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Chutes and Ladder: A Silicon Valley Mystery (Book 2) Kindle Edition

by Marc Jedel (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 out of 5 stars 324 ratings

When a camping trip uncovers a murder, this amateur sleuth is stuck putting out the fire …

Marty Golden enjoys time with his nieces, but he wanted to spend the weekend with his new girlfriend — not chaperone a Girl Scout camping trip. Once he stumbles upon the corpse of a friend in the woods, the outdoors adventure becomes an open-air disaster. When the police label it an accidental death, the meticulous Marty vows to investigate the murder. After all, it’s poor manners to let your friend’s death go unsolved.

On the hunt for clues the cops ignored, Marty uncovers a disturbing connection to himself. And as he digs deeper, a misbehaving pup, a kooky cousin, and a maniacal ninja put his survival skills to the test.

Will Marty unravel the mystery before the killer, or his imagination, gets to him?

Chutes and Ladder is the side-splitting second novel in the Silicon Valley cozy mystery series. If you like quirky sleuths, wacky side characters, and laugh-out-loud moments, you’ll love this offbeat whodunit.

Buy Chutes and Ladder to decode a great mystery today!
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  1. Book 2 of 6
    Silicon Valley Mystery
  2. Print length
    215 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    March 12, 2019
  5. File size
    1.5 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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From the Publisher

Silicon Valley Mystery Series on yellow background of sunset with palm tree
Summary of why readers will like Chutes and Ladder
Chutes and Ladder (#2)
Serf and Turf (#3)
Hit and Mist (#4)
Box Set: Books 1-3
Fish Out of Water (Ozarks Lake Mystery #1)
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Customer Reviews
4.3 out of 5 stars 324
4.2 out of 5 stars 117
4.3 out of 5 stars 91
4.2 out of 5 stars 387
4.4 out of 5 stars 753
Price $2.99 $4.99 $4.99 $6.99 $2.99
Synopsis When a camping trip uncovers a corpse, Marty vows to investigate He’s afraid of losing his girlfriend. But maybe he should be more concerned about the dead body she’s crying over? He’s determined to prove his friend innocent of homicide. He may make things worse… Three books in one First in another humorous, clean cozy mystery series by the author
Humorous? ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓✓✓ ✓
Quirky characters? ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Full of twists? ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Kindle Unlimited ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Editorial Reviews

Review

★★★★★ "I enjoyed this fast-paced humorous, mystery just as much as Uncle and Ants. Marc Jedel keeps the intensity while keeping the comedic activity constantly bubbling. His writing is clever, and the plotting is meticulous and exceptionally well-executed." -- Laurie's Thoughts and Reviews

★★★★★ "Jedel offers plenty of twists, keeping the mystery entertaining, and brings Marty to a surprising conclusion. Chutes and Ladder is a humorous second book in the series with more eccentric characters, clever humor, a complicated mystery, and a lot of heart." -- ReadersFavorite.com

★★★★★ ". . . an original take on an amateur investigation that kept making me giggle all the way to the surprising end. Great for fans of cozies looking for something different." --Books a Plenty Book Reviews

★★★★★ "The book is fast paced and full of humor. The author keeps us guessing as to what has really transpired, and it's not until the very end that the details are revealed." -- Mary (Goodreads reader)

★★★★★ "The only thing I didn't like about this book is that it ended! Just as funny and entertaining as the first one.." -- Marti (Amazon reader)

★★★★★ "The book is fast paced and full of humor. The author keeps us guessing as to what has really transpired, and it's not until the very end that the details are revealed." --Carla Loves To Read

★★★★★ "OMG!!! This book is hysterical...yes, it's a mystery, but I can't tell you how many times I laughed out loud at Marty Golden!" --Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews

★★★★★ "Chutes and Ladder is an entertaining story with quirky characters, zany incidents, witty dialogue, and guaranteed giggles." --The Avid Reader

From the Author

Chutes and Ladder can be read standalone but is the second book in the Silicon Valley Mystery series. Don't forget to try the rest of the Silicon Valley Mystery series to follow the adventures of Uncle Marty. Join the mailing list on Marc's website to get free content, learn about new releases and receive special offers.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07NFDYZX8
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ BGM Press (March 12, 2019)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 12, 2019
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.5 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 215 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 324 ratings

About the author

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Marc Jedel

Marc Jedel

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Marc Jedel writes humorous murder mysteries. Years in Silicon Valley marketing leadership positions honed his sense of humor and writing skills. Crafting fiction on the job was simply called emails, ads, and marketing collateral.

The publication of Marc’s first novel, Uncle and Ants, gave him permission to claim “author” as his job. This leads to much more interesting conversations with people than answering, “marketing.”

Like his character, Andy, from the Redwoods Country Mystery series, Marc continues to grow older and would prefer not to run a bed-and-breakfast inn when he retires. Like his character, Marty, from the Silicon Valley Mystery series, Marc now lives in Silicon Valley, works in high-tech, and enjoys bad puns. Like his characters Jonas and Elizabeth from the Ozarks Lake Mystery series, he grew up in the South and spent plenty of time in and around Arkansas. Like all his protagonists, Marc too has a dog, although his is neurotic, sweet, and small, with little appreciation for Marc’s humor.

Visit his website (marcjedel .com) for free chapters of novels, special offers, and more.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
324 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy this humorous cozy mystery, particularly appreciating Jedel's wit throughout the narrative. The book features well-developed characters, with one customer noting it's not a typical mystery hero, and maintains a fast-paced, meticulous plot that customers find engaging.

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26 customers mention "Humor"26 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's humor, describing it as a fun and witty cozy mystery where Jedel's humor shines through.

"...It's written in a fun, upbeat, clever way with a set of interesting, likeable characters...." Read more

"...Marty’s cousin, sister and nieces all play their part to make this a fun, light-hearted read. I enjoyed the opportunity to read this book in..." Read more

"...I enjoyed this book. The story is light and fun and the author has a particularly nice writing style...." Read more

"...Marc Jedel keeps the intensity while keeping the comedic activity constantly bubbling...." Read more

17 customers mention "Character development"17 positive0 negative

Customers love the characters in the book, with one noting they are not typical mystery heroes.

"...written in a fun, upbeat, clever way with a set of interesting, likeable characters...." Read more

"...Golden as the easily distracted, sometimes bumbling, but always good-hearted hero...." Read more

"...His goofy antics make this series unique. He’s not a typical mystery hero and this series always keeps me guessing. It’s a refreshing change." Read more

"...with a growing cast of interesting characters, and new insights into returning characters. I'm looking forward to the sequel." Read more

16 customers mention "Readability"16 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable and entertaining, with one mentioning it kept their attention throughout, while another describes it as a wonderful break from reality.

"...It's written in a fun, upbeat, clever way with a set of interesting, likeable characters...." Read more

"...Chutes and Ladder is an enjoyable read, with a growing cast of interesting characters, and new insights into returning characters...." Read more

"Chutes and Ladder was a fun read as it took Uncle Marty on lots of quirky twists and turns as he tried to find out what happened to his friend that..." Read more

"...The book moves quickly and leaves you wanting more! When is the next one coming?!?..." Read more

15 customers mention "Plot"15 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the plot of the book, describing it as a cozy mystery with meticulous plotting.

"...The author does a nice job keeping the plot moving while also introducing characters to people who may not have read his first book...." Read more

"...This book is a gem with its great plotting and unusual cast. I highly recommend it! Reviewed by Laurie-J" Read more

"...He’s not a typical mystery hero and this series always keeps me guessing. It’s a refreshing change." Read more

"Jedel delivers! Again! This is his second cozy mystery and he has created a real, compelling story line and characters that are relatable...." Read more

10 customers mention "Pacing"10 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the pacing of the book, describing it as a fast-paced who dunnit that moves quickly.

"...The book flows well and is interspersed with clever, funny humor...." Read more

"...His writing is clever, and the plotting is meticulous and exceptionally well-executed...." Read more

"...From Marty's adventures camping with Girl Scouts to ninjas, the story moves quickly and leaves you laughing on the trip!..." Read more

"...The plot moved at a nice pace. This was a fun, light read and a wonderful break from reality. Just purchased rest of series." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • California Tech Mom
    5.0 out of 5 stars A fun read that was hard to put down
    Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I like mysteries, and this one kept my attention throughout the entire book. It's written in a fun, upbeat, clever way with a set of interesting, likeable characters. The author does a nice job keeping the plot moving while also introducing characters to people who may not have read his first book. The book flows well and is interspersed with clever, funny humor. In less than a week, a lot goes on in this guy's Marty life as he tries to solve another murder. One thing leads to another, and it was hard to stop reading. I enjoy being able to hear his thoughts as I too attempt to figure out "who dunnit." I look forward to reading his next book, it's definitely a fun...and funny...series.
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  • Judy Beggs
    4.0 out of 5 stars Goofy and Fun
    Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Chutes and Ladders is the second book in the Silicon Valley Mystery series. This humorous cozy mystery features Marty Golden as the easily distracted, sometimes bumbling, but always good-hearted hero. A self-described geek, he roams from one adventure to another, discovering a dead body in an unlikely place and then fantasizing about partnering with the police as a secret detective to discover the murderer. His imagination sends him into frequent “sidetrack reveries” and creative brainstorms which he follows into many entertaining exploits.
    Marty works as an engineer designing features for autonomous cars. He enjoys a great verbal interplay at the office with his co-worker, Raj, as they try to one-up each other with the use of American idioms. Technological advances like self-driving cars and smart devices that are still in our future are realities in the book and add a lot of color to the story.
    Marty’s cousin, sister and nieces all play their part to make this a fun, light-hearted read.
    I enjoyed the opportunity to read this book in advance and am looking forward to Book 3!
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  • 🎉customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Light, fun mystery
    Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    So, a forty year old divorced guy gets roped into chaperoning his niece on a Girl Scout campout. He wanders off down a forest path and stops to take a whizz. While looking for a secluded place to do so, he sees a dead body which, shockingly, turns out to be a friend of his. He feels certain his friend didn’t die of natural causes and wants to help the police.

    The story follows his attempts to puzzle out the death while revealing a whole host of quirks about him. In real life, he’s a code-writing software engineer, with a tendency toward nerdiness, Star Trek, watching sports, and a fanciful imagination. He’s also a lovable uncle to two young nieces, a father, and trying not to screw up a budding romance.

    I enjoyed this book. The story is light and fun and the author has a particularly nice writing style. I could pick out quite a few friends of mine who think exactly the way the star of the book, Marty Golden, thinks throughout the story. This made it all the more interesting to me. It has a good ending. I might have page-flipped through some of the imaginative musings.

    This book features no graphic sex, no graphic violence, and no foul language.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    3.0 out of 5 stars Chutes and Ladder: A Silicon Valley Mystery (Book 2)
    Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    This time Marty is investigating the murder of one of his poker buddy. On a Girl Scout camping trip Marty find the body of Larry. The police pinky did it but it was cleared up when the found out that he was with the gurl scout troop. Will he solve the case?
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  • L. Jenkins
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wannabe Detective, Marty in Trouble & in the Thick of it Once Again
    Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    More deadly funny business has wise guy and wannabe ace detective, Marty Golden, tracking clues and helping police solve a multi-jurisdictional case. On an overnight camping trip with his niece Marty literally trips over the dead body of his friend and poker buddy. As usual, Marty’s life is chaotic already, but he is sure he is on the trail to finding the killer. Marty keeps plucking at loose ends and driving everyone he interviews nuts.

    I enjoyed this fast-paced humorous, mystery just as much as Uncle and Ants. Marc Jedel keeps the intensity while keeping the comedic activity constantly bubbling. His writing is clever, and the plotting is meticulous and exceptionally well-executed. Many of the same characters that were introduced in Uncle and Ants are back but the author does not fail to introduce new wacky minions to the ensemble, along with a new girlfriend and his crazy cousin.

    This book is a gem with its great plotting and unusual cast. I highly recommend it!

    Reviewed by Laurie-J
    6 people found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • LisaN
    4.0 out of 5 stars Funny mystery
    Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I hope Marty never changes! His goofy antics make this series unique. He’s not a typical mystery hero and this series always keeps me guessing. It’s a refreshing change.
    Helpful
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  • Howard
    5.0 out of 5 stars A great sequel to Uncle and Ants!
    Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Chutes and Ladder continues the saga of Marty Golden and his pursuit of professional achievement in his day job as a Silicon Valley software engineer while growing his relationship with his sister, nieces and new girlfriend, with the ongoing interruptions of his hobby as a criminal investigator.

    His planned weekend with his girlfriend becomes a Girl Scout camping trip with his oldest niece during which he discovers the murder of his old friend and regular player at his monthly poker game. His pursuit of the truth about what happened leads him on a journey where both he and the reader learn more about the people in both his personal and professional life, and the twists and turns that resulted in the death of his friend, all the while immersed in corporate intrigue. And of course, while the story of his friend's murder is complete, the ending makes it clear that Marty will be facing new adventures very soon.

    Chutes and Ladder is an enjoyable read, with a growing cast of interesting characters, and new insights into returning characters. I'm looking forward to the sequel.
    4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Kindle Customer140217
    1.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing sequel
    Reviewed in India on August 3, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I really liked Uncles and Ants. Marty may not be all right in the head, but the series got off to a great start. Unfortunately, what made Uncles and Ants funny also makes this book drab.

    This time, Marty accidentally discovers a dead body of an old acquaintance. Of course, it's a murder. But nothing makes any sense here.

    The investigators from Sheriff's office want to arrest him and call it a day. Agreed, Marty gets on your nerves, but this is an overreaction.

    Then, we have Marty himself. He spends most of his time daydreaming and fantasizing. He is not that bright, nor is he able to defend himself. It's a wonder he is still alive.

    Then comes the villain. They have no reason to believe that Marty is any actual trouble to them, yet they target him and his family.

    Then, a new character is introduced. This is Marty's cousin, who is a psychologist. Said cousin is as intelligent as Marty, which doesn't say much about her.

    Also, a certain person is revealed to be gay. This is purely to generate a shock value. But, lets get back to the investigation. Marty meanders with screwball theories throughout the book, and then he wonders why no one takes him seriously.

    Then, in the end, he not only deduces who the murderer is, but the murderer also attacks his family and presents herself on a silver platter.

    There is another murder, which is semirelated to the original case, but don't worry. The original murderer rats out the second murderer. Everything is wrapped in a bow.

    This read more like a cozy mystery featuring a klutzy heroine than one featuring a software developer/wannabe spy. 0/5 stars.
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  • Sabine Foster
    4.0 out of 5 stars funny mystery with some crazy theories...
    Reviewed in Canada on March 21, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    3.5 stars
    The second humorous mystery around software engineer Marty Golden and his family. It went off to a good start when he took the girls to the (all) girl scout camping trip and discovered the body of one of his poker friends in the woods.
    While "supporting the police investigation" most of his wild theories were so out of this world that I couldn't even be bothered to let the words enter my brain. Other than that I had a great time with this fast paced mystery and will read the next one.
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 27, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Definitely a great follow up to the first book in the series. Our hero is an idiot. Cant wait to read the next one.
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  • Francesco Miticocchio
    1.0 out of 5 stars Not worthwhile
    Reviewed in Italy on June 2, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    For this book the basic writing is put together with a poor plot. It seems as if the author just has to get another book done, with continuous flash backs to yhe previous book and not too much to add.
    Also the end comes all of a sudden, without to much explanation of what has happened and why. Was the editor on the author’s neck for publishing?
    Report

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