Book Review (and a Giveaway!): Snowed Under Murder by Kathryn Long

SNOWED UNDER MURDER by Kathryn Long
SERIES: Sierra Pines B&B Mystery #2
GENRE: Cozy Mystery
PUBLISHER: Camel Press
RELEASE DATE: March 8, 2022
PAGES: 224

The holiday season has arrived when all should be merry in Sierra Pines. A plea from her mother pushes Ali to offer her annoying cousin, Nathan, and his even more annoying bride, Isadora, lodging at the B&B. When Isadora is found dead at the bottom of a ski slope and fingers point to Nathan as suspect number one, the merry season turns into a scary season for the residents of Sierra Pines.

Soon, the B&B needs numerous repairs, the Sierra Pines Alliance of Cultural Activities is missing funds, and business owners quarrel incessantly about their dismal sales. What horrible spell has fallen on this cozy town?

What’s worse—everyone blames Nathan for bringing a curse. Ali knows her cousin might get on her nerves, but he’s no killer. However, can she prove his innocence?

Other Books In This Series

When last we left our intrepid heroine Ali, she had just inherited a B&B (and a pair of senior citizen siblings from the Golden Age of Hollywood), solved a murder, and got a swoony sheriff boyfriend. Snowed Under Murder picks up a couple of months later, and Ali finds herself in the middle of another murder investigation while juggling the business woes that come along with running a B&B that eats money faster than it makes it. Sheriff-boyfriend Quint is still solidly in the picture (yay!), which means plenty of sparks flying between them and some cute romantical moments too.

Those sparks that I just mentioned? They are of both the swoonilicious and the annoyed variety, because Ali’s cousin is the number one suspect and Quint won’t let it drop. I loved both types of sparks because it added different layers to the story, to Ali’s character, and to their relationship. I also really enjoyed the mystery that caused these annoyed sparks between Quint & Ali. Plenty of plausible suspects, and the addition of a second murder muddies the suspect pool even further, keeping me guessing through nearly the whole story even though I initially suspected the person who turns out to be the culprit. But the author was adept at changing my mind several times before the story ended, providing me with an engaging armchair sleuthing experience 🙂

And of course Gladys and Ollie are back, which made my day ten times over. I love these two and the warmth & humor they add to the Sierra Pines B&B!

Bottom Line: I’ve been waiting for this book since I finished Boarding with Murder, and it was so fun to be reunited with Ali, Gladys, Ollie, and Quint. Gladys and Ollie particularly have my heart, and I love their banter (confession: I often picture them as the sibling versions of Fred & Ethel Mertz lol) and memories of the glamorous days of Old Hollywood. The murder mystery had several interesting twists and turns, but I also became deeply invested in the subplot involving the B&B itself. A lovely return to Sierra Pines and a great way to spend a weekend, no matter what season it is!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.)

My Rating: 4 stars / loved it!

affiliate links used

Retired teacher, Kathryn Long now spends her days plotting and writing mysteries. Besides her SIERRA PINES B&B MYSTERIES, published credits include A DEADLY DEED GROWS and BURIED IN SIN. She’s actively involved in the writing and publishing worlds with social media platforms, including her author website, blog, Twitter account, and Facebook page. She’s a member of Sisters in Crime as well as of International Thriller Writers. As Bailee Abbott, she writes the PAINT BY MURDER MYSTERY SERIES. The second book, KILL THEM WITH CANVAS, will release October 11, 2022. She lives with her husband and furry friend Max in the quiet suburbs of Green, Ohio.

website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway is hosted by Great Escapes, not RimSP
Follow along with the tour by clicking the banner below

What about you? What makes you want to read Snowed Under Murder by Kathryn Long?