When exhausted new mother Frida attends Baby Rhyme Time at the local library, she feels a sense of purpose that has been lacking in her anxious, apartment-bound, sleep-deprived life. But at the end of the session a piercing scream is heard, followed by the thump of a body, and the library becomes a crime scene.
Before long, Frida finds herself part of an unlikely group of sleuths investigating the murder. Between gossip and cups of magic at their local cafe, they are too busy having fun to realise how close they are to danger . . .
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Frida has had a hard time post-partum after welcoming Finn 6 months ago. She has a loving and supportive husband, Ben, who suggests that Frida and Finn might enjoy Rhyme Time at their local library. As Rhyme Time is wrapping up, a horrendous incident occurs, ending in a young woman losing her life. Was it an accident? Or was it murder? Frida, along with her new friend Josh, also a fellow Rhyme Time attendee with baby Sita, together with a mismatched group of amateur sleuths, set out to find what, why and who. This was a delightful read. It was a book where I laughed, shed a tear or two and wanted to keep reading more. A twist at the end that I didn’t see coming made the read even more worthwhile. Whilst this novel touched on important topics such as mental illness and the constant guilt and mental load stress that are felt by parents, it was also a lovely reminder that every now and then, and even in the most awful of circumstances, we aren’t alone and that newly formed acquaintances have the ability to become great friends. I look forward to Penny Tangey’s next novel. Amber, QLD, 5 stars
What Rhymes With Murder by Penny Tangey was a lighthearted murder mystery. Frida has finally left the apartment with 6 month-old Finn to attend Baby Rhyme Time at the local library. Everything goes well until home time when there is a gut wrenching scream and thump. A lady has gone over the balcony and landed in the library foyer. Now caught up in a police investigation Frida has become curious about the incident, is it an accident or something more sinister? Frida joins with another parent, Josh, and some locals to solve the mystery. A great, enjoyable read with lots of twists and interesting characters to keep the reader engaged. Annette, ACT, 5 stars
Frida is a new mum who has anxiety about leaving her apartment and keeping her baby alive. She keeps getting told to cherish the time with her baby as once it’s gone, it’s gone for good so she decides to attend her local library’s Baby Rhyme Time session – little does she know that a murder is about to take place and turn her life upside-down. She quickly befriends another dad, Josh and finds herself in the midst of gossip and trying to solve the mystery of whodunit. With pram swaps and a young cop, the story definitely keeps you guessing and questioning who the killer is. It’s an easy read and I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it as it kept me on my toes. I was definitely surprised at who the killer was. Francis, NSW, 5 stars
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, which was set in Melbourne with some interesting facts about buildings in East Melbourne which I hadn’t known. Frida was a new mum, exhausted and anxious about her new life with a new baby. She had a supportive husband who suggested to go to Baby Rhyme Time at the local library. But whilst she was there, a scream was heard. A woman had died after falling from a balcony in the library. This incident brought people together who had been at Rhyme Time or had worked in the library at the local cafe. They begin to become amateur sleuths without intending to, but they don’t realise how close to danger they were becoming. The humour and ease of the writing made it a page turner as more was revealed. Penny has a way of exploring serious topics, such as anxiety in motherhood and conflicting views on abortion. I enjoyed the friendships that were formed in this contemporary novel. The feelings of motherhood were shown with great understanding. Glenda, VIC, 5 stars
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. A light hearted summer read that will make you laugh. Frida (the main character) shows us how it is done with all the anxieties and stresses of being a new mum. Must admit that many of Frida’s observances had me cracking up remembering what it was like to be a first-time mum. Set in the local library, local coffee shop and surrounding area, Frida manages to make friends, solve a murder, and cure her own anxieties with her newfound group of sleuths. Loved the fact that Frida seemed to be collecting observations and everyone’s stories at some stage without realizing it. The door to another café sleuth crime solving group was left wide open… I would definitely be up for that! Janet, NSW, 5 stars
Such a charming novel, Frida is a character that all us new mums can relate to. It was such a cosy read, I finished it in one weekend, highly recommend if you are looking for something light to read. Jessica, NSW, 5 stars
A fun cosy read from Penny Tangey. Frida is struggling to adapt after birth of her first baby Finn. She attends Baby Rhyme Time at her local library and witnesses the death of a young woman. Could it be murder? Frida finds a new group of friends when she joins in some amateur sleuthing. Lots of quirky personalities feature and a deeper topic is brought into the limelight which will engender discussion among readers. A light easy read set in East Melbourne. The familiar landscape will appeal to readers who are fans of Richard Osman and Amanda Hampton. Karan, VIC, 4 stars
This book was fantastic. Penny’s writing style was so easy to read and to be honest, I couldn’t put this book down. For those that love a good mystery and a book that has a bit of suspense but is still an easy read – this is a winner. Not a gory thriller but just a tame murder mystery. I also really enjoyed the relatable characters and the different relationships between the characters in this book. Kayla, TAS, 4 stars
Frida is a first-time mother with postnatal anxiety. This has kept her housebound for the first few months of baby Finn’s life, but she now has helpful goals, like going out every day, and reading, and the encouragement of husband Ben, which lead her to Baby Rhyme Time at the local library. Unfortunately, on her first visit, a young woman falls from the upper level of the library and dies. Did she fall or was she pushed? Frida and other library users are keen to find out as they were almost-witnesses to her death. This novel comes under the cosy crime umbrella, with interesting elements of current and historical local issues influencing the interactions of some of the characters. It’s set in East Melbourne, so a coffee shop just has to host part of the action. A likeable addition to your cosy crime library. Kim, VIC, 4 stars
Penny Tangey’s novel is an absolute delight. Am I allowed to say that when it’s a book about murder? Oh yes indeed! The group of very quirky neighbourhood sleuths that she has produced is at times laugh-out-loud funny, but most of all totally believable. The sights and sounds of East Melbourne are brought to life alongside these characters, which adds another layer of delight. There are also some very real social issues cleverly woven into the story to ground the humour that seeps through. Leslie, NSW, 4 stars
What Rhymes with Murder? by Penny Tangey. Four days after receiving the book to review I started reading and fell into the story and easily read five chapters. I could see the potential and relate in part to the story line – new and first time mother, the worries, fatigue, the wish to make new friends and join in activities for the child’s benefit, let alone getting out of the house. I liked the antics of the amateur sleuths and the way the story flowed. Penny took Frida and her friends out in Melbourne and I could visualise the Fitzroy Gardens. I enjoyed the book and was delighted to read this first adult novel. Monica, SA, 4 stars
What a sprightly and endearing murder mystery. At surface level, it had Thursday Murder Club vibes but was then layered with post-partum mental health and relationship examinations as well as abortion politics. The story weaved together nicely and the added bonus of it being set in my hometown of Melbourne was delightful. A solid debut that I would recommend to anyone looking for an easy read that dives into deep topics in an easy to consume way. Rose, VIC, 3 stars
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