Rating: Good
Source: Publisher
Description: It's Christmastime, but not everyone is jolly--especially not Vonne Barnett. Her dead body has been found in Victoria Square. Katie Bonner, the manager of Artisan's Alley, happens to be at the tea shop Vonne's mother, Francine, owns when the news is delivered.
Vonne left a trail of men behind her so the suspects are many--but the clues are few. A broken teacup leads Katie to one of the suspects, but before she can investigate, she's attacked. Katie may be closing in on a murderer, but time is ticking because the murderer is definitely closing in on her.
Genre: Mystery - Cozy
Why I Picked This Book: I enjoyed the first two books in the series and was looking forward to continuing the story.
My Impression: While I had read the first book or two in this series it's been years so I was a little concerned I'd be completely lost jumping in at book 5. However, there was really no problem. I was able to jump right in to the world of Victoria Square with no issue. The backstory is filled in easily with mentions throughout the story.
The mystery was good with lots of possible suspects. I like a mystery with lots of different angles and this one definitely had that. Not only is there the question of who killed Vonne but also what had happened to change Vonne's behavior. In Katie's personal life we have the arrival of her former mother-in-law who shows up for a surprise visit.
My main issue with this book is Katie herself. She's so prickly that I question why anyone continues to be nice to her. I get not wanting to have decisions made for you but when you've just broken your leg maybe let the person who is offering to help you carry up a flight of stairs instead of trying to navigate those stairs with your newly acquired crutches. It got to be a bit much - especially regarding the situation with her boyfriend Andy.
This is a good mystery series that even when the main character was making me roll my eyes kept me hooked and reading.
Would I Read More of this Series/Author? I would and I do plan on going back and reading the books in the series that I've missed.
Would I Recommend this Book? If you enjoy cozies and don't mind a main character who could use a shake or two then I think you would enjoy this book.
* I received this book in exchange for an honest review. As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *
The title of the book is super cool, and I enjoy that cover with the festive Christmas covers. Glad you enjoyed it. Hugs...RO
ReplyDeleteI love the title! I think I need some mysteries to go with my holiday this year. :)
ReplyDeleteAh still sounds good and actually I think I might just have a sister rather like Katie!
ReplyDeleteAhhh I enjoy a prickly character but it's a fine line for sure. My current is prickly over being told what she can do or not. Sometimes she's not in the right and drives me crazy she can't turn it down a notch but the rest of the time she's endearing so it balances out those times when it's too much. If she was only the prickly it would surely make it difficult to like her.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds so fun!!
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