Dru’s Short Musing:
The gold rush is on at the Murder Motel…

As well as the discovery of a dead body. To protect her business and reclaim her motel from being called “Murder Motel”, Dee starts looking for the person responsible.

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.

Series Name: Golden Motel Mystery | Book 2
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release: July 29, 2025
Format: Print, Digital
Purchase Link

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 . . .

FTC Full Disclosure – I received a digital ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.