Eight Maids a' Missing

by Jana Deleon

Author Jana DeLeon brings readers a light-hearted, sharp-witted tale of mystery, romance, and gun-slinging society matrons with a heavy dose of Southern charm.

When college student Lexie Clairmont is summoned to the sleepy gated community in the Louisiana Bayou where her melodramatic Aunt Sophia lives, she figures she’s in for more of the usual hysterics. But when she discovers that eight housemaids have disappeared without a trace, Lexie will have to play amateur detective to help her aunt get to the bottom of the pre-Christmas crisis. In a town where nothing is as it seems, Lexie’s investigation could land her smack-dab in the middle of very real danger. Will she uncover the truth before it’s too late?

Genres: Mystery, Short Stories, Christmas, Ebooks

54 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 4, 2013

About the author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jana DeLeon was raised in southwest Louisiana among the bayous and gators. Her hometown is Carlyss, but you probably won't find it on a map. Her family owned a camp located on a bayou just off the Gulf of Mexico that you could only get there by boat. The most important feature was the rope hammock hanging in the shade on a huge deck that stretched out over the water where Jana spent many hours reading books.

Jana and her brother spent thousands of hours combing the bayous in a flat-bottom aluminum boat, studying the natural habitat of many birds, nutria and alligators. She would like you to know that no animals were injured during these "studies," but they kept makers of peroxide in business.

Jana has never stumbled across a mystery or a ghost like her heroines, but she's still hopeful.

She now resides in Dallas, Texas, with the most spoiled Sheltie in the world.

Reviews

[Mary Eve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Fun Read from Jana DeLeon

Jana DeLeon is my favorite cozy mystery author. I knew nothing about cozy mysteries until I discovered DeLeon's Miss Fortune series. I've since developed a taste for the cozy genre. I've also started another of DeLeon's series, beginning with MALEVOLENT, the first book in the Shaye Archer Mystery series. DIABOLICAL is Book Two. SINISTER is the third. That series wouldn't be classified as a cozy. Matter of fact, the Shaye Archer series is rather frightening but it's my favorite. I like that DeLeon's mysteries take place in parts of Louisiana. Even if some of the small towns are fictional it's easy to feel right at home. DeLeon's cozies are humorous and the characters are likable. Another great series written by DeLeon is the Ghost-in-Law books. I laughed quite a bit during the audiobook version of Book One, TROUBLE IN MUDBUG. if you're not familiar with Jana DeLeon and you enjoy cozy mysteries, or a good old fashioned mystery, do give this author a chance. I've never read a book by DeLeon that I didn't like. This short cozy is a quick read. It's not the best of her selections, by any means, but it hit its mark and entertained. With a cup of hot chocolate in my hands, curled up on my sofa, I'd say this was definitely a nice, cozy read.

[Beatrice Followill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author is the absolute best when it comes to funny laugh out loud moments , suspense and mayhem. Fun short Christmas story with a bit of sleuthing and light romance, Never can go wrong reading anything this author writes!

[Julie ~ Storytime With Grammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, light-hearted "mystery" that kept my attention and was a fun read.
I love Deleon's writing style and sense of humor, she always puts so much into her character development so that the readers feel as though they are right there beside the characters.

[Barbara Hackel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short and clever mystery about wealthy women depending on others when they should have used common sense! Fun story that really wasn't particularly season, just happens to be set around the holidays. Interesting characters.

[kimberly taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good mystery book

This is a good who done it book. Keeps you guessing until close to the end. Theft murder and romance in one

[Vanessa Frink · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

If you are looking for a short mystery then this is a good one! Funny and entertaining! I really enjoyed this book!

[CJ Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great fun! Romance, murder, laugh out loud moments, and Christmas all rolled into one! Wonderful novella

[Marti · Rating 5 out of 5]

EIGHT MAIDS A MISSING is a delightful cozy mystery short story perfect for an afternoon read.

[Sondra Wayman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a fun short story Jana gave away for free!

[Dee Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute short story! It was fun to read and well written.

[Eden · Rating 5 out of 5]

2025 bk 166. An enjoyable Christmas read. When her great aunt needs her help, well what is a girl to do but cancel her Cancun vacation and help find out what happened in the neighborhood with the missing maids/organizers. Along the way she adventures into territory she has never tried and maybe finds a true love.

[Kelly Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick read

This book is a delightful read, and it flows so well that I read it very quickly. The only problem is that I have to find something else to read! If you like a little romance with your mysteries, then this book is definitely for you!

[Mary Lou Webb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story

Probably should have started with the first book in the series, but this story was standalone. Cute story, easy and a quick read, perfect for when one wants to be entertained, but doesn't have much time.

[Jessie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a huge fan of Jana Deleon's writing and this short story is full of her signature style - unique characters and witty storytelling.

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick, fun holiday short story! The characters are witty and the story is entertaining. I enjoy reading this author's work and look forward to reading more.

[victoria walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eight maids

Good short story. Pleasant fun. Small town southern hospitality, manners and wonder. Would like more of this kind of read...

[Jeanette montgomery · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great short story.

I loved the characters.