This is just such a beautifully written book! I hadn't read the rest of the series so didn't know what to expect but this surpassed my expectations none the less. Its so funny, the characters are so well written and introduced... even for those like me who weren't familiar with them from previous books. The scenes are so perfectly depicted that you can see each expression and feel the chill of the winter cold. A must read for this winter

This book is fabulous! I enjoyed it enormously. I hadn't read the previous four books in the series but that didn't affect my reading enjoyment.
This one reminded me of the Ava January book I recently read -the humour is very similar - vivid descriptions of the tone and facial expressions that almost leap off the page and although the humour is almost slapstick, it's so well written that it doesn't come across as farcical.
The mother is HILARIOUS.

What would be the best place for a wedding if you were a well-known murder blogging family who happens to find themselves in murderous situations way too often? An isolated hut in the deepest darkest Finnish forests, away from harm, and the media, surely?! Especially when surrounded by family that love you… Sometimes Smart women don’t make the smartest choices.
Such a deliciously gruesome tumultuous journey of murder, retribution, confusion and misplaced family devotion.

A Chilly Romp with Smart Women - 3 Stars

"A Murder Most Cold" by Victoria Dowd is the fifth installment in the Smart Women series, featuring a family that seemingly attracts murder. Having picked up this book without realizing it was part of a series or a cozy mystery, I was pleasantly surprised by the unique blend of humor and mystery.

The story revolves around Ursula's wedding to her fiancé, Spear, in a secluded setting in far north Finland during the middle of December. The prospect of a wedding in such an unusual location intrigued me, and the setting was vividly described, making the chilling winter landscape seem surprisingly beautiful.

The narrative takes a turn when bodies start piling up at the wedding, revealing that someone has it out for the wedding party. The mystery unfolds with a list of suspects, including Ursula and Spear, his mother Pandora, Angela, Aunt Charlotte, Bridget, and the resort staff. The author skillfully weaves a tale of intrigue, and the writing is well-done, capturing the essence of the isolated and snow-covered setting.

While I enjoyed the mystery and the humor, some aspects of the book didn't resonate with me. The inclusion of mythology, ancient legends, and supernatural elements felt somewhat disjointed and could have been explored more thoroughly or integrated better into the overall plot.

Despite being the fifth book in the series, "A Murder Most Cold" can be read as a standalone, as I found it easy to catch up with the characters. However, it did take a while to fully understand their dynamics. Although I may not have been drawn to the cozy mystery genre initially, this book provided an entertaining diversion. While it may not have converted me into a cozy mystery enthusiast, I can appreciate the author's skill in crafting a lighthearted mystery set against a unique backdrop.

Ursula Smart finally sees a glimpse at a happy future when her boyfriend Spear proposes to her. Little does she know that their wedding would be a catalyst for murder. It doesn’t take long for Ursula and the Smart women to be back in action, attempting to solve another cold case. Will the Smart women be able to solve the murder in time? Or will this case finally be their last?

This novel was a bit different than my usual reads, as it falls into more mystery/crime fiction than thriller. The writing was very well done and the chilling winter landscape was depicted beautifully in this novel. I was very intrigued by the ancient legends and supernatural aspects that were introduced but was disappointed that they were never revisited or further utilized within the plot. I think this would have added to the story and made it more interesting and thrilling. I found most of the characters to be obnoxious and annoying, making it difficult to connect with them. A few of them seemed goofy and it did not fit well with the idea of them being mystery/crime solvers.

The whodunnit aspect of the novel was interesting, and although I didn’t suspect who ended up being the killer, I wasn’t all that surprised by it. I was hoping for a more shocking and unexpected twist but it never came. Overall, it was an average read for me and I was left wanting more from the novel.

"MURDER MOST COLD" by Victoria Dowd is a gripping crime fiction novel that unfolds against the backdrop of a winter wedding. Ursula Smart, after a proposal from the charming Spear, envisions a happy life for herself. The narrative takes a mysterious turn as the wedding party faces rising tensions and a series of crimes, including poisoning, stabbing, and a puzzling disappearance.

The setting of a small winter wedding by a secluded, frozen lake adds an atmospheric touch to the story. However, the idyllic scene turns sinister as the characters find themselves targeted by a mysterious assailant. The tension escalates, leading to a midnight discovery by Ursula of a face trapped under the ice, hinting at a deeper and more chilling mystery.

Victoria Dowd's narrative weaves together elements of humor and shock, capturing the essence of a classic whodunnit. The story pays homage to the Golden Age of murder mysteries while offering a modern and refreshing take. The author's style is reminiscent of beloved crime writers like Agatha Christie, Anthony Horowitz, and Stuart Turton.

Readers who enjoy a blend of mystery, humor, and shocking twists may find "MURDER MOST COLD" to be a compelling and entertaining read. If you've read the book, feel free to share your thoughts or discuss specific elements of the plot that stood out to you!

Highly entertaining, twisty read from the Smart Women's series
I love this book, with it's larger than life dramatic characters, all served with a dose of humour!
A wedding in ice cold eery landscape in the middle of nowhere becomes a murder mayhem!
Truly great fun, looking forward to the next one!

Smart Woman's Mystery Book Five.
Dreams are Fools-Gold Thoughts.
There's a Christmas wedding, as Spear Breffni, down on his dodgy knee and a ring Proposes to Ursula Smart.
I love this series and this book is so full of added humour as we go into the season of Christmas for a perfect wedding setting.
I must read on.
This book is a cracker, a dead body under the ice, someone targeting the wedding, and a mystery disappearance, everything is falling apart for this couple.
It's got chills.
It's got poison.
It's got stabbing.
It's got cold murder.
I absolutely LOVED IT!

From Missing To Murder…
The fourth in the Smart Woman’s Crime Mystery series arrives with an icy blast as a delightful winter wedding rapidly turns from missing to murder. The whole gang are here in all their glory as tensions rise and a malicious air couples up with the already distinctly chilly atmosphere. Pacy, atmospheric, laced with a dry wit and populated with a deftly drawn cast - this is another worthy instalment in this most enjoyable series of whodunits.

Word of warning........Don't read this book if you are feeling cold in the slightest or wrap up warmly before starting it!! Ms Dowd''s descriptiveness of being up in the northern tundra of Finland is so good that I was shivering with the characters and the all encompassing darkness both literally and metaphorically. They have all arrived there for the wedding of Ursula and Spear but who in their right mind would have such a thing in the middle of nowhere except the Smart women. As usual, there is murder and mayhem interjected with the dark humour which defines this series. Another good story in the series and I certainly didn't guess the ending either!!

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC to review.

In Victoria Dowd's "Murder Most Cold," readers are transported to a world where the chill in the air matches the icy grip of suspense that lingers on every page. This brilliantly crafted page-turner spins a winter wedding into a sinister affair, where intrigue and murder are served alongside the champagne.

The story unfolds with the promise of a happy-ever-after, as Ursula Smart finds herself on the precipice of matrimony with the dashing Spear. Their winter wedding, set against a secluded, frozen lake, promises to be a celebration like no other. However, the Smart women are no strangers to trouble, and as the temperature drops, tensions among the wedding party begin to rise.

Dowd artfully soaks the narrative with a frosty atmosphere in the winter landscape. She created an environment ripe for suspense. Poisoning, stabbing, and a perplexing disappearance cast a sinister shadow over the wedding festivities, turning what should be a joyous occasion into a spine-tingling puzzle.

Yet, it's on a moonlit night, during a chilling expedition, that Ursula makes a gruesome discovery - a face trapped beneath the ice, eyes frozen in terror. This macabre revelation shatters the idyllic vision of her future and thrusts her into a treacherous journey to uncover the truth. As the plot thickens, Dowd leaves no stone unturned, and the reader is drawn into a web of secrets, lies, and suspense.

Dowd revives the classic Golden Age murder mystery in a modern and spellbinding context. She introduces us to characters who feel timeless and relevant, and she blends the charm of the past with the urgency of the present. "Murder Most Cold" takes us on a journey through the sinister alleys of intrigue and deception, in the setting of a winter wonderland gone awry.

This is not just a murder mystery. Step into a world where every footstep leaves a trace in the snow, and every glance hides a secret. Victoria Dowd's "Murder Most Cold" is a thrilling and chilling ride that delivers on all the elements of a classic whodunit while embracing the intrigue and complexities of the modern thriller. This is a story that will leave you guessing until the very end.

"A wintry whodunit that will send shivers down your spine."

"Victoria Dowd's gripping tale of murder and mystery in a snowy wonderland."

"A modern classic of suspense, set in a chilling winter landscape."

"An intriguing blend of romance and suspense, where love takes a deadly turn."

"Prepare for a thrilling ride through a frozen wonderland of secrets and betrayals."

"Dowd paints a hauntingly beautiful portrait of a murder most mysterious."

"A spellbinding page turner where every footprint hides a clue."

"Champagne flows, but so do dark secrets."

"A classic whodunit with a modern twist, guaranteed to keep you guessing."

"Murder, intrigue, and a frozen lake -- A recipe for unputdownable suspense."

The next Smart Woman’s Mystery finds Ursula investigating a murder at a winter wedding.

The author does a good job introducing characters here, but I think it’d still help to have read the previous ones in this series!

I tried. I really, really tried but I admit that I gave up before the end. It started OK, fairly amusing interactions between the Smart women, no real direction, but I felt hopeful. Then the whole tone changed and it became dark - any humour gone and this now read like a totally different book. This I found to be jarring, but I continued with the read. I was not overly impressed by the writing, it was disjointed and lacked proper continuity and flow. It was confusing at best, dull at worse. Then out of the blue, after quite a few chapters, the humour returned.. But not for long. The author then tried again to be a serious writer, desperate to create the effect of fear, cold and despair. I admit to feeling two of the three. I decided that I actually didn’t care what happened to any of the main characters (never a good thing) and so put the book down. Picked it back up as I’m no quitter. And tried once more. Then I decided life was too short to read this book. It was not awful, but it most certainly was not good. It was a joyless, dull endurance of a book. Sorry.

Different themes in this book, a wedding, a body under a frozen lake.
I was. drawn to the plot and enjoyed reading. Ursula Smart is engaged
and planning a magical wedding. The Smart women are interesting and
witty, giving one chuckles as we read. Enjoyed this latest book by the author
Given arc by Net Galley and Joffe for my voluntary review

I don't often start series in the middle, but I didn't know this was part of a series until I started, and then I figured I'd just press on.

The basis is intriguing - Ursula Smart and her family go to Finnish Lapland for her wedding to Spear (out of the public eye), and then bad things happen, including dead bodies. It's very cold and dark this far north (and I will say, the descriptions of the chill and eerie nature of the setting probably comprising about 25% of the book so that was VERY clear).

Also the whodunnit was well-done - I didn't suspect the killer at all. This could be an Alfred Hitchcock movie, and I think it would be really powerful as a visual media, with all the snow and the Northern Lights. But as a written story, the writing was overly detailed (without enough detail - like at one point I didn't realize that everyone was in three sleighs?) and Ursula's inner monologues were too much at times and it slowed the pace of the story. Having not read the previous books in the series, maybe I wasn't too tied to her and Spear's relationship and so her perseverating about the marriage didn't carry any emotional weight for me.

At times the dialogue was clever but other reviewers have called this "laugh out loud" and I have to disagree. I never once laughed, although I might have smiled at one of the comments about whether you can ride a reindeer.

I really liked the blurb for this story and was looking forward to reading it. This is a book in a series that I have not read previously, and that is of course always a little risky. The Smart Women are a group of eccentric and diverse characters belonging to the Smart family, who have a disturbing predisposition towards encountering death at close quarters, frequently by murder.

At the beginning of this book, Spear's unfortunate first name (Breffny) is outed after he proposes to Ursula Smart and she accepts. They opt for a wedding in Lapland, ostensibly for the purposes of peace and quiet, which quickly goes awry and someone is - what else? - most inconveniently murdered.

Given that most people have enjoyed this book a lot, I find myself something of an outlier here. I couldn't really get into the humour, and I found the characters somewhat annoying and at times, displeasingly smug. The rest of the story was not amazing enough to compensate for that. Two stars from me, but I have no doubt I'm missing something here...

Ursula Smart has just got engaged and is looking forward to her new life but first there will be a magical wedding by a frozen lakeside.
However, tensions are rising and someone is after the wedding party.
Then there is a murder ........

Not sure about this story line. Some difficult themes. The characters are quite intriguing though. Different. Secrets and red herrings keep the story moving. Thanks Netgalley.

Engaging with the brilliant Ursula Smart in "Murder Most Cold" is an absolute delight. To truly savor the depth of this tale, diving into earlier entries in the series is recommended. Admittedly, the character list at the beginning can be a tad overwhelming, but don't let that deter you.

Within the pages of "Murder Most Cold," an unexpected proposal from the dashing Handsome Spear takes center stage. But as Ursula and her family find themselves engrossed in winter wedding preparations at a tranquil lakeside retreat, a chilling murder disrupts their plans. The Smart series, with its blend of humor, charm, and suspense, never fails to entertain!
#VictoriaDowd #MurderMostCold #JoffeBooks

Thank you NetGalley and Joffe Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.

The Smart Women are a group of ladies who gel so well together and are described brilliantly by the author. I could see them in my head whilst reading this book. The story starts with an engagement between Ursula and Spear. The Smart women and Angela Spear, the groom's mother, begin to arrange a wedding of their lifetime. Spear then sees a webpage on his Mum's pc for a venue in the middle of Finland's country on a lake far away from their London life. They all arrive en masse to set up organising this. When all of a sudden, someone is murdered. The plot is well written with a few red herrings thrown in for good measure. There are a laugh out loud moments. No spoilers from me but you really need to read this book.