Customer Reviews

Snow Place to Die (Bed-And-Breakfast Mysteries)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Judith and Renie are at it again. Bodies seem to come their way in the most unusual locations. I enjoyed this book and read it as soon as I got it, but it didn't read as quickly as most of Ms Daheim's works do. I am looking forward to the next Bed and Breakfast. I frequently reocmmend these titles to my friends.

I was very surprised by some of the negative comments left concerning this installment of the B and B Mystery Series. I thought this one was terrific! Yes, I did miss the "old folks at home" (Joe, Gertrude, the Rankers, and Sweetums), but there were plenty of interesting people trapped in the Inn with Judith and Renie. I found this not only a biting commentary on corporate America, but a wonderful homage to some of the great murder mysteries out of our past, particularly Then There Were None (also known as Ten Little Indians). Anyone who could not understand how the bodies "piled up like cordwood" must never had enjoyed the pleasures of a creepy old "we're trapped, now what" scenario. I just wish someone would have the sense to start making some tv movies of this series!! Can't wait for the next one!

I have enjoyed this series by Ms Danheim as well as her Alpine Murder Mysteries. This 13th book is a fairly good mystery except for one blaring mistake. In chapter 8, Judith announces 'to her acute embarassment'..."Someone took Barry's items out of my handbag last night." Unfortunately in chapter 13 while she and cousin Renie are trying to deduce the killer it states 'Was Max referring to Barry Newcombe's belongings? But no one knew they had been stolen from Judith's shoulder bag.' The plot, a bit convoluted (probably because of so many bodies) lands flat at times is still okay. I can not claim it to be one of my favorites of the series so far. Still I recommend the series as a whole. Maybe this was just a case of unlucky 13.

In this installment of the Bed-and-Breakfast Mystery series, Judith Flynn goes to the Mountain Goat Lodge to cater a weekend retreat for some phone company executives. Cousin Renie has invited her along because she is making a presentation to the board and her caterer has dropped out at the last minute. What was to be a short 1-day trip turns into several days as a giant blizzard snows them in to the lodge. The characters reveal themselves to be a self-centered bunch, interested only in advancing their careers. Judith and Renie discover a skeleton while they are out exploring and then several murders ensue. Everyone there realizes that it must be somebody at the lodge, so there is much fear and mutual distrust. After several red herrings, Judith, of course, deduces who the murderer is. This is a good read, if you enjoy cozies.

This book was disappointing in an otherwise excellent series. There were too many characters, and none of them were likable, so it was hard to care when they got killed off, and almost all of them did. That was not a very credible plot at all. This could have been a great cozy whodunit; snowed in at a mountain retreat, a number of suspects, no one getting in or out, etc. The background of the characters just wasn't interesting or identifiable to the reader. Also, too many corpses were piling up, which just was not believable. Daheim usually has funny characters and plot lines, but this entry just didn't work.

I really wanted to like this book. It has all of the elements I love . . . a snowbound setting with a handful of eccentric types, one of whom is the murderer. I truly hate to give a negative review, but I was disappointed. The book was dull, in my opinion. It lacked real suspense, and there were too many characters who seemed shallowly drawn. It was hard to get a handle on them or to care which of them would end up as murderer or victim. It was also a distraction that the protagonist and her cousin kept calling each other "coz" throughout the book. I'm going to have to pass on the rest of the series.

Of all this series, I cared for this one the least. It took place away from the familiar neighborhood, the B&B and although the "coz's" were together, I missed Joe and the rest of the characters.

Judith McMonigle Flynn has been so successful with her Seattle-based Hillside Manor Bed and Breakfast, she is strongly thinking of shutting down her catering service. However, Judith failed to share her thoughts with her nutty cousin Renie, who without consulting her, arranges for Judith to cater the Overland Telecommunications and Information Organization of Systems Engineers Conference being held at the nearby Mountain Goat Lodge. Renie sees this as an opportunity to obtain future service contracts from the VIPs attending the meeting.

As typically happens to Renie's plans, something inevitably goes wrong. While a snowstorm strands everyone at the lodge, someone begins to kill the attendees. Renie and Judith do not need a soothsayer to realize that they better uncover the identity of the murderer before they too become victims.

The number thirteen (as in books in this series) proves lucky for the warm bed and breakfast Flynn mystery cozies. The lead protagonist and her insanely eccentric family remain fresh and intriguing, while the story line is humorously wacky due to the misadventures of Flynn and family. Though the who-done-it is a bit simpler than readers expect from this best-selling series, SNOW PLACE TO DIE remains a fun to read B&B mystery that will excite fans of the sub-genre.

Harriet Klausner

Judith McMonigle Flynn has been so successful with her Seattle-based Hillside Manor Bed and Breakfast, she is strongly thinking of shutting down her catering service. However, Judith failed to share her thoughts with her nutty cousin Renie, who without consulting her, arranges for Judith to cater the Overland Telecommunications and Information Organization of Systems Engineers Conference being held at the nearby Mountain Goat Lodge. Renie sees this as an opportunity to obtain future service contracts from the VIPs attending the meeting.

As typically happens to Renie's plans, something inevitably goes wrong. While a snowstorm strands everyone at the lodge, someone begins to kill the attendees. Renie and Judith do not need a soothsayer to realize that they better uncover the identity of the murderer before they too become victims.

The number thirteen (as in books in this series) proves lucky for the warm bed and breakfast Flynn mystery cozies. The lead protagonist and her insanely eccentric family remain fresh and intriguing, while the story line is humorously wacky due to the misadventures of Flynn and family. Though the who-done-it is a bit simpler than readers expect from this best-selling series, SNOW PLACE TO DIE remains a fun to read B&B mystery that will excite fans of the sub-genre.

Harriet Klausner

I did not particulary enjoy this book. I thought that too many characters were included which made the plot hard to follow. I really did not understand why the murderer comitted the crime. Usually while reading a mystery, I can't wait to find out what happens next and the book keeps me on the edge of my seat. Reading this book turned into a chore after awhile. I don't think I will buy a Mary Daheim book again because of the poor plot of Snow Place To Die.