This has been a fun series to read and every book has been great. This book caused a lot of laughs and was fun. I cannot wait for the next book!

This installment brought me back to the essence of the series. After Nick’s detachment in the previous book, I was glad to see him attempting to make up for it in genuine ways.

It wouldn’t be a Riley Thorn novel without elderly citizens with no boundaries roaming the house. My only gripe with the book is that we got too much Griffin Gentry but not sure how we could avoid him given the plot.

Lucy never fails to make me laugh with these and I’ve enjoyed seeing how Riley becomes empowered about who she is over the course of the series. Looking forward to whatever comes next for her and Nick!

I really enjoyed this installment of the Riley Thorn series. This story made me laugh out loud many times. There was a slight mention of the Nick and Nora Thin Man series and I realized the some of the same things that made me love that film series also speaks to me in this series. It’s the rapid-fire clever dialogue and turn of phrase, the comical yet complex characters, the cozy mystery, and of course the love story. Keep them coming!

I received this book in advance from the publisher through NetGalley. I am voluntarily writing this review and all opinions are completely my own.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review an advanced copy of this novel. I highly enjoyed it and will be recommending it to others.

I can always count on Score to deliver an entertaining read.
I didn’t know what to expect with each page so it was chock full of surprises.
I loved the banter and the energy between Riley and Nick the most and sped read to get to their scenes.

The fact that this one centers around Griffin Gentry, Riley’s assholey ex that is so self absorbed literally drives me bananas. Riley is a better person than me, like on the real.

We hear all about Griffin in the first three books, and we don’t like the guy. He’s self centered, everything is about him, literally cheats on women. The list goes on and on. In this book though, he’s a “victim” aka a target because how awful he is and he hires Nick’s PI company for protection. And because in book 3, Nick basically quit life to find Beth/Sesame, they could really use the money, so Riley makes them do it.

And so we’re sucked into the world of Griffin, his new fiancee, Bella - the 2 shallowest people who work at the TV station.

Not gonna lie, obviously there are a ton of laughter moments, but I’d feel a lot better if we were shanking Griffin. But that’s just me.

Oh my goodness, I absolutely LOVE Lucy Score, and this book had me in a complete and total chokehold from start to finish! Absolutely loved!

The Body in the Backyard by Lucy Score is the fourth book in Riley Thorn Mystery series and unfortunately it will probably be my last one.

I have to admit I dnf'd this book. It was so silly and ridiculous to the point of idiocy.
My favorite book in this series is the first one and it was great, funny, engaging, lot of quirky characters with a good mystery plot and I thoroughly enjoyed it and couldn't wait for the next one.
Second was ok but the third book I really struggled to finish, it was so over the top and full of repetitious words and just plain foolish.
The things that used to be funny are so overused and constantly shoved down the readers throat that they become too much.
There are many situations which are so thoughtless that they become simply stupid.
While I understand that this series is as much about humor and entertainment and are not typical mysteries I also think that they should keep some modicum of reality.
I really love not just the main character but all of the colourful side characters and genuinely enjoy their antics. I hope that the author would make some changes and model the next book to the beginning of the series, cause I would still like to keep reading it.

I don't know what it is about these books.
But I find them so charming. They kind of give me Stephanie Plum vibes. And I love that!

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