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A Jazzi Zanders Mystery #5
The Body from the Past
A closed room in her newest fixer-upper leads Indiana house-flipper Jazzi Zanders to reopen a chilling cold case involving a high school girl . . .
Jazzi, her cousin Jerod, and her husband Ansel are preparing to renovate a charming house that reminds her of an English manor. Before purchasing it, they had inspected the house for structural issues, but now when they do a more thorough walk-through, they discover a teenage girl's bedroom that clearly hasn't been touched in years. Dust covers the pink canopy bed, clothes still hang in the closet, and a hope chest remains full of journals and memorabilia. They've stumbled on a shrine to a dead girl.
They learn Jessica was killed in the middle of her high school graduation party. The murderer was never identified, but the brother-in-law of Jazzi’s friend, who went to school with Jessica, was suspected and never lived it down. He implores Jazzi to review the cold case and finally prove him innocent. Now it’s up to the house-flipper to nail a killer who will do anything to close the door on the past . . .
Jazzi, her cousin Jerod, and her husband Ansel are preparing to renovate a charming house that reminds her of an English manor. Before purchasing it, they had inspected the house for structural issues, but now when they do a more thorough walk-through, they discover a teenage girl's bedroom that clearly hasn't been touched in years. Dust covers the pink canopy bed, clothes still hang in the closet, and a hope chest remains full of journals and memorabilia. They've stumbled on a shrine to a dead girl.
They learn Jessica was killed in the middle of her high school graduation party. The murderer was never identified, but the brother-in-law of Jazzi’s friend, who went to school with Jessica, was suspected and never lived it down. He implores Jazzi to review the cold case and finally prove him innocent. Now it’s up to the house-flipper to nail a killer who will do anything to close the door on the past . . .
204 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 22, 2020
114 people are currently reading
745 people want to read
About the author
Judi Lynn
41 books287 followersJudi 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
September 27, 2020
Jazzi is back for the fifth book in the Jazzi Zanders mystery series. Jazzi, her husband Ansel, and her cousin Jerod renovate homes. The house they are working on has a locked door that hasn't been opened in years. When they get into the room, they discover it belonged to a teenage girl who died. The girl's murderer was never found. Jazzi is curious about the case, and looks into finding who killed the girl.
This book is part of a series. I've read the previous books, and recommend reading this series in order. That said, this can be read as a standalone.
The Body from the Past is an enjoyable cozy mystery. Jazzi works as a house flipper, and sometimes finds herself with a mystery to solve. The reason I like this series is because I enjoy reading about the remodeling jobs the crew take on. The mysteries are light, and the characters are likable. A good read for fans of cozies. Delightful and fun.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book is part of a series. I've read the previous books, and recommend reading this series in order. That said, this can be read as a standalone.
The Body from the Past is an enjoyable cozy mystery. Jazzi works as a house flipper, and sometimes finds herself with a mystery to solve. The reason I like this series is because I enjoy reading about the remodeling jobs the crew take on. The mysteries are light, and the characters are likable. A good read for fans of cozies. Delightful and fun.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 29, 2020
This is the first book I've read by this author and I'll admit I'm going to gush over it.
I read cozy mysteries but not very often but taking one look at the adorable Pug on the cover in a Halloween costume I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to feast my eyes on the story and what a treat it was. First off I loved the main characters, the couple had such charisma with each other. They are house flippers and the sparks were flying on and off the job .
I also loved how this couple who had no children yet doted on their pets, two spoiled cats and an adorable very spoiled Pug who was carried around everywhere and fed lots of treats.
Hoping to do a quick house flip the couple renovates a gorgeous but abandoned mansion not knowing what it holds. A locked door is discovered in the mansion but what secrets will be revealed behind closed doors?
When the couple explore the room they find it stock full of memories of a teen girl who was killed, pushed off the balcony at her own graduation party. Will trying to solve this case bring all the accusations to the forefront again and what about the strange things going on seemingly to hamper them from solving this case?
Despite all this we can't miss out on the fun Halloween party taking place.
Pub Date 22 Sep 2020
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.
I read cozy mysteries but not very often but taking one look at the adorable Pug on the cover in a Halloween costume I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to feast my eyes on the story and what a treat it was. First off I loved the main characters, the couple had such charisma with each other. They are house flippers and the sparks were flying on and off the job .
I also loved how this couple who had no children yet doted on their pets, two spoiled cats and an adorable very spoiled Pug who was carried around everywhere and fed lots of treats.
Hoping to do a quick house flip the couple renovates a gorgeous but abandoned mansion not knowing what it holds. A locked door is discovered in the mansion but what secrets will be revealed behind closed doors?
When the couple explore the room they find it stock full of memories of a teen girl who was killed, pushed off the balcony at her own graduation party. Will trying to solve this case bring all the accusations to the forefront again and what about the strange things going on seemingly to hamper them from solving this case?
Despite all this we can't miss out on the fun Halloween party taking place.
Pub Date 22 Sep 2020
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.
July 24, 2020
Finally able to jump into this newest book in the Jazzi Zanders series after choosing to catch up on the first four after getting this one on Netgalley.
Jazzi, Jerod and Ansel have snagged a great deal on a fixer upper in Merlot. While beginning the process of emptying the house to prepare it for renovation, they find a locked bedroom, shut away since the former resident, a recently graduated high school girl, fell to her death during her graduation party when she was pushed off a second floor balcony, a murder that was never solved and in small town Merlot, rumors abounded ever since.
First off, it's a known fact that a secret locked room is a quick way to suck me into a book. I loved how the journals introduced and narrated Jessica and her tragic life. Without it, she would've been just words on a page, instead it brought her back to life. There was no shortage of suspects, including a few who were right up there on the list because of how odious they were but in the end, the killer was unmasked and what a twisted tale it was.
Part of the draw of these books is watching (well, reading) the gang as they renovate houses; what design choices they make (both good and bad. Still not over the yellow brick house with the red metal roof and green door in the last book) and all the different houses they find. So, I enjoyed Ansel and Jazzi's vision of turning their basement into a playroom/man cave/spare sleeping space for guests. Truly enviable! Their family gatherings sound like such a warm, lively parties, with good food and lots of fun. Enviable!
Overall, a solid addition to a series that continues to grow and satisfy. Can't wait for the next!
Jazzi, Jerod and Ansel have snagged a great deal on a fixer upper in Merlot. While beginning the process of emptying the house to prepare it for renovation, they find a locked bedroom, shut away since the former resident, a recently graduated high school girl, fell to her death during her graduation party when she was pushed off a second floor balcony, a murder that was never solved and in small town Merlot, rumors abounded ever since.
First off, it's a known fact that a secret locked room is a quick way to suck me into a book. I loved how the journals introduced and narrated Jessica and her tragic life. Without it, she would've been just words on a page, instead it brought her back to life. There was no shortage of suspects, including a few who were right up there on the list because of how odious they were but in the end, the killer was unmasked and what a twisted tale it was.
Part of the draw of these books is watching (well, reading) the gang as they renovate houses; what design choices they make (both good and bad. Still not over the yellow brick house with the red metal roof and green door in the last book) and all the different houses they find. So, I enjoyed Ansel and Jazzi's vision of turning their basement into a playroom/man cave/spare sleeping space for guests. Truly enviable! Their family gatherings sound like such a warm, lively parties, with good food and lots of fun. Enviable!
Overall, a solid addition to a series that continues to grow and satisfy. Can't wait for the next!
October 2, 2020
Jazzi knows when they flip a house there are usually some surprises but this time it was a locked bedroom with no key. Once the door was removed it turned out to be a preserved girl's bedroom-a girl who had been murdered.
This was a great multi layered story with a plot that keeps you guessing until near the end. I enjoyed the characters and house flipping side story. Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
This was a great multi layered story with a plot that keeps you guessing until near the end. I enjoyed the characters and house flipping side story. Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
October 12, 2020
In The Body From The Past, what's not to love about renovating a home with your best friend, spouse, with a murder thrown in as the cherry on top? Jazzi and company are at it once more. Finding a beautiful house to renovate that they can afford isn't always easy, but when this house comes on the market, they can't resist. It's big, grand and will be stunning when they are finished. It's a house-flippers dream. Except they weren't expecting the house to hold secrets and a mystery they must solve before completing the project.
Home renovating is one of the favorite subjects in the cozy genre today. Readers love the descriptions of the old houses and the transformations that the main characters perform. Jazzi can't keep herself from investigating an old murder, and even if she could, she wouldn't. Being a house flipper out to make a profit doesn't make her cold and heartless when it comes to helping friends, family, and strangers. Jazzi is an easy to like character, with a cast behind her that keeps readers wide-eyed and intrigued. Jazzi sets out to find the killer of a young girl who dreamed of a life away from this house and a future that only held promise.
There are plenty of suspects for readers to sink their teeth into, a few twists and turns that will keep readers guessing, and a whole lot of entertainment. Finding the killer isn't all that difficult, but finding the evidence may be. Jazzi has her hands full with renovating the house, but she still has time to find the killer of a young girl who never got the chance to make her dreams come true. The writing is wonderfully descriptive, the mystery cloaked in possibilities, and a resolution that keeps readers happy. The Body From The Past is easy to read, fast-paced cozy that will leave house-flippers and DIY folks with a need to read every word.
Home renovating is one of the favorite subjects in the cozy genre today. Readers love the descriptions of the old houses and the transformations that the main characters perform. Jazzi can't keep herself from investigating an old murder, and even if she could, she wouldn't. Being a house flipper out to make a profit doesn't make her cold and heartless when it comes to helping friends, family, and strangers. Jazzi is an easy to like character, with a cast behind her that keeps readers wide-eyed and intrigued. Jazzi sets out to find the killer of a young girl who dreamed of a life away from this house and a future that only held promise.
There are plenty of suspects for readers to sink their teeth into, a few twists and turns that will keep readers guessing, and a whole lot of entertainment. Finding the killer isn't all that difficult, but finding the evidence may be. Jazzi has her hands full with renovating the house, but she still has time to find the killer of a young girl who never got the chance to make her dreams come true. The writing is wonderfully descriptive, the mystery cloaked in possibilities, and a resolution that keeps readers happy. The Body From The Past is easy to read, fast-paced cozy that will leave house-flippers and DIY folks with a need to read every word.
April 27, 2020
Jazzi, Ansel and Jerod are back again in The Body from the Past.
When the trio begin to renovate their newest acquisition, Jazzi discovers a room that has been closed off for years.
Opening that door is like opening Pandora’s Box. What seems to be a young girl’s hope chest is filled with memories and mementos of a short life. Jazzi feels awful that her family doesn’t want her belongings, so she takes them home with her. To Jazzi it feels wrong to throw the belongings in the trash. Jazzi’s curiosity gets the best of her, and as she looks through the hope chest, secrets, lies, and betrayals are discovered.
I couldn’t put this book down. I love the feeling I get when I lose myself in this particular series.
Jazzi and Ansel make a great couple and I can’t wait to see what happens next with them.
When the trio begin to renovate their newest acquisition, Jazzi discovers a room that has been closed off for years.
Opening that door is like opening Pandora’s Box. What seems to be a young girl’s hope chest is filled with memories and mementos of a short life. Jazzi feels awful that her family doesn’t want her belongings, so she takes them home with her. To Jazzi it feels wrong to throw the belongings in the trash. Jazzi’s curiosity gets the best of her, and as she looks through the hope chest, secrets, lies, and betrayals are discovered.
I couldn’t put this book down. I love the feeling I get when I lose myself in this particular series.
Jazzi and Ansel make a great couple and I can’t wait to see what happens next with them.
September 5, 2020
Flipping houses doesn't normally lead to solving murders unless you're Jazzi Zanders. When she and her husband and cousin start their latest project, they find a locked room that turns out to be the bedroom of a teenage girl murdered on the night of her high school graduation party. The sadness of the unsolved murder draws Jazzi into reading the girl's journals and investigating her death. The mystery is solid and well clued. Additionally the daily routine of their lives, flipping houses and their family is just as compelling. With each book, I'm becoming a bigger fan of this series. Rounding up from four and a half to five stars. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 19, 2023
The rehab team of Ansel, Jazzi and Jared take on the rehab of a house where a hole chest is found in a locked room. Jazzi discovers that the chest belonged to a high schooler who died some years ago. Jazzi feels compelled to find out who murdered Jessica, but Ansel is not so keen given their close call in the last case.
The investigation leads to town gossip, fractured families, and more murders. Soon the race is in to decipher grandma’s psychic clues and find the killer before more murders occur.
The investigation leads to town gossip, fractured families, and more murders. Soon the race is in to decipher grandma’s psychic clues and find the killer before more murders occur.
March 20, 2021
Questa serie mi piace proprio! Magari qualcuno la può trovare leggerina per quanto riguarda la parte "investigativa", ma io adoro l'atmosfera che si respira leggendola, mi piacciono i personaggi e le descrizioni dei lavori di ristrutturazione. In questo libro c'è un cold case, la cui soluzione è un po' amarognola anche se non inaspettata.
October 30, 2020
I am a book behind in this series but had no trouble catching up. This is a quick read that immediately pulls you in. I enjoyed the setting and also the little investigative details like the journal entries. The mystery kept me guessing until the very end. A great fall read!
August 26, 2020
The Body From The Past is the fifth book in the Jazzi Zanders Mystery series written by Judi Lynn.
Jazzi, Ansel, and Jerrod are starting on their latest fixer-upper. This home is located in the small town of Merlot small community, and it reminds Jazzi of a country home one would find in an English novel.
On their first day on the job, they will be checking why one of the bedrooms is locked. Once they get the room unlocked, they can see that it had belonged to a teenaged girl. Jazzi contacts the previous owner and asks why it is locked, and she learns from her that it was that way when she bought the house and didn’t need the room, so she left it as is.
With cold weather coming, they would start the project by putting on a new roof. Just as Jazzi’s getting ready to start, the next-door neighbor approaches and asks about the project. Jazzi learns from the neighbor that the owner’s daughter was killed during her high school graduation party. She tells Jazzi that the girl's boyfriend was a suspect of her murder, but the police could never get enough evidence to charge him with murder, and the murder was never solved. Shortly after that, the family locked the bedroom. The family then sold the house and moved to the East Coast.
Before Jazzi left for the day, she decided to look through the bedroom and found a chest that contained pictures and diaries of the girl. She decided to take them home and see if she could learn more about the girl. Shortly after reading some of the journals, Jazzi meets with her girlfriend, and they end up discussing the home Jazzi is renovating. It turns out that her brother-in-law is the young man that was considered the prime suspect at the time. She says he still has nightmares about the event and asks Jazzi if she could investigate. Jazzi is hesitant about looking into this “cold case,” as she has told Ansel that she won’t get involved with sleuthing anymore, besides it is outside her friendly detective’s jurisdiction. She learned from the diaries that her father constantly belittled the girl, and her brother could do no wrong in their father’s eyes. Jazzi convinces Ansel that they should look into the murder so that her friend’s brother-in-law can get closure.
The book is another well-written and plotted story from Judi Lynn. The book’s characters are well-developed and very believable. There were enough twists and turns that kept me guessing until the end.
There are recipes also included in the book.
I am anxiously awaiting the next book in this exciting series.
Jazzi, Ansel, and Jerrod are starting on their latest fixer-upper. This home is located in the small town of Merlot small community, and it reminds Jazzi of a country home one would find in an English novel.
On their first day on the job, they will be checking why one of the bedrooms is locked. Once they get the room unlocked, they can see that it had belonged to a teenaged girl. Jazzi contacts the previous owner and asks why it is locked, and she learns from her that it was that way when she bought the house and didn’t need the room, so she left it as is.
With cold weather coming, they would start the project by putting on a new roof. Just as Jazzi’s getting ready to start, the next-door neighbor approaches and asks about the project. Jazzi learns from the neighbor that the owner’s daughter was killed during her high school graduation party. She tells Jazzi that the girl's boyfriend was a suspect of her murder, but the police could never get enough evidence to charge him with murder, and the murder was never solved. Shortly after that, the family locked the bedroom. The family then sold the house and moved to the East Coast.
Before Jazzi left for the day, she decided to look through the bedroom and found a chest that contained pictures and diaries of the girl. She decided to take them home and see if she could learn more about the girl. Shortly after reading some of the journals, Jazzi meets with her girlfriend, and they end up discussing the home Jazzi is renovating. It turns out that her brother-in-law is the young man that was considered the prime suspect at the time. She says he still has nightmares about the event and asks Jazzi if she could investigate. Jazzi is hesitant about looking into this “cold case,” as she has told Ansel that she won’t get involved with sleuthing anymore, besides it is outside her friendly detective’s jurisdiction. She learned from the diaries that her father constantly belittled the girl, and her brother could do no wrong in their father’s eyes. Jazzi convinces Ansel that they should look into the murder so that her friend’s brother-in-law can get closure.
The book is another well-written and plotted story from Judi Lynn. The book’s characters are well-developed and very believable. There were enough twists and turns that kept me guessing until the end.
There are recipes also included in the book.
I am anxiously awaiting the next book in this exciting series.
July 26, 2020
I do so love when you can pick up a book in the middle of a series and have no problem following the story. This is one of those. It is the fifth in the Jazzi Zaners Mystery Series and I look forward to going back to read the first four. What a lot of fun. House Flipping mystery solvers, got to love that, definitely a combo I haven't read before. What happen to the girl who lived in the house they are flipping? The author slowly unravels the story a just the right speed, she's good at presenting suspects and getting you to ponder them. Fun characters surround Jazzi and her husband Ansel (her Viking! Love that).
If you are like me and love a fun, entertaining Cozy Mystery, this is for you. You won't be disappointment.
Thank you Goodreads Giveaways for selecting me to receive this book! Not just a Goodreads but a Great read.
If you are like me and love a fun, entertaining Cozy Mystery, this is for you. You won't be disappointment.
Thank you Goodreads Giveaways for selecting me to receive this book! Not just a Goodreads but a Great read.
July 28, 2020
This was a nice, different take of a plot. Jazzi doesn't stumble upon a dead body, but all of a dead girl's items from the girl's childhood. Of course, you do get a current dead body so that the police can get involved. Some jerks and some nice folk are involved in the story. Kept me guessing and was a fast read for me since I was interested in what had happened.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 29, 2020
The latest Jazzi Zanders mystery delivers in a big way. I have enjoyed all of the books in this series to date, but this is my favorite. Jazzi, her hunky husband Ansel, and her cousin Jerrod are in the process of flipping a new house when they discover a young woman who lived there in the past was murdered.
Jessica Hodgekill had everything going for her when someone pushed her from a second-floor balcony the night of her high school graduation party. The suspects are plenty and range from rivals to a busybody neighbor, and even family members. As Jazzi digs for an answer, rattling skeletons that shouldn’t be rattled, new murders occur in the present and the roster of suspects mounts.
I really enjoyed the multiple angles in this story that included glimpses into Jessica’s past and even journal entries she’d left behind. The mystery builds slowly with each suspect rising to the surface as individual motives are revealed. The author does an excellent job in painting several characters as having plenty of reasons to plot murder. Set against the backdrop of October, the story also offers a nice balance with Jazzi’s homelife as she and Ansel prepare for a Halloween bash. There is plenty of warmth with familiar secondary characters who have become like friends and neighbors throughout the series. Even Jazzi and Ansel’s pets—pug George and cats, Inky and Marmalade—get moments to shine in multiple scenes.
The plot threads are tightly woven for a satisfying ending when all the pieces fall into place. Judi Lynn knows how to deftly juggle numerous characters within an engaging story, while continuing her characters across a series that leaves the reader eagerly looking forward to the next mystery.
Jessica Hodgekill had everything going for her when someone pushed her from a second-floor balcony the night of her high school graduation party. The suspects are plenty and range from rivals to a busybody neighbor, and even family members. As Jazzi digs for an answer, rattling skeletons that shouldn’t be rattled, new murders occur in the present and the roster of suspects mounts.
I really enjoyed the multiple angles in this story that included glimpses into Jessica’s past and even journal entries she’d left behind. The mystery builds slowly with each suspect rising to the surface as individual motives are revealed. The author does an excellent job in painting several characters as having plenty of reasons to plot murder. Set against the backdrop of October, the story also offers a nice balance with Jazzi’s homelife as she and Ansel prepare for a Halloween bash. There is plenty of warmth with familiar secondary characters who have become like friends and neighbors throughout the series. Even Jazzi and Ansel’s pets—pug George and cats, Inky and Marmalade—get moments to shine in multiple scenes.
The plot threads are tightly woven for a satisfying ending when all the pieces fall into place. Judi Lynn knows how to deftly juggle numerous characters within an engaging story, while continuing her characters across a series that leaves the reader eagerly looking forward to the next mystery.
June 28, 2020
The Body from the Past is the fifth installment in the A Jazzi Zanders Mystery series featuring house flipper Jazzi, her husband, Ansel and her cousin, Jerod set in small town Indiana. Their newest project is a house taken straight out of an English novel, three stories tall with arched windows and a stone exterior - the best part is that there is little structural damage so most of the renovations will be cosmetic.
The first day on the job Jazzi discovers that one of the bedrooms on the second floor is locked. Taking the door off a room is revealed straight from the past. Still full of the previous tenants belongings including a hope chest filled with diaries, Jazzi discovers that the girl who once lived in the room, Jessica Hodgkill had plummeted to her death from the upstairs balcony on the day of her high school graduation party.
The trio soon learns that a relative of one of their close friends had been considered the killer although no evidence was ever uncovered to make an arrest. As Jazzi begins reading through the diaries she becomes drawn to Jessica and is determined to find the girl's killer. Plenty of suspects will keep the gang busy investigating and renovating.
A well crafted plot with the return of many series regulars and Ansel's beloved pug, George. At times the repetition of lunch descriptions in each chapter becomes annoying but can also be skimmed over.
I received an advanced copy of The Body from the Past from NetGalley via Lyrical Underground. While not required to write a review I am happy to offer my honest opinion.
The first day on the job Jazzi discovers that one of the bedrooms on the second floor is locked. Taking the door off a room is revealed straight from the past. Still full of the previous tenants belongings including a hope chest filled with diaries, Jazzi discovers that the girl who once lived in the room, Jessica Hodgkill had plummeted to her death from the upstairs balcony on the day of her high school graduation party.
The trio soon learns that a relative of one of their close friends had been considered the killer although no evidence was ever uncovered to make an arrest. As Jazzi begins reading through the diaries she becomes drawn to Jessica and is determined to find the girl's killer. Plenty of suspects will keep the gang busy investigating and renovating.
A well crafted plot with the return of many series regulars and Ansel's beloved pug, George. At times the repetition of lunch descriptions in each chapter becomes annoying but can also be skimmed over.
I received an advanced copy of The Body from the Past from NetGalley via Lyrical Underground. While not required to write a review I am happy to offer my honest opinion.
May 24, 2020
Jazzy, Ansel and Jerod are still flipping quality houses. Their newest presents a mystery as they are working on it . A cold case murder of a young girl and Jazzy just can't let it go. She feels compelled to see if she can catch what the detectives on the case missed.
With the support of her friends and those of the dead girl, she comes across information the detectives hadn't been able to, but unfortunately, there are more deaths from the killer desperate to keep his secret
The information she's able to provide to the police now working the case helps them close it.
This mystery has romance, humor and family, good strong values in some, dysfunction in others as well as strong friendships.
I requested and received a NetGalley ARC to peruse and offer my opinion just as freely.
With the support of her friends and those of the dead girl, she comes across information the detectives hadn't been able to, but unfortunately, there are more deaths from the killer desperate to keep his secret
The information she's able to provide to the police now working the case helps them close it.
This mystery has romance, humor and family, good strong values in some, dysfunction in others as well as strong friendships.
I requested and received a NetGalley ARC to peruse and offer my opinion just as freely.
June 12, 2020
Great story as always. I have read every book in this series so far and they just keep getting better. I love Jazzie and Ansel and the whole group. The mystery was interesting and a surprise at the end which I love. I think what I like most about these books is the characters and the dynamics between them, they are never boring. I am looking forward to the next book.
I received this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 26, 2020
Jazzi, husband Ansel, and cousin Jerod, are house-flippers. Remodeling, buying and reselling homes for a profit is something they enjoy although they have found secrets within walls before, they hope they will be spared this time. A big, beautiful stone house is their newest purchase. Jerod bought it from an older woman who wanted to move closer to her elderly suitor so price was really favorable. The location is in a small town good for commuter executive types. As they start to work, the furniture and articles left behind are theirs to dispose of as they see fit. A locked door in one of the upper floors leads them into a mysterious tragedy and small town gossip. A young, bright, and charming girl falls from an upper balcony on her graduation party. The participants in that barbeque are quite the social gossip items and malignant harbingers of shame. Ruined futures seem to lie hidden within the journals found in the victim's old bedroom chest. Adultery and envy, vindictive lies, and unsavory habits begin to emerge as Jazzi starts reading the journals of the young woman. Her friends and acquaintances have been struggling under half-known stories and want them to find out more. As their detective friend, Gaff follows up and they meet the surviving members of this group, the meaning of another death that happened to a look-a-like young girl prior to the victim turns a queasy feeling in Jazzi's stomach regarding the whole affair. What kind of family held so many secrets and control over its members, Where are they now, and what happened to them after all this time. Interesting twist of true evil and the shades of interlacing clues. This was a free book to read and review. I have no connection to anything involved. I like the crafty tine of remodeling handiwork and the inside view of what a flipper must do as part of daily life. The characters have wonderful backgrounds interwoven into each characters behavior. Plot was very interesting and steady, no pauses in the story. Good read for me.
August 21, 2020
While working on their next house flip, Jazzi finds a locked bedroom that belonged to the original owners’ daughter. It turns out the girl died at her graduation party, having been pushed from the balcony off her bedroom. The room and it’s furnishings were left untouched just as the young girl left it. Sadly the case was never solved.
As a Jazzi reads through the girls journals she becomes determined to find justice for the young girl. As Jazzi reads on, she finds that so many were jealous of the girl and some in her own family seemed to hate her. Teaming up with her favorite detective, this cold case heats up and the murderer seems to have struck again. They’re determined to not let the case turn cold again, but at what cost?
I love old houses and bringing them back to life. Add in a solid whodunit and this series delivers a satisfying read each and every time. Recipes from Jazzi’s kitchen are included as well.
As a Jazzi reads through the girls journals she becomes determined to find justice for the young girl. As Jazzi reads on, she finds that so many were jealous of the girl and some in her own family seemed to hate her. Teaming up with her favorite detective, this cold case heats up and the murderer seems to have struck again. They’re determined to not let the case turn cold again, but at what cost?
I love old houses and bringing them back to life. Add in a solid whodunit and this series delivers a satisfying read each and every time. Recipes from Jazzi’s kitchen are included as well.
August 3, 2020
This is the 5th installment in the Jazzi Zanders Mystery series. Jazzi, Ansel (her husband) and Jerod (her cousin) flip houses and they are flipping a house in another city Merlot. The house is large and in a very affluent area. They purchased the house at a great price knowing there was plenty of work to do. When inspecting the upstairs one of the rooms is locked so they call the previous owner and find out that it was that way when she purchased the house and never needed the space so never went in. Turns out the room belonged to Jessica Hodgkill who was the daughter of the family who lived there when the room was locked up. Jessica was killed at her graduation party by falling out a balcony window and Jazzi feels drawn to her and when she sees her hope chest with her journals. She reaches out to the family to see if they still want her things and her Mother is so upset she hangs up on her. The nosey neighbor has nothing nice to say about Jessica and a friend of her’s brother in law was a prime suspect and moved away as the small town gossip ruined his life. Jazzi tries to stay away but she reaches out to her detective friend Gaff and when a new murder happens Jazzi is helping out with Ansel at her side to protect her. I really love this series. Jazzi and Ansel’s life revolve around their family and it is always family first and they work so well with Jerod on the houses. This series is an automatic for me and I cannot wait for the next in the series.
July 23, 2020
Through NetGalley, I received a free copy of THE BODY FROM THE PAST (Book 5 of the Jazzi Zanders Mysteries) by Judi Lynn in exchange for an honest review. Jazzi, her husband Ansel, and her cousin Jerod are house flippers. In the midst of their newest renovation, they discover a locked room contained the dusty, untouched remnants of a teenage girl’s life. They soon learn the bedroom’s occupant, Jessica Hodgkill, was killed in the middle of her high school graduation party, and the mystery, along with the slaying of a similar-looking young woman, was never solved. Rumors abounded, and one implicated a male classmate of Jessica’s; though he was never charged, his current interactions with the community of Merlot, Indiana, are still affected by the suspicion, so he asks Jazzi to clear his name. Jazzi’s involvement kicks off community interest; Jessica’s friends want justice while others resist and cause trouble. As Halloween approaches, the locals begin to seriously question the party goers and narrow the suspects. This spurs the murderer to resort to old tricks.
I enjoyed the storyline. I note that I haven’t read the previous books in this series. As a result, I struggled with understanding the characters and their connections to one another. I suggest reading the previous books before attempting this one. I recommend the series to fans of cozy mysteries featuring murder, home renovation, construction, interior design, and pugs.
#TheBodyFromThePast #NetGalley
I enjoyed the storyline. I note that I haven’t read the previous books in this series. As a result, I struggled with understanding the characters and their connections to one another. I suggest reading the previous books before attempting this one. I recommend the series to fans of cozy mysteries featuring murder, home renovation, construction, interior design, and pugs.
#TheBodyFromThePast #NetGalley
September 18, 2020
The Body From The Past is the fifth book in Judi Lynn’s Jazzi Zanders Mystery. The mystery is well plotted, and the characters are well developed and affable. The steadily paced mystery is interesting, and the twists and red herrings that kept me guessing.
Jazzi Zanders Herstad, her husband, Ansel, and her cousin, Jerod, flip houses in the River Bluffs, Indiana area, and are currently refurbishing a home in the small town of Merlot. Jazzi discovers one of the bedrooms on the second floor is locked, and after removing the door, she finds it’s full of a previous resident’s belongings, including a hope chest filled with memorabilia and journals written by a young girl. When Jazzi’s best friend, Leesa, and her husband, Brett, find out she is working on the Hodgkill home, they introduce Jazzi and Ansel to Brett’s brother, Damian, and his wife, Kelsey, who fill them in on the sad history of the house. Jessica Hodgkill, the girl who once lived in the room, plummeted to her death from the upstairs balcony at a party celebrating that she’d been named class valedictorian and that she’d been pushed off the house’s balcony and died. Although the case was never solved, Damian had Jessica’s senior prom date and the main suspect in her murder, and he asks Jazzi to look into it and help prove Damian didn’t do it. Jazzi contacts Jessica’s family, who doesn’t want any of the furniture or personal possessions. Jerod takes the furniture home so Franny, his wife, can restore them, but Jazzi can’t bring herself to throw Jessica’s memories away, so she and Ansel take the hope chest to their home. As Jazzi reads the journals and talks with some of Jessica’s friends, who still struggle with her death, she becomes determined to find the girl’s killer. Even though it’s not within his jurisdiction, Jazzi contacts her friend, Detective Gaff, who agrees to speak with the local authorities. Not only do they discover another unsolved death of a young girl with similar physical traits, but also uncover multiple secrets, lies, and betrayals.
I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.
Jazzi Zanders Herstad, her husband, Ansel, and her cousin, Jerod, flip houses in the River Bluffs, Indiana area, and are currently refurbishing a home in the small town of Merlot. Jazzi discovers one of the bedrooms on the second floor is locked, and after removing the door, she finds it’s full of a previous resident’s belongings, including a hope chest filled with memorabilia and journals written by a young girl. When Jazzi’s best friend, Leesa, and her husband, Brett, find out she is working on the Hodgkill home, they introduce Jazzi and Ansel to Brett’s brother, Damian, and his wife, Kelsey, who fill them in on the sad history of the house. Jessica Hodgkill, the girl who once lived in the room, plummeted to her death from the upstairs balcony at a party celebrating that she’d been named class valedictorian and that she’d been pushed off the house’s balcony and died. Although the case was never solved, Damian had Jessica’s senior prom date and the main suspect in her murder, and he asks Jazzi to look into it and help prove Damian didn’t do it. Jazzi contacts Jessica’s family, who doesn’t want any of the furniture or personal possessions. Jerod takes the furniture home so Franny, his wife, can restore them, but Jazzi can’t bring herself to throw Jessica’s memories away, so she and Ansel take the hope chest to their home. As Jazzi reads the journals and talks with some of Jessica’s friends, who still struggle with her death, she becomes determined to find the girl’s killer. Even though it’s not within his jurisdiction, Jazzi contacts her friend, Detective Gaff, who agrees to speak with the local authorities. Not only do they discover another unsolved death of a young girl with similar physical traits, but also uncover multiple secrets, lies, and betrayals.
I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.
November 16, 2020
Hurrah - this finally became available as a kindle in the UK!
When Jazzi, Jarod, and Ansel open up a locked door in the house they are renovating, they find it untouched since the teenager whose room it had been was killed. Jazzi starts to read all the young girl's journals, and is then shocked to find, from a friend, that she had been pushed, deliberately, from a balcony and fell to her death.
Jazzi's friend's brother-in-law was the subject of a gossip campaign accusing him of the murder and they ask her to see if she can help solve this unsolved crime.
There were interesting twists and turns all the way through and, as usual, we learnt about the work involved flipping houses, and about the food Jazzi cooks, along the way, which I rather like.
When Jazzi, Jarod, and Ansel open up a locked door in the house they are renovating, they find it untouched since the teenager whose room it had been was killed. Jazzi starts to read all the young girl's journals, and is then shocked to find, from a friend, that she had been pushed, deliberately, from a balcony and fell to her death.
Jazzi's friend's brother-in-law was the subject of a gossip campaign accusing him of the murder and they ask her to see if she can help solve this unsolved crime.
There were interesting twists and turns all the way through and, as usual, we learnt about the work involved flipping houses, and about the food Jazzi cooks, along the way, which I rather like.
October 5, 2020
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for kindly providing me with a digital copy of this book for review.
This was a really fun read and I enjoyed the fixer- upper setting of this book. The characters were well established but even though this is part of an ongoing series, I never felt lost or too spoiled to go back and read the previous books.
It is set at Halloween time and as I write this we are in October so perfect timing on my behalf. So if you’re looking for a seasonal book that is more on the cozy side rather than spooky then this could be the one for you.
Just as a side note, as a veterinary nurse, I should say it alarmed me that chilli was fed to a dog. Please don’t do that folks- dogs should not eat onions as it can lead to anaemia.
I did enjoy this though and I would recommend.
This was a really fun read and I enjoyed the fixer- upper setting of this book. The characters were well established but even though this is part of an ongoing series, I never felt lost or too spoiled to go back and read the previous books.
It is set at Halloween time and as I write this we are in October so perfect timing on my behalf. So if you’re looking for a seasonal book that is more on the cozy side rather than spooky then this could be the one for you.
Just as a side note, as a veterinary nurse, I should say it alarmed me that chilli was fed to a dog. Please don’t do that folks- dogs should not eat onions as it can lead to anaemia.
I did enjoy this though and I would recommend.
March 16, 2021
This is a fun and entertaining mystery. I enjoy the continuing story of Jazzi and Ansel, their family and friends, and the mysteries they continue to find themselves in the middle of.
September 22, 2020
Well, Jazzi has done it again. Or Judi Lynn has. Let’s call it a perfect partnership. This latest installment of the Jazzi Zanders series once again delivers everything we love about it: good food, good friends, good pets, a good mystery, and Ansel.
These poor house flippers can’t seem to get away from murders landing on their projects’ doorsteps. This time, the crime is from the past, but the trouble takes precedence in the present, and suspects abound. Jazzi’s investigation unearths horrible truths the victim suffered through her too-short life. Then the danger becomes all too real, all too immediate.
Kudos to the author for crafting such a wonderful compilation of characters—good and bad—as well as bringing the settings to life. It was a delight revisiting with old friends (especially Ansel, George, Inky, and Marmalade) and so fun solving the mystery with our favorite house-flipper/amateur-detective.
These poor house flippers can’t seem to get away from murders landing on their projects’ doorsteps. This time, the crime is from the past, but the trouble takes precedence in the present, and suspects abound. Jazzi’s investigation unearths horrible truths the victim suffered through her too-short life. Then the danger becomes all too real, all too immediate.
Kudos to the author for crafting such a wonderful compilation of characters—good and bad—as well as bringing the settings to life. It was a delight revisiting with old friends (especially Ansel, George, Inky, and Marmalade) and so fun solving the mystery with our favorite house-flipper/amateur-detective.
September 16, 2020
The Body From the Past by Judi Lynn is the 5th book in the Jazzi Zanders mystery series, and another great addition. I found this book to be very interesting and enjoyable. Jazzi, her husband Ansel, and her cousin Jerod buy houses together, renovate, than sell them. In this book they are renovating a large home, when they find a sealed room, which open into a shrine for the teenage girl that died years ago. Jazzi can't let go of the mystery of who pushed her off the balcony to her death. Jazzi is determined to find out what really happened, and the sleuthing begins. 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 series, if you enjoy cozy mysteries.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
June 13, 2020
Jazzi, her husband, and others work together to flip houses in a small town in Indiana. Earlier efforts have come with a skeleton or two, but none in this house. A young woman did die after being pushed and falling off the roof but the case went cold. Until now. Lots of good characters and some nasty ones, but all are lively and well portrayed. Good story with twists, red herrings, and real surprises. I've read a couple of earlier ones but the author easily inserts info about past investigations that make this one an easy stand alone. Loved it!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
May 17, 2020
The Body from the Past by Judi Lynn
Book #5: Jazzi Zanders Mystery Series
Source: NetGalley and Lyrical Underground
Rating: 4/5 stars
Jazzi Zanders has promised everyone, including her sweet husband that she will absolutely, positively stop getting involved in solving murders! With nothing but good intentions, Jazzi, Ansel, and Jerod make their way towards their latest project, a wonderful English cottagesque home they are flipping for resale. Though the work is going to be intense and difficult, at least this time, Jazzi hasn’t run across a dead body somewhere in the house.
Unfortunately, Jazzi doesn’t have to literally trip over a dead body to become involved in a case. When she and Ansel’s good friends call to ask about the new house they’re working on, they also reveal a chilling story that has haunted the small town for years! Though Ansel doesn’t want Jazzi to become involved, he is also kind and caring and finds it hard to refuse helping their friends. According to their friends, on the night of their graduation party, a young girl, Jessica fell to her death from the second-floor balcony of her own home. While the town gossips have been vicious in their tongue-wagging, the police have never been able to close the case.
With the case having been cold for so many years and out of her detective friend’s jurisdiction, Jazzi isn’t sure what she’s going to be able to discover that the police haven’t. Like Ansel, Jazzi is kind and wants to see her friend’s suffering end. With the help of the young girl’s diaries, Jazzi is able to piece together the story of a bright, outgoing young girl who was constantly hounded and belittled by her father. Her brother was seemingly quite protective of her and her mother often tried to defend her daughter, but Jessica’s home life wasn’t great, and she was looking forward to leaving home after graduation.
Each diary entry gives Jazzi more insight and the name of another person she needs to speak with. Thankfully, Jessica had a core group of friends loyal to her and willing to do anything to help bring justice to their friend. Jessica’s friends help Jazzi understand more about Jessica’s life and, most importantly, the night their friend plunged to her death. As always, not every encounter is pleasant and Jazzi quickly discovers a few truly horrible humans who care nothing for the loss of Jessica or what her loss has done to others. Marking suspects off the list is proving harder than expected considering the coldness of the case. That is, until fresh bodies start dropping!
The Bottom Line: I didn’t quite love this Jazzi book as much as the previous four, BUT I did very much appreciate the novel approach taken in this book. It isn’t often that Jazzi doesn’t have a fresh body and crime scene to deal with and while I liked the novelty of it this time, I sure hope it doesn’t become a standard part of this series. With that bit out of the way, I was, once again happy with the other aspects of this book. Jazzi and Ansel’s circle is widening with every book and it really does enhance to spirit of friendship and community that has been a part of the entire series. Of course, there is also loads of good food, dialogue, and evolution among all the characters, old and new alike. I find these books to be solid, well-crafted reads that are populated with people I like to revisit regularly. For my money, that’s exactly the kind of book I want to continue reading.
Book #5: Jazzi Zanders Mystery Series
Source: NetGalley and Lyrical Underground
Rating: 4/5 stars
Jazzi Zanders has promised everyone, including her sweet husband that she will absolutely, positively stop getting involved in solving murders! With nothing but good intentions, Jazzi, Ansel, and Jerod make their way towards their latest project, a wonderful English cottagesque home they are flipping for resale. Though the work is going to be intense and difficult, at least this time, Jazzi hasn’t run across a dead body somewhere in the house.
Unfortunately, Jazzi doesn’t have to literally trip over a dead body to become involved in a case. When she and Ansel’s good friends call to ask about the new house they’re working on, they also reveal a chilling story that has haunted the small town for years! Though Ansel doesn’t want Jazzi to become involved, he is also kind and caring and finds it hard to refuse helping their friends. According to their friends, on the night of their graduation party, a young girl, Jessica fell to her death from the second-floor balcony of her own home. While the town gossips have been vicious in their tongue-wagging, the police have never been able to close the case.
With the case having been cold for so many years and out of her detective friend’s jurisdiction, Jazzi isn’t sure what she’s going to be able to discover that the police haven’t. Like Ansel, Jazzi is kind and wants to see her friend’s suffering end. With the help of the young girl’s diaries, Jazzi is able to piece together the story of a bright, outgoing young girl who was constantly hounded and belittled by her father. Her brother was seemingly quite protective of her and her mother often tried to defend her daughter, but Jessica’s home life wasn’t great, and she was looking forward to leaving home after graduation.
Each diary entry gives Jazzi more insight and the name of another person she needs to speak with. Thankfully, Jessica had a core group of friends loyal to her and willing to do anything to help bring justice to their friend. Jessica’s friends help Jazzi understand more about Jessica’s life and, most importantly, the night their friend plunged to her death. As always, not every encounter is pleasant and Jazzi quickly discovers a few truly horrible humans who care nothing for the loss of Jessica or what her loss has done to others. Marking suspects off the list is proving harder than expected considering the coldness of the case. That is, until fresh bodies start dropping!
The Bottom Line: I didn’t quite love this Jazzi book as much as the previous four, BUT I did very much appreciate the novel approach taken in this book. It isn’t often that Jazzi doesn’t have a fresh body and crime scene to deal with and while I liked the novelty of it this time, I sure hope it doesn’t become a standard part of this series. With that bit out of the way, I was, once again happy with the other aspects of this book. Jazzi and Ansel’s circle is widening with every book and it really does enhance to spirit of friendship and community that has been a part of the entire series. Of course, there is also loads of good food, dialogue, and evolution among all the characters, old and new alike. I find these books to be solid, well-crafted reads that are populated with people I like to revisit regularly. For my money, that’s exactly the kind of book I want to continue reading.
September 5, 2020
I always enjoy reading the books in this series. I love Jazzi and her gang. I love reading about home remodeling and I think Jazzi and the detective make a great team. Good story. Very interesting twists.
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