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What Lucy Heard: a PIP Inc. Mystery
247 pages, Paperback
Published August 11, 2025
12 people want to read
About the author
Nancy Lynn Jarvis
19 books119 followersNancy is a happily former Realtor. Without a license to hold her back, she was free to share her opinions about all things real estate especially in Regan McHenry Real Estate Mysteries. Her background added authenticity to the series, but when she was ready for a new series, she turned to a former law librarian turned private investigator for guidance about writing Pat Pirard, the protagonist of PIP Inc. Mysteries.
Nancy has had a checkered career past: she's worked for the San Jose Mercury News, been a librarian, photo archivist, and been the business manager of Shakespeare/Santa Cruz.
Her work history reflects her philosophy: people should try something radically different every few years. Writing murder mysteries set in Santa Cruz is one of her newer adventures.
She has also had a go at editing. "Cozy Food," which has caused her to think that cozy writers are the nicest people out there, has recipes from 128 cozy mystery writers. "Santa Cruz Weird" was fun to put together but a nightmare to format causing her to swear off anthologies. However, she gave it one more go with "Santa Cruz Ghost Stories" which was great fun, not only for working withother writers, but for the stories.
She's also written "Mags and the AARP Gang" about a groups of 80-somethings who rob a bank to pay off the mortgage on their mobile home park, and used notes she took during her first year as an Airbnb host to write "The Truth About Hosting Airbnb."
Nancy is exploring short story writing, too, and adds to "Bodies in Bonny Doon" whenever she finishes a story. It's only available as an ebook right now, but it will eventually grow into a print book in the future.
Nancy has had a checkered career past: she's worked for the San Jose Mercury News, been a librarian, photo archivist, and been the business manager of Shakespeare/Santa Cruz.
Her work history reflects her philosophy: people should try something radically different every few years. Writing murder mysteries set in Santa Cruz is one of her newer adventures.
She has also had a go at editing. "Cozy Food," which has caused her to think that cozy writers are the nicest people out there, has recipes from 128 cozy mystery writers. "Santa Cruz Weird" was fun to put together but a nightmare to format causing her to swear off anthologies. However, she gave it one more go with "Santa Cruz Ghost Stories" which was great fun, not only for working withother writers, but for the stories.
She's also written "Mags and the AARP Gang" about a groups of 80-somethings who rob a bank to pay off the mortgage on their mobile home park, and used notes she took during her first year as an Airbnb host to write "The Truth About Hosting Airbnb."
Nancy is exploring short story writing, too, and adds to "Bodies in Bonny Doon" whenever she finishes a story. It's only available as an ebook right now, but it will eventually grow into a print book in the future.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 24, 2025
When serial philanderer Rex Midland is murdered, the obvious suspect is Harold Pafton, the husband of one of Midland’s lovers, who was at the scene on the day of the murder. Defense attorney Mark Bellows convinces Pat Pirard, Santa Cruz Law Librarian, newly turned private investigator, to help with jury selection. She’s reluctant, partly because Bellows is a little skivvy and her new husband is not fond of him, and partly because she can’t help someone who might be guilty.
So she meets the accused, finds him worthy, and does her best to pick a jury favorable to his plight. The trouble is, as she listens to the case unfold in the courtroom, she begins to wonder if she’s been fooled by the smooth-talking lawyer. Is Pafton really guilty after all? Has she helped a murderer walk free?
She launches her own investigation and follows an unexpected trail.
I love a good courtroom drama, and What Lucy Heard delivers. In addition, you get some solid PI action with interesting surprises. I can feel the research in this book, and I learned a couple of things about jury selection and courtroom procedure.
What Lucy Heard is a nicely paced, clearly written, noir-ish PI tale with a competent woman running the show. Loved it! What Lucy Heard is the 6th in the series. Though I sensed backstory that must have happened in previous books, I was never lost or even bemused. This book stands solidly on its own, but I bet the others in the series are just as much fun. See Once Upon a Tarot Card ( in which Auntie Sorchia reads each book like a tarot spread. Discover the archetypes, the transformations, and the magic inside the story. ) at SorchiaDubois dot com.
So she meets the accused, finds him worthy, and does her best to pick a jury favorable to his plight. The trouble is, as she listens to the case unfold in the courtroom, she begins to wonder if she’s been fooled by the smooth-talking lawyer. Is Pafton really guilty after all? Has she helped a murderer walk free?
She launches her own investigation and follows an unexpected trail.
I love a good courtroom drama, and What Lucy Heard delivers. In addition, you get some solid PI action with interesting surprises. I can feel the research in this book, and I learned a couple of things about jury selection and courtroom procedure.
What Lucy Heard is a nicely paced, clearly written, noir-ish PI tale with a competent woman running the show. Loved it! What Lucy Heard is the 6th in the series. Though I sensed backstory that must have happened in previous books, I was never lost or even bemused. This book stands solidly on its own, but I bet the others in the series are just as much fun. See Once Upon a Tarot Card ( in which Auntie Sorchia reads each book like a tarot spread. Discover the archetypes, the transformations, and the magic inside the story. ) at SorchiaDubois dot com.
October 8, 2025
I enjoyed reading What Lucy Heard and was quickly pulled into the plot. Author Nancy Lynn Jarvis pens an intriguing little mystery here with likeable characters like Pat and her husband Tim as well as their dog Dot and their cat Whimsey. As I read it was evident Nancy Lynn Jarvis did her research on court hearings and legal proceedings as the book goes into detail regarding both.
What Lucy Heard by Nancy Lynn Jarvis is book 6 in her PIP Inc Mystery Series but reads perfectly well as a stand-alone. I recommend this one if you enjoy crime mysteries revolving around legal proceedings.
What Lucy Heard by Nancy Lynn Jarvis is book 6 in her PIP Inc Mystery Series but reads perfectly well as a stand-alone. I recommend this one if you enjoy crime mysteries revolving around legal proceedings.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews