Night Moves

by Shelley Burbank

After the splashy success of her last big case, Portland, Maine, sleuth Olivia Lively struggles to manage her one-woman firm’s sudden growth spurt.

When an old friend offers her a chunk of cash to investigate his wife and brother who may be having an affair, Liv reluctantly agrees in hopes of getting Lively Investigations back on track. She heads to a cozy cabin in the northern Maine woods to investigate, thinking it will be a chance to enjoy summer while also solving her cash-flow problem. But when Liv stumbles onto the suburban wife’s dead body, she also finds surprising connections to a seedier underbelly of crime, strip clubs, steamy literature, and human trafficking.

Having failed to save one woman, Liv is determined to rescue another. Meanwhile, her boyfriend Jasper—aka Dr. Hottie—pushes their relationship too far, too fast. Her best friend Ashleigh becomes obsessed with all things baby. And FBI Agent Colin Snow keeps appearing and disappearing in a maddening way. Amid the turmoil, Liv questions her choices and contemplates her true desires.

It’s a sticky summer in Portland, Maine, and in the heat of it all, Liv discovers that often the most complex relationship a woman has is the one with herself.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

312 pages, Paperback

Published August 14, 2024

About the author

Shelley Burbank writes private investigator mystery and personal reinvention women's fiction, often set in Maine, for readers who want hope, triumph over adversity, justice, and bittersweet satisfaction.

Shelley's debut female private investigator mystery novel, FINAL DRAFT: An Olivia Lively Mystery was published by Encircle Publications in March 2023. The second book in the series, NIGHT MOVES came out in August 2024. A new standalone novella, Strawberry Moon Mystery, released January 2026.

Her short fiction has been published in True Story Magazine, San Diego Woman Magazine, and The Maine Review.
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PRAISE...

Shelley Burbank's Portland, Maine P.I., Liv Lively, is a memorable character, flawed but self-aware, determined to go her own way and, in Final Draft, a champion of the underdog. I'm looking forward to reading more of Liv's forays into crime-solving.
–Kaitlyn Dunnett, author of the Liss MacCrimmon Mysteries


Sassy, stylish Olivia Lively is a private investigator with almost as many skeletons in her closet as her clients. And her debut in this fast-paced page turner will delight mystery readers the world over.
–Cynthia Dagnal-Myron, author and award-winning Chicago Sun Times journalist

Reviews

[Lackof_shelf_control · Rating 4 out of 5]

Olivia Lively is just addicting! For those that like, the Finlay Donovan Series or Dial A for Aunties - this is another series for you. It’s a mystery at its core, but also has an enjoyable love-life plot that runs parallels. The way Shelley writes is perfection! You feel like you know these characters and you want to be in their world. Hell, I’m coming after Marion for her job 😅. I found that with both books in this series I didn’t want the book to be over. I think that is the best compliment you can give an author. I would read slower, so that I could stay in this world just a little bit longer. I also greatly appreciate any cute dogs and Busterdoodle is no exception 🤗 highly recommend Shelley’s work. Please tell me there is a book 3 in the works 🙏🏻 I’m dying to see what happens with all the men in her orbit !

[Darcia Helle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun mystery alert!

PI Olivia Lively is back with a complex case that might just get a little personal. Liv is a fantastic female lead. She’s tough and independent, but we also see her being vulnerable.

I love how Shelley Burbank incorporates some heavy content—sex trafficking, abuse, addiction—without giving readers too much emotional weight to carry through the story. We have moments of levity and a little bit of steam to offset the dark corners where the investigation leads.

The plot is both entertaining and thought provoking, and the mystery kept me guessing until the end.

NIGHT MOVES is the second book in the Olivia Lively Mystery series. It works well as a stand alone.

*Thanks to the author for the free eARC!*

[Tara Lush · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this fast-paced, wryly humorous mystery, PI Olivia Lively navigates a web of crime, strip clubs, and steamy books while grappling with her own future.

With a unique and smart heroine at its center, NIGHT MOVES is an excellent read that will keep you guessing until the last chapter.

I can't wait to read Burbank's next installment of this series!

[Literary Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, do I love this series! Book 2 has made me a lifelong fan. Why? I adore MC Liv Lively, who came from money and still wears the most stunning designer clothes, but has an independent streak that led her to become a feisty P.I. She's also crazy for classical music.

This time, she's hired by a client who suspects his wife of cheating with his brother. When Liv discovers a dead body, the tale amps up from there and I was hooked. You will be too.

I can see the series optioned for TV or film or Netflix, with its cinematic prose, fantastic MC, and splendid Maine setting. Also, Book 2 can be read solo, but you'll want to read the first for the whole immersive experience. Look out, mystery buffs, Liv Lively's back. Hurrah!

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved the second installment of Liv Lively! The first book, Final draft, was good but this one takes the cake! It's fun and sex and the city vibe yet has an even better mystery with two dead bodies . It gives you a glimpse into the often seedy world of stripping which makes for great subject matter. It's not a gory tale for those that don't want that. It's an easy read that flows with vast imagery and astounding story telling by Burbank. It has its unique style and I couldn't put this one down. Netflix needs to turn this into a series!

Thank you to the publisher and author for the advanced copy ARC to complete this review. 💋

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this very much, good scene-setting, great characters and a complex plot. Olivia Lively is an engaging, strong and feminist sleuth who gets embroiled in the devious events in a strip club while trying to investigate Alice, the wife of Van, an old school friend with a very arrogant brother. Liv sticks her nose in too far for safety and puts herself and a young dancer in danger.

Meanwhile, in traditional sleuth fashion, her own life is in turmoil. Both her mother and Dr Hottie expect too much, Van is a personal friend and the mysterious Dan Snow pops up unexpectedly. She only has her best friend Ashleigh to confide in.

Anyone who enjoys a good murder-mystery will enjoy Night Moves, thoroughly recommended. This is the second Olivia Lively story and I hope Shelley Burbank will allow Liv to return for further investigation by her entertained readers.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Olivia's character seemed cold and detached from her relationship with Jasper ,

which I didn't like at all. They seemed to have chemistry and were compatible because she seemed interested in an intimate physical relationship?!?!?! At least by the end of the story she did show some

heart and feelings. Liv does have a propensity for over extending herself and putting herself in harms way. Hopefully lessons were learned from her poor judgment in the recent past. An interesting story with some twists I didn't see coming. I did empathized with Van and the situation he was put in. Honesty and communication are imperative for a healthy relationship! Learned too little too late. I voluntarily read a free copy of this book provided by book sirens and am giving an honest opinion.

[Stef Trunk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved the 2nd book in the Olivia Lively series! This cozy mystery had many layers to it which really helped propel the story forward! The case Liv was following this time around was suppose to be easy surveillance. But low & behold, it turned into the murder of her friend’s wife (a social worker by day & an aspiring erotica novelist by night). There is mystery, romance, drama, humor & a sprinkle of heart pounding action! All cozy mystery fans should totally dive into the Liv Lively books!

[Mary Ann Giasson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liv Lively is back! Burbank has created a P.I. with flaws and baggage, but also one with heart and compassion for others. This makes for a deadly combination as Liv investigates an infidelity case gone sideways. I like that Liv tries to be fearless in her pursuit, but lets just enough doubt in to make her human and relatable. She is sharp and witty and I can't wait for the third!

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can't wait for the next case

She's smart, confident (despite her mother's constant questioning and nagging), gutsy and cute as hell. I thoroughly enjoyed this light mystery novel and can't wait for the next escapade.

[Kirstie Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Night Moves by Shelley Burbank is my favorite read this summer! Liv Lively, the main character, is such a fun mix of fashionable, flawed, and fierce. She’s the kind of protagonist you can’t help but relate to, even when she’s making decisions that make you want to shake some sense into her. Except you wouldn’t want to ruin whatever vintage piece of fashion she’s currently wearing (yeah, I’m seriously drooling over her wardrobe!). Her love life is all over the place, and as I read, I found myself rooting for her to make the right choices. The way things unfolded in the end was exactly what I hoped for!
This book is the second in the series, picking up in the summer, right after Final Draft, which takes place in the spring. While you can absolutely enjoy Night Moves on its own, starting with the first book adds a great layer of context to Liv’s story and makes the experience even better.
What I really loved about this book is how Burbank brings Liv to life without losing the larger-than-life quality that makes her so captivating. She’s that woman you see at the coffee shop who you just want to be friends with. The mystery itself is well-paced with twists that kept me hooked, and the Maine setting adds a unique, atmospheric touch that really drew me in.
If you enjoy mysteries with a strong female lead who’s both relatable and larger-than-life, Night Moves is a must-read. Liv Lively is a character who stays with you long after you’ve turned the last page, and I’m already looking forward to seeing what she gets up to next!

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't been to Maine, but the way the author describes it I feel like I can picture it!
Night Moves is the second Olivia Lively Mystery. This book also has a touch of romance and women's fiction besides being a mystery.

Liv is a private investigator and is asked to spy on the wife of a childhood friend. What Liv sees and what she assumes makes for a complicated case. I love how she will go undercover (wigs included) to get to the meat of her investigations.

At 30 years old, Liv is trying to build her career, though some of her friends/family are not a fan of her PI work. She is also is trying to figure out her romantic relationship. She is such a likable character, and I am rooting for her!

Thank you to the author for the digital review copy, and for letting me share my early thoughts on Night Moves.

[Sarah Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shelley Burbank knows how to pull a reader along on a character’s journey, whether to a delightful lunch or a grisly crime scene. In Night Moves, Book 2 in the Olivia Lively series, the mystery starts off with a bang. But what makes the story unique is how Burbank immerses the reader in the main character’s deep, fearless point of view.

Liv's mind is curious and intelligent, but it also includes quirky frailties and guilty pleasures that make her identifiable. She is sharp and analytical as she scans a room for clues or considers the motives of others, even those close to her. I found myself holding my breath as she moved through a crime scene, not out of fear but excitement. Not only did I anxiously await what she would find, I wanted to know what she was thinking and would make of it. And that is what character is all about.

I truly enjoyed spending time with Liv again, and with Burbank's wonderful writing. I hope they return in the near future.

[Jane Verco · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it when I find a second in a series – especially when I’ve absolutely loved book 1, and the next is even better. Olivia (Liv) Lively is an adorable character – you can’t help but love her, her character is captivating and you get thoroughly engaged with her in all of her escapades. Throw in a touch of romance amidst the mystery and intrigue, and you get a book that you’ll really enjoy. I would definitely suggest reading “Final Draft” first – although not essential, definitely gives you a great introduction to the character of Liv Lively. I can’t wait to see what is in store next from Ms Burbank. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Olivia Lively is a private Investigator. A long time friend offers her $5000 to see if his wife is cheating on him. While she is keeping an eye on his wife the wife is murdered and her clients brother who he thought was having an affair with his wife was also found dead in a traffic accident. Olivia feels she must find out who killed Alice and Alby. This was a great book. Easy to read and very enjoyable. I highly recommend it.

I received an advance review copy, ARC, for free and I am leaving an honest opinion and voluntary review

[Gillian French · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series has become an auto buy for me, and the second book definitely does not disappoint! Shelley Burbank gets it: that a main character needs to grow and change with the events of each book; that a satisfying female lead needs to be tough but also relatable; and that tempering intrigue with humor is the seasoning of the stew and makes everything so much more enjoyable. I loved this page-turning P.I. mystery, and will totally be on board for book three!

[Cozy Champagne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Night Moves is the second book in the Olivia Lively Mystery Series by Shelley Burbank. The book protagonist is Olivia Lively, a  private investigator experiencing a minor cash flow problem.

She agrees to take a case investigating a potential affair and ends up stumbling over a dead body. The investigation takes a turn and leads her down a seedy path involving strip clubs and human trafficking.

Olivia becomes intent on solving the case and saving a woman who desperately needs help.

Thinks are complicated by her boyfriend (Dr. Hottie), her best friend, an FBI agent, and her own indecision. 

This book has a darker case than the first book in the series, but the mystery is just as suspenseful, the writing is just as good, and Olivia is just as enjoyable as ever.

It was delightful to watch her character arc unfold in this story. 

If you enjoy women's fiction, mysteries, and romantic suspense, you would probably like Night Moves.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Star · Rating 4 out of 5]

Olivia is back!