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Murder at the Route 66 Ranch Hotel: Book 1 of The Route 66 Ranch Hotel Mystery Series
A cozy take on the classic whodunit, set in the modern West.
Eve Cordova loves history, Americana, and horses. Her inheritance of a remote historic hotel located on an old ranch just off Route 66 is a dream come true. She is preparing the Arizona high desert hotel for its grand reopening when the local sheriff informs her that the mysterious death at the hotel is in fact murder. Eve soon realizes that the employees of her skeleton crew are the only ones who could be responsible. She must unmask the murderer for the sake of her business and the new life she has created. As the clues start pointing to Eve, she must work fast to unravel the lies and discover the culprit before she is wrongly arrested.
Eve’s efforts culminate in a parlor room mystery reveal in the hotel lobby.
Eve Cordova loves history, Americana, and horses. Her inheritance of a remote historic hotel located on an old ranch just off Route 66 is a dream come true. She is preparing the Arizona high desert hotel for its grand reopening when the local sheriff informs her that the mysterious death at the hotel is in fact murder. Eve soon realizes that the employees of her skeleton crew are the only ones who could be responsible. She must unmask the murderer for the sake of her business and the new life she has created. As the clues start pointing to Eve, she must work fast to unravel the lies and discover the culprit before she is wrongly arrested.
Eve’s efforts culminate in a parlor room mystery reveal in the hotel lobby.
- GenresCozy Mystery
218 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 21, 2023
141 people are currently reading
110 people want to read
About the author
N.C.L. Sarno
14 books17 followersMysteries with Mirth, History with Heart. Inspired by asphalt.
Living, working, and writing on Arizona’s stretch of Route 66 for the last 20 years have inspired the creation of a fun mystery series and a heartwarming history book (coming soon).
https://nclsarno.wixsite.com/nclsarno
https://www.facebook.com/people/NCL-S...
Living, working, and writing on Arizona’s stretch of Route 66 for the last 20 years have inspired the creation of a fun mystery series and a heartwarming history book (coming soon).
https://nclsarno.wixsite.com/nclsarno
https://www.facebook.com/people/NCL-S...
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
November 7, 2025
Let me say that the murder was well thought out. The suspects were well thought out. And the solution was a bit of a surprise, which is always good in a mystery.
I liked the fact that so many of the characters had known each other for a while and the history it gave them. That helped so well to play into so many possible motives. The killer's motive was unexpected, and the clues were woven into the book. Did I suspect who the killer was? Yep, because I suspected all of them. Every one of them had a motive.
Why three stars? Because there was a LOT of word padding. There was too much setup of the location. There was too much inane dialogue to define the characters, and it didn't really do a good job. The second half of the book is definitely better than the first, because things happen. It just took too long. I kept reading and wondering where was this murder I was promised. Once things started moving, it was great, but why on earth did it take so long to get there?
And there were issues with the writing style. The text constantly jumped from past to present, and I really found that annoying.
It was a good story once you waded through the fluff and got to the story.
I liked the fact that so many of the characters had known each other for a while and the history it gave them. That helped so well to play into so many possible motives. The killer's motive was unexpected, and the clues were woven into the book. Did I suspect who the killer was? Yep, because I suspected all of them. Every one of them had a motive.
Why three stars? Because there was a LOT of word padding. There was too much setup of the location. There was too much inane dialogue to define the characters, and it didn't really do a good job. The second half of the book is definitely better than the first, because things happen. It just took too long. I kept reading and wondering where was this murder I was promised. Once things started moving, it was great, but why on earth did it take so long to get there?
And there were issues with the writing style. The text constantly jumped from past to present, and I really found that annoying.
It was a good story once you waded through the fluff and got to the story.
May 27, 2025
3.5 Stars
Despite a plethora of red herrings (and I must admit, the author was very good about tossing those into the mix), I knew early on which character would turn out to be the murderer--probably because I'm old and jaded and could therefore see right through them. I'm also too jaded to believe that anyone short of a Trump or Bezos could have that much money to leave to multiple family members, endowing each of them with so much, so the whole inheritance basis for purchasing and renovating the ranch seemed unlikely to me.
The main character, Eve, was the one I actually liked least, however, despite the fact that she was a kind person who treated staff like family. I just found her to be sort of an airhead.
A lot of tiny errors in grammar here and there throughout the book were irritating (i.e., "phishing" something out of the couch cushions? Uh, no. The correct word in that instance would be "fishing").
Overall, a pleasant enough read, but I won't continue with the series.
Despite a plethora of red herrings (and I must admit, the author was very good about tossing those into the mix), I knew early on which character would turn out to be the murderer--probably because I'm old and jaded and could therefore see right through them. I'm also too jaded to believe that anyone short of a Trump or Bezos could have that much money to leave to multiple family members, endowing each of them with so much, so the whole inheritance basis for purchasing and renovating the ranch seemed unlikely to me.
The main character, Eve, was the one I actually liked least, however, despite the fact that she was a kind person who treated staff like family. I just found her to be sort of an airhead.
A lot of tiny errors in grammar here and there throughout the book were irritating (i.e., "phishing" something out of the couch cushions? Uh, no. The correct word in that instance would be "fishing").
Overall, a pleasant enough read, but I won't continue with the series.
January 2, 2026
⭐⭐⭐✨
This was an okay read - I found the murderer predictable, but an Arizona Route 66 hotel was an enjoyable and cozy place to be.
Several small grammatical and especially punctuation errors throughout the book. The writing style is a bit wooden, overly descriptive where it doesn't need to be (would love to hear more about the setting and less long tangents about Eve's love of shopping or phonecalls with her mom that served no purpose to the story), and I didn't particularly care about any of the characters.
3.5 stars because it was still an enjoyable and easy read, but I won't be continuing with the series.
This was an okay read - I found the murderer predictable, but an Arizona Route 66 hotel was an enjoyable and cozy place to be.
Several small grammatical and especially punctuation errors throughout the book. The writing style is a bit wooden, overly descriptive where it doesn't need to be (would love to hear more about the setting and less long tangents about Eve's love of shopping or phonecalls with her mom that served no purpose to the story), and I didn't particularly care about any of the characters.
3.5 stars because it was still an enjoyable and easy read, but I won't be continuing with the series.
January 8, 2026
Murder at the Route 66 Ranch Hotel
This is the first book in this mystery series. I can tell you that I enjoyed this story. The writer also introduces you to the characters in this book. You learn about each as you read each chapter. In this story there is the murder and it does get solved, so you do not have to read book 2 in this series. But I want to because I am ready to read more books by this author!
This is the first book in this mystery series. I can tell you that I enjoyed this story. The writer also introduces you to the characters in this book. You learn about each as you read each chapter. In this story there is the murder and it does get solved, so you do not have to read book 2 in this series. But I want to because I am ready to read more books by this author!
January 5, 2024
3.5 stars. I enjoyed reading this cozy mystery set in Arizona, off of historic Route 66. The setting was described beautifully. The cast of characters was well fleshed out and the twists kept me guessing until the end. A great debut novel for this author. The dog was one of my favorite parts because dogs make the world a better place.
June 1, 2025
An inheritance turns deadly.
You will be kept in suspense until close to the end as the murderer is revealed in a most unusual way. Just as you're getting familiar with everyone, something dreadful happens. Is everyone suspect? Read to find out all the details.
You will be kept in suspense until close to the end as the murderer is revealed in a most unusual way. Just as you're getting familiar with everyone, something dreadful happens. Is everyone suspect? Read to find out all the details.
July 7, 2025
Unique Cozy
This book was a fun unique mystery set in Arizona on RT 66. The characters were believable and relatable. It had a charm about it but also a puzzle with many twists. I enjoyed it and look forward to reading the rest of this series.
This book was a fun unique mystery set in Arizona on RT 66. The characters were believable and relatable. It had a charm about it but also a puzzle with many twists. I enjoyed it and look forward to reading the rest of this series.
August 22, 2025
Arizona
Such a good mystery with no violence or sex scenes! I was born near the Grand Canyon but I’ve never been able to return. Except in books! I loved the setting, and the mystery. And I love that this is a series!
Such a good mystery with no violence or sex scenes! I was born near the Grand Canyon but I’ve never been able to return. Except in books! I loved the setting, and the mystery. And I love that this is a series!
January 4, 2024
Surprisingly well written mystery from a first time author.
February 13, 2024
3.75 stars
January 25, 2025
Enjoyed
Loved the characters, it was a pleasant surprise and a great escape read. Downloaded this one on and whim. Now to go grab the next one
Loved the characters, it was a pleasant surprise and a great escape read. Downloaded this one on and whim. Now to go grab the next one
June 25, 2025
good series
September 12, 2025
Excellent whodunit
The author has created an interesting and unique plot to go with an imaginative group of characters making this hard to put down
The author has created an interesting and unique plot to go with an imaginative group of characters making this hard to put down
October 3, 2025
This was an entertaining read. Interesting characters and story line. Looking forward to reading more of this series.
October 10, 2025
Route 66 forever
A well written mystery.. Also enjoyment of the ranch being on 66. Have traveled this road many times and love every inch of it.
A well written mystery.. Also enjoyment of the ranch being on 66. Have traveled this road many times and love every inch of it.
November 27, 2025
Loved the book
I've been on route 66 in New Mexico, Arizona and California. So awesome to still be able to drive on it.
I've been on route 66 in New Mexico, Arizona and California. So awesome to still be able to drive on it.
September 1, 2025
Written like a cosy mystery in a ranch turned motel on the Historic Route 66 Highway.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews