this is the first book in the little red truck mystery series. loved the book, the characters and setting were great.

A fun book to read. Ms. Thompson had me guessing almost to the end who the real culprit was, though some of the other suspects might be rightly accused of other crimes! Tillie is a much loved truck with great sentimental value on top of any monetary value the fixed-up version might bring. Rae Lynn wants her grandfather's truck strictly for the sentimental value, but perhaps the thief does too? It gets pretty convoluted until we figure out all the story behind the old truck, but Rae Lynn's sleuthing skills will prevail. This story is more than a great cozy mystery. There's an old family feud still gnawing at someone, a new and very fancy B & B messing with someone's dream, possibly enough brothers to go around, a new antique store about to open and my favorite part, a budding second chance romance. Grab a copy of Tracking Tilly and find out for yourself what it's all about. You might just fall in love with Tillie too!

I was attracted to this book because of the unusual cover. I liked the premise, too. However, I found myself slightly disappointed. I was hoping for more depth. This ended up being a sweet romance with a cozy mystery involved, which I enjoyed—although I figured out the culprit pretty early on. I really liked seeing the way RaeLyn and her family worked together and supported each other, and the close-knit community they lived in. This is a great book for anyone who loves Texas or classic cars, and wants a light, easy read.

Tracking Tilly: The Little Red Truck Mysteries #1 by Janice Thompson.

Thanks to netgalley, I found a new author to enjoy! The story was good, and the characters were lovable. It has some good twists and turns, and definitely has a great cozy feel with the small town. RaeLyn and her family were warm and inviting, and had good dynamics, without a perfect family vibe. I can't wait to read more from this series.

I enjoyed this cozy mystery with a little bit of romance thrown in. The characters were charming and sweet. This definitely wasn't a hard-hitting mystery and it was pretty easy to figure out but that's okay because it was just a sweet story with some super lovable characters! I will definitely read more from the series just to feel that cozy feeling with RaeLyn, Bettie Mae, Mason, and all the rest.

Tracking Tilly by Janice Thompson
(Book 1 in the Little Red Truck Mysteries Series)
4 Stars

Because I can relate to this story with my Dad and his old truck/trucks, I really enjoyed this one! We have a cute small town in Texas, a vintage truck, a girl opening an antique store and some great character relationships here. This is a Christian Cozy Mystery (with no deaths) that centers around our main character RaeLyn's grandpa's old vintage truck going missing after the auction to get it back. Her grandpa passed away many years ago, so it's very important to get it back.
We see RaeLyn work to figure out what has happened, with her old high school flame Mason hanging around helping, but honestly he's a bit suspicious at first too. :)

We have some small town drama going on with a romance subplot. I did get the side character's mixed up several times but it was fine - I was just here for the read! :)

Overall a cute feel good story that will bring the nostalgia of things from back in the day, memories with your grandparents and the importance of family.

Thank you to Barbour Publishing and NetGalley for providing a copy to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

RaeLyn Hadley is determined to buy her Pawpaws truck named Tilly at an auction despite the competition trying to outbid her. After acquiring her dream truck to put on display at her new antique store, the truck is stolen. There are few clues, and several quirky suspects. You will be kept guessing right up until the end. I was given a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing & was under no obligation to post a review.

Scripture Connection

Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.
Prov. 17:9 NLT

See also Heb. 12:15.

Spiritual Themes

Spiritual content is light, but present, with threads of reconciliation (contrasted with bitterness) as well as allusion to God’s providence in bringing people back together. The beauty of nature points RaeLyn, and the reader, back to the Creator.

There was one line, albeit thematically peripheral, that I liked:

“He’s the one who gave you this dream; He will be the One to fulfill it.”
p. 65

I appreciate the message of trust here, and the posture of recognition and submission.

What I Liked

Tracking Tilly caught my eye because of the mystery element, but it also ended up being a fun and timely read for me, as the novel opens with the main character buying a truck. (With just over a week until I return to work, I have no transportation and am looking for a vehicle, prayers SO appreciated!).

The novel stands out to me for its delightful emphasis on family. At 26, RaeLyn makes her home on the family ranch. RaeLyn lives in the larger house with her parents, her great aunt Bessie Mae, and two of her brothers: Dallas and Gage. Her other two brothers, Logan and Jake, live on smaller homes on the property, Jake with his pregnant wife, Carrie.

I really like that RaeLyn is just one of the adult children living at the ranch, and that the family members work together to care for one another. I don’t often see adult children living at home in contemporary reads, so I found this living situation to be refreshing and delightful. I especially appreciate the relationship between RaeLyn and her great aunt. In her eighties, Bessie Mae is strong and ready to sleuth.

Overall, I think the strength of the story is with the characters. Outside of RaeLyn’s family, Thompson casts a wide net of community members: both friends and suspects. We meet an auctioneer, the wealthy businessman who owns half the town, a knowledgeable librarian and a cantankerous neighbor, plus RaeLyn’s best friend, as well as a former friend who has recently returned to town.

Although much of the plot moved a bit slowly for me, I wouldn’t mind continuing the series, simply to follow-up with this community.

Also worth noting are the sweet natural descriptions. Thompson embeds some beautiful details that point readers back to the Creator.

I also enjoyed the gentle romance plotline. As Tracking Tilly is book one in the series, I’m curious to keep reading and see how certain threads continue to develop.

Content Notes

Romance is sweet and very light in terms of physicality. There’s one kiss, which is not descriptive.

In the small-town Texas setting, characters are very aware of the local happenings, largely because of the prayer chain. In addition to offering prayer, the chain also seems to be a possible dispatch for gossip (which I recognize is a real cultural phenomenon), and we do see some instances of gossip.

There’s also a scene where RaeLyn and her friend quickly make up a story to explain their presence in an off-limits area. (RaeLyn feels bad about her friend lying for her).

Recommendation Status

Tracking Tilly is a sweet, slow-paced mystery with a small-town setting and a fun cast of characters. I’m curious to see how the series will progress, and look forward to the opportunity to “hang out” in this small town, in the future.

Recommended for readers who enjoy gentle stories with tight-knit families and especially for those with an appreciation for classic cars.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher. Opinions expressed are my own.

When RaeLyn Hadley wins back her papaws old Ford truck from the auction, the truck goes missing.

This was a cute book!
I loved the Hadley family’s relationship. The romance subplot was cute, and I really liked Masons character. I did keep getting the side characters mixed up but at the end I finally had them all in order. The muster aspect was fairly simple, but I had a lot of fun reading as they found clues. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a quick cozy mystery.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The cover grabbed my attention. It's charming.

Tilly is the name of the truck Grandpa Hadley used to own and sold a decade ago to pay for medical bills. RaeLyn stretches her budget to win the truck in an auction. The truck doesn't run and is rusted, but she wants the truck back in the Hadley family. The day after the auction RaeLyn is out her money and the truck has been stolen. Quite a bit of Texas detail in the pages of this cozy mystery as RaeLyn works to solve the mystery of who stole her truck.

Janice Thompson's newest novel, Tracking Tilly, is not only a whodunit but also a whydunit!

RaeLyn Hadley embarks on a quest to bring her grandfather's classic truck, Tilly, back to her family. After winning the bid at an auction, Hadley is devastated to discover that Tilly vanishes before she can get her towed to a body shop.

This marks the exciting beginning of Thompson's new series, "The Little Red Truck Mysteries."

RaeLyn is determined to locate her grandfather's truck and chooses to investigate on her own, offering us a delightful peek into the Hadley family dynamics. Will her dream of an antique shop in her family's barn ever come to fruition?

Aunt Bessie Mae quickly became one of my favorite characters due to her charming quirks which were amusing and endearing. I often found myself wishing to be a part of the delightful family dinners she prepared.

The messages of faith in the story were portrayed through the actions of the Hadley family and their neighbors, which I appreciated. The emphasis on faith in the story was both inspiring and thought-provoking.

The book paints a vivid picture of the quaint town of Mabank, capturing the essence of Texas with its inviting warmth and appeal. I am eagerly awaiting the next installment in the series.


I received this book from Barbour Fiction through NetGalley.However, my review is voluntary, and all opinions are my own.

I adored this read! I have been a huge fan of Janice’s stories for more than a decade. In fact her Bridal Mayhem mysteries is an all time favorite series of mine. This new mystery series has the same vibe as her Bridal Mayhem series that I so dearly loved and I am here for this new series! It has Janice’s trademark humor while building a fun mystery, and it has a fantastic group of characters. I am so looking forward to more from this series and more stories to read and adore from a treasured author!

I read an ARC of this book from NetGalley but I also have preordered a paperback copy as well. I was not required to post a positive review and all thoughts are my own.

Tracking Tilly by Janice Thompson is a great start to The Little Red Truck Mysteries. I loved getting to know the Hadleys and finding myself involved in the mystery. It had a few twists that I was not expecting and had no way of predicting. I was intrigued with the mystery and had to keep reading to find out "who done it". I thought it was a fun, entertaining and delightful book to read on a rainy day.



Tracking Tilly will be getting five stars from me. I highly recommend it for readers who love to read clean cozy mysteries. I am eagerly awaiting for the release for next installment from The Little Red Truck Mysteries. I can not wait.



I received a paperback copy of Janice Thompson's Tracking Tilly from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

Readers who like cozy mysteries will enjoy this book. Set in Texas, the Hadley family sets out to find who stole Tilly, the beloved red truck. Small town charm with loveable characters will endear readers. Looking forward to the next book. Recommended.

"Tracking Tilly" is a delightful journey through small-town Texas, infused with sweet southern charm and a heartwarming sense of family values and friendship. There is also some sweet budding romance happening, and I'm all for it! I loved reading about the Hadley family - they were all so sweet and friendly.

What I liked most about this book is the way it emphasizes the importance of family and friends sticking together through thick and thin. Thompson brings the characters to life with warmth and authenticity, making you feel right at home in their cozy corner of Texas. But be prepared to get hungry - there are quite a few meals shared around the Hadley family table, and the food sounds amazing! :)

If you’re looking for a lighthearted read filled with friendship, mystery, and a whole lot of southern charm, "Tracking Tilly" is definitely worth picking up.

Raelynn and her family are opening an antique store, and when she finds the truck that her grandfather sold years ago up for auction, she knows that it will be the perfect touch for the store. But when the truck goes missing from the auction yard, Raelynn is determined to track it down.

A wonderful start to a new series, and introduction to the Hadley family. I loved Raelynn's large family with all their banter. There is a lot going on in this small town cozy mystery, from the family dramas, revelations from the past, and the mystery of the missing truck.

A highly enjoyable read with a lot of twists along the way, I loved the close knit family, with strong ties to faith, and many wonderful characters. There is plenty going on, I liked that Raelynn and Mason were able to rekindle their friendship, and that there is also plenty going on with the other members of the family. An excellent start to a new series!


I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Cozy mystery in the heart of Texas.
A slow read, my biggest problems with these reads are the repetitive information or clues but I guess that's why it's cozy, I can stop reading for a month and be back up to speed just picking up where I left off vibes.
All of the gossiping busybody vibes I wasn't a fan of as the Bible says we shouldn't and yet it was the sole reason many of the women in this book wanted to be part of the prayer chain.
The Christian elements were small but there, regular church attendance, prayer chain etc.
Otherwise a cozy read with lots of cozy characters, the mystery was pretty easy to solve but again emphasis on cozy. Thanks netgalley for letting me read an ARC, this is my honest take.

Absolutely loved this story! A small town where everyone knows each other and its picturesque scenery made me feel right at home. There is so much to love about this book. The fun of solving who took Tilly with RaeLyn Hadley and her family had me laughing, especially Aunt Bessie Mae. All the delicious food and table talk with family was an added bonus to the sweet build of a romance. This story was entertaining and had many surprising secrets thrown in that keeps the reader wondering what’s around the bend. Not only was I drawn in by all the wonderful characters but felt that the Hadley’s were family. So excited about more books from this author as I will be snatching them up!
Was given a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

** “Sometimes life’s just not fair. But God is the one who will have the final say. That brings me some degree of peace when injustices happen.” **

Janice Thompson delivers another fun cozy mystery with “Tracking Tilly,” a story about never giving up and the power of family.

RaeLyn Hadley is excited she finally found her beloved PawPaw’s truck, Tilly, after it being gone for 10 years. But she’s devastated when, after winning it at auction, it goes missing before she can even claim it from the auction house.

As she tries to root through the various suspects, she is also reacquainted with her former crush Mason Fredericks, who left her years ago for her best friend.

Will RaeLyn and Mason be able to locate the missing Tilly, as well as solve some past family mysteries? Will she be able to get her family’s new antique business up and running in the meantime? And will they be able to work through their pasts and find love?

Thompson has created a lovely story filled with budding romance, a little mystery, sweet moments and a love for animals. Her characters are both delightful and unlikeable, creating great friction. She also fills “Tracking Tilly” with several great themes, like finding the ability to forge ahead even when there’s old wounds to overcome; creating a fresh start; God arranges our steps; we should learn from the past; and the power of family legacy.

Fans of cozy mysteries will love “Tracking Tilly,” which is due out Aug. 1.

Five stars out of five.

Barbour Fiction provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.

Tracking Tilly by Janice Thompson is a sweet story. I liked that RaeLyn wanted to purchase her grandfather’s old truck, Tilly, which held so many memories for her. RaeLyn has a great family. I enjoyed getting to know RaeLyn, her family, friends, and townspeople. I liked the Texas charm. From the Hadley farm to the charming small town with its friendly residents. RaeLyn gets to reconnect with Mason, an old friend, at the auction and romance blossoms. When Tilly is stolen, RaeLyn is determined to get the truck back. She asks questions and searches for clues. The mystery, though, is not at the forefront of the story (it is back behind life on the farm, setting up the antique store in the barn, and getting reacquainted with Mason). You can tell how much Tilly means to RaeLyn and the rest of the Hadley clan. Tracking Tilly is a story that will leave you smiling. Tracking Tilly is a feel-good tale with a family farm, an animated auction, a startling theft, tracing a truck, setting up a shop, a chance at romance, surprising secrets, and close-knit community.