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A Renaissance Faire Mystery #5
Treacherous Toys
Hail ye, hail ye, and welcome to the Renaissance Faire Village. Here, associate professor Jessie Morton spends her summers honing her skills and finding the lady, lord, or serf whodunit. But when she comes for Christmas, will murder mean a very unhappy holiday?
A NAUGHTY TOY MAKER BETTER WATCH OUT…
Jessie Morton is getting just what she wished for this holiday season at the Renaissance Faire Village—working as an apprentice to the new toy maker. But when Chris Christmas is discovered dead just hours after her arrival, Jessie’s holiday plans start to melt away.
Jessie can’t imagine who would want to silence the toy maker, but apparently the red-cheeked Chris Christmas liked toying with the ladies. Although it may be her shortest apprenticeship ever, she wants to unwrap the truth before word gets out in the village that it’s not safe to be Santa—or one of his helpers…
A NAUGHTY TOY MAKER BETTER WATCH OUT…
Jessie Morton is getting just what she wished for this holiday season at the Renaissance Faire Village—working as an apprentice to the new toy maker. But when Chris Christmas is discovered dead just hours after her arrival, Jessie’s holiday plans start to melt away.
Jessie can’t imagine who would want to silence the toy maker, but apparently the red-cheeked Chris Christmas liked toying with the ladies. Although it may be her shortest apprenticeship ever, she wants to unwrap the truth before word gets out in the village that it’s not safe to be Santa—or one of his helpers…
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 4, 2012
5 people are currently reading
444 people want to read
About the author
Joyce Lavene
78 books646 followersaka Elyssa Henry and Joye Ames, J.J. Cook, and Ellie Grant
Joyce Lavene and Jim Lavene are a wife and husband team who have written and published more than 70 books since 1999. They live in North Carolina with their family and enjoy cooking, photography and ghost hunting.
Joyce Lavene and Jim Lavene are a wife and husband team who have written and published more than 70 books since 1999. They live in North Carolina with their family and enjoy cooking, photography and ghost hunting.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
September 20, 2012
This was a fun read. A friend calls it "fluff" which it is but it is entertaining and a quick read too.
Jessie Morton works, at times, at a Renaissance Faire, while also working on her master's degree at Columbia. This Christmas season she is to be an apprentice to the Toy Maker aka Father Christmas. Like so many other mystery series protagonists, Jessie always seems to be where the bodies are and this story is no exception. And, she wants to help solve the murder, even though her boyfriend Chase and Detective Almond want her to stay away. After the murder, other lesser attacks occur but are they all related in some way? There are a number of suspects in the story, including a King and a Queen who is quite full of herself and the baby she is about to have. Joyce Lavene manages to bring both humor and believable characters together in a great way. The reader also learns just how hard it is to bring a Renaissance Faire together, especially a year-round one, such as this one. I would like to read other books in this series when my stack of "waiting" books grows smaller.
Jessie Morton works, at times, at a Renaissance Faire, while also working on her master's degree at Columbia. This Christmas season she is to be an apprentice to the Toy Maker aka Father Christmas. Like so many other mystery series protagonists, Jessie always seems to be where the bodies are and this story is no exception. And, she wants to help solve the murder, even though her boyfriend Chase and Detective Almond want her to stay away. After the murder, other lesser attacks occur but are they all related in some way? There are a number of suspects in the story, including a King and a Queen who is quite full of herself and the baby she is about to have. Joyce Lavene manages to bring both humor and believable characters together in a great way. The reader also learns just how hard it is to bring a Renaissance Faire together, especially a year-round one, such as this one. I would like to read other books in this series when my stack of "waiting" books grows smaller.
Want to read
September 1, 2012I've loved this series so far. Jessie is just a wonderful, fun, quirky, strong character, the crafts are described well, and the setting is just wonderful. Looking forward to more of Merlin! I hope to win!
November 18, 2015
I really like this series and this was a great Christmas themed book to start out my holiday reading. I am so sad that we lost Joyce. I hope Jim can find the strength to keep on writing...
October 8, 2017
Good story but for some reason took me forever to finish the book. If you are interested in Renaissance Faire details it would probably hold your interest better than it did mine.
January 13, 2022
This was such a great book, and it required finishing the book to discover the identity of the hidden killer. At times I felt frustrated to move along, but it was easy to follow even with it being the first I've read in this series and it is #5. Christmas cozy mysteries are the best when the author adds quirky Christmas names and scenery to enhance the fun.
May 7, 2019
Another excellent entry in the series. Lots of twists and turns, and I think fans will love the ending.
The mystery is who killed Father Christmas? Who seems intent on hurting King Harold? And when will Queen Olivia have that royal baby? The book is well written and the story lines interweaved. The story line kept my attention and Jesse was in the thick of things as always.
The mystery is who killed Father Christmas? Who seems intent on hurting King Harold? And when will Queen Olivia have that royal baby? The book is well written and the story lines interweaved. The story line kept my attention and Jesse was in the thick of things as always.
January 16, 2016
This series features Jessie Morton, an assistant history professor at the University of South Carolina at Columbia that may be out of a job after the holidays. She returns to Renaissance Faire Village to work as an apprentice for her dissertation - "The Proliferation of Medieval Crafts in Modern Times".
It is Christmastime at Renaissance Faire Village. Jessie's wishes are coming true as she apprentices for a new toy maker. Unfortunately Chris Christmas's time at the Faire is abruptly cut short when he is found dead shortly after Jessie's arrival. Jessie befriends Chris's wife and helps her with their children in hopes of learning who would have wanted to put Father Christmas on ice. She is doing her best to unwrap the clues to track down who was very, very naughty and protect those who are very, very nice.
Dollycas's Thoughts
What a wonderful time at the Renaissance Faire Village. Snow is falling, a skating rink in the village green, wreaths on the doors and candles in the windows. Christmas coming to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and it's a balmy 80 degrees. Father Christmas and his elves are hearing the children's wishes and there are many special events at the Faire.
Sounds like a lot of fun until the head elf, Father Christmas himself, is found dead in his workshop. Then Jessie and Mrs. Christmas are almost run down by a horse and other injuries and close calls start happening. Oh and don't forget Queen Olivia is entering the last month of her pregnancy and has the whole village hopping as she practices her plan for getting to the hospital.
This installment is extraordinary. I really enjoyed Christmas at the Faire. The characters jump right off the pages.
Jessie's relationship with Chase is getting more serious. She is plotting revenge after she gets pranked. Then she finds herself in a precarious predicament. There is never a dull moment when Jessie is at the Faire. I wanted to find out whodunit but I didn't want the story to end.
These stories are just plain fun to read and enjoy. This holly jolly installment is the best one yet. I am already booking my next trip to the Renaissance Faire Village. I can't wait to see what kind of murder and mayhem hits the village next but with authors like Joyce and Jim Lavene I know it is going to be fantastic!!
It is Christmastime at Renaissance Faire Village. Jessie's wishes are coming true as she apprentices for a new toy maker. Unfortunately Chris Christmas's time at the Faire is abruptly cut short when he is found dead shortly after Jessie's arrival. Jessie befriends Chris's wife and helps her with their children in hopes of learning who would have wanted to put Father Christmas on ice. She is doing her best to unwrap the clues to track down who was very, very naughty and protect those who are very, very nice.
Dollycas's Thoughts
What a wonderful time at the Renaissance Faire Village. Snow is falling, a skating rink in the village green, wreaths on the doors and candles in the windows. Christmas coming to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and it's a balmy 80 degrees. Father Christmas and his elves are hearing the children's wishes and there are many special events at the Faire.
Sounds like a lot of fun until the head elf, Father Christmas himself, is found dead in his workshop. Then Jessie and Mrs. Christmas are almost run down by a horse and other injuries and close calls start happening. Oh and don't forget Queen Olivia is entering the last month of her pregnancy and has the whole village hopping as she practices her plan for getting to the hospital.
This installment is extraordinary. I really enjoyed Christmas at the Faire. The characters jump right off the pages.
Jessie's relationship with Chase is getting more serious. She is plotting revenge after she gets pranked. Then she finds herself in a precarious predicament. There is never a dull moment when Jessie is at the Faire. I wanted to find out whodunit but I didn't want the story to end.
These stories are just plain fun to read and enjoy. This holly jolly installment is the best one yet. I am already booking my next trip to the Renaissance Faire Village. I can't wait to see what kind of murder and mayhem hits the village next but with authors like Joyce and Jim Lavene I know it is going to be fantastic!!
June 13, 2014
This is the 5th book in the series and the first I have read and I can not recommend anyone picking this book up first. The authors give new readers nothing by way of an introduction to the setting nor the characters. I felt that they just assumed you would have read all the others first as you get just enough backstory to refresh long time readers memories. It didn't help that I could not believe how annoying the main character Jessie was. Why would anyone want to be friends with someone like that. Not just with her lying to get what she wants, as other reviewers have mentioned. she tells us a few times how she has probably lost her position at the university and even tells her brother that she HAS lost her job, and then keeps telling her boyfriend that she can't come live with him because it would be throwing away all her hard work she has put in to be in the running for the tenured position she is up for. At another point in the book she sees who she believes is the murderer and thinks to herself "the police are to far away to bother with 911" and then follows the suspect while thinking how she wants to run up and confront them but that her common sense reminds her that that is too dangerous. Ummm, my common sense would be telling me to call 911. Then there is the apparently psychic murderer who always seems to know where Jessie is at any given moment and can suddenly appear so Jessie can follow and walk into a trap. But then after shooting Jessie and watching her fall out a window, doesn't check to make sure she is dead. Jessie after spending what amounts to almost 2 hours stuck wounded on a roof decides again with her common sense that she can't call 911 because she has no proof of what happened. Again, ummm, you've been shot! I wonder how much this book would have bothered me if I hadn't skipped 100 pages in the middle and learned I could read just the beginning and end paragraphs of each chapter and still follow what was happening.
I have to say that this book felt like it had two authors who had two different ideas about the story, never talked with each other and then neither one bothered to read what the other had written when they put this book together.
I have to say that this book felt like it had two authors who had two different ideas about the story, never talked with each other and then neither one bothered to read what the other had written when they put this book together.
January 31, 2014
Jessie has some serious stuff on her mind. There have been cuts at the college and hints that she will not be needed the next semester. The owner of her apartment wants to turn them into condos and she can't afford it and, last but not least, her clunker car died on the way to the Renaissance Faire and us barely running. She has come to the Faire over the holidays to apprentice with Chris Christmas to make toys. But a heavy preoccupation is how to support herself to get the doctorate she really feels she needs, with the memory of her mother's struggles after the divorce before their parents died. She is sure Chase wants to take their relationship to the next level but feels she needs room and doesn't feel like she can accept his assistance.
With all this on her mind, she arrives at her toy-making session to find find Chris dead and is knocked out herself. She promises to help Christ' wife and kids find the killer, but when Jenny is arrested she finds herself out of an apprenticeship. She ends up going to the castle as a lady-in-waiting to Queen Livy who has just run one off because of her temper during her pregnancy.
The more Jessie looks for clues, the murkier the suspect list becomes. Jenny herself is poisoned and the rest of them threatened. Jessie comes very close to getting herself killed while trying to save the children from a crazed killer.
But all her work has given her some hints for serious thinking about her goals....
With all this on her mind, she arrives at her toy-making session to find find Chris dead and is knocked out herself. She promises to help Christ' wife and kids find the killer, but when Jenny is arrested she finds herself out of an apprenticeship. She ends up going to the castle as a lady-in-waiting to Queen Livy who has just run one off because of her temper during her pregnancy.
The more Jessie looks for clues, the murkier the suspect list becomes. Jenny herself is poisoned and the rest of them threatened. Jessie comes very close to getting herself killed while trying to save the children from a crazed killer.
But all her work has given her some hints for serious thinking about her goals....
April 11, 2016
I broke one of my cardinal rules when I plucked this book from the shelves.
I read it out of order.
Gasp! I know. I'm ashamed of myself. ;)
Unfortunately, it took me a little while to warm up the characters, and I think it stemmed from jumping into a new series at book #5. That being said, I did enjoy the mystery and the romance - though Jessie drove me nuts with her hang-ups.
I read it out of order.
Gasp! I know. I'm ashamed of myself. ;)
Unfortunately, it took me a little while to warm up the characters, and I think it stemmed from jumping into a new series at book #5. That being said, I did enjoy the mystery and the romance - though Jessie drove me nuts with her hang-ups.
December 5, 2018
Jessie is taking her winter break at the Renaissance Village to intern with a toy maker. The toy maker also plays Santa Claus and comes with a Mrs. Claus and their own clan of 8 children/elves. On her first day in the village Santa is murdered in his workshop and Jessie uncovers a long trail of infidelities by both Santa and his wife.
This book seems less tightly plotted than others in the series. Almost like it was thrown together in a hurry and the authors weren’t sure who did it until the end. Because of that there aren’t many clues other than a couple thrown in after midway. There are red herrings but they seem more accidental than intentional.
None of the characters were very well developed. It depends on having read other books to really understand. Jessie’s behavior is predictably reckless. She also fixates on one possible murdered to the exclusion of other suspects with no real explanation - an ex-wife from more than 20 years ago. Why? What would be her motive? Why now? None of that is important to Jessie. She just knows.
Though I rolled my eyes a lot I did finish the book and it hasn’t ruined the series for me. So three stars rather than lower. It also didn’t have a very Christmas season feel, but I think they tried.
This book seems less tightly plotted than others in the series. Almost like it was thrown together in a hurry and the authors weren’t sure who did it until the end. Because of that there aren’t many clues other than a couple thrown in after midway. There are red herrings but they seem more accidental than intentional.
None of the characters were very well developed. It depends on having read other books to really understand. Jessie’s behavior is predictably reckless. She also fixates on one possible murdered to the exclusion of other suspects with no real explanation - an ex-wife from more than 20 years ago. Why? What would be her motive? Why now? None of that is important to Jessie. She just knows.
Though I rolled my eyes a lot I did finish the book and it hasn’t ruined the series for me. So three stars rather than lower. It also didn’t have a very Christmas season feel, but I think they tried.
November 15, 2023
Up until now, I would give the authors a 5 star review but this one was slower for me. My interest kept going but I was a little turned off by all the affairs by the various characters. At least the main character, Jessie Morton did not have one.
She was single, and six feet tall with blue eyes and size twelve shoes, had lost her job and returned to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
I did love her description of how artificial the setting was with lots of machine-made snow and everyone acting for the roles in Santa's workshop. I felt sad that the children did not get to have a regular childhood but had to act making toys for the workshop and I wondered about child labor laws not being enforced.
Her devoted boyfriend Chase wanted her to stay there but she was determined to get back to work on her degree and have "insurance if it didn't work out. So she took up a temporary job as a toy-making assistant and wore a Christmas-themed costume. But presto, Father Christmas or Santa was murdered and his wife wanted the murder solved. Father Christmas liked playing around and that is where it got sticky, Jessie has to untangle the threads of affairs and keep her promise to find the killer.
She was single, and six feet tall with blue eyes and size twelve shoes, had lost her job and returned to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
I did love her description of how artificial the setting was with lots of machine-made snow and everyone acting for the roles in Santa's workshop. I felt sad that the children did not get to have a regular childhood but had to act making toys for the workshop and I wondered about child labor laws not being enforced.
Her devoted boyfriend Chase wanted her to stay there but she was determined to get back to work on her degree and have "insurance if it didn't work out. So she took up a temporary job as a toy-making assistant and wore a Christmas-themed costume. But presto, Father Christmas or Santa was murdered and his wife wanted the murder solved. Father Christmas liked playing around and that is where it got sticky, Jessie has to untangle the threads of affairs and keep her promise to find the killer.
October 8, 2017
Jessie Morton, Ren Faire geek and wanna be college professor, is at a crossroads. Her career path has taken a turn toward the hopeless, and her boyfriend is getting impatient with her unwillingness to commit.
She's back to working in Adventure Land's Renaissance Christmas village, and has been there only a short time before she stumbles onto a murder.
Of course, she is the only person who is smart enough to to solve the case...
This book didn't work for me. I thought the setting sounded interesting, but although I am no expert in the behind-the-scenes workings of a place like this, I thought most of it sounded ridiculously implausible. The after-hours activities of the cast members, in particular, seemed ludicrous. Jessie was not particularly likeable, and I see no reason why Chase would put up with her. ... and having created a family of 8 children, the book spends a lot of time trying to figure out what to do with all of those kids.
There were just so many things that didn't make sense!
Disappointing.
She's back to working in Adventure Land's Renaissance Christmas village, and has been there only a short time before she stumbles onto a murder.
Of course, she is the only person who is smart enough to to solve the case...
This book didn't work for me. I thought the setting sounded interesting, but although I am no expert in the behind-the-scenes workings of a place like this, I thought most of it sounded ridiculously implausible. The after-hours activities of the cast members, in particular, seemed ludicrous. Jessie was not particularly likeable, and I see no reason why Chase would put up with her. ... and having created a family of 8 children, the book spends a lot of time trying to figure out what to do with all of those kids.
There were just so many things that didn't make sense!
Disappointing.
September 15, 2018
Adding a Father Christmas and toy shop for the holidays was an intriguing idea.
What I enjoyed:
* The Christmas kids, all 8 of them.
* Chase is always great!
*
What could have been better:
* Jessie is inconsistent. One time she is following the probable murderer and tells herself to only follow, not confront as that could be dangerous (my idea of dangerous starts with following a murderer). Then she follows them into an area off grid and doesn't suspect a trap?
* Villain.
What I enjoyed:
* The Christmas kids, all 8 of them.
* Chase is always great!
*
What could have been better:
* Jessie is inconsistent. One time she is following the probable murderer and tells herself to only follow, not confront as that could be dangerous (my idea of dangerous starts with following a murderer). Then she follows them into an area off grid and doesn't suspect a trap?
* Villain.
July 26, 2018
These authors have published 70 books since 1999, according to Goodreads. About 4 books a year.
No wonder there are discontinuities, and errors like having a snow making machine work in warm temps, and be scheduled for 4 times a day at the beginning of the book and every 15 minutes at the end, and be able to distribute snow all over the village but be able to be held to one target by a half-frozen, wounded woman perched on top of it. To concentrate snow on a pirate ship with 24 hour a day watch which however she had been able to evade an hour or so before.
This is no doubt the last book in the series, judging by the wish fulfillment at the end. Where the narrator's boy friend buys her a new car, a condo, and a track to tenure, before offering her an engagement ring.
Still I read the whole thing. And might pick up one of their books in another series, if I am in the mood for an entertaining, if inconsistent, tale.
No wonder there are discontinuities, and errors like having a snow making machine work in warm temps, and be scheduled for 4 times a day at the beginning of the book and every 15 minutes at the end, and be able to distribute snow all over the village but be able to be held to one target by a half-frozen, wounded woman perched on top of it. To concentrate snow on a pirate ship with 24 hour a day watch which however she had been able to evade an hour or so before.
This is no doubt the last book in the series, judging by the wish fulfillment at the end. Where the narrator's boy friend buys her a new car, a condo, and a track to tenure, before offering her an engagement ring.
Still I read the whole thing. And might pick up one of their books in another series, if I am in the mood for an entertaining, if inconsistent, tale.
February 10, 2020
In honor of the holiday season, a cozy mystery set in a Renaissance Faire town in South Carolina. Our protagonist, Jessie, works every year at the Faire and this year her assignment is an apprenticeship with Chris Christmas and his kids building toys. When, on her first day, Chris Christmas is murdered she becomes a suspect. Determined to clear her name, Mrs. Christmas’ name, and find the real culprit she goes on a merry mission to uncover who would want Chris Christmas dead. Old secrets come to light, and hijinks galore ensue. It is quite the jolly little adventure and not lacking in action or humor. My second read by Joyce and Jim Lavene was so much more pleasurable with its jovial and eccentric characters, fun and swift pacing, and cheerful holiday spirit. Highly recommend this book!
December 26, 2016
This is a.fun series, what with vegetable justice, quirky characters, quite a bit of screwball humor, and some light romantic farce thrown in for.good measure. This installment ends leaving me really excited about reading the next one just to see what madness happens next with so many big events coming.
November 12, 2024
From the series Renaissance Faire Mysteries, this novel explores the murder of the Faire's Santa, exposing the many affairs and concerns of the inhabitant/employees of a stationary Renaissance village. The narrator is sympathetic, but her violent adventures at the end of the novel as she confronts the murderer seriously stretch credibility and make the novel rather disappointing.
May 19, 2018
Enjoyed this! I hope there will be more in the series.
June 9, 2018
I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought it would. Fun adventure and smart mystery at a renaissance faire!
December 17, 2018
Love this writer! Such a fantastic imagination full of great characters and fun surroundings. More please.
October 6, 2019
Not sure why I kept reading other than to find out who the killer was.
January 6, 2024
everything weird abt this book can be explained by the fact that it was co-written by a husband and wife
August 28, 2012
"Treacherous Toys" is a cozy mystery. It's the fifth novel in the series, and it didn't spoil the mysteries in the previous novels. However, if this series sounds interesting to you, I'd suggest starting with the first novel in the series as it's probably better than this one.
I was interested by the setting of a permanent Renaissance Faire and in learning how toys were made. However, the setting was only vaguely described, and there was only a brief, generic description of making "kit," hand-assembled toys. Most of the description was spent on a few key characters. Still, you get the impression that the primary thing Faire workers do is try to seduce each other (married or not).
I couldn't understand why Chase loved Jessie. She routinely broke her promises to him, was constantly getting into trouble, and lied to and manipulated people without feeling bad about doing so.
Jessie seemed to change her mind from one extreme to another for no apparent reason (as nothing had changed). One moment Jessie wanted protection from the killer she was sure was out to get her, and the next she was going out of her way to try to bring the killer in all by herself purely for the glory of it (though Jessie was unarmed and the killer had a gun). She kept going back and forth between the two.
A number of details were left unexplained. For example, at one point, the killer was unconscious and tied up, yet moments later the killer disappeared and no one wondered at how. Though the gun was never taken away from the killer (that we're told), the killer switched to a knife at the very end. Not to mention all the didn't-make-sense actions of Jessie and the killer. For example, Jessie wanted to contact the police in one of her non-glory-seeking moments, but she didn't pick up the two-way security radio on the nearby table or ask someone to use a phone to do so.
The mystery wasn't really a clue-based puzzle whodunit. The suspense was created by physical danger to several characters and relationship tension between Jessie and Chase. I had a hard time feeling concern, though, since Jessie brought both on herself for reasons that weren't very understandable to me. There was no explicit sex. There was a minor amount of explicit bad language.
I was interested by the setting of a permanent Renaissance Faire and in learning how toys were made. However, the setting was only vaguely described, and there was only a brief, generic description of making "kit," hand-assembled toys. Most of the description was spent on a few key characters. Still, you get the impression that the primary thing Faire workers do is try to seduce each other (married or not).
I couldn't understand why Chase loved Jessie. She routinely broke her promises to him, was constantly getting into trouble, and lied to and manipulated people without feeling bad about doing so.
Jessie seemed to change her mind from one extreme to another for no apparent reason (as nothing had changed). One moment Jessie wanted protection from the killer she was sure was out to get her, and the next she was going out of her way to try to bring the killer in all by herself purely for the glory of it (though Jessie was unarmed and the killer had a gun). She kept going back and forth between the two.
A number of details were left unexplained. For example, at one point, the killer was unconscious and tied up, yet moments later the killer disappeared and no one wondered at how. Though the gun was never taken away from the killer (that we're told), the killer switched to a knife at the very end. Not to mention all the didn't-make-sense actions of Jessie and the killer. For example, Jessie wanted to contact the police in one of her non-glory-seeking moments, but she didn't pick up the two-way security radio on the nearby table or ask someone to use a phone to do so.
The mystery wasn't really a clue-based puzzle whodunit. The suspense was created by physical danger to several characters and relationship tension between Jessie and Chase. I had a hard time feeling concern, though, since Jessie brought both on herself for reasons that weren't very understandable to me. There was no explicit sex. There was a minor amount of explicit bad language.
November 22, 2013
4 STARS
I liked Treacherous Toys. It is the 5th book in the series but second one I have read. I liked this series. This is a cozy mystery. It starts the drama right away. I was surprised with who the murder was.
It is fun book.
I like the Renaissance Faire Mystery. It would be fun to visit a village like this.
Jessie Morton is supposed to be a apprentice Toy Maker. She also plans to finish her Doctorate. Her first day at the village this year she ends up taking pictures of Father Christmas and the children. Her boyfriend is Chase the Bailiff.
Chris Christmas is a toy maker and father of 8 children who help make toys and dress as elves. They are new to the village this year.
When Jessie comes back after her lunch to start working on the toys she is knocked out and when she wakes up she finds Chris dead on the floor.
Chase is the Bailiff for the village. He wants Jessie to move into the village with him full time.
Their are lots of suspects. Lots of drama and fun. Their is a Queen & King living in the Castle with a court and servants. Pirates living on Pirate ship, jousts with knights. Lots of fun characters.
I will read more books by Joyce and Jim Lavene in the future.
I was given this book by the authors for purpose of review.
Published September 4th 2012 by Berkley 304 pages
December 16, 2013
Treacherous Toys by Joyce and Jim Lavene
Jessie and Chase find themselves at an impasse. Jessie wants to be independent and self supporting but Chase wants her to depend on him and think about taking their relationship to the next level. When Jessie is furloughed for the next six weeks from her teaching position she finds herself doing Christmas at the Renaissance Faire and Market. Jessie Morton is all set to do an apprenticeship with Chris Christmas making toys, but someone kills Santa soon after her arrival. Jessie now finds herself helping Santa’s wife Christine and their eight children find out who killed Chris. You will have to join Jessie as she finds a killer to see what trouble she gets into. I promise you will enjoy this great read.
Joyce and Jim Lavene has written over 60 novels. I found Treacherous Toys to be a fun mystery with a Renaissance setting. It is well written, fast paced and a easy read. The characters are undeniably funny and well thought out. I don’t read many books other than Christian but found this one to be enjoyable and a clean read. I give Treacherous Toys book 5 in A Renaissance Faire Mystery Series 5 stars. I really enjoyed this book.
Jessie and Chase find themselves at an impasse. Jessie wants to be independent and self supporting but Chase wants her to depend on him and think about taking their relationship to the next level. When Jessie is furloughed for the next six weeks from her teaching position she finds herself doing Christmas at the Renaissance Faire and Market. Jessie Morton is all set to do an apprenticeship with Chris Christmas making toys, but someone kills Santa soon after her arrival. Jessie now finds herself helping Santa’s wife Christine and their eight children find out who killed Chris. You will have to join Jessie as she finds a killer to see what trouble she gets into. I promise you will enjoy this great read.
Joyce and Jim Lavene has written over 60 novels. I found Treacherous Toys to be a fun mystery with a Renaissance setting. It is well written, fast paced and a easy read. The characters are undeniably funny and well thought out. I don’t read many books other than Christian but found this one to be enjoyable and a clean read. I give Treacherous Toys book 5 in A Renaissance Faire Mystery Series 5 stars. I really enjoyed this book.
January 4, 2013
I wanted a Christmas Cozy Mystery and found this at the bookstore. It is the first book that I've read from these authors and I plan to read more.
Treacherous Toys is the 5th book in the authors' Renaissance Faire Mystery Series. It finds protagonist Jessie Martin, an associate professor summer interning as a toy maker apprentice at the year round Renaissance Festival. But her apprenticeship is cut short when the toy maker Chris is murdered and his wife is arrested. Dissatisfied with the police investigation, Jessie searches for the killer herself and has some harrowing experiences in the process.
Like a lot of cozy mysteries, this was a quick and enjoyable read. There was enough character development to keep my interest and the developing relationship between Jessie and her boyfriend Chase was fun. I will look for the next book in this series just to see what happens between them.
Treacherous Toys is the 5th book in the authors' Renaissance Faire Mystery Series. It finds protagonist Jessie Martin, an associate professor summer interning as a toy maker apprentice at the year round Renaissance Festival. But her apprenticeship is cut short when the toy maker Chris is murdered and his wife is arrested. Dissatisfied with the police investigation, Jessie searches for the killer herself and has some harrowing experiences in the process.
Like a lot of cozy mysteries, this was a quick and enjoyable read. There was enough character development to keep my interest and the developing relationship between Jessie and her boyfriend Chase was fun. I will look for the next book in this series just to see what happens between them.
November 4, 2013
I would do three and a half stars if I could. The who dunnit part of the book was fantastic, I really did not see that coming. The mystery part of the book would be five stars, reading who is in whose bed now (what a romper room) - and I am not sure all of it was necessary. We knew about the King and Queen; and it was no surprise to find out the murdered suspect had a part in all the shenanigans, but adding in everyone else - overload.
Then Jessie never does serve as an apprentice, nor does she even attempt to bring her dissertation stuff with her to work on, how long can one go without finishing a dissertation? There is a time limit and she does have quite a lot to write up already.
Had Jessie been more focused on something else along with the mystery (and Chase of course), and there had been less romper room antics I would have enjoyed this book much more.
I admit I liked the end and everything turned out fine.
Then Jessie never does serve as an apprentice, nor does she even attempt to bring her dissertation stuff with her to work on, how long can one go without finishing a dissertation? There is a time limit and she does have quite a lot to write up already.
Had Jessie been more focused on something else along with the mystery (and Chase of course), and there had been less romper room antics I would have enjoyed this book much more.
I admit I liked the end and everything turned out fine.
January 4, 2013
This is the first Renaissance Faire mystery that I have read and it was enjoyable and fast paced. Because it takes place at a permanent Renaissance village, it is almost schozophrenic in that modern times and protrayed olden times work together. This story finds that Chris Christmas who protrays Father Christmas is found murdered in his toy shop. He actuallly had a handmade toy business. His wife Christine is the number one suspect but Jessie Morton, girlfriend of the village's baliff investigates in order to help prove Christine's innocence. The Christmas family has 8 children and thier futures are at risk. The story has pleanty of quirky characters including the Queen Olivia who never steps out of character. Adultrey, mischief and mayhem make for a fun read. I plan on checking out the other books in the series. This was #5.
July 5, 2014
Great series! I'll definitely be rereading this one.
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It had earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It had earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
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