The Mistletoe Mystery - Nita Prose

I was so excited to see that Nita Prose has penned a Christmas novella called The Mistletoe Mystery. And yes, this is a book that features  Molly (the Maid) Gray as the main character. 

If you're a big fan of this series like me, you're in for a wonderful read or listen. And if you've never read the first two books...what are you waiting for! This is a great way to get a taste of this series. 

Molly works at the upscale Regency Grand Hotel as a maid and she loves her job. Now, the other thing you need to know about Molly is that she struggles with social skills and can't read the nuances of interactions - facial and conversational.

With Christmas looming, and a staff secret Santa event, and her boyfriend acting odd, she is stressed -  and worried.

I just adore Molly and you will too! I chose to listen to this novella. The reader is Lauren Ambrose and she has done a fantastic job of bringing Molly to life with her voice. She captures Molly's emotions, inner dialogue and her struggles and her joys with her performance. I appreciated the connectivity, as Ambrose has narrated the first two books.  Read an excerpt. Listen to an excerpt.  Novella - 2 hours and 38 minutes

And keep your eyes out for the new Molly tale coming out April 8/25. I can't wait!

Christmas Presents - Lisa Unger

I love the time of the year when seasonal titles start popping up. And especially when it's a favorite author.  Christmas Presents is Lisa Unger's gift to readers this season!

Madeline was the only survivor of a serial killer that terrorized her town years ago. A man was convicted. But, now an author turned podcaster wants to reopen the case. He stops into Madeline's bookstore asking for her participation, as other women have gone missing.

As always, I was immediately caught up in Unger's premise. A past and present timeline is used, which I always enjoy as well. We're with a teenage Madeline as she gets close to what the reader knows is danger - in many ways. And with her in the presents as she tries to remember what she has forgotten. She's a likeable character that's easy to get behind. Unger does a great job presenting the two ages of Madeline. 

There's a good cast of supporting players that gives the reader a wide variety of choice for 'whodunit.' Some red herrings kept me guessing until the final pages. 

The bookshop is a wonderfully drawn setting - and I'd been quite happy to browse the shelves and displays! This book might be a great gift for yourself!

And what makes this a Christmas novella? Well, the timeframe is the days building up to Christmas. An unknown person has left Madeline a gift on her porch every Christmas for many years. And what about the person dressing up as Santa ahead of time?

While marketed as a seasonal read, those who enjoy murder mysteries will enjoy this book anytime. See for yourself - read an excerpt of Christmas Presents.

224 pages.

The Santa Suit - Mary Kay Andrews

I can imagine some of you might be saying 'A Christmas review already?' Well....it is less than three months away!  

Mary Kay Andrews has just released The Santa Suit, a great seasonal novella perfect for stocking stuffing (and don't forget yours!)

I love Mary Kay Andrews books. There's always a likable lead character. In this tale, it's Ivy Perkins. (And Punkin the dog!) She's lost her business, her marriage is kaput and her best friend betrayed her. What's a girl to do? How about buying an old farmhouse - sight unseen? From a really nice, and yes handsome, real estate agent. Uh huh, the possible romantic thread of the plot. And in a really friendly little town populated with quirky, amiable folks. Well, all the elements are there for a classic MKA read!

But where does the Christmas bit come in? Well, most of the furnishings and bits of the previous longtime owners came with the farmhouse. And in a closet, in the pocket of an old Santa suit is a Christmas wish from a little girl many years ago...

The Santa Suit is just such a warm-hearted read. I loved Ivy and hoped she would find happiness again. Punkin was a most excellent dog character. ;0) The romantic thread is believable and written just right. The supporting cast is just as likable, with a mix of players, each with their own story. And the setting made me want to move to town. But the Christmas pièce de résistance is that note in the Santa suit. Andrews weaves together a resolution that I didn't see coming, but it's the perfect ending. 

The Santa Suit was a wonderfully festive novel that makes for warm, fuzzy, heartwarming reading. Best served with a cup of cocoa, a comfy chair and a warm blanket. See for yourself - read an excerpt of The Santa Suit.

The Unpleasantness at the Battle of Thornford - C.C. Benison

C.C. Benison is the author of a delightful series - The Father Christmas mysteries. I've been waiting for more murder and mystery from the village of Thornford Regis. And it's here! The Unpleasantness at the Battle of Thornford (a novella) releases November 5/20.

The lead character is actually a widowed vicar by the name of Tom Christmas. He makes his home in the rectory with his daughter Miranda and housekeeper Madrun. I happily settled in with a pot of tea and gingersnaps, eager to visit Tom and the lovely, quirky residents of Thornford Regis. 

Tom has been asked to attend and bless a historical reenactment of a 1645 battle. The original battle "...appeared to be rather less a 'battle' than a 'skirmish', or perhaps, an 'incident' or - really - little more than an 'unpleasantness' as the weary locals dragged themselves out for a final bash at one another in the protracted war that divided England in the seventeenth century." And it is here that the body is found. 

Father Tom is such a great lead. He's likable, naturally curious, kind and thoughtful. His vocation lets him make discreet inquiries and piece things together himself. He just can't help himself. The residents are a mixed bunch - quirky, suspicious, friendly, nosy, secretive, helpful - there's no lack of suspects in this parish. There are many I miss from previous books and *hope* there might be more Father Christmas and et al tales. I truly miss Madrun's missives to her mother. 

Thornford Regis reminds me of one of those English village displays you'd see on a mantle at Christmas - the church, the local meeting hall, the corner store, the manor house, a tea room (where you would find me) and more.  

The first three books in this series are distinctly cozy - despite the bodies. This latest novella is a cozy entry as well, but with a darker 'why' at the heart of the whodunit.

I can heartily recommend this latest Father Christmas - it's an engaging, easy little read that will entertain you. And the size of the book makes is just right for Christmas stockings! 

Join At Bay Press and Whodunit Mystery Bookstore for a virtual launch of The Unpleasantness at the Battle of Thornford happening tomorrow - November 4th. Check out the details here.

You can connect with C.C. Benison on his website, follow him on Twitter, like him on Facebook as well as on his Goodreads page.

Elevation - Stephen King

I've read everything Stephen King has written and was excited to hear he had a new book coming out. Elevation is newly released.

Fans will recognize the setting immediately. Castle Rock, Maine. Scott Carey has been losing weight. He can see it on the scale. Oddly enough, the number stays the same even if he's wearing clothes. And his body doesn't look any different. But he's definitely lighter....

Even as Scott's weight decreases, a small fracas with his neighbours increases. But it's not just Scott, it's most of the town against this couple. Scott decides to try and turn things around.

Elevation is the perfect listen for this time of the year. It's timely in so many ways. Uplifting I would say. ;0) Elevation tackles intolerance, doing the right thing and simple kindness and decency with a classic King supernatural twist.

I was thrilled to see that King himself was the narrator. There's nothing like having an author read his own work. The emphasis, the interpretation, the emotion, the quirks and so much more are presented exactly as he intended them to be. Listen to an audio excerpt of Elevation.

A bonus short story, Laurie, is included. And will give regular readers a nice little jolt of King horror....watch out for the 'gators.

This listener really enjoyed Elevation. The ending was difficult - sad, but absolutely fitting. A great addition to my library.

The Deal of a Lifetime - Fredrik Backman

Next up on the holiday reading/listening list is The Deal of a Lifetime by Fredrik Backman.

I really enjoy Backman's writing - his 'left of centre' characters and the situations he places them in.

In this novella, the lead character is a man who was driven all his life to succeed and excel at business. Where he failed was as a father. He narrates this tale, finally acknowledging his absence and shortcomings to his son. A chance meeting with a dying little girl gives him a chance at redemption. I'm not going to spoil things by telling you how that comes about. It's not quite what you would imagine at all.

"Hi. It's your dad. You'll be waking up soon, it's Christmas Eve morning in Helsingborg, and I've killed a person. That's not how fairy tales usually begin, I know. But I took a life. Does it make a difference if you know whose it was?"

Backman's writing always moves me. And he's able to do the same thing that he's done in his books as in this 'small' piece of work. I chose to listen to The Deal of a Lifetime. The reader was Santino Fontana. His voice is clear and he enunciates well. His voice suited the mental image I had of this businessman and his regrets. He provides believable voices for the other two characters in the book. He interprets the emotion of the story well. The Deal of a Lifetime was a short, sweet listen, perfect for this ruminative time of the year. The reader can't help but reflect upon their own life - what and who is important in your life? And what would you do to 'fix' things?

The title is clever - as you'll find out. Backman's introduction is just as poignant as the tale he tells. Listen to an excerpt of The Deal of a Lifetime. 

The Old Blue Line - J.A. Jance

J.A. Jance writes a number of series, but my favourite is Sheriff Joanna Brady.

The Old Blue Line has been marketed as 15.5 in the series, as it is a novella. (The newest novel, Remains of Innocence has just released.)

The Old Blue Line is actually Joanna's husband, Butch Dixon's story. Jance takes us back to the days before Butch met Joanna.

Butch lost everything to his ex-wife seven years ago. He's made a new life for himself and no runs the Roadhouse Bar and Grill. But when the ex-wife is found murdered, Butch is the prime suspect. Even in death, Faith is out to get him. But Butch has friends - namely The Old Blue Line gang - retired cops and lawyers that are determined to clear Butch's name.

Butch has always been a great supporting player in the Brady books, but we really don't know too much about his background. This little novella is told completely in Butch's voice. ( Joanna only makes an appearance in the last few pages.) The mystery in this case is short and sweet, as is the book, but it's still enjoyable. It was more about getting to know Butch better. Although, I'd like to see more of The Old Blue Line gang in future books.

I actually chose to listen to The Old Blue Line. The reader was James Eckhouse.  Eckhouse's voice is pleasant and easy to listen to, with clear diction. He's an expressive reader, using his voice to good effect. Eckhouse works as an actor and is good 'performer' in audio format as well. Listen to an excerpt of The Old Blue Line.

You can keep up with J.A. Jance on Facebook and on Twitter.

Spun - Catherine McKenzie

I've been a fan of Catherine McKenzie's from her first book - Spin.

Spin tells the tale of Katie, a woman desperate to get a job at the music magazine - The Line. What will she do to get that job? Sacrifice her own principles? Lie? Go to rehab to spy on celebrity 'it' girl Amber Sheppard and spill the details to the public? She does indeed head to rehab.....(my review)

Spin is Katie's story, but McKenzie has just released Spun - a novella that catches up with Amber - and what happened after rehab...

Two years on, Amber has managed to stay clean, but no one believes her. The paparazzi still hound her but casting agents aren't calling. One person, though,  is still pursuing her. Connor, the love of her life. And  he's a lot of the reason she ended up in rehab.

McKenzie has an easy, breezy style of writing that is fun to read. Spun gives us a completely different take on the Amber that appeared in Spin. Other characters from Spin also make cameos and let us catch up with their lives. But Spun belongs to Amber. She's matured and is trying to move on but has yet to convince her friends, family and fans. McKenzie does a great job at imagining what a celeb's life might be like. Amber's story is heartfelt, heartbreaking and life affirming. Catherine manages to fit a big story into a sweet little one sitting read.

For those that haven't read Spin, there's an excerpt (and one for Hidden as well) at the back of the book. Amber's playlist is included as well - a song to fit every chapter.

But even better - Harper Collins Canada is holding a giveaway - five copies of Spin are up for grabs!  You can enter here at The Savvy Reader.

Keep up with Catherine McKenzie  on Twitter and on Facebook and on her website. This fan will be watching for news of her next book.