The author of Scene of the Climb is back with another Pacific Northwest Mystery!
The Blurb
After talking her way into a job writing for Portland’s Northwest Extreme magazine, Meg Reed may now really be in over her head. Actually, about 8,000 feet over her head. . .
She’s at Mount Hood’s remote Silcox Hut, covering the seriously hardcore Ridge Rangers —Oregon’s elite high-altitude rescue team — during their four-day winter training. Sure, Meg beefed up her outdoor skills over the summer . . . but she’s still hoping to cover the event with some hot chocolate by the cheery fireplace. Then, during a sudden blizzard, she swears she hears gunshots. No one stranded in the hut believes her . . . until self-absorbed Ridge Ranger Ben Rogers is found outside in a pool of frozen blood. Meg’s now got to find this killer quickly . . . before cabin fever does them all in!
Slayed on the Slopes by Kate Dyer-Seeley
Series: A Pacific Northwest Mystery, #2
Series: A Pacific Northwest Mystery, #2
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Publication Date: March 31, 2015
Publisher: Kensington Publishing
Paperback: 304 pages
ISBN-10: 1617730009
ISBN-13: 978-1617730009
eBook File Size: 1352 KB
ASIN: B00OEW7562
Amazon | B&N | IndieBound | Book Depository | Kobo | Goodreads
Don't miss out on the first book, Scene of the Climb, available now!
Goodreads | Amazon | B&N
Library Journal —
Publisher: Kensington Publishing
Paperback: 304 pages
ISBN-10: 1617730009
ISBN-13: 978-1617730009
eBook File Size: 1352 KB
ASIN: B00OEW7562
Amazon | B&N | IndieBound | Book Depository | Kobo | Goodreads
~ ~ ~
Goodreads | Amazon | B&N
Praise For Scene Of The Climb
Library Journal —
A splendid overview of the greater Portland and Columbia River Gorge region, perfect for travel buffs. Her protagonist shows promise with her determined attitude and moxie.
Includes Adventure Guides!
The Excerpt
“Your grandmother has some smooth moves.” Matt finished his steak and gave me a little bow. “Wanna go give it a whirl?”
I caught Jill’s eye. Her body was rigid, and not from her Pilates practice. She forced a smile and told me to go.
Matt led me to the floor, clutching my hand in his. It felt good. Too good. The band played Etta James’ “At Last.” He pulled me close, wrapping his arms around the emerald green satin on my waist.
I’m not sure if it was the melodic sounds of the band, the glow of a wedding, the candlelight, the cedar scent of Matt’s aftershave on my cheek, but I forgot about Jill, my head and Ben’s death, as Matt held me and we swayed in rhythm to the music.
Time faded away in his arms. Everything felt normal, steady and blissfully off center at the same time. Matt gently stroked my hair as we circled the dance floor. I rested my head on his warm chest. When the music stopped, he didn’t release me. Instead he placed his hands on both my cheeks and bent his face toward mine.
He tilted my chin. His eyes looked at me with a longing that I’d never seen before. I sucked in air. This was it. He was going to kiss me.
My heart pounded. I wondered if he could feel it beating on his chest.
Just as he inched his face closer to mine, a loud crash echoed throughout the room. He dropped his hands from my face as we both swung toward the sound.
Malory stood a few feet away. She was covered in red sauce. A large, silver tray had splattered by her feet. Wait staff scurried with rags and a bucket of water to clean up the mess. Malory glared at Jackson who escaped the mess. He grabbed napkins from a nearby table and began dabbing Malory.
She pushed him off and stormed out, leaving a trail of red streaks on the floor behind her. Jackson bent over to help clean up her mess.
Matt broke the silence. “What do you think that was all about?” His face had returned to normal. Our moment had been lost.
“Bridezilla.”
Matt chuckled. “The Lifestyle editor is doing a feature on bridezillas. I should hook her up.”
“Malory’s textbook from what I’ve seen so far. You should.”
The band began to play again. Couples crowded the dance floor around us.
Matt cracked his knuckles. “I could use another drink. You?”
I felt a twinge of regret that he didn’t ask me for another dance. “Sure.” I followed him from the floor. He didn’t take my hand this time.
As we wound our way back to the table, we passed by the sheriff and Gam. She intentionally bumped her hip into mine.
“Margaret! Isn’t this the best?” The lines around her eyes crinkled deeper as she beamed at me.
“I’m glad you’re having fun, Gam.” I squeezed her hand.
She squeezed mine back. I started to pull away, but she stopped me. “Margaret, what’s wrong?”
How did she know?
The Review
I read a really good book recently, y'all! Let me tell you a little about it.
Slayed on the Slopes, a cozy mystery by Kate Dyer-Seeley, is the second book in the Pacific Northwest Mystery series, after Scene of the Climb. Slayed on the Slopes was a quick read for me, because author Kate Dyer-Seeley captured my attention immediately with her fast-moving, interesting plot and likable, realistic characters. Meg Reed, the main character and narrator, is my favorite; I like her sense of humor. I also like Meg's BFF Jill, and their good friend Matt.
The majority of Slayed on the Slopes takes place on Oregon's Mt Hood [yes, on the slopes]. The imagery is well done. As I read it, I could almost feel the frigid air of the blizzard, and smell the fragrant fir and pine trees. And reading about all the enticing meals Lola served in Wilcox Hut (aka "Oregon's highest hotel room") made me hungry!
I have some favorite spoiler-free quotes [redacted for your protection], in addition to the almost-kiss passage in the excerpt:
When I woke the next morning, I felt like I'd hit the ground from four stories up. Oh, wait, I had.
He kept his arm around my shoulder.... Having him so close to my body was an instant relaxant. Was that a bad sign? Whenever Greg was in close proximity I fumbled my words and felt my heart beating out of my chest. With Matt it was the opposite. I could feel the tension I'd been holding in my body melt away in his arms.
Posting a photo of my broken arm after a weekend of training with Ridge Rangers led to an epic online chat with many of our followers. I felt like a real adventurer. So maybe I omitted a few minor details.
I'd seen her smile once at Greg, and when she relaxed she was actually quite pretty. This wasn't one of those times.
Slayed on the Slopes is the follow-up to Scene of the Climb. In Scene of the Climb, you learn how and why Meg talks her way into a job writing for Portland's Northwest Extreme magazine. In each book, there is a murder related to the subjects of Meg's magazine article; this murder is solved by the end of the book. There is also an ongoing mystery in the series, personal to Meg, and cliffhanger endings regarding this series mystery. Because of this, I recommend the books should be read in order. Both are Four Kitty reads!
Slayed on the Slopes by Kate Dyer-Seeley is a really good, really fun read! I recommend it to all Cozy Mystery fans, especially to fans of outdoor adventure (real or fictional), and rate it at Four out of Five Kitties. The third book in the series will be released early next year, per Kate's website. I can't wait!
Note: I received complimentary copies of Slayed on the Slopes and Scene of the Climb from the author and CBB Book Promotions,
in exchange for an honest review of Slayed on the Slopes. All opinions are 100% my own.
in exchange for an honest review of Slayed on the Slopes. All opinions are 100% my own.
The Author
About Kate Dyer-Seeley
Kate Dyer-Seeley writes the Pacific Northwest Mystery Series for Kensington Publishing. The first book in the series, Scene of the Climb, features the rugged landscapes of the Columbia River Gorge and a young journalist who bills herself as an intrepid adventurer in order to land a gig writing for Northwest Extreme.
Her work has appeared in a variety of regional and international publications including: The Columbian, The Vancouver Voice, Seattle Backpacker, Portland Family Magazine, and Climbing Magazine.
Kate lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and son, where you can find her hitting the trail, at an artisan coffee shop, or at her favorite pub. Better yet — at all three.
Find her on the web at
The Giveaway
Kate will award a Winter warmer package
— signed copies of Slayed on the Slopes and Scene of the Climb, Ghirardelli Double Chocolate
Hot Chocolate Mix, Oregon Chai Tea, 1 Pound of Coffee, and Collectable Mt. Hood art coaster —
to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Open to US addresses only.
— signed copies of Slayed on the Slopes and Scene of the Climb, Ghirardelli Double Chocolate
Hot Chocolate Mix, Oregon Chai Tea, 1 Pound of Coffee, and Collectable Mt. Hood art coaster —
to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Open to US addresses only.
Ends April 27, 2015
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