Bungled

Rylie Cooper Mysteries #6

by Stella Bixby

It’s just a fishing tournament. A boring old—

Who are we kidding?

When is anything boring when Rylie’s around?

It’s a simple event—the person who catches the largest fish wins.

But rumors of cheating are on the air, and Rylie’s assigned summie is ready to catch those dirty, rotten criminals. Whether they exist or not.

Between the tournament and planning her wedding, Rylie has her hands full.

When two fishing superstars—who just happen to be exes—enter the event, Rylie knows things are about to get out of control.

Will Rylie be able to stay out of trouble this time? Will she finally find the perfect wedding dress?

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction

208 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 30, 2021

About the author

Stella Bixby is a native Coloradan who loves to snowboard, pluck at the guitar, and play board games with her family. She was once a volunteer firefighter and a park ranger, but now spends most of her time making up stories and trying to figure out what to cook for dinner.

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Reviews

[Sabine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great addition to this series. I really enjoy the outdoorsy feel of this series.

[Roxx Tarantini · Rating 5 out of 5]

When it becomes an explosive fishing tournament, what's a Ranger to do?

It was supposed to be a simple tournament, like so many others they'd held. But nothing is ever that simple for Rylie. Add to it the stress of actually picking a wedding dress, and our intrepid Ranger cum sleuth is more stressed than ever.

Bixby has penned another page-turner; when you combine a murder masked as an accident, and a perhaps reluctant bride-to-be, you've got the elements of a book that doesn't let you go.

Another great entry into the Rylie Cooper saga, this one has me thinking that perhaps wedding bells aren't necessarily a given. Can't wait for the next instalment!

[I was fortunate to receive an ARC of the book from the author, with no obligation to review. The opinions expressed herein are given freely and are entirely my own.]

[Tam Sesto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stella Bixby is fast becoming a favorite author of mine. Her books always flow well, are fast paced, and have interesting characters. Bungled is no exception. It’s the sixth book in the Rylie Copper Mysteries. I haven’t read any of the the other books in the series (I’m more familiar with the Magical Mane Mysteries, which I love), but I didn’t feel too lost reading this book on it’s own. Having said that, I am going back to read the other three, as the author does mention past incidents.

The main character, Riley, is a park ranger monitoring a fishing event. The plot was engrossing, a variety of interesting characters, moments of humor that had me laughing out loud, and a wild ride of a conclusion that left you pining for the next book in the series.

Thank you to Stella Bixby for the opportunity to read this ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️book. My review is being left voluntarily and all opinions expressed are my own thoughts about the book.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, Rylie is in it this time! Planning and wedding and solving a murder. If anyone can do it, Rylie can. My favorite park ranger gets to the bottom of things when a fishing tournament comes to her park. This one will keep you guessing until the surprising ending!

[Anita Hodson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had the pleasure of reading this one as a stand alone. An ex military female wrestler, professional fishermen, reality TV, a park ranger with a nose for mysteries and questionable large fish all make appearances in this book. Great read will definitely go back and read the rest in this series

[Victoria Hamel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was enjoying reading about the upcoming fishing tournament, the reality TV show being filmed in town, and Rylie's upcoming wedding so much that I didn't even care if there was a murder to solve!
Stella starts Bungled: A Rylie Cooper Mystery out with a great hook, George the part-time park ranger explains to Rylie how to get yourself out of zip-tie handcuffs. Well, now I need to drop everything and read this book to find out if and when Stella is going to need to get herself out of handcuffs. As if that wasn't enough, then there are all the comments by friends and family members asking Rylie if she's sure she should get married. What a great distraction of a book!

I appreciated how Stella made a fishing tournament interesting for someone who doesn't fish. Her descriptions of how a fishing tournament works and ways one might try to cheat are seamlessly part of the narrative making sure they don't become information dumps for the reader.

The mystery keeps you reading and guessing about who did it and why, and the side characters are properly quirky. The book ends with Rylie questions her life choices and that is a good place to end things and get the reader interested in what will come next!

4 stars for Bungled: A Rylie Cooper Mystery. The perfect book to take with you fishing!

[Ken Finlay · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Bungled", sixth in the Rylie Cooper mystery series, is a fun, fast read - mostly because of Rylie's eventful life as a Park Ranger and wife to be.
A fishing event attracts two celebrity TV anglers - one is blown to smithereens during the competition. Of course Rylie is standing nearby and, of course, she gets dragged in to solve the crime.
As murder mysteries go it is no great shakes (at least there aren't any identical twins this time). It solves itself in the time honoured way of writers who can't figure out how to proceed - the killer goes after Rylie and gets nabbed in the process.
Luke, Rylie's first boyfriend, has been abroad for most of the series, and she is preparing to marry the dependable Garrett but author Stella Bixby has never let the matter lie and it is getting annoying. Is Garrett Mr. Right or Mr. Right Now? Because character depth has never been explored all I can say is that it could go either way.
Probably too much space is giving over to the killer wedding dress, and if ever something was telegraphed it was that Rylie would, at some stage, end up being handcuffed with zip ties.
It's an enjoyable book but has many flaws.
2.5 Stars raised to 3 Stars.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rylie Cooper is a Park Ranger.
The park is hosting a fishing contest, and the director has managed to bring in a couple of fishing celebrities that now each have their own shows, since getting divorced.

When one of the celebrities is killed in an explosion on his boat.
Rylie is allowed to help in the investigation. When the other celeb is arrested for the murder, Rylie sets out to prove she is innocent.

Well, the bodies start stacking up, and all the evidence points to one person.

Pro's:
Developed characters, a solid plotline, and a few red herrings.

Con's:
While the story was mostly enjoyable, there were a few scenes that stretched the bounds of believability.

This was my first Rylie Cooper novel.
While it is a mostly stand alone book, I would recommend starting at the beginning.

[love.e.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my introduction to Rylie Cooper as I wasn't previously aware there were books before it. I must say though, that I will definitely be going backwards to start at the beginning of the series.

Rylie is a park ranger who has a knack for solving crimes, especially since they seem to always happen around her. In this installment, the annual fishing tournament takes place at the park and attracts a couple of celebrity fishermen. There's an explosion, death, promise of wealth, TV drama, all happening at the same time that Ryle is planning her wedding to fiancé Garrett.

The author makes reference to previous cases that Rylie has solved as well as snippets of the back story regarding Rylie and her relationships with the characters. This was helpful, but without knowing the history, you can still read along and enjoy.

I look forward to going back to the beginning.

[Margarida · Rating 4 out of 5]

So there was our girl, Rylie... her fiancé, her assorted bizarre-but-we-love-them-anyway co-workers, a soon-to-be-chosen wedding dress, a TV -reality-show-train-wreck-fishing-tournament with a divorced couple and their new significant others/cheerleaders... and of course.... a murder. Whew! This is the 2nd book I have read in the series, and I loved it. I have not read the entire series, and I feel kind-of in the thick of things. Rylie is our heroine, and she is choosing her dress for her wedding. I am not sure of all that happened before, but I KINDOF like the fiancé. BUT... I am intrigued by Luke. I feel like I do not have the whole story there, and he may just need to show up in shining armor for the next book. We'll see. Folks... don't miss these books. Great characters and lol moments-mystery and romance..ultimate dynamic duo!

[SylviaV · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bungled by Stella Bixby. (Rylie Cooper Mysteries #6)

This cozy mystery story was a fun read. I have not read the previous 5 book in this series and was able to follow along with the storyline. Rylie works as a park ranger, there is a fishing competition in the park, things get complicated when a former husband and wife team both with competing TV reality fishing shows turn up as participants.
Obviously I missed a lot of the back ground history but overall for me it was a fun read. I did not sense a deep romantic connection between Rylie and her fiance Garrett and considering that in the last chapter after their rehearsal dinner, Garret's ex highschool girlfriend shows up with her fiance and there are weird vibes between Garrett and ex girlfriend, I am not sure that the next book will eventuate in a wedding.

[Barbara Hackel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fishing tournament draws big crowds to the Alder Ridge Reservoir, including two television celebrities who have competing fishing shows. To make matters worse, they are exes, and highly competitive. With filming crews everywhere they turn, it's hard to miss the animosity and interactions between them. But before the tournament is over, animosity becomes murder, but who's animosity is it?
Wow! This book packs a punch and is non-stop. From tournament drama to wedding dress difficulties, you hardly know what to expect next! One thing is for sure, expect to love this exciting book in the series. It was full of surprises, many of which were totally unexpected. And it's educational too! Riley learns about how to get out of zip ties, and more.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first introduction to Rylie Cooper but the sixth book in the series. I will definitely be going back and reading the other 5 books. Rylie is a park ranger who is also planning a wedding in this book. I enjoyed the action in the book while also seeing the real life of the character. Rylie works with the police in trying to solve the mystery instead of against them. I liked seeing the character and police work together. The end was surprising also. I recommend this quick read. I was provided an ARC from the author for my honest opinion.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

As ever this series has kept me on my toes and enjoying Rylie's experience and adventures in life and death. The characters are vibrant, captivating and precocious but what ever is happening Rylie and her friends figure things out. A well written,clean cozey to snuggle down with at any time of day to enjoy and enjoy you will. So acquire " Bungled " so you yourself can enjoy it as much as I have. 😏🙂Kat

[Dorothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m quite enjoying Stella Bixby’s books; this is the first of the Rylie Cooper mysteries I’ve read but it stood well alone. Can anyone be a bad luck magnate? Rylie certainly seems to be. A quiet fishing competition seems to go up the gears when professional fisherman get involved along with their film crews. Add to that the stress of finding the wedding dress and can anything go smoothly. An interesting enjoyable read.

[Lin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This the second in the series that I've read. It reads well as a standalone, but there were also references to earlier books that hint at interesting stories.
A fishing competition turns out to be more competitive than Rylie and her colleagues are expecting, and Rylie discovers what reality TV can be like.
I did feel there was rather a lot of focus on buying the perfect wedding dress, but still an enjoyable, entertaining tale with interesting characters.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 6 of the Rylie Cooper Mysteries.

I must advise that if you picked up this book without reading the previous ones as I did, you will find out information from previous books. I wish I would have known that before I grabbed it and started reading.

It was a great little story, kept me entertained and wondering who did it. I even had quite a few giggles during reading the story.

I recommend this book to any age teen and above.

[Sarah Neeson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first Rylie Cooper mystery I have read but not my first Stella Bixby book. It was a good stand alone read and it had the great style that she brings to her books that I find so enjoyable. I wish I had read the earlier mysteries first as there were quite a few characters to keep track of, who I’m sure will have been developed in the earlier books.

I would recommend to friends.

[Kamini Mehta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Light-hearted fun. Rylie has the worst track record for mishaps and dead bodies. This book is no exception. If you are looking for a gritty mystery, this is not for you. For me, it was a perfect first book to read on my summer vacation. Especially in the pandemic, I appreciate some levity. The usual characters and a few new ones add to the fun.

[Beatrice Followill · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Fast paced Explosive Fishing tournament will have Rylie chasing down clues to find the culprit before it's to late. Great cast of characters ..this is part of a series but can be read as a stand alone .

[Cindy Rippentrop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reality TV

How far will producers go to produce drama on a reality show? Murder? Riley has her hands full in this book and there is more than her life on the line this time. Good quick read. I would suggest you read the series in order for the best effect.

[Meagen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick, Fun Read

Rylie gets herself into the middle of things yet again! Between trying to find the perfect wedding dress and solve the murder...I mean murders...she and her friends have their hands full!

[Beccy Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fabulous read from this author. Well written with excellent characters and a plot with more twists and turns than a maze!
This is the 6th book in the series and really does not disappoint and there’s a wedding planned! What could possibly go wrong?

[Hope · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Mystery

Rylie is at it again. This time she is on over her head. Trying to pick out a wedding dress and solve a murder at the same time. Is Garrett the right guy for her? Or is Luke?

[Jan Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

I really enjoy this series. Rylie is a believable heroine. If you enjoy wasy to read, fun mysteries, you need to read this series. Each book is better than the previous. They need to be read in order.

[Erralee Hendrian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great series and this is another good instalment in this series. There is some language and innuendo in this mystery. This series is best read in order and once started hard to put down.

[Carolee DeWitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wish I didn't have to wait until October for the last book.

[Jettiep Parrish · Rating 5 out of 5]

On no!

The next book is months away. I guess that I will try to make it through until Christmas before I know what happens next.

[Tami · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love the Rylie Cooper series! Even though this was book 6, it did NOT disappoint!! I really do not want to ever see this series end!!

[Luv_a_good_story · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story, can’t wait for the next one.