I just finished Another Fine Mess by Lindy Ryan @lindyryanwrites Book 2 of Bless your heart series and here are my thoughts.

Evan's women have an important job… Making sure the dead stay buried and after the loss of 2 of their family members… It’s up to Luna and Lenore to keep the fight going. Trouble is… Something is out there tearing people to shreds.. It’s not something they have seen before but the trouble is coming right to their door and they are the only ones who can fight whatever monster it is and keep the town safe.

I liked the first book. I went into it blind and had no idea it was a southern vampire horror with cozy vibes.. But I enjoyed it. So this time round I got the audio and the kindle… When I read a book, I have a tone and voices in my head… Moving into audio upset my balance haha. Once I got past the change the audio was soooooo much better than I could have hoped for.

I really love Luna in this installment. She didn’t sit well with me in the first book but I really started to warm to her and now I love her! It’s a lot to bury family and she managed to stay on point. Lenore was great the whole time and I absolutely adore Ducey. She is cranky and a bad ass! It’s hard to blend genres and keep a balance but there was some really emotional moments, some chuckle worthy moments and some carnage! It’s a win win win.

Yes it’s a cozy horror. I know that seems oxymoronic but it was so good. I don’t even know if it’s a real genre but it’s coined now haha. I love the southern charm, the generational family magic and the fact we were introduced to what appears to be some kind of werewolf!! HOWLLLLLLL…..

It was great. I cannot wait for book 3! Honestly if you love southern vampire reads.. Give this a go.

4 stars

Thank you to @netgalley @minotaur_books and #macmillanaudio for my gifted arc and alc!

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While I was excited to get a sequel to Bless Your Heart, I had no idea what was going to happen after the way the last one ended. I have to say it definitely exceeded any expectations, and with the way this one ended, I hope we get more of the Evans women and of this small, strange town they protect.

Another Fine Mess finds us about a month after the events of Bless Your Heart, we are down two Evans women, and while it won't bring them back, at least they stopped the big bad terrorizing the town. At least until animals start to go missing and begin being found.. You know, not alive anymore, they could possibly, maybe, be animal attacks until people are next on the attack list, and they are definitely dead, and it's you know, probably not an animal attack. But what is it? Is the question.

It's up to the Evan's women left, along with a few other surprising people to help figure out what's going on, and man, do they have their work cut out for them.
I found this story highly entertaining, emotionally devastating (for both myself and the characters involved), and at times had me laughing out loud.
I love this world that Lindy Ryan has created, and I hope we get more books and I get to learn more about the past and see what other horrors are lurking in this small town.

*Another Fine Mess* cracked my heart open and stitched it back together with laughter. Lindy Ryan masterfully blends horror and humor into a story that feels both wildly magical and painfully real.
At its heart, this is an intergenerational tale about women — messy, strong, stubborn women — who hold their family and their town together even as the world around them crumbles. It's a novel that sings with the beauty and chaos of connection, and with the kind of love that isn't clean or easy, but unbreakable.

The late '90s setting hums underneath everything like a half-forgotten song, bringing an oddly tender sense of nostalgia. For me, living in rural Virginia, the portrayal of small-town life — its isolation, its tight-knit loyalty, its strange magic — felt deeply personal and achingly familiar.

Ryan's horror will sneak up on you when you least expect it; the humor will save you just in time. One page might break your heart, and the next will leave you laughing out loud through the tears. Her characters are unforgettable — the kind that set up camp inside your chest and refuse to leave. I already can't wait to tumble back into this beautiful, broken world she's created.

**Content warnings:** graphic gore, animal death.

If you love stories about messy families, haunted pasts, stubborn hope, and the fierce, complicated women who keep the world turning, *Another Fine Mess* should be at the top of your list.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur for the advance copy. All opinions are entirely my own.

This was a wild, wild ride. I figured not much could get crazier than the first installment of this gory, funny, over-the-top series, but Lindy Ryan managed to siphon a bit more into the tank! I can’t wait to read the next one!

This cozy mystery had me giggling and suspicious in equal measure. It’s giving Hallmark vibes with a side of homicide, and honestly, I ate it up. The main character is nosy in the best way, and the dialogue had that snappy charm I live for. A cute, quirky whodunit with heart—and tea. Lots of tea.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I don't normally pick up horror books (I'd put The Shining in the freezer very early on, let's put it that way), but this one was the right amount of creeps, gore, and humor. The walking dead just keep coming, and the Evens sisters just keep....doing their thing. Even though I haven't read the first book, the second book still made sense--took me longer, but I still enjoyed it, particularly the multigenerational Evans women and the addition of the unflappable Kim.

Good read, would recommend to anyone looking for horror but not something that will keep you up at night.

This series is full of horror and humor, it’s a horror cozy mystery. This was a great sequel that picks up pretty much where the first book left off. Something I predicted would happen came true, two parts brought tears to my eyes, and I didn’t guess who the monster was too far in advance. I will give a word of warning there is a lot of death in this book of both the human and animal variety, all of it pretty dang gory (be warned).

I do think you really have to read the first book to fully enjoy and understand this one. I can’t wait for book 3!

**Thanks to the author and Minotaur Books for the e-arc I received via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.**

This was a fun dive back into the world of the Evans women! If you liked the first book, you will probably enjoy this one. The author holds nothing back, and no one is safe! I really enjoy the use of non-traditional monsters in this world. I thought for sure I knew what was really going on, until it became too obvious and then I realized it had to be something else. So that's actually nice, because it keeps you on your toes and doesn't get too easy.

I will say, the opening sequence with the cat was a bit heartbreaking. I could've done without the copious mentions of pet deaths. If that bothers you, then just be prepared for that.

I hope there is a follow-up book!

Pre-Read notes

This is an arc that got away, but didn't get very far! This book is available now. I was drawn to this one because of that excellent cover! I like reprisals of Little Red Riding Hood and I'm excited to see how Ryan will utilize the source material.

Final Review

Review summary and recommendations

I just couldn't connect! It's on me though, I misjudged this one by the cover. A great read if you're a fantasy cozy mystery fan!

Something similar that I really enjoyed is Cackle by Rachel Harrison (my review!).

Reading Notes

Two things I loved:

1. Humid nighttime air tongued Pie’s cheek as she made her way to the edge of what remained of her family’s property. The shovel stood where she’d left it staked in the ground, right where the moonlight touched grass, where the green grew a little coarser than the rest. p6 Gorgeous descriptive writing!

2. Ghost wolves. Roger’s eye twitched and he fought not to look at the bright pink MISSING PET flyer tacked to the café’s bulletin board. Normally rabid animals would be Animal Control’s problem, but the whole town had gone on red alert over this elusive critter that Lenore convinced him to blame for last month’s attacks. The station’s phone hadn’t stopped ringing since. p46 Okay so it's not what I thought, and still a great scary creature! (Also, this passage contains the word "twitched", one of twenty-seven iterations of it throughout the book. I hope it turns out that the repetition is intentional and clever!)

One quibble:

1. This book is a little convoluted – it's just drowning in detail that is more distracting than enhancing.

Notes:

1. This book has nothing to do with Little Red Riding Hood, my b.

2. Here're my content warnings: animal death, excessive blood, gore,

3. This book is the second in a developing series. I have not read the first book, and I don't recommend doing it that way. I feel like I'm playing catch-up!

4. DNF @ p157 – I'm picky about fantasy and this one isn't for me. It's on me though, I totally misjudged the book by its cover!

Rating: DNF @ p157
Recommend? yes, for fantasy readers
Finished: Apr 21 '25
Format: accessible digital arc, NetGalley
Read this book if you like:
🪄 contemporary fantasy
🐺 werewolf stories
🔍 mysteries

Thank you to the author Lindy Ryan, publishers Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for an accessible digital arc of ANOTHER FINE MESS. All views are mine.
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I love the Evan’s woman. It’s like practical magic and Buffy the vampire slayer with a dash of true blood. The Evan’s woman are back and better than ever. This story picked up pretty much where Bless your Heart ended Cannot wait to see what’s next for them! This series is a great choice for all different age groups there’s a character for all the ages. The books are mysterious and scary but not overly gory.

I wasn't able to finish this by the time it was officially published but what a crazy ride!

I truly didn't think it was possible to up the gore, drama and horror from book one but boy was I wrong! This picks up pretty much right where book 1 ends so that is a smooth transition. Kim and Ducey really carried this book for me. I didn't care for Lenore in book 1 and that continues in book 2.

It's incredibly well written when if I am reading at 11:00A.M on a nice sunny spring morning with birds chirping outdoors and I feel the hairs on the back of my neck rise or a sudden noise happens and I jump right up out of my seat heart racing a million miles a minute.

I would absolutely LOVE to see this adapted into a TV show, it deserves the chance to shine on camera as is it does in book form. Would recommend for spooky-tober.

I will sit quietly and see if she announces a third book because we still have so much journey to go on. PLEASE PLEASE we need another!

Book #2 in the Bless Your Heart series. These stories are a mixed genre that includes horror, mystery, thriller, humor and pretty much a small dab of every genre you can think of. Maybe it should be it's own?
Funerals are the family business and where the story kicks off. In the prologue, you'll get a little background then move quickly into battling the undead. There are lots of "oh,no" moments mixed in with the "ahhh" moments. All together, this was an excellent read that kept me engaged and entertained throughout the whole book. There are still plenty of continuing story arcs that promise more in the future.

The Evans women are back and forced to clean up after more monsters go on a killing spree in their small Texas town. This time they’ll have to unleash a secret weapon of their own to help clean house.

𝙄. 𝘼𝙢. 𝙐𝙣𝙬𝙚𝙡𝙡.

I adored the quirky characters and campy horror of Bless Your Heart, and Another Fine Mess gave me all of that and upped the ante by introducing even more mystery and suspense into an already fabulous series.

Told from various points of view for a wide perspective of events, with a dash of humor, great 90s references, and just the right amount of gore, this one had me sucked in from the first page. I love the small town monster hunting alliance the women have with the local sheriff and some special new friends they bring into the loop. I’m drawn to the strong family ties and the layers of multigenerational trauma and grief that are slowly peeled apart. Throw in a couple crazy twists and turns followed by a bittersweet ending and I’m just left wanting more. I laughed, I cried (legitimately), and even though I saw what was coming I still need a hug and another sequel.

Check this one out if you love campy horror stories, strong female characters, and watched all 15 seasons of Supernatural. Pairs well with s’mores and friends around the campfire under a full moon.

Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for a copy of this ARC. Rounded up from 3.5 stars. Don’t get me wrong, I liked this book but it just did not hit as hard as the first. I didn’t like that seemingly every character we got to see the POV of died. It was less gorey than the first book because a lot of the violence happens off page. I did miss that a little bit admittably. I liked the characters and their relationship with one another. I didn’t see the reveal coming and I felt like there was a good amount of red herrings in this one that felt natural. The writing is fresh and fun. I highly recommend this if you have read the first one but if another book comes out, I’m not sure I’d continue this series.

Another Fine Mess was, well, fine. The cover designer is truly earning their paycheck here -- both this book and the first are immediately eye-catching, although they both evoke a more cozy mystery/light-hearted feel when this series is anything but. There's a lot of death, a lot of gore.

Also, unlike similar paranormal series, this is one that demands the books be read in order, no jumping around here! Readers starting with book 2 will have a hard road ahead of them; there's very little in the way of recapping or reintroducing characters.

A funeral home run by multiple generations of women, each carrying a secret the town can't know. A string of brutal attacks attributed to rabid wolves. The dead who won't stay dead. Another Fine Mess was quick and enjoyable enough, but like the first this one didn't grip me like I had wanted.

BLESS YOUR HEART #1, PAPERBACK - Entertaining but easy to put down. Set in East Texas, which drew my interest, with four generations of women running a funeral parlor and fighting Strigoi, (ghouls, part vampire, part zombie). A bit wordy and a Cozy to boot along with plenty of gory happenings and some humor. Paperback is large size, with thick pages, no chemical smell and an easy to read font. Source: Won a GoodReads giveaway. 3*

BLESS YOUR HEART, #1, AUDIOBOOK - This is the only way to enjoy this book. The narrator Stephanie Nemeth-Parker makes this book come alive, making it snap. I spent two days listening to both books, the second book Another Fine Mess, and enjoyed myself immensely. The characters, the story lines and the humor, although there are gory things that happen, which aren't graphic. Source: Netgalley. 5*

ANOTHER FINE MESS, #2, AUDIOBOOK - Starts up a month after BYH ends. I love the narrator Stephanie Nemeth-Parker. As with the first book, the narrator makes the characters come alive and the story pop. She is the perfect person and unfortunately, she does not have a Texan accent, which I understand the rest if the world appreciates. There's plenty of ungraphic gory stuff, humor, love, family and doing the right thing. Source: Netgalley. 5*

Another Fine Mess by Lindy Ryan is the second book in the Bless Your Heart series. As I quickly discovered, it is best to read Bless Your Heart before embarking on Another Fine Mess. You need to know information and characters from the Bless Your Heart to read Another Fine Mess. I found Another Fine Mess to be this odd combination of True Blood, the Twilight series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer (the movie, not the show) as well as a pinch of paranormal mystery. I could envision the author tossing those elements into a pot along with the characters and stirring until they were slightly mixed (I imagined a partially mixed batter that was full of unmixed chunks). I began reading and I kept going “huh.” I was determined to get through the book, but the story never became easier to read. I felt like I was slogging through partially solidified concrete. Another Fine Mess is an overly complicated story that seems like it will never end. The storyline felt muddled and juvenile. I quickly tired of the repetitive details. Another Fine Mess was not an enjoyable story to read (as you can tell). I have been trying to branch out to discover new authors and genres. Another Fine Mess left me hanging from a cracked tree limb. I was grateful when I reached the last page.

Silly Southern fantasy. It's cozy, and fun...the undead in Lufkin/Port Arthur country? I am not only in, I'm pretty convinced it's factually correct...and resonant with the East Texas matriarchal culture I know well.

I haven't read Bless Your Heart, the first in the series, but I felt the ringing curse in its bones on first reading the title. The subtext of those three words is brutal in my childhood culture, and not obvious to non-Southerners. It sets up perfectly the basis of the series: These women, the Evanses, are restoring ma'at, are guarding the rightness of the world against Evil and evildoers. That's a story I always enjoy reading.

As is so often the case in families, there are a lot of secrets in the Evans line and some that never made it to those who need them most now. There are undead beings to slay and, unfortunately, no one alive who knows for sure how to do the slaying. The present duo of survivors must thus root around and find out what they need to know on their own. Their support system is robust. They learn both to expand family and how to let others help them heal from last book's events.

There is gore, there is a dread in the atmosphere, and a lot rides on the Strigoi (Romanian undeadies, see Eliade's Miss Christina for some background) not staying risen for one instant longer than can be managed. It's the kind of fun I had with True Blood, with Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and all transposed to a part of East Texas I know well enough to feel the story in my water.

If fun's the aim, and gore's not a deal-breaker, here's a good read. Expect the storytelling to mirror the characters' perceptions of events, ie not everything is linear and none of it is spoon-fed to you. This was an enhancement to me after I settled into the rhythm of the story, but that took some time. I can't quite say I bought into the ending's motivating factors but it was certainly of a piece with a series on this kind of supernatural-inflected topic.

I'll offer a solid four stars with a push to anyone in Southern culture to check it out.

3.5/5 stars, rounded up

Thank you Minotaur Books for the advanced reading copy!

Fun sequel to follow up BLESS YOUR HEART! This was another gothic 90's monster story, with a mystery at the back and drama front and center. The Evans girls are so fun to follow and I'm glad that, despite the ending of the last book, we got to see some great interactions between these woman.

I feel similar about this book as I did the first -- there were lots of characters and it could be hard to keep up with what storyline belonged where, which makes it hard to care deeply about some of the characters. The characters I DO care a lot about feel like they aren't featured as much as I would like to, and in this book I was let down by the way things turned out for some -- IYKYK.

Overall, these books have been consistently creative, fun and unique. While I wouldn't call them ground breaking, I do enjoy them, especially on audio, and I look forward to reading more of this series in the future!

This is my first foray with this author. It was quite interesting! I found out about the first book after the fact, so I’ll probably go back & read that. The Evan’s women were full of intrigue, zest & had a whole lot going on! I look forward to starting from the beginning