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.

-------- REVIEW --------
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
📖📖📖📖

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.

#thelastword #deadlydeadlinesmystery
#gerrilewis #crookedlanebooks #netgalleyreads #cozymystery #capecodreads #bookreview #bookstagram #booklover #bookstagram #bookworm #booknerd #booktok #bookrecommendations #bibliophile #booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram #bookblogger #igreads #goodreads #bookclub #bookreviews #bookblog

The Last Word is a standard cozy mystery starring Winter Snow, an obituary writer, as the main character. Her occupation was definitely different from those of other main characters in cozies, which I had thought would be interesting. Instead, I found the whole concept pretty sad. Winter is tasked with writing an obituary for someone who has yet to pass. However, that someone is soon discovered dead, and the circumstances around the death are suspicious.

In addition to finding the whole concept a bit sad, I also thought this mystery was very predictable. I knew who the villain(s) was from the very start. There weren't any real surprises. With that said, I did enjoy Winter as a main character and her family and friends, particularly her uncle Richard and the neighbor Horace. I also really loved Scoop and want to get to know him better! While this first book wasn't quite to my taste, I do think there is a future in this series, and I'll definitely give book two a chance.

I read quite a bit of cozy mysteries and this one is decent for the genre. The only thing really different about it is the mc's job. Besides Winter's occupation the book follows the usual formula of a cozy mystery. There was really nothing all that amazing about it but this is a fun read. If you enjoy cozies this is a good read. Its got fun characters and a cute vibe. Its got some funny bits mixed in and the ending was satisfying. All and all a solid read.

3.5 stars

Standard cozy featuring a main character with an interesting occupation: she is a professional obituary writer and has a sensitivity for the families she deals with. The unfortunately named Winter Snow is your normal cozy heroine: likeable, nosy, and heedless of personal safety.

She gets an unusual request - a woman wants her obituary done ASAP. When she is found murdered several days later, Winter can't believe it's a coincidence and starts investigating. She meets a good cop who is clearly interested in her while admonishing her to stay away from the investigation, and a bad cop who is an unprofessional bully.

Winter puts herself in danger several times. The surrounding cast of family and locals is interesting and she manages to acquire the murder victim's pet dog and start a not quite believable romance with the cop. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The first in a cozy mystery series, this novel includes one of the most potentially intriguing MCs a reader typically will find in this genre: an obituary writer. At first, the story takes a few chapters to achieve an appropriate speed, but if you can hold the course til then, you'll be pleasantly surprised. The pace and the plot pick up nicely and this cozy ends up quite satisfying. For cozy fans.

Net Galley Feedback

The Last Word by Gerri Lewis is a promising first book in the Deadly Deadlines mystery series. The concept, that of an obituary writer as the sleuth, is so unique that it drew my attention right away, as did the lovely cover art.
The book gets off to a bit of a slow start, but picks up with an interesting mystery with multiple layers. I found the characters somewhat difficult to connect with and hope that they will become more well-rounded as the series progresses.
Overall the book is well-written and I look forward to where the author takes her characters from here.
I received an ARC of #TheLastWord from #NetGalley.

"The Last Word" is a cozy mystery. Mrs. Arlington's a writer yet felt she needed to hire someone else to write her obituary. This is just the beginning of the baffling events. Like a gal was trying to stay hidden yet went on a long walk in public along a popular route. Or Winter knows they're in a hurry but took the time to take a shower, put on makeup, and otherwise primp. Or Winter knows she shouldn't be snooping, a cop is searching the house, the house has been trashed, yet when she knocked a vase over and broke it, she took the time to clean it up.

The author also didn't do a good job of describing things. I'd have to go back to re-read things because either I had misunderstood what she described or she forgot what she'd previously said. The whole story was unrealistic. Winter and the detectives treated evidence in ways that would see it thrown out of court. For example, she stole an iPad (evidence that the police were looking for) and went through it, sending things from it to herself, then turned it over. She was constantly illegally entering property and houses. And Winter's caught 'stealing from a dead guy's pocket' and is still a suspect after she explained it was her phone and contained evidence proving her story, yet she's allowed to take her phone home without anyone looking at it.

Anyway, despite the crazy and confusing, I still managed to figure out whodunit about halfway through. There was basically only one person who could have done certain things, and we soon learned that person's motive. Another person was sure acting suspiciously and had to be involved somehow. Not too difficult to figure out.

There was some bad language. There were no sex scenes.

A great debut to a new cozy mystery series. Winter Snow is an obituary writer, with a big heart and a lot of compassion for those around her. She is tasked with writing an obituary for someone, still living, and it must be done within the week. When her assignment is found dead after a storm, law enforcement are not as sure something is amiss as Winter.
Great, quirky characters, small town charm, and some interesting twists. Overall a great read.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The premise of this whodunit that immediately grabbed my attention because I wanted to know the outcome. The author did a great job in detailing this well-executed mystery with an eclectic list of suspects, an amateur sleuth determined to solve her client’s murder and a cast of characters including her uncle and next-door neighbor who I adore, who all had pivotal roles in how this story was being told. Every step of the way, the drama kept me immersed in all aspects throughout, including a few twists and turns that added to the complexity of the murder investigation. When all was said and done, Winter took us to suspect after suspect where the clues and the motive became evident the closer she got to the person responsible. Overall, this was an enjoyable read and I look forward to what happens next in Ridgefield, Connecticut.

Never thought I would be up all night reading about an obituary writer.

One would not think of an obituary writer solving a murder. Probably most don't even know that obituary writers exist. Winter Snow (love the name) is a young person who has experienced death that she believes helps her to empathize with those mourning. She is also the curious sort, well, that and she has a journalist background which means she gets paid to be nosy. I found that I liked her right away. I also liked the family she has "created" with her uncle, elderly neighbor, former colleague and more.
Winter's approach to paying tribute to those who have passed on is the impetus to her digging into their lives to know more than the fact about them, their likes, loves, and such. She is looking to earn and save enough to move into a larger market for her services and with that agrees to write an obituary for someone who is still alive. 
So right there you know something is going to happen. You may even figure out some of the "whys" but you may not put all of the pieces together. 
I'd intended to read a couple of chapters before bed and found that I couldn't put it down, I wanted to know everything. There may be a thing or two that are not "realistic" but it's fiction, go with it.
There are two dogs in the story. I am not a dog person but found myself taken by Diva. Basically, the writer, Ms. Lewis drew me in and held on until she was done with her story. 
I want to read the next one because there are a few things I still want to know.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the opportunity to do an early read and share my thoughts on the story.
Happy Reading!

Winter Snow is a great character -- full of heart and compassion, which totally adds to the appeal of this cozy. Readers looking for something new will find that it checks all the boxes -- small town, quirky characters, a truly appealing female sleuth, and even a lovable dog. I look forward to recommending this title.

Winter Snow is an obituary writer for the local paper, When she is tasked by Leocadia Arlington to write her obituary by the end of the week. When Winter finds Leocadia dead and law enforcement does not seem interested she investigates herself.

I tried with this book multiple times but just could not get into it. I found it boring and the characters fell flat.

The first book in what hopefully is a new series, The Last Word keeps readers guessing while getting to know who's who in the cast of characters. The protagonist has an unusual occupation, she is a freelance obituary writer.. While not a stranger to death, she has never before been involved solving the murder of a client. This is a clever whodunit and a recommended read.

Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the free eBook (advanced copy) to read in exchange for an honest review. All of the opinions are my own.

In this debut mystery by a new to me author Gerri Lewis, the protagonist is an obituary writer, Winter Snow. She is approached by a wealthy recluse, Mrs. Roth Arlington, who asks Winter to write Mrs. Roth Arlington's obituary by a certain deadline while she is still living. While Winter tries to comply with the bizarre request, starting with meeting an inept Personal Assistant, Brittany Bennett, Winter discovers more questions than answers. Winter meets a giant puppy, who is on the cover of this novel.

Dealing with grief in her own life, she writes obituaries. Her support team includes her Uncle Richard and their elderly neighbor Horace.

Aside from her Too Stupid to Live Moments due to he impulsiveness that puts her in danger, there are moments of clarification. Still not sure if I want to read the next novel in the series. I am on the fence. It could develop into a brilliant series that I could love in the future. Right now I found the story difficult to follow and some of the pieces of the puzzle did not quite fit. I could guess who the villains were early on in the novel. The reasoning at times gave me pause.

What I liked:
Winter's support team
Cute dogs
Village life

Winter Snow, a freelance obituary writer in Ridgefield, is hired to write an obituary for Leocadia Arlington.
Ms. Arlington has requested that her obituary be ready for her review by Friday. When she is found dead, Winter wonders if the woman was being threatened. Was it an accident? Winter is determined to uncover who is responsible for the woman's demise, hopefully before the killer strikes again.
#TheLastWord #NetGalley

A cute and fun read, as anticipated. Nice mystery and enjoyable characters.

I really appreciate the free copy for review!!

I love the debut of a new mystery series, with new characters and new possibilities. An obituary writer as the amateur sleuth is new, at least for me. I sighed while reading about Winter Snow in Gerri Lewis’ The Last Word. However, her Too Stupid To Live moments, endangering herself while hiding things from the police, would drive my sister nuts. As much as I like Winter and her supporting cast, I’m not sure I’ll recommend it to people who have the same peeve.

Winter’s in a small coffee shop in her hometown of Ridgefield, Connecticut when Mrs. Roth Arlington calls. Leocadia Arlington, a local philanthropist, has an unusual request. It’s not unusual for someone in her eighties to want to plan her obituary. It is odd that Leocadia wants it written by Friday that week. Although Tropical Storm Holden is bearing down, Winter heads to Mrs. Arlington’s home that afternoon to discuss her obituary. It’s a memorable visit. An oak tree comes down across the driveway after Winter passes. The young woman, Brittany, who answers the door, seems a little ditzy. And, Diva, the Great Pyrenees pup, is the center of attention. Mrs. Arlington does give Winter enough information to start the obituary.

Electricity isn’t yet restored everywhere in town when Winter’s curiosity sends her back to Mrs. Arlington’s house. When Diva leads her from window to window, Winter finally breaks in. She finds blood on Diva’s nose, and her fragile client fallen on the stairs, still breathing. When Winter is able to reach 911, she impulsively hides Mrs. Arlington’s iPad in the cushion of a chair. Did someone cause Mrs. Arlington to fall, or was it an accident? The police aren’t even sure it’s a crime scene. But, Winter knows better when she keeps a key to the house.

She is impulsive enough to return to the house when she receives a phone call from a man telling her meet him there, and don’t bring anyone. Although she’s trapped in the house when it goes up in flames, there are reasons the police suspect Winter. What was she doing back in the house, a house that’s now an arson scene? If Winter Snow’s insatiable curiosity doesn’t get her killed, it might send her to jail.

I actually liked Winter. I loved her friend, Scoop, a reporter, and her Uncle Richard and their elderly neighbor, Horace. I like the voice in The Last Word. But, I hope Winter tones down her impulsive behavior in the next book.

“The Last Word” is the intriguing first book in Gerri Lewis’s Deadly Deadline cozy mystery series. There’s a lot to like about this book – staring with Winter Snow (great name!) who has a unique profession - an obituary writer who finds herself wrapped up in a murder investigation. She is a strong character – inquisitive, brave, a bit nosy but not afraid to get to the truth. The supporting cast of characters is also good - her Uncle Richard, her octogenarian neighbor Horace, her best friend Scoop, Police Officer Kip Michaels and a couple of lovable dogs. The mystery is good – while it’s not that difficult to figure out who the culprit is, there were still one or two surprises along the way. The one thing that I didn’t like about this book is that, while Winter was a very well developed character, I still found myself wanting to know more about her and the tragedies in her life that are hinted at particularly her sister. I’m guessing those will be dealt with in future books in the series but I wish they had been more developed in this book.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.