My Funny Valentine

Lizzie Hart Mysteries #4

by Caroline Fardig

All Lizzie wants for Valentine's Day is for her fiancé NOT to be the prime suspect in a murder investigation.Is that too much to ask?Lizzie Hart is finally living the dream. She's engaged to the love of her life, Blake Morgan, and more importantly, she hasn't even given a thought to dead bodies or murder investigations for an entire year. The only hurdle in Lizzie and Blake's way to wedded bliss is introducing their polar opposite families to each other at their engagement party.Blake's parents have thrown a lavish shindig, but the fun is quickly over when Blake's brother arrives with an unexpected guest, the woman who left Blake at the altar years ago. If that weren't enough drama for one evening, Lizzie and Blake find the town mayor dead and the detectives on the case put Blake at the top of their suspect list.It's a race against the clock for Lizzie and Blake to find the real killer before the police decide to lock Blake up and throw away the key.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Cozy

107 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 16, 2016

About the author

CAROLINE FARDIG is the USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR of the Java Jive Mysteries series and the Lizzie Hart Mysteries series. Fardig's BAD MEDICINE was named one of the "Best Books of 2015" by Suspense Magazine. She worked as a schoolteacher, church organist, insurance agent, funeral parlor associate, and stay-at-home mom before she realized that she wanted to be a writer when she grew up. Born and raised in a small town in Indiana, Fardig still lives in that same town with an understanding husband, two sweet kids, two energetic dogs, and one malevolent cat.

Reviews

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lizzie and Blake are engaged. Now if they can just make it through the engagement party, it will be wonderful. Of course that means it will be wonderful only if her family and his family do not kill one another first.
Then just when the party seems to be going very well, they find the body of the Mayor and he has been murdered.
At first, Blake is charged with the murder, but when he is released, he and Lizzie start to investigate. They hope to get questions answered quickly. As the two of them speak to people who were at the party, they learn more and more that the Mayor probably needed to be gone. He was not a nice person.
The characters are well defined whether they are Lizzie and Blake or the folks who are secondary.
This is a quick read with fast moving action. The plot is interesting and well done for such a short read. Although this is part of a series, it was easy for me to follow along although I have not read any of the earlier books.
Lizzie and Blake are strong lead characters and Liberty is a small town filled with people who make for an good read.
Ms Fardig is a new to me author and I have enjoyed this story very much.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lizzie Hart and Blake Morgan has a courtship filled with secrets, miscommunication, mystery and dead bodies- you know, the usual. The fact that they could make us laugh their way through it is proof that this is a couple with staying power. Faithful readers of the series will be gratified to see that they made it to their engagement party, and not at all surprised that another dead body makes a cameo appearance. Think that's bad? Wait til you see how they celebrate Valentine's Day...

As usual, Fardig cracked me up, and meeting both of the happy couples' mothers made me cringe as it also helped to shed light on Blake and Morgan's personalities. I once again marvel at the small-town, well, sadists these two keep running into (never let it be said that life is more dangerous in a big city). Nice to see these two solve a crime without wanting to throttle each other!

[Lauretta · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella is set just before the fourth book in the series. Blake and Lizzie have set the date for their wedding and Blake's parents want to throw a big engagement party for the couple. In inviting everyone in town, Mrs. Morgan creates potential trouble with citizens who don't really care for each other and there's tension between the two families, especially the mothers. When the mayor's dead body is discovered, the party goes south in a hurry. There are plenty of suspects, but Blake and Lizzie are on the case. Their sleuthing leads to a dangerous situation for the two of them, but together they are able to capture the murderer and live to tell about it, smoothing the path to a beautiful and murder-free wedding . . .just kidding! There are bound to be more dead bodies in Liberty, and the two super sleuths/newspaper reporter/copy editor just can't keep from getting involved!

[Robyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lizzie and Blake are engaged have been for a year but his mother wants to throw an engagement party. The families are to meet for the first time and both Lizzie and Blake expect the worst. Blake’s ex-bride shows up with Blake’s brother then Lizzie and Blake find the mayor dead. The police arrest Blake for his murder. Lizzie's decides Blake isn’t going to be railroaded and starts a list of what to do to prove him innocent. Det. William Johnson tries to stir Lizzie away from sticking he nose in this mess. Wonderful characters a great story, funny with the family’s interaction and bickering.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, fast read about an unfortunate copy editor who apparently finds herself in nasty situations on a regular basis. When death hits she and her fiancé, they must work together to solve the crime, or end dead themselves.

[Jenn Swanson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This little mystery wasn't very long but it was still good. I will probably check out more in this series. Would recommend.

[Nellana Degraff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Valentine's Day Read

Read this on Valentine's Day while having car serviced and new tires mounted. Love a quick, fast paced read! Kept my interest to the end.

[Barbara Fricks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really appreciate that the author was willing to share her book for free. It was a quick enjoyable read. Lizzie and Blake have a cute relationship and their dysfunctional parents round out what will continue to be a humorous series. Since this is book 4 I'd like to read the first 3 to get the background story.

[Karen B. · Rating 2 out of 5]

The local mayor is murdered at Lizzie and Blake's engagement party. Blake is the one to find the body and is the primary suspect. Together they investigate to find the real murderer. I read this because it was a Valentine's cozy mystery but it really wasn't worth the time.

[Sally Hannoush · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great cozy Valentine mystery. And yes, some parts were pretty funny while others were ten times kind of messed up. Great reading! Well written story.

[Ashley Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute!

This was a really cute, fast-paced read. It was refreshing to have a nice clean story with a happy ending. The characters could be a little more defined, but it was a good storyline. I give it 5 stars.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

this story was one that has two happily engaged couple who had have families that aren't into letting happy occasions stay clom.

[SUE · Rating 4 out of 5]

godd story. Keeps you guessing as to who killed the mayor right to the end.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

very good short story

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

review

quick read...eventually will possibly choose to find the other books by Caroline Fardig to see if they are offered as a free read

[Lisa Neal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast moving and fun! Loved the characters!

[Barbara Hackel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lizzie Hart and her fiance Blake are back! As they celebrate their engagement with a party (months after the fact) it is a stressful time for them. Blake's family members are not loving or accepting of Lizzie. Of course Lizzie's family-mostly her mom-tend to be outspoken and over reacting people. There is no way these two families will be celebrating together once the wedding is past! Rightly so, both Lizzie and Blake are embarrassed by their families and would like them just to go home! Unfortunately that's not the way it goes. What happens instead is a murder at the engagement party that results in Blake's arrest. When he is finally released, he and Lizzie go back to doing what they have done so well before-crime solving! It's a wild ride with lots of surprises. However the ending will surprise you and make you wonder if this will be the end of Lizzie too! Super exciting and fun read. Be sure to read these books in order for maximum fun and understanding!

[Linda Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the fourth book of the Lizzy Hart series, Lizzy is within weeks of her marriage to the handsome Blake. At their engagement party, the obnoxious mayor ends up dead on the patio. That’s never a recipe for a good party. The inclusion of both sets of parents makes the story both humorous and a bit irritating. If I had a mother like either of these women, I would run away from home and change my name. So good is our author's descriptive style, I could taste the desserts, feel the chill in the air, and become rather irate at the unexpected appearance of Blake's former fiancé. Lizzy always seems to solve the case, although Fardig writes some very intriguing scenes where Lizzy finds herself in need of rescue. I eagerly await the next Lizzy Hart mystery. I’ve recommended the Lizzy Hart series to many friends and with the release of this fun read, I will continue to do so.
~ Linda Thompson, Host of The Authors Show

[Amary Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast moving

Romantic clean cozy mystery with a fast moving plot. Well defined family interactions lend a touch of humor as well.

[Lori Shore]

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a review
This is the second novel of Ms. Fardig's that I have read and I was as enchanted with this one as I was the first. I plan to read them all at some point. They're sweet and romantic even with the murder and mayhem mixed throughout. I had a hard time putting this one down. Great pacing throughout the book and I didn't figure out who it was until almost the end, which is always a plus when reading cozy mysteries.
It's definitely worth checking it out.

[Carlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this 4th book in the series Lizzie is engaged to Blake and an engagement party is planned by Blake's parents. It is an opportunity for Lizzie's parents to help celebrate as well. But the obnoxious mayor is found dead at the party and there are plenty of people with motives, including Blake. Lizzie is determined to clear his name and as usual insinuates herself into the police investigation. Another fun cozy mystery!

[deeanna sherwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another hit

I fell in love with lizzie and Blake from the first book a little crush ms. Fardig writes characters that are quirky and you find that these characters are like your friends and you laugh, cry and enjoy the ride to figure out the mystery I have recommended these books to my friends and continue reading books from this author.

[Natalie Bachiri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lizzie is back and murder isn't far behind. It seems to follow her. Lizzie and Blake just can't get a break to enjoy their engagement party. Family issues and murder cloud the way and in the end Lizzie and Blake find their happy ending. Or do they? I love all of the Lizzie Hart Mysteries. Let the wedding begin.

[Kym]

Nope. Nonononono
Dear Book, it's not you, it's me.
This is not a review because I didn't get very far into it. No, this is a warning.
If you hate first person singular present tense as much as I do, skip it. If that's okay, then read the other reviews and proceed accordingly. I wish I had known....

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lizzie and Blake are having their engagement party and of course find a dead body. This was a quick, fun read with plenty of romance and laughs.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read

I love this series. I only wished this book had been a bit longer. I definitely would recommend this book. I can't wait for the next book.

[Julia Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wait what, it's over already?! It felt too short!!

[Marsha Bernabe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yay!

Another fun Lizzie and Blake story. I'm amazed at how she always gets herself in trouble while getting to the truth! :-)

[Meeghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review on my blog. Link in my bio.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read and good fun too. Love the characters of Lizzie and Blake.
Enjoyable.