Mixed feelings about this one, the bones of the plot are quite good, though I thought it was drawn out too much and I didn't get into the signifance of the different timelines until the book was almost over. I wasn't keen on the message forum either, I skim read a lot of them because I did not feel they added a lot to the book. I did like Mona, the detective and would like to read more about her .
The book did not keep me engaged, my attention wandered off quite a lot, a little shorter, a few less involved characters would have been better. Not a bad read, but not great either
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARc

This debut is smart and surprising, as I knew it would be because Becky’s amazing! I Found a Body is twisty but utterly believable, with a unique premise of influencer Kylie May finding (and then live-streaming) a dead body and working with/against police officer Mona to solve the murder.

‘I found a body’ is a story about an influencer who finds a body while on live stream. The book plays out along two time lines - 2019 when the body is found and 2028 when Kylie, the influencer and Mona, the detective, are trying to finally crack the case. The story is told from Mona and Kylie’s perspectives about what is unfolding, sprinkled with posts from an online forum.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it was gritty and interesting from the very beginning. One of the things I struggled with was how the police were portrayed at times, as in misogynistic and generally unpleasant and unprofessional. However when I say I struggled with it, it isn’t that I thought this was a bad part of the book. Im fact it was the opposite. I liked how it highlights that in a profession that we are meant to trust, there can be issues too. It made me consider things IRL a bit more.

Becky’s writing style reminds me of L.M. Chilton crossed with Katy Brent and I can’t wait to see what her future books are like!

4.5 stars.
Many thanks to Black & White publishing and NetGalley for this e-arc.

I felt very drawn into Mona's world and her struggles whilst also uncovering mystery and death with some great twists.

This was so much fun! The book is essentially in three parts. The discovery of a body by influencer Kylie and the immediate aftermath as detectives and true crime fans posting on forums. The fallout from said events a decade later reuniting many of the 2019 characters. Finally, the Tattle-esque forum where you get to see fans discussing the case.

The whole story moves between then, now and the forum, it is wickedly entertaining and had me laughing from the opening line. There are some great characters and I particularly loved the 2 main leads - Mona, the non nonsense detective trying to run her team, solve the case whilst parenting a teenage daughter and Kylie, an influencer desperate for fame.

However, the anonymous characters on the forum set up to discuss the case, which was very *Tattle Life-like were my favourites. if you've ever been on that forum, prepare to be amazed! It was beautifully told and presented just like the forums might, complete with grammar errors! Highly entertaining.

Thoroughly enjoyed this, such a great read! Thank you so much to the publishers for my e-copy in exchange for my review.

I Found A Body follows two pov's and two timelines, before and after influencer Kylie May accidentally livestreams a dead body to her followers, one of whom is DS Mona Hendricks daughter.

The different approaches to both the initial aftermath (as well as years later) of the police following official channels and Kylie taking her own PI style approach, and how these clashed, made this an entertaining murder-mystery read.

Surprisingly gritty underneath its Pepto-Bismol pink packaging, I Found a Body is a satirical whodunit that attempts a skewering of influencer culture to some effect. Utilising a dual timeline better than other writers helps somewhat, even if a lot of the novel's actual mystery feels a little blunted instead of the razor-sharp critique it's seemingly aiming for.

It did take me a while to read this one but I did end up loving it! I love nothing more than a murder mystery and this ticked all of my boxes. I especially enjoyed how it was set between two time periods with the same case being the main focus. I can safely day I didn't expect the outcome that happened, and I was quite shocked with where the characters ended up.

Very much looking forward to reading more from Brynolf in the future!

Just finished I Found A Body, and it's a wild ride. This isn't your average detective story. We're talking Detective Mona Hendricks, dealing with life's usual chaos, when influencer Kylie May live-streams a dead body.
The story blows up, pitting traditional police work against influencer tactics. Fast forward nine years, the case is cold, but the internet's long memory forces Kylie to make Mona an offer that changes everything.
The contrast between Mona's grounded approach and Kylie's social media antics is genuinely compelling. Mona's relatable, caught between professional integrity and the influencer's world. Kylie, initially frustrating, goes through a significant character arc.
While some plot points could've been expanded, the book is consistently engaging. It’s a modern take on crime fiction, perfect if you enjoy thrillers with a social media twist.

“I Found a Body" is a story that revolves around DS Mona Hendricks, who is juggling a messy divorce, a teenage daughter dealing with her own emotional turmoil, and the pressure of aiming for a promotion that could change her career trajectory. And just when I thought things couldn’t get any more chaotic, Mona's world is turned upside down when her daughter’s favorite influencer, Kylie May, stumbles upon a dead body and livestreams the shocking discovery to millions of followers.
As someone who enjoys a good crime mystery, I found the premise of this story both engaging and timely, especially with the way it reflects our social media-driven culture. Mona's commitment to traditional detective work clashes beautifully with Kylie's more sensational approach, creating an exciting tension that drives the narrative forward. I loved how Brynolf used these contrasting styles to explore the impact of fame and the ethics of investigation in the age of viral trends.
The characters are richly drawn, particularly Mona, who is a relatable protagonist. Her struggles with her family life and professional challenges felt real and grounded. I could empathise with her frustrations; trying to uphold the integrity of her work while dealing with Kylie's chaos was no easy feat. Meanwhile, Kylie — with all her social media flair and relentless ambition — initially grated on my nerves, but as the story unfolded, I found her evolution compelling. The dynamic between the two women was a highlight for me, as their contentious relationship added both humour and complexity to the plot.

The pacing of the book is adrenaline-fueled, with enough twists and turns to keep me guessing. Brynolf expertly blends suspense with character development, which made it hard to put the book down.
While there were moments where I felt some aspects of the plot could have been fleshed out further, the overall execution kept me thoroughly entertained. The way Brynolf tackled themes of ambition, morality, and the consequences of fame added layers of depth that made me reflect long after I finished reading.
If you're a fan of crime thrillers that weave in contemporary social issues with traditional investigative drama, I wholeheartedly recommend "I Found a Body." It offers a fresh take on the genre, showcasing the clash between seasoned detective work and the antics of social media stardom, all while delivering an engaging and unpredictable storyline. I’m looking forward to seeing what Becky C. Brynolf has in store next!

On reading the synopsis, it felt like this book was written specifically for me, a Chronically Online, fan of crime fiction who has been known to glance at Tattle Life from time to time...

Thankfully, I Found A Body was everything I hoped it would be and more. Smart, pacy and suspenseful, it was a novel I found difficult to put down and unlike 90% of the crime fiction I pick up, I hadn't worked out the twist within the first few chapters (in fact, I was well over half way before I started to have some inkling as to whodunnit).

There's a lot of comparisons that could be made to crime dramas like Happy Valley (which I adore) but I feel it also speaks to how the true crime narrative has evolved, with online sleuths trying to outdo police with their own detective work. It feels like only a matter of time before life will imitate art.

A staggeringly acomplished debut novel, I can't wait to see what Brynolf comes up with next!

This was a fab read. I love the cover and the authors writing style, very modern. I would recommend this is you like authors like LM Chilton or Katy Brent.

I Found a Body is a fast-paced, engaging crime mystery that delves into the clash between old-fashioned detective work and the world of viral fame.

DS Mona Hendricks is juggling a lot: a messy divorce, a strained relationship with her teen daughter, and an ambitious bid for a career-changing promotion. But when Mona’s daughter’s favourite influencer, Kylie May, stumbles upon a dead body and livestreams the grisly discovery to millions, Mona is thrust into a high-profile murder investigation.

Mona wants to solve the case the traditional way, relying on solid police work. But Kylie, determined to get in on the action, starts her investigation, causing friction and complicating the case even further.

Nine years later, Mona’s career has hit rock bottom, and Kylie’s fame continues to revolve around controversy. The murder remains unsolved until Kylie approaches Mona with a lucrative offer to reopen the case. Reluctantly, Mona agrees, and the two must put their differences aside to finally uncover the truth.

This is a fresh take on the classic crime novel, filled with sharp character dynamics and an unpredictable storyline. The contrast between Mona’s seasoned detective skills and Kylie’s fame-driven antics adds a unique layer of intrigue.

If you’re a fan of crime thrillers that blend modern social media culture with traditional investigative drama, I Found a Body is a must-read!

Read more at The Secret Book Review.