Category: Christmas

Review: The Knife Before Christmas by Kate Carlisle

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The Knife Before Christmas (A Fixer-Upper Mystery Book 11)

Barbara’s rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Series: Fixer-Upper Mystery #11
Publication Date: 10/22/24
Period: Contemporary
Number of Pages: 287

Christmas is rapidly approaching in picturesque Lighthouse Cove. Nothing says that better than finding out what delightful and exciting surprise event Bill and Lillian Garrison have dreamed up for the Garrison Hotel. Each year’s event seems to top the last, and this year is no exception. They have purchased a beautiful, fully functional carousel to put under a giant circus tent that will also hold various gaming booths, rides, etc. just as a regular carnival would – and it is all open to the public. Shannon Hammer and her crew have been hired to make it all come together. The job goes smoothly and delightfully – until one evening during a special event when the lights go out – all of them – and when Shannon turns the breaker back on, there is a body – a very dead body.

With Sheriff Bill and his crew investigating – and another body turning up – things are getting heated. Will the murderer strike again? Will all of the Christmas festivities have to be canceled? With no clues, will the murderer be caught?

I was quickly sure who would be the victim or the murderer, but it was still interesting to find out which—and why. The mystery was a bit slow starting, but that was okay because the focus was on the Christmas festivities, the carnival project, and other local activities.

This was a lovely, quick, fun read with an interesting mix of characters, events – and crimes. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Death at a Scottish Christmas by Lucy Connelly

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Christmas, Contemporary, Mystery, Part of a Series, Scottish/HighlanderLeave a comment

Death at a Scottish Christmas (A Scottish Isle Mystery, #3)Barbara’s rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Series: A Scottish Isle Mystery #3
Publication Date: 10/15/24
Period: Contemporary – Sea Isle, Scotland
Number of Pages: 256

Dr. Emilia (Em) McRoy is looking forward to her first Christmas at Sea Isle. Em, in need of a change of pace from her job as head of ER at a major US hospital, relocated to become the village doctor and coroner for Sea Isle, Scotland. Em absolutely loves Sea Isle’s slower pace and friendly people and has made many friends since arriving in August. Now, Christmas is almost here and the village is awash in festivities gathered from cultures everywhere. The biggest event for this Christmas will be a concert in the local pub – by a renowned rock group, Bram and the Stokers. They’ve been touring in Europe and are set to tour the USA next. Normally, such a famous group wouldn’t look twice at tiny Sea Isle, but a couple of the members grew up on the Isle and they want a quiet break before heading to the US. Sadly, the break will not be the respite they had hoped for.

After a wildly successful concert, the lead singer, Bram Stoker, was found dead on the beach the following morning – and it wasn’t natural causes. Who would want to murder the charismatic, handsome singer and lyricist? Could it be a member of the band? A groupie? A stalker? A rejected lover? Or, is it someone with a long-ago past with the singer – such as Constable Ewan Campbell? With so many suspects, how can Em help to narrow them down?

All of the supporting characters we’ve come to know and love over the previous two books have roles in this tale as well. Their assistance in gathering evidence, and helping Em and Ewan work through the clues is invaluable. With so many suspects and clues, it is hard to weed out the red herrings from the actual culprit, but Em and the crew manage to do it – but not before there is a second death. You won’t know the murderer until the end, but you’ll be convinced you know with each red herring.

This was an entertaining murder mystery with a well-thought-out plot, an interesting victim, and even more interesting suspects. The author wove the investigation into all of the Christmas celebrations in a way that made you want to spend your Christmas with the residents of Sea Isle even if there was a murder being investigated. It was an enjoyable read, and I am glad to have had another visit with all of the Sea Isle residents.

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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