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A Killer for Christmas
Wrapped in red has a bloody new meaning in this contemporary holiday romance with a murderous twist, perfect for readers who enjoyed The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year.
Christmasville, Maine, is the only place where Kelsey Hendricks has ever felt happy. When she loses both her job and her boyfriend, the move is a no-brainer, especially when she sees a listing for a position as Christmasville’s social media manager. Surrounded by twinkling lights and candy canes and with the perfect job, this tinsel town is working its magic on Kelsey. With two heartthrobs vying for her attention, her life is now just like a Christmas movie.
Except for the murders.
The first one is dismissed as an accident. But after the second, and definitely the third, it becomes abundantly clear that Santa is leaving coal in someone’s stocking this year.
Determined to bring back the holly jolly spirit to the town before tourists begin canceling their reservations, Kelsey must sleuth her way out of a chilling murder mystery and back to a holiday rom-com.
This charming and clever mystery-romance where a cozy winter wonderland warms the heart while suspense chills the bones is the perfect read for the holiday season.
Christmasville, Maine, is the only place where Kelsey Hendricks has ever felt happy. When she loses both her job and her boyfriend, the move is a no-brainer, especially when she sees a listing for a position as Christmasville’s social media manager. Surrounded by twinkling lights and candy canes and with the perfect job, this tinsel town is working its magic on Kelsey. With two heartthrobs vying for her attention, her life is now just like a Christmas movie.
Except for the murders.
The first one is dismissed as an accident. But after the second, and definitely the third, it becomes abundantly clear that Santa is leaving coal in someone’s stocking this year.
Determined to bring back the holly jolly spirit to the town before tourists begin canceling their reservations, Kelsey must sleuth her way out of a chilling murder mystery and back to a holiday rom-com.
This charming and clever mystery-romance where a cozy winter wonderland warms the heart while suspense chills the bones is the perfect read for the holiday season.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published September 22, 2026
About the author
Kim Harrington
14 books1,177 followersKim Harrington is the author of A Killer for Christmas, her debut adult mystery coming from Crooked Lane Books. She is also known for her teen novels Clarity, Perception, The Dead and Buried, and Forget Me, as well as books for younger readers including Revenge of the Red Club, the Sleuth or Dare series, and Gamer Squad series. Visit her website at KimHarringtonBooks.com.
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Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I absolutely loved this!!! As someone who loves a Christmas movie and a murder show, this was a perfect combination of both, with all the vibes and the anticipation.
Kelsey needed a change, so moving to Christmasville, a place she was so happy visiting as a child, seemed like a perfect decision. A new job as Christmasville's social media manager, a town full of cheer, amazing people and two gorgeous man, what's more perfect than that.. But, a string of murders, seemingly not connected at first, is about to ruin it all.. Trying to figure out what's happening, stop the tourists from leaving town and decide what she wants, she's determined to find her way..
I related to Kelsey so much, I too get carried away fantasising sometimes, get paranoid easily and living in a Christmas all-year-round town is something I would totally do. And then to have a New York man always in suits and a bookstore owner vying for your attention, that's so Hallmark movies coded. While I don't personally like love triangles, there was always a clear winner here, so I don't really consider this to be one.
The romance was both sweet and dramatic and I honestly had a time of my life, even if the chemistry wasn't always there. I absolutely loved the town and all its inhabitants. The Christmas cheer was always present, as was the murderous atmosphere. I actually didn't guess the killer, the culprit wasn't even on my short list honestly.. I missed all the signs.
I adored the friendships, the activities, the coziness and the tension, the murders and the romance, it had everything I would possibly need!! I don't want to say too much, as to not spoil something, but if you anything like me, you have to read this!! I love watching Hallmark movies and mysteries and this felt exactly like that plus their signature Christmas movies, the best combination!!
The author said in the acknowledgements how she came to this idea and I'm so grateful for that small conversation, because this gave exactly that and it was done perfectly!! Hope she writes more, because I'll read every single one of them!!
*Thank you to Netgalley and to Crooked Lane Books for providing me with an ARC.*
Kelsey needed a change, so moving to Christmasville, a place she was so happy visiting as a child, seemed like a perfect decision. A new job as Christmasville's social media manager, a town full of cheer, amazing people and two gorgeous man, what's more perfect than that.. But, a string of murders, seemingly not connected at first, is about to ruin it all.. Trying to figure out what's happening, stop the tourists from leaving town and decide what she wants, she's determined to find her way..
I related to Kelsey so much, I too get carried away fantasising sometimes, get paranoid easily and living in a Christmas all-year-round town is something I would totally do. And then to have a New York man always in suits and a bookstore owner vying for your attention, that's so Hallmark movies coded. While I don't personally like love triangles, there was always a clear winner here, so I don't really consider this to be one.
The romance was both sweet and dramatic and I honestly had a time of my life, even if the chemistry wasn't always there. I absolutely loved the town and all its inhabitants. The Christmas cheer was always present, as was the murderous atmosphere. I actually didn't guess the killer, the culprit wasn't even on my short list honestly.. I missed all the signs.
I adored the friendships, the activities, the coziness and the tension, the murders and the romance, it had everything I would possibly need!! I don't want to say too much, as to not spoil something, but if you anything like me, you have to read this!! I love watching Hallmark movies and mysteries and this felt exactly like that plus their signature Christmas movies, the best combination!!
The author said in the acknowledgements how she came to this idea and I'm so grateful for that small conversation, because this gave exactly that and it was done perfectly!! Hope she writes more, because I'll read every single one of them!!
*Thank you to Netgalley and to Crooked Lane Books for providing me with an ARC.*
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5 Stars
The book follows Kelsey Hendricks, a girl who finds herself in the middle of Christmasville after her life was flipped upside down in Boston. With an aching heart and a suitcase full, looking for distractions, she finds herself in the middle of a love triangle and a murdery mystery yet to be solved.
This was honestly so so good, I loved the simplistic writing style and how easy it was to read this, although I did find the first 20 to 30 percent a bit boring but I understand why the details were necessary.
Anyways, quite the unpredictable ending to be honest I was NOT expecting it to be that person. And that scene TERRIFIED me, had me clutching my pearls.
The psychological aspect was nice to see, seeing Kelsey slowly become more and more paranoid and anxious, was honestly a bit scary but I loved it.
Safe to say this book gave me major trust issues because I was so frustrated in the last like 20 ish percent LMAO.
Only reason this doesn't have a higher rating was because I didn't find myself SUPER anxious, like when I'm reading a thriller I wanna feel like I'm about to die from anxiety at any given moment. I need to be scared to go to sleep or eat or do anything. Also the dialogues weren't the best especially in the beginning, the characters felt a bit... "robotic" with some of the things they were saying.
Setting descriptions were okay. At times I felt myself a bit confused though, like in the lobby of the inn, I still don't know what it looks like to be fair. LOL.
Overall super fast, easy, short read that I quite enjoyed.
Hope to see more from this author in the future, I have a feeling this won't be the last book I read of hers.
Pre-read
ahhh my first ever e-ARC, so excited!! thank you Netgalley. 💞
anyway, I have been CRAVING a mystery novel so I am going to DEVOUR this!
The book follows Kelsey Hendricks, a girl who finds herself in the middle of Christmasville after her life was flipped upside down in Boston. With an aching heart and a suitcase full, looking for distractions, she finds herself in the middle of a love triangle and a murdery mystery yet to be solved.
This was honestly so so good, I loved the simplistic writing style and how easy it was to read this, although I did find the first 20 to 30 percent a bit boring but I understand why the details were necessary.
Anyways, quite the unpredictable ending to be honest I was NOT expecting it to be that person. And that scene TERRIFIED me, had me clutching my pearls.
The psychological aspect was nice to see, seeing Kelsey slowly become more and more paranoid and anxious, was honestly a bit scary but I loved it.
Safe to say this book gave me major trust issues because I was so frustrated in the last like 20 ish percent LMAO.
Only reason this doesn't have a higher rating was because I didn't find myself SUPER anxious, like when I'm reading a thriller I wanna feel like I'm about to die from anxiety at any given moment. I need to be scared to go to sleep or eat or do anything. Also the dialogues weren't the best especially in the beginning, the characters felt a bit... "robotic" with some of the things they were saying.
Setting descriptions were okay. At times I felt myself a bit confused though, like in the lobby of the inn, I still don't know what it looks like to be fair. LOL.
Overall super fast, easy, short read that I quite enjoyed.
Hope to see more from this author in the future, I have a feeling this won't be the last book I read of hers.
Pre-read
ahhh my first ever e-ARC, so excited!! thank you Netgalley. 💞
anyway, I have been CRAVING a mystery novel so I am going to DEVOUR this!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Ho Ho Ho!
After losing both her boyfriend and her job, Kelsey Hendricks desperately needs a fresh start. And what better place to begin than her childhood happy place of Christmasville,Maine. Where, of course, everyone is jolly all year round!
Okay, maybe not everyone. There seems to be one unhappy resident, and he is determined to be the first serial killer of Christmasville!
As luck would have it, Kelsey discovers one of the bodies on her first day in her new hometown! In no time, more bodies begin appearing around her. Hmmmm, so much for warm and fuzzy beginnings.🙃
This was a cute, cozy mystery mixed with just a bit of romance. All the characters were well developed, and Kelsey was perfect as our lead character. Perhaps this is the beginning of a new series? I’d definitely make a return visit to Christmasville!
I think this will be the perfect seasonal read or as the theme for Christmasville…all year round!
✍️ Kim Harrington
📄 320 pages
🗓️ Anticipated release date:September 22 2026
📈 4/5🌟🌟🌟🌟
👉 cozy mystery, Christmas theme
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books
After losing both her boyfriend and her job, Kelsey Hendricks desperately needs a fresh start. And what better place to begin than her childhood happy place of Christmasville,Maine. Where, of course, everyone is jolly all year round!
Okay, maybe not everyone. There seems to be one unhappy resident, and he is determined to be the first serial killer of Christmasville!
As luck would have it, Kelsey discovers one of the bodies on her first day in her new hometown! In no time, more bodies begin appearing around her. Hmmmm, so much for warm and fuzzy beginnings.🙃
This was a cute, cozy mystery mixed with just a bit of romance. All the characters were well developed, and Kelsey was perfect as our lead character. Perhaps this is the beginning of a new series? I’d definitely make a return visit to Christmasville!
I think this will be the perfect seasonal read or as the theme for Christmasville…all year round!
✍️ Kim Harrington
📄 320 pages
🗓️ Anticipated release date:September 22 2026
📈 4/5🌟🌟🌟🌟
👉 cozy mystery, Christmas theme
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books
October 2, 2026
Check out all my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
A KILLER FOR CHRISTMAS by Kim Harrington is an entertaining holiday cozy mystery read for all lovers of the combination of Christmas spirit, a possible rom-com holiday romance in cute small-town Maine, and murder. This combination may sound crazy, but you know there is a group of us who are all out here looking for this book…Ho, Ho, Oh no!
Kelsey Hendricks quits her job and flees a bad break-up in Boston to the one place that always brought her joy and happiness, Christmasville, Maine, where it is Christmas every day. She lands the job as the town’s social media manager and checks into a local family-owned inn. It would all be a great start to a new life if she did not continue to come across dead bodies. The first may have been considered an accident by the mayor and police chief, but two, and then three?
Kelsey and her newly made friends must deal with a mayor that will believe anything but the truth to save the town’s tourist income, an on-line troll calling themselves the ChristmastimeKiller, and two men who could either be her rom-com dream or a killer?
This is a fun holiday cozy mystery read with just the right amount of interesting small-town characters and/or suspects, with periods of threat or uncertainty thrown into the mix. Kelsey is a protagonist that is relatable and the dialogue between her and her new friends is fun and believable. I enjoyed the characters, but I did not feel an in-depth attachment to them, except for Kelsey. The murder plot moved well throughout the story after the second murder with a climax I did not see coming. (I like when that happens.)
This is the one, if you are like me, and like a little murder and possible romance to go with your holiday cheer.
A KILLER FOR CHRISTMAS by Kim Harrington is an entertaining holiday cozy mystery read for all lovers of the combination of Christmas spirit, a possible rom-com holiday romance in cute small-town Maine, and murder. This combination may sound crazy, but you know there is a group of us who are all out here looking for this book…Ho, Ho, Oh no!
Kelsey Hendricks quits her job and flees a bad break-up in Boston to the one place that always brought her joy and happiness, Christmasville, Maine, where it is Christmas every day. She lands the job as the town’s social media manager and checks into a local family-owned inn. It would all be a great start to a new life if she did not continue to come across dead bodies. The first may have been considered an accident by the mayor and police chief, but two, and then three?
Kelsey and her newly made friends must deal with a mayor that will believe anything but the truth to save the town’s tourist income, an on-line troll calling themselves the ChristmastimeKiller, and two men who could either be her rom-com dream or a killer?
This is a fun holiday cozy mystery read with just the right amount of interesting small-town characters and/or suspects, with periods of threat or uncertainty thrown into the mix. Kelsey is a protagonist that is relatable and the dialogue between her and her new friends is fun and believable. I enjoyed the characters, but I did not feel an in-depth attachment to them, except for Kelsey. The murder plot moved well throughout the story after the second murder with a climax I did not see coming. (I like when that happens.)
This is the one, if you are like me, and like a little murder and possible romance to go with your holiday cheer.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
*Christmas
*Cozy
*Mystery
*A dash of romance
*Suspense
*Small town
Kelsey takes the risky decision to move in the town that she visited in her childhood every Christmas as a social media manager after a betrayal. But things get complicated when after arriving there's a discovery of a dead body, and then another one, and then another one. In the meanwhile, Kelsey meets handsome Ellison and mysterious Aaron that feels there's hope overcoming her heartbreak.
Kelsey is a heartbroken woman but determined to start fresh in a new town which has so many happy memories and hopefully make new friends or even meet the one. She does have a vivid imagination and her monologues are ahead at least ten feet but she tries to reign it. It reminds me me when I'm in uncertain situations and I'm overthinking, calculating every possible scenario.
There are a lot of side characters, each of them having an impact in this story and each one of them is unique in personality. Ellison and Aaron are the two romantic potentials and honestly I was not sure who I was rooting for. I'm not spoiling anything.
I'm not sure about the length of this novel or what are the intentions of the Author but I would have liked it a little bit shorter if it's going to be a cozy mystery series. Otherwise as a standalone is enough to expand the story.
I gave this story 4.5 stars because Kelsey sometimes felt too naive believing everything just because she saw it in his eyes and in other scene she got mad because she didn't like what she heard. Ugh, I can't explain it without giving any spoilers.
I loved the Author's explanation how this story came into life in the acknowledgments in the end and I believe it's something that makes reader appreciate it even more.
I received this arc and this is my honest opinion.
*Cozy
*Mystery
*A dash of romance
*Suspense
*Small town
Kelsey takes the risky decision to move in the town that she visited in her childhood every Christmas as a social media manager after a betrayal. But things get complicated when after arriving there's a discovery of a dead body, and then another one, and then another one. In the meanwhile, Kelsey meets handsome Ellison and mysterious Aaron that feels there's hope overcoming her heartbreak.
Kelsey is a heartbroken woman but determined to start fresh in a new town which has so many happy memories and hopefully make new friends or even meet the one. She does have a vivid imagination and her monologues are ahead at least ten feet but she tries to reign it. It reminds me me when I'm in uncertain situations and I'm overthinking, calculating every possible scenario.
There are a lot of side characters, each of them having an impact in this story and each one of them is unique in personality. Ellison and Aaron are the two romantic potentials and honestly I was not sure who I was rooting for. I'm not spoiling anything.
I'm not sure about the length of this novel or what are the intentions of the Author but I would have liked it a little bit shorter if it's going to be a cozy mystery series. Otherwise as a standalone is enough to expand the story.
I gave this story 4.5 stars because Kelsey sometimes felt too naive believing everything just because she saw it in his eyes and in other scene she got mad because she didn't like what she heard. Ugh, I can't explain it without giving any spoilers.
I loved the Author's explanation how this story came into life in the acknowledgments in the end and I believe it's something that makes reader appreciate it even more.
I received this arc and this is my honest opinion.
September 19, 2026
4.5/5
A Killer for Christmas was such a fun surprise! Christmasville is exactly the kind of over the top holiday town I want in a Christmas cozy—twinkling lights, carolers, hot cocoa, festive events, and apparently…a serial killer. 😂 The combination shouldn’t work nearly as well as it does, but I had so much fun with it.
I really liked Kelsey as a lead. She’s easy to root for, and her new life in Christmasville gives the story that fresh start coziness I love. There’s also a burgeoning romantic relationship that has plenty of room to develop, and I would be thrilled if this turned into a series so we could spend more time with Kelsey, the town, and that relationship.
What really surprised me, though, was how invested I was in the actual mystery. Sometimes with cozies, I’m perfectly content to let the murder happen in the background while I enjoy the food, town, characters, and general vibes. Not here! The mystery was strong, moved quickly, and kept me genuinely curious about what was happening. The pacing made this incredibly easy to fly through.
It’s basically: there’s a serial killer on the loose, but first let’s grab some hot cocoa and listen to the choir sing Christmas carols. 😂 Cozy holiday charm + an engaging mystery was exactly the combination I wanted. We are either sleighing or slaying in Christmasville, and apparently we’re doing both.
Perfect for readers who love:
* 🎄 Over the top Christmas town charm
* 🔪 Cozy mysteries with a genuinely strong mystery
* ☕ Hot cocoa, carolers & holiday festivities
* ❤️ A little romance alongside the sleuthing
* 🎁 Fast, easy to binge seasonal reads
* 🕵️ Amateur sleuth heroines you want to follow
* ❄️ Murder mixed with maximum cozy vibes
* 🩸 A slightly darker edge to holiday coziness
A Killer for Christmas was such a fun surprise! Christmasville is exactly the kind of over the top holiday town I want in a Christmas cozy—twinkling lights, carolers, hot cocoa, festive events, and apparently…a serial killer. 😂 The combination shouldn’t work nearly as well as it does, but I had so much fun with it.
I really liked Kelsey as a lead. She’s easy to root for, and her new life in Christmasville gives the story that fresh start coziness I love. There’s also a burgeoning romantic relationship that has plenty of room to develop, and I would be thrilled if this turned into a series so we could spend more time with Kelsey, the town, and that relationship.
What really surprised me, though, was how invested I was in the actual mystery. Sometimes with cozies, I’m perfectly content to let the murder happen in the background while I enjoy the food, town, characters, and general vibes. Not here! The mystery was strong, moved quickly, and kept me genuinely curious about what was happening. The pacing made this incredibly easy to fly through.
It’s basically: there’s a serial killer on the loose, but first let’s grab some hot cocoa and listen to the choir sing Christmas carols. 😂 Cozy holiday charm + an engaging mystery was exactly the combination I wanted. We are either sleighing or slaying in Christmasville, and apparently we’re doing both.
Perfect for readers who love:
* 🎄 Over the top Christmas town charm
* 🔪 Cozy mysteries with a genuinely strong mystery
* ☕ Hot cocoa, carolers & holiday festivities
* ❤️ A little romance alongside the sleuthing
* 🎁 Fast, easy to binge seasonal reads
* 🕵️ Amateur sleuth heroines you want to follow
* ❄️ Murder mixed with maximum cozy vibes
* 🩸 A slightly darker edge to holiday coziness
Read
September 22, 2026My new book! Out now!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The second Kelsey rolled into Christmasville looking for a fresh start, I knew this town was lying to all of us. Every shop has a Christmas name. Everyone smiles too much. There are twinkle lights on absolutely everything. That's not a town. That's a hostage situation with peppermint bark.
Poor Kelsey thought she'd escaped one disaster by leaving Boston behind after losing both her boyfriend and her job. Instead she walks into her adorable new life and immediately gets handed murders with her welcome packet. I was crying laughing at how determined everyone was to keep selling the magic of Christmas while people kept... you know... dying. The mayor has the energy of someone watching the North Pole actively burn down while whispering, "But have we considered how this will affect tourism?"
And then they throw in two men who are interested in her because apparently surviving emotional whiplash wasn't enough for one woman. One is giving polished big city Christmas movie energy, the other feels like he walked straight out of an independent bookstore and smells like cinnamon and good decisions. I never really felt torn, but it was hilarious watching Kelsey try to figure out her love life while also wondering if one of these perfectly charming people might actually be a murderer.
The whole town became suspicious after about the second body. I reached the point where someone could've offered Kelsey a candy cane and I'd be like... absolutely not. That's killer behavior. Everyone was just festive enough to make me distrust them. I was mentally accusing bakers. Innkeepers. Bookstore owners. Probably an elf if one had wandered into the story.
What I really loved was that Kelsey wasn't trying to become some genius detective. She mostly had the vibe of someone who desperately wanted her new life to stop catching on fire. Every clue just kept landing in her lap whether she wanted it or not, and you could feel her getting more paranoid with every chapter. Honestly? Same. By the end I trusted absolutely no one, including people whose only crime was being too cheerful.
There was one point where I realized I'd completely forgotten whether I was reading a Christmas romance or a murder mystery because somehow it was both at the exact same time. We'd have one sweet little romantic moment, then immediately I'd be side-eyeing everyone in the room wondering who was about to end up face down in the snow. It shouldn't work. It absolutely does.
This was such a ridiculously fun time. I genuinely didn't see the killer coming, and I spent the last stretch changing my mind every other chapter. If you ever wished your cozy Christmas movie came with significantly more police tape, this is your book. It landed at a very happy 4 stars for me because I was completely entertained from the moment Christmasville welcomed everyone with candy canes and concealed panic.
Merry Mayhem Prize: For Somehow Making Me Want to Book a Vacation to the World's Most Adorable Murder Capital
And thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the ARC. I showed up expecting hot cocoa and mistletoe. You handed me hot cocoa, mistletoe, multiple homicides, and trust issues. Honestly, that's a holiday memory I'll treasure.
Poor Kelsey thought she'd escaped one disaster by leaving Boston behind after losing both her boyfriend and her job. Instead she walks into her adorable new life and immediately gets handed murders with her welcome packet. I was crying laughing at how determined everyone was to keep selling the magic of Christmas while people kept... you know... dying. The mayor has the energy of someone watching the North Pole actively burn down while whispering, "But have we considered how this will affect tourism?"
And then they throw in two men who are interested in her because apparently surviving emotional whiplash wasn't enough for one woman. One is giving polished big city Christmas movie energy, the other feels like he walked straight out of an independent bookstore and smells like cinnamon and good decisions. I never really felt torn, but it was hilarious watching Kelsey try to figure out her love life while also wondering if one of these perfectly charming people might actually be a murderer.
The whole town became suspicious after about the second body. I reached the point where someone could've offered Kelsey a candy cane and I'd be like... absolutely not. That's killer behavior. Everyone was just festive enough to make me distrust them. I was mentally accusing bakers. Innkeepers. Bookstore owners. Probably an elf if one had wandered into the story.
What I really loved was that Kelsey wasn't trying to become some genius detective. She mostly had the vibe of someone who desperately wanted her new life to stop catching on fire. Every clue just kept landing in her lap whether she wanted it or not, and you could feel her getting more paranoid with every chapter. Honestly? Same. By the end I trusted absolutely no one, including people whose only crime was being too cheerful.
There was one point where I realized I'd completely forgotten whether I was reading a Christmas romance or a murder mystery because somehow it was both at the exact same time. We'd have one sweet little romantic moment, then immediately I'd be side-eyeing everyone in the room wondering who was about to end up face down in the snow. It shouldn't work. It absolutely does.
This was such a ridiculously fun time. I genuinely didn't see the killer coming, and I spent the last stretch changing my mind every other chapter. If you ever wished your cozy Christmas movie came with significantly more police tape, this is your book. It landed at a very happy 4 stars for me because I was completely entertained from the moment Christmasville welcomed everyone with candy canes and concealed panic.
Merry Mayhem Prize: For Somehow Making Me Want to Book a Vacation to the World's Most Adorable Murder Capital
And thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the ARC. I showed up expecting hot cocoa and mistletoe. You handed me hot cocoa, mistletoe, multiple homicides, and trust issues. Honestly, that's a holiday memory I'll treasure.
September 29, 2026
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Kelsey Hendricks has so many wonderful memories of spending time with her family in Christmasville, Maine. When she sees an ad for a social media manager in the happy little town right after losing her job and her boyfriend, it feels like kismet. She is soon checked in at the Christmas Creek Inn in a town where every day feels like Christmas, ready to start her perfect job. The people are friendly, the town is all decked out for Christmas, and there are not one but two men who give her those tingly feelings.
Then a man in her hotel is found dead. Accident? Then a woman is found dead on a walking path along the water. Another accident? When another body is discovered at the holiday tree lighting, Kelsey has to tell the mayor she can only spin the news so far. This death was definitely murder, and Kelsey believes the others were too. And then another body literally dropped.
The mayor has tasked Kelsey with saving the holiday season for the town. Hype the upcoming events, show everyone having fun, and keep the tourists from cancelling their reservations. Maybe while she is at it, she can catch the culprit wreaking havoc on the merry spirit of Christmasville.
Christmasville, Maine celebrates Christmas year-round, but November and December are extra special. The mayor decided they needed a professional to handle their social media accounts. Enter Kelsey Hendricks, ready to restart her life in her happy place in a job she was probably overqualified for but that would bring her so much joy. Two swoon-worthy men were interested in her too. It has all the makings of a Hallmark romantic comedy. Kelsey was a wonderful protagonist. Genuine, caring, outgoing, and relatable. It was so easy to get invested in her life. Ms. Harrington surrounded her with the same type of people, each with their own challenges and triumphs. They had depth and interesting backstories. She also included a creepy landlord, a curmudgeon, and an ex not ready to let go. Many of the residents had Christmasy names too: Mary, Carol, Jack, Kris, Nick, and Rudy.
The mystery entangled in this rom-com was compelling. The body count continued to rise, and each death was different. Someone was making strange comments on the town’s social media posts. Different warnings were found around town. There was a killer among them. Who gained from these people being murdered? Kelsey juggled everything thrown at her. She had great ideas for the town and theories about the killer, while having romantic feelings she wasn’t sure she was ready for. She was also not ready for the killer to come after her as the clues started to fall into place. Survival was now Kelsey’s focus. I was gobsmacked when the killer was revealed.
The juxtaposition of the jolly Christmas town, complete with the decorated shops, the snow-covered streets, and all the festivities, with the serial murderer on the loose really works. A Killer for Christmas was so well plotted and written. Ms. Harrington had the idea for a story that could combine “a Christmas romance” in a “cozy small town that had a serial killer problem”. Well, she succeeded in spades. She has penned A Perfect Holiday Escape. I can’t believe this is her debut adult mystery. She is an author to watch.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to the author, Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
Kelsey Hendricks has so many wonderful memories of spending time with her family in Christmasville, Maine. When she sees an ad for a social media manager in the happy little town right after losing her job and her boyfriend, it feels like kismet. She is soon checked in at the Christmas Creek Inn in a town where every day feels like Christmas, ready to start her perfect job. The people are friendly, the town is all decked out for Christmas, and there are not one but two men who give her those tingly feelings.
Then a man in her hotel is found dead. Accident? Then a woman is found dead on a walking path along the water. Another accident? When another body is discovered at the holiday tree lighting, Kelsey has to tell the mayor she can only spin the news so far. This death was definitely murder, and Kelsey believes the others were too. And then another body literally dropped.
The mayor has tasked Kelsey with saving the holiday season for the town. Hype the upcoming events, show everyone having fun, and keep the tourists from cancelling their reservations. Maybe while she is at it, she can catch the culprit wreaking havoc on the merry spirit of Christmasville.
Christmasville, Maine celebrates Christmas year-round, but November and December are extra special. The mayor decided they needed a professional to handle their social media accounts. Enter Kelsey Hendricks, ready to restart her life in her happy place in a job she was probably overqualified for but that would bring her so much joy. Two swoon-worthy men were interested in her too. It has all the makings of a Hallmark romantic comedy. Kelsey was a wonderful protagonist. Genuine, caring, outgoing, and relatable. It was so easy to get invested in her life. Ms. Harrington surrounded her with the same type of people, each with their own challenges and triumphs. They had depth and interesting backstories. She also included a creepy landlord, a curmudgeon, and an ex not ready to let go. Many of the residents had Christmasy names too: Mary, Carol, Jack, Kris, Nick, and Rudy.
The mystery entangled in this rom-com was compelling. The body count continued to rise, and each death was different. Someone was making strange comments on the town’s social media posts. Different warnings were found around town. There was a killer among them. Who gained from these people being murdered? Kelsey juggled everything thrown at her. She had great ideas for the town and theories about the killer, while having romantic feelings she wasn’t sure she was ready for. She was also not ready for the killer to come after her as the clues started to fall into place. Survival was now Kelsey’s focus. I was gobsmacked when the killer was revealed.
The juxtaposition of the jolly Christmas town, complete with the decorated shops, the snow-covered streets, and all the festivities, with the serial murderer on the loose really works. A Killer for Christmas was so well plotted and written. Ms. Harrington had the idea for a story that could combine “a Christmas romance” in a “cozy small town that had a serial killer problem”. Well, she succeeded in spades. She has penned A Perfect Holiday Escape. I can’t believe this is her debut adult mystery. She is an author to watch.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to the author, Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
September 27, 2026
Solid 5⭐️s for this killer Christmas story!
It is a rare occurrence when I find a Christmas story I actually enjoy. My criteria is pretty simple… It must have a solid Christmas setting with all the cozy Christmas vibes. Combined that with a solid plot and interesting characters and you have made me one happy, holiday reader. A Killer For Christmas gave me all of that and so much more. I ate this book up on audio in one day and it even left me wanting more when it came to an end.
I don’t know why but when I first saw this cover I assumed it was a dark romance. I was way off, this is a murder mystery with a romance subplot and lots of comedy sprinkled throughout it.
Kelsey Hendricks has just had her life turned upside down. She has just lost her boyfriend and her job in the same day. She is ready for a new start and Christmasville, Maine seems like the perfect place to do just that. The details of the town were everything I want in a Christmas story. It was packed full of nosey townspeople, quaint little shops and a place that is one hundred percent dedicated to Christmas all year round. I loved all the little details that the author wove into the story even down to the characters names.
The story starts off with Kelsey arriving for her new position running the town’s social media department. Her job is to bring in tourism to the little town that is struggling financially. She never could have expected that she would be surrounded by dead bodies and stalked by an unhinged serial killer who seems to be preying on the rudest people in town. Now it is up to the police and a couple of armchair sleuths to figure out who is bringing chaos to the little town of Christmasville.
You guys, this book was so much fun!!!! The narrator did an excellent job of conveying Kelsey’s humorous personality and bringing her character to life. The story basically follows around Kelsey’s day to day interactions in Christmasville and I ate up every moment of it. The other women drama, the suspicious sheriff, the two men fighting for her affection, the dead bodies popping up all over town and the constant thought of “who done it” made for such an entertaining time. I think this is definitely a book most people will enjoy.
It is a rare occurrence when I find a Christmas story I actually enjoy. My criteria is pretty simple… It must have a solid Christmas setting with all the cozy Christmas vibes. Combined that with a solid plot and interesting characters and you have made me one happy, holiday reader. A Killer For Christmas gave me all of that and so much more. I ate this book up on audio in one day and it even left me wanting more when it came to an end.
I don’t know why but when I first saw this cover I assumed it was a dark romance. I was way off, this is a murder mystery with a romance subplot and lots of comedy sprinkled throughout it.
Kelsey Hendricks has just had her life turned upside down. She has just lost her boyfriend and her job in the same day. She is ready for a new start and Christmasville, Maine seems like the perfect place to do just that. The details of the town were everything I want in a Christmas story. It was packed full of nosey townspeople, quaint little shops and a place that is one hundred percent dedicated to Christmas all year round. I loved all the little details that the author wove into the story even down to the characters names.
The story starts off with Kelsey arriving for her new position running the town’s social media department. Her job is to bring in tourism to the little town that is struggling financially. She never could have expected that she would be surrounded by dead bodies and stalked by an unhinged serial killer who seems to be preying on the rudest people in town. Now it is up to the police and a couple of armchair sleuths to figure out who is bringing chaos to the little town of Christmasville.
You guys, this book was so much fun!!!! The narrator did an excellent job of conveying Kelsey’s humorous personality and bringing her character to life. The story basically follows around Kelsey’s day to day interactions in Christmasville and I ate up every moment of it. The other women drama, the suspicious sheriff, the two men fighting for her affection, the dead bodies popping up all over town and the constant thought of “who done it” made for such an entertaining time. I think this is definitely a book most people will enjoy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Nothing like reading Christmas theme books in April :))
I absolutely loved this book.
It’s one of those reads that feels incredibly cozy… even though there are multiple murders happening :)). And somehow, it just works.
The small town setting was a big part of that. Christmasville is peak cozy vibes, twinkling lights, hot cocoa, festive EVERYTHING, and it really gave strong Hallmark movie vibes. Even the character names leaned into the theme, but honestly, it didn’t bother me at all. It just added to the charm.
I also really liked the balance between romance and mystery. Neither overshadowed the other and I found myself equally invested in both, rooting for the relationship and trying to figure out what was going on with the murders.
I felt like we started with a bit of a love triangle, but to be honest, didn’t really feel like one, since I was pretty sure from the start who the endgame was. Buuut that didn’t take away from the enjoyment. FYI the book doesn't have any spice, and while I usually read spicy books, this time around it didn't bother me at all; but maybe will bother other readers.
It was super bingeable, I read it in one sitting and it was such a fun, relaxing read despite the darker elements.
Overall, a cozy, entertaining holiday mystery with just the right amount of romance.
⭐ 5 stars
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC.
I absolutely loved this book.
It’s one of those reads that feels incredibly cozy… even though there are multiple murders happening :)). And somehow, it just works.
The small town setting was a big part of that. Christmasville is peak cozy vibes, twinkling lights, hot cocoa, festive EVERYTHING, and it really gave strong Hallmark movie vibes. Even the character names leaned into the theme, but honestly, it didn’t bother me at all. It just added to the charm.
I also really liked the balance between romance and mystery. Neither overshadowed the other and I found myself equally invested in both, rooting for the relationship and trying to figure out what was going on with the murders.
I felt like we started with a bit of a love triangle, but to be honest, didn’t really feel like one, since I was pretty sure from the start who the endgame was. Buuut that didn’t take away from the enjoyment. FYI the book doesn't have any spice, and while I usually read spicy books, this time around it didn't bother me at all; but maybe will bother other readers.
It was super bingeable, I read it in one sitting and it was such a fun, relaxing read despite the darker elements.
Overall, a cozy, entertaining holiday mystery with just the right amount of romance.
⭐ 5 stars
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC.
Want to Read
March 30, 2026love Christmas mysteries!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Crooked Lane Books, NetGalley, and the author for a copy of this book
This was a fun Christmas murder mystery, it's a cross between a hallmark Christmas movie and a serial killer drama! Christmasville is over the top, almost cloyingly, suffocatingly cheery, and the mayor is determined that these deaths (because we can't say they were murders, the tourists will leave!) won't bring down the Christmas holiday. I think everyone in the town was a suspect in my head at one time or another and there were a few twists and turns before we unmask the killer of Christmasville!
This was a fun Christmas murder mystery, it's a cross between a hallmark Christmas movie and a serial killer drama! Christmasville is over the top, almost cloyingly, suffocatingly cheery, and the mayor is determined that these deaths (because we can't say they were murders, the tourists will leave!) won't bring down the Christmas holiday. I think everyone in the town was a suspect in my head at one time or another and there were a few twists and turns before we unmask the killer of Christmasville!
Read
October 14, 2026I'm a fan of Kim Harrington from the YA Y2K years so I'm glad this is getting good feedback even if it wasn't my kind of book.
This is a cozy Christmas mystery about a new social media manager whose job is thrown into crisis when the bodies start piling up in the town of Christmasville, Maine. Though the setting was fun, I felt like the ending was a bit thin.
If you love Hallmark mysteries, then this is the book for you, but I like my Christmas mysteries with a bit more edge!
This is a cozy Christmas mystery about a new social media manager whose job is thrown into crisis when the bodies start piling up in the town of Christmasville, Maine. Though the setting was fun, I felt like the ending was a bit thin.
If you love Hallmark mysteries, then this is the book for you, but I like my Christmas mysteries with a bit more edge!
September 22, 2026
Solid cozy mystery! although the comparisons to Most Wonderful Crime of the year aren’t exact, that book was more of a romcom mystery, whereas this is one is exactly like every other cozy Christmas mystery
September 27, 2026
My thoughts are conflicted on this one.
If I take just me reading the book I was absolutely vibing and just seeing where it would all go.
But if i dissect everything it just felt a bit flat.
We didn’t need the love triangle with a mystery concept.
By doing both the romance and the thriller aspect both felt flat and not worked out to their full potential.
I didn’t feel the rush or the angst of the who done it and the mystery of what’s going to happen.
The FMC I found very annoying and naive especially whenever she said I guess he is not who I thought he was.
And I was GIRL you know them for maybe 2 WEEKS not you entire life time you CAN’T know someone in that short amount of time.
If we take the Christmas vibes they were definitely there but go in expecting absolutely nothing and you will enjoy your time just as me!
If I take just me reading the book I was absolutely vibing and just seeing where it would all go.
But if i dissect everything it just felt a bit flat.
We didn’t need the love triangle with a mystery concept.
By doing both the romance and the thriller aspect both felt flat and not worked out to their full potential.
I didn’t feel the rush or the angst of the who done it and the mystery of what’s going to happen.
The FMC I found very annoying and naive especially whenever she said I guess he is not who I thought he was.
And I was GIRL you know them for maybe 2 WEEKS not you entire life time you CAN’T know someone in that short amount of time.
If we take the Christmas vibes they were definitely there but go in expecting absolutely nothing and you will enjoy your time just as me!
July 26, 2026
ARC review
Very similar to Xmas day butcher, it is set in a Christmas town with a woman scorned who is starting over. Once she gets to her idyllic location murders begin to occur, detailing the happy town from all planned Christmas celebrations.
One after another we see people dropping like flies, with hushed words spoken by the mayor, and police who bumble around each crime scene.
Written in a very rudimentary way, the story thumps along without much meat to the plot, just ticking boxes and giving you ridiculous holiday “charm” that falls flat. Not scary, a bit of thrill, very easy to figure out The Who done it, overall disappointing.
Very similar to Xmas day butcher, it is set in a Christmas town with a woman scorned who is starting over. Once she gets to her idyllic location murders begin to occur, detailing the happy town from all planned Christmas celebrations.
One after another we see people dropping like flies, with hushed words spoken by the mayor, and police who bumble around each crime scene.
Written in a very rudimentary way, the story thumps along without much meat to the plot, just ticking boxes and giving you ridiculous holiday “charm” that falls flat. Not scary, a bit of thrill, very easy to figure out The Who done it, overall disappointing.
September 26, 2026
Cute and suspenseful cozy set in a year round Christmas village. After a devastating breakup, Kelsey moves to the village to be the social media manager and almost immediately starts discovering bodies. Plenty of suspects among the interesting characters, but the best part is the banter and watching Kelsey make friends in the town. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.75 stars
This was so fun! This book felt like a Hallmark Christmas romance but make it murdery. It was a little cheesy but in the best cozy small town romance way.
It was a fast, entertaining read. Like the Hallmark channel, there was sweetness but no spice to the romance.
Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley. I read an advanced reader copy of this book. My opinions are my own.
This was so fun! This book felt like a Hallmark Christmas romance but make it murdery. It was a little cheesy but in the best cozy small town romance way.
It was a fast, entertaining read. Like the Hallmark channel, there was sweetness but no spice to the romance.
Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley. I read an advanced reader copy of this book. My opinions are my own.
July 4, 2026
I finally found it!!!
I’m a huge fan of hallmark movies. But the book equivalents never do it for me and I’ve never found one that I enjoyed.
Turns out I just needed a serial killer in it??
The author’s explanation at the end (that she always watched a Christmas romance or a murder show) is the most I’ve ever related to an author.
5⭐️ for finally capturing the magic of a hallmark Christmas movie in a book (albeit one with a higher body count than a hallmark movie).
Thank you net galley 💛
I’m a huge fan of hallmark movies. But the book equivalents never do it for me and I’ve never found one that I enjoyed.
Turns out I just needed a serial killer in it??
The author’s explanation at the end (that she always watched a Christmas romance or a murder show) is the most I’ve ever related to an author.
5⭐️ for finally capturing the magic of a hallmark Christmas movie in a book (albeit one with a higher body count than a hallmark movie).
Thank you net galley 💛
April 18, 2026
WOW. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Firstly, I would like to thank NetGalley and the author for making it possible for me to read the advanced version.
I think this book has the most surprising plot twist I’ve ever read before. We have a lot of characters, and all of them seemed suspicious at some point, which makes it even more difficult to guess who the assassin is.
Even though it’s a short book, I didn’t feel anything was in a rush or too plain. The vibes are amazing, feeling like you’re actually in that Christmas town. And the characters are well written, with a nice love triangle.
Firstly, I would like to thank NetGalley and the author for making it possible for me to read the advanced version.
I think this book has the most surprising plot twist I’ve ever read before. We have a lot of characters, and all of them seemed suspicious at some point, which makes it even more difficult to guess who the assassin is.
Even though it’s a short book, I didn’t feel anything was in a rush or too plain. The vibes are amazing, feeling like you’re actually in that Christmas town. And the characters are well written, with a nice love triangle.
September 11, 2026
I started reading this book after work today, and finished by bedtime - I can’t remember the last time a book so captivated me! How it works as both a holiday romance and a murder mystery bewilders me, but it works so well. Loved, loved, loved it! Thanks to Crooked Lane Books for the arc.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Twinkling lights, fresh snow, and... a dead body?
If you love your holiday spirit served with a side of small-town secrets and high-stakes suspense, A Killer for Christmas by Kim Harrington needs to be on your radar.
"A delightfully addictive holiday treat where a Hallmark Christmas movie meets a Lifetime thriller."
In A KILLER FOR CHRISTMAS, talented author Kim Harrington delivers her debut adult mystery, a dazzling, fast-paced contemporary holiday whodunit. A Hallmark-style Cozy Romystery: A year-round Christmas town with closed-door romance and a serial killer.
The Elevator Pitch
The narrative follows a displaced social media manager seeking a fresh start in an over-the-top winter wonderland, only to find herself dodging a killer rather than mistletoe—picture-perfect festive magic vs. cold-blooded small-town murder.
The Setup
Christmasville, Maine, is the only place Kelsey Hendricks has ever felt genuinely happy. When she loses both her job and her boyfriend at the same time, moving there is an absolute no-brainer—especially when she lands the ultimate role as the town’s official social media manager.
Suddenly surrounded by competitive winter festivities and two handsome suitors vying for her heart, Kelsey feels like she is starring in her own holiday film. But the festive illusion completely shatters when a series of local deaths—initially brushed off as accidents—unmask a dangerous killer lurking in the snow, hiding among the tinsel.
Setting
The festive tourist town of Christmasville, Maine.
"A cleverly executed, delightfully festive mystery where candy canes and twinkling lights hide a trail of bodies, and saving the holiday spirit means hunting a serial killer in Santa's hometown."
Vibe: Hallmark movie meets a chilling whodunit.
Charming, cozy, and highly suspenseful. Perfectly pairs the lighthearted romance and decorations of a classic holiday movie with the creeping dread and puzzle-solving of a serial-killer whodunit.
Genre
Cozy Holiday Whodunit Mystery / Romantic Suspense / Romystery
Themes
~Reinventing Yourself After a Loss
~The Surface Gloss of Tourist Towns
~Dating Dilemmas in Small Communities
~The Juxtaposition of Holiday Cheer and True Crime
👥 Standout Characters
~Kelsey Hendricks: The bright, resilient protagonist. She uses her sharp instincts as a social media expert and her observational skills to track down clues that the local authorities completely miss.
~The Christmasville Rivals: Two distinct, charming local heartthrobs who compete for Kelsey's attention while adding a great layer of romance—and a subtle dash of suspicion—to the unfolding case.
Author Writing Standout
Harrington’s debut adult mystery is a masterclass in tone management. She avoids the usual predictable tropes of standard seasonal mysteries by delivering genuinely clever plot twists and keeping the suspense consistently high. She seamlessly interlaces lighthearted small-town politics and rom-com banter with the chilling stakes of an active murder investigation, keeping the reader completely glued to the page.
Takeaway
Even the brightest winter wonderland can hide cold secrets in the shadows; sometimes, finding your true home requires the bravery to face the dark side of a perfect town.
Title Significance
A Killer for Christmas plays perfectly on the classic holiday romance wishlist trope. Instead of finding love under the tree, the title warns the reader that Santa has brought a dangerous antagonist to town, turning seasonal traditions into a desperate race for survival.
Metaphor
The town’s elaborate, highly competitive tourist decorations serve as the central metaphor of the novel. They represent the heavy societal pressure to mask real-world pain and anxiety behind a polished, picture-perfect exterior, which completely unravels once real danger cracks the surface.
Why You Should Read
Perfect for readers who love closed-door romantic tension and small-town amateur sleuthing. If you are a fan of witty, festive mysteries like The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year or love the charming, small-town romance elements of a Hallmark movie, but secretly wish the script had a bit more edge and a genuine puzzle to solve!
My Thoughts
This festive season just turned fatal. Kim Harrington delivers the ultimate holiday whodunit where everyone is a suspect, and no one is safe by the fireplace. Perfect for reading under a warm blanket with a hot cup of cocoa!
Deck the Halls with... Danger?
Looking for a fast-paced, festive mystery to shake up your reading list? A Killer for Christmas balances holiday cheer with a chilling small-town murder that will keep you guessing until the final page.
Harrington creates a lively and unique, split-personality atmosphere with fun and mystery. The setting of Christmasville is captured with such vivid, tactile realism that you can practically smell the hot cocoa. Kelsey is an exceptionally relatable lead; her professional drive, humor, and determination to protect her new hometown make her an unforgettable sleuth. A cleverly structured, fun mystery with an incredibly satisfying holiday ending!
Verdict: 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Stars
"An absolute seasonal triumph that serves up the perfect blend of cozy winter comfort, sharp romantic tension, and spine-chilling suspense."
📚 Recs/Read-alikes
These titles share the same festive, small-town atmosphere layered with a sharp, suspicious edge:
~The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter
~Home for the Homicides by Elle Cosimano & Hannah Morrissey (Oct 2026)
~The Mistletoe Mystery by Nita Prose
~Also for fans of Kristy Woodson Harvey, Holly Cassidy, and Viola Shipman's holiday stories.
Special thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for providing an advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest thoughts!
Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Creator & Host of #AuthorElevatorSeries
#LitLiftMiniAuthorChats | #AudioElevatorSeries
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: Sept 22, 2026
September 2026 Must-Read Books
If you love your holiday spirit served with a side of small-town secrets and high-stakes suspense, A Killer for Christmas by Kim Harrington needs to be on your radar.
"A delightfully addictive holiday treat where a Hallmark Christmas movie meets a Lifetime thriller."
In A KILLER FOR CHRISTMAS, talented author Kim Harrington delivers her debut adult mystery, a dazzling, fast-paced contemporary holiday whodunit. A Hallmark-style Cozy Romystery: A year-round Christmas town with closed-door romance and a serial killer.
The Elevator Pitch
The narrative follows a displaced social media manager seeking a fresh start in an over-the-top winter wonderland, only to find herself dodging a killer rather than mistletoe—picture-perfect festive magic vs. cold-blooded small-town murder.
The Setup
Christmasville, Maine, is the only place Kelsey Hendricks has ever felt genuinely happy. When she loses both her job and her boyfriend at the same time, moving there is an absolute no-brainer—especially when she lands the ultimate role as the town’s official social media manager.
Suddenly surrounded by competitive winter festivities and two handsome suitors vying for her heart, Kelsey feels like she is starring in her own holiday film. But the festive illusion completely shatters when a series of local deaths—initially brushed off as accidents—unmask a dangerous killer lurking in the snow, hiding among the tinsel.
Setting
The festive tourist town of Christmasville, Maine.
"A cleverly executed, delightfully festive mystery where candy canes and twinkling lights hide a trail of bodies, and saving the holiday spirit means hunting a serial killer in Santa's hometown."
Vibe: Hallmark movie meets a chilling whodunit.
Charming, cozy, and highly suspenseful. Perfectly pairs the lighthearted romance and decorations of a classic holiday movie with the creeping dread and puzzle-solving of a serial-killer whodunit.
Genre
Cozy Holiday Whodunit Mystery / Romantic Suspense / Romystery
Themes
~Reinventing Yourself After a Loss
~The Surface Gloss of Tourist Towns
~Dating Dilemmas in Small Communities
~The Juxtaposition of Holiday Cheer and True Crime
👥 Standout Characters
~Kelsey Hendricks: The bright, resilient protagonist. She uses her sharp instincts as a social media expert and her observational skills to track down clues that the local authorities completely miss.
~The Christmasville Rivals: Two distinct, charming local heartthrobs who compete for Kelsey's attention while adding a great layer of romance—and a subtle dash of suspicion—to the unfolding case.
Author Writing Standout
Harrington’s debut adult mystery is a masterclass in tone management. She avoids the usual predictable tropes of standard seasonal mysteries by delivering genuinely clever plot twists and keeping the suspense consistently high. She seamlessly interlaces lighthearted small-town politics and rom-com banter with the chilling stakes of an active murder investigation, keeping the reader completely glued to the page.
Takeaway
Even the brightest winter wonderland can hide cold secrets in the shadows; sometimes, finding your true home requires the bravery to face the dark side of a perfect town.
Title Significance
A Killer for Christmas plays perfectly on the classic holiday romance wishlist trope. Instead of finding love under the tree, the title warns the reader that Santa has brought a dangerous antagonist to town, turning seasonal traditions into a desperate race for survival.
Metaphor
The town’s elaborate, highly competitive tourist decorations serve as the central metaphor of the novel. They represent the heavy societal pressure to mask real-world pain and anxiety behind a polished, picture-perfect exterior, which completely unravels once real danger cracks the surface.
Why You Should Read
Perfect for readers who love closed-door romantic tension and small-town amateur sleuthing. If you are a fan of witty, festive mysteries like The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year or love the charming, small-town romance elements of a Hallmark movie, but secretly wish the script had a bit more edge and a genuine puzzle to solve!
My Thoughts
This festive season just turned fatal. Kim Harrington delivers the ultimate holiday whodunit where everyone is a suspect, and no one is safe by the fireplace. Perfect for reading under a warm blanket with a hot cup of cocoa!
Deck the Halls with... Danger?
Looking for a fast-paced, festive mystery to shake up your reading list? A Killer for Christmas balances holiday cheer with a chilling small-town murder that will keep you guessing until the final page.
Harrington creates a lively and unique, split-personality atmosphere with fun and mystery. The setting of Christmasville is captured with such vivid, tactile realism that you can practically smell the hot cocoa. Kelsey is an exceptionally relatable lead; her professional drive, humor, and determination to protect her new hometown make her an unforgettable sleuth. A cleverly structured, fun mystery with an incredibly satisfying holiday ending!
Verdict: 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Stars
"An absolute seasonal triumph that serves up the perfect blend of cozy winter comfort, sharp romantic tension, and spine-chilling suspense."
📚 Recs/Read-alikes
These titles share the same festive, small-town atmosphere layered with a sharp, suspicious edge:
~The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter
~Home for the Homicides by Elle Cosimano & Hannah Morrissey (Oct 2026)
~The Mistletoe Mystery by Nita Prose
~Also for fans of Kristy Woodson Harvey, Holly Cassidy, and Viola Shipman's holiday stories.
Special thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for providing an advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest thoughts!
Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Creator & Host of #AuthorElevatorSeries
#LitLiftMiniAuthorChats | #AudioElevatorSeries
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: Sept 22, 2026
September 2026 Must-Read Books
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I went into this expecting some holly jolly Hallmark fluff but this author really said, “hold my beer.” Or should I say eggnog.
Omg with all the pun saturated, on the nose stuff going on here.
Welcome to Christmasville, home to the Christmasville Inn, the Christmas Tree Farm Inn, the Christmas Creek Inn and the Holly Jolly Inn.
Here we meet a man named Jack, as in Frost, Rudy, short for Rudolph. The sheriff is named Kris, as in Kringle, and the officer is named Nick, as in Saint. The mayor is Carol, as in Christmas carol. Then we have Holly the baker. Not to mention Grace and Angelica, which could technically be tied into Christmas as well.
Is it supposed to be charming because it's over the top?
When almost every single name is a play, it stops feeling clever and starts being campy in a bad way.
Honestly I was ready to stuff the stocking in the wrong way by the 10% point. I came dangerously close to vomiting up candy canes and hanging myself with tinsel. It was that damn bad. Alas I put away the tinsel and powered on…
Eventually I started to skim before finally jumping to read the last 15% purely to see the identity of the killer.
To quasi quote the FMC, this was not the Christmas romance book I ordered.
The identity of the killer was ridiculous for a reason I can’t been say because it would immediately give it away and I’m not that big of a Scrooge but it sucked.
The motive was Ho-Ho-Horrible. There was literally a solution to the problem that did not require a single murder.
I am happy I can now hang up my Santa hat and move on.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this advance copy in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own.
Omg with all the pun saturated, on the nose stuff going on here.
Welcome to Christmasville, home to the Christmasville Inn, the Christmas Tree Farm Inn, the Christmas Creek Inn and the Holly Jolly Inn.
Here we meet a man named Jack, as in Frost, Rudy, short for Rudolph. The sheriff is named Kris, as in Kringle, and the officer is named Nick, as in Saint. The mayor is Carol, as in Christmas carol. Then we have Holly the baker. Not to mention Grace and Angelica, which could technically be tied into Christmas as well.
Is it supposed to be charming because it's over the top?
When almost every single name is a play, it stops feeling clever and starts being campy in a bad way.
Honestly I was ready to stuff the stocking in the wrong way by the 10% point. I came dangerously close to vomiting up candy canes and hanging myself with tinsel. It was that damn bad. Alas I put away the tinsel and powered on…
Eventually I started to skim before finally jumping to read the last 15% purely to see the identity of the killer.
To quasi quote the FMC, this was not the Christmas romance book I ordered.
The identity of the killer was ridiculous for a reason I can’t been say because it would immediately give it away and I’m not that big of a Scrooge but it sucked.
The motive was Ho-Ho-Horrible. There was literally a solution to the problem that did not require a single murder.
I am happy I can now hang up my Santa hat and move on.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this advance copy in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3,5/5, maybe? Not enough to round up, though. I have mixed feelings, but I enjoyed the last third of the story.
I think that at its core, this just wasn't for me, and that's okay. It wasn't bad, but for me personally, the balance of genres was a little off, and I couldn't fully appreciate the story.
I liked the small town aspect of it. The setting was cute and a fun idea. The side characters added to the charm and were quite vivid. Each of them had their own personality and it wasn't difficult to follow who was who and what their deal was.
At some point, I also really started appreciating how passionate the FMC was about her job. She put her whole heart into it and it was nice to see someone care so much.
There were a few interesting moments in the first half and a bit after, but not many, so I mostly enjoyed the last third with all its plot twists. Won't talk about it, though, because major spoilers. I'll just say that when it comes to the killer - I connected the dots about the same time one of the MMCs did and it did make sense to me.
Why wasn't this for me? There were a couple of things.
Firstly, and most importanly, it took too long for things to pick up - half of it was simply boring and repetitive (breakfast > work > lunch > random encounter > repeat). I'm not a general fiction girlie and I'm not very interested in fictional people's ponderings about life if they take up most of the page space. That's not what I wanted from the book and I felt forced to listen to Kelsey's mundane thoughts while more interesting things were happening which she chose to ignore. She didn't even try to sleuth and her past relationship occupied too much space in her mind to let the reader feel the suspense of what was happening.
Also, I’m not a big fan of love triangles. I’m not holding having one against the book, because I picked it up knowing what I’m getting into. But, that being said, I think even if I'd liked them, I'd feel that in this story it was simply too distracting. Having the FMC constantly thinking about one or the other took away from the mystery and made it difficult to emotionally engage.
Because of the reasons above, the balance between a small town romance and suspense wasn’t great for me. I wasn’t able to really invest in the romance or the suspense part. There wasn't much depth to the romance, and the mystery was ignored for too long. Yes, the ending was good, but ultimately, I don't want to read a mid book just because of its ending.
I'd still recommend it to people who like small town settings, cozy mysteries, and love triangles. This is definitely a case of 'not for me, but I can see others loving it'.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for letting me read the ARC.
I think that at its core, this just wasn't for me, and that's okay. It wasn't bad, but for me personally, the balance of genres was a little off, and I couldn't fully appreciate the story.
I liked the small town aspect of it. The setting was cute and a fun idea. The side characters added to the charm and were quite vivid. Each of them had their own personality and it wasn't difficult to follow who was who and what their deal was.
At some point, I also really started appreciating how passionate the FMC was about her job. She put her whole heart into it and it was nice to see someone care so much.
There were a few interesting moments in the first half and a bit after, but not many, so I mostly enjoyed the last third with all its plot twists. Won't talk about it, though, because major spoilers. I'll just say that when it comes to the killer - I connected the dots about the same time one of the MMCs did and it did make sense to me.
Why wasn't this for me? There were a couple of things.
Firstly, and most importanly, it took too long for things to pick up - half of it was simply boring and repetitive (breakfast > work > lunch > random encounter > repeat). I'm not a general fiction girlie and I'm not very interested in fictional people's ponderings about life if they take up most of the page space. That's not what I wanted from the book and I felt forced to listen to Kelsey's mundane thoughts while more interesting things were happening which she chose to ignore. She didn't even try to sleuth and her past relationship occupied too much space in her mind to let the reader feel the suspense of what was happening.
Also, I’m not a big fan of love triangles. I’m not holding having one against the book, because I picked it up knowing what I’m getting into. But, that being said, I think even if I'd liked them, I'd feel that in this story it was simply too distracting. Having the FMC constantly thinking about one or the other took away from the mystery and made it difficult to emotionally engage.
Because of the reasons above, the balance between a small town romance and suspense wasn’t great for me. I wasn’t able to really invest in the romance or the suspense part. There wasn't much depth to the romance, and the mystery was ignored for too long. Yes, the ending was good, but ultimately, I don't want to read a mid book just because of its ending.
I'd still recommend it to people who like small town settings, cozy mysteries, and love triangles. This is definitely a case of 'not for me, but I can see others loving it'.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for letting me read the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Yo amo un buen cozy mystery donde yo tenga todos los sospechosos y termine siendo el que menos pensaba y aquí, este libro me dio eso además ¿un pueblo navideño con un asesino serial que solo mata a la gente mala? ya me tenía atrapada con eso.
La historia sigue a Kelsey, la nueva social manager de las redes sociales (y más en realidad) pueblo navideño de Christmasville, todo empieza con que ella quiere volver al pueblo donde vivió unas vacaciones navideñas de ensueño cuando pequeña luego de una ruptura desastrosa ¿un poco cliché? pues sí, y si, encuentra el amor también en este pequeño pueblo y la verdad me sorprendió eso ya que esperaba más misterio que romance, pero acá me gusto eso,
Cuando la primera muerte ocurre todos piensan que es un accidente y yo igual, pero luego más muertes ocurren y ya sabemos lo que eso conlleva, el viaje a descubrir quién es el culpable fue confuso porque TODOS parecían sospechosos, hasta la misma protagonista, pero la verdad que me gusto el final.
Ahora bien, hay un medio triángulo amoroso que me saco un poco de onda ya que no me gustan, pero se “soluciona” de buena (bueno, no tanto), sacando eso y algunas cosillas, me gusto este libro y siendo el libro debut de esta autora en este género debo decir que me gustó mucho, ya quiero ver que más libros nos trae.
*******
I love a good cozy mystery where I have all the suspects lined up and it turns out to be the one I least expected and this book gave me that, plus a Christmas town with a serial killer who only kills bad people? That alone had me hooked.
The story follows Kelsey, the new social media manager (and more, really) for the Christmas town of Christmasville. It all starts when she decides to return to the town where she spent a dreamy Christmas vacation as a child, following a disastrous breakup. A little cliché? Well, yes, and yes, she finds love in this little town too and honestly, that surprised me, since I was expecting more mystery than romance, but in this case, I actually liked it.
When the first death occurs, everyone thinks it’s an accident and so did I, but then more deaths happen, and we know what that leads to. The journey to figure out who’s to blame was confusing because EVERYONE seemed like a suspect, even the main character herself, but I actually liked the ending.
That said, there’s a bit of a love triangle that threw me off a little because I’m not a fan of those but it’s “resolved” in a decent way (well, not entirely). Aside from that and a few other minor things, I liked this book, and considering it’s this author’s debut in this genre, I have to say I really enjoyed it. I can’t wait to see what other books she brings us.
📌 It was available as "read now" on netgalley.
La historia sigue a Kelsey, la nueva social manager de las redes sociales (y más en realidad) pueblo navideño de Christmasville, todo empieza con que ella quiere volver al pueblo donde vivió unas vacaciones navideñas de ensueño cuando pequeña luego de una ruptura desastrosa ¿un poco cliché? pues sí, y si, encuentra el amor también en este pequeño pueblo y la verdad me sorprendió eso ya que esperaba más misterio que romance, pero acá me gusto eso,
Cuando la primera muerte ocurre todos piensan que es un accidente y yo igual, pero luego más muertes ocurren y ya sabemos lo que eso conlleva, el viaje a descubrir quién es el culpable fue confuso porque TODOS parecían sospechosos, hasta la misma protagonista, pero la verdad que me gusto el final.
Ahora bien, hay un medio triángulo amoroso que me saco un poco de onda ya que no me gustan, pero se “soluciona” de buena (bueno, no tanto), sacando eso y algunas cosillas, me gusto este libro y siendo el libro debut de esta autora en este género debo decir que me gustó mucho, ya quiero ver que más libros nos trae.
*******
I love a good cozy mystery where I have all the suspects lined up and it turns out to be the one I least expected and this book gave me that, plus a Christmas town with a serial killer who only kills bad people? That alone had me hooked.
The story follows Kelsey, the new social media manager (and more, really) for the Christmas town of Christmasville. It all starts when she decides to return to the town where she spent a dreamy Christmas vacation as a child, following a disastrous breakup. A little cliché? Well, yes, and yes, she finds love in this little town too and honestly, that surprised me, since I was expecting more mystery than romance, but in this case, I actually liked it.
When the first death occurs, everyone thinks it’s an accident and so did I, but then more deaths happen, and we know what that leads to. The journey to figure out who’s to blame was confusing because EVERYONE seemed like a suspect, even the main character herself, but I actually liked the ending.
That said, there’s a bit of a love triangle that threw me off a little because I’m not a fan of those but it’s “resolved” in a decent way (well, not entirely). Aside from that and a few other minor things, I liked this book, and considering it’s this author’s debut in this genre, I have to say I really enjoyed it. I can’t wait to see what other books she brings us.
📌 It was available as "read now" on netgalley.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A Killer for Christmas by Kim Harrington — ⭐️⭐️⭐️¼
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC. All opinions are my own.
A Killer for Christmas was an enjoyable holiday mystery with a fun premise, an engaging writing style, and plenty of Christmas cheer—with just enough murder to keep things interesting. The whole story gave me a Hallmark-meets-Lifetime vibe, and honestly, that worked for me!
I really enjoyed the Christmasville setting and thought the mystery did a good job of keeping me guessing. There were enough twists and suspicious characters to keep me on edge, and I found myself trying to figure out who was responsible right along with Kelsey. I also really liked the overall setup of the town and could definitely see the potential for future stories set in Christmasville. I would absolutely pick up another book by this author, and I especially hope she continues exploring this little town.
That said, I did have two major issues.
First, I struggled with the love triangle. It felt very uneven to me, and at first I wondered if the way the relationships were developing was intentionally meant to throw the reader off about who Kelsey would ultimately choose. When that didn't turn out to be the case, I found some of the treatment of one love interest particularly frustrating. Meanwhile, the other love interest occasionally came across as more creepy than swoony. I did appreciate the way the story ended in a way that leaves the door open for revisiting these relationships, and if there are future Christmasville books, I really hope the author takes the opportunity to do so.
My other issue was with the townspeople. For a place that's supposed to feel like a charming, festive small town, I found a surprising number of the residents to be rude and judgmental. It took away from some of the small-town warmth that I was expecting from the setting. I was also a little disappointed by how quickly Kelsey seemed to adopt that same mindset, considering she was brand new to town.
Overall, though, I had a good time with this one. The Christmas atmosphere, intriguing mystery, and fun writing style made it an entertaining seasonal read, even if some of the character and relationship choices didn't quite work for me. I'd definitely be interested in returning to Christmasville and seeing what trouble—and hopefully murder—awaits next.
3.25/5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC. All opinions are my own.
A Killer for Christmas was an enjoyable holiday mystery with a fun premise, an engaging writing style, and plenty of Christmas cheer—with just enough murder to keep things interesting. The whole story gave me a Hallmark-meets-Lifetime vibe, and honestly, that worked for me!
I really enjoyed the Christmasville setting and thought the mystery did a good job of keeping me guessing. There were enough twists and suspicious characters to keep me on edge, and I found myself trying to figure out who was responsible right along with Kelsey. I also really liked the overall setup of the town and could definitely see the potential for future stories set in Christmasville. I would absolutely pick up another book by this author, and I especially hope she continues exploring this little town.
That said, I did have two major issues.
First, I struggled with the love triangle. It felt very uneven to me, and at first I wondered if the way the relationships were developing was intentionally meant to throw the reader off about who Kelsey would ultimately choose. When that didn't turn out to be the case, I found some of the treatment of one love interest particularly frustrating. Meanwhile, the other love interest occasionally came across as more creepy than swoony. I did appreciate the way the story ended in a way that leaves the door open for revisiting these relationships, and if there are future Christmasville books, I really hope the author takes the opportunity to do so.
My other issue was with the townspeople. For a place that's supposed to feel like a charming, festive small town, I found a surprising number of the residents to be rude and judgmental. It took away from some of the small-town warmth that I was expecting from the setting. I was also a little disappointed by how quickly Kelsey seemed to adopt that same mindset, considering she was brand new to town.
Overall, though, I had a good time with this one. The Christmas atmosphere, intriguing mystery, and fun writing style made it an entertaining seasonal read, even if some of the character and relationship choices didn't quite work for me. I'd definitely be interested in returning to Christmasville and seeing what trouble—and hopefully murder—awaits next.
3.25/5 stars
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this ARC!
If a Hallmark Christmas movie and a true crime series had a baby it would be this book.
This story follows Kelsey, who left Boston after a very public breakup/cheating scandal with her boyfriend. She takes a social media manager job in small town Christmasville, Maine, a place she loved to visit with her family when she was a kid. She thought a fresh start in a place that held cozy memories was just what she needed in life but her new life started with finding a dead body in the room she was supposed to check into.
Everything isn't as it seems in this picturesque perfect vacation spot as bodies continue showing up along with mysterious messages on the town's social media posts. The Mayor is doing everything in her power, with the help of Kelsey, to keep there tourist coming as if there isn't a killer on the loose. As the story progresses, Kelsey gets more paranoid as if she is being watched anywhere she goes and no one is off the table when it comes to suspects.
So...where does the Hallmark come in aside from the setting? Well Kelsey kind of finds herself in a bit of a love triangle. Big city, suit clad businessman Aaron and small town bookstore owner Ellison are both vying for her attention. Coming off of a rough breakup, Kelsey isn't sure she is ready for something new, but finds herself entertaining the attention of these 2 attractive men.
Overall, I was super engaged throughout the entire story. I felt the paranoia Kelsey had as we got closer to the end of the story. My heart was genuinely racing in the final chapters. I had a million suspicions of who the killer might be but I was SHOCKED when it was finally revealed. It was someone I never saw coming. The love triangle/romance aspect of the story was very much so an afterthought for me. I wasn't super invested in it and didn't feel the chemistry with Kelsey and either guy. I would have loved this story just as much if that wasn't a part of it.
If you are like me and spend your time searching Netflix for either a cheesy, cozy small town romance or a murder documentary and nothing in between, this book was literally made for you!
If a Hallmark Christmas movie and a true crime series had a baby it would be this book.
This story follows Kelsey, who left Boston after a very public breakup/cheating scandal with her boyfriend. She takes a social media manager job in small town Christmasville, Maine, a place she loved to visit with her family when she was a kid. She thought a fresh start in a place that held cozy memories was just what she needed in life but her new life started with finding a dead body in the room she was supposed to check into.
Everything isn't as it seems in this picturesque perfect vacation spot as bodies continue showing up along with mysterious messages on the town's social media posts. The Mayor is doing everything in her power, with the help of Kelsey, to keep there tourist coming as if there isn't a killer on the loose. As the story progresses, Kelsey gets more paranoid as if she is being watched anywhere she goes and no one is off the table when it comes to suspects.
So...where does the Hallmark come in aside from the setting? Well Kelsey kind of finds herself in a bit of a love triangle. Big city, suit clad businessman Aaron and small town bookstore owner Ellison are both vying for her attention. Coming off of a rough breakup, Kelsey isn't sure she is ready for something new, but finds herself entertaining the attention of these 2 attractive men.
Overall, I was super engaged throughout the entire story. I felt the paranoia Kelsey had as we got closer to the end of the story. My heart was genuinely racing in the final chapters. I had a million suspicions of who the killer might be but I was SHOCKED when it was finally revealed. It was someone I never saw coming. The love triangle/romance aspect of the story was very much so an afterthought for me. I wasn't super invested in it and didn't feel the chemistry with Kelsey and either guy. I would have loved this story just as much if that wasn't a part of it.
If you are like me and spend your time searching Netflix for either a cheesy, cozy small town romance or a murder documentary and nothing in between, this book was literally made for you!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
📚ARC REVIEW📚
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75 [Rounded Up]
🗓PUB DATE: September 22, 2026
🎅Location/Setting/Atmosphere:
🎄Christmasville, Maine
🏠Christmas Creek Inn
🍬Candy Cane Dreams Sweets Shop
🧁Holly's Bakery
❄️Snow Village Books
LOVED the Christmas town. It was so atmospheric in the beginning when the town was being introduced. Here are some excerpts that really made me feel immersed in this little Christmas town:
📖: "The downtown itself was small with brightly painted buildings situated close together. A light dusting of snow rested on tree branches. People held mittened hands walking down cleared sidewalks. String lights adorned every tree and telephone pole. Elaborate window displays decorated the front of every quaint shop on Main Street."
📖: "The lobby felt like a warm and cozy living room. A family snuggled close on the sofa by the fireplace, sipping hot cocoa as the logs crackled. A huge balsam fir stood in the corner trimmed with silver garland and colored lights. I made my way to the reception area, which displayed a glass bowl full of cinnamon-scented pinecones."
I love how every shop and business has a Christmas themed name. While there is a bit of a creepy vibe due to a serial killer on the loose, the town is very quaint and cozy.
💭Bookish Thoughts:
So I figured out who the killer was and their motive in Chapter 9. Small things confirmed it as the story went on. Then it was fully confirmed for me in Chapter 29. So by this point I'm just waiting for the full reveal. But even knowing who it was after only reading 29%, I still really enjoyed the story. There were also a lot of red herrings that could make you second guess yourself. It was easy to read and never a dull moment. I never once felt bored or that it was too slow. I felt like the pace was steady all the way through and I was interested the whole time. I also liked the romance between Kelsey and her boo (leaving the name out to avoid spoilers since she has a couple love interests and everyone is a suspect!)
Overall, I definitely recommend this if you love mysteries & thrillers with a bit of a Hallmark vibe.
🙏Thank you Netgalley, Crooked Lane Books and Kim Harrington for the ARC🙏
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75 [Rounded Up]
🗓PUB DATE: September 22, 2026
🎅Location/Setting/Atmosphere:
🎄Christmasville, Maine
🏠Christmas Creek Inn
🍬Candy Cane Dreams Sweets Shop
🧁Holly's Bakery
❄️Snow Village Books
LOVED the Christmas town. It was so atmospheric in the beginning when the town was being introduced. Here are some excerpts that really made me feel immersed in this little Christmas town:
📖: "The downtown itself was small with brightly painted buildings situated close together. A light dusting of snow rested on tree branches. People held mittened hands walking down cleared sidewalks. String lights adorned every tree and telephone pole. Elaborate window displays decorated the front of every quaint shop on Main Street."
📖: "The lobby felt like a warm and cozy living room. A family snuggled close on the sofa by the fireplace, sipping hot cocoa as the logs crackled. A huge balsam fir stood in the corner trimmed with silver garland and colored lights. I made my way to the reception area, which displayed a glass bowl full of cinnamon-scented pinecones."
I love how every shop and business has a Christmas themed name. While there is a bit of a creepy vibe due to a serial killer on the loose, the town is very quaint and cozy.
💭Bookish Thoughts:
So I figured out who the killer was and their motive in Chapter 9. Small things confirmed it as the story went on. Then it was fully confirmed for me in Chapter 29. So by this point I'm just waiting for the full reveal. But even knowing who it was after only reading 29%, I still really enjoyed the story. There were also a lot of red herrings that could make you second guess yourself. It was easy to read and never a dull moment. I never once felt bored or that it was too slow. I felt like the pace was steady all the way through and I was interested the whole time. I also liked the romance between Kelsey and her boo (leaving the name out to avoid spoilers since she has a couple love interests and everyone is a suspect!)
Overall, I definitely recommend this if you love mysteries & thrillers with a bit of a Hallmark vibe.
🙏Thank you Netgalley, Crooked Lane Books and Kim Harrington for the ARC🙏
August 4, 2026
A Fun Whodunit with Cozy Hallmark Vibes
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐.5 / 5 (Really Good)
A Killer for Christmas by Kim Harrington is a fun, "potato chip" book—a quick, breezy read with an entertaining premise and a lively cast of characters. If you love the cozy atmosphere of a Hallmark Christmas movie paired with a classic murder mystery, this book will be right up your alley.
## What I Liked:
* The Atmosphere & Setting: The author did an excellent job with the world-building. The setting was highly atmospheric and descriptive, making it incredibly easy to picture everything exactly as the writer intended.
* The Whodunit Element: Once the murder mystery kicked into gear, it kept me on my toes. I found myself highly suspicious of absolutely every character, which is exactly what you want from a good whodunit!
* Easy Pacing: The writing is smooth and serviceable, making it a fast, entertaining read that is very easy to fly through.
My Caveats:
* Timing Matters: I read this out of season, and I think it would have hit the spot much better if I had picked it up closer to the holidays, like in November or during the Christmas season itself.
* The Romance Speed: While it isn't full "insta-love," the characters develop very strong, deep feelings for each other incredibly quickly after meeting. Because of how fast the romance and love triangles were thrown in, it felt a little hard to fully buy into.
* The Staying Power: While it was a thoroughly good time while reading, I don't think it's a standout mystery that will stick with me for a long time.
Final Verdict:
Overall, I had a good time with this book! It is a light, fun, and fast-paced holiday mystery. I will definitely be recommending it to fellow cozy mystery lovers, with just a few minor caveats about the romantic pacing.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐.5 / 5 (Really Good)
A Killer for Christmas by Kim Harrington is a fun, "potato chip" book—a quick, breezy read with an entertaining premise and a lively cast of characters. If you love the cozy atmosphere of a Hallmark Christmas movie paired with a classic murder mystery, this book will be right up your alley.
## What I Liked:
* The Atmosphere & Setting: The author did an excellent job with the world-building. The setting was highly atmospheric and descriptive, making it incredibly easy to picture everything exactly as the writer intended.
* The Whodunit Element: Once the murder mystery kicked into gear, it kept me on my toes. I found myself highly suspicious of absolutely every character, which is exactly what you want from a good whodunit!
* Easy Pacing: The writing is smooth and serviceable, making it a fast, entertaining read that is very easy to fly through.
My Caveats:
* Timing Matters: I read this out of season, and I think it would have hit the spot much better if I had picked it up closer to the holidays, like in November or during the Christmas season itself.
* The Romance Speed: While it isn't full "insta-love," the characters develop very strong, deep feelings for each other incredibly quickly after meeting. Because of how fast the romance and love triangles were thrown in, it felt a little hard to fully buy into.
* The Staying Power: While it was a thoroughly good time while reading, I don't think it's a standout mystery that will stick with me for a long time.
Final Verdict:
Overall, I had a good time with this book! It is a light, fun, and fast-paced holiday mystery. I will definitely be recommending it to fellow cozy mystery lovers, with just a few minor caveats about the romantic pacing.
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