Snow Place for Murder

Mountain Lodge Mystery #3

by Diane Kelly, Holly Adams (Narrator)

The third in the charming and engrossing Mountain Lodge mystery series by Diane Kelly, in Snow Place for Murder, the weather at the Mountaintop Lodge is truly frightful…

International resort developer Nigel Goodwin has traveled all the way from London, England to Misty Murphy’s little corner of North Carolina and bought out the Mountaintop Lodge for the week prior to Christmas. Their intention? To pitch an exclusive new resort concept to wealthy American investors.

But locals are at odds over the idea, and when a group comes to the lodge to express their worries to Mr. Goodwin and the potential investors, a blizzard hits Beech Mountain. Like the weather outside, things quickly get frosty, and Misty has to call local police to intervene. Handyman Rocky Crowder plows the lodge’s drive and, in an attempt to regain a jovial holiday atmosphere, smooths the snow pile into a makeshift sledding hill for the guests to enjoy.

Misty’s boys have finished their exams and are “home” from college for the winter break, planning to spend most of their time snowboarding at the ski resort. While taking a few runs down Rocky’s sledding hill, they discover a funny-looking, nose-shaped rock. Only it’s not a rock. It’s the frozen nose of Nigel Goodwin, who’s found dead and buried under the mound of snow.

Who put the developer on ice and why?

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

Audible Audio

First published October 24, 2023

About the author

Award-winning author Diane Kelly writes romance and romantic mysteries featuring feisty heroines, quirky sidekicks, and sexy leading men, with humor that leaves readers laughing out loud.

Reviews

[PamG · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diane Kelly brings plenty of mystery, atmosphere, and conflict to the third book in her Mountain Lodge cozy mystery series, Snow Place for Murder . It features 50-year-old Misty Murphy who has recently signed her divorce papers and purchased a mountain lodge in the Blue Ridge Mountains in northwestern North Carolina. International resort developer Nigel Goodwin has reserved her lodge for several days. He plans to pitch a new resort to several wealthy investors. The resort will be built on land he has purchased locally. Rocky Crowder is the lodge’s handyman and he does freelance work as well.

However, several locals are against the proposed resort and several of the investors have secrets. Then a blizzard hits the area. Misty’s sons, JJ and Mitch, are home for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. When the boys find a funny looking rock while sledding at the lodge, chaos ensues.

The story is mainly told from Misty’s point of view, but there are a few chapters interspersed with thoughts from her cat, Baroness Blizzard, also known as Yeti. While Yeti’s chapters aren’t necessary, they provide some humor and I enjoyed them. Misty is independent, hardworking, resourceful, organized, listens to what is going on around her, inquisitive, and good with people. She is also supportive of others and has a natural curiosity. Rocky is reliable, hardworking, and fun. Nigel is charming, manipulative, clever, and cunning. The investor guests and other secondary characters are a mixed group of personalities with secrets to lend a sense of realism.

The setting was perfect for this novel and Ms. Kelly does a great job of transporting readers to the mountains of North Carolina. The winding roads, the fall color, the early blizzard, and even the southern foods were authentic. There are several plot twists along the way along with plenty of suspects. The dialogue and pacing were on target. The characters and humor enhance it with relatable characters like Misty and Rocky, some obnoxious ones, and a bit of everything else in between. I also liked the fact that Misty worked with the police rather than hiding her sleuthing activities. However, it seemed like the deputy shared more information with her than he should.

I was immediately drawn into Misty’s life and enjoyed the unraveling of the mystery and the development of friendships. The story captivated me from the beginning with a good plot, great world-building details, and characters that are emotionally rich. The author weaves another story involving family, friends, grief, murder, greed, wildlife protection, and holiday celebrations that keeps you entertained throughout the book. Relationships drive the narrative and keep it compelling.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, which was suspenseful, engaging, and atmospheric. In the books I have read by this author, I had a connection with the writing style that I found relatable, vivid, and irresistible. I can’t wait to find out what happens during the next book in the series. I recommend this to those that like cozy mysteries with a more mature main character.

St. Martin’s Press – St. Martin’s Paperbacks and Diane Kelly provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for October 24, 2023. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.

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My 4.3 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.

[BonnieM☂️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Snow Place for Murder is the 3rd book in the Mountain Lodge mysteries. It takes place in Beech Mountain, North Carolina. There are the main characters that make up the town as well as the new characters that are added to make the book exciting. Misty Murphy is the main character who owns the Mountain Top Lodge. She along with her boyfriend and handyman, Rockland (Rocky) Chowder and her assistant, Brynn O ' Reilly help her run the lodge. She brought the hotel to start a new life after her divorce. Across the parking lot is the Greasy Griddle Diner by her friend, Patsy. Patsy cooks breakfast and any other meals needed for Misty's guests.

Misty is expecting her ex, Jack and her sons, Jack Jr. (JJ) and Mitch who are now in college to join her for Thanksgiving. Rocky's daughter, Phoebe (Pebble) also joins them. They all have a wonderful time. Her boys stay for their vacation to help Misty and make some money as Brynn is leaving after Thanksgiving for the holidays.

Misty's lodge is hosting Nigel Goodwin for five for his invited several investors who he hopes will invest in his luxury hotel he is planning to build. Nigel and his wife, Aileen along with his assistant, Ryan Gandapur arrive the day before to get things set up for the presentation. The investors are Kyle and Laurie Jensen, Sebastian Cochrane, Daphne and Jean-Paul Fournier, Amari Lott and Celeste and Emilio Salzar arrive with a welcome cocktail party that evening.

The next day he does his presentation and after the investors plan to go skiing. Before they leave a group of business owners and homeowners come to the lodge to protest his building of the resort. Paulette Frost is president of the Chamber of Commerce as well as owns Frost Property Management. Along with them Tyson Pell a hunter and homeowner is so upset that he goes over to the model of the resort and throws one of the figures into the fire and then smashes the entire model. Leaves the lodge. Gus, a photographer, researcher, receiver and rehabilitator is also there. He is concerned about the wildlife when the resort is built. He and Nigel have words as Gus has put cameras on the property to see the movement of the animals. Nigel tells him that the cameras are to be taken down and that he is not allowed on his property and will be arrested if he does so. Nigel tells Rayon to go and remove the cameras. Rayon is angry that he has to do it as he had planned to go skiing. Nigel goes to met his investor at the ski resort. Officer Hardy arrives as Misty has called him about the incident with the townspeople and the smashing of the model. He takes the information about Tyson Pell and goes to interview him.

The next morning the boys come in from sledding and shows Misty what they think is a rock. When Misty sees the rock she realizes that it is not a rock but a human nose. Rocky and Misty ask the boys to show them where the boys found the rock. They find the body of Nigel under a pile of snow dead. They call the police. Officer Hardy arrives and checks out the murder scene. Deputy Yona Highcloud arrives and asks to speak to Misty privately.

This is where the story takes the reader on an adventure with all the twists and turns that keeps the reader not able to put the book down. There is too much in the story that I will leave it to the reader to enjoy and find out why Nigel is murdered and by whom. The reader is kept in the dark who the murder is to the very end.

Jack, JJ and Mitch and Pebble arrive back for Christmas. Also Rocky's two other daughters join them for their first Christmas at the lodge. Again they all have a wonderful time. Misty and Rocky celebrate the New Year with Patty and her husband, Eli in the new hot tub that Rocky installed. Brynn comes back from the holiday. She had a wonderful one. She is surprised to hear about everything that happened and was pleasantly surprised about the hot tub. Misty tells her that a Scottish group are coming in the summer and what sold them was that they had the hot tub.

I have read this series from the beginning with Getaway with Murder. I look forward to the next book with the adventures of Misty, Rocky and her friends,

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Publishing for this ARC.

[Shirley Chapel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This mystery had everything I love to see in a Cozy. I didn’t know what to expect from this book since Diane Kelly is a new to me author. I enjoyed her laid back writing style. My only regret is that I haven’t read the first two books in the series. I loved the location that was the setting for the story. I have always loved the mountains and especially the Blue Ridge area. I would love to take a week to relax and unwind at the Mountain Top Lodge. The characters were very down to earth friendly people. The murder happened about almost midway into the book. Readers had to wait till near the books ending to find out whodunnit. I didn’t come close to guessing who the killer was and that’s the way I like a cozy mystery to be. I’m going to want to go back and read book one and two so I can get to know the characters better.

When an international resort developer books the Mountain Top Lodge in Nr. Carolina for a week in December Misty Murphy, owner and operator has a full house. Not everyone wants to see a huge resort built where the Elk River runs through the forest and attracts the wild animals to the waters edge. The community is upset and wants the nature trail left the way it is. Tempers flare and when English developer Nigel Goodwin is found dead and frozen under a snow bank the local sheriff must determine if it’s a death by natural causes or is it a murder.

I recommend this book to readers of Cozy Mystery and to fans of the Author. I read this book as a standalone and was able to enjoy the story. It is the third book in the Mountain Lodge Series by Diane Kelly. There is a few mild cuss words in the book so readers who are sensitive to this might not appreciate this book for that reason. This book is scheduled to be released on 10/24/23.

I voluntarily read an advanced Readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

#SnowPlaceforMurder# NetGalley

[Madison Warner Fairbanks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Snow Place for Murder by Diane Kelly
Mountain Lodge Mystery #3. Cozy mystery style. Can be read as a stand-alone.
Misty Murphy owns a small inn on a Beech Mountain adjacent to a small ski resort. She has booked a group of guests, paid for by resort developer Nigel Goodwin. He proposes to build a huge resort on undeveloped property on the same mountain. As the inn fills, Misty hears talk of protests, complaints about other resorts that Nigel owns, and concerns about crowds of people where there used to be wilderness and quiet. Snow piles up outside and Nigel turns up dead. Suspicious of everyone, Misty stars putting the puzzle pieces together to figure out who might have killed him.

Clever and entertaining. Misty does sleuthing via the internet and pretty much defines how he was murdered before the police autopsy results are returned. Misty’s family and friends add color and background as well as a few amusing chapters for the family cat’s POV. Overall an amusing cozy and a mountaintop I would visit again from my comfy armchair.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley.

[Blaine DeSantis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the 3rd book in the Mountaintop Mystery series by prolific cozy mystery author Diane Kelly. As with so many of these books, this one is filled with many characters, a mysterious death, multiple potential suspects, along with red herrings galore! The plot revolves around Mountaintop Lodge owner Misty Murphy who is hosting real estate tycoon Nigel Goodwin who is pitching potential investors for his new resort in Beech Mountain, NC. After the first day of presentations, marred by local protesters opposed to such a resort, Nigel, et al head to the ski slopes for a night of skiing prior to more presentations the next day. Time approaches for that presentation and Nigel is not at the lodge. No, no! He discovered dead in the lodge parking lot, buried under a mound of snow. And so the race is on to find Nigel's killer, aided by Misty who sees and oversees all that goes on at her lodge. Unlike many cozy mysteries, there are no cutsie names of towns, streets or shops; nor are the police portrayed as simpletons who cannot tell a clue from a cruller. There are a lot of characters in this book, so much so that I actually had to make a listing so that I could keep everyone straight. These characters range from an overlooked wife, to an overworked assistant, along with 2 or 3 local characters and all of the potential investors. Everyone is fair game, and Misty is keeping track of one and all, Filled with absolute corny jokes, Kelly also brings up through Misty the question as to whether the main character is a nosy person or just curious. For me Misty is both, but without her insights it would be difficult for the police to get to certain hard evidence. This is well written and a very fast read., with plenty of potential motives for everyone involved to have wanted Nigel dead. So as the days grow shorter and colder, snuggle up and follow along with Misty Murphy for this 3rd edition of the Mountaintop Mysteries.

[CYIReadBooks (Claire) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Snow Place for Murder is the third installment of the Mountain Lodge Mystery series. Although the novel is the third in the series, I didn’t have a problem reading it as a standalone.

The story unfolds through dual points of view — through the lens of the main character, Misty, and her cat, Yeti. I didn’t understand the purpose of having a cat’s perspective as it seemed pointless and it didn’t add anything of value to make the story more engaging. It just seemed as though the cat’s point of view was added for word count and didn’t bring much more than that.

Like most cozy mysteries, the pacing is on the slower side, and Snow Place for Murder is no exception. However, the novel read much slower than I would have liked as the murder didn’t take place until well into 35%. But the various investigative clues in the whodunit kept me moving forward.

I enjoyed the characters. Especially Misty’s two sons, Mitch and J.J.; as well as Pebble, Rocky’s daughter. Somehow the children in this novel seemed more fleshed out than the main characters. Perhaps it’s because the main cast were developed in the earlier novels. I’d have to read the prior novels to be sure, though.

For fans of the Jessica Fletcher mysteries, Snow Place for Murder would be a great addition to their cozy mystery library. As for me, I’ll probably hold off reading any more from this author for now. Three stars.

I received a DRC from St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

[beachbum bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

omgoodness y'all! This series gets better and better! I love Misty, Rocky and getting to meet their families for the holidays! This was such a fun mystery, great location, and set during my favorite time to read about...winter! I can't wait for the next installment! I would recommend this series to cozy fans!
I would like to thank netgalley, the author Diane Kelly and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book!

[Linda Langford · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third installment of the Mountain Lodge cozy series centers around the death of a not-so-honest developer visiting protagonist, Misty Murphy’s quaint inn in scenic Beech Mountain, North Carolina. It’s nearing Christmas, and between scenes about the murder mystery, Misty and her beau, Rocky’s, children are visiting and helping run the Lodge.

The story is interesting as it twists and turns along with the suspects’ alibi’s. It’s strongly a home, hearth, and family tale. Yeti, Misty’s cat, is a sweet addition with her own mini-chapters told from her point of view.

The ending wrap-up satisfied my curiosity as to whodunnit. I believe cozy mystery fans will be engaged by the plot and warmth of the main characters.

I honestly reviewed an unedited digital arc provided by St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Bonnie DeMoss · Rating 4 out of 5]

This cozy series is so good! I just love the main characters. In fact, the whole cast of characters is strong, and the fact that this is a mountain lodge means the players change often, depending on who comes to stay. That keeps everything fresh and new.

Although most of the chapters are from Misty’s point of view, there are a few that are from the point of view of her cat, Yeti—such a fun twist.

As I live in the mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina, I love books that are set there, and this one does not disappoint. I am very familiar with some of the towns mentioned in this book. There is also a very real problem in the North Carolina mountains of rich corporations coming in and buying up the land, making it unaffordable for locals, and bringing in more tourists and traffic than towns are structurally able to support. That is addressed in this installment of the series.

I also love that the main character, Misty, is in her 50s. There are enough young protagonists with perfect bodies out there. It's nice to read about someone like me.

The mystery is compelling and has plenty of twists and turns. The ending is unexpected., but it is the characters and setting that will keep me coming back to this series.

I received a free copy of this book from the publishers via Netgalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

[Bam cooks the books · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Happy Publication Day!!**

The third book in Diane Kelly's Mountain Lodge cozy mystery series, set in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, takes place between Thanksgiving and New Years, so I'd classify it as a holiday treat. Misty Murphy, the lodge's owner, is thrilled to have all her rooms booked by a man who is pitching a new resort concept to wealthy investors. When one of the participants is found frozen to death in the snow, no one can believe it is murder at first but unfortunately it is. Misty is determined to help solve the crime before her guests leave to return to their homes.

This is a well-plotted cozy mystery, with good characterizations and a charming setting. There is enough humor mixed in to keep things light. Very enjoyable! This can definitely be read as a standalone if you are new to the series.

I received an arc of this new mystery from the author and publisher via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

[Darinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Misty Murphy runs the Mountain Top Lodge in the Blue Ridge Mountains. A developer is staying at the Lodge with plans to present a resort idea to investors. Locals are not happy with idea.

Snow Place for Murder is the third book in Mountain Lodge mystery series. This book can be read as a standalone, but I suggest starting with the first book in the series, Getaway With Murder.

Snow Place for Murder is a charming cozy mystery with likable characters and a lovely setting.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[ColleenSC (colleenallbooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Snow Place for Murder, another excellent installment in the Mountain Lodge mysteries by Diane Kelly, comes out October 24th. Thank you to @stmartinspress and @this_is_edelweiss for a #gifted eARC.

This cozy mystery series is a must-read for me. It has an idyllic North Carolina mountain setting, a plucky but not foolhardy heroine, and a lodge premise that allows for interesting new characters each book. The hunky handyman doesn’t hurt either.

I enjoyed the wintery ambiance in this one and I think it will be a perfect choice for holiday reading. Misty definitely demonstrates her cleverness this time around, and I love how she works well with local law enforcement. I highly recommend this series to all cozy mystery fans.

[Sonia With an I · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love love love!!! This is a new favorite series for me! I love the MC, her family, the lodge, everything!! Chefs kiss! I can’t wait for more!!

I received this from NetGalley. I greatly appreciate the opportunity to read this wonderful book. Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing the opportunity.

[Sue Em · Rating 4 out of 5]

Becoming a favourite series, rating 4.5 rounding down.

After her amicable divorce, Misty Murphy threw caution to the wind and bought a mountain lodge in North Carolina. Since then her life has been happier doing what she loves, where she loves and making new friends. If only there had even a stream of unexplained death. When an international investor dies during the week he had bought out her lodge to do an investment pitch for a new resort to be built nearby. There who shortage of viable suspects from locals irate about the damages to wildlife and potential other issues of locals in the community. Of course, there's also a lodgeful of other suspects. Misty while being naturally curious does not overstep into illegal acts like many other cosy lead characters which I really appreciate. Beyond the mystery, the novel is peopled with an excellent set of secondary characters that make this series so enjoyable. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest reve.

[Rachaelbookhunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's almost Thanksgiving and Snow has arrived on the mountain. Misty's sons and ex-husband are arriving for the holidays and it promises to be a time for family and fun. It's also time for murder. Misty is hosting Nigel Goodwin and a group of potential investors who are there to see about building a resort on prime land by the lake. There are some people who are not happy about it though and then Nigel turns up dead.

The story starts just before Thanksgiving and continues through Christmas. As always, Diane Kelly does a great job introducing new side characters. We also get to spend some time with Misty's family and Rocky's daughter. I didn't think Phoebe's dialogue was very realistic but it makes so much sense for their families to be included in the storyline.

I laughed out loud several times. Misty gets pretty creative with some of her methods of investigation. I like that she shares information with the police. I do think some of Misty's involvement is unrealistic but it makes for a fun time.

This series has a little quirkiness to it. I would love to see Yeti make it out of her room next time.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press for the chance to read.

[Leslie aka StoreyBook Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy this series set in the mountains and a rustic lodge. It sounds like a place I wouldn't mind visiting as long as I don't end up dead!

I love the characters, but the mystery kept me guessing until the end. I did not even suspect the killer!

I do enjoy the narrator. She does a good job with the voices and distinguishing one from another.

[Sophia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Returning to the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountain town setting and the cozy comfort of Misty’s inn for a new seasonal mystery was an anticipated reading experience for me and I was not disappointed.

Snow Place for Murder is the third installment in the Mountain Lodge cozy mystery series. Each book can be read standalone and, in fact, I started with book two and did just fine.

Misty hosts a family Thanksgiving for her ex and two college age sons, JJ and Mitch, her new boyfriend, Rocky, and his daughter. A good time was had by all. JJ and Mitch stay on to help Misty at the lodge while her assistant takes a long holiday break. The lodge is hosting an international resort developer who is the new owner of a nearby patch of land he plans to turn into a resort, his wife, assistant, and his potential investor guests. First a local group of protestors who, for their various reasons, don’t want the land developed into a resort and then the murder of Nigel, the developer, turn the cozy mountain holidays into a murder investigation.

After reading, A Trip With Trouble, I was positively impressed with Diane Kelly’s writing, the setting, the characters, and her mystery plot so I wanted to keep going with the series. Like that book, Snow Place for Murder took some time to develop the ongoing relationships and give a wonderful seasonal feel starting with the family Thanksgiving. It might seem that there would be some drama since Misty hosted her ex and kids with her boyfriend and one of his kids, but she had an amicable divorce after the kids were grown and a careful slow burn romance with Rocky, her boyfriend and handyman.

The story then changed gears and it was time for Misty, Rocky, and her sons to go to work hosting a group for a week at the lodge. A blizzard sets in adding atmosphere when the mystery part of the story gets going. The pacing stays steady and slower as an observant Misty works with the police sharing what she has seen and heard, using her position to subtly question suspects and witnesses, and follow a moderately twisting path to the reveal. I do like how Misty works with law enforcement and duly considers her actions.

The finish with the family Christmas and the hot tub Rocky put in to improve the lodge’s appeal was the perfect satisfying finish to a holiday cozy mystery. I enjoyed being back in the Blue Ridge with Misty and the others and will be continuing with the series. I invite you to join me.

I rec'd an eARC via NetGalley to read in exchange for an honest review.

My full review will post at Books of My Heart on Nov 29th.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Snow Place for Murder is the 3rd book in the Mountain Lodge Mysteries, but the first one I have read. I enjoyed this story and will go back and read the first two, but I was able to read this as a standalone story and enjoy it. Misty Murphy runs the Mountain Top Lodge in the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina. A developer is staying at the Lodge with several potential investors, with plans to present a resort idea to them. The locals, including business owners, hunters and wildlife supporters are not happy with idea at all. When Nigel ends up dead in a snowbank, it is originally thought it was an accident, but after an autopsy, the conclusion is murder. There are many culprits, including his unhappy wife. Can Misty sort out the mystery and help find the killer?

This is an enjoyable, well plotted mystery. I loved learning more about the suspects as well as the murdered man. The more we learn, the more possibilities as to who did it and why. Nigel is not a very likable man. The twists had me changing my mind constantly about who the culprit would be, and the final reveal was surprising. As I thought about the clues and information, it fit the story well. One thing I enjoyed a lot was the character development. Not only the protagonist, but her family and the various guests. Jumping in at book 3, there was enough for me to get to know the characters, but not overly described. I would be remiss if I didn't mention the wonderful animals in the story. The chapters from Misty's cat, Yeti's point of view added some detail and made me smile. Molasses, her boyfriend's and maintenance man's dog, is another great addition to the story. Bernese Mountain dogs are sweet and lovable and I just wanted to reach into the book and snuggle him. I absolutely love the setting. My husband and I drove the Blue Ridge Parkway several time and stayed in this area, so it brought back some pleasant memories. This was a fun, interesting mystery and I definitely recommend it to cozy mystery lovers. I am going to try to get the first two read in this series before moving onto a new one.

[Lea Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to read the latest in the Mountain Lodge Mysteries and was not disappointed. I love this series. I love the characters and I adore their cat Yeti who has her own chapters. They are just wonderful. Overall this series just really warms my heart.

In this book Misty has a group of investors from the UK who has booked her entire lodge. The head of the investment firm is what I call your typical’Car salesman’. The kind that is slightly swarmy. The point of the trip is he is going to pitch opportunity for the group to invest in a new large mountain resort that will be heavy competition for Misty’s lodge.

The group Nigel Goodwin is making his sales pitch to is interesting bunch. There is many twists and turns with this group and a secondary very vocal group of local environmentalists and hunters who want to preserve the land and not have this resort built.

So we have the cast of characters who all have reasons to get rid of Nigel.

It’s up to Misty to help local law enforcement to solve this murder before there is another victim ‘left out to freeze’

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC in one of my favorite series. All opinions are my own.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings on this book. The mystery itself was very fun, and I loved meeting JJ, Mitch, and Pebble, but the beginning was incredibly slow. The main characters for the mystery weren’t introduced until nearly 30% through the book and the murder didn’t happen till nearly halfway through. This left the actual investigation feeling very rushed and the coincidences for Misty finding out who the murder was too coincidental, and very much disappointing. I wish the whole beginning about Thanksgiving had been cut as it wasn’t necessary to the plot at all and the majority of the book had been focused on Misty and Rocky and the actual investigation. And that more work had been put into the investigation. Because it had to be rushed, the ending/solutions were rushed and it made for not as good a book as the first two. Will I keep reading this series? Absolutely. I love the world and characters Kelly has created. I just hope more focus is on the mystery in the next book.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun cozy mystery set at a family ski lodge that is hosting a group of potential investors interested in developing a resort. I liked the various suspects - there were so many motives for the murder! And I enjoyed how things developed, from finding the body to finding the culprit. Also, the main characters (because cozy mysteries almost always have some non-professional investigating the crime) weren't too stupid - I always appreciate that when I read cozies! Now I need to pick up the first two books in the series :)

[Denice Langley · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent cozy mystery set in a Mountain Lodge weathered in by snow. The conflict between a development company and the local residents is now on hold as they must dig out of the snow. But digging has uncovered more than the snow, the developer is dead and the suspects are all still on the scene. A "locked room" mystery where the suspects are in the locked room too.

[Jerri Cachero · Rating 4 out of 5]

What do you do when your college age sons find a shocking item in a snowdrift? If you're their mother you rush to find a killer before more people are killed!

This is the first book I've read in the series and I was able to jump right in to the backstory of the main and supporting characters. I liked the idea of a mature character changing her life drastically and owning her own business. The mystery was fast-paced and I did not have a clue of "whodunit" until the case was solved.

I'm going back and reading the first two books, just because I enjoyed this book so much!

The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Joy]

Pro:
* The mountain setting
* The ongoing developing relationships among the regular characters
* I like having Misty and Rocky’s families in the story
* Like the first two books, I find myself drawn in and simply wanting to read it.
* The first third is promising.

Con:
* Gimmicky cat perspective chapters.
* I appreciate diversity, but it feels contrived and announced in this series. I’d like to see character descriptions blended into the plot more smoothly.
* Misty’s constant violation of her guests’ privacy.
* The figuring out the mystery process is painfully unbelievable: Police are not going to share every bit of information about the case with a civilian like Misty when the case is ongoing.
* She doesn’t weave the clues in subtly enough. Too much “beat you over the head with it” repetition.

Thank you to Diane Kelly, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dollycas's Thoughts

The Mountaintop Lodge in North Carolina is fully booked the week before Christmas. Nigel Gorden wants to develop a resort nearby and has invited a group of wealthy American investors to give them his pitch and a skiing vacation.

The new resort proposed is getting mixed feedback from the local community. A group against the proposal had come to Misty Murphy's lodge to voice their opinions but it didn't go well and she had to call in the police to clear them out.

Later, a blizzard blows in dumping fresh powder on the mountain.  When handyman Rocky Crowder clears the snow from the lodge's drive and parking lot he makes a sledding hill for everyone to enjoy, including Misty's sons who are helping at the lodge during their holiday break. They are excited to try it out and they make an interesting discovery, a weird rock that isn't really a rock. When Misty realizes what it is, she and Rocky rush to the hill and start digging. They find international resort developer Nigel Goodwin's dead frozen body.

Who would resort to murder to stop the developer and why? Misty may have a killer on the premises so she needs to help the police ice them out before they strike again or getaway with murder.

______

I love that this story takes place at Christmas time because it brings Misty's and Rocky's children and Misty's ex too, to the lodge. Jack and Misty have a very amicable divorce. They are truly friends and always put their college-age sons, J.J. and Mitch, first. Rocky's daughter Pebble arrives early and takes a job at the diner across the parking lot. His other two daughters, his son-in-law, and granddaughter arrive on Christmas day.  Brynn, Misty's friend and right-hand woman was away for the holidays but diner owner Patty was as busy as ever. She and her truck driver husband did share New Year's Eve with Misty and Rocky.  Ms. Kelly makes it so easy to get invested in her characters. The comfortable relationships between everyone are so heartwarming. I like the way the author is letting Misty and Rocky's relationship slowly evolve.

There were plenty of suspects to work through regarding Nigel's death. Was it one of his guests? or someone local trying to stop the resort? The author throws in many twists and turns and the actual motive was surprising. I really enjoy that Misty works with the police. She keeps her ears and eyes open, asks a few questions here and there, and reports back to Deputy Highcloud everything she learns. She does get involved at the end and she and Rocky are present for the exciting arrest.

Ms. Kelly sets each scene so well. This being the third book in the series I have a clear picture of the lodge, the diner, and the nearby surroundings. It is easy to feel you are right there in the moment wherever the characters go. The blizzard had me shivering.  The weather in the mountains is similar to what we have here.  After enduring Wisconsin winters my whole life I felt for everyone that had to go out in it for any reason.

I love that Misty's cat, Yeti gets to have her own moments. Short little chapters from her point of view about what the "ridiculous creatures" i.e. crazy humans are doing or not doing.

Snow Place for Murder is a wonderful addition to this series. A little fictional vacay to Beech Mountain and the Mountaintop Lodge for the holidays was pretty delightful sans the murder of course.

I have enjoyed every book in this series. The mystery is contained in each book so they all can be read on their own but I recommend reading them all in order for maximum enjoyment.

[Karen Stallman · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Snow Place for Murder” the 3rd instalment in the The Mountain Lodge Mysteries series by Diane Kelly. The weather at the Mountaintop Lodge is truly frightful…

I really enjoyed this instalment, we had Misty’s family and handyman Rocky’s daughter at the lodge for winter break. I liked How the author gave both Misty and her cat Yeti, a voice throughout the story. I also enjoyed the winter vibes as everyone was there to ski Beech Mountain.

The mystery is interesting and had lots of twists which kept me guessing. I had no idea who the killer was till Misty did.

I highly recommend this book to all my cozy friends. Can’t wait to read the next instalment.


I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from St.Martin Press and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Snow Place for Murder by Diane Kelly was another good book in the Mountain Lodge Mystery series. Once again Kelly does a wonderful job with the descriptions of the lodge and surrounding area, and I really enjoyed reading more about Misty’s boys and Rocky’s daughter who are on winter break from college.

There were lots of suspects with varied motives since a group of investors had taken over the lodge. While that was enjoyable having so many choices to who could have been the murderer, I also found I wasn’t as engaged because while the investors were well written, I just couldn’t get too invested in them because I knew they wouldn’t be in the next book.
I am wondering if this might be the same for future books since the lodge is more isolated with only the diner nearby, will there be enough repeat characters to keep me interested?

After I read the next book in the series, I guess I’ll find out! And this is just my own quirk, so please don’t let that stop you from reading the series.

[Elizabeth McFarland · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is book three of The Mountain Lodge Mystery series. I have read the first two, but this could be read as a stand-alone if you haven't.

Once again, we are treated to the POV of both Misty and her cat Yeti. I sort of like Yeti's perspective. Sure, it doesn't add anything to the story, but everything's better with a cat.

Snow Place for Murder was very slow paced. It seemed like the murder happened farther into the story than most cozy mysteries, but once it got going, it was a well thought out mystery. I also enjoyed the snowy winter vibes and the charming setting.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Angel (Bookn.All.Night) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite series. I love the wintry setting and the lodge. I want to go there, we'll minus the murder lol

I read this one quickly because it's just a fun cozy mystery. I sincerely appreciate the author and NetGalley for the review copy.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun loving cozy mystery.