Even in a lovely town like River Bluffs, Indiana, flipping houses can be a challenge. Especially when there’s the proverbial skeleton in the closet—and a literal corpse in the driveway . . .
House-flipper Jazzy Zanders has her work cut out for her. Her latest flip, which she co-purchased with her fiancée Ansel and cousin Jerod, is a three-story fixer-upper that’s more of a droopy-downer. One corner of the house is sinking and needs to be jacked up with a new cement foundation. That costs money. And causes headaches. And creates a work environment that’s not only hostile, it’s downright deadly . . .
Jazzy knows it’s a tough job. Which is why she hired Darby to lay the cement. But when Darby gets into a fiery argument with the furnace man—and then never shows up to lay gravel for the driveway—Jazzy starts to wonder if the rumors about Darby are true. Did he kill his wife and son and bury them in the yard like some folks claim? When Darby’s dead body comes pouring out of a gravel truck, murder upstages the real estate market as her biggest concern . . .
Judi Lynn received a Master’s Degree from Indiana University as an elementary school teacher after attending the IPFW campus. She taught 1st, 2nd, and 4th grades for six years before having her two daughters. She loves gardening, cooking and trying new recipes.
House-flipper Jazzi is back for the third book in the Jazzi Zanders Mystery series by Judi Lynn. Jazzi, her fiancé Ansel, and her cousin Jerod have a new project with a big home that requires a lot of work. One of their first tasks involves repairing the cement foundation and redoing the driveway. They contract with Darby, a cantankerous old man, for the cement work. When Darby turns up dead, Jazzi is on the case to find the killer.
I've read the previous two books in this series and recommend reading them in order: 1) The Body in the Attic, 2) The Body in the Wetlands. That said, they can be read out of order. The personal stories are continued, but the mystery is standalone for each book.
For me, this series is an okay cozy read. The writing is a bit clunky and I sometimes shake my head with the characters dialogue and actions. Still, I find it entertaining. My biggest fault with this series is how the detective on the case always involves Jazzi and asks for her help in solving the case. It's a fictional story though, so I can gloss over that absurdity and enjoy the mystery. Mainly, I enjoy cozy mysteries with house flipper protagonists, so I'll keep reading this series.
A light, cozy mystery. Likable characters and a decent mystery.
I received a free digital copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Body in the Gravel by Judi Lynn is the third book in the cozy A Jazzi Zanders Mystery series. As with most cozy mystery series each book can be read by themselves or in any order as each contains it’s own mystery that is fully solved within. However, there will be some character development carrying over from book to book for those that follow the series from the beginning .
The first book of the series, The Body in the Attic, introduced readers to Jazzi Zanders who along with her cousin Jerod are in the flipping houses business in River Bluffs, Indiana. Now if anyone isn’t familiar with house flipping it’s buying up properties at a low cost then renovating them to sell for profit. I blame plenty of doctor/hospital trips for my new found love of HGTV and these type of shows since they seem to air in waiting rooms everywhere.
This latest book of the series has Jazzi and her team working on their latest home when they find that the house is sinking and they will need to do some work on the foundation. With so much work to do on the current house Jazzi hires Darby to help but he fails to show up after an argument with the furnace man. However, when the gravel truck arrives for the drive Darby’s body comes sliding out amidst the gravel.
I have been following the Jazzi Zanders series from the beginning for not only my HGTV obsession but the fact it takes place in the state that I am from. For someone who has sat through quite a few shows on the house flipping I actually find the work they do entertaining in these and what better to include sleuthing out a killer while we remodel! With each book I get to know everyone better and seem to enjoy it a bit more so I’ll definitely continue to keep coming back.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book.
Well, this was my first Jazzi Zanders mystery, and it was well...different. I read A LOT of cozy mystery, and it just didn't feel like this fully fit the genre I normally love so much. It IS themed; house flipping being the major one and food the second. The murder arises because of the house flipping actually; a man is found dumped in the gravel for the new driveway.
What follows is a story of Jazzi going along with the local detective because...why? I get it. She's good at asking the right questions. But it doesn't seem right to have an unarmed civilian asking potential murderers questions like it's routine. And IT IS SO ROUTINE. Yeah like just pick her up after she creates a gourmet lunch and they'll go question people and then she's off for a gourmet dinner and a romp with her fiance. I've spoken about 'unsexy sex' in my reviews before, and even without a full description, I really don't need sex in cozy mysteries (especially since they've trained their pets to wait downstairs on the regular. What the heck haha)
I kind of wavered between two and three stars with this one, but writing it all out made me realize I disliked more than I liked. The sheer routine of this book (there's that word again) was ultimately boring, and the cheesy romance only irked me. HOWEVER, if you'd like your cozies slightly spicier (and you can read the word fanny without giggling. Sorry, I'm Australian, it means something COMPLETELY different here) then this might be the series for you. It's heavier on the romance than most, which also might be a plus for some. There are some cracker names but no one blinks at them. Shame. The writing is good, even when the plot is spluttering. Mostly it's higher reviewed, so maybe a case of not being to my taste. Two stars.
The 3rd book of the Jazzi's Zander book find Jazzi, Ansel and Jerod restoring a 3 story fixed-upper. This is a major restoration and many of the tasks will be new to them. One corner of the foundation has been damage and must be replaced. While getting a cost estimate on the concrete they learned the furnace must be replaced. Thane and Darby had an argument. The order for gravel for the foundation is delivered and Darby's body is dump out into the driveway. In order to clear Jazzi's sister, husband, Thane of the murder. Jazzi joins Detective Gaff in investigating the Darby's murder. Jazz is preparing for her wedding to Ansel. One of Ansel's brothers comes for the wedding and decided to stay. Reading the series in order would help with all the names mention. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK AND SERIES. Recipes from Jazzi's Kitchen are included.
Disclosure: Thanks to Kensington Books for a copy through NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own.
This is the third entry in the Jazzi Zanders mystery series and by now the characters feel like family, especially the leads. Jazzi has a habit of stumbling over dead bodies while working to flip houses with her cousin, and her exceptionally hot Nordic boyfriend, Ansel. This time, the body is delivered in a load of gravel—literally tumbling out of a dump truck. It isn’t long before Jazzi gets to sleuthing, helping her detective friend, Gaff, get to the bottom of “whodunit.” And in this case, there is an entire roster of suspects, each with possible motive.
The murder victim, Darby, was not well-liked or even marginally social. Suffice to say he made a lot of enemies, ticked off a lot of people, and burnt a lot of bridges. The author creates plausible motive for each of the potential murderers, tossing out enough red herrings for plenty of suspicion to lead the reader astray. All of the Jazzi novels have been well constructed and plotted, but I found the murder in this one a level above the rest, just a bit more complex, and that made for great reading.
Toss in Jazzi’s impending marriage, several new secondary characters—along with returning favorites from Jazzi’s family¬—AND a few of Ansel’s bristly relatives, and there is plenty to keep you flipping pages, speeding toward the end. I liked the way everything played out and fit together. Flavored with romance, heartwarming scenes, and family dynamics, this is an engaging cozy mystery. George, the pug, is back, as are cats Inky and Marmalade, and there is always something wonderful cooking in Jazzi’s kitchen. She has an ideal life, if not for the dead bodies that seem to show up every time she turns around. Fortunately for readers hooked on this fabulous series, it’s good to know there is more to come!
Altra lettura piacevole e veloce. Mi piace il cast di personaggi e come interagiscono far loro, come pure tutte le informazioni date su come si ristruttura una casa. Detto en passant, rivoglio il canale televisivo che trasmetteva programmi sulle case! Per quanto riguarda il giallo, la vittima era davvero una persona spregevole e ho davvero sperato fino in fondo che il colpevole non fosse uno dei sospettati perché erano quasi tutti, chi più e chi meno, delle brave persone. Non dico altro per non fare spoiler. L'autrice mi aveva contattata dopo la mia recensione al primo libro della serie e mi aveva scritto che ne erano previsti tre: sono contenta di vedere che ci sarà almeno un quarto volume, ma spero che ne seguiranno altri. Adoro questa serie!
This is a great series and this book is captivating and filled with plenty of secrets that will keep you guessing. Jazzi, Ansel and Jerod are flipping another house, but when an unexpected surprise turns up on their property, Jazzi becomes involved in another investigation. The characters in this series are very likable and it's very easy to become wrapped up in their stories. I would recommend this series to all mystery readers.
The Body In The Gravel is the third book in the third book in The Jazzi Sanders Mystery series.
Jazzie and her cousin, Jerrod, and her fiance Ansel are busy working on their next fixer-upper hoping to get all the outside work done before cold weather sets in. They are waiting for Darby, their cantankerous concrete and gravel man to deliver a load of gravel for the driveway. When the call Darby’s office to see where he is, Earl, one of his drivers, says he never showed up for work. Earl says that the truck is loaded and he will be right over. As he begins to dump the load the body of Darby fall to the on to the gravel. As Detective Gaff is investigating the scene, Thane, Jazzie’s Heating and A/C contractor arrives and comments “now I will never know what happened to Rose and Walker”. They are Darby wife and son who had disappeared one night around a decade ago and Thane quickly becomes the prime suspect. As the investigation goes on more suspects are added to the list and Gaff asks Jazzi for her help in sifting through the possible suspects. Darby’s three drivers have all had run-ins with their boss, a couple of drinking buddies and even the lady that he had dated also has to be ruled out, also are added to the list.
Also on Jazzi plate is her upcoming wedding to Ansel and her sister and mother are about to kidnap her to take her shopping for a wedding dress.
I really like this series, I would never attempt to do what Jazzi work entails, but I certainly enjoy reading about what it takes to make-over a home. The story is well-written and plotted. It has plenty of red herrings that kept we guessing till the end. There is a wonderful cast of character that I would love to call my friends.
Delicious sounding recipes are also included in the book.
I definitely will be watching for the next book in this enjoyable series.
I have been binge reading this series and enjoying it. In this outing, Jazzi, her fiancé Ansel, and her cousin Jerod are working on a large home that needs a lot of work. They are trying to get the outside finished and are waiting for a load of gravel to redo the driveway. They contact Darby, to deliver gravel and do the cement work. When he shows up the first time, he has a huge argument with one of Jazzi's sub-contractors. The next day, a truck from his company delivers the gravel they need along with Darby's dead body in the truck.
I enjoyed the mystery in this book. There was some history about Darby involving rumours surrounding the disappearance of his wife and son years earlier. Because he was so cantankerous, there were a lot of people who didn't like him very much, but was that enough to get him killed? Once again, Jazzi becomes an integral part of the investigation with the detective in charge bringing her with him when he questions witnesses, and people contact her with information instead of the police. This is very different from most cozies where the police want the amateur sleuths to back off. Even though that is rather unbelievable, I can overlook it as the stories are very entertaining. The culprit was a bit surprising to me, but as I looked back over the story, I can see where there were small clues that were easily overlooked. I thought the reveal was quite exciting and I was happy with how it played out. Overall, I enjoyed this story but there was one thing that knocked a star off my rating. Once the crime was solved, there was a storyline with Ansel's family coming to town for the wedding. It was uncomfortable and most of his family were not very nice at all. I just found it an unpleasant ending to a good story.
Jazzi, Jerod and Ansel are onto a new flip, a 3 story brick house in need of extensive renovation; just the sort of job the gang does best. The foundation is sinking, so the crew builds forms and calls their cement contractor Darby for a delivery. Darby is a prickly sort who doesn't get along well with others and has a heated argument with Thane about Darby's missing wife and son. When Darby's dead body is delivered in a load of gravel, Jazzi teams up with Detective Gaff to find a killer.
Ok, first I have to get this off my chest. They put a red tin roof and a green door on a yellow brick house? Sounds like Caillou's house. Yeeesh.
But enough about design choices, I really enjoyed the plot on this one and it feels like the series has hit its stride. I really enjoyed the plot, there were lots of suspects to likable I was rooting for them to be innocent. When the killer was finally revealed, I was surprised. I mean, I knew one of them did it but the one that did wasn't high on my suspect list.
Overall, an enjoyable read capped off with a sweet wedding and now onto book 4 so I can read the latest I got on Netgalley.
The Body in the Gravel is the third in the series but it was the first one I have read. I was able to get up to date quickly. Jazzi , Ansel, and Jerod are tackling a three story remodel and that includes the driveway. When the load of gravel is delivered, the body of the owner of the trucking company, Darby, is also dumped in the driveway. This opens the door to discovering a side of Darby they didn't know. Jazzi is drawn into the investigation with the police. With so many suspects and then a second murder, Jazzi is running around and running into walls. Not only is she doing a house flip, she is also planning her wedding. I enjoyed this story and if you love pets and/or cooking, you will enjoy it too! There are great characters and a great setting. As I said before, plenty of suspects and twists and turns. You also see her love of family and friends. There is also a realistic view of "not so happy" families. I was given an ARC by Netgalley and Kensington Books and have given my honest review.
Thank you netgalley for the early copy of The Body in the Gravel.
Jazzi Zanders and her crew of house flippers return in the third installment of the mystery series. She and her fiancee, Ansel and cousin, Jerod are hard at work on their new house flip. When one of their contractors turns up dead on the job site Jazzi goes to work trying to solve his murder. She is also finishing plans for their wedding in a few days and hosting family meals in meantime.
This is the second Jazzi Zanders mystery I have read and I enjoy the light hearted mystery centered around a close knit family and good food. The concept that they are house flippers is fun. These are stand alone books and a light enjoyable read.
Jazzi, Jerod, and Ansel know that house flipping can unearth all sorts of problems- and bodies- but this time out they thought they would be ok. Yes the house had problems but it looked like cement can fix it. Sure, maybe it can, but then Darby, the pretty rotten guy they hired is found dead and well, all bets are off. It's pretty unrealistic that Detective Gaff allows Jazzi to come along and involves her in the investigation but that's what happens here. Once you get past that (if it's a problem for you), you'll find they actually make a good pair. Jazzi and Ansel have a little more ahem of a relationship than you usually find in cozies but it never wanders into the steamy. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A fun read for cozy fans (and fans of house flipping) and it would be fine as a standalone.
The Body in the Gravel by Judi Lynn is the 3rd book in the Jazzi Zanders mystery series, and another great addition. I found this book to be very interesting and enjoyable. Jazzi Zanders , her boyfriend Ansel, and her cousin Jerod buy houses together and flip them. When the cement layer, Darby, is a no show at the latest remodel, the company finally sends a different driver. While laying out the gravel, Darby's body is found in the gravel. Jazzi is determined to find out what really happened. This book has a bit of everything, humor, mystery, romance, and great characters. I look forward to the next book in the series, and I highly recommend this book, and the whole series.
I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. Thank you.
This was another good installment in this series. The mystery was intriguing with quite few surprises along the way. The mystery elements in the books in this series are always very good. I could do with out the amount of innuendo in the story. There isn’t anything graphic but there are numerous mentions of those activities throughout the book(much like the previous books in this series). I will keep with the series because I really enjoy the mysteries but do wish the other would be toned down.
I received this book from NetGalley and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.
I enjoyed this book. I liked the characters and the investigating is spot on. I don't understand why a police officer would have a non-police officer go with him for interviews and the such. That's just not something that the police do. but other that that I liked the story. #TheBodyInTheGravel #NetGalley
Jazzi Zanders, along with her fiancé Ansel and her cousin Jared have taken on their biggest house flipping project to date. It’s a huge project for them that encompasses an incredible amount of work both inside and outside the house. One of the outside projects involves some cement work. They hire a man called Darby, whom they have worked with since they first started their business, to do the work. While waiting for Darby to show up to pour some concrete for a corner of the foundation of the house, a friend of theirs, Thane, shows up to take a look at the furnace in the house. Darby shows up shortly after to pour the concrete. After his job is done, Darby walks into the house, and the next thing the trio hears are loud voices coming from the basement. Darcy and Thane are going at each other. It seems that Thane believes that Darby had killed his wife, Rose, and his son, Walker, who happens to have been Thane’s best friend. Darby storms off and says not to call him back if Thane is going to be there.
One of their next projects is the driveway. It needs to be ripped up, a new layer of gravel laid, and then new concrete. The flippers call on Darby again who agrees to help. Darby never shows up with the gravel though. Jazzi calls him, but instead reaches one of his employees, Earl, who says that Darby hasn’t been in all day. Earl said their gravel was already loaded, and he would come out to deliver it. Once Earl stars dumping the gravel though, a body falls out. The four onlookers see that the body is Darby’s. Jazzi calls her detective friend, Gaff, to check things out. Thane becomes Gaff’s first suspect because of the argument the two had. Jazzi knows that Thane is not guilty and decides to help clear his name. As the investigation continues, it becomes apparent that Darby was a very mean spirited old man, who upset a lot of people, and the suspect list grows and grows. Jazzi doesn’t want to believe that most of the people on the list could be capable of murder so she continues to help Gaff.
I love, love, love this series! The mysteries in all three books have been spectacular! They are each fun, unique, and great whodunnits. The characters are all so well written, that like Jazzi you become fond of so many of them that you don’t want to believe they are capable of murder.
Like I said in my review of the previous book, The Body in the Wetlands, Jazzi is a great character who is the total package. In addition to cooking large family meals, spending time with her fiancé, and helping to solve a murder, Jazzi is taking on her largest flipping project to date. On top of that, she and Ansel are taking on their own biggest personal project, their wedding. They are doing all their own planning and most of the prepping for the wedding. It is a huge undertaking! To make the process even more stressful, Ansel’s family has shown interest in coming to the wedding. Will Jazzi be able to pull the wedding off while being pulled in so many other directions?
I also really enjoy the working relationship between Gaff and Jazzi in this cozy mystery. I think it is a very unique law enforcement/civilian relationship. Gaff has a lot of respect for Jazzi, and has really grown to depend on her. She is sort of become his people liaison. In turn, Jazzi has a lot of respect for Gaff both as a detective and as a family man.
This book could easily be read as a stand alone story because the author does a great job of catching the reader up. However, why would you want to do that to yourself, when there are two other great books out there? Grab the first book, your favorite beverage, cuddle up, and dig in. Then work your way through all three books. You won’t be disappointed!
I’m super excited that there is already a fourth book, The Body in the Apartment, in the works. It has a projected release date of March 17, 2020.
Thanks to Net Galley and Kensington Books for an ARC of this book. #NetGalley #TheBodyInTheGravel #KensingtonBooks
Cousins Jazzi and Jerod, along with Jazzi’s fiancé Ansel are house flippers. They do most of the work themselves. They depend on others for things that are not in their wheelhouse, such as delivery of gravel and concrete as well as furnace replacement. Luckily they have a close friend, Thane that happens to be living with Jazzi’s sister Olivia, who is a whiz when it comes to heating and AC. But when Thane and Darby, the cranky old buzzard that delivers their gravel meet up at the reno house, Ansel and Jazzi discover a long lasting feud between the two men. They didn’t know that Thane’s best friend, Walker is Darby’s son. Walker and his mother fled from the abusive Darby two years ago without a trace. Thane thinks Darby killed them.
When Darby ends up dead in a load of gravel dumped at the house Ansel and Jazzi are working on, Thane is at the top of the list. But soon the list of suspects is broadened to the guys that worked for him, family members and all of his friends – who are more like enemies due to Darby’s volatile nature. When another person connected to Darby is found dead, and a presumed dead person is found alive the case becomes even more complicated.
Jazzie is determined to help Detective Gaff find the murderer. He is more than willing to have her input, as they have worked several cases together in the past. But she has more than a murderer to worry about. She and Ansel are getting married in a few weeks and she doesn’t even have her wedding dress yet!
I love cozy mysteries. Of course they are not War and Peace, but no one wants them to be. They are fun, fast reads with interesting elements. The house flipping factor is fun, especially if you are a fan of HGTV like I am. Another element that I love is the delicious foods Jazzi and Ansel cook and bake. They are a couple of foodies, sharing their love of food with us. As a bonus to the readers, a few of their recipes are included.
The other element that was a bit different from most cozy mysteries is the romance between Jazzi and Ansel. Most cozies have the on again/off again boyfriends that never seem to be resolved. The sexy but never explicit interactions between the main characters was not frustrating or irritating to me like the traditional cozy plot lines of never committing in the relationship. Kudos to Ms. Lynn for having her characters have a happily ever after – with a side of murder.
This is the third book in the Jazzi Zanders cozy mystery series and the first one I have read. It works well as a stand-alone novel. The only time I was confused was the first few chapters as there are several characters that are introduced from the previous novels. But I soon knew who everyone was and the role they played in the plot.
This is the 3rd Jazzy Sanders mystery. I have read the previous books in the series and found them delightful. I highly recommend this series. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. My review opinions are my own.
In this next in series our intrepid savvy protagonist Jazzie is busy on a huge project with her recent house purchase she jointly bought with her fiance Ansel and cousin Jerod, The three hope to fix it up to flip the house which is Jazzie's business. The house is a nightmare and Jazzie soon finds not only is it sinking but it needs a new foundation. Against her better judgement she hires a man with a bad reputation of being a suspect in his wife and child's disappearance as well as being a flake on the job. She hears him get into arguments with others on the job and when his body is found she knows she has to find out what happened to him and who is responsible. She also wants to solve the mystery of his missing family once and for all. Jazzie cannot help but to get involved even when warned off of the case. Jazzie is determined to help Detective Gaff find the murderer. They have worked several cases together in the past so he welcomes her to tag along to interview suspects as she has a way to get people to open up to her. often using food to entice people. Soon suspects abound and Jazzie has her hands full planning her wedding and trying to solve the murder.
I like all the different elements of the sleuth that were surprising to the end. Jazzie wears a lot of hats in this next book and I like that she is in forward motion with a fast pace to solve the murder and plan her wedding. This is a enjoyable series that I will continue to read.
This is the third book in the Jazzy Zanders mystery series by Judi Lynn.
I spent too much of my time while reading this wondering why Jazzy would make such elaborate things to eat and then not want to use that talent in a job. I mean, I understand her mindset about making something a job will suck the life and joy out of it, but still… some of those meals she made sounded delish.
In truth, Jazzy was a house-flipper with a big heart. When the body of one of the cement drivers is found in the bed of the truck, things start to look really rocky for this house flip! I really enjoyed the storyline surrounding Walker and the death of his dad. Jazzy was just so motherly around him I think I wanted her to adopt him. I am not certain who the recurring characters are in this book series but I sure hope Walker continues to remain one of them.
I loved the idea of this series. It is like a cozy mystery with Chip and Joanna Gaines from Fixer Upper. And you can never go wrong with that combination. This story keeps you guessing and with all the yummy sounding recipes, it makes me want to try my hand at some of her foodie ideas.
If you want an easy to get into cozy, definitely check this one out. It keeps you interested, stimulates your senses and makes you want to know whodunit. I have to admit I didn’t figure this one out before the reveal… bummer. But that is what makes this type of series so fun to read. This is one winner of a story in my book.
I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.
This is the 3rd installment in the Jazzi Zanders mystery series. Jazzi is a house flipper with her cousin Jerod and her fiancé Ansel. While on their current job they make arrangements with Darby a cement contractor to get cement for the foundation. Darby asks to look around as he is thinking of flipping houses during the offseason. While inside Thane (Jazzi’s sister’s boyfriend) who is providing as estimate on a new furnace and Darby have a run-in and almost come to blows. The next day when Darby doesn’t show to deliver gravel they call his company and someone else comes to deliver it only Darby is dead in the gravel and Thane is a suspect. Detective Gaff arrives and begins to work the case. I will say I am always a little surprised how he brings Jazzi along as he questions suspects and works the case. I imagine this is highly unlikely in real life but they have a great relationship. Darby was the father of Thane’s best friend Walker and he vanished a couple years earlier with his mother. He always wondered if Darby had done something to hurt them. There are plenty of suspects as Darby was not a well-liked guy and seemed to be downright mean to everyone. Jazzi is also getting ready for her upcoming wedding which is going to be in their home. I do enjoy this series and all the relationships with family and friends so I just go along with Gaff and Jazzi working the case as if this is normal. Looks like one of Ansel’s brothers might be coming to town as that was hinted at the wedding. Likeable characters and I will continue to follow this series. Recommend.
This is the third book in the Jazzi Zanders Mystery series. Jazzi and Ansel are preparing for their wedding. They along with cousin Jerrod are working on a fixer upper house with the most problems they have ever faced. When they are ready to fix the driveway they ask Darby for a load of gravel. It doesn’t arrive when expected and one of Darby’s other Driver’s brings it to the house. When it is dumped Darby tumbles out. So the investigation with Gaff begins. Gaff takes Jazzi with him to talk with suspects or people that knew Darby. Even after reading the first two books, I still don’t really get Gaff taking Jazzi with him. This is a big town. There have to be plenty of police and why doesn’t Gaff have a partner? I know it works with the author’s story but it strikes me as strange every time. The story went on for quite a while without any real direction as to who killed Darby. The murderer was certainly a cool customer when it come to interacting with the police. I really like that the book ends with Jazzi and Ansel’s wedding. I like that the series isn’t just about the murders but about the characters lives and that important parts like the wedding aren’t left out.
Fun, House Flipper Cozy Mystery This book is the third in a series. Each book can stand alone, but the reader will enjoy it more by reading them in order. This cozy mystery involves a group of close friends/family that buy and rehab houses for profit (house flipping). I enjoy these books because I did that for 12 years. The mysteries are cozy but not predictable. This author is wonderful in making the story come alive and making the reader work their brains for the solution. I have yet to determine the culprit before the reveal in any of her books. I received this ARC book for free from Net Galley and this is my honest review. I received this ARC book for free from Net Galley and this is my honest review.
I enjoyed this outing with Jazzi, Ansel and the rest of the crew. Although I did get tired of Jazzi and Ansel ending up in bed it what seemed like every other chapter. The author doesn't go into detail, just lets you know it is happening.. I read cozies for the mysteries. The mystery was interesting and kept me guessing. I also like how Gaff brings Jazzi with him - if the amateur sleuth is going to be involved, keep them safe. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review
A House Flipping Mystery Jazzie Flanders, her cousin Jerod and fiance Ansel run a renovation business flipping houses. Hard at work on their latest, the driveway gravel comes with a surprise...the owner of the business bringing the delivery...dead in the gravel dumped from the truck. Ms. Lynn's well written tale brings out plenty of suspects and motives, for the man is not well liked ...by anyone. Anton is sure one suspect the man's estranged son didn't do it, but did his mother's new husband, an angry employee, cheated friend? There are many suspects with as many reasons. Jazzie aids the Detective Gaff in his suspect interviews. Colorful descriptions of places and people make this an interesting, quickly moving tale. Her characters are multi-faceted in this engrossing cozy. I requested and received a NetGalley ARC to peruse.
This is a great story about families and friends. The good, the bad, and the ugly. I wish I had the talent to fix up houses. I think that would be so much fun. George is one spoiled dog. I loved it! Good thing he isn’t a huge dog. Cats expressions can be just as described in this book. So funny! I loved getting to know Jazzi, Ansel, and company. I hope I can hang out with them again. I received this book from NetGalley, but my opinion is my own.
Jazzi, Ansel, andJerod are back and working to flip their latest investment property. While working on the new drive way, a body lands on the driveway as a load of gravel is delivered and this puts a kink in the team’s plan for getting the outside done before the weather takes a turn. It also spells T-R-O-U-B-L-E for Thane, the boyfriend of Jazzi’s sister, who fought with the man the day before his body was delivered. Jazzi finds herself trying to clear Thane and a few to her people before she and Ansel walk down the aisle.
Murder and marriage, you can’t go wrong with this book! It’s a fun series that has recipes included at the end. You can’t go wrong adding this to your to be read list if you are a cozy lover!
This series keeps getting better and better. Lynn comes up with creative ways to deliver up a corpse. Full of clues, food, and Ansel, so what's not to love? Cat and dog lovers, this is one's for you. All the pets have personalities and don't mess with Jazzi's felines. Just look out for the dump trucks. (Had the privilege to be a beta reader.)
I really like this series; they are gently entertaining reading. I enjoy reading about the work Jazzi, Jarod and Ansel do on the houses they renovate, the food they eat, their families, alongside the mystery of the body delivered in the gravel for the drive of the current house.
Between this series and the Mill Pond series I feel I know a lot more about Indiana :)
This is an interesting cozy mystery. Lots of home repair and food preparation in addition to the murder. It kept me guessing. Unusual family dynamics. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley.