A Grave Issue is the first book in the A Funeral Parlor Mystery series.

A very enjoyable new series with an interesting setting, that of a funeral home.

Desiree Turner had a very exciting and interesting career going in LA as a TV reporter until a major faux pas while her mike was opened has her returning home to help her family manage their business, the Turner Family Funeral Home.

For some time Rosemarie Brewer has been at odds with her neighbors, Lola and Kyle Hensen, over the Hensen’s dogs constant barking at her emu. When she finds the emu dead and the police refuse to investigate, she takes matters into her own hands and a fight ensues between Rosemarie and Lola at a viewing at Turner’s. Then two days later, when Alan fails to return from collecting the eggs, she goes to look for him and finds him dead from a gunshot to the head. Suspicion soon falls on the Hensen’s. Luke Butler soon finds the murder weapon and when it is confirmed that it belonged to Kyle, he arrested for murder.

Desiree is very upset that Butler doesn’t appear to be looking for any other suspects, she sets off to prove Kyle’s innocent of the murder. The Turner’s and Hensen’s have been close friends for years and Desiree has always looked upon Kyle as a second father.

Desiree soon learns that the bank has been vandalized, more than once, with threats on the life of Alan. When she looks into these act of vandalism she learns of some questionable mortgage and possibly illegal loans by Brewer. With this information, she hopes to find the killer before anyone else loses their life.

This is a well-plotted and told story with plenty of twists and turns until the very end. There is an interesting cast of characters and I hope that we will learn more about them in future books. I particularly enjoyed what I would call “professional mourners”. Grace, Olive, and Henrietta, three elderly ladies, who always seem to show up at visitations and funerals so they can munch on cookies. Plus they have lived in Verbena most of their lives and seem to know the good and bad of everyone there. There were a couple of subplots that I am sure will be developed in future books and I am interested in seeing how they develop.

I will be eagerly awaiting the next book in this fun series.

3.75 stars

This is a promising series debut featuring Desiree Turner, a former journalist who returns to her California hometown of Verbena after an embarrassing career misstep. She gets involved in the family undertaking business but finds herself sucked into a lot of different challenges. Her sister is experiencing a difficult and possibly dangerous pregnancy and the two women are still trying to process their father's disappearance and presumed death 18 months before. Desiree finds herself subject to some of the same small town relationship quandaries dating back to high school and the normal Verbena gossip mill.

When a local man is found murdered and local law enforcement arrests Desiree's dear friend and father figure Kyle, she feels bound to try and discover the real murderer and get Kyle out of jail.

Desiree is an appealing character and her relationships with her family and friends are entertaining and laced with some humor and some depth. The plot seems implausible at times, but the pace is good and this was a very readable book. I look forward to spending more time in Verbena.

Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This fast-paced and action-packed drama immediately grabbed my attention and I could not put this book down until the last page was read. The comfortable tone and the pacing was on par with how well this multi-plot story was being told. The mystery was nicely done keeping me in tuned to all that was happening within the pages. The narrative was visually descriptive placing me in the middle of all the action as Desiree search for clues to clear her friend’s name. I enjoyed meeting the various characters who played pivotal roles in the telling of this tale from Desiree herself, to Jasmine, to Luke, to Lola, to Nate, to Rosemarie, to Monique, and to others who have crossed her path. The author did a great job in pulling this together with suspects, clues and I like how the unexpected became the expected when the killer’s identity was revealed. The secondary plot is very intriguing as I want to know the why and I can’t wait to see how that plays out. This was an enjoyable read, a great debut and welcome addition to the cozy genre. I look forward to the next book in this delightfully entertaining series.

After an on air disaster as a reporter, Desiree Turner returns to her hometown in Verbena, California and to the family business, Turner Family Funeral Home. The drama begins with two barking dogs , two angry neighbors, and did I mention a dead emu? The problems only escalate when the neighbor is found dead and a long time family friend is arrested.
When I saw this book was set in a funeral home , I knew I had to read it. My mother in law worked in a funeral home for thirty years, and I always thought it was the perfect setting for a cozy.

I thought this was a great start to a new cozy series. I’m looking forward to seeing these characters grow and their stories develop. Will definitely be staying with this series.

I received a copy of this book from Crooked Lane via Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion

A Grave Issue is the Debut book in the Funeral Parlor Mystery Series, featuring Desiree Turner, who grew up in the family funeral business and is a former journalist in Los Angeles, CA. Desiree returns to her home town of Verbena California for some rest and relaxation after an on-air gaffe that left her humiliated. Rest and relaxation is not what she finds in Verbena when a dead body is found and the suspect is someone she knows well. Desiree feels compelled to clear the man’s name. The story line is fast paced and there are plenty of juicy skeletons in the closet that get uncovered. However, I didn’t feel I could connect with the quirky personalities. The author knows how to craft a good story, and the ending is quite good, so I give it 3.5 stars. I received a copy of this book from Net Galley, but this did not affect my rating. I have provided an unbiased and honest review.

This was a great start to a new cozy mystery series. I can't wait for the next one to be released!

A Grave Issue (A Funeral Parlor Mystery #1) is a story about a twenty-something turning thirty-something who discovers that home is where you don't have to impress your loved ones. Home is where you can hide after making a colossal mistake that went very public and viral. Desiree is a journalist who had moved to the big city to make a name for herself. A boo-boo that made her the laughingstock in the news media in the big pond.

Desiree goes back to work in the family's third generational funeral parlor business. She's barely home a few weeks when a fistfight between two neighbors at a funeral erupts and the police are called to break it up. Desiree's sister makes it very clear that Desiree needs to step up and do her job well. Desiree can no longer expect her father to protect her as he disappeared a few years back.. and is presumed dead. Then, the man who stepped in like a second father is accused and arrested for the murder of his neighbor.

Fast paced, homey, and just a fun read! I enjoyed it. I never would have guessed the killer in a gazillion years. Neither will the readers! :) Enjoy! It's a quick, easy read!

-------------------
Secondary separate review:
A Grave Issue (A Funeral Parlor Mystery #1)
By: Lillian Bell

• Print Length: 288 pages
• Publication Date: February 13, 2018

‘A Grave Issue’ is about a twentysomething who has ventured out into the big, bad world to make her mark as a journalist. Desiree moves back home, with her tail between her legs due to a job ending, viral mistake. Desiree grew up in a family owned funeral home. (much like the funeral home in ‘My Girl’). Before she knows it.. she’s immersed in the middle of a murder investigation. As the local yokel investigator seems intent on making a name for himself.. he immediately arrests Desiree’s “second father” due to a long time feud with his neighbors. Desiree tries to make him see that Kyle wouldn’t hurt a fly. No matter. The investigator has all of the clues and thinks it ties up into an easy trial that will end in a conviction.

I highly recommend reading this fast paced mystery! All of the characters are well developed and quirky. The reader finds themselves easily rooting for the main character, who is trying to clear the name of her “second father”, Kyle who’s always been there for her after her own father disappeared many years before. She finds herself often at odds with the local news reporter who keeps putting Desiree into his news articles. Though, it’s not often one reads that a fistfight broke out in the middle of a funeral. The reader will not easily figure out who the murderer is.. The author keeps the reader guessing from the beginning to the very end! What a fantastic debut novel! What out for this gal.. she’s soon to be on the top of the best selling lists for mysteries!

Desiree returns home to help run the family funeral home after getting caught on air saying something she shouldn't have. She jumps into trying to keep things running smoothly, but fights breaking out in funerals, vicious dogs, dead emus and murdered bankers put a few bumps in the way. Along with being still called her childhood nickname "Death Ray".

Overall, I liked the book and was a good start to a new series, but Desiree was a bit oblivious at times.

I was given an eARC of this book by the publisher through NetGalley.

I started A Grave Issue by Lillian Bell on December 30th and I could not put it down. I read into the wee hours just so I could finish it. I was attracted to this series because I had read a wonderful series about a funeral director by Janice J. Richardson, which changed the way I felt about Funeral directors and funeral homes in general. Having lost my mother a few years ago and my brother not long after I normally would shy away from something like this, however I am glad I did not. I loved this story. The idea the family dynamic of running a Funeral Parlor. Main character Desiree returns home, tail between her legs after her her on air career as a reporter comes to an end. Home again and adjusting to the mysterious death of her father, a job that feels natural but just is not quite the perfect fit and a curious mind that will not stop turning Desiree is a great character. I found I could relate to the fact that she was balancing family duty with trying to find her own way in the world, a world that seemed much smaller now than ever before. This story is about family, about roots, about finding yourself, about getting lost, about making changes and being true to yourself. I loved it and I cannot wait to hear what you think in February. This one is put out buy Crooked Lane Books.

A Grave Issue by Lillian Bell
Book #1: A Funeral Parlor Mystery
Source: Netgalley
My Rating: 3/5 stars

It all started with a dead emu and a disgraced reporter. . . .

As with so many others before her, Desiree Turner never intended to come back home. Moreover, she never intended to return with her tail tucked firmly between her legs and in need of a job. Now working for her family’s funeral home, and recovering from the loss of her career and her own father, Desiree has no desire to get mixed up in a mess, but that is exactly where she finds herself.

Desiree wants to keep her head down, do her job, and generally be left alone. That doesn’t happen, however, when two local ladies, already in a dispute over a dead emu resort to fisticuffs at Desiree’s first funeral. In a small town, the news of the brawl spreads quickly and thanks to the local newspaper man, Desiree is a part of the “news” whether she wants to be or not. As if more shame and humiliation were on her agenda!

And then there’s the dead guy . . . .

The dispute between the two brawling beauties intensifies when one of the women’s husbands is found dead as a door nail. Accusations fly and the evidence against the other husband piles up which leads to an immediate arrest. Trouble is, Desiree is certain the accused isn’t the killer and though she had no intention of becoming involved in yet another scandal, she just can’t let her friend go to prison for a crime he most certainly did not commit. Given her background as a reporter, Desiree is no stranger to poking around and asking questions. Trouble is, the more questions she asks the more confusing the whole mess becomes and the closer to danger Desiree comes.

As if the situation weren’t already intense enough, Desiree, begins to wonder about the death of her own father. As she’s poking around into other people’s business, strange things, things only her father would know about begin to appear in Desiree’s world. Little charms, a mysterious key, and loads of yarn for Desiree’s pregnant sister. With nothing but suspicion, Desiree does what she’s done best for years, continue to look around, continue to poke hornet’s nests, continue to ask uncomfortable questions, and hope she doesn’t, once again, get caught up in the crossfire.

The Bottom Line: I am truly on the fence with this book as far as my liking/disliking goes. I don’t have any complaints about the author’s writing style or the mechanics of the book, it’s been finely edited, but I had a hard time staying with this read. Additionally, I never really felt like I became all that invested in the characters which always makes it harder to truly enjoy a book. The plot is interesting enough to keep me from DNFing the read, but not spectacular. I honestly expected more out of a plot that starts with a dead emu 😊 With that being said, the end of the book picked up for me, especially as it relates to Desiree’s dad and his death, and that has me wondering if this book, the first in the series, hasn’t simply suffered from some of the issues that tend to plague such books. I’m going to give the second book a try with the sincere hope its bumps in the road have been smoothed and the characters will become a bit more well-rounded/evolved and easy to care about.

After 10 years away, Desiree Turner has returned to her hometown, Verbena, CA, and the family business -- Turner Family Funeral Home. Soon after she returns, a prominent Verbena businessman is murdered...shot through the forehead. The problem all started with feuding neighbors, dogs, a dead emu and a fist fight between two women at a funeral. It's not just small town drama because a man is dead, and a longtime Turner family friend is arrested for his murder. Desiree knows Kyle Hansen didn't kill anyone. But she's going to have to prove it.

I enjoyed this book. It was fun reading about Desiree's return to her hometown....dealing with former boyfriends, rivals, and annoying reporters. The story is a bit of a double mystery....the murder and all the drama surrounding it, plus the disappearance of Desiree's father two years before. The mystery moves along at a nice pace with plenty of suspects, gossip and investigation. Desiree does a good job of juggling funerals and sleuthing. I like her as a main character. She's feisty, but not foolish. Her friend Jasmine is a great sidekick and there are enough small town quirky folks to make the tale interesting. The ending was not a surprise, but there were some nice action packed events leading up to the final arrest. All in all, a nice beginning for a new cozy series!

Lillian Bell also writes the Popcorn Shop cozy series (as Kristin Bell). She also writes as Eileen Rendahl and Eileen Carr. For more information on the author and her books, check out her website: http://www.eileenrendahl.com/

**I voluntarily read an advance readers copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

Well now, it just makes sense to have a mystery based around a funeral home, doesn't it? And author Lillian Bell has done it up right! A GRAVE ISSUE is a great mystery filled with fun characters, and witty dialog. The well thought out plot kept me on the search right up until the surprising reveal! This first in the Funeral Parlor Mysteries has me looking forward to spending more time with protagonist Desiree Turner, and the dead.

I was drawn to the book by it’s cover and synopsis. A Grave Issue by Lillian Bell is the first book in the new cozy A Funeral Parlor Mystery series set in Verbena, California featuring Desiree Turner. Desiree Turner tells us "I left, my tail quite firmly between my legs and having eaten so much crow that I'd be picking feathers from between my teeth for years to come." How could you not want to read more?
Desiree returns to Verbena after her major faux paux on live TV. She is there to help her family run their funeral home. She really isn’t all that good at doing the funeral home tasks but is trying to take the stress off her sister. In the course of this adventure, we learn Death Ray is her nickname from school days which she really does not like. There are three front row funeral regulars, Olive, Henrietta and Grace whom keep her caught up on the grieving families gossip and referee the fist fights that happen regularly.
This book has many of the elements of a mystery: a strong lead which shows she has a background in research and analysis, a small town full of unique characters, interesting mystery with plenty of twists and turns.
I’m on the fence about whether I like some of the chapters beginning with a news article. This is an innovative way of reminding us that Desiree has a journalistic background.
The ending of the book took me by surprise but has me looking forward to the next installment.

A Grave Issue is the debut in the A Funeral Parlor Mystery series set in Verbena, California featuring Desiree Turner. Desiree has had to leave her job as a TV journalist after an on air comment, and is back home running the family funeral parlor along with her sister Donna and Uncle Joey.

"Death Ray" as her high school nemesis Luke Butler, now Verbena's police detective, nicknamed her, has her hands full with funeral services that most often end in disaster. The three front row regulars, Olive, Henrietta and Grace keep her caught up on the grieving families gossip, referee the fist fights that seem to break out regularly and do their best to keep people from crawling into the coffins with the deceased.

Rosemarie and Alan Brewer live next door to Lola and Kyle Hansen. Rosemarie is devastated when her pet emu Vincent drops dead and she immediately puts the blame on the Hansen's dogs. After a nasty altercation at the funeral home between Rosemarie and Lola, Alan is found shot to death. The police immediately suspect Kyle. Desiree and Donna's father disappeared while surfing a number of years ago and Kyle stepped in and became like a second father. Knowing deep in her heart that Kyle is not a killer, Desiree begins her own investigation and quickly discovers that Alan has been taken his role as the manager of the local bank a little too far.

A quirky cast of characters, a fast paced storyline with plenty of suspects that will keep you turning the pages. Just the right touch of cozy, three men vying for the attention of the heroine, and a mystery within a mystery that will leave you waiting for the next in the series.

I received an advanced copy of A Grave Issue from NetGalley via Crooked Lane Books. While not required to write a review I am more than happy to offer my honest opinion.

The cover had me interested in this story, and the story itself did not disappoint! The most wonderful thing about this book was how different it was. The setting, the story, the mystery, all left me craving more.
We are introduced to Desiree, a once journalist who now is back at home at the family funeral parlor to recover from a snafu at work and still reeling from the loss of her father. When a dead body turns up and her second father is suspect number one, Desiree finds herself knee deep in the mystery of trying to clear his name.
I cannot quit saying how much I enjoyed this story. The mystery was topnotch, it had just enough funny elements to keep it light and interesting. The characters were extremely well developed and the author did a great job setting the tone for the book early on. I also loved the secondary mystery of what is happening with the " death " of the main character's father. This is a series that will stand the test of time with its creative twists and turns, relatable characters, and a setting that is unique. I cannot wait for the next in the series!

This is the beginning of a very promising mystery series. This doesn’t fall into what I would generally call a “cozy”. While it included some humor and was not gory, it lacked the cutesy element that sometimes detracts from the mystery central to the story. I enjoyed the characters and the story was solid. There was also an intriguing subplot that will segue nicely into the next installment. I will be interested in following this series.

If you are a fan of Six Feet Under, then you will love A Grave Issue. With a funeral home as the backdrop of a story, Desiree (also known as Death-Ray) Turner finds herself embroiled in a mystery when she returns to her family's mortuary business. There were several things I liked about this book. Just having a character named Death-Ray for starters! There were plot twists and turns I did not expect and even though the home of the main character is a funeral home, the small town she lives in was full of interesting characters!

I obtained this book through Net Galley and have left an honest review.

I wish I hadn't read this one so early because I am utterly CRAVING the next book in the series! This was such a fun mystery to read and I felt like I was part of a sleuthing team when reading it. It's charming, has a great cast of characters, and will leave readers satisfied. Highly recommended!

I was given a copy of this book by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this first in a new series. An ex-reporter returns home to the family-run funeral home after she is disgraced on air. When her missing father's best friend is accused of murder, she uses her investigative skills to use looking for the real murderer.

I liked the characters in this book and didn't really find any of them annoying, which can happen in cozy mysteries. The mystery was good, and the story moved along nicely, with some other unexplained happenings thrown in the mix.

One thing I noticed in this book that you don't see as often in cozies is that all the characters were not Caucasian. The main character is, but her best friend is African-American, and her ex-boyfriend is Indian. This was not forced, but just a natural part of the story representing a town in California and was good to see.

Desiree (known by some as Death Ray) Turner is an on-air reporter who returns to California after a small on-air "oopsie" gets her fired from the TV station. Her family owns a funeral home, so Desiree lends a hand while she figures out her next move. The murder of an emu, a fistfight at a funeral, and a casket getting tipped over, are all highlights of this first book in a new series. The characters are are intersting and likeable. I chuckled often during the read. I was between giving this four or five stars, but the book ended in such a great way, I can't wait for the next book in the series! Highly recommend!