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The Worst Detective Ever #13
The Faux Must Go On
Sometimes the hardest role to play is yourself.
When actress Joey Darling agrees to help an old friend infiltrate a self-help retreat with high-profile participants, she expects the usual Hollywood overpriced seminars, questionable life coaches, heavy doses of mumbo jumbo, and maybe some dodgy juice cleanses. What she doesn't expect is to find herself trapped at a beachfront mansion surviving on meals so small they take a magnifying glass to find, watching identities go up in flames, and enduring brutal trust exercises better designed for Navy SEALs.
As those who dare to resist start disappearing, Joey wonders if the only thing being transformed at this retreat is participants’ life expectancy—and possibly their bank accounts. To survive, Joey must channel her inner TV detective. But with no scriptwriter to save the day, no phone, no car keys, and no decent coffee in sight, can she improvise and solve the case before the final curtain falls?
When actress Joey Darling agrees to help an old friend infiltrate a self-help retreat with high-profile participants, she expects the usual Hollywood overpriced seminars, questionable life coaches, heavy doses of mumbo jumbo, and maybe some dodgy juice cleanses. What she doesn't expect is to find herself trapped at a beachfront mansion surviving on meals so small they take a magnifying glass to find, watching identities go up in flames, and enduring brutal trust exercises better designed for Navy SEALs.
As those who dare to resist start disappearing, Joey wonders if the only thing being transformed at this retreat is participants’ life expectancy—and possibly their bank accounts. To survive, Joey must channel her inner TV detective. But with no scriptwriter to save the day, no phone, no car keys, and no decent coffee in sight, can she improvise and solve the case before the final curtain falls?
- GenresMysteryChristian Fiction
342 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2025
84 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
About the author
Christy Barritt
341 books1,695 followersChristy Barritt is an author, freelance writer and speaker who lives in Virginia. She’s married to her Prince Charming, a man who thinks she’s hilarious—but only when she’s not trying to be. Christy’s a self-proclaimed klutz, an avid music lover who’s known for spontaneously bursting into song, and a road trip aficionado. She’s only won one contest in her life—and her prize was kissing a pig (okay, okay… actually she did win the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Suspense and Mystery also). Her current claim to fame is showing off her mother, who looks just like former First Lady Barbara Bush
When she’s not working or spending time with her family, she enjoys singing, playing the guitar, and exploring small, unsuspecting towns where people have no idea how accident prone she is.
When she’s not working or spending time with her family, she enjoys singing, playing the guitar, and exploring small, unsuspecting towns where people have no idea how accident prone she is.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
June 22, 2025
I enjoyed this new addition in the Worst Detective Ever series. This story was exciting with surprises and twists and turns that I wasn't expecting and was well-written.
June 27, 2025
Rejoice, Joey Darling fans! This Worst Detective Ever encore is just what we need for summer. Enjoy consuming intrigue, a host of scary characters and full-on Joey moments as she works to protect women and herself.
I received a complimentary copy of the book without obligation for a positive review. This is my own opinion.
I received a complimentary copy of the book without obligation for a positive review. This is my own opinion.
June 26, 2025
The Faux Must Go On
I don’t know how Charity does it but every book I read is absolutely amazing. This kept me totally intrigued and kept me on the edge of my seat waiting for whatever came next. Boy was I surprised!
I don’t know how Charity does it but every book I read is absolutely amazing. This kept me totally intrigued and kept me on the edge of my seat waiting for whatever came next. Boy was I surprised!
June 23, 2025
Excellent
Christy Barritt writes such excellent books. I love her creative, mysterious, and exciting books, because they make it impossible to put the book down. I read this book in one day. I seriously hope that there will be more of "The Worst Detective Ever Book".
Christy Barritt writes such excellent books. I love her creative, mysterious, and exciting books, because they make it impossible to put the book down. I read this book in one day. I seriously hope that there will be more of "The Worst Detective Ever Book".
September 5, 2025
Entertaining series. This is the final book written so far. It's been a fun ride with Joey and Jackson and the gang. It's possible I will go on to read more by Christy Barritt. I have rather enjoyed my stay in the Outer Banks.
In this book, Joey is taking on a creepy wellness cult...from the inside. As per usual, she gets herself in waaaaay too deep and almost dies and as also per usual, Jackson is there the whole time and saves her in the end. All in a day's work.
Quotes:
Sheeple. That was the word that had been going through my mind lately, for far longer than since I’d arrived here. People who were docile, foolish, and easily led.
As a child, I’d believed Brussels sprouts were just cabbages that had failed to reach their full potential—sad little vegetable runts that hadn’t been given enough love or sunlight or whatever it is that cabbages need to become their best selves. My father had eventually set me straight, but I still couldn’t shake the mental image of Brussels sprouts being sent to my plate as punishment for underperforming in cabbage school.
“This sand was once mountain stone, broken down over millions of years, carried here by water and wind. Nothing in nature resists its transformation. Only humans.”
[Quote from the creepy cult leader. He was evil, but sometimes his words rang true. But that's how they get a following, isn't it? If everything they said was nonsense, no one would listen.]
In this book, Joey is taking on a creepy wellness cult...from the inside. As per usual, she gets herself in waaaaay too deep and almost dies and as also per usual, Jackson is there the whole time and saves her in the end. All in a day's work.
Quotes:
Sheeple. That was the word that had been going through my mind lately, for far longer than since I’d arrived here. People who were docile, foolish, and easily led.
As a child, I’d believed Brussels sprouts were just cabbages that had failed to reach their full potential—sad little vegetable runts that hadn’t been given enough love or sunlight or whatever it is that cabbages need to become their best selves. My father had eventually set me straight, but I still couldn’t shake the mental image of Brussels sprouts being sent to my plate as punishment for underperforming in cabbage school.
“This sand was once mountain stone, broken down over millions of years, carried here by water and wind. Nothing in nature resists its transformation. Only humans.”
[Quote from the creepy cult leader. He was evil, but sometimes his words rang true. But that's how they get a following, isn't it? If everything they said was nonsense, no one would listen.]
July 1, 2025
The Worst Detective Ever is another series by author Christy Barritt that I enjoy, but this one was a little more chilling to me, simply because I know that these kinds of manipulative schemes do go on and scam vulnerable people out of a lot of money. When Joey answers the call of an actress friend to go to a retreat and help convince another actress to leave the group, Joey goes along, not knowing what she was getting into. Kimberly and Bradley, leaders of Pinnacle, are very persuasive and smooth talking. The attendees, completely cut off from everyone (with their cell phones confiscated), sleep-deprived, and half-starved, are convinced to do dangerous "tests," all in the name of becoming enlightened and free. Even though Joey has a burner phone to keep in contact with Jackson, with one death early on, several disappearances, and her catching the eye of the charismatic leader, Joey knows she might be in over her head -- literally! With a twist I didn't see coming, a few other surprises along the way, and very little outside information coming in, Joey's life is on the line. I was hooked from the beginning!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions are my own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions are my own.
July 13, 2025
Joey Darling is back, and I couldn’t be more excited! This is my favorite Christy Barritt series, and I always love revisiting these characters. This was another fun, exciting, and fast-paced addition to the series.
A friend asks Joey to help investigate a possible cult. They go to a retreat the organization is holding, and things take a dangerous turn! There are strange mishaps, missing people, dangerous trust exercises, and, to top it all off, a mysterious death! This might be Joey's most high-risk case yet!
While this book features Joey’s typical humor and shenanigans, there is also a fair amount of suspense and even a bit of a psychological thriller aspect to it. My anxiety was definitely high while I was reading this story.
It can be read as a standalone, so if you’re new to the series, you can dive in here. Be prepared to want to devour the previous books, though! They’re all so good! I can't recommend it highly enough!
A friend asks Joey to help investigate a possible cult. They go to a retreat the organization is holding, and things take a dangerous turn! There are strange mishaps, missing people, dangerous trust exercises, and, to top it all off, a mysterious death! This might be Joey's most high-risk case yet!
While this book features Joey’s typical humor and shenanigans, there is also a fair amount of suspense and even a bit of a psychological thriller aspect to it. My anxiety was definitely high while I was reading this story.
It can be read as a standalone, so if you’re new to the series, you can dive in here. Be prepared to want to devour the previous books, though! They’re all so good! I can't recommend it highly enough!
August 19, 2025
When Joey is asked by her friend to try and get another friend out of a self help group, she is only really concerned about helping. When she arrives at the retreat she quickly feels the group is more of a cult than self help group, and is sickened to hear several members have signed over far more of their income than anyone should, and the group is beginning to feel more like yes women than individual women. When accidents begin to happen and people start to disappear, Joey starts to wish she stayed home with her husband and dog, and avoided the group and it's leader with blue cheese breath and tendency to single her out.
I confess, I never would have figured out this ending. The end was so unexpected to me that I never in a million years would have come up with it. The story was fact paced and I love this series so I'm always excited when a new one comes out
I confess, I never would have figured out this ending. The end was so unexpected to me that I never in a million years would have come up with it. The story was fact paced and I love this series so I'm always excited when a new one comes out
July 11, 2025
A sinister retreat guru preys on the vulnerable!
Joey loves digging into secrets and helping friends if she can. She has promised--again--to be absolutely and completely careful. But some manipulation is so slow and subtle, the hook is sliding in and almost set while you're distracted...
There is more than one layer to this man and his quest to help people "release their pasts and transform their visions" to match his own. And his plans are darker than to gather mere money.
Although many stories like this involve complete brainwashing, this one maintains an awareness of methods used to gain control over people and weaken their will. It can help readers recognize these ways used to begin or hide abuses; which sadly should never be far from our minds when observing those around us.
Joey loves digging into secrets and helping friends if she can. She has promised--again--to be absolutely and completely careful. But some manipulation is so slow and subtle, the hook is sliding in and almost set while you're distracted...
There is more than one layer to this man and his quest to help people "release their pasts and transform their visions" to match his own. And his plans are darker than to gather mere money.
Although many stories like this involve complete brainwashing, this one maintains an awareness of methods used to gain control over people and weaken their will. It can help readers recognize these ways used to begin or hide abuses; which sadly should never be far from our minds when observing those around us.
August 17, 2025
This installment of Joey Darling’s adventures was engaging on so many levels. As always, Joey is at her best—being nosey, getting herself into trouble, and stepping in to care for the people who need it most.
The retreat setting quickly turns from unusual to dangerous, and I honestly had no idea how it was all going to play out. The suspense kept me turning pages, and I was surprised by who—and what—was really behind it all.
A darker, but very satisfying addition to the Joey Darling series.
Disclaimer: I did receive this book from the author but was under no obligation to provide a review. All opinions expressed are my own.
The retreat setting quickly turns from unusual to dangerous, and I honestly had no idea how it was all going to play out. The suspense kept me turning pages, and I was surprised by who—and what—was really behind it all.
A darker, but very satisfying addition to the Joey Darling series.
Disclaimer: I did receive this book from the author but was under no obligation to provide a review. All opinions expressed are my own.
June 28, 2025
Joey Darling is back in action and may get more than she expected as she goes undercover at an exclusive self-help retreat—or is it a cult? Amid the risky endeavors required of participants, some disappear or even die. Will Joey be next or can she pull off the performance of her life? Surprising twists may undermine her confidence and her survival. Another fast-paced and exciting suspense from this gifted mystery writer! You don’t have to have read the others in the series to enjoy this novel. I received a copy from the author. All opinions are my own.
June 28, 2025
I had an ARC for this book, but this is my voluntary and honest opinion. Jody Darling is asked by a friend to help get another friend out of a self-help group by going to a retreat. Part of the retreat is very little food, and strange exercises some of which are dangerous. Joey becomes more determined than ever to find enough evidence to take to the police, but will it cost her life to complete? Interesting book and great look into cults.
June 28, 2025
The Faux Must Go On
This was another incredible book by Christy Barritt. I would recommend it to anyone who loves a little suspense. Joey Darling always finds herself in some kind of trouble. I love that Joey Darling is back on the case again. I couldn’t put this book down and had to force myself to stop reading to go to bed.
This was another incredible book by Christy Barritt. I would recommend it to anyone who loves a little suspense. Joey Darling always finds herself in some kind of trouble. I love that Joey Darling is back on the case again. I couldn’t put this book down and had to force myself to stop reading to go to bed.
July 2, 2025
I don’t handle psychological mysteries well. Especially when spirituality is involved. I’ve read the twelve books prior to this one and this one affected me most. There was Barritt’s humor that gives tension relief when needed, and I’m grateful for that. Well written as always! And I never did care for blue cheese anyway!
July 25, 2025
Whew!
Well, THAT did NOT end how I thought it would! Well, it did END the way I thought it would, but not HOW! Christy Barritt wrote another GREAT story... I felt like I was right there with Joey throughout all of it. And the representation of the people of Pinnacle gave me the heebie-jeebies!
Highly recommend!
Well, THAT did NOT end how I thought it would! Well, it did END the way I thought it would, but not HOW! Christy Barritt wrote another GREAT story... I felt like I was right there with Joey throughout all of it. And the representation of the people of Pinnacle gave me the heebie-jeebies!
Highly recommend!
July 30, 2025
This is a great addition to the “Worst Detective” series. I thoroughly enjoyed the suspense throughout the book while Joey was trying to determine what the origination, Pinnacle was all about. I was totally caught by surprise with the ending. I always love the way the author throws a twist at the end, which is always surprising. I highly recommend this book.
September 7, 2025
great read
Christy’s books are so full of suspense. This one did not disappoint. I did have a hard time reading it. Manipulation & brain washing is so huge in our society. And sadly used against people all the time. This could have been a true story. I’m glad it was just a book. Christy is such a great writer keeping you on the edge of your seat guessing until the very end.
Christy’s books are so full of suspense. This one did not disappoint. I did have a hard time reading it. Manipulation & brain washing is so huge in our society. And sadly used against people all the time. This could have been a true story. I’m glad it was just a book. Christy is such a great writer keeping you on the edge of your seat guessing until the very end.
June 28, 2025
Worth the Read
I liked the quirky characters and storytelling. Joey is a flawed person who finds herself in tricky situations and relies on her quick thinking and friends to help her. Highly recommend. A fun and entertaining read.
I liked the quirky characters and storytelling. Joey is a flawed person who finds herself in tricky situations and relies on her quick thinking and friends to help her. Highly recommend. A fun and entertaining read.
June 30, 2025
Always great!
There has not been a book by Christy Barrett that I have not loved, yet! I am pretty sure there never will be! I hope she continues with this series! Very funny and I am always laugh out loud when reading these books! A book you can’t put down!
There has not been a book by Christy Barrett that I have not loved, yet! I am pretty sure there never will be! I hope she continues with this series! Very funny and I am always laugh out loud when reading these books! A book you can’t put down!
July 19, 2025
the Faux is right
I don’t know how Joey is so daring and is still alive. She is at this Women’s retreat that is as as crazy “as ole Cooter Brown”. If you know that expression you know this story has ups and downs and crazy people. It is a ‘good’ story.
I don’t know how Joey is so daring and is still alive. She is at this Women’s retreat that is as as crazy “as ole Cooter Brown”. If you know that expression you know this story has ups and downs and crazy people. It is a ‘good’ story.
June 21, 2025
Another Joey Darling feature story! Very interesting, educational and informative. Can be read as a stand alone or read the entire series for even more enjoyment. Definitely worth the read.
June 22, 2025
Loved this book!
Joey in trouble again? Of course! I tried to figure this book out, I was totally wrong! It was fun and full of surprises!
Joey in trouble again? Of course! I tried to figure this book out, I was totally wrong! It was fun and full of surprises!
June 28, 2025
I was so happy when I saw there was another book about Joey! I enjoyed it!
August 16, 2025
Fast Paced Thriller
Good story that makes you think - good character development, clean thriller that keeps you guessing until the very end
Good story that makes you think - good character development, clean thriller that keeps you guessing until the very end
January 5, 2026
Very well written short stories.
I really enjoyed this series. I hated it when I started the 13th book LOL. I got to know a lot of the characters very well. I just enjoyed it.
I really enjoyed this series. I hated it when I started the 13th book LOL. I got to know a lot of the characters very well. I just enjoyed it.
January 10, 2026
Every boook on this series was great. Had the perfect mix of humor and suspense with great story line.
November 18, 2025
I read this on #KindleUnlimited
July 17, 2025
Great exciting story but a lame title!😂
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews