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Member Reviews

I adore Meg and her antics, from being “almost an outdoors~girl” to being
an actually awesome reporter for the actual outdoors folks. And if there
might be one, or two, or more murders, she’ll definitely handle those at
the same time. I adore this story and look forward to the next book in the
series. This has something for everyone. I also loved the scenery and the
people, many of whom I expect to see in future books.
My thanks to Storm Publishing for the download copy of this book
for review purposes.

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This is the first book in the Meg Reed Investigates series. Originally this was published a decade ago but it is being re-released with a new cover and some polishes to the original story.

I enjoyed following Meg, she is a likeable character. She gets a job at an adventure magazine and her first assignment is covering an adventure race located on the picturesque Oregon mountains. While she is on the scene she witnesses a contestant plummet to his death. As the only witness, Meg investigates the crime to discover was this an accident or murder?

This is going to be a fun series and I look forward to checking out more of the books in the series.

Thank you to Storm Publishing for an advanced copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

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A Murder on the Mountain really hooked me from the start. I wanted to read it all in one go, if only it weren’t a little too long for that! The story pulls you in fast, with fun and well-written characters, especially Meg. I really liked her vibe — smart, curious, and easy to root for 🕵️‍♀️.

There’s definitely good suspense here, and the twist? Did not see it coming at all. If you’re in the mood for a cozy mystery that keeps you guessing and gives off those comfy whodunit vibes, I definitely recommend picking this one up! I’m already looking forward to reading more about Meg or checking out Ellie Alexander’s other books 📚.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion! Needless to say, as always, all thoughts are my own and I have not been influenced in any way.

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For the first few chapters I wasn't sure why this book sounded so familiar and then I realized I had read it before. This is a reissue of an early series. Ellie Alexander writes delightful cozy mysteries. The Bakeshop series and Secret Bookcase series are among my favorites. Unfortunately, I didn't relate to Meg Reed, Maybe she is a little too young ( a recent UO grad ) or a little too naive. I live in the PNW but I'm not taken with the great outdoors and extreme sports. Still, the mystery was engaging and although I might not continue with this series I look forward to what ever the author writes next.

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I had some issues with Alexander's first series, Bakeshop Mysteries, but this one held my interest and I really wanted to continue reading.

There were elements that could have gone a little "slap-stickish", but thankfully, didn't. The only other quibble I may have is that Meg and her best friend seemed a little older than the about 23 they were supposed to be.

The other series she writes that I most enjoy are The Secret Bookcase Mysteries.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

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I love a great mystery and Ellie Alexander always comes through. Here we have Meg Reed a journalist or so called journalist who is at a cross roads. Sleeping on her friends couch and with no job prospects, Meg needs her life to turn. Here dream job was to be a hard hitting reporter like her dad. That dream was crushed when the local newspaper started cutting jobs and the untimely death of her father Meg is thrown into a downward spiral. What is she to do? That is until she finds herself reporting for Northwest Extreme Magazine. Meg somehow bluffed her way into writing a story on an extreme adventure and she is afraid of heights, she also falls over her feet quite often. Yet Meg takes us on a wild ride with many twists and turns. While she is out in the wild, she actually see someone murdered. Who could it be, and why? Being her father’s daughter, and after being told many times to stay out of it, Meg set out on this extreme adventure to find out who committed this murder. Can she do so without getting herself killed?

I just love Ellie Alexander‘s books. I look forward to everything she writes. She has her characters in so many different areas from a bookstore to a mountain top. She just makes you love her books. Her characters are quirky and funny and bring you on a wild ride. They are also a very fast read and I love seeing where these characters bring us. There are so many twists and turns in her stories. Plus, one of her series a family is involved. They are always a tight knit family and you can see the love that they all have for each other. Just like Meg, losing her father she still has a support system in place. In this book, she needed that system because Megan was taken through a lot of emotional turmoil between trying to keep this job, trying to keep herself alive and trying to deal with the death of her father, which she seems to be having a hard time with.

I would like to thankNetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC. I also would like to thank Ellie Alexandra for another fantastic series and I hope to be able to read many more of his stories in the future. Five stars as always.

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I discovered Ellie Alexander through her Secret Bookcases Mystery series and I was really looking forward to read her new/old (this is a republishing of a now out of print series) and I wasn't disappointed.

Meg Reed is a newly graduated journalist who has just managed to get her big break working at an extreme sports magazine, the only problem being she has made out that she is an extreme sports enthusiast when in reality she isn't even a novice.

One of the best things about Ellie Alexander (i’d no idea this was a pen name) books is the way she creates a really sumptuous world you can see , hear , feel and taste. This time the beautiful and brutal Oregon scenery is brought wonderfully to life, without being overly verbose or detracting from the gentle but engaging mystery at hand.

I'm really looking forward to Meg’s next adventure. Thank you Netgalley for letting me read it. 5*.

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Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the arc of this book. A Murder on the Mountain is the first book in Ellie Alexander's new series Meg Reed Investigates. I am a big fan of Ellie Alexander's A Secret Bookcase Mystery series. Meg Reed is an aspiring investigative journalist in the Pacific Northwest fresh out of college and dealing the loss of her Father a disgraced formerly well respected investigative journalist. This is a cozy murder mystery.

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This is the kind of book I want to read in one sitting but it's a bit too long for that although I wouldn't mind missing on some sleep for it. The story quickly pulled me in. It has well developed characters, a fun main character, and suspense. I definitely want ro read more about Meg or the author’s other books.
I received an advance review copy via Netgalley/Storm Publishing and I’m leaving a voluntary and honest review.

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This was originally published as Scene of the Climb, first in the Pacific Northwest series. As far as I can tell, it's the same, no changes made to the story. And I'm assuming the other four books will eventually be re-released as well.
The author really takes advantage of local scenery and sights. Though I've never been to Oregon, I can definitely picture the mountains and trails. As Meg is not an adventurer at all, we learn hiking tips along with her. The mystery is exceptional, making sure to cast suspicion on everyone equally. There's also the setup for a couple ongoing mysteries as well. I did think Meg was a little immature, occasionally to the point of disbelief, as she would slack off on her job (that she needed so badly!), act like an idiot around her hot older boss, and brazenly accuse her suspect of the moment. She didn't even end up being the one to figure out whodunnit. She does have likeable traits and I hope the initial awkwardness is just part of the character's arc that will improve over the series. I really like the rest of it.

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The weather whiplash described in A Murder on the Mountain was spot-on. Loved that part of the story! Which is rather random, but there you go. Meg's story is one that grabs hold and doesn't let go until the very end. You begin to wonder exactly how many people are involved in the solitary murder as there are obviously more secrets hidden than revealed. Great descriptions of nature and the local area in and around Portland, OR.

I found Meg a very relatable character.

I received an ARC; this is my honest review.

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⭐️ARC-review⭐️

3.5⭐️
If you're looking for a cozy mystery book with a plot I didn't see coming, this book is for you!
Meet Meg, a journalist who is beginning her new job at a adventurers magazine. She is covering the story of Race the States. When doing that, someone committed a murder on the mountain and Meg witnessed the fall. She is on to this story, and takes you with her on the road to the killer. You will think of multiple people as possible killers, but who is it?
Really enjoyed reading this story, but maybe I liked a little more tension? The vibe is really cozy, maybe that was distracting for me. Because of that, I wasn't asking constantly who the killer might be.
Well-written, good story, cozy feelings. Loved it!

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A Murder on the Mountain kicks off a fresh and fun new series by Ellie Alexander, known for her charming mysteries. This time, we meet Meg Reed, a city girl with a journalism degree and zero outdoor skills who suddenly finds herself reporting for Northwest Extreme magazine. The only problem? She’s terrified of heights, nature, and pretty much everything her job now requires. The result is both hilarious and endearing.

Sent to cover an extreme adventure race in the stunning but treacherous Columbia River Gorge, Meg tries to bluff her way through outdoor reporting. But when a contestant falls to their death from Angel’s Rest summit, Meg is the only witness, and she's convinced it wasn’t an accident. With her new job on the line and her instincts as a budding journalist kicking in, she dives headfirst into solving the mystery.

This book has everything I love about Ellie Alexander’s writing. The setting is vivid and atmospheric, the pace is quick, and the dialogue sparkles with humor. What makes this series stand out is how fresh and youthful it feels. Meg is quirky, relatable, and so clearly out of her depth in the outdoor world that it leads to some truly funny situations. I laughed out loud more than once. Her fear of heights and lack of wilderness skills don’t stop her from trying, which makes her easy to root for.

At the same time, the mystery is intense and well-plotted, with enough twists and red herrings to keep me guessing. I also enjoyed the glimpse into the tight-knit and competitive adventure racing community, which added depth and intrigue to the story.

This was a joy to read from start to finish. If you like cozy mysteries with humor, heart, and a little adrenaline, A Murder on the Mountain is a must. I am already looking forward to the rest of the series and will read every book that follows.

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I loved all of Ellie's Secret Bookcase mysteries so when i saw this-I had to request it. I love the cozy mysteries because they're such quick reads. I enjoyed the cast of characters with this one. Meg's grandma, Gam, was my favorite. I loved the fact that the book was centered around outdoor activities. I think i learned quite a few things as i'm not really a woodsy girl. There was a great twist in this one and the explanation at the end was NOT what i expected at all. I will probably finish this series by Ellie as well because i love the way she writes.

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I have read this author before and liked her. The main character in this series was the type I just find so annoying. She lies to get a job and then after witnessing a murder just won’t quit investigating, even after multiple people warn her and beg her not to. She has lots of problems in her personal relationships and is always late. Yecch! The story was ok but the ending didn’t really make much sense, I see now this is a reissue of an earlier book. I probably won’t be reading the rest of this series.

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Exactly my type of extreme sport-partaking; from the safety of my own home.

All Meg Reed wants is to put her journalism degree to use and follow in the footsteps of her beloved late father. When the opportunity to work at an adventure magazine comes about, a little white lie about her adventuring pedigree won't hurt; right?

I am beyond excited to explore this re-release of a series that I love, with new content added in. Meg is a relatable lead, with her naivety upon entering the working world relatable to anyone from their own early 20s experiences. Her best friends of Matt and Jill are worthy characters to bring the story to life, along with her new-age loving Gram.

The lush, rugged landscape of Oregon will put wanderlust into anyone's heart, even those of us who would prefer to look at the views with one of Oregon's famous craft beers in hand.

The mystery that overarches the whole series is so engaging, reminding me of the Sloane Krause mysteries, and compelling me to read more in the hopes of getting even a nugget more of a clue.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read this re-release for free in exchange for my honest review.

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This book started off very well and I had great hopes for it. Unfortunately, when it got to the race section, to me it went rapidly downhill, with a protracted introduction to many characters, and I quickly lost interest. The murder and subsequent investigations fell flat and were unsatisfying. I did like Meg and Matt.

Thank you to the author, the publishers and NetGalley for providing this ARC in return for an honest review.

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I love Ellie's writing but this book fell flat. I just couldn't connect to a childish immature 23 year old MC. She was simultaneously crushing on two guys and constantly running headlong into danger without thinking. Wearing all pink and spending money she doesn't have on eating out multiple times a day. She did manage to solve the murder but just barely. I will likely read the next book but at the moment i'm not sure. it's clearly Ellie's early work and it shows. I found myself getting constantly annoyed with her acting like a brainless teenager.

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I believe this is an earlier series written by Ms. Alexander and refreshed for re-release. I found this to be a cute read. I have to say I found the MC Meg to be very young, naive, and somewhat immature. While there is a good mystery, and Meg is certainly smart, she is definitely over her head here. The backdrop is lovely. There is a very interesting grandmother, good friends, and a new job where Meg is trying to be something she is not. While the writing for the magazine makes sense, and we can see that Meg is not afraid of research and digging, she comes by this naturally, she is definitely not capable of what is expected of her physically and it makes the story somewhat unbelievable. With all that goes on, she is definitely lucky to be alive. I hope that in the future, this fish out of water bit will tighten up a bit as it detracts from the story. That said, I see a lot of potential for future stories. Thanks to #Netgally, #StormPublishing, and the author for a chance to check this series out. #AMurderontheMountain #MegReedInvestigates #EllieAlexander #bookreview #bookideas #retirereader

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The mystery kept me guessing. It will be interesting to see the others in the series.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

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