Gingerbread Cookies and Gunshots

Lucy Stone #16.5

by Leslie Meier

This is the Lucy Stone holiday short that was included in Gingerbread Cookie Murder.

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Christmas, Holiday, Novella, Fiction, Short Stories

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Leslie Meier lives in Braintree and Harwich (Cape Cod), Massachusetts. She is the creator of 'Lucy Stone', a reporter and amateur sleuth in the fictional seaside village of Tinker's Cove, Maine.

Reviews

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella was included in a three-story book focused on gingerbread that I received as a holiday present. I read Joanne Fluke's books, which was the reason I got this one, but I'm getting interested in Leslie Meier's Lucy Stone series as a result of this book, Gingerbread Cookies and Gunshots. I read the ~100 page story in a paperback before bed last night in about 45 minutes. It's a very quick read, a teaser to get fans interested in the larger series. Lucy Stone is a fun character and this was a nice break away from a cozy about murder. Instead, it focused on a kidnapping that ended with a murder. What a twist! Apart from the mystery, the really fun aspect is the interaction between Lucy and her family. She has a few older kids, middle/high school age kids and at least one grandchild from what I can tell so far. It takes place in Maine, but they spent time in Louisiana, too, I believe. I've so much to learn... It hits the spot as a fun read when you just need to escape from reality.

[Barbara Nutting · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven’t visited with Lucy Stone for awhile - all is well with her as she tries to get into the Christmas spirit. Bill is still a bore and the girls aren’t as mouthy as they become in later years.

In trying to solve a kidnapping and a murder she spends the holiday Looking for Nemo - does she find him?

A fun read without all the author’s usual political overtones.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars rounded up to 4 Stars.
A better title for this novella would have been Finding Nemo Oops! sorry Disney I guess you got dibs first. Overall a solid Christmas themed cozy mystery.

[Carol Jones-Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella was included in a three-story book focused on gingerbread received as a holiday present. I read Joanne Fluke's books, which was the reason I got this one, but I'm getting interested in Leslie Meier's Lucy Stone series as a result of this book, Gingerbread Cookies and Gunshots. I read the ~100 page story in a paperback before bed last night in about 45 minutes. It's a very quick read, a teaser to get fans interested in the larger series. Lucy Stone is a fun character and this was a nice break away from a cozy about murder. Instead, it focused on a kidnapping that ended with a murder. What a twist! Apart from the mystery, the really fun aspect is the interaction between Lucy and her family. She has a few older kids, middle/high school age kids and at least one grandchild from what I can tell so far. It takes place in Maine, but they spent time in Louisiana, too, I believe. I've so much to learn... It hits the spot as a fun read when you just need to escape from reality.

[Heather Grose · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.4 decent little holiday mystery

[Dharia Scarab · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much better than the books.


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 has 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.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review is for the Gingerbread Cookies and Gunshots novella. It does NOT include the other two novellas that are listed in this publication. The first time that I read this novella, I did not enjoy it as much because I was too unfamiliar with the Lucy Stone Mysteries. Since then, I have grown to love the characters that appear regularly in the series. For that reason, I enjoyed the Christmas story, but I still did not care very much for the mystery part of the novella. However, I fell in love with little four-year-old Nemo!

[Sally Hannoush · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poor Lucy- her family is not all together for Christmas. Nothing like the Caribbean during Christmas. Warm climate is not cozy tho. A missing Nemo. Later in the story there is a murder. And another death after that. Lots of tragic things but a lot of good things as well. Recipes included.

[Joan Horkey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good. More depth than I expected.

[Katy]

For a main character who describes herself as "feminist" there was an awful lot of misogynistic quips from her.

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story!!!

[Mark Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucy Stone gets involved when a four-year-old boy is kidnapped in her community. With no clues to go on, Lucy begins to think that something much larger is happening. Is she right?

Even though I don’t normally read this series, I didn't have any trouble jumping into the characters here. There was enough explanation of who people were that I could follow along. The bits about those I assume are series regulars didn't mean quite as much to me, but I enjoyed meeting everyone. This is on the serious side of the cozy spectrum, and the atmosphere was carried perfectly throughout the story. Lucy did seem to jump to one conclusion, but since she was proved right with evidence later on, I can't call it a major flaw. There are two recipes at the end of this story to enjoy later. This is probably my favorite of the stories I’ve read from Leslie Meier.

NOTE: This is a novella, roughly 100 pages along.

NOTE 2: This was originally published in the anthology Gingerbread Cookie Murder.

Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.

[Ed · Rating 2 out of 5]

#16.5 in the Lucy Stone series. This 2010 series entry by author Leslie Meier is a below average series novella. Lucy shops for Christmas and gets delicacies she can't afford because her ungrateful husband likes them. There is a kidnapping that just doesn't feel right and puts her boss off his feed. Two of her kids announce that they won't be spending Christmas at home, and Lucy spend the rest of the book feeling sorry for herself. Oh, a murder does happen, finally, but Lucy solves it without any effort.

"Gingerbread Cookie Murder" - When Lucy Stone discovers the body of Rick Juergens, whose five-year-old son Nemo disappeared, she senses foul play. Crumbs from a gingerbread cookie Lucy gave to Nemo are found in the back seat of Rick's car. With the hours quickly ticking till Christmas, Lucy races against the clock to find a killer before he strikes again.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ads I saw had this listed as a new book. I was disappointed when I purchased it and found it was a 2010 short story/novella --- and I had already read it way back then. With the addition in the title of 'and Gunshots" it did not appear in my Goodreads list of read/reviewed Lucy Stone books. I probably read it as a part of a three author Christmas sampler release Gingerbread Cookies.

Lucy Stone is heartbroken when 2 of her adult children can't make it home to Tinker's Cove for Christmas. Add a kidnapper of a 4 y o that Lucy has taken a shine to and Lucy finds herself struggling to celebrate the holiday.

Investigating Nemo's situation gives Lucy's investigating skills a work out. It is a good novella.

[Nisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lucy was weirdly really judgemental of most people which was offputting and maybe that's an established part of her character (I don't know, this is the first of these books I have read). The tone was also weird because the title is so not serious but then there was mention of some serious things like children getting kidnapped, someone getting shot in the head, mention of turmoil and disaster in the real world, and eluding to child SA and murder.

This was an okay book. It missed the marked for a cozy Christmas read for me. I am glad it was so short.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

In GINGERBREAD COOKIES AND GUNSHOTS, Lucy Stone is preparing for Christmas, lamenting the fact that not all of her children will be able to come home for the holiday, when a young boy is kidnapped outside his home. Nemo, (who we’ve met in previous books) had just chatted with Lucy at the supermarket and begged his parents for a cookie. But something seems fishy (other than Nemo’s name) about his parents’ living situation and as the town grows increasingly frantic trying to find the lost child, Lucy takes action.

[Lindsay · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't like this one. I'm kind of iffy about the Lucy Stone books. Every so often there will be a good one, but most are just a little to dark for me. In this one, a little boy is kidnapped and Lucy tries to find out who did it. It was actually pretty easy to figure out. And probably very realistic.

[Paul Lariviere · Rating 5 out of 5]

Refreshing

A number of mysteries have quick action or long tedious descriptions. This was a change of pace. I hate reading about missing kids of which there seem to be too many! Without a bucket full of violence, this one had a happy resolution for the child at least. Kids are the future, so why hurt them? Nice bit of writing with fresh characters.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

seasonal cozy

Light, easy holiday cozy. Familiar characters in an idyllic setting celebrating a traditional holiday with murder and kidnapping thrown in. If you like cozies, I think you’ll enjoy this one.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful cozy Christmas mystery! I love this series with great interesting characters. Such a quick and fun read. So hard to put down. At the end of the story there are even a couple of recipes to enjoy.

[Linda Gendice · Rating 3 out of 5]

ok

It wasn’t the best of her mysteries, but it was OK. It’s just sometimes Lucy Stone is so stupid or naïve or dance whatever you wanna call it but it gets annoying. She can’t spot stuff any quicker.

[Darinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cozy mystery set during the Christmas season. Light and entertaining. This is part of the Lucy Stone series by Leslie Meier.

[Taylor Whaley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book I actually skipped the middle story the dangers of gingerbread cookies I just couldn’t get into it.

[R · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the best one in this collection. I had never read anything by her before, but I’m definitely looking up her books now. I really loved the protagonist, and the story was well-written.

[Jo · Rating 2 out of 5]

The 3D novella included in the book titled gingerbread cookie murder.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only decent one of a poor trilogy

[Phyllis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great little Christmas mystery!

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This jas to be the best title yet

[Tammy Chaffins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lucy helps hunt down a missing child all the while missing her own who are grown and doing their own thing for the holidays. A great read.

[Krystle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow, this one was dark. To go from Jaine's goofy story to this one was like emotional whiplash. It was a very good read, and I would've felt just like Lucy.