Candy Cane Killer

Cozy Baked Mystery #4

by Kate Bell, Kathleen Suzette

It's Christmas time and while that jolly elf dressed all in red is preparing to deliver presents around the world, Allie McSwain and crew are in Goose Bay, Alabama visiting Allie's mother and working to solve a murder.

Allie's daughter Jennifer discovers a murdered neighbor on the lawn and it's up to Allie and Alec to figure out who the murderer is before there's another victim.

Genres: Christmas, Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Fiction, Holiday, Novella, Family

174 pages, Paperback

Published May 6, 2018

Reviews

[Angie Frakes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my favorite of the Freshly Baked Cozy Mystery series so far! I really found the murder mystery intriguing, and there were so many potential suspects. Everyone seemed to have an agenda or a reason to commit the murder. I definitely did not guess the ending to this one - and I can’t wait to read the next!

[Paige Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

It definitely is cozy

[Wulfwyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun holiday book. I haven’t read any others in the series. I actually didn’t realize it was book 4 until I finished reading it. The main character is Allie, a single mom who lives in Maine and dates a detective named Alec. For this book, Allie, Alec, her two children and her son’s girlfriend are spending the Christmas holiday with her mother in Alabama. Next door to her mom is a bachelor who possibly is somewhat of a ladies man. Or was. He is the victim. But who is the killer? Apparently nearly every woman in town.
I enjoyed reading this book during Christmas in July. I like Allie and could easily imagine what it’s like going home after so many years away. If you are looking for a fun mystery but are short on time, this may work for you. It is under 200 pages making it just right for relaxing with after a day of Christmas shopping.

[Kate Huff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Candy Cane Killer

Quick read. I had a hard time getting into this book. Not sure if reading the other books in the series first would have helped. It had a cute story and a tad bit of mystery but I feel like it could have used more mystery. Definitely a cozy, hallmark-ish story to get you in the mood for the holidays while still hanging out to spooky season.

[Carys · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the others but that wont stop me reading the series, very festive and got me feeling more christmassy

[Jammin Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a really fun read. A lethario is found stabbed outside his home, and the MCs work with local authorities to try and find the killer. There's kidnapping and a rescue, and the killer is captured. Fun quick read.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good cozy mystery to enjoy during the holidays.

[Dharia Scarab · Rating 3 out of 5]

Catching up on reviews. Didn’t realize kindle wasn’t marking these completed.

Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...

1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.

2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.

3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.

4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.

5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Allie and Alec couldn't get away from murder even by going home for Christmas to Allie's hometown in Alabama and her mama's house. The murder of a neighbor got Allie wondering if Mama (and about 50 other women) were sweet on the guy who'd died. Luckily, the local officer was welcoming of Alec's help. The other one, not so much, but he was a jerk from when Allie went to school with him anyway.

I was never really sure of whodunit, but that showdown was pretty tense! Who knew Christmas could be just as scary as Halloween? This book made me change my mind about Thad's Sarah, and now I feel like she's got that whole family spirit and might just be a good one for him. She definitely pitched in and became part of the family in this book. Off to the next in series!

[Chanel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I grabbed this one for a little holiday chaos, and it definitely understood the assignment. A dead neighbor clutching a candy cane? Say less. The small-town drama was nonstop and honestly half the town had a motive, which kept things fun and messy in the best cozy-mystery way.

I liked how each chapter dropped a tiny breadcrumb without giving too much away. But the ending didn’t fully land for me. I’m not totally sold on who they pinned it on, and a few characters (cough Elmer cough) gave off energy that deserved a follow-up investigation. Still, it was a quick, festive read with enough twists to keep me entertained.

3.0 stars — cute, cozy, and just suspicious enough.

🪩 Vibe Check

Song: Santa Baby (side-eye remix)
Drink: Peppermint cocoa
Emoji Energy: 🎄🔍😒

[Susan · Rating 1 out of 5]

That's it?

It makes no sense. Why is it called the candy cane killer? Why was he holding a candy cane in his hand? We never get an answer. And how did the police and an investigator miss so much stuff at the murder scene? I was expecting some big plot twist that would explain everything. Where did all the daggers go? Where was the vacuum when it was missing? Why was the plant in such bad shape? I thought with as often as it was mentioned, it was going to be important.

This one was just a complete let down. I have to wonder if the author uses beta readers. These are the kinds of things a beta reader should catch.

[Valorie Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slamming book!!!!

10+++ stars!!!!
Sometimes women can be dilutionally dangerous when it comes to loving a man.
Allie just wanted to have a great Christmas back home with her family and taking Alec to meet her mother. But it didn't stay drama free for long. And boy was there a lot of suspects and a bumbly police officer that Allie had dated way back in high school, that still had a crush on Allie, but didn't like her with Alec.
You got to read this book, you will love it. Didn't sleep much either.

[Skye · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn’t find the main character to be likable at all. She didn’t even attempt to comfort her daughter after she discovered the body. She also kept referring to Alec handling the case, yet he wasn’t even in his jurisdiction. This wasn’t realistic at all. She even made a callous comment that the neighbor “deserving to have his murder solved”. Doesn’t everyone? I only made it 15% through the story before I checked out due to the insufferable main character.

[Kristal Harrold · Rating 3 out of 5]

𝓒𝓪𝓷𝓭𝔂 𝓒𝓪𝓷𝓮 𝓚𝓲𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓻
⭐️⭐️⭐️
NO SPICE

Meh. This one was okay, hence the 3 star review.
Definitely a cozy, small town vibe with a murder mystery thrown into the mix…

Man, Goose Bay is brutal when it comes to the elderly grapevine… 🤭 This poor man that was murdered in cold blood was the TALK of the town with the ladies, but who could’ve done it?

Follow along with Allie and Alec to help along side the investigators to solve the case!

[Delonna Oskouee · Rating 2 out of 5]

A barely ok murder mystery, but a poor

Excuse of a Christmas story. Rarely did anything remotely related to Christmas come into play. We never found out why the deceased guy had a brokencandy cane in his hand. There wasn't much of any new facts that came out after the killer was arrested. I kept waiting for some progress on the search for the killer, but it really didn't materialize.

[Elizabeth Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gteat

Great book I love this series! Allie takes her two college axed children , her son's girlfriend and Alex -her detective boyfriend home to Alabama to visit her mom. The neighbor is found murdered and Allie and Alex lend a hand in helping to solve the mystery! It gets pretty bad but with a!ecs
Help it all works out! Looking forward to more in the series!!.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

A light easy Christmas murder.
Book 4 in the series but have only read this one and will definitely read more.
Allie returns home to her mother's for Christmas with her 2 teenagers and new detective boyfriend Alex, only to find her mother's neighbour murdered and every woman in the neighbourhood is a suspect.

[Sarka B · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a 4th book in the serie and it takes place around Christmas. Allie and her family together with Alec are visiting Allie's mama in the south when another murder happened. Will they be able to resolve it?
The book is interesting and I enjoyed reading it. It has nice atmosphere and is well written. Looking forward to reading next one of this favourite serie of mine.

[Kate Huff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quicker read. I had a hard time getting into this book. Not sure if reading the other books in the series first would have helped. It had a cute story and a tad bit of mystery but I feel like it could have used more mystery. Definitely a cozy, hallmark-ish story to get you in the mood for the holidays while still hanging out to spooky season

[Leta Hawk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick Christmas Read

For the most part, this was an enjoyable Christmas cozy mystery. Lots of potential suspects with the usual motives, and the stakes got higher as the story progressed. I kind of felt like the actual killer came out of nowhere, but it did make sense in the end. Looking forward to reading more by this author.

[Kandi A. Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Hard to Put Down Story

This book is a continuation of book 3. This one Is set it the south as Allie and Alex and family visit Allie's mom for Christmas. Thus the start of a murder mystery. Interesting characters, a fairly fast moving series of events occurring, leading to a satisfying ending. Can't wait to read book 5!

[R · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one, but I do think I like the characters better from her other two series that I’ve read. I’ll have to read more from this one to be certain. I still recommend these as nice cozies, though.

[Krystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book #4 in a series and I didn’t realize that when I started reading. It took me a knife to sort out who were her kids and who was the girlfriend. It’s a fast and easy read. Wish they would have included the recipes for the gingerbread, cinnamon rolls, and the fudge!

[Jean Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick, fun read. The bachelor who lives next door to Allie's mother is found murdered by Allie's daughter while they are visiting for Christmas. Lots of speculation about him being a ladies man, so there are plenty of suspects to choose from.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the best in the series so far!

I think all the books in this series have been great, but this one was even better. It really had me glued to it and the ending was way different than what I expected. Highly recommend this series to anyone considering it!

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

OK book 4 of this wonderful cozy I'm getting the next book now if you're like me and love a great cozy this is a must read

[Debi Emerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good series, tho a fast read.

[Suzanne Perryman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Candy cane killer

Very fast moving and kept me hook until the end. I’m ready beginning to love the main family. Great story

[Stephanie Logback · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.3

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Life is what you make it

Life is what you make it, people say, just make sure you really know what you're doing. Fun easy mystery with just a touch of Christmas.