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The Dunbarton Mysteries #7
The Reindeer Caper
With a missing reindeer, a murdered elf, and a mayor one Christmas Carol short of a breakdown, it looks like Christmas festivities in Dunbarton are in danger of being cancelled - especially since Santa is in jail, charged with murder!
It's coming up to Christmas and everyone in Dunbarton is filled with excitement at the arrival of a reindeer, a gift from their twin town in Norway. But when Dasher disappears, children and parents alike are devastated, and the mayor fears an international incident.
In desperation, the mayor turns to the Mallorys to save the town's Christmas, but the more Chris and Alicia investigate, the more they realize it isn't just Christmas that's in jeopardy.
252 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 9, 2017
185 people are currently reading
186 people want to read
About the author
Valerie Tate
9 books28 followers Valerie Tate lives in a nineteenth century, heritage cottage in Ontario, Canada. She has a degree in English Literature and a teaching degree from the University of Toronto.
When not working on her mystery novels, she can be found at the barn with her horse. Devon, and her Jack Russell Terrier, Jamie.
Publications to date include CATNIP, the first of the Dunbarton Mysteries, HORSE SENSE, FROG LEGS and SCAPEGOAT.
When not working on her mystery novels, she can be found at the barn with her horse. Devon, and her Jack Russell Terrier, Jamie.
Publications to date include CATNIP, the first of the Dunbarton Mysteries, HORSE SENSE, FROG LEGS and SCAPEGOAT.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
December 4, 2018
This is my third Dunbarton mystery and I loved it! It was a great way to start the Christmas season.
There was a lot of humour and enough twists and turns to the plot to keep you going to the end. How can you not enjoy a story where Santa is accused of murdering an Elf? Where a valued reindeer goes missing? My only gripe is that the mayor is too overbearing and high-strung, and comes across as a caricature than a true character - it rather spoils the otherwise wonderful story.
There was a lot of humour and enough twists and turns to the plot to keep you going to the end. How can you not enjoy a story where Santa is accused of murdering an Elf? Where a valued reindeer goes missing? My only gripe is that the mayor is too overbearing and high-strung, and comes across as a caricature than a true character - it rather spoils the otherwise wonderful story.
January 3, 2021
A confusing caper
The town's elf is killed and Santa is the suspect. When the town's gifted reindeer is stolen the local helper at the petting zoo is suspected but when local sleuths go to hos home and find the reindeer they also find his body.
The town's elf is killed and Santa is the suspect. When the town's gifted reindeer is stolen the local helper at the petting zoo is suspected but when local sleuths go to hos home and find the reindeer they also find his body.
June 25, 2019
Santa murdered an elf?! Dunbarton, a small town in Canada, is a close-knit community. They received a reindeer from their sister city in Norway, who was named Dasher, and who was put in the city petting zoo, where he became much-loved by the town. During the festival, he disappeared, thereby causing the mayor to freak out and to ask for help from Alicia & Chris, a young couple who had had some success as amateur sleuths. From there, things really heated up. The “elf” wanted to be Santa, in the worst way, and wore his elf costume all the time, while constantly complaining of Neil, who had been the much loved town Santa, for 20 yrs. In the process of trying to track down Dasher, Alicia stumbles over Ed, the elf’s body. Since Ed had been a major thorn in Neil’s side, the inept police arrested Santa! This REALLY freaked the mayor, and Alicia & Chris went into overdrive to find the murderer, to save Santa in time for the Christmas parade. I really enjoyed this book, and have gotten more of the Dunbarton books. Loving good mysteries, I am looking foreword to many more.
December 9, 2017
A cute Christmas tale
Set in a quaint snowglobe kind of village in Dunbarton, a lakeside area in Canada, young newlywed sleuths Chris and Alicia Mallory have a rep for solving crimes, a juxtaposition in such an idyllic town. So it's only natural that the mayor enlists their help when real live Dasher, a beloved reindeer gift from Norway, is stolen! Then to their horror, someone is murdered.
It's equally disheartening when Neil Marley, town Santa for the last twenty years is suspect.
Alicia, maiden name Dunbar, is a founding descendent and loved by all. Well, maybe most. Sweet, friendly and feisty, she is determined to solve the case and prove the town's Santa's innocence.
As the residents ' quirks are revealed, the possibilities are endless. And there's plenty of suspicions and scrumptious food to whet your appetite.
fans who love the cozy comfort of Hallmark channel movies will enjoy these books by Valerie Tate.
Set in a quaint snowglobe kind of village in Dunbarton, a lakeside area in Canada, young newlywed sleuths Chris and Alicia Mallory have a rep for solving crimes, a juxtaposition in such an idyllic town. So it's only natural that the mayor enlists their help when real live Dasher, a beloved reindeer gift from Norway, is stolen! Then to their horror, someone is murdered.
It's equally disheartening when Neil Marley, town Santa for the last twenty years is suspect.
Alicia, maiden name Dunbar, is a founding descendent and loved by all. Well, maybe most. Sweet, friendly and feisty, she is determined to solve the case and prove the town's Santa's innocence.
As the residents ' quirks are revealed, the possibilities are endless. And there's plenty of suspicions and scrumptious food to whet your appetite.
fans who love the cozy comfort of Hallmark channel movies will enjoy these books by Valerie Tate.
March 25, 2021
A married couple Alicia and Chris solve mysteries. They have solved a number of them including murders faster than the local police and the rather bossy mayor has once again asked them to assist the police in determining who stole the reindeer and who killed Ed the Elf! Local man Neil has been arrested with pretty damning evidence one of his hammers that he uses to make toys for the kids was found as the murder weapon and has his finger prints all over it. Neil has been the local Santa for a number of years and no one believes he could have done it. It is up to our dynamic duo to save Christmas!
November 21, 2018
Intriguing mystery about a husband and wife duo.
This is the third story written by Valerie Tate about a husband and wife duo. Man is murdered and the accused is Santa.
The characters are interesting, especially the husband and wife duo who solved mystery despite the twists and turns of the characters, the residents of the town, and the police Detective who latch on the obvious suspect.
How you specially love the description of the small town life and it's residents in Canada.
Highly recommended if anybody wants a cozy mystery.
bookwormsuzy
This is the third story written by Valerie Tate about a husband and wife duo. Man is murdered and the accused is Santa.
The characters are interesting, especially the husband and wife duo who solved mystery despite the twists and turns of the characters, the residents of the town, and the police Detective who latch on the obvious suspect.
How you specially love the description of the small town life and it's residents in Canada.
Highly recommended if anybody wants a cozy mystery.
bookwormsuzy
December 18, 2019
Big Points for a Christmas mystery
The Reindeer Caper gets a mod from me... There is an actual plot, the mystery has real twists and turns to keep readers guessing and while there is a loving couple, they are a well adjusted and caring... Not a sugar laden prince or Duke...
This is a fun story about a town that feels real and comfortable... I'm ready to read another Dunbarton story.
The Reindeer Caper gets a mod from me... There is an actual plot, the mystery has real twists and turns to keep readers guessing and while there is a loving couple, they are a well adjusted and caring... Not a sugar laden prince or Duke...
This is a fun story about a town that feels real and comfortable... I'm ready to read another Dunbarton story.
November 18, 2017
What starts out as a mystery surrounding a missing reindeer turns into a search for a murderer in Dunbarton, a small Canadian town. The husband and wife team of Alicia and Chris Mallory, amateur sleuths, are on the case. There are some twists and turns, some entertaining local characters, and some Christmas charm in this fun, clean Christmas mystery.
January 30, 2018
A wonderful Christmas story
I loved this book. It is a wonderful cute Christmas story. Valerie Tate really knows how to write a mystery. She kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. I thought that I had figured out who the killer was, but I was surprised. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading a cozy mystery.
I loved this book. It is a wonderful cute Christmas story. Valerie Tate really knows how to write a mystery. She kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. I thought that I had figured out who the killer was, but I was surprised. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading a cozy mystery.
December 28, 2020
.A town receives a reindeer as a gift for the Christmas holidays. When he goes missing, the entire town is upset. There's a murder and the town-Santa is a suspect. Chris and her husband, noted amateur sleuths. get busy investigating. Their determination wins out and amid many surprises, they uncover the murderer.
A nice cozy mystery set at Christmas.
A nice cozy mystery set at Christmas.
January 16, 2021
I was pleasantly surprised that this book kept me guessing the whole way through to the last chapter. Every time I thought hat I figured out who "the bad guy" was the author threw me a curve. This is best kind of mystery. If you are into mysteries this is the book for you regardless if it a cozy one or not. I would recommend it.
Carrie in WI
Carrie in WI
October 30, 2022
A warm and cost read.
I know, murder isn't coxy, but a small Canadian town written by a Canadian author is. Alicia and Chris are such a living couple that their bond together jumps off the page at you.
Add in a reindeer, horses, a Jack Russell terrier, and small town folks...trying to solve murder has tons of twists and turns.
I know, murder isn't coxy, but a small Canadian town written by a Canadian author is. Alicia and Chris are such a living couple that their bond together jumps off the page at you.
Add in a reindeer, horses, a Jack Russell terrier, and small town folks...trying to solve murder has tons of twists and turns.
December 21, 2017
A cute tale to read during holidays. This has it all a missing reindeer a murdered elf and Santa in jail. Thanks to Chris and Alicia, they investigate, so festivals can go on. A cute story to be enjoyed by all.
March 27, 2018
Low 3
Lots of POV breaks for no good reason (also they're jarring) so would benefit from editing and tightening. A bit slow getting going and insufficient clues to killer to be satisfying as a puzzle.
Lots of POV breaks for no good reason (also they're jarring) so would benefit from editing and tightening. A bit slow getting going and insufficient clues to killer to be satisfying as a puzzle.
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September 17, 2019Loved it!
This is the first book I’ve read by this author, but it won’t be the last. This story pulled me in from the very beginning and made me want to visit this little town in Canada.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author, but it won’t be the last. This story pulled me in from the very beginning and made me want to visit this little town in Canada.
September 30, 2019
Cute Christmas Cozy
Another adventure in Dunbarton, with sleuths Alicia and Chris. As usual, they solve the mystery and save the day again, this time by rescuing a stolen reindeer and catching a murderer.
Another adventure in Dunbarton, with sleuths Alicia and Chris. As usual, they solve the mystery and save the day again, this time by rescuing a stolen reindeer and catching a murderer.
December 8, 2019
Santa, reindeer and murder
Great little story about murder at christmas.
Well written, exciting characters
Just enough characters to make it exciting and fun.
Story begins with a reindeer
And ends with the solving of a murder. Poor Santa is in the middle.
Great little story about murder at christmas.
Well written, exciting characters
Just enough characters to make it exciting and fun.
Story begins with a reindeer
And ends with the solving of a murder. Poor Santa is in the middle.
December 31, 2020
Reindeer and murder
This was a neat cozy read. The reindeer was stolen, there was a murder, and the town's resident Santa was accused. Alicia and Chris have their work cut out for them. The editing could have been better.
This was a neat cozy read. The reindeer was stolen, there was a murder, and the town's resident Santa was accused. Alicia and Chris have their work cut out for them. The editing could have been better.
November 17, 2021
Theft and murder.
Who stole Dasher the reindeer? Why when Dasher was found, was the thief found murdered? A Christmas tale with drama and the main information source the Silver Haired Brigade.
Who stole Dasher the reindeer? Why when Dasher was found, was the thief found murdered? A Christmas tale with drama and the main information source the Silver Haired Brigade.
December 28, 2021
A nice, cozy, Christmas Mystery.
This was a nice little mystery to read around Christmas. This is my first Dunbarton book and I would definitely read more from the series, both the original and Christmas ones.
This was a nice little mystery to read around Christmas. This is my first Dunbarton book and I would definitely read more from the series, both the original and Christmas ones.
April 9, 2022
Good twists and turns.
I liked this story. The victim was murdered by an unexpected killer. The person who was arrested was framed. It ended up being about who would inherit the family farm.
I liked this story. The victim was murdered by an unexpected killer. The person who was arrested was framed. It ended up being about who would inherit the family farm.
April 4, 2023
Fun husband wife sleuths
Reindeer caper offers both holiday cheer and mystery in this entertaining story set in a winter wonderland along a great lake. Chris and Alicia make the perfect sleuths couple.
Reindeer caper offers both holiday cheer and mystery in this entertaining story set in a winter wonderland along a great lake. Chris and Alicia make the perfect sleuths couple.
November 23, 2018
Poor Santa
I really enjoyed this story with the snow and Christmas and Oh No! Santa accused of murder???? Will the murder be solved? Will Santa be saved??? Thanks Valerie Tate.
I really enjoyed this story with the snow and Christmas and Oh No! Santa accused of murder???? Will the murder be solved? Will Santa be saved??? Thanks Valerie Tate.
November 29, 2018
Great book
This book was delightful, never figured out who did it until the end. Very unusual for me. Didn't get it because of Christmas, the title was compelling.
This book was delightful, never figured out who did it until the end. Very unusual for me. Didn't get it because of Christmas, the title was compelling.
January 1, 2019
Good
This book is that brings two people who have solved crimes in this small town before.it's starts out when a rain deer disappears.
This book is that brings two people who have solved crimes in this small town before.it's starts out when a rain deer disappears.
January 11, 2021
Reindeer Caper
Enjoyable, lighthearted reading: plot and characters well thought out, likable, paranormal (of sorts). I'm looking forward to reading the next book!
Enjoyable, lighthearted reading: plot and characters well thought out, likable, paranormal (of sorts). I'm looking forward to reading the next book!
January 14, 2021
Reindeer caper
A totally surprise ending. This sleuthing couple has moved to my good author list. Love the town and the background of Christmas
A totally surprise ending. This sleuthing couple has moved to my good author list. Love the town and the background of Christmas
December 14, 2021
Fun Christmas mystery
I enjoyed it. I didn't figure out who the killer was right away, but I had my sus. Really enjoyed the characters, especially the SHB.
I enjoyed it. I didn't figure out who the killer was right away, but I had my sus. Really enjoyed the characters, especially the SHB.
December 9, 2019
This was a delightful book to read during my month of holiday books. Light and cozy murder mystery, the characters were well developed and you had definite opinions as to whether you liked or despised each one.
I enjoyed the mystery and while I developed my own thoughts as to who was guilty, the author keeps throwing twists and turns that keep you guessing.
Lots of charm abounds in Dunbarton!
I enjoyed the mystery and while I developed my own thoughts as to who was guilty, the author keeps throwing twists and turns that keep you guessing.
Lots of charm abounds in Dunbarton!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews