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Dying on the Housetop : (Ho Ho Ho, a Christmas Novella)
Cozy Mystery, Book 10
Dying on the Housetop (Ho Ho Ho, Christmas Novella) The book is a self-contained mystery and can be read out of order.
It’s the First Annual Christmas-Palooza-Sing-Along Competition, and the Tucson Valley Retirement Community is determined to "sleigh" the competition.
The prize? A mysterious “reward package” that’s being kept hush-hush by Safia, the self-appointed Commander-in-Christmas-Chief. What we do Safia wants it bad. Armed with jovial costumes, aggressively festive decorations, and a questionable 30-foot inflatable Santa—perched on the roof, because of course—Safia is pulling out all the stops to rack up views in the online contest.
And if you think she’s above exploiting Tucson Valley’s newest police officer, Nik Clause (yes, really), for a little viral magic, think again.
Rosi LaRue is doing her best to keep things safe, sane, and legally compliant, but she’s always one gingerbread step behind Safia’s Christmas chaos. When the sing-along ends not with a fa-la-la but with a festive fiasco, it’s up to Rosi, Officer Dan Daniel, and the rest of the retirement crew to unwrap the mystery.
Expect caroling, crime-solving, and holiday spirit gone hilariously rogue. Santa might be watching, but so is Rosi—and she’s got a list of suspects longer than the line at the Christmas cookie swap.
Dying on the Housetop (Ho Ho Ho, Christmas Novella) The book is a self-contained mystery and can be read out of order.
It’s the First Annual Christmas-Palooza-Sing-Along Competition, and the Tucson Valley Retirement Community is determined to "sleigh" the competition.
The prize? A mysterious “reward package” that’s being kept hush-hush by Safia, the self-appointed Commander-in-Christmas-Chief. What we do Safia wants it bad. Armed with jovial costumes, aggressively festive decorations, and a questionable 30-foot inflatable Santa—perched on the roof, because of course—Safia is pulling out all the stops to rack up views in the online contest.
And if you think she’s above exploiting Tucson Valley’s newest police officer, Nik Clause (yes, really), for a little viral magic, think again.
Rosi LaRue is doing her best to keep things safe, sane, and legally compliant, but she’s always one gingerbread step behind Safia’s Christmas chaos. When the sing-along ends not with a fa-la-la but with a festive fiasco, it’s up to Rosi, Officer Dan Daniel, and the rest of the retirement crew to unwrap the mystery.
Expect caroling, crime-solving, and holiday spirit gone hilariously rogue. Santa might be watching, but so is Rosi—and she’s got a list of suspects longer than the line at the Christmas cookie swap.
122 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 8, 2025
20 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
Marcy Blesy
162 books314 followersMarcy Blesy is the author of over thirty books across genres, best known for her Tucson Valley Retirement Community Cozy Mystery Series and the Monthly Murder Movie Club Cozy Mystery Series —humorous, heartwarming whodunits filled with senior sleuths, quirky characters, and animal sidekicks. Her cozy mysteries spotlight midlife reinvention, found family, and laugh-out-loud amateur sleuthing, perfect for fans of The Thursday Murder Club, Finlay Donovan, and The Golden Girls.
Marcy also writes the Ghost Texter Paranormal Cozy Mystery Series, starring a kindergarten teacher-turned-reluctant sleuth, and the Secrets romantic mystery duo (The Secret of Blue Lake and The Secret of Silver Beach), transporting readers to the scenic and suspenseful shores of Michigan.
For younger readers, Marcy’s best-selling Be the Vet series offers interactive veterinary mysteries for kids ages 9–13. Her early chapter book series—Evie and the Volunteers, Niles and Bradford, Third Grade Outsider, and Hazel, the Clinic Cat—delight animal lovers and growing readers alike.
When she’s not writing, you’ll find Marcy treasure-hunting along Lake Michigan in search of rare red beach glass. She believes every story should offer heart, humor, and a hint of hope—whether it’s solving a mystery or chasing a dream.
Marcy also writes the Ghost Texter Paranormal Cozy Mystery Series, starring a kindergarten teacher-turned-reluctant sleuth, and the Secrets romantic mystery duo (The Secret of Blue Lake and The Secret of Silver Beach), transporting readers to the scenic and suspenseful shores of Michigan.
For younger readers, Marcy’s best-selling Be the Vet series offers interactive veterinary mysteries for kids ages 9–13. Her early chapter book series—Evie and the Volunteers, Niles and Bradford, Third Grade Outsider, and Hazel, the Clinic Cat—delight animal lovers and growing readers alike.
When she’s not writing, you’ll find Marcy treasure-hunting along Lake Michigan in search of rare red beach glass. She believes every story should offer heart, humor, and a hint of hope—whether it’s solving a mystery or chasing a dream.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 12, 2025
4.25 stars
This Christmas cozy mystery novella is so much fun! It is set at a Tucson, Arizona retirement community and has a cast full of interesting characters. I have read several, but not all of the prior books in this series, but this novella would be a great introduction to the characters for new readers. This entertaining story will get you in the mood for the holidays and Santa Claus. I recommend this story for readers looking for a fast-paced, fun holiday mystery.
This Christmas cozy mystery novella is so much fun! It is set at a Tucson, Arizona retirement community and has a cast full of interesting characters. I have read several, but not all of the prior books in this series, but this novella would be a great introduction to the characters for new readers. This entertaining story will get you in the mood for the holidays and Santa Claus. I recommend this story for readers looking for a fast-paced, fun holiday mystery.
October 10, 2025
Fun read
I love this short, fun series! The antics are a little over the top sometimes, but still fun. Rosie, Keaton and the whole gang at Tuscon Valley Retirement center are patiently waiting on the big Christmas sing-a-long that Safia is hosting in hopes of winning the YouTube contest. With a little help from Nick Klause, things go terribly wrong or do they?
I love this short, fun series! The antics are a little over the top sometimes, but still fun. Rosie, Keaton and the whole gang at Tuscon Valley Retirement center are patiently waiting on the big Christmas sing-a-long that Safia is hosting in hopes of winning the YouTube contest. With a little help from Nick Klause, things go terribly wrong or do they?
October 8, 2025
Fun Christmas cozy!
What a fun novella! I loved the Christmas decorations, the zany contest, the colorful characters, and the mystery. Super fun holiday read!
What a fun novella! I loved the Christmas decorations, the zany contest, the colorful characters, and the mystery. Super fun holiday read!
October 12, 2025
Such a cute addition to the series!
This Christmas themed book really lets Safia shine...with a special gift for her in the end!
Santa is real Y'all
This Christmas themed book really lets Safia shine...with a special gift for her in the end!
Santa is real Y'all
November 1, 2025
Another hilarious misadventure cozy mystery in the Tucson Valley Retirement Community! Fun Christmas novella.
December 7, 2025
"Dying on the Housetop: Ho Ho Ho, a Christmas Novella (Tucson Valley Retirement Community Cozy Mystery #10)" by Marcy Blesy is a quick super cozy Christmas mystery. The retirement community that Rosi works for is hosting a Christmas Sing-Along that will be streamed for a senior living community contest. The community with the most views wins a pile of puzzles and games, maybe some other unknown prizes too. One of the ladies is more determined than ever to win.
For Rosi this means a giant inflated Santa to install on the roof of the activity center. Despite Rosi's protests. You'd think he'd be done for the first time it gets blown off the roof and onto a car. Nope, he's back up and ready to win them some views in time for the Sing-Along. He nearly makes it to the end of the event. Just as it's about over, a scream is heard and it's discovered that someone stabbed inflato-Santa.
Continuing with the police not being able to keep good officers, Dan has hired a new one. Nik Clause, the spiting image of the classic Santa Claus and just happens to have a lot of past employers with lots of good things to say about him. He's already on the scene when the inflato-Santa gets killed. There really isn't anything to investigate since it added the last dramatic touch to get their senior living community the views they needed to win.
There was a small investigation done by Dan and Rosi over a pre-Christmas double dates. It was quick and the culprit sort of turned themselves in. No death, just Christmas shenanigans.
For Rosi this means a giant inflated Santa to install on the roof of the activity center. Despite Rosi's protests. You'd think he'd be done for the first time it gets blown off the roof and onto a car. Nope, he's back up and ready to win them some views in time for the Sing-Along. He nearly makes it to the end of the event. Just as it's about over, a scream is heard and it's discovered that someone stabbed inflato-Santa.
Continuing with the police not being able to keep good officers, Dan has hired a new one. Nik Clause, the spiting image of the classic Santa Claus and just happens to have a lot of past employers with lots of good things to say about him. He's already on the scene when the inflato-Santa gets killed. There really isn't anything to investigate since it added the last dramatic touch to get their senior living community the views they needed to win.
There was a small investigation done by Dan and Rosi over a pre-Christmas double dates. It was quick and the culprit sort of turned themselves in. No death, just Christmas shenanigans.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews