Mother-Daughter Murder Night: A Novel
Written by Nina Simon
Narrated by Jane Oppenheimer
4/5
()
- Family Relationships 
- Grief & Loss 
- Investigation 
- Family 
- Mystery 
- Coming of Age 
- Strong Female Characters 
- Amateur Detective 
- Small Town Mystery 
- Fish Out of Water 
- Redemption 
- Whodunit 
- Amateur Sleuth 
- Sibling Rivalry 
- Small Town Secrets 
- Mother-Daughter Relationship 
- Murder Mystery 
- Nature 
- Ranch Life 
- Personal Growth 
About this audiobook
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - REESE’S BOOK CLUB PICK
Nothing brings a family together like a murder next door.
“I just loved how intriguing the mystery is but also the dynamics between a grandmother, a mother, and a teenage daughter."" —Reese Witherspoon
Think: Gilmore Girls, but with murder.
High-powered businesswoman Lana Rubicon has a lot to be proud of: her keen intelligence, impeccable taste, and the L.A. real estate empire she’s built. But when she finds herself trapped 300 miles north of the city, convalescing in a sleepy coastal town with her adult daughter Beth and teenage granddaughter Jack, Lana is stuck counting otters instead of square footage—and hoping that boredom won’t kill her before the cancer does.
Then Jack—tiny in stature but fiercely independent—happens upon a dead body while kayaking. She quickly becomes a suspect in the homicide investigation, and the Rubicon women are thrown into chaos. Beth thinks Lana should focus on recovery, but Lana has a better idea. She’ll pull on her wig, find the true murderer, protect her family, and prove she still has power.
With Jack and Beth’s help, Lana uncovers a web of lies, family vendettas, and land disputes lurking beneath the surface of a community populated by folksy conservationists and wealthy ranchers. But as their amateur snooping advances into ever-more dangerous territory, the headstrong Rubicon women must learn to do the one thing they’ve always resisted: depend on each other.
Nina Simon
Nina Simon writes crime fiction about strong women. She is the author of the New York Times-bestseller Mother-Daughter Murder Night, which she wrote for her mother, as a way to entertain, comfort, and connect with her during a major health crisis. This debut novel was a Reese's Book Club pick, a Golden Poppy Award winner, and a "best of 2023" selection for Amazon, Barnes & Noble, CrimeReads, and Library Journal. Before turning to fiction, Nina wore many hats: NASA engineer, slam poet, game designer, museum director, and nonprofit CEO. Her work on community participation in museums, libraries, parks, and theaters has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, NPR, and the TEDx stage. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Nina now lives off-the-grid in the Santa Cruz Mountains with her family. More information can be found on her website, ninaksimon.com.
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Reviews for Mother-Daughter Murder Night
569 ratings30 reviews
What our readers think
Readers find this title to be a well-written and entertaining murder mystery. The story is engaging and unpredictable, with a good plot and beautifully written characters. The audiobook is also highly praised for its narration. While some reviewers found the story to be too long and detailed, overall it is considered a great read. There were a few negative reviews, but they were in the minority and did not significantly impact the positive reception of the book.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Aug 21, 2025 A lovely generational reunion, wrapped in a humdinger of a murder mystery! I was sure (like Lana) that I knew who it was several times.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Mar 18, 2025 I really enjoyed this murder mystery.
 Lots of detail to keep my interest
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Feb 1, 2025 Great story. I Loved it from begining till the end
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Jan 18, 2025 Great murder mystery and a delicate analysis of parenthood and complexity of families.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Jan 9, 2025 I want to read more. Is there a sequel? Great mystery-thriller.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Nov 20, 2024 The honest relationship between the women and the feelings that go along with it.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Sep 20, 2024 Great narration. Good character development kept me interested get you right in the beginning.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Jul 22, 2024 Not bad, easy read. Missing depth, but I'm in between books so it filled the slot for now.
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5Apr 25, 2024 Just ok. Feels like there could have been more to it
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Apr 18, 2024 Kinda long BUT Really good ………..
 Enjoyed it and was good
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Mar 20, 2024 I enjoyed this audio book. Lana Rubicon stole my heart. There were bits and pieces that were confusing at first, but that's probably my fault so I had to go back a few times. I also liked the character build up of Beth, Jack's mother. And ofc Officer Ramirez's presence was a good addition.
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5Feb 1, 2024 Oh my gosh. I am too stubborn to quit book but this surely tested me! This book drags on and on and on and onnnnnnn….. only reason I gave it two stars was because I loved the scenery.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Dec 25, 2023 What a fun book! I lived the mother-daughter relationships. I loved how the women grew and bonded. The narrator did an excellent job of reading. The characters came alive, and the twists and turns were fantastic. Hope to read more by this author.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Dec 8, 2023 Bringing a generation of females into the same area, and sharing trauma hooked me into wanting to read/listen more. Mysteries is my genre of choice and this was well written, with intrigue sprinkled with some family dynamics set around a beach scene.
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5Dec 2, 2023 This book drug so much. It could’ve been like 2 hours shorter
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Nov 24, 2023 Gilmore girls retelling plus cozy murder. Amazingly fun book and an amazing audiobook.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Nov 20, 2023 Full of detail in each moment. Its a welcome change from other books I read because it forces me to take my time. Love it!
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5Nov 13, 2023 Very well narrated, but the story is too long, too many details that are often irrelevant. No significant twist or lesson. I finished it, but i was not captivated
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Nov 11, 2023 Beautifully written characters!! I don’t often find myself falling in love with characters in murder/mystery novels but these characters are written so richly I couldn’t help myself. Fun plot and an overall great read. 10/10!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Oct 11, 2023 Not your typical murder mystery detective. Fun story to listen to.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Oct 2, 2023 Very enjoyable book, good story plot and narrator was perfect!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Oct 1, 2023 I really liked this book. It was a fun, interesting and easy read(or listen). I listen books to help me fall asleep (adhd brain). I am sad this one is over!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Sep 22, 2023 This book captured my attention immediately. Enjoyed the cast of characters.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Sep 22, 2023 Excellent! Best book I’ve listened to all year. Well written AND well narrated.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Sep 22, 2023 Loved it. Kept me entertained for a drive and long work day.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Oct 6, 2023 Engaging and unpredictable. Good story woven together. You should read it.1 person found this helpful 
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Oct 24, 2023 I’ve read much better books. I would not call this a psychological thriller. More like Mickey Mouse mystery to me.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Jan 14, 2024 My first cozy mystery and I loved it! I highly recommend a listen, the story was captivating and entertaining and characters were great! The narrator did an amazing job!1 person found this helpful 
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Dec 22, 2023 It’s a decent book and I love in the area it takes place but it’s racist. I guess you’ll love it if you’re not white.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Feb 7, 2024 First I loved the narrator. This can make or break a book for me. Also loved the characters and their interaction with each other. I hope she continues the series.1 person found this helpful 
