Ellen Byron has done it again!

Solid Gold Murder is a glittering gem of a cozy mystery, filled with razor-sharp wit, quirky characters, and a mystery as rich and twisty as the old mining tunnels that run beneath the surface of this delightful tale. The author delivers everything you could want in a summer escapade gone wrong from a viral sensation to a suspiciously smug tech mogul getting what might just be karmic justice in a mineshaft.

The pacing is brisk but never hurried, and every chapter delivers a fresh layer of intrigue, snarky dialogue, or an unexpected clue. Dee’s dynamic with her ex-husband and business partner Jeff is refreshingly real, full of layered history, dry banter, and just the right touch of lingering affection that never overshadows the plot.

The cast of suspects is wonderfully drawn: from eccentric gold-diggers (literally and figuratively) to cutthroat tech bros, old prospectors with secrets, and townsfolk who’ve seen too much of this drama before. The blend of old-school mystery tropes and modern-day influencer culture is chef’s kiss—timely, clever, and absolutely entertaining.

Solid Gold Murder is the second book in Ellen Byron's Golden Motel Mysteries, and the sophomore installment cements character relationships, personalities, and sleuthing skills. Beginning with the gorgeous setting, it's easy to get lost in the beauty of the surrounding nature and vintage atmosphere, but the guests at the motel, ones with larger-than-life personalities, seamlessly pull you back to the forefront of the book - a mystery engulfed in past drama, financial motivations, and revenge.

Dee and Jeff, friends who run the hotel together, spar in a fun way but you clearly see the closeness of their bond, especially when they each potentially find romantic connections with someone else in town. The duo want nothing but happiness for each other while searching for potential love and building a business in a difficult world and environment. And who wouldn't adore the neighbors who occasionally pop up to help with interpreting local nuance or doing repairs on the motel? I hope they get more prominent roles as they steal the scenes with their quiet honesty and caretaker moments.

As for the plot, when you bring together friends / former lovers, business colleagues, and investors, someone is always scheming. Dee and Jeff have to figure it all out while being good hosts, hoping to stop anyone from thinking they've become the murder motel. Byron knows how to integrate side stories and nuggets of future storylines into her scenes, and I find myself constantly waffling from humor to poignancy. Another great installment and series from the author.

Solid Gold Murder by Ellen Byron is a delightful cozy mystery and the second installment in the Golden Motel series. Even though I hadn’t read the first book, I quickly connected with the characters and caught up on the backstory with ease.

The story centers on Dee Stern, a former Hollywood sitcom writer, and her ex-husband and business partner, Jeff Cornetta, as they work to keep their Golden Motel thriving. Dee and Jeff plan a family-friendly panning event featuring fool’s gold. When real gold is discovered in a nearby creek, it sparks a mini gold rush, filling the motel’s rooms almost overnight. However, things take a dark turn when real gold is found, and someone is murdered which threatening to cement the motel’s unfortunate reputation as the "Murder Motel."

The plot thickens with a variety of potential suspects, many of whom had reasons to dislike the victim. Dee takes on the sleuthing herself, navigating the investigation while working to protect the motel’s reputation. Her efforts are engaging and well-balanced, never feeling overbearing with humor and intrigue added to the charm of the book.

I found the characters vibrant and fun, which brought a strong sense of community to the story. Spending time in their world was enjoyable, and the mystery was entertaining.
I look forward to returning to this series and spending more time with these characters in future installments.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the advanced reader copy. This is my honest review.

Best friends Dee and Jeff are trying to make their vintage California hotel, The Golden, a success despite some folks calling it the Murder Motel. That nickname stuck after a recent unfortunate event at the motel. Things are beginning to look up when, you guessed it, there’s another unfortunate, deadly event on the property. The cast of characters are quirky and entertaining and protagonist Dee is lucky to have a good sense of humor. “Mascot” Bud the bear is back and finds himself in a tight spot or two. An enjoyable read!

I love the writing style with its comfortable tone that makes it a joy to read. The mystery is nicely done with strategically placed clues and a few red herrings that kept me glued to the pages as I had to know how this was going to turn out. This was fun to watch as it played out with a few characters having a pivotal role in helping to put the pieces together. I love that the narrative was visually descriptive, making me feel like I was part of the non-stop and fast-paced action with its witty repartee, while boasting a wonderful cast of characters. I also enjoy the lengths to which Dee protects her business, especially with her nemesis trying to outwit her, all to humorous interludes. This was very enjoyable and delightfully entertaining, and I can’t wait to see what awaits Dee and her friends.

Dee Stern and BFF ex-husband Jeff Cornetta are continuing to do whatever it takes keep their Golden Motel open and hopefully even make a profit. When gold flakes are found in the nearby creek, the news gets out on social media and it's a gold rush all over again. But when a multimillionaire come with his groupies he goes missing and is found murdered. Let the sleuthing begin! Situational and verbal humor are joined by cartoon drawings and plot twists to make for a fun read.
This is a biased review because I love the author's writing regardless of series or pseudonym.
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected e-book proof from Kensington Publishing | Kensington Cozies via NetGalley. Thank you! Pub Date Jul 29, 2025
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Solid Gold Murder Ellen Byron continues the story of Dee Stern and Jeff Cornetta and their quest to keep the Golden Motel open. With the finding of gold in the creek, the rivalry between Dee and her nemesis from the next town intensifies. Then an obnoxious young tech millionaire arrives with his hangers-on and Dee has another murder to solve. The characters are fun, especially the bear, and the lengths Dee goes to, to keep her motel running are entertaining.

This is the second book in the series. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the characters better and the story line was great. Highly recommend this book and series.