Lucy Score has done it again! The Dead Guy Next Door pulled me in from the first chapter with its perfect mix of humor, romance, and suspense. The story follows a strong, independent heroine who finds herself smack in the middle of a murder investigation—right next door! What really kept me hooked was the instant chemistry between her and the mysterious new guy in town. Their banter was sharp, and their connection felt real, with just the right amount of slow-burn tension.

Lucy Score is a master at balancing laugh-out-loud moments with edge-of-your-seat suspense. The quirky cast of side characters added charm and warmth to the story, making the small-town setting feel vibrant and alive. The mystery was gripping without being overwhelming, and the romance unfolded in such an organic, satisfying way.

If you love romantic suspense with witty characters and a plot that keeps you guessing, The Dead Guy Next Door is an absolute must-read. Lucy Score never disappoints!

Thank you NetGalley for this book in exchange for an honest review. I love Love LOVE Lucy score books. I just adore her writing and banter between characters and this book is no exception. What I love most about her books are they are romance but with substance. I love the romance/ mystery of this book it has all my favorites meshed into one perfect story.

No one can pull together a large cast of wildly fleshed out characters like Lucy Score does in this cozy mystery. Riley, a directionless divorced woman in denial about certain family gifts finds herself mixed up in a murder. Throw in romantic entanglements with handsome private investigator Nick Santiago, many nosy neighbors and a pair of well meaning hippie parents and it’s hard not to be entertained by this enchanting read.

What a great beginning to this series, it is so different than my usual reads and I am obsessed. I am loving the blend of mystery and romance. The characters are so much fun.

A reluctant psychic, a suave detective and one dead senior citizen lead to both mystery and romance

I loved this book and can’t wait to read on in the series. It was just what I needed. A perfect blend of humor, romance and mystery.

I adored Nick and Riley and Riley’s elderly roommates. The characters were so quirky and made me laugh out loud with some of their antics. The psychic element added a layer of uniqueness that I thoroughly enjoyed.

I found myself smiling and in a good mood while I listened tp this. It’s not as spicy as Lucy’s other books but the space is there and it was perfect for the type of book this was. The banter was spot on and the camaraderie between Riley and her roommates was as heartwarming as it was hilarious.

I’ll be reading the next book soon because these characters are definitely the type that you want to return to.

Pleasantly surprised! I really enjoyed this book and this was a first introduction for this author! I'll definitely be reading more by her and get a book trophy for my shelf!

I am a huge fan of Lucy Score and LOVED the Knockemout Series so I had high hopes for this book. The premise of the book is unique and was different from other books I have read. Riley Thorn is divorced psychic and living in a mansion with her roommates..who happen to be quite a bit older than her. Enter Nick, a hot private investigate, investigating a murder of Riley’s neighbour. She is on the top of his suspect list. Riley and Nick must work together to find the murderer before they come looking for Riley next!

Let me start by saying that this was very different from the Knockemout series and not something I would normally go for but I was laughing the entire time! The humour is this book was great and I feel like the premise would be perfect for Spooky Season coming up. I did find it cheesy at times and keep in mind that this is a pretty long book. I feel like I could have been condensed but I still enjoyed it.

If you are looking for a mystery book that isn’t too intense then pick this up!

I was approved for the sequel before this book for some reason and read them in the wrong order which sort of spoiled the main plot! Still really enjoyed it as I loved these characters and the mystery element tied in with the psychic element! This series was so different from other Lucy Score series’ that I’ve read but it was very enjoyable.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher!
This book was the most fun! Riley and Nick are easy to root for, her family is fantastic, and her elderly roommates absolutely steal the show. Great start, and cannot wait to see where the story goes from here!

The Riley Thorn series has such a unique vibe. It is fun and whitty and the first one in the series does not disappoint. Riley is at a time in her life where she starts over and somewhat comes into her true self while also finding romance. Love it!

4.5 rounded up.

I've been in a bit of a slump so I decided to give this one a try as a genre change. Boy am I glad I did! I couldn't put this down. I loved that it was part mystery/part romance. Riley was such a fun character. I loved the added psychic aspect. It made it a really fun read. Nick was such a protective grump. I loved it. I loved all of the elderly roommates. They added comedic relief to an already pretty light story. I'm looking forward to book 2!

Thank you to the author and Bloom Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was just ok to me! I feel like it was so unnecessarily long that it just made it unenjoyable for me. Lucy Score does an amazing job with her writing and I love the way she writes ! I’m just a bit sad this wasn’t the book for me.

The Dead Guy Next Door by Lucy Score is a funny, entertaining mystery with likable characters. A quick read....perfect for the beach!

“Hey, Thorn?”
“Yeah?”
“What number am I thinking of?”
“Sixty-nine, and I didn’t need to be psychic to know that.”

“Now, get the fuck out of my way, and don’t come near my woman again.”

I am a huge fan of Lucy Score and I finally got the push to read this book and start the series. I was very hesitant to read these books because I’m not one to enjoy a series where it’s one couple throughout. This book is very different than Lucy’s other works. It’s more psychic and a bit of mystery and suspense. Once you wrap your head around the fact that you’re going for a wild ride, the fun begins! I actually loved reading how Riley accepts and learns how to use her psychic powers. All the adventures she went on were really interesting. I loved all of the people that Riley lived with. Honestly, one of the best things about this book are the hilarious and interesting characters. Nick was also a blast to read about. The relationship between Nick and Riley was super funny to read with how they pretend to be in a fake relationship. I also loved the chemistry between the two of them! This book isn’t super heavy on the romance, but you definitely get a lot of romance vibes and those kisses! Man my heart was melting. The suspense and mystery was interesting to read and I love the journey we went with Riley to uncover it!
I’m excited to read what comes next for Riley Thorn!

Read if you like:
3rd person dual POVs
Psychic powers
Fake dating
A bit of mystery and suspense
Amazing side characters
Possessive hero
Reverse Grump x Sunshine
Slow burn romance

Thanks to Bloom Books and Hambrite PR for the copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Another fun read by Lucy Score. She has a great stye to her writing. From the start I was into this book and really enjoyed it.

“𝚂𝚑𝚎’𝚍 𝚜𝚊𝚟𝚎𝚍 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚕𝚒𝚏𝚎, 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝚜𝚊𝚟𝚎𝚍 𝚑𝚒𝚖 𝚊 𝚝𝚊𝚌𝚘. 𝙸𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚠𝚊𝚜𝚗’𝚝 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎, 𝚑𝚎 𝚔𝚗𝚎𝚠 𝚓𝚊𝚌𝚔 𝚜𝚑𝚒𝚝 𝚊𝚋𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚛𝚘𝚖𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎.”

Q: Do you like humorous mystery romance-com’s?

Apparently I do! 😂 it’s been a while since I tried a book of this type and I loved it. Riley and Nick are laugh out loud funny but even more impressive are the side characters. Riley lives in a house with a bunch of older folks and they made me crack up. The whole elderly masked vigilante scene cracked me up! Nick’s best friends/business partners are also so adorable. I loved Josie and she was amazingly terrifying 😂

@scorelucy really knocked it out of the park with this one and I can’t recommend it enough if you’re looking for a good mystery and a lot of laughs!

Riley Thorn and The Dead Guy Next Door is a quirky and fun read! The story introduces Riley, a snarky, brave, and psychic divorcee living in a house full of hilarious elderly folks. When her neighbor is found dead, Riley teams up with the hot private investigator Nick Santiago to solve the mystery.

The characters are hilarious, especially when together, and I couldn't stop laughing. The budding relationship between Nick and Riley is sweet and engaging, and the plot twists kept me hooked. It took a few chapters to get into, but once the mystery started, I was hooked. The crazy cast of characters adds to the fun of this read. I'm definitely picking up the next book in the series!

I am embarrassed by how much I laughed while reading The Dead Guy Next Door. It is hard to find a book where the side characters are just as fun (and funny) as the main characters, but Lucy Score found the perfect formula. I also loved the heat and anticipation of what was to come between main characters Riley and Nick. The Dead Guy Next Door is perfect for fans of the tv hit show Veronica Mars or the Finlay Donovan book series.

In *The Dead Guy Next Door*, Lucy Score delivers a captivating blend of mystery, humor, and unexpected romance that keeps readers on their toes from start to finish. The story revolves around Riley, a divorced woman grappling with her precarious financial situation while navigating life with a group of quirky elderly roommates. Her world becomes even more chaotic when she starts experiencing hallucinations—visions that her tarot card-dealing mother believes are psychic insights. Just when Riley thinks her life couldn’t get any more complicated, a strikingly attractive private investigator, Nick Santiago, knocks on her door, sparking a series of events that will change her life forever. The novel's premise is expertly crafted, introducing readers to a relatable protagonist enduring the trials and tribulations of adulthood. Riley’s life is a chaotic but endearing mess; she’s broke, living with a pack of elderly roommates, and trying to ignore the unsettling visions that plague her. Her character is rich and multifaceted, embodying both vulnerability and resilience. Readers will find themselves rooting for her as she navigates the twists and turns of her newfound reality, especially when she becomes embroiled in a murder investigation involving one of her neighbors. Nick Santiago, the enigmatic private investigator, adds undeniable charm and complexity to the story. He embodies the archetype of the brooding hero with a playful twist, and his flirtatious banter with Riley is both entertaining and engaging. As a self-proclaimed rebel, Nick's reluctance to commit to anything (or anyone) creates tension that complements the murder mystery plot. Their chemistry simmers throughout the narrative, providing a romantic subplot that elevates the overall reading experience without overshadowing the central mystery. The plot thickens when Riley finds herself at the top of the suspect list following the murder of her neighbor. With Nick volunteering to investigate, the pair embarks on an adventure filled with suspense, laughter, and unforeseen twists. The stakes escalate as they work against the clock to uncover the truth while evading a by-the-book detective with a personal vendetta and dealing with a stranger who claims to help Riley embrace her supposed psychic abilities. Score skillfully intertwines humor with tension, creating a delightful reading experience that balances lighthearted moments with serious stakes. Score’s writing is both witty and insightful, with sharp dialogue that brings the characters to life. The narrative flows seamlessly, mixing moments of levity with poignant reflections on life’s uncertainties. The blend of mystery and humor keeps the reader engaged, allowing them to laugh and ponder alongside the characters. In conclusion, *The Dead Guy Next Door* is a delightful read that skillfully combines elements of mystery, romance, and humor. Lucy Score has crafted a unique tale that explores the complexities of life, love, and self-discovery. Riley and Nick’s journey from strangers to partners in crime-solving is both entertaining and heartwarming, leaving readers eager for more. If you’re in search of a book that will keep you guessing while eliciting genuine laughter and warmth, look no further than this captivating novel.

I received this book from NetGalley as an ARC, and this is my honest & voluntary review
3.5 round to 4 stars
If you need something fun and quick to read. This is your book.