As obituary writer Winter Snow prepared to write the obituary for newly deceased Chester, a homeless man in Ridgefield, Connecticut, she was concerned for her good friend, Scoop. He was a reporter and had filed on the latest arson attack, but it was looking very much like Scoop was involved. How did he know so much of the information that hadn't been released by the police? Another friend of Winter's, Carla of the funeral home in Ridgefield, was doing her best, but also couldn't find the details on Chester. Why was the simple thing of finding his surname, so hard?

But when it was discovered Chester was murdered, and another person died around the same time, Winter was determined to investigate. Her boyfriend, Kip, local police officer, didn't want Winter to put herself in danger, while her elderly neighbour, Horace, kept an eye out for Winter. Winter's dog, Diva, and Horace's, Max, got along well, but Diva was - well, a diva! Uncle Richard also kept an eye out for Winter - but she was intent on doing it her own way...

Grave Words is #2 in the Deadly Deadlines Mystery series by Gerri Lewis and unfortunately it didn't grab me in the way the first book did. I feel Winter was more "over the top" and taking risks even after being asked to stay out of it all. I enjoyed Horace and Richard's characters, as well as the dogs; Scoop is a genuine character as well. I'm not sure if I'll continue the series - will wait and see. Recommended to fans.

With thanks to NetGalley & Crooked Lane Books for my digital ARC to read and review.

Thank you to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I thought this was a great cozy mystery. I loved all the characters and thought they had great growth. I loved the storyline also. I would definitely recommend this book.

Winter Snow is a former journalist who is back in her small hometown with her Uncle Richard nearby in Connecticut writing obituaries. She has a neighbor and friend of her uncle's next door, a police detective boyfriend and best friends Snoop and Carla who are a newspaper reporter and funeral manager respectively.

The story begins with Winter waking up to the bad news that one of her recent obits has been written with her as the deceased. She is trying to find who did and getting it fixed before it torpedoes her business. If that isn't bad enough her best friend Snoop is prime suspect #1 in some recent arsons that ended in the death of a local homeless man named Chester. Winter decides to investigate to get her friend off the hook, but also try to not damage her relationship with Kip, her police detective boyfriend

I enjoyed the mystery well enough although a little convoluted. I thought that Kip and Winter were both being unnecessarily difficult and bit immature at times with each other. I just didn't get the chemistry with these two characters. I admit I did like the irony that her other best friend is a funeral home manager, and she is obit writer. I always enjoy the furry characters and Max and Diva were great additions. This is 3.5 stars for me. Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read the story and give my opinion.

This is the first book by the author I have read. I was enticed by the cover and the phrase “perfect for fans of Eva Gates and Kate Carlisle.” I enjoy both authors.

This book is okay but I could not connect with the story or the characters which surprised me. Winter is trying to keep her friend, Scoop, from being arrested for the murder of a homeless man, Chester. She is also trying to get an error, the posting of her own obituary corrected before it wreaks havoc in her life.

There were plenty of twists and turns throughout the book. I felt the story was not cohesive overall and just rambled with the subplots trying to be incorporated.

Netgalley gave me an advanced ecopy of the book. These are solely my opinions.

In the second installment of the Deadly Deadlines mysteries, obituary writer Winter Snow faces her biggest challenge yet when the body of a homeless man is found in a burning building and her best friend is the main suspect

I like the character of Winter, her uncle Richard and Diva, the Great Pyrenees puppy. We learn a little more about the death of Winter's sister in this story, which helps piece her backstory together even more. She is supposed to have a visit with her sister's twins at Christmas, so it will be interesting if the next mystery revolves around their visit.

It was entertaining, full of twists and turns and I didn’t completely guess whodunnit until Winter did..
Overall, I'm invested in this series and excited to see where the author takes these characters.

I'm eagerly anticipating the next instalment to see how the series evolves. If you're a fan of cozy mysteries, small town settings, or amateur sleuths, this book is a great choice.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The second book featuring Winter Snow, professional obituary writer, who finds herself in the position of trying to clear the name of her friend who is suspected of arson. There is a lot of other stuff going on as well but it was all rather random.

I was not as enamoured with this book as I was with the first one. Basically I guess I was disappointed by the way Winter expected her Detective boyfriend, Kip, to just hand over information about police cases whenever she wanted. I think the author took the wrong direction here and it would be better if Winter was more adult in her expectations. It was still a readable mystery and I will continue the series hoping Winter and Kip resolve their differences and find a solution that suits them both.

With two arsons in Ridgefield and the death of a homeless man, Winter is busy trying to write his obituary. Her questions lead to trouble. Scoop is arrested as a person of interest in the arsons and things are not adding up. Winter and her gang of friends work to figure it all out. A good twisty mystery with some surprises thrown in. Well written and an enjoyable read.

Winter Snow is a former reporter that tries to make a living as a writer of obituaries. When a local homeless man dies in one of a series of fires she wants to write an obituary for him and she wants to use his real name in the piece, not his nickname. Her detective boyfriend tells not to dig. Really? He says that to a former reporter? All she asked for was a last name.

This reaction should have sparked her reporter curiosity, but apparently, when Winter chose the less exciting job of obit writing, she gave up on her investigative instincts. She goes round asking a few people if they knew the homeless guy’s name, but hardly more than that.

She’s also not much suspicious of her uncle’s new romance. Uncle wants to move in with his girlfriend, but he’s never mentioned her before, much less introduced her. Why does Winter not think this totally weird, given that she and her uncle get together several times a week. Often with lots of other people there as well.

Winter’s friend Scoop is still a reporter, but not a very good one either. He wrote about two of the fires based on the information from one source. Every journalist knows: one source is no source. And now he’s in trouble for it, because his source knew things only the purpetrator could have known. He could have saved himself from a lot of trouble by writing only about things confirmed by a second, independent source (as is good journalistic practice).

Later, when the police have suggested Scoop is their prime suspect, he turns himself in, but does not bring a lawyer when he goes to the police station. Is this a cost thing or was he just really confussed about the possible benefits of a lawyer?

In any case, Winter finds out about the dead homeless guy - by chance, but still - and after talking to a relative, writes a nice obituary. Her cop boyfriend is then upset with her she didn’t share with him. And Winter thinks he’s right to be upset. She should trust him and share more.

I just can’t get my head around that. He told her not to dig. Basically told her not to do her job of writing an obit about the guy. And when she does (because she wasn’t presented with a good reason not to earn a pay-check), he gets upset with her. Not for digging, but for not sharing. At what point during the past week had he given her the impression she could talk to him about his case?

The wrap up of all the mysteries just made me go “what?” The only take away I got from it is that Winter needs some new friends.

Grave Words by Gerri Lewis is an intriguing cozy mystery.

After reporting on recent fires, reporter Kevin “Scoop” Blake is already in the crosshairs of local police. When Scoop is the last person known person to speak with a recently murdered homeless man, he becomes the chief suspect. This does not sit right with his friend and obituary writer Winter Snow, and she cannot resist digging around to help Scoop. Will Winter take her detective boyfriend Kip Michaels warnings seriously?

Winter has a great group of family and friends who care for her but her curiosity often gets the best of her. While finding out information about another recently deceased man, Winter’s inquisitiveness lands her and her friend, Carla, in a very precarious situation.

Grave Words is the second installment in the Deadly Deadlines Mystery series. The cast of characters are vibrantly developed and likable. The mystery surrounding the recent fires and deaths is quite interesting. With Kip not giving much away, Winter cannot resist poking around in search of answers. Their relationship is still in early days and trust issues are beginning to bubble to the surface. The storylines unfold at a slow pace but Gerri Lewis brings this cozy mystery to a heart pounding conclusion.

Winter can't find much information about Chester, the homeless man who died in an arson fire and now it seems her pal Scoop. a journalist (really, the name?) is the prime suspect in the murder. Winter's love interest Kip, a law enforcement officer, of course warns her off but she must investigate so that if nothing else she can learn Chester's last name. Lewis goes all in hard on the cozy elements in this second of the series which will be fine as a standalone but no spoilers from me. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. For fans of the genre.

Thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc of this one in exchange for an honest review!

This book is part of a cozy mystery series that follows an obituary writer. She is caught up in a murder mystery that involves her best friend in this one.

I really enjoy this series! The writing is easy to follow and read. I enjoy following the main character as well. She is relatable and likeable.

I also liked the mystery. It kept me entertained and wanting to read.

I would recommend this one!

A homeless man has died in an arson fueled fire. As a freelance obituary writer, Winter Snow tries to find out more information about the dead man. When she finds out that her reporter friend, Scoop is the prime suspect in the death, she has to prove him innocent. To complicate matters, Winter’s new boyfriend, Kip is the detective in charge of the investigation. When he warns her off, complications ensue. But all is not as it seems and the more Winter investigates, the more danger she gets into. An engaging cozy mystery from Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books. I received an ear from the above and this review is my opinion.

Winter Snow is an obituary writer and when Chester a well known homeless guy is found dead the local mortician asked Winter to write his obituary, but her best friend is accused of his murder and she has difficulty finding out anything about Chester or even his last name. kit is Winters boyfriend and a detective investigating the Murder but Winter and Kit are finding it hard to share evidence.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC and I give my honest review.

Grave words will be a suspenseful read for 5th, 6 the and 7th graders. The children will enjoy the leaps,and turns in this story. I cannot wait to use it in my classroom. It is a high interest read that will keep the students interested and engaged.

Winter Snow, freelance obituary writer, returns in her second case. The story starts with a mix-up. One of her clients has posted an obituary that wrongly states the Winter is the one who has passed away causing all sorts of trouble for Winter as she tries to correct the mistake.

Meanwhile, her friend Scoop is in trouble with the police for seeming to know too much about a series of arsons around town. He won't give up his source when Winter's boyfriend Kip pressures him. But when a third apparent arson results in the death of a homeless man named Chester things heat up for him even more. It seems Scoop was the last one to see Chester alive.

Carla, Winter's friend from the funeral home, tasks Winter with writing Chester's obituary which send Winter into an investigation of her own as she tries to learn more about Chester. She's being stonewalled. She can't even find out his full name. She's angry at Kip for trying to steer her away from her inquiries into Chester which causes some conflict in their relationship.

Winter uncovers some secrets, and each discovery leads her into a more dangerous place as she uncovers a money-making scheme and actors who wouldn't at all mind seeing her dead. But she has to persist if she wants to save her friend Scoop and satisfy her own curiosity.

This was a nice mystery with a main character with a unique occupation.

Winter Snow finds herself at a crossroads as her business teeters on the brink of collapse. As a professional obituary writer, the stakes rise when she discovers her own obituary has been publicly exposed, although she is very much alive. Meanwhile, her friend, investigative reporter Scoop Blake, is embroiled in a tangled web of deceit involving a series of local fires suspected to be insurance scams. The plot thickens when the latest blaze at Pop’s Place uncovers the body of a homeless man known as Wandering Chester. The police, suspicious of Scoop’s insider knowledge, his reticence under questioning, and being the last to see Chester alive, begin to suspect he may be more involved than he admits.
Determined to exonerate Scoop, Winter embarks on a personal quest for the truth, digging into Chester’s past to craft a heartfelt obituary. Her investigation is bolstered by her Uncle Richard, who seeks her assistance for the Village Voices speaker series after losing a keynote speaker. As gratitude for his unwavering support of helping to raise her like his own, Winter agrees to help him. Richard, enlisting the help of some friends, scheme to get some dirt from the Nose Parkers, the inquisitive twin neighbors whose penchant for gossip might just conceal nuggets of truth.
As Winter delves deeper, she uncovers a tapestry of secrets, each thread revealing that appearances are deceiving. Yet, despite the dangerous implications, neither Scoop nor Winter's detective boyfriend, Kip Michaels, support her sleuthing. Their warnings echo ominously, suggesting that Winter’s pursuit of justice may lead her straight into danger.
In the charming cozy mystery Grave Words (A Deadly Deadlines Mystery, Book 2), I found myself drawn into Gerri Lewis's narrative that seamlessly connects with the first book in her series. Even as a standalone, it offers a rewarding experience for returning readers through its subtle nods to past events and beloved characters. The second installment also includes the addition of new characters as well. One element that I enjoyed is the story's historical layers, particularly the fascinating parallels between Chester and the colonial cave dweller Sarah Bishop, added a rich depth and believability to Chester's journey that I truly enjoyed.
As I delved into Gerri Lewis’s informational descriptions of the town's geography, I couldn't help but admire her skillful writing. However, these detailed passages sometimes diverted my focus from the story. The pacing occasionally left me yearning for a greater sense of urgency; the story would drift into leisurely stretches, with only sporadic bursts of events that never quite reached the thrilling crescendo I had hoped for.
Despite these pacing issues, I was captivated by the wonderfully diverse cast of characters, each adding a unique and colorful thread to the intricate tapestry of dialogue and intrigue that wove through the story. Every character brought something special to the narrative, enriching the experience and keeping me reading. By the time I reached the conclusion, I was thoroughly impressed by how all the narrative threads were deftly tied together, providing a satisfying resolution that left no loose ends. The intricate plot came full circle in a way that was both unexpected and gratifying, ensuring that every detail fell perfectly into place.
Although the pace varied throughout, I enjoyed the book and found the characters compelling. The depth and growth of each character added layers to the story that kept me invested from beginning to end. I am eager to see where Gerri Lewis will take us next, particularly intrigued by the potential new settings and plot twists that the series might explore. I look forward to immersing myself in the third installment of this series, anticipating more of the clever storytelling and rich character development that have made the previous books enjoyable.

Book Rating:
Originality: 4.5/5.0
Plot Structure: 4.5/5.0
Pacing: 4.0/5.0
Dialogue: 5.0/5.0
Personal Enjoyment: 4.25/5.0
Cover Design: 4.75/5.0 (Not averaged in the overall rating.)
Overall Rating: 4.45/5.0

Grave Words is book 2 in the Deadly Deadlines cosy series. All in all, my reading experience felt quite similar to the one I had with the first installment. The concept is original because of the main character's odd job. But overall, the story lacks excitement. I never felt on the edge of my seat. I'm hoping the third book will be more compelling.

This was the first book I have read in this series, so that may be why it seemed a little confusing at times. I thought it was interesting that the main character is an obituary writer. I would definitely give the first book a try and see if maybe that’s what I was missing.

Unfortunately I didn’t enjoy this second book in the series as much as the first one. Although I like the characters the story kept jumping off into tangents and it didn’t really hold my attention.

Grave Words is book 2 in the Deadly Deadlines cozy mystery series by Gerri Lewis. I had the pleasure of reading the first book in the series, and was thrilled to be able to read this one as well. If you haven't read the first book though, you should be able to jump into book 2 quite easily, as each book is self contained, and the author gives enough background on the main characters that you should not have a difficult time reading either book as a standalone.

Winter Snow, an obituary writer, gets drawn into another mystery when she's asked to write the obituary for Chester, a homeless man, who was found in a burning building. When his death is found to be murder, Scoop, Winter's best friend, is a suspect and she is determined to help clear his name.

If you did read the last book, then you'll remember Diva, the Great Pyrenees puppy whose owner was killed. She is back in this book and as cute as ever, having been adopted by Winter.

I think the one thing that bothers me about this whole series is how Winter is able to support herself by writing obituaries. Surely she must have something else going on the side. Is writing obituaries really that lucrative?

Aside from that, although I found this second book a bit slow, it was nevertheless quite an enjoyable mystery. I liked how the author unfolded the story a little at a time, as Winter dug into the mystery of Chester's true identity and what he was doing in the town.

I am really enjoying this series, and look forward to reading more of Winter's escapades. I hope that in future books she and Kip, her boyfriend and a detective with the police department, are able to work out their issues to make a go of it.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.