I liked the idea that the main characters were working as fixer-uppers, an original idea and a major trend in society at the moment. It definitely made me want to read it. Mixed with a cosy mystery, it could make for a great light read. However, I found it took too long for the plot to take off. It lacked pace. The storyline was a bit dragged down by the focus on food, something that sadly completely lost me. Too bad!

This is the fourth Jazzi Zanders mystery and I think it might be the best. There are lots of things I like about this book. The season in the book coincides with when the book is published - winter is turning to spring. So often books are set in a different time of year from when they are published. I think I connected more with the book because I am experiencing the same cold and warm days intermingled as spring tries to overcome winter. Ansel’s brother Radley moves out. Olivia and Thane are going to marry. Walker meets a nice girl and falls in love. Bain turns out to be a fairly nice guy away from the influence of his father. Weekly family dinners with wonderful sounding food and cookies for Easter.
All these lovely elements and the murder and mysteries give a little bit of a shiver to the reader. Who is behind all the awful things that are happening and what will it take to catch them?
I still don’t quite get Detective Gaff not having a partner and taking Jazzi with him, but everything else about the story is great.
I would say that reading at least the second and third books would be beneficial before reading this because there are just so many characters that it seems important to get a feel for the main personalities. The first book introduces things first but felt like it dragged a little to me. I fully recommend The Body in the Apartment.

The Body in the Apartment by Judi Lynn is book four in the A Jazzi Zanders Mystery series. This has become one of my favorite series and I have only read two of them.
One of Jazzi's brother in laws, Radley, has decided to leave the family farm and move to River Bluffs and now another brother in law, hot head Bain, is in town trying to convince him to move back to the farm. Bain leaves the apartment angry and just a few minutes later. Radley's supervisor, who also lives in the building, is found shot to death. When it's discovered that Bain's gun is missing from his truck, Jazzi knows she is going to have to dive in and figure out who done it. Add on top, the gun is found to be the murder weapon and now Bain is the main suspect and can not leave River Bluffs, he of course needs to stay with Jazzi and Ansel. More the reason to get to the bottom of what is going on. When another person possibly involved turns up missing and later dead, Jazzi knows this is bigger then just a break in gone wrong.
There are great characters, family and friendship, plenty of twists and turns and a wedding in this easy to read cozy. I also enjoyed reading about the meals and food Jazzi prepares. There are recipes included.
I was given an ARC by NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review.

4.5 Stars

This is the fourth book in the Jazzi Zanders mystery series by Judi Lynn.

What a fun and enjoyable read. This book is filled with so many foodie ideas for meals that I think this is my favorite part of the book. Just seeing what Jazzi will cook up is a crazy ride all in itself. I think I need a Jazzi Cooks cookbook.

Basic premise: Ansel’s brother, Radley has decided to stay in town and leave the farm and his brother and father behind. When they try to move him into the same building as his supervisor, Donovan, they find Donovan shot and dead in his apartment. Then Radley’s brother, Bain shows up trying to drag his brother back to the farm. Turns out the gun used to shoot Donovan was taken from Bain’s truck. Now he is stuck in town until the police will let him return home. Then Bain moves into the guest room at Jazzi and Ansel’s house much to Jazzi’s dismay.

I have read one other book in this series, but I find it a bit odd that Detective Gaff is always having Jazzi ride with him when he meets suspects. I am not sure that would happen in real life. I would more believe that Gaff has a crush on Jazzi and is just wanting to spend time with her. But since I haven’t read all the previous books, I am not completely certain of his intentions. I do enjoy a good Gaff scene, though. Detectives are my guilty pleasusre!

The book was interesting and it really kept my attention all the way though. The characters are all distinct and I know who they are when they enter a scene. This is nice since we don’t always get to know the minor characters very well due to their limited involvement with the plot.

I thought having Bain there as a foil for Jazzi and Ansel’s romantic time was pretty funny. Every time they wanted to get together, there he was. I wonder if he will show up in future books. I totally loved how Walker adopted Didi and her son and then ended up falling for her. Would have loved to see more of that, for sure!

If you love a good cozy mystery definitely check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

A lighthearted and fun cozy mystery with extremely likable characters. The Body in the Apartment is my first forte into Judi Lynn’s writing and is very far from my last.


Jazzi is an awesome character, who can do just about anything. Not only can she hang drywall with the best of them, this woman can cook just about anything. She has a strong body and a strong mind yet cares above and beyond what friendship is and her sense of compassion is something that can’t be topped. Jazzi is one of those people that if she makes you a friend, you have become family. Even if that family drives her crazy, her loyalty is unwavering.

The Body in the Apartment finds House flipper Jazzi, her husband Ansel, and her cousin Jared In the middle of restoring a beautiful Victorian house while helping Ansel's brother get a new start on his life when they stumble upon a murder that happens moments before. Getting mixed up in a murder is not something new to this trio but for me the way they go about it is exceptionally entertaining. Nothing like family drama to keep things interesting. What I found unique about this book was how the local cop enlisted Jazzi help and compassion with those that may be delicate to interview. This trio of characters along with their family and friends are extremely close and very nosy. Everyone seemed to know what was going on with everyone yet always seemed to help or support in any way they could.

The Body in the Apartment is a drama filled yet well written mystery with a good plot that keeps you thinking. I loved that Jazzi is always feeding everyone. You can definitely tell food is her thing and she loves sharing that with everyone.This book takes us from a gutted out it out house, to neighborhoods people have to be careful visiting to getting tangled with ex cons and making wedding cake. Ms. Lynn Has readers all over the place with this book and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it.

The Body In The Apartment is the fourth book in the A Jazzi Zanders Mystery series.

After attending Jazzi and Ansell's wedding, Ansell’s brother Radley has decided to stay in River Bluffs. He has been working for Jazzi’s HVAC contractor, Thane, and has finally been able to get his own apartment. He will be living in the same building as his co-worker Donovan lives. As Jazzi, Ansell, and Radley are about to leave to move his belongings, Bain, Radley and Ansell’s brother, pulls up. He has driven down to take Radley back to the family farm. Radley has no intention leaving and they all set out to get Radley set up in his apartment. As they are getting Radley moved in, Bain gets into an argument with Donovan, the next thing they hear is a gunshot and when they go to the hall and see Donovan walk out of his apartment and collapse and in an instant he is dead. Jazzi immediately calls Detective Gaff, who she has worked with in the past. His apartment has been trashed. When Gaff learns that the gun, that was found next to the body, and when it is learned that the gun belonged to Bain and he has mysteriously disappeared, he becomes the prime suspect. Bain is far from being one of Jazzi’s friends, she suggests to Ansell that should ask him to stay until the murderer is found.
Once again Gaff asks for Jazzi’s help in the investigation, he has learned that she has a way of calming people being interviewed and has a good detective’s mind. When Ansell’s friend, Didi, has her home ransacked in a similar manner, they believe that the two must be related, but are stymied at what the connection might be. Jazzi and Gaff need to check out some ex-cons to find the killer.

Another well-written and plotted book in this interesting series. The book has an interesting and believable cast of characters, many that I would enjoy calling a friend.

There are delicious sounding recipes in the book.

I will be watching for The Body from the Past, due out in September 2020.

This is the fourth book in the Jazzi Zanders mystery series by Judi Lynn. Ansel's brother Radley has decided to stay in town, and Jazzi and Ansel help him move into his new apartment. During the move, Ansel and Radley's brother Bain shows up to try and convince Radley to return to the family's dairy farm. Unfortunately, Radley's friend Donovan, who lives in the same apartment complex, is killed while everyone is there. Bain becomes a suspect. Jazzi helps solve the murder.

I've read the previous three books in this series and recommend reading them in order: The Body in the Attic, The Body in the Wetlands, and The Body in the Gravel. They can be read out of order though. The personal stories are continued, but the mystery is standalone for each book.

Jazzi, Ansel, and her cousin Jerod flip houses. I enjoy the idea of a house flipper amateur sleuth, so this cozy series is a good one for me. Jazzi also likes to cook and enjoys hosting meals for her family and friends. She seemed to cook more in this book, and there are a few recipes included at the end of the book. I'm still perplexed why the detective on the cases always includes Jazzi in the investigation, even bringing her to interviews. Still, it's a fun and entertaining series.

A light, cozy mystery. Likable characters and a good mystery.

I received a free digital copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

It was a delight to visit with Jazzi and her extended family. Some new characters and some really bad ones. Nice that the detective keeps Jazzi actively involved, but not very realistic. No problem. I am here to be entertained. A charming page turner. Their house-flipping details are interesting. Lots of food talk, too.

Murders, beatings, ex-cons and flipping homes mixed with large family and friend dinners, family problems and an upcoming wedding makes for an interesting combination. There are a lot of characters with some that you'll like, some that you won't and some that you might learn to like. However, in the end it all comes together nicely for an enjoyable read.

This is the 4th installment in the Jazzi Zanders series. Jazzi along with Ansel and her cousin Jerod flip houses for a living. Jazzi and Ansel have been married for a couple of months and Ansel’s brother Radley has been living with them since the wedding and is about to move into his own apartment. Ansel and Radley’s brother Bain arrives and tries to talk Radley into going back home and back to the dairy farm. His reply is no and Bain is not going to stop. He follows them to the apartment building and while there Radley’s boss Donovan is shot and killed with Bain’s gun (which he left in his unlocked truck). Bain now has to stay with Jazzi and Ansel as he cannot leave town. Jazzi and Bain do not exactly see eye to eye so this is a struggle. A friend of Ansel’s Didi her house is broken into and trashed just like Donovan’s apartment before he was shot. Is there a connection? Walter takes one look at Didi and falls head over heels and invites her to stay with him. This seemed a little quick but it did work out. Also Jazzi’s sister Olivia gets engaged as Thane her boyfriend was also a friend of Donovan and it really shook him up to find him dead. Jazzi and Ansel will be holding the reception and their house, continue to renovate a Victorian and Gaff still includes Jazzi on many of his questioning of victims and their families. It was nice to see Bain evolve over the couple of weeks he is forced to be in town and for him to forge a better relationship with Jazzi and Ansel. Jazzi and Ansel do surround themselves with friends and family and that is good to see. It was a good mystery with many leads and then dead ends. I really enjoy this series.

Jazzi and her new husband (!) Ansel have a family problem- his family! Jazzi, Ansel, and her cousin Jerod flip houses for a living and they work hard. Unfortunately, they also keep finding themselves investigating murders. This time out (and this will be fine as a standalone) one of Ansel's brothers, Bain (who is a pain) is a suspect in the murder of his boss. Of course, the boss had more than one person who disliked him. Keep in mind that this is a cozy and that Detective Gaff, unlike any real police officer anywhere, has to have Jazzi's help (including taking her on interviews) and this will be a fun read. There's family dynamics as well as the crime to deal with. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. For fans of the genre.

House flippers Jazzi and Ansel have a busy life between work and family. Their business partnership with cousin Jerod also is thriving and their family is very close.
Ansel's brother Bain is determined to bring brother Radley back home and is the wrong place at the wrong time. His gun is removed from his van when he is visiting Radley and used to murder, Radley's friend in the apartment downstairs.
Jazzi and Det.Gaff, a friend of hers seek answers as assaults pile up and they have more questions tha answers. Together they track down clues and Jazzi's insight becomes Det. Gaff's salvation.
Fast moving and well written, this series is on my 'watch for' list
I requested and received a NetGalley Arc to peruse, gratis and offer my opinion just as freely.

I continue to find this series fascinating. Jazzi, Ansel and their surrounding cast are likable characters who I remember long after the book is finished, so much so that I look forward to visiting with them again. 'The Body in the Apartment' had a hard edge that was softened by growth of characters as they improved their lives. I especially love Gran and what she brings to the table. Plus there are recipes, a fun bonus. I recommend the entire series for an enjoyable reading experience.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Judi Lynn returns with the 4th installment of her Jazzi Zanders Mystery series. Jazzi is busy flipping houses and baking up a storm and helping Ansel's brother Radley move into his new apartment. He is living in the same building with his boss Donovan who during the move is shot to death. Worse then that Ansel's oldest cantankerous brother Bain is the main suspect and must stay at Jazzi's place while the investigation unfolds. Jazzi and Detective Gaff go face to face with a ring of theives fresh out of prison and must solve Donovan's murder before anyone else dies and Bain drive's her crazy.

The Jazzi Zanders mysteries are fun and light reads. The characters are enjoyable and the pacing of the stories are always good. They can be read as stand alone books but they do build on some of the stories lines and background. Jazzi loves to cook and makes interesting dishes which Lynn includes recipes for at the end of the book. These mysteries are great for a Sunday read.

The Body in the Apartment is the fourth book in Judi Lynn’s River Bluffs series. There are more adult overtones than usually found in cozies. The characters are likable, the storyline is entertaining, and there are lots of twists and red herrings in this steadily paced book.

Jazzi Zanders Herstad, her husband, Ansel, and her cousin, Jerod, flip houses in the River Bluffs, Indiana area. Jazzi is very close to her family and hosts a family meal every Sunday. Jerod’s wife, Franny, will soon be giving birth to their third child, and Jazzi’s sister, Olivia, and her live-in boyfriend, Thane, are planning their wedding. Ansel’s older brother, Radley, is moving out of Jazzi and Ansel’s home, and Ansel and Radley’s oldest brother, Bain, makes a surprise visit to force Bain to return to the family’s farm. Radley, who is happy with his new life, refuses to return, and Bain storms out of the apartment. Moments later, they hear a gunshot on the floor below, and find Radley’s work supervisor, Donovan, stumbling out of his ransacked apartment. Bain claims his gun has been stolen from his glovebox, and since Donovan was shot, he becomes Detective Gaff’s prime suspect. Since Bain can’t leave town until he’s proven innocent, Jazzie and Ansel reluctantly invite him to move into the room Radley just moved out of. Detective Gaff finds himself in a complex investigation when another murder occurs, more homes are ransacked, and people are beaten up. Jazzie accompanies Gaff on several interviews, and because people tend to confide in her, she shares what she learns with him.

I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

The Body in the Apartment (A Jazzi Zanders Mystery #4)
Author: Judi Lynn
Publisher: Kensington Books
Publication Date: March 17, 2020
4 Stars

Jazzi and Ansel are happily married now, and still in the house flipping business with Jerod, Jazzi’s cousin. Ansel’s brother, Radley, has been living with them since they got married, but now he is moving into his own apartment. He is excited to be moving into the same apartment complex as his boss, Donovan. When Ansel and Radley’s oldest brother, Bain, finds out that Radley is staying in River Bluffs, he is furious and drives over to Radley’s apartment with the goal of dragging him back home to the farm. Donovan tried to step in to help defend Radley and his decision to stay, but he backs off when Bain becomes defensive. Donovan leaves, but not long after that, the foursome hear a gunshot. When they look out, they see Donovan covered in blood and stumbling to the ground outside his apartment. Although they all rush to help Donovan and call 911, Donovan doesn’t make it. Because of her close relationship with him, Jazzi calls Gaff in the hopes that he will help with the case.

In the confusion of everything, Bain disappears. When Jazzi and Ansel go in search of him, they find him looking in his truck’s glove compartment in bewilderment. It seems Bain had brought a gun with him, but now it is gone. Gaff would come to learn that it was Bain’s gun that had been used to shoot Donovan. Although not a likely suspect, he is the only suspect for the moment, and Gaff tells him not to leave town. Once again, Gaff enlists Jazzi’s help to talk with the people involved in the case. Jazzi has her hands full with the fixer-upper, the case, and the fact that Bain is living with her and Ansel until he is cleared as a suspect. Jazzi is anxious to see this case solved to find justice for Donovan, provide closure for her friends, and to see Bain head back home.

This is the fourth Jazzi Zanders mystery and I’ve loved every single one. Each book is filled to the brim with mystery, suspense, construction, good food, and great family. All of which come together to create a winning combination. This installment focuses on Ansel’s family and Jazzi and Ansel’s growing extended “family.” Ansel is joined by both his brothers in this book. Radley has been living with them until he can get on his own two feet, and Jazzi loves him. When Bain is forced to stay with them, Jazzi is miserable. She hates Bain’s bad attitude, and how he treats Ansel, Radley, and their mother. We learn in this story though that an unlikable character can have redeeming qualities. During his involuntary stay in River Bluffs, Bain decides to help with work on the fixer-upper, and in the process he learns a lot more than just about construction.

The murder in this story is more elaborate and has a lot more players than in the other books. The reader must carefully follow the clues and twists and turns to successfully find their way to the solution. The mystery is clever, suspenseful, and never loses a step. The characters are great, and you can’t help but wish you were one of the crew. You won’t want to put this book down until you reach the end.

I’m excited there will be a fifth book in the series, The Body from the Past.

Thanks to Net Galley and Kensington Books for an ARC of this book. #NetGalley #TheBodyInTheApartment

Wow! I have loved every book in this series so far and this one did not disappoint. This book was a little more action packed and twisty than the previous books which is good, but it also meant there were a lot more characters and at times it became difficult to remember who was who. I still love all of the original characters and found Ansel's brothers much more likable in this book. I hope to see more of them in the future.

First in the series I’ve read. Jazzi helped Gaff by being there to comfort those who were connected to the murdered people. Enjoyed large family dynamics and double wedding. Plan to find previous novels and add to my must read list.

I am liking this series. The characters have continued to develop in each installment. I like reading about the home improvements they make to the houses they are flipping. I like the interactions between the characters and that past characters continue to show up in the books. I am wondering how big Jazzi's & Ansel's house is that they can fit that many people in for Sunday Dinner. I loved having Gran make more announcements during the dinners.

Thank you to the publisher, NetGalley and the author for my eARC in exchange for an honest review. - I feel each book is getting better and they were good to start with.

Description
The charming homes of River Bluffs, Indiana, make perfect projects for house-flipper Jazzi Zanders. Less charming is her hothead brother-in-law, who's a bit of a fixer-upper himself. But could he also be a murderer? Jazzi married her gorgeous contractor Ansel—not his family. But somehow she keeps living with them. So she's delighted to help Ansel's brother Radley move out of their home and into his own place, in the same building as his work supervisor, Donovan. But when Donovan is shot and his apartment ransacked following an argument with Ansel and Radley's older brother Bain, their sibling becomes a suspect—especially after his missing gun turns up as the murder weapon. Told not to leave town by Detective Gaff, big brother moves in with . .Jazzi and Ansel. Now Jazzi needs to prove Bain's no killer, not only to keep him out of jail—but to get him out of their house. What was the killer looking for in Donovan's apartment? And what will happen to the next person who gets in the way?

My Review
The Body in the Apartment was an enjoyable novel by Judi Lynn.

In this book Jazzi is caught trying to solve a murder and keep peace between her husband and Bain who shows up trying to convince their brother Radley to return home to the family farm. The novel is set in River Bluffs, Indiana where Jazzi, Ansel and Jerod work flipping homes renovate.

On this day, Radley is moving into his own apartment when his boss Donovan is found dead. To make matters worse Bain is the number one suspect as it's his gun that is found next to the body.

The book is full of twists and turns and keeps you guessing until the very end.

This ARC was provided to me in exchange for my honest opinion. I give this a 5 star review.