Wrap It Up!: Welcome to Lily Rock Holiday Mystery, Book 3

Welcome to Lily Rock Holiday Mystery #3

by Bonnie Hardy, Mallory Fuccella (Narrator)

Who killed Baubles the Clown? The beloved performer Baubles, hired to entertain children with Sparkles his Shetland pony, is found slumped over in the corral strangled by his trick lasso. Lily Rock's librarian, Meadow McCloud, wants to help find the killer but she has a personal crisis to deal with. Between Christmas errands and the plentiful expectations that come with the season, she's feeling pretty overwhelmed. Plus there's the secret she's kept from her daughter, Sage, that keeps threatening her peace of mind. If that isn't enough, Sage is overwhelmed with her concerns.

On winter break from the Lily Rock Academy, she's keeping her eye on Elf One and Elf Two at the town's wrapping station. But when her old friend Brad drops by wearing an unfamiliar fancy ring, she suspects he knows more than he's saying about Baubles's demise. The Christmas pageant. Booths at the fair. Cinnamon Rolls. Secrets revealed. Oh, and the matter of a pesky murder. Can Baubles's murderer be brought to justice before jingle bells ring? Or will a killer on the loose make this a silent night for all of Lily Rock?

Audible Audio

Published June 16, 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

[Jane Y · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good book

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas in Lily Rock and Meadow is having trouble getting into the spirit. Heavy thoughts are weighing her down - the manipulations of a respected community member, the spiraling of a neighbor, and even more the secret she’s hiding from daughter Sage. The murder of a children’s entertainer hired for the season becomes another distraction for her. Sage has her own concerns about her mother’s behavior and the waywardness of one of her peers. Her affinity for horses brings her into the investigation as she helps the traumatized Shetland that was witness to the murder. With the help of Michael and the teenage “elves” running the gift wrapping station, can she help solve the case and bring some Christmas joy back to Meadow?

How the secrets we keep and the mistakes we’ve made haunt us lies at the heart of this Christmas cozy. The third Lily Rock prequel novellas alternates between Meadow’s & Sage’s point of view and filling in more of their backstories, much like the previous book did for Michael. Meadow’s guilt over the secret she’s keeping and the lengths she’s gone to protect it have opened her eyes to the traps laid when you trust the wrong person. Her own journey to sobriety gives her the impetus and empathy to help Thorny through his own struggle. Sage’s journey is in how are relationship with our parents shifts in adulthood, and finding the balance between independence and family traditions. Woven among these character studies is the mystery of who killed Baubles the clown and why. The reveal that his past mistakes motivated the killer’s action tied together the theme of the story. Janis wrapping up the details over Christmas breakfast and thanking everyone for their help was a great ending. I also loved how taking Sparkles to the tree lighting helped heal her as well.

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

[Rebel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bonnie Hardy’s Wrap It Up! is a delightful yet chilling addition to the Welcome to Lily Rock Holiday Mystery series. Set against the festive backdrop of a holiday-season Lily Rock, this cozy mystery delivers equal parts holiday charm and captivating intrigue, making it a perfect seasonal read for fans of whodunits.
A Festive Setting with a Dark Twist

Hardy expertly paints the holiday magic of Lily Rock, with cinnamon-scented streets and bustling town square activities setting the scene. But the festive spirit takes a dark turn when Baubles the Clown—beloved by locals—is discovered strangled by his own trick lasso in the corral. The unexpected contrast between the joyful season and the shocking murder adds a compelling tension to the story.
Engaging Mystery and Relatable Characters

What truly stands out is Hardy’s ability to weave a gripping mystery while maintaining the cozy, small-town charm. The quirky, well-drawn characters make Lily Rock feel alive, and their reactions to the crime reflect a mix of heartbreak, fear, and determination. The amateur sleuth at the heart of the story shines, balancing holiday preparations with the urgent need to solve the case before more lives are at risk.
Why This Installment Shines

Holiday Atmosphere: Hardy doesn’t just set the story during the holidays; she makes you feel like you’re celebrating in Lily Rock. From the cinnamon rolls to the twinkling lights, the details are immersive and delightful.
Unexpected Twists: The mystery is layered with surprising revelations, keeping you guessing until the end. Just when you think you’ve figured it out, Hardy throws in a curveball.
A Heartfelt Community: Beyond the mystery, the book explores themes of community and resilience. Despite the tragedy, Lily Rock pulls together, embodying the holiday spirit.

Perfect for Cozy Mystery Lovers

If you enjoy cozy mysteries with a holiday twist, Wrap It Up! is a must-read. It’s ideal for curling up with a warm drink and losing yourself in a tale that mixes festive cheer with thrilling suspense.
Final Thoughts

Bonnie Hardy delivers another engaging story in the Lily Rock series, blending a captivating mystery with the warmth and charm of the holiday season. Wrap It Up! is a book that keeps you guessing while also leaving you with a warm, fuzzy feeling—perfect for fans of holiday mysteries with a side of suspense.

Highly recommended for readers who enjoy holiday cozies filled with twists, engaging characters, and a touch of seasonal magic!.

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

[Cindy Topp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Baubles the Clown has been murdered and all of Lily Rock, especially Meadow and her daughter, Sage McCloud, are questioning the timing -just days before Christmas- and motive, considering the fact that the clown had even been awarded a Christmas ornament in his honor. Only witness to the crime was Sparkles, the beloved Christmas Shetland pony....The town is rife with well-kept secrets, threatening to surface and perhaps change lives forever.
I found, as I got more and more into the book, that I thoroughly enjoyed meeting Lily Rock`s cast of characters, both human and animal, moving along the storyline at a comfortable, but not rushed, pace.
Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and am leaving a review voluntarily.

[Kris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wrap It Up is the first book that I’ve read by the author, Bonnie Hardy. It isn’t the first in the series, so I felt a little lost. I’m sure it would have been better if I’d read the previous books. I believe this book is listed as a cozy mystery. For me, it wasn’t as cozy as the majority of cozy mystery books I read. This one was more realistic, discussing the ‘harder side’ of characters. So, if you like that, you’ll enjoy this book. There is a lot of insight into what the characters are thinking. It was a quick read based around Christmas time. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Grinning Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cat’s Stats
Detective- Meadow McCloud, town elder of Lily Rock
Sidekick- Sage, her daughter
Crime- Murder
Victim- Baubles the Clown
COD- strangulation
Weapon- his own trick lasso
Type- Holiday Cozy Mystery
Mewsings
The book opened with an attention-grabbing murder and kept up the pace. The mysteries in this series are good, but the biggest strength is the world building, especially the characters. This is a well thought-out world with finely interconnected characters who are so much more than cardboard cutouts.

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

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite the murder, this had a lot of feel good moments to get you ready for the Christmas holidays to come. Many people showed positive changes and growth (with the help from other residents). It was almost like a rebirth to celebrate the season. The murder was solved as a group effort, which I found as another boon for the holiday season. Coming together and sharing clues and thoughts. An inspiring story. I voluntarily read a free copy of this book provided by book sirens and am giving an honest opinion.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of all things - a clown is murdered! Lots going on in this storyline; it's set at Christmas so the whole town is going nuts. Meadow, the town librarian, has a secret - who will find out? Lots of quirky townspeople, a murder to solve, friends coming under scrutiny - what's going to happen? No spoilers here. If you're looking for an interesting read with lots of twists and turns set in a small town at Christmas, this is the book for you. I enjoyed this book and look forward to the next in the series.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Dianne Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas chaos!

A touch of Christmas chaos as Baubles the clown is murdered. As the tight knit town searches for clues, Meadow and Sage lead the charge. I love this mother-daughter team and how Sage picks up the slack to prepare for Christmas. With Janice Jets, the local police officer, barking out orders as always, the book demonstrates the town has humorous side, along with a loving, nurturing side. A fun and entertaining book.

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

[Marietta · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first book of Bonnie Hardy that I have read but I did enjoy reading it. I love how she makes the main characters so believable and they do have real life issues that most people can understand. Meadow the librarian seem so real with her concern for everyone around her. She wants everyone to have a place to go on Christmas Day and go about this with having an open house for everyone the town and opens her home to so many people who don't have a place to be or anyone to spent Christmas alone. I would recommend this author to anyone who enjoyed a clean cozy mystery.

[Sharmani Jayaram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meadows gets the news that Baubles the clown had died and Sparkles his pony was spooked. The citizens of Little Rock were all curious to know who had done it. Meadows's being a librarian and curious goes on a journey where she comes across secrets, threats and mayhem had to be dealt with. An intriguing read. I received this ARC copy via Booksirens and leave a honest review. I recommend this book to other readers.

[Vic · Rating 5 out of 5]

The last Lily Rock prequel. This story is about Old Rocker Meadow McCloud and the murder of Baubles the Clown. Meadow along with some of the other Lily Rock residents help Officer Jetts solve this crime. This takes place around the Christmas season. I love how the town comes together to help each other. It leads into Getaway Death seamlessly. An entertaining holiday read. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Baubles the clown is killed, the town librarian is determined to find the killer. It's Christmas and there's so much vying for her time! So much to do but secrets are interfering! Even her daughter is dealing with her share of secrets! Can they sort through all the secrets and twists and turns to find the killer before Christmas day! Very enjoyable read and lovable characters! Perfect read leading up to Christmas!

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

Lily Rock is preparing for the Christmas season when Baubles the Clown is discovered dead-on-arrival. The mother-daughter duo, Meadow and Sage, take the lead in finding out the truth behind his murder. This is the final prequel for the Lily Rock series which helps provide some of the back story for the ladies before they kick-off the series. It's an interesting holiday-based, cozy mystery.

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

[Geraldine Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a lovely, heart-warming tale of life, human emotions and a murder mystery.

The protagonists were very endearing and amusing. The mystery was satisfyingly complex.

I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sally Wilsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good story line but I was lost in some parts reading it as I have not read previous books in this series. Baubles the clown is murdered and local librarian Meadow wants to solve the murder but is overwhelmed with personal issues. As stated it is a good story line and held interest but confusing in parts.

[Virginia Shea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved how Bonnie created character development intertwined with real-life human struggles and emotions in this book.

A cozy yet chilling and fast-paced book that delivers exactly what you want from a Bonnie Hardy read- Some small-town charm, lovable characters, and an entertaining mystery! Christmas chaos!

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

This excellent final installment of the Welcome to Lily Rock Holiday Mystery Series is thoughtful, compassionate and timely. Characters continue to grow, build community and celebrate the holidays in their uniquely Lily Rock style. Very Highly recommended!

[AMBER CLARK · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's Christmastime in Lily Rock and Baubles the Clown has been murdered. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It has plenty of twists & turns and is intriguing in the best ways. Join the town as they find out who killed Baubles and why.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

another twisted Lily Rock mystery!

a whodunnit involving a popular figure tangles some of our favorite residents and part time sleuths up in deadly mysteries

small time idyll meets murder mystery and community cooperation stories that perplex and touch you.

[Julie Burnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story line and interesting characters.

[Mary Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book but the first I have read. It worked well though by itself. It's a lovely cozy mystery with the added warmth factor with it being set at Christmas time. This is quickly shattered though with the murder of Baubles the clown.

Despite the small town nature of Lily Rock, there are lot of secrets being kept by many people both in the present and the past. Throw in a funny mayor, a Shetland pony and drugs and there's quite a lot in the mix. It was a quick and easy read and I found it very enjoyable and the ending with the chapter of the next book is really really enticing.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.