The Game Is Afoot

By: Elise Bryant

Narrated by: Aure Nash

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. 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?

5 stars

The Game is Afoot is an entertaining cozy mystery with engaging characters and and a well developed plot. I look forward to the next book in this series.

So good!

I absolutely loved everything about this book! Every character is complex in their own way and Mavis' inner monologues are always truthful and hilarious 😄❤️ With a school full of shady parents like these honestly who needs enemies. I can't wait for the next book.

Even Better Than the First

I loved this book so much. Damn near cried when it ended. Desperately hoping there is a book 3 on the way. Mavis Miller and her cast of characters are delightful and engaging. This book hits different because it’s just so damn relatable to my current era in life, minus the murder and all. I was first introduced to Its Elementary (the first book on the series) by trying to fulfill a Good Reads reading challenge under the black history category and it so thankful I did. The narration of this book is absolutely incredible, all the characters and voices. Absolutely amazing. My favorite read of the year so far.

Mavis has really grown on me!

I love everything about this book! I definitely love it more than the first one. I think I’ve gotten used to Mavis and her erratic overthinking LOL In this book, I found her overthinking more endearing than annoying. The narrator was awesome (just like the first book), the characters were well developed and the pace of the story was just right. Can’t wait for the next book!

The narrator is amazing

The narrator was so great at bringing the characters to life. I love her! I def will be Listening to more books by this author and hopefully the same narrator I soon. Wow! I found myself telling my family about this book, so happy it popped up on my radar.