Menace in Christmas River

Christmas River #8

by Meg Muldoon

It’s Valentine’s Day in Christmas River, but the holiday promises to be anything but sweet for Cinnamon Peters.
When asked to help judge the prestigious Chocolate Championship Showdown Competition at the last minute, the pie baker extraordinaire is hesitant about putting down her rolling pin in place of a clipboard. But when she discovers that one of her co-judges will be famous celebrity chef Cliff Copperstone, Cinnamon agrees to help.
It’s a decision she’ll live to regret.
When a freak blizzard hits Christmas River on the day of the competition, Cinnamon finds herself not only in the middle of a crisis, but also in a mystery as sinister and dark as a bar of bittersweet chocolate.
Because somebody at the competition has murder in their heart this Valentine’s Day.
And things are about to take a very menacing turn.
The chocolate really hits the fan in the eighth installment of the Christmas River Cozy Mystery series.

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Christmas, Cozy, Ebooks, Audiobook, Fiction

216 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 3, 2016

About the author

For a very limited time receive a FREE cozy mystery and recipe book when you sign up for Meg Muldoon's mailing list! Sign-up here: http://eepurl.com/zcGr1

Meg Muldoon is the author of over 20 feel-good mysteries, including the bestselling Christmas River Cozy Mysteries and The Dog Town USA Cozy Mysteries. A former small town news reporter, Meg has always had a special place in her heart for lost dogs, homeless cats, and feisty old locals. She enjoys Marionberry pie, red cowboy boots, and craft glue guns. Meg specializes in writing stories filled with humor and heart, and her books have been featured in the Amazon Kindle Top-100.

Meg lives in Central Oregon with two Great Pyrenees, a cattle dog named Huckleberry, and a rascal cat named Frank.

Reading Order:

THE CHRISTMAS RIVER COZY MYSTERY SERIES
Murder in Christmas River – Book 1
Mayhem in Christmas River – Book 2
Madness in Christmas River – Book 3
Malice in Christmas River – Book 4
Mischief in Christmas River – Book 5
Manic in Christmas River – Book 6
Magic in Christmas River – Book 7
Menace in Christmas River – Book 8
Missing in Christmas River – Book 9
Meltdown in Christmas River – Book 10
Midnight in Christmas River – Book 11
Mistake in Christmas River – Book 12
Matrimony in Christmas River - Book 13
Malarkey in Christmas River - Book 14 (Coming Spring 2025!)

THE CHRISTMAS RIVER COZY MYSTERY NOVELLA SERIES
Roasted in Christmas River – Novella 1
Cinnamon Peters & the Rabbit Bandit – Novella 2
Caught in Christmas River – Novella 3
Crushed in Christmas River – Novella 4
Hounded in Christmas River – Novella 5
Framed in Christmas River – Novella 6
Trapped in Christmas River - Novella 7
Merriment in Christmas River - Novella 8

THE HOLLY HOPEWELL COZY MYSTERY SERIES
The Silence of the Elves – Book 1
Elf Confidential - Book 2

THE DOG TOWN USA COZY MYSTERY SERIES
Mutts & Murder – Book 1
Bulldogs & Bullets – Book 2
Corgis & Conspiracy - Book 3
Pyrenees & Poison - Book 4 (Coming Soon)

THE COZY MATCHMAKER MYSTERY SERIES
Burned in Broken Hearts Junction – Book 1
Busted in Broken Hearts Junction – Book 2

THE WITCHES OF BROOMFIELD BAY MYSTERY SERIES (with Jools Sinclair)
Ginger of the West – Book 1

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love this series.... great people, great mystery!

[Kathy Brackin · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good 🙌🏻🙌🏻 🎄❤️

[Madeline · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

It was the perfect read after a month of being in a slump.

The ending was very sweet.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Menace in Christmas River
Christmas River, Book 8

I Picked Up This Book Because: Continue the series.

Media Type: Audiobook
Source: Everand
Dates Read: 4/23/24 - 4/25/24
Stars: 4 Stars
Narrator(s): Randye Kaye

The Characters:

Cinnamon Peters:
Daniel Brightman:
Most of the town of Christmas River

The Story:
A very cold installment and I’m still loving this series. I’m sad that there are only a few audiobooks left even though there are several books left. Anyone know what’s up with that? Anyway, I love Cinnamon’s evolution.

[Krystyna · Rating 4 out of 5]

The St Valentine's Day surprise

A good read that's just short of cutesy, cutesy.
She has entered the Chocolate Sculpture competition but now wonders if it wasn't a mistake as another of her attempts at making a cupid falls into disarray. Maybe she should withdraw but first she has to find out what the organisers want her for. Too replace a judge! Can she do it? The day of the competition shows a lot of snow and ice with more on the way. As they judge she is struck by how mean minded one of the judges is. He seems she'll shocked by one of the contestants. Later in the middle of an ice storm she and an assistant find him face down in the snow. Did he slip? With emergency vehicles unable to get through, Daniel starts on his way to the hospital. Will he make it down the mountain? Will the hurt man survive? Why does Daniel think it's more than just a fall? Will she and her bestie find out what really happened before Daniel or the police department turns up?

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 8th book in the great cozy mystery series that is Christmas River! The same main characters in Cinnamon and Daniel, Warren and Aileen and all the others who I've come to love over the past 7 books.

In this book, a new competition is due to take place in the town, and this time Cinnamon isn't taking part, she's been asked to be part of the judging panel. However, as with everything in Christmas River, things don't run smoothly, especially when the worst storm to hit the region in years happens on the day of the competition, and one of the judges has an accident, or was it?

Whilst Daniel is trying to sort things out in his role as Sheriff, Cinnamon gets involved, yet again in trying to solve what happened, will she end up in something she can't get out of?

Wonderfully written as usual, easy to read in a couple of hours, if you like strong characters, clean and not gory storylines, then give this series a go. Best read in order to preserve the continuity of the characters, although the stories themselves are standalone.

[Mary Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cinnamon is trying to perfect her chocolate making and decorating skills since she entered into the Chocolate Contest. When a young woman shows up in her shop demanding that she come to the hotel to meet with the PR person of the contest. It seems that the person that was to judge dropped out and they want her to participate. She runs into many issues, one being that the celebrity judge is a jerk. When she finds him in the snow and ice unconscious she has to stay at the culinary school with all the other people, as there has been a massive storm and they are trapped. She goes around trying to keep people calm and happy and find the person who attempted to murder the judge.

The story was a good continuation of the series.

[Mayda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cinnamon is an expert pie maker, but she has met her Waterloo when it comes to chocolate sculptures. She entered a contest, but is about ready to withdraw after another disaster with her creation. Then a miracle happens and she is asked to fill in as a judge instead. Unfortunately, a severe winter storm hits the same day as the contest. Power is lost and the lights go out in the middle of the judging. And then the celebrity judge is found outside unconscious, with a serious head injury. It’s just another day in the life of Cinnamon Peters. But after getting lost in the storm, she may not live to see another. This series is an exciting one, with great characters and interesting plots.

[KylieAtkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

These cozy mysteries are the perfect palate cleanser in between books. They are full of your favourite small town characters, a crime to unravel and a drool worthy lesson in delicious pie making. Seriously, they always sound so divine. The one that piqued my interest this time was the Hubba Hubba Hazelnut Chocolate Cherry Pie. Good God, imagine that combination *drool*.

There was a Chocolate competition in this novel that introduced us to suspects, villains and sweethearts with either a lovely tale or a gobsmacking one. This brought the town out and, due to a snow storm, it became a locked room mystery that had me guessing the whole way.

This is book 8 and I will absolutely continue on with the series. It's like going home for the holidays 💕

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 8th in the series. The main character is Cinnamon. She owns a pie shop but decides to enter a contest to make something out of chocolate. Before the contest begins she is asked to be a judge instead. The day of the contest there is a major snow storm that just keeps coming. One of the other judges is found outside in the snow looking like he's dead from a head wound. Cinnamon's hubby is the sheriff and decides ti take the judge to the ER since not much else is moving. Everyone is told to just stay there until the storm stops and the streets are cleaned. Cinnamon knows there is a killer there but who could it be? Things get nuts when the lights go out and the phone service is almost done in. Can she figure this out and keep everyone safe until her hubby gets back?

[moxieBK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Menace in Christmas River (Christmas River #8) — Meg Muldoon; Narrator: Randye Kaye (56 chapters) Feb. 7, 2023

During a chocolate competition that Cinnamon has been asked to judge, a blizzard strikes, and when a person runs outside, with her dog following. But suddenly the dig gets lost and Cinnamon ends up falling down a ditch, hurting her ankle. It gets intense when it looks like her time is up. But then the doggo and person come to her rescue and saves her.

Of course, this comes late in the story, but it definitely levels up the story of this series, taking it in a new direction.

An interesting turn for sure. I am curious if this is a new twist in the book series.

Four stars.

[Melinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series has been a perfect distraction for me this holiday - the plots do not require deep thought or heavy concentration, the pace is light and, although a bit sappy at times, I enjoy hearing about the twists and turns that pepper Christmas River. This book holds some grandiose ones too. I liked Cinnamon's reaction to and interaction with Cliff Copperstone, who in person, did not live up to his television persona. There are some good back stories provided in this one as well as plausible reasons for motive.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book. The mystery kept me guessing and the romance between Cinnamon and Daniel was a sweet second chance romance with lots of angst. I enjoyed all the main characters. The interactions between Cinnamon and her grandpa are fun and also sweet. There’s some humor and suspense as well as romance. Cinnamon and her best friend have some great moments as well. The Halloween theme adds to the mystery. A five star story.

[Christina M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another a Fantastic Book by Meg Muldoon

I just love the love story of Cinnamon and Daniel! It’s so much fun to see what adventures they will have and the trouble that Cinnamon always seems to find a way of getting into! Thanks Meg for another great book! I swear I can’t put them down or get thru them quick enough!

[Sara Kreps · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a bit torn on this. while the mystery was good and the writing entertaining, the story was more concerned with cinnamon's marriage than the crime. as much as I like their relationship, the mystery didn't begin until half way through the story and was resolved with about five chapters remaining. I understand seeing the stage and denouement but this seemed excessive.

[Mac C · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Valentine Day Holiday Cozy

Exciting, clean, cozy mystery with interesting characters and an unusual environment. I enjoyed the fun interplay between the main characters in contrast to the sniping of the wedding party friends. There were plenty of red herrings and suspects to confuse seasoned armchair detectives.

[Suzanne Sherman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book by Meg Muldoon

Another great one by Meg Muldoon. Cinnamon goes through trials and tribulations to resolve this story. Can't wait until the next! Great characterization and story line. Each book builds on the last.

[Nickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unbelievable

Another great story, this one was more suspenseful then the last. It just brings you right into that small mountain town. And again makes me want to eat a whole darn pie by myself.

[Andra Fore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kept Me Reading

This one kept me reading late into the night. It didn't need the last chapter though it had really nothing to do with the mystery. I'm not big on mystery romance, This one did truly keep me reading I'll really wanted to get the the end. Loved it.

[Candy Guyselman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series!

I really love every book I have read in this series! The characters are so real and especially Cinnamon and Daniel! I love the mysteries and the love the two of them share!

[Lori Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this collection. Cinnamon is a strong character. I love the relationship with her grandfater. She has hard times but also good ones. She's a sleuth that gets the mysteries solved.

[Leslie Ferrari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun episode in the life of Cinnamon Peters. A perfect way to spend a rainy day.

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good one

I'm deeply addicted to this series by meg muldoon. You find yourself living these characters like they're your own friends and family.

[stephanie huntington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Highly recommend this series

[Kristina Rasmussen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Not my favorite, but there were parts I really enjoyed and I really do like these characters.

[Jessica Berry · Rating 4 out of 5]

We're back to cozy in Christmas River! The storm, the chocolate contest, the pie... this had all the usual Christmas River cozy factors.

[Niki · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an entire series set up during Christmas time with "small" murders being played out in each book. Who could do them and why? I loved the series.

[Cally · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an easy, cozy read. I didn’t realize I started on book 8 but it read fine not knowing anything about the series. This is one of the books I got during the kindle sale day hehe

[Mary Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Menace In Christmas River
Christmas River Cozy, Book #8
Meg Muldoon
5 Stars

Synopsis:

It’s Valentine’s Day in Christmas River, but the holiday promises to be anything but sweet for Cinnamon Peters.

When asked to help judge the prestigious Chocolate Championship Showdown Competition at the last minute, the pie baker extraordinaire is hesitant about putting down her rolling pin in place of a clipboard. But when she discovers that one of her co-judges will be famous celebrity chef Cliff Copperstone, Cinnamon agrees to help.

It’s a decision she’ll live to regret.

When a freak blizzard hits Christmas River on the day of the competition, Cinnamon finds herself not only in the middle of a crisis, but also in a mystery as sinister and dark as a bar of bittersweet chocolate.

Because somebody at the competition has murder in their heart this Valentine’s Day.

And things are about to take a very menacing turn.
The chocolate really hits the fan in the eighth installment of the Christmas River Cozy Mystery series. (Goodreads)

Review:

The characters are well rounded, well developed and three dimensional. I always love spending time in Christmas River because I get to visit with old friends. Cinnamon and Daniel are such a great couple and I love how supportive he is of Cinnamon. And I love spending time with Warren, Cinnamon’s grandfather. The relationship between the two is very special, and anytime I get to read about them, that makes me happy.

The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and through much of the book, I felt like I was right there, watching all the action taking place. I felt like I was stuck in the blizzard along with everyone else and I felt like I could see the chocolate creations that were being judged.

She is also very talented in creating suspense with just the written word. With so many suspects to consider and so many twists and turns, it was nearly impossible to figure out who the culprit was.

I would recommend this book (and series) to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy. If you like your cozies to have characters that you can care about, then be sure you read this series.

[Arow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this installment of the Christmas River cozy series. It's Valentines day and Cinnamon gets caught up in another murder. I loved that the novel took place on Valentines day and wasn't too fluffy.

The relationship and partnership that Cinnamon and Daniel share is really sweet and beautiful. Meg has done a great job of building the characters and making me fall in them with love.

Can't wait for the next one!