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Solid Gold Murder book tour includes an author interview and a giveaway at the end of this post. Share, subscribe, shop, and comment to earn points in the August competition.
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Book Details
Solid Gold Murder (Golden Motel Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting – California
Publisher : Kensington Cozies
Publication date : July 29, 2025
Print length : 272 pages
ISBN-10 : 1496745388
ISBN-13 : 978-1496745385
Digital ASIN : B0DLR3TVJP
Dee Stern’s Golden Motel-of-the-Mountains promises a tranquil getaway for outdoor lovers in
the scenic Californian village of Foundgold. But when Dee accidentally triggers a modern
gold rush, she suddenly turns her peaceful retreat into a hotspot for mayhem and murder . . .
With the summer season looming, former Hollywood sitcom writer Dee Stern has one small
goal—scrubbing her motel’s unflattering moniker as the “Murder Motel.” Dee and ex-husband-
turned-business-partner Jeff Cornetta are excited to introduce a family-friendly panning activity
complete with fool’s gold just in time for the peak tourist months. Except neither could have
anticipated the discovery of a real gold nugget or the ensuing social media frenzy. In a flash, the
viral sensation draws grizzled prospectors, wide-eyed adventurers, and trend-chasing thrill
seekers to the abandoned mines scattered around the woods . . .
The instant popularity proves great for business, but it also attracts a group of out-of-touch
Silicon Valley techies with dreams of striking it rich—again. Dee finds herself particularly
annoyed by the insufferably smug Sylvan Burr, a retired CEO who sold his startup before age 30
and won’t let anyone forget it. But things take a sinister turn when Sylvan meets a grim fate at
the bottom of a mineshaft, leaving Dee at the center of a deadly mystery that could end her days
as a motelier. And while Sylvan had plenty of enemies, Dee suddenly faces adversaries rooting
against her own success. Now, with her life and the future of the Golden Motel hanging by a
thread, Dee must unearth a minefield of suspects and outwit a greedy killer before she finally
digs herself too deep . . .
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/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellenbyronmariadirico/
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
Ellen Byron Author Interview
What is your favorite part of this book and why?
I love that I got to translate my own experience of trying to develop projects in Hollywood into
Dee’s struggle to maintain the integrity of her Bud the Bear cartoons.
If you could spend time with a character from your book who would it be?
And what would you do during that day? I want to say Bud the Bear but that’s taking a chance, lol! You know what, I’d love to spend time with Ma’am. We’d spend the day exploring the inner and hidden reaches of the wilds surrounding the Golden Motel. I’d learn from her about what greens and flora are safe to eat and what aren’t, and she could show me spectacular sights and vistas only she would know of as a backwoodswoman.
What books/authors have most inspired you?
I never stop being inspired by Agatha Christie. She was a true genius. I’m also endlessly inspired by
Wuthering Heights, although Heathcliff’s cruel behavior doesn’t stand up to present-day scrutiny. Still, I never tire of the fierce and spectacular passion in Emily Bronte’s writing.
Are your characters based off real people or did they all come entirely from your imagination?
Guess who burned-out sitcom writer and protagonist Dee Stern is based on? That’s right, me! Aside from that, the characters are from my imagination but some have a glimmer of a connection to real people. Obnoxious 28-year-old tech billionaire Sylvan Burr was inspired by the way-too-many young tech billionaires in the zeitgeist right now. It was a pleasure having him meet his unpleasant fate!
What made you want to become a writer?
I didn’t start as a writer. I was trained as an actress. But since I fell between “types,” I proved hard to
cast, so I decided to write a play to act in with my friends. It never made it to the stage but my love of writing quickly outpaced my interest in acting, although I did comedy improv for years as I simultaneously pursued my writing career.
Purchase Links
Amazon – Kensington – Bookshop.org – B&N – Hudson Books – Target –
Walmart
Giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveawayTOUR PARTICIPANTS
July 30 – The Plain-Spoken Pen – REVIEW – RECIPE
July 31 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – REVIEW
August 1 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT
August 1 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT
August 2 – The Mystery of Writing – CHARACTER GUEST POST
August 3 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW
August 3 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
August 4 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT
August 4 – Sarah Can’t Stop Reading Books – REVIEW
August 5 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
August 5 – Sarandipity’s – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
August 6 – Salty Inspirations – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
August 6 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW
August 7 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
August 7 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT
August 8 – View from the Birdhouse – REVIEW
August 9 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – AUTHOR GUEST POST
August 9 – Elizabeth McKenna – Author – SPOTLIGHT
August 10 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
