maeclair's review
5.0
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.
melmo2610's review
5.0
This mystery was so so good. I enjoy cold case stories and this one was unusual and exciting. There is no shortage of suspects and motives and it kept me guessing throughout the book. I really really enjoyed this cozy! Definitely one of the best of the series.
sheila713's review
4.0
I received this ebook as a Goodreads giveaway. Although I haven't read any other books in this series, it was easy to follow the characters and background to the story. I believe I would enjoy reading the first few books in the series.
Jazzi Zanders, her husband Ansel, and her cousin Jerod are house flippers in Indiana. Much of the story revolves around the work they are doing on a fixer upper in a nearby town. It was interesting to view their progress and the process involved in their job, as well as their everyday comings and goings. Jazzi always packed a lunch for the three of them and their detective friend Gaff would often happen to show up at lunchtime. One room in the house had never been unlocked and opened by the previous owner, Madeleine, as the key was missing and she hadn't needed the room. The family who lived there before Madeleine, moved after their daughter was pushed off a balcony. The murderer had never been found. The locked room belonged to Jessica, the murdered daughter. Jessica's stuff had never been removed from the room. Since her family didn't want any of her belongings, Jazzi takes home Jessica's hope chest and journals. Jazzi begins looking into the case, which leads to speculation, rumors and more problems, including murder.
In the back of the book are four recipes Jazzi made.
I recommend this book as a quick cozy mystery.
Jazzi Zanders, her husband Ansel, and her cousin Jerod are house flippers in Indiana. Much of the story revolves around the work they are doing on a fixer upper in a nearby town. It was interesting to view their progress and the process involved in their job, as well as their everyday comings and goings. Jazzi always packed a lunch for the three of them and their detective friend Gaff would often happen to show up at lunchtime. One room in the house had never been unlocked and opened by the previous owner, Madeleine, as the key was missing and she hadn't needed the room. The family who lived there before Madeleine, moved after their daughter was pushed off a balcony. The murderer had never been found. The locked room belonged to Jessica, the murdered daughter. Jessica's stuff had never been removed from the room. Since her family didn't want any of her belongings, Jazzi takes home Jessica's hope chest and journals. Jazzi begins looking into the case, which leads to speculation, rumors and more problems, including murder.
In the back of the book are four recipes Jazzi made.
I recommend this book as a quick cozy mystery.
gothicvamperstein's review
4.0
The Body From The Past was a fun and engaging read. I loved the house flipping/fixer upper part of the book, in addition to the plot and story. The characters, such as Jazzi, Ansel and Jerod, was well written and complex.
Overall, it was a good and entertaining read.
Overall, it was a good and entertaining read.
mystereity_reviews's review
5.0
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!
reader88's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
I borrowed this book from Hoopla as an audiobook. It was an enjoyable listen - I had listened to the other books in the series as audiobooks as well. I enjoyed all the family times in the book and the descriptive nature of how they (Jazzi, her husband and cousin) were flipping the house. I found the mystery a bit slow compared to the past mysteries, and kind of interesting.
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