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The Worst Detective Ever #1
Ready to Fumble
I'm not really a private detective. I just play one on TV.
Joey Darling, better known to the world as Raven Remington, detective extraordinaire, is trying to separate herself from her invincible alter ego. She played the spunky character for five years on the hit TV show Relentless , which catapulted her to fame and into the role of Hollywood’s sweetheart.
When her marriage falls apart, her finances dwindle to nothing, and her father disappears, Joey finds herself on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, trying to piece her life back together away from the limelight. A woman finds Raven—er, Joey—and insists on hiring her fictional counterpart to find a missing boyfriend. When someone begins staging crime scenes to match an episode of Relentless , Joey has no choice but to get involved.
Joey’s bumbling sleuthing abilities have her butting heads with Detective Jackson Sullivan and kindling sparks with thrill-seeking neighbor Zane Oakley. Can Joey channel her inner Raven and unearth whodunit before she ends up totally done in? And where is her father anyway? Can she handle fame or is disappearing into obscurity the wiser option?
Get Ready To Fumble your way through this enchanting new series.
Joey Darling, better known to the world as Raven Remington, detective extraordinaire, is trying to separate herself from her invincible alter ego. She played the spunky character for five years on the hit TV show Relentless , which catapulted her to fame and into the role of Hollywood’s sweetheart.
When her marriage falls apart, her finances dwindle to nothing, and her father disappears, Joey finds herself on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, trying to piece her life back together away from the limelight. A woman finds Raven—er, Joey—and insists on hiring her fictional counterpart to find a missing boyfriend. When someone begins staging crime scenes to match an episode of Relentless , Joey has no choice but to get involved.
Joey’s bumbling sleuthing abilities have her butting heads with Detective Jackson Sullivan and kindling sparks with thrill-seeking neighbor Zane Oakley. Can Joey channel her inner Raven and unearth whodunit before she ends up totally done in? And where is her father anyway? Can she handle fame or is disappearing into obscurity the wiser option?
Get Ready To Fumble your way through this enchanting new series.
252 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 5, 2017
1536 people are currently reading
776 people want to read
About the author
Christy Barritt
336 books1,698 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 - 30 of 194 reviews
August 14, 2017
About this book:
“I'm not really a private detective. I just play one on TV.
Joey Darling, better known to the world as Raven Remington, detective extraordinaire, is trying to separate herself from her invincible alter ego. She played the spunky character for five years on the hit TV show Relentless, which catapulted her to fame and into the role of Hollywood’s sweetheart.
When her marriage falls apart, her finances dwindle to nothing, and her father disappears, Joey finds herself on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, trying to piece her life back together away from the limelight. A woman finds Raven—er, Joey—and insists on hiring her fictional counterpart to find a missing boyfriend. When someone begins staging crime scenes to match an episode of Relentless, Joey has no choice but to get involved.
Joey’s bumbling sleuthing abilities have her butting heads with Detective Jackson Sullivan and kindling sparks with thrill-seeking neighbor Zane Oakley. Can Joey channel her inner Raven and unearth whodunit before she ends up totally done in? And where is her father anyway? Can she handle fame, or is disappearing into obscurity the wiser option?”
Series: Book #1 in “The Worst Detective Ever” series.
Spiritual Content- Church going (once); When Joey went to LA, she was done with church, but does go to church in this book to find hints about what happened to her father; Mentions of churches, services, hymns, & a youth group; A couple mentions of faiths; A mention of a priest;
*Note: A few mentions of shrines; A couple mentions of a man turning into Satan; A mention of believing cards are the devil’s tool.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘dumb’, a ‘freaking’, a ‘what in tarnation’, two ‘heck’s, two ‘screwed up’s, two ‘sucker’s, three ‘kick-butt’s, twelve forms of ‘stupid’; Eye rolling & Sarcasm; Finding a body, seeing someone shot, blood, & how it happened (up to semi-detailed); Attacks, being grabbed, being threatened, & a stalker (up to semi-detailed); Passing out & being tied-up (barely-above-not-detailed); Being held at gunpoint; Going to a bar (for research, Joey does not drink there); Joey & her (now ex-)husband are divorced; Many mentions of murders, deaths, killing, killers, bodies, & threats; Mentions of being left to die & fake blood (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of crimes, criminals, crime scenes, & jail time; Mentions of suicides, suicide attempts, & those possibly suicidal; Mentions of near deaths & nearly dying; Mentions of disappearances; Mentions of Joey’s (now ex-)husband slapping, hitting, & pushing her down the stairs (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of attacks, pain, injuries, blood/bleeding, & scars (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of car accidents; Mentions of threats; Mentions of assaults & breaking-and-entering; Mentions of gangs & there being a hit out for someone; Mentions of drugs, pills, drug selling, & a drug ring; Mentions of alcohol, alcohol poisoning, drinking, being forced to drink, & bars; Mentions of separations & divorces; Mentions of lies, lying, & liars; Mentions of gossip & rumors; Mentions of tattoos; Mentions of debt; A few mentions of passing out & tranquilizer darts; A few mentions of (Hollywood type) parties; A few mentions of throwing up; A mention of slaughtering sheep; A mention of farting;
*Notes: Many mentions of celebrities (actors, singers/bands, etc.); Many mentions of movies, TV shows, & fictional characters; Mentions of car brands; A few mentions of Women’s Lib; A couple mentions of designer brands; A mention of TMZ; A couple mentions of Disney; A mention of Good Morning America; A mention of a zombie series.
Sexual Content- a semi-detailed kiss, and a detailed kiss; Remembering a kiss (up to semi-detailed); Talks about kissing & kisses; Touches, Shivers, & Nearness (up to semi-detailed); Noticing & Smelling (up to semi-detailed); a ‘baby’, a ‘hunky’, and two ‘hot’s; Many mentions of dating, dates, boyfriends, girlfriends, breakups, & exes; Mentions of cheating & affairs; Mentions of kissing & kisses; Mentions of a player/womanizer & his types; Mentions of Joey’s mother who left her father when Joey was a baby; Mentions of men checking Joey and other girls out; A few mentions of Joey & other girl being hit on; A few mentions of lovers; A few mentions of cheek kisses; A few mentions of winks & gooey insides; A couple mentions of domestic violence; A couple mentions of a guy trying to pick a girl up at a bar; A couple mentions of touches that weren’t okay with Joey from a “fan”; A couple mentions of unmarried couples living together; A couple mentions of Joey noticing how good-looking a shirtless guy is; A mention of suggestive-sounding words; A mention of a secret rendezvous; Love & the emotions;
*Note: Mentions of a restaurant that only hires women and requires them wear shorts & a tank top; Mentions of places with names and people with nicknames that have dirty double innuendos; A few mentions of eating disorders; A couple mentions of women being worth more than their measurements; A couple mentions of a woman’s figure & her using those attributes to her advantage; A couple mentions of menopause; A mention of a guy kissing his muscles; A mention of someone getting their mind if out the gutter.
-Josephine “Joey Darling” Schermerhorn, age 27
1st person P.O.V. of Joey
292 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Two Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars
I’ve heard high praise for this author and this book—including from my Memaw (that’s Southern for ‘Grandmother’, she’ll tell you ;) ). So, needless to say, this book has been on my TBR and radar for a while now.
While reading “Ready to Fumble”, I was very much reminded of Jenny B. Jones’ writing style—only cleaner. This one still had some comments I could have done without, but it was much cleaner than the another first-person-POV murder mystery I recently read.
When it all was revealed near the end, though, it took me quite a bit of searching to remember who the killer was. In all honesty, when I finally figured it out (after wracking my brain for five minutes), I got it! It seemed a bit of a stretch to me, since when Joey is listing out everything that she noticed, I don’t recall reading those parts. Especially since it’s written a first-person POV, so shouldn’t we be seeing what she’s seeing…?
Overall, I plan to continue the series, so I did enjoy it. There were a few parts I laughed out loud at. I was disappointed at the lack of Spiritual Content, though. I do hope the next books in the series has Joey growing in her faith/coming back to her faith. That would be a nice positive feature! :)
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
“I'm not really a private detective. I just play one on TV.
Joey Darling, better known to the world as Raven Remington, detective extraordinaire, is trying to separate herself from her invincible alter ego. She played the spunky character for five years on the hit TV show Relentless, which catapulted her to fame and into the role of Hollywood’s sweetheart.
When her marriage falls apart, her finances dwindle to nothing, and her father disappears, Joey finds herself on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, trying to piece her life back together away from the limelight. A woman finds Raven—er, Joey—and insists on hiring her fictional counterpart to find a missing boyfriend. When someone begins staging crime scenes to match an episode of Relentless, Joey has no choice but to get involved.
Joey’s bumbling sleuthing abilities have her butting heads with Detective Jackson Sullivan and kindling sparks with thrill-seeking neighbor Zane Oakley. Can Joey channel her inner Raven and unearth whodunit before she ends up totally done in? And where is her father anyway? Can she handle fame, or is disappearing into obscurity the wiser option?”
Series: Book #1 in “The Worst Detective Ever” series.
Spiritual Content- Church going (once); When Joey went to LA, she was done with church, but does go to church in this book to find hints about what happened to her father; Mentions of churches, services, hymns, & a youth group; A couple mentions of faiths; A mention of a priest;
*Note: A few mentions of shrines; A couple mentions of a man turning into Satan; A mention of believing cards are the devil’s tool.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘dumb’, a ‘freaking’, a ‘what in tarnation’, two ‘heck’s, two ‘screwed up’s, two ‘sucker’s, three ‘kick-butt’s, twelve forms of ‘stupid’; Eye rolling & Sarcasm; Finding a body, seeing someone shot, blood, & how it happened (up to semi-detailed); Attacks, being grabbed, being threatened, & a stalker (up to semi-detailed); Passing out & being tied-up (barely-above-not-detailed); Being held at gunpoint; Going to a bar (for research, Joey does not drink there); Joey & her (now ex-)husband are divorced; Many mentions of murders, deaths, killing, killers, bodies, & threats; Mentions of being left to die & fake blood (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of crimes, criminals, crime scenes, & jail time; Mentions of suicides, suicide attempts, & those possibly suicidal; Mentions of near deaths & nearly dying; Mentions of disappearances; Mentions of Joey’s (now ex-)husband slapping, hitting, & pushing her down the stairs (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of attacks, pain, injuries, blood/bleeding, & scars (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of car accidents; Mentions of threats; Mentions of assaults & breaking-and-entering; Mentions of gangs & there being a hit out for someone; Mentions of drugs, pills, drug selling, & a drug ring; Mentions of alcohol, alcohol poisoning, drinking, being forced to drink, & bars; Mentions of separations & divorces; Mentions of lies, lying, & liars; Mentions of gossip & rumors; Mentions of tattoos; Mentions of debt; A few mentions of passing out & tranquilizer darts; A few mentions of (Hollywood type) parties; A few mentions of throwing up; A mention of slaughtering sheep; A mention of farting;
*Notes: Many mentions of celebrities (actors, singers/bands, etc.); Many mentions of movies, TV shows, & fictional characters; Mentions of car brands; A few mentions of Women’s Lib; A couple mentions of designer brands; A mention of TMZ; A couple mentions of Disney; A mention of Good Morning America; A mention of a zombie series.
Sexual Content- a semi-detailed kiss, and a detailed kiss; Remembering a kiss (up to semi-detailed); Talks about kissing & kisses; Touches, Shivers, & Nearness (up to semi-detailed); Noticing & Smelling (up to semi-detailed); a ‘baby’, a ‘hunky’, and two ‘hot’s; Many mentions of dating, dates, boyfriends, girlfriends, breakups, & exes; Mentions of cheating & affairs; Mentions of kissing & kisses; Mentions of a player/womanizer & his types; Mentions of Joey’s mother who left her father when Joey was a baby; Mentions of men checking Joey and other girls out; A few mentions of Joey & other girl being hit on; A few mentions of lovers; A few mentions of cheek kisses; A few mentions of winks & gooey insides; A couple mentions of domestic violence; A couple mentions of a guy trying to pick a girl up at a bar; A couple mentions of touches that weren’t okay with Joey from a “fan”; A couple mentions of unmarried couples living together; A couple mentions of Joey noticing how good-looking a shirtless guy is; A mention of suggestive-sounding words; A mention of a secret rendezvous; Love & the emotions;
*Note: Mentions of a restaurant that only hires women and requires them wear shorts & a tank top; Mentions of places with names and people with nicknames that have dirty double innuendos; A few mentions of eating disorders; A couple mentions of women being worth more than their measurements; A couple mentions of a woman’s figure & her using those attributes to her advantage; A couple mentions of menopause; A mention of a guy kissing his muscles; A mention of someone getting their mind if out the gutter.
-Josephine “Joey Darling” Schermerhorn, age 27
1st person P.O.V. of Joey
292 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Two Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars
I’ve heard high praise for this author and this book—including from my Memaw (that’s Southern for ‘Grandmother’, she’ll tell you ;) ). So, needless to say, this book has been on my TBR and radar for a while now.
While reading “Ready to Fumble”, I was very much reminded of Jenny B. Jones’ writing style—only cleaner. This one still had some comments I could have done without, but it was much cleaner than the another first-person-POV murder mystery I recently read.
When it all was revealed near the end, though, it took me quite a bit of searching to remember who the killer was. In all honesty, when I finally figured it out (after wracking my brain for five minutes), I got it! It seemed a bit of a stretch to me, since when Joey is listing out everything that she noticed, I don’t recall reading those parts. Especially since it’s written a first-person POV, so shouldn’t we be seeing what she’s seeing…?
Overall, I plan to continue the series, so I did enjoy it. There were a few parts I laughed out loud at. I was disappointed at the lack of Spiritual Content, though. I do hope the next books in the series has Joey growing in her faith/coming back to her faith. That would be a nice positive feature! :)
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
April 1, 2021
Ready to Fumble lives up to its name as it fumbled its way from beginning to end with no real satisfying conclusion, or meaningful character progression throughout. The characters lacked depth and were hard to root for, plot points felt far-fetched, and the romantic subplots of the story were juvenile and unnecessary overall. I felt like I was reading a book written by a preteen, though the book itself is geared toward adults.
An easy read for anyone wanting something frivolous and quick, but overall this read left me wanting.
An easy read for anyone wanting something frivolous and quick, but overall this read left me wanting.
November 21, 2018
Another good book from Christy Barritt
June 7, 2022
This satisfied my semi-cozy mystery feel (though it’s a little deeper than cozy) and fun read. I like the personalities and the mystery was intriguing. There is also a solid foundation of character development.
Joey is a complex character with a tumultuous past and uncertain future. I’m not sure what to think about either Zane or Jackson. I smell a love triangle and am not sure what I feel about that. By default, I vote for the seemingly steady guy over the carefree questionable guy. But there is enough doubt cast on both of them to know who they really are.
While this is clean it didn’t have any Christian threads.
There was one kiss where hands were traveling, and Joey is also divorced from a terrible guy. Those who don’t like that type of content may not be interested in this series.
Joey is a complex character with a tumultuous past and uncertain future. I’m not sure what to think about either Zane or Jackson. I smell a love triangle and am not sure what I feel about that. By default, I vote for the seemingly steady guy over the carefree questionable guy. But there is enough doubt cast on both of them to know who they really are.
While this is clean it didn’t have any Christian threads.
There was one kiss where hands were traveling, and Joey is also divorced from a terrible guy. Those who don’t like that type of content may not be interested in this series.
October 29, 2021
Okay, so, I have mixed feelings on this book. On one hand, I feel like it was lame, and it had no point whatsoever. On the other hand though, I felt like it was funny, and I actually wanted to keep reading. I definitely did not figure out the mystery. I was totally wrong, but then, I didn’t even really know who could do it. I wasn’t a fan of her romance options. They weren’t my favorite. Joey was okay. She wasn’t my favorite either, but she could be funny. Overall, this book really didn’t do anything for me, but I still wouldn’t say I hated it. It just wasn’t the best.
2.5stars
2.5stars
December 15, 2018
Joey Darling's exploded as she knew it and has now found her way back to the small beach community of Nags Head. She is working for her Aunt Dizzy at her hairdresser's and putting to use her cosmetology license. She is also back in Nags Head to investigate and find out what she can about her dad's disappearance as he has vanished which is out of character for him. Joey Darling is used to being recognized as she spent most of her life playing a P.I on a TV show called Relentless. She played Raven Remington. Joey is about to learn that people can't decipher fiction from fact as she is accosted by a lady named Lily who is willing to pay her $5000 if Raven Remington can find her partner Simon Phillips. Joey figures it can't hurt as she does technically have her P.I License. Joey enlists the help of her new neighbor Zane as he seems to have a lot of connections in town and learns he was a fan of her show. As they start investigating, she finds Simon and looks like someone else was a fan of the show as the scene is like one of her episodes. As Joey starts to investigate, she keeps bumping into the actual local sheriff Jackson. We can see chemistry developing between Jackson and Joey, which makes me wonder if in later books - the author might put these two together. Ready to Fumble was an easy read and had the feel of a cozy mystery. It contains a lot of adventure as well from Stalkers, Horrible Ex-es, Missing Persons, Witness Protection and Dirty Law enforcement and of course dead people as what's a mystery novel without a dead body or two.
April 24, 2018
This is the first book in Christy Barritt's Worst Detective Ever series. I love all Barritt's other series and this one was no exception. Joey Darling, an actress with a failed TV series and a failed marriage, is in the Outer Banks of North Carolina to find her missing father. She's working as a not-very-good beautician to pay the bills when a woman comes into the shop and offers her money to find her missing boyfriend. She finds him- dead- and soon she's embroiled in murder and of course, with the town's sexy detective. The book has a good plot, is very well written, and also is fun to read. I'll be reading the next books in this series.
May 10, 2021
Not my favorite of Barritt’s characters, but I had fun reading it anyway. Joey is a newly-divorced actress whose father has vanished, so since no one seems too worried about finding him, she heads back home to lie low after the divorce and to try to find him.
There’s a lot of humor but a great deal of it veers toward the cheesy and Joey also insists on taking major risks that aren’t smart at all, so while I enjoyed it I also had some issues with believability.
There’s a lot of humor but a great deal of it veers toward the cheesy and Joey also insists on taking major risks that aren’t smart at all, so while I enjoyed it I also had some issues with believability.
April 6, 2019
Fun read!
February 5, 2017
Loved this book from the first page, it had everything I love in a good book!
movie references=CHECK
comparing characters in story to actors=CHECK
quirky neighbor that's always fun to be around=CHECK
handsome detective with a great dog=CHECK
clean mystery with constant page turning revelations=CHECK, CHECK
Joey Darling just wants to live a quiet, peaceful life cutting hair at her aunt's salon and find her dad who has been missing for months. Will she be able to escape her cruel ex-husband and finally feel at home? More to come in the sequel next month, can't wait!!
movie references=CHECK
comparing characters in story to actors=CHECK
quirky neighbor that's always fun to be around=CHECK
handsome detective with a great dog=CHECK
clean mystery with constant page turning revelations=CHECK, CHECK
Joey Darling just wants to live a quiet, peaceful life cutting hair at her aunt's salon and find her dad who has been missing for months. Will she be able to escape her cruel ex-husband and finally feel at home? More to come in the sequel next month, can't wait!!
July 31, 2017
Fact and fiction are starting to blur...
Another winner from one of my all-time favorite mystery/romantic suspense authors! You absolutely cannot go wrong in choosing any Christy Barritt book to read. Every time I read one it quickly becomes my new favorite and, of course, Ready To Fumble fell right into my usual pattern.
Joey is such a quirky and flawed character that you can't help but like her. While most of us aren't movie-star gorgeous like she is, we can still relate to the fact that her life isn't pristine and perfect, in fact, it's a mess.
Christy Barritt has a real knack for penning zany characters who find themselves in some pretty wacky and even dangerous situations. Murder has truly never been so much fun...at least for readers...
Ready To Fumble is a wonderful start to a new mystery series from one of Christian fiction's most talented authors. It's a book, and a series, that you won't want to miss!
(I received a copy of this book from the author. All opinions are entirely my own.)
Another winner from one of my all-time favorite mystery/romantic suspense authors! You absolutely cannot go wrong in choosing any Christy Barritt book to read. Every time I read one it quickly becomes my new favorite and, of course, Ready To Fumble fell right into my usual pattern.
Joey is such a quirky and flawed character that you can't help but like her. While most of us aren't movie-star gorgeous like she is, we can still relate to the fact that her life isn't pristine and perfect, in fact, it's a mess.
Christy Barritt has a real knack for penning zany characters who find themselves in some pretty wacky and even dangerous situations. Murder has truly never been so much fun...at least for readers...
Ready To Fumble is a wonderful start to a new mystery series from one of Christian fiction's most talented authors. It's a book, and a series, that you won't want to miss!
(I received a copy of this book from the author. All opinions are entirely my own.)
September 26, 2023
I love the cover of Ready to Fumble by Christy Barritt. I didn't quite find the story to be as light-hearted as the cover made it appear.
I have mixed feelings about the book. It was a quick read. But, it left threads hanging for the next book in the series. There is almost a love triangle feel, but nothing is settled there either.
I liked Joey but found her hard to connect to. At times, she got on my nerves. I never trusted Zane (just a feeling), and I liked Jackson. I don't feel like it was clear who the murderer was, and I didn't see it once it was revealed.
I am not a huge cozy mystery reader, and the more I read, the more I think I should just leave them be.
I have mixed feelings about the book. It was a quick read. But, it left threads hanging for the next book in the series. There is almost a love triangle feel, but nothing is settled there either.
I liked Joey but found her hard to connect to. At times, she got on my nerves. I never trusted Zane (just a feeling), and I liked Jackson. I don't feel like it was clear who the murderer was, and I didn't see it once it was revealed.
I am not a huge cozy mystery reader, and the more I read, the more I think I should just leave them be.
October 22, 2021
This book was not my normal genre but I really enjoyed it. Although it's labeled as a mystery, it was fairly light-hearted and fun. The heroine was quirky and her neighbor even quirkier, which was refreshing. I love the setting in Nags Head, NC since I live in southeast Virginia and visit Nags Head almost every year.
Be aware that the end leaves you hanging, so you have to read the next book in the series to find out what happens. I liked book one enough that I plan to continue reading.
Be aware that the end leaves you hanging, so you have to read the next book in the series to find out what happens. I liked book one enough that I plan to continue reading.
October 20, 2021
Hollywood starlet reject, Joey, heads to the Outer Banks to find out what happened to her father, a man who disappeared two month earlier. Calling on her former role as a TV sleuth, Joey deals with run ins with a gorgeous but grumpy detective and handles a few snogging sessions with her free-wheeling next-door neighbor. A clean read sure to delight and bring some laughs.
September 9, 2022
I love murder mysteries solved by former celebrities. This book reminds me of the PJ Sugar series (Susan May Warren) and the Enchanted Events series (Jenny B. Jones) put together. Recommended for anybody that loves a good cozy mystery!
April 10, 2024
Ready to Fumble
I enjoyed the story, it made me smile and the characters were interesting as I didn't know who to trust, pretty much all the way through.
I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the books in this series.
I enjoyed the story, it made me smile and the characters were interesting as I didn't know who to trust, pretty much all the way through.
I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the books in this series.
July 17, 2025
Lovely Reread
I do so enjoy Christy’s lighthearted series. I started this one several years ago, but never finished it. So here we go again!
I do so enjoy Christy’s lighthearted series. I started this one several years ago, but never finished it. So here we go again!
Read
October 30, 2021A cute, fun read about a TV star who comes to a small beach town to find her missing dad and gets swept into a mystery designed just for her and her most famous TV character. She has to learn to trust herself and channel the tough character she played on TV to save herself and others.
February 21, 2017
In Christy Barritt's newest series, The Worst Detective Ever, Barritt brings another unlikely heroine to life. This time it is Joey Darling aka Raven Remington from a hit detective television series. While Joey is flawed and unsure if she can solve the murder with obvious parallels to an episode on her show, Joey shines with her ability to read people. She watches for little quirks to prove what she already knows. Barritt is great at making heroines who most writers or readers wouldn't pick for their story, but she makes them relatable to the average reader. While the pace of the novel reads like a normal cozy mystery, the forefront mystery has ties to the ultimate mystery for Joey who wants to find her missing father. There is a touch of a love triangle but nothing is resolved in this area with the first novel. I enjoyed this introduction to the new series and can't wait to read the next book Reign of Error. If you enjoy Christy Barritt's other works or like mysteries in general, I highly recommend picking Ready to Fumble up.
I received a complimentary copy of Ready to Fumble from Christy Barritt, but the opinions stated are all my own.
I received a complimentary copy of Ready to Fumble from Christy Barritt, but the opinions stated are all my own.
December 24, 2017
This was the first Christy Barritt book I've had the pleasure of reading. She came up as a recommended author via another author's Facebook page or instagram feed or something like that and I added her to my list of authors to follow and threw a few of her books onto my TBR list. But with a list a mile long, I just never really got any actual reading of her books done; and it's a shame, too--I need to rectify that immediately!
Ready to Fumble was delightful; a quick, easy read that was lighthearted, clean, funny, and with a few underlying story lines I can't wait to read more of in subsequent books. In fact, I think Joey Darling and I would be pretty good friends, you know, if she were real and all, and it's that instant connection I felt with her that kept me in the story and ready for more once I finished.
A lot of times I find myself completely involved in a mystery only to end up seriously confused once the answers are revealed, so this was my kind of mystery, too--one case down, one background case yet to solve and I was able to follow along with the story the whole time! I think it's because Barritt gives just enough detail that you can picture all the characters and events in your head as you should, but not so much that it makes your brain hurt keeping everything straight. I'm not a hardcore mystery reader--I more or less fall into the fun mystery lover category (like Evanovich's earlier Stephanie Plum novels and Swank's Rose Gardner mysteries.) Who doesn't love a good mystery you can laugh right along with?
With two more books coming out in the near future to satisfy my need for fun, quirky reads, I'll be keeping better tabs on my TBR list going forward so I don't miss out on the next installments of the Worst Detective Ever series. Is Jackson who he really says he is? And what about Zane--is it just me or has Barritt only just begun revealing his many, many layers? Something's up with Dizzy, I think... and what on earth happened to her Dad?
If you need a good break in between books--this one. Ready to Fumble. It's just what you need!
Ready to Fumble was delightful; a quick, easy read that was lighthearted, clean, funny, and with a few underlying story lines I can't wait to read more of in subsequent books. In fact, I think Joey Darling and I would be pretty good friends, you know, if she were real and all, and it's that instant connection I felt with her that kept me in the story and ready for more once I finished.
A lot of times I find myself completely involved in a mystery only to end up seriously confused once the answers are revealed, so this was my kind of mystery, too--one case down, one background case yet to solve and I was able to follow along with the story the whole time! I think it's because Barritt gives just enough detail that you can picture all the characters and events in your head as you should, but not so much that it makes your brain hurt keeping everything straight. I'm not a hardcore mystery reader--I more or less fall into the fun mystery lover category (like Evanovich's earlier Stephanie Plum novels and Swank's Rose Gardner mysteries.) Who doesn't love a good mystery you can laugh right along with?
With two more books coming out in the near future to satisfy my need for fun, quirky reads, I'll be keeping better tabs on my TBR list going forward so I don't miss out on the next installments of the Worst Detective Ever series. Is Jackson who he really says he is? And what about Zane--is it just me or has Barritt only just begun revealing his many, many layers? Something's up with Dizzy, I think... and what on earth happened to her Dad?
If you need a good break in between books--this one. Ready to Fumble. It's just what you need!
February 13, 2017
I love love love this new series! This book was so much fun! I've always said I would never want to be famous because you never get to have a life of your own. The Author nails that theory in this book. Joey/Raven is a great character I fell in love with her instantly. I find myself wanting great things to happen for her and can't wait for more books in this series. I kind of like that she has 2 love interest it reminds me of the Authors other series the Squeaky clean mysteries and when Gabbie was interested in Riley and Garrett. It will be exciting to watch that play out. Will it be Jackson or Zane? I like how Joey was always trying to tap in to her inner Raven I think we all wish we could do that sometimes. This was a great book! Can't wait to see more of this series.
Note: I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Note: I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 22, 2017
First, the disclaimer. "I was provided a free copy of this book. All opinions are my own." That done, READY TO FUMBLE is the first book in The Worst Detective Ever Mystery Series. I love Joey. She is so sweet and clueless. I love Zane and I love Jackson. I can't decide who I want the hero to be, both of them have totally won my heart.
I absolutely cannot wait for the next book in this series to be released (this month!) Reign of Error.
If you like cozy mysteries, you will absolutely adore READY TO FUMBLE. I can't say enough good things about it. A totally relatable heroine, even if she is a former movie star, an aunt, appropriately named Dizzy, two wonderful heroic heroes, and a mystery! And no, I didn't guess who-dun-it. I had suspicions, but wow. In this bumbling fumbling cozy anything goes and things are not as they seem.
Must read.
I absolutely cannot wait for the next book in this series to be released (this month!) Reign of Error.
If you like cozy mysteries, you will absolutely adore READY TO FUMBLE. I can't say enough good things about it. A totally relatable heroine, even if she is a former movie star, an aunt, appropriately named Dizzy, two wonderful heroic heroes, and a mystery! And no, I didn't guess who-dun-it. I had suspicions, but wow. In this bumbling fumbling cozy anything goes and things are not as they seem.
Must read.
January 24, 2017
Ready to Fumble captivated me from the start. It was a fun and enjoyable read! I could not put it down. The twists and turns throughout the book kept me guessing to the end. Christy Barritt did a great job creating believable characters. It’s hard to pick a favorite because they all have their unique personalities. Joey Darling is trying to figure life out and keeps getting thrown into challenging situations. It doesn’t help that she keeps getting mistaken for her tv persona. I think the readers can relate to her and the many struggles and joys she goes through. I can’t wait to read more adventures of Joey!
I recommend this book to everyone.
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my own honest review.
I recommend this book to everyone.
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my own honest review.
December 27, 2022
A cute cozy mystery about a has-been actress, who played a skilled P.I. on her hit TV show, getting mixed-up in a real life investigation. This was a fun read, but I wouldn't take too seriously. It definitely was entertaining and likeable, all in all.
Joey Darling was a great main character and easy to be endeared to; she's funny, down-to-earth and relatable. It was easy to invest in this character and I had a desire to read more about her after I finished this book.
There's a start of a love triangle in this story, intrigue surrounding the disappearance of Joey's dad (the overarching mystery of this series), and definitely a couple of reveals at the end that made me excited to continue this series. Overall, I enjoyed this book.
Joey Darling was a great main character and easy to be endeared to; she's funny, down-to-earth and relatable. It was easy to invest in this character and I had a desire to read more about her after I finished this book.
There's a start of a love triangle in this story, intrigue surrounding the disappearance of Joey's dad (the overarching mystery of this series), and definitely a couple of reveals at the end that made me excited to continue this series. Overall, I enjoyed this book.
November 7, 2017
Joey Darling was born Josephine. On television she played detective Raven Remington. Joey has a hard time remembering who she truly is. The public has no such problem, they all know she is Raven and able to solve every mystery.
Her fame and fortune went down the tubes. Her ex-husband abused her physically, emotionally and financially. Her career is over because of rumors and the IRS is taking nearly ever dime she makes. But, none of that matters now. Her father is missing and in order to find him, she has come to the Outer Banks of North Carolina to find him. Or to find out what happened. Her last conversation with him was an angry one and she cannot forgive herself.
Joey is working for a sort of aunt as a hair dresser at the Beach Comber. A woman walks in and wants to hire Joey to find her boyfriend. Actually she wants to hire Raven, but in order to get Raven, she must go through Joey. At first Joey refuses, but the money is too good to ignore.
The mystery is a good one. Lots of suspects, lots of false leads and dead ends. In short, it keeps you reading.
Joey has little or no confidence in herself. In order to function, she acts as though she is Raven and tries to think as though she is Raven. And by pretending, she begins to move forward in her search.
Zane is Joey's next door neighbor. He knows everyone, he is a surfer, part time realtor and generally a fun guy. He also does a wonderful job of singing karoke.
Jackson is a policeman. He is Joey's first customer at the Beach Comber. And he never complains when she trims the back of his hair unevenly. He is serious and sincere. He also has a wonderful dog.
There is a murder and an attempted murder. But, nothing makes any sense. Following the clues is a round about journey.
The only thing I did not like is there are unexplained things at the end of the story. I like my mysteries to be tied in neat little packages. There are loose strings hanging on this one.
I enjoyed this book. It is a quick and easy read.
Ms Barritt is a new to me author and she has done a really good job of creating entertaining characters and a mystery that held my interest.
Her fame and fortune went down the tubes. Her ex-husband abused her physically, emotionally and financially. Her career is over because of rumors and the IRS is taking nearly ever dime she makes. But, none of that matters now. Her father is missing and in order to find him, she has come to the Outer Banks of North Carolina to find him. Or to find out what happened. Her last conversation with him was an angry one and she cannot forgive herself.
Joey is working for a sort of aunt as a hair dresser at the Beach Comber. A woman walks in and wants to hire Joey to find her boyfriend. Actually she wants to hire Raven, but in order to get Raven, she must go through Joey. At first Joey refuses, but the money is too good to ignore.
The mystery is a good one. Lots of suspects, lots of false leads and dead ends. In short, it keeps you reading.
Joey has little or no confidence in herself. In order to function, she acts as though she is Raven and tries to think as though she is Raven. And by pretending, she begins to move forward in her search.
Zane is Joey's next door neighbor. He knows everyone, he is a surfer, part time realtor and generally a fun guy. He also does a wonderful job of singing karoke.
Jackson is a policeman. He is Joey's first customer at the Beach Comber. And he never complains when she trims the back of his hair unevenly. He is serious and sincere. He also has a wonderful dog.
There is a murder and an attempted murder. But, nothing makes any sense. Following the clues is a round about journey.
The only thing I did not like is there are unexplained things at the end of the story. I like my mysteries to be tied in neat little packages. There are loose strings hanging on this one.
I enjoyed this book. It is a quick and easy read.
Ms Barritt is a new to me author and she has done a really good job of creating entertaining characters and a mystery that held my interest.
November 28, 2017
Fair warning: If you have not yet read a book by Christy Barritt, prepare to carve out a good chunk of time. You’re going to need it! She’s a prolific author who gives her fans plenty of new reads in a year (about one a month).
Case in point, I just finished the first book in Barritt’s newest series (The Worst Detective Ever) and, as of today, there are five more before I’m caught up. Now I need a couple weeks off work to binge read!
When Joey Darling moves to The Outer Banks in North Carolina, she’s intent on doing a little investigating to find out what happened to him. After all, he’s not the type of person to disappear without a word. The problem? Joey plays an investigator on a popular television show, but she doesn’t quite know where to start when it comes to the real thing.
A fan believing she is Raven Remington, the intelligent and no-nonsense TV detective, and hires her to locate her missing boyfriend. As Joey stumbles through the missing persons investigation with her too-good-looking-for-anyone’s-good neighbor and the handsome police detective who seems to hate her—probably because she keeps showing up at his crime scenes—someone decides it’s a good time to taunt her.
With a plethora of suspects, and adoring public, hidden secrets, and recreated scenes from Joey’s show, Relentless, will she solve the case in time? Or will she fumble her first investigation?
A fantastic introduction to the seaside town of Nag’s head, its citizens, and Joey Darling herself, Ready to Fumble is another fantastic read from Barritt. Now I’m on to book two!
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Case in point, I just finished the first book in Barritt’s newest series (The Worst Detective Ever) and, as of today, there are five more before I’m caught up. Now I need a couple weeks off work to binge read!
When Joey Darling moves to The Outer Banks in North Carolina, she’s intent on doing a little investigating to find out what happened to him. After all, he’s not the type of person to disappear without a word. The problem? Joey plays an investigator on a popular television show, but she doesn’t quite know where to start when it comes to the real thing.
A fan believing she is Raven Remington, the intelligent and no-nonsense TV detective, and hires her to locate her missing boyfriend. As Joey stumbles through the missing persons investigation with her too-good-looking-for-anyone’s-good neighbor and the handsome police detective who seems to hate her—probably because she keeps showing up at his crime scenes—someone decides it’s a good time to taunt her.
With a plethora of suspects, and adoring public, hidden secrets, and recreated scenes from Joey’s show, Relentless, will she solve the case in time? Or will she fumble her first investigation?
A fantastic introduction to the seaside town of Nag’s head, its citizens, and Joey Darling herself, Ready to Fumble is another fantastic read from Barritt. Now I’m on to book two!
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
October 18, 2023
Joey Darling isn't a real detective. She just plays one on TV. After rising to fame on her hit TV show, Relentless, her career hits a few snags and she decides to return home to escape the limelight. Her dad has gone missing and she is hoping to find him by conducting her own investigation. While back home, a woman approaches Joey and asks her to help find her missing boyfriend. Joey doesn't have experience as a real detective but this woman believes that she can do it and offers her some much needed cash to help. Joey begins to investigate but as she does, some of the crime scenes begin to look familiar. They are being staged as scenes from Relentless! Joey must use her amateur sleuthing skills to figure out what is going on while butting heads with real detective Jackson Sullivan. Will she be able to become a great detective like her alter ego? Or will she realize that she's gotten more than she bargained for by returning home?
This is the first book in the Worst Detective Ever mystery series. There was some suspense but this was mainly a cozy mystery. It was a quick and enjoyable read like most of Christy Barritt's books are. I know that I can always expect to enjoy her writing. Compared to others of hers, this one was good but nothing that stood out. I didn't like that the ending felt so unresolved. I know that the story continues in the series but I guess I wanted more resolution than what was given. I don't care for the love triangle (also unresolved) and I still don't trust one of the two of them. I liked the humor and the idea of someone who plays a detective on TV trying to solve a real crime. Overall, the idea was good, as was the writing, but it offered more questions than answers and since I don't plan to continue the series right now, I guess I will have to wonder.
This is the first book in the Worst Detective Ever mystery series. There was some suspense but this was mainly a cozy mystery. It was a quick and enjoyable read like most of Christy Barritt's books are. I know that I can always expect to enjoy her writing. Compared to others of hers, this one was good but nothing that stood out. I didn't like that the ending felt so unresolved. I know that the story continues in the series but I guess I wanted more resolution than what was given. I don't care for the love triangle (also unresolved) and I still don't trust one of the two of them. I liked the humor and the idea of someone who plays a detective on TV trying to solve a real crime. Overall, the idea was good, as was the writing, but it offered more questions than answers and since I don't plan to continue the series right now, I guess I will have to wonder.
August 26, 2019
Joey Darling is tired of the Hollywood life. Joey Darling isn't even her real name, but the name she was given at birth isn't pretty. So Hollywood took her name, her privacy, and even a relationship with her father. When he disappears she pack up everything she can fit into her miata and drives to the small beach town where he'd been living the last 7 years in the hopes of finding him and making amends. After, she played Raven Remington, famous private eye, for 5 seasons on tv. It can't be too hard to find someone after all of that will it. Settling into working at her aunt by marriages beauty parlour, she's shocked when on her first day a lady comes in and demands that Raven find her missing boyfriend. Not seeming to care that Raven is a fictional character, she hands her a cheque and leaves the case for Joey to solve. When the crime scenes she stumbles upon after are replica's of her tv show, she begins to wonder if the lines between reality and fiction are blurred.
This was a well written book that drew me in, but the beginning was really vague which is why I gave it 4 stars. She kept alluding to things and saying that was a story for another time. We do eventually find out most of those stories, but I would have rather gotten them right away
This was a well written book that drew me in, but the beginning was really vague which is why I gave it 4 stars. She kept alluding to things and saying that was a story for another time. We do eventually find out most of those stories, but I would have rather gotten them right away
March 7, 2017
I picked this book up from Bookbub b/c of the author. I love reading Chisty Barritt. This series is different from others of hers I've read in that it doesn't include a spiritual thread. I'm fine with that, but I didn't realize it wouldn't be there. Another difference is that this book is apparently written as Season One, Episode One. Sounds like a fun idea.
Joey Darling, former TV star known as Raven Remington, shows up on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, looking for clues to what happened to her father. Almost immediately, she becomes involved in another unsolved case, and it seems to be tied to episodes of her TV detective show. People think she's Raven, when she is really the exact opposite of her television personality.
I like the contrast in the characters, their sometimes flippant remarks, the romantic triangle Joey is trying to ignore (reminds me of the triangle in Sandra Orchard's Serena Jones mysteries), and the suspenseful storyline. A good read; I'll look for more episodes.
Joey Darling, former TV star known as Raven Remington, shows up on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, looking for clues to what happened to her father. Almost immediately, she becomes involved in another unsolved case, and it seems to be tied to episodes of her TV detective show. People think she's Raven, when she is really the exact opposite of her television personality.
I like the contrast in the characters, their sometimes flippant remarks, the romantic triangle Joey is trying to ignore (reminds me of the triangle in Sandra Orchard's Serena Jones mysteries), and the suspenseful storyline. A good read; I'll look for more episodes.
November 1, 2017
1/27/17-1/28/17:
Wow, I forgot how funny Christy Barritt was. That was a really fun read. It seemed a bit lighter (less angsty) than the Gabby St. Claire/Squeaky Clean mysteries, which I greatly appreciate. Loved it. I was in the mood for something funny and contemporary. Really glad I went ahead and read this. 5 stars.
PS I did get the killer right, though I waited 'til the last minute to make up my mind, and had based my decision on what I thought was a clue, but apparently wasn't. I really don't know what that says about my sleuthing skills... LOL
October 2017: I've been going through my old updates, cleaning things up a bit, and, now, I'm catching up on my review backlog (I'm still in January of 2017!). In the past, I've always posted my reviews as updates, since they're really just a way for me to remember how I felt about the books I read (for my own benefit, rather than to inform anyone else) and because I'm a big coward, but it's annoying and inefficient having to do it that way, so I might OFFICIALLY be reviewing things from now on.
...
Maybe.
Wow, I forgot how funny Christy Barritt was. That was a really fun read. It seemed a bit lighter (less angsty) than the Gabby St. Claire/Squeaky Clean mysteries, which I greatly appreciate. Loved it. I was in the mood for something funny and contemporary. Really glad I went ahead and read this. 5 stars.
PS I did get the killer right, though I waited 'til the last minute to make up my mind, and had based my decision on what I thought was a clue, but apparently wasn't. I really don't know what that says about my sleuthing skills... LOL
October 2017: I've been going through my old updates, cleaning things up a bit, and, now, I'm catching up on my review backlog (I'm still in January of 2017!). In the past, I've always posted my reviews as updates, since they're really just a way for me to remember how I felt about the books I read (for my own benefit, rather than to inform anyone else) and because I'm a big coward, but it's annoying and inefficient having to do it that way, so I might OFFICIALLY be reviewing things from now on.
...
Maybe.
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