Must Read Humorous Cozy Mystery

A Very Woodsy Murder

Book One in the Golden Motel Mystery Series

A Very Woodsy Murder

Ellen Byron
Golden Motel Mystery Series
Hardcover, paperback, ebook, audiobook

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A Very Woodsy Murder is the first book in the Golden Motel Mystery Series by Ellen Byron. The story is set in Foundgold, California, a former Gold Rush town with a meager population of 68 people. The series sleuth is Dee Stern, a down-on-her-luck sitcom writer who impulsively decides to flip the script, quit her job, and go all in on an old motel in a rustic area of California.

The mid-century motel has plenty of retro charm, and plenty of cobwebs, so Dee enlists her best friend, Jeff Cornetta (who also happens to be her ex-husband) to help her clean the place up and transform it into the Golden Motel-of-the-Mountains.

But breathing new life into the place proves to be more difficult than Dee imagined. There are prowling bears, strange locals, a meddling park ranger, and no place to buy supplies besides a nearby mercantile and general store. When their first guest ends up murdered, Dee and Jeff top the suspect list. To save her new motel and keep herself out of jail, Dee needs to find out who made her first guest check out early.

Reasons to Read A Very Woodsy Murder

A Very Woodsy Murder is the perfect summer read. It‘s a fun, suspenseful, and humorous cozy mystery with laugh-out-loud moments and a great setting. The author, Ellen Byron, is an award-winning mystery writer and playwright with experience as a TV writer for comedies like Wings, Just Shoot Me, and Fairly Odd Parents. Her past experience brings authenticity to the main character of Dee Stern, who is also a former sitcom writer.

Dee is a relatable and likable amateur sleuth. Her decision to leave her sitcom career behind and embark on a completely unrelated venture in a new town is impulsive but brave. She is easy to root for. Her motel partner and best buddy, Jeff Cornetta, is equally likable. The fact that Dee and Jeff used to be married adds a unique dynamic to the narrative. Their shared history and camaraderie help to create quite a few comedic moments and heartfelt exchanges.

The other residents of Foundgold and the nearby Goldsgone are a fun and quirky bunch. There's a trendy charcuterie artist, a drop-dead gorgeous firefighter, a meddling park ranger, a backwoods handywoman and her mister, and a motley crew of business proprietors. You'll find a handy list of characters at the start of the story that explains who's who. It's nice to be able to flip back to this page if you are trying to solve the mystery with the sleuth.

The central mystery of the novel is suspenseful and satisfying. Ellen Byron masterfully plants clues and red herrings, leading readers through a maze of possibilities. The pacing of the mystery is spot-on, with each chapter unveiling new twists and turns. The final reveal is both surprising and logical, a testament to Byron's skill as a storyteller.

The book ends with bonus road trip tips and two doable recipes that are a perfect match for the book's setting.

A Very Woodsy Murder was nominated for an Agatha Award (named for Agatha Christie) for Best Contemporary Novel. It was also nominated for an Anthony Award (named for Anthony Boucher) for Best Cozy/Humorous Novel and a Lefty Award (Left Coast Crime Award) for Best Humorous Mystery Novel. The Library Journal gave it positive reviews and called it a "model cozy."

A Very Woodsy Murder is available in hardcover, paperback, ebook, and audiobook formats. The hardcover is 288 pages, and the paperback is 240 pages. The audiobook is 8 hours and 39 minutes long and narrated by Daniela Acitelli.

What Readers Say About A Very Woodsy Murder

“I have been excited about this book since I first heard about it and the story lived up to all my expectations. A Very Woodsy Murder is a delightful start for this series.”

— Goodreads Review

“A Very Woodsy Murder, the “premiere” episode in Ellen Byron’s latest series is pure gold! From the opening scene to the final curtain, this book draws you in and keeps you hooked.”

— Amazon Reader Review

“Only a TV comedy veteran and skilled mystery author could have written this twisty little masterwork. Fun characters, a puzzling mystery and a unique setting. There’s even a dog. What more could you want?.”

— E.J. Copperman, Author of the Haunted Guesthouse Mysteries

“Byron, an award-winning novelist and sitcom writer, has written a model cozy with delightful, slightly inept sleuths, quirky characters, and an entertaining mystery.”

— Library Journal

“Fun location, fun premise, fun characters...it’s a home run! I loved the relationship between Dee and Jeff! I laughed out loud several times at Dee who I thought was witty and very relatable! ”

— Beachbum Bookworm

A Very Woodsy Murder Reading Kit

Keep the fun going after you read the book with this free Very Woodsy Murder Reading Kit. It contains discussion questions, book club activities, and an interview with author Ellen Byron. If you aren’t part of a book club, you can use the discussion questions as reflection questions to examine your personal thoughts, feelings, and experiences after reading the book.

Book Two in the Golden Motel Mystery Series

Solid Gold Murder

Solid Gold Murder is the second book in the Golden Motel Mystery Series by Ellen Byron. In this book, Dee is hoping to save the Golden Motel's reputation. (Being known as the "Murder Motel" isn't great for business.)

Dee and her business partner decide to launch a fun gold panning activity complete with fool’s gold for the peak tourist months.

To Dee’s surprise, someone finds a real gold nugget and starts a gold rush! Grizzled prospectors, wide-eyed adventurers, and trend-chasing thrill seekers show up to pan for gold.

Things take a sinister turn when a body is found at the bottom of a mineshaft. Once again, Dee finds herself at the center of a deadly mystery that could end her Golden Motel dreams.

Solid Gold Murder includes a bonus recipe and road trip tips.

Other Mysteries by Ellen Byron

Ellen Byron writes several other cozy mystery series, including the Vintage Cookbook Mysteries and the Cajun Country Mysteries. She also writes the Catering Hall Mystery Series under the pen name Maria DiRico.

Ellen Byron writes four cozy mystery series.

Interview with Ellen Byron

Check out this Cozy Crime Reads interview with Ellen Byron to learn more about her books, her writing journey, and her writing process. You can also learn more about Ellen on her website, www.ellenbyron.com. If you sign up for her free newsletter, you can get special downloads and bookish goodies.

Ellen Byron Cozy Mystery Bookshelf

Use the arrows on either side of the images below to see all of Ellen Byron’s cozy mysteries. You’ll find nearly two dozen books to read. Click on the book image to see a book description, reviews, and samples on Amazon.