The Claus Will Come Out - Mysteries of Aspen Falls

Mysteries of Aspen Falls #4

by Tara Randel

Christmas bells are ringing in postcard-perfect Aspen Falls, Colorado, and the sound is music to veterinarian Dr. Ashley Hart’s ears. However, it’s harder to hear the latest village news—that notorious bargain hunter Suzette Bellamy has died under suspicious circumstances and one of Ashley’s favorite clients, estate sale planner Lucinda Costello, was the last person to see the persnickety older woman alive. A dedicated collector frequenting antiques shops and garage sales for years, Suzette hoarded scandalous secrets as enthusiastically as the collectibles she was preparing to sell through Lucinda. But when the infamous frenemy’s secret keeping veered toward blackmail, did someone on Suzette’s naughty list kill her to keep their skeletons safely in the closet? Convinced that Lucinda is innocent of any wrongdoing despite her close proximity to the crime, Ashley takes a break from decking her halls to uncover a killer. Unfortunately, nothing about this case is clear cut, and Ashley can’t help but second-guess herself at every turn. Desperate to solve the murder and absolve her friend before anyone else gets hurt, Ashley struggles to untangle the clues she herself has collected. If she doesn’t tread carefully, however, someone might just silence Ashley’s night—forever.

Genres: Mystery

209 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2022

About the author

Tara Randel is an award-winning, USA Today bestselling author. Family values, a bit of mystery and, of course, love and romance, are her favorite themes, because she believes love is the greatest gift of all. Tara has received the Heart of Excellence Readers' Choice Award and the National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award. Visit Tara at www.tararandel.com. Like her on Facebook at Tara Randel Books.

Reviews

[Rose Mcclarin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A guest who acts very suspiciously, strange happenings and a found dog and cat. All this along with the regular guests who arrived at the Inn for visits along with a reveal o the Inn's history through the diary of a servant in the 1800's. Really great story with some surprising twists. Great read.

[Debra McEathron · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another book in the series about a vet who has moved to Aspen Falls and is running a veterinary clinic. Ashley is the Vet and has interesting clients and ends up getting involved with solving murder crimes involving her new friends.

[Victoria Marie Lees · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Claus Will Come Out by Tara Randel is an interesting cozy steeped in lies and betrayals. Our amateur detective is Dr. Ashley Hart, the new veterinarian in Aspen Falls, Colorado. Randel paints a beautiful picture of the Colorado Rocky Mountain area at Christmastime.

Ashley has made quite a few friends her first year in town. And one of them, Lucinda Costello, an estate sale planner, becomes a “person of interest” for the police in the murder of Suzette Bellany, the woman Lucinda was working for.

Randel complicates the mystery by adding several possible culprits. Lots of action, tension, and danger enlivens the story. The cozy is full of clues and red herrings. I enjoy the budding romance between Ashley and U.S. Park Ranger Cole Hawke.

The Claus Will Come Out by Tara Randel is a satisfying cozy and tender Christmas story to enjoy.

[Theresa Lange · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting read!

[Cozybooklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. The characters are easy to like and I really love holiday cozies. This story was well done and I didn't figure it out right away.

[Sharon Buxton · Rating 2 out of 5]

C-. fiction, cozy mystery, series; veterinarian solves murder, series

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

There was one part that I thought was cheesy, but now I can’t remember the cheese and just really enjoyed the book.

[Kristen Tarr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another cute, fun, mystery with Ashely and Max. From an estate sale gone wrong to a lifelong friendship tossed to the side. This story adds in a little inCHOOTS chaos and the real life heartbreak.

[f_reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of action, but less likable side characters. I enjoyed following Ashley and trying to solve the mystery though, and the action made up for some of the unlikable characters.

[Amber]

Ruthless bargain hunter Suzette is bludgeoned to death and the young woman who had previously been preparing her items for an estate sale is accused of the murder.