Meet Motts: A Heroine Like No Other
Poisoned Primrose is a four-part series of cozy mysteries. I’m heading into the second book, but I wanted to write about the first one because I liked it so much.
Pineapple “Motts” Mottley (yes, her actual name is Pineapple, how cool is that? My grandma also had a cousin named Pineapple, but I digress) is the kind of cozy mystery heroine I didn’t know I was craving until she showed up in all her neurodivergent, asexual, garden-digging glory.
Motts is autistic, independent, and refreshingly uninterested in fitting into anyone’s box. She’s moved into her aunt’s Cornish cottage to escape the chaos of the world, only to stumble, literally, into a corpse buried in the garden. So much for a quiet life of paper flower crafting.
The Vibes: Strong, Supportive, and Sassy
Let’s talk entourage. Motts’ best friends and cousin are pure gold, funny, fiercely loyal, and the kind of people you want to share a scone with. They show up when it counts, and they respect her boundaries without making her identity “a thing.” Nish knows when to clear people away if Motts is showing signs of being overwhelmed. Vina knows how to get Motts to laugh and appreciates her bluntness when discussing why they didn’t work out as a couple.
Then there’s Detective Teo Herceg. Yes, there’s a romantic subplot here, and yes, it’s handled with care and a lovely dose of awkward tenderness. Motts’ ex-girlfriend, Vina, plays a huge role in her life now, as her best friend has had a girlfriend in the past. Here, she begins exploring something new with a man, a reminder that identity is deeply personal and not beholden to anyone else’s definitions.
Representation Done Right
As a white heterosexual woman who experiences sensory overloads and has started to wonder if maybe I’m rocking a bit of neurospice myself (the sound of multiple conversations at once or someone opening a potato chip bag really slowly? Actual torture), I found Motts’ inner world so relatable. It’s rare to see an autistic adult portrayed with this much nuance and authenticity. Dahlia Donovan clearly writes either from knowledge, experience, or deep respect, and it shows.
And let’s not forget the asexual representation. It’s refreshing to see a character whose identity is fully part of her, not a quirky footnote. More of this, please.
Mystery & Whimsy With a Dash of Murder
Now, the murder itself? Delightfully twisty. I did manage to suss out the killer before Motts put all the pieces together, but the journey was so engaging I didn’t mind. Watching Motts take on a cold case while managing her sensory needs, navigating relationships, and building a life on her own terms was nothing short of inspiring.
Also, the real stars of the show? Moss the turtle (stoic, noble, clearly the brains of the operation, no not really) and Cactus the cat (chaotic-neutral, absolute icon of a Sphinx).
Final Verdict: Read. This. Book.
From Motts’ paper flower business to her quiet bravery, Poisoned Primrose is the kind of book that makes you want to curl up with a blanket, a cup of tea, and a turtle. It’s warm, inclusive, funny, and quietly revolutionary. I wanted to move into the cottage and never leave.
5 out of 5 stars.
Motts didn’t just solve a murder; she solved the mystery of how to be unapologetically herself. And honestly? That’s the real plot twist.
Adding a song, because that’s what I do, Motts might want to shrink into a Wallflower from time to time and maybe that is why she spends hours making paper flowers, but I think she is super brave!
