Dollycas's Thoughts
It was an impulsive decision but that doesn't make it the wrong decision. Sitcom writer Dee Stern has had enough of showbiz and decides to reboot her life. On a road trip with no particular destination, she finds a mid-century motel that needs a reboot too. She along with her best friend and first ex-husband, Jeff Cornetta come together to breathe new life into the Golden Motel-of-the-Mountains that is a virtual time capsule "nestled amidst a grove of pine trees at the foot of the Sierra Nevada Mountains". It doesn't take long for them to realize that they don't know much about running a motel, especially one where a bear or other wildlife could just saunter up to the front door. But they do their best to get rooms and cabins ready for visitors. They are both excited when they get their first booking.
Michael Adam Baker is a blast from the past and not a good one. Dee is curious why he would be booking a stay at their new venture. It doesn't take long for his true colors to show but he must have tweaked someone off royally because he ends up murdered. Chief District Ranger, Tom O'Bryant is looking at Dee and Jeff as his prime suspects so they know they need to find the real killer even if it means Dee has to go back to LA to get some answers. Is the killer from Hollywood or a local? What did the man do that got him killed? Who had the means, motive, and opportunity? Will they strike again?
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Welcome to Foundgold, population 68. This is the closest town to the Golden Motel-of-the-Mountains. Goldsgone is not too far away but Dee and Jeff don't receive a warm welcome from its residents. Ms. Byron has created two unique little towns and filled them with complex characters. Her descriptions bring the towns, the motel and cabins, the nearby woods, and every place in between to life. The imagery is vivid.
The characters we meet in this first Golden Motel Mystery are a quirky bunch. Each is unique and develops well over the course of the story. I liked Dee and Jeff immediately. Being married didn't work but the friendship is true and believable. Dee needs to earn her sleuthing chops because she is about as subtle as a Mack truck. Jeff isn't much better. But their talents for their first venture at solving a murder weren't too bad. The supporting cast is a hoot and a half, each with their own talents and interests. Ma'am and Mister Ma'am were my favorites. Two genuine people living their lives the way they wish with open hearts to help anyone in need. There then is Stoney the Bear. Everyone knows Stoney and he shows up in some interesting places.
Ms. Byron is a former writer of some well-known sitcoms so that gives credibility to Dee's former life in Hollywood working on a "cheesy sitcom". She writes what she knows. It also shows where she garnered her comedic timing. She throws in oodles of humor including physical comedy.
The mystery was well-plotted and written with many facets. Ms. Bryon set a pace that ebbs and flows in all the right places. The suspects were varied and connected in different ways. I was intrigued by every clue and didn't pin anyone down until the very end. I really enjoyed the set-up to catch the killer and the excitement that ensued. I also liked that there was a wrap-up to tie up any loose ends.
I have been excited about this book since I first heard about it and the story lived up to all my expectations. A Very Woodsy Murder is a delightful start for this series. I loved the ending and I really want Dee and Jeff to succeed and bring the 1940s motel back to its glory and have it be filled with tourists. I know there will be bumps in the road and murders to investigate because that is what happens in cozy mysteries and that is why we love them. I can't wait to see what Ms. Byron has planned for her characters next. I am hooked and I want more!
It was an impulsive decision but that doesn't make it the wrong decision. Sitcom writer Dee Stern has had enough of showbiz and decides to reboot her life. On a road trip with no particular destination, she finds a mid-century motel that needs a reboot too. She along with her best friend and first ex-husband, Jeff Cornetta come together to breathe new life into the Golden Motel-of-the-Mountains that is a virtual time capsule "nestled amidst a grove of pine trees at the foot of the Sierra Nevada Mountains". It doesn't take long for them to realize that they don't know much about running a motel, especially one where a bear or other wildlife could just saunter up to the front door. But they do their best to get rooms and cabins ready for visitors. They are both excited when they get their first booking.
Michael Adam Baker is a blast from the past and not a good one. Dee is curious why he would be booking a stay at their new venture. It doesn't take long for his true colors to show but he must have tweaked someone off royally because he ends up murdered. Chief District Ranger, Tom O'Bryant is looking at Dee and Jeff as his prime suspects so they know they need to find the real killer even if it means Dee has to go back to LA to get some answers. Is the killer from Hollywood or a local? What did the man do that got him killed? Who had the means, motive, and opportunity? Will they strike again?
_____
Welcome to Foundgold, population 68. This is the closest town to the Golden Motel-of-the-Mountains. Goldsgone is not too far away but Dee and Jeff don't receive a warm welcome from its residents. Ms. Byron has created two unique little towns and filled them with complex characters. Her descriptions bring the towns, the motel and cabins, the nearby woods, and every place in between to life. The imagery is vivid.
The characters we meet in this first Golden Motel Mystery are a quirky bunch. Each is unique and develops well over the course of the story. I liked Dee and Jeff immediately. Being married didn't work but the friendship is true and believable. Dee needs to earn her sleuthing chops because she is about as subtle as a Mack truck. Jeff isn't much better. But their talents for their first venture at solving a murder weren't too bad. The supporting cast is a hoot and a half, each with their own talents and interests. Ma'am and Mister Ma'am were my favorites. Two genuine people living their lives the way they wish with open hearts to help anyone in need. There then is Stoney the Bear. Everyone knows Stoney and he shows up in some interesting places.
Ms. Byron is a former writer of some well-known sitcoms so that gives credibility to Dee's former life in Hollywood working on a "cheesy sitcom". She writes what she knows. It also shows where she garnered her comedic timing. She throws in oodles of humor including physical comedy.
The mystery was well-plotted and written with many facets. Ms. Bryon set a pace that ebbs and flows in all the right places. The suspects were varied and connected in different ways. I was intrigued by every clue and didn't pin anyone down until the very end. I really enjoyed the set-up to catch the killer and the excitement that ensued. I also liked that there was a wrap-up to tie up any loose ends.
I have been excited about this book since I first heard about it and the story lived up to all my expectations. A Very Woodsy Murder is a delightful start for this series. I loved the ending and I really want Dee and Jeff to succeed and bring the 1940s motel back to its glory and have it be filled with tourists. I know there will be bumps in the road and murders to investigate because that is what happens in cozy mysteries and that is why we love them. I can't wait to see what Ms. Byron has planned for her characters next. I am hooked and I want more!
A Very Woodsy Murder is the first installment in the Golden Motel Mysteries series set in the small town of Foundgold, California and featuring TV script writer Dee Stern and her ex husband turned best friend and systems analyst Jeff Cornetta. Wanting to take a break from the LA lifestyle the two purchase a rundown motel in the Sierra mountains and along with a long list of DYI projects they adopt the previous owners dog, Nugget.
Their first guest is Michael Adam Baker. He's a previous colleague of Dee's and not someone that she enjoyed working alongside. Turns out that Michael had grown up in the area and rubbed quite a few people the wrong way. When his body turns up dead in the woods behind the cabin, the suspect list is long and with both Dee and Jeff at the top.
Tensions are running high between the two police forces tasked with solving the murder, the Deputy Sheriff's office and the Park Rangers. Dee and Jeff decide to track down the killer on their own and in the meantime uncover quite a few hidden secrets about the dead man and some of the townspeople.
A pleasant debut with interesting characters, a furry canine and a mysterious bear named Smokey. Looking forward to more adventures at the motel, as Dee and Jeff settle in to their new lives.
Their first guest is Michael Adam Baker. He's a previous colleague of Dee's and not someone that she enjoyed working alongside. Turns out that Michael had grown up in the area and rubbed quite a few people the wrong way. When his body turns up dead in the woods behind the cabin, the suspect list is long and with both Dee and Jeff at the top.
Tensions are running high between the two police forces tasked with solving the murder, the Deputy Sheriff's office and the Park Rangers. Dee and Jeff decide to track down the killer on their own and in the meantime uncover quite a few hidden secrets about the dead man and some of the townspeople.
A pleasant debut with interesting characters, a furry canine and a mysterious bear named Smokey. Looking forward to more adventures at the motel, as Dee and Jeff settle in to their new lives.
