Member Reviews
The Dead Guy Next Door is the first in the Riley Thorne detective series. Riley is a reluctant psychic at the center of a hilarious cast of characters - from the motley mix of retiree roommates to her psychic new-age family. Riley gets herself into a series of crazy predicaments while trying to solve her next door neighbor's murder along with hot private detective, Nick Santiago. I found this book thoroughly enjoyable and I can't wait to find out what happens next with Riley and Nick and their friends!
What a great start to the series! This book has a great group of characters and funny dialogue along with a murder mystery to solve!
I’m so lucky that I get to read through the series before the newest one, The Body in the Backyard, releases in July. Thanks @Sourcebooks @read_bloom
Lucy score is just the author I need for the beach or a fun romcom. She is a great story teller with a combo of light fun and depth of plot and character
Funny and adorable! I had a good time with this book. I loved Riley and her psychic powers. My only complaint is that this was a bit too long. The author did such a wonderful job blending the mystery and romance genres. It really worked for me! So ready to pick up the next book.
3.5 - I have such mixed feelings on this book. On the one hand it was super fun and crazy and such a fast-paced read. On the other hand it felt too long and just stupid at times. But who I am to complain 🤷🏻♀️. A fun story is a fun story!
Well-loved and highly respected as an author by yours truly, I will of course read anything that Lucy Score writes, even if it's a grocery list. Her new stand-alone novel is wildly more addictive and interesting and proves beyond a shadow of a doubt just how amazing and versatile of an author she is. I couldn't turn the pages quickly enough and really enjoyed the romance and chemistry between the two characters. Highly recommended and can't wait to own this one in print! Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher. It was such a treat!
What a fun and outrageous read. This is just a book that will get you through the heavy stuff in life. This book was quirky in the best way. Want a good time, read this book, but do not go into it thinking you will find the next best thing. I love Lucy Score books because they make me laugh and I don't take them to seriously.
What a fun chaotic ride. While it took me a bit to get into the characters and storyline, once I did, I was hooked. I really enjoyed the different characters, the romance and the mystery. The one thing that I didn't enjoy as much was Nick's overprotectiveness. I felt that it was too forced and too repetitive at times.
Overall though, this was a fun ride that I highly recommend. Lucy Score has done it again and I can't wait to read the next installments.
Lucy Score has done it again! I usually don't gravitate towards books with paranormal vibes but this one was the perfect mix of love story and paranormal, I was excited to dig into this story the more i read the more I fell in love with the characters. The only reason I am giving it 4 stars is because at times I felt the story repeated itself.
The start of a fabulous series. If you love Stephanie plum this series is for you. Wonderful addition of elderly neighbors wreaking havoc!
"Riley Thorn and the Dead Guy Next Door" starts a delightful new series with a mix of quirky characters. Riley Thorn, a divorced woman living with her eccentric elderly roommates, begins seeing strange visions, including one involving her neighbor. When the attractive private investigator, Nick Santiago, offers to help solve the mystery, things get interesting.
The book is a fun and engaging read, keeping readers entertained with its humor and exciting storyline. The relationships between Riley and her lively roommates bring a lot of charm, even amidst the challenges they face in unraveling the mystery.
With a well-crafted plot and likable characters, the book is enjoyable and well-written. The camaraderie among the roommates is heartwarming, and while there are some less likable characters in the mix, the focus remains on the fun interactions.
Despite feeling a bit long, the book is still an entertaining and engrossing read. I'm eager to see what adventures Riley and Nick find themselves in next. Overall, a solid and enjoyable read deserving of 3.5 stars.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
I think I am in a mind reading phase. Two of my last books have been about people that can "see" things. I loved the characters and I can't wait to get more of that whole crazy house and family!!
Riley Thorn is desperate for a normal life. However, her life is far from normal she's newly divorced, broke, and now she's hallucinating. Actually, they may be ghosts. Then a super hot cop shows up investigating a missing person and things get even crazier. Riley Thorn and the Dead Guy Next Door is wild and crazy. It's funny and I had a blast with it. I can't wait to see where else this series goes!
Thank you to NetGalley and Lucy Score for an ebook in exchange for an honest review!
Rating: 3.75/5 Stars
This was so cute and cozy! I really loved all the cozy mystery vibes as well as the subtle romance. I had a really great time with it!
I already read this ages ago and reviewed it, i thought it was the new one when i requested it so i am not going to review it again
I was excited to receive a complimentary copy of The Dead Guy Next Door by Lucy Score from NetGalley. Opinions in this review are completely my own.
Lucy Score is one of my favourite authors; I am always willing to pick up her books as they always have well developed characters who win you over, a hot romance that you want to root for, and a good plot. This novel was no exception. I wasn't really sure what to expect from this novel as it seemed to divert from her usual romances.
The two main characters won me over. I loved Riley Thorn; she seemed like a bit of a disaster at first-- divorced, broke, and living with the elderly, But I loved seeing Riley develop relationships with her housemates, Gabe, and Nick. I also liked seeing how she was trying to resist her psychic abilities.
Overall, this was a fun read and I definitely want to continue the series.
Thanks to Lucy Score, Sourcebooks Bloom Books, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I wouldn't be at all surprised if this book was pitched as Stephanie Plum meets Charley Davidson. Relatable, reluctant, overpowered heroine? Check. Obnoxiously egotistical hero who the heroine deserves better than but will obsess over? Check. Police-adjacent occupation? Check. Hilarious secondary cast? Check. The manic energy of several espresso shots? Check.
If you think the Stephanie Plum and/or Charley Davidson series are wonderful, you'll think Riley Thorn is too. But I've had issues with both series despite my love for them, and not surprisingly, I'm having similar problems with this one. Like the OP heroine (Plum's OP is Ranger, or sheer luck)---does Riley really need to see the future and read minds? It makes things too easy for her, and I also had a hard time discerning what was dream, what was prediction, what was mind-reading, etc. It all kinda swirled together into a murky psychic ex machina soup.
The hero---Nick was a dumbass. Give me the quiet confidence of a mature adult, not the swagger of a fool who thinks his shit don't stink. Nick had the personality of a cocksure teenage boy who hasn't figured out which head to think with. No, thanks.
The plot itself is pretty good. It could be argued that it was overly complicated, or that there was too much plot going on. And the chase at the end got to be ridiculous.
Overall, if you're a Plum or Davidson fan, Riley Thorn is worth checking out, but be warned, it's par for the course.
Rating: ★★★½ - ★★★★
Lucy Score’s, The Dead Guy Next Door, is a unique blend of thriller, mystery, comedy, and contemporary romance that offers a refreshing departure from the typical dark and intense thrillers I'm used to. While the book was an enjoyable read, it did have its ups and downs for me.
The plot centers around a surprising death that sets off a chain of comedic and romantic escapades. Lucy Score does an excellent job of creating engaging and humorous banter between characters, which is one of the book’s strongest points. The dialogue is witty and often had me laughing out loud, making the characters feel lively and relatable.
However, the pacing of the story was a bit slow for my taste. As someone who gravitates towards more traditional thrillers with fast-paced mystery solving, I found the narrative to be somewhat dragging at times. The mystery itself wasn't as central or as intense as I had hoped. Instead, the book leans heavily into its comedic and romantic elements, which might delight fans of lighthearted mysteries but may disappoint those seeking a more gripping and suspenseful read.
The romantic subplot, while charming, felt reminiscent of a Hallmark movie, which isn't typically my cup of tea. Despite this, Lucy Score manages to keep the romance engaging and sweet, which I believe would appeal greatly to fans of contemporary romance. The chemistry between the protagonists is undeniable and adds a warm touch to the story.
In summary, The Dead Guy Next Door is a delightful read for those who enjoy a lighthearted mystery interwoven with comedy and romance. While it wasn’t entirely my style due to its slower pace and the focus on romance, I still found it entertaining and would recommend it to readers looking for a fun, easy-going mystery. Lucy Score’s talent for crafting witty dialogue and charming characters shines through, making this book a solid choice for a relaxing read.
Thank you Sourcebooks Bloom Books, Netgalley, and Lucy Score for the ARC of this novel!
I LOVED this book and I am so excited for this series! Our main character definitely gives off ‘Stephanie Plum’ vibes, but has her own twist because she’s psychic. I really liked navigating her psychic journey too; we start the book with Riley Thorn refusing to use her gifts/acknowledge they even exist. By the end of the novel she’s using her gifts, learning to channel, and embracing this new life. This book is quirky to say the least and made me laugh multiple times. I can’t wait to get my hands on the rest of the series!! A definite 5 star read!
Oh my god, I loved this book! Packed full of loveable characters and laugh out loud humor. The absolute perfect read. I can't wait to get my hands on the next book in the series.