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The Worst Detective Ever
Series · 9 books · 2017-2021

Books in series

Ready to Fumble book cover
#1

Ready to Fumble

2017

I'm not really a private detective. I just play one on TV. Joey Darling, better known to the world as Raven Remington, detective extraordinaire, is trying to separate herself from her invincible alter ego. She played the spunky character for five years on the hit TV show Relentless, which catapulted her to fame and into the role of Hollywood’s sweetheart. When her marriage falls apart, her finances dwindle to nothing, and her father disappears, Joey finds herself on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, trying to piece her life back together away from the limelight. A woman finds Raven—er, Joey—and insists on hiring her fictional counterpart to find a missing boyfriend. When someone begins staging crime scenes to match an episode of Relentless, Joey has no choice but to get involved. Joey’s bumbling sleuthing abilities have her butting heads with Detective Jackson Sullivan and kindling sparks with thrill-seeking neighbor Zane Oakley. Can Joey channel her inner Raven and unearth whodunit before she ends up totally done in? And where is her father anyway? Can she handle fame, or is disappearing into obscurity the wiser option? Get Ready To Fumble your way through this enchanting new series. The Worst Detective Ever Series: #1 Ready to Fumble #2 Reign of Error #3 Safety in Blunders #4 Join the Flub #5 Blooper Freak (coming soon) #6 Flaw Abiding Citizen (coming soon)
Reign of Error book cover
#2

Reign of Error

2017

Sometimes in life, you just want to yell “Take two!” When a Polar Plunge goes terribly wrong and someone dies in the icy water, former TV detective Joey Darling wants nothing to do with subsequent investigation. But when her picture is found in the dead man’s wallet and witnesses place her as the last person seen with the man, she realizes she’s been cast in a role she never wanted: suspect. Joey makes the dramatic mistake of challenging the killer on camera, and now it’s a race to find the bad guy before he finds her. Danger abounds and suspects are harder to find than the Lost Colony of Roanoke Island. But when Joey finds a connection with this case and the disappearance of her father, she knows there’s no backing out. As hard as Joey tries to be like her super detective alter ego, the more things go wrong. Will Joey figure this one out? Or will her reign of error continue?
Safety in Blunders book cover
#3

Safety in Blunders

2017

Hollywood sweetheart Joey Darling's adventures and mishaps continue in the third book of the charming mystery series set in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. My name is Joey Darling, and I’m a disgrace to imaginary detectives everywhere. When actress Joey Darling discovers a mermaid tail with drops of fresh blood on it while hiking in a remote nature preserve, she knows something suspicious is going on. As details surface, Joey realizes she’s dealing with a problem she has encountered one too many times: someone desperate for fame who falls victim to a predator. With the help of her neighbor Zane Oakley and the opposition of local detective Jackson Sullivan, Joey hunts for answers, unaware of the deadly net in which she’s about to entangle herself. Joey knows she’s a fish out of water when it comes to cracking cases, but can she use her talent—acting—to help find the missing woman? Or will Joey end up swimming with sharks? Other books in the Worst Detective Ever series: #1: Ready to Fumble #2: Reign of Error #3: Safety in Blunders #4: Join the Flub #5: Blooper Freak #6: Flaw Abiding Citizen #7: Gaffe Out Loud #8: Joke and Dagger #9: Wreck the Halls #10: Glitch and Famous #11: Not on My Botch
Join the Flub book cover
#4

Join the Flub

2017

There’s no business like show business . . . especially when a killer is involved. Joey Darling’s local movie premiere was supposed to be a win-win for everyone involved. All the proceeds would go to the children’s wing at a local hospital, and the online buzz would create positive press for the area’s tourism. But things go awry when the event is sabotaged and Joey’s stunt double is seriously injured. Suspects seem sparser than quality G-rated movies, and police fear the intended target was actually Joey. Detective Jackson Sullivan and neighbor Zane Oakley—two men competing for Joey’s affection—insist on trading off guard duty until the bad guy is behind bars. To make matters even worse, Joey’s ex shows up right before the release of his tell-all book about his life with the Hollywood sweetheart. Someone seems determined to create real-life drama. But Joey isn’t one to be deterred. Though a movie-worthy villain wants to pull the plug on this production—and maybe even on a few people’s lives—Joey is determined that the show must go on.
Blooper Freak book cover
#5

Blooper Freak

2017

Real life is nothing like TV. Joey Darling, actress and detective by default, is reminded of this point daily. If only problems could be solved in sixty minutes, complete with commercial breaks, closing credits, and a catchy theme song. Joey accompanies Detective Jackson Sullivan to a crime scene, only to discover she knows the victim. After a friend is accused of murder, Joey can’t refuse her help—however bumbling it might be. Unfortunately, she only seems to dig up more questions instead of desperately needed answers. When a misguided fan offers clues, Joey discovers something much deeper than a single crime. But can she sort through all the various story lines to get to the truth? Or will one blooper after another put not only the investigation in jeopardy but her life as well?
Flaw Abiding Citizen book cover
#6

Flaw Abiding Citizen

2017

Where’s the director when you need him to call “cut”? Just when Joey thinks she’s closer to answers about her father’s mysterious disappearance, more questions surface. The starlet is determined to find her dad and to put an end to the crazy stalker fan club trying to manipulate her decisions. But life has plot twists she can’t see coming. Secrets abound—secrets from the most unlikely of people—and Joey’s had enough. She’s tired of flawed theories and abiding by other people’s rules. Doing what any good citizen would, she seeks resolution, knowing the stakes are higher than just herself. Dangerous encounters meet the wannabe detective at every turn. As the end of one mystery draws close, it’s clear that Joey will either end up with the answers she seeks or find herself in the closing credits . . . for one final time. The Worst Detective Ever: Ready to Fumble Reign of Error Safety in Blunders Join the Flub Blooper Freak Flaw-Abiding Citizen Gaffe Out Loud (coming soon) Joke and Dagger (coming soon)
Gaffe Out Loud book cover
#7

Gaffe Out Loud

2018

Actress Joey Darling is beginning a new season . . . of her TV show and her life. Joey Darling’s life is finally on track. Her hit series has been picked up by a new network, her relationship with Detective Jackson Sullivan couldn’t be better, and she’s even bought a house. But right after taking possession, Joey discovers a dead body upstairs. Joey knows she won’t have any peace until she figures out why a dead woman was left at her house and who killed her. And she desperately needs peace as the “normal” life she’s trying to establish quickly progresses from great to the brink of collapse. The countdown is ticking as Joey must soon leave to begin filming. But one gaffe after another slows her investigation and makes her question her choices. The closer Joey gets to answers, the more someone is determined to make sure this season of her life is canceled—permanently.
Joke and Dagger book cover
#8

Joke and Dagger

2019

Someone has flipped the script, and chaos abounds. Joey Darling thought she’d take a quick acting gig between filming her hit TV show, Relentless, and prepping for an upcoming movie. The peaceful island of Lantern Beach seemed like a perfect getaway, especially when her fiancé joins her on location. But from day one on the set, things go awry. Someone alters the script, adding a mysterious death to the movie. At first, the changes seem like a joke. But when real life imitates the script, Joey realizes there’s more to the story. Joey has no choice but to search for answers—with the help of her fiancé, Detective Jackson Sullivan, of course. Each day, more danger comes Joey’s way, and it’s clear the killer is becoming more unraveled. Joey fears there’s a traitor on the set . . . but can she figure out the killer before the final cut? Other Books in the Worst Detective Ever series: Ready to Fumble Reigns of Error Safety in Blunders Join the Flub Blooper Freak Flaw-Abiding Citizen Gaffe Out Loud Wreck the Halls (coming soon)
Glitch and Famous book cover
#9

Glitch and Famous

2021

Someone is determined to cancel Joey’s friend . . . permanently. TV detective Joey Darling is back at her beach home after wrapping up filming on her latest show, and she’s ready to plan her wedding with real-life leading man, Jackson Sullivan. With a clear schedule, nothing will stop her. Until . . . an old acquaintance battling public backlash comes to visit and puts a glitch in her plans. When her friend is beaten, finding the people responsible becomes first priority. But as events escalate, Joey’s big day seems to move further and further away. Can Joey help her friend and finally plan her dream wedding? Or will Joey become guilty—and risk her own life—by association?

Author

Christy Barritt
Christy Barritt
Author · 175 books

Christy Barritt is an author, freelance writer and speaker who lives in Virginia. She’s married to her Prince Charming, a man who thinks she’s hilarious—but only when she’s not trying to be. Christy’s a self-proclaimed klutz, an avid music lover who’s known for spontaneously bursting into song, and a road trip aficionado. She’s only won one contest in her life—and her prize was kissing a pig (okay, okay… actually she did win the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Suspense and Mystery also). Her current claim to fame is showing off her mother, who looks just like former First Lady Barbara Bush When she’s not working or spending time with her family, she enjoys singing, playing the guitar, and exploring small, unsuspecting towns where people have no idea how accident prone she is.

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The Worst Detective Ever