Category: Christmas

Review: Petteril’s Christmas by Mary Lancaster

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Christmas, Historical Mystery, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820)Leave a comment

Petteril's Christmas (Lord Petteril Mysteries Book 7)

Barbara’s rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Series: Lord Petteril Mysteries #7
Publication Date: 11/1/24
Period: Regency London
Number of Pages: 161

MERRY CHRISTMAS from Piers and April, Lord and Lady Petteril! Petteril wants their first Christmas together to be at his rural estate with just the two of them. April wants that too, but she just really wants to be with her husband wherever that might be. April has never celebrated Christmas and is looking forward to learning all the traditions.

Christmas in the country is not to be as his great-aunt Prudence, whom he had all but forgotten, summons him to town saying she is dying and the servants are stealing from her. He’s ashamed he hasn’t sought her out earlier, but he had no idea she was in London – or even England. She has always been a gadabout and never in one place for long. Piers does have fond memories of a childhood when he and his brother spent happy hours at her home. Yes, help her he must!

Great-aunt Prudence’s mystery is easily solved, and the ton is expected to behave disrespectfully and discourteously. What is not expected is for April’s past to rear its ugly head in the form of blackmail and murder. The blackmailer raises many memories for April, and she has to deal with those before she and Petteril can enjoy their Christmas.

While there was a murder to investigate, this was still a sweet, lovely, happy Christmas story that will make you smile much more often than it will make you frown. We visit with several old friends and meet some new ones that I hope will drop in for visits occasionally. If you are looking for a quick, short, lovely story that will keep you captivated from beginning to end, this is it. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

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

Review: The Knife Before Christmas by Kate Carlisle

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Christmas, Contemporary, Part of a SeriesLeave a comment

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.