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Magnolia Manor #2
A Dead Ringer
A murder at the grand opening of her newly inherited inn wasn’t exactly the kickoff Lilly was hoping for.
But leaving behind DC politics and her frenzied city life to run Magnolia Manor was the best thing she’d ever done - finally something on her own!
As Lilly welcomed her first customers, she became fast friends with hotel guest Vanessa. Sharing the same fatherless childhood - and looking so similar they could pass for twins - Lilly was distraught when Vanessa went missing and a local retiree, Reds, pulled up an unidentified body in his fishing net.
Making matters worse, Lilly’s arrogant ex, Eric, then showed up to win her back, annoyed that Lilly has cozied up to small town life in Drifter’s Cove - and her manly repairman Quigley.
As the local and marina police battled over the crimes’ jurisdiction, confusion ensued, accusations flew, Reds was (unjustly?) arrested, and the inn’s initial warm fuzzies fizzled. Between her new friend Vanessa’s mysterious disappearance and a possible killer on the loose, Lilly found herself knee deep in another murder.
And this one felt personal.
But leaving behind DC politics and her frenzied city life to run Magnolia Manor was the best thing she’d ever done - finally something on her own!
As Lilly welcomed her first customers, she became fast friends with hotel guest Vanessa. Sharing the same fatherless childhood - and looking so similar they could pass for twins - Lilly was distraught when Vanessa went missing and a local retiree, Reds, pulled up an unidentified body in his fishing net.
Making matters worse, Lilly’s arrogant ex, Eric, then showed up to win her back, annoyed that Lilly has cozied up to small town life in Drifter’s Cove - and her manly repairman Quigley.
As the local and marina police battled over the crimes’ jurisdiction, confusion ensued, accusations flew, Reds was (unjustly?) arrested, and the inn’s initial warm fuzzies fizzled. Between her new friend Vanessa’s mysterious disappearance and a possible killer on the loose, Lilly found herself knee deep in another murder.
And this one felt personal.
- GenresMystery
162 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 8, 2023
76 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
May 16, 2023
Entertaining mystery listening 🎶🔰
Due to health issues and eye damage I have to listen 🎶to Alexa read books 📚. The story continues as Lilly continues to get the inn ready for customers. Eric has left the senator and moved to Florida. Lilly is not sure that she likes or wants him around. Pete is hired to help get the inn ready. A young woman 🚺 shows up ☝ and wishes to stay in the inn. Lilly decides to let her stay. Then she is found dead in the river. What is going on? Lilly continues to investigate and comes up ☝ with the truth leading to the arrest of bank robbers and killers. I would recommend this series and author to 👍 readers of mystery novels 👍🔰. 2023 👒😀😡😀
Due to health issues and eye damage I have to listen 🎶to Alexa read books 📚. The story continues as Lilly continues to get the inn ready for customers. Eric has left the senator and moved to Florida. Lilly is not sure that she likes or wants him around. Pete is hired to help get the inn ready. A young woman 🚺 shows up ☝ and wishes to stay in the inn. Lilly decides to let her stay. Then she is found dead in the river. What is going on? Lilly continues to investigate and comes up ☝ with the truth leading to the arrest of bank robbers and killers. I would recommend this series and author to 👍 readers of mystery novels 👍🔰. 2023 👒😀😡😀
February 1, 2025
I'm usually pretty good at guessing the endings of cozy mysteries, but this series keeps me guessing until the very end. With a great cast of characters, witty storytelling, and, of course, murder, I'm constantly guessing "whodunnit?" This series is addictive – like potato chips, I just can't stop!
March 10, 2023
A Dead Ringer had me turning page after page; I just couldn't put it down. DC City girl Lilly inherits an old inn in the quiet town of Drifters Cove in Florida, and the town wants her to sell it so they can use the property. But she decides to renovate the inn and open it up as a charming small town inn. When she welcomes her first guest, Vanessa, the uncanny thing about this character is that she is Lilly's doppelganger. How strange to meet your look-alike and they even have similar backgrounds. When Vanessa goes missing, and is found dead wound up in the fishing net of Lilly's boat trip friend, Red and he is arrested, Lilly knows she has to get involved in figuring out who the murderer is and why. We are taken on a real roller coaster ride until the end with so many dead ends until the surprise ending. The author also introduces us to some fantastic characters including her mother, who is a real character. With some humor and a fantastic mystery we are grabbed from the beginning and not let go until the end. I can't wait to see what will happen with Lilly next! I received and ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
March 11, 2023
This is a good murder mystery.
"A murder at the grand opening of her newly inherited inn wasn’t exactly the kickoff Lilly was hoping for.
But leaving behind DC politics and her frenzied city life to run Magnolia Manor was the best thing she’d ever done - finally something on her own!
As Lilly welcomed her first customers, she became fast friends with hotel guest Vanessa. Sharing the same fatherless childhood - and looking so similar they could pass for twins - Lilly was distraught when Vanessa went missing and a local retiree, Reds, pulled up an unidentified body in his fishing boat.
I received this book from the author as a complimentary copy of book. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
"A murder at the grand opening of her newly inherited inn wasn’t exactly the kickoff Lilly was hoping for.
But leaving behind DC politics and her frenzied city life to run Magnolia Manor was the best thing she’d ever done - finally something on her own!
As Lilly welcomed her first customers, she became fast friends with hotel guest Vanessa. Sharing the same fatherless childhood - and looking so similar they could pass for twins - Lilly was distraught when Vanessa went missing and a local retiree, Reds, pulled up an unidentified body in his fishing boat.
I received this book from the author as a complimentary copy of book. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
March 11, 2023
A Dead Ringer by Joy Patrick is a great cozy mystery. Definitely five stars!
Lilly has inherited a mansion from her late stepfather who she barely knew. The town wants her to sell it so that they can use the land to build commercial properties, but Lilly decides to renovate it and keep it.
Along the way, Lilly puts her sleuthing skills to work to solve a mystery.
This book was fantastic. I enjoy reading cozy mysteries and this book has all the qualities of a perfect cozy.
Well written, great plot and characters and perfectly described scenes. A fun and enjoyable read.
I recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a great mystery. You may consider yourself an amateur sleuth but trust me, you will not be able to outsmart Joy Patrick. A must read.
Lilly has inherited a mansion from her late stepfather who she barely knew. The town wants her to sell it so that they can use the land to build commercial properties, but Lilly decides to renovate it and keep it.
Along the way, Lilly puts her sleuthing skills to work to solve a mystery.
This book was fantastic. I enjoy reading cozy mysteries and this book has all the qualities of a perfect cozy.
Well written, great plot and characters and perfectly described scenes. A fun and enjoyable read.
I recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a great mystery. You may consider yourself an amateur sleuth but trust me, you will not be able to outsmart Joy Patrick. A must read.
July 10, 2023
I found myself really enjoying this book. It was very well written, it had a nice flow and kept my interest thru out.
In the story, our MC meets a woman who looks just like her. She also meets some other interesting characters such as a boat trip man, and also a handyman and her ex boyfriend. Her mother shows up and we find that she's quite a character herself. Everyone is fleshed out nicely and the mystery stayed a mystery until the "bad guy" was revealed.
For only her second book, this author has done a spectacular job and I even went back and read the first book (this was the second).
I highly recommend this.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
In the story, our MC meets a woman who looks just like her. She also meets some other interesting characters such as a boat trip man, and also a handyman and her ex boyfriend. Her mother shows up and we find that she's quite a character herself. Everyone is fleshed out nicely and the mystery stayed a mystery until the "bad guy" was revealed.
For only her second book, this author has done a spectacular job and I even went back and read the first book (this was the second).
I highly recommend this.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 12, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this quick read by Joy Patrick even though I had not read the first book in the series. Clear descriptions of characters and realistic narrative kept the pages turning. Her ability to craft some clever twists and turns in the plot kept it from becoming predictable and yet it wasn't overly complex at all. I enjoyed the simple, quick read; and without giving any spoilers will simply say that I think most readers will enjoy this as well. I look forward to reading more in the series to see how characters develop!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 13, 2023
It came in very handy to already have the prequel which I read quickly before this book. I'm just the type who likes all available info on characters if there's a prequel that deals with that. This was a really good murder mystery with a couple bodies showing up and a good twist at the end as well as a suspenseful showdown.
Again, I'm definitely Team Quigley when it comes to nice guys for Lilly and not in favor of her getting back with Eric at all. He acts like such a mamma's baby sometimes! Anywho, maybe Lilly'll come to her senses sometime down the road, lol. Can't wait to borrow the next book on KU!
Again, I'm definitely Team Quigley when it comes to nice guys for Lilly and not in favor of her getting back with Eric at all. He acts like such a mamma's baby sometimes! Anywho, maybe Lilly'll come to her senses sometime down the road, lol. Can't wait to borrow the next book on KU!
March 10, 2023
A fun tight little cozy murder mystery that I really enjoyed. Written in a very simple way that makes it so easy to follow and just get swept along with the flow. Twists and turns galore and some extremely interesting characters. I must go back and read AN INHERITANCE TO DIE FOR which is the prequel of the Magnolia Manor mysteries and tells the story of how Lilly came to own the inn in Drifter's Cover, Florida. I have a feeling that there is a pretty good read there as well.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and this is my honest and unbiased opinion of the tale.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and this is my honest and unbiased opinion of the tale.
March 16, 2023
I have never read anything by Joy Patrick before, OMG this was fantastic! Lilly inherits an Inn (mansion), from her stepfather. Lilly moves from Washington DC to renovate and run the Inn. Lilly's first guest is Vanessa who looks so much like Lilly they could be sisters/twins. Their are several men as important characters; Reds the boatman, and Quigley the handyman. When Vanessa is murdered, was she mistaken as Lilly? Love the plot, great setting, and strong intense characters. Can't wait to read more by Joy Patrick!!
March 17, 2023
Lilly was working hard on the renovations of her new inn when someone wanted to check in that looked like she could be her twin. Lilly and Vanessa bonded right from the start but things then took a turn in another direction. This is the first book I’ve read by Ms. Patrick and I enjoyed it very much. A murder mystery with some romance and fun thrown in made it an enjoyable book to read.
By the end of the book, the reader feels like she knows the characters. I know this reader hopes to run into them again as the series continues.
By the end of the book, the reader feels like she knows the characters. I know this reader hopes to run into them again as the series continues.
March 11, 2023
Lily is getting her inn ready for business when a woman comes to check in who looks surprisingly familiar, in fact it's like looking in a mirror! Unfortunately she then gets herself murdered and Lily feels she should investigate as she was her guest, this leads to all sorts of trouble. Then of course, there's Eric, her ex? The story and characters are great and there's plenty of twists to keep you interested, so give it a go. I certainly hope to read more.
March 12, 2023
I received this book as an ARC. I have to say this was a delightful read that had me at the very beginning. Lilly inherits an inn & wants to renovate it to make her living. Tired of the DC life, this Florida inn seems like the perfect change. Her first guest, Vanessa, checks in & realizes she looks r exactly like her. They hit it off right away, but things seem to get a little off when she disappears & ends up murdered. Lilly is determined to find out what happened to her doppelgänger!
June 10, 2023
My first from this author I really enjoyed this book, I found the storyline to be well-written and it engaged me from the very beginning.
There is a good mixture of fun characters and I found the descriptions of the people and places helped to bring you into the story too.
I definitely recommend adding this cozy, easy-to-read story to your must-read list.
I received this arc for free and I wanted to leave an honest review.
There is a good mixture of fun characters and I found the descriptions of the people and places helped to bring you into the story too.
I definitely recommend adding this cozy, easy-to-read story to your must-read list.
I received this arc for free and I wanted to leave an honest review.
March 4, 2024
I seldom leave negative reviews of Kindle Unlimited books because I feel badly that I’ve read a book for free and then express a negative opinion, but this novel annoyed me because the accused was said to be the last one to see the victim and yet she actually had returned to Lilly’s Inn and told her about the adventure. The f*#* up could easily be fixed and yet we go through the entire novel with the incongruity. Why?
May 4, 2025
Lily is just starting to adjust to running an inn while dealing with interesting characters. Her ex fiance Eric shows up trying to win her back, while a guest named Vanessa appears and looks eerily like Lily. Vanessa seems to have a lot of similarities with Lily, aside from looking like her. When Vanessa goes missing, Lily decides to take matters into her own hands trying to figure out what happened. This is a great book and I highly recommend it!
November 9, 2025
Sometime I like to liste to a book that I don’t have to play a lot of attention to every detail. Lilly leaves DC politics for a quieter life in a small town and opens an inn she inherited. As with most of these stories, someone is murdered the difference is this murdered person looks just like her. Now we have to understand why this person who is her first guest in her inn was murdered. Is an interesting story and a very light read for a vacation book.
November 26, 2025
This was such a fun quick little hallmarkesque murder mystery book. Ive had this series sitting in my library for so long idk why it took me so long to read.
You dont need to read them in order but you can, they offer a pretty detailed description of what happened in the first book in the midst of the first few chapters. I felt like the characters that were reintroduced was with ease & you could easily follow.
You dont need to read them in order but you can, they offer a pretty detailed description of what happened in the first book in the midst of the first few chapters. I felt like the characters that were reintroduced was with ease & you could easily follow.
March 10, 2023
I would have never untangled this web of greed, corruption, and deceit! I'm still gobsmacked at the revelations!!!! Reds secret old friend-lol! I laughed so hard! I'm on the fence about Eric, but leaning toward no, because he's too much!! This was a great story that had me turning pages like crazy! Awesome!!! Check it out.
April 7, 2023
Clean mystery
I enjoyed reading this story about a young woman who has inherited an old inn. She decides to stay and run it. Her first customer looks just like her. Several banks have been robbed and the law is searching the area. I look forward to reading more by this author.
I enjoyed reading this story about a young woman who has inherited an old inn. She decides to stay and run it. Her first customer looks just like her. Several banks have been robbed and the law is searching the area. I look forward to reading more by this author.
June 21, 2023
A new town, a new venture. When a missing guest turns up in the nets of a local tour guides boat and he finds himself as the chief suspect, hotel owner Lilly gets the urge to investigate - particularly as the guest bore an uncanny likeness to herself.
Interesting characters, an entertaining plot and and plenty of suspects to keep you guessing.
Interesting characters, an entertaining plot and and plenty of suspects to keep you guessing.
June 27, 2023
Not My Twin
The storyline was very interesting. Murder, intrigue and suspense was all part of the plot. Lilly tends to get into trouble when helping a friend but her heart is in the right place. Can they mystery be solved before she gets caught in the middle?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The storyline was very interesting. Murder, intrigue and suspense was all part of the plot. Lilly tends to get into trouble when helping a friend but her heart is in the right place. Can they mystery be solved before she gets caught in the middle?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 11, 2023
Loved all the twists and turns in this well written cozy mystery. Lily and her friends are again trying their hands at trying to solve a murder. It caught my attention and kept it throughout the book. Recommend reading.
March 19, 2023
Who killed Vanessa Westcott and why??? Who do you trust??? Certainly not those who you think you should!!! illy will figure things out though won't she???? I enjoyed this story and recemmend the book.
March 25, 2023
A Real Whodunit
Quite a story that meandered through small town life and big-time crime. Some great references throughout that attempts to answer the question of whodunit. Complicated final answer.
Quite a story that meandered through small town life and big-time crime. Some great references throughout that attempts to answer the question of whodunit. Complicated final answer.
March 26, 2023
Fascinating storyline
I found the storyline in this book to be fascinating. I had a good time watching her stumbling around trying to solve the case and get her inn up and running.
I found the storyline in this book to be fascinating. I had a good time watching her stumbling around trying to solve the case and get her inn up and running.
April 9, 2023
A great mystery
This is the first i have read by this author, and i really enjoyed it. The storyline was fun to read, and i found myself totally engrossed in the story. I think i will be reading more by this author.
This is the first i have read by this author, and i really enjoyed it. The storyline was fun to read, and i found myself totally engrossed in the story. I think i will be reading more by this author.
May 14, 2023
Very much enjoyed this mystery
This was a true murder mystery and kept me on my toes until the end! I did not read the 1st book of this series and I hope it is a grabber like this was! Thank you
This was a true murder mystery and kept me on my toes until the end! I did not read the 1st book of this series and I hope it is a grabber like this was! Thank you
May 4, 2025
A Dead Ringer is the 2nd book in the Magnolia Manor series.
Lilly gets her first guests at the inn.
The lady looks a lot like Lilly.
After she disappears, and her body is found in the water.
Lilly is out to solve another case.
Lilly gets her first guests at the inn.
The lady looks a lot like Lilly.
After she disappears, and her body is found in the water.
Lilly is out to solve another case.
March 11, 2023
A lively story, lovely characters, and a mystery to solve. Is there a sister at Magnolia Manor? This is Lilly's dream come true. Recommended.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews