Dead Men Don't Ski - Book Review

CC Trace’s Dead Men Don’t Ski is a wonderfully atmospheric introduction to her Carolina Teal Cozy Mystery series. Set in the fictional mountain town of Pine Haven, Northern Maine, during the annual Winter Frost Festival, the novel immediately immerses readers in a world of crisp winter beauty and warm, small‑town charm.

The story opens inside the historic Blueberry Hill Inn, a stately 1900s lodge, just as a snowstorm settles over the region. Outdoors, the world lies hushed beneath fresh, untouched snow. Indoors, the inn glows with comforting life — wood smoke drifting through the air, coffee brewing, and the sweet spice of cinnamon warming the room. It’s a striking contrast that Trace uses brilliantly: the serene sweep of frost‑tipped mountains set against the cozy heartbeat of the inn. And then comes the jolt — one of the inn’s guests turns up dead. Was it a tragic accident on the ski slope… or something far more sinister?

Carolina Teal, the story’s relatable protagonist and a former photojournalist, has recently moved to Pine Haven to co‑run the Blueberry Hill Inn with her sister, Angela. Hosting the festival’s cross‑country ski challenge is meant to be their bed‑and‑breakfast’s big debut. But when Brent Hadley — an obnoxious yet celebrated champion skier — is found dead on a back trail, the event is thrown into chaos. The sheriff quickly labels it an accident, but Carolina’s investigative instincts refuse to let the matter rest.

With help from a memorable supporting cast — her practical sister Angela, her gossip‑loving 72‑year‑old friend Goldie, and Jack Morrison, a handsome park ranger — Carolina begins her own amateur investigation. Her most loyal partner is Kahlua, her intelligent German Shepherd and retired police dog, who steals scenes with her sharp nose and clue‑finding charm. Together, they uncover a trail of sabotage: tampered trail maps, bindings rigged to fail, and a growing list of suspects. Rival skier Cory Banks, who accused Brent of cheating, rises to the top of the list, as does ski instructor Kara Neal, whose brother was snubbed by the champion. Carolina must untangle these secrets before the killer slips away.

Trace’s narrative style echoes the best of classic cozy mystery authors like Joanne Fluke and Agatha Christie. Like Fluke, she blends sensory domestic details with a puzzling crime; like Christie, she keeps the clues clever and the stakes quietly sharp. The pacing is brisk yet steady, weaving in light romance, well‑placed red herrings, and a delightful shift from a traditional whodunnit.

Beneath the mystery lies a warm message: trust your instincts, lean on your community, and never underestimate the strength found in friendship and family.

Dead Men Don’t Ski is a highly entertaining, atmospheric escape — perfect for readers who love winter settings, skiing adventures, and cozy mysteries with heart. It delivers a thrilling downhill ride that keeps you guessing right up to the final page.