From author Jamie L. Adams comes a modern Wild West murder in a cozy California ghost town...
Lily Cranston is eager to return to her hometown and get a do-over on life. She'll be among old friends, with loving family, and as the new manager of the Calico Rock Mine and Ghost Town, she's excited to take on the challenge of turning the old west town back into the premier tourist destination she remembers from her childhood. But Lily's happy homecoming takes an unexpected turn when one of the Calico Rock re-enactors turns up dead—murdered in the ghost town!
Bill Stevens was anything but beloved to the staff and volunteers at the Calico Rock Mine. Womanizer, liar, and cheat are all words Lily finds being used to describe the dead man. But when one of Lily's old friends suddenly emerges as the number one suspect, Lily finds herself digging into the dead man's past...and finding secrets buried deeper than the old mine itself! While her Chief of Police brother-in-law, and the handsome CSI who is a close family friend—and possibly becoming more than just a friend—both warn Lily off the case, she's determined to prove her friend innocent and unmask the real killer. Can she solve the mystery, save her friend, and stay alive? Or will the ghost town claim another victim...
"Complicated characters, a twisty mystery, and a heartfelt romance—what's not to love about this series?" ~ Gemma Halliday, New York Times bestselling author
Murder at the Mine Earns 5/5 Calico Bonnets … Clever Cozy Fun!
It wasn’t a blind date, and arguably not a date at all. Lily’s older sister Pat had set up dinner with her, her sheriff husband, longtime family friend Cody, and Lily, but it’s just a casual get together. The Calico Rock Mine and Ghost Town, a local theme park Lily manages, has a few businesses that stay open after the main area is closed, so where else to spend an awkward evening. It gets even more awkward when Lily witnesses a disturbing interaction between her best friend Lauren Dillard and one of the park’s living history reenactors William Stevens. Stevens portrays an old West news editor with the Calico Rock Gazette sharing insights with park guests, but his reputation could give HR a big headache. The confrontation was punctuated with stomping feet, flailing arms, and hands on the hips, but Lily could only hear the threats. Then … A prank. A scream. A dead body. Now a crime scene, The Park’s continued revenue is in jeopardy which includes Lily’s job, but adding Lily’s best friend as the prime suspect, giver her a serious mandate to find a killer.
Jamie L. Adams used a traditional cozy mystery outline for the first book in her Ghost Town Mystery series, but the Old West/Gold Rush era themed park was unique and resembles places I’ve personally visited. I enjoyed she didn’t waste too much time introducing the main characters like other premier books, and a favorite element is an early discovery of the crime putting the investigation at center stage. The victim is the perfect karmic choice with his #MeToo history and rocky marriage, but Lily learns through various informal situations that money in all its forms needs consideration. Lily’s amateur methods are realistic, a must for me, along with humor and collaboration, but troublesome obstacles including a second body delightfully muddies her perspective ending with a perilous run in with a killer. Clever and entertaining all the way through to a surprise and compelling conclusion. I vote for a book two!
Jamie Adams has an engaging writing style with her descriptions, witty banter, clever rationales, and an insightful narrative that includes a family dynamic with three distinct personalities readers might just recognize themselves. Of course, my siblings might see me as a “Pat” personality with her bossy tendencies although I tend to see myself as a “Lily” — just nosy! A romantic angle is imperative for me, so I enjoy the beginning of the “dance” between Lily and Cody. I am also a big fan of chapter titles, and Adams used popular phrases to provide important sentiments or a glimpse of upcoming action. Very enjoyable …highly recommended!
Disclosure: I received an ARC from Gemma Halliday Publishing. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
Murder at the Mine by Jamie L. Adams was like a walk down memory lane......except for the murders that is. Murder at the Mine is the first book in her Ghost Town Mystery Book series and the theme and location brought me back to a time in my childhood.
In Murder at the Mine main character Lily Cranston moved back to her hometown of Grady, California after being away for five years. She was offered the job of manager of the Calico Rock Mine and Ghost Town and wanted to be back home with her two sisters, Pat and Ava. Unfortunately the Calico Rock Mine and Ghost Town is not making much of a profit and Lily is hired to turn it around. If she cannot turn it around and begin making a profit, it could end up closing and everyone would lose their jobs. Sadly to make things worse for Lily, one of the volunteers, William, who ran the Calico Rock Gazette was found murdered with a knife in his back.
Lily's brother-in-law Jack is the town Sheriff and an old friend of the family Cody is the Undersheriff so they have the investigation well underway. But Lily cannot sit by and watch this little community crumble and everyone possibly lose their jobs so with the help of her sister Ava, they look into William's life and who would have wanted him dead.....unfortunately as they dig, the suspect list becomes long. Then another volunteer is found murdered with a knife in his back and Lily is getting messages to back off.....
Murder at the Mine was such a treat to read and it brought up some great childhood memories. Growing up there was an amusement park nearby that we would visit during the summer months and a part of the park has a section just like the Ghost Town in this book. Throughout the day they put on shows with criminals and sheriff's catching the bad guys. As a child they would hand out little badges to us so that we were deputized to save the town. The only big difference is that I do not believe there were any real murders or even real crimes that took place in my childhood Ghost Town.
The Ghost Town Mystery Book series is going to be a favorite of mine and it will be on my watch list so that I can hop back into a fun childhood time in my life. There is so much to like in this series and this is only the beginning.....
This book was very unusual. I don't think I have read a book about a mining town theme park before. I liked the behind the scenes look at running the park but between that and getting to know the sisters the story was a little slow. Don't get me wrong I liked the sisters and the obvious love interest but by the time the killer was revealed I had forgotten who he or she was (no spoilers here). There was plenty of suspects and obviously recurring characters that will be fun to get to know as the series develops. Lily Cranston is return home to start a new job as the new manager of the Calico Rock Mine and Ghost Town. Her job is to turn the struggle business around and finding one of the employees dead is not a great way to go about it. Especially as her friend was seen arguing with the victim just hours before he died and Lily is the one that has to tell the police. The man wasn't well liked between both his colleagues and his own wife but when it looks like her brother in law is focusing in on her friend, Lily has no choice but to investigate. Can she save her job and more importantly keep her friend out of jail? Then another body is discovered and it looks like a killer is running around her park. Who will be next?
Lily is delighted to return to her hometown and start a new chapter in her life. Her sisters live there, along with her Chief-of-Police brother-in-law, and CSI old friend who is the widow of her best friend. Lily will be running the Calico Rock Mine and Ghost Town. She is trying to revitalize the old attraction and make it more profitable. She feels that things are starting well, until one of the employees is found dead. This employee was not well liked and the last time anyone saw him he was arguing with Lily’s friend. With her friend a prime suspect, Lily is determined to find the real killer, much to the dismay of the police. There is quite a lot going on behind the scene and I was very surprised at the ending!
Murder at the Mine is book #1 in the Ghost Town Mysteries series by Jamie L. Adams.
Lily has moved back home to oversee a ghost town tourist attraction. Unfortunately, there is a murder but her brother-in-law is on the case.
I really like Lily and her family and friends. The sisters have different personalities but if you mess with one, you’re messing with all three. I guessed the “why” almost right after the murder but not the “who”. The ending was thrilling but I don’t like it when smart characters do dumb things. The ending set the series up well. I definitely look forward to the next book to see what happens next.
I received a free copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Lily has gone back to her hometown of Grady, CA, in the Sierra Nevada mountains to manage the Calico Mine, a tourist attraction. She thought her biggest problem would be helping the Park to make money. She didn't figure on two murders. She and her sister Ava do some sleuthing to find the killer, much to the consternation of Sheriff Jack, their brother-in-law, and the hottie under-sheriff, Cody, Lily's old high school crush. Loved the setting of the ghost town and gold mine. Lots of promise of a romance between Lily and Cody. Clues, red herrings, action, and suspense throughout. The climax is exciting and filled with danger.
Lily has moved back home to Grady, California and accepted a job as manager of the ghost town, Calico Rock Mine and Ghost town. Her sisters Pat and Ava both live there, Pat with her husband Sheriff Jack Owens and their two kids, Jack and Jill (yes, really! But named for relatives) and Ava in their old farmhouse with Lily. When Willam Stevens, one of the reenactors is found murdered with a Bowie knife in his chest, it’s hard for Lily not to help Sheriff Jack and Deputy Cody out with the investigation, which tends to land her in trouble ! Ava has a has a problem keeping idioms and clichés straight, which adds fun to the story! A fun and interesting cozy!
Lily Cranston returns to her home town as the manager of the local tourist attraction. The Calico Rock Mine and Ghost Town. This is an abandoned mine that lets people come and see how life was during the California Gold Rush. But when Bill Stevens, a re-enactor who was not necessarily popular with the locals is found murdered. It puts doubts as to how long the attraction will even be allowed to stay open.
Murder at the Mine is the first book in the Ghost Town Mysteries. I found the writing to be entertaing, and a fun, nice, clean read. This was my first book from Jamie L. Adams and I will definitely be reading more from this series.
I really enjoyed this first in the series. Lily comes home and is the new manager of the mine and ghost town park. When one of the employees turns up dead, Lily starts asking around about him and finds that he was not well liked by many. I like the characters in this book, although I admit I got a little tired of reading about oldest sister Pat in the beginning. Things began to even out and more concentration on the murder. They mystery was good and kept me guessing although I figured out the why a little earlier than Lily the "who" kept me guessing. I loved the setting, it was something unique and interesting. I will continue on with this series.
This story is the first in a series! The stories are about watching as a family in the world around them! Some members of the family have already passed on while the ones still around try to do good deeds! This family lives on a fairly large farm! They rent out some acres of land to cattle owners needing a place for the cattle to graze! Most families don't get along as well as this family does! They are always trying to help those in need while the family does their best to stay together as a family who love each other!
This was a really fun read. I love all things Gold Rush era, so I was excited to have the cozy setting of the ghost town/museum, and I loved Lily’s tight bond with her sisters. The budding romance between her and Cody was sweet and a nice subplot to the mystery. I adore going to historical villages, so it was fun to have a behind-the-scenes glimpse into their day-to-day operations, and Adams did a great job tying it all into the murder mystery plot. I’ll definitely be continuing with this series!
Murder At The Mine is the first in a modern cozy mystery series set Around a wild west era ghost town and mine turned theme park, Which the protagonist Lilly owns. One of the actors, Bil Stevens, hired to work at the theme park turns up dead end. Lilly ends up in the middle ofthe investigation. Lily's brother-in-law is the Sheriff, and one of her old friends is a crime scene investigatior. It's very interesting or the start of a cozy mysteries, qnd quite entertaining.
Put together three sisters, two cops, a historical ghost town and gold mine and you have the basis for a fun cozy mystery. There are lots of suspects in this one - and I have to admit, I didn’t guess the villain! Unusual for me. And a job well done by the author.
Recommended for those who love a good cozy. And I can’t wait to read more about these sisters and their adventures.
When the gruff and obnoxious newspaper editor of the old timer newspaper office is found with a knife in his back, all bets are off as to who didn't like him. We see the mistress, the soon to be ex wife,the former best friend, the co workers, the people he has screwed over. The cast of characters get broadened, and throw in the love interest. The mine is the clue....gold mine at that. And now we have the reason for the murder. clever and fun. will be a good little series.
Lilly returns home and is trying to keep the Calico Rock Mine and Ghost Town afloat. One of the employees was killed and there were many suspects since he was not very well liked. She is trying to solve the mystery so they can keep the business going. Then another employee is killed and the search continues putting her in danger. Entertaining mystery story with supportive family and friends and some romance.
I really enjoyed this start of a new series! Ms. Adams is very detailed in her descriptions, so you feel like you are there. The storylines keep your attention and the writing flows which makes it easy to read. There’s a little fun, a little mystery and a little romance - all that I need in a book! Looking forward to the next one!
I received a copy from the publisher. Lily and her sister Ava are so relatable. Lily moves back home to run the family business - the Calico Mine. When not one, but two murders occur, it is a non stop ride to a finish that I've never seen before. This is an exciting new series and I can't wait to see what excitement the next book has.
As the new manager of her home town's theme park, Lily has her work cut out for her. The park needs refurbishing but doesn't bring in enough to cover costs.
When a murder happens, Lily investigates.
The characters are well drawn and the plotting is believable. I look forward to further adventures with Lily and her friends.
new author that I found rough one of my facebook reading groups. I'm glad I enjoyed this cozy mystery. I was using this book as a reading challenge piecee, but I found it to be a quick palette cleanserfor the most part. No spice inside but there's a slight hint of a possible love story between the characters.
Murder at the Mine is a thoroughly enjoyable mystery set in ghost town! I love the characters, the setting, the complexity and pacing of the book. I was drawn in immediately and stayed up way too late to finish the book. It has many possible suspects and motives plus an excellent ending.
I missed this when it was available for an ARC so purchased it anyway. I was not disappointed one bit. The characters are awesome. The storyline is amazing. Who doesn't love a good Ghost Town mystery. Very excited to read the next book.
This was a really fun book to read. I have four sisters myself and I could totally relate to the over protectiveness and love between these sisters. The characters were interesting sometimes funny, sometimes serious. I highly recommend this book.
Fantastic! New to me author & I definitely want to read more. Awesome story, well written and original. Great characters and a beautiful setting. I look forward to more in the series.
Cozy about young woman who is running a theme park in California ghost town. Better than many other cozies I've read, but still was a little tiresome. Too many characters. C.2023
Just when Lily comes back home to help manage the Calico Rock Mine and Ghost Town tourist attraction in Grady, CA, there is a dead body inside the newspaper office. The victim William Stevens, who portrayed a Wild West editor, is stabbed to death in the back. The number of suspects start to stack up as Stevens was known to be antagonistic towards many, but Lily's good childhood friend is the prime suspect after a public altercation with the victim. Lily is determined to get to the truth while at the same time deal with the thought that her job may be in jeopardy due to budget constraints.
What I enjoyed so much about this cozy mystery is the novelty of a ghost town. I don't believe I've read any mystery that is set in a ghost town. After having toured a ghost town myself, it was interesting to picture the enactors and attractions. I look forward to reading more about Lily, her close-knit family and Calico Rock Mine and Ghost Town.
I received an ARC from the publisher for purposes of an unbiased review.
A good murder mystery with lots of interesting details about a "Ghost Town" attraction. The main character has recently returned to town to run this tourist attraction, and is a dedicated, determined manager. Filled with supportive and sometimes pushy family, a new romance, 2 murders and danger, this excellent book absorbs the reader's attention. After plenty of suspects, I loved the exciting and surprising ending. Fun to read and even if you have never visited such an attraction, you will be glad you "visited" this one!
Oh my gosh what a FUN new book in my cozy collection! This is a 5-star winner. An original setting with the rock mine attraction. Definitely a great time reading along as Lily moves "home" and connects with friends, immediately getting involved trying to solve a murder. An excellent cast of secondary characters, great plot, and enjoyable writing style leave me eager for Ghost Town Mysteries book 2!