Winter Takes All

Seattle Wilderness Mystery #1

by M.L. Erdahl

Crystal Rainey is aghast when she realizes her new year's resolutions haven't changed one whit from the previous year. Wanting to escape a future as dreary as a Pacific Northwest winter, she walks out on her dead-end office job, despite her tenuous savings account.
Stumbling across a job opening posted by a wilderness guide outfit, an intrigued Crystal bluffs her way into the position. With handsome fellow guide, the stalwart Conner Oakes, she leads a corporate retreat on a snowshoe hike to a majestic alpine chalet.
But when the company's detestable owner turns up dead in the snow, she fears her new life and budding romance slipping away. She finally has something worth fighting for and is determined to solve the murder and grab her chance at happiness before it's too late.

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery

264 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 23, 2019

About the author

Award-winning 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.

Reviews

[Sabine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two of my favourites meet, the great outdoors and murder and then a bit of romance added to the mix. Of course I was having a great time reading this mystery. I hope this will be a long going series.
English being my second language I also very much appreciated that the author used some more uncommon words or phrases every now and then. This added an extra perk for me.

[N.N. Heaven · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is nothing much better in the world for me than an incredibly well written cozy mystery that combines romance and sleuthing. This book was a pleasure to read.



I immediately loved Crystal and the relationship with Conner was superbly written. The mystery was a true homage to the classic pot boiler, and it will keep readers guessing.



Compelling at times, heart warming, funny, romantic, and intense. The detail of the outdoor scenes was written with great realism.



Indulging in this book is like opening a great box of chocolates and settling down under a blanket with the one you love. A book I can't recommend highly enough.



My Rating: 5+ stars



Reviewed by: Mr. N



This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/si...

[Stanley McShane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crystal Rainey cut out on her dead-end office job and answered an ad for a wilderness guide. Thank heaven Conner knows what he is doing and as head guide is quick to see a green-horn when he sees one, but hey, she has potential and she's adorable. On the first outing, however, this corporate retreat snowshoe hike to an alpine chalet might present more than one challenge. What about the owner's death? True, he was a creep of the first order. Still, his body is out there, frozen. And not an accident. She must solve the murder before this whole dream becomes a nightmare. Go back to that other job? 9-5? Nope!

The thing about cozy mysteries, however, is that there is so much plausible deniability. Swallow your disbelief that a clerical city job employee could bluff her way through the interview, and having been hired by a head-hunter frantically trying to fill a vacancy, would prepare her physically for hiking in sub-zero temps loaded with heavy clothing. Or handling snowshoes. Connor too quickly steps up as a romantic interest--but how was he not married with six kids already? He's cute and more than a little macho. And that the cops lack of serious interest in a remote area murder of an international corporate bigwig would have allowed an amateur sleuth to interrogate interview suspects or have the wherewithal to research corporate employees is also a bit of a stretch.

Crystal is an engaging character with whom it's easy to follow in her innate fresh naiveté persona that she has turned into a bulldog. In the meantime, if you are looking for a cozy with a whole different backdrop, descriptive and inviting winter mountain activities and engaging characters, Erdahl has captured that with an entertaining book you'll keep reading just for the sweet factor alone. It's a fun and fast cozy mystery and one I'll be glad to recommend. I was given this audiobook download by the author (thank you!) in exchange for a review and that in no way influenced my opinion. You'll enjoy this one.

See my full review at https://rosepointpublishing.com/2020/...

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book and everything about it! It was so refreshing that the main character and the guy she liked hit it off, and there was no friction or conflict between them like so many other cozies have written in. It was just the perfect balance of a little romance and a great cozy mystery in a super fun setting that I'll probably only ever be visiting via books. But it was easy to imagine the awesome chalet and the quiet snowy scenery.

Crystal was a great main character. She was young, but she had herself together and finally knew what she wanted out of life, which wasn't to spend the rest of her days cooped up in a cubicle answering to a nasty boss. I loved how she handled herself during the exciting showdown. She wasn't quite prepared for what was happening, but she sure did the best with what she had available!

I'm really anxious to continue reading in this series. I hope that things stay great between Connor and Crystal. Not only do they sound like a cute couple, but they sleuth well together!

I voluntarily read and reviewed and ARC of this book, and my opinions are my own.

[WeLoveBigBooksAndWeCannotLie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished the cutest little murder mystery book EVER! The main character, Crystal, thinks she can solve a murder solely based on the fact that she has read many murder mystery books and can surely figure it out...HELLO?!? This is TOTALLY ME🤣 I could not put this book down! Crystal is loving her new career as a wilderness guide when on her first trip, one of her customers winds up dead. She can’t bare the thought of going back into the corporate world while waiting for the case to clear, so she takes it upon herself to solve it herself! This is a lighthearted and fun mystery to read. There are no scary parts and it is entertaining the whole way through! Thank you so much to ML Erdahl for sending us a copy of your book! We love to support authors, especially local ones! We can’t wait to read more!

[Marie (IfCatsCouldRead) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Winter Mystery

I loved reading about our local area. The main character Crystal is very relatable and admirable. The light romance was fun as well as the exciting danger Crystal encounters. I thought I had it all figured out at the beginning but I was wrong! Can't wait to read the sequel!

[Jessi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Crystal Rainey starts every year with a list of new resolutions. This year, she creates her list and then accidentally opens her list from the year before. They are eerily similar. A year ago, she was in the exact same place. So she pulls a Jerry Maguire and quits everything. Too bad she actually needs money to live. So she bluffs her way into a job with an outdoor company. And her first trip's co-guide, Connor is pretty cute. Too bad the guests are fairly unpleasant and then, of course, one of them dies from means that seem less than natural. Crystal inexplicably decides that she should investigate the death and inserts herself right in, almost getting killed.
I could not get sympathetic to Crystal. She lies about her experience as an outdoor guide and, having worked with outdoor guides and knowing how easy it is for things to go wrong, it made me very hard for me to suspend my disbelief that everything would be "just fine." For other readers, this may not be a problem but it dropped my reading experience down a star. I also have less patience than I used to for well-meaning characters bumbling into an investigation but thinking that they are "helping."There are too many crime TV and podcast shows out there that mention that you should never mess with evidence and Crystal seemed like the type of character that would devour those shows.

[Lori Leaf · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thoughts: I read cozies for pure entertainment and in my opinion a good cozy murder includes: 
Amateur sleuther
Great setting
Lovable Characters
G rated Romance

This book met all of those requirements and managed to do it set against the Cascade Mountains and Seattle, WA. I loved this change of pace from the normal bakery or other food related setting cozies so often have. So clever! While there were a few things I did not like (an inexperienced, non certified person being hired as a guide and the lack of police investigation) I overall just loved this book. I love the relationship that Conner and Crystal have; from their questionable beginning to questioning things about the incident to their budding relationship. They work well together and I can't wait to see what develops. The mystery was well laid out with plenty of suspects. It wasn't until almost the end that I was pretty sure who did it. 

[D.V. Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I may have found my new favorite genre.

The mystery genre is not my normal go to, but. I was looking for something different. I'm so glad I did.
ML Erdahl set the scene very well for this winter in the Northwest whodunnit.
The main character, Crystal is a risk taker. Her decision to hit reset on her life is admirable. Determination and guts take her along on a bumpy and dangerous ride.
The author kept me guessing until the end about who the bad guy was.
I will definitely keep my eyes open for the next book and maybe have even found my new favorite genre.
Well done.

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the first part of this book better than the rest, when it turned from a feel good change of life story to a murder mystery. The murder mystery part feels a bit awkward. I liked the main person and Connor, they are the more fully developed characters in the story while the rest are not as developed or pleasant. The ending as to who the murderer is was good, I didn't guess it. #WinterTakesAll #NetGalley

[J.M. Spade · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved reading this cozy classic! I appreciated that the main characters didn't have all this distaste for each other like in some romance novels and instead, the mystery served as the catalyst to keep the reader hooked - which kept me guessing way more than a standard romance! I loved it!

[Mona williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a first read of yours i read and i really liked it! she finds a new job. only to have a owner die. now she thinks something doesnt add up and he could have been murdered. read to find out what happens.

[Jim Thomsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

On one level, WINTER TAKES ALL accomplishes exactly what it sets out to do. It presents a heroine we can like and sympathize with, it offers an appealing window into Seattle and the Cascade Mountains , and it keeps the pages turning as Crystal Rainey struggles with her finances, her love life, her intrusive parents, her finances, and her inability to find employment that's passably enjoyable, sustainable and stable — not to mention the mystery of who murdered a prominent Seattle businessman during her first outing as a guide for an outdoors adventure company. All good stuff, and all passably enjoyable.

The problem is, I didn't quite believe any of it. One thing cozy mysteries seem to struggle with, and only some successfully, is creating a plausible pretext for the amateur sleuth to investigate a murder. For that to happen, readers must believe that the sleuth is operating in a vacuum plausibly vacated by law enforcement, and that the sleuth somehow has access to places and people relevant to the investigation that the proper authorities do not. And, unfortunately, WINTER TAKES ALL, as winsomely written as it is, has plausibility problems all over the place:

-- I don't believe that Crystal, who has no experiences as a hiking guide, could get hired to be one by a credible company. Her lack of a resumé and references, not to mention her lack of knowledge of the guide's vocabulary and the area, would have been exposed in minutes by any credible interviewer. And, if not then, then then the minute she strapped on showshoes. (Learning to tramp around inside a home for a few hours the day before in showshoes is not remotely comparable to knowing how to tramp through high snow in the wild, nor is cramming online for the same period of time a passable substitute for knowledge of the area and its hazards.)

— And why is it OK for Crystal to have lied in her effort to get the guide job? She explains this, later, as best as she can, but I still don't believe it. Pretending to know what she doesn't know about such a potentially dangerous activity could, and likely would, put the lives of her charges in grave danger. Just because she gets to follow the lead of Conner, the more experienced fellow guide, doesn't wallpaper that over. I really found myself unable to forgive her this callous deception. And I can't believe Conner, however warm for her form he might be, would forgive it either when he learns the truth about Crystal's deception. Professional pride in what he does should have made him angry.

-- I didn't believe that the handsome Conner just happened to be single, straight, magically unencumbered, and attracted to Crystal, especially after he learned about her lies. The outdoors scene is a wild one — lots of smoking weed, drinking hard, hooking up. Does he seriously not do any of that, nor have any complications resulting from that? He isn't besieged nonstop in the store and on the hikes by snow bunnies and women looking for bedroom adventure as well as outdoor adventure? No infatuated or jealous exes hanging around? I don't believe it. (Also, one of the weak spots in WINTER TAKES ALL is the lack of complication in the romance between Crystal and Conner. A good mystery should generate mysteries, especially when there's lots of ready-made material to draw from. Why isn't Crystal having to compete with another women for Conner's attention? Why isn't Conner under suspicion in the murder, if only as a red herring? Why isn't he bothered by her lies?

— I didn't believe that Crystal was the only one able and willing to investigate the murder. I didn't believe that the suspicious death of a creative and business visionary of international renown would be such a low priority for the King County Sheriff's Office that they'd assign the case to an inexperienced and indifferent detective who quickly disappears from the story after a perfunctory scene. Not remotely plausible.

— I didn't believe that Crystal could get all the suspects to open up about themselves and their long-concealed animosities. People are more guarded than that, even when they're drunk or blinded by rage, especially with relative strangers. That, and someone at some point should have challenged her on her lack of plausible standing to ask such intrusive questions, one after another. In a few cases I believed she could get innocent people to open up, but she's not exactly subtle, and anybody with anything to hide would have been suspicious of her nonstop probing and either shut down — or shut her down.

I don't mean to be too harsh. Author M.E. Erdahl has clearly studied the cozy-mysteries genre, has great affection for it, executes his entry into it with considerable skill, and his great affection for it can found on every page. WINTER TAKES ALL is a work of considerable charm, and at times I found myself wanting to be less critical in the face of such implacable goodness. But disbelief cannot be overpowered by a charm offensive. I will read Erdahl's next Crystal Rainey mystery, and I will do so hoping that I can believe what happens within it. Because that will only add to its charms.

[ColleenSC (colleenallbooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series stars Crystal, a Seattle woman who is starting a new job as a wilderness guide. When a man dies on her first trip, she is desperate to solve his murder and save her job.

Here’s what I enjoyed about this book:

-Sense of Place - ML includes specific details about Seattle, from neighborhoods to restaurants to significant nature spots. I really had a clear sense of the book’s setting. Also, the wilderness sounds beautiful. I have read a few books set in Washington this month. I think the Pacific Northwest is calling me!

-A Budding Relationship that is Supportive, not Antagonistic - Cozy mystery fans know the common trope of the main character’s love interest being a police officer and/or being angry that she is sleuthing. In this book, Crystal’s new beau is helping her and she is honest with him about what she is doing. This was a refreshing change, and their relationship was really cute!

-Sympathetic main character - Sometimes in cozy mysteries I just shake my head at the main character’s antics. But in this book, I really felt for Crystal. She has spent years in a miserable job and desperately wants to do something that fuels her passion. Her emotions came across as authentic and relatable.

One aspect of the book confused me. In the first half of the book, instead of being in chronological order, major plot points were told through flashbacks as a character relayed info to another character. I found this confusing and I didn’t really see the purpose of this technique.

I am planning on reading to the next book soon; I am looking forward to seeing what happens to Crystal (and her romance) next!

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stuck in her same ol, same ol life and finding un-fulfillment- Crystal changes her life in every way possible, only to get the brakes pumped on her new life which she has quickly fallen' in love with - due to a death on her very first outdoor adventure as a guide. Is the death an accident as assumed or more. Crazy meets crazy in the group she leads on this adventure and they only come out as more crazy the more Crystal spends time with them in the hopes of getting back to her dream job. Will she be able to conclude this was all just a big accident...or discover a murderer?

A well written cozy mystery that is fun to read / listen to. I enjoyed the narration but found the voice tone change when "speaking" a male part somewhat distracting since it's the same tone for all the male characters. Regardless the narration was still VERY good! The characters like I said above were crazy for the most part but I really enjoyed the dynamic they added to the storyline - which flowed very well thru out. I loved the romantic vibes between Crystal and Jake and hope more comes from this. I also loved Crystal's parents. Overall a fun and entertaining mystery with great twists and surprising who done it and HEA..

This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
*this review is based on the audio version of this read

[Susie Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

Winter Takes All is a well-written cozy mystery with likable main characters. Crystal Rainey realizes that she made the same unfulfilled New Year’s resolution as the prior year to leave the dead-end job she hates and decides to take action. Despite her financial responsibilities, she quits her job without having another one. A lover of the outdoors, the Seattle native fudges her experience on her resume and is improbably hired for her dream job as a wilderness guide for Emerald City Outfitters. Crystal scrambles to purchase the equipment she needs and study up on the tasks she is expected to perform.
While on her first assignment with fellow guide Connor, one of their guests goes missing. The guest is later found dead and the company is forced to suspend further tours. The detective on the case has no clue what he’s doing. Until the case is resolved, tours will not resume. Cash-strapped Crystal decides to investigate in the hopes of solving the crime so she can go back to work and not have to move back in with her parents.
The story took some unexpected turns and kept me guessing whodunit. The author, a Seattle native, and outdoorsman gave vivid descriptions of the majesty of the Cascades, which added to the veracity of the tale. I enjoyed the story and look forward to reading the next book in the series.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love cozy mysteries and this was a great 1st one in a series that makes me want to read the next!

I thought the author did a really good job describing the setting and making me envision the chalet and the cold! I also really appreciated that the romance in the story isn't a conflict - meaning they don't constantly fight or have struggles. I felt like the whodunit murder mystery was the star of this story and really appreciate those details to keep it the star!

I really enjoyed Crystal and how she wants to make such a drastic change to her life. I also lol-ed at the fact that she's trying to solve this based on the fact that she likes murder mysteries. LOL! Same girl. Same.

I listened to this on audio and it was done well! The narrator is able to voice the other characters and bring the story to life in a great way. Can't wait to get my hands/ears on book #2!

THANK YOU to the author for providing me with a free audio copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

[Angel (Bookn.All.Night) · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Winter Takes All we meet Crystal who, starting to realize how mundane her life is, makes drastic changes starting with quitting her clerical job. She then fudges her resume and becomes a trail tour guide. Her first expedition, snowshoeing clients up the mountain, is met with disaster and a questionable accident. Since this accident happened under the guide company's watch their insurance coverage has been yanked and all further tours cancelled. Desperate to regain her financial footing Crystal embarks on a mystery-solving adventure to find out what really happened .. accident or murder.

I love cozies and this was a well written one filled with romance, witty banter, mystery and danger. I love the scenery as well since I'm a nature lover and hiking is a favorite pastime. Will definitely be continuing this series

[Jean Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story. It was just what I needed...cozy mystery/suspense with a lighter tone. Crystal was an engaging protagonist and I look forward to reading future books in this new series. The writing was polished and the refreshing voice on point. the book was a smooth and easy read. I liked the main and secondary characters, too. The storyline was interesting ...and I am a sucker for anything that takes place in the wilderness. I am hoping as Crystal develops her outdoors legs, future books will include more misadventures outside too, although the Seattle setting felt accurate. I can see self-made detective Crystal trekking through the Pacific Northwest hunting down another mystery... Highly recommend.

[VICTORIA STEWART · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful new read

I really enjoyed this book and am annoyed with myself for not reading it sooner. I enjoyed how this book jumps right in and moves at a good pace. It keeps the reader interested and makes it hard to find a stopping point. The main character is interesting and relatable as I feel like we’ve all been in her shoes at some point in our lives. I could feel her struggles, nervousness and excitement. I enjoyed the mix of city and wilderness, never leaving us in one spot to get bored, it was the perfect balance. I look forward to reading more of this series and diving even further into this adventure and getting to know more of the characters and see how all these relationships develop.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable cozy mystery with a great mix of mystery and romance. Crystal Rainey walks out on her office job and bluffs her way into a wilderness guide job where she meets the handsome Conner Oakes, a fellow guide. When a company owner in their tour group is murdered on the tour, Crystals first tour no less, she does some amateur sleuthing in an attempt to save her new life by uncovering the truth before it's too late. Will she be successful? Find out in Winter Takes All. Love the wilderness scenes described; can just picture them though I've not ever experienced a Pacific Northwest winter. Great narration.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first time in reading this author. Crystal wants some changes so she does some drastic moves to go about them. She gets her opening with a wilderness company as a guide doing what I call a fibble. There is also Connor whom is also a guide with romance on her mind I would say when she sees him. Being co workers though is a stumbling block but one that could be overcome if murder had not of found them. Now she is determined to solve this and save her present life so we are given quite the ride with this mystery. It has us following the clues and wanting to help if we could. A delightful mystery romance that keeps a reader engaged.

[Susan McCormick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun and fast-paced mystery with an architectural firm full of suspects with reason enough to kill their unlikable leader, Winter Takes All introduces us to Crystal, a young woman with a dead end job and a yen for a more exciting career. She becomes a mountain guide and amateur sleuth and puts her life on the line to save the new life she has found. Erdahl has created a believable and enchanting world I look forward to returning to in the next Seattle Wilderness Mystery.

[Jeannie Chambers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. While I wished at times Crystal wasn’t so headstrong, knowing she was headed for trouble, that’s when I had to remind myself, ‘it’s only fiction, she’ll b.e OK.’
I also enjoyed the antics of her cat, Elf. I have an identical cat, and I’ve got the scratches to prove it. Her family is totally believable, and I adore her Dad.
Can’t wait to read more from Crystal (and Connor), she has a a way of sleuthing her way into your heart.

[Pwild · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't Wait to Read the Next Book

I enjoy cozy mysteries with clever, courageous and determined heroines. It is light enough to relax me and descriptive enough to make me feel as if I were there. The well developed characters and the plot, with its twists and turns facilitated my sustained interest. I will read more from this skillful writer. I also appreciate that there was no profanity nor sensuality.

[Jocelyne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first M.L. Erdahl's book. This is the first book in A Seattle Wilderness Mystery Series, a cozy mystery. This is a great start to the Series. The characters are great, and the storyline is fun, intriguing and captivating. Amy Landon did a good job with the narration. I enjoyed it. I was given a free review copy of the audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

[Lynn Ambers · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Winter Takes All" has all the good stuff a cozy mystery delivers. I enjoyed the journey. I love to read books that I can clearly envision the scenes. "Winter Takes All" gave me an internal movie I was happy to watch as I read. Fun wintry read. I read the book during the summer in Colorado. It helped me stay cool during the summer months.

[Elle Hartford · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful and adventurous cozy! Having grown up outside of Seattle, I very much enjoyed reading a cozy set in my home state. Crystal is really relatable and Connor is just the best. The mystery had a good twist, too! Overall I'd definitely recommend this to anyone who loves Washington, being outdoors, snowstorms, or cozies!

[Michelle Blake · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book because I had received the 2nd book in this series as an ARC and wanted to know if it was worth reading. YES!!

What a cozy mystery and trying to follow the trail of whodunit was wonderful. I am looking forward to the next book!

[Brandi Moriarty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun and murder in the outdoors

I really liked this book. My favorite part was that the main character wasn't a pushover. I love her cat and best friend. The murder and mystery were good and made you think. I am excited to start the second one.