Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Trailbreaker by Annie Mare, Ruthie Knox Narrator: Mia Hutchinson-Shaw
Series: Prairie Nightingale #2
Published by Brilliance Audio, Thomas & Mercer on January 27, 2026
Genres: Cozy Mystery
Length: 10 hours, 3 minutes
Format: Audiobook, eBook
Source: NetGalley
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible
Single mom and newly minted private investigator Prairie Nightingale has opened the doors of her Green Bay, Wisconsin, agency and is ready for work. She and her crew aren’t quite prepared for their first client, Bernie Dubicki, a notorious online journalist and not-altogether-reliable provocateur, who claims the idyllic vacation destination of nearby Door County is home to a serial killer.
She’s pinpointed four seemingly unrelated deaths that haven’t raised suspicions for anyone else. But when a college student vanishes, Bernie’s sizable retainer convinces Prairie to help connect the dots. And trusted, flirty FBI agent Foster Rosemare thinks Bernie might be onto something. Prairie never expected her first investigation to be so big—like Dateline big—but she does have an inquiring mind and a knack for seeing things no one else can.
The Prairie Nightingale series is a collaboration between two of my favorite authors. It’s a new mystery series about a professional homemaker turning into a private investigator. I absolutely LOVE it. Prairie is a divorced mother of two girls. She co-parents with her ex Greg. He is very successful and not a bad guy, just one who really didn’t pay attention to Prairie, other than as his personal attendant. His mother Joyce, lives with Prairie and helps with the girls. I would read these in order for the character and romance developments.
After a year as a detective, Prairie is finding her office dusty without clients. They don’t want to catch cheating spouses. They want to do something more important. It’s a slow start. Then they are hired by a wealthy woman who thinks several disappearances in Door County are the result of a serial killer.
Prairie and her team do just the right thing. They don’t just take the intel from their client. They develop their own information and verify intel she had where they can. A different picture emerges. Their highest priority becomes the latest missing woman who might still be alive.
On this journey, she is supported by Foster, the FBI agent and his contacts. The firm figures out who they are and their clients should be. Each women uses her unique skills to solve the problems. Even her youngest daughter, Maelynn is able to help with her talents. The story is smart and often funny.
I appreciate the diverse characters and the unique way this family works together and supports each other, even as Prairie and her ex Greg develop new relationships. Greg has taken on more of the parenting but he’s not as experienced and struggles a bit. I love Prairie and Foster’s first date! I look forward to Believer in September.
Narration:
The narrator is new to me, although she does also narrate the sapphic romances these authors have written (I read the ebooks for those.) I was very comfortable with her voices and the differences for the age and gender felt appropriate. I listened at my newer 1.75x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
About Annie Mare
Annie Mare (she/they) writes queer contemporary mystery and romance. If you enjoy their books, check out the books they co-author with Ruthie Knox, including both queer romances (as Mae Marvel) and mysteries (as Ruthie Knox and Annie Mare). Annie’s romances have been critically recognized and bestselling. Annie lives with her wife, two teenagers, two dogs, multiple fish, one cat, four hermit crabs, and a bazillion plants in a very old house with a garden.
Also published as Mary Ann Rivers.
About Ruthie Knox
New York Times bestselling author Ruthie Knox writes contemporary romance that’s sexy, witty, and angsty—sometimes all three at once. After training to be a British historian, she became an academic editor instead. Then she got really deeply into knitting, as one does, followed by motherhood and romance novel writing.
Her debut novel, Ride with Me, is probably the only existing cross-country bicycling love story. She followed it up with About Last Night, a London-set romance whose hero has the unlikely name of Neville, and then Room at the Inn, a Christmas novella—both of which were finalists for the Romance Writers of America’s RITA Award. Her four-book series about the Clark family of Camelot, Ohio, has won accolades for its fresh, funny portrayal of small-town Midwestern life.
Ruthie moonlights as a mother and bakes a mean focaccia. She writes both mystery and romance, usually with co-author Annie Mare. You can find Ruthie’s books under the pen names Ruthie Knox (mystery and het romance), Mae Marvel (queer romance), and Robin York (New Adult romance). Ruthie and Annie are married and live with two teenagers, two dogs, multiple fish, two glorious cats, four hermit crabs, and a bazillion plants in a very old house with a garden.
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 26-Audio
I love the sound of this series. Also that the ex is still part of the family. Thanks for sharing, Anne😁
yes it’s incredible how adult they are about things.
I’ve heard of Knox but not Mare. Glad their collaboration worked and great review, Anne💜
Thank you Jonetta. I’d love to know what you think of them someday because I think they are terrific.
I enjoyed your review and it makes me more and more interested in this series. I’ll have to see if book 1 is in audio at my library. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Thanks. I don’t know if it will be at the library as the audio was initially in KU.
This does sound like a treat of a series. Glad to see it only gets better.
The attitudes are so refreshing. I also appreciate the community they are building with support and positive encouragement for each other.
I do enjoy it when a mystery is smart and funny. I’ll have to check this series out!
They are such a supportive group, improving things for everyone.
I saw the cover the other day and it caught my eye. This series sounds wonderful. I’m adding both books to my TBR. Thanks!
I hope you love it as much as I do. The perspectives aren’t typical but they are such a community building of support.
This sounds like a very fun cozy mystery series.
I’m really loving them.
Sounds like a good series and glad you’re enjoying it. I like the covers for these. Great review!
Thank you Lisa. I’m loving how they build community and support each other.
Awwww this has me itching for a good mystery 😉
These are good and not straightforward to spot the villain.