Thursday, September 28, 2017

A Cajun Christmas Killing - Cozy Mystery Review + Giveaway

A Cajun Christmas Killing: A Cajun Country Mystery by Ellen Byron

A Cajun Christmas Killing: A Cajun Country Mystery Cozy Mystery 3rd in Series Crooked Lane Books (October 10, 2017) Hardcover: 304 pages ISBN-13: 978-1683313052 E-Book ASIN: B06XW23LPG


Maggie Crozat is back home in bayou country during the most magical time of the year. In Pelican, Louisiana, Christmastime is a season of giant bonfires on the levee, zydeco carols, and pots of gumbo. Except, this year, the Grinch has come to stay at the family-run Crozat Plantation B&B. When he floods travel websites with vicious reviews, Maggie thinks she’s identified him as rival businessman Donald Baxter. That is, until he’s found stabbed to death at Maggie’s workplace. And Maggie and her loved ones become top suspects. The Crozats quickly establish alibis, but Maggie’s boyfriend, Detective Bo Durand, remains under suspicion. With Bo sidelined during the investigation, Maggie finds herself forced to work with an unlikely ally: longtime family enemy Rufus Durand. Her sleuthing uncovers more suspects than drummers drumming, and lands her in the crosshairs of the murderer. The sleigh bells are jingling, and the clock is ticking for Maggie and Rufus, who must catch the killer or it will be the opposite of a Joyeux Noël in A Cajun Christmas Killing, the recipe-stuffed third installment of USA Today bestselling author Ellen Byron’s Cajun Country mysteries.
My Thoughts:  Honestly, I was surprised to see that the author isn't a resident of Louisiana.  This is not a window dressing setting.  I felt like this was taking place right in the middle of small town Louisiana complete with references to the humidity and an eccentric cast.  I loved catching up with the Crozat family - especially Maggie's Grandmother who is always an entertaining character.   The mystery is well-plotted and thoroughly enjoyable though after reading the first two I really expect no less.  It was an extra treat to have former nemesis Rufus Durand turn into a partner in crime as he and Maggie have to work together to clear Bo as well as catch the murderer.  Rufus has been a little over the top nemesis-y in the last two books so I really enjoyed seeing his character fleshed out a little more in this book as well as getting some relationship growth between Maggie and Bo.  If you enjoy cozy mysteries and you haven't read this series you need to fix that ASAP!  This is a fun series with solid mysteries and characters I love to visit. Rating: Very Good

About The Author
Body on the Bayou, the second in Ellen's Cajun Country Mystery series, won the Left Coast Crime Lefty Award for Best Humorous Mystery, and was nominated for a Best Contemporary Novel Agatha Award. Her debut book in the series, Plantation Shudders, made the USA Today Bestsellers list, and was nominated for Agatha, Lefty, and Daphne awards. Ellen is also a recipient of a William F. Deeck-Malice Domestic Grant from the Malice Domestic Convention. Her TV credits include Wings, Still Standing, and Just Shoot Me, as well as network and cable pilots. As a journalist, she's written over 200 magazine articles for national publications. Her plays, published by Dramatists Play Service, include the popular Graceland and Asleep on the Wind. A native New Yorker and graduate of Tulane University, Ellen lives in the Los Angeles area with her husband, daughter, and the family’s spoiled rescue dogs.
Author Links
Purchase Links Amazon B&N
 a Rafflecopter giveaway

TOUR PARTICIPANTS
September 17 – Island Confidential - CHARACTER INTERVIEW
September 17 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too! – SPOTLIGHT September 18 – Valerie's Musings - GUEST POST
September 18 – Bibliophile Reviews – INTERVIEW 
September 19 – A Holland Reads – GUEST POST
September 20 – Girl with Book Lungs - REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW
September 20 – A Cozy Experience – REVIEW
September 21 – My Journey Back - REVIEW, INTERVIEW
September 22 – Readeropolis – INTERVIEW
September 23 – Bookworm Cafe - REVIEW, INTERVIEW
September 24 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews - SPOTLIGHT
September 25 – Cozy Up With Kathy - CHARACTER GUEST POST
September 25 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW
September 25 – View from the Birdhouse – REVIEW
September 26 – The Mysterious Ink Spot – REVIEW
September 26 – StoreyBook Reviews – REVIEW \
September 27 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – INTERVIEW
September 27 – A Blue Million Books - CHARACTER INTERVIEW
September 28 – I Wish I Lived in a Library – REVIEW
September 28 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW
September 29 – Brooke Blogs – CHARACTER GUEST POST
September 29 – Teresa Trent Author Blog – REVIEW
September 30 – Varietats – REVIEW
October 1 – Back Porchervations – REVIEW
October 1 – Melina's Book Blog - REVIEW, GUEST POST

Have you signed up to be a Tour Host? Click Here Find Details and Sign Up Today!

11 comments:

  1. This series sounds great, and I love the cover!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Great Post! Thank you for being part of this tour!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks for featuring A CAJUN CHRISTMAS KILLING on your blog. I enjoyed your review and can't wait to read this book!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm glad you enjoyed this. It is always amazing when an author can create such a wonderful setting!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anything you mark as Very Good I always take serious note of! If I was a mystery reader I'd certainly go for this series.

    ReplyDelete
  6. This sounds great! I love that the setting felt so authentic to you.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I haven't read a cozy mystery for ages. I'm planning to though. This sounds so good. Thanks for sharing. ❤️😁

    ReplyDelete
  8. The cover of this cozy is fun! I added it my shelf and entered the giveaway on GR too.
    Thank you for your well wishes. I'm dealing with mucus which is like tar right now. Yes, my SIL is awesome; she is the best SIL I have and I'm grateful for her.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love the sound of this one! I am so glad you enjoyed it. I enjoy books set in Louisiana. It's great that the author was able to pull of the setting so well without actually living there herself.

    ReplyDelete