Deadly Admission

Lily Rock Mysteries #3

by Bonnie Hardy

Olivia Greer is counting the days until her date with Michael Bellemare, when her sister, Sage, calls in a panic. As the principal of Lily Rock Music Academy, she meticulously planned the parent orientation weekend. 

Then, an academic tutor is found dead. 

While Officer Janis Jets investigates the case, Olivia is called in to coach the weekend headliners, the Tone Rangers and go undercover for the constabulary. With Michael, and her lovable labradoodle by her side, Olivia discovers clues that leave her questioning everyone from the faculty to the local law enforcement. 

As accusations fly and rumors circle, can the trio expose the truth before the curtain rises? Or will someone see to it that the Tone Rangers final bow will be their last?

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Audiobook, Cozy

278 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 18, 2022

About the author

Bonnie Hardy, a retired professional turned author, is celebrated for her two enthralling cozy mystery series. The first, set in the picturesque mountain town of Lily Rock, features amateur sleuth Olivia Greer, known for her uncanny ability to draw out confessions from the most unlikely people.
The second series, set in Palm Desert, features the mid-life duo mentalist Rex Redondo and his down to earth next door neighbor doula Vivienne Rose.
Inspired by Agatha Christie, Bonnie's captivating tales of mystery and community masterfully blend fast-paced whodunits with clever sleuthing.

Reviews

[M.A.P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author Bonnie Hardy has done it again! Deadly Admision continues the story of Olivia and the residents of Lily Rock when Olivia, temping for her friend Janis at the Lily Rock Constabulary, joins forces with Janice to solve yet another mysterious death in the small town. Most of the characters in Deadly Admission are familiar to readers of the first two mysteries in this series but some new and very interesting characters are also introduced. Meadow, Cay, Brad, and of course the Mayor Maguire appear. Olivia and Michael continue their slow burning love story, and Olivia’s relationship with half-sister Sage deepens when an unsolved murder threatens Sage’s job as principal of a private school for elite music students. Bonnie Hardy manages to weave several subplots into Deadly Admission, making it more than just a murder mystery. It is also a story about friendships, familial loyalties, love of music, and Olivia’s realization that she belongs in Lily Rock. It is much more than a story about solving the murder of a beloved town resident. This cozy mystery is a thoroughly entertaining, charming, and fun read. You won’t get scared reading it, but it is best not to start it right before bedtime because you will want to stay up all night reading it to see who the murderer was. The author manages to pull a few surprises, challenging the reader’s initial guess as to the identity of the murderer. Just read it – you will enjoy it. If you find you like the residents of the quirky little town of Lily Rock, you should also check out books 1 and 2 of this series, also by Bonnie Hardy.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 3 of the Lily Rock series has Olivia working as a temporary assistant to Officer Jets and tentatively advancing her relationship with Michael. Olivia’s sister, Sage, principal at the Music Academy has her hands full with parents weekend approaching and some wealthy parents looking to push her out of her job. When a tutor for the school dies after going over a cliff, Olivia is tasked with going undercover at the academy as a coach for the acapella group. With Officer Jets acting strangely, Sage on the verge of a breakdown, squabbling singers, threatening parents, and shady staff, can Olivia & Michael figure out the truth of Dave’s death and finally have their first date?

Tackling a number of societal issues, especially pertaining to education - parental pressure and expectations, gender identity, entitlement, collegiate cheating scandals - Ms. Hardy brings her expertise as a teacher to provide a nuanced view to the challenges facing teens and young adults. A well written and intriguing mystery, where many things are not as they seem leading to a surprise twist and unpredictable outcome. Mayor Maguire, the lovable labradoodle, brings comfort and cheer as well as pertinent clues to solve the case. The inclusion of the Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young song, Teach Your Children”, adds a poignant and powerful message to the narrative.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading the Lily Rock mysteries. This is #3…and it did not disappoint. First, the physical description of the area makes me wish I lived in Lily Rock…I can smell the clean air and the scent of the forest, fires burning in the fireplace. But then, there’s a murder. The way that Bonnie Hardy unravels the investigation keeps me reading and keeps me guessing. I did not guess the end until it stared me in the face.
The subject of this book is a very timely one and made me look at the college admission cheating scandal a little bit differently. What lengths would/should a parent be willing to go to insure admission into a top-notch college? Is it worth it in the long run? And at what cost? A person’s life?
I love the interaction between the characters…the romance between Olivia and Michael, the family relationship between Sage and Olivia, Olivia and her talented students, and I love Janis Jets. You just never know who she’s going to be from one moment to the next. When I started the book, I read fast…but as I got deeper into the story and mystery and characters, I slowed down and just enjoyed sinking myself into it. So much fun to read! I’m looking forward to #4!!

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here's what I thought of Deadly Admission by Bonnie Hardy:

I gave it 5/5 stars.

Admitting troubles

The Music Academy in Lily Rock serms to be a hotbed if hazards and deadly dangers - especially with so many LA families now feeding kids into the school.

Sage is not in a comfortable or safe position as it's head, nor is her sister, volunteering and working a bit on campus.

Lethal threats come in a wide variety, and some surprises might be in store for the Old Rockers , friends, family and associates.

As questions about woek and relationships come to a head, things promise to get dangerous.

Yes, working with teens and wealthy and demanding parents can be scary, problematic, and occasionally funny from afar.

intense and insightful reading fun

[Dianne Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suspicious death!

Another entertaining book in the Lily Rock series with the Old Rockers and the new, younger residents. I thoroughly enjoyed this story with the drama, tension and challenges faced by the Lily Rock folks. An unexpected death leads to some fascinating revelations and drama. A well written, entertaining book.

I read this book as part of an advance reader team and am voluntarily writing this review.

[Vic · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are back in Lily Rock and this story surrounds the music academy, so there are several new characters and lots of entitled people. The mystery is the death of one of the Sweet Four O'Clock band members. It twist and turns but the culprit does receive justice. Another quirky Lily Rock story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super sleuth

Major misleading clues and misdirection. Sad to see a beloved character used as bait and killed off!!! The greed, entitlement, and arrogance of the rich was sickening. Olivia is humanizing more with each book, and now I can tolerate her better.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read with intriguing characters,

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting cozy mystery. The heroine seemed a bit indecisive. I enjoyed it and have continued reading the series.

[JJ Bellfrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Olivia, Michael and Janis Jets and the rest of Lily Rock are back. But things aren’t quite as they seem, people are acting differently...even Janis Jets is giggling. But despite one thing remains the same, wherever Olivia goes murder is sure to follow! Just when you think you have it all figured out you realize you don’t. Bonnie Hardy does a fantastic job of keeping the reader on their toes. Be sure to pay attention to everything, because even the smallest detail is critical in this whodunnit.

In addition to the mystery, I loved getting to know the people of Lily Rock more and seeing the characters develop in such an organic fashion as they do in Deadly Admission.

Deadly Admission is truly a cozy mystery, that has the right balance of intrigue, humor, and romance. While I found it difficult to put the book down and wanted to race to the end, there was sadness when I got to the end as it meant this trip to Lily Rock had come to an end.

[Kate C · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third of the books in the Lily Rock series that I've read, and I was eager to journey up into the hills to visit Olivia and friends in another season. I want my mysteries to transport me to another time and place with the relationships of the main characters developing across the books and this does just that. I was also fascinated to learn more of the inside world of a capella competitions, and would love to hear and be healed by Olivia's mesmerizing voice. I gobbled this book up on a snowy weekend and it both satisfied my hunger and left me wanting more. I look forward to the fourth book set in Lily Rock.

[Jill Darland · Rating 5 out of 5]

The scent of pine permeates this Lily Rock mystery set mainly in the town's music academy, a boarding high school modeled on Idyllwild Arts Academy. We meet some pushy parents and self-absorbed teens as well as our familiar cast of locals in Lily Rock, trying to sort out the death that occurs on page 1. Written with warmth and humor, this is another fun read to cozy up with and kept me guessing till the end.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

A timely topic about higher education and the path to college admission. This book asks, What about the students? Olivia and her mountain pals in Lily Rock have a mystery that pulls in helicopters, hedge fund managers, Ivy league aspirations and a cappella group called The Tone Rangers. Olivia’s romance heats up with Michael and Mayor Maguire saves the day. You will truly enjoy this read.

[Kaitlyn Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this third book in the Lily Rock series! The author definitely keeps us on our toes to try and solve who the killer is! I love all of the twists and turns that each of her stories takes, and of course can’t forget about the great Mayor Maguire! I am so looking forward to #4 in the series.

[Steven Carpenter · Rating 3 out of 5]

An improvement on the last book. I don't have much to say about this one. The addition of several new characters was a welcome change. Janis Jets also took on a much bigger role, although not entirely in a satisfying way.

As always, I love Mayor McGuire.

[Copenhagen · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first book was free.
I liked the book and bought no. 2 and 3
The books are getting better and better.
I am looking forward for a no 4 - please Bonnie!