Tag: mystery

REVIEW: The Body in the Backyard by Lucy Score

REVIEW: The Body in the Backyard by Lucy Score

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Riley and Nick are working their most obnoxious case yet. Riley’s horrible ex-husband thinks someone is out to kill him. Nick thinks he’s faking – and Griffin IS a total narcissist. But evidence starts to pile up that he really is on someone’s hit list.

The problem is that Griffin is so awful, there’s no shortage of people who want to see him dead. How can Nick and Riley weed through so many suspects to find the most dangerous one before someone actually succeeds at killing their client before they can get paid?

Review

What a hoot! Once again, Lucy Score delivers a laugh-riot of a paranormal mystery/romance. I’m noticing  how other stories billed as “rom-coms” are suffering in comparison to this series which makes me laugh out loud all the time. I need more Lucy Score books in my life!

Griffin has been “the worst” from the start of this series, but this book puts all of his worst on full display. And wow. This is the sort of character who can tank an otherwise terrific story because he is just so awful. But the author deftly shows all of Griffin’s deplorable choices while keeping the reader on Nick and Riley’s side, hoping they’ll get their fee in the end. I think Griffin is such a narcissistic buffoon that he’s almost too “cartoonish” to be believed.  And that makes him awful AND funny. I was thrilled with how it all worked out in the end. The sheer number of suspects here kept me from having any shot at figuring things out for myself. And I was fine with that. I loved the “not another one” ploy here.

All of the series regulars, including Nick and Riley’s families, are back for this book which is part of the series’ charm. Nieces’ Night is one of my favorite parts of this book. I hope future books include more of the girls because they are a total delight. Nick’s competition with Gabe over their affection is also hilarious and adorable.

This is another fantastic addition to this series which anchored my summer 2024 reading. Series fans should not miss this one. You can read the rest of my series reviews here – I recommend reading these in order for the development of the cast, but I think the stories stand well on their own. (Language, sex, psychic visions)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.

REVIEW: The Corpse in the Closet by Lucy Score

REVIEW: The Corpse in the Closet by Lucy Score

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Everything seems to be stacking up against Riley. She’s supposed to be joining Nick in his PI business, but after the excitement earlier this summer, he’s gotten super protective. Detective Weber has asked for her psychic expertise on a case, but Nick doesn’t want her near another murder.

On top of that, Riley’s grandmother has arrived, disappointed in Riley’s psychic development – and in her psychic coach, Gabe. Her grandmother is determined to bully Riley – and her sister and mother – into becoming the kinds of psychics Elanora believes they should be.

But Weber’s murder becomes two murders, Nick is working a missing person’s case, and Riley’s spirit guides are hinting that it’s all connected. She needs to get her psychic skills together before someone else ends up dead.

Review

Another fantastic mystery in this series! I absolutely adore Riley and Nick, and the larger cast around them is an absolute hoot! I found myself wishing this series was 10 or 15 books long already – I would read these all summer.

The mystery here is fantastic. At times the case felt stalled while things developed with Riley and her family. But I love these characters so much I didn’t care. Watching Riley’s – and Nick’s – families reminded me of the chaos of the extended family from Donna Andrew’s Meg Langslow series.

I loved the development of Riley and Nick’s relationship here, too. This series is EXACTLY what I needed this summer. If you love a mashup – romance/mystery with paranormal elements – with laugh-out-loud humor, do not miss this series! I would recommend reading these in order to enjoy the evolution of the personal relationships. But be sure to have all the available books nearby because you are going to want to read them back to back. Book 4 in the series, The Body in the Backyard, released a couple of weeks ago. I’ll post my reviews of books 3 and 4 soon. (Language, sex, paranormal elements – clairvoyance, TW: suicide and online bullying.)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

♥♥♥♥½ = I loved it! Would re-read.

REVIEW: The Dead Guy Next Door by Lucy Score

REVIEW: The Dead Guy Next Door by Lucy Score

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Riley is not quite “living the dream.” She’s divorced, broke, and renting a room at a house full of octogenarians. Her job is a regular disappointment. And she has can’t-be-ignored messages and premonitions from the dead.

All of that is bad enough. But when a premonition about her neighbor’s murder comes true, the police think Riley could be the killer.

One person on Riley’s side, though, is the gorgeous – and annoying – PI who had been trying to find Riley’s neighbor before he died. Now Riley and Nick are something of a team, pretending to be engaged and trying to find – and arrest – a killer. But the scorching, flirty thing between them is only going to complicate an already ridiculous situation.

Review

Fantastic!! It took me forever to finish this because I was only reading a chapter or two at night before bed, but I was always looking forward to reading a few more chapters. This is quirky in all of my favorite ways – a funny combo mystery/romance with a psychic/paranormal twist. There are fun, eccentric characters who are interesting and funny, but not obnoxious. The mystery is rich and meaty, and it kept me flipping pages night after night. The two main characters are perfect – they have great chemistry and respect one another’s abilities about the case. Their banter is hilarious! I was rooting for them all the way through. I loved the writing in this so much I ended up tabbing this book as I read.

The premise was so great that I took the risk and bought books 1 and 2 at the same time. And when it was clear that these characters and the author’s storytelling were going to be perfect for me, I bought book 3 and pre-ordered book 4 so I could zoom through the whole series as it stands now. I am saving books 2 and 3 for summer vacation because the romance/mystery/humor combo is exactly the vacation vibe I want. I’m looking forward to tabbing the entire series as I cackle through Riley’s next adventures. Highly recommend! (Language, sex, paranormal elements like tarot readings, spirit guides, clairvoyance, etc..)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥♥½ = I loved it! Would re-read.

REVIEW: The Last to Pie by Misha Popp

REVIEW: The Last to Pie by Misha Popp

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

When it comes to murder pies, Daisy has a system. The requester identifies themselves in very specific ways. So when an unusual request comes through, she can’t shake the feeling that it could be a trap. But she also knows the statistics – police officers are 40% more likely to commit domestic violence than the average person.  If the requester is legit, she doesn’t have a lot of options for help. So Daisy eventually reaches out again to test the request a bit more.

But the person goes silent before Daisy can decide if she’s going to take the job. Daisy does some investigating, but she can’t find the woman. Her boyfriend acts like she never even existed. Daisy feels guilty for having waited, and responsible if something has happened to the woman. So she goes all in on her own investigation. She has to know what happened before she can decide if the guy’s murder pie needs to be delivered or not.

Review

“What I do is terrible, but it’s also necessary.”

This is Daisy’s thinking about the Pies Before Guys part of her business.  Her magic allows her to provide a pie that will convince an abuser to either turn from his ways, or keel over as the only way he will “stop.” I have loved this dark, unique, thought-provoking series from book one,  but this new story is darker and more stressful than the first two books. The villain is every awful story you’ve ever read about sadistic, narcissistic individuals becoming police officers to wield that power so they can get away with anything. There were times I had to put the book down and take a break from the darkness of it all.

And because the villain is so bad AND he’s a cop, Daisy is in all sorts of new layers of danger. And that puts her friends and her future in jeopardy – not to mention the risks for the person or people she’s trying to help.

All of the ethical questions around “murder pies” and Daisy’s magic are amped up here too. What is the “right” thing to do when faced with an enemy with a badge and cohorts who also misuse their positions and power?

Fans of the series as well as readers who enjoy a “morally grey” character should give this series a look – although I do recommend reading the books in order. The “mystery” here is a smaller part of the story – what happened to the missing woman, how will Daisy figure it out –  but I enjoyed watching Daisy and her friends work through the mystery – and the larger pie-related ethical questions. (Language)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ – Great!

REVIEW: The Expectant Detectives by Kat Ailes

REVIEW: The Expectant Detectives by Kat Ailes

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Minotaur Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Alice and Joe move out of London to a small country village  anticipating the arrival of their first child. One of their early social activities is attending a prenatal class. It’s information the couple is likely to need, and they get to meet other couples on the same journey.

No one expected their second class to contain an unexpected birth – and an unexpected death.  But when the paramedics show up for the former, they discover the latter. And now everyone in the class is a murder suspect.

Review

What. A. Hoot! I love a book that can make me literally laugh out loud, and this one did. Often at passages about Helen, the dog. This is an excellent mystery that kept me guessing until the end, and also a great book that kept me laughing.

The set up for this, with the third trimester pregnant sleuths and their fledgling friendship, was clever and fun. There’s a good bit of birth-related content here, and I enjoyed it from the humor to the worry and anxiety. It all felt so familiar, even though I was pregnant decades ago.

I was thrilled to see that book 2 in the Expectant Detectives, Dead Tired, is scheduled to release this summer. That’s a must read for me. Mystery fans who don’t mind some foul language and/or don’t have sensitivity around pregnancy-related content should absolutely snap this up. It’s such a fun ride!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥♥½ = I loved it! Would re-read.

REVIEW: Fatal First Edition by Jenn McKinlay

REVIEW: Fatal First Edition by Jenn McKinlay

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

While enjoying a train ride home from an archivist convention, Sully and Lindsey get connected to another murder. By the end they will endure a blizzard and a kidnapping as well as discover a valuable book. But the Crafternoon crown help Lindsey, Sully, and local law enforcement save the day.

Review

This was a fun mystery! It was super easy to fall back into the flow with these characters. I loved the mystery on a train angle, although Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect does it “better” in that the whole story takes place on the train. In this, the train is just one of several settings, but it was a fun one. And the other locations helped draw Lindsey and Sully’s usual community into the case. And that’s half the fun of a long-running series like this one. (This is book 14.)

McKinlay does a good job of giving context to the series regulars which I love because I don’t always remember well after a year’s wait between books. But while I think a newcomer could start here, I would recommend reading this series in order. I find it more satisfying. For example, I think I appreciated Lindsey and Sully’s relationship more in this because I’ve watched it develop from the start.

Series fans should enjoy this latest adventure for Lindsey and Sully – don’t miss this one!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great!

REVIEW: Bride by Ali Hazelwood

REVIEW: Bride by Ali Hazelwood

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Misery Lark has done her time for her people. She gave her entire childhood to serve Vampyre needs, living with humans as “the collateral.” When her duty was finished, she built her own life in the human world, far from her father and his expectations and demands.

And when he suggests one more sacrifice for “the good of her people,” she can’t say no forcefully or fast enough. But then she discovers this dangerous sacrifice can lead her to the one thing she wants most of all.

So she agrees to marry the Werewolf Alpha – live in his territory, live again as an outsider. Because it might lead to the answers she can’t find anywhere else.

Review

This was outstanding! My first Ali Hazelwood – I totally get what the fuss is about. Once I started this, I didn’t want to put it down. The world building is fantastic! And I loved the mysteries that needed solving. There’s so much here to enjoy.

Paranormal romance fans should not miss this. Everything really was perfect – the characters, the pacing, the HUMOR, the twists, the romance. The ending sets up a possible sequel, and I am here for it! The rest of my Hazelwood books are now at the top of my TBR – I’m looking forward to reading more of her work. (Language, sex)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ -= Outstanding!

REVIEW: Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson

REVIEW: Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

The Australian Mystery Writers’ Festival is celebrating their 50th anniversary by traveling by train through the country. Ernie Cunningham is on board with his girlfriend, Juliette, as one of the headliners thanks to the notoriety of his memoir, Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone.

But when someone dies on the train, could it be that Ernie is connected to another murder? Or is it just the wishful thinking of a writer on deadline trying to find his story?

Review

Wow. Another stunner of a mystery from Benjamin Stevenson! I am a huge fan of Ernie’s voice in this series. His self-awareness as the narrator hooked me in book 1, and it’s just as fun here.

I liked this even more than the first book. The secondary characters here are great! And I am a huge fan of this sort of mystery set-up – “strangers” gather at a venue for an event and through a murder you discover secret connections and hidden – or not-so-hidden – motives. And in the end the sleuth reveals the killer. As Ernie promises at the start, this follows all the rules and hits all the beats.

There are some laugh-out-loud moments along with some surprises here. And of course there’s a meaty mystery with a thorough, captivating resolution.

I don’t know that you have to read these in order, but it helps. I would recommend it just because the first book is the basis for Ernie’s presence at this event and is referenced often. If you have already read it – and loved it like I did – you do NOT want to miss this! (Language. TW: Reference to sexual assault.)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥♥½ – I loved it! Would re-read.

REVIEW: The Busy Body by Kemper Donovan

REVIEW: The Busy Body by Kemper Donovan

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Dorothy Gibson was the sort of politician everyone knows – no matter where they’re from – even before she ran for president. But after the election, when her run as an Independent split the ticket and the country ended up with “THAT guy,” she’s infamous. Which means it’s the perfect time for her to write her memoir. Thus, the ghostwriter.

The ghostwriter begins work at Dorothy’s home where they are when they hear Dorothy’s neighbor has died. As Dorothy and the ghostwriter had met the woman the day before her death, they go to pay their respects. And they find a curious collection of people as well as a death with more questions than answers.

Review

This was wild! The ghostwriter’s voice in this is spectacular! It’s the first thing I noticed when I started the book. And it continued to shine – and make me laugh – all the way through to the end.

The core cast around Dorothy and the writer was fascinating. I’m curious if they will stay on in the series or if the ghostwriter will move on to another sleuthing partner in the next book.

The mystery itself was twisty from start to finish. I didn’t predict or expect any of the final reveals. The mystery wrap up was stunning. I wanted something different from the book’s overall ending, but that’s just a matter of preference. This is an excellent mystery in the vein of Christie. Fans of the genre should not miss this one! (Language)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.

REVIEW: Suburban Dicks by Fabian Nicieza

REVIEW: Suburban Dicks by Fabian Nicieza

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Showing up at the site of a murder was a mistake. Her kid needed a bathroom. The rookie cops hadn’t secured the scene well. But after just a few moments, Andrea Stern had theories about the crime. It was an instinct she had used to help the FBI catch a serial killer. Before.

Kenny starts covering the murder for the local paper. It’s a constant blow to his ego to be working at such a rag. He used to be a “real” reporter. He had won a Pulitzer for heaven’s sake. Before.

Andrea and Kenny knew each other as teens. They left home and found success and notoriety. And then lost it all – the dream careers, the respect, the potential futures. But maybe they each could revisit the lives they left behind – if they can work together to solve this murder.

 

Review

Maybe I should have picked a romance to review for Valentine’s Day, but this was next up on my list, so today’s the day to talk about it! Wow. This is fantastic!

I picked this up because I came across the sequel in the bookstore – The Self-Made Widow. And I rarely start a series in the middle. So I bought this, and it sat on my TBR for ages. But I was in  the mood for a mystery, so I picked this up to try.

For the first quarter of the book, I was absolutely captivated by Andrea and Kenny. They don’t feel like the usual protagonists for a story like this. Andrea’s profiling and observational skills are spooky good. And she and Kenny are both in this “How did I get here”/”Is this my life now?” emotional space, wondering if they’ve left their best days behind them. And that angle to their characters grabbed me and wouldn’t let go.

Then, once the mystery developed, I couldn’t put the book down. I had to see how all the pieces would come together. I enjoyed the twists and layers of this. It’s all brilliant. Mystery fans should not miss this one – I highly recommend it! I can’t wait to dig into book 2.

I would list a trigger warning for marginalized people. There’s racism and homophobia displayed by some of the characters, and it’s ugly at times. (Language)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥♥½ = I loved it! Would re-read.