Christmas is coming and children’s book author, Samantha Davies, and her lovable dachshund, Porkchop, are caught up in the holiday festivities in beautiful upstate New York. Sam’s parents, Chuck and Barbara, who have been enjoying their retired life in sunny Florida, have flown into Wings Falls to spend the holidays with Sam and meet her new boyfriend, Detective Hank Johnson. Sam is also busy hosting this year’s Christmas party for the Loopy Ladies, Sam’s rug hooking group.
The Loopy Ladies know how to party and are enjoying an evening eating, drinking, and making merry... until Santa crashes the party. Unfortunately, this Santa is Sam’s next-door neighbor who her parents have had a long-running feud with. When not playing the local mall’s not-so-jolly old St. Nick, Leo Sayers is a newspaper reporter, and he announces to the group that he's written a damning article accusing Sam’s dad and his close friend, Herb Feinstein, of some very shady dealings in their past. To preserve peace on earth—and among the Loopy Ladies—Chuck and Herb escort Leo from the party.
Only, not long after being sent on his way, Santa is found dead—lying in the snow, run over by a plastic reindeer, with a string of Christmas lights around his neck! Are Sam’s father and Herb now on the naughty list? If Sam can’t prove them innocent of murdering Santa, she's afraid their stockings will contain handcuffs and a one-way ticket to prison this year!
"A doggone entertaining mystery filled with small town scandals! Funny and entertaining!" ~ Fresh Fiction
"This series a HOOT!!! You will love Wings Falls, the businesses, the people, and the relationships and friendships. There are plenty of times that I have read a book and wanted to jump into the story and live in the town, and the Samantha Davies Mystery series is one on the top of that list!! ~ Cozy Msytery Book Reviews
Of course murder is not sweet but this series is! I love the character connections, all the sweet pets and how well they are showcased in the story. The mystery was interesting and kept me guessing. overall highly enjoyable
Let's start off by saying yes I am quoted in the summary of books in the Samantha Davies Mystery Book series by S.A. Kazlo and yes I mean every word of it !!! With six books in this series, with Mistletoe, Mutts, and Murder being the sixth I stand firm by my words and maybe even more seeing as I finished this new release in one day. I could not put it down and only did so when I had to go to the bathroom or get a drink or something to eat and I did it only when absolutely necessary.
When you pick a book that is a part of a series, you want it to be something that will have you returning seeing as you will be spending time with the book, the characters, the town and businesses, and the storylines and you will feel like you are a part of it even though it becomes a part of you. You become invested in it and this series is that !!!
In Mistletoe, Mutts and Murder main character Samantha is getting into the holiday season and hosting a party for her Loopy Ladies group and their and the best part is that her parents will be there as well !!! They have come back to Wings Fall to spend the holiday with Sam.
Unfortunately during the party an unvited guest crashes the party .... the not nice and quite drunk next door neighbor, Theo Sayers. Luckily Sam's dad and his friend escort Theo home. But then a bit later a scream pierces the air and when they rush outside to find out what all the noise is about, they find Theo's wife is who screamed and Theo is tangled up in his Christmas decoratings dead !!!
And more unfortunately, and let's add sadly, when Sam's boyfriend, Hank, who is a detective on the force, begins to investigate Theo's murder Sam's dad and friend are on the top of the list and taken in for questioning.
Sam soon learns that Theo and her parents have a long history that dates back to high school and she can't believe that Theo would move right next door. And she cannot believe that no one told her about this history until now. She knows that there is no way her father would kill Theo over something that happened so long ago but will she be able to figure it out.
Sam and her cousin Candie again take it upon themselves to talk to some people that they feel know something or didn't like Theo to try to get Sam's dad off the suspect list. But they soon find out that Theo really wasn't a nice person and people have no problem speaking about it !!
This is one series that readers will love !!! There is also a lot more that I could tell you, oh so much more, but I don't want to give everything away and I don't want to prolong your time away from reading. I highly encourage you to head on into Wings Falls and hang with Sam and her crew, have breakfast at Sweetie's Pie Cafe, and everything else you read about !!!
And lastly I will leave you with this ..... the end will blow you away !!!! In a very good way but don't sneak a peek and ruin it !!!
Ah, the winter holiday season. With at least a dozen seasonal, cultural, and religious celebrations recognized throughout the world during these cold months, people find many excuses to gather with friends and family. Samantha Davies’ parents fly in from their retirement in Florida, returning to the old family home, which Sam now owns in the small upstate community of Wings Falls. Sam’s family and friends soon come together during heavy snow for the Loopy Lady Christmas party, which Sam is hosting this year. (No, not that kind. These women crafters hook rugs as a hobby, working with loops of fiber.)
The Christmas party has barely started before her father’s next-door nemesis barges in, dressed as an angry Santa. He seems grumpier than usual, talking heatedly in private with Sam’s father. When Cantankerous Santa becomes this murder mystery’s murder victim, guess who’s the main suspect? Sam’s Dad, with no alibi. Oh, and Sam’s significant other, Hank, who just met her parents for the first time, is heading the police investigation. The spoiled plums in this nasty fruitcake is that Sam’s own nemesis from high school is also on the case.
Whew. Sound like a lot? But S.A. Kazlo smoothly juggles all the balls, adroitly retaining the reader’s attention so that the many threads of the story weave together smoothly, assembling and connecting Wings Falls citizens, friend and foe and innocent bystander alike, into the murder investigation. Sam’s furtive inquiries, of course, compete with Hank’s police investigation. But there’s no way she can let official channels and regulations run roughshod over her Dad!
The story sparkles with specifics, much like Sam’s nearly-a-sister cousin, Candie, who’s married to Wings Falls’ mayor. There’s a large cast of characters, but the lovely descriptions ground each one of the townsfolk in the reader’s mind. In-depth details are vital to good writing, especially with mysteries. Because each reader is a detective tagging along with the protagonist to try to decipher what’s going on before It’s All Too Late, the tidbits Kazlo sprinkles into this tasty stew are crucial.
Mistletoe, Mutts, and Murder is S.A. Kazlo’s sixth book in the series. All the familiar faces are back, including Sam’s friendly dachshund Porkchop. Once again, Sam is compelled to look for answers to ensure that justice is served in her small, mostly-friendly hometown. If you haven’t read the previous books, no worries. However, I’m sure you’ll want to grab them all to catch up after you finish this warm-favorite-sweater of a cozy mystery. It’s fun and friendly, galloping along to just the right amount of glad tidings in a satisfying ending.
As usual, the ever generous hostess Sam this year invited the Loopy Ladies rug hooking group to her home for their annual Christmas party. Even some of the ladies traveled from sunny Florida to attend the festivities. But there was a dark turn to the atmosphere when an unexpected event happened. That reindeer was still a tragedy for Leo Sayers, an officer reported, a man dressed as Santa, who fell under a giant plastic reindeer. Leo Sayers, Sam’s neighbor, was the one to stumble upon the grim scene.
As soon as word started to spread, suspicion began to settle around Sam’s family, and particularly her father and his friend Herb Feinstein. Sam promised us she was going to get to the bottom of it. She wanted to clear their names. She enlisted the help of her new boyfriend, Officer Hank Johnson, and together with the Loopy Ladies went off to try to crack the case themselves. They went out to find the real culprit before it was too late, together.
Such strong, wonderful lovable female characters, I LOVE these. While all of the Loopy Ladies have their own quirky charm the playful banter they have together and deep friendship makes them a great bunch. I feel I am part of their group's joy because they both love to rug hook and this Christmas get together gives it a festive feel.
I love the setting of the story is another thing. Lightly it paints for me the nature of North State in New York, the landscapes so enchanting, and the engrossing passion of preparing for Christmas and the magic of the season.
Kazlo’s work is written in a style that’s straightforward, ironically humoristic, and still full of mystery. Unlike many books, this plot flies by and you’re never prepared for the twists and turns that come along with it as you try to piece together the mystery of how Santa met his demise.
A delightful and thoroughly enjoyable read, and very heartwarming. I highly recommend this read to everyone looking for a wonderful cozy escape.
This was my first introduction to Sam, the charming small town of Wings Falls and all the delightful characters who live there, and I adored it. It was just the escape I needed after toting boxes of Christmas decorations up the stairs and taking my teen to Target the day after Thanksgiving! :o I had zero issues following along, so if you’re new to the series, know that you’ll be just fine jumping in. I did download book one onto my kindle and am eyeing the rest of the titles.
Sam is a wonderful main character, and her romance with Detective Hank Johnson adds just the right amount of heart-eyes to the story. The Loopy Ladies were a hoot – funny and loyal, and I wished I could join their group! And is it ok to say that one of my most favorite characters was Sam’s pooch Porkchop? What a cutie. I enjoyed meeting her parents and seeing Sam live in the house she had grown up in.
The vivid writing, with attention to all the details of the season brought the setting to life. I was immediately drawn in and didn’t want to leave when it was over. There were many twists and turns as I tried to piece together the clues of who did Santa in. I didn’t guess it ahead of time, but I had a great time trying to figure it out.
Such a lovely and fun holiday read. Just what I needed, and I highly encourage readers to make sure they add this to their seasonal to-be-read stack. Ignore all those boxes that now need to go back to the basement–I sure did, and I’m so glad! (12 Books of Christmas Book Four)
Thoughts: I love the “Loopy Ladies” – especially when they refer to themselves as “Hookers”!! Oh, come on. They do rug hooking. But they’re a group of friends who are getting together for their annual holiday party at Sam’s home. And Sam’s parents are up from Florida to join in the festivities. Everything is jolly until their nasty neighbor shows up drunk and accuses Sam’s father and his best friend of corruption in the past. They “escort” him out of the house, but unfortunately a few hours later, he’s found dead in his front yard and Sam’s dad is the main suspect.
I loved the characters and that Sam is no spring chicken (she’s over 50). And has a slightly younger boyfriend. The descriptions of her parents are a hoot. In fact, description and imagery are really strong so you definitely get a sense of place and time. Actually, that was just a tiny bit of an issue for me as some of the descriptions in the beginning were a little slow moving. And the dogs are a cute addition. I will say this, though… I read a lot of these stories and knew who the body was going to be, but not the perp or the reason until the end, so nicely done there!
Samantha Davies is planning a wonderful Christmas with her boyfriend, Hank, and her dachshund Porkchop in her hometown in New York. Her parents visit from Florida, an over-the-top neighbor dressed as Santa turns up dead, and her father and his best friend are under suspicion. Sam works to solve the mystery.
I wanted to read this book because I love cozy mysteries and dachshunds! I am currently owned by a lovable (and mischievous!) corgi, but I had dachshunds for many years and they have a special place in my heart.
This is such a fun, fast moving mystery. There is a great deal of warmth and some humor too. The author does a great job at capturing small town life during the holidays. I have not read the other books in the series, but enjoyed Mistletoe, Mutts, and Murder as a standalone read. I would like to read the other books now too!
Sam is a good amateur detective and I enjoyed seeing her deductive process. I liked Hank, her parents, and of course all scenes with Porkchop the dachshund!
I recommend Mistletoe, Mutts, and Murder for other fans of cozy mysteries, holiday reads - and of course for fellow dachshund lovers.
Santa’s been bad and winds up dead, but is Sam’s dad the culprit? Sam and her sidekick dog, Porkchop, must sniff out the real killer before it’s time for Christmas dinner.
Mistletoe, Mutts and Murder is a festive cozy mystery I thoroughly enjoyed. S.A. Kazlo has pulled out all the stops and infused this cozy mystery with Christmas spirit. The victim is even dressed up like Santa with Christmas lights wrapped around his neck.
Mistletoe, Mutts and Murder is a well-written cozy mystery with descriptive narration, characters you’ll adore, and a holiday-themed mystery to solve. The investigation is complex with a list of suspects including Sam’s own dad.
What makes Mistletoe, Mutts and Murder such a wonderful cozy mystery is the Christmas vibe layered throughout. The setting and atmosphere wrap the reader in good feelings. It’s the perfect solution to the holiday blues. Highly recommend this book!
Once again Sam is in the middle of a murder, but this time it's a nasty neighbor who is dead. Unfortunately her dad and his best friend are under suspicion so she has no choice but to try and figure out the real culprit. Sam and her cousin, Candie, are old hands at digging up suspects, but Sam's police detective boyfriend Hank isn't always receptive to their help. An enjoyable cast of characters include the "loopy ladies" from previous books as well as Sam's visiting parents and their best friends who are also in town for the holidays. Lots of possible suspects and various theories kept the reader guessing. Loved all the family time presented in this book-especially Hank's two young nephews. They added to the Christmas spirit, made me chuckle, and brought a new depth to Hank and Sam's relationship.
Sam is getting ready for Christmas in Wings Falls with her boyfriend Hank and her dog Porkchop. Her parents are flying in to spend the holidays with them. Amongst the many activities, Sam is hosting the Christmas party for her Loopy Ladies group. The party starts well until her obnoxious reporter neighbor crashes the party. He and Sam’s father have had a long-standing feud. Santa, aka Leo announces that he has an article coming out accusing Sam’s dad and his best friend of some shady things in their past. They escort him out of the party, but he is later found dead in his front yard. Naturally Sam’s dad and his friend are the prime suspects. Against Hank’s advice, Sam is determined to find the real killer. Lighthearted cozy mystery perfect for the holiday season!
Mistletoe, Mutts & Murder puts you in a festive mood from the eye-catching cover on, promising a cozy holiday mystery. The story begins with Samantha hosting a holiday party for the Loopy Ladies but they are interrupted by a neighbor who has been harassing her father for years, and he now ups his game to delivering a serious threat. However, a murder quickly changes everyone's focus.
The fun characters and an engaging mystery will keep you entertained, and this book is a great addition to the Samantha Davies Mysteries series.
Although I am a relative newcomer to the cozy mystery genre, I was charmed by "Mistletoe, Mutts, and Murder." It has all the holiday feels, a sweet love story, plenty of pups, and a murder mystery to be solved. The characters are well developed and the action moves the story along at a good pace. I found myself happily transported to the snowy town of Wings Falls and look forward to spending more time with this cast of colorful characters.
It’s Christmas in Wings Falls, what could possibly go wrong? Let’s just say Sam, Porkchop, and friends once again have their hands full sorting through an eclectic group of not so jolly suspects. The twists and turns will keep you guessing until the very end, where a holiday surprise awaits!
All your favorite characters are back in this holiday tale that’s as cozy as Christmas itself. It’s a perfect read for a snowy day with a mug of hot chocolate.
Mistletoe, Mutts, and Murder is an interesting, unpredictable, cozy mystery! I love Porkchop, Sam, the rest of the Loopy Ladies and all the recurring characters in this series. The blurb has the plot, but this well written book will keep your interest as Sam works to prove that neither her dad or his friend killed Sam’s neighbor. I could not put the book down as each new secret and suspect unfolded. There is a lot of chaos and drama in this well crafted plot!
This was a funny cozy mystery because when Sam goes to greet her parents she does a double take. Love how they re-invented themselves and looking good too. Your never too old to make changes. I did at times had to remind myself that Sam is older than Hank but I just didn't feel that "old" they did sound like the perfect couple. Of course, we have a murder and the suspect list is always long but it was a surprise who the killer turned out to be.....a good cozy feeling book.
Set against the upcoming Christmas season, Sam has to get involved in another murder case when a family member goes on the suspect list. This is such a good series: family, friends, neighbors, small town, hometown girl, a little romance and a little murder. It has it all!
Absolutely delightful story. I love this series so much. It was great having Sam’s parents home for the holidays. I really like how things are progressing between her and Hank as well. Looking forward to their next adventure.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
I love a good cozy mystery set at Christmas time. Great characters, I especially love porkchop! The ending was fantastic, I look forward to seeing what happens next.
What’s not to love about a group called the Loopy Ladies, who get together and hook rugs? Samantha, or Sam to her friends, is divorced, owns half interest in the Do Drop In funeral home, and has a dachshund named Porkchop, and a hunky detective boyfriend named Hank. Sam’s parents are visiting from Florida for Christmas, and Sam is hosting a party. The trouble begins when her crotchety and drunk next-door neighbor crashes the party dressed like Santa and her Dad and his friend escort his back home. But a little later Santa is found dead amidst his gaudy Christmas display, and of course, her dad and his friend are on the hook, so to speak! Great characters, an old feud, a reporter stirring up old issues create quite a drama. And a lot of laughs! A fun holiday cozy, I received an ARC of and I write this review entirely voluntarily.