“If the Coffin Fits” earns 5/5 Funeral Arrangements…Engaging, Clever, Fun!

My mother always said, “Be careful what you say!” Desiree Turner learns this the hard way. She overhears Daisy accuse her sister Iris of “something” about which both are very secretive. The sisters are arranging their father’s funeral with the Turner Funeral Home, so the odd comment is curious at best, worrisome at worst since their father’s death from a long illness comes into question. Desiree’s boyfriend Nate Johar is the local ME, so asking for an informal verification seems easy enough to satisfy any niggling feelings. But, when Iris shows up to deliver a funeral suit, a wrong comment infuriates the sister. Ok, did Desiree just accuse the sister of foul play? It seems just a misunderstanding, but when town gossip turns into cancellations of services and another client succumbing in a traffic accident seeming less and less accidental, Desiree is compelled to uncover the truth for the sake of justice if not just to save the family business.

A fan of “A Grave Issue,” book one in Lillian Bell’s Funeral Parlor Mysteries, I was very eager to continue my reading journey, and was not disappointed! I thoroughly enjoyed how each chapter began with an article from the Verbena Free Press penned by Desiree herself. We've learned she was a journalist with a viral “oops” in her past, and the articles set up for the reader key issues, local events, and important connections and side dramas to consider. Bell’s first-person narrative was well written with engaging descriptions that lay out well the setting, appearances, clues, evidence, and Desiree’s inner thoughts. Beyond enjoying the narrative, Bell includes entertaining banter that illustrates tone, personality, and emotions. The side drama about Desiree’s father continues to be intriguing, but looks to continue to weave throughout the series. I highly recommend this book, and you don't need to have read the first book since there are no spoilers and enough references to keep you engaged. However, you'll want to read “A Grave Issue” to connect how it all started.

Desiree Turner has returned home to Verbena, California with her tail between her legs after being fired from the TV job. Now she's an assistant funeral director at her family's business. But when she hears a suspicious remark from one of their client's daughter, Desiree thinks foul play is involved in the man's death. She's quickly disavowed of that notion by her boyfriend, medical examiner Nate, who finds nothing suspicious in his examination.

But when Violet Daugherty faints behind the wheel of her car, Desiree suspects this death will be different. At first, Nate doesn't agree, but he soon finds evidence that Desiree is correct. She starts to investigate, and soon rumors start to swirl that Desiree is accusing her clients of murder, which quickly spurs a mass cancellation and puts the family funeral home in danger of closing.

It's up to Desiree and her new friend, Orion, to get to the bottom of things, before Desiree needs a coffin for herself.

Wonderful plotted and written, If the Coffin Fits is the second book in the Funeral Parlor series. I haven't read the first one, and I was a bit afraid I would be lost, but the author provides just the right amount of backstory for those who haven't read the first book in the series.

Desiree is a great character, strong and spunky and the perfect leader to tell the tale that surrounds Violet's death. Other doubt her words, but she knows what she believes is true and works hard to prove it.

The interactions between Desiree, her boyfriend Nate, her family and the members of the town move the story along at a fast pace. It is one of those books that, when I was not reading it I was thinking about it, and what would happen next. Each chapter begins with a story from the newspaper who Desiree works as a stringer. These tidbits of life in Verbena add flare and color to the book, and provide an insight into the characters.

There is a perfect amount of suspects, and I did not guess whodunit until the last part of the book. In fact, I thought I'd had it all figured out, and then I was shaking my head wondering how I had missed the real solution.

I am looking forward to reading the first book in the series, and, hopefully, many more to come.

I received a digital ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

If the Coffin Fits by Lillian Bell is the second book in the cozy A Funeral Parlor Mystery series. Each book in this series does have it’s own murder mystery to be solved however there is an extra mystery going on in the main character’s life that has carried over from book to book. Due to this part of the story the series would definitely be best read from the beginning.

This series is centered around Desiree Turner who had returned home to Verbena, California after making a huge error in her job as a journalist. Knowing her family could use the help in the family owed funeral home they operated Desiree thought she take the time to figure out what to do about her career.

Now in If the Coffin Fits Desiree is working at the funeral home and working part time for the local paper. As she’s overseeing a couple of recent funerals Desiree overhears a conversation that makes her question the clients and also finds that there’s suspicion surrounding one of the other recent deaths leaving Desiree to search for answers when pushing the local law enforcement to investigate doesn’t work out.

One thing I love about this series is the author has formatted the story in a unique way that fits the character quite well. Each of the chapters gives a short news article at the beginning that ties in with what is going on to show Desiree’s journalistic side. The story is also an interesting one with a side of quirkiness that I enjoy so I loved settling in once again with this series. With a cliffhanger end to the personal side of the story I’ll definitely be anxiously awaiting the next installment.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

Title: If the Coffin Fits

Author: Lillian Bell

Series: A Funeral Parlor Mystery book 2

Chapters: 15

Genre: Cozy mystery

Rating: 3

If the Coffin Fits is the second book in the A Funeral Parlor Mystery series by Lillian Bell. Desiree Turner thought she had escaped her small town and the family business. But when your last name is Turner and your family owns Turner Funeral Parlor its easier said than done. She's slowly getting used to being back in town, but she's still on the lookout for something that will get her out of the town. But then a murder lands in her lap so to speak and she has to figure if this murder is actually tied to a natural death that happened after.

Her family and even the local cop want her to stay out of it but Desiree is just too stubborn to let it go. She's determine to solve the murder and the mysteries surrounding it even if it kills her, and this time it just might. If the Coffin Fits its' really your typical cozy as the main character is quite a few years younger than most woman in the cozy's and funeral homes don't tend to be the setting of many cozy mysteries, but it is still a quick and enjoyable read for those who like cozy mysteries. This book is a fairly quick read I was able to finish it in one setting. I suggest starting with the first book in this series, A Grave Issue.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

If the Coffin Fits: A Funeral Parlor Mystery
By Lillian Bell
Crooked Lane
September 2018

Review by Cynthia Chow

It’s Halloween in Verbena, California, and Desiree Turner is doing her best to continue the tradition of not associating the family business with the spooktacular holiday. As much as one might think that Halloween and mortuaries would go hand in hand, Desiree’s father had always believed that the town’s Ghost Tour encouraged beliefs that prevent grieving families from accepting their loss and moving on with their lives. Since a live mic and a few words taken out of context tanked Desiree Turner’s career as a television reporter, she has taken on the responsibilities as assistant funeral director for the Turner Family Funeral Home, with her main task being to not cause trouble. She hasn’t been that successful so far, which is why she attempts to tamper her suspicions about the strange accusations made between Iris and Daisy Fiore when planning their father’s service. It’s not like Desiree doesn’t have already enough on her plate, since the distant cousin of the recently deceased Violet Daugherty has delegated all of the planning and wrapping up of affairs to Desiree. Cleaning up Violet’s apartment opens a Pandora’s Box of secrets and reveals a new side to the lonely woman, whose only real attachment seemed to be to fifty-pound puppy. Orion proves to be a surprisingly effective therapy dog, which is why Desiree’s stomach cramps with pain every time she thinks of having to find him a new home.

Despite the declaration by snotty Verbena police officer Luke butler that there was nothing shady about the Fiore death, all of Desiree’s journalistic instincts indicate otherwise. It’s why she is compelled to start her own investigation, even when those she cares about believe that Desiree be still be affected by her own father’s fate. Her refusal to stop this leads to a drastic drop in mortuary business when clients worry that having a love one interred at the Turner mortuary also means possibly being accused of murder, so Desiree’s uncle and her very pregnant sister demand that she immediately cease. That’s a promise Desiree is guilted into making, until an unexpected discovery connected to her father’s disappearance makes that impossible.

Not surprisingly for someone raised in a mortuary, and having grown up around death and dead bodies, Desiree displays a black and often morbid sense of humor. She did her best to escape her home the second she could, yet the reliance she has on her family makes her empathetic towards Violet’s apparent isolation. This compassion, not to mention to her sharp-witted observations and wry humor, ensure that Desiree is irresistibly likable and a joy to follow as a protagonist. There is vulnerability as well when faced with the disbelief of those she loves, which is why it’s a relief when her former boyfriend Dr. Nate Johar’s encourages her curiosity. In fact, Desiree has far more support than she realizes. Doing freelance reporting for the Verbena Free Press gives her an official avenue of investigation, highlighting her professional integrity and skills. Despite the mortuary setting, this is a fun and entertaining mystery series that continues to build suspense as Desiree seeks answers in her own life. This second in the series exceeds the high standards set by its debut, and should leave readers anxious and more than ready to see what follows.

This. Was. So. Good. I am so glad that I requested this from NetGalley to voluntarily read and review. I'm also glad I read the first book, not that this book gives any spoilers because it definitely doesn't. But I still had the fun of getting to know the characters from the beginning, and even though jumping in at book 2 wouldn't be bad, I really enjoyed reading them in order so much!

When Desiree suspected one of the funeral home's clients of murder, she was pretty much on her own to figure out why and how she'd done it. She did have her sorta-boyfriend Nate's help since he was county ME, but Luke at the police station was used to looking at her like she was just crazy. Desiree found evidence that one of their deceased clients had been blackmailing quite a few of the community members, which just had to tie in with that client's own death, she hesitated bringing that evidence to Luke for fear he'd just laugh at her. Being shot at made Desiree realize she was getting close...could she solve this without causing her sister to go into premature labor or get killed herself?

I never thought a series set in a funeral parlor would be this good and so interesting! It's really not much about the place itself but the clients they serve and how some of the deaths can end up being murder. I loved that in this book Desiree found a dog to adopt, Uncle Joey found a lady friend and more about Desiree's dad was revealed. Now I really can't wait till the next book!

I actually did figure this one out! There was a tiny clue very early on that I picked up on and remembered. It was fun to see how this played out and the perp got caught. The showdown wasn't physically exciting, but it was more calm excitement worthy of any that I've seen on TV crime/cop shows.

I'd like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this book which was released this week.

This has already become one of my favorite mystery series and this is only the second entry. The two books can be read out of order but in order really would be best. There is the backstory of her missing father - it adds so much to the story.
Desiree has returned home to work in the family funeral home after having had an oops moment, as she says, involving a hot mic during an on air report. She has now solved her first homicide - she was, after all, an investigative reporter and bold as brass, as well. Add to that, her father has disappeared and only Desiree thinks he will return. She is firm in her belief. It adds friction the her family relationships and then she causes upset when she voices a bit of suspicion that a natural death might not be all that natural. She didn't intend offense but, well, one thing leads to another, rumors travel and some business is lost. At the same time, she steps beyond the usual bounds of a funeral home manager and agrees to help the relative of one of their clients settle her estate long distance. Oh, and might it not have been an accident? Sure looks like it to Desiree. As she gets her best friend, a real estate agent, involved, Desiree finds herself a temporary dog owner - personally, I vote for making it a permanent relationship.
So, ever the investigative reporter, Desiree is off on the trail to track down a murderer. Of course, that doesn't go over well with the guilty element and danger comes her way. Turns out that the victim, Violet, had more than her share of people who really disliked her. But who was pushed so far as to commit murder? The multiple story threads are satisfying, never confusing and there are lots of fair clues. The characters are well fleshed out and the various relationships - family and friends alike - are well done. The ending had me eager for the next book.

This is the second in this series and it picks up just a couple of months after the first book ended. Desiree is still working at her family funeral home, however, now she is also working at the Verbena Press the local paper. Two mysteries/stories come together very nicely in this book. The first is the death of Violet Dougherty who apparently fell asleep at the wheel and dies in the car crash. Nate the medical examiner thinks something seems off. At the same time, Desiree overhears two sisters talking (asking what have you done?) while making funeral arrangements for their father who had been ill for a long time. Desiree asks Nate to look at the body since he is already at the funeral home performing the autopsy for Violet. Nothing suspicious but Desiree cannot get the conversation out of her head especially when one of the sister’s starts avoiding her and spreading rumors about her, including a complaint with the police. A complaint is raised with the state and an inspector is sent out to the funeral home to investigate. This is influencing the family business and Uncle Joey and Donna ask her to back off. Desiree plans to back off but she finds evidence that Violet has been blackmailer people in town and finds a picture of her father (apparently still alive) amongst her belongings. Desiree ends up becoming a foster Mom to Violet’s puppy Orion and he is a cute addition to the story. Nice to see the other characters expand (Uncle Joey getting a girlfriend). I really enjoyed this book and it can be a stand-alone if you had not read the first in the series. I highly recommend and look forward to the next in this series.

IF THE COFFIN FITS is the second book in A Funeral Parlor Mystery series by Lillian Bell but the first that I’ve had a chance to read. I was happy to find that I could easily follow the subplot of her father’s disappearance, which is carried over from the first book. Ms. Bell provides enough details without slowing down the pace of this new book. I greatly enjoyed the unique funeral home setting for protagonist, Desiree Turner. She is a feisty young woman with a possibly over-active curiosity, which gets her and her family’s business in trouble. Even though there is no sign of foul play, she sets her sights on finding evidence when she has a feeling that something is wrong in two separate deaths. One of the stars of the book is Orion, the puppy Desiree fosters when his owner is murdered. You can’t help but melt a little with each scene Orion is in which brings an emotional element to the story. The other supporting characters are well-developed. I especially enjoyed her uncle and learning the secret he tried to hide from the family. Ms. Bell writes with humor and a deft hand that connects each scene with clues to keep the reader turning pages. The surprising ending has me anticipating the next installment!

Funeral director Desiree uses her skills as an investigative reporter (well, ex-reporter) when she suspects Violet was murdered. What an interesting basis for a cozy! Desiree and her love interest Nate, a medical examiner, poke around, a lot, which gets them into trouble. A lot of trouble. Someone decides that there's more than one way to shut Desiree up- so they try to tank her business- but they underestimated Desiree. There are secrets and lies and all the good stuff that goes into a mystery. Thanks to net galley for the ARC. I read this as a standalone and was fine- and now I'm going to look for more from Bell. Nice job.

I like this series. You probably think it would be boring set in a funeral parlor atmosphere but it’s quite well written. The characters have personality.

I like the wit, the characters and the mysteries. This is a great standalone but I would read the first to get a feel of the continuing characters. The author provides plenty of information so you will not feel left out.

The story begins with planning a funeral for Mr. Fiore and the death of current new comer to the community. They both are being prepared for their final arrangements at Desiree’s family funeral home. Desiree isn’t sure that either died naturally.

She has the local ME, Nate Johar, to review the bodies. Looks like one may have died unnaturally.

See if these deaths are linked. Also, what new information does Desiree find out about her missing father?

I’m looking forward to the next book.

This is the second book in the Funeral Parlor Mystery Series and I am loving this one just as much as I did the first one!
I think everyone who reads these books will enjoy them; they are a lot of fun, the mystery is very good and the characters are very likable. Desiree is a fun and believable MC and her antics make the book just move along. My only dislike is that there is mild swearing [which I know is my own issue], but it isn't enough to keep me from wanting to finish this!!
There is so much in this book that is important to the story that if I shared any of it here, I would be giving stuff away and I am not about spoilers!! So I will just say it was an excellent read and that I highly recommend this series and I cannot wait for the next one!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for a chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

In this second Funeral Parlor Mystery, Desiree Turner, part-time funeral home staff and part-time reporter for the Verbena Free Press, manages to create the impression that the dead sent to Turner Family Funeral Home for burial may have been murdered. At least that becomes an issue as a few families cancel arrangements with her family’s business due to the gossip about Desiree suspecting the cause behind a couple of recent deaths.

Lillian Bell continues to build on her community of interesting characters and evolving relationships. And, once again, the mystery is well devised with appropriate red herrings and well-placed humor. Desiree even manages to find a new companion, Orion, a Malamute and German shepherd mix, who she plans to train as a service dog.

Jumping into the series on book 2, I enjoyed meeting Desiree, her family, and friends. Having returned to the family business after tanking her previous career as a reporter with a hot mic gaffe, Desiree seems to be trying to find her niche. Juggling her duties at the family funeral home as well as writing for the local paper, Desiree isn't afraid to use one job to help get details for the other. When she hears clients of the funeral home having a suspicious conversation, she can't help but try to figure out what it's about. When it seems to lead nowhere, she looks into another case with her boyfriend but everything seems to keep leading back to the clients she was first suspicious of. As the case progresses, she finds a clue about her father's disappearance.

Overall, I enjoyed the story immensely. There was so much going on but it never became overwhelming or confusing. Lillian Bell is a master at weaving different story lines into one masterfully written book. There was humor mixed with suspense as well as believable characters and a beautifully developed town. I highly recommend this book and look forward to going back and catching up with the first one.

Thank you to Lillian Bell, Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley for the chance to read this book and share my thoughts and opinions with others.

Desiree is working at the family funeral home and on a regular working day she overhears something she can’t let go anymore. She suspects that one of her clients might have something to do with a murder. Desiree can’t help but start to look into the case. Everybody wants her to stop as it brings bad light to their family business and also puts her own life in danger, but Desiree is determined to solve the case and there’s also a chance to solve the mystery surrounding her father’s disappearance.

It’s the second book in the series, but it reads as a standalone well. It was a well written book with interesting plot. I was invested in the story and wanted to know what happens next throughout the book. I hope there’s a next book, because I would very much like to continue with the series.

Loved it! An entertaining and amusing tale of a funeral parlor based mystery. The delightful protagonist has wonderful friends and family. I look forward to reading the next one in this intriguing series.

If The Coffin Fits is the second book The Funeral Parlor Mysteries series.

The story begins with Daisy and Iris visiting the Turner Funeral Parlor to make burial arrangements for the father who had been in home hospice care. Desiree Turner asks a question that the sisters take as accusing them of bringing their father to an earlier death. Soon Desiree is sent to the hospital to pick up the body of Violet Dougherty who has died from injuries in a single car accident. Desiree is surprised that nothing had been found to call the death anything other than an accident. As a part-time reporter for the Verbena Free Press, she had covered the accident and she has her doubts that is was simply an accident. She keeps asking Nate Johar, the M.E. if he is absolutely sure that there were no questionable marks on the body. Finally, he does find some questionable marks on the body.

Desiree calls the only relative of Violet, Lizette a cousin who lives across the country, to work out the details of Violet’s funeral. But basically, she asks to handle the planning and to also do what would be necessary to put Violet’s house for sale. This is far beyond the responsibilities of a funeral home but makes it easier for Desiree to look into how Violet actually died. Going through the house Desiree finds some candid photograph of residents of Verbena in embarrassing situations. She soon learns that Violet was not well liked and that Violet might be using the pictures to bribe or blackmail those in the pictures. But first, she needs to find who might have the most to lose if their pictures became public.

Another well-told and plotted story with an interesting cast of characters.

I will be watching for the next book in the series to see what Desiree might be up to next. Also will be interested in seeing what new information regarding her father’s disappearance.

If the Coffin Fits by Lillian Bell
Book #2: A Funeral Parlor Mystery
Source: NetGalley
My Rating: 4/5 stars

Death is certainly a tragedy, but it’s also good news for Desiree Turner and her family’s funeral home business. What isn’t good for business? Asking your clients if the death of their loved one really was from natural causes. What’s even worse for business? Asking the medical examiner to dig deeper into another death and poking around into what looks to be an open and shut car wreck.

Relying on her reporter’s instinct, a wonky finding by the medical examiner, and a request from a client’s distant relative is how Desiree finds herself involved in the death of Violet Daughtry. To understand Violet’s death, Desiree first must understand her life and who may have wanted her dead. As it turns out, about the only “person” on earth who legitimately liked Violet Daughtry was her dog Orion. With the discovery of Violet’s stash of surveillance photos, Desiree begins to understand why no one liked Violet. With keen observation skills and absolutely no sense of boundaries and/or personal space, Violet made it her mission to confront people with their misdeeds and blackmail them. Yeah, there’s a whole host of people who had reason to see Violet dead. Or, did they?

Running parallel to the Violet investigation is Desiree’s strong sense that her father is still alive and well somewhere in the world. As she digs deeper into Violet’s death, Desiree also finds more inexplicable clues related to her father which seemingly support her theory. Unfortunately, Desiree’s efforts aren’t appreciated by everyone, OK, many, and her sister and uncle beg her stop investigating before she drives the family business right into the ground. Though Desiree initially agrees to their request, circumstances arise which pull her right back into the investigation and, literally in the line of fire. If Desiree doesn’t put all the pieces together, and soon, she’s going to lose her family, the family business, and likely, her life.

The Bottom Line: I don’t normally like reporter characters, but there is something about Desiree Turner that just makes me happy. Desiree isn’t all about getting the story at any cost, but about finding the truth even if it doesn’t result in an article for the local paper. Desiree has a dogged determination that serves her well and pisses off a lot of other people. In this installment of the series, Desiree’s determination threatens not only her life, but her family’s livelihood. What’s more, her latest investigation uncovers a secret that will alter the course of her life for a very long time to come. I think what I enjoyed most about this book were the parallel plot lines, Violet’s death and the fallout from that event and the search for Desiree’s dad. The two are nicely woven together to create a cohesive and far more interesting read. The characters feel a bit more solid in this installment and are beginning to show some growth, both of which are necessary to an ongoing series. While I can’t this is my favorite cozy mystery series, I can say it’s a good series that is getting stronger, and I won’t be giving up on it anytime soon!

If the Coffin Fits by Lillian Bell is the 2nd book in A Funeral Parlor Mystery series, and another fun addition. Desiree Turner is working at Turner Family Funeral Home, the business her grandfather started. Desiree is former journalist. While working Desiree overhears a conversation between sisters that seemed suspicious, and she is determined to find out what it means. Desiree is also suspicious about a women killed in a one car accident, so she must look into that also. The ending also has a big surprise. I found this book to be a quick read, with well developed plot and some quirky characters. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. If you love fun cozy mysteries like I do, than I recommend this book.

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I enjoyed this book.

I really liked the fact that, not having read the first installment, I was easily brought up to speed on the backstory of the characters. This was done in a subtle way, not like a pages upon pages recap other series have done. I also liked that although the plot of the first book was discussed, I still feel like I could go back and read the first book without feeling as though I know everything that happened.

The characters were likable, the plot moved along and I think this is exactly as described-a cozy mystery.

I look forward to the next book