Mrs. Morris and the Ghost of Christmas Past by Traci Wilton

 Mrs. Morris and the Ghost of Christmas Past

Book Summary

Salem, Massachusetts B&B owner Charlene Morris is looking into a holiday hit-and-run, with a little help from her ghostly housemate . . .
 
Charlene’s parents are in town for Christmas, and her mother is driving her up a tree. Her bed-and-breakfast’s resident ghost, Jack, isn’t fond of her either—and he’s showing it with some haunting high jinks. But when Charlene takes her mom and dad out for dinner, the less-than-seasonal spirits take a deadly turn.
 
David Baldwin has just won a fortune in the lottery—and it adds a lot of drama to the charity auction he’s hosting at his restaurant. When he caps off the evening by playing Santa and handing out checks to some of the attendees, the mood shifts . . . and Charlene observes mysterious tensions between David and his flashy, bleached-blonde wife, his neglected teenage son from a previous marriage, and his hostile business partner, among others. And they’re only a few on the long list of potential suspects when David runs into the road and is mowed down by a fleeing motorist. Now it looks like it’s going to be homicide for the holidays . . 

My Thoughts

Charlene Morris and parents are dining at Bella’s in Salem, Massachusetts.  It is a charity dinner to raise funds for Felicity House.  After an awkward moment involving envelopes, David Baldwin (the restaurant’s co-owner) starts acting odd.  He takes off running outside where he is hit by a car which promptly takes off.  David has just won the lottery which had people coming out of the woodwork with their hands out.  He has a wife who was enjoying the riches, but she is also has a boy toy on the side.  Charlene sets out to dig up the truth.  She is also trying to raise funds so the kids at Felicity House can have a happy holiday since someone decided to put the kibosh on a donation.  Can Charlene wrap up the mystery before Christmas Eve?  

Mrs. Morris and the Ghost of Christmas Past by Traci Wilton is the third novel in A Salem B&B Mystery series.  I would suggest reading the series in order.  I found myself a little confused for the first couple of chapters (and I have read Mrs. Morris and the Ghost).  There were so many characters introduced that I found it hard to keep everyone straight (it gets better after the first couple of chapters).  We get to meet Charlene’s parents who are in town for ten days (and Charlene is counting down the days).  I like Charlene’s father, but her mother is a piece of work (a real negative nelly).  I just love Jack, the resident ghost of the bed and breakfast.  He is handsome, kind, caring, thoughtful, and amusing.  Jack pulls some humorous pranks.  I love the setting of Salem.  It is a wonderful town rich in history.  I enjoy the vivid descriptions of the area as well as Charlene’s beautiful bed and breakfast.  Charlene actively investigates the hit-and-run.  She asks questions and happens to overhear some pertinent information.  There is a red herring or two along with plenty of suspects.  I liked the mystery.  You need to pay close attention to the clues if you are to identify the guilty party.  I do not know why Sam bothers to tell Charlene to stay out of the case.  He should know by now that she is not going to do it.  I love how Jack helps Charlene work through the clues.  I would like to see more of Jack in future books (he needs to work on his jealousy though).  There is a great Christmassy atmosphere in the story.  I thought it was wonderful what Charlene is trying to do to help Felicity House.  Overall, an enjoyable and entertaining cozy mystery (except for Charlene’s mother).  Mrs. Morris and the Ghost of Christmas Past is a charming whodunit with flavorful pasta fagioli, a deadly hit-and-run, a glum mum, a jealous Jack, a dearth of donations, a handy new helper, and a Happy Holiday!

Mrs. Morris and the Ghost of Christmas Past is available from Amazon*.  You can find the other A Salem B&B Mysteries here.  The first novel in A Salem B&B Mysteries is Mrs. Morris and the Ghost and it is on Kindle Unlimited.  Thank you for visiting today.  I will be back tomorrow with Christmas with the Bobby Girls by Johanna Bell.  It is the 3rd book in The Bobby Girls series.  I need to go get gift bags for the larger gifts today (without spending a mint).  If I can find a mermaid bag for my youngest niece, it would be fabulous.  She is into mermaids this year (made shopping easier).  I found shopping for my oldest niece the hardest.  She is twelve going on thirty.  Too old for toys but too young for some of the teen items (make up for example).  I hope you have a jolly day.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Christmas Cocoa Murder by Carlene O'Connor, Maddie Day & Alex Erickson

Christmas Cocoa Murder by Carlene O’Connor has Siobhan O’Sullivan in Kilbane, Ireland looking forward to a quiet Christmas with her family.  Siobhan is surprised by the hot cocoa dunk tank that Paddy O’Shea dreamed up for the Christmas carnival.  Before departing for the pantomime, Siobhan looks for her dog, Trigger and cannot find him.  She hears a similar story from a little boy who is searching for his Christmas puppy.  When the dunk tank rolls out, Paddy is found floating in it.  Siobhan is quick to note some pertinent clues that will help in the search for the killer.  During the investigation, Siobhan learns Paddy had been up to some mischief that put him squarely on Santa’s naughty list.  Did Paddy’s Christmas tom foolery get him killed?

Christmas Cocoa and A Corpse by Maddie Day has Robbie Jordan down one staff member at Pans ‘N Pancakes during the busy holiday season.  Robbie and her boyfriend, Abe are having dinner with his parents as well as Jed and Willa Mae Greenberg.  Karinde Nilsson drops off Abe’s Christmas puppy early so Willa Mae agrees to watch him until Christmas Day so the little fellow will remain a surprise.  The next morning, Lt. Buck Bird arrives at the restaurant with a solemn face and announces that Jed Greenberg was found dead near the library.  He had been walking the puppy and slipped on a patch of ice hitting his head.  Howard, Abe’s father, is at the top of the suspect list which has Robbie searching for answers to clear his name.

Death by Cocoa by Alex Erickson has Krissy Hancock along with Rita Jablonski taking part in a Christmas themed escape room game.  Lewis Coates, the creator of the game, introduces them to the other players and then gives them instructions before departing the room.  After escaping from the first phase, the players come out to find Lewis dead on the floor.  Krissy finds herself locked in with a killer.  They all must work together to escape with the hope that the killer does not strike again.  Krissy figures it a bonus if she can wrap up the crime before she departs as well.  Which one of her fellow contestants did in the escape room creator?

Christmas Cocoa Murder by Carlene O'Connor, Maddie Day, and Alex Erickson contains three cozy novellas that are a part of the following series:  An Irish Village Mystery series, A Country Store Mystery series and A Bookstore Café Mystery series.  I thought they were three entertaining Christmas cozies.  They are all well-written and full of Christmas spirit.  The three mysteries were interesting with various levels of complexity.  The escape room mystery was my favorite, and I particularly enjoyed the description of the escape room puzzles.  I have read books from all three series, so it was not a problem for me to read each story.  I already knew the characters plus the settings.  Maddie Day has my favorite writing style.  It is like conversing with old friends.  I like how hot cocoa played a part in each story with Christmas Cocoa Murder featuring it in a unique way (a dunk tank).  We get to enjoy Christmas festivities in three different towns from two countries.  I especially appreciated that all three stories featured intelligent female protagonists who are resourceful and do not break down at the sight of a dead body.  I am glad that Kensington puts out these holiday novella collections and I hope that they continue to do so.  It is a chance to catch up with our favorite series and solve a mystery (a definite bonus in my book).  Christmas Cocoa Murder has three cocoa connected conundrums, a swarm of suspects, many missing mutts, sharp sleuths and copious Christmas cheer.

Christmas Cocoa Murder can be obtained through Amazon* (Amazon UK).   Carlene O'Connor writes An Irish Village Mystery series with the fifth book being Murder in an Irish Cottage which releases on February 25, 2020.  Ms. O'Connor also has Murder in Galway which is the debut of A Home to Ireland Mystery series coming out on April 28, 2020.  Maddie Day writes  A Country Store Mystery series which Nacho Average Murder publishing on June 30, 2020.  She also has Murder on Cape Cod releasing on December 31 which is the debut of A Cozy Capers Book Group Mystery.  Alex Erickson writes A Bookstore Cafe Mystery series.  Thank you for reading my review today.  I am featuring A Child from the Ash Pits by Chrissie Walsh tomorrow.  There will be an excerpt from the book plus a giveaway.  I hope that you have a pleasurable day.  Take care and Happy Reading!  

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.

In Peppermint Peril by Joy Avon: My Review of A Tea & Read Mystery

Greetings!  One Taste Too Many by Debra H. Goldstein, Valentine Candy Murder by Leslie Meier (two previously published Lucy Stone Valentine Mysteries), Wine and Punishment by Sarah Fox, Steamed Open by Barbara Ross, Fashions Fade, Haunted is Eternal by Rose Pressey and The Amish Sweet Shop by Emma Miller, Laura Bradford and Mary Ellis are out today.  Dreams of the Witch by Deanna Chase is the fourth book in the Witches of Keating Hollow and it is now available for purchase.  Crewel and Unusual by Molly MacRae comes out on January 1.  Do not miss the return of the Haunted Yarn Shop Mystery series.  So many wonderful new books to read!

In Peppermint Peril by Joy Avon is the first A Tea and Read Mystery.  Calliope “Callie” Aspen has returned to Heart’s Harbor, Maine to help her Great Aunt Iphy with her tearoom, Book Tea.  Iphy incorporates mystery books into her pastry decorations and hosts book themed events.  Callie is carting the supplies to Haywood Hall for the tea party being hosted by Dorothea Finster, the town’s oldest resident, a week before Christmas.  Callie has fond memories of playing at Haywood Hall as a child plus she vividly remembers the crush she had on Stephen, one of Dorothea’s relatives.  Dorothea has invited various relatives and friends to hear an announcement regarding her will.  Sheila Du Bouvrais, Stephen’s wife, has her own agenda for the event and insists that Callie hide an heirloom engagement ring in the cake.  She is trying to force Ben Matthews, a lawyer, into proposing to her daughter Amber, despite Amber’s lack of interest.  When the ring box is removed from the cake and opened, they find the empty.   A scream then rings out from the conservatory where Amber has stumbled upon Mr. Leadenby, the gardener and storyteller, stabbed to death.  Deputy Falk is in charge of the case since the sheriff is out of town for the holidays.  Callie and Iphy join forces to solve this knotty conundrum before Santa slides into town on his sleigh.

In Peppermint Peril we are taken to the small town of Heart’s Harbor, Maine where Callie grew up.   After Stephen broke her heart by marrying her childhood friend, Sheila, Callie took a job as a tour guide.  Callie has traveled around the world with Travel the Past, but it left her little time to visit home or have a personal life.  Callie is quickly confronted by her past when Iphy’s latest catering gig takes her to Haywood Hall.  Haywood Hall is a special place to Callie.  When I started In Peppermint Peril, I felt like I was dumped down the rabbit hole like Alice.  It felt like I started in the middle of the book instead of the beginning.  Readers barely get a chance to know Callie and Iphy, when a hoard of other characters are introduced.  Callie’s dog, Daisy is an adorable addition to the story.  Iphy is lovely woman with a delightful tea shop with mystery book themed pastries.  She hides clues on her cakes for the guests to solve.  I enjoyed the references to the older mystery novels.  Iphy’s creations sounded beautiful and delectable.  The mystery was multi-faceted with pointed clues and multiple suspects.  Unfortunately, I easily identified the killer early in the story.  The why is revealed as the story progresses.  The one thing I did not like is Callie jumping to conclusions which led to exasperating situations.  She spends a significant amount of time thinking and speculating about the case.  Her investigation technique is unique.  In Peppermint Peril has steady pacing along with the author’s casual writing style which made the story easy to read.  Unfortunately, the book lacked depth.  There are details missing on the main characters and the town.  The ending felt incomplete.  I believe the author was trying to start the series with a BANG, but it fell flat.  I am giving In Peppermint Peril 3 out of 5 stars.  The series has potential, and I hope the author is more successful in her next A Tea and Read Mystery. 

Sweet Tea and Secrets is the next book in A Tea and Read Mystery series which will be available on June 11, 2019.  I appreciate you joining me today.  Tomorrow I will share my review of The Christmas Star by Donna VanLiere.  Until then, take care of yourself and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

'Twas the Knife Before Christmas by Jacqueline Frost

Welcome!  Hooks Can Be Deceiving by Betty Hechtman is now out.  It is the latest A Crochet Mystery.  The Amish Sweet Shop by Emma Miller, Laura Bradford and Mary Ellis comes out on December 18 along with Steamed Open by Barbara Ross.  

‘Twas the Knife Before Christmas by Jacqueline Frost has us journeying to Mistletoe, Maine.  Holly White works at the family café The Hearth on their tree farm in addition to making her popular recycled glass candy jewelry and working with the construction crew on the families’ new inn.  Holly had no idea she would have to make numerous design choices for the inn which she will be running when it is completed.  Holly and her best friend, Caroline West, who owns Caroline’s Cupcakes, meet up for the town tree lighting ceremony where they will unveil the “Guess How Many Mints are in the Bowl” contest.  When the cover is removed from the giant bowl, a deceased Derek Waggoner is inside.  Unfortunately, Caroline had a very public incident with Derek the night before which puts her at the top of Sheriff Evan Gray’s suspect list.  Caroline’s alibi consists of eating cupcakes and watching Cupcake Wars (who doesn’t love that show) on her new smart fridge in the bakery.  Now Holly must work in sleuthing in between her other duties.   The killer, though, does not appreciate Holly sticking her nose into the case and warns her off with boxes contained threatening notes and peppermints (just like the one in the big bowl).  When Caroline’s prints are the only ones found on the murder weapon, Sheriff Gray arrests her.  Holly is determined to have her friend out of jail and home before Santa comes riding into to town.

 

‘Twas the Knife Before Christmas contains plenty of Christmas cheer with the Reindeer Games, Holly’s jewelry, a construction crew that resembles Santa and three of his elves, making gingerbread houses, sleigh rides, a Christmas tree lighting and special Christmas magic.  While some of the Reindeer Games sound like fun, there are others that I am surprised there were any competitors (decorating a gingerbread house blindfolded).  Holly is an energetic and creative woman who is doing three jobs with the help of her friends, Cookie and Caroline.  Holly owns a cute cat that she has named Cindy Lou Who.  Holly’s romance with Evan Gray seems to have stalled out over the last few months.  He has some issue that is keeping him occupied, and he has not confided in Holly.  She just might need to do a little reconnaissance.  I am glad that the author is letting their romance progress at a slower pace (let is develop naturally).   While the new inn is being built, Holly’s mother decided to have the kitchen at The Hearth remodeled.  The remodel was supposed to be completed weeks ago plus the carpenter manages to create chaos on a daily basis.  The whodunit has multiple suspects, good clues and misdirection.  Holly questions people around town while trying to find the guilty party and clear Caroline of the murder charge.  Holly finds herself in some sticky situations.   While ‘Twas the Knife Before Christmas is the second A Christmas Tree Farm Mystery, it can be read alone (easily).   I am giving ‘Twas the Knife Before Christmas 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it).  ‘Twas the Knife Before Christmas is a charming cozy mystery with friendly characters and plenty of Christmas fun that will put you in a festive mood. 

The first A Christmas Tree Farm Mystery is Twelve Slays of Christmas (kindle version currently $1.99 on Amazon).  I appreciate you joining me today.  I will be featuring A Timeless Celebration by Dianne Ascroft as part of the Great Escapes Book Tour.  I hope you have a cozy day.  Stay warm (I actually had to get out my electric throw) and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

Yule Log Murder by Leslie Meier, Barbara Ross and Lee Hollis

Happy Friday!  I hope you have had a lovely week.  Death and Daisies by Amanda Flower will be out on November 13 along with A Seat by the Hearth by Amy Clipston and Murder at Harbor Village by G.P. Gardner.  So many delightful books have been published recently and there are not enough hours to read them (or bookshelves to hold them).

Yule Log Murder contains three short cozy mysteries by Lucy Stone, Barbara Ross and Lee Hollis.  Yule Log Murder by Leslie Meier takes us to Tinker’s Cove, Maine.  Lucy is playing an extra in the period film, Guinevere being filmed at Pine Point.  Lucy finds it tedious until the cook’s assistant is found dead smothered in pink icing from a yule log and a knife to the stomach.  When Phyllis Lundquist’s relative is arrested for the crime, Lucy is tasked with finding the culprit.  She must work in her sleuthing in between working at the paper, her role in the film and the final preparations for Christmas.  Lucy gets an early Christmas present when her son, Patrick and his family arrive to celebrate the holidays.  Surprise turns to shock when she encounters their new pit bull, Skittles and hears their unexpected news.  Spending time on the set tracking down a killer sounds like a welcome escape to Lucy.

Lee Hollis entertains readers with Death by Yule in Bar Harbor, Maine.  Hayley Powell’s holidays are not starting off as planned when her son, Dustin becomes snowed in with his father.  Her daughter, Gemma arrives with her new actor boyfriend, Conner who seems too perfect.  They attend Liddy’s annual Christmas party which has a significant number of party crashers including local bad boy, Ryan Toledo.  After an altercation between Ryan and Conner over Gemma, Ryan is escorted out of the party.  A few hours later, Ryan is found in the woods near Liddy’s house with remnants of one of Hayley’s Yule logs on his body.  Connor is at the top of the suspect list and a distressed Gemma asks Hayley to clear his name.  Which resident of Bar Harbor is getting an orange jumpsuit for Christmas?

Logged On by Barbara Ross is set in Busman’s Harbor, Maine.  Julia Snowden wants to start her own Christmas tradition and she has decided it will be a Buche de Noel (oh dear).  Julia is not going to let the fact she cannot make a decent one stop her.  Julia’s mother suggests she consult their crusty neighbor, Mrs. Odile St. Onge.  The baking lessons begin, and they give Julia a chance to learn more about the reclusive woman.  Julia has noticed that Mrs. St. Onge’s caregiver quit showing up recently along with her grand-nephew which leaves the older woman without assistance.  She decides to investigate the matter, and Julia is dismayed when she learns that Mrs. St. Onge has had a few relatives pass away during the holidays after eating her Buche de Noel.  The more Julia learns the more alarmed she becomes.  Julia is determined to get answers, but she is wary of becoming the next victim. 

Yule Log Murder contains three entertaining cozy mysteries.  While the three tales are part of existing series, you can read them as standalones.  I enjoyed visiting some of my favorite characters during the holiday season.  Yule logs are woven into each story.  While these delectable cakes are beautiful, they are not easy to make.  There are friendly characters, charming small towns, holiday cheer and mysteries in each novella.  All three are well-written with steady pacing and good flow.  I was a little surprised by what is happening with Patrick Stone’s family in Yule Log Murder.  They are not as I remember them, and I hope we see significant changes before they appear in the series again (I know I am being vague, but I do not want to spoil it for you).  All three mysteries have humor, but I found myself laughing more at Julia’s antics in Logged On.  All three crimes can easily be solved, but they are still pleasing to read (I stayed up very late finishing this collection).  I am giving Yule Log Murder 4 out of 5 stars.  Find yourself a comfy chair to relax in while reading the diverting and merry novellas in Yule Log Murder.

Thank you so much for visiting today.  What are you currently reading?  I am always looking for new books and authors (and so is my mother).  I will be sharing my review of High Crimes by Libby Fischer Hellmann tomorrow.  It is the fifth novel in The Georgia Davis PI series. I hope you have a fulfilling day.  I will return tomorrow.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader