Humbug Hijinks

Antique Shop Mysteries #13

by Kristi Holl

Christmas bells are ringing. Maggie and her friends are putting on a production of A Christmas Carol. Kids are running wild, the leading man and director are at odds. Who is the villain in town trying to ruin the production?

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery

Unknown Binding

About the author

Kristi Holl is a best-selling award-winning author of dozens of middle-grade novels. With additional background as an elementary school educator and instructor of writing for children, Kristi's books are on many recommended reading lists and have been nominated for numerous Children's Choice Awards. Kristi has three grown daughters and lives in Texas.

Reviews

[Susan]

Maggie Watson helps as prompter in a community production of "A Christmas Carol," although the renovated theater is rumored to be haunted.

[Lis Sigona]

1/7/26 - 1/10/26
Humbug Hijinks (Antique Shop Mysteries #13) by Kristi Holl
The 13th novel in the series. Maggie and some of the characters from previous novels are involved in the Somerset Harbor Yuletide Gest and the Christmas Play of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens being held in the semi-renovated old theater where plays of yesteryear were held, along with graduations and other celebrations of the small town. The director is a particular fastidious and perfectionist very demanding but at every turn during rehearsals something goes awry. This does not make for a happy director or cast. Maggie is ever the sleuth trying to piece these events together or is it really the Ghosts from Theater pasts? Finally the truth comes to life and all is resolved so a smooth performance is given.

[Jo Anne]

Christmas in Somerset Harbor find the gang putting on a play in the newly refurbished theater. Maggie is the lines prompter and the rest of her friends have parts in A Christmas Carol. There's the grumpy high school theater director, a herd of bratty children and a full-of-himself washed up local who grew up in Somerset Harbor but made it "big" in the world of acting. Well, when he wasn't selling real estate in Portland.
As always, a fun and quick read.

[Bee]

This was such a cute read!

Spooky and Christmas is not something I usually think of being together, but this story really nailed the Christmas vibes AND the spooky vibes!

I was on the edge of my seat practically the whole time. I never expected who the culprit actually was. It is a pretty masterful mystery to keep me guessing and curious the entire time!

I can't wait to read more from this series.

[Charline Romine]

“God bless us, every one.”

Hummmm…mysterious happenings all around. Accidents and ghosts but thankfully, no dead bodies. Maggie is the prompter for the play and knows all the lines. She also sees a “ghost“ and seems to put all the clues together all at once to save the play.

[Dedra]

Good but slow moving story

[Kaye Wingo]

Loved this book...A lot happens while practicing for a play. Things disappear, people get hurt and ghost are seen....keeps you on the edge of your seat.....great book

[Amanda Ray]

Delightful characters and set during the towns amateur portrayal of Christmas Carol, had me guessing until the end

[Alex Atlee]

Enjoyable, the story didn't seem too rushed and while somethings were predictable, that made it so then other parts were barely thought of if at all.

[Debra McEathron]

This is part of a series with Maggie and her friends. This one takes place at Christmas and the characters are involved with putting on a play that strange things are happening.

[Irene Marston]

very good mystery enjoying this series

[Nicole]

Nice story of “A Christmas Carol”. Maggie as usual gets involved in the strange sounds and movements in the theater. Good ending. Certainly entertaining.

[Donna]

Great plot, awesome characters…had no idea of “who dunnit” until the very end. Well worth the read.

[Sanderella]

I am so happy to be finished with this book!! #1, I never liked the Christmas Carol. #2, I just plain didn't like it!! 😖

[PottWab Regional Library]

A