By Lauren Elliot
Published by Kensington Publishing
Let me start by saying that I am loving this series, BUT....Addie needs to make a choice. I realize that making a choice means moving on and the holidays are a difficult time, full of memories of what was and dreams of what could have been. Her mysterious almost father in law doesn't help things with his unexpected arrival. Of course neither does a murder compounded by the loss of a rare 1st edition Christmas Carol, by Dickens that was to be auctioned at a charity benefit for the hospital. So many loose and crazy threads in this one. Almost like there are multiple plots, multiple suspects, and multiple issues, both life threatening and heart wrenching. Addie needs the support of her friends if she is going to figure this one out, support and a little of that Christmas spirit. Not a fan of multiple leading men suffice to say, I agree with Serena that a choice needs to be made before someone else makes it for her. Team Simon.
Southern Harm
By Caroline Fardig
Published by Alibi
The Ghosts of High School past come back to haunt the Christmas present. Quinn and Tucker were constructing a fire pit for Tucker's Aunt Lela as her Christmas present and they dig up a skeleton. It was believed that Ester Sinclair had skipped town, perhaps to get away from her very parochial parents, right after graduation. Ester and her parents were in the same class and even ran in the same circles. The discovered body does not bode well for Aunt Lela, whose fiery temper from days past makes her suspect #1. Quinn and her vivacious sister Delilah start digging up the past and soon other suspects come to life which does not make the situation any better. I love the way Quinn wants to do all she can to help Tucker and his Aunt, especially since Tucker's parents are to good to be bothered with such scandal. This story features mean girls, high school high jinx, ancient history, and even a family history. People are hiding secrets, including the girls' parents, but that won't stop the Bellandini sisters from investigating. Although this time they promise to be more careful. My only request of these stories is that those wonderful breakfast pastries be featured at the end of the story in recipe form! Held my attention all the way through with well placed tidbits of info and an engaging storyline.
A Legacy of Murder (A Kate Hamilton Mystery)
By Connie Berry
Published by Crooked Lane Books
Kate Hamilton is back across the pond visiting her daughter on Holiday for the Christmas Holiday. Which times perfectly with a rendezvous with Detective Inspector Thomas Mallory of the Suffolk Constabulary, or Tom as he prefers Kate to call him. After their chance encounter and murder mystery in Scotland the two have decided to get to know each other better. Unfortunately it looks like this will be a case of deja vu in a new locale. In addition to the death of an intern, there is the Finchley family scandal, missing jewels, some new relationship friction, and Christine's boy drama. I am surprised that Kate is able to keep all the players straight. The character development is "spot on" and the location history certainly adds to the intrigue of the story. The only thing this story needs is some true quality time for the couple, but I am sure that will be left for another novel.
Tide and Punishment
By Bree Baker
Published by Poisoned Pen Press
Charm, North Carolina is absolutely charming and as sweet as the tea that Everly brews in her tea shop. Equally sweet and a little bit sassy are her Great-Aunts Clara and Fran, especially Fran who planned to run against the current Mayor. Clara has a goal of her own as she has plans to create and give away a multitude of gnomes this holiday season. Unfortunately neither the gnomes or Mayor Dunfree survive to see Christmas and Aunt Fran is suspect #1. Officer Grady Hays must do his job regardless of what he might feel for Everly and Everly will not stop pursuing the killer until her Aunt Fran is exonerated. To make matters worse the local gossip column the Town Charmer is not helping matters as the pot gets stirred up. Then on top of that, the Outer Banks is blanketed in snow and the honorable Senator Denver, Hays' deceased wife's mother is coming to town to make sure her Grandson Denver is doing well given the new home and recent loss of his mother. So many moving parts, but that won't stop Everly from getting to the bottom of this next installment of a Seaside Café mystery. You have to admire that kind of dedication to family and to her heart. Great read and an unexpected villain to boot.
Have a Deadly New Year
By Lynn Cahoon
Published by Lyrical Underground
This is a Farm to Fork cozy novella, which means it is short an sweet and a little sour. Actually, the recipe at the end of the story is sweet and sour and I would definitely suggest trying it since it involves bacon and everything is always better with bacon. There is one thing that isn't better with bacon, and that is murder. A little post holiday catering job and a week of recipe/menu tweaking is all Angie and the staff of County Seat had in mind when agreeing to work for Cliff Henry and his band the Postal Mutiny. The last thing they expected was rocker drama and murder. Since this is a novella the clues come fast and furious as the story unfolds. Plenty of suspects plenty of motives and worst of all is that the County Seat crew are stuck with a murderer in a mountain cabin because of a snow storm which makes it impossible to leave right away. I was somewhat surprised as to how the book ended and a little disappointed that Ian was not a part of the story. Strictly speaking, you wouldn't need to have read a previous Farm to Fork mystery but they are excellent stories with a great cast of characters and recipes to boot!
By Caroline Fardig
Published by Alibi
The Ghosts of High School past come back to haunt the Christmas present. Quinn and Tucker were constructing a fire pit for Tucker's Aunt Lela as her Christmas present and they dig up a skeleton. It was believed that Ester Sinclair had skipped town, perhaps to get away from her very parochial parents, right after graduation. Ester and her parents were in the same class and even ran in the same circles. The discovered body does not bode well for Aunt Lela, whose fiery temper from days past makes her suspect #1. Quinn and her vivacious sister Delilah start digging up the past and soon other suspects come to life which does not make the situation any better. I love the way Quinn wants to do all she can to help Tucker and his Aunt, especially since Tucker's parents are to good to be bothered with such scandal. This story features mean girls, high school high jinx, ancient history, and even a family history. People are hiding secrets, including the girls' parents, but that won't stop the Bellandini sisters from investigating. Although this time they promise to be more careful. My only request of these stories is that those wonderful breakfast pastries be featured at the end of the story in recipe form! Held my attention all the way through with well placed tidbits of info and an engaging storyline.
By Connie Berry
Published by Crooked Lane Books
Kate Hamilton is back across the pond visiting her daughter on Holiday for the Christmas Holiday. Which times perfectly with a rendezvous with Detective Inspector Thomas Mallory of the Suffolk Constabulary, or Tom as he prefers Kate to call him. After their chance encounter and murder mystery in Scotland the two have decided to get to know each other better. Unfortunately it looks like this will be a case of deja vu in a new locale. In addition to the death of an intern, there is the Finchley family scandal, missing jewels, some new relationship friction, and Christine's boy drama. I am surprised that Kate is able to keep all the players straight. The character development is "spot on" and the location history certainly adds to the intrigue of the story. The only thing this story needs is some true quality time for the couple, but I am sure that will be left for another novel.
By Bree Baker
Published by Poisoned Pen Press
Charm, North Carolina is absolutely charming and as sweet as the tea that Everly brews in her tea shop. Equally sweet and a little bit sassy are her Great-Aunts Clara and Fran, especially Fran who planned to run against the current Mayor. Clara has a goal of her own as she has plans to create and give away a multitude of gnomes this holiday season. Unfortunately neither the gnomes or Mayor Dunfree survive to see Christmas and Aunt Fran is suspect #1. Officer Grady Hays must do his job regardless of what he might feel for Everly and Everly will not stop pursuing the killer until her Aunt Fran is exonerated. To make matters worse the local gossip column the Town Charmer is not helping matters as the pot gets stirred up. Then on top of that, the Outer Banks is blanketed in snow and the honorable Senator Denver, Hays' deceased wife's mother is coming to town to make sure her Grandson Denver is doing well given the new home and recent loss of his mother. So many moving parts, but that won't stop Everly from getting to the bottom of this next installment of a Seaside Café mystery. You have to admire that kind of dedication to family and to her heart. Great read and an unexpected villain to boot.
By Lynn Cahoon
Published by Lyrical Underground
This is a Farm to Fork cozy novella, which means it is short an sweet and a little sour. Actually, the recipe at the end of the story is sweet and sour and I would definitely suggest trying it since it involves bacon and everything is always better with bacon. There is one thing that isn't better with bacon, and that is murder. A little post holiday catering job and a week of recipe/menu tweaking is all Angie and the staff of County Seat had in mind when agreeing to work for Cliff Henry and his band the Postal Mutiny. The last thing they expected was rocker drama and murder. Since this is a novella the clues come fast and furious as the story unfolds. Plenty of suspects plenty of motives and worst of all is that the County Seat crew are stuck with a murderer in a mountain cabin because of a snow storm which makes it impossible to leave right away. I was somewhat surprised as to how the book ended and a little disappointed that Ian was not a part of the story. Strictly speaking, you wouldn't need to have read a previous Farm to Fork mystery but they are excellent stories with a great cast of characters and recipes to boot!
