Happy October! Colors of Christmas by Olivia Newport and A Place to Call Home by Tania Crosse are out today. Death on Tap by Ellie Alexander will be released on Tuesday, October 3. It is the first book in A Sloan Krause Mystery series. Ellie Alexander is the author A Bakeshop Mystery series.
Purring Around the Christmas Tree by Liz Mugavero is the sixth installment in A Pawsitively Organic Mystery series. Stan Connor is watching the
annual Christmas parade in Frog Ledge, Connecticut. Just before the tree lighting, Santa pulls up
in his sleigh and then quickly takes off again.
When Stan goes to investigate, she discovers that the Santa has done his
last ho-ho-ho. People are shocked when
they pull off Santa’s beard and it is not Seamus McGee (who always plays
Santa). The victim is Harold Dewey, a
drunk who spent his winters in Frog Ledge working at a local Christmas tree
farm. Who was the intended victim—Harold
or Seamus? Matters are further complicated
when Seamus and Ray Mackey cannot be located or reached (Char takes to her bed).
The McGee family figures that Seamus is
involved in another scheme and he dragged Ray into it with him. Stan works to identify Harold’s killer and
locate Seamus and Ray. Will Stan succeed
in time for everyone to have a merry Christmas?
Purring Around the Christmas Tree
is easy to read and has engaging characters.
The mystery has several aspects to it, but the murderer is easily
identified early in the story (insert disappointed sigh). Most of the investigation consists of Stan running
around town asking questions (I just want something more). It is a good thing that Stan has good help
(Brenna) or her business would have tanked opening night (since she failed to
show up to open the bakery). The cozy
aspects are entertaining. Stan is
opening Pawsitively Organic Pet Patisserie, picking out and decorating Stan’s
Christmas tree, Jake’s extended family is visiting for Christmas, Patricia and
Tony are planning their wedding, Caitlyn is adjusting to life in Frog Ledge,
and so much more. My rating for Purring Around the Christmas Tree is 3.5 out of 5 stars (I just wish the mystery had
been more complex). Jake got on my
nerves in Purring Around the Christmas Tree.
He became defensive and rude to Stan regarding his uncle, Seamus (Jake
does not want to face facts). The zany
factor seemed to be amplified in this A Pawsitively Organic Mystery novel. There is always some whacky antics, but the
author really turned up the volume on it this time. Purring Around the Christmas Tree (I inserted
the title into Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree and now the song is stuck in
my head) is not a standalone novel. You
do need to read the previous books in order to understand the town and the
relationships (or you will be lost). Purring Around the Christmas Tree is an entertaining cozy mystery that will leave you
singing Christmas carols and wanting to put up your tree early!
May each of you have a very special day. I will return on Monday with my review of Away with the Fairies by Kerry Greenwood. Take care and Happy Reading!
Kris
The Avid Reader
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