Grave Words: A Deadly Deadline Mystery by Gerri Lewis is a captivating cozy mystery that strikes the perfect balance between charm and suspense. Set in a quaint small town, the story follows a likable protagonist as she unravels a puzzling mystery with plenty of twists. Lewis creates an inviting atmosphere, filled with quirky characters and a well-paced plot that keeps you turning the pages. (I received an advance reader copy and all opinions are my own.) With just the right amount of intrigue and warmth, it's an enjoyable read for cozy mystery lovers looking for a fun escape.

Thank you Crooked Lane Books/ Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. I do really appreciate it.

Winter Snow has had it, with her best friend Scoop involved in a string of arsons, her business in a drought, and obituary listing herself as deceased, her life is heating up and everything is going crazy. As she trying to figure what happening she receives a new assignment. An obituary for Chester; a homeless man found in a burning building. Winter promises the local funeral home manager that she will have the obituary by the deadline. She however is failing to get Chester's last name, and where he came from. When everyone realizes that Chester was murdered and the fire was set to cover it up, all fingers are immediately pointed towards Scoop. Scoop is a person of interest for arsons and but he is also the last person to see Chester alive.

Winter is more determined than ever to figure out the twists and turns of the case to be able to clear Scoop's name. It puts her on a deadly deadline to solve the murder.

The book itself was just okay, I felt like there was not anything special about it. The romance was also just kind of boring and didn't really add anything to the plot. I felt like the main character was just being stubborn and trying to get everyone to worry about her. I do usually enjoy cozy mysteries, but this one didn't' really grab my attention. I am just going to say it, we couldn't have come up with something better than Winter Snow. I feel like there are a lot of better names out there. I also just didn't feel betqween winter and the guy she was romantically with, it felt like they were just friends and nothing more. Also the way he talked to her sometimes made me want to jump into the book and throw him, like dude we can be nicer to her. This book took me awhile to get through, I could have DNF'D it but I wanted to see who would murder this nice homeless man. I think I also hit a brick eall while trying to read this book.

Nothing about this book stood out at me, or grabbed my attention. I think I wanted to read this book because of the dog on the cover. That's what made me want to read this book. I am a sucker for dogs.

There are better cozy books out there. Read the little blurb about it and if it sounds good to you pick this book up and give it a shot. Happy Reading!!!!

I have to say I didn't know how I would feel about a cozy mystery series in which the MFC is an obituary writer but as a genealogy nerd who loves mysteries I enjoyed the first one in the series and I ended up loving the second one. Can't wait to see what mystery the third book brings.

My rating:
3.0 stars
My opinion:
I enjoyed this book a lot. The concept was really nicely done. I felt some scenes were too detailed for me. Some details are important but it would jump from dialogue to details about what is around Winter, our main character. The pace of the story was enjoyable to read, it wasn't too fast paced but had major events going. I felt the ending was a little rushed based on how much detail there was with the beginning of the book. Overall, it was a enjoyable cozy read for the fall time.

I enjoyed this book mostly. There are some quirky, interesting characters, I think the side characters are more interesting than the main. I do feel the cop, Kip, is a bit stereotypical and the whole uncle, neighbor attitude of we’re not going to tell you anything because you can’t take care of yourself is annoying. Lots of lack of trust all around. #GraveWords #NetGalley

Grave Words is the second book in the Deadly Deadlines cozy mystery series by Gerri Lewis. Winter Snow's most recent assessment is to write the obituary for Chester, an unhoused man that recently died in a burning building. The fire is linked to a number of recent arsons. Almost immediately the police begin stalling by refusing to give any details about Chester, even his last name. Winter starts to investigate and soon realizes there is more to Chester's story. Winter is drawn further into the case when her friend and local newspaper writer, Scoop, is implicated in the arson investigation.

I am always looking for new cozy mystery series and found a great one here. When I noticed this was the second book in the series I decided to go ahead and read the first book. I don't think that is absolutely necessary to understand the story but I really enjoyed The Last Word so I do recommend it. Winter Snow is a great lead. I love that she is an obituary writer. It is such an interesting and perfect profession for the main character in a cozy mystery to have. Winter has an entertaining community surrounding her. I especially enjoyed getting to know Scoop more. I also like the direction Winter and Kip are heading in their relationship. The mystery was interesting and had some good twists. I can't wait to see what comes next!

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

I was happy to go back to Ridgefield, CT, and visit with Winter, Uncle Richard, Scoop, Carla, and Kip. I will admit to being prejudiced as I live in Connecticut and love the small-time vibe in this series. In this adventure, Scoop seems to have an in on the fires that are being started in town. Unfortunately, he might know too much, and when the third fire yields a body, things are definitely going to get hot. With Scoop protecting his source and Winter trying to find answers as she is asked to write the obituary for the homeless man found in the third fire, can they figure out who is setting the fires and who wanted Chester dead? While I love the setting and characters, this book was a little more convoluted than it had to be. Too many secrets, lack of trust, and undefined characters pulled in at the end. Hopefully, the next entry will be a little more smoothed out. Thanks to #Netgally, #CrookedLaneBooks, and the author for an opportunity to read. #GraveWords #DeadlyDeadlineMysteries #GerriWoods #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader

Through NetGalley, I received a free copy of GRAVE WORDS (Book 2 of the Deadly Deadlines mystery series) by Gerri Lewis in exchange for an honest review. Winter Snow wakes up dead, at least, according to the local paper, and then everyone wants a favor. The actual death of a local homeless man, known only as Chester, and a recent spate of arsons are at the root of most of the requested favors. Winter’s agreement to find out Chester’s last name and to write his obituary doesn’t seem like it should cause all of the trouble that ensues. Further, Winter’s reporter-friend Scoop has become the primary person of interest in both the arsons, and Winter’s boyfriend has become an obstacle both to Winter’s business and to her clearing Scoop’s name. Can Winter, her business, her friendship with Scoop, and her romantic relationship all survive the situation?

I did not read the first book in the series, but I had no problems keeping characters or relationships straight. I recommend this book to fans of cozy murder mysteries featuring small communities where everything and everyone is interconnected.

#GraveWords #NetGalley

Grave Words, the second book in the Deadly Deadline Mystery series by Gerri Lewis, is an intriguing mystery with plenty of suspects to keep you turning the page to the very end.
Main character Winter continues to find herself in untenable situations, and the ways she escapes them are entertaining. She finds herself continuously at odds with her police detective boyfriend, putting the future of their relationship in question for upcoming books.
I did find that this book got bogged down in details that went far beyond what I was interested in reading, and I ended up just scanning pages in a row to get back to the action.
I received an ARC of #GraveWords from #NetGalley and #CrookedLaneBooks.

I enjoyed this book. Winter a obituary writter is asked to write one for the towns homeless man who was murdered. She must solve who he is and keep her friend from being arrested.

It was a fun, cozy mystery read! I enjoyed the author's writing and it is perfect for Halloween read! I loved the suspense and hillarious moments described throughout the book! Definitely recommending and reading more from the author!

The author did a great job presenting this whodunit with a comfortable tone making it easy to follow along. I liked how this storyline played out with a solid mystery that kept me both in suspense and intrigued throughout. Every time Winter uncovered secrets and misdeeds, the story intensified, and I could not put the book down until all was said and done. When I thought I had a handle on who was doing what to whom, the author changed direction all to enhance the story being told. Overall, this was an enjoyable read.

Grave Words by Gerri Lewis is the second book in the Deadly Deadlines Mystery series. I enjoyed this book, but did find some of the actions the characters took to be a little hard to believe and certainly outrageous. I don’t want to spoil the book, but several people in the book did things that would make me question whether I wanted them in my life or not. I also find the idea of an obituary writer to be a little far fetched. It doesn’t seem like a career that would allow a young, single person to make enough money to live off of. The mystery was well constructed and I would read another book in the series in the hopes the characters would develop and become more realistic.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to review this book. All opinions are my own.

WOW !!!!!! What a book ! I had the absolute joy of receiving an advanced reader copy of this book, and I devoured it in two days, had work not gotten in the way I would have had it read in a single reading. Winter Snow is back and she has another case that needs to be solved, as well as get her friend Scoop off the hook for a crime she is positive he did not commit.
Scoop is not only her friend, but also a reporter and he has been investigating two fires which we deemed arson. Because he has details that only the arsonist would know, he is under suspicion . A good reporter never reveals their sources and Scoop follows that rule , in doing so he ends up being arrested. When a local homeless man, Chester ends up dead at the scene of one of the fires , Winter against her police officer Kip's warning , throws herself into the investigation.
This book had me from the very first chapter and I had no clue who the killer was until the very end. Gerri Lewis is the master of red herrings and has an amazing talent of weaving a story that keeps you guessing until the very end. To say I loved this book , does not even begin to describe how this book made me feel. The bags under my eyes from staying up well past my bedtime, telling myself, just one more chapter, then I'll go to bed are proof enough.
Thank you to Crooked Lane publishers, Gerri Lewis the author and net galley for selecting me to receive the advanced reader copy. This was a very easy 5 star rating , I only wish I could give more than 5 stars, because in my opinion it deserves so many more.

Cute, light, cozy read, perfect for a fall day with a warm drink and a sweet pet nearby, Fun and airy.

An obituary writer cozy is a premise I had yet to read. It looks like I need to go back and read the first one because I loved it!!!! This will be a trope I will have to be on the look out for. The author made such loveable characters and a fun background. I cant wait to read more from this world.

An obituary writer, Winter Snow is trying to find the name of the homeless man killed in an arson fire. Good characters. Complex mystery. Great setting. Thanks #Netgalley and #CrookedLaneBooks for the eARC in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are mine.

The story was just as cute as the cover! They say don’t judge a book by its cover…. It’s safe to do so with this one!

Obituary writer Winter Snow is struggling with her latest assignment. A local homeless man known only as Chester is found dead in a burning building. When Winter delves into Chester’s past, she hits a brick wall. She can’t find out his last name, where he came from, or his next of kin. The detective in charge of the case—who also happens to be Winter’s boyfriend—warns her that there is a lot more to Chester’s death than she knows and that she needs to stay out of it. But with one of her best friends accused of setting the fire that ultimately killed Chester, Winter must do something to figure out who Chester really was, find his killer, and clear her friend’s name.

I really struggled to get into GRAVE WORDS. There was a lot going on throughout the novel, and it was hard to stay focused when the plot kept jumping around. There was a lot of unnecessary description about some points that had no bearing on the plot, and an almost total lack of description when it came to certain crucial points.

While reading this book I was getting lost in the characters. I loved the funeral home when the girls were trapped in the double coffin and couldn't put the book down once it came to that part. However I struggled up until then due to all the different characters.