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A Very Woodsy Murder
(2024)(The first book in the Golden Motel Mystery series)
A novel by Ellen Byron
“Recovering TV sitcom writer Dee Stern leaves behind punchlines for peril in a delightful whodunnit set at a remote motel in rural California that mixes a perfect cocktail of gut-busting one-liners with heart-stopping suspense!��� —Lee Hollis, Author of Death of a Clam Digger
New motel owner Dee Stern has checked out of the familiar comforts in the Studio City and checked in to the quaint village of Foundgold. Running a rustic getaway in the woods sure beats LA traffic—until murder ruins the peace and quiet . . .
Down-on-her-luck sitcom writer Dee Stern is flipping the script. Twice divorced and wasting her talents on an obnoxious kids’ show, the lifelong Angeleno embraces the urge to jump in her car and keep driving. It's a road trip with no destination—until she pulls into a mid-century motel filled with cobwebs and retro charm. Nestled in the shadow of a national park, it’s a time capsule of a place that, like her, could use some work. So, in the most impulsive move of her life, Dee teams up with best friend, Jeff Cornetta—who happens to be her first ex-husband—to transform the aging ranch into the Golden Motel-of-the-Mountains, a hiker’s oasis on the edge of the wilderness . . .
But Dee and Jeff soon realize there couldn’t be two people more unprepared for the hospitality business. There’s also the panic-inducing reality of prowling bears and a general store as the only shopping spot for miles. Living and working in the middle of nowhere takes some getting used to—especially when a disrespectful guest ends up murdered! Now, with the motel duo topping the suspect list, Dee must steer clear of a meddling park ranger, face her past in show biz, and determine if the killer is a local or tourist. Because as she quickly finds out, there are many things worse than a one-star review.
“Ellen Byron combines a witty and resourceful heroine with a dream, a shabby motel in a spectacular setting, a host of interesting characters, and a puzzling murder that hits a little too close to home in this delightfully quirky, clever, and laugh-out-loud mystery that delivers a hefty dose of nostalgic charm. Byron's A Very Woodsy Murder will leave readers clamoring for another visit to the Golden Motel.” ��Darci Hannah, Author of Murder at the Blarney Bash
Genre: Cozy Mystery
New motel owner Dee Stern has checked out of the familiar comforts in the Studio City and checked in to the quaint village of Foundgold. Running a rustic getaway in the woods sure beats LA traffic—until murder ruins the peace and quiet . . .
Down-on-her-luck sitcom writer Dee Stern is flipping the script. Twice divorced and wasting her talents on an obnoxious kids’ show, the lifelong Angeleno embraces the urge to jump in her car and keep driving. It's a road trip with no destination—until she pulls into a mid-century motel filled with cobwebs and retro charm. Nestled in the shadow of a national park, it’s a time capsule of a place that, like her, could use some work. So, in the most impulsive move of her life, Dee teams up with best friend, Jeff Cornetta—who happens to be her first ex-husband—to transform the aging ranch into the Golden Motel-of-the-Mountains, a hiker’s oasis on the edge of the wilderness . . .
But Dee and Jeff soon realize there couldn’t be two people more unprepared for the hospitality business. There’s also the panic-inducing reality of prowling bears and a general store as the only shopping spot for miles. Living and working in the middle of nowhere takes some getting used to—especially when a disrespectful guest ends up murdered! Now, with the motel duo topping the suspect list, Dee must steer clear of a meddling park ranger, face her past in show biz, and determine if the killer is a local or tourist. Because as she quickly finds out, there are many things worse than a one-star review.
“Ellen Byron combines a witty and resourceful heroine with a dream, a shabby motel in a spectacular setting, a host of interesting characters, and a puzzling murder that hits a little too close to home in this delightfully quirky, clever, and laugh-out-loud mystery that delivers a hefty dose of nostalgic charm. Byron's A Very Woodsy Murder will leave readers clamoring for another visit to the Golden Motel.” ��Darci Hannah, Author of Murder at the Blarney Bash
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Praise for this book
"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
"Fragrant California woods are a welcome change for Los Angeles scriptwriter Dee Stern - until they turn dark and threaten her dream of renovating the Golden Motel in the Gold Rush foothills of the Sierras. Readers will love Byron's well-scripted series debut, a tale both twisty and humorous, as she explores small-town loyalties and murderous rivalries, family both original and chosen, and following a new dream." - Maddie Day
"This delightful series debut ticks all the boxes of a cozy mystery while also offering an unconventional heroine in Dee." - Lee Goldberg
"Ellen Byron combines a witty and resourceful heroine with a dream, a shabby motel in a spectacular setting, a host of interesting characters, and a puzzling murder that hits a little too close to home in this delightfully quirky, clever, and laugh-out-loud mystery that delivers a hefty dose of nostalgic charm. Byron's A Very Woodsy Murder will leave readers clamoring for another visit to the Golden Motel." - Darci Hannah
"Recovering TV sitcom writer Dee Stern leaves behind punchlines for peril in a delightful whodunnit set at a remote motel in rural California that mixes a perfect cocktail of gut-busting one-liners with heart-stopping suspense!" - Lee Hollis
"A great start to a new series that will have you heading for the nearest retro motel." - Libby Klein
"Ellen Byron shows off her comic chops in this clever, well-crafted series debut, featuring a fun cast of characters and an especially appealing heroine. Loved it!" - Laura Levine
"A laugh out loud, make you snort, tale chock full of oddball characters in the delightfully rustic setting of an old motel. Come for the laughs, stay for the puzzler of a mystery that will keep you up entirely too late, trying to solve it." - Jenn McKinlay
"Fragrant California woods are a welcome change for Los Angeles scriptwriter Dee Stern - until they turn dark and threaten her dream of renovating the Golden Motel in the Gold Rush foothills of the Sierras. Readers will love Byron's well-scripted series debut, a tale both twisty and humorous, as she explores small-town loyalties and murderous rivalries, family both original and chosen, and following a new dream." - Maddie Day
"This delightful series debut ticks all the boxes of a cozy mystery while also offering an unconventional heroine in Dee." - Lee Goldberg
"Ellen Byron combines a witty and resourceful heroine with a dream, a shabby motel in a spectacular setting, a host of interesting characters, and a puzzling murder that hits a little too close to home in this delightfully quirky, clever, and laugh-out-loud mystery that delivers a hefty dose of nostalgic charm. Byron's A Very Woodsy Murder will leave readers clamoring for another visit to the Golden Motel." - Darci Hannah
"Recovering TV sitcom writer Dee Stern leaves behind punchlines for peril in a delightful whodunnit set at a remote motel in rural California that mixes a perfect cocktail of gut-busting one-liners with heart-stopping suspense!" - Lee Hollis
"A great start to a new series that will have you heading for the nearest retro motel." - Libby Klein
"Ellen Byron shows off her comic chops in this clever, well-crafted series debut, featuring a fun cast of characters and an especially appealing heroine. Loved it!" - Laura Levine
"A laugh out loud, make you snort, tale chock full of oddball characters in the delightfully rustic setting of an old motel. Come for the laughs, stay for the puzzler of a mystery that will keep you up entirely too late, trying to solve it." - Jenn McKinlay
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