Merrie Axemas: A Killer Holiday Tale

by M.R. Sellars

MERRIE A Killer Holiday Tale was originally written and distributed as a free gift to fans of M. R. Sellars' novels during the 2010 Christmas season. However, soon after its release, readers were clamoring for more of Special Agent Constance Mandalay, as well as more of the Merrie Axemas story. Therefore, the full-length novel, IN THE BLEAK MIDWINTER was born (released November 2011.)In effect, MERRIE AXEMAS is an intense sampling of the novel IN THE BLEAK MIDWINTER. It brings you to the edge, taunts you with unanswered questions, and hangs you with an alternate ending.FROM THE "VIRTUAL" BACK creepy, holiday-themed, paranormal thriller novella from M. R. Sellars, author of the best selling Rowan Gant Investigations series.Little Merrie Callahan is all grown up now.She doesn't believe in Santa anymore.But she still has an axe to grind with the man in the red suit... And, for FBI Special Agent Constance Mandalay, the Christmas Holiday will never be the same again.

Genres: Horror, Christmas, Thriller, Fiction, Paranormal, Mystery

82 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 15, 2010

About the author

A member of the ITW (International Thriller Writers), M. R. Sellars is a relatively unassuming homebody who, in his own words, “tells pretty lies for a living.” Although his penchant for creating fiction began at an early age, he was eventually inspired to pursue a degree in journalism, an endeavor he describes as, “a good chase, even though it got away.” His career plans re-routed, he put a secondary talent – electronics repair – into play. However, this did not deter him from writing and he soon re-focused on his first love, fiction. While he had several short stories appear in minor publications, it wasn’t until 2000 that his first full-length novel, Harm None: A Rowan Gant Investigation, hit bookstore shelves, officially launching the acclaimed paranormal thriller series and its associated spinoff.

All of the current novels in Sellars’ continuing Rowan Gant Investigations saga have spent several consecutive weeks on numerous bookstore bestseller lists as well as a consistent showing on the Amazon.com Horror/Occult top 100. In 2010 a short e-novella featuring a supporting character from the RGI cast spawned a new series, The Special Agent Constance Mandalay Novels, the first full-length book being IN THE BLEAK MIDWINTER, which hit the streets November 2011. The second, INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE is slated for release 2018.

Sellars currently resides in the Midwest with his wife, daughter, and a houseful of rescued animals – a population which currently stands at one canine (Vicki the Wonder Dog) and three felines (Roxxy, Nachos el Tigre, and Mac the Klaw) – not to mention the myriad creatures inhabiting the Two-Acre Wood. He often describes the fluctuating menagerie as, “the competition.” At home, when not writing, taking care of the household, splitting firewood, or battling the insidious and invasive Asian Bush Honeysuckle, he indulges his passions for cooking and home brewing.

M. R. Sellars can be located on the web wherever there is a virtual bar serving virtual single malt Scotch, single barrel bourbon, good Irish whisky, and decent beer. In other words, look for him on the major social networking sites.

For more information contact wendy@willowtreepress.com

Reviews

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, I'm conflicted about this book. I have no problem with short ebooks. I have no problem paying money for a short ebook as long as I know that is what I am doing. And I should point out this book was a freebie, so I didn't lose money.

However,

if the book is basically a teaser - could you please put that in the title or description so people know?? It was so disappointing to get to the end and then be told I have to buy something that will include part of this, to find out what happens. It's a shame because Sellars' work is really good. IT is a believable tale and the heroine is wonderful. I will most likely buy it, but I would've liked a warning.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 1975 at the tender age of ten, Merrie Callahan was abducted by a Santa in a department store in Hulis, Missouri. With her parents and the locals, plus the police all searching for her, she was finally found by Sheriff Skip Carmichael on Christmas Day. She was badly hurt, in a catatonic state, covered in blood, but she was alive. But for all the years following, she remained at age ten in her mind, while growing into womanhood…

When Special Agent Constance Mandalay arrived in Hulis three days before Christmas thirty five years later, she was met by Sheriff Carmichael. She was following in the footsteps of four other FBI agents who had come to investigate the phenomenon which had been occurring every Christmas for the past seven years. Mandalay couldn’t understand why past agents’ reports were missing, why any reports she could find had very little information in them. Something strange was happening, she was uneasy; would she find the answers in this unusual case?

This psychological thriller was brilliant! A novella which was extremely hard to put down with creepy twists and turns, and a gripping ending which left me wanting more! I discovered in the author notes at the end that this novella spawned the Special Agent Constance Mandalay Novels, in which the “rest of the story” is told in In the Bleak Midwinter. I will have to pick that one up very soon now! I certainly have no hesitation in recommending this novella highly!

[Janejellyroll · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I downloaded this, it was described as a novella not an "intense sampling" after which I would be required to buy a full length novel to find out what actually happened.

I am not a fan of male authors using trauma to the bodies of women and girls to give heft to their little "locked room"-style mysteries, especially when said trauma is said to have caused a woman to be locked in perpetual girlhood. Gives me a very icky feeling. I mean, it's not like I enjoy it when WOMEN use this shortcut either . . . but there's something so exploitative-feeling about how many male authors approach this theme.

Would not recommend.

[Angel **Book Junkie** · Rating 4 out of 5]

Novella/Short Story Ratings
Book ♥♥♥ 3 Stars
Author ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 stars
Total ♥♥♥♥ 4 stars

Okay before I go into the bad ... I will say that M.R. Sellars knows how to write a book and a good one at that. This was a brilliant creation. I got this book for free on Amazon and again I hate when no one tells me that it is the prequel for a series..I feel that this is a ploy by marketing to get you to buy the first book and make sure that you buy the second. Hint: If you use the term prequel many people will buy the second book after reading the short story. I just like to be told that is what is going on! I like the story but, really want to know WTF happened at the end???!?? That was crazy and now that I am off my high horse I just may possibly by the rest of the book so that I can see how this crazy story ended.

[Janet Vanderbeek · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually liked the book but was very disappointed that it didn't have an ending. I don't like the fact that they draw you in only to make you buy another book.

The story is a good one and I couldn't put it down. I really wanted to know how this book would end and then comes the disappointment. There is no end to this book. You are left hanging.

I would have given it a higher rating except for that fact. I did not read any reviews on this book and wish that I had. If I had known it didn't have an ending I would not have bothered.

[Crush Critiques · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ebook version has a lot of errors, mainly words running together with no spaces, which almost always happens when a word is italicized. Unfortunately, there are a lot of italicized words in this short story.

It’s an interesting premise and I will be reading the full length that was based off this to see if it fills in the gaps this story left out. I definitely wanted to know more about Agent Mandalay’s work with the paranormal consultant that was briefly mentioned but never discussed further.

Errors aside, it’s a quick read although given the cover art and tagline of it being a “killer holiday tale”, I did initially think there would be more horror. But for a short story this had good pacing and wasn’t rushed. You really get the feeling of the small township of Hulis and its residents.

[Julia Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

FBI Agent Constance Mandalay is sent to Hulis, Missouri to help solve a serial murder case that has continued for years but only on Christmas day. The FBI has sent a different agent each year. The FBI file is bare and none of the previous agents will talk to her. The Sheriff is past thinking the FBI can help in any way.

Warning! This is a novella that is really more of a tease. When M. R. Sellars finished this piece all who read it said: “what happens next?” Being a stellar human being Sellars decided to continue the story in his book In The Bleak Midwinter. Although this is a very well written thriller and very much worth the read you might want to just skip this novella and get the full story.

[Linda Look · Rating 4 out of 5]

This repeated killing on Christmas Eve for seven years follows the abduction and abuse of a child. The FBI sent a new agent each year to stop the murders. This was tooooo short...I wanted more. I will definitely be reading more Sellars (Constance Mandalay) books. I rate this a 4.8.

[SplatterGunk · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the story was predictable and there was no real attempt to hide where it was headed, that didn’t matter. The writing was so good and the story was so gripping that I had a good time reading this all the way through

[Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad. Really more of a novella than a short story, and perhaps more supernatural than your average mystery. The characters were well done and the setting in rural Missouri seemed realistic. I might read more work featuring the protagonist, a woman FBI agent.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holy... what? I am so intrigued by this story that I want the expanded novel now because *flaily hands* THINGS HAPPEN and I want to see how they play out. Dark and bloody, I just... want more. MOAR!

This book was a free Kindle download I picked up 11/21/12 for the Why Buy the Cow? reading challenge.

-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal

[Velia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not like the ending. Seriously?! WTF??? I should've known a free e-book is a trick to buy the full story.

This is so going to give me nightmares. It reminds me of the TV show Law and Order SVU. Disturbing. I will be reading In the Bleak Midwinter this week because I need to know what happens regardless.

[Kellie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I specifically chose this title to be my last novella to read of the season/year. I'm so glad I did, as it was a great one to end with. A well-written, engrossing mystery; my guess as to what was happening wasn't quite right, as the actual solution was more supernatural than I was expecting. There is more to this story (as this was more of a prequel of sorts), and I didn't hesitate to shell out the $2.99 for the "fully-expanded" Kindle novel.

[Aymee]

MERRIE AXEMAS is just my kind of holiday story! And if you've never read M. R. Sellars, this is a great introduction to his unique style and oddball, but lovable characters. A great little mystery that will have you on the edge of your seat, MERRIE AXEMAS is a fun way to spend your Christmas Eve, bah humbug or otherwise.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it. I read it in a couple of hours. it totally drew me in. I was shocked by the end and was a little disappointed that the end was, in my opinion, left me hanging a little. I will have to get the next book. I thought that Merrie was the killer but the people at the home would see her leave. then I thought it was gear sister. boy was I wrong.

[Shadow Girl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full review of Merrie Axemas and In the Bleak Midwinter posted HERE )O(

[Laronza Wiley-moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it BUT WTH was that ending!!!!! Draws you in so that you will go buy the FULL novel!! I read this in one sitting and it was great until I go to the end.. lol. Great story and great characters...

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this one much more than I thought I would - ended a little strange , but I understand it now hasn't really ended ;-)

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent novella about a 35-year-old murder and its current time consequences.
Very good story and there appears to be more coming about the FBI agent involved. Looking forward to it.

[Anna]

I loved this novella. Surprises galore. Supernatural thriller with a plot.

[Robbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written. I'd have rated it higher if it had had an ending. I will, however, read other books by this author.

[Mandy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Skip this book and read the whole book In the bleak midwinter

[C_lo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book.....but it leaves you hanging at the end. Creepy.

[J&B Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice teaser.

Very effective short story that gets you to buy the novel that concludes the story of Constance and Merrie and I'm not complaining about that matter at all.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice mystery with a twist, more people should read M.R.Sellars!

[Kandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interesting book, but it ended without really ending. Did read that there is a book that explains it. Guess I have to read it too.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't wait to read more by M.R. Sellars

[Linda B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love M. R. Sellars work! This lived up to it!

[Shawna Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent teaser novella. Really enjoyed it. Pace is right on.