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Alaska #5

Spring into Murder

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Detective Sarah Garland is happy that a harsh winter in Alaska has ended and spring has arrived. The joy of spring, she hopes, will take away the difficult battles she faced during the winter months. What could go wrong with fresh, warm air dancing around her small town, waking up sleeping animals and beautiful flowers? Surely all of the criminals would remain frozen in the winter, right, allowing spring to sing and hope to rinse the cold off itself and begin anew.
But while shopping for clothes at the local merchant store with her best friend Amanda, Sarah is approached by Andrew, the new Chief of Police, and is told a hunter was found dead on an old hiking trail north of town. The hunter, it seems, died of exposure to the elements and no foul was suspected. Sarah is simply asked to help deal with the hunter's family who was on their way up to Alaska from Los Angeles. She agrees, thinking that the case would be simple to manage.
But when hidden answers begin to surface, Sarah is soon thrust into a dangerous case filled with a deadly enemy determined to destroy the lives of two innocent people. Will Sarah be able to put back on her detective hat and outwit and clever adversary, or will she become victim to a poison plot that involves murder for power?

184 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 23, 2017

322 people are currently reading
216 people want to read

About the author

Wendy Meadows

183 books434 followers
Wendy Meadows is a USA Today bestselling cozy mystery author who creates the perfect escape for readers who love amateur sleuths, small-town secrets, and mysteries you can solve with a cup of tea in hand.

Her beloved series—including Sweetfern Harbor, Alaska Cozy Mysteries, and Travel Writer Mysteries—feature quirky characters, family bonds, and charming whodunits with no gore, just gentle intrigue that keeps you guessing.

When she's not plotting her next puzzle, she's spoiling her pets, enjoying time with her two adult children, and hunting for the perfect hybrid tea rose to inspire her peaceful settings.

Join her cozy community and get a free ebook plus behind-the-scenes peeks into her stories and characters.

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5 stars
369 (60%)
4 stars
169 (27%)
3 stars
63 (10%)
2 stars
11 (1%)
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2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
Profile Image for Emmalynn.
2,941 reviews29 followers
January 10, 2023
Family, sometimes they are quite literally the death of you. Sarah and Amanda investigate the death of a 90+ year old hunter found in the woods. Was it natural causes or murder? If it’s murder, which of his children, or young wife, or was it all of them together, committed the deed. This time with Conrad in N. Y. Andrew joins Sarah and Amanda to solve this baffling case,
Profile Image for Barbara.
3 reviews
March 26, 2018
Having read these books in order, I have to agree with some of the comments about errors that should have been caught. Amanda's husband has a new name? He was Jack in the first four books....now he's Simon? Numerous typos that the editorial process should have addressed?
While I've enjoyed the storylines in this series, I do question some of the premises....Two women in a small Alaska town, successfully solving mysteries (that the local law enforcement couldn't do with out their guidance) even though one has no investigation/police experience? Why on earth do they always wear dresses (hiking through the woods, in the rain, snow and cold)?
The books are easy reading, but reader, be aware that they are not the best written or best edited books on the shelf.
Profile Image for Angel (Bookn.All.Night).
1,681 reviews44 followers
April 28, 2020
Another cute mystery solved by the amazing duo Sarah and Amanda.

A man is found dead on a secluded trail in Snow Falls, AK. It looks like an accident but is it? Guess you'll have to read to find out. 💚💙🖤
Profile Image for Tari.
3,641 reviews103 followers
October 7, 2018
Another exciting, sometimes wacky but never a dull moment installment in this series. This time, Conrad is down in New York so when an elderly man is found dead, presumably frozen when hunting and found now spring is here, Sarah has to be acting detective for the police force. Of course she's going to have her BFF Amanda help her out. Andrew gets a more prominent role in this book since Conrad is gone for most of it.

The old man's family that came from Los Angeles seems like a train wreck waiting to happen, or at least his daughter and very young wife are. Andrew and Amanda get to laughing so hard over the daughter looking like a circus act--that was one of the funniest parts of the book. Since the family was from LA, Sarah had already conferred with her long time friend and mentor, Pete, from her old police department and knew basically what to expect from this very dysfunctional family.

The rest held my interest as Sarah used her cop's instincts and training to set a trap for the criminals. A couple of glaring editorial errors stood out. This book started referring to Amanda's husband as Simon and I could have sworn in the previous books his name was Jack. Then Teresa was referred to a lot more than once as Milton's wife when she was in fact, Chet's wife. Small errors and by context I knew what was going on. Hopefully future editions might receive some corrections.

One more to go and I'll be caught up!
Profile Image for Bette.
785 reviews
March 1, 2018
A body is found off an old hunting trail north of Snow Fall, Alaska, the victim appears to have died exposure. Alaska law requires an autopsy of a death and the Hopski family is not going to change this protocol. Detective Sarah Garland senses something is wrong and she is out to find out what really happened to Mr. Hopski.

A cozy mystery and though I read this book of the series out of order I got the gist of the backstory from the dialogue. I was surprised to find this book was not listed as Christian fiction though not preachy the characters displayed their spirituality.
Profile Image for Krystyna.
5,134 reviews55 followers
June 14, 2018
A family divided by greed

Wonderful series that doesn't disappoint with this latest book. A body found on the trail is that of a wealthy businessman. Was it natural or is there something more sinister at stake. A family at war, a vast fortune at stake and more lies then anyone can swallow. Okay we all know who the "baddie" is but the plot will keep you reading until the end to find out how everything is resolved. The characters are all full and vivid and the descriptions are so good that you can visualise the surroundings. Another winner.
153 reviews
December 13, 2019
Good addition!

I really like this book. I think it was a good story. It wasn’t scary or necessarily upsetting but it really showed the bond of friendship and family. I’m really enjoying this series quite a bit. I love it the books are short and I can read them in between all of my work nonsense. Don’t get me wrong, I am happy to have a job but technology just needs to get it self together. I strongly recommend a series. Of course, you can read them out of order but it really helps build the characters up if you start at the beginning.
Profile Image for Libby Wadum.
94 reviews2 followers
August 21, 2024
Sarah .Amanda and Conrad solve a murder

Author Wendy Meadows has a great imagination. Family trying to undermine the Dad to get all the money. The man was very wealthy and had changed his will. Greed leads to more than one murder in the town of Snow Falls Alaska. See how Acting detective figures out who the five culprits are involved to get the money. The two nice sons Chet and Milton help Sarah and get to say goodbye to their dad at his hidden cabin . Good story to read.
1,925 reviews5 followers
February 16, 2025
Very good

Sarah and Amanda are on a case again. Conrad is back in New York.
A very rich man has been found dead on a trail. His family has showed up and it appears that all they care about is his money.
As Sarah and Amanda get to know Chet and Milton, they realize these 2 guys actually cared for their father. They can't say the same for the daughter or the wife.
The suspect list dwindles even more after the wife is found dead.
Will Sarah and Amanda solve this case?
Profile Image for Charlotte Shea.
115 reviews2 followers
January 29, 2019
Wow! What a wonderful read

Wow! What a wonderful read
I hope this wasn't the end of your series, because it was getting good and your ending in this book had touched my heart when you wrote, "a fawn came out of the woods and smelled the red rose, that Amanda placed on Mr. Hopski's grave, then layed down.
Thank you for an amazing adventure
Cherie A Harlow
33 reviews
August 1, 2019
Spring Into Murder (Alaska Cozy Mystery Book) By Wendy Meadows)

Wendy did a much better job developing the plot in this book. I think she should should dress in
omg warm pants to wear their cozy warm sweaters with. I would like to see Amanda's husbands character develop more in future stories. Who line's maybe they already have.
Profile Image for Kathy Fair.
295 reviews7 followers
October 26, 2017
Awesome Read

This is an amazing story that pits good against. bad, and shows how greed makes monsters of humans. Sarah, Andrew and Amanda show strength as they work to overcome evil. This is an excellent read that will keep the reader turning the pages
Profile Image for Shannon.
503 reviews2 followers
October 31, 2017
Changes, and not good ones

More mistakes in this than the previous books. Chet and Milton's names are mixed up quite a few times, when that should have been an obvious catch. Also a loot of mentions of god that I don't recall in the other books, which I find off putting.
Profile Image for Jennifer Laird-Lord.
410 reviews4 followers
November 14, 2017
I've read all the books in this series. I really enjoyed them all. The characters are fun, the friendship between Sarah and Amanda is a nice touch. Makes you want to move to Alaska. I like how you don't know right away who is the culprit.
17 reviews
November 18, 2017
Great!

I read all 5 books back to back! Love the characters!! Didn’t want to finish!! Can’t wait for the next books in this series so I hope u write fast lol now I will start your other series u have put!!
436 reviews2 followers
June 9, 2019
Once again excellent

I enjoyed reading this book very much. I like reading about the characters as they move from book to book. The author always has a interesting and amusing storyline. I would recommend it to anyone.
210 reviews1 follower
May 30, 2020
Spring into Murder

April in Alaska is gorgeous, beautiful wild flowers, bear ,fixed and murder. A family feud, comes from California to a small town, and murder follows them. An exciting mystery.
Profile Image for Jennifer Goliash.
283 reviews1 follower
October 7, 2020
Not bad

Better than the book before it. I liked Milton & Chet. It was missing Conrad & that messed with the flow of the book. Not much mystery in it but the writer kind of didn't try to hide anything either. I liked it.
Profile Image for Donna.
1,386 reviews9 followers
October 11, 2020
Excellent storytelling and characters

Another great instalment in the Alaska Cozy Mystery series - this is number 5. I really enjoyed the book and loved the characters. It’s a great story and series which I would highly recommend.
71 reviews2 followers
January 28, 2021
Awesome series

I was not sure what to expect when I started this series. I was really surprised. Love the characters. Keeps you on your toes. I'm already on book 5. Looking forward to book 6 !!
Profile Image for Ms Sarah E Woodall.
127 reviews3 followers
April 9, 2021
Crazy Alaskan Murder Mystery

I really like these books. They're easy to read, and the stories aren't too far fetched like some cozy mysteries, but there's a little too much 'God is good, God is great' for my liking. I'll continue to read them though.
Profile Image for Becky.
13 reviews
January 24, 2023
A series you must read!

I can't get enough of the characters, through laughter tears and suspense. June Bug and Los Angeles friendship is often put to the test due to their occopational differences!
Profile Image for Kitten  Peters.
1,017 reviews5 followers
October 30, 2017
Great a t quick read.

The girls need to solve a murder while Conrad is out of t o an. Question is are they the next targets.
Profile Image for Paula Sayers.
444 reviews12 followers
November 1, 2017
Love her books!!

A quick read that is very enjoyable!! Cozy up in front of a fire and read! Enjoyable boo for the day!!
Profile Image for Nickie.
94 reviews
December 1, 2017
OMG best one yet

Loved it. Sat here crying, she made me feel like I was right there with them in Alaska. Makes me want to move there. It was amazing.
Profile Image for Stacy.
16 reviews
January 25, 2018
Amazing read 📚❤

Couldn't have asked for a better book. Love all of this series. I can't wait for them to come out and read a quick as possible hopefully more follows.
25 reviews
February 13, 2018
Enjoyable

Holds the readers interest from cover to cover. Characters are quite likable and realistic. Easy read. Only took a few hours to complete.
Profile Image for Sandra Brown.
32 reviews
April 7, 2018
Better and better

This series just keeps getting better. I'm going to be said when I've finished all the books. They all feel like family to me, even Andrew. :)
Profile Image for Suzanne Homeier-poe.
491 reviews1 follower
May 1, 2018
So sad but uplifting.

I loved this story. It was sad but also so beautiful. This is the best one so far. Thank you Wendy for such a great story.
1 review
July 23, 2018
I am really enjoying this Alaska Cozy Mystery series

Your stories are a delightful read,. The characters are good. I am looking forward to more of your stories to come.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews

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