Dying for a Decoration

Laurel McKay Mysteries #9

by Cindy Sample

Dying for a Decoration is a heartwarming holiday mystery that will keep you ho-ho-hoing until the last page!When a six-foot-tall elf arrives at Laurel McKay Hunter's detective agency, it can only mean trouble. Then her eccentric grandmother refers her to an old flame who wants Laurel to track down the rustlers who have stolen his herd. Of reindeer! On top of everything, her best friend ropes her into filling in for an injured member of the Elf cast. Amid all the chaos, Laurel discovers her grandmother is dating a man decades younger. Is there something fishy going on beneath the mistletoe?Elves, reindeer, and an unexpected romance make celebrating this holiday season more of a challenge than Laurel could ever have imagined.Dessert Recipes includedAuthor Cindy Sample has tied a bow on a light-hearted Christmas present for readers—DYING FOR A DECORATION, the 9th book in her Laurel McKay Humorous Mystery series. This time the beloved heroine is out to solve multiple puzzling crimes from the Christmas-cheer-stealing culprit who rustles a herd of reindeer to the villain who’s graduated from roasting chestnuts to torching homes. Laurel comes through in tinsel-sparkle style accompanied by a charming cast of zany family members and friends. Gift yourself laughter this holiday and read DYING FOR A DECORATION!Linda Lovely, author of A Killer App, An HOA Mystery A six-foot-tall elf, an eccentric grandmother, and a reindeer rustler are only part of Laurel McKay Hunter’s holiday problems. When an elderly client is attacked and left for dead, Laurel discovers that everyone and everything is suspect. Even the mistletoe smells fishy. But can she find the culprit before she ho-ho-hos herself right out of the sleuthing business? DYING FOR A DECORATION is a funny, heartwarming holiday mystery that will keep readers turning the page until the hilarious ending.Heather Haven, Award-winning Author of the Alvarez Family Mysteries

Genres: Mystery, Christmas

255 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 15, 2023

About the author

Cindy Sample is a former corporate CEO who decided plotting murder was more fun than plodding through paperwork. After one too many mergers,she retired to write her national bestselling and award-winning Laurel McKay Humorous mystery series set in the California Gold Country. Spindrift Cove Mysteries, her newest series, is set in Washington State, featuring Sierra Sullivan, a former cruise director.

Cindy is a five-time LEFTY Award finalist for best humorous mystery and a two-time SILVER FALCHION Award finalist for best traditional mystery. She is a past president of the Sacramento chapter of Sisters in Crime and has served on the boards of the Sacramento Opera and YWCA. Visit her website at www.cindysamplebooks.com

Reviews

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Laurel's holiday season turns busy when her nonagenarian grandmother gets a new boyfriend, somebody guilts her into accepting a role in the community theatre's production of Elf, and her PI firm gets a client.

Someone stole the client's festive holiday reindeer. Laurel gets on the case, and finds trouble, when somebody assaults her client, leading to even worse trouble down the road.

A very underrated series.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun and exciting book from Cindy Sample! Beyond loving the local details, I really didn’t suspect the actual culprit, the sign of a good mystery, for me.

[Charlotte Stuart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cindy writes consistently entertaining mysteries. And this one was a fun read for the holiday season. The plot moves right along with just the right mix of murder and levity. Highly recommended.

[Mary Beth Magee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A holiday treat for the reader

What a gift for readers from author Cindy Sample! Laurel McKay and company are back at work in a delightful cozy set in California’s Gold Country. When Laurel’s grandmother’s old beau hires her to track down the missing hand carved reindeer from his holiday yard display, she finds herself in the middle of a complicated chain of events. But Laurel never met a mystery she didn’t love or a chocolate she didn’t want to eat. Come on in for a fun time as Laurel indulges both passions.

[Nancy Haddock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laurel is back!

I've loved this series from the beginning and this installment is great fun! Terrific characters, and a well-paced plot in a smallish town setting - and humor, too! What's not to like? I hope the next book comes out soon!

[Cathy Inboden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book.

[Jerri Cachero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner!

If you like your mysteries with twists and turns, humor, relatable main characters, quirky & lovable supporting characters, delicious recipes and a bit of romance, this series and book is for you!

Laurel is in over her curly locks but manages to solve 2 mysteries while Christmas shopping, dance in a community play based on the ELF movie (LOL- one of the funniest scenes in the book) all while trying to figure out who assaulted an elderly gentleman and burned his property. A fun mystery that will keep you guessing!

[Debi Emerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been in love with Laurel McKay books since #1. And have eagerly awaited each subsequent volume (especially as they seem to be released close to my birthday - what wonderful presents!) Ms. Sample said she had fun writing this one and I can see why. It is a great mystery and has a delightful surprise at the end! I highly recommend this addition to a wonderful series!

[K.A. Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

DYING FOR A DECORATION is the ninth book in the Laurel McKay Mysteries by Cindy Sample. First off, if you need a humorous mystery that will have you ho-ho-ho-ing throughout the entire book, do yourself a favor and pick this up! Ms. Sample knows how to set a scene and then deliver the punchline to keep the reader engaged and giggling. With action starting from the very first page, I devoured the book, along with a glass or two of eggnog, as I followed the antics of the protagonist, Laurel McKay, and her delightful family. There were a few well-plotted mysteries for Laurel to solve and they were expertly woven into the holiday theme of the book. As if the entertainment and puzzling mysteries weren’t enough, the author also includes 14 yummy recipes, submitted by readers, at the back of the book.

[Randi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this addition to the Laurel McKay mystery series. All of the lovable side characters from the prior 8 books find their way into the story, and help make the small town world even more cozy (despite the crimes to solve). Many of my minor critiques from others in the series are improved upon here, particularly Laurel and Tom's relationship. I only wish the book was longer so I could stay in the world and mystery a bit more... I could have easily stayed on board for even more action, twists, and turns. As an added treat, the author included several holiday recipes at the end. fingers crossed that a #10 is added to this series soon!

[Annie O'Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like mysteries where the main female character is married with kids so really enjoyed this book. Its fun to have that chaos of raising kids in the midst of working and errands and all the things moms usually end up doing. The mystery was great and I liked the small town/family atmosphere. This is a
new series to me that I will continue!!

[Jeanie Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought I had read books from this series but I hadn't which now gives me a large number of books to look forward to. Dying for a Decoration had all the things I love about cozy mysteries and very little that I don't enjoy. Fun book with just a touch of holiday spirit and characters that I want to get to know better.

[June Gregorio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best mystery book series

I love the Laurel McKay mystery books. I like how the author weaves in local places and history of the Placerville area with the fun characters. I have read them all and look forward to more.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has a lot going for it! It has a beautiful cover, first off. It's written by an author in my area.
It has an interesting cozy mystery, and the main character has a funny family. The book also includes some humor!

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

exciting story

Great chase and wonderful ending! Loved this book. Laurel always manages to not have her phone. The Mom and Gran are nuts. Theirs is the most confusing, mixed up set of characters possible.