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LILY SPRAYBERRY SELLS HOMES AND SOLVES CRIMES

When you mess with a Lily before her wedding, you get more than a bridezilla.

Every realtor wants their new listing to be the place everyone wants to see.
They just don’t want it to be because there’s a dead body inside.
Unfortunately, that’s how I seem to roll. Now I’ve got a week to uncover how this realtor wound up dead in my client’s home, and who killed her.

Why a week?

Because in a week I’m getting married. At a beautiful, tropical destination venue…and I will not let the sheriff, who happens to be my fiancé, postpone the wedding to solve the case.

Call me a bride on a mission, or call me bridezilla, just don’t let the killer know what I’m up to. I’ll take care of that myself.

If you love LOL Southern cozy mysteries, you'll love this one!

160 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 10, 2019

190 people are currently reading
138 people want to read

About the author

Carolyn Ridder Aspenson

152 books544 followers
USA Today Bestselling Author Carolyn Ridder Aspenson writes cozy mysteries, thrillers, and paranormal women's fiction featuring strong female leads. Her stories shine through her dialogue, which readers have praised for being realistic and compelling.
A multiple number one bestseller on Amazon, her first novel, Unfinished Business, was a five-star Reader's Favorite, a Rone Award finalist, as well as a number one bestseller on both Amazon and Barnes and Noble. In 2021, she introduced readers to detective Rachel Ryder in Damaging Secrets, also a number one bestseller on Amazon. Overkill, the third book in the Rachel Ryder series, was one of Thrillerfix’s best thrillers of 2021.Reviews have praised her work as ‘compelling, and intense,’ and ‘read through the night, edge of your seat thrillers. Carolyn’s most recent Rachel Ryder novel, Deadly Means, has been submitted for an Edgar Award by her publisher, Severn River Publishing.
Prior to publishing, she worked as a journalist in the suburbs of Atlanta where her work appeared in multiple newspapers and magazines. She wrote a monthly featured column in Northside Woman magazine.
Writing is only one of Carolyn's passions. She is an avid dog lover and currently spoils an American Staffordshire terrier boxer mix. She lives in the mountains of North Georgia as an empty nester (who misses her kids terribly but loves having a lower grocery bill) with her husband, a cantankerous cat, and her very spoiled pup.

Connect with Carolyn via carolyn@carolynridderaspenson.com


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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
Profile Image for JoAn.
2,479 reviews1 follower
July 18, 2019
Realtor Rub Out by Carolyn Ridder Aspenson is the seventh book in this cozy series and was a fun and easy read from the first page to the last.

Lily and Dylan's wedding is a week away but Belle, Lily's partner, just found the body of another realtor in one of their listings. The race is on as Lily tries to help Dylan solve this case so they can arrive in Italy for their destination wedding on time. Lily has contacts in the world of real estate and uses them to help get the case solved. The plot is well crafted and the characters are fully developed at this point in the series. Southern charm, secondary characters that always make me laugh as they vow to help Lily get to her wedding made this book one that was hard to put down.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. All of the above opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Wulfwyn .
1,173 reviews108 followers
July 19, 2019
I had a good time reading this mystery. I was laughing out loud so much that my other half had me reading it to him. I love the characters in this southern cozy mystery series. I’m not from Georgia, where the mystery is set, but the language used took me straight to my younger years. Talk about a series being, “comfort food,” (and look ma! No calories). This series entertains me and soothes me. It is my “comfort reading.”
In this book it is almost time for Lily and Dylan’s wedding. The wedding date become questionable, though, when Belle goes to show a property and finds a body! Will Lily be able to help Dylan solve the crime in time to get married? Or will they need to put it off? With several suspects needing to be checked out, it’s not looking good. I have to tell you, I had a difficult time deciding who did it, ( I might have even chosen wrongly).
If you like southern charm and laughter with deadly mysteries, this is your series. You can read them out of order, as each mystery wraps up, but, for the best enjoyment, I recommend reading in order. The back story continues book to book. If this interests you then check out Deal Gone Dead to get started.
Profile Image for Miss W Book Reviews.
1,821 reviews153 followers
July 13, 2019
Realtor Rub Out is the seventh book in the Lily Sprayberry Realtor Cozy Mystery series but can be read as a stand-alone. I love this cozy mystery series and I have read every book in the series.

It's almost time for Lily's wedding and a realtor visiting from out of town town is murdered! Since her fiance is the Sheriff and the best man is the Deputy Sheriff, the wedding is at a stand still until this murder mystery can get solved.

The characters are well defined and fleshed out. The mystery is expertly woven into the story for the wedding. I love the humor and the southern charm in this cozy series. This recent addition is no exception.

Check out Deal Gone Dead Book 1 in the Lily Sprayberry Realtor Cozy Mystery Series. You will be glad you did!!!! I cannot wait for the next installment of this fun southern cozy series.
Profile Image for Micky Cox.
2,327 reviews40 followers
July 24, 2019
Lily and Belle once again are on the hunt for a killer with their elderly posse with the clock ticking down to the wedding that may or may not happen! The antics will have you giggling and the plot will keep you entertained, but this story is all about the characters that are well fleshed out and make you want to head down south to sip sun tea and get to know them all in person, if only that were an option! I can't wait to see what adventures await the characters in the next installment in this series!
2,130 reviews46 followers
January 1, 2020
Lily knows that being a realtor is hard work. The competition is fierce but that doesn't take into account finding dead bodies. Last time it was Lily who stumbled on a body. Now Belle, her BFF and partner, finds Carole Craddock dead. Who kill the realtor and why? Lily is in investigative mode. She's going to help her fiancée, Sheriff Dylan, solve the case. Lily is determined to get answers. I like how she uses her Southern charm. She knows how to get answers and won't be stopped. I wanted Dylan to find the killer so that he and Lily can get married. These two belong together. Carolyn Ridder Aspenson has written a delightful cozy. I feel like the characters are old friends. I like the small town setting and the quirky residents. The dialogue is sweet and sassy. There are multiple suspects who wanted Carole Craddock dead but I wasn't sure who was the culprit. I'm looking forward to seeing what's going to happen next to Lily and Dylan.
1,715 reviews35 followers
July 11, 2019
Lily's wedding is only a week away. At a home showing, Belle goes in to check on, and find the out of town realtor dead.

With her wedding now in jeopardy, as her fiance is the Sheriff and won't be able to leave with an open investigation going on. Nor will his best man as he is the Deputy Sheriff. Lily and Belle step in to help the investigation.

Will Lily be getting married at all? or will she get to close to the truth and be the next victim herself?

Another fun story from Carolyn Ridder Aspenson with well-defined characters, some humor, and a host of suspects and clues to work through.
This is a fun series that starts out with Deal Gone Dead
(Lily Sprayberry Realtor #1)
Profile Image for Beatrice Followill.
1,626 reviews41 followers
July 20, 2019
This is my second book of Lily that I have read and she's growing on me so much I want to read the rest in her series .This one Lily is getting ready for her destination wedding when her best friend finds a dead Realtor showing a house, though Belle isn't sure if the Realtor was the right person to die or if the murder was meant for her, Lily sets out to put Belles mind at ease by striking up her own investigation though her cop /fiancé is not to happy about it but ,they are getting married in a week. Lily and the other characters are a fun bunch to read !
1,450 reviews5 followers
July 14, 2019
Lily is getting ready for her destination wedding in Italy while her partner Belle checks on their listing. Except Belle discovers a dead body of another realtor. Will Lily be able to solve the murder before leaving for the wedding or will she become a victim herself?

This is the seventh in the Lily Sprayberry Realtor series and the mysteries just keep getting better. Love the characters especially the older foursome.
Profile Image for Kara Marks.
473 reviews82 followers
July 24, 2019
I love this series of books, but all, including this one, work well on their own. There was a special urgency to get this murder solved, because Lily’s wedding is only a week away. As usual, she and her best friend and business partner Belle get into all kinds of shenanigans snooping and trying to assist in solving the case. The case was fun to solve and the whole book was satisfying. I highly recommend this series and book. I was provided an ARC of this book, but the opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Monica.
1,535 reviews
May 9, 2020
Wedding finally

Dylan and Lily get married well maybe. First they have to solve a murder. I think I watch too much crime shows and read too many books like that because I knew who e killer was as soon as they were introduced. I did enjoy this book though. I liked that Dylan didn't dissuade Lily on her investigation. If you have liked all the other books in this series you will like this one.
338 reviews4 followers
April 30, 2020
Oh no! Will this murder investigation delay Lily and Dylan’s marriage in Italy?

It is only a week until Lily and Dylan’s long-awaited wedding is to take place in Italy. When Belle finds the dead body of another realtor at one of their properties, all of Lily’s gang fear a postponement of the wedding. The gang works feverishly together to try and solve the mystery in time for the wedding to go on as planned.

Lily and her gang are such wonderful characters who delightfully complement each other. In these stories, I am reminded that romance is not just for the young, but for all who are young at heart.

An enjoyable and entertaining clean, fun, and easy read. I am anxiously awaiting the release of book seven next month.
Profile Image for Nadine.
1,916 reviews2 followers
July 21, 2019
A good cozy that I enjoyed

There’s no easing into it: the story begins with a dead body. Slap bang in the middle of a crime scene. The case starts immediately and I liked that.

Lily doesn’t really have time for a case though; her wedding is in a week! That’s some deadline! Will she find the killer before their wedding?

It works as a standalone. Although there are references to previous cases, this mystery stands on its own just fine. But of course it’s more fun to watch the characters and their relationships develop throughout the series.

The story had good pacing. Lily knows the ropes, so to speak. She knows how to deal with this sort of thing. She listens to her gut. And she has her older friends to help her. Or at least try! Oh I had to laugh out loud at Bonnie and Henrietta. They want to protect their dear Lilybit. Plastic baseball bats, anyone? :D I can only hope to be like them when I get to that age!

Of course her fiancé Dylan the Sheriff doesn’t want her interference, but she’s not interfering, she’s assisting, okay? LOL.

A pleasant read that I enjoyed! I really liked it. It was good!
Profile Image for Carole Craddock.
286 reviews3 followers
July 15, 2019
This is the 7th book in the Lily Sprayberry series, and is fantastic!! Lily and Dylan have waited for so long to tie the knot, and have a special destination wedding coming up in just a week, but Lily's dream wedding may have to be put on hold because of another murder investigation! Lily and Belle found the body of another realtor in a client's home, just a week before her sheriff-fiancé and his deputy-best man are supposed to leave for the wedding. Lily is determined to solve the murder BEFORE the wedding, with the help of Belle and all of the hilarious, beloved characters in the series. But, it is not an easy case to solve, and there are many suspects! I recommend this whole series be read in order to appreciate the story and characters, but would still be a fantastic read as a standalone.
99 reviews8 followers
July 17, 2019
It was wonderful getting to visit with Lily Sprayberry and her little Southern town. Once again Lily needs to solve a murder with the help of friends and her law enforcement fiance. Lily is able to chase clues and understand the relevance of the clues to the case. Of course, she makes mistakes that makes the fiance shake his head, but she admits the mistakes and moves on.

To me one of the best aspects of the book is that the fiance can actually accept help from Lily without treating her like a cute annoyance. He understands she has contacts she can use and that she is a very intelligent lady.

This is a book in a series. We have grown to love so many characters in the stories. But I truly believe someone could pick this one up as the first they read and be able to pick up about all the characters that it would not feel like they are lost from not having read the others.
Profile Image for Sue Rae Buck.
345 reviews13 followers
January 22, 2023
Realtor Rub Out is the 7th book in the Lily Sprayberry Realtor Cozy Mystery series by Carolyn Ridder Asperson.

With the wedding right around the corner and a murder of realtor from another town in the house in their latest listing is causing Lily to wonder if she will every get married to her sheriff! Guess Lily and Belle will be helping again to solve this latest murder in Ramblett County Georgia even though Dylan, her finance told to stay out of it.

The characters were well written and I would highly recommend this series to anyone that loves southern cozy mysteries! I just couldn't put this book down until I finished!

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. All of the above opinions are my own
Profile Image for Elaine .
1,066 reviews65 followers
July 24, 2019
My Best Friend, and business partner just found the realtor Carol Craddock. Dead Every one believes it's the cookie in her hand, that killed the woman..
But why would someone want to kill Carol. And with a cookie.. Now Belle will do her best to solve this crime...all while not getting in her fiance's way .what with him being part of the small town police. Going around town talking to people. Can be dangerous.
Solving this Murder... so Belle can Have Her wedding... this is a Great Story.. one I really Enjoyed. I definitely recommend this to Cozy Readers.. I just started reading this Authors Books And I Truly Enjoy them.
Profile Image for Laurie Dolph.
48 reviews2 followers
July 18, 2019
When Lily’s best friend and business partner finds the body of a fellow realtor the race is on to find the killer before Lily and Dylan’s wedding. This is one of my favorite series, and this book didn’t disappoint. The community of characters are loving, protective and hysterical. You never know what shenanigans they’ll be up too, but you know they will make you laugh. I highly recommend this series and I’m looking forward to reading the next book!!!

I received an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review!
Profile Image for K Huskić.
2,262 reviews39 followers
July 14, 2019
Lily is putting her amateur sleuthing skills to the test once again, after a real estate agent from another agency is found dead in one of her listings.

It's so close to Lily and Dylan's wedding and the last thing she wants is a drawn out investigation putting her long-awaited wedding plans on hold.

The characters in this book are so much fun, especially the older members of the community. They were cracking me up with their 'security'.

This was another fun read in the series, with a lovely moment at the end!
Profile Image for Mari Schroer.
37 reviews
July 24, 2019
The girls at Brambeltt County Reality have found another body. This time in one of their listings and it is another realtor. The timing is really bad with this one as Lily is due to marry Dylan, who is not just her fiancée but also the county sheriff, in just a few weeks. With a brigade of senior citizens for back up Lily and her partner Belle set out to solve the murder and make it to London in time for her wedding. This charming cozy from Carolyn Ridder Aspensen makes a great addition to the Lily Sprayberry Cozy Mystery series.
Profile Image for John A. Sillasen.
363 reviews4 followers
December 18, 2019
Another Cute Lily Sprayberry Realtor Murder Mystery Tale

Another dead body is found in one of their realty listings. Lily has got a reputation around town for finding dead bodies! Not a rep she relishes only this time she didn't find the body in one of her listings, her best friend and realty business partner did! Can the murder be solved before the destination wedding of her and her sheriff fiance, Dylan? Will the wedding be postponed? Can a destination wedding in Italy even be postponed? This is the story of Realtor Run Out.
Profile Image for Monica.
1,125 reviews
July 12, 2019
Lily and her crew race to solve the murder so that she and Dylan can make it to their destination wedding on time. All of the fun characters are back to deal with the many suspects. The older folks provide plenty of hilarious moments. I love how Dylan knows Lily so well. Belle really helps out to make sure the wedding is not delayed. Can’t wait for the next fun adventure from these wonderful characters.
Profile Image for Renee Arthur.
433 reviews4 followers
July 13, 2019
Lily and Belle are best friends and realtors. When Belle finds a dead realtor in a house that's up for sale, Lily has her back. Lily's fiancé might be the sheriff, but she's going to look into this too. The race is on to find the killer before the wedding! There are more than a few hilarious southern characters that will keep you laughing and a plot that will keep you reading. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and just couldn't put it down.
Profile Image for Bev.
3,281 reviews98 followers
July 16, 2019
Lily and Dylan are just weeks away from their wedding in Italy when Belle finds a dead woman in one of the houses they are trying to sell. This could cause some serious problems for the wedding...like the groom not being able to go until the case is closed. This puts Lily in detective mode, after all, it is her wedding too. But things aren't going well for the case, will Lily and Dylan make it to Italy? All depends on finding a killer. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book
Profile Image for ci.
485 reviews
July 16, 2019
Lily and Belle are at it again!!! What's a little murder while planning your wedding???

This book is filled with awesome, witty, great characters, which are really like one big family. There's murder, there's lots of Southern charm, laughs, and a great mystery. I love it when a book pulls you in from the first page and keeps you turning those pages!

Can't wait for some more Lily and Belle! I was given an arc for an honest review.

#Lily #Belle #Murder #easytoread #lovecozymysteries
Profile Image for Tammy Hudson.
205 reviews35 followers
July 24, 2019
Lily Sprayberry's is supposed to be getting married in Italy to sherrif Dylan but a dead body and murder investigation is bound for some humor and angest filled days to find this killer. I love these characters the small town and the Southern charm reminds me of my hometown. This is the 7th in this series but the first I have read but it can stand alone it won't be my last. I highly recommend this

I received a copy from the author for a honest review.
683 reviews10 followers
March 19, 2020
Great book!! Lily and Dylan are preparing to get married, but before they can say "I Do", they have to solve the murder of a realtor that was found poisoned at one of Lily and Belle's listings. Lily and Belle are determined to get this crime solved so that the wedding can occur. Interesting characters, a charming Southern town, and a fun storyline that keeps you guessing. Excited to read more of this fun series!!
1,300 reviews19 followers
July 15, 2019
I really enjoyed Realtor Rub Out! This is a great cozy mystery. I really like the characters. The mystery is interesting. I enjoyed following Lily and her friends work to solve the mystery in time for her wedding. I love the secondary characters. This book has great southern charm, witty characters, and is such fun to read.
Profile Image for Leslie Jones.
142 reviews4 followers
July 18, 2019
This was another great mystery with twists and turns! Lily Sprayberry investigates another murder while she prepares for her destination wedding. I have to admit that I was a little disappointed that not much time was devoted to describing the wedding ceremony and reception in the book after so thoroughly building up to the event. I would have enjoyed more wedding details!
Profile Image for Jessica King.
90 reviews1 follower
February 16, 2020
Carolyn Ridder Aspenson has another great Lily Sprayberry mystery!!! Lily and the crew lead you through all sorts of twists and turns! It keeps you on your toes trying to determine the killer in time to see if Lily and Dylan make it to Italy for their wedding! You won’t be able to stop reading once you start!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews

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