Member Reviews
This book made me laugh, made me blush, the dog doody bandit had me rolling 🤣🤣. I can’t wait for a physical copy so I can put this one on my shelf! I love Lucy scores writing, her books are fast reads and very enjoyable and there’s just the right amount of spice! I love how she mixed spice with mystery, it fit perfectly well 🤌🏻
This was my first Riley Thorn novel and now I can't wait to read the series. I'm a huge dog lover and loved reading about Burt's behaviors.
Riley is such an enjoyable character. Her relationship with the neighbors and her spirit guide, Gabe, is adorable. I kept laughing out loud at their crazy antics. I really liked the time jump to set the pace for the mystery that kept me engaged.
I'm definitely hoping to read more about Riley and Nick! Their relationship is fire in the best way.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bloom Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to Netgalley, Lucy Score, and to Bloom Publishing for an arc of this book!!
I cannot even convey how much FUN this series is. I genuinely love every single character, every hilariously harrowing moment, every twist and turn. This book is nothing if not a five star read, and a favorite, just like the others before it.
Riley Thorn and her hot, tattooed private investigator boyfriend, Nick, are finally settling into their new fixer-upper, but their luck quickly turns. Nick becomes obsessed with an old cold case, leaving Riley to handle their crumbling home and nosy elderly neighbors. Things go haywire when Riley is kidnapped by a stranger, her psychic powers malfunction, and their new house guests bring trouble, including a severed finger warning. Amidst the chaos of a surprise birthday party, a dog doody bandit, and accidental arson, Nick and Riley must solve the case the old-fashioned way before it’s too late. This book is a thrilling, hilarious ride filled with quirky characters and non-stop action. I couldn't put it down and can't wait for the next installment!
Blast from the Past is the third book in Lucy Score’s Riley Thorn series. Just like the first two it is filled with zany characters, ludicrous shenanigans, and trouble-making octogenarians. It's a great mix of comedy and mystery with an engaging plot and interesting side characters. There's a bit of paranormal, too. Fans of Darynda Jones Charlie Davidson series or Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series will love this one.
Thank you netgalley and bloom books for the gifted arc in exchange for an honest review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 rounded up
We are back with our hilarious gang and working on a new case- the disappearance of Beth. So many twists and turns in this one!
I still love most of our characters! We see two new characters, sesame and Tommy, who are so sweet together! I definitely did not see the plot twist with sesame coming. Jasmine is turning into one of my fav characters, and as Riley says, I want to be her when I grow up! Gabe has grown on me even more with how lovable he is 😭
"If I ever need to move back to the mansion, can Burt and I share your room?"
"It would be my greatest honor. We would have ice cream Wednesdays until you recover from your broken heart."
As for the relationship of Riley and Nick… this wasn’t it for me. I still LOVE Riley, but she deserves so much more. Nick was so toxic in this one. I don’t care how much he wanted to solve the case or that he’s never done a relationship. He was rude and treated her so bad. “Disobeying direct orders”- excuse me?! And he gave Riley a horrible excuse with an insincere apology and then everything was fine.
I’m looking forward to the next book and seeing if Nick can redeem himself 😌
Riley Thorn and gang had me laughing out loud in this latest release “Riley Thorn and the Blast from the Past “. The dialogue and adventures of this group of eccentric characters is so much fun. In this Riley Thorn book, hot PI Nick Santiago is working a missing person cold case. Actually, the missing person is detective Weber’s sister. It’s Nick’s birthday too. What could go wrong! I hope the Riley Thorn series continues for a long time. Each one is better than the last. Thank you to Net Galley and Bloom Books for the advance read. A summer read must!
Wow! This is my favorite Riley Thorn novel. It has a great plot, mystery, romance, tension, humor, and great characters.
This is the third book in the series, so make sure you've read The Dead Guy Next Door and The Corpse In The Closet first. It is a stand-alone, but you really should read them in order.
This story is unique because certain events take place that make it more difficult to tell what the truth is. This whole storyline was very creative and intriguing. I highly recommend this!
I was given the opportunity to read this book and the next in the series, however I had not read the first two instalments.
I'm glad to say I didn't necessarily feel like it is a must to read the others in order to follow this one. Yes the story continues and there are many characters to follow but you tend to get the gist of who they are and what they are all about.
We have Riley Thorn the made character psychic girlfriend of Nick Santiago former cop turned private investigator, Weber, Nick's cop best friend, Brian, Nick's cousin and Josie his wife who both work for Nick. Jasmine, Riley's best friend. Blosson and Wander, Riley's also psychic mother and sister. Mrs Penny and a whole host of geriatric neighbours who also seem to dabble in the PI world. Gabe, Riley's psychic guide.
Whilst I can easily say the characters and their interactions, communication with each other was my favourite part of the book, keeping the book moving along a somewhat dreary and lacking plot. If it wasn't for these characters I definitely would have DNF the book. I found it longer than it needed to be but it seems this author is fond of longer drawn out books.
The plot seemed childish and lacking in realism or depth. I felt like I was watching a bad 80s cop series.
I hope the next instalment has a better storyline although at least I will be well familiarised with this great cast of characters that definitely save this book.
"The Blast from the Past" by Lucy Score is a delightful addition to the Riley Thorn series, blending humor, mystery, and romance in a thoroughly enjoyable package. This third installment finds Riley Thorn and her private investigator boyfriend, Nick, settling into their new fixer-upper home, only to be thrust into another whirlwind of crime-solving and quirky escapades.
Lucy Score’s knack for creating endearing and relatable characters shines through, especially with Riley and Nick’s adorable and believable relationship. Their interactions feel genuine, and their dynamic adds warmth to the story amidst the chaos of cold cases and unexpected guests. Supporting characters like Mrs. Penny, Josie, and Jasmine add layers of humor and excitement, making each page a joy to read.
The plot is packed with twists and turns, from Riley’s abduction to the severed finger warning, ensuring that readers are kept on their toes. The blend of psychic elements and traditional investigative work creates an engaging narrative that balances suspense and comedy perfectly. Score’s writing style, full of laugh-out-loud moments and witty dialogue, enhances the reading experience, making it feel like watching a beloved sitcom.
While newcomers to the series might find it a bit challenging to catch up initially, the story stands well on its own, offering enough context to enjoy the ride. However, diving into the earlier books might provide a richer understanding of the characters and their backstories.
Overall, "The Blast from the Past" is a fun, fast-paced read that keeps you hooked from start to finish. Lucy Score delivers a perfect mix of mystery, romance, and humor, making this book a must-read for fans of the genre. It's a delightful escape that leaves you eagerly anticipating the next adventure with Riley Thorn and her zany crew.
You can see my full review and more here on my blog: https://leylaslibrary.wordpress.com/2024/05/16/the-blast-from-the-past/
Poor Riley. Only she can become part of a hostage situation in her own house, during her boyfriends birthday party while dressed as Dolly Parton. You can't make this stuff up. ;) As usual Riley, Nick and their geriatric neighbors get themselves in some interesting situations. Nick and Riley bought the old fixer-upper next door to their previous residence in hopes of having some privacy... but when you have Miss Penny and company right next door, well, they were in for a rude awakening. Filled with comedy, intrigue, lies, dirty looks and a few of those little blue pills (in the wrong hands.) Perfectly written characters in a very entertaining story. There is some sexual content (but not in a smutty way, and not all that graphic.) There is some strong language and some subject matter that might be considered inappropriate for younger teens. It alternates POVs. While part of a series, each book can be read as a stand alone, but I would suggest reading in order to fully appreciate the characters.
*I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley.
An intricate tapestry of world-building, with multiple page inducing full-belly laughter. Seriously not sure how but the flame thrower may have been my favorite scene. A narrative as cunning as Batman's intellect, unraveling with the precision of my own deductions. A truly exhilarating read, both profound and wildly entertaining. p.s. it is a bit slow in some parts but the good parts are really good
If you enjoyed the previous ones in this series, it lives up to its predecessors.
Thank you to the author and publisher for letting me preview this book in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed this book. It’s funny all the way through. I can’t wait to see what happens next. #TheBlastfromthePast #NetGalley
The Blast from the Past by Lucy Score was a miss for me. I felt this book to be extremely slow. I almost didn’t finish it but pushed through till the end.
Lucy Score’s books can sometimes be hit or miss for me but one thing she does well is have very amusing characters and this story is no different. I highly recommend if you are looking for a new series to read.
Thank you Lucy Score and NetGalley for the chance to read this book.
I’ve read other Lucy Score books, but I started Riley’s story from the middle because this is the first Riley Thorn story I have read… and I loved it!
Riley and Nick are hilarious together, you can just tell how real the love is between them and I love that. It’s great to watch them figure out the mysteries together and solve their own things also. The Halloween birthday party was amazing in every way.
Mrs Penny is laugh out loud funny with her dooty duty and banter with all of the other characters.
I cannot wait to read the other books in this series now.
Just like the last 2 books, this one, The Blast From the Past, was absolutely fabulous! Funny, quirky, murderous and full of elderly neighbor high jinks!
I really can’t get enough of Riley and Nick, they’re just so darn cute together. Grumpy meets Sunshine for sure!
On this third installment, we find Riley and Nick are renovating their big ole’ mansion, and caught up on solving Beth’s whereabouts and her real truth.
I LOVED this book! I mean, really LOVED it! I can’t wait to read the next book, coming in July!
Lucy Score never misses!
Such a delightful genre-bending story including a romance, a mystery, a comedy and even a hint of paranormal? A hell of a combination and Lucy Score knocked it out of the park!
Such a fun read, totally recommend!
So much fun! Riley, Nick and the gang are back with tons of antics. Nick is determined to find Weber’s sister who they had previously thought was dead. To everyone’s surprise, she shows up with a lot of drama. This can only be described as a cosy mystery romcom.
“Riley Thorn and the Blast from the Past," the third installment in the self-titled series by Lucy Score, is not a stand-alone piece and should be read after reading the first two novels.
The narrative unfolds after the ending of the second book. Riley "middle name unknown" Thorn and Nick Santiago, a private investigator and former detective, find themselves grappling with life following a harrowing hostage ordeal involving a bomb. Having resolved the case of the glitter bomb serial killer, Nick, who has never been in a committed, long-term relationship, relocates from the mansion inhabited by several octogenarians to the adjacent one, where the closet retains a permanent scent of death, courtesy of the corpse they found there.
The novel begins on October 30th, as Riley is abducted by two familiar figures, bound with duct tape, and faced with the imminent threat of her demise. It then shifts to the past, recounting events from five days prior to the kidnapping.
Following Elanora Basil's revelation that Detective Kellen "Kelly" Weber's long-missing sister, Beth, is still alive after six years, Nick immerses himself entirely in re-investigating her case. Desperate to find her, he sacrifices sleep and forgoes showering. Nick's guilt over Beth's disappearance fuels his relentless pursuit, but it also blinds him to his deteriorating relationship with Riley and neglects his obligations to his business partners.
Elizabeth "Beth" Weber vanished without a trace six years ago. She arrives unexpectantly in her hometown of Harrisburg in a white limousine, but now under the guise of a new identity: Sesame Hemsworth. She spins a web of fabricated tales to account for her absence, drawing inspiration from the movie "Overboard." Despite Kelly and Nick's elation at her reappearance, Riley senses deception in the air. Attempting to utilize her psychic abilities, she calls upon her spiritual guides, represented by the pink and blue cotton candy clouds, to unravel the mystery. Yet, Beth's tangled history of deceit overwhelms Riley's spiritual energies, leaving her abilities depleted.
The entire novel is filled with farcical caricatures. Burt, the dog adopted from the first book, has a penchant for human food and is frequently depicted as flatulent. A subplot unfolds to expose the Dog Doody Bandit, a mischievous canine leaving a trail of feces across town. The excessive recurrence of terms like "fart," "poop," and "doody" is notable. Curiously, more attention is devoted to the dog's digestive woes than to the intricacies of crime scenes or the investigative efforts of Riley, Weber, and Nick. Nick's controlling and possessive behavior towards Riley has intensified since the previous book, marked by unsettling remarks about confining her to her room or closet and grounding her for disobedience or failure to comply with his demands. Riley's refusal to use the name "Halloween" and instead opting for "trick or treat day" comes across as nonsensical and annoying.
This novel felt disorganized and scattered. It lacked the promised suspense. Most of the novel contains over-the-top mannerisms and comments from the characters, which gives the impression of reading about a circus funhouse and its eccentric inhabitants.
Rating 2.5/5
Thank you to Lucy Score, NetGalley and Sourcebooks-Bloom Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Riley Thorn and the Dead Guy Next Door TBR
Riley Thorn and the Corpse in the Closet 2.5/5
Riley Thorn and the Blast from the Past 2.5/5
The Body in the Backyard TBR