We Wish You a Murderous Christmas by Vicki Delany

We Wish You a Murderous Christmas by Vicki Delany ISBN-13: 9780425280812 Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime Released: Nov. 1, 2016

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
It’s Christmastime three hundred sixty-five days a year in Rudolph, New York, and as Christmas Day approaches, shop owner Merry Wilkinson is enjoying a rare evening off at the Yuletide Inn when she runs into owners Grace and Jack Olsen.

With Jack's health failing, his son Gord will be taking over the day-to-day running of the Inn. But Gord reveals that his new plans have no room for Christmas at the Inn. Merry and the other shopkeepers fret about the effect a bland franchise hotel could have on their livelihoods.

When Gord is found stabbed to death, there’s an entire town of potential suspects—and it’s up to Merry to find whoever brought homicide home for the holidays.


My Review:
We Wish You a Murderous Christmas is a cozy mystery. It's the second book in the series. You don't need to read the previous novel to understand this one, and this story didn't spoil the previous whodunits.

This was a clue-based mystery. The heroine was good at noticing important things and understanding what various clues meant. The critical clue for determining whodunit didn't come until nearly the end. She quickly understood what it meant and was able to act quickly to save someone's life. I liked the heroine and the other main characters, so it was an enjoyable read.

There was no bad language or sex. Overall, I'd recommend this interesting mystery.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Hooking for Trouble by Betty Hechtman

Hooking for Trouble by Betty Hechtman ISBN-13: 9780425279458 Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime Released: Nov. 1, 2016

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
The Tarzana Hookers’ Yarn University has been a big success, and the classes have drawn in a slew of new crochet devotees. A less welcome arrival is the boxy monstrosity in the yard behind Molly’s house. She hasn’t met her new neighbors, but when she sees a couple struggling on the balcony and later spies what looks like someone lying on the ground, Molly wastes no time calling in her ex, homicide detective Barry Greenberg.

To Molly’s shock, Barry reports that nothing is amiss with her neighbors and asks her to lay off with the amateur detecting. Molly knows she wasn’t just seeing things, but with no body to prove her case she’ll have to unravel the evidence on her own—because someone in Tarzana is tangled up in murder.


My Review:
Hooking for Trouble is a cozy mystery. It's the eleventh book in the series. You don't need to read the previous novels to understand this one, and this story didn't spoil the previous whodunits.

Molly sees a body in her neighbor's yard and calls the cops, but the body is gone by the time they arrive. No body, no murder. So Molly tries to figure out who was killed (which isn't as easy as it sounds), who did it, and why.

It's a clue-based mystery, and you can guess whodunit from the clues. However, a critical clue about "why" was described so vaguely that the reader has little chance of guessing the motive before Molly explains it. Molly wanted to catch whodunit in an incriminating action at the end, but she apparently gave little thought to video-taping it as proof or protecting herself if she was spotted by whodunit.

There were no sex scenes and no bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable mystery.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Fatal Frost by Nancy Mehl

Fatal Frost by Nancy Mehl ISBN-13: 9780764217777 Paperback: 304 pages Publisher: Bethany House Released: Nov. 1, 2016

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
Mercy Brennan, a U.S. Marshal, is assigned to a joint task force with the St. Louis PD that puts her in the sights of St. Louis's most powerful gang. The gang believes Mercy has possession of some highly sensitive and incriminating information, so her boss assigns Mark St. Laurent--a Deputy U.S. Marshal and Mercy's ex-boyfriend--to get her out of town until they can guarantee her safety.

It isn't until a freak ice storm hits, stranding them at a remote location and out of contact with the district office, that the full severity of their situation becomes clear. As the storm worsens, the forces of nature combine with a deadly enemy closing in to put their lives at imminent risk. Can they survive long enough for help to arrive--if help is even coming at all?


My Review:
Fatal Frost is a Christian suspense novel. It's not a romantic suspense as the situation didn't really allow a romance. It was more about Mercy finding healing for past hurts so that she could potentially have a relationship in the future. I liked the characters, but I felt more intrigued by the internal conflicts faced by some of the side characters (like Tally, Troy, and Angel) than by Mercy and Mark. The suspense came from the constant physical danger from gangsters with guns and a bad snow storm.

But parts weren't very realistic. For example, a point is made about the danger of attack by bad guys and the need to keep watch, then they do things like take a shower or that otherwise make themselves vulnerable. They're outnumbered but often don't immediately handcuff or tie up their captives. Later, they don't even consider using newly available ATV vehicles to escape danger.

Several characters re-connected with their childhood faith in God. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this book to those who enjoy lots of action and aren't bothered if some parts aren't realistic.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

A Royal Christmas to Remember by Jeanna Young and Jacqueline Johnson

A Royal Christmas to Remember by Jeanna Young Jacqueline Johnson, Illustrated by: Omar Aranda ISBN-13: 9780310748021 Hardback: 32 Publisher: Zonderkidz Released: Oct. 11, 2016

Source: Review copy from the publisher through BookLook.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
With the arrival of the most spectacular winter in years and Christmas only a night away, Princesses Joy, Grace, Faith, Charity, and Hope find themselves in the midst of a scene right out of a holiday fairytale. But then the threat of bandits in the village lead the king away from the castle on Christmas Eve!

Suddenly, the bandits come crashing into the castle. Praying to God for courage and safety, the princesses are soon rescued by five brave squires. The next day, the princesses go to the village to see how they can be of help to the people, discovering that the true meaning of Christmas is in sharing rather than storing up things for themselves.


My Review:
A Royal Christmas to Remember is a children's book for ages 4-8 years old. The illustrations are of the "animated movie" style and do a good job of illustrating the text, though I never did figure out which princess was which. It's a nice story about what Christmas is really about. It included the father reading to the princesses about Christ's birth, and they sing a Christmas song.

Yet the main lesson of the story seemed to be that Christmas is about sharing rather than greedily (their words at the very end) storing up things for yourself. I thought what they decided to share was very odd, though. The village had been burned and many precious items stolen, yet the princesses give away...their Christmas decorations! And their gifts.

A sacrifice, to be sure, but I'm thinking the villagers would have better appreciated an invitation to stay at that large castle until their houses were fixed or something more practical. I guess considering what will actually help those in need is a topic for a future book, though. Overall, it's a fun story that kids will enjoy, even if this adult was a little disappointed.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Killing Thyme by Leslie Budewitz

Killing Thyme by Leslie Budewitz ISBN-13: 9780425271803 Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime Released: Oct. 4, 2016

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
Pepper Reece is busy conjuring up spice blends bursting with seasonal flavor and crossing her fingers for a rave review from a sharp-tongued food critic. Add to the mix a welcome visit from her mother, Lena.

While browsing in the artists’ stalls, Pepper and Lena drool over stunning pottery made by a Market newcomer. But when Lena recognizes the potter, Bonnie Clay, as an old friend who disappeared years ago, the afternoon turns sour. To Pepper’s surprise, Bonnie seems intimately connected to her family’s past. When Bonnie is murdered only days later, Pepper is determined to uncover the truth.


My Review:
Killing Thyme is a cozy mystery. It's the third book in the series. You don't need to read the previous novel to understand this one, and this story didn't spoil the previous whodunits.

The mystery was clue-based. The critical clues didn't come until nearly the end. I must admit that I didn't guess whodunit, though I came close. The main characters were interesting and likable, and the trap that they set at the end was fun. There was a very minor amount of bad language. There was no sex. Overall, I'd recommend this interesting mystery.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

God Bless My Friends by Hannah C. Hall

God Bless My Friends by Hannah C. Hall, Steve Whitlow (Illustrations) ISBN-13: 9780718089535 Board book: 20 pages Publisher: Thomas Nelson Released: Oct. 11, 2016

Source: Review copy from the publisher through BookLook.

Book Description from Back Cover:
Hi, my friend! Come play with me—though we’re as different as can be! Big and small, short and tall, fluffy and prickly . . . these playmates of all shapes and sizes are the best of friends. Share some giggles with your little one about how fun friendships—and differences—can be!


My Review:
God Bless My Friends is a board book for young children. According to the publisher, this book is intended to teach "the importance of being a friend to all kinds of people, including ones who are different from them." The interior illustrations are of the same style as the cover and feature those same animals. The book starts, "Whenever I can be with you, / That's when the fun begins. / On days we play, I love to say, / 'God bless my greatest friends!'"

Each page shows different types of animals playing together. Some pages emphasize playing with people different than you: different talents, different heights or sizes, and different physical appearances. The other pages show these different animals helping each other, sharing with each other, cheering each other up, and simply having fun together ("We romp and stomp. We jump and tromp. / With you, I'm never bored!").

The illustrations can prompt further comments on how people can be different yet still enjoy playing together and helping each other. My niece is currently a newborn, but I think she's going to enjoy this book when she's a little older. Overall, I'd recommend this book.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Murder Underground by Mavis Doriel Hay

Murder Underground by Mavis Doriel Hay ISBN-13: 9781464206610 Paperback: 270 pages Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press Released: Nov. 1, 2016

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from NetGalley:
When Miss Pongleton is found murdered on the stairs of Belsize Park station, her fellow-boarders in the Frampton Hotel are not overwhelmed with grief at the death of a tiresome old woman. But they all have their theories about the identity of the murderer and help to unravel the mystery of who killed the wealthy Pongle. Even Tuppy the terrier has a part to play in the events that lead to a dramatic arrest.

This classic mystery novel is set in and around the Northern Line of the London Underground. It is now republished for the first time since the 1930s.


My Review:
Murder Underground is a mystery that was originally published in 1934 and is set in London. We don't follow the police interviews but instead follow the gossip of the people at the victim's rooming house and the antics of her relatives.

It's more a comedy of errors than a puzzle-type mystery, and the story had a humorous, lighthearted tone. One of the main characters--a potential heir of the victim--lied to the police about his movements. This caused no end of trouble, and his efforts to set things right without making the police suspect him only made things into a worse muddle.

The critical clues were only uncovered once people stopped hiding secrets. You can guess whodunit from the clues, and some characters figure it out about the same time that the readers can. There was no sex. There was a minor amount of of bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable novel.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

A Christmas Message by Anne Perry

A Christmas Message by Anne Perry ISBN-13: 9781101886380 Hardcover: 176 pages Publisher: Ballantine Books Released: Nov. 1, 2016

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from NetGalley:
The year is 1900, and Victor Narraway is giving his wife, Vespasia, an unforgettable Christmas present a trip to Jerusalem. Vespasia is enchanted by the exotic landscape of Palestine, and charmed by a fellow traveler the Narraways meet at their hotel in Jaffa. But when the man is murdered over a torn piece of ancient parchment he was taking to Jerusalem, Victor and Vespasia risk their lives to finish his mission. Pursued by a shadowy figure with evil intent, they embark on a dangerous yet ultimately enlightening pilgrimage to the holy city.


My Review:
A Christmas Message is a suspense novel set in 1900 in Palestine. A man is murdered in Jaffa, where our hero and heroine are staying briefly before taking a train to Jerusalem. They discover that he slipped them an ancient document in a foreign language and asked them to deliver it to a shop on the Via Dolorosa on Christmas Eve. They set out for the train, and the killer is after them.

Then the story gets really surreal. I kept expecting the heroine to wake up and discover it was all a dream. The descriptions of the people and the landscape seemed based more on symbolism than reality. The 39 mile trip from Jaffa to Jerusalem came across as a long, dark journey across a flat desert (even though they started out in daylight, Jerusalem is in the hill country, etc.). Almost everyone they met were inhuman beings (or at least not normal human beings) who spoke cryptically or philosophically. Not what I was expecting.

So the story turns out to be a spiritual journey. They concluded that we need to follow our inner guiding vision (the true "star of Bethlehem") and you should love God whatever way you wish, shouldn't condemn people who follow another religion as everyone will get the eternity promised by his religion, and all you need to do to gain God's forgiveness is forgive others.

There were no sex scenes. There was a very minor amount of bad language.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.