It's Elementary

By: Elise Bryant

Narrated by: Aure Nash

A fast-paced, completely delightful new mystery about what happens when parents get a little too involved in their kids' schools, from NAACP Image Award nominee Elise Bryant.

Mavis Miller is not a PTA mom. She has enough on her plate with her feisty seven-year-old daughter, Pearl, an exhausting job at a nonprofit, and the complexities of a multigenerational household. So no one is more surprised than Mavis when she caves to Trisha Holbrook, the long-reigning, slightly terrifying PTA president, and finds herself in charge of the school’s brand-new DEI committee.

As one of the few Black parents at this California elementary school, Mavis tries to convince herself this is an opportunity for real change. But things go off the rails at the very first meeting, when the new principal's plans leave Trisha absolutely furious. Later that night, when Mavis spies Trisha in yellow rubber gloves and booties, lugging cleaning supplies and giant black trash bags to her waiting minivan, it’s only natural that her mind jumps to somewhere it surely wouldn’t in the light of day.

Except Principal Smith fails to show up for work the next morning, and has been MIA since the meeting. Determined to get to the bottom of things, Mavis, along with the school psychologist with the great forearms (look, it’s worth noting), launches an investigation that will challenge her views on parenting, friendship, and elementary school politics.

Brilliantly written, It's Elementary is a quick-witted, escapist romp that perfectly captures just how far parents will go to give their kids the very best, all wrapped in a mystery that will leave you guessing to the very end.

©2024 Elise Bryant (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“It's Elementary is the coziest of cozy mysteries. With the intrigue and drama of Big Little Lies and the warmth and humor of Abbott Elementary, Elise Bryant's first foray into the genre is a delight. A perfect next read for anyone looking for a charming cast, clever writing, and a hint of romance alongside their whodunit.”—Emily Henry, New York Times bestselling author of Funny Story

“Sassy and spirited, Elise Bryant’s It’s Elementary is the perfect puzzle to unravel under the covers. This cozy mystery isn’t just about finding out who did it—it’s about finding yourself along the way.”—Christina Lauren, NYT bestselling authors of The True Love Experiment

"Mavis’s first-person-present narration evinces a razor-sharp wit, complementing the clever, twist-riddled plot of YA author Bryant’s effervescent adult debut. Myriad mysteries and an enchanting will-they-or-won’t-they romance work in tandem to maintain tension throughout, while boldly drawn characters help spotlight issues such as racism, gentrification, and the devaluation of female labor...A smart, funny novel that’s certain to make a splash."—Kirkus, starred review

Cute, easy read

This audio was fun to listen to. Voices were great! It was a cute book!

The ending.

I did NOT see that coming and I loved how it was wrapped up. Perfect 20/10!

She a real black girl.

she’s well educated. She’s a PTO mom she is living with her father. She is a mother of the smartest person in every room pearl she’s a real black girl. We are so multifaceted. We have to switch and change from one role to another in the same room, successfully. and I’m gonna say it again she’s a real black girl. She has a bonnet. eco-style gel edge control and a nosy, lady next door who takes care of the n neighborhood. She lives in her childhood home. Her daughter goes to her elementary school, but we are experiencing a little gentrification when the principal goes missing on the first week of school she makes a new PTO mom friend is in a partnership with the school psychologist to find out what is going on behind-the-scenes at this up-and-coming school.

Loved it!!

I really enjoyed the changing of the voices and the storyline! I found myself LOL. I want more stories like this.

It’s Elementary

Great twist at the end! I read all of the other Elise Bryant books. I love the switch from romance to having to read a mystery.

Fun

I liked the quirkiness and the surprise ending. I liked Mavus & Pearl very much. As a retired educator I loved the PTA politics, even though they were more extreme than I had ever experienced, I certainly have experienced PTA politics!

It's Elementary

I loved every minute of this book! now I have to read/ listen to everything she's done!

The way the characters was

I loved this boo it was very interesting I can’t believe the neighbors that was behind the whole thing

Easy Listening Music Equivalent

The white characters were centered entirely too much for what I thought was an African-American book . I do not know a Black woman that would give that much deference to random white people. Her boss, I get, but the PTA mom … please, which made this completely unrelatable. I finished the book but it served as background noise during my work day.

Easy read, but lacking anything memorable

This book was fine, but didn’t miss it when I finished it. I’d give it a C. Beach read at best.