The Carpool Detectives

A True Story of Four Moms, Two Bodies, and One Mysterious Cold Case

De: Chuck Hogan

Narrado por: Gabra Zackman

The incredible true story of a group of moms who, united by a search for new purpose, attempt to solve a fifteen-year-old double murder.

“A true crime mystery that reads like a novel . . . It can be easy to forget that the underlying case is based on real, not fictional, murder.”—Los Angeles Times

A lot of us like to think we could solve a mystery. Can these four moms actually do it?

In 2020, Marissa, Jeannie, Samira, and Nicole find themselves at a familiar crossroads: when motherhood takes charge of their lives, they begin grappling with their own identities. Their thriving careers seem like a lifetime ago, and as their children become more independent, they struggle to find purpose. But when they meet at a bowling night fundraiser for their kids’ school, they discover a shared interest in true crime that crystalizes around a mysterious double homicide that took place in their hometown a decade earlier: A couple in their 60s vanished overnight from their home and mysteriously shuttered their family business, leaving millions of dollars unaccounted for. Initially believed to have absconded with the money, they went from suspects to victims when their bodies were discovered in their car at the bottom of a steep ravine. And then the case turned cold.

But what if the moms could solve it? What if they could bring a killer to justice and give closure to a grieving family?

The four women have no connection to the case and no law-enforcement background, but the determined group find themselves in incredible and often dangerous situations–digging for evidence in prohibited ravines, scouring potential crime scenes for blood splatter, and sifting through pages and pages of dense police files. As they get more and more entangled in this complex investigation, they also find themselves in real danger—and with information that could blow the case wide open.

An emotional and often terrifying odyssey through a DIY criminal investigation, The Carpool Detectives is the ultimate wish fulfillment for any true crime fanatic, an absolutely thrilling listen for armchair sleuths and mystery fans alike.

©2025 Chuck Hogan (P)2025 Random House Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

“A gripping read . . . Chuck Hogan concocts a wacky but intriguing tale about a group of intelligent and resourceful moms who band together to tackle a cold case. Chaos ensues and tension builds as their surprising discoveries about an unsolved double murder quite literally put them on dangerous paths.”—Lise Olsen, author of The Scientist and the Serial Killer

“I’ll never look at the carpool lane the same way again. Hogan ingeniously unravels the lives of four women who transformed themselves into a crack team of amateur sleuths in a tale of true crime that’s as unbelievable as it is relatable.”—Graham Moore, author of The Wealth of Shadows

“Impossible to put down—this unbelievable true story is as riveting as any thriller. Each twist in the investigation pulled me in deeper, but it was the unbreakable bond between these four women, united by their relentless quest for the truth, that stayed with me long after the final page.”—Gregg Olsen, author of If You Tell

“[A] riveting read about real-life Nancy Drews that seems destined for the big or small screen . . . Hogan has crafted a page-turning true-crime thriller about this unlikely band of investigators.”—Kirkus Reviews

Riveting

Well written story pulling together over a year of a real investigation and making it exciting to read/listen to.

What 4 women can do!

The book is very “procedural” in the first half. This became tedious until the pace picked up in the second half.
What these 4 women did is amazing. It really hit me as soon as I finished it. Although that was the subtext it turned out to be more profound than the storyline!

Loved every minute

Finally a book that captured mom life in a true light and was true crime! Perfect!

Narration

A story well told! I could have done without the literal reading of the text massages ("emoji, emoji, emoji..."). But the story was well done and kept me engaged.

Wow. A must read

Really amazing story. Couldn’t stop listening to this. Recommend 100% for an exciting read. The trouble people get themselves into.

Really entertaining

I'm NOT a true crime fan but heard Jeff O'Neil from Book Riot mention this on the podcast. As his taste in nonfiction is a fairly reliable indicator that I'll like it, I got the book. Very entertaining. It's an unusual premise--though the title is a misnomer, they are 4 mothers but there's no carpooling involved--4 moms during Covid and at other moments of transition in their lives solve a cold case.

Can’t put your AirPod down

I couldn’t stop listening. Such a killer story—mysterious, as it is inspiring—that’s expertly told. If this hasn’t been optioned for the film rights yet, it’s a matter of weeks until it is. Can I get a real life sequel too?

Wow. Crazy story

It was tough at times keeping the names of all the characters but this story kept me hooked from the jump. Unbelievable that this actually happened.

Breathless

This book had me on pins and needles the whole way through. There crime at its best.

Make this a Movie

This book is a gripping, heartfelt, and surprisingly relatable story about four mothers who band together during the pandemic to solve a decades-old cold case. What begins as a shared curiosity quickly turns into an inspiring tale of friendship, determination, and the power of ordinary people stepping into extraordinary circumstances.

The writing strikes the perfect balance between suspense and warmth. The author paints the characters with such depth and authenticity that you feel like you know these women personally—their wit, their resilience, and the way they lean on each other in the face of uncertainty. The cold case itself is masterfully woven into the backdrop of lockdown life, reminding readers of the ways people found meaning and connection during such an isolating time.

What makes this book stand out is that it isn’t just about solving a mystery—it’s about the bonds between women, the strength of community, and the belief that justice is worth pursuing, no matter how much time has passed.

Honestly, I couldn’t put it down. It’s the kind of story that stays with you long after you’ve turned the final page. And with its rich characters, emotional depth, and suspenseful twists, I think this book is destined for the screen. It has all the makings of a powerful movie that would resonate with a wide audience.