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Deadly Deadlines Mystery #2
Grave Words: A Deadly Deadlines Mystery
In the second installment of the Deadly Deadlines mysteries, obituary writer Winter Snow faces her biggest challenge yet when the body of a homeless man is found in a burning building and her best friend is the main suspect; perfect for fans of Eva Gates and Kate Carlisle.
Winter Snow has had it! With her business in a death drought, her best friend Scoop implicated in a string of arsons, and an obituary listing Winter herself as deceased, her life is heating up. But just as she’s trying to cool things down, she receives her newest assignment: an obituary for Chester, a homeless man found in a burning building.
Promising the local funeral home manager that she will have the obituary by the deadline, Winter is stonewalled at every turn, failing to discover Chester’s last name, or where he came from. When it is discovered that Chester was murdered and that the fire was set to cover it up, all fingers immediately point to Scoop. Not only is Scoop a person of interest in the arsons, he was also the last person to see Chester alive.
As more nails are pounded into Scoop’s coffin, Winter’s uncle Richard hopes to help by inviting the notorious town gossips, The Nosy Parkers, to a neighborhood food fest. Unfortunately, the breadcrumbs they toss set murder in motion.
More determined than ever, Winter must figure out the twists and turns of the case to clear Scoop’s name, putting her on a deadly deadline to solve the murder and avoid meeting the same grave consequences.
Winter Snow has had it! With her business in a death drought, her best friend Scoop implicated in a string of arsons, and an obituary listing Winter herself as deceased, her life is heating up. But just as she’s trying to cool things down, she receives her newest assignment: an obituary for Chester, a homeless man found in a burning building.
Promising the local funeral home manager that she will have the obituary by the deadline, Winter is stonewalled at every turn, failing to discover Chester’s last name, or where he came from. When it is discovered that Chester was murdered and that the fire was set to cover it up, all fingers immediately point to Scoop. Not only is Scoop a person of interest in the arsons, he was also the last person to see Chester alive.
As more nails are pounded into Scoop’s coffin, Winter’s uncle Richard hopes to help by inviting the notorious town gossips, The Nosy Parkers, to a neighborhood food fest. Unfortunately, the breadcrumbs they toss set murder in motion.
More determined than ever, Winter must figure out the twists and turns of the case to clear Scoop’s name, putting her on a deadly deadline to solve the murder and avoid meeting the same grave consequences.
336 pages, Paperback
First published June 10, 2025
9 people are currently reading
176 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
June 1, 2025
The second book featuring Winter Snow, professional obituary writer, who finds herself in the position of trying to clear the name of her friend who is suspected of arson. There is a lot of other stuff going on as well but it was all rather random.
I was not as enamoured with this book as I was with the first one. Basically I guess I was disappointed by the way Winter expected her Detective boyfriend, Kip, to just hand over information about police cases whenever she wanted. I think the author took the wrong direction here and it would be better if Winter was more adult in her expectations. It was still a readable mystery and I will continue the series hoping Winter and Kip resolve their differences and find a solution that suits them both.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
I was not as enamoured with this book as I was with the first one. Basically I guess I was disappointed by the way Winter expected her Detective boyfriend, Kip, to just hand over information about police cases whenever she wanted. I think the author took the wrong direction here and it would be better if Winter was more adult in her expectations. It was still a readable mystery and I will continue the series hoping Winter and Kip resolve their differences and find a solution that suits them both.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
June 7, 2025
As obituary writer Winter Snow prepared to write the obituary for newly deceased Chester, a homeless man in Ridgefield, Connecticut, she was concerned for her good friend, Scoop. He was a reporter and had filed on the latest arson attack, but it was looking very much like Scoop was involved. How did he know so much of the information that hadn't been released by the police? Another friend of Winter's, Carla of the funeral home in Ridgefield, was doing her best, but also couldn't find the details on Chester. Why was the simple thing of finding his surname, so hard?
But when it was discovered Chester was murdered, and another person died around the same time, Winter was determined to investigate. Her boyfriend, Kip, local police officer, didn't want Winter to put herself in danger, while her elderly neighbour, Horace, kept an eye out for Winter. Winter's dog, Diva, and Horace's, Max, got along well, but Diva was - well, a diva! Uncle Richard also kept an eye out for Winter - but she was intent on doing it her own way...
Grave Words is #2 in the Deadly Deadlines Mystery series by Gerri Lewis and unfortunately it didn't grab me in the way the first book did. I feel Winter was more "over the top" and taking risks even after being asked to stay out of it all. I enjoyed Horace and Richard's characters, as well as the dogs; Scoop is a genuine character as well. I'm not sure if I'll continue the series - will wait and see. Recommended to fans.
With thanks to NetGalley & Crooked Lane Books for my digital ARC to read and review.
But when it was discovered Chester was murdered, and another person died around the same time, Winter was determined to investigate. Her boyfriend, Kip, local police officer, didn't want Winter to put herself in danger, while her elderly neighbour, Horace, kept an eye out for Winter. Winter's dog, Diva, and Horace's, Max, got along well, but Diva was - well, a diva! Uncle Richard also kept an eye out for Winter - but she was intent on doing it her own way...
Grave Words is #2 in the Deadly Deadlines Mystery series by Gerri Lewis and unfortunately it didn't grab me in the way the first book did. I feel Winter was more "over the top" and taking risks even after being asked to stay out of it all. I enjoyed Horace and Richard's characters, as well as the dogs; Scoop is a genuine character as well. I'm not sure if I'll continue the series - will wait and see. Recommended to fans.
With thanks to NetGalley & Crooked Lane Books for my digital ARC to read and review.
November 9, 2024
I received a free copy of, Grave Words, by Gerri Lewis, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is book two in The Deadly Deadline Mystery Series. Winter Snow is listed as deceased, but she is very much alive, Thank you very much! Winter is trying to write an obituary for a local man named Chester, but is having a very hard time of it. love the names in this book, Winter Snow, Scoop, Winfred, etc. This was an interesting murder mystery.
April 7, 2025
So the gangs all back for this second installment of Winter Snow (yes, that is really her name) and her misfit crew of friends and family in Ridgefield, CT. There is also, of course, Diva, the Great Pyrenees puppy from the first installment, that Winter ended up adopting after Diva’s first doggie mama was killed. LOVE DIVA!!! Love Winter too for adopting Diva; Winter is good people in my book!
The book summary lays the primary storyline of Ridgefield’s one and only homeless person, Chester, who died in a fire in the building where the local hangout, Pop’s Place is located. Winter’s BFF, Scoop, the local newspaper reporter, was the last to see Chester alive. So, of course, the police consider him a suspect and the fact that Scoop won’t divulge what he and Chester were talking about makes him an uncooperative suspect. It's also rumored that Chester may not have been who he appeared to be.
There is also a secondary storyline around another obituary that Winter has been asked to write (besides Chester’s obituary) for another Ridgefield resident, Arthur. Arthur is a local collector of toy doll memorabilia, mostly action figures and his inventory is massive with much of it being stored in a local warehouse. It's not long before Winter discovers a connection between Chester and Arthur and begins to suspect that their deaths are not accidental or random.
Kip, a detective for the Ridgefield Police Dept as well as Winter’s BF, knows more than he is letting on and doesn’t want Winter anywhere near this investigation and basically orders her to stay away from it. Of course, Winter doesn’t, which leads to her getting caught up in some pretty scary scenes and is now on the radar of a possible murderer. All of which leads to some really scary and intense scenes for Winter and her friend, Carla, who works at the local funeral home.
The continued character development of Winter and her friends and family was well done. I really hope to see more of Carla, who is a great character. The pacing was steady and didn't drag too much. The family drama between Winter and Uncle Richard was confusing, but I'm sure there is more to come on that subject. The storyline and writing was engaging and pretty standard for a cozy mystery. I'm looking at an overall rating of 3.9 that I will be rounding up to a 4star review. I want to thank NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
#NetGalley #CrookedLaneBooks #GraveWords
The book summary lays the primary storyline of Ridgefield’s one and only homeless person, Chester, who died in a fire in the building where the local hangout, Pop’s Place is located. Winter’s BFF, Scoop, the local newspaper reporter, was the last to see Chester alive. So, of course, the police consider him a suspect and the fact that Scoop won’t divulge what he and Chester were talking about makes him an uncooperative suspect. It's also rumored that Chester may not have been who he appeared to be.
There is also a secondary storyline around another obituary that Winter has been asked to write (besides Chester’s obituary) for another Ridgefield resident, Arthur. Arthur is a local collector of toy doll memorabilia, mostly action figures and his inventory is massive with much of it being stored in a local warehouse. It's not long before Winter discovers a connection between Chester and Arthur and begins to suspect that their deaths are not accidental or random.
Kip, a detective for the Ridgefield Police Dept as well as Winter’s BF, knows more than he is letting on and doesn’t want Winter anywhere near this investigation and basically orders her to stay away from it. Of course, Winter doesn’t, which leads to her getting caught up in some pretty scary scenes and is now on the radar of a possible murderer. All of which leads to some really scary and intense scenes for Winter and her friend, Carla, who works at the local funeral home.
The continued character development of Winter and her friends and family was well done. I really hope to see more of Carla, who is a great character. The pacing was steady and didn't drag too much. The family drama between Winter and Uncle Richard was confusing, but I'm sure there is more to come on that subject. The storyline and writing was engaging and pretty standard for a cozy mystery. I'm looking at an overall rating of 3.9 that I will be rounding up to a 4star review. I want to thank NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
#NetGalley #CrookedLaneBooks #GraveWords
June 14, 2025
Dollycas’s Thoughts
In this second Deadly Deadline Mystery, Winter Snow is wondering if her obituary business is going to make it, especially when a current obituary lists her as deceased. Getting that error fixed is not going to be fun, but having her best friend, Scoop, in the hot seat as the top suspect in a series of arsons requires her full attention. A homeless man was found in the last fire. When his death becomes classified as a murder, with the fire as a literal smoke screen, all eyes on truly on Scoop. He was the last person known to see Chester alive.
Under a deadline from the funeral home, Winter needs a lot more information about the man who died. He was known around town as just Chester, no last name. She is having a devil of a time getting information from anyone.
As the evidence starts to accumulate, Winter knows she needs to get the scoop on the real killer to clear her BFF of the crime. This is one deadly deadline that she can’t miss, or both she and Scoop could face dire repercussions.
All the characters I enjoyed in the first book, The Last Word, are back. Winter and Detective Kip Michaels are now “a thing”. Winter’s Uncle Richard and her neighbor Horace want to help Winter in any way they can with everything in her life, including solving the murder. Her friend Carla works at the local funeral home. She sometimes sends Winter some obituary business and helps with her murder investigations. The Parker sisters, Gabby and Abby, aka the Nosy Parkers, usually have some information to share or some drama to stir up. Winter has adopted Diva, the Great Pyrenees puppy, after her person was killed in book one. She does get along with Horance’s German Shepherd, Max, but true to her name, she can be a bit of a DIVA. I liked getting to know this core group of characters better. We got a little more information about Winter’s sister, Summer, and her death, but I feel we have just scratched the surface, and more will be revealed in the next book.
The mystery was a little meandering at times, but when another death was connected and more clues were revealed, it began to even out. Scoop knew more than he should, but he refused to reveal his source. Winter and Carla took on the task to find out. They make a great team as amateur sleuths. Winter was upset with Kip for not sharing details with her, but he was just trying to keep her safe. It didn’t deter her; she and Carla kept digging. Winter took a lot of risks, and she and Carla got into some dangerous situations. One that had a humorous rescue and led to a huge clue. A clue that helped things start to fall into place for me before they did for Winter. That clue also led Carla and Winter into a deadly situation with a serious deadline. That being said, I was only partially right and needed more information to understand all the whys, hows, and people that entered the story late in the plot.
Grave Words had a few bumps for me, but I was satisfied when all was wrapped up in the final chapter. The characters are strong, interesting, and are developing depth, so I am looking forward to seeing what Ms. Lewis has planned for them next.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
In this second Deadly Deadline Mystery, Winter Snow is wondering if her obituary business is going to make it, especially when a current obituary lists her as deceased. Getting that error fixed is not going to be fun, but having her best friend, Scoop, in the hot seat as the top suspect in a series of arsons requires her full attention. A homeless man was found in the last fire. When his death becomes classified as a murder, with the fire as a literal smoke screen, all eyes on truly on Scoop. He was the last person known to see Chester alive.
Under a deadline from the funeral home, Winter needs a lot more information about the man who died. He was known around town as just Chester, no last name. She is having a devil of a time getting information from anyone.
As the evidence starts to accumulate, Winter knows she needs to get the scoop on the real killer to clear her BFF of the crime. This is one deadly deadline that she can’t miss, or both she and Scoop could face dire repercussions.
All the characters I enjoyed in the first book, The Last Word, are back. Winter and Detective Kip Michaels are now “a thing”. Winter’s Uncle Richard and her neighbor Horace want to help Winter in any way they can with everything in her life, including solving the murder. Her friend Carla works at the local funeral home. She sometimes sends Winter some obituary business and helps with her murder investigations. The Parker sisters, Gabby and Abby, aka the Nosy Parkers, usually have some information to share or some drama to stir up. Winter has adopted Diva, the Great Pyrenees puppy, after her person was killed in book one. She does get along with Horance’s German Shepherd, Max, but true to her name, she can be a bit of a DIVA. I liked getting to know this core group of characters better. We got a little more information about Winter’s sister, Summer, and her death, but I feel we have just scratched the surface, and more will be revealed in the next book.
The mystery was a little meandering at times, but when another death was connected and more clues were revealed, it began to even out. Scoop knew more than he should, but he refused to reveal his source. Winter and Carla took on the task to find out. They make a great team as amateur sleuths. Winter was upset with Kip for not sharing details with her, but he was just trying to keep her safe. It didn’t deter her; she and Carla kept digging. Winter took a lot of risks, and she and Carla got into some dangerous situations. One that had a humorous rescue and led to a huge clue. A clue that helped things start to fall into place for me before they did for Winter. That clue also led Carla and Winter into a deadly situation with a serious deadline. That being said, I was only partially right and needed more information to understand all the whys, hows, and people that entered the story late in the plot.
Grave Words had a few bumps for me, but I was satisfied when all was wrapped up in the final chapter. The characters are strong, interesting, and are developing depth, so I am looking forward to seeing what Ms. Lewis has planned for them next.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
March 14, 2025
I was happy to go back to Ridgefield, CT, and visit with Winter, Uncle Richard, Scoop, Carla, and Kip. I will admit to being prejudiced as I live in Connecticut and love the small-time vibe in this series. In this adventure, Scoop seems to have an in on the fires that are being started in town. Unfortunately, he might know too much, and when the third fire yields a body, things are definitely going to get hot. With Scoop protecting his source and Winter trying to find answers as she is asked to write the obituary for the homeless man found in the third fire, can they figure out who is setting the fires and who wanted Chester dead? While I love the setting and characters, this book was a little more convoluted than it had to be. Too many secrets, lack of trust, and undefined characters pulled in at the end. Hopefully, the next entry will be a little more smoothed out. Thanks to #Netgally, #CrookedLaneBooks, and the author for an opportunity to read. #GraveWords #DeadlyDeadlineMysteries #GerriWoods #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader
April 27, 2025
Grave Words delivers another engaging mystery but it’s wrapped in a narrative that doesn’t quite live up to the first book’s charm.
The core whodunit is enjoyable, with enough twists to keep me invested. I had an inkling of picking the culprit but wasn't quite right. So a big plus for the structure of the mystery. But there were several moments where the story veered off into tangents of details that might’ve added depth to the setting or character world, but instead arrived at the wrong moment, pulling me out of the narrative flow. These interruptions were frequent enough to be distracting.
While I don’t mind common cosy mystery tropes (such as a detective boyfriend, the quirky best friend), they need to be executed with care. In this book, the dynamic between the protagonist and her police detective boyfriend felt off, particularly her irritation with him for not sharing case details. Rather than coming across as justified or playful, her frustration felt oddly immature, even juvenile. A few other character interactions also struck a slightly awkward note, as if the emotional beats hadn’t quite been ironed out.
It’s not a bad book by any means and I will continue with the series but this installment felt less polished. I can see so much growth potential in characters and in the small town cosy elements, the sky is the limit with a series like this. I hope we have more books, because I think this series is unique.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The core whodunit is enjoyable, with enough twists to keep me invested. I had an inkling of picking the culprit but wasn't quite right. So a big plus for the structure of the mystery. But there were several moments where the story veered off into tangents of details that might’ve added depth to the setting or character world, but instead arrived at the wrong moment, pulling me out of the narrative flow. These interruptions were frequent enough to be distracting.
While I don’t mind common cosy mystery tropes (such as a detective boyfriend, the quirky best friend), they need to be executed with care. In this book, the dynamic between the protagonist and her police detective boyfriend felt off, particularly her irritation with him for not sharing case details. Rather than coming across as justified or playful, her frustration felt oddly immature, even juvenile. A few other character interactions also struck a slightly awkward note, as if the emotional beats hadn’t quite been ironed out.
It’s not a bad book by any means and I will continue with the series but this installment felt less polished. I can see so much growth potential in characters and in the small town cosy elements, the sky is the limit with a series like this. I hope we have more books, because I think this series is unique.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 7, 2024
#GraveWords #NetGalley features Winter Snow, an obituary writer that finds herself in awkward situations.
Winter is working on her next obituary, it's the death of a homeless man that perished in a fire.
Things get complicated quickly and soon Winter finds herself wrapped up in a murder investigation.
I liked this story, but it felt a bit all over the place, and there were some parts I had a difficult time reading.
Overall, I feel this is a solid 4 star review.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
Winter is working on her next obituary, it's the death of a homeless man that perished in a fire.
Things get complicated quickly and soon Winter finds herself wrapped up in a murder investigation.
I liked this story, but it felt a bit all over the place, and there were some parts I had a difficult time reading.
Overall, I feel this is a solid 4 star review.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
May 17, 2025
Winter Snow, freelance obituary writer, returns in her second case. The story starts with a mix-up. One of her clients has posted an obituary that wrongly states the Winter is the one who has passed away causing all sorts of trouble for Winter as she tries to correct the mistake.
Meanwhile, her friend Scoop is in trouble with the police for seeming to know too much about a series of arsons around town. He won't give up his source when Winter's boyfriend Kip pressures him. But when a third apparent arson results in the death of a homeless man named Chester things heat up for him even more. It seems Scoop was the last one to see Chester alive.
Carla, Winter's friend from the funeral home, tasks Winter with writing Chester's obituary which send Winter into an investigation of her own as she tries to learn more about Chester. She's being stonewalled. She can't even find out his full name. She's angry at Kip for trying to steer her away from her inquiries into Chester which causes some conflict in their relationship.
Winter uncovers some secrets, and each discovery leads her into a more dangerous place as she uncovers a money-making scheme and actors who wouldn't at all mind seeing her dead. But she has to persist if she wants to save her friend Scoop and satisfy her own curiosity.
This was a nice mystery with a main character with a unique occupation.
Meanwhile, her friend Scoop is in trouble with the police for seeming to know too much about a series of arsons around town. He won't give up his source when Winter's boyfriend Kip pressures him. But when a third apparent arson results in the death of a homeless man named Chester things heat up for him even more. It seems Scoop was the last one to see Chester alive.
Carla, Winter's friend from the funeral home, tasks Winter with writing Chester's obituary which send Winter into an investigation of her own as she tries to learn more about Chester. She's being stonewalled. She can't even find out his full name. She's angry at Kip for trying to steer her away from her inquiries into Chester which causes some conflict in their relationship.
Winter uncovers some secrets, and each discovery leads her into a more dangerous place as she uncovers a money-making scheme and actors who wouldn't at all mind seeing her dead. But she has to persist if she wants to save her friend Scoop and satisfy her own curiosity.
This was a nice mystery with a main character with a unique occupation.
June 17, 2025
This is the second book in the Deadly Deadlines Mystery series. It can be read as a standalone, but fans of series reading will want to start at the beginning. There are things I liked about the book and things I didn’t. I think Winter’s career as an obituary writer is unique and adds something a little different to the cozy mystery genre. There’s emphasis on friendship and family which is a cozy staple. I really like Winter’s neighbor Horace., who calls her out on her trust issues and double standard when it comes to sharing information. (She expects people to share information with her but doesn’t always reciprocate.) This double standard of information sharing is one of the things I didn’t like. There were many instances where it seemed like people were keeping secrets from one another and some of that just made no sense. The mystery itself was a bit convoluted and tried too hard to blend the arsons and the murder. All in all this isn’t a bad story, but i don’t think it was as good as the first installment. Hopefully this is just a bit of a bump in the road and the next installment finds its focus because there really is much to like about the series.
February 11, 2025
Winter Snow is an obituary writer. One day she wakes to find that she actually has her own obituary in the newspaper and not knowing how it got there. Trying to understand this, she is finally faced with another tragic event that involves her best friend Scoop a journalist, her boyfriend Kip, a cop and the loss of a homeless man named Chester.
Chester dies in a fire in a popular bar and grill. Winter tries to find all the information she can about her deceased. She begins to realize that Chester seemingly has no background until leads send her to a family members house. Was he homeless? Did he really have money and family that cared for him? He is elusive and as Winter befind to learn the truths, she realizes what she knows to be true is not
I felt this book an easy read and I enjoyed it. I also felt the characters were relatable. I loved Winters older friends Horace and Richard who are friends you want to have on your side.
Mysteries reveal themselves about this small town and there are twists and turns that keep the story interesting.
Chester dies in a fire in a popular bar and grill. Winter tries to find all the information she can about her deceased. She begins to realize that Chester seemingly has no background until leads send her to a family members house. Was he homeless? Did he really have money and family that cared for him? He is elusive and as Winter befind to learn the truths, she realizes what she knows to be true is not
I felt this book an easy read and I enjoyed it. I also felt the characters were relatable. I loved Winters older friends Horace and Richard who are friends you want to have on your side.
Mysteries reveal themselves about this small town and there are twists and turns that keep the story interesting.
March 9, 2025
What about a murder story where the first person to die is you?
Such a cool way to introduce our character, Winter Snow, her job as an obituary writer and the first people in her entourage.
I must say that I was hooked from the first line—I really loved this book!
Although I had not read the first installment, I thoroughly enjoyed this second adventure. The characters are well introduced, and their relationships develop in a way that you can feel what Winter Snow is going through and how she struggles.
I enjoyed watching the police officers do their job professionally, without divulging information about an ongoing investigation, even though Winter and Kip are a newly formed couple.
I liked how her role as an obituary writer forced her to find alternative ways to gather clues and solve mysteries in order to complete her job, rather than just acting like an amateur sleuth.
The writing was a delight, something that's often lacking in this kind of novel.
Thank you #CrookedLaneBooks and #Netgally for this for this discovery. And of course, to #GerriLewis for writing so beautifully.
For more info and reviews, visit my blog: https://iswidbooks.blogspot.com/
Such a cool way to introduce our character, Winter Snow, her job as an obituary writer and the first people in her entourage.
I must say that I was hooked from the first line—I really loved this book!
Although I had not read the first installment, I thoroughly enjoyed this second adventure. The characters are well introduced, and their relationships develop in a way that you can feel what Winter Snow is going through and how she struggles.
I enjoyed watching the police officers do their job professionally, without divulging information about an ongoing investigation, even though Winter and Kip are a newly formed couple.
I liked how her role as an obituary writer forced her to find alternative ways to gather clues and solve mysteries in order to complete her job, rather than just acting like an amateur sleuth.
The writing was a delight, something that's often lacking in this kind of novel.
Thank you #CrookedLaneBooks and #Netgally for this for this discovery. And of course, to #GerriLewis for writing so beautifully.
For more info and reviews, visit my blog: https://iswidbooks.blogspot.com/
June 10, 2025
"Grave Words (Deadly Deadlines Mystery #2)" by Gerri Lewis almost seems further into the series than just a second book. The main character, Winter Snow, is established in a newish relationship and has a fairly well off career writing obituaries and Legacy stories. I know she keeps saying she's trying to get established in her career but she seems to have fairly steady work. That seems established to me. This one also has a touch of Halloween in the last few chapters.
The mystery part is around a mysterious homeless man that dies in a fire. Winter starts being involved when she's asked to write an obituary up for the man. Then, when she asks her cop boyfriend for some information to fill out the obituary (like the victim's last name) he tells her to not work on that particular one just yet. So, being this is a cozy mystery after all, she just has to investigate to find out what's really happening.
The mystery part is around a mysterious homeless man that dies in a fire. Winter starts being involved when she's asked to write an obituary up for the man. Then, when she asks her cop boyfriend for some information to fill out the obituary (like the victim's last name) he tells her to not work on that particular one just yet. So, being this is a cozy mystery after all, she just has to investigate to find out what's really happening.
December 31, 2024
I enjoy this series a lot and I want to keep reading the book. That being said, I am struggling a little with writing the review. Winter Snow writes obituaries. Her best friend is Scoop, and investigative journalist. Her boyfriend is a police officer who arrests Scoop after there are a rash of arsons in which he seemed to have a little too much knowledge of. During one of those arsons, a local homeless man, Chester is found dead. Winter is asked to write an obituary for him by her friend and local mortician.
Weird things start happening when Winter starts looking in to Chester and his background. She is tailed by a black SUV, another dead body is found and random bears start showing up. It felt a little disjointed. That being said, I stil enjoyed the characters and I look forward to future books!
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book.
Weird things start happening when Winter starts looking in to Chester and his background. She is tailed by a black SUV, another dead body is found and random bears start showing up. It felt a little disjointed. That being said, I stil enjoyed the characters and I look forward to future books!
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book.
May 5, 2025
Winter Snow is at it again! She is trying to grow her obituary business, while navigating her relationship with Kip the cop, and dealing with her larger-than-life uncle and neighbor, who are insistent that she needs protecting. Protecting from what? Winter has no clue. Add in her new dog, Diva, her reporter friend, Scoop covering a new story, and there is a lot of action in this one!
Arsons are happening around town, Scoop gets the scoop from a source he won't reveal, so the authorities are looking at him as the arsonist, but Winter knows it's simply not true. In trying to prove his innocence, she gets caught up in another murder mystery when a victim is found after an apparent arson. Wandering Chester, a homeless man around town, is the victim, but there was definitely more to him than meets the eye. Winter is now being followed, her friends are being threatened and she needs to solve the case fast!
We learn a little more about the death of Winter's sister in this story, which helps piece her backstory together even more. She is supposed to have a visit with her sister's twins at Christmas, so it will be interesting if the next mystery revolves around their visit.
I'm just leaving this hanging here, but I hope Winter and Kip can work out their trust issues....
4.8*
I received a free ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Arsons are happening around town, Scoop gets the scoop from a source he won't reveal, so the authorities are looking at him as the arsonist, but Winter knows it's simply not true. In trying to prove his innocence, she gets caught up in another murder mystery when a victim is found after an apparent arson. Wandering Chester, a homeless man around town, is the victim, but there was definitely more to him than meets the eye. Winter is now being followed, her friends are being threatened and she needs to solve the case fast!
We learn a little more about the death of Winter's sister in this story, which helps piece her backstory together even more. She is supposed to have a visit with her sister's twins at Christmas, so it will be interesting if the next mystery revolves around their visit.
I'm just leaving this hanging here, but I hope Winter and Kip can work out their trust issues....
4.8*
I received a free ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 19, 2025
4 plus. I’m giving it a 5 because it’s been under rated. Another interesting cozy mystery from Gerri Lewis. Knowing the location of the action possibly made it even more entertaining for me, Fairfield County Ct. I like this one even more than the first. Sometimes I did eye rolls at the predicaments that the main character gets into but no different from many of “best selling” novel’s female protagonists. The plot was tight, in the end, better than many of those well known authors. The writing itself was great, first person sensing, feeling, and self-talk was believable, causing for a nod of agreement at times. I always wanted to return to the book when had to stop listening due to the demands of life. Narration of the audible was excellent. Winter is an obit writer, trying to spring a friend from jail. Enjoy!
June 3, 2025
In the second installment of the Deadly Deadlines mysteries, obituary writer Winter Snow faces her biggest challenge yet when the body of a homeless man is found in a burning building and her best friend is the main suspect
I like the character of Winter, her uncle Richard and Diva, the Great Pyrenees puppy. We learn a little more about the death of Winter's sister in this story, which helps piece her backstory together even more. She is supposed to have a visit with her sister's twins at Christmas, so it will be interesting if the next mystery revolves around their visit.
It was entertaining, full of twists and turns and I didn’t completely guess whodunnit until Winter did..
Overall, I'm invested in this series and excited to see where the author takes these characters.
I'm eagerly anticipating the next instalment to see how the series evolves. If you're a fan of cozy mysteries, small town settings, or amateur sleuths, this book is a great choice.
I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I like the character of Winter, her uncle Richard and Diva, the Great Pyrenees puppy. We learn a little more about the death of Winter's sister in this story, which helps piece her backstory together even more. She is supposed to have a visit with her sister's twins at Christmas, so it will be interesting if the next mystery revolves around their visit.
It was entertaining, full of twists and turns and I didn’t completely guess whodunnit until Winter did..
Overall, I'm invested in this series and excited to see where the author takes these characters.
I'm eagerly anticipating the next instalment to see how the series evolves. If you're a fan of cozy mysteries, small town settings, or amateur sleuths, this book is a great choice.
I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 9, 2025
I did not anticipate this book being more than a cozy mystery. Although we have some puppy love, I mean literally with Winter's puppy named Diva and her neighbor's dog Max. While Winter was pulled back and forth with her relationships in this book, I enjoyed her growth. I also enjoyed learning about the obituary writing side of her career. I did not read the first book in this series, and I feel I was still aware of what was going on. Winter did seem immature in some of her decisions, but I did notice her growth in the book. The mystery was enjoyable, and the ending worked out well in my opinion. I enjoyed the book overall.
November 3, 2024
Thanks to author, Gerri Lewis and NetGalley for providing this light, entertaining ARC. Let me begin with my rating of 3.5, bordering on a 4.0 at times. GRAVE WORDS never commanded my complete attention, but had moments of being an entertaining murder mystery. The plot sets up like a modern day "CLUE" who-done-it, with sufficient character development to keep the reader's interest....at times.
Periodically, the storyline would jump the tracks and ramble on with dialogue and conversational text. Was the reference on p.166 to "Kettle One vodka" instead of "Ketel One" and use of Gladys Night meant to add to the lightness and humor of the story?
Again the storyline seemed cluttered early on, making it difficult to stay engaged in the story, eventually pulling together at the conclusion.
Periodically, the storyline would jump the tracks and ramble on with dialogue and conversational text. Was the reference on p.166 to "Kettle One vodka" instead of "Ketel One" and use of Gladys Night meant to add to the lightness and humor of the story?
Again the storyline seemed cluttered early on, making it difficult to stay engaged in the story, eventually pulling together at the conclusion.
November 13, 2024
Gerri Lewis has written an exceptional story full of suspense and plot twists questioning every characters' genuity throughout making this a very inquisitve read. Once the reader has grasped the characters' roles, it becomes one that you cant put down because youre intrigued to get to the next plot twist! Winter Snow, ex journalist and now professional obituary writer lives in her uncle, Richard's lake side cottage in a small town. She is dating local police officer Kip. When it becomes apparent that there's someone on an arson spree, Winter starts digging and makes her start doubting those close to her - including her best friends Carla who works in the local funeral home and Scoop, the local journalist. Then there are two deaths that happen in close proximity of each other and assumptions are made that they are connected with the fire. Threats start to fly around and Scoop is rattled as he has a source that is divulging details that the police have not released but hes not ready to reveal his source which then makes him look extremely guilty. Kip tells Winter to stop digging for her own safety. Of course she does the opposite putting her own and Carla's lives in danger. This book definitely highlights people are not as they always seem. Coming June 2025. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 #arcreading #gerrilewisauthor #crookedlanebooks #crookedlanebookspublishing
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2024
Grave Words
I recently had the opportunity to read an ARC of Grave Words by Gerri Lewis, and I was immediately captivated. This thrilling mystery follows Winter Snow, an obituary writer who finds herself drawn into a dangerous investigation when her best friend Scoop is implicated in a series of arsons.
As Winter delves deeper into the case, she uncovers a web of secrets and lies that threaten to expose the town's darkest secrets. The pressure mounts as Winter races against time to clear Scoop's name, all while facing her own personal demons and confronting the realities of mortality.
Lewis masterfully weaves together a chilling mystery with a touch of dark humor, creating a compelling and unforgettable story. Grave Words is a must-read for fans of cozy mysteries with a darker edge.
Rating: ★★★★☆
#GraveWords #GerriLewis #Mystery #BookReview #TrueCrime #Bookworm #MysteryLover #Bookstagram #MysteryReader #BookwormLife #BookRecommendation #BookAddict #MysteryThriller #CozyMysteryLover #MysteryBookworm #BookishLife #MysteryBooksOfInstagram #ARC #AdvancedReaderCopy #CozyMystery
I recently had the opportunity to read an ARC of Grave Words by Gerri Lewis, and I was immediately captivated. This thrilling mystery follows Winter Snow, an obituary writer who finds herself drawn into a dangerous investigation when her best friend Scoop is implicated in a series of arsons.
As Winter delves deeper into the case, she uncovers a web of secrets and lies that threaten to expose the town's darkest secrets. The pressure mounts as Winter races against time to clear Scoop's name, all while facing her own personal demons and confronting the realities of mortality.
Lewis masterfully weaves together a chilling mystery with a touch of dark humor, creating a compelling and unforgettable story. Grave Words is a must-read for fans of cozy mysteries with a darker edge.
Rating: ★★★★☆
#GraveWords #GerriLewis #Mystery #BookReview #TrueCrime #Bookworm #MysteryLover #Bookstagram #MysteryReader #BookwormLife #BookRecommendation #BookAddict #MysteryThriller #CozyMysteryLover #MysteryBookworm #BookishLife #MysteryBooksOfInstagram #ARC #AdvancedReaderCopy #CozyMystery
December 23, 2024
Obituary writer Winter Snow has plenty of problems aplenty and no idea how to solve them. A series of fires has claimed the life of a popular Ridgefield resident, she’s writing the obituary, while her best friend is the main suspect in the arson and murder cases Winter’s boyfriend Kip is investigating. Meanwhile Uncle Richard is cooking up a storm every day, which only happens when he’s struggling with something and Winter finds herself in danger as she tries to clear her friend, find a killer, and try to help her beloved uncle.
Book two in Gerri Lewis's new series is another enjoyable, humorous, and tense visit to Ridgefield, Connecticut. The storyline was excellent and gradually revealed its secrets after a fair few red herrings, all of which made for a very satisfying read.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Crooked Lane Books, but the opinions expressed are my own. I thoroughly enjoyed this and happily recommend it.
Book two in Gerri Lewis's new series is another enjoyable, humorous, and tense visit to Ridgefield, Connecticut. The storyline was excellent and gradually revealed its secrets after a fair few red herrings, all of which made for a very satisfying read.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Crooked Lane Books, but the opinions expressed are my own. I thoroughly enjoyed this and happily recommend it.
January 17, 2025
I loved this book. It did take me a while to get into it, but that often happens to me when I start a book. It's probably because I am still in the last book with my head, and it just takes a while to acclimatise. But once I was properly into the story, I could not put it down. The characters are quirky, the protagonist is more or less fearless, and the story is exciting. I also enjoyed the setting and all the dogs in the book. Combined with all the baking and cooking going on, Grave Words really did tick all the cozy mystery boxes. The only thing I did not like about this book was the cover...
I would like to thank the publisher Crooked Lane Books for providing me with a copy through NetGalley in exchange for my honest feedback.
I would like to thank the publisher Crooked Lane Books for providing me with a copy through NetGalley in exchange for my honest feedback.
November 1, 2024
3.5 stars. I don’t read a lot of cozy mysteries, but I enjoyed this one! I haven’t read the first one from the series so this was my first read of this author’s. The ending felt a bit rushed. I also like when the bad guy is someone you care about, so I wish it had been someone who played a larger part of the story. But this was a quick, fun read!
**ARC review. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read it early.
**ARC review. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read it early.
May 16, 2025
Winter Snow finds herself at a crossroads as her business teeters on the brink of collapse. As a professional obituary writer, the stakes rise when she discovers her own obituary has been publicly exposed, although she is very much alive. Meanwhile, her friend, investigative reporter Scoop Blake, is embroiled in a tangled web of deceit involving a series of local fires suspected to be insurance scams. The plot thickens when the latest blaze at Pop’s Place uncovers the body of a homeless man known as Wandering Chester. The police, suspicious of Scoop’s insider knowledge, his reticence under questioning, and being the last to see Chester alive, begin to suspect he may be more involved than he admits.
Determined to exonerate Scoop, Winter embarks on a personal quest for the truth, digging into Chester’s past to craft a heartfelt obituary. Her investigation is bolstered by her Uncle Richard, who seeks her assistance for the Village Voices speaker series after losing a keynote speaker. As gratitude for his unwavering support of helping to raise her like his own, Winter agrees to help him. Richard, enlisting the help of some friends, scheme to get some dirt from the Nose Parkers, the inquisitive twin neighbors whose penchant for gossip might just conceal nuggets of truth.
As Winter delves deeper, she uncovers a tapestry of secrets, each thread revealing that appearances are deceiving. Yet, despite the dangerous implications, neither Scoop nor Winter's detective boyfriend, Kip Michaels, support her sleuthing. Their warnings echo ominously, suggesting that Winter’s pursuit of justice may lead her straight into danger.
In the charming cozy mystery Grave Words (A Deadly Deadlines Mystery, Book 2), I found myself drawn into Gerri Lewis's narrative that seamlessly connects with the first book in her series. Even as a standalone, it offers a rewarding experience for returning readers through its subtle nods to past events and beloved characters. The second installment also includes the addition of new characters as well. One element that I enjoyed is the story's historical layers, particularly the fascinating parallels between Chester and the colonial cave dweller Sarah Bishop, added a rich depth and believability to Chester's journey that I truly enjoyed.
As I delved into Gerri Lewis’s informational descriptions of the town's geography, I couldn't help but admire her skillful writing. However, these detailed passages sometimes diverted my focus from the story. The pacing occasionally left me yearning for a greater sense of urgency; the story would drift into leisurely stretches, with only sporadic bursts of events that never quite reached the thrilling crescendo I had hoped for.
Despite these pacing issues, I was captivated by the wonderfully diverse cast of characters, each adding a unique and colorful thread to the intricate tapestry of dialogue and intrigue that wove through the story. Every character brought something special to the narrative, enriching the experience and keeping me reading. By the time I reached the conclusion, I was thoroughly impressed by how all the narrative threads were deftly tied together, providing a satisfying resolution that left no loose ends. The intricate plot came full circle in a way that was both unexpected and gratifying, ensuring that every detail fell perfectly into place.
Although the pace varied throughout, I enjoyed the book and found the characters compelling. The depth and growth of each character added layers to the story that kept me invested from beginning to end. I am eager to see where Gerri Lewis will take us next, particularly intrigued by the potential new settings and plot twists that the series might explore. I look forward to immersing myself in the third installment of this series, anticipating more of the clever storytelling and rich character development that have made the previous books enjoyable.
Book Rating:
Originality: 4.5/5.0
Plot Structure: 4.5/5.0
Pacing: 4.0/5.0
Dialogue: 5.0/5.0
Personal Enjoyment: 4.25/5.0
Cover Design: 4.75/5.0 (Not averaged in the overall rating.)
Overall Rating: 4.45/5.0
Determined to exonerate Scoop, Winter embarks on a personal quest for the truth, digging into Chester’s past to craft a heartfelt obituary. Her investigation is bolstered by her Uncle Richard, who seeks her assistance for the Village Voices speaker series after losing a keynote speaker. As gratitude for his unwavering support of helping to raise her like his own, Winter agrees to help him. Richard, enlisting the help of some friends, scheme to get some dirt from the Nose Parkers, the inquisitive twin neighbors whose penchant for gossip might just conceal nuggets of truth.
As Winter delves deeper, she uncovers a tapestry of secrets, each thread revealing that appearances are deceiving. Yet, despite the dangerous implications, neither Scoop nor Winter's detective boyfriend, Kip Michaels, support her sleuthing. Their warnings echo ominously, suggesting that Winter’s pursuit of justice may lead her straight into danger.
In the charming cozy mystery Grave Words (A Deadly Deadlines Mystery, Book 2), I found myself drawn into Gerri Lewis's narrative that seamlessly connects with the first book in her series. Even as a standalone, it offers a rewarding experience for returning readers through its subtle nods to past events and beloved characters. The second installment also includes the addition of new characters as well. One element that I enjoyed is the story's historical layers, particularly the fascinating parallels between Chester and the colonial cave dweller Sarah Bishop, added a rich depth and believability to Chester's journey that I truly enjoyed.
As I delved into Gerri Lewis’s informational descriptions of the town's geography, I couldn't help but admire her skillful writing. However, these detailed passages sometimes diverted my focus from the story. The pacing occasionally left me yearning for a greater sense of urgency; the story would drift into leisurely stretches, with only sporadic bursts of events that never quite reached the thrilling crescendo I had hoped for.
Despite these pacing issues, I was captivated by the wonderfully diverse cast of characters, each adding a unique and colorful thread to the intricate tapestry of dialogue and intrigue that wove through the story. Every character brought something special to the narrative, enriching the experience and keeping me reading. By the time I reached the conclusion, I was thoroughly impressed by how all the narrative threads were deftly tied together, providing a satisfying resolution that left no loose ends. The intricate plot came full circle in a way that was both unexpected and gratifying, ensuring that every detail fell perfectly into place.
Although the pace varied throughout, I enjoyed the book and found the characters compelling. The depth and growth of each character added layers to the story that kept me invested from beginning to end. I am eager to see where Gerri Lewis will take us next, particularly intrigued by the potential new settings and plot twists that the series might explore. I look forward to immersing myself in the third installment of this series, anticipating more of the clever storytelling and rich character development that have made the previous books enjoyable.
Book Rating:
Originality: 4.5/5.0
Plot Structure: 4.5/5.0
Pacing: 4.0/5.0
Dialogue: 5.0/5.0
Personal Enjoyment: 4.25/5.0
Cover Design: 4.75/5.0 (Not averaged in the overall rating.)
Overall Rating: 4.45/5.0
May 29, 2025
Winter Snow is a former reporter that tries to make a living as a writer of obituaries. When a local homeless man dies in one of a series of fires she wants to write an obituary for him and she wants to use his real name in the piece, not his nickname. Her detective boyfriend tells not to dig. Really? He says that to a former reporter? All she asked for was a last name.
This reaction should have sparked her reporter curiosity, but apparently, when Winter chose the less exciting job of obit writing, she gave up on her investigative instincts. She goes round asking a few people if they knew the homeless guy’s name, but hardly more than that.
She’s also not much suspicious of her uncle’s new romance. Uncle wants to move in with his girlfriend, but he’s never mentioned her before, much less introduced her. Why does Winter not think this totally weird, given that she and her uncle get together several times a week. Often with lots of other people there as well.
Winter’s friend Scoop is still a reporter, but not a very good one either. He wrote about two of the fires based on the information from one source. Every journalist knows: one source is no source. And now he’s in trouble for it, because his source knew things only the purpetrator could have known. He could have saved himself from a lot of trouble by writing only about things confirmed by a second, independent source (as is good journalistic practice).
Later, when the police have suggested Scoop is their prime suspect, he turns himself in, but does not bring a lawyer when he goes to the police station. Is this a cost thing or was he just really confussed about the possible benefits of a lawyer?
In any case, Winter finds out about the dead homeless guy - by chance, but still - and after talking to a relative, writes a nice obituary. Her cop boyfriend is then upset with her she didn’t share with him. And Winter thinks he’s right to be upset. She should trust him and share more.
I just can’t get my head around that. He told her not to dig. Basically told her not to do her job of writing an obit about the guy. And when she does (because she wasn’t presented with a good reason not to earn a pay-check), he gets upset with her. Not for digging, but for not sharing. At what point during the past week had he given her the impression she could talk to him about his case?
The wrap up of all the mysteries just made me go “what?” The only take away I got from it is that Winter needs some new friends.
I read an ARC through NetGalley.
This reaction should have sparked her reporter curiosity, but apparently, when Winter chose the less exciting job of obit writing, she gave up on her investigative instincts. She goes round asking a few people if they knew the homeless guy’s name, but hardly more than that.
She’s also not much suspicious of her uncle’s new romance. Uncle wants to move in with his girlfriend, but he’s never mentioned her before, much less introduced her. Why does Winter not think this totally weird, given that she and her uncle get together several times a week. Often with lots of other people there as well.
Winter’s friend Scoop is still a reporter, but not a very good one either. He wrote about two of the fires based on the information from one source. Every journalist knows: one source is no source. And now he’s in trouble for it, because his source knew things only the purpetrator could have known. He could have saved himself from a lot of trouble by writing only about things confirmed by a second, independent source (as is good journalistic practice).
Later, when the police have suggested Scoop is their prime suspect, he turns himself in, but does not bring a lawyer when he goes to the police station. Is this a cost thing or was he just really confussed about the possible benefits of a lawyer?
In any case, Winter finds out about the dead homeless guy - by chance, but still - and after talking to a relative, writes a nice obituary. Her cop boyfriend is then upset with her she didn’t share with him. And Winter thinks he’s right to be upset. She should trust him and share more.
I just can’t get my head around that. He told her not to dig. Basically told her not to do her job of writing an obit about the guy. And when she does (because she wasn’t presented with a good reason not to earn a pay-check), he gets upset with her. Not for digging, but for not sharing. At what point during the past week had he given her the impression she could talk to him about his case?
The wrap up of all the mysteries just made me go “what?” The only take away I got from it is that Winter needs some new friends.
I read an ARC through NetGalley.
July 18, 2025
I missed the first book in this series, but when I learned of this one, the concept was interesting just because the main character - a woman named, believe it or not, Winter Snow - is by profession a writer of obituaries. And as a former journalist a bit familiar with that process, I simply couldn't pass it by. My verdict? An interesting plot and a book I'd unhesitatingly call a good beach read, but way too many continuity slips and grammatical errors plus a heroine who simply refuses to listen to reason took this one down a notch or two in my eyes.
The whole thing begins as Winter, resident of Ridgefield, Connecticut, and owner of a slobbering Great Pyrenees rather appropriately named Diva, learns that somehow one of her client's paid-for obits ended up published with her name on top - but of course she's very much alive. As she tries to have the name corrected before the local newspaper is published - more so people won't think she's dead than to make sure the deceased person gets proper notice, it seemed to me - a popular local businesses catches fire and the body of a reportedly homeless man was found inside. To make matters worse, her newspaper reporter friend Kevin ("Scoop") Blake has become the prime suspect since he reportedly was the last to see the guy alive.
As she's exhausting attempts to learn the deceased man's last name, she becomes frustrated and irritated that her detective boyfriend Kip Michaels refuses to share details from the police investigation with her - never mind that he could lose his job if he did. And he's frustrated and irritated that she continues her unauthorized sleuthing in the case, even involving her uncle Richard - the man who is like a father to her - and his good friend Horace, who lives nearby. Also in the mix is her friend Carla, a gum-chewing funeral home employee who seems to have the inside scoop on much of the town's goings-on.
As the story progresses, other arsons take place, as does the murder of a man known to be the homeless guy's friend. The latter death gives Winter a bit of an information boost, in that she's been hired to write the guy's obit and (this time legitimately) needs to get details on his life. As for more details, I won't tell, except to note that they include at least one uplifting experience and fodder for what I expect to be the next book in the series. Overall, it's an enjoyable book, and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy.
The whole thing begins as Winter, resident of Ridgefield, Connecticut, and owner of a slobbering Great Pyrenees rather appropriately named Diva, learns that somehow one of her client's paid-for obits ended up published with her name on top - but of course she's very much alive. As she tries to have the name corrected before the local newspaper is published - more so people won't think she's dead than to make sure the deceased person gets proper notice, it seemed to me - a popular local businesses catches fire and the body of a reportedly homeless man was found inside. To make matters worse, her newspaper reporter friend Kevin ("Scoop") Blake has become the prime suspect since he reportedly was the last to see the guy alive.
As she's exhausting attempts to learn the deceased man's last name, she becomes frustrated and irritated that her detective boyfriend Kip Michaels refuses to share details from the police investigation with her - never mind that he could lose his job if he did. And he's frustrated and irritated that she continues her unauthorized sleuthing in the case, even involving her uncle Richard - the man who is like a father to her - and his good friend Horace, who lives nearby. Also in the mix is her friend Carla, a gum-chewing funeral home employee who seems to have the inside scoop on much of the town's goings-on.
As the story progresses, other arsons take place, as does the murder of a man known to be the homeless guy's friend. The latter death gives Winter a bit of an information boost, in that she's been hired to write the guy's obit and (this time legitimately) needs to get details on his life. As for more details, I won't tell, except to note that they include at least one uplifting experience and fodder for what I expect to be the next book in the series. Overall, it's an enjoyable book, and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy.
November 22, 2024
Winter is asked to write an obituary for a local unhoused man who was murdered. While tracking down his identity, she becomes aware of another untimely death, there are some arsons, she's followed by a mysterious SUV, and there's a bear. Unfortunately, after reading this book I'm still not entirely sure what some of these things had to do with each other.
The first book in this series was so polished I couldn't believe that it was the author's first book. While The Last Word was long, it was tightly written and kept me interested throughout. The characters were well-developed and felt so real. This one was even longer but not nearly so polished or tightly written. There seemed to be some meandering, for example in the first half of the book were multiple bear sightings that seemed like they would be significant and then we just never see the bear again. There were some odd things like her purse being used to prop something open and then being tangled in the hinges, which were probably 4-5 feet away from where the purse would have been used to prop the thing open. The purse was so tangled the strap had to be cut, but the next day she's carrying that same bag. They also have firefighters who have never been to a fire before because smoke detectors and sprinkler systems have made fires obsolete? Um, no. The firefighters stay at a fire all night watching for afterglow (which did make me laugh, afterglow happens after sex, a fire restarting after it's been put out is a rekindle, firefighters would probably be more likely to stick around watching for afterglow LOL!) The villain was practically slapping us in the face the entire book, there was a twist that redeemed it a bit but I was disappointed to find that the villain was the villain.
Overall, this book just didn't hold my attention like the first one did. The mystery was too complex and some parts of it seem to be left unresolved. Generally I'm fine with if there's some sort of story arc between books, but I don't think that was the case here. Some books leave me wishing the author had asked me to edit for them and this was one of those books. The series is so promising, I absolutely love the setting and the characters are great. Definitely this is a series that I will continue to read but this book did not live up to its potential.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
The first book in this series was so polished I couldn't believe that it was the author's first book. While The Last Word was long, it was tightly written and kept me interested throughout. The characters were well-developed and felt so real. This one was even longer but not nearly so polished or tightly written. There seemed to be some meandering, for example in the first half of the book were multiple bear sightings that seemed like they would be significant and then we just never see the bear again. There were some odd things like her purse being used to prop something open and then being tangled in the hinges, which were probably 4-5 feet away from where the purse would have been used to prop the thing open. The purse was so tangled the strap had to be cut, but the next day she's carrying that same bag. They also have firefighters who have never been to a fire before because smoke detectors and sprinkler systems have made fires obsolete? Um, no. The firefighters stay at a fire all night watching for afterglow (which did make me laugh, afterglow happens after sex, a fire restarting after it's been put out is a rekindle, firefighters would probably be more likely to stick around watching for afterglow LOL!) The villain was practically slapping us in the face the entire book, there was a twist that redeemed it a bit but I was disappointed to find that the villain was the villain.
Overall, this book just didn't hold my attention like the first one did. The mystery was too complex and some parts of it seem to be left unresolved. Generally I'm fine with if there's some sort of story arc between books, but I don't think that was the case here. Some books leave me wishing the author had asked me to edit for them and this was one of those books. The series is so promising, I absolutely love the setting and the characters are great. Definitely this is a series that I will continue to read but this book did not live up to its potential.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
April 10, 2025
The scene in the funeral parlor made the book for me. Leave it to Winter Snow, yes, that's her name, to wind up hiding from a killer in a funeral parlor. Nope, no more details. You'll just have to read the book. Overall, although I find myself annoyed with Winter much of the times, I found that I liked her better this go-round more than I did in the first installment. Her job certainly isn't ordinary, interviewing surviving family and friends and writing obituaries for the deceased, but she somehow seems to find herself involved in a murder investigation in the process. Her detective boyfriend, Kip, of course tries to warn her off, refusing to share much with her. Winter shows her immaturity by expecting him to ignore police rules and share everything with her, even becoming upset at him for not jeopardizing his job to make her happy. Yet, she rarely hesitates not to share with him.
I admired Winter for caring enough about the seemingly homeless Chester to do a deep dive into his life and background while, at the same time, cringing more than once at her methods. She's admittedly driven by the need to clear her friend Scoop's name as the prime suspect, especially when he winds up in jail. Scoop, the local newspaper reporter, had been investigating a series of arson fires and is a suspect in that as well as the murder of Chester but, as a reporter, feels obliged to protect his sources. Best friend Carla has her back, as do her senior friends Richard and Horace. I liked all of them, even the long suffering Kip. Will Winter's unceasing questioning get her in trouble? You already know the answer to that and, oh, boy, what a load of trouble. I don't want to give away much more of the plot but will add that cemetery plots are involved. More importantly, perhaps, we see growth in Winter as the story progresses.
Bottom line, although still not thoroughly liking Winter, I liked her better this time and see her growth as a good sign. And, oh, I nearly forgot to mention the side story. Again, no details, but it involved Star Wars and collecting. Somehow the two stories merge for the finale. Thanks #CrookedLaneBooks for allowing me this early peek at how life (and writing about death) is going for Winter. I definitely felt her panic in that funeral parlor scene!
I admired Winter for caring enough about the seemingly homeless Chester to do a deep dive into his life and background while, at the same time, cringing more than once at her methods. She's admittedly driven by the need to clear her friend Scoop's name as the prime suspect, especially when he winds up in jail. Scoop, the local newspaper reporter, had been investigating a series of arson fires and is a suspect in that as well as the murder of Chester but, as a reporter, feels obliged to protect his sources. Best friend Carla has her back, as do her senior friends Richard and Horace. I liked all of them, even the long suffering Kip. Will Winter's unceasing questioning get her in trouble? You already know the answer to that and, oh, boy, what a load of trouble. I don't want to give away much more of the plot but will add that cemetery plots are involved. More importantly, perhaps, we see growth in Winter as the story progresses.
Bottom line, although still not thoroughly liking Winter, I liked her better this time and see her growth as a good sign. And, oh, I nearly forgot to mention the side story. Again, no details, but it involved Star Wars and collecting. Somehow the two stories merge for the finale. Thanks #CrookedLaneBooks for allowing me this early peek at how life (and writing about death) is going for Winter. I definitely felt her panic in that funeral parlor scene!
October 8, 2025
A delightful mix of mystery and lively banter from the former reporter turned obituary writer.
Grave Words is the second book in author Gerri Lewis’s fresh and fun new cozy Deadly Deadlines Mystery series, and it is a delightful mix of mystery, lively banter, and astute observations from the former reporter turned obituary writer main character. Winter Snow has developed a niche market business based on her ability to write warm and engaging obituaries that accurately memorialize her subjects, and is slowly starting to gain attention and achieve some success. But when the third in a string of suspicious fires also claims the life of Wandering Chester, a local character, she and everyone else have questions. However, the police, including Winter’s love interest, Detective Kip Michaels, refuse to release any information about the dead man, and rumors start to fly. When Scoop, the local reporter and Winter’s best friend, refuses to reveal the name of his source, someone who knows a little too much about the facts of the fires, he becomes a person of interest, and Winter steps in to clear his name without breaking his bonds of confidentiality.
Winter Snow is an endearing character, loyal to her friends and family, yet she walks a delicate line between following her curiosity and maintaining a harmonious relationship with her new beau. Still, she crosses that line when Scoop becomes a suspect in the arson cases. I enjoyed her clever and lively banter with everyone, and the dialogue really sparkles throughout.The story explores the reporters’ dilemma of keeping an informant’s name confidential versus identifying a potentially critical witness with information that could break a case wide open. Of course, leading the official investigation is Winter’s tight-lipped, significant other, Kip, who is adamant she stays out of his business. She begins to question whether a relationship with someone who keeps disappointing her is even right for her. You’ll have to read the book to discover if she answers that question or not.
I recommend GRAVE WORDS to readers of cozy mysteries.I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours.
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