Innkeeping with Murder

Alex Winston loves his Hatteras West Inn & Lighthouse, inherited from his father. But it's touch-and-go with his expenses at times, and his housekeeper, emotional at the best of times, just quit. Finding the body of his longtime friend and annual guest dead at the top of his lighthouse was icing on the cake. When the rest of his guests start checking out - of the inn, that is - Alex's woes increase. He's got to find the murderer before things can get worse - and not fall for his new housekeeper like every other man in town. A pleasant cozy with twists and descriptive scenery that makes you want to book a room

As a mystery author with my debut novel in its initial release, I enjoyed this debut effort by Tim Myers. Set in the Blue Ridge Mountains at the Hatteras West Inn, INNKEEPING WITH MURDER is an unapologetic cozy. Alex Winston operates this struggling bed and breakfast. His B & B needs constant maintenance and many more guests. He does have a lovely maid named Elise, but unfortunately, a one of his few paying customers ends up murdered at the top of the lighthouse. As the experienced reader expects, the police can't get their act together so Alex and Elise launch their own investigation. Guess who solves the crime? INNKEEPING WITH MURDER is a breezy read and an entertaining book. I'm eagerly awaiting the next book in this series, wondering how Alex will keep his inn in business with dead bodies constantly popping up there.

Innkeeper Alex Winston has inherited this quite unique inn tucked in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. The quirky local characters remind me of those in Pickax (setting of Braun's Cat Who series). It was a quick read, and although the solution was obvious to me from early on, enough red herrings were thrown along the way to keep one second-guessing. I look forward to my next visit to Hatteras West. A promising new series.

I thought the book was great! It was fun and quick to read. It totally kept me interested. I look forward to his next book. If you are a fan of the "Murder, She Wrote" books then you will love this one. Good Job!

At the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Elkton Falls, North Carolina is the Hatteras West Inn and Lighthouse. The reason for the lighthouse, a replica of the more famous one on the coast, is part of the family heritage of current owner Alex Winston. However, Alex has doubts that he can financially survive much longer as innkeeper.Alex soon has a new problem to face when someone murders long time returning guest and friend Reg Wellington Sr. with an ice pick to the neck at the top of the lighthouse. Adding to Alex's woes is that his maid quit though she sends her more competent cousin Elise to replace her. Alex realizes that no one wants to stay at a temporary lodging facility where an unsolved homicide occurs even if several individuals say otherwise. Rather than wait for the Sheriff to solve the case, Alex investigates feeling that the killer might strike again.INNKEEPING WITH MURDER is an entertaining amateur sleuth tale. The plot works because the key cast seems so authentic they make readers feel that they are visiting the Blue Ridge foothills. The story line is fun as a worried Alex searches for a killer, struggles with avoiding bankruptcy, and begins to fall in love all in one novel. Tim Myers provides the audience with a wonderful regional mystery that will have readers re-booking for future stays at the Hatteras West Inn and Lighthouse.Harriet Klausner