Rating: Very Good
Source: Publisher
Description: December twenty-fifth is right around the corner, and Charlie is making his list and checking it twice. He is doing his best to show some peace and goodwill toward his nosy neighbor Gerry Arbitron, a real estate agent who seems to have designs on his house (and maybe on him, as well), while preparing for a very important role, indeed—his first Christmas as a grandfather.
The last thing Charlie expects is to gain several new additions to his family. Charlie finds a box on his doorstep with five kittens inside and a note begging him to keep them safe. With Diesel's help, Charlie welcomes the tiny felines into the Harris household just as Gerry decides it is time to throw a lavish holiday party.
Determined to make her mark on Athena, Gerry instead winds up dead at her very own party. Though attempts to dig into her past come up empty, Charlie and his girlfriend, Helen Louise, witness two heated exchanges involving Gerry before her death: one with a leading citizen and another with the wife of a good friend. Will one of these ladies wind up on the sheriff's naughty list? Charlie and Diesel have to wrap up the case before the special season is ruined by a sinister scrooge.
Genre: Mystery - Cozy
Why I Picked This Book: I've really been enjoying this series lately so I couldn't pass up this Christmas cozy!
My Impression: I'm almost mad at myself that it took me this long to really start reading this series. This is the 3rd book I've read and each one has been a delight. This was especially fun because not only did if feature a mystery involving figuring out the true identity of the victim but it also had a basketful of kittens!
The setting and the characters really add to the atmosphere of the book and I feel like I'm catching up with old friends. There is some non-investigation information about Charlie's grandchildren or things like that but it isn't so much that the mystery gets lost and it adds a little depth to the characters. The actual murder doesn't occur until almost a 100 pages into the book but there's so much going on already that it didn't drag and there were already some questions I wanted answered! This was the perfect calming reading break and one that I thoroughly enjoyed. Charlie's world in Athena, MS is quirky and fun with memorable characters and it's always a place I look forward to revisiting.
If you enjoy a good fast paced mystery with likable characters and a cat that will make even non-cat people fall in love with him you must try this series!
Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Yes! I'm already looking forward to the next book and I'm excited to read the earlier books in the series.
Would I Recommend this Book? Definitely! If you're a cozy fan I think you'll like this. While this series is fairly long running I think you could jump in on this one with no problems.
* I received this book in exchange for an honest review. As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *
Ooh I want to start reading more Christmasy type cozies or mysteries, especially with the HoHoHo readathon coming!
ReplyDeleteI must be one of the few that isn't into reading Christmas based seasonal reads-unless Santa is a serial killer of course! Hope you continue to enjoy the series!
ReplyDeleteSuch a fun cover! Hugs...RO
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you are enjoying the series. It's always fun when you discover a new series and there are loads of books to choose from. When I discovered the DCI Banks series there were 15 already published.
ReplyDeleteLoving your photos of Disney and glad to hear you will be making the trip to Mississippi to see your grandparents. WE need to get back that way and visit family. Wouldn't that be a hoot to meet up in Tylertwon?!
The title alone is catchy and fun. I'll check out the series.
ReplyDeletePerfect time of year to start thinking about a book like this - sounds fun.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't completely smitten with the one book I've read in this series, but this one sounds so good. I am glad you enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteAdding this to my list because I like the idea of a Christmasy cozy :)
ReplyDeleteChristmas and kitties. Ahh I need. She's not one I've tried yet. Glad they're good!
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