Lucy Score has been one of my favorite authors for years now, and I loved getting to read another Riley Thorn mystery! These books are always the perfect blend of mystery, romance, and humor. This is my new favorite in the series.

It has been really fun seeing Nick and Riley's relationship development as a work together on each case. They have fantastic banter and their chemistry has continued to be off the charts, even four books into the series. This time the case involves Riley's ex-husband Griffin whose life is being threatened. I loved getting dropped into the action in the first chapter and then going back to find out how you get to that point and what happens next. It was funny, too, seeing Nick's reaction Griffin asked them to take his case.

The cast of secondary characters also added hilarity and heart to the story. So many of them are ones that I love from previous books, but it's always fun to see who's introduced in each one.

If you're looking for a cozy-ish mystery that delivers on the laughs and sweet and swoony moments, I can't recommend this book enough! You can jump in with the story. However, I think starting at the beginning of the series gives you the best reading experience. Then you get to know who everyone is and how Riley and Nick have changed and grown, and each book in the series is so much fun to read.

As a fan of Lucy Score, I received this book as an EARC without having read any of the other Riley Thorn books in this series. After being about 5% in, I quickly realized that maybe I should in fact read all of the others before jumping further into this one. You could get away with not reading any of the previous books but it does help to get the history and learn more about the characters and where they came from.

I’m SO happy I decided to read all of the others as this series is becoming a favorite!
The Body in the Backyard picks up quite literally after Blast From the Past ends and we are thrown right into finding out who is trying to off Riley’s tool bag of an ex-husband. Literally I don’t know of a more insufferable character than Griffin Gentry and his idiot fiancée “Blah blah Nosewhine” (as Nick so hilariously referred to Bella Goodshine) Insert the old farts that can never seem to give Riley Thorn and her hot PI boyfriend Nick Santiago a break, and you know this is going to be interesting.

Thanks so much to NetGalley, Bloom Books, and Lucy Score for the opportunity to read and review this title! I loved it!

3.5 stars. This was a cute addition to the Riley Thorn series. In The Body in the Backyard, Riley, Nick and their cast of friends investigate the case to discover who is after Riley's ex-husband and wants him dead. I enjoyed this book in general, but I want this series to move a little faster. The books are a little all over the place and feel a little long. All of the quirky elderly characters were funny at first, but I am a little tired of the humor and no longer find them funny. Their parts feel like filler and I want more Riley and Nick time. I wish there was more chemistry and time spent on their relationship. Still, I did enjoy the book in general and find them entertaining. Hopefully the series improves a little in the future.

This is probably my least favorite in the series! I don’t want to say I struggled with it but it didn’t hold my attention like the others. I adore the characters so much though so I had to keep reading!

I hope this series goes on and on, my friends. (Yeah, now you have that song in your head...you're welcome!) These characters are so fantastic, their lives together so bizarre and interesting. There is never a dull page between the covers of a Riley Thorn book. This book was snort-laugh hilarious as Nick, Riley and the crew take on a case of keeping Riley's ex, Griffin, safe from someone out to unalive him.

I really adored this book because at this point the characters are so well developed and you feel invested in their lives and their future. Please, please, please do not let this be the end of this series!

Riley, Nick, and the wacky neighbors are at it again

This is a zany, delightful, comedic romp in the Riley Thorn world. One where boyfriend Nick, makes all the right growly sounds when Riley is in danger (or minus certain clothing), and The wacky octogenarians are infiltrating the relative peace and calm of the Thorn/ Santiago household.

I love Lucy Score and her incredible comedic timing, but this goes way beyond. I loved all the silliness and banter back and forth between Riley, Nick, and the elder set (who have to come and live with Riley because of a roof issue). As they investigate a corpse and try to keep Riley’s awful ex from being “exed”, the humor is rampant, and they manage to circumvent the police and bad guys. I laughed out loud several times and even became misty-eyed a time or two. I would have liked to see more of Nick and Riley because that Santiago man just does it for me. I can’t wait to see what happens next in Riley’s world, I hope I have the stamina to keep laughing.

This was a quirky, funny, and steamy read! So if you're looking for a book that will make you laugh and take you on an adventure this is it! I have read the first one in this series and I also read this one, and for the most part you can read this as a standalone. I do think you'd feel more connected to the characters though if you read the series consecutively. I loved Nick and Riley's relationship in this one! I feel like I can't decide yet out of the two which I liked best! This book takes you on a wild ride and loved it. It definitely kept me on my toes!

Thank you NetGalley for the arc :) I had a fun time reading and will be going back to read the others in this series!

Another Riley Thorn book for the win! This series is just so unserious and is so funny and light that it’s so easy to be entertained. Adding in a murder mystery and I’m hooked wanting to read more! After 4 books, I also adore Riley and Nick and the way they love each other. They are a classic couple that handles uncommon work things, and it works for them so well.

I love the running comical themes across the series as well, especially when it comes to Nick and Riley’s relationship. This book doesn’t feel like a romance, but has all the swoony moments romance books have! I also love how all the characters are relatable, you will know someone similar to most characters and that makes the book feel so heartwarming as well. I always can’t wait for the next book in this series, and it makes me so excited to hear that this series will likely be continuing!

Adding Griffen as the client this book was an excelled choice so that the readers can finally see karma come around for him! Also learning more about that man just shows how terrible he is, like he never redeemed himself. Can’t wait to see what’s next!

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the ARC of “The Body in The Backyard ” by Lucy Score in exchange for my honest review.

This was book 4 of the Riley Thorn series and included all of our favorite corky characters. Santiago Investigations was hired to find out who was trying to murder Riley‘s ex-husband Gentry. Once again, I found myself laughing out loud at the characters. Mrs. Penny is still my favorite old lady. Some parts were a little slow for me, but overall I enjoyed the series and would recommend.

The Body in the Backyard features Griffin Gentry as the newest client. I'm with Nick on this one-I want to murder Griffin! He is comically self absorbed and has ruined so many people. But, after the events of the previous book (The Blast from the Past), Santiago Investigations needs an influx of cash and that is one thing Griffin Gentry has (although I am still trying to figure out HOW he has money). Riley and Nick work together to find out who might have wanted to hurt Griffin and realize that the list is very long. Also, the Bogdanovich mansion next door is condemned, so they have their roommates back, which is really cramping Nick's style.

I loved that the old people gang told Nick how badly he screwed up and that Nick takes it to heart and wants to do things for Riley. I also love that Riley doesn't need any of it. I think in this book more that previous ones, we start to see some significant character growth in them and it was nice to see! I loved the mystery, as always. Even with all the side characters, it never feels confusing. They all just add to the enjoyment of the story. I hope Lucy Score never stops writing this series.

Riley Thorn was living peacefully with her boyfriend Nick Santigo until one day, her ex-husband shows up at the door and ask for her help. But it is all twisted and not how it seems to be. Unexpected happens, A body is found in the backyard. It makes Riley and Nick believe Riley’s ex-husband story. So many unspeakable things happens and the list of suspects keeps increasing. I loved Riley and Nick’s bond. Some characters felt warm and some were mysterious. The book gave me a vibe like agatha christie books. The book has a blend of genres including mystery, suspense and romance.

Thanks to the author and publisher

I keep going back and forth about which book in this series has been my favorite, and the consensus is that I still can’t decide. The Body in the Backyard was the perfect addition to the series, and I loved it. Lucy continued with the humor, steamy Nick and Riley relationship, and crazy elderly folk.

Synopsis:

Her spray-tanned, self-absorbed news anchor ex-husband careening back into her life was not on this psychic detective's bingo card.

But not only does Griffin Gentry show up unexpectedly at Riley Thorn's door—the real shock is that he's begging for her help. However, Riley's hot private investigator boyfriend Nick Santiago refusing to take the job is…well, less of a surprise.

Too bad for Nick that his octogenarian business partner overrules him and decides to take the lead on Griffin's case. And when a dead body makes it clear someone really is out to get Riley's ex, the mile-long suspect list puts all hands on deck at Santiago Investigations. Even the wrinkly, retired ones.

It's only a matter of time before Griffin brings danger directly to Riley's doorstep. And with she and Nick busy interviewing suspects, their elderly roommates are wreaking havoc in the surveillance department. Can Riley block out the chaos and focus on her psychic visions long enough to narrow down the list of suspects, or will Griffin Gentry's karma be the downfall of them all?

Thank you so much to @netgalley and @read_bloom for the opportunity to read this one!

The Body in the Backyard is available now, and the whole Riley Thorn Series is on KU! 🤍

My goodness does Lucy Score know how to write a book! Besides the neighbors, I loved every ounce of this read. If you have read it, you know exactly what I mean by the neighbors! What a beautiful, intriguing read, that had me constantly on my TOES! Thank you for the opportunity of this ARC.

I buy these books just to have on my shelves saved to read again Lucy scores books are definitely part of the club that can be reread

Riley and Nick pick up where we left off on Nick’s birthday (from Blast from the Past), with Riley’s toxic and self-centered ex Griffin Gentry crashing into their yard. He believes his life is in danger and wants their PI firm to protect him and figure out who is threatening him. As it turns out…there are a LOT of people that hate Griffin. Pair that with the group of meddling and eccentric elderly neighbours who are temporarily living with Riley and Nick, things are getting out of control for the two of them. With her psychic abilities finally tuning in, Riley is finding her groove with the PI firm and her relationship with Nick, if only life could just stop interfering with their happily ever after.
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As always with this series, a quick and fun read. These are not serious books. They’re not romance. They’re not suspense. They’re not mystery. They’re just kind of silly with a dash of sweet and sexy.

The case itself Riley and Nick were investigating was relatively interesting. Every other character seems to be a caricature though. I’d love a realness to some of these recurring characters. Date I say, there may be too many old people in these books? Too much of a good thing. I think it would be funnier in smaller doses. Or if they just listened once in a while.

What I really enjoyed was that there was rough more romance in this one. Sweeter scenes this time with Nick and Riley. Love their connection and banter and sexiness.

Thank you to Bloom Books, Lucy Score and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for review.

I don’t know how I missed this series when it first came out. It is clever, steamy, and downright hilarious! In each book of the series, you get an interesting mystery plot with all the hilarious supporting characters. In fact the supporting characters make this a must-read series for me.

The main character is psychic Riley Thorne and she is joined by her hot PI boyfriend Nick Santiago. In this latest installment, Riley and Nick are trying to figure out who is trying to kill Riley’s self-absorbed news anchor ex-husband. They are joined by their geriatric neighbors who encroach on their space and their pi work in hilarious ways.

I highly recommend this series with fun side characters, snappy humorous situations, and a little bit of steam.

Now that I’ve binged the first four books in the series, I can’t wait until the next book comes out!

If you liked the first three books in the Riley Thorn series, you'll love this one! I think it's my favorite so far. Riley, Nick, and all the crazy crew are back and this time they're solving the mystery of who is trying to kill Riley's douche-waffle ex, Griffin Gentry. It's a difficult puzzle because pretty much everyone wants him dead!

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this e-book. All opinions are my own.

The Body in the Backyard is the 4th book in the Riley Thorn series. Riley, her boyfriend PI Nick Santiago and the rest of the gang are back to solve another mystery. And what’s not to love about this! This time someone is trying to kill Riley’s narcissistic ex-husband. And who could blame the killer as Griffin is comically insufferable and unable to see how anyone could not like him. He’s so over the top you can’t help but laugh.

The cast of quirky characters (including the elderly brigade led by Penny), hijinks of the hilarious nature, spirit guides and a list a mile long of suspects makes this the fun, lighthearted read of the summer. Go ahead and grab this one for your summer beach read or if you just need to escape the world for a bit. This book is guaranteed to make you swoon at how much Nick loves Riley and how perfectly they balance each other out.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bloom Books for the ARC opportunity.

Every time I read a Riley Thorn book, I can’t help but wonder “Riley, what did you see in that pretentious ass, Griffin!’ I mean wasn’t dating him enough to see what he was like without actually marrying him or were your spirit guides unavailable that day to guide you! I’m only shocked that the names on the ‘who wants to kill Griffin Gentry’ list didn’t go into volumes. Unfortunately for Riley’s new squeeze, P.I. Nick Santiago who by the way is a definite improvement on her ex, his partner has taken Griffin on as a client to find his would be assassin. The only bright spot in Nick’s day, the huge pay day at the end of it, all he has to do is resist the urge to kill Griffin himself.

This book caught my attention with the title, I mean The Body in the Backyard is worthy of Dame Agatha herself for this quirky would-be murder mystery. If I’m being honest things did get a bit slapstick in places especially when Riley and Nick’s elderly house guests got in on the act and for me, they distracted me from the story to the extent I found myself skimming over those parts. The story itself was well written, setting a fast pace. I loved the characters of Riley and Nick and seeing their relationship develop despite the obstacles in their way, I’d just have preferred less of the geriatric secondary characters who took behaving badly to a new level and made me cringe.

Another fun Riley Thorn read! I genuinely enjoy reading this book. Thank you NetGalley! I enjoyed the characters, adventure, and all the suspects!