Snowmen in Paradise

TJ Jensen Mystery #2

by Kathi Daley

Winter Carnival comes to Serenity, and with it Tj finds her schedule busier than ever. Not only is her ski and snowboard team heavily involved in demonstrations and local competitions, but her ragtag choir is about to debut in their first live performance. To make matters even more complicated, someone has killed Travis Davidson, a town favorite son, world-class snowboarder, and Olympic hopeful. Tj is determined not to get involved in the subsequent investigation until she learns the prime suspect is Chelsea Hanson, her high school boyfriend Hunter Hanson's sister. Although there's no shortage of Sereninites with a grudge against the hometown hero, even Tj has to admit there's good cause to suspect Chelsea of the murder. Balancing bridesmaid duties, Winter Carnival obligations, show choir duty, and after-hours investigation, Tj sets out to prove Chelsea innocent.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Audiobook, Fiction, Christmas, Cozy, Holiday

208 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 3, 2014

About the author

Kathi lives with her husband, kids, grandkids, and dogs in beautiful Lake Tahoe. When she isn't writing, Kathi likes to read (preferably at the beach or by the fire), cook (preferably something with chocolate or cheese,) and garden (planting and planning not weeding). She also enjoys spending time on the water when she's not hiking, biking, or snowshoeing, the miles of desolate trails surrounding her home.
Kathi uses the mountain setting in which she lives, along with the animals (wild and domestic) that share her home, as inspiration for her cozy mysteries.

Join me on Facebook at Kathi Daley Books (www.facebook.com/kathidaleybooks) for updates on my books, photos of life in Lake Tahoe, recipes, contests, and giveaways. For weekly updates and contests sign up for The Daley Weekly Newsletter (http://eepurl.com/NRPDf).

Reviews

[Sabine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy this series very much. A visit to Serenity and its amazing friendly and interesting people leaves me calm and relaxed.

Travis, a world class snow boarder, returns to Serenity as a host for the winter festival. He is found dead in his bed a few days after but not without having made already a few enemies. TJ is getting involved when Chelsey Hunter becomes the main suspect.

A nice flowing mystery with a little bit of romance.

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another entertaining entry in this series. A couple of unfortunate errors took me out of the story, so the rating actually hovers around 3.5. Otherwise an easy read with a good mystery.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked book 2 better than book 1. At times I felt like something was missing. I didn't like how it ended. I also have mixed feelings about the cops going to a high school teacher/coach to solve a murder.

[Leo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hadn't listened to the first book in the series but I was looking for a cozy crime book with wintery/Christmas theme and this seemed to fit my then needs. It was an enjoyable reading experience and I might continue on with it but it wasn't a new favorite.

[Beverly Duffy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute cozy mystery and relatable characters. I love the smalltown feeling. There is always a big celebration in town. There is always a murder to be solved. Tj the teacher never fails to be the first to solve the mystery.

[Jane Firebaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a wonderful series, and this book is no exception. I love the characters and kind of wish I could just move in and be friends with them. The ski resort where this book is taking place was fun too. If you enjoy cozy mysteries, with a bit of romance and want to read a book that will leave you feeling happy, you won't want to miss this book!

[Nola Arganbright · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little disappointed

The book was almost too busy for me to enjoy the story. There were so many characters that I was often lost. The conclusion was very bland as compared to most of the Kathi Daley books I have read.

[Madeline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice cover.

[Doward Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tj Jensen has her hands full as she coaches her high school ski and snowboarding teams in the Winter Carnival competitions. At the same time,she is also preparing her mismatched choir for their first live performance. When murder intervenes among the festivities, Tj is hard pressed to clear her friend from being at the top of the suspect list. The town's bad boy and world class snowboarder, Travis Davidson has returned to Serenity to open the Winter Carnival festivities. When he turns up dead, Tj has to unravel a long list of suspects to find the real killer. Travis burned a lot of his local supporters when he got his first big break and dumped all of them for new sponsors. Then there was his blackmail schemes involving his competitors and his womanizing, some of it with underage girls. Tj works thru a lot of lies and rumors to finally confront the killer with what she knows. The characters and background are well developed and blend with the murder plot in a very satisfactory conclusion.

[FangirlNation · Rating 4 out of 5]

The mountain resort of Serenity is holding its Winter Carnival, and TJ Jensen has a busy schedule in Snowmen in Paradise by Kathi Daley. For one thing, the high school ski team she coaches has a major competition that will influence its official standings. Then TJ learns that the top-ranked snowboarder who came from Serenity before turning his back on those who supported him has been asked by the mayor to serve as honorary host of the Carnival. Travis has made a lot of enemies in Serenity, so it comes as no surprise to the reader when he turns up in his hotel room, murdered. And even worse, TJ's friend Chelsea gets arrested for the crime even though TJ is certain she did not do it, giving TJ a reason to investigate on Chelsea's behalf.

Read the rest of this review, more reviews, and other wonderful, geeky articles on FangirlNation

[Deanie Nelder · Rating 4 out of 5]

TJ Jensen is settling into her new life, balancing being guardian of her elementary-aged half-sisters with her job as teacher and ski coach (and with her possible new romance with Deputy Dylan Caine). She's got many things to do for the local winter carnival but needs to investigate when professional snowboarder Travis Davidson is killed, and the suspects include her ex-boyfriend and two of her students.

As TJ discovers, it's always hard to solve a murder when your victim is a jerk, and Travis goes beyond being a jerk (and would likely go to jail for rape if he hadn't been killed). The mystery isn't quite as compelling as the first book, since it's a more traditional mystery and TJ doesn't has as much stake in the outcome, but it's still very good. The characters are fun and compelling, and it's the non-mystery parts of the story that make the book so good.

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eine schöne Fortsetzung der ersten Geschichte, die mir sogar noch ein klein wenig besser gefallen hat. Wahrscheinlich, weil die wichtigsten Figuren schon eingeführt sind, und man nun langsam daran gehen kann, zu entdecken, wie sie sich weiterentwickeln.

Das Hörbuch eignet sich wirklich gut für gemütliche Stunden vor dem Kamin oder als Begleitung zum Kekse backen. Es ist wiederum eine leicht-lockere Krimigeschichte, bei der man gut miträtseln kann.

Schön, dass ich einen guten Ersatz gefunden habe, um das "Cape Bay"-Loch zu stopfen :)

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have maybe hit my fill of cozy mysteries, or maybe once the series gets boring to just stop. Too many of them go on and on and on. This book had an offensive line that I made note of. Talking about, and now I can't remember what it was referring to, but it had to do with doing something like a girl, in a negative way. A little surprised a female author would use this phrase. I almost put it down then, but pushed through to the end.

[Sabrina · Rating 2 out of 5]

This needed more editing, continuity issues within the book and from descriptions in book 1. Whole parts skipped over then kinda mentioned in passing are confusing, illogical timeline/time jumps. Bad ending that didn't make sense. Again the book blurb is not correct.

Assuming that Tj started college as a full-time student at 18 and it takes 4 to 5 years to get a degree in physical education to teach it (I don't know if other teacher classifications are needed) and got hired right after graduation for the next school year at age 22 or more likely 23 it's hard to get all her comments about the all the many years of watching and missing her students after graduation since she is 26. That's only 3 or possibly 2 years she has been teaching... Also, she is often late to class and events and is always deligating some or all of important information about what the class/teams are doing to others, most often a student in/on said class/team. she doesn't seem to work much...besides being there for sporting events in this book, and again she's usually late or leaves early.

Also as a 26-year-old with two jobs and guardianship of her half-sisters (who she fosters off to everyone around her, she hardly spends any time with them but yet laments about being a parent to the girls who are growing so fast she doesn't want to see them go...), she acts and behaves much like an 18-year-old still.

Did not like her attitude when she found out that one of her students had a crush on a twenty-something celebrity who has a bad reputation. When she finds out they had drinks and then sex her first thought is that the girl, 17, should have known better...really! Because we all know teenage girls with crushes on young hot celebrities are known to have rigid morals and grown-up prudish behavior... Then, after she finds out the girl was raped, she feels bad?

After the murder of an athlete, when Tj's friend is arrested and she refuses to talk or help herself, the locals, including a deputy (the cute one from the last book who will eventually end up with her), ask Tj to investigate because she solved her friend's murder the year before. So she does, but in doing so she keeps all the information to herself despite kinda dating the sheriff and the fact that the information could help her friend in jail...and also the information she wants to keep secret is being passed around town to anyone who wants to know so why is she keeping it from the police who are going to find out anyway? The investigation/sleuthing doesn't make sense most of the time. As for the who and why the athlete was murdered was pure annoyance and frustration. We are given a list of suspects to work through, then at the end, some random person is dropped in who wasn't really present in the story but for some offhand mentions... The ending didn't make much sense either.

Everyone cries at the drop of a hat at the least bit of any kind of emotion. Gets old fast. At least they actually cried in this book more than one single tear slowly sliding down a cheek, as in the last book.

[Bri_winter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cozy Mystery with a funny cover and title.
Pretty generic plot, characters and setting.
Will only read once and will probably not continue the series.

[Roberta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Christmastime is the perfect time for these cute cozy mysteries!

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audible

[DelAnne Frazee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Snowmen Snowmen In Paradise - Tj Jensen Paradise Lake Mystery Book 2
Author: Kathi Daley
Publisher: Katherine Daley
Published: 1-11-2014
ISBN: 10-1494905450
ISBN: 13-978-1494905453
E-Book ASIN: B00HOPBNGY
Pages: 284
Genre: Suspense
Tags: Cozy Mystery, Women Sleuths, Thriller
Overall Rating: Great 4.5 Stars


Tj Jensen's life is full as it can be with the Serenity, Nevada Winter Carnival. As coach she is responsible to help the ski and snowboard teams practice for its upcoming demonstration and competitions, then she is coordinating the choir for their first live performance, and she has been asked to e a bridesmaid in her friends, Maude's and Mille's double wedding. On the personal side she has the care and raising of her two young half-sisters, Ashley and Gracie, since their mother died and left her as guardian. Tj moved back into the resort Maggie's Hideaway so that her father Mike and Grandfather Ben could help her raise the girls.


When the body of Travis Davidson is found Tj has no plans to get involved because her plate is full to over-flowing. That is until Sheriff Boggs settles on Chelsea Hunter as the killer. Even though the witnesses and evidence points to her, Tj is convinced she is innocent. So no matter how busy she is she knows she has no choice but to investigate to find the real killer. Who is right? Can she find the real killer before he finds a way to stop her? Once again Tj is going above and beyond her normal teaching duties. Join her as she checks out the many people who had motives to whittle it down to the one. Perhaps Serenity isn't so serene after all.


I found Kathi Daley's cozy to be a mix of humor and suspense. With witty dialog and picturesque passages that make you feel as though you are in the middle of the story yourself, Ms. Daley has written a story that is a pleasure to read. Be warned ahead of time though Tj Jensen and her Paradise Lake Mysteries are addictive. Luckily these cozies can be read as stand alone. Even luckier for us there is Book 1, Pumpkins in Paradise already out for us to enjoy now and Book 3, Bikinis In Paradise will be out soon and I for one will be waiting in line to read it as soon as it does.


If you have read both of the books look to Kathi Daley's other cozy series Zoe Donovan Mysteries because they are awesome as well.

[Melanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had a real problem when the main character, a high school teacher, finds out that one of her students was raped by a man over the age of 18 and then blames the student. She said something like "stupid girl" or "why was she so stupid?" Which really bothered me. A 17 year old got raped and that's what she thought? It truly bothered me. Then when the character and her ex boyfriend are talking about "throwing like a girl" like it is a negative thing, it also bothered me. She is throwing like a girl, and I throw like a girl. I punch like a girl. I also kick butts in my job, like a girl, because I am a girl. That second part is less important, but the fact that no one has reported the character who was murdered for statutory rape and molesting a minor is disgusting.

[Trisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

2014-01-22. Loved it. Lots of characters which sometimes can get confusing but I really like the characters. Mystery was good with lots of good suspects and a few twists thrown in to confuse matters. Can't wait for the next installment.

[Gennielc · Rating 2 out of 5]

i didn't really get it. confusing where it didn't need to be.

[Leah M · Rating 3 out of 5]

CONTENT WARNING: blood, murder, rape

This was a quick read, but it still had the same issues as the last one. While I think I might have felt differently if I read this as a physical or e-book, as an audiobook, it was really difficult to keep track of all of the many different characters who were introduced. I often couldn't remember who was who, and just kind of went along with it, even though I only really remembered a few of the main characters.

I also really struggled with the way that the rape was dealt with - it came a little too close to victim blaming for my liking, rather than putting the blame squarely where it should have been: on the rapist.

It was really hard to take the story seriously when the cops actually seek out the inexperienced high school teacher/coach to do the investigating for them. In every cozy mystery I've ever read, the cops are actively against the inexperienced detective doing this on their own, and Tj ends up not even sharing what she finds, which winds up not really helping anyone. Which was counterintuitive, since she's kind of seeing Dylan, the police chief (or whatever he is, I'm not even fully sure). Once again, she doesn't seem to really commit fully to anything. Despite having her hands full with her family, parenting her sisters, coaching, handling the choir, teaching, and the winter festival, she doesn't really seem to prioritize much of it, often shuffling her responsibilities off, and placing everything on the back burner. It was kind of frustrating, because if any of that happened in real life, she'd probably be fired. But ... it's a book so I guess she can just keep on doing whatever. This is probably a series I won't be continuing, although I'm a bit sad about it because it had such great potential.

[Julie Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book but even though I enjoyed the fun of the winter carnival, with all the competitions, I did think the mystery got a little bit lost. There was so many people who hated the murder victim (and with good reason) and a lot of them had an opportunity to kill him, which kept you guessing but like Tj I kept hoping most of them wouldn't turn out to be the killer. As you can guess I liked the characters, especially Tj family, the little sisters are so sweet. Off to start the next book, especially as the books can be read in any order but Tj relationship might be taking a dramatic turn in the next book. I will have to wait and see.
The Winter carnival has teacher Tj busier than usual with her choir group opening the ceremony and her snowboard team taking on there biggest rivals in a competition. So the last thing she wants to do is have local celebrity Snowboarder come in and make demands. Travis made it big and thinks everybody should bow down to his demands. Having alienated so many people, it's not surprising he ends up dead but what is surprising to Tj is now many of her friends becomes suspects. With the police so certain they have the right woman, Tj has no choice but find the real killer before the end of the festival?
I like the narrator. Old or young each character gets there own voice.

[Millie Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second TJ Jensen mystery was just as fun as the first. A local snowboarding champ comes home during the winter carnival and winds up being murdered. The prime suspect is, of course, someone who everyone is sure didn't do it - except the uptight sheriff. TJ is asked by a deputy to do some snooping and find out who actually killed the champ, who nobody in town really liked for one reason or another.

I liked that the book focused a bit more on the regular activities of Serenity and the people in it, while still keeping the main point of the story in line and not making it feel like an afterthought. TJ and her sisters Ashley and Gracie are adorable and I enjoyed getting to know them as well as Kyle, Jenna, and the rest of TJ's extended family.

It was a fun, quick read (or listen, rather) and I'm looking forward to the next book.

[Cherie · Rating 4 out of 5]

During this second book in the series, Winter Carnival is taking place in Serenity. TJ finds herself knee-deep in preparations getting her ski and snowboard team ready for competition. Besides the craziness of all her activities, Travis Davidson, a successful former local ends up being murdered. When she discovers the prime suspect is Chelsea Hanson, former high school boyfriend Hunter's sister, she feels committed to investigating.

This story was a whirlwind of activity. There was so much going on and so many suspects that required investigation that sometimes it was difficult to keep track of it all. It did make it hard to guess who the killer was for sure. I did enjoy spending more time getting to know TJ and the other characters from the first book more and look forward to reading more books in the series.

[Mary Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Snowmen in Paradise TJ has been able to recruit help for the choir that she was given to direct, her new friend Kyle. She is also coaching the Downhill team and teaching and trying to raise her two half-sisters. As all this is happening, she has to deal with Travis, a former resident of Serenity and a famous Downhill racer. He wants her to have the choir sing from his playlist. She also has to deal with all the drama of teens dating. She finds out what a scum Travis really is and helps the sheriff department find out who really murdered the man. 
 
I am really enjoying the Paradise Lake stories and I am guessing that this is the second story in the series. 

[Sarai Dickerson-Hernandez · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the first book and had a hard time keeping track of the characters, but since I don’t real a lot of books narrated in the third person I thought I’d give book two a shot. I really want to love this book, because I love the characters and the mysteries. However, it’s written in the third person, which I normally don’t have a problem with, but there are so many characters they’re hard to keep track of. I think the author has set it up so there are three love interests, but one disappears half way through, the other is treated platonically for the first half and gets a romantic plot thread in the second, and the third pops in out.

[Micky Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very entertaining plot with interesting characters makes this series a fun read. I will recommend reading the book rather than listening to it though as the narrator apparently is very excited to show off her speed reading skills. It takes a bit to get used to the flow as the narrator attempts to read and enunciate at top speed. Despite the flow, it was a great story with interesting twists. The authors ability to create a plot with multiple potential suspects and characters with charm as well as wit keeps bringing me back to the series.

[Kav · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great cozy mystery that leans more towards cozy than mystery. Love all the charming details of small town life in Serenity, Nevada. It's winter carnival time and TJ (epic high school teacher and coach) is working double time at coaching the snowboarding team and preparing the school choir for competition. But despite how idyllic everything is in this winter wonderland, there's a murder (of course!) and TJ has reasons to snoop. I really enjoyed the sense of family and friendship and the hope of romance in the midst of all the sleuthing. A fun cozy escape read.

[Faith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting plot as the main focus but there are other issues as well. Then too, the victim is not a well liked person. There are suspects galore and motives that appear valid.

A suspect is apprehended and the investigator ceases looking further for clues or suspects. TJ to the rescue as she is asked to work behind the scene as everyone is almost certain the suspect is innocent.

So who killed the victim? Read this clever novel and find out for yourself.