The Twelve Saints of Christmas by Karen Baugh Menuhin

February 7, 2025

The Twelve Saints of Christmas by Karen Baugh Menuhin

Major Heathcliff Lennox and retired inspector Jonathan Swift are called to a country estate just outside Bath to investigate a suspicious death at what appears to be a retirement home for the very wealthy. But intrigue bubbles just below the surface and Lennox and Swift are soon faced with a second suspicious death.

Lennox and Swift return for their 12th investigation among the toffs, with their usual cast of supporting characters, including Greggs the butler and ladies' man, Lennox's spaniel Mr. Fogg, and his chubby cat Tubbs. Unfortunately Mr. Foggs and Tubbs make only brief appearances, as do Persi and Florence, wives of Lennox and Swift. I love a country house mystery, especially one set at the holidays, and this one is great fun like all of the books in the series. I recommend starting at the beginning of the series if you haven't read any of the earlier books.

Yes, there really are baths in Bath, England, although I'm not sure I'd want to go soak in them

The Deal of a Lifetime by Fredrik Backman

January 4, 2025

The Deal of a Lifetime by Fredrik Backman

A holiday (sort of) short story by the author of A Man Called Ove. A bit more melancholy than most of Backman's writing. But that doesn't really matter since I read everything he writes.

Sleep in Heavenly Pizza by Mindy Quigley

December 14, 2024

Sleep in Heavenly Pizza by Mindy Quigley

It's the holiday season in Geneva Bay, Wisconsin, and against her better judgment, Delilah O'Leary, proprietor of the town's gourmet pizzeria, is catering a swanky holiday party. It's a pretty standard party: obnoxious party goers, drunken arguments, guest sneaking around near the bedroom, drama. The next day, Delilah witnesses an angry confrontation between the party's host and an unknown older woman, right before a dead body is found in the middle of the snow sculpture competition.

Fourth installment in the Deep Dish mystery series. Typical cozy where the bad guys get caught, the good guys prevail, and it all works out in the end. Recipes at the back. Recommended for readers who enjoy cozy mysteries with a food theme.

Many thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

Who doesn't love a deep dish pizza?

The Christmas Murder Game by Alexandra Bennett

December 9, 2022

The Christmas Murder Game by Alexandra Bennett

On the first Christmas following her death, Liliana Armitage-Feathers has arranged for her surviving family to assemble at Endgame House, the family's country house. Every Christmas, they play a game, following clues that lead them to their Christmas presents. This year will be no different, except the clues will lead them to the ultimate holiday gift: the deed to Endgame House.

The Westing Game meets Clue (or Cluedo, it you're a Brit). I love mysteries set in country houses but this one was disappointing. The author was so focused on showing the reader how clever she is, that she neglected to use that same focus on the mystery. I had a good idea pretty early on about who was the murderer and who was working behind the scenes. I always read a few seasonal books, and this is my last Christmas mystery for 2022.

Disappointing.

Many thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

Christmas at an English Country House - always wanted a place like this

Best in Snow by David Rosenfelt

November 15, 2022

Best in Snow by David Rosenfelt

It's almost the holiday season. On his way to a charity dinner, Mayor Alex Oliva is shot and killed in his driveway. Lawyer Andy Carpenter is drawn into the case when his Golden Retriever Tara digs up a body in the local park. After a reporter who had a grudge against the mayor is arrested for the crime, the editor of the local paper asks Andy to represent the reporter. But when a second person is killed, Andy suspects there is more going on than just an unhappy constituent. 

Fun holiday read. As usual, reluctant lawyer Andy lets his friends sucker him into taking on another case that he doesn't want. It's not necessary to read the series in order. If you like lighter mysteries and dogs, this series is a good choice.

BTW - Andy believes that Tara, his Golden Retriever, is the best Golden Retriever ever, but he's wrong - that title goes to my Golden Retriever Luke.

Paterson, NJ, Andy's hometown

Blackmail and Bibingka by Mia P. Manansala

November 10, 2022

Blackmail and Bibingka by Mia P. Manansala

Lila Macapagal and her friends Adeena and Elena have finally opened their cafe, the Brew-ha Cafe, in Shady Palms, IL, right next door to Lila's family's Filipino restaurant. They are getting ready to participate in the town's annual holiday bazaar, when Lila's prodigal cousin Ronnie returns home to Shady Palms as the new owner of the local winery. But when one of his financial backers dies suddenly after drinking one of Ronnie's wines, Ronnie is a prime suspect and Lila's aunt asks her to help clear his name.

This is the third book in the Tita Rosie's Kitchen series, a cozy mystery series centered around a Filipino family restaurant in a small town about 100 miles from Chicago. Lots of food and eating. There are recipes in the back of the books for some of the traditional Filipino dishes. I worked with Mia's mom, Marian, for years at the Chicago Public Library, and I know she is proud as heck of Mia. Very enjoyable mysteries.

Bibingka, a traditional Filipino coconut cake served during the Christmas holidays

When Elves Attack by Tim Dorsey

December 3, 2019

When Elves Attack by Tim Dorsey

It's time for some holiday reading.  This certainly isn't your average Christmas novel, but work with me here.

Florida-phile and loveable psychopath Serge A. Storms goes off his meds once again, just in time for the holidays.  Christmas will never be the same after Serge and his stoner buddy Coleman, the Robin Hood and Merry Man of Florida, decide to go all out with their celebration.  There will be unforgettable presents, a tree with handmade ornaments, outside lighting decorations, caroling through the neighborhood, and lots (and lots) of eggnog.  Serge and Coleman even dress as elves and visit the mall to bring joy to the shoppers. In the spirit of the season, they make sure that Florida's criminals get just the right presents, while ensuring peace on earth and justice for the good people of Tampa.  Old friends including Jim and Martha Davenport, Country and City, and the G-Unit gather together to make the season bright.

Not a lot of plot but entertaining nonetheless.  I enjoy Dorsey's zany sense of humor.  If you liked the movie Bad Santa (one of my favorite holiday movies - none of that Hallmark crap for me), this will be your kind of Christmas story.

Marley by Jon Clinch

November 24, 2019

Marley by Jon Clinch

A re-telling of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol starring Jacob Marley.  Ebenezer Scrooge and Marley meet as boys at boarding school and become business partners for the rest of their lives.  While Scrooge is a penny-pinching number-cruncher, Marley is the schemer who comes up with all of the plots and plans.

While this is very creative and well-written (like Clinch’s novel Finn), I found it disappointing in a number of ways.  Marley comes on the scene as a young man at boarding school, already swindling his fellow students, and the reader learns nothing about his childhood or what made him the way he is.  I had the impression that he was at least a few years older than Scrooge.  Marley is portrayed as purely evil, while Scrooge is cast as Marley’s dupe and not very bright.  They are not friends, merely business associates, who eventually spend most of their time trying to ruin the other.

There are references to A Christmas Carol as well as several of Dickens' other works (David Copperfield, Hard Times, et al) which were fun to spot.  But the ending was depressing and hopeless, as Marley waits to be released from what appears to be hell by the soul of a very good man that he had murdered.  There is no hint of Marley desiring to return to earth to save Scrooge or anyone else, just himself, as usual.  Not recommended unless you're looking for a depressing book.