Miss Winter in the Library with a Knife by Martin Edwards

Miss Winter in the Library with a Knife by Martin Edwards

by Carol1 Comment
Miss Winter in the Library with a Knife is a clever mystery that I enjoyed but probably won't work for everyone. Six not-quite stranger, all down on their luck, are invited to play a murder mystery game at the remote Midwinter retreat over Christmas. The rules are semi-clear and the prize is "life-changing." The book invites the reader to attempt to solve the murder puzzle, but whether you sit down with pencil and paper while reading or not, the story is enjoyable. We end up with two mysteries, the one in the puzzle and, as is to be expected, one of the guests is killed. Of course, a snowstorm has left the retreat cut off. The Midwinter Trust employees seem to have their own agenda, too. The is a book that's definitely heavier on plot than characters. While all the characters are interesting and have a bit of personality, i never actually cared about them. Yes, I wondered who would get...
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Five Golden Wings by Donna Andrews

Five Golden Wings by Donna Andrews

by Carol1 Comment
I am a sucker for Christmas cozies, and since they start releasing in October, that's typically when I start reading them. The Meg Langslow series is one I dip in and out of, but typically enjoy. It's Christmas again in Caerphilly and what would Christmas be like without a bunch of quirky relatives and a murder? Two of Meg's cousins are having weddings in Caerphilly the Saturday before Christmas - not a double wedding, more like competing weddings- same photographer, same venue, but different times and each seems determined to outdo the other. Actually, it seemed like a weird setup - who could possibly have thought this was a good idea? But it's the photographer who ends up dead, not one of the wedding party. The story moves along quickly and some of the bride's antics and others' responses are downright funny. Meg somehow manages to keep her calm in the midst of the chaos- and helps solve the murder, since...
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Kalikimaka Killer by Jasmine Webb

Kalikimaka Killer by Jasmine Webb

by CarolNo Comments
It's Christmas in Hawaii and Charlie has two cases going on. The first is tracking down a bail-jumper - and of course she manages to get tasered again. Zoe brings her the murder case. Zoe believes one of her patients in the emergency room was poisoned, but the cops aren't taking her concerns seriously, so she asks Charlie to investigate. The mystery was decent. The dead woman's friends are basically the only suspects, since they are the only ones who would have had the chance to poison her. Charlie discovers the woman had a few secrets, but none seem to give anyone a reason to kill her. The clues are tucked in well and the whodunnit made sense. It's as fun and madcap as always. And it is Christmassy - we have several Santa gone bad moments and a kiss under the mistletoe....
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The Christmas Eve Murders by Noelle Albright

The Christmas Eve Murders by Noelle Albright

by CarolNo Comments
I don't know. The Christmas Eve Murders had a lot of what I'm looking for in a Christmas cozy - a warm fire, Christmas decorations, good food, too much snow, and quirky characters, but I never really bought into it. Maddie Marlowe, a reporter, is having the worst Christmas Eve ever. She's heading home to a town just outside of Edinburgh, but got a late start because she had to work late. Then a traffic tie up made her reroute taking her through the Yorkshire Dales, where her car breaks down. Due to the increasing snow, the auto club can't get to her until the next day, so she has to take refuge at the local pub, the Merry Monarch, which also has rooms for rent. For some reason, the pub hosts a Christmas Eve scavenger hunt, which she is convinced to join in on. And then of course, there's a murder. Maybe the fact that Maddie is an outsider,...
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A Holiday Homicide by Ellie Alexander

A Holiday Homicide by Ellie Alexander

by CarolNo Comments
This time around the Secret Bookcase bookstore is hosting a gingerbread house competition, with celebrity host, baking influencer Lily. Really, what could be more Christmassy than a decorate bookstore and gingerbread? The event is going well, with only a bit of minor drama, until Annie finds Lily's dead body. Of course she's been murdered, and Annie decides to start investigating, assuming the woman was poisoned. At least the local police detective/ Annie's mentor appreciates her efforts and insights. This is a series where the main character and the authorities work well together. I like Annie. She's smart and has made a couple life decisions that have been weighing on her for a book or two. This is the fourth in the series and does pick up strands from the previous installments. I'm not sure how I feel about her love interest, Liam, yet. I think he's supposed to be sweet and caring, but he totally overreacted a time or two. Turns...
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Who Slayed The Santas? by Leighann Dobbs

Who Slayed The Santas? by Leighann Dobbs

by CarolNo Comments
Who Slayed the Santas? is fun, short, quirky and a little silly, just like the rest of the Juniper holiday series. This time around Juniper is getting ready for her over-the-top Christmas party and hires a Santa and his troupe for entertainment. The next day, one of the resident ghosts finds Santa dead under the Christmas tree. And that's just the first dead Santa. Detective Mallard and Juniper are both intent on solving the case. I like Juni. She's exuberant and caring, but she can be a little too mean to people sometimes. This is a totally Christmas mystery - decorations, food, music, it's all there. The mystery itself was fine if rushed. I did listen to the audio version. At least this time I knew in advance that the narrator wouldn't be my favorite....
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