I love this author’s works and it gives me great pleasure to host the cover reveal for the next book in the “Golden Motel” mystery series, coming July 2025 and now up for preorder.
Publication Date: July 29, 2025
Publisher: Kensington Books
Format: Print, Digital
Name of Series: Golden Motel ~ Book 2
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Author Website: ellenbyron.com
Book Synopsis
Dee Stern’s Golden Motel-of-the-Mountains promises a tranquil getaway for outdoor lovers in the scenic Californian village of Foundgold. But when Dee accidentally triggers a modern gold rush, she suddenly turns her peaceful retreat into a hotspot for mayhem and murder . . .
With the summer season looming, former Hollywood sitcom writer Dee Stern has one small goal—scrubbing her motel’s unflattering moniker as the “Murder Motel.” Dee and ex-husband-turned-business-partner Jeff Cornetta are excited to introduce a family-friendly panning activity complete with fool’s gold just in time for the peak tourist months. Except neither could have anticipated the discovery of a real gold nugget or the ensuing social media frenzy. In a flash, the viral sensation draws grizzled prospectors, wide-eyed adventurers, and trend-chasing thrill seekers to the abandoned mines scattered around the woods . . .
The instant popularity proves great for business, but it also attracts a group of out-of-touch Silicon Valley techies with dreams of striking it rich—again. Dee finds herself particularly annoyed by the insufferably smug Sylvan Burr, a retired CEO who sold his startup before age 30 and won’t let anyone forget it. But things take a sinister turn when Sylvan meets a grim fate at the bottom of a mineshaft, leaving Dee at the center of a deadly mystery that could end her days as a motelier. And while Sylvan had plenty of enemies, Dee suddenly faces adversaries rooting against her own success. 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 . . .
About the author
Ellen is a USA Today bestselling author, Anthony nominee, and recipient of multiple Agatha and Lefty awards for her Cajun Country Mysteries, Vintage Cookbook Mysteries, and Catering Hall Mysteries (as Maria DiRico). She is also an award-winning playwright and non-award-winning writer of TV hits like Wings, Just Shoot Me, and Fairly OddParents, but considers her most impressive achievement working as a cater-waiter for Martha Stewart. Visit her at Cozy Mysteries | Ellen Byron | Author.
Congratulations, Ellen! This sounds like another terrific book and I can’t wait to read!!
Kim, thank you so much!
I love the cover and can’t wait to read the new book!
Edith, thank you!!! I’d be thrilled to have you read it.
This is great. I enjoyed the first one so much! Looking forward to this and the next and next.
I’m so happy you enjoyed the first book! Thanks so much for reading it.
Great cover! Congrats Ellen — your prolificness (is that even a word) astounds me!
Can’t wait to read it! The first had such a great cast of characters.
Vicki, I’m thrilled you enjoyed my characters! That compliment means a lot to me.
Dru, thanks so much for another fantastic cover reveal post! xo
Hooray! Terrific cover — congratulations, Ellen! I LOVED “A Very Woodsy Murder” and can’t wait to read this one, too!
Marjorie!! Thank you SO much! xo
More fun – Can’t wait to read!
I’ve been waiting for the second one!
OMG, I cannot tell you how happy this makes, me, Maren!
Fun cover! Congrats, El!!
Thanks so much, Jen!
SO Much Fun Gold. Wow, this is going to be Spectacular.
CONGRATULATIONS Ellen.