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The Fruitcake Murders
As Christmas 1946 draws near, thirty-something marine officer-turned-homicide detective Lane Walker has his hands full. Three men with seemingly no relationship to each other have been murdered, including the powerful District Attorney. The only connection between the crimes? The weapons: twenty-year-old unopened fruitcake tins manufactured by a company that is no longer in business.
While some foods may be to die for, fruitcake isn't one of them! This heaping helping of murder will be no easy task for Walker, and he certainly doesn't need the determined and feisty Betsy Clayton, the political reporter for The Chicago Herald, getting in the way.
Employing witty dialogue and historical accuracy, The Fruitcake Murders offers equal parts murder, mystery, and mayhem in a perplexing whodunit set in the days just after World War II.
While some foods may be to die for, fruitcake isn't one of them! This heaping helping of murder will be no easy task for Walker, and he certainly doesn't need the determined and feisty Betsy Clayton, the political reporter for The Chicago Herald, getting in the way.
Employing witty dialogue and historical accuracy, The Fruitcake Murders offers equal parts murder, mystery, and mayhem in a perplexing whodunit set in the days just after World War II.
320 pages, Paperback
First published October 6, 2015
3 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
About the author
Ace Collins
118 books219 followersCiting his Arkansas heritage, Christy Award winner Ace Collins defines himself as a storyteller. In that capacity, Collins has authored more than eighty books for 25 different publishers that have sold more than 2.5 million copies. His catalog includes novels, biographies, children’s works as well as books on history, culture and faith. He has also been the featured speaker at the National Archives Distinguished Lecture Series, hosted a television special, been featured on every network morning TV show and does college basketball play-by-play. He is married to Kathy Collins, Chair of the Education Department at Ouachita Baptist University, and the couple has two grown sons. Collins lives in Arkadelphia, Arkansas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
July 22, 2017
The Fruitcake Murders was a fun murder mystery. Because of the time in which it was set (1940s), I could appreciate some of the silliness and stupidity of the characters at times. I really liked the whodunit murder mystery and man was it unique! The whole using a fruitcake as a weapon was crazy.
I didn't like the ending, just because it did leave a couple things unanswered and I don't think there is a sequel, so I would have liked more closure.
All in all, a fun read. I really liked the writing style and recommend the read.
*I received a complimentary eBook copy for my honest review. As always, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*
I didn't like the ending, just because it did leave a couple things unanswered and I don't think there is a sequel, so I would have liked more closure.
All in all, a fun read. I really liked the writing style and recommend the read.
*I received a complimentary eBook copy for my honest review. As always, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*
November 11, 2015
A special thank you to Abingdon Press and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Nice front cover!
Talented Ace Collins returns following The Color of Justice, landing on my Top Books of 2014 and Hollywood Lost, with a delicious complex whodunit Christmas murder mystery- THE FRUITCAKE MURDERS.
Infused with historical significance, wit, and nostalgia from the era of the 1920s-1940s with a noir type classic detective mystery; from postwar Chicago, gangsters, Santas, Capone, and a colorful cast of three main characters— to keep things interesting: a tenacious reporter, a romantic PI, and a detective, struggling with his war memories.
A nice touch: Ace dedicates the novel to the late Glenda Farrell who played the reporter Torchy Blane in the classic mystery movies of the 1930s--no one talked faster and entertained any better.
As the book opens it is Thursday, December 23, 1926 in wintry Chicago, as Jan Lewandowski, age 56 made his way out in the cold for the twenty-block walk through the city’s Little Italy to the small candy factory he started when he emigrated from Poland in 1905. Father of teenage son, Szymon, mentally disturbed, and eight-year old Alicija.
The candy maker noticed a stranger leaving Lombardi’s Grocery and Produce, always exhibiting his prize fruitcakes, and his newest culinary creation displayed. He notices the cakes are not there. He decides to pop in to see Geno. However, what he finds is Geno bleeding on the floor, a knife, and a stranger he had seen only moments before, and a child in the corner?
He grabbed the seven inch blade from the dead man’s back and goes to look at the at the cash register. Why would someone do this and not take the money? Now, in walks Chicago’s finest and he is left standing there over the cash register with a bloody knife in his hand. Talking about wrong place, wrong time. Wrongly executed for a crime he did not commit.
Flash forward to Dec 18, 1946, Chicago where we meet Lane Walker, a thirty-something marine officer, turned homicide detective. Here as Christmas draws near in the Windy City, three men have been murdered, including the District Attorney. Oddly, the only connection between the crimes – a 20-yr old unopened fruitcake tins manufactured by a company that is no longer in business.
"This holiday was going to be anything but bright. Death had a way of stealing the light even from Christmas."
Let the mystery begin — Meet Tiffany Clayton, a feisty sexy driven journalist with the Chicago Star, looking for a good juicy story, and quite entertaining when paired with a hard boiled detective Lane, suffering from PTSD from WWII, and Lane’s old military friend, Brent, an undercover PI, all caught up in the mystery.
Add into the mix, mobsters, need for revenge, shady Santa’s, and lots of witty banter between the three main characters. A murder weapon is a fruitcake. From a decades old murder, three new ones, suspense, intrigue, mystery, comedy, and an array of suspects. A love triangle, and lots of entertainment!
Lane and Tiffany have a unique relationship—(Loved the dialogue between the two). Tiffany trying to make a way in a man’s world, and Lane is deeply affected by his war experience. In addition to the three main characters we meet an array of colorful characters: Judge Jacobs, Jim, the homeless man, and Sister Ann.
A huge fan of Ace Collins’ a master storyteller, he creates vivid settings drawing you into the era of days gone by, as we relive these exciting, yet turbulent times. Three veterans in the story, each bringing war home in different ways. A battlefield, where the enemy lies. Personal wars. A web of deceit. In addition to the entertaining mystery, at the root of the story is a valuable spiritual lesson.
"In the end good always triumphs over evil and the light comes to the darkness. "
For fans of fun Christmas murders, seasonal humor, and lovers of classic detective mysteries, and a scandalous whodunit!
JDCMustReadBooks
Talented Ace Collins returns following The Color of Justice, landing on my Top Books of 2014 and Hollywood Lost, with a delicious complex whodunit Christmas murder mystery- THE FRUITCAKE MURDERS.
Infused with historical significance, wit, and nostalgia from the era of the 1920s-1940s with a noir type classic detective mystery; from postwar Chicago, gangsters, Santas, Capone, and a colorful cast of three main characters— to keep things interesting: a tenacious reporter, a romantic PI, and a detective, struggling with his war memories.
A nice touch: Ace dedicates the novel to the late Glenda Farrell who played the reporter Torchy Blane in the classic mystery movies of the 1930s--no one talked faster and entertained any better.
As the book opens it is Thursday, December 23, 1926 in wintry Chicago, as Jan Lewandowski, age 56 made his way out in the cold for the twenty-block walk through the city’s Little Italy to the small candy factory he started when he emigrated from Poland in 1905. Father of teenage son, Szymon, mentally disturbed, and eight-year old Alicija.
The candy maker noticed a stranger leaving Lombardi’s Grocery and Produce, always exhibiting his prize fruitcakes, and his newest culinary creation displayed. He notices the cakes are not there. He decides to pop in to see Geno. However, what he finds is Geno bleeding on the floor, a knife, and a stranger he had seen only moments before, and a child in the corner?
He grabbed the seven inch blade from the dead man’s back and goes to look at the at the cash register. Why would someone do this and not take the money? Now, in walks Chicago’s finest and he is left standing there over the cash register with a bloody knife in his hand. Talking about wrong place, wrong time. Wrongly executed for a crime he did not commit.
Flash forward to Dec 18, 1946, Chicago where we meet Lane Walker, a thirty-something marine officer, turned homicide detective. Here as Christmas draws near in the Windy City, three men have been murdered, including the District Attorney. Oddly, the only connection between the crimes – a 20-yr old unopened fruitcake tins manufactured by a company that is no longer in business.
"This holiday was going to be anything but bright. Death had a way of stealing the light even from Christmas."
Let the mystery begin — Meet Tiffany Clayton, a feisty sexy driven journalist with the Chicago Star, looking for a good juicy story, and quite entertaining when paired with a hard boiled detective Lane, suffering from PTSD from WWII, and Lane’s old military friend, Brent, an undercover PI, all caught up in the mystery.
Add into the mix, mobsters, need for revenge, shady Santa’s, and lots of witty banter between the three main characters. A murder weapon is a fruitcake. From a decades old murder, three new ones, suspense, intrigue, mystery, comedy, and an array of suspects. A love triangle, and lots of entertainment!
Lane and Tiffany have a unique relationship—(Loved the dialogue between the two). Tiffany trying to make a way in a man’s world, and Lane is deeply affected by his war experience. In addition to the three main characters we meet an array of colorful characters: Judge Jacobs, Jim, the homeless man, and Sister Ann.
A huge fan of Ace Collins’ a master storyteller, he creates vivid settings drawing you into the era of days gone by, as we relive these exciting, yet turbulent times. Three veterans in the story, each bringing war home in different ways. A battlefield, where the enemy lies. Personal wars. A web of deceit. In addition to the entertaining mystery, at the root of the story is a valuable spiritual lesson.
"In the end good always triumphs over evil and the light comes to the darkness. "
For fans of fun Christmas murders, seasonal humor, and lovers of classic detective mysteries, and a scandalous whodunit!
JDCMustReadBooks
December 13, 2015
This is a perfect choice for cold wintery evening around Christmas time. It would be very difficult for me not to love this book. It is set in Chicago in 1946 (the year that I was born). All the time that I was reading The Fruitcake Murders, I felt like I was watching an old black and white Christmas classic movie. The dialogue was perfect for one and Al Capone even had a small part in what happened in the story.
Lane Walker the investigator is in his thirties, and had been a Marine in World War II. He is feeling so many emotions, he tried to tamp them down like a man tamping down the tobacco in his pipe but the feelings keep emerging. Tiffany Clayton is a country grown girl trying to make it in the man’s world of reporting. She is strong and smart but knows that Lane Walker has her heart and any other man who would like to compete with Lane had better be out of this world. Both long for each other but when they are together they snap at each other. What are the reasons for that?
There are murders committed with a full fruitcake tin and they are tied to a previous murder in 1926 when an innocent man was executed. There were many reasons why he was found guilty and the effect of this injustice had a major effect on other characters in this book. This injustice triggered the fruitcake murders. There is also a secondary crime too involving many Santas.
There is witty humor, remorse, revenge, anger, fear, jealousy, ambition, remorse, loneliness and great Christmas messages passed on by this story and done very subtly.
The pace of this book was perfect for me. Each character has his/her own story and you get to watch how they interact with each other. I really loved this book and highly recommend it for a winter evening’s reading. I definitely want to read more of Ace Collin’s books.
I received this Advanced Reading Copy by making a selection from Amazon Vine books but that in no way influenced my thoughts or feelings in this review. I also posted this review only on sites meant for reading not for selling.
Lane Walker the investigator is in his thirties, and had been a Marine in World War II. He is feeling so many emotions, he tried to tamp them down like a man tamping down the tobacco in his pipe but the feelings keep emerging. Tiffany Clayton is a country grown girl trying to make it in the man’s world of reporting. She is strong and smart but knows that Lane Walker has her heart and any other man who would like to compete with Lane had better be out of this world. Both long for each other but when they are together they snap at each other. What are the reasons for that?
There are murders committed with a full fruitcake tin and they are tied to a previous murder in 1926 when an innocent man was executed. There were many reasons why he was found guilty and the effect of this injustice had a major effect on other characters in this book. This injustice triggered the fruitcake murders. There is also a secondary crime too involving many Santas.
There is witty humor, remorse, revenge, anger, fear, jealousy, ambition, remorse, loneliness and great Christmas messages passed on by this story and done very subtly.
The pace of this book was perfect for me. Each character has his/her own story and you get to watch how they interact with each other. I really loved this book and highly recommend it for a winter evening’s reading. I definitely want to read more of Ace Collin’s books.
I received this Advanced Reading Copy by making a selection from Amazon Vine books but that in no way influenced my thoughts or feelings in this review. I also posted this review only on sites meant for reading not for selling.
October 30, 2015
The Fruitcake Murders started with a Christmas 1926 murder in Chicago, then skipped forward to December 1946 and another murder. I’m guessing the two were related, but I didn’t get that far. The first murder (the Prologue) was mostly told, as there was only one person in the scene until the end. The second murder was overshadowed by “witty” banter between Lane Walker, a detective, and reporter Tiffany Clayton. The dialogue was torturous, and the dialogue tags made it unbearable. Here’s an example:
“I’m guessing it is murder,” she sadly observed as she pulled a pad and pen from her purse.
“Your observations were always brilliant,” he cracked,
“Not much to it,” she noted, “you’re from homicide.”
There was a note at the beginning of the book that this is an advance reader copy “which has not been edited or proofread”. That accounts for the comma after “cracked”, but it’s no excuse for having “noted” three times in two pages, or for the completely distracting dialogue tags (most of which were inappropriate, like using “explained” when the character wasn’t actually explaining anything. Unless he was mansplaining, which is always a possibility).
There might be a good murder mystery hiding here, but I found the writing too distracting to motivate me to persevere.
Thanks (?) to Abingdon Press and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
“I’m guessing it is murder,” she sadly observed as she pulled a pad and pen from her purse.
“Your observations were always brilliant,” he cracked,
“Not much to it,” she noted, “you’re from homicide.”
There was a note at the beginning of the book that this is an advance reader copy “which has not been edited or proofread”. That accounts for the comma after “cracked”, but it’s no excuse for having “noted” three times in two pages, or for the completely distracting dialogue tags (most of which were inappropriate, like using “explained” when the character wasn’t actually explaining anything. Unless he was mansplaining, which is always a possibility).
There might be a good murder mystery hiding here, but I found the writing too distracting to motivate me to persevere.
Thanks (?) to Abingdon Press and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
October 19, 2015
This was my first Ace Collins book and I absolutely LOVED it! The characters were charming, funny, and endearing. This comedy/whodunit was an enjoyable read from start to finish. Although the author labels it as a comedy, he does bring some seriousness to the story as we see into the heart of the Lane Walker as he deals with events from World War II.
From the opening pages this was a fun story to read. All three of the main characters had personality traits that made them fun to watch, especially when they were together. The banter between the characters had just enough snarkiness to it to be realistic and entertaining. I think the author gave enough clues throughout the story for one to figure out “whodunit” but I was too busy enjoying the story to pick up on all of them.
I would recommend this story to anyone who enjoys a lighthearted mystery laced with down to earth problems that people face today. I’ve not read Mr. Collins before so I don’t know if this is like any of his other stories, but I plan to read more.
Disclaimer: I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for an unbiased and honest review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
From the opening pages this was a fun story to read. All three of the main characters had personality traits that made them fun to watch, especially when they were together. The banter between the characters had just enough snarkiness to it to be realistic and entertaining. I think the author gave enough clues throughout the story for one to figure out “whodunit” but I was too busy enjoying the story to pick up on all of them.
I would recommend this story to anyone who enjoys a lighthearted mystery laced with down to earth problems that people face today. I’ve not read Mr. Collins before so I don’t know if this is like any of his other stories, but I plan to read more.
Disclaimer: I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for an unbiased and honest review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
December 6, 2015
The Fruitcake Murders is my first book by Ace Collins. It reminds me of a Perry Mason style mystery.
They story opens with a murder that caught my attention. Then we jump to present day where the police are trying to solve another murder. The connection between the murders is that they have the same murder weapon which is a 20-year-old fruitcake tin.
The three main characters are very interesting. You have Tiffany Clayton who is the political reporter for the Chicago star is trying to get the scoop of a lifetime. You have the Homicide Detective Ln., Walker who is an ex-marine and currently working the case who has also dated Tiffany Clayton. Their relationship is combustible. Then enters a friend of Blaine's who almost creates a love triangle between the three of them. Both he and Walker have interesting backgrounds. It was a very good mystery with several suspects for the murderer. I think it will keep you guessing until the end. It's a good cozy mystery with a little bit of history, romance, and faith.
You can see my full review at More Than a Review dot com where I rate the level of sex, violence, language and drug/alcohol use in books.
They story opens with a murder that caught my attention. Then we jump to present day where the police are trying to solve another murder. The connection between the murders is that they have the same murder weapon which is a 20-year-old fruitcake tin.
The three main characters are very interesting. You have Tiffany Clayton who is the political reporter for the Chicago star is trying to get the scoop of a lifetime. You have the Homicide Detective Ln., Walker who is an ex-marine and currently working the case who has also dated Tiffany Clayton. Their relationship is combustible. Then enters a friend of Blaine's who almost creates a love triangle between the three of them. Both he and Walker have interesting backgrounds. It was a very good mystery with several suspects for the murderer. I think it will keep you guessing until the end. It's a good cozy mystery with a little bit of history, romance, and faith.
You can see my full review at More Than a Review dot com where I rate the level of sex, violence, language and drug/alcohol use in books.
January 2, 2016
If you hate fruitcake, you will enjoy the murder weapon-a filled fruitcake tin. Set in 1946, Lane Walker is a former Marine turned police detective. His reporter girl friend keeps him on his toes as he attempts to solve the murders, one victim is the powerful district attorney. As the investigation proceeds, a twenty-year old death penalty case comes into question. The postwar scene is an interesting setting, and the humorous slant can be enjoyable.
The author needs a better editor/proofreader as terms like sleight of hand are written as slight of hand, and a character disappears from site! Articles such as the and a are omitted-sounds picky but as a reader I find these errors distracting.
The author needs a better editor/proofreader as terms like sleight of hand are written as slight of hand, and a character disappears from site! Articles such as the and a are omitted-sounds picky but as a reader I find these errors distracting.
September 13, 2015
Fast paced, complex, great plot, unexpected characters, murder, and the execution of an innocent man. A perfect novel. What more could you ask for?
December 20, 2025
A light Christmas mystery. Although the fruitcakes are the murder weapon, it's not poison as one might expect ... It sounds humorous, but only, of course, because it isn't true.
I discussed this book slightly with a former police officer, because he caught me reading it. I felt I had to explain why I was reading something so silly. But I will do his profession the honor of assuming it's not at all like the mystery genre, just as I know real engineering is not at all like Scotty or La Forge in Star Trek. Plus, my mom says that real hospitals are not at all like the medical TV shows.
Despite the title and front cover, I wouldn't categorize this as a culinary mystery, because none of the main characters do much food preparation.
In real life, not all fruitcakes are the same. There's a wide range of quality in fruitcakes, from hardly edible to absolutely wonderful. Collins Street Bakery in Corsicana, Texas has superb fruitcakes. My mom orders one (or two!) fruitcakes a year, and they do get eaten by all the extended family. If you want a quality fruitcake without having to wonder about it, I'd highly recommend them. I've already had a piece over Thanksgiving this year, and will probably have a little more over the Christmas break.
Although we knew from the first chapter that the mystery had something to do with the past, I did not guess the particular character involved.
It's fun hearing the slang from that era (the 40's), but sometimes it sounds almost as cliche as Dick Tracey. I think it was supposed to, as part of the humor.
In the discussion questions at the end, the author asked which of the two interested men Tiffany should've chosen for a boyfriend. I would've said neither one of them are quite ready for a serious relationship yet.
Favorite Quotes:
"Life is not fair. The good don't always win and when they don't, when they get ready to give up, they need someone just like I needed someone twenty years ago."
"Once you have crossed that line it is easier to step over it again and do the second wrong thing. That leads to others and soon you have traveled so deeply into the darkness you cannot even begin to seethe light, much less find your way back to it. You do know that most folks who get lost in the darkness stay there."
I discussed this book slightly with a former police officer, because he caught me reading it. I felt I had to explain why I was reading something so silly. But I will do his profession the honor of assuming it's not at all like the mystery genre, just as I know real engineering is not at all like Scotty or La Forge in Star Trek. Plus, my mom says that real hospitals are not at all like the medical TV shows.
Despite the title and front cover, I wouldn't categorize this as a culinary mystery, because none of the main characters do much food preparation.
In real life, not all fruitcakes are the same. There's a wide range of quality in fruitcakes, from hardly edible to absolutely wonderful. Collins Street Bakery in Corsicana, Texas has superb fruitcakes. My mom orders one (or two!) fruitcakes a year, and they do get eaten by all the extended family. If you want a quality fruitcake without having to wonder about it, I'd highly recommend them. I've already had a piece over Thanksgiving this year, and will probably have a little more over the Christmas break.
Although we knew from the first chapter that the mystery had something to do with the past, I did not guess the particular character involved.
It's fun hearing the slang from that era (the 40's), but sometimes it sounds almost as cliche as Dick Tracey. I think it was supposed to, as part of the humor.
In the discussion questions at the end, the author asked which of the two interested men Tiffany should've chosen for a boyfriend. I would've said neither one of them are quite ready for a serious relationship yet.
Favorite Quotes:
"Life is not fair. The good don't always win and when they don't, when they get ready to give up, they need someone just like I needed someone twenty years ago."
"Once you have crossed that line it is easier to step over it again and do the second wrong thing. That leads to others and soon you have traveled so deeply into the darkness you cannot even begin to seethe light, much less find your way back to it. You do know that most folks who get lost in the darkness stay there."
January 2, 2018
A true vintage mystery with blondes, gangsters and all the old-fashion glitz and glam you need under your Christmas tree! And a lot of heart.
Christmas, 1946. A courageous and witty female reporter partners with a reserved cop and a willing private eye to solve 20-year-old mystery and a new scam.
This one reads like an old movie from the golden era! All the sentiments and iconic characters are here - witty blonde, a bit dumb, or rather cold, cop, a gritty investigator, gansters, money...and a true spirit of Christmas to top all of that. Unbelievable? Maybe yes, but the old movies work - and this one works, too. I had fun, I enjoyed all the old-fashionable tricks - but I also got cold and sad in the Sister Ann's kitchen. And the first chapter has positively broken my heart.
Christmas is not just a sentimental time. It is also time hard on those who are low on luck. And the need for warmth is wide.
But this is also time of love and magic, and miracles of love and justice does happen, on Christmas or otherwise.
My only wish to better this one is sequel!
Read this.
Christmas, 1946. A courageous and witty female reporter partners with a reserved cop and a willing private eye to solve 20-year-old mystery and a new scam.
This one reads like an old movie from the golden era! All the sentiments and iconic characters are here - witty blonde, a bit dumb, or rather cold, cop, a gritty investigator, gansters, money...and a true spirit of Christmas to top all of that. Unbelievable? Maybe yes, but the old movies work - and this one works, too. I had fun, I enjoyed all the old-fashionable tricks - but I also got cold and sad in the Sister Ann's kitchen. And the first chapter has positively broken my heart.
Christmas is not just a sentimental time. It is also time hard on those who are low on luck. And the need for warmth is wide.
But this is also time of love and magic, and miracles of love and justice does happen, on Christmas or otherwise.
My only wish to better this one is sequel!
Read this.
November 24, 2017
This is a really fun murder mystery around the Christmas holidays, and of course, a fruitcake. This book has mystery within a mystery, within a mystery, and you don't figure it all out until the very end. I really enjoyed it. It felt kind of like a written version of The Clue game...Ms. X did it in the dining room with the fruitcake....Very enjoyable read that keeps you guessing.
October 28, 2017
The cliffhangers are horrible! And there isn't a second book!
December 26, 2025
Love Fruitcake - the cover got me - Great murder mystery - didn't care to much for the typos and grammar errors
November 8, 2015
I received this book as an Advanced Reader Copy via the publisher at NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
I picked this book as I was in the mood for a good mystery. And, hello, the author’s name is “Ace Collins;” how cool is that? Unfortunately, I was somewhat disappointed in the actuality of the novel.
The first turn-off was all of the issues with the text. Several of the time stamps were off or out of order or didn’t jive with the content of that section. There were many contradictions and inconsistency as well as poor grammar, misplaced words and missing quotation marks. As a former English teacher (as well as having a penchant for details), all of those things strongly affect my overall reading experience even if the story itself is exceptional.
Also, just the whole tone of the book was a bit over the top for me. I think the author was going for a “classic Dick Tracy movie” type feel with the swapping between first and last name usage, trying on the 1940’s vernacular, etc. But it just didn’t work. And the continued reference to how good looking, gorgeous, and handsome everyone was drove me a bit batty. Even with some of the content and the date/time tags, it was hard to remember the historical setting of the book.
That being said, I think the mystery itself has good bones. While I was pretty certain “whodunit” by the end, I was waffling between a few different possibilities for most of the book.
The characters were definitely very character-y. They were entertaining but hard to get attached to. And the love triangle was flat ridiculous.
The start of the story had me fairly lost. However, I think that’s pretty typical of mystery books. That’s what helps make them mysterious. So I was okay with it. Especially as the book kept me guessing through most of it. I changed my thoughts on the murderer a couple of times throughout the course of reading. That always makes it more enjoyable.
I don’t recall any spiritual or supernatural elements. If they were there, I missed them. As far as questionable content, there are murders. But I think any reader would expect that from the title. I really can’t think of any particular triggers this book might contain for a more sensitive or conservative reader. Even the descriptions of the murder scenes were pretty tame.
Readers who enjoy easy to read mysteries would like this story as well. There were actually a few different mysteries to be solved throughout. However, I don’t know that I’ll be rushing out to buy the next thing Ace Collins writes. Maybe, though.
***This review is also posted on The Christian Manifesto and http://bookmarks-of-my-life.blogspot....
Pros:
• Good mystery elements
• Kept me guessing
• Easy to read
Cons:
• Grammatical errors
• Inconsistencies and contradictions
• Annoying character interactions
My Rating: 2.5 out of 5 (I feel like it was poor from a grammatical and consistency standpoint. But as the mystery itself was good, I’ll give it a 2.5 for average)
I picked this book as I was in the mood for a good mystery. And, hello, the author’s name is “Ace Collins;” how cool is that? Unfortunately, I was somewhat disappointed in the actuality of the novel.
The first turn-off was all of the issues with the text. Several of the time stamps were off or out of order or didn’t jive with the content of that section. There were many contradictions and inconsistency as well as poor grammar, misplaced words and missing quotation marks. As a former English teacher (as well as having a penchant for details), all of those things strongly affect my overall reading experience even if the story itself is exceptional.
Also, just the whole tone of the book was a bit over the top for me. I think the author was going for a “classic Dick Tracy movie” type feel with the swapping between first and last name usage, trying on the 1940’s vernacular, etc. But it just didn’t work. And the continued reference to how good looking, gorgeous, and handsome everyone was drove me a bit batty. Even with some of the content and the date/time tags, it was hard to remember the historical setting of the book.
That being said, I think the mystery itself has good bones. While I was pretty certain “whodunit” by the end, I was waffling between a few different possibilities for most of the book.
The characters were definitely very character-y. They were entertaining but hard to get attached to. And the love triangle was flat ridiculous.
The start of the story had me fairly lost. However, I think that’s pretty typical of mystery books. That’s what helps make them mysterious. So I was okay with it. Especially as the book kept me guessing through most of it. I changed my thoughts on the murderer a couple of times throughout the course of reading. That always makes it more enjoyable.
I don’t recall any spiritual or supernatural elements. If they were there, I missed them. As far as questionable content, there are murders. But I think any reader would expect that from the title. I really can’t think of any particular triggers this book might contain for a more sensitive or conservative reader. Even the descriptions of the murder scenes were pretty tame.
Readers who enjoy easy to read mysteries would like this story as well. There were actually a few different mysteries to be solved throughout. However, I don’t know that I’ll be rushing out to buy the next thing Ace Collins writes. Maybe, though.
***This review is also posted on The Christian Manifesto and http://bookmarks-of-my-life.blogspot....
Pros:
• Good mystery elements
• Kept me guessing
• Easy to read
Cons:
• Grammatical errors
• Inconsistencies and contradictions
• Annoying character interactions
My Rating: 2.5 out of 5 (I feel like it was poor from a grammatical and consistency standpoint. But as the mystery itself was good, I’ll give it a 2.5 for average)
October 6, 2015
Personally, I have never read anything from Ace Collins. I have heard of his mystery books, but I have never gotten around to fitting them into my crazy to-be-read pile. After reading The Fruitcake Murders, I am glad that I did finally read something of his. Collins story features everything a great mystery should have. A daring cop. A nosy reporter. A love triangle. And three dead bodies with the ties to the mob.
The mystery centers around a fruitcake tin. No one I know will even eat the stuff, so I thought it was neat for Collins to create a complete mystery that deals with a fruitcake tin. The mystery is a interesting and has many different layers to it. I couldn’t wait to find out who the bad guy was. There were moments of me wanting to read faster so that I could figure out who done it. Just when I think that Tiffany, Lane, or Bret Garner would solve the mystery something awful would happen and change my perspective. Collins does a great job at hiding the identity of the villain until the last moment. I was surprised.
I really empathized with Tiffany, the reporter who wanted nothing more than to be loved and make her name known in the news reporter world. What person now days doesn’t want to succeed at their chosen profession? I completely related with her. On the other hand, Lane and Bret Garner also wanted to succeed in their missions to help Tiffany solve the two crimes. But along the way, both of them believe they are falling in love with Tiffany. Don’t be threaten by my last sentence, there really isn’t any of the gushy romance stuff that happens in romance books. The story handles the mystery for the most part.
The plot of the novel takes place in 1946. Christmas 1946 to be more accurate. I felt the biting wind across my cheek as Tiffany ran through the snow to be free of the bad men chasing her. I got nostalgic as I pictured the holiday decorations and lights in the store windows (it is my favorite time of the year). But I had a hard time believing the story took place in 1946. As for the historical accuracy of the time period, I think it should have had a little more attention to detail. This story could have happened in the middle of the fifties during the age of decents where everyone wanted to have the new and latest things. It doesn’t take away from the mystery; I still completely enjoyed it.
I received a complimentary copy of The Fruitcake Murders from Abingdon Press and the opinions stated are all my own.
The mystery centers around a fruitcake tin. No one I know will even eat the stuff, so I thought it was neat for Collins to create a complete mystery that deals with a fruitcake tin. The mystery is a interesting and has many different layers to it. I couldn’t wait to find out who the bad guy was. There were moments of me wanting to read faster so that I could figure out who done it. Just when I think that Tiffany, Lane, or Bret Garner would solve the mystery something awful would happen and change my perspective. Collins does a great job at hiding the identity of the villain until the last moment. I was surprised.
I really empathized with Tiffany, the reporter who wanted nothing more than to be loved and make her name known in the news reporter world. What person now days doesn’t want to succeed at their chosen profession? I completely related with her. On the other hand, Lane and Bret Garner also wanted to succeed in their missions to help Tiffany solve the two crimes. But along the way, both of them believe they are falling in love with Tiffany. Don’t be threaten by my last sentence, there really isn’t any of the gushy romance stuff that happens in romance books. The story handles the mystery for the most part.
The plot of the novel takes place in 1946. Christmas 1946 to be more accurate. I felt the biting wind across my cheek as Tiffany ran through the snow to be free of the bad men chasing her. I got nostalgic as I pictured the holiday decorations and lights in the store windows (it is my favorite time of the year). But I had a hard time believing the story took place in 1946. As for the historical accuracy of the time period, I think it should have had a little more attention to detail. This story could have happened in the middle of the fifties during the age of decents where everyone wanted to have the new and latest things. It doesn’t take away from the mystery; I still completely enjoyed it.
I received a complimentary copy of The Fruitcake Murders from Abingdon Press and the opinions stated are all my own.
October 16, 2015
The Fruitcake Murders by Ace Collins is set in 1926 and 1946. In the opening Jan Lewandowski is a candy maker who is heading to his factory to get a present he had hidden there for his daughter. On the way he sees a man leaving Geno Lombardi’s grocery with paper sacks full of items. Jan notices that his fruitcakes are not in the window as Geno promised. Jan goes into the store to speak with Geno and finds him with a knife in his back. Jan, in a bad move, takes the knife out of his back and holds it. He then checks the cash register getting blood on the money. Then in walks a cop who accuses Jan of murder.
It is near Christmas in 1946. Lt. Lane Walker is an ex-marine turned homicide cop. He is at the house of Ethan Elrod, the district attorney who was found dead at his desk with a knife in his back. The knife did not kill him. He was actually killed with a blow to head from a tin of fruitcake (I guess that is one use for it). Ethan Elrod was a notorious good guy. Who wanted him dead? Tiffany Clayton is a reporter with The Chicago Star. Tiffany and Lane have a history (they kept making dates and Lane kept not showing up for them). Tiffany was to interview Ethan that evening for a story. Now Tiffany has a bigger story. Two more people are killed in the same manner. Will Lane and Tiffany be able to solve the case? Who wants them dead and where did they get the old fruitcake (I bet you can guess whose fruitcake it is).
The Fruitcake Murders is a book that is trying too hard to a book from the 40’s. There is a lot of 40’s lingo thrown in like dame and doll (it was just overkill). I found The Fruitcake Murders to be a slow paced book. Besides what I mentioned above there is also a Santa scam and a mob boss. I give The Fruitcake Murders 2.75 out of 5 stars. I think the story had potential, but the execution was lacking. I think with a little more editing, the book could have been better (that is just one person’s humble opinion). The mystery was easy to solve (as well as figuring out what happened to Jan’s children). One thing that I found odd was instead of staying “Lane said” it would read “the cop”. It was just strange, and it was sprinkled generously throughout the book.
I received a complimentary copy of The Fruitcake Murders from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
http://bibliophileandavidreader.blogs...
It is near Christmas in 1946. Lt. Lane Walker is an ex-marine turned homicide cop. He is at the house of Ethan Elrod, the district attorney who was found dead at his desk with a knife in his back. The knife did not kill him. He was actually killed with a blow to head from a tin of fruitcake (I guess that is one use for it). Ethan Elrod was a notorious good guy. Who wanted him dead? Tiffany Clayton is a reporter with The Chicago Star. Tiffany and Lane have a history (they kept making dates and Lane kept not showing up for them). Tiffany was to interview Ethan that evening for a story. Now Tiffany has a bigger story. Two more people are killed in the same manner. Will Lane and Tiffany be able to solve the case? Who wants them dead and where did they get the old fruitcake (I bet you can guess whose fruitcake it is).
The Fruitcake Murders is a book that is trying too hard to a book from the 40’s. There is a lot of 40’s lingo thrown in like dame and doll (it was just overkill). I found The Fruitcake Murders to be a slow paced book. Besides what I mentioned above there is also a Santa scam and a mob boss. I give The Fruitcake Murders 2.75 out of 5 stars. I think the story had potential, but the execution was lacking. I think with a little more editing, the book could have been better (that is just one person’s humble opinion). The mystery was easy to solve (as well as figuring out what happened to Jan’s children). One thing that I found odd was instead of staying “Lane said” it would read “the cop”. It was just strange, and it was sprinkled generously throughout the book.
I received a complimentary copy of The Fruitcake Murders from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
http://bibliophileandavidreader.blogs...
October 7, 2015
I grew up reading the 1940s style detective mysteries so reading this book was an experience in nostalgia. Collins has done a good job of recreating postwar Chicago with its gangsters, a crack newspaper reporter, a romantic private investigator and a police detective struggling with his war memories.
The plot is a little complex, involving a murder committed twenty years ago. We know from the outset that the wrong man was arrested for that murder. Now, years later, three men are killed and the murder weapons are fruitcakes in cans heavy enough to crack a skull with a deadly blow. The mystery that needs to be unraveled is how the old fruitcakes, made by the company owned by the wrongfully accused killer of twenty years ago, tie the three men together and sealed their fate.
The strength of this novel is the historical setting. Collins is a master at witty dialog and exact descriptions of historical places and events. The feel of the novel is really that of authors of the 1940s. I thoroughly enjoyed that. I felt like I was reading a classic detective novel from years ago.
I loved the characters. Tiffany is a crack newspaper reporter. She has a nose for getting the facts. Her relationship with Lane, the police detective is a riot. Their dialog is classic. Collins brings in a private detective, an old war buddy of Lane's, who has eyes for Tiffany, challenging Lane's unspoken but deeply felt affection for her. That little bit of a relationship triangle brought added interest to the plot.
I did feel the plot was a little too complex. It takes a lengthy explanation to tie all the murder victims together. I would have liked to see something a little more straight forward without so many hidden elements. Granted, they are all revealed in the end but many of the necessary facts are hidden from readers so we don't have the challenge and joy of trying to uncover the mystery ourselves.
One of the issues of the novel is a person wrongly convicted of a crime and ultimately executed for it. The discussion guide at the end helps readers think through that event.
I enjoyed the novel and recommend it to those who like the 1940s style detective mystery.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.
The plot is a little complex, involving a murder committed twenty years ago. We know from the outset that the wrong man was arrested for that murder. Now, years later, three men are killed and the murder weapons are fruitcakes in cans heavy enough to crack a skull with a deadly blow. The mystery that needs to be unraveled is how the old fruitcakes, made by the company owned by the wrongfully accused killer of twenty years ago, tie the three men together and sealed their fate.
The strength of this novel is the historical setting. Collins is a master at witty dialog and exact descriptions of historical places and events. The feel of the novel is really that of authors of the 1940s. I thoroughly enjoyed that. I felt like I was reading a classic detective novel from years ago.
I loved the characters. Tiffany is a crack newspaper reporter. She has a nose for getting the facts. Her relationship with Lane, the police detective is a riot. Their dialog is classic. Collins brings in a private detective, an old war buddy of Lane's, who has eyes for Tiffany, challenging Lane's unspoken but deeply felt affection for her. That little bit of a relationship triangle brought added interest to the plot.
I did feel the plot was a little too complex. It takes a lengthy explanation to tie all the murder victims together. I would have liked to see something a little more straight forward without so many hidden elements. Granted, they are all revealed in the end but many of the necessary facts are hidden from readers so we don't have the challenge and joy of trying to uncover the mystery ourselves.
One of the issues of the novel is a person wrongly convicted of a crime and ultimately executed for it. The discussion guide at the end helps readers think through that event.
I enjoyed the novel and recommend it to those who like the 1940s style detective mystery.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.
December 4, 2015
What does a murder in 1926 have to do with three murders twenty years later? On the surface, there’s nothing except they took place in the same city. Walker and Clayton have an antagonistic past, but come together at a crime scene where a mystery call sends them into danger. The idea of a fruitcake tin as a weapon seems surreal, but an investigation into the maker of the fruitcake reveals that he was executed for a crime he possibly didn’t commit.
Trying to unravel the plot and the motivation for the murders was confusing but, somehow, Ace Collins managed to weave it all together in a way that made sense. It included links to the Chicago mob (featuring Al Capone), the impact World War Two had on the men who came home from the Pacific, a nun serving the undesirables of the city, and people being alone at the holidays. One of my favorite scenes was a conversation about Christmas between Tiffany and a cab driver which became a turning point for the reporter. Mixed in with the fruitcake madness was a storyline about mysterious Santas collecting money on the streets of the Windy City. It is resolved, but asks the eternal question of is it okay to do the morally right thing when it’s legally wrong?
The Fruitcake Murders is a nostalgia piece. Imagine it starring James Stewart as Walker, Ruth Hussey as Tiffany, and Cary Grant as the private investigator caught up in the mix. (If you’ve seen The Philadelphia Story you’ll have seen how these three worked off each other.) There is unresolved romance, which I actually liked as it didn’t steal the show. There’s also a cheesy, but beautiful, ending – just right for Christmas Eve. Where are those snowflakes over the rolling movie credits when you need them?
Thank you to Abingdon Press for my complimentary electronic Advance Reading Copy of The Fruitcake Murders, which I downloaded from NetGalley. No review was required.
Trying to unravel the plot and the motivation for the murders was confusing but, somehow, Ace Collins managed to weave it all together in a way that made sense. It included links to the Chicago mob (featuring Al Capone), the impact World War Two had on the men who came home from the Pacific, a nun serving the undesirables of the city, and people being alone at the holidays. One of my favorite scenes was a conversation about Christmas between Tiffany and a cab driver which became a turning point for the reporter. Mixed in with the fruitcake madness was a storyline about mysterious Santas collecting money on the streets of the Windy City. It is resolved, but asks the eternal question of is it okay to do the morally right thing when it’s legally wrong?
The Fruitcake Murders is a nostalgia piece. Imagine it starring James Stewart as Walker, Ruth Hussey as Tiffany, and Cary Grant as the private investigator caught up in the mix. (If you’ve seen The Philadelphia Story you’ll have seen how these three worked off each other.) There is unresolved romance, which I actually liked as it didn’t steal the show. There’s also a cheesy, but beautiful, ending – just right for Christmas Eve. Where are those snowflakes over the rolling movie credits when you need them?
Thank you to Abingdon Press for my complimentary electronic Advance Reading Copy of The Fruitcake Murders, which I downloaded from NetGalley. No review was required.
October 13, 2015
If you are a fan of the 1940-1950 detective stories then this will be a book for you. In my mind's eye, I saw all of the story play out in black and white like the old TVs. Ace Collins brings a Perry Mason style to an complex plot of murders taking place two decades apart. What will the connection be?
Beginning December 1926, a seemingly innocent man is murdered. An equally innocent man is sent to jail and executed for his murder. Twenty years later-December 1946-another murder takes place. This time a prominent man is the victim. The murder weapon turns out to be a fruitcake in the tin by a company which has not been in business for close to twenty years. Where and how did this fruitcake come to pass? Well that is up to Lane Walker, a homicide detective to find out before more people are murdered. Enter a feisty reporter, Tiffany, and a private detective, Bret, and Lane's puzzle gets more complicated. Will the three be able to put aside their differences and solve the murder? And when two others are murdered in the same manner, how do the three connect? And what piece of the puzzle do the city Santas have in this mystery?
Collins does a great job with bringing in the elements of the 40's era. His attention to detail really makes the story to come life. One could almost imagine what it was like living during the time of mobsters such as Capone. The playful and witty dialogue between the characters draws the reader further into the story. I have always enjoyed Ace Collin's books because he takes the time to give attention to detail. This book is no exception. I was kept in the dark until the very end. Just when I thought I knew who was to blame, Collins threw another curve ball. I would highly recommend this and his other books!
I received a copy through Netgalley. com in exchange for my honest review.
Beginning December 1926, a seemingly innocent man is murdered. An equally innocent man is sent to jail and executed for his murder. Twenty years later-December 1946-another murder takes place. This time a prominent man is the victim. The murder weapon turns out to be a fruitcake in the tin by a company which has not been in business for close to twenty years. Where and how did this fruitcake come to pass? Well that is up to Lane Walker, a homicide detective to find out before more people are murdered. Enter a feisty reporter, Tiffany, and a private detective, Bret, and Lane's puzzle gets more complicated. Will the three be able to put aside their differences and solve the murder? And when two others are murdered in the same manner, how do the three connect? And what piece of the puzzle do the city Santas have in this mystery?
Collins does a great job with bringing in the elements of the 40's era. His attention to detail really makes the story to come life. One could almost imagine what it was like living during the time of mobsters such as Capone. The playful and witty dialogue between the characters draws the reader further into the story. I have always enjoyed Ace Collin's books because he takes the time to give attention to detail. This book is no exception. I was kept in the dark until the very end. Just when I thought I knew who was to blame, Collins threw another curve ball. I would highly recommend this and his other books!
I received a copy through Netgalley. com in exchange for my honest review.
February 28, 2016
The Fruitcake Murders by Ace Collins was the first mystery I’ve read in a long time. It’s different from the mysteries I normally read but I loved it. This is the perfect book for a snowy day. It felt like I was watching one of those old – time black and white specials. It isn’t full of blood and gore but more of a good clean mystery fun.
The book takes place in 1946 Chicago during Christmas. Lane Walker is a homicide detective who is trying to figure out how three men are murdered and the only clue that ties them together is a twenty –year- old tin of fruitcake. You meet many characters in this book that will jump out at you. The dialogue between everyone keeps you on your toes. There’s tension between Lane and Tiffany which eludes to a sordid past. Tiffany Clayton is a country girl who is trying to make it big as a reporter. She longs for Lane and you can tell he does too but whenever they’re together they are always snapping each other’s head off and we have no idea why.
There’s witty banter and scenes that make you sit on the edge of your such as gun chases in dark abandoned alleys. The historical references were spot on (I’m a history major so that’s something I look for). This book makes you feel every emotion from remorse and angry to jealousy and loneliness. Each character has their own story that you learn in the book which you don’t find in many books. It really helps gives you the bigger idea around all the characters and who they are.
This is literally the perfect book to pick up during the cold winter nights. It’s just one of those books that make you want to snuggle down in a big blanket and not get back up until its over.
The book takes place in 1946 Chicago during Christmas. Lane Walker is a homicide detective who is trying to figure out how three men are murdered and the only clue that ties them together is a twenty –year- old tin of fruitcake. You meet many characters in this book that will jump out at you. The dialogue between everyone keeps you on your toes. There’s tension between Lane and Tiffany which eludes to a sordid past. Tiffany Clayton is a country girl who is trying to make it big as a reporter. She longs for Lane and you can tell he does too but whenever they’re together they are always snapping each other’s head off and we have no idea why.
There’s witty banter and scenes that make you sit on the edge of your such as gun chases in dark abandoned alleys. The historical references were spot on (I’m a history major so that’s something I look for). This book makes you feel every emotion from remorse and angry to jealousy and loneliness. Each character has their own story that you learn in the book which you don’t find in many books. It really helps gives you the bigger idea around all the characters and who they are.
This is literally the perfect book to pick up during the cold winter nights. It’s just one of those books that make you want to snuggle down in a big blanket and not get back up until its over.
January 7, 2016
Life is filled with second chances, death is not.
A clean mystery crime novel that is upbeat with spiritual lessons that are not preachy but reflective as a 20 year old crime is tied to a trio of murders set in the 1940's of Chicago. Our protagonists marine officer-turned-homicide detective Lane Walker; sassy Tiffany Clayton a reporter for the Chicago Herald, and Brent Private Investigator under cover as a hit man come together to solve what is known as the Fruitcake Murders. All three victims are tied somehow to a murder 20 years ago where an innocent man was found guilty and later sentenced to death.
Lane and Tiffany have a history together with their respective jobs. There is a attraction however, Lane is fearful due to his past in pursuing the attractive and smart reporter. They keep each other on their toes with their sparring matches but when Brent walks into the picture it becomes a love triangle for sure. Brent has been hired to make a hit on a mysterious woman that Tiffany has taken her identity to undercover the murder of Chicago's District Attorney. Why was he killed? What was the significance of the knife in the back after he was killed with a fruitcake?
With the three amigos, they uncover a 20 year old mystery and the significance of the mob that was behind it. A real who dun it with that uncovers sacrifice and how those left behind go on.
A Special Thank You to Abingdon Press and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
A clean mystery crime novel that is upbeat with spiritual lessons that are not preachy but reflective as a 20 year old crime is tied to a trio of murders set in the 1940's of Chicago. Our protagonists marine officer-turned-homicide detective Lane Walker; sassy Tiffany Clayton a reporter for the Chicago Herald, and Brent Private Investigator under cover as a hit man come together to solve what is known as the Fruitcake Murders. All three victims are tied somehow to a murder 20 years ago where an innocent man was found guilty and later sentenced to death.
Lane and Tiffany have a history together with their respective jobs. There is a attraction however, Lane is fearful due to his past in pursuing the attractive and smart reporter. They keep each other on their toes with their sparring matches but when Brent walks into the picture it becomes a love triangle for sure. Brent has been hired to make a hit on a mysterious woman that Tiffany has taken her identity to undercover the murder of Chicago's District Attorney. Why was he killed? What was the significance of the knife in the back after he was killed with a fruitcake?
With the three amigos, they uncover a 20 year old mystery and the significance of the mob that was behind it. A real who dun it with that uncovers sacrifice and how those left behind go on.
A Special Thank You to Abingdon Press and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
September 8, 2015
Fans of classic detective stories will enjoy this offbeat mystery set in Chicago during the 1946 Christmas season!
Still reeling from the aftereffects of the war, veteran Lane Walker finds himself the detective in charge of a case involving a string of murders, with only one clue connecting them: a twenty-year old fruitcake used as a murder weapon.
With a cast of colorful characters, including a hardboiled detective, a high-heeled reporter, notorious mobsters, shady Santas, and a one very suave investigator, this reads like a script to a classic detective movie, complete with snappy dialogue full of funny clichés. It had me laughing out loud in parts, and gasping in others as the characters dodged bullets and were chased down dark alleys. The tension between Lane and Tiffany had me cringing at times, as their verbal swipes hinted at a painful past. The plot was interesting and complex; it kept me wondering up to the very end about the real villain and connections between all the clues.
Great wrap up and a hopeful ending. Overall, quite an entertaining read! Recommend to anyone who enjoys a clean mystery with a nostalgic feel. Make some popcorn, cue up the Bing Crosby Christmas album, and enjoy! 4.5 stars
(Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary copy of this book, provided in exchange for my honest, original, and unsolicited review.)
Still reeling from the aftereffects of the war, veteran Lane Walker finds himself the detective in charge of a case involving a string of murders, with only one clue connecting them: a twenty-year old fruitcake used as a murder weapon.
With a cast of colorful characters, including a hardboiled detective, a high-heeled reporter, notorious mobsters, shady Santas, and a one very suave investigator, this reads like a script to a classic detective movie, complete with snappy dialogue full of funny clichés. It had me laughing out loud in parts, and gasping in others as the characters dodged bullets and were chased down dark alleys. The tension between Lane and Tiffany had me cringing at times, as their verbal swipes hinted at a painful past. The plot was interesting and complex; it kept me wondering up to the very end about the real villain and connections between all the clues.
Great wrap up and a hopeful ending. Overall, quite an entertaining read! Recommend to anyone who enjoys a clean mystery with a nostalgic feel. Make some popcorn, cue up the Bing Crosby Christmas album, and enjoy! 4.5 stars
(Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary copy of this book, provided in exchange for my honest, original, and unsolicited review.)
October 10, 2015
An incredibly well crafted cozy mystery!
I was fascinated with the variety of personalities in the three main characters: Lane Walker, Tiffany Clayton, and Bret Garner. There was some overlapping of traits amongst them as well as many differences. I especially liked the way Tiffany was able to put both of the men in their places at times. It was apparent to me that even though there was friction between each pair there was a lot of respect also.
The mystery itself was so well developed and slowly unfolded that I was quickly caught up in it. I was feverishly trying to sort the clues out so I could solve the case before the unveiling of the solution. There were a number of humorous situations and verbal put downs interspersed throughout the story.
I was captivated by all of the details about life in 1946 that were included. I really enjoyed the description of how cars were started at that time. I wish my parents were still alive so I could have them read it and confirm the accuracy of it.
I received a free eBook copy of this novel through NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
I was fascinated with the variety of personalities in the three main characters: Lane Walker, Tiffany Clayton, and Bret Garner. There was some overlapping of traits amongst them as well as many differences. I especially liked the way Tiffany was able to put both of the men in their places at times. It was apparent to me that even though there was friction between each pair there was a lot of respect also.
The mystery itself was so well developed and slowly unfolded that I was quickly caught up in it. I was feverishly trying to sort the clues out so I could solve the case before the unveiling of the solution. There were a number of humorous situations and verbal put downs interspersed throughout the story.
I was captivated by all of the details about life in 1946 that were included. I really enjoyed the description of how cars were started at that time. I wish my parents were still alive so I could have them read it and confirm the accuracy of it.
I received a free eBook copy of this novel through NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
December 21, 2015
A cop, a private investigator, and a reporter team up in 1946 to solve the mystery of how and why fruitcake tins killed three people. The first chapter sets the stage of just before Christmas almost 20 years ago as a factory owner is railroaded to the death penalty for a murder he didn't commit. Back to present time, the district attorney is drugged, hit over the head with the fruitcake tin for the actual death blow, then stabbed in the back of the neck with a red knife. Overkill or was it two separate killers using different instruments? Lane Walker, Tiffany Clayton, and Bret Garner team up to follow the fruitcake clues to find one or more murderers. As a secondary mystery, Tiffany is determined to follow the money when bell-ringing Santas appear to be making off with charitable donations.
Of all the mysteries I've ever read, no one has ever been killed with fruitcakes before. That method is definitely original. If you like Christian mysteries, you may be interested in reading this book.
Of all the mysteries I've ever read, no one has ever been killed with fruitcakes before. That method is definitely original. If you like Christian mysteries, you may be interested in reading this book.
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September 30, 2015I would like to thank Abingdon Press for providing me with an ARC of this book via Netgalley for an open and honest review.
Sadly this is a DNF book for me as I couldn't get past the first few chapters. I just couldn't connect with the book. I think it was a little too Gum Shoe for me and not the cosy crime I thought it would be. My fault totally.
I’m not going to score this book as I don’t want to give it a bad score - as I don’t feel it deserves one. Nor do I want to give it a high score for the same reason.
Basically, this book was not for me. There is nothing wrong with the writing or the story; I just couldn’t get into it.
This does not make it a bad book, and I really want to emphasise this. Despite not liking it and not being able to get into it, I did see potential and I did see a good writer. I, the reader, and this book just weren’t matched and I refuse to mark it down because of my own faults. :-)
Sadly this is a DNF book for me as I couldn't get past the first few chapters. I just couldn't connect with the book. I think it was a little too Gum Shoe for me and not the cosy crime I thought it would be. My fault totally.
I’m not going to score this book as I don’t want to give it a bad score - as I don’t feel it deserves one. Nor do I want to give it a high score for the same reason.
Basically, this book was not for me. There is nothing wrong with the writing or the story; I just couldn’t get into it.
This does not make it a bad book, and I really want to emphasise this. Despite not liking it and not being able to get into it, I did see potential and I did see a good writer. I, the reader, and this book just weren’t matched and I refuse to mark it down because of my own faults. :-)
December 20, 2015
I liked this book. It took a while to get into it, especially after reading the prologue. I kept trying to figure out what it had to do with the book. But all was revealed. However, when the mystery was solved, I must be honest and say that I didn't remember the character. I had to do a search to figure it out. I got a chuckle out of using the fruitcakes as murder weapons. Finally a fitting use for the cake because we all know they are not edible.
One of the most disturbing things was how the author referred to people by titles rather than by their names. I wondered if he was doing that just to make the book longer. Also, as a Christian book, there could have been more Christian application in the book. It was good as a Christmas read. I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
One of the most disturbing things was how the author referred to people by titles rather than by their names. I wondered if he was doing that just to make the book longer. Also, as a Christian book, there could have been more Christian application in the book. It was good as a Christmas read. I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 23, 2015
eARC: Netgalley
What a great read on so many different levels!
The book is set in 1946 post WWII Chicago and Ace Collins does an incredible job of creating the perfect atmosphere for the story to unfold. I was reminded a bit of Mickey Spillane, but the spunky character Tiffany really put me in mind of Katharine Hepburn in Woman of the Year.
Great characters, great writing, great mystery, but best of all...no gratuitous sex, no foul language, and a true message of faith and the ultimate goodness of God.
Thank you Ace Collins for a book I could lose myself in without cringing waiting for profanity and sex to be unleashed at any moment!
What a great read on so many different levels!
The book is set in 1946 post WWII Chicago and Ace Collins does an incredible job of creating the perfect atmosphere for the story to unfold. I was reminded a bit of Mickey Spillane, but the spunky character Tiffany really put me in mind of Katharine Hepburn in Woman of the Year.
Great characters, great writing, great mystery, but best of all...no gratuitous sex, no foul language, and a true message of faith and the ultimate goodness of God.
Thank you Ace Collins for a book I could lose myself in without cringing waiting for profanity and sex to be unleashed at any moment!
January 28, 2016
Thirty pages into this book i had a good idea who the killer was and i hated the two main characters (they establish their 'romantic tension' by insulting each other constantly). I skipped ahead to the end, and whadya know? Even the last chapter was grievously overwritten, the characters were still narcissistic jerks, and while i didn't have the details exactly right, i was disturbingly close. And given how many pages at the end are spent explaining, in detail, why what was done was done, i suspect that the 200+ pages i skipped were just the 'romantic' leads running around blindly, finding dead bodies, and saying rude things to each other.
August 2, 2015
In 1926, candy maker Jan Lewandowski, stops at a store to find out why his fruit cakes were removed from the display and stumbles upon the owner who was murdered. He is charged with killing him and put to death, even though he is innocent. Twenty years later, the missing fruit cakes begin to show up as murder weapons.
This fast-paced whodunit is filled with twists and turns, and I enjoyed every minute of it. The book has a faith-based message and strong, interesting characters. I highly recommend it.
This fast-paced whodunit is filled with twists and turns, and I enjoyed every minute of it. The book has a faith-based message and strong, interesting characters. I highly recommend it.
January 13, 2016
Actually 3,5 starts ;-)
This is quite predictable story. Easy to read. Few murders and the fruitcake.
The novel starts in 1926 when a man is accused of a murder he didn't commit.
Than the story skips to year 1946.
A mystery murder connects Betsy Clayton The Chicago reporter and detective Lane Walker yet again. On and off couple now is involved in this bizarre events.
Three man and a women is dead and it seems there is no connection. The only thing that connects 3 murders is a weapon used in the murder. A fruit cake.
This is quite predictable story. Easy to read. Few murders and the fruitcake.
The novel starts in 1926 when a man is accused of a murder he didn't commit.
Than the story skips to year 1946.
A mystery murder connects Betsy Clayton The Chicago reporter and detective Lane Walker yet again. On and off couple now is involved in this bizarre events.
Three man and a women is dead and it seems there is no connection. The only thing that connects 3 murders is a weapon used in the murder. A fruit cake.
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