5 stars for Inn the Dead of Winter (Book 2 in The Spirit Lake Mysteries) by Rhonda Blackhurst #cozymystery #mystery #bookreview #wrpbks #nnlbh
- N. N. Light
- 17 hours ago
- 3 min read
Title: Inn the Dead of Winter (Book 2 in The Spirit Lake Mysteries)
Author: Rhonda Blackhurst
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Book Blurb:
Welcome to Spirit Lake in the dead of a Minnesota winter, where the brutally cold temp isn't the only thing to fear.
Andie Rose Kaczmarek, a six-year sober life coach and owner of the haunted Spirit Lake Inn, has learned the hard way that the living are far more dangerous than anything in the spirit world.
When a controversial guest fails to return to her room on the same night a body is discovered in a fish house on Big Spirit Lake, Andie Rose teams up with her sponsor and sidekick, Sister Alice, and her emotional support red retriever, Aspen, to solve the case.
After Andie Rose discovers illegal activity on the inn’s property that ties to the murder, the investigation shifts into high gear. As she uncovers shocking secrets of those she thought she knew, someone is intent on keeping her quiet at any cost.
Can the inn’s resident ghost save her from impending harm when it seems the ones closest to her pose the greatest threat?
My Review:
Inn The Dead of Winter has something for everyone to love. Deftly written by Rhonda Blackhurst, it’s a great addition to the cozy mystery genre. Andie Rose Kaczmarek owns the Spirit Lake Inn (yes, it’s haunted) in Minnesota.
The police find a body in Spirit Lake and declare it a murder. And all the clues seem to point to Andie Rose’s inn. The deceased had been a guest, and two employees may be implicated. She has no choice but to conduct her own investigation to save the inn’s reputation. If only the police view it that way.
There’s no dearth of suspects. And that’s a good thing for the reader. We’re treated to a wonderful cast of characters (in every sense) who keep us both entertained and baffled at who the killer is.
Blackhurst’s strength lies in characterization. In addition to the quirky (but truly lovable) Andie Rose, there’s Sister Alice. The sister is Andie Rose’s AA sponsor in addition to being a Catholic nun who breaks every stereotype you may have about nuns. Every. Single. Stereotype. From her outrageous eyeglasses to her sarcastic remarks, she kept me laughing.
Andie Rose is surrounded by guests and employees who are equally entertaining and unpredictable. This is especially true of Noah Parker, the handsome candidate for the position of detective on the local police force. Just for the record, he’s not impressed with her interfering in the investigation.
The author also gives us a tough mystery to solve. The plot is smart and intriguing. With every new chapter, I had a new killer. And in the end, I was wrong.
This story is hilarious—and at times heartwarming—and will keep you laughing. Whether you’re a long-time cozy mystery fan or new to the genre, you’ll want to read Inn the Dead of Winter.
My Rating: 5 stars
Buy it Now:
Publisher Link: https://wildrosepress.com/product/inn-the-dead-of-winter/
Author Biography:
Rhonda is an avid reader, writer, coffee and dark chocolate connoisseur, and certified life coach. She has 10 independently published novels: The Inheritance, a contemporary fiction novel; seven books in the Melanie Hogan Mysteries; and Finding Abby and Abby’s Redemption in the Whispering Pines Romantic Suspense duology. She received an award in 2024 from Digital Books Today and the 2022 Master of Literary Arts Award from the Brighton Chamber.
Social Media Links:
Website: http://www.rhondablackhurst.comPersonal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rhonda.blackhurst.1Author Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rjblackhurst/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhonda.blackhurst
Reviewed by: Terry