Well, here I go again. This is the 3rd in the Mountain Lodge Mystery series and I did not read the first two. I usually insist on reading things in order but having read this on its own, I think I can say it works fairly well even as a standalone (though again, I'd prefer to read the first two now to get all of the character development).

In this entry the lodge is expecting the arrival of a resort developer and a group of prospective investors. Of course, a death occurs--or was it a murder? The first 20% of the novel seemed a bit slow (though maybe I'd feel differently if I'd read the other two in the series), but after that point the book really takes off and is a fun, cozy read. The setting is great, the characters are fun and likable, and this seems to be an overall good series! I plan to go back and read the first two in the series next.

This is the perfect cosy mystery. The murder is solved with an unexpected ending by a lodge owner with an insatiable curiosity and a knack for solving mysteries. The book is the third in a series by can be enjoyed as a stand-alone. I always enjoy reading this author and will continue to enjoy reading her stories.

Snow Place For Murder
Mountain Lodge Mystery, Book #3
Diane Kelly
5 Stars

Synopsis:

The third in the charming and engrossing Mountain Lodge mystery series by Diane Kelly, in Snow Place for Murder, the weather at the Mountaintop Lodge is truly frightful…

International resort developer Nigel Goodwin has traveled all the way from London, England to Misty Murphy’s little corner of North Carolina and bought out the Mountaintop Lodge for the week prior to Christmas. Their intention? To pitch an exclusive new resort concept to wealthy American investors.

But locals are at odds over the idea, and when a group comes to the lodge to express their worries to Mr. Goodwin and the potential investors, a blizzard hits Beech Mountain. Like the weather outside, things quickly get frosty, and Misty has to call local police to intervene. Handyman Rocky Crowder plows the lodge’s drive and, in an attempt to regain a jovial holiday atmosphere, smooths the snow pile into a makeshift sledding hill for the guests to enjoy.

Misty’s boys have finished their exams and are “home” from college for the winter break, planning to spend most of their time snowboarding at the ski resort. While taking a few runs down Rocky’s sledding hill, they discover a funny-looking, nose-shaped rock. Only it’s not a rock. It’s the frozen nose of Nigel Goodwin, who’s found dead and buried under the mound of snow.

Who put the developer on ice and why? (Amazon)

Review:

The characters are well rounded and well developed. Misty has a group of investors staying at the lodge for an investment opportunity. But a blizzard is barreling down on the lodge and the report developer is found murdered. Misty and her friends have to find the killer and survive the blizzard.

The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story from the very beginning. Whether I was reading about the group of investors or reading about the blizzard I was one hundred percent engaged in the story. The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The mystery is well plotted and not easily solved.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well plotted cozy mystery. I really enjoyed this book and I think you will too.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.

Murders in cozy mysteries are far from gruesome, but this one had just a little bit extra that was outrageously silly in a cozy, but could have been quite shocking in the hands of a thriller writer.

Once again Diane Kelly has offered us cozy perfection with a bucolic wintry setting and two holidays celebrated within the span of the novel. The cast of characters were rich and diverse in personality, but the point of view from the obligatory cozy cat frustrates me. What good is a brief point of view from one singular window the cat can’t even see out of? I wish the cat were allowed to roam the lodge, maybe then his (her?) chapters would be worth reading. But they are brief and the rest of the book was as much fun as a day on the slopes followed by some hot cocoa… in a hot tub.

This is the third book in the charming Mountain Lodge mystery series.

Misty Murphy's sons are in college now. She decided to leave an empty marriage and start her new best life as an innkeeper. Misty used her divorce settlement to buy Mountaintop Lodge in the Beech Mountains of North Carolina. She lives there with her handyman Rocky, who is also her new love interest. She shares a parking lot with a café which means she doesn't need to provide meals for her guests. A perfect arrangement for both small businesses.

Nigel Goodwin has reserved the entire lodge for the week prior to Christmas. He intends to pitch his soon-to-be exclusive resort to some wealthy would-be investors.

Prior to their arrival, Rocky plows the drive and ends up with a big snow pile. He smooths it out and creates a great sledding hill for the guests to enjoy.

Many locals are against the idea of a large resort coming to their mountain. They attend the first pitch meeting and let their opinions be known.

Misty’s boys are “home” from college for the winter break. They are enjoying the snow sports as well as helping Misty with the lodge chores. After sledding on Rocky’s hill, the boys come into the lodge with an unusual 'rock' they found. Misty realizes that it's a frozen nose and calls the police.

This is where the mystery begins. First, whose nose is it? Then the police need to determine if the death is natural causes or a murder. If murder, who did it? One of the investors? One of the unhappy locals?

It all makes for an entertaining mystery with a good cast of characters. I enjoyed it very much.

Love love love!!! This is a new favorite series for me! I love the MC, her family, the lodge, everything!! Chefs kiss! I can’t wait for more!!

I received this from NetGalley. I greatly appreciate the opportunity to read this wonderful book. Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing the opportunity.

I've been a fan of Diane Kelly's books in this series since the first book. While this book can be read as a standalone, I recommend checking out the other books in this series.
I enjoyed the characters, mystery, and setting in this book. This book is an enjoyable read.

My thanks to Diane Kelly and NetGallery for a copy of this book for my review! I'm looking forward to the next book in this series.

Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the eARC of Snow Place For Murder. All opinions in this review are my own.

I liked the setting of this cozy mystery but I unfortunately had to DNF it. I read to 22% and learned more about managing a lodge than solving a mystery. It felt like a lot of fluff, especially the chapters from the cat's point of view, when I was looking for a more fast-paced mystery.

Snow Place for Murder is the third book in Diane Kelly’s Mountain Lodge mystery series and the first one I’ve read. Misty’s lodge is fully booked with a group of investors and developers who are meeting to discuss plans to build a resort in the area that the locals are not too happy about. Her family came to help because she’s short-handed and she’s hoping to enjoy some family time, but the controversy and soon the murder, keep her more than busy. It’s a fun atmospheric cozy and just as easy to jump into the series right here as it is to start at the beginning. I received this Advanced Reader Copy of Snow Place for Murder from St. Martin's Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Snow Place for Murder is a well written light cozy and the third Mountain Lodge Mystery by Diane Kelly. Released 24th Oct 2023 by Macmillan on their St. Martin's Press imprint, it's 304 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

The author has a good feel for pacing and this isolated suspect pool (a mountainside ski resort cut off in the middle of a blizzard) manages to be cozy and enjoyable while still doing a fine job of allowing readers to pit their wits against the author to arrive at the conclusion before the end.

Mainly told from the third person PoV of the protagonist, Misty, a 50something divorced vacation lodge owner, there are short interludes featuring her cat Yeti as the central dramatis persona. The chapters have an identifying heading for which character is in focus for added clarity.

It's lightly humorous and easy to read. Although it's the third book in the series, the mystery is self contained in this volume and it works well as a standalone. The setting is beautifully rendered and evocative. With 3 books out at this point, it would make a good choice for a short binge or buddy read.

Four stars. Fans of Cleo Coyle, Lynn Cahoon, and Amanda Flower will find a lot to like here.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

I really enjoy this series and this one did not disappoint. It is the holidays and Misty’s sons have joined her at her North Carolina lodge to work and enjoy the winter sports. Nigel, a real estate developer from England, has booked all the rooms to lure some investors for his resort. The locals are not very happy with plans. When he is found dead Misty sets out to solve the murder. I really enjoy the setting and the characters. It was nice to get to know her sons and Rocky’s daughter. The mystery was good with plenty of suspects. I was able to figure it out. This series should be read in order. I look foreword to the next book.

When a real estate developer rents out Misty Murphy's lodge, there is a trouble brewing. Trouble with the the investors he invited and the other people from the town.

This was a great story. There was romance, mystery, and a good plot behind it. I look forward to reading more by this author.

Yeti

In the time-honored fashion of observing and following the most obscure clues and correlating odd facts and behaviors, our heroine helps the police solve the mystery. That's what you expect out of a cozy murder mystery, after all. But this one has the added charm of a likable cast of characters and a cat named Yeti for whom several chapters are devoted. I find Ms. Kelly's writing style to be quite logical and readable. A charming step into others' lives.

Misty finds herself between investors and locals at her mountain lodge. The investors want to create a resort that will change the little mountain town. When the organizer ends up dead, the suspect list is long. I love the setting and characters of this series and am anxious to read the next installment.

This was a great addition to the Mountain Lodge Mystery series. I enjoyed revisiting the characters especially the POV of the cat. Perfect winter cozy read. This can be read as a stand alone.

## A Snowy Escape with a Killer Twist: A Review of Snow Place for Murder

I found myself nestled amongst the pages of Diane Kelly's "Snow Place for Murder," the third installment in her cozy mystery series set at the charming Mountaintop Lodge. Stepping into Misty Murphy's world felt like putting on a favorite pair of mittens – warm, familiar, and inviting.

The story unfolds amidst a picture-perfect winter wonderland, but things get frosty when a ruthless developer arrives with plans to transform the peaceful lodge into a sprawling resort. As tensions simmer between locals and the outsider, a murder throws the cozy community into chaos.

I dove headfirst into the mystery alongside Misty, the lodge owner with a knack for finding trouble. While the murder doesn't happen immediately, the suspense builds steadily as a cast of colorful characters with hidden motives emerges. Kelly weaves a web of intrigue, leaving me guessing until the very end.

While the whodunit is central, what truly shines is the warmth of the setting and the characters. The lodge itself becomes a comforting presence, and the townsfolk feel like neighbors you'd love to share a hot cocoa with by the fireplace. The addition of a subplot about the future of the lodge adds another layer, making me ponder the balance between progress and preservation.

**If you're seeking:**

* A charming cozy mystery with a delightful winter setting
* A lovable protagonist with a heartwarming lodge to call home
* A classic whodunit with a dash of small-town intrigue

Then "Snow Place for Murder" is the perfect escape. Just be prepared to get wrapped up in the mystery and fall in love with the characters (and maybe even crave a cozy winter getaway!).

**Minor nitpicks:**

* Some readers might find the pacing a little slow in the beginning as the scene is set.
* A few character backstories felt a touch underdeveloped.

**All in all, "Snow Place for Murder" is a delightful and suspenseful read that will have you yearning for a snow day with a good book (and maybe a murder to solve!).**

I loved this book because I love the series! The setting is unusual being in the mountains rather than set stuck in the middle of a small city like so many other mysteries. I sure hope there are more in the future.

Thanks NetGalley and St. Martin's Paperbacks for giving me a chance to read it!

The Mountain Lodge Mysteries by Diane Kelly has become such a comfort series for me. Each book has been a little better than the last and Snow Place for Murder was no exception.

The setting, characters, and chapters in the POV of Yeti all work together to make this series feel extra cozy.
I will say that the way we found the body was a little icky and caught me off guard. 😅 (IYKYK) But other than that, this was an excellent addition to a beloved series.

I can’t wait to see what comes next and I need to pick up another series by Diane soon!

This is the 3rd installment in the Mountain Lodge mystery series. Misty Murphy owns and runs the Mountain Top Lodge in Beech Mountain North Carolina with her handyman and boyfriend Rocky and assistant Brynn O’Reilly. It’s the holiday season and her sons JJ and Mitch are home for the holidays and helping out at the resort. She has in from London, international developer Nigel Godwin who has booked the lodge to entice some wealthy investors to build another resort in the area. After his first presentation, he is met with resistance and protests from many locals who don’t want to see the land developed and nature disturbed. When JJ and Mitch come in from sledding they show their Mom this unique rock, unfortunately it is not a rock and they discover the dead body of Nigel Godwin. The police were already aware of the issues with the protesters and soon they are all trying to find his killer. This story had lots of characters with her children being in and out as well as Rocky’s daughters. The investors, overworked assistant, his wife, locals etc. The mystery has several twists and turns. I enjoyed this installment and really look forward to more in this series. I also liked that this also showcased the families at Thanksgiving and the Christmas season. It just made the characters more real. This is another winner in this series.

3.5-4 stars
I enjoyed this cozy mystery set in a North Carolina ski town. I am from North Carolina and have skied on Beech Mountain, so that made the setting extra enjoyable for me. This book is the 3rd in the series but worked fine as a standalone.

Anyway, in addition to the setting, I really liked the characters and thought the plot was sufficiently complicated to keep me guessing.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a free e-ARC of this book.