Some error occured while loading the Quick View. Please close the Quick View and try reloading the page.
Meet Riley Ellison, a smart, quirky, young library assistant who's become known in her hometown of Tuttle Corner, Virginia, as Riley Bless-Her-Heart. Ever since her beloved granddaddy died and her longtime boyfriend broke up with her, Riley has been withdrawing from life. In an effort to rejoin the living, she signs up for an online dating service and tries to reconnect with her childhood best friend, Jordan James, a reporter at the Tuttle Times. But when she learns that Jordan committed suicide, Riley is shaken to the core.
Riley agrees to write Jordan's obituary as a way to learn more about why a young woman with so much to live for would suddenly opt out. Jordan’s co-worker, a paranoid reporter with a penchant for conspiracy theories, convinces Riley that Jordan’s death was no suicide. He leads her down a dangerous path toward organized crime, secret lovers, and suspicious taco trucks.
Riley’s serpentine hunt for the truth eventually intersects with her emerging love life, and she makes a discovery that puts everything Riley holds dear—her job, the people she loves, and even her life—in danger. Will writing this obituary be the death of her?
—Carole Barrowman, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"Jill Orr's delightful, laugh-out-loud debut is the perfect mix of mystery, humor, and romance, anchored by an endearing heroine you can't help but root for. A fun, fast-paced read with a satisfying mystery at its heart. Perfect for fans of Janet Evanovich."
— Laura McHugh, award-winning author of Arrowood and The Weight of Blood
"Riley 'Bless Her Heart' Ellison is a breath of fresh air—a funny, empathic, Millennial heroine. She kept me turning the pages well into the night."
— Susan M. Boyer, USA TODAY–bestselling author of the Liz Talbot mystery series
“What a fun, quirky, mystery! This was exactly what I needed to comfort me during these uncertain times.... I can't wait to give this to all my girlfriends for their beach vacations.”
— Whitney Berger, The King’s English Bookshop, Salt Lake City
“A blast of fresh air. It arrives just in time to live out its destiny as a pitch-perfect summer read.”
— Columbia Daily Tribune
"An extremely fun read! Regina H., Personal Romance Concierge, may be my favorite new literary character of the decade."
— Anne Flett-Giordano, author of Marry, Kiss, Kill and Emmy-winning writer of the TV shows Mom, Frasier, and Desperate Housewives
“Orr’s debut mystery is a fun romp populated with peculiar characters. Recommended for new adult fans or admirers of Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum capers.”
—Library Journal
"Jill Orr will make you laugh, make you think, and steam up your reading glasses with this funny, smart, and romantic mystery debut. The Good Byline is an engaging story that will keep readers wondering whodunit and how'd-they-do-it until the very end."
— Diane Kelly, award-winning author of the Death & Taxes and Paw Enforcement mysteries
"In this irresistible page-turner, Jill Orr delivers a funny, smartly written mystery featuring a charming heroine and appealing setting. I can't wait to join millennial Riley Ellison on future adventures—and misadventures!"
— Ellen Byron, author of Body on the Bayou and Plantation Shudders
Jill Orr is the author of the Riley Ellison mystery series, which has been called “delightfully comic” and “highly amusing” by Publishers Weekly. Books in the series have garnered praise from industry professionals and readers alike and have earned a Silver Falchion nomination, a starred review and "Best Book of the Week" from Library Journal, and a Midwest Connections pick.
Originally from Chicago, Jill moved to Columbia, Missouri, to attend the University of Missouri, where she received her bachelor’s degree in Journalism and her master’s degree in Social Work. However, these days the only social work she does is at cocktail parties, and she sometimes wishes her degrees were in What’s for Dinner and Decoding the Teenage Eye Roll.
Jill lives in Missouri with her husband and two (usually delightful) teenage children. The fourth installment in the Riley Ellison series, The Full Scoop, is new for 2020. And Jill's new illustrated nonfiction humor book, How Not to Be Old (Even if You Are), arrives in November. Learn more at www.jillorrauthor.com.