Ryli Sinclair had no idea moonlighting as the forensic photographer for the Granville Police Department would put her in the direct path of a crazed killer. Determined to capture the murderer before she’s next in line, Ryli enlists the help of her best friend, Paige, and her elderly great-aunt Shirley, a former private investigator. Driving Aunt Shirley’s coveted ’65 Falcon for inspiration, Ryli … Ryli and the girls chase down clues and the murderer…all with comical results. If only the handsome chief of police, Garrett Kimble, wasn’t hampering her every move.
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What a fun read! I love Ryli, but Aunt Shirley takes the cake. I hope Aunt Shirley lives long and continues to help Ryli solve crimes. This had a great story line, and I never pegged the killer. Love all the twists and turns and the chemistry between Ryli and Garret…WOW! I can’t wait to read book 2 and 3 and 4, etc and see what kinds of trouble Ryli gets herself into.
I like Ryli. She’s quirky, honest, and has an insatiable curiosity. She just can’t stop her mind from wondering and wanting to know. Chief Kimble, on the other hand, prefers that she “back off meddling” in his case.
This is a fast paced tale with huge entertainment value and a good dollop of romance too. I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend!
This review is for the audio book.
I enjoyed book two in this series so much that I had to go back and start at the beginning. So glad I did this book was just as funny as the other book and I enjoyed them immensely. The mystery was good, with plenty of suspects and the love interest kept the story interesting.I just love the characters, especially Aunt Shirley what a hoot. If you are a fan of Jana DeLeon’s Miss Fortune series then this is the series for you .
Ryli trying to pay her bills is doing two jobs. The first is as a reporter for the local newspaper but it is the second one which is about to make her life interesting, that of crime scene photographer. After taking photos of a dead body Ryli can’t help but ask questions in town, she know everyone and why wouldn’t she join in with the local gossip. Okay she might know more about the crime scene than the average gossip but should that really put her on a killer’s radar. Obviously it has because when she receives the cut out heart belonging to the victim even she must admit to being in trouble. When police chief Garrett also warns her to stay out of it, Ryli does the one thing she can do turns to her friend and aunt for help to stop a killer before she becomes the next murder that needs investigating.
I really like the narrator and think she does an excellent job with the characters making them fun and likeable, which turns a great story even better.
I was given an audio version of Picture Perfect Murder by Jenna St. James which is the first in the Ryli Sinclair Mystery. In the story we are introduced to Ryli Sinclair who is a local newspaper writer and the forensic photographer when needed. Her boyfriend Garret, is the police chief so you know that Ryli is going to get involved in any investigation. While listening to this story I laughed so hard at some of the innuendos, the sarcasm, and best all the voices portrayed in the story.
While Ryli is photographing at the screen of her first crime where Dr. Graves is killed, she gets involved trying to solve the murder. Someone tries to scare Ryli by sending her Dr Graves tongue and some of her tips of fingers, which doesn’t stop Ryli, her best friend Paige or Aunt Shirley stopping their own investigations. Then another murder happens….what will happen next. Will Ryli solve the murder or get herself in more hot water with her boyfriend Garret.
Picture Perfect Murder is the first book in the Ryli Sinclair series. I’d call it an edgier cozy. There are some descriptions that are a bit more graphic than I typically encounter in a cozy.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Aunt Shirley was a hoot. I loved Ryli and Garrett and I look forward to seeing how their relationship evolves. The small-town atmosphere was relatable and I’m already looking forward to my next visit. The mystery had just enough twists to keep it interesting.
I purchased this book on Amazon and am voluntarily sharing my honest review.
I loved Jenna St. James’ Sullivan Sisters series and then her Witch book so I knew I had to purchase at least the first Ryli Sinclair book and give it a try. I read it in less than a day because every time I put it down, I found myself picking it back up to read. I loved this gruesome hilarious mystery and all of its wonderful characters. And just when you didn’t think the characters couldn’t get any better, Aunt Shirley appears. Ryli has assembled a great investigative team. Can’t wait to start book 2.
While moonlighting as a police photographer Ryli captures the scene of the murder of a well-known local citizen. Curiosity as to who committed this heinous crime leads to Ryli enlisting the help of her best friend Paige and her elderly Great-Aunt Shirley, a slightly off-kilter and elderly former PI. The trio begin to dig and soon appear to hit a nerve with the murderer. It isn’t long before Ryli receives a gruesome warning after a second victim is discovered. Ryli seems to be a third target. With fearless (reckless) abandon the three women track down clues and make false accusations.
If you enjoy Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series this is the book for you. It is laced with humor and great characters. This one made me laugh out loud. I love that Ryli doesn’t let anyone stand in her way while searches for clues. The characters in this book are engaging. I often felt like they were people I know. Aunt Shirley’s back story with Garrett was terrific. I read it to my husband and he winced at some of the descriptions. The book has enough details to truly paint a scene. I am looking forward to the re-release of book two and I’m recommending it to everyone.
This was a cute cozy mystery with funny, snarky bits – think Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum books. Actually, it felt rather *a lot* like the Stephanie Plum books. Complete with the cute but utterly personal-safety-disregarding protagonist, crazy old relative (here a great aunt, there a grandmother), sexy cop love interest, zany hijinks and wacky small town residents full of quirks and foibles… The story was fun and easy to read. I saw the whodunit from a mile away, but the book was still enjoyable and a nice distraction from the two rather heavy non-fiction books I’m currently reviewing. St. James has written a pleasant (even when disturbing) murder mystery with giddy, almost-over-the-top-but-still-fun characters that is a nice, light, quick read.
My review copy was provided by NetGalley.
Picture Perfect Murder by Jenna St. James was a great beginning to this series. Ryli is a a reporter for her home town paper and moonlights as a forensic photographer for the Granville police department. She’s smart, funny and loves her family and friends. Her Aunt Shirley is probably the quirkest character that I have read in a very long time. The plot is fast paced with plenty of suspects and just a few twists that keep you reading. I did get an idea of who the murderer might be about midway through the book but I was never sure until the reveal. This story is well-written and the characters are likable. It’s an enjoyable cozy mystery, and now I’m looking forward to book two!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Summer Prescott Books via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.
What a ride!!!! I had so much fun reading this quirky mystery. It is probably a little bit too descriptive to call it a cozy but it is not far off. Great characters, especially the eccentric aunt Shirley, and a fast paced mystery are making for a very entertaining and highly recommended read. I am so glad I discovered this new to me author and will read her other books as well!