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A review by cj_mo_2222
Christmas Cocoa Murder by Alex Erickson, Carlene O'Connor, Maddie Day
5.0
This book actually contains three Christmas mysteries. The authors pull off the difficult task of writing murder mysteries that still end on a hopeful note, suitable for a holiday collection. I had read books by only one of the authors who contributed to this book, but I really enjoyed all three stories. All three stories feature hot cocoa in some aspect in keeping with the Christmas cocoa theme.
The first story is the titular "Christmas Cocoa Murder" by Carlene O'Connor. I have read some of the full length Irish Village novels featuring Siobhan O'Sullivan and enjoyed this story which goes back to when she is first graduating from the Garda College. Siobhan is as impulsive, smart, and loving as ever. As the rest of the town are enjoying Christmas preparations, Siobhan is called into service to solve a murder. I liked seeing her solve a case even before she is officially on the job. Those who haven't read any of the books in the series will like getting to know Siobhan. Even though a murder did occur, the story has a sweet ending which gives a hint about Siobhan's life in the near future.
The second story is "Christmas Cocoa and a Corpse" by Maddie Day. Robbie Jordan and her assistant Danna Beedle are busy keeping the customers Robbie's country store and restaurant fed and happy in the days leading up to Christmas. However, Robbie finds herself putting all that on the "back burner" to catch a killer when her boyfriend's father is accused of murdering a former business associate. I've heard of this series but hadn't had a chance to read anything by this author before this story. I really liked the characters and the setting and am interested in reading full length books featuring Robbie and her friends. There were plenty of suspects for Robbie to investigate and everything was wrapped up in end.
The third story in the collection is Alex Erickson's "Death by Hot Cocoa." Krissy Hancock takes the day off from running her bookstore cafe to participate in a Christmas-themed escape room with her friend Rita. Lewis Coates doesn't seem like a people person but has done a great job organizing the even in which the participants find their way out of small, individual rooms into a large room from which the whole group must "escape." All but one of the participants are shocked when they find their way into the large room and find Lewis's dead body! I enjoyed seeing Krissy logically solve the escape room clues as well as the real clues to determine the identity of the murderer in this locked room mystery. I like Krissy and Rita and although I've not read any of their full-length adventures, I would like to read other books by this author.
Overall, this is a highly entertaining collection of three Christmas mysteries with a variety of settings and plots that will appeal to a wide range of cozy mystery lovers.
I received this book from NetGalley through the courtesy of Kensington Books. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
The first story is the titular "Christmas Cocoa Murder" by Carlene O'Connor. I have read some of the full length Irish Village novels featuring Siobhan O'Sullivan and enjoyed this story which goes back to when she is first graduating from the Garda College. Siobhan is as impulsive, smart, and loving as ever. As the rest of the town are enjoying Christmas preparations, Siobhan is called into service to solve a murder. I liked seeing her solve a case even before she is officially on the job. Those who haven't read any of the books in the series will like getting to know Siobhan. Even though a murder did occur, the story has a sweet ending which gives a hint about Siobhan's life in the near future.
The second story is "Christmas Cocoa and a Corpse" by Maddie Day. Robbie Jordan and her assistant Danna Beedle are busy keeping the customers Robbie's country store and restaurant fed and happy in the days leading up to Christmas. However, Robbie finds herself putting all that on the "back burner" to catch a killer when her boyfriend's father is accused of murdering a former business associate. I've heard of this series but hadn't had a chance to read anything by this author before this story. I really liked the characters and the setting and am interested in reading full length books featuring Robbie and her friends. There were plenty of suspects for Robbie to investigate and everything was wrapped up in end.
The third story in the collection is Alex Erickson's "Death by Hot Cocoa." Krissy Hancock takes the day off from running her bookstore cafe to participate in a Christmas-themed escape room with her friend Rita. Lewis Coates doesn't seem like a people person but has done a great job organizing the even in which the participants find their way out of small, individual rooms into a large room from which the whole group must "escape." All but one of the participants are shocked when they find their way into the large room and find Lewis's dead body! I enjoyed seeing Krissy logically solve the escape room clues as well as the real clues to determine the identity of the murderer in this locked room mystery. I like Krissy and Rita and although I've not read any of their full-length adventures, I would like to read other books by this author.
Overall, this is a highly entertaining collection of three Christmas mysteries with a variety of settings and plots that will appeal to a wide range of cozy mystery lovers.
I received this book from NetGalley through the courtesy of Kensington Books. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.