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Deadly Deadlines Mystery #1
The Last Word
An obituary writer finds one of her neighbors dead before her time in this debut cozy mystery perfect for fans of Jenn McKinlay and Eva Gates.
Obituary writer Winter Snow is no stranger to grief, and writing obituaries for the citizens of Ridgefield, Connecticut, is her way of providing comfort to those who have been in her shoes. But funerals and eulogies are meant for the dead, so when the very much alive Leocadia Arlington requests her own obituary by the end of the week, Winter’s curiosity is piqued. Even more so when she finds Mrs. Arlington dead soon after. Officer Kip Michaels and his relentless partner Tom Bellini make it clear that Winter is under suspicion for the death.
Drafting an obituary for someone who hadn’t died yet certainly looks bad, but Winter knows that it wasn’t her, and she becomes obsessed with trying to figure out the real killer. She dives headfirst into the investigation to give Mrs. Arlington and herself some peace. When Winter realizes Mrs. Arlington was working on a revealing memoir that has now gone missing, Winter begins to wonder if the death wasn’t exactly random–accident or otherwise.
With the help of her foodie Uncle Richard, her wise octogenarian neighbor Horace, her best friend Scoop, and Diva, the Great Pyrenees puppy she inherited from Mrs. Arlington, Winter must uncover the killer before the next obituary written is her own.
Obituary writer Winter Snow is no stranger to grief, and writing obituaries for the citizens of Ridgefield, Connecticut, is her way of providing comfort to those who have been in her shoes. But funerals and eulogies are meant for the dead, so when the very much alive Leocadia Arlington requests her own obituary by the end of the week, Winter’s curiosity is piqued. Even more so when she finds Mrs. Arlington dead soon after. Officer Kip Michaels and his relentless partner Tom Bellini make it clear that Winter is under suspicion for the death.
Drafting an obituary for someone who hadn’t died yet certainly looks bad, but Winter knows that it wasn’t her, and she becomes obsessed with trying to figure out the real killer. She dives headfirst into the investigation to give Mrs. Arlington and herself some peace. When Winter realizes Mrs. Arlington was working on a revealing memoir that has now gone missing, Winter begins to wonder if the death wasn’t exactly random–accident or otherwise.
With the help of her foodie Uncle Richard, her wise octogenarian neighbor Horace, her best friend Scoop, and Diva, the Great Pyrenees puppy she inherited from Mrs. Arlington, Winter must uncover the killer before the next obituary written is her own.
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First published February 6, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 166 reviews
February 13, 2024
When the elderly Lottie Arlington contacted obituary writer Winter Snow (who had a sister, Summer Snow - what were their parents thinking?!) and asked her to write her obituary by the following Friday, Winter was bemused. She wrote obituaries for deceased people, not those still alive. But Lottie was adamant, so Winter went to see her, asking her usual questions, still wondering about the deadline. Ridgefield, Connecticut was where she ran her business, and her job kept her busy, her interest in people and their pasts always coming to the fore. When Winter received another call from a distressed wife after her husband had passed the day before, she had no idea of the connection, and what was ahead of her.
When Winter visited Lottie's home with a few more questions, she couldn't make herself heard. Entering the house, she was horrified to discover Lottie at the base of the stairs, but with a faint pulse. When Officer Kip Michaels and his partner Tom Bellini arrived, Tom was suspicious of Winter, and was sure Lottie's fall was her fault. Winter knew Lottie was writing a revealing memoir, but it had vanished. What was going on in that Lottie predicted something would happen to her? And why had her home been ransacked?
The Last Word is the 1st in the Deadly Deadlines Mystery series by debut author Gerri Lewis and was an excellent read which I thoroughly enjoyed. It started slowly but it wasn't long before the pace picked up, turning it into a gritty, intense and heart stopping race against time. I enjoyed the characters, and particularly liked Diva, Lottie's Great Pyrenees puppy, who had a clue he was trying to tell Winter about! A fun, entertaining cosy mystery, and one I recommend.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
When Winter visited Lottie's home with a few more questions, she couldn't make herself heard. Entering the house, she was horrified to discover Lottie at the base of the stairs, but with a faint pulse. When Officer Kip Michaels and his partner Tom Bellini arrived, Tom was suspicious of Winter, and was sure Lottie's fall was her fault. Winter knew Lottie was writing a revealing memoir, but it had vanished. What was going on in that Lottie predicted something would happen to her? And why had her home been ransacked?
The Last Word is the 1st in the Deadly Deadlines Mystery series by debut author Gerri Lewis and was an excellent read which I thoroughly enjoyed. It started slowly but it wasn't long before the pace picked up, turning it into a gritty, intense and heart stopping race against time. I enjoyed the characters, and particularly liked Diva, Lottie's Great Pyrenees puppy, who had a clue he was trying to tell Winter about! A fun, entertaining cosy mystery, and one I recommend.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
February 14, 2024
A new series which introduces Winter Snow, an obituary writer by profession. I guess that must be a real job because someone obviously writes them!
This book started out really well, nicely written and with some good characters. The plot was very involved and featured a lot of people and almost any of them could have been the murderer. One did stand out above the rest but you have to wait right to the end to see if he really did it or not.
This was an entertaining read but the end let it down a little for me with too many pages devoted to revealing every circuitous moment of the plot. I was waiting to see whether Winter and the romantic interest were going to get together. Did they? You will need to read the book to find out.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
This book started out really well, nicely written and with some good characters. The plot was very involved and featured a lot of people and almost any of them could have been the murderer. One did stand out above the rest but you have to wait right to the end to see if he really did it or not.
This was an entertaining read but the end let it down a little for me with too many pages devoted to revealing every circuitous moment of the plot. I was waiting to see whether Winter and the romantic interest were going to get together. Did they? You will need to read the book to find out.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
January 21, 2025
So, I actually came across the second installment first and it sounded like a potentially cute cozy. So, of course, I had to read the this installment first. Ok, that’s not the only reason: both of the installments had a cute puppy on the cover and this one actually had the puppy in the storyline. So glad I did start from the beginning though; I would have missed some really good character development for the MC and some of the residents of Ridgefield, CT and, of course, there’s Diva!!! What a great doggie name!
Anyway, the book summary introduces the MC’s and the primary storyline. Obituary writer Winter Snow (seriously!!! LMAO😂) discovers her latest client injured in her home when Winter does a wellness check on her during a storm. The local cops are immediately suspicious of her when they catch her snooping around and especially after Winter cleans up the potential crime scene. With her client off to the hospital, Winter reluctantly agrees to take home her client’s Pyrenees puppy, Diva, who is not only claustrophobic, but she’s also afraid of water. LOVE DIVA!!!. There is also a secondary storyline of Winter’s growing attraction to one of the cops, Kip, a new recruit who is not getting along with his training officer, Tom. Tom appears to have a bit of a drinking problem and is definitely acting sketchy, according to Kip.
Anyway, most of the story revolves around the investigation of Lottie, Winter’s client who ends up dying from her fall down the stairs. From the get-go, Winter has been baffled as to why Lottie was so emphatic that the obituary she hired Winter to write be done by the strict deadline she set. After Lottie’s death, Winter is certain that Lottie knew she would be dead by then and Winter is certain that Lottie knew someone was going to kill her.
There are so many subplots and supporting characters going on here, it actually got a little ridiculous how all of them tied into the primary storyline. Of course, there was Winter in the middle of it all and driving Kip bonkers with her meddlesome behavior making it harder for him to actually investigate the crime(s). After a while I just started laughing whenever Winter went off half-cocked into the fray of mayhem. Gotta love silly cozies!!!
The character development for Winter, Kip and a couple of the supporting characters was well done. Would have liked to have seen a little more development on Richard and Horace, but I’m sure that was by design for future installments. Loved how Diva was integral in the storyline and investigation. The pacing was steady and the storyline entertaining. Having never read anything by Lewis (this appears to be her debut novel), I don’t know her writing style, but this story is pretty typical for a small-town cozy mystery. I’m looking at an overall rating of 3.75 that I will be rounding up to 4star review. Already have the next installment coming up soon on my to-read list.
Anyway, the book summary introduces the MC’s and the primary storyline. Obituary writer Winter Snow (seriously!!! LMAO😂) discovers her latest client injured in her home when Winter does a wellness check on her during a storm. The local cops are immediately suspicious of her when they catch her snooping around and especially after Winter cleans up the potential crime scene. With her client off to the hospital, Winter reluctantly agrees to take home her client’s Pyrenees puppy, Diva, who is not only claustrophobic, but she’s also afraid of water. LOVE DIVA!!!. There is also a secondary storyline of Winter’s growing attraction to one of the cops, Kip, a new recruit who is not getting along with his training officer, Tom. Tom appears to have a bit of a drinking problem and is definitely acting sketchy, according to Kip.
Anyway, most of the story revolves around the investigation of Lottie, Winter’s client who ends up dying from her fall down the stairs. From the get-go, Winter has been baffled as to why Lottie was so emphatic that the obituary she hired Winter to write be done by the strict deadline she set. After Lottie’s death, Winter is certain that Lottie knew she would be dead by then and Winter is certain that Lottie knew someone was going to kill her.
There are so many subplots and supporting characters going on here, it actually got a little ridiculous how all of them tied into the primary storyline. Of course, there was Winter in the middle of it all and driving Kip bonkers with her meddlesome behavior making it harder for him to actually investigate the crime(s). After a while I just started laughing whenever Winter went off half-cocked into the fray of mayhem. Gotta love silly cozies!!!
The character development for Winter, Kip and a couple of the supporting characters was well done. Would have liked to have seen a little more development on Richard and Horace, but I’m sure that was by design for future installments. Loved how Diva was integral in the storyline and investigation. The pacing was steady and the storyline entertaining. Having never read anything by Lewis (this appears to be her debut novel), I don’t know her writing style, but this story is pretty typical for a small-town cozy mystery. I’m looking at an overall rating of 3.75 that I will be rounding up to 4star review. Already have the next installment coming up soon on my to-read list.
January 18, 2024
Review coming soon.
July 2, 2024
I love a good cozy mystery especially one with a budding romance so there’s no doubt I would pick up this one and enjoy it. While it was certainly longer than my usuals, it was very good. Perhaps a bit too much description of the scenery but the story itself was very interesting and complex. There were several parts to solve and many different suspects to puzzle through. I listened to this on audio from Libro.fm as an advanced copy and I have to add that I like their app very much. I personally listen at a faster speed and 1.5x was perfect for this one. The narrator has a very soothing voice though so maybe avoid this one is you are too sleepy!!
I hope there will be more in this series. Most of all I love the cast of main characters. The uncle and neighbor were so delightful and I think Scoop really adds to the crew with his gentleness but also his curiosity and skills. Kip was the love interest and frankly it was confusing when he started to like the FMC because he starts off very standoffish. that being said, I like how physically he signals his interest. He becomes a great collaborator too as she tries to sus out the facts of the case. With the addition of the grand niece of the victim, they really make a fun and eclectic bunch. I can’t forget the dogs either. I hope we get to see Diva again!
I hope there will be more in this series. Most of all I love the cast of main characters. The uncle and neighbor were so delightful and I think Scoop really adds to the crew with his gentleness but also his curiosity and skills. Kip was the love interest and frankly it was confusing when he started to like the FMC because he starts off very standoffish. that being said, I like how physically he signals his interest. He becomes a great collaborator too as she tries to sus out the facts of the case. With the addition of the grand niece of the victim, they really make a fun and eclectic bunch. I can’t forget the dogs either. I hope we get to see Diva again!
March 1, 2024
Dollycas's Thoughts
Winter Snow makes her living writing obituaries for the good people of Ridgefield, Connecticut. Having dealt with grief herself she knows obituaries are not just notifications and tributes. They "facilitate acceptance", "immortalize a person for their earthly accomplishments" and are pieces of history "that will live in genealogy research and community memory" and they bring comfort to those left behind. Winter takes great care with each obituary she writes.
Winter is usually contacted after a person dies so when she gets a call from the very alive Mrs. Roth Arlington, a well-known philanthropist, stating she needs an obituary right away for herself, Winter agrees to meet with her, even if it means traveling in a what is sure to be a hurricane. Mrs. Arlington is a formidable woman who knows what she wants. She gives Winter a folder full of information and they visit for a while but Winter leaves concerned for the woman. The next day she returns to see how Mrs. Arlington fared the storm, instead she finds the woman's Great Pyrenees puppy, Diva, in distress and her client dead at the bottom of the stairs.
If only the dog could talk. Officer Kip Michaels and his partner Tom Bellini arrive on the scene and let Winter know that she is a suspect in Mrs. Arlington's death. Knowing she is innocent she sets out to find the real killer and her Uncle Richard, his friend and her octogenarian neighbor Horace, her BFF Scoop, and Mrs. Arlington's dog Diva, are on board to help her in any way that they can. She just hopes she isn't the next victim because she is definitely not ready for her short life to be immortalized.
____
Ms. Lewis introduces a cast of unique characters in her first Deadly Deadlines Mystery. Winter Snow is 29 and is using her journalism degree to open a freelance obituary business. She is thrown into a murder investigation to clear her name and makes some mistakes. Her father died when she was young but now she is very close to her Uncle Richard. He spends a lot of time at her cottage on Mamanasco Lake. He has a huge heart and loves helping people. Her elderly neighbor Horace stops by often too. He's a feisty man in his 80's with a twinkle in his eye with a willingness to help as well.
We also meet Winter's friend Kevin Blake, aka Scoop. He was one of a few reporters who kept their jobs when the local weekly newspaper was bought. Kip Micheals is a new hire for the Ridgefield police department. He has been paired with Tom Bellini for training. Winter met Tom in her reporter days and she was not impressed. His leering looks show her he hasn't changed a bit. Our victim, Mrs. Arlington (Lottie) lives alone with her new puppy and a helper who lives in a cottage on the property. She had been working on her memoirs at the time of her death. I can't forget the Nosy Parkers. The Parker sisters, Gabby and Abby. They eavesdrop and people watch to pick up on "juiciest of stories" and right things they feel are wrong.
I felt all the characters were fleshed out well for the first book in the series. The author has left plenty of room for growth as the series continues. Ms. Lewis puts more focus on the mystery and it was a doozy. While Winter wasn't the best amateur sleuth she had good instincts. Kip realized that even though she continued to put herself in danger working together may not be a bad decision. He tries to keep her out of the fray but she is pretty stubborn. As they followed the clues a huge secret came to light. Then key people went missing. That leads up to a scary showdown when even more secrets are revealed. I enjoyed the way the author twisted everything together and made my heart race at the end.
Ms. Lewis plotted this mystery out so well. I thought I had figured out the guilty party but it was much more entailed than I imagined. Yes, there were flaws in police procedures but I chalked it up to a very new amateur sleuth and a new cop.
The Last Word has given this series a marvelous start. The author's attention to detail, her realistic characters, an unusual theme, the hint of romance, humor in all the right places, and a top-notch mystery made for a very entertaining read. I am hoping book two is well in the works because I am looking forward to visiting these characters and Ridgefield, Connecticut again soon.
Winter Snow makes her living writing obituaries for the good people of Ridgefield, Connecticut. Having dealt with grief herself she knows obituaries are not just notifications and tributes. They "facilitate acceptance", "immortalize a person for their earthly accomplishments" and are pieces of history "that will live in genealogy research and community memory" and they bring comfort to those left behind. Winter takes great care with each obituary she writes.
Winter is usually contacted after a person dies so when she gets a call from the very alive Mrs. Roth Arlington, a well-known philanthropist, stating she needs an obituary right away for herself, Winter agrees to meet with her, even if it means traveling in a what is sure to be a hurricane. Mrs. Arlington is a formidable woman who knows what she wants. She gives Winter a folder full of information and they visit for a while but Winter leaves concerned for the woman. The next day she returns to see how Mrs. Arlington fared the storm, instead she finds the woman's Great Pyrenees puppy, Diva, in distress and her client dead at the bottom of the stairs.
If only the dog could talk. Officer Kip Michaels and his partner Tom Bellini arrive on the scene and let Winter know that she is a suspect in Mrs. Arlington's death. Knowing she is innocent she sets out to find the real killer and her Uncle Richard, his friend and her octogenarian neighbor Horace, her BFF Scoop, and Mrs. Arlington's dog Diva, are on board to help her in any way that they can. She just hopes she isn't the next victim because she is definitely not ready for her short life to be immortalized.
____
Ms. Lewis introduces a cast of unique characters in her first Deadly Deadlines Mystery. Winter Snow is 29 and is using her journalism degree to open a freelance obituary business. She is thrown into a murder investigation to clear her name and makes some mistakes. Her father died when she was young but now she is very close to her Uncle Richard. He spends a lot of time at her cottage on Mamanasco Lake. He has a huge heart and loves helping people. Her elderly neighbor Horace stops by often too. He's a feisty man in his 80's with a twinkle in his eye with a willingness to help as well.
We also meet Winter's friend Kevin Blake, aka Scoop. He was one of a few reporters who kept their jobs when the local weekly newspaper was bought. Kip Micheals is a new hire for the Ridgefield police department. He has been paired with Tom Bellini for training. Winter met Tom in her reporter days and she was not impressed. His leering looks show her he hasn't changed a bit. Our victim, Mrs. Arlington (Lottie) lives alone with her new puppy and a helper who lives in a cottage on the property. She had been working on her memoirs at the time of her death. I can't forget the Nosy Parkers. The Parker sisters, Gabby and Abby. They eavesdrop and people watch to pick up on "juiciest of stories" and right things they feel are wrong.
I felt all the characters were fleshed out well for the first book in the series. The author has left plenty of room for growth as the series continues. Ms. Lewis puts more focus on the mystery and it was a doozy. While Winter wasn't the best amateur sleuth she had good instincts. Kip realized that even though she continued to put herself in danger working together may not be a bad decision. He tries to keep her out of the fray but she is pretty stubborn. As they followed the clues a huge secret came to light. Then key people went missing. That leads up to a scary showdown when even more secrets are revealed. I enjoyed the way the author twisted everything together and made my heart race at the end.
Ms. Lewis plotted this mystery out so well. I thought I had figured out the guilty party but it was much more entailed than I imagined. Yes, there were flaws in police procedures but I chalked it up to a very new amateur sleuth and a new cop.
The Last Word has given this series a marvelous start. The author's attention to detail, her realistic characters, an unusual theme, the hint of romance, humor in all the right places, and a top-notch mystery made for a very entertaining read. I am hoping book two is well in the works because I am looking forward to visiting these characters and Ridgefield, Connecticut again soon.
August 1, 2023
#TheLastWord #NetGalley is a new series filled with colorful characters and a great story!
Winter Snow (love her name) is an obituary writer, which may sound morbid, but Winter seems to enjoy it.
When a new customer needs her services immediately, Winter finds herself immersed in a murder investigation, uncovering clues and secrets others wish she'd left alone.
I'm looking forward to reading more in this series.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of the book.
Winter Snow (love her name) is an obituary writer, which may sound morbid, but Winter seems to enjoy it.
When a new customer needs her services immediately, Winter finds herself immersed in a murder investigation, uncovering clues and secrets others wish she'd left alone.
I'm looking forward to reading more in this series.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of the book.
September 10, 2023
Winter Snow, an obituary writer, is hired by Leocadia Arlington to write her obituary. The odd part about this job is that Mrs. Arlington is still alive, but also wants the obituary written by the end of the week. What's worse? Winter finds Mrs. Arlington at the bottom of the stairs after a fall...or was it a push? When the police find Winter in the house with poor Mrs. Arlington, she becomes a suspect. Winter needs to clear her name, so she begins to investigate with her Uncle Richard, their elderly neighbor, Horace, Mrs. Arlington's puppy, Diva, and her best friend and writer, Scoop.
I enjoyed this cozy. The obituary writer was a new spin on cozies that I've never read previously. The story was written well but left a few questions unanswered. I loved Winter's friends, especially Scoop and the octogenarian neighbor, Horace...he was hilarious. I would read from Gerri Lewis again. 3.5/5 stars rounded up.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I enjoyed this cozy. The obituary writer was a new spin on cozies that I've never read previously. The story was written well but left a few questions unanswered. I loved Winter's friends, especially Scoop and the octogenarian neighbor, Horace...he was hilarious. I would read from Gerri Lewis again. 3.5/5 stars rounded up.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
April 4, 2024
I really enjoyed this new cozy series by Gerri Lewis. I wanted to read it based on the title and cover alone. I wasn't expecting the main character working as an obituary writer. Thought that was interesting and new. The characters were great and I loved the setting. I liked the cop duo angle. Definitely can't wait to read the next book.
Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with a review copy.
Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with a review copy.
April 26, 2025
An enjoyable first installment in the Deadly Deadlines mystery series! Protagonist Winter Snow is a professional obituary writer which I found to be an interesting, unique premise for a cozy mystery. When a local philanthropist requests Winter to write her obituary prior to her death, it doesn't seem unusual for someone in their 80's to want to plan ahead. It is unusual that she requests her obituary to be completed that same week. Shortly after meeting, Winter finds the elderly philanthropist at the bottom of her staircase, bloody, and barely breathing. Was it an accident or did someone cause her fall? This is just one of many pieces of a puzzle that will pull readers in and quickly turning the pages to reveal a decades-long secret. The supporting characters are also interesting and likable, and it was fun learning bits of their backstories. I look forward to seeing their growth and development in future installments.
March 17, 2024
Cozy mystery sleuths get all the cool jobs. In The Last Word by Gerri Lewis, Winter Snow quite fittingly works as an obituary writer. So it's not too surprising when Leocadia Arlington requests an obituary be delivered to her by Friday. That Ms. Arlington's intended subject is herself? Yeah, that's a little more surprising.
Quirky is a word often thrown around with cozies and, even with just the premise, Lewis has absolutely nailed that descriptor. Winter, dead serious about her profession, agrees to the job and sets off to meet with Ms. Arlington. These are scenes are some of my favorites in the book, because it's so different to have the sleuth actually interacting with an individual who knows she's going to be the victim of the story. More than that, Ms. Arlington seems almost resigned to her fate. So while it ultimately isn't that surprising when she later dies, it is mildly unsettling in a way cozies often aren't.
This also provides strong motivation for Winter to dive into the investigation. Winter had a tangible connection to the deceased and, like any good writer, she wants to see a story through to its end. Plus, of course, the police, represented by Kip (competent) and Tom (not) are woefully underprepared to solve the case on their own.
Like any good amateur detective, Winter puts herself in unnecessarily risky situations. Lewis has no problem quite literally turning the heat up whenever Winter repeatedly returns to the scene of the crime or interrogates someone. There's a palpable danger in these moments, and Lewis deserves praise for showing realistic consequences.
However, my favorite part of The Last Word is the overall world that Lewis has crafted. Winter is a charming, funny sleuth surrounded by a wildly entertaining cast of characters. As she stumbles around putting the pieces of the mystery together, I found myself wondering how this town would could tie into future installments of what I hope is a long series. Best of all, Winter's job as an obituary writer is more than just window dressing to give the book its hook. Because Lewis has crafted a fully realized world, Winter actually uses these skills in some tightly written research scenes to both help further the action and explain why properly written obituaries are important as historical records.
A wonderfully constructed mystery, a genuinely likable sleuth, and plenty of quirky details. The Last Word better be far from the last we hear from Gerri Lewis.
Note: I received a free ARC of this book from the publisher.
Review also published at pluckedfromthestacks.wordpress.com/
Quirky is a word often thrown around with cozies and, even with just the premise, Lewis has absolutely nailed that descriptor. Winter, dead serious about her profession, agrees to the job and sets off to meet with Ms. Arlington. These are scenes are some of my favorites in the book, because it's so different to have the sleuth actually interacting with an individual who knows she's going to be the victim of the story. More than that, Ms. Arlington seems almost resigned to her fate. So while it ultimately isn't that surprising when she later dies, it is mildly unsettling in a way cozies often aren't.
This also provides strong motivation for Winter to dive into the investigation. Winter had a tangible connection to the deceased and, like any good writer, she wants to see a story through to its end. Plus, of course, the police, represented by Kip (competent) and Tom (not) are woefully underprepared to solve the case on their own.
Like any good amateur detective, Winter puts herself in unnecessarily risky situations. Lewis has no problem quite literally turning the heat up whenever Winter repeatedly returns to the scene of the crime or interrogates someone. There's a palpable danger in these moments, and Lewis deserves praise for showing realistic consequences.
However, my favorite part of The Last Word is the overall world that Lewis has crafted. Winter is a charming, funny sleuth surrounded by a wildly entertaining cast of characters. As she stumbles around putting the pieces of the mystery together, I found myself wondering how this town would could tie into future installments of what I hope is a long series. Best of all, Winter's job as an obituary writer is more than just window dressing to give the book its hook. Because Lewis has crafted a fully realized world, Winter actually uses these skills in some tightly written research scenes to both help further the action and explain why properly written obituaries are important as historical records.
A wonderfully constructed mystery, a genuinely likable sleuth, and plenty of quirky details. The Last Word better be far from the last we hear from Gerri Lewis.
Note: I received a free ARC of this book from the publisher.
Review also published at pluckedfromthestacks.wordpress.com/
March 27, 2024
I think I have found my new favorite cozy mystery series. I mean what's not to love about an obituary writer by day and a mystery solver by night. I didn't think I would like this series when I started reading it, but I ended up loving it and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series. Finally a cozy mystery heroine with a job you don't see every day. Obit writer.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
August 8, 2023
Winter Snow is an obituary writer. Not your typical job for a 29-year-old woman, but it developed quite naturally from her journalism major and former position with the local paper in Ridgefield, Connecticut. Individuals often contact Winter as part of their estate planning, but an appointment with Mrs. Leocadia Arlington put an unusual twist as part of her request. Although Winter gave agreement, sorting her puzzlement becomes more than just curiosity.
There are so many surprises interlaced flawlessly in the author’s debut cozy mystery. I loved it! Okay, so one of the romantic sparkles is predictable, but I fell hook, line, and sinker for this couple’s future. The atmospheric writing layered interest in the setting at a storm’s onset and its aftermath, the camaraderie sharing enjoyment of Uncle Richard’s delectable cooking, a special space within Winter’s lakeside cottage on Mamanasco Lake, and the pleasures of view from sunrise to sunset. Characters are well-developed, and each adds a unique flair, as do the paws of Diva, a Great Pyrenees puppy, and a German Shepherd named Max.
The cozy is charming from cover to cover. A delightful stand-alone, but I'm hopeful it becomes a series with more adventures. I'd click a pre-order button for sure!
Thank you to Gerri Lewis, Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an eARC of this book.
There are so many surprises interlaced flawlessly in the author’s debut cozy mystery. I loved it! Okay, so one of the romantic sparkles is predictable, but I fell hook, line, and sinker for this couple’s future. The atmospheric writing layered interest in the setting at a storm’s onset and its aftermath, the camaraderie sharing enjoyment of Uncle Richard’s delectable cooking, a special space within Winter’s lakeside cottage on Mamanasco Lake, and the pleasures of view from sunrise to sunset. Characters are well-developed, and each adds a unique flair, as do the paws of Diva, a Great Pyrenees puppy, and a German Shepherd named Max.
The cozy is charming from cover to cover. A delightful stand-alone, but I'm hopeful it becomes a series with more adventures. I'd click a pre-order button for sure!
Thank you to Gerri Lewis, Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an eARC of this book.
December 7, 2023
First things first, I'm not a fan of the protagonist's name. Winter Snow. It's a little on the nose, but let's roll with it. Her occupation is unique for cosies, a professional freelance obituary writer. Does such a think exist? Anyway, aside from the occupation, she fits the bill for a standard protagonist.
A liked the reasoning behind the mystery, but some of the story didn't work for me. It was things like crime scenes not being secured at all. That was number one. Talk about chain of evidence being trampled all over. If this weren't a cosy, I don't know what I'd think. But, as this is a cosy, we must look to the amateur protagonist. As a character, I'm not really sure what I think of Winter. I didn't really engage with her that much. I warmed to a number of the support characters, and the little dog, Diva. Maybe if there are more books that engagement with the protagonist will develop.
Another thing I thought was strange is huge clues are discovered part of the way through the story, forgotten about, and rediscovered anew later on as if it is the first time. It threw me a little when that happened.
But I enjoyed atmosphere in parts of this, especially with the scenes with the weather. I also liked the pace of the story. I wouldn't say there are red herrings in this book. It's basically what you see
is what you get. But it's a decent cosy that I think many people will enjoy.
Thank you to the publisher, the author, and Netgalley for providing a copy of this for an honest review. All comments are my own.
A liked the reasoning behind the mystery, but some of the story didn't work for me. It was things like crime scenes not being secured at all. That was number one. Talk about chain of evidence being trampled all over. If this weren't a cosy, I don't know what I'd think. But, as this is a cosy, we must look to the amateur protagonist. As a character, I'm not really sure what I think of Winter. I didn't really engage with her that much. I warmed to a number of the support characters, and the little dog, Diva. Maybe if there are more books that engagement with the protagonist will develop.
Another thing I thought was strange is huge clues are discovered part of the way through the story, forgotten about, and rediscovered anew later on as if it is the first time. It threw me a little when that happened.
But I enjoyed atmosphere in parts of this, especially with the scenes with the weather. I also liked the pace of the story. I wouldn't say there are red herrings in this book. It's basically what you see
is what you get. But it's a decent cosy that I think many people will enjoy.
Thank you to the publisher, the author, and Netgalley for providing a copy of this for an honest review. All comments are my own.
February 20, 2024
The Last Word is the first book in the A Deadly Deadlines Mystery by Gerri Lewis.
Winter Snow is a free-lance obituary writer. Winter receives a call from Mrs. Arlington, a local philanthropist, asking Winter to write her obituary. Mrs. Arlington(Lottie) informs Winter that she should not bother coming to see her if she can’t finish the obituary by Friday. Winter has to drive through a tropical storm to reach Lottie’s home to gather information on Lottie’s life. Shortly after arriving, the storm knocked out power at Lottie’s home. Even though the generators have started, Winter wants Lottie to go home with her. Lottie refuses, saying that she has to work on her memoir. The next day, Winter returns to Lotties to check on her and obtain additional information on her life. When there is no response to her knocking, Winter finds the door unlocked. She enters and finds Lottie’s near-lifeless body at the foot of the stairs. The police come to investigate, and Officer Kip Michaels seems to want to check out Winter’s story, while Officer Tom Bellini is more concerned with proving her guilty of murder.
Winter will start to investigate who might have killed Mrs. Arlington. Winter soon learns that Lottie has included facts that these people would like to keep secret in her memoirs. She must discover who might have the most to lose when the memoirs become known.
The story is well-written and plotted and reads at a nice pace. The characters are well-developed and very believable.
I will be watching for the next book in this interesting series.
Winter Snow is a free-lance obituary writer. Winter receives a call from Mrs. Arlington, a local philanthropist, asking Winter to write her obituary. Mrs. Arlington(Lottie) informs Winter that she should not bother coming to see her if she can’t finish the obituary by Friday. Winter has to drive through a tropical storm to reach Lottie’s home to gather information on Lottie’s life. Shortly after arriving, the storm knocked out power at Lottie’s home. Even though the generators have started, Winter wants Lottie to go home with her. Lottie refuses, saying that she has to work on her memoir. The next day, Winter returns to Lotties to check on her and obtain additional information on her life. When there is no response to her knocking, Winter finds the door unlocked. She enters and finds Lottie’s near-lifeless body at the foot of the stairs. The police come to investigate, and Officer Kip Michaels seems to want to check out Winter’s story, while Officer Tom Bellini is more concerned with proving her guilty of murder.
Winter will start to investigate who might have killed Mrs. Arlington. Winter soon learns that Lottie has included facts that these people would like to keep secret in her memoirs. She must discover who might have the most to lose when the memoirs become known.
The story is well-written and plotted and reads at a nice pace. The characters are well-developed and very believable.
I will be watching for the next book in this interesting series.
October 23, 2023
Winter Snow is an obituary writer for the local paper, When she is tasked by Leocadia Arlington to write her obituary by the end of the week. When Winter finds Leocadia dead and law enforcement does not seem interested she investigates herself.
I tried with this book multiple times but just could not get into it. I found it boring and the characters fell flat.
I tried with this book multiple times but just could not get into it. I found it boring and the characters fell flat.
February 24, 2024
This is a solid cozy debut! The main character, Winter Snow, being a freelance obituary writer is interesting and unique. The mystery was well done and on the whole holds your interest. Winter does some snooping/sleuthing that is at times questionable and a bit off putting however. I did enjoy the book and feel that there is so much in this novel that will appeal to cozy mystery enthusiasts. A very good first installment in this series.
January 29, 2024
This was a very good cozy mystery, the first in what I hope will be a series. Winter Snow (love that name) writes obituaries for a living. One day she gets a phone call from a woman who wants an obituary written for herself, with the caveat that it must be completed by Friday. Winter interviews Lottie and receives her information. When she has questions later and can't reach Lottie, she goes back to her house and finds Lottie sprawled at the bottom of the stairs. While the police are inclined to see her fall as an accident, Winter is not so sure. And when Lottie dies from her injuries, and her house is ransacked, it looks even less like an accident and more like murder.
This mystery was a lot of fun to read and I loved the characters. I look forward to reading more from this author.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley and Crooked Lane books.
This mystery was a lot of fun to read and I loved the characters. I look forward to reading more from this author.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley and Crooked Lane books.
January 31, 2024
Winter Snow is trying to build her career as an obituary writer when she receives a call from the very much alive Leocadia Arlington, local philanthropist, asking her to write her obituary before the week ends. Winter is willing and curious and goes to visit her despite stormy weather brewing.
She invites Leocadia and her puppy Diva, a Great Pyrenes, to go home with her to weather the storm since she has a generator at her lakeside home. Mrs. Arlington declines. However, when Winter gets home, she phones to try to convince her, but Mrs. Arlington doesn't answer.
Winter ventures up the next day to find a locked house, an upset caretaker, and a barking puppy. After managing to get inside, she finds Mrs. Arlington sprawled at the base of a flight of stairs but still breathing. Calling 911 brings not only an ambulance but the police who check out the house. For some reason, one of the police officers suspects Winter of having something to do with Mrs. Arlington's fall.
When Mrs. Arlington dies, Winter decides to find out what happened and begins to look into more of her life than she had given Winter when she wanted an obituary written. Meanwhile, another local luminary contacts Winter to write an obituary for her very recently deceased husband and seems to know a lot she shouldn't know about Mrs. Arlington's death. Her husband and Mrs. Arlington were friends.
This was a nice cozy mystery that introduces a main character with an unusual profession. I liked Winter's determination to find out what really happened to one of her clients. I also like her budding romance with the rookie policeman Kip. And Diva is a great character too and holds a substantial clue to the events Winter is trying to understand.
She invites Leocadia and her puppy Diva, a Great Pyrenes, to go home with her to weather the storm since she has a generator at her lakeside home. Mrs. Arlington declines. However, when Winter gets home, she phones to try to convince her, but Mrs. Arlington doesn't answer.
Winter ventures up the next day to find a locked house, an upset caretaker, and a barking puppy. After managing to get inside, she finds Mrs. Arlington sprawled at the base of a flight of stairs but still breathing. Calling 911 brings not only an ambulance but the police who check out the house. For some reason, one of the police officers suspects Winter of having something to do with Mrs. Arlington's fall.
When Mrs. Arlington dies, Winter decides to find out what happened and begins to look into more of her life than she had given Winter when she wanted an obituary written. Meanwhile, another local luminary contacts Winter to write an obituary for her very recently deceased husband and seems to know a lot she shouldn't know about Mrs. Arlington's death. Her husband and Mrs. Arlington were friends.
This was a nice cozy mystery that introduces a main character with an unusual profession. I liked Winter's determination to find out what really happened to one of her clients. I also like her budding romance with the rookie policeman Kip. And Diva is a great character too and holds a substantial clue to the events Winter is trying to understand.
September 5, 2023
This was an interesting start to a new series. Winter writes obituaries for a living, the series is set in Ridgefield, Connecticut, a plus for this Connecticut resident, and it all ties into the story for many reasons. When Winter is asked to write an obituary for a very well known but reclusive woman, the question is why, because the lady still lives! All Mrs Roth Arlington will do is provide some information and tell Snow she only has three days to deliver. Unfortunately before she can, the lady actually turns up dead. Now with the help of her Uncle, an elderly neighbor, her friend, a local reporter, and the original officers called to the scene Snow will have to use her wits as she tries to figure out who killed her client and why. An interesting story with lots of twists and turns. Thank you to #NetGalley and #CrookedLaneBooks for a chance to read.
January 19, 2024
The Last Word is the start of a new cozy mystery that follows Winter Snow. She is an obituary writer who gets caught up in a murder mystery when the women she is writing for is found dead. She teams up with an unlikely crew to solve the case.
This book was just ok for me. I’ll start with the things I liked first. I enjoyed all of the characters and the dogs featured in this book. We have some interesting characters including a cop, some nosy neighbors, and an old guy. I also loved the dogs featured. Considering there is a dog on the cover, I expected there to be a lot of dog moments and it didn’t disappoint! I also enjoyed the mystery and the twists throughout the book. There was a good mix between tense moments and funny/cozy moments.
I do feel like the pacing was a bit off for this book. It took a long time for the mystery to actually kick off. I feel like it should’ve happened sooner in the story. I also feel like there are a lot of stereotypical tropes in here and I wanted just a little more creativity/originality with the story.
I do think many people will enjoy this book! I will probably check out the next book in this series when it comes out. Thanks so much to netgalley and Crooked Lane books for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!
This book was just ok for me. I’ll start with the things I liked first. I enjoyed all of the characters and the dogs featured in this book. We have some interesting characters including a cop, some nosy neighbors, and an old guy. I also loved the dogs featured. Considering there is a dog on the cover, I expected there to be a lot of dog moments and it didn’t disappoint! I also enjoyed the mystery and the twists throughout the book. There was a good mix between tense moments and funny/cozy moments.
I do feel like the pacing was a bit off for this book. It took a long time for the mystery to actually kick off. I feel like it should’ve happened sooner in the story. I also feel like there are a lot of stereotypical tropes in here and I wanted just a little more creativity/originality with the story.
I do think many people will enjoy this book! I will probably check out the next book in this series when it comes out. Thanks so much to netgalley and Crooked Lane books for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!
February 10, 2024
Winter Snow is an obituary writer for hire. After a storm knocks out power, she goes to check up on an elderly client who wanted her obit written before she died. The story gets complicated from there. Her client is found at the bottom of some stairs, but was it an accident, or intentional? I liked the cute Pyrenees pup named Diva, and I also liked that Winter worked with the police rather than against them (most of the time). There are a lot of zany moments and of course our sleuther makes poor decisions and endangers her life more than once. But she has a key piece of evidence that finally reveals all. The secondary characters were a delight from the Nosy Parkers (two gossipy sisters) to her sweet old neighbor Horace, and her reporter friend Scoop. This book is a solid start to a new series. I liked the possible police love interest Kip, he was a good guy. And there’s a family tragedy in Winter’s past that I would like to know more about.
I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions are my own.
I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions are my own.
August 9, 2023
I certainly hope that this novel is the first in the series. The lead character Winter Snow ( wonderful name) is a professional obituary writer. Her profession requires an eye for detail, the ability to piece and uncover a story. People trust her and based on the frequency of business she receives, she’s good at it. Winter is hired by Leocadia Arlington, a wealthy but somewhat reclusive elderly woman. Ms. Arlington requests an obituary be created for herself. Although old, she doesn’t appear sick. Winter finds herself a chief suspect in Ms Arlington untimely demise. That couples with a mysterious fire and missing blackmail journal push Winter into overdrive. She’s got to clear her name and solve the mystery. This is definitely a who dun it, that will keep you guess. Add in lovable Diva the dog and Winter’s family and you have a cast of exciting characters. I would definitely recommend this read.
March 12, 2024
For my money, the best fictional obituary writer is Bill Kent's Shep Ladderback, whose knowledge starts where Philadelphia society, money, and crime meet. But Ridgefield, CT has freelancer Winter Snow, who is asked to write an obituary immediately for a wealthy philanthropist, who dies in an accident shortly after Winter gets some background information for her. Winter is suspicious about the accident, but she's busy taking care of the victim's dog, snooping around her deserted house, and making friends with the new policeman in town while avoiding his sleazy partner. The death of another prominent local leaves her with two big jobs to do, as she starts to wonder if the deaths of the neighbors is more than a coincidence..
May 11, 2024
This is a great first in a new series. I really enjoyed it. It flows well and the characters are nicely developed. Winter Snow is an obituatiry writter in a small town if Ridgefield, Connecticut, 45 minutes away from NYC. Winter is contacted by a very wealthy octogenerian philanthropist asks Winter to write her obituary, with a deadline of 3 days. Winter is perplexed by the urgency and when she mets with Mrs. Arlington, her suspcions grow.
Ridgefield is under a hurricane warning and Winter is also prepping for a power outage. On a whim, she invites Mrs. Arlington to her house to weather the storm, but Mrs. Arlington refuses. Winter is worried about her, and drives out to the house to check on it, only to find Mrs. Arlington at the bottom of the stairs.
There are some great characters- Kip Michaels is the cop helping investigate the case. Richard is Winter's uncle and always there to help out and Winter's neighbor, Horace, Winter's neighbor.
I received an ARC from NetGalley, and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Ridgefield is under a hurricane warning and Winter is also prepping for a power outage. On a whim, she invites Mrs. Arlington to her house to weather the storm, but Mrs. Arlington refuses. Winter is worried about her, and drives out to the house to check on it, only to find Mrs. Arlington at the bottom of the stairs.
There are some great characters- Kip Michaels is the cop helping investigate the case. Richard is Winter's uncle and always there to help out and Winter's neighbor, Horace, Winter's neighbor.
I received an ARC from NetGalley, and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 22, 2024
I really enjoyed this book, staying up past my bedtime to finish it in two days. The characters were well-written, especially Winter Snow, the protagonist. The obituary writer occupation was one I hadn’t come across yet, so I enjoyed reading about an occupation that was new to me.
The pacing kept me reading. The mystery took a twist I didn’t see coming, but it fit the story.
I hope this series continues.
The pacing kept me reading. The mystery took a twist I didn’t see coming, but it fit the story.
I hope this series continues.
April 2, 2024
Winter Snow is an obituary writer in this new cozy mystery series. I will admit that the name threw me off from the very beginning. I liked the Connecticut town and most of the characters we meet, but Winter makes too many mistakes while trying to solve this crime and that really bothered me. Overall not a bad cozy, but I’m not sure if I will continue the series.
April 7, 2024
This truly was one of the coziest murder mysteries I've ever read. The vibe of this town is so adorable, of course, murders abound! But don't be fooled by the cuteness. There are a lot of intense moments throughout that will keep you turning the page and surprised by the twists until the very end. This book is especially fun because it is based on a real town, and if you are a local of Ridgefield, you will love all the insider knowledge and mentions of your favorite places. A very fun read!
September 16, 2023
I liked this book but I just couldn't get into the story. I didn't like the writing style but overall the story was good.
February 11, 2024
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Gerri Lewis for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for The Last Word coming out February 20, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Obituary writer Winter Snow is no stranger to grief, and writing obituaries for the citizens of Ridgefield, Connecticut, is her way of providing comfort to those who have been in her shoes. But funerals and eulogies are meant for the dead, so when the very much alive Leocadia Arlington requests her own obituary by the end of the week, Winter’s curiosity is piqued. Even more so when she finds Mrs. Arlington dead soon after. Officer Kip Michaels and his relentless partner Tom Bellini make it clear that Winter is under suspicion for the death.
Drafting an obituary for someone who hadn’t died yet certainly looks bad, but Winter knows that it wasn’t her, and she becomes obsessed with trying to figure out the real killer. She dives headfirst into the investigation to give Mrs. Arlington and herself some peace. When Winter realizes Mrs. Arlington was working on a revealing memoir that has now gone missing, Winter begins to wonder if the death wasn’t exactly random–accident or otherwise.
With the help of her foodie Uncle Richard, her wise octogenarian neighbor Horace, her best friend Scoop, and Diva, the Great Pyrenees puppy she inherited from Mrs. Arlington, Winter must uncover the killer before the next obituary written is her own.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I definitely love cozy mysteries. I thought the plot was really interesting. I love that Winter enjoys her job as writer for obituaries. It may seem a bit morbid to some people, but someone has to do it. The setting and dialogue were really good. I enjoyed the side characters. The mystery was written really well. I loved it. There were a couple plot points I wasn’t really into, but overall I loved this book. I will definitely check out more in this series.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries!
Obituary writer Winter Snow is no stranger to grief, and writing obituaries for the citizens of Ridgefield, Connecticut, is her way of providing comfort to those who have been in her shoes. But funerals and eulogies are meant for the dead, so when the very much alive Leocadia Arlington requests her own obituary by the end of the week, Winter’s curiosity is piqued. Even more so when she finds Mrs. Arlington dead soon after. Officer Kip Michaels and his relentless partner Tom Bellini make it clear that Winter is under suspicion for the death.
Drafting an obituary for someone who hadn’t died yet certainly looks bad, but Winter knows that it wasn’t her, and she becomes obsessed with trying to figure out the real killer. She dives headfirst into the investigation to give Mrs. Arlington and herself some peace. When Winter realizes Mrs. Arlington was working on a revealing memoir that has now gone missing, Winter begins to wonder if the death wasn’t exactly random–accident or otherwise.
With the help of her foodie Uncle Richard, her wise octogenarian neighbor Horace, her best friend Scoop, and Diva, the Great Pyrenees puppy she inherited from Mrs. Arlington, Winter must uncover the killer before the next obituary written is her own.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I definitely love cozy mysteries. I thought the plot was really interesting. I love that Winter enjoys her job as writer for obituaries. It may seem a bit morbid to some people, but someone has to do it. The setting and dialogue were really good. I enjoyed the side characters. The mystery was written really well. I loved it. There were a couple plot points I wasn’t really into, but overall I loved this book. I will definitely check out more in this series.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries!
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