Merry Without Malice

The 12 Mysteries of Christmas #12

by P. Creeden

Merry thought she'd take her grandchildren to see the parade of lights display in town, but she can barely get them to pull their eyes off their smartphones. When she looks around, almost everyone is filming the lights display instead of enjoying the experience right now. But a sudden scream breaks the jovial atmosphere. One of the spectators has been stabbed. When the police detective turns out to be her own son on his first case, Merry discovers clues to help him solve the crime.

THE 12 MYSTERIES OF CHRISTMAS series:

• IN THE NICK OF TIME by Susette Williams

• GABRIEL’S SECRET by Alexa Verde

• GUARDING CANDY KANE by V.B. Tenery

• MURDER: UP ON THE ROOFTOP by Lilly York

• TIDINGS OF JOY by Susette Williams

• HOLLY IN HIDING by P. Creeden

• STARR WITNESS by Susette Williams

• NOELLE ON THE RUN by Alexa Verde

• GOLDEN BELLES ARE WRINGING by Gina Conroy

• DEATH BY FIGGY PUDDING by P. Creeden

• SWEET REVENGE by Lilly York

• MERRY WITHOUT MALICE by P. Creeden

Genres: Christmas, Mystery, Cozy Mystery

76 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2018

About the author

P. Creeden is the sweet romance and mystery pen name for USA Today Bestselling Author Pauline Creeden. Her stories feature down-to-earth characters who often feel like they are undeserving of love for one reason or another and are surprised when love finds them.

P. Creeden married her college sweetheart, who she also met at a horse farm. Together they raise a menagerie of animals and their one son, an avid reader, himself. Animals are the supporting characters of many of her stories, because they occupy her daily life on the farm, too. From dogs, cats, and goldfish to horses, chickens, and geckos—she believes life around pets is so much better, even if they are fictional.

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was short and sweet!

This was my first journey in to the 12 mysteries-of Christmas. It has me interested to find out how the other books will be.

I have just purchased the first book in the series to find out how the others got started.


The book was about Merry and her Grandchildren trying to find something to do as a family other than playing on their cell phones.

Merry was worried that they would lose their ability to relate to each other. She decided to take the children to see the towns Christmas light display. She wanted them to have real memories of doing things together.

When the lights were being turned out on they heard a scream and found a dead man on n the ground!

The balance of the book tells a well thought out murder and Merry’s son was the detective to come to the scene of the crime and helped to solve it.

The best book was very good and I am looking forward to reading others.

[Ellen White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Merry watching her two grandchildren, bothered by the only interest they had was their phones. Suggested seeing the holiday lights that night, walking thru them and making memories. In a display was a dead man, the body was still warm. How could that be with all the people around. A short story but a good mystery of how it happened. With all the phones taking pictures did they capture this happening.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mystery 12

What a valuable message this story gives us. What is happening now is more important than what happens on a screen. Instead of spending all our time on our phones, let’s take time to cherish those that we love.

[Kandi A. Hudson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Read it While Waiting for Car Repair

I think the joy of this book was the short story aspect. It kept my interest and made my wait for car repair seem less long. The story was very contemporary with the technology aspect; so today!

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of the three stories written by Ms. Creeden in this series, I liked this one the best. How Merry and her grandchildren solved the murder was satisfying. I wish it had been longer and more developed, however.

[Home School Mum 3 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

This book was amazing. I especially loved the storyline, about the grandma and her grandchildren. I wish it had continued on, with another story involving the same characters.

[Evelyn Goughnour · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a good murder mystery.

[Jennie Ersari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute and quick cozy!

Merry and her grandchildren are at the Christmas light display in town when a murder occurs. They help Merry's son and the kid's father solve the mystery.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute read, I liked it.

[writer...]

Short story / novella of Christmas festival mystery in small town Colorado.