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Spellbound Bookshop Mystery #10
Holidays and Homicide
This is book 10 in the Spellbound Bookshop paranormal small town, cozy mystery series by USA TODAY Bestselling Author J.A. Whiting.
Shelby Price owns the historic Spellbound Bookshop in the seaside town of Hamlet, Massachusetts. What she never expected was to develop the ability to hear her cat Harper speak, or to find herself at the center of a fifty-year-old mystery.
As winter blankets the charming coastal community, Shelby is decorating the bookshop for the holidays which harbors Emily, a resident ghost with unfinished business, and Harper, her Maine Coon cat who turns out to be far more than an ordinary feline companion.
When visiting sculptors create ice installations for the winter contest, secrets long buried in Hamlet’s past start to surface. The disappearance of a young town hall employee in 1973 has never been solved, and someone in town will go to desperate lengths to ensure it stays that way.
Teaming up with handsome local detective Travis Whitely, Shelby follows a trail of financial corruption, jealousy, and obsession that leads straight to the highest levels of Hamlet’s power structure. But as they get closer to the truth, the danger mounts, and Shelby realizes that some secrets were never meant to thaw.
With Harper’s keen senses, Emily’s ghostly assistance, and her own developing skills, Shelby must solve a decades-old murder before she becomes the next victim of Hamlet’s dark history.
A perfect read for fans of cozy paranormal mysteries with a touch of romance, history, and small-town charm.
This story has some mild paranormal elements.
Shelby Price owns the historic Spellbound Bookshop in the seaside town of Hamlet, Massachusetts. What she never expected was to develop the ability to hear her cat Harper speak, or to find herself at the center of a fifty-year-old mystery.
As winter blankets the charming coastal community, Shelby is decorating the bookshop for the holidays which harbors Emily, a resident ghost with unfinished business, and Harper, her Maine Coon cat who turns out to be far more than an ordinary feline companion.
When visiting sculptors create ice installations for the winter contest, secrets long buried in Hamlet’s past start to surface. The disappearance of a young town hall employee in 1973 has never been solved, and someone in town will go to desperate lengths to ensure it stays that way.
Teaming up with handsome local detective Travis Whitely, Shelby follows a trail of financial corruption, jealousy, and obsession that leads straight to the highest levels of Hamlet’s power structure. But as they get closer to the truth, the danger mounts, and Shelby realizes that some secrets were never meant to thaw.
With Harper’s keen senses, Emily’s ghostly assistance, and her own developing skills, Shelby must solve a decades-old murder before she becomes the next victim of Hamlet’s dark history.
A perfect read for fans of cozy paranormal mysteries with a touch of romance, history, and small-town charm.
This story has some mild paranormal elements.
272 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 21, 2025
69 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
About the author
J.A. Whiting
174 books323 followersUSA TODAY Bestselling Author and Amazon All Star, J A Whiting is the author of over 100 cozy mysteries. She lives with her family in Massachusetts. Whiting loves spending time with family, reading, traveling, cycling, following New England sports teams, exercising, and being outdoors.
For exclusive content and new book announcements please visit www.jawhiting.com and sign up for my mailing list.
Also please "like" my Facebook page www.facebook.com/jawhitingauthor
For exclusive content and new book announcements please visit www.jawhiting.com and sign up for my mailing list.
Also please "like" my Facebook page www.facebook.com/jawhitingauthor
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 29, 2025
I have enjoyed this series very much. I'm so glad the voice of Harper was toned down from spouting "fortune cookie wisdom" to more of a conversation between Harper & Shelby.
December 27, 2025
A 50 Year Old Cold Case - Can Shelby Solve It
This episode is about past wrongs and sins. Fifty years ago, a young woman asked too many questions about misappropriation of funds from the city council. Those questions brought on her death. Now, in the present day, the return of a one-time ice sculpting event, brings into view a beautiful weeping ice angel that is the perfect image of the dead girl from fifty years ago. When Shelby touches the ice statue with the palm of her hand, she has visions of the past, and when she and her boyfriend, Detective Travis Whitely, begin investigating this cold case, there are townspeople that prefer it to remain in the past. Shelby's best friend, Lucy, helps with the case, as does Shelby's telecommunicatve cat, Harper, who can speak mentally to Shelby and protect her from danger. However, there is one long-time resident of Hamlet, Massachusetts that might make sure that Shelby doesn't live long enough to reveal the whole truth. I gave this book 5 stars. I received an advanced reader's copy and this is my honest review.
This episode is about past wrongs and sins. Fifty years ago, a young woman asked too many questions about misappropriation of funds from the city council. Those questions brought on her death. Now, in the present day, the return of a one-time ice sculpting event, brings into view a beautiful weeping ice angel that is the perfect image of the dead girl from fifty years ago. When Shelby touches the ice statue with the palm of her hand, she has visions of the past, and when she and her boyfriend, Detective Travis Whitely, begin investigating this cold case, there are townspeople that prefer it to remain in the past. Shelby's best friend, Lucy, helps with the case, as does Shelby's telecommunicatve cat, Harper, who can speak mentally to Shelby and protect her from danger. However, there is one long-time resident of Hamlet, Massachusetts that might make sure that Shelby doesn't live long enough to reveal the whole truth. I gave this book 5 stars. I received an advanced reader's copy and this is my honest review.
December 26, 2025
Holidays and Homicide: A Spellbound Bookshop Mystery book 10
Beautiful ice sculptures and one an angel weeps. This is a mystery about a young woman's death 50 years previously and long kept secretz. Well written.
Beautiful ice sculptures and one an angel weeps. This is a mystery about a young woman's death 50 years previously and long kept secretz. Well written.
December 29, 2025
review
I have loved all the books in this series and I hope there are more to come.there’s too many open ends to be tied off. I would recommend reading the series. They are pleasant and interesting and the characters are very engaging.
I have loved all the books in this series and I hope there are more to come.there’s too many open ends to be tied off. I would recommend reading the series. They are pleasant and interesting and the characters are very engaging.
January 5, 2026
J A whiting
Whenever I see J A Whiting, I know I'm starting a good book. I have never been disappointed! Her books make you feel good! Reading the Spellbound mysteries, is like joining an old friend!
Whenever I see J A Whiting, I know I'm starting a good book. I have never been disappointed! Her books make you feel good! Reading the Spellbound mysteries, is like joining an old friend!
January 18, 2026
Holidays and Homicide
A riveting story about things that can melt away and be healed. And about finding justice in words that are healing.
A riveting story about things that can melt away and be healed. And about finding justice in words that are healing.
January 29, 2026
Absorbing read
I really enjoy the Spellbound Bookshop stories and this is one of the best. A well crafted plot with the clever mix of supernatural to add to the interest
I really enjoy the Spellbound Bookshop stories and this is one of the best. A well crafted plot with the clever mix of supernatural to add to the interest
January 31, 2026
Love the characters in this series.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews