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Smart Woman's Mystery #5
Murder Most Cold
Her husband-to-be disappears the morning of their winter wedding.
Ursula Smart is getting married. A small winter wedding, by a picturesque frozen lake in beautiful Finland.
But life is never straightforward for Ursula Smart and her difficult mother Pandora, who wanted a big white wedding — and not in terms of snow.
As the guests settle into their cabins, things turn decidedly frosty.
Ursula wakes up on the morning of her wedding to find her groom missing — and it only gets worse when she discovers a body.
Will any of the wedding party survive Ursula’s big day?
Ursula Smart is getting married. A small winter wedding, by a picturesque frozen lake in beautiful Finland.
But life is never straightforward for Ursula Smart and her difficult mother Pandora, who wanted a big white wedding — and not in terms of snow.
As the guests settle into their cabins, things turn decidedly frosty.
Ursula wakes up on the morning of her wedding to find her groom missing — and it only gets worse when she discovers a body.
Will any of the wedding party survive Ursula’s big day?
262 pages, Paperback
First published November 7, 2023
46 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
About the author
Victoria Dowd
19 books82 followersVictoria is a crime writer and her first novel, The Smart Woman’s Guide to Murder, won The People’s Book Prize 2020/2021. It was also In Search of the Classic Mystery’s book of the year 2020. It’s the first in the Smart Woman’s mystery series. The second is Body on the Island and the third, The Supper Club Murders is out on 16th September. They are a dark comedy take on the classic whodunnit.
She is also an award winning writer of short fiction, having won the Gothic Fiction prize for short fiction by Go Gothic. She was the runner up in The New Writer’s writer of the year award and her work has been short listed and Highly commended by Writers’ Forum magazine. She was also long-listed for The Willesden Herald International Short Story Competition. She has had short stories published in various literary and arts journals such as BTS Literary and Arts Annual, Gold Dust magazine and Dream Catcher. She has spoken at various literary festivals, most recently in Bath, and at various schools and book groups. Her historical fiction, The Painter of Siena, was published in 2016.
After studying law at Cambridge University, she was a criminal law barrister for many years, but finally hung up the wig in favour of more fictional crimes.
She is also an award winning writer of short fiction, having won the Gothic Fiction prize for short fiction by Go Gothic. She was the runner up in The New Writer’s writer of the year award and her work has been short listed and Highly commended by Writers’ Forum magazine. She was also long-listed for The Willesden Herald International Short Story Competition. She has had short stories published in various literary and arts journals such as BTS Literary and Arts Annual, Gold Dust magazine and Dream Catcher. She has spoken at various literary festivals, most recently in Bath, and at various schools and book groups. Her historical fiction, The Painter of Siena, was published in 2016.
After studying law at Cambridge University, she was a criminal law barrister for many years, but finally hung up the wig in favour of more fictional crimes.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
December 30, 2025
I have faced many trials so far with the Smart Women. As with most people, you don't really need to know how many deaths I've seen to understand ne. But it might help. A few are mentioned below. Not all. There are many more, but I never find a body count very reassuring. Suffice to say, the number is higher than normal, but less than an undertaker. However, one thing I have learned, and one thing to remember in all that you are about to read, is that you can only ever die once.
Ursula Smart is engaged, and, after the first shock of the news she is going to lose her daughter to that man wears off, Pandora Smart morphs into a creature right out of a bride's nightmare - The Wedding Planner. Of course, Pandora being Pandora, she keeps posting about the wedding, or, the event, as she calls it, on her blog, much to the horror of bride Ursula, as Pandora has already been getting threatening messages on her blog. Also, I'm apparently not the only person who has drawn the conclusion that any event that is slotted to have the combined surviving Smart Women attending is likely doomed to end up leaving behind a heap of dead bodies.
Anyway, the Big White Wedding of Mother's dreams does end up disregarded in favour of a more intimate setting - a trip to Finnish Lapland in early December, to experience a remote (really, Smarts?) Winter Wonderland before the rush of tourists who come to visit Father Christmas during his busiest time.
Whatever happened to the British tradition of eloping to Gretna Green without an entourage? With four Murder Trips attended by the same coterie under her belt, Ursula Smart surely should know better by now than to drag all her family (plus groom and mother-in-law-to-be) to another more-or-less off-grid location.
On the night of the arrival, aunt Charlotte throws bride and groom the most embarrassing bachelorette/stag party (combined for time constraints) imaginable. The wedding is planned for the next day. But when Ursula and her family arrive at the venue, they are informed that the groom has gone missing. And that's when the first dead body is discovered...
Final thoughts:
Ursula Smart is engaged, and, after the first shock of the news she is going to lose her daughter to that man wears off, Pandora Smart morphs into a creature right out of a bride's nightmare - The Wedding Planner. Of course, Pandora being Pandora, she keeps posting about the wedding, or, the event, as she calls it, on her blog, much to the horror of bride Ursula, as Pandora has already been getting threatening messages on her blog. Also, I'm apparently not the only person who has drawn the conclusion that any event that is slotted to have the combined surviving Smart Women attending is likely doomed to end up leaving behind a heap of dead bodies.
Anyway, the Big White Wedding of Mother's dreams does end up disregarded in favour of a more intimate setting - a trip to Finnish Lapland in early December, to experience a remote (really, Smarts?) Winter Wonderland before the rush of tourists who come to visit Father Christmas during his busiest time.
Whatever happened to the British tradition of eloping to Gretna Green without an entourage? With four Murder Trips attended by the same coterie under her belt, Ursula Smart surely should know better by now than to drag all her family (plus groom and mother-in-law-to-be) to another more-or-less off-grid location.
On the night of the arrival, aunt Charlotte throws bride and groom the most embarrassing bachelorette/stag party (combined for time constraints) imaginable. The wedding is planned for the next day. But when Ursula and her family arrive at the venue, they are informed that the groom has gone missing. And that's when the first dead body is discovered...
Final thoughts:
October 31, 2023
I don't often start series in the middle, but I didn't know this was part of a series until I started, and then I figured I'd just press on.
The basis is intriguing - Ursula Smart and her family go to Finnish Lapland for her wedding to Spear (out of the public eye because of their fame as Smart Women), and then bad things happen, including dead bodies. It's very cold and dark this far north (and I will say, the descriptions of the chill and eerie nature of the setting probably comprising about 25% of the book so that was VERY clear).
Also the whodunnit was well-done - I didn't suspect the killer at all.
This could be an Alfred Hitchcock movie, and I think it would be really powerful as a visual media, with all the snow and the Northern Lights. But as a written story, the writing was overly detailed (without enough detail - like at one point I didn't realize that everyone was in three sleighs?) and Ursula's inner monologues were too much at times and it slowed the pace of the story. Having not read the previous books in the series, maybe I wasn't too tied to her and Spear's relationship and so her perseverating about the marriage didn't carry any emotional weight for me.
At times the dialogue was clever but other reviewers have called this "laugh out loud" and I have to disagree. (Part of me wonders if these people read the book?) I never once laughed, although I might have smiled at one of the comments about whether you can ride a reindeer. I wouldn't call this a fun book to read, because of the isolated and freezing setting, the gory deaths (nothing I couldn't handle, but there are crossbows), and the claustrophobic "locked lake mystery" element.
Finally, this is said to be perfect for fans of Anthony Horowitz, Agatha Christie and Stuart Turton, and as a huge fan of all of those writers, I would not categorize this as belonging to the same level.
Thanks to Joffe Books and NetGalley for the chance to read and honestly review!
The basis is intriguing - Ursula Smart and her family go to Finnish Lapland for her wedding to Spear (out of the public eye because of their fame as Smart Women), and then bad things happen, including dead bodies. It's very cold and dark this far north (and I will say, the descriptions of the chill and eerie nature of the setting probably comprising about 25% of the book so that was VERY clear).
Also the whodunnit was well-done - I didn't suspect the killer at all.
This could be an Alfred Hitchcock movie, and I think it would be really powerful as a visual media, with all the snow and the Northern Lights. But as a written story, the writing was overly detailed (without enough detail - like at one point I didn't realize that everyone was in three sleighs?) and Ursula's inner monologues were too much at times and it slowed the pace of the story. Having not read the previous books in the series, maybe I wasn't too tied to her and Spear's relationship and so her perseverating about the marriage didn't carry any emotional weight for me.
At times the dialogue was clever but other reviewers have called this "laugh out loud" and I have to disagree. (Part of me wonders if these people read the book?) I never once laughed, although I might have smiled at one of the comments about whether you can ride a reindeer. I wouldn't call this a fun book to read, because of the isolated and freezing setting, the gory deaths (nothing I couldn't handle, but there are crossbows), and the claustrophobic "locked lake mystery" element.
Finally, this is said to be perfect for fans of Anthony Horowitz, Agatha Christie and Stuart Turton, and as a huge fan of all of those writers, I would not categorize this as belonging to the same level.
Thanks to Joffe Books and NetGalley for the chance to read and honestly review!
November 6, 2023
In Victoria Dowd's "Murder Most Cold," readers are transported to a world where the chill in the air matches the icy grip of suspense that lingers on every page. This brilliantly crafted page-turner spins a winter wedding into a sinister affair, where intrigue and murder are served alongside the champagne.
The story unfolds with the promise of a happy-ever-after, as Ursula Smart finds herself on the precipice of matrimony with the dashing Spear. Their winter wedding, set against a secluded, frozen lake, promises to be a celebration like no other. However, the Smart women are no strangers to trouble, and as the temperature drops, tensions among the wedding party begin to rise.
Dowd artfully soaks the narrative with a frosty atmosphere in the winter landscape. She created an environment ripe for suspense. Poisoning, stabbing, and a perplexing disappearance cast a sinister shadow over the wedding festivities, turning what should be a joyous occasion into a spine-tingling puzzle.
Yet, it's on a moonlit night, during a chilling expedition, that Ursula makes a gruesome discovery - a face trapped beneath the ice, eyes frozen in terror. This macabre revelation shatters the idyllic vision of her future and thrusts her into a treacherous journey to uncover the truth. As the plot thickens, Dowd leaves no stone unturned, and the reader is drawn into a web of secrets, lies, and suspense.
Dowd revives the classic Golden Age murder mystery in a modern and spellbinding context. She introduces us to characters who feel timeless and relevant, and she blends the charm of the past with the urgency of the present. "Murder Most Cold" takes us on a journey through the sinister alleys of intrigue and deception, in the setting of a winter wonderland gone awry.
This is not just a murder mystery. Step into a world where every footstep leaves a trace in the snow, and every glance hides a secret. Victoria Dowd's "Murder Most Cold" is a thrilling and chilling ride that delivers on all the elements of a classic whodunit while embracing the intrigue and complexities of the modern thriller. This is a story that will leave you guessing until the very end.
"A wintry whodunit that will send shivers down your spine."
"Victoria Dowd's gripping tale of murder and mystery in a snowy wonderland."
"A modern classic of suspense, set in a chilling winter landscape."
"An intriguing blend of romance and suspense, where love takes a deadly turn."
"Prepare for a thrilling ride through a frozen wonderland of secrets and betrayals."
"Dowd paints a hauntingly beautiful portrait of a murder most mysterious."
"A spellbinding page turner where every footprint hides a clue."
"Champagne flows, but so do dark secrets."
"A classic whodunit with a modern twist, guaranteed to keep you guessing."
"Murder, intrigue, and a frozen lake -- A recipe for unputdownable suspense."
The story unfolds with the promise of a happy-ever-after, as Ursula Smart finds herself on the precipice of matrimony with the dashing Spear. Their winter wedding, set against a secluded, frozen lake, promises to be a celebration like no other. However, the Smart women are no strangers to trouble, and as the temperature drops, tensions among the wedding party begin to rise.
Dowd artfully soaks the narrative with a frosty atmosphere in the winter landscape. She created an environment ripe for suspense. Poisoning, stabbing, and a perplexing disappearance cast a sinister shadow over the wedding festivities, turning what should be a joyous occasion into a spine-tingling puzzle.
Yet, it's on a moonlit night, during a chilling expedition, that Ursula makes a gruesome discovery - a face trapped beneath the ice, eyes frozen in terror. This macabre revelation shatters the idyllic vision of her future and thrusts her into a treacherous journey to uncover the truth. As the plot thickens, Dowd leaves no stone unturned, and the reader is drawn into a web of secrets, lies, and suspense.
Dowd revives the classic Golden Age murder mystery in a modern and spellbinding context. She introduces us to characters who feel timeless and relevant, and she blends the charm of the past with the urgency of the present. "Murder Most Cold" takes us on a journey through the sinister alleys of intrigue and deception, in the setting of a winter wonderland gone awry.
This is not just a murder mystery. Step into a world where every footstep leaves a trace in the snow, and every glance hides a secret. Victoria Dowd's "Murder Most Cold" is a thrilling and chilling ride that delivers on all the elements of a classic whodunit while embracing the intrigue and complexities of the modern thriller. This is a story that will leave you guessing until the very end.
"A wintry whodunit that will send shivers down your spine."
"Victoria Dowd's gripping tale of murder and mystery in a snowy wonderland."
"A modern classic of suspense, set in a chilling winter landscape."
"An intriguing blend of romance and suspense, where love takes a deadly turn."
"Prepare for a thrilling ride through a frozen wonderland of secrets and betrayals."
"Dowd paints a hauntingly beautiful portrait of a murder most mysterious."
"A spellbinding page turner where every footprint hides a clue."
"Champagne flows, but so do dark secrets."
"A classic whodunit with a modern twist, guaranteed to keep you guessing."
"Murder, intrigue, and a frozen lake -- A recipe for unputdownable suspense."
December 4, 2023
For my full review click on the link below:
https://crossexaminingcrime.wordpress...
https://crossexaminingcrime.wordpress...
November 12, 2023
A Chilly Romp with Smart Women - 3 Stars
"A Murder Most Cold" by Victoria Dowd is the fifth installment in the Smart Women series, featuring a family that seemingly attracts murder. Having picked up this book without realizing it was part of a series or a cozy mystery, I was pleasantly surprised by the unique blend of humor and mystery.
The story revolves around Ursula's wedding to her fiancé, Spear, in a secluded setting in far north Finland during the middle of December. The prospect of a wedding in such an unusual location intrigued me, and the setting was vividly described, making the chilling winter landscape seem surprisingly beautiful.
The narrative takes a turn when bodies start piling up at the wedding, revealing that someone has it out for the wedding party. The mystery unfolds with a list of suspects, including Ursula and Spear, his mother Pandora, Angela, Aunt Charlotte, Bridget, and the resort staff. The author skillfully weaves a tale of intrigue, and the writing is well-done, capturing the essence of the isolated and snow-covered setting.
While I enjoyed the mystery and the humor, some aspects of the book didn't resonate with me. The inclusion of mythology, ancient legends, and supernatural elements felt somewhat disjointed and could have been explored more thoroughly or integrated better into the overall plot.
Despite being the fifth book in the series, "A Murder Most Cold" can be read as a standalone, as I found it easy to catch up with the characters. However, it did take a while to fully understand their dynamics. Although I may not have been drawn to the cozy mystery genre initially, this book provided an entertaining diversion. While it may not have converted me into a cozy mystery enthusiast, I can appreciate the author's skill in crafting a lighthearted mystery set against a unique backdrop.
Thank you to the publisher, author and Netgalley for an ARC!
"A Murder Most Cold" by Victoria Dowd is the fifth installment in the Smart Women series, featuring a family that seemingly attracts murder. Having picked up this book without realizing it was part of a series or a cozy mystery, I was pleasantly surprised by the unique blend of humor and mystery.
The story revolves around Ursula's wedding to her fiancé, Spear, in a secluded setting in far north Finland during the middle of December. The prospect of a wedding in such an unusual location intrigued me, and the setting was vividly described, making the chilling winter landscape seem surprisingly beautiful.
The narrative takes a turn when bodies start piling up at the wedding, revealing that someone has it out for the wedding party. The mystery unfolds with a list of suspects, including Ursula and Spear, his mother Pandora, Angela, Aunt Charlotte, Bridget, and the resort staff. The author skillfully weaves a tale of intrigue, and the writing is well-done, capturing the essence of the isolated and snow-covered setting.
While I enjoyed the mystery and the humor, some aspects of the book didn't resonate with me. The inclusion of mythology, ancient legends, and supernatural elements felt somewhat disjointed and could have been explored more thoroughly or integrated better into the overall plot.
Despite being the fifth book in the series, "A Murder Most Cold" can be read as a standalone, as I found it easy to catch up with the characters. However, it did take a while to fully understand their dynamics. Although I may not have been drawn to the cozy mystery genre initially, this book provided an entertaining diversion. While it may not have converted me into a cozy mystery enthusiast, I can appreciate the author's skill in crafting a lighthearted mystery set against a unique backdrop.
Thank you to the publisher, author and Netgalley for an ARC!
March 19, 2024
Victoria Dowd has a unique zany, dark humour that is ever present in her Smart Women series. The Smarts are an extremely dysfunctional family of eccentric quirky characters. Ursula, the main protagonist, is the only sane one in the group, but even she sees the ghost of her father. He always appears at moments of crisis when Ursula feels overwhelmed by events. Ursula’s demanding and autocratic mother Pandora Smart is more interested in her blog – Death Smarts – than her own daughter. Pandora is the self-appointed decision maker for the group, which also includes Aunt Charlotte – always vague who never appears to be able to work out what is going on – and Bridget, a hanger-on with a passion for unusual animals who, as Pandora frequently points out, is not actually a member of the Smart family.
Ursula is surprised when Spear asks her to marry him. They plan a quiet winter wedding in a remote frozen wilderness in Finland accompanied only by close family – the Smart women and Smart’s mother Angela. But it’s not just pre-wedding nerves that upset what should be a happy occasion. Their hosts are none too welcoming, the atmosphere is bleak, and tensions start to rise.
Ursula is already worried that her distracted husband-to-be is having second thoughts about his sudden, unexpected proposal when things go from bad to worse. Spear disappears, one of the resort staff is found murdered, and horror strikes when Ursula comes across a man frozen beneath the thick ice covering a nearby lake.
The grim, brutal environment of this remote Lapland location that is so chillingly described contrasts sharply with scenes of pure hilarious, laugh-aloud humour, but what I enjoyed most about Victoria Dowd novels are her characters. Wildly idiosyncratic though each of the Smart women are, with their close, if constantly fractious relationship, the reader finds themselves inevitably drawn to each of them.
The multi-layered plot is so full of unexpected twists and turns, the reader is compelled to keep reading to solve the mounting number of questions.
I found Victoria Dowd’s series highly addictive. If you like complex locked-room mysteries with plenty of action and unique humour, I recommend, Murder Most Cold.
------
Reviewer: Judith Cranswick
For Lizzie Sirett (Mystery People Group)
Ursula is surprised when Spear asks her to marry him. They plan a quiet winter wedding in a remote frozen wilderness in Finland accompanied only by close family – the Smart women and Smart’s mother Angela. But it’s not just pre-wedding nerves that upset what should be a happy occasion. Their hosts are none too welcoming, the atmosphere is bleak, and tensions start to rise.
Ursula is already worried that her distracted husband-to-be is having second thoughts about his sudden, unexpected proposal when things go from bad to worse. Spear disappears, one of the resort staff is found murdered, and horror strikes when Ursula comes across a man frozen beneath the thick ice covering a nearby lake.
The grim, brutal environment of this remote Lapland location that is so chillingly described contrasts sharply with scenes of pure hilarious, laugh-aloud humour, but what I enjoyed most about Victoria Dowd novels are her characters. Wildly idiosyncratic though each of the Smart women are, with their close, if constantly fractious relationship, the reader finds themselves inevitably drawn to each of them.
The multi-layered plot is so full of unexpected twists and turns, the reader is compelled to keep reading to solve the mounting number of questions.
I found Victoria Dowd’s series highly addictive. If you like complex locked-room mysteries with plenty of action and unique humour, I recommend, Murder Most Cold.
------
Reviewer: Judith Cranswick
For Lizzie Sirett (Mystery People Group)
November 7, 2023
Victoria Dowd is a new author to me, so this 5th outing for the Smart Woman's Mystery Series was approached with a "do I need to know" attitude. Ms Dowd whets the appetite with three Introductory sections outlining who's who and hinting at what's gone before.
All of that was well and good BUT we're straight into a marriage proposal in Chapter One and I can't help but think it would make more sense had I got a feeling for who these characters are and why their being in this situation has significance in the grand scheme of things.
Chapter Two introduces the recurring cast of eccentrics that make up the "Smart Women" cadre - I didn't find myself warming to any of them; too oddball, too unbelievable, too full of spite...but I persevered for another chapter and still no crime has been committed. There's been reference to deaths and murders that have gone before but this is a RomCom with minimal Rom and stretched Com as we reach Chapter 4. It might all make sense if you've been with the soap opera through the first four novels but,despite those introductory pieces, I'm disengaging and that can't be good can it?
I kept going until Chapter Eight, 25% of the way through the book according to my Kindle. Still no crime reported or seen. I'm sorry but this isn't cutting it for me - maybe, if I read the first four books I'll get hooked, but to be honest I don't think so ...there's a Matriarch that has a downer on everything and everybody, an Aunt with a Scottish Laird obsession complete with sporran and monacle, a Narrator that's constantly uncertain as to whether her fiancee is having second thoughts,.and a boringly enigmatic fiancé (apologies if I've muddled my fian-ces). It's all written well, scenes are described nicely, narrative cracks along but - for me - it got nowhere and I'm jumping off...sorry...this has been neither gripping nor terribly twisty
All of that was well and good BUT we're straight into a marriage proposal in Chapter One and I can't help but think it would make more sense had I got a feeling for who these characters are and why their being in this situation has significance in the grand scheme of things.
Chapter Two introduces the recurring cast of eccentrics that make up the "Smart Women" cadre - I didn't find myself warming to any of them; too oddball, too unbelievable, too full of spite...but I persevered for another chapter and still no crime has been committed. There's been reference to deaths and murders that have gone before but this is a RomCom with minimal Rom and stretched Com as we reach Chapter 4. It might all make sense if you've been with the soap opera through the first four novels but,despite those introductory pieces, I'm disengaging and that can't be good can it?
I kept going until Chapter Eight, 25% of the way through the book according to my Kindle. Still no crime reported or seen. I'm sorry but this isn't cutting it for me - maybe, if I read the first four books I'll get hooked, but to be honest I don't think so ...there's a Matriarch that has a downer on everything and everybody, an Aunt with a Scottish Laird obsession complete with sporran and monacle, a Narrator that's constantly uncertain as to whether her fiancee is having second thoughts,.and a boringly enigmatic fiancé (apologies if I've muddled my fian-ces). It's all written well, scenes are described nicely, narrative cracks along but - for me - it got nowhere and I'm jumping off...sorry...this has been neither gripping nor terribly twisty
November 21, 2023
Spear proposes to Ursula and she happily accepts. As her mother Pandora (famous for her blog Death Smarts) turns into the wedding planner from hell, the couple decide on a quieter affair in the frozen wilderness of Finnish Lapland, staying in three cabins run by Londoner Tapio, his Finnish wife Aino and daughter Helmi, and two staff members. They are accompanied by Smart Women Pandora, Aunt Charlotte and Bridget (minus the monkey this time who is a star in her own right), together with Spear’s mother Angela. As the wedding day looms, Spear appears anxious, especially when his past seems to be catching up with him but it looks like more than wedding nerves that have caused him to vanish as the first body is found poisoned to death. When a second follows soon after and they find themselves cut off with no way to summon help, it’s up to the Smart Women to do what they do best – solve the murders.
There is quite a lot of dark serious stuff and sadness in this story and some very tense moments but like the other books in this series, there is also loads of superb wit and deliciously dark humour throughout, with its wonderful larger than life characters and dastardly plot. The hen and stag party was a particular favourite of mine – I’ll never see Richard Madeley in the same light again! In a cleverly written locked room type mystery with lots of twists and red herrings, you can almost feel the bitter cold and isolation of a place steeped in folklore, dark woods and a frozen lake. This is another superb modern twist on the old classic style of golden age detective fiction and I loved it!
There is quite a lot of dark serious stuff and sadness in this story and some very tense moments but like the other books in this series, there is also loads of superb wit and deliciously dark humour throughout, with its wonderful larger than life characters and dastardly plot. The hen and stag party was a particular favourite of mine – I’ll never see Richard Madeley in the same light again! In a cleverly written locked room type mystery with lots of twists and red herrings, you can almost feel the bitter cold and isolation of a place steeped in folklore, dark woods and a frozen lake. This is another superb modern twist on the old classic style of golden age detective fiction and I loved it!
November 25, 2023
Ursula Smart is astonished when Spear proposes to her. The pair try to avoid the angst of wedding planning by heading to Finland for a small ceremony with close family. But things do not do smoothly when the Smart women are involved!
Murder Most Cold is the 5th book in the Smart series of cosy murder mysteries. I have read and reviewed the previous book in the series, A Book of Murder.
Ursula and her dysfunctional family are quite delightful. The style of writing is a little quirky but also very personal as we witness Ursula's first person experiecnes. She is shocked to receive a marriage proposal from Spear but is hopeful for the future and the pair plan their nuptuals in Finland. Well, actually, it is their mums driving the wedding plans forward!
There is a lot of build up to the wedding and murder, both of which finally occur a third of the way into the book. The family are snowed in as the number of bodies grows while the possible suspects decrease. Options are limited but I was still kept guessing until the very end.
There are plenty of moments of humour and I enjoyed the banter between Ursula and her family. Her mum is a real tour de force and I loved her but would hate to meet her! I had to suspend my disbelief and incredulity as there were supernatural elements and confused experiences. The ending was tense and completedly unexpected.
Murder Most Cold has wedding jitters, murder, laughs and huge twists: something for everyone!
Murder Most Cold is the 5th book in the Smart series of cosy murder mysteries. I have read and reviewed the previous book in the series, A Book of Murder.
Ursula and her dysfunctional family are quite delightful. The style of writing is a little quirky but also very personal as we witness Ursula's first person experiecnes. She is shocked to receive a marriage proposal from Spear but is hopeful for the future and the pair plan their nuptuals in Finland. Well, actually, it is their mums driving the wedding plans forward!
There is a lot of build up to the wedding and murder, both of which finally occur a third of the way into the book. The family are snowed in as the number of bodies grows while the possible suspects decrease. Options are limited but I was still kept guessing until the very end.
There are plenty of moments of humour and I enjoyed the banter between Ursula and her family. Her mum is a real tour de force and I loved her but would hate to meet her! I had to suspend my disbelief and incredulity as there were supernatural elements and confused experiences. The ending was tense and completedly unexpected.
Murder Most Cold has wedding jitters, murder, laughs and huge twists: something for everyone!
November 11, 2023
Ursula Smart finally sees a glimpse at a happy future when her boyfriend Spear proposes to her. Little does she know that their wedding will be a catalyst for murder. It doesn’t take long for Ursula and the Smart women to be back in action, attempting to solve another cold case. Will the Smart women be able to solve the murder in time? Or will this case finally be their last?
This novel was a bit different than my usual reads, as it falls into more mystery/crime fiction than thriller. The writing was very well done and the chilling winter landscape was depicted beautifully in this novel. I was very intrigued by the ancient legends and supernatural aspects that were introduced but was disappointed that they were never revisited or further utilized within the plot. I think this would have added to the story and made it more interesting and thrilling. I found most of the characters to be obnoxious and annoying, making it difficult to connect with them. A few of them seemed goofy and it did not fit well with the idea of them being mystery/crime solvers.
The whodunnit aspect of the novel was interesting, and although I didn’t suspect who ended up being the killer, I wasn’t all that surprised by it. I was hoping for a more shocking and unexpected twist but it never came. Overall, it was an average read for me and I was left wanting more from the novel.
This novel was a bit different than my usual reads, as it falls into more mystery/crime fiction than thriller. The writing was very well done and the chilling winter landscape was depicted beautifully in this novel. I was very intrigued by the ancient legends and supernatural aspects that were introduced but was disappointed that they were never revisited or further utilized within the plot. I think this would have added to the story and made it more interesting and thrilling. I found most of the characters to be obnoxious and annoying, making it difficult to connect with them. A few of them seemed goofy and it did not fit well with the idea of them being mystery/crime solvers.
The whodunnit aspect of the novel was interesting, and although I didn’t suspect who ended up being the killer, I wasn’t all that surprised by it. I was hoping for a more shocking and unexpected twist but it never came. Overall, it was an average read for me and I was left wanting more from the novel.
November 3, 2023
(standalone book)
Ursula has just been proposed to by her boyfriend Spear and her family can't wait to get the celebrations started. Her family, for anyone who knows them will testify to, are rather an unusual lot. They tend to have an attraction for murder. The group travel to Lapland for their festivities on the edge of a lake, now frozen and soon things take a turn away from weddings to survival when one by one people are murdered. Ursula's mother Pandora is quite something- far from the loving mother you might imagine, but still Ursula can't help but have a soft spot for her. When Ursula sees a face under the ice, her future collapses around her. Who is doing this and why?
Although one of the series, this happily stands alone ( I haven’t read all of the others). It's a cozy crime style read with a smile. Some of the characters are larger than life and those of a certain age will understand the references (eg. Margaret Rutherford) and the type of mother in Pandora. This is fun, it's rather quirky (in a good way) and a wonderful easy read. There are brilliant dialogues from the humorous to the snarky and some cracking one liners. A fun take on a locked room type scenario.
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October 29, 2023
I really liked the blurb for this story and was looking forward to reading it. This is a book in a series that I have not read previously, and that is of course always a little risky. The Smart Women are a group of eccentric and diverse characters belonging to the Smart family, who have a disturbing predisposition towards encountering death at close quarters, frequently by murder.
At the beginning of this book, Spear's unfortunate first name (Breffny) is outed after he proposes to Ursula Smart and she accepts. They opt for a wedding in Lapland, ostensibly for the purposes of peace and quiet, which quickly goes awry and someone is - what else? - most inconveniently murdered.
Given that most people have enjoyed this book a lot, I find myself something of an outlier here. I couldn't really get into the humour, and I found the characters somewhat annoying and at times, displeasingly smug. The rest of the story was not amazing enough to compensate for that. Two stars from me, but I have no doubt I'm missing something here...
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review
At the beginning of this book, Spear's unfortunate first name (Breffny) is outed after he proposes to Ursula Smart and she accepts. They opt for a wedding in Lapland, ostensibly for the purposes of peace and quiet, which quickly goes awry and someone is - what else? - most inconveniently murdered.
Given that most people have enjoyed this book a lot, I find myself something of an outlier here. I couldn't really get into the humour, and I found the characters somewhat annoying and at times, displeasingly smug. The rest of the story was not amazing enough to compensate for that. Two stars from me, but I have no doubt I'm missing something here...
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review
November 17, 2023
I thought this mystery was very well written and cleverly executed. It's a twist on a "locked room" mystery with limited suspects and does a good job with that classic format, which is hard to do! However, I felt like I missed getting to know the characters and background as I read this as a stand alone novel instead of part of the series. There were lots of allusions to past murders and relationships that I didn't get, and while the story still made sense, it felt like I would have cared more about the marriage proposal and general dynamics if I had read the previous books in the series.
However, the setting is eerily cold and appropriately spooky, and characters are endearing (I'm sure even more so if you've read all the books in the series), the dialogue is funny and well written, and most importantly, the mystery unfolds well and is figured out in a believable, but still thrilling way. So I still enjoyed it, I just left like I was missing a lot of background and investment in the story.
*Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
However, the setting is eerily cold and appropriately spooky, and characters are endearing (I'm sure even more so if you've read all the books in the series), the dialogue is funny and well written, and most importantly, the mystery unfolds well and is figured out in a believable, but still thrilling way. So I still enjoyed it, I just left like I was missing a lot of background and investment in the story.
*Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 20, 2023
I love the Smart women, and their unique and strange relationship but this time it's pushed to the very edge.
Odd considering the book starts off with planning the wedding of Ursula and Spear. When Spears mother sees a Finnish lake near Lapland, she thinks that would be the ideal location.
However when they arrive, Spear disappears and one of the resort staff is found murdered.
Fingers are all pointed at each other and in amongst it the real killer carries on. For so few people, the body count certainly racks up.
There are some stunning passages in this, with the cold and brutal nature of Finland, the overwhelming sensation of grief and descent into delirium and madness. Truly exceptional writing. Short sharp sentences keeping the tension high and me unable to put the book down.
This is what's classed as 'cozy' crime and the banter between the women certainly keeps it more lighthearted. The final chapter was hilarious.
I'll be interested to see where Victoria goes next.
Odd considering the book starts off with planning the wedding of Ursula and Spear. When Spears mother sees a Finnish lake near Lapland, she thinks that would be the ideal location.
However when they arrive, Spear disappears and one of the resort staff is found murdered.
Fingers are all pointed at each other and in amongst it the real killer carries on. For so few people, the body count certainly racks up.
There are some stunning passages in this, with the cold and brutal nature of Finland, the overwhelming sensation of grief and descent into delirium and madness. Truly exceptional writing. Short sharp sentences keeping the tension high and me unable to put the book down.
This is what's classed as 'cozy' crime and the banter between the women certainly keeps it more lighthearted. The final chapter was hilarious.
I'll be interested to see where Victoria goes next.
October 26, 2023
Thank you NetGalley and Joffe Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.
The Smart Women are a group of ladies who gel so well together and are described brilliantly by the author. I could see them in my head whilst reading this book. The story starts with an engagement between Ursula and Spear. The Smart women and Angela Spear, the groom's mother, begin to arrange a wedding of their lifetime. Spear then sees a webpage on his Mum's pc for a venue in the middle of Finland's country on a lake far away from their London life. They all arrive en masse to set up organising this. When, it all turns to someone's murder. The plot is well written with a few red herrings thrown in for good measure. There are a laugh out loud moments. No spoilers from me but you really need to read this book.
The Smart Women are a group of ladies who gel so well together and are described brilliantly by the author. I could see them in my head whilst reading this book. The story starts with an engagement between Ursula and Spear. The Smart women and Angela Spear, the groom's mother, begin to arrange a wedding of their lifetime. Spear then sees a webpage on his Mum's pc for a venue in the middle of Finland's country on a lake far away from their London life. They all arrive en masse to set up organising this. When, it all turns to someone's murder. The plot is well written with a few red herrings thrown in for good measure. There are a laugh out loud moments. No spoilers from me but you really need to read this book.
November 3, 2023
It took a while for me to get into this as I found it a bit slow to start with. However, that soon changed when events took a turn. Ursula and Spear are getting married and somehow it's decided to do this in Finland in wintertime.
Such an atmospheric setting which adds to the weirdness of the story which is nothing new for the Smart women! When someone is murdered and then the bodies start piling up, the finger of suspicion is pointed at the visitors. It is a compelling read and you're really have to read the earlier books to understand the characters better and know what you're dealing with. The twists towards the end left me open-mouthed and the unveiling of the killer was a total surprise. The ending was a fitting finale.
My thanks to Joffe Books for a copy of this and this is my honest review.
Such an atmospheric setting which adds to the weirdness of the story which is nothing new for the Smart women! When someone is murdered and then the bodies start piling up, the finger of suspicion is pointed at the visitors. It is a compelling read and you're really have to read the earlier books to understand the characters better and know what you're dealing with. The twists towards the end left me open-mouthed and the unveiling of the killer was a total surprise. The ending was a fitting finale.
My thanks to Joffe Books for a copy of this and this is my honest review.
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November 20, 2023I wasn't crazy about this in the beginning, and I was absolutely planning on giving this book a solid 3. The main character, Ursula, seems flaky, and I think that it would have helped if I had realized that this is like book 5 in a series. There really is a lot of background about the characters that would have made it easier to understand them.
However. When it got toward the end, and there was so much about the Northern Lights, and the mystery started coming together, and there was legitimately a moment that I laughed out loud while reading. The descriptions are good enough that you can see what's happening, and as another reviewer said, this would make a terrific film based on the visuals alone.
The solution made sense, and the writer played fair with clues. So I decided it was 3.5 and rounded it up to 4.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this
However. When it got toward the end, and there was so much about the Northern Lights, and the mystery started coming together, and there was legitimately a moment that I laughed out loud while reading. The descriptions are good enough that you can see what's happening, and as another reviewer said, this would make a terrific film based on the visuals alone.
The solution made sense, and the writer played fair with clues. So I decided it was 3.5 and rounded it up to 4.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this
November 7, 2023
Word of warning........Don't read this book if you are feeling cold in the slightest or wrap up warmly before starting it!! Ms Dowd''s descriptiveness of being up in the northern tundra of Finland is so good that I was shivering with the characters and the all encompassing darkness both literally and metaphorically. They have all arrived there for the wedding of Ursula and Spear but who in their right mind would have such a thing in the middle of nowhere except the Smart women. As usual, there is murder and mayhem interjected with the dark humour which defines this series. Another good story in the series and I certainly didn't guess the ending either!!
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC to review.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC to review.
December 11, 2023
This book was brought to my attention by the trusty book review blog In Search of the Classic Mystery Novel, aka The Puzzle Doctor, and although it's a new series to me (this is book 5) I felt the author did a great job of giving enough backstory that this can be read as a standalone novel. It would of course, be better to read the series in order, but not strictly necessary.
The characters are fun, the plot engaging, and there's murders aplenty!
There is also bits of great writing in the book; the atmosphere is created perfectly, and the clues are deftly inserted.
All in all, a thoroughly recommended winter read. I'll be adding the preceding novels in the series to my TBR pile.
Thanks Victoria.
The characters are fun, the plot engaging, and there's murders aplenty!
There is also bits of great writing in the book; the atmosphere is created perfectly, and the clues are deftly inserted.
All in all, a thoroughly recommended winter read. I'll be adding the preceding novels in the series to my TBR pile.
Thanks Victoria.
October 25, 2023
It's always a pleasure to visit with the Smart woman and Murder Most Cold is a great rollicking story. I think it would be hard to enjoy it to it's fullest as a standalone and recommend reading other books in the series first just to get into the swing of things I found the listing of characters prior to the start of the story a bit confusing to be honest.
In Murder Most Cold, Handsome Spear proposes marriage and Ursula Smart, and her family whirls her away to plan a small winter wedding at secluded area on a lake. It's not long before murder follows...
Witty, charming and laugh out loud, the Smart stories always hit the spot!
#Joffebooks #MurderMostcold #VictoriaDowd
In Murder Most Cold, Handsome Spear proposes marriage and Ursula Smart, and her family whirls her away to plan a small winter wedding at secluded area on a lake. It's not long before murder follows...
Witty, charming and laugh out loud, the Smart stories always hit the spot!
#Joffebooks #MurderMostcold #VictoriaDowd
October 27, 2023
Engaging with the brilliant Ursula Smart in "Murder Most Cold" is an absolute delight. To truly savor the depth of this tale, diving into earlier entries in the series is recommended. Admittedly, the character list at the beginning can be a tad overwhelming, but don't let that deter you.
Within the pages of "Murder Most Cold," an unexpected proposal from the dashing Handsome Spear takes center stage. But as Ursula and her family find themselves engrossed in winter wedding preparations at a tranquil lakeside retreat, a chilling murder disrupts their plans. The Smart series, with its blend of humor, charm, and suspense, never fails to entertain!
#VictoriaDowd #MurderMostCold #JoffeBooks
Within the pages of "Murder Most Cold," an unexpected proposal from the dashing Handsome Spear takes center stage. But as Ursula and her family find themselves engrossed in winter wedding preparations at a tranquil lakeside retreat, a chilling murder disrupts their plans. The Smart series, with its blend of humor, charm, and suspense, never fails to entertain!
#VictoriaDowd #MurderMostCold #JoffeBooks
October 27, 2023
The wedding between two extraordinary people with their even odder relatives is arranged to be in
Finnish Lappland. The set-up is peculiar enough, but then there is the first body and the vanishing of the groom and the reappearance of the bride's father's ghost! The mystery is pretty good, but the hilarity played out in deadpan caused me to only read while in the kitchen in case I laughed out my beverage. Totally surprising!
I requested and received an EARC copy from Joffe Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
Finnish Lappland. The set-up is peculiar enough, but then there is the first body and the vanishing of the groom and the reappearance of the bride's father's ghost! The mystery is pretty good, but the hilarity played out in deadpan caused me to only read while in the kitchen in case I laughed out my beverage. Totally surprising!
I requested and received an EARC copy from Joffe Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
November 7, 2023
Smart Woman's Mystery Book Five.
Dreams are Fools-Gold Thoughts.
There's a Christmas wedding, as Spear Breffni, down on his dodgy knee and a ring Proposes to Ursula Smart.
I love this series and this book is so full of added humour as we go into the season of Christmas for a perfect wedding setting.
I must read on.
This book is a cracker, a dead body under the ice, someone targeting the wedding, and a mystery disappearance, everything is falling apart for this couple.
It's got chills.
It's got poison.
It's got stabbing.
It's got cold murder.
I absolutely LOVED IT!
Dreams are Fools-Gold Thoughts.
There's a Christmas wedding, as Spear Breffni, down on his dodgy knee and a ring Proposes to Ursula Smart.
I love this series and this book is so full of added humour as we go into the season of Christmas for a perfect wedding setting.
I must read on.
This book is a cracker, a dead body under the ice, someone targeting the wedding, and a mystery disappearance, everything is falling apart for this couple.
It's got chills.
It's got poison.
It's got stabbing.
It's got cold murder.
I absolutely LOVED IT!
November 14, 2023
This book is fabulous! I enjoyed it enormously. I hadn't read the previous four books in the series but that didn't affect my reading enjoyment.
This one reminded me of the Ava January book I recently read -the humour is very similar - vivid descriptions of the tone and facial expressions that almost leap off the page and although the humour is almost slapstick, it's so well written that it doesn't come across as farcical.
The mother is HILARIOUS.
This one reminded me of the Ava January book I recently read -the humour is very similar - vivid descriptions of the tone and facial expressions that almost leap off the page and although the humour is almost slapstick, it's so well written that it doesn't come across as farcical.
The mother is HILARIOUS.
November 16, 2023
This is just such a beautifully written book! I hadn't read the rest of the series so didn't know what to expect but this surpassed my expectations none the less. Its so funny, the characters are so well written and introduced... even for those like me who weren't familiar with them from previous books. The scenes are so perfectly depicted that you can see each expression and feel the chill of the winter cold. A must read for this winter
November 28, 2023
I quickly felt a connection with the characters in this book, and felt kind of drawn to each of them in a different way. Once I felt the connection, I quickly became invested in the story. It wasn't a cosy festive read, but it did feel quite wintry, so it would be a good choice for the time of year, and I did find it fast-paced and easy to finish in one sitting.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy to review.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy to review.
January 14, 2024
Love this series
This series is amazing. I actually spit out coffee laughing at the hen party. But other parts are hold your breath scary. There are no gore descriptions and torture scenes . Your imagination goes wild with these crazy women and they are crazy. I love them all The Smart women always manage to be exciting wherever they go. This book made me feel the cold just reading it..May Ursula, Pandora, Charlotte and Bridget have many more outrageous adventures.
This series is amazing. I actually spit out coffee laughing at the hen party. But other parts are hold your breath scary. There are no gore descriptions and torture scenes . Your imagination goes wild with these crazy women and they are crazy. I love them all The Smart women always manage to be exciting wherever they go. This book made me feel the cold just reading it..May Ursula, Pandora, Charlotte and Bridget have many more outrageous adventures.
August 20, 2025
Victoria Dowd has a unique zany, dark humour that is ever present in her Smart Women series.
The multi-layered plot is so full of unexpected twists and turns, the reader is compelled to keep reading to solve the mounting number of questions.
I find Victoria Dowd’s series highly addictive. If you like complex locked-room mysteries with plenty of action and unique humour, I recommend, Murder Most Cold.
The multi-layered plot is so full of unexpected twists and turns, the reader is compelled to keep reading to solve the mounting number of questions.
I find Victoria Dowd’s series highly addictive. If you like complex locked-room mysteries with plenty of action and unique humour, I recommend, Murder Most Cold.
November 10, 2023
Highly entertaining, twisty read from the Smart Women's series
I love this book, with it's larger than life dramatic characters, all served with a dose of humour!
A wedding in ice cold eery landscape in the middle of nowhere becomes a murder mayhem!
Truly great fun, looking forward to the next one!
I love this book, with it's larger than life dramatic characters, all served with a dose of humour!
A wedding in ice cold eery landscape in the middle of nowhere becomes a murder mayhem!
Truly great fun, looking forward to the next one!
November 14, 2023
I loved how it shows secrets can come back to haunt you. Murder Most Cold explores different ways in which we deal with loss. Whether it's a romantic relationship, greif , adult children flying the nest + greif for someone you never met or something you could've had. Cleverly written and great for Winter!
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