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Christmas Carol Murder: A Cozy Small Town Culinary Mystery
Three sleuths a-sleuthin', two victims dying, and a small town with Christmastime clues…
When retired teacher Sarah Thompson traded bustling Boston for the snowy charm of her old hometown of Hartbridge, New Hampshire, she expected quiet days of catching up with old friends and learning how to bake.
The idyllic and lively Hartbridge tree-lighting, accompanied by the local choir singing beautiful carols, made her feel like there was no place more perfect to spend Christmas than this New England small town. But the peace is soon derailed when the choir director, Eleanor Marston, is found dead.
Sarah teams up with her spirited bestie, Karen Kennedy, and her tech-savvy former student, and award-winning investigative journalist, D'Shawn Cruz. Together, they uncover a web of secrets tied to Hartbridge’s choir and the historic Craddock Farm - and a scandal that could change the town forever.
With time running out before the town’s big Christmas concert, can Sarah and her friends solve the mystery before the killer strikes again? Or will her sleuthing efforts land her on someone’s naughty list … permanently?
Enjoy this romp with a collection of quirky characters, twists and turns -- and a few recipes as well!
Not all the surprises are under the tree ...
When retired teacher Sarah Thompson traded bustling Boston for the snowy charm of her old hometown of Hartbridge, New Hampshire, she expected quiet days of catching up with old friends and learning how to bake.
The idyllic and lively Hartbridge tree-lighting, accompanied by the local choir singing beautiful carols, made her feel like there was no place more perfect to spend Christmas than this New England small town. But the peace is soon derailed when the choir director, Eleanor Marston, is found dead.
Sarah teams up with her spirited bestie, Karen Kennedy, and her tech-savvy former student, and award-winning investigative journalist, D'Shawn Cruz. Together, they uncover a web of secrets tied to Hartbridge’s choir and the historic Craddock Farm - and a scandal that could change the town forever.
With time running out before the town’s big Christmas concert, can Sarah and her friends solve the mystery before the killer strikes again? Or will her sleuthing efforts land her on someone’s naughty list … permanently?
Enjoy this romp with a collection of quirky characters, twists and turns -- and a few recipes as well!
Not all the surprises are under the tree ...
272 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 12, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 29, 2025
This book has an intriguing murder mystery and a few interesting characters. There was a lot of space taken up by conjecture but the characters eventually figured it out. Going to. read one in the series.
Amazon synopsis:
When retired teacher Sarah Thompson traded bustling Boston for the snowy charm of her old hometown of Hartbridge, New Hampshire, she expected quiet days of catching up with old friends and learning how to bake.
The idyllic and lively Hartbridge tree-lighting, accompanied by the local choir singing beautiful carols, made her feel like there was no place more perfect to spend Christmas than this New England small town. But the peace is soon derailed when the choir director, Eleanor Marston, is found dead.
Sarah teams up with her spirited bestie, Karen Kennedy, and her tech-savvy former student, and award-winning investigative journalist, D'Shawn Cruz. Together, they uncover a web of secrets tied to Hartbridge’s choir and the historic Craddock Farm - and a scandal that could change the town forever.
With time running out before the town’s big Christmas concert, can Sarah and her friends solve the mystery before the killer strikes again? Or will her sleuthing efforts land her on someone’s naughty list … permanently?
Amazon synopsis:
When retired teacher Sarah Thompson traded bustling Boston for the snowy charm of her old hometown of Hartbridge, New Hampshire, she expected quiet days of catching up with old friends and learning how to bake.
The idyllic and lively Hartbridge tree-lighting, accompanied by the local choir singing beautiful carols, made her feel like there was no place more perfect to spend Christmas than this New England small town. But the peace is soon derailed when the choir director, Eleanor Marston, is found dead.
Sarah teams up with her spirited bestie, Karen Kennedy, and her tech-savvy former student, and award-winning investigative journalist, D'Shawn Cruz. Together, they uncover a web of secrets tied to Hartbridge’s choir and the historic Craddock Farm - and a scandal that could change the town forever.
With time running out before the town’s big Christmas concert, can Sarah and her friends solve the mystery before the killer strikes again? Or will her sleuthing efforts land her on someone’s naughty list … permanently?
December 15, 2024
Christmas Carol Murder had me hooked at the prologue. The trio of Sarah, D'Shawn and Karen make an incredible mystery solving team. The character interactions are great. All of the town becomes supporting cast members and they are also very well written. Molly provides the sweet animal connection and some funny moments. Full of humor and small town feels, Christmas Carol Murder is a delightful escape during the busiest time of the year and it keeps the holiday feeling going. I am adding several of the recipes to my cookie list this year. This is the second in the series, and is completely fine as a standalone, but the characters are so well written I bought the first one just so I can get more time in Hartridge.
December 16, 2024
Who knew carolling could be so dangerous.
Sarah Thompson has retired to her hometown of Hartbridge wiith her dog Molly. She plans to relax and learn how to bake along with her life long bestie Karen Kennedy. Taking in small town drama like the preperations for the upcoming Christmas carolling event are just the amusing things she is looking forward to. However when the choir leader is murdered she dons her investigation hat and enlists her friends to find out who would want Eleanor dead. Apt descriptions of small town life and the laed up to a Christmas season full of events surround the mystery in this fine debut of a new series.
Disclaimer
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Sarah Thompson has retired to her hometown of Hartbridge wiith her dog Molly. She plans to relax and learn how to bake along with her life long bestie Karen Kennedy. Taking in small town drama like the preperations for the upcoming Christmas carolling event are just the amusing things she is looking forward to. However when the choir leader is murdered she dons her investigation hat and enlists her friends to find out who would want Eleanor dead. Apt descriptions of small town life and the laed up to a Christmas season full of events surround the mystery in this fine debut of a new series.
Disclaimer
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 13, 2024
A wonderful Christmas cozy mystery!
This story just fits in so well with the season, it’s amazing. And yes, there are Christmas carols and a performance involved. I really like the fact that Sarah moved back to her small hometown after retiring from teaching in Boston. Even after being gone for so long, Sarah still manages to fit in and feel more at home than she ever did in Boston. However, we have not only one but two murders to be solved by Sarah, D’Shawn and Karen, each of them bringing something different to the table. I love the whole cookie baking too. A highly enjoyable read for any time of the year.
This story just fits in so well with the season, it’s amazing. And yes, there are Christmas carols and a performance involved. I really like the fact that Sarah moved back to her small hometown after retiring from teaching in Boston. Even after being gone for so long, Sarah still manages to fit in and feel more at home than she ever did in Boston. However, we have not only one but two murders to be solved by Sarah, D’Shawn and Karen, each of them bringing something different to the table. I love the whole cookie baking too. A highly enjoyable read for any time of the year.
December 27, 2025
Another great book from this series. This is only the second book from this series I have read but let me tell you it will not be the last. I enjoyed the laughter, the sleuthing and all the ins and outs of trying to find out how to piece all the info together to solve the crimes.
As you know you need to have solid proof and fir the police to agree with you. Check this book out and walk with Miss Thompsom as she and her friend Karen as well as a former student D'Shawn piece it all together to close the cases. Happy reading.
As you know you need to have solid proof and fir the police to agree with you. Check this book out and walk with Miss Thompsom as she and her friend Karen as well as a former student D'Shawn piece it all together to close the cases. Happy reading.
December 13, 2024
This is a festive cozy mystery set in a small town with loads of snow. Sarah and her friend Karen sleuth when choirmistress Elaine is found dead. They are joined by Sarah’s award winning investigative journalist ex-pupil.
Things in town are not as they should be. Who is keeping secrets? Who has changed their mind & why?
The best thing is the recipe for Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies!
I received a complimentary copy from the author via Booksprout. I am writing a voluntary honest review.
Things in town are not as they should be. Who is keeping secrets? Who has changed their mind & why?
The best thing is the recipe for Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies!
I received a complimentary copy from the author via Booksprout. I am writing a voluntary honest review.
July 16, 2025
Christmas Carol Murder
The retired teacher turned amateur sleuths with her best friend, ex student and her loving pet dog find themselves in the middle of another murder investigation. Combined with humor, christmas, and murder, this book was a great pleasure to read. I kept trying to solve it before them. I was close. I throughly enjoyed it. Can't wait for the next adventure for these three.
The retired teacher turned amateur sleuths with her best friend, ex student and her loving pet dog find themselves in the middle of another murder investigation. Combined with humor, christmas, and murder, this book was a great pleasure to read. I kept trying to solve it before them. I was close. I throughly enjoyed it. Can't wait for the next adventure for these three.
November 22, 2025
I really enjoyed this story. The main characters were people that I could see myself being friends with. I thought that the story and the character's actions were very believable. This was a nice story for Christmas or for Christmas in July!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 8, 2024
A festive cozy mystery with a suspenseful plot and a lot of twists. I loved the characters, especially D’Shawn.
A review copy of this book was sent to me by the author. All of the above opinions are my own.
A review copy of this book was sent to me by the author. All of the above opinions are my own.
December 12, 2024
Sarah, Karen and D'Shawn are such a fun team to work together. And the storyline with its twists and turns keeps you hooked from start to finish. A really great book to read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 10, 2024
Sleuthing brilliance and old fashioned charm!
Grab a cookie and a cup of hot cocoa ~ buckle up your seatbelt for a fantastic Christmas tale of intrigue, hidden secrets, and murder! A really well crafted mystery with bits of humour along with suspense that keep the reader engaged to the last note! I'm also looking forward to trying the generous selection of cookie recipes included in the book. And, as well, hope there's more in the series with Sarah, Karen, and D'Shawn.
Grab a cookie and a cup of hot cocoa ~ buckle up your seatbelt for a fantastic Christmas tale of intrigue, hidden secrets, and murder! A really well crafted mystery with bits of humour along with suspense that keep the reader engaged to the last note! I'm also looking forward to trying the generous selection of cookie recipes included in the book. And, as well, hope there's more in the series with Sarah, Karen, and D'Shawn.
December 31, 2025
Retired school teacher, Sarah, moves back to her hometown and seems to have knack for solving murders!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews