All Aboard for Murder: Welcome to Lily Rock Holiday Mystery, Book 2

Welcome to Lily Rock Holiday Mystery #2

by Bonnie Hardy, Mallory Fuccella (Narrator)

Who knew a seven-foot nutcracker could be a murder weapon? Finding the body of the toy store owner Betty King is the latest in a list of reasons Michael Bellemare feels far from jolly this holiday season. Having secured jobs for two local teens at the store, obligation leads Michael to help uncover the killer and clear both their names. Unfortunately, the mounting evidence seems to point to one of the teens. Partnering with detective Janis Jets, Michael listens in as Janis interviews residents and learns more about the hold Betty King had over Lily Rock. Possible mob ties. A runaway dog. A broke Santa and Mrs. Clause. It's all pointing to something. But what? Can Michael and Janis find the killer before Santa climbs into his sleigh? Or will one of the teens be found guilty adding to Michael's bah-humbug mood? All Aboard for Murder is book two in the Welcome to Lily Rock Holiday Mystery series. Step back into this beloved fictional town for intriguing new adventures with characters you already love!

Genres: Cozy, Mystery, Christmas, Audiobook, Novella

Audible Audio

Published April 28, 2025

About the author

Bonnie Hardy, a retired professional turned author, is celebrated for her two enthralling cozy mystery series. The first, set in the picturesque mountain town of Lily Rock, features amateur sleuth Olivia Greer, known for her uncanny ability to draw out confessions from the most unlikely people.
The second series, set in Palm Desert, features the mid-life duo mentalist Rex Redondo and his down to earth next door neighbor doula Vivienne Rose.
Inspired by Agatha Christie, Bonnie's captivating tales of mystery and community masterfully blend fast-paced whodunits with clever sleuthing.

Reviews

[Brooke · Rating 2 out of 5]

⭐⭐
🎄🎄

🎄 Train/Toy Store
❄️ Christmas Time Cozy Mystery
🎄 Nutcracker Killed The Victim
❄️ Father Dealing With Grief



✨️ 📚 BOOK 📖 / 🎧 AUDIO 🎧 REVIEW ✨️

🎙Narrators: Mallory Fuccella 🎙

I had high hopes that I would love this one, especially after the first book! I really enjoyed it, despite some things just not being feasible. The biggest problem I had with this one is that the narrator is female while this main character is a man named Michael. So with that being said. I was thrown off to say the least. This story wasn't as good as I had hoped. There was more concern about Maguire running around the town than there was for the "investigation." I feel as if there were too many characters introduced into the story for it to make sense. The story was more about everything before but not the investigation.

I honestly won't pick up any other books by this author.


✨️ All opinions are my own, honest, and voluntary✨️.

[Chelsea · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Nesha · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars ⭐️⭐️

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who Killed Betty King ? . . .

When the loudspeaker at Old Toy Trains Christmas shop produced three announcements in only a half hour, Michael Bellemare and Meadow McCloud, the town librarian, both knew something was malfunctioning. He and Meadow’s dog companion Maguire took a walk over to the store to ask Betty King if she was causing that or what else was going on. As they approached, both Michael and the dog felt something was wrong. The 12-foot nutcracker displayed in front of the store had fallen over face down in the snow. And that was not the only issue. The body of Betty King was buried underneath the nutcracker, one of her legs sticking out to the side and blood next to Betty's head. He called for an ambulance and contacted Janis Jets, Lily Rock’s police officer.

At Sage’s recommendation, Michael had taken two of her students, Avery Denning and Logan Tippett, to get part-time jobs helping Betty King with the shop (and keeping the kids busy), since they wouldn’t be going home this holiday. So Jets’ list of suspects started with the employees of the victim’s shop, including the two students. Since Logan was supposed to watch the nutcracker, he could have unscrewed the bolts after hours and shoved it on Betty. And Michael knew Logan liked Avery and saw her steal a necklace, so may have been trying to keep Avery out of trouble. So Michael feels obligated to help jets find the killer to clear the teens’ names if they truly were not guilty. And as their investigation moved forward, they found Betty was not a nice person, had possible mob ties. This was getting more complicated. Would they identify the killer? Or was it truly one of the teenagers?

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s the week before Christmas and everyone in Lily Rock is over the announcements coming from Betty King’s store. And with how unpleasant Betty is, it’s really not a surprise to find her dead under her enormous nutcracker statue. With evidence of blackmailing and mob connections, the guilty party could be anyone. Detective Janis asks Mike to sit in on the interviews hoping for his insights in solving the case.

Mike has his own reasons for disliking the Christmas season. Helping Janis is a good distraction as any. With town dog, Maguire, at his heels, Mike makes the rounds and looks for clues. Meadow and Sage lend support as well, and Mike slowly opens up about the tragedy in his past.

The second of the Lily Rock Holiday prequel series is a nicely paced short mystery. Focusing on Mike’s backstory keeps the reader invested. Maguire’s antics are sure to please as well. Can be read as a standalone holiday mystery or enjoyed by fans of the main Lily Rock series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Grinning Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cat’s Stats
Detective- Michael Bellemare, local architect/builder
Sidekick- Maguire, a labradoodle
Police Officer- Janis Jets
Setting- a small town called Lily Rock, during the Christmas season
Crime- murder
Victim- Betty King, local shopkeeper
Means- blunt force trauma with a giant nutcracker
Mewsings
I found this mystery novel to be as much or more about Michael’s personality and past, and about the town, as it is about the murder. This is the strength of the novel: the world building and characters. Maguire is both comic relief and a dose of cuteness. He’s a great character. The murder itself is not as important; however, it is cleverly done with a logical yet unobvious solution.
I enjoyed reading this book a lot and would not hesitate to recommend it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Big Fat Hairy Man · Rating 4 out of 5]

The owner of a local toy store in a small village is found crushed by her giant nutcracker statue. Mike, the person who found her, steps in to help Janis, the officer investigating the death, in an attempt to find out the truth and avoid falsely accusing one of the employees. The story helps to set up some of Mike's background for this series and explains why he's not such a fan of Christmas. It was an interesting cozy mystery.

I'm a member of the ARC team and have left an honest review voluntarily.

[Shelly Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

All Aboard for Murder is the second installment of the Welcome to Lily Rock Holiday Mystery series written by Bonnie Hardy. I was pleasantly pleased with what I felt about the story. I rather thought the characters were more relatable. Also, the story was really well written with a plethora of interestedly placed murder clues. I also thought it was a really really funny and entertaining read, throughly enjoyed it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Vic · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story surrounds around Michael Bellemare. It has been a year and Janis Jets is now the towns first and only police officer. A local store owner is found dead and it is foul play. We learn more about Michael and meet some more town folk and a few more secrets come out. All set around the Christmas holiday. A cozy holiday mystery.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dianne Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwarming story.

Another fun book in the Lily Rock series with the Old Rockers. I loved learning more about Michael and his family. Such a tough situation, yet one that the warm, loving folks of Lily Rock helped him through. I recommend this book.

I read this book as part of an advance reader team and am voluntarily writing this review.

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good story. The characters are better filled out, the plot is easily followed, and the premise is to find out who the killer was despite the fact the victim was not well liked. The story flowed well and the killer was found. I do recommend this book.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lily Rock might be a charming town , yet not all people or things that happen there are charming

an unusual whodunnit, with a strong female detective and a sort of community minded would be do gooder with a bit of a bad conscience

tangled troubles and truths

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quirky mystery set in a delightful mountain village at Christmas. The characters are in and out of the holiday spirit, landing on the right side of Christmas in the end. A careful weaving of joy and love shared by friends and family. You will hope to visit them again soon.

[Virginia Shea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simultaneously twisty yet Christmas-tinged; Hearbreaking while heartwarming.

A mystery that keeps you turning pages- LOVED the sweet pup, too 🤗🤗 The character development was also beautifully unravelled- The ending was such a tear-jerker! ❤️

[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who killed Betty King and why??? Blackmail??? Thank you, Maguire!!! I enjoyed this story and recommended the book.

[aem · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute

[Ameereadslots · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great follow up in the same little town but this time there's a murder. whodonit wrapped in laugher and jokes with a sprinkle of trauma.

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

hilariously naff