Welcome to Cozy Wednesday!
I am delighted to share my thoughts about
A Very Woodsy Murder by Ellen Byron today!
Release Date – July 23, 2024
A Very Woodsy Murder (A Golden Motel Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – California
Publisher : Kensington Cozies (July 23, 2024)
Hardcover : 288 pages
ISBN-10 : 1496745353
ISBN-13 : 978-1496745354
Kindle ASIN : B0CLZ541DZ
Audiobook ASIN B0D92V77BZ
Audio CD ASIN : B0CZ7H4V97
From Agatha Award-winning author Ellen Byron, a hilarious new series featuring a sitcom writer who has checked out of the familiar comforts in Studio City and checked in to the quaint village of Foundgold to run a motel. Running a rustic getaway in the woods sure beats LA traffic—until murder ruins the peace and quiet . . .
Down-on-her-luck sitcom writer Dee Stern is flipping the script. Twice divorced and wasting her talents on an obnoxious kids’ show, the lifelong Angeleno embraces the urge to jump in her car and keep driving. It’s a road trip with no destination—until she pulls into a mid-century motel filled with cobwebs and retro charm. Nestled in the shadow of a national park, it’s a time capsule of a place that, like her, could use some work. So, in the most impulsive move of her life, Dee teams up with best friend, Jeff Cornetta—who happens to be her first ex-husband—to transform the aging ranch into the Golden Motel-of-the-Mountains, a hiker’s oasis on the edge of the wilderness . . .
But Dee and Jeff soon realize there couldn’t be two people more unprepared for the hospitality business. There’s also the panic-inducing reality of prowling bears and a general store as the only shopping spot for miles. Living and working in the middle of nowhere takes some getting used to—especially when a disrespectful guest ends up murdered! Now, with the motel duo topping the suspect list, Dee must steer clear of a meddling park ranger, face her past in show biz, and determine if the killer is a local or tourist. Because as she quickly finds out, there are many things worse than a one-star review.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
It was an impulsive decision but that doesn’t make it the wrong decision. Sitcom writer Dee Stern has had enough of showbiz and decides to reboot her life. On a road trip with no particular destination, she finds a mid-century motel that needs a reboot too. She along with her best friend and first ex-husband, Jeff Cornetta come together to breathe new life into the Golden Motel-of-the-Mountains that is a virtual time capsule “nestled amidst a grove of pine trees at the foot of the Sierra Nevada Mountains”. It doesn’t take long for them to realize that they don’t know much about running a motel, especially one where a bear or other wildlife could just saunter up to the front door. But they do their best to get rooms and cabins ready for visitors. They are both excited when they get their first booking.
Michael Adam Baker is a blast from the past and not a good one. Dee is curious why he would be booking a stay at their new venture. It doesn’t take long for his true colors to show but he must have tweaked someone off royally because he ends up murdered. Chief District Ranger, Tom O’Bryant is looking at Dee and Jeff as his prime suspects so they know they need to find the real killer even if it means Dee has to go back to LA to get some answers. Is the killer from Hollywood or a local? What did the man do that got him killed? Who had the means, motive, and opportunity? Will they strike again?
Welcome to Foundgold, population 68. This is the closest town to the Golden Motel-of-the-Mountains. Goldsgone is not too far away but Dee and Jeff don’t receive a warm welcome from its residents. Ms. Byron has created two unique little towns and filled them with complex characters. Her descriptions bring the towns, the motel and cabins, the nearby woods, and every place in between to life. The imagery is vivid.
The characters we meet in this first Golden Motel Mystery are a quirky bunch. Each is unique and develops well over the course of the story. I liked Dee and Jeff immediately. Being married didn’t work but the friendship is true and believable. Dee needs to earn her sleuthing chops because she is about as subtle as a Mack truck. Jeff isn’t much better. But their talents for their first venture at solving a murder weren’t too bad. The supporting cast is a hoot and a half, each with their own talents and interests. Ma’am and Mister Ma’am were my favorites. Two genuine people living their lives the way they wish with open hearts to help anyone in need. There then is Stoney the Bear. Everyone knows Stoney and he shows up in some interesting places.
Ms. Byron is a former writer of some well-known sitcoms so that gives credibility to Dee’s former life in Hollywood working on a “cheesy sitcom”. She writes what she knows. It also shows where she garnered her comedic timing. She throws in oodles of humor including physical comedy.
The mystery was well-plotted and written with many facets. Ms. Bryon set a pace that ebbs and flows in all the right places. The suspects were varied and connected in different ways. I was intrigued by every clue and didn’t pin anyone down until the very end. I really enjoyed the set-up to catch the killer and the excitement that ensued. I also liked that there was a wrap-up to tie up any loose ends.
I have been excited about this book since I first heard about it and the story lived up to all my expectations. A Very Woodsy Murder is a delightful start for this series. I loved the ending and I really want Dee and Jeff to succeed and bring the 1940s motel back to its glory and have it be filled with tourists. I know there will be bumps in the road and murders to investigate because that is what happens in cozy mysteries and that is why we love them. I can’t wait to see what Ms. Byron has planned for her characters next. I am hooked and I want more!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to Kensington Cozies and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
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About the Author
Ellen Byron is the Agatha and Lefty Award-winning, USA Today bestselling author of the Golden Motel Mysteries, the Vintage Cookbook series, and the Cajun Country Mysteries, as well as the Catering Hall Mysteries written under the name Maria DiRico. She is also an award-winning playwright and non-award-winning writer of TV hits like Wings, Just Shoot Me, and The Fairly OddParents, but considers her most impressive achievement working as a cater-waiter for Martha Stewart. A native New Yorker, Ellen is a graduate of Tulane University and lives in the Los Angeles area with her husband, daughter, and a rotating crew of rescue pups.
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” “As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.”
I just love this new book by Ellen Byron. I feel very much like you do that the book has a fun setting and plenty of quirky characters. Dee Stern and Jeff Cornetta make a good sleuthing team. I hope this book is just the beginning of a very long series.
Thank you so much for this fab review!!