Nursery Crimes

A reviewer

Fun to read and very well written. It kept me interested even thought the story was a bit predictable.

GREAT BOOK! SASSY

This isavery good and intresting book!! I really enjoy reading this book!!

Predictable but fun

I found this book to be a nice break from the more deep and involved mystery novels out there. Like many of the other reviewers I too had figured out the actual murderer half way through reading. Although it was predictable and I felt that it lacked some detail, Nursery Crimes did make for some easy and enjoyable reading. I will read the next book in the series, however if it does not raise the bar slightly from it's very juvinile level I will have to abandon the series and return to more adult type reading.

Possibly the Worst Book I Have Ever Read

This is a very poor mystery. The characters are stereotypical (do we need yet ANOTHER wacky former lawyer sticking her nose unattractively into other people's business?) and uniformly unlikable; even the protagonist's 2 year old daughter is revolting. The solution to the 'mystery' is telegraphed very early on; this, coupled with the fact that the heroine's antics also pall very early, made the book excruciating to work through. Frankly, I think this author should refund my money with interest for pain and suffering!

I liked this book...but...

I guessed who 'dunnit' well before the end. It was fun reading, though and I will certainly read her next book. Quick reading too!

Predictable, but fun

An amusing entry into the mystery realm by new author Waldeman. Though certainly a well-paced novel, I found the ending extremely predictable and had actually guessed the killer halfway through. Definitely falls under the 'dumb mindless fun' type of amateur sleuth mystery. Don't look for deep plots and flowery prose....this is true escapist fare at its best. I'm still interested in reading the follow-up, but if it's of similar style I'll probably abandon the series.

Excellent amateur sleuth

Juliet is a Harvard graduate, who works as a yuppie attorney in a prestigious law firm when she meets her soon to be husband, a wannabe script writer working in a video store. Juliet fully expected to support him for several years, but a studio picked up one of his ¿shock-schlock¿ scripts. The pair moves to Hollywood where Peter happily produces more of the same that his agent easily sells for big bucks. This allows Juliet to live her dream as a public defender.

By the time their daughter Ruby was two Juliet becomes pregnant again. Abigail, head of Hollywood¿s premier preschool, interviews Juliet and Peter, but ultimately refuses to allow Ruby to attend. Though disappointed by the rejection, neither parent is hostile. However, studio owner Mr. LeCrone reacts differently when his child is denied admission. Only Peter stopped him from hitting Abigail Hathaway. That night Abigail dies in a car crash that Juliet believes is murder. She begins to do some investigating and soon turns up some interesting information that implicates several people who wants the victim dead.

The juxtaposition of Juliet playing with her toddler one-minute and the next moment turning into a sleuth is believable, hilarious, and sets the tone for this tale. Juliet is a superb private investigator who struggles more with diapers than finding clues. The interactions between the spouses and with their child provide a softening homey feel that will appeal to readers who enjoy a well-written cozy. If NURSURY CRIMES is any indication of what to expect from Ayelet Waldman, this series will have a quality, long life expectancy.

Harriet Klausner