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Bless Your Heart #2
Another Fine Mess: A Novel
From Lindy Ryan, "one of the most electrifying voices in the horror genre” (Gwendolyn Kiste),
Another Fine Mess
brings the Evans women back around in this unputdownable, crackling, rollicking mystery of humor, heart, and horror.
Making sure dead things stay buried is the family business....
For over a hundred years, the Evans women have kept the undead in their strange southeast Texas town from rising. But sometimes the dead rise too quick–and that’s what left Lenore Evans, and her granddaughter Luna, burying Luna’s mother, Grace, and Lenore’s mother, Ducey. Now the only two women left in the Evans family, Luna and Lenore are left rudderless in the wake of the most Godawful Mess to date.
But when the full moon finds another victim, it’s clear their trouble is far from over. Now Lenore, Luna, and the new sheriff—their biggest ally—must dig deep down into family lore to uncover what threatens everything they love most. The body count ticks up, the most unexpected dead will rise–forcing Lenore and Luna to face the possibility that the undead aren’t the only monsters preying on their small town.
A Macmillan Audio production from Minotaur Books.
Making sure dead things stay buried is the family business....
For over a hundred years, the Evans women have kept the undead in their strange southeast Texas town from rising. But sometimes the dead rise too quick–and that’s what left Lenore Evans, and her granddaughter Luna, burying Luna’s mother, Grace, and Lenore’s mother, Ducey. Now the only two women left in the Evans family, Luna and Lenore are left rudderless in the wake of the most Godawful Mess to date.
But when the full moon finds another victim, it’s clear their trouble is far from over. Now Lenore, Luna, and the new sheriff—their biggest ally—must dig deep down into family lore to uncover what threatens everything they love most. The body count ticks up, the most unexpected dead will rise–forcing Lenore and Luna to face the possibility that the undead aren’t the only monsters preying on their small town.
A Macmillan Audio production from Minotaur Books.
Audible Audio
First published April 15, 2025
88 people are currently reading
8363 people want to read
About the author
Lindy Ryan
32 books502 followersLindy Ryan is an award-winning author, anthologist, and short-film director whose books and anthologies have received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, Booklist and Library Journal. Several of her projects have been adapted for screen. Ryan is the current author-in-residence at Rue Morgue. Declared a “champion for women’s voices in horror” by Shelf Awareness, Ryan was named a Publishers Weekly Star Watch Honoree in 2020, and in 2022, was named one of horror's most masterful anthology curators. Born and raised in Southeast Texas, Ryan currently resides on the East Coast. She is a professor at Rutgers University.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 275 reviews
April 10, 2025
Lindy Ryan returns with
Another Fine Mess,
the second book in the Bless Your Heart series. This horror novel manages to combine mystery, humor, and compassion for others into a thrilling novel. The Evans women have kept the undead from rising in their southeast Texas town for over a century. However, sometimes the dead rise so quickly it can be overwhelming.
Lenore Evans and her granddaughter, Luna, are the only women left alive in the Evans family after losing the others recently. With limited information and a new victim, Lenore, Luna, and the new sheriff Roger Taylor must work to understand the family legends and put the dead to rest. As the body counts increase, the pressure is on to solve the problem and save the town. The Evans family runs the local funeral parlor, but they are missing vital information needed to defend the living from the dead. There’s more than one type of monster around.
This version of a vampire-like story is atmospheric and unique. It full of family drama, friendships, trust issues, and secrets that shouldn’t have been secrets. While horrifying deaths are a part of the story, there are also tender, heartwarming, and heartbreaking moments scattered throughout the novel along with bits of humor.
The intriguing prologue is set seventeen years ago and features the family matriarch Priscilla Evans. It pulled me into the story and then cuts to a newspaper article in 1999. The novel is told from multiple points of view. While this worked part of the time and built suspense, at other times it felt choppy and adversely affected the pacing. Despite this, the book became a page turner with main characters that readers can empathize with and want to succeed. The fascinating plot had a few twists and turns and the characters had depth and came to life. There are also some devastating scenes for the main characters. While I guessed some of the items related to the mystery, this didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the story. There are still some unanswered questions in my mind. Will they be resolved in a third novel?
Overall, this is a dark, clever, and unsettling novel that was a fast read. Readers looking for a horror novel with shocking and disturbing details plus excellent characterization, secrets, and the supernatural will likely enjoy this novel. I recommend reading the first book in the series to fully understand the background events that are referred to in this one.
St. Martin’s Press – Minotaur Books and Lindy Ryan provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for April 15, 2025. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
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My 3.69 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
Lenore Evans and her granddaughter, Luna, are the only women left alive in the Evans family after losing the others recently. With limited information and a new victim, Lenore, Luna, and the new sheriff Roger Taylor must work to understand the family legends and put the dead to rest. As the body counts increase, the pressure is on to solve the problem and save the town. The Evans family runs the local funeral parlor, but they are missing vital information needed to defend the living from the dead. There’s more than one type of monster around.
This version of a vampire-like story is atmospheric and unique. It full of family drama, friendships, trust issues, and secrets that shouldn’t have been secrets. While horrifying deaths are a part of the story, there are also tender, heartwarming, and heartbreaking moments scattered throughout the novel along with bits of humor.
The intriguing prologue is set seventeen years ago and features the family matriarch Priscilla Evans. It pulled me into the story and then cuts to a newspaper article in 1999. The novel is told from multiple points of view. While this worked part of the time and built suspense, at other times it felt choppy and adversely affected the pacing. Despite this, the book became a page turner with main characters that readers can empathize with and want to succeed. The fascinating plot had a few twists and turns and the characters had depth and came to life. There are also some devastating scenes for the main characters. While I guessed some of the items related to the mystery, this didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the story. There are still some unanswered questions in my mind. Will they be resolved in a third novel?
Overall, this is a dark, clever, and unsettling novel that was a fast read. Readers looking for a horror novel with shocking and disturbing details plus excellent characterization, secrets, and the supernatural will likely enjoy this novel. I recommend reading the first book in the series to fully understand the background events that are referred to in this one.
St. Martin’s Press – Minotaur Books and Lindy Ryan provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for April 15, 2025. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
--------------------------------------
My 3.69 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
June 14, 2025
Another Fine Mess is the 2nd-book in Lindy Ryan's Cozy Horror-Mystery series, Bless Your Heart. This adorable, yet slightly graphic series, is set in small town-Texas in the 90s.
It's a series my Horror-loving, Cozy Mystery-obsessed heart didn't know it needed, but now adores with wild abandon.
I can't say too much about the plot without potentially giving away important aspects of the 1st-book, Bless Your Heart, so I'm going to keep this short and simple.
Basically, these books follow the women in the Evans family, who own and operate a Funeral Home. This is a very important job, because in their small town, the dead sometimes rise and they're not happy. It's the Evans job to make sure they stay dead and buried.
While the 1st-book was more of a vampire-esque story, this one has the town believing that some sort of hybrid-wolf is on a rampage, killing townsfolk and possibly stealing pieces of their bodies. It's a bloody mess.
We follow the Evans women, and a few of their allies, as they try to determine what's actually going on, and stop it before more innocent lives are lost.
The deeper they dig however, the more it seems this killer may be somehow connected to them, but how?
I thought this was so entertaining. I listened to the audiobook again and love Stephanie Nemeth-Parker's narration. It's such a great fit for this series. I highly recommend the audio format.
To me these books have the perfect mix of Horror, heart and Mystery. The Horror aspects are mainly contained within the kill scenes and the supernatural elements. Other than that, it is all Cozy Mystery.
I think Ryan does a great job of blending those two worlds together, and I know a lot of Readers, myself included, absolutely adore both genres. Having them together like this is just such a delight.
Even though I don't find the mysteries to be particularly memorable, I still love reading them. It's not something that's going to stick with me until the end of time, but I don't really need it to.
I read for entertainment and to escape from real life for a while, and Ryan definitely provides me that escape with these stories. I walk away a happy girl!
Thank you to the publisher, Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review. I'm really hoping this series continues.
I would love to spend more time with the Evans women. I feel closer to them now than ever!
It's a series my Horror-loving, Cozy Mystery-obsessed heart didn't know it needed, but now adores with wild abandon.
I can't say too much about the plot without potentially giving away important aspects of the 1st-book, Bless Your Heart, so I'm going to keep this short and simple.
Basically, these books follow the women in the Evans family, who own and operate a Funeral Home. This is a very important job, because in their small town, the dead sometimes rise and they're not happy. It's the Evans job to make sure they stay dead and buried.
While the 1st-book was more of a vampire-esque story, this one has the town believing that some sort of hybrid-wolf is on a rampage, killing townsfolk and possibly stealing pieces of their bodies. It's a bloody mess.
We follow the Evans women, and a few of their allies, as they try to determine what's actually going on, and stop it before more innocent lives are lost.
The deeper they dig however, the more it seems this killer may be somehow connected to them, but how?
I thought this was so entertaining. I listened to the audiobook again and love Stephanie Nemeth-Parker's narration. It's such a great fit for this series. I highly recommend the audio format.
To me these books have the perfect mix of Horror, heart and Mystery. The Horror aspects are mainly contained within the kill scenes and the supernatural elements. Other than that, it is all Cozy Mystery.
I think Ryan does a great job of blending those two worlds together, and I know a lot of Readers, myself included, absolutely adore both genres. Having them together like this is just such a delight.
Even though I don't find the mysteries to be particularly memorable, I still love reading them. It's not something that's going to stick with me until the end of time, but I don't really need it to.
I read for entertainment and to escape from real life for a while, and Ryan definitely provides me that escape with these stories. I walk away a happy girl!
Thank you to the publisher, Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review. I'm really hoping this series continues.
I would love to spend more time with the Evans women. I feel closer to them now than ever!
April 25, 2025
Finished Reading (DNF)
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.
--------------
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.
--------------
April 15, 2025
I did it!! I just barely got this book finished in time before the publication date. 30 minutes to spare 😅
Another Fine Mess continues the story of the Evans women, who keep the dead good and buried. Being the only funeral parlor in town, they get a steady stream of bodies. Bodies that don't always stay down.
For anyone new to the series, read this if you enjoy:
- Supernatural horror/mystery
- 1999 setting
- Kick-ass grandmas
- Blood and gore
This book picks up shorty after the events of Bless Your Heart. People have started going missing again. "Hybrid wolf attacks," as is reported by the police, leave people with their insides torn out and their arms ripped off. Beautiful stuff 😂 Luna and Lenore, the only Evans women who remain, have to keep the town from discovering their secret, while also trying to figure out who or what is behind these grisly murders.
For me, Another Fine Mess is actually better than Bless Your Heart. It ups the ante by 1000. Obviously no spoilers but this book introduces some new characters, new relationships, and some new supernaturalll elemeneentss. Oooooo spookkyyy 👻
There is still so much Lenore and Luna do not know-about their family, about the Strigoi, and their very history. I'll be honest, I just want to know what's up with Pie (the Great-great grandma). I think she's got some stories to tell.
When it comes to the ending, it felt a mix of interesting and anti-climactic. Some characters die (won't say who) and it didn't feel as impactful as it should have been. I was kinda like... that's it? That's all we get? This feels like it should be a bigger moment. That might also be the nature of these books being pretty short. It might have benefited from an extra 20-ish pages just to wrap up the ending a big more.
Overall, this isn't the best mystery/horror novel I've ever read. I did enjoy the premise and some of the new additions. There aren't any big jump-scares or moments of extreme suspense (which is how I like my horror), but it's not without its merits.
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
Edit (4/10/25):
Ok I'm gonna have to RACE to finish this before it comes out in 5 days 🫣 Wish me luck
Pre-read:
Guess who's a Goodreads giveaway winner!! Just in time for my birthday! 🎉
Another Fine Mess continues the story of the Evans women, who keep the dead good and buried. Being the only funeral parlor in town, they get a steady stream of bodies. Bodies that don't always stay down.
For anyone new to the series, read this if you enjoy:
- Supernatural horror/mystery
- 1999 setting
- Kick-ass grandmas
- Blood and gore
This book picks up shorty after the events of Bless Your Heart. People have started going missing again. "Hybrid wolf attacks," as is reported by the police, leave people with their insides torn out and their arms ripped off. Beautiful stuff 😂 Luna and Lenore, the only Evans women who remain, have to keep the town from discovering their secret, while also trying to figure out who or what is behind these grisly murders.
For me, Another Fine Mess is actually better than Bless Your Heart. It ups the ante by 1000. Obviously no spoilers but this book introduces some new characters, new relationships, and some new supernaturalll elemeneentss. Oooooo spookkyyy 👻
There is still so much Lenore and Luna do not know-about their family, about the Strigoi, and their very history. I'll be honest, I just want to know what's up with Pie (the Great-great grandma). I think she's got some stories to tell.
When it comes to the ending, it felt a mix of interesting and anti-climactic. Some characters die (won't say who) and it didn't feel as impactful as it should have been. I was kinda like... that's it? That's all we get? This feels like it should be a bigger moment. That might also be the nature of these books being pretty short. It might have benefited from an extra 20-ish pages just to wrap up the ending a big more.
Overall, this isn't the best mystery/horror novel I've ever read. I did enjoy the premise and some of the new additions. There aren't any big jump-scares or moments of extreme suspense (which is how I like my horror), but it's not without its merits.
Thank you to Minotaur for providing me with an early copy of Another Fine Mess. All opinions are my own.
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
Edit (4/10/25):
Ok I'm gonna have to RACE to finish this before it comes out in 5 days 🫣 Wish me luck
Pre-read:
Guess who's a Goodreads giveaway winner!! Just in time for my birthday! 🎉
November 6, 2025
Lindy Ryan sprinkles some magic dust in her books, I'm sure, because every time I open one, I'm spellbound. How does one write such a flawless series? I don't know, but she cracked the code!!
The first book was amazing, the second one as well (even with the Evans women being down two family members), the third one will surely be another masterpiece, I can't wait!!
I don't wanna spoil anything, so I'll just say that I really loved the way the mystery developed in this one, and the new supernatural creatures that were added too.
There's a few new characters who grew close to my heart, I can't imagine what I'd do without them. And the old ones, well, you already know I'd die for them, I love them so much.
The audiobook was amazing, as usual, I can't think of a book where the narrator was better suited, pure perfection.
I'm still eagerly anticipating the TV series too, please hurry up with it (and book three)!!!
The first book was amazing, the second one as well (even with the Evans women being down two family members), the third one will surely be another masterpiece, I can't wait!!
I don't wanna spoil anything, so I'll just say that I really loved the way the mystery developed in this one, and the new supernatural creatures that were added too.
There's a few new characters who grew close to my heart, I can't imagine what I'd do without them. And the old ones, well, you already know I'd die for them, I love them so much.
The audiobook was amazing, as usual, I can't think of a book where the narrator was better suited, pure perfection.
I'm still eagerly anticipating the TV series too, please hurry up with it (and book three)!!!
June 3, 2025
WHAT ELSE WILL WE FIND OUT ABOUT THE SECRETS THE EVANS WOMEN HAVE BEEN HIDING?
Down to two Evans women left and they thought the worst was over unfortunately something else is stirring up the town and this time they think it really is a wild animal until they see the bodies coming into their funeral home and if the undead frenzy was bad before this mess will be something they cannot handle on their own and the new sheriff will discover everything he thought he knew from the earlier killings will be absolutely nothing in comparison with the new role he has to accept as his new fate when the mutilated bodies keep turning up and coming back to life which he could never have imagined in his wildest nightmares!
I enjoyed this book so much! The likeable and misunderstood characters are very well developed and colorful. Atmosphere galore! This book could be read alone although I would recommend reading the first book "BLESS YOUR HEART" first, so you have a full understanding of the prior characters and the roles they played which brought about the second book "ANOTHER FINE MESS" in this series. These storylines are unique and the writing and storytelling are just excellent. I certainly hope the author 'LINDY RYAN' will have a book three coming out soon plus many more to be written in the this absolutely horrifically fun, gory, shocking, creepy, amusing, entertaining and unusually endearing if one can imagine experiencing all those feelings and more from a horror book! Thank you so much 'LINDY RYAN' for sharing your wonderfully, bizarrely, strange, creative thoughts which you captured on paper and I am now a big fan and will continue reading your books in the future.
I highly recommend to all horror lovers and others as long as the readers have strong stomachs and a great sense of humor!
I want to thank the publisher "ST. MARTIN'S PRESS - MINOTAUR BOOKS" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this digital copy and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given a rating of 4 1/2 HORRIFYING AND MESMERIZING 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌠 STARS!!
Down to two Evans women left and they thought the worst was over unfortunately something else is stirring up the town and this time they think it really is a wild animal until they see the bodies coming into their funeral home and if the undead frenzy was bad before this mess will be something they cannot handle on their own and the new sheriff will discover everything he thought he knew from the earlier killings will be absolutely nothing in comparison with the new role he has to accept as his new fate when the mutilated bodies keep turning up and coming back to life which he could never have imagined in his wildest nightmares!
I enjoyed this book so much! The likeable and misunderstood characters are very well developed and colorful. Atmosphere galore! This book could be read alone although I would recommend reading the first book "BLESS YOUR HEART" first, so you have a full understanding of the prior characters and the roles they played which brought about the second book "ANOTHER FINE MESS" in this series. These storylines are unique and the writing and storytelling are just excellent. I certainly hope the author 'LINDY RYAN' will have a book three coming out soon plus many more to be written in the this absolutely horrifically fun, gory, shocking, creepy, amusing, entertaining and unusually endearing if one can imagine experiencing all those feelings and more from a horror book! Thank you so much 'LINDY RYAN' for sharing your wonderfully, bizarrely, strange, creative thoughts which you captured on paper and I am now a big fan and will continue reading your books in the future.
I highly recommend to all horror lovers and others as long as the readers have strong stomachs and a great sense of humor!
I want to thank the publisher "ST. MARTIN'S PRESS - MINOTAUR BOOKS" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this digital copy and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given a rating of 4 1/2 HORRIFYING AND MESMERIZING 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌠 STARS!!
January 14, 2025
When I finished Bless Your Heart I knew I NEEDED more of the Evans women in my life. I was lucky enough to win an advanced reader copy of Another Fine Mess, and it did not disappoint!
The world and characters Lindy Ryan has built in these stories are absolutely fantastic. I couldn’t help but love every single one of them. The characters are so well written and fleshed out that they feel incredibly real to me (despite some supernatural abilities). I found myself even sympathizing with a bad guy / less likable character at times.
The scenes Lindy Ryan sets also feel so real- I can see them, hear them, and even smell them at times. I would love for these books to be made into a movie or television series.
I can tell there is so much more to come for the Evans women, and I’m sad I will probably have to wait until 2026 for another installment in this series. I don’t think I’ve felt this excited about a book series since Harry Potter was coming out.
We need more strong female characters like the Evans women in fiction! I wish I could be a part of their bad-ass family!
The world and characters Lindy Ryan has built in these stories are absolutely fantastic. I couldn’t help but love every single one of them. The characters are so well written and fleshed out that they feel incredibly real to me (despite some supernatural abilities). I found myself even sympathizing with a bad guy / less likable character at times.
The scenes Lindy Ryan sets also feel so real- I can see them, hear them, and even smell them at times. I would love for these books to be made into a movie or television series.
I can tell there is so much more to come for the Evans women, and I’m sad I will probably have to wait until 2026 for another installment in this series. I don’t think I’ve felt this excited about a book series since Harry Potter was coming out.
We need more strong female characters like the Evans women in fiction! I wish I could be a part of their bad-ass family!
April 15, 2025
In Another Fine Mess, we return to Southeast Texas in 1999 and the remaining Evans women as they cope with the events of Bless Your Heart. But grief isn’t the only thing they must contend with, as pets start to disappear and grisly human deaths also begin to occur. Something monstrous is roaming and the Evans women are the only ones capable of putting it to rest.
I absolutely adore this series.
I wouldn’t call it cozy per se-while the gore and deaths aren’t gratuitous, they may be a little jarring to readers expecting otherwise. But it’s the characters and their relationships with one another that continue to draw me in and also crush my heart at the same time.
While the main characters remain distinct and interesting, I also appreciate the growth of the secondary characters-Luna Evans’ friend Crane, Sheriff Roger Taylor and new funeral employee Kim Cole-as the Evans’ circle is forced to grow to both accommodate the changes in their lives and also the greater need for assistance in containing a situation that is beyond their usual scope.
The antagonist of the novel is horrific, tragic and a unique twist on what I initially assumed was behind everything. Lindy Ryan shines a light on supernatural creatures that are not always given much attention and her utilization of them is both great and terrifying.
Nevertheless, finishing Another Fine Mess is bittersweet. I enjoyed the time spent with the characters, experienced more than a few heart-wrenching moments and look forward to the next book in the series. But if there will only be a trilogy, then I will be sad to say goodbye to the Evans family, allies and the heartfelt, humerous and nightmarish moments.
Thank you very much to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for providing access to this ebook. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
I absolutely adore this series.
I wouldn’t call it cozy per se-while the gore and deaths aren’t gratuitous, they may be a little jarring to readers expecting otherwise. But it’s the characters and their relationships with one another that continue to draw me in and also crush my heart at the same time.
While the main characters remain distinct and interesting, I also appreciate the growth of the secondary characters-Luna Evans’ friend Crane, Sheriff Roger Taylor and new funeral employee Kim Cole-as the Evans’ circle is forced to grow to both accommodate the changes in their lives and also the greater need for assistance in containing a situation that is beyond their usual scope.
The antagonist of the novel is horrific, tragic and a unique twist on what I initially assumed was behind everything. Lindy Ryan shines a light on supernatural creatures that are not always given much attention and her utilization of them is both great and terrifying.
Nevertheless, finishing Another Fine Mess is bittersweet. I enjoyed the time spent with the characters, experienced more than a few heart-wrenching moments and look forward to the next book in the series. But if there will only be a trilogy, then I will be sad to say goodbye to the Evans family, allies and the heartfelt, humerous and nightmarish moments.
Thank you very much to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for providing access to this ebook. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
August 28, 2025
Fun and well written, but not as good as the first book.
April 11, 2025
More blood! More gore! More deaths! More family drama! More undead rising! More monsters! The sequel to Bless Your Heart has more of what I loved in the first book. I savored this one like hard candy. In Another Fine Mess by Lindy Ryan, the remaining Evans women and the sheriff say that the villain of this story is a ghost wolf but they’re unsure who is responsible for the deaths this time around. Insert Death Becomes Her reference. Read to find out who dies, who rises from the dead and who is the killer. Stephanie Németh-Parker is the audiobook narrator again and slays all the characters voices. I loved the way this story ends with a nod to the direction of a possible third book. ALC was provided by Macmillan Audio via NetGalley. I received an audiobook listening copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 15, 2025
Thank you to Kaye Publicity for sending me a copy of this novel!
I am continuing to really enjoy this series. It feels like TRUE BLOOD and GILMORE GIRLS were thrown into a blender to create this world, with complex and likable characters and an interesting supernatural lore that thinks outside the box. My full review is at thelibraryladies.com as I was sent this copy for the blog.
I am continuing to really enjoy this series. It feels like TRUE BLOOD and GILMORE GIRLS were thrown into a blender to create this world, with complex and likable characters and an interesting supernatural lore that thinks outside the box. My full review is at thelibraryladies.com as I was sent this copy for the blog.
April 26, 2025
In the follow-up to her critically acclaimed novel Bless Your Heart, Lindy Ryan returns to the small Texas town where the Evans family has been quietly putting down the restless dead for generations. While the first book introduced us to this matriarchal monster-hunting family, Another Fine Mess cranks up the supernatural chaos to eleven, delivering a blood-soaked tale of family secrets, undead awakenings, and the complex bonds that tie women together—even beyond the grave.
Another Fine Mess offers readers a distinctly Southern take on classic horror tropes, blending gothic atmosphere with generational trauma and enough monster mythology to fill a mortuary. The novel proves Ryan hasn't lost her knack for crafting memorable characters who speak with authentic voices dripping with both honey and venom.
The Evans Women: Four Generations of Stubborn Undead Wranglers
The Evans women continue to be the heart and soul of this series. After the shocking events of Bless Your Heart, the family roster has been drastically reduced:
- Lenore Evans - Now the reluctant matriarch after the deaths of her mother Ducey and daughter Grace, Lenore is caught between grief and duty as she struggles to keep the family business—both funeral home and supernatural protection service—running.
- Luna Evans - Grace's teenage daughter is coming to terms with her half-monster heritage after accidentally turning her boyfriend into a strigoi (a vampire-like creature) who went on a killing spree in the previous book.
- Ducey Evans - Lenore's mother, who died protecting her family from the restless dead... yet somehow refuses to stay buried. Her resurrection is a mystery that drives much of the plot.
- Grandmother Pie - The original Evans matriarch who disappeared years ago, leaving only cryptic letters about the family's supernatural responsibilities.
Ryan excels at depicting the complex relationships between these women. They love each other fiercely but keep devastating secrets. They bicker constantly but unite against supernatural threats. Each represents a different generation's approach to both monster-hunting and motherhood, creating a fascinating exploration of female relationships.
Plot: More Monster Mayhem, More Evans Family Secrets
Set just a month after the bloody events of Bless Your Heart, this sequel wastes no time throwing readers back into the supernatural deep end. When Ducey inexplicably rises from her grave and returns to the funeral parlor, the Evanses must confront two terrifying realities: their understanding of the restless dead is woefully incomplete, and whatever connection the family has to these supernatural occurrences runs much deeper than they realized.
Meanwhile, a new kind of monster is stalking the town—something collecting animal parts, human teeth, and leaving trinkets outside Luna's window. As high school life resumes with homecoming approaching, Luna and her goth friend Crane search for answers about her heritage while new sheriff Roger Taylor covers up the supernatural carnage plaguing the town.
The novel builds to a blood-drenched climax at the homecoming dance where monsters, hunters, and secrets collide in spectacularly gory fashion.
Strengths: Southern Authenticity and Gruesome Monster Mash-ups
Another Fine Mess shines brightest in these areas:
1. Authentic Southern Voice
Ryan captures small-town Southeast Texas with precision and affection. From Ducey's colorful expressions ("most people don't have the good sense God gave a goose") to the community's response to tragedy (continuing with homecoming despite several murders), the cultural details feel deeply authentic. The funeral parlor setting alone provides rich material for exploring Southern attitudes toward death and propriety.
2. Monstrous Mythology
Ryan expands her supernatural universe with complex lore that blends Eastern European folklore with Southern superstition. The novel introduces pricolici (werewolf-like revenants) while exploring different manifestations of the undead. Most compellingly, it suggests the Evans women themselves might be something more than human.
3. Genre-Bending
The novel seamlessly blends horror, mystery, coming-of-age, and family drama. While the gore and monsters satisfy horror fans, the emotional core explores grief, identity, and intergenerational trauma. The mystery of Ducey's resurrection and the Evans family's supernatural connection provides narrative momentum beyond the monster-of-the-week format.
4. Multiple Viewpoints
The rotating perspectives give readers access to different characters' knowledge and emotional states while maintaining mystery. This technique proves particularly effective for revealing information about the Evans family secret in carefully measured doses.
Weaknesses: Pacing and Occasional Overwhelming Plot Elements
Despite its strengths, Another Fine Mess occasionally bites off more than it can chew:
1. Pacing Issues
The first half meticulously sets up characters and situations, but the second half accelerates dramatically, packing major revelations and action sequences into a short timeframe. This creates a somewhat lopsided reading experience where the climactic homecoming dance sequence feels rushed compared to the deliberate buildup.
2. Character Overload
The novel features a substantial cast—from the Evans women to their allies, the local police force, high school students, and various minor characters. While Ryan generally manages these personalities well, some secondary characters receive insufficient development before being thrust into important plot roles.
3. Uneven Emotional Impact
Some emotional beats land with devastating effectiveness—particularly Luna's complex feelings about her heritage and Lenore's grief. Others, like the romantic subplot between Luna and Crane, occasionally feel underdeveloped amid the supernatural chaos.
Writing Style: Southern Gothic Meets Monster Mayhem
Ryan's prose sparkles with Southern authenticity while delivering effective horror imagery. She excels particularly at:
- Vivid descriptive passages: "The scent tore the hunger from her instantly, and a new instinct flooded through her."
- Southern colloquialisms: "All those cold shoulders did her a favor: the less people paid her any mind when they were alive, the less she had to mourn them when they turned up dead."
- Gruesome imagery: "Meat clung to some of the bones, but most had been cleaned—licked clean—stacked like cairns honoring their dead."
- Character moments: "Ducey couldn't feel the weight of her diamonds when she waggled her wedding finger, but she could see them sparkle."
Thematic Richness: Family, Secrets, and Female Power
Beneath the bloodshed, Another Fine Mess explores several compelling themes:
1. The Power and Cost of Family Secrets
The Evans family motto might as well be "what you don't know can't hurt you," but the novel repeatedly shows how secrets ultimately create more damage than they prevent. Pie's cryptic letter, Ducey's withheld knowledge, and Lenore's protective silence all contribute to the family's supernatural predicament.
2. Female Autonomy in Restricting Circumstances
The Evans women operate within limitations imposed by their small town and supernatural burden, yet fiercely maintain their independence. The funeral parlor serves as both prison and fortress—a place where they can exercise authority despite societal constraints.
3. Grief and Its Monsters
The novel literalizes grief through its monsters. Grace's transformation into a pricolici represents rage at being separated from her daughter; Ducey's resurrection embodies the family's refusal to let go; even the townsfolk's denial about the supernatural threats reflects grief's distorting effect on perception.
Final Verdict: A Bloody Good Time with Heart and Teeth
Another Fine Mess delivers what horror fans crave—creative monsters, gruesome deaths, and genuinely creepy moments—while offering something deeper through its exploration of family dynamics and generational trauma. Ryan's authentic Southern voice and complex female characters elevate the material beyond standard monster fare.
The novel occasionally stumbles under the weight of its ambitious mythology and large cast, but these issues rarely detract from the reading experience. For fans of Southern Gothic horror, monster stories with depth, or tales of complicated family dynamics, Another Fine Mess offers a satisfying blend of chills, emotional resonance, and distinctive character work.
Another Fine Mess offers readers a distinctly Southern take on classic horror tropes, blending gothic atmosphere with generational trauma and enough monster mythology to fill a mortuary. The novel proves Ryan hasn't lost her knack for crafting memorable characters who speak with authentic voices dripping with both honey and venom.
The Evans Women: Four Generations of Stubborn Undead Wranglers
The Evans women continue to be the heart and soul of this series. After the shocking events of Bless Your Heart, the family roster has been drastically reduced:
- Lenore Evans - Now the reluctant matriarch after the deaths of her mother Ducey and daughter Grace, Lenore is caught between grief and duty as she struggles to keep the family business—both funeral home and supernatural protection service—running.
- Luna Evans - Grace's teenage daughter is coming to terms with her half-monster heritage after accidentally turning her boyfriend into a strigoi (a vampire-like creature) who went on a killing spree in the previous book.
- Ducey Evans - Lenore's mother, who died protecting her family from the restless dead... yet somehow refuses to stay buried. Her resurrection is a mystery that drives much of the plot.
- Grandmother Pie - The original Evans matriarch who disappeared years ago, leaving only cryptic letters about the family's supernatural responsibilities.
Ryan excels at depicting the complex relationships between these women. They love each other fiercely but keep devastating secrets. They bicker constantly but unite against supernatural threats. Each represents a different generation's approach to both monster-hunting and motherhood, creating a fascinating exploration of female relationships.
Plot: More Monster Mayhem, More Evans Family Secrets
Set just a month after the bloody events of Bless Your Heart, this sequel wastes no time throwing readers back into the supernatural deep end. When Ducey inexplicably rises from her grave and returns to the funeral parlor, the Evanses must confront two terrifying realities: their understanding of the restless dead is woefully incomplete, and whatever connection the family has to these supernatural occurrences runs much deeper than they realized.
Meanwhile, a new kind of monster is stalking the town—something collecting animal parts, human teeth, and leaving trinkets outside Luna's window. As high school life resumes with homecoming approaching, Luna and her goth friend Crane search for answers about her heritage while new sheriff Roger Taylor covers up the supernatural carnage plaguing the town.
The novel builds to a blood-drenched climax at the homecoming dance where monsters, hunters, and secrets collide in spectacularly gory fashion.
Strengths: Southern Authenticity and Gruesome Monster Mash-ups
Another Fine Mess shines brightest in these areas:
1. Authentic Southern Voice
Ryan captures small-town Southeast Texas with precision and affection. From Ducey's colorful expressions ("most people don't have the good sense God gave a goose") to the community's response to tragedy (continuing with homecoming despite several murders), the cultural details feel deeply authentic. The funeral parlor setting alone provides rich material for exploring Southern attitudes toward death and propriety.
2. Monstrous Mythology
Ryan expands her supernatural universe with complex lore that blends Eastern European folklore with Southern superstition. The novel introduces pricolici (werewolf-like revenants) while exploring different manifestations of the undead. Most compellingly, it suggests the Evans women themselves might be something more than human.
3. Genre-Bending
The novel seamlessly blends horror, mystery, coming-of-age, and family drama. While the gore and monsters satisfy horror fans, the emotional core explores grief, identity, and intergenerational trauma. The mystery of Ducey's resurrection and the Evans family's supernatural connection provides narrative momentum beyond the monster-of-the-week format.
4. Multiple Viewpoints
The rotating perspectives give readers access to different characters' knowledge and emotional states while maintaining mystery. This technique proves particularly effective for revealing information about the Evans family secret in carefully measured doses.
Weaknesses: Pacing and Occasional Overwhelming Plot Elements
Despite its strengths, Another Fine Mess occasionally bites off more than it can chew:
1. Pacing Issues
The first half meticulously sets up characters and situations, but the second half accelerates dramatically, packing major revelations and action sequences into a short timeframe. This creates a somewhat lopsided reading experience where the climactic homecoming dance sequence feels rushed compared to the deliberate buildup.
2. Character Overload
The novel features a substantial cast—from the Evans women to their allies, the local police force, high school students, and various minor characters. While Ryan generally manages these personalities well, some secondary characters receive insufficient development before being thrust into important plot roles.
3. Uneven Emotional Impact
Some emotional beats land with devastating effectiveness—particularly Luna's complex feelings about her heritage and Lenore's grief. Others, like the romantic subplot between Luna and Crane, occasionally feel underdeveloped amid the supernatural chaos.
Writing Style: Southern Gothic Meets Monster Mayhem
Ryan's prose sparkles with Southern authenticity while delivering effective horror imagery. She excels particularly at:
- Vivid descriptive passages: "The scent tore the hunger from her instantly, and a new instinct flooded through her."
- Southern colloquialisms: "All those cold shoulders did her a favor: the less people paid her any mind when they were alive, the less she had to mourn them when they turned up dead."
- Gruesome imagery: "Meat clung to some of the bones, but most had been cleaned—licked clean—stacked like cairns honoring their dead."
- Character moments: "Ducey couldn't feel the weight of her diamonds when she waggled her wedding finger, but she could see them sparkle."
Thematic Richness: Family, Secrets, and Female Power
Beneath the bloodshed, Another Fine Mess explores several compelling themes:
1. The Power and Cost of Family Secrets
The Evans family motto might as well be "what you don't know can't hurt you," but the novel repeatedly shows how secrets ultimately create more damage than they prevent. Pie's cryptic letter, Ducey's withheld knowledge, and Lenore's protective silence all contribute to the family's supernatural predicament.
2. Female Autonomy in Restricting Circumstances
The Evans women operate within limitations imposed by their small town and supernatural burden, yet fiercely maintain their independence. The funeral parlor serves as both prison and fortress—a place where they can exercise authority despite societal constraints.
3. Grief and Its Monsters
The novel literalizes grief through its monsters. Grace's transformation into a pricolici represents rage at being separated from her daughter; Ducey's resurrection embodies the family's refusal to let go; even the townsfolk's denial about the supernatural threats reflects grief's distorting effect on perception.
Final Verdict: A Bloody Good Time with Heart and Teeth
Another Fine Mess delivers what horror fans crave—creative monsters, gruesome deaths, and genuinely creepy moments—while offering something deeper through its exploration of family dynamics and generational trauma. Ryan's authentic Southern voice and complex female characters elevate the material beyond standard monster fare.
The novel occasionally stumbles under the weight of its ambitious mythology and large cast, but these issues rarely detract from the reading experience. For fans of Southern Gothic horror, monster stories with depth, or tales of complicated family dynamics, Another Fine Mess offers a satisfying blend of chills, emotional resonance, and distinctive character work.
April 18, 2025
The Evans women are back and have gotten themselves into 𝘼𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙁𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙈𝙚𝙨𝙨. The women in the Evans family run the local funeral parlor and have kept their small Texas town safe from the undead for many years. A new threat has risen and they have to work together again to save their town before it's too late.
While I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as Book #1 in the Bless Your Heart series, I still had fun listening to this book and would continue to read books in the series should it continue. I recommend this series to anyone who enjoys horror mixed with paranormal and comedy.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me an ALC in exchange for my honest thoughts.
While I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as Book #1 in the Bless Your Heart series, I still had fun listening to this book and would continue to read books in the series should it continue. I recommend this series to anyone who enjoys horror mixed with paranormal and comedy.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me an ALC in exchange for my honest thoughts.
March 8, 2025
Thanks to Goodreads, I received an advance copy of this book. Unfortunately, I wasn't blown away with it.
I read the first in the series, Bless Your Heart, before this one - which I think is necessary to be able to follow this story line. I found this one too often reiterating what happened in the first one though which made it very repetitive. I found myself getting far too frustrated with some of the characters, scenes jumping around and mixed up with the plot.
I wish the author luck with this book, but it wasn't for me.
I read the first in the series, Bless Your Heart, before this one - which I think is necessary to be able to follow this story line. I found this one too often reiterating what happened in the first one though which made it very repetitive. I found myself getting far too frustrated with some of the characters, scenes jumping around and mixed up with the plot.
I wish the author luck with this book, but it wasn't for me.
April 12, 2025
I had high hopes for this book because the first book, Bless Your Heart, was packed full of hilarious characters that ran a funeral parlor in a town where the dead never really stay dead.⚰️
Another Fine Mess was rough to get through. After all the death from the first book, this one felt depressing and slow. It started picking up around 60% but the storyline felt jumbled, repetitive, and a little too YA for me.
Another Fine Mess was rough to get through. After all the death from the first book, this one felt depressing and slow. It started picking up around 60% but the storyline felt jumbled, repetitive, and a little too YA for me.
June 14, 2025
Another rip-roaring, dead awakening, kick a** romp through small town Texas. Another fine mess leaves us with many secrets still yet to uncover.
For me, the pacing on this one didn't quite match up to the first book - Bless your heart - and I was left wanting answers to a fair chunk of the book. Until I got to the end and realised Lindy Ryan had done this to me on purpose. (Sneaky sneaky)
No one is safe in this book, and my heart soared for some beloved characters and broke just as much for others.
I NEED answers, and I NEED the next book.
Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
For me, the pacing on this one didn't quite match up to the first book - Bless your heart - and I was left wanting answers to a fair chunk of the book. Until I got to the end and realised Lindy Ryan had done this to me on purpose. (Sneaky sneaky)
No one is safe in this book, and my heart soared for some beloved characters and broke just as much for others.
I NEED answers, and I NEED the next book.
Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 14, 2025
Audiobook/Book Review 🐺☕️🩸
Thank you partner @minotaur_books @macmillan.audio for the gifted copy & audiobook!
Another Fine Mess
Book by Lindy Ryan
Narrated by Stephanie Németh-Parker
About the book 👇🏽
Making sure dead things stay buried is the family business...
For over a hundred years, the Evans women have kept the undead in their strange southeast Texas town from rising. But sometimes the dead rise too quick–and that’s what left Lenore Evans, and her granddaughter Luna, burying Luna’s mother, Grace, and Lenore’s mother, Ducey. Now the only two women left in the Evans family, Luna and Lenore are left rudderless in the wake of the most Godawful Mess to date.
But when the full moon finds another victim, it’s clear their trouble is far from over. Now Lenore, Luna, and the new sheriff—their biggest ally—must dig deep down into family lore to uncover what threatens everything they love most. The body count ticks up, the most unexpected dead will rise–forcing Lenore and Luna to face the possibility that the undead aren’t the only monsters preying on their small town.
🐺 My thoughts:
“You deserve your own sparkle tonight.”
I love a good monster hunting! I seriously could not wait to get my hands on this. Bless Your Heart was one of my favorites of 2024, and Another Fine Mess did not disappoint. This was a hybrid physical read and audiobook listen and both were so so good! This is my favorite way to consume a book and consume I did. The narration was superb and would recommend this option if you enjoy audiobooks. This has to be one of the most fun, gory, and unique series I’ve ever read and I cannot recommend it enough. The world needs more of the Evans women. They’re lovable, funny, and will probably remind you of people you know. The secrets, supernatural aspects, and small town setting will transport you in the best of ways… completely submerging you into a monster hunting romp. This is a series you need to start this year if you haven’t already. Another Fine Mess is out TOMORROW 4/15/25!
Happy reading 📖🎧☕️🩸🐺
Thank you partner @minotaur_books @macmillan.audio for the gifted copy & audiobook!
Another Fine Mess
Book by Lindy Ryan
Narrated by Stephanie Németh-Parker
About the book 👇🏽
Making sure dead things stay buried is the family business...
For over a hundred years, the Evans women have kept the undead in their strange southeast Texas town from rising. But sometimes the dead rise too quick–and that’s what left Lenore Evans, and her granddaughter Luna, burying Luna’s mother, Grace, and Lenore’s mother, Ducey. Now the only two women left in the Evans family, Luna and Lenore are left rudderless in the wake of the most Godawful Mess to date.
But when the full moon finds another victim, it’s clear their trouble is far from over. Now Lenore, Luna, and the new sheriff—their biggest ally—must dig deep down into family lore to uncover what threatens everything they love most. The body count ticks up, the most unexpected dead will rise–forcing Lenore and Luna to face the possibility that the undead aren’t the only monsters preying on their small town.
🐺 My thoughts:
“You deserve your own sparkle tonight.”
I love a good monster hunting! I seriously could not wait to get my hands on this. Bless Your Heart was one of my favorites of 2024, and Another Fine Mess did not disappoint. This was a hybrid physical read and audiobook listen and both were so so good! This is my favorite way to consume a book and consume I did. The narration was superb and would recommend this option if you enjoy audiobooks. This has to be one of the most fun, gory, and unique series I’ve ever read and I cannot recommend it enough. The world needs more of the Evans women. They’re lovable, funny, and will probably remind you of people you know. The secrets, supernatural aspects, and small town setting will transport you in the best of ways… completely submerging you into a monster hunting romp. This is a series you need to start this year if you haven’t already. Another Fine Mess is out TOMORROW 4/15/25!
Happy reading 📖🎧☕️🩸🐺
May 2, 2025
It’s time to pick up the trocar, grab some butterscotch candies, and step into the Evans Funeral Parlor once again.
In this book, we join the Evans women after the harrowing events of Bless Your Heart. Things are not all fine and dandy. Instead of things calming down, the Evans have more of a mess to deal with. They’re trying to adjust to their new situation, not to mention the strange things that keep happening. Pets keep going missing, the dead keep rising, and there are no answers to be found. The Evans team up with the new sheriff to try to keep the town safe from whatever monster is prowling.
Ahh, what a joy it was to be welcomed back to the funeral parlor. I loved getting to spend more time with some of my favorite vampire slayers.
I liked that the story started with a glimpse into the past. From there the narrative changed POV between the characters in present time. I found all the POVs to be engaging.
In Another Fine Mess we get more of everything I loved about the first book: supernatural creatures, family drama, heartbreak, and sass. I loved getting to know more about the family history and the reasons as to why the town constantly has the dead rising. This book kept me wanting to know more. I really enjoyed the development of the side characters this time around too, especially Kim Cole with her Black Cherry lipstick and black liner.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read with a lot of heart. It can be hard to live up to the first book in a series but this was an excellent sequel. Definitely start with Bless Your Heart and then move onto this one, otherwise you lose a good chunk of the story.
This book managed to surprise me several times which added to the fun.
One particular part reminded me of Casper. I won’t go into detail but it was such a good scene that it’s been stuck in my head ever since I read it.
Despite the gory scenes in the story, this is kind of a cozy read for me. I’d recommend this to those who love thrillers, are starting out in horror, or are wanting a little bit of a palate cleanser in between more disturbing books.
I’m really looking forward to the next book in the series.
Thank you so much to Lindy Ryan for providing me with a print ARC. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for the eARC.
May 5, 2025
I didn’t really care for this book when I first started reading it. But I stuck with it, and it did get better. I honestly think that if I had read the first one I would have e been familiar with the characters and understood it better. I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
April 16, 2025
Another Fine Mess is the second book in Lindy Ryan’s series about the Evans women. I had not read Bless Your Heart, this book’s predecessor, before picking this up. A few things were confusing, but I was still able to get swept up by the story just fine. This narrator is excellent, and did a great job distinguishing between different characters and their accents. I am not the biggest fan of magical realism in my thrillers, but I still enjoyed this one. The mystery aspect was well-done, and the ending did surprise me.
March 7, 2025
You need to hear the Evans Ladies story on audio. Each has their own unique voice, done by one narrator. The audio gives an already thrilling story, that extra something. I guarantee they will feel like family when you are done.
The second book to a series, it is an excellent continuation. I do recommend reading Bless Your Heart, to get back story. This book picks up right where the other one left off. Unfortunately, it seems death and grief follow the Evans women. The restless dead won’t leave them alone. Some old haunts and new ones pop in to jack the story up.
This is a horror novel so there is some gore. Actually, for as light hearted as the story is, there is a lot of blood and missing body parts. Lol it’s humorous horror, if that’s a thing? You will laugh and grimace through the whole book.
April 26, 2025
Pleeeease let there be a 3rd book! Funeral parlor owning, monster slaying women who know the dead don’t always stay dead, and it’s their job to make sure they do. And Ducey is still Ducey…mostly!
Read
January 14, 2025Rough notes for draft review:
The Evans women are back, recovering from the events in the first book in the series. The book is a clever blend of horror, mystery, and humor.
Lindy Ryan (Bless Your Heart) has crafted her own world with rules and creatures that the reader discovers along with the characters. There is a core of strong women who struggle to accept that created family bonds can be as strong as those forged by blood. The danger of secrets and how they can corrupt from within. The book has appeal to those who enjoy clever urban fantasies set in small towns and readers who want a strong characters more than jump scares.
Themes of secrets and family and learning to love yourself.
In this novel, Luna comes into her own and struggles to embrace who she is without hating herself.
Questions like whether or not outsiders can become family and when that happens as well as who is an outsider versus an insider are considered within the book. Expanding the idea of family is not an easy perspective for the Evans women to adopt but after what happens in the first book, they are more open to it.
Vengeance creates a scary monster. Secrets can lead to anger - between Ducey and Pie, Hinson and Taylor.
Grief is also a theme within the book. When does grief end and can it continue after death? How can one learn to live with grief?
Maybe some secrets need sharing. Some secrets force their way into the open.
Shifting perspectives give different views on the same scene.
The book lays out in the open the hidden tensions that exist behind tidy porches and pretty flowerbeds.
Ryan does an excellent job of providing enough context through news articles and recollections by characters that a reader could pick up this book without reading the first in the series. The two books complement each other and reading them in order will deepen the story.
The series will have broad appeal. Fans of Jacqueline Carey's Agent of Hel trilogy and other small town urban fantasy series as well as those who loved the southern charm of Grady Hendrix's Southern Book Club Guide to Slaying Vampires will enjoy this series. Those readers who like cozy mysteries for their small town setting and core group of characters should try the books if they are open to a series that is scary but still has a lot of heart and charm.
The Evans women are back, recovering from the events in the first book in the series. The book is a clever blend of horror, mystery, and humor.
Lindy Ryan (Bless Your Heart) has crafted her own world with rules and creatures that the reader discovers along with the characters. There is a core of strong women who struggle to accept that created family bonds can be as strong as those forged by blood. The danger of secrets and how they can corrupt from within. The book has appeal to those who enjoy clever urban fantasies set in small towns and readers who want a strong characters more than jump scares.
Themes of secrets and family and learning to love yourself.
In this novel, Luna comes into her own and struggles to embrace who she is without hating herself.
Questions like whether or not outsiders can become family and when that happens as well as who is an outsider versus an insider are considered within the book. Expanding the idea of family is not an easy perspective for the Evans women to adopt but after what happens in the first book, they are more open to it.
Vengeance creates a scary monster. Secrets can lead to anger - between Ducey and Pie, Hinson and Taylor.
Grief is also a theme within the book. When does grief end and can it continue after death? How can one learn to live with grief?
Maybe some secrets need sharing. Some secrets force their way into the open.
Shifting perspectives give different views on the same scene.
The book lays out in the open the hidden tensions that exist behind tidy porches and pretty flowerbeds.
Ryan does an excellent job of providing enough context through news articles and recollections by characters that a reader could pick up this book without reading the first in the series. The two books complement each other and reading them in order will deepen the story.
The series will have broad appeal. Fans of Jacqueline Carey's Agent of Hel trilogy and other small town urban fantasy series as well as those who loved the southern charm of Grady Hendrix's Southern Book Club Guide to Slaying Vampires will enjoy this series. Those readers who like cozy mysteries for their small town setting and core group of characters should try the books if they are open to a series that is scary but still has a lot of heart and charm.
February 28, 2025
Okay it's official, I can only listen to these books and not read them. With both the first and second books in this series, I initially tried reading ARCs but just could not find my way into the stories. I then stumbled upon a free version of the first book in audio, and absolutely loved everything about it. The narration was excellent and the story captivated me. I figured maybe once I had fallen into the characters and world so completely, I would be able to read the second book.
Once again, no dice.
I just don't seem to find my way into the characters' lives when I read them. This is very unusual for me - so perhaps it really does just come down to the narration, which is excellent. I loved this second book and seeing where Ryan took her characters and her world. I cannot wait to see where things go next, because it didn't exactly end on a cliffhanger but it did leave a lot of loose ends with great potential.
This is a darkly fun and original take on the classic vampire trope, but it is also so much more than that. It is about family - born and made - and about secrets and possibilities and small towns. It is extraordinarily well developed and the complexities of the characters continue to evolve in each book in a way that has me thoroughly captivated. I can't wait for the next installment - but I'm definitely going to force myself to be patient and wait for the audio version so that I love it from the get-go!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my obligation-free review copy.
Once again, no dice.
I just don't seem to find my way into the characters' lives when I read them. This is very unusual for me - so perhaps it really does just come down to the narration, which is excellent. I loved this second book and seeing where Ryan took her characters and her world. I cannot wait to see where things go next, because it didn't exactly end on a cliffhanger but it did leave a lot of loose ends with great potential.
This is a darkly fun and original take on the classic vampire trope, but it is also so much more than that. It is about family - born and made - and about secrets and possibilities and small towns. It is extraordinarily well developed and the complexities of the characters continue to evolve in each book in a way that has me thoroughly captivated. I can't wait for the next installment - but I'm definitely going to force myself to be patient and wait for the audio version so that I love it from the get-go!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my obligation-free review copy.
March 25, 2025
From the moment I cracked open this book, I was transported into a small town teeming with secrets and spectral energy. Ryan's masterful blend of horror and mystery, all wrapped up in that irresistible Southern drawl, had me utterly spellbound. The vivid scenes unfolded in my mind like a gripping TV series, each chapter leaving me hungry for more.
At the heart of this supernatural maelstrom stands Lenore, a character who tugged at my heartstrings from the get-go. Watching her navigate the treacherous waters of grief while managing a family business spiraling out of control was both heart-wrenching and inspiring. Her attempts to connect with her granddaughter Luna added a touching layer of humanity to the otherworldly chaos.
Speaking of Luna, her dynamic with Crane had me reeling. Their amateur sleuthing adventures, tinged with that delicious "are-they-or-aren't-they" tension, added a dash of sweetness to balance out the spine-chilling horror. I found myself constantly wondering: Will they or won't they? But I was devastated for these two. Why, Ms. Ryan, why?
Ryan weaves the supernatural elements, seamlessly into the fabric of the story, creating moments that had my hair standing on end. It's this masterful integration of the paranormal that truly sets "Another Fine Mess" apart.
While this was my first foray into Ryan's work, it certainly won't be my last. The growing body count, the family secrets, the hair-raising encounters – all of it combined into a reading experience that was as addictive as it was unsettling. I'm already itching to dive back and explore the first book in the series.
Thank you, Minotaur Books and NetGalley, for my ARC.
At the heart of this supernatural maelstrom stands Lenore, a character who tugged at my heartstrings from the get-go. Watching her navigate the treacherous waters of grief while managing a family business spiraling out of control was both heart-wrenching and inspiring. Her attempts to connect with her granddaughter Luna added a touching layer of humanity to the otherworldly chaos.
Speaking of Luna, her dynamic with Crane had me reeling. Their amateur sleuthing adventures, tinged with that delicious "are-they-or-aren't-they" tension, added a dash of sweetness to balance out the spine-chilling horror. I found myself constantly wondering: Will they or won't they? But I was devastated for these two. Why, Ms. Ryan, why?
Ryan weaves the supernatural elements, seamlessly into the fabric of the story, creating moments that had my hair standing on end. It's this masterful integration of the paranormal that truly sets "Another Fine Mess" apart.
While this was my first foray into Ryan's work, it certainly won't be my last. The growing body count, the family secrets, the hair-raising encounters – all of it combined into a reading experience that was as addictive as it was unsettling. I'm already itching to dive back and explore the first book in the series.
Thank you, Minotaur Books and NetGalley, for my ARC.
March 27, 2025
3.5
This is book two of the Bless Your Heart series and I would recommend reading book one before diving in to this one. There are quite a few characters in book one and events that are mentioned in this book. I read book one and I even had trouble remembering what had happened.
I would say this is a cozy horror. Is that a thing? I’m not sure, but that’s what I’m calling this. We have a werewolf type creature on the loose killing multiple people in this tiny Texas town. We also have zombies (they don't call them zombies in this book) and other supernatural creatures among the living. There is some gore, but the characters have a light hearted nature about themselves because it’s pretty normal day to day occurrences that’s why I refer to it as cozy horror.
I like the Evan's women in this book. They are a fun group of women and have a good sense of humor even though everything around them is a disaster. Sometimes the characters were confusing because people who you thought have died actually come back to life so it’s hard to keep track. I find these books fun to read, but not that memorable. That being said, I would probably read book three because they are a light fun little horror read.
The narrator does a great job with this audiobooks so that is an enjoyable experience.
Thank you to MacMillian Audio for an advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
This is book two of the Bless Your Heart series and I would recommend reading book one before diving in to this one. There are quite a few characters in book one and events that are mentioned in this book. I read book one and I even had trouble remembering what had happened.
I would say this is a cozy horror. Is that a thing? I’m not sure, but that’s what I’m calling this. We have a werewolf type creature on the loose killing multiple people in this tiny Texas town. We also have zombies (they don't call them zombies in this book) and other supernatural creatures among the living. There is some gore, but the characters have a light hearted nature about themselves because it’s pretty normal day to day occurrences that’s why I refer to it as cozy horror.
I like the Evan's women in this book. They are a fun group of women and have a good sense of humor even though everything around them is a disaster. Sometimes the characters were confusing because people who you thought have died actually come back to life so it’s hard to keep track. I find these books fun to read, but not that memorable. That being said, I would probably read book three because they are a light fun little horror read.
The narrator does a great job with this audiobooks so that is an enjoyable experience.
Thank you to MacMillian Audio for an advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
April 8, 2025
Thank you, Libro.fm, for the audio ARC!
The audio performance was wonderful, just like in book one. Distinct voices and mannerisms for each character and a good cadence.
There's a new monster in town terrorizing the local animals and humans, collecting body parts and leaving the remains in a bloody mess. "Who is it" is the big question moving the plot forward. Book 2 picks up shortly after book 1 ends and only does a little bit to remind the reader what happened. I think reading them back to back would be a better experience, or at least re-read the last 15% of book 1 before diving into book 2. The Evans women are as delightful as always! A tiny bit more lore is added to the worldbuilding, but mostly there are a lot of unanswered questions that I hope future installments will address.
This one wasn't quite as funny as book 1. I didn't like the cat death (I'm a big cat person soooooooo, but you get what you get with horror! This is more of a CW than a critique).
The audio performance was wonderful, just like in book one. Distinct voices and mannerisms for each character and a good cadence.
There's a new monster in town terrorizing the local animals and humans, collecting body parts and leaving the remains in a bloody mess. "Who is it" is the big question moving the plot forward. Book 2 picks up shortly after book 1 ends and only does a little bit to remind the reader what happened. I think reading them back to back would be a better experience, or at least re-read the last 15% of book 1 before diving into book 2. The Evans women are as delightful as always! A tiny bit more lore is added to the worldbuilding, but mostly there are a lot of unanswered questions that I hope future installments will address.
This one wasn't quite as funny as book 1. I didn't like the cat death (I'm a big cat person soooooooo, but you get what you get with horror! This is more of a CW than a critique).
April 15, 2025
3 ⭐️ I am not sure what I expected since the first book was just an okay read too. I was hoping this would be better but unfortunately it suffers the same fate as the first book, it’s just not interesting enough to hold my attention. It read very YA and not a ton happens. If the whole book were like the last 15% I would have loved it as it really picked up at the end. But the dangling cliff hanger of wanting more from the Evan ladies is lost on me, given how bored I was though most of these books. If there’s a 3rd book I have a hard time believing I’d want to read it. Which is a shame because it finally got interesting at the very end. I just don’t have confidence that the interesting bits will be written, it seems the author only wants to tease crumbs and that isn’t enough for me.
I also picked up the audiobook, which is a good production. I was able to listen at 2.25x and not feel like the narrator was talking too fast. The fast pace of the cadence is what kept me from DNFing this book.
Thank you again to Macmillan audio for the gifted ALC in exchange for my honest review. This book is out today!
This was my 38th book of 2025
Format: Gifted, advanced listeners copy
I also picked up the audiobook, which is a good production. I was able to listen at 2.25x and not feel like the narrator was talking too fast. The fast pace of the cadence is what kept me from DNFing this book.
Thank you again to Macmillan audio for the gifted ALC in exchange for my honest review. This book is out today!
This was my 38th book of 2025
Format: Gifted, advanced listeners copy
April 21, 2025
Many thanks to Netgalley and Minotaur books for an advanced eArc in exchange for my honest opinion.
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!
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!
July 26, 2025
When Lindy Ryan writes about what she knows, it’s a gloriously ghoulish good time! Another Fine Mess is set in Beaumont,TX in 1999.The plot was a fun continuation of Bless Your Heart.So messy! So violent. It was absolutely campy good fun and oddly found family? I’m devastated about one of the deaths!Lindy, can we magic that one back?? 😭😂I loved all of the subtle mentions of the southeast Texas area(my home) and how big historical events are all connected to the monster situation. Thank goodness we have a real southern author who knows how to write the southeast Texas dialect. I listened to the audiobook of this, and the narrator did not butcher the Cajun names unlike other books (I’m looking at you Phantasma. 👀) The book left off on a good cliff hanger. Book three,please Lindy?? Don’t leave a SETX girl hanging!
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