Book Reviews – Page 69 – Carol's Notebook

The Christmas Night Murder by Lee Harris

November 23, 2021November 22, 2021 by CarolNo Comments

It's Christmas and Christine, a former nun, is visiting the convent she lived in until she married. A priest she studied under is coming for a visit from his new parish in Wyoming and everyone is looking forward to seeing him again. The priest never arrives and Christine is brought in to search for him. The book touches on convent life, which I found interesting. It's an insulated community where secrets can be kept. It also deals with abuse in the Catholic Church, but the way it was approached seemed surprisingly outdated. Yes, this book takes place in the early 90s but still. Christine is a good character. She's persistent and honest and loyal. Her husband, Jack, a police sergeant, gives her some help, but she does most of the investigating on her own. I'm not quite sure how she manages to get all the answers and access she does, but people always seem to talk to amateur detectives. I listened to...

Holiday Hexes by J.L. Collins

November 22, 2021November 22, 2021 by CarolNo Comments

We are back in Holiday Haven where this time the chaotic Christmas disaster has to do with the Master List. The toy and mail departments are in a mess and it looks like lots of kids may be disappointed this year. And this is on top of the other mysteries in town which are briefly mentioned. Star is visiting her mom and wants to help solve the problem. Star is a good character. She has built a toy business outside of Holiday Haven and the North Pole. She has done it through hard work, good ideas, and no magic. The mystery here is a perfect one for Star to solve. She learns some things about herself and other people, becomes closer to her, even meets an nice, attractive man. I didn't love this one. It was Christmassy, but I was not invested in the potential romance. The mystery, while high stakes in that world, was rather bland. I'm enjoying this series a...

God Rest Ye, Royal Gentlemen by Rhys Bowen

November 19, 2021December 3, 2021 by Carol2 Comments

I've read several of the Royal Spyness mysteries, but not all of them and not necessarily in order. I feel like each of the stands alone well, but also gives us updates on characters we've become familiar with. In God Rest Ye, Royal Gentlemen, Georgie and Darcy are celebrating Christmas at his eccentric aunt's home on the grounds of Sandringham where the king and queen are in residence. Not only is the house party is a cover for Wallis Simpson to have a place to stay near the Prince of Wales during the holiday season, but the Queen is also afraid. Last year two people died during the holidays at the estate, and she is worried something terrible might happen again. Soon, her fears are realized and it's up to Georgie and Darcy to find out who the killer is. I love Georgie. She's funny and smart and loyal. And Darcy adores and respects her. They make a perfect couple. And...

The Christmas Walk Caper by J.B. Michaels

November 18, 2021November 16, 2021 by CarolNo Comments

The Christmas Walk Caper features Mac O'Malley, a retired Chicago cop, who is attempting to write a memoir of his last big case. When Mac learns that Patricia, the owner of The Tiny Wanderer, has been found dead in her home on the morning of the annual Christmas Walk, his cop instincts are telling him she didn't just die of old age. If the local cops, including his brother Vince, don't agree, maybe he and his girlfriend, Millie, can do some investigating on their own. The small town at Christmas setting was charming. The Christmas Walk sounds like an event I'd love to participate in, touring people's decorated homes. For a novella, the mystery was well-done. We had a couple of suspects and clues but not so many that the conclusion felt rushed. I liked Mac, although he was pretty quick to discount the abilities of the local police. I found the fact that he started investigating as a way to put...

Reindeer Runes by Danielle Garrett

November 17, 2021November 16, 2021 by Carol4 Comments

Reindeer Runes is the second in the Winter Witches of Holiday Haven series, but it stands alone. It's written by a different author and features different characters, but takes place in the same world. Rudolph and Jack Frost are missing! In this fun Christmas cozy mystery Lumi and Corbin, Jack Frost’s brother, must find the missing icons before Santa finds out Rudolph is missing and before Jack misses his coronation as the Frost king. Lumi and Corbin are likable and their interactions feel real. Corbin is powerful but funny and a good detecting partner for Lumi, who is smart and quiet, and laid back. Their blossoming attraction didn't feel forced or overly rushed. The mystery was well-done. We had several possibilities and the "deadline" added some urgency. The supporting cast is a colorful collection, including pixies. With mystery, magic, and a bit of romance this book is a perfect read for this time of year....

Slashing Through the Snow by Jacqueline Frost

November 16, 2021November 12, 2021 by Carol2 Comments

Slashing Through the Snow is the third book of the cozy A Christmas Tree Farm Mystery series. Each book works as a standalone, but some of the characters and relationships evolve through the series. In the first book of the series, Holly had returned back home to her parents' Christmas Tree farm in Mistletoe, Maine. Now, the farm's bed and breakfast that she will be managing is open. Unfortunately, one of the first few guests, a rather nasty critic, is found dead just off the front porch. And one of Holly's friends, Cookie, a sweet if kooky older woman, is the most obvious suspect. Holly decided she has to investigate so she can provide her sheriff boyfriend with another suspect. The mystery itself was good, with several potential suspects, and enough clues and red herrings to keep you guessing. Holly stirs up a bit of trouble with her questioning and gets rather serious threats and finds herself in two more...