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Northwood Mysteries #1
Resort to Murder
When Emmy Cooper’s life in Chicago is turned upside down, the young interior designer retreats to her family’s lake cottage resort in the beautiful Wisconsin Northwoods for a much-needed break. Hoping to clear her mind and gain a fresh perspective, she looks forward to enjoying the slower pace and the crisp, clean pine air at her beloved Cooper’s Cove Resort with her family, dogs, and her best friend, Whitney.Unfortunately, her homecoming isn't as calm as she'd hoped when Emmy finds out a ruthless development company is relentlessly pressuring Lake Covington property owners, including Emmy's family, to sell their land so they can build an extravagant, modern resort that would ruin the quaint esthetic of the area. And things only get worse when Emmy finds the dead body of one of the developers floating in the lake—murdered!Suddenly the police are involved, and since Emmy's father was leading the fight to stop the shady development from getting approval, he's quickly painted as the prime suspect. Now it's up to Emmy to prove her father’s innocence, save the reputation of Cooper’s Cove, and find out who would resort to murder. "Annie McEwen has crafted the perfect whodunit-staycation read!"~ Gemma Halliday, New York Times bestselling author
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About the author
Annie McEwen
5 books98 followersAnnie McEwen is the author of the Northwoods Mysteries Series, set amongst the tall pines and sparkling lakes of northern Wisconsin where she spent vacations as a kid. Because of a sweet love story between her youngest sister and a local Wisconsin boy (storyline idea!), she’s still been able to keep on visiting the beautiful place that means so much to her.
Annie and her husband are empty nesters—their son is married to his high-school sweetheart, and their daughter is married with two adorable toddler boys. Being grandparents is definitely the best gig ever! They also have four fur babies.
When Annie isn’t writing or playing with her grandsons, she works as a radiological technologist, aka, she takes pictures of bones...you can’t hide much from her! Writing, though, is her first love.
Annie and her husband are empty nesters—their son is married to his high-school sweetheart, and their daughter is married with two adorable toddler boys. Being grandparents is definitely the best gig ever! They also have four fur babies.
When Annie isn’t writing or playing with her grandsons, she works as a radiological technologist, aka, she takes pictures of bones...you can’t hide much from her! Writing, though, is her first love.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
February 29, 2024
I enjoyed this first of the Northwoods Mysteries series set in Wisconsin in an area of lakes and resorts. Emmy returned home to her family's resort after losing her job in Chicago. Just to regroup. But she only thought things were bad. A large development group wants to buy up small resorts, like her family's, and build a large resort. The body of one of the guys of the group showed on the shore of her family's place after an argument with her dad at a town meeting. So now her dad is a person of interest in the death. Emmy with her friends Whitney and Marcus set out to do some sleuthing and get into some danger along the way. This story has a mystery with twists and turns to unravel with likable characters in a close-knit lakeside community with a thread of faith, including an old crush back in town on the police force. After the ending, I cannot wait to read the next in the series.
I received a copy for the purpose of an honest review from the publisher. These are my thoughts.
I received a copy for the purpose of an honest review from the publisher. These are my thoughts.
January 26, 2024
I just loved this book! I think it’s going to be one of my favorite series! Easy to read. Great descriptive writing made me feel like I was there. Good storylines that kept my attention. And a little romance! It has everything.
May 18, 2024
Dollycas's Thoughts
Emmy Cooper had a great job at a design firm until she didn't. Now, she has returned home to the Wisconsin Northwoods and her family's cottage resort on Lake Covington for a break and to reassess where she is in her life. Sadly, life in the lake is not as relaxing as she hoped. Instead, some bigwigs from a development company are working hard to get property owners to sell their land so a ritzy modern resort can be built. Emmy's parents have refused several times but the pressure is on.
Then, Emmy finds one of the developers bobbing in the lake near one of the cabins. A piece of evidence puts Emmy's dad in the hot seat. Now, Emmy is on a quest to clear her dad and find out what happened to drive someone to resort to murder.
_____
Ms. McEwen does an excellent job introducing Emmy, her parents, her brother, and her friends. They are all true-to-life and relatable. The developers put on a full-court press to get them to sell their resort but they stayed strong even after finding a body. Reservations were canceled, and rumors were flying but the Coopers and their friends stuck together while Emmy, and her friends, Whitney and Marcus-with-the-mullet, "way cooler than Billy Ray Cyrus" tried to find the truth. Friends forever, they reminisce about the old days, and poke fun at each other, but always have each other's back. Another old friend happens to be on the police force. Emma blushes head to toe whenever he is around. All the characters grew over the course of the story but there is plenty of room for them to evolve as the series continues.
The author penned a well-plotted mystery that was filled with twists and turns. Both Emmy and I rotated through the possible suspects. I had my a-ha moment sometime before Emmy. Thankfully, the girl has the Wisconsin gift of gab, the ability to devise a plan, and the fear to follow through. It was edge of the seat moments for me.
Ms. McEwen's descriptive detail brings the Wisconsin Northwoods, the close-knit town of Covington, and Cooper's Cove to life. It was easy to follow in the characters' footsteps and see in my mind's eye every person in the story. As a lifelong Wisconsite everything rang true to me from the settings to the dialogues. Now that I have met the Cooper's and the wonderful people of Covington I can't wait for my next visit.
Resort to Murder has sent this series off to a super start. Genuine characters and a twisty mystery set in an idyllic spot made for a very enjoyable read. I am excited to see Dead White and Blue will be released on July 2, 2024, so I will be returning soon.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC.
Emmy Cooper had a great job at a design firm until she didn't. Now, she has returned home to the Wisconsin Northwoods and her family's cottage resort on Lake Covington for a break and to reassess where she is in her life. Sadly, life in the lake is not as relaxing as she hoped. Instead, some bigwigs from a development company are working hard to get property owners to sell their land so a ritzy modern resort can be built. Emmy's parents have refused several times but the pressure is on.
Then, Emmy finds one of the developers bobbing in the lake near one of the cabins. A piece of evidence puts Emmy's dad in the hot seat. Now, Emmy is on a quest to clear her dad and find out what happened to drive someone to resort to murder.
_____
Ms. McEwen does an excellent job introducing Emmy, her parents, her brother, and her friends. They are all true-to-life and relatable. The developers put on a full-court press to get them to sell their resort but they stayed strong even after finding a body. Reservations were canceled, and rumors were flying but the Coopers and their friends stuck together while Emmy, and her friends, Whitney and Marcus-with-the-mullet, "way cooler than Billy Ray Cyrus" tried to find the truth. Friends forever, they reminisce about the old days, and poke fun at each other, but always have each other's back. Another old friend happens to be on the police force. Emma blushes head to toe whenever he is around. All the characters grew over the course of the story but there is plenty of room for them to evolve as the series continues.
The author penned a well-plotted mystery that was filled with twists and turns. Both Emmy and I rotated through the possible suspects. I had my a-ha moment sometime before Emmy. Thankfully, the girl has the Wisconsin gift of gab, the ability to devise a plan, and the fear to follow through. It was edge of the seat moments for me.
Ms. McEwen's descriptive detail brings the Wisconsin Northwoods, the close-knit town of Covington, and Cooper's Cove to life. It was easy to follow in the characters' footsteps and see in my mind's eye every person in the story. As a lifelong Wisconsite everything rang true to me from the settings to the dialogues. Now that I have met the Cooper's and the wonderful people of Covington I can't wait for my next visit.
Resort to Murder has sent this series off to a super start. Genuine characters and a twisty mystery set in an idyllic spot made for a very enjoyable read. I am excited to see Dead White and Blue will be released on July 2, 2024, so I will be returning soon.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC.
July 9, 2024
I found this cozy to be rather slow even for a cozy mystery. There were a ton of characters whose names were only mentioned once or twice so they were impossible to keep track of. There was a lot of telling rather than showing especially when it came to conversations which I thought was weird. Conversations would start out with quotes and then get summarized and then go back to quotes again. Took me out of the flow of the story constantly. I did like most of the characters and their relationships- that was easily the best part of the book. But the writing, the pacing and the dialogue were mediocre at best. Unfortunately, I did that thing where I’ve already bought the second book before reading the first so it looks like I will be at least giving this series one more chance. Hopefully the writing has improved some in the second book.
One more random thing - I thought it was strange that the main character wet her pants at one point in the book…like really strange…I mean it wouldn’t be unusual I guess in a high stakes situation but definitely seems like a weird thing to throw into a cozy. I dunno but people wetting their pants in books and movies has always been off putting to me and it felt really out of place in a cozy mystery.
One more random thing - I thought it was strange that the main character wet her pants at one point in the book…like really strange…I mean it wouldn’t be unusual I guess in a high stakes situation but definitely seems like a weird thing to throw into a cozy. I dunno but people wetting their pants in books and movies has always been off putting to me and it felt really out of place in a cozy mystery.
March 30, 2024
Resort to Murder is such a fun and warm start to a new cozy series based in the Wisconsin Northwoods! Main character Emmy Cooper is adorable, charming, and completely likeable. I rooted for her the entire way through the compelling mystery that had plenty of red herrings. Just how I like it!
When a developer is found dead at Emmy’s family’s resort, with her dad as the prime suspect, Emmy engages her two best friends, Whitney and Marcus-with-the-mullet, to help her solve the crime. The trio of friends are a hoot—super funny and I loved how they always had each other’s backs.
The story moves along at a great pace, the setting is warm and cozy, and the Cooper family dynamics are loving and kind. It made me want to book a cabin and Cooper’s Cove and spend time around the campfire with the whole lot of them! I’m eagerly looking forward to book two and spending more time lakeside with the entire Cooper’s Cove crew!
When a developer is found dead at Emmy’s family’s resort, with her dad as the prime suspect, Emmy engages her two best friends, Whitney and Marcus-with-the-mullet, to help her solve the crime. The trio of friends are a hoot—super funny and I loved how they always had each other’s backs.
The story moves along at a great pace, the setting is warm and cozy, and the Cooper family dynamics are loving and kind. It made me want to book a cabin and Cooper’s Cove and spend time around the campfire with the whole lot of them! I’m eagerly looking forward to book two and spending more time lakeside with the entire Cooper’s Cove crew!
July 21, 2024
Love this book. Great Northwoods mystery centered around a camp resort. There is a murder involving a developer who was trying to by the property. Putting in place shady practices of sabotage. There is no shortage of suspects unfortunately the owner is one. The main character his daughter investigates to clear his name. I loved the ending.
July 29, 2025
2.25 🌟
Mood/ Seasonal Reading: takes place in April leading up to the summer season
I’ll be honest I’m a bit shock by the average reviews on this. I wanted to love this as the setting is my cup of tea and i absolutely added points on for the adorable cover that sucked me in.
I sadly found that this really suffered from a lack of heavy editing and a serious case of tell and not show. Almost every instance was spoken directly to the reader. For example, “I rolled my eyes so hard my head hurt” could’ve been “my eyes forcibly rolled into the back of my head, causing a sharp pain to spread across my forward between my eyes.” I know this is being picky but it was every sentence.
The dialogue as well felt very stiff and unrealistic as did the main characters relationships with those around her. The villains were cartoonish and underwhelming.
I just wanted more from this. Maybe it’s because I have read some fantastic cozies but this fell flat on all accounts. The mystery was a major disappointment as well. It felt too thrown together, like this needed to be a cozy so we needed a mystery rather than it was written around the mystery itself. It felt underdeveloped.
I think I will still maybe give another in this series a shot. Especially since the 3rd looks to be set in winter and I’m a sucker for those. I also believe writing can get better with time and a decent editor.
Mood/ Seasonal Reading: takes place in April leading up to the summer season
I’ll be honest I’m a bit shock by the average reviews on this. I wanted to love this as the setting is my cup of tea and i absolutely added points on for the adorable cover that sucked me in.
I sadly found that this really suffered from a lack of heavy editing and a serious case of tell and not show. Almost every instance was spoken directly to the reader. For example, “I rolled my eyes so hard my head hurt” could’ve been “my eyes forcibly rolled into the back of my head, causing a sharp pain to spread across my forward between my eyes.” I know this is being picky but it was every sentence.
The dialogue as well felt very stiff and unrealistic as did the main characters relationships with those around her. The villains were cartoonish and underwhelming.
I just wanted more from this. Maybe it’s because I have read some fantastic cozies but this fell flat on all accounts. The mystery was a major disappointment as well. It felt too thrown together, like this needed to be a cozy so we needed a mystery rather than it was written around the mystery itself. It felt underdeveloped.
I think I will still maybe give another in this series a shot. Especially since the 3rd looks to be set in winter and I’m a sucker for those. I also believe writing can get better with time and a decent editor.
April 8, 2024
A really fun cozy mystery that takes place by a lakeside family owned resort. This story had just the right amount of intrigue with all the warm nostalgia or returning to your smalltown home.
March 30, 2024
Resort to Murder is such a fun and warm start to a new cozy series based in the Wisconsin Northwoods! Main character Emmy Cooper is adorable, charming, and completely likeable. I rooted for her the entire way through the compelling mystery that had plenty of red herrings. Just how I like it!
When a developer is found dead at Emmy’s family’s resort, with her dad as the prime suspect, Emmy engages her two best friends, Whitney and Marcus-with-the-mullet, to help her solve the crime. The trio of friends are a hoot—super funny and I loved how they always had each other’s backs.
The story moves along at a great pace, the setting is warm and cozy, and the Cooper family dynamics are loving and kind. It made me want to book a cabin and Cooper’s Cove and spend time around the campfire with the whole lot of them! I’m eagerly looking forward to book two and spending more time lakeside with the entire Cooper’s Cove crew!
When a developer is found dead at Emmy’s family’s resort, with her dad as the prime suspect, Emmy engages her two best friends, Whitney and Marcus-with-the-mullet, to help her solve the crime. The trio of friends are a hoot—super funny and I loved how they always had each other’s backs.
The story moves along at a great pace, the setting is warm and cozy, and the Cooper family dynamics are loving and kind. It made me want to book a cabin and Cooper’s Cove and spend time around the campfire with the whole lot of them! I’m eagerly looking forward to book two and spending more time lakeside with the entire Cooper’s Cove crew!
April 16, 2024
This was a great debut and start to a new series. Our main character Emmy returns to her lake side WI home when her father ends up the main suspect in a murder investigation. This book created a wonderful sense of place with descriptions of the north woods lake setting, had great family dynamics and close friendships highlighted. It was everything I love about a cozy mystery and I can’t wait for the next one.
July 9, 2024
I am ready to vacation at Cooper’s Cove. This book makes me want to be friends with Emmy and Whitney. They are supportive but can still laugh and have a good time. Lake Covington is a real community and they really come through for each other. The mystery was done with just enough suspects to keep me guessing. I am also ready to see what potential we have with Dean.
April 4, 2025
Non conoscevo questa autrice, ma il libro mi è piaciuto molto: è vero, la protagonista indaga anche se viene sconsigliata da quasi tutti, ma non si prende rischi eccessivi e inutili, soprattutto non compie reati investigando come accade in altre serie (per fortuna poche, o almeno sono riuscita a evitarle in gran parte). Infine, devo dire che la copertina mi piace tantissimo.
April 5, 2024
LOVE IT! Such a good fast read. Can’t wait for the next book.
May 26, 2024
I am always excited when I find a new cozy mystery series that I just ‘click with’, and series starter Resort to Murder already has me hooked on the Northwoods Mysteries! Emmy is an endearing blend of ‘girl next door’, ‘Nancy Drew’, and ‘hot mess’, and I loved hanging out with her and her friends, Whitney and Marcus-with-the-mullet (both of whom are hysterical). Emmy’s relationship with her parents and her little brother – and her parents’ relationship with each other – reminded me so much of my own family dynamics, so I felt right at home with the Coopers and can’t wait to spend more time with them in future books. Swoony police officer Dean (who was her teen crush) is also delightful and I enjoyed their cute chemistry.
The murder mystery is quite personal in Resort to Murder – her dad seems to be the main suspect! Because he was so easy to picture as my own dad, I felt personally invested as well in seeing his innocence proven beyond any doubt. I appreciated the police force in their small Wisconsin Northwoods lake town and the way they approached the investigation. Especially as the lead investigators have known Mr. Cooper for years, they did what they had to do as far as protocol but they also kept open minds. Emmy, Whitney, and Marcus make a formidable team of amateur sleuths, with the added bonus of being lots of fun in the process, and I could easily their not-always-as-covert-as-they-hoped antics playing out on a TV show. The plot itself is nicely paced and kept getting more layered as the story progressed.
Bottom Line: I instantly fell in love with author Annie McEwen’s writing voice from the very first chapter of Resort to Murder, and I stayed charmed all the way through this great series starter! Emmy is super relatable, and I loved her adorable personality as well as the hilarity that ensues when she teams up with her BFF Whitney and their mutual friend Marcus-with-the-mullet. Other highlights for me were the endearing dogs, her relationship with her family, the romance potential with swoony Dean, and the picturesque setting. Speaking of which, the Wisconsin Northwoods were a fave vacation spot for my family when I was growing up in Northern Illinois so tagging along with Emmy to her hometown brought back many fond memories. The mystery is very well plotted, grabbed my interest right away, and kept me guessing. This book is just full of heart, and I can’t wait to read the next book!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
The murder mystery is quite personal in Resort to Murder – her dad seems to be the main suspect! Because he was so easy to picture as my own dad, I felt personally invested as well in seeing his innocence proven beyond any doubt. I appreciated the police force in their small Wisconsin Northwoods lake town and the way they approached the investigation. Especially as the lead investigators have known Mr. Cooper for years, they did what they had to do as far as protocol but they also kept open minds. Emmy, Whitney, and Marcus make a formidable team of amateur sleuths, with the added bonus of being lots of fun in the process, and I could easily their not-always-as-covert-as-they-hoped antics playing out on a TV show. The plot itself is nicely paced and kept getting more layered as the story progressed.
Bottom Line: I instantly fell in love with author Annie McEwen’s writing voice from the very first chapter of Resort to Murder, and I stayed charmed all the way through this great series starter! Emmy is super relatable, and I loved her adorable personality as well as the hilarity that ensues when she teams up with her BFF Whitney and their mutual friend Marcus-with-the-mullet. Other highlights for me were the endearing dogs, her relationship with her family, the romance potential with swoony Dean, and the picturesque setting. Speaking of which, the Wisconsin Northwoods were a fave vacation spot for my family when I was growing up in Northern Illinois so tagging along with Emmy to her hometown brought back many fond memories. The mystery is very well plotted, grabbed my interest right away, and kept me guessing. This book is just full of heart, and I can’t wait to read the next book!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
July 19, 2024
This is a new to me author, and I quite enjoyed this book. Set in a family resort in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, Ms McEwen's writing was such that I would book a trip to the Coopers Cove Resort right now, if it really existed. This is a typical cozy setup. Emmy could not wait to leave her home and establish her career as an interior designer in Chicago, but now that things have gone wrong with her employer, she comes home to recover. Even though she keeps trying to find another job in Chicago throughout the book, it's obvious to this reader that she needs to stay home!! While she is there, big time resort owners approach her parents with an "offer" to buy their resort. The elder Coopers say no and suddenly one of the people making the offer end up dead on Cooper's Cove Resort property!
I enjoyed these characters, and was kept guessing who the killer was right up till the end. Some red herrings led me in the wrong direction (as they are supposed to do), and the reveal was interesting, to say the least.
This is a new series by Ms. McEwen, and the next one has already been published. I'll be reading that one, and crossing my fingers for more to come!!
I enjoyed these characters, and was kept guessing who the killer was right up till the end. Some red herrings led me in the wrong direction (as they are supposed to do), and the reveal was interesting, to say the least.
This is a new series by Ms. McEwen, and the next one has already been published. I'll be reading that one, and crossing my fingers for more to come!!
April 15, 2024
Annie McEwen’s debut cozy mystery, Resort To Murder, is an enjoyable read. The dynamics of a murder to solve in a small town, a strong & loving family bond, a childhood friendship & a handsome police officer made this book tough to put down. Emmy’s determination to provide unsolicited “help” in the investigation is constructive & entertaining. The murderer will surprise you. I’m looking forward to the next cozy book in the Northwoods Mystery series.
June 29, 2024
I've pulled out the map and looked up Ashland and Minocqua, in Wisconsin. I've looked at the casinos near the shore of Lake Superior. Heck, I've even done a few Zillow searches for homes for sale in the area. All this to say that I love love loved Annie McEwan's Resort to Murder. Yes, the story is good and the characters likable, and the mystery has you all over the place trying to figure out whodunnit. But what sets Annie's book apart from the rest are the details. The descriptions of the trees, the exteriors of building where the small shops are, and the interior of the various lodges and resorts around the lake. Even the details like Emmy, the main character, clearing the table after dinner, and her little brother loading the dishwasher. It's a part of everyday life... but it often overlooked in books. I felt like I was with the family and could imagine every detail. This is definitely a 5-star read.
March 26, 2024
Super fun cozy mystery! Emmy returns to her hometown, including the lake cabins run by her family. The town is buzzing from a developer trying to buy up property and Emmy ends up finding a dead body floating near their property. Her dad is a suspect and Emmy can't stand by and see him accused of murder. Meanwhile, she reunites with her best friends in town as they sleuth around for answers. This is a really fun read with great characters and good suspense. I would love to read more from this cast.
March 31, 2024
This book has it all! Murder, mystery, humor, small town romance, and a cast of compelling characters that make you wish you lived at Cooper’s Cove.
I literally laughed out loud in the first paragraph.
I absolutely DEVOURED this cozy mystery in one sitting. This book is witty and endearing. I cannot wait to see what author Annie McEwen has in store for the next installment!!!
I literally laughed out loud in the first paragraph.
I absolutely DEVOURED this cozy mystery in one sitting. This book is witty and endearing. I cannot wait to see what author Annie McEwen has in store for the next installment!!!
March 25, 2024
HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!
New to me author and series. Wow, what a fantastic book. It was hard to put down & I was sad when it ended, because I wanted more. The setting was very well known to me, my family has spent a lot of time in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. It was awesome to read a book with such a familiar setting. The writing was really good, the characters were relatable & the setting was beautiful. I will definitely be picking up any book this author writes.
New to me author and series. Wow, what a fantastic book. It was hard to put down & I was sad when it ended, because I wanted more. The setting was very well known to me, my family has spent a lot of time in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. It was awesome to read a book with such a familiar setting. The writing was really good, the characters were relatable & the setting was beautiful. I will definitely be picking up any book this author writes.
January 23, 2025
I really enjoyed this first book. Just bought the 2nd book for my Kindle. Looking forward to it!
April 2, 2024
Can't wait for the next one!
I was hooked early on. Totally didn't see the ending coming. I immedately fell in love with the characters and the town. It ended in a cliff hanger of sorts, so I can't wait for the next one to see what happens.
I was hooked early on. Totally didn't see the ending coming. I immedately fell in love with the characters and the town. It ended in a cliff hanger of sorts, so I can't wait for the next one to see what happens.
April 2, 2024
Loved it
March 28, 2024
Resort to Murder is an interesting, fun, small town, twisted, cozy mystery. I enjoyed getting familiar with Emmy, her family and friends, Cooper’s Cove Resort and more in this great new series from Annie McEwen. This well plotted story has an old crush, shady dealings, murder, red herrings, and plenty of twists to keep the reader guessing. I just kept reading “one more page” until I finished!
May 13, 2024
Resort to Murder is the first book in a new cozy mystery series, Northwood Mysteries. I loved the setting of a small lake town in Wisconsin. In this book we meet Emmy Cooper, who has returned home to her family's lakefront resort to sort out her next steps. She has been working in Chicago as an Interior Designer for a huge firm and is now looking for a new position. She returns to Covington to find out that her parents and other small resort owners are battling a possible new resort. It will be huge and they are trying to buy or force out the little guy. When the owner and head honcho of the development and resort company is found dead, floating facedown off their dock, Emmy's dad looks like the main suspect. She won't take that sitting down and with the help of her BFF, Whitney and old friend Marcus, she begins her own investigation.
I enjoyed this mystery set in the Wisconsin woods and lake country. Emmy is a great protagonist. She's smart and well liked. People easily talk to her and share things they might not share with the police. The rest of her family are wonderful. I love the relationship her mom and dad have, as well as her relationship with her brother, Noah. They are a lovely family and I can see how they are well liked and that Paul is a leading member of the community. The characters that are meant to be unlikable, are written in a believable way and I definitely didn't like them. I enjoyed getting to know the people living in Covington and the surrounding areas. They are an eclectic bunch. The situation of the developer swooping in and wanting things done his way, bribing and threatening was well written and again, very realistic, no wonder he had so many enemies. The mystery was well written with twists, several suspects, lots of clues from the community, and several red herrings. There is a lot of descriptions of the setting, food and even what they were wearing, at times a bit too much, but it allowed me to picture the story easily. Resort to Murder is a well paced, plotted and written story that had me wanting to book a reservation at Cooper's Cove and eat at the fabulous restaurants. I am looking forward to seeing what is next for Emmy, her family and the wonderful residents of Covington.
I enjoyed this mystery set in the Wisconsin woods and lake country. Emmy is a great protagonist. She's smart and well liked. People easily talk to her and share things they might not share with the police. The rest of her family are wonderful. I love the relationship her mom and dad have, as well as her relationship with her brother, Noah. They are a lovely family and I can see how they are well liked and that Paul is a leading member of the community. The characters that are meant to be unlikable, are written in a believable way and I definitely didn't like them. I enjoyed getting to know the people living in Covington and the surrounding areas. They are an eclectic bunch. The situation of the developer swooping in and wanting things done his way, bribing and threatening was well written and again, very realistic, no wonder he had so many enemies. The mystery was well written with twists, several suspects, lots of clues from the community, and several red herrings. There is a lot of descriptions of the setting, food and even what they were wearing, at times a bit too much, but it allowed me to picture the story easily. Resort to Murder is a well paced, plotted and written story that had me wanting to book a reservation at Cooper's Cove and eat at the fabulous restaurants. I am looking forward to seeing what is next for Emmy, her family and the wonderful residents of Covington.
May 14, 2024
I absolutely love it when a new cozy mystery series is off to a strong start and that is the case for Annie McEwen’s Resort to Murder, book one in her new Northwoods Mystery series.
Interior designer Emmy Cooper comes home to her family Cooper’s Cove Resort in the Wisconsin Northwoods to take a break from her life and work in Chicago. She’s looking forward to spending time with her loving family (and their adorable dogs) and clearing her mind in a beautiful setting. Unfortunately she learns that a ruthless development company has been pressuring her parents and many in her hometown to sell their lake property so the company can build a posh resort. Not only would a build like this destroy the charm of their town, but it would also damage the environment.
Not long after her arrival, Emmy finds the dead body of one of the developers floating in the lake on her family’s property, and her dad is the prime suspect. Emmy and her wonderful friends decide to tackle this investigation so they can prove her dad’s innocence.
What a fun mystery in a wonderful setting. I felt like I was escaping to the Wisconsin Northwoods with Emmy. The characters are so warm and kind, and I especially loved Emmy’s relationship with her two best friends from childhood. Emmy is determined and focused and her family’s care for one another is heartwarming. There was a lovely balance of humor, mystery and warmth that it made for such a comforting read.
The pacing was excellent and I was super nervous at the end because I figured out before Emmy what was happening. Love it when a mystery makes me sit up and turn the pages even faster. I’m anxious to get my hands on book two Dead, White, and Blue which has an expected publication date of July 2, 2024. I adore its cover (just as I did of book one) and it would make the perfect 4th of July reading when it’s probably going to be too hot to go outside!
Interior designer Emmy Cooper comes home to her family Cooper’s Cove Resort in the Wisconsin Northwoods to take a break from her life and work in Chicago. She’s looking forward to spending time with her loving family (and their adorable dogs) and clearing her mind in a beautiful setting. Unfortunately she learns that a ruthless development company has been pressuring her parents and many in her hometown to sell their lake property so the company can build a posh resort. Not only would a build like this destroy the charm of their town, but it would also damage the environment.
Not long after her arrival, Emmy finds the dead body of one of the developers floating in the lake on her family’s property, and her dad is the prime suspect. Emmy and her wonderful friends decide to tackle this investigation so they can prove her dad’s innocence.
What a fun mystery in a wonderful setting. I felt like I was escaping to the Wisconsin Northwoods with Emmy. The characters are so warm and kind, and I especially loved Emmy’s relationship with her two best friends from childhood. Emmy is determined and focused and her family’s care for one another is heartwarming. There was a lovely balance of humor, mystery and warmth that it made for such a comforting read.
The pacing was excellent and I was super nervous at the end because I figured out before Emmy what was happening. Love it when a mystery makes me sit up and turn the pages even faster. I’m anxious to get my hands on book two Dead, White, and Blue which has an expected publication date of July 2, 2024. I adore its cover (just as I did of book one) and it would make the perfect 4th of July reading when it’s probably going to be too hot to go outside!
August 8, 2024
I loved everything about Resort to Murder!
I was glad Emmy wasn't returning home because of a bad romantic relationship but is returning home after being fired from the Chicago Interior Design firm she has been with since college. When she returns home to her family's resort lodge in Covington, WI in the Wisconsin Northwoods she finds there are developers from NY who want to buy up all the smaller resorts like her parents and put in a high end luxury resort. Her father and other locals are leading the charge against this and at the local town meeting Emmy's father and Thad Houston get into a ugly fight. The next day Emmy discovers Thad's body on their property with her dad's hammer as the suspected murder weapon and her dad at the prime suspect after the very public argument they had.
Although Emmy is asked not to interfere in the police investigation Emmy knows she can't stay out of it with her dad as the prime suspect and begins to investigate along with her best friends Whitney and Marcus. It soon becomes clear there is a list of people starting with the "grieving" widow, his business partners Jeff & Katherine and not to mention the locals who were against the project.
I was hooked from page one! This was such a cozy mystery and I loved getting to know Emmy, her family, her friends and all the locals of Covington. Anne McEwen did such a great job developing the characters and world building. I felt like I was in the Northwoods and now I really want to go! The mystery kept me guessing with plenty of red herrings.
I was glad Emmy wasn't returning home because of a bad romantic relationship but is returning home after being fired from the Chicago Interior Design firm she has been with since college. When she returns home to her family's resort lodge in Covington, WI in the Wisconsin Northwoods she finds there are developers from NY who want to buy up all the smaller resorts like her parents and put in a high end luxury resort. Her father and other locals are leading the charge against this and at the local town meeting Emmy's father and Thad Houston get into a ugly fight. The next day Emmy discovers Thad's body on their property with her dad's hammer as the suspected murder weapon and her dad at the prime suspect after the very public argument they had.
Although Emmy is asked not to interfere in the police investigation Emmy knows she can't stay out of it with her dad as the prime suspect and begins to investigate along with her best friends Whitney and Marcus. It soon becomes clear there is a list of people starting with the "grieving" widow, his business partners Jeff & Katherine and not to mention the locals who were against the project.
I was hooked from page one! This was such a cozy mystery and I loved getting to know Emmy, her family, her friends and all the locals of Covington. Anne McEwen did such a great job developing the characters and world building. I felt like I was in the Northwoods and now I really want to go! The mystery kept me guessing with plenty of red herrings.
April 27, 2024
Comfort in a book
Resort to Murder is a lovely book. The world Annie has built brings balm to a sore heart and comfort. I love Emmy and her family and friends. Cooper Cove is a place I'd like to be part of.
The mystery is well told. The pacing kept me moving through the story.
I hope for many more visits to the Northwoods.
Resort to Murder is a lovely book. The world Annie has built brings balm to a sore heart and comfort. I love Emmy and her family and friends. Cooper Cove is a place I'd like to be part of.
The mystery is well told. The pacing kept me moving through the story.
I hope for many more visits to the Northwoods.
January 12, 2025
What a fun start to a series. Despite being down on her luck, Emmy is glad to be home in the woods of Wisconsin after being fired from her interior design job in Chicago. Wrongfully fired, Emmy comes home to regroup. She is warmly greeted by family and friends and is especially glad to be home when she finds out a large developer is pressuring her family to sell their resort lodge on the lake. When strange maintenance issues show up on resort property and questions about how the developer is getting permits for what they want to do, come to a head at a town meeting with a public argument between the developer and her father, Emmy is determined to figure out what is going on in her hometown. When the developer ends up dead on her family's property, things move to a whole different level. With the help of friends and locals, Emmy works to find answers that clear her family's name. I enjoyed the loving family relationships as well as Emmy obvious bonds with her friend group. I just had to order book two!
January 1, 2025
Resort to Murder is an excellent cozy mystery that readers of female amateur detective mysteries will love just as much. The characters hooked me immediately and I loved them from beginning to end. I suspected everybody but did not specifically hone in on the murderer. I have already order book two and preordered book 3 in the Northwoods Mysteries. I am glad to have discovered Annie McEwen!
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