First and foremost, let me just say that the setting for this series makes me want to head on out to Gold Country and spend a week or two at the Golden Motel! This second in Ellen Byron's newest series, Solid Gold Murder, is a fun, quick, cozy to read and brings back all of the quirky characters from the first book. When Silicon Valley bajillionaire Silvan Burr and his tech besties/employees show up at the motel, Dee wonders why and it's only after Sylvan is found murdered at the bottom of a mine shaft that she discovers his plan to buy the entire town! Was the killer one of his posse, a motel guest, or one of the many residents of Foundgold and Goldsgone who were against the purchase? Dee, Jeff, Sam, and even Bud the Bear are on the case! A+++

p.s. I love the fact that along with the recipes at the back of the book the author also included road trip tips! :-)

I was so excited to get this ARC because I actually received book 1 from the publisher and I LOVED it!!! This one was just as great!

Dee & Jeff are two of my favorite characters and I was so happy to get to know them even more in this second book. I hope to see their characters grow even more in any future books. Let’s not forget about Bud!! I love reading about Bud wreaking havoc in town.

The California setting is great…I’m a California girl & I love reading books that take place here. The author does such a great job bringing these stories to life.

The subplots in this book leave you well entertained and wanting to keep reading. These are some of the best cozy mysteries I have read. I always find myself smiling while I’m reading these. I could definitely see these as a hallmark miniseries. It’s always fun to try to solve these whodunnits.

I also love the add ons at the end. Recipes, tips, cartoons…a bonus you definitely don’t want to skip over!

This book is getting 5 solid gold stars from me! Look forward to the next one!

Perhaps if I'd read the first in the series I could have enjoyed 'Solid Gold Murder' more. I had a hard time understanding the characters and their relationships. I didn't develop an affection for them and didn't find the plot relatable. Just not for me this time.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

This is the second book in the Golden Motel Mystery series by Ellen Byron. The author has strong characters and uses her previous profession as a sitcom writer to her advantage. I love how she infused humor throughout the book. We learn more about Verity Donner Gillespie from Goldgone.

Our story opens with Dee’s main wish is to remove the moniker “Murder Hotel” from anyone’s mind.
A nugget of gold is found on the property and their hotel is flooding with reservations. This includes techies looking for quick money. There is also secret deals and ruthless business dealings. No wonder there is a death.

Dee and Jeff become involved to clear their hotel’s reputation. Elmira’s feeling get hurt and no one is sure whether she’ll forgive those involved or leave the town

There is a lot going on in this book and it just adds to the enjoyment.

I was given an advanced copy and these are my opinions.

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.

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!