A rather strange - and usually ill-advised - situation to enter a series a few books in with no prior knowledge of the characters. In this case, it didn’t drastically affect my understanding of events.
Jess is (and I’m sure this has already been established) an investigator who has been caught up with local police. This time round she becomes embroiled in a rather intriguing case when a body is discovered in the grounds of the house next door to where she is house-sitting.
The plot focuses on the search to discover who might have killed the wealthy Russian home-owner. Things become rather murky when we learn that his neighbour, also a very wealthy man, is also dead. The murder method is not similar, but there’s good reason to suspect the cases are linked. It’s also very obvious that someone in this idyllic Oxford neighbourhood knows more than they want to admit.
Alongside our key plot there’s the evident continuation of the developing relationship between Jess and the Inspector. It went in a rather unexpected direction and became quite fantastic in its approach, but wrapped up in its general air of coziness it felt too easy to overlook what was actually quite a grim tale.

I was hoping this would be the start of a good series to follow but it wasn’t for me. I couldn’t take Jess and Leo seriously and how many huge houses are left empty in Oxford I have to ask? Underwhelming plot so overall disappointing.

Just read it - excellent mystery with an interesting cast of characters! Love this series - Jess has gone through a lot, has baggage, but comes out strong and gets beyond it. Characters are well developed and many are relatable - situations are plausible and often down-to-earth which keeps the mystery real. Subtle romantic sub-plot is a nice addition. A series worth following.

This is my first experience with a Jess Bridges novel. Since I found the Jess character to be obnoxious, it surely will be my last. In the beginning I found the alternating scenarios annoying, mostly because they were so lengthy that when I got to the other one, I had almost forgotten who the people were. Some of that's on me, of course. But the rough start wasn't helped my the Jess character. About three-quarters in, she and Inspector Leo are accosted by a lawyer and two henchmen. Jess is temporarily abducted. Once she is released, Leo begins negotiating an interview with the lawyer in return for not arresting him for kidnapping. At this point, Jess should have left the scene. But instead the author tells us that she finds Leo sexy when interrogating. How silly is that comment in the midst of a police investigation? Jess goes on to constantly interrupt, and that's when I realized that I could not take this novel seriously.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

I really wanted to enjoy this book. While it could be described as ‘okay’ it doesn’t exactly work for me. It fell a little short at times. As a thriller, its okay and the plot fairly rattles along. The writing style is simple enough and easy to understand. The issue I had is that the characters didn’t work for me; Jess and Leo are the only characters who develop at all. The other characters are glossed over and never really come to life. I also didn’t like the open ending and lack of resolution. The book fell flat for me in the last couple of chapters. This is the third book is a series. I don’t think I’d bother with the other two or future books.

This is the only Joss Stirling book I've read so I felt a little lost at the beginning as I was unsure of the relationship between main characters Jess and Leo, but I quickly figured it out. It's a murder mystery with a bit of romance as Jess discovers that there is a body buried in the garden where she is house sitting. Since she also moonlights as a detective finding missing persons, she becomes helpful to Leo as they investigate the case together as rival mob family business may be involved. I enjoyed this thoroughly and will read more by Stirling!

Underwhelming at times but still entertaining. The only character that developed in this continuing thriller is Leo. Jess stayed pretty much the same. The case they were working on did not give off a wow factor. I feel many characters were glazed over. The ending was not satisfying, as it was more of an open ending. Alexei's character was fascinating to me. The mysterious attitude to his knowledge was captivating. However, as with many of the characters in this story, his character was not complete.

Thank you to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for letting me read this amazing ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Another great read from Joss Stirling.
A body is discovered in the grounds of a mansion and when Leo and the team go to investigate they come across Jess, as she’s house sitting in a neighbouring property.
It seems the two owners of the houses had history so suspicions are on the owner of the Red House where Jess is staying.
With the owner not able to be found Leo starts to focus on the family and managing agent for the properties.
Jess is intrigued by the missing home owner so helps Leo out as her PI business is still not off the ground.
Soon another body is discovered and this time it’s in the Red House.
I love that these books are fast paced and the humour from Jess is brilliant.
This is a gripping thriller that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Thanks to Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

Another wonderful read from Joss Stirling! This had a Christmassy feel to it, and was really fitting for this time of year. As always, Joss envelops us with an engaging murder mystery to solve, and the twists and turns that the characters, Leo and Jess, and the reader go on to find out the truth were intriguing and even nerve-wracking at times! As always, the characters, both old and new, are complex and interesting, especially Leo who I felt we definitely got to know much more about in this one. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and I can't wait for the next installment of Jess and Leo's adventures! :D

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for this advanced reader's copy of Red House by Joss Stirling.

Joss Stirling does it again! Red House is the thoroughly enjoyable third book in the Jess Bridges series in which Jess finds herself embroiled in a murder mystery by no fault of her own. In this installment Jess is the housesitter for a house with secrets in a neighborhood with even more to hide than the house. Jess also finds herself thrown together with Detective Inspector Leo George, helping to solve the murder mystery and maybe finding love along the way.

I was so excited to read the third book in the Jess Bridges series that I immediately purchased the second installment, White Horse, which I had somehow missed. I would recommend just making sure that you have the whole series on hand so that you can immediately dive into the next book. You're definitely going to want to!

Red House is the third book in the Jess Bridges Mystery Series by Joss Stirling. The narration and perspective changes between Jess, DI Leo George and Michael. This book follows Jess and Leo as they investigate when a body is found in the garden near the house she is minding.

It was great to see Jess again along with all the craziness that seems to follow wherever she goes. I feel like her character has developed a lot since the first book Black River and I found that I liked her a lot more. I really liked that there was more focus on Leo and that there was more information on his childhood in this book. He is my favourite character and I loved getting to know him on a deeper level.

Joss Stirling has managed to write another intriguing, mysterious and humorous story that always leaves me wanting more.

I recieved an advanced copy for free, and this is my honest opinion.

Corpse To Identify....
The third in the Jess Bridges series of mysteries finds Jess house sitting in an exclusive neighbourhood. What she doesn’t realise is that she will soon be faced with a corpse to identify. Enjoyable, light mystery with a likeable protagonist and a colourful cast of supporting characters and an engaging storyline. A fun, escapist read.

Jess Bridges #3

Jess Bridges is a private investigator who specialises in finding missing people. But she finds herself working one again alongside DI Leo George. While Jess is house sitting, a gardener to a neighbouring property, finds the dead body of a Russian businessman.

This is a quick and engaging read. Its action packed with some humour thrown into the mix. There is references to the previous books but I do think this book could be read as a standalone. I quite like the budding romance between Jess and Leo. We learn more of Jesse's secret past which adds more intrigue to the story. I really like this series.

I would like to thank #NetGalley, #HarperCollinsUK #OneMoreChapter and the author #JessStirling for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Well-written, expressive prose, relationships based mystery.

I really thought I knew who it would be early on in the story, but it wasn’t who I thought it was. Isn’t that the way it is supposed to be! A mystery that includes family relationships and love stories. If you like flowers (literally) and flowery prose this is a book for you.
Quote:
“It was chill and damp in the garden. Even in winter Leo found it beautiful, a sylvan palace of intricate interwoven branches shot through with the dark gloss of the evergreens. Sprays of red berries from holly and tiny apples on the crab decorated the borders – not that he could see these now but he knew they were there. The yellow explosion of the mahonia bush enlivened one corner, the spiky leaves looking like frozen fireworks shooting out from the main stem. For all this nature is never spent … it was a line from an Oxford poet that Leo often revolved in his mind like a lucky penny in his pocket.”

I gave this book 3 stars because I’m not a fan of romance, relationships and flowery prose in my mysteries. I am sure if you like these 3 things you would find this well-written book a 5 star read. Therefore, I do recommend this book.

Blurb from the publisher, as they do it best.
A thrilling new whodunnit series, fast-paced and funny, featuring a detective as sharp as his suits and a heroine who’s trouble.
The compelling new mystery featuring Bridges and George has them taking on a haunting new case that will leave them doubting their judgement, and even their own eyes and ears …

I would like to thank NetGalley and HarperCollins, UK, One More Chapter for an advance copy.
#RedHouse #NetGalley #BubblyBookReviewer

Jess was hired by Glass Towers to houses sit at a historical house in Oxford - multimillion dollar historical homes, closing monitored by the North Oxford Protection Society.
Leo is called to the house behind Jess - the gardener discovered a body. Considering the decomposition, it had been hidden for quite some time.
An elite school. An elite neighborhood. Children of sworn enemies falling in love. Jess' humor, day job and her boss Paul. And of course Leo's narcissistic mother. All make an interesting plot, great mystery.

Red House is the third instalment in the Jess Bridges Mystery series, set in and around Oxford. 31-year-old Private Investigator and main protagonist, Jess, specialises in locating missing people and after the planned date between her and Detective Inspector Leo George was scuppered at the end of the second book due to his interfering, narcissistic mother, they come together once again to investigate when a body is discovered. Having found a job, through an upmarket concierge service, house sitting at the opulent mansion of an Uzbek billionaire and diamond trader Akmal Gulom, known as the Red House, in an exclusive, affluent neighbourhood home to societies elite, Jess notices the presence of police from Thames Valley CID, including DI George and DS Harry Boston. At 13 Hay Road, the home opposite, belonging to Russian oligarch, Anatoly Chernov she discovers that gardener Marigold Green has stumbled onto a corpse buried beneath a holly tree. The police and Jess decide to dig into Chernov’s life and identify the body as his but they are struggling to understand why no one has reported him missing given he's been absent for over a year. Clearly something is very much amiss...

This is a compulsive, addictive and thoroughly original series I have come to really enjoy, and Stirling knows exactly how to keep you on your toes. The engaging mix of engrossing plot, will they/won't they romance, quirky characters and fun banter throughout is what sets this book, and series, apart from the rest. I also absolutely adore the fact that all three instalments so far have had totally polar opposite plots, which makes it exciting and fresh each time. I must admit, I'm not usually a fan of romance between central figures but the chemistry between Jess and Leo isn't too over the top or contrived, and I felt the obstacles that have so far been putting a spanner in the works when it comes to dating were very relatable and believable, so it works; it remains to be seen whether anything will develop. We learn more about Jess’s secret past too, which adds another element of intrigue to the story. The plot is superbly planned and multilayered with so much action, intense drama and an all-encompassing, complex page-turner, complete with Eastern European family feuds, to thrill you royally. I'm looking forward to the fourth instalment, Grey Stones, coming on 29th January. Highly recommended.

The third novel in the Jess Bridges detective series is just as action-packed, compelling, and funny as the previous novels. However, this time, the focus is more on Leo, the police detective who often crosses paths with Jess and her investigations. The focus on Leo, along with Jess’s lack of an investigation of her own, makes the story read like a police procedural rather than the typical private detective mystery. Michael, the psychologist that rounds out the three main characters, is rarely seen in this story, which I missed, but I hope to see more of him in the fourth novel.

I enjoyed learning about Leo, his personal life, and his blooming romance with another character simmering in the background since the first novel. He is a complex character that is given the depth and layers that was missing until now. His mother is also an interesting character, and I enjoyed getting to meet her and loved the antics that ensued due to her visit.

The adversary this time around is part of a complex story involving the diamond trade and Russian subterfuge and illegal dealings, which gives the story a bit of a political thriller twist. I love the wide variety of crimes that Jess becomes involved in – from a serial killer to a cult, and now Russians. As a reader, knowing any illegal activity that results in murder is fair game for Jess Bridges makes the series very exciting and heightens my anticipation for the next novel.

Jess Bridges is a hard-hitting, fledgling private investigator who has a little grit, a dab of laugh out loud humor, and always promises a good time reading her tales.

Jess finds herself reunited with DI Leo George when a body turns up in the garden next door to the place she's housesitting for an Uzbek diamond dealing kajillionaire. And, of course, that house is owned by a Russian oligarch. Geez. And it's not clear who the corpse is (was?0. Jess, who cobbles together a variety of incomes, is also an ace amateur sleuth (even if she steps in it occasionally). She's got a gig at Oxford that finds her also part of the Christmas service there (this is fun). Leo and his team find themselves in the soup with this one as the cases has tendrils that lead into the politics of the Oxford community and old rivalries. Leo's also dealing with his mom. I read the first book in this series and enjoyed it, in part because Stirling makes good use of her setting and winds tidbits that might send you to the wiki throughout. It's not a comedy or comedic but there's often something (usually from Jess) that will make you smile. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A fun read that will ne fine as a standalone.

When the newest installment in the Jess Bridges mystery series became available, I was so happy to read it for NetGalley, Harper Collins UK and the author, Joss Stirling, in exchange for a fair, honest review.
While Jess is house sitting, a gardener finds a dead Russian businessman. When the police are called who shows up but, DI Leo George, the man Jess did not go on a date with in the last book. Jess, of course, decides she will help with his investigation.
Great story, the characters are fun and engaging and I am already looking forward to the next book in this series!
The story moves fast and maybe you will find the killer first. I didn't.

Jess, 31, single, a disaster area for relationships, and an aspiring private detective is now house sitting in the mansion of an Uzbeki billionaire through a concierge agency. She’s also temping on the administrative staff of an Oxford college as cover for a woman on maternity leave. To her great surprise, she’s asked to read the 6th lesson in a Christmas service that will be televised live on the BBC. The reverend is even more accident-prone than herself. So, what can possibly go wrong?
A gardener working for a concierge service finds a body buried under the mulch around a holly tree. The house belongs to a Russian oligarch who’s a personal friend of the president and at first, DI Leo George from Thames Valley CID fears for possible political implications. The victim appears to be the house owner but how can he be missing for over a year without anyone raising alarm, not his own family, not his business partners?
Guess whose dog wanders into the garden? Yup, Jess and Leo are being reunited again. Their mutual attraction is bigger than ever but Jess struggles with her past that she feels must be disclosed before they go any further.

This is the 3rd book in this series but can be read as a standalone. There are references to things that occurred in the previous books, but where necessary things are adequately explained. Of course, it’s better to read a series in order but you can follow what’s happening in this book without any problems.
As in the previous books, there are a few funny one-liners scattered around the book that will raise a smile here and there. But it’s not a comedy.
“9 Lessons and Carol Service” is something that I hadn’t heard of before and I had to google it. I assumed that it was something like a nativity play that I saw in Anglican churches when I lived in England, but it turns out to be a totally different tradition. As we don’t have something similar in Catholic churches, I might be forgiven. For more info:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nine_Le...
Leo has big problems with his most unwelcome and very non-maternal mother that turned up on his doorstep at the end of the previous story. He wants her gone as she messed up his youth and continues to do so, even now. She’s lucky that he’s such a gentle person, for she’s the kind of person, one would strangle without remorse or guilt.
Something that I noticed in this book is the different attitude to race and colour between the US and UK. American ones will say African-American each and every time, while here British people are just people, regardless of their colour or ancestral origins. It’ says somewhere in this book: “The head wrap of the woman suggests that she’s rather of West-African than of Caribbean decent.” It would be seen as bad taste and even insulting to call someone an African-Belgian or African-Englishman, as it implies that they’re not full citizens. On top of that not, all dark-skinned people are of African heritage.
I thought that I had everything figured out more or less by chapter 34 (about the same time as Jess) but that was a twist too soon. This was an engaging and enjoyable read. The characters are well known by now, so the author can concentrate her best on the story development that fits nicely together. These characters aren’t always likeable but very well described. The narcissistic mother is so obnoxious and intolerable that only a saint would not strangle her.
I thank NetGalley and Harper Collins, One More Chapter for the free ARC they provided me with, this is my unbiased and honest review.