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A Rock Shop Mystery #2
Stone Cold Case
Rock shop owner Morgan Iverson’s discovery of human remains reopens a cold case and unhealed wounds in a Colorado mountain town, while her find of a rare gemstone sparks a dangerous treasure hunt.
Fifteen years ago, prom queen Carlee Kruger vanished. When Carlee’s mother asks Morgan to investigate her death, the clues seem as convoluted as the coils on a fossilized ammonite. The local newspaper editor joins the hunt to uncover the past, while the rock shop’s mascot donkeys and an elderly cowboy chase after a Sasquatch look-alike. Whoever knows what happened to Carlee will do anything to keep the truth buried.
In book two of the Rock Shop Mystery series, amateur sleuth Morgan Iverson digs into gemstone prospecting to solve a Stone Cold Case.
Fifteen years ago, prom queen Carlee Kruger vanished. When Carlee’s mother asks Morgan to investigate her death, the clues seem as convoluted as the coils on a fossilized ammonite. The local newspaper editor joins the hunt to uncover the past, while the rock shop’s mascot donkeys and an elderly cowboy chase after a Sasquatch look-alike. Whoever knows what happened to Carlee will do anything to keep the truth buried.
In book two of the Rock Shop Mystery series, amateur sleuth Morgan Iverson digs into gemstone prospecting to solve a Stone Cold Case.
385 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2015
392 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Dilts
20 books49 followersCatherine Dilts is the author of the Rose Creek and the Rock Shop mystery series, and several installments in various Annie’s Fiction series, for a total of twelve traditionally published novels. Her short stories have appeared in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine and the Pikes Peak Writers anthology. After a career in environmental compliance for a global corporation, Catherine now gets to write fiction full time. Most of her published works have a cozy mystery flavor. She is stepping into Indy publishing this year with her co-author daughter Merida Bass and the YA science fiction Tapestry Tales series.
https://www.catherinedilts.com/
https://www.catherinedilts.com/
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 8, 2015
It's out today!
Although Stone Cold Case is the second book in Catherine Dilt's Rock Shop Mystery series it stands incredibly well on its own.
Morgan Iverson has recently become the owner of a rock shop in Golden Springs, Colorado, after her brother left to South America on short notice. While out with a geology class, in hopes to learn more about the trade, she becomes separated from the group and happens upon a much decayed body, a strange Mountain Man that looks more Sasquatch than human, and a whole lot of trouble. Has she reopened the only cold case Golden Springs has? Will this discovery bring closure to a fractured family? And who exactly is the Mountain Man now terrorizing the town, and why is everyone involved in the case beginning to have more than a few close calls with death?
Stone Cold Case is a cozy mystery that manages to avoid some of the trouble that genre tends to run into. The characters are surprisingly believable, and never fully fit the stereotypes that would have been easy to draw on in such a case. The small town politics and intrigue are fascinating, and the geological information (gems, rocks, minerals - geodes!) is both accurate and intriguing. More than once I found myself looking up gems she mentioned and being shocked by their beauty. Having lived in the Pacific Northwest myself, reading Stone Cold Case made me nostalgic for my old Montana home.
By the end of Stone Cold Case you'll be sure to want more, and there are ample hints throughout the book pointing towards what the next plot just might be. If you're looking for a good beach read, or something to tide you over with a hot cocoa and a warm fire, this is the book for you. The mystery will keep you guessing, and the characters will keep you at turns laughing and gasping.
Overall, a good fun mystery book from someone it's obvious quite loves the genre.
Although Stone Cold Case is the second book in Catherine Dilt's Rock Shop Mystery series it stands incredibly well on its own.
Morgan Iverson has recently become the owner of a rock shop in Golden Springs, Colorado, after her brother left to South America on short notice. While out with a geology class, in hopes to learn more about the trade, she becomes separated from the group and happens upon a much decayed body, a strange Mountain Man that looks more Sasquatch than human, and a whole lot of trouble. Has she reopened the only cold case Golden Springs has? Will this discovery bring closure to a fractured family? And who exactly is the Mountain Man now terrorizing the town, and why is everyone involved in the case beginning to have more than a few close calls with death?
Stone Cold Case is a cozy mystery that manages to avoid some of the trouble that genre tends to run into. The characters are surprisingly believable, and never fully fit the stereotypes that would have been easy to draw on in such a case. The small town politics and intrigue are fascinating, and the geological information (gems, rocks, minerals - geodes!) is both accurate and intriguing. More than once I found myself looking up gems she mentioned and being shocked by their beauty. Having lived in the Pacific Northwest myself, reading Stone Cold Case made me nostalgic for my old Montana home.
By the end of Stone Cold Case you'll be sure to want more, and there are ample hints throughout the book pointing towards what the next plot just might be. If you're looking for a good beach read, or something to tide you over with a hot cocoa and a warm fire, this is the book for you. The mystery will keep you guessing, and the characters will keep you at turns laughing and gasping.
Overall, a good fun mystery book from someone it's obvious quite loves the genre.
September 15, 2015
In an effort to learn more about local rocks and minerals, Morgan has been taking a class from the local college. While one a class field trip, she gets separated from everyone else and finds a mountain man guarding a skeleton. The discovery reopens an unsolved disappearance in this small Colorado town. But what happened all those years ago?
It had been a while since I read the first book in this series, but it didn’t take long before I was back on board with the characters again. They are wonderful, and I enjoyed seeing the growth in them. The book had too many sub-plots, which crowded out the mystery a little at the beginning, but as the book when on the mystery took over and came to a very strong climax that kept me turning the pages.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
It had been a while since I read the first book in this series, but it didn’t take long before I was back on board with the characters again. They are wonderful, and I enjoyed seeing the growth in them. The book had too many sub-plots, which crowded out the mystery a little at the beginning, but as the book when on the mystery took over and came to a very strong climax that kept me turning the pages.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
May 17, 2016
I couldn't put it down.
October 1, 2015
I received this book from Roger Charlie Publicity and Management and the author for no charge in exchange for my honest review of this book. The opinions expressed here are my own.
Book Description:
Rock shop owner Morgan Iverson's discovery of human remains reopens a cold case and unhealed wounds in a Colorado mountain town, while her find of a rare gemstone sparks a dangerous treasure hunt.
The remains are those of Carlee Kruger, a prom queen who vanished fifteen years ago. Carlee's mother asks Morgan to investigate. A Sasquatch look-alike may hold the key to both Carlee's death and the gemstone, but he eludes the police, despite repeated sightings by an elderly cowboy and the rock shop's donkeys. As she uncovers the past, Morgan becomes the target of someone determined to keep the truth buried.
In book two of the Rock Shop Mystery series, amateur sleuth Morgan Iverson digs into gemstone prospecting to solve a Stone Cold Case.
My Thoughts:
Stone Cold Case is the second book in Catherine Dilts Rock Shop Mystery Series and it is fantastic. From the time I can remember I have enjoyed mystery books so this book was definitely for me! I have not read books by Catherine Dilts but now that I have, I definitely have another author to add to my must read list. I don't usually read a book that is part of a series unless I have read the previous books but Stone Cold Case sounded too good to pass up and I am glad I didn't pass it up. This book can definitely be read as a stand alone. Catherine Dilts does a great job making sure new readers have the details needed not to feel lost. I did not feel that the details were overdone to the point that it would bore someone who read the first book. This book had the perfect balance. This book starts a few months after the last one started with Morgan Iverson making a go of her rock shop and learning what she needs to about rocks and geology. While with a class in the forest Morgan falls into human remains and a "Bigfoot" type mountain man on the loose. Morgan dives in with her amateur sleuthing skills she finds herself getting herself into something bigger than she could imagined.
Stone Cold Case is a great book! Catherine Dilts writes with authority about Colorado, geology, gems, rocks, running a business, and solving mysteries. This book grabbed a hold of me and made it very hard to put it down! I really felt like I was there as the story unfolded. Catherine Dilts kept readers guessing until the end and leaving me wanting to read more. As I stated, I did not read Catherine's debut novel but that did not detract from my enjoyment of her book. I enjoyed the characters including Morgan's elderly donkeys that escaped all the time. I enjoyed both the seriousness and the silliness in this novel.....I found myself laughing in lots of parts at the hi jinx Morgan found herself in. I really enjoyed this book and I think that anyone who enjoys Mystery/Suspense Fiction, you will enjoy it too! I have the first book in this series, Stone Cold Death, on my TBR pile. I cannot wait to read the next book in this series too! I give this book 5 STARS.
I want to thank Catherine Dilts and Samantha Lien from Roger Charlie for this opportunity to read and review this book!
Book Description:
Rock shop owner Morgan Iverson's discovery of human remains reopens a cold case and unhealed wounds in a Colorado mountain town, while her find of a rare gemstone sparks a dangerous treasure hunt.
The remains are those of Carlee Kruger, a prom queen who vanished fifteen years ago. Carlee's mother asks Morgan to investigate. A Sasquatch look-alike may hold the key to both Carlee's death and the gemstone, but he eludes the police, despite repeated sightings by an elderly cowboy and the rock shop's donkeys. As she uncovers the past, Morgan becomes the target of someone determined to keep the truth buried.
In book two of the Rock Shop Mystery series, amateur sleuth Morgan Iverson digs into gemstone prospecting to solve a Stone Cold Case.
My Thoughts:
Stone Cold Case is the second book in Catherine Dilts Rock Shop Mystery Series and it is fantastic. From the time I can remember I have enjoyed mystery books so this book was definitely for me! I have not read books by Catherine Dilts but now that I have, I definitely have another author to add to my must read list. I don't usually read a book that is part of a series unless I have read the previous books but Stone Cold Case sounded too good to pass up and I am glad I didn't pass it up. This book can definitely be read as a stand alone. Catherine Dilts does a great job making sure new readers have the details needed not to feel lost. I did not feel that the details were overdone to the point that it would bore someone who read the first book. This book had the perfect balance. This book starts a few months after the last one started with Morgan Iverson making a go of her rock shop and learning what she needs to about rocks and geology. While with a class in the forest Morgan falls into human remains and a "Bigfoot" type mountain man on the loose. Morgan dives in with her amateur sleuthing skills she finds herself getting herself into something bigger than she could imagined.
Stone Cold Case is a great book! Catherine Dilts writes with authority about Colorado, geology, gems, rocks, running a business, and solving mysteries. This book grabbed a hold of me and made it very hard to put it down! I really felt like I was there as the story unfolded. Catherine Dilts kept readers guessing until the end and leaving me wanting to read more. As I stated, I did not read Catherine's debut novel but that did not detract from my enjoyment of her book. I enjoyed the characters including Morgan's elderly donkeys that escaped all the time. I enjoyed both the seriousness and the silliness in this novel.....I found myself laughing in lots of parts at the hi jinx Morgan found herself in. I really enjoyed this book and I think that anyone who enjoys Mystery/Suspense Fiction, you will enjoy it too! I have the first book in this series, Stone Cold Death, on my TBR pile. I cannot wait to read the next book in this series too! I give this book 5 STARS.
I want to thank Catherine Dilts and Samantha Lien from Roger Charlie for this opportunity to read and review this book!
September 21, 2015
While on a field trip to learn more about geology, Morgan stumbles upon a skeleton guarded by a strange Mountain Man. This body leads to a cold case two years ago when a high school girl, Carlee disappears. Morgan is asked to look into Carlee’s murder by her mother. But this is not the only strange things going on. There is also a hunt for Sasquatch and a Mountain Man terrorizing the town. It also seems that those that have a connection to Carlee’s disappearance are finding themselves in perilous situations.
I really like cozy mysteries and Stone Cold Case is no exception. Morgan is a great lead character that you can’t help but like and you can’t help but like her after her brother dumps the rock shop on her and leaves the country. I loved Golden Springs. It’s a small town with the usual small town crowd and politics.
The story was great, there were a lot of things going on so I was a little lost at the beginning but it all came together beautifully at the end. I have to say that the touch of romance added to the story.
Although this is the second book in the series, you can easily read it as a stand-alone. If you like mysteries, look no further. The Rock Shop Mystery series is one that you have to check out.
I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I really like cozy mysteries and Stone Cold Case is no exception. Morgan is a great lead character that you can’t help but like and you can’t help but like her after her brother dumps the rock shop on her and leaves the country. I loved Golden Springs. It’s a small town with the usual small town crowd and politics.
The story was great, there were a lot of things going on so I was a little lost at the beginning but it all came together beautifully at the end. I have to say that the touch of romance added to the story.
Although this is the second book in the series, you can easily read it as a stand-alone. If you like mysteries, look no further. The Rock Shop Mystery series is one that you have to check out.
I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
March 16, 2016
While I read a lot of mysteries, I’m more into hard-boiled than cozies. One of my beefs about cozies is that too many of the amateur sleuths get involved on the flimsiest of pretenses, and their hobby or job that defines the book connects only tenuously, if at all, to the story. Refreshingly, Catherine Dilts’s Rock Shop mysteries avoid these problems. In her latest, Stone Cold Case, her sleuth Morgan Iverson is fighting to keep her Rock of Ages shop afloat in a small Colorado mountain town. She’s also working hard to learn more about rocks, gems, and geology while dealing with difficult family issues—and eventually, a love interest. When Morgan stumbles (literally) on the skeleton of a young woman missing from the town for 16 years, Morgan’s growing involvement in the case (reluctantly on her part) feels organic and natural. Gemstones also figure prominently in the murder case, giving Morgan the opportunity to apply her growing knowledge to solve the crime, and the reader a chance to learn more about valuable gems. A fun read and good mystery with surprises and suspense.
Bruce Most’s latest mystery is Murder on the Tracks
Bruce Most’s latest mystery is Murder on the Tracks
September 8, 2015
I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Although this book is book 2 in the A Rock Shop Mystery, it can be read as a stand-alone. I have not read book 1.
Morgan literally stumbles upon a murder. Apparently it’s the second one she’s come across. It turns out the body is that of Carlee Kruger. Carlee has been missing for a long time, her mom just assumed she ran away.
They live in a small mountain town. The fact that it is a small town where everyone knows everyone, it’s unsettling to know someone killed Carlee and made sure no one found out.
This is your typical who done it. I love these types of books. I always try to figure out who the murder was before its revealed.
Although this book is book 2 in the A Rock Shop Mystery, it can be read as a stand-alone. I have not read book 1.
Morgan literally stumbles upon a murder. Apparently it’s the second one she’s come across. It turns out the body is that of Carlee Kruger. Carlee has been missing for a long time, her mom just assumed she ran away.
They live in a small mountain town. The fact that it is a small town where everyone knows everyone, it’s unsettling to know someone killed Carlee and made sure no one found out.
This is your typical who done it. I love these types of books. I always try to figure out who the murder was before its revealed.
September 8, 2015
A nice mystery. The main character stumbles upon a body while out on a geology field trip. The body was of a young girl who had been dead many years. Finding her body brings up lots issues from the past. There is also lots going on with illegal prospecting. The lady is dealing with staying in Golden Springs and dealing with what to do with her house in another state. She also has some family issues that she is dealing with and a possible new love in her life. Lots of action in a small town.
August 24, 2015
Even though I haven't yet read the first book of this series of A Rock Shop Mystery, I was pulled it right away with the feel of the town and Morgan herself. I now need the first book of this A Rock Shop Mystery because I got pulled in with the workings of the town and the people in it.
Morgan stumbles on yet another body while on a hike and wonders why she keeps getting pulled into solving cases in her new hometown.
It's one twist after another after she stumbles across the body, it's the classic who-dunnit with a slice of romance on the side.
Morgan stumbles on yet another body while on a hike and wonders why she keeps getting pulled into solving cases in her new hometown.
It's one twist after another after she stumbles across the body, it's the classic who-dunnit with a slice of romance on the side.
October 15, 2015
This was an ARC copy provided to me. I had not read the first book in the series but had no trouble getting into the story. Morgan Iverson actually falls in a area where a body has been left for 15 years.
With several twists and turns, the author keep my attention all the way through. Will be watching for other books by Catherine Dilts.
With several twists and turns, the author keep my attention all the way through. Will be watching for other books by Catherine Dilts.
September 18, 2015
I enjoyed this book (Advanced Uncorrected Proof copy) which I received for free from Goodreads Giveaways.
At times the story didn't seem like a closed case to be solved because of all the other 'things" going on.
The story stands alone quite well. One can learn a bit about rocks too and donkeys.
At times the story didn't seem like a closed case to be solved because of all the other 'things" going on.
The story stands alone quite well. One can learn a bit about rocks too and donkeys.
March 9, 2016
Once I started, I couldn't stop reading!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews