I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Spring Upon a Crime
by M.L. Erdahl
Series: Seattle Wilderness Mystery #2
Series Rating:
Published by The Wild Rose Press on January 13, 2021
Genres: Cozy Mystery
Pages: 294
Format: Kindle
Goodreads
BookBub
Get Your Copy at: Amazon, Book Depository
Also in this series: Winter Takes All
Wilderness guide Crystal Rainey leads a group of college students to a private campground amidst the awe-inspiring Olympic Rain Forest. The excursion is ruined when the charming hostess Roxie is discovered standing over the land owner's body, murder weapon in hand. Enlisted to investigate the crime to absolve her friend, Crystal descends on the quiet city of Forks to find loggers, developers, and eco-protesters circling the property, intent on either exploiting or protecting the bastion of old-growth forest. The list of suspects is intimidating. Can Crystal find answers in a community determined to keep her in the dark?
Spring Upon a Crime by ML Erdahl is a wonderful mystery with loyalty, friendship, and a touch of romance.
Will Crystal save Roxy from a life in prison?
Crystal
Our wilderness guide/sleuth is getting better at being a guide and sleuth. She has come into her own and is figuring out her place on the team of guides. Crystal and Conner are moving forward with their relationship. Things are going well for Crystal. She is happy, and things are just getting better.
We see some big character development with Crystal in this installment. Even when things are going nuts, she is mentally getting stronger. I like watching her growth and self-esteem get better.
The Mystery
The owner of most of the camp properties that ECO Adventures use for their outings is murdered. Roxie, the beloved chef at all the Baranhof properties, is accused of killing her boss for an inheritance that she didn’t know she would be getting. With the assistance of Crystal, Olivia, and Suzy, they set out to find out what is really happening in Forks, Washington. She is pretty sure it doesn’t have anything to do with werewolves or vampires. Yet, she has loggers, developers, and environmentalists in her suspect pool.
The mystery is well put together and enjoyable. There are a few red herrings and misleading clues. Yet, it all comes together in the end with a nice wrap-up.
Five Stars
My rating for Spring Upon a Crime by ML Erdahl is five stars. I love the setting; the Olympic Peninsula is always so beautiful. The author nails the different groups living there with accuracy. The characters are superb, and the relationship growths between the characters are lovely. I look forward to the next installment in this cozy mystery series. If you haven’t read the first one, I highly recommend both Winter Takes All and Spring Upon a Crime.
First Book in Series
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Spring Upon a Crime by M.L. Erdahl.
Until the next time,
About M.L. Erdahl
ML Erdahl lives amidst the trees of the Pacific Northwest, where he pens humorous cozy mystery novels set in the wilderness he has spent his lifetime exploring. The only thing slowing him down is when his adorable rescue dogs, Skip and Daisy, demand to be petted and cuddled on his lap while he types. When he’s not wandering the mountains, you can find him gardening, reading, or searching for the best coffee in Seattle with his wife, Emily.
Thank you so much for the lovely review! I grew up on the Olympic Peninsula and was excited to bring my old stomping grounds to life in a book. I’m so happy people are enjoying it as much as I enjoyed writing it.