Nearly Dead in Iowa

Izzy Lewis Mysteries, Book 1

By: Wendy Byrne

Narrated by: Leanne Woodward

Length: 7 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

From USA Today best-selling author Wendy Byrne comes a small town mystery with a big twist.

Manhattan socialite Isabella "Izzy" Lewis is in desperate need of a fresh start. Ending up on the wrong side of a nasty divorce, jobless, and pretty much homeless, she’s hit rock bottom. So when the father she never knew asks her to visit him in Iowa, she figures she has nothing more to lose - until she arrives at his home and promptly stumbles (literally) over a dead body.

Now her missing father is murder suspect number one, and Izzy's in the crosshairs of the local sheriff who’s convinced she’s somehow involved. After being reluctantly adopted by a local group of Jessica Fletcher wannabes, Izzy resolves to find her missing father and the killer. A job that proves harder than she thought as she juggles running down clues to the killer's identity, her hot but suspicious new next door neighbor, keeping the sleuthing senior citizens our of trouble, and above all, going at least one day without being nearly dead in Iowa.

Izzy Lewis Mysteries: Nearly Dead in Iowa - book number one, Double Trouble in Iowa book number two, Shady Shenanigans in Iowa - book number three.

©2016 Wendy Byrne (P)2020 Wendy Byrne

Great Cozy Listen!

Nearly Dead in Iowa by Wendy Byrne is a delightful listen. I enjoyed this easy listen and found myself captivated by the quirky characters. The premise of the storyline is far-fetched from reality, but great to escape to. Having lived in Iowa, I was curious how the author would depict residents. I took no offense her to her characterization. Leanne Woodward was wonderful in her performance. She gave the right emotions to her characters. I look forward to the next Izzy Lewis Mystery.

Great cozy!

Great cozy! Love the characters and the authors writing style. Kept my attention and made me wonder what would happen next! I hope there are more in the series bc I can’t wait to see what happens next!

I received a free copy and left my honest review

small towns and small minds

I enjoyed the over the hill gang trying to solve crimes with Izzy. I liked how things turned out. I was sad for Izzy"s dad and all he lost and suffered. I didn't guess the villain. I enjoyed the fast pace. I voluntarily listened to a free copy of this and am giving an honest review. The narrator did a good job

Great cozy series

It's wonderful to have another fast-paced mystery from this author who constructs her female protagonist with intelligence. humor and strength. Izzy is a character who stood up to the lecherous powerful men, then chances upon clues ahead of the lawmen. Although sometimes getting in over her head. I was relieved the Q's didn't get nearly dead, instead flourishing in their friendship with Izzy. They were a delightful gang of characters who earned a book of their own. I also look forward to reading more stories starring the two hunky male heroes. I can't wait to read the next Iowa installment.

Fun small time mystery!

This was a fun, small town mystery that kept me guessing! After literally stumbling over a dead body in her father’s Iowa home, New Yorker Izzy Lewis finds herself embarking on a mission to find the killer & her missing father. The in-over-her-head heroine is aided in her sleuthing by a bevy of lovable grannies, the town sheriff & a grumpy but enticing neighbor. Izzy soon finds herself in jeopardy from a culprit who doesn’t want her uncovering the truth. Full of humor, quirky side characters and a smattering of romance, this cozy mystery has enough twists & peril to keep the story intriguing until the end.
Enjoyed the story but had a hard time connecting to the narrator who came off as a bit robotic to me.

Not for me

Banal and insipid, I would never recommend this book or series. Sent for word count