Dead Men Don't Ski: A Carolina Teal Cozy Mystery 1

by C.C. Trace

Murder is brewing in Pine Haven… and someone’s about to take a deadly downhill run.

Former photojournalist Carolina Teal thought co-running the Blueberry Hill Inn with her sister Angela would be a smooth glide into small-town life. But when the champion skier is found ski-boots-up during the Winter Frost Festival, Carolina’s instincts tell her this wasn’t just a wipeout—it was cold-blooded murder.

With her loyal pup Kahlua, her sister Angela, and her subtle-as-a-snowplow sidekick Goldie, Carolina starts digging through the powder for clues. Alongside the handsome park ranger Jack, she finds a trail of evidence as twisty as a slalom course.

Who could the culprit be? Cory, the rival skier who accused Brent of sabotaging his equipment? Or Kara, whose brother was snubbed by the champion?

With tampered trail maps, bindings set up for failure, and secrets buried deep in the drifts, Carolina must piece it all together before the real culprit skis off into the sunset.🎉


Why Readers Love CC

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Charming Small-Town Settings – From inn porches to speakeasy tunnels, each book offers a cozy sense of place that feels comfortably familiar and just a touch mysterious.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Witty, Relatable Sleuths – Carolina Teal is a sleuth with heart, equipped with a camera, a witty sidekick dog named Kahlua, and a knack for finding red herrings where you least expect them.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Warm, Clean Mysteries – Delightfully twisty plots with no graphic gore, plenty of humor, and characters you might want to bring home for dinner.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Seasonal Reads That Feel Like a Hug – Whether it's fall festivals, winter inn mysteries, or jazzy speakeasy capers, CC’s seasonal cozies are the perfect escape with a cozy blanket.

147 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 18, 2025

Reviews

[Emmalynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book for an honest review. I enjoyed this quick cozy mystery. It’s the first book I’ve read by this author and I was pleasantly surprised. The mystery isn’t complicated, you have quirky small town characters, a maybe love interest and a sheriff who after hemming and hawing actually works WITH the amateurs to solve the mystery. Procedurally of course certain things wouldn’t fly, but overall I enjoyed this quick read. The star iv the show is the “failed police dog” Louie ❤️😬, the scene of him on the snowmobile is hilarious.

[The Poisoned Pen · Rating 2 out of 5]

You can definitely see the AI touches in this. A lot of repetition and slowly drawn out plot. I ended up skimming a lot of the pages just to get to the end.

Also the characters "smirk" every few pages! It was obnoxious.

Blueberry Hill Inn isn't a great name, and it doesn't roll off the tongue will. I found the character names to be very bland as well. And I disliked Louie as a nickname for the dog.

This is my one and only book by this author.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun and entertaining cozy winter mystery. Carolina and Angela have recently opened the Blueberry Hill Inn B&B and the cross-country race during this winter festival is their big chance. When a competitor (Brent Hadley) turns up dead on a back trail Caroline suspects foul play. Kahlue, her trusty failed police canine, thinks so too. Together with her misfit band of "investigators, she sets off to track down the killer before everyone packs up post race. There's red-herrings, snow jobs, flakey flirting and much more happening in the days that follow. You'll be holding onto your seat when you learn the who and why, and it's time to bring them in. The pacing of this book is a gradual build up with mild romance sprinkled lightly throughout. The climax is well done with all questions being answered in the end.

I'm greatful to the author for my gift copy and voluntarily provided this review. Happy Reading Y'all 📚

[Susannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Dead Men Don’t Ski by C.C. Trace

This was a quick, cozy little mystery set in an adorable wintery small town, and overall I enjoyed the setup a lot. The Pine Haven setting, the Winter Frost Festival vibes, and the whole ski resort murder premise totally worked for me. I liked Carolina as a main character, her sister dynamic was fun, and of course, a cozy with a dog is always a plus. 🐾❄️

That said, the culprit was revealed a bit too early for my taste. Once I figured out who did it, I kept waiting for a last-minute twist or surprise reveal… and it just never came. Because of that, the ending felt a little flat, especially since the mystery itself had so much potential to zig when I expected it to zag.

Still, this isn’t a bad read at all—just very straightforward. If you’re looking for a short, easy cozy mystery novella with a winter setting and low stakes, this one fits the bill nicely. I just wish the mystery had packed one more punch at the end.

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sisters Carolina and Angela along with Carolina's intelligent, clue finding dog, Kahlua, run the Blueberry Hill Inn in the town of Pine Haven and it's time for the Winter Frost Festival with a big cross country race as part of the festivities. Although a storm was coming, one of the guests, a champion skier decided to go out for a practice run. When he doesn't return, they find him on the path - dead. When the sheriff call it an skiing accident, Carolina is not so sure. So with Kahlua, Angela, Goldie and the handsome park ranger, Jack they investigate and dig up clues that shows the victim was murdered. Can they solve this one? I highly recommend this book which flows so well, with great characters that you'll want to read it in once sitting! I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book number 1 in a new cozy series and already I'm ready to read the next one!! Two sisters, Carolina and Angela, run the Blueberry Hill Inn located in a wonderful area with lots of winter snow, mountain and hills area which lends itself to great skiing. So much so that there is an annual ski festival with races.
This year's race practice runs is interrupted with one of the star skiers found dead. Was it an accident or murder? It's no surprise that the sisters put on amateur sleuth hats and try to figure out what happens. There are great characters in this story: the town Sheriff Rayburn, Park Ranger Jack Morrison, and 72 year old Goldie Finch, always in the middle of things. And, of course, the star is Carolina's 'failed police dog' Kahlua who plays a leading role in wrapping up the case.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carolina Teal and her dog Kahlua, an almost police German Shepherd, often went for early morning walks before her guests at bed and breakfast awoke. Sister Angela was up when she would get back and starting breakfast. There is a big cross country race scheduled and one of her guests went out for practice run after being advised not to because storm was coming in. The next morning Carolina finds him dead on the trail. The Sheriff says it is accident but Carolina is not convinced. She is told to leave it alone but does not stop. A very enjoyable book. It is a fun read that I highly recommend.

I received an advance review copy, ARC, for free and I am leaving an honest opinion and voluntary review

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone is excited in Pine Haven for the ski competition especially sisters Carolina and Angela Teal at the Blueberry Hill Inn that they bought a year ago. This is the event that will set them up for success. Carolina and her dog Kahlua are out snowshoeing and run across one of the skiers dead just off the course. It was originality ruled an accident but Carolina was an investigative photographer before coming to Pine Haven and notices some marks in the snow that shouldn't be there are it sets her into sleuthing mode. She has a lot of help gathering evidence with Jack, the Park Ranger, and Goldie the retired school teacher staying at the Inn they find the clues that solve the case. I will definitely be looking forward to more of the stories in this series!

[Jane Austen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dead men don’t ski is the first book in this delightful series. Carolina moved from New York
To a little town in Maine to help her sister run an inn. The ski Winter festival is on, there is a murder,
Carolina, her beautiful dog 🐕 ( the cover that caught my eye!) her sister, her new friends and a certain
Ranger all gather to solve it! I thoroughly enjoyed this book, the mystery flowed at a fast pace, never
Letting go. This is book no 1, but there is a prequel and I suggest you read that first. It had me guessing
Who the killer was, changing my mind several times. I hope there are more books to come.

[Dave Measner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Winter festival drama and danger.
Carolina Teal and her sister run the Blueberry Hill Inn i Northern Maine. It's time for the annual winter festival and bigtime cross country ski race. When obnoxious but successful skier Brent Hadley dies on a trail just off the race course, Carolina finds the body and doesn't agree with the sheriff that it is just an accident. With the help of RangerJack Morrison, her sister, friend Goldie and faithful companion Kahlua she begins an investigation of all the people who were troubled by Hadley. A fine first outing for new cozy detectives.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[JOAN SALLEY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trying to find the person who murdered a champion skier, right before a competition is proving not to be an easy task for amateur sleuths, Carolina and Angela, owners of an inn in the small town of Pine Haven. Along with help from their dog Kahlua and a long-time guest at the inn, they have several suspects in mind, but they all seem to have alibis. Will they be able to break the case. Read this book in one sitting, kept pulling me in.

I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest and voluntary review.

[Marsha Asquith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kahlua the hero

Pine Haven Cross Country Skiing Challenge is in town for their yearly race. Carolina and Angela run the Blueberry Hill Inn. Bed and Breakfast that is paced with both skiers and families. When Carolina and Kahlua are out for their morning walk they find a body of one of the skiers. The sheriff puts it off as an accident but something nags at Carolina to look more closely. With help of friends and her loyal dog, the truth slowly works its way out at the end. I loved this book!
I did read it because I love German Shepherds but it turned into a 5 star read!

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder is brewing in Pine Haven and someone is going to take a deadly downhill run. When the champion skier is found ski-boots-up during the Winter Frost Festival, Carolina’s instincts tell her this wasn’t just a wipeout. Who could the culprit be?
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. This in no way affects my opinion of this book.

[Cherie Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carolina and her sister run the Blueberry Inn in Maine, home of the Winter Frost Festival and the big cross country ski race. When a champion skier is found dead the Sheriff believes it was an accident but Caroline has other ideas, she along with a cast of quirky characters and her faithful companion Kahlua set out to prove it. This is a delightful read that will keep you entertained!
Cherie

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed each book in this series - especially the titles. I could imagine myself being part of this community and hanging out with the characters - but not solving murders! Goldie is a hoot and in "Dead Men Don't Act" Louie the German Shepard steals the show. I'm hoping there will be Book 5 soon.

[Skater · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder and CCSking

Professional photographer, and now B&B owner, along with her sister, finds herself and her dog in the middle of murder mystery. Set during a winter festival, the story is filled with hot chocolate, cc skiing and murder. A perfect read for a mystery a cozy lover. The characters are likable, but with little or no back story, and little Fast, easy read.

[HAL · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice, solid cozy

Trace's mystery has likeable characters, is cozy clean (swears & sex 0) with hints of romance and a good solid plot. The story moves along at a fair pace and ends okay. Wish the ending had more on the arrest of the criminal and impact of the crime on the festival and community. Nicely done and appropriate for any age.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Winter Festival with competitive events, crafts, great food, and small town rustic ambiance…will murder dispel the festivities? Join the cast of fun, cozy characters as they put their sleuthing skills to work. I could just put myself there as I read. No Winter doldrums in this story!

[Linda Whitenight · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carolina & Angela purchase the Blueberry Inn and are involved with the Ski Festival. Carolina's dog Kahlua finds last years champion on an off trail dead. The Sheriff writes it off as a skiing accident, but other things are hinting at murder. What is happening in the woods near the Blueberry Inn.

[Genesia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carolina discovered a body in the snow, and one of the contestants in the race had been murdered. With the help of her friends, Goldie and Jack, along with her trusted K-9, Kahlua, she starts asking questions and searching for clues to assist Sheriff Rayburn in capturing the murderer.

This cozy mystery was a delightful read for me. It was the first mystery I've encountered that centered around a ski competition, and it was definitely worth my time. The world-building is impressive, especially the Inn and the surrounding area; it feels as if you can vividly picture it in your mind's eye.
Thanks to the author for providing me with an advance copy. I'm leaving this honest review voluntarily.

[Margie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first book by this author, but it won’t be my last. Anyone who has a failed police dog for a sidekick catches my attention. “Retire” photojournalist, Caroline finds herself, Kahlua, her sister and friend involved in the death of a skier staying at their inn, despite being told by the local chief of police to stay out of the investigation. Things aren’t as obvious as others think. This is the first book of a new series, and I look forward to the next book.

[Louie · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is something great about a mystery that happens in a vacation town, it just pulls me in. Carolina and her sister Angela have restarted their lives running the Blueberry Hill Inn / Bed and Breakfast. They are located in a small town in Maine, with a Winter festival and Cross-Country ski race being the main attraction.

CC Trace describes the location and the excitement of the town and festival from the perspective of the main characters beautifully. There is a murder, everything can’t be fun all the time in a small town. The characters are unique and enjoyable, there is some backstory for each of them that I feel I have missed but there is a short story that I haven’t read yet, I am looking forward to reading “Murder on the Trail at Blueberry Hill Inn” so I can meet all of these amazing characters for the first time and find out the little details I didn’t see in this book.

Through some twists, turns and challenges Carolina, her dog Kahlua and the rest of her friends are able to track down and prove who the killer is and why. I really enjoyed reading Dead Men Don’t Ski and I look forward to other work by CC Trace in the future. I did receive this as an advance reader copy to review.

[Ilene G> · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did not like.

Parts are good. I did not like how the main characters would accuse some people while questioning them. In one scene , it was hard for me to believe the police did not find a possible clue the main characters found easily. I like the dog.

[Celest · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first CC Trace Book and it was Very Impressive

I love this book. It's an intriguing mystery with a great cast of characters. Carolina with the help of her dog, Louie, and her friends solved the case. I couldn't put it down and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a start to an outstanding series. Loved the mystery, the characters and the touch of romance. Recommend reading.

[Marie Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast moving.

Interesting story.moved along so quickly. Never a dull moment. Great characters and relationships on all levels. Ready to continue.on to the next book.

[Author Representative · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dead Men is a fantastic and gripping book. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone looking for a compelling read.