Murder at the Hotel

The Carmel Cove #2

by M.A. Comley

With heads still spinning from the recent murder at Carmel Cove's largest wedding, excitement mounts as a famous author books into the hotel with her entourage. Excitement quickly turns to fear and suspicion as another murder rocks the small community.

When a member of Ruth Morgan's amateur dramatic club is arrested for the crime, Ruth must once again take the reins and battle wits with not only her nemesis, the local Detective Inspector, but also the murderer who is determined to evade capture.

Grab this fast-paced cozy mystery today. Readers who enjoy Faith Martin's mysteries will enjoy this novel.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

220 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2019

About the author

New York Times, USA Today, Amazon Top 20 bestselling author, iBooks top 5 bestselling and #2 bestselling author on Barnes and Noble. Over one million copies sold world wide. I am a British author who moved to France in 2002, and that's when I turned my hobby into a career.

When I'm not writing crime novels I'm either reading them or going on long walks with my rescue Labrador, Dex.

I hope you enjoy reading my books, especially the Justice series, Cruel Justice, Impeding Justice, Final Justice, Foul Justice, Guaranteed Justice, Ultimate Justice, Virtual Justice, Hostile Justice, Tortured Justice, Rough Justice, Dubious Justice, Calculated Justice, Twisted Justice, Prime Justice. There are several novellas and short stories in the series too.

My other successful series are: The DI Sally Parker thriller series, which includes WRONG PLACE, NO HIDING PLACE and COLD CASE

The Hero series, TORN APART, END RESULT, IN PLAIN SIGHT and DOUBLE JEOPARDY(published by Bloodhound Books)

I have three books in the Intention series, Sole Intention, Grave Intention and Devious Intention.

I've also written a couple of standalone novels - EVIL IN DISGUISE and FOREVER WATCHING YOU.

As well as co-authoring The Caller with Tara Lyons.

And Clever Deception, Tragic Deception and Sinful Deception co-authored by fellow NY Times bestselling author Linda S Prather.

If you'd like to keep up to date with new releases you can find me on Facebook by following this link http://smarturl.it/sps7jh or sign up for my newsletter http://www.hyperurl.co/su1xnt

If you fancy a lighter read, why not try one of my romances: A Time to Heal, and A Time for Change--Based on a TRUE story. I also have a selection of short stories and novelettes available which I know you'll enjoy.

You can find out more about me at the following blogs.

http://melcomley.blogspot.com

http://melcomleyromances.blogspot.com

Reviews

[Linda Strong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruth Morgan is called out in the middle of a snowstorm with the boiler out in her home to Carmel Cove's largest hotel where all events are held.

A very well known author and her attendants will be holding host to a large group of fans .... introducing her latest book.

The author is not a very nice woman, no one seems to like her at all, including her attendants who have worked with her for years. She and Ruth exchange some harsh words.

Following the dinner, the author is found stabbed to death in a little used room and one of Ruth's good friends is arrested for the crime. Ruth feels that her friend was targeted by the police because of her. She and the local Detective Inspector have tangled before .. and there's no love lost on either side.

When it's apparent that the DI is not going to look for any other suspects, Ruth jumps in and starts her own investigation.

Seems like a lot of people are not exactly unhappy at the circumstances, all too many of them have solid motives. So who wanted this person dead more than any of the others?

Although this is second in this series, it is easily read as a stand alone. I would recommend starting at the very beginning to pick up those little gems that add so much to the story. The mystery is baffling, the characters are skillfully drawn. I enjoy how they all relate to each other .. in both personal and professional areas.

Many thanks to the author for the digital copy of this cozy mystery. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

[Kathi Defranc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic second book in the Carmel Cove Mystery Series!! Steven, the Drama director and friend to PI Ruth Morgan, has been working hard to set up a hotel for a famous author staying there for a banquet. He calls Ruth upset and frustrated when the author Hates his work and demands it be redone in 2 days!! Of course Ruth grabs the drama group and works hard to help her friend!
The author has many fans, even Ruth enjoys her books, but upon seeing the way she treats people in real life, real problems ensue...When all is done, the author asks to see Steven in her room to speak, only as Ruth turns the corner she sees her friend outside a room, covered in Blood!! What happened!? And WHO is dead?!
Ruth must investigate and find the killer, as her nemesis, the Detective Inspector, arrests Steven!! Twists and turns on every step ahead as Ruth tries to keep her relationship, with boyfriend James, from being torn apart by her constant need to find answers!
A book with non-stop action, great characters,fun, romance, murder- What Else could you ask for!!
I am enjoying this Carmel Cove mystery series very much and encourage You to take a look, bet you won't want to leave anytime soon!!!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder At The Hotel is the second book in the Carmel Cove Cozy mystery series and reads easily as a standalone.

Where as the first book was set in summer time, this one is set in winter time and you can feel the cold seep in whilst reading it. I was huddling myself up on the sofa whilst I got further into this cosy but chilling story.

It was hard to feel any sympathy for the victim in this novel. If anything I felt sorry for Ruth’s friend who is wrongly arrested. The murder victim is not a likable character at all but this makes Ruth’s job even harder as there are so many possibilities of who the murderer could be, as nearly everyone had a reason to kill them.

This is definitely a very clever “whodunnit” as everyone was a suspect to me. I felt bad that in my head I was accusing pretty much everyone. I just wanted Ruth to hurry up and catch them so that her poor friend could be released.

Am hoping in the next novel there maybe the sound of wedding bells as am with James on this one and would love for him and Ruth to tie the knot. I mean who doesn’t love a good wedding?

Murder At The Hotel is another gripping read that I read in one afternoon. Am loving this slightly cozier side to the author. They have all the markings of a great murder mystery series with the lavish and idyllic settings. It also helps having a really likable protagonist for the readers to cheer on. A highly entertaining read that would be perfect for the telly.

My thanks to the author for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.

[J.A. Schneider · Rating 5 out of 5]

This second book in the Carmel Cove Mystery Series is a delight. A famous but nasty author has booked a fancy event at the local hotel. PI Ruth Morgan’s good friend and hotel manager, Steven, has worked hard to set it up but the author hates what he’s done. Upset, he calls Ruth who recruits their drama group and works hard to help him. The author demands that Steven come to her room. Ruth comes too, but as she turns the corner she sees Steven outside the room covered with blood. The obnoxious author has been murdered, and Ruth’s arch rival, Inspector Littlejohn, arrests him immediately. Ruth is horrified and starts her own investigation.

With this book Ruth has become quite likeable, her relationship with her boyfriend James has evolved, and other characters in the story are terrific. I really enjoyed this story and am looking forward to reading Murder by the Sea, the next book in the series. Thanks for a great read, M.A. Comley!

[Donna Maguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://donnasbookblog.wordpress.com/...

This is the second book in the new Carmel Cove Cozy Mystery series from the fabulous writing machine, M.A. Comley! 

After reading the first book in this new series, Murder At The Wedding I was very keen to make a start on this book, Murder At The Hotel and had devoured the book from cover to cover within a few days of it landing on my Kindle!

I love the setting for this series and the author has really brought that area to life for me, I love the new characters that she has created too.  The writing style in the book is lovely and relaxed and I found it to be a really easy read with just the right amount of mystery and intrigue to keep me guessing, and hooked to the end.

It is 5 stars from me for this one, I am really looking forward to the next book in the series now - very highly recommended!!

[Rachel Gilbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed being back in Carmel Cove, and seeing just what private investigator Ruth would be dealing with this time. I'm loving the persistence of her boyfriend James, and his continual attempts to get Ruth to agree to be engaged. And Ben the dog is adorable as ever.

There are plenty of familiar faces in Murder at the Hotel, as well as a whole new cast of characters and all manner of potential suspects as the author being murdered wasn't the most pleasant of people.

She was rather domineering, had a habit of threatening to sack staff members almost daily and seemed to hate her fans, and just didn't seem happy with anything. Which of course means there were potentially many people who had it in for her, although whether they were capable of murder is another thing.

I love the pacing of this book, we get to know the victim, and her Ruth fits into the investigation, before the murder (which isn't a spoiler, it says so in the title!) occurs. It gives a far more human and gentler approach to the writing and makes everyone feel that more human, a sign of the M. A. Comleys fabulous skills.

I really enjoyed the slight insights into the publishing industry, although when the famous author featured in the book was introduced initially only by surname, I was instantly worried for a womens fiction real life author that I love, who shares a surname.. but thankfully it wasn't her!


If you don't typically read books that deal with the dark side, as such, then this Carmel Cove cozy mystery series could be a great way of tipping your toes into a new genre. There is a death, and a murder investigation but dealt with in a very gentle and human way and not filled with procedure. Or if you are already a fan of cozy mysteries then this is definitely a series you may want to watch out for. And I am finding it refreshing that the body count isn't too high, makes such a change to not read about serial murderers, gives the crimes and motives a whole different angle.

Although I had suspicions throughout, I was only reasonably sure who did it, a few pages before Ruth did, and I could have easily believed a handful of others would have had sufficient motives too. I do like a book that keeps me guessing.

Another excellent addition to this incredibly promising series that proves that M. A. Comley really does excel at whatever sub genre she turns her hand to.

[Betsy Byrd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwarming

I'm so happy this story ended so well and it seems the inspector littlejohn might be coming around and realizing Ruth knows what she is doing so she mine as well believe her and respect her!!

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great follow up by MA Comley.
Really enjoyable cosy crime. I’m enjoying the change of course by this author and though I’m a fan off her other work I’m now also a fan of these books.
A great story to get lost in, get a cuppa, curl up and enjoy

[Joanne Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m determined not to fall behind with this series and with the next book out just before Christmas, I made sure I was good and ready…even though now I have longer to wait!! I wasn’t sure before I started this new cosy crime series if it would work for me but thankfully it has and I actually enjoyed this second instalment more than the first. The character of Ruth seems to have settled into herself now after her introduction in Murder At The Wedding and I didn’t find myself as irritated by her this time!

After the local scandal that took place at “the wedding of the year” when a well known community figure was murdered, Ruth is looking forward to a little R&R. But a bookish event at a local hotel means that one of the biggest authors around is in the area and that can’t be missed! But, as in all good murder mysteries, another death occurs leading to one of Ruth’s amateur dramatic members being arrested for murder. The fight to prove his innocence proves harder than expected especially once her arch rival Inspector Littlejohn is sent to investigate the case! And the victim seems to have made lots of enemies on their way to the top so how will Ruth figure out who killed them…and, more importantly, why?

I’ve really settled into this series now and felt like I was visually involved in the setting of the hotel from the moment we arrived there! Having attended many bookish events in the past (although thankfully no one has ever been murdered at one!!) the event was delivered perfectly by the author who has also plenty of behind the scenes knowledge of events and publishing! This added a real sense of believability to the storyline and I loved how the suspects came from all angles of the victims life.

I found Ruth much more likeable in this second book of the series and have settled into her foibles and those of the other recurring characters. Once again I didn’t work out who the murderer was but everything came together in an organically crafted case that I thoroughly enjoyed. I still think that this series needs to be optioned for tv as it definitely feels the same standard as “Midsummer Murders” or “Death in Paradise”. And I’m really looking forward now to Murder By The Sea which will be swimming it’s way to Amazon on 18th December.

[Dee Groocock · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Ruth receives a distressed phone call from her friend Steven, she knows she has to go and help him.
At the hotel she finds Steven in a state as the author who is attending a function at the hotel does not like his choice of decor and insists on it being changed. Ruth and Steven rope in all the members of the Am Dram club to help get it changed in the quick time frame. On the evening of the function with everyone dressed up and having had a few drinks, they soon all sober up when someone is murdered and another person is arrested on suspicion of murder.
Can Ruth clear this persons name before it’s too late and find out who the murderer is?
This is a great cosy mystery by the author. We learn more about Ruth and her relationship with her boyfriend James in this story. I enjoy the way she handles herself against Detective Inspector Littlejohn, their dislike for each other always ends up in great spats between them! The author has written some good characters into these stories. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and I am looking forward to reading Murder by the Sea, the next book in the series.

[Maria Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second in the Carmel Cove mystery series by M A Comley. Another great read.

A famous author has booked a function at the local hotel and the Manager, Steven, has felt the wrath of the author and her demands. The event is in full swing when suddenly a commotion: Ruth, the Private Inspector discovers her friend, Steven the Hotel Manager, covered in blood! He is immediately arrested by Ruth’s nemesis, Inspector Littlejohn,for murder. Ruth cannot believe her friend could be guilty and starts her own investigations.

I love the style of these mysteries and get quickly involved in the story and all those involved.

I highly recommend this series, you will not be disappointed.

[Lin Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I take it back about my previous comment about Ruth, in book one. We get to know her more in this story.

An Author is due to visit the hotel.
Now it has to be decorated to the authors approval.
She hates it, and wants it taken down. Then insists they start again.

How Ruth and her club managed to do just that, I’ll never know.

This story gets even more strange, as time goes on.
Now we’re seeing Ruth at her best, trying to solve a murder.

[Felicity Gray1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in this new series and it’s every bit as captivating as the first.
Private investigator Ruth Morgan finds herself in the middle of another crime scene with one of her closest friends being accused & arrested by the police for the murder of a well known writer. Ruth knows he didn’t do it but try telling her adversary, Inspector Littlechild about her
theories.
A fantastically scripted book that I could easily get lost between the pages and transported to another world.

[Mary Tuohy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this second book in the series. It was more of a page turner and the characters had more depth. I felt I knew them better and had more of a connection to them. The author also tied up the mystery in a way that was very believable. I am also enjoying the British slang peppered here and there.

[Dianne Haras · Rating 4 out of 5]

A surprising ending to this novel which I will not tell. I want you to feel like I did while reading this addictive novel: spell bound, caught up in 'Ruth's' tedious medilling. M.A. Comley continues to secure my addiction to her books.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet redemption

Another great read by M. A. Cromley. Even when you know who the killer is, you wonder how she’ll prove it, and why he did it.

[Hayley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic story

[Karolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in The Carmel Cove cozy mystery series by Mel Comely. It is a fabulous book, I absolutely loved reading it and devoured it in a day! It is set in Carmel Cove, a quaint harbourside town. Ruth Morgan, is the local private investigator and her business is gaining recognition in the area.

The town and hotel are preparing themselves for the arrival of famous author Jilly Bramley as she will be staying at the hotel for a few days and there will be an event at the weekend. Steven, Ruth’s friend from the amateur dramatic club, has been tasked with decorating the hotel reception for the event. The author finally arrives and hates the set that Steven has designed and demands a new set before the weekend. Steven asks for Ruth’s help which she gives willingly. It’s a big task but they manage to pull it off with some help and the set looks more stunning than the first one.

When the big day arrives, Ruth and Steven put the final touches to the set, than head off to get ready for the main event. They make sure they are there when Jilly arrives to see the set as her assistants kept her away so she didn’t see it till the last minute. Again she hated it! Ruth and Steven were both flabbergasted but Ruth didn’t stand for it, she gave Jilly a good tongue lashing, saying it as she saw it. With that Jilly turned on her heel and left. Ruth got a pat on the back from all the others as they were both pleased and surprised at the outburst. Then they all headed to the bar, before getting a table in a room that could have been decorated better. Later in the evening Jilly asked to see Stevenin 30 minutes, in a room she had been using all evening. Ruth kept her eyes on her watch to make sure Steven wasn’t late then sent him on his way. She followed a few minutes later to find him outside the room, hands covered in blood. She couldn’t understand what had happened till Steven said, ‘she’s dead.’. Ruth shouted to a waitress, ‘call the police.’ She went in and checked. Yep. Definitely dead. She kept her distance and didn’t touch the body. She had already broken protocol.

When the police arrived, it was bad news for Ruth as well, as it was her arch nemesis, Detective Inspector Littlejohn was investigating the case. Ruth and her never saw eye to eye. By the end of the evening, DI Littlejohn had arrested Steven for the murder. Ruth was protesting his innocence. She took the job on to prove this and find the real murderer.

Brilliantly written, easy to read and very hard to put down. I am loving this series and so looking forward to the next one already!

[Kath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author is better known for her often grisly, hard-hitting crime books but this is the second in her new cosy (yes, I'm still from the UK and I'll use the UK spelling) crime series featuring Private Investigator Ruth Morgan. In this book she is called to assist her friend Steven when he is tasked with redoing the foyer display for a famous author's visit. She's a bit hard work and wasn't enamoured by his first attempt. Job done in the nick of time and, along with various other friends and family, all gather at the Carmel Cove Hotel to hear the woman speak at a dinner in her honour. Things go as well as expected given her temperament during, but after she asks to speak to Steven privately. Fearing a dressing down for the display he left her with, Steve is a bit worried. But then when he is found covered in her blood only meters away from a dead body, things go south very quickly and, despite protestations of innocence, Ruth's nemesis DI Littlejohn takes the easy path and arrests him for murder.
Believing her friend, it then becomes a race against time, before the other suspects leave the hotel, for Ruth to get to the bottom of things to free her friend and bring the real perpetrator to justice.
I really enjoyed the first in this series. Apart from it being a bit cosier, the author still maintained her usual standard of quality with regard to characters, interaction, plot and her trademark banter, mostly between Ruth and her every patient partner James but there are also some spats between her and the DI.
All in all, a great second outing for Ruth and I'm very much looking forward to her third...!

[elizabeth mcguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

2nd in the series and Ruth is becoming human.
She is called out to help her friend redo a set for a famous but bitchy author who has dished his first attempt at a local hotel.
Obviously as the book progresses the author is killed and Ruth and her long suffering boyfriend have to step in as her friend is blamed for the death.
While helping her out with her sleuthing the boyfriend manages to wear down her commitment phobia and gets engaged. Thank goodness that is out of the way, it was getting tedious and annoying him harping on every other sentence. Let's hope the wedding isn't such a bore.
Apart from that she bulls her way through all the staff and friends of the deceased with her usual determination with the goal of freeing her friend. You have to admire her determination and without any help from the DI who ignores any other suspects once she has her man.
There is a chink in that relationship with a well done thrown in.
Iook forward to seeing how that progresses together with the proposed wedding.
She obviously finds the killer from a small pool of characters mainly due to her questioning of staff and a very helpful hotel manager. A very grateful and suicidal friend gains his freedom.

[Melissa Birch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not wait to read this book after reading the first (Murder at the Wedding)
The second in the Carmel Cove Cozy Mystery series did not disappoint!
When a famous author is murdered at an awards event in her honour it shakes the residents of Carmel Cove. To make matters worse one of their own is arrested for the murder. With Inspector Littlejohn convinced she has the killer under lock and key it is down to Ruth to dig deep and uncover the truth!
I was hooked from the beginning and got sucked in to the story. The writing made me believe I was there watching everything unfold.
A real page turner! Highly recommend.

[Mrs B E Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, another fantastic novel by
M A Comley. Murder At The Hotel is book two of this new Cosy Mystery Series. After having read Murder At The Wedding which I thoroughly enjoyed, I could not wait to read more about the determined Private Investigator, Ruth Morgan, and her policeman boyfriend, James. I was not disappointed. This book was full of intrigue, suspense and a really unexpected twist at the end. To say more would spoil the story. Very Highly Recommended. I cannot wait for Book Three, Murder By The Sea. This is truly an exciting Series.

[Julie Simon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m thoroughly enjoying this cozy mystery series. Ruth is helping out a friend preparing for a big occasion at the local hotel when a murder occurs. I suspect very few people could have any sympathy for the victim but they were murdered. The police make a huge mistake in arresting Ruth’s friend which makes her even more determined to find the real murderer.
Truly didn’t see what was coming but loved it. Awaiting the next instalment.

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm loving this new cozy mystery series by this author. A well known author has an event booked at the hotel where Steven is in charge of making it just perfect for her but he's in for a shock when he realises how demanding and cruel this woman can be. She's a horrible woman but what a great character she is! Things take a sinister twist at the event and not believing who the police have arrested its up to private investigator, Ruth Morgan to get to the truth. Another great story.

[Aviraj Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A review

Amazing book was actually better and more complicated then Murder at the Wedding , would love a crossover between Cozy Cove and Intention

[Craig Gillan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent book from M A Comley. Can always count on her to write amazing characters

[Catherine Matsubu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story.

I liked the premise of this story. However I thought the telling seemed to be below the level I've enjoyed in other of this author

[Aisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read

A fantastic follow up to Murder At the Wedding.
I'd guessed whodunnit quite early on but it didn't detract from the enjoyment of the book. Highly recommended!

[beverly smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boring

It took until half way through the book to get to any action. Way too much repeating. Did not enjoy

[Debra Kronenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruth, the PI

Fast, thrilling who dun it. PI Ruth know the detective in charge has it in.for her?
Ruth won't stop til she can prove her friend innocent .