Murder, Mayhem & Madness in Christmas River

Christmas River #1-3

by Meg Muldoon

Murder, Mayhem, and Madness. Oh my!
Welcome to Christmas River, a small town in central Oregon where the spirit of Christmas never dies. And where intrigue, romance, danger, and excitement are around every corner.
Cinnamon Peters is one tough cookie.
Every year at Christmas River’s annual Gingerbread Junction Competition, pie baker extraordinaire Cinnamon aims to win, taking down any competitor who gets in her way. But when she finds a dead body in the woods behind her pie shop just days before the big competition, Cinnamon realizes that there’s much more to worry about than cookies, frosting, and gumdrops.
Someone’s out to bring Cinnamon down. And they’re playing dirty.
Only Cinnamon and a mysterious stranger who walks into her life one snowy evening can figure out the mystery.
But can they solve it before Cinnamon’s chances of gingerbread competition glory crumble?
The Christmas River Cozy Mystery Box Set includes the books Murder in Christmas River, Mayhem in Christmas River, and Madness in Christmas River.

Genres: Christmas, Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Fiction, Ebooks, Cozy

707 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 10, 2013

About the author

For a very limited time receive a FREE cozy mystery and recipe book when you sign up for Meg Muldoon's mailing list! Sign-up here: http://eepurl.com/zcGr1

Meg Muldoon is the author of over 20 feel-good mysteries, including the bestselling Christmas River Cozy Mysteries and The Dog Town USA Cozy Mysteries. A former small town news reporter, Meg has always had a special place in her heart for lost dogs, homeless cats, and feisty old locals. She enjoys Marionberry pie, red cowboy boots, and craft glue guns. Meg specializes in writing stories filled with humor and heart, and her books have been featured in the Amazon Kindle Top-100.

Meg lives in Central Oregon with two Great Pyrenees, a cattle dog named Huckleberry, and a rascal cat named Frank.

Reading Order:

THE CHRISTMAS RIVER COZY MYSTERY SERIES
Murder in Christmas River – Book 1
Mayhem in Christmas River – Book 2
Madness in Christmas River – Book 3
Malice in Christmas River – Book 4
Mischief in Christmas River – Book 5
Manic in Christmas River – Book 6
Magic in Christmas River – Book 7
Menace in Christmas River – Book 8
Missing in Christmas River – Book 9
Meltdown in Christmas River – Book 10
Midnight in Christmas River – Book 11
Mistake in Christmas River – Book 12
Matrimony in Christmas River - Book 13
Malarkey in Christmas River - Book 14
Monster in Christmas River - Book 15 (coming spring 2026!)

THE CHRISTMAS RIVER COZY MYSTERY NOVELLA SERIES
Roasted in Christmas River – Novella 1
Cinnamon Peters & the Rabbit Bandit – Novella 2
Caught in Christmas River – Novella 3
Crushed in Christmas River – Novella 4
Hounded in Christmas River – Novella 5
Framed in Christmas River – Novella 6
Trapped in Christmas River - Novella 7
Merriment in Christmas River - Novella 8

THE HOLLY HOPEWELL COZY MYSTERY SERIES
The Silence of the Elves – Book 1
Elf Confidential - Book 2

THE DOG TOWN USA COZY MYSTERY SERIES
Mutts & Murder – Book 1
Bulldogs & Bullets – Book 2
Corgis & Conspiracy - Book 3
Pyrenees & Poison - Book 4 (Coming Soon)

THE COZY MATCHMAKER MYSTERY SERIES
Burned in Broken Hearts Junction – Book 1
Busted in Broken Hearts Junction – Book 2

THE WITCHES OF BROOMFIELD BAY MYSTERY SERIES (with Jools Sinclair)
Ginger of the West – Book 1

Reviews

[Bobbie N · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first three of the Christmas River mysteries in a boxed set.

#1 - Murder in Christmas River - Christmas River, Oregon has turned itself into a touristy town by capitalizing on its name and celebrating Cristmas year-round, and really turning it up a notch in December, including the annual gingerbead competition, which pie baker Cinnamon Peters aims to win back her title at this time around. But then she finds a dead body in the woods behind her pie shop, and becomes the local sheriff's prime suspect.

#2 - Mayhem in Christmas River - The town is gearing up for its annual Chistmas in July celebrations in the midst of a heat wave that is rarely experienced in central Oregon when an arsonist sets fire to two downtown businesses whose owners are both acting in the annual play.

#3 - Madness in Christmas River - It's Christmastime again, and the huge tree has been lit with all the festivities surrounding it. But something's amiss when vandals knock it down and an ornament with a cryptic message inside is found on Cinnamon's front porch.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Started reading this author because she shares my maiden name as her last name (are we related...?!) and was not disappointed. She might be one of my favourite cozy mystery authors now. Great stories and characters. Some emotional rollercoasters that are possibly unnecessary (for my heart!), but very realistic. Not sure if I could do the next 9 books immediately but they are on my tbr list!

Since we are entering pie-baking season (aka fall), I might try some of the recipes included in the book. I didn't see the "Santa on Holiday" pie though cranberries and key lime might be my new holiday baking inspiration!

[Peggy Zeigler · Rating 5 out of 5]

the first 3 books in a series. I will be looking for the rest of the books. I like the characters, Cinnamon, who has been through one marriage, and with the loss of her parents at a young age, and raised by her grandfather, owns a pie shop. What she goes through in running the shop, helping to solve some murders and mysteries, while running into her high school love, and dealing with life is a good read.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love them.

Meg my dear you amaze me so much. I just can’t get enough of Christmas River. Wishing I lived there too. I have reread the first two but hadn’t read number 3 before. Your books are so amazing they suck you in and keep going. It’s so amazing how you came up with your stories.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three books in one. Cinnamon owns a bake shop that specializes in pies. Evan is her ex-husband who thinks he can come back into her life. Daniel was a high school sweetheart who left town after his brother was killed. There's a murder or two, some other mysterious happenings, and Cinnamon is right in the middle of it all, in the small town of Christmas River. Will the gossip ever stop?

[Annette Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

okay

Nothing earth shaking happening in these stories, romance, a lot of subjectifying of men on outward appearances which is a change from women being the usual subject.
A few annoying errors throughout the three books, the typical stereotyping of characters of small towns. Entertaining, but does not engage any emotions.

[Sandy T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining box set

I found this series entertaining. Cinnamon owns a pie shop in a small town named Christmas River, which has become a popular tourist destination. Each book is a standalone and I recommend the series. The core group of main characters are an interesting likeable bunch. The mysteries are fun to solve.

[Bruce E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked these books primarily because of the Cin thought, not what she ought but how she thought, particularly about her life and more particularly her second thoughts. I liked Warren for the same reason. Also her crimes were kind of different. It wasn't analytical like a Herculese Poirot (I'm not going to look up the spelling) novel, but I found that OK.

[Rita Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas River Boxed Set

A wonderful set of Christmas copies that will keep you in suspense and warm your heart. 3 stories about a young woman who has gone through some very hard times and ends up coming out on top.

[PLP · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

All three stories were wonderful.

The 3rd made me a little uncomfortable but the author made it right.

All three stories are stand alone but really nice when read in sequence.

[jean barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just amazing

These books have so much heart, yes there are mysteries, heartbreak, hurt, people deceiving others. But there is family and friendship and a great back story and setting. Love them

[Emilie Epps · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great little Christmas read!! Romance, mystery baking, and murder abound I'll take it 😉

[Wynona R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Better than just good.

It was easy to get caught up in the lives of Christmas residents . Keeps you reading even when you have other things to do.

[Linda Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

My new favorite author is Meg Muldoon and I know all will like her and the Christmas Rivers town characters. I feel as though I have met them all. And I have even stopped at the Cin’s pie shop And have an ornament or two from Kara’s shop. Am now ready to read the next three books in the series! And certainly would love to vacation in Christmas River next fall.
Who know maybe some day I will bake some of the pies that you can almost taste while reading the books. So what are you waiting for cause I know you’ll love the series.

[Claudia Ainsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

I thoroughly enjoyed these three books. They were easy reading with twists and turns and humor. I highly recommend them.

[Chris Blackton · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of three books. Each book improved in order.

[Suzanne Perryman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas cozy

I really enjoyed books 1 through 3. I really felt what the characters were feeling and was quite anxious for them. Loved the ending

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book will give you warm, positive feelings. This is a light read. The perfect book to read if one is stuck at home.

[Debbie Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cozy mystery

Such a cute cozy mystery. Did not guess the who the murderer was. Total surprise!!!! Can't wait to read the next set.

[Peni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Please see individual stories for review.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute stories

Good mysteries, fun and likeable characters, clean love stories with no sex scenes. And the series continues. Will we learn how Grandpa fares in Spain?

[Jean Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a set of the first 3 stories in this series, and I really enjoyed reading all of them. They are set in Oregon and feature nice story lines, relatable characters and snowy scenes. The main character is Cinnamon Peters, a down to earth, small town girl who owns a pie shop. She has gone through hard times but ends up coming out on top. The descriptions of the pies made me want to try a slice of one or more. Romance, baking, murder and mystery with twists and turns.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas River Boxed set

I really enjoyed these 3 books and as soon as I finished the last one in this set I bought the fourth one.
The author does a fantastic job of giving the reader characters are what one can associate with. Cinnamon Peters is a down to earth small town girl who you can't help but want to read more of what she is into . If you were looking for cozy, snuggle up and get comfortable series and are highly recommend this one.

[Mary Schildman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyable

Bought the set of these three books and so glad I did. Great storylines, colorful characters and snowy scenery. Only thing to make the stories better would be recipes for the pies. Looking forward to more of this series.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed these! Very light and entertaining. Characters were easy to relate to.

[ShandraLee]

Enjoying stories accurately set in Oregon.