Killer Christmas

An Emma Wild Holiday Mystery #1

by Harper Lin

Includes Holiday Drink Recipes!

After breaking up with hunky movie star Nick Doyle, Grammy Award-winning singer Emma Wild returns to her hometown for Christmas to get away from it all. In Hartfield, a small town in Ontario, Canada, she gets caught up in a murder case after a fan's drink is poisoned at the Chocoholic Cafe, owned by Emma's sister Mirabelle.

Who is the killer and was the drink originally intended for Emma?
To add to the chaos, Sterling Matthews is the detective on the case. He'd shattered her heart nine years ago and inspired all her hit singles, but now they must work together to find the murderer before the murderer finds Emma.

Join Emma Wild on her first adventure in the first book of Harper Lin's 4-Book holiday mystery series.

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

129 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 8, 2013

About the author

Harper Lin is the 3x USA Today Bestselling Author of several popular cozy mystery series—8 and counting!

When she’s not reading or writing mysteries, she loves going to yoga class, hiking, and baking with friends and family. 


Be the first to hear about early bird discounts and new book releases by signing up for Harper's Newsletter: https://goo.gl/R7XmFR

www.harperlin.com

Reviews

[Jess · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm just really glad this book was free.

[Lindsay (LindsayReads) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Today is December 1st, which means that it is time for CHRISTMAS COZY MYSTERIES! Yes people, you have so much to look forward to this month! :D I am so excited about my reading list that I am on the verge of dancing!

Now, I may be out of college but I am still living the life of a 'poor college student.' This means that I love finding free, or close to free, books on my Nook. This is how I stumbled upon Killer Christmas which is a murder mystery that includes coffee, chocolate, and Christmas. I honestly squealed in delight upon reading the synopsis! Killer Christmas is the first of four novellas in the holiday themed series staring celebrity singer Emma Wild.

I really enjoyed Emma Wild. She is a well developed character and I was instantly swept up in her story. I felt like she was the type of person I could instantly be friends with and her fiery personality was actually refreshing. I understood her relationship issues, her struggle to stay grounded, and her feelings of frustration. I just liked her! And I loved the mystery that Emma finds herself investigating.

The fist two-thirds of the book was great and I was feeling quite proud of my thrifty find. Then the last third happened. Don't worry, it wasn't horrible but it was down right frustrating. Lin did such a wonderful job building her characters and setting the scene only to just dump out the 'who-dunnit' climax on the table. There little investigation was actually performed; the reader was just told who the killer was. The conclusion was just there; no stumbling down dark alleys of information, no having to back track. Just ta-da! I don't necessarily want to think hard when reading a cozy mystery but I do actually want to think some!

And then there was an issue with believably. I am not typically the person who points out the detail discrepancy when it comes to crime novels or shows. My husband is, but he was a cop for years, so I put up with it. He would have been proud at how frustrated I was with Emma's involvement in the investigation. There is NO WAY a civilian would have been allowed to do an interrogation ALONE with a murder suspect. NO!

I still recommend Killer Christmas if you are willing to put up with these points. I am torn about getting the second installment. I loved Emma and want to read more of her story but I'm still a little irked at the conclusion and interrogation issue. I honestly wish Lin had taken this in to a full blown novel. She has the skill to do so and this storyline would have thrived as a cozy mystery novel. It was still a good rainy afternoon read. Has anyone else read Killer Christmas or any other Harper Lin story?

Lindsay

[Dawn Frazier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! A fun short story, I will have to go and get the others in the series now.

[Bam cooks the books · Rating 3 out of 5]

*2.5-3 stars . A Christmas cozy mystery novelette that is available free for Kindle. Successful singer/songwriter, Emma Wild, returns to her hometown of Hartfield, Ontario, for Christmas after having her heart broken by her handsome movie star boyfriend, Nick Doyle. It's not long before someone tries to murder Emma--who would hate her that much to want to kill her?

A quick read with just a slight feeling of unbelievability. But who doesn't love relaxing with an easy-read Christmas cozy mystery and a mug of hot chocolate during this busy season? Oh, that reminds me--a few drink recipes are included at the end of the story.

[Deanie Nelder · Rating 2 out of 5]

Based on the synopsis, Killer Christmas should have been a great Christmas-themed mystery, with investigating mixed in with caroling and cookie baking. Unfortunately, the heroine is an idiot who cries randomly, commits crimes while investigating a case she has no business investigating, and ends up in the middle of the world's most boring love triangle. Which is bad enough, but there's no cookie baking, tree decorating, or snowman making to make up for the rest. Even for a free book, I don't think it was worth it. It was short. That's the best I can say about it.

[Bea · Rating 3 out of 5]

A reasonably interesting story and Emma was well developed, but the other characters weren't. This is a cozy romantic mystery that ends on a romantic cliffhanger. The mystery is resolved, too easily, and the killer was obvious though the author did throw in some red herrings. A decent story but not wonderful and I probably won't bother with more in the series.

[Sharon · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very short mystery which spends way too much time telling us myriad details about the protagonist who is a famous person in the music world. She goes home for Christmas after a romantic breakup and a failed attempt is made on her life when another person with the same name takes her coffee order. Who wants to kill her and why? I found it hard to care.

[Christine · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too Hallmarky for my tastes.

[Jammin Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this cozy-mystery/romance story set in a suburb of Ontario. A local girl that made it big in the music industry comes back to her home town to get over a break up, and then someone tries to poison her. She runs into an ex that she loved nine years ago, and things get complicated and heated up. I enjoyed the little love triangle, and I liked the MC's spirit.

[Dharia Scarab · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Ivy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A holidays cozy mystery is a different kind of festive read for me. And I really enjoy the concept.

As for Killer Christmas, I enjoyed this aswell except for the last few pages. Including murder, chocolate and coffee, it was short, light and fun.

I liked Emmas character. Being a superstar with some issues, home for the holidays after a breakup and feeling responsible for the death of a fan.
But after a few well-done twists the case was solved somewhat quickly. And I can't get over the fact that she went to interrogate the murder suspect herself, alone.
This thing with Sterling also felt too rushed but I like that Nick came to claim.

So this would be solid 2,5 Stars but with Christmas around the corner we'll make it 3. And I might read more of these.

[Linda C · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a waste of time. I've just been reading a bunch of YA books for various challenges and wanted something different. However, if they had said this MC was 18 I would not have been surprised. It sounds like that even though this woman is 30 and been out in the world a good bit. The character development is shallow, everyone is a caricature. Why bother to be a writer if you can't do research to fill in the story with actual job knowledge, character development or believable situations. Good novella writers can do that. Obvious villain, insta-make-up with first love, worst detective work ever done, zip personality for all characters. And bring the ex back so you can write a follow-up. Not for me, thank you!

[Moon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not enjoy this as much as the first Cape Bay Cafe Mystery. I felt it could have been longer and there to have had a little more intrigue. It all seemed very stilted and superficial. Is Emma Wild just that type of person or was it the writing? I am not sure if I would read more from this series of stories. Not very Christmas-y feeling, either. I am glad it was free. There was a part toward the end that would never be allowed to happen by a civilan in a police station.

This was for a Nook version. Goodreads says there is no Nook edition so I put it as a Kindle.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cosy murder mystery for Christmas. It was a bit short so there wasn't much to it but it was enjoyable.

[Heather L · Rating 3 out of 5]

An okay short mystery, though the editing could have been vastly improved.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really fun and quick read. I'll be looking for more by this author and in this series.

[Sally906 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the story until the cliff hanger on the last page. No, no, no - what an awful thing to do to a reader - it’s not right.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grammy Award-winning singer, Emma Wild arrives
back to her hometown in Hartfield, Ontario, Canada.
Emma needs to get grounded after breaking up
with hot movie star, Nick Doyle. So home, she goes
for the Christmas holidays.
While waiting in line at her sister's Chocoholic Cafe,
a customer recognizes her. In the midst of the
confusion caused by the customer whose first name
happens to also be Emma, drinks get mixed up.
The other Emma drops over dead!!!!
What caused her death? Was she poisoned? Does
the mix up in the drinks mean the deadly drink was
meant for Emma Wild?
A enjoyable, short, fast read Christmas cozy with
interesting characters and a few surprises.
Good recipes for holiday drinks following the story.

[Babs · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first time reading a book by this author. The book was enjoyable and short. I wish the main character, Emma would have not talked so much about herself and talked more about what was going on around her. Sterling lets Emma get away with a few things like breaking into an apartment and letting her in the integration room. I was surprised at the ending a little I had an idea of who was trying to poison Emma. But the ending leads you to want to read the second book for obvious reasons. Sterling comes back into the picture when she returns home and they might get back together or with Nick coming back into the picture who knows what will happen.

[Karen Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Emma goes home for the holidays after having her heart broken and stumbles into a murder. She is smart and full of life. Very easy to read and interesting til the end. I had to buy the second book in the series because I am dying to find out what's in store for Emma next. I am sad to see that there are only 4 books in the series. Nice characters but I would like to see more about Emma's family. It's really cute that the books are centered around holidays. Can't wait to read the other series, the Patisserie Mysteries, as well.

[Paula Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

A famous singer/songwriter breaks up with her movie star boyfriend and decides to go home for Christmas which she hasn't done in many years. Mom and Dad and her sister are thrilled to have her home. Her bedroom is exactly the same as it was when she was in high school. But not everyone is happy to have her back home. A quick read with a good who dunnit and a unexpected ending.

[catie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't even know how this got published. No character or plot development, lazy writing, too many cliches, and an unlikeable main character. The author made her out to be some whiny/ holier than thou celebrity under the guise of someone nice and that's supposed to be likeable?? Very disappointing read.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just spent the last 4 hours reading from cover to cover. Will have to get the next book in the series. Good storyline. A few spelling mistakes but was easy to read. Will have to get more of your books. Love Emma and looking forward to see what she is up to next. Love a good mystery.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, quick, read. I like the story telling style. I'll be reading the rest of the novellas in the series over the holidays.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and simple holiday cozy.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little too easy to figure out, but a good beginning

[Celia Buell (semi hiatus) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wow. Congratulations. There's actually a book out there that I want to give one star. Literally the only reason I won't do that is because I've read something else by this author that was actually worth it. Also, congratulations, you've created a character with less personality than Bella Swan.

I've read books with main characters I absolutely hate, or who I think are absolutely idiots, or occasionally both, but never with a character I literally had no feelings about.

Add to this the incredibly predictable mystery and the very clearly forced love triangle, as well as that the content of the book is only 80% of the entire (tiny) book, and you have the shortest book I've ever considered not finishing.

The thing is, I know Harper Lin has more potential than this. I read Cappuccinos, Cupcakes, and a Corpse when I was first getting into cozy mysteries, and while it's definitely not the genre's best, it has stronger characters and an all around better plot than whatever it is I just read. I guess she just had to grow into it.

Also, if you're looking for something overly Christmas-y, this is not that. It's barely even mentioned, honestly.

[Donna Huber · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my first book by this author. I think I actually picked up this free book last year but didn't get to it. It is a quick read. I pretty much read it one evening (I read one chapter the night before). The story is thin on plot and character development. But if you just want fluff for your Christmas binge read this is book would satisfy that. The ending sets up the next book, but I doubt I will continue with the series.

[Swan Bender · Rating 3 out of 5]

Things about the murder were wrapped up too quickly in the end and I felt as though I had missed something important and had to reread. This story had some good aspects but it's redeeming quality was how short it was to read.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This takes place at Christmas in Vermont. The story is a quick one. It has a famous musician, a mistaken identity, family, and murder. I was surprised by the ending. I had figured out who, but I didn't know why.