Loved this book and the whole cast of characters. Thank you for the opportunity to review this title. I enjoyed it and will recommend to friends.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. I liked the protagonist, Winter Snow, her Uncle Richard and their neighbor, Horace. I felt the story was well paced and there were enough threads to keep the mystery interesting. But the sloppy procedures by the police just didn’t make sense - things not securing a crime scene and an officer not calling for backup. Hopefully the author will correct those issues in the next book.

This was a very good cozy mystery, the first in what I hope will be a series. Winter Snow (love that name) writes obituaries for a living. One day she gets a phone call from a woman who wants an obituary written for herself, with the caveat that it must be completed by Friday. Winter interviews Lottie and receives her information. When she has questions later and can't reach Lottie, she goes back to her house and finds Lottie sprawled at the bottom of the stairs. While the police are inclined to see her fall as an accident, Winter is not so sure. And when Lottie dies from her injuries, and her house is ransacked, it looks even less like an accident and more like murder.
This mystery was a lot of fun to read and I loved the characters. I look forward to reading more from this author.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley and Crooked Lane books.

The Last Word is the start of a new cozy mystery that follows Winter Snow. She is an obituary writer who gets caught up in a murder mystery when the women she is writing for is found dead. She teams up with an unlikely crew to solve the case.

This book was just ok for me. I’ll start with the things I liked first. I enjoyed all of the characters and the dogs featured in this book. We have some interesting characters including a cop, some nosy neighbors, and an old guy. I also loved the dogs featured. Considering there is a dog on the cover, I expected there to be a lot of dog moments and it didn’t disappoint! I also enjoyed the mystery and the twists throughout the book. There was a good mix between tense moments and funny/cozy moments.

I do feel like the pacing was a bit off for this book. It took a long time for the mystery to actually kick off. I feel like it should’ve happened sooner in the story. I also feel like there are a lot of stereotypical tropes in here and I wanted just a little more creativity/originality with the story.

I do think many people will enjoy this book! I will probably check out the next book in this series when it comes out. Thanks so much to netgalley and Crooked Lane books for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!

The Last Word by Gerri Lewis has a main character with a unique occupation. Winter Snow is a freelance obituary writer. I did find it a little odd that the victim, Mrs. Arlington, a writer, hired someone else to write her obituary (maybe she thought it would be morbid). The main character was underdeveloped and a tad cliched (another clumsy protagonist). More information is provided about Diva, the victim’s dog, than about Winter. Diva easily outshines Winter. I liked Winter’s Uncle Richard as well as her neighbor, Horace. I did not understand why Winter would go driving across town with a hurricane bearing down on the town. Winter said she needed to get the information from Leocadia Arlington in order to write the obituary, but this is a digital age. I know it was needed for the mystery, but it did not make sense. There are a numerous contradictions in the book (they should have been caught in editing). The mystery is straightforward. Winter did several things that had me rolling my eyes. Her antics would not be appreciated by real cops (and, in a court of law, her meddling would allow a killer to go free). I know it is fiction, but Winter did things that were illegal and inane. The crime can easily be solved. There are overly detailed descriptions (do we really need to all the details of a room) as well as repetitive bits of information (I got it the first time). The story does contain mild bad language. The best part of The Last Word is Diva, the clever and playful Great Pyrenees. Her antics made me smile.

Thanks to Netgalley for this cozy mystery for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this one. The main character is an obituary writer and she's about to get into some interesting happenings. I'm looking forward to seeing what the series continues with. Well worth the read.

I've always wondered if book writers read reviews and if they do how do they feel if they get a bad review. This book definitely explores that as well as dealing with grief. This story kept me guessing. I would get to a part and think I was at the end but still had too many pages to go. The twists and turns definitely kept me interested and wanting to keep reading

If you thought being an obituary writer was boring then you were dead wrong. The Last Word is a cozy mystery that introduces Winter, an obituary writer in a small town. When she's contacted by a living woman to write her obituary she is shocked to find her dead days later. Is it a coincidence? That's what Winter needs to find out!
Making Winter a obituary writer was a unique choice that I hadn't seen in the cozy mystery world so I was immediately interested in this story. I'm surprised no one had thought of it before! She's the perfect person to go around asking questions about the deceased.
I enjoyed the mystery, it was paced well and the progress flowed naturally. The best part was the cast of characters surrounding Winter. From her elderly neighbor's homemade alarm system to the adorable police officer investigating her, it all felt very small town. This was the kind of story that needed the characters to give the book the proper atmosphere among the mystery and I think it succeeded.
My biggest problem from the beginning with Winter is her flagrant disrespect for common sense when it comes to death that seemed out of place for someone in her line of work in this modern world we live in. Of course there are Ring Cameras and GPS tracking and silly things like fingerprints and evidence. I hope that if the series continues she wises up a bit!

Winter Snow is a freelance obituary writer who was just hired by one of the biggest names in her small Connecticut town, the twist – she is not dead yet and needs it written by the end of the week. The next day Winter finds her client at the bottom of her master staircase not dead but severely injured. Winter is determined to find out what is happening because things sure aren’t looking good.
I loved this cozy mystery it was the perfect start to a new series. I’m originally from a small town in Connecticut and the author got the feel down perfectly, I can even think of a few towns that Ridgefield could be modeled off of. Winter was a delightful protagonist as she was a perfection combination of ‘I shouldn’t be doing this’ and ‘I have to know the answers to these questions’. I loved that Winter was an obituary writer as it was an profession that gave her openings to be asking questions for the sake of her job. The secondary characters filled out the world nicely, I was especially a fan of Winter’s Uncle and the dog Diva. Overall, a wonderful start to a new cozy series and I can’t wait for more.
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for access to this title in exchange for an honest review.

The Last Word by Gerri Lewis was an interesting premise set in a cozy community bent on aiding each other. Winter, a young obituary writer trying to accelerate her business, is requested to write an obituary for Mrs. Arlington before Mrs. Arlington has died. The twist? Mrs. Arlington needs it by Friday and, no, she is not suffering from a terminal illness. However just a few days later, Winter finds Mrs. Arlington dead in her home. What ensues after that leaves the reader reading page after page while they try to puzzle out why Mrs. Arlington requested the obituary and how did Mrs. Arlington truly die.

Overall, I enjoyed The Last Word because of the pacing, the supporting characters, and the fairly straight forward twists and mysteries that ensue. I found myself reading fairly quickly since it seemed that many chapters left off on a cliff-hanger that really propelled the plot forward. However, sometimes I found myself aggravated with Winter as she made some rather questionable decisions that the entire plot hinged on…without true consequences. Sometimes the writing felt clunky but it was sporadic so the book was not impeded too much by it.

This is a good, quick read set in a Connecticut town just outside New York. It’s cozy enough to relax with and intriguing/mysterious enough that you’ll want to keep reading “just one more chapter.” Added bonus: Diva the Great Pyrenees is a delight and had me smiling throughout.

I really enjoyed this cozy mystery. It had just the right amount of clues, the book pacing was perfect and I loved the cute dogs in the story.

The Last Word by Gerri Lewis is the 1st book in a new series that follows Winter Snow, a professional obituary writer. Set in Ridgefield, Connecticut, a small town on a lake not far from New York with lots of interesting secondary characters. This book sets the stage for a very interesting series and characters I'd love to explore further.
The plot centers around a wealthy woman named Leocadia Arlington who requests that Winter write her obituary immediately. The woman doesn't seem ill, so Winter is intrigued and takes the job. After a big storm Winter checks on her new client and finds her house in disarray and her at the bottom of a staircase. It turns out the woman may have had enemies and a checkered past. Winter decides to investigate, especially after she is considered a suspect once finding the body.
There is lots of red herrings, some romance with the new police detective and more than one cute dog. Classic cozy goodness. I would read the next in the series and recommend this book.

Hopefully, this is the first book in a series called Deadly Deadlines by Gerri Lewis. I have never read a book with the main character having a career in obituary writing. What an interesting choice of jobs!

Winter Snow (ah, parents – what were they thinking?) is tasked with writing an obituary for local philanthropist Mrs. Arlington by the end of the week, who just happens to be alive and healthy. When she ends up dead not long after talking to Winter, Winter is considered a suspect by Officers Kip Michaels and Tom Bellini. I have to admit I found that strange because she had no motive.

Some reviews I read criticized Winter for messing with the crime scene, but at first it was not one. I felt she kept with the genre of cozy mysteries and did what she was supposed to – broke the law and snooped. I thought the killer wasn’t obvious, although the behavior of the person was suspect in decisions they made and how they acted. I was suspicious of Burton’s death because of a conflicting statement by his wife.

I really enjoyed the supporting characters – Scoop, her uncle Richard, the elderly neighbor Horace, and her new dog. I found the description of the town and the lake where she lives enticing and it made me want to visit. I think readers will enjoy this book and its cast of characters and look forward to more books in the series.

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Winter Snow, yes, that's her real name, is a professional obituary writer. She's asked to write one for Leocadia Arlington. She's surprised as Arlington is very much alive. Nevertheless, it's not only a job but she's curious. Let's face it, it wouldn't be the first time an obituary was written prior to death. She just can't quite shake the need for the rush, though. It needs to be done by Friday or not at all. She visits Mrs. Arlington, during a raging storm, no less, gathers information, only to return with the obit and find her client dead at the bottom on the stairs. A well-known philanthropist, Arlington was writing a book, it seems, too. If she's a writer herself, why hire someone else to create her own obituary? Was it an accident or was she murdered?

I liked the premise of the mystery but didn't quite find myself warming to up Winter, pun intended. It wasn't even that I found her particularly unlikable. It was more the flaunting of investigative protocol. By that I mean that, while I'm hardly connected to the police, I read enough mysteries to understand the importance things like chain of evidence and not breaking and entering and tampering with evidence. For instance, I winced reading her share she'd sent info off to her own phone from an iPad that was an important piece of evidence. Even more amazing, the investigator in charge didn't seem to blink an eye. He seems to have some issues following procedure, too, but I'll leave that for the reader to discover. Don't get me wrong. I don't expect amateur sleuths to always exactly toe the legal line but, well, I expect them to at least show some knowledge of it. Will this get her into trouble? Maybe not legally but, well, there's always the killer out there who may be watching. Trust me, they were paying attention. Winter does have a good heart, however, taking in the victim's dog, Diva.

Despite my qualms, I liked the story and most of the supporting characters. Although the story seemed to get off to a slow start, the overall pace picked up after the death and largely kept my attention. Richard and his friend Horace were probably my favorite characters, injecting some humor and showing smarts. There's an ending that shows Winter's ability to think on her feet, too. Thus, while I frequently found myself rolling my eyes, there was enough promise here to make me stick with it and think I'd maybe read the next in the series. Thanks #NetGalley and #CrookedLaneBooks for introducing me to Winter. I'm sure she'll do better next time she finds herself involved in a murder investigation. 3.5 rounded to 4 stars.

I thank NetGalley and Gerri Lewis for the digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
It’s a fast and relaxing book, not too demanding. Perfect for a quiet afternoon in the midst of mystery and murder. It’s what you might call a cozy mystery.
I found the mystery structured quite well (except when the cops did not secure the crime scene and anyone could enter) and I could not understand the culprit until the protagonist understood it (but it is rare that I guess the killer immediately).
I liked the protagonist and in some parts it was also fun especially when she imagined writing the obituary for herself or the people she met. I think the author could commit a little more in the choice of names because the protagonist is called Winter Snow, while her sister Summer Snow (originality take me away).
I appreciated the other characters, including the dog Diva, very much. Each one well delineated and not flat, with their own characteristics and behaviors.
To conclude, a light, smooth and sometimes funny book. For those who want something not heavy but still written well, this is the book for you.
English is easy level.

Great little cozy mystery. There are lots of twists and turns and a little romance thrown in. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I hope it's the start to a series.

First things first, I'm not a fan of the protagonist's name. Winter Snow. It's a little on the nose, but let's roll with it. Her occupation is unique for cosies, a professional freelance obituary writer. Does such a think exist? Anyway, aside from the occupation, she fits the bill for a standard protagonist.

A liked the reasoning behind the mystery, but some of the story didn't work for me. It was things like crime scenes not being secured at all. That was number one. Talk about chain of evidence being trampled all over. If this weren't a cosy, I don't know what I'd think. But, as this is a cosy, we must look to the amateur protagonist. As a character, I'm not really sure what I think of Winter. I didn't really engage with her that much. I warmed to a number of the support characters, and the little dog, Diva. Maybe if there are more books that engagement with the protagonist will develop. I'm sure it will.

Another thing I thought was strange is huge clues are discovered part of the way through the story, forgotten about, and rediscovered anew later on as if it is the first time. It threw me a little when that happened. But I did like the structure of the mystery and enjoyed the investigation. It's a fun read overall.

I enjoyed atmosphere in parts of this, especially with the scenes with the weather. I also liked the pace of the story. I wouldn't say there are red herrings in this book. It's basically what you see is what you get. But it's a decent cosy that I think many people will enjoy.

Thank you to the publisher, the author, and Netgalley for providing a copy of this for an honest review. All comments are my own.

Winter Snow lives in the beautiful town of Ridgefield, Connecticut but really wants to relocate to New York. Those who don't know her well are often shocked by her career choice, but those closest to her know she writes obituaries because the heartache they feel is very familiar to her. However, she isn't usually asked to write the death notice when the recipient seems both hale and hearty!

When Winter discovers a body the police consider her their prime suspect but she has no intention of going quietly if they try to haul her off to jail. Along with a journalist friend and her beloved Uncle, Winter begins her own investigation but it isn't long before she should maybe consider hiring her own obituary writer!

The first in Gerri Lewis's new series is a fun read which I thoroughly enjoyed. There are twists, turns, and clues aplenty which meant my main suspect was constantly changing! There were a couple of things Winter worked out with very little evidence which seemed a bit improbable but overall everything slotted nicely into place to produce a very satisfying read. I will definitely be on the lookout for a second installment in what could be a very successful cosy series.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Crooked Lane Books, but the opinions expressed are my own. I enjoyed this very much.

I gave The Last Word by Gerri Lewis 3.75 stars.

Obituary writer Winter Snow is no stranger to grief, and writing obituaries for the citizens of Ridgefield, Connecticut, is her way of providing comfort to those who have been in her shoes. But funerals and eulogies are meant for the dead, so when the very much alive Leocadia Arlington requests her own obituary by the end of the week, Winter’s curiosity is piqued. Even more so when she finds Mrs. Arlington dead soon after. Officer Kip Michaels and his relentless partner Tom Bellini make it clear that Winter is under suspicion for the death.

Drafting an obituary for someone who hadn’t died yet certainly looks bad, but Winter knows that it wasn’t her, and she becomes obsessed with trying to figure out the real killer. She dives headfirst into the investigation to give Mrs. Arlington and herself some peace. When Winter realizes Mrs. Arlington was working on a revealing memoir that has now gone missing, Winter begins to wonder if the death wasn’t exactly random–accident or otherwise.

With the help of her foodie Uncle Richard, her wise octogenarian neighbor Horace, her best friend Scoop, and Diva, the Great Pyrenees puppy she inherited from Mrs. Arlington, Winter must uncover the killer before the next obituary written is her own.

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First of all, a very creative occupation for the sleuth - Obituary writer! Also smart, because that gave her an excuse to sleuth while digging for information and interviewing people about the dead person's life.

This is a new cozy mystery series that I had a fun time while reading. There are some great characters and the mystery was intriguing. Especially since the person the mystery revolves around already asked to have an obituary written about her before she died. While reading, I really wanted to figure out why and what had happened.

The sleuth didn't really go to that many places, so sometimes it got a little repetitive. For example, she went back to the Mrs. Arlington's house all the time. However, there were some tense moments that had me biting my nails. So it was a good start to a new mystery. I will definitely read book two.

This book comes out 06 Feb.

Thank you, NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C0lqMpvLGHD/

Release Date: February 20, 2024
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Obituary writer Winter Snow is no stranger to grief, and writing obituaries for the citizens of Ridgefield, Connecticut, is her way of providing comfort to those who have been in her shoes. But funerals and eulogies are meant for the dead, so when the very much alive Leocadia Arlington requests her own obituary by the end of the week, Winter’s curiosity is piqued. Even more so when she finds Mrs. Arlington dead soon after. Officer Kip Michaels and his relentless partner Tom Bellini make it clear that Winter is under suspicion for the death.

Drafting an obituary for someone who hadn’t died yet certainly looks bad, but Winter knows that it wasn’t her, and she becomes obsessed with trying to figure out the real killer. She dives headfirst into the investigation to give Mrs. Arlington and herself some peace. When Winter realizes Mrs. Arlington was working on a revealing memoir that has now gone missing, Winter begins to wonder if the death wasn’t exactly random–accident or otherwise.

There are so many surprises interlaced flawlessly in the author’s debut cozy mystery. I loved it! Okay, so one of the romantic sparkles is predictable, but I fell hook, line, and sinker for this couple’s future. The atmospheric writing layered interest in the setting at a storm’s onset and its aftermath, the camaraderie sharing enjoyment of Uncle Richard’s delectable cooking, a special space within Winter’s lakeside cottage on Mamanasco Lake, and the pleasures of view from sunrise to sunset. Characters are well-developed, and each adds a unique flair, as do the paws of Diva, a Great Pyrenees puppy, and a German Shepherd named Max.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

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