For fans of Elle Cosimano and Janet Evanovich, this series reads like something that you should be watching on tv. You’ll love all of the quirky characters and be on the edge of your seat with wanting more.

Lucy Score delivers an engaging blend of humor, romance, and mystery in "Riley Thorn and the Corpse in the Closet." This novel offers a charming mix of quirky characters, psychic intrigue, and a captivating murder mystery.

The protagonist, Riley Thorn, is relatable and entertaining as she navigates her psychic abilities, while trying to maintain normalcy in her life. Her relationship with Nick Santiago adds depth to the story. Their chemistry provides romantic tension and comedic relief. Their banter is sharp and witty and sets a lighthearted tone.

Score expertly balances humor with the darker elements of the plot. The murder mystery is well-crafted and keeps readers guessing. The humor arises from character interactions and situational comedy.

The supporting cast is vibrant and adds richness to the story. From Riley's eccentric grandmother to her colorful neighbors, each character brings their own flair and contributes to the book's charm and humor.

Overall, "Riley Thorn and the Corpse in the Closet" is an engaging read for fans of cozy mysteries with a comedic twist. Lucy Score's ability to weave humor into a murder mystery without detracting from its suspense makes this book an enjoyable escape for readers seeking both laughter and intrigue.

The Corpse In the Closet is the second Riley Thorn paranormal mystery by Lucy Score. Released 16th April 2024 by Sourcebooks on their Bloom Books imprint, it's 284 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free. The other books in the series are also currently available on KU.

This is exactly as stated in the blurb: a sarcastic, funny murder mystery with paranormal elements, an ensemble cast, a large romance subplot (less than book 1, but still definitely heating up), and a satisfying denouement and resolution. The author has a fairly deft touch with comedic timing, and readers who enjoy rom-com mysteries with goofy eccentric secondary characters will probably be in raptures over this series.

There's continuity with the earlier book, but readers who read the books out of order won't be lost (but will encounter minor spoilers, fair warning). With 4 books currently extant in the series, it would be a great choice for a binge/buddy read.

Four stars, funny and engaging.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

The Corpse in the Closet sees Riley learning to embrace her powers; kooky cases that center around people lacking common decency, empathy, and connection; additional hijinks from the housemates and more meet-the-family moments—and, oh boy, what interesting families Riley and Nick do have.

Like The Dead Guy Next Door, The Corpse in the Closet had me laughing out loud. Nick and Riley’s many thwarted attempts to steal private moments had me cackling. And I especially enjoyed watching Nick grapple with his unfamiliarity with the feelings that come with having a girlfriend.

I received a copy of the ebook from Bloom Books. All review opinions are my own.

Heavy with characters and light reading. I like the family aspect more than the murders. They are a little wacky but in the best of ways.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC.

As soon as I finished Riley Thorn and the Dead Guy Next Door, I knew I had to read book 2 in this series right away! This was a fun continuation of Riley and Nick's story and it was non-stop fun and adventure all the way through. The side characters are great...even overbearing Grandma! Next stop for me is Riley Thorn and the Blast from the Past. I won't stop til I finish Riley Thorn and the Body in the Backyard and then I'll head on over to Lucy's Blue Moon series. If you love a good rom-com with a little mystery thrown in, check out the Riley Thorn series!

I also listened to the audio and once again Natalie Duke did a wonderful job narrating!

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Publication date: 16 April 2024

This was such a fun one. Much like book 1, it kept me on my toes and super intrigued. We still get to see the side characters from the first book, and we get to see how chemistry continues to change around the entire group dynamic, as well as between Nick and Riley.

Riley and Nick are now working together, using her psychic abilities to help them with his investigation company. A house wife who’s all about views gets murdered in her closet, and then when an ex-wife reports her ex-husband as missing (because it inconveniences her schedule), Riley and Nick find themselves working to figure out who where he could have gone, what happened to his cat, and what the heck is happening?

We meet some very epic neighbors - who give great fashion advice (and I’d truly be okay with them being my best friends). As the team starts to tie together multiple cases, things get a bit glittery and Riley is soon to be targeted.

I appreciate getting this advanced reader copy from NetGalley and Bloom Books. I really enjoy Lucy Score's writing style and the way she writes her characters. Her characters are easy to connect with and her writing is enjoyable to read. The characters from book one are followed in this book, which is merely another murder mystery. I enjoyed how the plot kept me guessing. The writing is really original and has an easily envisioned movie feel to it. This book really does contain it all. It has mystery, humor and is thrilling to read. Oh and don't let me forget to mention the sarcasm throughout this book that made me laugh continuously. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking to read a romcom mystery book. The romance aspect is not the main plot of this book which I really enjoyed. I give this book a 4/5. I will be reading the next book in the series.

Rounded up from a 4.5 on The StoryGraph.

The Corpse in the Closet, the second book in the Riley Thorn Mysteries series, is a fun action-packed rom com perfect for fans of mystery and crime stories.

In preparation of reviewing this book, I started from the beginning of the series with The Dead Guy Next Door and I loved it. This second book is everything a second book should be. It follows the same cast of loveable characters on an adventure much like the one from the first book (without being repetitive), while deepening the overall plot and dynamics.

I absolutely adore this cast of characters and getting to see more of them (three cheers for more Kellen) while seeing their relationships with one another develop really adds to the reading experience of this book and the series as a whole. And I really don’t think there’s a universe where I will ever get enough of Nick Santiago, who is everything I’ve ever loved in a book boyfriend.

The plot itself is so much fun to read. There’s an excellent balance of romance, comedy, mystery, crime, and magical realism. This is one of those novels that made me genuinely laugh out loud on multiple occasions while providing that warm fuzzy romance feeling. It kept me engaged for all 400+ pages, just as the first book did, and I can’t wait to continue Riley Thorn Mysteries.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Bloom Books for access to this ebook. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I’m telling you, Lucy Score is a literal wizard with words—she somehow makes murder mysteries both hilarious and heartwarming. Picture this: Riley, our quirky psychic who just wants to be normal, is dragged into another wild ride, and Nick, her hot cop boyfriend with dimples for days, is right there with her. The chemistry between these two? Off the charts! And the banter? I was snort-laughing the whole way through.

This time around, they’re dealing with a serial killer targeting internet trolls and influencers, and let’s just say, it’s chaos—glitter-bombs, a farting dog named Burt, and a spiteful cow included. And don’t even get me started on the side characters! Mrs. Penny, Gabe, and the whole gang are back and just as hilarious as ever. There are so many priceless one-liners and laugh-out-loud moments that I was literally grinning the entire time I was reading.

Lucy Score has this magical ability to balance the crazy, screwball antics with a deeper commentary on society’s 'Karens' and keyboard warriors. It’s brilliant. Even when things get a bit intense or touch on more serious topics, the humor and warmth shine through, keeping you hooked. And the romance between Riley and Nick? It’s a slow burn, but oh so worth it. Watching Nick grow and Riley embrace her psychic side while trying to navigate their new life together is just chef’s kiss.

If you’re in the mood for a laugh-out-loud rom-com with a dash of murder mystery, grab this book now. And I’m already counting down the days for the next book in the series. Lucy, you’ve got me hooked!

Great book at add to your Lucy Score library, follows her other books. Fast read, city life with a dead body!

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC copy of The Corpse in the Closet! Lucy Score has the best writing and this book was better than the last. :) I thoroughly enjoyed this and never thought I would, but Lucy's writing always keeps pulling me in.

I love Lucy Score. Her books are always full of tons of entertaining banter and hold my attention throughout the whole book. The Corpse In The Closet was no different in that manner. Will definitely be tuning in to the rest of this series!

Truly a gem of a book. I’ve read Lucy score romance novels before and enjoyed this one a lot because of its paranormal aspect and hilarious moments. I loved the characters and can’t wait to read more!

As a Lucy Score fan since the beginning, I have yet to read a bad book. Riley Thorn holds a special place in my heart so I ate this book up! The investigation side, the angst, the spiceeeeee. Top tier!

A thrilling and humorous addition to the Riley Thorn series.

The story follows reluctant psychic Riley Thorn and her private investigator boyfriend, Nick Santiago, as they navigate a series of murders in their small town.

Riley’s disapproving grandmother arrives, pushing her to take her psychic abilities seriously, while Nick juggles a tricky missing person case and his parents’ unexpected visit.

The plot thickens when a well-dressed corpse is discovered in a closet, and the body count starts to rise.

Amidst the chaos, Riley must also deal with her eccentric elderly roommate and her spray-tanned news anchor ex-husband.

Score masterfully blends suspense, romance, and comedy, creating a fast-paced narrative that keeps you on the edge of your seat. With engaging characters and witty dialogue, this book is a delightful cozy mystery read with a paranormal twist.

Another great mystery from a fabulous romance author. I do prefer her romance novels, but this is fun for a change of pace.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC to read and review. All opinions are my own.

This is Lucy Score at her best. Laugh out loud, loveable characters and a fun storyline. It doesn't get any better than this for a beach read!

I will ready anything from Lucy Score I discovered her last year and have been working on her back log. A fun paranormal romance with some mystery to it. I’ve been enjoying this whole series

This book was gripping and hard to put down. It didn't feel like everything else you see out there, it felt very fresh. I really enjoyed this book!