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"There’s a body in my bed. A dead body."

The call from a friend staying at Sherman’s newest – okay, only – B&B starts Elizabeth Margaret “E.M.” Danniher on a twisting, turning journey where appearances not only deceive, they turn deadly.
When her TV reporter friend Wardell Yardley comes to visit, they take a weekend trip to Yellowstone Park and encounter a surprising set of people. Including a team-building group from social media mega-force VisageTome, a mysterious older couple, and someone from Elizabeth’s childhood.
Elizabeth senses undercurrents in this strange assortment that just about pull her and her friends underwater for good when everyone shows up in her tiny Sherman, Wyoming, town.
Not only is there a murder to solve – and fast – there’s also a new sheriff in town, whose No. 1 rule might be No Sleuthing By Journalists.
Look Live is a TV news term. A reporter appears to be live at a scene, perhaps for an introduction or the toss back to the anchor desk, but in fact the entire report is taped. A misleading perception, carefully set up. Ah, the dangers of deceiving appearances …
Elizabeth, her KWMT-TV colleague Mike Paycik, rancher Tom Burrell, and their supporting staff of idiosyncratic sleuths untangle what happens when it’s not enough to merely … LOOK LIVE.

Don't miss any of Elizabeth Danniher's Caught Dead in Wyoming adventures

Sign Off (Book 1)
Left Hanging (Book 2)
Shoot First (Book 3)
Last Ditch (Book 4)
Look Live (Book 5)
Back Story (Book 6), coming in 2017

582 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 18, 2016

311 people are currently reading
137 people want to read

About the author

Patricia McLinn

134 books314 followers
USA Today bestselling author Patricia McLinn’s novels—cited by reviewers for warmth, wit and vivid characterization – have won numerous regional and national awards and been on national bestseller lists.

In addition to her romance and women’s fiction books, Patricia is the author of the Caught Dead in Wyoming mystery series, which adds a touch of humor and romance to figuring out whodunit.

Patricia received BA and MSJ degrees from Northwestern University. She was a sports writer (Rockford, Ill.), assistant sports editor (Charlotte, N.C.) and—for 20-plus years—an editor at the Washington Post.

She has spoken about writing from Melbourne, Australia to Washington, D.C., including being a guest-speaker at the Smithsonian Institution. She is now living in Northern Kentucky, and writing full-time. Patricia loves to hear from readers through her website, Facebook, Goodreads, and Twitter.

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5 stars
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188 (36%)
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
Profile Image for Betty.
2,004 reviews75 followers
January 14, 2019
A trip to Yellowstone National Park Elizabeth, Mike and Wardell Yardley begins the Fifth installment of this series. There a meet a group of popular internet service that has been sent by their company on a working seminar. There is a noticeable tension among members of this group.
Back in Sherman, Wyoming, Dell is staying at the new B&B resort. It is the only one there. Elizabeth received a call from as he found a dead body in his bed. The owners of the establishment are related to the owners of KMTV so Elizabeth and her friends must be careful what they produced. Thurston Fine is still around to be a bother. There is new sheriff and he has made it clear that journalists need to report and the investigation to the Sheriff Department. A relaxing and fast read. I HIGHLY recommend THIS BOOK SERIES AND SERIES.
2,547 reviews6 followers
September 16, 2018
Another wonderfully convoluted murder mystery! Elizabeth’s metro friend, Dell, comes to Sherman for a visit and soon finds a dead body in his hotel bed.
Profile Image for (Grace) Kentucky Bohemian.
2,004 reviews1 follower
July 25, 2022
Great Entertainment
I read all sorts of books. Constantly. Sometimes I like to sit back, put my brain on autopilot, and read a lighter piece that's going to make me laugh, relax, and think about none of the stuff I should be contemplating. This book was created for times like that.

Ms. McLinn has assembled a wonderful cast of delightful characters set in a small Wyoming town. But the characters are not the only bit of awesomeness in this series. The stories are just as much fun. Each novel in this series has been a wonderful staycation for my brain; allowing me to put everything aside for a while as I listen to the witty comments and confounding chaos that seems to follow the main character, E.M. Dannaher. While I'm characterizing these books as good escapist reads, please don't misunderstand that to mean that they are fluff. I may consider this escapist entertainment, but the characters are still intelligent and the plot lines are rich with intrigue, deceit, and complete shenanigans.

This is book five in the series, and I've thoroughly enjoyed each one. Due to the author's skillful writing, it's possible to pick this story up and enjoy it even if you're new to the series. I'm figuring you'll be back for more either way, so why not start at the beginning with book one?
Profile Image for Jan.
425 reviews5 followers
October 30, 2017
"There’s a body in my bed. A dead body." The call from a friend staying at Sherman’s newest – okay, only – B&B starts Elizabeth Margaret “E.M.” Danniher on a twisting, turning journey where appearances not only deceive, they turn deadly. When her TV reporter friend Wardell Yardley comes to visit, they take a weekend trip to Yellowstone Park and encounter a surprising set of people. Including a team-building group from social media mega-force VisageTome, a mysterious older couple, and someone from Elizabeth’s childhood. Elizabeth senses undercurrents in this strange assortment that just about pull her and her friends underwater for good when everyone shows up in her tiny Sherman, Wyoming, town. Not only is there a murder to solve – and fast – there’s also a new sheriff in town, whose No. 1 rule might be No Sleuthing By Journalists. Look Live is a TV news term. A reporter appears to be live at a scene, perhaps for an introduction or the toss back to the anchor desk, but in fact the entire report is taped. A misleading perception, carefully set up. Ah, the dangers of deceiving appearances … Elizabeth, her KWMT-TV colleague Mike Paycik, rancher Tom Burrell, and their supporting staff of idiosyncratic sleuths untangle what happens when it’s not enough to merely … LOOK LIVE.
Profile Image for Valorie.
85 reviews
March 19, 2018
When Elizabeth's friend Wardell "Dell" Yardley visits Sherman on assignment a dead body in his bed was not what he expected. This story is very convoluted between the numerous members of the VisageTome group, the bed and breakfast owners, a mother and son, husband and wife, and a Yellowstone park ranger.

Elizabeth, Mike, and Dell take a trip to Yellowstone before Dell starts his assignment. During the trip they encounter the Williams', a husband and wife duo on vacation, the VisageTome group on a team building retreat, and Bunny and Christopher who's reason for being there is sketchy at best. Some how each of these groups end up in Sherman at the not even officially open B&B. Next thing you know, Dell is calling Elizabeth telling her there is a dead body in his bed yet he didn't even stay in his room. Then out of the blue, a Yellowstone park ranger approaches Elizabeth in the parking lot of the sheriff's station. Why in the world is he in Sherman? After his frantic approach asking questions, he disappears before Elizabeth can get any answers. However, Jennifer does discover he and the deceased have something in common.

Elizabeth feels an expressed need to quickly solve this murder in order to save Dell's career. The rest of Dell's crew will be there in just a few days so that doesn't leave much time. Elizabeth owes this to Dell since he wouldn't even be in Sherman if it weren't for her.
376 reviews6 followers
November 1, 2017
I have enjoyed all the books in this series but I liked this one least as the plot was too confusing. I am still not entirely convinced of the motive for murder and struggled to work out who was who. That said I like all the regular characters and I meeting Dell in person. I have realised I do not understand the American judicial system so having a new Sheriff and County Attorney at the same time confused me. I am not sure the new Sheriff worked as a character, someone who questions the freedom of the press - why would anyone want a relationship with him?
Profile Image for Cheryl.
1,117 reviews
September 2, 2018
Patricia McLinn writes an excellent mystery! We have all the characters, Elizabeth, Mike, Tom, Jennifer, Diana, and a new sheriff plus attorney Abbott. Let's start with a friend of Elizabeth's coming for a visit. Off Elizabeth, Mike and her friend, Dell go to Yellowstone Park. Let the fun begin! We have hits of a mystery going on , plot twists but not much really happens until the vacation is over and they back home. Death occurs and more things happen, oh the plot twists. Add in a time constraint and even more happens. Read this excellent mystery which I highly recommend!
Profile Image for Kathleen.
1,856 reviews9 followers
May 18, 2022
This is the fifth in the series. I listened to this book. I like the author and the narrator. Set in the Sherman, Wyoming. EM (Elizabeth Margaret) Danner has renewed her contract with the local station.

EM, Mike Paycik, rancher Tom Burrell, and their supporting staff of idiosyncratic sleuths untangle what happens after Darryl from VisageTomb id found dead in Wardell’s bed at the bed and breakfast. There were plenty of twists and turns to keep me entertained. I recommend this book.
I am looking forward to the next installment. EM has grown through the five books I have read.
Profile Image for Wayne.
449 reviews
September 19, 2017
I've read five books in this series so far. I like the characters and the stories. This book, though, was not up to par with the others. The story was too convoluted to keep up with and the explanation at the end was way too long. I hope Ms. McLinn copncentrates more of character relationships in the next book in the series.
114 reviews
June 2, 2018
Twists and turns

From the beginning, this book made me think I needed a cheat sheet. But, the deeper I got into the story, realized I was catching on. Great twists and turns and letting the story fall. Not one I was going to figure out by myself. Really enjoyed all the craziness.
Profile Image for Jeffrey.
299 reviews4 followers
June 18, 2020
A good follow up in this series. Expands on the character of Dell. That he is African-American seems to have been quietly mentioned. Would have thought that was a more important detail.

Story wraps up quickly. Good to see mistakes being made and how that adds to the story.

A fun read. And some interesting notes about Yellow stone.
Profile Image for Arref Mak.
145 reviews1 follower
May 15, 2023
A tiny trail of tiny clues

I dislike the mechanics of this one as the reader doesn't have a clear view over EM's shoulder until the very end.

Too many coincidences and tiny clues do not make a mystery, they make a maze.

Still the setting and characters are top notch.

The narrative appeal did not match the maze ending for me.
Profile Image for Dakota Owens.
20 reviews
November 27, 2023
This was an interesting book, initially I was drawn to it as it is placed in Wyoming but for some reason it took me forever to read. It didn't have that special something that made me want to pick up and read and I'm not sure why. This was the first book I've read of her series, perhaps I should start with book 1!
540 reviews3 followers
February 10, 2021
Love E. M. Danniher

The characters in these books are charming and real ( their flaws are in full view). I love how they work together and accept each other, idiosyncrasies and all. These stories make a very satisfying read.
80 reviews
June 18, 2022
Looked Live and Was

Better than ever, this definitely had some really cool twists and turn, the kind that'll keep you impatiently waiting for the next adventure with our hardy crew.
650 reviews4 followers
May 29, 2021
Great read

Good plot, real people. A fast read with an engaging story. If you are this far along in the series, you already know what to expect. And the book delivers
2,184 reviews4 followers
July 22, 2022
Love the characters in thisone.
Profile Image for IslandRiverScribe.
473 reviews23 followers
December 25, 2016
Wardell Yardley is a high-ranking White House correspondent with a well-known face and an excellent reputation for quality news reporting. When he is ordered by his network bosses to go to Sherman, WY, to do a special on long-lost gold coins found during a homicide investigation several months previous – neither coin nor murder in any way related to DC politics – Dell figures the network is pushing him out of town while they audition some Young Turk to take his slot.

Not once does it cross his mind that he might encounter in Wyoming a story that could have international implications. Nor does he ever think that he might become the lead suspect in a murder. All he thinks is that he is coming into Sherman a week ahead of his film crew to relax with his long-time journalist friend, and our series protagonist, Elizabeth Danniher.

Elizabeth and one of her investigative partners, Mike Paycik, are taking Dell to Yellowstone National Park for the weekend. For each of them, this trip promises natural beauty, wild animals, geysers, and relaxation from their daily grind of news reporting. What they actually get, starting with their first highway Critter Jam, is mud, bison pies and sulfur stink. And the only wild animals they encounter are of the human variety – a group of egotistical and viciously snarky internet software engineers with VisageTome, a company trying to move from #2 to #1 in the social media networking game.

Several hours later, Elizabeth and company find themselves housed in the same lodge with these same VisageTome cretins, as well as many of their colleagues who are on a team-building retreat. By the end of the evening, Dell is convinced that all is not well in VisageTome Land, particularly from an ethical and business standpoint, and that a major journalistic opportunity has just dropped into his lap. In turn, Elizabeth has discovered that these same people have some very real personal problems facing them, the word “blackmail” being a dead give-away.

From that point on, everywhere Elizabeth, Dell and Mike turn during the weekend, these same six VisageTome employees turn up. And with them come accidents, fights, belligerent drunkenness and a lot more fodder for Dell’s possible story.

After the weekend, back in Sherman and before they can even unpack, the same VisageTome crew shows up at the B&B where Dell is staying. And by the next morning, there is a dead body in Dell’s bed.

In this 5th entry in Patricia McLinn’s Caught Dead in Wyoming series, we find an intricate and intriguing murder plot along with some very nasty subplots, multiple suspects and multiple possible motives.

The events in the storyline actually take place over a period of nine days, with the murder not occurring until the morning of the sixth day. However, as my previous paragraphs detail, those first five days are not empty, meaningless fluff designed to meet a contractual word count.

During those days we are introduced, by way of Elizabeth’s POV, to all the people who will eventually become suspects, victims and heroes in this tale. For these first 5 days, we really don’t know who is going to die, just that, being a murder mystery, someone is. We know who we would love to meet an untimely end, but there is actually no one person with a flashing neon arrow pointing to their head saying “It’s going to be me!”

But once the murder does take place, the focus of the storyline shifts. Elizabeth is an investigative journalist who was also forced out of her DC position by the network. Only 10 months ago, she was exiled to Wyoming for the remainder of her contract, her burgeoning career and her finances destroyed, in a revenge move by the network boss she divorced. And she sees Dell, one of the few friends she has left from her previous life, being forced down a parallel path – shifted out of DC, sent to Wyoming, his professional reputation in danger of being stained by personal involvement with a murder victim.

So, for Elizabeth, by way of Patricia McLinn’s storytelling, it becomes an imperative that she save Dell from the same fate which befell her. But to do so, she will have to shift her focus away from what she has lost in order to realize exactly what she has found with her forced move to Wyoming – a group of true friends, a job she actually enjoys, a regional area she has a real feel for, and a dog who has adopted her.

McLinn tells both of these sides of the tale well – the murder investigation and the personal growth. One flows into the other and back out again with a smoothness that makes this entry a pleasure to read.

Essentially, I would judge this to be a bridge novel. McLinn has brought Elizabeth to a crossroads. We can only hope that the path chosen for the next entry in the series is not one involving emotional backsliding but one of more character growth, a smidge of personal happiness and a nasty murder mystery to solve.
Profile Image for Judy.
3,305 reviews
July 7, 2019
Look Live by Patricia McLinn
Caught Dead in Wyoming Series Book Five
Elizabeth Margaret Danniher...big time journalist...hijacked to small town by ex husband. In less than a year of being in Sherman, Wyoming, Elizabeth has managed to get herself tangled up in murder investigations. Helping solve them too, along with her friends.

As her friend comes from DC to report on one of the cases she helped with, they take a few days to go to Yellowstone Park. Innocent enough until people they met at the park, end up in Sherman. And one of those folks ends up dead in her friend's bed.

There's a new sheriff in town and he wants Elizabeth to stay out of his investigations. Not going to happen. Great series. Plenty of suspects to keep you guessing through the story. And amidst the mystery...there is humor too. These books are from Elizabeth's point of view only.
**Mild language
http://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/...
Profile Image for Alisa.
267 reviews
January 3, 2017
A fun mystery series that feels a step above "cozy" status. I really enjoy spending time with these characters. McLinn has created a fleshed-out lead and surrounded her with interesting support characters. This was a very enjoyable read.
Profile Image for Zan Marie Steadham.
Author 3 books18 followers
April 17, 2017

With another snappily plotted mystery, McLinn extends her Caught Dead in Wyoming series into high tech and missing sons.
203 reviews
April 18, 2017
Complicated

I found myself rereading pages because I had gotten lost in this story. Which is frustrating when you're moving along in the story. Actually my first concern in this series, so I anticipate the rest to be stellar.
Profile Image for Sandra Roberts.
20 reviews
Read
April 14, 2018
I love this series. Can't wait to start book 5. Hate to put them down once I start.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews

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