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Cluttered Crime Mysteries #1
Room for Suspicion
It’s going to take more than carefully labeled boxes to sort through the clues of this homicide…
Professional organizer Crystal Ward knows she can make a success of her new business, Organizing Chicago. The extra income would allow her to renovate her own home, full of more cluttered spaces than she’d ever admit to her clients. But her life wasn’t always this disorganized. Five years ago her husband, Rick, a Chicago police detective, was shot while chasing a suspect. Now a paraplegic, he’s wary of her going into strangers’ homes…and for good reason.
When Crys discovers a dead man in a client’s living room, she refuses to accept that the murder is an open-and-shut case of domestic violence. If she can untangle this mess, she can prove her client’s innocence and ease Rick’s fears.
But the only witness to the murder is hospitalized in a catatonic state. And the lead detective is Rick’s former partner, the man Crys blames for his paralysis. Crys is on her own to save her client from jail and stop a murderer intent on tidying up loose ends.
Professional organizer Crystal Ward knows she can make a success of her new business, Organizing Chicago. The extra income would allow her to renovate her own home, full of more cluttered spaces than she’d ever admit to her clients. But her life wasn’t always this disorganized. Five years ago her husband, Rick, a Chicago police detective, was shot while chasing a suspect. Now a paraplegic, he’s wary of her going into strangers’ homes…and for good reason.
When Crys discovers a dead man in a client’s living room, she refuses to accept that the murder is an open-and-shut case of domestic violence. If she can untangle this mess, she can prove her client’s innocence and ease Rick’s fears.
But the only witness to the murder is hospitalized in a catatonic state. And the lead detective is Rick’s former partner, the man Crys blames for his paralysis. Crys is on her own to save her client from jail and stop a murderer intent on tidying up loose ends.
326 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 27, 2023
286 people are currently reading
213 people want to read
About the author
Carol Light
12 books30 followersWhat's life without a little mystery?
Carol Light is an avid reader and writer of mysteries. She loves creating amateur sleuths and complicating their normal lives with a crime that requires their talents and wits to solve. Her Cluttered Crime series features amateur sleuth Crystal Ward, a professional organizer in Chicago who solves crimes with the often reluctant assistance of her husband, Rick. Carol is currently writing her new Southern Secrets mystery series. The first book, Deadly Inheritance, will be released by Tule Publishing in March 2025. Follow Carol at https://www.carollightauthor.com
Carol has traveled worldwide and lived in Australia for eight years, teaching high school English and learning to speak “Strine.” Florida is now her home. If she’s not at the beach or writing, you can find her tackling quilting in much the same way that she figures out her mysteries—piece by piece, clue by clue.
Carol Light is an avid reader and writer of mysteries. She loves creating amateur sleuths and complicating their normal lives with a crime that requires their talents and wits to solve. Her Cluttered Crime series features amateur sleuth Crystal Ward, a professional organizer in Chicago who solves crimes with the often reluctant assistance of her husband, Rick. Carol is currently writing her new Southern Secrets mystery series. The first book, Deadly Inheritance, will be released by Tule Publishing in March 2025. Follow Carol at https://www.carollightauthor.com
Carol has traveled worldwide and lived in Australia for eight years, teaching high school English and learning to speak “Strine.” Florida is now her home. If she’s not at the beach or writing, you can find her tackling quilting in much the same way that she figures out her mysteries—piece by piece, clue by clue.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
June 17, 2023
If you're a mystery-lover, you'll be happy to sleuth your way through this new series of puzzlers by new author Carol Light. Within the first few pages Carol takes you into a room with one dead body, one catatonic form, and a couple of red herrings that could send you on the hunt in the wrong direction. Along the way – whichever one you take – you'll meet an amateur detective with a particularly timely occupation, a couple of occasionally crabby cops, an interesting best friend, and a pol with a scandal or two in his pocket. By the end, you'll want to read more about this amateur "detective," but not to worry; she'll be back!
(I read an advance copy of Room for Suspicion)
(I read an advance copy of Room for Suspicion)
July 25, 2023
Loved the character development as well as the fast-paced plot.
June 29, 2023
I received an arc of Room for Suspicion in exchange for my honest review. This is the first book in Carol Light’s new series, Cluttered Crime Mysteries. Carol is a new author to me and I found her book to be very entertaining and easy to read. We are introduced to Crys Ward, her husband Rick and their two children. Rick was injured 5 years earlier and is in a wheelchair. He was a homicide detective and has been working a police desk job since his accident. The story takes place in Chicago. Crys has started her own company, Organizing Chicago, as an organizer for an assortment of tasks to try and help out with family expenses. Rick is concerned for her safety and tries to put limits on what she does.
As the book opens, Crys has arrived at her appointment with her client at the same time as another person also arrives. She learns it’s her client’s brother. The lady doesn’t answer the door or their attempts to call her. The two enter the house and find a dead man and her client in a catatonic state. They call the police and the detective who gets the case is her husband Rick’s former partner Mitch. Crys blames Mitch for what happened to Rick and the way their relationship has become strained. It is assumed that her client has killed the man that is assumed to be her husband. Crys later goes to the hospital to check on her and learns the dead man was not the husband because she meets the actual one there. She also learns that her client works for the political campaign of one of the candidates running for Congress. She starts trying to solve the murder. She is aided by her good friend Maggie and initially she works out a truce with Mitch to talk over the clues. The two track down the suspects and try to figure out what happened.
Carol Light has done a fantastic job with her book. The mystery is well written with several potential killers and scenarios. I enjoyed trying to guess who is the murderer. I found the characters all very genuine, down to earth and likable. The Chicago and Illinois political history is a fun addition to the story, especially for someone like me who’s a life long Chicago resident who follows politics. I enjoy reading books that take place in the Chicago area as it is fun to read about familiar places. In addition to the mystery, the family dynamics of the Ward family was an interesting part of the book. I look forward to the next book in the series and highly recommend this one.
As the book opens, Crys has arrived at her appointment with her client at the same time as another person also arrives. She learns it’s her client’s brother. The lady doesn’t answer the door or their attempts to call her. The two enter the house and find a dead man and her client in a catatonic state. They call the police and the detective who gets the case is her husband Rick’s former partner Mitch. Crys blames Mitch for what happened to Rick and the way their relationship has become strained. It is assumed that her client has killed the man that is assumed to be her husband. Crys later goes to the hospital to check on her and learns the dead man was not the husband because she meets the actual one there. She also learns that her client works for the political campaign of one of the candidates running for Congress. She starts trying to solve the murder. She is aided by her good friend Maggie and initially she works out a truce with Mitch to talk over the clues. The two track down the suspects and try to figure out what happened.
Carol Light has done a fantastic job with her book. The mystery is well written with several potential killers and scenarios. I enjoyed trying to guess who is the murderer. I found the characters all very genuine, down to earth and likable. The Chicago and Illinois political history is a fun addition to the story, especially for someone like me who’s a life long Chicago resident who follows politics. I enjoy reading books that take place in the Chicago area as it is fun to read about familiar places. In addition to the mystery, the family dynamics of the Ward family was an interesting part of the book. I look forward to the next book in the series and highly recommend this one.
October 27, 2025
Reviewed at Happily Ever After Romance
Room for Suspicion is the first story in the Windy City Mysteries series, introducing professional organizer turned amateur detective/sleuth, Crystal Ward.
Rick, Crystal’s husband, was injured in the line of duty. Now paralyzed, he works a desk job. Still a policeman, still with a cop’s instincts, which is one reason why he’s so concerned about the safety aspect of the new business his wife has created… which sends her into strangers’ homes every single day.
Turns out her husband was right to be concerned when one of her clients didn’t answer the door, and Crystal and the woman’s brother entered her home to find a man dead, her client comatose, and more questions than answers lead Crystal to visit the woman at the hospital and to discover that her loving husband was there by her side… then who was the dead man? The police officer who took the call was her husband’s former partner, a man who Crystal still blames for Rick’s injury, claimed it was an obvious domestic violence case and shut down any further investigation… but was it?
I enjoyed Room for Suspicion by Carol Light. There are plenty of red herrings right from the start of this mystery, and add in some twists and turns along the way to the capture of the bad guy. You’ll find an intriguing, fast-paced mystery that will keep you guessing and engaged until the final page. It’s well-written, emotional, with engaging, believable characters. If you love puzzles and figuring out whodunit, then you’d enjoy this one.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the author or the author’s team via Booksprout, and I sincerely thank them for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review, giving my personal opinion about this book.*
Room for Suspicion is the first story in the Windy City Mysteries series, introducing professional organizer turned amateur detective/sleuth, Crystal Ward.
Rick, Crystal’s husband, was injured in the line of duty. Now paralyzed, he works a desk job. Still a policeman, still with a cop’s instincts, which is one reason why he’s so concerned about the safety aspect of the new business his wife has created… which sends her into strangers’ homes every single day.
Turns out her husband was right to be concerned when one of her clients didn’t answer the door, and Crystal and the woman’s brother entered her home to find a man dead, her client comatose, and more questions than answers lead Crystal to visit the woman at the hospital and to discover that her loving husband was there by her side… then who was the dead man? The police officer who took the call was her husband’s former partner, a man who Crystal still blames for Rick’s injury, claimed it was an obvious domestic violence case and shut down any further investigation… but was it?
I enjoyed Room for Suspicion by Carol Light. There are plenty of red herrings right from the start of this mystery, and add in some twists and turns along the way to the capture of the bad guy. You’ll find an intriguing, fast-paced mystery that will keep you guessing and engaged until the final page. It’s well-written, emotional, with engaging, believable characters. If you love puzzles and figuring out whodunit, then you’d enjoy this one.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the author or the author’s team via Booksprout, and I sincerely thank them for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review, giving my personal opinion about this book.*
July 7, 2023
Room for Suspicion, the first installment in the Cluttered Crime Mysteries series by Carol Light, is a captivating amateur sleuth mystery that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. The novel introduces us to Crystal Ward, a professional organizer with dreams of success and a personal life burdened by tragedy.
Crystal's ambition to expand her business, Organizing Chicago, is motivated by her desire to renovate her own cluttered home. However, her plans are complicated by her husband's disability and his understandable concerns for her safety. Rick, a former police detective paralyzed in the line of duty, fears the potential dangers Crystal may face while working in strangers' homes.
When Crystal stumbles upon a dead body in one of her clients' living rooms, she becomes determined to prove that the murder is not a simple case of domestic violence. In her quest for justice, she must unravel a complex web of secrets and confront her husband's former partner, whom she holds responsible for Rick's paralysis.
The author skillfully weaves together suspense, mystery, and personal drama, creating a compelling narrative that keeps readers guessing until the final pages. Crystal's character is relatable and well-developed, and her determination to save her client from incarceration while protecting her fragile marriage adds depth to the story.
Room for Suspicion is a page-turner that will leave readers eagerly anticipating the next installment in the Cluttered Crime Mysteries series. Carol Light's storytelling talent shines in this engaging mystery, making it a must-read for fans of amateur sleuth novels and those who enjoy a perfect blend of suspense and emotional depth.
Crystal's ambition to expand her business, Organizing Chicago, is motivated by her desire to renovate her own cluttered home. However, her plans are complicated by her husband's disability and his understandable concerns for her safety. Rick, a former police detective paralyzed in the line of duty, fears the potential dangers Crystal may face while working in strangers' homes.
When Crystal stumbles upon a dead body in one of her clients' living rooms, she becomes determined to prove that the murder is not a simple case of domestic violence. In her quest for justice, she must unravel a complex web of secrets and confront her husband's former partner, whom she holds responsible for Rick's paralysis.
The author skillfully weaves together suspense, mystery, and personal drama, creating a compelling narrative that keeps readers guessing until the final pages. Crystal's character is relatable and well-developed, and her determination to save her client from incarceration while protecting her fragile marriage adds depth to the story.
Room for Suspicion is a page-turner that will leave readers eagerly anticipating the next installment in the Cluttered Crime Mysteries series. Carol Light's storytelling talent shines in this engaging mystery, making it a must-read for fans of amateur sleuth novels and those who enjoy a perfect blend of suspense and emotional depth.
October 26, 2025
Let me start off by saying that I for the most part think this book is a great mystery. I like the premise of a professional organizer as amateur sleuth with the husband who is a police officer, nice blend of professional and amateur. The story in and of itself with the prime suspect/possible second victim (read and find out what she turns out to be) in hospital in a catatonic state makes for such an excellent beginning to an investigation. You had me from go. I’m sorry not sorry but I’m a hundred percent with Crys in the we hate and blame Mitch club. I would have t-shirts lol.
Some things I didn’t like: Rick her husband openly trusting her teen son’s judgement of people over his grown adult wife. Yes there are reasons but to actually verbalize that um no just no. In no world ever has a teenager especially a teenager who is a boy had better judgement then an adult. Sometimes it’s a wonder if they have better judgment than a toddler (yes that’s a joke but anyone who has teenage boys or like me taught teenage boys will get where I’m coming from). Communication in the beginning between Rick (husband) and Crys (our main character and wife/mom) is rocky. Again I get reasons, maybe I can see both sides but seems like hubby is talking but not listening and not to be too spoilery I’m glad they got that sorted. Also this dragged a bit for me. I like the story I think it’s a good story but the pace was slow. It seemed at times to just be rehashing things over without getting anywhere and doing it more than once.
So overall good read and good beginning to a series. I would absolutely read more in this word.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Some things I didn’t like: Rick her husband openly trusting her teen son’s judgement of people over his grown adult wife. Yes there are reasons but to actually verbalize that um no just no. In no world ever has a teenager especially a teenager who is a boy had better judgement then an adult. Sometimes it’s a wonder if they have better judgment than a toddler (yes that’s a joke but anyone who has teenage boys or like me taught teenage boys will get where I’m coming from). Communication in the beginning between Rick (husband) and Crys (our main character and wife/mom) is rocky. Again I get reasons, maybe I can see both sides but seems like hubby is talking but not listening and not to be too spoilery I’m glad they got that sorted. Also this dragged a bit for me. I like the story I think it’s a good story but the pace was slow. It seemed at times to just be rehashing things over without getting anywhere and doing it more than once.
So overall good read and good beginning to a series. I would absolutely read more in this word.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 8, 2023
Crystal Ward is trying to get her business, Organizing Chicago, off the ground. She is a professional organizer. Her husband Rick is a homicide detective who was ambushed five years ago and is now a paraplegic.
Carol shows up at the home of her new client to find a man bludgeoned to death and her client Farrah in a catatonic state. Suspecting the victim is Farrah's estranged husband, evidence seems to point to a domestic violence murder with Farrah as the prime suspect.
There is some distance in the marriage of Rick and Crystal because Rick is worried for her safety in strange peoples' homes. Carol does not feel supported and valued by Rick because he used to bounce ideas off her while working cases. Now he just warns her to let Mitch, his former partner, handle it.
Crystal wants to prove she is a good judge of character and prove her client is innocent of the crime. Mitch seems to have decided that Farrah is guilty and is ready to bring charges against Farah and turn the case over to the DA.
Can Crystal with the help of her friend Maggie, solve the mystery and exonerate Farrah? Or will she prove Rick's fears valid?
I can't wait for the second Cluttered Room mystery, due out in September!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Carol shows up at the home of her new client to find a man bludgeoned to death and her client Farrah in a catatonic state. Suspecting the victim is Farrah's estranged husband, evidence seems to point to a domestic violence murder with Farrah as the prime suspect.
There is some distance in the marriage of Rick and Crystal because Rick is worried for her safety in strange peoples' homes. Carol does not feel supported and valued by Rick because he used to bounce ideas off her while working cases. Now he just warns her to let Mitch, his former partner, handle it.
Crystal wants to prove she is a good judge of character and prove her client is innocent of the crime. Mitch seems to have decided that Farrah is guilty and is ready to bring charges against Farah and turn the case over to the DA.
Can Crystal with the help of her friend Maggie, solve the mystery and exonerate Farrah? Or will she prove Rick's fears valid?
I can't wait for the second Cluttered Room mystery, due out in September!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 26, 2023
Room for Suspicion (Cluttered Crime Mysteries Book 1) by Carol Light is a brand-new author and series for me to read. I enjoyed getting to know Crystal Ward and her family and the other supporting characters including Mitch. The murder mystery fits the cozy mystery genre to a T, not gory or bad language, but with an amateur sleuth. I did not guess the guilty party but knew who I wanted it to be and was not disappointed.
I loved Crystal’s new business, her approach to it and her friend’s, Maggie, encouragement. The murder mystery was intriguing, but it is the family dynamics that kept me reading. This family has been through some tragedy of their own but was dealing with it in a way that was surprisingly above normal. For Rick, Crystal’s husband, to be able to continue to work was inspiration. Perhaps not exactly how he had before but still in a purposeful, meaning, and crime solving way with the police department.
As far as I am concerned Room for Suspicion is a hit with its unique but normal family, career choice and original plot. Cluttered Crime Mysteries is on my TBR list from now for the future.
An ARC of the book was given to me by Tule Publishing which I voluntarily chose to read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I loved Crystal’s new business, her approach to it and her friend’s, Maggie, encouragement. The murder mystery was intriguing, but it is the family dynamics that kept me reading. This family has been through some tragedy of their own but was dealing with it in a way that was surprisingly above normal. For Rick, Crystal’s husband, to be able to continue to work was inspiration. Perhaps not exactly how he had before but still in a purposeful, meaning, and crime solving way with the police department.
As far as I am concerned Room for Suspicion is a hit with its unique but normal family, career choice and original plot. Cluttered Crime Mysteries is on my TBR list from now for the future.
An ARC of the book was given to me by Tule Publishing which I voluntarily chose to read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 25, 2023
Room for Suspicion by Carol Light is a captivating and intricately woven mystery novel that will keep readers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end. With its well-crafted plot, compelling characters, and suspenseful twists, this book delivers a thrilling reading experience.
The story revolves around Crystal Ward, a professional organizer, who finds herself immersed in a complex web of secrets and deceit as she assists her client, Farrah Compton, in reorganizing her home office. What starts as a seemingly routine task quickly escalates into a thrilling journey of uncovering hidden motives, unearthing shocking revelations, and navigating through a maze of suspicious circumstances.
One of the strengths of this novel is the author’s ability to create and develop well-rounded characters. Crystal Ward is a relatable and determined protagonist, whose passion for her work drives her to uncover the truth, even as she deals with her own personal challenges. Farrah Compton, with her stylish demeanor and enigmatic past, adds an intriguing layer to the story, keeping readers guessing about her true intentions. The supporting cast, including Farrah’s brother Randy and Crystal’s husband Rick, bring depth and complexity to the narrative, enhancing the overall reading experience.
The plot is skillfully constructed, with each chapter building upon suspense and adding new layers of intrigue. Carol Light expertly blends mystery, drama, and personal relationships to create a multi-dimensional story that keeps readers engaged and guessing until the very end. The pacing is well-balanced, allowing for moments of tension and reflection, while also propelling the story forward with well-timed revelations and plot twists.
The author’s writing style is engaging and descriptive, painting vivid scenes and evoking a strong sense of atmosphere. The attention to detail in the organizational aspects of the story adds a unique and refreshing element to the mystery genre. Readers will find themselves immersed in the world of professional organizing, as they join Crystal in her quest to bring order to her clients’ lives while uncovering the truth behind the mysteries that unfold.
Overall, Room for Suspicion is a captivating mystery that combines compelling characters, intricate plotting, and a touch of everyday reality. Carol Light’s storytelling skills shine through as she weaves together a suspenseful and entertaining narrative that will keep readers holding their breath while turning page after page. Fans of the mystery and suspense genres will find this book to be a satisfying and engrossing read, leaving them eagerly awaiting Carol Light’s future works.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The story revolves around Crystal Ward, a professional organizer, who finds herself immersed in a complex web of secrets and deceit as she assists her client, Farrah Compton, in reorganizing her home office. What starts as a seemingly routine task quickly escalates into a thrilling journey of uncovering hidden motives, unearthing shocking revelations, and navigating through a maze of suspicious circumstances.
One of the strengths of this novel is the author’s ability to create and develop well-rounded characters. Crystal Ward is a relatable and determined protagonist, whose passion for her work drives her to uncover the truth, even as she deals with her own personal challenges. Farrah Compton, with her stylish demeanor and enigmatic past, adds an intriguing layer to the story, keeping readers guessing about her true intentions. The supporting cast, including Farrah’s brother Randy and Crystal’s husband Rick, bring depth and complexity to the narrative, enhancing the overall reading experience.
The plot is skillfully constructed, with each chapter building upon suspense and adding new layers of intrigue. Carol Light expertly blends mystery, drama, and personal relationships to create a multi-dimensional story that keeps readers engaged and guessing until the very end. The pacing is well-balanced, allowing for moments of tension and reflection, while also propelling the story forward with well-timed revelations and plot twists.
The author’s writing style is engaging and descriptive, painting vivid scenes and evoking a strong sense of atmosphere. The attention to detail in the organizational aspects of the story adds a unique and refreshing element to the mystery genre. Readers will find themselves immersed in the world of professional organizing, as they join Crystal in her quest to bring order to her clients’ lives while uncovering the truth behind the mysteries that unfold.
Overall, Room for Suspicion is a captivating mystery that combines compelling characters, intricate plotting, and a touch of everyday reality. Carol Light’s storytelling skills shine through as she weaves together a suspenseful and entertaining narrative that will keep readers holding their breath while turning page after page. Fans of the mystery and suspense genres will find this book to be a satisfying and engrossing read, leaving them eagerly awaiting Carol Light’s future works.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 22, 2024
Room For Suspicion ~ Cluttered Crime Mysteries #1 by Carol Light.
Room For Suspicion is the first book in this Cluttered Crimes Mysteries from Carol. I have read book 3 first, so I was aware of the main characters. It was good to see the start of the series where it all began for Crys, and I loved it.
I found this book enjoyable and easy to read, I felt that I knew the characters and was there right along with them.
The storyline is believable and follows professional organizer Crystal Ward and the start of her new business of clearing other people's cluttered homes.
While attending her first job Crys comes across a dead body in a downstairs room, she doesn't believe that her client killed this man. So she started to investigate.
This book has so much going on, that it hooks you in from the very beginning, there is no cliffhanger to this book, and you will find the killer, yes you gusesed it right at the end.
I highly recommend this book to all.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Room For Suspicion is the first book in this Cluttered Crimes Mysteries from Carol. I have read book 3 first, so I was aware of the main characters. It was good to see the start of the series where it all began for Crys, and I loved it.
I found this book enjoyable and easy to read, I felt that I knew the characters and was there right along with them.
The storyline is believable and follows professional organizer Crystal Ward and the start of her new business of clearing other people's cluttered homes.
While attending her first job Crys comes across a dead body in a downstairs room, she doesn't believe that her client killed this man. So she started to investigate.
This book has so much going on, that it hooks you in from the very beginning, there is no cliffhanger to this book, and you will find the killer, yes you gusesed it right at the end.
I highly recommend this book to all.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 10, 2023
An unassuming new amature sleuth.
Crystal ward is a full time mom who is starting up a business designed to help people get organized. When she stops in to visit a client she finds the door locked and no one is responding to her ringing the doorbell. The client's brother is there at the same time and uses the code to open the door. Inside they find a man's body and Farrah in a catatonic state. When the police arrive of course the homicde detective is the man she holds responsible the attack that has left her husband a parapalegic. When the police decide that her client is the most likely suspect she decides to investigate on her own and clear her client's name. An engaging mystery with a good plot and enough side issues to make a well rounded story. I look forward to visiting with these characters again.
Disclaimer
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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Crystal ward is a full time mom who is starting up a business designed to help people get organized. When she stops in to visit a client she finds the door locked and no one is responding to her ringing the doorbell. The client's brother is there at the same time and uses the code to open the door. Inside they find a man's body and Farrah in a catatonic state. When the police arrive of course the homicde detective is the man she holds responsible the attack that has left her husband a parapalegic. When the police decide that her client is the most likely suspect she decides to investigate on her own and clear her client's name. An engaging mystery with a good plot and enough side issues to make a well rounded story. I look forward to visiting with these characters again.
Disclaimer
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Private Feedback
August 13, 2023
Every so often, an author develops a character so well that you feel as though you know them. Carol Light has done this with her protagonist, Crys Ward, who I slowly came to respect and admire. I am looking forward to spending more time with her—and her interesting friends and family--in future Cluttered Crime mysteries.
Crys is a wife, mother, friend, professional organizer, and amateur sleuth, coping with teenagers, a house in need of remodeling, a physically-challenged husband, and the emotional scars remaining from his near-death injury. A routine appointment with a client leads her to walk in on a murder scene, finding not only a dead body but her client catatonic and blood-splattered. Chrys' conviction that her client could not be the murderer keeps her involved in the crime investigation and ultimately saves the day.
Beautifully written, this is a thoroughly enjoyable read.
Crys is a wife, mother, friend, professional organizer, and amateur sleuth, coping with teenagers, a house in need of remodeling, a physically-challenged husband, and the emotional scars remaining from his near-death injury. A routine appointment with a client leads her to walk in on a murder scene, finding not only a dead body but her client catatonic and blood-splattered. Chrys' conviction that her client could not be the murderer keeps her involved in the crime investigation and ultimately saves the day.
Beautifully written, this is a thoroughly enjoyable read.
April 3, 2024
Room for Suspicion by Carol Light is a great start to A Cluttered Crime Mystery series. The story had plot twists that were unexpected and refreshing. I enjoyed watching Crystal and company trying to solve the case. The pacing of the story was realistic, and I enjoyed trying to figure out who the murderer was. The secondary characters of Rick the husband, Wes the ex-cop partner, Maggie the bestie and the kids Kurt and Dana were interesting. Their dynamic in the story was well-written and insightful. I liked watching Crystal rethink certain aspects of her relationship with Wes and gaining a better understanding of a situation that affected all of their lives. Looking forward to reading more stories in this series and by this author.
June 7, 2023
Exciting and unpredictable.
This is an intense book that was hard to put down. Crys is just starting her new organizing company, when she walks into her client’s house, and comes across a crime scene. One person dead and her client in a catatonic state. Crys and her friend Maggie set out to find out who the killer is, even though her husband, a police officer, is totally against it.
This is the first book that I have read by this author and I am already hooked on her writing. She created interesting characters and a plot that just kept me going with lots of twists and turns. I look forward to reading the book in this series.
This is an intense book that was hard to put down. Crys is just starting her new organizing company, when she walks into her client’s house, and comes across a crime scene. One person dead and her client in a catatonic state. Crys and her friend Maggie set out to find out who the killer is, even though her husband, a police officer, is totally against it.
This is the first book that I have read by this author and I am already hooked on her writing. She created interesting characters and a plot that just kept me going with lots of twists and turns. I look forward to reading the book in this series.
October 25, 2025
This was a strong murder mystery. The story kept you guessing and entertained. I loved the characters, and the world building.
It was a little slow at times, but I think the author was really trying to set up a place and establish her characters. It's a murder mystery, but it's also about this family and their growth.
I won't say it's the most brilliant book ever, but it is a great read, and offers something a little different from the classic baker/barista murder mysteries you see dozens of on the market.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
It was a little slow at times, but I think the author was really trying to set up a place and establish her characters. It's a murder mystery, but it's also about this family and their growth.
I won't say it's the most brilliant book ever, but it is a great read, and offers something a little different from the classic baker/barista murder mysteries you see dozens of on the market.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 28, 2023
This is the first book in a new series and it is great ! I highly recommend this series and this author. Crystal has opened her new business as a professional organizer and has high hopes of making it a great success. Crystal's husband was a former cop who was shot in the line of duty and is now paralyzed is scared for her to be going into strangers home by herself. Crystal assures him everything will be ok and is excited to start her business. When Crystal finds a dead body in the living room of a client she decides she has to investigate and figure out what happened.
July 9, 2023
Room for Suspicion is Book 1 of Cluttered Crime Mysteries series written by Carol Light. This book is a captivating and intricately woven mystery novel that will keep readers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end. With its well-crafted plot, compelling characters, and suspenseful twists, this book delivers a thrilling reading experience. I quite enjoyed the entire book and I’m ready to ready the next novel. I’m rooting for Crystal to power on. Recommend this read!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 22, 2025
This is such a fun new mystery series. Crystal is a professional organizer. Her husband a police officer injured in the line of duty five years prior and now paralyzed is extremely leery of her going into strangers homes. His fears are brought to fruition when she finds her client in a catatonic state and a dead man on the floor beside her. So many twists and turns in this one. Looking forward to more in this series. I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book provided by booksprout.
November 25, 2025
Crys is up to her neck in a mystery! One of her clients has been knocked out and lost her memory, the police think that her client, Farrah, is a murderer, she thinks that she's innocent but trying to persuade Rick, her wheelchair bound husband, from the bullet in his back, that that is the case is proving difficult!
Then there's the fact that Rick's previous partner, Mitch, is the lead detective on the case is not easy either, especially when Crys can't stop investigating.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A great read from Carol
Then there's the fact that Rick's previous partner, Mitch, is the lead detective on the case is not easy either, especially when Crys can't stop investigating.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A great read from Carol
June 9, 2023
Chrys Ward has learned several investigative methods while married to her cop husband. She is very inquisitive in her job of organizing people’s homes and it comes in handy in this mystery. Her unauthorized inquiries of people in a murder case are on point. Terrific mystery with many suspects. This is the first in the A Clutter Crime Mystery Series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 26, 2023
This is the first time I have read a book by this author, and I have to say that it was a very intriguing read. I honestly was not sure what to expect but I was pulled into the story from the start. I loved the storyline, and I loved all the twist and turns that it took. I am really looking forward to reading the next book in this series. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 13, 2024
Captivating cozy mystery!
I really enjoyed this first book in the Cluttered Crime Mysteries series. What a great background having the main character as a home organiser (declutter lady) who is very intuitive and not only helps solve clutter problems but can solve crimes as well by methodical analysis of any situation. The characters are well written and the story is well paced and keeps your interest.
Highly recommended reading.
I really enjoyed this first book in the Cluttered Crime Mysteries series. What a great background having the main character as a home organiser (declutter lady) who is very intuitive and not only helps solve clutter problems but can solve crimes as well by methodical analysis of any situation. The characters are well written and the story is well paced and keeps your interest.
Highly recommended reading.
January 21, 2025
I really didn't want to DNF a book so early in the year, but I've been slogging through this for 2 weeks and I've only just passed the halfway point. So much lecturing by the author, so much telling, so little showing, and other than complaining about how her husband didn't want her solving crimes, the MC didn't seem to be doing much at any great speed to solve it herself. I really disliked the husband too.
June 30, 2023
Crys has started her business organizing peoples homes and offices, Her husband Rick is an injured Police Officer. He worries about her safety. Especially when she shows up at a client's house to find a murder had just occurred.
Loved the story and tried to solve the mystery. I almost had it right. This is the book to check out if you want a good mystery.
Loved the story and tried to solve the mystery. I almost had it right. This is the book to check out if you want a good mystery.
July 7, 2023
Crystal (Crys) has a police detective for a husband, so starting an investigation comes easy to Crys. However, she balances the case alongside her business, the tension between characters, and preventing murders. This is a complex amateur mystery story that features twists and turns.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 10, 2024
There are so many twists and turns in this story that it keeps you guessing until the end. Things are not always what you expect them to be. Interesting characters that try to solve the mystery. The road is not easy. Good read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 7, 2025
A good read
A thriller with political involvement by some of the characters. I liked the way that a disabled police officer's wife was able to keep his pride intact. A murder led to a lot of misunderstandings and I enjoyed how these were finally resolved . Very intriguing characters who were well crafted.
A thriller with political involvement by some of the characters. I liked the way that a disabled police officer's wife was able to keep his pride intact. A murder led to a lot of misunderstandings and I enjoyed how these were finally resolved . Very intriguing characters who were well crafted.
October 21, 2025
Crys has been a police officers wife too long, she needs to know the who, what, why, where and when in every crime she somehow finds herself involved in. She was kept pretty busy in this mystery because there seemed to be a lot of people with motives. I enjoyed the characters in this mystery and some of her ideas for decluttering.
December 22, 2025
This is a new to me author, but I will definitely be looking for more of her works. She pulls you in from the start and never let you go till the end. There are a lot of twists and turns, mystery, and suspense. I can’t wait to see what else Ms.Light has to show us.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 27, 2023
I love cozy mysteries,this book not only kept me up late reading to find out what happens next ,but kept me on the hook to the very end .Loved the characters Crystal and Rick and how they dealt with family issues.
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