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Goodnight Mysteries #3
Jurassic Dark
Matilda Dare might be in a new relationship, but she’s not sure. Ever since Boone kissed her, it’s been up in the air if they’re an item or not. Either way, she can’t focus on romance for very long because one of her best friends has been accused of murder, and Matilda is bound and determined to prove her innocence. Matilda and Boone find themselves on the trail of the real killer out in the wilds of New Mexico. But as they’re pursuing the killer, they’re being pursued as well.
Jurassic Dark is the third 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, on Love Game
Jurassic Dark is the third 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, on Love Game
ebook
Published February 4, 2019
191 people are currently reading
135 people want to read
About the author
Elise Sax
87 books911 followersElise 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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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
March 19, 2019
Jurassic Dark by Elise Sax brings readers back to Goodnight, New Mexico where quirky doesn't even begin to cover the description. Matilda is the queen of laughter, chaos and ghosts as she once again is on the trail of a murderer. Thanks, Ms. Sax, for another afternoon of fun and laughter.
February 10, 2019
LOVE!
Elise Sax has successfully created another crazy, quirky town that I’d love to visit! Memorable characters and situations that will have you laughing out loud. A visit to Goodnight is always a good time!
Elise Sax has successfully created another crazy, quirky town that I’d love to visit! Memorable characters and situations that will have you laughing out loud. A visit to Goodnight is always a good time!
February 7, 2019
Matilda and Boone are at it again. Boone is back in town, this time after finding some previously unknown bones that will make history. Matilda is, as usual, hot for Boone but, as usual, she continues to be a murdered person magnet. Why oh, why does she ALWAYS find dead bodies? And now, she's still having prophetic dreams and speaking with ghosts more often than usual. Of course, the crazy==uh==quirky people of Goodnight, including the chief of police, Amos, are used to Matilda's problems!
Unfortunately, this new problem is more than one body with more than one 'person of interest' and, more than one exceedingly strange new idea the townsfolk have to put Moonlight back on the map.
This is, as usual with Ms. Sax, a book that cannot be read in a public place, while drinking any fluids or without your Depends in place! Unless, of course, you don't mind being humiliated when everyone sees you snorting liquid through your nose, bursting into hysterical laughter and, well, you know!
I can't wait for the next book in the series!
Unfortunately, this new problem is more than one body with more than one 'person of interest' and, more than one exceedingly strange new idea the townsfolk have to put Moonlight back on the map.
This is, as usual with Ms. Sax, a book that cannot be read in a public place, while drinking any fluids or without your Depends in place! Unless, of course, you don't mind being humiliated when everyone sees you snorting liquid through your nose, bursting into hysterical laughter and, well, you know!
I can't wait for the next book in the series!
February 7, 2019
It gets better every time, the chaos, the mystery, the Ritzophobia. Goodnight, New Mexico has a serial killer that Matilda is trying to find. There's also some craziness about Richard Gere and dinosaur bones. The town has characters of every shape and sanity, one diner and a tamale truck. Somehow Matilda has managed to find the hottest bachelor and the sexual tension is through the sky. As the third book you should read the first two, it explains a bit about Matilda and the cast of lovable characters. My copy came from the author but my review was voluntarily written.
May 7, 2019
Love love loved it! Enjoying this series so much. Fun, mystery, touch of romance, a little sexy heat, a tickle of paranormal and a host of wacky characters. On to the next book in the series!
February 8, 2019
What’s not to like?
This book is one that anyone will love. This series is one that anyone will love. This is a hit. Elise Sax is the queen of hilarity, outlandish antics and always can be counted on for an excellent book. Matilda,
Boone and the rest of Goodnight, are so unique and entertaining that the book is finished before you realize it! A must read!
This book is one that anyone will love. This series is one that anyone will love. This is a hit. Elise Sax is the queen of hilarity, outlandish antics and always can be counted on for an excellent book. Matilda,
Boone and the rest of Goodnight, are so unique and entertaining that the book is finished before you realize it! A must read!
June 3, 2019
Goodnight, New Mexico is like no other place on earth. Since Matilda Dare moved there (after inheriting an historic house and a newspaper while escaping a murderous husband.) There have been deaths and even some sort of paranormal activity. There has also been a romance between Matilda and Boone Goodnight building. When Boone (a paleontologist with an important discovery) is harassed by a national magazine and professor to release his findings prematurely, it is another set of problems for Matilda and the town. There may have been a dead man who turned out to start being alive again, as well as several other mysteries being solved with major input from Matilda. Along the way there are giggles as new taco truck owner Nora keeps running over things and giving away free tacos for life to pay for her damages. Never have I heard of so many colorful characters in one small community!
Each book in this series leaves this reader laughing and wanting more. Author Elsie Sax has a real knack for writing zany funny mystery. I can't wait to read the next in the series!!!
Each book in this series leaves this reader laughing and wanting more. Author Elsie Sax has a real knack for writing zany funny mystery. I can't wait to read the next in the series!!!
August 9, 2019
4.5 stars. 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.
I think this book was one of my favorites in the series. The scenes with the dinosaurs had me laughing out loud.
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.
I think this book was one of my favorites in the series. The scenes with the dinosaurs had me laughing out loud.
September 2, 2025
I read the 'Goodnight Mysteries', all five of them, in under two days.
Which was probably a mistake as the relentlessly cheerful and chaotic tone which seemed so funny
at the start, was getting on my nerves by book three.
“Jurassic Dark” sees Matilda, local newspaper owner and oddball, get closer to actually jumping Boone's bones.
Palaeontologist Boone has made a discover of some dinosaur fossils which he believes will prove they were not entirely killed at the same time.
He's being pressured to make it public but he wants to complete his research first.
There is, of course, a mystery to be solved when one of Matilda's friends goes on the run after being accused of murder.
There's ghosts, crazy driving, drama concerning Richard Gere, the serial killer, and much much more.
I'd advise taking a break between each book in the series to get the most out of them.
3.5 Stars, brought back to 3 Stars.
Which was probably a mistake as the relentlessly cheerful and chaotic tone which seemed so funny
at the start, was getting on my nerves by book three.
“Jurassic Dark” sees Matilda, local newspaper owner and oddball, get closer to actually jumping Boone's bones.
Palaeontologist Boone has made a discover of some dinosaur fossils which he believes will prove they were not entirely killed at the same time.
He's being pressured to make it public but he wants to complete his research first.
There is, of course, a mystery to be solved when one of Matilda's friends goes on the run after being accused of murder.
There's ghosts, crazy driving, drama concerning Richard Gere, the serial killer, and much much more.
I'd advise taking a break between each book in the series to get the most out of them.
3.5 Stars, brought back to 3 Stars.
February 10, 2019
I Laughed Out Loud!
This series is a delight. You have to meet the citizens of Goodnight. From UFO's to murder, Matilda and her "abilities". There is an ongoing story from book to book but also in every book there is a murder solved with a lot of laughter. Oh, I forgot to mention Matilda's tendency to wound (think casts and a devining rod) the man she's "dating ". Always looking forward to the next one
This series is a delight. You have to meet the citizens of Goodnight. From UFO's to murder, Matilda and her "abilities". There is an ongoing story from book to book but also in every book there is a murder solved with a lot of laughter. Oh, I forgot to mention Matilda's tendency to wound (think casts and a devining rod) the man she's "dating ". Always looking forward to the next one
February 11, 2019
Re-read the first two books to get myself refreshed for this new installment. Again, so many laugh out loud moments I think my dog thought I was having issues. Sorry, breaking not one, but two arms...and the stuffed dinosaurs was just too funny. The only thing I realized as I read the book is I have no idea what Matilda looks like other than hair and eyes. To be honest I pulled out my copy of "It's A Wonderful Knife" to re-read and remind me what Matilda looks like.
February 21, 2019
Fun read
Enjoyable as usual. All Elise Sax books are a hoot and I love to read them. They always have some crazy stuff going on with the townfolk. The mystery is always slow to unfold amidst all the little side stories and yet they are easy to read and short enough to get through in a couple of afternoons.
Enjoyable as usual. All Elise Sax books are a hoot and I love to read them. They always have some crazy stuff going on with the townfolk. The mystery is always slow to unfold amidst all the little side stories and yet they are easy to read and short enough to get through in a couple of afternoons.
May 6, 2019
It's really hard to like a heroine this silly
Some of this series I s fine for awhile but then you just get tired of Matilda s inability to stand up for herself and all the lies she tells . It's exhausting and not funny as I believe the author intends it to be. Matilda is not really very likable or believable .
Some of this series I s fine for awhile but then you just get tired of Matilda s inability to stand up for herself and all the lies she tells . It's exhausting and not funny as I believe the author intends it to be. Matilda is not really very likable or believable .
March 10, 2020
Love Elise Sax! She’s a little bit “naughty” in her stories, but her books are a whole lotta fun!
Mathilda is still trying to find the serial killer in Goodnight, New Mexico, but she finally has decided on pushing Boone as her love interest. The only glitch is her murderous husband is contesting the divorce from prison.
The rest of the population is still as crazy as ever.
Mathilda is still trying to find the serial killer in Goodnight, New Mexico, but she finally has decided on pushing Boone as her love interest. The only glitch is her murderous husband is contesting the divorce from prison.
The rest of the population is still as crazy as ever.
April 11, 2025
they just wanted to have a date alone!!
Marbel crying because she wanted to be loved!
the best found family!? MY SERIES!! I love this!
although 5 stars, these #3 was my least favorite ... I feel like it should be a longer, and more about if Norton was really resurrected!
Boone would die for Matilda, easily
Marbel crying because she wanted to be loved!
the best found family!? MY SERIES!! I love this!
although 5 stars, these #3 was my least favorite ... I feel like it should be a longer, and more about if Norton was really resurrected!
Boone would die for Matilda, easily
July 1, 2020
another good but short story
enjoyable story. plenty twist and turns. Hero’s might be good looking but lack something. not as funny as the first book . it is a quick read but uplifting.
enjoyable story. plenty twist and turns. Hero’s might be good looking but lack something. not as funny as the first book . it is a quick read but uplifting.
February 10, 2019
Elise keeps us in stitches while keeping us guessing with whodunnit and why.Matilda is
at it again but will she figure everything out.
at it again but will she figure everything out.
February 10, 2019
Laugh out loud funny.
February 11, 2019
Great book
Terrific series. Laugh out loud funny. A bit of mystery and romance rounds out the story line. Don't miss it
Terrific series. Laugh out loud funny. A bit of mystery and romance rounds out the story line. Don't miss it
February 13, 2019
Great Writing
I Love the characters. There are multiple plot lines in the book. They all resolve except one, which has been introduced in all three books in the series. I do not care for unresolved murders. Just saying.
I Love the characters. There are multiple plot lines in the book. They all resolve except one, which has been introduced in all three books in the series. I do not care for unresolved murders. Just saying.
February 13, 2019
3rd installment in the Goodnight series! Another great one! Hope they keep coming!
July 22, 2019
This series is such a quick and perfect read. (Although I do wish they were longer)
August 28, 2019
Like this kooky little series.
August 28, 2021
Poor Boone
This is a very funny book about Matilda solving a murder involving her best friend Faye, and what poor Boone goes through just to date Matilda.
This is a very funny book about Matilda solving a murder involving her best friend Faye, and what poor Boone goes through just to date Matilda.
December 31, 2021
No logic
April 6, 2022
great series
There are so many laugh out loud parts. No one could get in as much trouble as Matilda. And she sees dead people…..can’t wait for the next one
There are so many laugh out loud parts. No one could get in as much trouble as Matilda. And she sees dead people…..can’t wait for the next one
January 24, 2023
Really love these mysteries. They are fun to read and also quick.
April 7, 2023
Who tried to kill Norton and why??? Still nothing about the missing girls!!! I enjoyed this story and recommend the book. and recommended the book.
July 26, 2023
The series just keeps getting better...
September 23, 2024
I am not enjoying this series as much as the Matchmaker Mysteries series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews