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Murder in the Mountains: A Jessica Bloom Cozy Mystery
A secluded mountain retreat. A controversial psychiatrist. A cup of tea... with a deadly twist.
Jessica Bloom came for a peaceful break from her busy life. Murder wasn’t on the schedule.
When Dr. Harvey Trent collapses after drinking tea, the retreat turns into a crime scene. Someone at Evergreen Lodge has deadly intentions.
Jessica steps into the fray with her feline assistant, Oliver.
Detective Lucas Grayson locks down the lodge. A web of tangled motives and rivalries emerges. Did Dr. Trent’s rivalry with colleague Ana Chavez explode onto the scene? Lodge director Nathan Ross has reason to protect Ana.
When another guest is attacked, tension reaches a breaking point.
The killer is growing desperate.
If Jessica doesn’t uncover the truth soon, someone else won’t make it out alive.
Jessica Bloom came for a peaceful break from her busy life. Murder wasn’t on the schedule.
When Dr. Harvey Trent collapses after drinking tea, the retreat turns into a crime scene. Someone at Evergreen Lodge has deadly intentions.
Jessica steps into the fray with her feline assistant, Oliver.
Detective Lucas Grayson locks down the lodge. A web of tangled motives and rivalries emerges. Did Dr. Trent’s rivalry with colleague Ana Chavez explode onto the scene? Lodge director Nathan Ross has reason to protect Ana.
When another guest is attacked, tension reaches a breaking point.
The killer is growing desperate.
If Jessica doesn’t uncover the truth soon, someone else won’t make it out alive.
54 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 26, 2025
3 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 13, 2025
I expected that Oliver, Jessica's cat companion, would be more of a helping "hand" for discovering what happened with killing that doctor Trent. Well ... at least he does look good on the cover of this "book"
November 1, 2025
Jessica Bloom decides to get some relaxation at a mountain retreat. Unfortunately for her, relaxation isn’t exactly what she gets. When the man heading the retreat is found dead, everyone is a suspect.
Along with her feline sidekick, Oliver, Jessica starts her own investigation. The local detective is not happy and warns her to stop but Jessica can’t help herself. She’s determined to find out who killed Dr. Harvey Trent.
This is a short prequel to the Jessica Bloom Mystery series. It’s a great chance to get to know the characters. It gives readers a taste of what this series is all about. It’s a clever puzzle of clues to sort through and guess “whodunit”.
I was hooked right from the start. Of course Oliver the cat won me over. I want to read more about him. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in this delightful series.
Disclosure: This one is from my own e-book collection. I received it as a freebie. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Along with her feline sidekick, Oliver, Jessica starts her own investigation. The local detective is not happy and warns her to stop but Jessica can’t help herself. She’s determined to find out who killed Dr. Harvey Trent.
This is a short prequel to the Jessica Bloom Mystery series. It’s a great chance to get to know the characters. It gives readers a taste of what this series is all about. It’s a clever puzzle of clues to sort through and guess “whodunit”.
I was hooked right from the start. Of course Oliver the cat won me over. I want to read more about him. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in this delightful series.
Disclosure: This one is from my own e-book collection. I received it as a freebie. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
June 1, 2025
This novella is a smart, engaging cozy mystery where massage therapist-turned-sleuth Jessica Bloom finds herself at the centre of a murder investigation during a wellness retreat.
A satisfying blend of red herrings, layered motives, and well-paced twists construct the plot.
Lassen excels at building suspense while maintaining the warmth and charm essential to the cozy mystery genre.
Jessica is a likable protagonist, observant, intuitive, and determined.
Her dynamic with the gruff Detective Grayson provides tension and humour, while Oliver the cat adds delightful levity.
Secondary characters are distinct and quirky, especially the eccentric retreat guests, each with their own secrets and suspicions.
The polished and immersive writing style features rich descriptions and crisp dialogue that moves the story forward.
The setting, a mountain lodge wrapped in mystery and mist, is atmospheric and well-drawn.
One minor critique: while the cast is colourful, a few characters could be more deeply explored to enhance emotional stakes. Also, the pacing slows in the middle.
Overall, Murder in the Mountains is a captivating read that balances intrigue, wit, and warmth.
Cozy mystery fans will find much to enjoy and await Jessica’s next case with bated breath.
A satisfying blend of red herrings, layered motives, and well-paced twists construct the plot.
Lassen excels at building suspense while maintaining the warmth and charm essential to the cozy mystery genre.
Jessica is a likable protagonist, observant, intuitive, and determined.
Her dynamic with the gruff Detective Grayson provides tension and humour, while Oliver the cat adds delightful levity.
Secondary characters are distinct and quirky, especially the eccentric retreat guests, each with their own secrets and suspicions.
The polished and immersive writing style features rich descriptions and crisp dialogue that moves the story forward.
The setting, a mountain lodge wrapped in mystery and mist, is atmospheric and well-drawn.
One minor critique: while the cast is colourful, a few characters could be more deeply explored to enhance emotional stakes. Also, the pacing slows in the middle.
Overall, Murder in the Mountains is a captivating read that balances intrigue, wit, and warmth.
Cozy mystery fans will find much to enjoy and await Jessica’s next case with bated breath.
June 15, 2025
I give this 4 1/2 Stars!
I received this book when signing up for this authors newsletter. It is a prequel to a series that I am ARC reading so I wanted to read and review it first. It is a cozy mystery book and part of A Jessica Bloom Cozy Mystery series. The main character is of course Jessica and her cat Oliver. She goes on a retreat that was supposed to be relaxing but instead turns into a murder mystery. A psychiatrist who had enemies and friends at the retreat is murdered. With so many suspects will they be able to find who did it? I loved how Jessica investigated but was also understanding to everyone. I also loved detective Lucas Grayson even though he didn’t give me much reason too. I guess I just like the grumpy men in books. I can’t wait to see more of Jamie and Lucas. This is a very short book so I won’t say anymore about it. Overall, I enjoyed this prequel.
I received this book when signing up for this authors newsletter. It is a prequel to a series that I am ARC reading so I wanted to read and review it first. It is a cozy mystery book and part of A Jessica Bloom Cozy Mystery series. The main character is of course Jessica and her cat Oliver. She goes on a retreat that was supposed to be relaxing but instead turns into a murder mystery. A psychiatrist who had enemies and friends at the retreat is murdered. With so many suspects will they be able to find who did it? I loved how Jessica investigated but was also understanding to everyone. I also loved detective Lucas Grayson even though he didn’t give me much reason too. I guess I just like the grumpy men in books. I can’t wait to see more of Jamie and Lucas. This is a very short book so I won’t say anymore about it. Overall, I enjoyed this prequel.
July 7, 2025
This was a fun prequel to a new series that made me go ahead and get the first book when it was on sale. I enjoyed Jessica and Lucas Graystone’s characters and got the feeling they had some investigating/interfering history at some previous point. That’s a story I’d like to hear someday lol. He definitely seemed to value her input and she did figure out the killer. Can’t wait to read that first book now!
November 6, 2025
Means, Motive and Opportunity
A short story of about 50 pages has Jessica at a seminar in the mountains. When a seminar participate is murder. Jessica and Ollie help search for the means, motive and opportunity to commit that murder. I enjoyed reading this story, but wished it had spent more time on character development.
A short story of about 50 pages has Jessica at a seminar in the mountains. When a seminar participate is murder. Jessica and Ollie help search for the means, motive and opportunity to commit that murder. I enjoyed reading this story, but wished it had spent more time on character development.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews