Categories
Uncategorized

Claws Out: A Cat Cafe Mystery (Cat Cafe Mystery Series Book 9) 

298 pages Publisher St. Martin’s Paperbacks Publication date August 26, 2025

ABOUT THE BOOK

After a long, snowy winter on Daybreak Island, Maddie and her cat cafe crew are finally ready to embrace the spring, though life is anything but calm. With Val and Ethan’s wedding taking center stage, Maddie finds herself juggling wedding plans alongside a new and unexpected venture—a generous donation has made her the co-owner of a traveling cat cafe truck. To kick off the new chapter, she seizes the chance to take the truck on its inaugural trip to a cat literary festival in Provincetown, accompanied by her family and some of the shelter crew.

The festival is organized by the renowned cat-romance author Jasmine Prescott, who also runs a beloved cat rescue foundation on Cape Cod. But when Jasmine’s longtime friend and fellow author Vivi St. Clair arrives with a boatload full of drama—everything from a dangerous ex-husband to an unwanted Netflix crew—tensions run high. At first, it seems like just another dose of celebrity chaos—until Vivi is found murdered. As new evidence ties Maddie and her cat cafe into the investigation, Maddie must dig deeper into the tangled web of secrets, rivalries, and feline-friendly drama to uncover the truth. The question is: what’s the connection between the cat cafe and Vivi’s untimely death?

Older woman sitting on a blanket on the beach with four cats lying beside her
A smiling older woman enjoys a peaceful day at the beach with her four cats resting nearby.

MY THOUGHTS

‘ve really been enjoying the Cat Cafe mystery series, and this is book nine. Though I haven’t read them in order each story is a standalone so it’s fine.
A harsh winter has the owners/workers of the cat cafe more than ready to welcome spring.
This book actually takes place off the island, Daybreak Island off of the New England coast.
Cat cafe owner Maddie and her cat JJ are thrilled they have a donated van that they’ll be using as a mobile cat cafe van. Taking it on the road to an exciting cat literacy fair where authors are selling books devoted to, of course cats.
The cat cafe on wheels is a huge hit and adoptions are made. The authors seem so warm and welcoming to each other, but when a literary artist winds up dead is there more than just coffee brewing behind the scenes.
Lots of drama unfolds and there may just be a cat fight in the works.
Loving this series. It keeps me on my toes and I’m enjoying the main characters.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you for stopping in.

Categories
Uncategorized

(Christmas) Shock and Paw: A Cat Cafe Mystery (Cat Cafe Mystery Series, 8)

320 pages Publisher St. Martin’s Paperbacks Publication date August 20, 2024

ABOUT THE BOOK

The eighth installment in a charming cozy mystery series set on an island off the New England coast and featuring the cat cafe owner Maddie and her cat JJ.

Beware the cats of Christmas past…

It’s the holiday season on Daybreak Island, and Maddie James is looking forward to stepping out of the limelight, watching the island’s Christmas decoration competition from afar, spending time with her boyfriend and family, running tours for visitors as part of the festivities and spreading holiday cheer through cute cats in jingle bell collars.

But trouble hits close to home when word gets out that Donna Carey, the publisher of the island’s only daily newspaper where Maddie’s best friend Becky is editor, may be selling the business. Becky is a diehard journalist and to her, selling the only newspaper on the island is a fate worse than death. She publicly opposes the potential sale, wreaking havoc on her relationship with her big boss.

Maddie is sympathetic, but she has her own problems – like getting pulled into a role on the Christmas event committee despite her best efforts to stay far removed, and solving the case of a mysterious cat breeder trying to sell expensive designer cats as holiday gifts on the island. But then Donna winds up dead―electrocuted by her own Christmas decorations―and it appears to be more than an accident. To make matters worse, Becky becomes suspect number one. Maddie is thrown into another murder investigation in order to save her best friend from a Christmas behind bars.

Four cats playing with Christmas toys near decorated tree and stockings
Four playful cats enjoy Christmas-themed toys in a cozy living room.

MY THOUGHTS

Shock and Paw is the eighth book in the Cat Cafe mystery series.
Christmas time should be relaxing and pleasant on Daybreak Island off the New England Coast but it’s anything but as it often tends to be around Christmas time.
Once again Grandpa Leo and granddaughter Maddie have a mystery to solve there’s a Christmas decorating contest and the cat cafe owners, grandpa and Maddie are in the thick of it again solving the crime. Talk of selling the island’s only newspaper have some pretty upset and the newspaper owner is found with Christmas lights around her neck. Could it be the last person seen arguing with her trying to persuade her not to sell or perhaps the electrician doing work to get the Christmas lights to shine. Whoever it is certainly doesn’t have the Christmas spirit this island is used to.
Another great book in the cat cafe series that I’m enjoying.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you for stopping in.

Categories
Uncategorized

Gone but Not Furgotten: A Cat Cafe Mystery (Cat Cafe Mystery Series, 6)

Version 1.0.0

304 pages Publisher St. Martin’s Griffin Publication date

June 28, 2022

ABOUT THE BOOK

In Gone but Not Furgotten, the sixth in Cate Conte’s Cat Café beloved cozy mystery series, Daybreak Island has a killer on the loose…and this villain isn’t afraid to use their claws.

Maddie James has big plans for the summer season at JJ’s House of Purrs. But when her friend, master meditator and Tai Chi teacher Cass Hendricks, brings a potential animal hoarding situation to her attention, Maddie has to refocus her attention on the furry felines who may need a helping paw.

Cass has brought his Zen teachings to Fisherman’s Cove―a tiny, working class town on Daybreak Island―and one of his students, Laurel, has been on the receiving end more than one hissy fit from her neighbors, mostly because of her cats. When Maddie and Cass go to Laurel’s to check out the situation, not only do they find a plethora of cats in need, but also a dead body. Laurel appears to have had an unfortunate accident falling down her stairs, but Maddie gets a sneaking suspicion that something more sinister might be behind her death. When she voices her concerns, she’s horrified that it’s Cass who falls under suspicion.

With Grandpa Leo’s help, Maddie has to dig into the secrets this small community is keeping close to find out why Laurel really died before Cass is put behind bars . . . or the killer strikes again.

People seated and interacting with cats inside Purrfect Pals Cat Cafe
Visitors enjoy coffee and cats at Purrfect Pals Cat Cafe.

MY THOUGHTS

Number 6 in the Cat Cafe mystery series.
I really enjoy this series, and this is the first of four I need to read to catch up with the series.
Grandpa is retired law enforcement and has allowed his granddaughter to create a cat cafe in part of his house while he still lives there. there are tasty treats available there and cats for adoption. We just had a cat cafe open up a few months ago near us and I think it’s a wonderful idea.
JJ’s House of Purrs is the cat cafe and Maddie; the granddaughter is running it along with her sleepy-eyed cat JJ who approves the cats that come in for adoption.
Grandpa Leo is ready to dig into a murder case on the tiny island of Daybreak. A woman has kept secrets no one knows about she is a cat hoarder. It’s a very tricky subject, when does cat rescuing and helping the cats turn into hoarding. It can turn into hoarding if the rescue takes in too many or the cats are breeding from non-spaying and neutering. So many times, a rescue association starts out with the best of intentions before things start going sideways.
The rescue woman is found dead, and many cats need rescued with grandpa and Maddie on the case.
I wasn’t able to guess who it was even though they were talking to a lot of suspects including maintenance people, neighbors and relatives of the deceased.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
This series is enjoyable has kept my attention and I’m looking forward to reading more in it.

Thank you for stopping in.

Version 1.0.0

Categories
Uncategorized

Reading the Green: Irish Soda Bread Murder (Home to Ireland Mystery, #2.75)

326 pages Publisher Kensington Cozies Publication date December 24, 2024

ABOUT THE BOOK

It’s almost time for the delicious warmth of Irish soda bread, but be careful where you bite–some of these recipes call for murder in this delicious collection of cozy mystery novellas featuring the popular St. Paddy’s Day treat.

IRISH SODA BREAD MURDER by CARLENE O’CONNOR

There’s very little time left before her wedding, but nonetheless Tara Meehan is helping out at her Uncle Johnny’s salvage mill for the day. Aunt Rose set up a convention for local psychics, including a bake sale to raise money for charity, but now she’s sick and available only via an iPad Johnny is carrying. The event promises to deliver a real pot of gold until Rose’s biggest rival shows up. Before Tara can utter a simple “top o’ the morning” to the man, he drops dead—with Johnny’s soda bread in his hands. It’s up to Tara to identify the deadly baker before another victim ends up chasing the rainbow straight into a grave . . .

AN IRISH RECIPE FOR MURDER by PEGGY EHRHART
To celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this year, the Arborville, New Jersey, Advocate is sponsoring a soda bread–baking competition. Bettina Fraser is excited—her bake-off idea was the one to get the green light! But when a town councilman acting as a judge keels over after sampling an entry, the party atmosphere dies just as quickly. Now it’s up to Bettina and her Knit and Nibble knitting club bestie, Pamela Paterson, to find the killer responsible for the murderous morsel.

MRS. CLAUS AND THE SINISTER SODA BREAD MAN by LIZ IRELAND
When April Claus arrives in Cloudberry Bay, Oregon, to check on her flooded inn, her biggest worry is to keep everyone from realizing her three companions—Jingles, Juniper, and Butterbean—are elves. But soon enough she has more serious worries—it looks like her hapless caretaker Ernie has been storing stolen goods at the inn! Then one of Ernie’s shady pals is found dead, and the murder weapon turns up in a decorative loaf of soda bread at April’s craft fair booth. It’s up to April to uncover the killer before she spends St. Patrick’s Day in the county jail!

MY THOUGHTS

A collection of three Irish themed cozy mystery stories. The main “ingredient” connecting all the stories is Irish soda bread.
I enjoyed these stories to varying degrees.


In IRISH SODA BREAD MURDER by CARLENE O’CONNOR, Tara Meehan is running out of time before her big wedding but still manages to find time to help her uncle and aunt. At their salvage yard there is a charity event featuring psychics at the convention and a bake sale. Lots of Irish soda bread for sale unfortunately the main baker is sick, so a substitute baker is brought in for the bread baking and soon after taking the first bite of bread someone falls dead. Was it the baker or someone else that slipped something into the bread?

AN IRISH RECIPE FOR MURDER by PEGGY EHRHART, the Arborville, New Jersey, Advocate is celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day this year with an exciting baking contest. When the judge samples the Irish Soda bread, he thinks it’s really delicious until he keels over dead.
Who could have done it and why?

MRS. CLAUS AND THE SINISTER SODA BREAD MAN by LIZ IRELAND, a flooded inn in Cloudberry Bay, Oregon may be April Claus’s least worrisome thing when a murder weapon is found in the decorative Irish Soda bread.

All but one author I am familiar with and I’ve read books with the same characters in them as in this collection.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you for stopping in.

Categories
Uncategorized

Reading the Green: Death in Irish Accents (The Dublin Driver Mysteries) 

304 pages Publisher Kensington Publication date February 21, 2023

ABOUT THE BOOK

After a long streak of avoiding murder investigations, Dublin limo driver Megan Malone thought her life had finally settled . . . but even her Irish luck can’t keep her out of trouble forever in Catie Murphy’s fourth Ireland-set cozy mystery…

It’s been over a year since Megan found herself entangled in a murder—much to everyone’s relief, including her girlfriend Jelena and Detective Paul Bourke. So when a body of a young woman quite literally lands in her lap at her favorite Dublin café, Megan tries to do the right thing and leave the crime-solving to the police so she can enjoy the St. Patrick’s Day weekend. After all, she has no connection to the victim. Or does she?

Megan’s latest client, world-renowned romance novelist Claire Woodward, is fascinated by Megan’s own history of catching killers. Claire also just happens to be the murder victim’s literary mentor. So maybe Megan can just sort of stay on the periphery of the case while trying to help out? Just a wee bit without causing too much fuss? Even Detective Bourke would approve since he has personal reasons not to trust Claire. The investigation leads Megan to the victim’s writing group, who think that Claire has plagiarized the poor young lady’s work. And when another member of the group is found dead, Megan will have to step up her sleuthing before the killer decides to write her off for good.

MY THOUGHTS

Death in Irish Accents is the fourth book in The Dublin Driver Mysteries series.
There was really a lot going on in this book.
Set in Ireland, Megan Malone, a limo driver is involved in sleuthing yet another murder mystery and her girlfriend, Jalena doesn’t want her involved in yet another mystery which causes quite a bit of friction between them. There’s the plagiarizing author and a list of suspects that just seems to keep getting added to. When a body literally falls out of the closet onto Megan’s lap, she has no choice but to get involved in this mystery.
I did enjoy the location of the book but not the dynamics between Megan and Jalena, it really felt like a bullying relationship with her not being able to be herself and constantly needing to apologize for who she was and enjoying sleuthing.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

MEET THE AUTHOR

CE Murphy began writing around age six, when she submitted three poems to a school publication. The teacher producing the magazine selected (inevitably) the one she thought was by far the worst, but also told her–a six year old kid–to keep writing, which she has. She has also held the usual grab-bag of jobs usually seen in an authorial biography, including public library volunteer (at ages 9 and 10; it’s clear she was doomed to a career involving books), archival assistant, cannery worker, and web designer. Writing books is better.

She was born and raised in Alaska, and now lives with her family in her ancestral homeland of Ireland.

Thank you for stopping in.

Categories
Uncategorized

Reading the Green: Mrs. Morris and the Pot of Gold (A Salem B&B Mystery)

336 pages Publisher Kensington Publication date August 23, 2022

ABOUT THE BOOK

Salem, Massachusetts, B&B owner Charlene Morris will need the luck of the Irish—and the help of a ghost—to unveil a hooded killer . . .

Charlene has hired a van to ferry her B&B guests to an all-you-can-eat corned beef and cabbage dinner hosted by Salem’s Irish community at the Ancient Order of Hibernians club—but she should have booked a hearse. It’s never a good sign when the family black sheep drunkenly crashes a party by punching the guy dressed as a leprechaun. But things go from troublesome to fatal when Charlene stumbles upon a second brawl in an upper room—and this fight Connor Gallagher loses, his anonymous assailant rushing past Charlene, hidden by a hoodie.

Now Detective Sam Holden has another homicide on his hands, with Charlene as the only eyewitness. Even if she can’t give the police sketch artist much to go on, Charlene is determined to ID the murderer, with the help of Dr. Jack Strathmore, the charming ghost who haunts her B&B. The answer lies in the motive, and to uncover that sleuth and spook will need to shine a light on Connor’s shady past—before the killer pulls another Irish goodbye . . .

MY THOUGHTS

This is the sixth book in the Salem B&B mystery series. Each book is a standalone so no need to read it in order.
The mystery was fast paced and kept my attention. The characters were well developed, and I enjoyed getting to know Mrs. Morris and her cat.
A special St. Patrick’s Day dinner hosted by Salem’s Irish community at the Ancient Order of Hibernians club turns out to not be so great when her guests can’t even enjoy their dinner when a murder takes place there. The hooded murderer is seen running away.
Helping to solve the case with his input is B & B resident, Jack, a ghost.
This paranormal cozy mystery is full of St. Patrick’s Day events and yummy sound traditional Irish foods. A mistaken identity lets the murderer get away with well, murder, almost.
The real question is, is there really hidden gold to be found, or is just an afterthought at the end of the rainbow?
Great series that I’ll be looking into further.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

About the Author

Traci Wilton is a pseudonym of Traci Hall and Patrice Wilton. Patrice Wilton is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than twenty books, some indie-published and some published by Amazon/Montlake. Traci Hall is the USA Today bestselling author of more than 50 books, published independently as well as by Medallion Press and Samhain Publishing. Visit them online at PatriceWilton.com.

Have a wonderful day!

Categories
Uncategorized

Reading the Green: Death by Irish Coffee (A Bookstore Cafe Mystery)

320 pages Publisher Kensington Cozies Publication date

January 27, 2026

ABOUT THE BOOK

In Pine Hills, Ohio, the bars are hopping—and bodies are dropping—as bookstore-café owner Krissy Hancock gets drawn into a deadly St. Patrick’s Day mystery . . .

Krissy is ready to provide one of the essential ingredients for Irish coffee this St. Patrick’s Day—though without a liquor license, she’ll have to team up with a local bar owner to complete the recipe. It’s a perfect chance to distract herself from her upcoming wedding . . . and her worries about how her beloved cat will get along with his new canine stepsiblings.
As she doles out some much-needed caffeine the day after the festivities, she learns that the town is dealing with something worse than a hangover: homicide. Like many a reveler before him, the bar owner ended up green around the gills, but after he passed out, he never woke up. Now, between brewing, bookselling, and house-hunting, Krissy is reviewing a whole parade of suspects . . .

MY THOUGHTS

I’ve read quite a few books by the author and have enjoyed every one of them.
This Bookstore Coffeeshop and its owner are once again involved in solving a crime.
The author writes easy to read and easy to picture it happening as you read cozy mysteries.
This one revolves around St. Patrick’s Day and its celebrations.
Krissy has a popular bookstore/ coffeeshop and wants to have a celebratory festive holiday drink but being that she doesn’t have a liquor license she has to team up with a local bar owner and she’ll provide the coffee for this festive drink, Irish coffee. While the drinks are popular and selling fast the bar owner feels pretty sick but makes light of it.
In this bar you can get a delightful drink, but it may not be such a popular choice when it’s found to be served up with a side of murder after the bar owner is found dead.
The mystery was a good one and there was quite the suspect list. I didn’t figure out who did it before it was revealed.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Alex Erickson was born in Ohio and has had a passion for writing since childhood. His interest in the motives behind crimes has inspired him to create captivating mystery novels. He often incorporates elements of humor and light-heartedness into his writing, making his stories enjoyable for a wide audience. Alex Erickson was born in Ohio and has had a passion for writing since childhood. His interest in the motives behind crimes has inspired him to create captivating mystery novels. He often incorporates elements of humor and light-heartedness into his writing, making his stories enjoyable for a wide audience.

Thank you for stopping in.

Categories
Uncategorized

Valentine’s Day Read: At Death’s Dough: A Deep Dish Mystery (Deep Dish Mysteries Book 5)

311 pages Publisher Minotaur Books Publication date October 28, 2025

ABOUT THE BOOK

The next book in the delectable Deep Dish Mystery series by Mindy Quigley, set in a Wisconsin pizzeria.

It’s February in the ritzy lakeside resort town of Geneva Bay, Wisconsin, and love is in the air. Pizza chef Delilah O’Leary is gearing up to celebrate her first Valentine’s Day with hunky police detective Calvin Capone, great-grandson of the infamous Chicago mobster. But their romance is put on ice when a shocking discovery plunges them into a century-old crime with ties to Capone’s notorious forefather.

As old secrets surface, Delilah realizes that nearly everyone in town—from Capone’s cagey cousin to her own quirky customers—has something to hide. With the pressure mounting and the past closing in, Delilah must help Capone follow a trail of clues that could lead them to a priceless treasure… or into a deadly trap. Can Delilah serve up justice before history repeats itself? Or will she and Capone end up sleeping with the anchovies?

MY THOUGHTS

Even police detective’s need a break for pizza once in a while and what better place than to stop than the Deep Dish pizza place in the lakeside resort town of Geneva Bay, Wisconsin. Police detective Calvin Capone frequently stops in to see his lady, yes that Capone. The great grandson of the infamous Chicago mobster. His lady is, Pizza chef Delilah O’Leary. This new romance is extra special because they’re getting ready to celebrate Valentines Day.
When a body is found on ice or rather under the ice any romantic thoughts will have to wait for now.
I didn’t care for the gangster lore associated with the last name and there was quite a bit of it.
I did very much enjoy meeting the cat Butterball, who is quite the tub.
But how is an underwater death connected to a treasure trove of gems? This is a fun series that I’ll be continuing on with.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Mindy Quigley is the author of two cozy mystery series. Her most recent, the Deep Dish Mysteries (St. Martin’s Press), has been featured in Parade, Woman’s World, and The Seattle Times.

Mindy’s non-writing career has been stranger than fiction, taking her from the US to the UK, where she worked as the personal assistant to the scientist who cloned Dolly the sheep, and as project manager for a neurology research clinic founded by the author J.K. Rowling.

She lives in Virginia, with her Civil War history professor husband and their children.

Thank you for stopping in.

Categories
Uncategorized

Black History Month Read: Against the Currant: A Spice Isle Bakery Mystery (Spice Isle Bakery Mysteries Book 1)

304 pages Publisher St. Martin’s Griffin Publication date

January 24, 2023

ABOUT THE BOOK

Little Caribbean, Brooklyn, New Lyndsay Murray is opening Spice Isle Bakery with her family, and it’s everything she’s ever wanted. The West Indian bakery is her way to give back to the community she loves, stay connected to her Grenadian roots, and work side-by-side with her family. The only thing getting a rise out of Lyndsay is Claudio Fabrizi, a disgruntled fellow bakery owner who does not want any competition. On opening day, he comes into the bakery threatening to shut them down. Fed up, Lyndsay takes him to task in front of what seems to be the whole neighborhood. So when Claudio turns up dead a day later?murdered?Lyndsay is unfortunately the prime suspect. To get the scent of suspicion off her and her bakery, she has to prove she’s innocent?under the watchful eyes of her overprotective brother, anxious parents, and meddlesome extended family. What could go wrong?

MY THOUGHTS

The start of a brand-new cozy mystery series.
First let’s start off by saying the titles of these cozies are just so clever.
A new woman owned business (with help from her family) opens in Little Caribbean, Brooklyn, New York. I loved seeing how this family comes together, especially Grandma to keep their culture connected to their Grenadian roots. The West Indian bakery is a way to stay connected to the neighborhood and everyone in the neighborhood is excited for its upcoming opening. The line is long on opening morning and every morning after.
Everyone is happy except for another local baker who is worried about the competition and tells her to back off.
When her reply is seen as a threat and then he winds up dead shortly after this young entrepreneur is prime suspect number one.
Sleuthing and baking seem to go hand in hand for a while as the case gets solved.
I enjoyed seeing the closeness of the family and the delicious foods and cultures being talked about in the book. Entertaining read. Delicious sounding recipes included.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Olivia Matthews is the cozy mystery pseudonym for national best-selling and award-winning author Patricia Sargeant.

Patricia’s work has been featured in national publications such as Publishers Weekly, USA Today, Kirkus Reviews, Suspense Magazine, Mystery Scene Magazine, Library Journal and RT Book Reviews. She’s also been interviewed on podcasts including Destination Mystery with Laura Brennan, Conversations LIVE! with Cyrus Webb, Read You Later with Lasheera Lee and Katara’s Café with Katara Johnson.

Stay connected with Patricia:

Website: http://www.PatriciaSargeant.com.

Email: BooksByPatricia@yahoo.com.

Enewsletter: http://eepurl.com/cOOIPf.

YouTube: https://bit.ly/2Jmbp9E.

Twitter: @BooksByPatricia.

Facebook: @AuthorPatriciaSargeant.

Watch her author brand video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivASYzGogfs.

Patricia has been a keynote speaker and presenter at various events. She’s conducted numerous writing craft workshops for writers groups and book conferences, and offers online fiction writing courses through her The Write Spot website. To contact Patricia about attending your event, email her at BooksByPatricia@yahoo.com.

Thank you for stopping in.

Categories
Uncategorized

O, Deadly Night: A Year-Round Christmas Mystery

320 pages Publisher Crooked Lane Books Publication date

October 14, 2025

ABOUT THE BOOK

’Tis the season for mischief and murder in the eighth Year-Round Christmas mystery from national bestselling author Vicki Delany.

It’s Christmastime in Rudolph, New York, which means it’s time for the December Santa Claus parade. This year, shop owner Merry Wilkinson has decided to decorate her float as Santa’s elves’ workshop and invites her landlady, Mabel D’Angelo, to help supervise the excited children playing the elves. But when Mrs. D’Angelo doesn’t show up, Merry begins to worry.

Worry quickly turns into frustration when Mrs. D’Angelo reveals she was delayed by new neighbors moving in. As the center for all things gossip, Mrs. D’Angelo is determined to introduce the new arrivals to the neighborhood. As the days pass, Mrs. D’Angelo notices strange things about the newcomers, but Merry, busier than an elf in Santa’s workshop, has little time for matters that really don’t concern her. But things turn from jolly to downright concerning when Mrs. D’Angelo disappears and Merry is forced to admit that something might be terribly wrong.

With family and friends counting on her during this stressful holiday season, it is up to Merry to make sure this Christmas doesn’t end up wrapped in blood red.

MY THOUGHTS

Rudolph, New York is all about Christmas and goes all out for it. Shops are fully decorated in anticipation of the shopping season.
Every town has their busybody though and when amateur sleuth and shop owner Merry invites her landlady to help with some supervision and she’s not there she knows something is up.
Merry is busier than ever with her workshop duties but busybody landlady, Mrs. D’Angelo who also has appointed herself the welcome committee notices the new neighbor has some strange going On’s in her home. When Mrs. D’Angelo disappears and then things get even worse Merry knows it’s time to investigate.
Cute holiday cozy mystery and the perfect time to read it with all the snow we have out there from the storm.
Looking forward to reading the rest of the books I have by this author.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

About the author

Vicki Delany is one of Canada’s most prolific and varied crime writers and a national bestseller in the U.S. She has written more than fifty books: clever cozies to Gothic thrillers to gritty police procedurals, to historical fiction and novellas for adult literacy. She is currently writing four cozy mystery series: the Year Round Christmas books for Crooked Lane, the Tea by the Sea mysteries for Kensington, the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop series for Crooked Lane Books, and the Lighthouse Library series (as Eva Gates) for Crooked Lane.

Vicki is a past president of the Crime Writers of Canada and co-founder and organizer of the Women Killing It Crime Writing Festival. Her work has been nominated for the Derringer, the Bony Blithe, the Ontario Library Association Golden Oak, and the Arthur Ellis Awards.

Vicki is the recipient of the 2019 Derrick Murdoch Award for contributions to Canadian crime writing. She lives in Prince Edward County, Ontario.

Thank you for stopping in. Stay safe and stay warm.