The Mountain Lodge mystery series' third book is a delightful fun read. North Carolina is home to Misty Murphy's Mountaintop Lodge where her boys are home for winter break. While skiing, they discover a weird shape which turns out to be Nigel Goodwin dead under the snow. Who would want to do in the resort developer sho had traveled from London to get investors for a new resort. Lots of red herrings. Delighted well developed characters. Diane Kelly once again delivers a well plotted solid mystery that's a delightful read. Thanks #Netgalley and #StMartinsPress for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.

Enjoyable read for a hot summer weekend!

Snow Place for Murder is the 3rd book in the cozy series featuring the Mountain Lodge and its owner Misty. The Lodge is booked up for the week with investors for a potential new resort. Since Misty is having bad luck with people being murdered at her Lodge (it wouldn’t be a cozy without some dead bodies), no surprise that the organizer of this week long event is murdered. There are a lot of suspects with possible motives but none truly stick out until the end of the book.

This was an enjoyable quick read cozy. I enjoy the Lodge setting and wish I was there right now (minus the dead body)

Thank you to Netgalley and St Martin’s Press for early access to Diane Kelly’s latest!

Mountain Top Lodge seems a perfect place to spend the Winter holiday, Unfortunately a realtor has come from London to join forces with Misty Murphy, a local woman. The setting is North Carolina and the lodge sets just the right tone for a wintry holiday. (I read it in July and loved the snow!!)

The realtor ends up dead, the group is snowed in and the mystery must be solved.

A delightful cozy mystery

Book Review: Snow Place for Murder (Mountaintop Lodge Mysteries #3) by Diane Kelly

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this cozy mystery in exchange for an honest review. Although it’s the 3rd in the series it stands independent and doesn’t require the reader to have read the prior two. As in the others, Misty’s cat, Yeti, narrates a few chapters from her perspective. It’s a nice narrative device, but not necessarily necessary as the cat’s observations are only communicated to the reader, not the other characters.

In this book, Misty Murphy plans to host a group at the lodge once again. This time, Adventure Capital is led by Nigel Goodwin, the developer and financier of a planned – yet somewhat controversial - resort/retreat community on the mountain nearby. Included in the group are his assistant and several investors who Goodwin is hoping will commit to investing in his project.

Misty’s two sons and former husband arrive for a visit, along with Rocky’s daughter. All of whom are planning to help Misty while one of her employees, Brynn, is on vacation for the Thanksgiving holidays.

Like always, the cast of characters at the lodge is the same – and all feature in the plot. Rocky, Brynn, Patty who runs the diner across the street, Yeti the cat, and Rocky’s dog Molasses. In this book, the beginning of the book is devoted to narrative about the family and their visit. It isn’t until the 5th chapter that Nigel, his wife and his assistant, Rayan Gandapur, arrive. The rest of the group arrived a day later.

When the group arrives, it’s clear that not all the locals are in favor of the development and not all of the group guests get along. A local wildlife photographer is worried about the impact of the resort on the huge animal population on the mountain from bears to deer. Paulette Frost, a local property management expert, is worried that the lodge will negatively impact her real estate rentals and management business.

When one of the guests is found dead and frozen outside the lodge, Misty gets to work trying to figure out what happened – of course with the help and leadership of the local police.

It’s a fun mystery with all sorts of characters. A lodge affords the author the ability to incorporate all different kinds of people to add to the plot lines from the resort guests. The book kept me entertained and I didn’t figure out the perpetrator until right before the person was revealed!

This is the third book in this series and it did not disappoint. I liked the other books in this series which are based at the Mountaintop Lodge. I like that these books can be read in order or standalone....the perfect cozy mystery with red herrings throughout which kept you guessing until the end.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Kindle Copy for Review from Net Galley, and St. Martin's Press.

I received a free, advance copy of this book and this is my unbiased and voluntary review.

What was supposed to be an idyllic mountain lodge resort trip near Christmas turns into a deadly entrapment. Who wanted the developer dead and why?

It will be a crime that Misty and her boys will have to dig through as a blizzard hits the crime scene. Will they figure out the doings before another body turns up in the snow.

Another charming read in the series.

Snow Place for Murder is the perfect cozy mystery to read over a hot and humid weekend.
Misty Murphy is back again in this exciting book, featuring her cat, Yeti.
Mountaintop Lodge has been booked exclusively for a week, a resort developer is planning to pitch an exclusive new resort concept to wealthy American investors, but not everyone is happy that they are in town.
Misty's sons are working at the resort over the holidays and a gruesome discovery puts Misty back into investigator mode.
This is a fun series that incorporates a lot of my favorite things, and Yeti is a great feline friend.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.

"Snow Place for Murder (Mountain Lodge Mysteries #3)" by Diane Kelly is a nice winter/winter holiday themed cozy mystery. I had a completely different idea of who the murder was and why then what ended up.

This one is fairly standalone though. I didn't feel like I was missing any important information for me to read this one. I would just suggest one edit, as this was an ARC I was reading. When Pebble introduces herself, she explains her name to Misty's boys rather than to Misty. It would make more sense this way since Misty should know her serious boyfriend's daughter names and nicknames if they're going to be spending the holidays together. I keep meaning to read the first couple of books in this series, now I will have to after getting this ARC from netgalley.

It was lovely being back at the Mountaintop Lodge! This is the third book in the series but can easily be read without reading the other books -- I'd recommend them though b/c they're nice, cozy mysteries.

There's an Easter egg in this book for fans of Kelly's House-Flipper Mystery series!

I'm very much looking forward to book four! Men in kilts? Yes, please. Oh, and more Yeti please!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from St. Martin's Press through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, St. Martin's Press.

This was the perfect cozy to get my detective senses going and feel immersed by the wintry vibes. Excellent plot execution and the clues were fun to figure out. Definitely a new favorite cozy author.

Another winner in this series by Diane Kelly. Crescent mountain retreat motel owner and her family are set to enjoy the holidays. However, a potential area resort owner may spoil the season. Super fun series!

Snow Place for Murder by Diane Kelly is a charming cozy mystery with terrific characters, not the least of which was the cat, Yeti, who had her own short chapter every now and then, reflecting her own thoughts, usually nothing to do with anyone but herself. Misty was fairly newly divorced and had bought this lodge because it was the life she wanted to live, not because she had any experience. She had a new man, Rocky, who was her handyman and lived at the lodge also. It was nearly Thanksgiving and Jack, her ex-husband, and her two sons were coming for the holiday. Jack discovered she had a new man when he arrived at her room the first night with a bottle of wine. Rocky was already there. It worked out OK but it made me laugh. The lodge was sold out for a week before Christmas, purchased by a man, Nigel Goodwin, who was bringing potential investors, so he could pitch them, both formally and informally. His scheme was to built a mega-resort nearby. Misty was not sure she supported it and she knew some of the locals didn’t as they arrived in her lobby to protest.

Misty is a good character who is growing into her new life. She did not hate her ex, she just didn’t loved him anymore, but she loved her boys fiercely. Rocky had kids, too, all but one were older than her boys and would be there for Christmas. The discovery of the murder came about in an odd way. They boys had been out sledding down the huge pile of snow Rocky had made scrapping the parking lot. There they found an oddly shaped rock and brought it in to show their mother. It wasn’t a rock, it was someone’s nose, and she knew whose. She and Rocky quickly went outside to explore and discovered the body of Nigel Goodwin, sans nose. They called 911 and settled back o wait. The man was beyond helping. He was frozen solid. It took some investigating by both the authorities and Misty to figure this one out. It was a good mystery, with actual forensics a part of it.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Snow Place for Murder by St. Martin’s Press, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #StMartinsPress #DianeKelly #SnowPlaceForMurder

The third book in the Mountain Lodge Mysteries did not disappoint!

Misty Murphy runs a cozy lodge in a picturesque corner of North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains. When an international developer rents out her lodge to woo investors for a huge, flashy resort in the area, controversy ensues as locals are at odds over it. Misty jumps into action when the investor is found dead, as many of the suspects are staying under her roof!

I love this series! Descriptive and atmospheric, Kelly makes me feel like I can see and feel the snow, the mountains, and every aspect of the charming world she has created!

These books have a great cast of characters, too. Misty is relatable and intelligent, and I like her a lot--a single mother to two sons, a businesswoman, and a highly competent sleuth. Misty thinks things through, which is enjoyable to read. She works alongside law enforcement, and her romance with Rocky is sweet. The secondary characters are memorable, too, and even though there are several suspects, Kelly ensures all of the characters stand out. Misty's sons are home for the Thanksgiving holidays and bring some lighthearted humor.

The mystery was fun and well-paced, with a few red herrings that kept me guessing. And the way the victim's body was discovered is a crime scene I won't soon forget! I enjoyed this! It's an entertaining, snowy, cozy mystery for your winter tbr. It works as a stand-alone, and I recommend this delightful series!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to review this ARC.

Snow Place for Murder is the third book in the Mountain Lodge Mystery series. I enjoyed the first two in the series and the third book kept me guessing what had happened.
Misty Murphy owns Mountain Lodge in North Carolina. She has two sons who were home for their winter break. She was so glad they were there with and could enjoy the skiing but when they found a dead man in the snow things got interesting. The body was the realtor who had come to check out the area to put in a resort in the nearby area. This is not something that was wanted by people in the area.
I enjoyed this book as much as the first two. I especially like Yeti – Misty’s cat in the story! The location and all the characters were all a great fit for the story. I liked all the twists and turns – I thought I had figured out who did it, but I was wrong!
Thank you NetGalley, Diane Kelly and St. Martin's Press for the ARC of the book Snow Place for Murder. This is my personal review.

Loved this return trip to the mountains! Misty is hosting her sons and ex husband for Thanksgiving. Rocky and his daughter, Pebble are also around the table. The paying guests arrive a week later for an investment seminar. When the leader is found frozen in the snow pile, Misty tries to figure out who wanted him dead. Well written, good mystery and an interesting ending. Yeti provides her perspective throughout th book.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for a review.

I had read one of the earlier books in the Mountain Lodge trilogy by Diane Kelly. Upon starting to read Snow Place for Murder, it's like coming back to a comfortable old friend, which is exactly the ambiance that Misty Murphy, the lodge proprietor, wants to create. Rocky and Patty round out the regulars as Brynn is off on vacation.

Nigel Goodwin books the resort to entice investors to his proposed resort in the North Carolina hills. Nigel, his wife, and the investors present a colorful array of characters with corresponding personalities. And let's not forget the town's folk too.

Toss together all of the personalities along with an inconvenient murder, and Misty is in the middle again. Yet, she maintains a sense of ... ultimate customer service despite all of the events. This is a good interesting read that will want you wanting to know more about Misty. Ms. Kelly, when will we see the next installment?

Snow Place For Murder is the wonderful 3rd book in the Mountain Lodge Mystery series. I have read and enjoyed them all and they keep getting even better! The characters are likeable and interesting. The cozy mystery was good. The family and friendships really make this cozy mystery series a winner! Misty Murphy owns a lodge. Her handyman and boyfriend Rocky has a room at the lodge and Brynn is a friend and worker. Misty's two sons and ex-husband are coming to visit along with Rocky's daughter. Surprisingly they all get along well but they do add humor to the story. A new resort is going to be built nearby and the resort developer is bringing in a group of investors to stay at Mountaintop Lodge. The developer ends up dead and the investors, the wife, the assistant and some locals are all suspects. I guessed the culprit but wasn't sure until the end. This is a very enjoyable cozy mystery with a good pace and enough going on to keep my interest. I look forward to more books in this series! #SnowPlaceForMurder #NetGalley #StMartinsPress. #MinataurPublishing

Why have I not been reading the Mountain Lodge Mystery series by Diane Kelly? This is the third in the series of murder and mayhem. After her divorce, Misty Murphy bought a mountain retreat in the North Carolina mountains. Nigel Goodwin rented the whole lodge to pitch a new resort idea for the area. However, with both push back from the locals and grumbles from the potential investors, everyone is a suspect when Nigel is found dead in a snow pile. Who took out the developer? Misty has too many suspects and not enough time. Will she figure out who did it? Or will the murderer get away?
I do love how this author sets her mood for the story. I would love to go and stay at Misty's quaint inn, however, we can hold the murder. The settings are well developed and make you want to curl up with a good book and read or go into town and shop the little shops or hit the slopes. I plan to look into the first two books in the series. I want to thank Netgalley for introducing me to another keeper author. A review was not required.

This is such a fun little cozy mystery series! We, again, follow Misty as she hosts a private group at her lodge in the mountains of North Carolina. This time, the group is headed by Nigel Goodwin, a man with a plan to build a huge resort in the area but needs investors to get the project going. I like how the author uses a lot of different scuffles and disagreements to throw the reader, and Misty, in different directions trying to figure out whodunnit. This installment was really fun because we get to really meet her two sons who are visiting for the winter break, as well as Rocky's daughter who is doing the same. I liked reading their interactions with each other. It was really fun and wholesome.
If you like this series, this is a good installment! If you like cozies in general, I think this is also a really fun series to get into; especially, since it is still just starting out and each book is relatively short. You wouldn't necessarily need to read it order, but it does provide a little more context for the relationships between the main people in the lodge. As always, I love having the couple little chapters from Yeti the cat's POV. It's really fun!

Another great entry in the Mountain Lodge mysteries. I really enjoy this series. Maybe it’s because they are set in the mountains of North Carolina and close to where I call home. It’s like you can picture exactly what is being described almost like being there. Totally recommend this series. I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Snow Place For Murder was a great cozy mystery. This is book three in Diane Kelly’s Mountain Lodge Mystery series and it’s very easy to jump right in without reading the previous books. I really enjoyed reading this one and loved the main character, Misty. This is great read for the upcoming winter months. If you are looking for an atmospheric cozy mystery you should give this one a try.

A nice addition to the series that's just as good as a standalone so long as you know and appreciate in advance that some of the chapters are in the voice of Yeti the cat. Yep, the cat has a point of view which while not critical to the story, is entertaining and often funny. Misty's sons are home for the holidays and they are the ones who discover the body of Nigel, a real estate developer in the show at the Lodge. He'd been there to show the place and the area off to potential investors but this hadn't set well with the locals. Did one of them do it? Or was it one of his party? Misty, along with her love interest Rocky, her assistant Brynn and her other pals (and family) work their way through the suspects to find the real villain. It's a large cast of characters but you won't have trouble keeping them straight. And the setting is lovely. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A good read for cozy fans.

Snow place for murder by Diane. Kelly is the third in a murder mystery series, but works perfectly well as a standalone. I loved the pacing and the build up, and was particularly delighted by the snippets we got from the cat‘s perspective. I will definitely be pitching this book for inclusion at my bookstore, and be pursuing more books by the author.

SNOW PLACE FOR MURDER by Diane Kelly

This was another charming and engrossing Mountain Lodge mystery series book by Diane Kelly. The weather on top of this mountain is truly frightful.

This novel was so enjoyable, I couldn’t put it down. Lots of drama. There were many great characters. If you enjoy skiing, snowboarding, and murder, this is the novel for you. It has many twists and and turns leading us to the murderer. I highly recommend this book. I look forward to the next book in this series.

Thanks to Net Galley for sending me an advanced reader’s copy for my review.

"He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have."

This is the third book in the Mountain Lodge Mystery series. The lodge is a wonderful place to go and enjoy nature all around.
Having spent some time in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina a few months back, I could picture the fall color and snow all around those winding roads. Some are really scary.
Well, that lovely nature may be gone soon if International resort developer Nigel Goodwin gets his wealthy investors to kick in money.
Misty's two sons are home for the holidays. While sledding the boys find an unusual looking rock. From there chaos has begun.
Southern food, small town, friends, ski season, plot twists, plenty of suspects will keep you captivated as the mystery unfolds.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this book.

This series just keeps getting better! Rocky and Misty are getting closer and this time their kids are up for the holidays. The way the victim was found made me shiver and I had no clue "who dun it" until it was revealed. I'd love the idea of going away to a resort like this, unfortunately for me I don't ski or snowboard. I'd still go for a relaxing weekend though, especially now that Misty put a hot tub in! Great read and hope the series continues, I love going back to visit Misty.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This review is based on an ARC from NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher.

Diane Kelly has always been a favorite author of mine; her writing is witty and her characters are fun and relatable. I love the setting of the North Carolina mountains and Misty is the perfect alternative to the 20-something sleuth – she’s grounded, responsible (so far, her cell phone has always been charged and actually goes to work), and doesn’t have any TSTL moments. This mystery was well-paced and plotted and kept me guessing. The introduction of Misty’s family (ex and kids) took up the first part of the book and was a nice surprise. I usually like the murder to be the focus from the get-go but I liked how these characters were integrated into the story. I recommend this series for those who love mysteries but want a slightly older sleuth.

Becoming a favourite series, rating 4.5 rounding down.

After her amicable divorce, Misty Murphy threw caution to the wind and bought a mountain lodge in North Carolina. Since then her life has been happier doing what she loves, where she loves and making new friends. If only there had even a stream of unexplained death. When an international investor dies during the week he had bought out her lodge to do an investment pitch for a new resort to be built nearby. There who shortage of viable suspects from locals irate about the damages to wildlife and potential other issues of locals in the community. Of course, there's also a lodgeful of other suspects. Misty while being naturally curious does not overstep into illegal acts like many other cosy lead characters which I really appreciate. Beyond the mystery, the novel is peopled with an excellent set of secondary characters that make this series so enjoyable.

This is my first time reading a book by this author. I will be looking for more from her.
In Snow Place for Murder we learn Misty has bought a lodge in the Blue Ridge Mountains. She has some guests and is expecting her college age sons and her ex-husband for Thanksgiving. They arrive safely and celebrate with Misty's handyman, Rocky, and his daughter. Pebble. All goes well and plans are made to get together again for Christmas. Ski season is going well and Misty has a full lodge with a developer and possible investors. Many of the locals oppose the new development that is planned. When a possible murder occurs Misty is in the midst of the investigation. Will it be proven to be murder or just a tragic accident?
This story kept me engaged from page one. The ending is a bit of a surprise. I highly recommend this book.
I received an advance copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Oh, this was another really enjoyable cozy mystery! That it's cold enough that parts of a human body can freeze and be broken off...yeah, that's winter! And of course, the surrounding holidays just add that extra element of cozy, espcailly since her sons are there.

This particular case, well, it as interesting, because technically, Mr. Goodwin could be a competition to her, since it'd be a resort. But his would be more on the high end side, whereas Misty's is more rustic. But on top of that, he made a lot of people upset!

Besides the case, there were all the personal moments, with her sons there, and Rocky and his family. It was great to have these moments, light moments, when they've been surrounded by a lot of death. I just adore these characters!

Honestly, I can understand why the guy was murdered. The various reasons why people were suspects, why they had beef with him, pretty much all of them were from his own actions. So I understand why, but it was still great to see the perpetrator caught!

Loved reading this book, and I can't wait for whatever is next!

This book had me laughing at the most inappropriate moments. Diane Kelly takes us back to the Mountaintop Lodge and the wonderfully quirky group that keep it running. Fun, family and a murder that will keep you guessing what else could you want?

A chilling whodunnit in Snow Place for Murder!
A thrilling winter mystery that keeps you guessing until the very end. Set in a picturesque but isolated town near the mountains of North Carolina, the murder mystery takes you on a journey through a snow covered landscape filled with secrets, suspects and surprises.
The story begins of a body buried in the snow and from there the tension steadily builds.
The author does an excellent job of creating a sense of isolation and claustrophobia, making you feel you are right there.
Snow place for murder is a gripping winter mystery that offers an atmospheric setting.

I received an advanced copy from St Martins Publishing Group and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is an interesting story of an inn keeper in the mountains. She rents out her entire lodge to a group of investors. When the main presenter is found dead in a mound of snow in her parking lot, the hunt is on for the killer. The characters were likable and relatable. The action seemed to drag in places, but that could be my perspective. The ending was well done and fully explained. This is a good, clean book. Little to no romance.

This is a delightful series featuring a mountain lodge and a wonderful cast of characters. This third in series is a fun read with a well crafted sleuth. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity.
my review opinions are my own.

Misty owns The Lodge and has a visit by investors for planning a new resort. Some are opposed to the new resort. When one investor is murdered the investiagation takes a dark turn among the fellow guests. This is much like Agatha Christie in that the author created a atmospheric setting in a snowstorm and a mysterious death with many suspects. I loved the sleuth that kept me guessing to conclusion. Well done to the author. I look forward to the next in series.

This is the third book in the Mountain Lodge Mystery series and the first book that I have read. It did work well as a stand alone book. Misty is the owner of the Mountain Top Lodge. After Nigel, a slick investor, is found murdered after using the lodge to pitch a new resort to potential investors Misty uses her sleuthing skills to help the police catch the murderer before anyone else can get hurt. This was a fun, fast read that kept me guessing the entire time.

5/5 stars: This is the third B&B Cozy Mystery in the Kelly's Mountain Lodge Mystery series and it doesn't dissapoint. Kelly's a longtime favorite author and their characters as always are incredibly likable. It was a joy to catch up with Misty, Rocky and folks of Beech Mountain. Kelly perfectly captures the snowy wonder of a small mountain town. Most importantly, Kelly deftly balances the clues, red herrings and suspects in such a way to keep you guessing the whodunit until the final reveal. Oh and I love how Kelly includes chapters in Misty's cat, Baroness Blizzard AKA Yeti's POV. And while Molasses, Rocky’s Bernese mountain dog, doesn't have a POV he's adorable. To begin this series from the start, pick up Getaway With Murder.

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Paperbacks in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

What do you do when your college age sons find a shocking item in a snowdrift? If you're their mother you rush to find a killer before more people are killed!

This is the first book I've read in the series and I was able to jump right in to the backstory of the main and supporting characters. I liked the idea of a mature character changing her life drastically and owning her own business. The mystery was fast-paced and I did not have a clue of "whodunit" until the case was solved.

I'm going back and reading the first two books, just because I enjoyed this book so much!

The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Entertaining and engaging.

Misty is a fabulous character. She’s spunky, friendly, smart, and a loving mom. She has a cat, Yeti, whose viewpoint we get to see occasionally throughout the book. I also liked the character of Rocky, her handyman and current love interest. He always has her back.

The plot had plenty of mystery and surprising moments as well as some humor throughout. The book was easy to read, yet detailed enough to pull you into the story.

My review is voluntary and all comments and opinions are my own.

Misty Murphy has rented out her Mountaintop Lodge to international developer Nigel Goodwin the week before Thanksgiving as he pitches a new resort to investors. Misty isn't sure that she is in favor of the new resort and quite a number of the townspeople are also opposed to it.

When Goodwin is found dead at the base of a sliding hill at the Lodge, it is first thought to be a tragic accident. However, when the medical examiner determines that he was murdered, Misty finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation again.

There is a large pool of suspects from the victim's wife to his assistant to the various investors to the disgruntled townspeople. It will take all of the police and Misty's actions to find the murderer.

I liked the setting. I liked Misty's determination to make a new start after her amicable divorce. I liked her new relationship with Rocky. I liked her relationship with her almost grown sons and with Rocky's daughters too. I also liked chapters told from Misty's spoiled cat Yeti who has her own unique viewpoint about all the activities at the lodge.

This was an entertaining story which manages to discover the murderer and tie up all the loose plot threads before it is finished.

I adored this cozy mystery! The group of characters were fantastic, and I loved the setting. I enjoyed the plot twists and the mystery. It was well paced and well written!

Snow Place for murder is the third Mountain Lodge Mystery starring amateur detective and lodge owner, Misty Murphy. It’s the holiday season in the Blue Ridge Mountains and Misty Murphy is excited to have all her rooms rented at the Mountaintop Lodge even if it is investors seeking to build a fancy mountaintop resort. When the developer is murdered, the suspects seem to just keep multiplying. So Misty does what she does best and puts her nose where it doesn’t belong to hunt down a killer. Her keen mind takes her down avenues that bring real leads for the police in the case that is solved in time for her to enjoy the holidays with her boys and her hunky handyman. Fast paced and well thought out, the story keeps you guessing right along with Misty until the end in another enjoyable Mountain Ogden cozy. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy from NetGalley.

Returning to Misty's mountain lodge was a nice stay. This mystery worked well for me. Misty is playing hostess to Nigel Goodwin and his investors. He's looking to turn some nearby land into a mega-resort complete with waterpark. Not everyone is thrilled including a local real estate person, a wildlife rehabber and avid hunter/gun nut/anger control issue dude. Even Nigel's investors don't all seem happy, like the pro hockey player there more for the free vacation than anything else.

Hoping she hasn't made an error in allowing them to book out her lodge, Misty tries to keep in the upcoming Christmas spirit with her new boyfriend and handyman Rocky and her two sons home from school and ditto Rocky's daughter.

When Nigel turns up under the sledding hill, frozen to death, the local sheriff asks for Misty's cooperation in solving the case. I like that they're friends (because adversarial law enforcement is a deal breaker for me in cozy mysteries) . Misty's involvement in this doesn't feel like overreach nor does she go around assuming people owe her explanations (because how many times have we seen that in cozies?)

I thought the red herrings were sprinkled in well and I liked the ending. Misty is a fun character as is Rocky. It's a nice setting and I enjoyed the mystery. Thank you to the publisher for making an arc available to me via Netgalley.

Part of series.
A good easy quick read.
Drama,suspense,mystery good characters..
Love the mountain snow setting.
Enjoyed reading. Had to read the others.
Voluntarily

Interesting and well-written cozy mystery. Between the characters, the mystery, the twists and turns, and the descriptions of the gorgeous scenery, I was kept fully engaged and entertained from the first page until the last. Plenty of red herrings kept me guessing as to whodunit. Plus there's a cat named Yeti who gets her own chapters.
Definitely recommend.

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor or expectation.

Snow Place for Murder is the 3rd Mountain Lodge Mysteries Book where Misty the owner of The Mountain Lodge will be hosting Nigel Goodwin, the porject planner for a new Resort with his investors. Things seem to be going smoothly until three of the locals come to protest the Resort! Then Niegil ends up frozen to death! Misty, Rocky, and the Highcloud and Officere Hardy must figure out who killed him before the guests decide to leave. What a great books! Lots of interaction with each of guests and great characters. I love that we even get Yedi, the cats inputs!

This book is the third book in the well-written Mountain Lodge Mystery series. It's possible to enjoy this book without reading the other two, but the first book gives the detailed backstory about main character Misty Murphy and how she first opened Mountaintop Lodge.

In addition to showing Misty's excellent sleuthing skills when a guest of the lodge is found murdered, this book also shows plenty of scenes with Misty and her family as they celebrate Thanksgiving and then Christmas. Her twin sons add humor to the story and their teasing banter with their mom is funny and realistic. Adding to the charm of this cozy mystery are the few chapters that are narrated by Misty's cat Yeti. I don't always like this type of thing, but it works well in this series and sometimes Yeti sees things going on that Misty doesn't.

I like the growing romance between Misty and Rocky, but also appreciate that Misty's and her ex-husband have remained friends. One negative to this book is there were a couple of things that came across as a little bit preachy, but overall it's a great story.

The murder investigation is interesting with plenty of people with a motive to eliminate the victim, a land developer who plans to build an upscale resort not far from Misty's lodge. Misty is able to get several important clues that help solve the case. As much as I enjoyed the investigation, it's the setting and great characters that keep me coming back to this delightful series.

I received an advance copy of this ebook at no cost from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.

"Snow Place for Murder" by Diane Kelly is the third installment in the Mountain Lodge mystery series, and I'm absolutely hooked. Building on the success of the previous book, this installment delves deeper into the captivating world of Misty and Rocky, offering readers an even more immersive experience.

The story begins with international resort developer Nigel Goodwin's arrival in Misty Murphy's quaint corner of North Carolina, setting the stage for an intriguing tale. The author does a remarkable job describing the atmosphere and the lodge itself, so vividly that I found myself almost tempted to look up reservations for the Mountaintop Lodge. The setting is so well-crafted that it becomes a character in its own right, adding to the book's charm.

Once again, the peace and tranquility are shattered when a body is discovered, and the local police enlist Misty's help to unravel the mystery. The engaging plot keeps you guessing and turning pages, eager to uncover the truth behind the murder.

One of the highlights of this series is the development of Misty and Rocky's family story. It's heartwarming to see their journey as a family coming together, and it adds depth and relatability to the characters. You can't help but root for them.

And then there's Yeti, the lovable cat with an internal monologue that not only provides comic relief but also gives us a unique perspective on the events unfolding. Yeti's chapters add an extra layer of enjoyment to the story.

I would like to express my gratitude to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with a gifted copy in exchange for my honest review. "Snow Place for Murder" is a delightful addition to the Mountain Lodge mystery series, offering a blend of mystery, family dynamics, and a touch of whimsy with Yeti. If you're a fan of cozy mysteries with engaging characters and an inviting setting, this book is a must-read.

In this book the lodge is in the middle of a massive snow storm and Misty finds herself snowed in with a potential murderer. I really like the world that the author has created around Misty, Rocky, Patti, the lodge and of course Misty's cat, Yeti. I really enjoyed the short little chapters from Yeti's point of view. I also really liked that Misty's sons, JJ and Mitch, were in most of the book as well as Rocky's daughter Pebble. All three have been mentioned quite a bit and it was nice to be able to get to know them a bit.

This is one of those mysteries where any one of the possible suspects could have had motive to kill the victim. The victim wasn't very likable and so many people had reasons to want to take him out both personal and professional and since almost all the suspects are relatively unknown to Misty she has her investigative work cut out for her and I enjoyed going along for the ride. I really wasn't sure of the who and the why until Misty figured it out.

I really enjoy the lodge setting for this series. We have a change up of suspects and characters and a range of issues. I really like seeing the day to day behind the scenes of the lodge and life up in the mountains of North Carolina.

Misty Murphy is turning a new page in her life. After a recent friendly divorce, Misty has bought a lodge in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina where she lives with her cat, Yeti, and a live in handyman Rocky.

It starts with her ex-husband and college aged sons arriving for Thanksgiving. The boys are going to be coming back and spending their winter break working at the lodge. Misty will need the extra help, especially with developer Nigel Goodwin arriving with a party of potential investors in a resort he wants to build nearby. Goodwin and his party arrive but not all the residents of Beach Mountain, NC, are excited about the prospect. Several locals are quite upset about the prospect of a resort being built and ruining the landscape and being a danger to local wildlife. Nigel Goodwin is found dead under a snowbank, and it ends up not being natural causes. There is no shortage of suspects, both local and lodge guests. Misty is thrown in to sleuthing mode to find the sheriff asks for her help.

It was nice to see that Misty is an independent 50-year-old woman who is building a successful business. I also liked that her ex and her are friends and continue to share family gatherings.

I had not read the previous two installments of this series but that did not hinder my enjoyment of this book. I also have to say this is one of the best crafted mysteries I have read in a long time! I read late into the night to finish so I could find out who had killed Nigel and why.

Thank you, St. Martins, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book and give my honest opinion.

This was a fun and delightful cozy mystery set in the mountains of North Carolina during the holiday season. Misty Murphy, owner of the Mountaintop Lodge prides herself on fine and friendly service. She is conflicted in booking the lodge to a resort developer as he pitches his plans to a group of investors. Many of the locals are not happy about the development, but business is business. That is until the developer is found buried under a mound of snow at the bottom of the lodge's hill. That's definitely not good for business. Misty is known to the local constabulary as being observant and helpful on previous investigations and welcomes her assistance. With so many possible suspects, will the right one be found before the potential investors head homeward?

Diane Kelly has a real knack for mystery writing. Her timing is spot on and the red herrings are plentiful. Her writing is engaging and her main characters are likeable. The settings are well laid out and the characters' banter charming and oftentimes amusing. This was definitely a fun and quick read. I look forward to reading the earlier two books and future books in this series.

I am grateful to St. Martin's Press for having provided a complimentary uncorrected digital galley of this book through NetGalley. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.

Anticipated Publication Date: 10/24/2023
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
ISBN: 978-1250816016
No. of pages: 304