“Bryant at once gently lampoons momfluencers, “pushy MLM girlboss[es],” and other modern parenting stereotypes while granting those same characters agency and complexity. Mavis’ witty, increasingly manic first-person-present narration lends a solid sense of stakes to the multifaceted plot’s assorted mysteries, and her burgeoning love triangle injects a fizz of romantic tension. Laugh-out-loud humor shares the page with candid conversations about race and mental health…This is a series with legs. Madcap suburban intrigue with a soupçon of self-help.”—Kirkus (starred review)
“Mavis’s witty, freewheeling narration is filled with barbs (she notes that the duties of a “team mom” include “sending out surveys about team colors and then choosing what she wanted all along (aquamarine)”), and Bryant stuffs the plot with keen observations about contemporary parenting and school politics. This is a breezy good time.”—Publishers Weekly
“Intrepid Mavis is a funny, smart, realistic parent and sleuth. Bryant’s series
is a welcome addition to the genre.” —Booklist
“A fast-paced, warm portrait of a devoted mother trying her best, this novel ends on a cliffhanger, suggesting a third series installment is in the works…A must-read for fans of It’s Elementary, but newcomers will also enjoy meeting feisty Mavis.”—Library Journal
“When is a cozy so much fun that you need to put down everything you are reading (or streaming) to just enjoy it? When that book is written by Elise Bryant, author of It’s Elementary… Fun and fearless—with an occasional anxiety attack—Mavis is the perfect character for 2025.”—First Clue
“Blending wit, warmth and a well-measured dose of chaos, Bryant explores modern motherhood, identity and anxiety while keeping the mystery tight and twisty; a cozy crime for the overextended and underestimated.”—Seattle Times
Praise for It’s Elementary
“It’s Elementary is the coziest of cozy mysteries. With the intrigue and drama of Big Little Lies and the warmth and humor of Abbott Elementary, Elise Bryant’s first foray into the genre is a delight. A perfect next read for anyone looking for a charming cast, clever writing, and a hint of romance alongside their whodunit.”—Emily Henry, New York Times bestselling author of Funny Story
“Sassy and spirited, Elise Bryant’s It’s Elementary is the perfect puzzle to unravel under the covers. This cozy mystery isn’t just about finding out who did it- it’s about finding yourself along the way.” —Christina Lauren, NYT bestselling authors of The True Love Experiment
“A delightful mash-up of P.T.A. wars, adorable children, a hot school psychologist and the eminently winning Mavis Miller….In Bryant’s fiction, just as in the real world, the smallest conflicts can cause the most damage.”—New York Times
“Mavis’s first-person-present narration evinces a razor-sharp wit, complementing the clever, twist-riddled plot of YA author Bryant’s effervescent adult debut. Myriad mysteries and an enchanting will-they-or-won’t-they romance work in tandem to maintain tension throughout, while boldly drawn characters help spotlight issues such as racism, gentrification, and the devaluation of female labor…A smart, funny novel that’s certain to make a splash.”—Kirkus (starred review)
“Filled with snappy dialogue, laugh-out-loud scenes, quirky characters, a solid mystery, and a dash of romance, here’s hoping there’ll be more stories about Mavis.” —Library Journal
“Shady dealings at a California elementary school propel this frothy adult debut from YA author Bryant…This deserves a sequel.”—Publishers Weekly
“In It’s Elementary, [Bryant] mixes parental insanity with a sly mystery about a missing school principal. Bryant raises excellent questions about access to education while delivering a novel with hefty portions of both suspense and satire.”—The Washington Post
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