This was a laugh out loud read from beginning to end. Every character had me loving them whether I wanted to or not. This is a lengthier book and I never wanted it to end. Along with a cast of wacky characters was a mystery that continued to develop and a conclusion I never expected.

I highly recommend this for anyone looking for a lightheaded read with a storyline that will keep you engaged.

I just love this series! I must confess, there's a bit more romance (explicitly) than I typically seek out - but Score has done such a fantastic job building a world that is populated by HILARIOUS characters I literally cannot get enough of it! I hope she continues developing the exploits of Riley, Nick and friends for many books to come. Each story is a delightful romp of a mystery, and the ongoing story arc of the interpersonal relationships between the characters, as well as Riley's developing psychic talents, is fabulous as well. The books are straight up fun and engaging from the opening salvo through to the final pages.

📖📖 Book Review 📖📖 They’re back and better than ever!!! Hilariously over the top yet absolutely lovable and relatable, Riley Thorn and her motley crew are still the best of the best! The newest hurdle? Riley’s no good ex-husband and the never ending drama, this time with someone supposedly out to kill him. If I am ever in a bind, I would 💯 call in this group to help me out and I am so grateful for the never ending laughs and wonderful storyline!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Review is posted is Goodreads and final review will be on instagram ahead of the publication day!

Lucy Score is one of my favorite authors, and the Riley Thorn series has historically been amazing as well, so I was super excited to get an ARC! The Body in the Backyard follows our favorite psychic and investigator, and all of the hilarious "side" characters are back as well! In The Body in the Backyard, Riley and Nick (and Mrs. Penny) are trying to find out who's attempting to murder Griffin (Riley's ex-husband). This edition came with all the standard hijinks I've come to expect from the Riley Thorn series, and made me laugh at loud at multiple points. I will say, there are so many characters that it sometimes felt a bit tough to keep them all straight, and I wish we had slightly less Griffin/Bella and more of Riley's parents.

The more I read in this series, the more I love it. It has all the same gang of side characters from the first book. They are all crazy and very entertaining. Nick is so cute with his love for Riley. I adored how he would get mad whenever she put herself in danger. Riley is just a fun heroine and so likable. I love, love these two together. Add in all the animals and the hilarious entertainment of Nick and Riley trying to keep her ex-husband alive, made for a really fun read.

Lucy Score has created a lovable cast of characters in her Riley Thorn series. This time around they are working to figure out who is trying to kill Riley’s ex-husband. The list of who ISN’T trying to kill him is shorter than he is.

Packed with car chases, potential suspects, senior citizen shenanigans and even a Scooby-Doo villain, The Body In The Backyard is an absolutely delightful read. If you figure out who it is before the reveal, you have me beat.

I actually really enjoyed this book! I read the first book in this series not long ago and did not enjoy it as much as I enjoyed this one. For this one, the writing felt more put together. It felt more of a grumpy-sunshine book than a crime fighting novel. I also really appreciated that I could read the first book and then jump straight into this as the fourth book without needing to read the extra books between. It did take me a little longer than usual to read it because I did have to remember all of the different characters but it was a fast read once I remembered everyone.

I would suggest this book to Lucy Score fans, fans of romantic thrillers, and romance grumpy-sunshine trope fans.

Thanks to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I came across the Riley Thorne series by chance earlier this year and inhaled the first three. Book four does not disappoint and had some of my favorite moments from the series! Every time a book in this series comes to an end, I resist the urge to dive back in.

It has everything you want in a Lucy Score book. Witty banter, flirting, and a fantastically thought out plot. What I love about the Riley Thorne books is that as the series progresses and the cast of characters grows, the world doesn’t feel like it’s getting too large or out of control. The circle stays tight enough to our core group of characters to stay manageable while adding in some well developed minor characters you’re not confused about fifty pages later. I also love that it’s magical realism. You’re not left rolling your eyes at the absurdity of her psychic prowess, it’s purposeful and not used as a punchline or a cheap way to drive the plot. It’s well incorporated so it feels organic. A great touch of fantasy for people who love a contemporary mystery.

thank you netgalley for the arc. a quick and easy lucy score read!! i love lucy's writing and the FMC in this one

I love all Lucy Score books but this has to be my least favorite. The Body In The Background is the 3rd installment of the Riley Thorn series. All the beloved characters are back! I enjoy the banter and witty comments but I just feel like the story fell flat. It didn’t draw me in as most Lucy Score books do. I absolutely LOVE her romance novels and her writing skills is impeccable but I don’t think mystery/ thriller genre is her strong suit.

This book was amazing and I devoured this book in just a few sittings! I loved the character development and how the story progressed.

5—spite-cow approved—stars! Riley Thorn and the gang are back in full swing! I hope there will be many more books in the series!

Picking up directly where the last book left off, Riley, Nick and all the wonderfully insane people in their lives have to help Riley’s self-obsessed ex-husband. And it was an utter delight! The combination of romance, suspense and comedy worked perfectly once again!

I also loved that the book and Nick acknowledged that he messed up during the events of Riley Thorn and the Blast from the Past! Him and Riley not being on the same page has been the only moment I didn’t enjoy in the series, so I’m very pleased it not only got addressed but was dealt with in the usual funny and light-hearted way that I’m used to seeing in these books!

If you enjoyed the other instalments in the series, definitely pick this one up. You’ll have a great time!

I had such a great time reading this book! It was funny and a quick read. Lucy Score never disappoints! I highly recommend to read the other 3 books first before reading this one. Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks Bloom Books for this arc.

I loved the humor aspect of this book.
There were many funny moments throughout the book. I really enjoyed the relationship dynamic between Riley & Nick. I definitely recommend that others read this book and the other 3 books in the series! It is such a fun story.

I will start this review by saying I didn't realise this was book 4 in a series and I haven't read the other 3, however I loved this book. There were a few backstory references I didn't get due to not reading the first 3 but the story still worked as a standalone and I know want to go back and read the rest. I loved Riley & Nick and Lily & co are hilarious. Lucy Score is a genuis, would highly recommend.

This wasn’t my favorite out of the series but it was still so enjoyable! This definitely gives Stephanie Plum vibes but I’m here for it.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc ebook.

I have read the three previous books of the series and they just keep getting better, I laughed most of the time ! This is a really fun lovely story. I would definitely recommend this series to all my friends!

OK So, I'm so in LOVE with this series. I feel like part of the family of friends.
The Riley Thorn mystery series is unlike Lucy's romances it's clean, sweet and so funny.
I swoon over Nick and his BFF. I am hoping for a love story between Riley & Nicks best friends. Wink Wink sigh.
It's hard to put this series down and I cannot wait for more of this wild and crazy fun!!

Thank you to Lucy, the publisher and Netgalley for my ARC copy in exchange for a review that I won't spill nada.

I enjoyed this read but I made a mistake of not reading the preceding Riley Thorn stories. I caught on pretty quick but there are a lot of characters so I think for a better reading experience, I’d recommend the entire series. The banter is great. I loved Nick and Riley’s adventures.

Once again we are following Riley, Nick and others into a new chapter. This one had a cute plot and some funny moments but I truly am bored with this series. I feel Riley barely used her abilities in this one and there were more annoying things than not. I struggled to get through this.