“On Borrowed Crime” is the first book in a new cozy mystery series by Kate Young. Lyla Moody is an aspiring PI working as a receptionist in her uncle’s detective agency. When one of her closest friends is found dead in a suitcase on Lyla’s doorstep, Lyla can’t resist plunging headfirst into the mystery and finding out what happened to her friend. There are many good suspects to keep you guessing and while the identity of the killer is rather obvious, the reason for the killing is completely unexpected, at least for me. I thought the plot was a little hard to follow at times but that may have been the fault of the electronic ARC I received. Its formatting was ridiculously bad. Enjoyable mystery!

Lyla is a new hire at her uncle’s PI agency. She’s single, lives in a condo in a small town in Georgia, and is a member of the Jane Does Book Club. When one of the members of the club is found dead, Lyla becomes involved in solving the murder.

I wanted to like this book; however, something was awkward in the writing. The mystery itself is good with a surprise ending. I hope the second in the series reads more smoothly.

Lyla Moody is a receptionist at her uncle’s private investigation firm in the small town of Sweet Mountain, Georgia. She enjoys her book club which discusses both fictional and real crimes. LIfe is good until her best friend Melanie goes on vacation and her cousin starts dating Lyla’s ex-boyfriend. Things get even worse when the dead body of one of her club members is found in a suitcase on her doorstop. The suitcase belongs to Melanie who just returned to town and now Lyla must put her knowledge of true crime to use and clear her friend’s name.

This book has a really interesting premise and Lyla reminded me of a cross between Charlaine Harris’s Aurora Teagarden and Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum. The book is a little more graphic than a typical cozy mystery, but has some of the elements including a spunky main character with a pushy mom, a small Southern town, and a friend who is falsely accused of murder. Unfortunately for most of the book, those elements just don’t come together for me. I like Lila and how independent she is, but couldn’t connect with too many of the other characters to make the book enjoyable. If there had been more scenes with the club members interacting, it may have given me a chance to get to know some of the other characters in more depth. It starts out slow, but does pick up as the story gets moving.

The mystery is a little darker and more complex than in some cozies. It is suspenseful and I could never have guessed the identity of the actual killer. I enjoy the real books that are sometimes mentioned in the story. The threatening text messages Lyla receives add some excitement as well. Lyla has the potential to be a good investigator and the series does have potential. The story doesn’t always flow smoothly so I was sometimes confused about what was going on. There are some things left in the air at the end to create interest in subsequent books. I like the premise and I like how well Lyla and her grandmother get along. I’m not sure I will keep following the series, but I think the book may appeal to those who usually read thrillers and are looking for a bit of a traditional mystery mixed in with the suspense element.

~ Christine

This was a valiant attempt to be a cozy mystery and true crime novel. The two didn't really mix well for me. I’m more of a cozy mystery fan. I didn’t really want to know about the bodies along Highway 85.
I like Lyla Moody as a character, mostly, but I guess I don’t really get the way the author presented southern culture. Is it really so stifling of interests outside traditional marriage and children?
I grew up in the western U. S so I wouldn’t know. The battles and drama with her parents were a drawback to the story for me.
To be honest at 33% of the way through, I just didn’t care enough to continue in order to find out who killed their friend Carol.
I was offered the opportunity to review via Netgalley. This is my honest opinion. This might be your cup of tea where it didn’t end up being mine.

I have enjoyed the two books in her Southern Sass series and I enjoyed this debut, too. Lyla Moody lives in Sweet Mountain, Georgia, not far from Atlanta. It's a Southern state of mind for sure. She says "Our tea was sweet, our accents were sweeter and our ladies were expected to be the same." She and her mother and grandmother don't exactly fit. Her Gran is a hoot, marching to her own tune, her mother follows the rules but has a complicated history and Lyla? Well, she has no intention of getting hitched and having kids and her track record with men isn't great. She is fascinated by mysteries, true crime and cold cases - much to her parents dismay. To that end she is a member of the Jane Doe book club. She also works for her uncle Calvin, a 16 year veteran of the police force who is now a private investigator. Lyla may be his receptionist/secretary now but she's a PI in training. Little did she know that the morning her car died by the railroad tracks that her interest in things criminal would become all too real and make her the focus of a killer. Soon a friend is dead, another one is the prime suspect and Lyla sets out to find out who wanted Carol dead and then delivered to Lyla's front door.
This has the makings of another great series. As a debut mystery there are, of course, some weak spots because we, as readers, want more answers than the first book can deliver. Some of the characters need more development and her mother's background needs time to be revealed. Because the puzzle kept me engaged and I liked Lyla and her gran so much, I'll be adding the next in the series to my TBR list. I want to learn more, lots more.
My thanks to the publisher, Crooked Lane and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

This is the first book in a new series and it's completely enjoyable. In this book we meet Lyla and the Jane Doe book club, a group of women who read mystery novels and love to solve true crime mysteries. When a book club member is murdered Lyla and the Jane Does set out to solve the case. With a psychiatrist father, a prissy Southern mother, a wild grandma, and an obsession with murder Kyle's life is far from normal. A fun storyline and plenty of twists and turns make this a fun read.

On Borrowed Crime by Kate Young is a good, if convoluted mystery, not quite a cozy but not really hard-core. Lyla Moody has always had a fascination for murder, both in fiction and true crime. As a Southern woman, this is an out-of-bounds hobby and does nothing but upset her mother. Especially now that she is working as a receptionist for her uncle Calvin, with an eye to becoming his partner in the private detective business. Her mother is horrified; her father is passively supportive, and her grandmother is fully on board. She regularly attends he mystery book club, called the Jane Does. Carol, one of the book club members has recently become obsessed with a series of murders over the past thirty years, wherein unidentified bodies of women are buried along a highway nearby. One day, Carol's husband calls to hire Calvin to look for his wife who has been missing for four days. Curious since Lyla had just seen he that morning at a gas station. Things get really interesting when Carol's body turns up at Lyla's condo, stuffed inside a suitcase. How she joins her mother in being horrified, but curious.

This is a really curious book. Lyla is a terrific character and it is a good mystery but something is wrong. For one thing, it needs a good editor. I understand this is an uncorrected copy but the amount of confused word usage is far above what I would expect. The introspection and some of the dialogue muddies the plot and makes it difficult to read. I think with some work, it could be an outstanding read.

I was invited to read a free ARC of One Borrowed Crime by Netgalley. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #onborrowedcrime

On Borrowed Crime by Kate Young takes us to Sweet Mountain, Georgia where Lyla Moody works as a receptionist for her private investigator uncle. Lyla has always been fascinated with mysteries and true crime. She belongs to the Jane Doe Book Club that reads mystery novels and analyzes cold cases. Lyla’s life gets turned upside down when a suitcase is left outside her door. When she opens it the next morning with her best friend, Melanie. The duo are shocked when they find the body of fellow book club member and friend, Carol Timms. Melanie becomes the prime suspect much to Lyla’s dismay. Lyla sets out to prove her friend did not commit the crime which catches the attention of the killer. Lyla’s first real case may be her last. On Borrowed Crime is the debut of A Jane Doe Book Club Mystery series. Lyla Moody lives in a small Southern town in Georgia. Her father is a respected psychiatrist, her mother is a true Southern lady, and her grandmother encourages Lyla in her fascination with crime. I just loved Gran. She is a spunky woman with a sense of humor. Lyla works as a receptionist for her PI uncle with the hopes of becoming a partner in the practice one day. When a member of her book club is murdered and left on her doorstep, Lyla gets her chance to work a real case. The police focus their investigation on Lyla’s best friend, Melanie. Lyla must work quickly to get justice for her deceased friend and make sure her bestie does not end up in jail. There are a variety of suspects in this whodunit. There is even a link to a cold case that is intriguing. There are good clues that helped me identify the guilty party. I liked seeing Lyla investigating plus there is action and danger. There is repetition of details (size of parents’ house and her mother’s dislike of Lyla’s interest in crime for example) that needed to be eliminated along with the foul language. I was not a fan of Lyla’s meanspirited cousin, Ellen. She seemed cliché along with Lyla’s ex-beau being the local police chief. I am hoping that the main characters will get further development in future installments. They need more fleshing out. Those readers who are fans of Kate Young’s A Marygene Brown Mystery series will enjoy A Jane Doe Book Club Mystery series as well. On Borrowed Crime is a humorous Southern cozy mystery with rampant rumors, nosy neighbors, a generous Gran, curious clues, a murdered mate, and a frightened friend.

As a fan of Kate Young's other series, I was excited to be approved for an ARC of On Borrowed Crime, the first book in the new A Jane Doe Book Club Mystery, from NetGalley, but the book left me a bit ambivalent. I expected a cozy mystery but the harshness of the appearance of the body and the intricate relationship Layla has with her mother takes the book to a level not common in cozy or amateur mystery novels. I loved that the mystery was extremely complex and that the author provided hints, many of which were easier to identify after the fact than as I was reading. I love a subtle trail of clues!
There is an awkward dichotomy between the complexity of the rest of the book and the protagonist's emotional immaturity, not to mention her long-time obsession with Jane Doe victims.
One of the stronger elements of the story centered about her mother who felt like a 1950's-1970's perfect little housewife, but who apparently came from a problematic background that she is still striving to leave behind. At first her efforts to fit in her husband's world make her appear weak, but as we see more of her, we learn that she is in fact quite strong; she just feels the need to hide that strength as she plays good doctor's wife. I look forward to discovering more of her depths. She is not an anachronism in this book. Only a few elements like cell phones clearly placed the book as a contemporary novel.
Will I read more of this series? Probably, I would like to see Layla grow up in her dealings with men and her intended career path, but I am hoping that will happen as she works with her uncle and develops a grown-up romance. I was impressed with the variety and depth book club members and look forward to getting to know them better. I am eager to discover more about her mother's past and to see who she really is. I loved the grandmother and will enjoy spending more time with here. And of course, Kate Young writes a heck of a mystery!
My thanks to NetGalley for approving my request for an ARC of On Borrowed Crime. The opinions expressed are all mine.
#NetGalley #OnBorrowedCrime

Kate Young has done it again. She sweeps the reader into a small town Georgia community where everybody knows everybody. In On Borrowed Crime, we are introduced to Lyla and her book club called The Jane Doe Book Club. They solve mysteries in the books they read but are quickly introduced to their own mystery when a friend and member shows up missing. This book is fast paced as you follow along with the main character Lyla in her quest to find answers. Lyla is also a person I want to be friends with and her strong willed personality.

Thank you Kate Young and NetGalley for the opportunity to read On Borrowed Crime. All opinions are my own.

Well, this was quite an interesting story that had some excitement thrown in just for good measure. Would you want to be a member of a book club called the Jane Doe’s? They certainly are interested in murder and crimes. I enjoyed reading about their adventures, concerns, and ideals of how to solve the crime. There is a good mix of characters that makes the interactions interesting. You gotta love Gran! I received this book from NetGalley, but my opinion is my own.

My Mini Thoughts

This was my first cozy mystery read so I went into this blind. I liked that our main character Lyla is in a book club and they only read true crime, hence the name The Jane Doe Book Club. When one of the members is left on Lyla's doorstep stuffed in a suitcase, she immediately begins to investigate.

This was such a fun read! I felt bad for Lyla at times because one of her closest friends, and the owner of the suitcase the body was stuffed in, is a prime suspect. Then there is her overbearing mother who didn't see that Lyla needed to grieve. However I loved her grandma! Lyla's grandma is a little spitfire and so fun to read about.
I did not predict who the killer was or their motive! I used to think I was pretty good at that, but this one threw me for a loop! I highly recommend this book, and this is just the first one. If you love cozy mysteries then I would check this one out!

On Borrowed Crime is a fantastic start to a new series! It is the story of Lyla Moody, PI-wannabe working as a receptionist at her uncle's investigative firm, and her crime-enthusiast friends the Jane Doe Book Club. Lyla's life if not perfect - her ex-boyfriend and cousin move next door, her best friend is away on holiday, her mother is obsessed with Lyla getting married and having a family. To top it all off, Lyla finds her friend and fellow book club member Carol, dead in a suitcase left outside her front door. From this moment, the reader is hooked as Lyla decides she needs to figure out what happened to Carol, and if her death is in any way connected to the "Jane Doe" discovered on a highway north of town.

There are plenty of twists and turns - just when you think one person is the murderer something happens to make you change your mind. There are plenty of likeable and not-so-likable characters - from best friend Mel to ex-boyfriends Kevin and Quinn, and a very nasty cousin, you are engrossed in Lyla's life and adventures. The author leaves you guessing right up to the end as to who the real murderer is, and it is truly a surprise. This book is a page turner from start to finish, and one you do not want to put down until the end.

The author left room for character and relationship development, as well as career development for Lyla. This series has a lot of potential and I look forward to the next installment.

Many thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the ARC.

On Borrowed Crime
by Kate Young
First book in the Jane Doe Book Club Mystery series
Lyla Moody is at the start of a new career. She has joined her Uncle Calvin at his Cousins’ Investigative Services as the new receptionist. Lyla has always had a fascination with murder and true crime, and this job is in line with that passion. While on her way to her new job, her car dies. While she is waiting for the tow truck, she is nearly run over by her friend Carol Timms. In the passenger seat is someone Lyla doesn’t recognize, because the person’s face is hidden by a cameo baseball cap. Before Lyla can approach Carol, she speeds away.
The next time Lyla sees Carol, she is stuffed in a suitcase. Lyla and the Jane Doe Book Club are determined to find the person or persons responsible for their friend’s murder. Lyla begins to receive frightening texts from an unknown number, as did Carol before her murder. Lyla must solve the murder before she becomes the next victim.
My Thoughts

When I first started this novel, I wasn’t sure I wanted to finish it. I wasn’t interested in the characters or the plot. The overbearing Southern mother seemed overdone and the plot didn’t grab me.
Until it did.
The writing did pull me in. I’m not sure where, but the writing had me guessing and second-guessing the culprit. At times, the pace slowed down a bit because of too much information. While Lyla’s mother is still overbearing, there are enough hints about her backstory to begin to understand her. This novel is also a little darker than other cozies I’ve read, but nothing over the top.
This is the first book in the new Jane Doe Book Club Mysteries. Here’s hoping there are many more to come.

Author Information
Visit Kate Young’s website to find out more about her books.
Read a sample of On Borrowed Crime here.

Disclaimers: Free copy provided by #NetGalley
Hashtags #NetGalley #OnBorrowedCrime

A fun cozy mystery that mixes mysteries and, well, actual murder. You can tell that Kate Young has experience writing in this type of setting. The downside to the story; however, was the characters who felt a little half-baked.

Lyla works for her private investigator uncle which her mother thinks isn't a proper job for a lady. She wants Lyla to get married and have a few babies. The book club that Lyla belongs to are interested in the Jane Does found near Interstate 85 as well the book the club is reading. Things hit close to home when one of their members is murdered after she asks the group to investigator one Jane Doe in particular. To me, the book is darker than most cozies. More Rizzoli & Isles, than Murder, She Wrote. I want to read the next book in the series to see what direction the series is taking.

Congratulations to the author on a successful cozy mystery debut ! This is the first book in the charming new series "Jane Doe Mystery Series" by author Kate Young. I found this book delightful with great charcters and a fun sleuth that kept me guessing. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. My review opinions are my own.

We are introduced to Sweet Mountain Georgia and Lyla Moody as a protagonist. She works as receptionist for her uncle's private investigative firm. She belongs to a group of true crime followers and enjoys her life. Until her ex boyfriend moves in next door with his new paramour, her own cousin her life was idyllic. When one of the club members is found dead at her front door, Lyla steps in to investigate with her Uncle's help. When her best friend falls under the police radar, she worries her friend will take the fall for the murder. Lyla is on the right track when her life is threatened by the possible suspect.

I loved the Southern charm of this book and the likable charcters. it was enjoyable to read and fun to conclusion. The sleuth kept me guessing until the end. i look forward to the next in series. Well done to the author.

On Borrowed Crime is the first in Kate Young’s Jane Doe Book Club Mysteries, a tongue in cheek yet immensely satisfying investigative mystery. With its strong characterisation and logical plot, I would recommend it to any mystery buffs looking for a light-hearted but engrossing read.

Every page of this book screams The South (of the USA), which I have to admit felt exotic as I was curled up under my electric blanket during a rainy English autumn. I’ve never left Europe, and so can’t comment on the accuracy of the culture Young depicts, but the glimpses into a society very different from my own were a pleasure to read. When murder interrupted, even more so.

If I were to summarize this book in one phrase it would be ‘trope savvy’ – and you should steer clear if you haven’t yet read And Then There Were None or even Ruth Ware’s 2019 book The Turn of the Key, the endings of both being explicitly spoiled! Young has clearly written a mystery for mystery lovers, and I relished the easter eggs sprinkled throughout. As with any Christie homage, it walked the line between convoluted and logical, and actually pulled this off very well.

However, my favourite part of the novel, and what will bring me back for more, was the characterization of Lyla’s family. Her relationship with her grandmother reminded me strikingly of my own, the best friend and partner in crime you can always go to with any problem. Lyla’s interactions with her mother were also well drawn, and for a character who played little part in the solving of the mystery she had a surprising depth to her which I’m sure will be explored further in the sequels.

I gave On Borrowed Crime four stars, and would recommend it to mystery fans over 14 seeking a self aware but compelling story. Content warnings for death, corpses, gore, and sexual harassment. Thank you to Crooked Lane Books for sending me a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

I have to admit, it took me a bit to get into this book. Some of the characters were a bit annoying...one so much so that I actually wanted to smack her (if you read it, I'm sure you'll figure out who!)...but then I really got into the story. Honestly, I can't remember the last time I went back and forth so much on who the murderer of the tale was. The ending was better than I expected and left me eagerly looking forward to the next book in the series!

When I rolled my eyes at the very first sentence of On Borrowed Crime, I should have heeded the warning and stopped right there. From a very promising premise, this first book in the Jane Doe Book Club cozy series just was not my cup of tea. From an easy-to-deduce whodunit to an awkward takeoff on Janet Evanovich's Grandma Mazur, I simply could not warm up to either the story or the characters.

Lyla loses half her wardrobe, but it's no biggie because her mother keeps her closet fully stocked at home. Lyla's car goes to the scrapyard in the sky, but-- no biggie-- she can borrow her mother's car. But if you think the thirty-one-year-old's life as the daughter of rich parents is all sunshine and roses, you obviously haven't met her mother. Apparently, Lyla's mother had some sort of tragedy in her childhood that makes her the ultimate control freak, and it's the sort of thing to fuel another book in the series, but honestly, I don't have the will or the desire to find out what happened to her. Lyla's always been obsessed with true crime, with solving cold cases, with finding justice for victims and their families, but that's not the life choice her parents want for her, so they actually put her in therapy in an attempt to snap her out of it. Marriage and babies. That's the thing. Ugh! (Hey, I can't help it if I'm pro-choice.)

However, the one thing about writing book reviews is that I'm fully aware of the fact that, while I'm describing something that drove me around the bend, at the same time I'm convincing some of you that this is exactly the book you want to read next. If you look at it this way (and I do), it's a win-win situation. The next decision is up to you.