All Aboard for Murder - A Review & Giveaway

Review

ALL ABOARD FOR MURDER by Ellen Byron
The Third Golden Motel Mystery 

 

The towns of Foundgold and Goldsgone are celebrating the birthday of Angus Sprockles, the man who made the area a historic site. Festivities begin with the opening of a time capsule with the big event being the Sprockles Railroad Halloween-themed fundraiser for the Historical Society featuring former child star Dougie Keefer. After a wonderful event the last of the organizers are ready to take the train ride back only to find Moses Sprockles dead on the track. With murky jurisdiction, multiple law enforcement agencies soon descend upon the scene. Dee Stern, former screenwriter and new motelier is more than happy to leave this murder to the professionals. That is until her dad asks her to investigate the death of his friend. Did the murder have something to do with the silver spike from the time capsule? Or perhaps something related to Moses' work as a notary? With the Golden Motel once again associated with murder Dee and her partner, Jeff, will don their sleuthing hats and try to solve another murder. 

 

It's fun being back in Foundgold, California, especially during Halloween time. I love how Dee, her father, and Jeff really get into the spirit of things, helping families make memories, and bringing back old time fun. Like Dee, I can't stand the concept of influencers. And we have a few annoying ones here. In fact, there are plenty of shifty characters, along with favorite regulars. I'm especially fond of Ma'am and Mr. Ma'am and loved how Serena showed a decided edge. No trophy wife, she has smarts, a strong backbone, and is not someone with whom to trifle! I also love Bud, the bear.

 

In addition to murder, the third Golden Motel Mystery gives readers some relationship drama. Despite unpleasant changes there are hints of something special on the horizon, and plenty of laughs as well. The mystery was interesting with several suspects, the aforementioned shifty characters, red herrings. and very real threats, all which kept me interested and engaged.

 

Railroad aficionados, fans of the Old West, and anyone who enjoys a well written novel with unique characters will enjoy ALL ABOARD FOR MURDER, a fun Halloween themed mystery. 

 

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 All Aboard for Murder (A Golden Motel Mystery) by Ellen Byron

About All Aboard for Murder

All Aboard for Murder (A Golden Motel Mystery)
Cozy Mystery 3rd in Series
Setting - California
Publisher: ‎ Kensington Cozies
Publication Date: ‎ July 28, 2026
Print Length: ‎ 288 pages

Dee Stern is starting to feel at home running her Golden Motel in the quaint California village she moved to, leaving behind her LA life as a sitcom writer. But a killer sees the town’s Halloween celebration as a golden opportunity to write a script for murder . . .

It’s October in Gold Rush country and all manner of tricks and treats are happening in the lead-up to Halloween. October also happens to be the birthday of Angus Sprockles, the man responsible for the town being designated a historic landmark, and the residents are celebrating his memory as well. His only living descendant, Moses Sprockles, runs the narrow-gauge railroad—once used to ferry lumber from the mountains to the sawmill, now a tourist attraction. The Sprockles Railroad is hosting a Halloween-themed fundraiser for the Historical Society.

But when a body is found on the tracks, it’s not a Halloween prank. It’s Moses himself, seemingly felled by a fallen tree branch. Dee’s dad Sam is convinced his friend is the victim of foul play and urges his daughter to apply her sleuthing skills. Dee’s train of thought leads her to suspects ranging from a former child star and one-hit wonder, the owner of a nail salon with her claws in everything, and even the mayor. When a self-proclaimed ghost hunter throws his hat in the ring and claims to know who did it, the investigation really goes off the rails. No matter how crazy things get, Dee is determined to blow the whistle on a runaway killer with a one-track mind.

About Ellen Byron

Ellen is a bestselling author, Anthony nominee, and recipient of multiple Agatha and Lefty awards for her Cajun Country Mysteries, Vintage Cookbook Mysteries, Catering Hall Mysteries (as Maria DiRico), and Golden Motel Mysteries. She is also an award-winning playwright and non-award-winning writer of TV hits like Wings, Just Shoot Me, and Fairly OddParents, but considers her most impressive achievement working as a cater-waiter for Martha Stewart.

A native New Yorker, Ellen is a graduate of Tulane University and lives in the Los Angeles area with her husband, daughter, and a rotating crew of rescue pups. Visit her at http://www.ellenbyron.com/.

Author Links: 

Newsletter: https://www.ellenbyron.com/  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ellenbyronauthor/ https://www.facebook.com/CateringHallMysteries/  

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BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/ellen-byron https://www.bookbub.com/authors/maria-dirico

Goodreads: Ellen Byron (Author of Plantation Shudders) | Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19130966.Maria_DiRico  

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