A quick read, this cozy mystery set in a Northern California gold-rush town hotel, is a good follow up to the introduction of the novice hoteliers and amateur sleuths from "A Very Woodsy Murder"

Ellen Byron is a must read author for me and I was excited to read book 2 in her new series set in Golden, California. I love how Ellen’s personal experience as a screenwriter brings Dee's character to life and her humor keeps us snickering.

This time around Dee finds real gold in her sluice, which starts a frenzy and billionaire tech Sylvan shows up and ends up at the bottom of a mine shaft. Now, with her life and the future of the Golden Motel hanging by a thread, Dee must unearth a minefield of suspects and outwit a greedy killer before she finally digs herself too deep . . .

The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and there are plenty of twists and turns in this story, and I kept guessing and second-guessing myself on whodunnit right to the very end. The story moves at a steady pace, and I had a hard time putting it down.

I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.

I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Kensington Books and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Even better than the first! The mystery is solid gold, plus the subplots involving Verity's conniving, Elmira's baking, Jeff's heroics are tons of fun. Bud the bear (and only a bear!) is an integral part of the story, and I love the addition of the cartoons starring him. Hopefully, with the way the book ended, we'll get more of those. There's a recipe and travel tips as well. Can't wait to see what escapades and humor the next book will bring.

Ellen Byron creates another intriguing mystery with Solid Gold Murder, the 2nd release in her Golden Motel Mysteries. Ms. Byron's personal experience brings Dee's connection to the Hollywood writing scene a feel of realism as her humor about it keeps us laughing.
When real gold flakes and tiny nuggets show up in the just-for-fun sluice at the Golden Motel, a new gold rush begins bringing with it arrogant tech billionaires and murder. The motel that Dee Stern and her married-for-a-minute ex and forever best friend Jeff have recently started is just getting on its feet and another murder is likely to kill the motel before it is fully renovated. It sure doesn't help that the self-proclaimed leader of the next town is dedicated to destroying any positive publicity that the little town of Gold Found can raise constantly reminding anyone who will listen of the nickname she gave Dee's business, Murder Motel. A history of greed, complex relationships, and a sense of superiority complicates the search for the killer.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington for allow me to read Solid Gold Murder and share the fun with my friends and followers.
#NetGalley #Kensington #EllenByron #GoldenMotelMysteries #SolidGoldMurder

SOLID GOLD MURDER is the second book in the Golden Motel Mysteries by Ellen Byron and is a solid gold hit! Retired sitcom writer Dee Stern has partnered up with her ex-husband to run the Golden Motel in gold country mountains in California. Not that they know anything about running a motel, which sets the stage for humorous situations. Along with the repartee between the pair, there was ample opportunity to showcase the author’s trademark humor and puns, honed as her own stint as a sitcom writer! Her strong descriptive skills bring the mountain setting to life and her details of prospecting for gold brought authenticity to the story. Ms. Byron has penned strong characters you’d love to spend time with and characters you hope to never cross paths with. Naturally, the latter has descended on the Golden Motel in search of gold, making life unpleasant for Dee, yet she and Jeff must play the part of the perfect hosts to protect their investment.

As capable as the author is at creating memorable characters, she equally excels at crafting a riveting, multi-faceted mystery. When a group of over-the-top wealthy Silicon Valley techies arrive at the motel to hunt for gold and lay claim on abandoned mines, Dee has her hands full. She’s been fighting her nemesis’s moniker “the murder motel” already, and when one of the techies is found murdered, she fears her motel’s days are numbered unless she finds the killer. There are several subplots woven in that add to the intrigue along with Bud, the local bear, wreaking havoc. As the story progressed, I was having too much fun reading to play armchair detective. Instead, I sat back and enjoyed the ride as I turned page after page, and until I’d read the very last word. I can’t wait to see what’s next for Dee, Jeff, and the gang!

I love how Ms. Byron always includes bonus material at the back of her books. In Solid Gold Murder there are road trip tips, a cartoon, and a recipe for Nutty Almond Date Bars.

I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I would recommend this book. This was a good cozy. There was laughs and a good murder mystery. Dee feels she must figure out who caused the death of a guest to save the reputation of her motel.

We are back in Goldstone, California with Dee and Jeff at the Golden Motel. They've come up with an idea to entertain guests by panning for gold. When Dee is filming, the guests find actual gold and she accidentally uploads it to their website. Gold Rush 2.0 has started. Some tech bros descend on the motel. When the leader is found dead in a mine. Dee & Jeff have some investigating to do.

I enjoyed this book so much. I love this series and following the clues with Dee & Jeff. I had fun trying to figure out whodunnit. I kept guessing until the end. I'm excited to read more from this series.

Solid Gold Murder is the first book I've read by this author and I am sure to pick up others.The second installment of this series is engaging, I loved the California Gold Country setting. The motel owners Dee and Jeff are well developed and likable as are the large cast of residents of the charming town of Foundgold. The mystery was pretty basic but kept me interested. I hope to see more of this entertaining series.

"Solid Gold Murder (Golden Motel #2)" by Ellen Byron has Deb and her business partner's motel fully up and operational. They're even pandering to the tourist trap money makers such as a faux gold panning sluice. Luckily, Dee's dad is sticking around and more than happy to get into character as an old timey miner for them. While helping their first guests with gold panning some real gold is found. This sets off a modern day gold rush.

The gold rush ends up bringing in some rich tech guys looking to "re-connect with their leader's family history." Their leader is a real piece of work and manages to make just about everyone mad. Well, now we know what ends up happening to that kind of character in a cozy mystery. With so many possible suspects it seems almost impossible to narrow it down to one suspect. However, in the end it ended up being one of my top suspects but not quite for the reason I was expecting.

I wasn't expecting much after the first book, but this one was definitely better. It is a super fast read and the characters felt a bit more flushed out this time than in the first book. It will be interesting to see how many more people are willing to stay at this hotel with guests being attacked and dying (not to mention the bear) but I'm assuming this isn't the last we've seen of these characters.

This book has everything you want in a cozy mystery: sharp wit, a charming cast of characters, and just enough twists to keep you guessing. Byron blends humor and suspense effortlessly, and the setting is as vibrant as the mystery itself. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to her work, Solid Gold Murder is a delightful, page-turning escape. Can’t wait for the next one in the series!

#SolidGoldMurder #NetGalley

Dee and Jeff are stuck investigating another murder when a tech billionaire is murdered in one of the mines on their property. The characters are quirky and fun, and aside from a horribly overused word "motelier" I really enjoyed the book. Centuries old rivalries are alive and well and most unlikely villains are discovered.

What a wonderful book, by one of my favorite authors. This is a fast facebook that keeps you guessing.Until the end.

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.