"We don't learn from history by burying it."

On the surface, the plot sounds simple. A man is murdered and a valuable book is missing. Zo Jones is determined to find not just the murderer but the missing book. As she admits to herself, while the first objective is simply her desire for justice, the second is more selfish in nature. Zo is adopted and the historical book might help in her search for her birth mother. She finds a treasure map, seemingly cut from the missing book, a gold nugget, and later faces down a mountain lion.

What secrets are being hidden? What role does family play? Who killed Maynard Cline? Why? Why had he been so determined to buy the book at auction? Why did so many others desire the book? What does the name Merrigan found on a note card at the murder sign signify? Can Zo learn to genuinely trust anyone? Maybe more importantly, should she? Will Max ever manage to cook a romantic meal for Zo without burning it? How accurate are Jules' psychic powers? Will Jules regret allowing Duncan to move into the carriage house of her new home? Finally, what stunning news will Zo receive at the end of the book? No, not telling.. As someone who has worked off-and-on on my own family tree, I found the combination of Zo's quest to find answers to her blank family tree and her efforts to find a killer a fascinating read. Thoroughly enjoyed this book and am already looking forward to the next.

Thank you #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks for inviting me to visit Spirit Canyon and spend some more time with Zo and her friends, not to mention Max's dog Scout and Zo's cat George.

What was so important in an old book that was bought at an estate auction that the new owner was killed for it? Zo and her friends find themselves embroiled in a mystery that is more involved than they ever thought possible. There are plenty of suspects, motives, and clues to keep you guessing until the end of the book.

I enjoyed the personal mystery and search Zo is trying to unravel in who are her birth parents. I liked the twist of what she discovers and more questions to be answered. I didn’t like the tarot cards, astrology, mysticism, etc., that was in the book. A positive review was not expected got the arc that I received through NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

cozy-mystery, adoption, amateur-sleuth, small-town, small-business, South Dakota, law-enforcement, family, friendship, murder, murder-investigation, books, tarot, lies, secrets, false-information*****

Was he murdered to get the book? Is someone planting clues that point away from the murderer? Why would someone actually kill for the information in the book? Does it have any information in it that will help Zo unlock her questions about who her family might be and why she was abandoned at the police station as an infant?
Lots of very interesting characters in a rarely utilized setting. Good plot with enough twists to make me nutz and red herrings to make me keep turning pages. A good read!
I requested and received a free e-book copy from Kensington Books/Lyrical Press via NetGalley. Thank you!

Zo Jones is enjoying the sunny season at her Happy Camper gift shop in Spirit Canyon, South Dakota—when a murder reminds her all that glitters isn’t gold . . .
I found this book full of humor, great characters and a fun mystery!
#MiningforMurder #NetGalley

I so wanted to like this. I love the black hills and was excited to read this but the voodoo garbage was just to much. Dnf ugh.

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, Kensington Books and by #NetGalley. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Wonderfully crafted characters, interesting story. A delightful cozy mystery I highly recommend.

What a delightful cozy mystery. The characters are so well-crafted you feel as if you actually know them in real life.

Take Hattie, the head librarian with her red reading glasses. I can just imagine her looking over the books at the estate sale. Or Zo looking over the "doohickeys" and considering if she should take them or just leave them.

The story gets interesting when one of the books that Hattie is looking over may contain the location of a famous stash of gold. However, the one to win the bid is Maynard. When Zo and Hattie arrive to borrow the book for an upcoming event they find Maynard dead.

The overall story leads you down a path of twists and turns to surprise you at the very end!

Great mystery.