I had a lot of fun reading/listening to this series! It's best to read straight thru the series since each book takes right up where the last one left off. I love Riley and Nick together, but Griffin is over-the-top annoying. It was another fun little mystery and banter between Riley and Nick. I wouldn't mind another installment of Riley Thorn to see what else they all get up to.

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

Publication date: 16 July 2024

✨ Publication date: July 16, 2024✨

The Body in the Backyard is the fourth book in the Riley Thorn paranormal mystery romance series by Lucy Score.

This fourth book picks right up after the last one. Riley Thorne and her Private Investigator boyfriend Nick Santiago solved their last case with it ending with her ex husband crashing into their gate and her senior neighbours moving in until the roof of their next door house is fixed.

Griffen Gentry is Riley’s full of himself ex husband who shows up at her door looking for their help. He’s positive someone is after him and wants to murder him.

Nick Santiago, Riley’s private investigator boyfriend wants nothing to do with the case. But after spending all their time and money on the last case, he is reminded they need the money.

This case includes more of Riley’s quirky senior neighbours, her psychic guides and hot chemistry between her and Nick. Between solving the case, Nick needs to figure out how to plan a proposal to Riley without her knowing. Having a psychic girlfriend makes surprises extremely difficult!

This was another great instalment of this series. Steady comedic mishaps, steamy sex and all around amusing side characters. The ending seemed to leave room for another instalment so here’s hoping this isn’t the end of Riley Thorn. This is a 4 star read for me.

Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

#NetGalley #lucyscore #thebodyinthebackyard

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.

I didn’t enjoy book 4 of this series as much as the others. Not much of Riley’s special gift was utilized in this story. I found the rehashing of what happened and describing all the characters in previous books took too much away from the story. Not sure I’ll continue with this series.

Man I really really wanted to eat this book up.. it failed.. I had so much hope.....................

I continue to enjoy Lucy Score's so fun Riley Thorn series. Though I will say with this one, the fourth installment, the four month timeline has become a little hard to believe. I mean, how many adventures can you have in so little time (even for a mystery series). But, it was just as enjoyable as the previous books in the series and I will continue to recommend them to anyone looking for a fun mystery series. (Thanks to Netgalley and Bloom Books for the ARC)

In The Body in the Backyard, Nick and Riley, now strapped for cash, find themselves taking on Griffin Gentry, Riley’s narcissistic dingbat-of-an-ex, as a client. It appears that someone is out to unalive Griffin, but the list of potential suspects seems to encompass nearly every person Griffin has ever met. With so much ground to cover, the investigative team enlists their once-again housemates, but mishaps are bound to happen whenever that group is involved.

This one has more action but less steam than the first three books. There are still plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, and Nick and Riley’s love still made me swoon.

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

I loved this book. It is full of humor, adventure, romance and mystery. The quirky characters are delightfully entertaining. The plot has many twists and turns to keep you guessing. This is a fun and engaging book.

LOVED IT! I am hooked on this series. I think this book is perfect for the Fall time.

Lucy Score should really be a comedian. There were numerous times when I let out a full-on belly laugh while reading this book.

Riley, Nick, and crew are back for another hilarious installment of the Riley Thorn series by Lucy Score. With the geriatric gang next door moved into their house after the roof collapses on theirs, Riley and Nick have to figure out how to investigate while keeping their new roomies safe, and keeping their own house safe from the new roomies. Their case, figure out who is trying to kill their new client, the one and only Griffin Gentry, aka Riley’s ex-husband. Hilarity ensues all around and you won’t stop laughing at the octagenarian private eyes, the outlandish Griffin, or the way Nick is one spark away from his mind exploding dealing with all the ridiculousness. This was a fun, light read for me between several heavier ones and it ended up being just what I needed. Enjoy!

“Drink it.”
“I like my water unfancy and unfruited.”
“We’re about to ask the Alistair to Cinderella us. Drink the damn water.”
“It tastes like a salad.”

This book like the rest of the series was a fun read! This was the first book where the beginning chapter actually is not a glimpse into the climax at the end so that was really interesting trying to figure when everything was going to go down. I loved how in this book we get more cute scenes with Nick and Riley acting like a couple. I do wish that we got a sex scene, but all the heated kisses are good enough! Of course we get hilarious moments with all of Riley’s elderly roommates. One of the best parts of this book was how Riley and Nick are basically forced to taking a job to discover who is trying to threaten Riley’s ex husband, Griffin. That man is hilarious and he is so superficial and selfish beyond anyone you’ve ever met. I cracked up at every single thing that came out of his mouth.
I really hope we get more books because I am not ready to say goodbye to these characters!

Read if you like:
3rd person dual POVs
Paranormal romance
Swoony hero
A bit of suspense
Grumpy hero
Kissing only
Hilarious side characters

Lucy Score is one of my favorite authors, and I'll read anything by her. This series is fantastic, and Riley is hilarious in her pursuits. Can't wait to see what happens next.

This series is just so fun, I love these characters and the crazy stories they find themselves in. This book was another winner although in all honesty it is my least favorite so far because I hate Griffen Gentry and you could add me easily to the suspect list. I thought the ending came way out of left field but I loved the story throughout the book. Looking forward to reading more and more.

It’s amazing how important it is to read the right book at the right time.

I read a book in this series several years ago, and was less than impressed.

Where was I and what was my mental health like in 2022?

I remember being irritated by the immaturity of the primary characters. I became annoyed by the cartoonishness of the secondary characters, and rolled my eyes at the mental gymnastics the reader to perform in order to buy into the plot.

2024? A totally different experience. The characters loveable and quirky, (I’m glad they clarified wth was wrong with Griffin, because he’s just too awful to be real). The plot was entertaining.

I like 2024 me better. She’s in a much better head-space.

Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for this ARC.

Lucy Score is a must-read author. I loved the characters and the storyline (not to mention the physical books are beautiful for any shelf). Another great one that is going to be hard to beat.

The Body in The Backyard is the fourth installment in the Riley Thorn series, and I swear they just keep getting funnier! If you haven't read the first three, I would highly recommend reading them first! The story will make much more sense, and they are all amazing! Every character in this series is well thought out and hilarious.

I just love Lucy Score. The mystery, the heat, it’s just all so good. Riley’s world is laugh out loud. Her and Nick are so cute and quirky. Such a great series.

When Riley’s self-absorbed ex-husband Griffin Gentry comes to Riley saying someone is trying to kill him, Riley assumes he’s just exaggerating things as usual. But when a body is discovered in the backyard Riley and Nick are on the case, especially with their investigation company needing some much needed cash. With the usual cast of kooky and hilarious characters there is no shortage of entertainment while trying to solve the case. Another great installment in the Riley Thorne series!

The Body in the Backyard by Lucy Score is a delightful mix of mystery and humor. When Riley Thorn’s ex-husband, Griffin Gentry, shows up with a desperate plea for help, it leads to a whirlwind of trouble. With a dead body, a long list of suspects, and some chaotic elderly roommates, Riley's psychic skills and her PI boyfriend Nick are put to the ultimate test. Fast-paced and full of twists, this book keeps you hooked from start to finish!

The Riley Thorn Mystery Series by Lucy Score never fails to make me smile and this book is no exception.

In The Body in the Backyard, Riley and Nick are tasked with helping the much hated Griffin Gentry figure out who is trying to kill him (and big surprise the list in long).

This is such a fun and silly series. It’s a murder mystery where I care less about figuring out who the murderer is and care more about enjoying the journey with these wacky group of characters.