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The Wronged Women's Co-operative #1
Murder on the First Date: A Cozy Scottish Mystery Novel
A mysterious killer is no match for a group of mums in sensible shoes…
Mary Plunkett has mastered how to be a stay at home mum. Her kids mostly make it to school on time, forty percent of them do their homework and sometimes they even have clean socks. In fact, Mary can actually get them their five a day, as long as it’s apples. But she is terminally bored. When the teacher at her kid’s school is murdered, Mary joins a group of mums to find out who killed him
The Wronged Women’s Co-operative are more used to tracking down errant husbands and finding stolen dogs than catching killers, but it can’t be that hard, can it? When Mary becomes their newest member she realises that there is more to life than dirty nappies and winter colds. Mums are famous for being able to multitask, so why not add catching a murderer to the list?
A funny, charming novel that is the first in a series of cosy mysteries.
Mary Plunkett has mastered how to be a stay at home mum. Her kids mostly make it to school on time, forty percent of them do their homework and sometimes they even have clean socks. In fact, Mary can actually get them their five a day, as long as it’s apples. But she is terminally bored. When the teacher at her kid’s school is murdered, Mary joins a group of mums to find out who killed him
The Wronged Women’s Co-operative are more used to tracking down errant husbands and finding stolen dogs than catching killers, but it can’t be that hard, can it? When Mary becomes their newest member she realises that there is more to life than dirty nappies and winter colds. Mums are famous for being able to multitask, so why not add catching a murderer to the list?
A funny, charming novel that is the first in a series of cosy mysteries.
321 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 18, 2022
513 people are currently reading
616 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
November 10, 2023
I enjoyed this much more than I thought I was going to. It was a recommendation from my sister and I normally take those with a pinch of salt *face palm*.
But this month I started off in a slump and hadn’t read anything in 9 days so decided to give this one a try.
Good decision! It had me giggling away and I loved all the characters! I’ve never read a cosy mystery before but this feels likes the epitome of cosy! I had a great time and I very much look forward to reading the next book in the series!
Officially out of my slump now…I hope!
But this month I started off in a slump and hadn’t read anything in 9 days so decided to give this one a try.
Good decision! It had me giggling away and I loved all the characters! I’ve never read a cosy mystery before but this feels likes the epitome of cosy! I had a great time and I very much look forward to reading the next book in the series!
Officially out of my slump now…I hope!
September 1, 2023
loved it!
What a great start of a new-to-me series! Wonderful characters, fun situations, good mystery, and Outrageous Solving Skills! This series is gonna be Fun!
What a great start of a new-to-me series! Wonderful characters, fun situations, good mystery, and Outrageous Solving Skills! This series is gonna be Fun!
January 16, 2026
A brilliant start to the series, I love the mixture of characters and the way the story progresses.
I find it to have a good mixture of intrigue and fun in bucket loads.
I look forward to reading the next in series.
I find it to have a good mixture of intrigue and fun in bucket loads.
I look forward to reading the next in series.
March 30, 2024
A good start to this series where rather than 1 sleuth, there are actually 4, all very different women who know each other through meeting at the school gates
October 6, 2025
This is an enjoyable light read, following the exploits of the Wronged Women’s Cooperative, a three women investigating team.
They are engaging characters in different ways, their individual lives interlocking with the plot development. Also enjoyed the small Scottish town setting.
There’s quite a lot more in the series, and I can imagine coming back to these if looking for something light but entertaining.
They are engaging characters in different ways, their individual lives interlocking with the plot development. Also enjoyed the small Scottish town setting.
There’s quite a lot more in the series, and I can imagine coming back to these if looking for something light but entertaining.
February 29, 2024
Loved this first book of this new series! Humor + likable characters + fun and easy to read. These ladies are so great, taking their own initiatives with sass! I would love to be part of the WWC, where can I sign up? On to book #2!
January 7, 2023
Murder on the First Date by T E Scott is the first book in a cozy mystery series called the Wronged Women’s Co-operative. Bernie, Liz and Mary are 3 Mums who have an interest in helping people out and in the process help to solve crimes. Mary is a bit late to this but takes to it, in the end, like a duck to water. This is their first murder though. I liked how the beginning of the book fleshes out each of the women and I look forward to the next book in the series to find out even more about them. The women use their local contacts from the community to find out information not known to the police. This is a great story with humour throughout as well, and no gore. I really enjoyed it. I look forward to reading the next in the series.
January 9, 2023
A clever cozy mystery with a strong female leads.
July 10, 2023
A Page Turner and Great Debut
I can recommend this book to young adults and adults with the following rating (PG-13):
-kissing, necking and a philandering teacher
-swearing mayby less than a dozen, a couple of times blasphemy
Scott introduces the members of the WWC and starts to develop them with colorful and efficient fashion. Bernice scares me with her no nonsense personality and one has to sympathize with the stressed out Liz and overwhelmed Mary. The police try to rein the detectives in but will they realize a murder investigation is a different level of risk from lost pets and stolen money before someone gets hurt? This is a very entertaining read!
An aside: Tescott, KS (USA) is named for it's founder, T. E. Scott.
I can recommend this book to young adults and adults with the following rating (PG-13):
-kissing, necking and a philandering teacher
-swearing mayby less than a dozen, a couple of times blasphemy
Scott introduces the members of the WWC and starts to develop them with colorful and efficient fashion. Bernice scares me with her no nonsense personality and one has to sympathize with the stressed out Liz and overwhelmed Mary. The police try to rein the detectives in but will they realize a murder investigation is a different level of risk from lost pets and stolen money before someone gets hurt? This is a very entertaining read!
An aside: Tescott, KS (USA) is named for it's founder, T. E. Scott.
March 2, 2025
I really enjoyed reading Murder on the First Date. Set is Scotland, it tell the story of the death of teacher, Sam Jones. Actually his date murdered him! An unlikely group of moms, Mary Plunkett, Bernie Paterson, and Liz Okoro, make up the WWC--The Wronged Women's Co-Operative. They consider themselves a private investigation agency and they are determined to solve the mystery of what happened to Jones. Working the case is Constable Walker. "He has something of Mr. Darcy about him." Mary, Bernie, and Liz lead boring lives at home, but when they come together, they get things done. I liked these three brave women, their families, and the hint of a romance between Mary and Constable Walker. I look forward to reading other books in this series.
July 11, 2023
Very entertaining
This delightfully funny mystery tells about the Wronged Women’s Cooperative, an investigation agency set up by some women in a small Scottish town. A womanizing teacher is murdered, and the WWC decides that they will investigate, despite being begged not to by the police. Each woman in the group has an engaging personality and an interesting back story, and solving the mystery gives each a chance to use her particular skills towards the solution. This book is witty and charming. I look forward to more from this series and author.
This delightfully funny mystery tells about the Wronged Women’s Cooperative, an investigation agency set up by some women in a small Scottish town. A womanizing teacher is murdered, and the WWC decides that they will investigate, despite being begged not to by the police. Each woman in the group has an engaging personality and an interesting back story, and solving the mystery gives each a chance to use her particular skills towards the solution. This book is witty and charming. I look forward to more from this series and author.
August 6, 2023
Slow start - now dying to read the next
As other reviewers have said, it took a little while to get going with this enjoyable read but, once I got into it, I read the rest in one sitting. Light humour, likeable characters, a story that doesn't take itself too seriously but has an interesting plot and drew me in. Not a gritty detective novel by any stretch of the imagination, but a warm-hearted read with enough of a crime investigation to become a page-turner. I will definitely be reading more.
As other reviewers have said, it took a little while to get going with this enjoyable read but, once I got into it, I read the rest in one sitting. Light humour, likeable characters, a story that doesn't take itself too seriously but has an interesting plot and drew me in. Not a gritty detective novel by any stretch of the imagination, but a warm-hearted read with enough of a crime investigation to become a page-turner. I will definitely be reading more.
July 18, 2023
sounded intriguing, but…..
Firstly I enjoyed the camerardi of the women involved, their secret life together, the complexities of their own family lives and their agency club.
But I …warning..this book includes profanity, I stopped reading there, I expect it will probable contain more unsavoury language and other things I don’t like reading as well.
A pity because it just doesn’t come accross as the kind of storyline and people to use bad language, but it is what it is.
Firstly I enjoyed the camerardi of the women involved, their secret life together, the complexities of their own family lives and their agency club.
But I …warning..this book includes profanity, I stopped reading there, I expect it will probable contain more unsavoury language and other things I don’t like reading as well.
A pity because it just doesn’t come accross as the kind of storyline and people to use bad language, but it is what it is.
August 13, 2023
A Wonderful Mystery by T E Scott
This is my first book by this author, T E Scott. Certainly not the last because I really enjoyed reading this book. The murder was very unique and finding out who dun was not easy. There were so many suspects that the WWC had to do a great deal of investigating. All of the main characters are very unique and likable. There might even be some romance waiting for Mary in future books. I'm looking forward to reading more of this author's work.
This is my first book by this author, T E Scott. Certainly not the last because I really enjoyed reading this book. The murder was very unique and finding out who dun was not easy. There were so many suspects that the WWC had to do a great deal of investigating. All of the main characters are very unique and likable. There might even be some romance waiting for Mary in future books. I'm looking forward to reading more of this author's work.
October 16, 2023
I flew through this one, its an enjoyable, quick, cosy murder mystery. A group of mum's, the Wronged Women's Co-Operative, try to solve the murder of a school teacher. It's not a pulse racing thrill ride but if you want something a bit more sedate then I think you'll enjoy it.
I really liked Mary & Liz & Walker, Bernie wasn't the best but I'd started to warm to her a bit by the end. I'm interested in seeing what adventures they get up to, as there's 5 more stories in the series.
I really liked Mary & Liz & Walker, Bernie wasn't the best but I'd started to warm to her a bit by the end. I'm interested in seeing what adventures they get up to, as there's 5 more stories in the series.
October 10, 2025
Okay
It is a light hearted read. The solution was a bit of a disappointment though. It was just chance they solved it rather than from investigation. The motive wasn't strong enough.
I dislike Bernie, she is very judgemental of people's appearance and what they eat. Despite having children herself she's intolerant of other people's children.
I liked Liz and Mary and the constable.
It is a light hearted read. The solution was a bit of a disappointment though. It was just chance they solved it rather than from investigation. The motive wasn't strong enough.
I dislike Bernie, she is very judgemental of people's appearance and what they eat. Despite having children herself she's intolerant of other people's children.
I liked Liz and Mary and the constable.
November 1, 2025
This book has more potential knowing that there are more books in the series. The characters felt undeveloped and their stories felt unfinished. The mystery itself wasn’t much of a mystery and overall it wasn’t all that exciting. There was something likable about the book though...Maybe it’s just because it’s a book about moms doing something unexpected and I like the premise of that being a mom myself.
January 2, 2026
This is not my normal genre, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was very well written, pacy and easy to read. The characters are well-drawn, and oh, my goodness, you can sympathise with poor Mary juggling the demands of all these children, whilst dealing with an unwanted husband and trying to fit into a new community. The other characters were all believable, with issues in their own lives.
A real feel-good experience, and a nice change from heavier reading.
A real feel-good experience, and a nice change from heavier reading.
August 4, 2023
It was a fun story a change from the books I usually read which are Sci-Fi, horror or action. I wonder if the rest are as good usually I find books in a series the first being good and the rest slowly become boring because they should be a short story and the author puts in a lot of descriptions to lengthen the book.
September 10, 2023
Fabulous!
Oh my goodness, this is such a cool mystery! The three moms from the playground are wonderfully unique characters while seeming to fit perfectly together as a team. The police are, one in particular, at least, mostly lovable, and you can't help but feel sorry for the murderer!
Nothing like feel good mystery endings, well mostly...
Oh my goodness, this is such a cool mystery! The three moms from the playground are wonderfully unique characters while seeming to fit perfectly together as a team. The police are, one in particular, at least, mostly lovable, and you can't help but feel sorry for the murderer!
Nothing like feel good mystery endings, well mostly...
May 8, 2024
Too Many Suspects
The story was told in third person with each chapter from one of the main characters.
However Mary seems to be the most focused of the members of the WWCO. Her children provide a Comic relief for the story.
The mystery is well written. The author provides plenty of suspects as the victim is a serial dater.
The story was told in third person with each chapter from one of the main characters.
However Mary seems to be the most focused of the members of the WWCO. Her children provide a Comic relief for the story.
The mystery is well written. The author provides plenty of suspects as the victim is a serial dater.
October 10, 2025
Interesting plot!
Mary blooms in this cozy mystery. There are some beautiful moments that occur in this book, especially during the last half of the story. Walker is a sexy police officer who wants Mary and her cohorts to let him do his job. A very intricate plot with a great ending!
Mary blooms in this cozy mystery. There are some beautiful moments that occur in this book, especially during the last half of the story. Walker is a sexy police officer who wants Mary and her cohorts to let him do his job. A very intricate plot with a great ending!
July 13, 2023
a fun read
Took me a bit to get all the characters straight - then it was a really fun read and a good story with interesting characters and some nice side stories within the main mystery.
Took me a bit to get all the characters straight - then it was a really fun read and a good story with interesting characters and some nice side stories within the main mystery.
July 14, 2023
Captivating
From the first sentence I was hooked. The way the characters were introduced and developed was captivating. I enjoyed each chapter focusing on a certain person's perspective. The storyline kept me interested and the bit of humor topped it off.
From the first sentence I was hooked. The way the characters were introduced and developed was captivating. I enjoyed each chapter focusing on a certain person's perspective. The storyline kept me interested and the bit of humor topped it off.
July 17, 2023
This book had me mixing my real life up with it lol. I felt as if it could be a bit shorter as it went on and on but it was really good! The ending made me so happy, Mary knows her worth and isn't just focused on men. She's focused on her babies!
July 25, 2023
The Dating Game
Oh my gosh this entertaining easy read had a real twist at the end. Modern dating urgh!!!! Women will always discover the truth no matter how it is disguised they are the ultimate sleuths without a badge. Perfect book for a holiday, plane trip, or a lazy day
Oh my gosh this entertaining easy read had a real twist at the end. Modern dating urgh!!!! Women will always discover the truth no matter how it is disguised they are the ultimate sleuths without a badge. Perfect book for a holiday, plane trip, or a lazy day
July 27, 2023
And amusing read
As an American reading a Scottish mystery, I am always interested in the various different terms used by a non-American writer. This story was amusing and educational. I'd recommend it.
As an American reading a Scottish mystery, I am always interested in the various different terms used by a non-American writer. This story was amusing and educational. I'd recommend it.
March 17, 2024
4.5 stars
The book starts with a bang with the murder of a school teacher. Bernie, Liz, and new resident Mary, are determined to solve the murder. It's a cosy mystery with a lovely cast of characters, and other wrongs are righted apart from the murder case. Very enjoyable.
The book starts with a bang with the murder of a school teacher. Bernie, Liz, and new resident Mary, are determined to solve the murder. It's a cosy mystery with a lovely cast of characters, and other wrongs are righted apart from the murder case. Very enjoyable.
April 22, 2024
it was okay
It was okay and a bit slow in the beginning. I also didn’t quite love the ladies and didn’t quite dislike them either. I might circle back to other books in the series but not soon
It was okay and a bit slow in the beginning. I also didn’t quite love the ladies and didn’t quite dislike them either. I might circle back to other books in the series but not soon
July 7, 2024
Enjoyable
This was a fun read and a great start to a new-to-me series. The feel is somewhat similar to Murder She Wrote, which is referenced in the book, although the background of the main characters is decidedly different. I’m looking forward to reading book 2
This was a fun read and a great start to a new-to-me series. The feel is somewhat similar to Murder She Wrote, which is referenced in the book, although the background of the main characters is decidedly different. I’m looking forward to reading book 2
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews