A Beautiful Corpse by Christi Daugherty this was a very well written 2nd book in the series but does stand on its own. Set in beautiful Savannah, Georgia, where the heat in the summer does tend to bring out the worst in some people! Harper is busy trying to chase down the leads from the biggest story of her life, avoid being fired, work through feelings for Luke her ex boyfriend and if all that isn't enough she also finds out someone has been breaking into her house and she feels like she has eyes on her all the time and now to top it all off the man who she believes is the killer now has his eyes turned on her! Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me to read this ARC book and give my opinion. Great read, fast paced and best of all....there's a 3rd book coming cannot wait!!

Harper, a newspaper reporter, is determined to find out who murdered Naomi- a young woman who was working hard, supporting her law school studies by being a bartender. There are three suspects, Harper figures, and one of them is problematic politically. Harper has alienated the Savannah Police Department and she's on thin ice at work where layoffs are coming. She's a determined woman, however, and, along with her friend Bonnie, pokes around to find the truth. Detective Luke Walker, a previous love interest, reappears in her life as well but is this a good thing? I did not read the first book, which I'm sure meant I missed some things - notably how her relationship with the PD and Luke went so wrong (it's explained but I bet the first book was really good). That said, she's a strong character and the plot is well done. Thanks to net galley for the ARC. I'm looking forward to the next one!

A BEAUTIFUL CORPSE by Christi Daugherty is the second book in a series featuring Harper McClain, crime reporter for the local Savannah newspaper. Naomi, a young woman Harper knows through her best friend Bonnie is shot and killed on River Street. That mystery is the central storyline of this book and is solved within this nove. There is some carry over from the first book where Harper solved a murder and revealed a police officer as being the murderer. This has created great animosity between Harper and the police department and this stress carries through much of the novel. This fractured relationship makes it harder for her to do her job and when she has ideas which may help police solve the murder, their resentment of her makes them less than receptive to her information.

A secondary storyline is Harper still dealing with a break-in at her apartment in the historic district which also apparently took place in the first novel. In this book, she relives much of that stress as it becomes apparent she is now being stalked and the stalker has somehow gained access to her apartment. As this storyline moves forward, the question arises as to the true intentions of the stalker, does he want to harm Harper or does he have concern for her well-being. This storyline progresses, but is not resolved with this book. It is unclear if the issue will be resolved in the next book in the series, however, there is enough connection that if a reader might be best served to begin the series with the first novel and move forward as the story progresses.

There is also a love interest as a minor storyline. In the previous novel, apparently Harper and Luke were an item until Luke dumped Harper. They are now thrown together as he has been promoted to detective and they are both investigating Naomi’s murder. Whether or not they resolve their problems and renew their affair is a question that continues past this novel.

As the book progresses, the reader can experience the heat and humidity of Coastal Georgia as Harper moves around Savannah.. This physical aspects of heat and humidity, along with some occasional references to Spanish moss are the primary pieces of information that reveal the book is placed in Savannah. Not much information regarding the area exists in the book.

Throughout the book, the tension is high. The reader is constantly reminded of the problems between Harper and the police department in addition to feeling her fear at being stalked and trying to figure out what he wants. Once Harper determines who the murderer is, the tension ratchets up as her safety becomes threatened.

Most readers will find it easy to determine the identify of the murderer as more of the book is a “how did the murderer accomplish it” than “who was the murderer”. With strong secondary storylines, many readers will want to continue the series to learn what happens to Harper. It is well written and the characters are well drawn in terms of distinct personalities, etc. If you like books that have a high degree of tension, this may be the series for you.

This book is book 2 in the Harper McClain series and works very well as a stand-alone novel but do yourself a favor and read The Echo Killing first. It will provide background information on many of the characters in this book plus, it's an awesome read!

Harper McClain in hanging out at the Library Bar with her friend Bonnie, when a call comes in that there has been a shooting nearby in a high tourist area. Harper, a crime reporter, hurries to the scene with Bonnie at her side. At the scene, they learn a young woman has been killed. At first this seems cut and dry until Bonnie realizes that the dead woman is Naomi Scott, a woman she works with at the bar. Naomi is twenty-four years old and a law school student.

There are no witnesses to Naomi's murder but there are several suspects. Who had motive? Who had an alibi? Who had suspicious behavior in his past? As Naomi's father and the city demands answers, Harper is pulled into the investigation and tries to track down a killer while at the same time, dealing with possible break ins at her apartment and the feelings that she has for Luke, a former lover, and now one of the detectives investigating Naomi's murder.

The Author is a former journalist who covers murders and puts her experience and knowledge into her books. By doing so she has created a very believable and realist book that not only details Harper's job as a journalist covering crime, investigative journalism and police procedures while investigating murders.

I read most of this book in one day as I could not put it down. The characters are likable and interesting. I love that Harper is a strong and intelligent character. She doesn't back down and is very inquisitive. She has a traumatic background that you can read about in The Echo Killing. She is a great character to root for as she investigates, tries to work with the police and interacts with her co-workers. I found this book to be captivating and was glued to my seat, fully engrossed in the story. The plot was well thought out, layered and interesting. I really enjoy Daugherty's writing. I find it to be intelligent and the writing transported me to Savannah, Georgia. I felt as if I were right there watching the action as a quiet observer. There are no dull moments or down time in this book. The pacing is spot on which makes for a fast and compelling read.

At the end of this book, it is obvious there is going to be another book in the series. Fingers crossed Daugherty is already hard to work on it. I have many questions and will be highly anticipating the next book.


Thank you to Christi Daugherty, St. Martin's Press Minotaur Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

I'm loving this series! I searched for a second book in this series for a few months before I spotted this. Unfortunately I couldn't remember the name of the first book or the name of the author. I will make sure I remember Christi Daugherty now and the protagonist Harper McClain! I'm already looking forward to the next book.

Harper McClain is a crime reporter for a struggling newspaper in Savannah, Georgia. She's had some issues with the local police department (leftover from the first book in the series) so she's having a little trouble getting tips and information for her articles. A young woman is murdered and Harper, seeing the police are getting nowhere, starts investigating on her own. Also, someone has been breaking into Harper's apartment and she needs to find out who.

As a murder mystery this is pretty standard fare, but Harper McClain is such a sassy, spirited character it makes the book fun! Daugherty's writing style flows easily and suits this type of story well. The characters are definitely interesting. Besides Harper we have the mysterious and very sexy Luke, and Harper's best friend Bonnie, the bartender. There is a cliffhanger leaving the door wide open for book three ( I can't wait!).

Thanks to Christi Daugherty and Minotaur Books/St. Martin's Press through Netgalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Net Galley and St. Martin’s Press for the advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Having recently finished The Echo Killing last week, I decided to check on the publication date for the second book and was thrilled to find it available on Net Galley. I was hooked from the first chapter of A Beautiful Corpse. I highly recommend reading The Echo Killing first to learn the background of the story, but this book could stand on its own just fine, I love the character of Harper McLain, and the city of Savannah is the perfect setting. My only complaint is that I now have to wait for the next book in the series to find out what happened to Harper’s mother and what will happen between Harper and Luke!

This was a good mystery that I really enjoyed reading that was fast paced and had a good believable plot. It kept me guessing till the end.
I loved the setting in beautiful Savannah also
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book

Thank you NetGalley, Christi Daugherty and St. Martins Press for the free e-book in exchange for an honest review.

Savannah’s downtown is famous for being beautiful, but everyone is shocked when one night a young woman is murdered in the heart of the wealthy district. Harper McClain, a crime reporter is one of the first people on the scene and realizes that this crime is personal, she knows the murdered woman. There are no witnesses to the crime, but the police have three male suspects that claim to have loved her in different ways, so which one is guilty? The whole city wants answers and Harper starts to unravel a tangled web of jealousy and obsession. Then Harper realizes that someone has been following her all along and concerned about her own life.

I really enjoyed that this novel starts right off with the murder and a short recap of what happens in the first novel, because this is my first novel by Daugherty, so I didn’t know if I needed to read the first one to understand what is going on. You don’t! I loved Harpers character and I always love seeing these crime stories through the eyes of the reporter as something a bit different than the same old detective novel. I enjoyed the short chapters and the different little twists sprinkled throughout the novel to keep your interest and make you wonder which of the men in Naomi’s life murdered her. I loved all the mystery and intrigue that Daugherty put into the writing and I really didn’t want to put it down until I knew for sure how this was going to end. I really felt like I connected to Harper in this novel and I really was rooting for her after all that she has experienced in her life and I really respected her character. I would definitely recommend and now I can’t wait to go back and read the first novel.

Out March 12th!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher St. Martin's Press for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

After the fallout from the first book, Harper McClain has spent the last year rebuilding her life, and focusing on her crime reporting career. But a murder closer to home will drag her back into the limelight and test every ounce of grit and gumption that she's got.

This book was great! Harper was just as interesting a main character as in the first book, but having gotten to know her in the first book left this one with plenty of room to develop her more deeply, rather than having to introduce her and set everything up. She's kickass and brave and determined to find the truth, and I adore her character, even when she's making big mistakes!

Daugherty's writing is spot on as well. The story didn't feel too extraneous, and the only times it felt drawn out were the times it was *supposed* to feel that way - when Harper is struggling for leads and desperate to weed out the truth. It really helped me lose myself into her world and her life.

The twists in this one aren't as big as in the first one, but the story is solid, and the path to get there is zig-zaggy enough to keep the readers on their toes.

Plus, the ending - more about the mystery of Harper's mother's murder (when Harper was a child) - really left me excited about the prospect of more. Definitely think it's going to be an agonizing wait... *sighs*

Highly recommended to lovers of mystery/thrillers... but read book one first. :)

Christi Daughtery knocks it out of the park again with her second book on crime reporter Harper McClain. Daughtery brings her investigative journalism skills to a suspenseful story of jealousy and murder when a bullet takes down Naomi, a young woman with her life as a lawyer ahead of her. The story means everything to Harper’s career as her newspaper continues to have financial woes and layoffs, but even more importantly having met the victim she cannot let the murder go unresolved. Top that off with a homicide department she feels is not doing enough and wary of the DA who could bring his wrath down on anyone daring to accuse his son. Add to that the ongoing fallout and hostility of the police department for having brought down her mentor and one of their own for murder, but nothing stops Harper when she grabs on to a story.

Who is the murderrt, the boyfriend, the owner of the bar where Naomi worked or the DA’s son? Harper feels responsible to this young woman, one of so many, who needlessly lose their lives. She will stop at nothing to investigate and do the footwork the police do not seem willing to do. Throw in her own personal problems. Someone is invading her home, following her, seemingly threatening her. The plot, the characters and Harper makes for a non-stop read and darn now. I have to wait for the next book in the series to answer so many questions I have about Harper McClain's life.

I have really enjoyed the Harper McClain series by Christi Daugherty! A fast paced mystery with Harper working the crime beat at a local paper, a touch of romance and all in the great city of Savannah! Looking forward to another in the series. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy.

I really liked the Harper character and her personality being such a strong lead. Also, how refreshing for the Savannah background. Love! I didn’t realize this was a sequel so I didn’t need the first book to follow but I look forward to going back and reading the first book while awaiting the third!

Out March 12th!

I keep wavering between 4 and 5 stars for this book so I'm going to go ahead and give it 4.5 stars.

Had I known this was the second book in a series before I requested it from NetGalley, I probably would have read the first book, The Echo Killing, before reading this one. While you don't have to read The Echo Killing to understand what is going on in A Beautiful Corpse, it would have been helpful to learn the characters' back stories. There are a lot of characters and while I ended up getting them all straight, it took me a little bit longer that I imagine it would have had I read the first book.

A Beautiful Corpse is kind of your run of the mill mystery novel where an investigative journalist gets closely involved in a homicide case. Harper is constantly sticking her nose in the investigation in order to be the first to get the story, even if it means pissing off the police along the way. There are multiple suspects and Harper must use her reporting skills to crack the case before it is too late.

The concept of this book was honestly nothing special (now hear me out before you throw rotten tomatoes at me). It was your typical dead body, multiple suspects, detective novel with an investigative journalist cracking the case before the cops can figure it out. It's nothing new in the mystery/suspense genre. However, Christi Daugherty's writing elevated the book for me. I really connected with Harper as a main character. I felt like she was real and believable, and had a determination and toughness that I respected. There was a perfect amount of suspenseful tension that kept me reading from start to finish, waiting to find out "whodunit."

But, the best thing about this book is that, although it could serve as a stand alone novel, the way the author ties events from the first book into the second book and leaves the it open-ended on a pretty intriguing cliffhanger is what impressed me. It actually had me pretty bummed that I hadn't read the first book (and probably won't go back to read it since I already know the outcome). But, I will definitely be up for reading the next in the series when it eventually comes out just to see what happens next.

Overall, this was a fantastic novel if you're into murder mystery/detective/whodunit types of books. But, I would highly recommend reading The Echo Killing first to get the full experience.

-I was gifted this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, Christi Daugherty, and Minotaur Books for the opportunity to review.-

From the author of The Echo Killing comes a new Harper McClain thriller!!

Harper is still covering the crime beat and getting the cold shoulder from Savannah's police department after last year trying to solve her mothers murder and getting shot by a cop.

Historic Savannah is old families that wield a lot of influence and power and lots of tourists. And both are shaken to their core when a young woman Harper knew is found dead in the middle of a busy tourist section of town.

Shocked to find the young woman who worked at the same bar Harper had just left, Naomi Scott was a beautiful and determined young woman in law school. Now she is lying in a pool of blood with fatal gunshot wounds. Nothing makes sense.

No witnesses. Three suspects. Her father is adamant it was not her boyfriend. Her friend is adamant it wasn't the bar owner. Harper is adamant it is the old money family bad boy.

There is really a story within a story here. Harper is working overtime to find Naomi's killer while also dealing with a familiar feeling that someone is stalking her. Inside and outside of her home. Apparently last years burglar is back and not happy she didn't heed his last message to her. RUN.

This is a fast-paced thrill ride! Ms. Daugherty knows all the right buttons to push and the tension and suspense are high in this one. I can't wait for the next one!

Netgalley/Minotaur/St.Martin's Press March 12, 2019

This was a very good book. It had all the elements: great writing, characters, a great plot, wonderful dialogue. I was not lost even though this is the second book in the series. There are several stories going on simultaneously, just like real life, and one of them is carried over into a future book. It is not the main story so please do not hesitate to read this. I received a copy from NetGalley and the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

Thank you to Minotaur Books and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

4.5 stars

This is the second in a series. Because I received this as an ARC, I didn't have time to go back and read the first; I just jumped right into book 2. The novel works very well as a stand alone, but I'm now interested in going back and reading the first. This was a great read.

The book is set in Savannah and the author's use of atmosphere is excellent. There are several strands in this book--ones that are resolved in this book and others that are clearly running through the series. I also liked the POV: the protagonist is a crime reporter and, while she spends a lot of time with the police, she's on the outs with them (due to events that transpired in the first book of the series) so we get a different perspective than what we find in the more common police procedurals. It's interesting following Harper, our protagonist, as she attempts to unravel the mystery from an investigative reporter's view point.

I'm looking forward to reading the first in this series; if you have the chance, I'd suggest starting there since this series clearly utilizes well-developed characters and an extended narrative arc. Also, there might be some spoilers in book 2 that pertain to book 1. This looks to be a great series that I'm excited to follow.

Harper McClain is a report that cover the crime beat. What an exciting mystery!  Would you investigate if someone got murdered close to you?  I think this story was exciting and kept my attention.  I have not read book one and I don't think I missed anything by starting with book two.  I enjoyed this book and would read more. *This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.*

Sometimes reporting the truth tends to make you a pariah rather than a hero, even when the truth and its wickedness is very important for everyone to know. Now add to that being a news reporter, the hero so to speak. The crime buster. Except nobody else wants to talk to you anymore; not even a cop; not even your so-called boyfriend. You’re the hero bad guy all at once. Would you stay in the same line of work? Harper has, and she is one tough cookie. This is a fast-paced, thriller in which Harper McClain is a news reporter. She doesn’t just report but sometimes becomes the news herself without any intention.

Each character sort of has his or her own little scene with Harper in this book. It is never confusing. It’s just that there are some very interesting and well-developed characters in this story and each one seems to have his or her own interaction with Harper. Sort of as if in an office where everyone has their own cubicle and interacts with each other and yet never really interferes with one another. I’m making this sound bad and I don’t mean to. Each interaction between a character and Harper seems to be up close and personal; never shared. I think this feeling comes from the one-person narration or single POV from Harper. None of it bothered me. None of it was difficult to keep straight.

This is Book 2 in the “Harper McClain Mystery” series. No question this is a stand-alone book, but I sure wish I’d read Book 1. I couldn’t put this one down. I read page after page as fast as I could, and I hope there will be more.

I enjoyed this latest in the Harper McClain series, though not as much as the first. Like the first book, Christi Daugherty brings Savannah alive with her feisty protagonist, Harper McClain, a newspaper reporter. I'm very familiar with Savannah, so it's fun to read a murder mystery set in this southern town. I also like that you see the murder mystery from the perspective of a reporter, out for both the truth and a good story. Daugherty, who was once a reporter, lends authenticity to the character of Harper, her job, and her relationships with law enforcement.

What made me like this book, but not love it like the first one, is that I wasn't as caught up in the mystery and it wasn't a big surprise as to who did it. However, I did like what was going on in the background. Harper's rocky relationship with Luke, a detective. Harper's friendship with Bonnie. And then there's the person who keeps breaking into Harper's house and car, which has something to do with her past. Daugherty definitely is setting things up for the next in the series.

This was very good. Great writing, characters, dialogue and plot. It was the second in a series but I didn’t feel lost as I didn’t read the first. That being said there is a cliff hanger that will be covered in the next installment it appears. Normally things like that make me insane but I liked this one and will continue on so I can wait. There is closure on the plot mystery so don’t let that scare you off this one.