I received a free ALC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book didn’t grab me right off from the beginning, but I’m glad I gave it a chance since I ended up liking it. The characters were fun and likable. The storyline wasn’t too predictable. It’s definitely a cozy mystery rather than a thriller. I feel like this could possibly be the beginning of a series.

The narrator did a good job of emoting but could have been a little better with different voices.

The narrator of this book is so good and I think of Lee Hollis as a trusted mystery author. This book felt really uneven however. Jared and Liv are great characters and the first third of the book is excellent. It goes downhill from there. It turns out Jared’s friend Kitty is the wife of the late President, but politics are never discussed beyond homophobia. I found myself cringing with how out of step this book felt. Also Liv is at times immature, and sometimes too wise? I felt this could have used more editing honestly.

Love this author so I was happy to see a new series. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did a great job! I loved the humor in this cozy and look forward to reading more!

This is a fairly funny book about family dynamics. It was an okay read, The narrator did a really good job of all the parts. I felt it was disjointed at times and I was left out of the joke. Overall a satisfactory read.

I just finished My Father Always Finds Corpses by Lee Hollis and here are my musings.


Former child star Jarrod Jarvis is living a more quiet life after solving a string of Hollywood murders back in the day. Living in Palm Springs still grieving the loss of his partner Charlie.
He gets kicked right back into action when his daughter's BF is found murdered. Zel was doing a documentary on Liv’s life but what else was he up to and does this have anything to do with something he found in his research?

OMG this was too dang cute!! You always find cozy mysteries with a lady sleuth but a gay actor? SOLD!

This is the first book in this series but I felt like it was talking about things from other books, like he is a spin off character and I had that feeling. The past was talked about like we had prior knowledge of it instead of being introduced and that was irksome.

Now the audiobook was EXCELLENT it was so well done.

I loved the characters! I liked the cute little love story unfolding with Jarrod and the hot secret service agent… SIGHHHH!! It had the right mix of mystery, attention to detail and quirky MMC!

Cannot wait for the next installment

4 stars

Thank you to @netgalley and @tantoraudio for my gifted copy

Audio Book Review - Matt Godfrey offers a scary tale of macabre with a light hearted twist of generational differences as sleuthing becomes entertaining and amusing in equal measures.

I was excited to read the first book in a new series by Lee Hollis. I have loved books I have read in the Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails, Desert Flowers, and Maya and Sandra series. However, this one did not appeal to me. While the characters are well developed, I just did not care for or connect with them. The plot took too long to be established and it took all I had to continue reading to the end. Not sure I will make an effort to read future books in the series. But I will definitely continue reading books in the other series by Lee Hollis.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Cozies for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

Adult Fiction
Cozy
Cozy Mystery
Fiction
Murder Mystery
Mystery
Mystery Thriller
Suspense
Thriller

I got the audiobook, and it was AMAZING!
Giving a voice to these characters was the best decision ever made. I hope to read (or listen to) more from them (soon, please).
I hope the author and the narrator team up again; they make a great team!

Thank you NetGalley and Tantor Audio for the ARC audiobook in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Off the bat, i found it to be a cute cozy mystery. As a cinephile I loved the film references. I also enjoyed the father and daughter relationship. I’ve never read anything by this author but learning this is a new series the authors are going to start makes me want to read the next one and their others!

Guncle vibes + a murder mystery.

Overall: 5
Spice: 0
Narration: 4

Jarrod is a former child star living in Palm Springs and directing local theater as a way to recover after the death of his partner, Charlie. His relationship with his young adult daughter has been on the rocks since Charlie died, but now Liv needs his help when she finds her boyfriend murdered in his film studio. Turns out a lot of people could have wanted him dead, so Jarrod & Liv team up to try and get to the bottom of the mystery.

I requested this on NetGalley having not read any books by Lee Hollis previously and was happy to find it to be a five star read. This wasn't a devastating or earth shattering five star, but a really well written mystery with great characters and relationships. The perspective of Jarrod and Liv and the introduction of her surrogate mom is one I hadn't read before. The side characters were great and watching Jarrod & Liv's relationship evolve was very enjoyable. Hoping this might turn into a series to follow.

Jarrod is a former child star, now turned director and playwright. He’s had a rocky relationship with his daughter, Liv, ever since his husband died - but that’s about to change when she seeks his help in the wake of her boyfriend’s murder.

To be completely honest, I very seriously considered DNF-ing this about a third of the way through. I wasn’t particularly interested in what was going on, and I also didn’t really like any of the characters. Once the murder happened and things started moving, it got a lot better, and I was a lot more invested in the story, so I am glad I stuck with it!

I think the relationship between Jarrod and Liv was my favourite part, their father-daughter bond was so sweet and I loved all of their interactions. I jokingly guessed at who the murderer was straight away and was a little surprised to realise I’d been right. I’m glad this was a relatively short book, sometimes these whodunnit novels can drag on more than they need to, but this felt like the perfect length.

As I listened to the audiobook of this, I’ll say that I quite enjoyed the narrator, Matt Godfrey. They did a pretty good at bringing the characters to life, and I enjoyed listening to them tell this story.

Lee Hollis's My Father Always Finds Corpses introduces readers to a new cozy mystery series featuring a father-daughter sleuthing duo in the sun-soaked setting of Palm Springs. While the novel offers moments of charm and intrigue, it occasionally falters in pacing and character development.

What Works:

The dynamic between Jarrod Jarvis, a former child star turned theater director, and his daughter Liv, a recent criminal justice graduate, provides a fresh take on amateur sleuths. Their evolving relationship adds emotional depth to the narrative, especially as they collaborate to solve the murder of Liv's boyfriend, Zel. The setting of Palm Springs, with its blend of Hollywood glamour and quirky locals, adds a vibrant backdrop to the mystery.

What Falls Short:

The novel's pacing is uneven, with the initial setup taking longer than expected to build momentum. Some readers have noted that the dialogue occasionally feels forced, and certain characters come across as stereotypical, lacking the nuance that could make them more relatable. Additionally, while the mystery presents several suspects, the resolution may feel predictable to seasoned mystery enthusiasts.

Final Verdict:

My Father Always Finds Corpses offers a lighthearted mystery with a unique father-daughter team at its core. While it may not break new ground in the genre, it provides an enjoyable read for fans of cozy mysteries looking for a new series to explore

My Father Always Finds Corpses was a cute and fun light-hearted mystery that I enjoyed more than I anticipated. And was just published on the 27th!! *Congratulations*

It was a fun little mystery that was written in a little bit of a different style which is what I enjoyed the most about it. I found the family dynamics throughout the book a nice change of pace from a lot of the normal chaotic psychological thrillers I usually read.

The only reason this did not get a full 5 ⭐s was the attempt at times to be a little too cute or too funny. And again, there is no half star rating in the Goodreads system, so this came to a 4-star rating for me. It wasn't a full 5 unfortunately, but a fun read and one I will listen to again without a doubt.

If you’re into cozy mysteries with a fun twist, Lee Hollis’s My Father Always Finds Corpses is worth checking out. The story follows Jarrod Jarvis, a washed-up child actor turned small-town theater guy, and his daughter Liv, who just graduated with a degree in criminal justice. Their already tense relationship gets put to the test when Liv stumbles upon her boyfriend’s dead body—and suddenly, they’re both knee-deep in a murder mystery.

The plot is full of quirky characters, suspicious secrets, and just the right amount of humor to balance out the drama. There’s a Russian film professor, a former First Lady, and even a Secret Service agent thrown into the mix. It’s a bit over-the-top at times, but in a fun, soap-opera-meets-true-crime kind of way.

This one’s not a gritty crime thriller—it’s light, funny, and full of personality. The father-daughter dynamic brings some heart to the story, and the mystery keeps things moving. Great for a weekend read or fans of smart, snarky sleuthing.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC audiobook in exchange for this honest review.

My Father Always Finds Corpses is a sharp and thoroughly modern murder mystery, peppered with pop culture references and anchored by a cast of quirky, endearing characters.

At its heart is Jarrod, a former TV detective with a flair for sleuthing and a surprisingly tender relationship with his daughter, Liv. Jarrod is as lovable as he is eccentric, and his dynamic with Liv—and with the broader ensemble—adds a great deal of warmth and depth to the narrative.

Jarrod’s background as both an actor in crime dramas and the ex-husband of a police officer lends credibility to his amateur sleuthing. His intuition and experience play a key role in unearthing clues throughout the story. His evolving relationship with Liv—especially as they work together to solve the mystery—is both charming and heartfelt. Their growing bond is a highlight of the novel, offering a refreshing take on parent/child relationships that emphasize communication and cooperation.

The plot features a large cast of characters and a generous list of suspects, which adds complexity and intrigue. While the number of players can make it a bit tricky to guess the culprit, the mystery unfolds in a satisfying way, with all threads neatly tied up by the end.

This novel marks the beginning of a new series, and based on this strong start, I’ll definitely be picking up the next installment. With its engaging tone, relatable characters, and a mystery that keeps you guessing, My Father Always Finds Corpses is a delightful read for fans of cozy crime with a modern twist.

This was a mildly entertaining mystery that delivers just enough intrigue to pass the time.

I would recommend this book to a 6th grader, as it is most suitable for that age group.
This book was not bad by any means, just a bit meh for me right now. And I know 12 year old me would eat this up.

Also, this book mentioned Taylor Swift multiple times, and nothing irks me more than when a book does that.

I really loved this one! I wasn't familiar with Lee Hollis but it appears that the authors, who co-write, are predominantly series people - which is fabulous because I'd LOVE to see this set of characters turn into a series! I found everything about this one enjoyable and fun, from the characters to the pacing and plot to the narration. It was clever and wry and I enjoyed watching the mystery - and family dynamics - unfold. This was a great find!

An interesting enough listen, the main story seems a little lost in the plethora of setup for future installments, although these themselves promise for bigger things to come.

I listened to this novel in a very short amount of time! I love the mystery (a want to be detective like we all are once we watch a mystery show), the father daughter relationship, and the concept of seeing isn’t believing when it come to people.

This was a wonderful, light cozy mystery. The main character was so likeable-- Jarrod has been alone for several years after his husband died and is unsure about dating. His friends and family are likeable and very interesting, with unique experiences. The family dynamics are wonderful, although in what will hopefully be the next in the series, I'd like to see more of the daughter, who seems tough and smart. Thanks to NetGalley I got to listen to the audiobook and I really enjoyed the rhythm of the narrator; it was friendly and fun.