Death in Room 7

Pine Lake Inn #1

by K.J. Emrick

From the Author of the Darcy Sweet Mystery Series... Adelle Powers, or Dell as she is known around the town of Lakeshore, is living her dream life. She and her best friend Rosie Ryan are owners of the wonderfully quirky Pine Lake Inn, a very popular Australian tourist destination. Running her own inn is the only thing she has ever wanted to do and it is her pride and joy. So when Dell's friend Jessica calls to say she's coming for a visit Dell is ecstatic and can't wait to show it off to her friend. Surprisingly Dell finds that Rosie is less than thrilled about the visit and can't understand why. They were all such good friends, or so she thought. It would seem that Rosie may know something about Jessica's past that Dell doesn't. Some sort of secret that Rosie is reluctant to share with her. When Jessica is found dead in her room the following day it would appear that her secret past may have finally caught up with her. Horrified by the death of her good friend in her very own inn, Dell soon gets drawn into the mystery. And things take a turn for the very weird when Jessica's ghost visits her, more than once, directing Dell to clues that have been overlooked by a very incompetent police investigation. Soon Dell finds her own life in peril as she gets further into the mystery surrounding her friends life, and death.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Cozy, Paranormal, Amazon, Ebooks

201 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 3, 2015

About the author

Pseudonym for author Kathrine Emrick.

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Adelle Powers – Dell – and her friend Rosie Ryan co-owned Pine Lake Inn, and when an old university friend of Dell’s, Jess, let her know she was coming to stay, Dell was delighted. But it wasn’t long before tragedy struck the Inn and it left Dell trying to find a murderer. Dell’s son was a police officer in the small town of Lakeshore, and she went to him with her theories and evidence.

Death in Room 7 by Aussie author K.J. Emrick is the 1st in the Pine Lake Inn series and although it has a plot which could have worked well, the writing is atrocious. Apart from the mix up of two tenses throughout, the author has tried to mix Americanisms with Australianisms. In Australia we call our mothers Mum – not Mom as is done overseas. And the way the author had EVERY person speaking – ya instead of you; ain’t instead of isn’t – and many more, really turned me off. I’m afraid I won’t be continuing with the series…

[Phrynne · Rating 2 out of 5]

A quick, easy book to read. The story was good, the characters okay but a little stereotypical. I had a lot of trouble though getting past the strange way everyone spoke which I suppose was intended to be Australian. I am pretty sure your average, educated Aussie does not say "ya" instead of "you". This and a lot of similar things really grated.

An okay read which passed a few hours in a plane. Doubt if I will pursue the series though.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't really care for cozies, but a neighbor, who knew I liked mysteries didn't seem to understand the concept that there are mysteries and then there are mysteries. Since she was kind enough to think of me, and she was probably going to ask me about it...I read it. It was an okay book and anyone that eats cozies for breakfast and doesn't care for blood and brains spread all over the floor, will probably love it. I did find several good things about the book. 1.The cover was cute. 2.It was a mystery of the "locked room" variety. 3.It had some very interesting and crazy characters. 4.It also contained some humor. 5.The main thing that kept me reading and not skipping through it, was that the author introduced the idea early on after Jessica was found dead in her room, that something paranormal might be responsible. I could accept and work with this idea since I didn't find the reason the author wanted to present to be very realistic.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adelle Parks and her (Dell) best friend Rosie Ryan are the owners of Pine Lake Inn, which is located in beautiful Tasmania, Australia. Dell and Rosie work well together and their business is booming.

When Dell receives a telephone call from her friend Jess telling her she is coming to visit, Dell couldn’t be happier. Not long after Jess arrives something terrible happens which leaves Dell in a state of shock and she simply can’t understand how something like this could happen.

This was a quick cozy read which I enjoyed.

[Kylie H · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is set in a boutique hotel in Tasmania run by Dell and Rosie. Dell is excited to find a friend from the past is coming to visit her, but in the past Jess always found herself in trouble. It appears things have not changed.
This was an interesting cosy, but I found the attempt to make it more 'Strayan' did not sit well with me. I found the constant use of 'ya' instead of 'you' in the conversations quite irritating.
A nice quick story to read, with elements of paranormal, but I don't think it quite got there in terms of hooking me into reading more of this series.

[Kay (Brigidsmomma) Compton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great first book in a new series! A spin-off from the Darcy Sweet series, this one is set in Tasmania, at the B&B where Darcy and Jon spent their honeymoon. In it, the Inn's owners face the unexpected murder of an old college chum while she's visiting the inn. When the dead woman's ghost makes several appearances to try to help solve her own case, Dell, the Protagonist, is left unsure if she is really seeing a ghost or going crazy. A fun read and a good little mystery with the promise of more to come as the end isn't fully resolved... Read it, and I am sure you will agree, well done KJ Emrick!

[Sandee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cozy that is all about the mystery and it is a very good mystery! I so enjoy Katherine's writing, have loved many of her series and this seems to be the start of another wonderful series. Dell and Rosie have made their dream to own an inn come true. But everything changes when an old friend shows up bringing trouble with her. Likable characters, and excellent mystery and the very lightest touch of a possible romance.

[Belinda Vlasbaard · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars - English Ebook


"Rosie come on", I plead with her. "Jess is our friend. Whats wrong with you?" She stops, her back still facing me, tugging at the sleeves of her withe blouse. " Maybe Jess and me were never the good friends you thought we were".

" Here we go!"Rosie said brighty as she swept in from the kitchen. "Lamingtons with strawberry jam and cream and chocolade icing."

Dell and Rosie own a inn. A beatiful in in Tasmania, Australia. They had a good year at the inn and than Jess calls. She whant's to come over and stay at the inn. She is already underway and she wants to pay her stay. With the arrival of this friend a lot of things start to happen.

The thing that already happens was that the phone rang and only static could be heard.

Jess has room 7 and after she did not show up for dinner and breakfast Dell and Rosie goning to check on her with the masterkey. Only to find her dead. And that sets off a lot off events that even have ghostly participants.

Loved it, really do. Their enough good story lines, good and bad charaters, even a crime family called Ndrageta, and ghosts!

Their is just one thing, I want Rosies recipes!

[Linda Paterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great series in the making!

Looks like K.J. Emrick has started another great series. I loved it. Couldn't put it down until I was done! So many mysteries happening in this book. We have murder, ghosts, and gangsters, what could be better! I highly recommend this book if you are looking for a great mystery to read.

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really AWESOME read!!

This was my first, Pine Lake Inn book. Loveable main characters, and one you will really hate...lol. Dell and Rosie, own Pine Lake together. A cosy Inn, loved by all who stay there! Jess, a friend of theirs from their College days has arrived. Rosie isn't too happy about it! Jess winds up dead in a locked room mystery. Can Dell's son, a local Police Officer, find her murderer?? A MUST READ!!

[Mary Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good murder mystery, with a bit of comedy in the middle.

Loads of twists & turns from beginning to end.

still 1 question went unanswered! 😁

[Janine · Rating 2 out of 5]

The colloquial language really annoyed me as there was no need for everyone to say ya instead of you.

[Toni · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was just okay for me. I picked it up from my Kindle Library since it had a key on the cover. The writing wasn’t the best but the storyline was intriguing.

The story is set in Australia. A lady owns an inn and her long-time friend is coming to visit and just after she arrives she is murdered. The Inn owner’s son is second in command to a pretty ignorant Senior Sergeant who wants all the glory but none of the hard work.

I spent most of my time reading hoping the Senior Sergeant would have been involved in the murder. I liked how the plot drew from the victim’s background and that is what came to find her that day at the Pine Lake Inn. This story could have been so much better. I wish the writing had been nicer, more fluid, descriptive. I wish the winning police man would have been someone other than her son.

I liked part of it. And another part I gravely disliked. I will try another book in my library and see if it resonates with me more. But right now, this is just middle of the road for me.
____

I purchased this book with my own money.

[Kristina Rasmussen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5
I just finished the Darcy Sweet series (what’s released so far) and loved it, but I was ready for a little change. This was the perfect change! A new character with the same small town light hearted feel mixed in with a little paranormal activity and big mystery. I think I liked the storyline a little better. It felt like there was a little more meat to it. I look forward to reading the next one.

[Ted Tayler · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Laid back style"

I enjoyed the laid back writing style with this one. The story unfolded at a steady pace and the settings and characters gelled in a pleasing fashion. It held up as a stand alone despite the bridge to the next book that cropped up on the final pages. For once, that didn't annoy me. I enjoyed what I read and that was enough for me. A good read.

[Sharon M. Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who's there!

A lovely old inn, an old college friend, a gruesome murder, and ghosts? Pine Lake Inn in Tasmania, surrounded by lakes and lovely trees, has just developed a problem. A murder in room 7, strangers showing up threatening people, shadows and paintings that won't stay on walls and strange phone calls. Enough to scare anyone. Except maybe Dell, the owner. This one you've got to read!

[Heli - So Many Books - So Little Time · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Lisa Cornetti · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book, definitely a cozy murder mystery with Australian flair!! Adelle Powers owned the local Pine Lake Inn, where a good friend from Uni came to visit, but ended up murdered due to secrets from her past. The hitman was caught, but had strong ties to the Australian mob—which opens the door to the next book in the series. However, the way the ending was written—how it just seemed to drop off so quick—left me with very little interest in the next book. One star lost for the ending, but great, easy writing for an easy read!!

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first in the series and the first time reading this author. The main character is Dell and she owns an inn with her best friend Rosie. Her best friend from college, Jess comes to visit and gets murdered in her room the first night. As Dell tries to figure out who did this and why, she is also learning she didn't know her friend Jess as well as she thought she. As she tires to figure this out she gets some help from her friend's ghost. This is a page turner and hard to put down. Can't wait to read more od Dell's adventures.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun little cozy mystery to read. I had not read anything by this author before and enjoyed the Pine Lake Inn. Set in Tasmania it was enjoyable to get a little insight into the area. The characters were well developed and easy to get to know. I also enjoyed the paranormal additions to the story. I will be checking out more by this author. I recommend this book.

[Shannon Binegar-Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great series

I just love how this series ties into the Daecy Sweet series. I have always loved Australia, so having this series takes place there is quite a treat. I can't wait for book 2 to see what adventures are night for Del.

[JACQUELINE CURTIS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of twists and turns. Interesting that the inn owner and a police officer were related and trying to solve the murder without letting the boss know. A lot of friction between many of the characters. A bit of a different setting being in Tasmania and explaining how some of the town came about.

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a gem! I enjoyed this easy reading mystery! It was written well and kept my attention the entire time. The story kept me interested and the characters were wonderful!! It had a little touch of ghostly charm too! I recommend it for a great afternoon read!

[Christine Wannberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

This was a great book. I couldn't put it down once I started it. Can't wait for the next one!

[Anne · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wanted so badly to like this book because it's set in Australia, giving a very unusual setting for your average cozy mystery. But it was so...weird. The characters weren't too complex, but I didn't mind them. Many of them were likable, or unlikable, as the case may be. There was a little too much backstory in the beginning, but once the murder happened, I was really invested in the mystery. However, two things destroyed this book for me. First, the supernatural elements. Every time the characters were presented with a problem, instead of using their intellect to work their way out of it, a ghost turned up to set everything right. This reliance really lessened my enjoyment of the mystery. Second, in any good mystery you should have that "Ah-ha" moment at the end when the killer is revealed, that sense that the clues were there all along and you just missed the importance of them due to red herrings. In this one, the story just said, "Oh, you thought all these other suspects might be the killer. Well, here, let's introduce another random character at the end as the murderer, with no connection to the mystery but a footprint in mud, which could have belonged to anyone." It is a poor mystery indeed where there is no possible way for you to figure out the truth for yourself until the story tells you. Because of those two aspects, my enjoyment of this book was greatly diminished, which is sad because it could have been great mystery otherwise.

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very intriguing mystery that kept me turning Kindle pages. The inconsistency of going between normal tense and present tense was hard for me though. I'm not a fan of present tense storytelling, unless it's a short sentence here and there explaining something the main character does, like works at an inn, but there was more than just a little of it. I've read a sample of another first person book by the author, and it reads consistently in normal tense as do her third person series, so maybe this series was a first attempt. :)

There were sure a lot of interesting and crazy characters though. And I did like Dell and Rosie's inn they ran. I wanted to clobber that Angus Cutter sometimes! He was so unfair. Dell's son who was just a constable could have done Angus's job and his own. I hope somewhere along the line, Cutter is found out to be corrupt or something like that and ousted. There were a lot of references to a prior case that took place in another of the author's series, and I got the feeling that a few unresolved things might pop up later. I did like the idea of the ghost helping Dell with the case. Ghosts like that are always welcome, lol. I might read more in the series sometime. I'm pretty sure I own the next book anyway.

[Joan Case · Rating 3 out of 5]

Death in Room 7 held my interest most of the time. Characters seemed flat, though. All we ever know about the MC's 2 best friends is that they are her best friends from university. We aren't made to feel the deep relationships. What was truly annoying for me were all the sentence fragments. If they are used in dialogue, that's one thing, but this was throughout the narration of the story. There were grammar errors and spelling mistakes also. The main character repeatedly spoke of her husband who left her years ago. That fact was thrown in at very random spots throughout the book. I imagine he will resurface in one of the subsequent books.

I found this book hard to finish. Clues to the mystery weren't scattered throughout the book, but revealed by the MC one at a time (giving the reader nothing to uncover). By the time I had 30% of the book remaining, I kept falling asleep, trying to finish it. The ending definitely left things open for the second book, Digging For Trouble.

[bookbabe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Downloaded this to my Kindle as it was free. You do get what you pay for sometimes. It was an okay read, fairly predictable, and lacked grit. I do love mysteries, but this one did not keep me up wanting to find out whodunit. Did not care for the "ya" for "you" spoken by everyone living in the area though this my be an attempt to show dialect. Dell and Rosie are college educated women but talk like backwoods readnecks. An ocassional "ya" like "ain't" is expected in regional dialect.

Some things were pretty far-fetched such as the incident with her policeman son and the senior sergeant police chief. There are poor performing law enforcement officers, but this scene was just ridiculous. Not sure if the paranormal ghost thing is going to be part of the series, but I doubt I'll read another in the series.

[Elaine Bidstrup · Rating 4 out of 5]

This mystery takes place in the tow of Pine Lake, Tasmania, Australia where Dell owns the Pine Lake Inn with her friend Rosie. The day after their university friend, Jess, comes to stay at the inn, she is murdered. The rather stupid senior sergeant police officer deems it a suicide, because she is holding a razor blade. Dell is sure it is not when she finds drops of blood leading to the window sill and a partial footprint on the sill itself. Her son Kevin is one of the 6 police officers in the town and she immediately consults him. Dell and the senior sergeant don't get along and he tells her to mind her own business. The autopsy provides Dell is correct as it shows that her arms were slashed with a serrated edge and she had been given an injection which knocked her out so she couldn't fight.
As the story progresses several suspects are included and leads to a scary conclusion.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the story well enough but was very frustrated by the writing.
Firstly, the changes from past to present tense and back again are not professional.
Secondly, the Australian colloquialisms are too over the top. I thought that maybe Emrick was an American writer who had moved to Australia and was trying to capture the colourfulness of the Australian vernacular. Others, however, have listed her as an Australian author. She does, however spell colour as color and Mum as Mom, both in the American way. She also uses the term “mugging for the camera”, which I believe is an Americanism and definitely not Australian, and refers to a mobile phone as a cell phone.