Never Touch a Dead Bocdy

Never #1

by J.W. Hodge

Mercedes Harrigan, novice landlord, is a pro at cleaning up messy apartments but cleaning up after an elderly tenant dies presents a different dilemma. It's not the dead body lying on the kitchen floor that has Sadie freaked out, she grew up playing among the caskets at her grandmother's mortuary, it's the coroner's suspicion that the wiring in Sadies vintage apartments could be the culprit. Add a threatened lawsuit by the family of the deceased, along with bizarre clues that pop up but don't add up and Sadie's morale dips lower than the meager balance in her bank account. When none of the authorities will listen to Sadie's suspicions about the supposedly accidental death, Sadie enlists the help of her BFF Rebbie Russell. As the duo digs into the tenants life the sweet-old-lady facade crumbles and a nastier profile emerges, providing plenty of suspects. Threats against Sadie escalate as they come to the conclusion that her death was not due to old age and a three pack a day habit but rather a cleverly planned murder. When a second murder is made to look like a random mugging, Sadie knows she's on the right track. But can she expose the murderer before she winds up in one of her grandmother's caskets

220 pages, Paperback

Published January 9, 2024

Reviews

[J Buccheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very light, fun, easy to read cozy mystery. I loved the story line as well as the colorful characters. The twists and mayhem that follow Mercedes are very entertaining. The author's witty style of writing and funny one liners had me laughing out loud several times!

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a (mostly) fun, lighthearted read, AND, it revolves around two Dachshunds who RULE the house, and their owner!! Bogart and Bacall!! How cute is that??
So, I loved it right off the bat!! 🐾❤️🐾❤️

Sadie is a hands-on, try-to-fix-it-yourself kind of landlord! She’s barely making ends meet…never mind excess cash…

So, when one of her tenants turns up dead, inside her apartment (First FIVE MINUTES of the book, so really NOT a spoiler….) well, Mercedes (Sadie) really doesn’t know what to do!…

But, she decides she’s going to get to the bottom of this. It’s been ruled an accident. Sadie doesn’t believe that, she thinks it’s murder!

On top of this, the tenants family wants to sue Sadie for a problem that maybe could’ve led to her death…

Add in the fact that her grandmother runs the local mortuary…
Sadie’s best friend is just as crazy as she is…
And then, the lead detective is a local hottie…🔥🔥

It all adds up to a fun read!!

4 1/2 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 for me, happily rounded up to 5!

This has already been released, so you can find it on shelves now! (I actually borrowed it in hopes I’d receive book #2 from NetGalley…and I’m reading that next!!)

#NeverTouchADeadBody (Never #1) by #JWHodge and narrated nicely by #MiaBarron.

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[Sue O'Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Cozy Wild Ride!
Never Touch a Dead Body was enjoyable from the first page to the last. It's not often that I find a book that I race to finish but this is one of those rare finds. I was hooked by page two! Do yourself a favor and dive into this delightful page turner by J.W. Hodge, you’ll be happy that you did! I’m looking forward to see what comes next!

[Sherry Roseberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never Touch A Dead Body was an absolute delight to read! J. W. Hodge has a way with one-liners and descriptions that tickle the funny bone. Her personal knowledge of apartment complexes and mortuaries adds comical fodder to her prose. My only regret is that it ended too soon. I'm looking forward to Mercedes Harrigan's next adventure.

[Paula Schumm · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook of this cozy mystery novel. Sadie is a writer and a landlord. When one of her tenants dies, Sadie goes looking for clues, and more bodies keep appearing. Recommended.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good start to a new series. I liked the characters, particularly the dogs, and the setting, with Mercedes and her various businesses. The mystery was interesting and kept me guessing. I will continue with the series.

[Kacelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun cozy murder mystery (as cozy as murder should get). Living in the same area as the author it was fun to read. I enjoyed it very much.