CHRISTMAS CARD MURDER by LESLIE MEIER
In the midst of holiday home renovations, Lucy Stone unwraps a murder mystery decades in the making when she discovers an old Christmas card with a nasty message inside. The case may be colder than a New England Christmas, but Lucy’s determined to sort it out before Santa comes to town.
The Island Times Christmas soiree gets off to a scroogey start when Hayley Powell, Mona Barnes, and Rosana Moretti receive a Christmas card from the town flirt, Carol Waterman, who threatens to run off with one of their husbands! The ladies chalk it up to an imprudent prank . . . until they find Carol mistletoe-up under her tree . . .
Slay bells ring when the body of Arborville High School’s beloved art teacher (and annual Christmas card designer), Karma Karling, is discovered on the first day of the Holiday Craft Fair. Now, Pamela Paterson and the Knit and Nibble crew must swap swatching for sleuthing in order to put a Christmas killer on ice.
Christmas Card Murder contains three cozy mystery novellas by Leslie Meier, Lee Hollis, and Peggy Ehrhart. I like to read holiday themed stories as it gets closer to the holiday. Christmas Card Murder by Leslie Meier has Lucy Stone finally getting something she has dreamed of for years—a master bathroom. It is about time. While removing a wall, Bill finds a Christmas card with a nasty message. Lucy begins digging into the past to learn who received the card and the reason for the message. Also, a murderer is up for parole, and it has the community up in arms. I love visiting Tinker’s Cove, Maine. I like Lucy Stone who is a hardworking mother, wife, and reporter. The mystery was different and there was suspense in the story as well. There is also humor and warmth. Death of a Christmas Carol by Lee Hollis has the newspapers Christmas party taking a downturn when they receive a nasty missive from Carol Waterman, the town flirt who later turns up dead. Hayley sets out to bag the guilty party before Santa comes to town. This was a humorous story that fans of the series will enjoy. The mystery was simple, but it suited the length of the novella. Peggy Ehrhart gives us Death of a Christmas Card Crafter which has Pamela and her knitting group searching for the individual who killed the high school’s art teacher. There are nice characters in this series. I enjoy the descriptions of the yarn and their projects. I did find the pacing to be on the sluggish side. The mystery was different. The whodunit took a backseat to eating, the detailed descriptions of the character’s clothing, knitting, and the endless conversations. The resolution was drawn out and it felt like it came out of left field. These novellas are best read by those who are familiar with the series. I enjoyed learning more about Christmas cards and their history in Christmas Card Murder. You can read one or all three of these holiday cozy mysteries.
Kris
The Avid Reader
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