Random Acts of Scrooge

Holly Anna Paladin Mysteries #3.5

by Christy Barritt

Christmas is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, but a real-life Scrooge is threatening to ruin the season’s good will.

Holly Anna Paladin can’t wait to celebrate Christmas with family and friends. She loves everything about the season—celebrating the birth of Jesus, singing carols, and baking Christmas treats, just to name a few. But when a local family needs help, how can she say no?

Holly’s community has come together to help raise funds to save the home of Greg and Babette Sullivan, but a Bah-Humburgler has snatched the canisters of cash. Holly and her boyfriend, police detective Chase Dexter, team up to catch the Christmas crook.

Will they succeed in collecting enough cash to cover the Sullivans’ overdue bills? Or will someone succeed in ruining Christmas for all those involved?

Fiction/Christian/Mystery

Genres: Christian Fiction, Christmas, Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Christian, Fiction

114 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 9, 2015

About the author

Christy Barritt is an author, freelance writer and speaker who lives in Virginia. She’s married to her Prince Charming, a man who thinks she’s hilarious—but only when she’s not trying to be. Christy’s a self-proclaimed klutz, an avid music lover who’s known for spontaneously bursting into song, and a road trip aficionado. She’s only won one contest in her life—and her prize was kissing a pig (okay, okay… actually she did win the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Suspense and Mystery also). Her current claim to fame is showing off her mother, who looks just like former First Lady Barbara Bush
When she’s not working or spending time with her family, she enjoys singing, playing the guitar, and exploring small, unsuspecting towns where people have no idea how accident prone she is.

Reviews

[Wilani Wahl]

Loved this cozy mystery so much. Fell in love with the characters in the book and want to read all the rest of the books in this series. If you want a quick read that will keep you guessing until the end. this is it.

[Laura]

RANDOM ACTS OF SCROOGE is a lighthearted Christmassy - do good - sort of story. Holly is reaching out to help someone who is down and out by solving who is stealing their money that they need to pay their bills after a car accident. There are a lot of red-herrings in it to keep the reader guessing, but I did have a good idea who was behind it early on - and I was right.

I love Ms. Barritt's cozy mysteries, and this holiday romance ranks right up there with the rest. If you are looking for a quick and good read this Christmas season, you'll want to read RANDOM ACTS OF SCROOGE. 5 stars.

Other books in this collection include Random Acts of Murder, Random Acts of Deceit, and Random Acts of Violence.

[Anna Hurtt]

This was such a cute novella! I picked it up in hopes that it would be something to get me in the holiday spirit, and the latest book in the Holly Anna Paladin series was exactly what I needed!

Holly Anna is one of my favorite of Christy Barritt's characters and this latest story doesn't disappoint. Full of delightful Christmas references, sweet romance, and just enough mystery and intrigue to make you scratch your head, this novella is perfect for the Christmas season. And isn't the cover adorable?

[Holly]

Holly Anna a Scrooge? Not Likely!

Holly is such a great character. She is spunky and her compassion for people. This story was fun and creative. I kind of suspected who the guilty party was but hadn't figured out the why.

I would definitely recommended this to family and friends. Christy is an excellent author!

[Kay Defreese]

This was a quick cozy read. Nobody murdered. Unlike the other books in this series Holly's life was not in danger nor any of her loved ones. She did get caught up in a little mystery. She has such a tender heart for those less fortunate than her. A family desperately needs financial aid at Christmas and when some donations come up missing Holly sets out to find out who is responsible.

[Angeline Stephen]

Full review: https://theessential201606528.wordpress.com/2020/12/17/random-acts-of-scrooge/

[Debra Hahn]

Christmas thief

Some people need a helping hand more than others. Some people are just
plain mean. Then there are those who just steal, not caring who they hurt.
That's what Holly has to solve in this mystery. People make mistakes and
repent for them. But some have no conscience about doing wrong to hurt
others. Follow Holly as she tracts down leads and hunches in this who
done it. Read it now.
Debra H.

[Emily]

Once again Holly does what's right and someone sabotages it, at Christmas no less. She teams up with her boyfriend Chase to find out what happened. I still love Holly as a relatable character and still want to hear more about her adventures and am still interested to see how her relationship with Chase develops. Christy Barritt writes series that grab you and won't let go. I can't wait for her next book!

[Robyn Seitzler]

No Good Deed Will Go Unpunished

Holy is made for Christmas. No, not the green prickly stuff with the red berries, but Holly Anna Paladin! She exudes holiday cheer, but will her good intentions lead to more trouble than her Christmas spirit can survive? Someone is stealing charity monies. This must be stopped, but how to find the culprit - or is it all a big con? Get your jingle bells on and come join the ride..

[Beverly Brader]

Random Acts of Scrooge is a delightful book to read. I love the way the story involves Christmas and the heart of giving. Holly Anna is, once again, stepping into a situation that she can’t let go of and her wonderful heart for justice shines through. I love the manner in which her personality reveals itself in this book.

[Tamrems]

Holly is trying to do the right thing and help others at Christmastime. Is doing the right thing actually leading to supporting con artists? This short novella has some of the mystery and fun of previous Holly Anna Paladin books. Because it is a shorter book, I didn't feel attached to the characters as much as previously. It was still a fun read!

[Ken Grant]

My favorite of the series so far. A little shorter so it got to the point quicker. Did a good job of creating a plausible scenario and creating plausible suspects. Characters are more developed than in previous works in the series.

[Sherri A Wanous]

Loved it

Great Christmas story. I love the characters. Holly and Chase's romance is blossoming. I suspected who did it off and on throughout the story but Christy is amazing at keeping you guessing right up until the very end.

[Sandra Withrow]

Just okay

I thought it was okay, not as good as the regular novels in this series. But I will continue to read the rest of the Holly Anna Paladin series.

[Wanda Creech]

Good reading

Another good read.really enjoyed the suspense. It kept you guessing til the end.hope to have more books like this one

[Thomas Havens]

Random acts of scrooge

This book has an easy to follow plot and interesting characters. I recommend this book to all lovers of Christian, mystery, romance stories.

[Deborah Adkins]

Fun holiday read that kept me focused on solving mystery.

[Hunter Q Lee]

Touching story

A touching story of forgiveness and going above and beyond to help others. Selflessness instead of selfishness, and not just at Christmas.

[Sue Stinnett]

Excellent

Tis the season but there is a scrooge who is trying to ruin Christmas for one family. Fortunately Holly is on the case!

[JadeShea]

Random acts of Scrooge was funny, sweet, and good. I'm only sad that they didn't get engaged, yet. I'm really excited to read more.

[Pam Newman]

Good read

[Wendy Huddler]

It’s Christmas time! Then why is someone stealing donations for a needy family? And who? Holly Anna is going to find out! Read to see what she does.

[Emily]

A Christmas Mystery

This is a quick story that I read in a day and enjoyed it. It was a good Christmas mystery that kind of did involve a scrooge and a thief.

[Beverly Duell-Moore]

Great book!

[Meredith]

This was a fun holiday read, but I didn't enjoy it as much as the rest of the series. I think maybe I don't really like novellas, though. I like more plot and character development.

[SUSAN SKOGLUND]

Fun short story- cute Holly (main character) is embroiled in another mystery.

[Sarita]

Another fun cozy mystery with the bubbly and eccentric Holly caught in the middle!

[Jasmine]

Can Holly save a family's Christmas?

Now if this girl were making a Christmas list a mystery is exactly what she, OK I, would definitely want to ask Santa for. Random Acts Of Scrooge is a great Christmastime novella filled with all of the sparkle and sugary goodness of the season as well as Holly Anna's trademark penchant for getting into hot water while trying to help people. This story is a great read no matter what time of year, I was reading it on a warm day in late April, and is a great addition to Christy Barritt's fun and exciting Holly Anna Paladin Mystery series. An enjoyable story and the novella length makes it a wonderful way to while away a couple of hours...

(I received a copy of this e-book from the author in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are entirely my own)

[Doreen Marr]

Christy Barritt has delivered another fun Christmas novella, this time with Holly and Chase from the Random Acts Series. Holly really wants to give Chase a special family Christmas that he hasn't had before, but first they must solve the mystery of who is stealing donation canisters for a needy family. Sometimes Holly's heart gets ahead of her head and the more she finds out about the needy family, the more she questions if the family really is needy -- or is it a scam on their part? Who is stealing the money? Who is really in need? Will she be able to get back to planning a special Christmas for Chase? Read and find out! Fun, quick read for Christmas or any time of the year!

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Carol Lee]

I loved seeing what Holly was up to next. She finds herself trying to help out a family that has fallen on hard times and it gets even worse when someone keeps stealing the money that is being collected for them. Holly and her boyfriend Chase find themselves trying to raise more money to replace what was stolen, but also trying to find out who was responsible for the thefts.
This book keeps you guessing who is responsible and what their motive is. It also gives you some side mysteries and dramas to keep you entertained. I would recommend this to anyone who likes a good mystery and it is one that can be read very quickly for those moments you have during the holiday season.
I received a copy of this book from the author to review.