Reading Recommendations: Holiday Sleuthing
A new month means another batch of reading recommendations! December’s theme is Holiday themed mysteries! Each book featured has some kind of holiday sleuthing focus (see previous post here). I hope you enjoy these picks!
Rebel Without a Claus
Christmas elf Tinklebelle Holly is a screwup. Demoted to a job in the reindeer division after one infraction too many, she hates her job, hates her life, and despises the North Pole.
But when a surprise visitor arrives from Elven High Council, and Tink is assigned to show him around, everything changes. Jax Grayson is a dark elf, and unlike anyone, she’s ever met. Looking past his obvious hotness, Tink knows he has a secret, and the audit he’s supposedly performing doesn’t feel legit. After an unexpected tragedy occurs, Tink’s life is thrown into even greater turmoil, and it seems like Jax might be the only one Tink can truly trust. Can she help him figure out what’s happening on the North Pole, or will Jax be her worst mistake of all?
What I enjoyed about this book is that it puts a fun magical spin on all the holiday things we know and love to give it a fresh perspective. It was thoroughly entertaining to read about all the yummy Christmas treats, the somewhat naughty reindeer’s behavior, gruff elves, and interacting with all the people ink encounters on a regular basis. I loved the amateur sleuth persona that Tink takes on to solve the case and which makes her even more enjoyable as a character. She’s loud, sarcastic, and does everything else typical elves aren’t supposed to be like. Her witty humor alone made me like her character and laugh along with the story constantly.
Blackmail and Bibingka
It’s Christmastime in Shady Palms, but things are far from jolly for Lila Macapagal. Sure, her new business, The Brew-ha Cafe, is looking to turn a profit in its first year. And yes, she’s taken the first step in a new romance with her good friend, Jae Park. But her cousin Ronnie is back in town after ghosting the family fifteen years ago, claiming that his recent purchase of a local winery shows that he’s back on his feet and ready to give back to the Shady Palms community. Tita Rosie is thrilled with the return of her prodigal son, but Lila knows that wherever Ronnie goes, trouble follows.
She’s soon proven right when Ronnie is accused of murder, and secrets and rumors surrounding her shady cousin and those involved with the winery start piling up. Now Lila has to put away years of resentment and distrust to prove her cousin’s innocence. He may be a jerk, but he’s still family. And there’s no way her flesh and blood could actually be a murderer…right?
This novel was the first time I’ve jumped into the Tita Rosie series, but I’m happy that I could enjoy the novel without reading the first two books. This is a cozy mystery set during the holiday season and features so many delicious and mouthwatering recipes. I appreciated how the story focuses on the importance of family all while showcasing Lila’s traditions and culture. This story has a lot of heart and even though Lila is an amateur sleuth her kind heart and honesty feels like being with a friend. The msytery was entertaining and I love reading about Lila’s lively family (who made me laugh many times).
Mistletoe Malarkey
They’ve been dating more than a year. They practically live together. Now, Shayla’s meeting his family for Christmas.In Ireland. Seamus is a park ranger, shares an apartment with three other guys, and drives a beat up pickup truck. How would Shayla have known he was practically Irish royalty?
When they arrive at the airport and are bombarded by camera flashes, Shayla’s insecurities move closer and closer to the surface. An old girlfriend, a creepy uncle, and an entire town are on hand for a getting-to-know-you dinner party. Everything is going well until someone ends up dead. The guarda want Shayla to stay out of it. She may be a police officer in the United States, but she has no jurisdiction in Ireland. Too bad, she can’t seem to keep from stumbling onto clues everywhere she goes.
This novel is humorous, suspenseful, and allows readers to become super sleuths. I enjoye the plot and setting of Ireland so much. This novel allowed me to travel to a place I’ve never been to. It was definitely a new way to experience the holidays for me. Readers get to see Shayla use her police background to piece together clues and show that she is just as capable as others despite her many naysayers. The novel has a cast of eclectic characters that are amusing and made the book interesting to read. The romance was cute, the mystery aspects were intriguing, and the story puts you in the holly jolly spirit.
Bayou Christmas Disappearance
Mona Avery is determined to investigate Dillon Reed’s high-profile missing person case in the Louisiana bayou. Even if stubborn Detective Reed insists the hotshot investigative journalist is a hindrance. For Mona, the case is personal, especially at Christmas. Working closely with the detective makes it hard to deny their attraction. But a killer wants Mona’s story silenced…and only Dillon can keep her safe…
Set around the holiday season in Louisiana, this high-stakes mystery is full of thrills to keep the reader on the edge of their seat. Mona is a quick-witted and smart investigative journalist that wil do anything to solce her friend’s case before it’s too late. On top of that she gets to rekindle a fiery connection with Detective Dillon as they try to find Mona’s friend. This novel is fast-paced and has everything you are looking for in a mystery: thrills, action-packed scenes, and the imminent feeling of danger. The characters were well-written along with the mystery. This holiday mystery is more on the grittier side than the other picks on this list.
A Mistletoe Murder: A Christmas Mystery Novella
Ashton Chambers just wants to go home. But he has no idea where that is anymore. Fresh out of a divorce, his Christmas spirit is dwindling. Determined not to spend his holiday alone, he takes the last train to his brother’s house, and ends up with much more than he bargained for…
Mikayla Thompson is a grinch who revels in the Christmas spirit. After all, it’s the most scamminest time of the year. Known for her slick mouth and breathtaking beauty, she can squeeze her way out of any jam. That is, until she becomes the number one suspect in a murder investigation.
Bound together on a speeding train to Nowhere, will Ashton see Mikayla for who she really is? Or will both their lives be cut short on the unlikeliest of holidays?
If you’re looking for a shorter read that you can devour in one sitting then this is the novella for you. Every mystery loer loves a murder mystery on a train and this one is fast-paced and action-packed. It was so good that I didn’t want to put the book down. It has all the elements a good mystery story should have and the ending felt satisfying. I liked the anticipation of racing against the clock bfore the train comes to a stop. Everyone is a suspect and the main (possible?) couple is determined to get the case solved.
That concludes my reading recommendations for holiday themed mystery novels! What books do you recommend or what are your favorites? Comment below!
