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Goodnight Mysteries #4

Coal Miner's Slaughter

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Death is following Matilda, and it’s not going unnoticed in the small town of Goodnight, New Mexico. When she finds Inga Mueller, a local jewelry maker, drowned in a bucket of resin, Matilda’s reputation is sealed as the harbinger of death. As she begins to investigate Inga’s murder, she discovers Inga’s darker, secret life with ties to Goodnight’s prominent residents. In order to find the killer, Matilda must unlock the town’s secrets, and the town isn’t happy about it. As she follows the twists and turns of a mystery with a long reach, she’s making enemies and dodging a killer who wants to shut her up.Coal Miner’s Slaughter is the fourth installment of the funny small town mystery romance Goodnight Mysteries series and a spinoff of the Matchmaker Mysteries.Goodnight… Sometimes sweet dreams end in murder.“Elise Sax will win your heart.”—New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis“Sax will make you laugh. Her larger-than-life characters jump off the page and make crazy seem like a fun place to hang out.”—New York Times bestselling author Christie Craig“With quirky characters reminiscent of Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series and a small-town heroine redolent of Charlaine Harris’ Sookie Stackhouse” --RT Book Reviews“Fans of laugh-out-loud romantic suspense will enjoy this new author as she joins the ranks of Janet Evanovich, Katie MacAllister, and Jennifer Crusie.”—Booklist, on An Affair to Dismember“A lighthearted and amusing caper with a sexy side order of romance . . . Gladie is an endearing mess of a character, and the book is fast-paced and amusing, with a large cast of quirky, small-town characters.”—Kirkus Reviews, on Matchpoint “There’s plenty for fans to enjoy in Sax’s third Matchmaker installment, complete with energetic narration, zany humor and a mystery that’s as engaging as the details of Gladie’s love life.”—RT Book Reviews

254 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2019

188 people are currently reading
124 people want to read

About the author

Elise Sax

87 books911 followers
Elise Sax worked as a journalist for fifteen years, mostly in Paris, France. She took a detour from journalism and became a private investigator before trying her hand at writing fiction. She lives in Southern California with her two sons. An Affair to Dismember is her first novel.

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5 stars
252 (57%)
4 stars
137 (31%)
3 stars
44 (10%)
2 stars
2 (<1%)
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2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
Profile Image for JoAn.
2,469 reviews1 follower
May 5, 2019
Coal Miner's Slaughter by Elise Sax was amazing. Mathilda is quirky and funny and determined to solve the case. A plot that kept me turning the pages and laughing throughout makes this one another winner! I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. All of the above opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Angela Verdenius.
Author 66 books678 followers
May 16, 2019
Another light-hearted, humerous mystery with the added more serious undertone of the mysterious serial killer, and the slightly spooky appearance of the paranormal. Can't wait for the next book to be released!
Profile Image for Anima.
2,760 reviews52 followers
April 30, 2019
Matilda has it all, a crazy life with friends and laughter. However, people in town believe she's possessed, something about always finding death. What they forget is her ability to solve their murders. Her adventures are not without help, malfunctions, humor or sexy guys. Secrets are discovered, shenanigans are happening and dog poop needs a basket. Absolutely love this series because you never know what will happen, plenty of clues and twists to keep us guessing. I received an early copy, review written voluntarily.
Profile Image for Susan.
1,172 reviews45 followers
May 4, 2019
LOVE this series!

Matilda is back doing what she does best. Solving murders! I LOVE this series! It keeps getting better with each book. This one is my favorite, so far. Laughs & romance kept me turning the pages. So many quirky characters makes me want to live in Goodnight, New Mexico!
Profile Image for Kim.
141 reviews5 followers
August 9, 2019
4 stars for this one, I think it was my least favorite. I read all 5 books in this series in the last few days so I'm just going to do a bulk review.

Over the past few months I've been sick, on bad meds, had surgery and a mental funk that went with all that. It was starting to get pretty bad. My mother noticed I hadn't even touched a book in months. If you know me, you know I love to read, it's my escape. For me to not read means life is majorly sucking.

I forced myself to pick up a book. Forced myself to read. I picked this author because her stories make me crack up, I love her characters and the way she tells a story.

I put the first book down a few times in the very beginning because of me not the book. Then it just grabbed me and 5 books were done in 3 days.

This author hasn't failed me yet. If you need an escape for a few hours, she is definitely one of my top go to writers.
Profile Image for Σελήνη.
537 reviews6 followers
September 11, 2023
As much as I don't like the man, pretending he would be the serial killer is going a bit far.

I've reached my limit and there is no doubt that the last installment is going to be incredibly annoying if we're actually entertaining the thought that the killer is that stupid man but I still want to know who it really is. If I have to choose between Silas, Boone and Amos, I'd have to say Amos but that would be so damn ridiculous. I don't see how she could even fail to recognise the voice of any of them. But it's not like this series is exactly top notch and that much makes sense so I wouldn't put it past the author but still. For the sake of logic I hope it's someone else. Like Rocco, Adam, Nora's husband, the cook or god knows who.

I'm curious to see it end but I don't know if I can make it through one more of these.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Barbara Hackel.
2,877 reviews45 followers
June 4, 2019
Well, in a series of wacky adventures in the town of Goodnight, NM, this one had it's moments. Also had a lot of sex in the book. And people who don't want to read about that aren't going to be happy with this book. Funny characters? ✔ Murder? ✔✔ Unusual new characters? ✔ Nudes? ✔ Sex club? ✔ Romance? ✔ Wait a minute...sex club? This book has definitely taken on a different tone. And I didn't like the ending as well as the others... Guess this isn't my favorite in the series. But still a good and funny book. Gotta love Matilda's supportive friends no matter how much of a fool she acts.

I am anxiously waiting until July when the next book comes out. I sure hope it brings some answers as well.
828 reviews12 followers
May 3, 2019
Matilda is now being followed around by a priest and shaman who are trying to remove the specter of death following her and exorcise her ghosts. She has the Historical society and Mayor who are trying to steal her house. She has found, yet another dead body and, she's doing whatever she can to keep her mind off of doing dirty things to Boone so they can date first!!!
Nothing is going right, as usual, for Matilda. Death does seem to follow her around. Thing is that she's really good at finding the killer. Problem is that she is notorious for getting her friends, boyfriend and, herself injured in some way while doing that!!!
What's a newspaper owner to do???!!!
Profile Image for Rhonda Jones.
2,794 reviews17 followers
May 3, 2019
Great Book

I was definitely surprised by the who done it. Never would have guessed that one. Also loved the sub plot line. That cracked me up! I hope the open ongoing plot line is resolved in the next book. What an end to this book! Never saw that coming either! This was a really great book.
85 reviews
May 18, 2019
I quickly read books 1 thru 4 of Goodnight Mysteries. I've even ordered book 5. I am enjoying the series, obviously. It is funny. I've laughed out loud. It is a good murder mystery. The plot twists are not obvious. The characters are different: some funny, some weird, some mysterious.... Try the first book it is currently free for the Amazon Kindle.

Profile Image for Cris.
538 reviews10 followers
May 25, 2019
This book was really good! Amazing! I can’t really wait for the next book on the series. I can’t write this without saying any spoilers so I’m just going to say wow! that was an ending!! I’m dying over here!

This has been my favorite so far!
Profile Image for Cynthia Haskins.
18 reviews
May 30, 2019
The best yet!!!

Ahhhh!!!! How am I supposed to.wait until July for the next book?! This one was the best of the series yet. I can't wait to find out how it all unravels after the cliff hanger this one left is with. A must read serious that has it all...humor, love and mystery!
Profile Image for Josie.
2,002 reviews
July 13, 2019
Who is it?

The characters make this series. Is anyone in this town innocent? I love how I get one mystery to solve, but the overarching mystery is still there hanging in the background.
Profile Image for Joni.
659 reviews
April 6, 2022
no no the book ended too soon

The final sentence “she knew who the murderer is’. Yikes…and they leave you thinking it’s Boone. I have already bought and downloaded the next book. Can’t wait to read it
Profile Image for Louisa Jones.
871 reviews
April 20, 2024
Great book!

I haven’t had fun reading a book in a long time. This was so far the best book in the series. I laughed in parts of it until tears ran down my face! And the ending was superb. I can hardly wait to read the next book in the series.
34 reviews1 follower
May 3, 2019
Suspenseful, hilarious

I love this town: so full of kooky, but lovable characters! After twists and turns, our favorite crime sleuth, Matilda, solves another murder.
Profile Image for Francesca.
640 reviews2 followers
May 6, 2019
Matilda Dare is a great character!
106 reviews1 follower
May 13, 2019
Elise Sad does it again!

Chuckle a minute. Funny story, funny characters. Please don't let it be, who I think it is!!! You love to drive people crazy!
Profile Image for Suzanne Nelson.
21 reviews1 follower
May 30, 2019
Love this series!

I love this series! The characters are quirky and unforgettable, not to mention hilariously funny! Mystery, love, laughter....makes for a really fun read!
131 reviews
July 13, 2019
I love anything by this author! this is book 4 in a series about an insomniac who moves to a town called Good Night
Profile Image for Michelle.
213 reviews
December 1, 2019
The best of the Goodnight series, so far.
Laugh out loud a lot.
Matilda is just like Gladie, love them both!
420 reviews2 followers
December 30, 2020
Not as good

This book felt forced. The first 3 were really good, but this one felt contrived like the author was trying to eke more out of the storyline for more money. I really considered stopping here instead of continuing to the next book.
439 reviews1 follower
January 17, 2022
These just get worse, but I feel compelled to finish.
Profile Image for Maddi.
124 reviews
June 3, 2022
Major cliff hanger! But I think there will be one more plot twist in the final book. Can't wait to read it.
Profile Image for roxi.
64 reviews1 follower
January 27, 2023
I still really like these mysteries. They’re fun to read.
189 reviews1 follower
August 2, 2023
I need to know who the killer is... am I correct?
Profile Image for Su.
242 reviews1 follower
April 11, 2025
ohhh I loved this!

we get jealous Boone, Goodnight banter, found family! we meet Tilly!
Profile Image for Alicia Luechtefeld.
392 reviews2 followers
October 25, 2020
Last night I finished Coal Miner’s Slaughter. This book is book 4 in the Goodnight Mystery Series. I really enjoyed the addition of Tilly in this book and love that we see characters develop along the way. This book was very funny but left us a bit ons cliff. Luckily book 5 is available so I’m digging in immediately. #coalminersslaughter #goodnightmurder #goodnightmystery #elisesax #mystery #cozymystery #mysteryromance #reading #booksofinstagram #booksofig #readingchallenge2020
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews

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