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An Emma Wild Holiday Mystery #3
Death of a Snowman
The mayor of Hartfield asks Emma to perform at the annual Snowman Festival, where there are a plethora of fun activities to cure the townspeople of their winter blues every January. But when the mayor’s two children are kidnapped in broad daylight during the snowman building contest, Emma snaps into detective mode.
The only clue she has is a ransom note, which contains a couple of lines from an obscure poet named Harold Winken. She thought she also saw the children talking to a man from the stage when she was performing, but she has no idea who this mysterious man could be. Emma asks Detective Sterling Matthews for help, but he has a new partner, a smart and beautiful brunette named Sandra who only sees Emma as a shallow nuisance.
Can Emma solve the case on her own and prove that she’s more than a pretty face?
The only clue she has is a ransom note, which contains a couple of lines from an obscure poet named Harold Winken. She thought she also saw the children talking to a man from the stage when she was performing, but she has no idea who this mysterious man could be. Emma asks Detective Sterling Matthews for help, but he has a new partner, a smart and beautiful brunette named Sandra who only sees Emma as a shallow nuisance.
Can Emma solve the case on her own and prove that she’s more than a pretty face?
116 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 22, 2014
27 people are currently reading
232 people want to read
About the author
Harper Lin
90 books929 followersHarper 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
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
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
February 2, 2021
Trigger warning here for kidnapping. I often have difficulties reading the parental stress that comes with kidnapping plots.
Regardless, this series is still a fun and speedy read.
Regardless, this series is still a fun and speedy read.
December 7, 2017
Review was originally posted on The Writer's Inkwell
This book is third of four holiday/winter-themed short cozy stories by Harper Lin. Emma Wild is still in her cozy Canadian hometown, which leads you wondering if she’s ever going to go back to her glamorous life in New York.
In the ending of the second book, New Year’s Slay, Emma told Nick and Sterling that she needs time to herself. Considering how much she was struggling with her feelings for both men, I actually respected that decision. But what I didn’t expect is for her to still be in her hometown a month after her initial arrival. Apparently men aren’t the only thing Emma needs a break from. She’s constantly avoiding calls from her manager, record label, and other corporate types that are panicking because her next album is coming out soon.
Meanwhile, this short story explores a cute little tradition of a snowman building contest. This is exactly the type of thing I expect in a cozy mystery and I feel like the author finally hit the right mark with this book. As the snowman judging comes to an end, the town is surprised to find that the mayor’s two young children have gone missing. Which means Emma’s going to be determined to solve the case… especially since she’s going up against Sterling and his stunning new partner.
Once again, the pattern of suspects continues. But at least Emma is forced to do what typical cozy mystery heroines do: solve it on her own!
Anyone who has read my last two reviews from this series will know that I’ve been critical of the short stories up to this point. However, I was surprised by how much I liked this one. The only thing that angered me was the ending… but I’m not big on spoiling things, so you’ll just have to read it to find out why!
I hope you’ll check this out and let me know what you think!
This book is third of four holiday/winter-themed short cozy stories by Harper Lin. Emma Wild is still in her cozy Canadian hometown, which leads you wondering if she’s ever going to go back to her glamorous life in New York.
In the ending of the second book, New Year’s Slay, Emma told Nick and Sterling that she needs time to herself. Considering how much she was struggling with her feelings for both men, I actually respected that decision. But what I didn’t expect is for her to still be in her hometown a month after her initial arrival. Apparently men aren’t the only thing Emma needs a break from. She’s constantly avoiding calls from her manager, record label, and other corporate types that are panicking because her next album is coming out soon.
Meanwhile, this short story explores a cute little tradition of a snowman building contest. This is exactly the type of thing I expect in a cozy mystery and I feel like the author finally hit the right mark with this book. As the snowman judging comes to an end, the town is surprised to find that the mayor’s two young children have gone missing. Which means Emma’s going to be determined to solve the case… especially since she’s going up against Sterling and his stunning new partner.
Once again, the pattern of suspects continues. But at least Emma is forced to do what typical cozy mystery heroines do: solve it on her own!
Anyone who has read my last two reviews from this series will know that I’ve been critical of the short stories up to this point. However, I was surprised by how much I liked this one. The only thing that angered me was the ending… but I’m not big on spoiling things, so you’ll just have to read it to find out why!
I hope you’ll check this out and let me know what you think!
December 30, 2014
another in the Emma Wild mystery series
April 19, 2015
I kept forgetting that I had this one on my e-reader. I loved this one and can't wait to read the 4th & final story!!!
April 12, 2015
Another good book
Enjoyed this book and can't wait to start the next one! Really like the characters and story line, it's fast reading and I like that about a book.
Enjoyed this book and can't wait to start the next one! Really like the characters and story line, it's fast reading and I like that about a book.
January 2, 2018
A nice little cosy read for this time of year.
January 27, 2019
Pop singer Emma returns in this 3rd fluffy cozy mystery. She has decided on which of the 2 men vying for her heart she prefers, but is holding off on the disclosure to be very sure. Meanwhile, still visiting her family in small town Canada, Emma performs at the annual January Snowman Festival. While she is singing, the Meyer's 2 young children are kidnapped. Emma once again steps up to solve the crime before things can turn tragic.
The author amusingly masks the kidnapper for at least 3 full chapters after Emma knows, but the reader is obviously and deliberately kept in the dark, only learning the answer at same dramatic moment as the police. This amused me to no end.
The romance was mostly sidelined in this one, but high drama and possible heart break for Emma on that front was set up in the final scene. The 4th and final book in the series presumably will clear up the mystery of which guy Emma chooses. If we care.
ATY 2019 #28 book linked to cold - cover, title, setting, a character
The author amusingly masks the kidnapper for at least 3 full chapters after Emma knows, but the reader is obviously and deliberately kept in the dark, only learning the answer at same dramatic moment as the police. This amused me to no end.
The romance was mostly sidelined in this one, but high drama and possible heart break for Emma on that front was set up in the final scene. The 4th and final book in the series presumably will clear up the mystery of which guy Emma chooses. If we care.
ATY 2019 #28 book linked to cold - cover, title, setting, a character
April 3, 2019
The mayor of Hartfield asks Emma to perform at the annual Snowman Festival, where there are a plethora of fun activities to cure the townspeople of their winter blues every January. But when the mayor’s two children are kidnapped in broad daylight during the snowman building contest, Emma snaps into detective mode.
This was an enjoyable read with lots of twists and turns. I have read all four of the books in the series and recommend any and all of them if you are looking for a relaxing mystery.
This was an enjoyable read with lots of twists and turns. I have read all four of the books in the series and recommend any and all of them if you are looking for a relaxing mystery.
July 13, 2022
Of course, I like Harper Lin's writing style and her books are fun and easy reads that keep me entertained. So far, the other two books in the series have been pretty good. This one kind of fell apart for me. I guess it didn't connect all the dots or was just kind of a let down once you figured out who the suspect was. I'm still going to read the rest of the series though, this one just wasn't my favorite.
March 6, 2019
A quick, enjoyable read. It is the third in the Emma Wild series and once again ended with a cliffhanger concerning Emma's love life. On to #4 (last one)and I sure hope that it's resolved at the end of the series.
June 7, 2020
Cute, fun and more predictable than I prefer.
January 1, 2021
These few last reads have been fun, I have one left in the Emma Wild series....Enjoy
January 30, 2021
A super short and easy read.
Read
February 22, 2022This series is so cute and fun to read.
August 7, 2023
Emma was smart to give herself time between two men......meanwhile, solving another a mystery but thankful no dead boddies just two kids missing. The ending was a shock.....WOW!!!!
December 2, 2025
See book 1 in the series.
March 5, 2024
The Cozy Mystery Book Club Bingo
Prompt :Sleuther's Hometown
Another really lovely book by Harper Lin, and a nice addition to the series. I still enjoy Emma as a main character so much, and the mystery was quite interesting as well.
The mystery was predictable but enjoyable, and while I could tell the direction it was going, it still surprised me a bit.
The romance is less prevalent than the previous books, but there’s definitely something happening and the ending
I will try to read the final book in February to keep up with the holiday theme, and I can’t wait.
Prompt :Sleuther's Hometown
Another really lovely book by Harper Lin, and a nice addition to the series. I still enjoy Emma as a main character so much, and the mystery was quite interesting as well.
The mystery was predictable but enjoyable, and while I could tell the direction it was going, it still surprised me a bit.
The romance is less prevalent than the previous books, but there’s definitely something happening and the ending
I will try to read the final book in February to keep up with the holiday theme, and I can’t wait.
October 14, 2020
another interesting mystery, looking forward to the next in the series...
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews