A missing treasure. A cursed property. Will Ellie’s bed and breakfast turn into a dead and breakfast on opening weekend?
Excited to restart her life after a bitter divorce, Ellie Byrne plans to re-open her aunt’s old bed and breakfast with a murder mystery weekend. But when she finds out the property possesses a cursed treasure that has robbed all previous owners of their lives, she worries her fresh start may lead to her death.
Threats abound and when a body turns up, Ellie’s convinced the curse is real. With hidden secrets at every turn, will Ellie piece together the clues and solve the many mysteries before she falls victim to the voodoo?
If you love mature heroines, talking pets, and small town settings, you’ll love Book 2 in this enchanting paranormal women’s fiction cozy mystery series.
Nellie H. Steele lives in the South Hills of Pittsburgh with her family and her many fur-babies. When she isn't writing, she enjoys teaching Statistics at a local university or watching her dogs and cats play in the yard.
Nellie is the author of the Cate Kensie Mystery Series, a cozy mystery series following the adventures of Dr. Catherine Kensie, a history professor turned Scottish Countess, and her beloved dog, Riley, as they navigate their new lives in their quirky Scottish highlands castle, solving mysteries along the way! She is the creator of the Shadow Slayers series, a suspenseful series with a supernatural twist! Follow the Shadow Slayers through time as they fight to banish darkness from the world. Nellie also writes an adventure series, Maggie Edwards Adventures. Follow Maggie Edwards as she travels the world solving mysteries and finding unique treasures!
Ellie and Mia are both excited for the grand opening of their B&B and plan a murder mystery weekend unfortunately one of the guests is murdered and Mia and Ellie and Jake along with Cleo the cat and Lola the dod try to solve the murder and find themselves in danger and then her cat Cleo goes missing. I recommend this it keeps you on edge and is a fun read.
Ellie Byrne has a lot on her plate, opening up the B&B left to her by her aunt. After finding out that there’s a lost treasure and curse attached to her new business, the last thing she needs is ex-husband, Toby, showing up. Against her better judgement, she allows him a temporary place to stay. Shortly afterwards, someone takes a shot at her while she’s out with her dog, Lola. Is the curse real or does someone just not want the B&B to open? Then a guest is killed during her murder mystery dinner. With her business on the line, Ellie, along with her pets, Lola & Cleo, and her best friend, Mia, dive into solving the murder and the mystery of the treasure. With help from reporter, Jake, they may make it out alive.
Book 2 in Nellie H. Steele’s Middle Age is Murder is a fun cozy mystery. Great characters, talking pets, and small town charm along with a plethora of suspects and hidden agendas. Cleo, the sassy cat, and Lola, the exuberant dog, will have you laughing as they relay their commentary that only Ellie can hear. As someone with a cheating, narcissistic ex-husband, I found Ellie to be very relatable. Mia is spunky and fearless and her budding romance with Sheriff Rick is a nice lighthearted touch. Another wonderful read from Ms. Steele.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This kindle ebook novel is from my Kindle Unlimited account book 2 of 4
The B&B is opening with a full house. They are holding a murder mystery party at the local eatery when a real murder happens! Then another murder occurs! It all comes to a happy ending with arrest and the finding of treasure. 👒
I would recommend this series and author to readers of fun family and friends relationships adventures action murder mystery novels 😎😮 2025 🎉🙃
📚 Book Review 📚 Business is Murder By Nellie H. Steele ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This second book in the Middle Age is Murder Cozy Mystery series by Nellie H. Steele and it did not disappoint. In this story, we find the FMC, Ellie, getting ready for the grand opening of her new bed and breakfast. There are some townspeople who do not want Ellie to open the B&B, some saying that the old house is cursed and even a tale of hidden treasure. Ellie is not discouraged and decides to proceed with the opening, including the process of organizing a fun murder mystery weekend for her B&B guests to help ensure the grand opening is a success. Just prior to the opening, Ellie is surprised when her ex-husband unexpectedly shows up with a sad story and needs her help. How could she refuse? As the guests begin to arrive, we are introduced to various couples, each with their own agenda. With the help of her friend Mia, Ellie settles her guest into their B&B rooms and gets set for the murder mystery night, a night full of fun, intrigue, and trying to solve the murder mystery, which is being staged at Val's town diner. All seems to be going well until one of the guests is found actually murdered, a knife from the diner sticking out of his chest. All the evidence points to Ellie’s ex-husband as the most likely suspect. Ellie is determined to find the truth, with the help of her friends Mia and Jake, and her canine and feline companions, Lola and Cleo, the search for the killer(s) begins. I devoured this book from the very beginning. I found the plot clever, original, and occasionally unpredictable. The characters were well-written and extraordinarily interesting. The interaction between Lola and Cleo and with Ellie was whimsical and fun. The action was well-paced and compelling, trying to solve a murder and, at the same time, locate a vast treasure kept the story exciting. I found myself turning pages well into the night just to find out what was coming next. I thought the story was a well-written, gripping, and fascinating read that I would highly recommend as a cozy murder mystery thriller. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Readers Copy.
This book is a great 'who done it' crafted by a master of mystery and suspense.
The story is a bit of a slow burner at the start as we are introduced to the characters that make up the town and the history that got us to where we were. There was tension between Ellie and one of the town traders over the opening of her new business which set the progress of this story up so well.
One of the fun parts of this story was Lola and Cleo. Their part in this yarn was so fun, almost like secret agents or narrators. Talking pets that only El could here. A secret alternative or view on how the story develops.
At an event in the town when we were familiar with the town characters and the life history of Ellie and Mia the stage is set as we have a history lesson about the B&B and plans are put in place for a murder mystery and a treasure hunt weekend as a grand opening event for Ellie's new business.
We are then introduced to several new characters with an initial introduction to who they are, but that is all.
The weekend is set off at Val's where the murder mystery, a kind of cludo, is set to start.... but Nellie has other ideas and the story proper takes off.
From here on in it is a white-knuckle ride that will grab you and not let you go as the classic Nellie twists and turns, blind siders and two friends taking on the world, as it were. The build up as we learn so much more about who people are and our belief as to who the 'bad guy' is changes almost every few pages, until we reach the conclusion.
The conclusion, after so many false starts, cliffhangers and Nellie misdirection’s is very believable, and very satisfying.
A great story told by a master that is so enjoyable in her own classic Nellie style that I have grown to love, and you will too.
Enjoy, and join me waiting in anticipation for the next book in this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Having divorced Toby, Ellie Byrne is about to re-open her aunt’s old bed and breakfast. She is planning a fun murder mystery event to generate interest. But some of the townsfolk think there is an active curse by a gypsy woman -- the Curse of Salem Falls Manor -- and they don’t want her to proceed. Regardless, Ellie wouldn’t let an old tale stop her grand opening.
The mystery was to start off at Val's diner. But no one expected one of the guests to become a real victim with a knife from the diner protruding from the man’s chest! Even when Sheriff Rick Crawford and his deputy Nathan Hawk arrived, they thought Scarlett called them in as part of the fake murder! Ellie was able to identify the victim as Zane Cartwright, one of her guests. Worse yet, Ellie’s ex-husband becomes the most probable suspect because his fingerprints are found on the knife and he had been seen with the victim one night before his murder. Ellie is joined by her friend Mia and the young reporter Jake, along with Lola the dog and Cleo the cat as they start their investigation to find a murderer! Can they track the killer down? The hidden treasure couldn’t really carry an actual curse, could it?
Business is Murder is the second book in the Middle Age is Murder Cozy Mysteries by Nellie H. Steele. This is a fast paced cozy mystery with so many charming characters, including talking animals, that you just can't help but to fall in love with.
Ellie is putting the pieces of her life back together after her messy divorce. She is just days away from re-opening her aunt's bed and breakfast in Salem Falls ,when her ex-husband shows up out of the blue. She begrudgingly allows him to stay for 1 week, meanwhile she begins to learn about the history of her inherited home, which thrusts her into a thrilling treasure hunt. While hosting a murder mystery weekend during the grand opening of her B&B, one of her guests turns up dead. Ellie has her hands full trying to figure out who murdered her guest, what happened to this treasure, and why exactly her ex is back in her life. With the help of her friends, and faithful pets, she will eventually unravel all of these mysteries.
I loved this book so much! It was hilarious and had so many great moments throughout its pages. This is a perfect read for all of those cozy mystery lovers!
Ellie’s business application to turn the home she inherited back into a B & B is approved in this 2nd book. However, there are a few business owners that were opposed. Also, the B & B will be pet friendly. Mac is a good friend and lawyer that told Ellie of her inheritance from her Aunt Susie who was murdered in the last book. Susie had her hand in a lot of the businesses in town so now does Ellie. She inherited a cat, Cleo, and a dog, Lola. Ellie can hear them talk and understand them and this is hilarious because she has to force herself not to react when other people are around, especially Cleo’s snarkiness and meanness to Lola. In this book, we find out that a lot of the people that owned the house that is now the B & B had died weird deaths over the two centuries since it was built. Mia and Ellie are besties and I love how they interact with the animals. My stomach still hurts from laughing so much. I feel so bad for Lola as she is almost always being put down by the darn cat. A lot happens in the book. This first weekend for the B & B is supposed to start off with a murder mystery, except an actual murder takes place and there is a real murder mystery instead of a game. Things get crazy again. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
What an exceptionally well written book. Full of mystery, drama, intrigue, suspense and lots of twists. Each character is so outstanding. Ellie for her B&B and her care of her animals and friends. Lola and Cleo being able to talk to Ellie adds so much to this story, being that they are a dog and cat. Ellie is ready to open her B&B , when he ex shows up and wants her help. She agrees to let him stay for 1 week , stating that he needs to find a job. Opening week end brings in some other couples for the Murder Mystery Week end. It's also brings Toby's last girlfriend. Has lots of action that keeps you on your toes. Mia, Rick, Toby are just a few of these characters. Best of all , it turns into a treasure hunt with the B&B hiding the treasure. You couldn't ask for a better who done it. Can't wait for the next one. Fabulous story. Would recommend to everyone.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the 2nd book in the Middle Age is Murder series by Nellie H. Steele. It's such a fun read just like the first book was. Ellie is getting the B&B ready to reopen but some of the townspeople don't want the inn to reopen. Some people in the town think that the house is cursed. Are they wrong? Ellie, along with Mia, and even Cleo and Lola, get the B&B open with their murder mystery grand opening. Ellie is even kind enough to house her ex husband for a week. This is such a fun cozy mystery. You have a talking cat and dog, (who I love!), a treasure hunt and the friendship between Ellie, Mia and even Mac. I can't wait for the next book in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a Middle Age Is Murder Cozy Mystery. I have enjoyed some other cosy mysteries by this author, which is why I decided to take a look at this one.
The setting was a B&B, and I did find myself feeling quite homey and comfortable reading this. The protagonist, Ellie, was a nice character, and had some cute animal companions, Cleo and Lola. I think talking animal companions always add a little bit of quirkiness to the story.
This was a fun cosy mystery, and I would probably read another book from this series.
Thank you to Booksprout and the author for a free copy to review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I really loved it! Well written, in that way that has you immediately immersed in the story from the first word to the last. I just adore the talking cat and dog Cleo and Lola! They made me laugh and smile so much! I also love how Ellie is not the youngest so has life experience, and she’s smart. A cursed treasure makes things exciting yet scary (in a cozy way). And that ex hubby of hers, ooh, I’d like to… but I can’t say that LOL. Anyway, this is a great second book in the series that I HIGHLY recommend!
Business is Murder is the 2nd in the A Salem Falls B & B Cozy Mystery series by Nellie H. Steele in which Elie is ready to open her B & B with Cleo, the black cat and Lola, the bulldog. Ellie finds out that supposedly the B & B has a curse and many of the owners have died a horrible death. There may be treasure hidden somwhere in the house if the stories are true! Poor Ellie her ex, Toby shows up at the B & B and is given a week to get his act together and leave her alone! What a great book and I can't wait for the next one. Great characters and I loved the mystery!
Ellie is all settled in her new town and ready to reopen the B&B that her aunt used to run. But there's a curse, missing treasure, and an ex-husband that all darken her door the same week her murder mystery grand opening is happening. It's a fun read, the mystery is pretty intriguing and you'll never guess whodunit. Plus all the charming and fun townsfolk and just like last time a nosy cat and dog who keep the entertainment factor up.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Being 50-ish is hard enough without someone being murdered on the first night of the murder mystery game. I mean, come on, it's the FIRST weekend of her B&B being open AND her stupid ex turned up on her doorstep saying he needed a place to stay. AND Ellie's best friend Mia has her running around looking for the killer. What next? This story is funny as all get out, ending on a high note. Very highly recommended.
I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Ellie was excited about finally opening the B&B but after hearing some local legends she wasn’t really sure. Then when a guest was murdered, it got personal. The mystery was pretty wild and once more, Jake made a good sleuthing buddy for Ellie and Mia. Except he probably wasn’t too happy to be caught in the showdown at the end with the killer. But luckily reinforcements came just in time and Scarlett at the paper was gonna have one heck of a story! Can’t wait to read the next book when it’s out!
I loved this mystery. It had a talking cat and a talking dog - what more could you want? Well, it goes like this: After inheriting her aunts property, Ellie decides to reopen her aunt's old B&B. Then she finds out that there is supposedly a death curse on any owner who benefits financially from the property. If that wasn't bad enough, her ex-husband turns up, there is a murder or two and a treasure hunt. What a ride.
This is a para cozey mystery with an array of vibrant ,colorful and quirky characters that will draw you into their dramatic lives while being enticed further through intrigue and murder with a plot that carries you throughout with anticipation of who the deadly schemer is and if everything will come out right in the end. Acquire " Business is Deadly " for hours of intriguing entertainment. Kat.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Ellie open her B&B for a murder mystery weekend. Everything starts off with all the guest arriving but then one of the guest turns up dead, for real. There is a murderer to find and a long ago treasure to locate. Mayhem ensues with Cleo and Lola helping. Read it to find out how it ends and remember Be Kind, Rewind!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Another good book in this series. This seems to be the last one but I hope not!
Amazon synopsis: Excited to restart her life after a bitter divorce, Ellie Byrne plans to re-open her aunt’s old bed and breakfast with a murder mystery weekend. But when she finds out the property possesses a cursed treasure that has robbed all previous owners of their lives, she worries her fresh start may lead to her death.
Threats abound and when a body turns up, Ellie’s convinced the curse is real. With hidden secrets at every turn, will Ellie piece together the clues and solve the many mysteries before she falls victim to the voodoo?
The Salem Falls B&B is finally open for business. Too bad it may close on opening day when a real murder occurs during Murder Mystery weekend. Ellie and her friends try to figure out who could be the killer. While the killer leads them on a series of dangerous escapades as they also search for a missing treasure. Join Ellie, Mia, Jake and pets Lola and Cleo on their wild adventures.
I enjoyed first book in the series and was excited to start the second. Alas. It felt rife with cliche (the cat is smart and sassy, the dog is dumb but lovable, for example). The Mia character was more prevalent, but I didn’t feel as though I “knew” her. Not much character development, it seemed at times that Mia and her love interest were meant to be the main characters. There wasn’t much Ellie. Hope the third book is better.
Ellie's intention to open the manor as a B&B again along with a murder mystery event is laced with a stolen treasure mystery. Her best friend Mia really gets wound up about hunting for treasure and also investigating a real murder. Lola and Cleo are just as entertaining in this book as they were in the first. I felt like I could make a drinking game out of all of the times everyone shuffled instead of walked in this book, but I probably would have been too blitzed to finish it.
Ellie's B&B opens with a murder mystery dinner but it doesn't go like it should. First her ex shows up and then there's a murder before they even get to start looking for clues. . There's a real body and more suspects than you can shake a stick at. With many a twist and turn Ellie and friends search for a killer but the final answer is not who they thought.
Set aside an entire long day for this action-packed contemporary family-friendly cozy mystery involving a treasure hunt and a murder mystery weekend gone awry at the Salem Falls B&B in Salem Falls, Pennsylvania.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Entertaining who done it that has lots of twists and turns in it. Like the character is older and has gone through some issues and continues to find herself and grow. There are lots of bumps in the road and keeps you guessing until the end. Good read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I chose a mid-level rating for this book because of one character. Mia! The plot was reasonably well thought out. The characters believable, except for Mia. Her frenetic running around and refusal to listen to anyone else's advice made her actions more those of a 13 year old rather than a woman of 50. I almost stopped reading the book she so irritated me.
Lots of red herrings! Full of colorful characters, treasure hunters, unexpected dangers, and twists that a pretzel would envy! Team that up with a great plot, a lovable dog and a smart mouthed cat (that both talk) and you have yourself a cozy who done it. Recommend this series!
This series is amazing and I can’t remember laughing so hard at characters. The main character acts like you and me if we were put in these situations to solving these mysteries. The mystery part is just great and page turning. I can’t wait to start laughing reading the next book. Author has done a truly wonderful job on this series! Congratulations!!