Book Review and Recipe: Solid Gold Murder by Ellen Byron -

Solid Gold Murder (Golden Motel Mysteries)
by Ellen Byron

About Solid Gold Murder

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 . . .

I’ve long been a fan of Ellen Byron’s books, so I jumped at the chance to review Solid Gold Murder. This is the second in Byron’s Golden Motel Mysteries. It read fine as a stand-alone, but I’d like to go back and read the first because this one was really good!

The Golden Motel is a family affair. Dee, her dad, and her ex turned business partner, Jeff, are all invested in making it work. Panning for gold is one of the touristy activities the hotel offers, but it’s never turned up much more than pyrite – sparkly, but worth very little. When real gold turns up in the sluice, though, it’s a second California gold rush for the aptly named little town of Foundgold, California (and its neighboring town, Goldgone), and Dee and Jeff find themselves booked solid.

But with all that business comes trouble. When a young tech mogul and his so-called friends roll into town, they seem to rub everyone the wrong way. And when his body is found at the bottom of a mine shaft, Dee has her hands full trying to make sure her motel’s nickname of “Murder Motel” doesn’t stick.

This book was delightful! As always, Byron gives us a likeable protagonist in Dee. She’s traded in the bright lights and big city for small-town entrepreneurship, and I’d say she’s learning pretty quickly. She and Jeff have a good relationship full of banter and snark, and Dee’s dad is a hoot when he’s in character as an old-timey prospector helping with the sluice.

The story is also full of small-town antics, both good and bad. There are longstanding feuds and fast friendships, colorful characters, and enough twists and turns to make your head spin. Dee gets herself into some sticky situations, and they make for some entertaining reading. I chuckled, snorted, and laughed out loud a time or two. I want more of this series – well worth the read!

And now, a recipe from the author that would fit right in at the Golden.

Nutty Almond Date Bars
From Ellen Byron

Solid Gold Murder is set in California, the almond and date capital of America, which makes
this recipe a perfect match for the new Golden Motel Mystery series.

Ingredients:

Crust:
½ cup brown sugar
2/3 cup softened butter
½ cup light corn syrup
1 tsp. almond extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 egg
½ tsp. salt

Filling:
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup corn syrup
¼ cup butter
¼ cup heavy cream
1 tsp. almond extract
Nut and date mixture:
1 cup unsalted, slivered, dry-roast almonds
1 cup chopped dates

Drizzle:
1 cup melting white chocolate
½ to 1 T. vegetable oil (optional)

Directions:
Heat oven to 350°F.

Line a 13”x 9” sheet pan with aluminum foil. In a large bowl, cream 1/2 cup brown sugar,
2/3 cup butter, and 1/2 cup corn syrup. Add 1 teaspoon almond extract and the egg and
mix well. Slowly add the flour and salt, mixing well to combine into a dough. Spread the
dough in pan, pressing to the edges. Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until a light golden brown.

While the crust is baking, heat 1/3 cup brown sugar and 1/3 cup corn syrup over a low
heat in a medium saucepan, stirring constantly until the sugar is dissolved. Stir in 1/4 cup
butter and the whipping cream. Raise heat to medium and heat mixture until it boils.
Remove it from the stove and stir in the teaspoon of almond extract.

Sprinkle the almonds and dates over the crust, making sure they’re evenly distributed.
Pour the cooked mixture over the nuts and dates, making sure to spread it evenly over the
almonds and dates.

Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until light brown and set. Cool about halfway, then melt the
white chocolate by following the directions on the bag. (Add ½ tablespoon to a full
tablespoon of vegetable oil to thin the white chocolate if necessary.)

Use a spoon to drizzle or drop the white chocolate onto the uncut bars. Put the tray into
the refrigerator to finish cooling and to harden the white chocolate.

Once the uncut bars are completely cool, use a sharp knife and carefully cut them into 16
bars or 24 squares..

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

Purchase Links – Amazon – Kensington – Bookshop.org – B&N – Hudson Books – Target – Walmart

TOUR 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