A Cajun Christmas Killing: A Cajun Country Mystery

Happy Book Release Day!  I just love waking up with new books on my kindle. Who remembers when they used to arrive in your mailbox on release day?  Some of the new titles out today are Hide and Seek by M.J. Arlidge (just wonderful), The Skeleton Paints a Picture by Leigh Perry, The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman, Death in St. Petersburg by Tasha Alexander, Death Overdue by Allison Brook, Murder on the Toy Town Express by Barbara Early, A Cajun Christmas Killing by Ellen Byron and Twelve Slays of Christmas by Jacqueline Frost. 

A Cajun Christmas Killing by Ellen Byron is the third book in A Cajun Country Mystery series.  Maggie Crozat and her family are busy with guests at the Crozat Plantation B&B and making Christmas preparations.  One of their guests, Donald Baxter is playing the part of Scrooge with his constant complaints.  Maggie is guiding a tour around Doucet and discovers their guest has become a ghost when she finds him stabbed to death.  Bo Durand, Maggie’s boyfriend, is a person of interest and Rufus Durand, his cousin, returns to be lead investigator (he is not a fan of the Crozat family—but he swears he has changed).  Maggie needs to find the real killer and clear Bo off the suspect list as well as herself and the rest of the Crozat family.  Her attention is diverted by Tannis Greer’s changes at Doucet (and her hideous new costume), her father’s ill health, numerous anonymous complaints about the B&B on a travel site, Lia’s revelations, and the return of her ex-boyfriend who is determined to exploit Bo’s son, Xander.  Just another typical week for Maggie in Pelican, Louisiana.  Come along for some Christmas fun in A Cajun Christmas Killing!

A Cajun Christmas Killing is an entertaining cozy mystery.  It has lively, unique characters and a small, quirky Southern town.  Maggie has a large extended family and many friends in Pelican.  It was interesting to read about the bonfires being built and how they are utilized on Christmas Eve (what a nifty tradition).  I just loved the descriptions of the old homes with original details (I am one of those people who loves squeaky old wood floors).  I found the story to be nicely written and to have a good pace (makes for an easy to read story).  There is quite a bit going on in A Cajun Christmas Killing.  I highly recommend reading the series in order.  It will help familiarize you with the characters (it can be hard to keep them all straight).  My rating for A Cajun Christmas Killing is 4 out of 5 pumpkins (I thought I would switch in honor of Halloween).  I do wish, though, that the mystery had been harder to solve.  I like to be challenged, and I accurately predicted the outcome before Maggie stumbled upon the body.  There are some delightful sounding recipes at the end of the book.  The ending was very satisfying (those who dislike Tannis will be merry).  I look forward to visiting Pelican, Louisiana again in the next A Cajun Country Mystery.

The first two books in A Cajun Country Mystery series are Plantation Shudders and Body on the Bayou.  I will return tomorrow to review Christmas at Carnton by Tamera Alexander.  May each of you have a stupendous day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader