big helping of Only Murders in the Building .
Lila Shaw stopped trusting anyone the minute her husband went to jail for white-collar crime, taking their country club lifestyle with him. Now Lila is broke, friendless, and losing her house—and to make things worse, her true-crime-obsessed daughter, Bea, was just expelled from fourth grade. Desperate for a fresh start, Lila agrees to temporarily move in and clean out an abandoned junk-filled apartment in Richmond’s palatial Primrose building. The luxurious Virginia landmark is filled with retirees who start their days early drinking bourbon and gossiping, in that order.
Soon after Lila’s arrival, the Primrose is thrown into chaos. The owner of the building’s splendid penthouse has died and in his final days he set up a two-million-dollar reward for any resident who helps to solve the 21-year-old murder of his granddaughter at the Primrose. A fan of all detective stories and true-crime podcasts, Bea is inspired to investigate. They really could use the reward money, so Lila reluctantly agrees, in a questionable attempt at family bonding. She’s certain the killer is long-gone after all these years anyway. That is, until another resident is murdered… and Lila becomes the prime suspect.
Now Lila needs to solve both murders to avoid jail, and even worse, losing her daughter to her snobby in-laws. To catch a killer and clear Lila’s name, she and Bea must rely on their elderly neighbors—Jasper, a shy former detective, and Evelyn, an opinionated socialite—along with Nate, a good-looking reporter who keeps appearing at the most inconvenient moments. As the amateur sleuths expose the truth about the Primrose, Lila hopes she can also unravel the trickiest parts of her own life and start fresh.
Review:
Stacy Hackney’s The Primrose Murder Society is witty, endearing, and wildly entertaining in a way that instantly calls to mind Finlay Donovan and Only Murders in the Building, so yes, those comps absolutely track. Set inside Richmond’s luxurious (and gossip filled) Primrose building, the story follows Lila Shaw, whose carefully curated country club life implodes after her husband is sent to prison for a white collar crime. Broke, desperate, and trying to hold onto custody of her daughter Bea, Lila agrees to move into the Primrose, only to find herself tangled in a decades old murder mystery tied to a jaw dropping two million dollar reward. When another resident turns up dead and Lila becomes the prime suspect, the stakes shift from amateur sleuth fun to very real consequences.
What makes this cozy shine is its clever writing and delightful cast of characters. Bea’s true crime obsession adds humor and heart, while the bourbon sipping retirees—especially Jasper and Evelyn—bring sharp wit and layered backstories that elevate the mystery. Hackney balances warmth and suspense beautifully, delivering a solid, satisfying puzzle without losing the charm that makes cozy mysteries so addictive. I genuinely hope this becomes a series because I’m not ready to leave the Primrose, or this found family sleuthing crew behind.
The audiobook, narrated by longtime favorite Stephanie Nemeth-Parker, adds an extra layer of delight. Nemeth-Parker’s friendly, conversational tone makes it feel like a friend is recounting the story over coffee, and she captures the humor, Southern flair, and emotional beats effortlessly. Her performance enhances the wit and keeps the mystery moving at a brisk, engaging pace. Overall, this was a delightful cozy from an author I’ll absolutely be watching.
Overall rating: 4/5
Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.
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