Murder at the Motel

Nightmare, Arizona #4

by Beth Dolgner

Fear, Flooding, and Family in Nightmare, Arizona

Murder hits close to home for Olivia Kendrick when her annoying neighbor at Cowboy's Corral Motor Lodge turns up dead. Did one of the other guests hold a grudge against Leonard Evers?

Even while she's eyeing a few shady suspects, Olivia can't help but blame herself. Maybe she really is a conjuror, and maybe she accidentally killed her downstairs neighbor with magic.

With the help of her supernatural friends at Nightmare Sanctuary Haunted House, Olivia will spy on a plumber, get an eerie prediction from a psychic, and face veiled threats.

At the same time, Olivia's jerk boss, Damien Shackleford, learns a secret that will change the way he thinks of his family forever. Olivia must help Damien deal with the life-altering news, even while she tries to find the killer . . .

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Paranormal, Audiobook, Fantasy, Fiction, Urban Fantasy

200 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 13, 2023

About the author

Beth Dolgner writes paranormal fiction and non-fiction. Her interest in things that go bump in the night really took off on a trip to Savannah, Georgia, so it's fitting that the Betty Boo, Ghost Hunter Series of paranormal romance novels takes place in that spooky city. Beth's young adult novels, the steampunk Manifest and the urban fantasy A Talent for Death, also have paranormal elements. Her non-fiction work includes Georgia Spirits and Specters and Everyday Voodoo.

Since Georgia is obviously on her mind, you might think Beth lives there. Well, she did, but these days she and her husband live in Berlin, Germany, with their three cats. Beth misses those mild Georgia winters and proper iced tea, but there's no reason her characters can't enjoy those things.

Beth also enjoys giving presentations on Victorian death and mourning traditions as well as Victorian Spiritualism. She has been a volunteer at an historic cemetery, a ghost tour guide and a paranormal investigator. Right now she's chronicling the best spooky spots around Europe.

Beth is online at www.BethDolgner.com.

Betty Boo, Ghost Hunter Series
Ghost of a Threat,
Ghost of a Whisper
Ghost of a Memory
Ghost of a Hope

Manifest
Georgia Spirits and Specters,
Everyday Voodoo

Reviews

[Mairi Swan · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was a good one. It had some interesting revelations. Can't wait to find out more.

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been a fan of this series since the beginning, but I think this is my favorite of the series so far! Not only does this have the great writing and characters I’ve come to adore, but there’s a revelation in this that lets something happen I’ve wanted to happen for a while. No spoilers so I can’t explain that. LOL! I can’t get enough of this series, and I’m excited to see what’s next. If you loved the previous books, this one will be a treat. If you haven’t, do yourself a favor and start them now. Highly recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

[Lola · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy from Tantor and voluntarily reviewed it.

I really like this series and was excited to get into book 4! Murder at the Motel is another great read, there's another mystery for Olivia to solve as well as side plot lines and character related plot lines that progress. It kept my attention and I enjoyed this one. I like reading about the town, the characters and the haunted house. The narration by Petrea Burchard was great again and I like listening to this series.

Olivia has another mystery to solve, this time a guest at the motel has died. She wants to help the owners and find out who killed him. There are some clear suspects and she gets to investigating with the help of some of her paranormal friends. I liked how the mystery progressed and it kept me guessing. There was an interesting twist toward the end and I liked how Olivia was again essential in solving the mystery. I wasn't a big fan of how she solved the mystery though, it just felt a bit off to me.

I like reading about Olivia and seeing her interact with the other characters. There are some great side characters and they all have their own personality. In this book there is some more about Clara, Justine and Vivienne. As well as the characters from previous books that make appearances again. There are some interesting tidbits related to Damien that come to light in this book. I really like the found family theme and seeing how the characters are there for each other.

To summarize: I am really enjoying this series, it's so fun to read! The narrator is a great fit and I enjoyed this book. The mystery was a good one that kept me guessing. I liked how Olivia was instrumental in solving the mystery, although I wasn't a fan of how she solved this one. There's more of the side characters and Olivia and I liked the new tidbits we learn about them. I like the found family vibe and reading about the haunted house and the town of Nightmare. I look forward to the next one!

[Dana Fontaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twists and Turns in this Cozy Supernatural Mystery

This book series is my favorite book series out there right now. Not only are the characters colorful and three dimensional, but they are relatable no matter how supernatural they are. I would love a map of Nightmare Arizona or even some merch. I would definitely sport a sanctuary tshirt!

[Denise Keef · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solid five stars for this one!

[Vickie Moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good short story.

[Jenna Scribbles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of fun surprises in this one! I love the characters and setting of Nightmare, AZ. I’m so glad I have Kindle Unlimited so I can read the entire series. 😃

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series just gets better and better! The mystery in this one was interesting and had me guessing the whole time. Where this one really excelled, though, was in the continuing work Olivia and Damien are doing trying to find out more about his father; what they found and the never-ending questions make me want to know more.

[Ashley Yungbluth · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Murder at the Motel" is book four in the "Nightmare, Arizona" series by Beth Dolgner. This series just gets better and better with each book. I like finding more out about Damien with each book I read, too. Olivia finds herself stumbling upon another dead body, and it happened right under the same roof at the motel she has been staying at. Beth does such a fantastic job with writing the mystery of the story that I didn't figure out who did the killing. And I was not expecting the information I found out about Damien at all. I read this book in one sitting and will be starting the next book soon.

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again, perfect paranormal fall cozy mystery series! Love these books!

[Barbara Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beth Dolgner Does It Again!

"Murder at the Motel" is Book 4 of the Nightmare, Arizona Paranormal Cozy Mysteries series, written by Beth Dolgner. This series has it all: humor, drama, realism, and paranormal fantasy. I love all the characters, both good and bad, because of the way the author evidently draws up their character biographies, giving both physical and psychological assets for each character. My favorite characters in this episode were the main characters: Olivia, Damien, Mama, Bennie, Clara, Mori, Zach, and Felipe. Zach is a werewolf on full moon nights. Felipe is a chupacabra dog-type animal that belongs to Mori, who is a vampiress. One of my favorite scenes is when Olivia is asleep, wakes up feeling a hairy snout, and thinking it's Felipe starts petting him. However, it was Zach in his werewolf form. It was so funny because Olivia explained to him that she didn't pet him in his human form and she wasn't going to pet his wolf form, either. Another one of my favorite parts is when Damien is helping Olivia practice her conjuring skills. These practice skills come in handy near the end of the book. I really love all the characters at the Haunted House Sanctuary, all the paranormal beings: vampires, werewolf, siren, banshee, gargoyle, fairies, psychic, ghosts, and so on. This book has a psychic inside the Sanctuary, a psychic outside the Sanctuary, and we find out that Mama, her sister (who disappeared a long time ago), and little Lucy (Mama's granddaughter) are all psychics. I love Damien and his beautiful shiny green eyes. I love Mama and Benny who own the Cowboy Corral Motel, the place in this episode where the murdered victim was found. I recommend this series to all readers who like stories that are scary and funny at the same time. I gave this book 5 stars. I received an ARC and this is my honest review.

[Julie Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am just loving this made up town of Nightmare where anything is possible and the unusual is normal. I love the fact that there is a haunted house where super naturals can be themselves, it means the author can have fun with her characters and she has had the freedom to create some wonderful ones. With this being book four they feel like a family and the series keeps getting better and better. In this book we are privy to a few more secrets surround the mysterious disappearance of the owner and his family, ooh things are getting interesting. The mystery was also good and I like how the author manages to make a connection to the sanctuary, making you hope no one there is involved. I was to busy enjoying the story unfold to work out who the killer was. Can't wait for the next visit to Nightmare, the only that could make it better is it the series would come out as audio books.
Living in a hotel mean you meet all sorts of people, loud and rude are the worst for Olivia Kendrick. It is no wonder that she would practice her magic on him, especially as she doesn't think she has any. So there is no way she caused his death, right? There is only one way to find out, by solving the murder herself, with a little help from her friends and predictions. He went to a psychic for his fortune and then is discovered dead in his hotel room, when the same psychic predicts Olivia death , she can't help but jump at every shadow. Can she stay alive long enough to find the killer? Before he or she finds her?
I was given this free review copy book at my request and have voluntary left this review.

[Payal · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am convinced that they are going to run out of population by the end of this series! Wouldn't it be funny if Olivia finds out that she's the actual murderer at the end of it? She suspected herself in this one since she was half convinced that she was a conjurer and was able to manifest the motel guest's murder. In the end it turned out that the resident psychic was stealing from random people with the help of her son in law, the plumber, and ended up killing the hotel guest. Olivia did conjure her confession to the police.

And we find out more about Damian's parents. Baxter was some witch person who was able to lengthen his lifespan by some insane quantity. And Damian's mom, Lucy, was a powerful psychic who brought a lot of trouble on herself and others. Baxter suspected Damian had the same power and forbade him from practicing. We also found out that Mama (the motel owner) is Lucy's sister, and Damian's aunt. Thus she wants everyone to be nicer to Damian and also knows about supernatural.

I also think that by the end of the book, we will have scant few normies that have no idea about the supernatural. If any! Especially since we find out more and more 'normal' people who live in Nightmare have powers and/or know about the powers.

NOW I can see the romance somewhat blooming between Damian and Olivia. She doesn't seem to hate him anymore and he seems to like her a lot more.

[Spinneretta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

The death of an obnoxious guest at the hotel where Olivia lives, leaves her reeling. Of course that might be because she’s convinced she accidentally caused it- which means that she’s also determined to solve the mystery too; if only to prove that one way or another!
Then there is the mystery of Damien’s father, and the odd setup at the mine…

Lots of events happening in this one, and we even get some answers to our ongoing background mystery, with some special time with an ever-so-handsome-not-such-a-jerk-anymore Damien.
It’s fairly plain to see that Olivia is no longer existing in Nightmare, she coming to see it as her home, and she has begun to make friends there too!

This is a fairly fast paced, cosy mystery, with paranormal beings, a vague hint of magic, and a fascinating cast of rather interesting characters. It’s an entertaining read, with plenty of mysteries that just keep drawing you in further.
An engrossing world, this is a great choice for the paranormal cosy mystery fan, who wants an entertaining read with intriguing people.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Olivia is getting involved in an investigation that hits a little close to home this time. Partly because it happened in the room below hers and partly because she worries her fledgling powers might have caused her annoying neighbor's death.

Yeah, Olivia has a few concerns. She doesn't feel as safe as she did in her apartment and she's starting to realize that flying by the seat of her pants where her abilities are concerned could have devastating consequences. Fortunately she has her friends at the Sanctuary to talk her through her fears. And Damien.

On top of the murder investigation, Olivia is also helping Damien navigate some truth bombs that have been dropped on him. The truth isn't necessarily bad, but he does have to wrap his head around them.

A little psychic oomph, a teeny-tiny flood, some found family, and a lady who keeps pushing until she gets to the bottom of a mystery. *thumbs up*

-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal

[Dave Measner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder close to home.
Olivia Kendrick is settling nicely into her new life working at The Sanctuary Haunted House and living at the Cowboy's Corral Motor Lodge. Weather is cooling and tourists are picking up as October arrives. Now if only Olivia's annoying downstairs neighbor would be less noisy and she could get a good nights rest life would be peachy. She is continuing to practice her so called conjuring skills under Damien's supervision and helping investigte his father's disappearance. When Olivia finds the noisy neighbor dead one morning she fears it's her fault for conjuring something to cause his death. Everyone assures her that is not the case but she is detemined to find the truth to ease her Conscience. Delving into the murder brings threats as the truth nears. At the same time a true bombshell lands in the search for the truth behind Baxter's disappearance. A very good mysterywith a surprising ending and I look forward to the next encounter in Nightmare.

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Olivia is settling in now in the town of Nightmare loving her job at the Sanctuary Haunted House and taking lessons in being able to use her magic with Damien, at the Cowboy's Corral Motor Lodge as well as helping to investigate his father's disappearance. All would be just perfect except for the loud neighbor. But when finding him dead, she fears she may have done it with her magic. So now, she definitely has to investigate. But who wanted Leonard Evers dead? With some surprises in Damien's investigation of his father's disappearance that is a shock and with the murder, Olivia has her hands full. But she and her friends at the Sanctuary are on the case. Can she figure it all out, help Damien as well as find a murderer? Was it because of her magic? There are so many threads to this book that you just can't put it down. I received and ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Michael Reilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder Can Be Too Close

Welcome back to Nightmare Arizona, in this story we have a loud neighbor staying at the Motel in a room below where Olivia is staying. Every night he seems to be yelling at someone on his phone and Olivia and other guests aren’t getting enough sleep because of him. Then one morning as Olivia is going to the
Office to talk to mom she finds the door to this guests room open and inside the man is on the floor, never to be loud and keeping anyone up again. You know Olivia is going to try to solve this crime if it is affecting her friends but when she comes too close for someone’s comfort it is her life that might need saving. I recommend you read this story to find all the details of the crime but also to find out even more about some of the people in Nightmare, you won’t be sorry you did but you just might be shocked.

[Erika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating 3.75 ⭐️

Whenever I’m in a slump and need a pick me up, I can always count on this series. It’s always so interesting and cozy and I love how each book in the series you learn more and more about the people from Nightmare. I did enjoy the spark of romance happening in the book, something I’ve been eager to see but also it wouldn’t be the end of the world if it never happened.
I really loved how we found out more on the overarching mystery disappearance of Mr Shackleford and will find more over each book in the series.

10/10 always will recommend reading the series if your after something as a cleanser between books regardless if you just finished a romance or fantasy binge or a collection of murder mysteries. This series is one of a kind and I will be so sad the day I complete it.

[Aditi]

This book is the part of the series set in Nightmare Arizona for supernatural or paranormal mysteries. There is a big diversity in the kind of supernatural creatures present in Nightmare, but I am not sure if there is much racial diversity.
This book had Olivia solve yet another murder. I feel like the mystery would have been solved a lot faster if she had been presented with information that almost everyone around here already knew and she was unaware as an outsider. Also the blatant mental wall the police had against the perpetrator was shocking. We find out some more information regarding Damian and his powers, there seems to be some progression on that. While I was disappointed in the mystery, I enjoyed the rapport of all the characters and the overall story arc.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every book in this series draws me in even more than the last. I love this series so much!

Olivia is such a bomb character. I love her tenacity and how she is unwilling to just let a murderer get away. I enjoy how much she is willing to put at risk to find the murderer even if they are looking right at her and she doesn't know it.

I am so pumped to see where Damien goes as a character from where he is in this book. He has sooo much potential to be more than just the broody owners son who has a checkered past.

I loved everything about this book. The characters always make it fun when you are in Nightmare but I loved seeing more of the characters that I have come to love and how they deal with another murder in town.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook: I enjoyed book four of the "Nightmare, Arizona Paranormal Cozy Mysteries" series. Once the audiobook started, I was so drawn into the story that I had to listen until the end to find out what would happen. Olivia was drawn into a murder investigation when a troublesome neighbor at the hotel ended up dead. I was entertained by Olivia's continual growth as a character. I liked the many paranormal beings and their interactions with Olivia. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series. Petrea Burchard's narration was entertaining, and her performance added to my enjoyment of the story. I was given a free copy of the audiobook, and I have voluntarily posted this review which included my opinions.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Down the drain

I pretty much stumbled into this series by accident. But it's become a favourite. Olivia, who originally was going to stay till her car was fixed, find a home in Nightmare, AZ. That home is a motel called Cowboy Corral. A downstairs, obnoxious occupant is found dead by Olivia after complaining the day before that the plumber stole some valuable jewellery. Olivia and her supernatural friends from Sanctuary Haunted House are on the case. With a psychic predicting her death and Mama who owns the motel deeply upset by the murder, time may be running out for Olivia. A fairly quick but enthralling read with a whirlwind ending it makes me want to visit Nightmare myself

[Susan1566 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Olivi has settled into her life in Nightmare, friends and acceptance, a job, and an apartment in the motel to live in.
But after a couple of nights of motel guest yelling a body is found in the unit below her. Obviously, she now has to investigate. It always starts out with her curiosity, then onto helping a friend, her part in the mystery keeps growing.
There is more help from some of her other friends that are normally in the background although the usual helpers are still involved. A visit to a psychic adds some more questions. As well as some interesting revelations about Damien that might help locate his father.
This has a good mystery, interesting characters both new and old, some humourous bits and is overall an enjoyable, quick read.

[Cindy Reifel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Olivia and Damien have been working on her summoning powers. She goes home and starts practicing to remove her downstairs neighbor from the hotel as he is loud and rude. When she wakes up the next morning, she finds her neighbor dead in his room with water flooding into the parking lot.
Olivia now has another dead body to add to her ever expanding list. She knows she has to find this murderer because she feels responsible for his death.
Put Olivia and Damien, together with the paranormal crew at the Nightmare Haunted House, along with other locals, and you have the perfect recipe for finding the murderer!

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder at the Motel is book #4 in the Nightmare, Arizona Paranormal Cozy Mysteries series by Beth Dolgner.

There’s a murder at the Cowboy’s Corral Motor Lodge. Olivia can’t ignore something so close to home. I like getting to know more about Olivia’s friends at the Nightmare Sanctuary Haunted House as well as seeing if Olivia is a conjurer as Damien believes. The mystery of the theft and murder was entertaining especially with Olivia’s sidekicks helping investigate. And there was a bombshell that I never would have guessed in a million years! I can’t wait to see how things play out.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marcia - itsabookthing2021 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Beth Dolgner for the eARC, my review is my own unbiased opinion.
I absolutely love this series and really enjoyed this story.
Murder At The Motel had me hooked, I enjoyed every part of the story. I love how Olivia gets involved solving the murders and how the events unfolded in this book.
I was also surprised by one outcome that I did not see coming but I can't wait to find out more!
Beth Dolgner writes these books brilliantly, the storyline is creative and it sucks you in straight away, the characters are all loveable and I love getting to know them more. This series is the best cosy paranormal mysteries and I can't wait to read more.

[Cheryl Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Olivia and Damian are concerned when there is a murder at her motel. She investigates and stirs up all kinds of secrets, her conjurer skills which she still thinks are not real come in to play, it gives up a new secret about Damian as well. The mystery about Baxter is not answered but a mystery about Damian's mother is answered.
The murderer turns out to be people she has not encountered before. It's a great story well written and there is more to be unravelled.
I am really enjoying this so much I am off to read book 5 next. Usually I like a break between books but I am binge reading this series it is so much fun.

[Jo Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Murder comes home to Olivia when the loudmouth guest downstairs from her is found dead. Since he was loud and obnoxious and had come to the Haunt and caused trouble, Damien suggests Olivia use her conjuring powers to make him go away. Since he is looking to buy property somewhere out west, she thinks for him to find it on the waterfront, since Nightmare Arizona is in the desert.
This story features the resident psychic and the local "town" psychic who both endure harassment from the rude traveler. We also learn the truth of Damien's mother, which draws Olivia and Damien closer.
A fun read, and I have come to adore the "misfits" who make up the plot.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another fun murder mystery in the Nightmare, Arizona series. This time a man is murdered in the motel, right downstairs from Olivia’s room. The man was loud and irritating, but that doesn’t stop Olivia from trying to find out who killed him, especially since she wants to help her friends that own the hotel. It seems that the police are beginning to welcome her help, since she’s been successful so far in solving several murders. And she’s getting to know her co-workers, especially Damien, a lot better - they feel like family more and more. I really like Olivia and I can’t wait to see what happens next in Nightmare, Arizona.