The Game Is Afoot by Aure Nash

The Game Is Afoot

Aure Nash, Elise Bryant, Penguin Audio

Penguin Publishing Group · Print & ebook · July 8, 2025

A Mystery pick for readers exploring The Game Is Afoot.

We earn from qualifying purchases.

Who it’s for
A frazzled would-be supermom investigates a suspicious death while trying to figure out what comes next.
Genres
Cozy Mysteries, Women Detectives, Funny Fiction
Published
Penguin Publishing Group, July 8, 2025

Nearest books

Matched by what the books are about, then ordered by what their readers also loved. Most of these share its genres: Cozy Mysteries and Women Detectives.

  1. It's ElementaryAure Nash, Elise Bryant76% match
  2. History LessonsZoe B. Wallbrook, Jasmin Walker59% match
  3. Savvy Summers and the Sweet Potato CrimesSandra Jackson-Opoku57% match
  4. The Princess and the P.i.Nikki Payne, Arissa Evans59% match
  5. A Grim Reaper's Guide to Cheating DeathMaxie Dara, Jaime Lamchick54% match
  6. TrailbreakerRuthie Knox, Annie Mare60% match
  7. A Murder for Miss HortenseMel Pennant61% match
  8. The Gardener's PlotDeborah J. Benoit60% match

For younger readers: Maggie and the Story Shadows, As Good As Dead, Difficult Girls

Start with three books, and this one can be the first.

Members get a new edition every morning: a route out from their books to essays, research and talks, with the reason for each.

Start with this book

About this book

ONE OF THE WASHINGTON POST'S 10 BEST MYSTERY NOVELS OF 2025 A clever and hilarious new mystery about a mother who thinks she has to do it all—even solve a murder—from the author of It's Elementary After rage quitting her job, Mavis finally has time to get all the rest she’s been putting off. Or she should have the time. Hypothetically. Except she’s taken on a new role: Supermom.

Continue reading

Her hours are filled with chauffeuring her daughter, Pearl, around to her extracurricular activities, somehow ending up class mom, and…investigating another mystery? When Coach Cole, the director of the kids’ soccer program, drops dead on a sunny Saturday morning, no one suspects foul play. However, the police soon discover something suspicious left on the field, making it clear that someone had it in for the coach. But who? Sure, parents got mad when he made their precious star athletes sit on the bench, but not that mad. Mavis is determined to find out, even if it takes her into the dark, dangerous underbelly of gentle parents and MLM girlbosses. Plus, it’s an easy distraction from everything else going on. Like the panic attacks she keeps brushing off. Or the fact that she’s unemployed and totally lost as to what her purpose and path in life should be. And then there’s her ex-husband who’s back in town and doing everything she’s ever wanted, just as she’s beginning a new relationship. Mavis knows a murder investigation probably isn’t the self-care she needs right now. But how exactly are you supposed to take care of yourself when you don’t even know who you are anymore?

Mystery, With Extras

A frazzled would-be supermom investigates a suspicious death while trying to figure out what comes next.

Come here for

  • A murder mystery tangled up with soccer parents and MLM girlbosses
  • A sharp, funny take on the impossible job of doing it all

Expect

  • Amateur sleuthing with a wry look at parental overcommitment
  • Personal uncertainty alongside the mystery, not neatly tucked away

Where it sits

Cozy Mysteries61%
Funny Fiction52%
Women Detectives42%

Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.

Publisher categories

  • Women Detectives
  • Romantic Comedy
  • Black Mystery
Authors
Aure Nash, Elise Bryant, Penguin Audio
Publisher
Penguin Publishing Group
Published
July 8, 2025
Format
Print & ebook
Reading lane
Women Detectives