A Very Tidy Death

Bonnie Hardy

Jan 2024 · Lily Rock Mystery Series Book 6 · On the Other Hand Books

About this ebook

More than anything, Olivia Greer wants to celebrate moving into her newly built home with her boyfriend, Michael. Unfortunately, she's plagued with guilt about leaving her sister Sage. Convinced she would feel better about the whole situation if Sage had a boyfriend, Olivia cooks up a scheme to play match-maker between Sage and her old friend Jeff Grossman.

The pair seem to be on the right track toward a connection...when Jeff's sister, Roxanne, finds a dead body and is arrested for murder. Worse yet, Roxanne makes a misguided confession that gets in the way of the real killer being tracked down.

As Olivia wants to see Sage and Jeff together, she has to find a way to clear Roxanne's name. When every other suspect has an alibi, can Olivia follow the clues to the truth? Or will a wrongful conviction destroy all their happily-ever-afters?

Ratings and reviews

We meet lots of new characters in book 6 of this series, a cozy mystery involving a seemingly accidental death during a cleaning contest in Lily Rock. My favorite parts were the evolving relationship between recurring protagonists Olivia and Michael, and the introduction of baby Star. I was guessing until the end about motives for murder and the shady contest sponsors. There's a lot to puzzle over and have fun with in this newest Lily Rock mystery. Highly recommended!

Fun premise of a cleaning competition sets the scene for this delightful cozy mystery. Wacky competitors compete for prize money but one ends up dead, not at all tidy. Olivia drags herself away from packing, match making and her new role as an aunt to help Janis Jets bring the culprit to justice. Feels like HGTV gone awry, but told with laughter and multiple storylines. Can’t wait for the next installment.

This thoroughly engaging book follows Olivia as she tackles yet another murder investigation, navigating the intricacies of moving in with her boyfriend, Michael. Multiple story-lines seamlessly converge, maintaining my interest throughout. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone seeking a well-crafted mystery, complete with a charming and relatable protagonist.

About the author

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Bonnie Hardy is an educator, curriculum writer, musician, and preacher. A lover of libraries and literacy, Bonnie directed a literacy center in her home town.

A retired military spouse, she's lived and worked in Washington DC, No. Virginia, Maryland, Annapolis, San Diego, and Twentynine Palms. She's also packed and unpacked more times than she cares to count.

Bonnie has published in Christian Century, Presence: An International Journal for Spiritual Direction, and with Pilgrim Press.

When not planting flowers and baking cookies, she's sitting at her computer plotting her next cozy mystery.