this book had me grinning like an idiot and side-eyeing everyone around me like they might be hiding a body. lucy score really nailed the cozy mystery + slow burn combo here. the main character is sharp, funny, and just the right amount of messy, and the grumpy neighbor/love interest? 10/10 would move in next door.

the small-town drama is chaotic in the best way—everyone’s in everyone’s business, but it makes for such a fun backdrop to the murder mystery that actually kept me guessing. and the romance? slow burn, enemies-ish to lovers, all that good stuff. when it hits, it hits.

honestly, i was fully invested. the dialogue is hilarious, the pacing is tight, and the tension (both romantic and murder-y) just builds perfectly. couldn’t put it down. five stars, easy. lucy score, you’ve got my whole attention now.

I love Lucy Score, but didn't read this right away because I wasn't sure if I'd like the clairvoyant elements of this story. They weren't too heavy handed though, and I didn't mind them. So glad I read this book! I loved Nick and Riley and the cast of quirky characters they hang out with. I love that Riley lives in an old mansion with a bunch of offbeat old people. I'd definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys Janet Evanovich- It's got a similar vibe.
Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book!

Lucy Score is one of my favorite authors weather thats small town romance or romcom murder mysteries with some paranormal. I loved this book

Review: The Dead Guy Next Door by Lucy Score
Lucy Score brings humor, heat, and a dash of the supernatural in The Dead Guy Next Door. Riley Thorn just wants a normal life—but between her unwanted psychic visions, a dead neighbor, and a cocky PI named Nick Santiago, normal is out the window. This book is a wild mix of murder mystery, rom-com banter, and quirky characters (including Riley’s hilarious elderly roommates). The chemistry crackles, the suspense keeps you hooked, and the laughs are nonstop. If you love your mysteries with a side of swoon and sarcasm, this is a must-read! ⭐⭐⭐⭐️

The Dead Guy Next Door by Lucy Score is a perfect blend of laugh-out-loud humor, small-town charm, and an irresistible mystery. With her signature wit and knack for crafting lovable, quirky characters, Score delivers a cozy mystery that’s as heartwarming as it is suspenseful.

The chemistry between the characters crackles, the dialogue is sharp and funny, and the mystery keeps you guessing with just the right balance of twists and red herrings. Even with the murder at its core, the story maintains a light, feel-good vibe that makes it a total page-turner.

5 stars — a delightful, fast-paced mystery packed with humor, heart, and just enough suspense to keep you hooked until the very end. Cozy mystery fans will absolutely love this one!

I really enjoyed the concept of this book but it fell a little flat for me in spots. It was similar to the knockemout series in a way that, this has a really fun love story playing out with a bit of a mysterious crime storyline happening at the same time. This was a little too much of a slow burn for me though. I was excited by the concept of fake fiancé but it fell flat in the end.

Thank you so much for the arc! I absolutely love Lucy Score and her writing! After reading a different series of hers, I’ve immediately wanted to read all her other books. This series was so much fun and I loved it! More in depth review to come!

The Dead Guy Next Door by Lucy Score is a delightful blend of suspense, humor, and romance that pulls you into Riley Thorn's chaotic life with charm and wit. Riley, a woman down on her luck, is juggling a crumbling personal life, mysterious psychic visions, and an ever-growing list of eccentricities that seem almost too strange to be true. Enter Nick Santiago, a brooding private investigator who’s just as much a puzzle as the murder he’s investigating.

What works beautifully in this novel is the quirky dynamic between Riley and Nick. Riley’s sharp wit and independent spirit mesh perfectly with Nick’s roguish, no-nonsense attitude. The chemistry between them crackles with humor and tension, making their interactions feel like a fun, playful push and pull. As the mystery unfolds, their reluctant partnership in solving the murder adds just the right amount of thrill to keep the pages turning.

Score balances the lighter, more humorous moments with deeper stakes—Riley’s brushes with danger, her unresolved grief, and her struggle to accept her unusual gifts. The surrounding cast of elderly roommates adds another layer of warmth and quirky charm, turning Riley’s home into an unlikely but lovable haven.

In short, The Dead Guy Next Door is a heartwarming, page-turning read that blends mystery, romance, and a touch of the supernatural. With a compelling heroine, an intriguing mystery, and a swoon-worthy investigator, this book is a delightful escape into a world where the lines between fate, love, and murder are deliciously blurred.

Unfortunately, this one ended up being a DNF for me. I gave it several tries but just couldn't connect with the story or feel invested in the characters. I usually love Lucy Score's books. Just because it didn't work out for me doesn't mean it won't for you!

Thank you to NetGalley, Bloom Books, and Lucy Score for granting me access to this book. All opinions are my own.

I love this series. I read the second book, first and feel like I didn’t miss a beat. It is rare that I love the main and side characters equally, but the Thorne series hits that out of the park. My only complaint this series is how long the books are.

I have usually loved Lucy Score's books, but I'm sad to say this series was a miss for me. I guess we can't like everything our favorite authors put out there, but i was disappointed that i couldn't connect to the characters.

Lucy Score brings her signature charm and humor to The Dead Guy Next Door, a delightful romantic suspense novel with plenty of twists, laughs, and heart. This book is a perfect blend of small-town antics, sizzling romance, and a dash of mystery that keeps readers guessing until the very end.

I've been really enjoying Lucy Score's books so am always excited when I see one is available on netgalley. Riley Thorn is having hallucinations that her mother swears means she is clairvoyant. She is broke and single and living with a group of elderly roommates. Things go from bad to worse when an extremely attractive private investigator turns up looking for Riley's next door neighbor who as it turns out has been recently murdered. Nick Santiago is a bit of a ladies man so when Riley finds her way to the top of the suspect list, Nick is all in on investigating this murder to be the hero that saves her from doing hard time. They just need to figure out who pulled the trigger which might prove more challenging then either expected.

To be honest, I didn’t finish this one.

The story was eh for me. I didn’t feel connected to the characters and I could not force myself to finish. Maybe I’ll have to try again when I am in a different mindset.

This was a fun and quite mystery (with a side of romance)

It kept me guessing and I’m glad I stuck with it - the end is rewarding!

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of The Dead Guy Next Door by Lucy Score!

I have never loved so many characters in one book so much!! Aside from the bad guys, each character is absolutely hysterical in their own special way and I found myself wishing I was a part of it all! I laughed out loud way too many times. I already purchased the second book in the series and I will put down whatever book I’m reading when it comes in the mail to dive back into Riley’s world and my favorite cast of characters ever!

I have usually loved Lucy Score's books, but I'm sad to say this series was a miss. I had a hard time connecting or caring about these characters. It also felt like these books were longer than they needed to be. I'm disappointed because I wanted to love this series, too. I bet others will enjoy this series.

The Dead Guy Next Door by Lucy Score is a delightful blend of humor, suspense, and romance that keeps you hooked. Score’s signature wit shines, making even the quirkiest twists feel grounded and engaging. The characters are charming and relatable, and the plot balances laugh-out-loud moments with genuine tension, creating a fast-paced story that’s hard to put down. For anyone looking for a romance with a dash of mystery and plenty of laughs, The Dead Guy Next Door is an absolute winner.

This was my first book by Lucy Score! I was not disappointed. It was suspensful but also funny in my opinion. I will be reading more by this author!