I love Riley, Nick, and the whole gang of characters 🩵 “At this point, she and Nick were practically running a fifty-five-plus community for the unhinged. What was one more?”

The case in this was great and I couldn’t stop laughing throughout with all of the people that despise Griffin and reasons that Griffin Gentry Sucks (GGS). Riley teaching Gabe sarcasm was hysterical and he remains a top tier character for me.

Jasmine and Weber are equally perfect and I just need them to get together soon. Riley asking them if they’ve heard of enemies to lovers had me cackling. Weber’s “Back off, Nicky” line was perfect and has me dying to get a book for these two

I also really enjoyed the ending of this one! Without spoiling anything, Riley and Nick solve the case in a dramatic fashion that is funny, exciting, and a satisfying ending to the story! I’m hopeful for more novels in this series because it is quickly becoming one of my favorite cozy mystery romances 😊

Riley Thorn is back and the crazy, fun chaos continues! The Body in the Backyard is over the top in a zany and comical way filled with great characters and an entertaining mystery. It's a light-hearted, easy read that made for a good time.

I liked getting more of Riley and Nick and how they navigated their relationship surrounded by all the meddling and overly helpful old folks. I liked the updates with Gabe and Wander and everything about the octogenarians. And of course, there is Burt the dog who is adorable as always. Plus, there is a mystery happening with Riley’s ex-husband Griffin, who is one of the most unlikable human beings ever. Riley and Nick along with Mrs. Penny and the gang have lots of investigating to do which creates a lot of entertaining scenes.

I was prepared for over-the-top craziness because that’s what this series has been, just outright fun. However, this story felt like it was high-octane almost the entire time and since there wasn’t always a lot of build to those outlandish moments, it took away some of the magic and entertainment value for me. I liked the mystery, it created some fun scenes, but it was a pretty low-key whodunnit with no major clues or guessing on my part. It was definitely an amusing and enjoyable read, but it was just a lot, all the time, and because of that it felt drawn out and repetitive at times.

There were a lot of characters and a lot happening right from the start and I thought it was a little overwhelming (and I’ve read all the books!). It was still exciting and I enjoyed it, just not as much as the other books in the series. If you want a fun, easy read with hilarious yet chaotically cute moments, this would be a great choice.

I am obsessed with other stories by this author and this was no exception! This kept me hooked from the very beginning! Was a very quick read and perfect to read in the fall! I love Riley and Nick as a duo!

Just when I think I can’t love Nick and Riley more, they do this. And by “this” I mean this entire happy, hilarious, cheeky book.

The banter and witty writing have reached new heights of awesomeness. I went back and read some parts twice, just because I enjoyed them so much. This is a series I can see myself reading again and again, just for the entertainment factor.

Nick was especially charming and I loved how much he loved Riley. The whole cast of characters brought their own A game and filled every scene with so much colour and joie-de-vivre.

If you enjoy over-the-top situations, exaggerated characters and action, and an epic romance, then this is definitely the series for you. It’s best to read them in order, as Nick and Riley’s life together grows.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Body in the Backyard, book 4 in the Riley Thorn series, delighted me just as much as the first three. I do love the author, Lucy Score, and this book didn't disappoint me! I like the relationship between Riley and Nick, both on and off the case. I can always count on this author to tell a fun story and provide a plotline that will be one I remember for a while!

Another great Riley Thorn! I hope there are more books to come for many reasons, one being that I need to know her middle name.

I absolutely love this series, so I was thrilled to get an advanced copy from NetGalley! This one did not disappoint at all. The characters were just as lovable as ever, and the mix of humor and action was spot on. The plot kept me hooked from start to finish. This book is such an effortless, fun read that I couldn't put down. If you're looking for something entertaining and engaging, I definitely recommend it! You won't be disappointed.

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.