Stone Cold Dead

A Rock Shop Mystery #1

by Catherine Dilts

When her brother abandons the family rock shop, recently widowed Morgan Iverson reluctantly becomes the manager. Business is as dead as the fossils cluttering the dusty shelves. While rounding up a runaway donkey, Morgan discovers the body of a Goth teen. When a newspaper article hits the streets hinting that Morgan witnessed the murder, she becomes the victim of escalating threats that make it clear the killer thinks she holds a clue to the teen's murder. Morgan knows her life won't be worth a pile of fossilized dinosaur dung unless she can dig up the murderer. Stone Cold Dead is an amateur sleuth mystery set in a mountain tourist town populated with lively western characters and two determined donkeys.

Genres: Mystery

332 pages, Hardcover

First published December 18, 2013

About the author

Catherine Dilts is the author of the Rose Creek and the Rock Shop mystery series, and several installments in various Annie’s Fiction series, for a total of twelve traditionally published novels. Her short stories have appeared in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine and the Pikes Peak Writers anthology. After a career in environmental compliance for a global corporation, Catherine now gets to write fiction full time. Most of her published works have a cozy mystery flavor. She is stepping into Indy publishing this year with her co-author daughter Merida Bass and the YA science fiction Tapestry Tales series.
https://www.catherinedilts.com/

Reviews

[Chowhound88 (a.k.a. Ralph) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I guest reviewed this book on my wife's blog. Full review below:

When my husband saw I had a mystery for review (he loves mysteries) that I wouldn't be able to get to for awhile he said he would review it if he didn't have to actually write the review. So, here is our collaborative review effort on the book he read that I haven't had time to read yet. I bet Catherine Dilts didn't know she was going to be our guinea pig when she sent me the book. :) This should be interesting...

Me: Hi, Honey. Welcome to my blog. :)

The Studly One (TSO): It's nice to be here. *waves to readers*

Me: So, you read Stone Cold Dead for me. I know how much you love Robert B. Parker and you haven't been able to find any other books to meet your *whispers* exacting *normal voice* standards in regards to mysteries, but overall how was this book for you?

TSO: I thought it was pretty good. The characters were interesting and well-fleshed out, the story was pretty good with enough twists and turns to keep me interested and the pacing while a little slow in spots, wasn't too bad. The main character at times reminded me of Stephanie Plum (the main character from Janet Evanovich's Plum books). Not in a bad way because I enjoyed those books, but the character, Morgan, seemed to be getting herself into too many situations that could have been avoided.

Me: How was the mystery part of it?

TSO: Pretty good though I was pretty sure I had the killer figured out about halfway through. Well,I had it down to 2 people, but I couldn't say I was 100% positive of who the killer was.

Me: Were there any secondary characters that stood out?

TSO: Yes, Del was an older guy who helped Morgan with the store and he was quite the character.

Me: Would you continue with this series?

TSO: Yes. Absolutely. I'm still on the hunt for another Robert B. Parker though. *sighs mournfully*

Me: I swear you have a bromance with that man. It's sad he died. *sighs*

TSO: I know. I'm hungry. Are we done yet?

Me: You sound just like the kids when I'm trying to get them to give me their thoughts on the audiobooks we listen to.

TSO: *stares at me* I'm still hungry.

Me: Fine. Go eat. So, there you have it folks. Hubby enjoyed the book and would continue on with the series. Have a great day and may all your books enthrall you.

[Ariel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Morgan believes she is visiting her brother for two weeks in the small mountain town of Golden Springs to cover while her brother and wife take a vacation. Upon arriving, she is informed that her brother and wife and not planning to return from their mission trip but rather stay in South America. Morgan finds a run down and failing rock shop thrust upon her. The next morning the two rock shop resident donkeys, Houdini and Adelaide, bust loose and neighbor/employee Del and Morgan go searching to round them up. In the course of the search, Morgan finds the body of a young woman, obviously Goth, with a gargoyle tattoo. The news quickly spreads and the town newspaperman, who dresses as if he were a 1940's reporter, makes Morgan front page news with a hint that she may have seen something important.

Morgan has several incidents that seem to be questionable near-accidents. In the midst of staying alive, Morgan is learning the local politics involved with running the rock shop, joins a church lickety-split, finds the dead girl made accusations against a local pastor, mixes with New Age shop owners, is cleaning and rejuvenating the rock shop, and joins a running club.

Morgan is pleasantly a mature woman having raised two children and recently lost her husband. She is a little out of shape. I liked her good heart and persistance. Delano (Del) Addison is an old cowboy that works in the rock shop and becomes protective of Morgan. There is some potential for this character to develop into a complex element. Bernie is a cafe owner and operator who is fast becoming Morgan's best friend. Kurt Willard, the retro fashion newspaper man turns out to be more than first impressions hinted at. Piers is a suave New Age shop owner who remains a mystery through most of the book. Trevin, the boyfriend of the goth girl, is perhaps my favorite surprise character. Then there is Houdini and Adelaide, the donkeys, who become celebrities in the course of this adventure.

Golden Springs and nearby "big town" Granite Junction in the winter are chillingly portrayed. I got cold reading the blizzard parts. Living in Colorado all of my life, it is a good representation of a small mountain community and I have been in many a rock shop that could have been Rock of Ages.

The story took a little while to really capture my interest, but once it did everything rolled along. The story had a good variety of suspects and some thrilling moments. There is attention given to the town, the rock shop business, and the town's people, which is to be expected in a cozy.

The killer reveal came about in a nicely thought out situation that created plenty of tension. The wrap up was heart warming and left me with a smile.

The mountain setting creates a unique setting for this cozy that provides plenty of interesting characters and a level headed mature heroine that gives this debut a special blend. If you like small town cozy mysteries, this is a special mountain edition for you.


Rating: Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now and put this author on your watch list

Join me at my book blog: Mysteries and My Musings
http://www.mysterysuspence.blogspot.com

[Mae · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really fun mystery. It is set in a small Colorado town and much of the action takes place at or around a rock shop. I enjoyed this setting as it was different from a lot places that mystery novels take place. Catherine Dilts gives her readers some fun and interesting characters. Our main character Morgan, has the rock shop thrust on her by her brother whom she thought was going on a vacation, but was really going for good. Morgan adapts quickly to the responsibility of rock shop ownership and also becomes a part of the town. I enjoy that Morgan gets out and does stuff. We meet the townspeople through her eyes and enjoy getting to spend time with them.

The mystery starts quickly in the book, a concept for which I am always grateful. Dilts writes a mystery that has enough suspects to keep you going as you read through the book. As a reader, we are not overwhelmed with a bunch of suspects and the ending feels pretty satisfying and understandable.

I hope there will be others in the Rock Shop series as I hope to encounter this town and its folks again in my reading travels.

This would be a great and fun mystery to read during a snowstorm, curled up on the couch with a cup of herbal tea.

I have to tell you that I received my copy of Stone Cold Dead from the Goodreads Firstreads Giveaway program!

[Mark Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

While Morgan is struggling to take over the family rock shop, she finds a dead body behind the store. But when she comes back for help, the body has vanished.

The plot in this one is a bit slow, although the characters were wonderful. I found myself caring about the sub-plots more than I thought I would because of the characters. And the mystery does reach a satisfying and logical end.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Stone Cold Dead” by Catherine Ditts. This debut novel takes place in Golden Springs, Colorado and stars Morgan Iverson who agrees to help her brother with the family rock shop for two weeks only to find herself permanently in charge when he hands her the keys and announces that he is never returning. When Morgan stumbles upon a dead teenage girl, she becomes the center of a lot of unexpected and unwanted attention which includes threats upon her life.
http://www.readamysterywithme.blogspo...

[Jason Salas · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's more to this mystery than meets the eye. I was pulled into the life of Morgan Iverson, the novel's protagonist, as she reluctantly becomes embedded into a seemingly sleepy Colorado town. But, if the town were so sleepy and innocent, there would be no mystery. Dilts gives us more than just your run-of-the-mill mystery. Stone Cold Dead left me asking myself tough questions about my own viewpoint on the world around me.

[Tanya Procknow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the pet donkeys.

[Debbie Green]

Hi Cathy
Wow looking forward to reading the rest of your book ! Love it so far makes me homesick I can picture a shop in Manitou Springs
Congratulations
Debbie

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A light hearted story with an amateur detective and a host of cute characters, including two donkeys. This book captures the heart of a small town community somewhat affected by a murder.

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fantastic debut! I was sucked in early on until the very end. Lighthearted and fun mystery.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this first in a series. Morgan comes to help with the family rock shop only to find that is supposed to be permanent, escaping donkeys to which she finds the dead body of a girl in the woods, and this same body that disappears.
The characters are very likable, I would love to hang around with these people. Morgan is a strong woman who jumps in a does what needs to be done. Del who is help around the shop, is a strong, steady character and Bernie who ends up being Morgan's friend, is just as strong as Morgan. The mystery was good, and kept me guessing. My only drawback was Morgan seemed to put herself in dangerous places that could have been avoided, however she did handle herself well. I definitely will continue on with this series. I loved the characters and the setting which made it very easy to become immersed in the story.

[Mary Davidsaver · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to read this book. I've spent a fair amount of time in rock shops, at gem & mineral shows, and in the geological specimen sections of museums. I wanted to see how it could be turned into the stage for a mystery. Catherine Dilts did not disappoint. She sat Morgan, her heroine, down in the dusty milieu that characterizes what these kinds of shops can become if left alone too long. Morgan has a plate full of decisions to make: stay in the mountain community or not, save her business or sell out, and find her place within a cast of colorful characters if she does stay. All that--and solve a murder before she becomes the next victim.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute big city woman moves to small town and finds a dead body. There are even donkeys, which turn into angels, and a rock shop that is fighting all sorts of problems. It's a cute, summery sort of read, and if there's a romance, it's not obvious. It's more a found family stort of book, which is delightful to read in its own way.

[S.W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! It's an interesting, funny read with plenty of twists and turns and Houdini and Adelaide, the pet donkeys. Looking forward to reading the rest of this series.

[Amy Illerbrun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice light read. Fun mystery without alot of violence and foul language. Great debut novel. Would recommend this author.

[Miki · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would have given this book only one star, but how can you really hate a book that contains these deathless lines?..
"Maybe it was time to meet members of the community with a different worldview. She didn't need her mind opened....but meeting more citizens would increase the likelihood she would run into whoever was capable of ligature strangulation."

I had to laugh.

[Lingovise · Rating 2 out of 5]

oy vey. 1.5 stars.