This is one of my favorite series. I love the wintry setting and the lodge. I want to go there, we'll minus the murder lol

I read this one quickly because it's just a fun cozy mystery. I sincerely appreciate the author and NetGalley for the review copy.

I started this as a kindle book and then was able to get the audiobook from the library. I have enjoyed all the Mountain Lodge Mysteries and this was no exception.

As an older female I really enjoy reading stories about women starting over and that was what initially pulled me to this series. But then I got to know the characters, and now I just love the entire thing. The people, the setting, everything! I eagerly await another book in this series.

I have recommended this series to many friends that like the same books that I do.

This cozy starts with a family gathering at the Inn for Thanksgiving and turns into a working vacation for Misty‘s kids since she has an Inn to run and her guys want spending money for the slopes. It is such a refreshing storyline to have a couple who grew apart but didn’t grow bitter and are able to spend holidays together with their sons as a family. I also like that Rocky, Misty’s handyman and love interest shows no signs of jealousy and is able to sit down to those holiday family dinners as well. If only the holiday season could be all snow skiing and hot toddies. This is the third book of the Mountain Lodge Mysteries and can be read as a stand-alone. I like that although the past murders are mentioned, the murderers are not. Developer Nigel Goodwin has rented out the Inn to give a presentation to potential investors who are as different from one another as snowflakes. Nigel makes a big presentation and certainly knows how to zig and zag when asked about his unsuccessful resort in Alberta Canada. He also does a very good job of defusing an angry crowd of locals who believe that a resort is the last thing that Beech Mountain needs citing the negative impact on local wildlife, traffic, and local businesses. The only people whom Nigel can’t seem to charm are his wife and his assistant. Oh and the killer, he obviously did not have any luck charming his killer. It is a pity that Yeti didn’t see what had happened because she does get to share her thoughts every couple of chapters. Such a cute aspect of the book and she never gives away more than she should. The story is engaging and keeps you guessing as to who did it and why. I think I changed my mind at least 3 times and still didn’t have it quite figured out. So I would suggest getting a warm drink and curl up in front of a fire because this story is going to capture your attention and keep you turning pages.

Snow Place for Murder by Diane Kelly is an intriguing mystery that takes place at an Inn near a ski slope. There is a hostess who runs the place with her hunky maintenance man and her 2 sons who are home from college for Christmas break. She hosts a group of investors who are looking at investing in a resort to be built nearby the Inn. The author creates very interesting personalities with her characters. A murder occurs and the Who Dun It begins. This was a terrific mystery! Thank you to NetGalley, Ms. Kelly and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to review this book.

I love a good cozy mystery! One that incorporates all of my favorite topics (i.e. genealogy, bookstores, libraries, cooking, painting, inn keeping, animals, etc.), throwing in some action-suspense, a who-done-it, interesting characters, and a plot that keeps me guessing, then you’ve got me hooked. I will say, I am one of those people who like to read a series from the beginning, but I often find you don’t have to… either way I highly recommend reading Snow Place for Murder by Diane Kelly..

*I received a complimentary copy of this novel from NetGalley at my request and this review is my own unbiased opinion.*

Well, here I go again. This is the 3rd in the Mountain Lodge Mystery series and I did not read the first two. I usually insist on reading things in order but having read this on its own, I think I can say it works fairly well even as a standalone (though again, I'd prefer to read the first two now to get all of the character development).

In this entry the lodge is expecting the arrival of a resort developer and a group of prospective investors. Of course, a death occurs--or was it a murder? The first 20% of the novel seemed a bit slow (though maybe I'd feel differently if I'd read the other two in the series), but after that point the book really takes off and is a fun, cozy read. The setting is great, the characters are fun and likable, and this seems to be an overall good series! I plan to go back and read the first two in the series next.

This is the perfect cosy mystery. The murder is solved with an unexpected ending by a lodge owner with an insatiable curiosity and a knack for solving mysteries. The book is the third in a series by can be enjoyed as a stand-alone. I always enjoy reading this author and will continue to enjoy reading her stories.

Snow Place For Murder
Mountain Lodge Mystery, Book #3
Diane Kelly
5 Stars

Synopsis:

The third in the charming and engrossing Mountain Lodge mystery series by Diane Kelly, in Snow Place for Murder, the weather at the Mountaintop Lodge is truly frightful…

International resort developer Nigel Goodwin has traveled all the way from London, England to Misty Murphy’s little corner of North Carolina and bought out the Mountaintop Lodge for the week prior to Christmas. Their intention? To pitch an exclusive new resort concept to wealthy American investors.

But locals are at odds over the idea, and when a group comes to the lodge to express their worries to Mr. Goodwin and the potential investors, a blizzard hits Beech Mountain. Like the weather outside, things quickly get frosty, and Misty has to call local police to intervene. Handyman Rocky Crowder plows the lodge’s drive and, in an attempt to regain a jovial holiday atmosphere, smooths the snow pile into a makeshift sledding hill for the guests to enjoy.

Misty’s boys have finished their exams and are “home” from college for the winter break, planning to spend most of their time snowboarding at the ski resort. While taking a few runs down Rocky’s sledding hill, they discover a funny-looking, nose-shaped rock. Only it’s not a rock. It’s the frozen nose of Nigel Goodwin, who’s found dead and buried under the mound of snow.

Who put the developer on ice and why? (Amazon)

Review:

The characters are well rounded and well developed. Misty has a group of investors staying at the lodge for an investment opportunity. But a blizzard is barreling down on the lodge and the report developer is found murdered. Misty and her friends have to find the killer and survive the blizzard.

The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story from the very beginning. Whether I was reading about the group of investors or reading about the blizzard I was one hundred percent engaged in the story. The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The mystery is well plotted and not easily solved.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well plotted cozy mystery. I really enjoyed this book and I think you will too.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.

Murders in cozy mysteries are far from gruesome, but this one had just a little bit extra that was outrageously silly in a cozy, but could have been quite shocking in the hands of a thriller writer.

Once again Diane Kelly has offered us cozy perfection with a bucolic wintry setting and two holidays celebrated within the span of the novel. The cast of characters were rich and diverse in personality, but the point of view from the obligatory cozy cat frustrates me. What good is a brief point of view from one singular window the cat can’t even see out of? I wish the cat were allowed to roam the lodge, maybe then his (her?) chapters would be worth reading. But they are brief and the rest of the book was as much fun as a day on the slopes followed by some hot cocoa… in a hot tub.

This is the third book in the charming Mountain Lodge mystery series.

Misty Murphy's sons are in college now. She decided to leave an empty marriage and start her new best life as an innkeeper. Misty used her divorce settlement to buy Mountaintop Lodge in the Beech Mountains of North Carolina. She lives there with her handyman Rocky, who is also her new love interest. She shares a parking lot with a café which means she doesn't need to provide meals for her guests. A perfect arrangement for both small businesses.

Nigel Goodwin has reserved the entire lodge for the week prior to Christmas. He intends to pitch his soon-to-be exclusive resort to some wealthy would-be investors.

Prior to their arrival, Rocky plows the drive and ends up with a big snow pile. He smooths it out and creates a great sledding hill for the guests to enjoy.

Many locals are against the idea of a large resort coming to their mountain. They attend the first pitch meeting and let their opinions be known.

Misty’s boys are “home” from college for the winter break. They are enjoying the snow sports as well as helping Misty with the lodge chores. After sledding on Rocky’s hill, the boys come into the lodge with an unusual 'rock' they found. Misty realizes that it's a frozen nose and calls the police.

This is where the mystery begins. First, whose nose is it? Then the police need to determine if the death is natural causes or a murder. If murder, who did it? One of the investors? One of the unhappy locals?

It all makes for an entertaining mystery with a good cast of characters. I enjoyed it very much.

Love love love!!! This is a new favorite series for me! I love the MC, her family, the lodge, everything!! Chefs kiss! I can’t wait for more!!

I received this from NetGalley. I greatly appreciate the opportunity to read this wonderful book. Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing the opportunity.

I've been a fan of Diane Kelly's books in this series since the first book. While this book can be read as a standalone, I recommend checking out the other books in this series.
I enjoyed the characters, mystery, and setting in this book. This book is an enjoyable read.

My thanks to Diane Kelly and NetGallery for a copy of this book for my review! I'm looking forward to the next book in this series.

Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the eARC of Snow Place For Murder. All opinions in this review are my own.

I liked the setting of this cozy mystery but I unfortunately had to DNF it. I read to 22% and learned more about managing a lodge than solving a mystery. It felt like a lot of fluff, especially the chapters from the cat's point of view, when I was looking for a more fast-paced mystery.

Snow Place for Murder is the third book in Diane Kelly’s Mountain Lodge mystery series and the first one I’ve read. Misty’s lodge is fully booked with a group of investors and developers who are meeting to discuss plans to build a resort in the area that the locals are not too happy about. Her family came to help because she’s short-handed and she’s hoping to enjoy some family time, but the controversy and soon the murder, keep her more than busy. It’s a fun atmospheric cozy and just as easy to jump into the series right here as it is to start at the beginning. I received this Advanced Reader Copy of Snow Place for Murder from St. Martin's Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Snow Place for Murder is a well written light cozy and the third Mountain Lodge Mystery by Diane Kelly. Released 24th Oct 2023 by Macmillan on their St. Martin's Press imprint, it's 304 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

The author has a good feel for pacing and this isolated suspect pool (a mountainside ski resort cut off in the middle of a blizzard) manages to be cozy and enjoyable while still doing a fine job of allowing readers to pit their wits against the author to arrive at the conclusion before the end.

Mainly told from the third person PoV of the protagonist, Misty, a 50something divorced vacation lodge owner, there are short interludes featuring her cat Yeti as the central dramatis persona. The chapters have an identifying heading for which character is in focus for added clarity.

It's lightly humorous and easy to read. Although it's the third book in the series, the mystery is self contained in this volume and it works well as a standalone. The setting is beautifully rendered and evocative. With 3 books out at this point, it would make a good choice for a short binge or buddy read.

Four stars. Fans of Cleo Coyle, Lynn Cahoon, and Amanda Flower will find a lot to like here.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

I really enjoy this series and this one did not disappoint. It is the holidays and Misty’s sons have joined her at her North Carolina lodge to work and enjoy the winter sports. Nigel, a real estate developer from England, has booked all the rooms to lure some investors for his resort. The locals are not very happy with plans. When he is found dead Misty sets out to solve the murder. I really enjoy the setting and the characters. It was nice to get to know her sons and Rocky’s daughter. The mystery was good with plenty of suspects. I was able to figure it out. This series should be read in order. I look foreword to the next book.

When a real estate developer rents out Misty Murphy's lodge, there is a trouble brewing. Trouble with the the investors he invited and the other people from the town.

This was a great story. There was romance, mystery, and a good plot behind it. I look forward to reading more by this author.

Yeti

In the time-honored fashion of observing and following the most obscure clues and correlating odd facts and behaviors, our heroine helps the police solve the mystery. That's what you expect out of a cozy murder mystery, after all. But this one has the added charm of a likable cast of characters and a cat named Yeti for whom several chapters are devoted. I find Ms. Kelly's writing style to be quite logical and readable. A charming step into others' lives.

Misty finds herself between investors and locals at her mountain lodge. The investors want to create a resort that will change the little mountain town. When the organizer ends up dead, the suspect list is long. I love the setting and characters of this series and am anxious to read the next installment.

This was a great addition to the Mountain Lodge Mystery series. I enjoyed revisiting the characters especially the POV of the cat. Perfect winter cozy read. This can be read as a stand alone.