This particular book didn't entertain me much, and I was severely disappointed enough to the point where I have decided I will no longer continue on with the series after the next one (since I already own it).Waldman's The Cradle Robbers had Juliet investigating a case involving an infant disappearing while its mother was still in prison. The story and the mystery itself was just boring and uninteresting, and there were not enough characters and suspects in the book to make it fun to solve. The book had zero suspense and even no humor this time around. I spent more time being appalled at how disgusting Juliet was throughout the book versus anything directly involving the plot. The first chapter reveals to us how Juliet has not replaced a bed mattress that comes with their new house, and how their infant daughter has red spots all over her body due to the disease-ridden, bug-infested bed. Instead of being able to relate to Juliet as a mother myself, I found her habits disgustingly lazy. Other low points in the book featured how Juliet decided to let her infant sleep in poopy diapers, as well as recycling old milk bottles lying around the house. I may not be the most pristine, cleanest person on the planet, but even I wouldn't stoop that low with taking care of my own son's health.I also felt very sorry for Juliet's husband Peter, who works so hard to please her throughout the book between cooking dinner and taking care of the three children while Juliet gallivants around California working a case she is not getting paid to do. I strongly disagree with Juliet and her idiotic friends when they discuss how marriage, mothering, and sex just cannot simultaneously work together. Of course it can! You just need to have energy and not be so lazy! I'm lazy and I can get it done!I only finished this book because it was short and I have one more after this to go in the series. I plan on not pursuing any future installments. Boooo!
I've read a few of this series and they were unusual, well-focused and just right for someone with kids, who can't concentrate on too many plot twists and levels of detail for long. The amateur sleuth has been a public defender but now she's a stay-home mother who is looking for preschools, attending play-dates and funerals and all kinds of things that women do instead of being at work. She still can't help investigating crimes and in this book we learn that babies born in prison are taken from their mothers are adopted out. There may be a good societal reason for doing this but it still seems hard on some of the mothers who don't get the usual choices. The heroine's kids are pretty good kids I have to say, and the good mother comes to the fore and puts their needs first.
