Jazzi's BIL Radley finally has found an apartment that he can afford and moving day has arrived but just as the final boxes are loaded into the trucks, Bain, Ansel's other brother (the disagreeable one) arrives to tell Radley that he can't move into the apartment that he needs to come back to the farm to help out. Radley continues with his moving plans, dragging Bain along with him. When they arrive at the apartment building, Bain and Radley keep arguing and Bain yells at Donovan, Radley's friend to stay out of something that's none of his business. Bain storms out and shortly after, Donovan is shot and of course the weapon was Bain's. As the chief suspect, Bain is forced to stay in town and Jazzi and Ansel are forced to have him stay with them. In s effort to clear Bain and get him out of their home and back to the farm ASAP, Jazzi works with Detective Gaff to try to find the person who killed Donovan. At the same time, there have been a rash of break-ins that seem to be connected.

This is rapidly becoming a favorite new series for me. The characters are very believable and likable (mostly) and it is great to see a law enforcement officer that is not constantly telling our amateur sleuths to stay out of it but embraces their abilities as utilizes their assistance. I love the closeness of Jazzi's family, the quirkiness of Jazzi's grandmother (just a poo here and there) and the descriptions of the hunks that are primary in Jazzi's life are great!

Looking forward to the next one! ( )

The Body in the Apartment by Judi Lynn
Book #4: Jazzi Zanders Mystery Series
Source: NetGalley and Lyrical Press
Rating: 4½/5 stars

If Jazzy Zanders believed in such things, she may start to believe she’s something of a divining rod for dead bodies. Yet again, through no fault of her own, Jazzy has stumbled upon a dead body and the good Detective Gaff has called on Jazzy to help sort out the crime.

Unfortunately, this particular crime is hitting disturbingly close to home as Jazzy’s brother-in-law, Bain is suspect number one of Detective Gaff’s list. Bain’s bad attitude certainly doesn’t help his case and with no option to leave town, he’s forced to stay with Jazzy and Ansel until he can be cleared of the crime. To complicate the mystery, homes all over town are being broken into and ransacked with nothing taken but a sense of security. Though both Jazzy and Gaff can’t see the immediate connection between the murder and the break-ins, they know there has to be one.

With each new break-in, Jazzy and Ansel’s life becomes a bit fuller. Bain has moved in temporarily, Radley is over often with his new romantic interest, and family friend Walker has also developed a crush who has become a permanent fixture at Sunday dinners. Though murder shouldn’t have a happy or positive effect, broadening their family and friends’ network sure seems to be a side effect of this particular murder. As it happens the broadening of the circle helps Jazzy and Gaff piece together the puzzle that has been plaguing their days and nights. Unfortunately, what Jazzy and Gaff discover is a very violent ex-con willing to go to any lengths to get what he wants.

The Bottom Line: One of the hallmarks of a good author is his/her ability to take a beloved series and put it through its paces. That is, cause the characters to evolve, find new and interesting ways to test the characters, have a constant fresh perspective all while never losing the original spirit and essence of said characters. That is absolutely happening with this series and the deeper in I get, the more I am enjoying myself. As with the other books in this series, I liked the plot in this book, but I most enjoyed the broadening of the social circle. Jazzy and Ansel love to help others and to entertain and that is so very evident in their weekly Sunday meals. The Sunday meals are probably my favorite part of these stories as this is where you really see the spirit of love, friendship, acceptance, loyalty, and community shine. Though it sounds bad to say so, I sure hope Jazzy Zanders keeps stumbling over dead bodies 😊 ( )

The Body In The Apartment is the fourth book in the A Jazzi Zanders Mystery series.

After attending Jazzi and Ansell's wedding, Ansell’s brother Radley has decided to stay in River Bluffs. He has been working for Jazzi’s HVAC contractor, Thane, and has finally been able to get his own apartment. He will be living in the same building as his co-worker Donovan lives. As Jazzi, Ansell, and Radley are about to leave to move his belongings, Bain, Radley and Ansell’s brother, pulls up. He has driven down to take Radley back to the family farm. Radley has no intention leaving and they all set out to get Radley set up in his apartment. As they are getting Radley moved in, Bain gets into an argument with Donovan, the next thing they hear is a gunshot and when they go to the hall and see Donovan walk out of his apartment and collapse and in an instant he is dead. Jazzi immediately calls Detective Gaff, who she has worked with in the past. His apartment has been trashed. When Gaff learns that the gun, that was found next to the body, and when it is learned that the gun belonged to Bain and he has mysteriously disappeared, he becomes the prime suspect. Bain is far from being one of Jazzi’s friends, she suggests to Ansell that should ask him to stay until the murderer is found.
Once again Gaff asks for Jazzi’s help in the investigation, he has learned that she has a way of calming people being interviewed and has a good detective’s mind. When Ansell’s friend, Didi, has her home ransacked in a similar manner, they believe that the two must be related, but are stymied at what the connection might be. Jazzi and Gaff need to check out some ex-cons to find the killer.

Another well-written and plotted book in this interesting series. The book has an interesting and believable cast of characters, many that I would enjoy calling a friend.

There are delicious sounding recipes in the book.

I will be watching for The Body from the Past, due out in September 2020. ( )

small-business, family-dynamics, friendship, amateur-sleuth, Indiana, cozy-mystery, murder, greed, small-town*****

I think it's nice to see small town detectives utilizing select female civilians on a case because it would ease the ones being questioned as well as protect the department from certain kinds of lawsuits. Too bad that's probably not a reality (what do I know, I live in a suburb).
Anyway, this is a great cozy involving newly married Jazzi, her extended family, her husband's brothers, and numerous friends. Even though I had read the first in series, I was glad that there is lots of references so I didn't feel left behind. Great characters, plenty of plot twists, red herrings, and misdirection plus there is a wedding coming up soon and lots of cooking and baking. Excellent read!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you! ( )