The victim, a 24-year-old law student and part-time bartender, is A Beautiful Corpse in the second entry in the Harper McClain series.

Harper is a newspaper crime reporter working the night shift. She is covering a murder in the tourist area of Savannah when she thinks the victim looks familiar. Harper had just seen the victim, Naomi, a couple of hours earlier working in The Library Bar.

The police have three suspects:
• Naomi’s boyfriend, who has a criminal record and no alibi
• Her stalker, the District Attorney’s son, with a solid alibi
• Naomi’s boss, who had a run in with another young female employee two years ago and has no alibi.

Harper is investigating for her newspaper but she also disagrees with the person the police suspect. As she investigates, she is also battling a stalker who may or may not want to help her with the case.

Even though this is the second book in this series, it can be read as a stand-alone. When you begin A Beautiful Corpse make sure you have enough time to finish it in one sitting. I literally couldn’t put it down. I was reading it on my Kindle and I bought the audiobook so I could listen to it on my drive to and from work. That’s how addicting this book was. I loved the innovative point-of-view of an investigative reporter doing basically police procedures because the police don’t or won’t. Harper is a great character and I was extremely invested in her success both with the case, her job and her love life. I can’t recommend this book highly enough. 5 stars!

Thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

A young law student is found dead with no witnesses. The suspects are her boyfriend, boss, and an old boyfriend that the victim was terrified of, who is also the son of a retired district attorney. Harper McLain a reporter is one of the last few people to see Naomi alive. As she's trying to find justice for for Naomi. The newspaper is in the middle of layoffs and if Harper doesn't deliver on what happened to Naomi she could be next on the chopping block. I loved this book. I have always wanted to write for a newspaper. Harper is smart has a lot of guts and doesn't back down.

Thank you to Minotaur Books via Netgalley for my digital copy of this book!

I did not realize that A Beautiful Corpse was the second in a series, but I definitely think it works well as a standalone. This is an atmospheric mystery set in the heart of Savannah, Georgia. Harper McClain is a newspaper reporter focusing on the crime beat, and she gets a call one night that body has been found. Naomi Scott worked at a bar with Harper's friend, and it seems clear that her boyfriend killed her. He is claiming to be innocent, and the more Harper researches, the more she believes it was the man who was stalking Naomi. The only problem: he has a rock solid alibi. Harper needs to make sure she gets everything right, because her job is on the line.

It was refreshing to read a mystery from the point of view of a journalist instead of a detective. Harper has a great spirit and she is beyond dedicated to her work. The way she jumps into everything she does makes this one of those books you can't stop reading until you are finished. I even had a few moments where I had to cover my mouth in shock! Harper is definitely a woman to be reckoned with, and I am excited to see where her story goes.

Daugherty's first book about Harper McClain, THE ECHO KILLING, was one of my favorite mysteries last year, and this year's , A BEAUTIFUL CORPSE, is a worthy follow-up. Harper is a newspaper reporter still reeling from the devastating effects of a murder last year and it's similarities to her mother's murder. When a young female acquaintance is killed, she goes into action becoming convinced the boyfriend may be innocent. Themes of violence against women and the changing role of independent newspapers add weight and interest to the story.

When a seemingly senseless murder takes place in the early morning hours, Harper is unaware that she is about to stumble on one of the biggest cases that she has ever covered.
When her mother was murdered when she was a child, Harper became obsessed with the case. That obsession led her to her current occupation, crime reporter for a newspaper. After her takedown of a beloved police officer, her job has been a little harder, but persistence will pay off in the end.

Naomi Scott seemed like the least likely person to be murdered, but there is something about the case that is nagging at Harper. The main suspect seems to be a perfect fit, but Naomi's father is sure that he is innocent. Harper begins to dig into the case, and what she discovers could cost her more than just a job - it could cost her her life.

This book had me hooked from the very beginning. I could not put it down and read through it in one sitting. If you love a book that will leave you guessing, even if you know who the killer is, then this is the perfect book for you! I hope that there is a sequel, cause now I have to know what happens next!

I fell completely in love with Harper McClain, Christi Daugherty's fiery, determined heroine when I read 2018's The Echo Killing, and I've been eagerly awaiting the author's next book featuring this intrepid newspaper reporter ever since. I'm happy to assure fellow fans that A Beautiful Corpse surpassed all of my expectations for a follow-up.I suppose readers could start Harper's story here, but you’ll miss out on some stellar character development if you choose to do it that way. My personal recommendation would be to read the first book before picking this one up; that way, you'll be familiar with Harper's life before diving in.A Beautiful Corpse picks up about a year after the end of The Echo Killing. Harper is still working for the newspaper, but she knows it's only a matter of time before she loses her job. Her employers have been laying people off left and right, and while nothing has been said to Harper directly, she can't help but think one of the higher ups might be looking for a way to get rid of her. After all, she has gotten into more than a few sticky situations since she first started working for the paper.One evening, the body of a murdered young woman is discovered – and the victim is someone Harper knows. Natalie is a twenty-four-year-old law student who worked part-time as a bartender to make ends meet. Since Natalie's workplace is a local bar that Harper frequents, the two women have exchanged smiles and greetings over the past couple of months, and Harper is shocked to learn Natalie has been killed in such a violent, senseless manner.Natalie's boyfriend is a person of interest in the police department's investigation into her murder, but something about this doesn't feel right to Harper. True, he hasn't always been on the right side of the law, but he's cleaned up his act in recent years, and Harper can't imagine him harming the woman he claims to have loved. So she begins looking into things on her own, and it doesn't take her long to realize there's something darker and far more sinister afoot than she ever could have imagined.Harper is a delightfully spunky and ambitious heroine. Sometimes, her ambition gets in the way of her good sense, but she is slowly learning to think before she acts. I loved this bit of growth in her character arc, since some of her actions in the previous book were deeply disturbing. She still slips up a time or two, but it's obvious she's trying hard to learn from her mistakes, and I applauded her progress.I've never visited Savannah in person, but reading this author’s work really makes me want to spend time there. She has managed to strike a nearly perfect balance between the southern charm so many of us associate with the city and the dark, gritty atmosphere it can take on after dark. In some ways, the city Ms. Daugherty writes about so passionately almost feels like a character in the story, and that's something not all authors are able to pull off.The mystery surrounding Natalie's murder is completely wrapped up by the end of the novel, so readers who dislike cliffhanger endings don't have anything to worry about in that respect. However, I was pleased to see the foundation for book three in this series being laid. I don't want to say too much about this aspect of the book since that would ruin things for you, but I do want to acknowledge the skill with which the author seems to have mapped out Harper's story arc.If you love mysteries with tough, self-sufficient heroines and action that almost never stops, I think you'll adore A Beautiful Corpse. It's the kind of book that will keep you glued to the pages until you reach the end, and if you're anything like me, you'll be waiting on pins and needles for the next installment in this captivating series.Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/KoboVisit our Amazon Storefront

This is the second book in a series that follows Harper McClain, a crime reporter living in Savannah. I recommend reading the first book in the series before this one because there’s quite a bit of background information about Harper’s life in the first book and there’s a secondary storyline about her mother’s death that has threads in both books. Side note, I listened to the first book and the audio was great so I’m sure this would be awesome on audio as well.

I know there are some series with a crime reporter as the lead character but I’ve never encountered one with such an engaging protagonist like Harper. She’s bold, fearless and just downright fun to read about, she has personality plus, a real firecracker and her personal history is also intriguing. There’s a nice balance between her job and her personal life, plenty enough to where you feel like you understand her and her motivations in life. I love the unique angle her job provides, she has more access than a civilian does but she’s not actually a cop so she has to be creative and tenacious to find answers and she’s like a dog with a bone when it comes to finding the truth.

As much as the main storyline hooked me what really piques my interest is the side plot where someone is watching Harper. The author cleverly answers a few questions from the first book but leaves things very open in the end leaving the door wide open for excitement in the next book, and I for one cannot wait to see what happens next!

A Beautiful Corpse in three words: Sharp, Smart and Steady

This second Harper McClain novel starts with a bang and doesn't let up. There's a lot going on in this one with some of it being new and some trickling over from the first book. Harper's determination shines through in spite of her less than stellar relationship with the police department, and her suspect this time doesn't do anything to repair that relationship. While we do get a satisfactory conclusion, there are still some unanswered questions to watch for in the next addition to the series. I would recommend reading the books in order to get Harper's backstory along with everything that led to her problems with the police department. All in all, this one is a solid addition to the series and the genre.

This novel was a strong 4 stars for me!! This is a thriller, page turning edge of your seat book that will keep you reading until you get to the end. Mystery and psychological thriller full of darkness and twists. You won’t be able to guess the ending. I liked this book because of the great story telling ability’s by Author Christi Daugherty. She tells the story in a highly entertaining style and the main character Harper is fiesty, fun and loveable. This is the 2nd book in a series and I look forward to the next one coming out!! Thank you to Net Galley and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me an advanced copy in exchange of my honest review.

A Beautiful Corpse by Christi Daugherty is the second A Harper McClain Mystery which takes readers to Savannah, Georgia. Harper McClain, crime reporter, is at the Library Bar with her friend, Bonnie Larson when she gets the call about a murder on River Street. She rushes to the crime scene and is shocked when Bonnie recognizes the gunshot victim as co-worker, Naomi Scott. There were no witnesses to the shooting and the police quickly narrow their sights on Naomi’s boyfriend, Wilson Shepherd. Naomi’s father, Jerrod Scott is adamant that Wilson did not harm Naomi when Harper interviews him. It turns out that Naomi was afraid of someone, but Harper needs to have proof before she can print that story. Harper keeps researching for her article, but she has other issues occupying her thoughts. It looks like the Savannah Daily News will be laying off more workers, the police are still harassing her for testifying against Chief Detective Robert Smith, and Harper believes someone is breaking into her apartment. Is it the same person who broke in last year and left the message telling her to run? Harper gets a break in the Naomi Scott case, but first she needs to break his alibi. Can Harper establish this person’s guilt?

A Beautiful Corpse can be read alone if you have not picked up The Echo Killing. The incidents that occurred in the first installment are summarized in A Beautiful Corpse. Harper McClain is a dedicated crime reporter who was mentored by Chief Detective Robert Smith. It was a blow when she learned he killed someone. The police now consider her a traitor and Harper is cut off from sources inside the Savannah PD. Naomi Scott is murdered on River Street with no eyewitnesses. The police focus on the boyfriend despite Jerrod Scott’s objections. Harper pursues another lead which could have deadly consequences for her career if she is wrong. In addition, someone has broken into her apartment again despite the alarm system. Then Harper feels like someone is following her. Harper’s boyfriend, Luke Walker broke up with after the Scott case, but they are still attracted to each other (trust issues). It was interesting following a mystery from a reporter’s perspective. Harper is dedicated (dogged determination) to uncovering the truth. The writing is descriptive and extremely detailed (a little too much for my tastes). Her narratives allowed me to visualize Savannah. I did find the pace to be on the slow side. For this type of story, the pacing needed to be livelier. The mystery was appealing in the beginning. The guilty party was soon glaringly obvious which took away from the mysteries appeal (I wanted more intrigue, twists). I felt the ending was too long and drawn out. There is suspense in wondering who is following Harper and what is the person’s motive. However, we do not get any answers in A Beautiful Corpse. Harper has not made any progress into identifying her mother’s killer. This storyline plays out in the background and remains unresolved. A Beautiful Corpse does contain violence, intimate relations and foul language. A Beautiful Corpse has some interesting components, but it was missing something that would take it to the next level.

Savannah’s downtown district is known for tourism and safety, until late one night the body of a young woman is found. Naomi Scott was a twenty-four year old law school student whose life was ended by a gunman. There are no witnesses. The scene appears to indicate the motive wasn’t burglary. Why would someone want to kill Naomi?

The police have narrowed down three suspects: Scott’s boyfriend, her boss, and the district attorney’s son, who Naomi dated briefly before ending things and filing a restraining order. Each of these men claims they cared about her, but could one be the killer?

Harper McClain, crime journalist for one of the local newspapers, is on the case and has her eyes set on catching a murderer. As she moves closer to answers she finds her own life may be in danger. Someone is watching her. Can Harper stop a killer before she ends up in trouble?

A BEAUTIFUL CORPSE is the second installment in Christi Daugherty’s Harper McClain series. I did not read the first book, THE ECHO KILLING, and can easily say that this book works as a standalone. I do want to note that I believe I would have benefited from reading the books in order. There are definitely storylines that have carried over from the events of the first book, however, despite not knowing the details of the former case, I was not put off nor did I feel lost about references since Daugherty explains them clearly.

The main character of this book and series, Harper McClain, is a badass reporter who will stop at nothing to get answers. I loved everything about her! Harper clearly has a past, which was explored briefly and hinted at continued investigation in future books. This past drives her to be the woman she is today. I enjoyed her methodical search for clues and the lengths that she was willing to go to in order to find clues. There is also a vulnerable side to Harper’s tough exterior, which I appreciated Daugherty exploring. Showing all of the facets to Harper’s personality truly made her a relatable character and easy for me to connect with.

Naomi Scott’s case is the main event driving the story in A BEAUTIFUL CORPSE, however, it is not the only plotline. In addition to working the main case, Harper finds herself being stalked. This additional mystery added much more tension to the story than the reader would have felt if the Scott case was the only focus. Daugherty does a great job of keeping the reader interested in both situations, while maintaining the Scott case as priority number one. Books that choose to explore multiple plot threads can sometimes lose one among the other(s), but in A BEAUTIFUL CORPSE both situations are fully explored and seamlessly blended together.

I greatly enjoyed reading A BEAUTIFUL CORPSE and getting to know Harper McClain. This book had a little bit of everything: murder, stalking, office drama, and a bit of romance. The ending to this one certainly hints to another great installment in this series coming out and I look forward to reading what Daugherty comes up with next! I will definitely be putting THE ECHO KILLING on my to-buy list!

Hmm, I’m not real sure where to start with this book? I didn’t dislike the story and I didn’t like the story all rolled up into one. I’m not sure where I should start.

So…Naomi Scott was a beautiful young woman with lots of promise and hope for a bright future in the legal world, but her light was snuffed out too quickly. The beautiful Naomi finds herself sprawled out on the streets of Savannah in a heavily populated tourist area. Who on earth wanted this woman dead and why? Crime Reporter, Harper McClain, was on the case, or so I thought? She knew of Naomi and felt awful about learning of her murder, but couldn’t wait to sink her investigating chops into this case.

This is where the story gets a little muddied for me. First off, I was extremely frustrated with the way Harper was handling this case. She immediately assumed that Naomi’s ex-boyfriend was the killer. She, nor the police, didn’t feel there was anywhere else to look other than the ex. I’m sitting here reading these words and wanted to jump through the pages to slap the hell out of all of them. Why on earth would you just automatically assume that the ex was guilty? Of course, I get why he was a person of interest, but when the evidence began to go in a different direction, don’t you think as a reporter it’s your job to follow-up on all leads no matter how absurd they may seem or appear?

If Harper said it once she said it a million times that Naomi’s ex-boyfriend was it! Of course, readers, you know that isn’t the case. And when Harper receives a valid tip as to someone else that may be the culprit, right away she dismisses it—that is until things began to happen and she was forced to believe the evidence that was coming forth.

I’m sorry, but that’s frustrating to me as a reader. It’s easy to understand why you’d think one person is the guilty party, but when people are telling you to look elsewhere, or at the very least come up with evidence supporting your strong gut feeling, you’ve got to do your due diligence and investigate the clues thoroughly and I found that Harper wasn’t the sharpest knife in the drawer at times. I found myself getting angry as I read and that’s not the purpose of why I’m reading. I want to be entertained—not frustrated with the protagonist.

In all fairness, though, I will say once I got past some of Harper’s silly antics and theories, I enjoyed the story. I had my suspicions as well as to the clues that were being given, but I had a feeling I was on the right track. Too bad Harper isn’t a real person because we could have worked together on this caper. (chuckle!) But at any rate, it wasn’t a bad read, however, I did find the story to drag on a little longer than I would have liked. There was great detail that I could have done away with, but that’s a personal preference of mine, certainly nothing against the author.

Overall, I felt this was an ok story line and nice read. If you like zany characters and a southern appeal, you’ll definitely enjoy this book.

Crime reporter Harper McClain is back in the second book in this suspenseful series. A local woman is killed late at night in Savannah's tourist district. There are no witnesses to the crime, but the police have three suspects. Harper digs deep to discover who is behind the murder.

Harper is back, and after the events in the first book, her relationship with the Savannah police department is suffering. Since she is a crime reporter, this makes her job a little more challenging. Using the few connections she still has, along with her smarts and determination, Harper works to discover the killer in a local murder. This death has hit a little close to home since Harper knew the victim. Being close to the crime both helps and hinders her work as a crime reporter.

The local murder isn't the only mystery in Harper's life. It seems someone is watching her. This storyline started in the previous book, but it goes much further in this one. Add in work place drama and a little romance, and this makes for a gripping read.

I loved the first book in this series, <i>The Echo Killing</i>, so I was looking forward to reading this one. I'm happy to say, this continues to be an engaging and thrilling series. I recommend picking up the first book in this series before reading this one.

Compelling characters. Complex and entertaining story. Atmospheric setting. A perfect choice for fans of mystery thrillers.

<em>I received a free eARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.</em>

Enjoyed reading this book. This is my first time reading Christi Daugherty and will not be my last. This book is definitely for those who love a good mystery and enjoy putting all the pieces together. I loved the main character Harper, the investigation journalist. Harper was a very independent and strong character and that made it easy to enjoy. I loved how the author interwove the newspaper and crime scene elements. I enjoyed following along with Harper as she followed leads throughout the city. The ending was also solid and transitions you for the next story in the series. I look forward to reading more! Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

STOP THE PRESSES HARPER IS BACK!

This is the second book in the Harper McClain reporter procedural series. The First book in this series “The Echo Killing” was fantastic, so this was a much anticipated book for me. Christi Daugherty has definitely not disappointed, this was another exceptional read.Still not sure if reporter procedural is a thing, but it certainly should be because this is One heck of a series! Fabulous characters, an interesting setting, and a cleverly crafted mystery.

Harper is fabulous, fierce, and feisty! She is super strong with a vulnerable side. Harper has had some trauma in her past, but she does not wear it like a suit of armor, she is open and warm and has wonderful people in her life. The setting of Savanna is magical and beautifully described! I could see the beautiful historical homes, smell the pralines, and feel the humidity! The mystery was clever and multi layered, but what I enjoyed most about this was the investigation itself. I just love how Harper those about trying to figure things out, she is smart, courageous, and crafty. The romance wasn’t quite as prevalent in this book as the previous, but I am holding out hope that a certain somebody will redeem themselves in the next book. This book ends on a cliffhanger that absolutely left me wanting more and wanting it now! well played Miss Daugherty!

The book starts off with Harper and her friend Bonnie hanging out when Harper gets a call about a dead body. When she reaches the crime scene the dead woman looks familiar and soon she figures out it is Naomi, one of Bonnie’s coworkers. Once again Harper finds her self reporting on a crime with a personal tie. The murder is confounding why would anyone want to kill sweet, kind, beautiful Naomi? The investigation leads Harper in a direction she doesn’t necessarily want to go. A suspect with a powerful family and Harper is already persona non grata to the Savanna PD. Throw in the fact that Harper’s job is in danger because of cuts at the newspaper. Top all of this off with the fact that somebody is stalking Harper. The ending was satisfying but still left plenty of questions yet to be answered.

This is a fantastic crime thriller with a wide appeal, I absolutely recommend!

🎵🎵🎵 Song Running Through My Head

You are an obsession
I cannot sleep
I am your possession
Unopened at your feet
There's no balance
No equality
Be still I will not accept defeat
I will have you
Yes, I will have you
I will find a way and I will have you
Like a butterfly
A wild butterfly
I will collect you and capture you
You are an obsession
You're my obsession
Who do you want me to be
To make you sleep with me
You are an obsession
You're my obsession
Who do you want me to be
To make you sleep with me
I feed you I drink you
My day and my night
I need you I need you
By sun or candlelight
You protest
You want to leave
Stay
Oh, there's no alternative
Your face appears again
I see the beauty there...</i>

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2v91hZIRRso

*** Big thanks to Minotaur for my copy of this book ***

Author Christi Daugherty has created an interesting protagonist with spunky, independent, and impulsive crime reporter Harper McClain. Harper blurs the lines between reporting the news, investigating the news and becoming the news in Savannah, Georgia. Her adventures feel fresh and authentic as it is clear the author is springing off her own experiences. The books are a good mix of action, romance, and mystery. A Beautiful Corpse is the second in this series so you are definitely going to want to read the first book Echo Killing so you that you don’t jump in the middle of continuing storylines..
Thanks to NetGalley, Minotaur and the author Christi Daugherty for an advanced electronic review copy.

A Beautiful Corpse by Christi Daughtery is the second book in the Harper McClain series.

Harper McClain is a crime reporter. A woman's body is found and Harper is called to the scene to investigate the body. Harper recognizes the woman's body and she is familiar to her. Who is she? Naomi Scott is a twenty four year old law student who was working in a bar to help make ends meet. She was shot and there are no witnesses to the crime.

There are three suspects of men that could have potentially committed the crime. Harper is trying to figure out which one of these men could have hurt Naomi and why. And to make the crime more interesting... someone is watching Harper's every move... talk about scary!!!

This was my first read by this author and didn't have a chance to read the first in the series. I would say this is a fine standalone but.. the story and plot from the first book was revealed at the beginning of the second book.
I enjoyed Harper's character and think she's a pretty strong and tough independent woman. My only issue was that the killer in my opinion ended up being a tad bit obvious for me and was hoping that the author would have delivered a nice twist.

Overall, this was a good police procedural novel!

4 stars for A Beautiful Corpse.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Publication date: 3/12/19
Published to Goodreads: 3/6/19

The 2nd in the Harper McClain series and it's just as good as the first.

Savannah Georgia. Harper and her BFF Bonnie arrive to the scene of the murder of Naomi Scott, who's been shot in the tourist district. The prime suspect is her boyfriend, Wilson - because, of course, most women are murdered by a loved one.

Harper is a spunky character, still working through her own pain of being shot and the cut backs at the Savannah News. She's a fun character to read.

I'll be interested to see how the rest of this series plays out. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book .

*spoiler*
This is the second book in the Harper McClain series and I am already dying for more. I really enjoy the characters in this book and the suspense with a hint of romance.
This book starts right after the events of the first. This book centers around the murder of a local law student and bartender, Naomi Scott. It seems to be a mystery as no one saw anything in a touristy part of town.
Harper knows Naomi through her friend Bonnie, who is also a bartender at the bar where Naomi worked. Harper is writing her stories for the paper and trying to figure out who would gun down this harmless woman with the possibility of people seeing. She is also dealing with the issues that are left over from the first book with being shot and having her second father busted for a murder and turning her into a pariah in the cop community. There are few suspects and Harper digs into everyone to try to figure out what happened to the murder victim. I kind of saw the ending happening before it did but I wasn’t upset with it. Overall this was a great book and very readable. Also, I did enjoy the romantic undertone with the detective, Luke and would like to see more in the next book.
Thanks to netgalley for the ARC.
4 stars!

I thoroughly enjoyed Daughterty's debut novel, The Echo Killing, last year. It was a great way to kick off a new series with both a contained murder investigation - and a solid introduction not only to a recurring cast that we see in this second installment, but also to a great character arc and mystery with Harper's mother's murder. This set up in the first book - including the complications of Harper's own relationships with different members of the Savannah police department - means that though this is another self-contained murder mystery, I would recommend starting with the first book rather than here (there are definite spoilers on the identity of the first murderer from The Echo Killing).

Some time has passed with the opening of this book, but it starts off right away with quick pacing that both refreshed my memory on past events but also drew me into the new plot of when a young law student/bartender is found shot when she leaves her work shift abruptly. Harper has a bit of a personal connection to the victim, as she is a frequent customer of the bar. The pacing moves along quickly and though the identity of the murderer isn't a shock, there are some frankly shocking actions along the way that had me literally gasping out loud.

As with the first novel, there are more developments in the murder mystery closest to Harper's heart, and there are more developments too in her personal life. This provides more set-up and background for future installments of which I am very excited to continue. Plus, I really enjoyed the Savannah backdrop here again. I am already counting down until the next book hits the shelves!