What a fun book! Now I need to go back and read the earlier books in the series. In this book the main character Riley is hired to be a bodyguard for her ex-husband as someone wants him dead. Her boyfriend isn’t thrilled at the job but for $20k it’s worth it.

Overall this was a fun book! Suspenseful, funny, romantic and great characters.

The Body in the Backyard by Lucy Score is definitely one that will keep you entertained. This is the fourth book in the Riley Thorn series. I enjoy the banter & wit between the characters. I have laughed as I read this book series. There's a little bit of everything in this novel - murder, detective work, family drama, romance, sarcasm, psychics.

I can't wait to read more books by this author!

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher, & the author for voluntarily letting me read this book & give my honest opinion.

A great read. Riley and Nick are trying to work out who is threatening Griffin Gentry, will they work it out before anyone else gets hurt. Love this series of books and hope there are more!

I’m always happy to dive back into this series, especially when it makes me laugh this hard every time.

📕 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Riley Thorn and the Nody in the Backyard by Lucy Score

📙 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀: Riley Thorn continuous series. Book 4.

📗 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀: E-book ARC on Kindle. 🆓 on KU.

📘 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: Romantic suspense

📔 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀: LOL, found family, broody MMC.

📖 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: In the fourth installment of this series, Riley Thorn continues to hone her psychic abilities while tracking down who is terrorizing her ex-husband.

🌟 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: This series is one of my favorites. Comforting, full of hysterical characters and situations that can only come from Lucy Score’s brain.

As always when I’m reviewing this series I like to mention it’s very romance light. I’m INVESTED in Riley and Nick, but there’s a lot more hijinx than romance here.

But despite that, I laughed a ton at this newest book. I am not sure how much longer the series can go, but I think one more book to close it out would be perfect.

𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹: 2.5/5 🌶🌶

📝 𝗔 𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲… None of these end on a cliffhanger, so you’re safe to pick up and read at your own pace if you’d like.

𝑰 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒏 𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘.

I really love this series! It’s funny, mysterious, thrilling and romantic - it has everything you want in a book. I enjoyed the growth of the characters. Not just Riley and Nick but Gabe, Wander, Ms. Penny, and even Webber. I really hope that she continues the series to see even more character growth, and see where these characters go. I think this is a type of series that can go on for a long time and never get old or boring.

I’m pretty sure I’ve never read a series as fast as I flew through Lucy Score’s Riley Thorn series. I fell so hard for all of the characters in these books and just couldn’t get enough of them.

The Body in the Backyard was especially entertaining for me because Riley and Nick find themselves stuck babysitting Riley’s obnoxious and vapid ex, Griffin Gentry because someone is trying to kill him. Griffin is so annoying that the list of people who may want to hurt him is a mile long and even Riley and Nick consider taking him out themselves along the way.

The only thing funnier than the snarky banter that fills the pages as Riley and Nick interview suspects, try to make sense of Riley’s psychic visions, and have to deal with Griffin on top of all of it is that Riley’s elderly roommates are running amok in the background the entire time like the hilarious chaos agents they always are.

I also loved the progression of Riley and Nick’s romantic relationship and the budding friendship between Nick and Gabe, Riley’s ice cream loving psychic advisor.

I laughed my way all the way through this series and cannot recommend it highly enough. The Body in the Backyard is the 13th novel I’ve read from Lucy Score and I can’t wait to read more from her.

4 1/2 stars

Who gets hired to be a bodyguard for their ex-husband? Riley Thorn sure just did. Her boyfriend, Nick, isn't enthusiastic about it but his partner in the detective agency jumps on the offer of twenty thousand dollars.
It's not as if they're already juggling a lot. Just a group of elderly people, at least one of whom is senile, moving into their house. And the house isn't exactly a welcoming place, what with everything being so old. And then there's their dog, Burt.
But Griffin Gentry has offered to pay. It's just too bad there So Many people that want to kill the man. He's refused to pay any number of bills, he put a giant statue of himself naked in his back yard, and then there's all of the women he's slept with, mostly while in a relationship with someone else.
A fun, fast and fluffy ride as per usual. I don't think you have to have read the other books in the series but it sure would help.

Four stars
This book comes out July 16, 2024
Followed Riley Thorn and the Blast from the Past
ARC kindly provided by SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

“The Body in the Backyard," the fourth installment in the “Riley Thorn” series by Lucy Score, is not a stand-alone piece and should be read after reading the first three novels. This installment picks up directly after the events of the third novel, continuing the story of psychic Riley Thorn and Nick Santiago, a private investigator and former detective, as they navigate life following the reappearance of Beth Weber (Sesame” Hemsworth), Detective Weber’s missing sister.

Set on November 2nd and flashing back to October 31st, the novel opens with a dramatic twist: Griffin Gentry, Riley's narcissistic ex-husband and a news anchor, survives an attempted murder. Struggling financially due to Nick’s preoccupation with Beth’s case, Santiago Investigations is in dire straits. To make ends meet, Nick and his partners reluctantly accept a job defending Griffin and uncovering the would-be killer, a case worth twenty thousand dollars.

Departing from the format of the previous novels, this installment embraces a classic Golden Age mystery approach. The narrative involves multiple suspects, with the identity of the criminal revealed in a dramatic scene where each suspect is assembled in one room. Their potential motives are examined, and suspects are eliminated one by one until the true culprit is unveiled.

The novel is brimming with colorful caricatures, including Chupaacabra Jones, a bodybuilder and personal trainer, and Burt, the flatulent dog from the first book. The eccentricities extend to Mrs. Penny, an octogenarian, and other characters, creating a lively, circus-like atmosphere that defines the book's tone.

Despite these exaggerated elements, Score’s writing has notably evolved throughout the series. This installment presents more suspense and investigative depth compared to its predecessors, where the focus often veered toward comedic antics rather than the mystery itself.

Thank you to Lucy Score, NetGalley, and Sourcebooks-Bloom Books for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Big thanks to Bloom books and the author for providing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

“The Body in the Backyard” is the latest installment in Lucy Score’s Riley Thorn series, and it’s every bit as delightful as the previous books. Riley’s life takes another chaotic turn when her self-absorbed ex-husband, Griffin Gentry, shows up on her doorstep, begging for help. Not exactly on her bingo card, right? And, of course, Riley’s hot private investigator boyfriend, Nick Santiago, isn’t thrilled about taking on Griffin’s case. But when a dead body turns up and the suspect list keeps growing, it’s all hands on deck at Santiago Investigations—even the geriatric squad gets involved!

One of the things that makes this series so charming is its cast of quirky characters. Riley’s octogenarian neighbors are back, and their antics had me laughing out loud more than once. It’s not just about the mystery; it’s the way these characters interact and grow. Watching Nick and Riley’s relationship evolve adds depth to the story, balancing the lighthearted humor with some genuine heart.

If you’re a fan of cozy mysteries with a twist—think psychic powers, whodunit murder mysteries, and a dash of grumpy x sunshine romance—this book is for you. Lucy Score has a knack for creating a world you want to step into, full of laughter, love, and just the right amount of suspense. *The Body in the Backyard* is a fun, hilarious read that keeps you guessing and grinning until the very end. I can’t wait to see what Riley and the gang get up to next!

Overall Rating: 4 stars

Riley Thorn has been a serious comfort read for me. There is just something about the characters that give my heart a warm hug! Lucy's writing is some of my favorite out there!

After the cliffhanger in book 3 I could not wait to jump into this one! This mystery had me on my toes! What was going to happen to Griffen? How was this going to play out? I did not see the twist coming at all. I had my suspicions and they were WRONG. That's the one thing I love about this series is yes there's romance but the mystery is top notch. The humor in this is something I look forward to when reading. All of the side characters I just love seeing their shenanigans.

I really hope we get more Riley Thorn in the future!

Thank you NetGalley and bloom books for the gifted copy.

This book was funny, cute, and just such a fun time!

There was funny moments, cute moments, spice and all things nice in this book. Lucy's books never fail to make me laugh and this book was no exception to that. Lucy did it again with her characters and stories, and I can't wait to read more from her!

Thank you NetGalley for an eARC!

Thank you to Lucy Score, Hambright PR, and Bloom Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

The Riley Thorn series has been such a journey and I have loved every second of it! This book was hilarious from the very first page. This ensemble cast of characters is written so well; each character is developed perfectly and has a personality that is wholly unique. Then found family aspect is huge and I love this little tag-tag crime-fighting group! Nick and Riley are two of my favorite MCs. They provide equal amounts of laugh and emotional connection. Their relationship is so fun and real. I honestly want more of Weber and Jasmine because I am obsessed with their banter. Gabe is a forever highlight in this series, I just want to give him a hug! The plot of this one was a wild ride I didn’t want to get off of! And I still hate Griffin Gentry😂 I can’t wait for the next Riley Thorn book!

I enjoy this book & series. It reminds me of the Stephanie Plum books, except with a physic & not a bounty hunter… it’s funny, the characters are great, & I can’t wait til the next one.

4.25 stars

Of all the books in the Riley Thorn series so far, this was probably my least favorite, because Riley's ex-husband, mannequin newscaster Griffin Gentry was featured most prominently in this one as the intended target, and nothing raises my blood pressure like a vapid narcissist. After a car chase and being shot at, Griffin runs to Riley and Nick's crumbling Tudor for help, shockingly enough, and even though Nick would like nothing more than to punch the diminutive dirt bag in the face, he reluctantly takes the case due to cash flow issues. With Griffin's entitled behavior and laundry list of wronged victims in his wake, the pair have more than enough suspects to keep them busy, if they can keep their elderly neighbors out of trouble long enough. By book four, some of these antics are starting to feel repetitive, and Griffin's "but everyone loves me!" wide eyed routine got old really quickly. A fun surprise for me was finding out that Griffin's weather girl fiancée Bella was a little more calculating than her bubble head facade let's on, because honestly, good for her. With visions of sparkles dancing in her head, Riley is looking forward to her and Nick's next adventure, and even if this one wasn't a favorite in the series, I am too.

3.5Stars - An improvement on the previous book in the series.
The 4th instalment continues almost immediately from where the 3rd book (Blast from the Past) finished and we see Riley and Nick taking on a new case. This time acting as a bodyguard for Riley's ex husband Griffin after it seems someone wants him dead. With the usual group of geriatric neighbours, family and friends around them assisting in this case, the team find themselves over and over in very sticky situations.

I definitely preferred this instalment over the 3rd for several reasons:
1. Riley has her powers back and she uses them a lot. This was really missed in the 3rd book due to her temporarily losing her powers.
2. I felt the plot of this book was more solid, had a purpose, journey and ending. The 3rd book was all over the place.
3. The banter in this book was also elevated and the characters really found their own in this one. There were definitely some laugh out loud moments here!

One thing to note is that the characters are very comic book/cartoonlike. If you expect to find layers here, there are not! Griffin in particular is something taken out of a bad soap opera or TV show, but I think that is the point of these books. They are tongue in cheek and NOT to be taken seriously.

Same criticisms as I felt with previous books, they are a bit on the too long side for what they are. The author could do with keeping it more concise and flowy and there are some scenes which were unnecessary.

Seems like there is a 5th instalment and if its more in keeping with this last book I'm here for it!

Thanks to SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books who provided a copy via NetGalley for Review. All opinions are my own.

Another wild and zany book in the Riley Thorne series. This one had me giggling as usual. The usual cast of characters are back. And there are scenes with a few new faces that are very funny.

I don’t think we got enough of Riley working on/utilizing her psychic powers in this book. So hopefully there is a bit more in the next. And I got a little annoyed with Nick being all caveman and saying that Riley was “his” and trying to say she couldn’t do things (not that she listened anyways). It will be nice to see some evolution from him on that front. But those are my only two qualms.

This book is entertaining and fun. And I look forward to more.

Thanks Bloom books for the copy of this book.

What a cute, fun continuation of the Riley Thorn series. I love the mystery aspect which sets the book apart from most romance counterparts. This book was light, hilarious, and the perfect read to relax after a long day. I'll continue to follow the series in its entirety.

This series is just so stinking fun! Mrs Penny is an icon and I read these books to experience her (kidding… or am I??)

Between the utterly delightful wacky set of characters and the exhilarating plot with twists and turns and chaotic energy, I truly believe this goes down as one of my favorite series. The timeline of all the books spans over like 4 months I think and that just adds to the hecticness because these characters do and experience more in a singular day than I do in an entire month.

I love Lucy’s books and this is no exception. I couldn’t recommend this entire series enough. Definitely read them in order!!! I am hoping and wishing and dreaming we get to visit Riley, Nick, and their entire old roomies/neighbors again soon. A Jasmine and Keller spin-off?!? Id die. Okay 10/10 would recommend.

Thank you netgalley and bloom for the arc!!

Thanks the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

So I have to be honest and say I went into this not realising it was the 4th book in a series but I still decided to jump on in and see if I could get through the book without having to go back and read the first three. Luckily after reading a quick synopsis of the first three I had no issues in reading this one.

I didn't expect to find this book as funny as I did and I was pleasantly surprised by it. There's a little bit of everything thrown in and I enjoyed following along in the crazy journey these characters took.

I will now be going and properly reading the first three books and I look forward to seeing what comes next.

Another good book in this series. This book is funny while solving a mystery. Riley is hired to find our who is trying to kill her ex husband. All the characters from the previous books are also in this one.