I need to start by saying, if you have not read a book in the Riley Thorn series, shame on you! Body in the Backyard is book 4 in this series and instantly you are sent back to what feels like the most wild family reunion. Lucy writes romcom like no other and makes you feel like you are a part of the story. You cannot help but laugh out loud while reading about all the shenanigans that take place amongst the sea of intriguing characters throughout the novel. The love story between Riley and Nick is so swoon worthy too. I just absolutely love them together. Body in the Backyard will also leave you asking who the murderer is and guessing at every twist. It feels like watching a movie the way Lucy is able to describe the scenes so perfectly. I highly recommend this series to anyone but especially those who loved books like Harriet the Spy or Nancy Drew as a child and are looking to feel like being back in those novels but adding in extreme laughs and romance!

Thank you to Lucy Score, Bloom Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy!

This was my first Lucy Score book. It took some pages to get use to her characters and writing style, but once I did, I really enjoyed this book. The Body in The Backyard is a really fun read. The senior’s next door were hilarious. I loved the constant banter. The mystery and suspense kept me reading for hours. The whole book left me feeling like I spent a perfect afternoon at the fair on a breezy, sunny day. Thank you for the early addition of this book from NetGalley - My only regret is that I didn’t start the series from the beginning. If her other books are this much fun - I will definitely be reading more from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and to Bloom Books for the ARC of The Body in the Backyard by Lucy Score.

A coworker recommended this series to me in October 2022, and I devoured the first three books by the end of December which led me on to the Knockemout series and becoming a full fledged fan of Score. I am SO happy for all her success stemming from Knockemout's popularity and I love that the Riley Thorn novels are getting rereleased as are some of her other books and series. I was actually talking to the same coworker who made the recommendation about Riley Thorn about 3 months ago, and I was like "Man, I hope she keeps writing the Riley Thorn series, I don't want that to go away" and then this showed up on Score's Instagram. This series is just so unique and fun - the only thing similar I have found and enjoyed is Cherie Priest's Booking Agents series. I can't say enough how excited I was and am to have read this newest adventure of Riley and Nick and their geriatric roommates.

The story picks up immediately after the end of The Blast from the Past, and there is a lot of action over about a week's worth of time. It's wild to me that Riley and Nick have only been together for 4 months - it feels like so much longer - and in this novel we saw more emotional growth from Nick, whereas I feel like previously much more of the focus was on Riley. It was nice to see them growing as equal partners with equal care toward each other, especially when Nick had been a bit dismissive to everything during their last case. Also, the banter in this book is Emily Henry level quick and clever.

This time Riley and Nick have been roped in to helping Riley's ex husband, Griffin, who is being threatened and attacked in a multitude of murder attempts. The problem is, almost everyone who meets Griffin wants to murder him, so the suspect list is very, very long. To keep an eye on Griffin and to sus out his potential attackers, the team plays to their strengths. Riley is more front and center using her restored (and more powerful) psychic visions, Nick is charming and shaking down suspects and Griffin, and Mrs. Penny is a "method investigator" wreaking havoc with the rest of Riley and Nick's elderly roommates (who, after having the roof cave in on their own home, are now taking over Riley and Nick's space).

There is a ton of action, comedy, heart, and fun with this new addition to the series. I completely fell for one of Score's red herrings and was very happy that she kept me guessing until the very end. I hope this series continues - it's so great for a laugh and it's a total joy to read. I actually had to force myself to read it over three days instead of one chunk because waiting for the next one is such a shame.

Arc review: 5 ⭐️
The Riley Thorn series is my comfort series at this point. This particular book was the only thing standing between me and a Menty B at work this week- so a personal Thank you to Lucy Score for the ability to remain a productive member of society.

This baddie has:
HIJINKS
MYSTERY
TOMFOOLERY
KOOKY ELDERS
PSYCHIC SHENANIGANS
and my personal favorite: NICK SANTIAGO

I will forever force this series upon my unsuspecting victims and this latest installment is no exception.

Thank you for the arc copy!

In Lucy Score’s the Body in the Backyard, Riley Thorn, an amateur psychic detective, finds herself mixed up in a dangerous mystery when her ex-husband, Griffin Gentry, unexpectedly seeks her help. With a dead body confirming Griffin's fears, Riley and her private investigator boyfriend, Nick Santiago, must navigate a web of suspects to uncover the truth. The involvement of Nick’s elderly business partner and their eccentric roommates adds humor and chaos to the mix. This engaging mystery combines suspense, romance, and quirky characters, making it an entertaining read. I love this series so much and sincerely hope the author continues writing more of these books!

Another Lucy Score but that just missed the mark. I don’t know if it the characters or the story line but I just can’t get into this series.

3.5 Stars

This series is a little different, kinda zany and hilarious, and at moments can be overly silly.

This book is the fourth in the series, but has no cliffhangers, and has a self contained story that is resolved. The first three books in the series are more connected, and the plot is resolved in the third book. You absolutely still need to read this series in over, as it follows the same two main characters.

This book does tie up a lot of loose ends readers had with the first three books. Its quick paced, and takes place over a weeks time.

Its dual point of view, and the author does a great job dropping clues throughout the book.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the arc of this book. This is the fourth book in the Riley Thorn series. This can be read as a stand alone but you will be missing out on the backstory of the characters. I still absolutely love this series and cannot wait for the next book. Riley is an intriguing female main character and the Nick the male main character is very likeable. The group of senior characters in this book are hilarious and their hijinks just add to the fun of this book. This book is a fun easy read, I laughed so much while reading this book. I hope Lucy Score keeps writing this series for a long time.

A delightful romp through Harrisburg PA and the ex husband of Riley who needs her help, someone wants him dead. The oldies are as funny as ever and Nick and Riley get closer and closer. I loved every page. Entertaining, romantic and hilarious.

I love in a book a I Adored all the characters and they will forever have a place in my heart. I don’t think I could even tell you my favourite I loved them all that much. They all had big personalities and were so well written I could picture them all.

everything I love in a book a little crime, great characters lots of banter, some romance and the best dog ever!

! crime, great characters lots of banter, some romance and the best dog ever!

Riley and Nick are back, and unfortunately need to help out her ex-husband. he long list of suspects and their motives are cleverly weaved into the story. All the cast of characters that we absolutely loved from the previous books hilariously play important roles in this book (Mrs Penny and Riley’s former senior citizen roommates along with Gabe, Josie, Brian, family members and friends all are in this book too) This book is laugh out loud fun and my favorite series.

So much fun! I love the leads individually and as a couple. The secondary characters are fantastically quirky entertainment. There is a lot of heart and humor with adventure/mystery thrown in. I really hope there will be more books in this series.

My thanks to NetGalley for making an eARC of this book available to me.

Fourth in the series and the best of the bunch. Hectic, hilarious and non-stop action. Riley and Nick are in the unenviable position of trying to find out who is trying to kill Griffin, Riley's total asshole of an ex-husband. The number of suspects just keeps going up, as does the craziness of it all. You'll want to read this if only for the massage scene.

I was so excited to receive an advanced reader copy from NetGalley! This is the fourth book in the Riley Thorn series set be released in July. The Body in the Backyard follows Nick and Riley on another adventure as they try to find out who is after Riley’s ex husband, Griffin. Within this book, we get a better a glimpse into other relationships like Gabe and Wanders or the intense tension between Jasmine and Webber.

I really did enjoy this book as it was light hearted and had some moments of comedic relief. It was a little slow in certain parts of the book and could’ve been a little shorter, but it was an overall good read. I really hope going into the next book we do get more of a glimpse into the family life of Nick and Riley. I enjoy those moments where we get to see why they are the way that they are! It definitely happened in a way that stays true to who they are as a couple. I am excited to see how their adventures continue in the next installment!

Riley Thorn and Nick Santiago are the perfect duo and back with their fourth book in the series, “The body in the backyard”.

This time we see the couple working for Riley’s ex husband who is convinced that somebody is out to kill him.

We know from previous books that the man is a total douche, hilariously unaware of how pretentious and full of himself he really is.

As always there is a whole cast of quirky characters, lots of action, adventure, spirit guides and many suspects with motives to kill.

If you haven’t yet, do yourself a favour and pick up this series! It will leave you in fits of giggles.

Thank you to sourcebooks bloom books, Lucy score and NetGalley for the EARC!

Publish date; July 16th

I can NEVER get enough of this series. It has turned my world upside down and I am clawing at the bars of my enclosure for the next one.

This is the fourth book in the Riley Thorn series by Lucy Score and it shows. While I enjoy the premise and the hilarious side characters the plots have gotten quite repetitive. It's starting to feel like you're watching one of those cop drama shows on TV where the storylines don't matter you are just watching because enjoy the lead characters. One of the big issues also was that most of the book centered on griffin gentry who is unrealistically the worst, most annoying person on the planet but yet completely obviously. His scenes were painful to read. But the biggest disappointment is how much the romance has taken a back seat. I love Riley and Nick and wish they got to spend more time together connecting especially after the last book when he spent so much of it neglecting her. I felt like the engagement was just there to add something to their relationship but felt forced.

This book was delightful, as all the books in this series have been. I love the repartee between Nick and Riley. The side characters are so funny, especially Mrs Penny. I really hope we get many more books in the series.

YES! Thank you NetGalley, Sourcebooks Bloom Books, and Lucy Score for this copy of The Body in the Backyard! I literally screamed when the email came through for this book. Just like the others in this series, Bloom Books and Lucy Score have crushed the cover. the colors for each book are vibrant and beautiful! I was drawn into this series and I love how they all will bring a pop of color physically on my self. The characters throughout the Riley Thorn series are lovable from the start. Kindhearted Nick will always be my favorite. This book picks up right where the last book, The Blast From the Past, ended. If you have not picked up this series yet, I highly recommend diving into the world of Riley Thorn! You will laugh, cry, and laugh some more. Thank you again for this advanced copy. ❤️

Riley Thorn never disappoints. This is a fun read, it’s a little ridiculous but that’s what makes it fun and enjoyable.