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Cover of Riley Thorn and the Corpse in the Closet

Riley Thorn and the Corpse in the Closet

by Lucy Score

🌶️🌶️🌶️moderate·Riley Thorn #2
4.3 on Goodreads (37,499)

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Ending

reveal ending

Why Read This?The one-sentence sell. What do you get for showing up to this book, even when it's hard?

A hilarious paranormal rom-com mystery where a reluctant psychic and her grumpy PI boyfriend stumble through murder investigations with snappy banter and genuine heart.

Synopsis

Summer is heating up for reluctant psychic Riley Thorn and her handsome private investigator boyfriend, Nick Santiago. First, her disapproving grandmother arrives determined to make Riley take her powers seriously or face the wrath of “the Guild.” Then there’s the homicide detective who needs her help figuring out who murdered the well-dressed corpse in the walk-in closet. Nick’s got his own hands full with a tricky missing person case and his parents who want to know why he didn’t tell them about his live-in girlfriend. Then there’s the fact that he’s still the tiniest bit stressed about Riley almost getting murdered earlier that summer. The last thing he wants is her getting involved in another investigation. Things go from bad to worse when the body count starts stacking up, the meet-the-parents dinner goes horribly wrong, and their elderly roommate is up to no good…dressed like a mime. To top it off, Riley is forced to return to Channel 50 on official police business to question her spray-tanned news anchor ex-husband and his new weather girl fiancée. The trouble comes to a head when Riley receives a warning from the killer: Back off or she’s next. Someone has to solve these murders before she becomes the next corpse.

book details below may contain spoilers. some hidden

At a Glance

Book 2 in the Riley Thorn series. Riley is now settled with Nick Santiago but gets pulled into a new murder case by a homicide detective. Third person narration (single narrator audiobook by Natalie Duke). Set in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Very Janet Evanovich/Stephanie Plum energy—cozy mystery wrapped in romantic comedy with paranormal flair. Spice is moderate, not steamy—the focus is humor and mystery. Series is 4 books total. Publication date July 2021, ~450 pages.

trope onetrope twotrope threetrope four

Book Details

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Goodreads RatingThe crowd's verdict. Take it with salt, though. Some masterpieces are polarizing.

4.25 ★ (37.5k)

Page CountHow long the commitment is.

450 pages

PublishedWhen this hit shelves. Helpful for tracking vibes by era.

2021

Primary GenreWhat type of book this is. Romance? Fantasy? A 400-page therapy session disguised as a thriller?

Romantic Suspense

PairingWho's falling in love? The gender makeup of your main romance. Helps you find your specific flavor of love story.

M/F

POVWhose head are you in? First person = deep in the feels. Third = watching from above. Dual = emotional whiplash (affectionate).

Third Person

Romance PacingHow long until they kiss? Slow burn = 300 pages of tension. Insta-love = page 12 and it's already chaos.

Established Relationship

CliffhangerEnding type: HEA = forever happy (you'll cry happy). HFN = happy for now (open to interpretation). Bittersweet = complicated feelings. Know what you're signing up for.

reveal ending

AudiobookCan you experience this book while driving? Washing dishes? Working out while emotionally destroyed? Check here.

AvailableCan you experience this book while driving? Washing dishes? Working out while emotionally destroyed? Check here.

Yes

FormatHow fancy is the audio? Standard = one narrator. Full cast = theater kids went off. GraphicAudio = a MoViE iN yOuR mInD.

Single Narrator (unspecified)

NarratorThe voice in your ears.

Natalie Duke

Narrator Count

Single

Narration Style

Single

TropesPlot devices and story situations that drive the romance. These are the circumstances that throw characters together or create conflict, not how they personally relate.

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal
workplace romanceforced proximityopposites attracthurt/comfortpsychic PI mystery
RomanceMagicActionAngstWorld
Theme Constellation

Mood & Vibe

MoodWhat you felt reading this. Swoony? Gutted? Deliciously unhinged? The emotional fingerprint.

humorousmysteriouslightheartedquirkysuspensefulromantic

Writing StyleHow the author writes - prose style, dialogue approach, and narrative voice. This is about craft and delivery, not emotional effect.

conversationalwittybanter-heavyhumorous

Story PacingDoes the story sprint or saunter? Fast = you'll miss sleep. Slow = you'll savor every word. Medium = balanced chaos.

fast

Emotional WeightHow much are you gonna cry? Light = fun feels. Moderate = real stakes. Heavy = bring tissues. Devastating = call your therapist.

moderate

Energy RequiredCan you read this on a Tuesday after work, or do you need a full Saturday and three cups of coffee? Low/Medium/High.

low

VibesOne perfect sentence that captures the essence. Like: 'Fae politics meets forbidden romance with zero chill.'

page turnercozy mystery meets rom-com

Characters

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal

FMC ArchetypeWho is she? The female main character's core identity/role. Assassin? Healer? General Badass?

reluctant chosen onesnarky/sarcastic

MMC ArchetypeWho is he? The male main character's core identity/role. Your exact flavor of book boyfriend.

grumpy protectorpossessive alphasecretly soft

Relationship DynamicsThe interpersonal dynamic between the main characters. How do they relate to each other? This is about character energy and connection style, not plot situations.

established relationshipgrumpy sunshinebanterprotective love interesthe falls first

Spice Details 🌶️

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal
🌶️
🌶️
🌶️
🌶️
🌶️
🌶️
🌶️
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Spice Level 3

Spice StyleNot just how much spice, but what kind. Emotional intimacy? Explicit but vanilla? Plot-driven heat? Know your flavor.

playful / funnypassionate / intensedirty talk (sweet/playful)

Getting SteamyGentle kinks. Fun but nothing too crazy. The appetizer, so to speak.

dirty talk (sweet/playful)possessive/protectiveplayful banterneck kisses / neck touching

Bringing the HeatFor those who know exactly what they came for. This is where you find your exact brand of chaos. The good stuff.

None
Browse more books by spice level →
This stuff might hit different. No shame in needing to know what's coming. (4)▼
spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal
murderviolencekidnappingstalking
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World & Setting

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World TypeWhat kind of world are you stepping into? High fantasy = full secondary world. Urban fantasy = magic in modern cities. Portal = starts here, goes there.

contemporary

Primary SettingWhere does the story physically take place? Court intrigue = palace. Dark academia = campus. Cozy witch vibes = small town. This is about location, not world rules.

small town / village

Fantasy CreaturesWhat supernatural beings populate this world? Fae courts, vampire covens, dragon riders, or just regular humans doing their best.

humans only

Reading Context

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal

Emotional PayoffWhat you get for showing up. The catharsis, the growth, the 'I'm a different person now' moment. This is why the hard books are worth it.

pure joyescapefeel-goodcomfort reread material

Best Time of YearSeasonal mood rings for books. Summer romance reads different than winter gothic.

summer

When & Where to ReadContext matters. Some books are Beach Trip energy, others are 3am Bedtime spiral-reads. Trust.

beach tripvacationbedtimepalate cleanser readsick daylazy Sunday

Riley Thorn

Riley Thorn and the Dead Guy Next Door

#1 Riley Thorn and the Dead Guy Next Door

Riley Thorn and the Corpse in the Closet

#2 Riley Thorn and the Corpse in the Closet

Riley Thorn and the Blast from the Past

#3 Riley Thorn and the Blast from the Past

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Quick Facts

Spice LevelThe heat scale. 0=wholesome, 1=kisses, 2=fade-to-black, 3=tasteful spice, 4=explicit, 5=you need a cold shower. Know thyself.🌶️🌶️🌶️moderate
PagesHow long the commitment is.450
PublishedWhen this hit shelves. Helpful for tracking vibes by era.2021
GoodreadsThe crowd's verdict. Take it with salt, though. Some masterpieces are polarizing.4.25 ★ (37.5k)
EndingEnding type: HEA = forever happy (you'll cry happy). HFN = happy for now (open to interpretation). Bittersweet = complicated feelings. Know what you're signing up for.reveal ending

SeriesThe series this book belongs to and where it falls in the reading order.

Riley Thorn #2
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